The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Minister, AGF to strengthen internal control and audit system

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello and the Auditor-General of the Federation, Mr. Anthony Ayine, are to strengthen internal auditing and control.

    They both gave the assurance when  Bello received the Auditor-General who paid him a visit in his office.

    Bello said that this is a proactive step to ensure that all government financial regulations are strictly monitored, thereby translating into good governance.

    He also assured that the FCT Administration would work very closely with the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, to ensure transparency in government business especially as it concerns monetary transactions.

    The Minister reiterated that his Administration would foster existing relationship between the FCT Administration and office of the Auditor General of the federation and ensure proper accounting system.

    Bello, who congratulated the new Auditor-General of the Federation over his appointment, reassured that: “we are going to work very closely with you”

    In a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the Minister said that the nature of the day-in-day-out activities of the FCT Administration is such that requires a different auditing template from the one being used to review other federal ministries.

    According to him, “We are a Ministry as well as a Territory. As you know, by virtue of section 299 of the Constitution, we are being considered as if we are a state”.

    He said, “We run a Ministry but we also run a Territory that has approximately six million people now, which is more than many states. It’s probably like two States combined. In terms of geographical size, we are talking of 8,000 square kilometers. That’s obviously much bigger than many States. We run six Area Councils. We have agencies for education, health, justice, social services, agriculture, Area Council and Chieftaincy matters. The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) undertakes the works aspect, while the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council manages municipal services. So, basically, it’s as if we are a state.”

     

  • Tax evaders versus magistrates in Gombe

    Tax evaders versus magistrates in Gombe

    Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo’s tax sermons are not enough; magistrates will soon be deployed across the state to drive the point home, reports VINCENT OHONBAMU

    Soft words have been used by no less a person than Governor Hassan Dankwambo to win the people over. But that may not be enough. The firm and undiscriminating arm of the law will grab anyone who fails to give to Gombe State what belongs to it. That is how the state government intends to get residents to embrace its new tax regime.

    Selling a new tax plan to people is not the easiest of tasks. In Gombe a fresh tax policy, meant to augment dwindling and irregular federal allocations, was greeted with apprehension and speculations that the government was about making life even tougher for the people.

    This forced the governor to not only dispel the rumours but also explain the necessity of the new tariff.

    Governor Dankwambo said the new tax was part of his reform plan begun some months back. He was speaking at the launch of the Internal Revenue Central System (GICS) and the takeoff of the e-Enumeration of Tax Payers in the informal economic sector (IES) to monitor the collection of revenue.

    Dankwambo said, “Introduction of the reforms is not meant to impose fresh taxes or hardship on the citizenry. Rather, it is intended to ensure that the people of Gombe State are taxed, and the revenue generated does not end up in the hands of rogue revenue collectors.

    “Similarly, it is expected to make revenue collection and management more efficient,” he explained, urging everyone in the state to pay tax promptly.

    He threatened to deal with those evading tax as well as those obstructing the operations of the state Board of Internal Revenue.

    He said that government had articulated a new law for the board, which was before the state House of Assembly to strengthen the Board’s operations as well as regulate and support the new tax regime in the state.

    When enacted, he added, magistrates would be deployed to each of the 11 local government areas of the state to try those guilty of non-compliance with the revenue laws of the state.

    “We cannot aim at tax-driven prosperity and economic advancement while refusing to fulfil the obligations that create those standards. Anyone who evades or avoids tax is breaking the law and will be treated according to the provisions of the relevant laws if found guilty,” he said.

    Chairman of the Gombe State Board of Internal Revenue Service (GSBIRS), Muhammadu Adamu Damji further explained that the new revenue collection and monitoring system would capture the data of everyone online, while repositioning the state to be economically viable to withstand the challenges facing the state economy.

    In the past revenue system used by the Gombe State Board of Internal Revenue for IGR was the collection of cash and the issuance of receipt as a sign of collection and payment.

    But that method according to the GSBIRS boss had been abused by both the payers and collectors, where collectors remitted whatever they liked, the revenue payers paid whatever they felt like. Most revenue collection officers had multiple receipts (depending on the awareness level of individual payers) with which they swindled, manipulated and manoeuvred unsuspecting taxpayers and government with impunity.

