Blog

NAN-H-64
NCC
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Compliance Monitoring & Enforcement Department of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it has drawn a monitoring plan to check unsolicited messages and calls.

This information is contained in the second quarter report of the Compliance Monitoring Enforcement Department pasted on NCC website.

The report said the department held series of engagement sessions with critical stakeholders to ensure hitch-free implementation and full compliance.

It said the move followed complaints from telecom subscribers on the menace of unsolicited text messages and nuisance calls from mobile network operators in the industry.

“The commission issued a direction to all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) on April 19, 2016 to dedicate short code 2442 on their networks for use by subscribers to opt-in to the ‘’Do Not Disturb’’ database to restrict unsolicited marketing messages (Voice and SMS) on their mobile lines.

“All MNOs have been directed to ensure full compliance with the directive on July 1 or risk a fine of N5 million only.”

It would be recalled that NCC on Sept. 12 issued final warning to telecommunication operators who still send unsolicited text
messages (SMS) to customers.

The warning was contained in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, where he reiterated the Commission’s readiness
to protect subscribers from  unsolicited text messages and calls from MNOs.

He stated that in spite of earlier warnings to telecommunication service providers to activate their Do-Not-Disturb facility, the Commission was still inundated with complaints by subscribers.

The various options under the facility are “SMS 1” for receiving SMS relating to banking, insurance/financial products to 2442;

“SMS 2” for receiving SMS relating to real estate to 2442, “SMS 3” for receiving SMS relating to education to 2442;

“SMS 4” for receiving SMS relating to health to 2442; “SMS 5” for receiving SMS relating to consumer goods and automobiles to
2442.

“SMS 6” for receiving SMS relating to communication/broadcasting entertainment/IT to 2442, “SMS 7” for receiving SMS relating to tourism and leisure to 2442, “SMS 8” for receiving SMS relating to sports to 2442, “SMS 9” for receiving SMS relating to religion to 2442.”

He called on the service providers to immediately comply with the directive as further complaints from subscribers would be taken as serious infractions. (NAN)
COA/JPE/HA
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(Edited by Joseph Edeh/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-H-63
Election
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Monday reassured its members that it would participate in the rescheduled governorship election in Edo.

Its Director of Publicity, Mr Ifeanacho Oguejiofor, said in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that though the election was shifted from Sept. 10 to Sept. 28, the party remained resolute to participate in it.

He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had the constitutional right to postpone or shift any election, so it did not affect the party in any form.

“APGA is prepared to go to the poll any time, any day.

“Our candidate asking for further postponement does not mean that the party is not ready,’’ he said.

He said he was sure that the party would create impact in the election and called for a peaceful, credible and violence-free exercise. (NAN)
COO/MVO

(Edited by Mbadiwe Okwor)

NAN-H-62

Slap

Alex Enebeli

Enugu, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) A mechanic, Christopher Nwachukwu, on Monday appeared before an Enugu North Magistrates’ Court for allegedly slapping a commercial tricycle rider, Jonah Uwana.

Uwana was said to have obstructed the entrance to the accused person’s workshop at Coal Camp in Enugu which made him to slap and inflict injuries on him with the help of other mechanics.

Testifying before the court, the complainant who hails from Cross River said he was riding his tricycle when his brother called him and told him that his keke broke down.

He said that he drove to where his brother was and helped him to transfer the goods in his tricycles to his own before the accused accosted them and demanded that the keke be removed from his entrance.

Uwana told the court that he and his brother pleaded with the accused to allow them transfer the goods but he refused.

“We begged him to allow us finish transferring the goods to my keke but he refused.

“My brother even went to stop the oncoming vehicles to enable him pass but he insisted we remove our keke,’’ he said.

The complainant said that before he knew it, the accused slapped him and pushed his keke away while other mechanics came and joined him and inflicted injuries on both of them.

Uwana said that he reported the matter to the Central Police Station (CPS), Enugu and the accused was arrested and charged to court for assault.

