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Dickson warns against rejection of corps members

Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, has warned heads of schools in the state not to reject members of the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) posted to their schools for their primary assignments.

Dickson gave this warning on Monday at the closing ceremony of the orientation course for the 2017 Batch “B” Stream 1 members of the youth service.

The ceremony was held at the temporary orientation camp in Kaiama, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.

The governor said the warning became necessary in view of the government’s current education development agenda.

Dickson, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Telford Ongolo, said his administration was aware that about 85 per cent of the corps members had been posted to schools and urged the principals to accept them.

“The government of Bayelsa will not tolerate rejection of corps members without genuine reasons, especially by the heads of any school establishments.

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“We have set machinery in motion to deal decisively with anyone or group, who may want to frustrate the genuine efforts of our administration in raising the standard of education.

“For the corps members, do not induce the rejection of your postings; I urge you, therefore, to accept your postings with open minds and be determined to make an impact on the community you find yourself.

“I have directed all Local Government chairmen, traditional rulers and community leaders to ensure that those of you posted to their domains are warmly received and given all support to settle down,” he said.

On security, Dickson said the State Government was committed to safeguarding lives and property of corps members but urged them to always be conscious of their environment, especially in the night.

Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Loto Bolade, thanked the governor for his support for the scheme, noting that the corps members were ready to discharge their duties to their fatherland.

Bolade congratulated the corps members and urged them to put to practice, all they had been taught as part of their orientation course, which she described as the first phase.

“Gentlemen, as you begin the second phase of the scheme with your posting to the place of your primary assignment, I urge you to be law abiding as you progress in your one year service.

“Always respect the norms and traditions of your host communities, be security conscious at all times.

“Avoid unnecessary travels in line with the policy of “no life jacket, no travelling on water” for those of you posted across water, do not travel without putting on the life-jacket,” she said.

NAN

December 11, 2017
We are expecting additional 1,129 MW in 2018 – Fashola

The Federal Government on Monday announced that when some power generation projects were completed by 2018, they could generate additional 1,129 Mega Watts to the current 7,000 Mega Watts in the country, the Minster of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola revealed.

The Minster said this at the 22^nd monthly meeting of stakeholders in the power sector at Geregu, Kogi.

Fashola said “the Azura power plant will give us another 450MW; I know that we will also get 10MW of wind power from Katsina State.

“I know that we will get 115MW from Gbari and 30MW from Kashimbila.

“From Afam III, we will give 240MW of power in 2018, while Gurara is working to deliver 30MW, as Dadinkowa in Gombe will provide 29MM and Kaduna will generate 215 MW.

“All these power plants do not involve the mini grids and solar systems that are coming.”

The minister explained that in spite of the attainment of the current 7,000MW in the country, 2,000MW of the total power was not being distributed to Nigerians.

He said it was important to devise means of taking the unutilised 2,000MW to Nigerians who needed power, noting that “we cannot afford to keep power; that is not good for business, especially those who invested in it.

“One of the steps we are taking with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company ( NDPH ) is to try and complete some of the distribution projects under the Nigerian National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) projects.

“In Kogi, the distribution project that will affect the people positively are the ones in Okene, Igba, which will be completed in the first quarter of 2018.”

Fashola said the narrative must change from not enough power to how unutilised power could be distributed.

He explained that he had contacted the President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to discuss how its members could key into the undistributed power.

Read also: Why I believe power sector ’ll be fixed, by Fashola

He added that “Director Generator, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and other chambers of commerce had been contacted on how to take up the 2000 unused megawatts

“We are also working on how Distribution Companies (Discos) could benefit from the entire process.”

The minister, who said the sector had made progress on power Generation and Transmission, added that Distribution issues would also be cleared soon.

He attributed the success recorded in the sector so far to government polices, “especially the provision of N701 billion assurance guarantee fund that enabled the payment to gas suppliers by Generating Companies (Gencos).

