Blog

NAN-H-51

Alliances

By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) Mr Gbenga Olowo, the President, Aviation Round Table (ART) has advised domestic airlines to form alliances to enable them surmount their current challenges.

Olowo gave the advice while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday.

He noted that most of the airlines were faced with multiple taxation, scarcity of aviation fuel, and difficulty in sourcing foreign exchange for their operations.

According to him, the problem is compounded by unhealthy competition among the airlines which makes them unable to earn enough revenue to cover cost.

“The competition in the place is suicidal. There are about seven or eight airlines doing Lagos-Abuja and Lagos-Port Harcourt routes.

“So, most of the time, they fly their aeroplanes half-filled or empty. Thus they are not earning enough because of the unhealthy competition.

“We don’t need more than two or three airlines in this economy. If you have two or three, that is what economist call duopoly or oligopoly. There will be healthy competition and all the benefits of competition.

“So, the first solution is that they should form strong alliances to become two or three so that we can minimise competition that is preventing them from charging adequate fares.’’

He noted that some international airlines were already involved in such alliances, adding that Nigerian airlines should take a cue from them.

The ART president also called on the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to formulate a policy that would make the airlines go into alliances.

Olowo said: the NCAA will not prevent anybody from coming into the sector.

“However, if you have only two or three aircraft, you will be directed to belong to one of the three groups which will have not less than 50 aircraft each.’’ (NAN)

ASO/EEE

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Edited by Ese E. Ekama

NAN-H-50
Statistics
By Mamman Mohammed
Damaturu, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) Yobe government has constituted a technical committee to develop statistical master plan to guide the government on planning, policy development, performance rating and evaluation.

Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam made the disclosure on Monday in Damaturu while inaugurating Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, organised by National Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with Yobe government.

Represented by Alhaji Idi Gubana, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Gaidam said that the master plan would address the challenges affecting statistical development.

He added that it would also provide information to assist the government in the provision of social amenities to communities in accordance with the statistical data.

“The data will assist the government in planning and execution of social services including schools, healthcare facilities, water and other infrastructures,” the governor said, adding that the statistics would  enhance sustainable development.

He called on communities in the state to support the success of the exercise in their areas.

In his remarks, Alhaji Musa Yusuf, Coordinator, National Bureau of Statistics in Yobe, said that the multiple cluster survey would be conducted in five areas.

He listed the areas to include women and children, health, education, child protection and HIV/AIDS.

He said that the survey would also provide data for post MDGs and SDGs agenda, planning and effective monitoring.

Alhaji Musa Amshi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Planning, called for the expansion of coverage areas to generate adequate data for use by government.

“I implore the government to expand the area of coverage for the trail survey to generate wider and accurate statistics to be used by government” he said. (NAN)
MM/COA/AEA
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(Edited by Constance Athekame and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo)

NAN-HG-5

Mechanism

Osogbo, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Permanent Secretary in the Osun State Ministry of Health, Mr Temitope Oladele, said on Monday there was a need to set up a medical referral mechanism in the country.

Oladeke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo that the mechanism would help to assess the quality of healthcare the citizens got abroad.

He described the mechanism as a two-way system in which patients would be examined at the point of departure and after the completion of the treatment.

“In order to assess and ensure quality healthcare delivery for Nigerians abroad, there is an urgent need for medical immigration, which will serve as a referral mechanism.

“The control body will be saddled with the responsibility of monitoring the quality of health services available to Nigerians in referral hospitals,” he said.

The permanent secretary, however, called on the present administration to increase the level of funding in the health sector to minimise avoidable death in the country.

He said that Nigeria had the requisite number of qualified medical professionals to carry out any major treatment if the necessary infrastructure and equipment were available. (NAN)

DOO/MAS/MVO

(Edited Moses Solanke/Mbadiwe Okwor)

Kebbi Task Force on sanitation warns against violation of environmental laws
NAN-AE-4
Inspection

By Shuaibu Tatu

Birinin Kebbi, Sep.19, 2016 (NAN) The Kebbi State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation has warned the residents against violation of the state environmental laws.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Task Force gave the warning as it commenced the inspection of some communities in Birnin Kebbi Township to ascertain the sanitary condition.

Alhaji Bagudu Diggi, the Chairman of the task force told NAN in an interview in Birnin Kebbi on Monday that the inspection was sequel to the series of reports of environmental abuse in the targeted areas.

He listed the areas affected in the inspection to include Badariya, Rafin Atiku and Nassarawa communities.

He said that these communities were known for indiscriminate dumping of refuse, an act that causes unnecessary flooding and threat to the health of the residents.
According to him, the primitive attitude causes environmental hazard to the residence and consequently make life unbearable, especially during the period of rainy season.
Diggi, however, commended the efforts of the Kebbi Urban Development Authority (KUDA) for its prompt action on refuse evacuation and construction of additional incinerators in strategic locations.
He explained that the complaint was lodged by some of the residents of the communities, who were expecting prompt and urgent remedial measures.
The chairman added that the communities suffer bad odour as a result of dropped carcasses of dead animals and heap of refuse dump deposited in the communities.
He promised that the task force would not relent in its duties of enforcing the state sanitation laws with a view to prevent outbreak of diseases and unnecessary environmental hazards.
Diggi warned the residents of the communities against violation of the state environmental laws, adding that anyone found culpable would be made to face the wrath of the law.
(NAN)
SZT /COA/AFA
Edited by Constance Athekame/Felix Ajide
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Edo Education commissioner assures schools of improved govt. support

NAN-H-46

Education

By Joy Odigie

Benin, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Edo Commissioner for Education, Mr Gideon Obhakham, has assured schools in the state of improved service delivery to the sector during the 2016/2017 Academic Session.

Obhakham told the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Benin on Monday that the state government would improve on the renovation of the schools to enhance learning.

“We will also improve the supply of stationery and other teaching and learning materials.’’

Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent who monitored resumption of the 2016 /2017 Academic Session in some schools in Benin, reports that the turnout of teachers was impressive as positioned themselves to receive pupils and students.

NAN also reports that while some schools had large turnout of students and pupils, others recorded low turnout.

Also, learning activities have yet to commence in the schools visited as pupils and students were busy with cleaning their classrooms.

Some of the schools visited included Russell Group of Schools, Army Day Primary and Secondary School and Ikpoba Primary School respectively.

Others were Iwogban Primary School, Olua Primary School and Aighahowa Primary School all in Benin city.

NAN reports that public schools across states of the federation resumed classes from their two-month long vacation for the 2016/2017 Academic Session. (NAN)
OOJ/KOO/NKO
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(Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Nkechi Okoronkwo)

NAN-AE-3
Flaring
By Edeki Ighafe
Warri (Delta), Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) Mr Sherif Mulade, National Coordinator, Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ), has called for stiffer penalties against oil companies that refuse to end gas flaring.
Mulade made the call in a statement signed by him and made available to newsmen on Monday in Warri, Delta.
He also urged the Federal Government to sanction multinational oil companies that refused to end gas flaring in the Niger Delta region.
Mulade also alleged that the oil multinationals operating in the Niger Delta were not ready to end gas flaring in the oil-rich region.
He urged the government to compel such companies to adhere strictly to the environmental global best practices to save the environment.
“It is unfortunate that Multinational oil companies that adhere strictly to global environmental best practices in their countries and other parts of the globe will refuse to end gas flaring in the Niger Delta.
“Federal Government should not treat the oil companies with kid’s glove; it should do the needful by compelling them to end the hazard.
“The lawmakers should also be up and doing with regards to the enforcement of the law on gas flaring in the country,” he said.
Mulade also stated that gas flaring coupled with the activities of pipeline vandals were having a ripple effects on the Niger Delta’s ecosystem.
“Today our roofs are being destroyed following the air pollution emanating from gas flaring.
“Also life expectancy in the region is becoming shorter because of unabated release of emission to the air,” he said.
NAN reports that gas flaring is the burning of natural gas and petroleum hydrocarbons in flare stacks by upstream oil companies in oil fields during operations.
NAN recalls that gas flaring is the singular and most common source of global warming and contributes to emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen (II) oxide and methane, which have the propensity of causing environmental pollution and ecological disturbances or destruction. (NAN)
EDI/DOE/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-18
Software
Kazeem Akande
Lagos, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) A cyber security firm, Numeric Technologies, on Monday said that Nigerian-made software could favourably compete globally if policies and regulations on ICT were thoroughly implemented.

Mr Innocent Nwume, the Chief Executive Officer of the firm, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

He said that, with implementation of  the policies and regulations, Nigeria could produce functional software for financial institutions and other organisations at a cheaper rate.

Nwume said that the  development would discourage firms from purchasing foreign software at exorbitant costs, and enhance Nigeria’s economy.

“Nigeria can develop locally made software, it requires consistent policies to enable our Nigerians and local computer companies to produce them.

“We know what we are supposed to do; so, we can develop them and then start testing them for our own environment.

“That way, the revenue will remain locally, here; it is with time and encouragement from government,’’ he said.

According to him, there are many domestic technology companies that can produce and supply enough software to both local and foreign firms.

“At Numeric Technologies, we develop our own applications for the local industry as well as outside the country.

“We are doing similar programmes, similar applications to also enhance organisation in their work.

“We do utility billing system for PHCN and all utility companies; we do work flow applications to help you fine tune your processes.

“We do customer relationship applications (CRM); we are also going into security programming.

“You can search your system and check because you are not supposed to store some customer information like an ATM card number in your computer,’’ he said.

AKA/AOMIGO
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(Edited by Abdullahi Muhammed  and Ijeoma Popoola)

NAN-H-33
Mental
By Martha Agas
Jos, Sept 19, 2016(NAN) A Corps member in Jos, Miss Deinabo Obiechina on Monday organised an enlightenment rally on how to detect signs of mental ailment as part of her community development service in Plateau.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many residents attended the rally, conducted at the popular terminus and Gada-biu markets in Jos North.

Addressing the people, the corps member noted that mental ailment was one of the major causes of death in the society that had not been accorded the attention it deserved.

Obiechina expressed worry that the society had a wrong perception that mentally ill people were only those who were “mad, wearing dirty clothes and scavenging on refuse”

“ Many people have the wrong impression that mentally ill people are only those on the streets who are wearing dirty clothes and picking dirt; it is beyond that.
“ Depression, anxiety and schizophrenia, amongst others, are also mental ailments causing deaths in our society,’’ she explained.

She said that the rally was to create awareness on the signs of mental illness that could graduate to complicated and life threatening situations.
Obiechina said the rally was organised in partnership with some medical personnel whose doors were open for counselling and treatment.

A woman who attended the rally, Mrs Comfort Karik , commended the corps member for using her time, energy and resources to give back to the society in a positive way.

Mrs Salilat Latif, an NYSC inspector in Jos North Local Government Area, urged the society to support the efforts of corps members, noting that many communities in Plateau had mentally ill people that were uncomfortable to seek for help because of the fear of being stigmatized as ‘mad’.(NAN)
MAA/ASH/ASH

NULGE hails President Buhari for supporting LG autonomy
NAN-H-43
Autonomy
By Mohammad Tijjani
Kaduna, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on Monday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for supporting Local Government autonomy.
The President of NULGE in Kaduna, Alhaji Jabir Danlami, made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Monday.

Danlami said that if autonomy could be granted to local councils it would lead to massive development at the grass root.

President Buhari on Sept. 15 pledged to support autonomy for local governments when he received the leadership of the Association of Local Governments in Nigeria (ALGON) in Abuja.

“We have been agitating for the independence of local government areas for a long time.

“The president throwing his weight behind the struggle is definitely a plus,’’ Danlami said.

He said the situation where local councils’ allocation from the Federation Account came through the state government joint account was counter-productive.

The NULGE president said what usually accrued to the councils from the state government’s sharing of federal allocation was rarely enough to pay salaries not to talk of carrying out projects.

He noted that every local government had its peculiar demand and needs.

“Local government employees are tired because the councils do not have autonomy.

“Making the councils autonomous will give the government at the grass root an opportunity to fulfill its campaign promises.

“We call on the state governors to give President Buhari’s position on this issue support because it is the only solution to addressing problems in the rural areas.

“In Kaduna, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, has shown commitment to independence of local councils in the state,’’ Dalami said.

Danlami called on local government employees to show commitment in the discharge of their duties, adding that they should pray for the autonomy of councils in the country to facilitate grass root development. (NAN)
TJ/COF/OFN
(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare//Felix Nwadioha)

NAN-AE-2
Farming
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) The Director of Songhai Farms, Prof. Godfrey Nzamujo, has called on the three tiers of government to adopt the Songhai farming system to boost food production in the country.

Nzamujo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that the system would ensure food security and reduce dependency on imported food items.

He said although Nigeria had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Songhai Farms Ltd., Porto Novo, the country needed to make deliberate steps to boost food production.

“I think that the socio-economic situation today in Africa that we call poverty is largely due to our incapacity to efficiently harness the opportunities therein.

“All tiers of government must begin to see the advantage of Songhai farming to boost food production and employment creation,” Nzamujo said.

He said part of the partnership Nigeria entered with the farm was the introduction of the Graduate Employment Scheme/Farm Settlement Schemes to be located in each of the 109 Senatorial Districts.

He said the scheme would further prompt the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) to package their water services with the provision of complementary basic rural infrastructure.

Nzamujo explained that about 70 per cent of diseases suffered by Nigerians stem from poor nutrition occasioned by poisonous foods by chemicals.

He said that the project would facilitate production of quality food and gainful employment for Nigerians through the revitalisation of the RBDAs.

NAN recalls that the Minister of Water Resources, Mr Sulieman Adamu, had said that the MoU between the RBDAs and the Songhai Farms was targeted at promoting integrated agricultural schemes to boost food production.

He said the Federal Government’s vision for the sector was to reposition and strengthen the RBDAs to become major economic nerve-centres in line with the economic diversification policy of the present administration.

“In line with this policy thrust, a retreat was organised for all stakeholders and practitioners in the sector which culminated in the setting up of a committee to produce a Blueprint and Action Plan for the repositioning of the RBDAs,” he explained.

Adamu added that as part of the action plan, the committee members visited the Songhai Farms in Benin Republic early in 2015 to understudy the model. (NAN)
TAK/JEY/AFA
Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Felix Ajide
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