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2019: ADC set to take over governance in Oyo — Lawmaker

Governance
By Akeem Abas
Iseyin(Oyo State), Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) Rep. Abiodun Olasupo (ADC-Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa) on Wednesday said that African Democratic Congress (ADC) would rule Oyo State from 2019.

Olasupo spoke during the presentation of a 33kv transformer to Oju-Baba community in Iseyin area of Oyo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the transformer is one of those donated by the lawmaker to some communities in his constituency.

Olasupo, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance, who recently defected from All Progressives Congress (APC) is seeking re-election on the ADC platform.

He urged the people to keep their faith in ADC, saying the much touted wranglings within the state chapter of the party had been resolved.

“You see, when you asked me about wranglings in the ADC, you could see me smiling.

“If you had actually asked this question like three of four days ago, I might not have smiled.

“Probably, I might tell some stories but without the smile, but I am telling you this story with a smile because the crisis has been resolved.

“Today, we are one, we have resolved to move forward and ensure that the hope of the people in ADC to rescue them from the problems is not disappointed.

“We are in ADC, nobody is going anywhere, and by the grace of God, come 2019, ADC will rule Oyo State and Nigeria,” he said.

The lawmaker said he had been able to deliver dividends of democracy to the constituency in the area of community health, sports, education, water system, road maintenance and empowerment.

He said that these were achieved through intervention, facilitation and quality legislation, and the donation of 33kv transformer was another promise kept.

Olasupo said that his re-election bid was to consolidate on all he has achieved and go further to serve his constituency, if given the opportunity.

Chief Moshood Ojeniyi, Baale of Oju-Baba, said the community had suffered poor power supply for long.

He thanked the lawmaker for keeping to his promise.

Ojeniyi pledged the community’s support for the lawmaker, irrespective of the party he belongs to.

He said that individuals matter most in the deliverance of democratic dividends.

“For a very long time, we have been living in darkness, but God being so good, Olasupo promised us a new transformer after his victory in 2015.

“We are happy he has fulfilled his promise today with a new 33kv transformer.

“For our people in Iseyin and Oke-Ogun, what we are interested in is the benefit of democracy, regardless of the name of the political party bringing it.

“What is the most important is to allow peace to exist and for people to enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said. (NAN)

TAA/SOA
Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

NAMA

By Adekunle Williams
Lagos, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) says the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRACON) project is working optimally.

The General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Mr Khalid Emele, made the assertion on Wednesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there had been allegations that the operations of the TRACON facility, which was inaugurated in 2010, was being hindered by lack of spares, thus posing a risk to flight safety in the country.

However, Emele noted that spare parts for the facility were regularly sourced from the manufacturer, Thales of France whenever required.

He explained that the agency’s Director of Safety Electronics and Engineering Services, Mr Farouk Umar, was quoted out of context during his presentation at the stakeholders’ forum, held by the airspace manager in Lagos recently.

According to him, NAMA has regularly received spare parts from Thales since the project came on stream in 2010.

The General Manager added that the agency would continue to provide state-of-the-art air navigation services without compromising safety of lives and equipment.

Emele explained that as at Aug. 28, NAMA still received spares and quotation for more spares from Thales, noting that the agency had consistently had discussions on spares with the manufacturer.

“The intent of the director of engineering services was to highlight the fact that there was a delay in delivery of spares and not that there are no spares at all from the company. It was a misrepresentation.

“In fact, there has been ongoing discussions with Thales on the contractual agreement.

“So, it is not true that we don’t have spares from them. They are doing repairs for us and you cannot do repairs without spares,” he said in statement. (NAN)
WAC/KTO/PDE
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(Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Peter Ejiofor)

Bayelsa Govt. bemoans non-receipt of share of N1.6b 2012 flood intervention fund

Flood

By Christian Ogbonna

Yenagoa, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Bayelsa Government on Wednesday expressed displeasure over the non-receipt of its share of the N1.6 billion from the Federal Government for the states affected  by 2012 flood disaster.

The Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (rtd), expressed the displeasure when a delegation of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Yenagoa.

According to him, Bayelsa has yet to receive its share of the fund which was approved during a National Economic Council meeting in Abuja, after the 2012 flood incident.

“If Bayelsa State had had access to the fund, it would have assisted us in putting certain measures in place to mitigate the effects of perennial flood here in the state,” he said.

Jonah stressed the need to decentralise flood intervention efforts down to the local government level and construct structures to accommodate displaced persons at the grassroots.

The deputy governor recalled the collaborative efforts of the state government, NEMA and the military during the 2012 flood in the state and said it was commendable.

He stressed the need for the team to have a report that would reflect the situation in Bayelsa after its tour of the state.

Jonah emphasized that the twin problems of flooding and erosion had been ravaging the state over the years.

The deputy governor however expressed hope that the predicted 2018 incident would not be as ravaging as that of 2012.

Earlier, the NEMA team leader, Umar Mohammed, said they were in Bayelsa to assess the level of preparedness of the state government ahead of the predicted 2018 flood.

Mohammed said that the team had a plan to tour the state with the assistance of officials of the State Emergency Management Agency to assess flood-prone areas. (NAN)

OCC/KTO/EMO

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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Ejike Obeta

Vaccine

By Blessing Odega

Jos, Sept. 12, 2018(NAN) Dr. Simon Agwale, a medical scientist and Chief Executive Officer, Innovative Biotech Nigeria, has called on the Federal Government to commence the production of vaccines that were pertinent to its nationals.

Agwale, who is also a virologist, made the call on Wednesday in Jos, at the 54^th Annual Scientific Conference and workshop of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria(AMLSN).

The workshop had the theme: “Local Vaccine Formulation and Production in Nigeria”.

Agwale, in a key note address, said that Nigeria must commence local production of vaccines to enable her tackle emerging and re-emerging diseases.

“Vaccines are the most potent and less expensive way of curtailing outbreaks of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

“The local production of vaccines will, therefore, ensure their availability and address peculiar health situations, in addition to generating foreign exchange,” he said.

He said that the local production of vaccines would curtail deaths due to preventable diseases like cerebro-spinal meningitis, Lassa fever, Typhoid and cholera.

“The local production of vaccines will also address issues of vaccines impotency because the drugs will get to the users faster, while those with short shelve lives would be administered at their best.

Agwale called on governments to establish more modern diagnostic and clinical trial centres for the effective management of diseases in teaching hospitals.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was declared opened by Plateau governor Simon Lalong, who was represented by health commissioner Kuden Deyin. (NAN)

UBO/ETS

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin

Monkeypox

By Olanrewaju Akojede
Lagos, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Wednesday retated that there were no fresh cases of Monkeypox in the country in spite of two confirmed cases in the U.K. in patients with a recent travel history from Nigeria.

The Head of Media of (NCDC, Mr Jeremiah Agenyi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the commission was well aware of the reported cases of patients with the deadly disease in the U.K.

“Following the recent report of the two cases in the U.K., NCDC has been working with the U.K.’s public health agency; Public Health England (PHE), the public health departments.

“We are in touch with the affected states and other partners in Nigeria to investigate these cases.

“The NCDC has also been working closely with states across the country to strengthen surveillance, detection and response to cases of Monkeypox,” he said.

Agenyi said that NCDC had set up a technical committee with other national and international health agencies for coordination of reports on the deadly disease.

“A Technical Working Group coordinated by NCDC and comprising of partners from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and U.S. Centres for Disease Control (US-CDC).

“We are also in collaboration with other agencies where we meet weekly to ensure coordination.

“In addition, NCDC met with stakeholders recently, including surveillance officers and case management physicians from all affected states to review the actions taken so far and strategise on how to strengthen the country’s response.

“Monkeypox is a virus that is spread primarily from animals to humans, with symptoms such as fever, headache, body pain, malaise, lymphadenopathy (enlargement of glands), sore throat and the typical generalised vesicular rash,” he said.

Agenyi said that Monkeypox patients must adhere strictly to universal precaution, especially frequent handwashing and other personal protective equipment.

“The symptoms of Monkeypox may last for two to four weeks, while the transmission is via direct contact with infected animals, human or contaminated materials.

“The virus does not spread easily between people and the risk of transmission to the wider public is very low.

“Monkeypox is generally self-limiting, which means patients tend to recover in a couple of weeks. However, supportive care and management of the condition is required and mostly successful.

“Control measures include isolation of suspected or confirmed cases, strict adherence to universal precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water and the use of personal protective equipment,” he said.

Agenyi assured the populace that the commission would continue to measure up to the demands, adding that NCDC was up to the task of curbing the menace of the disease.

He said that NCDC had the capacity to effectively diagnose and respond to cases of Monkeypox, noting that the National Reference Laboratory in Abuja has the capacity to test for cases of Monkeypox with a quick turn-around time.

“We therefore, encourage any healthcare worker that suspects a case of Monkeypox to reach out to their State Epidemiology team for appropriate action. Guidelines on the management of Monkeypox cases and outbreaks can be found on the NCDCs website.

“Since the re-emergence of Monkeypox in Nigeria in September 2017, NCDC has continued to receive reports and respond to cases of the disease from states across the country,” he said.

Agenyi said that since the deadly virus was discovered in Nigeria, a total number of 262 cases had been reported.

“Between September 2017, when the outbreak started and Aug. 31, 2018, a total of 262 suspected cases had been reported from 26 states.

“Of this number, 113 have been confirmed in 16 states with seven deaths recorded.

“The highest number of cases have been reported from states in the South-South region of Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)
KOJE/KTO/PDE
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(Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Peter Ejiofor)

Buhari

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Abuja,Sept.12,2018(NAN)

President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to members of the All Progressives Congress(APC) not to be complacent but to prepare, strategise and win 2019 elections, to prevent the Peoples Democratic Party from taking Nigeria backwards.

He made the appeal at the APC national Secretariat Wednesday in Abuja while submitting his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest the presidency in 2019.

Although Buhari did not mention PDP in his short speech, the reference was unmistakable as he referred to those who ruled Nigeria between 1999 and 2015.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forms were purchased for the president by the Nigeria Consolidation Ambassadors’ Network on Sept. 6. at the cost of 45 million.

Buhari had in April declared his intention to seek re-election at the APC National Executive Committee (NEC).

President Buhari while submitting the forms, said; “I m here in person among friends and colleagues to put my name forward to my party, the APC, seeking nomination to contest the presidential election in 2019.

“I am taking this step with all humility, sense of responsibility and unquestionable desire to serve and protect the interest of all Nigerians.

“Let me today, appeal to party members not to be complacent but to pre,strategize and win 2019 elections.

“We must not allow those who brought the country to its kneels from 1999 to 2015 to come and take us back”.

National Co-coordinator Nigeria Consolidation Ambassadors’ Network, Sunnsi Musa, said the group paid for the forms because the President is not a multi-millionaire cash wise.

“But he has millions of supporters who are always ready to come together to pay for his nomination form.

He said the group embarked on the project based on the recognition that the President has started laying a foundation for a better Nigeria and deserves a second term in office.

He expressed gratitude to those who contributed towards the purchase of the forms.

He assured them and Nigerians generally that if nominated, and re-elected in 2019, hr would continue to serve the people to the best of his abilities.

Mr Adams Oshiomhole, the APC National Chairman used the opportunity to present to President Buhari his new party membership card.

He also told the president that the APC under his leadership, took advantage of modern technology to come up with a new membership data base, saying that the party currently has 15.6 million registered members.

“Today to talk about the size of our party, the largest party in the world and in Africa, we need to have evidence that can be verified by a third party or by members.

“We have taken advantage of technology to produce what I believed is the best or the first in Nigeria.

“We now have as at last week when they started printing of membership register, about 15.6 million registered APC members across the country “he said.

The APC national chairman added that the party membership data base was designed to ensure that the membership status of anyone could easily be verified at the touch of a bottom.

Oshiomhole further added that with the development, the party had credible and verifiable persons to conduct direct primaries on the basis of its membership register.

However, he said the party would not in any way nullify or change the decisions of its National Executive Committee (NEC) at its sixth meeting, which allowed for indirect primaries, for logistics reasons

He said the APC will strive to give practical expression to its decision as transparently as possible.

This, he added, would ensure that the APC would not only be the largest, but the smartest, most democratic and most cohesive party in the country.

(NAN)

EEM/FNO/DUA

Edited by Franca Ofili/Dada Ahmed

Law

By Martins Odeh

Abuja, Sept.12, 2018 (NAN) The Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) on Wednesday reiterated that President Muhammadu Buhari’s acceptance of N45-Expression of Interest and Nomination forms donation from a group of professionals did not contravene any law.

Presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of “Coalition of 2019 APC Aspirants’’ had asked the president to reject the offer, claiming that it violated the Electoral Act.

The coalition had noted that the gesture from the Consolidation Ambassador Network (NCAN) had particularly violated Section 91(9) of the Act.

But, Malam Gidado Ibrahim, BCO’s Director of Communications and Strategy, said in a statement in Abuja that the criticism was laughable.

According to him, the president has not contravened any provisions of the Electoral Act.

“The statement issued on behalf of APC presidential aspirants by Dr SKC Ogbonnia, Chief Charles Udeogaranya and Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, criticising the president for accepting the forms bought for him was mischievous and miscalculated,’’ he said.

Ibrahim, therefore, urged Nigerians to ignore the outburst by the APC aspirants, describing it as the “ranting’’ of anti-democratic elements in the country’s political space.

“The Buhari Campaign Organisation wishes to ask Nigerians, and indeed, the teeming supporters of Buhari not to be distracted by the purported group of the APC presidential aspirants.

“The President Buhari we know and who Nigerians know further and better is highly law-abiding and always wishes to act in accordance with all provisions of the extant laws of the country.

“Buhari is not known to be going zigzag or cutting corners in any matter. Rather, he is highly straightforward and upright in his private or official conduct.

“Section 91 (9) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) relied by the aggrieved persons states that an individual or other entity shall not donate more than N1 million to any candidate.

“It is imperative to note that the APC has yet to select its presidential candidate for the 2019 presidential election; Buhari is still an aspirant.

“He was, however, offered presidential nomination form and not any cash worth over N1 million,’’ Ibrahim said.

On the call for the country’s restructuring, Ibrahim urged Nigerians not to be gullible, adding that advocates of restructuring had ulterior motive not in tandem with national interest.

He said those advocating for the restructuring were mostly politicians who had the opportunity to improve the fortunes of the country but decided to squander it instead.

“President Buhari is already restructuring by halting unnecessary stealing of the nation’s patrimony, preparing to re-issue oil blocs to capable developers, especially to people from that region suffering from environmental degradation.

“The president is irked by the wide gap between the rich and the poor and he is determined to narrow that gap at all cost,’’ Ibrahim said.

He assured Nigerians that Buhari would ensure that the right things were done irrespective of their consequences to his aspiration.

Ibrahim said that the president had vowed to conduct the 2019 general elections in line with the rule of law.

According to him, the mounting suspicious against the president’s readiness to ensure a free, fair and credible election should be extinguished.

“It is noteworthy that Buhari is going into the 2019 elections as an incumbent enjoying the support of a lot more governors, senators, House of Representatives members, House of Assembly members and local government chairmen.

“Equally, the odds are no more stacked up against the president as he will see to true free and fair elections as witnessed in elections conducted in the last three years.

“We expect the soaring popularity of the president to be reflected in the 2019 elections,’’ Ibrahim said. (NAN)

OMO/OFN/OPI

Edited by Felix Nwadioha and Olisa Ifeajika

NYSC

By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) Gov. David Umahi has directed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ebonyi to resume posting of corps members to Ishiellu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state which was suspended.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scheme suspended the posting of corps members to the LGA during the fratricidal Ezillo/Ezza-Ezillo communal crises which lasted between 2008 and 2011.

Hundred of lives were lost and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed during the crisis with its climax being the killing and maiming of motorists who ply the Enugu—Abaklaiki expressway that cuts through the area.

Mr Charlse Akpuenika, Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board in the state, who made the disclosure on Wednesday in an interview with NAN, noted that the governor made wide consultations before arriving at the decision.

Akpuenika, who is the Commissioner for Sports and Youths Development, said the governor assessed the area’s level of security since he ensured lasting peace there and concluded that it was now safe for all manner of persons.

“The directive has been communicated to the NYSC scheme and various security agencies, and it is expected that they will comply accordingly,” he said.

He noted that the governor had shown unbridled love for the NYSC scheme because he understood and appreciated its role in national integration and development.

“He recently released 0N400 million for the renovation and construction of facilities at NYSC permanent orientation camp, Afikpo after doling 10 million to offset the transportation allowances of the last batch of the corps members who recently concluded their orientation programme.

“Umahi had last Sunday, also directed the payment of N10, 000 allowance to each corps member in the state after dolling N6 million to the scheme for its mobilisation of corps members during the opening of David Umahi Tertiary Institution Games (DUMTIGA) in Abakaliki,” Akpuenika said.

The commissioner urged the corps members to reciprocate the governor’s gesture by being good ambassadors of the state and country and contribute to their overall development.

Mrs Ann Ibe, the NYSC State Director, told NAN in an interview that she had received the directive and duly communicated such to the headquarters of the scheme.

“We are waiting for response from our headquarters to decide on the next line of action,” she said. (NAN)
RCO/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

Security

By Lizzy Okoji

Abuja, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has assured train users of maximum security and safety when traveling across the country as mechanisms were being put in place to make it safe.

Amaechi gave the assurance during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja.

He said the assurance became necessary to allay the fears of train users, especially on the Abuja- Kaduna route, where there have been several allegations of attacks on the coaches.

“For the Kaduna-Abuja rail, be rest assured that there is huge security.

“ The response team is very prompt; we have put security vehicles on ground to respond to any attack on the train within five minutes.

“Apart from the policemen in the coaches, what the police is demanding is that we increase security and we have almost completed the process of increasing security in our coaches and on the track.

“We are trying to deploy a security system that makes us to see the beginning of the track to the end of the track.

 “When we finish, that will be the safest way so that nobody attacks or takes us unaware.

“Right now, we are working to ensure safety and in the case of any breakdown, in 30 minutes, it will be addressed and nobody will be attacked,’’ Amaechi said.

Amaechi further disclosed that money had were being disbursed to commence perimeter fencing on the Kaduna – Abuja rail track.

This he said would beef up security and prevent encroachment on the tracks. (NAN)

LIZ/FNO/DUA

 Edited by Franca Ofili/Dada Ahmed

PDP

By Mercy Osajiugo

Minna, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, an aspirant to the PDP presidential ticket, has advised those seeking the ticket to work together so as to avoid an implosion after the national convention.

The national convention, slated for next month, will decide the party’s flag bearer for the presidential elections scheduled to hold in February.

Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State, at a meeting with PDP members on Wednesday in Minna, said that all contestants must unite in the interest of Nigeria.

He, however, challenged the leadership of the party to be fair to all aspirants, saying that a transparent handling of the primary elections would strengthen the party for the bigger task of winning the secondary election.

The aspirant accused the APC of poor performance, saying that Nigerians were still waiting for the change the party promised in 2015.

“The change promised Nigerians has only brought hunger, violence and unemployment,” he claimed.

Kwankwaso said that he left the APC because it failed to fulfill its promises to Nigerians, saying that the PDP was out to “change the change that brought hardship on Nigerians”.

The aspirant also decried the deplorable condition of the Suleja-Minna road, noting that it was one of the road roads the APC promised to reconstruct during the presidential campaign in 2014.

He commended the fatherly roles being played by retired Generals Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, two former military heads of state, in the entrenchment of democracy, adding that the duo had brought stability to Nigeria.

The state chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Tanko Beji, in his remarks, assured Kwankwaso that PDP members in Niger would vote for a candidate that would improve the lives of Nigerians.(NAN)

MNO/ETS

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Edited by Ephraims Sheyin