Experts urge government to leverage on ICT for growth

NAN-H-36
Growth
By Constance Athekame/Abolade Ogundimu
Abuja, Sept. 8, 2016 (NAN) ICT experts have called on the Federal Government to leverage on information technology to promote entrepreneurship instead of introducing the Communication Service Tax (CST) Bill.

The experts spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Abuja on Friday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Federal Government is proposing the introduction of CST Bill, which seeks to impose a nine per cent levy on telecommunication subscribers for various communication services.

The new Bill seeks to impose charges on service fees payable by users of electronic communication services at nine per cent such as voice calls, Small Messages (SMS), Multimedia Multiple Messages (MMS), data usage, among others.

It will mandate service providers to file monthly tax returns with the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) with strict penalties for non-compliance.

Justifying the Bill which is before the National Assembly, the Minister of Communication, Mr Adebayo Shittu said that the move was expected to generate at least N20 billion monthly as revenue for the Federal Government.

Mr Mark Woji, the Project Partner, Mind the-Gap, North-Central, an NGO said Nigerians do not need the tax instead government should focus on building entrepreneurship to accelerate economic growth.

“Personally I think we don’t need the tax because Nigerians are already suffering, what it should focus on is building entrepreneurship in the ICT sector rather than taxing people.

“People do not really have this money then the little that they have you want to collect from them.

“Imposing taxes like this, you are putting people against the government and nothing good will come out of it, so I want to advise that government should encourage entrepreneurship.

“We should forget about it, I have heard the manifesto of some of the things the ministry of agriculture and other ministries want to do and I like it,‘’ he said.

Woji said that he was strongly against task force arresting people on the streets while hawking when jobs had not been provided for them.

“You have not provided jobs for these people and you driving them away how do they provide for their families.

“If they are rowdy there is a way you encourage them by putting them in a place where they can sell their market that is how your GDP grows,’’ he said.

Another ICT expert, Mr Hilary Damisa said that the communication service tax if passed into law would stifle the growth of the industry.

Damisa said that the country at the moment lacked adequate infrastructural provision required to immediately help the nation achieve its desired 30per cent internet broadband penetration.

“Thus with already existing multiplication of taxes any introduction of new tax system may hamper more investment.

“As it is right now power remains a major challenge, more so, the charges on right of ways had not been harmonised,  so why another tax regime.

“Users already are charged five per-cent every subscription and another on their hardware equipment therefore it’s difficult to justify another nine per-cent. (NAN)
COA/GY
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Edited by Grace Yusssuf

NAN-H-34
Prophet
Lagos, Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) An Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court on Friday granted bail in the sum of N500,000 to a prophet, who allegedly chained his stepson and buried four corpses in his residence.

Chief Magistrate Taiwo Akanni also ordered the Prophet, Emmanuel Adeyemi, to provide two sureties as part of the bail condition.

Akanni said that the sureties should show evidence of tax payment to Lagos State Government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused, who resides at No. 16, Aderinola Olamiju Close, Unity Estate, Ojodu, a Lagos suburb, is facing a two-count charge of deprivation of liberty and unlawful burial.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Rafael Donny, had told the court that the accused committed the offences at his residence in July, 2016 and August, 2016.

Donny said that the accused was arrested following a tipoff from his neighbours that he chained his 16-year-old stepson for a month.

“During investigation, it was discovered that the accused buried four corpses in his residence without the permission of the Local Government,” he said.

The offences contravened Sections 162 (1) and 270 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

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

Akanni adjourned the case till Oct. 10, for mention. (NAN)
MTO/EOB/IGO
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(Edited by Edith Bolokor and Controlled by Ijeoma Popoola)

Support use of speed limiting device, Corps Marshal urges public

NAN-DS-9

Support

By Suleiman Shehu

Ibadan, Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) Corps Marshal, Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, has called on the public to support the use of speed limiting device in spite of the prevailing current economic situation in the country.

