The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Getting out of the woods

    Nigeria has lagged behind over the years.

    Just at post-independence it was more or less at the same level economically with nations like Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia and India.

    But those nations have been able to put their acts together and gone far ahead of Nigeria economically and technological.

    Their economies are not only driven by strong infrastructural base, they also largely produce what they consume  while at the same time boosting export of their goods and services to other nations.

    By so doing, they have continued to create jobs for their populations at home and earned the needed foreign currencies, which have helped to stabilize and grow their economies.

    Nigeria, which was more endowed with natural and human resources, have remained crawling throughout those years. It was difficult for Nigeria to stand on its feet.

    Corruption, lack of political will and poor programmes’ implementation were among factors that have worked against economic growth of Nigeria.

    Rather than working for the development and general interests of the nation, most public office holders from one administration to the other, have not only abused their offices but stolen money and assets their next six generations cannot exhaust.

    Besides the absence of or decaying infrastructures across the country, most Nigerians have also been going through untold hardship due to these factors.

    With the substantial part of the commonwealth of the nation finding its way into private pockets, the Nigerian economy was pushed into recession while most of its recent national budgets are now been largely financed by external borrowing.

    To turn around the Nigerian economy,  President Muhammadu Buhari last Wednesday launched the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017 – 2020.

    On paper, the plan, which aims to re-invigorate the economy, has 60 intervention and initiatives to be completed in the next four years towards tackling and removing impediments to growth; making markets function better and to leverage the power of the private sector.

    The plan,  however is projected to focus on five execution priorities, which are key to achieving 7% growth expected by the end of the Plan period in the year 2020..

    The areas of focus included (i) Stabilizing the Macroeconomic Environment (ii) Achievement of Agriculture and Food Security (iii) Expansion of Energy Infrastructure capacities (power and petroleum), (iv) Improving Transportation Infrastructure and (v) Driving industrialization principally through local and small business enterprises.

    As part of its broad objectives, the plan is to restore growth, invest in the people and build a globally competitive economy.

    Launching the plan, President Buhari said “As we all know this Administration inherited numerous challenges. Our political campaign was based on a recognition of the difficult situation Nigeria was in and the need to bring positive and enduring change.

    “And we remain committed to our electoral promise to change our way of doing things and to change Nigeria for good.

    “We are committed to delivering on the three key areas that we promised – That is improving security, tackling corruption and revitalising the economy.

    “Security in the North East, and other parts of Nigeria, is significantly better today than when we came in.

    “With regards to our fight against corruption, as you all know, our law enforcement agencies are prosecuting very many cases of corruption. Our successes in these two areas are clear for all to see.

    “I want to assure all Nigerians that we are approaching the solution to our economic challenges with the same will and commitment we have demonstrated in the fight against corruption and in the fight against terrorism and militancy.

    “The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan brings together all our sectoral plans for agriculture and food security, energy and transport infrastructure, industrialization and social investments together in a single document.

    “Our aim simply put, is to optimise local content and empower local businesses. We seek not just to take the Nigerian economy out of recession but to place it on a path of sustained, inclusive and diversified growth.

    “We are determined to change Nigeria from an import dependent country to a producing nation. We must become: A nation where we grow what we eat and consume what we produce. We must strive to have a strong Naira and productive economy.

    “The Plan I am launching today therefore sets out what we, as Government, are committed to do, to create the enabling environment for business to thrive.

    “The Plan is a national plan, hence the role of State Governments is critical to its success.” he added

    While implementation of well drafted programmes have been a major problem to past governments in Nigeria, there were assurance that the new plan will not face the same obstacles.

    To ensure this, a Presidential Special Delivery Unit would be established to monitor its implementation and remove all bottlenecks to the plan implementation.

    It can only be hoped that all these work well for Nigeria to rapidly take its position in the committee of nations, economically and technologically.

  • ‘What we learned from our alma mater’

    ‘What we learned from our alma mater’

    A founder and chief executive of three firms and other young management officers inspire varsity freshmen with memories from Salem University Lokoja, SUNDAY OGUNTOLA reports 

    While his colleagues are still begging to apply for paid jobs, Gideon Ekom is already running three companies. Amazingly, he achieved the feat just four years after graduation. The founder of Wear with Style Perfumes, a perfume sales firm, Diplomatic Republic Entertainment-D.R.E, an entertainment outfit, and Under 30s CEO Naija, a media enterprise that celebrates    young tycoons, enthralled students of his alma mater with secrets of his success.

    It was at a parley between fresh and ex-students of Salem University, Lokoja. It was organised to inundate the freshmen with the possibilities that lie ahead if they maximise their time on the campus.

    Beaming with a smile, Ekom said, “This institution is not just an educational learning hub but truthfully a transformational, leadership training ground for optimistic, innovative, goal-driven minds imbedded in the teachings of Jesus Christ.”

    He said he owes everything to the impeccable trainings received at the institution. The training, he said, has allowed him to see the wisdom in hard work and jettison mediocrity. “It’s not surprising that today I find myself so passionate about my engagements to the extent it has become a lifestyle,” Ekom shared.

    He added: “I charge every undergraduate student of the institution to harness this opportunity and fully get involved in its global leadership spiritual drive, for both their personal advancement and the society at large regardless of the challenges.”

    Godwin Awojobi, a senior software engineer with Biscom, believes the institution was a budding ground for his masterful performances in the corporate world.

    “Paired with academics, my degree played an integral role in the development and preparation of my quantitative and qualitative skills both necessary tools for career success in information technology.

    “Salem University has helped me grow my skill-set and put me in a position to succeed and also help others to succeed,” Awojobi shared.

    Nnadozie Sandra graduated from the Microbiology department of the institution in 2014. She works as an Operations Manager in an international networking company. She said: “I studied under great men and women who took their time to mould us into global leaders both in and out of the classroom.

    “Through the effective leadership segments, seminars and programs held during my stay in Salem University I have been transformed from a shy, naïve and timid girl to a reserved, God-fearing, relentless, goal-oriented woman.”

    She added: “Salem University not only equipped me educationally but also spiritually and mentally and I was prepared to face the world and be a change agent anywhere I go.”

    Edwin Kuzayat works with The Nigerian Bottling Company, Abuja. He has become such an indispensable staff in the firm because of the rigorous training he received in Salem University, he stated.

    He said, “I cannot stay out of my work place for half a day unnoticed; it is like I create a vacuum. That is what Salem University has helped build in me.”

    Andeley Naomi graduated in 2015/2016 from the department of International Relations and Diplomacy. She said she left the institution a transformed person.

    “Salem University availed me the opportunity to come out of my shell, leave the little shy girl I was behind and become confident and bold, because I was a global leader.

    “It provided a platform for me to lead and wear the shoes I otherwise would not have before I came to Salem. There was no room for mediocrity.

    “I learned to make changes and not wait for change. I learned to be the change I want to see in the world. I learned to bring people out of the labour market and not to join the labour market. I learned that there is dignity in labour.

  • Shocking results of a health screening in rural schools

    Shocking results of a health screening in rural schools

    The health screening conducted, with parents and teachers’ consent, in 20 public schools mostly in the rural fringes of Abuja, highlights serious health challenges, Jide Babalola reports

    Volunteer doctors and nurses from the Nigerian Turkish International Colleges Foundation (NTICF) on a medical outreach to about 20 public primary schools in rural communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja in conjunction with the Federal Capital Territory’s Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB) got a rude shock when the result of the test conducted on some students returned.

    “Among the urgent cases we see are some of the pupils with body temperature of 41.3 degree which is too high for their little bodies. It’s like burning fire and it is sometimes accompanied with some throat infection and it is clear that we have cases of serious malaria.

    “For example, in the statistics  gathered by the school teachers and volunteer medical staff, out of the 498 pupils that we have screened in this school (LEA, Aleyita), the doctor wrote prescriptions for 135 who have one medical challenge or the other; out of these 135 pupils, we have· seen 45 or 30% of them having malaria.

    “Out of a batch of 566 pupils, we that were screened in another school, we have seen 35 or 19% having malaria while six percent have· urine infection. In the sample from a school in Galadimawa, there were 370 pupils out of whom 117 have malaria and 43 percent of the school population has urine infection.

    “In one school where we have screened 644 pupils, 44 pupils have malaria in their system; at another school, 35 out of 135 pupils have malaria,” Behlul Basaran, the coordinator of the NTICF said.

    Since the year 2000 when Basaran arrive Nigeria from Turkey, his life has been intertwined with the NTICF and has been involved in the group’s many charitable works in Nigeria. The NTICF, since its inauguration, has been engaged in one of the largest humanitarian works across Nigeria.

    Indeed one of its cardinal visions is “to relieve the challenges in the areas of education, poverty, psychological and physical disadvantages with all modern instruments and most effective methods while creating a communal awareness of such through campaigns.” Much of its humanitarian work is accomplished largely through the use of volunteers drawn from NTIC, mostly school principals and teachers who act as representatives of NTIC Foundation and travel to various states or Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and distribute relief materials.

    A grim statistic

    The United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) National Human Development Report 2016 states that Nigeria’s almost 170 million populations has a 62% population rate of people living under the threshold of poverty. This has multiple implications for families whose only way of accessing primary school education lies in the virtually tuition-free public schools.

    Amongst other factors, the UNDP’s HDR 2016 notes that Nigeria’s current doctor: patient ratio is 1:53,333 against the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended standard of 1:700; Nurse: patient ratio is 1:1,066 against WHO standard of 1:700; while Pharmacist: patient ratio is 1:12,000 against WHO standard of 1:2,000.

    The situation justifies the decision of the NTICF and Nizamiye Hospital, to come to the rescue of children from low socio-economic status background that are attending public schools, nursing their potentials for future greatness.

  • Prison boss to minister: we need solar energy

    The new Controller of the Nigerian Prisons Service, (NPS) Fedral Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche has urged the Minster of the Territory, Malam Muhammad Bello to install solar lighting in the Kuje Prisons.

    Mwakuche appreciated the FCT Minister for his immense assistance to the Nigerian Prisons Service.

    The minister assured that the FCT Administration will continue to support Para-military agencies operating in the Federal Capital Territory to enable them perform their statutory functions.

    The Minister gave the assurance while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Prisons Service, FCT Command, led by the new Controller, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche that paid him a working visit in his office.

    Bello reiterated that Para-military organizations and other security Agencies play very important roles in the maintenance law and order, peace and tranquility in the Territory and must be motivated to continue in that direction.

    He assured that his Administration would also continue to collaborate with security agencies to ensure the security of lives and property.

    “The FCT Administration will provide immediate succor to some of the challenges facing the Nigerian Prisons installations in the Territory to encourage the rehabilitation and reformation of convicts,” he said.

    The Minister remarked that he is in direct discussion with the Ministry of Interior on some of the issues raised by the Controller; adding that they will at the end, be of benefit to the Nigerian Prisons Service and other residents of the FCT when they come to fruition.

    According to him, “There are some issues in the pipeline for which we are in direct discussion with the Minister of Interior and at the end of the day, if they come to fruition, the benefit is going to be for all of us in the FCT”.

    The Minister promised to fast track the issue of land encroachment around the Kuje Facility to mitigate any negative occurrence, adding, “We will continue to speak and engage on how we can solve them one after the other”.

    Earlier in his remarks, the new Controller of Prisons, FCT Command, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche appreciated the FCT Minister for his immense assistance to the Nigerian Prisons Service.

    He appealed to the Minister to continue to support the FCT Command of the Nigerian Prison Service, particularly in the area of solar lighting within the Kuje Prisons Service vicinity.

  • Minister seeks investment in waste management, Abuja rail

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has called for foreign direct investments in waste management in the Federal Capital Territory as opportunities abound in that sub-sector for any would be genuine investor. Bello made the call while receiving a delegation of non-career Nigeria Ambassadors designate that paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

    He reiterated that Abuja city provides one of the best economic opportunities for big businesses; saying that the sub-sector has enormous potentials to be harnessed.

    The Minister advised the Ambassadors designate that whichever country they are deployed to, they should always promote and project to their host nations various investment opportunities in Nigeria, especially the huge business prospects in waste management in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Bello said that the presence of good infrastructure as well as the relative peace and security in the Territory combined with its massive population, will surely make Abuja a preferred destination for investors to do business and reap huge benefits.

    According to him, “One area that we want you to consider as you discuss Abuja with your host nations is the area of waste management. For those of you that are in Europe, we understand there is a lot of funding for green projects of such nature. These are areas that the we would be very interested in.”

    Bello emphasized that apart from its huge population and location advantages, the Territory is well connected to Europe through a number of air carriers that fly in and out of Abuja on a daily basis as well as a number of other West African countries, including East and South African countries.

    The Minister said that although the Lots 3 and 1A of the Abuja Rail Mass Transit is well funded by the Chinese EXIM Bank, opportunities still exists in the Lot 2, Lot 4 and 5 of the on-going the rail system.

    His words: ”We have what we call the Abuja Rail Mass Transit System which is under construction on the basis of six Lots. Already, Lots 1A and 3 are being funded by the Chinese Exim Bank and hopefully that would be completed by the first quarter of next year. But there is opportunity for the Lots 2, 4, 5 and 6. So, these are some of the areas that when you get fully settled, we may be able to communicate with you on some of these issues.”

    The leader of delegation and the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye said that the purpose of their visit is to introduce the Ambassadors designate to the Minister and to find out some of the potentials in the FCT in terms of the economic and investment opportunities.

    Ambassador Enikanolaiye remarked that the FCT Administration could assist the new envoys on how to project and promote the priorities of government, particularly, those in the Federal Capital Territory.

  • UN building almost ready

    The havoc caused by the insurgency is not limited to the Northeast. In Abuja, Boko Haram fighters caused lots of trouble too. They hit Nyanya, Efab and Kuje, bombing ThisDay newspaper offices as well as the  United Nations building. That was in 2011. Since then rebuilding the UN Househas been on.

    So far, the Federal Government (FG) through the Minister of the Federal Capital Terrtory (FCT), Mallam Muhammed Bello, has expressed optimism that the House would be completed in time and handed over before the next anniversary of the United Nations.

    Now the job is almost done.

    Bello gave the assurance at the signing ceremony of the Federal Capital Territory Administration/ United Nations 2017 Annual Work Plan.

    Malam Bello, who described the signing ceremony as a very important milestone in the relationship between the FCT Administration and the United Nations, said it is a demonstration that the UN is fully committed to doing a good job.

    He said that the FCT Administration would work very hard to complete and hand over the United Nations House, Abuja to serve the purpose of Common Office for its Agencies before its next anniversary.

    Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary in the ministry, Muhammad Sule made the revelation in a press statement.

    He added, “The Minister promised that adequate budgetary provisions would be made in the 2017 budget to accelerate realisation of set targets and bridge the deficiency gaps in performance in the previous years.”

    According to him, “We definitely will make adequate budgetary provisions to match your funding for 2017. We will also try to make sure that the budget is well funded so that work goes on.”

    “It’s something we take seriously and we are actually looking towards creating a small unit in my office headed by somebody senior enough that coordinates all our relationships with the various UN Agencies so that it becomes easier to take decisions faster. Somebody from my office will always be part of it so that we can fast track the process, based on your recommendation,” he said.

    He also added, while acknowledging that previous issues being jointly handled by the FCTA and the United Nations remain beneficial, the Minister stressed that newer projects would likewise be given priority consideration due to the impact they would have on the FCT.

    Malam Bello remarked that urban solid waste management; slum upgrade and smart city are other issues that would be given attention in subsequent annual work plans between the two bodies.

    Earlier in his remark, the UN Representative Coordinator, Mr. Edward Kallon thanked the FCTA for its efforts at reviewing the UN Under 3 Annual Work plan for signing; adding that implementation of the activities has started already.

    He described the signing as an attestation of the FCTA’s commitment to nurture its cooperation with the UN for sustainable socio-economic development in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Mr. Kallon expressed the hope that some of the challenges that hindered the implementation of the previous work plans would be adequately addressed.

  • New strategies to track Boko Haram

    The terror group may have been dealt a mortal blow, but with hotels, schools and workplaces now keeping record of immigrants, it is clear that the hunt for Boko Haram fighters is still alive, reports GBENGA OMOKHUNU

    Boko Haram, illegal immigrants, kidnappers, and other terrorist groups are in for it as the Federal Government has launched fresh immigration regulations to help grab perpetrators and bring them to book.

    The new 2017 Immigration Regulations replace the old ones signed in 1963.

    Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau who presented the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS Regulation 2017 said there is no doubt that the current management demands a new proactive approach to handle immigration matters.

    The new 2017 Immigration Regulation contains 80 sections and divided into 10 parts. Some of its innovative provisions especially those complimenting the way of doing business and sustaining internal security include temporary work permit, visa on arrival, entry for business purpose, immigrants register to register all immigrate in Nigeria, restriction of immigrant movements, hotels and boarding houses to have record of all immigrants, that are accommodated and employment of immigrants.

    He said, “This new immigration regulation replaces the old immigration regulations signed in 1963. Shortly after the migration policy came into force I remember that May 2015, there was an immigration policy, following that immediately the Immigration Act was passed into law. This Act contained far reaching innovative provisions aimed at positioning the Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS) to achieving its vision as an Information Technology, (IT) driven entity that can immediately address the operational challenges of modern migration. And its mission of given the NIS a new sense of direction that can make it relevant at all times towards security order and responsive to a global trend.

    “The objective of this new migration is to provide legal framework for the effective implementation of the Immigration Act of 2015. And the second objective is to consolidate the existing immigration regulation which was signed in 1963.

    “I assure you that effective implementation and the enforcement of this regulation and I ask for your continued support to my ministry and immigration service. There is absolutely no doubt this new Immigration regulations will enhance the protection of our borders against cross-border crimes particularly trafficking in arms, drugs and humans and also movement of terrorist groups and individuals.

    “It will enhance internal security to provide the right environment for development. It will conform to the Executive Order recently signed by President Muhammadu Buhari on the ease of doing business.”

    The NIS Comptroller General, (CG), Muhammed Babandede said the NIS shortly after coming out of the Nigeria Police in 1958, got its first legal instrument, the Immigration Act, passed by the parliament on August 1, 1963.

    Babandede said: “Until May 21, 2015, when the reversed Immigration Act, was enacted, the NIS has operated with the 1963 Act which was not only obsolete, but grossly inadequate to contain the unfolding migration realities.”

    He said the minister of Interior signed the document into law on February 27, 2017 adding the Immigration Regulation 2017 is a vital document that operationalizes the Immigration Act, 2015.

    At the presentation were top government functionaries, members of the diplomatic community and other stakeholders.

  • Kwara youths till the soil

    Kwara youths till the soil

    The message is old: the future of the economy depends on agriculture. What is new is that thousands of Kwara State youths are now championing the cause by taking up farming, writes KUNLE JIMOH

    It has always been difficult talking youths out of chasing ever dwindling white collar jobs, and convincing them to grow food. In Kwara State, the message has sunk in and youths there have no qualms tilling the soil. The state government provided the enabling environment. No fewer than 3,200 youths across the 16 local government areas of the state are members of Kwara Youth Integrated Farmers Organisation.

    Under the state farm settlement scheme at Oke-Oyi, Ilorin East local government, the youth farmers between 2015 and 2016 produced about 16 tons of Soybeans, which were supplied to local processors, feed millers and traders at the local markets, it was gathered.

    Apart from this, the youth farmers embarked on soybeans demonstration trial in 11 local communities in about 10 local government areas in collaboration with national and foreign partners.

