The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Youths trained in climate-resilient farming

    A youth group, Fresh & Young Brains Development Initiative (FBIN) has trained over 40 youths in modern farming practices, climate-resilient agriculture and agribusiness.

    The group, in partnership with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) trained the beneficiaries during a boot camp in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    According to the organisers, the capacity building was in line with the Youth Farm (YFarm) project mandate meant to integrate rural and vulnerable youths into sustainable agriculture.

    The boot camp held in two locations for four  days, two days in-house intensive training and two days practical sessions and farm demonstrations on organic waste to wealth.

    Speaking at the closing ceremony CEO/founder of Fresh & Young Brain Development Initiative (FIBN), Nkiruka Nnaemego, a lawyer, described the YFarm project as a brainchild and trademark of Fresh & Young Brains Development Initiative (FBIN) and Alexijan Consults.

    Nnaemego said YFarm adopts a comprehensive and integrated approach that directly engages youth and different stakeholders in Agriculture to promote multi-sectorial and inter-generational partnership.

    “Through the project’s ‘YFarm: My farm, My Swag Campaign’, Agriculture is being promoted as Fun Activity, Culture, Career and Business among rural and peri-urban youth across Africa”.

    In her words, ‘YFarm project has impacted many young lives and has given birth to various youth led small scales farms and agribusinesses including Alexijan Farms (Abuja and Imo) and NK Foods & Beverages- project pilot farm and agribusiness respectively’.

    The project which was centered to educate the participants in agribusiness and climate smart farm is to increase farmer’s income and contribute to community development.

    “The theme for the YFam project ‘Building a Climate Resilient Generation’ was carefully thought out to establish FYBDI and Alexijan Consults involvement in the realisation of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

    The YFam project, launched in April 2, 2014 as a National initiative received over 500 applications in Nigeria and other African countries but only 80 were selected, trained under YFarm: My farm, Swag campaign at Alexis Farm house in Abuja.

    In an interview with the Program Coordinator OSIWA, Joseph Amenaghawo said FIBN has the great role to play in youth devlopment.

    He also noted that OSIWA recognised that young people are becoming very interested in agric related work and also recognised the intersection between climate changes with the agriculture.

    “It was important to support YFarm project and most importantly to supports FIBN to continue it works in helping the youths to understanding the dynamics of farming and challenges of climate change,” Joseph said.

  • Crime on the rise

    FRANCA OCHIGBO captures the growing spate of grisly attacks and robberies in Abuja, including her own experience at the hands of murderous rogues

    I woke up by 5:30 in the morning and left my house for my usual road walk in Kubwa, Abuja. It is a habit I have formed for over 10 years, it keeps me healthy and fit. As I move along I watch other people jog, walk, some in groups, others alone just like me. I walk for at least two hours every morning depending on my schedule for the day.

    On October 19, 2017, as I walked past Total petrol station, close to Foursquare Church in Kubwa, with my earphone on and music blasting from my small Samsung phone, I did not notice the okada parked on the roadside. As I turned sideways to look, I saw two men jump down from the okada while the okada rider was waiting. The two men rushed at me, one held my hands while the other was busy stabbing me.

    My first thought was they were kidnappers, but they were not with a car, so how could they kidnap me? Then I thought they were ritual killers. At that moment I just could not think or comprehend what they wanted to do; they did not ask any question or say a word, which got me more confused.

    While one of them was stabbing me I kept screaming Jesus, somebody help me, please help me. Then right behind me, the shops there started opening, and people started coming out. Immediately they noticed people were coming out they climbed the okada and sped off.

    It never occurred to me that my phone was gone. I was bleeding all over, blood gushing from all parts of my body. I was stabbed in four places, my left hand, two on my back and by my side. Among the people that came out was a Good Samaritan who gave me transport money which I used to go to the police station and the hospital.

    I took an okada to the Kubwa police station. On getting there I was asked to wait, I sat there for over 50 minutes, almost an hour, when I asked what their reasons were for keeping me, they said the group that should take my statement was not back from patrol.

    I was getting dizzy and weak and I told them if no one will take my statement I should just go and treat myself. That was when one of them asked me, Madam where do you work. I said I am a journalist. He now said I should follow him to the general hospital next to the police station in Kubwa.

    On getting to the general hospital we met a lady doctor on duty who was waiting to hand over, as soon as she saw me, she began treatment not minding the fact that I had no money on me at that time. She gave me injection, stitched the wounds and wrote out drugs for me to buy. When I told her I had no money on me at the moment that I just came out for road walk, she said no problem, your life matters, I will treat you after the treatment when you get home come back, pay and pick up your drugs.

    After the treatment I managed to get to my colleague’s house opposite the general hospital. He and his wife drove me home.

