Blog

Gymnastic

By Dorcas Jonah

Abuja, Aug.  30, 2018 (NAN) Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, on Thursday advised gymnasts to combine their career with education in order to better their future.

Dalung gave the advice while receiving the team Tony International Gymnastic that represented Nigeria at the just concluded Africa Gymnastic Level System tournament in South Africa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team won 22 medals: 10 gold, six sliver and six bronze.

According to him, gymnastic is one sport not only interesting, but also an Olympic sport.

”If you have chosen to be gymnast, I think you have made a good decision.

“All that you need to do is to be discipline.

”You need to have respect, work hard to get to the peak of your career, listen to your coaches and go for training regularly.

”If you come to training today and don’t come again, you are going to be disconnected from the training and cannot make good progress.

” I want to encourage you to continue with the training, government will continue to support and encourage you to ensure you have a good future in your chosen sport, ” he said.

Dalung expressed confident in the team, adding that they would represent Nigeria in gymnastics, come 2022 Olympics Games.

The minister supported the team with N200, 000 to ensure that the gymnasts continue their training.

Responding on behalf of the team, Tony Asuquo, Head coach of the team, thanked Nigerians and the Minister for their support in ensuring the growth of gymnastic in Nigeria.

“I thank God and Nigerians who stood by us, especially parents of these Gymnasts”, he said.

NAN reports that the Africa Gymnastic Level System is an annual inter club Gymnastic competition hosted by University of Pretoria, South Africa. (NAN)

DE/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed

NiMet predicts thunderstorms, rains for Friday

Rains

By Monday Ijeh

Abuja, Aug. 30, 2018 (NAN) The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms over Sokoto, Gusau, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi and Dutse during the morning hours with isolated thunderstorms over most parts of the northern region in the afternoon and evening hours for Friday.

NiMet in its Weather Outlook by its Central Forecast Office in Abuja on Thursday also predicted thunderstorms and rainfall across the country for Friday.

The agency said that day and night temperature in the region would be in the ranges of 29 – 30 degree Celsius and 21 – 25 degree Celsius respectively.

NiMet envisaged thunderstorms and rains over Kaduna, Makurdi, Lafia, Minna, Ilorin, Kogi, Taraba Ibi, Minna and Abuja during the morning hours.

It added that thunderstorms and rains would be expected over most parts of the central states in the afternoon and evening hours.

The agency said that day and night temperature in the region would be in the range of 29 – 31degree Celsius and 21 – 24 degree Celsius respectively.

NiMet predicted moderate rains over the southern region throughout the forecast period with day and night temperature in the range of 28- 31degree Celsius and 21 – 25 degree Celsius respectively. (NAN)

IMC/AFA

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Edited by Felix  Ajide

Draw

Monaco, Aug. 30, 2018 (Reuters/NAN)  Champions League runners-up Liverpool, Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain and Serie A side Napoli have been thrown together in the pick of the groups.

Following the draw for this season’s Champions League made on Thursday, their group could already be referred to as the ‘group of death’.

The trio were drawn into Group C alongside Red Star Belgrade, European Cup winners in 1991 and making their debut in the group stage.

Titleholders Real Madrid will face last season’s semi-finalists AS Roma plus CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen in Group G.

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo will face his former club Manchester United after they were drawn together in Group H that also includes Spanish side Valencia.

Inter Milan, back in the competition for the first time since 2011/12, face Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and PSV Eindhoven in Group B which features three former European champions. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/AFA

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Edited by Felix Ajide

Squad

London, Aug. 30, 2018 (Reuters/NAN) Manchester United defender Luke Shaw and Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana have been re-called to the England squad for September’s matches with Spain and Switzerland.

England manager Gareth Southgate named a 23-man squad on Thursday that was largely the same as the one that reached the semi-final of the World Cup in Russia in July.

Left back Shaw comes in at the expense of United team mate Ashley Young and there are also returns at the back for Liverpool’s Joe Gomez and James Tarkowski of Burnley.

Lallana returns having missed out on the squad for Russia after an injury-hit season, while Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy replaces the injured Nick Pope as back-up keeper.

McCarthy has been called up twice before but never capped by England.

