The Nation Newspaper

Tag: News Agency of Nigeria

  • Abuja-Kaduna rail: Passengers decry poor communication, inefficient services

    As Christians celebrate Easter, some passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna rail had complained of inadequate communication and inefficient services from personnel at the train station in Abuja.

    Some of them who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in separate interviews at the Kubwa station in Abuja said that passenger’s welfare should be paramount.

    Alhaji Ibrahim Dauda said that it was his first time of joining the train service, saying that there was need for Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to improve on its condition and welfare of passengers and ensure proper communication channel.

    “As you can see many people are standing, they need to improve on the condition and welfare of passengers, since I came, I have not heard any announcement whether the train is delayed or how long will passengers wait.

    “There should be constant information from the management to the passengers, especially on the movement of the train,” he said.

    Toyin Idowu, another passenger, stressed the need for the station to improve on its time, communication, saying that the NRC personnel should be trained on customer’s service

    She alleged that most of the staff members were rude to passengers.

    She further commended the Federal Government for the good initiative and for reviving rail service in the country.

    He added that it has helped the poor masses a lot especially the free airport service.

    However, Mr Segun Tokunbo, also a passenger, commended the Federal Government for the good development and beautiful structure on ground but blamed the management for poor service.

    He said that the passengers were punished because there was no proper communication from the operators to the passengers which made it frustrating and disappointing.

    “It is a good development in this country but the management of the operation is actually going against the wishes of the government, what I can see here is waste of resources and punishment to the public.

    “I have been here since 7a.m and is almost noon, there is no form of communication on the arrival and departure of the train.

    “The government has done a good job but the operators need to be trained so that they don’t frustrate government’s good intention because people are discouraged, “he said.

    Responding, Abdullahi Gani, the Assistant Station Manager, Kubwa, said that due to airport closure the population has increased and they have informed the management to provide more seats which they promised would be ready within two weeks.

    He, however, said that the complaints of passengers that the personnel are rude could be based on the issue of change because the passengers expect them to leave their duty post to look for change.

    “The issue of the seat, we have channel the complain to the management and they will response in the next one to two weeks, it will be resolved,” he said.
    NAN reports that passengers were seen standing for hours without communication from the public affairs unit on the arrival and departure of the train until the train arrived by 12.44p.m.

    The station environment and toilets were neat; the reception was conducive with security agencies protecting the station.

     

  • Malaria: Researcher calls for improved coverage of RDT

    A medical researcher, Dr Bamidele Iwalokun , has called on government authorities to improve the coverage of (RDT) by 80 per cent to improve the diagnosis of submicroscopic malaria.Rapid Diagnostic Test

    Iwalokun, the Head of Immunology and Vaccinology Research Group, Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba, made this plea on Monday in an interview with the News Agency Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    He spoke on the sideline of the preparation for the commemoration of the World Malaria Day, which holds on April 25 every year.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2017 global theme for the World Malaria Day is “End Malaria for Good”.

    NAN further reports that WHO is focusing attention on prevention mechanism; a critical strategy for reducing the toll of a disease that continues to kill more than 400,000 people annually.

    Iwalokun said that the malaria burden of the country in the last five years had not improved as expected.

    He said that the national malaria positive rate either by RDT or by microscopy was still above 32 per cent compared to 38 per cent rate in 2007.

    “With this development, Nigeria is still far from the malaria elimination phase, which is set at five per cent.

    “Nigeria is among the 15 countries of the world responsible for 78 per cent of global malaria cases and 80 per cent of global malaria deaths.

    “This is highly unacceptable in a country that desires to reduce her current under five mortality of 109 per 1,000 live births by 75 per cent by 2020,” Iwalokun said.

    According to the researcher, malaria diagnosis in Nigeria has improved, following the national malaria policy of 2011 that recommended the use of RDT.
    “With the exception of the North Central Nigeria, RDT now detects malaria more by 20 to 67 per cent than microscopy across the other geographical zones.

    “RDT detects parasite antigens while microscopy detects the parasite at different stages of its life cycle in the red blood cell.

    “Unlike microscopy that takes an average of 45 to 60 minutes to get a result, RDT takes 15 minutes maximum.

    ” RDT can be performed without electricity at home and by mothers and so on”.

    Iwalokun said that many Nigerian primary health centres lack a functional microscope and certified trained microscope specialists.

    “There is the need to increase the awareness that malaria can be treated at home with RDT and that anybody can use it.

    “The training of pregnant women on how to use RDT during antenatal care at primary health centres and nursing mothers during routine immunization services should be encouraged,” he added.

  • Dry season farming: FG spends over N9.5 bn on inputs

    The Federal Government spent more than N9.5 billion for the distribution of farm inputs to farmers during the dry season farming, an official of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, has said.

    Mr Ohiare Jatto, the Director, Farm Input Support Services Department in the ministry, said this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

    He said the inputs were distributed to no fewer than 458,498 farmers across 30 states of the federation between December 2016 and February 2017 dry season farming.
    Jatto said the inputs were provided under the governments’ Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme to guarantee improved food production and security.

    According to him, some of the inputs provided to the farmers include two bags of Nitrogen Potassium Phosphate, one bag of urea, one bag of organic fertiliser each, 25 kilogram rice seeds and 20 kilogramme maize seeds depending on the crop value chain.

    The director said that the government under the GES usually paid 75 per cent worth of seeds and 50 per cent for fertilisers and pesticides while farmers settled the remaining percentage of the money.

    He said the scheme attained 92 per cent success during the planting season.

    “The dry season farming was very successful. We targeted 500,000 farmers and we were able to reach 458,498 farmers in 30 states.

    “All the northern states and many southern states benefited. We only reached out to farmers that our funds were able to accommodate,’’ he said.

     

    The director said that the Federal Government was also targeting no fewer than one million farmers to give inputs for the wet season farming.

    He said the reason for the delay in the commencement of the inputs distribution for the wet season was due to the delay in the passage of the budget.

    Jatto appealed to farmers to be patient with the government, adding that the inputs distribution would begin as soon as the budget was passed.

  • Easter: FRSC deploys 1,350 marshals, 14 ambulances in Kaduna

    The Kaduna Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said on Thursday it had deployed 1,350 marshals, 45 patrol vehicles and 14 ambulances to provide emergency services throughout the Easter celebration.

    The Sector Commander, Mr Francis Udoma who stated this in a interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna, added that four towing trucks and 12 motor bikes were also deployed.

    Udoma also said that mobile courts would equally be set up at strategic locations to try traffic offenders.

    He said that the command has been reaching out to all relevant stakeholders as part of effort to ensure accident-free Easter.

    “Even the State Government is not left out in the campaign to curb avoidable accidents during the festive season.

    “We just had a meeting with the state government officials and transport union leaders from National Union of Road Transport Workers and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria among others on ways to ensure safety on our roads.

    “We discussed with them, and they would equally talk to the drivers in their various unions to behave while on the wheel”, he said.

    The sector commander emphasized the need to install speed limit device in all commercial vehicles to curb speed related accidents.

    “We have been carrying out series of enlightenment campaigns against reckless driving, over speeding, overloading and other excesses of drivers while on the road.

    “We will continue to do so until sanity is restored on our roads”, he said.

     

     

  • Ikenne LG inaugurates 10-man committee

    Mr Rotimi Akinsanya, the Chairman, Ikenne Local Government, Ogun, on Thursday inaugurated a 10-man economic development team to help identify potentials and fast-track socio-economic growth in the area.

    Akinsanya said during the ceremony that the committee was set up to unlock the numerous potentials and human resources in the area of agro-industrial development, mechanized agriculture and infrastructural development.

    He urged the committee to use its wealth of experience to solicit and invite investors from within and outside the country to Ikenne Local Government for rapid development of micro economic activities within the council area.

