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Family planning good for unmarried sexually active women – NGO
By Yashim Katurak
Contraceptives
Abuja, Sept. 11, 2018 (NAN) Mr Effiom Nyong, Country Director, Marie Stopes International Organisation Nigeria (MSION), an NGO, has advised sexually active single women to embrace the use of Family Planning (FP) methods to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Nyong gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said that the various FP methods available today were made primarily to prevent unplanned pregnancies therefore they were equally effective and could be used by married and unmarried women.
He urged all sexually active single women not to be misguided by myths and believes in the society, but rather visit designated health facilities to receive proper counselling on the method suitable to them.
He criticised the use of the 72-hour pills by most young women, saying this is not a healthy method for preventing pregnancy as it can have adverse effects on the health and well being of the woman.
The country director said that no FP method available today was suited only for a particular age group, class or category of individuals but could be used by any woman at any time.
“There are different myths about FP either based on people sharing experiences that is not unique to everybody or people sharing unguarded and baseless information.
“This has been the biggest challenge of achieving effective FP in Nigeria. All peoples at all levels of social class are guilty of this and the best way to address this is to give yourself the chance to be counselled.
“Whatever your age or social status, you can go to any government or Marie Stopes facility to receive counselling and it is free; you will be told which method you are eligible for.
“More importantly is that you are the one who will make the choice of which method you want; no one will force you to use any method.
“There is no FP method tailored to any age group or any kind of woman neither is the method made for only those who are married as it is primarily meant to prevent unplanned pregnancy.
“We have the short term methods which can last from some weeks to three months and the long term methods which can last from three years to 10 years.
“The pills and the condom are some of the short term methods; the only challenge with the pills is that because you need to take them consistently and repeatedly for them to be effective you find that many people face the issue of complying to prescription.
“We also have the Sayana Press, a modern form of contraception that is injected and can last for up to three months. The Intrauterine Device (IUD) can last up to 10 years; we also have the implants Jadelle which lasts up to three years and other forms of contraception,” he explained
Nyong said that these modern methods of contraception could be discontinued at any time if the woman wishes to get pregnant.
He said that although people react differently to the various methods, one would be properly be counselled and guided on the method most suitable to them.
According to the country director, some people will say “why should I take a FP method when I do not have a family. This should not be so as it is primarily for pregnancy prevention’’.
He said that with the help of the British Government, American Government and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the organisation has trained over 4,500 government health service providers.
Nyong said that the organisation has trained these service providers on the various FP methods, their uses, how to provide counselling to women and how to administer these methods.
NAN reports that Marie Stopes International (MSI) is a global organisation providing personalised contraception and reproductive health services to women and girls.
MSION as an affiliate of MSI was established in 2009 to increase access to affordable and high-quality modern contraceptives and confidential reproductive health services for women, men, couples and young people.
The organisation is present in over 34 states of the federation and some of its services include counselling and support on FP, child spacing, contraception, pregnancy planning and painful periods.
Others are sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer screening. (NAN)
KRY/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Beware of recruitment fraudsters, Interior Minister warns applicants

Warning
By Doris Esa
Abuja, Sept.11, 2018 (NAN) The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.- Gen.Abdulrahman Dambazau, has warned Applicants not to deal with anyone who asked for money to get them enlisted into services under the supervision of the Civil Defence, Fire,Immigration and Prisons Services Board.

Dambazau gave the warning in a statement issued by Mr Yakmut Alhassan,Secretary to the Civil Defence, Fire, Immigration and Prisons Services Board, on Tuesday in Abuja.

“The attention of the Chairman, Civil Defence, Fire Service, Immigration and Prisons Services Board, the Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, has been drawn to the unwholesome activities of recruitment fraudsters using various guise to defraud unsuspecting applicants,” he said.

He condemned the practice by those he described as “criminally minded persons” using various media to extort money from applicants.

The minister said that the ongoing recruitment exercise into the Nigeria Prisons Service and the Fire Service, which was advertised in some national dallies for a period of six weeks, is at no cost in its entirety.

He said anyone asking applicants to pay money for recruitment into the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Prison Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Fire Service, should be treated with suspicion and reported to the appropriate authorities, accordingly.(NAN)

ORD/AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

Tremor
By Bukola Adewumi
Abuja, Sept. 11, 2018 (NAN) Few days after some Abuja residence experienced earth tremor in areas such as Mpape, Maitama, Gwarinpa and Kubwa, the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has expressed uncertainty over the cause.

Mr Idris Abass, the Director-General of the agency told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, that the agency was yet to establish whether it was man-made or natural.

He however said that if it was a natural phenomenon, nothing would stop it because it could only stop on its own.

“Like the information we earlier passed, it only happened for a while and stopped, but today we are happy to report that there is no case of the tremor again.’’

The D-G said that it had not been established whether the tremor was man-made or natural, stressing that if it was natural, it was bound to happen again after 12 years.

“If it is caused by the activities of those who are blasting and drilling boreholes around the areas, it can also reoccur.

Abass however said that the activities of the drillers had since been stopped, adding that if it was man-made it should not reoccur until their activities returned.

“We are carrying out adequate steps to determine what happened last week; maybe it is a natural cause, but we want to assure the public that Nigeria is not on the zone of earthquakes.

“Some people are arguing that tremor is an earthquake, earthquake is the total destruction of activities, buildings and the earth itself.

“From what we have seen, there is no trace of any crack on the wall or on the earth when the shaking occurred,’’ he said.

He said that FEMA would collaborate with other agencies, especially the Geological Survey of Nigeria to ensure that it unraveled the situation.

“On our own part, we are developing the response plan for this kind of emergency disaster.’’

He said that FEMA would embark on advocacy and sensitisation to the general public to tell them what to do and not to do.

He said that FEMA would also inform the public that if it was a natural phenomenon, adding that nothing could be done to stop it. (NAN)
BOL/GY
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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Outing
By Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Ilorin, Sept. 11, 2018 (NAN) Prof. Basil Eke, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the 4^th  National Youth Games (NYG), says he is optimistic of a good outing as previous challenges have been surmounted.

Eke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday that lessons had been learnt from the two previous editions held at the University of Ilorin.

He said though the number of athletes  had increased over the years, a better arrangement had been made for them.

”We are expecting  a better outing this year because this is the third edition on our campus and I have been involved in all.

”The challenges have been there in previous years but we have been surmounting them.

”So, this year, we have better planning because the number of athletes had been growing since we held the second edition from the 1,800 to about 3,800 that we have now.

”We have learnt from the challenges we had then, so it will be a better outing,” Eke, who is also the Chairman of University of Ilorin  Sports Council, said.

He said the current challenge now was providing accommodation for officials as they have a different standard of living.

”The challenges encountered so far for now are minor and it is on the issue of accommodation.

”I said it is minor because people are used to different standards  of living,  especially the officials.

”What we wanted is to create a medium where the officials and the athletes will have a common environment for their period of stay so that they understand each other.

“ So, that is why we put them together.

”I have interacted with the young people and they are happy with the environment but we didn’t get that same level of enthusiasm from the adults,” Eke said.

He, however, advised the athletes to imbibe the idea of excellent participation.

” My advice for the athletes, which is actually the basis for the cooperation between the University of Ilorin and the Federal Ministry for Youth and Sports,  is to inculcate the idea of excellent participation in sports and pay attention to their studies.

”We believe that as young people in secondary schools, when they come to the university environment, they will nurture the dream of one day studying at the university,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the university hosted the second and third edition of the games in 2016 and 2017 respectively after FCT hosted the first edition in 2013.

The fourth edition, which started on Sept. 7, would end on Sept. 17. (NAN)
BAY/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Theft
By Ugochi Ugochukwu
Abuja, Sept. 11, 2018 (NAN) A 27-year-old man, Daniel Abu, on Tuesday appeared before a Lugbe Magistrates’ Court in Abuja over alleged theft of N27, 000.

Abu, residing at Lugbe Zone 7, Airport Road, Abuja, had pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of joint act and theft.

Prosecutor Ukoha Ndidi had informed the court that on Sept. 6 Ime Sunday, a resident of Tundun-Wada Village, Abuja, reported the matter at the Lugbe Police Station.

Ndidi said that at about 1.45p.m, Abu and two others now at large, jointly entered into the complainant’s car without his consent and stole N27, 000 kept in the car.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Sections 79 and 288 of the Penal Code.

The Magistrate, Mr Idharhi Samuel, granted bail of N100, 000 to the accused with a surety in like sum.

Samuel said that the surety must have a reasonable means of livelihood and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

He ordered that the surety must present a current utility bill in his name to the court’s registrar.

The magistrate adjourned the case until Oct.19 for hearing. (NAN)
UGO/OFN/GOK
Edited by Felix Nwadioha/Olagoke Olatoye

Rice
By Nabilu Balarabe
Hadejia (Jigawa), Sept. 11, 2018 (NAN) The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Jigawa Chapter, on Tuesday said it would produce 3.5 million tonnes of rice in the 2018 wet and dry planting seasons.

The state Chairman of RIFAN, Alhaji Adamu Maigoro, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Hadejia, Jigawa.

Maigoro was optimistic that the target would be met, considering the state and Federal Government’s numerous interventions in rice farming.

“The production target of 3.5 million tonnes of rice is realistic given the enormous interventions of the state and Federal Governments. We have never experienced this in the past.

“The state government has identified over 6,000 rice farmers in clusters and provided farm inputs such as improved seeds, fertiliser, irrigation pumps and pesticides, among others, to them.

“The Federal Government, on the other hand, also provided similar inputs to over 11,500 farmers under the dry season edition of the Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme,’’ he said.

According to him, 40,000 registered rice farmers are to benefit from the wet season edition soon.

“With the availability of the inputs and the new farming techniques introduced, rice production in Jigawa has increased by 300 per cent to 400 per cent because rice farmers are being encouraged to cultivate more.’’

“About 80 to 100 bags of rice are now being harvested per hectare, contrary to the 30 to 35 bags harvested per hectare in the past using the local seeds.

“It will interest you to know that some of our members now plant rice thrice in a year due to these unprecedented support we are receiving,” Maigoro said.

The chairman said there were over 500,000 rice farmers in the state, saying that the major rice cultivation areas included: Auyo, Hadejia, Kirikasamma, Guri, Jahun, Ringim, Taura and Miga.

Maigoro said that `Dan Maude Rice’ and `Three Brothers’ were the two biggest rice processing plants in the state, noting that there were four smaller ones in Ringim, Gujungu, Birnin kudu and Hadejia. (NAN)
NB/COF/AJA
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Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Adeleye Ajayi

Gas explosion: Maku, Adamu commiserate with bereaved families, injured victims

Explosion
By Sunday John
Lafia, Sept. 11, 2018 (NAN) Ex-Nasarawa Gov. Abdullahi Adamu, and ex-Information Minister Labaran Maku, have commiserated with victims of the gas explosion that killed nine people and injured many others in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Monday.

Both men, who are indigenes of the state, offered his condolences to the government and people of the state in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia on Tuesday.

Adamu, representing Nasarawa West in the Senate, expressed satisfaction with the measures so far taken by the state government to address the emergency, including caring for the injured.

He called for special prayers for the repose of the souls of those who died in the gas explosion.

Maku, who is also the National Secretary, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), expressed shock over the incident.

He described the disaster as unfortunate particularly as it came at a time of great hardship confronting the people.

He prayed God to grant the bereaved families the fortitude to bear the loss of their loved ones, eternal rest to the dead and speedy recovery to the injured.

Maku commended the various emergency agencies for their prompt response and the management of the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, for its efforts toward saving more lives.

He urged all those in the gas and petrol businesses to relocate to safe areas and take adequate measures to ensure the safety of members of the public. (NAN)
SDJ/MOL/MZA
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Maharazu Ahmed

Lafia Gas Explosion: UK agency blames incident on lack of safety consciousness

Explosion
By Kate Obande-Okewu
Abuja, Sept. 11, 2018 (NAN) The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA-UK) has warned Nigerians to be watchful of any activities happening within their environment, saying most of the victims of the Lafia gas explosion were passerby and onlookers.

Mr Emmanuel Uwalaka, Nigeria Regional Administrator OSHA UK, gave this warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

He attributed the Lafia gas explosion that killed scores of people to lack of safety awareness and training on parts of citizens and employers.

Uwalaka, who described the incident as a serious tragedy, said that there were principles and procedures that guide people in ensuring safety both at work places, homes and streets.

The safety expert urged Nigerians to keep off from fire accident scenes, if they were not providing solutions to avoid more casualties.

He noted that there was urgent need for training and re-training of members of staff of all organisations on safety measures to avoid fire incidents and other forms of work place hazards.

According to him, the fire incident at Lafia petrol station is a clear indication of lack of Self Safety Measures (SSM) within the citizens.

“There is the need to ensure safety in everyday life and a procedure and principles guiding it.

“Nigerians must learn how to act and behave safely when conducting their daily operations. We must start to take occupational safety very serious

“Few months ago, several vehicles got burnt after a petrol tanker explosion in Lagos due to safety negligence and lack of precautionary measures.

“Employers of labours must stop killing Nigerians.

“They are expected to train employees to be able to carry out risk assessments, while executing their tasks and control the work place hazards professionally,” Uwalaka said.

NAN recalled that Monaco Gas Station in Lafia was razed on Monday at about 10a.m. when a tanker off loading the liquified gas had a leakage and went up in flames.

NAN also recalled that Mr Dogara Dalhatu, the Chief Fire Officer of the Nasarawa State Fire Service, attributed the incident to a spark around the vicinity, where the gas was being discharged. (NAN)
KTE/AFA
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Edited by Felix Ajide

Sex

By Moronke Boboye

Lagos, Sept. 11, 2018 (NAN) A 42- year-old auto-mechanic, Sulaimon Adesanya, on Tuesday appeared before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court over an alleged sexual assault on a woman.

The accused who resides at Oguntade Oloja Street in Ikorodu area of Lagos State is facing trial for sexually assaulting a woman.

The prosecutor, Insp. Raphael Donny, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Aug. 21 at the accused residence.

Donny said that the accused and the complainant, a 25- year -old woman, were living within the same compound.

“The accused went into the complainant’s room, met her sleeping and he started romancing her.

“The complainant woke up to meet the accused romancing her, then she shouted for help and other tenants rescued her,” he said.

Donny added that the case was reported at the police station and the accused was arrested.

The offence contravened Section 263 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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

The chief magistrate, Mrs B. O. Osunsanmi granted the accused to a bail of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

Osunsanmi adjourned the case until Oct. 17 for mention. (NAN)

MTO/PAD

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Edited by Peter Dada

Remand
By Moronke Boboye
Lagos, Sept. 11, 2018 (NAN) An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday remanded an unemployed man, Success Fred, 20, in Kirikiri Prison for allegedly robbing a motorcyclist of his tricycle at gun point.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs B. O. Osunsanmi, did not accept the plea by the accused and remanded him in Kirikiri Prisons.

The accused, whose address was not given, is facing trial for alleged conspiracy and robbery.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Raphael Donny, told the court that the offences were committed on Aug. 26 at Ijora area in Lagos.

Donny said that the accused and two others at large robbed the complainant, Mr Chinonso Ojoba of his tricycle valued at N220, 000 at gun point.

“The complainant was on his way when the accused and his other accomplice stopped and pretended as if they wanted to board a tricycle.

“They pointed the gun at him and collected the tricycle key and drove away,’’ he said.

Donny said that the accused were at the point of selling the tricycle when someone who knew about the stolen tricycle informed the police.

‘‘The other accomplice ran away while the accused was arrested,’’ he said.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 296 and 299 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Osunsanmi adjourned the case until Oct. 17 for mention. (NAN)
MTO/MOL/AJA
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Adeleye Ajayi