A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
It’s the country of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti and pop stars Davido and Wizkid. But a more unusual set of singers grabbed the spotlight in Nigeria this week with their New Year message.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo led a choir including former president Olusegun Obasanjo and military ruler Yakubu Gowon in a rendition of the 18th century hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past”.
Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” it wasn’t. Yet it was hard not to see parallels in the video, with the political heavyweights singing earnestly into microphones, headphones over their ears.
There were cutaway shots of symbols of Nigerian pride — the National Theatre in Lagos and the parliament buildings in Abuja — as well as some less than tuneful singing.
The video was meant as a gesture of peace and goodwill in a country riven by strife, from Boko Haram Islamists in the northeast to oil rebels in the south.
At the same time, some say divine intervention — or at least an effective economic plan — is required to lead the oil-rich nation out of a damaging recession.
“We pray to God to continue to grant us better peace and unity that this country dearly deserves,” said Gowon, who seized power in a July 1966 coup and headed a military government until 1975.
Obasanjo, another former military head of state before becoming a civilian president in 1999, added: “God created Nigeria as we are. God doesn’t make any mistake. We should thank God for that.”
One user on Twitter called the video “inspirational” while another said it was “so touching”.
But the good intentions were widely mocked.
One called it “a waste of everyone’s time” while on Osinbajo’s Facebook page, many blamed past leaders for Nigeria’s current woes.
Another top official, Okoh Ebitu Ukiwe, however, acknowledged mistakes were made.
“I am grateful to God for accepting us, despite the mess we have made of ourselves and the country,” he said in the message.
Nigeria’s government has previously used songs to promote national unity. Last month, the country’s military, paramilitary and police released a Christmas music video.
Uniformed officers were seen lip-synching and dancing to the Jose Feliciano song “Feliz Navidad” — (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxT9grU3BlI).
Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose has said that he has always known that President Muhammadu Buhari will not perform in government and that to prove his predictions, the change mantra which President Buhari promised Nigerians is not working.
In an interview with Vanguard, Governor Fayose who said that Nigerians are suffering severely under President Buhari's government however urged the President to relax the ban on imported used cars for at least, a month so that those who had imported cars would clear them in the period of grace.
"The question to ask is that; every observation, every comment, all I said before the President became President of Nigeria, they've all come to pass."
" The truth lies in the fact that I know the President will not perform. I know he will be taken over by a cabal and they've taken him over."
"Nigerians are suffering. You can read between the lines. Forget about the messenger, think of his message. This change is not working."
Governor Fayose and President Buhari
"President Buhari should save Nigerians this agony. They can't continue like this. They've voted for change. The millionaires of yesterday have become paupers, they are losing money; the average man can no longer eat. For how long do we have to wait for this promise? These are empty promises."
"Nigerians must equally vote these people out. It's time to begin to think of alternatives. If they can't fix this economy, they should go."
On Ban of Used Vehicles
"Now that we are in the era of banning these used cars. But we must be leaders of government that have human minds. We want to appeal to the Federal government to allow people who have a lot of vehicles at the border to clear these vehicles, extend it for them for about a month maximum."
"Because, most of them, the boat didn't arrive on time for them to clear those vehicles. It is in the overall interest of fairness and all-inclusive governance to please allow these people to clear their vehicles because, Nigerians would go into so much suffering and a lot of business would equally face further recession if these people are allowed to lose this much."
"Am appealing to the Federal Government and ask them to reconsider their stand."
Ahead of the new Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season which begins on January 14, Sunshine Stars striker Yahuza Bala says his major focus is how to help the Akure-based team reach new heights.
According to the former Niger Tornadoes player, all hands are on deck to record a successful season.
“We thank God for His mercies and I am really grateful for the chance to play for Sunshine Stars. It is a dream come true and I hope to do my best to help the team to success.
“We are very focused on the new season and we want to take each match as it comes. Against Enyimba in Calabar in our opening match, I hope to do my best to help my team get a positive result,” he said.
The former Gateway United player has called on the people of Ondo State to give maximum support to Sunshine Stars as the team aim to do better than their previous performance in the past campaign.
