Blog

School resumption: Plateau SUBEB to sanction absentee teachers

Resumption
By Martha Agas
Jos, Sept 10, 2018 (NAN) The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) says it will henceforth sanction teachers absent from duty in the state.
Prof Mathew Sule, the Executive Chairman of the board, gave the indication when he visited some schools on Monday in Jos to monitor compliance on resumption.
He said the list of teachers absent during his visit had been collated and they would be punished to serve as deterrent to others.
“It is the duty of teachers to report to duty immediately school resumes.
“We will not tolerate any laxity of teachers to duty; this a new school calendar (2018/2019 session) and we expect immediate compliance,” he said.
The chairman said writing materials would be distributed to pupils in schools across the 17 local government areas to encourage school enrolment.
“We want parents to send their wards of school age to school as education is one of the major criteria for a bright future
“It is the duty of parents to provide writing materials, school uniforms and warm clothes to their children as they return to school.
“Many pupils came in tattered clothing, exposing themselves to health challenges,” he said.
The SUBEB boss told the teachers to redouble their efforts to ensure pupils in primary school could read, write and count numbers.
Mrs Kangyan Davou, the Headmistress of Obasanjo Model Primary School, Hwolshe, Jos, said there was improvement in pupil attendance on resumption, when compared with last year, in spite of the downpour.
According to Davou, more than 100 students out of the 600 resumed, unlike last year when only 30 pupils did. (NAN)
MAA/JI/SOA
Editing by Joseph Idika/Oluwole Sogunle

e-Dividend

By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) Mr Fakrogha Charles, Chief Relationship Officer, Foresight Securities and Investment Ltd., on Monday urged investors in the stock market to embrace the e-dividend payment platform to reduce the rate of unclaimed dividends.

Fakrogha, who gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that embracing the e-dividend platform would enable shareholders to get their dividend warrant electronically as at when due and with ease.

E-dividend payment platform is an electronic means of posting shareholders’ dividends directly into their bank accounts.

According to him, the e-dividend platform involves the Registrar collecting the account details of investors such that whenever a dividend warrant is declared, the payment is sent directly into the investors’ accounts.

NAN reports that the e-dividend payment platform was introduced in 2008 with the aim of addressing unclaimed dividends in the capital market.

He said that stockbrokers and companies stand  a better chance to make investors embrace the innovation better by advising and educating them on its importance.

“We, at Foresight Securities and Investment Ltd., have taken it upon ourselves to ensure that all our investors, both old and new, now have the e-dividend form.

“It is now compulsory in the company that the documentation of all our old clients are revisited to ensure that the e-dividend form is opened for each of them through the registrar.

“If the system of e-dividend payment could be adopted by all investors and companies, the rate of unclaimed dividends will drastically be reduced,” the official said.

He therefore, urged the stock regulatory bodies to sensitise the investing public, through their numerous campaigns on the benefits of the innovation.

According to him, many investors have no knowledge about the e-dividend payment platform, thus calling for the sensitisation of the shareholders.

Meanwhile, an analysis of the market activities for last week revealed that a total of 892.725 million shares worth N13.075 billion in 15,607 deals were traded by investors during the period.

This was in contrast to the 1.533 billion shares valued at N23.026 billion that changed hands last week in 17,009 deals in the previous week.

According to the Financial Services Industry which led the activity chart during the period, with 757.992 million shares valued at N9.251 billion traded in 9,653 deals.

The consumer goods industry followed with 43.651 million shares worth N2.754 billion in 2,231 deals.

The third place was occupied by the oil and gas industry, with a turnover of 28.892 million shares, worth N558.264 million in 1,430 deals.

The All-Share Index during the period lost 232.82 points or 2.33 per cent to close at 34,037.91, against 34,848.45 posted in the preceding week.

Also, the market capitalisation, which opened at N12.722 trillion, shed N296 billion or 2.33 per cent to close at N12.426 trillion.

NAN reports that 39 equities depreciated in price, higher than 34 equities of the previous week.

Law Union led the losers’ chart in percentage terms by 26.03 per cent or 19k, to close at 54k per share.

Standard Alliance trailed with a loss of 23.68 per cent or 9k to close at 29k, while Universal Insurance shed 17.50 per cent or 7k, to close at 23k per share.

Conversely, Consolidated led the gainers’ table in percentage terms by 26.67 per cent or 8k, to close at 33k per share.

Continental Re-Insurance followed with a gain of 16.79 per cent or 23k to close at N1.60, while C & I Leasing appreciated by 16 per cent or 40k, to close at N2.90 per share. (NAN)
LUC/FLP/PDE
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(Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Peter Ejiofor)

President Buhari to inaugurate Edo-ICD in December

Inauguration
By Deborah Coker

Benin, Sept 10, 2018 (NAN) President Mohammadu Buhari will inaugurate Edo Inland Container Dry Port (Edo-ICD) in December.

Dr Charles Akhigbe, the Project Initiator, disclosed this on Monday to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin.

He said the ICD would be the first of its kind in the South South.

He said that the project, in its last stage of completion, would play host to four Federal Government agencies for on the spot final assessment on Sept. 17.

Akhigbe said that the Federal Agencies would include Nigeria Shippers Council, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Federal Ministries of Transport and Finance.

He said the agencies would review, among other things, work done so far on the project site and assess to the project location in the bid to grant of final concession to the Atlanque Marine Engineering Services (AMES), the promoters of the project.

He said this would facilitate the submission of a report to the Minister of Transport on the state of readiness of the ICD to commence receiving containers as an import and export dry port.

Akhigbe said that the ICD would help to decongest Lagos ports.

He also said it would create more than 15,000 direct and indirect jobs and serve as a one-stop shop for import and export activities in the state in particular and the South South region in general. (NAN)
DCO/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

Basketball

By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) Adaora Elonu, the captain, senior national women’s team, D’Tigress, the team will go all the way to surprise the world at the forthcoming FIBA World Basketball Championship in Tenerife, Spain later this month.

Elonu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that she was confident about the team’s chances in spite of the quality of teams coming for the World Cup.

Elonu, who was a part of the 2017 Afrobasket Championship winning team, said that she was upbeat about the team’s quality as D’Tigress beat Raptors Academy 75-71 in a warm up match.

“We have a formidable squad and I am so happy to be back in the team to contribute to the success of our preparation and ultimately victory at the World Cup.

“The team is strong and very determined to do well as we countdown to the World Cup which we are getting ready to prove to the world what we can achieve.

“I have missed the girls though I have been in good contact with them. I am very happy with the level of preparations so far,’’ she said.

Elonu described the friendly match against Raptors Academy as a good test for the team going about the challenge the male team gave D’Tigress.

“It is a good challenge for us, we need to gather the right momentum to be competitive and match-ready.

“I believe the coach, Otis Hughley led crew must have seen some other areas we need to work on.

“Basically, we are unfazed with the challenge our opponents brought as we are physically ready to challenge any team,” she said.

Nigeria is in Group B and will square up with Argentina, Australia and Turkey for a chance in the knockout stage.

The World Cup which is the biggest in basketball competitions has yet to register any African team crossing over to the knockout stage.

NAN reports that the World Cup will commence on Sept. 22 and end on Sept. 30, with no fewer than 16 teams competing for the championship trophy.

The U.S. will seek to defend its champions title won in 2014. (NAN)
BAO/DE/PDE
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(Editing by Dorcas Jonah/Peter Ejiofor)

Road

By Aminu Garko

Minna, Sept.10, 2018 ( NAN) Niger State Rural Access and Mobility Project says it has spent about N 2 billion on the construction of rural roads across the state.

Mr Hassan Baba, its Project Coordinator, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Monday.

He named the benefiting rural communities to include: Mokwa-Ja’agi road 45.24 kilometres, Wuya Suman-Lemu road 36.93 kilometres, Suleja -Abushi-Izom road 31 kilometres, Sabon-Wuse -IjahGwari road 8.4 kilometres.

Others, he said are Sulluh Jounction -Tafa  road 6.6 kilometres, Wawa -Malale road 21 kilometres and Auna -Tunganjika -Shafini road 36.6 kilometres.

He said that the construction of the roads was to further open up rural areas, promote economic growth and provide all-year-round access to basic services and facilities across the state.

“We have gainfully employed 200 rural dwellers, trained them on how to effectively manage and repair roads in various communities”

“We have also provided working tools to those trained to ensure prompt repairs of our rural roads, “he said

He said that the rural roads project would also enhance socio-economic activities in the state.

The coordinator said that before the construction of the roads, residents of the affected areas found it very difficult to transport goods and service, within and outside their immediate communities.

The problem, he said, usually become apparent especially during raining season.

He expressed optimism that the construction of the road would way to ease human and vehicular movement.

According to him, the agency has reached out to traditional rulers to appeal to residents to desist from dumping refuse on waterways to avoid flood and ensure the safety of the roads. (NAN)

AAG/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

Vandalism

By Teniola Ibitola

Lagos, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) A 32-year-old man, Gabriel Gantim, on Monday appeared before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for  allegedly vandalising a Nigerian Railway Corporation mast worth N14 million.

Gantim, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and vandalism.

The Prosecutor, ASP Moses Uademevbo, told the court that the accused committed the offences with some others still at large on Aug. 3, at 8.00 a.m., at Sabon Barki, Buruku, Jos South LGA, Plateau State.

Uademevbo said that the accused vandalised and removed the mast without the consent of the complainant, Nigeria Railway Corporation.

The offences contravened Section 1(10) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014.

Gantim, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.O. Komolafe, remanded the accused in Ikoyi Prisons and fixed Sept. 20 for ruling on his bail application. (NAN)

OAT/EOB/SOA

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Edited by Edith Bolokor/Oluwole Sogunle

Trespass

By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Sept 10, 2018 (NAN) The management of Bayero University Kano has threatened to take legal action against members of the public who encroach on the university’s  land.

Prof. Adamu Idris-Tanko, the Chairman, Bayero University Land Implementation Committee and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), gave the warning while addressing a news conference in Kano on Monday.

He said the university found it necessary to issue the warning in view of the persistent encroachment and false claims on the University land and the need to secure the land duly paid for by the institutions.

He explained that the university had followed due process in the acquisition of all the land that served as its permanent site as well as obtained the Right of Occupancy No. KN2604 granted to it by the Kano State Government.

“The University paid compensation for the farm lands and economic trees to the farm owners under phases one, two, three, four, five and seven from the late 70s to early 80s.

He said all issues raised on claiming non-payment of land compensation by some residents of some few households had been resolved in favour of the university because it had provided sufficient evidence of all farmlands acquired.

“The university wishes to use this medium to remind agitators that it had completed payment of compensation to all farm owners in the area.

“Consequently, it holds title to the land devoid of any encumbrance, except the man-made improvement in some areas in phase 5 and 7 which the committee would address.

“So members of the public are hereby notified that whoever deals or transact with any person concerning the land does so at his or her risk as the university shall certainly prosecute trespassers.” (NAN)
MTM/IA

Yam

By Chidinma Agu
Lagos, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) A traditional ruler, Eze Emmanuel Oparachukwu, says farmers cultivating yam in the Eastern part of the country needed government support to plant enough for export.

Oparachukwu, the traditional ruler of Ahiazu, Mbaise in Imo, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

According to him, yam farmers in Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers have yet to queue into yam export because of lack of government support.

“What yam farmers plant and harvest now is just enough to feed local consumers around the country and not for export.

“I think yam farmers have not looked at that possibility of export but with government support they can start thinking along that line,” he said.

Oparachukwu said that yam was cherished in the eastern part and indeed all over the country and it had always been regarded as the king of crops.

He said that in the East, yam was preserved in barns where it would be fresh and good till the next planting season.

According to him, in preparing the barns, trees that will germinate and keep fresh all year round is used.

He said this was to avoid the incidence of the trees drying up and falling and destroying the yams.

The traditional ruler said that in the barns, yams were skillfully tied front and back around special trees in two rows with each containing about 16 yams, adding that a barn could contain up to 2,000 yams.

Oparachukwu said that yam farmers that had up to 100 barns was automatically awarded the title of “Ezeji” which means “King of yam”.

He said that the barns could be located in the farm or in the farmers compound, but that it had to be covered with dry leaves to shed it from intense sunlight.

The traditional ruler said that besides the barn, there was no other special thing added to preserve the yam till the next farming season.

Oparachukwu said that the celebration of the New Yam Festival was key to the preservation of yam.

He said that during new yam celebrations, prayers were offered to God, thanking Him for the good yields and imploring Him to keep the yams fresh till the next planting season.

NAN reports that yams from Ontisha and Abakaliki were of good grades and were among the first to hit the market every harvest season in the eastern part of the country. (NAN)
ACA/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)

Labourer docked for alleged house-breaking, theft

 Labourer
By Nana Musa
Abuja, Sept. 10, 2018 (NAN) The Police on Monday arraigned a 31-year-old labourer, Lokiriti Gopput, in a Kado Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, for alleged joint act, house-breaking and theft.

Gopput, who resides at Jahi village, Abuja, had pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge levelled against him.

The prosecutor, Judith Obatomi, told the court that one Ekeson Rotimi of Jahi District, Abuja, reported the matter at the Life Camp Police Station, Abuja, on Aug. 20.

Obatomi said that the complainant reported that on that same date, he received a call from the security guard attached to his hotel in Jahi, that thieves broke into his office.

They allegedly stole 3 LG plasma television sets, one Apple laptop and N60, 000 cash, all valued at N500, 000.

Obatomi said that the defendant and others now at large, were suspected to be partners in the crime, and he was the only one that knew the gadgets were kept in that office.

According to the prosecutor, the complainant alleged that the defendant threatened to deal with him the period he worked in the hotel, because he asked for money which he was not given.

She said the offences contravened Sections 79, 354 and 288 of the Penal Code.

The judge, Alhaji Ahmed Ado, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N150, 000, with one surety in like sum.

He adjourned the case until Oct. 10, for hearing. (NAN)

NHM/BOLA/OU
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We have hit N2bn monthly IGR generation…EIRS boss
IGR
By Deborah Coker
Benin, Sept 10, 2018 (NAN) Edo’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has hit an average of N2 billion monthly from N1.55bn in 2016 when Gov. Godwin Obaseki was sworn-in.

This represents 25 per cent growth rate within the period under review.

The state government expects the IGR to increase in the last quarter of 2018 when the newly developed Edo Revenue Administration System (ERAS) is fully implemented this month.

Mr Igbinudu Inneh, Executive Chairman, Edo Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), announced this to newsmen on Monday.

He said the number of verified and unverified persons in the state government tax net had increased from 120,000 in 2016 to 250,000 in 2018.

He said that 50 persons were currently undergoing training with a view to sending them out to confirm the status of additional 140,000 people that were biometrically captured within the last two years.

Inneh, who debunked report of decreased IGR, stated that Gov. Godwin Obaseki identified six critical success factors for revenue generation at the inception of his administration.

He listed the factors as technology, data, human capital development, stakeholders engagement, public enlightenment and man power development.

The EIRS boss said that the state government developed ERAS to help create jobs and distribute wealth.

He further explained that ERAS had mobile revenue collection components that would allow collectors to use revenue scratch cards.

“We started out in trying to develop an Edo Revenue Administration System which relies on technology, but technology on its own will not do it for you, you need human intervention.

“We now want to make sure we know those in the informal sector and know how much they have paid.

“For once, they will have a citizen identity that the government can relate with.

“The discount on the cards is the wealth that will trickle down, and those collecting money illegally before will have opportunity to buy the cards and sell to make money.

“We have done enumeration in the local government and we have all the buildings and their GPS coordinates.

“Vehicle owners will now be getting alerts on the anniversary of their vehicle renewal, because we have their house address.

We can send notices to your house that you need to renew your vehicle so we don’t need to do stop and search because we have the data base.

“Expanding the tax net is some Of the features the automation will help us to do.

“Each tax payer has a tax profile on the system, so you can ask for a single tax assessment view,” he said. (NAN)
DCO/AOSIA
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Idris Abdulrahman