Blog

Akwa Ibom generates 150 mega watts of electricity, says Gov. Emmanuel

NAN-HE-29

Electricity

By Diana Bassey &Bassey Bassey

Uyo, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Udom Emmanuel Akwa Ibom says that the state Independent Power Plant (IPP) is generating more than 150 megawatts of electricity in the country.

Emmanuel made the disclosure at a media  interaction to mark the 29^th anniversary of the creation of the state.

He said that some communities in the state were now enjoying electricity for 18 to 20 hours daily.

“I am the only governor in Nigeria who generates more than 150 megawatts of electricity.

“And you can check; there are some communities where the rate of vandalism is low; they enjoy electricity on the average of 18 hours to 20 hours daily.”

He, however, decried the high rate of vandalism of electricity installations in the state.

Emmanuel said that the state government had deployed more than  600 transformers to alleviate the suffering of the people in  areas where electricity installation had been vandalised.

He also noted with concern that some hoodlums siphoned oil from transformers in the communities, causing power outage.

“As we are fixing those transformers; people are trying to drain the oil. Once it reaches two to three days, the transformer will get burnt again.’’

The governor urged the people to protect electricity installations in their communities against vandals.

He, however, expressed regret that electricity transmission was still the exclusive preserve of the Federal Government.

“If we evacuate the 150 megawatts that we generate in the state today, we could have solved so much of our problems if not all.”

He said that the state government was building a second power turbine to supply five local government areas along coastal areas with electricity.

“We have started the second turbine of Ibom Power Plant that will give us 24 hours every day.

“So, we can start generating economic activities in the area and lots of employment opportunities.”

He  further said that state government was planning to build two sub-stations in Uyo in order to improve electricity in the state capital.

The governor said that the electric metering factory in Onna Local Government Area of the state would begin production in January 2017.

According to him, the metering factory is one of the many industries expected to yield benefits from the series of projects under  his stewardship so far. (NAN)

(Edited by Shittu Obassa/Nkechi Okoronkwo

SDB/BB/OSA/NKO

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NAN-S-6
Search
By Emmanuel Afonne
Abuja, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Jos has declared Shehu Dikko, the Chairman of League Management Company (LMC), wanted for contempt.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that policemen from the FCT command stormed the LMC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday in search of Dikko after he disobeyed court orders.

The warrant also demanded the arrest of Salihu Abubakar, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of LMC for the same offence.

The policemen, who stormed the LMC/LaLiga Office in plain clothes, searched the corners of the premises for the two men before proceeding to the residence of Dikko at Lake Chad Crescent in Maitama, Abuja.

The search yielded no fruit as both were said to be on the run and could not be arrested.

The staffers of the LMC were seen in their offices doing their job and refusing to utter a word to the policemen on the where about of their masters.

The entrance of the policemen into the premises LMC was contrary to Tuesday’s development when the workers of the company failed to report to office for fear of being arrested.

The court bailiff had on Tuesday served the FCT Police Command the warrant of arrest for the LMC chieftains signed by Justice I. Kunda last week for them to be committed to prison for contempt.

NAN recalls that a Jos High Court last Friday sentenced Dikko and Salihu to two weeks imprisonment for disobeying a court order.

The orders had sought the reinstatement of Giwa FC to the Nigeria Professional Football League and rescheduling of all its matches or a stoppage of the ongoing league in pursuit of the appeal at the Appeal Court.

But the orders were disobeyed as LMC refused to halt the league without reinstating Giwa FC.

The development consequently necessitated the court to issue Form 48 and 49 to them before sentencing them to prison.

Form 48 was an initiation of contempt proceeding, while the Form 49 was the contempt proceeding proper. (NAN)
EMAF/PDE
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(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-HE-28
Recession
Nsukka (Enugu state) Sept. 21,2016 (NAN) A don, Prof. Cletus Agu, has said that reviewing the country’s monetary policies will help to overcome the current economic recession.

Agu, a former Head of Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN), Enugu State, made the call in Nsukka on Wednesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said if the Federal Government reviewed the country’s monetary policies in a way that it would attract more local and foreign investors, it would quicken economic recovery.

Agu said it would create wealth and more job opportunities for the  teeming youths across the country.
“The investments will put more money in the country’s economy as well as create more jobs and lubricate the economy.

“There are number of ways to end recession and one of them is immediate review of the country’s monetary policies.

“The present situation whereby investors are closing their businesses is not the best,” he said.

Agu urged Nigerians to help the government in recovering the economy by patronising made-in-Nigeria goods.

The economist noted that the habit of consuming too much foreign goods at the expense of locally produced ones was a factor that cased the recession.

“Common sense shows that the more a county depends wholly on imported goods, the more such economy suffers setback or even collapse.

“In this country, we have no cause to import items like shoes, textile and some foodstuffs because the quality of those produced in this country are good, but it is unfortunate that we import majority of them.

“No economy in the world has become strong where its citizens prefer foreign goods at the expense of locally produced goods,” he said.

