Blog

NAN-H-55

Students

by Monday Ijeh

Abuja, Sept. 16, 2016 (NAN) Mr Muazu Jalaludeen, Students Admission Manager, Abbey DLD Group of Colleges, UK, on Friday rated Nigerian students high in terms of academic performance in the college.

Jalaludeen, who stated this in Abuja at a news conference, attributed the high performance of Nigerians studying at the college to the quality of education they acquired at the basic level in Nigeria.

“The performance of Nigerian students in Abbey DLD Group of Colleges has been very encouraging and we have been very proud of this because this is seen almost every year.

“The last result released in August showed that a Nigerian student, Ifeoluwa Akinmolu ,  who did four subjects graduated with four A* in all the subjects.

“As I talk to you, she has been admitted into University of London to read Chemical Engineering because of her performance at the college,” he said.

He said Abbey DLD Group of Colleges is a UK-based preparatory college for students of between the ages of 15 and 18 seeking to study in UK universities.

Jalaludeen said the observation that most Nigerian students complete their secondary education before 18 years with O’level results led to the establishment of the college.

“Nigerian students complete their secondary education with O’Level certificates and the minimum requirement for admission into UK universities is ‘A’ Level certificates.

“So, what we do in the college is to prepare the students for examinations that will qualify them for admission.

“Our courses include comprehensive GCSE, A Level Programmes and a number of International Foundation Programmes,” he said.

He called for the exemption of Nigerians seeking international education from currency restrictions policy of the Federal Government to ameliorate the suffering of Nigerian students abroad. (NAN)

IMC/DO/AMY

===============

Edited by David Onilede and Abdullahi Yusuf

NAN-H-54

Shares

Lagos, Sept. 16, 2016 (NAN) Equity transactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed for the 3rd consecutive day after the Sallah break on Friday in a positive note with the market indicators improving by 0.48 per cent.

Financial analysts attributed the improvement to interim dividend declared by some quoted companies.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the All-Share Index appreciated by 133.08 points or 0.48 per cent to close higher at 27,858.48 compared to 27,525.40 achieved on Thursday.

Similarly, the market capitalisation which opened at N9.52 trillion rose by N46 billion to close at N9.57 trillion.

Nigerian Breweries recorded the highest price gain to lead the gainers’ chart, growing by N3.37 to close at N145 per share, while Conoil followed with N2.95 up-lift to close at N31.84 per share.

Nestle and Seplat garnered N1 each to close at N826 and N326 per share respectively, while Unilever increased by 85k to close at N46 per share.

Conversely, Forte oil topped the laggards’ table with a loss of N3.99 to close at N161.01 per share.

UBN dipped 22k to close at N4.26 per share and Portpaint and Fidson dropped 0.08k each to close at N1.52 and N1.61 per share respectively.

Mobil decreased by 0.06k to close at N170 per share.

NAN also reports that the volume of shares increased as investors bought and sold 228.93 million shares worth N2.11 billion traded in 3,617 deals.

This was against the 200.29 million shares valued at N1.59 billion exchanged in 3,257 deals on Thursday.

An analysis of the activity chart showed that FBN Holdings was the most active with a total of 56.45 million shares worth N169.13 million.

FCMB came second with an exchange of 32.08 million shares valued at N32.06 million, while UBA sold 29.58 million shares worth N124.29 million.

Zenith Bank traded 13.67 million shares valued at N196.64 million and Fidelity Bank transacted 9.86 million shares worth N8.75 million. (NAN)

LUC/EEE

=======

Edited by Ese E. Ekama

NAN-ELS-6

Children

By Justina David Auta

Abuja, Sept. 16, 2016 (NAN) Some residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have attributed the decision of most couple to have few number of children to the tight economic situation in the country.

The residents, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday, said the number of children couples chose to have was also due to awareness of family planning and spacing.

Others added that civilisation and foreign influences had also contributed to the fewer number of children families have in this era.

Mr Isaiah Idowu said that the economic situation in recent times had forced many parents to have few children they could carter for compared to many children that couples had in the past.

“In the past, when things were cheap, some cultures judge a man’s wealth by the number of wives and children he has.

“But the situation in our society now has forced us all to change our mindset about judging a man’s wealth from the number of children he has to those he can afford to care for.’’

Mr Audu Gombe, a civil servant said the high number of children a man had in the past was because the standard of living was very cheap for them and the government provided jobs, free education, feeding and training for the people.

“During our days, education was free, feeding and training were virtually free and accessible to us. So people were just having children indiscriminately because government would shoulder most of the burden.’’

Gombe noted that families now have few children due to enlightenment and the benefit of catering for a smaller family.

“Parents prefer to have smaller families now, because they are more enlightened and know the effects of having a larger family on their economy, as well as their lifestyle.’’

Mrs Racheal Azubuike, a housewife and mother of three said exposure to benefit of family spacing and planning had contributed immensely to the few children in a family.

“People are now aware of techniques for proper planning and spacing of children.

“So families no longer have children indiscriminately because they don’t have access to some of these methods, which are gotten free from government hospitals,’’she said.

However, Mr Monday Abu, a civil servant said that there would be shortage of labour force in the future if couples continued to limit the number of children they would like to have.

“If care is not taken, there will be a time in the future that there will be shortage of labour force if families continue to limit the number of children they like to have.

“Our concern shouldn’t be about population, but rather we should be more focused on managing the available resources we have at our disposal.’’

Abu, also added that life was full of uncertainty, hence the need for couples to have more children, “as any eventuality can happen’’. (NAN)

JAD/EEE

=======

Edited by Ese E. Ekama

NAN-H-52
Bail
By Christian. Ogbonna
Yenagoa, Sept. 16, 2016 (NAN) Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa, on Friday, granted bail to 58 suspected cultists who were arraigned by the state Police Command.

The suspects, including four minors, were arrested by the police at various locations in the capital on Sept. 8.

Prosecution counsel James Amate, told the court that the suspects are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and membership of two secret cult groups, the Icelanders and Youngboys.

The trial Judge, Justice Aganaba, who decried the spate of crime in the state capital, warned the residents to desist from criminality.

He said that he would grant the suspects conditional bail, saying some of them could be innocent and victims of police mass arrest.

“The bail condition will include payment of N100, 000 each with a surety.

“The surety must be a senior civil servant from Level 07 and above, who resides in the state capital and whose address must be verified by the court registrar.

“The surety must come with four passport photographs,” the Judge said, and adjourned the case till Oct. 20. (NAN)

OOC/AEA/AEA
===========
Edited and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

 
NAN-H-51
Condolence
Jalingo, Sept. 16, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Darius Ishaku of Taraba on Friday condoled the state’s chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the death its member, Mr Ahmed Wakili.

This is contained in a statement by the state government in Jalingo.

The governor described death as “an end to all mortals” but said that Wakili died at the time the country was in need of professionals in various spheres of life.

He, however, urged NUJ not to allow the unfortunate incident to “dampen its spirit from contributing towards nation building”.

Ishaku advised the union, especially its Correspondents’ Chapel, “to always take solace in the Lord whenever the death of a loved one occurs”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wakili, 59, died in the early hours of Thursday, in Jalingo, after a brief illness.

Until his death, he was the Taraba correspondent of Forefront Magazine and the Vice Chairman of the chapel. (NAN)

NB/OPI/OPI

Edited by Olisa

NAN-H-49
Employment
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 19, 2016 (NAN) Mr Sunday Adeshina, former Deputy National President, Nigeria Association of the Blind, has appealed to governments at all levels to offer automatic employment to qualified physically challenged Nigerians.

Adeshina, who made the appeal on Friday in Ilorin while briefing newsmen, urged the federal and state governments to employ disabled people with sufficient skills, to enable them contribute to national development.

He stressed the need for the government and the society to sympathise with physically challenged people by providing them with necessary assistance.

He said that the association had sponsored a bill for the establishment of the National Commission for Disabled to facilitate the welfare of physically challenged persons.

He appealed to the National Assembly to hasten work on the bill.

Adeshina, who is the pioneer Principal, Kwara State School for Special Needs, called on the 36 states to establish special commission to cater for the disabled.

He expressed dismay at the level of discrimination against disabled people in the society.

He said that ability in disability had enabled many physically challenged persons to excel in their different fields of specialisations.

Adeshina, who had been blind for the past 50 years, said that his misfortune was caused by chemical poison.

He said that despite the challenge, he had contributed to humanitarian services by rehabilitating people with psychological problems, through his write-ups.

He called for separation of blind people from the School of Handicapped, saying that blind and deaf people could not stay under the same environment.

He called on Kwara government to establish separate schools for the blind and the deaf to avoid commotion.

He said that the present school for the handicapped in the state was specially designed for the deaf and not the blind, hence the need to separate them.

Adeshina also advocated the establishment of an agency to cater for the well being of the disabled in the society and the appointment of Special Adviser on Disabled Affairs.

“Disabled need people of their own to handle their affairs,’’ he said. (NAN)

OOH/AIB/AEA
===========

(Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo)

NAN-H-44
Symbols
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Sept. 16, 2016 (NAN) The Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Oyo State, Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu, on Friday urged Nigerians to always give due recognition to national symbols as true citizens.

Dosunmu made the plea at the 2016 National Ordinance Day organised by the NOA in Ibadan.

She advised Nigerians to respect national symbols such as the National Anthem, flag, coat of arms, pledge, portrait and office of the president as well as the national currency and the constitution.

According to the director, the national anthem binds Nigerians together as one country while the pledge is a commitment to be loyal, peaceful and maintain national unity.

“Our currency too is the economic power of the country; we shouldn’t be putting it on the floor, marching on it, tearing it or even writing anything on it.

“We should always protect its integrity; it shouldn’t be used for any form of illegal trading and should not be even folded anyhow.

“Also, the national identity card is what identifies every Nigerian and defines us as citizens; so it’s a clarion call for everybody to give due respect and recognition to these symbols,” she said.

She said the day was set aside by the Federal Government to create awareness and commemorate the country’s national symbols.

Dosunmu pointed out that the goal was to promote and standardise the correct shape, colours and use of national symbols for all occasions in line with international best practices.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the event included a road walk on major streets of Ibadan metropolis. (NAN)
CC/ESAN/OJO
============
(Edited by Abiodun Esan and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)

NAN-H-30
Edo
By Ehigimetor Igbaugba
Benin, Sept. 16, 2016 (NAN) The Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Godwin Obaseki, said that he would make Edo, a model to be emulated by other states, in terms of development.

The Edo APC guber candidate for the Sept. 28 Governorship election, made the  promise at a meeting with the Association of Salon Operators on Friday in Benin.

He said the transformation of the state which had already started under the Adams Oshiomhole-led APC government would be taken to a greater level when he is elected governor.

He said his government would not only continue with roads construction, the revolution in the educational sector and agricultural sector but will also seek ways to increase wealth creation in the state.

“We must emulate Lagos State to be a mega state. This has already started but will be move to a logical level where the state will also become a reference point to other states in the country.

“Lagos did not become what is today without hard work and consistency in governance. It has been consistent with progressives’ governors.

“Here in Edo, we want to be a able to continue from where Oshiomhole’s government will stop.

“Oshiomhole has done his best, it is left for us to carry on from where he will stop.

“As a governor, I will not be learning the rope, as I have been part of the success story of the government but we will be taking it further through human empowerment.

“Our next phase is to increase and create wealth,’’ Obaseki said.

The governorship candidate said his administration would have a human face.

He said that irrespective of party divide, his government would be for the generality of the people.

“We will be changing the face of government, where the government will simply be more responsive to the needs, yearnings and aspirations of the greater number of the people,’’ Obaseki said.

Mr Henry Idahagbon, a chieftain of the party and the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, urged the association to support the candidacy of Obaseki. (NAN)
ESI/AJA
=======

(Controlled by Adeleye Ajayi)

Cleric tasks community members on development efforts

NAN-H-45
Development
By Usman Aliyu
Agbeyangi (Kwara), Sept 16, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Mahmoud Bello, the Chief Imam of Agbeyangi in the Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara on Friday said development initiated by members of a community remained the best.

Bello, who stated this in his Jumat sermon at Agbeyangi Central Mosque, urged the indigenes of the community to redouble their efforts toward the progress of the community.

According to him, any serious community will know that it should not wait for government if massive development is to be witnessed.

The chief Imam also charged Muslim faithful to be righteous in the deeds and desist from any act that was forbidden by Allah.

“Muslims need to be mindful of their action as there is an appropriate pay back for every action in the hereafter,” he said.

He reminded the congregation that the reward for the righteous would be in multi-fold “like a farmer that has a bumper harvest’’.

The cleric also urged Muslims to always seek for forgiveness, saying Allah would only show mercy on those that sought for forgiveness.

The cleric tasked the rich on philanthropy and service to humanity, saying the best reward would be given to those who assisted his fellow human beings without a third party knowing about it. (NAN)
AUO/GY
=======

Edited and Controlled by Grace Yussuf

NAN-H-43
Protest
By Moses Kolo
Kafanchan (Kaduna State) Sept. 16, 2016 (NAN) Commercial motorcycle operators in Kafanchan, Kaduna State, on Friday staged peaceful protest against the ban placed on their business by the state government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kaduna State Government recently reaffirmed its determination to enforce the ban on commercial motorcycle business introduced by the previous administration.

The protesters, who turned out in their numbers, stormed the Kafanchan/Kagoro road carrying leaf branches and singing solidarity song to express their displeasure with the ban.

Mallam Mohammed Kabir, an official of the Association of Commercial Motorcycle Riders of Nigeria, Kafanchan chapter, told NAN that the protest was to draw government’s attention to reconsider its stand on the matter.

“As much as we know that the government means well for the masses, it should also realise that most of us earn our living through this business,” Kabir said.

He said the union was cooperating with stakeholders in the transport sector particularly the FRSC, to ensure its members adhere to traffic rules and regulations.

He said, “if you observe, road crashes involving our members have drastically reduced.

“Our members are now more cautious than motor drivers; as such, the reason given by the government for imposing the ban is baseless,” he said.

Kabir declared that if the government should insist on enforcing the ban, it should explore viable avenues to provide employment opportunities to the youths involved in commercial motorcycle business.

David Aluwon, a commercial motorcyclist, told NAN that his family depended on his business as their sole means of livelihood.

“If government insist that we should stop working, I wonder what to fall back on as my wife and four children depend on this business for their welfare,” he said.

Meanwhile, several pedestrians were stranded as the commercial motorcycle operators refused to pick passengers while the protest lasted.

Mrs Gladis Alfa of Kasit area criticised the government for banning commercial motorcycle operation, and described the move as “misplaced priority’’.

“Instead of the government to channel its efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the people, it is busy pursuing petty endeavours.

“I know a number of civil servants that engage in commercial motorcycle business after work hours to make ends meet,” Alfa said. (NAN)

MGK/ORO/AEA
============
Edited by Razak Owolabi and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo