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FG will not sell off all national assets – Udoma

NAN-H-43
Funds
By Cecilia Ologunagba
Abuja, Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Minister  of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma says the fiscal stimulus strategy designed is not to sell off all national assets.

Udoma, gave the explanation in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, James Akpandem on Saturday in Abuja.

Udoma said the primary objective of government’s fiscal stimulus plan was not to sell off all major critical national assets but to source for immediate funds to get the economy out of recession.

He said the intention of government was just to get enough money to fund the 2016 budget and to put the economy back on the path of recovery.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Economic Management Team had been working on a plan to generate immediate large injection of funds into the economy.

The team had plans to generate and inject large amount of funds, estimated at between 10 billion dollars and 15 billion dollars into the economy.

“This unfortunate scenario has prompted the team to urgently work out a fiscal stimulus plan to generate immediate large injection of funds into the economy,’’ he said.

He said the plans were to generate funds through asset sales, advance payment for license rounds, infrastructure concessioning, use of recovered funds to reduce the funding gap.

The other option, according to the minister, would have been to source for additional loans, beyond the level of borrowing already projected for in the 2016 budget.

“This would not be a wise option as it would raise the level of debt service to an unsustainable level,’’ Udoma said

He also said the government was exploring several options in the asset sales proposal including repurchase options, which would make provision for buy-back of those assets when the situation improved.

The minister said the country’s economy might not have gone into recession but for the drastic fall in oil production levels and disruptions caused by oil pipeline vandalism.

He said the government appreciated that the down-turn in the economy had brought hardship to the people, adding that government was committed to redressing the situation.

“Our goal is to unlock the economic potentials of the non-oil and high-employment sectors.

“This is to achieve a sustainable inclusive growth that will ensure that the majority of Nigerians become more productive, thereby reducing poverty.

“We are deliberately working towards diversifying the economy by ensuring that the non-oil sector drives the economy because this is the sector that contributes most to GDP,’’ Udoma said.

The minister, however, said getting back the economy on the path of sustainable growth would require the contribution of every sector in their respective core mandate areas.

He further said collaboration with groups such as the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) provided a veritable avenue for forging consensus on issues of national development.

The minister said this year’s Nigeria Economic Summit to hold in Lagos slated for between Oct.10 and Oct.12 would serve as veritable platform to chart other ways for the economy to recover.

The minister stressed the need to encourage more production and consumption of made in Nigeria goods and services. (NAN)
CIA/OMO/AFA
Edited by Martins Odeh/Felix Ajide

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NAN-H-42
Bread
By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos, Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) Flour Mills of Nigeria is working with Nigerian farmers on the local cultivation of wheat in the country, its Group Chief Executive, Mr Paul Gbededo, has said.
Gbededo told newsmen in Lagos on Saturday that the company has signed MoU with local farmers and the Federal Government on local production of wheat for the industry.
He said that milling companies presently imported virtually all wheat used in making flour, adding that the situation was about to change with the local production of wheat by Nigerian farmers.
“Wheat production takes about four months and the first batch would be planted between November and February, 2017.
“We have promised that we will buy whatever Nigerian farmers produce as soon they start harvesting in February, 2017.
According to him, a lot of research was ongoing in wheat cultivation to make the seed indigenous to Nigerian eco system.
He noted that Nigerians consumed four million metric tonnes of wheat yearly in semolina, bread, biscuits, snacks and all confectioneries.
“We have to guarantee our supply chain and we want to guarantee food security in Nigeria.’’
Gbededo said about 450,000 bakeries operate in Nigeria, each with three to five master bakers
He said bread was the cheapest food Nigerians could buy, even as the country faced economic recession.
“Bread is very important in the food security in the country. We should look at bread as a giver of life,’’ he said. (NAN)
OOG/MO/WOJ
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(Edited by Morayo Omolade and controlled by Wale Ojetimi)

