The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Yuletide amid tight security

    Yuletide amid tight security

    It is the season of much movement, sharing and felicity, yet, for the security community, it is a time of red alert. After the series of attacks in the nation’s capital in the not-too-distant past, and also the latest signals that terrorists may yet strike again during the festivities, security personnel are taking no chances.

    Security officials have drafted more of their men to various parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) especially the major roads.

    The military and the police force have mounted bomb detectors and road blocks on all the major roads leading into the nation’s capital.

    Some of those places are the Airport Road, Kubwa, Dede Expressway and the Nyanya-Mararaba axis.

    Top security personnel who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that Islamist fundamentalists would be prevented from causing problems.

    “We are not going to allow the Boko Haram members to disrupt this season,” he said. “We have gotten security reports that the sect members are planning to bomb major places in and outside Abuja.

    “If you observe all formations of the Army, police and the State Security Service (SSS), are involved in ensuring that this bad act does not take place. We are working day and night to avert calamity.

    “Explosive detectors are all around the city while more Army personnel are involved now as against what used to be. Nobody is above the search. The bad eggs among us will not have their way this time around. Members of the public should please report any suspicious moves if noticed.”

    Comprehensive stop and search is ongoing within the city, although at some of the checkpoints, the security agents present did not bother to search vehicles as they simply stare at every motorist driving past.

    A cross-section of Nigerians who spoke on the situation commended the action of government and urged security operatives not to relent as the sect is not resting on their oars.

    It is a general belief that the Christmas season, which is a period that Christians worldwide celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, has always been an unusual period, possibly because no other festive period could be seen as equal to it, as it stands at ushering in the New Year.

    Also, apart from ushering in the New Year, it creates a frenzy atmosphere and exciting anticipation in major cities, towns and villages of the world and the FCT is no different.

    However, since the 2011 at St. Theresa Catholic Church at Madalla in Suleja, just outside the FCT, in which many lost their lives and the continued insurgent activities of the dreaded Boko Haram, Christmas celebration in the FCT has been celebrated in low key, with most residents staying indoors and occasionally venturing out because of security situation.

    It was quite unfortunate that in as much as people will like to enjoy lives to the fullest in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the fear of safety and security measures adopted across the capital territory conspired to constrained their plans and movement.

    With the mounting security concern in the country, some of the popular places like Wonderland, Millennium Park, Abuja Amusement Park got less patronage between 2012 and 2013 Christmas celebrations, as residents of the FCT resorted to enclosed celebration within their homes, hotels, churches and visiting friends, colleagues and relatives.

    Being the seat of power and administrative hub of the nation, prominent government officials and corporate personalities also use the opportunity to pay homage to their bosses, superiors and colleagues prominent among them being the visit to the Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed and President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa.

    The situation is however getting better with government re-invigorate the frenzy mood of the season since 2012 December, up until this years December, with most Christmas decorations in almost every strategic area of the FCT, giving the mood a more sensational look.

    The FCT is unlike the East with its buzz of people returning from long stay abroad, also where indigenes often travel from wherever they reside in different parts of the world to return home to reunite and celebrate with family members, while lubricating the economy of their respective towns and it is also not like Lagos where most events are celebrated on the streets, beaches, churches and public centres with colourful carols and carnivals.

    Most people also recognised the fact that majority of Abuja residents are not indigenes of the territory, so they have to travel to their various states and local communities to celebrate the season with their relatives and old friends who they left behind to seek greener pasture in the FCT and as well use the festive period to attend numerous family and communal development meetings.

    Although, the security situation has not changed much in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria, but residents of the FCT are beginning to loosen up and the city is beginning to come back to life with hotels, worship centres, offices, shopping malls, especially banks taking the lead with Christmas decorations.

    An Event Manager, Mrs Joy SALAMI explained that Christmas is a period traditionally recognised and celebrated as a season of peace, goodwill and hope across national boundaries, that it also offers Christians a unique opportunity to reinforce this same message of love, unity, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence to none Christians alike.

    “Christmas celebration to many people, Christians and none Christians see the period as a unique one. That is why they look out for it with high expectation. One other unique aspect of Christmas is the date, which is always December 25, which everybody knows, even known Christians and it has not changed for centuries, unlike other celebrations that change from one date to the other, apart from the New Year celebration which is January 1.

