Blog

Reading

By Maureen Okon

Abuja, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Lagos Chapter, on Wednesday said that the association would advocate the rekindling of the reading culture in schools in the country at its 2018 convention.

The Chairman of the chapter, Yemi Adebiyi,  made this known at the association’s “Evening with the Patrons’’, held at the Freedom Park, of the Old Prisons Ground, road Street, Lagos.

“We want to bring back the books and the reading culture. It is heartwarming to see high school students in Lagos State doing Spelling Bee Competition.

“(This is) because they know they would become instant celebrities, or One–Day Governor in Lagos State.

“It is understandable that the goal of the founder of the New Era Foundation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, was to cultivate a continuous habit of readership and scholarship.

“ANA will be happy to partner with the New Era Foundation to make Spelling Bee a national competition that will produce a One-Day President,” he stated.

He added that at the moment, there was a huge investment in education but a “criminal” loss of interest in genuine academic pursuit and readership.

“We are proud of yesterday that belonged to Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, John-Pepper Clark and the rest. But today, new writers are not known because populations of our readers have diminished.

“Publishers have developed apathy in the business of books production and, the economic condition of writers has nosedived. Piracy issue is not adequately addressed.

“The future of writers eking their living on writing has become rather bleak.

“So sad, the government and other relevant agencies seem not to take any notice of the economic gains accruable from the writing economic sub-sector both to writers and government itself.

“Unfortunately, direct survey shows that ninety percent of what they read are irrelevant and impediments to their moral and intellectual fabrics,’’ he said.

He noted that the Lagos chapter of ANA undertsood that the head-long chase novelty was not just a feminine trait, but of youth and cosmopolity.

He said that it was for those reasons that in recent years, primary and high schools were targeted for re-orientation of the students and to encourage them to return to reading real books.

Adebiyi said that the association’s programmes such as School Debate and Quiz Competitions, Teen Authors Mentorship, and Community Reading Projects could not be executed fully due to lack of funding.

“We need a permanent secretariat where both young, old writers and lovers of literature could come regularly to rub minds and seek solutions to problems to promote advancement of the writing craft.

“History and literature are compulsory subjects in USA, Canada, Britain and many developed countries during the basic years of children in school.

“The maxim is that the child that reads volumes in literature will not be scared to read areas in all other subjects.

“Unfortunately, history and literature had been relegated to the background in Nigeria schools,” he said.

The chairman, therefore, urged stakeholders in both the private and public sectors to invest in the country’s reading culture. (NAN)

ETIM/YEE

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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

NNL

By Emmanuel Afonne
Abuja, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) Bimo FC of Lafia on Wednesday said it would boycott the remaining matches of the Nigeria National League (NNL) season pending the determination of its petition to FIFA and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on poor officiating in the league.

The club’s Team Manager, Iyke Igbokwe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone that the club decided to boycott the league since the mangers of NNL refused to address the issues raised in its match-fixing petition.

According to Igbokwe, it was an aberration to restart the league without first of all addressing the delicate issues that could jeopardise the future of NNL.

“We are saying that you cannot have bad officiating without match-fixing.

“We wrote a petition to NNL, NFF and FIFA on match-fixing which has not been addressed and the league’s organisers confirmed that the first round of the league was characterised by bad officiating.

“Our referees are FIFA graded, so they know the laws of the game and when they apply it in scandalous manner in a match, then, you know that money has exchanged hands and it’s match-fixing.

“The NNL itself confirmed what we were saying by suspending the league; it didn’t stop there, they said that the league will restart only when the NNL and the clubs must have met with NFF and the referees appointment committee,” he said.

“All these are written in a circular given to all the clubs; the club owners met in one congress and confirmed that the league was characterised by bad officiating and that they will send a delegation to interface with NFF on the matter.

“We don’t know whether that meeting held, nothing was communicated to the clubs and we just saw a notice now that they want to start the league today (Wednesday), so, Bimo FC is not playing.

“We are supposed to be away to Real Stars of Kaduna, but we are waiting to know the way forward just like the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) did,” Igbokwe said.

The Bimo team manger also noted that the club would send a reminder as regards its letter to the EFCC and the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on the illegal money being collected by a group of individuals in the NNL.

