Blog

NAN-H-15
KSA
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Rauf Aregesola of Osun has described Juju music maestro, Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, (aka King Sunny Ade) as a rare breed and a precious gift to the music world.

In a birthday congratulatory message signed by his media aide, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, on Thursday in Osogbo, the governor said that Adegeye was a source of pride for Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the music icon, who is celebrating his 70th birthday today, was born on Sept. 22, 1946, in Osogbo.

“ Sunny Ade represents for the country and every black man a source of pride.’’

“Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye is undoubtedly one of the music icons on the African continent.

“He is a gift not only to Nigeria but also the whole music communities of the world.’’

Aregbesola also described the Juju musician as a prodigious songster and creative enigma, whose reach in musical world had no limit.

According to Aregbesola, the musician was able to remain strong in music up to the age of 70 due to his dexterity, originality, hard work, and more importantly, God’s grace.

He said that the juju exponent had registered his name strongly as one of the most gifted and prolific singers and song writers with uncommon consistency in the last four decades.

“He sings with convenience, grace and originality. His lyrics are evergreen, renewable and didactic.

“ He is a prolific song writer, gifted guitarist, prophet and excellent dancer – all rolled into one.

“As he celebrates his three scores and a decade of existence on earth, we cannot but wish him more prosperous years,’’ the governor said.

He prayed that the music icon would continue to be a blessing to humanity. (NAN)

VE/DEB/IGO
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(Edited by Debo Oshundun and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-H-40

Parliament

Abuja, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) The ECOWAS Parliament has begun its Second Ordinary Session to consider and adopt the reports of the committee with responsibility to prepare the preliminary draft of its 2017 budget.

The two-week session, also referred to as the statutory budget session, which began on Thursday in Abuja, will hold till Oct. 7.

The Committee on Administration, Finance, Budget Control and Audits is responsible for preparing the preliminary draft budget.

The session will also receive the Report on the Current State of the Community from the President of ECOWAS Commission, Mr Alain Marcel de Souza.

Presentations of Country Reports will also be made by each member state’s delegation to the parliament during the  session.

The reports are expected to include details on various sectoral developmental interventions by governments of member states toward achieving the ECOWAS vision of raising the standard of living of citizens in the sub-region.

The session will also discuss the report of the constituted Inter-Institutional Committee on the Enhancement of Powers.

The opening ceremony of the session will be addressed by the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia.

Representatives of national parliaments of member states, the Pan-African Parliament, East Africa Legislative Assembly, the diplomatic community as well as officials from ECOWAS institutions will also attend.

The fourth legislature of the parliament was inaugurated in February.

At its First Ordinary Session in May, the enhancement of legislative powers of the parliament was largely discussed with members calling on relevant authorities to facilitate the process.

Parliamentarians have, on several occasions, reiterated that the enhancement of legislative powers of the parliament would grant it greater authority to legislate on common issues that would facilitate sub-regional development.

The parliament is composed of 115 seats, with each member state having a guaranteed minimum of five seats.

The remaining 40 seats are shared on the basis of the populations of member states.

Nigeria has the highest number of seats with 35, followed by Ghana with eight seats.

Cote d’Ivoire has seven seats, while Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Senegal have six seats each.

Benin Republic, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Togo maintain five seats each. (NAN)
TOP/JCE

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(Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie)

NAN-H-39

Conference

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Ilorin, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) Kwara State University (KWASU)  has won the hosting rights for the 3rd National Community Development Consultative Conference scheduled to hold from Oct. 11 to Oct. 14.

The institution’s Acting Director, Centre for Community Development, Mr Lawal Olohungbebe, made the known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Thursday.

”We were given the hosting rights because of our achievements in community development in the 16 local governments.”

Olohungbebe said that the conference would be held in partnership with the Institute of Community Development Practitioners (ICDP), under the aegis of the International Association for Community Development (IACD).

He also said that the conference would discuss ways of promoting community development roles of tertiary institutions and examine ways of facilitating community development by different sectors.

According to him, the conference would also discuss institutional engagements with communities, groups and systems.

NAN reports that the theme of the conference is “Facilitating Community Development through Institutional Engagements”. (NAN)

RAY/DO/NKO

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(Edited by David Onilede/Nkechi Okoronkwo)

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Group commends FG for restoring peace, normalcy to North-East

NAN-H-36

Commendation

Akwanga (Nasarawa State) Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Women Fellowship of Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ (ERCC), Akwanga has commended the Federal Government for the success recorded in the fight against insurgency and for restoring peace to the North-East.

The women leader of the ERCC, Mrs.Bibiya Gila gave the commendation on Thursday at the one-week women fellowship programme organised by the association in Akwanga Local Government Area of the state.

She expressed joy over the return of normalcy to some part of the country, which previously witnessed incessant activities of insurgents which had led to the loss of so many lives.

According to her, the activities of the insurgents have also affected the socio-economic development of the country negatively.

“First and foremost, we decided to organise this women fellowship with the theme; “Women that are growing in the grace of God” to teach the women the moral aspects of life as well as the word of God for the betterment of the society.

“And to preach peace, unity among ourselves and also to advise our brothers and sisters and other Nigerians to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliation for the benefit of all.

“Because, no nation or society can develop in an atmosphere of rancour and confusion, the security challenges facing some parts of the country has affected our lives and the socio-economic development of the country negatively.

“We thank God for the Federal Government’s commitment to the fight against insurgency in the country, it is almost a year now, we are experiencing peace, many people have returned home and reunited  with their families members.’’

Gila stressed the need for all Nigerians to intensify prayers for God’s intervention towards achieving permanent peace in the country.

According to her, peace is priceless and non-negotiable and it is the necessary requirement for the development of every nation.

Gila also urged parents to live an exemplary life by shunning all negative acts, adding that children grew up either with good or bad attitudes of their parents.

She tasked parents on the education of their children, especially the girl child, adding that education was the best legacy parents could bequeath to should leave for their children.

The women leader also called on Nigerians, especially the youth to be law abiding, respect constituted authority and to engage in meaningful ventures in order to become self-reliant and to contribute their quota to national development.

Dr Jerry Madibo, the President of ERCC nationwide commended the women of the church for upholding the general vision of the church through preaching the word of God and peace to their neighbours and Nigerians.

He reinstated the commitment of the church to continue to key into people oriented programmes so as to better the standard of living of members of the church and Nigerians at large for the overall development of the country.

AKW/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

NAN-H-20
Bill
By Akeem Abass

Ibadan, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) Mr Akinyemi Akinlabi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has lauded the state assembly over the passage of the Local Government Amended Bill 2016.

Akinlabi, who gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Thursday, noted that the assembly had, by the action, shown it was much responsive to the people’s demand.

NAN reports that the assembly had on Sept. 20 passed into law the amendment to the Oyo State Local Government Creation Law 2002.

The newly amended law would allow for the smooth creation of 35 new Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.

“This action has established the responsiveness of the House to the demand of the people,’’ he said.

He said that the assembly had also demonstrated that cordial relationship existed between the legislative and executive arms of government in the state.

Akinlabi stated that the tiers of government had proven to the people of the state that the focus and vision of late Alhaji Lam Adesina’s administration remained relevant now and would continue to be so in years to come.

He urged both arms of government to respond promptly to the people’s demand for local government election within the shortest possible time. (NAN)

TAA/FF/BOS (Edited by Fela Fashoro, controlled by Dele Bodunde)

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NAN-ELS-12
Figures
London, Sept. 22, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) London’s Madame Tussauds museum said on Wednesday it had separated its wax figure replicas of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, after the Hollywood power couple announced their split.

Jolie’s attorney said on Tuesday the actress had filed for divorce from Pitt, her romantic partner since 2005 and husband of two years.

“We reacted quickly to yesterday’s news of the separation of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt and their plans to divorce by mirroring the separation in the attraction,’’ a Madame Tussauds spokesperson said.

“The couple’s wax figures, which were launched in 2013, have been split up and are now featured at a respectful distance from each other.

Angelina is keeping Nicole Kidman Company and Brad Pitt is with his several times co-starring Morgan Freeman. (Reuters/NAN)
ERO/PDE
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(Edited by Emmanuel Okara and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-19

Salary

By Chinyere Nwachukwu

Lagos, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Ministry of Education on Thursday assured that salaries of the striking teachers of King’s College, Lagos, would be paid next week.

The Deputy Director of Information, Mr Benjamin Goong, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that government was making efforts to pay the teachers so that the students could resume for the new academic session.

Members of staff of the 107-year-old institution had embarked on an indefinite strike over arrears of salaries owed them since May.

They claimed that their names were omitted from the salary payroll since May and blamed it on a mix-up between the Budget Office and the Ministry of Finance.

The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, which waded into the matter, shut down the college, vowing that the workers would only resume after all outstanding salaries are paid.

Goong, however, told NAN that the government was addressing the problem, assuring parents and students that resumption was in sight.

“The ministry is working hard to ensure that King’s College resumes within the next one week.

“We are particularly grateful to the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General of the Federation, who have approved a warrant to that effect.

“The warrant will be cash backed next week and payment of salaries will begin next week.

“With the development, therefore, we want to assure the students and parents not to worry as the strike is technically over and resumption in sight.

“King’s College will resume for normal academic activities for the new session within one week,’’ he said.

He said that the strike was occasioned by an unintended omission of the institution’s personnel cost in the 2016 budget. (NAN)

CCN/AIB/SOA

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(Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Oluwole Sogunle)

NAN-H-18
Road
By Emmanuel Acha
Enugu, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) Enugu State has started rehabilitating failed portions of the old Enugu-Onitsha road for the sum of N783 million, the state Commissioner for Information, Dr Godwin Udeuhele, has said.

Addressing newsmen on Thursday on the outcome of the state executive council meeting held on Wednesday night, Udeuhele said that the move was due to the hardship commuters were facing on the road.

He said that the contract, which covered three kilometers of the 9th Mile-Udi-Oji River-Ugwuoba road, was awarded to ANBEEZ Nig. Ltd.

The commissioner said that several earth-moving machines were already on site.

He said that the attention of the state government was drawn to the deplorable nature of the road, which he said, had threatened to cut the state off from Anambra.

He said that economic activities between the two sister states were brought to a halt due to the deplorable condition of the road.

The commissioner said that the complete failure of the dual carriage Enugu-Onitsha expressway had made all vehicles to ply the old road, thereby causing failure of many portions of the road.

“This is sequel to the hardship caused by the deplorable nature of the road arising from heavy traffic occasioned by the impassable nature of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway,” he said.

“The entire length of the road covers 9th Mile-Udi-Oji River-Ugwuoba, but we are working at the border between Enugu and Anambra states which has failed,” he said.

Udeuhele said that the state government, had three years ago, invested N4.794 billion on the road, stressing that the state had never neglected its portion of the old road.

“The state government did some work on that particular section, but it got bad again when the volume of traffic increased as a result of the complete failure of the Enugu-Onitsha express road,” he said.

He said that government was moved to commence work on the road in spite of its lean resources since that was the only road that linked traders from Enugu and Ebonyi to the main market in Onitsha.

The commissioner appealed to the Federal Government to listen to the cries of the masses and rehabilitate Enugu-Onitsha expressway, which he said, had been neglected for more than 15 years.

“Our traders and indeed, other business people move their goods on daily basis through that road and we don’t want to hinder the commercial activities going on in Onitsha.

“The Federal Government should expedite action on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway because we understand the contract has been awarded. They should do their own part,” Udeuhele said. (NAN)
EOA/TA
Edited/controlled by Tajudeen Atitebi

NAN-H-34
Loan
By Chinyere Bassey
Lagos, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Automobile Boatyards, Transport, Equipment and Allied Senior Staff Association (AUTOBATE) says the Federal Government initiative to float a car purchase loan scheme will cushion economic recession.

Sola Olorunfemi Acting General Secretary of AUTOBATE told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Thursday, that the automobile sector was facing huge challenge and needed support.

NAN recalls that the Director-General, National Automobile Design and Development Council, Aminu Jalal said that the scheme would be inaugurated soon to help citizens acquire new made in Nigeria cars.

The government said that the scheme would be funded at a cost of N7.5 billion as part of its strategy to empower Nigerians to own new cars.

Olorunfemi said that if such loan was accessed, a lot of cars would be produced with increased patronage as opposed to imported second hand ones.

He said that the association had been canvassing for such move to boost the automobile industry because of various problems bedevilling it.

“In the automobile sector, we have lost about 10,000 workers from November 2015 to date due to economic instability. We appreciate government effort in boosting the sector,’’ he said.

The union spokesperson said that the scheme, when inaugurated would create employment, promote manufacturers and patronage of standards. (NAN)
CHIN/MO/GY
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Edited by Morayo Omolade/Grace Yussuf

NAN-H-14

Student

By Nuhu Martha Asama

Jos, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) He pleaded guilty to stealing alcoholic drinks worth N18,000.

“It was hunger that made me do it; I wanted to sell the bottles of drinks so I can buy food to eat.

“It is the work of the devil, have mercy on me,” pleaded an 18-year-old student, Joseph Jatau at a Jos Chief Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

Jatau of Jenta Makeri Street, Jos, was found guilty of stealing and sentenced to to six months in prison.

The magistrate, Mr Jovita Binjin said, “I hereby sentence you to six months imprisonment for the offence of theft or you’ll pay a fine of N3, 000.”

The magistrate said that the sentence was meant to serve as a deterrent to those who might want to engage in similar acts.

Earlier, the police prosecutor, Sgt. Thomas Amuku, told the court that one Fidelis Uda of Ochise Bar and Restaurant reported the matter at the ‘A’ Division police station on Sept. 14.

Amuku said that the accused went into the complainant’s bar and stole 13 bottles of Smirnoff Ice drinks valued at N18, 000.

He said that the accused was trying to flee when he was apprehended by vigilant security men.

The prosecutor said that during police investigation, the accused confessed to have committed the crime, stating that it was the third time he was stealing from the same bar.

He added that the offence contravened the provisions of section 288 of the Penal Code.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that it was unclear if the convict was able to pay the N3,000 in lieu or went straight to prison to serve his jail term. (NAN)

ADY/MA/BOS (Controlled by Dele Bodunde)