Blog

RTEAN
By Kazeem Akande
Lagos, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Members of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Lagos State has rejected the caretaker committee being proposed by factional national leaders to take over the state council.

Mr Olalekan Amusan, the Lagos State General Secretary of the association, made this known at a news conference on Friday in Lagos in respect of national leadership crisis rocking the association.

A faction of the association had on Sept. 5 announced the removal of the National President, Alhaji Musa Isiwele, over alleged infractions, including violation of the association’s constitution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that following the development, members of RTEAN in Lagos State, on Sept. 7 passed vote of confidence in the leadership of Isiwele.

Amusan said that members of the association in Lagos were not in support of the caretaker committee as being proposed by the factional leader.

“There is peace here in Lagos chapter and our members are 100 per cent in support of our incumbent state Chairman, Alhaji Muhammed Musa. We don’t want conflict in Lagos State,’’ he said.

According to him, nine members of the state association listed as the caretaker committee members have rejected being members and even sworn to affidavits to support their position.

“They are our members and they cannot at the same time be part of any caretaker committee,’’ he added.

In his contributions, Mr Suleiman Onabanjo, the state Deputy Chairman of RTEAN, named as leader of the caretaker committee, said that members of the association were in support of the present state executive.

Onabanjo said that he was never in support of any caretaker committee, adding that he has no business being in such committee.

“Those who initiated the caretaker committee were sacked members of RTEAN; it is not possible for such people to set up caretaker committee in Lagos State.

“Our members have confidence in the state executive and so there is no room for caretaker committee in Lagos,” he said.

Contributing, Musa (state chairman), who is also the RTEAN Deputy National President in charge of Administration, said that the state executive of the association was intact.

According to him, members of the Lagos State executive council of RTEAN remain intact, valid, authorised and duly elected.

“The purported dissolution and expulsions through illegal action is null and void and of no effects.

“RTEAN is a registered trade union under the Trade Union Act Cap T.14, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

“And, it is being guided by the laws of the land and its own constitution which must be obeyed and adhere to all the time.

“So, our National and states executives council remain intact, the process of expulsion in the association is a constitutional process which must be followed before any member can be declared expelled,’’ he said. (NAN)
AKA/GOK
Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Rehabilitation
By Yunus Yusuf
Lagos, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on Friday said the ongoing rehabilitation of moribund storage tanks at Ejigbo Satellite Depot would boost products distribution across the Western zone.

Alhaji Ayo Alanamu, the Chairman of IPMAN in the depot, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Alanamu commended the NNPC) for its efforts to ensure prompt rehabilitation of the depot and its storage facilities to boost distribution channels for marketers.

According to him, NNPC has completed the rehabilitation of four storage tanks which have been moribund for years.

“Tank 10, 11, 12 and the newly converted tank from diesel storage to petrol have been repaired and now awaiting product to be pumped inside.

“This will boost effective petroleum product distribution to marketers within the South-west and across the country,’’ he said.

Alanamu said that the rehabilitation would also enhance marketers’ performance as there would be massive loading of products to the hinterland from the depot.

He said that the rehabilitation of all moribund tanks in depots in the South-west became necessary to address loading problems encountered by marketers in Western zone.

According to him, the development is a huge boost to petroleum distribution across states in the region.

“One of the key focuses of the current administration is to revamp all moribund and abandoned assets and put them back to work for the improvement of petroleum products supply and distribution.

“We commend the efforts of the NNPC under the leadership of Dr Maikanti Baru, the Group Managing Director, towards the rehabilitation of our depots,’’ Alanamu said.

He assured that IPMAN members would partner NNPC to protect the pipelines to curb incessant vandalism.

The IPMAN boss also commended the corporation for its renewed efforts to address shortage of petroleum products in the hinterland. (NAN)
YO/AAB/TA
Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Tajudeen Atitebi

Freestyle

By Kemi Ajayi
Lagos, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Some participants who took part in the 2018 National Freestyle Football Championships organised by Feet ‘N’ Tricks have commended the organisers for improving the profile of the game in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the championships were held at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Chinedu Ezeakabudu, who won the male category of the championships, told NAN that the event was well-conducted by the organisers, adding that freestyle football was gaining momentum in the country.

“Everything about the organisation of the championships was on point, the oragnisers did a very good job and should be commended ,” he said.

Rashidat Ajibade, who won the female category of the event applauded Feet ‘N’ Tricks for sustaining the championships.

Ajibade, who won the 2017 edition, urged more companies to partner with the organisers.

