Blog

NAN-H-14
Race
By Ihigimetor Igbaugba
Benin, Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) Mr Thompson Osadolor, the KOWA Governorship Candidate for the Sept. 28 election in Edo, has said that he did not step down from the contest.

Osadolor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Asaba that he did not step down for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Candidate, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

“I am still very much in the race for the Edo governorship seat; there was no time I withdrew from the race.

“I have no plan to step down for anybody and I have not told anybody that I have done that, and I will never step down,’’ he said.

 He told NAN that the he only expressed the fact that his party’s manifesto was similar to that of the PDP.

The candidate said that he remained committed to realizing his ambition, and that he was confident of victory.

“I am determined to see the end of it all because I know I will win the race. I have a bright chance of winning. I have campaigned across the nooks and crannies of the state; I have sold myself to the people,” he said.

NAN reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed the election from Saturday Sept. 10 to Wednesday Sept. 28, citing security concerns. (NAN)
ESI/AAB/IGO

(Edited by Adeboye Ajayi and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

Thousands expected in Brussels to protest against free trade deals

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Protest

Brussels, Sept. 20, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Thousands of people are expected in Brussels on Tuesday to demonstrate against free trade deals the European Union is pursuing with Canada and the U.S.

The protest will occur three days before EU trade ministers are due to discuss the way forward on the two agreements.

 The agreements are facing a groundswell of public opposition amid fears that they will benefit large corporations at the expense of consumers and local employees.

Organisers expect between 10,000 and 15,000 people to attend their “Stop TTIP & CETA Day” in Brussels, the report said.

The demonstration is scheduled to start in the neighbourhood housing the EU institutions at 5 pm (1500 GMT) and is expected to impede rush-hour traffic.

The agreement with Canada, known as CETA, has already been negotiated and is supposed to be signed in October.

 It would eliminate 98 per cent of tariffs, allowing the free flow of goods between Canada and EU member states.

CETA has been swept up in the mounting opposition facing a larger agreement that is being negotiated with the U.S., known as TTIP.

It would create the world’s largest free trade area, covering around 800 million people.

Negotiations on the deal, which began over three years ago, are facing political headwinds.

Top French politicians spoke out against the agreement last month, leading critics to declare it dead.

However, a new round of TTIP talks has been scheduled for between Oct. 3 and Oct. 7 in New York.

“Even if the negotiations are on the skids, they are still continuing,” Michel Cermak, one of the organisers of the Brussels demonstration said. (dpa/NAN)

Edited by Damilola Oyewole and Abdullahi Yusuf

FG inaugurates Ogun-Osun River Basin Youth Empowerment scheme

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Scheme

By Tosin Kolade

Abuja, Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated the Ogun-Osun River Basin Youth Empowerment Scheme in Alabata, Abeokuta.

The scheme is part of the Graduate and Youth Empowerment Programme of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, targeted at repositioning the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) in the country.

The Director, River Basin Operations with the Ministry, Dr Musa Ibrahim, said the programme was being implemented nationwide in the 12 RBDAs and in the 109 senatorial districts.

According to him, the scheme is part of the short and long term strategies of the Blueprint and action plans to strengthen the RBDAs to meet the food security challenges and reduce youth unemployment in the country.

“RBDAs remain the most strategically placed Federal Government agencies to facilitate food security and support employment opportunities,” he said.

Ibrahim said the inauguration of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Empowerment scheme was being identified for agricultural activities and employment generation within the next 18 to 24 months.

“We are re-equipping the RBDAs with basic plant and machinery, we are also developing agricultural service centres, farm settlements in the Songhai model.’’

The director added that the ministry needs N64 billion to complete abandoned projects towards facilitating national food security and in maintaining the integrity of freshwater ecosystems of the nation.

Inspecting the Oyan dam, Ibrahim expressed commitment to address the infrastructural deficits in the area, towards promoting food sufficiency.

“The scheme will enhance the ability of the RBDAs to package their water services with the provision of complementary basic rural infrastructure, which would improve agriculture and food security,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government in June 2016 signed an agreement with the Songhai Nigeria Farms on Graduate Employment Scheme/Farm Settlement Schemes.

