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Abuja resident blames low-key celebration to economic recession

NAN-H-61

Celebration

By Collins Yakubu-hammer

Abuja, Sept.12, 2016 (NAN) residents of FCT have blamed the low-key 2016 Eid-el Kabir celebration on the current economic recession in the country

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) who went round some parks in the FCT reports that the usual hustling and bustling associated the celebration was lacking.

The residents told NAN In separates interviews that the low-key celebration and low turnouts he to the parks by fun seekers was because of the current economic recession.

At Water Fountain Park, Kado, Mr Dauda Ibrahim, a resident who was there with his children told NAN that the economy was not favourable for elaborate celebration.

“It is no longer news that the country is in recession; therefore, I do not expect people to have elaborate celebration in this year’s Eid-El-Kabir celebration.

“There are people who cannot afford to buy ram for the sacrifice; some of them went to the market and bought meat to celebrate with their families.

“I pray that the country overcome this recession because; it is not easy; people are suffering and with the situation you don’t expect people to celebrate,” Ibrahim said.

Another fun seeker at the park, Suleiman Mohammed, a civil servant, told NAN he came to the park with his children to make them feel the joy of Sallah.

Mohammed said it was regrettable that inflation was on a steady raised and people would prefer to have a low-key than elaborate celebration.

“The money is not even there; what my salary can afford some years ago, it can no longer afford; it just unfortunate that things are like this.

“The low turnout to the park is not a surprise, some schools have resumed and some will soon resume; parents will prefer to pay children’s’ school fees than spending for Sallah.

“However, I pray that the government will do something very fast to cushion the effect of the hardship in the country,’’ Mohammed said.

At the children play ground in Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Maitama; Malam Yahaya Iliya, said he came there to play with his children.

According to him, there is suffering in the land and thus most people cannot buy ram thereby resulting to buying beef to eat with their families.

“However, the most important thing in the Eid-el Kabir celebration is the act of sacrifice and tolerant.

“We should not allow the hardship in the country to take away our willingness to sacrifice for one another and to live in peace with one another.

“The current economic situation is unfortunate, but we should be optimistic that it shall be well, and the country will be great again,’’ Iliya said.

At River Plate Garden in Wuse II, few fun seekers where seen sitting on mats and playing ludo and Whot games.

One of the fun seekers, John Oche, a trader at Wuse Market, corroborated Ibrahim and Mohammed’s position; that the celebration was low-key.

“I can count the people in this park; no money, dollar is out of reach and the market is a `no go area’ because of daily increase in the price of goods.

“Everything is upside down; I don’t know where this country is going to; how can people celebrate when there is no means to celebrate.

“The government should be more focus in addressing the current challenges so that people can celebrate with smiles on their faces,’’ Oche said.

The low-key situation was not different at Magic Land Amusement Park located near the City Gate.

Mr Peter Okoh, the Manager of the park said that turnout of fun seekers to the park was low.

“Last year’ festivities, a lot of people came here to have fun; but this year especially this Eid-El-Kabir celebration the turnout is low.

“Though I am not surprise because the economic situation is biting hard on the people.. Nevertheless, we thank God for everything; we only pray that things get better for all Nigerians,’’ Okah said.

Sa’adu Iliya, who sells `Suya’ at the `Arewa Suya spot’ in the park said that patronage was low compare to previous celebrations.

He said during 2010 festivities, patronage was high, “I made a lot of sales, but this Eid-el- Kabir, the sells is very low; but we thank Allah for his mercies and love.’’ (NAN)

CMY/OFN

(Edited by Felix Nwadioha)

NAN-F-9

Rejection

Lusaka, Sept. 12, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Zambia’s main opposition, United Party for National Development (UPND), said the Supreme Court had rejected its application to stop President Edgar Lungu’s inauguration, set for Tuesday.

Keith Mweemba, a lawyer to the opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema, disclosed this to newsmen in Lusaka on Monday.

He said that the trial judge at the Lusaka High Court declined to grant the application on grounds that as a single judge, he had no jurisdiction.

Lungu’s inauguration after the Aug. 11 election was postponed because Hichilema challenged the result in court, alleging that the vote was rigged.

A law introduced in January says the winner of a presidential vote cannot be sworn in if the victory is contested in court.

On Friday the court threw out an attempt by Hichilema to overturn a Constitutional Court’s decision not to give him more time to legally challenge Lungu’s re-election.

