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ANRP slashes expression of interest fees, extends deadline

Extension

By Diana Omueza

Abuja, Sept. 4, 2018(NAN) The Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP), has slashed fee for Expression of Interest (EOI) and nomination forms by 50 per cent, and also extended deadline for its sale by two days.

Mrs Ebere Okonkwo, the party’s National Secretary, made the disclosure in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

Okonkwo said that the deadline for the sale of the EOI and nomination forms would now end in the next 24 hours.

Okonkwo said that the changes were necessitated by some minor reviews carried out by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

“If the screening in any particular state is Sept. 9, the deadline for the payment of expression of interest fee and request for the EOI form will be on Sept. 7,” she said.

Okonkwo advised that aspirants should contact their state chairmen for details on the dates of screening in each state.

She noted that when sending back the EOI forms to the National Secretariat, all aspirants would be expected to attach a copy of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) or Temporary voter cards (TVCs) to it.

“All aspirants are to attach their PVCs or TVCs, party membership identity card and proof of payment of EOI for the nomination forms, “she added

She however noted that the partys guidelines and election schedule for 2019 general elections would soon be updated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the EOI for presidency was N80,000 and nomination fee N1.5million before the slash.(NAN)
DOM/AZA/OU

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Edited by Polycarp Auta/Obike Ukoh

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Election
By Bolaji Buhari
Lagos, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) on Tuesday urged the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) to ensure a credible conduct of the Sept. 22  governorship election in Osun.

The state chairman of  IPAC, Dr Idowu Omidiji, made the call in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said the will of the people would only prevail if the election was conducted in a credible manner.

“As we approach the Sept. 22 governorship election in the state, we are calling on INEC to put in place all arrangements to ensure a credible conduct of the elections.

“Expections are high; our people are looking forward to a free and fair election.

“ We advise INEC to work out the right plans to ensure the process is not only transparent but violence-free,’’ he said.

Omidiji said vote-buying and selling were an aberration in an ideal democracy and urged INEC to check the practices in the election.

He said open buying of votes which was dominant in the last governorship election in Ekiti should not be allowed to feature in Osun election.

Admitting those poverty aides the practice, he urged the people of Osun not to sell votes as this would not solve their problems.

Omidiji also advised residents to vote according to their conscience and elect only leaders that have the passion and credentials to move the state forward.

“On our part, we will continue to sensitise our people on the need to vote right and not sell their votes.

“We will continue to tell them that if they sell their votes to desperate politicians, they are selling their future.

“We want our people to entrust the state to leaders that care and not those who will woo them with money in an election and later turn against them,’’ he said.

He further urged politicians and residents to contribute to the success of the election by shunning violence in whatever form.

Omidiji also urged residents to give the necessary support to INEC and other stakeholders to ensure a successful conduct of the election. (NAN)
BHB/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Release
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has released 19 new high yield crop varieties to enhance agricultural production.

The National Variety Release Committee (NVRC) approved the release at its 26th meeting held at its secretariat at the  National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan.

NACGRAB’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Dr Sunday Aladele, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Ibadan that an indigenous chicken breed was also approved for registration and release.

Aladele said the chicken breed submitted by the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), was a dual purpose (egg and meat) livestock breed called FUNAAB Alpha Chicken.

The Registrar said the chicken breed had performance characteristics such as body weight, egg weight and survivability surpassing those of existing Nigerian local chickens.

He said the Chairman of the NVRC, Chief Oladosu  Awoyemi, announced the release of the chicken breed and the 19 crop varieties out of the 21 submitted for consideration during the meeting.

Aladele said the 19 crop varieties included one soybean (SC-SL01), five maize hybrids (P4226, P3966, P4063, WE3205and DKB350) and two maize varieties (AMANA-1 and AMANA – 2).

Others, he said,  were one sweet potato variety (Solo Gold),  three groundnut varieties (SAMNUT 27, SAMNUT 28 and SAMNUT 29)  and three sorghum varieties  (SAMSORG 47, SAMSORG 48 and SAMSORG 49).

Aladele said two cowpea varieties (SAMPEA 18 and SAMPEA 19) and two transgenic hybrid cotton (MAYCO C567 BGII and MAYCO C570 BGII) were also approved for release.

The NACGRAB boss said criteria used by the committee for release of the crops included characteristics such as high yield potential, good pod clearance and resistance to potato virus.

He said other characteristics were good standard, resistance to lodging, early maturity, tolerance to drought, excellent husk cover, high grain yield and tolerance to insect pests.

Aladele said scientists, seed companies, research institutes, universities and breeders from Nigeria, India and Kenya attended the meeting.