NAN reports that this laudable initiative, sequel to the Kampe/Omi dam in Kogi in July 2016, will without doubt support the vision and objectives of the present administration’s drive for food security and job creation. (NAN)
TAK/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-HG-7

Doctors

By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus

Ilorin, Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) Some residents of Ilorin on Tuesday expressed mixed feelings on the gender of doctors who attend to them during their visits to the hospital.

Some of them who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said that they were more concerned about getting good medical services while some said they would rather wait to have doctors of their gender attend to them.

Mr Anthony James said that he was ready to divulge any information regarding his health to the doctor irrespective of sex, as long as it was on medical grounds.

“I don’t care if I meet a male or female doctor in the hospital, as long as I get good services.

“I see those who feel bothered as insecure because anything that happens is purely professional and nothing more.

“So, it is not a big deal for me,” James said.

Mr Adeoye Toye said he would prefer to be attended to by an older female doctor instead of a younger one.

“I don’t really mind the gender of my doctor, but if I have a choice, I will prefer an older female doctor to a younger one, because I will see her as my mother and open up to her freely,” Toye said.

Mrs Deborah Sanni said she preferred male doctors because she felt more comfortable around them.

“I don’t mind being treated by a male doctor, in fact my gynecologist is a male and I allow him examine me without any strange feeling.

“So for those that see it as a big deal, I pray they don’t have any life threatening health issue’’, Sanni said.

Miss Aisha Olanipekun said though she had never walked out of any hospital due to the doctor’s gender, but she won’t be free and comfortable throughout when being examined by a male doctor.

Mrs Ramota Olokooba said she used to have a strange feeling when attended to by a male doctor, but added that she overcame the feelings during childbirth.

She said that she forgot about the gender of the doctor when she was faced with a life threatening situation. (NAN)

BAY/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

Lagos estate agent duped would-be groom of N215,000 rent, insists prosecutor

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Groom
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) For allegedly defrauding a would-be groom of N215,000 rent, a 38-year-old estate agent, Edward Ogbegor, was on Tuesday brought before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

Ogbegor, a resident of Adeyemi Makinde Avenue, Alagbado, Lagos, is being tried for fraud and stealing.

Prosecutor Micheal Unah told the court that the accused committed the offences on Aug. 10 at his residence.

He said the accused fraudulently obtained N215,000 from the complainant, Mr David Oluseyi, on the pretext of securing a two-bedroom flat at No. 21, Olusegun Ibidapo St., Ajegunle, for him.

“The complainant, who was about to wed, approached the accused to help him secure a two-bedroom flat so that he can move in a week before his wedding.

“The accused gave the complainant receipt and key to the apartment after the complainant had paid.

“The complainant moved some of his belongings from his uncle’s house where he was staying to his new place and also carried out some repairs.

“The complainant painted the flat, repaired the water closet and the doors and some other carpentry work and packed in few days to his wedding but was prevented by the landlady from packing into the apartment.

“The landlady told the complainant that the accused came to collect the money because he (complainant) said he does not need the house anymore.

“Since that day, the accused disappeared into thin air, relocated and refused to pick his calls.

“He was later found in his father’s house where he was hiding,” he told the court.

The offences contravened Sections 285 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Under Section 312, the accused risks a 15-year imprisonment on conviction, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

The accused pleaded innocence of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety in like sum.

The Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Gbajumo, adjourned the case to Oct. 10 for mention. (NAN)
DOA/DA
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(Edited & controlled by Dele Akinsola)

NAN-H-12

Tourism

By Victor Adeoti

Osogbo, Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) A member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has advised government to invest in tourism in its effort to diversify the economy.

Oyintiloye, who is the House Committee Chairman on Information and Strategy, gave the advice in an interview with the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Osogbo.

The lawmaker said it was important for government to invest in tourism as it grappled with putting the economy back on track.

According to him, the tourism sector is a money spinning industry and can be used to stablise Nigeria’s economy.

Oyintiloye, who said that the country was blessed with many tourist sites, said that such sites could help boost the economy if government paid serious attention them.

He argued that apart from the fact that tourism could boost the national economy, it could also provide jobs for people.

“In diversifying our economy, the government has to take tourism as a critical sector because it will boost internally generated revenue and create huge employment opportunities.

“One area I believe is very lucrative in terms of investment is tourism when adequately harnessed,’’ he asserted.

Oyintiloye said that although many countries were making fortunes from tourism, the sector still remained neglected.

According to him, the Osun-Osogbo Groove among other tourist sites in the country was more than enough to boost the economy.

“Nature has practically finished the work for investment in tourism if properly harnessed,’’ he said.

The lawmaker argued that the fall in the price of crude oil was a blessing in disguise for Nigeria because the development would help government to pay attention to other neglected sectors. (NAN)

VE/EEM/SN

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(Edited by Emmanuel Mogbede, controlled by Silas Nwoha)

UNHCR pledges commitment with world leaders to address refugees’ crises

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Commitment
By Lizzy Agbaji
Abuja, Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) Mr Fillipo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, said on Monday at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), that the commission was committed to working with world leaders in addressing refugees and migrants crises.

This is contained in a statement released in Abuja to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by Mr HansonTamfu, the External Relations officer, UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Nigeria.

Grandi, speaking at the opening ceremony of the Assembly said that the declaration marked a political commitment of unprecedented force and resonance.

He said that the UNHCR welcomed the adoption of the declaration by 193 governments at the UNGA first ever summit addressing the large movement of refugees and migrants.

“It fills what has been a perennial gap in the international protection system of truly sharing responsibility for refugees in the spirit of the UN Charter.

“UNHCR pledges to work with world leaders to manage forced displacements in a principled manner, and resolve it with courage and vision.

“We call on governments to provide political engagement, funding, and concrete acts of solidarity in support of host communities and pursuit of solution for refugees.

“The world, shocked by images of people fleeing in huge numbers and dying at sea does not want our intentions to remain on paper, it demands practical actions and results,’’ Grandi said.

NAN reports that the New York declaration tasked UNHCR to develop a comprehensive refugees’ response framework in addressing refugees concerns as contained in the New York Declaration.

It called on countries with the capacity of resettling and uniting more refugees and migrants to do so.

It also encouraged richer nations to recognise their responsibility to provide timely and dependable human funding, while robustly investing in communities hosting of large numbers of refugees.

The declaration encouraged host countries to increase opportunities for refugee’s adults to work and for children to go to school.

The declaration committed governments to better address the drivers and triggers causing the record numbers of the forcibly displaced in today’s world.

It stated that the summit brought together governments, UN leaders and representatives of civil society to better safeguard the rights of refugees and migrants and share responsibility on a global scale. (NAN)
LIZ/ECN/GY
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Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye/Grace Yussuf

Church donates materials to hospital, leprosy center in Omu-Aran

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Donation
By Yinua Ishola

Omu-Aran (Kwara), Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) Members of Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ifesowapo Ologodidan headquarters in Omu-Aran, Kwara, on Tuesday donated relief materials to the General Hospital and cash gift to the Leprosy Centre in the area.

Michael Abolarin, leader-in-charge of the Church, said that they embarked on the programme to afford members with the opportunity to impact on the sick, less privileged and the needy.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that items donated to the hospital  included packs of tin milk while an undisclosed amount of cash was donated to the leprosy centre.

Abolarin said the donation was also part of the church’s twentieth year anniversary celebration scheduled to take place between Monday Sept. 19 and Saturday Sept. 24.

He said that the visitation was a mark of appreciation for God’s magnanimity and blessings bestowed on members in the last twenty years.

The cleric urged members of the church to reflect on the significance of the anniversary and redouble their spiritual devotion in order to gain the desired salvation.

Abolarin said two decades in the life of a church could be unique, sacrificial and challenging, adding that it was not how far but how well the church and its congregation had transformed spiritually.

He said the anniversary period was also a veritable platform for members to intercede on behalf of the nation’s leadership through prayers for workable solutions to the nation’s socio-economic challenges.

