The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • FCT gets emergency management agency

    As part of efforts to tackle emergency situations in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed has approved the establishment of the FCT Emergency Management Agency.

    Accordingly, this new agency has been created to effectively and efficiently respond to all emergency challenges in and around the 8,000 square kilometre of the Federal Capital Territory in line with National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Act that stipulates the establishment of similar agencies in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja.

    The Agency, according to a statement by the Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Hazat Sule, would be a one-stop-shop for all emergency cases to provide basic infrastructure as well as immediate rescue services to all affected residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

    The minister added that the agency has been well packaged to deliver services in tune with the mission and vision of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Meanwhile, Senator Mohammed has also approved the constitution of the FCT Emergency Management Committee in line with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Act.

     

  • Youths urge Fed Govt to strengthen security

    The incessant attacks by members of the Boko Haram sect and the general insecurity in the land were the subjects of discussion at a meeting of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN)  in Abuja last week.

    The group urged the Federal Government to be more proactive in tackling the security challenges just as it did during last year’s flooding.

    The group’s National President, Dr. Simon Dolly said the reconciliation moves being proposed to address Boko Haram insurgency can only succeed if certain precautions are taken into consideration.

    He said: “We want the Federal Government to be proactive on the security crisis just the way they treated flooding issues.

    “The victims of the crisis should be compensated before reconciliation. They have to be attended to first before proposing reconciliation and absence of it will show high level injustice. We all want peace, we need dialogue”, he said.

    Dr. Dolly who attributed the tottering progress in the country to lack of forgiveness on the part of Christians, called on Christians to have the heart of forgiveness, tolerate one another and avoid the politics of killing.

    While decrying the state of insecurity, he said, “It is difficult for you to see any Christian youth at the arms of any government affair in the far north, also, Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) taught in other parts of the country is no longer taught in the north.

    “Our people are displaced because of insecurity, people die virtually every day and the level of suffering of people in the north is very alarming.  This country needs a lot of prayers”, he added.

    Reacting to the issue, the former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Dan Etete urged them to interact with other youth organisation irrespective of the religious belief.

    He explained that elders and leaders are ready to give support to youths but they must make contact with one other. CAN youths, Arewa youths, Afenifere youths, South South youths and other groups should meet from time to time.

    Etete donated N5million to YOWICAN for its upcoming convention.

     

  • 32,000 vehicles registered in first quarter

    32,000 vehicles registered in first quarter

    The FCT Administration has registered 32,479 vehicles in the first quarter of this year.

    Minister Bala Mohammed stated the figure in Abuja, explaining that the new vehicles were registered through the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS).

    He said 3,937 vehicles were impounded for various traffic offences during the period under review.

    The FCT Administration impounded a total of 2,149 commercial motorcycles (Okada) between January and March .

    Mohammed said: “The FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services also impounded 37 unpainted taxis in and around the Federal Capital City, Abuja”.

    Mohammed said 42 illegal motor parks were closed down around the Federal Capital City and warned that the exercise would be a continuous one until the city is rid of illegal parks as well as the touts operating in them.

    He specifically advised those still illegally operating commercial motorcycles within the city to desist from doing so,stressing stressing that the long arm of the law would soon catch up with them.

    Praising the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services for achieving this feat, the minister assured the residents of the territory that his administration would not rest, until all traffic bottlenecks confronting the city are cleared.

    Mohammed, therefore, solicited the understanding of all residents to enable his administration actualise the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

     

  • Encomiums as Abuja fetes minister

    Encomiums as Abuja fetes minister

    He is widely regarded as a democrat par excellence and firm believer in delegation of duties to subordinates.

    Little wonder that the Tarnscorp Hilton venue of the reception put together by Captain Shehu Iyal, Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Aviation and some friends in honour of Kabiru Tanimu, Minister for Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs attracted a huge crowd.

    Prominent Nigerians and foreigners from all walks of life graced the colourful dinner at which Nigerians were assured that the choice of Kabiru Tanimu (SAN) as Minister  of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs was not a mistake.

    Those in attendance included Titus Ashaolu (SAN); Dr. Hain Ayalon; Giovanni de Bertie of Emeraldo; Nasrat Mansour; MD, Mannimpex Holdings; Dr Olu Owolabi of SACHOL; Hon. Baba Akawu, former Deputy Leader House of Representatives; Mr. Abu Gumel; Senator Ibrahim Musa; Hon. Bello Kawoje; Hon. Buhari Bala; Aliyu Kalgo of AMCON; Justice Sadiq Umar; Justice Danlami Sanchi; business moguls Aliyu Usman and  Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim.

    Others were Alhaji Abubakar Musa, a banker; Attorney Jude Menes from Texas, USA; Abbas Umar of NIS; Zanna Maideribe, Chairmanm Cavendish Petroleum;  Prof. Lawak Khalid, CMD, ABUTH; Dr Abdulah Usman, Public Health Consultant; Captain Farouk Umar, as well as the Personal Assistant to the Minister, Lawal Umar and Jamil Jega of FCT Judiciary, among several others.

    Though the night was not for speech-making, two dignitaries nonetheless insisted on saying a word or two about the Dan Masani Gwandu who was identified as the youngest northerner to have attained the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) status. He got his SAN in 2002.

    Hon Buhari Bala, in his comments said though Tanimu was younger in age, he remained a colossus in politics among his peers and those before him as a result of his doggedness.

    “Though he is younger in age, but in politics he is up there. His Machiavellian politics and his leadership style of taking the back-seat when it comes to decision making for his subordinates set him apart  because that is a very rare trait among our politicians,” he said.

    International Olympic Committee (IOC) top shot, Mr Abu Gumel, an engineer, expressed his optimism that Nigeria stands to benefit immensely from the wealth of experience the young minister is bringing to government.

    He cited the tireless work done by the minister during his time as a member of Team Nigeria saddled with the responsibility of raising funds for Nigerian teams to execute the country’s participation in the Olympics.

    Gumel said: “He is a tireless team player that is always primed for results. I am very confident that the ministry and the nation by extension would benefit immensely from the experience he is bringing into the Ministry. I am also convinced that the President has not made a mistake by choosing him as a minister”.

    The organiser of the event, Captain Iyal said he was not surprised by the accolades showered on the minister, expressing confidence that the country would see more of such commendations coming the way of the minister in future.

    “He is not only young, he is energetic, forthright, committed and intelligent, which I’m sure must have been traits identified in him by the President before making him one of his lieutenants.

    “The large turnout tonight only goes to show that this is the kind of Nigerians we need to encourage in order to see that Nigeria and indeed Nigerians continue to grow. He has excelled in previous responsibilities given to him, and I have no doubt that he will excel in this new challenge to the betterment of the country,” he said.

    The minister, in his appreciation, promised not to let down those who believed in his ability to make a positive difference in the responsibilities given to him by the President.

    According to Tanimu, having been exposed to the challenges of governance due to his membership of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), he is now more resolved to contribute his own part to move the nation forward.

    While pleading for understanding of Nigerians, the Minister assured that the relative improvement being witnessed in the nation’s transport system, especially rail network, power supply and health care delivery system would be sustained and improved upon.

    He said that he was happy to be part of President Jonathan’s team, adding that great things are ahead for the country and its people.

     

  • Church provides health centre for Yelwan-Zuba community

    Church provides health centre for Yelwan-Zuba community

    RESIDENTS of the rusty settlement of Yelwan Zuba, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will not forget the gesture any time soon.

    Foursquare Gospel Church provided a befitting healthcare centre for the community.

    The settlement is located about 13 kilometers off Zuba/Suleja Expressway. It is about 30 minutes drive on a rusty, untarred road from the other side of the College of Education.

    At a point, the road is almost cut into two. The only visible presence of government was in the ETF primary school buildings. No presence of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and so the people rely heavily on generators.

    Besides, the communities also lack healthcare facilities and had to travel over 13 kilometers to be able to access modern health facilities.

    Their challenges came to an end as the church in Kubwa brought a smile to the residents’ faces by providing a fully equipped health centre for the area.

    The facility is to provide primary healthcare services for the 10 communities in the settlement.

    The project started about 10 years ago as a medical mission and did not continue until 2010. The foundation of the health centre and the community church was laid in 2011. The two structures were completed in November 2012 at the cost of about N4m.

    The church has also employed the service of a medical doctor and a nurse who will be on hand weekly, while a resident midwife and a nurse have also been engaged to run the centre.

    Commissioning the centre, the District Overseer, Rev.  Isaac Komolafe said the centre is part of the church’s contribution to the development and wellbeing of the society.

    He also noted that the issue of development and provision of services should not be left to the government alone, stressing that government cannot do it alone, hence the need for the church to come in here as part of its medical evangelism.

    He also added that the church is following the footsteps of Jesus Christ who went about doing good.

    The pastor further assured members of the Yelwan-Zuba communities that with the presence of the church in the area, light and development will follow suit.

    On the medical team to man the health centre, the pastor said they are all missionary medical personnel. So they are not going to do the work because of the money but as missionaries who have agreed to stay among the people.

    The Community Chief, Zaki Abdulahi Musa who was filled with joy commended the church and assured the people of his support.

    Abdulahi who had to abandon his other engagement to be part of the ceremony assured the church of his support, saying since the health centre is for the good of the people, he and the community would do everything possible to support the medical team.

    He adviced the medical team to go about their duties in a professional way.

    Some of the villagers who commented on the establishment of the centre were full of praises for the church.

    They noted that the gesture will in so many ways reduce the suffering of the people who otherwise would have continued to travel for kilometers to get medical atttention.

    They also noted that there were occasions when the community lost its members as a result of the long walk to get medical attention in other communities.

    Mallam Abubakar, assistant Imam of the community, said the community has a lot of problems in the past.

    Citing the pains the people went through, he said if women were to give birth or there was an emergency, it took a lot of time to get to the nearest health centre.

    “For the church to have the mind of doing such a thing here, we thank them and we pray that God will bless and reward them.

    “This health centre will reduce the suffering and pains of the people.”

     

  • Nigeria partners South Africa on tourism

    Nigeria partners South Africa on tourism

    Nigeria, in partnership with South Africa, has set up the Grand Tower Boutique Hotel in Abuja, said to be coming with a different concept and style of hotel management.

    The Chief Executive Officer, (CEO), Hon Nze Chidi Duru disclosed that the hotel is redefining hospitality, with staff knowing the names of guests and making them feel completely at home.

    Duru disclosed this during the opening ceremony of the hotel in Abuja.

    He stated that guests will be so at home that things they should ordinarily do in their house can be done in the hotel.

    On affordability, he said the price rate is not different from other hotels in town, with what is on the ground it is even cheaper than what Abuja residents expect.

    Managing Director, Mentiques Collection, Mr. Peter Shorten said Nigeria and South Africa are in a strong partnership on tourism.

    He said with the way Nigeria is going, it will definitely surpass South Africa in all aspects of the economy by 2014.

    It is obvious that in the whole of Africa, Nigeria is the fastest growing nation at the moment, he said.

    Mentiques collection is presently setting up hotels in other states of the country apart from Abuja and has come to Nigeria to stay, but the only challenge is that the country’s tourism is not as developed as other sectors of the economy.

     

  • FCTA to provide 3-digit emergency phone numbers

    FCTA to provide 3-digit emergency phone numbers

    The FCT Administration is to provide a three-digit emergency call numbers soon to prevent unforeseen disasters within the 8,000 square kilometres of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, who broke the news in Abuja, said that the arrangement, which has reached advanced stages, is in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    According to him, these three-digit call numbers will soon be ready for use by the residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

    Mohammed said that two communication service providers had already hooked up. The remaining ones are yet to.

    Meanwhile, the minister has directed the Urban Affairs Department of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council to start a comprehensive sensitisation on flooding as the rains are already here.

    Mohammed said that the FCT Administration received an early warning from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) on the dangers of flood.

    He instructed the Urban Affairs to write to stakeholders, including the Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs) under the FCT Administration, such as the Development Control Department; Department Facilities Management & Maintenance; Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) on flood prevention to avert it.

    The minister also directed that all the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory be carried along in the Flood Prevention Campaign.

    Mohammed noted that all the communication service providers, including MTN, Globacom, Etisalat and Airtel are partners in the project.

  • FCT sets up advisory committee on immunisation

    FCT sets up advisory committee on immunisation

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has inaugurated the Immunisation Technical Advisory Committee to boost programming and delivery in the territory.

    Inaugurating the committee, the Secretary, FCT Health & Human Services Secretariat Dr. Demola Onakomaiya said more than 10 million children in low and middle income countries die before their fifth birthdays and most die because they do not access effective intervention that would combat common and preventable illnesses.

    He said routine and supplementary immunisation programming and service delivery activities have been hampered in the recent past with coverage rates for routine antigens falling below 90% and confirmed polio cases after being free of the disease for about two years.

    Demola added that observations and statistics have brought to the fore, the clinical and urgent need to implore and maintain high vaccination coverage rates to counter the disproportionate burden from vaccine preventable diseases.

    The Secretary further disclosed that the committee is to serve as a technical resource, providing guidance to national and FCT policymakers and programme managers to enable them to make evidence-based policy and programme decisions.

    The committee’s term of reference is to lead programme organisation and tracking of implementation of the FCT immunisation plus days and provide advice on strategic directions as applicable, consult and collaborate with stakeholders and other immunisation-related committees and departments.

    Others include monitoring and providing advice on communication strategies and materials for informing providers and communities about values and benefits of immunisation.

    Responding on behalf of the committee members, the Director, Primary Health Care Area Service Secretariat, Dr. Mohammed Sani thanked the Secretary for setting up the Committee, adding that the timing of the inauguration was apt.

    He assured the Secretary that the Committee was determined to ensure that immunisation services in the FCT was in tune with the aspirations of the Health and Human Services Secretariat and designed to meet international best practices.

     

  • Firms battle over land

    IN the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), a piece of land is everything.

    Its exorbitant cost has ensured that estate developers are always at loggerheads, slugging it out in both the media and law courts.

    Plots 8, 70 , 77 and 97of Dakwo  District Cadestral Zone C08 have been the subjects of such battles since 2010 as  Messrs Broadfields Intermidiaries Ltd, Messrs Esil Baltimor Ltd, Messrs Unity Hills Garden Estate Ltd, Patmos Group of Schools, and Global Menillioum Ltd accused Falplins Nigeria Ltd of encroaching into their plots.

    Falplins Nigeria Ltd has also raised the alarm in the media that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), accusing the Director of Development Control, Yahaya Yusuf of abuse of office and sentiments in the matter.

    Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Patmos Group of Schools, Mr. Patrick Ehime explained to journalists that after meeting the requirements for allocation of a school plot, the FCDA allocated the plot to him.

    According to him, on taking surveyors to the plot, he discovered that Falplins Limited had already erected buildings on the plot.

    He noted that when he reported to the Development Control it was discovered that the firm had no title document and building approval, an indication of illegal structures.

    His words: “I was given a school plot to build based on the requirement of FCDA. And after meeting the requirements I was allocated the plot. On getting here with the surveyor, we discovered that Falplins Limited has already built on all the plot. And I went to the Development Control to report. We discovered that he does not have title document; he does not have building approval.

    “All the buildings he built on Plot 77, Plot 97, Plot 70 and Plot 8 are all illegal… But for you to get a legal plot, a legal house in Abuja, you must submit your drawing to the Development Control, with your title document. After verifying that your title document is authentic they proceed to give you approval.”

    He also noted that a court gave a verdict on the matter last year restraining  Falplins Nigeria Limited to Plot 102 measuring 13.5 hectares.

  • More funds for HIV/AIDS treatment

    More funds for HIV/AIDS treatment

    TO strengthen the Network of People Living With HIV/AIDS, the FCT Administration has enhanced the capacity of the organisation in financial management, procurement, monitoring and evaluation.

    The Secretary, FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Demola Onakomaiya disclosed this when the FCT chapter of The Network paid him a courtesy call in his office.

    Demola said the FCT Administration recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Global Fund to enable FCT NEPWHAN carry out the following activities: Home-based care, tracking loss in follow-up of their members in addition to supporting monthly meetings of the support groups of the people living with HIV in the FCT.

    He added that the FCT Administration is providing funds for the interactive sessions for people living with the disease, aiming to share experiences and encourage one another to adhere to their medication regimen.

    Responding, the coordinator FCT Network of People Living with HIV/Aids Mr. John Okene thanked the FCT Administration under the leadership of Senator Bala Mohammed for providing quality HIV/AIDS services to their members in FCT which has made the ailment no longer a deadly sentence anymore.

    He further commended the Administration’s effort in payment for their office accommodation in Kubwa while soliciting further assistance in the area of economic empowerment of their members which will lead to reduction of poverty through job creation.