2019: I will offer solutions to Nigeria’s problems – Dankwambo
Solutions
By Taiye Agbaje
Abuja, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Gombe State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Mr Ibrahim Dankwambo, said he would provide solutions to the socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria if elected president in 2019.
Dankwambo disclosed this in a statement issued by the Director, Media and Publicity of his Campaign Organisation, Dr Ayoade Adewopo, on Friday in Abuja.
Dankwambo currently on the consultation tour to Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, according to the statement, said his tract records in the financial sector of the country would facilitate his presidency.
He advocated that what Nigeria currently needs was the right leadership, with capacity to bring all expertise on board.
“I will offer solutions to the problems of Nigeria. What Nigeria needs is the right leadership. All hopes are not lost. I have enjoyed Nigeria and will offer my best to Nigeria,” he said.
While advocating for the re-election of PDP at the centre, he said, “PDP is changing for the better. We will encourage positive reforms that will transform the country.
“I insist that Nigeria needs PDP in 2019 to move the country forward.”
Dankwambo, also commended Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers for the fast pace of development in the state within a short period of time.
Responding, Gov. Ayade described his counterpart, Dankwambo, as a man of integrity and the type of leader that Nigeria needs at this critical time.
“Gov. Dankwambo is a long time friend and a brother. He is known to be a man of impeccable character, who has led Gombe state with exemplary leadership. He is the kind of leader that Nigeria needs at this period.’’ (NAN)
TOA/COO/AFA
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Edited by Cecilia Odey/Felix Ajide
Accident
By Yashim Katurak
Abuja, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Dr Arikawe Adeolu, a Medical Practitioner, Federal Medical Center, Jabi, Abuja, has urged the public to stop using phones while on the road in order to curtail road traffic accidents.
Adeolu in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday said that the trend still continue despite efforts by relevant agencies to curb the menace.
He said that many accident emergencies in hospitals without a reported cause were mostly due to phone use while driving or walking along the road.
He said that road users and pedestrians were guilty of this as they keep fiddling with their phones while on the road increasing the likelihood of getting involved in road accident.
“Mobile phones have become a constant part of our daily lives and increased use of the device drastically affects how we live generally.
“There is a correlation between the use of phones and road traffic accidents. This affects road users and pedestrians alike.
“Using the phone while on the road is still a major cause of road traffic accidents; calling, sending messages while driving or walking along the road is very wrong but this keeps happening every day.
“People are distracted by their phones while using the roads and they get knocked down by oncoming vehicles; the road users as well can cause accidents on the roads due to phone distractions.
“I advice that the use of phones be reduced as much as possible by all users. If at all you will be on the phone for a long period of time you should use a hands free device in order to prevent placing the phone close to you.
“People who have been involved in accidents due to use of mobile phones hardly admits or divulge such information because they will be held responsible. It is therefore difficult to track how often such cases occur.”
The expert also advised parents and guardians to restrict children’s use of phones as their brain and immune system was still developing.
He said that this factor puts them at higher risk of developing health conditions due to frequent use of the device.
Adeolu said that though research has been done on the relationship between use of phone and cancer, none has confirmed the linkage. (NAN)
KRY/IS
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Abakaliki, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Prof. Bernard Odoh, a governorship aspirant in Ebonyi on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has described zoning and consensus arrangements as `undemocratic.’
Odoh who is from Ebonyi Central Senatorial District with former Gov. Martin Elechi spoke during media interaction with journalists in Abakaliki on Friday.
Odoh, who is also the immediate past Ebonyi Secretary to State Government (SSG), said that zoning of political offices was `fraudulent and did not serve the best interest of democracy.’
He said that zoning arrangement often lead to the emergence of incompetent and visionless leaders.
According to him, zoning as practised in the state is not clearly defined and there is no written and signed agreement binding the people to the alleged agreement.
He said that the alleged zoning arrangement has led to the marginalisation of the Izzi and Ezza nations which he said are the most populous ethnic groups in the state.
The aspirant said that the Izzi people located in the Ebonyi North Senatorial zone and their Ezza counterpart from the Ebonyi Central zone had not produced the governor of the state since return of democracy in 1999.
“Zoning arrangement in Ebonyi is fraudulent and is not clearly defined and if we must zone our key political offices, we must sit down and discuss how the zoning should be done.
“The two dominant groups in the state; the Izzis and the Ezzas have been marginalised and have not been governor and deputy governor of the state since 1999.
“If we must discuss zoning in the real context of how it affects all of us as a people, we need to come to the table and say how do we zone?
