Blog

Osun 2018: APC re-opens sale, submission of nomination forms
By Emmanuel Mogbede
Nomination
Abuja, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it will re-open the sale and submission of nomination forms for election into the Osun State House of Assembly from Sept. 24 to Sept. 26.
The party announced this in a statement issued by Mr Yekini Nabena, its National Publicity Secretary, on Monday in Abuja.
This, he said, was to avoid distractions and to ensure full participation of the party’s supporters and members in the forthcoming Osun governorship elections scheduled for Sept. 22.
He added that screening of the legislative aspirants from the state would commence on Oct. 2 through Oct. 6. (NAN)
EEM/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Flood: Jigawa Govt inaugurates committee to assess damages
By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
Committee
Dutse, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) The Jigawa Government has inaugurated a nine-member Special Committee to assess the damages caused by flood in some communities across the state.
Alhaji Adamu Fanini, the Secretary to Jigawa State Government (SSG), announced this in a statement in Dutse on Monday.
Fanini said Gov. Muhammad Badaru directed the committee to immediately carry out detailed assessment of the flood ravaged local government areas of the state with a view to assisting the victims.
The SSG advised the committee to be diligent in the discharge of its duty.
Fanini also enjoined the committee to work closely with the affected local government councils in identifying the affected persons and the extent of damages caused by the flood.
According to him, the committee is also expected to recommend interventions that may be required.
The committee, which has Alhaji Kabiru Ali, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, as Chairman, draws members from the Ministries of Health, Education, Environment, Works and Transport as well as Local Government Affairs.
Other members are from State Emergency Management Agency SEMA, Jigawa Agricultural and Rural Development Agency.
“A representative of Research, Evaluation and Political Affairs under the office of the SSG will serve as Secretary of the committee,” Fanini said. (NAN)
MNB/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Police investigate alleged killing of 72-year-old man over palm fruits in Enugu
Investigation
By Maureen Ojinaka
Enugu, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) The Police Command in Enugu State has begun investigation into the alleged killing of a 72-year-old man following a dispute over palm fruits in Amansiodo-Oghe community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement in Enugu on Monday that the incident occurred on Sept. 7 at about 12 noon.

Amaraizu said that the 72-year-old man, identified as Mr Ibe Omewu from Amansiodo Oghe community, was reported to have been killed by a 34-year-old man from the same community.

He explained that Omewu met his death on that fateful day when a certain woman from the community reportedly brought to his attention that the suspect had harvested her palm fruits on the former’s farmland.

“It was further gathered that the deceased upon the receipt of the report proceeded with the woman to ask the culprit to hand over the palm fruits to the woman, and to desist from further harvesting of the palm fruits.

“This, however, did not go down well with the suspect who quickly went inside his room got an iron rod and allegedly hit Omewu on his head.

“He was said to have become unconscious and was rushed to Our Saviour Medical Centre, 9th Mile Corner, Ngwo, for medical attention and where he was later confirmed dead on Sept. 9 by a doctor on duty,’’ he said.

Amaraizu noted that the dead body of the deceased had been deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for post mortem.

“The suspect is currently helping police operatives in their investigations,’’ he said. (NAN)
OJI/AOS/AMY

Edited by Bayo Sekoni and Abdullahi Yusuf

Primaries
By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, a Presidential aspirant of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has called on Kano delegates to give him the necessary support during the forthcoming primaries.
He made the call while addressing party supporters at the personal office of the embattled chairman of the party, Sen Mas’ud El-Jibril Doguwa in Kano on Monday.
He said if he eventually emerged as the party’s flag bearer and was able to achieve his presidential ambition, he would do everything possible to improve the living standard of Nigerians, especially the poor.
Atiku said he would tackle unemployment, especially among the teeming youths in the country, in addition to introducing empowerment programmes for women.
He urged Kano people support the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in its bid to enable address the ‘various socio-economic challenges’ facing the country.
Earlier, the Chairman of the party, Doguwa, said the defection of Atiku to PDP had strengthened the party at both the state and national levels.
He said the visit was a clear demonstration of Atiku’s love for Kano people, and assured him of support of the people.
“You are known to be a fighter to the core. We know your importance when it comes to election.
“We know if you are given the mandate, the country will witness a lot of development, “he said.
In her remarks, the Director, Atiku Abubakar Mobilisation, Hajiya Baraka Sani, called on the people of Kano to reciprocate Atiku’s gesture by supporting him during forthcoming presidential primaries.
NAN reports that Atiku Abubakar was in Kano in continuation of his tour of the states in the country to meet with delegates ahead of the Presidential primaries. (NAN)
MTM/SOA

Edited by Oluwole Sogunle

Renowned Islamic Scholar in Kaduna Sheikh Baba-Tune dies at 75
Death
By Mohammad Tijjani
Kaduna, Sept 10. 2018(NAN) A renowned Kaduna based Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Abubajar Usman Baba-Tune is dead.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scholar died on Monday evening following an illness.

Malam Yusuf Arrigassiyu, Sole Administrator of Shehu Idris College of Health Science and Technology Makarfi, Kaduna State, confirmed the death to NAN in Kaduna.

Arrigassiyu said the clergy died Monday evening after he was admitted at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika-Zaria two weeks ago.

NAN reports that Baba-Tune was the Chief Imam of NNPC Jumaat Mosque in Kaduna and had served as Chairman of Kaduna State Council of Imams.

The cleric who died at the age of 75, left behind two wives and 21 Children.

He has been buried at Dambo cemetery in Zaria. (NAN)
TJ /OMO/MZA
Edited by Martins Odeh/Maharazu Ahmed
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Sen. Ogbuoji promises to serve one term if elected Ebonyi governor

Governorship

Abakaliki, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) Sen. Sonni Ogbuoji, representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, on Monday declared his interest to run for governorship in 2019, saying that he will serve for only one tenure, if given the mandate.

Ogbuoji, a ranking Senator, said this in Abakiliki on Monday during a press conference to formally declare his governorship ambition under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, tenure of four years is enough for any genuine leader to accomplish his electoral promises.

He blamed the urge by politicians in Africa to remain in office for more than one term on greed.

Ogbuoji, a former commissioner in the state, promised that power would return to the Abakaliki bloc after his tenure.

He dismissed as unfounded the speculation that Ebonyi South would retain power for another eight years, if he was elected.

Ogbuoji said, “Anybody who is going into government and knows why he is going into government does not need more than four years to complete his assignment and leave office.

“Government is a continuum and a governor should exit after four years and negotiate with his successor on how to complete his projects.

“As a matter of fact, I see the quest for two tenures as the greed in politicians to have the full eight years provided by the constitution.

“Government will not start and end with you; it is a wrong notion often held by politicians that they are the most qualified to hold political office.

The senator, who is the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, said that he had the capacity to deliver qualitative and credible governance, if elected as governor.

He said that the thrust of his administration would be to unite the different sections of the state which, he said, had been polarised by primordial interest.

He said that his administration would initiate policies and programmes to stimulate economic growth and development as well as job creation for youths through Information Communication Technology.

Ogbuoji said that he would ensure sustainable development in the education and agricultural sectors and that the road infrastructure would also receive priority attention.

ODO/USO/MNA

Edited by Sam Oditah/Maureen Atuonwu

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Dasuki

Abuja, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, immediate past National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has decried Nigeria’s continued dependence on oil.

Ibrahim disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen at the APC National Secretariat after obtaining the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest for the governorship of Gombe in 2019.

He said that being self-sufficient was the only way states of the federation, especially North-East states, could sustain their economy.

He, however, added that he would give health and education priority and ensure the diversification of Gombe’s economy if elected.

He said he would ensure youths’ involvement in commercial activities, adding that his administration would leverage on mechanization.

“I want to equally say that we have to farm round the year, not the seasonal approach, because if you farm for months and wait for eight months doing nothing, of course, you will be poor.

“These are the things that are bringing insecurity, particularly in my zone because many people are not engaged in economic activities or businesses.

“So, we have to do something to ensure that our people are better in terms of generating income,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that APC national secretariat has become a beehive of activities since the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for 2019 elections began on Thursday.

This is especially so as politicians and their supporters from across the federation troop to the secretariat to pick the forms ahead of Tuesday deadline for the sales.

Traders have also taken advantage of the large turnout of party members and supporters at the secretariat, located at Blantyre Street in Wuse Zone two, to do brisk business.

While some traders take the opportunity to display various souvenirs, others sell the party’s Constitution to members.

Commercial photographers also struggle to get the attention of party members who may want to take photographs for posterity.

Driving through the street has also become a herculean task due to heavy human and vehicular traffic. The security operatives attached to the party secretariat are having tough times trying to control the crowd.

The two hotels located on the street, Valencia and Barcelona, have continued to record high traffic of guests. (NAN)

EEM/OMO/OPI

Edited by Martins Odeh and Olisa Ifeajika

Driving
By Kazeem Akande
Lagos, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said that 71 driving schools had been sanctioned while several others were being investigated over unprofessional conducts.

Oyeyemi said this during an interactive session with proprietors of Driving Schools operating in Ogun, Oyo and Lagos States at the Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, Lagos on Monday.

The theme of the programme was “Driving School Operations in Nigeria: Charting a New Way Forward.”

“Our objectives are to institute a comprehensive strategy for standardising driving school operations and drivers training.

“And to facilitate identification of risk and determination, implementation of necessary actions to bridge the gaps.

“Enrolling above the schools’ capacity, illegally graduating trainees without any form of training or with less than 26 mandatory hours is unprofessional.

“Hacking into Driving School Standardising Programme (DSSP) and connivance with operatives to circumvent conduct of driver testing and licensing processes are also unprofessional conducts.

“Seventy-one driving schools have recently been sanctioned and others are being investigated over this unprofessional misconducts,” he said.

According to him, some of the objectives include uniformity in operational procedure of driving schools, formal driver training with standard curriculum and reliable database of registered and accredited standard curriculum.

The FRSC boss said that the introduction of user-friendly computer based final examinations for all qualifying candidates should be applied to address issues of sharp practices currently perpetuated by the operators of the scheme.

“In line with global best practice, computer based tesing of drivers should be adopted which can be domesticated in local languages.

“It can also be available in audio-visual version for illiterate drivers and will provide a good assessment of applicants.

“Lagos is taking a lead already in this; other states should key into it,” he said.

Oyeyeymi also advised the proprietors of the driving schools to maintain the integrity of Nigeria Driver’s Licence as the key to national planning, security and general development.

The FRSC boss said that operators should bear in mind that the ultimate goal was to provide a safe monitoring environment for road users in the country.

Oyeyemi added that any person seeking acquisition of registered driving school should give notification to FRSC of intent, get approval/disapproval by FRSC and formalisation of records.

“Our goal is to make the country’s road among the 20 safest in the world by 2020 and all driving schools are advised to properly key into the DSSP and support it towards achieving set goals with the least friction,” Boboye added.

Mrs Nnena Akejemile, the National Coordinator, SERVICOM in the Presidency, said that the ways drivers’ training were delivered vary considerably from country to country.

Akejemile said that high quality schools produced excellent drivers, adding “classroom training and road tests are the most critical aspects in the life of a motoring public.

“It is important to know that driving school operators and instructors cannot give what they don’t have in terms of knowledge of road safety tips.

“All the driving instructors working in driving schools must be professional, properly licensed and must be well supervised,” she said.

According to her, no fewer than 2,598 Nigerians died from road accidents between October 2017 and March 2018 from records of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The SERVICOM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) added that the NBS attributed the major causes of the crashes in the first quarter to speed violation which accounted for 50.8 per cent, tyre bursts and dangerous driving 8.3 per cent and 8.4 per cent respectively.

She said that NBS report also showed that the number of national drivers licences produced in the first quarter increased from 214,256 to 223,107 in the fourth quarter of 2017.

“This is a reflection of the innovations introduced by FRSC; but lot needs to be done, with the statistics the critical role of driving schools cannot be over emphasised,” she added.

Mr Ladi Lawanson, the Commissioner for Transport, Lagos State, urged the driving schools not to issue death certificate to trainees instead of driver’s licence.

Lawanson, represented by Mr Opeyemi Salam, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport Lagos state, said “what you are issuing is not drivers licence, it is death certificate because it reflects on how people are driving on the road.

“Majority of drivers are not properly trained on driving and you issue certificates to them because of money.

“How many of us here can allow quacks to perform surgery on you at the hospital, or allow unqualified pilot to fly you in a plane, it is not possible but why are you putting drivers in that situation?,” he said.

Salam added that the state government, in partnership with FRSC, would establish driving schools across the five zones in the state with 10 brand new cars each.

“We appeal to you to allow your trainees finish their modules before issuing certificates to them to ensure sanity on our roads,” he added. (NAN)
AKA/AOS/IA
========
Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Idris Abdulrahman

NEITI

By Edith Ike-Eboh

Abuja, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has disbursed N3.946 trillion in the first half of 2018 to Federal, State and Local Governments, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) quarterly report has revealed.

The report released in Abuja, on Monday, noted that amount rose by 41.4 per cent compared to N2.788 trillion disbursed in the first half of 2017 and 95.4 per cent higher than the N2.019 trillion disbursed in the first half of 2016.

It said Delta state received the highest allocation of N101.19 billion in the six-month followed by Akwa Ibom with N100.2 billion; Rivers State with N85.01 billion, while Bayelsa received N77.14 billion.

According to the report, the four states received a total of N364.26 billion in the quarter under review.

“Thus, the disbursements in the first half of 2018 were almost double the disbursements in the first half of 2016.

“The breakdown of the data reveals that in the first half of 2018, the Federal Government received N1.652 trillion, which made up 41.8 per cent of the total amount disbursed;

“The states got N1.375 trillion, representing 34.8 per cent of the total; while N795 billion was disbursed to the Local Government Areas (LGAs), representing 20.1 per cent of the total.” it said

The report further noted that following the top four states to make the top ten category in the report was Lagos state that received N59.52 billion, Kano N39.88 billion, Edo N32.88 billion, Kaduna N32.86, Ondo N30.96 billion and Borno N30.04 billion.

On the other hand, the report revealed that the 10 states with the least federation allocation received a total of N189.45 billion, about six per cent less than the N201.39 billion total allocation received by Delta and Akwa Ibom states.

Osun state received the least allocation in the six-month period with N10.24 billion, while Cross River, Ekiti, Zamfara and Ogun states received N17.13 billion, N17.92 billion, N18.64 billion, N18.79 billion respectively.

Others include Plateau, Gombe, Kwara, Ebonyi and Taraba, with allocation of N20.6 billion, N20.64 billion, N21.39 billion, N21.61 billion and N22.49 billion respectively.

Continuing, the report noted, “In the first quarter of 2013, total disbursements were N2.607 trillion. This figure for first quarter of 2013 was the highest over this period while the N886.4 billion disbursed in second quarter 2016 was the lowest.

“This indicates a difference of N1.721 trillion between disbursements in the highest and lowest months.

This figure is very large and further highlights the volatility in revenue for the Federation, arising from the dependence on oil.

“This shows a generally declining pattern in disbursements from first quarter of 2013 until a trough was reached in second quarter 2016. Thereafter, an upward pattern is observed, and this increase continued until second quarter of 2018,’’ it stated.

The report indicated that the N2.008 trillion disbursed in second quarter of 2018 was the highest since third quarter of 2014, adding that second quarter of 2018 was the first time an amount in excess of N2 trillion was disbursed since third quarter 2014.

“This is a run of 14 consecutive quarters of disbursements below N2 trillion.’’ It added.

It further stated  that all disbursements from first quarter of 2013 to second quarter 2014 were in excess of N2 trillion; this figure, it added  clearly showed  the contraction in revenue for all tiers of government, a pointer to why they had struggled to meet their obligations. (NAN)

ENO/AFA

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Edited by Felix Ajide

Tax

By Angela Atabo

Abuja, Sept. 9, 2018(NAN) An All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chieftain, Mr Kwanashie Yahuza-Ozotu, has advocated the introduction of tax on empty estates and houses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Yahuza-Ozotu, who made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, also called for the reduction of rents paid be tenants in the capital city.

He said that it was quite high to pay rent in the FCT, and that some landlords even asked for two years advance payment.

“As a matter of fact, how much is your salary as a civil servant or a business person that you will be paying that high for rent?

“It is actually not feasible; what is obtainable globally is that there are laws that guide and govern how many years you can rent a house, and at how much you can rent it.
“In Nigeria, we have no such laws; so, we need to be able to propose, sponsor and pass Bills that would ban landlords from renting houses at high cost.

“That way, we can control the agencies that rent out these houses to effect the price of houses,’’ he said.

Yahuza-Ozotu, who is aspiring to represent Abuja Municipal and Bwari Constituency in the House of Representatives in 2019, said that the average elite always sunk their money in the building of houses.

He said that they would just build houses and lock them up without renting them out.

“I am looking at how to introduce a tax regime for houses that are not rented; it is all about demand and supply and if there are more houses in the market, the prices will go down,’’ he said.

Yahuza-Ozotu said that he would bridge the gap between leaders and the citizenry in the FCT as most of them rarely cared for the people.

He said that he would also solve the problem plaguing the FCT in terms of transportation, accommodation and healthcare by proposing bills that would affect FCT citizens positively.

He also said that there was need for a law that would bring mayoral status for FCT to allow indigenes rule the territory.

The aspirant, who has collected his nomination form for the contest, expressed confidence that the 9th Assembly would be a promising one, saying “this is because I see a lot of young minds there.’’ (NAN)

ATAB/OPI