NAN-DS-2

Rescue

Katsina, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) command in Katsina state said it had rescued 11 youths trying to cross into Niger Republic through the state.

The command’s Comptroller, Mr Mohammed Yaro, made this known in a news briefing in Katsina on Monday.

Yaro said that the youths were rescued on Saturday in Babban-Mutum forest while trying to cross the border on their way to Niger Republic and Europe.

“Our intelligent officers on patrol arrested the victims one-after-the-other on the same day at different intervals inside the bush.

‘’They came differently on commercial motorcycles and begun to walk inside the forest to find their way to Agadez, Niger Republic.

‘’They are now giving us vital information on how to arrest their traffickers,’’ he said.

According to him, five of the victims are females, while the remaining six are males between the ages of 19 and 38.

Yaro said that none of the victims was in possession of any travel document or any means of livelihood.

He said that the victims were misled by some traffickers whose business was to ferry persons across the border through illegal routes.

The comptroller urged parents and other stakeholders to intensify efforts toward curtailing the menace of illegal migration among youths in the country.

He also explained that the service would collaborate with National Orientation Agency (NOA) to enlighten the public on the dangers associated with the illegal act. (NAN)

ZI/OPI/OPI

Security guard bags 1 month imprisonment for stealing 2 tyres

NAN-H-55
Sentence
By Zainab Buhari
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) A 24-year -old security guard, Monday Akiranga, will spend one month in prison for stealing tyre.

A Karimo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, sentenced the convict after he pleaded guilty to a one-count charge and begged for leniency.

Akiranga, who worked with Bethel Security Services in Abuja was attached to Auto Car Ltd., Kudan Str. Opposite Banex Plaza,Wuse 2, Abuja, as a security guard.

The Area Court judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, gave him an option of N5,000 as fine, and warned him to desist from such crimes.

The Prosecutor, Zanna Dalhatu, had told the court that the defendant stole two motor tyres value yet unknown belonging to Auto Car Ltd.

Dalhatu said that Akiranga confessed to the crime during police investigation and the two motor tyres where recovered from him.

The prosecutor said that the crime contravened Section 289 of the Penal Code. (NAN)
ZAB/JPE/OFN
Edited by Joseph Edeh//Felix Nwadioha

NAN-H-35

Configuration
Benin, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo said it had commenced the withdrawal of its card readers and non-sensitive materials, following the postponement of the governorship election to Sept. 28.

It would be recalled that INEC, on Sept.8, announced the postponement of the governorship election in Edo, originally fixed for Sept. 10, citing security reasons.

Mrs Prisillia Sule, INEC’s Assistant Director on voter education and publicity in Edo, made the disclosure while addressing newsmen in Benin on Monday.

Sule said the withdrawal of the card readers from the 18 Local Government Areas of the state was to enable the commission reconfigure the machines ahead of the Sept. 28 election

She said INEC would also retrain Presiding Officers and Assistant Presiding Officers for the election.

Sule further said a stakeholders meeting had been scheduled for Sept. 22, to enable the commission intimate critical stakeholders on its level of readiness ahead of the governorship election on Sept. 28.(NAN)
AJOM/KOO/ASH
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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

NAN-H-8

Remand

Ile-Ife (Osun), Sept 19, 2016 (NAN) An Osun Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ile-Ife, on Monday, ordered one Temitope Awolusi, 19, to be remanded in prison custody for allegedly stealing 18 SIM cards.

The prosecutor, Insp. Emmanuel Abdullahi, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept 3, at about 8:00 a.m.

He added that the accused entered the house of one Adeyemi Bamidele at Mbabi-Mbayo Street, Ile-Ife with intent to commit felony.

Abdullahi said that apart from the SIM cards, the accused also stole a Sumec generator and a Tecno Y6 handset valued at N81, 000 belonging to one Kikelomo Olabiyi and Adeyemo Bamidele respectively.

According to him, the accused was also found in possession of some SIM cards and a generator, which he failed to provide satisfactory explanation of ownership.

The prosecutor stated that the offence was contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Sections 390 (9), 412 and 508 at the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol 11, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The Magistrate, Risikat Olayemi, did not take the plea of the accused but ordered that he be remanded in prison custody until Sept. 22, when the case would come up for hearing. (NAN)
EDA/DUA/MZA
Edited by Dada Ahmed and Controlled bu Maharazu Ahmed

Indonesian forest fires led to 100,000 premature deaths says report

NAN-F-2
Fire
Jakarta, Sept. 19, 2016 (dpa/NAN) More than 100,000 people in Southeast Asia may have died prematurely last year as a result of forest fires in Indonesia, according to a study by two U.S. universities.

Researchers from Harvard and Columbia Universities estimated that toxic smoke from the forest fires caused 91,600 “excess deaths” from July to October 2015 in Indonesia alone.

They counted 6,500 premature deaths in Malaysia and 2,200 in Singapore.

The study results, published on Monday, suggested that regional smoke-related mortality was 2.7 times higher in 2015.

The research attributed premature deaths in adults to breathing high levels of carbon-based particulates.

The study did not include the impacts of other toxins in the forest fire haze, which included carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and arsenic.

The Indonesian Government put the death toll from the 2015 forest fires at 24. The World Bank estimated economic losses as a result of the fires at 16 billion dollars.

The study found that much of the haze was from fires set on peatlands drained for plantations.

Peatland fires can smoulder for days or weeks underground in conditions which release three to six times more smoke particulates than fires elsewhere, experts at the environmental non-profit Greenpeace said.

Six Indonesian provinces last month declared emergency alerts after forest fires erupted in parts of Borneo and Sumatra islands.

Greenpeace has urged the government to do more to end the blazes.

“If nothing changes, this killer haze will carry on taking a terrible toll, year after year,” Greenpeace Indonesia forest campaigner Yuyun Indradi said.

“Now that we know the scale of the death toll, failure to act immediately to stem the loss of life would be a crime,” he said. (dpa/NAN)

Edited by (Isaac Aregbesola/Julius Enehikhuere)

NAN-H-21

Businessman

By Chinyere Omeire

Lagos, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) A 46-year-old businessman, Olatunji David, who allegedly defrauded his colleague of N5.5 million on the pretext of supplying him cashew nuts, was on Monday granted a N2 million bail in Lagos.

An Igbosere Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling, also asked David to provide two sureties as part of the bail condition.

The Magistrate, Mr W. B. Balogun, said the sureties must be gainfully employed‎ in a limited liability company, who must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

David, whose address was not given, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, fraud and stealing.

Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Eshiet Eshiet told the court that the accused with another man still at large committed the offences sometime in March in Lekki area of Lagos State.

Eshiet said the accused obtained the N5.5 million from the complainant, Bello Osagie-Teslim, to supply him raw cashew nuts which he failed to do.

“The accused dishonestly converted the money to personal use and stared giving the complainant excuses when he could not deliver.’’

The offences contravened Sections 285(1), 312 (1), (a), and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The magistrate adjourned the case to Oct. 21 for mention. (NAN)

OCC/EOB/DA
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(Edited by Edith Bolokor & controlled by Dele Akinsola)

Army tests officers on weapons handling proficiency in preparation for battle

NAN-H-34

Army

Lagos, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army on Monday in Lagos commenced testing of its officers’ proficiency on weapon handling and map reading, among others, in preparation for battle.

The competition for junior cadre officers in 9 Brigade, Lagos, will engage them in weapon handling, communication skill, live firing, obstacles crossing, physical fitness, and combat swimming, from Sept. 19 to Sept. 21.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Isidore Edet, was represented at the opening ceremony by the Commander, 59 Division Signal, Brig.-Gen. Daniel Adesoji.

He said that the competition was to improve the officers’ leadership traits, as well as improve their physical fitness.

“It will also enhance leadership traits, test the organisational abilities, use of initiatives and to promote espirit de corps.

“The competition is also intended to prepare you for battle and embolden you in the discharge of your responsibilities in view of the present security challenges in the country.

“The current security challenges in the country have brought to the fore, the existing gaps in our training and operations, necessitating a reorientation at all levels.

“As junior leaders, your effectiveness and discipline in the discharge of your duties is highly essential to efficiently drive the command structure of the Nigerian Army.

“It is, therefore, necessary for you all to adequately train in order to ensure optimal performance.

“The units partaking in this competition include 9 Brigade, 35 Artillery Brigade, 45 Division Engineers and 81 Division Garrison,’’ he said.

The Commander, 81 Division Garrison, Col. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, said that about 100 officers would take part in the competition.

He said that the competition was aimed at enhancing the proficiency of officers in combat related activities. (NAN)
HOB/KOLE/ASH

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Edited by Remi Koleoso

NAN-H-24
Stealing
By Chinyere Omeire
Lagos, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) A couple, Uchenna and Nneka Eziamaka, who allegedly stole $5,000  meant for delivery in China, on Monday appeared before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on a four-count charge.

Magistrate A. O. Adebowale granted the accused bail  in the sum of  one million Naira and two sureties  each, after they pleaded not guilty.

Adebowale also ordered that the sureties must be blood relations of the accused and show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Uchenna, 43‎,  and Nneka, 41, were charged with conspiracy, fraud, stealing and issuance of dud cheque.

The prosecutor, DSP Eshiet Eshiet, submitted that the accused and some others still at large defruaded one Mr Ifeanyi Okeke, on Oct. 7, 2015, at Shop 13, PLP Plaza, Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos.

Eshiet said that the couple collected the money from Okeke with a promise to give it to one Mr Tianjin Saujin in China.

He said that, on June 30, Uchenna issued a cheque of N1.6 million in favour of Saujin which was dishonoured by bank on presentation due to insufficient fund in his account.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 285 (9) (c), 312 (b), 319 (b) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The court adjourned the case till Oct. 20 for mention. (NAN)
OCC/EOB/IGO
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(Edited by Edith Bolokor and controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-HG-6
Breastfeeding
By Chinenye Offor
Abuja, Sept.19, 2016 (NAN) Dr Abimbola Williams, the Head of Health, Save the Children Nigeria, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), said mothers living with HIV could breastfeed exclusively without transmitting the virus to the baby.

She made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

She said that exclusive breastfeeding helps to strengthen the immune system of a child even when the mother was HIV positive.

According to her, exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of a child’s life is associated with a three to fourfold decreased risk of HIV transmission compared to those fed with other foods.

“What mothers don’t know is that when administering exclusive breastfeeding, the likelihood of the baby getting infected is very low.

“ The baby is predisposed to HIV infection most times due to the status of the lumen of the intestine.

“And if the baby continues to have diarrhoea while the mother breastfeeds, the chances of the child getting infected becomes high.’’

She then explained a new policy whereby HIV positive breastfeeding mothers could be placed on Antiretroviral drugs (ARV) together with the baby for a longer period in order to prevent transmission of the virus.

She said “the Antiretroviral drugs are given to prevent the small percentage of the virus from being transmitted from mother to the baby.”

She added that the policy followed a study which found that giving HIV positive mothers a combination of antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding would reduce the risk of HIV transmission to infants.

Breastfeeding may be natural, but it is not always simple.

Prof. Anna Coutsoudis of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of  KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, said “the problem begins in the first weeks of breastfeeding as health-care providers lack the skills needed to offer support and advice.

“So, when problems arise such as cracked nipples, babies won’t suck and don’t seem satisfied and the mothers get bad advice, then when they become discouraged, they are told to stop breastfeeding altogether and to give artificial substitutes.”

Thelma Raqa, an antenatal counsellor based in Mowbray Maternity Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, said “if the mother is HIV positive, more uncertainty is added and some counsellors are themselves confused about what is correct practice regarding HIV and feeding practices.’’

Following the uncertainties, therefore, the World Health Organisation (WHO) advised HIV-positive mothers to avoid breastfeeding if they were able to afford, prepare and store formula milk safely.

But research has since emerged, particularly from South Africa, that shows that a combination of exclusive breastfeeding and the use of antiretroviral treatment can significantly reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to babies through breastfeeding.

On Nov. 30, 2009, WHO then released new recommendations on infant feeding by HIV-positive mothers based on this new evidence and for the first time, the world health body recommended that HIV-positive mothers or their infants should take antiretroviral drugs throughout the period of breastfeeding and until the infant is 12 months old.

This means that the child can benefit from breastfeeding with very little risk of becoming infected with HIV. (NAN)
CSO/HS/HA
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(Edited by Halima Sheji/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu)

NAN-ELS-5

Children

By Collins Yakubu-hammer

Abuja, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN) says it is ready to provide ready-to-wear clothing made by Nigerian designers with local fabrics to 5,000 Internally Displaced Children, Almajiris and others.

This is contained in a statement signed by the National President of FADAN, Mrs Funmi Ajila-Ladipo and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

“Today, camps housing internally displaced people with children among them running in thousands has attracted our attention as fashion designers and called for immediate action to cloth these children.

“It’s on this premise that FADAN is devoting its annual runway to clothing the future, our children.

“This initiative will provide made in Nigeria ready-to-wear apparels to 5,000 Nigerian street children, including Almajiris and internally displaced children across the country within the age group of 4-14 years.’’

According to Ajila-Ladipo, a cross section of the children will be showcased during FADAN’s made in Nigeria Fashion Exhibition, Skills Acquisition workshops and Seminar holding in Abuja from 6th to 8th of Oct.

NAN reports that FADAN is a non-profit organisation representing registered fashion garment designers and manufacturers across the country.

One of its major objectives this year was to further promote the “Buy Nigeria’’ initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria. (NAN)

CMY/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama