Blog

NAN-H-25

Killing

By Muhammad Bahir

Dutse, Sept. 25,  2016 (NAN) An unidentified man on Saturday had stabbed one person to death and injured three others in Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa, the police said on Sunday.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Jinjiri Abdu, who confirmed the incidents  to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse, said the attacks occurred about 1.30 a.m. in Taraya Village in the area.

He said the police received a report about 2 a.m. that an unknown man entered a house and stabbed 21-year-old Adamu Busi, with a knife.

“Upon receiving the report, our men immediately moved to the scene but unfortunately the suspect had disappeared,’’ he said.

Abdu said while the police were taking  the victim to the hospital, they received another report that the suspect had entered another house and stabbed 18-year-old, Saleh Usman in the stomach.

He said another report came that the suspect had moved to another house and stabbed 15-year-old Auwalu Alhaji at the shoulder.

Abdu said the policemen divided themselves into two groups, one group trying to take the victims to hospital, and the other looking for the suspect.

He said that the police got another report that the attacker entered another house and stabbed 20-year-old Yusif Sulaiman in his ribs.

“So the first victim died before we could take him to hospital while the rest were taken to the General Hospital where they are responding to treatment,’’ Abdu said.

He said the man stabbed in the stomach had serious injuries with his intestines exposed and added that ‘’the rest are receiving treatment in the hospital.’’

The police spokesman said the corpse of the dead man had been handed over to the family for burial.

According to him, the police have launched a manhunt to arrest the  suspect.

NAN recalls that the police in Jigawa on Sept. 13 arrested a 30-year- old man for allegedly killing a 70-year-old woman and her 50-year-old son in Jahun Local Government Area. (NAN)

MNB/COO/JCE
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-H- 37
Chinyere Bassey
Lagos, Sept. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has threatened to go on strike if the Federal Government sells national assets.

In a statement in Lagos, the union’s Public Relations’ Officer, Mr Emmanuel Ojugbana, advised the government not to sell the assests in the interest of Nigerians.

The statement was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.

NAN reports that there have been calls for the sale of national assets to cussion economic recession

Ojugbana described the moves as unpatriotic, saying that the sale would further impoverish Nigerians.

He said that it was wrong to solve the country’s short-term economic problem by handing over collective common wealth to a few individuals.

“We will not watch our national assets sold, especially those in the oil and gas industry such as NLNG that has become a huge revenue earner for Nigeria; refineries and shares in the upstream oil and gas JV operations.

“Any attempt to sell these assets will be resisted as PENGASSAN will ensure that every activity in the oil and gas sector is brought to a halt,” he said.

Ojugbana said these assets had been generating revenue and would still generate revenue for the country.

He said that the planned sale was ill-timed, unwarranted and would not serve national interest.

He added that no nation could develop, survive or feel secure after selling all national assets.

Ojugbana said that doing this would further mortgage the future of the country in the hands of few who could take advantage of it to loot the country’s wealth.

He advised that instead of selling the assets, the government should look for other ways of increasing the revenue base of the country, while plugging loopholes and leakages in government’s finances.

The PENGASSAN official urged the three tiers of governments to generate money to revive the economy. (NAN)

CHIN/ESAN/IGO
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(Edited by Abiodun Esan and ciontrolled by Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-H-36
Insurgency
Lagos, Sept. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Rev. Alfred Martins, on Sunday in Lagos called on the military personnel fighting in the North East to put in their best in securing the nation.

The archbishop made the call while speaking with journalists after he took over the mantle of leadership as the Military Liaison Bishop at St. Michael Military Catholic Church, Tamandu Barracks. Apapa, Lagos.

Martins took over as the liaison bishop from  Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, who was absent at the occasion.

“The fight being carried on at the North-Eastern part of the country is a fight that needs professionals to handle.

“We expect that they put in their best in the fight against insurgency for the sake of the country.

“We realise that even though it is their professional duty, they are making a sacrifice which needs to be supported by everyone both in the military and government hierarchy,“ he noted.

Martins congratulated the military for efforts so far in defending Nigeria’s territory, noting that the armed forces had been working hard to ensure peace and stability in the country.

The archbishop said that the liaison bishop had the responsibility of coordinating the activities of the chaplains as far as the pastoral ministry to the faithful was concerned.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, represented by Maj.-Gen. Okon Ekanem congratulated the archbishop for taking the responsibility as the military liaison bishop.

