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  • NBC fines DAAR Communications N500,000 over infringement of broadcasting code

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has fined DAAR Communications (owner of AIT/Raypower) N500,000 for persistent  violation of the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
    NBC’s Head of Public Affair, Mrs Maimuna Jimada, via a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, said comments made on Raypower’s programme  `Political Platform’  was against the broadcasting code.

    Jimada said that the organisation was sanctioned due to provocative, inflammatory and divisive comments by anchors of the Political Platform.

    She said that the Commission on May 2, 2017, Aug. 15, 2017 and February 2018, held meetings with staff of DAAR Communications to caution them on unprofessional manner of anchors of the programme.

    She stated that the Commission had charged the team handling the programme to be fair, and balance their reportage.
    According to her, during the Feb. 7 meeting, the Commission stressed the need to comply with the broadcasting code to avoid sanctions.
    “The Political Platform episode on July 24, was marked by sensational and heated expression of opinion by its anchors, who went on to make unproven and inciting allegations.
    “For avoidance of doubt, the Director-General drew the attention of DAAR Communications to the following provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code: (1) Section 1.9.3:

    “A presenter/anchor shall not express his or her personal opinion in a programme.”
    “Also Section 5.2.7:“A broadcaster shall, in using political material for news, avoid taking inflammatory and divisive matter in its provocative form and Section 5.2.5 stated that political broadcasts shall be in decent language,’’ she said.

    Jimada reiterated that broadcasting stations should ensure that anchors of their programmes were properly informed and trained on the ethics of the profession as well as the provisions of the broadcasting code.(NAN)

  • Dabiri-Erewa urges Nigerians in Diaspora to support Buhari in anti corruption fight

    By Isaac Aregbesola
    The Special Assistant to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa has urged Nigerians in Diaspora to support the president in his fight against corruption.

    Dabiri Erewa made the call in Abuja on Saturday at a meeting with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) led by its chairman, Mr Obed Monago.

    The presidential aide said the present administration needs the support of everybody in the fight championed by Buhari to restore the glory of the nation.

    “All I have to tell you is that we have an administration that is determined to change the situation in Nigeria for the better and the president is doing that.

    “Though everything is not perfect, as there are still challenges but the good thing is that Nigeria is on track.

    “You all come from various countries where corruption is being tackled because there are structures, there is order and there is discipline,” she said.

    According to her, corruption is thriving in Nigeria not because of poverty or because people are greedy but because there are no sanctions and the country is a place where you get away with anything.

    “President Buhari is trying to stop that, it is a strong battle, but it is a battle we need to encourage and support him to continue and to win.

    “He ensures that the nation’s funds are truly spent on the people of Nigeria, now in Nigeria we have the Treasury Single Account (TSA) where every revenue goes into federation account,” she said

    According to her, in the past agencies were just using the money the way they like and of course it will reflect in the subsequent budget.

    “Of course, we know we have many issues in the area of corruption.

    “It is strong a battle, but it is a battle that we must win, I urged you to encourage Nigerians to support the president in the battle against corruption,” she said.

    She said Buhari had also made the issue of doing business in the country easier through the ease of doing business scheme which she said was to encourage Foreign Direct Investment.

    “You all talk about coming home to do businesses; we have been working on that in Nigeria as you know we rise higher in the ease of doing business now.

    “Though it is not yet perfect, but there is progress, it is slow and steady we may not get there is a year or two but we will get there,” she said.

    Responding, Monago said the organisation was willing to work with the Federal Government to improve the country’s economic situation.

    He stressed that NIDO had been repositioned to assist government and make things work better in the country.

    “The knowledge we have in the Diaspora we will bring it back home, the resources we have will be brought back home.

    “We are committed to that, once they give us the cooperation we will make things happen,” he said.

    He commended Dabiri-Erewa for her initiative and her willingness to work with the organisation.(NAN)
    Edited by Ali Inuwa

  • Edo varsity confers honorary doctorate degree on Aregbesola

    Edo varsity confers honorary doctorate degree on Aregbesola

    By Monday Ajogun
    Samuel Adegboyega University in Edo has conferred an honorary doctorate degree in Public Administration on Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun state.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ben Aigbokhan at a special convocation held on Saturday extolled the qualities of Aregbesola, which he said stood him out for the honorary degree.

    Aigbokhan said the good leadership qualities of the governor had placed his state among the top five with lowest unemployment rate in the country.

    “Osun is also second in human capital development in Nigeria,’’ he said.
    He assured that the university would continue to do its best in promoting healthy tradition, within available resources.

    The vice-chancellor said the university was committed to producing globally relevant, competitive and entrepreneurship-minded graduates.

    In his remarks, Aregbesola thanked the university for the honour and advised government at all levels to commit resources to funding education even if it would require borrowing.

    Also speaking, Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo urged Aregbesola to continue his humanitarian work, adding that the award symbolised unity in Nigeria, given that the recipient is a Muslim.(NAN)
    AJOM/AO/ABI
    Edited by Ali Inuwa

  • NBC fines DAAR Communications N500,000 over infringement of broadcasting code

    By Mustapha Sumaila
    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has fined DAAR Communications (owner of AIT/Raypower) N500,000 for persistent  violation of the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
    NBC’s Head of Public Affair, Mrs Maimuna Jimada, via a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja, said comments made on Raypower’s programme  `Political Platform’  was against the broadcasting code.

    Jimada said that the organisation was sanctioned due to provocative, inflammatory and divisive comments by anchors of the Political Platform.

    She said that the Commission on May 2, 2017, Aug. 15, 2017 and February 2018, held meetings with staff of DAAR Communications to caution them on unprofessional manner of anchors of the programme.

    She stated that the Commission had charged the team handling the programme to be fair, and balance their reportage.
    According to her, during the Feb. 7 meeting, the Commission stressed the need to comply with the broadcasting code to avoid sanctions.
    “The Political Platform episode on July 24, was marked by sensational and heated expression of opinion by its anchors, who went on to make unproven and inciting allegations.
    “For avoidance of doubt, the Director-General drew the attention of DAAR Communications to the following provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code: (1) Section 1.9.3:

    “A presenter/anchor shall not express his or her personal opinion in a programme.”
    “Also Section 5.2.7:“A broadcaster shall, in using political material for news, avoid taking inflammatory and divisive matter in its provocative form and Section 5.2.5 stated that political broadcasts shall be in decent language,’’ she said.

    Jimada reiterated that broadcasting stations should ensure that anchors of their programmes were properly informed and trained on the ethics of the profession as well as the provisions of the broadcasting code.(NAN)
    MS/FFP/OU

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    Edited by Francisca Oluyole/Obike Ukoh
    =============================

     

  • UN chief urges peaceful presidential poll in Mali

    UN chief urges peaceful presidential poll in Mali

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has sued for a peaceful presidential election in Mali as the country goes to the poll to elect a new president on Sunday.

    Guterres, in a statement in New York by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said he was closely following developments in Mali ahead of the presidential election.

    Incumbent President Ibrahim Keïta is seeking a second and final five-year term.

    There are 23 other presidential candidates, including Soumaila Cisse who faced him in a run-off in the last election, former Prime Minister Modibo Sidibe, Dramane Dembele, retired Brig.-Gen. Moussa Sinko Coulibaly, and a woman candidate, Djeneba N’Diaye.

    Eight million people are eligible to vote in the election and a candidate must get more than 50 per cent of the vote to win.

    If not, a run-off is held between the two candidates with the most votes, while the winner of the run-off only needs a simple majority.

    The UN chief said the election was important for peace and reconciliation in Mali.

    The Secretary-General said he was encouraged by the overall peaceful climate that has characterised the electoral campaign to date, in spite of continued security challenges in the north and center of the country.

    He called on voters in the arid African country of around 18 million, to maintain the peaceful course and ensure that the key poll was first and foremost “an important celebration of democracy”.

    Guterres urged all political actors in Mali to commit to making the poll a peaceful, free and transparent process, and to resolve any possible dispute through the appropriate institutions in accordance with the law.

    The Secretary-General stressed that peace and reconciliation for all Malian citizens must prevail, irrespective of the electoral outcome.

    The UN chief reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to supporting the electoral process in Mali.

    The UN Stabilisation Mission in the country has been busy providing logistical support to the Government, especially in the restive north and centre, where an alliance of militant Islamists and Tuareg rebels have been launching attacks with increasing frequency and ferocity against government troops and UN peacekeepers.

    When Keïta was elected in 2013, his administration replaced a transitional government which had wrested back control – with international support – of the outlying regions following a failed coup, that saw the iconic and ancient city of Timbuktu occupied by militants.

    Dozens of UN peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice defending Mali’s fragile recovery in recent years.

    On Friday, the head of UN mission, Mahamat Annadif, said that while tensions were high and the threat of attacks persisted, the result had to be respected if democratic rule was to be viewed as “irreversible”.

    The mission has been providing transportation to candidates, training and support for officials involved in the democratic process, and distributed 200 tonnes of electoral material, mainly to remote areas where the political process is most vulnerable to abuse, and voters are most likely to feel intimidated going to the polls. (NAN)

  • Abdulsalami Abubakar’s Commonwealth Group says Pakistan’s election ‘credible’

    By Prudence Arobani
    The Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar-led Commonwealth Observer Group has given a pass mark to the Pakistan’s general election, saying the poll has generally strengthened the country’s democracy.
    The Commonwealth team said the election marked “important milestone” in the history of the country, following two consecutive democratically-elected civilian governments completing their full terms.
    Final results of the elections are yet to be released by the Election Commission of Pakistan, said the Commonwealth Secretariat, in a statement by Josephine Latu-Sanft, its Senior Communications Officer.
    In an Interim Statement released on the Group’s observations of the election, the former Head of State of Nigeria commended the people of Pakistan for exercising their right to vote.
    More than 50 million Pakistanis came out to exercise their franchise, in spite of terrorists attacks claiming more than 200 lives in the weeks prior and on the election day itself.
    Latu-Sanft quoted Abubakar, Chairman of the Commonwealth Observer Group, as saying: “The 2018 General Election was an important milestone in strengthening democracy in Pakistan…
    “We commend the voters, the election commission, polling staff, political parties, candidates, their agents, the security forces and all others for their respective roles.”
    The Commonwealth Observer Group arrived in Pakistan on July 18.
    Members held a wide range of consultations with the electoral commission, political parties, government officials, observers, members of civil society, the media and the diplomatic community.
    They also held consultations with the military, before they were deployed to polling stations across the country.
    These polling stations included locations in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Karachi and Hyderabad.
    Announcing its interim findings, the Commonwealth group noted a clear improvement in election laws since the previous elections.
    “For example, the new Elections Act 2017 gave more independence and autonomy for the election commission and new measures to enhance women’s political participation.
    “We noted that women responded to these reforms positively and voted in greater numbers compared to earlier elections. Women also played a commendable role in the administration of elections.
    “We observed that the election commission was generally well-prepared for the polls in most areas and that the process was, on the whole, well-administered,” Abubakar said on the election day.
    However, the former Nigerian leader said there were key areas for improvement, as counting methods, the results transmission system, and inconsistency in applying electoral procedures, were amongst several areas highlighted.
    The final report, including recommendations, would be submitted in a final report to the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.
    Scotland would, in turn, forward the report to the Government of Pakistan, Election Commission of Pakistan, political parties taking part in the elections and all Commonwealth Governments.
    Thereafter, the report would then be made public.
    The Commonwealth Observer Group was constituted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General to consider the various factors impinging on the credibility of the electoral process as a whole.
    It determines, in its own judgment, whether the elections have been conducted according to the standards for democratic elections to which Pakistan has committed itself, with reference to national election-related legislation and relevant regional, Commonwealth, and other international commitments.(NAN)
    APT/ABI
    Edited by Ali Inuwa

  • CAS blames unpatriotic Nigerians for security crises

    The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Mashal Sadiq Abubakar, has blamed unpatriotic Nigerians over the funding of some terrorist groups in the country.