“Nigeria presently is in dire of need of a divine intervention for solutions to the numerous challenges confronting it.

“This has become a great challenge for every Nigerian, especially devoted church members and other patriotic citizens,” he said.

Dr Ibrahim Kolawole, the Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, commended the leadership of the church for the donation.

“We are very appreciative of the Church’s gesture and optimistic that it would be of immense assistance to the beneficiaries,” Kolawole said. (NAN)
ISHO/FF/AMY

Edited by Fela Fashoro and Abdullahi Yusuf

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Court slams N350,000 bail on banker for alleged crushing man to death
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Banker
By Deborah Akpede
Lagos, Sept. 20, 2016(NAN) An Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday slammed a N350,000 bail on a banker, Lekan Idris, for allegedly crushing a car owner to death.

The Magistrate, Mr A.A Adesanya, who granted bail to the accused after he pleaded not guilty, ordered him to produce two sureties in like sum.

He adjourned the case till Oct.10 for mention.

Idris, 33, a resident of Dalemo Area Ogun, is being tried on charges bordering on dangerous driving and causing death.

The prosecutor, Insp. George Nwosu, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept.15 at No 18, Ojuelegba Str., Dalemo, Ogun.

He said that the accused being the driver of a rover car, FKY 263DZ, caused the death of a 45-year-old man, Adeyemi Olalekan.

Nwosu said that the accused drove his car in a dangerous and reckless manner by dozing while driving and in the process lose control and caused the death of the victim.

“The accused was dozing on steering, lose control and rammed into the stationery car where the owner was loading goods in the booth of his car.

“The victim was rushed to the hospital but died the following day,” he said.

The offences, Nwosu said, contravened sections 27 and 28 of the Road Traffic Acts of Lagos State, 2012. (NAN)
DOA/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha

NAN-HG-4
Vaccine

By Mohammed Lawal

Zaria (Kaduna State), Sept. 20, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Nasiru Shua’ibu of Biochemical Parasitology Department, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has developed a new malaria vaccine to prevent high rate of death from malaria fever.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria, Kaduna State on Tuesday, Shu’aibu said the new malaria vaccine was different from others currently in use.

Shu’aibu, who is currently working with the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Japan, said the result of the research on the new vaccine would soon be out for Nigerians to use.

“In a simple term that a layman can understand, the content of this malaria vaccine research is difficult, but let me try if I could simplify it, it is called DNA Vaccine.

“It is a new technology for discovery and delivery of vaccine against any infectious disease that was developed in the early to mid 1990s.

“The DNA of the malaria parasite was extracted and the portion of the DNA that is tested to be a good vaccine candidate is subjected to molecular biology methods which are used to produce a lot of the DNA,” Shu’aibu said.

According to him, the amount of DNA from the malaria parasite was very minute in quantity and to expand the quantity, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used.

“Then a method of cloning is now used to insert the DNA into a vehicle that will carry the DNA into either animal or human body.

“It is then injected into the body of the animal or human and it eventually enters the cells of the animal in the same way a virus enters and infects cells.

“The injected DNA now uses the cells in the body to produce chemicals that will prevent malaria from infecting the body,” Shu’aibu said.

He said the vaccine was different from any of the licensed vaccines like polio and other EPI vaccines.

Shu’aibu added that the approach was also different from the other malaria vaccine (RTS,S/AS01) that was likely to be licensed but the goals were the same, to control and eventually eliminate malaria.

He observed that Nigeria with an estimated population of over 170 million constituted the highest malaria burden in Africa and in the world.

Shu’aibu doubted the figures from the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP) indicating progress in containing the disease.

“I still doubt; the tools currently used to fight malaria are not sufficient to have a substantial and sustained impact that is needed to resolve the malaria crisis in Nigeria,” he said.

Shu’aibu stressed the need to monitor the growing resistance to anti-malarial drugs and insecticides.

He said if not checked and documented, it would jeopardise years of global public health success and investments in malaria control. (NAN)

KLM/ORO/MZA
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Edited by Razak Owolabi and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed