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Tag: Nigerian news

  • FRSC says accidents claimed 416 lives in Kaduna in 2017

    FRSC says accidents claimed 416 lives in Kaduna in 2017

    No fewer than 416 people lost their lives in 593 accidents involving 882 vehicles and 4,688 people in Kaduna State from January to December 2017.

    Umar Ibrahim, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps ( FRSC ), in the state made this disclosure in an interview in Kaduna on Tuesday.

    Ibrahim also said 2,080 people sustained various degrees of injury during the period under review, bringing the total number of casualties to 2,496 a reduction from 2,897 recorded in 2016.

    He also said there was a slight drop in the number of accidents from 596 in 2016 to 593 in 2017.

    “However, there was an increase in the number of deaths from 413 recorded in 2016 to 416 in 2017 and a decrease in the number of the injured from 2,448 in 2016 to 2,080 in 2017, ” he said.

    Ibrahim said speeding remained the major cause of accidents on Nigerian highways, saying “speed thrills, but kills”

    The sector commander urged motorists to install speed limit device so as to guard against untimely death.

    Read also: Inform us on road accidents, others – FRSC

    He noted, however, that quite a number of bus owners have installed the device, adding that accidents involving buses had drastically reduced in the period under review.

    “I am appealing to private car owners to equally install the device to reduce avoidable deaths to accidents.

    “We will continue to collaborate with other relevant stakeholders like the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Emergency Management Agency and the National Union of Road Transport Workers to reduce accidents in 2018.

    “We will also continue to carry out series of rallies and road shows in all major motor parks as part of the corps’ public enlightenment programmes designed to keep the motoring public informed on the need to be safety conscious.

    “FRSC remains committed to providing necessary human and material resources for effective management of traffic in identified black spots, and through awareness campaign on proper use of the roads, ” the commander said.

    Ibrahim equally lauded the media and other relevant stakeholders for their support throughout the year.

    “We have achieved a lot in 2017 but we can do more in 2018 with your continued support,” he added.

    NAN

  • Wike proposes death sentence for cultists, others

    Wike proposes death sentence for cultists, others

    Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has declared that Government will amend the State Anti-kidnapping Law to prescribe death sentence for those involved in cultism, robbery and kidnapping.

    Wike made this known during a broadcast in Port Harcourt following the killing of Johnson Igwedibia, popularly known as Don Waney by the security forces on Saturday.

    He said the three arms of government would work together to amend the state Anti Kidnapping Law to proscribe death penalty to violent crimes.

    “Rivers government has invested heavily on the security of the state and will continue to do everything within our powers to guarantee the security and safety of lives and properties.

    “As a fact, we will spare no cost in ensuring that nobody will have peace if the lives and properties of our people make no meaning to them.

    “We reiterate our zero tolerance for all forms of criminality and reassure residents of our determination to be though with those who undermine peace and security in the state.

    “To underscore our seriousness to fight violent crime, we shall be amending the Anti Kidnapping Law to proscribe the maximum death sentence for engaging in cultism, robbery and kidnapping,” he said.

    Wike said the decision of the state government to offer amnesty to all repentant cultists, militants and criminals was done in good faith and in the best interest of the state.

    Read also: Rivers PDP chair hails security agencies, Wike for ending killings

    He said the full weight of the law shall be discharged on anyone who failed to genuinely renounce all forms of criminality as stated in the terms of the amnesty deal.

    The governor said the state government would pay N20 million each to any individual who volunteers useful information that would lead to arrest and prosecution of 32 wanted criminals in the state.

    “The aftermath of crime and insecurity affect society as a whole, and not only the direct victims that are affected.

    “The duty to fight crime remains collective and no right thinking person should ever indulge in politicizing security issues under any circumstances,” he warned.

    Wike directed security agencies to immediately arrest and prosecute 32 alleged criminals (names withheld) who he said had either reneged on the terms of the amnesty or refused to embrace it.

