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Olobayo, late Kabba monarch will be buried Sept. 24

NAN-H-110

Burial

By Kola Adeyemi

Lokoja, Sept. 21, 2016 ( NAN) The late Obaro of Kabba, Oba Michael Olobayo, will be buried on Sept. 24.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Ben. Owoleke on behalf of the burial committee in Lokoja on Wednesday.

Owoleke said that a Christian interdenominational service would hold on Sept. 22 at St. Augustine College, Kabba, and followed by a Christian wake keep and service of songs at the same venue on Sept. 23

According to him, thanksgiving Holy Mass will hold at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Kabba,, on Sept 24 while reception follows immediately at the Kabba Township Stadium.

The late Obaro,who ascended the throne on Oct 17, 1987, died on May 16 this year at the age of 71. (NAN)
KKA/OFN
(Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-S-21

Match‎
By Mohammed Tijjani
Kano, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) Hosts Kano Pillars Football Club on Wednesday produced a brilliant performance to beat visiting El-Kanemi Warriors FC of Maiduguri 1-0 in a rescheduled 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) fixture.‎

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fixture played at the Sani Abacha Stadium saw the home side showing promising intent from the beginning to the end.

Rabiu Ali scored the only goal of the rescheduled Match Day 35 game in the15th minute through a penalty kick.‎

Speaking after the match, El-Kanemi Warriors’ coach Ladan Bosso commended Kano Pillars for winning the match.‎

He also commended his players in spite of losing the game.

“I am happy with their play and I encourage my team to remain focused to win our next game,” he said.(NAN)

(Edited by Dorcas Jonah and Controlled by Olawale Alabi)

NAN-S-20

Games
By Dorcas Jonah
Abuja, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) The FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, on Wednesday in Abuja advised the territory’s contingent to the National Youth Games (NYG) to compete and win with honour and integrity.

Bello gave the advice while addressing Team FCT athletes heading to the Games which would hold from Thursday to Sept. 30 in Ilorin, Kwara.

He said the FCT Administration would not want to be associated with cheats and FCT athletes who are over the age of 17 should not be part of the contingent.

Bello, who was represented by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Babatope Ajakaiye, also advised the athletes to stay away from drugs so as not to destroy their future.

“If they screen you in Ilorin and you are over 17, you will be handed over to the police when you return here.

“So, if you know that you are over 17 and they have hired you, disappear this night before your departure tomorrow (Thursday) morning.

“In the FCT, the minister has told me that we don’t want to cheat. We want to go to Ilorin with the real people.

“This is a Youth Games and we want our youths to develop.

“In the FCT, we want to be factual and real. We don’t want to go with cheats, we don’t want medals at all cost, but we want you to go and win medals,’’ he said.

Bello said the FCT Administration had provided all that was necessary to make the athletes comfortable before, during and after the Games.

He urged them to put in their best to win medals for themselves, the FCT and the country at large.

“You must do all you can to excel. Please don’t go there and take any drugs to win because it will affect you in the long run.

“Go there and do everything naturally, with your strength and the skills that you have been taught to win medals and strive to be the first.

“Our hope is that you will represent this country one day at the Olympics and you will go there and win for yourself and the nation,’’ the minister said.

While reacting to Bello’s address, Team FCT’s athlete leaders, Nwafor Joel and Vivian Okosun, assured that they would aim to win the first position in most of the events.

The duo, who are the male and female captains of the team, said they would achieve this with the skills their coaches have taught them.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 80-man FCT contingent would depart Abuja on Thursday for the Games.(NAN)

(Edited and Controlled by Olawale Alabi)

NAN-H-108
Salary
By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Government has warned its civil servants, who were yet to collect their salaries due to some reasons not to stage protest.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Mustapha Fagge, Public Relations Officer, Office of the Head of Service, and issued to newsmen on Wednesday in Kano.

The statement said the warning was necessary following report that text massage was being sent to the affected workers through the social media to assemble at Audu Bako secretariat on Friday.

“The attention of the office of the Head of Service has been drawn to a text message being sent through social media to workers who have not received their salary.

