The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • The ‘great’ man in Jonathan’s kitchen

    The Head of the Presidential Stewards in the State House, Abuja, Mr. Onuh Michael, was a shining star last Monday when he stepped out alongside 313 others to receive national honours from his boss, President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Onuh, who has put in over 30 years as a steward, has an unbroken record of serving nine presidents from Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s to Jonathan’s administrations.

    He has been attending to the domestic needs of the first family, which has given him opportunities to travel to so many countries, including the United States, Libya, Venezuela and Jerusalem.

    Not only was the 59-year-old steward, who lives in a rented apartment at Karu, Nasarawa State, given Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) Award at the 2014 National Honours Award at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, for meritoriously serving nine presidents, he was also among the three award recipients singled out for free housing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Before the award was given to him, he had earlier admitted that he had accommodation challenges, saying: “The regret I have is that for someone that has been working for his country for over 30 years, it is not good that I don’t have my own accommodation. I live at the outskirts of the city (in Karu, Nasarawa State) in a rented house.

    “My greatest challenge is coming all the way to work from a very far distance every day. Waking up by 3:00 a.m. to be at work and closing in the early hours of the morning only to be back again very early to work is a big challenge for me.” After receiving the award and listed among those to get free accommodation in the FCT, he expressed gratitude to President Jonathan for putting smiles on his face.

    He said: “The President is always full of surprises. He has done it again today.

    “I thank my God that I am witnessing this in my lifetime, that I am now a landlord in Abuja. I will ever be grateful to him.”

    Speaking on the Head of Presidential Steward at the 2014 National Honours Award, President Jonathan said: “A very dedicated steward who has survived every heads of state loyally since President Shehu Shagari. From Shagari till today, to have survived about nine presidents and nine first ladies, you must be a great man.”

  • Pray for Ebola-free country, minister urges pilgrims

    Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Oloye Olajumoke-Akinjide has appealed to intending pilgrims to Saudi Aradia to pray for Nigeria to overcome the nagging security threats and for it to clampdown on the deadly Ebola virus disease.

    Akinjide made the appeal while addressing the FCT’s intending pilgrims at the Permanent Hajj Camp, Abuja.

    She said the forthcoming 2015 general elections would be the strength of Nigeria’s democracy, adding that the country would overcome the odds through prayers.

    She said: “Like many other countries, Nigeria is passing through some challenges ranging from insecurity to Ebola epidemic. Similarly, the forthcoming general election is one that would, no doubt, test the strength of our democracy. Nonetheless, I firmly believe that with your prayers and the help of Almighty God, We shall overcome all these odds.

    “The FCT Administration had evolved effective orientation programme, medical screening, pre-and post-hajj logistics.”

    She urged intending pilgrims to reciprocate government’s efforts by being good ambassadors of Nigeria, adding that there was need for them to co-operate with the hajj officials to achieve success.

    “You should reflect Nigeria’s devotion to God by being disciplined, timely and dedicated to spiritual exercise. Let people who come in contact with you be able to see your good conduct and respect for our country, Akinjide said.

    Speaking earlier, the director, FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Bashir Muhammed said the board had conducted series of activities in line with Saudi Arabia directives for all intending pilgrims.

    He said: “We had conducted all necessary medical screenings for everyone and FCT’s administration has secured befitting accommodation for its contingents in Makkah.

    “A one-day interactive session was held for officials with stern warnings to zero tolerance of indiscipline as anybody found wanting during the exercise shall have himself or herself to blame.”

  • Ndigbo and the festivity of their day

    Ndigbo and the festivity of their day

    The Old Parade Ground in the Central Business District of the Federal Capital Territory was a beehive of activities on Monday, September 29, this year when Nigerians of Igbo extraction gathered to celebrate the World Igbo Day.

    It was a day set aside by the umbrella body of the Igbo race, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to celebrate the rich culture of the Igbo across the world.

    From hundred of metres to the venue, visitors could hear the sound of Igbo music; well dressed men and women danced to the melodious rhythm of the music. Interestingly, even though the atmosphere was a festive one, organisers of the event were, no doubt, conscious of the security challenges in the country.

    Right from the entrance of the venue, the security was tight as visitors were subjected to serious security scrutiny. The fact that the venue shares boundary with the Defence headquarters, may have contributed to the tight nature of the security put in place by the organisers.

    Dressed in their traditional Igbo attire, with flowing beads and traditional caps, among others, both young and old added colour to the event as the different Igbo traditional dresses beautified the place, conveying a typical Ndigbo style of celebration.

    Typical of an Igbo celebration, visitors were ushered into the venue with fanfare as guests were entertained by masqueraders and other traditional dances. Those who were witnessing the day for the first time may think they were watching a film that should not end. There were assorted foods and drinks for everyone’s satisfaction.

    Even though they came from the FCT with their leaders for the celebration, it was not all merriment as they found time to express their thought about various issues which include the need to promote the Igbo language at home, the need for Igbo businessmen to invest more at home rather than states outside Igbo land, the need for equal representation in governance non-imposition of candidates on the people during the 2015 general elections.

    President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Abuja, Chief Emeka Mbagha was excited about the success of the event, especially the large turnout of Igbo resident in the FCT, even though it was a working day.

    He told our correspondent that he had passionately appealed to all Igbo residents in the territory to suspend everything they were doing in order to attend the event. He was excited that the people listened to his appeal, suspending their trading and other businesses to participate actively at the event.

    Mbagha was, however, concerned about the security situation in the country. He said the problem of insecurity in the country has greatly affected his people, even though it was not restricted to the Igbo alone. He expressed optimism that the situation would be resolved through collective effort.

    The Igbo leader in Nyanya, Chief Ifeanyi Nwoye, said the importance of the celebration to them was enormous because it was a showcase for the rich cultural heritage of the Igbo, their character and their identity.

    He said: “What the Igbo are celebrating today is pure culture, custom, what to do, what to eat and what to avoid. Everything being celebrated here is totally Igbo. As men who have versed knowledge about tradition, we want to tell the world that everything we do, we do it for the Igbo.

    “Ohanaeze is the backbone of the Igbo. Anything that happens to an Igbo man here in FCT, he runs to the Ohanaeze. So, our purpose and aim is to protect the interest of every Igbo person in the FCT.”

    Also speaking, Chief Cosmas Okolo said, aside from being a day set aside by the Igbo to celebrate themselves, it was a day to celebrate the new yam festival. For Mazi Paul Nwachukwu, the celebration is a special day to the Igbo race.

    “It is meant to remember their beginning and the events that have evolved in Igbo nation until today. It will enable us to assess and re-assess all that had happened to the Igbo in the time past,” he said.

    The founder, Movement for the Restoration of Igbo People Dignity and Unity, Archbishop Chy Oriaku described the occasion as an opportunity to encourage Igbo parents to always interact with their children at home in Igbo language.

    She said plans have commenced to come up with measures to inculcate Igbo language in school curriculum.

    “If it is enforced, teaching and learning the Igbo language will be made easy. More so, in occasions like this, we won’t need to speak the English language but our Igbo language,” she said.

    Prince Bashiru Osondu Emetumah said the event aimed at preaching peaceful co-existence and progress of the Igbo Kingdom. Emetumah attributed the survival of the Igbo race to God, even as he implored Ndigbo to be at peace with other religions and ethnic groups across the country.

    President, Solid Women Initiative for Development, Chief (Mrs.) Queen Ezike urged Ndigbo resident in Abuja to always remember to invest at home.

    She said: “Whatever we make here, don’t invest all here in Abuja. Go back to Igbo land and invest your money. That is why Chairman of Chisco Transport Company has relocated most of his establishments to Igbo land, especially in Anambra State.”

    Chief Daniel Atuonwu restated the importance of the festivity and urged every Ndigbo to be united in order to forge a common front.

    “We review our activities and see what we have done well. Where we failed to do well, we improve on it. Normally, it is one thing that will bring us together. There is nothing that will bring us together here in Abuja except this celebration,” he said.

    Another resident, Chief John Okpor said there was the need for Ndigbo to come together and assess the progress and achievements recorded by the Igbo people within the previous year, adding that “we are doing these things in remembrance of Igbo Day. Every Igbo community will come out and display what they have to offer.”

  • Asking Jonathan to his feet

    It is a rare occasion for a lady to ask the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was already seated at a public gathering, to not only rise to his feet but remain standing for about five minutes.

    But, it actually happened at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday last week when the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh led a delegation of the Anglican Communion to the State House.

    The delegation was at the Villa to confer the “Primatial Award of Excellence in Christian Stewardship” on the President.

    The way the President was asked to stand up for about five minutes before a medallion was hung on his neck and the award plaque and a copy of Holy Bible were handed to him took some top officials and journalists in the hall by surprise.

    The lady, Augusta Maduegbuna, who came with the delegation and read part of the procedure for the conferment of the award on behalf of the Primate, did not only ask the President to stand up but also asked him to remain standing.

    But she did it with the authority and on behalf of Most Revd Nicholas Okoh.

    She said: “And the authority of the Primate of all Nigeria is this, the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, I now invite his Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to please rise and remain standing.”

    Many in the hall felt it would have been appropriate for the President to have been allowed to sit while the lady read through the conferment programme and the President should only stand up for the conferment proper.

    They expected the President to feel offended and to remain on his seat.

    But the President was not ruffled as everything has to do with the church that has touched his life right from his primary school days to date.

    So, as a gentleman, he obeyed the feminine voice and stood up for about five minutes as the lady, assisted by another church official, read out from the award conferment programme.

    After the conferment, Jonathan said: “I sincerely thank the Anglican Church for finding me worthy to be so recognised. I’m most grateful for this honour. I grew up as a member of the Anglican Church. At that time, it was only Anglican Church that was in my tiny village. But now, I don’t know the numbers of churches that are there, almost all the classrooms are churches.

    “I have been part of the church from the beginning; I attended Anglican primary school as a pupil. So, I have to be very grateful to the Anglican Church that brought me up. I am what I am today because of the Anglican Church.

    “I therefore thank you our Bishop, fathers and to use this unique opportunity to thank Christians and all the religious bodies that constantly pray for this country.”

     

  • Suya: Special delicacy for Abuja residents

    Suya: Special delicacy for Abuja residents

    Food, as one of the basic necessities of life, has different appeal to different ethnic groups in Nigeria. For instance, people from the Southwest relish ewa aganyin which is mashed beans and sauce. Those who reside in other regions look forward to enjoying it when they travel home. So, it is for those from the Southsouth. They look forward to having a taste of their native soups, such as Afang, white soup and Edikainkong.

    Food business is such that booms in Abuja as sellers never complain of low patronage. There is always someone to buy food, irrespective of the location.

    In Nigeria, food business is mostly engaged in by women, being, as it were, part of the home chores they carry out daily. There are also some businesses that seem to be the exclusive reserve for men. One of such is suya delicacy or barbecued cow meat or chicken.

    Some men, especially from the North, are not ashamed to be in suya business.

    In the North, what most travellers look forward to having is suya. It is a special delicacy peculiar to the North, even as it is enjoyed by people from other parts of the country. It is prepared and served in grades.

    Just as we have social classes, suya is prepared and served in a manner depicting one’s social class.

    Suya in the North is usually served with cabbage, onions, tomatoes, masa and their spice is made from blended kuli kuli, ground pepper, ginger, seasoning and salt.

    In Abuja, the love of this delicacy by most residents has increased the number of its peddlers greatly.

    Residents reveal that there are several types of mai suya; as the peddlers are called. There are the local ones that carry the suya in huge transparent bowls with its sauce gushing out of the side of the bowl, covered with newspapers or transparent nylon. This is the type of suya mostly patronised by the low income earners, mostly motorcycle riders and labourers, who want to have a taste of what the real suya is like.

    Then, there is the kind carried about in showcases to markets and parks, just like Kilishi is peddled about at such venues. Although this type of suya is again mostly patronised by the low income earners, once in a while, you find travellers enjoying it as well.

    But, the most popular kind of suya, which is well-liked in Abuja as in other parts of the country is the type made at bus stops, junctions or busy locations. It always looks mouth-watering because the men are experts in its preparation; they prepare it in such a way that it looks attractive. People always eat this type of suya.

    Another type is called balango, which is the normal type of roasted beef, intestine, fats, heart, liver and it is sold depending on the amount the customer has. The lowest amount that can fetch this type of suya is N100.

    There is also a type called dambonama. It is the shredded type of meat prepared from goat, sheep, lamb and chicken. This type is more expensive than the balango as the least amount of money that can fetch this type is N300.

    For lovers of meat, Abuja serves the very best of it and it can be seen in different locations. Our reporters went round some major suya spots to observe the processes it takes to get a suya to ones table.

    The one that catches the attention and makes tongues salivate is the chicken suya. The main suya which is inserted in a long stick to attract the attention of buyers who take turns irrespective of their class to get what they love to eat.

    Chicken suya which is mostly roasted or barbecued goes for N1, 300 and the beef goes for N300. The consumers don’t mind the price as they buy as much as they want. Some claim they use it to entertain special visitors.

    What caught the attention of our reporters is the patience most customers exhibit. Those who sell mostly at night paused at a point for their evening Magrib and Isha’a prayers.

    While they left for prayers, customers were still seen hanging around waiting patiently for the mai suya to come back.

    When asked why they waited, they simply replied: “It is a special delicacy that is worth waiting for. Meanwhile, their prayers do not take long.”

    Most customers told our reporters that they prefer the chicken suya because of the process of preparation and the spice used in its preparation.

    Although suya stands can be found in almost all streets and junctions of Abuja, most buyers do not mind the distance the suya stand is located, as they drive as far as over 30 kilometres for the kind of suya they love.

    Some of these spots have become extremely famous as most consumers patronize them regularly because of their tasty suya.

    In Abuja, there is a very famous suya spot that does not need much description as it is visited by most people.

    The spot has its brand name on cars and other items. Although some people might say it is just suya, residents who frequent the spot are so excited by the brand, even as they admit that they cannot imagine going elsewhere.

    A customer who pleaded anonymity regards going elsewhere to buy suya as “being unfaithful and cheating on his favourite spot with another which is difficult for a faithful guy like me.”

    Most of the customers do not only come to wait patiently to buy for themselves, family and loved ones but some who are travelling outside Abuja also buy the delicacy to take to loved ones outside the city because they claim that finding one as good as the kind they get at the spot is very difficult.

    According to Muhammed Kolo, as long as I am concerned, this is the best suya spot in the whole of Abuja and beyond. Trust me, I know a lot about suya because I have been to a lot of spots and I love this one more.

    “The unfortunate thing about the joint is that people come from far to this place just to buy this suya and people like us have to try to fight them off often. Most of my friends who are familiar with this spot always pretend to come and visit me so that I can bring them here and buy suya for them. Sometimes, it can be frustrating, especially when I don’t have enough money.

    “Their chicken suya is not just like your typical kind of barbecued chicken you find in most spots. Theirs is well-spiced and they have a way of slicing the chicken in different spots while it cooks to ensure that the spice really gets in and when you eat it, you will not be able to go somewhere else again.”

    Mahmud Akilu, who was seen in the popular spot located around Maitama said: “This suya is worth it. I like it because it is the local chicken. It is not the type of chicken you find in most eateries. This type is locally groomed with strong bones. The good thing about it is that, the bones can also be chewed and enjoyed. I come from Area 11 Garki just for this and I do this at least three times a week.

    Mr. Ismaila who was seen with three big nylon bags filled with chicken suya said he has been patronising the place for over 10 years.

    He said: “I don’t know how long these people have been selling here but I know I have been patronising them for over 10 years now. I love their suya because it is prepared with charcoal.

