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  • February rain: NMeTs predicts bumper harvest in 2018

    February rain: NMeTs predicts bumper harvest in 2018

    The President of Nigerian Meteorological Society ( NMets ), Prof. Clement Akoshile, on Tuesday predicted bumper harvest in the 2018 farming season.

    Akoshile said this in an interview in Lagos, adding that there would be bumper harvest in all the farm produce.

    According to him, this prediction comes as a result of the early rain that fell across the country this February.

    “The rain that fell at the beginning of this month is quiet impressive and is a sign that farmers will enjoy the fruit of their labour during harvest.

    “The weather is still hot, but it had been alternating from fair to cloudy in most parts of the country especially in the South.

    “All those seasonal farm produce that does not need much rain to sprout will do well.

    “It is expected that the raining season will come normally and not delayed in anyway,’’ he said.

    Akoshile said that this prediction did not mean that farmers should not prepare for vagaries in whether conditions.

    He said that geographical locations should also be taken into consideration, adding that situations in the south would not be the same with that of the north.

    The NMets President said that the coastal areas did not have anything to fear as the areas were already blessed to produce all-year-round.

    He said that when the raining season set in fully, the intensity would determine level of flood and its effect on crops.

    NAN

  • UNICEF launches worldwide campaign ‘Every Child Alive’

    UNICEF launches worldwide campaign ‘Every Child Alive’

    UNICEF launched a worldwide campaign “Every Child Alive” on Tuesday, to demand and deliver solutions on behalf of the world’s newborns, along with a new report on newborn mortality.

    The UNICEF Nepal said in a statement that in low-income countries, the average newborn mortality rate is 27 deaths per 1,000 births.

    Newborns from the most risky places are up to 50 times more likely to die than those from the safest places.

    According to the Nepal’s Demographic Health Survey 2016, one in 48 babies die in their first 28 days of life in the country, making up to 13,000 newborn deaths every year in Nepal.

    According to the report, 80 per cent of newborn deaths are due to premature complications during birth or infections such as pneumonia and sepsis.

    “These deaths can be prevented with access to well-trained midwives, along with proven solutions like clean water, disinfectants, breastfeeding within the first hour, skin-to-skin contact and good nutrition,” UNICEF  said.

    However, a shortage of well-trained health workers and midwives means that thousands do not receive the life-saving support they need to survive.

    While in Norway there are 218 doctors, nurses and midwives to serve 10,000 people, that ratio is 2.3 per 10,000 in Nepal, as per the report.

    Through the new campaign, UNICEF is issuing an urgent appeal to governments, health care providers, donors, the private sector, families and businesses to keep every child alive.

    According to UNICEF Nepal, the campaign will complement the Nepali government’s commitments and efforts to reduce newborn deaths and stillbirths through its 20-year Every Newborn Action Plan launched in 2016.

    The Nepali government aims to reduce newborn mortality to below 11 deaths per 1,000 live births and a stillbirth rate of less than 13 per 1,000 total births by 2035 from the current rates of 23 and 18.4 respectively.

    Xinhua/NAN

  • EU plants 736 trees in Daura LG

    EU plants 736 trees in Daura LG

    The International Centre for Energy and Environmental Development ( ICEED )wea2q has planted 736 varieties of trees across the 11 wards in Daura Local Government Area of Katsina State to promote environmental conservation.

    Malam Buhari Fago, the Director of Agriculture in the council, announced this in an interview with our reporter in Daura on Tuesday.

    He said the programme, an European Union ( EU ) sponsored initiative, was facilitated and implemented by the Oxfam, ICEED and the National Planning Commission ( NPC ).

    According to him, the programme is aimed at controlling desertification and promoting green environment.

    Fago said 270 of the trees were planted through the nursery nurturing process, while 466 were through the farmer-managed natural regeneration system.

    He added that 221 villages were covered through the two adopted methods of planting, stressing that the agency would expand the scope of its coverage.

    He said the agency also distributed 1,000 bags of fertilisers, bottles of insecticides and clean cook stove.

    Fago said the beneficiaries went home with the three items.

    He added that the clean cook stove were provided under it’s four-year programme of improving the fuel wood balance (FUWOBA)

    The agency recently planted thousands of trees in Sandamu Local Government Area to promote environmental conservation and prevent desertification.

    NAN

  • Buhari: All recovered assets to be sold-off

    Buhari: All recovered assets to be sold-off

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Daura, his hometown, said all mismanaged and misappropriated national assets recovered will be sold off and proceeds paid to the treasury for the benefit of the country.

    Buhari who gave the assurance when he received representatives of social groups in Daura Emirate said his administration will continue to pursue a robust, effective and legitimate anti-corruption campaign that safeguards the treasury and commonwealth of all Nigerians.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said he would not allow a repeat of what happened in the 1980s when buildings and other ill-gotten property seized by his military administration were returned to corrupt officials following his ouster as Head of State.

    The President told the groups that the APC-led government will consolidate on the gains and monumental achievements in the development of infrastructure across the country.

    He said “For most ordinary Nigerians, if you give them good roads, railway and stable electric power they will be happy to carry on with their lives.

    ‘‘We are doing so much for our country and we will continue to do more out of the fear of God,” the President said.

    On agriculture development, the President promised that the Federal Government will sustain the provision of funds, improved seedlings and fertilizer to farmers to ensure that the sector remains the largest employer of labour to Nigerians.

    On the key priorities of the administration, the President maintained that the records of achievements on security, war against corruption and the revival of the economy have remained very impressive.

    Read Also: Buhari advises TETFund on interventions to institutions

    He expressed delight that more young people are venturing into agribusiness while security, especially in the northeast, had remarkably changed from what he met in 2015.

    Alhaji Mohammed Saleh, the spokesman of the delegations, commended President Buhari for implementing policies and programmes that have created gainful employment to thousands of young Nigerians under the Social Investment Programme.

    Saleh said improved electricity supply in their communities and growing foreign reserves are clear indications of good management of the economy under the present administration.

    The delegations also congratulated the President on his appointment as the continental Champion against corruption by the African Union, noting that it underscored the global appreciation of the good work he is doing in fighting corruption.

    They also commiserated with the President on the recent loss of his close family members.

    The groups represented at the meeting were the Daura Emirate Coalition of Associations; the Amalgamation of Daura Emirate Political Associations; the Buhari Group; the Daura Emirate Development Forum; Women in Politics in Daura Emirate and the Daura Emirate Consultative Forum.

     

  • BBNaija: Miracle wins head of house, as Housemates changes pairs

    BBNaija: Miracle wins head of house, as Housemates changes pairs

    Miracle beat Ifu Enada, Ahneeka and Leo to win the head-of-house challenge this week.

    The blindfolded housemates were to pick balls from the red bucket, except the red ball, a task which everyone failed, except Miracle.

    The pilot is to enjoy the rights of being the head of house this week with Anto, his new pair, which includes having an exclusive room, the head-of-house chair, and is excluded from evictions.

    In another development, housemates were repaired by Big Brother in the evening.

    The housemates were told to form new pairs (with the exception of Cee-C and Tobi, who are automatic partners till the end of the show, following Biggie’s announcement last week after their fight). They were not to pick their former partners.

    With the guys choosing the ladies this time, Miracle picked Anto and RicoSwavy picked Bam Bam. Angel went for Ahneeka, while Tobi chose Alex,

    Leo opted for Ifu Ennada, leaving the last pair, Teddy A and Nina as automatic partners.

    However, the show host, Ebuka, announced after the pairing show that there will be no evictions this Sunday.

    Six housemates left the house Sunday, with Khloe and K-Brule getting disqualified, and Princess, Bitto Bryan, Vandora and Dee-One getting evicted.

  • Kogi: Two killed, oil merchant kidnapped

    Kogi: Two killed, oil merchant kidnapped

     

    The chairman of Always Petroleum and Gas, based in Okene, Kogi State, Alhaji Otinau Momoh Jimoh was reportedly kidnapped Sunday evening by unknown gunmen.

    Momoh Jimoh, who is in his early 40s was said to have been kidnapped around 8pm, from opposite the Okene central mosque where he hung out with friends.

    An eyewitness said that unspecified number of gunmen stormed the area, shooting sporadically to scare people away.

    Read Also: 654, 804 Kogi kids for immunisation against measles

    The eyewitness, who identified himself as Usman Ishaq, added that as people ran for safety, two of the gunmen seized the victim and dragged him into their car, a Toyota Camry and sped away.

    He said that the kidnappers were yet to contact the family and that no ransom has been place on him.

    In a related development, two people including a masquerader were killed at Inoziomi quarters in Adavi Local Government Area during the Ebe festival.

    According to a source, the incident happened on Saturday evening between 9pm and 10pm, when unknown gunmen riding on a motorcycle opened fire, killing the masquerader and two others on the spot, while two others sustained injuries.

    The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Williams Aya, who confirmed both incidents, said that the perpetrators will be apprehended to made to face the wrath of the law

     

  • AGF seeks clarification on corruption charge against Danladi

    AGF seeks clarification on corruption charge against Danladi

     

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN) has sought clarification from the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Festus Keyamo in relation to the charge they filed against the Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar.