“The message calls on the workers to assemble at Audu Bako Secretariat on Friday, Sept. 23 in order to protest,” it said.

The statement urged the workers to disregard the text message, adding that those sending the message were workers who had perpetrated fraud in the payment of salaries over the years.

It said that security agents had been alerted to deal ruthlessly with any person or group that participated in the illegal protest.

It explained that all issues of unpaid salaries or outstanding salaries were with the Ministry of Finance receiving attention.

“We are calling on affected workers to channel their complaints or grievances through their respective ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

“This is the proper way as contained in the Civil service rules”, the statement added. (NAN)
MTM/FAT/AEA
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(Edited by Fatima Sule and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo)

NAN-H-78

Sentence

By Tolu Dada
Abuja, September 21, 2016 (NAN) Two men — 23-year-old Christopher Uchendu, and 26-year-old Saviour Isaac — who allegedly broke into a church in Abuja and stole items worth N105, 000, were on Wednesday sentenced to one month imprisonment each.

A Karu Magistrates’ Court which gave the verdict said the accused were guilty as charged.

The defendants were charged for housebreaking and theft under Sections 79, 356 and 95 of the Penal Code, Laws of the Federation.

Magistrate Hafsat Abba, however, gave the defendants an option of N20, 000 fine each.

She ordered the convicts to pay a compensation of N 55, 500 to the nominal complainant, failure which it would attract an imprisonment of three months each.

Earlier, Prosecutor Mamood Ismail told the court that a man, John Ogundele of Gwagwalape, Abuja, had reported the defendants at Nyanya Police Station on Sept. 20.

According to him, the defendants broke into the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church, Nyanya, and stole some items worth N105, 000.

Among the items stolen are a television set, one amplifier, one stabilizer and a box containing N10, 000.

“The defendants were apprehended following a tip-off.”

Ismail said the defendants confessed to have sold some of the items while an empty box and an amplifier were recovered from them.

The prosecutor said that the compensation to be paid to the complainant was N55, 500 and urged the court to direct the police to release the recovered items to the rightful owners.

The defendants pleaded guilty and urged the court to temper justice with mercy. (NAN)

TOLU/MNA/DA
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(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu & controlled by Dele Akinsola)

NAN-DS-12
Relocation
By Ali Inuwa
Bama (Borno) Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno said on Wednesday he had relocated to Bama, one of the communities worst hit by the Boko Haram insurgency in the state to supervise its reconstruction.

Shettima made the statement at a reception organised for him by Col. Adamu Laka, Commander, 21 Armored Brigade in Bama headquarters of Bama Local Government Area LGA

He said that the he took the decision to mobilise human and material resources for the reconstruction of the town.

“We are glad that we are in Bama to fasttrack the rehabilitation and reconstruction of homes and other structures in this ancient town.

“Like I said, I am going to spend two weeks, or a minimum of one week here, “he said, adding that he would also visit Gwoza and Lassa to supervise reconstruction work in the areas.

“I will be shuttling to Gwoza as well.

“I will also visit Lassa to see things for my self, “he said.

The governor said that some of his associates were opposed to his decision.

He said: “we should have courage to follow our conversation.

“When I mooted the idea of coming to Bama, a lot of people advised that I should not come.

“But any life that is not worth taking risks is not worth living.

“I told the critics that our soldiers are there putting their lifes on the line and getting separated from their families so we can have peace.

“The soldiers also have blood running in their veins”.

Shettima said that his visit was also a kind of solidarity with the soldiers.

“Even out of solidarity with the troops, I should come here and work for the rebuilding of Bama.

“Insha Allah this is what we are going to do,” he said, stressing that his action had no political under tone.

“We are in Bama to work for the people to develop the state and Nigeria as a whole.

“Believe me this has nothing to do with politics; it has to do with good governance and for the wellbeing of the people.

“This is not the time for us to play politics with the lives of our people.

“It is a time for us to play development politics”.

The governor said he had mobilised enough security to ensure the success of his trip.

“We are here with 500 vigilantes and civilian JTF.

“The mobile Police are back in Bama and we are here with Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp, “he said.

Shettima lauded the Nigerian Army for its effort in fast tracking the return of peace in the state.

“I want to pay special tribute to the GOC 7 division of the Nigerian Army for his commitment in coming to Bama to stay with us and ensure that peace reign here.

“He was the one who liberated Mubi in Adamawa from the insurgents; we have witnessed great improvement in security since he moved in as the GOC,” he said.

Bama one of the communities hijacked by the insurgents was liberated last year by the Nigerian Army. (NAN)
ABI/AEA
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Edited and controlled by Archibong Asuquo

NSE moves 3.09bn shares worth N6.24bn
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Shares
Lagos, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) Investors on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday traded a total of 3.09 billion shares valued at N6.24 billion exchanged in 2,815 deals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was against the 231.46 million shares worth N2.49 billion traded in 3,452 deals on Tuesday.

The Financial Service Sector remained the toast of investors as GNI emerged the most traded in volume terms, accounting for 2.87 billion shares valued at N3.24 billion.

Zenith Bank came second with a total of 51.23 million shares worth N752.69 million, while UBA sold 39.84 million shares valued at N416.14 million.

GT Bank trailed with 37.92 million shares worth N1.53 billion and investors staked N478.40 million on 25.07 million shares of FCMB.

NAN also reports that the market indicators closed positively, appreciating marginally by 0.01 per cent due to price gains sustained by some highly capitalised equities.

The market capitalisation gained N1 billion or 0.01 per cent to close at N9.691 trillion compared with N9.690 trillion recorded on Tuesday.

Similarly, the All-Share Index which opened at 28,209.93 appreciated by 4.64 points or 0.01 per cent to close at 28,214.57.

ConOil led the gainers’ table, growing by N3.91 to close at N42.6 per share.

MRS followed with a gain of N1.42 to close at N39.9, while Total Oil gained N1 to close at N270 per share.

PZ Cussons appreciated by 0.9k to close at N18.97 and Cadbury grew by 0.55k to close at N14.75 per share.

Conversely, Guinness topped the losers’ chart, dropping by N7 to close at N93 per share.

Nigerian Breweries trailed with a loss of N1.31 to close at N142.04 while Julius Berger shed 44k to close at N39 per share.

Etranzact also lost 30k to close at N5.7 and GT Bank dropped 23k to close at N26.77 per share. (NAN)
LUC/FAT/IA
(Edited by Fatima Sule/Idris Abdulrahman)

Agatu killings: Community drags FG to ECOWAS Court

NAN-H-97

Agatu

By Temitope Ponle

Abuja, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) The victims of alleged herdsmen’s brutality in Agatu Local Government of Benue have prayed the ECOWAS Court to compell the Federal Government to pay them N10 billion as compensation.

This is contained in an originating application filed by the affected members of the Agatu Community and made available by the court to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

The applicants said that the claim would be used to compensate for alleged death, injuries and loss of property recorded from the invasion of their community by alleged violent herdsmen.

The applicants also sought an order directing the defendants to resettle, rebuild and rehabilitate the members of the community.

They prayed that the respondents be compelled to provide basic amenities in the destroyed communities in accordance with the provisions of the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights and relevant International Instruments.

The applicants also sought an order directing the defendant to immediately take legislative, administrative and judicial measures to recognise, promote and protect the rights of members of their communities from further attacks.

The plaintiffs urged the court to declare that the inaction of the defendant in restraining attacks by the herdsmen on their community constitutes a breach of their fundamental rights as contained in the African Charter On Human and Peoples’ Rights the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

They also asked the court to declare that “the deliberate inaction of the respondents in its refusal to recognise and protect the rights of the victims” also constituted a breach of their rights in accordance with international instruments.

The victims in the application stated that their communities were attacked by “heavily armed men” on May 12, 2013, December, 2013 and March 2016, respectively.

They alleged that hundreds of citizens lost their lives in the attacks; thousands more were rendered homeless and property worth more than one billion naira was destroyed.

They also claimed that community members who narrowly escaped the loss of their lives were dehumanised and maimed, beaten, tortured and sexually harassed by the said “ herdsmen.

They stated that after each attack, they lodged reports with Nigeria Police and other relevant agencies but no action was taken to prevent the violations of their rights.

“The defendant did not take legislative, judicial or security measures to prevent protect or assuage the continuous killings and destruction of properties in Agatu.

“Despite the wholesome level of human rights violations by the so called “Fulani herdsmen” in March 2016, the defendant’s top functionaries – The President; the Minister of Interior and the Inspector General of Police – have refused to visit the victims and the communities.

“All the defendant and its agencies do after every attack is to lay the blame on “Fulani herdsmen” and then refuse to prevent further killings and destruction of properties.”

The applicants, however, concluded that their rights were breached incessantly by the “Fulani herdsmen and the defendant, adding that the defendant failed in its responsibility to protect their rights.

They added that they were entitled to compensation, rehabilitation and resettlement by the defendant.

NAN recalls that parts of the Agatu Local Government Area were systematically attacked early this year by invaders suspected to be herdsmen with several people killed and their homes destroyed.

They had therefore, blamed the incident to the inability of the government to adequately protect them.(NAN)

TOP/KM/OFN

Edited by Kabir Muhammad// Felix Nwadioha

Court orders Army to close its defence Nov.17
NAN-H-96
Defence
By Doris Esa
Abuja, Sept. 21,2016(NAN) The National Industrial Court has fixed Nov.17 for the defendant the Nigerian Army to close its case in a suit by a dismissed Sgt. Edem Udoh against the Army.

The judge, Justice Peter Lifu, fixed the date after the claimant’s counsel, Mr Victor Abasi-Akam, cross-examined the defence witness, Maj-Gen. Mohammed Gana.

Gana told the court that he made a complaint to the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) that his life and that of his family was being threatened.

He also told the court that the Udoh showed insubordination when he abandoned a military vehicle that was under his care.

The witness told the court that he “de rank Udo because he was insubordinate to his superior officer.”

When told by the claimant’s counsel that he used his position to influence the investigation that led to the alleged dismissal, Gana said that he did not mention any name when he made the complaint.

He reiterated that he only reported that he was being threatened and wouldn’t know if the DMI investigated the matter.

Gana said the claimant refused to obey a lawful directive of his superior and threatened him and his family.

He said he made a complaint to the Directorate of Military Intelligence that his life and family was being threatened.

Abasi-Akam, while cross- examining the witness told the court that there was allegation that his client refused to obey the lawful directive of his superior.

He told the court his client was also alleged to have issued a threat to his superior officer

He said that all his client was asking for was to be paid for the unlawful dismissal.

Udoh is praying the court to compel the Nigeria Army to pay him damages for his alleged unlawful dismissal.(NAN)

ORD/OSA/OFN

(Edited by Shittu Obassa//Felix Nwadioha)

Cook to spend 1month in prison for generator theft.

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Imprisonment

By Zainab Buhari

Abuja, Sep. 21, 2016 (NAN) A 22-year-old cook, Nura Ibrahim, will spend one month in prison for theft of generator.

A Karimo,Grade 1 Area Court presided over by Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, after the cook pleaded guilty and begged for leniency.

Sadiq, however, gave the convict an option to pay N5,000 as fine.

Ibrahim, a resident of Jabi,opposite Dominion School in the FCT, had pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of theft.

The Prosecutor, Zanna Dalhatu, had told the court that Umar Iliyasu of the same addres with the convict reported the matter at Life Camp Police Station on Sept. 2

Dalhatu said that the convict stole Iliyasu’s Tiger generators after he had put it off and retired to bed around 2.20 a.m.

The prosecutor said during police investigation,the defendant admitted stealing the generator and also confessed to have sold it to an unknown man at Jabi garage at the rate of N3000.

He said the crime contravened Section 287 of Penal Code.(NAN)

ZAB/OFN

(Edited by Felix Nwadioha)