Blog

NAN-H-21
Certificate
By Solomon Asowata
Lagos, Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) Allied Air, one of the country’s oldest domestic airlines, has received Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Supo Atobatele, the airline’s spokesman, said in a statement that Allied Air’s Chairman, Capt. Val Tongo, received the certificate from former Director General of IATA, Tony Tyler.
According to the statement issued on Saturday in Lagos, the certificate was presented to Allied Air at the 72nd Annual General Meeting of the association in Dublin, Ireland.
Created by IATA in 2003, the IOSA certification is an internationally recognised and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline.
With the certification, Allied Air became the first African cargo carrier to scale the IOSA audit despite the seeming depression in the Nigerian aviation industry.
The airline said that the certification demonstrated that the Nigerian aviation industry had the potential for further global recognition under the present administration.
“The success is a lesson that with the kind of efforts being made by the Minister of Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, to correct the ills in the industry, more gains will soon be made in the aviation sector.
“Allied Air operates with a fleet of Boeing 737-400 freighters.
“And this certificate has established the airline as a notable business entity in the world aviation industry with productive contribution to cargo movements and trade facilitation around the globe.
“Regardless of its category of operation, Allied Air has remained the oldest operating carrier in Nigeria having been in the sky for over 14 consecutive years,’’ the airline said.
Tongo said the recognition was a result of hard work, focus, determination, honesty and commitment to set goals as well as committing every aspect of the company’s operations to God.
He enjoined other airlines to key into the success of Allied Air. (NAN)
ASO/MO/WOJ
============
Edited by Morayo Omolade and controlled by Wale Ojetimi)

NAN-H-3

Education

by Muhammad Nasir Bello

Binji (Sokoto) Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) The Chairman of Binji Local Government of Sokoto, Alhaji Umaru Danhabi has advised parents to give priority to the education of their children.

Danhabi gave the advice on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto.

He said this will go a long way to support government initiatives for declaring state of emergency in the educational sector of the state.

“People should put all hands on deck in the educational sector, as government alone cannot shoulder all the responsibilities.

“Moreover we have to re-emphasize the importance of education to human lives, as it stands to be the bedrock of national development,’’ Danhabi said.

In the same vein the chairman called on the farmers and Fulani herdsmen to live in peace with each other.

According to him, all measures have been put in place to ensure a very successful harvest in the area.

He commended the state government for the various projects being executed in the area.

The chairman pledged full support and commitment to the state government in the overall interesat and development of the state.

Danhabi also urged the council staffers and residents to always be law abiding and support government’s policies and programmes.

He explained that this will attract more development by the government, and boost the socioeconomic development of the state. (NAN)
MNB/BRM/FNO/AFA
Edited by Franca Ofili/Felix Ajide
=========================

NAN-H-32
Pilgrims
By Aminu Garko
Sokoto, Sept. 24, 2016 ( NAN) No fewer than 1,000 pilgrims from Sokoto State have been transported back to Nigeria through the Sultan Abubakar III International  Airport in the state.

Alhaji Faruk Umar, the Public Relations Officer in the Sokoto State Muslim Welfare Agency, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Sokoto on Saturday.

He said that the pilgrims were transported in two flights by Max Airline.

Umar  commended the pilgrims for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner during the screening carried out by Customs and Immigration officials.

NAN reports that pilgrims from the state were the first to be airlifted in the country to Saudi Arabia for this year’s Hajj on Aug. 8. (NAN)
AAG/MO/OJO
============
(Edited by Morayo Omolade and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-AE-1
Fumigation
By Aisha Ahmed
Kano, Sept., 24, 2016 (NAN) Some self-help groups on Saturday in Kano appealed to the state government to embark on fumigation of Kano metropolis to eliminate mosquitoes and combat malaria.
The leaders of Ja’een Community Development Association and Al-Huda Development Association made the appeal in Kano when they visited the state’s Commissioner for Environment during the monthly sanitation.
At Ja’een Yamma quarters, the association said it had done its part by clearing waste from the water ways, yet mosquitoes abound as residents of the area still suffer from malaria.
The Chairman of the association, Malam Abubakar Ja’en said the area would also appreciate it if the government would provide a dumping site to prevent the residents from dumping refuse indiscriminately.

Malam Mustapha Kassim, the Chairman of Al-Huda Foundation at Dorayin Dorawar Malam area of Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state, said the people of the area needed drainage.

He said the drainage in the area was blocked and all efforts to re-open it for easy flow of water was impossible.

Responding, the Commissioner for Environment in the state, Dr Haruna Makoda, advised the associations to file their complaints to the Ministry.
Makoda pledged that the present administration would do its best to tackle environmental challenges in the state if the issues were presented through the right channels.
NAN reports that Kano residents complied with the September monthly environmental sanitation on Saturday. (NAN)
AAA/YETI/AFA
Edited by Yetunde Bada/Felix Ajide
=========================

NAN-H-27
Education
Enugu, Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than 500 transistor radio sets have been distributed to public secondary schools in Enugu State as a prelude to the radio school programme in the state.

Speaking on Saturday during the distribution of the radio sets to school principals, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, said the aim was to improve learning outcome in the state.

Eze said that the poor performance of students in external examinations had made it imperative for government to key into any scheme that would enhance the standard of education.

He expressed regret that the rot in the education sector had led to unimaginable examination malpractice, culminating to negative societal values,  and as such everything must be done to check the trend.

The commissioner commended the initiators of the project, South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO), for attracting such laudable project to the state.

He said that the pilot phase of the radio school broadcast was targeted at JSS 2 students and would feature model lessons from the four compulsory subjects based on the national education curriculum.

The subjects are English Language, mathematics, civic education and basic science.

“Examination malpractice seems to be the order of the day due to poor preparations but if we want to have a sound future we must lay a firm foundation for our children.

“A child must not move on borrowed garments. They cannot do anything with good results got through examination malpractice and the crimes in our society are reflections of the failure of our schools.

“Some of us engage in examination malpractice because we feel it’s a quick way to make money. When we produce individuals that cannot help themselves they run into crime,” he said.

Uche appealed to the principals to ensure that the project met the desired objective, adding that the radio school would improve the work done by teachers.

“Listening is a very important skill in human communication and individuals improve on their listening skills through radio.

“The programme has been included in our school time-table. The students will be gathered and listen to the programme and the teacher will answer their questions.

“It will add value to what we are doing as the lessons were prepared by experts,” Uche said.

Speaking, the Executive Director of SSDO, Mrs Grace Nwobodo said that the programme was the group’s flagship project borne out of the need to fill identified gaps in learning outcome.

Nwobodo said it was sad  that for four successive years the results of the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) in the state had been very poor.

“According to WAEC, about 70 per cent failure was recorded in this period and we took this into consideration.

“We found out that there were so many gaps which cannot be accounted for and something needs to be done about the quality of education.

‘’So the radio school came to our mind to complement what the teachers are doing,” she said.

She said that the project was funded in two states of Adamawa and Enugu by MacArthur Foundation as part of its education support programme in the country.

“MacArthur Foundation is the sole sponsors of this project. They gave us the grant through the Partnership for Strengthening Innovation and Practice in Secondary Education.

“Adamawa State was the central focus of this project because of the plights of the internally displaced persons as most of them no longer go to schools.

“This is meant to provide for them alternative to secondary education but for those who are in school this will complement their regular school learning,” she said.

Nwobodo said that the pilot phase of the radio school intervention would run for two academic sessions and would help to bridge the gap for the students, especially in areas with little or no manpower.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the radio school programme will start on Monday, Sept. 26 on Radio Nigeria AM/Medium wave 828 kilohertz on school days. (NAN)

EOA/JCE

Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie

NAN-H-30
Assets
By Buhari Bolaji
Lagos, Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) Mr Benson Adegbeyeni, President, Senior Staff Association, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), has called on the Federal Government not to sell-off national assets.

Adegbeyeni told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos, that disposing the country’s assets was not the solution to the current economic challenges.

He said that looting of public funds by previous administrations coupled with the activities of some saboteurs and not the crash in crude oil prices was responsible for the current recession.

He insisted that the recession would still persist if assets were sold or not unless the government addresses the causes and sustain efforts at revamping the economy.

Adegbeyeni said: “I read in the papers that the Federal Government, following calls from some quarters, is planning to sell some national assets to raise revenue as a way out of the current recession.

“The question I am asking is why? Why should the government sell refineries, NLNG shares and other national assets bequeathed to us by our forefathers to solve a problem caused by some corrupt few?

“The fact is that the recession is man-made. It was actually caused by some corrupt elements in the country especially those in the previous administration, who diverted our wealth for personal use.

“The activities of some saboteurs in the present dispensation, who are doing everything to cripple the economy, have also aggravated the situation.

“Rather than blaming the crash in oil price, the government must face the reality and address these real causes.

“Sale of national assets will not solve the problem; the government should not toe that line.’’

The NPA workers president declared that if past leaders in the country had sold national assets to solve some economic challenges, there would be no assets the present leadership is contemplating to sell.

While commending President Muhammadu Buhari’s loot recovery drive, Adegbeyeni urged the government to intensify efforts in that direction, stressing that recovered funds should be utilised to get the country out of recession.

He advised the Federal Government to come up with “more robust economic diversification plans’’ to tackle the country’s dependence on the export of crude oil for revenue.