“Is it on clan basis or on which line? Zoning on senatorial line cannot reflect the true character and if we are looking at fairness and equity, the state has been unfair to my own people and I have reasons to establish that.
“The Ohaozara bloc will have been in power for about 20 years by the time Gov. Dave Umahi leaves office in 2019, having produced Dr Chigozie Ogbu as former deputy governor.
“The Ikwo people in Ebonyi Central produced immediate former governor, Chief Martin Elechi and the Ohaukwu Local Government produced Dr Sam Egwu, who ruled between 1999 and 2007.
“We are enlightened people and if we have to look at the issue of zoning, we have to look at it objectively and not follow the band wagon,’’ Odoh said.
He also said that the adoption of consensus option for the party’s primaries did not reflect the true essence of democracy.
Odoh said that consensus method was a “rape on democracy’’ and reiterated that leadership must be on character, competence and credibility.
“Democracy allows for mass participation and it is a government of the people by the people and for the people.
“Consensus will deny party members the right and opportunity to participate in choosing their flag bearers in the forthcoming 2019 general elections,’’ he added.
Odoh said that his administration would focus on developing and repositioning the education sector which he said has suffered neglect under the present administration.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that eight governorship aspirants have purchased the APC’s nomination forms to contest the governorship primary in Ebonyi.
NAN also reports that Odoh hails from the Ezza North Local Government Area in Ebonyi Central Senatorial District. (NAN)
Armed Forces Remembrance Day with President Muhammadu Buhari (NAN)
2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration : FG inaugurates 25-man
Remembrance
By Doris Esa
Abuja, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) The Federal Government on Friday in Abuja inaugurated a 25-man National Planning Committee for the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC).
The 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration Planning Committee is headed by Maj.-Gen. Edmond Obi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Remembrance Day is an annual event marked on Jan. 15 of every year in commemoration of the nation’s departed compatriots and living heroes.
It is organised by the Ministry of Defence on behalf of the Federal Government in honour of members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), who participated in the first and second World wars.
It is also in honour of the AFN that participated in the Nigeria Civil War and various peace support operations across the world.
Mrs Nuratu Batagarawa, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, who inaugurated the committee, said the event is organised to specifically honour and celebrate members of AFN.
“The event is organised to specifically honored and celebrate those that have laid down their lives in the defence of our territorial integrity and promotion of global peace.
“It is also to honour those that have suffered various setbacks as a consequence of their participation in war,” she said.
“It is gratifying that globally, the Armed Forces Remembrance Day or Veterans Day is celebrated annually, within Commonwealth Countries, the 11th of November, fondly referred to as 11:11 is annually commemorated as Veterans Day.
“However, the Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Nigeria was changed to Jan.15 in commemoration of the nation’s unfortunate Civil War, which started in 1967 and ended officially on Jan.15 1970,”she said.
“We must appreciate the sacrifices of the Nigerian soldiers and remind ourselves of the families they left behind, who need our care and love,” Batagarawa said.
She, then, urged the committee members to commit themselves to making this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration exceptional, by coming up with laudable innovations for improving the lots of the families of the departed compatriots and living heroes.
In his remarks, Obi counts it a privilege to be the chairman of the 2019 AFRDC, noting that the task of planning and executing the yearly event is challenging, “as attested to by those saddled with the responsibility in the past.
“It is not just the laying of wreath at the National Arcade, but comprises a series of activities spanning a period of time commencing from now and climax with a ceremonial parade and wreath laying on Jan.15, 2019,” he said.
The chairman explained that the AFRDC is an event that involves eminent Nigerians as well as members of the Diplomatic Community and the general public.
He said that the committee would involve the youths and school children in some of the activities of the armed forces Remembrance Day celebration.
Obi made a pledge to give the planning and execution of the event their best efforts. (NAN)
ORD/KOLE/AFA
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Price of cooking gas rises marginally – NBS
Gas
Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the average cost of refilling a five kilogramme (kg) cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) increased to N2,05.14 in August from N2,01.45 recorded in July.
The NBS disclosed this in its August 2018 “Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) Price Watch” released in Abuja on Friday.
According to the report, the price increased by 2.17 per cent month-on-month and 3.19 per cent year-on-year in the period under review.
It named the states with the highest average price for refilling a five kg cooking gas to include Bauchi N2, 490.00; Borno N2, 400.00; and Gombe N2, 354.55.
It said the states with the lowest average price for the refilling of a five kg cooking gas were Kaduna N1, 825.00; Kano N1, 800.00; and Enugu N1, 791.11.
