The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • ‘Our trees are being cut down’

    ‘Our trees are being cut down’

    Do they know that everyone will die out if there are no trees? Do they not know that humans depend on trees for oxygen?

    These are some of the questions that some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been asking since the authorities started cutting down trees that also provided shades in the Berger area and other parts of the city. The people have been quite angry at the development.

    Residents who are forced to go about their business in the scorching sun or under teh umbrella have called kicking since the trees started going down. Some have been accusing the present administration of ruining the beauty and scenery of the environment.

    The most bitter amongst residents are those who do business or relax under the trees spread across many parts of Abuja.

    “Is it not the people from environmental protection that came from nowhere and started cutting down the trees that have been serving as shade for us for so long?” asked taxi driver Gabriel Eket.

    “I just don’t understand why our government has to always look for ways to make life difficult for the common man.”

    Another agitated taxi driver, obviously uncomfortable in his overheated cab, compalined, “I don’t understand how the trees here are affecting them; the trees were the only thing saving us from the terrible sun for a long time as we wait for passengers, I don’t understand why they had to come and cut them, people in other places are planting more trees but our government is here cutting them down; what kind of people are we in this nation?”

    A GSM top-up card vendor said, “This sun is spoiling business for us; before they cut the trees, people used to stop by the shade where we used to stay and in the process they will buy something from us but now, we even find it difficult staying here when the sun is high, talk more of people who are now in a hurry to get away from the sun. I don’t understand why they cut the trees honestly, it was not causing any obstruction or blocking anybody.”

    A representative of the Federal Capital Territory’s Parks and Recreational Department, Comrade Paul Amechi said, “We don’t just cut down trees and leave it like that, for every tree you see us cut in Abuja, it is replaced with four other trees in strategic parts of the the FCT, in places like Apo Legislative Quarters, Abacha Barracks, Mabushi, Katampe and so many places. In the last two months, we have planted 4,699 new trees, and placed water tankers in such strategic places for its watering.

    “In fact, we are planning on cutting down 2,000 more trees around the FCT but the Minister is yet to approve the proposal, we hope he does because all around Abuja, most of the roots of trees have damaged walk and water ways, most of these over grown trees are damaging facilities.

  • Life after the bulldozer

    Life after the bulldozer

    In February 2016, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) demolished sheds and kiosks at the food court of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja. Seven months after, SEUN AKIOYE reports on how life has changed for some of the bulldozers’ victims

    There are days Ali Usman wished he didn’t wake up from sleep. That long deep sleep into eternity would save him the horror of his present existence. But anytime he wakes up, he picks up the courage to go back to work.

    For Usman, work no longer brings the joy and financial rewards it used to. Since his “big shop” was demolished, he has been reduced to selling under a tree in sunshine and rain.

    “I had a big shop,” Ali began as he put down the phone he had been playing with all day. That was his only companion as customers rarely ask for his services nowadays.

    Ali’s case is that of grace to grass. About seven months ago, he was at the top of his food business, selling cooked noodles, eggs, bread and tea at the food court of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. He had a big shop and business was booming.

    That was until the demolition and Ali’s fall. The fall when it happened was a great fall.

    “I had a big shop before, I used to sell 30 crates of egg, 25 cartons of noodles and many bread. This is what I have left of that business,” Ali said, pointing to a table beside him.

    The table to which Ali had motioned contained two loaves of bread, four tins of milk and a packet of tea; two plastic cups completed the items on the table.

    “This is what remains of my thriving business, after the demolition, life went downhill for me, I stayed at home for some months before somebody [lent] me money to buy some bread and tea, then I started coming out to sell.”

     

    A new infrastructure

     

    For regular users of the Abuja airport, the expansive food court situated a few meters from the airport terminal on a hill usually referred to as Berger Hill is a big alternative for cheap and home cooking to the usually expensive and sometimes bland cuisine available in the airport terminal.

    At the Berger Hill food court, canteens selling food from every region of Nigeria was available at very pocket-friendly prices. There Ali once served fried and cooked noodles with egg, bread and tea any time of the day. Ali’s former shop consists of a big container stocked with cartons of noodles and crates of eggs. At the peak of its prosperity, Berger Hill boasted at least 20 food canteens.

    However, following the renovation and building of a new terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, the demolition of illegal structures began earlier in 2016 to make way for a new car park and other infrastructure.

    Ali said he didn’t expect that the demolition will occur but other traders confirmed that FAAN gave them a seven-day ultimatum to vacate the area. Since the demolition of the Berger food court, most of the former traders have moved on to other things but about five, finding no other alternative have returned to the airport, this time under the trees in front of Oando tank farm.

     

    Surviving against the odds

     

    The telephone conversation was brief; the caller made orders for particular food, Mrs. Kemi Yesufu nodded her head many times, dropped the call and yelled at her assistant to start preparing the order.

    “This is what we are reduced to,” she said as she began to dish the order from two large coolers in the trunk of her Honda car.  Times have changed for Mrs. Yesufu too, formerly one of the biggest traders at the Berger Hill, her business now comprise of three to four coolers where her Yoruba special delicacies are kept, then packed inside her car.

    From nine workers, the single mother has only one remaining now, sometimes she hires a running man who will deliver the food to workers inside the airport and her workers are paid according to the day’s sales.

    “This is how I do my business now. After we were sent parking, I went back home and tried to sell in my area, there was no market so I devised this method, when I got here I found there are about two other people here so we started selling,” Yesufu said.

    But it has not always been easy coming back to the airport. When the former traders arrived, they were hiding inside the bushes. “We were inside the bush, we would send someone to go and ask passersby if they want to eat, the food would then be dished inside nylon and given to them. Sometimes when we asked them to come into the bush with us, customers would refuse; some said we wanted to use them for ritual. It was terrible, and then we relocated under this tree,” She explained.

    Her phone rang again. She reeled out what food was available, then began to dish. “I am just hustling, there is no peace of mind. If this food does not finish, I will have to throw it away, we barely make any gains. Sometimes these people working with me, I don’t pay them, they also know there no money so we just share the loss together.”

    When she was at Berger Hill, Ogechukwu Richard ran a canteen called “Yellow container”, business was boomer and she was happy. She was there for three years before the demolition. Six months later, she found herself under the tree at the mercy of the sun and rain.

    “It was on February 28, 2016 that they came to demolish, a week before then, FAAN asked us to pay N5,000. I still have my receipt then they came to demolish,” Ogechukwu said.

    Her situation and that of Zainab Abubakar and Aishat Usman is more precarious than Mrs. Yesufu. They do not have a car to sell from and prevent their food from being destroyed in the rain. Also when customers come, they are forced to sit on tree trunks and disused tires and stones.

    “You should have seen us yesterday, the rain beat us and we had nowhere to run to, our food was destroyed, we were drenched. There was no sale, yesterday was a bad day,” they said. Also because there was nowhere to warm the foods, they usually serve very cold food but “our customers manage it like that.”

    Despite their terrible position, they still trade in fear. “Everybody is gallant; we are on the lookout for the task force and police. If they catch you, it is N5, 000. When we see them, we will leave all our goods and run into the bush,” Zainab said.

    But isn’t paying N5,000 better than losing the food to the police? “ Well, that is one of the risks we take, they might leave the food for us but if they catch us they won’t leave us,” said Aishat.

    She remembered when she was arrested by the police on her way to the airport with her pots of soup on her head. “ They took me to Bassa police station and collected N5,000 from me.”

    The traders want the government to help them. “ They should give us anywhere, we are ready to pay, there is recession in the country, this is the only thing we do to feed our family,” the women said.

    It was 4pm and Zainab, Aishat and Ogechukwu have not even sold half their food. Intermittently, a customer would climb up, order for food and sit painfully on a stone to eat. It was not the best situation but some customers who spoke said it was preferable to the airport terminal food. “We are poor people, we can’t afford the food in the airport,” one said.

    There was apprehension that some of the kids who had gone to deliver food would be arrested by the police. The traders would wait with baited breath until the kids arrived.  Their day is full of fear and anxiety. But maybe they need not be afraid of the police, the cloud was gathering and it would rain anytime. As thunder claps, so were the worries of the women mounting. “We need to start packing,” Zainab said.

     

  • AEPB urges residents to pay waste charges

    The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) has urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to pay their waste charges in line with the FCT Environmental Act.

    The board said that residents unwilling to pay their waste charges may risk prosecution, adding that the prompt payment of environmental service bills and provision of waste bins on properties will ensure efficient waste management in the FCT.

    Acting Director AEBP Mrs Omolola Olanipekun, represented by Mr Omoruyi Omogiede, made the call during the AEPB pilot intergrated solid waste management project at the life camp district in Abuja.

    Speaking at a town hall meeting, AEPB informed residents that it carries out its statutory responsibility of cleaning the environment through direct engagement, licensed cleaning contractors and partnership which requires huge sum of money.

    Public Relations Officer (PRO) AEPB Samuel Musa who made this known in a press statement said: “This call was made by the FCT Administration through Abuja Environmental Protection Board during a Town Hall explanatory meeting with residents in Life camp over the weekend. The integrated waste management project awareness programme was jointly organized by AEPB and Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Life Camp District of the FCT.

    ”Residents were reminded of their responsibility of paying their waste service charges in line with the provision of the FCT Environmental Act which stipulates that all residents will have to pay the service charges and failure to pay such charges will adhere to risk prosecution of defaulters.

    ”Speaking at the town hall explanatory meeting the Ag. Director Mrs. Omolola Olanipekun, who was represented by Mr Omoruyi Omogiede said that AEPB carries out its statutory responsibility of cleaning the Environment through direct engagement, licensed cleaning contractors and partnership which required huge sums of money. This meeting with residents provides the enabling environment for enlightenment and creates the awareness for effective waste management within the district.”

     

  • Rare gift from Edo

    When President Muh-ammadu Buhari left Abuja last week Monday for Edo State, he never expected that he would return to Abuja on Tuesday with a goat, a rare gift that can be described as a widow’s mite. It was a gift from somebody Buhari had never met before the two-day visit, an elderly woman, Lady Egbon Grace, in Benin city.

    Lady Grace, who is a supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) registered in Ward 7, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, was said to have been looking forward to seeing the President for months. Her main reason for the gift was to show her admiration for Buhari’s selfless lifestyle and passion to liberate the masses. She must have selected the best among her goats or simply bought this one and took good care of it since it was a present meant for only the President.

    There is no doubt that she must have been disappointed over three weeks ago during the coronation of Oba of Benin, Oba Eheneden Erediauwa Ewuare II on October 20.

    The President, who was earlier advertised for the trip, could not physically attend the coronation ceremony in Benin city as he was represented by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo at the occasion. She must have come to the vicinity of the Oba’s palace with the goat laying ambush for the President only to realise that the President will not attend the ceremony. Only God knows how disappointed she must have felt while leading the goat back home on that Thursday.

    Everything she did to see the President on his visit last week pointed to the fact that she must have been ready with the gift ever since the information came out that the President will attend the Oba’s coronation. She did not spare any effort to see the President on his visit last week.

    Like the case of the woman with the issue of blood in the Holy Bible, she breached all protocol and did everything within her strength to get the President’s attention. But unlike that case, she did what she had to do to see the President not for any kind of healing but to appreciate the President’s lifestyle and love for the masses.

    Her prayers for months were answered on that Monday, November 7 when President Buhari commissioned the ultra-modern Samuel Ogbemudia College in Benin City, during his two-day working visit to the state. Just about the time the event was starting, the lady arrived with the goat and stood with the crowd that had gathered to the left side of the President.

    With the fighting spirit to reach for success found in most Edo women and men, she moved against all odds and barriers and tore through the thick crowd to reach the President.

    By the time she got ahead of the crowd, the President had already finished his official  engagement at the venue and was heading to his waiting car.

    Still not discouraged, she pursued after the President with her goat running along with her towards the President’s convoy, which was heavily guided by security personnel. That point would have been the end of the elderly Lady’s efforts as it would have been impossible for her to go beyond the armed security personnel.

    Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who was still the governor of the state during the function, saw the woman and her goat and had to intervene. He immediately alighted from the President’s convoy to receive the goat on behalf of the President. The elderly Lady then achieved her aims as she also had an opportunity to interact briefly with President Buhari and Governor Oshiomhole together.

    While she was said to have thanked the President for accepting the goat gift, which was handed over to protocol officials, Oshiomhole, on behalf of the President, commended her for the kind gesture.

    Despite differences in the values of the lady’s goat and the N1 million life savings donated by 95 years old Hajiya Fati Koko, popularly called Maitalla Tara, for Buhari’s election campaign, it is said that the love behind giving is more important than the gift’s value.

    Some past leaders also received similar gestures from some Nigerians during their tenures. One of the last was the contribution of N10,000 in 2014 to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election campaign by a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ezemagu Sunday Nnamdi.

    Whether or not the President has reciprocated the gesture of the elderly Lady in Edo State, the joy of that brief meeting after several months’ waiting will remain with Lady Egbon Grace for a long time to come.

     

    Trump’s stunning victory and Nigeria

    The United States (U.S) President-Elect, Donald Trump, during his campaign had promised to bring about great changes to the U.S if elected for the position. Some of the proposed changes had made some Americans uneasy as they stayed solidly behind Trump’s opponent, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, in the keenly contested election.

    That led to anti-Trump protests, which spread across US in the wake of his victory at the polls.

    Many European, Asian and African countries were also not too comfortable with some of Trump’s proposed changes as they would have preferred Clinton to win the election.

    No wonder early signs of his victory triggered fluctuations in stock markets across the globe.

    But President Muhammadu Buhari last Wednesday, on behalf of Nigeria, joined other world leaders to congratulate Trump on his victory.

    Buhari’s ministers have also expressed mixed feelings about Trump’s victory.

    The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali while maintaining that Nigeria had to accept Trump’s victory and forge ahead, was optimistic that Trump’s presidency would strengthen collaboration with Nigeria especially on security.

    But the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, said that Nigeria will not take it lightly and may review its foreign policies if Nigerians are in any way intimidated.

    He said: “Trump’s language before the elections definitely did not endear him to the people. It scared a lot of people and yet he got this massive support which means there is something fundamentally wrong and some of us have been complaining even here for 30 years.

    “He made comments about Nigerians when he was campaigning that they had stolen money, they should go back to their country and live.

    “He has a very low opinion of the blacks and Hispanics. We hope he will become a president now for all, including Nigerians and others resident in the US. But if he doesn’t, it means we will have to return and retool our foreign policy to begin to find a situation where we may have to be welcoming some of our people if they come under extreme pressure. We hope it doesn’t happen”. He stated

    How will the new development in God’s own country affect Nigeria and her citizens in the diaspora, especially in the US, in the coming months and years?

    Only time will really tell how the turn of events will be for Nigeria and Nigerians in diaspora.

     

  • AMAC builds N1.6 billion market

    The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Investment and Property Development Company (AMAC-IPDC) said about N1.6 billion will be spent on the ongoing modern market located at Kurudu as part of efforts to boost the revenue base of the council.

    It was also revealed that the organization had secured about 25 hectares of land along kurudu/Oroso axis where low cost housing estate will be built for the benefit of AMAC residents.

    Addressing newsmen, the IPDC Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed Adamu, said that since the official commencement of operation by the company in August, several measures have been put in place by his leadership to ensure mandate of boosting revenue for the area council is achieved.

    He said: “AMAC-IPDC has been empowered by AMAC administration led by Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido to venture into diverse business activities which include; development and operation of markets, housing estates, abattoirs, motor parks, urban mass transport, tractor hiring service to boost agriculture and hotel management.”

    The IPDC director said the development of Kurudu market will among other others create job opportunity and boost economic activities within the axis and neighbouring towns and villages.

    While calling on all existing allottees and interested subscribers to pay for their shops without further delay, Adamu said the company will not continue to wait for uncommitted allottees and subscribers that will frustrate the process of developing the market.

    “Certificates of allocation will only be issued to subscribers who make full payment. We will not hesitate to revoke allocation papers of allottees who fail to pay for their shops within the specified period.”

     

  • Community hosts outreach milestone celebration

    Community hosts outreach milestone celebration

    A rustic community in the Federal Capital Territory (FTC) was chosen to host the Carter Centre’s milestone of administering 500 million doses of medication to fight Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in 14 countries, including Nigeria, reports VINCENT IKUOMOLA

    The joy of residents of Gidan Gimba, Karu, some 30 minutes’ drive from the Abuja city  centre, was manifold. Some of them benefitted from the medical outreach organised by the Carter Centre set up by former president of the United States of America Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn. So it was natural for them to welcome the Centre officials to their homeland.

    Also, the Centre has saved lives in 14 countries but it chose Gidan Gimba to mark its attainment of the magic number of 500 million doses of medication to fight what is referred to as Neglected Tropical Diseases or NTDs.

    The Centre management came all the way from Florida, U.S.

    From the entry point to the community,  one would have noticed that something unusual was about to happen in Gidan Gimbia, as the road was graded to make the road passable for the August visitors in the month of November.

    Besides, the community was also mobilised to show their appreciation for the free medication which has helped many of their people to overcome some of NTDs at no cost.

    So they came out in their numbers to appreciate those behind the relative good health they enjoy. Traditional dancers and masquerades joined in the celebration, singing and dancing. A drama piece was presented by the Plateau Cultural Group.

    Most of the people could not remember the last time such a crowd gathered in their community.

    According to one, not even during the electioneering period had the community witnessed such a mammoth crowd that came to celebrate the achievement of the Carter Centre. For them, it goes beyond just the medical attention. That they were lucky  to have been a host and attraction of global event, was a great joy.

    The Carter Center partners with ministries of health and community volunteers to distribute medication and health education aimed at eliminating the NTDs.

    The organisation on November 4 celebrated  the distribution of 500 million doses of donated medication to combat five neglected tropical diseases in 14 countries in Africa and Latin America.

    The choice of Gidan Gimba, was informed by the presence of the five areas of focus of the Carter Centre, which are  malaria, elephantiasis, soil transmitted helminths (intestinal worms), bilharzias and trachoma (blindness disease).

    The country is the largest recipient of the Carter Centre donation of medication with 60 per cent, while the  next largest number of NTD drugs has been distributed in Ethiopia, to combat trachoma, river blindness, and lymphatic filariasis.

    Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Centre, Ambassador Mary-Ann Peters  while appreciating the choice of Gidan Gimba for the auspicious occasion,  explained that Nigeria was chosen to celebrate the event out of the 14 countries because Nigeria was one the most affected by NTDs.

    ”The Carter Center health programmes have pioneered eradication, elimination, and control of neglected tropical diseases for more than a quarter-century.

    ”We have seen, time and again, that people at the grass-roots level can improve their own lives dramatically when they have access to the appropriate tools and knowledge. Among the most important of these tools are safe and effective donated medicines, together with health education and community ownership of the distribution process.”

    She said the treatment was supported by the Carter Centre, but all the treatment were done by the people of the 14 benefiting countries.

    Out of  the 500 million treatments, 60 per cent of the treatments, Amb. Peters said  were executed in Nigeria and the “treatments were delivered by thousands of volunteers in some 20,000 Nigerian communities just like Gidan Gimba.”

    She also attributed the success of the programme in Nigeroa to the contry’s determination to improve the health condition of  its citizens. She therefore commended government agencies, development partners and the benefiting communities for the respective cooperation for this great achievement.

    She said the centre was founded by former President and Mrs Jimmy Carter, both of whom have made several trips to Nigeria and love Nigeria very much. She also stressed that the Carter legacy and the goal of the Carter Centre is to wage peace, fight disease and help people.

    The Centre, she said worked  hand in hand with former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon to eliminate guinea worm disease in Nigeria.

    She further noted that  the centre believes that Nigeria can do anything including getting rid of the NTDs.

    According to her, “The citizens of the places where we are privileged to work in Nigeria have been a beacon for the rest of Nigeria in the fight against NTDs.

    “We believe that the communities have piloted some very innovative methods for dealing with the scourge.”

    In his remark, Dr Frank Richards, Director Health Programmes, Carter Centre,  disclosed that the organisation has spent three billion dollars for the treatment of the NTDs in 14 countries across the world, including river blindness in Nigeria.

    Mr Michael Harvey, Director, USAID Mission in Nigeria, said the mission has decade of partnership with the Carter Centre in addressing the challenges of human cause, including the NTDs.

  • This man needs help

    This man needs help

    He came into our Abuja office looking every bit like a man in desperate need to save his life. Oguche Enechojo Joseph is troubled by a badly aching ear.  A secondary school teacher, he has spent his wages on treatment but has got little relief.

    Oguche, 51, is suffering from Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia, (CML), which has affected his hearing for the past six years.

    One had to repeat what was said severally before he could understand what was said.

    He has spent more than his monthly salary to fund his medical expenses. According to him, feeding his family has become difficult thereby looking for assistance to either get an additional job or financial assistance to avoid further crisis.

    He explained how it all started: “My name is Oguche Enechojo Joseph. I am 51 years old. I am a teacher by profession at a private junior secondary school in Gwarinpa. I teach basic technology. My problem is that I have been suffering from cancer for the past six years. Last year they changed my drugs and it has been affecting me and I am spending 90 percent of my salary. My salary is N70,000.

    “I have been buying one injection since last year’s September for N20,000. And after two weeks I could not afford it again. It continued like that to the extent that I was transfused with two units of blood. I have been borrowing money since my predicament started.

    “Immediately I receive my salary it all goes into buying of drugs. That is why I came for help to either for good-spirited Nigerians to help me. I want to do something extra to feed my family and also meet my health needs. Since this incident I have not been taking care of my family.

    “I have three children and because of this situation I lost my one-year-old son last year to a heart-related problem, remaining two. I could not take him to India as suggested by doctors. They asked me to pay N3 million for surgery which I could not afford. My wife is over 30 years. She is a mini-fashion designer. The eldest, a boy, is 10 years while the other female is eight. The boy wants to go to secondary school but there is no fund for that.

    “My consultant is at Obafemi Awolowo teaching hospital Ife, every month I go to the national hospital in Abuja here foe blood counting. And because of transportation fare I go to Ife every three months for medical checkup. Because of my hearing problem I cannot travel along, I go with my wife and transport to Ife for two is not easy. I am always barrowing and if I continue like this at this my age I will have nothing to save for my children and would not be able to train them properly.

    “My consultant said if I keep on taking my drugs properly that the nerves which are affected will grow and I will start hearing properly again. They showed my people with similar problems which have been rectified with some time. They said I should be patient and be prayerful. It all started through an infectious disease called CML then at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

    “I am lucky that all our drugs are being given to me free but the entire test we pay for it at the National hospital and every day they change the course of test for me. I was buying one unit of blood N7,800 and screening N7,000. I am not asking for luxury but money to take proper care of myself and family.”

    Oguche Enechojo Joseph’s phone number is 08036503137. And his account number is: Oguche Enechojo Joseph, Zenith Bank. Account number: 2086432106 and Ecobank: 2202091999.

  • ‘We need media’

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has craved the support and collaboration of the media.

    The media, he said,  has contributed to the socio-economic and political development of the country just as it has remained the conscience of the nation.

    Bello stated this while receiving members of the Forum of FCT Broadcast Editors that paid him a visit in his office at Area 11, Garki I District, Abuja.

    The Minister reiterated that every stakeholder in Project Nigeria has done their bit in one way or the other but the role of the media since pre-independence Nigeria cannot be over emphasised.

    He recalled how members of the fourth estate of the realm encouraged his administration to take certain major decisions, saying, they have been part of his guiding principles.

    The minister described his partnership with the media as robust; adding that some of his policy decisions have been greatly reinvigorated by the feedback he received from journalists covering the FCT Administration.

    Bello who described the media as the eyes and ears of the society; saying, their profound knowledge of the city is one that generates a lot of vibrancy in both the public and private sphere.

    He called for continuous support and collaboration from the media practitioners to strengthen institutions in the FCT Administration to enable them carryout their statutory duties, thereby taking Abuja to greater heights.

    According to him, “You have been and will continue to be the eyes and the ears of the residents of the FCT. Your knowledge of the city is obviously much deeper and I have had course to follow the activities of most of your organizations, the feedback and the support you give, the vibrancy that you generate in our beautiful city and community.”

    “Since I came on board as the Minister, we have tried as much as possible to convey a message to the wider community that Abuja is for all and therefore, Abuja should reflect the standard of a city that we all aspire to say it is ours. That is why in all of the policies we initiate, we try to encourage people to own it, simply because we have realized that a Minister and a team of 50 or hundred senior officials cannot run the city alone. It has to be something that all of us should consciously believe in,” he stressed.

    While briefing the Forum on some of his recent activities, the Minister stated that FCT Administration would make ready for use some of the grazing reserves within the Territory, notably the ones in Paikon Kore, Karshi, Bwari, and Kuje.

    Bello also disclosed details of his recent meeting with the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 7, even as he called on the media and other FCT residents to support the concept of community policing.

    “While we all applauded the police high command and all the security agencies in making our city safe, we also agreed that it is very important that we as citizens support the concept of community policing. We agreed that a lot of areas where we have barricades that are deemed to be no longer necessary could be removed to free vehicular movement,” the minister emphasised.

     

  • Residents relish peace, one year after blasts

    Residents relish peace, one year after blasts

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been peaceful since the twin blasts in Kuje and Nyanya over one year ago, reports GBENGA OMOKHUNU

    It is almost surreal now that terrorists-branded violence is no more in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Last October Boko Haram detonated two devices in Kuje and Nyanya satellite, killing 15 persons. Kuje, near the Abuja airport, is about 40km from the city centre and seat of government. It was a return of the extremist sect to Abuja that Friday night.

    The terrorist group had been effectively fenced off from the capital since it attacked a shopping plaza Emab, in the Wuse 2 District of the city on June 24, 2014, killing at least 21 and injuring 17 others.

    But despite the huge fortification of the capital territory against attacks – through extensive roadblocks and security patrols – the terrorists sneaked in on that Friday, killing many.

    The multiple explosions were said to have been carried out by a female suicide bomber who attempted hitting the Kuje police station at about 9:51pm and a second blast from a suicide bomber on a motorcycle who detonated explosives in front of the Kuje market, killing dozens of people 15 minutes later.

    Security reports said that the  bomb blast was carried out to force the release of Boko Haram suspects held in Kuje, while the bomb that went off in Nyanya was a decoy to confuse security agents and cause a jailbreak.

    But since then, there has been peace, and residents love every minute of it. President Muhammadu Buhari has made progress in containing the jihadist group Boko Haram in the northeast and it has rubbed off on Abuja. Taking office, President Buhari inherited challenges on all fronts. Nevertheless, his arrival was met by optimism, high expectations and a strong desire for wholesale change on the part of Nigerians and international partners alike.

    His efforts to strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries, particularly on the security front, and with allies and partners farther afield were encouraging. He vowed to crush the brutal jihadist Boko Haram, which has probably been responsible for 15,000 to 20,000 deaths since it began its campaign in 2009, in the northeastern part of the country.

    A year into Buhari’s presidency, Boko Haram, though far from being eliminated, is in retreat. After seven years of the group’s expansion, that is a significant achievement.

    Yet other destabilising forces have arisen from north to south. Fulani herdsmen have been involved in deadly skirmishes in villages across several states. Many blocked roads in the FCT have been opened for free flow of traffic due to the peaceful atmosphere.

    Abuja is now more or less safe for all no matter the area. With the recent development, a cross section of residents has been commending President Buhari and the security operatives for the progress.

    Among those who spoke with Abuja Review is the former Deputy Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye who commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts at conquering the war against Boko Haram sects. Elegbeleye recalled that this time last year the Boko Haram activities were much pronounced with several bombing in both the north east and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Abuja.

    The ex-lawmaker advised that to totally defeat the Boko Haram sects, kidnapping and other social vices youths should be properly engaged with adequate job creation. He urged security operatives not to rest on their oars in fighting insurgency to a standstill in Nigeria.

    While condemning the killings in most part of the country by suspected herdsmen, Elegbeleye who was also a former Director General (DG) of the National Sports Commission, (NSC) advised government to properly investigate the issue.

    His words: “There is nothing you can do without an environment of peace. In Nigeria today things are difficult because anywhere you go you do not feel secured mainly the issues of insurgency and armed robbers. And there are others who for political reasons want to kill the next man. So it is difficult to move.

    “I must say again Boko Haram not totally defeated but partially defeated better than before. There must be also must be religious tolerance in Nigeria. Today we say we are under economic recession, if we get it right in terms of security, we will move out of the recession. People are meant to do their business without security threat. Investors cannot come into the country. Their fear is we secured’.

    “The present government of President Muhammadu Buhari is trying and I wish the government can try more. You and I know that President Muhammadu Buhari has tried with our security operatives to secure the country from Boko Haram. Insurgency was on the increase some few years ago. It was terrible than this. Bombing in the north east and Abuja, it has reduced and that means the current government is trying and current efforts are yielding results. And in know that if more efforts are deployed Boko Haram can be totally eradicated. Some ten years ago Nigeria wasn’t like this.

    “If we look at those perpetrating violence they are mainly the younger generations, there should be opportunity for employment. Government should find a way to get the youths engaged. This move will further reduce or stop insurgence, violence in Nigeria. Many of them are graduates that have no job to do. Some are not even educated. Some of them can be lured into to taking the wrong steps. Somebody who is engaged, employed will not have time for violence of any kind.

     

  • Minister bemoans domestic violence

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has expressed dismay over the high prevalence of domestic violence in the Federal Capital Territory, saying such unfortunate incidents should have no place in the nation’s capital.

    The minister made this known when the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) led by the Regional Vice President for Africa, Hajiya Laraba Shuaibu paid him a visit.

    Bello who stated that the FCT has one of the highest incidences of domestic violence in the country according to available data, said the FCT Administration has been using its Social Development Secretariat, the Office of the Vice President as well as some of the NGOs around to bring the issue to the fore so that people can understand its ills to the society.

    He said, “We realised that based on the available data, the FCT appears to be among those states where the prevalence was quite high. So, we have been using our Social Development Secretariat and the Office of the Vice President and some of the NGOs around to try to see how we can discuss more about it with the intention of reducing such bizarre situation.”

    Bello called on FIDA to help reach out to the grassroots through discussions and advocacy visits to enlighten them on the dangers of domestic violence.

    The Minister also harped on the need for out of court resolution of land disputes in the Federal Capital Territory, saying residents should be encouraged to embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to save money and time.

    He said, “As much as possible, we will like you to encourage people to look at alternative ways of resolving land disputes because at the end of the day, everybody wins and the city wins more, because development is accelerated.”

    The Minister added, “For us as a city, any plot of land allocated and not developed does not add value to us because any development you do, there is a chain of multiplier effect within the society and the economy, because you will generate employment and create business transactions. At the end of the day, a family stays in a home or an office is created.”

    Bello further called for a change of attitude towards traffic laws in Abuja; wondering why anybody of sane mind would want to drive against the traffic in the FCT for instance, stressing, “that is simply dangerous to the person driving as well as to other citizens, and we would like FIDA to communicate these to the people”.

    The minister expressed delight over the upcoming African Regional Conference of FIDA in Abuja, saying, the FCT Administration will give all necessary backing to ensure a successful continental event.

    He noted that it is always a thing of joy for Abuja to host events of such magnitude for the very prospect of showcasing the beauty and potentials of the Territory to the wider world.

    ”We always feel very proud in Abuja to host international events of the type you are preparing to hold, because it’s an opportunity for us to showcase the city to the wider world and to be able to interact with people from other nations, so that at least we try to see areas we can benefit from. I know that this particular conference is going to host your members from across the African continent and that also makes it more interesting, because you are bringing people that are nearer to us,” the Minister emphasised.

    The FIDA Regional Vice President for Africa, Hajiya Laraba Shuaibu who was supported by the Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee, Victoria Fumilayo-Awomolo (SAN) said they were in FCTA to solicit for the support of the Administration to host this continental conference.

    Fumilayo-Awomolo lauded the minister for the uncommon achievements of his Administration despite the economic hardship the country is passing through; saying that the minister has been able to change the trend of events in the territory.