The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Many headaches of residents of Abuja IDPs’ camps

    FOR Liyatu Ayuba, going back to Gwoza in Borno State is an ultimate ambition. Rather than stay back in an internally displaced persons’ camp, relying on the goodwill of others, she looks forward to the day she will be reunited with her people.

    Her husband, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), was one of the victims of the Boko Haram insurgents. Today, along with many others, she lives at the mercy of people. But that is not the only headache Liyatu has. She has been saddled with the responsibility of coordinating the affairs of many other IDPs from Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states residing at the Durumi IDP camp on the outskirts of Abuja metropolis.

    She told members of the Youth Arise To Create Harmony Initiative International, who were at the camp to make some presentation, that the over 2200 residents of the camp were battling with various problems ranging from lack of health care to education for the children and antenatal care for pregnant women. She narrated his they lost a woman with a seven months pregnancy because they could not pay the high fees demanded by the hospital.

    She is also concerned about the education of their children. Even though three different organisations have donated blocks of classrooms to them for use as primary school, they have no access to secondary education. The FCT province of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Coalition of Nigeria Muslim Women and the Nigeria Army Officers Wives Association have all donated makeshift black of classrooms to them at the camp. NAOWA also donated a medical centre to them, but according to her, the drugs earlier donated by them are exhausted.

    At the Durumi camp, the children could be seen trying to make the best use of the situation they found themselves. Little Maimuna, who said she hope to be a medical doctor, was engrossed in trying to paint a little drawing she had made, while other children were bush attending to one form of study or the other in the crowded classroom with the aid of two teachers.

    The chairman of the camp, Ibrahim Ahmadu, said they were looking forward to more people assisting them in the education of their children. Ahmadu was full of praises for organisations that had come to their aid, pointing out that through the assistance of such organisations, many of their women have been able to acquire some level of skills, but lack the required capital to start a business of their own.

    But the situation with the IDPs at the New Kuchingworo camp is slightly better. Their leader, Philimon Emmanuel, told the group that their only problem has to do with food and drugs. He said about 300 of their children were recently awarded scholarship and are expected to resume school in January. Another set, he said, are in school in Keffi, Nasarawa State. He said the some volunteer nurses came to assist them at the camp in the clinic donated by the German embassy in Nigeria.

    The president of the group, Mrs. Khariat Ajiboye, said they were at the two camps to see how they could be of help in ensuring that they had a good life. While lamenting the neglect and state of affairs at the two camps especially the Durumi camp, she said the group would analyse information obtained from the two camps and collaborate with other organisations in assisting the internally displaced persons. She said although they already knew the problem confronting them, they would focus on the immediate needs of the IDPs and also drawthe attention of other agencies to the plight of the IDPs.

  • ‘8.5 million people need help in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe’

    ‘8.5 million people need help in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe’

    A medical doctor, Dr Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija, is a humanitarian whose life has largely been dedicated to transforming lives and bringing social justice to those suffering in Haiti, Rwanda and other nations in crisis. Now, she is home to assist her fellow Nigerians in the Northeast. Her work with the Inter Ministerial Task Force of Nigeria chaired by Minister of State, Budget and National Planning Mrs  Zainab Ahmed includes acting as interlocutor with international partners including donors, UN/INGOs and puts her in position to assess and evaluate  firsthand the humanitarian crisis. She discusses a befitting response plan for the region and how they took to feeding of over a million people last month alone.

    What have been the main benefits of establishing the 24/7 Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) which you lead?

    There was an identified gap in information sharing, coordination, both between and within sectors, necessary to facilitate an immediate scale up of the humanitarian response to save lives. The ECC is a living breathing space, some describe it as a ‘war room’ with data, maps and information all over walls and windows, constantly changing almost daily as the situation evolves. We have maps from live google images telling us about the displacement of peoples, on a week to week basis. There is a live video link up with offices in the field, especially in Maiduguri. It has enabled trouble shooting at 1am in the morning, when aid convoys have been under fire from insurgents and other emergency situations, it means that we get very little sleep but it truly has been the critical enabler of our Nigerian response.

    It was early in October, within a 72-hour time frame that we established and operationalized a 24-hour Emergency Coordination Center which is supported by USAID/OFDA. This information-sharing and collaborative space was essential as it has allowed over 2000 humanitarian stakeholders to meet and work towards concerted and rapid solutions to the crises in the northeast.

    The ECC team facilitated the Humanitarian Needs Overview/Humanitarian Response Plan for Nigeria within this unit. This HRP was recently launched at the UN headquarters in Geneva. The HNO/HRP process has set the foundation for both Nigerian and humanitarian actors with regards to scaling up of life saving activities. On the global scene, it is currently being described as international best practice, we have somehow managed to find the opportunity for Nigeria to excel within a crisis.

     What would you say is the main focus of the planned humanitarian interventions for 2017?

