The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • FCTA upgrades health services

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has developed a four-year Strategic Health Development Plan (SHDP) that will require about N162 billion to execute.

    Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS), Adamu Abubakar Bappah who disclosed this during the end of year press briefing in his office, announced that N7.9 billion has been spent on healthcare delivery in the FCT for 2018.

    He said: “FCT Strategic Health Development Plan (SHDP) 2018-2022 has been developed, which will provide policy and pragmatic directives of the FCT health sector for the next five years”.

    According to Bappa, the strategic blueprint would be sourced from budgetary allocations, Internally Generated Revenue from health services, international donors such as the World Health Organization (WHO), United States Department for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations International Children Emergency Fund, among others.

    Highlighting major achievements of the Secretariat in 2018, Bappa revealed that N200 million was spent on recapitalization of the Drug Revolving Fund, N1.3 billion was spent on drugs and medical supplies distributed to various FCT Hospitals and commodities for control of HIV cost N2.5 billion.

    More achievements of the Secretariat include establishment of Public Health Emergency Operation Centre with support from Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, ongoing construction of 12 Primary Health Centres and 12 solar powered boreholes in the Six FCT Area Councils, Public Health Laboratory for routine screening for food handlers, as well as  construction and equipping of 220 bed Gwarinpa District Hospital, which is at 30 percent completion.

    The Secretariat also recorded increase in the coverage of mother to child HIV transmission from 36.7 to 81.1 percent, immunization coverage from 63.4 to 80.5 percent, increased distribution of mosquito treated net from 16.5 to 36 percent and distributed over N1.3 billion worth of drugs to FCTA hospitals.

    Accordingly, a total of 4075 clients, consisting 1127 principals and 2948 dependents were enrolled under FHSS, secured accreditation for residency training in opthalmology in Asokoro District Hospital and residency training in general surgery for Bwari General Hospital and distributed 45255 rapid diagnostics test kits for to health facilities in the Area Councils.

    The Administration also constructed 4-bed  Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Gaube -Kuje Area Council, renovated PHCs in Jikoko, Cumi and Ayaura in Abaji Area Council, constructed cold store -fitted with direct drive solar refrigerators in Apo, among others.

    He also stated that N15.3 million has been spent on tuberculosis control, family planning consumables gulped N20.7 million and vaccines programmes cost N3.7 billion for the year 2018.

    The FCT Health Secretary however disclosed that the Secretariat generated N114.1 million internally, with N60.3 million generated by Private Health Establishment Registration and Monitoring Committee while Abuja Central Medical Store generated N53.7 million.

    He added that the Secretariat is collaborating with Institute of Human Virology to develop a database for all health workers in the FCT and 60% Reporting Rate on submission and utilization statistics at health facilities has been achieved while 508 public and private health facilities in the FCT are on District Health Information System Platform National Server.

    Bappa however decried that the Secretariat was confronted with challenges such as funding, epidemics, understaffing, delayed budgetary releases and overstretched amenities and called for more funding as well as partnership to fulfill the responsibility of providing and delivering health services to the public.

    He therefore debunked insinuations that there was outbreak of any disease in any part of the FCT.

     

  • Buhari and 76th birthday celebration

    Last week Monday was a special day at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The day was not special because President Muhammadu Buhari was receiving any visiting world leader at the State House.

    Neither was it a day for conferring awards on the President or any high ranking member of the society.

    It was a special day at the seat of power because President Buhari in marking his 76th birthday that Monday raised the bar above what was experienced during his birthday anniversaries since 2015.

    His December 17th birthday anniversaries in 2015, 2016 and 2017 almost went unnoticed.

    For those three anniversaries, the highest point of cerebration was presentations of birthday cards and cutting of cake in the present of some top government officials inside his official residence.

    At those three occasions, no drum was rolled out for the celebration.

    Many Nigerians, during those three anniversaries, mostly knew of the President’s birthday from pictures posted on the social media posing with the cake or with state governors, who visited him.

    But last week Monday celebration was completely different from the past three anniversaries.

    It was taken away from the inside four walls of the President’s official residence.

    In marking the day, a special military parade was conducted by 203 members of the guards brigade at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa.

    The parade involved various military display after the President inspected quarter guard at the ceremonial gate of the State House.

    The inspection was immediately followed by a special rendition which ushered the President into the forecourt of the Presidential Villa.

    At the forecourt, there was special performance by the silent drill squad of the Guards Brigade, which included the formation of words like PMB @ 76

    There was also a special display by the Guards Brigade Band and some of the songs played included “I remember when I was a soldier… “

    That was followed by the presentation of birthday cards to the President.

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali presented card on behalf of the country’s Armed Force, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha presented card on behalf of members of the cabinet.

    The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari presented on behalf of Presidential aides while the Guards Brigade also made a special presentation.

    The high point of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake by the President, who was flanked by Ministers, aides and other top government officials.

    Just as the President came to the forecourt to start the birthday celebration from the old Banquet Hall of the State House, where he declared the 2018 National Migration Dialogue open, Buhari immediately returned to his official engagements after the brief birthday ceremony.

    Also unlike the birthday celebrations by some past Nigerian Presidents, no dinner party was organised to celebrate the birthday.

    Surprisingly too, Buhari’s birthday celebration did not engage the attention of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,  during its opening session last Wednesday.

    Reasons why Buhari’s 76th birthday celebration was marked in special way above the three previous anniversaries should not be lost on Nigerians.

    The President, during his visit to Poland early this month had promised to celebrate his birthday as proof of his genuineness to those who felt he was cloned.

    ‘‘It’s real me, I assure you. I will soon celebrate my 76th birthday and I will still go strong,’’ the President had declared in Poland.

    Before leaving the forecourt venue of the special parade lady Monday, Buhari did not fail to thank Nigerians.

    He said: “Well, I am impressed with it, they have put a lot of time behind it, I thank and appreciate them very much.”

    In a message he later issued, the President said “It’s been my joy and honour to serve our country, Nigeria, for most of my life.

    “As I turned 76 today, I am deeply grateful for all the prayers, goodwill messages and encouragement from Nigerians and friends, at home and abroad.

    “Life is better lived together in peace, unity and prosperity.

    “In all, I give glory to almighty Allah for mercies, and thanks to Nigerians for counting me worthy to serve them. It is something I have rededicated myself to, and will do to the very best of my ability.

    “Nigeria has all the potentials for greatness. Our greatness as individuals will only derive from Nigeria’s greatness. So, on this special day, I commit myself again to the task of taking our country to greater heights, and invite you to partner with me in that worthy cause,” he stated.

    Giving glory to God for the day, Boss Mustapha said “It is such an exciting time for us to share in this very glorious ceremony of the celebration of the 76th birthday of our dear president and our dear leader.

    “In a typical simplistic manner, just a simple military parade and the cutting of the cake because he has got work to do.

    “He has just returned to the office to continue with the day’s proceedings, he came out of an event 2018 National Migration Dialogue and then straight into this.

    “But it is such a joyous and beautiful day to see him strong, healthy, hearty considering the health challenges he went through in the last two years.

    “We cannot wish him any other thing but bountiful health and wisdom to take this country out of the present situation which we find ourselves, a trajectory of prosperity and progress.

    “The president is renewed in his spirit, strength and in his resolved and determination to put this country back on the part of greatness, that is his ultimate desire, that every Nigerian young, old, upcoming should be able to press whatever desire they want to achieve in the nation that is so endowed with a lot of wealth, a lot of goodness.

    “There will be a lot that will be released in the next couple of days and Mr. President is so strong and determined to hit the road and I can tell you by the time he starts, Nigerians will be able to have a lot to be thankful for.” he added

  • One million taxpayers now in database

    THE Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that over one million taxpayers have been captured in its tax database and they have all received their Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN) through personalized SMS.

    Briefing newsmen in Abuja on the activities of the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) in the last one year, the Executive Chairman of the agency, Mr. Abdullahi Attah, said the taxpayer registration exercise, which commenced few months ago, had recorded significant success as one its kind in the whole Nigeria.

    He explained that before the establishment of the FCT-IRS, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had been the tax authority for the FCT until September 7, 2018 when the narrative changed.