    A week later I was telling a friend of my experience and she said don’t even go too far, mine was three days ago I was going for early morning mass with my sister at the 2/1 part of kubwa, we came out of our gate by 6am and were waiting for okada to take us to church, we just saw an okada rider in front of us with two men and the okada rider making the third person, the two men jumped down while the okada rider was waiting, one of them held the knife high to stab me, immediately we saw them we started running, out of confusion we could not run into our house gate. She said, “As I was running I entered an open soak-away, jumped out and kept running, the guy was still chasing me as soon as I threw away my bag and phone he picked it and turned back.

    I asked how her sister escaped, she said the sister threw her bag at the second man and that was how they both escaped. She showed me bruises from the wound she sustained while running.

    Osinachi Igwe who narrated his story said, he was going for Adoration, which takes place before the morning mass by 4:45am on his bicycle, he just saw three men on a bike riding towards him, the next thing the hit his bicycle and pulled him down with a knife on his neck, they tried cutting his neck but the knife will not penetrate, so they started poking his chest with the knife it still will not penetrate, while all this was going on one of the  men held his hand while the other one was doing all this. When they realise they could not cut him with a knife one of them brought out a machete that was when he struggled with all the strength he has and ran away.

    Osinachi said, while he was running, few metres away, he saw a man with blood all over his body from stabs by these group of people, what he cannot say is if it’s the same people that attacked him that stabbed this man.

    Mallam Jibril is an Imam in one of the mosque in Kubwa, he said they have seen a lot of attacks on their members by this group of people. According to him, some of the okada riders in Kubwa are even victims, they steal their okada and stab them too. The people committing this crime are seriously terrorizing the Kubwa metropolis, we believe the police in Kubwa know these people, if they want to arrest them it is easy, why they keep letting them go is what is surprising all of us. Most times the police will say they are making arrest and they end up arresting innocent okada riders, if the police want to get these guys they know where the guys are and what to do.

    The crime rate in Kubwa is taking a serious dimension, residents believe the police know these groups terrorizing the satellite town but choose to look the other way and are not willing to do anything about it. How do you explain a stabbed victim going to the police and yet the police is not taking statement and not showing any concern on the health condition of the victim. The people see the police as law enforcement officers to protect lives and properties, but with this situation how safe are we, till this minute the perpetrators are working the street as free people feeling that they are untouchable and no one can do anything about it.

    From what residents are saying, it is not a religious attack of any kind. It is obvious that these group of people are not petty thieves either, they are blood thirsty group of people who go around harming innocent residents, creating fear and panic all over. Presently you cannot confidently come out of your house before 6-30-7am in the morning. For how long will residents continue to live with this fear? Kubwa is gradually turning into a ghost town as resident rush to their homes by 7pm and by 9-10pm the whole town becomes quiet, no one goes out any how for fear of being attacked or killed by these blood thirsty people.

    There has been speculations of killings by these group on the pipeline and 2/1 part of Kubwa. It’s an endless tale of pity for residents. If nothing is done soon there is the likelihood of them moving into the comfort of people’s homes to murder them. If they will just come and demand for a particular thing, it is better, at least the victim will give them, but in their case they don’t demand for anything, they just come with all kind of weapons to kill or maim. Please Kubwa residents need help. Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) police should do something fast.

    Reacting to the sad development, In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command, Abuja Deputy Superintendent Anjuguri Manzah states that the proactive crime fighting measures deployed by the FCT Police Command to curb crime and rid streets of the Federal Capital Territory of hoodlums who loiter at some secluded spots to attack and rob innocent residents of their cash, phones and other valuables has yielded yet another remarkable result with the arrest of some notorious suspects who specialize in phone snatching and vandalizing parked cars and armored cables.

    “Six of the suspects who specialize in snatching phones and other valuables from their victims were arrested by police operatives on stop and search duty at Games Village Junction on July 28, 2018 at about 2100hrs. Some dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, dagger and scissors, often used by the suspects to inflict injury on their victims, were recovered as exhibits.”

    He gave the names of the suspects arrested as, Bissir Abdullahi ‘m’ 20 years, Auwal Lawani ‘m’ 18 years, Aminu Sani ‘m’ 22 years, Bissir Abdullahi ‘m’ 18 years, Abbas Saleh ‘m’ 18 years and Auwal Umar ‘m’ 18 years. Sequel to the conclusion of investigations, the suspects will soon be charged to court.

    Similarly, on 31/7/18 at about 1400hrs following a tip-off, Police operatives arrested one Victor Maiyanga ‘m’ 20 years around City Gate while vandalising armoured cables. The exhibits recovered from him were some vandalised armoured cables and one cutlass. On the same date, at about 2100hrs police operatives on stop and search duty at Games Village Junction arrested one Abdulrahaman Idris ‘m’ 20 years who specialises in vandalising parked vehicles and armoured cables. The following were recovered from him as exhibits: two daggers, two short knives, three Saws, seven spanners, and two hand gloves. Both suspects will soon be charged to court. In case of distress, contact the FCT Police Command Control room on:  08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 and 08028940883

  • Osinbajo’s sledgehammer

    Last week Tuesday was a day the immediate past Director-General (DG) of the Department of State Services (DSS) Lawal Musa Daura will not forget in a hurry.

    He went beyond his powers and saw the bitter part of the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Daura had that Tuesday morning deployed armed and masked security operatives from the DSS to take over the National Assembly complex.

    Initially, there was total blockage as lawmakers, journalists, management and staff were denied access.

    These took place on a day principal officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives were scheduled to meet by 12 p.m. and to be followed by another meeting with the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

    Daura’s greatest sin on that Tuesday was his failure to get the permission of the Acting President before taking the action, which many Nigerians have described as anti-democracy.

    Shocked by Daura’s action, Osinbajo summoned him and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris to explain the National Assembly blockage.

    Osinbajo didn’t hesitate to hit Daura with the ‘sledgehammer’, termination of appointment.

    Shortly after their meeting, Daura’s appointment as the DG DSS was terminated while Idris exonerated himself from the drama and National Assembly blockage.

    Osinbajo was said to have particularly taken the action against Daura to prevent derailing of the democratic governance in the country and also to distance the Presidency from Daura’s action.

    The two quick statements issued that day by the Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President, Laolu Akande reads “The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has directed the termination of the appointment of the Director General, State Security Service, Lawal Musa Daura with immediate effect.

    “Mr. Daura has been directed to hand over to the most senior officer of the State Security Service until further notice.

    “Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has described the unauthorized takeover of the National Assembly complex earlier today as a gross violation of constitutional order, rule of law and all acceptable notions of law and order.

    “According to him, the unlawful act which was done without the knowledge of the Presidency is condemnable and completely unacceptable.

    “By this statement, Professor Osinbajo is consequently assuring Nigerians that all persons within the law enforcement apparatus who participated in this travesty will be identified and subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.” he stated

    Since last Tuesday, Osinbajo’s action has been commended by many stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians.

    Although some Nigerians believed that Osinbajo, who has remained very loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari, who is holidaying in London, must have sought for his opinion on the issue before sacking Daura.

    The response of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, to questions from reporters the following day, disclosed that the Presidency, as a whole, supported the termination of Daura’s appointment.

    He said, “What we will like to say for the umpteenth time is that the presidency is one. Whenever the President is proceeding on vacation he transmit power to the Vice President, who then become the Acting President. On this occasion he also did that.

    “So the Acting President has all the powers of a President. Now it’s a matter then of decency and we know that the Acting President is a decent man.

    “There is no tussle for power, there is no tough battle between him and the President.

    “When something like what happened yesterday will happen, there then will be unanimity. There is no way there won’t be unanimity on that kind of decision.

    “It’s not something that will be discussed with the press but know that there was unanimity in the decision.” Adesina stated

    But some Nigerians, who felt that Osinbajo unilaterally took the decision out of frustration from the series of embarrassment to the Government and to his person as a church pastor, feared that his decision may be rescinded when the President returns from holiday in London.

    They based their fears on the recent past when the appointment of the suspended Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf, was reinstated by the President on the 6th of February 2018.

    Osinbajo, who was also the Acting President when President Buhari was in London last year, had approved through the Minister of Heath, Prof. Isaac Adewole, the suspension of Yusuf on 6th of July, 2017 over allegations of fraud.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was alleged to be investigating Yusuf for over N900 million fraud.

    Yusuf, whose suspension was based on allegations of abuse of office, nepotism and insubordination, was accused of buying a brand new Toyota Sports Utility Vehicle with number plate, NHIS 12Y-01 FG, for N58m, without the express approval of the Health Minister  for items above N2.5 million.

    But before EFCC and ICPC could finish their investigations and make their findings public, a letter purportedly issued by the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, reinstated Yusuf on the 6th of February 2018.

    Some of the common factors between Daura’s and Yusuf’s cases are that they are both from the northern part of the country and the two cases happened while Osinbajo was Acting President when the President was in London.

    But while the Yusuf’s case has to do with corruption allegations, Daura’s case borders on national security and threats of truncating democracy.

    The fears that Daura may, at the end of the investigations, get soft landing, were further fueled by last Wednesday’s statement by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Yekini Nabena, reads in parts: “Following Tuesday’s incident at the National Assembly, our investigations have now uncovered the sinister plot hatched by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, to foment violence in the legislative chamber all in a bid to stop his impeachment.

    “Our investigations uncovered and noted the following: We are now aware that the timely intervention of the security operatives forestalled the planned violence which could have led to possible deaths, injuries, and destruction of property in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

    “Why did the Senate President mobilise thugs to the National Assembly who almost lynched Hon. E.J. Agbonayinma, the only APC federal lawmaker present but for the timely intervention of security operatives.” it stated

    Will Lawal Daura be recalled soon to head the DSS like Yusuf’s case, or given soft landing or prosecuted for the sins leveled against him?

    Only time will tell how the Lawal Daura story will end.

  • Minister inaugurates erosion control projects

    The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello has commissioned a N263 million erosion control projects executed by the Ecological Fund Office (EFO), in Karishi, a suburb under Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

    Speaking at the commissioning in Abuja, he charged residents and host communities to take ownership of the projects and avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

    The minister, who also commissioned a similar project in Abaji, Abaji Area Council, said that the projects were expected to check flooding and gully erosion menace in the communities.

    He added that the age long problem of gully erosion and flooding in that part of the country cannot be overemphasised.

    He said, “Having successfully completed this projects, the living standard of the people in the communities would be enhanced. This would at the same time reduce danger to lives and properties associated with erosion and persistent flooding that had been experienced here in recent times.”

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Habiba Lawal, applauded the contractor for timely delivery of the projects.

    She said the timely completion was made possible through efforts of the project coordinator and consultant, who had worked tirelessly to ensure minimum loss of time with very close monitoring and prompt honouring of all contractual obligations.

    The PS stressed that the commissioning and the handing over of the projectionist to the benefitting community is expected to achieve the dual purpose of enabling the host community to take over and exercise ownership over the project, and to ensure its maintenance and sustainability.

    In his remarks, the Project Manager, Katlego Engineering Ltd, Shittu Chidawa, shared an overview of the project.

    He said it was based on the scope of the work, which include site clearing, artwork, backfilling and excavation, stressing that the road was in a very bad condition before the intervention of the EFO.

    He added that during the implementation of the project, a total of 800 people were engaged from the host community, within three to four months when the project was implemented.

    Chidawa urged the community to take ownership of the project and also desist from dumping refuse in the drainage.

  • ‘Operation no scavengers’

    Accused of robbery and vandalism, among other crimes, human scavengers who poke and rummage through garbage heaps in search of commercial scraps have been banned from the city. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports

    Following the resolution of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to combat armed robbery, kidnappings, vandalism and other forms of crime in the nation’s capital, the administration has banned the activities of scavengers also known as ‘Baban Bola’ from the city centre.

    They have been directed to restrict their activities to the official dumpsites in the city only.

    Speaking to newsmen on the development, the Secretary, FCTA Social Development Secretariat, Ladi Hassan, said the action was necessitated by the outcry from various residents  that many valuables have been lost to scavengers in the territory.

    He noted that many public utilities have been targets for vandalism and robbery activities that carried the footprints of Baban Bola practitioners.

    In a statement issued by the Special Assistant (Media) to FCT Minister, Abubakar Sani, Hassan stated that under the guise of scavenging from refuse bins in the neighbourhoods across the city, the Baban Bolas have been involved in many criminal activities ranging from petty theft to armed robbery, vandalism of public utilities and other forms of criminality.

    To put an end to this, the Secretary said Baba Bolas are to operate only at the Gousa, Karshi, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kwali, Abaji and Kuje approved dumpsites, as opposed to moving from one neighbourhood to another collecting waste objects across Abuja.

    He said, “In furtherance of the commitment of the Administration to protect and secure lives and property of all residents of the Territory and in accordance with section 35 sub-section 1(i) of the AEPB Act of 1997, which prohibits the collection and disposal of refuse without authorisation, the FCT Administration hereby bans scavengers a.k.a Baban Bola from collecting, disposing of refuse, trespassing on refuse bins or similar activities in any part of the Federal Capital City.

    “Their activities are henceforth restricted to government designated dump sites outside the city. As a result, reports reaching the Administration indicate that residents in many parts of the Capital City have lost many of their valuables to these scavengers.”

    Pursuant to the foregoing, the Secretary requested the security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found to be violating the directive and plying their trade outside the official dumpsites.

    It would be recalled that the FCTA had earlier given a May 2018 deadline to the group to seize their indiscriminate activities in the territory after it held a meeting with the leadership of the Abuja chapter of Baban Bola and craftsmanship last April.

  • Weeding out fifth columnists

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) penultimate week went through another acid test in the run-up to the 2019 general elections.

    This time around it took place at the Senate and House of Representatives plenary sessions, where some lawmakers defected from the ruling APC.

    While 14 senators were said to have defected from the APC, 37 APC members in the House of Representatives were also reportedly defected to other political parties.

    This cross-carpeting coupled with the exit and creation of the Reformed All Progressives Congress (R-APC), some Nigerians believed that the end was near for the ruling party.

    But the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, was of the opinion that those leaving the party didn’t really believe in the ideals of the party in the first place.

    Like weeding out fifth columnists from the party, he believed that it was more dangerous for enemies of the party to remain and continue to camouflage as true and patriotic members of the APC.

    In a chat with State House correspondents, he said, “I insist that I will not miss sleep one minute over mercenary activities.

    “I had said and I want to repeat, this business of governance must be driven by men and women of honour. If the only motivation is personal interest, what is in it for me, what have I gained, how many people have done xyz for, if that is the basis, the earlier those in this business of personal gains, the earlier they return to where they belong the better.

    “This party that I am privileged to chair is not worried at all, we are not disturbed, I am not going to miss my sleep and we will go into the campaign.

    “Check the electoral results, you will find that a lot claimed to have decamped on a good day the vote they got that made them members of the Senate, our President got much more votes in their constituency. So, we are not fooled at all.

    “The thing going on is that you have a lot of so-called big masquerades with very little or no electoral value. I have tried my best which I think I needed to do to give people comfort, those who claimed to be aggrieved.

    “But those who have other hidden agenda that are not negotiable, I am not going to be able to appease anyone who expects x-level of return and the system is not delivering it, in terms of personal return. I can’t solve that.

    “But those who felt that in terms of within the management of the party they have issues, those ones are on the table; it can be dealt with. But those who have issues under the table they are beyond me.

    “But let me assure you, I am so happy that over time that water will find its level. Because, if you remember what I said the day I formally declared my interest to contest, I had said, to be a progressive party means we must be clear that it cannot be a party for everyone.

    “We have to be sure that you subscribed to the values and ideals of a progressive party.  If indeed you belong to the extreme right, and you mistakenly find yourself in a progressive party, obviously that is not where you belong.

    “As soon as you realise that you can’t adjust to the requirement of progressives, which is people driven, people-based, people-oriented and you choose to return to the right wing where you know what the name of the game was, share the money, it is your choice.

    “But I need to remind you, I am not a poor student of struggle, I am not a professor of struggle, I am a product of struggle, I know what I am talking about. Very soon Nigerians will go to the polls and we will see who will deliver what in his constituency.

    “This is a thing that in the morning you will have breakfast with me, in the afternoon you are having lunch with python and in the evening you are having sugarcane with some other forces, I think in the interest of our nation we need to simplify these issues before the electorates. Because, the confusion is that you have coalition of people whose ideas are not compatible.”

    Oshiomhole added “To be very honest with you, it is better you formalize where you belong and be properly identified by your father’s name than purporting to bear my name and you are working for my opponent.

    “Every observer particularly the elite core of the Nigerian media that is represented in the State House, you know that it there has been opposition to this APC government, that opposition has come within the ranks of members of the APC, some in the National Assembly,” he said.

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s social media aide, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, also believed that the exit of the former APC members is good for the party as it was losing some bad fat.

    On her Twitter handle, she said “As with an obese person who has struggled with weight issues all his life, APC has lost some bad fat.

    “APC is now healthier and better for the Party APC, and the nation. The fear of Adams Oshiomhole is the beginning of wisdom,” she stated.

    The President also wished those who decamped from the party best of luck in their future endeavours.

    Stressing that the APC had done its best to stop the defections, Buhari said, “As the saying goes, all politics is local. We understand that some of the distinguished and honourable lawmakers have issues with their home states, especially on zoning which bars some of them from seeking another term in their constituencies.”

    But Buhari’s core loyalists from the Senate last week Wednesday night stormed the Presidential Villa to show their solidarity to the President.

    A total of 42 members of the APC caucus in the Senate pledged their continued loyalty to the party and the President.

    The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, who led the delegation said, “We have come to pay a courtesy call on our leader, the President of this country and them inform him about what happened yesterday in the Senate and indeed the National Assembly; the defection by some of our colleagues from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party, the PDP and various political parties. We informed the President of how we stand in the Senate.

    “As at today, the APC caucus in the Senate is 53 in number, followed by the largest minority party the PDP with 48 Senators and then the ADC with 2 Senators, APGA has 2 Senators. We have 2 vacant seats which were occupied by APC Senators who are late now.”

    While the real and remaining APC members in the party will continue to pray that all the enemies of the party are completely shown the way out, it is hoped that subsequent cross carpeting will not heat up the polity.

    Everything should be done to ensure peaceful and violence-free 2019 elections.

  • WAEC goes digital

    West African Examination Council has solicited the support of the FCT Administration for a zonal centre for its electronic marking technology (e-marking) for some West African Secondary School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) papers.

    The Registrar of the Council, Dr. Iyi Uwadiae made the appeal when he paid a courtesy call on the FCT Minister.

    The Registrar said WAEC is working towards migrating to full digital administration of its examinations in keeping with global standards.

