The Nation Newspaper

Tag: News Agency of Nigeria

  • 31 ships with petroleum products, food items to arrive Lagos

    31 ships with petroleum products, food items to arrive Lagos

    Thirty one ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected to arrive Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports in Lagos from April 6 to April 24.

    The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) stated this in its publication – `Shipping Position’, – a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

    NPA explained that the expected ships contained buck wheat, empty containers, frozen fish, bulk sugar, general cargoes, containers, steel products, diesel and petrol.

    The document noted that a ship had arrived the port, waiting to berth with aviation fuel.

    NAN reports that 16 other ships are at the ports discharging general cargoes, wheat, ethanol, aviation fuel, crude palm oil, containers and petrol.

  • Regular exercise improves sleep, sex life, says Physiotherapist

    Dr Rufai Ahmad, Chairman, Education Committee, Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy, on Wednesday said regular exercise could improve sleep, sex life, reduce depression, anxiety and prevent diseases.
    Ahmad told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that 150 minutes of exercise in a week was necessary to stay healthy.

     

    According to him, exercise helps to manage body weight as it helps in burning calories and reduces body fat when done adequately.

     

    “Exercise will also reduce depression and anxiety, as it helps in the release of chemicals such as endorphin that helps with relaxation and makes the individual happy.

     

    “Regular exercise can help you to manage or prevent diseases and health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and stroke.

     

    “It increases the amount of blood circulating throughout the body and improves coronary artery flexibility, preventing inadequate blood flow to the heart that causes heart attacks.

     

    “Short bursts of exercise in the morning or afternoon can help regulate sleep pattern; an increase in core body temperature that results from exercise increases slow wave sleep which enhances sleep quality.

     

    “Exercise improves sex life, because it causes the release of endorphins which stimulates the release of sex hormones; it gives a positive image for better sexual performance.

     

    “Sex itself is a physical activity and burns calories and increases fitness,’’ he said.

     

    Ahmad identified lack of time due to work, support, motivation and ignorance as some of the reasons why many people did not exercise regularly.

     

    According to him, such people will have the tendency to remain physically inactive and that can pose serious health risks.
    “People do not exercise due to the nature of their jobs or other responsibilities and also lack of support from family members and friends can make people not to exercise.
    “Some people have cultural beliefs that attribute exercise to signs of problems in their lives and so they do not attempt to exercise.

     

    “Other challenges deterring people from exercise are lack of safe neighbourhood to exercise, access to facilities for exercise and health conditions,’’ Ahmad said.

     

    He said that there was need to educate members of the public on the importance and benefits of exercise to health.

     

    The expert urged government at all levels to provide adequate recreational and sport facilities in different local governments to encourage more people to exercise.

     

    “The governments and heads of schools need to lay more emphasis on physical and health educations in both primary and secondary school curriculums.

     

    “The government need to construct roads in such a way that they will be safe for pedestrians and cyclists as obtained in developed countries.

     

    “Also, we need to encourage different workplaces to have exercise facilities for their employees,’’ Ahmad said.

  • Fuel scarcity: Food vendors make sales at petrol stations

    The lingering fuel scarcity in Abuja has created a good business environment for food and confectionery sellers to make brisk sales at petrol stations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in most fuel stations along the Airport Road, some food vendors were seen selling food and sachet water to drivers waiting to buy fuel.

    One of the vendors, Mrs. Funke Joseph, who spoke to NAN, said that the current fuel situation had helped increase her sales.

    “I saw the long queue and I knew some of them slept here and would be hungry by now, so I used the opportunity to come and sell to them.

    “As you can see , people are buying my snacks and I have made lot of sales already this morning more than what I would have made at my stand,” she said.

    Mr Idris Umar, a sachet water seller, said that business was really good at the petrol station, adding that he had sold more than five bags of water this morning.

    Umar said that the drivers were willing to buy the water whether cold or not.

    “I have sold almost five bags of pure water just this morning only on this queue; the drivers are rushing the water because of the hot weather.

    “I even had to call my brother to come here and sell their water because the demand is more than supply.”

    Miss Patience Okeke, a bean cake seller, said that she used the opportunity of the fuel situation to hawk ‘akara’ at the filling station, adding that she sold them off within a short time.

    “I was here yesterday and I finished selling all my akara. So, today I said I must come back and I will keep coming everyday till the fuel issue ends.

    “In my area where I sell my akara, sometimes I return home without selling everything so this is a good opportunity for me to make more money to take care of my family.”

    NAN also reports that some drivers spent the night at the filling stations and some were seen lying down on top of their vehicles waiting for the filling station to commence sales for the day.

    A motorist, Mr Adebowale Adebayo, who also spoke to NAN, said that he had to sleep in the filling station to ensure he got fuel.

    “I left my office yesterday after I closed from work at around 6 p.m. and headed straight to the filling station: this is almost 9 a.m. and I have still not bought fuel.”

    Another motorist, Mr Adamu Bello, said that he also slept at the filling station in order to get fuel in the morning.

    “I decided to sleep here so I can be sure of getting fuel today; if I did not do that only God knows when I will get fuel.

    “At least the queue is moving gradually so I know it would soon be my turn.”

  • 19-year-old pleads guilty to theft in Church

    19-year-old pleads guilty to theft in Church

    A 19-year-old man, Kabiru Shakiru on Thursday pleaded guilty for stealing a vehicle battery, belonging to Mr Tunde Olushi, and an amplifier, property of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Idimu, Lagos, News Agency of Nigeria {NAN} reports.

    Kabiru is standing trial on a count charge of theft before an Ejigbo Senior Magistrates’ Court, Lagos,

    The prosecutor, Sgt. Babaji Ishaku, told the court that the accused had on March 25 at 5.30 a.m. in Idimu area of Lagos committed the offence.

    He said Kabiru stole one vehicle battery valued at N15,000, property of Olushi and an amplifier valued at N20,000 belonging to Obaloluwa Cherubim and Seraphim Church of Idimu, Lagos.

    “He took the items not knowing that it would be discovered by the Church.

    “The offence contravened the provisions of Sections 278 (1) and (2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011,’’ Ishaku said.

    The counsel to the accused, Prince Okey Ogbuehi prayed the court to tender justice with mercy as the accused had pleaded guilty.

    The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Jadesola Adeyemi, however, ordered that the accused be remanded until April 18 for sentencing. 

  • NOUN students seek NYSC placement

    NOUN students seek NYSC placement

    The National Open University Students Association of Nigeria has expressed dissatisfaction in the non-participation of its members in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

    The National President of the association, Mr Nelson Nwaonicha, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba yesterday.

    Nwaonicha said the non-inclusion of the graduates of the university in the NYSC programme was discriminatory.

    He said there was great pride in serving one’s country, as the NYSC gave every Nigerian graduate a sense of belonging, personal worth and recognition by one’s own nation.

    He said it would amount to abandonment and violation of the principle of federal character and integration, if a set of Nigerian students were not included in the scheme.

    Nwaonicha said the service was created to inculcate discipline in, educate and integrate the youth, regardless of their institutional, cultural and social backgrounds.

    He appealed to the National Assembly to review the Act establishing the NOUN with a view to including its graduates in the allowed age bracket in the programme.

    The national president also called on the management of the university to stop admitting students for law programmes, pending the approval of the Law School.

    He recalled that the first two sets of law graduates of the NOUN had not been admitted into the law school to be certified to practice their trade.

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  • Yam farmers to raise N5bn for Buhari’s campaign

    Yam farmers to raise N5bn for Buhari’s campaign

    Yam farmers from some northern states have pledged to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign for next year’s general elections with N5 billion.

    The group said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday.

    Rev. Jacob Musa, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the farmers, under the name “Buhari-Osinbajo Presidential Appeal Campaign Fund (BOPCAF)”, said the money will be raised in 10 states.

    Musa said members drawn from Taraba, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa, Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Niger and Kaduna states as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, would feature at the fund-raiser.

    “We have contributed five million tubers of yam to be donated in support of the funding of Buhari’s presidential campaign.

    “The five million tubers of yam will be retailed at a special price of N1,000 each towards raising the sum of N5 billion in support of the APC candidate,’’ he said.

    The statement added that the public presentation of the five million tubers of yam would hold at the Mararaban Demshin village yam market in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau on January 4.

    It stated that the ceremony would also witness traditional wrestling, involving 500 traditional wrestlers from the 19 northern states and the FCT.

    “The aim is to mobilise the wrestlers in the campaign against poverty, crime, killings, kidnappings, armed robbery, cattle rustling, rape, cultism, election rigging, looting of public fund, smuggling, terrorism and other social vices now prevalent in the society,’’ it said.

    The statement also said the event would be heralded by a world news conference in Jos on Friday.

    It added that the event would be attended by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in his capacity as the director general of the Buhari-Osinbajo Campaign Organisation.

  • Lagos reiterates film censorship rules

    Lagos reiterates film censorship rules

    DIRECTOR, The Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, on Wednesday, urged Nigerian filmmakers to comply with censorship rules.

    According to the board’s spokesman, Mr Razak Balogun, filmmakers have continued to flout laid down rules with impunity.

    Balogun, who spoke to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said it is regrettable that, “Many foreign and local films and video works are released into the market without passing through the board for censorship and classification.”