    He further said he sampled the opinions of the youth in the local government area and was amazed that they really fancied farming to white-collar jobs, especially animal husbandry.

    The chairman added that he was confident the agro-based rural economy would drive employment and accelerate savings and spending.

    “With the right strategy and incentives, mechanized agriculture, animal and poultry husbandry will turn our present economy to a buoyant and stable one,” he said.

    He also expressed confidence on the team, adding that its members’ experiences and philanthropic contributions to the community put them in good stead to help turn around the economy.

    “Their recommendations will be of high value in helping to reposition Ikenne in its drive to imprint upon the mission to rebuild Ogun State.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee comprises retired Col. Dele Oyefuga and Mr Kunle Soname as Chairman and Vice Chairman.

  • Businessman faces N2.1m fraud charge

    Lawrence Okpara, a 52-year-old businessman, who was slated to have obtained 45 pieces of secondhand air conditioners worth N2.1 million under false pretences, was on Thursday brought before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Okpara, a resident of Ajegunle area of Apapa, is facing a three-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences, presumption as to false pretences in certain circumstances and stealing.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Tony Elibeh told the court that the accused, who entered a ‘not guilty’ plea, committed the offences on Sept. 17, 2016 at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos.

    Elibeh alleged that Okpara obtained 45 pieces of air conditioners from DennisAdiele on the pretext of paying him after selling them.

    The prosecutor said the accused, who had no intention of paying the complainant, sold off the goods and converted the proceeds to personal use.

    “The complainant said when he did not get any feedback from Okpara, he decided to confront him and ask for his money, but to his surprise the accused started giving excuses.

    “The accused issued a cheque of N2.1 million after much pressure but the cheque was dishonored at the bank on presentation due to insufficient funds.

    “Adiele reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested, “Elibeh said.

    The offences contravened Sections 285, 312 and 319 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 provides three years imprisonment, while Section 312 prescribes a 15-year jail term for obtaining money under false pretenses.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Titus Abolarinwa, granted the accused bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case until April 26 for mention.

     

  • Kogi trains forestry officers in afforestation, mapping

    The Kogi Government has embarked on a four-day training programme for its forestry officers on afforestation and forestry mapping techniques.

    The Commissioner for the Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Rosemary Osikoya, disclosed this to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja on Thursday.

    She said that the training, which started on Monday, April 10, would end with the launch of a Forestry Tariff Plan, which was approved by the State Executive Council on Wednesday.

    According to her, plan will itemize forest reserves management procedures and the obligations of timber contractors.

    Osikoya said that the training was designed to expose the officers to the techniques of preparing and planting tree seedlings and how to measure the volume of trees for prospective buyers.

    Mr. Julius Abu, Assistant Director, Extension, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) told NAN that his team was in Kogi to conduct a refresher course for the state’s forest officers on afforestation procedures.

    “We are not unaware that the state is going into real afforestation as from this year, and for the state to effectively plant trees and manage forests, they must have competent forestry managers.

    “The training involves the cultivation of trees from seeds into seedlings, managing them in nurseries and planting them in forest plantations.

    “The participants are taught on how to manage trees effectively by ensuring that they are not destroyed by fire or pests,” he said.

    Abu said that the Kogi Government had taken a right step in the right direction by giving priority attention to environmental issues in the state.

    He, therefore, urged the citizens to support the implementation of the government’s environmental programmes, saying that they would be of immense benefit to the populace.

     

  • Man arraigned for killing mother

    A 24-year-old man, Godwin Banchir, appeared before a Jos High Court on Wednesday, charged with killing his mother.

    Banchir, according to the prosecutor, Luka Pam, killed his mother for refusing to answer his greetings.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the judge, Justice A. I. Ashom, adjourned the matter to May 30, for hearing, after Pam requested an adjournment to enable him present a vital witness.

    Pam, of the Plateau State Ministry of Justice, said that the witness, a police personnel, was “unavoidably away on police duties”.

    The accused person was first arraigned on June 22, 2016 on a one-count charge of culpable homicide, an allegation he had since denied.

    According to Pam, the accused committed the offence on Jan. 27, 2016 at his home in Fuskar Mata Village, Bassa Local Government Area, in Plateau.

    Pam told the court that on the said date, the accused used a stick to hit his mother, one Saratu Banchir, which later resulted in her death.

    The prosecuting counsel said that the accused had told the police, in a confessional statement that he killed his mother because he was angry that she did not respond to his greetings.

    The statement quoted the accused as saying that when he woke up at 6 a.m on the said date, he saw his mother sitting in the compound, while on his way to his farm, and greeted her, but that she did not answer.

    It further quoted the accused as saying that her silence angered Banchir, who used a stick and the handle of his axe, to beat her until she became unconscious.

    The prosecution quoted the accused as saying that when he hit his mother on the rib and stomach, she fell down and let out a loud cry which attracted neighbours and family members.

    The statement said that Banchir’s uncle, one Godwin, rushed into the compound and took the woman to the hospital for treatment and, on his return, beat up the suspect before handing him over to the police.

    “The statement indicated that the accused was in the habit of quarreling with his mother anytime he was hungry.

    “It (statement) also claimed that the woman used to fight her son whenever he fetched water from her room to take his bath,” Pam added.

    He further quoted the accused as claiming that he did not know that the beating would result to the death of his mother.

    The prosecutor then told the court that the offence contravened section 221 of the Penal Code, Laws of Northern Nigeria, and was punishable with death, upon conviction.

     

  • Jos: 80 houses for completion in June – Minister

    Eighty units of houses, built under the National Housing Scheme, have reached 70 per cent completion and would be inaugurated in June, Mr Mustapha Shehuri, Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, has said.

    Shehuri disclosed this on Tuesday in Jos, when he paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Governor of Plateau, Prof. Sonni Tyoden.

    He said that Plateau was one of the beneficiaries of the pilot scheme ‎ of the housing programme.

    According to him, the project consists of 4 units of 1-bedroom semi-detached houses, 48 units of 2-bedrooms, semi-detached, and 28 units of 3 bedroom semi-detached homes.

    He said that the project, which commenced in February, would be completed and occupied in June this year.

    The minister said that Nigerians, who could contribute a specified amount to the Federal Mortgage Bank, were qualified to own a house in the scheme.

    Shehuri appealed to the state government to construct feeder roads that would link Rayfield to Laminga, where the houses were being constructed.

    Responding, Tyoden assured the minister of the state government’s readiness to construct feeder roads that would link Rayfield to Laminga.

    He appealed to the minister to address the issue of the abandoned 132 KVA line from Makara in Pankshin, noting that the abandonment had caused much hardship to the communities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister, who had earlier inspected the housing project, expressed delight at the level and quality of work.

  • Teacher nabbed for burning company’s vehicle

    The Police in Jigawa on Tuesday arrested a 20-year-old teacher for allegedly burning a Volkswagen Bus belonging to company in Dutse Local Government Area of the state.

    The police Spokesman, Mr Jinjiri Abdu, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse.

    Abdu said the suspect, (Names withheld), a junior secondary school teacher, allegedly used petrol and matches and set the bus ablaze.

    He explained that the vehicle belonged to a company called Skin Defense, producers of medicated soap in Kano State.

    He said the suspect committed the offence on April 10 in Kwaimawa village when the company’s representative was conducting sales promo for a medicated soap in the village.

    “The suspect burnt the bus after his mother participated in the promo and won a body lotion.

    “The mother later demanded that the lotion be replaced with wrapper or N500, but the company declined.

    “After the bus moved to another place, this man went and brought petrol and matches which he allegedly used to set the bus ablaze.

    “And there were items worth N1 million that got burnt in the bus, and both the bus and items were valued at N1.5 million,” the police spokesman said.

    He said investigation into the matter had commenced after which the suspect would be charged to court.