    The three states that have been determined to be in greatest need are what are referred to as the BAY states (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe). This determination has been done on basis of statistics and evidence based needs assessments. Whilst the other three states of the Northeast are affected, the need is not as urgent and as critical as the BAY states. Therefore, the main focus in the immediate term is on those who need urgent intervention. We have facilitated a process whereby the international humanitarian actors have already activated implementation in these states. For instance, 8.5 million people have been calculated to be in need of immediate food assistance in those states, and the international community have committed to meet 100% of that need in 2017. Health needs are to be about 55% met by international partners with the remaining portion to be addressed through the mobilisation of domestic resources, both within specific MDA budgetary allocations and State level interventions.

    The other states will of course continue to receive the necessary attention and interventions that they require and the nexus between humanitarian action and development activity becomes particularly critical within these communities. We must do both together in coordination and cohesion. It is not either/or, it is both.

    What has been the response from Nigerians so far in assisting with the crisis?

    That is an interesting question, there have been shining examples of patriotism and private partnership from a few, an example being Sahara Energy, who provided aviation fuel within 72 hours to Maiduguri in an emergency to enable us resume humanitarian flights which had hitherto been grounded due to scarcity, but overall we need greater involvement of Nigerians from all sectors. The Humanitarian crisis is a collective responsibility for us all, there is no Northeast or Southwest, or Southsouth divide when it comes to a national crisis. There are just Nigerians and one Nigeria, and all of us as Nigerians are morally obligated to do what we can to help. Just as when our military are posted to fight in Sambisa Forest, nobody checks their ethnicity, or their creed. So also, it is for humanitarians who are putting their lives on the line, and making huge sacrifices to restore life and dignity to millions.

    When I worked in Haiti during their humanitarian crisis, nobody ever asked me where I was from, or why I was helping. They just assumed that it was a shared humanity that had brought me to help my fellow man. This common humanity is what has been displayed by communities across the Northeast, as they have welcomed strangers into their homes, and it is this humanity that the rest of us as a nation need to learn and embrace. Charity begins at home, and we cannot ask the global humanitarian community to help if we are not willing ourselves to step out of our comfort zones and assist fellow Nigerians.

     Early in December, you were in Bama, Gwoza, and Maiduguri alongside global humanitarian directors from the United Nations, what was your mission in the northeast, and what has changed since their visit to Nigeria?

    I visited Gwoza and Bama to see first-hand conditions and participate in distribution of specialized foods for malnourished children. My previous experience deep field in Borno was to Dikwa as the humanitarian crises was emerging. That was an extremely depressing visit, as the scale of the problem seemed nearly insurmountable in May 2016, approximately 75, 000 people in one camp (more of an open field) recently liberated from Boko Haram with very little shelter, limited access to food or water within challenging security conditions, it was heartbreaking but also motivated one to greater action.

    Therefore, this recent trip to Gwoza and Bama for myself and the team demonstrated hope and showed how quickly things can be turned around given high level political will and commitment as has been shown within that state, at federal level, and by international humanitarian actors. The scale of reconstruction efforts alone is astounding, the Emir’s palace has been restored to its former glory or better. Governor Shettima and his team have done an incredible job on the ground.

    On the International side, significant scale up in humanitarian aid delivery has been achieved since the ED mission. As directors returned to Rome, New York, and Geneva, to mobilise greater support, and as requested by the Nigerian government, to send us their A-teams. The proof of the pudding it is said is in the eating and we are literally and metaphorically seeing the manifestation of this effort. The 1.01 million people fed in December alone can be attributed to the fruit of this mission.

    What is the current humanitarian situation in the Northeast, Borno State in particular, given the fact it is the epicenter crisis?

    The current humanitarian situation in Nigeria is complex, and in sheer numbers is comparable to those in need in Syria, but we have received far less global attention and even less funding support. The recent coordination mechanisms put in place have ensured now that the voices of our children and our people are being heard on an international stage, because social justice for one is social justice for all.

    We recently saw the arrival of 3 A330 cargo planes direct into Maiduguri airport, carrying over a 100 metric tons of humanitarian relief, containing humanitarian hubs from Sweden, which will be stationed in strategic places in the Northeast to facilitate more efficient delivery of relief materials to millions of affected individuals.

    We have data that supports the fact that in the 6 Northeast states, there are currently 14 million people in need of assistance due to this crisis. Of those, over 70% are women and children. Of that number, approximately 2.5 million are IDP’s. So you will see that this is not just an IDP crisis, but a wider humanitarian crisis.

     With specific examples, how would you enumerate the humanitarian response from the Federal Government and International partners in 2016, bearing in mind, your coordinating role?

    In the last three months since the establishment of the ECC we have seen significant progress, an over fivefold increase in numbers of people reached, with food and medical interventions. A rapid response mechanism (RRM) has been set up, with multi agency partnerships taking food, medicines and planned agricultural interventions to communities at the same time. There is innovation, but most of all there is great compassion and a speedy response has been deployed.

    We have been able to bring in 3 cargo planes of humanitarian relief directly into Maiduguri for immediate deployment into the field. Food distribution has gone up from 165,000 when we began this project in September, to 1.01 million in December, with a projected 1.8 million for the month of January. It has been noted internationally that there has never been a scale up of this magnitude achieved within such a short time frame.

    Yes, we were all slow in coming to the table, but now that we’re here, we are confident that this humanitarian crisis can be arrested, and prevented from becoming a chronic humanitarian crisis. We have developed a humanitarian response plan for Nigeria, both for the international community and a mirror image plan has been created for Nigeria.

    Give us a quick round up of the humanitarian crisis in 2016 ensuing from Boko Haram in the last few years, what do you think are the challenges experienced and the lessons learnt?

    There is no such thing as a quick round up of the humanitarian crisis, there is no way to describe the suffering entire communities and states have had to endure. The crisis first became apparent as the Nigerian army made significant inroads into previous held Boko Haram territory and with the liberation of 16 LGAs, revealing hundreds of thousands of people who had previously been inaccessible to both the Nigerian government and international humanitarian actors. Initially this was seen as an IDP crisis, but we do not have an IDP crisis we have a humanitarian crisis that spans all aspects of life. Of 14 million people calculated to need humanitarian aid, only about 2.5 million are IDPs.

    What is your take on the allegations that humanitarian partners and UN agencies, have either been misapplying resources meant for humanitarian response and are more interested in their welfare in terms of buying Armoured Vehicles (AVs) and renting houses at exorbitant costs in Maiduguri?

    Those allegations stem from a place of misunderstanding and miscommunication. With regards to the issue of exorbitant rents, it really is simple economics and down to supply and demand. If there is anyone who is benefitting from that it would be we as Nigerians, who are charging said exorbitant rents on a limited supply of housing. Therefore, you could say the economy is being boosted.

    It is important to understand that ultimately Nigeria benefits, as resources brought in on humanitarian’s missions are not permitted to be removed from the country. In the short term, there are certain international safety rules and regulations that agencies must comply with in order to deliver aid and provide assistance when needed.

    Without complying with these basic international standards, they will be unable to operate in Nigeria. In addition, we do not want a situation, where aid workers are being attacked or killed within our territory so it is in all our interests that they are protected, by whatever means necessary. The current reality is that from the 1st to the 30th of December, approximately 1.01 million people have been provided with food rations in Borno and Yobe states. It is the ability to travel in helicopters and AV’s and to be based in properties no matter how expensive within Maiduguri that has enabled this scale up. I guess you would call it the cost of doing business.

     You monitor humanitarian interventions in the Northeast; what is your reaction to allegations of gross diversion of foods meant for IDPs by officials at the federal and state levels?

    I’m not really qualified to speak to allegations of diversions of food, but it is important to note that that is what they are, allegations. What I do know is that there has been a concerted effort by the Borno State governor to ensure that his people are fed, and that gaps in food pipeline are identified and closed. I personally joined him and his SEMA team in distributing food to those in some of the most remote and difficult to reach areas of the state. Part of my current role is ensuring a coordinated response between Federal and State levels, working from a 37,000-foot perspective, and looking holistically at issues of bottlenecks and process delays, which are  some of the things that have resulted in perceived diversions.

     

  • Is Boko Haram really defeated?

    For many years and months right from the tenure of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, it appeared as if this day will never come.

    A day that the main operating base of the insurgents, Boko Haram, which is the Sambisa Forest in the North East of the country would be run over and overtaken by the Nigerian military.

    The sect looked insurmountable for many years as they carried out their onslaught against innocent Nigerians in the area.

    Sometimes in the past, the sect even ventured out of the North Eastern part of the country and took their evil acts to North Western states, Abuja and the North Central states.

    Apart from sending millions to their early graves, many were maimed while billions of naira worth of properties were also destroyed.

    They held sway in the region and other parts of the country with their guerrilla style of warfare that many Nigerians feared that terrorism might eventually consume the country.

    The war at some point became very difficult  to win by the Nigerian military, which was known for its prowess at several international military operations.

    Before Boko Haram insurgency, the Nigerian military had performed well in foreign operations by helping to quell crises in many countries.

    But the inability of the Nigerian security agencies to win the war against Boko Haram for a long time was attributed to fifth columnists and sabotage in the system.

    Over $15 billion meant for sophisticated weapons and gadgets needed in the fight against the insurgents were said to have been diverted under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    On assumption in office in May, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari wasted no time in seeking international support against Boko Haram.

    Not only did he meet with the G7 in Germany, but he got Nigeria’s neighbouring countries deeply involved in the war against Boko Haram.

    Some Nigerians were however disappointed last year when the administration could not completely end the insurgency by December 2015 after three months deadline were issued to the military.

    By 31st December, 2015, Boko Haram, that was described as technically defeated and decimated, still managed to carry out some soft target attacks in the country in the year 2016.

    A year after, by 22nd December, 2016, the military declared Boko Haram defeated.

    It also sought the assistance of the public towards arresting some terrorists who are on the run from the Sambisa Forest and trying to mingle with the populace in other parts of the country.

    So not a few Nigerians received with joy the good news that the war is over and the Sambisa Forest will henceforth be used as training ground for the Nigerian military.

    Buhari, in a goodwill message to the troops on the 24th of December, 2016, had said: “I am delighted at, and most proud of the gallant troops of the Nigerian Army, on receipt of the long-awaited and most gratifying news of the final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa Forest.

    “I want to use this opportunity to commend the determination, courage and resilience of troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at finally entering and crushing the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents at “Camp Zero”, which is located deep within the heart of Sambisa Forest.

    “I was told by the Chief of Army Staff that the Camp fell at about 1:35pm on Thursday, December 22, and that the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide. I urge you to maintain the tempo by pursuing them and bringing them to justice.” He added

    Besides international commendations for the new feat achieved, President Buhari and the military have been hailed by state governors and many other Nigerians.

    But in a twist of events, Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, on Thursday appeared in a new video and disputed the  claim that the sect had been dislodged from the Sambisa Forest.

    It is however the insurgents’ word against the military as such video could be recorded from anywhere outside the Sambisa Forest.

    The video may also mean that the sect has another operating base, especially as the remaining abducted Chibok girls were not found in the Sambisa Forest.

    The reported capturing of the Sambisa Forest and ending the war in the NorthEast is expected to boost investors’ confidence in the country and increase investments in-flow, which will go a long was to address the present economic recession in the country.

    To this end, security agencies and other Nigerians must continue to be on their guards to ensure that Boko Haram stays defeated.

    On no account should Boko Haram or any other terrorists group be allowed to carry out any attack in any part of Nigeria.

     

    Homage

    President Muhammadu Buhari last week Sunday received some members of the Christian community, who paid him Christmas homage at his official residence in the State House, Abuja.

    That was the second time he was receiving such homage under the current dispensation.

    But the Christmas homages appeared to be fast loosing its steam.

    Under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, such homage was always a funfare that many Nigerians always looked forward to.

    The Vice President then, Mohammed Sambo, who was a muslim, never failed to attend and assist Jonathan to receive visitors on such homage.

    The visitors then always lined up for handshakes and snapshots with Jonathan and then Sambo before departing the venue.

    Like under Jonathan, many Christians and Muslims also took part in the first Christmas homage paid to Buhari on the 25th of December, 2015.

    But that crowd appeared to be fast thinning out.

    Few persons turned up for the Chrismas homage last week Sunday.

    For some reasons also, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo could not attend the Christmas homage.

  • Brisk business for FCT restaurants, eateries

    Brisk business for FCT restaurants, eateries

    Many restaurants and eateries in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have recorded high patronage during the Christmas and New year celebrations.

    Workers of some of the eateries visited by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday said the current recession did not stop customers from patronising their services.

    Ada Obe, a staff of Chicken Republic, said that the eatery had been very busy due to the celebrations.

    “Today has been busy for us and we are happy to have started 2017 at this pace.

    “Before the Christmas period, things were a bit slow but things changed since the season started.

    “We became very busy due to the high patronage and we are happy about it,” she said.

    Grace Iozua, a staff of Ace Diner, said, “we anticipated a low turnout of customers during the season because of the economic challenges and the fact that people have traveled”.

    “But we are happy to see the number of people that trooped in on Christmas Eve and we have been busy every day, since then.

    “I guess it is clear that no matter how bad the economy gets, food will always be an important element of celebration among Nigerians,” Iozua said.

    Samuel Obi, a staff of Charcoal Grill, said that there were more customers who came in for the New Year celebration than expected.

    “We have had many customers come in today mainly in large groups like families or groups of friends who want to have good food as they celebrate another year.

    “I don’t think I can say the economy has affected our patronage much as we know that we Nigerians save money toward celebrating the end of year in style and comfort. However, we pray that things will get better this year.”

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has congratulated residents of the Federal Capital Territory as the world celebrates the New Year 2017.

    In a statement by the minister’s Chief Press Secretary, Hazat Sule on Sunday in Abuja, Bello prayed that the year 2017 would usher in continued peace and prosperity.

    He appreciated God “for sparing our lives to witness the New Year, in spite of the daunting challenges facing the nation.”

    The minister urged residents of the FCT, irrespective of religious belief, social affiliation or political inclination to continue to live in peace with one another.

    He assured that just as the FCTA embarked on completion of major on-going road projects in the city during the preceding year, the Administration would continue in

    the New Year and beyond.

    He expressed the commitment of the FCT Administration to continue to provide serene and clean environment in consonance with the Road Map of his Administration.

    The minister noted that “the Administration sees the New Year as a watershed in several respects because it is determined to provide the highest possible service to people in the territory.”

    He reiterated the administration’s commitment to ensure that the New Year

    witnessed remarkable progress in many areas of service delivery, having in mind that Abuja was the window through which the world sees Nigeria.

    He urged residents to be security conscious while the FCT Administration continued

    to work in concert with the security community to guarantee the safety of the lives and property across the Territory.

    The minister also urged residents to continue to be peace-loving, law abiding and to pray for the nation and its leader, President Muhammad Buhari for the country to surmount its challenges.

    The minister solicited the cooperation and understanding of residents of the Federal Capital Territory, to enable the Administration to build an all-inclusive capital city with services provided optimally.

