The Nation Newspaper

Tag: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

  • Rio Olympics 2016:Williams sisters lose in doubles

    Rio Olympics 2016:Williams sisters lose in doubles

    Serena and Venus Williams on Sunday at Rio 2016 lost for the first time in an Olympics doubles match.

    According to News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN), their hopes of winning a fourth successive title were surprisingly ended in the first round.

    The American top seeds lost 6-3 6-4 to Czech Republic’s Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova, who were only paired together at late notice.

    Strycova replaced Karolina Pliskova, who withdrew because of Zika concerns.

    This was the Williams’ first defeat in 16 Olympics matches playing together.

    The sisters won gold together at Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008 and London 2012, but did not compete at Athens 2004 after Serena pulled out through injury.

    “We played terrible and it showed in the results,” said 22-time Grand Slam singles title winner Serena.

    NAN reports that Venus, 36, also lost in the singles on Saturday.

    The U.S. women’s Olympic tennis coach Mary Joe Fernandez had said afterwards that the seven-time major champion had been sick since before she arrived in Brazil.

    Serena, 34, can still become the first woman to win two Olympic singles titles after the London 2012 gold medallist beat Australia’s Daria Gavrilova earlier on Sunday.

    But Venus, who won the individual title at Sydney 2000, saw her hopes of a fifth gold ended by Safarova and Strycova.

    Neither of the unseeded Czech pair had previously won an Olympic doubles match, also losing their only previous outing together in a Fed Cup match last year.

    “It was what it was,’’ Serena said. “We have a chance to compete for our country and did the best that we can. We had a blast out there.

    “I wouldn’t say it was devastating. It was a lot of fun and we will always remember these moments and these matches.

    “At the end of the day, I think that’s what matters most.’’

  • NSCDC arrests five IPDs over alleged theft, vandalism

    NSCDC arrests five IPDs over alleged theft, vandalism

    The Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Borno on Wednesday arrested five Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) for allegedly vandalising and stealing camp structures.

    The state NSCDC Commandant, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, who made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, said the suspects were arrested in Bakassi camp.

    According to him, items recovered from the suspects include windows, blends, noggin roofs, pipes and rubbers, among others.

    “The IDPs are now causing more havoc by vandalising the hard-earned structure that the government put in place.

    “There are bad eggs among the IDPs who can do anything to get money.

    “Some of them engage in prostitution and sexual abuses while some are into illicit hard drug use.

    “The Command warned the culprits to desist from such crimes or face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

  • DSS arrest 10 suspected kidnappers in Kogi

    DSS arrest 10 suspected kidnappers in Kogi

    The Department of State Services (DSS), Kogi Command, says it has arrested 10 suspected kidnappers in the last six weeks in its bid to eliminate kidnapping in the state.

    Mr Joseph Okpo, the State Director of the command, disclosed this in a statement he signed and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

    Okpo said that four of the suspected kidnappers/robbers were arrested at Koton-Karfe along the Abuja-Lokoja highway, dressed in military combat uniforms.

    He gave the names of the suspects as Haruna Saleh (aka Auta), who is the ring leader, Kabiru Shaibu, Abdulmuminu Adamu and Tukur Shuiabu.

    The DSS boss, however, did not disclose the names of the other six suspects who he said were arrested in different locations in the state.

    He said that an on-the-spot search conducted on the suspects and their vehicle showed that they were in possession of a locally made pistol and long barrel gun.

    Other items recovered include, three pairs of army camouflage uniforms; seven pump action cartridges; a cutlass; 14 cell phones; cash and one green-coloured Gulf3 vehicle with registration number KWL 946 FB.

    Okpo said that during investigation, the gang availed information to the existence of three unrecovered AK 47 and other weapons kept in a yet-to-be identified location.

    “Intelligence further revealed that the group has links with other kidnap syndicates operating in FCT, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger States.

    “ The gang admitted carrying out six different robbery/kidnap operations along the Minna-Kontagora road, Niger State; Malumfashi, Mararaba-Jos and Jaji-Zaria roads in Kaduna State,’’ he said.

    He said that some of the alleged perpetrators of crime, especially robbery and kidnapping in the state included outsiders who used the state to further their nefarious acts.

    According to him, they do so due to the geographical/topographical peculiarities of the state.

    He said that the command would continue to collaborate with other security agencies and stakeholders to reduce crime and criminality to the barest minimum in the state and its environs.

    He warned all criminal elements to leave the state.

    The DSS boss stressed that the Service and other security agencies had taken advantage of the renewed zeal of the state government’s support in ensuring law and order in the area.

  • Police vow to arrest killers of newly-wed bride

    Police vow to arrest killers of newly-wed bride

    The Police in Kano on Tuesday vowed to arrest those behind the murder of a newly-wed bride (name withheld) in Sha’iskawa village of  Danbatta Local Gover‎nment Area of the state.

    The Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, DSP Magaji Majiya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the command had already commenced investigation into the incident with a view to arresting perpetrators of the dastardly act.

    “After we received the report of the incident around 5:30 a.m.‎ on Sunday, the Crime Investigation Department swung into action.

    “As the Police reported to the scene, they found that the late bride was raped before she was stabbed to death in her matrimonial room.

    “We have so far launched an investigation into the incident and that will lead us to the arrest of the assailants,” Majiya said.

    He, however, said that the command had yet to make any arrests, but that the knife used in killing the woman had been recovered.

    He reminded members of the public on the need to always be security conscious.

    NAN recalls that the victim was stabbed to death on Saturday night in her room few days after her wedding and the husband returned to Abuja where he runs his business.

    NAN also recalls that a similar incident happened last year when a teen bride ‎was reportedly raped and slaughtered by hoodlums at Bachirawa quarters in Kano metropolis.

  • TUC in Oyo decries workers’ condition, threatens mass action

    TUC in Oyo decries workers’ condition, threatens mass action

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Oyo State has decried the living condition of workers in the state, vowing to embark on mass action if the situation persisted.

    The TUC Chairman, Mr Emelieze Andrew, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Tuesday that urgent steps must be taken by states and the Federal Government to tackle the development.

    He also said TUC would embark on a mass protest at the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum it issued on Monday.

    Lamenting that the economic challenges were biting hard on Nigerian workers, Andrew advised governors finding it difficult to pay salaries to rise up to the challenge or consider resignation.

    He recalled that Monday’s protest in Ibadan was against the backlog of arrears of promotion entitlement, gratuities and pension owed Federal Government workers.

    “The economy is bad to the extent that a litre of kerosene is now N200 and people are no longer finding it easy to cope with life.

    “This is the reason why we are pleading with President Muhammadu Buhari to work hard to restore the economy back to the path of growth.

    “We also appeal to governors, who are unable to pay workers’ salaries, to seek assistance from the Federal Government or evolve other strategies, ’’ he said.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress in the state had declared an indefinite strike over the non-payment of salaries and government’s education policy aimed at promoting private participation in the management of schools.

    The NLC is also seeking the withdrawal of the criminal suit instituted against some labour leaders over alleged destruction of public property in Ibadan.

  • Public schools in Oyo State remain shut

    Public schools in Oyo State remain shut

    Schools in Oyo State have remained shut in spite of the state government’s directive to reopen on Monday (today), the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    A NAN correspondent, who went round the Ibadan metropolis reports that both primary and secondary schools’ gates were not opened after four weeks of closure.

    Some students were seen already dressed in their school uniforms in the morning but they could not enter the school premises.

    Some of them, who spoke with NAN, under a condition of anonymity, said they were in schools based on the directive by the State Government that schools should re-open on Monday.

    Both teaching and non-teaching staff were absent from the schools visited as the gates remained shut.

    NAN reports that the State Government had announced the re-opening of public schools in the state with effect from Monday.

    This directive was contained in a statement signed by Mr Toye Arulogun, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism.

    According to Arulogun, the State Government decided to reopen the schools with effect from Monday July 11, excluding the 17 schools that participated in the June 6 violent demonstration.

    Prominent community leaders, religious leaders as well as traditional rulers and well meaning Nigerians, had implored the State Government to reopen the schools.

    It will be recalled that on June 6 some public school pupils went on rampage to protest government’s proposed public/private participatory management of schools in the state.

    The students protested the government decision, following the allegation that their schools had been sold in the process, which government consequently denied .

    However, efforts by NAN to get the reaction of Mr Waheed Olojede, the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State chapter, failed as he could not be contacted.

  • Most auto-accidents in Nigeria due to fake, expired tyres—FRSC

    Most auto-accidents in Nigeria due to fake, expired tyres—FRSC

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Monday attributed most road accidents in the country to the use of fake and expired tyres by vehicle owners.

    Mr Ikechukwu Igwe, the Cross River Sector Commander of FRSC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Monday that fake and expired tyres were responsible for more than 3,000 road crashes in the last five years.

    He expressed regrets that most Nigerians still prefer used tyres in spite of the regular sensitisation campaign carried out by the commission on the need to stop purchase of fake and expired tyres.

    “The FRSC would not relent in its sensitisation campaign with a view to educating car owners on the dangers of patronising fake and expired tyres.

    ‘Fake and expired tyres are responsible for most road accidents in the country today; there is a need for drivers to stop buying such tyres.

    “We will intensify efforts in collaboration with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to raid outlets that trades in fake and expired tyres,” he said.

    He advised car owners to always check the expiry date of any tyre they intended to buy, saying that such checks would prevent them from buying fake ones.

  • Skye Bank shares drop further by 8.42%

    Skye Bank shares drop further by 8.42%

    Skye Bank’s shares on Friday on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) dropped further by 8.42 per cent following investors continued reaction to removal of the bank’s board and executive management.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) removed the board and management of the bank on Monday, and replaced them with another, a measure it said, was to redirect the bank.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the trading on Friday, the bank lost 8k to close at 87k per share.

    The bank’s shares had depreciated by 9.5 per cent on Monday, forcing it to close at 95k per share.

    A breakdown of the activity chart on the Exchange showed that investors sold 21.59 million shares of Skye Bank valued at N18.79 million.

    Alhaji Rasheed Yussuf, immediate past President, Association of Stockbroking Houses of Nigeria (ASHON), said that the shares of the bank were on offer but nobody was buying.

    Yussuf urged the new management of the bank to map out strategies to assure and reassure shareholders and investors.

    Further analysis of the losers’ table showed that Forte Oil lost N8.93 to close at N171.90 per share, while Beta Glass dipped N4.17 to close at N38.66 per share.

    Lafarge Wapco shed N3.35 to close at N63.65 per share and GlaxosmithKline dropped N2.24 to close at N20.78 per share.

    Consequently, the All-Share Index shed 147.08 points or 0.51 per cent to close at 28,854.98 compared with 29,002.06 achieved on Monday.

    Also, the market capitalisation which opened at N9.96 trillion lost N50 billion to close at N9.91 trillion.

    On the other hand, Stanbic IBTC gained N1.54 to close at N16.60 per share.

    Oando gained 68k to close at N8.05 per share, while Dangote Cement garnered 50k to close at N191.50 per share.

    Guinness improved by 49k to close at N99.99 and Zenith International Bank gained 33k to close at N15.45 per share.

    NAN reports that GT Bank recorded the highest volume of activities, exchanging 32.47 million shares worth N750.33 million.

    FBN Holding came second with an exchange of 26.35 million shares valued at N100.52 million, while Oando sold 25.52 million shares worth N204.52 million.

    Access Bank accounted for 23.17 million shares worth N132.02 million.

    In all, a total of 234.96 million shares valued at N2.29 billion were traded by investors in 4,145 deals.

    This was in contrast with 142.84 million shares worth N1.35 billion exchanged in 3,321 deals on Monday.

     

  • NSE market indicators down by 1.04%

    NSE market indicators down by 1.04%

    Trading activities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) resumed on Monday on a negative note with the market indices dropping by 1.04 per cent, amid sell pressure.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the All-Share Index lost 303.34 points or 1.04 per cent to close at 29,002.06 compared with 29,305.40 posted on Friday.

    Also, the market capitalisation which opened at N10.064 trillion shed N104 billion to close at N9.960 trillion.

    A breakdown of the price movement showed that Forte Oil topped the losers’ chart, dropping by N9.51 to close at N180.83 per share.

    Total Nigeria Plc trailed with a loss of N8.52 to close at N181.48, while Guinness shed N5.47 to close at N99.50 per share.

    Lafarge Africa dropped by N3 to close at N67 and Nigerian Breweries lost N1.10 to close at N130 per share.

    Conversely, Oando led the gainers’ table, growing by 68k to close at N7.37 per share.

    Ven Leer followed with a gain of 46k to close at N9.69, while Redstar appreciated by 21k to close at N4.51 per share.

    Continental Reinsurance increased by 5k to close at N1.15 and NPF Micro Finance Bank also surged by 5k to close at N1.25 per share.

    NAN also reports that FBN Holdings emerged the most traded stock, exchanging 21.79 million shares worth N83.12 million.

    It was trailed by Zenith International Bank with 12.51 million shares valued at N189.69 million, while Access Bank sold 11.69 million shares worth N66.19 million.

    Skye Bank transacted 10.83 million shares valued at N10.39 million and UBA sold 9.37 million shares worth N42.84 million.

    In all, investors bought and sold 142.84 million shares valued at N1.35 billion achieved in 3,321 deals.

    NAN reports that this was in contrast with 189.74 million shares worth N2.23 billion transacted in 3,486 deals on Friday.