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021009 BROADCASTING: South-East Stations introduce cash/carry basis Broadcasting Stations in the South-East have resolved to deal with Advertising Agencies on cash and carry basis to reduce the mounting debt profile of the Agencies. In a communiqué at the end of a one day meeting of the South-East zone of the organization in Owerri, Imo State the organisations also called on governments in the zone to adequately fund broadcast media to meet the modern broadcasting challenges.
190909 Embark on researches relevant to the nation, Minister urges Board The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku has urged members of the Boards of Directors of Parastatals under the Ministry to ensure that all the Parastatals embark on researches relevant to the nation’s economy. Dr. Bako Zaku gave the advice while inaugurating the Boards in Abuja. The Minister urged members of the Boards to identify areas that would address the immediate needs of the society. The members of the Boards were also enlightened on their roles under the public procurement Act, with a view to ensuring strict adherence to due process. 160909 RAMADAN: Chairman calls on C’ttee to cooperate in sighting the moon The Chairman of the National Moon Sighting Committee, Dr Usman Jibrin has called on State Chairmen of the Committee to cooperate with their Vice Presidents General in sighting the moon. Dr Usman says the sighting of the crescent moon for the termination of this year’s Ramadan should commence on Saturday. He warned that only authorized persons should report the sighting of the moon to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
HEALTH: FCTA advocates for support from religious leaders The FCT Administration has called for effective support of religious leaders in the efforts to ensure qualitative health care delivery for children and women at the grassroots. The Head of Health Promotion Education Unit of the FCT, Mrs. Nana Hawa Yusuf made the call at a one day sensitization forum with religious leaders on accelerated child survival and development strategy in Abuja. She said the FCT management believed that this could be achieved through regular sensitization of their members on the need to participate in government health care delivery programmes. Mrs. Nana Yusuf noted that religious leaders had a role to play in the task of ensuring the realization of government’s seven point agenda in the area of health care. The sensitization programme is being organized for other stakeholders to enable the FCT Administration meet its target of eradicating polio before December. EDUCATION: Director advises Govt to provide infrastructure in Polytechnics The Director Pensions Accounts office of the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr Sani Shuaibu has advised government to provide more infrastructure and equipments in Polytechnics to save it from total collapse. He gave this advice at the 2009 National Association of Polytechnic students seminar in Abuja. Dr Shuaibu said for Nigeria to fully actualize her Vision 20:20:20 dream, technical education must be encouraged to ensure productivity. Dr Shuaibu appealed to the students to uphold the virtues of Polytechnic education through pragmatic approach in all their undertakings.
# # # 150909 POVERTY REDUCTION: Sokoto Govt distributes buses to individuals One hundred and fifty buses have been distributed to individuals and private organisations on loan basis under the Sokoto State Poverty Reduction Programme. Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamako on the occasion at the Government House, Sokoto explained that the measure was to intensify the fight against poverty, unemployment and boost transportation in the state. Each of the buses is given out at three million naira as against the market price of four million naira. CONVENTION: Clergyman advises Nigerian leaders to be good example Nigerian leaders have been urged to be of good examples to their followers in words and actions. The Area Superintendent of the Apostolic Church Agege in Lagos State, Pastor Jacob Ogungbesan gave the advice at the annual convention of the church in Lagos. Pastor Ogungbesan advised Christians to be steadfast in their faith in Jesus Christ. Scholarships and cash prizes were given to some indigent students and widows during the convention which has its theme as the “Doctrine of Jesus Christ”.
POWER: Satisfy consumers, NERC directs stakeholders All Organizations involved in electricity generation, transmission and distribution have been directed to comply immediately with safety and health regulations in the Industry. The Head of Legal, Licensing and Enforcement of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Mrs. Olufunke Dinneh, gave the directive at a Stakeholders Forum in Abuja. She observed that some of the affected Organizations were yet to fully comply with the safety Codes despite series of warning. AMNESTY: Militant rededicates his life to God A repentant militant leader in Bayelsa State, Mr. Imomotimi Okparasia has rededicated his life to God to further demonstrate his acceptance of the amnesty offer granted by the Federal Government. Bishop Peter Leghemo of the Royal House of Grace formally received the militant known as Retired General Africa at a special thanksgiving service in the Bayelsa State Capital.
TRADE: China launches anti-subsidy probe into imports of US products China has launched an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy probe into imports of some US car products and chickens. The Chinese Commerce Minister said there were concerns that the products from the US had dealt a blow to domestic industries. The measure comes a day after the US imposed tariffs on Chinese tyre imports to check a market disruption caused by a surge in tyre imports. The case is the latest in a series of recent trade disputes between China and the US. PRISON: Officials appeal for assistance in facility upgrading Officials of the Abakaliki Prison in Ebonyi State have appealed to good spirited Nigerians and non governmental organisations to assist in upgrading its facilities. They made the appeal at an interactive session with female lawyers providing free legal services to women in the prison. Another challenge facing the prison authorities is insufficient funds. 110909 SECRET CULT: CRS Gov suspends 10 Councilors Ten Councilors in Calabar South-Local Government Area of Cross River State have been suspended for three months for allegedly being members of secret cults. Their suspension followed a resolution adopted by the State House of Assembly after deliberating on a letter from Governor Liyel Imoke. The motion also empowered the Governor to set up a Commission of enquiry to investigate the allegations against the Councilors. The Governor informed the legislators that preliminary investigations had shown that the officials were involved in the recent killings in Calabar. KATSINA: Senator enjoins Indigenes to contribute in developing the state Indigenes of Katsina State have been enjoined to contribute their quota to the development of the State and the entire country. Senator Ibrahim Mai Saidu representing Katsina North Senatorial District, made the call at an “IFTAL”, the breaking of Muslim fast, organized by the FCT Chapter of Katsina State indigenes consultative forum. The Chairman Federal Character Commission, Alhaji Lawan Funtua called on those in positions of authority to promote harmonious co-existence among Nigerians. SECURITIES: Tribunal quashes the decision to suspend Anenih The Investments and Securities Tribunal sitting in Abuja has set aside the decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission to suspend Mr. Eugene Anenih from operating in the Capital Market. The ban on his company, Nora Finance and Securities limited has also been lifted. In a unanimous ruling, the ten members of the tribunal held that the commission did not hold any criminal trial on the appellants. The tribunal also held that there was no manipulation of AP’s share price by the appellants. COMMUNICATION: FRCN & Eriksson to explore possible areas of mutual benefits Radio Nigeria and Electronic giant, the Eriksson Group began talks in Abuja to explore possible areas of mutual benefits. The chairman of the FRCN Board of Directors, Chief Bolayefa Debekeme, said the collaboration would be of great benefit to Radio Nigeria especially in the area of clean signals. Chief Debekeme said despite the numerous challenges being faced by the Corporation, it had embarked on the upgrade of its equipment nationwide. The Director-General of FRCN, Mallam Yusuf Nuhu presented to the guests some vital documents about the Corporation.
AKWA IBOM: First Aircraft to land at newly built Airport soon There are indications that the first Aircraft may be landing at the newly built Akwa Ibom International Airport, Uyo before the end of this month. The implementation Committee and other stakeholders are working round the clock to achieve the target.
WATERWAYS: Yar’Adua to flag off dredging of lower River Niger in Lokoja President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua will flag off the dredging of the lower River Niger in Lokoja. The ceremony will mark a turning point in Nigeria's quest to effectively utilize its vast inland waterways for economic development. On completion, the project is to facilitate movement of goods and services from the hinterland to the port.
TRADE: NANT collaborates with US Agency for International Development The National Association of Nigerian Traders is collaborating with the United States Agency for International Development to review the country’s trade and industrial policy. The President of the Association, Mr. Ken Ukoha, told newsmen in Abuja that the move was part of efforts to enhance Nigeria’s industrial and investment climate. APGA: Court restrains INEC A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from giving effect to the decisions taken at the convention of the All Progressives Grand Alliance convened by Chief Chekwas Okorie. At the convention held on the second of this month, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Chief Victor Umeh and Alhaji Sani Shinkafi were said to have been sacked from APGA. The court, presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole ordered INEC not to act on the resolutions reached at the convention until the suit seeking to establish the authentic leader of APGA was determined by the court. The ruling followed a motion brought by Chief Victor Umeh informing the court that its order of first September, 2009, suspending the Chief Okorie led convention was disobeyed. However, counsel to Chief Okorie, Mr. Godwin Uche told the court that they were not served with the order restraining them from holding the convention.
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