The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Car prize for pageant contest winner

    A brand new Kia Picanto car awaits the winner of beauty contest organised by Hartland Beauty Supply (HBS), the biggest beauty and cosmetics store in the heart of Abuja.

    The firm said it aims to groom young beauties to make a splash in modeling and also be the face of HBS.

    There will be consolation prizes for the first and second runners-up. Organisers of the programme who are already preparing for the event billed for November 15 in Abuja.

    Organiser of the programme and Manager of HBS Mrs. Obioma Obiekwe stated that the competition is for all beauties that believe they have all it takes to get involved in the pageantry industry and to be a brand ambassador for a beauty supply line like the HBS. She explained that contestants should visit their store to purchase their forms and be informed on the screening processes.

    “Hartland Beauty Supply is the organiser of the event and we hope to use the event to get a brand ambassador for the company and the search for contestants is on and is open to all Nigerians,” she said.

    She also added, “As a way of giving back to the society, Come Sunday, the 15th of November, 2015, HBS will be giving away a brand 2015 Kia Picanto to the winner of this competition. There would also be consolation prices for the first and second runners-up.

    “HBS is a one-stop shop that deals with everything Beauty. We deal extensively on hair extensions and hair products, cosmetics and makeup, body-care products, accessories, underwear and Lingerie, SPA services, Salon and Nail Studio.”

    Organisers of the pageantry say that theirs is an opportunity for Nigerian beauties who will like to tow the line of Nigerian top models and beauty queens who probably could not have made it or found it easy if they had not been given the platform to showcase themselves and talents to a world which in the process, came to appreciate them and what they stand to represent which is true African beauty and pride.

     

  • Indigenes protest ministerial list

    Indigenes protest ministerial list

    Some indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly over what they called the non-inclusion of an indigenous person on the ministerial list.

    They protested under the auspices of the Coalition of Indigenous Groups of the FCT.

    The protesters numbering over 100 gathered at the Eagle Square from where they marched to the National Assembly. They bore placards with such inscriptions as ’FCT indigenes deserve Ministerial slot’, ‘We need a second-tier government in FCT’, ’PMB please appoint an FCT indigene as a Minister, for fair representation at FEC’.

    Spokesperson of the group, Comrade Dalhatu Ezekiel said that they staged the peaceful protest after the list of nominees sent by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Senate on September 30 had no FCT original inhabitant on it.

    “We demand to be treated fairly, as enshrined in Section 299 of 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). When it comes to education, we produce graduates with good grades yearly, with wonderful areas of specialisation, like engineers, doctors and lawyers.

    “We are calling on President Buhari to appoint an original inhabitant of FCT as a Minister. We demand that the FCT be given a 2nd tier of government to carter for the original inhabitants as applicable in other states, like administrative and political structure of the FCT.

    “We demand for the appointments of FCT original inhabitants as chairmen of Boards into the Federal Government Ministries, Dep-artments and Agencies. We shall continue to support President Buhari and the National Assembly in all ramifications towards ensuring that the administration succeeds given the benefit of doubt. We shall at the same time stop at nothing, but will explore all avenues to ensuring that our demands are met rather than been overlooked,” he said.

    The Chairman Senate Committee on Information, Senator Dino Melaye, who spoke with the protesting natives, commended the peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves, telling them that the only agenda of the 8th Senate is the people.

    He appealed to them not worry because the present administration is going to listen to their plight and give them what they are agitating for.

    In a related development, a lawyer, Mr James Ndeye, has said some indigenous people of the FCT will sue the Federal Government if it fails to appoint an indigenous Abuja person a minister.

    Ndeye, himself an indigene, was speaking on behalf of others, said the omission of an Abuja native from the list of ministerial nominees submitted to the National Assembly was a breach of their constitutional rights and not privileges.

    The indigenous people urged President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfil his promise made to FCT indigenes during his campaign.

    Ndeye said, “It is no longer an issue of pleading but a constitutional right. We can seek legal redress, even if it means taking civil disobedience we would even do a simple peaceful protest to tell the authority this is what we want but we are not ready for violence,” he said.

    He explained that the natives have not seen any indications that an original inhabitant is included or would be included in the list of ministerial nominees whom he said could be the last batch of potential ministers.

