The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Tight security at pro-Buhari rally

    Security operatives around the Unity Fountain, Abuja were doubled following a rally by the Centre for Civil Society and Justice (CCSJ) in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s broadcast that the unity of Nigeria is settled.

    Both the young and old turned out in large numbers for the peaceful rally with different inscriptions in solidarity with Buhari’s fight against corruption, and hate speeches, among others.

    Convener of CCSJ, Comrade Goodluck Obi while addressing the crowd, commended Buhari’s administration, its resolve and commitment to fix “our broken society which has been plundered and pillaged by irresponsible leadership in the past at various levels of government.

    Obi urged Nigerians to make peace and unity their watchword at all times no matter the situation and influence.

    The members, who came from the six geo-political zones of the country, brandished various placards during the event.

    Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “United we stand, divided we fall; ‘Legislooters’ must be jailed; we stand against terrorism; we support Buhari anti-corruption campaign,” among others.

    “It is an indisputable fact that peace and unity are germane to progress and national development of any society.

    “However, it is not in doubt that today, the peace and unity of the Nigerian people is under threat and attack by anti-democratic elements and agents of destabilization and it must be resisted,” Obi said.

    While commending the uncommon resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to root out corruption from the country, CCSJ assured of its total support for government to properly fix Nigeria.

    “We align ourselves with the Presidential broadcast of President Muhammadu Buhari that the unity of Nigeria is settled and urge all persons, group and their sponsors agitating on one cause or another to stop the assault on our national psyche by incitement and plot to cause public disaffection, but rather explore the constitutional and democratic channels in addressing their grievances.

    “We support this government’s determination to recover our country through its uncompromising and unyielding war on corruption, insurgency and economic recovery programmes of which we all have to make sacrifices for the collective good,” Obi said.

    He expressed concern over the antics of some individuals, who he said are agents of destabilization, just as he called on the National Assembly and Judiciary to live up to expectation.

    “We are also disturbed by the developments in the National Assembly and the Judiciary whose conducts is at variance with their constitutional mandate and thus we are calling on both institutions of government to do a rethink a U-turn before it is too late,” the convener added.

    Highpoint of the rally was a walk by members of CCSJ from the Unity Fountain, Maitama, to other parts of the nation’s capital territory to show support for Buhari administration.

  • Hoodlums on the prowl

    Hoodlums on the prowl

    In the dark hours, under the bridges and in bushy neighbourhoods, hooligans are unleashing terror on residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports 

    There is a growing network of bridges in the federal capital city. But so also is there an increasing army of hoodlums lurking under them and bringing misery to their victims. They rob and inflict injury on their preys.

    The bridges are everywhere. Many are in use, some under construction. You see them along the ever-busy six-lane Apo-Maitama Expressway, Area One and Zone Seven intersections, and also at Abuja- Kubwa-Kaduna Expressway. There are some more bridges at Gwarimpa Junction linking residents of Dawaki in Buari Area Council, and, of course, elsewhere.

    Bridges are good. They ease transportation. But findings have revealed that most of the bridges have become death zones, especially at night. Several attacks have been recorded around some of these bridges, helped by the fact that they are poorly or in bushy areas.

    One of such attacks occurred last Monday when an Assistant Business Editor with The Guardian newspaper, Mathias Okwe was robbed by some hoodlums at the popular Apo Bridge at about 11pm.

    Mr. Okwe, who narrated his ordeal to Abuja Review after he was discharged from the hospital, thanked God for saving his life.

    He said, “Abuja is dark and it has become very dangerous to move around particularly at night. I just pulled by the road to urinate around 11pm at the popular Apo Bridge. I was coming from the Legislative Quarters where I went to see someone. From nowhere some hoodlums attacked me. I did not see them as they approached.

    “When I got to the hospital that night I was told that there was no week that such incident didn’t happen. The nurses said people are usually rushed in with different cuts on their body. The police officers at the Garki police station where I reported the incident are also aware of the sad development and they confirmed it. They said it is always a recurring decimal.             “The prosecutor at the station also told me that when they take those boys to court [some people] will go and free them and the hoodlums will find their way back to the streets. That fateful day, I was in company of two other men including my little child in the car. I thank God that I was not injured too badly. So I drove myself to the hospital. I am still receiving treatment at home.

    “My advice to people is that they should be wary of the bridges because from the look of things all of them are not safe. They should avoid the bridges at night. They made away with my phones, laptop and other valuables.”

    Investigation by Abuja Review also shows that some girls have been raped in that area when they appeared unwilling to let go off their valuables. But almost always the targets of the hoodlums are mobile phones and wristwatches. One could imagine that Abuja, being the seat of power, is well policed to prevent crimes, but that is not the case at present. The city, like many other cities in the country, has its black places. Do not drive to some places in the FCT with your car window glass wound down even if the car is not air conditioned. The places include the junction linking NNPC Towers in Central Area, National Mosque and Zone Four.

    Investigations showed that many women motorists have lost their handbags and other valuables to common thieves and hoodlums there. Many policemen out on night duty, many residents alleged, disappear from their duty posts any time after 10pm, making it easy for hoodlums to operate. Indeed, the policemen come out later, but they hardly meet emergency situations. If Abuja can be prone to insecurity on the bridges, especially at night, what then happens to other cities in the country? It is compelling to build bridges with electricity components, such that the streetlights would be on throughout the night to curb the activities of hoodlums.

    A resident who spoke to Abuja Review, Abdul Musa said he has been robbed twice on the dark pedestrian bridge close to Area 3 Junction, adding, “On that fateful evening when I closed from work, I rushed to Area 3 to board a bus to Nyanya but due to the volume of cars that ply that expressway I decided to use the pedestrian bridge, but as I climbed the bridge in that dark hour, I saw some young men positioned on top of the bridge. They beckoned on me to come close and cooperate with them.

    “When I got there, they quietly cornered me one side and dispossessed me of my handbag containing my phone, N40,000, debit cards, identity card and my international passport. It looked like a drama to me, until a few minutes later when it dawned on me that the whole game was real.”

    Abuja Review investigation revealed that the aforementioned cases are just few out of the many being recorded everyday across the Abuja metropolis and other satellite towns. The investigation also revealed that personal belongings of the residents of the Abuja worth millions of Naira are lost on a daily basis on the account of the actions of these people.

    Worried by the level of losses, the victims requested that the police and other security officials be positioned at these dark pedestrian bridges at night to guarantee the security of the pedestrians. They also advised that hawkers who occasionally occupy the bridges be sent packing.

    Abuja Review spoke with the Acting Secretary Transport Secretariat, Alhaji Abdulhamid Suleiman who said efforts were being made to convert all traffic light signals to solar power.

    Suleiman said government efforts are being thwarted by the vandals and hit-and-run drivers.

    He said, “We are not resting on our oars. We are collaborating with all relevant law enforcement agencies to track down these criminals and bring them to justice.”

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Anjuguri Manzah, in a telephone conversation with Abuja Review, said the police are always on the trail of the hoodlums and have not been resting on their oars in bringing them to justice on a daily basis when they are caught.

    Manzah said the police are always on patrol even without information from anybody, adding that it is not true that they let the hoodlums go after interrogation.

    He advised car owners to be curious while on the road and always wind up and lock their vehicles either in or out of the car.

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Bello recently at a public function advised Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to properly install streetlights at strategic points in Abuja.

     

  • Fed Govt, Labour clash over Perm Sec’s posting

    Crisis is gradually brewing between the Federal Government and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), over the posting of a new Permanent Secretary by the Head of Service of the Federation.

    Chairman, FCT Joint Unions Action Committee, Comrade Titus Okoro accused the office of the Head of Service of always posting junior officers to oversee the affairs of senior directors in the FCTA.

    Okoro, who briefed newsmen on the development, said the Head of Service did not follow due process, adding, “It was our plans, ab initio, to stage a peaceful protest immediately after the retirement of the immediate past FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, but after consultations with stakeholders and other union leaders, we decided to approach the issue in a more civil manner, hence, we have decided to address you to carry the message to the appropriate quarters with a view to doing the right thing.     “While we welcome our brand new Permanent Secretary to FCT Administration, we want to use this medium to draw the attention of the Head of Service of the Federation to the Dissolution Order 1 of 2004, which in practical terms abolishes the office of a Permanent Secretary in the FCT Administration, as a quasi-State of the Federation. If the Head of Service is still feigning ignorance of the law, then today’s press conference will serve as an eye opener because we trust that the caliber of media organisations represented here are capable of conveying the message to their doorsteps.”

    The union urged the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, to advise President Muhammadu Buhari on the need to revert to the Dissolution Order for effective administrative structures.

    It also called on the National Assembly to pass into law the FCT Civil Service Commission and other Bills that will enhance effective administration as applicable in other states of the federation since the 1999 constitution recognises the FCT as one of the states.

    Okoro said, “Retrospectively, Ministry of Federal Capital Territory (MFCT) gave birth to Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) via Order 1 of 2004. In summary, the Dissolution Order 1 of 2004 simply states that “the administrative and bureaucratic structure established and referred to as the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory is hereby abolished with effect from December 31, 2004. There shall be established for the Federal Capital Territory, the Office of the Chief of Staff to the Minister. The Chief of Staff shall be appointed by the Minister, and shall enjoy the conditions of service applicable to a Special Assistant in the Office of the President. The Chief of Staff shall perform the functions that a Secretary to the Government of a State customarily performs in relation to that State.   “It is instructive to note that in the exercise of the powers conferred on Mr. President by Section 299 and 302 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, and Sections 14 and 18(b) of the Federal Capital Territory Act Cap F6 Laws of Nigeria 2004 and other powers enabling Mr. President in that behalf, and with the intention to ensure the prompt, effective and efficient administration of, and delivery of services to the residents in the Federal Capital Territory, the Dissolution Order 1 was gazetted in 2005, during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration. (Please see attached document for ease of reference).

    “It is disheartening when Head of Service of the Federation post a junior officer to oversee the affairs of very Senior Directors in the FCT Administration. In our considered views, it is absolutely anti-progressive. We therefore as organized body vehemently kick against the posting of a Permanent Secretary to FCT Administration by the Service.

    “We, however, pledge as obedient servants to work with the new Permanent Secretary, Mr. Christian C. Ohaa, until the Service do the needful by complying with extant laws that established the Federation Capital Territory Administration.

    “We want to re-echo in an unmistakable terms that we stand on Dissolution Order 1 of 2004.”

  • Deep love

    The reception President Muhammadu Buhari received in his home state, Katsina last week will definitely linger on in his memory for some time to come.

    Since his last visit to the state almost a year, the President in the past months has had some health challenges, necessitating his trip to the United Kingdom.

    During the period, Buhari’s kinsmen had severally been saddened by the numerous rumours and false news in the social media about their son and father.

    Apart from several reports claiming that the President was dead, others claimed that he was permanently incapacitated.

    Other reports also had it that the President was on life support and could not move round.

    But Buhari’s home coming for Eid-el-Kabir celebration instantly brought joy and happiness to his people.

    It brought to an end all the controversies and false reports about his health.

    Most Katsina State people, especially Daura residents, at the slightest opportunity, left whatever they were doing to have a glimpse of their son and father in flesh and blood.

    Some of them did something unusual by climbing trees in order to have unhindered view of the President as soon as they know his route and the time he was expected to pass through.

    One of the President’s kinsmen, who was among the crowd that came to welcome him at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina State last Wednesday had to openly glorify God for the President’s health.

    Seeing the President coming down unaided from the plane that brought him from Abuja, he expressed surprised at all the false reports they have been hearing about Buhari.

    Speaking in Hausa language, he shouted “Lies, lies, lies, our Baba is not only alive, but very strong.”

    The President was again taken by surprise when the chopper that brought him from the airport in Katsina landed at the helipad in Daura.

    A massive crowd had gathered at the helipad and road leading to his residence in a bid to see and welcome him back home.