    “During this period, Christians are expected to show love and oneness, by sharing gifts with loved ones, which include neighbours which are Christians and none Christians. Also, Nigerians should also use it as a period of sober reflection, preparing our minds for the New Year that is approaching after the Christmas celebration, on how we are going to enter the New Year with love and unity in our hearts,” she said.

    After the Xmas and Boxing Day celebrations, ABUJA REVIEW went round the city to ask from the residents on how they celebrated both days and their views of the security situation  although no calamity was recorded.

    Miss Blessing Mohammed expressed confident in the security operatives of the security situation in the capital city especially when no calamity was recorded during the Xmas period and insisted that she will visit relaxation centres with her family and as well visit relatives and friends apart from the church program during the New Year.

    “I am happy that Abuja is peaceful, I will also spend my New Year in Abuja with my family. So I will visit a lot of places with friends, because, it has been a long time since I went out with my friends, because of the nature of my job. It is also a time for me to give to the needy and be a blessing to others,” she said.

    The Inspector General of Police was also seen at Jabi Lake ensuring that poeple are secured having fun and he vowed that the security situation will remain tight even after the festive period.

     

  • Indigenous firm produces anti-malaria paints

    Indigenous firm produces anti-malaria paints

    In contribution to the fight against malaria in the country, Divine Rewarding Services Ltd, a subsidiary of ABS powder has invented an anti-malaria paint.

    The water based paint is said to be repellent to mosquitoes and other insects and does not have any harmful effects on humans.

    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the companyý Chief Uche Sylva stated this over the weekend in Abuja, at the launch of the product  ISONEM which comprise of sin-out the paint that dispels mosquitoes, soil water trap that ensures rain water is trapped in soils and cement mix isomix.

    He said that It is about time Nigerians tapped into the much hyped national potentials in terms of human and material resources and added that the basics of human good living and not mere existence is health, shelter and agriculture.

    He also said that isomix which is added to cement mixture helps to prevent building collapse that has become prevalent in the country.

    His words, “So with this product we are giving the fight against malaria a strategic boost and delivering better health and productivity to the populace.

    “Isomix, helps to prevent building collapse while the soil water trap is for ýgreen revolution and an all year round fruitful yield.

    This product helps to trap water in the grounds thus helping better agricultural yields and making all year round planting and harvesting a reality.

    “The positive impact of this product on our food security is better imagined.  We believe this could be one of the veritable tools for our sustainable national growth and development.

    All hands must be on deck to ensure that we retool, reequip and reposition our beloved country Nigeria to take its rightful place in the comity of nations.

  • ‘Nigeria won’t break up in 2015’

    Many seem to have peered into the future and seen a country broken up and crumbling under the weight of many challenges. But that’s nonsense, said the Senior Pastor and Leader of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement in Kubwa, Apostle Alex Ogundipe. He said that Nigeria will not break up come 2015 even though the country is surrounded by so much gloom.

    He has warned Nigerians against  prophesies of doom, saying that even though the country seems to be spiralling downward, God’s gift to man in the form of His son Jesus, tells us that there is hope even in the mist of darkness.

    Ogundipe added that God promised his son as the solution to us receiving salvation, righteousness, redemption and blessings and we do not have to do anything other than believe in his son.

    He stated this over the weekend in Abuja, at the Carol of nine lessons and declaration service, where he said that the celebration of Christmas is the celebration of the arrival of hope in the mist of so much darkness.

    He said, “I urge Nigerians not to join them to issue threats that we will be consumed and that Nigeria will scatter; let us stop the negative and profess the positive because this country will not fall apart in 2015. This country will not die in 2015, let us show our love by what we give because God showed us His love.

    “My message to Nigerians Isaiah 9 verse 1 says, never the less, this gloom shall not prevail; verse 2 says a light has shone on the people that walk in darkness that live in the shadow of death; for Nigeria it might look like we are living in the shadow of death, there is no solution or leadership but we should not focus on the know, focus on the option that is available, that Christ if you know him, you will not be engulfed by it.

    “Just like we have now, we are living in a season where there are so many deaths in the country, where the economic gloom is heavy, but in the mist of this, this celebration is to tell you there is hope, it is to tell you not to be connected with the economy of this earth but of heaven.

    “You might look at 2015 and see Boko Haram on the horizon, you see the election in the horizon, you see those involved in baby factories on the horizon and you ask when are we going to get out of this, ten years ago it was the same narrative, the only hope we have is the gift that God gave man, if you can believe him, you can access this gift.

    “To the Politicians, it is only the power of God that can get a man into any position and God is on the throne for Nigeria, politicians did not create Nigeria, God created Nigeria and he is still on the throne working in the favour of Nigeria, every evil scheme will fail, you will be surprised at how God will enthrone the government of his choice.”

    He also said, “But then God promised his son as the solution to us receiving salvation, righteousness, redemption and blessings and we do not have to do anything, that is what his words says, we do not have to do anything other than to believe that son, it is a gift.

    “It is a celebration; often time’s people have asked why do we celebrate Christmas? We are celebrating the arrival of hope, there is so much darkness all over, same was in the past, people tried religion, self righteousness and all sorts of things and there was no way out and the same thing they did is what we do now.

    “And so when you see us celebrating during Christmas, it is to state the narrative of how we got there and what where the promises.

    “When you look at the carol of nine lessons, it narrates, from the fall of man to the promise that God gave and what man needs to do to access it. It is total gift and you do not have to do anything other than to believe Jesus is the son of God which earns you redemption.

    “We are celebrating that somebody is giving you a wonderful gift of releasing you from darkness, when you have no hope for tomorrow.”

  • Memorable moment with PLWHA

    They got what they really need: love and care. The wife of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Hajiya Aisha Mohammed provided that for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) as well as other needy perons in Abuja.

    She also appealed to affluent Nigerians to donate generously to support the weak and ailing people in the FCT.

    Mrs Mohammed made the appeal while distributing gifts to people living with HIV and the less privilege at her life camp residence.

    She noted that most of the victims of the HIV virus did not know how they contacted the virus, while some got it through child birth due to the ignorance of their parents.

    According to her, some were infested by the virus through the use of unhygienic instruments in the hospitals and others got it through unprotected sexual intercourse, adding that members of public should avoid all forms of discrimination against the victims.

    She said, “The task of caring, supporting and assisting those living with this virus and the less privileged in the society must not be left for government alone. It should be a collective efforts from both the rich and the privilege in our society to assist these category of people.”

    The FCT Minister’s wife called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to join in the campaign of sensitizing members of the public, on the need to avoid multiple sex partners and other vices that could expose them to contacting the virus.

    In her welcome address, the programme Director of Al-Muhibbah foundation, Hajiya Ladi Ibrahim, said the organization has brought succour to several less privilege in our society.

    She disclosed that the foundation has provided several skills for woman under its poverty alleviation programme in the FCT, explaining that the women who acquired skills were provided with kits to enhance what they acquired.

    One of the persons living with HIV virus, Miss Gloria Asuquo commended the FCT minister’s wife for the bold step taking in putting smiles on the faces of those suffering from the virus in the FCT.

    She said that the gesture, has shown that Hajiya Aisha Mohammed is a true emancipator of the down trodden in Nigeria.

    Among the items distributed to the people included several bags of rice, cartoons of beverages, detergent and disinfectant.

  • Jonathan and falling oil prices

    Many nations whose economy is oil-based have continued to be alarmed and threatened by the falling prices of oil in the international market.

    Those who were not prepared for it are taking drastic steps to survive the adverse effect of the slump on their economies.

    One of the world powers, Russia and nations like Iran and Venezuala, have not been insulated against such falling oil prices as their economies have been affected.

    With almost 50 per cent decline in the prices since June this year, the former Russian Finance Minister, Aleksei Kudrin, has warned President Vladimir Putin’s administration of a full-blown economic crisis. He also called for better relations with Europe and the United States to improve the country’s economic situation.

    The Nigeria economy, like Russia, is majorly oil-based. But President Goodluck Jonathan has severally assured that Nigerians need not worry about the new development.

    He has given that assurance at every given opportunity since the oil prices have started nose-diving.

    Urging Nigerians to remain calm in the face of the falling global oil prices during the 2014 Christmas Carol at the State House, he noted that the country has survived similar or even worse situations in the past years.

    He also did not fail to give similar assurances during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fund raising dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Speaking during the launch of the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) and Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN) at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, he said: “The decline in the price of crude oil did not take us by surprise. For the past three years we have been engaged on a carefully designed and implemented agricultural transformation agenda.”

    “Our massive food production efforts, which led to the production of 21 million metric tons of food in the past three years, has created a buffer and mitigated the impact of the devaluation on food prices.”

    “The agriculture sector is vital for the economy of Nigeria. The recent decline in the price of crude oil further underscores the necessity to rapidly diversify our economy away from dependency on crude oil.” he stated

    In the same vein, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is now the President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which has a great role to play in the crisis, has assured that steps will be taken in the first quarter of 2015 if the situation becomes unbearable.

    She said: “This is a very challenging time as you know for OPEC and for the global crude oil wells as a whole. Quite clearly, there has been a battle of wills between certain OPEC countries, the big players and certain non-OPEC countries who are big players in the world crude oil production markets at this time.”

    “So it is a challenging time to take over as OPEC President at this time and our prayer of course is that we will be able to stabilise the crude oil prices per barrel over this period because it is critical.”

    “As many countries both OPEC and non-OPEC countries are suffering immensely. Even as we speak Venezuala has gone into austerity measures and is measuring food because they were completely dependent on oil. Angola, Algeria, Iran are all under duress as is Nigeria because it has affected our budgetary benchmark. And even non-OPEC countries like Russia who will not cut production are already seeing a drop in the value of their ruble.” she added.

    It will really be a great relief if Nigerians will be spared of any fresh economic hardship as a result of the falling oil prices.

     

    Air safety standard

    versus low fare

     

    The falling air fares in Nigeria in the past few months may have its disadvantages.

    There is fear that the price war among the airlines resulting in lower fares may be at the expense of safety standards.

    It is hoped that this is not the case as Nigerians will not want the plane crash incidences of the past to resurface.

    Expressing the fears while speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the last Federal Executive Council meeting for the year, the Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka said that his ministry is keeping close watch on the airlines.

    He said: “Recent development in the aviation sector have seen to a drop in air fares across different airlines in Nigeria. You will recall that in the past, in less than the past one year, Discovery Air and co have come on stream.”

    “So there have been increased capacity in various routes. The Lagos route that was averaging over N37,000 before, went all the way down to N14,000, even to our worry as regulators, hoping that the price wars will not lead to cuts in safety standards, knowing the high cost of maintenance with the exchange rate going up.”

    “We had some worries. But what has happened is that there is increased capacity in the aviation sector with new entrants into the fold. We are watching closely and I must tell you that airfares have gone down from what it used to be in the advent of these airlines.”

    “But again as the Christmas season approaches when people make more use of air flights all over the world, globally airlines always witness higher airfares during summer vacations, seasonal periods like Christmas. They react to demand and supply.” he added

  • Physically challenged persons urged to shun begging

    Physically challenged persons urged to shun begging

    The Social Development Secretariat (SDS) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has called on physically challenged people to avoid street begging, stressing its hazardous effect on their lives.

    Executive Secretary, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Blessing Onuh, in commemoration of the 2014 Day of Physically Challenged Persons, explained that the secretariat embarked on the gesture to discourage the physically challenged from engaging on street begging.

    Onuh, while noting that it is the obligation of the social development secretariat to carter for the people with disabilities, explained that even if they engage in begging for a whole year, the proceeds from such begging business, cannot buy them a bag of rice or a good clothing material.

    “You can attest to the fact that some of your friends have lost their lives as a result of carelessness of drivers who are ran over by such drivers. So, I encourage you not to engage in street begging because it is not good for you and the FCT administration is totally against it,” she advised.

    On the need to equip them with skills, Onuh encouraged them to always make good use of the opportunities provided by the Social Development Secretariat, to acquire necessary skills and knowledge that will make their lives meaningful.

    “The form to enroll in the skill acquisition center is free of charge. Just few months ago, some people were graduated from one of our skill acquisition center located in Bwari area council, and each of them was given N100, 000 to start life,” She said.

    She, however, solicited the contribution and support of well meaning Nigerians, both government and private, who have the resources to join hands in a philanthropic outreach, to reach out to the needy with food items, clothing and other cash donations.

    On advisory note, Mrs. Grace Adogo warned them to desist from street begging, as the social development secretariat will not hesitate to arrest anyone found on the street begging.

    Adogo, urged the physically challenged persons to remain in their various homes and camps, thereby promising them that the officials of social development secretariat would be visiting them periodically with all that they need to make life better for them.

    In his response, one of the leader of the association of the physically challenged in Abuja, Suleiman Ahmed, expressed his gratitude to the secretariat for remembering them with food and clothing materials, ahead of Christmas celebration.

    While promising the cooperation of the physically challenged persons to leave the streets, he stressed the need for the resuscitation of the facilities used by the blind.

    Some items, which include bags of rice, beans, salt, corn, millet, red and groundnut oil, as well as clothing materials were distributed to the physically challenged persons in the spirit of the Christmas celebration.

     

  • Jonathan flags off workers’ houses

    Jonathan flags off workers’ houses

    As part of efforts to reduce housing deficits, President Goodluck Jonathan has flagged off about 10,000 units of apartments in Apo Tapyi District, Abuja. The plan is under the Nationwide Workers’ Housing Scheme.

    Jonathan, who inaugurated the scheme, said his administration’s target is to deliver about 100,000 housing units in the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states of the federation.

    The President said the initiative was part of the Transformation Agenda to provide adequate and affordable houses to Nigerians particularly workers.

    He said, “The Federal Government will continue to partner with the private developers to provide affordable houses to bring down the cost houses in the country”.

    Jonathan lauded the efforts and the seriousness to the scheme by the developer, Good Homes Development Company Limited and urged other developers to emulate the entrepreneurial skills of Good Homes.

    While appreciating the kind gesture of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress to partner with the Federal Government on this very important project of providing shelter to the workers, he urged all Nigerian workers to key into the scheme to enable the government make this houses available at the scheduled time.

    According to a statement issued by the Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, the president also used the occasion to call on the Labour Unions in the country to always exploit avenues of discussion and negotiations first before embarking on any strike; stressing that strikes cause hardship to the ordinary people.

    Welcoming guests to the occasion, the FCT Minister Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed remarked that the right to shelter is an economic, social and cultural right as recognized in many national constitutions and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; noting that it is in recognition of this right that President Goodluck Jonathan Administration placed high premium on provision of housing for all in the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government.

    Senator Mohammed stated that over the period of time, FCT has been dynamic in providing initiatives such as Accelerated Development, Affordable Housing and District Development to address prevailing housing deficit.

    According to him, “the Land Swap initiative represents our strategy for leveraging private capital in the provision of infrastructure and housing with the expectation of development of 15 districts to provide houses for more than one million residents and creating 500,000 new jobs with capital inflow of about one trillion naira in the next five years”.

    On the Nationwide Workers’ Housing Scheme, the Minister revealed that the FCT Administration gave a waiver of about N28 billion on the land premium and about N550 million waiver on building plan approval.

    He emphasised that his Administration gave these waivers to make the houses even more affordable to the workers who are the end beneficiaries.

    Speaking at the occasion, the NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar thanked the Federal Government for this wonderful partnership, which he restated, would go a long way in alleviating the sufferings of the workers.

    He appreciated the waivers by the FCT Minister and urged the developers to reflect the waivers in the prices of the houses to be delivered to the workers.

    The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi at the occasion expressed the loyalty of the Civil Servants to the Federal Government.

    The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and Supervising Minister of Labour and productivity, Mrs. Akon Etim Eyakenyi and Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN, respectively also spoke at the occasion.

     

  • ‘We have lost hope’

    ‘We have lost hope’

    Even for survivors of the insurgency, some wounds may never heal. Some families do not know whether their breadwinners are alive or dead. At their camps, they are short of everything they need. OLUGBENGA ADANIKIN captures the agony of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Federal Capital Territory

    Fatimah Abdulahi, 20, is a mother of two beautiful girls. She is married to Yusuf Abdullahi, a farmer from Adamawa State. They are blessed with Fatima aged two and Zainab, who is just three weeks old. The couple lived peacefully until the enemy struck, forcing them from their home.

    Fatimah and her two children had a sordid experience before they escaped, sleeping in the bush for two days before evading the assailants. They have since joined the huge crowd of people who fled to the nation’s capital for safety.

    She and her daughters are not under any imminent threat from those who chased them out of their home, but something is missing. Where is her husband and father of her girls? Fatimah said she was not sure if her husband was alive or dead.

    Mr. Job Pitman, a 52-year-old father of nine, from Shendam Local Government Area, Plateau State, is another displaced person in Abuja.

    He recalled how his family initially sheltered under a cashew tree and lived under the worst circumstances during the rainy season. He shared the tree shade with about 200 people, he said.

    “They (their attackers) came to pursue us where we were staying. They demolished the bacha (a small makeshift wooden house). So we lived under a cashew tree. It was Madam Adaorah who came to our place to see how we were surviving and asked if it was human beings living under the tree and I answered yes.

    “We don’t have money but even if we had money, we cannot go back because of the crisis. Election is near but we cannot vote because our voter cards are in Jos. We want government to just come to our rescue and help us like this woman is helping because we have lost hope. They should help us with a place to live,” Pitman said.

    Another victim, Mrs. Hanatu Peter, 25, from Jos also lamented how she slept under the bridge with her husband and a-three-year-old daughter before she went to Kuchingoro. “We relocated from Jos because of the crisis. My husband does not have any work, so we stayed at Kuchingoro in a small batcha (makeshift woodhouse). Before then, we were sleeping under the bridge with my three months old baby. So we have been managing before God sent this aunty to us. Every time she will bring food and cloth to us and check on us.

    “I want government to build a place for us and create jobs so that we will be able to feed ourselves.”

    It is clear these groups are vulnerable. The terror has thorn their families apart, leaving indelible marks in their history. The minds of their infants have been fouled with sordid experiences.

    The Northeast is the worst hit by the Boko Haram Islamist sect, which has crippled socio-economic activities of the region. Some residents who escaped to neighbouring nations are either subjected to modern slavery or recruited into terrorist camps. According to reports, not less than 5, 000 people have lost their lives between July 2009 and June 2014 while over 650, 000 persons were displaced with an increase of 200, 000 since May 2014.

    The terror left thousands in anguish and despicable situations. Clearly, the wound will take a while to heal. The United Nations annual global trends report revealed an increasing 51.2 million displaced persons across the world, compared with 45.2 million recorded in 2012. This incidentally became a worrying trend that calls for peace and resolution among areas of high conflicts.

    “We are seeing here the immense cost of not ending wars, of failing to resolve or prevent conflict.

    “Peace is today dangerously in deficit. Humanitarian gestures can help as palliatives, but political solutions are vitally needed. Without this, the alarming levels of conflict and mass suffering that is reflected in these figures will continue,” said UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres.

    According to the Initiator of YellowJerrican Save a Child Foundation, Adaora Onyechere there was need for change of approach to address IDP needs. She emphasised how improper care of the vulnerable group could intensity insecurity in the territory. As for her, government ought to create a reliable database in that respect. Relevant NGOs and government agencies should harmonise their activities to properly address the needs.

    “The urban procession of these displaced persons is not only a major template for an increase in violence and crimes but also a corrosive fabric for rebellion and anti-government, premeditated activities through these persons who are highly gullible and detrimental to the fabric of Nigeria’s politics and government’s transformation agenda.”

    At Waru district in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abuja Review learnt that about 2, 000 refugees had stormed the community to live with their relatives or friends just for survival. A few months after, about 1, 856 persons also left the crisis-thorn region for the community. Since the town was becoming more dominated, it captured attention of philantropists and government agencies. Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) and Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs) paid visits to them to show them love. Though, an official of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) discredited the figure. According to her, about 200 displaced persons were recorded in the community.

    Meanwhile, during the launch of the Presidential Committee on Victims Support Fund (VSF) for the IDPs on July, 2014, the committee, chaired by Danjuma was able to rake about N80 billion. Danjuma alone made a donation of about N1.6b. It was recorded the highest single donation to the fund. Perhaps, that was the rationale he was made Chairman and custodian of the Fund.

    The VSF was mandated to develop appropriate strategies for the fund raising, ascertain persons, communities and economic assets affected by Boko Haram terror activities. Other responsibilities include assess and determine the appropriate support required in each case, to manage disburse or administer support to the victims as appropriate. It also include addressing related challenges as may be appropriate and advise government on other matters necessary or incidental to support victims of boko haram terror activities.

    Ironically, as the committee began its implementation, things became twisted. The IDPs demanded a change of approach. They wanted to be empowered and provided with basic necessities, rather than just being fed with staple foods. The IDPs disclosed that the relief materials were commendable but ephemeral.

  • N100m spent on anti-Ebola school campaign

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Education Secretariat has said it mounted one of the most successful anti-Ebola school campaigns in the country, spending N100m in the exercise.

    It said that the money, which was released to the secretariat prior to schools resumption, was used to purchase anti-Ebola kits and information materials to all the schools in the FCT, which enabled FCT schools, unlike some schools in some parts of the country, to resume early enough.

    The secretariat also said that in its bid to eradicate illiteracy from the FCT, the administration has provided adult literacy and vocational education for FCT residents which has so far enrolled 13,702 learners across the six Area Councils in 2014, with a payment plan of N10,000 monthly allowance to part-time facilitators.

    Secretary of Education FCT, Mallam Kabir Usman revealed this at the 2014 annual education secretariat media luncheon in Abuja where he said that the issue of perimeter fencing in the FCT schools is being given adequate attention especially in the face of security challenges being experienced in the country.

    He also said, “The outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) which was a public health emergency was also successfully tackled in the FCT. As a matter of fact, we were one of the handfuls of states in the country that was able to meet the resumption deadline of 22nd September 2014. This of course would not have been possible if we had not met all the health requirements of the Ebola respond team in the country which were closely monitored by the Nigerian Union of Teachers NUT).

    “The Minister approved for immediate release the sum of N100 Million for the purchase and distribution of anti-ebola kits and information materials to all our schools. Prior to resumption therefore, all our schools were fully equipped with the temperature scanning machines, hand sanitizers, information handbills and posters on the disease and so on.

    “In conjunction with the Health and Human Services Secretariat, we trained our teachers on preventive measures in fighting the disease and how to properly use the equipment that were distributed.

    “Although the virus has been eradicated in Nigeria, we are not resting on our oars as the distribution of these materials will continue until the health authorities tell us it is safe to stop.

    “Closure of 459 sub-standard and illegal schools, 196 in January and 263 in September 2014, across the 6 area Councils and a proposal for the certification and accreditation of 78 schools has been forwarded to the FCT Minister for approval.

    “The FCT department of Mass Education (DME) has the mandate to provide adult literacy and vocational education for FCT residents; it recruited 500 part time facilitators to man 407 learning centres across the FCT and created awareness through mobilization and sensitization visits to Area Councils, Traditional and Community leaders and market women.

    “Enrolment of 13,702 learners across the six zones in 2014, expansion of literacy services to six Nomadic communities with an enrolment figure of 189, 48 males and 141 females. The integration of formal education curriculum into Qur’anic schools (IQE) with 56 centres and total enrolment  of 2,081 learners across the zones and the FCT DME offers one of the highest pay of N10,000.00 monthly allowance to part-time facilitators.

    “For the 2014 fiscal year, the sum of N255,445,900 was approved for disbursement as scholarship to deserving students by the Minister. In the meantime, all bureaucratic conditions have been met pending the release of the funds. These include the collation and collection of completed application forms for short listing and screening of applicants for the 2013/2014 award session.”

  • Politicians urged to avoid violence

    The Chairman of Gwag-walada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Jibrin Giri has called on politicians in the area to be patient and shun violence.

    Giri said that violence has caused a lot of damages in various areas in the country and called on them to preach peace to their followers, which will help in the development of the council.

    He stated that various actions by politicians have brought about chaos in the council and called on them to always be conscious of what they do and make sure their actions benefit the people.

    Giri also called on the residents to continue to be law abiding citizens, in order to ensure a peaceful conduct of the 2015 general elections in the area.

    He further appealed on residents of the council to support his administration, as he has a lot of projects on hand that would benefit the people.

    “I am calling on all politicians to remember that they should always act peacefully and shun corruption. They should remember that the council is their home and work towards making it a peaceful place to live in,” he said.