    He noted that the legally restrictive classifications were not being adhered to, adding that it was common to see those below 18 years of age watching movies meant for 18 years and above.

    He said officers of the board were being blackmailed, and some have received several threats to their lives by some filmmakers, who try to force them to bend the rules. He therefore called for a synergy between the board and the law enforcement agencies, to compel players in the industry to comply with the censorship rules.

  • Troops intercept Boko Haram hit list

    Troops intercept Boko Haram hit list

    •27 killed at Hildi, Balmo forest
    •Borno, Adamawa residents hail military

    The Defence Headquarters said yesterday troops have intercepted a hit list of Boko Haram and sketches of communities to be attacked by the insurgents.

    Also, the troops have killed 27 insurgents at Hildi, Balmo and Lame forests.

    But six soldiers were injured in various encounters with the insurgents.

    The Defence Headquarters tweeted yesterday its achievements in the current fight against insurgency, especially in the Northeast, to show that the military had recaptured some of the seized towns from the insurgents.

    Normal activities were also being restored to some of the towns, such as Mubi and Hong, where the insurgents had been sacked.

    The tweet said: “The campaign against terrorists’ activities is continuing with air and land operations being conducted in various theatres in parts of the country.

    “…Six soldiers were wounded in the encounter. Troops have eventually taken control of the Lame Forest. In Balmo and Lame Forest encounters, over 20 terrorists lost their lives while some were reported wounded.

    “Troops also recovered a number of rifles and motorcycles, after a stiff resistance by terrorists was crushed. Troops, in pursuit of terrorists, caught up with them around Hildi. In the ensuing encounter, over seven terrorists lost their lives. Five rifles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition as well as bows and arrows were recovered from them.”

    Another military source added: “Back to winning ways, which they lost in the fake ceasefire agreement sometimes ago, Nigerian troops have captured the documents containing a list of communities about to be attacked and sketches of the towns from fleeing terrorists in Adamawa State.

    “In two separate operations spanning Adamawa and Bauchi states, the troops also killed 27 suspected terrorists during fierce confrontations in a bid to rid the areas of insurgency.

    “During another special raid operation conducted on Balmo and Lame forests linking Borno, Bauchi and Adamawa states, the determined troops recovered rifles and a number of motorcycles, after a stiff resistance by terrorists was crushed.”

    The Defence spokesman, General Chris Olukolade, who confirmed the incidents, added: “Six soldiers were wounded in the encounters.”

    Also, the people of Adamawa State have hailed the military for curtailing the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in the North.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Army recently recovered areas occupied by insurgents in Mubi North, Mubi South, Gombi and Hong local government areas.

    A cross section of the people who spoke on the successes recorded against the sect members said the development was a big relief.

    “I was thinking of leaving Yola for Abuja or Lokoja when Boko Haram took over Mubi and other areas. But with this development, I am now relaxed and hope to do my Christmas here,” Peter John said.

    Tizhe Kwada, Ibrahim Abdulrahman and Felix Vandi, who hailed from Michika town, hailed the military for their successes.

    They called for steady military advance to cover Michika and Madagali local government areas.

    “I want them to sustain the tempo and cover Michika and Madagali local government areas to make it a total liberation of the territories in Adamawa,” Vandi said.

  • Adamawa hunters seek support, prayers

    Adamawa hunters seek support, prayers

    Officials of Adamawa State Hunters’ Association, who are assisting the military in the fight against insurgency, have called for public support and prayers for victory over the insurgents.

    Officials of the Association spoke in Yola, the state capital, with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    They said their members were committed to curbing insurgency in the country.

    The association’s Secretary Philips James said: “We need the people’s support and prayers. We also need government’s assistance in this assignment.”

    James urged the public to be vigilant and pray for victory over the insurgents.

  • Job seeker ‘rapes’ groundnut seller

    A job seeker, Muselium Dele, was yesterday charged with allegedly raping a 19-year-old groundnut seller at an Itire Magistrate’s Court, Surulere, Lagos State.

    Dele, 25, who resides at Lawanson in the Surulere area, is also being tried for alleged conspiracy.

    The prosecutor, Inspector Olakunle Shonibare, told the court that the accused, with others at large, committed the offences on September 18 at 45, Anjorin Street, Lawanson.

    He said the accused lured the teenager into his apartment under the pretext of buying groundnut and raped her.

    The offences, Shonibare noted, contravene Sections 258 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Section 258 prescribes life imprisonment for offenders.

    The accused, however, pleaded innocence and the Magistrate, Mrs A. O. Gbajumo, granted him bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

    She adjourned the case till November 14 and directed that the case file should be forwarded to the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.