Blog

Destruction
By Doris Esa
Abuja, Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Air Force says the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE has destroyed Boko Haram hideouts in Kollaram, Bula Korege within the Sambisa forest.

Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, said that the operation was carried out on Friday.

He said the successes recorded were due to victorious air interdiction missions against Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) targeted at Kollaram on the Lake Chad Green fringes and Bula Korege within the forest.

The NAF image maker said that the attack at Kollaram was conducted, following successive days of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

This he said was in addition to Human Intelligence reports that led to the identification of a BHT hideout within the settlement.

“Accordingly, the ATF detailed a fighter aircraft to attack the insurgents’ hideout which was destroyed and several BHTs killed.”

Daramola said that ISR missions had also observed significant BHT presence in the middle of Bula Korege on the fringes of Sambisa forest with several buildings identified as locations where some BHT leaders resided.

‘‘Consequently, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha Jet aircraft and 2 helicopter gunships were detailed to carry out air interdiction at the location.

‘‘The attacks by the fighter jets destroyed about 12 BHT dwellings and several solar panels in the area of interest.

‘‘A few BHT survivors were seen fleeing the area and appropriately engaged by the Mi-35M helicopter gunships,” he said.

The NAF spokesman stated that the NAF would sustain the momentum of the operation with a view to decimating the remnants of the insurgents.

Daramola said that Operation THUNDER STRIKE 2 which commenced on Wednesday, Sept.3  (NAN)
ORD/MOL/DUA

Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Dada Ahmed

Eko Disco to boost power supply by additional 20mw
Supply
By Yunus Yusuf
Lagos, Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) says its ongoing power project expansion will boost power supply to residents of Oniru, Maroko and Lekki within a month.

Mr Godwin Idemudia, its General Manager (Communications), on Saturday said the company had commenced aggressive power projects within its network to improve supply to customers.

Idemudia said that with the introduction of new power cables at the Maroko injection substation and construction of a new power line, customers in that area would enjoy uninterrupted power supply.

According to him, the replacement of existing cables and installation of new power lines will not only improve power supply to these areas, but also enable the company to extend its substation connection to Lekki axis.

“The company has invested over N655 million on these projects, spent over N200 million to replace old power cables, while over N455 million was also spent to construct a new power line.

“The construction of the new power line commenced in April 2018 and this will also improve power supply by additional 20 megawatts,’’ he said.

The EKEDC spokesman said the project was slightly delayed by importation constraints on the power cables needed for the completion.

He said that the power cables had now been cleared from the Lagos Port and the project would be completed within a month.

Idemudia said that the company had not recorded any fault since the old wires were replaced.

He pleaded with customers to bear with the company and cooperate with its officials during this rehabilitation period.

“I want to use this medium to commend our esteemed customers for their continued support and urged them to fulfill their obligations by paying their bills on time.

“This will help the company to provide better services as more investments will be injected into the network for the improvement of power supply to our customers, ‘’the statement said. (NAN)
YO/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi

Adolescents

By Talatu Maiwada

Abuja, Sept.8, 2018(NAN) The AIDS Health Care Foundation (AHF) has called on government at all levels and stakeholders to create safe environment for adolescents on HIV treatment in the country.

Dr Echey Ijezie, Country Programme Director, AHF, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.

Ijezie said the need to create a safe space for adolescents on HIV treatment could not be over emphasised as they faced many challenges, including difficulties in dealing with initial side effects of the drugs.

Other challenges, he said were: the non-youth friendly nature of most health facilities, predominant pervasive environment of stigma and unresolved internal conflicts with accepting an HIV positive status.

“Many adolescents on treatment are poor; several have little to eat while some find it difficult to transport themselves to health facilities.

“These challenges have resulted in many adolescents opting out of treatment to the detriment of their health and well-being.

“The need to moderate the impact of these realities for this group of adolescents and safeguard their lives informed the 2018 edition of AHF, safe space programme,’’ he said.

Ijezie said the 2013 World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline for the care of adolescents living with HIV and AIDS, argued for an active engagement and involvement in delivery of care for this population.

He further urged government and stakeholders to have supportive policy in place that would allow those in school, easy access to leave school during their clinical appointments.

He stressed the need to implement a school feeding programme to guarantee the feeding of indigent adolescents on treatment and incorporate mental health services into adolescent support groups. (NAN)

TIM/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

Moon

By Muhammad Bello
(mnasir8121@yahoo.com 08038639251)

Sokoto, Sept. 8, 2018 (NAN) The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has directed Muslims to watch out for the new moon of Muharram 1440AH as from Sunday Sept 9.

Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto, disclosed this in a statement he signed in Sokoto on Saturday.

Junaidu said, “This is to inform the Muslim community that Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, equivalent to 29th day of Zulhajji 1439AH, shall be the day to watch out for the new moon of Muharram 1440AH.

“Muslims are, therefore, requested to start looking for the new moon and report its sighting to the nearest District or village Head for onward communication to the Sultan.”

The Sultan, he said, wished Muslims guidance in the discharge of their religious obligations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Muharram is the first month in the Islamic Calendar. (NAN)

BMN/KTO/DUA

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Dada Ahmed

Ekiti extends long term holidays for primary, secondary schools

Extension

Ariwodola Idowu

Ado Ekiti, Sept. 8, 2018, (NAN) Ekiti State Government on Saturday announced  extention of the current long term holidays for students in public and private primary and secondary schools.

This is contained in a statement by the state Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Jide Egunjobi, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) in Ado Ekiti.

The commisioner said all schools would now resume on Sept. 24, as against Sept. 14 earlier resumption date.

According to the commissioner, the extension of the holidays has become necessary to allow the various schools conduct interviews for fresh students across the state.

Besides, he said the extension would also allow for consolidation of the school system before resumption of pupils  and students.

Consequently, all parents, guardians and other stakeholders in the education sector are urged  to take note of the extension and disseminate the information appropriately.

The commissioner  implored teachers and workers in various schools to brace up  for better service delivery as they awaited the new resumption day.(NAN)

ARIS/IA

Campaign

Daura (Katsina state) Sept 6 2018 (NAN) A Katsina state-based NGO, Daura Emirate Youth Progressive Movement (DEYPM), says it earmarked N 70 million to prosecute the electioneering campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari and Gov. Aminu Masari toward the 2019 general elections.

Alhaji Abdulkadir Lawal, the Zonal Chairman of the NGO, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria NAN in Daura on Saturday.

Lawal said that out of the amount, N40 million would be spent for the presidential campaign for Buhari and N30 million for the re-election of Gov Aminu Bello Masari.

He said the money was sourced from contributions from individuals, groups and organisations with a view to facilitating the electioneering campaigns of the two political office holders.

Lawal explained that the money would be spent on hiring of vehicles, provision of logistics and other necessary campaign activities within the five local government areas in Daura emirate.

He said the movement arrived at such decision, considering the socio-economic development brought to the people of the area by the Federal and the State Government in the area in the last three years.

The zonal chairman listed some of the socio-economic developments to include a Federal University of Transport, Air Force wing and Army unit in Daura.

He also said that the state government had impacted positively in the lives of thousands of people of the area, especially through its youth empowerment programmes, construction of more roads, schools and hospitals among other programmes.

Lawal said,“we never had it so good.“

He said the group had earlier decided to use the money to purchase nomination forms for president Buhari and Gov Masari but it overtaken by events and the decision of other well meaning Nigerians.

Lawal said the NGO therefore decided to channel the money into other political programmes that would promote the electioneering processes in 2019.

He commended the group of well meaning Nigerians who purchased the nomination forms for President Buhari and members of the Katsina State Traders Association for extending similar gesture to Gov Aminu Masari.

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the NGO has been in the vanguard of championing the second term of Buhari Masari. (NAN)

BKD/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

Code
By Martha Agas
Jos, Sept. 8, 2018(NAN) The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says it is reviewing the broadcasting code to address emerging challenges like hate speech and fake news.

Dr. Igomu Onoja, its Zonal Director in charge of the North-Central, who disclosed this on Saturday in Jos, said that the review had become necessary to enforce ethics and check the excesses of broadcasting stations.

Onoja spoke at a colloquium organised by the Plateau chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), to mark this year’s Press Week.

The colloquium focused on “Fake News, Hate Speech and Nigeria’s Democratic Sustenance”.

He warned broadcasting stations against being used by desperate politicians to “pollute the system with hate speech” because it had the tendency to set the nation on fire.

“We have radio stations in Jos clapping for people that say that the Plateau governor is mentally deranged; even worse things have been said on air. We cannot tolerate that,” he warned.

Onoja advised media organisations to be fair in allotting air time to political parties and groups as the campaigns for the 2019 general elections gradually hot up.

“If you give 30 minutes to Party A, the same duration should be given to party B in the same media organisation,” he said.

Earlier, the Guest Speaker, Prof. Umaru Pate, had accused the Nigerian media of paying too much attention to political news.

“More than 70 per cent of the news we cover is political; practically all the headlines are political. We do not seem to have time for the economy and even insecurity that has been a major concern for the poor.

“Everything political is news, but burning issues like poverty and violent conflicts do not seem to worry us. This is bad. And sad,”’he said.

He blamed the rising rate of fake news and hate speeches on political affiliations, foreign interests, ethnicity and religious institutions, among others, and described the situation as “highly alarming”.

Pate, a professor of Mass Communication at the Bayero University, Kano, regretted that prominent persons had taken advantage of the significance of the media in societal processes to misinform, deceive and incite.

He said that Nigerians in the Diaspora had constituted a major source of fake news and hate speeches, regretting that people with little or no understanding of the issues in the country were using the social media to incite people against each other.

Noting that Nigeria was a multi-cultural country, the don urged Nigerians to be sensitive to such variety and avoid  speeches or remarks that could hurt each others’ faith, ethnic groups or origin.

He particularly decried the involvement of the mainstream media in the dissemination of hate speech and fake news, saying that such involvement was adding credibility to the twin evils.

Pate also advised journalists and media houses to avoid being bribed to compromise standards by people seeking to spew hate speeches, and emphasised the need to respect professional ethics.  (NAN)

MAA/KTO/ETS

============

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo and Ephraims Sheyin

1,494 Kaduna State pilgrims return home -official

Pilgrims

By Mohammad Tijjani

Kaduna, Sept 9, 2018 (NAN) Kaduna State Muslim pilgrims Welfare Board on Saturday said 1,494 of its pilgrims had returned home out of 3,238 that perfomed this year’s Hajj.

Its Public Relations Officer Yunusa Abdullahi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that 318 pilgrims returned home via Med-View airline on Saturday.

Abdullahi said 1,176 pilgrims returned in three flights with the fourth conveying additional 318 pilgrims.

He said  a total of 1,494 returned home after successful Hajj.

The Spokesman gave the assurance that the remaining pilgrims would return as scheduled.

Abdullahi said all pilgrims were given 5 litres of Zamzam water while claiming their luggage at Hajj Transit Camp, Mando, Kaduna.

NAN reports that 3,238 pilgrims performed the pilgrimage from kaduna. (NAN)

TJ/IA

Election

By Awayi Kuje

Akun (Nasarawa State), Sept 8, 2018 (NAN) Mr Jacob Ajegena-Kudu, an aspirant on the platform of  All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, has urged Nigerians not to vote for non performing politicians in the 2019 general elections.

He said instead, they should vote in leaders of proven integrity who had the interest of development of the country  and the welfare of its citizens at heart.

Kudu, who is seeking election to represent Nassarawa Eggon Constituency at the state legislature, gave the advice on Saturday in a meeting with party stakeholders in Akun, Akun Development Area of the state.

The aspirant also urged the people of the area to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) wisely by electing leaders of unquestionable characters.

Also speaking, Mr Monday Nanza, a former Administrator of Akun Development Area, drummed support for President Muhammadu Buhari administration and that of Gov. Umaru Al-Makura, to enable them succeed in the task ahead of them.

Earlier, Mr Malle Moses, the Deputy Chairman, APC of Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area said the meeting was to unite members of the party ahead of the forthcoming primaries and general elections in the country.

 He advised members of the party to remain united and focused in order to ensure the victory of the party in the area, the state and the country at large. (NAN)
AKW/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

Policy

By Ibukun Emiola

Ibadan, Sept. 8, 2018, (NAN) Mr Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director-General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) says the Federal Government policy on ease of doing business has boosted the confidence of manufacturers in the economy.

Ajayi-Kadir said this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Saturday.

“The ease of doing business policy has helped to solve the problem of operating environment; it has also helped to reduce the cost of manufacturing.

“It has also given hope for would-be investors who would want to invest in the economy.

“Generally speaking, the office of the Vice-President has driven this policy well under the able leadership of Mr President; we are looking forward to the expansion in the areas covered under this policy.

“This is necessary so that generally, we will witness an environment that makes our products more competitive in the economy,” he said.

Speaking in the same vein with NAN, Chief Kola Akosile, the Zonal Chairman, MAN South-west  said that zone hoped to record two digits of economic growth with favorable policies in place and through the activities of members of the association.

The zone comprises Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states.

“We expect to continue to have enabling environment for doing business to ensure the ease of doing business, membership commitment and creation of more employment for the youth.

“Going forward, we will attract new manufacturers into the region to expand the economic zone.

“The south-west is mainly agricultural base, the potentialities are there in terms of local sourcing of raw materials, new companies are being set up so that they can source raw materials from our region,“ he said.(NAN)

IBK/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed