The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Minister reshuffles exco

    Minister reshuffles exco

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has carried out a major reshuffle that affected several directors in the services of the FCT Administration.

    In the exercise, Mohammed approved the immediate appointment of Mr. Salihu Hawat Mohammed as the new Director of Establishment and Training.

    He is a graduate of Public Administration from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and holds Master’s degree in Political Economy from the University of Abuja.

    According to a statement issued by Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary to the minister,Muhammad Sule, Mr. Mohammed was in the employ of the Niger State Government in 1985 before transferring his services to the FCT Administration in 1993.

    Other Directors affected included Mallam Bashir Mohammed, former Director of Security who is currently the Director of the FCT Muslims’ Pilgrims’ Welfare Board. He replaces Hajiya Fatima S. Gumi. Jibrin Ibrahim, Director of Special Duties is now in charge of the Security Department.

    Former Director, Admin and Finance (DAF) in the Primary Healthcare Development Board (PHCDB), Mrs. Habeeba Babata Sulaiman has been moved to Legal Services Secretariat as Director of Administration and Finance; while Mr. Tony Edekobi of the Legal Services Secretariat was redeployed to PHCDB as Director of Administration and Finance.

    Mrs. A.I. Odey-Achu, Director of Administration and Finance, FCT Emergency Management Department has also been redeployed to Health and Human Services Secretariat as Director of Administration and Finance.

    The minister has also approved the appointment of Hajiya Safiya T. Umar as Acting Director, Administration and Finance, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC).

     

  • NGO, firm renovate school

    NGO, firm renovate school

    As part of its community development initiatives, Assisting Caring and Empowering (ACE), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in collaboration with Transcorp Hilton Hotel, has embarked on the renovation and fencing of Durumi II Community Primary School.

    The founder of the group, Miss Kiki Harrison, told reporters that the aim of the exercise was to provide an environment conducive enough to teaching and learning.

    She said: “We want to improve the lives of the children and we also want to give them gift that nobody can take away from them which is education.

    “We want to improve the lives of the children and we also want to give them gift that nobody can take away from them which is education.”

    Explaining further, Kiki said: “We cannot ignore the state of their learning environment. They have broken chairs, the ceilings are falling off and they have environment that is not conducive to teaching and learning. We have provided all the resources needed.

    “We have come to the school today to set things right by renovating the school and fence the school as well.”

    Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer, Transcorp Hilton Mr. Sola Adeyemo said it’s a gesture and commitment to improving the lives of people living in Abuja communities.

    He said: “That is why we at Transcorp Hilton and, in line with our mission to be part of the community where we live and work, we decided to come out as a team to associate with this local school. This is because we believe that the environment we live in has a lot of impart on the learning ability of students.

    “When we got to this school, we found a lot of dilapidated infrastructure. The floors of the classrooms were not cemented, the ceilings were falling off, the walls were not painted and the chairs are broken. Therefore, we thought that there is no better way to do this than in partnership with this charity group and to really take our time to improve the school’s environment.

    “Consider the fact that we are re-cementing the floors, fixing the ceilings, painting the walls, we are planting trees and flowers around the school. For us, it is not about the money spent but the impact we are able to make on the school and the students.

    “We are not going to stop here. We are still going to other community schools.”

    Responding, the Head teacher of the school Mr. Bitrus Zakoyi expressed his appreciation to the group and Transcorp for coming to the aid of the school at the very time they needed such assistance.

    Zakoyi, who regretted that some of the classrooms that have capacity for about 60 students and 45 students have no chairs and ceilings, said it seemed that government had forgotten the school.

    “We have only nine teachers tutoring 320 pupils. In some of the classroom, we have 60 pupils, in some classes we have about 45 pupils and in the remaining classes we have 35 pupils,” he said.

    He, however, appealed to the group to extend such gesture to other community schools having the same challenges.

  • Traders seek tight security at Gosa Market

    Traders at Gosa Market have appealed to the Federal Government and the Federal Capital Territory Administration to provide more security at the market to prevent Boko Haram insurgents from destroying it.

    Some traders told our correspondent that as a result of threats of Boko Haram attacks, the market doesn’t witness huge crowd of customers as it used to.

