2 killed, 7 injured in Okene-Lokoja highway auto crash

Lokoja – Two people have lost their lives while seven others sustained injuries in a fatal accident that occurred at Zariagi Village along the Okene-Lokoja road in Kogi on Saturday.

The state’s Command of the Federal Road Safety Commission made the announcement in a statement, signed by the Sector Commander, Mr Olakunle Motajo in Lokoja on Sunday.

Motajo said that the accident involved two vehicles, a Toyota Hilux van with registration number KG 24U 01 and a commercial Peugeot 504 station waggon with registration number Lagos BC 942 LND.

He said the vehicles had a head on collision, killing two people on the spot while seven others sustained various degree of injuries.

Motajo blamed the accident on human error, adding that wrongful over-taking on the part of one of the vehicles led to the accident.

He said that investigation on the incident had commenced.

The sector commander said that the corpses, a male and female, had been deposited at the morgue of the Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja.

He said that the seven injured victims had also been taken to the same hospital and were responding to treatment.

Motajo said the road which was blocked as a result of the accident, had since been cleared to ease free flow of traffic. (NAN)

Nigeria to leverage on Turkish expertise in energy – Nebo

The Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, has said that Nigeria in its quest for new energy mix strategy would leverage on Turkish expertise in Thermal and Hydro power sources.
The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Amb Dr. Godknows Igali, said that Nigeria offers the best environment for business not only in power, but also in heavy equipment, machineries and construction.
Speaking in Abuja while receiving the Bereket energi Group led by its Deputy Chairman, Ali Yagli and the Nigerian partner -Oral Energy Limited (the core investor of Jos DISCO), the minister commended the group for the confidence it has in the Nigeria economy, saying that the Group would not regret its decision as there are unequal potentials in terms of returns on investment.
He described their visit as the best timed against the backdrop of the shift in emphasis on hydro renewable like wind, solar and coal to power, with the enormous coal reserves that stretched from Enugu-Kogi-Benue and Nasarawa States.   Nigeria should harness these potentials to the fullest as our coal has been described as one of high quality. On the group’s request for more participation in Nigeria’s power market, the minister assured the Turkish company that other renewable like solar energy, wind are also available for exploration.
Responding on behalf of the group, Tukur Modibo, who represented, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, the Chairman of Oral Energy Ltd, said that the Bereket energi of Turkey has been a dependable ally in the on-going privatisation of the power sector.   He said the group has enormous experience that has helped the Nigeria partner to effectively operate in six states with three million customers through its Jos DISCO. With that success story, the Turkish group is ready to go into power generation.

Compressed gas: FG woos investors

Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) has called for more private investments in compressed Natural Gas (CNG) industry. This followed the successful conversion of engines of heavy-duty trucks from petrol to CNG and diesel as alternative automotive fuel by Sagas Energy Company Limited, a subsidiary of Dangote group.

Seidu Mohammed, Managing Director of NGC, who made the call during the launch of  Ikeja Conversion Centre by the Dangote subsidiary firm, and called for more investors into the project.

According to him, the Federal Government is keen on creating opportunities for industrial growth through its gas master plan and availability of more gas for end users, stressing “Nigeria stands to gain if compressed natural gas use is embraced in the country.”

Alhaji Sani Dangote, Chairman of Sagas Energy, said: “Of the 5000 trucks belonging to Dantrans, the haulage arm of the Dangote, 200 has been successfully converted to the new system for the trucks to be able to run on both gas and diesel (dual fuel usage).”

Dangote said the launch is in furtherance of the 20 years gas supply agreement the company signed with the NGC to supply and distribute compressed natural gas.

The  Sagas boss disclosed that 5000 trucks would be converted within a year and that the kit to convert 1000 are already on ground. He advised commercial vehicle owners as well as industrial and private owners to avail themselves of the benefits of the new technology.

He said his company would open more conversion centers at strategic locations across the country before the end of the year, adding that his company has trained over 30 Nigerian engineers to work in the centers and that more engineers would be trained as the company increases the centers nationwide

“Authorized conversion centers and gas filling stations would be established. We already have some of these centers in operation now. We have commenced the training of engineers and other technicians that would undertake the conversion. Our partners are here to put them through,” he said.

On the safety of the technology, Dangote allayed the fears of Nigerians: ” The Cylinder being used for automobile gas has been designed in such a way to prevent explosion. “The cylinder is bullet proof, it is stronger that armored tanks, no object can puncture it and as you can feel it. Even in extreme condition such as accident, the gas cannot explode.”

Chief Operating Officer of Prins Autogas West Africa Limited, Henry Van Tienen, explained that the conversion was a novel technology in Africa and that the use of gas either as alternative fuel or a mix blend with diesel has advantages over any other fuel currently in  use.newswatchs.blogspot.com

Lagos to develop 50-year master plan for tertiary education

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State said the state government has concluded plans to develop a 50-year master plan for tertiary education, aimed at improving the infrastructure and quality of education in the state.

Fashola who disclosed this at a meeting with students and the managements of the Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Lagos State College of Education (LACOED), Lagos City Polytechnic, youth organisations and members of the State Executive Council.

The meeting held at the auditorium of LASU to commemorate the 2,200 days of his administration and to facilitate and encourage the discussion and communication between the GOWN (which is the generic word for our higher institutions of learning) and the TOWN (the generic word for the larger society).

The governor said that the plan will soon be concluded and is a joint effort of the state executive council and the management of the state’s tertiary institutions. He said; “It will help both parties achieve their desired dream for the institutions in the state. And our dream is to ensure that the institutions have higher quality of intellectual exchange just the way it happens in other great institutions of the world.

“This will further assist our students to compete favourably with their peers in Oxford, Harvard and others. Our students in tertiary institutions are in the generation right behind us. They are the ones who in a short time will bear the responsibility to refine our crude oil, generate our electricity, produce our water, manage this university, build our trains, secure our state and country and generally be responsible for our people’s well-being,” Fashola added.

According to him, “We are dreaming of this school 50 years ahead when many of us will not be here to determine the fate of the institution. We are courageous enough to start that journey today.”

On the content of the plan, Fashola said; “Just in the way we have constructed a dedicated 24-hour Lagos Island Independent Power Project, IPP, to power public infrastructure in that axis, we will also be setting up a dedicated IPP for the institutions to provide an uninterrupted power supply,”adding that there will be new students hostel, staff quarters, and University Guest House that will help the institutions attract guest lecturers who can stay on campus to deliver their service.”

Stakeholders pledge enabling environment as French investors visit Rivers

PORT HARCOURT—THE government and organised private sector in Rivers State have pledged to produce the enabling environment for the over 10 visiting French investment groups, exploring expansionist business opportunities in the state.

At a session to acquaint some French businessmen with prospective Nigerian partners and target clients in Port Harcourt, Rivers State House of Assembly and Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, PHACCIMA, jointly guaranteed a safe business environment, while pledging to take necessary steps to secure investor’s stakes in the state.

Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly, Mr. Leyii Kwanee, who spoke for government said through proactive legislations, provision of basic infrastructure, harmonious executive/legislature relationship and sustained commitment to peace and security, Rivers has become investors’ destination of choice.

Government’s overall efforts at building investor’s confidence, Kwanee noted, are manifested in ongoing legislative debates to harmonise taxes and reduce multiple taxation on businesses in the state, expansion of energy project towards achieving steady power supply and increased investment in security, among others.

“I am delighted this forum assembled top executives of major French companies also are in the state looking at investment possibilities in the state.  This lends credence to the conducive investment environment being fashioned out by the Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration. Be rest assured that the government will encourage you,” Kwanee told the French business tourists.

Engr. Emeka Nnachukwu, President of PHACCIMA, while giving the private sector perspective, said the wealth of natural resources, availability of labour, and cohesion of the local business community through the Port Harcourt Chambers, added to the government efforts, make Rivers the most investment friendly economy in Nigeria.

Nnachukwu, however, cautioned the visitors that “To take full advantage of the Rivers enabling environment, you must not act alone. You must be guided by the organised private sector,  if not through the chambers, then certainly through a qualified agent. And you must honour the Nigerian Content Act. Otherwise you are bound to fail.”

June 12 is a unique day – President Jonathan

Abuja -  President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday described June 12 as “a unique day that has changed the political history’’ of the country.
The president made the remarks at the inauguration of the Board of the Police Service Commission held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Today is also a unique day, June 12, a date that has changed the political history of this country in one way or the other.
“In some parts of the country, some state governments have declared public holiday to mark today, but at the centre, it has not been formally recognised as a public holiday.
“We appreciate what happened on this day that you are being inaugurated, I think it is a unique date,’’ he said.
The resident made the short remarks before he gave his charge to the board chaired by former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro.
It will be recalled that precisely 20 years ago, June 12, 1993, a presidential election was held in the country in which Late Chief Moshood Abiola was believed to be the winner.
The former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida,  annulled the election which was adjudged by local and international observers to be the freest and fairest.
The annulment of the election led to crisis and outrage as well as the arrest and incarceration of Abiola, who died in detention on July 8, 1998. (NAN)

National development to be enhanced using space technology

FG to use space technology to enhance national development – Jonathan

Abuja- The Federal Government is rolling out plans to use space technology to enhance national security, communication, industrialisation and sustained socio-economic development.
President Goodluck Jonathan made this known on Tuesday when he inaugurated a 13-member National Space Council (NSC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said that given the critical place of space technology in national security, communication, industrialisation and sustained socio-economic development, the need to properly structure and drive the national space programme could not be over-emphasised.
“This informs why our administration has constituted this council with high calibre membership.
“We must evolve clear cut initiatives that will not only fast-track our industrialisation process, but one that will also see us, within the shortest possible period, to be able to build our own motor vehicles, our own boats and our own aircraft.
“We should also be able to launch our own satellite manufactured in Nigeria from a launch site in Nigeria on a launch vehicle made in Nigeria.”
Jonathan said this was a challenge not only to the members of the council, but to all Nigerians.
“We should rededicate ourselves to building a better, technologically advanced, stable and prosperous Nigeria for our children.”
He reiterated government’s unwavering commitment to the actualisation of the goal of the programme, and urged members of the Council to evolve measures that would enable the country to maximally benefit from the huge investments in the development of space technology.
The Council is chaired by the President, while Vice President Namadi Sambo is the deputy chairman.
Other members are the ministers of science and technology, communication technology, education, defence, interior and national planning.
The attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice; professors Elijah Mshelia, Vincent Olunloyo and Francesca Okeke, and the director-general, National Space Research and Development Agency, are also members of the Council.
The National Space Council is the apex body charged with the responsibility of developing policy guidelines for the country’s activities in space, in addition to monitoring the implementation of the National Space Programme. (NAN)

Church protests against the citingof motor park on her premises

IBADAN— A Pentecostal Church, Gospel Faith Mission International, GOFAMINT, has urged the Oyo State Government to intervene towards resolving the problems arising from the citing of a motor park at the entrance of the worship centre by members of the Ojoo Unit of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Ibadan.
In an appeal letter signed by the General Secretary of the church, Pastor Ezekiel Ade Ojo and the Legal Officer, Sam Adegbite, which was sent to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of  Oyo State  and the Chief Controller of Federal Ministry of Works in Ibadan, the church said members of the NURTW forcefully occupied the entrance of the church premises overlooking the Ibadan/Ilorin main highway in Ibadan on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 and turned the place into their park.
According to the church, the union came in with the support of some staff of the Akinyele Local Government Area in Ibadan and Oyo State “YES O” Corps members and destroyed the gate, the fence and other valuable property put on to protect the church premises before they moved in.
The presence of the members of the NURTW at the entrance of the Church and their characteristic motor park behaviours, such as smoking of Indian hemp, defeacating around the premises and noise pollution, have since been intimidating members of the Church, leading to a reduction in worshippers and causing tension in the area.
The place has been the location of the Church’s National Headquarters for over three decades, long before the recent construction of the new Ibadan/Ilorin dual carriage way. Apart from the large over 10,000-capacity worship centre, the Church has within the said premises a National Secretariat building, a Press, a Bookshop, a Nursery/Primary school, a Prayer house, a Hostel and some residential buildings.
Noting that the presence of a motor park is incompatible with the serenity expected around a Church and a nursery/primary school, the Church urged the Oyo State government to speedily intervene in this situation to prevent violence, as the leadership of the church may not be able to restrain the youths who feel constantly harassed by the presence and operations of the NURTW at the entrance of their place of worship for too long.

