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  • Kano Fire Service saves 158 lives, N809m worth of goods in January

    Kano Fire Service saves 158 lives, N809m worth of goods in January

    The Kano State Fire Service said on Monday that it saved 158 lives and goods worth N809 million from the 93 fire outbreaks in the state in January.

    The Public Relations Officer of the service, Alhaji Saidu Mohammed, however told newsmen in Kano that 12 lives were lost in the incidents.

    Mohammed said about 110 shops were affected in the fire outbreaks while property valued at N382 million were destroyed during the period.

    READ ALSO: Eight die in tanker explosion on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

    The public relation’s officer did not give the actual number of residential houses that were affected.

    He said that the service received 89 rescue calls and 19 false alarms from the residents during the month.

    Mohammed attributed the major causes of the fire outbreaks to the use of inferior electrical materials, poor handling of electrical appliances, cooking gas and boiling ring as well as accidents.

    He advised the residents to always be careful with electrical appliances in their homes and shops.

    NAN

  • Cancer : Gov’s wife urges women to adopt monthly breast self-examination

    Cancer : Gov’s wife urges women to adopt monthly breast self-examination

    Wife of the Kwara state Governor, Mrs Omolewa Ahmed, has advised sexually active females to adopt monthly breast self-examination as a precautionary measure against breast Cancer.

    Mrs Ahmed made the call on Monday while addressing students on an advocacy sensitization visit at the Kwara State College of Technology, Offa, and the College of Education in Ilemona, Oyun Local Government Area.

    According to her, cancer has become wide spread, caused massive morbidity worldwide,while new cases of the deadly disease are expected to increase by about seventy per cent over the next two decades.

    She said her foundation had set up LEAH Anti-cancer Clubs both in secondary and tertiary institutions in the state to reach out to adolescents and young adults on breast and cervical cancer prevention.

    READ ALSO: Doctors: cancer treatable

    The governor’s wife called for the inclusion of breast and cervical cancer screening in pre-admission medical check-ups and the establishment of basic cancer screening centres in the institutions.

    The Provost, College of Technology Offa, Malam Aliu Abdu-Rauf, attributed the high rate of cancer deaths to Ignorance and called for more research on ways to curb the disease.

    Also, the Provost, College of Education Ilemona, Alhaji Kunle Oyewale, said the sensitization initiative was a major contribution to the fight against the disease.

    NAN

  • Sokoto defunct CPC members cry marginalization, injustice, seeks Tinubu intervention

    Sokoto defunct CPC members cry marginalization, injustice, seeks Tinubu intervention

    Members of the Sokoto state chapter of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), today regrouped to lament over alleged total marginalization  from affairs of governance and appointments by the Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal led administration in the state.

    They unanimously appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to earnestly intervene by requesting the presidential panel to mediate in the matter with a view to addressing the problems.

    Similarly, they accused the current government in the state for meting gross injustice ranging from victimization as well as subjecting them to various criminal abuses.

    Addressing a press conference in Sokoto, the Convener, Professor Muhammad Lawal Bashir said after their painstaking sacrifices in the electoral processes that saw to the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) both in the state and at the center, they were side lined.

    Bashir maintained that after the electoral victory, the PDP decampees under the leadership of Governor Tambuwal formed the government without any one of our members. They have extricated themselves from all the merger agreements.

    “Out of the sixty nine elected offices, none has been given to us from the office of the Governor to councils chairmen.

    ” Also, out of eighty eight political appointments, only one is given to CPC even though, he was a former member of the PDP who decamped to CPC after losing relevance in the party at that time”, he pointed out.”

    The group however, applauded the move by the President for recognizing the exigency to appoint a mediator to finetune and salvage the ruling APC from imminent disintegration and ultimate collapse.

    “We acknowledge and express our support and joy for a mediator in the person of our National party Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed  Tinubu to assist in salvaging our great party, the All Progressives Congress from imminent disintegration and ultimate collapse”, the convener said.