    In the same vein, revenue-generating ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) did not remit collections accurately and promptly, even as collecting banks delayed in remitting collections to government coffers. Even the pre-Damji Revenue Board lacked efficient checks and balances.

    This, the government said was unacceptable; hence the commencement of the journey to block these channels of revenue wastages and galvanise productivity of fallow grounds.

    The Gombe state government then embarked on some reforms to reposition the board and make it more effective, innovative and efficient to increase the internally generated revenue of the state by restructuring of the Gombe State Board of Internal Revenue.

    The journey began with engaging the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct a diagnostic review of the board and made recommendations on operations, processes and human resources.

    The appointment of Adamu Damji who has since August 2016 trained about 200 staff, followed by the new tax laws, the eventual introduction of GICS and the commencement of the e-enumeration of tax payers are products of ICPC recommendation, which will enable the government, know who is paying what and when.

    The automation of the new system is said to make revenue collection transparent,with monitors displaying who what and when, among other things.

    Still, some will try to hold back their tax. These are the people that will have the magistrates to contend with.

    it is said, was programmed show

  • A night of humour

    Last Wednesday night was for the immediate past Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and outgoing Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko. It was also a night of laughter. Both were honoured by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) at a lavish ceremony at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    The occasion, termed ‘NGF Valedictory/Dinner in Honour of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko’ was graced by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo. Many serving and past state governors also attended.

    While all the seats in the hall were occupied by the guests, some persons could not find a place to sit in the well decorated hall. They had to stand for a better part of the ceremony.

    Oshiomhole and Mimiko were honoured for their outstanding achievements during their eight – years tenures in their states, their contributions at the national level and during their times in the private sector.

    The significant roles they played at the NGF and the National Economic Council (NEC), during their tenures, were also highlighted by their colleagues at the occasion.

    It wasn’t only the two of them that will remember that night for a long time to come. The guests that attend the occasion almost laughed their hearts out of their chests as they were thrilled by various humours at the occasion.

    One of the outstanding jokes that night was the one about the short heights of Oshiomhole, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai and other short politicians in the government.

    Speaking at the occasion, el-Rufai jokingly said: “Oshiomhole and I are both short people. We started the Nigerian association of short people. Stella Obasanjo was our first chairman. We started in the Villa and we are still because Osinbajo is the current chairman. Adams was President and I succeeded him when he became governor.

    “Those who make jokes about short people should be careful. We are in power, we are in charge. The Acting President is looking at you with matured eyes.

    “Myself and Ribadu attended Adams fundraising. Obasanjo called me and said you went there, I said yes. He said why, I said because I am a short person. Nuhu did not have a defence because he is much taller than us.

    Switching to Mimiko, who is taller than his group, el-Rufai said: “Mimiko and I served in 2003 to 2007 cabinet of Obasanjo. He contributed well. He promised to contribute to my campaign which he did not because he was sympathetic to PDP. It is a debt I know I will collect one day and I will not stop reminding him that he owes me money.

    “He is not a member of our association because he is too tall but his achievement makes us very proud of him. Iroko has remained an Iroko. When he said he wanted to run for governorship, Obasanjo was not pleased with that decision. But a few of us went and confronted Obasanjo to allow him develop himself to the fullest.

    “Mimiko was one of the best ministers that time and we felt we must stand by him. Obasanjo will shout at us and send us out of the room. Obasanjo is very proud of you and what you have achieved. We are Obasanjo Class of 2003 to 2007 have turned out to be good leaders.

    “I have a grudge against both of them (Oshiomhole and Mimiko) because they did not warn me that being a governor is a difficult job. If they had told me, I would have taken cover and got another job. I will forgive Oshiomhole because he contributed money to my campaign but Mimiko, until you pay the money, I will not forgive,” he said jokingly

    When Oshiomhole got to the podium to make his own remarks, he also joked about his height challenge.

    He said, “Not every governor has the privilege to be honored like this. I am surprised that people have good things to say about me because I have troubled people just like people like troubling me because of my small size. Now I am unemployed and you know that in Nigeria, pensioners are the ones paid last.

    “My Oga is here (referring to current Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki) and I know he will pay on time and if he does not, I will join Nigeria union of pensioners and we will block the ring road.” he said

    Cracking another joke concerning the party through which he won his governorship election in Edo State, the Action Congress (AC), Oshiomhole said: “It is interesting that Mimiko and I are sharing this platform tonight. God has a way of putting us together. Mimiko joined the Labour Party and as he was coming to the party, I left it for him so that he will have absolute control and I went to AC. The environment is warm and I felt we needed AC, he went to labour and I felt he laboured enough.

    “Only him can explain why after labour it and delivery, he left labour for where he is now. We were both victims of the system of people voting and a few deciding. We are both beneficiaries of courageous judiciary and competent lawyers. He is still owing El-Rufia.

    “The only different between us is that when he chose to return, his luck ended. I handed over to a man of my own party. I have a strategy for him. I will give him APC membership card this night and when he will be handing over to Akeredolu, he will say he is handing over to his party man. In this business, you have to be smart.

    Also joking about the Paris Club refund,  Oshiomhole said: “I have a grudge against Mimiko like el-Rufai. The last time we had a meeting here, you prayed that the Paris Club refund will not come until the end of my tenure. I thought you were joking.

    “You went home to iroko tree, tied red cloth around it that this money must not come until the departure of comrade and as soon as I left, the money came. On that one, we shall settle out of court. When he wants to contribute, they will pretend not to see him because he is dark, when he stands, they will pretend not to see him because he is short.” he said

    Going back to the jokes on short height, he said: “Uduaghan claimed he is taller than me. It is an argument we will not be able to resolve. It is the difference between dot and comma, which is longer?”

    When it was his turn to make his remarks, Mimiko also joked about Oshiomhole’s short height.

    He said: “When Adams talked about his height, yourba proverb said that if you are bald, God compensates you with beard. I can see Rotimi nodding in approval. Oshiomhole is vertically challenged but over compensated with a mouth. You can’t have it all.

    “Can you imagine a vertically endowed Oshiomhole with his kind of mouth? The whole of Nigeria will not rest.” he added jokingly

    Replying Oshiomhole on the Paris Club refund, Mimiko said jokingly: “Talking of Paris Club refund, I have not been paid and I now know where my problem is coming from, by some incredible arrangements of man’s oppression against man, I won’t talk more but I think I will look beyond the surface and research about the role Adams played.

    Osinbajo went further with the jokes on their heights when it was his turn to speak at the occasion.

    He said: “Mimiko is a brethren. We even attend the same church. Oshiomhole is also one of my brethren as he belongs to the elite club that has been eloquently described by el-Rufai. The club as he said, is one that comprises Ngige, el-Rufai, Oshiomhole, and my humble self.

    “It is an elite club but people tend to take the matter to a great extreme. A certain gentleman by name Babachir Lawal, he is the SGF. He told the President one afternoon that all of us that I have mentioned have reduced the average height of the leadership of the APC.

    “Looking at both Mimiko and Oshiomhole standing next to each other, it struck me that this is the long and short of the matter.” he said jokingly with the guests bursting out laughing.

    Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of giant portraits to Oshiomhole and Mimiko.

    Oshiomhole’s portrait has the aerial view of Oruku Rock in Ososo, Akoko-edo in Edo State.

    The portrait presented to Mimiko has the aerial view of Idunrin Hill in Idunrin village in Ondo State.

    They also posed for snapshots with the Acting President and the serving and ex-governors that graced the occasion.

  • A look at Governor Yari’s rice revolution

    A look at Governor Yari’s rice revolution

    SINCE the creation of Nigeria as a geographical entity on October 1, 1960, no federal government, be it civilian or military, ever prioritised the production of local rice like the Muhammadu Buhari administration of today.

    Not even during the General Olusegun Obasanjo’s stridently advertised ‘Operation Feed the Nation’ programme launched in the middle of the 1970s could boast of the kind of passionate official commitment to the need for the total ban on the importation of rice into the country. No thanks to the current crushing and debilitating effect of the economic recession in the country that is rubbishing and sentencing most Nigerians into the trap of  hunger, tension and fear.

