The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Tension in the gym

    For the past two weeks, the picture has been changing at the State House Gym at the seat of power in Abuja. There appeared to be a power tussle in the management of the gym.

    The gym since the year 2011 have been under the management of seven Nigeria Air Force personnel led by a female Wing Commander. The Wing Commander had earlier started the Gym in November 2010 with two civilian personnel.

    While the tenure the team was expected to spend on the posting was not specified, they normally have opportunity for tenure extension through delayed posting.

    Their duties included training and guiding registered State House staff and their registered family members through machines in the Gym.

    They also manage the President’s and Vice President’s Gyms.

    Unexpectedly, five members of the Air Force team including their leader were unceremoniously posted out of the State House Gym, a fortnight ago.

    The action, according to sources, was in line with an order from ‘above’.

    One of the accusations leveled against the team was that they were allegedly involved in the re-election campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan, which they denied.

    A new head from the Nigerian Army, who will source for other supporting staff to replace those posted out, was immediately installed.

    It was not clear whether the changes has to do with any serious crime on the beat or just done to break the seemingly monopoly of the Nigeria Air Force over the Gym.

    But preceding the changes, armed soldiers and personnel of Department of State Services (DSS) were immediately drafted to the State House Gym to maintain law and order.

    The security personnel, who have been providing 24 hour service on shift basis to the facility since the change in leadership, were also said to be monitoring movements to and from the Gym.

    Their sole aim was to stop any plan to steal any machine and other items in the Gym or to prevent any of the trainers from bringing in other items.

    The new order appeared to be bringing drastic changes to the State House Gym.

    Either due to the change in leadership or the introduction of armed security personnel at the gate, some of the Gym users who have been utilizing the facility for many years were said to have stayed away from the Gym in the past two weeks.

    The new move was also said to have adversely affected the number of new registered members to the Gym.

    Sources close to the Gym said that daily registration of new members have drastically reduced with new attendance for Saturday aerobics classes dropping from about twenty persons to about five persons.

    A user of the facility, who spoke on a condition of anonymity said: “I was surprised to see armed security men when I visited the Gym the last time. I had to stop going there because I don’t know if it was done to monitor staff members who use the Gym.”

    But barely a week after the change in leadership, there was a twist to the drama at the Gym.

    The head of the Air Force team, who was posted out a week earlier, was redeployed back to the State House Gym.

    The new twist, according to another source, is part of moves to resolve the crisis engulfing the State House Gym.

    The move, he said, included enlarging the management team from the earlier seven Air Force personnel to ten joint force, comprising of four Air Force personnel, four Army personnel and two Naval staff.

    Distraction of any sort at the seat of power will not be good for President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Unless there are serious and confirmed issues prompting the changes in the first instance, everything should be done to urgently tackle the problems and the seeming power play at the Gym.

    The atmosphere at the Gym should quickly be made less tensed for staff to freely carry out their physical exercises.

    A mechanism also should be put in place to prevent future friction among the proposed team of Air Force, Army and Naval trainers if that is the option those at the helm of affairs want to take.

    It will no doubt be in the interest of the administration to continue to keep a healthy State House workforce and for normalcy to return to the State House Gym.

     

    Surprise appearance

     

    Not many expected the newest and youngest governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to be at the seat of power in Abuja last Wednesday night.

    Bello was sworn in as the Executive Governor of the state earlier in the day in Lokoja, Kogi State.

    Many would have expected him to be carried away and busy with celebration of his election inauguration in Lokoja, Kogi State last Wednesday.

    But clad in light blue ‘Babanriga’, Bello appeared at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja around 9:20p.m.

    He was at the seat of power to attend his first Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) meeting led by its Chairman and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari.

    It was also his first official function after taking oath of office.

    Arriving with his retinue of aides, Bello was smiling and acknowledging cheers from journalists, who had gathered at the venue of the meeting.

    Every step he took on the corridor of power was with the aura that goes with his new office as the number one citizen of Kogi State.

    Journalists were not the only ones surprised to see Bello in Abuja on Wednesday as his colleagues must have shown the same surprise when he was ushered into the venue of the closed-door meeting, where most of his colleagues were already seated.

    Bello also did not fail to perform his second official function as governor in Abuja the following day as he attended the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa.

    The governor, who was clad in white ‘Babanriga’ and brown cap to match was the toast of his colleagues that attended the NEC meeting.

    He was also nominated by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to offer the opening prayer after the rendition of the National Anthem.

    His presence in Abuja for the NGF and NEC meeting last Wednesday and Thursday, definitely was to send signal that he has fully taken over every function relating to the Executive Governor of the state.

    He has definitely succeeded in passing the message that he is now in charge of the state notwithstanding whether the function was in Kogi State or anywhere in the country.

     

  • No going back on okada, Keke ban

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye has said that commercial motorcycles (okada) and tricycles (Keke Napep) remain banned from operating within the 250 square kilometers of the Federal Capital City, Abuja.

    Ajakaiye stated during a meeting with the executive officers of the sector unions of the Okada/Keke-Napep Owners and Riders at the FCT Minister’s Conference Room, Area 11, Garki I District, Abuja.

    The Permanent Secretary further said that tricycles and motorcycles, popularly called Okada and Keke would only operate outside the city centre and designated areas like estates and Area Councils respectively.

    Ajakaiye stated that the Abuja Master Plan did not make provision for Okada and Keke to ply in the Abuja city centre; adding that the FCT Administration would ensure this law is not flouted.

    His words: “Okada remains banned throughout the Abuja city centre and Keke will also not operate within the city centre too, except in designated areas like estates”.

    He remarked that majority of the roads in the Abuja city are express roads, because the Abuja Master Plan as well as the Abuja Transportation Master Plan never envisaged the use of commercial motorcycles and Keke Napep.

    According to him, commercial motorcycles are injurious to the riders as well as the passengers and the government has a duty to protect the lives and property of all her Citizens.

    Subsequently, the Permanent Secretary read out the resolutions after the meeting, which was all agreed and adopted by the stakeholders present.

    The stakeholders at the meeting resolved that no Okada and Keke must operate in the City Centre and that they immediately form Associations to be registered with the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (VIO).

    All commercial riders of tricycle or motorcycle, it was agreed, must belong to one of the Unions or Association for easy identification and control, particularly with the prevailing security situation in the country.

    It was also agreed that all Okada and Keke must have official vehicle registration and at the point of registration, evidence must be shown that the Okada and Keke riders belong to a union. The VIO office is to spell out the appropriate rules for their operations.

    However, the Permanent Secretary advised the executives of the Unions to immediately commence the sensitization of their members on the need to comply with these resolutions.

    “As Executives, we want you to go to your members and tell them to please adhere to the rules and regulations.  We want you to stay in the areas where you are allowed to do your business without molestation. If there is any reason where they are disturbing you in those areas, our doors are open to you. You are free to come and complain to us through your Executives and we will look at it,” he stressed.

    Dispelling the notion that the ban on Okada and Keke ceased to exist with the ouster of the previous Administration, Dr. Ajakaiye said Government is continuum and that every good thing must continue under the current Administration.

     

  • Minister to pay N324m to complete road

    Minister to pay N324m to complete road

    Plans are underway to complete the Apo-Karshi Road four years after the contractors started work.

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello said the FCT administration  was ready to pay an additional N324m provided the contractors would finish the work quickly.

    Bello disclosed this when he inspected the road under construction since 2011 in the company of the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, FCDA Executive Secretary, Mr Adamu Ismaila to ascertain what was hindering the progress of the project.

    He assured that his administration will make payments as quickly as possible for the matured certificate pending, but told the contractor to deliver the project.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the Minister regretted that Apo-Karshi Road, which is not more than 13.25km, has taken about four years so far, without completion; adding “what we have seen is a sign of what has been very wrong with us as a people”.

    He wondered how “a contractor that prides himself to be one of the upcoming local contractors, how it will take us four good years to construct only about 10 kilometers of road. This is absolutely amazing”.

    He said, “I have heard from the contractor and I have heard from the FCTA engineers handling this project. Based on explanations, this contract work was awarded to a contractor that was not even willing to do the job”.

    Bello reiterated, “they just gave him this contract and he reluctantly accepted”.

    The Minister said that he received a lot of complaints about the company, “and I understand they are doing about two districts – one in the city; another also on the way to the airport”.

    Bello lamented that if this company will build just over nine kilometers in four years, then it may not have the capacity to continue all the existing contracts.

  • ‘I’ll fight corruption like Buhari’

    ‘I’ll fight corruption like Buhari’

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Bello has vowed to follow President Muhammadu Buhari’s footsteps in tackling corruption and ensure that government is alive to its responsibilities.

    He also said all ongoing and abandoned projects will be completed.

    Government, Bello said will not embark on huge new projects that do not have any meaningful multiplier effect.

    Bello who gave the assurances when he briefed journalists on his administration’s policy trust also vowed to deliver a secured environment adding that Abuja Master Plan must be followed.

    He said the acute problem of traffic congestion faced by commuters in many locations will receive immediate attention through expedited completion and opening of more feeder roads.

    His words: “As I set out my responsibilities in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), I shall be guided by President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of delivering a secure environment, zero tolerance to corruption and ensuring that government is alive to its responsibilities.

    “In the face of the myriad needs demanding for scarce resources and the numerous uncompleted and abandoned projects, which if completed, will have immediate positive impact on the city and its inhabitants, we do not intend to embark on huge new projects that do not have any meaningful multiplier effect. Our priority in the short run, therefore, will be the completion of ongoing projects as may be appropriately reviewed.

    “Project of immediate attention will include Satellite towns in which we will target the development of affordable mass housing schemes and infrastructure in partnership with private sector to address the acute shortage of housing of low income earners. This will have the multiplier effect of reinvigorating the economy and creating employment opportunities in the Satellite towns.

    “The law that sets up Abuja is 40 years and after the law, a master plan was established for the city with the provision of being reviewed periodically.

    “What this administration is going to handle is the issue of flagrant abuse of the master plan. Obviously this will not be acceptable but of course readjusting and being flexible on the pan in line with current demographic realities will always be done.”

     

  • Operation keep lassa out

    Operation keep lassa out

    The authorities have released tips on containing the latest health threat. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has stepped up to keep the lethal Lassa fever out of the territory.

    The Health and Human Services Secretariat released some useful tips on how to effectively prevent the spread of the virus. A carrier of the virus who visited Abuja is said to have died.

    The FCT Administration noted that this proactive step has become necessary in order to halt the spread of the virus.

    The Administration has urged the residents not to spread foods to dry along the road as well as keeping the houses and surroundings clean by blocking all holes around the houses, clearing all bushes and disposing refuse in covered dustbins.

    It has advised the residents to discard all foods partly eaten by rats and tightly seal all animal foods in metal containers.

    It also urged the residents to cover all foods and water properly and set traps in and around the house to reduce rat populations.

    In the same vain, infected patients should be isolated from contact with unprotected persons until the disease runs out its course.

    Apart from avoiding contact with Lassa fever patients’ secretions, residents are advised to wear protective gear such as masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles when caring for patients.

    Following the confirmation of the disease in some states, the Health & Human Services Secretariat embarked on measures aimed at preventing its spread in the Territory.

    Meanwhile, the FCT Disease Control and Disease Surveillance as well as Notification Officers in the six Area Councils are on high alert as they have stepped up disease surveillance activities within their various localities, especially at the border communities.

    The Heads of Health Departments in the Area Councils have already been directed to step up sensitisation in the communities – markets, motor parks, churches and mosques; while the distribution of fliers is ongoing.

     

  • Minister to IG: unmask vandals of public facilities

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has appealed to the police high command to step up surveillance on the increasing activities of vandals in the Federal Capital City and arrest those involved.

    FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello made the appeal while receiving the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase who paid him a working visit in his office at Area 11, Garki I District, Abuja.

    The Minister specifically requested the police to apprehend those removing such vital equipments as electrical and telecommunication cables, manhole covers as well as railway tracks that are still under construction.

    According to a statement issued by Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister warned that security agents have to frontally tackle all those engaged in these nefarious activities, which has the potentials of graduating into big time criminals if they are not adequately checked.

    His words: “What is more disturbing now is that even the urban railway system that is under construction, vandals have started vandalizing the tracks by removing vital equipments. Of course, the issue of the manhole covers is well known. Each manhole is probably about four meters deep and when you leave it open, it’s very dangerous”.

    According to him, “even though these might not appear to be very serious crimes compared to armed robbery and kidnapping, they are still crimes because those that do these minor criminal activities eventually graduate to become big time criminals”.

    He charged the Inspector-General to also unmask those patronizing these vandals to put an end to the illicit trade; stressing, “we need to identify who those vandals are and the markets where they take these items for sale”.

    “We need to make examples with some people; or else, government will continue to invest a lot of resources on key infrastructure and people will just vandalize and sale them for a fraction of the cost,” the Minister added.

    Malam Bello used the occasion appreciate the existing cordial relationship that exists between the FCTA and the Nigeria Police which he noted has made his job and the security of Abuja a lot easier.

    The Minister pledged that the FCT Administration would continue to support the security agencies to do their job of making Abuja a very secure city.

    The Minister however frowned at the scenario where some Abuja motorists flout basic traffic rules; describing it is disheartening to see that up till now, some road users in Abuja still do not like to obey traffic signs.

    Earlier in his remark, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase appreciated the logistic support of the FCTA and called for more assistance in terms vehicles to the FCT Police Command to boost their surveillance activities.

    The Police boss revealed that he has deployed horses to strategic areas like the Federal Secretariat to beef up security activities; remarking that the Police Force would do everything possible within its powers to keep Abuja safe.

    Mr. Arase further solicited the support of the FCT Administration to provide FCT a befitting Police Headquarters that will give the ambience the Federal Capital Territory truly deserves.

    The FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye and some other senior officials of the FCT Administration joined the Minister to receive the Inspector-General Police.

     

  • Minister alarmed at high rate of drug addicts

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello has challenged the management of the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) to partner with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to tackle cases of drug abuse and addiction among youths and vulnerable persons in our society.

    Bello gave the challenge while being briefed at the FCT Social Development Secretariat.

    He urged the Secretariat to brainstorm and find best ways of rehabilitating some of the addicts; warning that social issues must be approached with the seriousness it deserves because one social problem has multiplier negative effects on the entire society.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister said: “You all have enormous responsibilities with serious financial challenges which desire proactive steps to effectively tackle them.

    “you also have to brainstorm on how to efficiently tackle the knotty problems of street beggars, commercial sex workers as well as street hawking”.

    The Minister noted that though there are problems of Master Plan abuse that has taken over plots earmarked for sporting facilities in our neighbourhoods, but something urgent must be done about it.

    Bello urged the Secretariat to sit down as a team to generate database for tourism facilities because such facilities would not only provide areas of recreation and sight seeing in and around Abuja, but would equally serve as avenues of generating funds to the government.

    Also speaking during the briefing, the FCT Permanent Secretariat, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye asked Directors of the Secretariat to take drastic measures as the professionals they are, to think outside the box to move the Secretariat to enviable heights.

    He warned that its not business as usual, so all officers must sit up to deliver quality services that would positively impact on the lives of the residents of the Territory.

    The Acting Secretary of Social Development Secretariat, Alhaji Salisu Kallamu, revealed that there are 17 Orphanages in the Federal Capital Territory with only one directly managed by the Secretariat.

    Meanwhile, the Minister also received briefs from the management of the FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat where he advised the Secretariat to get repositioned to key into the policy of the Federal Government which promotes agriculture and mass food production for the populace.

    He assured the management of his Administration’s resolves to help them achieve the goals of the Federal Government in that sub-sector.

    The minister encouraged them to hasten, by going into partnership with the Area Councils in order to carry the people along in all their programmes.

    The Minister promised that the FCT Administration would soon pay N113 million being counterpart-fund for Fadama III in order to allow FCTA access more facilities in the programme.

    The Permanent Secretary during the session also asked the Secretariat to find ways of stopping Poultry farms in residential areas because of its adverse health implication to human habitation especially now that we are battling avian influenza.

    Ajakaiye urged them to continue to spur the farmers to greater heights by constantly interfacing with all stakeholders in the farming circle.

     

  • Winning more sporting laurels

    President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement last month hinted of a strong bond between him and football as he declared that football loves him.

    His claim was not only based on the laurels won in the round leather game under his administrations as a military Head of State and as a civilian President, but also because of the awards that came his way for championing a leadership that supported sports.

    Buhari was conferred with the Glo/Confederation of African Football (CAF) Platinum Award for Good Leadership in December.

    It will not be out of place here to remind Mr. President that it is not only football that loves him but all the sporting events in the country.

    Under his administration as a military Head of State, Nigeria won the maiden edition of the Under-17 World Cup in China in 1985.

    Also under his administration as a civilian President in the last eight months, the country has started to receive global and continental laurels in various sporting events.

    In 2015, Nigeria won the Under-17 World Cup in Chile,  the Under-23 African Cup of Nations in Senegal, and Afro-Basketball Tournament in Tunisia.

    Athletes in other various sporting events also won laurels for the country at major championships in the year 2015.

    But different administrations over the years have handled such victorious athletes in various ways including honouring them with Presidential handshake and or monetary and other gifts.

    Besides various gifts for the athletes from the Federal Government, some state governments and the private sector had also announced different gift for them, individually or collectively in the past.

    Such gifts will go a long way to boost their morale and make them go all out to win more laurels for the country in the future.

    It will also show that the government is not paying lip service but actually rewarding hardwork and dedication to the country.

    The gifts and encouragement will also continue to spur upcoming athletes to achieve greater performances.

    Indirectly, the gifts will make Nigeria never to be short of supply of talented youths that will make Nigeria second to none in all global and continental sporting events.

    It is also good for the athletes to get whatever they can get out of sports while still active as there are many cases where injured and permanently disabled athletes were abandoned and left to carry their cross after sustaining the injuries.

    Under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s civilian administration, the athletes who won laurels for the country got presidential handshake, some of them also got shares and houses.

    The administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan who had many laurels and achievements to show in sports handled the athletes in his own style.

    Besides presidential handshakes, Jonathan timely host and announced financial and material gifts for victorious sports men and women.

    Apart from elaborate presidential reception for the athletes, Jonathan also did not fail to encourage state governments and the private sector to toe the path of the Federal Government by doing something tangible for the athletes.

    President Buhari, no doubt, is not new to the terrain and last week Thursday announced N2 million gift for each Golden Eaglets player that won the maiden edition of the FIFA Under-17 World Championship in China 31 years ago.

    Even though he also announced various cash gifts for players and athletes who excelled in 2015, some sports analysts have noted that they were far below what similar athletes got in cash and kind, especially under the last administration of Goodluck Jonathan.

    They couldn’t be far from the truth as President Buhari himself noted during the Presidential reception that the financial resources of Nigeria have been dwindling since last year.

    While oil prices in the international market were mostly above $100 per barrel under Jonathan, the prices have crashed as low as $34 per barrel under Buhari.

    “Hence what we are offering you today, is not payment or compensation for winning laurels for your country, rather, it is a token of appreciation for your efforts and patriotism while competing for your fatherland.” he told the athletes.

    The players and athletes at the old Banquet Hall of the State House last Thursday, no doubt, understood that they would have gotten more from the government if the economy was doing well.

    Even though there is need for improved funding of sporting infratructures and athletes’ training to ensure Nigeria remains at the top of global and continental competitions in sporting events, more definitely needs to be done to encourage sporting men and women to give their ‘all’ to sports.

    This is not to say that the athletes should not be proud and consider themselves fortunate to be selected. And be part of those to wear the Nigeria’s green-white-green outfit at national and international competitions.

     

    Armed Forces

    Remembrance in style

    The January 15th Armed Forces Remembrance Day is a day most leaders in the country often look forward to.

    The annual ritual gives the leaders opportunity to honour and lay wreaths in remembrance of soldiers who have died in service in Nigeria and during international engagements abroad.

    The day is also dedicated to appreciating surviving Nigerian military men who have retired from active service.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who honoured the heroes for the first time on the 15th of January, 2016 as a democratically elected President of Nigeria, did it in style.

    Past Presidents normally inspect guards of honour, lay wreath, sign register, and release white pigeons before departing the National Arcade venue of the ceremony at the Three Arms Zone in Abuja.

    The leaders don’t make speeches during the duration of the ceremony.

    But Buhari, a fortnight ago, introduced a new dimension to the ceremony.

    After releasing the white pigeons, Buhari inspected a military technology known as the Eagle Mobile Command Post where he was linked to troops at the war fronts in Borno State.

    Through the technology, Buhari watched soldiers live on a device and spoke with the officers who in turn briefed him on the operation.

     

  • Succour for the displaced

    Succour for the displaced

    Even though life is now a bit better for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), they still look forward to visitors’ handouts, especially high-profile ones. Such was the case when Senator Dino Melaye showed up at the New Kuchingoro camp, reports OLUGBENGA ADANIKIN 

    The fear of the bloodthirsty insurgents is largely over for displaced persons. The enduring worry is usually what to eat, what to wear and when all the crisis will be over so they can safely return to their ancestral homes. Well-heeled visitors, meanwhile, have been helping with supplies, to the relief of the IDPs.

    Senator Dino Melaye has just added to the charity pool.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Dino Melaye brought food and other daily needs to the IDPs.

    It was on his birthday anniversary which he celebrated with the over 1,000 persons at the New Kuchingoro camp in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    During the visit, the lawmaker said the relief materials and celebration were to bring succour to the displaced persons.

    He donated gift items such as staple foods as well as live cow to fete the victims of Boko Haram insurgency.

    Melaye, who represents Kogi West Senatorial District in the Senate, was accompanied by friends and well-wishers to share the day with the IDPs.

    Describing the IDPs as senior citizens of the country, he said, “My birthday this year will be a very fulfilling one, having come to you, senior citizens of Nigeria, paying a very huge sacrifice for the atrocities you know nothing about.

    “I commend your efforts, I salute your resilience and indomitable spirits and I pray that all these sufferings would not be in vain. So, I am here to make these few donations to support your inhabitable situation here.”

    He also pleaded with the insurgents to release the Chibok girls they abducted from their school almost a year ago.

    He assured the IDPs of government’s sincerity to end insurgency such that they could return to their ancestral homes in the Northeast.

    “My singular prayer is that God will restore peace in the Northeast so that all of you can return home very soon.

    “I use this opportunity to appreciate the effort of President Muhammadu Buhari and the military towards ending insurgency in the region,” he added.

    He advised the IDPs to co-habit peacefully, adding that the pains inflicted on the people would soon be a thing of the past.

    Some of the items donated included noodles, bags of rice, cake, books and other writing materials.

    A primary four pupil, Aliu Ibrahim read one of the books entitled The Fisherman and the Fish, presented by the Senator.

    The children agreed to imbibe a good reading culture.

  • Cleric donates food items to IDPs

    Cleric donates food items to IDPs

    It was another joyous moment at the internally-displaced persons (IDPs) camp in Abuja when Word and Spirit Assembly Church donated food items and other relief materials to them.

    The church, which has its headquarters in Lagos, visited the camp in Karamajiji to present the gifts which included bags of rice, gallons of groundnut oil, yams and cloths, among other items. The members were led by Senior Pastor Chris Ekeh.

    Speaking at the event, Pastor Ekeh said: “The gesture was our way of giving back to the society.”

    Pastor Ekeh urged Nigerians to shun religious sentiments, saying there was need for Nigerians to treasure the lives of fellow humankind.

    He also called on government, organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to assist the IDPs who were forcibly driven out of their ancestral homes by insurgents in the Northeast.

    While receiving the gifts, the representative of the IDPs and Secretary to the Emir, Mohammed Dantali, commen-ded Pastor Ekeh and his church for the gesture, saying the IDPs need permanent accommo-dations, electricity, market place and schools for their children.