The don urged Nigerians to make sacrifices during the recession by cutting down on unnecessary expenses.

“Nigerians should know that government is doing its best to restore the country’s economy and as well that government will not do it alone without the cooperation of the masses.

“I am optimistic that the country’s economy will be stronger after this recession as some giant economies  of the world  went through the same process before they became what they are today.”  (NAN)
HOA/MNA/IA

(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Idris Abdulrahman)

NAN-H-104
Youths
By Modupe Seriboh
Ibadan, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Tajudeen Akanji of the Department of African Studies, University of Ibadan, has called on youths to combine their energy and drive to promote peace building.

Akanji said this at a lecture he delivered to commemorate the International Day of Peace organised by the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies Students Association (IPSSSA) of the University of Ibadan.

The lecture was entitled : “Youth, Peace and Security: The Need for Youth Involvement in Peace. ”

Akanji said that rather than refer to youths as leaders of tomorrow, “ they should actually be the drivers of today.’’

The don said that the youths were expected to be the richest resources any country needs to develop.

“This is because the youthful part of one’s life is a period when one is full of energy to carry out the required activities for development to thrive, ” he said.

He, however, said youths becoming drivers of change would require responsibility and capacity by engaging in continuing education programmes aimed at growing emotional intelligence and community development skills.

“One important role which the youths can play in peace and conflict resolution is for them to be the change.

“The youths can do this by modifying their attitudes toward institutions, people, traditions, religion and beliefs,’’ he said.

Akanji said that there was the need for the youth to engaged in activities that would promote a culture of peace and conflict free environment.

“On the other hand, the youth can play an active role in peace and conflict resolution by forming a new community of peace missionaries and NGO network at the grassroots,’’ he said.

Akanji, however, identified challenges such as poverty, hunger, diminishing natural resources, water scarcity, social inequality, corruption and racism as militating against peace in the world.

He also identified the Sustainable Development Goals as the possible solution to insecurity in the world, saying it would provide the foundation for lasting peace.

“Peace in itself nourishes and reinforces the condition for sustainable development and world peace.

“The call is for all, particularly the young , to mobilise resources and ensure the full realisation of the 17  identified Sustainable Development Goals in order to improve the well being of all citizens of the world,’’ he said. (NAN)
MAM/OJO
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(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-HE-27

Business

By Cecilia Ologunagba

Abuja, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, on Wednesday assured foreign investors of a business-friendly environment in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Assistant Director, Press, in the ministry, Salisu Haiba, and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

Udoma gave the assurance when he received the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Sadanobu Jusaoke, on a courtesy visit.

He said that the government had put in some measures and investment to improve ease of doing business in the country.

The minister called on the Japanese Government to collaborate with the Federal Government in the development of its refineries, power, railways and expansion of export processing zones.

He said that the government would do everything within its power to ensure the safety of investors as security issues were being addressed.

Earlier, Jusaoke had expressed the willingness of Japanese Government to increase its business stakes in Nigeria.

He urged the government to show total commitment by providing enabling environment for such business transactions.

The envoy emphasised the need for the development of infrastructure such as power, roads, railways and communication.

Jusaoke also urged the government to improve on those areas that would improve conditions of doing business in the country.

He identified those areas as stabilising the exchange rate, transparency in taxation, improved customs transaction and issues on export promotion as well as good government policies. (NAN)

CIA/MO/OPI

Edited by Morayo Omolade and Controlled by Olisa Ifeajika

Shite/Army clash report: Buratai’s rights of movement was violated

NAN-H-93

Violation

By Wandoo Sombo

Abuja, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) The right of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, was violated by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) during the December 2015 Army/shitte clash in Zaria, Kaduna state.

This is contained in the report of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Special Investigation Panel (SIP) on the clash released in Abuja on Wednesday.

The panel Chairman, Mr Anthony Ojukwu, who presented the report to the NHRC Executive Secretary, Prof. Bem Angwe, said the blocked public highway by IMN infringed on the freedom of movement of the Chief of Army Staff,

Ojukwu’s five-man committee said also that there was a violation of rights to life of the persons who died during clash in Zaria, Kaduna State

He said the right of the IMN to property was violated because their property was destroyed without due process by the Kaduna State government.

The committee recommended that members of the IMN arrested for various violations and offences should be speedily and fairly tried by the Kaduna state High Court.

He said IMN was also asked to issue a public apology to the complainant and members of the public for the abuse of their rights to freedom of movement by blocking the public highway.

The committee, he said, recommended that compensation computed in a fair manner by experts should be paid by the Kaduna State government to the victims of the demolished properties.

The Federal Government, he added, was also asked to pay compensation to those who lost their lives during the incident including members of the armed forces.

The panel made several other recommendations, including capacity building for the Nigerian Police, release of previous inquires into clashes between the Nigerian Army and the IMN and a ban on blockage of public highways.

Angwe, receiving the report, said that it was a draft report and that the commission would critically asses it with a view to making its final report public.

He said that the report indicated that there were a lot of issues with governance and administration of criminal justice.