    No thanks also, to the 16 years of unbridled corruption, gigantic waste and planlessness show caused by the adherents of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who in their height of political lunacy boasted that they will rule Nigeria for 60 years. Today, without mincing words the country is experiencing a terrible and merciless economic downturn, a sad situation where the prices of food stuff and other commodities are hitting the roof of hyperinflation on a daily basis.

    In the midst of these absolutely trying times, it is  heartwarming that the Buhari administration is assiduously leaving no stone unturned, to once and for all ban the importation of rice into the country in a few years from now, by policy statements and practical monitoring geared toward self-sufficiency in the local production of rice.

    The heavy reliance on rice by most Nigerians, as one of the most popular staple food in the country, gingered yours sincerely to score ‘Rice` as `Man of The Year 2016’ in the New Year analysis, in my regularly syndicated article on the Nigeria State.

    And without any shadow of sentiments or political coloration, no sitting state Governor in Nigeria today, has embraced the clarion call by the Buhari presidency for massive investment and self-sufficiency in rice production more passionately than Governor Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari of Zamfara State.

    This is so because Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, who gladly inherited former Governor Ahmed Sani’s previous Zamfara Comprehensive Agricultural Revolution Program (ZACAREP), has turned Zamfara State into a true ‘Jewel in the Northern’ in terms of unprecedented massive production of rice and other grains. Towards the end of last year (2016), Vice-President Yemi Osibanjo visited Zamfara and went round the state with Governor Abdulaziz Yari and he was pleased to discover that the prices of rice and other grains fell reasonably down from the unbearable scale they were before, shortly when hyper inflationary trend possessed the prices of various commodities in the country.

    As Chairman Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Alhaji Yari on October 15th 2015, made it clear after a crucial meeting with Governor of Central Bank (Godwin Emefiele), permanent secretaries of federal ministries and Professor Osinbanjo at the Presidential Villa that: “We are hoping that in the next two years, rice importation into Nigeria will be banned. We are committed and the political will is in place”.

    Stressing further Governor Abdulazxiz Yari emphasised that: “We have the population. We have the human resources. We will not need to bring rice from outside Nigeria. We are going to ban it”.

    There is no doubt that the way Zamfara State is going with its revolutionary policies in rice production, and as it is duly being complimented positively in states such as Sokoto, Jigawa, Kano, Yobe, Kebbi, Anambra etc, the intended ban of rice importation will be realised.

    If by 2018, a total ban on rice importation is achieved in Nigeria, it will save the country a lot of unnecessary hassles about obtaining foreign exchange, and by implication the price of rice will fall to the benefit of all. Already some sitting governors have banned the cooking and eating of foreign rice in their official functions!

    Governor Yari’s 2016 Appropriation Budget which he presented on February 10th, 2016 to the State House of Assembly in the capital city of Gusau, appreciated the harsh economic situation in the country, and by implication decided to yank the state free from absolute dependence on federal allocation from Abuja.

    Therefore, the 2016 Budget was targeted at effectively reintroduce the Zamfara Comprehensive Agricultural Revolution Programme (ZACAREP). This scheme guarantees loans of bags and fertilizer.

    ZACAREP community is predominantly farmers, where they are taught how to handle improvements in rice production. That way Governor Yari is ensuring sufficiency in rice production and boosting food security in Zamfara State and in the federation as a whole.

    Indeed, the Yari‘s revolutionary blue print is the facilitation and utilisation of Zamfara economic growth, poverty alleviation and job creation.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Borrowers Anchor Programme that targets dry season local rice production is enabling local large-scale millers to have access to locally produced rice paddy.

    This wonderful window of opportunity has led to training of 5,000 farmers on rice and cotton value chain.

    The Bakolori‘s Scheme in Zamfara has an irrigation site; and irrigable lands, basic infrastructural facilities intact, and equally teaches farmers modern techniques of farming. The Borrowers Anchor program ensures that every single farmer must have  a bank account; with provision of necessary inputs seeds and fertilizer etc.

    The current paradigm shift in tapping the natural potentials in Nigeria’s agriculture will no doubt eradicate capital flight due to outflows of foreign exchange and in no distant time, transform Nigerian nation and its farmers into desirable producers and exporters of rice and other grains.

    With about N11 billion being spent annually on food importation, and about N365 billion ($ 2.4 billion) accounting for rice importation alone (i.e one fifth of yearly food importation), eventual ban of imported rice will greatly add to the food security and overall economic stability/sustainability of Nigeria.

    The place of Governor Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari in history and the whole process of the nation’s rice development revolution is absolutely secured; most significantly with the yielding steady contribution from Zamfara’s ZACAREP.

    Truly, as a state that came into being via the military fiat of General Sani Abacha in October 1996, and going with the slogan; “farming is our pride”, Zamfara has not fared badly, most especially now that Governor Yari is on the driver seat of administrative/democratic commitment to development.

  • Farmers trained in Niger

    How do we ensure food security in the country? That has been the question farmers have been grappling with lately. Well, the answer is obvious: produce more food. But in Niger State, growers are more interested in how. That was why they turned up at a workshop organised by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) where they were educated on integrated soil fertility management and how to manage and conserve soil to improve crop yield.

    The Head of Land Water Resources Management Programme, Dr. Oluwafumilayo Ande recommended integrated soil fertility management as a panacea towards ensuring food security in the country.

    She said that much is being said about the soil which is one of the main components that ensures sustainable soil production adding that there is the need to classify, characterize and map the Nigerian soils for adequate agricultural production and land use planning.

    “A lot is being said about crops but nothing is being said about the soil. Nigeria soil is degrading and that is the reason why we have not achieved foo security in the nation. For us to be declared food secured, we must manage our soil effectively. Lack of adequate information on land resources has led to land degradation, poor yield and loss of prime land.”

    And he suggested that the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizer, improved seed varieties, improved fallow and residue management will help farmers get increased yields of farm produce.

    She pointed out that the reason for the training was to build the capacity of the farmers in soil and water management for sustainable crop production.

    Speaking further, he said the Institute has been able to classify the soil in Katcha into seven series of soils and the farmers will be educated on the characteristics of each soil types and how to effectively manage it.

    The state Coordinator of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr. Matthew Ahmed said that soil and water management is key to growth in the agricultural sector, adding that most farmers are not educated on this which is the reason why they end up having low yield at the end of the harvest season.

  • A different Quranic contest in Kwara

    A different Quranic contest in Kwara

    There are reasons why the 31st national Quranic recitation and memorisation competition held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, stood out. But the huge crowd was not one of those reasons. Nor was the mere fact that celebrities attended.

    The distinction lay in the growing appeal of the contest: 33 states participated, a record. Then if the celebrities were classed, those who attended were at the very top. President Muhammadu Buhari was billed to grace the occasion, but had to attend to his health. The Sultan of Sokoto Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III was there; so were Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, among others.

    Then came the best part: the dignitaries made a passionate plea for peace and religious tolerance.

    At a time when the rumour mill is churning out unfounded tales of religious expansionism and domination, the celebrities’ plea helped to calm nerves.

    The dignitaries also used the occasion to appeal to Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Sultan Abubakar urged “millions of Muslims in this country and beyond to live in peace with one another. As Muslims we do not want to dominate any religion or tribe whatsoever.

    “As Muslims we only want to be allowed to practice our religion to the best of our ability as enshrined in the Holy Quran. We do not want any special attention or treatment from anybody.

    “All what we want is a level playing ground for all of us as Nigerians to practice our religion.

    “Therefore, those who keep on using social media and pages of newspapers to write articles that seem to divide us instead of uniting us should have and must have a rethink. Please be patriotic enough to write things that will unite this country rather than divide us.

    “So we call on all of us to always preach peace, stability and love whatever religion we have in our minds. I want our political leaders to work on things that will unite us. Let’s us work together on common problems such as poverty, unemployment, extremism and so on and so forth. There are so many of the challenges that are threats to peaceful co-existence but not religion. We must use religion to bind all of us together. Let’s us face our common problems.

    “I urge Nigerians to offer prayers to President Muhammadu Buhari, our governors and leaders for God to shine His light upon them for them to live aright. We should offer special prayers for the president for him to come back safely and continue to pilot the affairs of this country to greater height.

    “For the first time we have 33 states including FCT participating in the Quranic memorisation competition. It goes to show the peace and stability of the state and I call on all Kwarans to support the current government to continue to ensure peace; so that each and every one of us will live freely and perform all our religious obligations. No matter the religion we choose to profess.

    “One thing I always bring up in this type of gathering is the unity of Muslim ummahs. Today’s gathering like other years brought together Muslims from diverse background and from all sects of our religious belief. I urge us to always hold on to Muslim’s unity in spite of the small differences that we hold into our heart. But all of us are here for one thing. That is the Holy Quran and if you walk with the Quran all problems will be solved as Muslims and as a country Nigeria.

    “I urge all our political leaders irrespective of their religious inclinations to hold on to their religious beliefs; to administer the people God put on their shoulders as best as they can. With that I believe there will be no problem.”

    Saraki was optimistic that Nigerians would continue to cohabit peacefully.

    He said, “It is my hope and prayers that as a country, we will continue to live in peace. We can always do that through teachings of the holy book. I use this opportunity to implore us all to continue to pray for this great country of ours. We don’t have any other country order than this. I also call on us to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari for good health, speed recovery and to come back home to join us soon. I urge us to pray for the unity of this country; to pray for understanding.”

    The Senate President also assured that the National Assembly would not legislate any law that would discriminate aganist religious practices in the country.

    “Let me seize this opportunity of my representing the Senate and the National Assembly to reassure you that we will not be part of any institution that will pass any law that is against the teaching of the Holy Quran,” he said. “I want to assure you that we that are representing you will not do anything that would hurt you.”

    Governor Ahmed described the use of religion to perpetuate violence as unfortunate. He based his assertion on the emphasis placed on peace and justice by both Christianity and Islam.

    Governor Ahmed said that it is the responsibility of all Nigerians to resist, through peaceful means, those who are bent on misrepresenting religion and fomenting conflict in its name.

    The governor, who is married to a Christain, Omolewa, said that his government was focused on sustaining peaceful coexistence, adding that he would continue to ensure peace and harmonious relationship based on principles of justice, fairness and equity.

    The governor said he remained committed to equitable distribution of infrastructure, socio-economic programmes, adding that no community in the state would be excluded from the benefits of prosperity on account of their religious or political inclinations.

     

  • Corps members: New advocates for SDGs

    Corps members: New advocates for SDGs

    Spotting where the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) flopped, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are training Corps members to play advocacy roles for the SDGs. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports

    One major flaw of the Millennium Development Goals or MDGs is the fact that local residents often failed to step up and take ownership of the projects sited in their areas. Now, the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are partnering to solve that problem.

    How? By training NYSC members to go into communities across the country and get locals to understand what projects have come into their domains, and why they have to make those projects their own. That way, the projects will last and serve the purpose they were meant for.

    The Corps members comprising male and female are 400 and have undergone several training and were excited to be part of the refurbishing process

    At the flag-off ceremony of the National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC/ Sustainable Development Goals champions in Keffi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire vowed to revamp all old projects undertaken under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) programmes then the need to involve the 400 corps members.

    The corps members were selected from the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on advocacy strategies.

    Inaugurating the group, Orelope-Adefulire said, “It is logical for SDGs office and the NYSC to evolve a partnership of using Corps members to drive the SDGs advocacy since the SDGs seek to complete the unfinished business of the MDGs.”

    She called on the group to sensitise their communities where they are posted to serve on the importance of seeing the SDG projects as their own, liaise with them to know their challenges and report back to her office to address their challenges.

    She said, “It is as a way of preventing some of the drawbacks found with the implementation of the MDGs in Nigeria that setting up this group of corps members became necessary. One major drawback of the MDGs implementation was the inability of communities where projects were sited to take ownership of the projects.

    “One of the aims of the NYSC/SDGs Champions will therefore be to develop in the Nigerian citizenry a commitment to development through awareness creation in the implementation of the SDGs and to galvanise Nigerians for active participation in the achievement of the SDGs.

    “As you may be aware, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are currently at the Centrepiece of the current global development agenda which envisages a world free from poverty and deprivation where the fundamental conditions for human survival and prosperity are safeguarded.  This vision, which was endorsed by 189 nations in New York in September, 2015 is expected to guide nations, international organisations, the private sector, civil society and governments in all countries and at all levels in the shared pursuit of a healthier world and a better tomorrow.

    “The 17 goals and 169 targets of the SDGs is a response to the numerous challenges that confront the world today.  While we assert that Nigeria recorded appreciable progress in the implementation of the MDGs, particularly in the area of Universal Primary enrolment, gender parity as well as the prevalence of hunger, critical challenges remain, which have been rolled over to the SDGs.  The 17 goals are integrated and indivisible and balance economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, indeed these goals, targets and indicators will stimulate action over the next 15 years in areas of critical importance to us as a nation.

    “The Office is in partnership with the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to mainstream and integrate the SDGs into the medium and long-term National Development plans for effective planning, adequate budgeting and overall successful implementation across the nation. We are equally working with the National Bureau of Statistics and the United Nations Development Programme in the conduct of a mapping of existing SDGs related data and establishing baseline data which will be useful in benchmarking SDGs progress.

    “It is as a way of preventing some of the drawbacks found with the implementation of the MDGs in Nigeria that setting up this group of Corps members became necessary. One major drawback of the MDGs implementation was the inability of communities where projects were sited to take ownership of projects.

    “The implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria is envisaged to be community based. This will enhance strict development programme and create zeal for the communities to protect and sustained the programmes,” she said.

    Mrs. Orelope-Adefulire urged “the corps members to see this assignment as a clarion call to contribute your own quota to the development of this great nation.”

    The Director General of the NYSC, Brig-General Suleiman Kazaure said the presence of the scheme in the 774 local government areas of the country put it in a better position to domesticate any government agenda or programme at the grass root level.

    “Your selection as SDGs champions is another clarion call for duty. You are to promote good and moral values in your community by working together with them to solve some challenges,” he advised the corps members.

     

  • Army worms wreck Niger farmers

    Army worms wreck Niger farmers

    Niger State farmers’ worst fears have caught up with them. The dreaded army worms have invaded their farms and chewed up their crops. Now the farmers fear not only for themselves but also for the entire country which is in dire need of food security.

    The United Nations has alerted countries including Nigeria about the invasion of army worms which are destroying crops worldwide.

    In Nigeria, 24 states are battling with the insect, Niger being one of them. Four of its local government areas have been ravaged by the invaders.

    The Niger State Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Kabiru Abbas Musa disclosed that farmers in four local government areas of Niger state have lost crops worth millions of naira to the invasion of army worms. He said the worms have eaten up large amounts of crops in the four councils.

    The Commissioner said that the state government has taken steps towards preventing the spread of the army worms to other local government areas.

    Musa confirmed the invasion of army worms during the flag-off of fertilizer distribution for 2017 dry season farming by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at Tungan Kawo in Wushishi local government of Niger state.

    He said that the local government areas affected includes Wushishi, Masegu, Mariga and Magama adding that necessary measures which includes distributing insecticides is being taken to ensure that the invasion do not affect the wet season farming.

    “The army worms have ravaged farms in four local government areas. We are taking steps towards curtailing it. We have to make sure it does not spread,” he said.

  • ‘Track all cattle coming into Nigeria’

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello has challenged the National Implementation Committee for the Curtailment of Cattle Rustling in Nigeria to evolve a robust mechanism to track all the cattle coming in from neighbouring countries.

    Bello gave the challenge while receiving members of the Committee led by its chairman, AIG Charles Ugomuoh who were in the FCT Administration on an advocacy visit.

    The Minister said that all such cattle could be tracked from the border thereby reducing friction often being generated by their activities in the hinterland, which can also be used for statistical purposes.

    He said, It would be a good idea for your Committee to set up a robust mechanism to track all those coming across the border even for statistical purposes.”

    Bello reiterated that majority of cattle rustling activities are being perpetuated by those coming from the neighboring countries hence the need for their actions to be nipped in the bud.

    In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the minister urged the Implementation Committee to take advantage of technology to track them and ensure that the herders pay for such services.

    “The Implementation Committee needs to capture them by creating a data base with their names and identity because nobody can move in other countries without identity,” the Minister emphasised.

    According to him, “the policy if well harnessed will go a long way to help reduce problems associated with cattle rustling in the country and make people to continue to live in peace and prosperity.

    He called on the Committee to work in concert with existing committees in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory for greater understanding and better results.

    The Chairman of the National Implementation Committee on the Curtailment of Cattle Rustling in Nigeria, AIG Charles Ugomuoh, said that they were in FCT for advocacy visit as an enlightenment programme to curtail their menace.

    Ugomuoh stated that cattle rustling in Nigeria have come with adverse economic and security implications with negative consequences on the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    It may be recalled that the Minister recently set up similar committee consisting of 22 members on cattle grazing and rustling in the Federal Capital Territory.

  • Hike in diesel price takes a hit at El-Rufai buses

    Love him or loathe him, Malam Nasir el-Rufai brought some relief to FCT residents before he left office as minister of the territory. El-Rufai, now governor of Kaduna State, introduced what is fondly called the El-Rufai buses. They are cheap, neat and air-conditioned.

    People who could not cope with costly petrol preferred them to their personal vehicles. But there is a problem: the buses are fast disappearing. Why? Diesel used in running them is also becoming too costly.

    The buses were commissioned in 2005 to provide subsidised services to residents of the FCT. Managed by a Transport company called Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO) and the buses are co-owned by some private investors.

    Interestingly, the high capacity buses owned by government are clearly marked while those of the private investors are not so marked, except a few of them belonging to Trade Unions and a few other agencies.

    These buses are usually stationed in different parts of the FCT to ferry passengers to their destination from such places like Gwagwalada, Zuba, Kubwa, Berger, Nyanya, Madalla among others.

    People who live as far as Suleja, Niger State or Nyanya in Nasarawa State but work in the FCT prefer commuting with these buses because of the belief that buses are cheaper and more comfortable.

    Some residents who use these buses told Abuja Review that they choose them because they are highly subsidised and cost them between N50 and N100 to get to their destination depending on the distance while the cabs would take them for at least N200 or N250.

    Asiwaju Williams, a resident of Madalla who patronized the buses told Abuja Review that he prefers using the buses every morning.

    He said, “I come all the way from Madalla in Niger State to Wuse every morning using the ‘El-Rufai’ bus. I prefer these buses because they are usually air-conditioned.

    “There are strict regulations about hawking goods and services, preaching and overcrowding compared to the private owned buses. Their drivers are well-dressed and they operate in a co-ordinated manner.”

    On the other hand, Awodele Oladele, a National Youth Service Corps member resident in Abaji on the border between the FCT and Kogi State, said the buses are usually a big relief considering the high cost of living in the FCT.

    However, the buses have begun to gradually disappear from the road and residents are not finding it funny. Sometimes, the buses are parked at the bus stop without the drivers, while the people wait endlessly.

    A car dealer who identified himself as Okon Chukwuemeka is at a loss as to why several of the buses are parked, leaving the people stranded. Investigation however revealed that this may not be unconnected with the increase in the cost of running them.

    The Head of Marketing and Communications of AUMTCO, Mr. Tunde Akintola attributed this to the increase in the price of diesel and the unchanged bus fare despite the hike.

    “The rise in price of diesel has been an issue of serious concern to the organisation. When we were buying diesel for N 125, we were charging N50 and N100 for the bus fare and now that it is N270 we are still charging at the same price and practically, we are running at a loss,” he said.

    Akintola added that the only option the company had to keep their services running is to cut down on the buses used to convey passengers. He however suggested that the bus fare should be increased in a manner that would be fair to the people and the company.

    Some residents who spoke with the reporter believe that the FCT administration can address the situation by introducing some low profile vehicles to ply some of the routes that the buses cannot ply.

    Damilola Comfort advised that they could delegate low capacity buses within the federal capital such that they could take over the routes ‘Keke-Napep and Okada’ are found and also maintain the buses used for far distance commutation of residents.

    In so doing, it would generate more profit for the organization and provide better safety for Abuja inhabitants by reducing road deaths when ‘Keke-Napep and Okada’ are off the road.

    Also, Ibrahim Wahab said, “The Transport Company should look for a way to have negotiation or make arrangements with oil companies to reduce the price of diesel even as the company re- employs the parked buses found at their location.”