    The market, located outside the city centre along the Airport Road attracts many sellers and buyers within and outside Abuja opens on Fridays. Due to the influx of people, security operatives especially, the police are always present in order to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

    The insecurity situation in the country orchestrated by the Boko Haram Islamist sect is currently hindering activities at the market. People who visit the market on Fridays do so out of fear.

    A Garri seller Mrs. Abigail Simon told our correspondent that fear people carry out transactions in the market in fear, even as she urged security operatives not to rest on their oars. She said security in the market is gradually dwindling.

    Mrs. Simon, who has been selling Garri at the market for over three years said: “Since I have been selling garri here, the crowd that comes to this market every Friday is unprecedented. Before the bombings in Abuja, people move freely in and out of the market without fear. But now the situation is changing.

    “People are no longer coming to the market as before. Though security operatives are doing their best, people need to be re-assured that Boko Haram do not destroy the market. I do not know where to go to. This is the place I make money for the upkeep of my family.

    “I am a widow and a mother of three. I always pray every Friday when coming to Gosa Market. I know God will not allow Boko Haram’s wish to prevail.”

    Another seller, John Okwe, who sells secondhand clothes told our correspondent that business was on the upbeat before the current security situation, adding that many people, especially his customers, do not come to the market again due to bomb scare in Abuja.

    Okwe said: “I do not blame them. Who wants to die? But all I am begging is for government to further secure our markets within FCT, especially Gosa Market. We the sellers are begging for more security.”

    Ibrahim Umar, who always visits the market every Friday to buy things, expressed his fear that steps need to be taken to avoid crisis at Gosa Market.

    His words: “I cannot do without coming to the market every Friday. I always shop here because goods are cheaper and affordable here. I am used to coming to this market and I cannot afford to stop coming here. Government should intensify action towards securing this place. The market is where most less-privileged people come to buy goods because things are cheaper here.”

    The traditional head of Gosa community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Mr. Wakili Istifanus also urged watertight security measures for the market.

    He called on the chairman of the area council, Micah Jiba, to provide the management of Gosa Market with the necessary apparatus to enable traders to carry out their business activities without fear.

    One hopes that other markets in the FCT will receive genuine security attention to avert calamity.

    Many markets, malls and stores where people shop dot the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Among the major markets are Wuse, Garki; Utako and Garki markets. Others are the Dei Dei Building Material Market, Gudu Market and Maitama Fruit Market.

    Of these, Wuse Market is the most famous and is located in Zone 5 of Wuse District. It is a general market where one can buy almost everything; ranging from food stuffs, fresh vegetables, meat, clothes, electronics, furniture, phones, rugs and carpets, among others.

    Prices of goods in Wuse Market are relatively high compared to what obtained in other markets like Utako and Garki. The prices are cheaper when compared to prices in malls and stores. One good thing about the market is that it is organised and clean.

    One sore feature of the market is traffic jam that motorists experience while driving into or out of the market, especially in the evenings.

    Another market for general goods is the Garki Market located in Garki District of Abuja. It also has variety of items from food stuffs to clothes but it is not as famous as the Wuse Market. Food stuff is cheaper in Garki Market compared to what obtains in Wuse Market.

    Utako Market is another general market located in Utako District of Abuja.

    Garki International Market is a modern market located in Garki 2 District of Abuja.

    Dei Dei Building Material Market is another market where specialised wares are sold. The main feature of this market as the name implies, is building materials. It is located in Dei Dei District at the outskirts of Abuja.

     

  • Ebola drama at FEC meeting

    The deadly Ebola virus disease ravaging some West African countries ignited some drama at the beginning of last week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Ebola, which currently has no cure, according to World Health Organisation, has claimed the lives of over 930 victims mainly in the West African sub-region and have infected over 1,700 persons.

    While a Liberian, the late Patrick Sawyer imported the virus to Nigeria, one Nigerian nurse was confirmed dead last week and five other Nigerians have been confirmed carriers of the virus.

    Most members of the Council who normally shake hands and hug while greeting each other before the meeting begins, jokingly refrained from such acts last week for fear of contacting the disease.

    When the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku came into the Council Chamber, he did not shake hands with colleagues of his as he went round greeting them by holding his clinched fist towards his chest in the northerners’ way of greeting.

    At each point, he maintained a safe distance from his colleagues and was saying Rankadede, Rankadede, Rankadede.

    The joke took another dimension when the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu entered the Council Chamber.

    As soon as some of colleagues of his saw him coming in, they left his path and refused to shake hands with him.

    The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, who was discussing with the Ministers of Labour, Emeka Wogu and Sports, Tamuno Danagogo by the entrance asked Chukwu when he approached them with his hand stretched out: “Make I shake you?”

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, who was approaching the four ministers as the joke continued with Chukwu, brought another angle to the drama.,

    He started shouting ‘Ebola’, ‘Ebola,’ ‘Ebola’ as he ran away from the Health Minister. He refused to shake hands with the minister.

    On his way to his seat after leaving the four ministers, Adoke saw the Minister of State for Health, Khaliru Al-hassan and asked him in Hausa language: ‘Ka je Lagos?’ (Meaning: ‘have you been to Lagos?).

    After the Minister of State for Health responded by saying ‘no’, Adoke then shook hands with him.

    It will not be surprising to see some ministers coming to FEC meeting tomorrow wearing hand gloves, nose masks, thick eye-goggles and other gadgets to prevent contracting the disease.

    Besides the jokes and drama, threat of the Ebola virus and how to contain it was the only matter that engaged the attention of the Council presided over by Vice-President, Namadi Sambo when the meeting started around 10.15 a.m. last week.,

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Chukwu said: “We have a national emergency, indeed the world is at risk. Nobody is immune. The experience in Nigeria has alerted the world that it takes just one individual to travel by air to a place to begin an outbreak.”

    “It is an emergency and secondly everyone is at risk. We have recorded seven confirmed cases, which were in contact with the first imported index case from Liberia. Yesterday, August 5, the first known Nigerian to die of the EVD was recorded and this was one of the nurses that attended to the Liberian. The other five cases are currently being treated at the isolation ward in Lagos.”

    On some steps being taken to stop the spread of the disease in Nigeria, he said: “This morning, I sent an e-mail to the Director of the US Centre for Disease Control. We have being in communication in the last 36 hours. We are getting reports that the experimental seems to be useful. It is also possible that we can have access for our own people who are currently being treated under isolation.

    “We are making efforts, we are relating with them and we are doing everything possible that will ensure that we contain this disease.”

    President Goodluck Jonathan could not attend the FEC meeting as he was in Washington DC, United States of America, attending the United States-African Leaders Summit along with other African leaders.

    Just about 25 per cent of the current number of ministers did not attend the FEC meeting.

    Out of the present 43 ministers holding various portfolios in the cabinet, 27 of them attended the Sambo-led FEC meeting last week.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to President Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, last week disclosed that four ministers will be in Washington DC with the President for the summit.

    That means that 12 ministers who did not travel with the President did not attend the FEC meeting last week.

    The ministers, who accompanied the President, according to the statement, were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Aminu Wali, the Co-ordinating Minster of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, and the Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo.

    The 27 ministers who were in the Council Chamber when the FEC meeting began last week were Ministers of Agriculture (State), Asabe Ahmed, Aviation, Osita Chidoka, Defence, Aliyu Gusau, Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, Environment, Laurencia Mallam.

    Others at the meeting were the two ministers for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Senator Bala Mohammed and Mrs. Oloye Olajumoke-Akinjide, Finance (State), Ambassador Bashir Yugudu, Foreign Affairs (State II), Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed, the two ministers for Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu and Dr Khaliru Alhassan.

    Also at the meeting were Ministers of Information, Labaran Maku, Interior, Abba Moro, Justice/Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, Labour  and Productivity, Emeka Wogu, Mines and Steel Development, Mohammed Sada, National Planning, Abubakar Suleiman and Niger Delta Affairs, Steven Oru.

    The other ministers who were also at the meeting were Power (State), Mohammed Wakil, Science and Technology, Abu Bulama, Sports, Dr. Tamuno Danagogo, Trade and Investment (State), Samuel Ortom, Transport, Idris Umar, Women Affairs, Mrs. Zainab Maina, the two Ministers of Works, Mike Onolememen and Adedayo Adeyeye and Special Duties, Taminu Turaki.

  • Ebola in the mind of residents

    Ebola in the mind of residents

    When news of the Ebola virus that was ravaging most parts of the continent broke out, Nigerians, especially residents of Abuja, regarded it as something happening in another planet which will not be experienced in the country.

    This was the thinking before Patrick Sawyer; a Liberian who was infected with the virus came to Nigeria. With his coming, the city of Lagos which residents of Abuja always considered the fun town became threatened. Residents began to realise how close to home the deadly virus is getting.

    Unlike some other cities in the country, Abuja is no stranger to threats, with the Boko Haram insurgents and their bombings that have continued to keep residents on the alert. Residents’ already jittery mood is now compounded by the fear of Ebola regarded by many as latest enemy.

    Just as expected, residents have taken up what they considered the most precautionary measures which mostly involves avoiding everyone as much as possible.

    For example, the popular designers’ market which always attracted so many ladies who go to shop for affordable clothes did not witness half of its usual crowd of customers. Most of the shoppers that came around the last time mostly did not wear their usual short skirts; neither did they try to make body contacts with other shoppers.

    When mistakenly some of the ladies realised that an unknown person had unknowingly had contact with them or came close to doing that, they will dodge and scream “Ebola”.

    Even though the FCT Administration, unlike the Lagos State Government, hasn’t done much in terms of educating residents on what the virus is all about, its symptoms and what to do to avoid contracting the disease, except the campaign being carried out by the Federal Ministry of Health, residents, on their own, have taken up measures that they believe would work for them.

    Before now, residents always shake hands with and hug their friends. But these days, they have refrained from such acts. They politely avoid this by saying “sorry we can’t shake hands anymore because of Ebola,” among other polite ways of avoiding contacts with people.

    Some employees of banks around the city now wear masks and gloves as precautionary measures, some private establishments in the city have begun applying sanitisers on the palms of customers and visitors to avoid the possible spread of the virus, especially on their door knobs or rails.

    Bitter kola which the present generation had considered meant for the old men and women is now very much in vogue. Those who deal in bitter kola are now into lucrative business as residents willingly stock-pile it.

    Jane, who sells bitter kola, kola nut, cashew nut and groundnut close to the Wuse Market, confirmed that more people are now buying bitter kola unlike before. “Because of this Ebola outbreak, people now eat bitter kola. I have finished selling my own bitter kola even before the cashew nut or groundnut. For me this is good for business because people need to eat bitter kola to protect themselves,” she said.

    Her customer, who refused identifying himself, spoke a bit harshly when reminded of the fact that bitter kola has not been scientifically proven to prevent the virus. He said: “I don’t care if the Minister of Health said that the bitter kola will not work because I believe that he doesn’t know anything about all the wonderful healing powers of this bitter kola. Prof. Maurice Iwu that said that it could work was not drunk when he made that statement.

    “What do you mean by scientifically proven? Did our forefathers wait for science when treating themselves with roots and herbs? They lived longer than us that are waiting for the Whiteman’s science and dying like chicken. I’m sure that it is the Whiteman that said bitter kola is not scientifically proven to be an antidote to the Ebola virus.

    “They can never believe that anything good could come from Africa, unless it comes from them. As long as I am concerned, I will continue to consume this bitter kola in large quantity until they say the Ebola virus has come under control. This is nothing but a conspiracy.”

    Even though no one has claimed to have proved its potency when it started spreading all over the country like wild fire, Nigerians, especially residents of Abuja, believed the rumour whole heartedly.

    Another angle to the healing and prevention theory was that of bathing with water mixed with salt to prevent the Ebola virus.

    By Friday morning, people all over the country started calling their loved ones to inform them of the salt and water bathe in order to prevent the virus.

    Most residents confirmed that they had actually bathed with the salt and water mixture, even though they knew that it was not possible to prevent the virus with such a remedy.