    “It is not like oyibo microwave. This suya gives you the feeling that you are eating real and well prepared meat and the spices get into the innermost part of the meat. I take it with non-alcoholic wine. It is something you will relish.

    Another customer; Mrs. Adesina who came in company of her two children lamented the lack of proficiency in Hausa language, which she said has denied her the opportunity to interact with the sellers in their language to enable her to get her suya on time.

    She said: “Most people simply come and speak Hausa language to the mai suya and they get their meat in a matter of minutes. I have been standing here for long and I am yet to be attended to. My husband will be coming back from his trip today and he called that I should get it for him as he likes taking it with soaked Ijebu garri.”

  • Minister restructures FCDA

    The Board of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has approved the immediate re-structuring of the Authority.

    Minister of the FCT and Chairman of the Board, Senator Bala Mohammed, revealed this after the board’s meeting.

    With the re-structuring, Mohammed said a new Department of Engineering Design and Evaluation has been established, which aimed at boosting the morale of staff to accelerate the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    According to a statement issued by the Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, the minister said the Department of Engineering Design and Evaluation will have four divisions namely Civil Design ‘North’ Electrical/Mechanical Design, Civil Design ‘South’ and Evaluation Divisions to be headed by Deputy Directors.

    He said: “The re-structuring is desirable in view of the apparent need for the expansion of the infrastructure of the Federal Capital Territory occasioned by the new concept of Public-Private-Partnership (PPP), particularly the Abuja Land Swap Initiative.”

    According to him, the Authority will only use its existing stream of staff to occupy the proposed offices; and also mitigate the incidence of stagnation which has prevailed over the years as a result of lack of vacant positions with its attendant toll of low morale on the staff.

    Meanwhile, the minister has revealed that the board had also approved the immediate promotion of 281 senior members of staff to fill vacant positions in the FCDA.

    He said the board had also approved the advancement/upgrading of 61 members of staff that were qualified.

  • Community praises council chief

    Members of Kpaduma community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have praised the chairman of the area council, Hon. Micah Jiba for evolving policies and programmes that affect positively on the lives of people.

    Hon. Bala Iyah, a former Councillor that represented Garki in the council and a

    citizen of the Kpaduma community revealed this on behalf of members of the community while speaking with journalists in a press briefing tagged: “The State of Abuja and the way forward for FCT Citizens.”

    He said: “It is now obvious that the council is moving forward to greater height. The positive movement started from the administration of Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo, who worked for six years as AMAC chairman to improve the lives of the people and later decided to give FCT citizens improved and better leadership by representing them at the House of Representatives.”

    Iyah advised residents of AMAC and the entire FCT to support the present

    governments at all levels, to enable them to further improve the lives of the people, saying that only governments with good intention can work towards enhancing the well-being of the people they are leading, adding that they deserve commendation from the people.

    “We the citizens of Kpaduma communities are very grateful to the government of AMAC led by Hon. Micah Jiba for not neglecting our communities.

    Jiba has really done well for the people of AMAC. When we had no electricity, we cried to him and he embarked on rural electrification and even pipe borne water. The same thing he did for other communities in the council.

    “We cannot stop commending all our leaders, because they have never let us down. Although, there are still much for improvement, mostly on the issue of our ancestral land and I believe that God will continue to give them the grace and strength to work for the people they are leading,” he said.

  • Low turn-out at FEC meeting

    Turn-out of ministers for the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, last week was not too impressive as less than half of the ministers in the cabinet were present.

    Only 20 out of the 43 ministers in the cabinet attended the FEC meeting presided over by Vice-President, Namadi Sambo.

    The FEC also sat for about one hour deliberating on the activities lined up to mark Nigeria’s 54th independence anniversary.

    President Goodluck Jonathan was away in New York leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    The ministers that were present in the FEC meeting during the opening rendition of the National Anthem around 10:13 a.m. last Wednesday were: Mike Onolememen (Works), Omobola Johnson (Communication Technology), Labaran Maku (Information), Mohammed Wakil (Power, State) and Asabe Ahmed (Agriculture, State).

    Others were: Umar Idris (Transport), Emeka Wogu (Labour and Productivity), Sarah Ochekpe (Water), Mohammed Sada (Mines), Abu Bulama (Science and Technology), Steven Oru (Niger Delta Affairs), Darius Ishaku (Niger Delta Affairs, State), Bala Mohammed (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide (FCT, State) and Samuel Ortom (Trade and Investment, State).

    Also at the meeting were: Taminu Turaki (Special Duties), Bashir Yuguda (Finance, State), Abduljelili Adesiyan (Police Affairs), Nyesom Wike (Education, State), and Adedayo Adeyeye (Works, State).

    The statement announcing President Jonathan’s trip to New York, this time around, did not disclose the ministers that will accompany him on the trip.

    This was probably done to prevent controversies that trailed such past trips.

    In the past, some of the ministers on such trip had been accused of abandoning their assignments abroad for shopping sprees.

    But the President himself  had denied such allegation, saying that all the ministers needed not attend all the function, but only had to attend the meetings that are relevant to their portfolios.

    Even as the list of ministers on the New York trip was not disclosed, the ministers in the Ministry of  Foreign Affairs cannot afford not to be on the trip.

     

  • Community praises council chief

    Members of  Kpaduma community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have praised the Chairman of  the council, Hon. Micah Jiba, for evolving policies and programmes that affect positively the lives of people.

    Hon. Bala Iyah, a former councillor that represented Garki in the council and a citizen of the Kpaduma community revealed this on behalf of members in a briefing tagged: “The State of Abuja and the way forward for FCT Citizens.”

    He said: “It is now obvious that the council is moving forward to greater height. The positive movement started from the administration of  Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo, who worked for six years as AMAC chairman to improve the lives of the people and later decided to give FCT citizens improved and better leadership by representing them at the House of Representatives.”

    Iyah advised residents of AMAC and the entire FCT to support the present governments at all levels, to enable them to further improve the lives of  the people, saying that only governments with good intention can work towards enhancing the well-being of the people they are leading, adding that they deserve commendation from the people.

    “We the citizens of Kpaduma communities are very grateful to the government of AMAC led by Hon. Micah Jiba for not neglecting our communities.

    Jiba has really done well for the people of AMAC. When we had no electricity, we cried to him and he embarked on rural electrification and even pipe borne water. The same thing he did for other communities in the council.

    “We cannot stop commending all our leaders, because they have never let us down. Although, there are still much for improvement, mostly on the issue of our ancestral land and I believe that God will continue to give them the grace and strength to work for the people they are leading,” he said.

    Iyah appealed to residents of the community and the entire FCT to adhere to the instruction of the Federal Government to maintain healthy environment and cultivate the attitude of cleanliness, as the fight against the spread of  the deadly Ebola disease continues.

  • Ministers to resign for governorship race

    In the next few weeks, many ministers are expected to resign from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in order to run for the governorship elections in their states in 2015.

    While some of them have started to put structures on ground towards the elections, others are still undecided whether to go or keep their juicy portfolios in the cabinet.

    Among the names being thrown up for resignation are Labaran Maku to contest in Nasarawa State, Nyesom Wike for governorship position in Rivers State, Bala Mohammed to contest in Bauchi, Taminu Turaki for Kebbi State governorship race, while Samuel Ortom is expected to slug it out for the Benue State governorship slot.

    While Maku is not hiding his ambition as his campaign vehicles could be spotted in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State, Bala Mohammed, who was said to have earlier indicated interest to contest the Bauchi governorship race is now said to have lately shelved the idea.

    Among the ministers that had resigned their appointments this year for governorship ambitions include former Minister of  Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe and former Police Affairs Minister, Caleb Olubolade, who lost the Ekiti PDP governorship primary to Ayo Fayose.

    The truth about all those interested in governorship race and other political ambitions in the present cabinet will come to surface in the next few days and weeks.