The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • FRSC partners bank on safe roads

    FRSC partners bank on safe roads

    Deputy Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi has said that the Corps has commenced a special operation known as Operation Octopus in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The special operation is to check the excesses of motorists in Abuja from 6:30am to midnight every day before, during and after the Yuletide and the New Year.

    He stated that the FRSC has established a national corps rescue service, which includes emergency ambulances and roadside clinics.

    Oyeyemi appealed to road users to be careful, as the FRSC was determined to cover the 18 major road corridors in these “ember” months with the patrol vehicles that the World Bank donated to the Corps.

    The Deputy Corps Marshal expressed his concern that the FRSC was battling with increase in road accidents because of failure of other means of transportation; a development that puts a lot of pressure on road transportation.

    Oyeyemi stated that the corps was moving towards the peak of its activities as the year draws to a close, even as he expressed delight that Unity Bank is now a stakeholder with FRSC. He expressed his happiness that the bank donated reflector jackets which are one of the tools required by FRSC in its operations.

    He assured Unity Bank team that the FRSC will put the reflector jackets to judicious use.

    He described Unity Bank as one of the few banks that collect fines for FRSC, and urged its management to sign on to the five pillars of the United Nations Decade of Action on Road Safety.

    Unity Bank had donated 700 reflector jackets to the FRSC to protect the corps marshals and warn motorists of the presence of members of FRSC.

    While presenting the items, the bank’s Acting Managing Director Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, said the bank believes in what Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is doing, and as such has decided to associate with the FRSC because everybody uses the roads.

    He also said that members of the FRSC were engaged in a dangerous activity, “so Unity Bank is appreciating their efforts.” He then urged other corporate bodies to emulate Unity Bank by supporting the services of the FRSC.

    FRSC, he noted, was doing a good job but hardly recognised despite the fact that they work under all kinds of weather and in places with security challenges. Unity Bank, he said, will continue with its corporate social responsibility to all segments of the society.

    Mohammed, however, lamented what he called dormant relationship between the bank and the FRSC, even as he appealed to the management of the FRSC to reactivate the relationship. He promised that “Unity Bank will provide maximum concessions that hardly any bank would give FRSC.”

  • A bitter-sweet week

    It would not be out of place to describe the past week a mixed grill for  the Presidency. The reason is not far-fetched. It was a week the presidency did what many called walking the talk as it wielded the big stick on Bi-Courtney, erstwhile concessionaire of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. The road work has since been given to Julius Berger and R.C.C.

    After over four years without appreciable work on the road coupled with the fact that the road has suddenly turned to a death trap for motorists, the President was forced to terminate the agreement. It was a decision that has the backing of majority  of the country; even the critics of the presidency have hailed the decision.

    Many were also quick to suggest to the Presidency to look into other agreements, concessions and privatised government firms and exhibit the same courage where necessary so as to move the country forward.

    While the euphoria of the action was still on, the news broke of the death of Meni Innocent Jonathan, the younger brother of the President. The saddest aspect of the death was that he died on a day the President clocked 55. Though the President had planned a low-key celebration, the news of his brother’s death shook the presidency. The birthday celebration had started with a morning devotional hour with the first  family and a few others at his official residence, while other close aides came in later to wish him happy birthday after which the President watched a short parade by the Brigade of Guards before the day’s work which started with the presentation of Letters of Credence by five ambassadors.

    The five new ambassadors were told by the President to focus on the strengthening of economic ties between Nigeria and their host countries.

    The Ambassadors are Mr. Isaac Genesis Munlo (Malawi), Mr. Carsten Nilaus Pederson (Denmark), Mr. Shyam Lal Tabadar (Nepal), Mr. Myint Naung (Myanmar) and Mr. Alex Lamadrid (Philipines).

    However, the death of Meni disrupted activities at the seat  of power as the President had to put off every other activities scheduled for the day including meeting with some ministers.

    The loss was, however, not enough to stop the President from travelling to Islamabad, Pakistan later that fateful night for the summit of Heads of State and Government of the Group of Eight Developing Nations (D-8).