The Magistrate, Mrs Ifeoma Oruruo, adjourned the matter to Oct. 12 for continuation of hearing. (NAN)

AAE/MNA/MVO

(Edited by Maureen Atuonwu/Mbadiwe Okwor)

NAN-HE-3
Market
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, Sept.19, 2016 (NAN) A financial expert, Mr Boniface Ekezie, on Monday urged the Federal Government to tackle the challenges facing manufacturers to grow the nation’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).

Ekezie, who is also the President of Shareholders Association of Nigeria (SAN), gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to him, manufacturers are the major drivers of the economic growth, and if they can operate optimally, there will be employment opportunities and this will boost the GDP.

“There is no magic that will strengthen the naira and ensure availability of dollars when the country has been import-dependent.

“The manufacturers are suffering from the challenges of inability to source dollars for raw materials due to high exchange rate, and this pave the way for setback in business activities.

“The way forward is for the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for the manufacturers to operate effectively,’’ he said.

The expert said that an enabling environment and stable policy would enable foreign investors to bring into the economy hard currencies and lower the exchange rate.

Meanwhile, an analysis of the market activities for the three-day trading last week after the Eid-el-Kabir break showed that market indicators appreciated by 1.02 per cent.

The All-Share Index grew by 280.96 points or 1.02 per cent to close at 27,858.48 compared with 27,577.52 posted the previous week.

Similarly, market capitalisation, which opened at N9.473 trillion rose by N97 billion or 1.02 per cent to close at N9.570 trillion.

NAN reports that 34 equities appreciated in price during the week, higher than 24 equities recorded the previous week.

ConOil led the gainers’ table in percentage terms by 33.84 per cent or N8.05 to close at N31.84 per share.

Unilever followed with a gain of 14.23 per cent or N5.73 to close at N46, while Afriprud appreciated by 13.71 per cent or 34k to close at N2.82 per share.

Conversely, Neimeth topped the losers’ chart in percentage terms by 8.47 per cent or 10k to close at N1.08 per share.

AIICO Insurance trailed with a loss of 7.46 per cent or 0.05k to close at 62k, while Transcorp shed 7.14 per cent or 0.08k to close at N1.04 per share.

A turnover of 611.527 million shares worth N5.495 billion were exchanged by investors in 9,650 deals during the week under review.

This was against a total of 1.183 billion shares valued at N10.300 billion in 16,522 deals exchanged by investors in the corresponding week.

The Financial Services Industry led the activity chart in volume terms by 517.964 million shares valued at N2.933 billion traded in 5,931 deals.

The Consumer Goods Industry followed with 30.470 million shares worth N1.488 billion in 1,561 deals.

The third place was occupied by the Conglomerates Industry with a turnover of 27.836 million shares worth N55.012 million in 395 deals. (NAN)
LUC/GOK/IA
(Edited by Olagoke Olatoye/Idris Abdulrahman)

NAN-H-59
Training
Maiduguri, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) on Monday opened a skills training for 1,100 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno under the 5th National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP).

The ITF Director General, Mr Dickson Onuoha, who opened the training in Maiduguri, said that the aim of the training was to fast track the realisation of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan.

He said “we are here today as a clear manifestation of Federal Government’s efforts toward helping the IDPs to get integrated back to
the society.

“The aim is to give them a means of livelihood while they return home.”

Onuoha added that the ITF would continue to strive hard to provide skills to the IDPs “so that they can start doing something when they return to their homes.

“The ITF is committed to assisting the IDPs in getting skills.”

The IFT boss said that the trainees would also be exposed to Entrepreneurship Skills Development to further boost their capacities.

He noted that “after the training, we have Entrepreneurship Skills Development which will help them to have skills for Entrepreneurship.

“This will enable them to organise themselves into cooperatives and then we can now be able to introduce them to the Bank of Industry which will help them to have access to finance.

“That is how the Federal Government designed the programme. ITF will provide the skills component, while SMEDIAN will provide Entrepreneurship skills.