  • LG polls: Ganduje lauds electorate for peaceful conduct

    LG polls: Ganduje lauds electorate for peaceful conduct

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State on Saturday commended electorate for their peaceful conduct during the local government elections in Kano state.

    He gave the commendation shortly after casting his vote his ward in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of the state.

    Ganduje, who voted at 12:18 p.m., told newsmen and his supporters that “I have voted and my vote is equivalent to that of anyone in the society’’.

    According to him, whoever becomes the loser to accept the result in good faith. An election should not be a do or die affair.

    The governor also commended the electorate ‎for conducting themselves peaceful in the area.

    Read Also: Ganduje gives N100 Waivers to Tricycle Operates

    Pooling officials and materials got to the ward at 10:30 a.m., and accreditation and voting started some hours later.

    According to our reporter, the turnout in the governor’s ward was impressive while accreditation of voters and voting were peaceful.

    Voting also commenced in Roba, Barguma, Jemomi and Damfamin- Tofa Area of Ganduje ward and the turnout of electorate were also impressive.

    The late arrival of officials and materials contributed to the poor turnout of voters in Ungogo and ‎Bichi local governments.

  • Nigeria wins 46 medals at ongoing Africa Wrestling Championships

    Nigeria wins 46 medals at ongoing Africa Wrestling Championships

    Team Nigeria has won 46 medals at the ongoing Africa Wrestling Championships holding at the Alfred Diete-Spiff Civil Centre, Port Harcourt.

    According to our reporter, the medals comprise 16 gold, 14 silver and 16 bronze.

    As at the time of this report many events are still ongoing and Nigeria’s medals chances are still high.

    The championships will end Feb. 11.

    Daniel Igali, the president, Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) said that the country’s representatives had been impressive.

    Igali said that he was particularly impressed by the skills exhibited by the Cadet Team.

    “Over the years, we didn’t have a cadet team and I’m glad we have now and they are pulling their weights.

    “We are not there yet but it’s a gradual process and we are on the right path to get it right eventually.

    “When I started wrestling then, there was nothing like cadet team. I started wrestling at age 16 and it was straight to the senior team.

    “This is a good development because it provides an avenue to catch them young and groom them well to fully maximize their potential.”

    Sunmisola Balogun is the only Nigerian athlete who has so far qualified for the Youth Olympic Games from the championship

    No fewer than 90 wrestlers which comprising both males and females are representing Nigeria at the competition.

    Some of the countries participating in the championship are:  Nigeria the host, Liberia, Egypt, Guinea Bissau,Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Namibia, Kenya, Burundi, Cameron, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ghana, Uganda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Madagascar, and Senegal

  • INEC sues for sanity during 2019 elections

    INEC sues for sanity during 2019 elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has called on stakeholders to ensure good conduct and orderliness during the 2019 elections.

    Prof. Francis Ezeonu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Imo, gave the advice on Saturday during a sensitization visit on voter registration with members of his team to Isiala Mbano Local Government area of Imo.

    He said that the days of ballot box snatching, falsification of results and harassment of electoral officers were gone as all results would be transmitted electronically as soon as counting of votes were over.

    Ezeonu warned stakeholders such as polling agents, local observers, voters and politicians to play the game according to the rules to ensure smooth conduct of the polls.

    He said that plans were underway by INEC to establish an Electoral Offences Commission with a tribunal to tackle all electoral offences and secure conviction.

    Ezeonu highlighted the benefits of the voter registration exercise and urged participants to ensure they carried the news to the grass roots for mass turn out of people.

    He assured that the card reader machines had been improved upon and would be successfully used in the coming elections without the anticipated problems.

    Read Also: INEC EFCC partnership will strengthen Nigeria’s democracy

    According to him, voters’ registration could be used as a means of confirming census figures as well as used by politicians for community development.

    Earlier, the Electoral Officer in Isiala Mbano Local Government, Mr Emeka Okike, gave a progress report of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) and Permanent Voters Card (PVC) distribution in the local government area.

    He stressed the need for people to collect their PVCs to be able to vote during the forth coming elections.

    Okike noted that there had been improvement in the number of people that turned out for the registration since the commission’s policy of taking the registration to the ward level commenced.

    He said that of the 79, 935 PVCs registered in the LGA, 11, 595 were yet to be collected and frowned at peoples’ reluctance to collect their PVC.

    Ezeonu described the voter card as the most lethal weapon in modern day democracy.

    Some stakeholders commended INEC for taking the registration exercise to the ward level, which they said, had made more people to be interested in the registration.

    They complained of difficulty in using the card reader in the last elections and the need for more polling units in some communities that had only one.

    The traditional ruler of Ihim Autonomous Community, Eze Oliver Ohanwe, commended INEC for its efforts to ensure error-free and successful election.

    He urged INEC to ensure that all the wards were covered and that peoples’ votes really counted in 2019 elections.

    NAN

  • Buhari congratulates China on Lunar Year

    Buhari congratulates China on Lunar Year

    President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with China on the Chinese Lunar New Year.

    According to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President conveyed his goodwill message in a letter addressed to the Chinese President, Xi Jinping.

    “As you commence festivities marking the Chinese Year of Dog on February 16, 2018, we congratulate and wish the Chinese people a prosperous and peaceful New Year. I understand that the Chinese believe dogs are associated with affinity and prosperity,”  Buhari wrote in the letter.

    The President acknowledged the accomplishments of the Asian powerhouse in the past year globally and domestically especially on the economic and the political fronts:

    “In the past year of the Rooster, China recorded tremendous achievements in its economy, democracy and foreign relations, among others.

    Read Also: Buhari retires Justice Ademola, dismisses another judge Tokode

    “The successful convening of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China opens a new chapter for China’s New Era as a global leader in innovation, security, poverty alleviation, infrastructure and development financing,” he added.

    Buhari also commended the close bilateral relationship between China and Nigeria on one hand and Sino-African relations on the other hand.

    He said, “This year marks the 47th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China, I am pleased to see that political, economic, cultural and social ties between our two countries are getting stronger.

    “I am looking forward to China hosting the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Beijing in September this year, and have every reason to believe that the Year of Dog will bring us more success stories and mutual benefits for China-Africa cooperation.

    “May the year of Dog see Nigeria-China friendship blossom and flourish for the benefit of our peoples.”

  • Ambode promises increase in prize money, charges athletes to improve

    Ambode promises increase in prize money, charges athletes to improve

    Lagos Governor, Akinwumi Ambode has said that annual Access Bank Lagos City Marathon can get better with Nigerian athletes improving in their performances.

    Speaking at the 2018 edition of the race today, the governor promised that there will be an increase in the 10km race prize money, to encourage indigenous athletes.

    “For the 10 Km race which is indigenous, we will try to increase the price money to encourage our athletes, they deserve more appreciation.

    The governor further hinted on his plans to overthrow the Kenyan marathoners for the ultimate prize money. He said “Within two years, we will see how we can dislodge the Kenyan marathoners. We will employ international coaches that will train Lagos athletes in Jos. By this time next year, we will make them to sweat for the cash price which we hope to improve upon next year by God’s grace.

    Read Also: Ambode  hailed over road

    The winner of the men’s race Abraham Kiprotich, speaking after winning the race, said that consistency was his watch word while preparing for the marathon.

    Kiprotich won the 42km race in 2:13:04, while his compatriot, Kiboss Ronny came second with the time of 2:13:26.

    Victor Benjamin completed the Kenyan domination coming in the third position with the time of 2:13:29.

    For the females, Ayelu Hordofa from Kenya emerged first with a time of 2:35:17, while compatriots Herma Guta came second with 2:38:25 and Girma Getachew third with 2:38:36.

    In the indigenous category, Ilya Pam won for the second time running while his closet rival and 2016 maiden edition winner Sharabutu Philibus came second. Williams Kefas, however, came third in the long distance race.

    Over 100,000 runners participated in the 3rd Access Bank Lagos City Marathon that offered 208,000 dolars.

     

  • Association lauds NIWA, LASWA for providing conducive environment

    Association lauds NIWA, LASWA for providing conducive environment

    The Association of Tourists, Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATN), has commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) for providing conducive environment for boat operators.

    Mr Ganiyu Balogun, the President of the association, said that the measure put in place by the two organisations would go a long way to boost water transportation system.

    Balogun told our reporter in Lagos on Saturday that such development would help to reduce boat mishap on the waterways and boost revenue.

    He said that LASWA had removed all the debris, water hyacinth and wrecks that usually caused accident for boat operators on the waterways.

    Balogun said that NIWA had also done tremendously well to ensure safety and security on the waterways.

    “I appreciate both NIWA and LASWA for a job well done.

    “Over the years, debris, water hyacinth and wrecks usually cause boat mishap on waterways, but with this development, it is safer, easier and convenient to ply through the waterways.

    “I commend the authorities for creating the enabling environment for the growth of water transportation in Lagos State.” he said.

    Balogun said that his company, Tarzan Marine Services Limited, would unveil a special ferry service to more recreational grounds within and around Lagos.

    According to him, my company is also planning to commission a new remodelled beach house at its main jetty arena in Victoria Island.

    Read Also: Turkish  association moves to increase electrical products in Nigeria

    He said, “This is part of the company’s plans to repositioning tourism sector in the state.

    “Soon, our famous beach house will be renovated and rebranded with a special ferry service to other beach recreation grounds within and around Lagos.”

    Balogun said that 2017 was a challenging year for boat operators with several forces, new laws, rules and regulations from both the Federal and State Governments.

    “All these challenges had been addressed and taken care of.

    “There is no doubt that 2017 was very tasking in a lot of ways for the boat operators in Lagos.

    “Also, tough for the Tarzan Group, we still manage to survive it.

    “We remain focus, putting in place new jetties and other operational facilities that can help both transportation and outdoor water-based recreation,” he said.

    Balogun was optimistic that 2018 would be better for boat operators and commuters, as water authorities had put necessary infrastructure in place for water transportation.

    The association president hailed the media practitioners for their efforts geared toward driving agenda for the industry.

    He said that media practitioners remained the only credible medium that could help to project Nigeria positively and set agenda for the government to move forward.

    “There is no doubt that media has contributed to the success of our association in various fronts, particularly when we face challenges of growth, multiple taxes and unfriendly laws,” Balogun said.

    He commended NIWA and Lagos State Government for their endless support and effort toward the development of water transportation system.

    NAN

     

  • Saraki commiserates with Buratai over father’s death

    Saraki commiserates with Buratai over father’s death

    President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has condoled with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, over the death of his father, Malam Yusuf Buratai.

    Saraki made the assertion in a statement in Abuja on Saturday by Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

    The senate president described the late Buratai as “a true Nigerian who contributed immensely to the development of his country during his lifetime and left behind a legacy of selfless service, discipline and hard work”.

    Saraki said, “Pa Buratai did not only serve the country as a military personnel, having been a non-commissioned officer in the West African Frontier Force.

    Read Also: Killings: An intolerable cycle of hell that must be broken – Saraki

    “He left behind capable children like the Chief of Army Staff, who are today carrying on the torch of national service.”

    The senate president commiserated with the Chief of Army Staff, the entire Buratai’s family, the military high command and Government and people of Borno State over the irreparable loss.

    Saraki prayed Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the deceased Aljannah Firdaus.

    He also called on the late Buratai’s children and the loved ones to take solace in the exemplary lifestyle of their late father.