The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Abuja residents urged to ensure good hygiene

    Abuja residents urged to ensure good hygiene

    Residents of Abuja and its environs have been urged to ensure proper hygiene so as not to be infected by Cholera.

    The Secretary FCT Health & Human Services Secretariat Dr. Demola  Onakomaiya said in Abuja  the recent outbreak of cholera in some parts of the country has attracted the attention of the FCT Administration.

    He pointed out that good environmental sanitation habits and simple personal hygiene practices can help reduce incidence of cholera to the barest minimum.

    According to the secretary, cholera is transmitted to human by drinking water contaminated by bacteria which effects the small intestine and causes severe vomiting and diarrhea.

    He further stated that most victims of cholera have limited chances of survival when there is loss of electrolyte due to frequent or excessive passage of watery stool and severe vomiting.

    Dr. Demola advised the residents of the FCT to always keep their environments clean at all times, avoid the consumption of dirty water, contaminated food and other items, which is a certified way to prevent the disease.

    He further advised them to report any suspected case to the nearest FCT hospital as the hospitals are fully equipped and capable of handling any reported case of cholera that may occur in the territory.

     

  • Minister urges security agencies to collaborate

    Minister urges security agencies to collaborate

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has urged security agencies to pull resources together in order to better contain threats.

    The minister made this call while declaring open the Federal and states security administrators’ meeting in Abuja.

    Senator Mohammed insisted that such collaboration and co-operation would go a long way in tackling the current wave of security challenges ranging from terrorism and armed robbery to kidnapping.

    He impressed it on the delegates at the meeting to be patriotic and courageous in implementing the recommendations and outcome of the meeting to holistically fight all facets of crime and criminality.

    The minister, who was represented at the occasion by his Special Adviser on Security, Colonel Abdullahi Kudu, commended the forum for meeting in Abuja; describing the choice of the Federal Capital Territory as very strategic to national development.

    He said that in order to improve the security in and around the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Administration has envisioned the need to put in place a joint security initiative of the FCT and contiguous states known as G7.

    Senator Mohammed remarked that the idea is to have an inter-state collaborative network for the harmonisation of security strategies, exchange of information/technology and organised trailing of criminals and other syndicates.

    According to him, the achievement of this contiguous security network in reducing the criminal activities within the G7 zone is worthy of note.

    He stated that the FCT Administration has been providing consistent logistic support to the security agencies in the FCT as well as lending support in emergency situation when the need arises.

    The minister recalled that the FCT Administration, last year, provided 114 operational vehicles to various security agencies in the territory, fitted with the latest communication and security gadgets necessary to combat crimes.

    He assured that his administration would continue to put every necessary measure in place for the security of the FCT residents and visitors as well as their properties.

    He commended the efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan for lending support to the Federal Capital Territory Administration in the fight against terrorism and all sorts of criminality in the FCT.

    The minister also commended the security agencies in the FCT for the relative peace in territory.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the FCT Director of Security Services, Malam Bashir Muhammad welcomed the participants to the meeting and emphasised that the uniqueness of the present security challenges in the country makes the role of federal and states security administrators’ meeting as a repository of intelligence information.

    The Director noted that Senator Mohammed has been alive to the responsibility of maintaining peace and tranquillity in and around the 8,000 square kilometres of the Federal Capital Territory.

    He commended the minister for his efforts in opening up new districts thereby accelerating the provision of infrastructure to the existing ones with a view to decongesting the 250 square kilometres of the Federal Capital City, Abuja to further ease security administration.

    The chairman of the forum who is also the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Mr. Esther Gonda lamented that ‘ember months’ every year come with extra security challenges, even as he charged the forum to find ways of making kidnapping and other sundry crimes unattractive as well as unprofitable.

    She called for consistent and aggressive enlightenment campaign to make Nigerians have a change of attitude towards the get-rich quick syndrome.

  • City of art, beauty

    City of art, beauty

    The nation’s capital is not all about high cost of living. Nor do bulldozers and demolitions define it. The city also has an enchanting core fed by creative hands and minds.

    Wuse II probably boasts one of the most interesting places that will blow your mind. And it is right inside a building not different from the next bungalow. It instantly launches you into a beautiful world of art and creativity.

    The work of art therein is so overwhelming that this correspondent was momentarily arrested by what she saw–the exquisite and irresistible work of a creative mind. For instance, the kitchen is made of wood, from top to bottom, with a sink that is designed in the form of a huge cup with cupboards having different designs. The bathrooms are designed like a typical resort on a beach or the mountains.