England host Spain at Wembley on Sept. 8 in the UEFA Nations League and then take on Switzerland in a friendly in Leicester three days later.

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill and Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy had both announced on Wednesday that they were stepping away from the national team.

And Southgate said he had talked to 33-year-old Young about his preference to bring in younger players with an eye on Euro 2020.

“It would be unfair to say he was happy as he wants to play but he understands I want to see some young players in the shorter term,” said the England manager.

“He has had a difficult period in adapting to a new club and a horrendous injury.

“I am impressed with his physical condition and he had an extra edge in recent games when it has been going against his team, looking back to his powerful best.

“We felt he can add that extra impetus in wide areas,” he said.

Southgate noted there were only 20 games until the next tournament but that he was also keen to keep together the core of the squad that enjoyed their run to the last four in Russia.

“We’re coming off the back of a successful tournament so not a lot has changed,” he said.

“With us only being three games into the (domestic) season, I felt some continuity was important. Those who were with us in the summer deserve the right to go again.

“We wanted some continuity (but) we won’t stand still. We’ve added young players Luke Shaw and Joe Gomez.

“We’re aware of the excitement around some other young players but we think it’s a bit early for them.” (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/AFA

Edited by Felix Ajide

Draw

Monaco, Aug. 30, 2018 (Reuters/NAN)  The draw for the group stage of the Champions League made on Thursday:

Group A

Atletico Madrid

Borussia Dortmund

AS Monaco

Club Bruges

– – –

Group B

Barcelona

Tottenham Hotspur

PSV Eindhoven

Inter Milan

– – –

Group C

Paris St Germain

Napoli

Liverpool

Red Star Belgrade

– – –

Group D

Lokomotiv Moscow

Porto

Schalke 04

Galatasaray

– – –

Group E

Bayern Munich

Benfica

Ajax Amsterdam

AEK Athens

– – –

Group F

Manchester City

Shakhtar Donetsk

Olympique Lyonnais

Hoffenheim

– – –

Group G

Real Madrid

AS Roma

CSKA Moscow

Viktoria Plzen

– – –

Group H

Juventus

Manchester United

Valencia

Young Boys Bern

Matches to be played on Sept. 18/19, Oct. 2/3, Oct. 23/24, Nov. 6/7, Nov. 27/28 and Dec. 11/12. (Reuters/NAN)

KIA/AFA

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Edited by Felix Ajide

Partnership

By Mohammed Nur Tijani

Kano, Aug. 30, 2018 (NAN) Bayero University Kano (BUK) has expressed its readiness to establish partnership with Maryam Abacha American University of Niger (MAAUN), on Biomedical Research and Engineering.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Muhammad Yahuza Bello, made the remark while receiving officials of MAAUN who paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Thursday in Kano.

“BUK and Maryam Abacha American University of Niger (MAAUN) will establish partnership on Biomedical Research and Engineering.” he said.

Bello said the partnership would achieve a milestone, through carrying out joint research and other academic activities beneficial to Nigeria and other African countries.

He said that the boundary between Nigeria and Niger should not be a barrier as there is a lot the two universities could do in the areas of research, teaching and general academic collaboration.

He said Bayero University will assist MAAUN in staff training, capacity building and other relevant areas.

The Vice Chancellor said the National Universities Commission (NUC) is in support of the partnership.

He said Bayero University uses its Centre for Biotechnology Research, having the state of arts facilities, as the basis for the biomedical research partnership.

Bello said BUK has gone a long way in establishing centres of excellence that are globally recognised, citing the Centre for Dryland Agriculture as an example.

He expressed delight that BUK is encouraging the coming up of more private universities, MAAUN inclusive, in order to facilitate opportunity for offering admission to huge number of candidates seeking enrollment into various degree programmes.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director, Linkages and Collaboration, MAAUN, Dr. Bala Mohammed-Tukur, expressed delight over the planned partnership with BUK.

He added that MAAUN will also emulate Bayero University in achieving a milestone feat, through the establishment of centres of excellence.

Mohammed-Tukur said MAAUN was ready to fulfill its own part of the agreement, including committing its resources at any stage of the partnership.

While expressing MAAUN’s confidence in the leadership of Bayero University, the Director said going by the initial discussions between the two universities, the partnership would go a long way in benefiting the two universities and humanity, in general.

NAN reports that other members on the entourage included Prof Mohammed S. Magaji, Dean, School of Postgraduate Students; Dr. Rayyan M. Garba, Director, Operational Research; and Musa Abdullahi of MAAUN Foundation.(NAN)

MNT/KTO/MTM

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo/Tukur Muntari.

Primary

By Emmanuel Mogbede

Abuja, Aug. 30, 2018 (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it will adopt the direct primary election to pick its candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

Gov. Simeon Lalong of Plateau made this known while briefing the media at the end of the party’s 6th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhamnadu Buhari is APC preferred presidential candidate as he has been endorsed by different organs of the party for a second term.

Lalong explained that the Constitution of the party “provides for either direct, indirect or consensus, but for the presidential election, we all agreed that we will adopt direct primaries.

“Also, a recommendation was made by the National Working Committee (NWC) that states should adopt the indirect mode, but there may be situations that this might be difficult in the states, looking at their peculiarities.

”But the general option is that we go in for indirect option but any state that has a problem and will want to deviate is at liberty to write, following the normal process, with a resolution from the State Executive to the National Executive,” he said.

Lalong said that the NEC meeting also discussed the mode and guidelines for the 2019 general election, funding and the necessity for unity within the party following recent defections by some members.

He, however, added that rather than affect the party negatively, the gale of defections had strengthened it more.

The governor disclosed that the party’s NWC had been mandated to look into issues of electoral sequence that was raised after deliberations in line with the Electoral Act.

He also stated that a standing committee had been set up to look at the party’s funding for the coming elections, and stated that automatic ticket for party members was not discussed at the meeting.

“We didn’t discuss the issue of automatic ticket, but we discussed that yes, patriotic and loyal party members should be rewarded but not necessarily with automatic ticket,” he said.

Lalong said that meeting also looked at the issue of N21 million Expression of Interest and Nomination Form fee for governorship aspirants in the party as proposed by the NWC.

He said the cost was debated and was left to the party’s NWC to consider the views expressed and come up with “a reasonable figure”. (NAN)

EEM/OPI

Partnership
By Temitope Ponle
Abuja, Aug. 30, 2018 (NAN) India says it is exploring ways of improved partnership with Nigeria as both countries marked 60 years of bilateral relations.

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Nagabhushana Reddy, stated this on the side line of a high-level panel discussion on India-Nigeria relations in Abuja on Thursday.

He said that relations between both countries would be defined by a progressive agenda that is guided by the 10 principles on India-Africa relations recently announced by his government.

Reddy added that bilateral trade was “heavily” in favour of Nigeria with a volume of $12 billion.

“In this context, the priorities which we will like to set out of these 10 guiding principles are agriculture, how to address climate change, how to collectively fight the scourge of terrorism, create employment and enhance investments.

“The focus will also be to engage the two countries so that the priorities of the countries are considered and we have also talked about how Indian markets will be open for more goods coming from Africa.”

He further highlighted areas that both countries shared collaborations in the 60 years of their relations.

“At the cusp of 60 years of engagement between India and Nigeria, we have developed a unique connect in diverse areas: diversity, democratic, demographic, development, defence, trade, energy, business, agriculture, medical, education and people-to-people connect.”

A representative of the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, Mr Nkemnema Andrew, recommended that both countries partner in the area of climate change to address issues of insecurity in the country.

Andrew urged the India Government to share its experience with Nigeria in the area of peaceful coexistence.

“We can use the 10 guiding principles of India in line with the mandate of the institute to address the issues of climate change which is one of the root causes of herders and farmers clashes.

“We need to collaborate in the area of peace building and with the experiences we have at 60, let us use our relations to fight our common enemies.”

A former permanent secretary in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Ndubisi Osuji, called for enhanced relations in the areas of technology and human capacity building.

Osuji called on the government to safeguard the relations between both countries and “genuinely learn from India”.

“India is self-sufficient and Nigeria stands to benefit a lot from the relations.”

Participants further recommended the need for Africa to develop solutions that would concretely address common issues with support from friendly countries like India. (NAN)
TOP/IS
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FMBN disburses N46.9m housing renovation loans to AMAC staff

Loan
By Ella Anokam
Abuja, Aug. 30, 2018 (NAN) The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), on Thursday, disbursed N46.9 million to 49 members of staff of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), under its Home Renovation Loan (HRL) scheme.

Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, Managing Director of the bank, while presenting the cheques in Abuja, urged more civil servants to key into the scheme because of its low interest rates and accessibility.

The HRL scheme affords National Housing Fund (NHF) contributors the opportunity to access maximum of N1 million loans for renovation of their existing homes.

Dangiwa, who was represented by the FMBN North Zone Coordinator, Mrs Shakirat Oyawoye, noted that the amounts given to the staff varied depending on their requests.

He added that contributors to another category of NHF scheme could also get between N5million and N15million, to enable them build or buy houses.

“Civil servants should be keen to contribute to the scheme; any civil servant who was unable to access the scheme while in service will be refunded immediately at retirement.

“We have received several applications from AMAC, approval have been given for up to five batches of beneficiaries for loan disbursement,’’ he said.

He urged the beneficiaries to utilise the loans judiciously, and cautioned them against using it for unnecessary purposes.

Mrs Felicia Aningo, FCT FMBN Coordinator, said that the HRL was introduced to enable more NHF contributors get funds to make their shelters habitable, under a conducive repayment plan.

She explained that area councils, institutions of higher learning and state civil servants were expected to repay in five years, and four years for federal civil servants.

Aningo said that Kuje, Abaji, Bwari and AMAC area councils have benefited immensely from the scheme, and urged other civil servants to apply through any FMBN office nearest to them.

“NHF scheme is the cheapest way to get or renovate houses by civil servants, some people in the interior areas can build houses with the N1 million.

“The loan of six per cent interest rate is paid directly into the beneficiary’s account; there is no need of primary mortgage institution or middle person,’’ she said.

The AMAC Chairman, Abdulahi Adamu commended the FMBN for the gesture, which he said would bring development to his staff and the society at large.

Mr Ayo Ajibola, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed joy and added that the loan would help refurbish his house.

“I am grateful to FMBN for coming to the aids of civil servants to enable them have a house over their heads before their retirement.

“This is a great opportunity because many people cannot save up to N1million to put their houses in order,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NHF scheme mandates civil servants to contribute 2.5 per cent of their monthly basic salaries, for provision of houses. (NAN)
ELLA/JTJ/AFA

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Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Felix Ajide

Arrest

By Mustapha Sumaila

Abuja, August 30, 2018 (NAN) The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) says it has arrested a retired civil servant for alleged human trafficking.

According to him, the suspect was allegedly using Federal Ministry of Health letter head papers as an attempt to traffic 12 persons to Finland.

NAPTIP Director of Investigation and Monitoring Mr Josiah Emerole disclosed this while during a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.

Emerole said that the suspect allegedly impersonated various personalities in attempt to traffic his victims overseas.

He explained that the suspect signed letters to someone in Finland as Director, Policy, Planning, Research and Strategy, under the guise of embarking on a study tour of health facilities.

The director said that in another letter, the suspect claimed to be an official of Hospital Management Board of Ogun government in the office of Ogun governor.

According to him, the suspect used all these tricks to acquire visas for the people he wanted to traffic to Finland.

Emerole disclosed that four of the victims were intercepted on August 29 by NAPTIP operatives and arrested the suspect at the Finland Embassy in Abuja, adding that the suspect confessed to the crime.

Similarly, the director said that another suspect (33) had been in the custody of the organisation for allegedly trafficking seven persons to Libya.

He said that the victims were intercepted by officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Katsina and later transferred to NAPTIP.

Emerole expressed appreciation to immigration service for the collaborative effort and appealed for sustainability of the partnership.

He reiterated NAPTIP commitment and determination to tackle cases of human trafficking in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two suspects confessed to the crime while interacting with newsmen.

One of the suspects, the retired civil servant, told NAN that he retired from active service after 35 years of work from Office of Accountant-General in Ogun state. (NAN)
MS/DUA

Edited by Dada Ahmed