    He thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for sending a delegation led by Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazzau, to Rivers to assess the security situation in the state and to commiserate with the government and people over the killings

    Wike also commended the Nigerian Army and Department of State Security for bringing the alleged killer Don Waney and his gang to book.

    NAN

  • Sen. Abe condemns recent killings in Rivers

    Sen. Abe condemns recent killings in Rivers

    Sen. Magnus Abe, representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, on Tuesday condemned the killing of 20 persons in some communities in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers.

    Abe made the condemnation in a statement issued by his Spokesman, Mr Parry Benson, in Port Harcourt.

    According to him, no fewer than 20 people were killed on January 5; several houses were burnt in the past few days following coordinated attacks by suspected cultists in Asarama, Unyeada and Ajakajak communities.

    Read also: Rivers PDP chair hails security agencies, Wike for ending killings

    Abe expressed his condolence to the families of those who lost their lives, property and those injured during the attacks.

    The Lawmaker called on the security agencies to work round the clock and ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime were brought to book.

    “Every life is precious and no one has the right to take the life of another, because all lives belong to God, the Creator.

    “I pray that God will give strength to all families directly affected by this tragedy,” he said.

    Abe appealed to all Rivers communities to be good neighbours, provide security and comfort to any displaced persons that fled to their communities for safety.

    “We must find strength to stand together and defeat this evil,” he said.

    NAN

  • Gridlock on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway as schools resume

    Gridlock on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway as schools resume

    Some road users on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway on Monday raised alarm over the gridlock caused by road construction projects as schools resumed  from the Yuletide break.

    The road users appealed to the Lagos State Government to adopt measures to reduce hardship on the expressway.

    A NAN correspondent, who took a trip on the highway, reports that several commuters were stranded at various bus-stops on the highway as commercial vehicles were trapped in gridlock.

    An engineer and resident of Shasha, Mr Dayo Ogunware, said the inner roads were blocked due to the pressure on the highway caused by ongoing  construction  of  the Abule-Egba flyover project in Agege.

    Ogunware explained that the Agege axis serves as alternative routes to vehicles from Sango Ota and its environs.

    He  appealed to the Lagos State Government to ensure  the project was speedily executed to reduce the hardship faced by road users.

    “It was difficult to get vehicle this morning.

    “Traffic diversion from Agege Pen Cinema inward Agege Motor Road toward  Abeokuta Expressway as a result of the Abule Egba Flyover project is the cause of this problem.

    “The state government ought to have completed the ongoing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane construction project on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway before embarking on the construction of the Abule Egba flyover.

    Read also: Gridlock on ports’ access roads will reduce in January

    “The completion of the BRT lane would have contained the traffic diversion from Pen Cinema,” he said.

    A civil servant, Mrs Tade Olukoya, said she spent hours on the road because of the gridlock and blamed the state government for poor planning.

    “We know government is working for our good but they should consider the stress we go through and plan better.

    “They should create alternatives for us, the whole of this area is locked down because government wants to construct many roads at the same time,” she said.

    However, Mr Tomi Olarenwaju, a businessman said the hardship was the price to pay for development.

    “The BRT lane when completed would eliminate traffic on this expressway, same for the flyover in Agege, I think we need to be a bit patient,” he said.

    A school teacher,  Mrs Herrieta Uzorigwe, blamed the gridlock on resumption of workers from the holiday and first day of resumption for schools.

    Uzorigwe, however, called  for urgent measures to tackle the gridlock to reduce hardship on the highway.

    Mallam Abubakar Tukur, a tea vendor, appealed for speedy completion of both the Abule Egba flyover and BRT lane construction to ease the gridlock.

    NAN

  • NUT seeks better package for primary schools

    NUT seeks better package for primary schools

    The Nigeria Union of Teachers ( NUT ), Lagos chapter, has called the State Government to address primary schools and improve the welfare of their teachers.

    Mr Adeshina Adedoyin, the state Deputy Chairman of the union, made the appeal in an interview on Monday in Lagos.

    Adedoyin noted that primary school infrastructure needed uplift, while teachers had not benefitted from the government especially in the area of promotion.

    He said though the state government had been informed about the development and had in turn promised to address the situation, an urgent solution was needed.

    Read also: NUT begins strike over teachers’ sack in Kaduna

    According to him, delay in the implementation of the welfare with reference to promotion will affect so many things.

    “As schools resume in this new year, it is important that primary education be considered especially the welfare of teachers and in the scheme of things.

    “It is because it could boost the morale of the teachers if they are given the same treatment as their counter parts in secondary schools.

    “I know that the state government have being workers friendly and would do the needful to address the situation,” the unionist said.

    However, he appreciated the state government for the 30 per cent bonus that was given to workers during the yuletide.

    The labour leader also urged teachers to put in their best to appreciate the effort of the government which pays salaries as at when due.

    “Members should do more to complement the effort of the government; all hands should be on deck.

    “Lagos state government have maintained a good name generally and I know that the good name will not be dragged into the mud.

    “Teachers should not bask in the euphoria of the improved annual performance impression of students but do more so as to sustain it,” he said.

    Besides, the unionist urged government to ensure that schools prone to security threat especially the boarding houses were secured with community policing and para-military.

    NAN

  • 2nd quarter GDP ranked most uploaded report in 2017 – NBS

    2nd quarter GDP ranked most uploaded report in 2017 – NBS

    Dr Yemi Kale, the Chief Executive Officer of National Bureau of Statistics ( NBS ) said the Second Quarter 2017 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Report was one of the most uploaded reports in 2017.

    Kale, the Statistician – General of the Federation said this in his 2018 message posted on the bureau’s website.

    He said the report was followed by the National Survey on Corruption Perception, each with more than 5000 uploads within 120 days of their release.

    “My personal engagement with a vastly diverse sample of our clients convinces me of the growing appreciation for Nigeria’s official statistics. Yet, we can and must do better,’’ he said.

    Kale said with the country’s emergence from economic recession in the second quarter, came greater demand for data by policymakers and business leaders seeking to identify how to sustain the recovery.

    “Also to sustain the implementation of policies, prioritise programmes and ensure that the Nigerian economy gets on a more sustainable path of inclusive growth.

    “Concerned citizens, eager to witness immediate changes in their socio-economic circumstances, also paid closer attention to statistical reports,’’ he said.

    The statistician-general said 2017 witnessed a considerable uptick in activities of NBS, driven in large part by an ever-growing demand for more and better data by governments, businesses and citizens.

    “As 2018 beckons, it is clear that we are unlikely to see a slowdown in such demand, and I am pleased to affirm that NBS is ready, willing and able to rise to the occasion again this year.

    Read also: NBS to release 179 reports on economy

    “No doubt, 2017 was a remarkable year. A total of 198 reports were released, an increase of 85 per cent over 2016,’’ he said.

    According to him, NBS is committed to surpassing these milestones in 2018, as seen in its revised data release calendar, 189 reports are already planned.

    “As usual, they will be accompanied by clear, informative infographic materials, and disseminated widely across all our social media platforms.

    “We remain committed to quality improvement across all our service delivery channels, in order to continually justify our multiple awards in 2017.

    “As ever, the bureau will remain steadfast in guarding its professional and operational independence granted by the Statistics Act (2007), especially as the political climate builds up.’’

    The statistician-general said that efforts would be made to provide adequate explanations and context for data releases, and prioritise statistical advocacy efforts to limit the misuse of data.

    Kale, however, acknowledged the support of government at all levels and institutional partners towards improving the availability and quality of official statistics in the country.

    The statistician-general prayed that 2018 would be a year of better statistical funding, both at the federal level and to state statistical agencies.

    He said the importance of statistical data for identifying development priorities and shaping public policy should not be subjected to vagaries of the socio-economic or political climate.

