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‘Super Eagles going for outright win against Zambia’

The Super Eagles spokesman, Toyin Ibitoye, on Wednesday debunked the news that the team would be satisfied with a draw against Zambia, saying instead that the team would be going for an outright win.

Ibitoye said this in Lagos that the team would be aiming at defeating the Chipolopolo of Zambia in the crucial encounter in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

Nigeria is on the brink qualifying for the 2018 Mundial in Russia with an emphatic win over the African champions 4-0 and the reverse fixture in Yaoundé which ended1-1.

Nigeria will play Zambia on Saturday at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Nigeria got the first goal in Yaoundé after 30 minutes play through Moses Simon while Cameroun got their equaliser 15 minutes to go through a Vincent Aboubakar penalty.

The super eagles had started the campaign in what many soccer pundits predicted to be the group of death in a blistering form with a defeat 2-1of Zambia in Ndola to pick their first ever away win.

Goals from the premier league hotshots, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho in the 33rd and 43rd minutes, ensured the much needed bright start, while Zambia’s Mbesuma scored in the 70th minute.

Nigeria maintained the record when they defeated the highest ranked team in Africa, the Desert Warriors of Algeria in Uyo 3-1, courtesy of a brace from Victor Moses and a goal from Mikel Obi.

However, the Gernot Rohr’s men can take a watertight lead on the summit of the Group B if they defeat Zambia on Sunday.

A win means they will be on 13 points as against Zambia who will be rooted with seven points.

On the importance of the match against the Wedson Nyirenda-tutored team from the Southern part of Africa, Ibitoye said the team’s management was leaving no stone unturned.

He said that the Super Eagles Camp at the Le Meriden Hotel, was complete save the absence of Victor Moses who is been expected on Wednesday morning.

“The camp is bubbling with the influx of the players, they all arrived early enough and they are training well. We are expecting the last person, Moses, who will arrive this ( Wednesday ) morning.

“It is not true that we are contented with a draw according to some stories circulating around and which was attributed to the coach. All we want is an outright win.

“At present, there is no injury concern in the team, Iwobi trained with others and he is 100 per cent fit as well as other players. The fitness level is perfect.

“What we are saying is that the match against Zambia may not necessarily be a whitewash as we did against Cameroun.’’

“The scoreline may or may not be the same but the points are what we need. Three full points will make us qualify in style,’’ he said.

NAN

October 4, 2017
Court jails man for defiling minor

A 40-year-old security guard, Mr Francis Gyang, was on Wednesday sentenced to four years imprisonment by a Jos Upper Area Court for defiling a minor.

The Judge, Mr Yahaya Mohammed, convicted Gyang for defiling the six-year-old girl without an option of a fine.

According to the Prosecutor, Sgt. Ibrahim Gukwat, the convict, on Sept. 21, lured the girl to his room and forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

The prosecutor said that the offence was contrary to Section 282 of the Penal Code.

The accused had pleaded guilty to the charge and begged the court for mercy.

The judge said that the sentence would serve as a deterrent to others.

NAN

October 4, 2017
UN launches $9 million food security project

The United Nations ( UN ) on Tuesday launched a nine million-dollar food security project in Kaduna State to improve the livelihood of farmers in the state.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday, Mr Edward Kallon, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, said that the project known as “Food Africa’’ was to ensure improved nutrition and food sufficiency in the country.

Kallon said the project was an innovative approach aimed at revamping the food sector to create new jobs for young people, increase farmers’ revenue, improve productivity, enhance nutrition and reduce food loss through the adoption of more sustainable production practices.

He said that the project would be implemented in partnership with various UN agencies, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals Fund ( UN SDG-F ) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation ( FAO ).

He said that the other facilitators of the project included the Sahara Group, the International Labour Organisation ( ILO ), the Roca Brothers and the Kaduna State government, among others.

According to him, Nigeria is currently facing food insufficiency due to factors such as reliance on rain-fed agriculture, increase in food prices and climate change.

Kallon said that the private sector was the engine room for actualising the SDGs, adding that collaborations between the government, private sector and UN agencies would facilitate efforts to achieve the targets of the project.

“A growing population comes with a growing demand for food. To feed this expanded population nutritiously and sustainably, much more efforts and innovation are needed to make substantial improvements to the food system,’’ he said.

Also speaking, Ms Paloma Duran, the Director of UN-SDGF, said that the project would target, train and involve no fewer than 4,000 farmers in Kaduna State.

Duran noted that the project commenced with the training of 50 farmers, including young women and men in agriculture, using a train-the-trainer approach.

“Some of the priorities of this project are food security and nutrition as well as inclusive economic growth; and it will last for three years,’’ she said.

Mr Suffyan Koroma, the FAO Country Representative, said that the project would target food preservation techniques, especially in the tomato value chain.

He said that the project would help to promote sustainability and replicable integrated solutions to agro-food value chain development, youth employment and poverty alleviation issues.

Dr Abdukadir Kassim, the Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, commended the UN agencies for choosing the Kaduna as the pilot state for the project.

He said that the training of the 50 farmers was apt, adding that the state government was interested in improving the livelihood of its citizens to ensure increased food production.

He said that the state government’s agricultural schemes had impacted significantly on about 70 per cent of its farming population because of the fact that there was no better security than food security.

Kassim said that the state government would support agencies and partners whose target was to promote the agricultural potential of the state.

“The training of the farmers in Kaduna has confirmed the fact that the UN is supporting agricultural programmes in the country.

“Any programme aimed at improving the livelihood of the people will be welcomed by the government,’’ he added.

Mr Tonye Cole, the Executive Director of the Sahara Group, said that the project would be replicated in other states of the country and across Africa to achieve food security.

Food Africa project focuses on identifying and testing a replicable model in Kaduna State, with a view to scaling up the programme in other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

NAN

October 4, 2017
‘FG to revitalise ALSCON, Ajaokuta coy soon’

The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Kayode Fayemi on Tuesday updated President Muhammadu Buhari on state of Ajaokuta Steel Company in Kogi and the Aluminium Smelting Company ( ALSCON ) in Ikot Abasi.

Nigeria’s only aluminium smelting plant, ALSCON, was shut down in 2014 following crippling protests embarked upon by the company’s staff against poor working conditions, dwindling productivity and spiralling debts.

The management of ALSCON, Russian aluminium giant, United Company RUSAL PLC, dismissed almost all local personnel of its workforce.

Fayemi told State House correspondents that the meeting with Buhari was to update him on the companies level of development towards bringing them back to life.

He revealed that a definitive solution to the sale of Aluminium Smelting Company was being canvassed through the efforts of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Cue in audio – Fayemi

“The president asked for an update on Ajaokuta and the Aluminum Smelting Company in Ikot Abasi. I came to brief Mr. President on the development to ensure these companies are back to life.

“I told him about the efforts that Mr. Vice President was leading, on ensuring that we have a definitive solution to the sale of Aluminium Smelting Company in Ikot Abasi, and that we also move forward in the resolution and agreement reached on Ajaokuta Steel so that we get ready for the second concessioning.

“We have appointed an Adviser; we have appointed a new leadership there because the term of the last leadership has expired. Those were the things we updated Mr. President on.’’

Cue out audio – Fayemi

The minister stated that the government was emphasizing solid minerals development as a vehicle for diversification of the nation’s economy.

He added that mineral resources had contributed significantly to the GDP and revenue.

“This year alone we have exceeded the target given to us. If you look at the Bureau of Statistics report you will see that the two sectors that have contributed immensely to the GDP is agriculture and solid minerals.

NAN

October 4, 2017
FG to release proceeds of N100bn Sukuk bond to Ministry

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, has disclosed that proceeds of the N100 billion Islamic bond, Sukuk, will be released to the Ministry of Works on Thursday.

Adeosun made this known when she appeared before the Joint Committee on Finance and Appropriation of the Senate on Tuesday in Abuja to brief it on level of implementation of the 2017 budget.

She said that the Federal Government ( FG ) successfully completed the Sukuk bond last week and raised N100 billion, which would be released on Thursday.

“The Sukuk funds are earmarked for roads and will be released on Thursday this week.

“We have kept the capital spending going to ensure that efforts to improve the economy are continuous and seamless.

”There was no interruption in the activities of Ministries, Department and Agencies to ensure that they continued with their projects.

”The N100 billion Sovereign Sukuk, which debuted last month, has a tenor of seven years, and has been certified as ethically compliant by the Financial Regulation Advisory Council of experts of the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ),” she said.

The minister noted that of the N2.18 trillion 2017 budget for capital expenditure, N341billion had so far been released.

She said that the cumulative releases on current expenditure so far was N1.5 trillion, adding that N129 billion had been released for statutory transfers and N38 billion for pensions.