    Abubakar made the allegation at the inauguration of Small Arms Shooting Range and some projects at Nigerian Air Force Base, Bauchi.

    He said it was unfortunate that when the Air Force and other security agencies were busy trying to curb the menace, some unpatriotic Nigerians were busy supporting the groups.

    “Some of these groups are being funded, supported and encouraged by certain unpatriotic Nigerians for self-centered political interests.

    ” The crisis in Libya and emergence of ISIS in Syria and Iraq have unleashed armed conflicts perpetrated by non-state actors such as Boko Haram, ethnic militias, separatist movements and armed bandits of all colours and shapes.

    “These threats have undoubtedly exerted a lot of pressure on our resources and infrastructure and require us to think out of the box if we are to successfully address them,” Abubakar said.

    He, however, said that NAF had deployed about 1,000 Special Forces in addition to air assets in support of other security agencies to deal with the threats.

    Abubakar said that the air operations in Zamfara were being reorganised and very soon, more personnel and assets would be deployed to support the exercise, code named “Operation Sharan Daji.”

    He said that 2,000 Special Forces had so far been trained and were currently in Benue and Gembu in Taraba while some would be deployed to Agatu in Benue and Nassarawa State.

    Abubakar said 14 additional air assets were acquired by the force and had since been deployed to various operations in the country.

    He said that another 12 Super aircraft were being expected from USA and 13 serviceable aircraft on the fleet of the force had been activated while three others were being eactivated.

    Abubakar said that the shooting range being inaugurated would sharpen the skills of officers and men likely to be deployed to various battle fields in the country.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support to the force by ensuring that it had well trained personnel and equipment to enable it to discharge its constitutional duties.

    The CAS promised that the force would remain loyal to Buhari and unwavering in its commitment to the security and wellbeing of Nigerians.

    Gov. Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi State said the government was planning to hand over Lame Bura Forest to the force.

    Abubakar explained that the land could be used to establish an air range for Nigerian Air Force fighter aircraft.

    He said that the air range, when established, would go a long way in sharpening the fighting skills of the pilots.

    The News  Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commander’s quarters, senior non-commissioned officers’ quarters and one block of 10 bedrooms for non-commissioned officers were also inaugurated. (NAN

  • U.S. jails Nigerian-American, Emeka, 4 years for scams

    Emeka Ndukwu, 46, a Nigerian-American based in Maryland, has been sentenced to four years in prison for engaging in business e-mail scheme and conspiring to launder more than $900,000 proceeds of scams.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in a statement, said Ndukwu tricked seven companies in the United States and abroad into wiring more than $900,000 into accounts controlled by various co-conspirators.

    “A co-defendant, Chuka Mbonu, 33, of Nigeria, remains at large,” the U.S. authorities said.

    FBI said: “Ndukwu, a dual citizen of the United States and Nigeria, pleaded guilty in April 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to one count of money laundering conspiracy.

    “He was sentenced by the Honourable Timothy J. Kelly. Following his prison term, he will be placed on three years of supervised release.

    “The judge also ordered Ndukwu to pay $791,870 in restitution to the companies.

    “Additionally, Judge Kelly ordered Ndukwu to forfeit a 2014 Mercedes-Benz GL450 and to pay a forfeiture money judgment in the amount of $429,848, representing the share of the criminal proceeds that Ndukwu personally obtained”.