    The President has since early hours of Friday returned to Abuja after relinquishing the chairmanship position of the organisation, a position he held for two years.   Jonathan handed over to his Pakistani counterpart, President Asif Zardari.

    While away, the President was also in the limelight, as he reassured Nigerians that in the next one year, the country will begin to enjoy uninterrupted power supply.

    Besides, he also noted that the country’s economy has witnessed some expansion. According to him, the economy is not only expanding at a fast rate but also posting a very high rate of returns on investments.

    While the President was away, the The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meet with road projects stealing the show. The council which was presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo approved several road infrastructure projects in the sum of  N176.13 billion.

    The meeting also approved N5.1billion for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of sections of the United Nations building that was destroyed by suicide bomb attacks in 2011.

    The Islamic fundamentalists group, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the bombing.

    The contract was  awarded to Julius Berger with a completion period of 16 months.

    It was also a week the country was told in clear terms that for it to meet its infrastructural deficit, it would need to rake in $10 billion (about N1.6trillion) yearly for the next 10 years.

    Besides, the Presidency also reassured that the country’s  present debt profile is sustainable, hence the government can go on with borrowing to close the country’s infrastructure.  Presently, Nigeria’s debt profile stands at  N6.3trillion domestic debt and $6.29billion in foreign debt.

    It explained that there was nothing wrong in borrowing and incurring debts as long as it is judiciously and prudently used to finance projects that would be beneficial to the people while measures are taken to reduce waste.

    Another issue that caught the attention of the Presidency during the week under review was the visit of Mr Keith Williams, Chief Executive Officer of British Airways, who promised that BA will partner the Federal Government in ensuring the development of the natio ‘s Avition sector.

    He  added that Nigeria has huge domestic and international markets for the growth of aviation industry and BA will explore the market for the general good of Nigeria and airline.

    Williams told journalists after a closed-door meeting with Vice President Namadi Sambo that Nigeria is an important market to the British Airways; adding  that the BA  had been operating in Nigeria for the past 76 years and “so, as the Nigeria’s economy grows the British Airways will grow with  Nigeria.”

    In all these, one thing that was clear is the fact that the partnership has not favoured Nigerians, as many had described it as long years of exploitation of Nigerian passengers. So any partnership after such manner should not be welcomed.

    Presidency also sent an official delegation headed by the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark to represent the Federal Government at the weekend formal consecration of Archbishop John Onaiyekan as a Cardinal of the Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican.

    President Jonathan has also mandated members of the delegation to stop over in Hanover, Germany on their way back to visit Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State who is receiving treatment there for injuries sustained in a recent plane crash.

    Other members of the delegation are the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, the Minister of State (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide and the Chaplain of the Presidential Villa Chapel, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba.

  • Shoprite goes to Ekiti, Niger

    Shoprite goes to Ekiti, Niger

    Grand Towers Abuja, the company that brought Shoprite to the city, has begun plans to replicate the international retail chain in Ekiti and Niger states.

    Speaking to Abuja Review on the development, Suzan Ironsi, spokesperson for Grand Towers said that the decision to open these malls across the country aligns “with our goal of becoming both investors’ and operators’ partner of choice in Nigeria. We are slowly but steadily carving a niche for ourselves in investment, real estate, hospitality and distribution avenues.”

    Ironsi further noted that “Grand Towers’ core areas include progressively creating avenues in the Nigerian property market, with our milestones including but not limited to the completion of the Grand Towers Abuja Mall.”

    She disclosed that recently, Grand Towers “did a presentation to the Niger State Council, with the Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu present at the event.  We proposed to build centre/malls in three cities in the state, including the Minna City Centre.”

    At the end of the presentation, the Niger State governor was said to have “increased our site allotment to four without delay.”

    For Ekiti, she said, “Grand Towers is looking at having Shoprite as our anchor tenant.  We’ve established a relationship with Shoprite, and in line with their desire to have over 700 stores around the country, we’d like to be part of that.”

    Ironsi added that Grand Towers would also like to establish Shoprite “as our anchor tenants in projects in Niger State, but that’s still tentative at this point. The retail mix for other tenants will be established as the projects progress.”

    Ironsi also stated that there is hope that the development of such centres will continue to boost strategic shopping as our research has shown that indigenes from neighbouring states drive down to Abuja to use the facilities at the Grand Towers Abuja Mall.”

    She disclosed that “by bringing it closer to their homes, they would enjoy the convenience and the benefits associated with shopping centres and our proposed anchor tenants, Shoprite.”

    Ironsi said: “There has been a recent signing of the MoU between Grand Towers and the Ekiti State government for the Grand Towers Mall Ado Ekiti; and with Niger State government. With these, we are optimistic in our achievements so far.”

    As a result of our hard work, and to sustain momentum, we have appointed a Senior Property Advisor, Mornay Visser from South Africa to come in and strengthen the strides taken.

  • NGO urges tolerance

    NGO urges tolerance

    International Federation of Ageing, Nigeria (IFAN) has called on Nigerians to tolerate one another in order to achieve a peaceful and harmonious society.

    The call came as the NGO joined the world to mark World Tolerance Day.

    The occasion was held at National Human Rights Commission headquarters Abuja to observe the day proclaimed by the United Nations in 1995.

    Former Governor of Anambra State Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, who chaired the occasion, in his keynote address, said that tolerance is ordained by God and is required in all facets of life.

    Ezeife said that our strength as a nation lies in our diversity and if there are no differences, there will be no need for tolerance.

    The National Coordinator of IFAN Mr Ike Willie Nwobu in his welcome address emphasised that tolerance provides a fundamental and enhancing support for co-existence, democratisation and civilisation.

    Nwobu, in his speech, identified ‘muscle, money and mind’ as major elements of power which relate to the law of tolerance.

    He said: “Tolerance accepts the mind, but questions force of muscle and suspects money”.

    Furthermore Nwobu insisted that against many arguments, tribalism, ethnicism and religion do not exist, but interest groups that promote very wicked agenda which facilitates intolerance.

    Executive Secretary of Human Rights Commission Prof Bem Angwe represented by Mrs Tina Nwodu, described the occasion as pertinent and timely, at such a time of high intolerance rate of our country.

    Angwe described tolerance as a pre-requisite for peace, harmonious co-existence and democracy and accepting our differences in culture, beliefs, sex, and thoughts without complexes, he said.

    He pledged the full support of the Commission to promote tolerance among the citizens of this country, adding that the right of one person stops where the other starts.

    The occasion had in attendance the Director General of National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, National President of Nigerian Union of Pensioneers, Alhaji Ali Abatcha, Representative of the Director General Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mr Gbenga Onoiga, among others.

     

  • FCT plans all-round development

    FCT plans all-round development

    A new regime of infrastructural renewal is in the pipeline in the six area councils and satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory.

    The plan is to make the FCT irresistible, and not just in areas where the rich and powerful reside. The streets will be squeaky clean. The taps will run. There will be water. Residents will enjoy electricity and the roads will be more friendly.

    To realise this lofty aim, the administration has established a ministerial committee on Baseline Data Surveys for the Planning and Development of the Area Councils and Satellite Towns in the FCT.

    The Minister of State for FCT, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, who inaugurated the committee, said the administration, in conjunction with other developmental agencies, has made efforts to renew infrastructure in the Area Councils and satellite towns.

    “The FCT Administration has observed that various developmental efforts and provision of social amenities are becoming difficult to measure due to the lack of community baseline data to form the benchmark for tracking growth and developmental progress over time.

    “The lack of coordination in the provision of facilities and amenities by the various developmental stakeholders has also contributed to the inability to properly measure the developmental efforts.

    “These have resulted in the concentration of services and facilities in certain areas while some have grossly been neglected,” she stated.

    The committee, chaired by the Special Adviser (Lands) to Permanent Secretary, FCT, Chief Steven Awoniyi and has as members Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Micah Jiba, who is representing all the six Area Councils chairmen; Senior Special Assistant (Special Duties) to the Minister of State, Mrs. Jummai Kwanashie; Senior Special Assistant (Technical) to the Minister of State, Mr. Kunle Mokuolu; Director of Satellite Towns Development Agency, Alhaji Tukur Bakori, and Director of Economic Planning, Research and Statistics, FCTA, Alhaji Ari Isa Mohammed.

    Other members include Director of Monitoring, Area Councils Service Secretariat, ArchJoshua Kaura; Director, Abuja Geographic Information System, Alhaji Mohammed Isah Jalo; Special Assistant (Projects) to the FCT Minister, Prince Ajah Nwabueze Igwe; Special Assistant on Area Councils to the Minister of State, Alhaji Ibraheem Ibraheem, and Principal Consultant of Fola Consult Limited, Alhaji S.A. Olajide.

    The minister listed the terms of reference of the Committee to include: to identify all development agencies responsible for the provision of facilities and services in the Area Councils and Satellite Towns; to profile infrastructural facilities and amenities available, stage of utilisation, challenges and potentials in FCT; and to x-ray all services available and identify service gaps in the areas of agriculture, education, health, transport water, sanitation, and parks and recreation.

    Other terms of reference are: to provide guidance on analysis and documentation of the overall information generated from the field into the data base; to produce the map of each of the area councils, indexing the location and distribution of the existing facilities and services; and to work with the FCT Boundary Committee to ensure proper physical demarcation of the Area Council Boundaries.

    She reaffirmed the FCT administration’s commitment to serve the residents and Nigerians by ensuring a balance growth and quality service delivery throughout the FCT.

    She disclosed that the Baseline Data Survey would be consultancy based and spread over three major areas of developmental consultancy services, map production and facility indexing consultancy services, and Area Councils boundary demarcation consultancy services.

    Akinjide explained, “The Developmental Consultancy Services will involve facility inventory and assessment surveys which are aimed at providing information on the stage of infrastructural services and social amenities within the six Area Councils in terms of usage and functionality. The survey will cover areas such as Water, Health, Education, Agriculture, Environmental/Sanitation, Transport, Security, and Infrastructural Development.

    “The Map Production and Facility Indexing Consultancy Services will entail the production of maps for each of the Area Councils showing all the location and distribution of the facilities and services, while the Boundary Demarcation Consultancy Services will involve physical boundary demarcation of the various area councils.”

     

  • Alumni fete V-C at re-union party

    Alumni fete V-C at re-union party

    It was not only time for wining and dining by the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye Alumni Association FCT chapter. It was also time for deep reflections on the way forward as the members met at the garden of the International Conference Centre on Saturday, November 10 during a family re-union and picnic involving all members of the Alumni and their entire family.

    The association also used the event as a showcase for a reception for the new Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Prof. Saburi Adesanya who was in attendance to intimate the association with his transformation agenda for the university and the 30th-year anniversary of the institution coming up in 2013.

    Many of the graduates of the university who had never met for as long as 20 years, met and fraternise in a convivial atmosphere.

    The Vice-Chancellor, in his speech, commended the efforts of the FCT Alumni chapter for organising the re-union. He also praised them for its unwavering interest in the goings on in the university, saying that the Alumni can be used as a springboard for the development of the university.

    He used the opportunity to brief the members if the Alumni on some of his efforts at repositioning the university. According to him, OOU is to spend N800m on infrastructures next year, adding that the university is poised to achieve not only good governance, but also speedy development in the coming years.

    Adesanya said the sum of N800m will be expended on infrastructure development to enhance the status and bring succour to both the officials and students of the university.

    He said: “The first thing we are trying to achieve is good university governance, such that most of the problems will become a thing of the past. The rule of law is also part of our plans because without obeying the rules of the university properly, then most of these problems will keep going on.

    “So, we are poised to make sure that everybody obeys the rules and regulations and that everybody is treated fairly and justly.

    “The second issue is to put up proper infrastructure. Luckily, the permanent site is currently being developed to take over as a full-fledged university, so that we can do away with some of the things of the past and move into a new structure that befits what OOU should be after 30 years of existence.

    “So, in the coming years, we are moving on-campus and all programmes will be on campus, so that our students can then have the campus spirit. Some of the experiences enjoyed by the Alumni members in the past because they were on one campus and had a unity of purpose will be returned to the university.”

    The V-C called for an enduring partnership between the university and its alumni members for meaningful development. He also urged well-meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies and non- governmental organisations (NGOs) to assist the university with funds particularly in the area of infrastructure development.

    “In the next one year, we will be spending about N800m on infrastructure development spread across all the campuses and we believe that with support from donors, the Alumni and well-wishers, the amount can be more than our expectation,” he said.

    Members of the Alumni also took turns to express themselves on the way forward for the university.

    The protem Chairman of the OOU Alumni, FCT chapter, Morakinyo Akinleye praised the efforts of the V-C in restoring the lost glory of the institution.

    “This is exemplified in the convocation of over 40,000 graduate recently from the backlog met on ground and prompt issuance of certificates to fresh graduates,” he said.

    While advising the principal stakeholders of the university not to be working at cross-purposes and “washing their dirty linen in the public,” Akinleye urged the university management and its Council to give the national body of the Alumni Association a free hand to operate.

    “By giving it free hand, many members will feel free and eager to be part of the alumni family and the institution will be able to tap from the benefits of the members’ position in their areas of calling,” he said.

    The protem Chairman also advised that the Olabisi Onabanjo University Development Foundation (OSUDEF) be resuscitated “to solicit and obtain financial and material supports for the university, particularly in the development of its multi-campus system.”

    A day before the re-union party, the Alumni members were at the City of Refuge Orphanage on Friday, November 9 to lend a helping hand to the needy as part of its corporate social responsibility.

    The visit of the Alumni association to the orphanage was part of programmes of the association’s celebration of the re-union of its members. They donated gift items to the children of the orphanage.

    Mr Akinleye explained to the administrator Mr. Darlington and other members of staff of the orphanage that the alumni hopes to do more for the orphanage and indeed other orphanages as part of its corporate social responsibilities.

  • ‘Fuel subsidy must go’

    While the pain of fuel scarcity persists, the Presidency has spoken but the words that came out brought no relief. The end of the crisis is not in sight, Nigerians were told.

    President Goodluck Jonathan warned that the situation may get worse, price-wise, except subsidy is completely removed.

    He suggested that people should brace up for full deregulation of the petroleum industry’s downstream sector.

    Already, the long queues have become a normal feature at the filling stations in major cities of the country where fuel prices range from N100 per litre to N110 and N130, no thanks to supply problems.

    The last time government attempted to remove fuel subsidy was in January this year and it was greeted by a massive protest across the country, which forced the government to opt for gradual removal, with fuel price rising to N97per litre from N65.

    The popular thinking is that deregulation will bring higher prices, but the government insists it will not. The policy, says the government, will ensure regular supply and free some cash to rebuild the country’s infrastructure.

    Nigeria’s four refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna are working at about 30 per cent capacity. The remaining 70 per cent of the nation’s need is imported.

    The President noted that only if people could bear the pain, total removal of fuel subsidy would make Nigerians happier.

    He likened the process of transforming a nation to surgery, which could be painful but would make the patient healthier in the end.

    In his view, full deregulation of the downstream sector is the solution to fuel shortage as it is the only paneacea to attracting potential investors into the sector. Hence, to attract investors, who will build refineries and end importation of petroleum products, the president is of the opinion that fuel subsidy must go.

    So it is a matter of choice that the country must make.QED.

    Jonathan disappointed critics on Ribadu committee

    When many had concluded that the report of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu’s committee on petroleum revenue was dead on arrival due to the perceived shortcomings, the presidency did the unthinkable.

    It announced the setting up of a white paper committee to review the report and present its paper in two weeks.

    The president also raised panels for the other petroleum sector committees that also submitted reports such as the National Refineries Special Task Force and the Governance and Controls Special Task Force.

    His action according to his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, was “in furtherance of his declared commitment to doing all within his powers to ensure greater accountability, probity and transparency in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry”.

    “The committees are to study the reports, review the issues raised, and prepare draft white papers for the consideration of the Federal Executive Council within two weeks.

    Presidential headache

    Issue of housing also got the attention of the Presidency in the course of the week, where the President confessed that equitable access to land for housing development and adequacy of housing remains critical challenge.

    The president spoke in view of the national housing deficit estimated at 17 million housing units during a retreat for stakeholders in the housing business.

    Jonathan said if this deficit is to be bridged, the country must continue to seek ways to provide affordable housing, especially to the no-income, low-income, lower-medium income, and the informal sector worker.

    He also said a variety of housing delivery schemes, including social housing, rental schemes, regeneration and housing cooperatives must be evaluated.

    To address the situation, the president assured that government was committed to recapitalising the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) and strengthening the Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). Further assuring that other institutions of government in the building environment, he also said will receive equal attention.

    The president equally noted that reinvigorating and revitalizing the Housing and urban development is a core prority of this administration.

    Meanwhile, minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Ama Pepple and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and also minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala have warned that in order to avert housing crisis, the country requires one million housing units yearly for the next eight years.

    Another week of contract bazaar

    In a bid to beat the November 28 contract approval deadline set by President Jonathan, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) went on a contract bazaar, approving contracts running into N275.82billion.

    The projects spread across key sectors of the economy, roads, power supply, education, health, water resources and tourism.

    The Council approved contracts.

    The contract for the engineering, procurement and construction of the 700 megawatts Zungeru Hydroelectric Power Project had the largest chunk in the sum of N162.990billion. It has a completion period of four years and is expected to create about 10,000 jobs during implementation

    Abuja Carnival

    The federal government has approved November 24 to 27 for the hosting of this year’s Abuja Carnival.

    By this, Abuja is expected to play host to the 36 states of the federation for the three-day cultural event.

    Already, 12 countries from Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean, according to Minister of Culture andTourism, Mr Edem Duke, indicated interest to participate in the carnival.

    He is also hopeful that this year’s carnival would generate millions of dollars into the country.

     

  • Agency seeks review of Maths curriculum in schools

    The Agency for Science and Technology in the Federal Capital Territory has called for a review of Mathematics curriculum to achieve remarkable progress in the subject in FCT schools.

    The Director of the agency, Mrs. Rosemary Umanah who revealed this in a communique issued at the end of a five-day workshop for selected Mathematics teachers in the FCT, said performances in mathematics in both primary and secondary schools has been consistently poor over the years.

    Speaking on the theme of the workshop: Teaching Mathematics with the brain in mind, the director said the aim of the workshop was to allow the teachers understand the workings of the brain of the children they are teaching so as to organise their learning experience to be compatible with the working of their brain.

    The facilitator of the training, Dr. Abdul Kokori who spoke on attitudinal change for teacher efficiency, over view of brain base learning, reorganising and addressing mathematics difficulties among others, implored Mathematics teachers to know how to best manage their pupils knowing full well that their brains are unique and must be attended to uniquely.

    While observing that most classrooms in the city are no longer brain learning compartible because every child’s brain is unique and as such, a teacher who is teaching 80 students is teaching 80 classes at the same time.

    The FCT Secretary for Education, Kabir Usman while declaring the workshop closed, said since Mathematics has become a veritable tool, its wider application and importance cannot be overemphasised hence the need to popularise it at the basic and post basic levels of our education.

    He said that the establishment of the Mathematics Improvement Project, MIP in the FCT will assist to address issues of poor performance of students in the subject.

     

  • 10,000 jobs for women, youths

    10,000 jobs for women, youths

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration appears determined to sustain its battle against unemployment as it has concluded plans to employ about 10,000 women and youths under its Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerrment Programme (SURE-P) before the end of the year.

    This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide while receiving members of the FCT Chapter of the National Council of Women’s Societies in her office in Abuja.

    The women were led by their President, Mrs Nancy Godwin Bulus.

    The Minister said that the FCT Administration would employ about 10,000 women and youths.

    Akinjide explained that the FCT Administration established the Project Implementation Unit towards training and empowering women and youths in skills and vocation.

    “The administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is gender-friendly and has initiated some programmes to economically empower our women and youths. One of the programmes is the SURE-P, which was established to oversee and ensure the effective and timely implementation of projects to be funded with the savings accruing to it from partial removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

    “There is going to be massive employment of women and youths in the FCT before the end of this year. We are employing about 10,000 women and youths under the SURE-P. By empowering a women and youths, you are building a nation,” she said.

    The minister praised the Nigerian women for their remarkable support for the present administration and assured them that the government was on track in the execution of its transformation agenda.

    She urged the FCT Chapter of the NCWS to collaborate with the Gender Department of the Social Development Secretariat towards empowering the rural women.

    She also disclosed that the FCTA has received approval and license for the establishment of a microfinance bank in Kwali Area Council as part of measures to provide access to cheap funds and empower the people.

    “We plan to establish microfinance banks in each of the six area councils. We have received licence for the establishment of a microfinance bank in Kwali Area Council, which will fully take off in the first quarter of 2013,” she added.

    Earlier in her address, the NCWS President, Mrs. Nancy Godwin Bulus, commended the minister for her selfless effort in the development of the area councils and satellite towns.

    She further praised the minister and the Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Blessing Onuh, for their support in retrieving the Certificate of Occupancy for a land given to the Council in 1996 by Federal Capital Development Authority.

    Bulus solicited the financial support of the FCTA and other donor agencies in the territory for the building of FCT NCWS Multipurpose Hall, Day Care Nursery and Primary School, Chalets, Shopping Malls on the Council’s land.

    She also called for the appointment of members of the FCT Chapter of NCWS into the boards and agencies of the FCT Administration.

  • Minister seeks religious harmony

    Minister seeks religious harmony

    The Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide has advised the Joint Faith Peace Initiative to continue to sustain religious harmony in the FCT.

    The minister gave this advice when the Joint Faith Peace Initiative (JFPI) conferred on her the Interfaith Leadership Award 2012.

    She disclosed that the leadership of the FCT Administration would support the organisation to achieve its mandate of restoring integrity and uniting humanity.

    “Religious harmony has become imperative for the country to achieve meaningful development. We need to continue to sustain peaceful co-existence and harmony between Christians and Muslims in the FCT and in Nigeria in general.

    “We need to have respect for one another and by this initiative, members of the organisation have demonstrated unity and peaceful harmony preached by the two religions,” she stated.

    The minister assured that the FCT Administration would also collaborate with the JFPI in the area of youth empowerment.

    “Youth empowerment is one of the programmes of the present Administration and the government is going to employ the youth as well as train them to be employers of labour,” she noted.

    On the Interfaith Leadership Award bestowed on her, Akinjide said it was a call for more service to the people and sustain the present religious harmony in the FCT.

    “It is a great honour and privilege to be conferred with the Leadership Award. It is also additional responsibility to continue to ensure peaceful co-existence and harmonious working relationship between the two religions in the FCT,” the minister stated.

    The President of the Joint Faith Peace Initiative, Ambassador Liberty Okon disclosed that the award was in recognition of the minister’s unbiased engagement with the two religions, thereby sustaining peace in the FCT.

    “The decoration of the Minister of State for FCT as the winner of our prestigious Interfaith Leadership Award 2012 is in recognition of her tremendous efforts to sustain religious harmony in FCT and to encourage her to do more in the areas of interfaith peace-building.

    “Our aim is to induct deserving stakeholders into this ship of interfaith peace movement in Nigeria as ambassadors of peace,” Okon said.

    The JFPI is a global inter-faith peace re-engineering non-governmental organisation with the primary mandate of ensuring peaceful and harmonious co-existence among the people.

    Members of the organisation in Nigeria include the women’s wing of Christian Association of Nigeria, Federation of Muslim Women’s Association, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution Abuja and National Orientation Agency.