    “There are so many areas injustices have been meted to the natives of Abuja and we thought that by this administration and with the party slogan of change we are going to experience change. But we are surprised that nothing new is coming our way.

    “I blame our political leaders, especially the elected area councils chairmen and the National Assembly members, who have failed over the years to organize pressure group in the FCT, irrespective of political party affiliation and differences like our past Nigerian leaders who in one voice in different parties sang one chorus for our independence,” he said.

     

  • Councils share N1.5b allocation

    The Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has distributed the sum of N1,501,176,445.24 to the six Area Councils of the territory being monies accruing to them from the Federation Account.

    FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Chukwu, an engineer, who made this disclosure in his office, said that the meeting was sequel to the earlier one held by the Federation Account Allocation Committee on the September 22.

    According to him, the sum comprises Statutory Revenue Allocation of N599,122,677.96; Value Added Tax of N893,892,259.86, and Exchange Rate Gains (August) of N8,161,507.42 totaling N1,501,176,445.24.

    Chukwu revealed that Abuja Municipal Area Council received the highest share of N353, 654,171; followed by Bwari Area Council that got N250, 226,160.05.

    According to the statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule: “Others are Gwagwalada Area Council with N232,595,399.19; Kuje Area Council got N225,553,845.96; Kwali Area Council received N227,405,902.23 and Abaji Area Council which received the lowest share of N211,740,967 for the month of August 2015.”

    The Permanent Secretary disclosed that statutory deductions were made in accordance with the Fund Allocation Monitoring Act payment of the Primary School Teachers Salaries, 15% Pension Fund, 1% Training Fund; LEA Teachers Monetization Entitlements as well as 7.5% Employer Pension Contribution.

    Chukwu enjoined the Council Chairmen to make judicious use of the funds by ensuring that transparency and accountability remain their watchword.

    He also advised the Councils to devise ways of improving their internally generated revenues (IGR) in view of the dwindling resources accruing to the government.

     

  • Crushing Boko Haram

    It is likely that when President Muhammadu Buhari a few months back directed the security outfits to defeat the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram by December, he probably did not take the weather dimension into consideration. But that may affect the realisation of the president’s deadline.

    The Sambisa forest, which is the heart of the war and most likely the base of the sect, is a difficult terrain in itself without the weather challenges.

    As the rainy season is gradually coming to an end, the hazy harmattan weather in the war-torn area is fast taking over the terrain.

    While visibility in the area during raining season is poor, the situation is worse under harmattan period as it will be almost impossible to see clearly beyond three meters diameters from any point in the forest.

    The weather is now providing the enemies unnecessary cover that may work against the deadline.

    If extra care is not taken, the weather may further give the insurgents the cover to plan more ambush against the armed forces and carry out more of their evil attacks against the masses.

    Despite the new challenges, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin, has expressed the armed forces’ commitment to meeting the deadline.

    He was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja last week Monday with other service chiefs to brief the President on the latest development.

    He said “It is a normal consultation to intimate him of the issues on the ground. We briefed him on the security situation on ground after a 60-day review and we had to brief him on the challenges we have and ensure that the mandate we have is properly delivered.

    “Of course, the challenges we are looking at are the issues of probably the weather as it were and some other logistics that we feel we should have so that the mandate can be quickly delivered.

    On whether there will be shift in the deadline, he said: “We have not said that. The mandate is that we should clear Boko Haram from the occupied territories and ensure that we reclaim all the lost grounds. That is exactly what we are doing.

    “It is a military operation and military operations have time-lines and these time-lines, we are working on it assiduously.

    He also disclosed that the US and UK have been involved in capacity building as part of their support to the government.

    As the capacity building continues, it is hoped that members of the Nigeria armed forces involved in the fight will be given the necessary gadgets and equipment to overcome the weather challenges and end the insurgency as scheduled.

    There is no doubt that US and UK and other supporters have the gadgets needed to scale the hurdles being presented by weather in the area.

     

    Shunning first Council of State meeting

     

    Immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan was among the past living Presidents and Heads of State that did not attend the first Council of State meeting under President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

    The meeting, which was held at the Presidential Villa, was expected to be attended by the serving President and Vice President, all living former Presidents and Heads of State; President of the Senate; Speaker of the House of Representatives; all living former Chief Justices of Nigeria and all state governors among others.

    Many past leaders, who were abroad for one thing or the other had in the past cancelled or shortened their visits abroad in order to attend such Council of State meeting where important decisions having great impact on the country are taken.

    Other former Presidents who could not attend the Wednesday Council of State meeting are Shehu Shagari and Olusegun Obasanjo.

    The duo have however attended several Council of State meetings under past administrations and could have been absent from Wednesday meeting for one cogent reason or the other.

    For the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his reason for been absent at the meeting, which is the first under his tenure, is known to all as he had to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal the same day.

    But it is not clear why the immediate past President Jonathan stayed away from the first meeting after leaving office.

    His presence at the first meeting would have send a strong message to Nigerians.

    It is hoped that his absence is unconnected with the anti-corruption drive of President Buhari, who is probing some activities under the immediate administration.

    Jonathan is expected to give Buhari all the encouragement and supports he needs to catch all the looters who diverted and stole the commonwealth of the people without his knowledge during his tenure.

    Among the past leaders, who were on hand to encourage the new administration on Wednesday included Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd) and Chief Ernest Shonekan.

     

    Thumbs up for Jega

     

    Against all odds, the former National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega served the country dedicatedly and meritoriously.

    During his tenure he midwived many elections in the country which were seen to be freer, fairer and more transparent globally.

    Of special note among the elections was the one that brought in the present administration headed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    So it was not out of place for the Council of State on Wednesday to single out and commend Jega for his achievements in the electoral system in Nigeria.

    Apart from the Council Secretariat directed to note the commendations, a letter of commendation may also later be sent to Jega.

     

  • ‘We’ve not been compensated for demolished homes’

    Indigenous people of Dagbalo community in Apo area of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) have said the government has not compensated them for land and houses wrongfully demolished despite the funds appropriated for the FCT administration.

    The indigenes almost staged a protest but spoke with journalists instead, expressing their grievances, saying that the affected indigenes have been living in penury.

    Leader of Dagbalo community, Rev. Danjuma Tanko on behalf of the indigenes, said that the absence of FCT Assembly has greatly encouraged the wings of corruption in the FCDA.

    He further called on President Mohammadu Buhari to consider Abuja natives in sensitive positions of his cabinet who knows and understands names of villages and the direct needs other than those who will only blow trumpet, beat drums in their offices and tabulate peoples land to themselves, families and seedlings.

    “I want Nigerians and the world to know that this day, no compensation has ever been paid nor any fund by government or any authority in that capacity to the original inhabitants. All efforts despite correspondence to replace our father’s houses were not honoured and 2004 during President Obasanjo, there was needed to expand the city, roads were constructed from Gudu village to Apo village.

    “The community called Akpajenya was partly affected by the road for which our houses were affected and up till now no compensation has been paid even though assessment were made with nos GU/05/73 Danjuma Tanko, GU/05/74/David Danjuma, GU/06/Mathias Danjuma, among others names that were omitted by the FCDA officials.

    “After the then minister of FCT and now Governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufai left office, the responsibilities vested on the Director Development Control the former Yahaya Yusuf and 2006 and the same marks and nos were used for resettlement of Garki community, Akpajenya and Apo community and Dagbalo community was not mentioned neither was merged with Akpajenya community,” he said.

    He said that he intend to clear issues before Nigerians to be able to participate and understand why the original inhabitants are against the policies and activities perpetuated by the officials of the FCDA and FCTA.

    “90 percent of names that appeared on the resettlement exercise carried out by the FCDA were unknown names to the communities while the people of Garki has no more lands to expand building or manage the imbalance offer, Dagbalo was worst hit by the direct evil of forceful demolition when at the woke up in the morning of 30th July, 2013 only to be surrounded with armed soldiers led by the FCDA officials and wiped out the entire Dagbalo community without showing any sympathy to our people.

    “All efforts made by our community to stop the inhuman act proved abortive and even as we watched those beats journalists seized tapes and smashed them on the ground,” he said.

    He insisted that his people has been subjected to untold hardship and all manner of unearthed treatment by the past FCT administration and therefore called on President and the Senate and the House of Representatives to intervene.

     

  • Ozolua raises funds in USA for IDPs

    Ozolua raises funds in USA for IDPs

    Empower54 is taking its “Rise Above Terror” campaign to Atlanta, United States of America as a means of raising more money to meet the needs of the millions of Internally Displaced Persons in the Northeastern Nigeria, Princess Modupe Ozolua has said.

    The event which will feature photographic exhibition of communities destroyed by Boko Haram and life in IDP camps in Nigeria is slated for December, in Atlanta, United States of America.

    Ozolua, founder of Empower54, formerly known as BEARS Foundation, is an organisation that has been actively helping underprivileged Africans since 2003. Its campaign, Rise Above Terror, has been empowering women in the IDP camps in Nigeria to be self-sufficient and building schools for displaced children. Empower54 has established schools in IDP camps in Adamawa and Borno States and has completed the renovation of a 6 class school building in Askira-Uba, Adamawa State that was destroyed by Boko Haram.

    The Atlanta, GA event comes against the background of the “Rise Above Terror…What Happens Next?” diplomatic cocktail and art auction which took place earlier this month in the Federal Capital City of Abuja.

    Ozolua’s Abuja exhibition event which was an innovative way of raising funds for the IDPs’ needs featured artworks donated by renowned artists like: Okwwoju El-Dragg Leonard, Damola Adepoju, Bimbo Adenuga, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, Abdurazaq Ahmed Akibu and Dimeji Alara.

    Others were: Shonibare Olatunbosun, Amarachi Kelechi, Seyi Morakinyo, Stanley Anyanwu, Olufemi Oyewole and Okpeyowa Moses Marquis.

    The artworks were auctioned to diplomatic Ambassadors, country representatives of donor agencies, top Nigerian Government officials and special guests.

    At the Abuja event, the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila applauded the initiative, adding that the National Assembly is ready to partner with the organisation in the fight against terror.

    His words: “Terrorism is an issue of concern to the global community today, and as we can see, Nigeria is not an exception. We have lost too many lives and valuable property to acts of irresponsible killings by members of the terrorist sects and the present administration is doing all it can to ensure that terrorism become history in Nigeria.

    “We at the National Assembly join in the Rise Above Terror campaign, and we will continue to do everything within the legal,instrument available to us to support your cause. The importance of rehabilitation of victims of terrorism is clear to all.”

    According to Ozolua “the USA event would also showcase an exhibition of donated paintings from Nigerian painters to support Empower54’s rebuilding of schools destroyed by Boko Haram and establishing schools in the IDP camps.”

    Already, the Mayor of the City of Atlanta, Kasim Reed, has expressed the readiness of the City to host the December event.

  • Battle against filth

    Battle against filth

    The effort to rid the satellite communities of garbage is not yielding much fruit, as collected waste takes a sizeable portion of the roads. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports on the Kuje scenario.

    Not every part of the nation’s capital is a dream world. In the swanky, glitzy districts, life is pleasurable. In the satellite communities, infrastructure is a challenge. Healthy water is as much an issue as are paved roads and power supply. Now add garbage evacuation to it.

    In Kuje, where terrorists detonated a bomb which claimed souls not too long ago, getting rid of refuse is proving too tough a task for the residents, collectors and the council.

    In the past, residents simply cast their waste into the next undeveloped land. That practice has now been stopped by the authorities. So how do the people dispose of their waste?

    They simply throw it into a stationary garbage van belonging to the council or have private collectors to pick it up. Either way, the garbage often ends up on the road, where it takes up a good portion.

    The residents are fed up, some fearing that the development may lead to an outbreak of epidemics.

    It is not just the residents who dump the waste on the road; garbage collectors also do after waiting sometimes in vain for private or government trucks to collect. When the garbage vans are seen, they are usually left on the road filled with waste dumped by the residents. So the collectors throw what they have into the overflowing van and walk away.

    One of the garbage collectors, Sanni Moses who has been lifting waste products for over two years, said, “Initially, we dumped the collected garbage in the open fields and then it would be picked up by government for disposal, but now since there is no place and government has not taken any action we are forced to dump the collected garbage on the main road next to the drainage and wait for them to pick, we are performing our duty, and we are helpless because they (government) has to collect from us and there is no response from them.”

    John another garbage collector said, “The waste is been collected only if it is segregated, we are working as per the rules but when we give them for disposal they are again mixed and put all together.”