Boat mishap: 4 feared drown on trip to Tompolo father’s funeral
NAN-H-41
Mishap
Warri (Delta), Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) Four people were feared dead in Warri River on Friday in a boat mishap involving the funeral party to the burial of late Thomas Ekpemupolo, father of Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo).
A community leader in Gbaramatu Kingdom, who craved anonymity, told newsmen on Saturday in Warri that the victims included a man and three women.
He said that two of the female victims were from Kurutie and Ogulaha communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the victims boarded the ill-fated speed boat at the Miller Waterside in Warri to attend the weeklong funeral which commenced on Friday.
“We were already at the funeral celebrating Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo when we got news of the accident.
“Initially, we were told only two persons died, later we heard that the victims were four.
”The male victim, who was apparently from the northern part of the country, was on a mission to sell some wares at the funeral ground,” he said
NAN recalled that Late Ekpemupolo died on Sept. 7 at Lily Clinic, Warri.
Delta Police spokesperson, SP Celestina Kalu, who confirmed the incident, said the number of casualties were yet to be ascertained.
”I was regretfully informed that AW-19 boat mounted with 115 horsepower Yamaha engine capsized at Warri river.
”My patrol team rescued 11 persons; searching and investigation is ongoing.
”For your information, there is no manifest to show the number of passengers in the boat.
”So the number of deaths is not certain yet, the bodies will float by tomorrow,” said the Delta police spokesperson. (NAN)
EDI/ESAN/WOJ
(Edited by Abiodun Esan and controlled by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-39
Rice
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Katsina Police Command on Saturday said it had arrested four persons for allegedly diverting tonnes of rice meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East Zone.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Salisu Agaisa, told newsmen in Katsina that the suspects had claimed to be customs agents.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had directed the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to distribute rice it seized from smugglers to the various IDPs camps.

The police spokesman said the suspects were arrested after they offered to sell the commodity to one of the prominent persons in the state.

“One of the suspects had called the prominent person through a mobile phone that they have five trucks of the diverted rice for sale.

“Our investigation also shows that the suspects had concluded arrangement to sell a bag of rice to that person at the rate of N12, 500 per bag,’’ he said.

Agaisa said the suspects were later arrested at Liyafa Palace Hotel in Katsina where they had lodged for 21 days.

He said the suspects would be prosecuted after investigations were completed.(NAN)
ZI/OMO/OJO
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(Edited by Martins Odeh and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

Borno Govt. begins massive clearing, fumigation in Bama

NAN-AE-6
Fumigation
Bama (Borno) Sept. 24, 2016(NAN) The Borno Government on Saturday began massive clearing and fumigation of Bama town recently liberated by the military to prepare ground for the return of the people.
Alhaji Nasiru Surundi, Sole Administrator of the Borno Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA), who launched the exercise in Bama, said it was to ensure the early return of the people back home.
“We are here with 1,000 personnel to clear the entire town of refuse and other rubbish ahead of the peoples’ return.
“We also came with 15 trucks of different capacity to facilitate our work, ” Surundi said.
He said that BOSEPA had earlier deployed 40 environment staff to commence the cleaning before the eventual launching.
“Already we have 40 Environment Staff that had started the exercise before our arrival.
” We are also trying to reinforce our workers with additional manpower to fast-track the pace of work, ” he said.
“We are also fumigating the town to take care of reptiles, especially snakes and rodents that might be hidden inside people homes after been abandoned for several months.
“We have a spray machine with high capacity to fumigate areas in a short while, we also have large stock of concentrated chemicals for the job,“he said.
Surundi said that BOSEPA was also spraying another sets of chemicals that would prevent disease outbreaks after the return of the people.
He commended the workers for their zeal in carrying out the cleaning.
According to him, in the next two weeks we will have achieved our dream of cleaning and clearing the town of unwanted things.