  • Assessing the Green Revolution in Yobe deserts

    Assessing the Green Revolution in Yobe deserts

    Concern citizens in Yobe observe that many communities in the state have witnessed sand dunes and depreciating rainfall for decades; making agriculture unprofitable and less attractive.

    According to them, farmers have expressed worry about the encroaching desert which has compelled them to look for solutions to their challenges in farming.

    The citizens observe that with the ban on rice importation through land borders and the attendant consequences of food scarcity, governments and individuals must look inwards for local solutions to food insecurity.

    As a part of the measures considered for fighting food shortage, the Yobe government constituted a task force of professionals to explore and exploit irrigation potential across the state to boost food production and generate jobs.

    The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Mustapha Gajerima said the government had earmarked 1,500 hectares of land for cultivation of rice, wheat and vegetables in Nguru, Jumbam and Giedam in a special irrigation scheme.

    According to the commissioner, more than 4,000 youths will be engaged to cultivate rice, wheat and vegetables to complement rain-fed agriculture and guaranty food security.

    Analysts note that River Yobe from which the state derives its name is 765-kilometre long with vast arable land along the basins that provides great potential for irrigation farming.

    They observe that the state government has also seized the opportunity by increasing irrigation farming activities in the Gashua, Nguru and Giedam wetlands.

    They note further that communities close to the river cultivate the basins; construct water channels to their farms covering some distance away from the river and other water sources to engage in irrigation farming.

    Currently, farming activities have suddenly changed the desert sands into lush green farmlands with an assuring good harvest.

    The commissioner noted that there had been a massive migration of farmers from rain fed agriculture to irrigation.

    “In fact, with the huge manpower on ground, long stretch of the river and vast arable land, Yobe state can comfortably feed the country.

    “We are witnessing a new revolution in irrigation farming in Yobe with many people cultivating large farms just as the old farmers are expanding the farms because it is more profitable.

    “Vegetables are harvested three times before farmers go into rice, wheat and other crops cultivation by the end of the year, so you can see that it is more lucrative.

    “I have planted 11 hectares of pepper, onions and tomatoes on my farm, I am expecting to make three harvests before the end of the year after which I will plant wheat and upland rice variety,’’ he said.

    For Mr Aliyu Abubakar and several other irrigation farmers, the ban on importation of rice was the best decision taken by government to develop agriculture and build the local content.

    Abubakar, a farmer in Nguru, said: “we have the capacity and potential to cultivate rice needed in this country.’’

    But Musa Katuzu, a rice farmer in Gashua, said Nigerians preferred imported rice because of the quality of processing which was more refined.

    “Government should support us with processing machines and equipment in form of soft facilities to assist us in developing the local farm produce,’’ he said.

    Therefore, farmers in the Nguru, Gashua and Giedam wetlands appeal to the Federal Government to dredge River Yobe as the communities have indicated increased interest in irrigation.

    They note that if the government assists in that regard, there will be food sufficiency and security.

    They call on the appropriate authorities to find solutions to typha grass on River Yobe that has reduced water flow in the river for improved irrigation and fishing activities in the communities.

    Observers believe that the courage and resilience exhibited by Yobe communities in that regard needs support and encouragement from the government, development partners and non-governmental organisations.

    They note that the communities have prevented disasters such as desertification and the protracted food insecurity by their determination to engage in aggressive irrigation farming.

    Agriculturalists, therefore, insist that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has a great role to play to spur the communities into practising large scale irrigation farming to fight desert encroachment, ensure food security and diversify the economy.

    According to them, farmers in the state can sustain the tempo with some assistance and encouragement from government.

    They believe that this will contribute to speedy resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation of a society ravaged by natural factors and a protracted security challenge.

    • Mohammed is of the News Agency of Nigeria
  • Free tuition boosts Kuje prisoners’ university enrolment

    Free tuition boosts Kuje prisoners’ university enrolment

    The Director of Prisons Special Study Centre, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), CP Fashola, has praised the Nigerian Prison Service for maximising the free tuition granted the inmates by the NOUN and also for using sports as a tool for ensuring peace and continuous reformation of inmates.

    The director, who was represented by the Kuje Prison study co-ordinator, Mrs. Modupe Adesina, disclosed this during the finals of the NOUN football competition held at the prisons sports complex in Kuje.

    The competition was to mark the final examinations of the third academic session of the FCT inmates.

    After the keenly competed event, which saw the highly populated inmate clubside team Barcelona FC winning 2:0 against the staff-studded Controller of Prisons Team, the centre director advised the inmates to eschew violence in this yuletide season.

    He further advised the inmates to use the opportunity of the Christmas season as a period for sober reflection, a time to get closer to God and also prepare for the next academic session.

    According to the statement by the NPS spokesman, FCT Command, Chukwudo Humphrey, the Controller of Prisons FCT Command, Daniel Odharo, who was represented by Akilu Abdullahi, appreciated the efforts of the National Open University in giving the inmates 100 rebate rebate on school fees.

    He added that the rebate has boosted the zeal of the inmates to study.