    Malami’s request for clarification is contained in two letters written on his behalf by the Solicitor General of the Federation (SGF) and Permanet Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, who asked Magu and Keyamo to direct their responses to the AGF.

    Magu and Keyamo were, in the letters, dated February 16, 2018, with Reference Numbers:  DPP/ADV:368/15 (for Magu) and DPP/ADV:369/15 (for Keyamo) asked to make their responses available to the AGF on or before February 20, 2018.

    Kayamu had on behalf of the EFCC, filed a charge against Umar on February 2, this year before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Umar is accused, in the charged marked: CR/109/18, of demanding N10m as favour from a defendant standing trial before the CCT, Rasheed Owolabi Taiwo, in 2012.

    The anti-corruption agency accused Umar of receiving, through his personal assistant, Alhaji Gambo Abdullahi, N1.8m out of the N10m demanded from Taiwo in the same year.

    The offences were said to be contrary to Section 12(1)(a) & (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2003.

    The charge is currently before Justice Ishaq Bello of the FCT High Court in Maitama and it is scheduled to come up on March 15 for the arraignment.

    The DPP’s letter to Magu is titled: “Titled “FR VS Danladi Umar (CR/109/18) request for Briefing.

    It reads: “The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation was drawn to news report that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed charges of corruption against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice Danladi Umar, before the FCT High Court.

    “I am directed by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to seek clarification from you as to whether the charges were filed on your instruction or directive and if in the affirmative, what is the compelling basis for doing so. This clarification becomes imperative in view of the following background facts.

    Read Also: AGF decries increase in detainees without trial

    “The Commission’s investigation report dated 5th March 2015 addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation stated as follows: “The facts as they are now against Justice Umar raised a mere suspicion and will therefore not be sufficient to successfully prosecute for the defence.

    “The Commission’s position in paragraph 2(a) above was also maintained and sustained by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation while appearing before the House of Representatives’ Investigative Committee sometimes in 2015 to the effect that report of investigations showed that the allegations against Hon. Justice Danladi Umar were based on mere suspicions.

    “In view of the foregoing, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation requests for your prompt briefing as to the existence of new facts which are contrary to the position in your attached investigation report, sufficient evidence or other developments upon which the prosecution of Hon. Justice Danladi can be successfully based.

    “Kindly accord this letter top priority whiles your prompt response within 48 hours from the receipt of same is required in the circumstances.”

    On his part, the letter to Keyamo reads: “The attention of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation was drawn to news report that you have filed charges of corruption against the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Hon. Justice Danladi Umar, before the FCT High Court.

    “The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation hereby requests that you kindly furnish this office with the details of the instruction or authorization upon which you instituted the case under reference.

    “Kindly accord this letter top priority whiles your prompt response on or before Tuesday, February 20, 2018 is solicited in this regard.”

    When contacted yesterday, Keyamo acknowledged receiving a leter from the Federal Ministry of Justice on the CCT Chairman’s issue.

    Keyamo said he found nothing unusual about the letter. He said it was a private letter sent to him for enquiry and to which he has since responded. He declined to dwell on the content of the letter.

    Keyamo said: “I received a letter from the Ministry of Justice. It is not a query. It’s an enquiry and I have responded to it.

    “It was a private letter, and I don’t have to make the content of a private letter public. Yes, I relieved a letter and I have responded to it.”

  • Elumelu constructs N13 million students pedestrian bridge, promises continued support

    Elumelu constructs N13 million students pedestrian bridge, promises continued support

    The Chairman United Bank for Africa, Mr Tony Elumelu has   through the bank’s Foundation constructed a N13 million pedestrian bridge for students of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto saying that the foundation will continue to support the educational pursuit of indigent Nigerian and African youths.

    Elumelu noted that education was of primary concern to the bank’s aspect of corporate social responsibility to the society.

    The bridge project of 120 x 2 metres length and width,  is part of the corporate social responsibilities  of the bank to the institution which followed an earlier appeal to Mr Elumelu by the students of the university during a national dialogue series.

    Elumelu, a seasoned banker, made the remark in Sokoto Monday at the official commissioning of the project at the university’s permanent site by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who noted that education was capital intensive that required the participation and support of corporate stakeholders to succeed.

    Tambuwal represented by Secretary to the State Government, Professor Bashir Garba commended Elumelu and the bank for the gesture in adding value to the institution.

    “We as a state are working towards fulfilling our pledge of constructing an engineering department for the University at the cost of N400 million”, he said.

    However, Elumelu who spoke through the Group Managing Director of the bank, Mr Kennedy Uzoka  stressed that the bank would not relent in promoting and strengthening its corporate social responsibilities of giving back to the society.

    He said the constructed bridge will further ease the students the trouble of trekking long distance to get to their destination for academic and curricular activities.

    ‎” The absence of the bridge have subjected many students to difficulties in getting to their lectures venue and other places within the school on time. We have also built a hall that accommodates 1000 students”, he explained.

    Elumelu stressed that, ” we are passionate about giving back to the society through our 3es components; Empowerment, Education and Environment. This is part of of education and environment.”

    He explained that the bank was not only looking ahead for profit maximisation but ensure customers satisfaction and giving back to the people through promoting it’s corporate social‎ responsibilities.

    ” We want to be a role model with uniqueness not by coincidence but by physical commitment ‎and strengthening of our good will in advancing the course of humanity  through our foundation”, he said.

    According to him ” We have been doing this by sponsoring essay competitions and indigent students to institutions across African countries where we operate.

    ” Todays event marks a symbolic success and a dream come through to showcase the relevance of the society and institution to our bank.

    “For 70 years we have been adding value to customers and society. We believe in meritocracy, industry, entrepreneurship and mentorship of young students to become good ambassadors. Of the country in their endeavours”, he added.

    Speaking at the brief ceremony, Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Abdullahi Zuru noted with pleasure of the philanthropists gesture of ‎Mr Elumelu in building hope and strengthening value adding relationship the institution and especially the youth.

    He explained that the edifice commissioned was vital to the day to day movement of students for their daily academic and other extracurricular activities.

    Zuru said for the past four decades, the students have not been finding it easy especially during rainy season which often affect their movement through the passage due to the mushy nature of the spot.

    “We have reached out to organisations but thank God today‎ UBA has heed to our call. It is now the shortest way for our students particularly now.

    “We appreciate Mr Elumelu and UBA family. The edifice which has side lights will serve us in no small way”, he acknowledged.

     

  • Total Nigeria empowers Delta youths

    Total Nigeria Plc has presented starter packs to those it trained on welding and fabrication, furniture making, hair dressing, fashion and designing, fish farming, computer studies, and others.

    Its Managing Director Mr. Jean- Philippe Torres said the Skills Acquisition Program (SAP) was part of its corporate philosophy aimed at building strong partnerships for sustainable development.

    The starter packs were presented to the 2016 and 2017 beneficiaries at the Total Lubricant Blending Plant in Koko, Delta State.

    Torres said since inception 2006, the program has empowered 54 beneficiaries in the community.

    The graduands undergo a screening and pre-selection process prior to their placements in certified training centers.

    Training materials and allowances are provided for them and their trainers to ensure they are well equipped with the necessary learning tools.

    On completion of the one-year training, Total Nigeria fully establishes the youths in their various vocational fields by providing them with tools and resources by way of Starter packs.

    Read Also: Total E&P empowers 57 SMEs with micro credit loans in A/Ibom

    “This is one of the many ways in which we positively affect our host communities, ensuring we have a sustainable impact on their lives,” Torres said.

    According to him, capacity building provides more sustainable contribution to economic and social development of people and communities.

    “The program is a sustainable youth development scheme were less privileged youths of our host communities are trained in vocations of their choice,” he said.

    Torres urged the beneficiaries to work hard and to believe in their abilities to become achievers in their different vocations.

    “Despite tough economic conditions, we had to ensure that these starter packs are procured as we cannot compromise the development of our communities and that of our youths.

    “We, therefore, implore you to make the most of the work tools.  All you require to run a viable Small and Medium Scale Business has been provided including two years prepaid shop in waiting.

    “Going forward, you then need to contribute to the community development of Koko so the positive spiral effect of your enterprise is felt here,” Torres added.

  • Sanusi worried over use of hate speech in social media

    Sanusi worried over use of hate speech in social media

    Emir of Kano, His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II, on Monday in Kano condemned in the strongest terms the usage of hate speech in the social media calling on relevant authorities to checkmate the menace before it drags the country into anarchy.

    The Emir who spoke through the District Head of Rogo, Alhaji Muhammad Muhammad Muaraz noted that, political leadership across board must arise and fight against the usage of hate speech.

    He added that Nigeria is on the pa

    th to anarchy, owing to reckless use of hate speeches on social media platforms.

    Read Also: Fulanis are not criminals, says Emir  Sanusi

    The monarch stated this in his remarks during the opening session of the 2nd NUJ National Conference Kano 2018 with the theme, “Hate Speech: Halting the Tide before It Is Too Late”.

    He lamented that, “indiscriminate use of words that are provocative posses the danger of leading the country towards anarchy.”