Blog

ECOWAS urged to support member states access climate fund

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Fund

By Temitope Ponle

Abuja, Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) ECOWAS has been urged to enhance the capacity of its member states to access the Global Climate Fund (GCF) to assist developing countries counter the effects of climate change.

This formed part of recommendations of a three-day regional workshop for accessing the GCF organised by the ECOWAS in Abuja on Friday.

The GCF is a fund within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was established in 2010 by the 16th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the UNFCCC.

Pledges to the fund reached 10.2 billion dollars on May 28, 2015.

Mr Bougonou Djeri-Alassani, Head of Division, Environmental Policies and Regulations, Environment Directorate of the commission gave a summary of recommendations.

Djeri-Alassani said the meeting urged member states to enhance capacity to develop projects in line with the GCF recommendations.

He said: “The only way to access this fund is to develop project proposals to submit to the GCF.

“We do not have enough capacity to do that but there is need for our member states to allocate some money for that.

“We need to make efforts ourselves, with the support of our partners, to go in that way.”

He added that the meeting also recommended that ECOWAS and GCF support member countries to develop project proposals.

He also said that member countries that had accessed funds or begun the process were urged to share their experiences and expertise with other member countries.

“We need to also monitor and support member states; some are leading the process, some just started.

“There is no deadline to access the fund; the first who make submissions will be the first to be served,” he added.

Djeri-Alassani said that there was no specific allocation to countries to fund projects, and added that Mali, Senegal and The Gambia had accessed the climate fund.

Also, Mr Alpha Kaloga, GCF Regional Adviser, Africa, said the training was recommended for relevant authorities of member states to understand policies and procedures to access the fund.

Kaloga said the meeting developed a roadmap with each member state to address challenges faced by countries within the sub-region.

“There are several things to do and the first step is to train the national designated authorities of member states to understand the policy and procedure of this fund.

“Countries should mobilise stakeholders to bring sectoral ministries together to have a projects in line with the GCF criteria; the institutions have to meet international standards,” he said.

He further added that member states would have ownership of their projects if they met the required recommendations. (NAN)

TOP/OFN

(Edited by Felix Nwadioha)

Eid El-Kabir: Police assure Kano residents of adequate security

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Residents

By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Police Command has assured residents of adequate security during the forthcoming Eid el Kabir celebration.

This is contained in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Magaji Majiya and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Friday.

According to the statement, the command had put in place security measures to ensure a hitch-free Eid el-Kabir.

“Already, meetings were held with sister security agencies in which adequate security arrangements were made to ensure security of lives and property during and after the celebration,” it said.

The statement said the command had deployed adequate personnel at praying grounds, recreational centres, markets, entry and exit points of the State as well and all other strategic places to ensure a hitch free celebrations.

“Covert and overt operatives have been deployed to strategic places to maintain orderliness and peaceful celebration,” the statement added.

It, however, called on people of the state not to carry unnecessary items or objects to Eid grounds other than praying mats.

The statement advised people attending recreational centres and places of gatherings during the celebrations to be extra vigilant by taking good cognizance of people and objects around them.

“The general public is advised to continue to cooperate with all security agencies who are out to maintain law and order.

“They can also use our emergency lines as follows; 08032419754, 08123821575 and 08075391163 in case of emergency”, the statement added. (NAN).
MTM/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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NSCDC
By Abdulfatah Beki

Ilorin, Sept 9, 2016 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kwara on Friday said it had deployed 2,500 personnel to all the 16 Local Government Areas of the state to ensure a hitch free Eid el-Kabir celebration.

The Commandant of the Corps in Kwara, Mr Pedro ldeba disclosed this in Ilorin in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said the personnel, who are already in their duty places across the state, are to ensure safety of lives and property of the Government and individuals.

He said more than half of the personnel deployed will be at all the Eid praying grounds across the state to ensure orderliness before, during and after the two rakats Eid prayer.

The Commandant warned that the command will deal ruthlessly with anybody or group of persons who foment trouble in any parts of the state.

The Commandant warned people or group to desist from impersonating personnel of the Corps in any part of the state, saying any one caught would be dealt with. (NAN)
BEKI/AFA
Edited by Felix Ajide
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Aviation college inaugurates N5.7m fuel dump

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Aviation

By AbdulFatai Beki
Ilorin, Sept 9, 2016 (NAN) The International Aviation College, llorin, has inaugurated its N5.7 million Jet A1, Aviation fuel dump.

The fuel dump, which had 33,000 litres capacity, was inaugurated by the Speaker of the Kwara House of assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad, at the college premises on Friday.

