Monthly Archives: January 2013

Read more about the article Indian President Honours 15 Indians In Diaspora

Indian President Honours 15 Indians In Diaspora

Indian President Shri Pranab Mukherjee has bestowed the country's honours on 15 overseas Indians including Shri Rajkeswur Purryag, the President of Mauritius, as part of activities marking Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (BPD) 2013.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the Nigerian delegation to the convention reports that the colourful ceremony held at Le-Meridien Hotel, Kochi, India, on Wednesday.

NAN reports that the awardees were recognised for their roles in various fields of human endeavour in their respective countries of abode. Purryag, the president of Mauritius, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the PBD 2013 was given an award for his achievements in public service while the Australia India Society of Victoria was given community service award.

Others who received community service award were Mr Ashok Vaswani based in Guinea, Indian Doctors Forum, Kuwait, Tan Sri Ravindran Menon, Malaysia, Dr Salendra Singh, New Zealand and Mr Bava Pandalingal of UAE.

Other recipients of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award were Prof. Gursharan Chhatwal of Germany, for Science, Mexico based Dr Rasik Joshi for Literature, while awards for Business went to the duo of Mr Gilbert Moutien of Reunion Island and Mr Mohammed Karuvanthodi of Saudi Arabia.

Public Service award recipients were Mr Ismail Ebrahim of South Africa and Mr Subash Razdan of U.S. while Ms Patricia Rozario of UK got an award for Music while Dr Narendra Kumar of U.S. bagged Healthcare award.

Addressing the recipients and other delegates, Indian president Mukherjee commended the developmental roles being played by some Non Residents Indians (NRI), saying the Government of India was proud of them. ``While we celebrate the accomplishments of Indians in the Diaspora, we should not also forget that many of them are struggling to establish themselves and many are facing hardships,’’ he said.

He said the Indian Missions abroad have been working to solve many problems confronting the Indian Diaspora in their respective countries, urging the successful ones among them to assist the upcoming ones.

The President also urged the recipients as well as other delegates at the convention to assist India in its economic growth policy by being partners in progress in the drive towards the realisation of accelerated growth.

He said for India to regain its eight per cent economic growth, there must be high investment rate in the country with Non Resident Indians investing in Indian companies and establishing new ventures.

Mukherjee said that the government of India has set up a friendly economic regime to enable Indians abroad remit money to the country with over 67 billion Dollars remitted as at the end of Oct. 2012.

``With the knowledge and experience you have gained as academics, scholars, scientists, technologists, professionals and businessmen, you can play a decisive role in the development of India’’, he said.

NAN reports that the 2013 convention of Indians in the Diaspora was held in Kochi, India with the theme: ``Engaging the Diaspora: The Indian Growth Story’’. The day, Jan. 9, coincides with the date the father of the Indian nation, Mahatma Gandhi, returned from South Africa 98 years ago. (NAN)

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STF Arrests 9 Suspects For Allegedly Possessing Sophisticated Arms

The Special Task Force (STF) maintaining the peace in Plateau on Wednesday arrested nine persons for allegedly being in possession of sophisticated fire arms.

STF Media Officer, Capt. Slisu Mustapha, who paraded the suspects before newsmen in Jos, alleged that they were arrested around Du, Shenabe and Bisichi villages in Jos South Local Government Area of the state. Mustapha listed items recovered from them to include one AK-47 rifle, one FN rifle, one sub-machine gun, one locally made shot revolver and a locally made long revolver. Also recovered from the suspects were a bayonet, a knife and two rounds of 9mm ammunitions.

``We received a distress call through our recently launched emergency telephone lines around 10.20 p.m. on Tuesday about sporadic gunshots in the villages and responded to it immediately. ``When our men got to the scene, they combed the areas and accosted the nine suspects who tried to get away in four vehicles but luck ran out of them as they were arrested.

The media officer said the suspects claimed that they were invited by the villagers to secure them, following an alleged attack on them by some cow rustlers.

According to him, the suspects claimed that they actually exchanged fire with the rustlers in Du village. Mustapha said the suspects also claimed that it was in the process of trying to ambush the rustlers that they were arrested by the task force. He said preliminary investigation had revealed that the suspects acquired the weapons from various sources within Plateau.

``Even if there was an attack on the villages, they (suspects) have no right to be in possession of such sophisticated weapons which are not licensed.

``They have no right to take the law into their hands. They should have used the emergency lines to call our men for rescue,'' he said. Mustapha warned individuals or groups bent on fomenting trouble to shelve such idea as the STF was ready to arrest them.

``People who have made themselves enemies of peace should be prepared to face the full wrath of the law,'' he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other items recovered from the suspects included four vehicles, five telephones and some wraps of Indian hemp. (NAN)

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NSE Market Capitalisation Loses N43bn To Profit-taking

Transactions on Nigerian Stock Exchange on Wednesday bowed to profit-taking with the market capitalisation dropping by N43 billion. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the market capitalisation, which opened at N9.297 trillion depreciated by 0.46 per cent to close at N9.254 trillion.

The All-Share Index lost 132.68 points, which represented 0.46 per cent, to close at 28,956.83 against the 29,089.51 posted on Tuesday. Nigerian Breweries led the price losers' chart with N4.85 to close at N145.65 per share. It was trailed by Presco with a loss of N1.90 to close at N20.50, while National Salt lost 44k to close at N8.30 per share.

Stanbic dropped 33k to close at N11.21, while FBNH dipped by 26k to close at N17.25 per share. Conversely, NewGold, for the second consecutive day, led the gainers' chart, appreciating by N13 to close at N2,535 per unit.

Nestle came second with N3.50 to close at N710 per share, while Okomu Oil gained N2.15 to close at N49 per share. Lafarge Wapco gained N1.90 to close at N55.90 and was followed by Ashaka Cement with N1.71 to close at N20.69 per share.

The financial services sector was investors' delight, accounting for 335.08 million shares worth N2.72 billion traded in 3,396 deals. UBA drove activity in the sector with 147.58 million shares valued at N832.86 million traded in 147.58 deals.

In all, investors exchanged 455.81 million shares worth N4.06 billion in 6,980 deals. This is against the 529.79 million shares valued at N3.71 billion traded in 6,858 deals on Tuesday. (NAN)

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CBN Sells N66.9bn Forex At WDAS

The Central Bank of Nigeria (NAN) sold foreign exchange worth 43.2 million dollars (N66.96 billion) at its bi-weekly Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) on Wednesday. This information was contained in the apex bank’s Website on Wednesday after the auction.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the WDAS sale on Wednesday was smaller than the one conducted on Monday at which 150 million dollars was sold.

A dealer, who preferred anonymity, said that the action of the apex bank was to control foreign exchange in the system. "The small amount of forex sold this time around is because it is the second auction in the year.

``Again, most Nigerians abroad came in with foreign currencies during the Yuletide and that means that there is still much foreign currencies around,`` he said. The official exchange rate remained at N155.79 to the dollar at Wednesday's auction.

The dollar has remained at N155.79 to the dollar since the Dec. 19, 2012. A total of three banks participated at Wednesday’s auction against 15 banks that participated at Monday’s auction. (NAN)

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Gov. Yero Seeks Support Of Opposition Parties

Gov. Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State on Wednesday appealed to opposition parties to cooperate and support his administration in developing the state. Yero made the appeal when members of the Coalition of Political Parties paid him a visit to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the demise of late Gov. Patrick Yakowa.

`` What I expect from the opposition parties is cooperation and support, and also to try to be fair in whatever they are doing to the ruling party. `` Because without having proper cooperation and understanding, we will find it very difficult to do what is right.’’

He reiterated the commitment of the administration to partner with other political parties in order to secure, unite and develop the state. Yero assured members of the opposition parties that the government would redeem its pledges to the people.

He said the government would welcome advises and constructive criticisms that would be beneficial to the state and enable it to perform better.

`` It is always good to criticize and make comments that are positive and will make the government to adjust and also do the right thing.'' Earlier, the Chairman of the coalition, Alhaji Inuwa Ahmed commiserated with the government and people of the state over the demise of the late governor.

Ahmed, said the death of Gov. Yakowa was ordained by God, and prayed for the repose of his soul. He congratulated Gov. Yero over his elevation, advising him to shun negative acts and concentrate on developing the state. The chairman advised the governor to redeem all the pledges made to the people by his predecessor. (NAN)

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UPDATE: 5 Dead, Scores Injured In Lagos Oil Barge Explosion

At least five people were feared dead and many injured in the late hours of the morning Wednesday, as an oil barge offloading products at the MRS Jetty located at the Tin Can Island Port, Apapa Lagos exploded into flames.

The high degree explosion, which happened at about 11.30 am shattered glass doors and windows of buildings as far as 500 metres away from the jetty, including the administrative building of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ports and Cargo complex and a branch of First Bank situated over 500 metres away from the scene.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred after a barge, a small ship bringing in fuel from the mother ship and offloading into the MRS tank farm was improperly handled. The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) confirmed the barge was bearing petroleum motor spirit (PMS) commonly known as fuel.

When LEADERSHIP visited the MRS complex at 12.30pm, business activities at the port have come to a halt, with people settling in small groups and discussing the incident, which was said to have caused stampede at the port.

Officials of MRS were not available for comment and the place was filled with security operatives who barred newsmen from entering the facility. Our correspondent however sighted officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), fire-fighting vehicles belonging to neighbouring Integrated Oil Services and the Lagos State Fire Service, which came in at 1.26pm.

An eyewitness said he saw at least five lifeless bodies wrapped in white cloths and taken away to an unknown morgue before he was asked to leave the premises.

Willem Auret, who witnessed the blast from a ship on its way to Snake Island in Apapa, said he saw a tanker barge catch fire at about 11:00 local time (10:00 GMT). "The fire started slowly and then expanded into chaos, exploding more than once," he told the BBC.
"After the initial explosion, which I caught on camera, there was a secondary explosion," he said.

It took about an hour and a half for the port authorities to arrive on the scene, he said.

"First one tugboat arrived... then several others joined it in an attempt to extinguish the fire. They seem to have the fire under control now."

Nema's Akande Iyiola told the BBC that the oil depot at Tin Can Island port where the explosion occurred was owned by the petroleum company MRS Oil.

"I felt the explosion from where we are," Charles Osagie, who works at an import-and-export office in the district, told AFP.

Additional report from BBC

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Police Arraign Teenager Over Alleged Murder

A teenager, Ganiu Nurudeen, who allegedly stabbed a man to death with a broken bottle, was on Wednesday docked at a Yaba Magistrates' Court, Lagos.

The 18-year-old artisan, who lives at No. 2, Akeem St., Ogombo, Lagos, is standing trial on a charge of murder. According to the prosecutor, Sgt. Adenike Abdul, the accused stabbed one Ganiyu Okoya with a broken bottle and he was later confirmed dead. ``The deceased requested the accused to allow him to sleep in his shop, which he rejected.

``The deceased hit the accused with a plank when he refused to grant his request. ``A fight, however, broke out between them and the accused, while trying to defend himself, stabbed the deceased with a broken bottle,’’ she told the court.

Abdul said the offence, which was committed on Dec. 2, 2012, contravened Section 221 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused’s plea was taken, and he pleaded not guilty. The Magistrate, Mr M.O. Tanimole, granted the accused bail in the sum of N200, 000 with two sureties in like sum.

``Based on the defendant's plea and the circumstances surrounding the death of the deceased, I hereby grant him bail in the sum of N200, 000," he ruled. The case has been adjourned to Jan. 29 for mention. (NAN)

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508 Christian Pilgrims Return In Plateau – Official

Mr Ibrahim Kafi, Executive Secretary of the Plateau Christians Pilgrims Welfare Board, said on Wednesday that the 508 pilgrims who performed pilgrimage in Israel had returned home.

Kafi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that the pilgrims, who left the state for Israel in December 2012, returned on Jan. 3 without any case of defection. He said the board made travel arrangements for 508 out of the 1,100 pilgrims sponsored by both the state and local governments.

Kafi attributed the low number to logistic problems occasioned by prolonged strike by local government workers in Plateau. He said the state and 17 councils sponsored the 1,100 applicants, adding that the 600 others would make the trip this year. “What we are waiting for now is for the team from Abuja to come and screen them,'' Kafi said. (NAN)

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Kebbi Hajj Committee Seeks Ban On Aged Pilgrims

Leader of Kebbi Pilgrims during the 2012 Hajj, Alhaji Garba Dandiga has called for strict restrictions on aged persons travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj. Dandiga made the suggestion while presenting the report of the exercise to Gov. Saidu Dakingari on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi.

He advised that such intending pilgrims must also be made to undergo fitness test, and those who passed be accompanied by relatives who would shoulder their burden. Dandiga also advised the state government against recruiting untrained people as guides, saying some of them were caught stealing the Basic Travelling Allowances of pilgrims.

``We recommend that henceforth elderly people without guides be screened to determine their fitness, while local government guides be also screened and trained by the Pilgrims Welfare Agency to avoid encountering problems."

He appreciated the conduct of the pilgrims, which he said had earned the state a commendation letter by the Saudi Arabian Government. Responding, Gov. Dakingari commended the committee for the report, which he said was timely, and pledged to implement the recommendations.

``My administration would ensure that problems encountered bythe pilgrims were resolved, and I call on this year's intending pilgrims to sustain the exemplary conduct exhibited by the 2012 pilgrims.'' (NAN)

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1,000 People Living With HIV And AIDS Access Services In Gwagwalada, FCT – Coordinator

More than 1,000 people living with the HIV and AIDS now access services at the Gwgwalada Town Clinic, Mr Mohammed Labaran, the Coordinator of the centre said on Wednesday. Labaran told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that such services includ...

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