She added that N92 billion had been released for overhead cost while Service Wide Votes was N224 billion.

The 2017 Budget of N7.44 trillion has Statutory Transfers provision of N434 billion, N1.8 trillion for Debt Servicing, N177.5 billion for Sinking Fund for Maturity Bonds and N2.99 trillion for Recurrent Non-Debt Expenditure.

NAN

October 4, 2017
Moses, Iwobi absent as Eagles hold first training

Super Eagles’ forwards Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi were among players conspicuously absent as the team held their first training session at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday.

The Super Eagles are preparing to face the Chipolopolo of Zambia on Saturday in Uyo in an all-important 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

According to the official twitter handle of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Eagles’ first training session saw a total of 19 players taking part.

The two-hour training session began at about 4.30 p.m. and ended at 6.30 p.m.

The players who took part in the training include Dele Ajiboye, Elderson Echiejile, John Ogu, Anthony Nwakaeme, Oghenekaro Etebo and Ikechukwu Ezenwa who arrived at the team’s camp on Monday afternoon.

Also around were team captain Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Ahmed Musa, Abdullahi Shehu, Wilfred Ndidi and birthday boy Kelechi Iheanacho who arrived late on Monday.

Trabzonspor FC of Turkey midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, Olaoluwa Aina and Chidozie Awaziem who arrived on Tuesday also participated in the training.

Two players on the team’s standby list, home-based Afeez Aremu and Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, were also part of the training.

Among those missing from the training session were Iwobi and Moses Simon who arrived at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

Chelsea winger Moses was yet to arrive at the team’s camp at the Le Meridien Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort as at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Eagles are expected to hold another open training session on Wednesday, including two more closed sessions on Thursday and Friday.

A pre-match press parley is also scheduled to hold at Le Meridien on Thursday by 11.30 a.m. ahead of the match on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Onazi was quoted on the NFF twitter handle as saying the team would give its all to ensure victory against the Chipolopolo of Zambia on Saturday

“We will give it all it takes as far as football is concerned” -@OnaziOgenyi #NGAZAM #SoarSuperEagles.

The NFF also took time to congratulate Iheanacho on the occasion of his birthday on Tuesday.

“Happy birthday @NGSuperEagles forward @67Kelechi. Keep shining!’’, the Federation wrote.

NAN

October 4, 2017
Osinbajo hails creative industry

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has hailed the creativity and ingenuity of Nigerian artistes which they have deployed to project the image of the country.

He made the commendation after watching a grand performance of the cultural troupe, Wakaa the Musical, on Monday night at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.

Osinbajo, his wife, Dolapo, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Information Minister Lai Mohammed were part of the dignitaries that watched the cultural fiesta.

Osinbajo, who described the event as trilling said: “I have never seen anything like this before; it is absolutely incredible; this is wonderful.’’

The producer of the theatre group and Chief Executive of Terra Culture, Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters, while welcoming guests to the occasion said it was the group’s way of promoting creativity in the industry among Nigerian youths.

“Art is still taking the back stage in the country but we are prepared to boost it greatly due to the diversification drive of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

“This industry is not what to be ashamed of and the youths can really make a living out it in spite of what one studied in school.

“We need to look at the kind of education that we give to our young people so that they can be self- employed and increase their financial status,’’ the lawyer-turned artiste added.

On the message of Wakaa, Austen-Peters said it was a satire and a message of hope, depicting the triumph of good over evil, also of love.

She thanked the sponsors of the event and stressed the need for the country’s industrialists and philanthropists to “put their money where the message is’’.

Austen-Peters said that the measure was to encourage more artistes and those in the creative industry to produce higher quality of products to be displayed outside the country.

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October 3, 2017
Court sentence man for stealing church property

A 27-year-old driver, Ishaq Bala, who broke into a church and stole drums and iron rods, was on Tuesday sent to jail for two years.

A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court in Nasarawa said Bala, who resides at Mararaba, was found guilty of all the three-count charge of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking and theft brought against hyim.

The Judge, Mr Albert Maga, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and that the defendant was guilty of the offence.

“He is hereby sentenced to two years imprisonment for the three-count charge,” he said.

Maga, however, gave Bala an option of N10,000 fine, warning him to desist from committing crime.

The accused was first arraigned on Aug. 18 on the three-count charge to which he pleaded not guilty.