    On sighting the massive crowd comprising mainly youths, the President had to ignore his convoy of vehicles stationed at the helipad, which were meant to convey him to his house.

    He immediately started walking from the helipad to his residence waving to the crowd and acknowledging their greetings.

    The story was the same when the President left his residence last Friday to observed his Eid-el-Kabir prayer.

    A tumultuous crowd lined the two sides of the roads from the President’s house to the Eid praying ground, which was about ten minutes drive.

    While some of them were waving at the President’s convoy, others were struggling to capture the President and the convoy on their phones.

    It was also gathered that most of the Daura residents who lined up on the two sides of the roads had already observed their Eid-el-Kabir prayer in another neaby praying ground.

    Rather than go home to enjoy their Sallah ram and food around 9a.m when they concluded their prayers in the other praying grounds, they headed immediately to the routes the President was scheduled to pass to observe his Eid prayer.

    They all preferred to get a glimpse of the President.

    When the President got to the Eid praying ground, it was also almost filled beyond capacity.

    The President wearing light brown coloured Babanringa and cap to match observed the two rakaat prayer with the crowd.

    After the President had finished with the prayers, the crowd on the two sides of the road leading from the Eid praying ground to his residence appeared to have doubled more than when he passed earlier.

    Among those who thronged the President’s routes included members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saluting and waving to the President as he drove past.

    While the President would not forget this trip to Daura in hurry, the residents’ joy has known no bounds because of God’s healing and protection upon their topmost son of the soil.

    This joy expressed by the Daura residents has also been replicated in various parts of the country in honour to God for the President’s health.

  • 16-yr-old boy needs N5.1m for jaw surgery

    We all have dreams. But will  Master David Effiong realise his?

    As things stand, that is a question no one can answer with any exactitude.

    Why?

    Effiong wants to be a songwriter and artist. He dreams of penning great tunes and creating masterpieces with his pencil. But he also has a badly diseased lower jaw, cutting a frightening picture only the bravest can bear to look at. In fact, we judged that our readers might not afford a second look.

    If his looks evokes such powerful emotions, how do we imagine the boy himself feels?

    Master David Effiong needs help urgently. The doctors say his lower jaw can be reconstructed if he can come up with N5.1 million.

    He is the first among his siblings. He is also the first child in the family of seven. Effiong often got commendations from his teachers for his handdrawing, until he suddenly became a victim of a strange ailment known as Ameloblastoma of Mandibe.

    Prior to the incident, he was attending Holy Primary School, Ikot Asuwa village in Nsit Atai Local Government of Akwa Ibom State. Effiong eventually dropped from school at Primary five because he seriously became a subject of ridicule.

    “I need people to help me to provide money for the surgery so I can go back to school,” he said in a wobbly voice.

    For four years, he has been battling with the ailment. This, unfortunately, has caused the 14 years old boy a lot than he could bear. He obviously appeared too young to suffer rejections, predicaments and stigma of various degrees which has been affecting his psychology. This clearly was as a result of his facial deformity; he struggles to handle as a teenager. “I have not been able to eat. I only eat soaked bread, tea, pap and other light foods,” he said, adding that he “stopped school in primary five because my fellow students make fun of me.”

    According to him, “it started very small but we were using drugs from make-shift pharmacist because we don’t have money for hospital.”

    “My father only has a small farm to feed my brother and little sisters, so he cannot afford to take me to hospital,” he said.

    Medical report signed by Consultant Radiologist, Prof. R. A Arogundade of Union Diagnostic and Clinical Services Plc, based in Lagos revealed that the victim’s dental arcade has been disrupted. The examination result suggested “ameloblastoma.”

    “Plain and post intravenous contrast medium 2mm axial sections of the face and base of skull are reviewed in soft tissue and bone windows.

    “There is an expansile lesion involving the region of the isthmus and angles of the mandible. The mass expanded and breeched the bony outlines of the mandible. The dental arcade of the mandible is disrupted. The maxillary bone is structurally normal,” it stated but stressed further of, “structurally normal maxillary bone. No intracranial lesion is sighted. The ventricles are normal.”     In simple terms, ameloblastoma is described as a rare, mild or cancerous tumor of odontogenic epithelium (ameloblasts, or outside portion, of the teeth during development) much more commonly appearing in the lower jaw than the upper jaw.

    About N5.1 million is however currently needed to conduct a surgical operation at Yashoda Hospital in Indian. The sum, according to Mrs. Marian Udo-Okon, mother of the victim included air ticket, feeding as well as other contingencies.

    Narrating the ordeal confronting her son, David, she explained that the big tumor started just like a little lump, such that one could as well describe as boil. Effiong’s father, a subsistence farmer decided to take him to the chemist because there was no money for a normal treatment at the hospital.

    “It started very small like a boil. It gradually became bigger by the day and we had to take him to a chemist. We bought drugs at the chemist, gave him but the swelling didn’t stop.

    “As it was getting bigger, blood started dripping from his mouth, he was losing his teeth so we had to rush him to the hospital but the hospital could not handle it until my brother, who is in Lagos suggested we visit Lagos hospitals.

    “It was at the hospital that they asked us to look for N5.1 million for surgery abroad,” she said. “I need help. Anything people get, make una help me,” she added.

    The parents appealed to philanthropists in the country to help their son with the 7 days surgery slated to take palce in Yashoda hospitals in India. She presented account details David Effiong, Account number 0056840909, Union Bank. They can as well be reached on 08058047600.

     

  • ‘We need proper streetlights’

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Bello has advised Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to properly install streetlights at strategic points in Abuja.

    Bello vowed that it is the priority of his Administration to ensure the completion of the B6 and B12 Roads otherwise known as Constitution and Independence Avenues respectively.

    He gave the advised when he paid an unscheduled visit to the project site of these central boulevards.

    The roads which traverse the World Trade Centre and the Diplomatic Zones, Bello has said, are major infrastructures that hold the key to the economic and social vibrancy of the City.

    He hoped that completion of the roads will enable allotees develop their plots and bring out the skyline of the city centre.

    The Minister expressed delight at the partial opening of some segments of the Constitutions road which, he observed, has already brought some relief on the traffic coming from Airport Road into the heart of the city.

    According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Cosmas Uzodinma, the Minister indicated that he was happy that motorists coming from the Airport can now drive straight across the Churchgate building without the detour which made driving clumsy.

    He expressed satisfaction that the: “Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has justified all payments made to it but let me remind them of the need for proper installation of street lights at strategic points.”

    Works on the roads were very skeletal since 2011 because of paltry budgetary provisions, but recently the present Administration, the Acting Director of Engineering, Engr. Shehu Ahmed revealed, cleared all the backlog of payments owed the company.

    Ahmed said: “This has resulted in a massive push to complete the projects in keeping with the Administration’s commitment to completing major infrastructural projects which are key to bolstering the commercial and cultural lives of the city.”

    The completed segments include the bridges near the World Trade Centre, the National Stadium and Magic Land along with their complementary ramps, loops, arterials and tangent roads.

    Briefing the Minister, Ahmed said the scope was to complete the outer carriageways and their bridges as the inner ones have been completed earlier.  He declared that motorists can now travel in dual mode to Three Arm Zone on the Constitution Road.

    He disclosed that some major arterials were added to the scope of work by the present Administration, to make the road more functional, in view of the major train station by the World Trade Centre and the anticipated completion of the Rail Mass Transit project by the end of December this year.

    The Divisional Manager of Julius Berger Plc, the contracting firm, Dr. Lars Richter said that the funding which the Company got from the present administration has facilitated the mobilization of their personnel and machinery to work and that everything is going well.

    He declared, “As you can see, we are working in all a five nodal areas at the same time and we hope to continue to do so as long as fund is made available.”

    Richter gave assurances that some segments of the works would be completed before December this year, some in 12 months’ time, while the entire works, including the Independence Avenue would be fully delivered in two years’ time.

  • Minister woos Polish investors

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has urged visiting a delegation from Poland to make Abuja the hub for Polish investment in West Africa.

    The FCT Minister made this call when organisers of the Polish-Nigeria Business and Investment Summit (PONBIS) paid him a courtesy visit.

    The Minister expressed concern that the commercial relationship between Nigeria and Poland has been so skeletal even though the country is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe today.

    The Minister cited Poland’s proficiency in the construction and heavy steel industries. His words “I think this is the right time for you to come fully into Nigeria because the government is serious about encouraging trade between Nigeria and countries like yours. I am therefore very happy that you are already liaising with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), which is the right organization for you to deal with because they have the expertise.”

    He unveiled the various investment opportunities in the medical field especially in equipment and medical diagnostic services while advising that Poland should facilitate cultural exchanges between them and Nigeria. Other areas, the Minister mentioned include; educational exchanges between lecturers and students, saying “You can encourage your scholars to come here on sabbatical leaves, maybe to undertake  some aspects of their studies.”

    Malam Bello highlighted the attractiveness of Abuja as an investment destination enumerating its qualities such as being the capital of a great country, its central location, well developed infrastructure and enabling investment climate.

    He informed the visitors that the Abuja’s International Airport right now operates four international flights to Europe, namely; France, Britain,  Germany and Istanbul.

    Malam Bello invited Polish Companies to come into Nigeria and to take necessary steps to generate the needed awareness especially by establishing a trade office here in conjunction with the NIPC. He urged the commercial department of the Polish Embassy to create forums for the enlightenment of interested Nigerian business men on Polish businesses.

  • UNESCO, Microsoft train pupils in software

    The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Microsoft in partnership with the Zariah Foundation have been training pupils in software development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The training, under the UNESCO Youth Mobile summer camp project involved representatives from 10 schools in the territory.

    A UNESCO official, Mr. Anthony Oguniyi said the initiative was designed to teach young girls and boys to create mobile applications for sustainable development.

    According to him, the Youth Mobile Initiative builds on the experience of many worldwide initiatives that introduce young people to computer science programming and problem solving.

    “It also seeks to build on experiences targeting young women who are vastly underrepresented in this field and it builds on the consideration that for millions of young people, the smartphone in their pocket is a very powerful computer, it will be their only computer, and they could use it for nearly every aspect of their lives: communicating, learning, taking pictures, and playing games.”

    The Executive Director, TZE Foundation, Dayo Akindolani, said the objective was to raise the next generation of software developers in the country.

    Akindolani, who emphasised the role of young boys and girls in helping to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said it became imperative to develop their capacity in order to create reliable solutions.

    Describing the free initiative as relevant considering the Federal Governments drive to developing the education and Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sectors, he said about 50 students from 10 schools would benefit from the summer camp for 10 days with consistent training.

    “We selected schools that have interest in ICT and are promoting ICT. We don’t just want to train the students and the training will not be sustained. So we are training their teachers as well so that beyond this summer camp, the teachers can continue with the training while we also help with mentoring.

    “The teachers can as well transfer the knowledge to other students. Of course they will be trained on HTML, Java Scripts for web language and other programming for mobile applications. Beyond that, we have a sustainability plan to place them on a portal called the developers’ haven, where every student can belong to a community and they can learn further by sharing their experiences and solutions,” Akindolani said.

    The Proprietress, Tophill School, Mrs. Kate Nomhwange described ICT as language of the 21st century especially in the area of education.

    She said ICT makes learning easier and more interactive, thus need for the partnership with UNESCO and TZE foundation in order to develop the nation’s education sector.

  • Unbreakable bond

    Those still in doubt about the closeness between President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo might have seen a clearer picture penultimate weekend.

    After 103 days in the United Kingdom on medical ground, President Buhari returned to Abuja that Saturday.

    First to welcome him as he stepped down from the plane at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was the Vice President.

    With the way Buhari gripped Osinbajo’s hands with one hand and waved to the crowd with the other hand, it reflected the deep love and bond between them.

    If not for protocol, the President would probably not have hesitated from hugging and carrying the Vice President in his hand as he was so pleased with the way Osinbajo steered the ship of State in his absence.

    The length of period of the President’s stay in London was not only enough to give an over ambitious deputy some selfish ideas, but more than enough time to perfect plans with other influential elements for political gains.

    This was the main reason most past leaders stay tight and never give their deputies opportunities to act in their absence,  even for a day.

    But President Buhari in his previous 50 days stay in London on medical ground, between January and March, didn’t think twice before communicating to the National Assembly to pave the way for Osinbajo to be Acting President in his absence.

    Osinbajo even remained more committed in the latest President’s 103 days in the UK.

    In the two instances, the Vice President did not let the politics of the day get into his head as he remained focused and not letting his eyes off the ball.

    Although Buhari and Osinbajo have severally claimed that the relationship between them was a father to son relationship, the bond between them has proven to be more than that.

    While there have been several stories where sons go to the extend of betraying their biological fathers one way or the other, the case of Buhari-Osinbajo has been different.

    Osinbajo has proven to all that his loyalty to his superior can never be in doubt.

    Even when there were reported controversies on whether the 2017 Appropriation bill will be taken to London for the President’s assent, Buhari had insisted then that Osinbajo, who was the Acting President should sign the bill into law.

    Because of his respect for the rule of law and the bond between them, Buhari was even reported to have sent back some top government officials who took files to him in London for approval.

    Osinbajo, who is a Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), have no doubt exhibited the fruits of the spirit found in the Holy Bible in Galatians chapter 5: 22-23 including love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.

    So, President Buhari’s firm grip on Osinbajo’s wrist on his arrival at the airport on that Saturday really spoke volumes about the unprecedented relationship between the number one and number two citizens.

    Speaking on the President’s return, Osinbajo said: “As you can see from the many Nigerians who lined up on the road to receive the President as he came back, many Nigerians are happy that the President is hail and hearty and that he has come back.

    “It was a natural reaction, most people heard of his arrival only a few hours before then, but as you can see, the response was so spontaneous. So, I think that people were so excited and very happy.” he said

    On the message to Nigerians, the Vice President said “Oh, the message to Nigerians is that, the recovery and recuperation of the President is in some sense symbolic of the recovery of Nigeria.

    “Nigeria is going to recover. We are on the path of strong economic recovery and this is an excellent sign that the country is on the right side.

    “There is great hope, there is great excitement and we are going to make it as a nation.” he stated

    Commending Osinbajo on how he ran the country in his absence, Buhari said “The efforts by the Vice President are commendable. He used his intellect to run all over the place. I was seeing him 24 hours on NTA.

    “I congratulate them and I allowed him to come and see me to thank him personally for what he has done.” he stated

    This relationship of peace and harmony at the top will no doubt reflect positively on the development of the country.

    It is also hoped that such will continue to the end of the administration and the future number one and number two citizens that will come after them.

  • Flood tragedy near the city

    Flood tragedy near the city

    The death of a man and his two children in a fast-flowing flood has spurred the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) authorities to avert further distress. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports

    Residents of Lokogoma near Apo District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will not forget August 17. That was when a man driving his two children to a summer class was swept off by the strong currents of a flooded waterway. All three drowned.

    It was after a heavy downpour. Some said the motorist was warned not to brave the raging flood.

    The man and his children (a son and a daughter) were riding in a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) at about 8 O’clock in the morning.

    All efforts to rescue them failed. Their bodies were later recovered from the flood.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, on learning of the tragedy, directed the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to quickly investigate the report of the fatal flood incident to determine its cause with a view to preventing future occurrence.

    The Director-General of FEMA, Malam Abbas Idris, who addressed newsmen later that day said, “While the FEMA is working to establish contact with the bereaved families, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello’s prayers are with the relatives and loved ones of the victims, especially the mother of the house.” A preliminary report said the mother of the two children was not in the vehicle during the incident.

    Meteorological reports at the beginning of the rainy season included Abuja among places that are likely to witness severe flooding this year as a major effect of climate change.

    The Director-General, Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMeT) Prof Sani Mashi said,  “It means that chances of flood generation will be high; we have alerted that there is going to be risk of flooding, especially in areas that there are major rivers. Recently, you recall that it happened in Tafa in Suleja, because it is within the region of River Gurara and that is why it was vulnerable to flooding.”

    Noting that Abuja is also on the sidelines of the Gurara River, the Administration reiterated its earlier advice to residents to avoid paths that are likely to be prone to flooding especially during the rains.

    Not satisfied with the government’s action and reaction to the sad incidents, several estates in Lokogoma besieged the FCTA Secretariat, Area 11, Garki, last week, protesting the deaths of the three persons.

    The residents, under the aegis of Lokogoma District Residents’ Association, said they were at the secretariat to express their displeasure over the demise of Mr. Kenneth Nwogu and his two children who tragically lost their lives to the unfortunate flash flood.

    Chairman, Lokogoma District Residents’ Association, Mr. Joseph Nnorom during the protest commended the Administration for initiating a mass housing programme to solve housing problems of the people, adding that the “objective has been partially met” because the public came in and built estates.

    Regretting the dearth of social amenities such as health facilities, pipe-borne water and good road network at the estate, Mr. Nnorom called on the FCT administration to quickly do the needful.

    He demanded: “We are therefore demanding immediate provision of primary infrastructure for Lokogoma residents to reduce environmental hazards and also prevent avoidable fatalities in future.”

    With this, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) said it has concluded arrangements for immediate commencement of a temporary access road to Lokogoma Estate which would serve as a palliative measure to the current hardship and losses faced by its residents.

    The newly appointed FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Christian Ohaa, said this while addressing the protesters.

    According to Ohaa, the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello and the entire Administration were seriously saddened by the incident and have therefore directed the FCDA and relevant departments to quickly provide palliative measures to enable residents safely access their homes at all times.

    In swift compliance, FCDA Director of Engineering, Engr. Ahmad Hadi who led a strong delegation of top FCTA officials, including Directors of Departments of Development Control and Facility Management and Maintenance, as well as staff of Gilmor Contractors on inspection tour of the estate, urged the residents to be patient, adding that the residents would be happy after they are through with the work.

    Speaking to Abuja Review on his impression of the task, Hadi noted that huge work was required for a temporary access road, adding that they were willing to move into Lokogoma for infrastructure provision but however, 20 to 30 percent of property in Lokogoma was already sitting on right of ways, meaning that such structures would eventually have to go to make way for “full scale works” in line with the provision of the Abuja Master Plan.

    When asked how soon Lokogoma residents would heave a sigh of relief from the challenge of access road into the estates, Engr. Hadi responded: “we have already called in Gilmor Contractors to come and assess the condition of the road and come out with the best palliative we can have. And I am sure you will all be happy when we are done”.

    Hadi also called on residents of Lokogoma so stop blocking waterways by dumping refuse into them and blocking of drainage systems where they existed.

    A delegation from the minister has visited and condoled with the Nwoga family over the death of Mr. Kenneth Nkem Nwoga and two of his children.

    The three-man delegation was led by the Director-General of the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Alhaji Abbas Idris.

    In a message delivered on his behalf, the Minister described the death of Mr. Nwoga and his two children as heart rendering, adding that he was deeply touched when he received the news of the death of three members of the same family in the unfortunate flood incident.

    The Minister who urged the family to remain strong in the face of the tragedy, prayed Almighty God to grant eternal rest to the victims and also give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Wife of the late Mr. Nwoga, Mrs. Ijeoma Kenneth Nwoga, who received the delegation, thanked the FCT Minister for sending a delegation to visit and commiserate with the family, adding that the visit was very soothing and has boosted their spirits.

    Mrs. Nwoga said the family had six children including the two, Master Prestige (9) and Miss Winner (13) who died along with their father.

    The delegation also used the opportunity to relate the Minister’s appeal to residents of the area to remain calm and support the FCT Administration in its effort towards finding permanent solution to the issue of flooding and other challenges in the area.