    “Rather, leaders must continually emphasise and utilise evidence-based approaches, whether in policy or business.

    “If this is not done, it becomes impossible to objectively identify key areas in our society that actually require change.

    “It will be difficult to accurately determine what policy prescriptions will best respond to the real needs of the country or take advantage of the next big business opportunity in this resilient economy.

    “We are confident that the year will bring numerous opportunities for us to effectively support policymakers.

    “We look forward to another fulfilling year for us at the bureau, our partners and data users,’’ Kale said.

    NAN

  • NANS sets up monitoring team on petrol prices, sales

    NANS sets up monitoring team on petrol prices, sales

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ), has set up a monitoring team on petrol pricing, distribution and sales, its President, Mr Chinonso Obasi has said.

    Obasi, in a statement made available on Monday in Abuja, said Nigerians were facing hardship imposed on them by profiteers.

    He regretted that Nigerians during the Yuletide experienced challenges by paying over 300 per cent hike in transport fares moving for both Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    According to him, the hardship has not abated as Nigerians still buy petrol at N250 per litre in some places.

    He called on Nigerians to resist the rip-off and also reject any hike in petrol price.

    “It is an undeniable fact that petrol is being sold at prices inimical to the economic well-being of consumers; across the nation, the prices rather than decreasing is increasing. This is totally unacceptable.

    Read also: NANS describes killings as ‘cruel’, condoles with victims, government

    “No doubt, in spite of the availability of the petrol, many unmerited yet unexplainable reasons have been given as excuses for this unabated exploitation.

    “As the official pump price remains at N145, we urge Nigerians not to pay more; the NNPC and the independent marketers should urgently resolve this hardship and assure Nigerians that their days of worries over petroleum prices are a priority.

    “To this end, we hereby announce the setting up of NANS Task Force Committee on Compliance on Petroleum Distribution, Pricing and Sales.’’

    He said Nigerians could no longer continue to bear the brunt of the activities of saboteurs.

    He said the committee would begin work immediately and was saddled with the responsibility of working with government agencies willing to ensure compliance.

    “NANS wishes to solidarise with Nigerians by condemning this man made hardship imposed on Nigerians and unreservedly call on the Department of Petroleum Products and Public Procurement Regulatory Authority to swiftly halt the exploitation of Nigerians,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Yam farmers assure Nigerians of increased production, price increases

    Yam farmers assure Nigerians of increased production, price increases

    Yam Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria has assured Nigerians of increased yam production in 2018 so as to boost the yam export initiative of the Federal Government.

    The Acting President of the association, Prof Simon Irtwange, gave the assurance in an interview in Abuja on Monday.

    He said farmers had been mobilised to increase their production in order to make provision for the local consumption and export requirements.

    Irtwange, who is also the Chairman of the Technical Committee on Nigeria Yam Export Programme, said efforts were made to build the capacity of yam aggregators to buy exportable yams in large quantities from farmers after harvests.

    He said yam exporters, instead of going to markets to buy yams, could procure the yams from the aggregators who already knew the standards for exportable yams.

    He said the committee was partnering with the Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, for the production of seedlings of exportable yams so as to boost the production of the yams and encourage farmers.

    “I will not agree that export has anything to do with the local production because not every yam variety can be exported.

    “The ones that are exportable are the ones that meet export standards. The export requirements include 2kg. yams that are slender and smooth, while the non-export yams are purely for local consumption.

    Read also: Yam export: Committee plans export of 480 tonnes monthly

    “We have also encouraged yam production; this year, we would have more output than what we had in the previous year because farmers are now sensitised and they have gone into massive production. So, there will be enough yams for the local market and export.

    “We have already selected the yam varieties we want to promote for export but the seedlings for those varieties are the major challenge right now.

    “So we have gone into partnership with Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. They will produce the seedlings for us and IITA is also involved in the project.

    “After production, we have aggregators who will off-take the yams from the farmers and will aggregate for the exporters,’’ he said.

    Irtwange, who noted that over 20 per cent of exportable yams often rotted away because of poor preservation techniques, said that aggregators would have cooling systems for the produce.

    “Concerning the aggregators, what we require from them is that they will have warehouses, they will have cooling systems and they will store the yams under the correct temperature.

    “Through that way, we can also give assurance of the quality of what we are exporting.

    “The assurance is that we have done the trials, we have learnt from our mistakes and we have put in place measures to correct all the drawbacks.

    “The essence of the trials is to see where there are challenges, so that we can see how to solve the problems.

    “Now, we have known what the challenges are and we are going to face them squarely.

    “We have all learnt our lessons and we think that this year, the yam export programme is going to be better than what it was last year,’’ he added.

    NAN

  • Fire breaks out in Trump Tower

    Fire breaks out in Trump Tower

    A fire has broken out on the roof of the Trump Tower building in Manhattan, the New York Fire Department has confirmed.

    Firefighters are currently making sure it did not spread.

    The New York City Fire Department said that the fire started on the terrace and was quickly contained.

    U.S. President was not currently at Tower but at Washington. D.C. at the time of the incident.

    Read also: I’m a very stable genius, declares Trump

    While Trump and the First Family now live in the White House, he maintains a palatial apartment in the 58-story tower.

    So far, only one person has been reportedly injured in the fire incident in the building, which houses both residences and businesses.

    Smoke was captured pouring out of the 21st floor of the building and reports said investigators were looking into what may have sparked the blaze.

    NAN

  • Ilorin residents groan as fuel scarcity bites harder

    Ilorin residents groan as fuel scarcity bites harder

    Fuel scarcity has apparently not abated in Kwara, as parents and students among other residents, on Monday, expressed dissatisfaction with the lingering problem.

    Various motor parks including roadsides in Ilorin, passengers in their scores, were waiting to board the few available commercial vehicles.

    Some of the passengers and drivers said the fuel scarcity was becoming unbearable, as motorists continued to queue for petrol endlessly at filling stations.

    Anthony Ibe, a student of the University of Ilorin, said he had been on the queue for more than an hour without any hope of leaving soon.

    “My lectures start by 8 a.m., and this is after 10 a.m. and I am still waiting to get a cab to school.

    “The situation is getting out of hands; what is the essence of going to school when we are already missing lectures.

    “There have been a lot of push and fights here today, because everyone just wants to get into any available cab,’’ he said.

    Mrs Ireti Ademola, a parent with two school children bemoaned the situation, saying: “how do I cope with these children everyday without the ease of transportation?

    “I cannot carry both of them and at the same time struggle to get a cab, hence our little children are not left out in this suffering; they are already late.

    “I just hope this scarcity will come to an end soon or government  should just postpone resumption of schools,’’ she said.

    Read also: Fuel scarcity: ‘Attempt to arm twist the government’, cleric urges

    A student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ismail Abdulkadir, said, “this is not encouraging at all, imagine going to school late because you cannot get a cab.

    “We, the students, are always at the receiving end, we have to trek long distances as well as pay higher transportation fare.

    “Please, how much is our pocket money that I have to pay more than N200 to and from school and very soon, the price of sachet water may increase.

    “This is just too much suffering to bear, the government should consider the plight of students and intervene in the lingering problem,’’ he said.

    At the College of Education in Ilorin, students also lamented the hike in transportation fare and dearth of commercial vehicles.

    A transporter, who simply identified himself as Sheu, blamed the increase in transport fare on the troubles motorists encountered before getting fuel.

    He said that most of the time, they had to sleep over at petrol stations in order to be able to get fuel early.

    “Sometimes, we slept over at petrol stations or even went out of the town to get fuel, because most of the filling stations here claimed they didn’t have fuel.

    “And we bought fuel at N200 per litre, black marketers sold five litres for N1,500, so you can imagine what we are passing through.

    “This is why transport fare has increased, remember that we also have to make profit,’’ he said.

    NAN