“God willing we will not encounter landmines or any dangerous items during the clearing.
“We have submitted ourselves to God by carrying out prayers before we started, we are determine to work and nothing will happen to us ” Surundi said.
Bama, one of the worst hit towns by the Boko Haram insurgency was liberated last year by the military after been occupied for several months by the insurgents. (NAN)
ABI/JPE/AFA
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Felix Ajide
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NAN-S-2
Games
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Technical Director of Plateau Sports Council, Dorcas Lenkat, says athletes from the state would excel in the ongoing National Youth Games in Ilorin.

Lenkat said this on Saturday in an interview with newsmen after the state delegation concluded its accreditation exercise.

She said the games should not only be about winning but building the right athletes as well as grooming them to become national and international champions.

“The beauty of the National Youth Games is the number of athletes that will be discovered to represent Nigeria in future.

“At the end of the day, if most Plateau athletes are picked, then it is a great joy for the state.

“The state governor, Simon Lalong,  has been supportive and he believes in youth developments though sports.

“That is why we were amongst the first set of states to arrive the competition ,” Lenkat said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Plateau would parade 54 athletes and 22 officials for the games.

They will compete in 10 sports, including athletics, badminton, chess, judo, karate, scrabble, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo and wresting.(NAN)
OOH/OJO
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(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-S-1
Development
Benin, Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) Godwin Obaseki, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Sept. 28, Governorship Election in Edo, says grassroots sports development will be accorded a priority if elected.
Obaseki told staff of the state Ministry of Sports at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, on Saturday that his administration, if elected, would attract private sector participation into sports development.
“In order to develop the sports sector, if elected, I will attract investment to sports, through the private sector,’’ he said.
Obaseki promised to construct sports centres across the 18 local government areas of the state.
The APC candidate also promised to revive school sports to harness new talents that would be nurtured to represent the state and the nation.
He said that state football league would be revived in the state.
Obaseki said:“ All these are to ensure that Edo occupies its rightful position in the league of sporting states in Nigeria, and not operate from behind.
“All sporting associations will be encouraged financially for the development of games under their watch.
“We also plan to discover and monitor raw talents, through the revival of school sports in the state, as well as construct modern sporting facilities in all the council areas of the state.
“Through good governance, we are going to bring in private sector investment in sports, while we will ensure adequate training for our coaches in modern techniques in their respective sports,’’ Obaseki said.
Frank Ebewele, who spoke on behalf of members of staff of the state sports council, pledged their support for the APC candidate at the election.
“Sport is in dire need of proper funding in Edo, and as a technocrat, the APC candidate has assured that he will turn sports around for the better in the state.
“Aside the issue of training and retraining of coaches, as well as inadequate sport facilities, there is also the need to provide means of mobility for the various sports associations,’’ Ebewele said. (NAN)
ESI/DEB/WOJ
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(Edited by Debo Oshundun and controlled by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-22
Madman
Jahun (Jigawa) Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) A man suspected to be mentally ill has stabbed a man to death and injured three others in Taraya Village of Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa.
A resident of the village, Adamu Sani, told newsmen that the suspect was armed with knife which he used in perpetuating the act at about 1am on Saturday.
Sani said that the suspected killer attacked the victims in their homes located in different parts of the village and fled.
The Secretary of the Local Government, Alhaji Mohammed Harbo, told newsmen that the assailant stabbed his first victim, Adamu Jibrin, on the nape which led to his death.
Harbo disclosed that the suspect stabbed his second victim, Sale Umar, in the stomach while the two others – Auwal Sani and Yusuf Suleman – were stabbed on the shoulder and ribs, respectively.
He said that that the three injured persons were on admission at the General Hospital in Jahun.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that two weeks ago, a suspected madman, Haruna Barde, also killed two people in Nahuce village in Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa.
Spokesman of the Jigawa Police Command, Abdul Jinjiri, confirmed the incidents.
Jinjiri said that no arrest had been made, adding that police were on the trail of the suspected killer. (NAN)
ESAN/WOJ
(Edited by Abiodun Esan and controlled by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-S-1
Fans
Ibadan, Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Oyo State Ministry of Youths and Sports in conjunction with a private outfit, Hams Universal Consulting (HUC), is to hold a programme to express gratitude to the teeming supporters of 3SC.