    Usman Kunle, a resident of Nyanya confirmed that he really woke up early to bath with salt water.

    His words: “My parents from the village called me very early this morning and insisted that I bath with salt water. I actually asked my neighbours and realised that everyone else was doing it, so I simply joined even though I do not believe in such superstition. Sometimes you just do some things to please people.”

    A scary rumour began to make the rounds the same day that a man had flown into Abuja from Lagos and they realised that he had Ebola and was taken to the Garki General Hospital. Some even claimed that he had already infected about 21 persons.

    People became scared but eventually the FCT Health Secretariat was able to confirm that the report was false and that so far, there was no case of the virus in the FCT.

    As long as the virus is not air-borne and can only be contracted through physical contact or exchange of bodily fluid from a carrier, we can prevent it by being careful and constant washing of our hands.

  • ‘Sign less-privileged commission bill into law’

    A group, under the auspices of The Strategic Team (TST) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, has called on President Jonathan to sign the Less-privileged Commission Bill into law.

    According to the group, the bill when established will take care of all matters relating to people living with disabilities (PWD) in the FCT and the entire country.

    The National Coordinator of TST, Daniel Ohiomoba, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja, praised “the dogged, tireless and uncompromising efforts of President Jonathan’s initiative and transformational strides in the area of people living with disability (PWD).”

    According to Ohiomoba, the PWDs have continually received support from the present administration, saying that in the past, they have been rejected and relegated to the background, sidelined and discriminated against.

    “The present administration has brought succour and hope to this vulnerable group and as a result donations, support materials and grants are being given to them. A lot of them are being sent on entrepreneurship trainings to empower them.

    “Co-operatives have been set up for them and most importantly, lands for the construction of rehabilitation centres have been acquired. These projects are going through various stages of development.

    “It is on this premise that The Strategic Team (TST) has keyed into the area of inclusion, by taking the transformational strides of President Jonathan, especially in the area of the physically-challenged to the grassroots in the FCT and in the Diaspora,” he said.

    The group further said a data base of PWDs, accessibility to free medical treatment, health insurance, not overlooking special schools, educational aids and materials for them and their children, must be top priority.

    The Regional Coordinator North-East USA of the group, Ambassador Grace Eke-Charrier, also said by doing this, the PWDs shall be given equity, dignity and equal opportunities in propelling Nigeria to greater heights as it obtains in other climes.

    “They will be carried along in the political and economic restructuring going on in the country as their constructive and meaningful inputs shall go a long way in contributing to the continued growth and development of this great nation,” she said.

  • Boko Haram: Army intensifies safety measures

    Boko Haram: Army intensifies safety measures

    Subsequent to rumours making the rounds that members of Boko Haram sect are planning to bomb another venue in Abuja, the military has intensified their efforts; searching every vehicle no matter how highly placed the owner may be.

    Major entries into and exits from Abuja are now under serious security watch in a bid to prevent probable bomb blasts.

    Our correspondent who observed the development said government, according to sources, is not leaving anything to chance as it is determined to fish out perpetrators of crimes, especially members of the Boko Haram sect.

    A source said the stop-and-search exercise will continue until situations are normal.

    Those in charge of motor parks around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have also put in place more security measures to forestall possible bomb blast.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government has declared that it has the will, the resources and the strategies to win the war against Boko Haram and terrorism in the country.

    Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke-Akinjide told the women and youths who had staged a three-day protest against Boko Haram and terrorism at the Unity Fountain, Abuja to mark the 100 days of the abduction of over 200 girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State on April 15.

    According to her, the Federal Government has procured new equipment and technology towards strengthening the capability and support for Nigerian military and security forces, adding that a recent delivery of such military equipment include highly sophisticated fighter helicopters with in-built night vision technology.

    She said the Federal Government has a clear edge in weapons and reconnaissance capabilities.

    According to her, major breakthroughs recorded by the Nigerian military in the war against Boko Haram and terrorism include the capturing of many senior-level Boko Haram commanders who were used as spies and treasury officials by the Nigerian military and security operatives.

    She listed other achievements to include the arrest of Sadiq Aminu Ogwuche, one of the masterminds of the April 14, 2014 bombing of the bus station in Nyanya, an Abuja suburb, where several people were killed and others injured.

    Ogwuche, who was also accused of leading recruitment efforts of Boko Haram, was recently extradited from Sudan where he ran to and is now in Nigerian custody preparatory to facing prosecution.

    She also recalled that Boko Haram Chief of Intelligence was picked up and is now helping security operatives in their investigation while one Mohammed Zakari, a Boko Haram leader known as the ‘Chief Butcher’ was captured when Nigerian military raided Balmo Forest, during which they expelled Boko Haram insurgents from the area.

    Mrs. Akinjide further revealed that a recent Boko Haram threat against the Abuja Transportation System was uncovered while the public was alerted and casualties were avoided. Equally, following a tip-off, the police uncovered and prevented a bomb attack near a school in Gombe.

    The minister said government recognises that soft power was crucial in the battle against Boko Haram, stressing that force alone will not defeat insurgency.

    “As a result, the Jonathan administration is implementing a comprehensive programme of assistance to support, protect and empower local communities with a special focus on the most vulnerable areas of the country.”

    She noted that some of the initiatives in this regard include the Safe Schools Initiative developed to safeguard school children in states under emergency rule, by strengthening the security of educational facilities, adding that government is working with state governors, community leaders, teachers and parents to identify and remedy the vulnerabilities that put Nigerian children at risk.

    On the role of diplomacy, she said the Federal Government has been able to garner support from international partners, including governments and groups, particularly the international bring back our girls campaign that has successfully motivated global attention to terror in the West African sub-region.

    Olajumoke added that President Jonathan has initiated a number of strategies, which have generated international solidarity such as a meeting of Presidents of Chad, Cameroun, Niger Republic and Benin Republic, which was held in Paris.

    Closely related to that, she said, was the principled step taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on terrorism and cross-border crime, at its 45th ordinary session, where the authority of ECOWAS Heads of State endorsed the efforts of Nigeria and committed itself to helping the country in its fight against terror.

     

     

  • Fund-raising for Jonathan, Nigerians

    The occasion for corporate bodies and wealthy individuals in the society to assist towards providing financial support for victims of terrorist attacks in the country on Thursday last week was not only filled with drama but also with some disappointments to many Nigerians.

    While other sectors and individuals made meaningful donations at the Banquet Hall venue of the fundraising dinner at the Presidential Villa, the total donation from the communication sector was not in the range of what Mr. President and many Nigerians expected.

    The communication sector, comprising many multi-billion dollar international telecommunication firms in the country, donated only N1 billion at the fund-raising where oil and gas sector donated N17 billion, even as the banking sector donated N15 billion.

    Some individuals at the occasion donated more than the N1 billion which the communication sector donated. For instance, Tony Elumelu donated N2.5 billion and T.Y. Danjuma donated N1.6 billion.

    Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia, Wale Tinubu and Mike Adenugu individually donated the same amount of N1 billion which is the total contribution by the communication sector.

    While some corporate bodies have not meaningful identified with the fund, T.Y. Danjuma, who is the Chairman of the Victim Support Fund Committee and who made a personal donation of N1.6 billion at the fund-raising event was not happy that he was not invited as a stakeholder in the oil and gas sector to make more contributions.

    Other donations at the occasion included the Federal Government N20 billion, all states of the federation and the FCT – N3.7 billion; Arthur Eze and Mohammed Indimi N800 million each; Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal and Abdul Samad Rabiu N500 million each and power distribution companies N500 million.

    Construction companies donated N300 million. Those who donated N100 million each at the fund-raising dinner were Capt Osa Okunbor, Oba Otudeko, Tunde Ayeni, Taiwo Afolabi and Thomas Atu.

    The Speaker of House of Representatives also announced N100 million on behalf of the National Assembly, while Zinox donated N100 million.

    Coordinating the donations from the oil and gas sector, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Deziani Alison-Madueke revealed that over 80 members of the oil and gas sector who responded to the donation request were only contacted about 10 days ago.

    President Goodluck Jonathan was impressed with the oil sector for the N17 billion donations it made. He gave each of the donors a handshake.

    He was also happy with the N15 billion donations from the banking sector, which was coordinated by CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

    But before President Jonathan could say something about the N1 billion donation from the communication sector coordinated by the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, shout of ‘no’, ‘no’, ‘no’, ‘no’, rented the air as soon as the amount was announced for the sector.

    The President, turning to Johnson said: “You see, you can go back and consult with your people again.”

    Those who shouted ‘no’, ‘no’ felt that the communication sector could have done better by giving more to the society.

    They believed that most of the telecommunication companies have never failed to seize any opportunity to rip off Nigerians with their products and services.

    At the occasion, President Jonathan maintained that the reason for setting up the Victim Support Fund Committee was to give everyone the opportunity to reach out to the victims of terror attacks in the country.

    He said: “I want to challenge us to think deeply about how privileged we are to be able to give. It is a divine privilege that we cannot explain. The victims did not wish this calamity upon themselves. They did not pray for it. It could have been anyone.

    “But for the mercy of God, we could have been the ones needing support as a result of this insurgency. But in His infinite mercy and grace, the Almighty God has decided that we should be the ones giving support, not receiving it.”

    On his part, T.Y. Danjuma said: “All too often, the victims of terror are soon forgotten. The majority of the terrorist targets are those who could not fend for themselves. The funds being collected are not for combating terror or fighting terrorist organisations but for supporting victims of terrorist attacks.”

    Stressing that Naira and foreign currency accounts have been opened to receive donations from across the globe, he said the fund has been established as a fully- fledged company.

    He praised Jonathan for his wisdom in setting up the fund and his good policy of non-interference in the committee’s operation.

    With the fund’s management under the leadership of one of the topmost philanthropists in the country, it is expected that more corporate bodies will see it as part of their social responsibilities and give more to the society.

  • Council chief sensitises residents on flood

    The chairman of Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Yahaya Garba has called on residents of the council to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse, especially in drainage systems. This, he said, is to prevent the area being flooded during the rainy season.

    Garba, who gave this advice at a sensitisation and enlightenment programme to educate residents on prevention of flood during rainy season, said the call became necessary as the council is making frantic efforts to reduce the menace of flooding in the council area.

    While declaring the programme open, the council chief the sensitisation became essential in view of recent cases of flood in some parts of the country where several lives were lost and property worth millions of Naira destroyed.

    “I wish to urge residents of the council to be cautious of recent flooding that has displaced hundreds of people.  I want to challenge everyone not to build around riverside areas.

    “I also believe that if residents desist from the habit of dumping refuse in drainage, there will never be threat of flood in Abaji. We should not allow our farms to be too close to riverside so that water can flow freely,” he said.

  • ‘We are committed to developing rural communities’

    The chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Micah Jiba has re-affirmed his commitment to the provision of infrastructural facilities for residents of rural communities in order to enable them to develop and have improved living standard.

    Speaking with journalists in Abuja Jiba revealed that when he assumed duty in 2010 as the council’s chief, he made a promise to the people that, with the mandate given to him, he would not disappoint them, adding that as the council chairman; he will try to meet their immediate demands. He confessed that God has been helping him to fulfill the promises.

    The council chief, who is also the chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) FCT chapter, said since he made that promise to the residents, he has not deviated from his responsibility as the council boss, saying that improving the living standard of people at the grassroots is his priority.

    “I remember in May 20 this year when we celebrated one year in office of my second tenure, we inaugurated many projects, and at the same time distributed about 10 vehicles to the Nigerian Police Divisions of the AMAC.

    “We have started with this number; we will do more for the rest 22 police divisions in AMAC.

    “We also inaugurated a functional healthcare centre in Waru community under Kabusa Ward. We equally inaugurated one of the 1.2 kilometre asphalt road at Abuja Mechanic Village. We sunk a borehole at Area 1, Section 1, at Tudun Wada, where I completed my secondary education.

    “I have laid a legacy by building staff quarters for teachers and there are ongoing constructions of Jiwa Township and Damagaza Roads. It can be confirmed if there is any community that we have not sited a project during this tenure. We will do more in the rural communities because they deserve better things,” he said.