“The assurance guarantee brought confidence to power production business, which resulted to increased power production which took us to all-time high of 7,000MW power availability.”

“As at Dec. 5, 2017, power supply stood at 5,019MW, which was below the 5,074MW achieved in January 2016.

“However, grid supplied power peaked at all-time high of 5,155MW on December 8, an increase over the January 2016 figure of 5,074 MW.”

He said the success was due to teamwork and leadership provided by President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbanjo and other stakeholders.

He then urged stakeholders to join hands in solving the problems in the sector, saying it was a privilege to be involved in salvaging the challenges in the sector.

The Managing Director of Geregu Power Plant PLC, Mr Aderemi Adenuga, said owners of the company injected 94 million Dollars to overhaul and upgrade the plant.

He said the company was comfortably running the tree turbines in the plant and thanked Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) for payment of the electricity generated to the company.

NAN

December 11, 2017
NAF acquires, reactivates five additional air craft to fight insurgency

The Nigerian Air Force ( NAF ) on Monday said it had acquired and renovated five additional air craft to fight insurgency and other crimes in the country.

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, disclosed this at the Fourth Quarter 2017 CAS conference with the Branch Chiefs, Air Officer Commanding (AOCs) , Field Commanders, among others at its Headquarters in Abuja.

Abubakar said the aim of the conference was to appraise progress made in NAF since the end of the Third Quarter held in Kaduna State in September.

The CAS said further that the reason for the conference was also to obtain ideas from the bottom to the top, toward moving the service forward.

He explained that to enable the service carry out its mandate, of protecting the country, the institution had trained a number of pilots and had already been deployed for operational duties.

“A female pilot, for the first time in the history of NAF, was on the way to the United States Air Force for training as a fighter pilot.

“Having graduated as the overall best pilot during ab-initio training at 401 Flying Training School Kaduna State,” he said.

Abubakar explained further that for the service to carry out its professional duties, NAF had also activated additional platforms which had been deployed for operations in the North-East.

“One Bell 412 Helicopter had been activated, while work on the second one would be completed before end of December.

“One Mi-35P Helicopter is being reactivated and should be ready for operation by January 2018 ending.

“The overhauled engines needed for the reactivation had already arrived in Nigeria. The reactivation is being done locally to further build the capacity of NAF technical personnel as well as saving cost,” he said.

The CAS added that foreign technical experts had been invited to execute the project in conjunction with NAF engineers and technicians.

Abubakar said the two additional Mi-35M helicopters recently procured for NAF by the Federal Government had been test flown in Russia and should be operational in Nigeria by February 2018.

Read also: NAF medical outreach in IDPs camps, Borno, successful

He said a total of five combat helicopters were being added to NAF counter-insurgency efforts.

“The Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) of C-130H Aircraft had commenced in Lagos State, also being done locally by foreign technical experts with personnel for capacity building.

“Similarly, the Service life of C-130H aircraft NAF 913 has been successfully extended. The foregoing efforts are to boost the strategic and operational airlift capability of NAF,” he said.

The CAS said further that the air operations in the North-East had been reorganised for increased efficiency.

He added that the Air Component Commander had been replaced with a Commander, Air Task Force, an Air Vice Marshal, who reports to the Theatre Commander.

He said NAF had also appointed three Divisional Air Liaison Officers (DALO) for the Nigerian Army’s 3 Armourer Division well as 7 and 8 Divisions in the North-East.

He said the whole idea was to ensure a better coordination of air efforts with ground operations. The NAF has also appointed an Air Liaison Officer for the Theatre Command to further limit the possibility of gaps in operations.

“In the area of Force Protection, NAF has trained some of its Regiment personnel as additional Special Forces and deployed them to the North-East for operations alongside other surface forces.

“NAF has graduated the second set of participants from its Air War College in Makurdi, Benue, the graduates are expected to add value to the Service in general and in operational activities,” he said.

The CAS enjoined the senior officers to be frank in their contributions, identify challenges and proffer ways of moving the NAF forward.

NAN

December 11, 2017
FG to host 2018 African Tourism Ministers conference

The Federal Government said it would partner with the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria ( FTAN ) and other stakeholders in hosting of the African Tourism Ministers in June 2018.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja, when a delegation of FTAN led by its National Chairman, Alhaji Kareem Rabo paid him a courtesy call.

Nigeria, at the 22nd United Nations World Tourism Organisation ( UNWTO ) General Assembly held in September in Chengdu, China, won the right to host the Conference of UNWTO Commission for Africa in Abuja.

Mohammed said FTAN, a statutory umbrella body of every association involved with tourism was crucial to successful hosting of the conference.

He said from its membership ranging from tour operators, airlines owners, car hire operators, and hotel owners as well as other professional bodies in the sector, FTAN remained a major stakeholder in tourism industry.

Read also: Argungu Fishing Festival: FG, tourism stakeholders to partner Kebbi State

“There is no way we can organise the conference without FTAN being co-opted in either the general purpose committee or the sub-committee.

“You will be very much involved because it is FTAN that will provide services at the airports, the hotels and as guides of the visitors.

“The impression that our visitors will have about Nigeria will depend on the effectiveness and competence of the various associations under FTAN.

“Therefore, you should be rest assured that we are going to carry you along,’’ he said.

Also responding to the request by FTAN for its members to be appointed on the board of Tourism Parastatal Agencies, the minister said the enabling Acts of some of the government establishments already catered for it.

The minister said the government efforts at resuscitating the Presidential Council on Tourism was on-going and it would be made a priority of the ministry in 2018.

Mohammed reiterated his commitment to the culture and tourism portfolio of his ministry.

Earlier, Rabo had underscored the importance of the private sector to the development of the industry and the need for government to partner with the association in its activities.

He said FTAN was ready to synergise with the ministry in realising the 2017 Declaration as Year of Sustainable Tourism Development spanning till 2030.

Rabo also congratulated the minister on his recent election as the UNWTO Vice President for Africa and urged him to use the position to grow the industry.

NAN

December 11, 2017
Superbikers embark on seven-hour praise

For seven hours, members of the Superbikers Association in Lagos praised their creator for the gift of life, journey mercies and the supernatural blessings they had received throughout the year.

The event which was done in conjunction with the Life Center Ministries in Ajao Estate and Land of Praise Ministries featured prominent gospel artistes like Shola King, Brother Phillip, a blind gospel artiste, and the choir of the Life Center.

Mr. Michael Oladeinde, the coordinator of the Superbiker’s Praise, said God has been faithful to them and they have every reason to praise God.

“God has been faithful in our lives. We all have every reason to praise God every day of our lives.

Read also: Breaking invisible barriers through Praise!

“The best way to appreciate the lord’s favour , mercy and grace is to praise him all the time.

“He is the one who has kept and preserved us all and we must appreciate the lord’s goodness in our lives,” he said.

He also said that aside the attention Superbike riders get anywhere they go, they should always endeavour to seek attention for christ.

“Anytime a Super biker gets to a place, his arrival is noticed immediately.

“Everyone around him marvels and they are excited as he moves away. It is also important that as individuals we should be attention seekers for Christ.

“We must make sure we carry the word along with us in everything we do. When we do this, we would definitely see the hand of God in the things we do,” he said.

Food items were also distributed to communities in the area as part of the activities lined up for the celebration.

December 11, 2017
Prices of tomatoes, pepper drop in Lagos

Ahead of Christmas celebration, prices of tomatoes, pepper and onions have reduced by about 45 per cent in Lagos.

Price checks at Mile 12, Whitesand, Iddo and Oko Oba markets in Lagos on Monday, revealed that the drop in prices was due to bumper harvest of agricultural produce.

Report said a basket of tomatoes, which previously sold for N15, 000 now goes for N8, 000 while red pepper (tatashe) now cost N8000 compared to its previous price of N14, 000 a basket.

A basket of chilli pepper (rodo) also reduced from N18, 000 to N10, 000 and a jute bag of onions, which previously cost N30, 000, now goes for N20, 000.

A 25-litre of vegetable oil, which previously sold for N11, 500, now cost N10, 700, palm oil decreased from N11, 000 to N10, 300, while a measure of garri now cost N400.

However, the price of a 50 kilogramme bag of rice ranged between N13, 500 to N17, 000, depending on the brand while a measure of beans cost N1,500.

Mr Femi Odusanya, spokesman for Mile 12 Market Traders Association, attributed the price drop to the ongoing harvest season for most of the produce.

Read also: FG has no intention to increase fuel pump price

“Over 20 per cent of the annual four million metric tonnes of tomatoes produced in the country is supplied to Mile 12 Market annually and redistributed to over 400 markets in Lagos and Ogun State and six ECOWAS countries.

“About 200, 000 metric tonnes of the 800,000 metric tonnes of tomatoes annually supplied to Mile 12 Market get wasted due to postharvest losses.

“Presently, the supply of the produce is more than the demand because farmers commenced harvest in December and there would be surplus in the market till April when the harvest season would end.

“That is why we have been advocating for increased investment in tomato processing plant to mop up the excess and reduce waste, create jobs and increase contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” Odusanya said.

He urged the three tiers of government to create an enabling environment toward attracting more investors to tomato processing in the country.

NAN

December 11, 2017
Acquire vocational, get start-up capital – Ambode

Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos on Monday advised corps members to acquire vocational skills to qualify for a start-up capital from the Lagos State Empowerment Trust Fund ( LSETF ).

Ambode gave the advice at the closing of the orientation course for the 2017 Batch B corps members deployed in the state.

The governor was represented by the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Oluseye Oladejo.

According to the governor, the objective of the LSETF is to support young people to become job and wealth creators.

“I am aware that the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development ( SAED ) programme was one of the activities in which you were engaged during the orientation.

“I urge you to take your post-camp training serious and acquire vocational skills of your choice.

“This will qualify you for a start-up capital from the Lagos State Empowerment Trust Fund that was established to provide financial support for Lagos residents and NYSC members serving in the state,’’ he said.

Read also: Nigeria must create four million jobs annually, says Ambode

The governor noted that the objective of the National Youth Service Scheme ( NYSC ) was to foster unity among the various ethnic groups in the country.

“I have no doubt that the orientation course has adequately prepared you for the next phase of your service.

“You are expected to exhibit good qualities such as tolerance, patriotism, diligence and perseverance in your various places of primary assignment.

“As you prepare to step out of this camp, I implore you to participate actively in anything that will positively affect the lives of others,’’ he said.

Ambode called on the corps members to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of their host communities.

The state Coordinator of the NYSC, Mr Mohammed Momoh, said that 2,549 corps members participated in the orientation course in the state.

Momoh said that the corps members were taken through well-structured programmes such as citizenship and leadership training, para-military drills and lectures on self-actualisation.

He urged the corps members to accept in good faith, their postings to their places of primary assignment.

The coordinator also advised them not to go on unauthorised journeys outside Lagos.

“If you must travel, permission must be obtained through the proper channel.

“I encourage you to be agents of change and good ambassadors in your places of primary assignment.

“I enjoin you to key into the federal and state governments’ grassroots-oriented programmes aimed at enhancing the socio-economic development of your host communities,’’ he said.

NAN

December 11, 2017
Ogun targets N4bn revenue in 2018

Ogun state ‘s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Bimbo Ashiru, on Monday said the ministry had put in place machinery to generate N4billion in revenue next year.

Ashiru said this while defending the ministry’s 2018 budget proposal at the Ogun House of Assembly in Abeokuta.

The commissioner explained the amount proposed by the ministry was achievable, saying the ministry had mapped out strategies to block all leakages in revenue collection.