    He further disclosed that on the first year of introduction of the Open University programme in Kuje Prison, only 10 students registered adding that: “During the second year, the prisoners were given half rebate on fees and 15 students registered. But when there was total rebate, 33 inmates registered. This has made it 58 inmates of Kuje prisons studying different courses ranging from Law to Mass Communication; Peace and Conflict Resolution to Religious studies among many others.”

     

  • Minister urges ambassadors to explore FDI for FCT

    Minister urges ambassadors to explore FDI for FCT

    The 47 newly appointed career Ambassadors have been urged to explore possibilities of attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello gave this charge on when the ambassadors paid him a working visit.

    Bello emphasized that with Foreign Direct Investment, the economic challenge the nation is facing today would become a thing of the past as that would drastically reduce dependence on imported goods and services.

    The minister reiterated that there are lots of investment opportunities in the Federal Capital Territory that could be marketed by the new Ambassadors to their host countries and that the FCTA would leverage on their expertise to sell Abuja to the world.

    Bello remarked that there exist opportunities for light industries in the Federal Capital Territory; saying that the Idu Industrial Layout has been provided with adequate infrastructure for such purpose.

    According to him, the FCT Administration has also provided an enabling environment for would-be genuine investors to strive and further urged the new envoys to take advantage of such liberalisation.

    He reminded them that Abuja is the only city that is a creation of law in Nigeria, the home to all Nigerians, including the ambassadors, and the window through which the world sees the country.

    The minister assured that the FCT Administration would continue to jealously guard the Abuja Master Plan and all the diplomatic plots meant for embassies and High Commissions in the city.

    He prayed that all of the ambassadors would make the nation proud as well as the Federal Capital Territory; stressing, “all of you have Abuja as either first or second home”.

    His words: “You know all the challenges of the Federal Capital Territory because all of you live here and therefore you can best market the city by bringing Foreign Direct Investment to tackle all those challenges.”

    The Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, who led the group, appreciated the warm reception accorded the team.

    Enikanolaiye said the visit is part of the induction programme organised for the ambassadors to acquaint them of the ingredients of the government policies in terms of protocol and its priority in terms of domestic agenda which is built on change, good governance, economic, security and anti-corruption.

  • ‘Women farmers are solution to poverty in Nigeria’

    ‘Women farmers are solution to poverty in Nigeria’

    A non-governmental organisation, Women Advocacy, Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in collaboration with the Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE) has said female farmers have the solution to poverty in the country.

    The NGO spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital when it led a group of women farmers to the state Ministry of Agriculture to present the farmers’ a-10 point demands.

    The Programme Coordinator, WARDC, Folake Kuti, said her group was out to sensitise government all levels to enunciate policies and programmes that are friendly to the women folk

    In her words: “The Federal Government right from the last administration has spent huge sum of money on agriculture and we discovered that women are lagging behind. Even though, they are the majority when it comes to labour in the agric sector, yet they are making less from agriculture. We discovered that they exist in small groups and that unless they come together and engage policy makers they cannot really get much from the money that government is spending.

    “The project is trying to make women have organised groups to be able to meet government to have access to agric grants. We also discovered that apart from the fact, that men are the ones making money in agric because they are the ones that own land, they are the ones accessing government grants and loans because they have collateral

    “We realised that most agricultural policies by successive governments do not recognise women as farmers. They are the farm labourers. If Nigeria must get rid of poverty it must first tackle women as they are the ones wearing poverty on their faces. In the last two years the project has been on in four states of Benue, Kwara, Enugu and Osun and the federal level so as to engage government that we need a gender policy on agric.

    “We discovered during our research that women small holding farmers do not have access to fertilisers which has been politicised; women are also lagging behind in terms of access to credit facilities.”

    In her presentation on behalf of small holder women farmers in the state, Fatima Garba said women farmers are yet to have special support and assistance necessary to realise their potentials in agriculture.

    Said she: “Despite government avowed commitment to drive the economy through agriculture and expand food production to reduce hunger to zero level, women farmers who constitute about 70 percent labour in food production, food processing and marketing are yet to receive special support.

    “Unfortunately, smallholder woment farmers’ concerns and needs have failed to attract government’s attention at national and state levels, thus policies and programmes relating to agriculture have not projected women in agriculture faily and this have implications for national development and food security.

    “We affirm that government must invest in smallholder farmers to be able to ensure food security, zero hunger, women economic empowerment and gender equality and the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals for Nigeria.”

    Mrs. Garba listed their demands as agricultural policy; agricultural budget; farm inputs; machines; market access; herdsmen attacks; access to farmlands and employment of female extension workers. Others include provision of infrastructure and farm settlement scheme Responding, Permanent Secretary, Kwara state Ministry of Agriculture, Simeon Opowoye counseled the smallholder women farmers to identify with the ministry, as it has many activities that would be beneficial to the women.

    Mr. Opowoye said: “We have some programmes where women have been participating in the state especially the Fadama project. There is a need for all these groups to come out clearly and identify with the ministry so that when activities of benefit come, we can easily contact you.