    Mr. Attah explained that in view of this legacy factor and the need to achieve systematic and seamless taking over of the mandate for the administration of personal income tax, the FCTA, effective from September 7, 2018 commenced a strategic transition with FIRS.

    According to him, the essence of the strategic transition, which will last for a period of 12 months, is to enable FIRS, having been in the system for a very long time and to essentially, collaborate for effective handling over of taxpayer records, associated legacy values and platforms

  • Minister: only 35% of infrastructure developed in Abuja

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammed Bello has revealed that only 35% of Abuja’s infrastructure has been developed.

    Bello said that the FCT was projected with a 3.1 million population when fully built within a projected 25-year-period.

    He added that the capital city is the fourth largest in the country and one of the fastest growing in Africa with over 2.75 million population squeezed within just two phases of the planned five phases.

    Speaking at the commemoration of the movement of seat of government from Lagos to Abuja, he said that it has been 42 years since its creation and 27 years after the movement from Lagos.

    The Minister who was represented by Executive Secretary, FCDA, Mr Umar Gambo Jibrin, urged everyone to see Abuja as a national heritage.

    He said, “42 years since its creation and 27 years after the movement from Lagos, Abuja indeed, has come of age. It has surpassed Logos as the destination for foreign direct investments. It has become a major aviation and conference hub for West Africa. We have also inaugurated a modern light rail transport system that is the first of its kind in the sub-region and FCT, indeed, has become the melting pot of Nigeria that it was conceived to be.

    “However, the city’s demographic expansion has proceeded beyond the protected growth plan when the city was founded. FCT was projected for 3.1 million population when fully built within a projected 25 years period.

    “I urge all of us to see Abuja as our national heritage and join hands to protect it. This is because so much hes been invested in the building of the new capital -infrastructure, public utilities, institutions etc. Today, however, we are confronted with a new set of challenges, namely; vandalism of public utilities like manhole covers, bridge railings, transformers and streetlight poles and components, transformers as well as plain acts of sabotage and disobedience to rules that make for orderly living.”

    Executive Head, Editorial Board, The Guardian newspaper, Mr Martins Oloja who was the keynote speaker of the occasion, stated that Abuja has been an orphan of some sort.

    He said, “Abuja has been an orphan of some sort perhaps because of near absence of democracy in its governance processes. All the 36 states’ governors are elected but the ‘militicians’ who gave us this constitution made Abuja just a part of the Office of the President, no thanks to Sections 299-302 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Even the original inhabitants, who have been agonising without organising well about unfulfilled promises since 1976, could not remember Abuja @ 40 and I said so in February 2016.”

     

  • Ndigbo celebrate new yam in Abuja

    The socio-cultural pre-eminence of yam in Igbo world view was recently lavishly show-cased in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

    The occasion was the New Yam and end of year celebration hosted by the Igbo Community Assembly (ICA), in Kubwa one of the satellite town in Abuja.

    It literally drew Igbo who is who in Abuja for an occasion adjudged not only as cultural soul lifting but also a unifying forum.

    That yam plays unparalleled role in shaping the moral life of the Igbo, is never in doubt.

    For the Igbo, yam, the tropical tuber and food crop, is king in all ramifications.

    That may have informed the decision of the ICA to commission a talk shop during the occasion to further underscore the place of yam in Igbo socio-economic, cultural and linguistic expression.

    The loftiness in which yam is held throughout Igbo land also manifests in proverbs, idioms and names of people of the area.

    The occasion as packaged by Honourable Chidi Okparauwakwe, chairman of the organizing committee, started with the breaking of the kola nut after the national and Igbo anthems.

    Igbo anthem was particularly rendered amidst pump and sophistry to remind the Igbo in the FCT the place of their birth.

    Cultural and traditional dances of Igbo origin was used to extravagantly give colour to the occasion to the admiration of invitees.

    Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Jonathan C. Okpara, who flagged off the celebration, was delighted that after some setbacks, Igbo in Kubwa could come together in unity.

    The celebration, Okpara said, was a telling point that absolute peace and unity of purpose had been restored among the Igbo in FCT.