“It is very important for our fans and soccer loving people of the state to give support to Sunshine Stars so that the players can always give their best,” Yahuza.
THE International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ICTS Europe Systems Limited (ICTS) have settled their dispute concerning use by ICTS of IATA's Timatic database and the Travel Information Manual (TIM).
According to the public statement issued jointly by IATA and ICTS Europe Systems Limited, the publication of travel documentation requirements for the benefit of the global air travel industry is one of the many products and services provided by IATA.
The information, which includes passport, visa and health requirements for international travel, is collected and verified by IATA through government sources and an extensive network of additional sources. The information is maintained in the Timatic database and distributed through the Timatic suite of solutions, as well as published in the TIM.
ICTS have created their own product, TravelDoc, which also offers information about passport and visa requirements to the air travel industry. The information is collected and verified by ICTS through government sources and an extensive network of additional sources.
The information is maintained in the TravelDoc database and published through the TravelDoc product. IATA complained to ICTS in February 2014 about unauthorized use of some of IATA's data and intellectual property in ICTS's TravelDoc product.
Following extensive discussions, the parties acknowledged their respect for intellectual property rights in general and IATA's specific right to protect and defend its intellectual property rights in Timatic and TIM.
In full and final settlement of this dispute, ICTS has agreed to make a payment to IATA for any historic usage of TIM/Timatic database content and to implement additional procedures and controls in order to ensure that future sourcing of travel document requirements is derived independently from IATA's TIM/Timatic database.
ICTS Europe Systems Limited will continue to be an IATA Strategic Partner, including in the area of Fast Travel.
PASSENGERS whose baggage were left behind in Gatwick Airport, London by Medview Airline during the Christmas break were elated as the airline kept its promise and finally delivered the last batch of leftover baggage to Lagos and the affected passengers trooped the Lagos Airport to collect them.
The promise to deliver all the baggage latest Monday was made by the management of the airline when it had interactive session with the affected passengers last week Thursday.
According to Chief Obuke Oyibotha, Med-View Airline media consultant, the airline has advised passengers who are yet to collect their baggage to do so by visiting D wing arrival of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
The delivery of the leftover baggage had been hampered by the intermittent closure of the long runway at Gatwick Airport and the Christmas holidays, forcing the airline to enter into agreement with British Airways which delivered the baggage.
On December 23, 2016, the Airline operated a special flight to London to airlift the baggage but returned without them because there were no adequate staff to screen them.
The baggage arrived in three batches on Saturday, December 31, 2016, Sunday, January 1, and Monday, January 2, 2017.
Oyibotha also said prior to the delivery, the airline had on Friday night sent SMS to all the affected telling them that the tags numbers of the baggage so arrived were on its website.
The CEO of Medview Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole said the airline and passengers ordeal over the leftover baggage was over.While regretting the inconveniences, he thanked the affected passengers for their understanding, saying the situation was outside the control of the airline.
"But as a responsible airline, it is our obligation to deliver the baggage to all the passengers who flew with us", Bankole said.
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has charged the newly –inaugurated Board of the Nigeria Women Football League to work with passion and commitment to lift the women's League to a new pedestal.
Speaking at the new board's inauguration at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Thursday, Pinnick poured encomiums on the board's independent chairman, Aisha Falode and the other members, and expressed faith in their ability to lift the game to a new level.
"I am aware of the prowess of Falode in marketing, and what she can bring to the League to develop it. I also know that most of the members are well connected and could bring a new lease of life to the women's League. They are all seasoned, passionate and capable."
The newly inaugurated NWFL board
Falode, a member of the CAF Media Committee and CAF Match Commissioner, said it was a great honour for herself and other members to be called upon to serve.
"The reactions since we were appointed indicate that we are condemned to perform, to work hard and to achieve results. The past Boards of the women's League did their best, but there is a lot of room for improvement.
"We will look at the structure and the issue of players' welfare and we are committed to running a women's League that is functional, compact and competitive. What we saw at the 10th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon confirmed that the gap between the so –called big teams and the so –called small teams in African women football has narrowed significantly.
"It is our responsibility to run a women's League that will turn things around and we will give it our best shot. In truth, times are hard, but tough times also have a way of bringing the best out of people, in terms of innovation."
Pinnick was joined at the inauguration by NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu (NFF Executive Committee members), Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme (Deputy General Secretary), Mr. Bitrus Bewarang (Technical Director) and Mr. Bola Oyeyode (Director of Competitions).
THE NEW NWFL BOARD: Aisha Falode (Independent Chairman); Margaret Icheen (Independent Vice Chairman); Joe Amene (Independent Director); Kemi Adesanya (Director); Matilda Otuene (Director); Henrietta Ukaigwe (Director); Hussaina Suleiman (Director); Mustapha Tahir (Director); Usman Mustapha (Director); Nkechi Obi (Chief Executive Officer).
KANO- Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has said that the Kano light rail is awaiting the approval of the federal government for the takeoff of its proposed Light Rail Train project.
Already Kano state government and a China Railway Company Group, CR18G-CRECG last month signed a multi million naira project.
Briefing Reporters on the outcome of three weeks sojourn to China and Saudi Arabia during the State Council Meeting Thursday Governor Ganduje said “it was successful trip “.
Ganduje said “as you are aware i led a delegation that met with the Chinese company at its headquarters and discussed the projects extensively, and I’m glad the outcome was very successful.”
Ganduje
The governor revealed that CR18G-CRECG has took the delegates to inspects some of it rail works in some part of the country especially a project at Tianjin City.
He added that during the visit, he met with officials of Bank of China, China Import and Export Bank and China Development Bank (CDB), noting that CDB is to provide 85 percent of the project with 3 percent as interest.
The governor further explained that If the loan is to be sourced from Nigerian Banks, the interest rate would reach about 15 percent, emphasising that no country in the world have ever financed railway projects without bank facilitation.
Governor Ganduje said that the state metropolitan light rail initiative as assured by expert, would be able to pay the loan through its expected generated revenue, appealing to people of the state to critically look into the benefit and good side of the project considering the population and plan to make the state a true mega city.
On his visit to Saudi Arabia, the leader of the state disclosed that he met with Vice President of Islamic Development Bank and talk over their last year’s meeting with seven Nigerian governors on how the bank would finance some projects in their respective states.
The governor said all the needed documents for the bank to facilitate irrigation, agricultural and water treatment Plant were presented, disclosing that seven-dam irrigation projects and Wudil Water works which would consumed N9 billion are part of them.
ILORIN-No fewer than ten thousand, seven hundred households are currently benefitting from the first phase of the Federal Government’s National Cash Transfer programme in Kwara State.
Under the scheme, twelve local government areas are participating in the phase while the remaining four local government areas are being considered to benefit in the second phase.
The Head of Unit, Conditional Cash Transfer, Kwara State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Aminah Yahya-Bagudu disclosed this yesterday in Ilorin while speaking with newsmen.
Hajia Yahya-Bagudu said the programme was part of the components designed by the Federal Government to tackle poverty in the country.
She disclosed that the beneficiaries had started receiving the payment of five thousand naira monthly from the Federal Government.
Hajia Yahya-Bagudu explained that the selection process was based on data collected for the World Bank supported Youth Employment and Social Support Operation (YESSO), where each community identified those considered as poor.
According to her, the process was transparent and devoid of any influence adding that the second phase of the programme would commence as soon the social registered is shared with her Unit for the payment of the five thousand naira monthly.
On current hitches in payment, Hajia Aminah-Yahya said the selected bank had engaged the services of a Consulting firm to decentralised its payment process to all beneficiaries across the state.
The Anti Vandalism Joint Task Force recently inaugurated by the MD/CEO of Kano Electricity Distribution Company Plc (KEDCO) Dr Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, has recovered electrical installations worth millions of Naira from suspected vandals in Kano.
A statement by KEDCO's spokesperson, Mohammed Kandi said the JTF raided a warehouse at Ranji quarters in Tudun Murtala, suspected to be hideout for vandals after receiving information that large items of power installation had been kept in a premises owned by a scrap vendor.
One of the suspected vandals (name withheld) who was arrested at the scene admitted during a preliminary investigation by officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) that he had been in the business for the past three years.