He made the call on Friday in Ibadan during a stakeholders’ forum on speed limiting device enforcement in Nigeria organised by the Oyo state command of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

Oyeyemi, who was represented by Assistant Corps Marshal, Mr Wale Olaniran, said that the commission could not achieve success in its activities without the support of the public.

He said that research conducted by the commission indicated that over-speeding was the major cause of road crashes in Nigeria, adding, therefore, that the use speed limiting device would help to reduce road crashes.

“ The speed limiting device when it is installed, no matter how much the driver intends to accelerate, the vehicle will not move more than the calibrated speed limit.

“ We cannot stand and watch people lose their lives and destroy property as a result of over-speeding.

“ This is not good for the country because most age brackets usually involved in the accident are productive age group.

` `If this continues, the future of the country would be at stake,’’ the FRSC boss said.

Earlier, FRSC Commander in the state, Mr Yusuf Salami, had said that the commission had embarked on sensitization of stakeholders, including employees and employers in road transport sector, on the importance of the speed device.

Salami said that the conduct of the driver in charge of a vehicle determined fatality of accidents when they occurred.

He assured the public that the commission would continue on its mandate of ensuring safety of road users.

He urged motorists plying the roads “in this sallah festival to obey all the traffic rules and regulation in order to arrive at their destinations safely’’.

Salami said that the command had deployed enough personnel to monitor the roads and check traffic and motorists during the celebration.

In his remarks, Mr Taiwo Adesanya, Deputy Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, said that the union was ready to accept the use of the speed limiting device.

Adesanya said that the essence of the device was to save the lives of drivers and passengers, adding that the forum had provided them the opportunity to know the importance of the device. (NAN)

SYS/OPI/OPI

(Edited by Olisa Ifeajika)

France says Gabon’s constitutional court must be transparent, impartial over election results

NAN-F-4
Election
Paris, Sept. 9, 2016, (Reuters/ NAN) Gabon’s constitutional court must examine the opposition’s challenge to the presidential election with transparency and impartiality, France’s foreign minister said on Friday.

“France continues to follow carefully developments in Gabon,” Jean-Marc Ayrault said in a statement.

“The constitutional court has been asked to examine the provisional presidential results.

“It must examine these with transparency and impartiality and all means must be put in place to ensure the respect of its principles and establishment of the sincerity of the vote,” he added. (Reuters/ NAN)
Edited by Julius Enehikhuere
======================

NAN-S-18
Amputee
By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
Lagos, Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) Pius Asaba, a former Secretary of the Nigeria Amputee Football Federation (NAFF), has attributed dearth of activities in the body to dependency on government funding which has not been forthcoming.

Asaba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Friday that the board members ought to commit their time and resources to improve the standard of the sport.

“It is sad that the sport has found itself in this sad situation, where in a whole year no competition to engage the footballers and refreshers seminar for coaches.

“The Ministry of Youths and Sports is being saddled with too many responsibilities and this is compelling them to follow due process in living up to expectations such as subvention.

“My humble view is that the administrators in the board position should make the sport lively by collectively sponsoring at least a programme in a quarter.’’

He said it was important for the administrators to consider the plight of the players, which involve footballers living with physical disability and provide amiable atmosphere for them.

According to him, the sport which has gained awareness in only seven states of the 36 has yet to make significant progress to make it enviable for upcoming ones.

“We have footballers in this sport living with amputated limbs and hands that have passion and desire to build their football careers in amputee in spite of their physical challenge.

“We have our major national sports festival but amputee football has not been given an opportunity of featuring its sport because there is no solid foundation for the festival.’’

Reacting to the dearth of activities in the sport, Lamido Ladidi, NAFF President, said that necessary effort to get sponsors to execute its annual activities had not yielded positive results.

Ladidi said that the situation of the sport was pathetic; the body had not been able to hold a single programme since the year, even with activities lined up in our annual schedule.

“Instead of depending on the ministry for support, we set up a marketing committee to market the sport so as to attract sponsors.

“Unfortunately, promises from some companies and individuals are not forthcoming, hence, affecting our activities.’’

NAN reports that amputee football is a disabled sport play by seven players comprise of six players and a goalkeeper on each team, using metal crutches and boots. (NAN)
MIL/MO/OFN

(Edited by Morayo. Omolade//Felix Nwadioha)

NAN-S-17

Athletes
Abuja, Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) Ademola Are, Director of Grassroots Sports Development, Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports, says the use of over-age athlete will not be tolerated at the National Youth Games (NYG).

Are told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Friday in Abuja that the only way for sports in Nigeria to grow was for coaches to feature under-age athlete at the Games.

NAN recalls that the second edition of the NYG will hold from Sept. 22 to Sept. 30 at the University of Ilorin Sports Complex.

Are said the Youth and Sports Ministry was ready to sanction any state with over-age athletes at the Games.

He however said using scientific method to determine the age of the athletes would not give adequate result.

“I prefer to appeal to the conscience of coaches and state Directors of Sports who know the ages of these children to present only under-age athletes.

“This will go a long way to help Nigerian sports grow and build athletes who will represent Nigeria in national and international competitions.

“If we say we want to do scientific tests on them, we may not get the accurate age. But we all have children and we know who the under-17 ones are.

“So, I am appealing to the Directors of Sports and coaches that they should do everything possible to present athletes who are under-age.

“The method we will use is to bring all the athletes in each sport together, screen them at the same time and take a photograph of the remaining ones with the official.

“The photograph will serve as their accreditation to allow them participate in the Games.’’

The Ministry of Youths and Sports official appealed to stakeholders to do the right thing for the first time for the future of sports in the country.

He also appealed to the state governments to support the athletes to come for the Games, adding that it was the only way to grow athletes for the future.

While Are called on athlete to train well and avoid doping, he also appealed to coaches to be honest and avoid featuring over-age players.

NAN reports that the Games will feature 2,700 athletes, 400 officials, 11 competitive sports and two demonstration sports.(NAN)

(Edited by Johnson Eyiangho and Controlled by Olawale Alabi)

NAN-H-33
Peace
By Igbaugba Ehigimetor
Benin, Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) The British Council and the European Union (EU) on Friday sued for a peaceful Governorship election on Sept. 28 in Edo.

Mr Ben James, Political Counsel at the British High Commission and Mr Richard Young, Deputy Head of Delegation, EU, both made the call at a meeting with Mr Godwin Obaseki, APC’s governorship candidate in Benin.

The council and EU, are part of the foreign observer-institutions accredited by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to monitor the Edo governorship election on Sept. 28.

NAN reports that the INEC, in a dramatic twist on Thursday night, announced the postponement of the governorship election from Sept. 10 to Sept. 28, citing security reasons after it had earlier dispelled the rumour of a postponement.

The foreign observers also called for improvement in communication mechanisms between the political actors, the security agencies and INEC.

According to James, “Our concern is that the elections on Sept. 28 are held peacefully, conclusively and credibly.

“And that all the institutions, the parties, INEC, the Police and other security agencies do everything they can to make sure the people of Edo can decide who the next governor would be.

“We members of the international community are very keen and sure that the Sept. 28 election should be peaceful, free and fair, and should be supported.

“I think the important thing is that the institutions prepare themselves for the new date and the tensions that are coming are some of the tensions we have seen ourselves,” he said.

Young said, “It is important that the people respect the leadership and the leadership preaches peace in the build up to Sept. 28.

“With peace in mind, the election will be held in a peaceful environment.

“We came here to discuss the postponement of the governorship election and to make a number of appeals for increased contact with the political parties and INEC and the police and the security agencies.

“They should ensure that a careful ground is laid for the election to take place smoothly and calmly in a democratic and credible manner on Wednesday, Sept.  28.

“They need to have a sense that good communication between all the various actors, political parties, INEC, Police and security services is paramount in ensuring that the election takes place smoothly and calmly, in a peaceful manner,” he said.

Earlier, the APC candidate, Godwin Obaseki, said some of his supporters had been injured after being shot at by hired thugs allegedly recruited by the PDP, in Okpella, in the Etsako-East Local Government Area of Edo.

He said the shooting which started late on Thursday, had seen several of his supporters scampering for safety, while those injured have been taken to various hospitals for medical attention.

The evidence is now coming up; this is what we were talking about. At Okpella, last night, there were gunshots all through the night.

“The people who had been mobilised had arrived in the town, without realising that the election had been postponed.

“If it is happening in Edo-North, you could imagine what will happen in areas like Ovia.

“We know a lot of people were brought in from outside to come and register to vote in places like Ologbo or Ilushin. It is unfortunate that the security agencies didn’t act on time.

“We have the belief that there is no election that is worth the pint of blood of any Nigerian citizen because you can’t be killing the people you want to govern.

“So for the EU, the British Council and me, we are on the same page, that whatever is required to have a peaceful election, is what we preach and insist on,” he  said

On the postponed election, he said,  “It is not convenient for us because we have spent so much of time and people have travelled from far to vote.

“It is not convenient, but that is where we have found ourselves; we are okay with it if that is going to protect lives and property.

“We have to live with that, no matter the inconvenience,” Obaseki added. (NAN)
ESI/KOO/PIO
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(Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa and Controlled by Idonije Obakhedo)

North Korea conducts fifth and largest nuclear test, drawing broad condemnation

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Test
Seoul, Sept. 9, 2016 (Reuters/ NAN) North Korea conducted its fifth and biggest nuclear test on Friday and said it had mastered the ability to mount a warhead on a ballistic missile, ratcheting up a threat that its rivals and the United Nations have been powerless to contain.

The blast, on the 68th anniversary of North Korea’s founding, was more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, according to some estimates, and drew condemnation from the United States as well as China, Pyongyang’s main ally.

Diplomats said the United Nations Security Council would discuss the test at a closed-door meeting on Friday, at the request of the United States, Japan and South Korea.

Kim Jong Un, North Korea leader, has accelerated the development of its nuclear and missile programmes, despite U.N. sanctions that were tightened in March and have further isolated the impoverished country.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye, in Laos after a summit of Asian leaders, said Kim was showing “maniacal recklessness” in completely ignoring the world’s call to abandon his pursuit of nuclear weapons.

U.S. President Barack Obama, aboard Air Force One on his way home from Laos, said the test would be met with “serious consequences”, and held talks with Park and with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the White House said.

China said it was resolutely opposed to the test and urged Pyongyang to stop taking any actions that would worsen the situation. It said it would lodge a protest with the North Korean embassy in Beijing.

There were further robust condemnations from Russia, the European Union, NATO, Germany and Britain.

North Korea, which labels the South and the United States as its main enemies, said its “scientists and technicians carried out a nuclear explosion test for the judgment of the power of a nuclear warhead,” according to its official KCNA news agency.

It said the test proved North Korea was capable of mounting a nuclear warhead on a medium-range ballistic missile, which it last tested on Monday when Obama and other world leaders were gathered in China for a G20 summit.

Pyongyang’s claims of being able to miniaturise a nuclear warhead have never been independently verified.

Its continued testing in defiance of sanctions presents a challenge to Obama in the final months of his presidency and could become a factor in the U.S. presidential election in November, and a headache to be inherited by whoever wins.

“Sanctions have already been imposed on almost everything possible, so the policy is at an impasse,” said Tadashi Kimiya, a University of Tokyo professor specialising in Korean issues.

“In reality, the means by which the United States, South Korea and Japan can put pressure on North Korea have reached their limits,” he said. (Reuters/ NAN)

Edited by  Julius Enehikhuere
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NAN-S-1
Boxing
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) Nigeria’s sensational boxing champion Olaide “Fijaborn’’ Fijabi, says he is ready to defeat ridiculously Ghana’s Raphael Kwabena “King’’ when they clash in the GOtv Boxing Night 9 on Oct. 2.

The event is an international Light Welterweight challenge scheduled for the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos, among six other fights.

Fast-rising Fijabi did not lose in his 35 amateur bouts and is also yet to taste defeat in his four professional fights.

His fast-pace fighting skills and strength has earned him a reputation for always giving a good fight and a huge fans support.

Fijabi told the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that his preparation was going on smoothly and that he had his mind set on knocking King out in the fifth round.

“I am getting ready for the fight, I want everybody to come out and support me as I will give King the beating of his life.

“I understand Ghana produces good boxers, but I am unconcerned about that; all I know is that when the fight ends, I will be the champion,’’ Fijabi said.

His opponent, King, said he was familiar with the way Fijabi fights having watched him on television during editions of the GOtv Boxing Night.

He added that he was confident of handing him his first defeat.

“I have seen him fight many times and he is way below my standard. I have fought tougher boxers, including world champions.

“Fijabi has lost before stepping into the ring because Ghana has always won Nigeria’s sportsmen; we are better than Nigeria in sports and I will prove that by beating Fijabi.

His compatriot, Richard Amenfu, who will come up against national Lightweight champion, Oto “Joe Boy’’ Joseph, also dismissed his Nigerian opponent as inferior to him.

Amenfu said the two Ghanaians were in Nigeria to reinforce the country’s supremacy over Nigeria.

“We are in Nigeria to restore Ghana’s pride, we have far better boxers than Oto and I will make sure I beat him so silly that he will wipe his mouth on the floor,’’ Amenfu said.

Other fights on the card include the national Cruiserweight title clash between incumbent champion, Ekeng “Fighting Policeman’’ Henshaw and Idowu “ID Cabasa’’ Okusote.

Lightweight challenge bout between Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja’’ Shogbesan and Prince “Lion’’ Nwoye and the Light Middleweight encounter between Semiu “Jagaban’’ Olapade and Ebubechukwu “Coded Man’’ Edeh.

In the Light Heavyweight division, Kabiru “KB Godson’’ Towolawi will face Emmanuel “Mopol Man’’ Igwe, while national champion Jude “Great Jude’’ Iloh takes on Adewale “Masevex’’ Masebinu.

The best boxer at the event which will be broadcast live on SuperSport 9 in 47 African countries, will go home with a cash prize of N1.5million and the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy.

According to the sponsors, the cash prize was increased by half a million naira in commemoration of the country’s independence and GOtv’s fifth anniversary. (NAN)
BAO/PDE
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(Edited and Controlled by Peter Ejiofor)

NAN-H-31

Support

By Victor Adeoti

Osogbo, Sept. 9, 2016 (NAN) A member of Osun House of Assembly, Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has advised Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in tackling the challenges facing the country.

Oyintiloye, who is the Chairman, Committee on Information and Strategy in the assembly, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo on Friday.

He said that the economic challenges facing the country required proper evaluation before effective changes could be made, adding that everyone’s positive input was needed to sort out the problems.

He said that it was unfair for Nigerians to judge Buhari so soon, adding that the president needed the support of all Nigerians to achieve his planned economic policies and ideas.

Oyintiloye, who represents Obokun Constituency on All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, expressed delight that efforts of the Federal Government on security and anti-corruption programme were yielding positive results.

He said that the environment Nigeria found itself at the time Buhari assumed office was “most unfriendly, internally and externally’’.

He therefore appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the president, assuring that the challenges facing the country would be things of the past soon.

“President Buhari we all know is a man of integrity; he will fulfil all his campaign promises.

“All we need to do is to give our support, be patient with him and continue to pray for him to succeed.

“The president is trying his best to create conducive environment to reassure Nigerians that the country will be great again,’’ he said.

Oyintiloye, however, urged the three tiers of government to initiate policies that would promote locally produced goods.

He said that promoting locally-produced goods would help government and private sector in creating jobs for jobless youths as well as improve the economy. (NAN)

VE/DUA/OPI

(Edited by Dada Ahmed and Olisa Ifeajika)