‘My eyes are on the prize’, warns Bolt

Bolt

OSLO (AFP) – Usain Bolt on Tuesday fired out a broadside at potential rivals at August’s World Athletics Championships, saying that despite indifferent early season form his “eyes were on the prize”.
The Jamaican has six Olympic gold medals to his name, and is reigning double world 200m champion and also world record holder in both the 100m and 200m.

But he sustained a blip in his exemplary career when he suffered a surprise defeat to American 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin over 100m at the Rome leg of the 14-meet Diamond League circuit last week.
Bolt was quick to laugh off critics, saying that although a hamstring teak had set him back somewhat, he was not concerned about going to the worlds having suffered a loss, only his fourth in competition since 2008.
“This season started off pretty good, but I picked up a slight hamstring problem which was a slight setback for me,” he said ahead of Oslo’s Bislett Games on Thursday.
“It’s all about training to determine if I can get back to where I need to be to try to get back breaking records.”
Bolt added: “It’s too early in the season to say what will be needed.
“Tyson (Gay)’s already there, Gatlin’s running good but got beat by (Christophe) Lemaitre, and (Yohan) Blake’s coming back from injury.
“We’ll see what happens in the coming weeks.”
Bolt, who dominated both the Beijing and London Olympics but lost his world 100m crown in Daegu in 2011 to compatriot Blake after a false start, said he was keen to notch up some more competitive racing after a prolonged period of training.
“I’ve trained very well. My legs felt great so I’m really happy,” he said. “All I need right now is some races under my belt before the national trials.”
The national Jamaican trials are where Bolt was infamously out-trumped in both the 100m and 200m by training partner Blake in 2012, just before the London Games.
That remains a fact important to remember, he stressed.
“At the end of 2008, I lost one race and won the Olympics that year. In 2010, which was my year off … Tyson beat me. Last year, Blake beat me at the national trials and I won the Olympics again, so it doesn’t say much.
“All I’m concerned about is the championships.
“For me it’s all about eyes on the prize, the 100m and 200m at the world championships at Moscow.
“I never try and think about one person. I’m definitely confident I can defend my titles.
“As I said, my eyes are on the prize.”

Gunmen kill man, steal 43 cows in Benue

Makurdi – One person was killed and 43 cows stolen when gunmen invaded a farm  belonging to Bishop Solomon Apochi of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo .
The  incident took place on June 10, at Ichama in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Daniel Ezeala, who confirmed the invasion and killing of one person in the attack on Tuesday.
Ezeala also confirmed that the gunmen took 43 cows belonging to the bishop.
The Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government, Mrs Juliana Obeta, told newsmen that there was an unconfirmed report of a truck load of Fulani herdsmen brought to Ichama last week.
Obeta said that she promptly alerted police but there was no trace of the alleged invaders.
“Unfortunately, the herdsmen later attacked on Monday night killing one person and carted away 43 cows belonging to a bishop.
“As I’m talking to you now, many people mostly children and women, are fleeing the area while we are trying to calm them down.
“The corpse of the victim has been deposited at St. Mary Catholic Hospital in Okpoga,’’  Obeta said.
She further said that police authority had dispatched their men to the troubled area to beef up security.
The chairman called on the people of the area to remain calm as the council was on top of the situation.
The state Secretary of Myettiala Cattle Rearers Association, Malam Garus Gololo, said that the Fulanis had no problem with Ichama people.
Gololo denied that the crisis was orchestrated by the Fulanis, saying that it was unknown gunmen who invaded Ichama. (NAN)