Mweemba said that his client planned to file another application before the full bench of the Supreme Court.

Zambia will press on with swearing in the president for another five-year term on Tuesday after he won 50.35 per cent of the vote, according to the official results.

Prospects for resuming critical budget support talks with the International Monetary Fund have been dimmed by delays in swearing in a new head of state.

Lungu has been the head of the ruling Patriotic Front since its leader, Michael Sata, died in 2014.

He won the presidency the following year, defeating Hichilema in their first electoral confrontation.

IAA/OPI

(Edited by Isaac Aregbesola/Olisa Ifeajika)

NAN-F-7

Scandal

Pretoria, Sept 12, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has taken out a home loan to repay state money spent on non-security upgrades to his private residence.

Zuma office said on Monday after a scandal over lavish improvements including a swimming pool and amphitheatre.

In a stinging rebuke that hit Zuma financially and politically, the Constitutional Court ordered him in March to return some of the $16 million.

He spent the money on enhancing his residence at Nkandla in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

The president’s office said Zuma had taken out a home loan on standard terms from private black-owned VBS Mutual Bank to repay 7.8 million rand ($538,000).

The sum was determined by the Treasury in June as the “reasonable cost” he should bear.

A Treasury spokeswoman said the payment had been received.

In 2014, a national anti-corruption watchdog identified a cattle enclosure, chicken run and visitor centre as non-security items that Zuma must pay for as well as the theatre and pool.

Zuma denied he had acted dishonestly over the upgrade.

In April, he survived an impeachment vote in parliament after the court’s ruling over the Nkandla costs, but the long-running scandal has damaged him.

In August, the ruling African National Congress suffered its worst-ever losses in municipal elections. (Reuters/NAN)

IAA/AFA
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola/Felix Ajide
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NAN-F-8
Earthquake
Dar es Salaam, Sept. 12, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) The death toll from the earthquake that struck northwest Tanzania at the weekend has risen to 16, the government said on Monday as smaller aftershock hit the area.

There were however no immediate reports of damage from the second tremor.

The first shock, in the Kagera region on Saturday, measured 5.7 and injured 253 people in addition to those killed.

Initial reports had put the death toll at about 10 people.

“Thousands of people have been left homeless as a result of this disaster,” the prime minister’s office said on Monday in a statement.

The statement added that 840 houses were destroyed and 1,264 others were damaged by cracks.

The Information Ministry said a second “smaller earthquake” hit Kagera late on Monday, without giving the magnitude.

“But there are no reports of any serious damage,” the ministry said.

President John Magufuli has postponed a visit to neighbouring Zambia to take charge of the government’s relief efforts, the presidency said in a statement. (Reuters/NAN)

IAA/AEA
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(Edited by Isaac Aregbesola and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo)

Ooni charges Muslims to pray for economy stability

NAN-H-49

Prayer

By Dorcas Elusogbon

Ile-Ife (Osun), Sept 12, 2016 (NAN) The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has called on the Muslims to use 2016 Eid-el Kabir celebration to pray for economy stability, peace and harmony in Nigeria.

Ogunwusi made the call in his Sallah message to the Muslims in Ile Ife, Osun, on Monday.

The monarch said that all the challenges facing the nation would not last and that there would be an end to it soonest.

The Ooni appealed to all Nigerians to endure and persevere as Prophet Mohammed did.

While thanking God for making the faithful witnessed another celebration, the Oba urged all and sundry to embrace peaceful coexistence across the country.

He said that 2016 Eid-el-Kabir was worth celebration describing Islam as a religion of peace.

An Islamic cleric, Alhaji Abud-Samii Abdul-Hamid, in a message also called Nigerians to embrace Allah, saying “vanity upon vanity, all is vanity”.

Abdul-Hamid made the call while offering prayer marking 2016 Eid-el-Kabir celebration at Ile-Ife Central Eid-Prayer ground.

He said that “death is inevitable, adding “we all came to the world one day, we will leave one day.

“We brought nothing to the world, nothing shall be taking away, naked we all came and all will leave naked.”

The cleric admonished all to be well behaved, assuring that all would give account of his/her deeds before the throne of judgment.

Abdul-Hamid enjoined all and sundry to always fulfill their promises to Allah and humanity, stressing this would contribute to smoothness of Nigeria economy and successful tenure for leadership.

He said that celebration of Eid-el-Kabir commemorates the willingness of the Prophet to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to God’s command, before Angel Gabriel intervened for a ram.

The Islamic cleric enjoined all to emulate the Prophet, who dedicated himself to obedience, faithfulness, dedication, selfless service and love when alive.

Also, a former Osun Commissioner for Home Affairs, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Sikiru Ayedun, called on all to totally submit to the Almighty God.

He enjoined children to be obedient to their parents.(NAN)
EDA/IAA/OFN

(Edited by Isaac Aregbesola//Felix Nwadioha)

NAN-F-6
Resignation
London, Sept. 12, 2016 (dpa/NAN) Former British Prime Minister David Cameron says he has decided to resign from his seat in parliament “with immediate effect.”

“It is not going to be possible to be a normal backbencher as a former prime minister,” Cameron told the BBC on Monday.

He added that his presence in parliament could be a “distraction” for his successor as Prime Minister, Theresa May.

Cameron had pledged to support May, who “has got off to a cracking start” since she became the nation’s leader in July.

The ruling Conservative Party elected May to lead the country after Cameron resigned following his failed campaign to persuade voters to remain in the European Union in Britain’s Brexit referendum.

Cameron’s unexpected announcement on Monday will trigger a bye-election for his seat in Oxfordshire.

Cameron had earlier resigned as Prime Minister after failing to convince British voters in June to remain in the EU in a referendum.

He said at the time he planned to remain in Parliament although he would no longer have a leadership role in the Conservative Party.

It was not immediately clear when the bye-election for his seat would take place.

Cameron promised to support the Conservative Party candidate chosen to replace him in the bye-election that would be held to fill the vacancy.

Cameron had won re-election in 2015, but his position became untenable after losing the EU vote on June 23. (dpa/NAN)

IAA/AEA
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(Edited by Isaac Aregbesola and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo)

Cleric urges Muslims to pray for leaders, nation
NAN-H-54
Celebration
Lagos (Epe), Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) Alhaji Abdul-Raman Sadalah, the Chief Imam of Epeland on Monday urged Nigerians to always pray for the nation and their leaders.

Sadalah made this call during the 2016 Eid el-Kabir prayer in Epe.

The chief imam prayed for the continuous unity, peace, prosperity and progress of the country.

“It is the duty of every Nigerian to keep praying for peace. God in His infinite mercies created us differently, male and female and allowed us to speak different languages, he said.

Sadalah said that no nation would prosper and develop without love and tolerance among its people.

The cleric enjoined Muslims to imbibe the spirit of sacrifice in their daily activities as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim

He decried the spate of maiming, kidnapping and killing of innocent citizens in some parts of the country, and called for fervent prayers for divine intervention.

Sadalah urged Muslims not to consider the celebration as an occasion for merry-making only, but that it also called for sober reflection and re-dedication to the service of God and humanity.

He appealed to wealthy Muslims to extend their hands of fellowship to the less privileged in the society by assisting them with food, drinks and other necessities of life.

Sadalah commended Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State for the ongoing development in the community and the state in general.

Sadalah, at the end of the prayer, performed the symbolic slaughtering of a ram to signify the official rite by fellow Muslims

NAN reports that Oba Shefiu Adewale, Bangbopa Esilokun I, the Olu-Epe of Epe; the Federal Representative of Epe constituency, Wale Raji and Mr Wale Mogaji, the Chairman, House of Assembly Service Commission, were among those who attended the payer. (NAN)
YO/FNO/AFA
Edited by Franca Ofili/Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-51

Challenges

Daura, (Katsina State), Sept. 12, 2016 (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that his administration is doing its best to get Nigeria out of the current challenges.

Buhari gave the assurance on Monday in Daura, Katsina State, after the Eid el-kabir prayer.

According to him, the previous Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government had left nothing for his regime despite being in power for 16 years.

‘’Nigerians should realise that this government inherited nothing from PDP governments.

‘’After 16 years of PDP regime, there was no power supply, no much infrastructure, no rail and no security; this is what it left for us,’’ he said.

The President pointed out that his government was tackling three key issues with the aim of moving the country forward.

The issues are security, economy and fight against corruption.

According to him, his government was making efforts to improve the security, economy of the country and fighting corruption.

Buhari revealed that the government was also making efforts to create job opportunities for graduates and other unemployed youths.

‘’We have plans for the country; we must first secured the country, for security is the key to development.

‘’We first dealt with the Boko-Haram and now we are dealing with the militants.

‘’Through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and an inter-ministerial committee under the Vice-President, we are working out jobs for graduates and other youths.

‘’We are equally tackling corruption, which will be a continuous thing.

‘’So, we are trying our best and we want Nigerians to do their best too,’’ the president said.
President Buhari also expressed hope that the country would have a food security after recording bumper harvest from this year’s cropping season. (NAN)
ZI/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NAN-H-44
Sanction
By Sunday Bassey
Uyo, Sept. 12, 2016 (NAN) Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), will sanction Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC), if its officials collect illegal fees from consumers to purchase transformer for installations in various localities.

Acting Chairman of NERC, Dr Anthony Aka gave the warning on Monday in Uyo in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He emphasised that it was not the responsibility of communities to contribute to the purchase of transformers, electricity poles or contribute money for the repairs of electrical infrastructure in their areas.

He said that the commission would partner the communities to discourage distribution companies from asking consumers pay illegal fees to repair electricity installations.

“I want to state very clearly that it is not the responsibility of electricity consumers to buy transformers, electrical poles or contribute money for the repairs of electrical infrastructure.

“It is important that we use our electronic appliances or phones get recording of such transactions to enable us investigate.

“In some instances, the person who engages in such illegal transaction may not be authorised by the Management of PHEDC.

“If you have any complain write to the regulator, we have powers to sanction them,’’ he said.

Aka assured that if any staff of PHEDC was found guilty, the commission would apply the appropriate disciplinary sanction against such person.

He disclosed that the commission fined PHEDC several millions of naira two weeks ago based on complaints made by customers.

Aka said that officials of the regulatory commission had been going round to inform consumers to reject estimated bills.

He assured that estimated billing would soon be a thing of the past.

He said that if consumers were supplied with prepaid meters there would be no need for estimated bills.

The acting chairman, who decried the rate at which vandals blow up pipelines across the country, said the menace was affecting the generating capacity of electricity generating companies.

“If vandals blow up pipelines and power generation drops, the distribution companies will have little or no power for their consumers,’’ he said.

He commended the Federal Government for the ongoing expansion work on transmission lines across the country, saying it would enhance evacuation of electricity to the national grid. (NAN)

SDB/AEA
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Edited and Controlled by Archibong Asuquo

NAN-H-45
Counsel
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Sept. 12, 2016 (NAN) The Chief Imam of Ibadan, AbdulGaniy Abubakri, has urged Muslims to embrace love, peace, perseverance and total re-dedication to God as they celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir.

He made the plea on Monday in a sermon delivered at the Eid praying ground, Agodi, Ibadan.

Abubakri said that development thrives only in an atmosphere where peace and harmony exist.

He called on Nigerians to fervently pray for the nation’s prosperity while urging the country’s leadership to re-dedicate themselves to God as a way out of the current economic hardship.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State had led members of the State Executive Council to observe the two obligatory (rakaats) prayers.

Ajimobi, in an interview, called for attitudinal change among the citizenry, saying the revival of the nation’s economy was a collective responsibility.

He urged the people to learn from the lessons of Eid-el-Kabir, which he said emphasised sacrifice, fulfilment of promises and total rededication to God.

“Our people should learn to sacrifice in order to get such in return. This celebration
provides an opportunity for everybody to reflect on the way forward in the country.

“The significance of Eid-el-Kabir was fulfilment of promises made. We urge the political leaders in the country to ensure they fulfill all the promises made to the people before they were elected,” he said.

In a separate interview, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun and Mr Abas Najimdeen, the Caretaker Chairmen of Ibadan NorthWest and South-East Local Government Councils respectively, urged Nigerians to persevere.

The duo called on the people to support President Muhammadu Buhari and the Ajimobi administration in bringing about the desired change.

Hon. Kehinde Subair, the Majority Leader of the Oyo State House of Assembly, urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the present administration.

Dignitaries at the praying ground included the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola, a former Secretary to the State Government in Oyo State, Alhaji Sarafadeen Alli, and the Seriki Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Yekeen Adeojo,

Others were the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji as well as Rep. Saheed Fijabi and Rep. Dapo Lam-Adeshina.(NAN)
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(Edited and controlled by Mufutau Ojo)