He also claimed buying the items which comprised 40 bunches of vandalised copper cables and 5 rolls of vandalised aluminium conductor weighting about 360 kg from a trailer-laden with scraps materials.
Kandi, however, informed that the suspects would be prosecuted and called on residents to assist the firm in watching over the power installations in their area.
He lauded management's decision to set up the JTF with a view to clampdown on vandals and reduce the tide of vandalism in KEDCO's coverage area of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states.
Due to continuous depreciation of Nigeria Naira to other foreign currencies, Stakeholders in the health sector have raised an alarm over inadequate budgetary provision of a total sum of N304bn for the Federal Ministry of Health in the 2017 national budget.
The stakeholders under the platform of Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFAH), disclosed that the proposed health budget is cumulatively lower than that of 2016 due to foreign exchange challenges in the value of Naira to Dollar.
In a statement on the State of Nigeria Health Budget – 2017 issued by the PACFAH, the stakeholders noted that the proposed 2017 Health Budget is an improvement from past trends on the face value, especially the capital expenditure bit.
The statement reads: "The total sum of N304bn has been proposed for the Federal Ministry of Health, amounting to 83% for Recurrent expenditures (Salaries and Overheads) and 17% for Capital expenditure (health infrastructures and services).
"This 2017 proposed Ministry of Health budget is 4.17% of the national budget, a poor improvement on the 2016 budget of 4.13%. With about 80% improvement in terms of Capital expenditure of the 2017 proposed budget compared to that of 2016, the reality is that this proposed health budget is cumulatively lower than that of 2016 due to the skyrocketed foreign exchange value of a Naira to Dollar.
President Muhammadu Buhari presenting the 2017 Budget before a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, December 14, 2016.
"In 2016, the Central Bank of Nigeria pegged the exchange rate at N197/1USD. Mid-year of 2016 and for the 2017 proposed budget, the exchange rate is at N305/1USD. As a result, while 2016 Health budget was $1.269m, the proposed 2017 Health budget is less by 21% at .997m. This is important because most of our health services are reliant on importation.
"By extension, the National Health Act was signed into law in 2014, unfortunately the proposed 2017 budget does not make provision for it. If it did, the sum of N46bn would have been added and dedicated to health projects and services and would have gone a long way to improve the lives of Nigerians."
"Lastly, the Federal Government committed to the Abuja Declaration of 2001, promising to allocate 15% of its budget to Health, year 2017 budget this is the 16th budget year, the best Nigeria has done in Health allocation was 5.95 in 2012. The 2017 proposed health budget is at 4.17%, a whopping 73% gap from the 15% benchmark."
Health is Wealth. No sector of the Nigerian economy will function properly and at all if Health is not guaranteed. The Government need to urgently reconsider the inadequate 2017 proposed Health budget and upwardly review it to a minimum of 10% allocation while also considering the National Health Act (2014) and the Abuja Declaration.
The PACFAH NGO partners are include Association for the Advancement of Family Planning in Nigeria (AAFP); Family planning at Federal level; Civil Society Initiative for Scaling-up Nutrition in Nigeria (CS-SUNN); Community Health and Research Initiative (CHRI): Federation of Muslim Women Organizations of Nigeria (FOMWAN); Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria (HERFON) and Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN).
PACFAH is a health policy advocacy project led by Nigerian NGOs holding government to account to fulfill health policy and funding commitments.
By Levinus Nwabughiogu ABUJA-President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed happiness over the recovery of another Chibok schoolgirl, Rakiya Abubakar, in the Alagarno area of Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.Rakiya Abubakar
Abubakar is one of the girl’s abducted from Chibok community, Borno State by the Boko Haram insurgency on April 14, 2014.
So far, 22 girls had been recovered and had been reunited with their families.
In a statement by his spokesman, President Buhari “notes that the recovery raises renewed hope that the other captured girls will one day be reunited with their families, friends and community.”
President Buhari also “commends the military for the diligent investigation which led to the recovery of Rakiya and urges them to continue in the spirit with which they cleared the Sambisa forest of terrorists.”
