Blog

Lawyer harps on true independent judiciary
NAN-H-8
Independent
By Veronica Dariya
Abuja, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) A Legal practitioner, Mr Jude Kaleijaye, has said that Nigeria needs true autonomous  and independent judiciary to free it from corruption

Kaleijaye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that “expectations are high to restore its confidence from the stain of corruption”.

He said that the sector must first be appreciated and recognised as an independent arm of government, just like the executive and legislature in order for it to function well.

According to him, financial autonomy as provided in the constitution will address some of the challenges in the system.

“Judiciary is not inferior to either the legislative or the executive; therefore, it must be properly funded and should be allowed to be self-financing.

“This should facilitate the prompt payment of salaries and other entitlements. It will also allow procurement of necessary apparatus, employment of qualified support staff and constant training for judges and other court personnel.”

Kaleijaye advised that substantive and procedural laws should constantly undergo evaluation to reflect current trend, adding that manpower should be upgraded and staff welfare and economic well being be well thoughtout.

He said: “we must have a plan to decentralise the judiciary where state or regional Courts of Appeal and Supreme are allowed to thrive and decide cases to finality within their different spheres or zones and different regions.

“The Federal Government has no business establishing a federal judiciary to handle state matters, whether criminal or civil.

“Also, secretarial bottlenecks, system of government and other man made lapses which aid delays in the administration of justice must be eliminated.” (NAN)
DVK/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-F-1
Coalition
By Ekemini Ladejobi
New York, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) The Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, has advocated the formation of broad coalitions around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Onyeama made the suggestion on the sideline of the stakeholder engagement in the implementation of  SDGs in Africa at the ongoing 71st UN General Assembly.

“The implementation of the SDGs is a pressing and pivotal task that requires all hands to be on deck and firmly so.

“From inception, the achievement of the SDGs has been      predicated on the combined efforts of the sub-national, national, regional and global actors.

“Thus, it is imperative that all stakeholders appreciate the importance  of their unique roles in the matrix of the common intent to achieve the SDGs.

Onyeama said the implementation of the new agenda was happening in much tougher times than those which prevailed when the Millennium Development Goals were launched in 2000.

He said although government commitment was vital, it was  insufficient on its own.

The minister said the legislative branch of government must be engaged in meaningful ways and must strive to have a development that was inclusive and sustainable.

“Financing for development is critical for results-based implementation of the SDGs.

“All available resources, including financial and technical, must be harnessed for the new agenda, including domestic and international, public and private, and environmental,’’ he said.

Onyeama said generating and sharing new ideas, knowledge, and technologies were fundamental for multi-level engagement to be meaningful.

“This will be significant in achieving the SDGs,” he said.

The minister expressed optimism that the meeting would add considerable value to the efforts of the international community at advancing the implementation of the SDGs in Africa.

“Although the target year of 2030 is 14 years away, we must act as though we have just a few years to implement the plan.

“Nigeria remains ready and committed to play its expected role in the full implementation of the SDGs.

“This event is a step in the right direction in making the SDGs’ vision a reality,” he said.

Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, said the process of domesticating, mainstreaming, prioritising and integrating the SDGs required  collaboration.

“We are at the moment in partnership with our Ministry of Budget and National Planning and their counterparts at the state level to integrate the SDGs into the national and state development plans.

“In this regard, we are encouraging peer learning and are consistently showcasing best practice at integration at the sub-national level,’’ she said.

Orelope-Adefulire  explained that in deploying the SDGs in Nigeria, government was adopting the bottom-top approach by securing buy-in at the grassroots through high impact interventions.

She said one of such interventions was the Conditional Grants Scheme, acclaimed as a global best practice at the sub-national level.

Ojuolape-Adefulire explained that for effective delivery, government had begun the process of reviewing the implementation of the manual of the Conditional Grants Scheme to enhance ownership and inclusion.

She, however, said that  in the face of the prevailing fiscal challenges, it had become urgent to leverage multi-stakeholder engagement to mobilise non-government resources for SDGs implementation.

The event was organised by Nigerian in collaboration with the UN SDGs Action Campaign and the African Network of Parliamentarians. (NAN)

EAL/JCE
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(Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie)

Genetically Modified Crops safe to consume, Geneticists assure Nigerians

NAN-AE-2
GMO’s
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) Geneticists at the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, University of Ibadan, have said that Genetically Modified Organisms and crops were safe to consume once they are well cooked.

The Experts made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

Dr Christopher Ilori, a Geneticist from the department, said the kind of gene put inside the organism or crop should be considered.

“A gene for herbicide resistance for example doesn’t have any effect on humans and most times we cook before eating.

“If it’s possible for someone to pick up a gene through what we eat, then by now all of us should have been expressing gene from cassava, maize, yams, but it has not happened.

“If the gene is releasing toxins that kill other organisms, you will have to take extra precautions to know whether the toxin is inactivated when you cook; for that particular one you must cook it before you eat.

“Once you cook it, the toxin is destroyed,” he said.

Similarly, Dr Morufat Balogun, also a Geneticist from UI, noted that certifying the gene in the crop would make people to know the nature of the plant.

“Our environment is changing faster than the time to modify all the crops so there is need for us to catch up in order not to die of hunger.

“DNA can be denatured at high temperature (96 degree), so when we cook, we already pass that level.

“Not all the genes are characterized in the world so we can only know and handle the ones discovered and characterized.

“Genetic Modification is done in contained facility to make sure that they don’t escape until it’s released, approved by the government, so once this is done, they are safe,” she said.

Balogun emphasised that conventional way of breeding whereby a female part of flower can be put in a male part of another plant of the same specie and it produces a new growing seed, without necessarily going to the lab, was the easiest.

“But if there is abortion that plant will not be successful when you want to cross, in conventional way you go beyond boundaries of different species and you get added advantage with different codes.

“The technology is still a modification and change, but now we can have more resources to choose from any part of the world,” she said. (NAN)
CC/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-7
Recession
By Toba Ajayi
Ilorin, Sept. 22, 2016 (NAN) An Ilorin-based legal practitioner, Mr Kunle Abayomi, has said that Nigeria doesn’t  need foreign experts to rescue the country from the present economic recession.

Abayomi made this known when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Thursday.

He declared that solution to the present economic woes could be solved by Nigerians and not foreign experts.

According to him, inviting foreign expert will amount to waste of resources and a slap on the faces of our economic and financial experts.

The lawyer said Nigeria was blessed with renowned economists that could lead the country out of economic darkness.

“I see no reason for inviting foreign experts to solve our problem for us. Nigeria can boast of the best brains in economics in Africa who can study the situations and proffer immediate solution to Nigeria economic downturn.

“There is no short cut about it, we need to trust ourselves and give chance for our own indigenous experts to come to the rescue.

“Must we continue to rely on foreign expert to save us? It is time we involve our experts and give them the best environment to work,” he said.

He, however, appealed to Nigerians to be prayerful and exercise patience, saying that he belief that things would  come back to normal.(NAN)
LEX/TO/OFN
Edited by Tola Okinbaloye//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-F-30
Investment
By Ekemini Yemi-Ladejobi
New York, Sept 21, 2016 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari has assured global investors of Nigeria’s commitment to work hard to become one of the most attractive places to invest.

The president said his administration had embarked on significant economic reforms to realise that goal.

Buhari gave the assurance while addressing political and business leaders from the U.S., Africa and other regions of the world at the Second United States-Africa Business Forum in  New York on Wednesday.

The forum was organised by the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

The Nigerian leader said the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, would soon come out with wide-range of business environment reforms.

He said the reforms would create opportunities around seaports, airports, visa-on arrival, improving the speed and efficiency of land titling as well as business registration.

Buhari said some fiscal incentives included, up to five years tax holiday for activities classified as “pioneer’’.

“This will include tax-free operations, absence of restrictions on expatriate quotas in Free Trade Zones and a low VAT regime of five  per cent.

“We intend to make Nigeria one of the most attractive places to do business.  Nigeria remains the number one investment destination in Africa,’’ the president said.

He further said his administration would continue to strengthen government institutions in order to address the concerns of investors.

“We are weaning ourselves from a historical dependence on crude oil, diversifying our economy and putting it on the path of sustainable and inclusive growth.

“To this end, we have embarked on policies aimed at establishing an open, rules-based and market-oriented economy.

“We will continue to actively engage with the private sector at the highest levels to listen to your concerns and to assure you of our commitment to creating enabling policies in which your businesses can survive,” Buhari said.

He urged participants to take advantage of the forum to establish and strengthen business relationships, share valuable experiences and collaborate for mutual benefits.

The president further said that enormous potential existed for investment in Nigeria, adding that the country’s huge population formed part of the opportunities.

He listed the others as arable land; forest waters; oil and gas; solid minerals; livestock and tourism.

On the present state of the economy, Buhari said: “these are no doubt challenging times for the Nigerian economy.

“But let me use this opportunity to boldly affirm our conviction that there is no crisis without an accompanying opportunity.

“In our case, we see Nigeria’s ongoing economic challenges  occasioned mainly by the fall in oil prices as an opportunity to set the economy firmly on the path of true diversification, sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.’’

The president said the reform measures taken by his administration since inception in 2015 had started yielding good fruits, adding that the benefits were visible in security, anti-corruption war.

He said the government was vigorously working hard to close up the infrastructure deficit and promote industrial productivity, agriculture, mining and technology.

“Young Nigerians are increasingly demonstrating that they have the talent and the passion to leverage on these opportunities,’’ he said.

On U.S.-Nigeria business relations, the president announced the commencement of the US-Nigeria Commercial and Investment Dialogue with a focus on the infrastructure, agriculture and digital economy.

He also named investment and regulatory reform to be jointly led by the Nigerian Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and his U.S. counterpart as part of the relationship.

The president said he looked forward to increased trade and investment flows between Nigeria and the U.S. (NAN)
EAL/OMO/JCE
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(Edited  by Martins Odeh/Chukwudi Ekezie)

Paralympics: Early camping will enhance performance – Coach

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Camping
Abuja, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) Patrick Aieto, Para-athletic coach on Wednesday called on the Ministry of Youths and Sports to ensure early camping of Paralympics athletes to enhance their performance in future events.

Aieto told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that Team Nigeria performance at the 2016 Rio Paralympics could have been better if they had starting camping earlier.

He said that para-athletes crashed out in the semi-final but could have done better, if they had prepared adequately.

The coach said that the para-powerlifters were able to break several world records because of their exposure.

“Early camping and constant training will help us to do better and improve our performances.

“I am hopeful that with adequate preparation and funding, the team will do better in 2020,’’ he said.

Aieto called on the government to encourage the athletes and do something that would sustained them, since all they could do was sports. (NAN)
DE/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
===============

NASU lauds FG’s war against insurgency

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NASU
By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN)‎ The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration on its successful fight against insurgency.

The union gave the commendation in a communiqué issued at the end of its two-day National Executive Council meeting in Abuja.

The communiqué, signed by Mr Chris Ani and Mr Peters Adeyemi, the National President and General Secretary respectively, was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

It, however, urged the president to quickly address other challenges confronting the nation’s economy.

It congratulated the Armed Forces for their gallantry and sacrifices for the nation.

The union, however, expressed concern over the incidences of kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, internet fraud, activities of herdsmen and the emerging trend of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Niger Delta militancy.

It urged the president to handle these emerging trends with utmost care and diplomacy rather than the sole use of military option.

“We call on all Nigerians to take the issue of insecurity as very important and should synergise with the security agencies in tackling the menace in the interest of our corporate existence,” it said.

The union lamented the inability of about 27 state governments to pay their workers’ salaries running into several months.

According to NASU, payment of salaries is a statutory obligation, which must be fulfilled.

“It is disturbing that the bailout funds, released by Federal Government to state governors for the purpose of clearing the arrears of salaries, were diverted to other purposes.

“In the spirit of the fight against corruption, we urged President Buhari to investigate all those involved in this heinous crime and bring them to book.

“The economic recession is biting harder on workers and, therefore, demands the immediate payment of all outstanding salaries to workers.

“We call on state governors, who are not able to fulfill this obligation to workers, to resign.

“In sympathy with the plight of workers, NASU affirms its support for NLC’s position of `No Pay, No Work’,’’ the communiqué read in part.

It condemned inadequate funding of the education sector over the years despite agitations by relevant stakeholders.

NASU recalled that the last administration released an intervention fund of N200 billion in 2014 to the universities for critical infrastructures with a promise to thereafter release N100 billion for two consecutive years but reneged on the promise.

It, therefore, appealed to the present administration to adopt and fulfill this promise for improved funding.

The union also examined the state of nation’s economy and concluded that the economy had gone into avoidable recession due to a number of factors.

The factors included lack of proper coordination and unsteady economic and fiscal policies of the federal government.

It, therefore, urged the government to fine tune these policies with a view to urgently take the economy out of recession.

The union also urged the federal government to immediately remit all outstanding pension deductions, the contributions of the government and accrued interest into the retirement savings accounts of all federal employees without further delays.

NASU also condemned the recent agitation by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) for an increase in the pump price of petrol.

It views the proposal as provocative, inhuman, unjust and unacceptable.

The union aligns itself with the position of the NLC in opposing any attempt to further increase the pump price of petrol.

It expressed concern at the increasing level of unemployment and the dimming hope for positive improvement, in spite of continued promises of job creation by successive governments.

It called on government at all levels to address the issue of unemployment of the youths to avert their being engaged in social vices.

It expressed concern that the mere campaign of diversification to agriculture and solid mineral exploitation without concrete action and workable framework could worsen the situation.

The union, therefore, resolved that the government should urgently put workable framework in place to actualise diversification of our economy.

It also decried the high cost of governance and the extravagant lifestyles of political office holders which did not reflect the current economic realities in Nigeria.

“We, therefore, demands for the immediate reduction in the cost of governance in the area of security votes, over bloated political appointees, excessive political travels and the use of chartered private jets,’’ the union resolved. (NAN)
OOG/AIB/AFA
Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-115
Drug
Yola, Sept. 21,2016 ( NAN) The Adamawa Command of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency  (NDLEA ) on Wednesday said it arrested a truck conveying three tonnes of drug in the state.

The state Commander of the agency, Mr. Yakubu Kibo, said at a news briefing in Yola that the drug was estimated at N15 million.

He said the drug was neatly concealed in 220 cartons in the truck.

” The team of NDLEA operatives along Yola-Numan road on 22/08/2016 intercepted a Mercedes Benz container truck with registration number XA 673 WSH for a search.

” The search revealed three tonnes and 80kg of Stopcof Lictus CoughSyrup with Codeine concealed in 220 cartons in the truck,” Kibo said.

He said when the driver and his assistant were arrested  they claimed that the goods belonged to a pharmaceutical company and that they were travelling from Minna  to Jalingo.

He said that investigations revealed that there was no fixed address for the delivery of the consignment.

“This goes to show that the movement of the substance was with criminal intention and investigation is going to unveil the truth of the matter,” Kibo said.  (NAN)
AMA/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie)

NAN-ELS-7
Empowerment
By Collins Yakubu-hammer
Abuja, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) Peace has the potentials to enhance empowerment, good health and basic education, Mrs Eki Agorom,  Chief Executive Officer, Katherine Parker Initiative (KPI) has said.

Agorom made the statement on Wedneday in Abuja in her welcome address at cocktail party to mark International Day of Peace.

“We are sitting here today with so much peace of mind while there are people wailing out of hunger and displaced by war.

“There are children who have never gotten a good night kisses.

“There are dead bodies lying in the mogue with no one to identify them all because there is no peace in our world.

“Can we put aside our grudges, differences, selfishness and just get along? Agorom asked.

According to the KPI boss, peace has no religion, profession, sex or social strata.

She described peace as an “indispensable necessity.’’

The mother of two emphasised that peace should begin with the individual in the society.

“Peace is our responsibility; nothing will change until we change what is in our hearts.

“Until the love we dream of in our hearts exist within us, it cannot exist in the world.

“Until love reaches the world we will continue to search for peace,” Agorom submitted.

Speaking along the same vein, Mrs Lauretta Achudume, Chief Officer, `Women of Women of Like minds Initiative,’ said that peace is a climate to freedom.

Achudume underscored the need to allow peace to reign in every endeavour of humanity.

“Peace is an instrument that facilitates the realisation of our dreams.

“It is necessary to preach peace to the world so that regardless of our different background, peace can make us one.

“Peace promotes local and foreign investments; the ability of peace should exist in every home all over the world,” Achudume said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that high point of the occasion was `parade of quotes’ where placards of different inscriptions to promote peace were displayed to the audience.

Some of the quotes in the placards read: “I prefer the most unfair peace to the most righteous war;” “A world without violence is possible.” “Can’ t we all just get alone?” among others. (NAN)
CMY/FAT/AEA
(Edited by Fatima Sule and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

Navy offshore patrol vessel departs China to Nigeria

NAN-H-111

Vessel

By Yahaya Isah

Abuja, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Navy (NN) Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) NNS UNITY which was under construction in China has been completed and on its way to join the NN fleet.

This is contained in a statement signed by its Director of Information, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, in Abuja.

The Chief of Naval Staff, (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas, was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Rear Admiral Jacob Ajani at the handing over and departure ceremony in China.

Ibas, however, conveyed the appreciation of Nigeria Navy to President Muhammadu Buhari, for approving all steps taken toward the departure of NNS UNITY.

He said that NNS UNITY would strengthen the efforts of The Navy against all maritime crimes and illegalities in the nation’s territorial waters and the Gulf of Guinea in general.

The CNS also added that the areas that were hitherto unable to be covered by other ships would now be covered by NNS UNITY.

This, he said, would no doubt enhance the Navy’s effectiveness and responsiveness to the maritime security challenges within Nigeria’s waters.

“NNS UNITY enroute Nigeria will pay port calls on some ports of friendly nations before arriving Nigeria.

“This will further boost the existing cordial relationship with sister navies around the world and the Gulf of Guinea in particular,” Ibas said.

Ibas solicited the maintenance and improved cooperation between Nigeria and China Ship Building Corporation beyond the departure of NNS UNITY.

The ceremony had in attendance: Chairman, Senate Committee on Navy, Sen. Isa Misau, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Navy, Abdulsamad Dasuki, Representative of the Minister of Defense, Hajia Rabi Tedman, among others.

The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN ) recalls that the NNS UNITY departed China Sept. 21, and was expected to arrive in Nigeria first week of November 2016. (NAN )

YI/FAT/OFN

(Edited by Felix Nwadioha)