    Dr. Uwadiae stated that the Council aspires “for a hitch-free impeccable world class service through the deployment of cutting edge technology to the doorsteps of all stakeholders in education which involves the decentralisation of the councils operations and activities.”

    According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the minister, Cosmas Uzodinma, WAEC, he said, currently carries out its activities in Nigeria through a total of 35 zonal, branch, satellite and liaison offices located in the various states across the country. These include the WAEC Liaison Office in Garki, Abuja as well as the full-fledged Zonal Office in Gwagwalada.

    He revealed that the Federal Government is collaborating with WAEC International Headquarters in Accra, Ghana in funding the establishment of a Computer Based Testing (CBT) centres in each of the six geopolitical zones. The project, he disclosed, has been successfully implemented in Lagos and Benin City. The Registrar further explained that testing centre would only take care of objectives papers while the other aspects like practical examinations and essays would still be marked by examiners.

    The Registrar therefore appealed to the FCT Administration to support its bid to establish the CBT centre for the North Central geopolitical zone in Abuja.  The Council, according to him was soliciting for a plot of land to build the centre.

    In his response, to the august visitor, the FCT Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, who was represented at the occasion by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, pledged the support of the Administration to the Council. He praised the Council for its stability and integrity over the years and urged them to keep up the good work. The Permanent Secretary, welcomed home  Dr. Uwadiae, a Nigerian, urging him to represent Nigeria well at the Council.

  • RMRDC signs MOU with agric entrepreneurs

    A milestone has been achieved as government’s foremost research and development organ and an agric entrepreneurial group strikes  partnership.

    The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and the Association of Agricultural and Industrial Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (AIEN) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate in rural agro-industrial development.

    At the signing ceremony in the boardroom of RMRDC in Maitama, Abuja, the two bodies resolved to work closely on developing rural agricultural clusters for harnessing agricultural produce from across remote areas of the country.

    RMRDC, represented by its Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. H. O. Ibrahim, noted that “RMRDC has for some years been working on development and utilisation of rural materials for industries. As part of this effort, the Council has come up with a cluster development strategy for which the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has adopted the Ward-Based Cluster Programme. In our effort to improve the strategy and give verve to the programme, we accepted the proposal to work out collaboration between RMRDC and AIEN for delivery and implementation.”

    RMRDC which has offices in the 36 state of the federation will provide technical support while AIEN has developed a functional platform of entrepreneurs and industries that would catalyse the harnessing of targeted raw materials and products as well as guarantee off-takers for the resultant improved production. This last mile effort from AIEN will ensure the success of the collaboration.

    President of AIEN, Dr. Chuku Wachuku explained that collaboration between his organization and RMRDC will have the immediate effect of galvanising raw materials production for Nigeria both for local consumption and for export; will create employment and wealth through public-private partnership and improve foreign exchange earnings.

    According to him, AIEN is already collaborating with some states to drive agric cluster production in all LGAs of the country; employs between 250 to 500 in each cluster; collaborates with financial institutions to raise funds and with international agencies for capacity building.

    The overall objective of the collaboration would be to assist the efforts of the government at driving food security, ensuring the local sourcing of sustainable production inputs and implements. It is hoped that the collaboration would also contribute in no small measure in driving the diversification efforts of various governments, especially in agro-industrial manufacture and produce export.

    AEIN is a membership organization with a mission to empower the Nigerian people to alleviate unemployment. It stimulates and monitors development in medium scale enterprises. It serves as a vanguard for rural industrialization, poverty reduction, job creation and sustainable living. It also serves as a resource centre for information and access to industrial infrastructure such as layouts, incubators and industrial parks.

  • Africa’s free trade pact: hurdles ahead

    Nigeria, as at last week, seemed not to have overcome the dilemma of whether to sign or not to sign the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) agreement.

    Africa’s Heads of Government had agreed in 2012 to establish a Continental Free Trade Area while negotiations started on it in 2015.

    The agreement signed by majority of African countries in March 2018 proposes removal of tariffs on 90% of all goods, while the balance 10% of identified “sensitive items” would also be later phased in as tariff free.

    The agreement also will liberalize commercial services and also address “non-tariff barriers” which include extended delays and harassment at border posts.

    Free movement of people and a common currency will also ultimately evolve in such free trade area.

    While countries are expected to enjoy at least 15 benefits despite the challenges from the agreement, some stakeholders believed that its implementation will increase intra-African trade by 52 percent by 2022, compared with trade levels in 2010.

    But as at last week, Nigeria and Guinea Bissau, out of the 15 ECOWAS countries, have not signed the agreement.

    The giant of Africa is also part of the six members of the African Union that have not signed the agreement.

    Since four months ago, many Nigerian business stakeholders and labour unions have been opposing Nigeria signing the agreement, as they noted that Nigeria will be the loser for it.

    The public outcry had made President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2018 to call off his planned trip to Rwanda for the signing ceremony.

    He paused Nigeria’s signing the document and ordered for thorough consultations among the Nigerian business community and relevant stakeholders.

    But the story seemed not to have changed much after the three months consultations nationwide.

    There was still great opposition against Nigeria signing the ACFTA as witnessed during the 8th Presidential Quarterly Business Forum held at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja last week Monday.

    Despite all the benefits that could accrue to Nigeria from signing the document, the  Director General and Chief Negotiator, Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN), Ambassador Chiedu Osakwe at the Forum noted that certain issues still needed to be addressed first.

    He said “In thinking about the ACFTA for the economy, it is important we think both in terms of goods, services and Nigeria’s intellectual property.

    “There are number of studies that we have undertaking, all the studies including domestic, collaborative between researchers outside and researchers in Nigeria, simply show that the greatest beneficiary would be Nigeria, the number one economy in the continent.

    “We also asked the researchers to do a poll of 512 Nigerian businesses, 69% understand, know about and support the ACFTA, 20% don’t think it is advantageous, and 12% are totally indifferent and they have not made up their minds. That was the feedback we got from the business community,” he said.

    He went on “Under the Presidential directive, we undertook a nationwide consultation, hugely beneficial major exercise, we talked to about 28 individual groups and many of you are here.

    “We went to all the six geopolitical zones and there were negotiated and signed communiques. Thirdly, through televisions and print media we called for inputs to be … autonomously submitted by businesses on their thinking about the ACFTA and what they would like to see.

    “The business groups among you that on your own without any negotiation sent in autonomous inputs are eleven. They are the Association of Women Entrepreneurs, NACCIMA, FOCCIMA, NASMI, Agric business group, MAN, Eastern Economic Group, Nigeria Stock Exchange, NASG (submitted 7 different communiques, including one from each geopolitical zone), Nigeria Institute for Advanced Legal Studies, and Nigeria Defence Company.

    “So, the sensitization and the nationwide exercise were very transparent and very open.

    “I will like to conclude by saying what did we learn from the three months nationwide consultations and what’s the plan going forward.

    “On current trend, the ACFTA should come into force before the end of this year, one point I should leave is this and you need to know because you are the drivers of the economy, Nigeria not engaged since the signing on the 21st of March. The reason I say this is that one, signatories including the 13 in ECOWAS are moving on with the development of the goods and services schedules and they will table them over the next few weeks with the AU with the ACFTA, so that work is ongoing.

    “Secondly, with regards to the products specifics roles of origin, remember what we negotiated, agreed and will be signed are the general roles of origin. Negotiations have since resumed with the products roles of origin, I think you need to know that the world moves on nonetheless.

    “There is a strong support for ACFTA, but at the same time there is a determination on the part of the private sector that there are longstanding issues in the domestic economy of Nigeria that must be addressed.”

    Listing those things that should be addressed, he said “The starting point is power, predictable cost-effective power, because it has a lot to do with the competitiveness of Nigeria businesses, invest more in trading infrastructures, accelerate and build on the major successes Nigeria has attained on the ease of doing business, and the multiple charges, tolls and check points on the roads, good market access for goods and services, tightened and increased effective border control, and establish a trade remedy infrastructure before the end of this year.”

    Many stakeholders who spoke after him also believed that Nigeria should not sign the agreement until certain issues are addressed.

    Opposing the signing of the agreement, the Chairman of NEPAD Business Group and former President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Mrs. Nike Akande said that Nigeria’s goods and services should first be made competitive.

    She harped on good infrastructure as a key to promoting trade and investment in the country.

    The Vice President of the North-West Zone of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Engineer Ibrahim Usman, added his voice by asking why Nigeria should be in hurry to sign the document if what is going on is still work in progress.

    He charged the government to urgently conduct three studies including export market survey, study on national economic industrial product survey and study of liberalization on manufacturing in the country as a whole.

    But Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Forum believed that Nigeria cannot afford to take the backseat despite the challenges the agreement would likely pose.

    He said “With respect to the ACFTA, there are clearly huge advantages for us no questions about it at all. The rest of Africa see the enormous advantage of Nigeria’s participation, everybody is waiting for us naturally and that is because they see a huge market, they are advantages of our being there. But we must ensure to get the best possible terms for Nigerian trade and commerce.

    “Our experiences with dooming and other injurious practices make it obvious to us that our market could be a real target, our local manufacturing could become unprofitable, our agricultural advantage could be reverse.

    “I think the general resolve favours engagement but the concerns remains around improving the domestic environment for greater competitiveness, concerns of power supply and investment in infrastructure. I don’t think I will make a more eloquent case than the honorable minister of power, works and housing has just made.

    “I have noted the various studies that MAN will like to see done, I think those background checks are important as to what works and what doesn’t work and what is going on with the industry and all that. I think those concerns are very crucial and I think many of them are being done already. But at the same time we must be careful not to give the impression that these are minimum pre-conditions for engagement with the process because the question of cause has been asked when will we be ready? What is the opportunity cost of not engaging now? I think these are some of the concerns that we must fixed.

    “The only way to go is that we must fix the gap, we must keep the engine running, there is no time for us to say let’s  wait, take down the entire time just to prepare. I think this is the time to ahead and do something about it while we are taking into accounts all the issues that have been raised and making sure that we are negotiating well,” he stated.

    While it is very important now to urgently do more consultations and carry out further researches, care must be taken to ensure that Nigeria does not make any costly economic blunder.

    Steps should also continue to improve the critical infrastructures in the country that will bring down the cost of production of goods and services that will make them more competitive against continental and global markets.

    In other words, before opening our doors for favorable or unfavorable external competition, the environment should be put right for our local industries to stand firmly on their feet.                                                                                                                                                                           Dumping of goods or services must never be allowed to kill local firms and compound the already worsened unemployment situation in the country.

     

  • Abuja light rail to cost $1.3b

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has said that the Federal Executive Council (FCT), in 2017, approved $1.3 billion for the construction of the entire Abuja light rail project.

    He said the implementation of the project has been divided into phases, with phase 1 commissioned at the cost of $823million.

    Bello disclosed this at the inauguration of the light rail project.

    He said: “The Federal Executive Council approved the project in 2017 for construction by CCECC at a cost of US$1.3billion. We hope that the Minister of Finance would consider putting this key project in the next borrowing plans, the Minister of Budget and National Planning would agree to it, the National Assembly would approved it and that China Exim Bank would fund it as a mark of goodwill for the cordial relationship between our two countries.

    “The Abuja Rail Mass Transit System is an integral part of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Transportation Master Plan designed primarily to transport large number of commuters and goods between Satellite Towns into the Metropolitan Public Transport system and the different Phases of the Federal Capital City (FCC). The Abuja rail system is packaged into 6 Lots planned for phased development, based on preferential demand and available financial resources The Abuja Rail Mass Transit System is planned to integrate with the National Rail Network when eventually completed.

    “The Abuja rail is divided into Six (6) Lots and with total length of 290 kilometres. The Lots are: Lot3: From Transportation Centre via ldu lndustrial Zone ‘0 Nanmad’i Azikwe international Airport; Lot 4; From Kuje Satellite town to Karshi Satellite town with the  remaining legs of the Transit way line 2; Lot 5: From Kubwa via Bwari to Suleja; and Lot 6′. From Airport via Kuje and Gwagwalada to Dobi.

    “Implementation of the project has been divided into phases, with phase 1 being what we are commissioning today. The segment consists of Lot 1A & 3 with a total length of 45.3 kilometres. Lot1A: starts at ldu lndustrial Zone via Gwagwa-Diedie and terminates at Gbazango Station in Kubwa (18km); Both Lots connect at the ldu Station to enable easy passenger transfer with the National Rail line linking Kaduna  and Abuja.

    “The project cost US$823,540,545.87 funded 60% by the China- Exim Bank and 40% by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (F CTA). Scope of work include 45.3km 0f double standard gauge rail tracks a maintenance deport, training school, operations control centre and 12 Stations, Abuja Metro Station, Stadium Station, Kukwaba I (National Park Station), Kukwaba ll (Ring Road Station), Wupa Station, Idu Station, Bassaniiwa Station, Airport Station, Gwagwa Station, Deidei Station, Kagini Station and Gbazango Station.”

    The minister said that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has also taken delivery of the three coaches meant for initial operations while awaiting the arrival of the rolling stock of 48 coaches.

    Bello said FCTA has concluded an infrastructure soft loan agreement with Exim Bank of China for the supply of the remaining coaches, including their maintenance for three years at a cost of US$194,008,602.43 adding that the Bank would fund the project to the tune of US$157,001,049.89 (85%), while the FCTA would bring in a counterpart fund of US$37,007,552.54 (15%).

    He said: “the rail tracks, signalling, stations and other infrastructure were completed in December, 2017, 6 months ago. In line with International best practices, we spent 2 months testing the rail system without passengers, one month with passengers. i am pleased to state that the Federal Ministry of Transportation after working closely with our team of Engineers, the Construction Company China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and the protect Consultants, Messrs Transurb Technical Ltd has granted the Abuia Rail Mass Transit Project (ARMT) (Lot 3 & Lot 1A) Safety Certificate for Commercial Operations. We have also worked and are working closely with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) In the implementation of the project and they have granted relevant approvals for Operations.