The Director, Chaplain Services, Nigerian Army, Col. Charles Iroegbu, while speaking with journalists, urged the military to be more committed and pray more for the growth and peace of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the residence of the chaplain was inaugurated by the representative of the CDS at the occasion.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigeria Army, Maj.-Gen. Isidore Edet,was at the occasion. (NAN)

HOB/COO/IGO
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(Edited by Cecilia Odey and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

Rotary commits $100m to curb resurgence of polio in Nigeria

NAN-H-32

Polio

By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Sept. 25, 2016 (NAN) Mr Bisi Adegoke, Rotary Governor, District 9125, said on Sunday that the Rotary Club was committing 100 million Dollars to prevent resurgence of polio meningitis in the country.
Adegoke, who disclosed this at a news conference in Ilorin, said that $33 million was contributed by Rotarians across the country while the remaining $66 million came from the rotary endowment fund.
The District Governor said that members of Rotary clubs across the country had never rested since the recent reported case of polio in Borno.
“Rotarians, who had never been to the north, are in the northern part of the country now vaccinating children against polio meningitis.
Nobody serve humanity than Rotarians. We commit our time, wealth to serve humanity,” he said.

Adegoke explained that rotary would not relent until polio is eradicated from the country, assuring the public that the battle would be won by the organisation.

The rotary leader said that an effort to eradicate the disease started 13 years ago without any contribution by the government.

He noted that rotary made a breakthrough in 2014 when Nigeria was declared a polio-free nation before a new case was reported in Borno some weeks ago.

He listed water and sanitation, disease prevention, economic empowerment and maternal healthcare as the six cardinal areas of intervention by the organisation.

He said rotary club would soon embark on surgical outreach in the country.

“24 surgeons of different specialisations are coming from India. It is going to be a week or 10-day long programme.

“Eight surgical theatres with required facilitates would be needed for the outreach,” he said.

Adegoke noted that local doctors were going to be trained, while drugs would be supplied to some hospitals in the country.

He added that rotary club would bring in some equipment for the outreach and hand them over to the hospitals to be used for the surgical outreach. (NAN)
AUO/ GOM/AFA
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-29

Assets

Abuja, Sept 25, 2016 (NAN) Ms Iayat Hassan, the Director, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), an NGO, has kicked against the proposed sale of national assets to address the economic recession in the country.

Hassan in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja on Sunday said that the plan was not a welcome idea.

“I am against the country selling off its assets in the name of solving the country’s economy recess.

“We are in no way bankrupt to the extent of selling off the country’s assets.

‘’So, the thought of revenue to be generated from the sale of the national assets, to help sustain the country do not in any way come in.

“If these assets are sold, who will it benefit,’’ she asked.

Hassan recalled that similar exercise in the past did not benefit the masses.

“I am strongly in support of the government borrowing and injecting same into the economy,” she said.

Hassan also called on the government to prioritise the development of the small and medium scale industries to enable them contribute to the economy.

She also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reshuffle his cabinet with a view to dropping ministers that were not performing to the expectation of the people.

Hassan, however, commended the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun for contributing meaningfully to reducing the cost of governance in the country.

“Efficiency unit introduced by her is working and close watchers of the government can attest to that; same can be said of the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma.’’

However, Hassan urged the ministers to work more with technocrats to bridge any gap existing at the moment. (NAN)

COO/DUA/AFA
Edited by Dada Ahmed/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-14
Arrest
By Mohammad Tijjani
Kaduna, Sept. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Police, Kaduna State Command, has arrested seven armed robbery suspects who invaded Godogodo in Kafanchan Local Government Area of the state on Sept. 24.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Aliyu Usman, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Kaduna.

‘’The contingents of policemen deployed for Operations Maximum Safety along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway received a distress call about the blockage of the road by suspected armed bandits, on Sept.24,’’ he said.

Usman said that policemen attached to the area successfully arrested seven suspects while others fled.

“ The seven suspects have been transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation while efforts are on to ensure the arrest of the remaining suspects,’’ he said.

Usman also told NAN that the police recovered three motorcycles used by the suspects during the attack.
The police spokesman said that the suspects left three victims they kidnapped while fleeing.

He gave the assurance that security agencies were on ground at the affected area to ensure return of normalcy.

Usman said that the police was determined to reduce crime to the barest minimum in the state.

‘’We will trail them and make sure they face the law.’’

He urged members of the public to volunteer useful information to security operatives for arrest of criminal elements. (NAN)

TJ/DUA/IGO
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(Edited by Dada Ahmed and controlled ny Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-H-28

leaders

Ikole (Ekiti), Sept. 25, 2016 (NAN) Pastor Temitope Abayomi of the Christ Disciples Ministry, Odo-Oro in Ekiti, has called on religious leaders to assist government in the spiritual cleansing of he nation and re-orientation of Nigerians.

Abayomi made this call on Sunday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Odo-Oro Ekiti, Ikole Local Government Area of the state.

“It is only God’s intervention that can put an end to the challenges facing the nation, only if the people seek the face of the creator, through fervent and ceaseless prayers.

“Clerics and other religious leaders should lead their followers in the spiritual cleansing of the country, so that all  satanic dominations will be subdued,” he said.

He decried the level at which wicked people were killing their fellow human beings for rituals as well as perpetrating immorality and other criminal activities in the country.

Abayomi urged the leadership of the nation to embark on such programmes that would alleviate the suffering of the masses.

