The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • X-raying Jonathan’s form donations

    The cost of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Presidential Nomination Fee and Expression of Interest Form has been fixed for N22 million.

    President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the sole candidate of the party, realised N99.915 million from donations and pledges, bringing the cash to over 354% of the amount needed to obtain the form.

    The donations, which came from individuals, associations and communities, warranted two statements to be issued last Wednesday from the office of the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

    The office had to update the first statement to capture the latest donations received after it was issued.

    While the N22 million donations from PDP governors is expected, but the motives for donations from widows and people with disabilities who need more financial and moral supports from the society, cannot be clearly placed.

    No doubt, this is just the beginning of more donations to come as the campaign begins in earnest.

    But what are the real motives behind the N99.915 million donations and pledges? Are they genuinely given out of love for Mr. President or as gratitude for the past or as part of a larger plan towards future selfish gain?

    Maybe the President needs to pause a little and really take a critical look at each of the donations ranging from N5,000 to N22 million in order to unveil the true motivations behind them.

    Those who donated  include: Mr. Kennedy Ikenna Odoeme – N5, 000, Mr Ezemagu Sunday Nnamdi – N10, 000, PDP Governors – N22 Million, Transformation Agenda of Nigeria  (TAN) – N22m, Ogbia LGA Stakeholders, Bayelsa state – N5m, Otuoke Community Stakeholders – N2m, Brass LGA Stakeholders, Bayelsa state – N50, 000, Bayelsa State PDP Stakeholders- N5m, Northern Youths Forum – N2m, Central Market Traders Union, Kaduna State – N1m, PDP Stakeholders, Zaria LGA – N500, 000, PDP Stakeholders, Yobe State – N500, 000.

    Others are PDP Stakeholders, Kaduna State- N2m, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore – N5m, The Goodluck Support Group, Gombe State – N1m, Adamawa State PDP Stakeholders – N3m,  Ebonyi State PDP Stakeholders- N2m, Kogi State PDP Stakeholders – N5m, Rivers State PDP Stakeholders – N5m, The 2015 Project – N1m, Team Goodluck, Ondo North Senatorial District – N5m, Middle Belt PDP Women Support  Group for GEJ 2015 – N500, 000, King David Generation Foundation, Jos – N200, 000,  Behwong Weneng Yere Duk, Jos – N200,000, Redemption 3 Youth Organization, Plateau State – N500, 000,  Plateau State Indigenes Association, Abuja – N300,000, Gombe Youth United for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan 2015 – N500, 000, Gombe Youth Vanguard for PDP- N500, 000, Yamahu/Deba Goodluck Support Group – N200, 000,  Coalition of Gombe Support Groups for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan – N2m, Hinna Youth Coalition for Goodluck – N500, 000, Nigerian Women Pray for Jonathan – N1m, National Association of Widows – N100, 000, National Council of Women Societies – N500, 000,  Female members of the PDP Board of Trustees – N500,000, Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities – N100,000,  National Association of Market Women – N500, 000, Community Awareness and Development Network – N1m.

    The Presidency also got donations from Presidential View And Endorsement Platform -N200,000, Association of South East Town Unions – N300,000, Goodluck Jonathan 2015 Online Group – 250,000, The Light Network for Jonathan 2015, Lagos State – N300,000, Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos State – N200,000, Oghareki Graduate Association for Jonathan, Delta State – N500,000.

    Another poser is where will the balance of the donations in excess of the cost of the form go to. Will it go to the motherless babies homes or be held back for the campaign proper.

     

    Avoiding NFF crisis

     

    Every deliberate efforts were made last Wednesday to show the neutrality of the Presidency in the crisis that engulfed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    The occasion was the presentation of the African Women Football Championship (AWC) trophy and the victorious Super Falcons to President Gooduck Jonathan before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting.

    The crisis in the Nigerian football house that day had centred on the current President, Amaju Pinnick and the factional President, Chris Giwa, who had headed to a general law court, which was threatening sanctions from FIFA. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has jurisdiction over such cases.

    But by Thursday, Nigeria escaped the wrath of FIFA as Justice Ambrose Allagoa of the Federal High Court sitting in Jos struck out the suit filed against the NFF by Chris Giwa-led group.

    Pinnick, before the court struck out the case, was among the delegation that accompanied the Super Falcons to the Presidential Villa on Wednesday and seemed not to be given proper recognition as the head of the Federation that won the AWC trophy.