    According to documents filed at the time of the plea, Ndukwu participated in an ongoing conspiracy from 2013 through 2017 to receive and launder the proceeds of various cyber frauds, primarily arising from business e-mail (“BEC”) compromise schemes.

    In a typical BEC scheme, a co-conspirator tricks a company into transferring large sums of money into accounts controlled by others participating in the scheme.

    Using fake e-mails, often containing forged sender addresses, co-conspirators impersonate someone connected to the victim company and deceive an employee of that company into wiring funds.

    Soon after the wire transfers are completed, the co-conspirators drain the bank accounts and launder the criminal proceeds.

    “This particular conspiracy targeted at least seven companies in the United States and overseas, including victims in Texas, Illinois, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, India, Japan, and China.

    “The victims were fraudulently induced into sending $916,056 in wire transfers to accounts controlled by Ndukwu and other co-conspirators.

    “The funds were then laundered through transactions conducted in Washington, D.C. and other jurisdictions, including layering through shell company accounts and accounts controlled by co-conspirators,” the FBI said.

    According to the court documents, Ndukwu used false aliases and forged Nigerian passports to facilitate these schemes, and he used encrypted messaging to communicate with co-conspirators.

    Ndukwu was indicted in December 2017 and has been in custody since his arrest that month.

    The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Washington Field Office, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Brown and Michael Marando are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist C. Rosalind Pressley, while former Assistant U.S. Attorney Natalia Medina participated in investigating the case. (NAN)

  • FG recalls 2.4m bottles of codeine

    The Federal Ministry of Health has recalled 2.4 million bottles of codeine containing cough syrup after a recent audit trail of the substance carried out by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    According to a statement by Mrs Boade Akinola, Director Media and Public Relations of the ministry on Sunday in Abuja, the recall demonstrated the Federal Government’s resolve to stem the abuse of codeine containing cough syrup and other substances in Nigeria.

    Akinola said the minister had recently received the final report of the 22-man Stakeholders Committee set up by the Ministry to address the worrisome menace of codeine abuse in Nigeria.

    She quoted the Minister of Health Prof Isaac Adewole as saying that the audit trail and subsequent recall of the substance was part of recommendations of Stakeholders Committee set by the ministry to address codeine abuse in Nigeria.

    The minister said the committee was drafted from a broad spectrum of the health sector in collaboration with relevant Agencies as part of Pharmacovigilance and renewed effort to monitor drug distribution channels and sanitise the system.

    The Minister recalled that the committee was an offshoot of the Press release issued by the Ministry on the temporary ban of Codeine production and distribution.

    He said the committee has Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christianah Adeyeye as the chairman; other members include Muhammad Abdullahi, Chairman of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Others are Elijah Mohamed, the Registrar of Pharmacists Council of Nigeria; Mr Moshood Lawal, Director, Food and Drugs Services, Federal Ministry of Health; Ahmed Yakasai, President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) among others.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on May 1, Federal Government banned the production and importation of codeine as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough syrup preparations to check substance abuse among Nigerians.

    The minister directed NAFDAC to ban the issuance of permits for the importation of codeine as active pharmaceutical ingredient for cough preparations.

    He also directed the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, (PCN) and NAFDAC to supervise the recall for labelling and audit trailing of all codeine containing cough syrups nationwide.

    The federal government had also banned the sale of codeine containing cough syrup without prescription.
    The minister said the directive became necessary due to the gross abuse of codeine in the country.

    In this regard, the minister said PCN had been directed to continue enforcement activities on pharmacies, patent and proprietary medicine vendors’ shops and outlets throughout the country.

    He also directed NAFDAC to carry out its functions in compliance with the new directives.

    The minister said cough syrups containing codeine should be replaced with dextromethorphan which is less addictive.

    Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant used to treat coughing, it is also a drug of the morphinan class with sedative, dissociative, and stimulant properties. (NAN)