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  • ‘NSCDC to deploy 300 personnel, others for council election in Enugu’

    ‘NSCDC to deploy 300 personnel, others for council election in Enugu’

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) says it will deploy 300 of its personnel and other plain-cloth officers to ensure hitch-free local government election next Saturday in Enugu state.

    The Commandant of NSCDC, Enugu State Command, Mr Steve Amoga, disclosed this in an interview on Sunday in Enugu.

    NAN report that the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission ( ENSIEC ) has fixed Nov. 4 for the conduct of the election in the 17 council areas and 261 political wards of the state.

    The planned exercise is for the chairmanship and councillorship positions.

    Amoga also said that the command would deploy some of its vehicles to be mounted in strategic locations during the exercise.

    He said that personnel of the corps would fortify all ENSIEC offices and collation centres as well as protect the commission’s key personnel.

    “Apart from our deployment; the command will work in synergy with other sister security agencies.

    “Our plain-cloth officers and men will be in all the nooks and crannies of the state to get first hand intelligence report about security development in all parts of the state.

    “NSCDC is also going to ensure that all critical assets for the election are protected and secured before, during and after the council polls,’’ he said.

    The commandant, however, warned trouble makers to stay away from venues of the election adding that the corps would arrest anyone found violating the electoral act, especially on the election day.

    “We are ever ready, the command will not allow anyone or group of individuals cause violence or intimidate law abiding citizens that will come out to exercise their civic responsibility.

    “Residents of the state should come out en masse and vote for the candidate of their choice without fear or favour.

    “Officers and men of the command have been briefed not to allow anybody intimidate anyone try to do any form of manipulation at the polling booths.’’

    Amoga, however, advised those that might stay back to see the vote counted to stay calm and be peaceful within the compulsory 200 metres away from the polling booths specified by the electoral law of the country.

    NAN reports that the Chairman of ENSIEC, Dr Mike Ajogwu (SAN), has assured the people of his commission’s readiness for a successful conduct of the state council polls, come Saturday.

    NAN

  • Borno promotes 3,000 teachers

    Borno promotes 3,000 teachers

    The Borno Government on Sunday said it had promoted 3,000 teachers in an effort to improve teachers’ welfare and transform its education sector.

    Alhaji Kaka-Ali Abba, the Education Secretary, Maiduguri Municipal Council, said this in an interview in Maiduguri on Sunday.

    Abba said that the state government approved the promotion of teaching and non-teaching staff who had not benefitted from the exercise in the past eight years.

    According to him, the newly promoted teachers from 27 local government areas are currently awaiting payment of annual increment and promotion arrears.

    Abba said that the state government prioritised the education sector through school rehabilitation projects, provision of furniture and instructional materials as well as teacher development programmes.

    He said the Nigeria Union of Teachers ( NUT ) was working with the state government to ensure full implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage for teachers in eight local government areas.

    NAN

  • Maina: NANS wants suspected accomplices suspended

    Maina: NANS wants suspected accomplices suspended

    The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ) has called for immediate suspension of those suspected of complicity in reinstating Mr Abdulrasheed Maina, former Chairman of Pension Task Team, into civil service.

    NANS’s President, Chinonso Obasi, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said that suspending suspected accomplices in the case would ensure credible probe of the scandal.

    Maina was in 2012 accused of misappropriating N100 billion pension funds while he headed the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, an assignment given to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    While investigation was being conducted on the allegation, he deserted his job as a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Interior, and disappeared from the country.

    He was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) and the Police, and was dismissed from service.

    But Maina resurfaced in the country few months ago and was reinstated in service and deployed back to Ministry of Interior as acting Director.

    This development drew the flak of President Muhammadu Buhari, who ordered immediate disengagement of the officer from public service, and demanded report on the issue from the Head of Service of the Federation.

    However, Maina is believed to have escaped from the country again.

    Obasi said that revelations emanating from government circles, particularly in respect to breaches of service rules, insubordination, allegations and counter-allegations on act bordering, were embarrassing.

    He said that Buhari was elected to clear Nigeria of corruption and impunity, hence a case of such magnitude should not be trivialised.

    He said, “Just recently, a mind-boggling revelation was made of how Maina was smuggled back to the civil service after almost five years of absconding.

    “The elevation of Maina from Deputy Director to Director with evidence of official exchange of correspondence amongst government officials is nothing but attempt to ridicule the public image and psyche of Nigerians and the civil service system.

    “As advocates of sane and corrupt-free Nigeria, we make bold to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to swiftly suspend all heads of commission, extra-ministerial departments and ministries involved in this sour saga.

    “The Head of Service of the Federation, and the Chairman of Federal Civil Service Commission deserve nothing but immediate suspension from office and probe for allowing themselves to be caught in this web of professional misconduct.’’

    The NANS president said that it had become imperative for Buhari to rid his administration of those who were making mockery of his commitment to fight corruption.

    He said that the police and ant-graft agencies should do all they could to bring Maina to answer to the allegations against him and shed light on how and why he returned to the civil service after absconding for over four years.

    “We insist that same measures taken by the presidency in the cases involving the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency be meted out to everyone involved in `Mainagate’.

    “This case should be diligently probed and prosecuted and the report should not be swept under the carpet.

    “To this end, we hereby issue a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to act and do so with the highest sense of sincerity regardless of those involved and their closeness to the corridors of power,’’ he said.

    Obasi said that if no action was taken at the expiration of the ultimatum, Nigerian students would be left with no option than to organise a nationwide mass action.

    NAN

  • Gov. Shettima justifies establishment of North-East Development Commission

    Gov. Shettima justifies establishment of North-East Development Commission

    Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno on Sunday said the establishment of North-East Development Commission ( NEDC ) was a direct response to the large scale devastation caused to the North-East by Boko Haram insurgents.

    The governor said this in a statement signed by Malam Isa Gusau, his Special Assistant on Communications and Media Strategy in Maiduguri.

    According to the governor, the effect of Boko Haram insurgency is such that no geo-political zone wishes to experience.

    Shetiima said, “Having a commission like the NEDC is a direct response to large scale devastation which no geo-political zone should wish to experience.’’

    He said Borno would have to experience 50 years of backwardness due to destruction caused by the Boko Haram.

    “A comprehensive assessment report by the World Bank put the damage at over $9 billion U.S dollars.”

    “NEDC will set out for the recovery of this backwardness so that the state recovers earlier than it would have taken us to recover.

    “It is not something any section of the country should wish to experience.”

    Shettima noted that the development had also demonstrated Federal Government’s commitment to ensure rapid social and economic rebuilding of the region.

    The governor commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the NEDC Bill into law.

    He said that the people of the North-East would remain grateful to Buhari over his concern and commitment to their plight.

    Shettima said the people were highly appreciative of “President Muhammadu Buhari’s open love for them’’ and the role of the 8th National Assembly in the passage of the bill.

    ‎“I must confess that if Buhari was not elected in 2015, only God knows what would have become of Borno and the rest of the North-East.

    “Buhari has made determined efforts to reverse all the many years of neglect the North-East suffered from 1979 to 2015. ‘’Buhari is the greatest inspiration for us.

    “The President’s passion for the North-East is clearly understandable, because this is a region that lost thousands of its precious sons and daughters, suffered destruction of public and private infrastructure worth $9 billion U.S dollars”.

    The governor also commended the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Doagara for their leadership role in the passage of the bill.

    Shettima said that the people of the region were also satisfied and grateful to members of the National Assembly for good representation of the region.

    “For us, they have achieved 50 per cent of what our people elected them to do at the national assembly by the passage and Presidential assent to the bill establishing the NEDC.’’

    President Buhari signed the bill: The North East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2017 in to law recently.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) Sen. Ita Enang said this in a statement in Abuja on Oct.26.

    The Commission is charged with the mandate to receive and manage funds allocated by the Federal Government and international donor agencies for the resettlement, rehabilitation, integration and reconstruction of roads, houses and business premises of victims of insurgency.

    It will also tackle the menace of poverty and environmental challenges in the area.

    NAN

  • 2019: PDP leaders in Delta demand legislative slot

    2019: PDP leaders in Delta demand legislative slot

    Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) leaders in northern axis of Oshimili North Local Government Area in Delta say the elective position desirable to them in 2019 is House of Assembly seat.

    The leaders made this known in a communiqué released to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.

    In the communiqué signed by Chief Martin Okakwu, Senior Special Assistant (Political) to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and Mr Frank Esenwah, the leaders said that Ibusa axis of the area had occupied the legislative seat for 18 uninterrupted years, from 1999 to date.

    Besides, they said that Ibusa people had since the creation of Delta in 1991, picked all the commissioner slots allotted to the local government area, and monopolized the chairmanship of the council for that long, except in 2014.

    In addition, the leaders pointed out that the senator currently representing Delta North at the National Assembly, Mr Peter Nwaoboshi, was from Ibusa.

    They, therefore, contended that the resolve of the North-North axis of the local government area to occupy the constituency’s seat in the state’s legislature was predicated on the tenets of equity, justice and reciprocity.

    They said that Ibusa people should not take the cooperative and good mindedness of the north-north axis for granted.

    According to the communiqué, Ibusa axis needs to show resounding and deep appreciation for the political understanding and cooperation which the northern axis has given to it over the long period.

    The people urged the leadership of PDP in the state to intervene in the matter, saying that they occupied a larger part of the local government area and had more population.

    “We will not continue to play second fiddle in an area we have equal stake.

    “Over the years, we had shown tremendous understanding just for peace to reign, yet such gesture is unappreciated and has been taken for granted and perhaps, weakness,” the communiqué stated.

    The leaders said that they held Nwaoboshi in high esteem as a senator, but that he would “not begrudge our expectations that you carry us along as your immediate constituents and that none of us is seen or taken for a fool.

    “More respectfully and with stronger resolve, we reiterate our earlier position that the PDP House of Assembly ticket be reserved for the North-North axis’’.

    NAN

  • Boxing fans hail Joshua for boosting Nigeria’s global image

    Boxing fans hail Joshua for boosting Nigeria’s global image

    Boxing fans in Ebonyi have hailed Nigerian-born Briton, Anthony Joshua, for boosting the country’s global image by retaining his heavy-weight title belts on Saturday night.

    They gave the commendation in separate interviews in Abakaliki on Sunday.

    Joshua successfully retained his World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) titles over Cameroonian-born, Frenchman Carlos Takam on Saturday night.

    Joshua achieved the feat via a 10th-round Technical Knockout (TKO) over his opponent at the Municipality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

    The fans, who blamed referee Phil Edwards for controversially stopping the bout in the 10thround noted that Joshua had brought global attention to his country of birth, Nigeria just as his naturalised country, England.

    Jossy Nkwuda, former boxing coach with the Ebonyi Sports Council, noted that Joshua had successfully stepped into the shoes of boxing greats such as Muhammed Ali, Joe Fraizer, the Klitshckho brothers, among others.

    “It is rare to see a boxer retaining two heavyweight boxing belts in modern times as we pray that Johsua sustains the momentum longer than Ali and the Klitsckho brothers.

    “This feat shows that Nigeria is blessed with abundant talents who can project its image with adequate human and material management, dedication among others,” he said.

    Jude Kanu, an amateur boxer in Ebonyi, who is commended Joshua for the feat, however, advised him to work harder in maintaining the present boxing glory he is revelling-in.

    “Joshua, with the feat, earned the 20th TKO of his career thereby surpassing Mike Tyson’s record of 19th TKO and one behind legendary Frank Bruno on 21st,’’ he said.

    “Nigerians should use the feat as a rallying point to achieve unity which would guarantee economic, social development and global recognition,”

    Paschal Mebuge, a transporter and boxing buff noted that Joshua’s performance fell below standard, compared to his historic win over Vladimir Klitchko earlier in the year.

    “He could still have won the match despite the crowd’s disapproval of the bout’s stoppage by the referee as he clearly outclassed Takam.

    “The country’s boxing authorities should ensure the grooming of boxers who will replicate Joshua’s strides and provide them with conducive environment to avoid being poached by foreign countries,” he said.

    NAN

  • NBC denies accusing Buhari’s supporters of violating broadcasting code

    NBC denies accusing Buhari’s supporters of violating broadcasting code

    Malam Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC ), on Saturday in Abuja denied accusing some supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari of violating Broadcasting Code.

    Kawu, in a statement expressed dismay about sensational and incorrect report circulating on the internet, describing it as embarrassing misrepresentations and claims.

    “The attention of the Management of the National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC ) has been drawn to a sensational and incorrect report circulating on the internet.

    “That the Director-General of the Commission, Malam Ishaq Modibbo Kawu, accused some supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari of violating the Broadcasting Code, among other embarrassing misrepresentations and claims.

    “To set the record straight, and for the avoidance of any doubt, the NBC organised a Stakeholders Forum on Political Broadcasts, which held on Thursday, Oct. 26 in Kano State.

    “The choice of this location in Kano were both necessary and strategic, given the fact that Kano is the most populous state in Nigeria with over 20 operating broadcast establishments as well as the observed spike in hate speech within the environment.”

    He, therefore, appealed to both the traditional and on-line media to uphold the guiding tenets of journalism profession through objective, factual and decent reportage.

    “This has been the time-tested practice and should remain the irreducible minimum gold-standard in our media practice.”

    Kawu explained that the law establishing NBC specifies that regulating the Industry was a core function of the commission in order to ensure decent, objective and factual reportage by all Operators.

    According to him, this resonates with the expressed determination and policy thrust of the present administration to eliminate hate and incendiary speeches and broadcasts across all levels of society.

    “It was against this background that the Director General of the Commission, in his address in Kano, alluded to the escalating spate of hate speech in political broadcasts.

    “And the imperative for broadcast operators to be vigilant and be guided by the broadcasting code in their operations.”

    He lamented instances where political actors often misconstrue the statutory role of NBC as an Industry regulator to be impeding and restricting their political activities, making such actors to reach out to contacts in high levels of government for undue political interference and advantage.

    “In making this observation, the director-general drew several examples across political and regional boundaries to justify the assertion.

    “It is therefore, grossly untrue and mischievous to misrepresent the remarks of the Director-General of the NBC at a Forum in Kano that he made an exclusive accusation targeted against Buhari’s supporters”.

    Kawu restated that the position of NBC on hate speech and other incendiary broadcasts remained consistent with the overarching principles and rules of global best-practice.

    NAN

  • FG’s partners commit $100m to rebase HIV epidemic in Nigeria

    FG’s partners commit $100m to rebase HIV epidemic in Nigeria

    Federal Government’s partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS have set aside US$100 million to conduct a national survey to rebase the epidemic in Nigeria.

    Dr Erasmus Morah, Country Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ), made the disclosure in an interview on Sunday in Abuja.

    He said that most support for the survey would come from the United States Government and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

    Morah said available data showed that Nigeria has about 3.2 million people living with HIV, with a prevalence of about 3.2 per cent.

    “Some people feel that Nigeria doesn’t have as many as 3.2 million people living with HIV, while others feel that more than 3.2 million people are living with it in Nigeria.

    “We need to take a closer look at its prevalence in Nigeria. A national survey will tell us the exact prevalence in the country,’’ he said.

    Morah said the survey would be conducted in 2018.

    He said that UNAIDS was providing support to Nigeria to own and sustain funding the HIV response.

    Morah commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent commitment to maintain 60,000 people living with HIV on treatment.

    He also commended the efforts of the president to care for additional 50,000 people on treatment each year, using domestic resources, as part of Nigeria’s HIV Fast Track plan.

    President Buhari’s groundbreaking commitment to care for additional 50,000 people was made in a statement issued on his behalf by the Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Sani Aliyu.

    He made the statement during the side-event on the HIV Fast Track at the 72nd UN General Assembly in New York.

    “I envision a situation in future where the Nigerian government will be paying for antiretroviral drugs, test kits and other consumables that its citizens rely on to remain alive, healthy and productive,” he said.

    NAN

  • APC wins House of Rep bye-election in Sokoto

    APC wins House of Rep bye-election in Sokoto

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) on Sunday declared All Progressive ( APC ) candidate, Alhaji Abdullahi Kalambaina, as winner of Saturday’s Kware/Wamakko Federal Constituency’s bye-election in Sokoto State.

    Kalambaina polled 31,288 votes to defeat his closest rival, Alhaji Aminu Bello-Kware of the People Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 7,205.

    The Returning Officer, Prof. Abdulatif Usman, said 43,130 voters were accredited for the bye-election out of 176,825 total registered voters in the constituency.

    Usman said 42,532 eligible voters cast their votes with 40,046  valid  while 2,486 votes were rejected.

    According to him, Kabir Altine of ACPN scored 62 votes, Umaru Muhammad of ADC 80, Muktar Umar of APA 342, Aliyu Bilyaminu APGA 121, Abubakar Bello DA 32 and Jamilu Imam of DPP scored 155 votes.

    Others were; Abdullahi Abubakar GPN 326, Abubakar Ahmad KOWA 33, Kabiru Al-mustapha MMN 24, Abubakar Sama’ila MPPP 19, Kabiru Ahmad NCP 28, Umar Ma’azu NDLP 50, Aminu Mustapha NEPP 33 and Yahaya Muhammad of NCP scored 105 votes.

    He further listed Nura Abubakar of PPP 38, Nasiru Garba SDP 27, Abdulrahman Dalhatu UPN 15, Sanusi Aliyu UPP 06 and Shehu Buba of YPP scored 05 votes while the only woman contestant Hafsatu Umar of A party scored 52 votes.

    Usman, therefore, declared Kalambaina as the winner having garnered the highest votes as stipulated in the electoral law.

    The election followed the death of the occupant of the seat Muhammad Wammako  in July.

    NAN

  • Army kill three Boko Haram insurgents, recover arms in Borno

    Army kill three Boko Haram insurgents, recover arms in Borno

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday said its troops killed three Boko Haram insurgents at Dure village in Gwoza local government area of Borno.

    Director Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka, who disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri, said this was part of efforts by the armed forces to degrade the remnants of the insurgents.

    Kukasheka said that the troops engaged the terrorists in their hideouts at Jango, Nduma, Gobara, Bala Ibrahim, Fulani Rogo, Takwala villages and adjourning communities.

    He explained that the troops also captured one Boko Haram fighter while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

    Kukasheka added that they recovered four rifles, charged magazines and a pair of military camouflage uniform from the terrorists.

    The Army spokesman disclosed that the captured terrorist would be investigated before being transferred to relevant agencies.

    “Troops of 121 Battalion of 26 Task Force Brigade of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in furtherance of the ongoing clearance operations on Friday, 27th October, 2017; displayed gallantry as a potent fighting force by routing out Boko Haram terrorists who were taking refuge in the surroundings of Dure, Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State.

    “The troops engaged the terrorists and smoked them out of their hideouts at Jango, Nduma, Gobara, Bala Ibrahim, Fulani Rogo and Takwala villages and environs in Gwoza Local Government Area.

    “During the operations, the troops neutralized 3 Boko Haram terrorists and captured one other terrorist alive. While several terrorists were believed to have escaped with gunshot wounds.

    “The troops also recovered one Fabrique Nationals (FN) rifle, one G3 rifle, charged magazines and a pair of military camouflage uniform suspected to be used by the terrorists to disguise as military personnel.

    “Unfortunately one soldier sustained injury during the operation. He has since been evacuated to the unit’s Regimental Aid Post, for more medical attention”.

    NAN