The cleric also advised Nigerians to be hardworking, be law abiding and remain optimistic that the nation would be great again. (NAN)

DAK/DUA/YEMI
Edited by Dada Ahmed
Controlled by Yemi Idris-Aduloju

NAN-H-13
Funding
By Modupe Seriboh
Ibadan, Sept. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Idowu Olayinka, has asked the Federal Government to allocate special funds to the university  to improve research and infrastructure.

Olayinka made the request in the university’s bulletin signed by the Registrar, Mr Olufemi Olukoya, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said that the special funding will enable the institution to do more to compete favourably with the world’s best universities.

He noted that the latest ranking of universities by Times Higher Education (THE) placed UI among the top 1,000 universities in the world.

Olayinka described the ranking as a welcome development, noting that it showed that UI was the only Nigerian university that made it among the top 1,000.

He said that the university was blessed with dedicated world class scholars, and urged that Nigeria must engaged them effectively to solve its problems.

“In spite of the under funding by the Federal Government, the University of Ibadan has finally been ranked among the 1,000 best universities in the world,’’ he said.

According to him, the latest ranking was based on teaching, research, and citations of scholarly publications, industry income and international outlook.

“The truth of the matter is that the Times Higher Education is one of the elite global ranking bodies.

“It is a thing of joy that we have a respectable position in comparison to peer universities in Africa.

“This is a message to the Federal Government of Nigeria that we need funding to improve our research and infrastructure to enhance productivity.

“We congratulate all faculties, staff and students who have made this feat possible.

“The Federal Government should learn to use research output from the University of Ibadan to solve problems facing the country.

“We cannot have world class scholars in Nigeria and rely on those who have never conducted researches on our problems to come and solve our problems,” he said.(NAN)
MAM/COO/IGO
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(Edited by Cecilia Odey and contro;;ed by Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-H-23

Boy

By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Sept. 25, 2016 (NAN) Sympathisers on Sunday rescued a nine-month boy from being killed by his mother, suspected to by a lunatic, eyewitnesses said.

The witnesses said the mother pummelled the boy because he  tried to get some food and water from her, while she was eating and drinking.

The incident occurred at a roadside in Ugwuachara on the  outskirts of Abakaliki, where the child’s persistent cry attracted sympathisers.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the woman ate food and water given to her by someone and refused to give the child.

Witnesses said when the child tried to grab some, the mother beat him instead and his cry attracted passers-by.

One of the sympathisers, Mr Sunday Ebe, told NAN that the situation forced some sympathisers to the scene retrieve the child from the woman to prevent the baby being injured.

“We later took the child to Rev. Fr Abraham Nwali, the Ebonyi Governor’s Senior Special Adviser on Religion and Welfare Matters, at the Catholic Bishop’s Court, Abakaliki.

“The frantic wailing of the child further attracted the sympathy of Rev. Sr. Cecilia Chukwu, Executive Director of Succour and Development Initiative, Abakaliki.

“She directed her assistant to give the child a warm bath, food and provide him clothing and other immediate needs,”  Ebe  said.

NAN reports that Nwali while receiving the baby, inquired about the mental state of the woman to avoid insinuations of kidnapping or child trafficking over the incident.

“The people who brought the child to this place should bring the woman to be examined medically and offered medical treatment,” he said.

Nwali later followed the sympathisers to the scene and met the woman sleeping.

He asked a nurse to wake the woman and give her food and water.

The woman was later taken to a hospital for medical treatment while the child was returned to her to be breastfed under the watchful eyes of hospital staff. (NAN)

RCO/COO/JCE
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-H-11
Tanker
By: Moses Omorogieva
Lagos, Sept. 25, 2016 (NAN) A petrol tanker with Reg. No. AGL 664 XG, on Sunday morning fell on a moving car in Lagos and killed the lone occupant.

A witness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the incident happened at about 4.08a.m at Ikorodu roundabout.

He said that the tanker, laden with 33,000 litres of petrol, fell while trying to turn at the roundabout.

“The tanker fell on one Hyunda saloon car with Reg. No. KJA 421 AH, trapping the only occupant in the car – a male – who died before help could come,’’ the source said.

Confirming the incident, the Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasak Fadipe, said that timely intervention of the service prevented fire outbreak from spilling petrol.

Fadipe said that the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Federal Road Safety Corp, police and some other emegency managers also acted in time to prevent more havoc.

“The truck was carefully lifted upright, while the dead body was removed by LASEMA response team with the use of light duty equipment.

“The corpse was taken to the Ikorodu General Hospital mortuary.

“The vehicles were cleared off the road and handed to the police,’’ he said.

Also commenting, Mr AdeshinaTiamiyu, General Manager of LASEMA, advised motorists to stop over speeding.

He urged them to adhere to all traffic rules and regulations to avoid accidents. (NAN)

MIO/FF/IGO
(Edited by Fela Fashoro and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)