    A section of the corridors and living-room looks like a semi cave with paintings scattered all over the white-washed wall. Another section of the living-room wall is covered in a recycled newspaper divide with another made from used drinking straws that look so impossible. This scenario is created by different gifted artists with sculptures standing majestically by ankara-styled hand-made sitters.

    Ifesinachi, one of the artists and architects of the great house, explained that his theme as an artist and what they are trying to portray is working with recycled materials, which is basically encouraging an environment that is clean and sustainable.

    For instance, the coffee tables, beds and most of the furniture items were made from wood that was found in the bush which ordinarily would have passed for firewood.

    The artist, who has been in the profession for upwards of 15 years, said that he is an environmentalist who works towards environmental sustenance and prefers working in Abuja because his raw materials are found in bushes and the mountains around him. Besides, he enjoys working on things that are contemporary and African.

    He explained that art in Nigeria is not mainly seen in terms of the monetary value but the relationship that one has with art lovers that appreciate one’s work.

    ‘’Even if a particular work of mine is given a N6 million tag and I find someone who genuinely loves it, I can give it to the person for free or sell it 10 times less the price. Most of us artists do not always sell all our works, sometimes a friend or even stranger may genuinely love your work but may not be able to afford the price and you end up giving it out for free,’’ he said.

    He said that one sad thing is that a visit to most hotels in Abuja will reveal pictures that were mass produced in China but has no relevance with our culture hanging.

    He explained that art in Abuja is still growing, adding “a lot of people living in Abuja often travel to Lagos just to be in the world of art, art is more vibrant in Lagos because the city has more exhibitions which is the life-line of the artists and Lagos already has an art community which Abuja is yet to have”.

    He said that the idea is to make Nigerians think environmental and recycling and also make people who enjoy going to Dubai and China to purchase works of art realise that great and cheaper art work can be done in the country by local artists.

    The owner of the house and partner in the conceptualisation, Uzor, who is a writer, explained that he had decided to transform his house into something spectacular and a private gallery. He explained that if you walk into a lot of houses in Nigeria, you realise that the finishing is often very bad and boring, So he thought to himself that “if you want to live in a place and be there, then you should enjoy the place, a place where you can come back to and feel very relaxed and having a place like mine is a very interesting way of doing just that.’’

    The reserved and quiet writer explained that when he was young, he visited museums a lot and his mother collected art, which actually opened his mind to greater things. In his words, ‘’We have lots of talents in this country, it’s like a lot of people are technically gifted but lack the vision, like how to make things out of what is surrounding you, is what really makes it interesting.

    ‘’The problem is that Nigerians are more concerned about what is more practical and can make money within a short time which is certainly not art’’.

    He said that art is not about how much you can make but how you show people your ability to reason. He explained that Nigerians are gradually beginning to appreciate and invest in art now unlike before.

    There is no thorough fare in the house as visit is strictly by invitation, and when asked how they sell their work under such strict rules, Uzor said this should not be thought as selling but more of coming to enjoy the pleasure of looking at art because there isn’t enough places in the city where people can just sit and say, “you know what? This is something beautiful, let me take my mind off the things that are bothering me and enjoy something beautiful that is not stressing me.”

     

  • Commission seizes pirated goods

    Commission seizes pirated goods

    In a bid to strengthen the copyright law for stakeholders’ benefit, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has confiscated over N1billion worth of pirated materials between January and June 2013.

    The organisation’s Deputy Director, Public Affairs Department, Mr. Aderemi Adewusi disclosed this when he led his team on a courtesy visit to The Nation newspaper’s office in Abuja.

    Mr. Adewusi said: “We have seized over N1.1 billion worth of pirated goods between January and June 2013. We also have had 40 convictions and 109 pending cases on copyright offenders.

    “We use the pirated goods seized as evidences and later destroy them to avoid them gaining entrance into the market and also to serve as a lesson to other pirates.”

    He claimed that Nigerians condone piracy and see it as economic convenience which has, in turn, impacted negatively on the country’s economy.

    “Nigerians need to know that piracy is a serious public issue. At the moment, Nigerians condone it. They see piracy as economic convenience. They feel why they should pay higher price for what they can get at a cheaper rate? They don’t see piracy as a crime and they are not aware that it deprives some people of their right and livelihood. Rather, they see it as an economic issue where they can get something at a cheaper rate,” he said.

    On the presence of piracy in Abuja, he said: “Piracy is here in Abuja. We have had several raids in Abuja this year. We raided federal secretariat where they were selling pirated books. We raided the Industrial Court, hotels and schools and seized pirated materials.”

    He further explained that most hotels in Abuja are culprits of broadcast piracy.

    Explaining the term, he said: “Broadcast piracy is the use of DSTV and cable signals illegally. Hotels pay wrong rate and when I say wrong rate, I mean they pay for domestic licenses but they convert it for commercial purpose. Most of the hotels that hang big TVs and show live football matches are guilty of broadcast piracy.”

    To curtail the crime, he revealed that a levy will be introduced to curtail anyone caught in the act and the levy will, in turn, generate revenue for stakeholders, the commission and the government.

    Explaining how the levy will be implemented, he said: “Anybody who infringes on copyright law will be subjected to a levy. The levy will be shared among the stakeholders, the commission and the government at the ratio of 60 per cent to stakeholders and the remaining 40 per cent will be shared equally between the government and the commission.

    Seeking partnership with The Nation, the commission said “our mission is to suppress piracy and to get confidence of our people because despite all we do, the public is not aware. We cover books, films, computer software, videos, music, arts and crafts and issues that deal with cultural expressions. We have a very large mandate and that is why we need the press.

    “There is no achievement if the public is not aware of what we are doing. The more aware the public is, the more it will put them on notice that piracy is not business as usual.”

     

  • Abuja’s alternative shopping ‘plazas’

    Abuja’s alternative shopping ‘plazas’

    As expected, the city of Abuja has a lot of official markets where people buy and sell. However, the most interesting are those unofficial markets which spring up at the slightest possibility.

    In the face of the country’s low standard of living, people believe that Abuja can be the next place for greener pastures. So, the city is filled with people who come into it with no serious plan on what to do.

    The markets, of course vary, depending on the time and place. Traders of bananas, groundnuts, cashew nuts and other petty things sit by the roadside ready to make a run for it as soon as officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) come along, while others set up shop in places like Berger, AYA, the Kubwa Express road around the First and Second Gates and other areas where markets spring up in the evenings. People who cannot afford the numerous extravagant shops and boutiques can, at least, buy good items that their meagre money can afford.

    The most interesting of these markets is one that springs up ones every month. One of the parks in Wuse area comes alive every first Saturday of every month. It is a shopping fair where large number of business owners come together to rent stalls and stands for window shoppers who go about networking and discovering lovely fashion items, video games and refreshments.

    Although a bit disappointing that the market is known as the designer’s market place (DMP); with little or no display of those lovely pieces of Nigerian or African designs expected to be seen in such places, it is filled with products from foreign countries. A lover of foreign designers will have a lot to pick from the enticing stores that decorate the park on such days.

    On those first Saturdays, that section of the park will boast big sky-high canopies with different stalls where business owners display clothes, jewelleries, shoes and bags, ceramics and even video games.

    The other part made up of stands where business owners sell barbecued chicken, beef, gizzard and roasted plantain. Some sell rice while there are those that sell shawarma and smoothies.

    There is a stand for drinks and temporary tattoo but the most surprising and probably interesting stand at the DMP (designers market place) is a shisha stand Shisha smoking, also called hookah, narghile, waterpipe or hubble-bubble is a way of smoking tobacco through a bowl, hose or tube where the younger generation (both male and female) gather with friends and smoke in turns from different shisha pots.

    The two brothers who own the business said that they actually have customers of all ages patronising them and that people prefer to patronise them because of the different flavours they provide which makes them unique.

    One of their customers Riman Jerry told Abuja Review that “everybody can make shisha, but I think it’s about branding. They packaged their products very well.”

    “Just loves chilled, smoke shisha; nothing too serious; just to keep my hands busy when hanging out with friends.”

    Mrs. Olayemi Olotewo is another business owner at the DMP. She buys her clothes and shoes from the United States and sells them off at the DMP at very affordable prices (price ranges from N500 to N5000).

    She said: “I think it’s a very good thing. I have been coming for the past 12 months and I really think that it has helped me. I don’t have a shop and I don’t plan to have one. I sell from home. So, here is where I meet people whom I will not want to go to their houses.

    “The fact is that by selling things here, you have to mark things down real good. To get a good deal, you shouldn’t bring expensive things. You bring things you might have made gains from and then you just believe it is now time to let go.

    “That is why I continue to come here. I do not sell anything here for more than N5, 000. If you check most of these designer products, you will notice that some have tags of N12, 000 but I sell them for as low as N1,500 because I believe that, after a while, just like they do abroad, you mark things down and when I go back home, it reverses back to its original price.”

    Although not everyone sells their products at the market at give-away prices like Mrs. Olotewo, shoppers with insufficient funds can take along their credit cards or ATM cards because the business owners each possess a point of sale device to make carrying cash much easier.

    Although Abuja may not be as interesting as some other cities in the country, it at least, has an avenue where people can shop for the latest designs at boutiques that beautify the city at prices that are not too expensive.

  • A title for Bwari council boss’ wife

    A title for Bwari council boss’ wife

    The wife of the chairman of Bwari Area Council, Mrs. Tamar Peter Yohanna Ushafa, has been turbaned as the Gimbiyan Jibi, a community in Bwari Area Council in recognition of her philanthropic activities in the council.

    The ceremony was performed by the village head of Jibi, Chief Abdullahi Madaki, who extolled the humanitarian gestures of the council chairman’s wife to various communities in the council.

    He said Mrs. Ushafa has been involved in charity work ever since her husband’s assumption of office as the chairman of the council.

    Some of her work, according to him, include empowerment of 100 youths and training on skill acquisition in Bwari, empowerment of widows through provision of foodstuff and improving their means of livelihood, and free medical treatment for the less privileged through her NGO, Shekwoyeyedu Foundation.

    Responding, Mrs. Yohanna dedicated the title to God for divine inspiration, and her husband for his support.

    She emphasised the need to encourage and increase more girl child enrollments in schools in the Area Council.

    This, according to her would give the girl child equal opportunities like her male counterpart and also enhance her development.

    She assured that she would continue to encourage girl child education in the Area Council while dedicating the title given to her to all the children and women in the Area Council whose lives according to her she is out to protect and enhance.

    “We shall be committed in our resolve to encourage and increase more girl child enrolment in schools. Women and youth empowerment shall be given adequate attention as well in and around Jibi community” she said.

    She noted that the title given to her Gimbiyan Jibi which means Princess of Jibi was a testimony and a feedback that the programs of her office are people oriented.

    “This will serve as a catalyst and impetus for me to continue to promote improvement in the living standard of our people across Bwari Area Council. This will propel us to consolidate on the gains we have recorded since our assumption of office,” she noted.

     

  • 250,000 pupils participate in Hand-washing Day

    250,000 pupils participate in Hand-washing Day

    About 250,000 pupils from 100 selected schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were chosen to perform the act of hand-washing with clean soap.

    The sensitisation exercise was conducted to mark the 2013 Global Hand-Washing Day with the theme: “The Power is in Your Hand.”

    Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe urged the pupils to wash their hands properly with soap and safe water.

    She said hand-washing can prevent the transmission of variety of pathogens. Being more effective than any single vaccine, it is therefore highly recommended.

    The minister, who was represented by the Director, Irrigation and Drainage, Mr. Joe Kwanashie noted that members of the National Task Group on Sanitation would visit schools and other public places such as markets and motor parks to promote the act of hand-washing and behavioural change in the FCT.

    The programme was organised with the support of development partners such as the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Water Aid Nigeria as well as Unilever Nig Plc.

    She said: “It has been discovered that children under the age of five suffer most as the mortality ratio is 157 out of 1,000 live births; which, to us, is unacceptable as it is preventable through act of hand-washing.

    “Children living in households exposed to hand-washing with soap or ash had half the diarrhea rates of children living in controlled neighbourhoods.”

  • Orderliness in the State House

    Orderliness in the State House

    The current day-to-day administrative runnings of the State House Abuja are believed to have improved in comparison with past dispensations.

    Some members of staff were believed to be acting in care-free manner during office hours during past dispensations.

    They usually parked their cars anywhere on the premises, it was said. Some parked on the road, footway and flower beds.

    Loitering and door-to-door selling of snacks and other items in the Presidential Villa were said to be very rampant among some of the staff.

    But the current dispensation is said to have enthroned a culture of discipline and orderliness among the staff and visitors to the State House.

    The system has been sanitised to the extent that nobody in the high and low ranks in the Presidential Villa dares park his or her car carelessly in any unauthorised area in the State House.

    Journalists covering the State House and visitors, governors and their drivers are not exempted from the new order.

    Apart from more designated areas created as parking lots, there are ‘No Parking’ sign posts conspicuously positioned at different areas within the premises.

    Those who pull by the road side to either drop or pick passengers on the road leading to the Pilot Gate will never go unpunished when caught in the act.

    Also parking carelessly on other unauthorised areas may now attract impoundment of the vehicle for up to 24 hours or more.

    Some members of staff found engaging in petty trading and loitering in the Villa have not been left out in the reforms as such persons now normally have their wares seized.

    A staff, who spoke to Abuja Review in confidence said: “There is now great discipline among the staff and orderliness in the administration of the Villa.

    “Before, there were not enough parking spaces; making people to park their cars indiscriminately. The system has been sanitised and more parking spaces have been created to accommodate cars of all staff and visitors.

    “This has brought sanity in the way people park their cars at the Villa. There is no longer any excuse to park anyhow. When enforcing discipline, the new system doesn’t mind whose ox is gored. Any car wrongly parked is detained for at least 24 hours.”

    Another staff who does not want his name in prints said: “The high level of loitering in the past has been brought to the lowest level. Indoor buying and selling has been stopped.

    “We can’t say because we are in a democracy then we throw orderliness and discipline to the winds. There must be discipline and orderliness.”

    While Nigerians working in and around the Presidential Villa have been made to follow the new order and decorum, some of them opine that same sanity in the State House should be replicated in the larger society.

    In some areas in the Federal Capital Territory, parking of cars is now controlled within the working hours. But observers have maintained that more needs to be done in the provision of more parking spaces for the teeming population in the city before enforcement and compliance could be total.

  • Ejected residents relive ordeal

    Ejected residents relive ordeal

    When Abuja Review visited Kubwa, a suburb of the FCT, agony, sorrow, and frustration were bold on the residents’ faces.

    Specifically, the visit was to see how some residents who were ejected from their residences without prior notice were faring.

    They looked deeply troubled, not certain where to lay their heads or settle their families, to say nothing of where to keep their properties.

    Various properties were scattered in the compound that boasts about 16 flats in PhilKruz Estate situated on plot 14, opposite Civil Defence Quarters, Kubwa Annex Bwari in the FCT.

    Occupants were seen assembling their goods scattered around the compound and at the same time rushing to get their properties out of the estate. Lorries and cars were carrying properties belonging to occupants of the estate out to unknown destinations.

    Placed on each door in the estate was a notice to quit which, according to the occupants, was placed after they had been forceful ejection. The notice to quit was entitled “Recovery of Premises (LAW) (CAP. 115) Warrant for Possession of Premises.”

    According to the ejection warrant, there was a court Holden on September 24, 2012 and the warrant for execution was approved on March 14, 2013 and the ejection was effected on October 11.

    When Abuja Review sought the views of the distressed occupants, one of them described the sudden ejection as barbaric and anti-human.

    Some of them, however, refused to talk to our correspondent on the grounds that they were trying to ensure the safety of their properties.

    Others who spoke claimed that they were not aware of any case being in court.

    Mrs. Seriki, one of the victims, expressed surprise at the action.

    She said:  “It was a surprise to me this morning because I was in the office when the children called and said that armed police men were in the estate and they claimed they were directed to park our things out.

    “I am surprised seeing a notice on my door today. They just placed it today and they asked us to leave the premises before 4:00 p.m. We were parking at our own pace but they complained that we were too slow. So, they parked our things out by themselves and they, in the process, have destroyed many of our things.

    “All I know is that this estate was sold to Philkruz. He is a well known estate developer and that is his company’s name. I rented this place and my money is remaining about six months for it to expire. Where will I start from now?”

    Sharon Osuocha, a 10-year-old who was seen watching some of her family property said: “Some police men came and scattered everything. They broke into a woman’s house in her absence and parked their televisions, chairs and everything outside.”

    Dorris Ajah, another of the victims said: “My younger sister called me around 12 noon and said some armed policemen were here with touts.

    They broke into the houses of those who were not around and brought out their stuffs. They didn’t even care; they were throwing the things out like that. It was a shock. So, I had to rush down.

    “When I came, I saw people crying. Women and children were begging but they turned deaf ears to their pleas. They pleaded that we should be given today to move our things but they refused. They started moving things out and locking houses. They said they were going to lock the gate of the estate today. So, everybody had to move. As you can see, people don’t even know where they are going; everybody is just parking.

    “We don’t know if some of our things are missing because we don’t know who the guys are. Something can be missing in the house and you know some people were not even around when their things were thrown out.”

    Also speaking, Chairman of the estate, Mr. Chukwuka Onyeike stated that people came from the court with police men with order to evict everybody from the estate.

    “What for? I asked. I know we have never had any case let alone of execution. But I was wondering if it was a mistake.  I spoke with the court official and the enforcement group. They were many. I cannot give the exact figure because the whole place was rowdy.

    “There were many security men; both armed and unarmed, including the plaintiff’s lawyer. I had to call the estate manager Mr. Jeff. When he came, we asked him what was going on and he admitted that there was a court case which he didn’t tell us about.

    “We asked the lawyer what we should do and he said the execution must be completed first before they listen. So, we decided to comply.

    Continuing, Mr. Onyeike said: “So, we started moving our things and, as you can see, most people are outside because they don’t know where to go and even if you have somewhere to go, it still depends on what you have in your house. I am living in a three bedroom flat with so many things and I was even looking for more space in the room. As I am talking to you now, I don’t know who I can take my things to. Most of my things are outside; I don’t know where to take them to.”

    When asked on the way forward, he said: “We want to see the new owner of the land. When we see him, we will tell him our position and he will tell us his. I understand he owns the land but he did not build the structures. Now, if there is anything he wants us to do, he should be in the position to tell us. We cannot say this is what we want because we are no longer in the position to force demands. We will only make appeals.

    “If we had known that a case like this was in court, we wouldn’t have opted for this place,” he added.

    Also speaking, the Vice-Chairman of the estate, Mr. Echezona Maziuno emphasised that there was no notice before the execution and when asked, their response was, “you are not party to the suit.”

    “I know this act is a violation of our fundamental human rights. While the case was going on, they were aware that some people were already occupying the structure. They would have, at least, informed us about the case. I also think they were supposed to give us respect as human beings and give us at least seven days notice to quit.

    “The way they carried out the ejection negates what should obtain in the 21st Century. It is very barbaric. The worst part of it is that some have travelled for the Sallah break. Who will take care of their things? Inasmuch as they are enforcing the law, I think they should also have human feelings.

    “We cannot argue because we don’t know the crux of the matter. As for us who are innocent, this act negates the principle of democracy and fundamental human rights. We are not happy at all.”

    Mrs. Ejike, who was helping her friend pack her things said: “My dear, it is a terrible situation that they were evacuated without one minute notice. It is a big disaster and up till now, I don’t think they have reached the landlord. He has switched off his phone. People are running about trying to get their things parked somewhere to avoid rain destroying them.

     

  • Minister seeks prayers on security

    Minister seeks prayers on security

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has admonished the FCT contingent to the 2013 Hajj in Saudi Arabia to pray for improved security in the country.

    The minister gave the advice while addressing the contingent in the FCT Tent in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

    Mohammed noted that the Holy Mosques of Makkah and Medina, Mina as well as Mount Arafat are all sacred places where prayers are accepted without delay and therefore urged the pilgrims to take advantage of the opportunity to put the security challenge of the nation before Allah.

    The minister, according to the statement issued by the Asst. Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule observed that leadership anywhere represents the face and determines the direction of any society and consequently appealed to the pilgrims to pray for President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo as well as all in position of authority for Allah to guide, protect and give them wisdom to steer the ship of the nation.

    He emphasised that when all is not well with the leadership, definitely the country will not be moving well; as such the followers ought to pray for their well being.

    The minister specifically assured the pilgrims of President Jonathan administration’s strong commitment to the progress of the country and enhancement of the living standards of all Nigerians.

    Senator Mohammed reiterated that leadership anywhere in the world desires the support and prayers of the subjects and Nigeria should not be different.

    He told the pilgrims that there are some shortcomings in the 2013 Hajj operation identified by the officials, especially on feeding in Mina and promised to pick it up with the higher authorities to make amends in the subsequent Hajj Operations by suggesting that such responsibility should be returned to various State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards to handle.

    The minister appreciated the orderly nature the FCT Contingent conducted themselves during the Hajj Operation in Makkah and visitations in Medina; stressing that they are worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and worthy of commendation.