    Representative of the youth farmers, Abubakar Ibrahim, said this in Ilorin, the state capital at an award presentation.

    Ibrahim added that the farmers had also embarked on seed production of about one hectare of land which was certified by the National Seed Council of Nigeria.

    However stakeholders at the event, said that the youth farmers are not without some challenges.

    Ibrahim said that about stated achievements could have been higher save for the difficulty in accessing land for production; menace of herdsmen; stringent policies and unfriendly attitude from financial institutions; lack of facilities for irrigation farming; absence of storage facilities and unfavourable government policies.

    He laid more emphasis on the challenges the farmers are currently facing at their Oke-Oyi and Alateko farm settlements.

    Said he: “In recent years, the youth farmers in both Oke-Oyi and Alateko farm settlements have been contending with issues that could lead to losing the land and serious-minded youths already in farming in these areas would be out of job.

    “The current attempt by the government to take some of the land away from the youth would affect the huge investment by the youth over the years. Many of the farmers had purchased over 70 percent of farm inputs (fertiliser, seedlings, herbicides and inoculants etc) in preparation for 2017 farming season.

    “We urge the state government to clear a fresh land for the purpose of expanding farmlands for new farmers rather than driving away the existing youth farmers.

    “Aside, we would like a communication network created that would help us to constantly get in touch to share stories of what is going on in relation to achievements we are making in agriculture in the state.”

    In his remark, Special Adviser to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmend on Agriculture, Anu Ibiwoye said no matter the seeming challenges, the state government is seeing to be supporting the processes of expanding agriculture.

    Said Ibiwoye: “The issue is clear. We have limited land for the youths. There are more people that are coming into agriculture. We cannot have 400 hectares and give all to about when there are people who want to coming into farming. We have to find a way on how to accommodate all the interest together. This is government and government has a responsibility of catering for all.

    “What is important is that we are seeing to be supporting the process of expanding agriculture. Currently we are opening up virgin land in Share, Ifelodun local government area, Oke-Oyi. In fact we have approval to open up 50 additional hectares in Malete. We are also entering into a working partnership with the Lower River Niger Basin as their focus has shifted from agriculture. We are looking at where there is existing cleared land.

    “The problem we have with this set of youth farmers at Oke-Oyi is that they cannot full control over the 400 hectares. It is government’s land. The government is back to say it wants to run a programme with the land. It is either the youth farmers key-in or excuse us.

    “If they leave now we will still bring youth there. We are not saying leave the land but we are saying we cannot leave the entire land to you under the current programme. There is land in other places.”

     

  • ‘We provide info for military, DSS, others’

    A para-military non-governmental organi-sation (NGO) under the auspices of Neighbourhood Enlightenment and Safety Organisation (NESO) has pledged to continue giving vital information to security operatives in the country.

    Corps Commandant General (CCG), NESO, Comrade Sani Aliyu gave the assurance at the passing-out parade of NESO officers.

    Aliyu said NESO is a pioneer registered para-military NGO focused on “anti-terrorism and anti-insurgency in Nigeria and indeed first of its kind in Africa. Our major modus operandi is that we source and obtain credible security intelligence and provide such information to the conventional security operatives like the police, DSS and the Military.

    “We make bold to state that NESO has been in the frontline in the fight against terror in Nigeria and have made modest contributions in areas of divulging critical intelligence on security threats as early warning mechanism that led to many arrests of terrorists, militants, kidnappers and cattle rustlers. In addition, some of our actionable intelligence has led to many debauched bomb attacks in parts of Nigeria.”

    Speaking further, he said, “Nigeria is facing unprecedented security challenges and threats that we used to watch only on television or hear in the news that happen in other parts of the world. Unfortunately, these challenges are now in Nigeria and they include terrorism, insurgency, militancy, blowing up pipelines, cattle rustling, kidnapping and other heinous crimes. Boko Haram has ravaged the northeast for about eight years, and the region was salvaged just few months ago because of the political will of President Muhammadu Buhari. Suicide bombers are killing many Nigerians with bombs; militants are blowing up pipelines in the Niger Delta that contributed in pushing Nigeria into recession; many people were kidnapped and those who were lucky were released with the payment of ransoms or the intervention of the security operative.

    “Nobody is spared, whether big or small; adults or children; men or women; and even uniformed personnel. You may recall that about two years ago, a serving Army Colonel was abducted in Kaduna and he was found dead few days later; a former Minister and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, was kidnapped and released after some days with the intervention of the police. There are many other instances but to mention a few.”

    NESO he said must continue the partnership and collaboration with security agencies of this nation to ensure security, safety and peace in our communities adding that: “Seeing that the total numerical strength of all the conventional security agencies is about 1 million a far cry to the population of 174,000,000 Nigerians, these numbers amongst which the Nigeria police has the highest manpower of about 370,000 officers and men expected to provide security for 17million population,  considering our land and sea size. Indeed, it is an overwhelming situation requiring serious collaboration and support in order to help them achieve their constitutional mandate.

    “In our today’s society, the sophistication displayed or deployed by terrorists are those things we once used in our national defence mechanism or structure. Terrorists now have equal or sometimes even better access to arms and ammunitions like AK47, GPMGs, anti-aircraft missiles, gun boats, etc. There is a dire need to deny them or limit their access to these modern “weapons of mass destruction”.

  • Youth leadership through philanthropy

    Youth leadership through philanthropy

    A member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Promise Iroabuchi has demonstrated remarkable leadership and philanthropy by building a health centre for a community in need, reports TITILOPE FADARE

    The thrill is neither in the size of the gift nor the neglect and squalor of the recipient community. It is in the fact that a youth saw a need and filled it whereas the rich and powerful saw and looked the other way. They say youths are leaders of tomorrow but the one in question has already started leading.

    That is the story of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Promise Iroabuchi who built and donated a primary health care centre to Gishiri community in Gwarimpa ward of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the FCT.

    Iroabuchi who is serving at the Maitama district hospital said the idea to build the health Centre came up when she went in search of accommodation that would be close to her place of primary assignment. The search took her to Gishiri community which she discovered lacked a lot of basic amenities.

    “While looking for accommodation in Gishiri communty, I realized that some basic social facilties were deficient in the community. I immediately thought of how  I could maximize my service year in line with Tony Robin words that ‘ it is only those who have learnt the power of sincere  and selfless contribution that can actually experience deep joy  or fulfillment

    “I returned to the village and discussed with some members of the community as well as opinion leaders who identified various needs of which a primary health care centre was their most felt need.”

    Speaking on the source of funds for the project she said, “It was not easy getting funds, but I am grateful to God that today, we have commissioned this health post with facilities which includes a table, beds, and an examination couch, amongst others.”

    She is however not fulfilled yet, saying “Deep inside me, I feel my dream health post has not come true. Even after the commissioning of this place, I would still stand by the people of Gishiri community to ensure my dream health post for them comes true.”

    The NYSC State coordinator for the FCT, Abdul-Razak Salau commended her for looking out for the community in an era when the youths only search for how to satisfy their material needs.

    He said “She is the kind of person we should keep celebrating in Nigeria. If with nothing at least with N19, 800 per month and with that amount she is supposed to settle part of her accommodation, she is supposed to feed, transport herself and take care of her personal needs, out of it she still put something out.

    “Her kind are the set of people we are looking for in Nigeria, there are people that we would put forward to represent us anywhere because we know you are not selfish with your life.

    He appealed to the Abuja Municipal Area Council to complete the good work already started by helping the community with an access road to the health centre and look for channels to involve NYSC in projects for communities.

    The Medical Director, Dental Unit, Maitama Disitrict hospital, Dr. Adetoun Sotimehin expressed at the commissioning of the project and advised that Nigerians should help themselves and do what they can with what they have and not turn blind eyes to inadequacies.

    The Chief of youths in Gishiri community, Sunday Babuwa also appreciated the project as he said it would go a long way helping the community