Earlier, the Police Prosecutor Agabi Auta told the court that Pastor Habila Dasat of Cocin Church, Base 4, Aku Village, Mararaba, had lodged a complaint against the accused on Aug. 15 at`A’ Divisional Police Station.

Auta said the accused and three others, now at large, broke into the church through the fence and stole a set of drums and some iron rods.

“The security guard was able to get hold of the accused, while others ran away but the stolen items were recovered from him.”

The offences contravened Sections 97, 288 and 347 of the Penal Code.

NAN

October 3, 2017
Ondo assures traditional rulers of rural development

The Ondo State Government has signed Memoranda of Understanding ( MoU ) with some foreigners to establish industries in rural areas in the state.

Chief Timehin Adelegbe, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives, said this on Wednesday in Ifon, headquarters of Ose Local Government while on a courtesy visit to traditional rulers in the council area.

He said that the industries would bring development to rural areas.

10 towns that make up the council area are: Okeluse, Imoru, Ijagba, Ikaro, Idogun, Ifon, Idoani, Imeri, Ute and Afo.

He said that one of the aims of the current administration of Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu was to check unemployment by establishing industries.

According to him, efforts are ongoing to tap the state’s resources to create wealth and make the state a hub of commercial activities.

“This two-day visit to this local government area is to appreciate our people, to make government familiar with the area and inform our people about our development plans for this place.

“Ose Dam is being considered to be used as hydro electric dam and this will create opportunities for employment.

“We equally plan to establish a sugarcane processing factory in Ikaro.

“Similarly, an oil company, packaging ethanol production programme, is scheduled to kick off in this local government and it will make cassava to be more lucrative.

“There is also discovery of kaolin in this local government area which has attracted a private firm’s interest to establish a ceramic firm here,” he said.

The commissioner said that the local government area had potential for development that would benefit the state government, stressing that as an indigene of the area, he would pursue such benefits to logical conclusions.

“This government will not joke with its people because it is people oriented.

“Apart from all these firms coming to our local government area, rural infrastructure such as road rehabilitation to be funded by World Bank will also be benefited,” he said.

Responding, Oba Israel Adeusi, the Olufon of Ifon, said that the state governor was already doing well and making positive impacts.

Adeusi admonished the government to continue with its momentum of performance as well as ensure that dividends of democracy went round, saying that he knew that the state would witness all-round transformation at the end of the administration.

Similarly, Oba Adeyegba Owasunloye, the Arujale of Okeluse, said he was glad for the visit and advised the government to be focused and rule with fear of God.

The traditional ruler said that the government must ensure that dividends of democracy promised the electorate went round all parts of the state.

Those on the entourage of the commissioner included the Chairman of All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in the local government area, a member representing the local government area in Ondo State House of Assembly and caretaker chairman of the local government.

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October 3, 2017
Another PDP stalwart defects to APC in Lagos

A Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) stalwart in Agege area of Lagos, Mr Raheem Oyeniyi, on Tuesday defected to All Progressives Congress ( APC ), citing Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s sterling performance as reason.

Oyeniyi gave notice of his defection in a letter to the APC ward chairman in Orile-Agege area on Tuesday.

Oyeniyi was PDP House of Representatives candidate for Agege constituency in the 2015 general elections.

In the letter titled “Letter of Intention to Return to All Progressives Congress’’, Oyeniyi said that he considered APC as a platform to actualise his dreams for the people.

“I write to inform you of my intention to return to APC henceforth.

“My intention to return is borne out of the belief that the APC today is by far more democratic inclined.

“APC offers the forum of which I can actualise my desire and the aspirations of my people for a better Nigeria,’’ he said.

Oyeniyi said he was a founding member of APC in 2013 but left the party due to internal wrangling and defected to PDP.

“I have always been a progressive since the days of Alliance for Democracy ( AD ), Action Congress ( AC ) and Action Congress of Nigeria ( ACN ).

“I have contributed in no small measure to the progress of these parties and invariably of my constituency, financially, morally and otherwise.

“I hope that you will use your good office in facilitating the necessary documentation to the effect,’’ Oyeniyi said.

the defector copied the Chairmen of APC in Orile-Agege, Agege, Lagos, National Headquarters, and all stakeholders including Sen. Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of the Party.

Several PDP stalwarts, including seven out of eight Lagos State lawmakers elected under the platform of PDP in 2015, have defected to APC.

NAN

October 3, 2017