He said the ministry had proposed to generate N200million from registration of trade and artisans in the state while N3billion would be generated from haulage.

“The ministry intends to intensify efforts on monitoring and enforcement for effective collections of haulage fee across the state.

“There are over 24,000 business premises payers in the state. The sum of N300million is budgeted to be generated from registration and renewal of business premises.

“N500million will be generated from inspection of quarries, monitoring of activities of quarry operators, regulation of illegal mining in the state and collection of surface rent,’’ he said.

Read also: Shopping malls: Ogun to revoke unused allocations

Ashiru also said that the ministry had proposed to spend the sum N740million on capital expenditure while N420million had been earmarked for recurrent expenditure.

Defending the budget of his ministry, Mr Muyiwa Oladipo, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, said that the ministry had earmarked N2.6billion as its total expenditure for 2018.

Oladipo explained that the ministry had also proposed to put in place a museum in each of the three senatorial districts in the state.

“There is no museum in Ogun East. We intend having one to be called `Museum of Cultural Heritage and Data’.

“The likes of Ogunde museum will complement that of the state,’’ he said.

Declaring the budget defence open, Deputy Speaker, Mr Olakunle Oluomo, said the exercise was not meant to witchhunt any Ministry, Department or Agency, but part of the constitutional duties of the house.

NAN

December 11, 2017
Man docked over attempt to bathe someone with acid

An accused, Oluwaseyi Ogunjinmi, was on Monday docked at an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun for attempting to bathe someone with a substance suspected to be acid and causing a breach of public peace.

Ogunjinmi, 30, is facing a two-count charge of threat to life and breach of public peace, to which he pleaded not guilty.

The magistrate, Mrs Risikat Olayemi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.

Olayemi ordered that the surety, who must swear to an affidavit of means, should be a civil servant on Grade Level 05, and whose place of work should be within the court’s jurisdiction.

Read also: Man docked for stealing Cocoyam in Ekiti

She added that the surety must attach his letter of appointment, his last promotion letter as well as present his or her valid official identity card to the affidavit as part of the bail conditions.

The magistrate adjourned the case until December 18, for hearing.

Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP Matthew Imepreve, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on Dec. 5, 2017 at about 2:00 p.m., at No. 7, Ijio St., off Moore, Ile-Ife.

Imepreve said that the accused threatened to bathe one Mrs Sola Awoyeye with acid and in the process, conducted himself in a manner that breached public peace.

He said the offences contravened Sections 86 and 249 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002

NAN

December 11, 2017
Ensure positive impact, Amosun urges NYSC members

Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun on Monday called on the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) members to ensure positive impact in their host communities.

The governor made the call on Monday in Sagamu at the closing ceremony of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2017 Batch ‘B’ orientation course for corps members.

Amosun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Afolabi Afuape, also urged them to contribute their quota to the development of the state.

“It is your responsibility as an individual or as a group to collectively contribute your quota to the development of Ogun State through selfless service to your host communities.

“Let me remind you that you are treading a path which thousands of youths before you have passed through, yet there is always that room to make a difference.

“I urge you to move out today to your various places of primary assignment with a determination to make an impact.

“My advice to you is to leave an enduring imprints through meaningful community development projects in the host communities in the next one year,” Amosun said.

Read also: Amosun: Homeowners’ Charter has achieved its objectives

The governor said his administration had provided the necessary security and ambience for the corps members to have a peaceful and rewarding service year.

He said government would continue to evolve strategic methods in mapping out a direction for future growth and expansion of the socio-economic well being of the state.

In a similar vein, Mr John Okpo, the NYSC Coordinator in Ogun, appealed to employers and community leaders to warmly accept the corps members to enable them discharge their duties.

Okpo explained that postings to places of primary assignments for the corps members were done in line with the peculiar needs of the various local government areas and their communities.

A total of 2,442 corps members registered for the orientation exercise which started on Nov. 21.

NAN

December 11, 2017