    He was first ommited when the master of ceremony, the Principal Secretary to the President, Hassan Tukur was making introduction of some of the delegation that came with the team.

    The NFF President or the name of Pinnick was also not mentioned among the group to present the AWC trophy to President Jonathan at the brief occasion witnessed by cabinet members.

    The master of ceremony had mentioned Sports Minister, Super Falcons’ Captain and the teams’s coach as those that will present the trophy to Mr. President.

    Probably because he is a native of Delta state, which is known as the ‘Big Heart’ of the nation and popularly referred to as ‘Delta no dey carry last’, Pinnick rose up and joined the group to present the trophy to President Jonathan.

    He did not fail to enjoy every bit of the ceremony as he posed with others for photo shots with the President and the AWC trophy.

     

    FCT Council of Chiefs, Area Councils endorse Bala Mohammed for longer tenure

     

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of Chiefs and the six area councils last Wednesday were unanimous about improving development in the capital city under the Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed.

    Paying a courtesy visit to President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, they declared that they have never had it so good in the city than with Mohammed as FCT Minister under Jonathan’s administration.

    The delegation, including Chairman FCT Council of Chiefs, HRH Alhaji Adamu Baba Nisa, Sarki Jiwa, HRH Idris Musa, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Bada, Robochi, Kuje Area Council, Etsu of Bwari, HRH Ibrahim Yaro, Agura of Zuba, Mohammed Umar, Sakari of Karo, Emmanuel Shota,  FCT PDP Chairman, Y.Y. Suleiman, Senator Philip Aduda, Senator Jubrin Wowo, Chairman, Kwali Area Council, Hon. Ibrahim Daniel, Chairman Abaji Area Council, Hon. Yahaya Garba, among other demands begged Mr. President to continue to retain Mohammed as the Minister of the territory.

    While making his remartk, Alhaji Baba Nisa said: “Mr. President, we thank you very much for sending Bala Mohammed to be our Minister. If there is anything required of us, we will support him and support you because we want him to remain in the FCT. He has done a lot for us.”

     

  • Senator praised for empowering residents

    Senator praised for empowering residents

    The Chairman of Kwali Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Ibrahim Daniel has expressed gratitude to Senator Philip Aduda for his empowerment programme in all the area councils.

    Hon. Daniel gave this commendation during the flag-off of the distribution of cars and motorcycles as part of his empowerment programmes for PDP stakeholders in the six area councils and wards.

    According to Daniel, Aduda has done what no Senator had done in the areas of infrastructure, provision of social amenities, effective representation in the Senate and empowerment programme for the FCT residents.

    However, the Commissioner representing the FCT in the Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Hassan Sokodobo has affirmed the FCT endorsement of President Good-luck Jonatham as well as Senator Aduda because of their uncommon transformation they have exhibited. He called on residents of the FCT to support them in their second term bid because of their performance.

    “We as a people in the FCT have looked around and discovered that there is no body that has ever met our aspirations as Aduda since the inception of democracy. I can tell you authoritatively that there is no ward in all the area councils that has no one of Aduda’s project or the other,” Hassan said.

    Six jeeps and 62 motorcycles were distributed to the six area councils and 60 wards of the FCT respectively. Alhaji Musa Yahaya, one of the beneficiaries from Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) praised Aduda for his gesture.

  • Insecure, polluted Karmo market

    Insecure, polluted Karmo market

    ITS fame does not match its challenges.

    Karmo Market in Abuja Metropolitan Area Council (AMAC) is like any other in any rural area. It is one of the largest markets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) but lacks basic infrastructure.

    It is located almost near the centre of the town a few kilometers away from the Central Business District (CBD). Not only do residents troop in every Tuesday to buy or sell, traders from neighbouring towns and states, especially Zuba in Niger State, also visit the market to sell their wares.

    While Karmo town still grapples with lack of good road infrastructure, safety remains a thing of concern for residents and traders. Traders are either wracked by the fear of the unknown or they are worried about demolition, a common trend in the FCT Department of Environmental Control.

    Apparently, one of the challenges Karmo traders experience is that of renting standard shops. This is even as they complain over losses incurred on goods worth millions of naira due to lack of proper structures. The traders also wonder why the Abuja Metropolitan Area Council (AMAC) demands N5,000 fees annually and N200 extra charge on every market day and yet refused to develop the market.