Ahmad praised the foresight of the management of the college for embarking on the project without Kwara Government involvement.

He commended the management for recording a remarkable development since the creation of the college in 2012.

The speaker, who described the college as one of the best in the world, urged government, organisations and individuals to continue to partner with the college in the training of pilots.

He said training Nigerians for pilots abroad was not adding value to the nation’s economy.

The availability of a fuel dump at the college,the speaker said, would aid early completion of training of pilots.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the college, Capt. Edward Boyoh, said the college which began with two aircrafts in 2012 could now boast of five aircrafts

The Rector of the college, Capt. AbdulMumeen AbdulKareem, said the college established the fuel dump to arrest persistent scarcity of Aviation fuel in the country.

He said the fuel dump with 23,000 capacity would serve the aircrafts and Helicopters of the college for over two months. (NAN)

BEKI /OFN

Edited by Felix Nwadioha

Eid-el Kabir: Hairstylists decry low patronage in Kano

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Saloon

By Aisha Ahmed

Kano, Sept., 9, 2016 (NAN) Barley 72-hours to to Eid-el Kabir hairstylists in Kano have decried low patronage a situation they claimed have affecting their economic fortunes.

Some of them, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Friday blamed their woes on the current economic recession.

Mrs Khadjitau Adeyemi of Shagari Quarters in Kano, told NAN that during the period in 2015 her salon was usually filled with customers.

Adeyemi explained that the economic situation in the country might be responsible for the low turnout as people were now merely battling to eat.

Another hairstylist, Malama Amina Baba, said during Eid festivities she usually employed services of other hair dressers due to the number of customers.

She expressed concern that the 2016 Eid came with a difference as customers were not forthcoming.

Amina said that though there was some still time for customers to fix their hair before Eid day.

According to her, the patronage is simply poor compared to the Eid-el Fitri two months ago.

Another hair dresser, Hajiya Hauwa Saleh,said she had been battling to make ends meet few days to the Sallah unlike in the past years.

“Looking at the situation of the country, I managed to convince my three girls to wash their hair at home and go for the local braid.

“The amount being charged at a local braiding places is double the amount the charged at salons,” she said.

She then advised people to manage their resources wisely until the economic situation in the country improves. (NAN)

AAA/ESAN/OFN

(Edited by Abiodun Esan//Felix Nwadioha

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Arafat
By AbdulFatai Beki.
Ilorin, Sept 9, 2016 (NAN) A total of 1,971 pilgrims from Kwara will  join other pilgrims in observing the 2016 Arafat Day in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

The 2016 Amirul Hajj for the state, Justice ldrees Abdullahi-Haroon disclosed this in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Friday.

Abdullahi-Haroon, who noted that  all the 1,971 pilgrims are hale and healthy, said the state Pilgrims Welfare Board had concluded the arrangement that would enable Kwara Pilgrims to witness a hitch-free Arafat.

The Amirul Hajj, who was former Kwara Grand Khadi said vehicles had been provided for some of the pilgrims not capable of walking  long distance owing ill health or other reasons.

He said perfect arrangements had already being put in place for the throwing of stones after arafat to guide against a re-occurrence of  stampede recorded during the 2015 Hajj.

On the three pilgrims arrested for alleged drug trafficking, the Amirul Hajj said Saudi security operatives would make appropriate arrangement for their participation in the ritual. (NAN)
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Felix Ajide
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Referees

By Emmanuel Afonne

Abuja, Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) No fewer than 44 Nigerian football referees are participating in the 2016/2017 FIFA Physical Fitness Test holding at the National Stadium, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 28 FIFA-graded referees and 16 ungraded ones are involved in the two-day test which began on Friday at the Package `B’ of the stadium.

The referees comprised those who officiate in regular, beach and futsal football.

One of the instructors at the programme, Emmanuel Imiere, told NAN that medical test, which was integral in the exercise, would be taken on Saturday.

“If a referee is not medically fit, he or she cannot take part in the fitness test because FIFA does not want a situation where an unfit referee goes to officiate in a game.

“It is only when a referee is certified to be medically fit that he or she can be allowed to participate. We don’t want people to risk their lives.

“The ones we can manage, we allow them to run; the ones we cannot manage, we don’t allow them to run.

“There are some medical cases that are terminal and there are some that you can treat using drug within the period before the fitness test,’’ he said.

According to Imiere, 11 of the referees are female out of whom seven are FIFA-badged while four are taking part as “invited referees”.

He disclosed that referees had failed medical tests in the past, saying that the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) would not shield such persons in the current exercise.

He said that the fitness programme tagged `retention of status” would qualify referees to officiate in the 2016/2017 football season.

“This is not an upgrade; it is what we call `retention of status’; any referee that does not pass this test will not be listed to officiate as a FIFA referee next year.

“If you pass, you continue to officiate until when you are not able to pass again, then, you are dropped and replaced.’’ (NAN)

EMAF/OSA/OPI

(Edited by Shittu Obassa and Olisa Ifeajika)

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Deployment

By Muhyideen Jimoh

Abuja, Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) The Commandant-General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu, has ordered the deployment of 30,000 personnel to provided security across the country during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Muhammadu gave the order in a meeting with top officers of the corps on Friday in Abuja.

He directed Zonal Commander, State Commandants and Operational Officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Headquarters to ensure effective deployment of the personnel to strategic places, including Eid praying grounds and recreational centres.

In addition, he said that personnel should be deployed to parks, market places, shopping complexes and plazas, car parks and other spots prone to attack during the celebration.

Muhammadu also ordered the deployment of sniffer dogs and specialised forces to complement the personnel to ensure adequate security during and after the celebration.

“I can assure you that there will be no hiding place for vandals, criminals and miscreants who take advantage of festive periods to perpetuate their nefarious activities,’’ he said.

He urged officers and men to work in synergy with other sister agencies in order to achieve the desired goal of effective policing of the society for a hitch-free celebration.

The commandant-general wished Nigerians happy and crime-free celebration. (NAN)

MUYI/JEY/OPI

(Edited by Johnson Eyiangho and Olisa Ifeajika)

Army restates commitment to secure Nigeria’s territorial integrity

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By Henry Oladele
Army
Lagos, Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army on Friday in Lagos said the army was committed to securing the territorial integrity of the country.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Isidore Edet said this in his remarks at the closing ceremony of the competition for warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers in 9 Brigade, Lagos.

Edet, who was represented by the division’s garrison commander, Col Sunday Igbinomwanhia, congratulated the officers for participating in the competition.

According to him, there is no substitute to training, especially in the armed forces.

“It is in respect to that that the Nigerian Army deemed it fit to organise this particular competition for this period.

“You know we are responsible for securing the territorial integrity of this country and we can only do that if we train well and work hard,“ he said.

He said what had been witnessed today proved that the army was up to the task of securing the territorial integrity of the country.

He urged the participants to keep up the good work.

The 9 Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Sanni Mohammed said he was satisfied with the drilling, stressing that training and retraining was paramount.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the competition was aimed at testing the proficiency of officers on weapon handling and map reading for effective military operations.

The competition was also to test the warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers on obstacles crossing, drill and combat swimming.

NAN also reports that the competition is also aimed at enhancing leadership qualities and physical fitness of officers.

The units that took part in the competition included 9 Brigade, 35 Artillery Brigade, 45 Division Engineers and 81 Division Garrison.

At the end of the competition, 9brigade came first, 35 Artillery, second, 81 Division came third and 45 Division came fourth. (NAN)
Edited by Felix Ajide
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Election

Benin, Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of  Edo on Friday expressed disappointment over Thursday’s postponement of the governorship election in the state scheduled for Saturday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

Oshiomhole told European Union and other foreign observer-groups in the state for the election, during a visit to him in Benin on Friday that the rescheduling of the poll was done in bad faith by INEC.

The foreign observer groups were led on the visit by Mr Ben lllewellyn-Jones, Political Counsellor, British High Commission, Abuja.
The governor said that postponement of the election to Sept. 28 was ridiculous, adding that the action only portrayed that INEC was not prepared for the exercise.

He decried what he said was “unilateral decision’’ by INEC to postpone the election without consulting political parties.

He said that INEC should, in the future, be advised to consult widely with stakeholders before making such crucial decision.

According to Oshiomhole, democracy is not only a means to an end, but an end itself.

He stated that the last eight years in Edo had been a celebration of democracy, courtesy of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration in the state.

He, however, said that APC was not unmindful of the need for a free, fair and credible election and affirmed that the party was determined to sustain the tradition.

Earlier, Ilewellyn-Jones had said that they were in the Government House to discuss the importance of the election.

He said that they had met and discussed with other stakeholders on the need to ensure a free, fair and credible and transparent governorship election in the state.

Ilewellyn-Jones advised political parties and security agencies to imbibe the culture of continuous consultation to ensure that the new date for the election was realizable.

The election monitors delegation included those from the United Kingdom, Netherlands embassy, EU and the US embassy. (NAN)

DCO/KOO/ESAN/OPI

(Edited by Abiodun Esan and Olisa Ifeajika)