According to the bureau, the average price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder for cooking gas increased in August to N4, 366.48 from N4, 244.35 in July.
It said the price increased by 2.17 per cent month-on-month and 3.19 per cent year-on-year in the period under review.
“States with the highest average price for the refilling of a 12.5kg cylinder cooking gas are Benue N5, 100.00; Akwa Ibom N4, 750.25 and Cross River N4, 733.33.
“Also, states with the lowest average price for the refilling of a 12.5kg cylinder for cooking gas are Katsina and Kebbi N4, 000.00; Lagos N3, 952.38 and Oyo N3, 948.13.
Meanwhile, the bureau said the price of Premium Motor Spirit (Petro) also increased to N146.90 in August from N146.80 recorded in July.
The NBS also said in its August 2018 “Premium Motor Spirit (Petro) Price Watch” released in Abuja, that the average price paid by consumers for petrol increased by 1.7per cent year-on-year and 0.1 per cent month-on-month.
It said the price of petrol increased to N146.90 in the period under review from N146.80 recorded in July.
It said the states with the highest average price of petrol were Borno N157.00; Kebbi N152.94 and Kwara N152.86.
It also named the states with the lowest average price of petrol to include Ekiti N144.23; KatsinaN144.08 and Bauchi N143.89. (NAN)
LCN/MO/SA
Edited by Omolade Michael/Salif Atojoko
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Kerosene
By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the price of National Household Kerosene (NHK) paid by consumers increased in August to N288.75 from N276.87 recorded in July.
The NBS disclosed this in its August 2018 “National Household Kerosene Price Watch” released in Abuja on Friday.
The bureau said the price increased by 4.29 per cent month-on-month and 28.04 per cent year-on-year.
The report said the states with the highest average price per litre of kerosene were Abuja N333.33; Yobe N332.86 and Enugu states N326.67.
It said that states with the lowest average price per litre of kerosene were Borno N237.61; Abia N237.08 and Kogi N233.33.
“The average price per gallon paid by consumers for National Household Kerosene increased by 8.40 per cent month-on-month and by 10.85 per cent year-on-year to N1,084.24 in August from N1,000.19 in July.
“States with the highest average price per gallon of kerosene are Kaduna N1185.00; Kebbi N1177.78 and Kano N1170.59.
“Also, states with the lowest average price per gallon of kerosene are Zamfara N1002.78; Oyo N1002.25 and Rivers N933.33,’’ it said.
Similarly, the bureau said the price paid by consumers for Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) also increased from N204.32 recorded in July to N207.98 in August.
The bureau disclosed this in its August 2018 Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) Price Watch released in Abuja.
It said the price of diesel increased by 1.79 per cent month-on-month and 5.99 per cent year-on-year in the period under review.
The NBS named the states with the highest average price of diesel to be Borno N242.86; Taraba N231.67 and Sokoto N228.33.
It also named the states with the lowest average price of diesel to include Ebonyi N195; Adamawa N185 and Nasarawa N180. (NAN)
LCN/MO/IS
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Edited by Omolade Michael/Ismail Abdulaziz
Second Niger Bridge project is 50% completed – Controller
Bridge
By Reporters
Asaba, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Work on the second Niger Bridge linking Asaba in Delta and Onitsha in Anambra, has reached 50 per cent completion, Mr Wkscont Ajani, Federal Controller of Works, Anambra, has said.
Ajani told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Thursday that 310 out of the 615 piles in the project had been driven in addition to one pipe culvert and four box culverts.
He said that seven pile caps at 100, 110, 120, 290, 300, 310, and 320 had also been completed.
“At the Asaba end, abutment has been completed while preparation of reinforcements for the piles, pile caps, pier stems and box culverts are in progress at the Onitsha main yard,” he said.
Ajani who did not state the current cost of the project said it was awarded to Julius Berger construction firm in 2014 at the initial cost of N200 billion.
The federal controller of works said that the contract had four years duration and was awarded under Public-Private-Partnership.
He noted that the first Niger Bridge was constructed in 1965 to achieve Federal Government’s policy of expansion and upgrading of transport facilities.
He said that the bride was built to support the nation’s development and economically link the then regions.
“However, since the construction, commuters and vehicles travelling on roads in the South-East have increased as a result of population growth, increased income and urbanisation,” he stated.
Ajani said because the existing Niger Bridge could no longer sustain the increasing volume of traffic, government decided to construct a second one.
The federal controller of works said the new bridge would form an important link within the key national transportation corridor.