He “assures that the Nigerian Government will continue to do all within its powers to assist the military in locating the rest of the girls and eradicating the menace of terrorism in Nigeria.”
Another Chibok girl,Rakiya Abubakar and her six-month-old baby. have been reportedly rescued by troops of 27 Brigade around Alagarno area near Ajigin in Damboa LGA.
Rakiya Abubakar was one of over 200 schoolgirls abducted from the northeast Nigerian town of Chibok in April 2014, army spokesman Sani Usman said in a statement.
He said soldiers had “during investigation of arrested suspected Boko Haram terrorists discovered… Rakiya Abubakar, with her six-month-old baby.”
Newly found Chibok girl, Rakiya Abubakar and her baby
He said she was a senior school student at the time of her abduction but did not specify when or where she was found.
Of the 276 girls initially seized, scores escaped in the hours after the kidnapping. There are currently 195 schoolgirls still missing.
Abubakar is one of three other schoolgirls who have been found in the past year by Nigerian troops as they fight Boko Haram Islamists.
In October, 21 Chibok girls were released by Boko Haram after negotiations with the Nigerian government brokered by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Swiss government.
The release was hailed as a breakthrough that would lead to the recovery of remaining girls in captivity.
The Chibok girls drew global attention to the Boko Haram insurgency engulfing the country when US First Lady Michelle Obama joined the #BringBackOurGirls online movement.
Despite winning back swathes of territory from the jihadists, President Muhammadu Buhari has faced intense criticism for failing to recover the young captives, who became the defining symbol of Boko Haram’s brutal campaign to establish a fundamentalist Islamic state in the country.
Boko Haram still poses a threat to the war-torn region, launching sporadic raids on remote villages in Nigeria and deadly attacks on soldiers in neighbouring Chad and Niger.
Nigeria has recently trumpeted a major victory in its battle against Boko Haram, claiming in late December that its army has routed the jihadists from their Sambisa forest stronghold.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has stated that the State Government will support the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army in the strengthening the Security Architecture of the state and its environs.
Governor Wike also advised the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army 6 Division against the politicisation of crime, noting that security is vital to the actualisation of all developmental programmes.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the General Officer Commanding the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Kasimu Abdulkareem on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said enhanced security leads to the development of other sectors.
He said: “Let me assure you that as a government, we will continue to support the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army with the needed logistics to carry out her duties.
Gov Wike & Major General Kasimu Abdulkareem
Security leads to the improvement of the other sectors. ”
He commended the new General Officer Commanding the 6 Division for the quick successes in Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area ( ONELGA) where cultists were uprooted.
The governor urged the military to step up its operations in ONELGA to dislodge the remnants of cultists who refused to accept the State Amnesty Programme by laying down their arms.
He lauded the Federal Government for establishing the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army to help fight crime in the state, pointing out that his administration will continue to work for the unity of the country.
In his remarks, General Officer Commanding, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Kasimu Abdulkareem informed that the new division was created on 7 November, 2016 out of the 82 Division to promote regional security.
He said the division with headquarters in Port Harcourt covers Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Bayelsa States.
According to him, the new division would fight pipeline vandalism, cultism and militancy. The General Officer Commanding the 6 Division called on the Rivers State Government to support the division.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office has arrested the duo of Timothy Adegbaji Ademiju and Taiye Shittu Habibulahi, a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, Osun State, for offences bordering on internet fraud and obtaining by false pretence.
Ademiju, 36, a staff of a new generation bank, allegedly struck a deal with a student of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, Ondo State, one David Olaoluwa Adesubokan, also known as Opinion (now at large), to fleece one Giacomo Rossi, an Italian, of huge sum of money while posing as a lady by name, Grace Thomas.
Ademiju allegedly used his position as the officer in charge of Western Money Transfer to process the fraudulent transactions coming from the Italian to 'Thomas'.
The arrest followed a petition from the victim alleging that he was contacted on a dating site by one 'Thomas' posing to be an American Nursing student from OAU, and was in dire need of financial assistance in form of a loan to complete her studies. The loan which 'Thomas' promised to pay back was a decoy to trick Rossi into the fraudulent game.
According to the petitioner, he had offered monetary assistance, paid in tranches, to the tune of €2,400 (Two Thousand Four Hundred Euros) which is equivalent of N1,221,600.00 (One Million, Two Hundred and Twenty One Thousand, Six Hundred Naira) before it dawned on him that it was a scam.
The suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation into the matter is concluded.
Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump says the Democrats and Republicans should come together and come up with a better health care insurance plan better than outgoing President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act known as 'ObamaCare'.
Trump, who has insisted that "repealing and replacing" Obama's legacy health insurance policy would be his first assignment at the Oval Office, said the two political adversaries should come up with a plan that "works".
"It is time for Republicans and Democrats to get together and come up with a healthcare plan that really works, much less expensive & FAR BETTER," Trump said in his latest tweet.
He, however, continued his blame of the Democrats for defending the health care policy.
"The Democrats, lead by head clown Chuck Schumer, know how bad ObamaCare is and what a mess they are in.
"Instead of working to fix it, they do the typical political thing and blame.
"The fact is ObamaCare was a lie from the beginning."Keep your doctor, keep your plan!" Trump tweeted.
Trump, on Wednesday, also took a swipe at the Democrats over what he termed the "failed ObamaCare disaster".
TRUMP
"Republicans must be careful in that the Dems own the failed ObamaCare disaster, with its poor coverage and massive premium increases like the 116 per cent hike in Arizona.
"Also, deductibles are so high that it is practically useless.
"Don't let the Schumer clowns out of this web… massive increases of ObamaCare will take place this year and Dems are to blame for the mess.
"It will fall of its own weight – be careful!" Trump, tweeted.
The President-in-waiting also denied being in agreement with the Wikileaks founder Julian Assange that Russians were not responsible for the hacking of emails belonging to the Democratic National Committee and its chieftains.
"The dishonest media likes saying that I am in Agreement with Julian Assange, wrong.
"I simply state what he states, it is for the people to make up their own minds as to the truth.
"The media lies to make it look like I am against "Intelligence" when in fact I am a big fan!" Trump said on his Twitter handle.
The incoming president in his tweets on Wednesday, quoted Assange's statement that Russians were not responsible for the hacking and described the Democrats as "careless".
The president-elect also again, cast doubt over the culpability of Russia in the hacking of the email of Democratic National Committee.
He supported the views expressed by Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
"Julian Assange said 'a 14-year-old could have hacked (John) Podesta', why was DNC so careless?
"Also, said Russians did not give him the info!"
"Somebody hacked the DNC but why did they not have "hacking defence" like the RNC has and why have they not responded to the terrible things they did and said.
"A total double standard! Media, as usual, gave them a pass," Trump tweeted.
Trump had on Tuesday, slammed the intelligence agencies over the delayed briefing on Russia's involvement in the hacking.
Trump, who took to twitter to express his displeasure, said the delay was "very strange".
"The 'Intelligence' briefing on so-called 'Russian hacking' was delayed until Friday, perhaps more time needed to build a case.
The Kaduna State Government has begun the cultivation of 10,000 hectares of land to create job opportunities for 10,000 youths.
The Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Industrialisation and Micro-Credit Management Board, Alhaji Sabi'u Sani-Isma'ila, told newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday that the programme would strengthen national food security, facilitate import substitution and enhance job creation and wealth creation.
"The thinking of the new administration is to reduce rural poverty, curb unemployment by creating job opportunities for the youth and at the same time support in the national food security.
"This can be achieved through the use of our God given resources of fertile land, water resources and youthful population.
"That is why we thought it wise to facilitate commercial production of commodities starting with wheat under the Anchor-Brower-Programme," he said.
Sani-Isma'ila said the programme was targeting 10,000 hectares and so far had covered more than 2,500 acres while work was ongoing.
"We are targeting 10,000 youths with at least one hectare per individual. Remember, wheat is not a crop that you grow at your own convenience.
"It is a crop that you must look at the climate, weather changes and then grow it within a given period," he said.
He said that by the end of first week of January, wheat planting would stop while the programme would possibly adopt other crops like rice, as proposed.
Sani-Isma'ila described the exercise as multi-disciplinary, adding that the state ministry of works took care of land clearing and road infrastructure.
He said the ministry of griculture and the state agricultural development project took care of extension services while Lake Chard Research Institute provided training and technical support.
He said that N250,000 and N350,000 was required to grow a hectare of wheat in terms of input from fertilisers to seeds and irrigation facilities at farmer level.
He observed that in spite of complaints by some people that the programme began late, the desired objectives would be achieved.
He added that coordinating the field workers, farmers from various communities and demarcation of plots and allocation to beneficiaries was a challenge.
"Apart from that, it is very surprising to note that Kaduna State did not have any 1,000-hectare irrigated facility.
"Also, the speed with which we demarcate the plots and allocate them is cumbersome; I think that is one of the major challenges,'' he said.
Pope Francis on Thursday met hundreds of survivors of three devastating earthquakes in central Italy that claimed 299 lives and razed entire villages to the ground.
"The pain is great, and we must rebuild with that pain,'' he told families who lost relatives, friends, homes and livelihoods in the deadly Aug. 24 quake.
It was followed by two more powerful tremors at the end of October that caused no fatalities but reduced more communities to rubble.
Pope Francis blesses a little girl during an audience with populations struck by the Italian earthquake at the Paul VI audience Hall on January 5, 2017 in Vatican.
"Hearts are wounded, there's no room for optimism here, but for hope.
"We need hearts and hands to rebuild,'' Francis said.
The August quake occurred in the early morning, when most people were asleep indoors.
Francis visited the mountain town of Amatrice which sustained the most fatalities and other stricken villages in the quake zone in October.
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday passed a bill aimed at checking the spate of kidnapping in the state into law, with stiffer penalties including death sentence for offenders.
The lawmakers passed the Bill for a Law to Provide for the Prohibition of the Act of Kidnapping and for Other Connected Purposes after the third reading.
The passage of the bill was also sequel to the adoption of a report presented by Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Petitions, Human Rights and Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC).
Sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, it prescribes death sentence for kidnappers whose victims die in their custody and life sentence for kidnappers whose victims do not die in the hands of their abductors.
The bill states that any person who kidnaps, abducts, detains, captures or takes another person by any means or trick with intent to demand ransom or do anything against his/her will, commits an offence.
The bill also stipulates life imprisonment for anyone who makes an attempt to kidnap another person.
The bill prescribes seven years imprisonment for anyone making false representation to release a kidnapped or abducted person.
The lawmakers also approved 25 years imprisonment as penalty for anyone found guilty of threatening to kidnap another person through phone call, e-mail, text message or any other means of communication.
The bill prescribes penalty for any person, who knowingly or wilfully allows or permits his premises, building or a place or belonging to which he has control of, to be used for the purpose of keeping a person kidnapped.
According to the bill, such a person is guilty of an offence under the law and liable to 14 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
The speaker, who read the 20 sections of the bill one after the other for members' approval, conducted a voice vote before its passage.
Obasa directed the Acting Clerk of the House, Mr Azeez Sanni, to forward a clean copy of the bill to Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode for assent.
Lagos State has recorded recurrent cases of kidnappings, with the incident affecting students in two schools in 2016.
In February 2016, three schoolgirls were seized from Babington Macaulay Junior Seminary, Ikorodu, but were later freed by the police.
In October, gunmen stormed the Lagos Model College, Igbonla, Ikorodu, and took away the vice principal, a teacher and four students.
They were also after several days.
Kidnappers also stormed the palace of a traditional ruler, the Oniba of Iba, Yishau Goriola Oseni, in July and abducted him.
His release was later secured and several persons are on trial over the kidnap.
The House also adopted the recommendations of its Committee on Youths and Sports on a Bill for a Law to Provide for the Establishment of the Lagos State Sports Commission and for Connected Purpose after a debate.
The bill, seeking to create a commission for sports in the state to administer sporting activities, provides for the constitution of board members, duties and responsibilities, among others.
The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika, says adequate security will be provided for passengers that will be travelling through Kaduna Airport to Abuja during the closure of Abuja Airport.
Sirika gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja when briefing stakeholders on the planned total closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for comprehensive repair works on the runway and taxi-ways pavement.