He said some foreign participants also developed the newly released varieties for their countries. (NAN)
CC/MOL/OJO
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(Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Mufutau Ojo)

Pilgrims
By Mohammad Tijjani
Kaduna, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board says 872 pilgrims from the state have returned from Saudi Arabia after a successful 2018 Hajj operation.
The Public Relations Officer of the board, Yunusa Abdullahi, said this in a statement in Kaduna on Tuesday.
He said the pilgrims returned home in two flights.
Abdullahi said the first flight brought 560 pilgrims on Sept. 2, while 312 pilgrims returned in the early hours of Tuesday.
“The 312 pilgrims who are mostly from Igabi and Kubau local government areas of Kaduna State returned via Med-View Airline.
“The pilgrims arrived with their luggage and will be given five litres of “Zamzam water” each while claiming their luggage at Hajj Transit Camp, Mando.
“So far, 872 Kaduna State pilgrims have returned home in two flights.”Abdullahi said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report that a total of 3,238 pilgrims from Kaduna State performed this year’s Hajj operation. (NAN)
TJ/MO/TA
Edited by Omolade/Tajudeen Atitebi

Shekarau

By Tukur Muntari
Kano, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) Former Governor of Kano state, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has finally dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Sule Ya’u Sule, Media Aide to the former governor disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Tuesday.

Sule Ya, u who did no give reasons for the decision, however told NAN that Shekarau had already called for a stakeholders meeting to be held today (Tuesday).

He explained that during the meeting, the former governor and the stakeholders would decide where he (Shekarau) will go.

“The former governor has left PDP and has called for a stakeholders meeting today (Tuesday) from where he will decide where to go.

“You know he will not take decision without meeting the stakeholders which has always been his habit,” Ya’u Sule said.

NAN reports that the PDP State Executive Committee was dissolved by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on Friday in Abuja.

The decision by the NWC to disregard the earlier court order irked the state leadership, supporters and all stakeholders of the party in the state.

The state leadership on Monday rejected in totality the purported dissolution of the state executive committee by the NWC of the party.

Alhaji Sarki Labaran, a chieftain of the party declared the stand of the party in the state while addressing hundreds of supporters who converged on the state Headquarters of the party

The NWC  had yet to give reason as to why it took the action. (NAN)

MTM/SH

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Qualification
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) Super Eagles defender William Ekong on Monday said he was confident that Nigeria would qualify for the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The three-time African champions will face Seychelles on Saturday in their second group E game after losing their first game 2-0 to South Africa in their first game in June last year.

Ekong is expected to partner Leon Balogun in central defence, barring any last minute hitch.

He was quoted on the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) website as saying that if the team performs at its optimal level,  there was no reason why they cannot qualify for the tournament.

Ekong noted that the disappointment of not qualifying for the second round at the 2018 FIFA World Cup was enough to spur the team to qualify for the 2019 AFCON.

“I think we have demonstrated now that when Nigeria plays at its best there aren’t many teams we have to fear.

“But it will be a hard job in the next two months and I know the boys and staff are taking these games very seriously.

“But of course, I believe if we perform at our optimum, we will garner the points from the remaining matches and qualify for the final tournament.

“It was hard for all of us not to make progress from the group stage at the World Cup.

“But I still look back with pride about the team because our outing in Russia has definitely made us hungrier to qualify for the 2019 AFCON and to go all the way there,’’ he said.

The 25-year-old defender also revealed that his aim was to win more laurels with the Super Eagles.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Udinese defender was a member of Nigeria’s Rio 2016 men’s football team that won bronze.

“It has been amazing being able to represent Nigeria for some years now, putting on the green-white-green with pride.

“I am proud of the medal we brought home to Nigeria from the Olympics Football Tournament in Brazil in 2016, but my big aim is to win something with the Super Eagles.

“I am really looking forward to that,’’ he said.

The former Gent defender also revealed that his move to the Italian Serie A had brought out the best in him.

“It has been hard work, persistence and the help of God. I’m grateful for where I am now but definitely not satisfied yet; I’m looking forward to the next challenge.

“It has pulled me out of my comfort zone again and I feel like I’m already making some good progress since my arrival, but I’m only just getting started,’’ he said. (NAN)
VO/OJO
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(Edited by Mufutau Ojo)

Federer

New York (U.S.), Sept. 4, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Roger Federer made a shock exit from the U.S. Open on Monday after the five-times champion was beaten 3-6 7-5 7-6(7) 7-6(3) by unseeded Australian John Millman in the round of 16.

Millman advanced to a quarter-final match-up against sixth seed Novak Djokovic.

Earlier, there was also an upset in the women’s game. Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro celebrated her 30th birthday in style at the U.S. Open by beating Russian Maria Sharapova 6-4 6-3 to book her place in the quarter-finals.

Millman, ranked 55th in the world, was dominated by Federer in the first set but turned the tables on the Swiss to take the second then held his nerve through two tiebreaks to secure the win in three hours and 34 minutes.

“Felt like a deer in the headlights to begin with, to be honest,” he said courtside.

“I’ve got to control the controllable and the one thing I can control is the fight in me. I’ve always brought the fight up.”

Millman said the victory had yet to sink in.

Sharapova, the 2006 champion, had never lost a night session match in New York prior to her first Grand Slam meeting with Suarez Navarro.

“Thank you so much guys,” Suarez Navarro said courtside after being wished happy birthday by the crowd. “It’s the first time I’ve played this year at night.

“I’m very happy because I played a good match.”

Five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova paid the price for 38 unforced errors and won less than half of her first serve points while committing eight double faults.

“I didn’t take care of the chances that I had,” the Russian told reporters.

“By chances, I mean the balls that were a little bit shorter.

Suarez will meet last year’s runner up Madison Keys in the quarters and knows she will be the underdog against the 14th seeded American.

“It will be a really tough match. She is from the United States so the crowd will probably help her,” Suarez Navarro added. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA

Seizure
‎
By Mohammed Ahmed Kaigama
‎
Bauchi, Sept. 4, 2018 (NAN) The Federal Operations Unit (FOU)‎ of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Zone D, has seized smuggled goods worth N500 million across the 9 states of the zone according to Mr Peters Olugboyega, the Comptroller of the zone.

He made the disclosure while briefing Journalists in Bauchi, adding that the goods were seized from various locations in the zone.
‎

Olugbenga said the seized goods include: 1,963 cartons of Spaghetti, 780‎ gallons of vegetable Oil, 300 bags of parboiled rice concealed in BUA Sugar bags and 90 Bales of second hand clothing
‎
According to him, the goods are accosted while being transported ‎in three J5 Buses and two trucks at different locations.

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‘”The truck carrying 1,963 cartons of Spaghetti and 780 Jerrycans of Vegetable oil was yesterday impounded along Potiskum-Gombe road.
‎
“The three J5 buses conveying 90 Bales of second ‎hand clothing, each fully loaded with 30 Bales

were today impounded by our personnel on patrol along Kano-Bauchi road

“The Mercedes-Benz truck with the concealed bags of Rice was impounded by our men along Jos-Bauchi road on last Saturday.

“The total worth of the goods is about N500 million, ” he said.
‎
The Comptroller noted that smuggling, had over time affected the country economy, leading to huge losses ‎in the revenue drive of the country.

Olugbenga nexpressed the commitment of the Service to reduce the menace to the barest minimum.
‎

He said that drivers of the vehicles ‎carrying the smuggled items were arrested and would soon be prosecuted alongside the smugglers.
‎
He warned Nigerians to desist from smuggling, stressing that that anyone caught would be prosecuted according to the provisions of the law

The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the Zone D of the Service with its headquarters in Bauchi, comprised of Borno,Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Taraba, Gombe, Plateau, Benue and Nassarawa‎ states (NAN)
MAK/AZA/DUA

Edited by Polycarp Auta/Dada Ahmed

Production
By Awayi Kuje
Lafia, Sept. 3, 2018 (NAN) The Association of Small Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN) says it will partner the Federal Government and development agencies on food production, to ensure food sufficiency in the country.

Mr Joshua Jonathan, the National President of the association made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia on Monday.

Jonathan, also a former director, Technical Services, Nasarawa Agricultural  Development Programme (NADP), said that the association would not relent in initiating good programmes to ensure adequate food production.

“We intend to work with banks, development agencies and government in various states to enhance the productivity of farmers.

“The partnership will go a long way in not only boosting food production but also ensure food sufficiency.”

Jonathan urged farmers to register with the association, considering its importance to societal development.

“You see, accessing funds is always difficult because people are not always working as a team.

“When farmers come under one umbrella to access funds, it will not be a problem but if you are going individually, it will be difficult.”

Jonathan urged farmers and herdsmen to co-exist peacefully to boost food production in the country.

He thanked members of the association for electing him to lead the association and pledged that he would not fail them. (NAN)

AKW/OIF/NKO
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Nkechi Okoronkwo

Osaka
New York (U.S.), Sept. 3, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Japan’s Naomi Osaka reached her first Grand Slam quarter-final by beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 2-6 6-4 in a pressure-packed clash of two hard-serving 20-year-old prospects.

Osaka, who won the Indian Wells Masters tournament in March, fired nine aces and produced 32 unforced errors, 10 fewer than her Belarussian opponent, in a gusty defensive performance.

Sabalenka, who saved three break points in the final set, flung her racket in dismay after committing a double-fault on match point, handing victory to her 19th-ranked opponent.

An emotional Osaka wiped tears from her eyes in an on-court interview, thanking the crowd and saying she would not have forgiven herself had she lost.

“I was just thinking I have to fight for every point; even if I break a leg I should try to get to every ball,” she said.

Osaka next faces either unseeded Czech Marketa Vondrousova, who upset 13th seed Kiki Bertens in the third round, or Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine, who were playing later in the Grandstand. (Reuters/NAN)
KIA/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo