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Katsina cautions youths against misuse of social media

The Katsina State Government has cautioned youths against using social media platforms to insult and abuse elders, as a result of political differences.

Alhaji Ahmad El-Marzuq, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, gave the warning in an interview on Monday in Daura, Katsina State.

He described as unfortunate and saddening the manner in which youths used social media platforms to insult elders without remorse.

Read also: Center to organise free training on social and digital marketing

According to him, social media platforms are meant to accelerate development, now that the world has been reduced to a global village.

Marzuq, who noted that such abuses and unguarded comments could bring about disunity and misunderstanding among people, said that all religions emphasised morality and abhorred indiscipline.

He explained that the Nigerian legal system had adequately taken care of any action relating to insult or abuse be it in the social or conventional media, hence the need for those in such habit to desist from it for their own good.

The commissioner, who described the judiciary in Katsina State as “highly independent”, attributed achievements in the administration of justice in the state to cordial working relationship between the three arms of government.

He said the Gov. Aminu Masari-led administration would continue to operate within the four cardinal principles of equity, fairness, accountability and objectivity.

Marzuq, therefore, called on the people of Katsina State to continue to support the administration’s drive in bringing development to the doorsteps of residents, irrespective of party differences.

NAN

January 8, 2018
Gridlock on ports’ access roads will reduce in January

The Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria ( STOAN ) on Monday said it expected the Apapa gridlock to reduce before the end of January as a result of decline in importation activities.

The STOAN Chairperson, Mrs Vicky Haastrup, in a statement in Lagos said the reduction of the gridlock on access roads to Lagos ports was being expected due to an anticipated drop in importation.

“The last quarter of every year usually marks the peak of importation activities at the port.

“Now that the 2017 importation peak season is over, the number of trucks coming to the ports is expected to reduce, thereby, providing temporary relief to road users.”

Haastrup said the situation, however, meant less cargo and less volume in the port, especially in the first quarter of 2018.

The terminal operator said the off-peak period provided opportunity for the Federal and Lagos State Governments to address the root cause of the gridlock.

“The reasons for the gridlock are along two major lines.

“One is that there is a proliferation of petroleum tankers due to the preponderance of fuel tank farms and petroleum depots in the Apapa community.

“This is an anomaly, which should urgently be corrected by the Federal Government. The correction is to facilitate the distribution of petroleum products through pipelines and not using trucks.’’

Read also: Lagos-Ibadan rail will solve Apapa gridlock, says FRSC chief

According to her, once government can get the refineries working, there will no longer be need for tank farms in Apapa, which attract these trucks.

“The other reason for the gridlock is the dilapidated state of roads leading into and out of Apapa as well as the absence of truck parks.

“Government can address these by taking advantage of the off-peak season to intensify road rehabilitation works and make relevant provision for truck holding bays before the next cycle of high level activities set in.

“There is also an opportunity to begin implementation of the much-touted truck call up system to ensure that only trucks that have business to do at the ports are granted access into Apapa,’’ she said.

Haastrup also urged the Federal Government to review its tariff policy on some imported items including vehicles, rice and fish to reduce smuggling.

The STOAN chairperson said the nation’s seaports had been positioned to support the Federal Government’s economic diversification and export drive.

According to her, terminal operators across the various ports have made substantial investments in development of their various areas of operations.

“We have carried out major investments in terminal upgrades, acquisition of modern cargo handling equipment and training of port workers.

“All these were done with the view of supporting government’s economic aspirations for the country, including the drive to diversify the nation’s economic base and promote non-oil exports,’’ Haastrup said.

NAN

January 8, 2018
Yam export: Committee plans export of 480 tonnes monthly

The Technical Committee on Nigeria Yam Export Programme says it is targeting the export of about 480 tonnes of yams, equivalent to 20 containers, every month in 2018.

Prof. Simon Irtwange, the Chairman of the committee, said in Abuja on Monday that the target would be achieved if all the challenges, which yam exporters experienced in 2017, were surmounted.

Irtwange said the U.S. had made a request for the supply of five containers monthly, which amounted to 120 tonnes of yams.

“If everything works out well, the U.S. authorities say they will need about five containers every month and one container contains 24 tonnes of yams.

“We are trying to aggregate the demand from other countries; so by the time we put everything together, we should be thinking of exporting about 20 containers of yams on a monthly basis.

“When you multiply 20 by 24, the total is 480 tonnes of yams.

“We have a work plan and we have a lot of activities that we have already pencilled down.

“We are working with relevant government agencies to provide the necessary support for the programme,’’ he said.

Irtwange said the Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA ) had made available the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal to facilitate the packaging and movement of yams meant for export.

Read also:

He said the committee was also working with the NPA to get people who would invest in constructing yam pack houses at the terminal.

“The NPA has already given us the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, where we can bring our yams and do all the packaging before moving them down to the ports.

“That way, we will avoid the gridlock in Apapa because now, we are using batches to move the yams from Ikorodu to Apapa,’’ he added.

On the challenges which yam exporters encountered in 2017, Irtwange said the committee had forwarded a report to the Federal Government on possible ways of tackling the perceptible hitches.

“On the issue of transportation, we need cold trucks; we also need yam conditioning centres.

“Presently, there is only one conditioning centre owned by the Nigeria Export Promotion Council in Zaki-Ibiam, Benue State, but that is not enough, we need more.

“On the issues of packaging and production of cartons for the yams, we are also hoping to have local investors.

“Right now, there are only two companies that can do this for us — an Indian company in Ibadan and a Chinese company in Lagos — and the problem is that in most cases, they don’t take orders for little quantities of cartons for production.

“A container will take about 1,200 cartons and when you go to the companies for the production of 1,200 cartons, they will say it is too small.

“We are also thinking that if there are people that can produce the cartons in small quantities, things will be okay. We want to get those who can produce small quantities of cartons for sale to yam exporters,’’ he added.

NAN

January 8, 2018
NANS describes killings as ‘cruel’, condoles with victims, government

The National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ), has described the alleged herdsmen killings in Benue communities as “heartless and cruel.”

The association’s National Public Relations Officer, Mr Bestman Okereafor, in a statement made available in Enugu on Monday, condemned the action in its totality.

“We totally condemn the attack and its accompanying hardship on the victims and affected communities in Benue.

Read also: IYC condemns killing, violence in NANS election

“NANS condemns in all totality the New Year alleged herdsmen attack on residents of Benue, leaving at least 33 people dead and several others injured, thereby causing residents to flee the state to seek refuge in Nasarawa State.

“We consider the lots of heartless and cruel activities of the alleged herdsmen as a threat to our democratic process.

“NANS condoles with families, relatives of affected victims and Benue Government over the recent killings in some communities in the state.

“We pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,’’ Okereafor said.

He, however, urged security agents to promptly bring the perpetrators to book.

NAN

January 8, 2018
Ford to launch diesel truck to grab fuel economy edge

Ford Motor Co(F.N) plans this spring to offer a diesel engine version of its best-selling F-150 pickup truck, looking to gain a marketing edge as its main rivals ramp up more efficient pickups of their own.

Ford executives said they expect the F-150 diesel model with a 10-speed transmission to achieve 30 miles per gallon highway fuel efficiency, a level comparable to some midsize cars.

“We’re confident we’ll get there,” David Filipe, Ford vice president of power train engineering, said at a briefing for media ahead of the official launch announcement.

The diesel F-150 will cost between 2,400 dollars and 4,000 dollars more than a comparable gasoline truck, depending on the specific model, Ford executives said. The diesel engine will be manufactured at a Ford plant in Britain.

Read also: Ford F-Series sales may reach 900,000

Ford executives said they expected that once production ramps up about five per cent of F-150 models will be ordered with the diesel engine. The model will be aimed at people who tow large recreational or work trailers.

Sales of big pickup trucks in the United States have surged in recent years as gasoline prices have stabilised at less than three dollars a gallon in most states.

Ford had in 2017 sold 896,764 F-series trucks, more than in any year since 2005.

Still, Ford, General Motors Co (GM.N) and the Ram brand of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCAU.N) (FCHA.MI) fight for the right to claim that their brands offer the most fuel-efficient large pickup – even when those high-mileage models have limited availability or cost more than conventional gasoline-fueled trucks.

Fiat Chrysler jarred its rivals in 2013 by offering a diesel engine in its light duty Ram pickup models and claiming best-in-class fuel economy.

However, in 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Justice Department charged that Fiat Chrysler improperly used software to cheat government emissions tests covering 104,000 Ram 2014-2016 models.

The automaker is negotiating to settle the complaints and received government clearance to offer a 3.0 liter diesel in its 2017 and 2018 Ram trucks. That model is rated at 27 miles per gallon in highway driving.

Ford executives say they are confident their diesel will comply with U.S. emissions rules. Owners will need to refill a 5.4 gallon tank of fluid for the exhaust treatment system roughly every 10,000 miles, Filipe said.

Reuters/NAN

January 8, 2018
IG says police curtail cases of kidnapping

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, on Monday said the Nigeria Police Force had curtailed the activities of high class kidnap kingpins in the country.

Idris made the disclosure when a former Super Eagles Captain, Kanu Nwankwo, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He said the force was also addressing cases of armed robbery, farmers and herdsmen clashes and cattle rustling.

The police boss said he had marshaled out strategies to check security challenges threatening the country.

“All we need and will continue to solicit for is the support of the citizenry in giving us adequate information and support to ensure security of lives and property,” he said.

He reiterated the force’s commitment to provide Nigerians the best policing.

On sports, Idris said the institution would continue to promote sports as a veritable tool for physical fitness of personnel and national development.

Read also: Police parade arms recovered from criminals in Bayelsa

He noted that Nigeria had always relied on the force to produce athletes for international competitions.

Idris added that the force was committed to allocate a percentage of its personnel to sports to make the country great in sports.

Kanu promised to partner with the force to contribute his quota toward national development and enhanced service delivery.

“I will like to be part of any police programme to contribute my quota to national development, “he said.

NAN

December 18, 2017
SEC urges civil servants to register for e-dividend

Securities and Exchange Commission ( SEC ) has urged civil servants in Lagos State to take advantage of the free e-dividend registration period, which ends on December 31, 2017, to enrol.

Dr Abdul Zubair, the acting Director-General of SEC, made the call in a statement by the management of the commission on Monday in Abuja.

The commission stated that Zubair, represented by the Director of External Relations of SEC, Mr Henry Rowlands, made the call at an ongoing sensitisation workshop in Lagos.

Zubair told workers once they registered, they would start receiving unclaimed dividends and future dividends through their bank accounts.

Read also: Reps to Adeosun: Maintain status quo on SEC

According to him, e-dividend registration is one of the initiatives of the commission to restore investors’ confidence, as well as attract retail investors back to the capital market.

The acting SEC boss said the registration would also allow all accrued dividends to be credited directly to the investors bank accounts.

The Head of Service of Lagos State, Mrs Folasade Adesoye, also urged civil servants in the state to take advantage of the commission’s e-dividend campaign to enrol.

Adesoye was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Head of Service, Mrs Fiyinfoluwa Ogunbanke.

She commended SEC on its efforts to ensure that the era of non receipt of benefits of their investments became a thing of the past.

According to Adesoye, the introduction of e-Dividend presents an opportunity for civil servants to tap into the initiative to enjoy the benefits of their investments in the capital market.

“This event is meant to educate public servants on the operation of the E-dividend Mandate Management system and how investments in the capital market will give public servants opportunity to earn additional income.

“I am happy with this initiative and I believe that this will assist civil servants in Lagos State to claim their outstanding dividends.

“It will also enable them to receive dividends electronically.”

The Permanent Secretary in Lagos State Ministry of Finance, Mrs Olufunlola Balogun, urged civil servants to invest in the capital market.

According to her, investing a reasonable portion of saved income in the capital market can fetch additional income and improve peoples’ standard of living.

“For those who have invested in the capital market and have accumulated unclaimed dividends, it will give you opportunity to understand how to receive the unclaimed dividend and future dividends” she stated.

NAN

December 18, 2017
NYSC promises justice in killing of member

The National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) on Monday promised to ensure that justice was done in the killing of a corps member, Modupe Tawose.

Mr John Okpo, the Ogun NYSC Coordinator, gave the assurance during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Ibadan.

Tawose was raped and killed on December 9 in Ogun.

Tawose, 23, a 2017 Batch ‘A’ corps member serving with the Ogun State Ministry of Housing in Abeokuta was allegedly lured to her death by her driving instructor, Festus Udoh, 29.

Her decomposing body was discovered in a bush on Wednesday at Abule Ayo in Odeda Local Government Area where she was tied by her hands to a tree.

The suspect, who had since confessed to the crime, is being remanded in prison while awaiting trial.

Okpo, who said the NYSC was deeply saddened by the occurrence, prayed God to console the family and grant the deceased rest.

“The NYSC family nationwide is sad over the raping and eventual murder of our beloved and patriotic corps member, Late Miss Modupe Tawose.

“We strongly condemn the act and will go to any length to defend and fight for the rights of our members and in this case, ensure justice is delivered.

“We will do all to ensure Mr Festus Udoh is brought to book as this will serve as a deterrent to other miscreants and evil doers in the society,” he said.

The NYSC boss used the opportunity to advise corps members to be security conscious always and promptly report any security threat to the appropriate authorities.

Read also: Police arrest instructor for allegedly raping, killing NYSC member

“Corps members are to save the distress call centre numbers given to them during the orientation course in their various camps on the phones in case of emergencies.

“They are also advised to move in groups and not to follow strangers, even known people with questionable characters,” Okpo said.

Responding on behalf of the family, an uncle to the deceased, Mr Hakeem Okunola, thanked the NYSC for the condolence visit and prompt action to ensure arrest of the suspect.

“We thank the Ogun State Police Command for their swiftness in apprehending the accused and the NYSC for their support.

“We already have some sort of justice for finding our daughter’s body and the suspect.

“Modupe did not die in vain going by the show of love poured her way by family and friends alike. She will be remembered for everything good.

“As she has been laid to rest, we leave every other thing in God’s hands to bring the accused to book through appropriate judgment,” Okunola said.

The victim had since been buried in line with the NYSC’s policy on death of corps members.

Tawose was an HND graduate of Quantity Surveying from The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and is survived by her father, Adeshina Tawose, and mother, Titilayo, as well as siblings.

NAN

December 18, 2017
Long queues, petrol hawkers back in Lagos

Lagos residents on Monday saw the return of long queues at petrol filling stations.

A correspondent, who monitored the situation, reports that many petrol stations did not have petrol, while the few ones that had sold above the official pump price of N145 per litre.

Petrol hawkers were sighted along some routes selling 10 litres of petrol at N3,000 against the official pump price of N1,450 per litre.

The scarcity is allegedly due to the pronouncement of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association ( PENGASSAN ) to embark on an industrial action.

The announcement led to abrupt shut of flow stations across parts of the country which caused panic buying.

Some motorists, who spoke to NAN, said that they had spent hours on queues.

They said that some filling stations were exploiting the situation to increase price of the product.

NAN observed that some filling stations at Berger- Iyana-Oworo Expressway, Ikorodu, Bariga, Lagos-Badagry Expressway, among others, sold petrol at between N160 and N170 per litre.

At NIPCO filling station in Ikorodu, a banker, Mr Anthony Sunday, said there was no justification for the current fuel scarcity as the government had assured citizens of abundant fuel supply during the Yuletide.

Read also: Four ships arrive Lagos ports with petrol

He said marketers were taking advantage of PENGASSAN’s planned strike and the festive period to exploit citizens.

At Conoil filling station at Alapere, a trader, Mrs Alice Jubril, condemned its management for selling above the pump price of N145 per litre.

Jubril said marketers were also the cause of the long queues at filling stations.

“I bought a litre of petrol at N160 against the regulated price of N145 per litre.

“This is an indication of exploitation, ” she said.

Another motorist, Mrs Ifeoma Vincent, urged the regulatory agencies to intervene to stop arbitrary increase in pump price.

She said the development had compelled commercial drivers to increase their fares, adding that the drivers often cited difficulties in getting fuel as the main reason.

“For instance, the fare for a trip from Ikorodu to Ojuelegba which used to be N250 is now N700, while a journey to Ketu which formerly was N100 is now N300.

“Apart from the hike in transport fares, the fuel situation has also affected the traffic situation as parts of the roads have now been taken over by vehicles queuing for fuel, ‘’she said.

The NNPC has, however, advised motorists and other petroleum products consumers not to engage in panic buying.

Its Group General Manger (Group Public Affairs), Mr Ndu Ughamadu, gave the advice in a statement on Monday.

Ughamadu said relevant government agencies were in consultation with the industrial unions to arrive at amicable resolution of issues over threats of an industrial action.

NNPC warned marketers not to hoard products as law enforcement agencies, working with industry regulators, had been mandated to take appropriate measures against any defaulter.

It said that there were enough petroleum products to go round the nation.

NAN

December 18, 2017
Kano destroys illicit drugs worth N4.1bn

The Kano State Government said on Monday that it had destroyed illicit drugs worth N4.1 billion confiscated in the state this year.

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje who revealed this at the Senate Roundtable on Drug Abuse Epidemic held in Kano, said this was part of the renewed fight against drug abuse in the state.

The event was organised by the Senate as a way of finding lasting solution to the hard drug crisis in the country.

Ganduje, who was represented by his deputy, Prof Hafiz Abubakar, said the drugs were confiscated in different parts of the state after being imported by unpatriotic medicine dealers.

He disclosed that the state government had also confiscated another consignment of illicit drugs worth N1 billion which would soon be destroyed.

Read also: Kano spends N81.2m on maternal health

The governor said the menace of hard drugs in the state was beyond the capacity of the state government to contain.

“The fight against drug abuse is an issue that requires active Federal Government’s intervention as it is beyond the capacity of the state government,” he said.

He said as part of its efforts to tackle the problem, the state government had set up a task force to deal with it, pointing out that the committee was doing its best.

“Even in 2012 during the administration of former Governor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, a task force was set up for it and was given all the necessary support to work.

“But as I said, the fight is far beyond the capacity of the state government. There is need for all stakeholders to join hands together to fight the menace,” he said.

According to him, the state government had recently expanded the rehabilitation center for the victims of drug abuse in the state.

He commended the Senate for initiating the roundtable and expressed hope that it would go a long way in addressing the problem.

He also lauded the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for choosing Kano as the venue for the event, in view of the relevance of the state to the issue at stake.

Various stakeholders from across the country attended the roundtable.

NAN

December 18, 2017