“The money collected from clubs is criminal in nature; it may interest you to know that Bimo FC was bought for N12.5 million but nothing was remitted to NNL’s coffers. The money was shared among the NNL cabals,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of NNL Lawrence Katken, has said that due process was followed to restart the league.

Katken told NAN that the league managers decided that the competition would resume, while the committee carry on with its responsibility.

He said that any club that refused to play would only have itself to blame since the matter at hand was not a personal thing but a concern for all the clubs and league mangers.

“It is only at the disciplinary committee level that we will invite those clubs that have petitioned against bad officiating, and if clubs representatives are there, what are you expecting.

“The league was not stopped on behalf of the clubs that wrote petitions; the league was stopped for the entire clubs.

“When we suspended the league, we called a meeting of the football committees which involved the referees committee, clubs representatives and NNL representatives and we had a discussion on those petitions.

“The errors that were committed were acknowledged with a promise to look into them; yesterday (Tuesday), the referees committee sat to review the cases of those referees that were said to have handled their games poorly.

“The referees who are involved have been invited to appear before the committee at a later date, so, we decided to go on with the league while the committee continues with its work.

“Those referees who are involved will not be given any match until the matter is resolved,” Katken said

NAN reports that the NNL was suspended before the kick-off of the 2018 FIFA World Cup hosted by Russia between June 14 and July 15.

The league which has 40 clubs divided into four groups was put on hold just after the Week 8 round of matches. (NAN)
EMAF/PDE
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(Editing by peter Ejiofor)

Aspirants
Benin, Sept 12, 2018 (NAN) A People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa has decried antics employed by some leaders to saddle people to purchase nomination and expression of interest forms for them.

Bafarawa, a two time governor of Sokoto State, made this known in Benin on Wednesday during his meet-the-delegates tour ahead of the party’s primaries.

The aspirant advised such leaders to stop using government offices to misguide and manipulate Nigerians, particularly the electorate.

He said that it was misleading for high calibre of persons to misinform Nigerians on their financial status, with respect to purchase of party nomination forms.

The former governor said such deceit was wrong as it puts the burden to purchase such forms on the ordinary Nigerians.

Bafarawa pointed out that the large number of aspirants jostling for the ticket of the party showed that the party was growing.

He said that the PDP was committed to rescuing Nigeria from the APC adding that the party was united and committed to common goal of the ordinary man.

The aspirants said that even if he did not clinch the PDP presidential ticket, as a democrat with a vision and mission, he would offer his services to whoever gets the ticket.

Bafarawa told the party faithful that he would run an all inclusive government if he scaled the party primaries and elected as the country’s president.

He promised to give attention to the problems in the South-South if given the mandate to lead the country.

“I will operate an all inclusive administration. My word will be my bond if given the opportunity to lead this country as president.

“I will be a president for all and not for some persons because running a democratic government is a team work,” he said.

He said that a Bafarawa-led Federal Government would accord education, security, health and job creation top priority.

In his remarks, Chief Dan Orbih, PDP Chairman in the state, said that the party believed in true democracy.

Orbih said all the presidential aspirants in PDP were people of impeccable character, adding that delegates would have uphill choosing their flag bearer.

He stressed the need for the aspirants to accept and work with the decision of the party delegates. (NAN)
DCO/OFN/MNA

Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Maureen Atuonwu

Battery

By Moronke Boboye

Ikeja, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) Three unemployed men on Wednesday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for alleged theft of 16 inverter batteries from an MTN mask.

The accused: Monday Ogbonna, 40; Bamiji Akanbi, 42, and Sunday Odewale, 51, facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and robbery.

According to the prosecutor, Insp. Raphael Donny, the accused committed the offences on July 17 at Mowo area of Badagry in Lagos State.

Donny said that the police station received a tip-off that some people were vandalising an MTN mast and had to dispatch a team of policemen there.

“The team intercepted the accused and found the 16 inverter batteries valued at N1.4 million in their white Mazda bus,” he said.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 297 and 299 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The chief magistrate, Mrs B. O. Osunsanmi, who refused to take the pleas of the accused persons, remanded them in Kirikiri Prisons.

Osunsanmi said the case file should be sent to the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.

The case was adjourned until Oct. 3. (NAN)

MTO/EOB/PAD

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Edited by Edith Bolokor/Peter Dada

Wage

By Harrison Arubu

Abuja, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Presidency has reassured workers of the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to an increase in the minimum wage.

Sen. Ita Enang, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), gave the assurance on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

Enang spoke at the backdrop of alleged lack of commitment by the Federal Government to an upward review of the minimum wage, which has been N18, 000 for over eight years.

“I want to assure you that the Buhari-led administration is very honest and committed to reviewing the salaries of workers.

“If he did not, he would not have set up a committee on minimum wage headed by a retired Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

“This is a sign of commitment, and this retired HoS is not an off-the-mill retired Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; the Minister of Labour is part of it.

“So, it shows the level of commitment, and it is not a committee of the Federal Executive Council; it is a presidential committee set up and inaugurated by the president.”

The tripartite National Minimum Wage Committee, made up of 29 members drawn from organised labour, the federal and state governments, was inaugurated in May, 2017.

Although the committee was given until Sept. 1 to submit its report, it could not meet the deadline due to disagreement over the minimum wage figure.

On Aug. 21, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, blamed the delay on the inability of state governors to come up with an agreed figure.

Ngige, however, stated that the Federal Government through its Economic Management Team, was working with the governors to find a common ground.

Until then, the minister said he could not tell when the new minimum wage would be implemented.

On Monday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) through its President, Mr Ayuba Wabba, said the government was frustrating the process.

Wabba stated that the congress had summoned a meeting of its organs for next week to report the federal government and decide on the next line of action.

Enang also called on labour leaders to consider unemployed Nigerians in its demand for salary increment.

“So, when we are talking about increase in salaries, I agree to it, but I think we should also factor along creating employment for those who are yet to have.”

He said that the Federal Government was already working in that direction by encouraging its agencies and parastatals to employ young and qualified Nigerians.

Enang stated that the government was also creating self-employment opportunities for enterprising youths through its social investment programmes.

He added that the government was equally creating enabling environment in the agricultural and technological sectors for young Nigerians. (NAN)

ARU/OPI

Collaboration
By Lucy Nwachukwu

Abuja, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has called for effective collaboration between regulators and operators in the banking system for the establishment of sound ethics and professionalism in the banking industry.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive, NDIC, Mr Umaru Ibrahim, said this in a statement by the Head, Communication and Public Affairs of the corporation, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ibrahim quoted the managing director as having made the call when the executive members of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja, led by the President and Chairman of Council, Dr Uche Olowu.

The NDIC boss lamented abuse of extant regulations and ethical standards, a development he noted had impacted negatively on the confidence in the banking industry and the financial system in general.

He cited the recent involvement of some deposit money banks in illegal Foreign Exchange transfers as a wake-up call for better corporate governance and ethical behaviour by the banks.

Ibrahim assured CIBN of his resolve to strengthen collaboration with the institute in the enforcement of good corporate governance among banks and the promotion of high ethical standards and professionalism.

He said it was the primary responsibility of regulators to uphold strict compliance with international best practices and ethical standards to promote effective risk management and sound corporate governance in the banking industry.

This, he said was in line with the corporation’s drive toward protecting depositors and enhancing public confidence in the financial system.

Earlier, the CIBN President commended Academy of DIC for being recognised by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) as a World class institution in providing capacity building for the banking industry.

Olowu said CIBN active collaboration with the corporation to entrench ethical standards would be a key driver toward effective service delivery in the industry.

He emphasised the need to extend the collaborative efforts to joint research and knowledge-based events to enhance public awareness about the role of deposit insurance in financial system stability. (NAN)

LCN/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

Ebola

By Victor Adeoti

Ede (Osun) Sept.12, 2018 (NAN) Some Ebola survivors may still experience the virus in the deeper compartments of their bodies where the immune system may not be able to clear.

Prof. Jonathan Heeney of Cambridge University, United Kingdom, said this at the 10th Convocation Lecture of the Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun, on Wednesday.

Heeney, a professor of Veterinary Pathology, spoke on the theme: “Dare To Change: Turning The Tide against Nigeria’s Health Threats.”

Heeney said that the inner compartments of the body where the virus might be noticed include the eyes, the brain, the testes and the joints.

The don said that the virus genomes could be discovered in the semen of 30 per cent of male Ebola survivors six months or longer after they must have recovered from the disease.

He added that it had been documented that suspects could have contracted it from sexual transmission from male survivors or from female to male transmission.

“Breast milk transmission has also been observed, indicating that mother-to-child transmission may also occur from Ebola female survivors.

“Importantly, while an Ebola survivor is healthy, the risk that they may secrete the virus is low and the risk of transmitting the virus casually is negligible, “Heeney said.

The don, however, said that one of the greatest challenges is how to develop a vaccine that would not only protect people against Ebola, but also against its other filovirus family members.

Heeney, however, said that one of the reasons why it was difficult to curb Ebola outbreak in West Africa was because of societal practices.

He said, “Important amongst these factors are tribal cultures, no prior knowledge or experience with Ebola, mistrust of the government, conspiracy theories, among others.’’

According to Heeney, other scientific collaborators and he have started developing a vaccine.

He said that that the vaccine had the potential to protect people from three different kinds of hemorrhagic fever viruses and could be used across Africa.

Heeney said that public health campaigns in the most affected communities should include strategies for keeping rodents out of homes and food supplies and improving personal hygiene. (NAN)

VE/AAB/PAD

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Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Peter Dada

Standard

By Olawunmi Ashafa
Lagos, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, has said there was the need for effective collaboration between regulators and operators in the banking system for the establishment of sound ethics and professionalism.

Ibrahim made the call during visit by the Executive members of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN) according to a statement  by the Head, Communications and Public Affairs Department, Mr Muhammed Ibrahim on Wednesday in Lagos.

The NDIC boss lamented that abuse of extant regulations and ethical standards impacted negatively on the confidence in the banking industry.

This, he said, also affected the entire financial system, citing the recent involvement of some commercial banks in illegal forex transfers as a wake-up call for better corporate governance and ethical behaviour by the banks.

The managing director assured the CIBN President of NDIC’s collaboration, adding that the corporation would enhance the enforcement of good corporate governance among banks and the promotion of high ethical standards and professionalism.

He said that it was the primary responsibility of regulators to uphold strict compliance with international best practices and ethical standards.

The NDIC boss said that the organisation would promote effective risk management and sound corporate governance in the banking industry.

“This is in line with the corporation’s drive towards protecting depositors and enhancing public confidence in the financial system,” he said.

The CIBN President, Dr Uche Olowu, attested to the recognition of the NDIC Academy by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI), as a world class institution in providing capacity building for the banking industry.

He said that the recognition and the CIBN’s active collaboration with the corporations, entrenching ethical standards was a key driver towards effective service delivery in the industry.

He therefore, restate the need to extend the collaborative efforts to joint research and knowledge-based events to enhance public awareness about the role of deposit insurance in financial system stability. (NAN)
AWA/PDE
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(Editing by peter Ejiofor)

Farmers

By Kudirat Musa

Abuja, Sept. 12, 2018 (NAN) The Fadama III AFII says it has supported rain-fed farmers with agricultural inputs in eight communities in Yobe to boost food production.

The Project Coordinator, Musa Garba, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He mentioned the communities as Buduwa, Daklam, Guyik and Zabudum in Jakusko Local Government Area.

Others he added are: Balanguwa, Baganari and Maja-kura villages in Nguru Local Government Area, including Fika in Bade Local Government Area of the state.

Garba said that the tour of the communities was meant to interact with farmers who benefited from the rain-fed support project, to determine the performance crops.

He said that the visit to the affected areas was also to ensure that the farmers comply with the directive on demarcating of the 0.5-hectare farm size, as supported by the project.

“ It is important to maintain the 0.5- hectare farm, clearly separated from the main farm so that we may determine crop yield after harvest.

“ If farmers respect the directive on planting on 0.5-hectare, we will know why yield varies from farm to farm.

 “It will also afford us the opportunity to determine whether some farmers adopt best practices and others ignored them.’’ Garba said.

He urged farmers to count their normal walking steps, using legs to measure 0.5 hectare farm size before planting, to ensure exact measurement for them to record the desired yield.

The project coordinator promised to link farmers with service providers who would find solution the problems confronting them.

He told NAN he also inspected rice, millet, sorghum, sesame, tomato, pepper and cow pea in the communities concerned to ascertain the impact of the agricultural inputs on farming activities in the communities . (NAN)

 ROK/FLP/DUA

 Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Dada Ahmed