    Eze Igbo of Kubwa, Jonathan Ozor Nweke and Eze Igbo Abuja, Eze Ibe Nwosu, graced the celebration in company with large members of their cabinet.

    Chairman of ICA Kubwa, Nze Okechukwu Nzeukwu, seized the occasion with both hands to stress the fact that the Igbo should be good ambassadors of the Igbo nation wherever they might find themselves.

    Nzeukwu did not forget to add that the Igbo wherever he is, should be politically conscious in his own interest.

    The high point of the celebration was the breaking of heaps of roasted yam by the Eze Igbo, Kubwa.

    Jonathan Ozor Nweke was supported by scores of other traditional leaders.

    Red cap chiefs were not left.

    Politicians, especially those contesting for positions in the 2019 elections, also came in their numbers.

    One such politician was Archbishop L.B. Kawas, who is gunning for senatorial seat in the FCT. The occasion ended with award giving ceremony to deserving Nigerians including non-Igbo.

    Engineer Mike Fuel Okere was one of the awardees with outstanding “Justice Personality” of the

     

  • Clamping down on drug abuse

    Rising substance and drugs abuse in the country last week Monday engaged the attention of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Substance and drugs abuse, which has been described as a social ill, involves the use of psychoactic hard drugs among many young Nigerians.

    Such substance abuse include the use of whitish end of lizard dung, hydrogen sulphide gas (sewer gas), seed of Zakami, petrol, glue or rubber solutions, nail polish cleaners, codeine, pawpaw leaves and seed, Moringa (Zogale) leaves, tear gas, gun powder, benylin, shisha, mandara (Kafra) and gutter from toilet for nonconventional purpose.Also having adverse consequences in the lives of young Nigerians are cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, coffee, colanut, cocaine, heroin, amphetamine, morphine, ephedrine, madras, caffeine, barbiturates and methamphetamine.

    Such abuse is said to have the power to reduce the quality of lives of the users and resulting in depreciation of their social interaction and societal relevance over time.

    Irrespective of the social status of the user, whether a university professor or state governor, abuse of substance or hard drugs can bring them down to the level of a carpenter or mechanic who is also on drugs.

    Such substance will reduce them to such low level until they become a scum to the society.

    Professionals have also said that such abuses rewires circuitry of the brain in a semi-permanent way, especially at the frontal lobe, which is the part of the brain responsible for planning, judgment and other higher executive decisions.

    Rather than engaging in positive thinking, everything the brain will be thinking about after drug abuse will be how to obtain more psychoactive drugs in order to continuously get the ‘high’ feelings.

    The consequences of such substance and drug abuse may vary from one person to the other.

    According to experts in the field, it is not everybody who takes such substance or drug for the first time become addicted, not every user who gets addicted requires hospitalisation, and not every user who gets hospitalised recovers from it.

    Besides several physical and mental health consequences of such abuse, the social economic and economic impact are enormous.

    A very common behaviour of drugs and substance abusers is that such a person won’t do well in school or may find it difficult to hold down a job.

    He or she may start stealing, keeping bad company and also end up having a forensic case.

    At the end of the day, such substance user who was destined to be a goal getter, will end up becoming a nuisance and fail in his or her life goals.

    Substance and drugs abuse in Nigeria is believed to be majorly due to lack of awareness of the inherent dangers of drug abuse.

    Today, more young Nigerians are deploying their energies to unveiling new sources of getting high.

    Many studies have shown the alarming incidence of drug abuse among secondary school students in Nigeria, which in most cases have led to confrontation between students and school administrators.

    According to a 2014 report by the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano was ahead of the remaining 35 states and the FCT in terms of drug convictions.

    The National Baseline Youth Survey report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in 2012 surveyed 46,836 young people with criminal convictions and found that 75.5% were male and the remaining 24.5% were female.

    Among the 32 different crimes committed, marijuana (Indian hemp) smoking had the highest figure, representing 15.7% of the convictions.

    The survey also put Kano top of the country in terms of the number of drug abusers – 37% of the population.