    “For example early next year, we are expecting that a billion Naira is going to be made available to the farmers. The state government has finalised arrangement about that. The one billion Naira commercial agric loans are meant to be distributed to serious farmers to work with so that they can live a good life that you have advocated.

    “Many of us know that for most family’s women are the burden bearers and they need to be assisted. I think all of us will identify with your group. We are glad that you are out and by the grace of God we will do our best that your desires are met.”

  • Not yet the Abuja Carnival of their dream

    Not yet the Abuja Carnival of their dream

    This year’s Abuja Carinval, to many, witnessed the lowest turn-out since inception 10 years ago. But government says things are not as bad as critics have painted, Sharon Obi and Jean Ambele writes 

    Critics note that although the just concluded 2016 edition of the Abuja Carnival, which held between December 3 and December 6, was planned to be the biggest in Africa, there were some lapses in the planning.

    The carnival was inaugurated in 2005 as an annual event but did not hold in 2014 due to lack of enough resources to run it.

    However, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, recently made frantic efforts to return the event by constituting a committee on the even that planned the just concluded edition.

    Reviewing the activities before and during the 2016 edition of the carnival, Mr Biodun Abe, Head, Organising Committee of Abuja Carnival and the Artistic Director, Federal Ministry of Information and culture, however, said the critics were not completely right with the observation.

    According to him, the carnival has grown since its inception in 2005 and it has met its objectives of presenting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria.

    “I am happy the carnival was successful, maybe not exactly as I would have loved it to be or as it used to be with almost all the states in attendance.”

    He said irrespective of all the challenges experienced during the event, the aim of the carnival was not lost.

    “The carnival is designed to give opportunity to participants to compete for awards in the various activities with the view of developing their creative abilities for economic empowerment.

    “It is also a platform to present and preserve the rich intangible cultural heritage of Nigeria available in all local government areas across the country.

    “It serves as magnet for the attraction of tourists into the country and the development of the tourism in the country.

    “All these were achieved, not minding how little the impact was felt. We know that there were lots of lapses this time which economic situation of the country contributed mostly to it,’’ Abe said.

    In his opinion, Mr Ezechuwku  Chimeze, a participant from Ebonyi, said in an interview that the carnival witnessed the lowest turn-out since inception 10 years ago.

    He also agreed that carnivals were not only about number but the fun-fairs, thrills and socio-economic development that they presented to people.

    He enjoined the organisers to look into the lapses encountered and write to the state governments — the major participants — on the way to improve the subsequent editions.

    Recalling some of the lapses, Mr Robert Okoji, Director of Culture, Ministry of Information, Culture and Strategy in Abia, observed that the organisers did not give enough attention to the welfare of contingents.

    “The committee did not do a good job on the welfare of the contingents; we were still on the road on the day of the opening.

    Okoji, the South-East Coordinator, Abuja Carnival 2016, nonetheless, expressed delight that the event ended well.

    In her view, Mrs Oluremi Melutia, the Director Culture, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ogun, also expressed dismay over logistics which she noted was not well handled.

    “I appreciate all the efforts to make 2016 carnival a reality but there were lots of problems with logistics such as accommodation, medicals and mobility, among others.

    “Contingents were sleeping outside, the ones that could afford alternative accommodation had to pay from the meagre money they had and probably budgeted for other things; I wish there would be an improvement next year,’’ Melutia said.

    Similarly, Mr Itodo Daniel, the Director Arts and Culture, Ministry of Arts and Culture, Kogi, observed that arrangement for the welfare of contingents was not too good.

    “However, I am very grateful to God that all our suffering and perseverance paid off as we emerged the overall winner of the event,’’ Daniel said.

    But some of the residents of Abuja blamed the low state participation and quality of event variety on the economic recession.

    Many of them also observe that participants were not properly guided on where the event would kick-start, arguing that while some believed it would start from Old Parade Ground in Area 10, Abuja and went there, the street carnival began from Eagles Square to Area 1.

    They note that since the carnival is expected to hold yearly, governments in all levels and the organisers are expected to fund the carnival and the participants, especially the next edition to provoke the success of the future editions.

    According to them, the carnival should be better publicised and the events are expected to be scheduled at convenient times in order to prevent delays.

    They advise the carnival committee to take note of the flaws of the just concluded carnival and work towards a better carnival in 2017.

    The carnival with the theme “Creative Industry: A Pivot to Economic Growth’’ is seen as the desire of the Federal Government to use the creative ingenuity of Nigerians to boost the nation’s economy at this period of dwindling oil prices.

    The carnival attracted more than 200,000 local and international participants consisting of contingents from the states.

    Others in the contingents are visitors, volunteers, vendors, exhibitors, photographers, set/costume designers, artisans, students, security personnel, para-medics, traffic officers, officials of supporting agencies and media people.

    It was an event that brought together more than 250 cultures and diverse forms of entertainment in various events which ran for four days.

    The carnival events included the street carnival, durbar, children fiesta, boat regatta, masquerade, traditional cuisine and bush bar, arts and craft exposition and contemporary music fiesta.