He said that the Federal Government had concluded security arrangement in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and Kaduna State Government to deploy enough personnel on the road during the period.
The minister said that the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing had also assured him to commence immediate rehabilitation of bad spots on the Kaduna- Abuja highway for seamless operation.
Sirika said that the upgrade of Aviation Services in Kaduna Airport had been carried out as well as improvement of navigational aids including extension of operation from 18 hours to 24 hours.
According to him, there will be provision of train services to air passengers from Kaduna to Abuja, helicopter services in Abuja and Kaduna and upgrade of Aviation Services in Kaduna airport.
"There will be an immediate commencement of Abuja- Kaduna Expressway maintenance in line with Federal Executive Council conclusion of Nov. 30, 2016 and improvement of power supply to the airport.
"There is provision for security within the airport, Kaduna metropolitan city, en-route to railway station and along Kaduna- Abuja road.
"To ensure smooth traffic flow, traffic controllers will be deployed to every inter-section along Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway, Kaduna.
"There will be an immediate rehabilitation of a section of Nnamdi Azikiwe Western bypass road, Kaduna.
"There is also the engagement with stakeholders and service providers like hoteliers with a view to improving service delivery and sensitisation of all stakeholders within the state.''
Sirika, while explaining the reason for the closure of Abuja Airport, said that if nothing was done, the country could be in for a huge disaster considering the level of dilapidation of the runway.
He said the Abuja airport runway had totally failed due to negligence, adding that the life span of the runway was 20 years but had been used for 34 years.
"I was conscious with the sheer size of the dilapidation of critical infrastructure in the aviation industry, especially the most critical one, such as runway of that of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja (NAIA).
"Even before I joined government, I have always been spoken about the need for a second runway in Abuja because of its operational safety and for efficiency of the airport itself.
"The imperative to shutdown NAIA for a period of six weeks was as a result of negligence in terms of maintenance of the runway.
"This administration with safety and security as its priority, has decided to face the problem head-on.
"The cooperation of all stakeholders is therefore required to enable us go through this transition period with minimal discomfort.''
Sen. Philip Aduda, Senate Minority Whip and the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, said the issue of aviation safety and security could not be over-emphasised.
According to him, airport must be safe first and foremost.
Aduda called for synergy among the stakeholders to ensure safety and security of passengers during the Abuja-Kaduna operation.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the minister of state for aviation to deliver a world class aviation sector for the country.
According to Aduda, the Senate will support the ministry in achieving its mandate.
Also, Mrs Nkiru Onyejeocha, Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, pleaded with the minister to ensure that the closure of Abuja airport did not exceed the six weeks.
Onyejeocha commended the government for its interest in safety of passengers and the arrangements being put in place to ensure hitch free operation during the period.
She also appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the government on the decision, to enable it carried out thorough repairs on the Abuja runway.
With the arrival of two new goalkeepers to Akwa United ahead of the 2016/2017 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season, goalkeeper Olufemi Kayode insists he is unfazed by competition for first team shirt in the goalkeeping department, but rather is committed to seeing the team win titles at end of the season.
Kayode, who was speculated to have joined Kano Pillars having been overlooked for most of last season, told npfl.ng, that he is looking forward to a challenging campaign with the Promise Keepers.
Olufemi Kayode
“Every season comes with a fresh challenge and competition. As a professional, i am always ready to face any sort of competition and fight hard to keep my place in the team. This season will not be different, but i am determined to make a difference,” Kayode submitted..
The goalkeeper joined Akwa United in 2013 and remained the first choice goal stopper until last season when he struggled to keep his place in match squad as the then Coach, Maurice Cooreman stuck to ex-International Bassey Akpan, and Victor Obiowo
But with the departure of Bassey and Obiowo in pre-season, Kayode has been widely tipped by many as the preferred choice in goal for new Coach, Abdu Maikaba. However, he will now face stiff competition from Emmanuel Iwu and Ismaila Shagari, new arrivals from Heartland and Kwara United respectively.
Akwa United open their 2016/2017 campaign away to ABS of Ilorin on January 15.
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