Mr Yomi Oke, the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan that the forum tagged, “Giving Back Sports Series, ‘’ was evolved to show appreciation to supporters of the popular Ibadan side.

NAN reports that 3SC, which has won the league five times, would on Sunday in Ibadan host Wikki Tourist in its last home match for the 2016 Nigeria Professional Football League season.

 Wikki Tourist was placed third with 54 points behind Enugu Rangers and Rivers United Football Clubs, who have 57 and 56 points respectively.

 NAN also reports that Wikki Tourist may find it difficult against 3SC in Ibadan on Sunday considering 3SC’s 15th position and 44 points on the League table.

 But 3SC would have to secure three points against Wikki Tourist to be more comfortable on the table and save it from the relegation zone.

Oke, however, commended the unflinching support the club enjoyed from the fans and pledged the government’s commitment to returning the team back to its winning ways.

He stated that government had evolved several initiatives to lift the team to greater heights, adding that these would be unveiled soon. 

Oke also said that a blueprint for the development of sports in the state would soon be made public.

NAN reports that the Giving Back Sports Series would hold at the Lekan Salami Stadium from 3pm to 4pm on Sunday, after which the match with Wikki Tourist would kick off.

The programme would feature artistes such as Tundey, GTS, BK GMB, Sheun Natural, Fabulous Pizzy, Sade Blaq and 13th Disciple while Peteru would act as compere. (NAN)
TAA/ESAN/OJO
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(Edited by Abiodun Esan and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-34
Youths
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu, the Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Oyo State, has urged youths in the country to be self reliant and refrain from over dependence on government.

Dosunmu gave the advice in Ibadan on Saturday at the Youth Empowerment Seminar organised by the agency.

The seminar was organised in collaboration with a private outfit, Cherry Brooks Media, Lagos, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.

Dosunmu said: “No condition has ever been permanent; our poor economic recession can’t be an exception,

“ Ethiopia was a country with famine and drought, but through the contributions of their youths’ resilience, deep determination to confront challenges, agriculture today is leading the country’s economic development.

“We can also follow suit, it’s never too late to do what is right.’’

The NOA boss also said one of the cardinal messages of change was a mental shift from an unproductive venture to a more beneficial one.

“It’s high time the youths swivelled their attention to how they can earn legitimate means of livelihood since dreams are said to be touchstones of our characters.

“Now that the Federal Government has upped its ante to revamp our technology, the youths should key into technological advancement and position themselves strategically to drive the process.

“The youth as an agent of positive change is expected to move from moral laxity to a height of moral rectitude,” she said.

The director said the free workshop for unemployed youths in Oyo State was to make them functional, self reliant and prosperous.

Also speaking, IITA Production Manager, Mr Oludare Odusanya, said the best years in Nigeria were the period when the country recorded prosperity in agricultural production.

He urged the youths to develop strong passion for agri-business and invest in it to earn a living.

“Our country is blessed with all we need, we shouldn’t allow foreigners to exploit the benefits for us.

“ Agri-business has a lot of value chains youths can invest in and flourish without even going to the farm first,” Odusanya said.

Delivering a lecture on how to make income through the internet, Mr Olumuyiwa Dada, the Responsibility Officer of Cherry Brooks Media, urged youths to do their best to be self reliant.

Dada advised them to develop their skills and strive to be self reliant by all legitimate means, including getting income through the internet without engaging in fraud.

“The government can only try but can’t solve the whole problems of unemployment in the country.

“The only job you can get now is the one you create for yourself; millions of graduates are unemployed.

“ You need to think and start making business with what you can do,” he said. (NAN)
CC/OJO
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(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)