    The arts and crafts exposition consisted of locally made works of textiles, leather, carvings, bronzes, beads, paintings and plaited baskets.

    The horses are decorated in rich costumes and their riders were usually adorned with swords, polished and rich traditional headwear and robes.

    The street carnival was made up of key players who were mostly acrobats, dancers, fire-swallowers, jugglers, live animal handlers and jesters.

    The traditional cuisine and bush bar were also organised to showcase a variety of Nigerian cuisine.

    Nasarawa State, Bauchi State, Abia, Katsina State, Gombe State, Ogun and Bayelsa emerged first in available categories while Kogi emerged overall winner with 12 awards.

    By and large, participants note that since Abuja carnival has been known to be a colourful and attractive annual event reputable in Africa, the organisers and the Federal Government ought to reposition it to continue in spreading the beauty of the cultural diversity of Nigeria.

  • Touching the tiger’s tail

    The President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration last week Sunday gave a directive that showed that it was not only ready to fight corruption in the society but also ready to subject those who made up its kitchen cabinet to scrutiny.

    The government had directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, to investigate allegations against top government functionaries.

    The decision followed corruption charges leveled against some of the officials in the present administration.

    While some Nigerians applauded the move by the government, others believed that the government cannot properly conduct the investigation.

    To this later set of people, an independent individual(s) or body will do a better job.

    Among those allegations leveled against the officials included Senate’s Ad-Hoc committee recently alleging breach of Nigeria’s law in handling contracts awarded by the Presidential Initiative for the North East (PINE).

    It claimed that one of the firms of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, was awarded over N200 million contracts to clear ‘invasive plant species’ in Yobe State.

    The Senate had also claimed that the Department of State Services (DSS) security report had alleged that the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu has failed the integrity test and that if confirmed as the substantive chairman of the Commission, he could constitute a liability to Buhari’s anti-corruption drive.

    Magu was alleged to be occupying a N20 million per year accommodation, claimed to have been rented for him by someone under EFCC investigation.

    Some interesting drama however trailed the allegations made against the top officials by the National Assembly.

    Last week Monday, the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume told State House correspondents that the Senate did not indict the SGF over the allegations and that the nomination of EFCC Chairman was not rejected by the Senate.

    According to him, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, had misrepresented the Senate as the upper chamber has not taken a position on the report submitted by an Ad-Hoc committee.

    On SGF, he said: “It’s not an order we are giving. The Senate resolution is a recommendation, it’s not a law. What the Senate considered is work in progress because it was an interim report.

    “The committee issued an interim report and the interim report seemed to indict the SGF, the consequences of that indictment are what they recommended but we are not there yet because the report itself is interim. Ok, we take the interim report, we give the public until the whole investigation is concluded.

    “I hear, coming from the SGF that he has not been given a fair hearing, so the hearing has not finished. We can give him an ample of time to go before the committee and clear himself.”

    But the Senate spokesman replied him the following day insisting that the Senate had indicted the SGF and that Magu’s nomination was rejected by the Senate.

    With what is going on, it Is not clear whether the allegations are true or just to get back at the SGF and other perceived enemies of the lawmakers.

    The lawmakers, few months back, were crossed with the SGF when he said that their constituency projects in the 2016 Budget may not be implemented as projects would be prioritised due to dwindling government revenue.

    Could it have been that the SGF touched the tiger’s tail by that remark. Things definitely will become clearer as events continue to unfold.

    Incentives against graft

    Corruption in Nigeria and any nation has not only been described as a cancer but it is believed that it could kill the nation if not fought from all fronts.

    No wonder fighting the menace was one of the top objectives of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, even right from the 2015 presidential election campaign period.

    Following events in the country in the past 19 months might not have left many people in doubt of Buhari’s hatred for corruption.

    But some Nigerians have claimed that the anti-corruption battle has been selective and targeted at members of the immediate past ruling party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    The government had also defended itself against such allegation of being selective and explained severally that mostly PDP members appeared to be in its dragnet because they were in charge for over 16 years when the resources of the nation were stolen, siphoned and frittered away.

    So apart from listing many individuals and firms for corrupt malpractices in the last 19 months, the government has also incarcerated some of the individuals and recovered part of the looted fund it uncovered.

    At the last count, N298 billion of such looted funds have already being captured in the 2017 Budget proposal towards prosecuting projects in the country.

    To make the anti-graft battle wider towards defeating corruption in the country, the government last week decided to exploit another avenue.

    This time, it approved a sort of incentives to any informants in the country to come forward and reveal whatever they know about a fraud that has happened before or is happening or will happen in the future.

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) last Wednesday approved a policy for payment of maximum of five percent of recovered looted fund to whistle blowers who reported the corrupt practice.

    Despite the consideration of a similar bill before the National Assembly, the executive arm of government decided to introduce the stop-gap programme in order to record more successes against corruption.

    The executive arm doesn’t want to be slowed down in its anti-graft battle.

    Giving insight into how the new policy will work, the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said: “You must have provided the government with information it does not already have and could not otherwise obtain from any other publicly available source to the government.”