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  • Customs strike force seizes 4,200 bags of rice in Kogi

    Mr Abdullahi Kirawa, Deputy Comptroller and National Coordinator, Comptroller General Strike Force, said the team seized 4,200 50kg bags of smuggled rice in Mopa village, near Kabba in Kogi.

    Kirawa made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on Monday in Abuja.

    He said the seizures were as a result of synergy between the Nigeria Police, Army, Department of States Security Service and the Customs Intelligent Unit.

    “The Strike Force team intercepted seven trucks loaded with 50kg bags of smuggled rice, each truck carrying 600 bags.

    “These bags of rice were seized on Saturday, August 4, in Mopa near Kabba in Kogi State.

    “Also, eight days ago the team seized 1,246 bags of smuggled rice through the creeks in Ogun State,”Kirawa said.

    He said the seizures were as a result of information received from its dependable sources.

    “We reliably learned that the consignments were brought into the country through the land borders and the creeks,” he said.

    According to him, the policy of the government policies on importation is clear, and that it is expected that those engaged in the importation business are familiar with the laws of the land.

    Speaking on refined sugar, he said if refined sugar brought into the country through unapproved routes, it would be considered as smuggled.

    He, therefore, said the refined sugar would have the same fate as the seized rice.

    According to him, the Strike Force team has been charged with the responsibility of ensuring that smuggling is brought to its minimum. (NAN)

  • Agric N-Power enrollees face rejection in Anambra, councils debunk claim

    Prospective enrollees into N-Power agricultural programme in Anambra have complained of rejection by some local government authorities in the state, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    The enrollees, who spoke in separate interviews with NAN correspondent on Monday in Awka, said some heads of departments of agriculture had refused to issue acceptance letters to them.

    They named Awka South, Awka North and Anaocha Local Government Areas of Anambra among the council areas that had refused to issue the acceptance letters to several prospective enrollees.

    NAN gathered that the acceptance letter is a pre-condition which an enrollee must attach before he or she is finally enrolled into the Federal Government Agricultural Scheme, aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment.

    A prospective enrollee told NAN, on condition of anonymity, that she selected Awka South Local Government Area for the N-Power Agriculture programme, but had yet to obtain an acceptance letter from the council.

    ‘‘I went to Amawbia, the headquarters of Awka South Local Government for my acceptance letter, the head of department of agriculture, said that the council was not issuing such letters.

    ‘‘I tried to explain to the official that we must get the letter in order to be enrolled into the scheme and that the deadline for us to submit the acceptance letter is Aug. 8, 2018,’’ she said.

    Another prospective enrollee, who simply gave his name as Ugochukwu, said he had gone for his acceptance letter at Anaocha Local Government Area more than three times without getting the letter.

    Ugochukwu claimed that the head, department of agriculture in Anaocha, told him that there was no logistics for the council to print such number of letters to persons seeking to enroll into N-Power Agricultural Scheme.

    Reacting, Mr Chukwudi Orjiako, a Coordinator, Youths for Agriculture, Anambra, said it was an anathema for some council authorities to frustrate the efforts of youths in the state to enroll into the N-Power scheme.

    ‘‘Apart from the monthly stipend of N30,000 that the enrollees would be getting, the N-Power Agriculture programme will scale up food production in the state,’’ he said.

    Orjiako appealed to Gov. Willie Obiano of the state to intervene in the matter with a view to ensuring that every interested youth in the area successfully enrolled into the programme.

    Mr Ikeobi Ejiofor, the Transition Committee Chairman, Anaocha Local Government Area, debunked the claim that the council was turning prospective N-Power enrollees back.

    ‘‘We issued about 40 acceptance letters to them on Wednesday last week and have issued up to another 30 letters this morning to make sure that they meet the Aug. 8 deadline,’’ he said.

    On his part, Mr Leo Nwuba, the Transition Committee Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area told NAN that his council initially issued acceptance letters to about 30 persons for the N-Power Agriculture Programme.

    ‘‘After issuing the acceptance letters to about 30 persons on Tuesday, July 31, later, another 100 other persons came demanding the same letters, I told them to wait for my office to properly clear with the N-Power Focal Person in the state.

    ‘‘When my HOD on agriculture contacted the N-Power focal person, I now directed that letters be issued to only genuine applicants and as well get their data for follow up action.

    ‘‘We have to do that because we will make sure that all those who chose Awka South for the programme must work because we have vast land for agricultural activities and we must monitor whatever they are doing,’’ he said.

    Nwuba said that information available to his office showed that more than 400 persons selected his council for the N-Power agriculture programme.

    Also commenting, Mrs C. Uzoka, the Focal Person of N-Power Agriculture Programme, said she was not aware that prospective applicants were having challenges in getting their acceptance letters in the state. (NAN)

  • Akpabio’s defection begins PDP’s end — APC chieftain

    Akpabio’s defection begins PDP’s end — APC chieftain

    The defection of Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio, to All Progressives Congress (APC) has been described “as the beginning of the end of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’’.

    Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers, made the prediction in a statement on Monday in Port Harcourt.

    Eze, in the statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), commended Akpabio “for acting wisely and jumping out of the crashing PDP train before it finally crashes’’.

    Eze is a former member of PDP and one of those who dumped the party in 2014 to become a foundation member of APC.

    “Knowing Akpabio very well, he is a one-man Tsunami and with him in the progressives train, PDP’s end is only a matter of time.

    “What is more, with Akpabio now in APC, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who recently made the mistake of defecting to PDP, can be sure that his Presidency of the Senate is only a matter of weeks.’’

    He also alleged “the present sorry state of PDP under the control of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Prince Uche Secondus’’ was “most unfortunate’’.

    He also said that Wike, who was a local government chairman in 1999, “has through deft political scheming, turned many key Nigerian leaders now in PDP into his disciples’’.

    Eze also congratulated the Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, on his reappointment as Director-General, Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo Presidential Campaign Organisation.

    He expressed confidence that Amaechi would once again mobilise Nigerians to re-elect President Buhari, who he described as a divine tool to bring sanity and development to our country.

    Eze urged all those still remaining in PDP out of the belief that it would be revived to act very fast. (NAN)

  • Transporters thrash traffic warden for stopping illegal parking in Murree

    Police say drivers attacked warden after he ordered to remove wrongly parked vehicles. SCREENGRAB

    ISLAMABAD: Transporters badly beat up a traffic warden in Murree on Sunday after the official tried to issue tickets to a vehicle, which was illegally parked and blocking traffic.

    Police told The Express Tribune that driver of a Suzuki pick-up bearing registration number 3114 had wrongly parked his vehicle in main Murree city at Sunny Bank Chowk when warden Afzaal approached him and told him to move his car as it was blocking the traffic.

    On driver’s refusal to move his car, the warden after waiting for a few minutes demanded his documents in order to issue him a ticket. Upon which the driver allegedly tried to run over the warden first and then started beating him. Other local drivers also joined him in manhandling and beating the official.

    ‘Boycott’ campaign takes toll on Murree tourism

    Other traffic officials, who tried to intervene, were also beaten by the drivers.

    Rawalpindi Chief Traffic Officer SSP Muhammad Bin Ashraf said two officials were beaten up by the local drivers. He said an FIR was being registered against the culprits, who he vowed would be taken to task.

    Murree Police said warden Afzaal was also hit with an iron rod and received injuries to his head and face. His uniform was also torn down by the drivers.

    Police say local drivers often wrongly park their Suzuki pickups and cars at Sunny Bank Chowk which leads to traffic congestion and blocking in the famous tourist destination.

    Culled from The Express Tribune – Pakistan

  • Wammako declares PDP dead, says defectors will regret actions

    Sen. Aliyu Wamakko (APC Sokoto) who staged a grand homecoming to Sokoto today said defectors to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties from All Progressives Congress (APC) will surely regret their actions.

    Wamakko stated this on Saturday at a special rally in support of President Muhammadu Buhari and APC organised by loyalists, in the wake of the defection of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to PDP from the ruling APC on Aug. 1.

    He described PDP as a dead political party and categorically ruled out Tambuwal’s exit being a threat to APC hold on the state.

    He said the Sokoto APC still has two Senators, seven members of the Federal House of Representatives and 12 state assembly members, beside the high percentage of political elders, youths, women and others in the state.

    He conveyed President Buhari’s goodwill message to Sokoto residents.

    He debunked Tambuwal’s statement that the Federal Government has not executed any project in Sokoto.

    Wammako said many projects have been executed and many have been proposed across the state.

    He thanked Sokoto people for the warm reception as well as huge support for President Buhari’s administration.

    He urged the people to sustain the support to ensure Buhari amd APC victory in 2019 elections.

    ” The present political situation in Sokoto is not between mw and Governor Tambuwal but between APC as a political party and the dead PDP”, he said.

    The Senator enjoined Nigerians to shun detractors and support the good leadership of President Buhari and APC at all levels.

    State APC Chairman, Alhaji Sadiq Achida, said APC is still in control of the state and the control will continue.

    Goodwill messages were received from former Kebbi State Governor, Nasamu Dakingari, Umaru Gwandu, representative of Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state and Muhammad Bello, who attended the rally, to show solidarity with the people of Sokoto people.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report Wamakko was received by a massive crowd that even delayed the landing of the aircraft for hours as motorcyclists and people troop onto the runway.

    NAN report that the mega rally witnessed a long motorcade, a long chain of tricycles and thousands of pedestrians who trekked from the Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, down to Senator Wammako’s residence in Gawan Nama in Sokoto metropolis.

  • Ray Ekpu gets Buhari’s shout out on birthday

    From London, where he is vacationing, President Muhammadu Buhari has sent warm greetings to veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch Magazine, Ray Ekpu, who turns 70 tomorrow.

    The year also marks Ekpu’s 45th year as a journalist and an administrator.

    President Buhari joined the media world, family and friends of the renowned columnist and activist in celebrating the many years of exceptional contribution to national development through his writings, speaking engagements and leadership roles.

    The President believed Ekpu’s consistency and forthrightness in speaking and writing the truth to authorities deserves special commendation, especially the many times he placed his life at risk in fighting for democracy and the institutionalisation of good governance in Nigeria.

    As Ekpu turns a septuagenarian, President Buhari affirms that his wealth of knowledge, wisdom and editorial skills should serve as a benchmark for upcoming journalists as the future of the industry rests on the indelible tenets of fairness, accuracy and balance.

    The President prayed that the Almighty God will grant the prolific writer longer life, good health and more wisdom to serve the nation and humanity.

  • Osinbajo to inaugurate Lagos MSME Clinic

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will on Tuesday inaugurate the Lagos edition of the National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinic.

    Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, disclosed this on Sunday in a statement signed by Babasola Ogunmosunle, Public Relations Manager in the ministry.

    Oladunjoye said that the two-day MSME Clinic would hold on Aug. 6 and Aug.7 at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the MSME Clinic is an initiative of the Office of the Vice President in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, as well as 11 other federal agencies.

    Oladunjoye said that the event would further complement the state’s efforts at developing MSMEs in the state.

    She gave an assurance the state that government would continue to implement policies that would boost growth of the sector.

    “As it is evident to all, the present administration in Lagos State is leaving no stone unturned to ensure even development of all sectors, and the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Clinic will never be an exemption.’’

    The commissioner expressed confidence that the programme would raise a new set of entrepreneurs while the existing ones would be guided on the best steps to take to add value to their efforts.

    According to her, the state will enhance the capacity of MSME operators with relevant skills that will position them to explore opportunities and access appropriate financial facility.

    She said that the administration of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode established the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) with a seed capital of N25 billion.

    The fund was earmarked for disbursement within four years to empower business owners with capital to revive moribund ventures, boost trade and start new ventures.

    Oladunjoye recalled that Osinbajo had lauded the state government for the LSETF initiative, and for creating over 12,500 new jobs within the first six months of the scheme.

    The commissioner expressed delight that the MSME Clinic was coming at a period when the state was creating conducive environment for small scale businesses to thrive. (NAN)

  • Conference of Speakers elects Obasa as new chairman

    Conference of Speakers elects Obasa as new chairman

    The Conference of Speakers of the State Legislatures of Nigeria has elected Mr Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly as its new chairman.

    NAN reports that the conference elected new executives at its 2018 Second Quarter Conference held between Friday, Aug. 3 and Sunday Aug. 5 in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Obasa took over from the outgoing Chairman of the conference, Alhaji Isamaila Kamba, the Speaker, Kebbi State House of Assembly.

    Reading the communiqué at the end of the conference, Mr Ahmed Guni, the Chairman, Electoral Committee and Communiqué Drafting Committee said that the conference deliberated on a number of national issues and conducted elections.

    Guni, the Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly said: “Among other things, the conference reviewed and adopted the report of its special committee set up to facilitate an efficient and effective implementation of the financial autonomy law for the state legislatures and the judiciary.

    “The conference also deliberated on a wide range of topical national issues. The conference equally elected a new set of national executives that will run the affairs of the conference.

    “At the end of the elections, Rt-Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly emerged the new conference chairman.

    “The office of the Deputy Chairman went to the Speaker of the Taraba House of Assembly Rt-Hon. Peter Abeldiah while the Treasurer went to the Speaker of Delta State, Rt.-Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

    “The Financial Secretary was clinched by the Speaker of Kogi House of Assembly, Prince Kolawole Matthew,” he said.

    According to him, to represent the six geopolitical zones, the conference has vice chairmen: Mr Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, Speaker of Rivers (representing South-South) while Mrs Rita Maduagu, Speaker of Anambra (representing South-East).

    He said that Prophet Oloyelogun David, Speaker of Ondo State representing the South-West.

    Guni added that Mr Sanusi Rikiji, Speaker of Zamfara (representing the North-West); Mr Balarabe Ibrahim, Speaker of Nasarawa State (Representing the North-Central) while Mr Kawuwa Damina, Speaker of Bauchi (representing the North-East).

    He said that the conference also resolved to call on the Federal Government to direct relevant government agencies to ensure prompt implementation of the new constitutional provision granting financial autonomy to the judiciary and state legislatures.

    The conference equally called on the State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria to ensure meaningful engagement with the executive arms in their respective states in order to have a seamless implementation of the new law with a view to state legislature and enhancing democracy in Nigeria.

    Guni said that the conference also called on the National Assembly to expedite actions on the proposed constitutional amendment to established state police in Nigeria with a view to complementing the efforts of the Nigeria police on security.

    The chairman, who noted that the conference also called on political leaders to put national interest above any other interest, urged the Nigeria police to be professional and apolitical in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

    He said that the conference called on police to desist from invading and occupying legislative houses in the country.

    According to him, the conference commiserates with the people of Zamfara and all other states variously attacked by gunmen.

    In his acceptance speech, the new conference Chairman, Obasa, who described his election as a great honour and privilege, promised to serve the interests of the conference.

    Obasa said: “This mandate is a sacred one and I intend to do everything within my power to protect its sanctity.

    “It is a mandate which brings about a burden, the burden to serve, not only my colleagues but the entire people of Nigeria who have honoured us with their votes at our respective constituencies to promote and protect their interest and welfares,” he said.

    The speaker urged all state legislators to come together and work for the protection of the sanctity of the parliament, saying that parliament remains the bedrock of democracy.

    Obasa, who frowned at attacks on parliaments, said that he would work for the protection of the rights of the legislature and cooperate with other arms of government for the growth and development of the county.

    “I assure you that we will not keep quiet, fold our hands and watch our rights being trampled upon. We will be gentle but firm in our demand for our rights, resolute but not deliberately antagonistic.

    “The parliament is the last option for democracy and it is our duty to protect it for the survival of democratic values and ideals,” he said. (NAN)

  • Expert advocates breastfeeding booths in public

    Dr Adaugo Onyedinma, a Consultant Paediatrician with Samaria Hospital, Ago-Lagos, on Sunday called on government to create enclosed space in public places to encourage exclusive breastfeeding.

    Onyedinma, whose special interest is in newborn health and infant nutrition, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN in Lagos.

    “Government should create an enclosed space which can be called breastfeeding booths in public places where mothers can go in and have some privacy while breastfeeding outside the home.

    “There should also be some public awareness campaigns to encourage the society to accept breastfeeding in public as a norm,’’ Onyedinma said.

    The expert noted that lack of privacy in public had been a hindrance to nursing mothers breastfeeding their new born babies outside the home.

    According to her, some mothers feel uncomfortable exposing their breasts in public.

    The World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated every Aug.1 to Aug.7, to encourage breastfeeding and improve the health of babies around the world.

    It commemorates the Innocenti Declaration signed in August 1990 by government policy makers, WHO, UNICEF and other organisations to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

    WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding within one hour after birth and until a baby is six months old.

    The organisation said nutritious complementary foods should be added while mothers continue to breastfeed for up to two years or beyond.

    Onyedinma said nursing mothers needed constant counseling and encouragement, especially from their spouse and other stakeholders, on the need to exclusively breastfeed their babies at all times.

    The paediatrician noted that the type of clothes some mothers wore hindered breastfeeding, adding it did not allow their babies gain access to the breast.

    She also said some nursing mothers lacked enough breast milk supply due to work stress they experienced.

    Onyedinma said there was need for first time mothers to fully understand the benefits of breastfeeding, adding that lack of knowledge contributed to their poor attitude toward breastfeeding

    She also said that myths and preconceptions negatively influenced the practice of exclusive breastfeeding.

    The medical practitioner said such myths and preconception were that breastfeeding caused sagging of breasts and that breast milk was not enough for a baby.

    The erroneous belief, she added, gave rise to supplement with water and infant formula before 6 months.

    The paediatrician said whether a mother breastfed her newborn or not, age would eventually cause the breast to sag.

    Onyedinma, however, advised mothers to eat healthy to be able to exclusively breastfeed their babies and also live a healthy life style to avoid maternal ill-health and death. (NAN)