He described the N18, 000 minimum wage as “laughable’’ in the face of current economic realities and urged the government to introduce a new minimum wage to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerian workers. (NAN)
BHB/YETI/AEA
==========
Edited by Yetunde Bada and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-25
Rice
By Aminu Garko
Sokoto, Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, a community leader in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State, has advised the Federal Government to ensure strict compliance with the ban on importation of rice through land borders.

Ibrahim told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Sokoto that importation of rice and other essential goods has had negative effective on the nation’s economy.

“We are blessed with vast land needed to produce assorted food crops for our local consumption and export if we will utilise the available human and natural resources at our disposal,’’ he said.

Ibrahim said that the Federal Government should make available modern farming inputs at affordable rates to farmers boost food production.

He said the priority given to the development of the agriculture sector would address the present economic challenges facing country.

“Our unemployed youths would  be gainfully  engaged thereby ending the activities of cattle rustling, militancy, kidnapping and other crimes,” he said.

He also appealed to states and local governments to introduce all year farming system to prevent youths from moving to urban centres in search of manual jobs. (NAN)
AAG/FNO/OJO
===========
(Edited by Franca Ofili and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-14
Sports
By Kabir Muhammad
Abuja, Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) The FCT Administration is working on a blueprint for the development of youth sports in the Federal Capital Territory to catch talents and develop them at embryo stage.

FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, made the statement on Saturday in Abuja when officials of the FCT Sports Department visited him.

He said that the blueprint, being executed through the FCT Sports Department, is to organise primary school games especially for public schools to discover talents at the grassroots level.

“It is the intention of the FCT Administration to catch them young to ensure that the FCT and the country at large develop formidable athletes for international competitions like the Olympic Games,’’ he said.

The minister assured that the FCT Administration would continue to support the development of youth sports in line with the Change Agenda of the Federal Government.

He promised to reward athletes who excel at sport competitions.

Bello expressed optimism that the FCT contingent to the on-going National Youths Games taking place in Ilorin, the Kwara capital, would win medals

Athletes from the territory are participating in 9 out of 12 games being competed for at the sport fiesta.

The games are: athletics, badminton, chess, karate, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo, cricket and wrestling. (NAN)
KM/AEA/AEA
===========

Edited and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-13
Pilgrims
By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Sept. 24, 2016 (NAN) The first batch of 499 pilgrims from Kano state, have returned home after performing the 2016 Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pilgrims, on board a Max Airline Boeing 747 aircraft, landed at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport around 2 a.m. on Saturday.

The pilgrims, who, were in good health, were later transported in buses from the airport to the Hajj camp.

Alhaji Nuhu Badamasi, Public Relations Officer, Kano state Pilgrims Welfare Board, told NAN in a telephone interview, that the second batch of pilgrims from the state were expected to leave Mecca around 4 p.m. for Jeddah.

“The second batch of our pilgrims will leave Mecca for Jeddah around 4 p.m. Saudi Arabian time where they will be screened for their transportation to Nigeria”, he said.

Badamasi said the board had made adequate arrangement to ensure that transportation of the pilgrims back home was hitch-free, adding that no pilgrim would be given preference.

“It is agreed that no pilgrim will be given preference during the return airlift.

“Those (pilgrims) who came with the first flight will return in the first flight,” he said, adding that transportation of pilgrims from the state to Nigeria would last for two weeks.

NAN reports that a total of 5, 808 pilgrims from Kano state performed the 2016 Hajj. (NAN)
MTM/AEA/AEA
=============
Edited and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

Recession : Ex Deputy Governor urges Nigerians to be prayerful

NAN-H-12

Prayer

By Aminu Ahmed. Garko

Sokoto, Sept. 24,2016 ( NAN) Alhaji Ahmed Gusau, a former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, has advised Nigerians to be patient, hopeful, and prayerful for God’s intervention in the socioeconomic and political activities of the country .

Gusau gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Saturday.

He said that Nigerians irrespective of political party affiliations should seek divine intervention for God to turn the nation economy for optimal goal.

“We should all be prayerful in this period of economy recession, insurgency, militancy, kidnapping ,cattle rustling and any act capable of tempering with our nation hard earn unity,” he said.

According to him, through fervent prayers the lost glory, virtues and dignity of Nigeria will be restored.

He appealed to “Nigerians to be patient, hopeful, expectant and put trust in God who can turn all situations around for the better, above all pray for our God chosen leaders.”

Gusau said that good will from followers would pave way for leaders to fashioned out plausible policies and programmes that would ensure good democratic governance.

The Peoples Democratic Party chieftain also urged Nigerians to pray and support their leaders and admonished the country’s leadership to have the fear of God in all that they do.

He said that it was only by so doing that democracy dividends would be provided to the governed irrespective of political party differences .( NAN)
AAG/OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha