Blog

 Total to spend N40m on soap manufacturing plant in Akwa Ibom

 Plant

 By Sunday Bassey 08029472002

 Uyo, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) Mr Francois Le-Cocq, Deputy Managing Director, Total Exploration and Production, Port Harcourt, says the company is to spend N40 million to build a soap manufacturing plant at Ekpene Ukim in Uruan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

 Le-Cocq, who stated this during the inauguration of the project in Uruan on Tuesday, added that the project was part of its corporate social responsibility.

 He said the project was to compliment the present administration’s efforts at boosting the industrial base of the state.

Le-Cocq said the plant, when completed, would boost 48 direct jobs and 100 indirect jobs in the state.

 “This project is estimated to cost about N40 million and has the potential of creating 48 direct and 100 indirect jobs within the communities,” he said.

 Le Cocq, who was represented by the Senior Adviser on Community Affairs, Mr Marshal Ukoh, said the plant would boost the economy of the state and support the growth of entrepreneurs in the affected community.

 “We have done this because we believe that it will go a long way to engineer the further development of the local economy in a sustainable manner,” he said.

 He advised the community to provide an enabling and conducive environment for the contractors handling the project.

 “We will continue to work towards the creation and support for small and medium sized self-sustaining business opportunities in our local communities, as they are the bedrock for the future growth,” he said.

 Mr Philip Desrach, Manager, Business and Enterprise Development of the company, said the soap plant was part of efforts by the company to empower people of the area.

 “This will also help to promote a harmonious relationship between the company and the people,” he said.

 The Paramount Ruler of Itu, Edidem Edet Akpan, commended the company for the project and urged them to continue to roll out programmes and projects that would positively touch the lives of the people.

 “If other companies have been doing this, youths restiveness will be a thing of the past,” he said.

 Mr Gregory Akpan, the youth leader in the area, appreciated the company for embarking on the projects and promised that they would create the needful conducive environment for the contractors to operate. (NAN)

 SDB/MAS/IA

 Edited by Moses Solanke

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Fake EFCC official arrested in Adamawa Assembly

Arrest

By Yakubu Uba

Yola, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) A fake Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) official who identified himself as Simon Bolki, has been arrested on Tuesday in Adamawa House of Assembly while attempting to dupe the Majority Leader, Mr Hassan Barguma.

Barguma told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the suspect approached him in his office with a fake EFCC identity card claiming to be from the Intelligence Unit of the commission.

“When I called the name of my brother working with the EFCC in Abuja and other names of EFCC officials I know, he said he didn’t know them.

“I then called my brother in EFCC and liked them together while placing the phone on speaker,” he said.

Barguma said during the chat between his brother and the suspect, the suspect could not provide convincing answers.

“My brother then pronounced him as an impostor and from there he started pleading with me.

“He said he was a university graduate and that it was lack of job that pushed him into the act.

“I had to intervene to prevent people from lynching him while we awaited the arrival of police who took him to the state CID,” he said.

Also speaking on the incident, the Information Officer of the assembly, Mr Mohammed Daji, said that the suspect was first sighted on Monday in the premises of the assembly trying to approach lawmakers.

“One of the lawmakers even gave him appointment for Tuesday,” Daji said.

The Acting Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in Adamawa, DSP Habibu Musa, confirmed the incident.

“We have so far arrested two suspects and investigation is ongoing,” Musa said. (NAN)
YMU/AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf

NBTS
By Akeem Abas
Ogbomoso (Oyo State), Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) Prof. Emiola Nihinlola, the President of the  Nigeria Baptist Theological Seminary (NBTS), Ogbomoso,  has called on  INEC and the police to maintain neutrality during the 2019 general elections.

He gave the advice at a news conference held in Ogbomoso to herald the seminary’s 2018 Annual Ministers’ conference.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nihinlola is also the Vice-Chairman, Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA) and the Director, International Council for Higher Education, West Africa Network.

Nihinlola, a professor of Theological Studies, said the two agencies have critical roles to play in the electoral process.

“These agencies should be neutral and be unbiased umpires. It is time for Nigeria to move forward socially, economically, politically and spiritually.

“As the nation prepares for elections in  2019, we also call on the political class to respect the rule of law and constitutionality,’’ he said.

He called on political parties to embrace internal democracy, urging politicians to learn the modern art of power-sharing and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

Nihinlola also urged aspiring leaders not to force themselves on the populace.

“We must not allow our youths to engage in thuggery. Politics is never a do or die affair. Our vote is our power and it is not meant to be sold.

“We must be discerning and elect God-fearing people who would lead us for a common good and development of our society,’’ he said.

The NBTS president stated that the annual ministers’ conference would hold between Sept. 10  and Sept. 14, adding that it would provide opportunities for fellowship and denominational promotion.

He said that the objective of the conference was to celebrate the faithfulness of God and to further challenge gospel ministers to be faithful to the Word.

“This conference is of special significance as the grand finale of the 120th-anniversary activities which started in November  2017,’’ he said.

NAN reports that the seminary which was established in 1898 by the Southern Baptist Convention in the US first awarded the Bachelor of Theology degree in 1948.

The conference with the theme,  “God of Covenant, ’’ would feature musical worship, bible teachings, intercessory prayers, football matches and administration of Holy Communion. (NAN)
TAA/FF/OJO
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(Edited by Fela Fashoro/Mufutau Ojo)

Defection

By Angela Atabo

Abuja, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) Some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on Tuesday in Abuja said politicians cross-carpeting from one political party to another was out of desperation.

Some of the CSOs who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) unanimously agreed that in an ideal political environment, political parties have ideologies which attract politicians to join.

Mr Samson Itodo, Executive Director, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA) Africa, said the recent defections by politicians should, however, not be a surprise to many political discerning Nigerians.

“Primarily, defection depends on political actors that lack principle, ideology and values.

“When people don’t have principles, values or ideologies, what you get is people moving from post to post in search of sense of direction.

“So they go to this party, and if it is not protecting their interest, they move to another political party,” he said.

Itodo said that the defection was about politicians shifting allegiance not based on fair principle, but on self-interest.

He said that such an act was indeed a sad thing to the nation’s political system.

Itodo said that defections were already affecting youth candidacy, adding that the level witnessed so far had its implications.

“Someone, who has not worked for a political party, who has not paid his dues, who has not been a member of the political party, but decides to defect, is accorded eminence,” he said.

For Ms Esther Uzoma, Alternate Chairperson, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, the defections, while not healthy, may however, not be all bad.

According to her, the defections were indicative of the fact that the country enjoyed a vibrant democratic system.

“On the one hand, it indicates a vibrant democracy, while on the other hand, it also indicates a political system that is totally devoid of ideological persuasion.

“So, moving towards 2019, we get the impression that these are just politicians trying to seize power.

“It is not that they are trying to convince the electorate about a particular ideology or providing particular answer to the Nigerian question,” she said.

Similarly, Mr Frank Tietie, Executive Director, Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER), said the defections were a reflection of desperation by some politicians.

“Unfortunately, they are without ideological basis and as such it becomes worrisome.

“We are in a situation where politicians began to engage in permutations, rather than actual political education.

“Certainly, this will affect women and youth candidacy, because the odds have always been against them, especially due to money politics,” he said.

Tietie added that even with the enactment of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run law, there was still not much hope for young people.

“This is because the question has now become they are now too poor to run, as they don’t have the necessary resources to battle with some old political players,” he said.

According to him, the way forward is for the people to realise that the ultimate political power is resident in them as they are the ones who control real political power. (NAN)

ATAB/KTO/OPI

Edited by Kamal Oropo and Olisa Ifeajika

Nigeria Air to get operational certificates within 90 days – NCAA

NCAA

By Adekunle Williams

Lagos, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Tuesday said it would deliver the Air Transport Licence (ATL) and the Aircraft Operators Certificate (AOC) to the new national carrier, Nigeria Air, in the next 90 days.

The Director-General, NCAA, Capt. Muktar Usman, who announced this at a news conference in Lagos, said the proposed December take off of the carrier was still feasible.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the Airline Transport Licence (ATL) is the highest level of aircraft pilot certificate.

Those certified as Airline Transport Pilots (unconditional) are authorised to act as pilot in command on scheduled air carrier’s aircraft.

On the other hand, the Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) is the approval granted by a National Aviation Authority (NAA) to an aircraft operator to allow it to use aircraft for commercial purposes.

Usman said, “We still have more than 90 days to the end of the year, so, it is still feasible, all things being equal. I am just talking from the regulatory point of view.”

He assured the flying public and Nigerians that the government was still working round the clock for a successful take off of the airline.

According to him, the government will continue to work effectively on the project until it is delivered to Nigerians at the stipulated time.

He noted that talks surrounding the proposed national carrier had reduced significantly because most Nigerians were beginning to understand and buy into it.

Usman explained that the role of Transaction Advisers to the project was a gradual process, adding that the process so far had been transparent.

“The government intention about the take off of Nigeria Air is to get the best for the flying public because Nigerians have been yearning for a strong and viable carrier.

We want a carrier that will meet the demands and potential of the domestic market, the regional market and the international market,” he said.

NAN reports that the government, through the Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, had on July 18, unveiled the name and logo of the new national carrier at the Farnborough Air Show in London, United Kingdom.

Sirika had stressed that the government was fully committed to fulfilling the campaign promise made by the President, Muhammadu Buhari, in 2015 to establish a new national carrier like the defunct Nigerian Airways. (NAN)

WAC/IA

Niger Govt. pays N2.6bn as retirement benefits to 1,599 pensioners

Pensions

By Aminu Ahmed Garko

Minna, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) The Niger Government says it has so far released N2.6 billion as pension to 1,599 state and local government pensioners within the last three years.

The Director-General of the state Pensions Board, Alhaji Usman Muhammad, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Minna.

He said the breakdown of the amount showed that N1 billion was paid to the pensioners in the state employment, while those of the local government got N1.5 billion within the period.

According to him, 1,599 persons have benefited.

He added that out of the figure 456 were for the state, while 1,143 belonged to the local governments.

He said the payments were in five batches, adding that the fifth batch for the local government pensioners was yet to be implemented.

The director general explained that on assumption of office of the current management on March 18, 2016, the board carried out an analysis of outstanding liabilities it met amounting to about N4.3 billion.

“After a careful look at the figure, a final amount of N2.06 billion was finally established as outstanding liabilities under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) for the State and Local Government beneficiaries,” he noted.

He, however, said the PFAs were frustrating the payment of entitlements to pensioners under the Contributory Pensions Scheme.

“There have been some observed delays by the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) who are deliberately dragging the process of the payment of the refunds to beneficiaries.

“Having observed this, the board intimated the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) in some of its several correspondences and reported the issue of undue delays by PFAs,” he explained.

He, however, said that the situation had changed within the last three weeks as 10 out the 19 PFAs involved had started effecting payments.( NAN)

AAG/GOM/IA
===========
Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Idris Abdulrahman

Scholarship

By Constance Imasuen

Abuja, Sept 4, 2018 (NAN) The MTN Foundation has awarded scholarship to 96 visually impaired and for normal students and 1068 for normal students to study science and technology in various tertiary institutions in Nigeria for 2018.

Mr Dennis Okoro, Director MTN Foundation, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during the presentation of award to some of the beneficiaries.

He said the award of the scholarship was part of MTN social corporate responsibility in giving back to the society.

“We are here for three things: trust, relationship and our future. Over the last 17years, millions of Nigerians have trusted MTN with the task of providing telecommunication services.

“This is why, through the MTN Foundation, we invested time, resources and energy into our communities with the goal of having better relationships and working together to build a better future.

“The one we are doing today is part of our programme for undergraduates in the universities in science and technology and in areas we need to encourage.

“We don’t do it by quota; we only do it by purely academic performance, both for visually impaired and for normal students.

“I urge you to take this opportunity to work hard and come in flying colours with high grades,“ he said.

On his part, the Minister of Education, Mal. Adamu Adamu,expressed optimism that the MTN gesture would enhance  academic excellence among the beneficiaries and reduce the high cost of tuition.

Mr Olagunju Lateef, Director of Scholarship in the ministry represented the minister at the occasion.

“This has also motivated students in Nigeria to study harder by encouraging competition among them.

“It is pertinent to acknowledge the yearly selection of brilliant but indigent students to be awarded scholarship by MTNF.

“It gives hope to the less privileged in the Nigerian society as well as giving them a sense of belonging.

“The MTNF, from inception, has awarded a total of 8,145 scholarships, valued at N1. 6 billion.

“This is a laudable achievement on the part of MTNF and the Federal Government of Nigeria is glad that MTN has keyed into the scholarship award programme of this administration.“

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of University of Abuja, Prof. Michael Adikwu, said MTN investing on youths and blind students in science and technology was laudable.

Adeko represented by Prof. Ajaro Sunday of University of Abuja, said scholarship awarded to the blind was a way of helping to accomplish academic excellence.

He commended MTN for the gesture and promised the foundation that the University was ready to partner with the organisation to promote science and technology in the country. (NAN)

COA/GOM/DUA

Edited by Gregory Mmaduakolam/Dada Ahmed

Collaboration
By Lydia Ngwakwe
Lagos, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) A private medical laboratory in Lagos, El-Lab, which benefitted from the Federal Government Genexpert Machine, on Tuesday called for collaboration with other private health partners to wholly end tuberculosis.

Prince Elochukwu Adibo, the Laboratory Director of El-Lab, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that there were 300,000 tuberculosis missed people yet to be found and treated.

Adibo, speaking on the sidelines of a Public Private Mix (PPM) summit for Tuberculosis control in Nigeria, said that this call for concerted efforts by all.

The summit was organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Lagos State Ministry of Health.

NAN reports that a Genexpert machine was presented to El-Lab Ltd. by the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, at the summit.

GeneXpert machine can detect tuberculosis in a sample of sputum.

Adibo said: “We are really happy to have this machine; it is a call for collaboration, rather than having any form of bitterness, rancor or misunderstanding; there is so much work to do.

“We have over 300,000 tuberculosis cases out there we should look for; people like you and I, our neighbours, colleagues, among others.

“These are cases that we should look out for and put our efforts together in diagnosis and treatment to make things different and eliminate this terrible disease that is really a scourge in Nigeria health sector.

“So, we are happy to be part of it and we are strongly representing ourselves as a key operator in the private sector to make a difference,’’ Adibo said.

Dr Tunji Akintade, the Chairman, Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN), pledged commitment to collaborate with the government and other partners.

“My association is willing to partner with the government and the partners, even if it is to own the wellness on wheel machine and go into the country so that we can reduce tuberculosis burden in Lagos.

“Lagos is at a disadvantage because it is seen as an urban centre; minute by minute we see people trouping in to the state.

“We have created an opportunity to present a model.

“If honoured by the Minister and our Commissioner for Health, it is something that will reduce the burden in terms of detecting and reporting, as well as treating a tuberculosis case outright,’’ Akintade said.

Also, the Secretary of the Association of Community Pharmacist in Nigeria (ACPN), Mr Okotie Jonah, said that fighting tuberculosis was the responsibility of all.

“Tuberculosis fight is something we should all be involved in because there is responsibility for everybody.

“We are going to do a lot of referrals when persons with tuberculosis conditions come to us, we have partners we refer them to.

“Beyond the referrals, there are also drug centres whereby the persons will be referred to for diagnosis.

“So, it is a teamwork that should be brought together and change the narrative of health system globally,’’ Jonah said. (NAN)
LED/GOK
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Edited by Olagoke Olatoye

Buhari’s wife reaffirms  advocacy against spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa
Aids
By Ahmed Ubandoma
Beijing, (China) Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) Wife of the President Aisha Buhari has reaffirmed her support for the need to strengthen collaboration on advocacy for prevention and control of the spread of HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Mrs Buhari made the commitment on Tuesday during a high-level meeting of the 2018 China-Africa Conference on HIV/AIDS of the Organisation of African First Ladies, hosted by the wife of Chinese President, Mrs Peng Liyuan.

The meeting was conveyed by the China`s first lady at the sidelines of the Forum of China – Africa Corporation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing.

The event was aimed at fostering cooperation with the spouses of African Heads of States to fight the scourge.

She said that HIV remained a major health challenge facing communities in the sub-Saharan African, adding that the victims were mostly adults of productive age.

Mrs Buhari said regrettably, the larger number of young population had the higher risk of infection, hence the need to sensitise them.

She, therefore, called for action on treatment as well as prevention and control of the diseases.

The wife of the president said the HIV prevalence among adolescents in Nigeria ranged within the age of 15 to 19 years, amounting to 2.9 per cent.

According to her, China and Africa share common stand on the rising cases of HIV infections and other sexual and reproductive health challenges among young people.

Mrs Buhari, however, urged the participants to be resilient to establish appropriate institutions between China and Africa, to scale up adolescent-friendly information dissemination and services.

She, therefore, expressed hope that the event would provide avenues for renewed commitment and actions against the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration, Dr Hajo Sani, said that the main target of the conference was focusing on young population, particularly the young girls on how their lives could be empowered.

She said the aim was to sensitise them to the need to understand the implication of the infectious diseases.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that HIV/AIDS was a major killer disease bedeviling countries in Africa with estimated 3.4 million people living with the diseases.

Swaziland has a highest number of 5.6 million people living with HIV/AIDS, followed by Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa.

It was on this premise that the spouses of China and African leaders converged on Beijing to discuss the way forward (NAN).
AMU/IA
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Arik Air aircraft aborts take-off at Benin Airport

Arik

By Adekunle Williams

Lagos, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) An Arik Air aircraft operating from Benin Airport to Lagos Airport on Tuesday aborted take-off when the Pilot-in-Command observed an abnormality during the process.

The Communication Manager of Arik Air, Mr Ola Adebanji, confirmed the incident in Lagos.

Adebanji explained that the aircraft, a Bombardier CRJ900, was brought under control on the runway in the process with no damage to the aircraft and no injury was sustained to the passengers on board.

“After the situation was brought under control, in which there was no casualty to the passengers, an alternative aircraft was immediately provided to fly the passengers to Lagos.

“The aircraft has since been ferried to Lagos for appropriate checks and observation and maintenance,” he said.

Adebanji said the airline apologised to its passengers for the inconveniences that occurred during the incident.

He restated the airline’s commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards. (NAN)

WAC/KTO/IA

Edited by Kam0al Tayo Oropo/Idris Abdulrahman