Blog

Inputs

By Christian Ogbonna

Yenagoa, Sept. 6, 2018 (NAN) The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Bayelsa Chapter, on Thursday started the distribution of farm inputs to 227 of its members on the CBN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) meant to empower farmers in the country.

Mr Ezikiel Ogbianko, Chairman, of RIFAN, Bayelsa, gave the figure at the begining of the wet season farming in Yenagoa.

Ogbianko noted that the inputs included 1, 200 bags of NPK (rice blend, fertiliser); 64 cartons of pesticide (Force-up) of different products.

He, however, commended the Federal Government for initiating the ABP to support not only the RIFAN members, but all the farmers in the country.

“We have gathered here today for the distribution of CBN inputs to farmers, and to flag-off wet season farming in the state.

“We have acquired 5, 000 hectares of land across the eight local government areas in the state; we are done with the dry season, though, we are still waiting for the harvest.

“I urge the farmers not to be discouraged; work harder for us to achieve sufficient rice for the people in the state and the nation at large,” the chairman said.

Mr Ezombode Stanley, Principal Manager, CBN, Bayelsa Office,  urged the farmers to make good use of the inputs and pledged to support them for a successful farming season.

Ezombode, represented by Mr Emelo Christian, an officer of the apex bank in the state, said that farming was important to the economic growth of the country.

“I urge you to continue to support the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme, and I believe that sufficient rice will be available not only in Bayelsa but Nigeria at large,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr Pere Eteku expressed the farmers’ gratitude for being part of the programme.

He said that the inputs would be utilised for the purpose for which they were meant.

The Programme, which was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) on Nov. 17, 2015, was intended to create a linkage between anchor companies involved in the processing and small holder farmers (SHFs) of the required key agricultural commodities.

The programme thrust of the ABP is provision of farm inputs in kind and cash(for farm labour) to small holder farmers to boost production
of these commodities, stabilise inputs supply to agro processors and address the country’s negative balance of payments on food (NAN)

OOC/FLP/IA

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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Idris Abdulrahman

The team, mentored by Uchenna Onwuamaegbu, defeated representatives of other countries including the U.S, Spain, Turkey, Uzbekistan and China to win the gold medal at the contest.

Technovation offers girls around the world opportunity to learn necessary skills to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders.

The pitch of the girls from Regina Pacis Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra State at the contest was FD-Detector Application, which they developed to curb fake drugs.

The girls are Promise Nnalue, Nwabuaku Ossai, Adaeze Onuigbo, Vivian Okoye, Jessica Osita and Miracle Igboke.

The victorious girls were accompanied by Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Nkem Okeke, Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, and the Principal of the Regina Pacis Secondary School, Onitsha.

Osinbajo, while receiving the girls, said the Federal Government would be part of the success story and would be talking to the government of Anambra State about what could be done to support the project.

He said government would also collaborate with the Edufun Technik Stem Centre; whose Managing Director, Uchenna Onwuamaegbu, mentored the girls in developing the application.

The vice president said some of the areas of education that government was looking at were the pre-school and primary school that would take into cognizance technological development.

“For us, this is existential.  We have no choice but to ensure that young people, especially from pre-primary to primary school, are able to use technology in innovation and creative ways.

“The world has changed.  The entire system of education has challenge because certainly, we cannot prepare not just for the 21^st Century but even the next five years without serious investment in technology,” he said.

On his part, the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Nkem Okeke, said that the Anambra State government had continued to invest in education in view of its critical importance to development.

In her speech, Onwuamaegbu said the programme began in January this year and was aimed at bringing STEM education to all parts of Nigeria.

She said Technovation is  a world event that introduces girls into coding and entrepreneurship.

Onwuamaegbu said the girls from the Regina Pacies School, Onitsha, were so hungry for knowledge.

Promise Nnalue, one of the gold medalists, said that the FD-Detector App, worked to detect fake, expired and counterfeit drugs.

According to her, the App also teaches about the six categories of drugs, their examples, the bad ones and the side effects. (NAN)

CJ/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Nigeria records N6.57bn foreign trade in Q2 – NBS
Trade
By Lucy Nwachukwu
Abuja, Sept. 6, 2018 (NAN) The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the country recorded foreign trade valued at N6.57billion in the second quarter.
The bureau disclosed this in its “Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics” (Q2 2018) report released on Thursday in Abuja.
It said the figure was – 8.9 per cent less than 7.21 billion recorded in the first quarter and represents a 14.56per cent growth from the N5.73billion recorded in the second quarter of 2017.
According to the bureau, the contraction of total trade in the quarter under review is mainly driven by the decline in both imports and exports.
“The total value of exports in the quarter under review is N4.46 billion.

“This represents a -4.9 per cent contraction over the first quarter (4.70billion) and a 43.8 per cent growth compared to second quarter of 2017.

“Likewise, the total import component in the second quarter (2.11billion) also recorded a decline of -16.3 per cent.

“This is lower than the first quarter (2.52billion) and -19.9 per cent lower than the first quarter of 2017,” the report said.

It said the trade balance in the second quarter was a surplus of N2.36 billion.

This, it explained, was a 8.36 per cent increase from the figure in the first quarter (N2.17 billion) and, against N471.48 billion in the first quarter of 2017. (NAN)

LCN/KOLE/SA

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Salif Atojoko

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Election
By Victor Adeoti
Osogbo, Sept. 6, 2018 (NAN) Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun has expressed optimism that Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the All Progressives  Congress (APC)  candidate,  would win the Sept. 22 governorship election in the state.

Aregbesola spoke in Ile-Ife at the party’s inaugural campaign visit to the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Sola Fasure, a  media aide to the governor, said in a statement on Thursday that the APC delegation was in the palace for royal blessings.

The governor said the best hand to continue his good works in the state was Oyetola, adding that he was carefully selected to take the state to the Promised Land.

The governor said Oyetola’s era would usher in  steady and continued pace of development which his administration had achieved.

He described Oyetola as trustworthy, honest, loyal and truthful, adding that he performed excellently well when he was his   Chief of Staff.

Aregbesola said Oyetola had justified his capability as a man of impeccable character who remained dogged and committed to all policies that had impacted positively on the lives of the citizenry.

“We are not in doubt about Oyetola’s competence and ability.

“He is calm and much more reserved. He knows the job and he will serve our people well,’’ he said.

Responding, Ogunwusi commended Aregbesola’s administration for being committed and focused on taking the state to an enviable heights.

The monarch urged Oyetola to consolidate on the good legacies the Aregbesola’s administration had recorded if elected. (NAN)
VE/COF/OJO
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Mufutau Ojo)

Passengers
By Adekunle Williams
Lagos, Sept. 6, 2018 (NAN) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Thursday said that 4.1 billion passengers were transported in 2017 compared to the 3.8 billion passengers recorded in 2016.

The information is contained in the 62nd Edition of the World Air Transport Statistics (WATS), the yearbook of the airline industry’s performance.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos obtained a copy of the document after it was released by IATA from Montreal, Canada.

NAN observed that the document showed that the 2017 performance represented an additional 280 million trips (7.8 per cent increase) by air compared to 2016.

It said: “Worldwide annual air passenger numbers exceeded four billion for the first time.

“It is supported by a broad-based improvement in global economic conditions and lower average airfares.

“At the same time, airlines connected a record number of cities worldwide, providing regular services to over 20,000 city pairs in 2017, more than double the level of 1995.

“Such increases in direct services improve the industry’s efficiency by cutting costs and saving time for both travellers and shippers alike.”

According to the document, airlines in the Asia-Pacific region once again carried the largest number of passengers with 36.3 per cent market share (1.5 billion passengers).

The documented also showed that Europe recorded 26.3 per cent market share (1.1 billion passengers} while North America recorded 23 per cent market share (941.8 million passengers).

It also indicated that Latin America recorded 7 per cent market share (286.1 million passengers).

Also, Middle East recorded 5.3 market share (216.1 million passengers) while Africa recorded 2.2 per cent market share (88.5 million passengers).

The document also showed that the top five airlines ranked by total scheduled passenger kilometers flown were: American Airlines (324 million) and Delta Airlines (316.3 million).

Others are the  United Airlines (311 million), Emirates Airlines (289 million) and Southwest Airlines (207.7 million).

It also stated that citizens of United States of America topped the travellers’ chart with 632 million passengers followed by the People’s Republic of China with 555 million passengers.

Also India had 161.5 million passengers, the United Kingdom recorded 147 million passengers and Germany had 114.4 million passengers.

The Director-General of IATA, Mr Alexandre de Juniac, commenting on the development said, “In 2,000, the average citizen flew just once every 43 months. In 2017, the figure was once every 22 months.

“Flying has never been more accessible. And this is liberating people to explore more of our planet for work, leisure and education. Aviation is the business of freedom.” (NAN)

WAC/BOLA/PAD
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Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Peter Dada

Games
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 6, 2018 (NAN) The Chairman of the University of Ilorin Sports Council, Prof. Uche Eke, said on Thursday that some of the facilities for the National Youth Games were ready and in good shape.

Eke told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin that the institution “is ready for the games”.

NAN reports that the Volleyball, Handball, Tennis Courts, among others, are wearing new look.

Eke confirmed that some states had started arriving for the games, with the opening ceremony fixed for 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 10.

He said that the problem of water and lack of power supply experienced during the last edition of the games were now solved, noting that the students were on holiday.

Eke said that power and water supplies would be taken care of  by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMYSD).

Alhaji Ali Durotoye, a Deputy Director in the Lagos Liaison Office of the ministry, commended the management of the university for giving the facilities the desired face-lift.

Durotoye, who is also the Chairman, Accommodation Committee, confirmed that Delta and Abia States teams had arrived. (NAN)
OOH/AJA
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi

Election
By Olayinka Owolewa
Ilorin, Sept. 6, 2018 (NAN) A House of Assembly aspirant in Kwara, Saheed Alatise, has promised to focus on youth empowerment if elected into office in the 2019 general elections.

Alatise, who is contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is seeking to represent  Irepodun Constituency in the state House of Assembly.

He said he would work for the enactment of an Act that would institutionalise youth participation in agriculture.

The aspirant, who said he was leveraging on the “ Not TooYoung To Run’’  campaign, expressed optimism that he would deliver in the position because of his youthfulness.

“I will ensure I work with the state government so that more youths would be encouraged to venture into farming.

“I believe with my connections, we can have a constituency where the youths are well taken care of.

“I will also ensure that our pensioners are no longer neglected as it used to be.

“I will make sure that we embark on comprehensive health initiatives that will cater for ageing members of my constituency, ” Alatise said.

The Omu-Aran-born politician commended the resourcefulness of the constituents and called on the youths to latch on the current campaign for more youth engagement in politics. (NAN)
OOH/AAB/OJO
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(Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Mufutau Ojo)

Muslims groups demand holiday for Islamic New Year

Demand

Ibadan, Sept.6, 2018 (NAN) Some Islamic groups have called on federal and state governments to declare the first day of the Islamic calendar as a public holiday.

In separate Hijrah messages to mark the first day of the Islamic calendar, the groups said declaring Muharram 1 as public holiday would be in line with fairness and justice to Nigerian Muslims.

The groups included Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA) and Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS).

Others were Muslim Consultative Forum (MCF), Federation of Muslim Women in Nigeria (FOMWAN) and Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN).

The groups said that declaring Muharram 1 as public holiday would also give Muslims a sense of belonging.

“Muharram 1, in the Islamic calendar, is equivalent to January 1, which is observed as a public holiday in Nigeria.

“Muslims worldwide will usher in the new Islamic year Hijrah 1440 A.H. on Tuesday Sept. 11.

“Muharram 1, is our own January 1, we want both the federal and state governments alike to declare it as such in the interest of religious harmony in the country”, said MMPN President, Abdurrahman Balogun

UNIFEMGA, in a message signed by Abdulwaheed Odeyimka, its National President, called on the government at various levels to recognise the Hijrah calendar and use it side by side with the Gregorian calendar.

It congratulated Muslims and non-Muslims alike for witnessing another new Islamic year and urged them to reflect on their deeds and activities during the past year.

Odeyimka also demanded an end to the strikes in the education sector in the interest of the students and educational advancement in Nigeria.

In his message, Alhaji Ishaq Sanni, Chairman, Muslim Community of Oyo State, said the recognition of Hijrah was long overdue and called for its immediate implementation.

Sanni called on the leadership of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) to enter into dialogue with the Nigerian government on the issue.

He commended the bold steps of governors of Oyo and Osun states in recognizing the first day of new Islamic year by declaring it work free day and urged other states in the South West to emulate them.

FOMWAN, through its National leader, Halimah Mustapha, called for stringent legislation against rapists, saying it was getting too rampant in the country because culprits got a slap on the wrist.

The Muslim women also decried the ban on hijab in some government schools in line with the dictates of their faith as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

They equally commended Federal government for restoring religious studies in schools curriculum, saying such would assist in reducing moral decadence among students.

On its part, the Muslim Consultative Forum (MCF) implored Muslims to rededicate themselves to the cause of building an egalitarian society by joining hands with other Nigerians in moving the nation forward.

MSSN National President, Dr Taofik Yekeen, urged politicians to play politics according to the rules and warned Muslim students against being used by desperate politicians ahead of 2019 elections. (NAN)

SYS/KOLE/WOJ

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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Wale Ojetimi

Jubilation at Utako market as Osinbajo inaugurates TraderMoni

TraderMoni

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

Abuja, Sept. 6, 2018(NAN) There was jubilation at Utako market, Abuja, on Thursday as the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, inaugurated the TraderMoni scheme.

TraderMoni is a Federal Government’s initiative aimed at providing two million petty traders across the country with collateral-free loans before the end of the year.

The ecstatic traders cheered and hailed as the vice president went from stall to stall having one-on-one conversations with the sellers.

Addressing the crowd, Osinbajo, who spoke partly in Pidgin English, said that with TraderMoni, petty traders would be empowered.

“The small small traders, no be big traders; na small small traders we wan give money; make them able to sell well; have more money to sell.

“We give N10,000; if you pay back in six months, then you get N15,000;  if you pay back, you get N20,000

“We want to encourage petty traders so that they will have enough money to do their businesses; we have done one before for the bigger traders, that one is Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme(GEEP), N100,000 to 120,000.

“If you do well with the N10,000, N15,000, N20,000, then we can increase it; everyone can benefit from this; the president himself has said he wants to make sure that those who are selling in the market:selling pepper, sugarcane, tomato get the money.

“So, when you are given the money, we urge you to make sure you pay back; there is no interest; you just take it and you pay back in six months; I want all of us to make sure we register so that we can be given the money,” he said.

TraderMoni, which had Lagos, Abia and Kano as its pilots states, would be inaugurated across the country.(NAN)

CJ/OU

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Edited by Obike Ukoh

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Doctors
By Ariwodola Idowu
Ado Ekiti, Sept. 6, 2018 (NAN) No fewer than eight out of the 43 medical students of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), scored distinction, while others also recorded 100 per cent success in their final medical examination.

The Spokesman for the six-year-old institution, Mr Tunde Olofintila, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) in Ado Ekiti on Thursday.

Olofintila said that the university had broken academic records in the country, noting that all the first set of its medical doctors graduated with 100 per cent success.

“The feat is unique in many ways; apart from scoring 100 per cent in the final medical examination.

“Eight out of 43 students that sat for the external medical examination made distinction, an equivalent of first class in other disciplines.

“The rare accomplishment made ABUAD the first university in the country to produce medical doctors within six and half years of its existence.

“Some other universities which commenced their medical programmes two decades ago, have yet to graduate their first set of medical doctors.

“What our university has just achieved is in line with the vision of the Founder and Chancellor, Chief Afe Babalola, to help the Federal Government and indeed Nigerians to turn the face of the nation’s educational sector around,’’ he said.

Olofintila gave an assurance that with the exceptional quality of training acquired by the new doctors from ABUAD, the nation would witness a new dawn of improved health care delivery. (NAN)
ARIS/AOM/AJA
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Edited by Abdullahi Mohammed/Adeleye Ajayi