He said it would provide a strategic access point for people of the south-east and the south-south zones in particular, and Nigeria in general.
“The benefits of the bridge include reduction in the strain on the current bridge infrastructure and easing traffic flow.
“It will improve safety and security in the area by potentially reducing traffic congestion; and improve the commercial viability of the immediate states and the country.
“Local residents will have opportunity to work on site during the construction phase, thereby improving their economic prospects.
“This will improve capacity building for young Nigerian engineers in different areas of engineering, especially highway engineering,” he said.
Ajani said the bridge would go a long way in improving the local content during its construction.
He also said that on completion, farmers in the area would have more access to a larger market within a reduced time frame.
NAN reports that the construction firm has commenced building of a new site yard at Ogbaru in Anambra to ensure ease of work.
However, the heavy rains recorded in the area in recent the weeks have slowed down work on the project.
A staff of the company who pledged anonymity told NAN at the project site that work stopped around 12 noon on Wednesday due to the rain which started as early as 6.00.
He said that the water level in the river was on the increase and added “as soon as the water level reduces, full work will continue.
“We are working on some access roads while the federal ministry is still negotiating with land and building owners over compensation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the people of the riverine communities of Amakom and Oko-Analu in Delta have appealed to the federal government to expedite action on the project.
According to them, the slow pace of work on the project is not desirable and disappointing.
Mr Uzoma Achidike, a teacher at Amakom Primary School, said the pace of work was a major source of concern to the people because they had expected government to give it priority attention.
“Here in the community, we have expected that government would take this project very seriously by ensuring prompt provision of logistics and strict supervision to enable the contractor deliver.
“Regrettably, the reverse is the case here. As you can see, the whole place is just sand and sand pilling every day. There has been no major work going on here.
“For instance, the slow pace of the sand-filling is presently causing a huge pain to us because it has caused heavy flooding in our communities.
“Flood has sacked many people in Amakom and Analu, and many of them, mostly farmers, have abandoned their farms to seek refuge in either Asaba or Onitsha,” Achidike said.
Also Mr. Boniface Okelue, a youth leader in Amakom, said the pace of work had not been encouraging.
Okelue said that the locals had expected quick action on the project to solve the perennial traffic problem on the 53-year old first Niger Bridge.
“We had thought by now massive work will be going on here, but that has not been the case over the past two years.
“Go and see people suffering at the old bridge every day due to heavy traffic. Sometimes people sleep there till the next day,” Okelue said.
A farmer, Mr. Donatus Ebenuwa, said work on the road connecting the bridge to Oko mainland had been slow.
“The work is very slow; the sand-filing job is not even going on regularly. When you see them today, you will not see them again for the next three days.
“Our roads and primary school have been over-flooded; government should ensure that the project is completed quickly,” Ebenuwa said.
When NAN visited the Asaba end of the project site, only security men guarding the heavy equipment including cranes, cabins, corrugated metal pipes, culvert rings and tractors, among others, were seen. (NAN)
Lagos, Sept. 14, 2018(NAN) A 26-year-old man, Solomon Ojo, was on Friday brought before an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly kidnapping three men.
Ojo appeared on a two-count charge of conspiracy and kidnapping.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Mrs Maria Dauda, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Sept. 5 at No. 15, Irepodun St., Igando, near Lagos.
She alleged that Ojo kidnapped one Osahan Obazee, 22, Augustine Ekwegbudu, 27, and Fadugbagbe Akindele, 29.
The offence contravened Sections 2 and 3 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2017.
The Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Salawu, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties each in like sum.
The case was adjourned until Oct. 11 for mention. (NAN)
Laws
By Angela Atabo
Abuja, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) The Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) Africa, a Civil Society Organisation on Friday called for laws to address loopholes in the electoral process especially vote buying.
Executive Director, YIAGA-Africa, Mr Samson Itodo made the call at the Watching the Vote (WTV) Series with the theme “Ending the Scourge of Vote Buying and Selling in Nigerian Elections” in Abuja.
Itodo, while presenting a document on “Duly Elected or Duly Purchased ‘’: a report on vote buying in the Ekiti election, said Nigeria’s democracy was under threat due to vote buying.
According to him, corruption is a societal challenge that manifests in every facet of life in Nigeria.
“It concerns conducts by the giver and the taker of inappropriate inducement as is the case with perpetrators of vote buying.
“Electoral laws must accommodate the various loopholes for corruption in the conduct of elections and see to the discharge of adequate punishment to offenders.’’
Itodo said this had become imperative because competence and character were no longer the parameters for assessing electoral candidates by Nigerians.
He said that cash-for-vote or “see and buy’’ was emerging as the major determinant of electoral choice which could undermine electoral choices and imperil Nigeria’s democracy.
He said that vote buying also had a tendency to aggravate corruption in public offices as those who hold public mandates were made to seek corrupt means of enriching themselves toward elections.
Itodo said that concerned by the emerging trend of see and buy, YIAGA Africa through its WTV project undertook a post-election investigation to examine the factors that facilitated it.
He said the study, which entailed identifying the chain of operation and methods of vote buying before, during and after elections as well as the implication, identified five drivers.
He listed them to be: Poverty and hunger, improved checks and balances in the electoral process by INEC as well as non-payment of workers’ salaries and pensions.
Others included failure of political office holders to fulfil campaign promises and neglect of rural communities in distribution of infrastructure.
The executive director said online transaction, various gifts and food items, suspicious empowerment programmes were some of the methods deployed to purchase votes during the Ekiti election.
He recommended behavioural change as the best measure against vote purchase and other electoral malfeasance.
He also advocated that political positions should be made less attractive by reducing perquisites that awaited successful candidates.
Itodo also called for poverty reduction, a comprehensive war on corruption, restoration of ideological bases for political parties, reversal of rising unemployment and promotion of good governance.
He further suggested improved management of election security, introduction of electronic voting system and enforcement of electoral laws among others.
ATAB/IS
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By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Amaju Pinnick, Pesident, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has charged the U-17 national team, Golden Eaglets, to keep level heads and stay focused to conquer Ghana’s Black Starlets in Niamey.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Eaglets will take on the Black Starlets in the final of the CAF U-17 Cup of Nations WAFU B Tournament in Niamey on Saturday.
The winner of the tournament will qualify for the finals of the 2019 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Both West African giants of world cadet football clash at the Stade General Seyni Kountche, with the lone ticket to the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in Tanzania 2019 to serve as the spur for an explosive encounter.
The atmosphere will be further charged by a 67-year rivalry between both nations, with crucial wins for either country over the decades.
But the Eaglets are encouraged that Ghana’s semi-final victims Cote d’Ivoire, suffered a 5-1 hiding when both teams met at the same venue last week.
Nigeria will be buoyed by the maturity that comes with a plurality of experience, having come from a shaky start to the tournament to reach the final.
They fell behind 0-2 to Burkina Faso in their opening match before drawing level, only to lose the tie by conceding late in the game.
Against the Ivorians, they fired from all cylinders from the beginning and led 5-0, and against Niger Republic on Wednesday, created a handful of chances and led 2-0 before conceding a late consolation to the hosts.
Pinnick, who is also 1st Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is in no doubt that the Nigerian boys possess the quality to defeat the Black Starlets and also do the nation proud at the final tournament in Tanzania.
Pinnick said that the boys had shown resilience to get to the final of the tournament.
“First, I want to congratulate you on a job well done so far; you have done very well, including exhibiting the never-say die spirit that is peculiar to Nigerians.
“This was visible in the manner you bounced back after the loss to the Burkinabes to dismiss the Ivorians 5-1, and also beat the host nation in the semi finals.
“But I want you to know that the job is not done yet. You must stay focused and listen to instructions from your coaches,” Pinnick said in a statement by NFF’s Director of Communication, Ademola Olajire on Friday.
“I believe in their leadership because they are very knowledgeable and experienced and have discovered so many talented players that have excelled in recent years.”
He advised the young lads to avoid distractions from agents, who according to him, will deceive and hurry them into signing for clubs that will not aid their proper development.
“The youth tournaments are basically developmental, so you have to follow instructions from your coaches and don’t allow agents to deceive you and make you sign for clubs in obscure countries.
“Players like Nwankwo Kanu and Mikel John Obi, just to mention two, started properly and so, were properly developed to stay longer in the game.”
Pinnick promised to take the team for a training tour in either Qatar or Jordan ahead of the U-17 AFCON in Tanzania to help their development once they qualify.
Five players from the NFF U-15 squad discovered during the annual NFF/Zenith Bank Future Eagles Championship, are part of the current squad tutored by Manu Garba.
Responding on behalf of the team, Goalkeeper Joseph Oluwabusola, thanked the NFF for the support so far and promised that they will make Nigeria proud on Saturday by defeating the Black Starlets to qualify for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Tanzania. (NAN)
VO/KOLE/PDE
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(Edited by Remi Koleoso/Peter Ejiofor)