“The 2017 edition was well organised but this year’s theree is nothing to compare it with, the organisers have done exceedingly well,” she said.

Also, McCarthy Obanor, the second runner-up in the men’s category, told NAN that the organisers had taken the event to another level in the country.

Obanor commended, Valentine Ozigbo, Chairman of Feet ‘N’ Tricks for championing the development of freestyle football in Nigeria and Africa at large.

NAN reports that the maiden Africa Freestyle Football Championships will hold today (Friday) in the same venue.

NAN also reports that 50,000 dollars and a brand new car donated by one of the sponsors, GAC Motors, as well as qualification and sponsorship for the World Championships will be won. (NAN)
KOA/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

Committee
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) Ranti Lajide, an international table tennis umpire, on Friday tasked the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the annual National Youth Games (NYG) to verify athletes’ data ahead of subsequent editions.

Lajide told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the measure had become necessary to guard against the recurrence of age discrepancy among participating athletes.

NAN reports that no fewer than 500 athletes of various sports discipline were disqualified during the screening process of the 4th edition of the games currently holding in Ilorin.

The Games which began on Sept. 7 would be concluded on Sept. 17.

“The volume of disqualification recorded in this year’s edition is not a good story or a palatable experience for the affected athletes, it’s a big lapse on the part of the LOC of the game.

“Therefore, host of subsequent editions must ensure that it’s LOC start verification of athletes data early, to enable them do a thorough job and avoid embarrassing participants,’’ Lajide said.

He told NAN that such proactive steps should be taken to the athletes’ schools, vocational centres or at the point of their entry by their states.

According to him, such deliberate measure will go a long way to guide the LOC members in form of screening, with and without the knowledge of athletes and the associations they identified with.

The table tennis umpire added that photocopies of prospective athletes’ data from individuals must be requested and attached to their birthday certificates as part of requirement for participation in the games.

“The documents will be used by the committee to confirm the information filled by their state sports association, during the registration which they must defend at the last screening stage,” he added.

He, however, stressed that states must not fail to recognise the actual purpose of the NYG, as a grassroots developmental championships to identity and groom budding talents for international competitions.

Meanwhile, Are Ademola, Director, Grassroots Sports and Development of Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, told NAN that only athletes of 15 years and below are eligible to participate in the competition. (NAN)
MIL/ERO/IS
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Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Ismail Abdulaziz

Tributes
Port Harcourt, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) The Rivers Government on Thursday held a night of tributes in Port Harcourt for the late Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr Emmanuel Aguma.

The forum provided an opportunity for lawyers, associates as well as family members to pay tributes to the late  Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

The Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, Mr Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, praised Aguma for his support to the House on legal issues.

Mr Uwemedimo Nwoko, the  Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Akwa Ibom, on his part,  said  Aguma stood for justice and defended the rights of the Niger Delta people.

Speaking on behalf of the Rivers Judiciary, Justice Adolphus Enebeli, said that Aguma was a competent lawyer who argued his cases with conviction and knowledge.

He also added that “ behind the tough outlook  of  Aguma resided a lovely heart that had compassion for everyone.’’

Mrs Florence Fiberesima, the Solicitor General in Rivers, said Aguma was committed to the growth of the Ministry of Justice until his death.

She said that the welfare of lawyers remained uppermost in his heart till he passed on.

A former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN),  described Aguma as a thoroughbred professional who served the state diligently.

He said that the deceased would be sorely missed.

Mr Isaac Kamalu, who spoke on behalf of the Rivers State Executive Council, said the deceased made very remarkable contributions to the development of the state.

He said Aguma’s tenure would remain a  golden era in the annals of the state.

Mr Sylvester Adaka, the Chairman of the NBA, Port Harcourt Branch, said that Aguma in the last three years elevated law practice in the state.

He said the deceased facilitated the construction of an NBA House, Federal High Court Complex, National Industrial Court and remodelling of the Court of Appeal in the state.

The forum was attended by Gov. Nyesom Wike, his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike,  as well as traditional rulers.

A special documentary on the life and times of Aguma was also shown at the forum. (NAN)
JA/DOE/OJO
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(Edited by Dianabasi Effiong/Mufutau Ojo)

Imprisonment

Abuja, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Friday sentenced three women to 45 days imprisonment for fighting and biting themselves in public.

The convicts, Amina Ishaq, 22, Praise Bassey, 29 and Mariam Soliu, 23, all of Paipe Village, Abuja, were arraigned on a two-count charge of disturbing public peace and causing harm.

The judge, Alhaji Inuwa Maiwada, however, gave the convicts an option to pay N3,000 fine each.

Maiwada advised them to live and maintain peace among themselves, saying the punishment would serve as deterrent to other would-be offenders.

The convicts had admitted committing the offence and urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Ifeoma Ukagha, had told the court that after the convicts finished fighting and causing harm on themselves, they went to Karmo Police Station to report the matter on Sept. 12.

Ukagha said that on that same date, the convicts sustained injuries on their bodies through bites and clawing.

“During police investigation, they could not give satisfactory explanation on what caused the fight,” he said.

Ukahga said the offence contravened the provision of Sections 113 and 244 of the Penal Code. (NAN)

NHM/MA/MNA

Edited by Muftau Adediran/Maureen Atuonwu

Leaders

Enugu, September 14, 2018, (NAN) The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mrs Stella Chukwuma, says that Nigerians are suffering the repercussion of wrong choice of leaders both at the federal and state level.

She disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Friday at the party secretariat of ADC in Enugu State.

Chukwuma said the problems created by leaders under the platforms of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) was as a result of wrong choice of the electorates whenever they headed for the poll.

“PDP was in power for 16 years and could not point to tangible projects that they achieved but what we got instead was outright impunity and diversion of resources.

“Because people were fed up with PDP’s misrule, some people came together to form APC and sold to us the change mantra.

“Unfortunately, the change they promised us is what we are all witnessing today in terms of economic downturn and wrong policies.

“What the electorates failed to ask APC before they headed to the polls was what type of change are they going to get?

“As a result, we can now see that the change they promised us was a negative one and not one we had envisaged and we are suffering for falling for it.

“Or how best do you describe the party whose policies have not benefited the grassroots but that of a few individuals,” she said.

The Chairman however, said a respite had come for Nigerians with the advent of ADC because the party was a grassroots party where everyone was a major stakeholder.

Chukwuma added that the structure of ADC was built on the core values of sincerity and credibility and aimed to set Nigeria on the right path of true internal democracy.

According t her, if ADC is given a chance during the 2019 general election, it will right the wrongs and help harness the different natural resources God had endowed Nigeria.

The chairman said that ADC had mapped out specific programmes that would be beneficial to the people of Enugu if the party was given the chance at the next poll.

“Our main focus will be in the area of education, functional health care at both urban and rural areas, empowerment and revitalisation of moribund projects in the state.

“We will, for example in Enugu State, revive the moribund Anambra Vegetable Oli Product (AVOP) at Nachi in Udi and build factories that will make use of our locally produced products in large quantity as a way to generate IGR.

“It saddens me to see that most states created out of Enugu state seems to be doing better above Enugu which used to be the capital of old Eastern Region.

“Ebonyi is one of those states created out of Enugu but which has surpassed us in terms of projects and erecting of sustainable infrastructures.

“When you vote people who do not have a definite plan but just to protect the interest of a few, we will continue to suffer for it,” she said.

The ADC Chairman promised that the party would make the people of Enugu develop interest in education once more adding that it would set up entrepreneurial schools that would hone individual skills and showcase them to the outside world.

Chukwuma noted that focusing on such areas would allow for personal development, growth, financial sustainability, self employment and employability status.

The Chairman affirmed that ADC had adopted the direct primary system as it intended to conduct its primaries between Sept. 25 and Oct. 6. (NAN)

AED/SAV/MNA

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

28 ships expected at Lagos ports with petrol, others
Ships
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says 28 ships are expected to bring in petrol and other goods from Sept. 14 to Sept. 30 at Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that seven of the ships will sail in with petrol.
The remaining 21 ships are carrying buckwheat, general cargo, base oil, ethanol, bulk fertiliser, bulk gypsum, bulk sugar and containers carrying different goods.
According to the NPA, 13 ships have arrived at the ports and are waiting to berth with bulk fertiliser, buckwheat, container and petrol. (NAN)
AIC/SA
Edited by Salif Atojoko
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Centre
By Christian Njoku
Calabar, Sept. 14, 2018 (NAN) The Cultural Centre which used to be one of the precious cultural monuments in Calabar, Cross River, is in decay.

A check by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that the main theatre which had hosted glamorous events had a broken stage, poor lighting and disjointed wire connection system due to years of neglect.

There were poor speakers, dead air conditioners and leaking roof at various spots that left clear water marks on the ceiling of the massive architectural masterpiece.

The Cross River Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Eric Anderson, told NAN that the cultural centre was built to promote theatre and cultural activities in the state.

Anderson agreed that the structure was poorly maintained, noting that it was what they met when the present administration in the state took over three years ago.

“First of all, `Gold Mine’ actually administered the cultural centre for a couple of years before we came in and the contract expired in March 15, 2017.

“We took over the facility from `Gold Mine’ in a very poor state but from that time till now, we have tried to keep the place clean.

“If you talk of poor maintenance, I know I can quickly identify the broken stage with one or two leakages. These are capital intensive repair works but we intend to change the stage to a standard stage,’’ the commissioner said.

Anderson said that the state government would work on the lighting, the cables, the central air conditioner, noting that the state government would carry out a general overhaul of the structure.

“We have taken over as a government, we are very attentive to know how the structure got this bad and we have started paying serious attention to the activities of those who rent the place.

“We also have to factor in our plan to renovate the centre; the demolition of parts of the centre which was used for the erection of Spa and left many of our dance troupes without a place for rehearsals.

“In terms of budgeting, the governor has approved the sum of N32 million for the fixing of the centre but if fixing it would cost 40 or 50 or N60 million, we would look at the needs that are pressing.

“Then subsequently, we can go back for more money,’’ he said.

The commissioner lauded Gov. Ben Ayade for early release of the theme of the 2018 Carnival titled: “Africanism’’.

Anderson said that this would enable the performers to have ample time to interpret the theme and break it down to sub-themes.

“One factor that makes every carnival different is the theme because your interpretation, costume, float and outlook would change.

“Africanism for us this year is telling our own story to the international audience that we are black and proud.

“On the Carnival day proper, the Carnival Commission would have over 400 security personnel; not just for crowd control but as security against criminal activities.

“Some of these security officials would be in uniform but many more would be in muftis for effective surveillance,’’ he said.

The commissioner said that the `Mariner Resort’ which was one of the tourism sites in the state had been taken over by the state government due to poor management by the company it was concessioned to.

He said that the cinema in the resort was handled by a firm whose contract expired some time ago.

“The Tourism Bureau headed by Mr Clement Omena got another vendor to run the cinema and is functional as we speak.

“The issue of sealing off the Mariner Resort by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has nothing to do with the state government because a firm, `Tandem’ ran the resort up till Aug. 1, 2018, when we opted out of the agreement.

“We were able to wade in quickly, talked to FIRS and the place was reopened after about four days. FIRS would find a way to get their money from the firm (Tandem),’’ he said. (NAN)
CBN/AJA
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

Kolisi says World Cup still the goal for Boks as they face All Blacks

Wellington (New Zealand), Sept. 14, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) South Africa Captain Siya Kolisi did little to ease any fear that his side can arrest their slide in the Rugby Championship, ahead of their clash with the All Blacks on Saturday.

The Springboks have lost their last two matches in the southern hemisphere competition, while the All Blacks are on the verge of clinching their third successive title with two games remaining.

While Coach Rassie Erasmus was perceived to be exaggerating over a likely defeat on Saturday, Kolisi said the most he expected from his team when they leave Wellington Regional Stadium was knowing they had played their best.

“No matter what the consequences are, as long as we walk off the field and we can look at each other in the eye and we can say we’ve given it our best shot,” he told reporters on Friday.

“That’s what he (Erasmus) wants from us.”

In spite of the possible defeatist message emanating from the Springboks, Kolisi was arguably attempting like his coach, to ask for some time for his side to develop.

Erasmus has said consistently since he took over late last year, after Allister Coetzee was sacked, that his goal was to make his side competitive at next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Where they will face the All Blacks for the first time in pool play.

“All he wants is that we trust the process, we trust the system, and what we’ve planned to do and play to our potential,” Kolisi said of Erasmus’s expectations.

“We want to make sure we improve every week and with every outing.

“Whatever happens we’ll see after the game.”

The Springboks were hammered 32-19 by the Pumas in Mendoza in the second round of the competition and bumbled their way to a 23-18 loss to the Wallabies last week in Brisbane.

But Kolisi felt his side were not too far away from putting everything together on the field.

“You can have the best game ever and sometimes things don’t go your way … we create such a lot of opportunities and we’re not finishing or taking our opportunities,” he said.

“Sometimes we just need to take half of them to win the game.

“We (also) have to limit the individual mistakes and make sure we perform over the 80 minutes because they will punish you for those errors.

“But the most important thing is we are a coachable side who wants to improve and wants to get better, and that’s the positive.” (Reuters/NAN)

ERO/SN

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Edited by Emmanuel Okara/Silas Nwoha