Blog

NAN-AE-6

Report

by Moses Kolo

Kafanchan (Kaduna State), Sept. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Interim Chairman of Jaba Local Government, Kaduna State, Mr Ben Kure, said on Wednesday that reports in the social media on the magnitude of recent earth tremor in the area were largely exaggerated.

Kure made the rebuttal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in his office in Kwoi.

He said that the reports, particularly the images posted on the social media were not from the area, adding that “the pictures do not portray the reality of what happened.”

Kure dismissed the reports as a sensational exaggeration of the incident, which only heightened peoples fears unnecessarily.

The chairman urged the general public to disregard the misleading information and cautioned perpetrators to exhibit professionalism in their reportage.(NAN)

MGK/ORO/MZA
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[Edited by Razak Owolabi and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed]

NAN-HE-13
Salary

By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Sept. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Government says it is spending N7.8 billion monthly on the payment of salaries to civil servants.

The State Acting Governor, Prof Hafiz Abubakar, disclosed this on Wednesday when the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II paid him the traditional Sallah Homage at the Government House.

He said that out of the money, over N3 billion was for salaries of state government workers, N2.5 billion for primary school teachers and N1.5 billion for local council workers.

Abubakar said in spite of the high wage bill and current dwindling revenue, the government has not relented in paying the workers as at when due.

“I want to inform his Royal Highness, the Emir that despite the economic recession in the country, the state government does not owe workers a single Kobo as at today.

“It is our stance that payment of salary is an obligation to any serious government, hence our decision to ensure that workers are paid as at when due,’’ he said.

The acting governor said the administration was also determined to complete all ongoing major projects initiated by the immediate past administration.

“It is our intention to complete all the ongoing projects which have direct impact on the lives of our people”, he said.

He added that the administration had initiated new projects to enhance the living condition of residents.

Abubakar listed the projects to include the construction of Madobi under-path, and rehabilitation of Sabon Gari, Court Road, Kings Road and Rijiyar Zaki road among others.

“In fact we are trying to ensure that we fulfill our campaign promises in order to improve the living standard of our people”, he said.

Earlier, the Emir of Kano, expressed delight on the government’s effort to provide necessary infrastructure for the socio-economic development of the state.

Sanusi urged his subjects to support the government with ceaseless prayer to enable it deliver full democratic dividend to them.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the traditional Sallah homage popularly known as ‘Hawan Nasarawa’, was attended by traditional rulers from across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.

The occasion was also graced by prominent personalities including politicians, top government functionaries, members of the Diplomatic Corps and business community, among others. (NAN).

MTM/OMO/MZA

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[Edited by Martins Odeh and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed]

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Media

Potiskum (Yobe), Sept. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Emir of Fika, Alhaji Muhammadu Ibn Abali, on Wednesday urged the media to sensitize Nigerians on the nation’s economic challenges.

The emir, who is also the Chairman, Yobe Council of Chiefs, made the appeal when he received officials of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at his palace in Potiskum.

Abali said the public need to be enlightened to appreciate the impact of the global economic recession and fall in price of oil on the nation’s economy.

“There is a global economic recession. It has also affected Nigeria because of the mono economy, with over dependence on oil, whose price has collapsed in the international market.

“The challenge before the media includes propagating the good efforts of the Federal Government to salvage the situation,” he said.

The emir said traditional institutions in the state were working closely with security operatives to ensure peace and stability across the state.

“We appreciate government efforts in ensuring peace and security in the North east, normalcy is gradually returning,  but wish to call for more assistance to the Internally Displaced Persons in the state.

“We are also working in partnership with healthcare providers and non-governmental organizations for successful immunization coverage in the state.”

Abali lauded the media for working under risky environment and enduring the six-year Boko Haram onslaught in the state.

Malam Yusuf Isa, the Yobe NUJ chairman, pleaded for the support and cooperation of the emir toward enhancing the working conditions of journalists in the state.

He commended the traditional rulers for their massive contributions to security and development of the state. (NAN)

MM/MZA

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[Edited and Controlled by Maharazu Ahmed]

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ITU
By Constance Athekame
Abuja , Sept. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says ICT stakeholders  from the private and public sectors are expected to be part of the delegates to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) 2016 Telecom World conference.

This is contained in NCC quarterly magazine made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

The conference will hold in Bangkok, Thailand from Nov. 14 to Nov.17.

According to the statement, the stakeholders at the conference will include Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), innovators and industry players.

The commission said that the ITU conference would provide participants the opportunity to network, showcase their innovations and tap new business models in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) terrain.

The statement quoted the Director of Public Affairs of NCC, Mr Tony Ojobo as saying that participants would also explore the importance of collaboration in the digital economy.

He said that the collaboration would be done through best approaches, business models and technologies to forge flourishing inclusive ecosystem.

According to him, “Nigeria has adopted a theme: “Smart Communities; the key to a digital Nigeria’’.

Ojobo said that the theme underscored the importance Nigeria attached to the ITU Telecom World 2016.

“Nigeria industry players, regulator, NCC, satellite player; Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) and e-government service provider Galaxy Backbone will have opportunity to participate in the sessions.

“Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) and Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITIDA) are also participating in the sessions.

“The session will bring together expert speakers and an influential global audience drawn from governments’ key ICT players, international organisations, high growth SMEs, consultants, academia, the media, among others.’’

According to Ojobo, the theme of the ITU conference,  “Collaboration in the Digital Economy’’ will signpost collaborative regulation, connected to cards to smart sustainable cities, fostering SME innovation, new roles for satellite industry and digital financial services.

“This year’s theme will feature compelling formats ranging from top-level chief executive officers/ministerial round tables to open dialogues between government and small and medium business leaders and interactive debates.

“A leadership of global leaders from public and private sector will open the forum with an exploration of why working together is critical for growth in digital economy and how it can be best achieved,’’ he said. (NAN)
COA/MO/GY
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Edited by Morayo Omolade/Grace Yussuf

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Assault
By Moronke Tinuola
Lagos, Sept. 14, 2016 (NAN) A 52-year-old man, James Oluwadairo, on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly beating his wife and failing to provide for his children.

The accused, a driver, who resides at 28, Olarekun St., Abule Egba, a suburb of Lagos, is facing a charge of assault and neglect of duty.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Rafael Donny, told the court that the offences were committed on Aug. 18 at the residence of the accused.

He said that the accused beat his wife, Bosede when she requested for feeding allowance.

“If not for one of their neighbours who intervened, the woman would have been badly injured.

“Oluwadairo has also stopped providing for his five children 13 years ago,” he said.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 170 and 205 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias granted the accused N100,000 with a surety in like sum and adjourned the case till Sept. 28 for mention. (NAN)

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Edited and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-35

Abduction

Lagos, Sept. 14, 2016 (NAN) An unemployed man, Adebayo Adeshina, charged with abduction and rape was on Wednesday remanded in prison by an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Tajudeen Elias, ordered that 20-year-old Adeshina, alleged to have raped two teenage girls, should be kept at Kirikiri prison pending the determination of his bail application.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Rafeal Donny, had told the court that the accused who lives at Ajasa Road, Meiran, a Lagos suburb, committed the offences on Aug. 25, 2016, in his residence.

Donny said that the accused lured the girls, aged 16 years and 17 years, to his room and raped them.

“The victims were on their way home when the accused called them.

“According to the victims’ testimony, before they knew what was happening, they have been molested sexually,” he said.

According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 144(1), 258, 262 and 267 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The plea of the accused was not taken, and the magistrate, after ordering that he should be remanded in prison, adjourned the case to Sept. 28 for ruling on the bail application. (NAN)

MTO/ESAN/OPI

(Edited by Abiodun Esan and Olisa Ifeajika)

NIOMR urged FG to tackle water hyacinth menace in coastal communities

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Chidinma Agu
Coastal
Lagos, Sept. 14, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research (NIOMR) on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to tackle the menace caused by water hyacinth in coastal communities.

Dr (Mrs) Parcy Mobatola, the Institute’s Director, Fishery Department, gave this advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to her, the presences of water hyacinth in the communities have greatly affected their fishing activities and water transportation.

”Most coastal communities have fishing as their economic main base
and water hyacinth is constituting a lot of menace to this means of livelihood in the area.

”The volume of catches these days have reduced seriously and they vary from one community to another.

”This has reduced their income and lifespan of their inputs mainly the out Board engine of their fishing boats.

”The water hyacinth clogs the outdoor engines of fishing boats and the nets when they set it to catch fish,” she said.

Mobatola said that as the boats propel the engine in the water at times the water hyacinth would damage the outboard engine.

She said that the fishermen in their bid to control the water hyacinth menace condole off certain areas by erecting fence with planks in the water.

The director said that by doing this they were able to have temporary free channels or passage in the water.

According to her, as water hyacinth grows during rainy season and survive in fresh water, the government should have a strategy to curtail its growth and spread.

She stressed the need to avoid acts like dumping waste into the water as it encouraged growth of aquatic plants.

Mobatola said that water hyacinth blocks the flow of oxygen and bred snakes which killed fishes in the water.

She said that the water hyacinth could be used to produce gas that could be used for cooking.

Mobatola said government could make it a focal point of its waste to wealth programme in the coastal communities. (NAN))
ACA/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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CP commends conduct of Sokoto residents during Sallah

NAN-H-32
Festivities
By Aminu Ahmed Garko
Sokoto, Sept. 14, 2016  (NAN) The Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir, has commended the peaceful conduct of people of the state during the Sallah festivities.

Abdulkadir, gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto, on Wednesday.

The commissioner said that no report of crime was recorded before, during and after the festivities across the state.

He said that the residents had demonstrated maturity by obeying security personnel instructions that led to the peaceful conduct of all events in the state.

Abdulkadir called for improve working relationship to enable the command sustain the peaceful nature the state was known for.

The police boss added that the state command would continue to ensure peaceful atmosphere that would enable residents to move in peace to accomplish their legitimate businesses.

He, however, appealed for more support from the people by supplying the police with useful information that could aid the command to arrest criminals and check all forms of criminality in the state.

The commissioner said that time had come for the residents to imbibe the culture of offering information to the security agencies in order to apprehend and prosecute criminals in their midst.

“We have put in place sensitive security measures that will make it difficult for men of the underworld to operate as our men were battle ready to deal with any unforeseen circumstances,’’ he said.

He also commended officer and men of the command for demonstrating high sense of professionalism that led to the peaceful celebrations in the state. (NAN)
AAG/EAL/OFN
(Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi//Felix Nwadioha)

41 graduates receive training on entrepreneurship skills In Kano  — Director
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Training

By Muntari Tukur
Kano, Sept. 7, 2016 (NAN) Forty-one graduates in Kano State have so far benefited from the Federal Government’s funded programme, Graduates Internship Scheme (GIS), training on entrepreneurship and employment scheme.

The GIS Director, Mr. Dennis Chukwudi, disclosed this at the beginning of the training in Kano on Wednesday.

He said since the inception of the programme, no fewer than 41,161 graduates had benefited from the scheme all over the country.

Chukwudi, who was represented by the Head of Finance and Accounts, GIS, Mr. Anthony Kalu, said out of the figure, 35,000 beneficiaries had exited the scheme.

He said thousands of them secured jobs, credit facilities and grants.

According to him, the scheme has developed special programme for non-oil sector in view of its prospects for capacity building and job creation.

He said GIS had also entered into special partnership with governmental and non-governmental organisations for graduates to be trained on ICT, agriculture, construction and community health, among other fields. (NAN)
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(Edited by Abiodun Esan/Idris Abdulrahman)

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Family

By Toba Ajayi
Ilorin, Sept.14, 2016 (NAN) Dr Gbolahan Oyebambi of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) has said that family planning for underage is dangerous for the health and future of the children.

Oyebambi, who made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Wednesday, warned against the common practice of underage family planning in the country.

According to him, some girls under the age of 18 are  fond of doing family planning to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

He added that family planning was the safest way to prevent unwanted pregnancies among married couples. .

The doctor said some parents were aware of their children’s wayward ways and aided them by seeking family planning options for them.

“When a girl of 17 year-old knows she is safe to be sexually active, it will make her misbehave and be wayward without any fear,’’ he said.

He warned parents not to encourage the use of pills for their underage children, adding that “it was evil and suicidal’’.

The doctor also advised medical practitioners to seek proper clarifications before adopting any family planning method for patients.

Oyebambi called on government to reach out to the public through the media, schools, religious houses and hospitals to discourage such practices in the society.

“It is time for the three tiers of government to take a boldstep to save the future of our female children by campaigning against underage family planning,’’ he said. (NAN)
LEX/MO/OFN
(Edited by Morayo Omolade//Felix Nwadioha)