    A resident, Mrs. Anatu Ibrahim who spoke with Abuja Review said: “When the garbage collectors do come regularly, there are more than 15,000 residents in this area and most of them are forced to dump garbage in open area especially on the main road which most of them are doing including the garbage collectors themselves. The garbage vans are left on the road fully filled with waste along with waste that is been dumped by the residents apart from the garbage collectors.”

    Following the sad development, residents have rated the administration of the Hon. Shaban Tete as below standard, coupled with the inability of the administration to execute new projects in the council apart from those he met on ground after the administration of Hon. Danladi Zhin.

    The residents who decried lack of basic infrastructures by the present administration, lamented that their expectations after the last council election which brought in the present administration have been could short, as the Tete’s administration have failed to fulfill his campaign promises to the people.

    One of the residents, Mr. Samuel Dan, told Abuja Review that the only access road in the town is speedily becoming dilapidated and needs urgent repairs, saying that communities in the council have not been enjoying adequate power supply.

    Another resident, Ms. Gloria Usman, also said that they were expecting the present administration to effectively deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Kuje, but they are disappointed at what they are seeing in the council.

    Usman said that the people are expecting to see more developmental structures after the last administration, but that since the present administration assumed office, there have been nothing tangible on ground, to show that the administration means well for the people.

    She said that the only way for the Tete led administration to prove to Kuje people that he means well for the people, he should ensure that it redeems its campaign promises to the residents of Kuje.

    “We the people of Kuje are not happy with the present administration of Mr. Shaban Tete because the administration has not done anything for the people of Kuje, apart from the role the environmental department has been playing to ensure that the council is clean.

     

  • Ex-Kogi governor’s wife trains youths

    Wife of former Kogi State governor, Aisha Audu-Emeje has launched a  free IT training programme for youths.

    No fewer than 1000 will be trained by her A3 Foundation which is supported by the Rockefeller Foundation.

    Aisha Audu-Emeje who is the CEO/founder of the organisation, said the free ICT programme was designed to create sustainable employment for high potential but disadvantaged youths in Nigeria.

    She disclosed that the global youth unemployment rate was 13% in Year 2014 and that the pandemic of unemployment does not affect Nigeria alone.

    Her words: “For me I am giving back to the society and at the same time we will give the trainees capital to get to the next stage in life. You can see clearly that we are one of the first private organisations to go after the desire of President Muhammadu Buhari to create jobs for the youths. We have stepped out by doing 1000 and because we believe in Buhari and we know he is willing to succeed in all aspect of his administration.

    “According to a United Nations report released in January this year, an extra 10 million people worldwide are likely to be unemployed by 2019,the report mentioned that slower growth, widening inequalities and economic turbulence as reasons behind the trend.”

    The renowned politician and youth empowerment crusader said with all these daunting statistics, it was imperative for all stakeholders to put all hands on deck to tackle this problem head on adding that:” this is definitely not the time for complacency.”

    The former first lady who described unemployment as situation where someone of working age is not able to get a job but would like to be in full time employment stated that “many youth in Nigeria fall into this category with their intimidating credentials from notable schools”.

    She stated challenges such as finance, absence of good administration and inconsistent policies as factors suppressing the efforts of the Nigerian Government in reducing the unemployment rate in the country.

    “The A3 foundation has taken all these factors into consideration and has sought newer ways to address the rising unemployment rate”

    “And that is why we have embarked on the training of 1000 Youth in Nigeria in the field of ICT with support from Rockefeller foundation to further assist high potential but disadvantaged youth in taking their rightful place in society by securing decent jobs”

    “the training of these youths would not only enable youth take their rightful place but would create an environment where the youth can in turn make meaningful impact in the society at large”

    “it is our believe at the A3 Foundation that the training would go a long way to helping disadvantaged youth in the society by taking them off the streets and putting their individuals skills to good use” Ambassador Aisha added.

    She gave the assurance that based on the Foundation’s high level of commitment; the training would not be an ordinary training as the organization intends to follow up on all trainees to ensure that they are gainfully employed.

    The project manager, Ms Hadiza Emeje who said that the Registration portal was created for efficiency and transparency urged interested youth to log in to www.thea3foundation.org and apply for the training which starts from the 19th October, 2015.

    She also noted that the pilot scheme would kick off in FCT, Nasarawa State and Niger State.

     

  • Moving forward with governors

    Few can doubt that President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire and passion is to gow the country.

    That much was clear even from the electioneering days.

    Now in the saddle directing the ship of state, he does not want any part of the country to be left behind as he projects and plans.

    His focus is beyond governance at the federal level as he tries to carry every state government along towards ensuring total and even development and progress across Nigeria.

    He is putting the opportunities for economic growth he has seen at the centre at the doorsteps of state governments.

    To this end, President Buhari last Tuesday created a forum through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja for all the 36 state governors to experience reawakening that will place their states on a path of genuine economic growth.

    The ultimate aim of the session is to boost internally generated revenues of state governments and make them less dependent on the centre.

    The state governors, during the session, were briefed by many federal government agencies and international organizations which enlightened them on the various opportunities available to them and how to run an efficient economy at the state level.

    Their eyes were opened to some developmental funds they could easily access from world bodies and potentially rewarding partnerships they could go into with some federal government agencies and international organizations.

    During the session, for instance, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Health briefed the governors on how to access $500 million human development fund from the World Bank. The fund had always been there untapped by the state governments.

    On the novel initiative by the President, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari said:  “Today, this meeting was with heads of so many agencies which made presentations to us. Some of them were ordered by Mr. President to do the presentation so as to make us understand where they are and what they are up to.

    “We were supposed to take eight but because of the time constraints, we were only able to take three. We have taken United Nations Population Fund, we have taken the World Bank in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health on human development.

    “And we have also taken the GMD NNPC. By November we would take those that we are not able to take such as National Mathematical Centre and the Nigeria Communication Commission on the issue of digitalization and also NASENI. This is for the betterment of Nigeria. They have briefed us about the way forward.

    “We are going to continue with other departments so that we can understand and see how to move the nation forward.” He said

    Also commending the President for the initiative, Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi said: “I think that for the first time in the history of my being a governor, this is a very commendable effort.

    “First and foremost, we now discover that many states can partner with the NNPC. We are having dwindling resources, can we not expand our resource net to be able to bring in money?

    “For instance, each state can now partner with the NNPC in the area of downstream business activities, even to some extent, distribution activities and refining activities.

    “The Ministry of Health also made presentation. We discovered also that state governments can partner with the ministry.

    “In all, we are taking about nine stakeholders and development partners who are exposing the opportunities available for the states to leverage upon. I think it is commendable.” He said

     

    Living with terror

     

    Last week Monday, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was on one of his rare visits to the seat of power.

    His visit, on that day, was for two reasons. One of the reasons was to lead Colombia experts to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Their coming was to make presentation to the President with a view to learning how the Colombians live with and survived insurgency for more than fifty years and why Colombia failed three times in its effort to seek peace.

    Obasanjo said: “I brought a delegation of those of us who visited Colombia last year under the auspices of a foundation which I am the chairman.

    “We went to Colombia to see how all the Colombian authorities were handling the issue of insurgency which had been with them for more than 50 years.

    “As a result of that visit and the experience we had, a book was produced and I said to them that it will be interesting for us in Nigeria to learn as much as we can learn from the experience of Colombia.

    “The specific thing is that they have been fighting insurgency for 50 years. They celebrated their 50 years in existence in May last year, in fact, we went there in June.

    “So, we want to see what has kept them going, what has kept insurgency going? What has made the government of Colombia to make three attempts to seek peace, to end the war and insurgency and they failed. What is the new efforts that they are making? How likely are those new efforts going to succeed?” He said

    From the visit, it is clear that Nigeria will try to learn from Colombia how to ensure peace by quickly crushing Boko Haram, and if that fails, how to live with insurgency with minimal damages to lives and property and keeping Nigeria one like Colombia.

    Two days after the presentation was made to him, President Buhari was optimistic that Boko Haram will be defeated latest by December this year.

    Speaking in an audience with the Commander of United States Africa Command, Gen David Rodriguez, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Buhari said: “”We must thank the United States of America for sending training teams and equipment to us. The positive results of our collaboration are evident.

    “Structured attacks by the insurgents have reduced and by the end of the year, we should see the final routing of Boko Haram as an organized fighting force.” He said

    That, definitely, is the option majority of Nigerians want as they want to be able to live in their country without any element of fear or threat to their lives.

     

  • Lawmaker visits IDPs

    Lawmaker visits IDPs

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yusuff  Lasun has visited some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), asking them what their needs were and presenting them with some food items.

    The lawmaker’s unannounced visit coincided with his birthday.

    An associate of his said, “Given his philosophy that birthdays should not be about overt celebrations, but a time to feel the pulse of the less privileged, Lasun chose the occasion of his birthday to make a difference in the life of the people no matter how little his gesture. This time he chose to visit the IDP camp without notice just to make them know that they weren’t forgoten.

    “The Deputy Speaker was abreast of the incalculable damage the misguided Boko Haram terrorists have visited on the innocent and law abiding citizens of the Northeast in particular. To show sense of empathy and responsibility, he decided that these down trodden people should be visited,” the associate who pleaded not to be named said.

    Lasun’s visit to the IDP camp was very revealing because it afforded him firsthand knowledge of the level of untold hardship that has been the lot of these Nigerians. The visit also gave him an opportunity to know that the displaced persons are craving for a quick return to their original habitats destroyed by callous Boko Haram insurgents.

    At the camp, the deputy speaker displayed his leadership qualities with a heart-to-heart discussion with the people, trying to find out first hand, their living condition and what they as citizens would want the government to do for them. He asked them of their needs in the short run, that can make them feel that they are part of the country and that Federal government has not forgotten them. By the time he was through, it was a sober and reflective Deputy Speaker, who promised to make a repeat visit to the camp with a view to addressing some of the fundamental problems confronting the people and also improve their standard of living.

    Statistics made available by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre put the current figure at 1,538,982 which comprised of people temporarily living in camps and shelters provided spread across Borno, Gombe, Nasarawa, Adamawa and Federal capital territory among others. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara however put the figure at five million. The internally displaced persons who are mostly women and children still find it difficult to live normal lives despite efforts of government in times past with major problems confronting them including  insufficient educational facilities, lack of means of livelihood to sustain them and need for adequate health facilities. Although Government in April established 10 temporary primary schools at IDP camps in Borno while the United Nations Children’s Fund  (UNICEF) has so far provided educational support for no less than 29,397 children. Though several  other  Non-Governmental Agencies (NGO) and individuals have also extended support to the IDPs but much still needs to be done to help the Children catch up with their Education. The present administration of President Mohammadu Buhari is however not relenting in making sure that the Boko Haram menace is brought to an end with  the displaced people resettlled to their various communities and states.

    These efforts may have prompted Lasun into  reiterating  Government’s determination to end any form of terrorism in the country. In his personal and  official capacity, the Deputy Speaker donated relief materials to the IDPs as parts of activities marking his 55th Birthday, while promising that the Government will leave no stone unturned to bring the ugly situation the IDP’s found themselves‘ to an end. He was particularly concerned about the education of the young Nigerians in the camps looking at the adverse consequences on the country if the children would be forced to lose two to four years without education. Though the viait was meant to mark his birthday and donate what he has to them, Lasun however promised-”I would want to make another visit here to see what are those things we can do to make your stay here comfortable, but the most important thing is to have peace up there so that you people can go back home particularly because it’s not good to be displaced and it’s not good to be affected by war. We only pray to Allah that God in his infinite mercies would protect all of us and will touch the hearts of those people who are perpetrating this ungodly act. As a  Legislator, I affirm my readiness to work with the House of Representatives in advising the Executive arm of Government on the way forward especially the education of the displaced children. I am here today to give you hope that Federal Government is trying very hard to bring Boko Haram terrorism to an end and to make sure that  as Nigerians we know that you are here and we know that we are going to continually strive to see how we can solve this problems. I want to identify with internally displaced people and that is why I have choosen this place to come and at least spend some time with you and extend a hand of fellowship an give a token out of what of God has given me. We would still come back here as legislators to see what we can do and in terms of advising the executive arm of government on the way to move forward particularly on the issue of IDP and particularly on the issue of Education. Education is important because if people have to stay a long time without going to school it means a lot to the future of Nigeria. These children are our future and even the fathers and the mothers that are here too, they are no longer working and they are no longer being able to provide for the families.

    “I know government is at it and they are working at it very relentlessly and I know sooner than later all these problems will come to an end. I will only enjoin you to continuously talk to people so that they would have peace of mind to show them that we are not leaving them behind and that we are not going to neglect them”.

    Part of the materials donated included food and other household items. The excited crowd was all grateful as the Deputy Speaker and his friends made their exit from the camp.