    But over five years after that report, the use of nonconventional substances is said to have increased exponentially and threatening the social fabric of the society.

    It is now estimated that more than 500,000 bottles of codeine are consumed by young Nigerians across the country on a daily basis.

    The same estimate goes for the intake of tramadol, rohypnol, marijuana and other opioids, which is alarmingly destroying families.

    Worried by the ugly trend, especially in the North, the wife of the President, Dr. (Mrs.) Aisha Muhammadu Buhari during a visit to Kano, declared that many Northern youths, including women, were wasting away their lives due to drug abuse.

    Also Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, seized more than five tons of Benilyn and traced the item origination to be Onitsha Market in Anambra State.

    Further studies have also shown that drugs and substance abuse is no longer the exclusive preserve of the northern part of the country.

    In Abuja, the nation’s capital, the drugs of choice according to reports are heroin, methamphetamine (crystal meth), cocaine, Rohypnol (also known as the ‘date rape pill’) and Viagra (‘the blue pill’).

    Reports showed that there is now significant increase in the use of substance and drugs by young Niger Deltans between the ages of 14 and 30.

    They also showed that the South West and the South East, like other parts of the country, have had worrisome dimensions of substance and drug abuse.

    To suppress or eliminate drugs and substance abuse in the country, the Federal Government in 1989 established the NDLEA.

    But funding challenges among other factors are said to have worked against the agency from attaining the goal.

    With the risk of the abuses becoming an epidemic, the Buhari administration could no longer fold its arms but take a decisive step.

    The President last week Monday inaugurated a two-tier intervention structure consists of the High Level Steering Committee and the Presidential Advisory Committee.

    Buhari said: “It is our collective national prayer that the labours of heroes past shall never be in vain in our time and in the foreseeable future. The need for collective action to help those enslaved by drug abuse to have a new life and the view to reduce the demand for drugs by reducing its abuse and addiction is more urgent now than ever before.

    “The use and abuse of drugs by adolescents have become one of the most disturbing health phenomena in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Many schools, growing adolescents experience mental health issues, either temporarily or for a long period of time. Some become insane, cannot remain in school and they eventually drop out.

    “Drug and alcohol abuse are also major occupational hazards among Nigerian workers, professional, notably, drivers, which contribute to making Nigerian particularly dangerous.

    “The social consequences are equally numerous, including school drop outs, cultism, violence, armed robbery and general lawlessness. This is a situation of emergency and we face and address it as such,” he stated.

    Only time will really tell if the new committees and the current efforts will really make any meaningful impact towards changing the ugly trend of drug and substance abuse in the country.

    But it is also expected that the concerned government agencies like NDLEA will be properly funded to carry out their statutory roles.

    It’s also time for faith-based organizations and other bodies to be fully brought into the fight against substance and drugs abuse in the country.

  • Mummy thought I was dummy, by marathoner

    Marathons are not just keep-fit races; they are big money spinners. In Abuja, a runner, once dismissed by his mother as a blockhead, is a champion marathoner. And he is making good money.

    On December 1, Bodyline Fitness and Gym held its second marathon race in Abuja. The event comprised two activities: a half marathon (21km); and the Abuja Fittest Man/Woman challenge, with first and second winners male and female of each category earning prizes.

    The winner of the half-marathon Aliyu Umar, an Abuja driver, was excited to win the first price money of N750,000.

    Appah Goddey who was the first price winner of the second category, Abuja Fittest Man/Woman challenge, said he gave a huge chunk of his prize money to his mother, to prove her wrong since she never saw any good in him because he was not an intelligent child.

    The 24-year-old winner said, “I like sports and when I see anything sports I have to be there. I have this spirit of not losing, when they say Abuja fittest, I have beaten all the boxers in my weight class, I am the number one and I had to show people that I achieved it through hard work.

    “Most of my prize money went to my Mom because this is the first time in my life giving my mom money but I did it for a reason, I gave most of the money to her because growing up I was a dumb child, I gave it to her to let her know that no child is a waste. I work hard because of that, I don’t know the reason why she did all she did to me but after winning I sent a huge amount to suprise her, to make her know that no child is a waste, that even the child she saw as dumb can amount to something.

    “My advice to boys is to work hard and believe in themselves more than the way they see free money, you work hard even if you don’t see the money today, believe it will come tomorrow.”

    Business Development Manager of Bodyline Fitness and Gym Abuja, Bako Hosea said that they had two major events at this year’s fitlife event, the first was a 21km half marathon race and Abuja fittest which was more of a cross fit challenge, a group of exercises. We have the dead lift, bench press, running a 9.6km from Wuse 2 to Gwarimpa, ride a bicycle back and by the time they got back, there were exercises waiting for them and the person that had the highest point emerged winner.

    He also said: “We have an annual fitness event powered by Bodyline called fitlife. We try to encourage residents of Abuja and Nigeria at large to live a fit lifestyle, we came up with this to encourage people to start healthy lifestyles that will help them stay out of the hospital.

    “So we had the male and female categories, the first prize was N750,000 for first in male and female in the two categories and N250,000 for second place.”

    First prize female winner for Abuja fittest, Uduak Ikara, a fitness trainer, yoga enthusiast and a spin instructor said she trained for 10 days in preparation for the event.

     

     

  • Udom meets Akwa Ibom in Abuja

    At a posh event in the nation’s capital, Akwa Ibom State Governor Emmanuel Udom renders account to his people in the North. ONYEDI OJIABOR reports

    Indigenes of Akwa Ibom in the 19 northern states and Abuja thronged the imposing Women Development Center, Abuja to listen to their governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.

    The unmistakable rich dress culture of the people of Akwa Ibom State ignited the main bowel of the Centre.

    Cultural dances were not left out. Conviviality enveloped the event venue.

    The hall literally exploded when the governor arrived in grandeur. Expectedly, the governor did not come alone. Apparently for effect, Udom practically relocated the state government to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    Speaker of the State House of Assembly, commissioners and cabinet members as well as members of the National Assembly from the state, were on hand to support the governor.

    “This is a full house,” one of the indigenes intoned from the swarming crowd.

    After some protocols, Governor Udom moved promptly to the business of the day. It turned out to be the presentation of his scorecard to the state indigenes in the northern states and Abuja.

    The governor seized the opportunity offered by the meeting with both hands. He reeled out what he has been able to achieve since he came on board as the first citizen of the state about three years ago.

    The people appeared not to have been disappointed in their governor. They did not hesitate to chorus that Udom was the first sitting governor of Akwa Ibom State to honour their invitation for an interactive session. The disposition of the attendees showed they were prepared to grab every minute the governor stayed with them with both hands.

    Requests and questions came in torrents. “Udom is at home with his people in the diaspora,” a member of Akwa Ibom indigenes in Abuja jokingly chanted.

    “Diaspora?” Another asked, “Yes, we’re in diaspora in Abuja far away from Akwa Ibom.” They laughed and ended the discussion.

    The governor was not short of answers and explanations to satisfy the curiosity of the people.

    Udom meandered through his exploits in education, health services, agriculture, road infrastructure, industrialisation, job creation, construction of deep seaport, sports. He did not forget the international airport. The list appeared endless.

    The governor punctuated his narrative with intermittent sonorous songs in praise of God to the delight of the cheering attendees.

    Before he called it a day, Udom reminded those allegedly plotting to unleash mayhem in the state during the 2019 election to fear God.

    For him, power belongs to God, and He gives power to who He desires.

    “This is the first time in the history of our dear state that we are hearing how Warsaw will see war and war will see Warsaw. Satan shame unto you because all power belong to God. God alone decides the leader He gives to the people He loves,” he told the people.

    Udom professed his love for the people of the state “and I’m showing my love through selfless service to the people.”

    He was sure that with airport of international standard and a deep seaport, the state would be ready to go.

    Udom told the people that the state was set to commission one of the best plywood processing plants in the country in December.

    What appeared to be the essence of the meeting emerged when Udom promised that given a second term, more than 80 percent of the food consumed by the people would be produced in the state.

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in the state, Hon. Nduese Essien, who also graced the event said the governor was fully on the ground after some initial setbacks.

    Essien listed huge debts the governor had to settle and suit cases instituted by those who lost to him in 2015 as part of the draw backs Udom had to contend with.

    The high point of the event was when the crowd overwhelmingly endorsed Udom for a second term in office.

  • Poverty alleviation versus 2019

    The President Muhammadu Buhari administration last week Wednesday introduced a new measure aimed at alleviating the sufferings of Nigerians, especially students and their parents.

    It announced a reduction in the examination registration fees for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations for Senior Secondary and Basic Education Certificate Examination from January 2019.

    After the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, also claimed that the reductions were not specifically aimed at garnering more votes for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general elections, despite starting it a month to the elections.

    According to him, it is part of government’s plans to alleviate the poverty of Nigerians especially as the agencies were not revenue generating bodies.

    To buttress his points, he even pointed out that the past high examination fees were unnecessary as they were mostly siphoned into private pockets.

    He said, “Since the new administration came into office and a change in management and prudent management by JAMB, we have been able to see that most of what have been charged doesn’t have to be because a lot of it have been siphoned by corrupt officials.

    “So, in answer to yearnings by parents, Mr. President directed that we should look into the possibility of reducing the charges.

    “So accordingly, from January 2019, JAMB fees will be from N5,000 to N3,500 for the UTME, Senior Secondary Certificate charged by National Examination Council (NECO) from 11,350 to N9,850 and Basic Education Certificate handled by NECO is reduced from N5,500 to N4,000.”

    While some Nigerians have hailed the Federal Government for the reduction, others have criticised it as being too insignificant.

    Those in support of the new measure went further to call on all state governors to urgently cut the cost of education in their states and improve access to quality education for children from poor and disadvantaged background.

    But those against the reductions argued that the reductions may not have the desired impact as they were not even up to 50% reduction from the original prices.

    They also faulted the timing of the reduction in prices, stressing that they have everything to do with the coming general elections.

    Also of recent, the Buhari’s administration newly introduced TraderMoni was seen by critics as moves by the ruling party to get more support and votes in the 2019 general elections.

    But speaking on why the government is focusing on the welfare of the common man through TraderMoni and other programmes, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo last week Tuesday in Jigawa State, said, “Mr President’s sole concern is that the resources of our country must be used for the man and woman who need it the most, the people in our society who are working hard, the

    farmers, the traders, and all of the young people who need jobs, that is the focus of Mr. President’s entire economic policy.

    “It is on giving the common man hope so that they can live decent lives, they can provide shelter for themselves, feed and live well.

    “If the money of our people was not stolen, there would be enough for us to do what we want to do, the money that we make as a country must not be stolen by a few people.

    “Under the Trader Moni Scheme, we are giving 2million people across Nigeria, N10,000 collateral-free loans with the possibility of increasing the amount within six months.

    “Here in Jigawa, we have given 30,000 petty traders and only today, we gave extra 2,000 to 5,000 traders, and all together, we have given about 35,000 people the loans in Jigawa alone.

    “We also have the Market Moni scheme which is another initiative for traders that are bigger than the petty traders and we start from N50,000 to N350,000.

    “This is the state where we have given the largest number of people, we have given 37,000 beneficiaries in this state, and every month these people receive the transfers.”

    “Under the School feeding programme, 434,000 children are being fed every day as 4000 cooks have been engaged to prepare the meals while 14,368 graduates have been engaged under the N-Power job creation scheme.

    “The Jigawa State Government is supporting all of the Federal Government programmes, it has given out motorcycles to those supervising the various programmes, it has also given them 100 android phones,” he added.

    Not done with its people-oriented programmes, the Buhari’s administration again last Saturday announced that it will soon compensate farmers and fishermen in the country, who were adversely affected by flooding which resulted from heavy rainfall during the year.

    In a message to Farmers’ Day 2018 held on Saturday at Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State, and organized by Nigeria AGIP Oil Company for farmers in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Imo States, the President stated “Two weeks ago, the National Food Security Council met and we approved a compensation package for all flood impacted farmers and fishermen.

    “I want to assure all flood affected farmers and fishermen that you will be helped.

    “This government is with you in your time of need. As I speak to you now,  the modalities for this compensation programme are being finalized and very soon, we shall start implementation,” he said.

    Recognising youths’ important roles in agricultural development as bedrock of the economy, the President added “Our future economic prosperity hinges to a large extent on how we modernize and expand our agriculture.

    “Youths account for some 62% of our population. This group, full of energy and drive, are the catalyst that will steer Nigeria in the direction that will make us realize our full potential.

    “For many years, our God-given resources have been abandoned, under-utilized or mismanaged. This is very apparent in the field of agriculture. In the past three years, we aggressively pushed the agricultural agenda with special emphasis on youth empowerment.

    “Across many value chains, we are supporting meaningful projects in partnership with private sector players. This is the only way Nigeria can feed itself in a sustainable manner.

    “We are working very hard to enable the youths actively participate in this agricultural revolution, and I take this opportunity to congratulate you all on responding positively to this call.

    “Floods are a natural phenomenon that man cannot control. I want to appeal

    to you all not to be dispirited, but to rise to the challenges,” he said.

    While all these goodies are expected by a majority of Nigerians to materialise soon, there are also claims in some quarters that the government is also planning to crash the pump price of petrol in the country.

    Bringing down the price significantly until the proposed refineries become operational, whether for political reasons or otherwise, will really go a long way to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.

    This is because many businesses’ costs have skyrocketed with the increased of pump price of petrol to maximum ceiling of N145 per litre, among other factors.

    But it is really hoped that all these poverty alleviation measures and those to come later will live beyond the 2019 general elections.

    The welfare of Nigerians, at all times, should always be the ultimate aim of any government.

  • Mummy thought I was dummy, by marathoner

    Marathons are not just keep-fit races; they are big money spinners. In Abuja, a runner, once dismissed by his mother as a blockhead, is a champion marathoner. And he is making good money.

    On December 1, Bodyline Fitness and Gym held its second marathon race in Abuja. The event comprised two activities: a half marathon (21km); and the Abuja Fittest Man/Woman challenge, with first and second winners male and female of each category earning prizes.

    The winner of the half-marathon Aliyu Umar, an Abuja driver, was excited to win the first price money of N750,000.

    Appah Goddey who was the first price winner of the second category, Abuja Fittest Man/Woman challenge, said he gave a huge chunk of his prize money to his mother, to prove her wrong since she never saw any good in him because he was not an intelligent child.

    The 24-year-old winner said, “I like sports and when I see anything sports I have to be there. I have this spirit of not losing, when they say Abuja fittest, I have beaten all the boxers in my weight class, I am the number one and I had to show people that I achieved it through hard work.

    “Most of my prize money went to my Mom because this is the first time in my life giving my mom money but I did it for a reason, I gave most of the money to her because growing up I was a dumb child, I gave it to her to let her know that no child is a waste. I work hard because of that, I don’t know the reason why she did all she did to me but after winning I sent a huge amount to suprise her, to make her know that no child is a waste, that even the child she saw as dumb can amount to something.

    “My advice to boys is to work hard and believe in themselves more than the way they see free money, you work hard even if you don’t see the money today, believe it will come tomorrow.”

    Business Development Manager of Bodyline Fitness and Gym Abuja, Bako Hosea said that they had two major events at this year’s fitlife event, the first was a 21km half marathon race and Abuja fittest which was more of a cross fit challenge, a group of exercises. We have the dead lift, bench press, running a 9.6km from Wuse 2 to Gwarimpa, ride a bicycle back and by the time they got back, there were exercises waiting for them and the person that had the highest point emerged winner.

    He also said: “We have an annual fitness event powered by Bodyline called fitlife. We try to encourage residents of Abuja and Nigeria at large to live a fit lifestyle, we came up with this to encourage people to start healthy lifestyles that will help them stay out of the hospital.

    “So we had the male and female categories, the first prize was N750,000 for first in male and female in the two categories and N250,000 for second place.”

    First prize female winner for Abuja fittest, Uduak Ikara, a fitness trainer, yoga enthusiast and a spin instructor said she trained for 10 days in preparation for the event.