    What has become a daily nightmare for motorists and a major concern for traders in the market is the unavailability of parking spaces for vehicles. As a result, motorists stop by the roadside to pick, drop passengers or offload goods at the detriment of other motorists as it most times results in traffic disorder.

    This is also compounded by traders who conduct business transactions by the road side. They prefer to push their wares closely to the single-lane road which links it with the popular Berger Roundabout to Die-Die/Kubwa Expressway. This, according to a commuter, is to attract customers.

    On the security situation in the market, traders often times lament the illegal operation of security officials.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that security officials deployed to some areas in the market allegedly extort money from commercial drivers, an act far from their official duty which is to ensure protection of lives and properties.

    Despite these unpleasant situations, Karmo Market appears to be the favourite choice for buyers and sellers among other local markets in the territory.

    Its proximity to the town and affordable cost of commodities could be reason for its popularity.

    It is a place of choice for residents who cannot afford to visit the popular Exclusive Stores and Malls.

    When markets in developed societies are provided with basic infrastructure such as power, effective water supply; security and horticultural designs, little or none of these are found in ‘Karmo’ and other market premises across the territory.

    However, as good as it may appear, a visit to the market revealed urgent need of adequate security for the people, especially on every market day.

    Meanwhile, Chairman of the market association, Mr. Michael Ifemenam said about 10, 000 traders visit the market weekly.

    Obviously, the conditions in the market indicate that the traders are susceptible to danger, even in the current security situation in the country.

    There is the presence of a handful of security operatives mainly at the entry and exit of the market while few security officials were seen patrolling the road, with the sole aim of easing traffic congestions.

    However, some of the traders who spoke to our correspondent demanded adequate security in the market.

    A dealer in DVD, audio and tapes who identified himself as Ayotunde said: “Insecurity in Abuja will be a child’s play when compared to what may happen if there is any bomb blast in this market; the death toll will be outrageous. That’s why we need serious security here. It’s very important.”

    Another trader, Austin Seal who deals in phone accessories said he had been operating at the market for over three years, adding that the issue of insecurity was never a concern until the recent bombings in the FCT.

    He further said there was the need for commitment on the part of security officials saying.

    He said: “I don’t think government is bothered about security in the market, but the market association provides security every market day. There is a police station nearby. The officers also go round to monitor any breach of the peace.”

    On his part, John Paul, a student who trades in used phones at the market, accused security officials of unlawful extortion of money from drivers who stop-by to pick passengers.

    He added that security of lives and properties in the market was of little or no interest to them.

    He said: “Most of the security officers are interested in extorting money from commercial drivers and care less about the security of people inside the market. They need to ensure that there is no one carrying something that can harm another person.

    Mrs. Sarah Eniola also who demanded adequate security said: “The market is not that dangerous if there is security. So, government should increase the number of security personnel in the market. We have been under God’s protection.

    “With what is happening in the country currently in terms of insecurity, we are not safe, but we hope God will be by our side.”

     

    Request forhygienic environment

    While the issue of insecurity remained a huge challenge for the traders, they also have issues with the unhygienic condition of the market.

    Some who spoke to our correspondent in confidence expressed worry over the persistent collection of taxes and issuing of tickets by AMAC, even as the market remained undeveloped.

    The officials of AMAC are being accused of coming with some fake government documents to collect taxes. It was gathered that any trader who fails to pay will have his goods seized and taken away and may not be retrieved.

    The traders also lamented that while the taxes are collected, there is no tangible development in the market. The unhygienic situation of the market has seemingly taken its toll on sellers of edible food commodities. This is as they lament shortage in patronage from customers who are weary of filthy condition of the market.

    Some source said: “Sometimes they even come with police. I don’t know if operating with police personnel is legal or not. If you don’t pay, they will seize your goods and go away like that without minding to tell you where to come and reclaim the goods. It is too bad.

    “It is not a healthy place for people to come and do business. It is also not a healthy place where people should sell eatable things. This is a part of Abuja; they need to improve on this.”

    Emeka Ukewize, who sells footwear, also expressed his displeasure on how the filthy environment has affected volume of his sales. He said: “Imagine what you are seeing around. Look at how everywhere is dirty. The road is bad and everywhere is littered. The environment is unhygienic.

    “Despite the fact that we are selling food items, the environment is so dirty. Some people will not want to patronise us because of the dirty environment. So, we need permanent shops so that we can sell our goods and services.

    “We pay AMAC N50 and some N200. Upon the money we are contributing, the entire market is dirty and unhealthy.

    “Sometimes, government will just come with bulldozer and demolish shops for no just cause. It’s not as if they are ready to erect any good structures. They will just demolish the entire place and it becomes empty. I don’t understand the kind of government we have.”

     

    Need for appropriate market structure

    There is also the demand among the traders for appropriate market structure. This they considered most important, aside from security; perhaps, because of the losses they recorded during demolition of their kiosks and the effects of downpour during rainy season.

    The traders urged the government to provide them with standard shops.

    “If government can provide a place for us to sell our goods, it will be most appropriate. If they cannot, they should provide us with land.

    So, anyone that has money to build shop can do so,” Ayotunde said.

    Mrs. Eniola said: “We need shops that the traders can rent, especially during this rainy season. The rain has destroyed our goods. So, government should come to our aid.”

    Chairman of the Market Traders’ Association, Ifemenam said demolition of their shops is the major threat, even as he said proper market structure should be provided for the traders.

    He said: “Demolition is our major challenge here. It is not up to three months they came to demolish this place. They came with soldiers, police and other security agents to destroy our properties.

    “They always come every three months. There are neither roads nor shops. So, if we decide to build, they will come and destroy what we had built. We have lost millions of Naira in this place. About three months ago, it was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) who helped us to prevent the officers who came to demolish our shops. She told the officers to provide an alternative place for us before demolishing our properties.

    “Government is not doing anything here. They don’t even know that there are people here, except when it is time to pay the annual N5, 000 fees. Apart from that, every trader during market days pays between N50 and N200 to government.”

    Mr. Ossai Sunday, who sells palm oil, urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to provide the needed infrastructure in the market.

    He stressed the need for government to provide good roads across the market and put in place health facilities in case of emergencies.

    “Some people collect N50 from us at every market day. At times, they

    demand N200 as money to build modern market for us. But up until now, we have not seen anything. They have the right to collect such money but it should be

    used for the right purpose,” he said.

    Efforts made by our correspondent to speak with security officials at the nearby police station were futile as they said the person competent to speak on the matter was not available. However, a police source said the police are aware of the present security situation.

    “We are aware of the security challenges. As you can see, our officers are all over the place controlling traffic and ensuring that the traders are safe,” he said.

     

    AMAC ignorant ofmarket ticketing

    Investigation revealed that AMAC was aware of the extortions but unaware about the collection of taxes. There were indications that several groups who are not staff of AMAC had been extorting money from the innocent traders. It was an entire

    blame-trade when AMAC accused Karmo traditional ruler of alleged extortion. Incidentally, the traditional ruler alleged it was AMAC that extorts money from traders through its personnel.

    In an effort to further seek clarification on the matter, Head of Information and Communications, Mrs. Patience Olaloye referred our correspondent to the council’s Head of Marketing. Efforts were also made to reach the Director of Revenue of the council which did not yield any positive result as at the time of filing this report.

    Several calls were put through to the AMAC Head of Marketing who was identified as Madam Christy. She explained that AMAC only demanded N50 from the traders on every market day and not N200 as claimed. She also denied collection of annual N5, 000 tax from the traders.

    Christy alleged Karmo traditional ruler and youths in the area might be responsible for the exploitation.

    “We know the Chief of Karmo and other youths in the area do collect money from them but we, in AMAC only give out N50 ticketing to all traders,” she said.

    On provision of a permanent market structure, she said AMAC had begun talks with the FCTA and efforts are being made to build a permanent market in the area. According to her, the council did not have a temporal location for the traders but it was inappropriate for them to carry out their trading activities in the area.

    “There is no temporary place for them now. FCTA has promised to make available a permanent place for them. So, the process is currently in the pipeline,” she said.

    Responding, Karmo traditional ruler, Alhaji Suleiman Adoga told

    our correspondent, through Suleiman Ishaka that AMAC was responsible for the annual tax. He said AMAC sent some officials to every shop in the community to demand the N5, 000. Who then is reaping off the traders?

  • ‘Let’s promote peace, national integration’

    They looked like military men in full regalia. They were properly dressed with cadres hanging from the shoulders to their chests. Most were in their late 50s and 60s; some armed with sword tightly fitted to complement their rank; either as a commanding officer or to perfect the amazing outfit. Obviously, from all indications, they are not military men but members of Knight of St. John.

    The day was set aside to celebrate emergence of the first Nigerian and African to be elected into the position of the World Supreme Council of the ancient Christian organisation held at the Supreme Convention in Columbus, Ohio. Members of the knighthood converged on Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral Abuja to celebrate one of theirs, Lt. Gen. Dan Anaebo who was unanimously elected into the new position last week as second Vice-President of Knights of St. John International, New York.

    Anaebo, who was former member Board of Trustees (BoT), advanced higher as he became the first Nigerian to attain the rank of Lieutenant-General in the Catholic Order.

    For many, the Christian group is just a pack of old men in knighthood uniform but for those who understand their purpose, Knights are regarded as ‘Soldiers of Christ’. They are a convergence of professionals in various fields, including architecture, ex-military red necks, doctors, engineers and media practitioners, among others.

    They are known for their commitment to spreading the Gospel, vigorously helping the needy, fostering growth and protection of the church, especially the Catholic family.

    Following the end of the Civil War, there was critical need for physical and spiritual healing. This led to the merger of Christian organisations, including the Knights of St. George, the Knights of St Paul, the Knights of St. Louis and the Knights of St. John to form a greater society of Knights in 1879.

    They met in Baltimore, Maryland and formed themselves into the Roman Catholic Union of the Knights of St. John, later shortened to the Knights of St. John. According to reports, the Order was officially incorporated in the State of New York on May 6, 1886. They thereafter worked to care for spiritual, social and physical needs of their members and neighbours. In the pattern of the Knights of the Crusade, they cared for the victims of the war by establishing a Widows’ and Orphans’ Funds.

    The Order continued to grow and expand into Canada, Panama, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Liberia, Sierra Leone; Trinidad and Tobago and recently into England. In 1992, the name of the Order was officially changed to the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) to reflect the global nature of the Order.

    During the KSJI’s last convention, Ohio State Governor, John R. Kasich, said in his address that since 1879 when the KSJI headquarters came to the United States, “the Knights have diligently sought to care for the spiritual, social and physical needs of members and neighbours. Your dedication to your communities is remarkable, and you should be proud of the impact you have made. We commend your dedication to religious action, education, charitable benevolence, fraternalism, athleticism, patriotism and community. Your dedication to the mission of KSJI has

    made our world a better place.”

    At the thanksgiving Mass held in honour of Anaebo at the Pro-Cathedral, he attributed his success to commitments to preaching messages of peace in churches and everywhere he goes.

    Within the past 24 years, Okekenta has been serving as an officer of the Order in many capacities, not limited to Parish, Archdiocesan and National levels. He has been a member of the Supreme Council since 2003.

    Anaebo said he felt humbled to be elected into the position. According to him, it was not as a result of being the best of all but solely the grace of God on his life. He expressed concerns on the state of the nation, especially on insecurity and its peaceful co-existence.

    Though several stakeholders had come up with various approaches towards ending the uprising, he said the security situation in the country could only be solved through a collective approach by every individual. He added that it, however, became necessary to avoid split of the nation’s territorial jurisdiction.

    “Today, security is a challenge but I believe with collective efforts, God will grant the grace to seek peace and promote national integration of our country,” Anaebo maintained.

    The Archbishop of Abuja, Revd John Onaiyekan described Anaebo’s promotion as opportunity to promote spiritual interest in the church.

    According to Onaiyekan, Anaebo is the first Nigerian and African to be elected into such position. He expressed optimism the hierarchy would have a great positive impact on the growth and development of KSJI.

    Colleagues of the celebrator, shortly after the thanksgiving Mass, held a special march past (parade) for Anaebo. It was a display of almost a perfect demonstration joined by their female counterparts known as Ladies Auxiliary.

    Other elected officers of the Supreme Council were Supreme President-General, Dale Gossiaux, First Vice-President-Lieutenant General, Ton Deluca, Supreme Secretary/Adjutant-General- Lieutenant General Ton Zdanowicz and Treasurer- Lieutenant General, Terry Mc Cann.

    Others were Trustees –Major-Generals Martin Bela and Dennis Adjei, (Justice of

    Ghana’s Court of Appeal) and Inspector-General –Major-General James Gibbon. They have all been installed and have commenced work.

  • Monarch inaugurates committee on poverty alleviation

    The Ona of Abaji and Chairman of Council of Traditional Rulers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, has inaugurated a six-man committee on poverty alleviation in a bid to reduce the level of poverty in the area.

    Other members of the committee are the Sarkin Gabas of Abaji, Alhaji Kamal Adamu Shuaibu, as Chairman, Dan Maje of Abaji, Alhaji Salihu Abdullahi, Secretary and Etsu Gupa of Abaji, Alhaji Ali Sokodabo, Shaban Nupe of Abaji, Alhaji Ibrahim Yahaya Suleiman, Alhaji Yusuf Adamu Baba and Mr. M.I. Kakamba.

    While inaugurating the committee at his palace, Alhaji Yunusa said the level of poverty bedeviling residents of the council informed the setting up of the committee.

    He further said the poverty alleviation committee would create an opportunity for the unemployed, especially youths to be engaged in any kind of petty business or hands/skill acquisition programme.

    According to him, the committee would intensify efforts in reaching out to Federal Government, corporate organisations as well as some international donor agencies to support the committee.

    “At least, if some of these youths will have something doing, it would, no doubt, divert their attention from engaging in social vices to productive ventures. This is so because, a situation whereby there is high level of poverty in a society, the next thing for such youths is to either engage in political thuggery or any form of crime,” he said.

    The monarch therefore urged members of the committee to devote their time to ensure that the scheme becomes successful, even as he urged residents of the council to continue to live in peace with one another.

    Responding on behalf of the committee, Alhaji Kamal Adamu Shuaibu, praised the monarch for the initiative and for finding them trustworthy to carry out the assignment.

    He assured the monarch of the committee’s readiness to carry out the assignment diligently, such that, the high level poverty in the council is put to its barest minimum.

    “Your highness sir, this committee also shares the pains you feel over the high level poverty in the council, and we shall try our best to ensure that both our youths and women have something doing at the end the day,” he assured.

  • Stepping into Maku’s shoes

    The Minister of State II for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed last Wednesday  took over the weekly post-Federal Executive Council (FEC) briefing of journalists.

    The immediate past Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, who resigned his position to contest the governorship election in Nasarawa State, was saddled with the responsibility of leading some ministers to the weekly briefing.

    But Nurudeen Mohammed, who was named as the Supervising Minister of Information, replaced Maku last Wednesday and had his first session with State House correspondents.

    He led three ministers to the briefing who included the Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Steve Oru and Supervising Minister of Health, Khaliru Alhassan.

    Nurudeen introduced another style during the briefing which was remarkably different from the way Maku handled his briefings.

    Although his style, initially divided journalists in the State House, but at the end, most of them believed that it was better as it will prevent repetitions and save time.

    His style of briefing was straight forward as he began the briefing by first reading out all the resolutions and contracts approved by FEC that day and then moved straight to the question and answer session.

    He allowed the concerned ministers to respond to questions raised by journalists on the resolutions and the projects approved by the Council.

    Maku’s style, over the years, had been first going through the resolutions and projects approved by the council himself and then allowed the concerned ministers to make remark again on the projects before allowing journalists to ask questions which will be answered by the concerned ministers.

    Journalists, during Maku’s tenure, had wanted either the concerned minister for any particular project approved at the FEC meeting be allowed to speak alone on the issue before question and answer session or Maku to just go through the resolutions and approvals and move straight to question and answer session.

    Those, who initially kicked against Nurudeen’s style, last Wednesday, felt that a minister whose project was approved by FEC may not have the opportunity to say something about the project when no question is asked by journalists on the project during the briefing.

    They wanted a situation where they could get television shots of each minister while speaking at the briefing session.

    But at the end of the briefing, the consensus among journalists was that Nurudeen’s style was straight to the point and will save production time.

     

    Seven ministers’exit: what next?

     As at Monday last week, it was not very clear how many of the seven ministers, who indicated interest to resign from the cabinet for further political ambitions had tendered official letter to that effect.

    The ministers, who indicated interest to leave the cabinet a fortnight ago, included Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Samuel Ortum, Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Dairu Dickson Ishiaku and Minister of Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu.

    But the picture concerning their exit became clearer last Wednesday as none of the seven ministers showed up for the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    While announcing the names of the seven ministers a fortnight ago, President Goodluck Jonathan had given them the grace to reconsider their decision up till Monday, October 20, 2014.

    Jonathan had said: “But if they change their plans, they will continue to be with us. But after receiving their letters and they change their minds, it will be too late. So, if they have to change their minds, they have to change their minds before sending the letter to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.”

    With the doors now shot against them, they have no option than to face the governorship race ahead of them.

    Lobbying for their replacement is already on top gear even though President Jonathan had, on Wednesday last week announced Supervising Ministers for the concerned portfolios, except for Minister of State for Education, where the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs I, Prof. Viola Onwuliri was moved to as substantive minister.

    The President, in the next few days, is expected to send the names of new ministerial nominees, who will take charge of the portfolios in substantive capacity, to the Senate for consideration and confirmation.

     

    Raising ‘Super Eagles’ from agriculture

    It is a common practice in schools for a teacher to punish a student who has committed an offence by sending him or her to work on the school farms.

    The punishment could be to weed the farm or to plant crops or be involved in the process of harvesting the crops.

    At the end of the day, the teachers are the main beneficiaries of the final output from the school farms, while many students who have undergone such punishment only see agriculture as punishment.

    But while flagging off the National Schools Agriculture Programme (NSAP) at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja on Monday last week, President Goodluck Jonathan vowed to change such perception.

    Everything, he said, will be done for secondary school students not only to see agriculture as a business and means of livelihood, but he also hoped to see the students grow to be ‘Super Eagles’ in the league of Aliko Dangote and Tony Elumelu, who are investing massively in agriculture.

    He also looks forward to a situation where the secondary school students will not rely on cutlasses and hoes but use tractors and other modern tools in the school farms.

    This is definitely a tall order and I know Nigerians are anxiously praying and waiting for such revolution in agriculture to, at least, ensure food security and to tackle the issue of unemployment among the teeming youths.

  • ‘We are committed to improving people’s welfare’

    The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Micah Jiba has urged residents of the council to be patient and support his administration to enable him to deliver dividends of democracy to them.

    Hon. Jiba, who made the appeal while speaking with newsmen, said his administration has not completed projects that would improve the lives of people, saying that there are more projects to be put in place which would enhance the living standards of the residents.

    According to Jiba, government that means well for the people does not stop delivering dividends of democracy to its people until the last day of its administration, adding that his desire was to improve on the living standard of the people the best way possible.

    “There are many people that we are yet to reach in the council, mostly at the rural areas. I believe that with the remaining period before the administration’s tenure elapses, we will be able to reach out to them. We will ensure that nobody is left out as government works hard to improve the standard of living of the people.

    “My desire is to reduce poverty among the people at the rural areas to the minimum. They are part of this administration and they need us to improve their living standard.

    “That is why we always go back to our people to find out what they need. If they tell us their immediate needs, we will ensure that we provide them for them. That is what we are still doing because; we have to satisfy our people. We cannot afford to disappoint them,” he said.

    In a related development, Hon. Jiba has vowed to make local government areas in Nigeria autonomous, if given the mandate to become the next National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

    Hon. Jiba, who spoke during a press briefing in Abuja, said he did not see the reason for local government, which is part of the three tiers of government, cannot be autonomous, since over 70 per cent of Nigerians are from the grassroots and the local government.

  • Minister pledges commitment to Abuja Master Plan

    Minister pledges commitment to Abuja Master Plan

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has vowed to implement Abuja original Master Plan even if it results in stepping on toes.

    Senator Mohammed said the FCT Administration is committed to correcting all distortions on the Abuja Master Plan.

    He warned that all encroachments into lands originally mapped out in the Master Plan must be reversed, adding that Abuja will not be allowed to go the way of other cities in the country.

    Senator Mohammed stated this after the FCT Executive Committee meeting.

    In a statement issued by the Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, he said when identified and recovered, all plots encroached into will be deed in the names of respective secretariats, departments and agencies (SDAs).

    The FCT Executive Committee also approved the immediate set up of a committee to identify all violations on the Abuja Master Plan in order to reverse such violations.

    The committee is headed by the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr. Adamu Ismaila. Other members of the committee are the FCT Directors of Land Administration, Development Control, Abuja Geographic Information System, Urban and Regional Planning, Mapping and Survey, Parks and Recreation as well as representatives of the FCT Transportation Secretariat and Social Development Secretariat.

    The minister noted that President Goodluck Jonathan had expressed concern over the unwarranted violations of Abuja Master Plan and directed that such encroachments should be reversed as they affect the Abuja Master Plan.

    He instructed the committee to identify all the violations and extent of the violations in order to urgently remedy them because, he said, no part of the Abuja Master Plan would be compromised.

    He emphasised that the committee’s job is key to restoring the Abuja Master Plan, even as he urged members of the committee to take the assignment seriously by giving it the attention it deserves.

  • FCTA spends N4.4b on mass transit

    FCTA spends N4.4b on mass transit

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has said that the FCT Administration has spent N4.4 billion as intervention fund for the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO) in five years.

    Mohammed spoke during the FCT Executive Committee meeting.

    The minister recalled that the Abuja Investment Company Limited has spent N1.6 billion on similar intervention from 2007 to date, adding that a total of N6 billion has so far been spent on the transport company through the years.

    According to the statement issued by the Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, Senator Mohammed reiterated that with the total expenditure of N4.4 billion as intervention on the AUMTCO during his administration, the organisation should live up to the expectations of the government, particularly the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Meanwhile, the FCT Executive Council has approved, in principle, new package of subsidy for the Abuja Mass Transit Corridors (Operations and Maintenance), even as it has set up a committee to streamline, formalise and structure the package for its final passage.

    The FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Obinna Chukwu, heads the 8-member committee. Other members of the committee include the Group Managing Director of Abuja Investment Company, FCT Transport Secretary, Coordinator,

    AIIC, the FCT Directors of Treasury, Monitoring and Inspection, Satellite Towns Development as well as Economic Planning, Research and Statistics who serves as secretary.

    The minister said no modern city in the developed and developing world runs a successful, seamless and efficient mass transit system without subsidising it.

    According to him, the FCT Administration will provide yearly budgetary allocations to fund provision of gas, direct fixing, subventions, subsidy on tickets; purchase of high capacity mass transit vehicles and maintenance of the operating fleet.

    He directed that all transport-related plots illegally encroached upon should be immediately recovered, deed and titled in the name of the FCT Transportation Secretariat.

    “The FCT Administration will set up necessary machinery to separate the subsidy policy options for legal declaration and administrative processes,” he said.

  • ’Over 1.6m Nigerians are displaced’

    Worried by the activities of insurgents in the North-eastern part of the country which have resulted in the displacement of over 1.5 million Nigerians, a group, Social Welfare Network Initiative, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has suggested that government should introduce air bombardment to dislodge the insurgents.

    This was revealed in Abuja by the National Coordinator of the NGO, Emmanuel Osemeka.

    Osemeka also disclosed that internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps don’t have the capacity to cater for the needs of displaced persons.

    Lamenting the living condition of IDPs, the group said displaced persons lack water, clothing, light, hospital and education.

    Osemeka said: “Our organisation has just concluded an assessment tour of internally displaced persons’ camps and internally displaced persons’ settlements in the states and we can say conservatively that we have over 1.6 million internally displaced persons scattered across four states.

    “We have about 40,000 in Adamawa and Borno. As a whole, we have an estimated 670,000 and 75 per cent of them are women and children. In Yobe State, it is about 80,000. We don’t have the exact figure yet but you know government figures are reduced.

    “In Gombe State where majority of the people who live within the fringes of the states have relocated to, especially in Akko Local Government Area, the figure is over 120,000 which makes the figure more than a million.

    The coordinator, who described the condition of the IDPs as pathetic said: “The truth is that people are angry and they feel they are not part of this society. That is why they can try to fight the society and create their own enclave.

    He, however, called on relevant authorities to provide relief materials for them. “It is time we mobilised relief materials for these people and show them love before another charlatan will come and tell them that they are hated. So, it is time we began to help them and show some level of kindness to them so that whatever it is that is going on in their head will be corrected.

    “Our indecision is inadvertently recreating another monster. It is time everybody got out of their comfort zone to help the people. We have neglected them enough. We have to look for solution. I recommend that citizen intervention begins now,” he said.

    On how to end insurgency, he said the military should use air bombardment.

    “There should have been consistent air bombardment before now. Even if it lasted for one week, the insurgents would have been dislodged so that people can go back to their homes.

    “We have the issue of human rights and also the issue of protecting the territorial integrity and of course ensuring that we don’t have colossal damage. But the truth is that we will surely have colossal damage because we cannot identify the members of insurgency group except for the ones that are carrying guns and facing our military which are of insignificant number.

    “So, the military has no choice than to deploy every arsenal to end the activities of the insurgents. We cannot continue like this. We are only postponing the evil day. We have more innocent people dying and more that will die. So, it is better for us to take care of the situation now.”