“The Bank of Industry will then help in getting fund.’’ (NAN)
ABI/DUA/HA
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(Edited by Dada Ahmed/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

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NAN-H-58
Jurisdiction
By Sandra Umeh
Ota (Ogun) Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) An Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ogun, on Monday fixed Nov. 21 to hear an application by Joachim Iroko, challenging a charge preferred against him for naming his dog Buhari.

Iroko, 40, was arraigned on a one-count charge of naming his dog Buhari, and parading same at the Hausa section of the Ketere Market in Sango, Ogun, on Aug 22.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail.

When the case was called before Chief Magistrate Bolaji Ojikutu, on Monday, Counsel to the accused, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, informed the court that he had filed two applications to challenge the jurisdiction of the court.

He informed the court that the prosecution had declined service of the said applications in court, and had insisted that service be effected at his office.

Adegboruwa, then urged the court to suspend the trial since the accused was challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

He also prayed the court to direct the prosecution to furnish the defence with the proof of evidence for the case.

After listening to arguments, the court fixed hearing of the application for Nov. 21, and also directed the prosecution to furnish defence counsel with the proof of evidence.

In the motion on notice dated Sept. 16, Iroko is seeking  an order, quashing Charge No: 671C/2016 preferred against him, for want of jurisdiction.

He is also asking the court set down his application for preliminary hearing and stay further proceedings before the court, in Charge No. 671C/2016, pending the hearing and final determination of his application.

The applicant contended that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain and adjudicate on the charge.

He argues that the subject matter of the charge preferred against him, did not disclose a criminal offence in law for which the applicant could be put on trial.

He said that the court had the jurisdiction to quash a charge where there was no disclosure of an offence as the trial would amount to an abuse of the process of the court.

The applicant noted that he possessed  the legal right to give his dog any name, adding that he habours no ulterior motives.

The case had been slated for Sept. 19. (NAN)
UNS/OFN

NAN-S-17
Games
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) Prof. Olawole Obiyemi, the Director of Sports of the University of Ilorin, says the institution sacrificed N50 million to allow the National Youth Games (NYG) take place on its campus.

Obiyemi disclosed this while commenting on the level of preparation of the institution for the games in an interview with newsmen on Monday in Ilorin.

He said management was not worried about the sum because of the premium it attached to talent development through hosting of the second edition of the games.

Obiyemi explained that the amount would have been generated from accommodation rates charged students who attend its sandwich programmes at the institution.

He explained that the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali, was a sports lover and a believer in the development of the youth.

“The Vice Chancellor has always emphasised that what the country needs most at this time is the development of its youths as a precursor to a brighter future.

“We would have generated about N50million from sandwich students who pay N15, 000 each for accommodation.

“But because we want the National Youth Games to get the best, we asked them to seek accommodation elsewhere.

“The importance of the National Youth Games is our priority as we are now making our accommodation available to over 4,000 athletes and officials free of charge,” Obiyemi said.

He said that the vice chancellor had since the beginning of the year commenced preparations towards its success.

These, he said, would involve series of meetings and signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.

“The vice chancellor is a sports loving man. In February, he delegated four professors to attend a meeting of the National Council of Sports in Tinapa,” he added.

On the preparations of the institution to host the games, he said everything had been put in place to ensure a successful and memorable second edition.(NAN)
OOH/ECN/OJO
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(Edited by Emmanuel Nwoye and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-36

By Chukwuemeka Opara

Prisons

Abakaliki, Sept.19, 2016 (NAN) The Ebonyi Command of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) on Monday assisted five freed inmates with working tools to enable them earn a living.

The  inmates (names withheld) regained their freedom after serving two-year jail terms for conspiracy and attempted murder.

Mrs Emilia Oputa, the NPS State Comptroller, said that the inmates were trained by the service on carpentry, tailoring, and welding, among other vocations.

“They have been presented with items such as tailoring machines and carpentry tools, among others,” she said, adding that training of inmates was a core mandate of the prisons service.

“The freed inmates, all of them males, are married with children and the gesture is expected to enhance the well-being of their families,” Oputa said.

She said that the tools were procured through government funding and individual contributions as the command was constrained financially.

“I encourage the inmates not to be weighed by people’s insinuations about them and concentrate on empowering themselves to be useful to the society.

“They should also shun acts that would make them return to prison custody but serve as sources of motivation to those still serving their sentences,” she said.

One of the freed inmates who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, thanked the prison service for its magnanimity and pledged to shun acts that would be against the law.

NAN reports that the inmates received the items in the presence of their jubilant family members who pledged to guide them to tow dignified paths of life. (NAN)

RCO/ORO/ASH
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Edited by Razak Owolabi

NAN-H-24
ICT
Kazeem Akande
Lagos, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expert, Mr Jide Awe, on Monday called on the Federal Government to enforce compliance with ICT local content guidelines.

Awe, the Chairman, Conference Committee, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that the government should enforce the guidelines, monitor adherence and evaluate the impact on the economy.

According to him, the compliance will help the government to achieve diversification of the economy.

“Key influencers in government and the private sector should champion local content in ICT loudly and publicly.

“Additionally, a `Buy Nigeria ICT’ culture should be spread in society through campaigns and other credible activities,’’ he urged.

Awe said that jobs would be created when items were produced and purchased within and outside the country.

NAN reports that the National Information Technology Development Agency had directed companies to comply with local content guidelines with effect from Dec. 3, 2013.

The guidelines require multinational companies to register their entities with the Corporate Affairs Commission and carry on services that promote local content value creation. (NAN)
AKA/AOM/IGO
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(Edited by Mohammed Abdullahi and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

Mortgage: South African entrepreneur advises Nigeria to enact Foreclosure Law

NAN-H-57
Mortgage
By Ella Anokam/Uche Bibilari

Abuja, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Ethel Matenge-Sebesho, Head, New Markets Home Finance Guarantors African Reinsurance (HFGARe) of South Africa, has advised the Federal Government to introduce Foreclosure Law to boost mortgage lending.

Matenge-Sebesho gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

She said that such a law would enable Nigerian mortgage banks to recover monies from defaulting borrowers.

Foreclosure law assists a lender to recover the balance of a loan from a defaulting borrower by forcing the sale of asset used as collateral for the loan.

She explained that Foreclosure Law allows banks to foreclose all the borrower’s properties and auction them to recover outstanding loans.

According to her, in South Africa, mortgage banks are not afraid of giving out loans because they have legal backing.

This, she said, made it easier to register a bond and for banks to collect title deeds at the point of providing mortgage services.

She also noted that the mortgage market in South Africa was well developed unlike in Nigeria where it was faced with lots of challenges.

She said that the absence of foreclosure law  compounded the challenges by making it difficult for banks to foreclose properties of defaulting borrowers.

“Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company should wake up; I think they should draft mortgage and foreclosure laws and send to various states so that it can be enacted into law.

“If this law is in place, it would make it very easy for mortgage lenders to foreclose when someone is defaulting.’’

She further explained that lack of long-term funding, especially by primary mortgage lenders was another problem hindering mortgage loans in Nigeria.

She noted that most mortgage banks in the country had only enough money for few clients because they depended on the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria for assistance.

She also noted that mortgage banks in Nigeria were very slow in providing mortgage to their clients and were usually cash constrained.

“In South Africa, banks do not seem to have such problem; most of the banks there do not have that problem of long-term funding constraints.”

According to her, another problem facing the Nigerian housing sector is the developers, who most times develop houses for high income earners without considering the middle and low income earners.

Matenge-Sebesho, said it was regrettable that with Nigeria`s current housing deficit estimated at 17 million, most middle and lower income earners needed loan but were not considered by developers.

“Most of the housing developers here are just developing houses for the high income earners; they do not really look at the middle and low income earners.

“You find out that even though the housing need is so high in Nigeria, a lot of people who need loans are the middle and low income earners.

“And the developers do not seem to have stock for them because they are looking at the profits.

“They forget that if they produce a lot of stock for the low and middle income earners, they can still make money from it,’’ she said. (NAN)
UU/ELLA/EEM/NKO

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Edited by Emmanuel Mogbede/Nkechi Okoronkwo

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