He, however, gave the assurance that the commission would be fair and justice would be done to both sides.

The Nigerian Army made a formal complaint to the commission on Dec. 14, 2015 alleging an attack on the Chief of Army Staff and his convoy while on official duty in Zaria.

This prompted the commission to set up a five-man panel to investigate the incident with a view to identifying any human rights violations that might have occurred and the cause of the clash.(NAN)

WS/OFN

(Edited by Felix Nwadioha)

Jigawa Govt. disburses N6m to 138 flood victims

NAN-AE-9
Flood
By Mustapha Sumaila
Jahun (Jigawa) Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Jigawa Government has disbursed a cash of about N6million to 138 flood victims in Jahun Local Government Area of the state.
The Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (JISEMA), Alhaji Yusuf Babura, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Dutse on Wednesday.
Babura said that the intervention was meant to bring succour to the beneficiaries.
He explained that the agency arrived at the number of beneficiaries after a thorough assessment of the tragic event.

Babura noted that the agency worked in synergy with the local government and community leaders in ensuring that only genuine victims benefitted.
The secretary said the cash relief was donated to only those that lost their houses to the flood.
He added that N25, 000 would be given for each room destroyed by the flood.
Babura stated that about 20,500 rooms were destroyed in the flood disaster.
He disclosed that the flood which ravaged the area was as a result of overflow of Lake Ankama.
Babura said that the governor had directed the Ministries of Works and Environment to work out a modality for a lasting solution to flood problem in the area. (NAN)
MS/JPE/AFA
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-103

Roads

By Aminu Ahmed Garko

Sokoto, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Sokoto State Government said it spent over N 1.1 billion to construct various township roads in Sokoto.

Alhaji Dahiru Abbas,  Permanent  Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing, disclosed this at a ministerial news conference in Sokoto.

He said about N 47 million was spent on the construction of a round about at Gidan Dare junction.

He explained that about N48 million was spent to  rehabilitate Mangoro Road in the town while the rehabilitation of Sani Dingyadi Road cost N28 million.

He said government also spent over N577 million to rehabilite Tangaza-Gudu Road.

He said government embarked on the projects because of their significance to socioeconomic and political growth of the state. ( NAN)
AAG/IA

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

Society urges CSOs to ensure implementation of Global Partnership in Education fund

NAN-H-102

Education

By Kate Obande

Abuja, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) Society for Promotion of Education and Development (SPED) has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs ) to monitor and ensure the implementation of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) fund in the country.

Mr Tochukwu Okafor, the Executive Director of SPED, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

NAN recalls that the World Bank, through the GPE, earmarked the sum of 500 million dollars as grant for the development of basic education in five states in Nigeria.

The project is expected to be implemented by the Nigerian Partnership for Education Project (NIPEP) with Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Sokoto as the benefitting states.

“Every stakeholder in the education sector, particularly the CSOs, has a hand in ensuring that this programme succeeds and that education in the country meets global standard.

“The programme implementation strategies are part of the things the civil society has developed to ensure that they monitor effectively from the beginning to the end.’’

Commenting on the intervention programmes of SPED, he said that the organisation builds and renovates schools to improve access to education.

He added that SPED also gives scholarship to indigent children, identifying Kuje Area Council as one of the beneficiaries.

Okafor explained that the organisation had provided eight rural communities in Kuje with potable water because lack of water was one of the reasons children did not perform well in school.

According to him, children have to trek three to four kilometres daily in search of `poor table water’’ because the water they go in search of is very poor.

He noted that the time children should spend in school learning is the time they spend in search of water, making learning outcome very low and their participation in school also very poor.

He also said that many residents of the Federal Capital Territory were living in abject poverty.

“It would baffle you to know that there are still communities within the FCT that are living in abject poverty.

“And we found out that one of the reasons why children are not in school was basically due to poverty; the extent of poverty in such communities is quite devastating.

“Some parents choose not to send their children to school; they prefer them working with them in their farms to ensure that they improve family economy,’’ Okafor said.

NAN reports that SPED is a NGO promoting public private partnership in education and development in rural communities. (NAN)

KTE/KM/NKO

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Edited by Kabir Muhammad/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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NAN-DS-9
Arrest
By Muhammad Adam
Yola, Sept. 21, 2016 (NAN) The Adamawa Command of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested a truck conveying three tons of drugs,  the state commander of the agency, Mr Yakubu Kibo, has said.

Kibo, who made the disclosure on Wednesday in Yola during a news conference, said that the drugs, concealed in 220 cartons, is estimated at street value to cost N15 million.

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

“The search revealed three  tons and 80 kilograms of stopcof Lictus cough syrup with codeine concealed in 220 cartons,” he said.

He said that the driver and his assistant, who were arrested, claimed the goods belonged to Jesil Pharma Ind. Ltd Company.

The commander said that during interrogation, the suspects said that they were from Minna on their way to Jalingo.

He said that there was no fixed address for the delivery of the drugs.

“This shows 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/JPE/AEA
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Edited by Joseph Edeh and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo