The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • ‘Thank you for helping our kids’

    ‘Thank you for helping our kids’

    The people of Omu-Aran and its environs in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have not hidden their satisfaction when 250 of their children were given scholarship awards.

    These days of recession and little cash in circulation, most parents have found it tough meeting their financial obligations. That was why residents of Omu-Aran adjoining areas, whose children in secondary schools got the facility, wasted no time in expressing their joy.

    Their benefactor was the Bayo and Bunmi Foundation.

    President, Omu-Aran Descendants Association (ODA), Chief Peter Oyinloye said he was happy and honoured by the gesture.

    Chief Oyinloye said, “I feel happy and greatly honoured to God that an indigene of this town is able to come out and give scholarship to not only the sons and daughters of Omu-Aran but many in Irepodun Local Government Area.

    This is an act of magnanimity. It is a universal dictum that education is the currency of the world and for the sponsor to have started in this direction, we are very grateful to him. This is a call to all other philanthropists not only sons and daughters of Omu-Aran but to all Kwarans and Nigerians as a whole that instead of wasting our money on unprofitable ventures, we should concentrate on the development of our children.

    “By doing this there will be development. Lack of knowledge leads to destruction, but if people have knowledge there will be rapid socio-economic development.

    “We are call on other people that are well-to-do to please come out and assist the development of education in our community. Government cannot do everything. We can also assist government where government is lagging behind.”

    To Oludopo of Oke-Iya Ipo, Oba Saheed Giwa Opadoye words are not enough to convey his heavy load of gratitude.

    “I am very impressed by the foundation’s gesture. If such has been happening indigent children in the local government would have had challenges getting education.

    “I implore the well-to-do in our local government to take a cue from this foundation by assisting the less-privileged in our midst,” he said.

    Also commenting, Alapa of Ilu-Omido, Oba John Adegboyega Adeyemi, said he was initially skeptical when they brought the forms of the scholarship to his domain.

    He added that “but when about two days ago, I received a call that one of my subjects had been picked for the scholarship it dawned on me that after all it is not a deception.

    “I must appreciate the leadership of the foundation for its magnanimity. It is hard to believe that in the Nigeria of today somebody could still lend a helping hand to the needy in the society.

    “This should be an encouragement to others to assist their neighbours. It is biblical to be magnanimous to one’s neighbours.”

    The sponsor and former governorship aspirant in Kwara state, Mr. Sunday Babalola said the gesture does not any political undercurrents.

    He said that the gesture is part of his own contributions to societal wellbeing and development of the citizens of my state.

    He said, “This gesture is not driven by any political ambition or consideration, but it is in furtherance of my commitment to human capital development as a potent strategy to address hardship, poverty, unemployment and crime.

    “My wife and I are grateful to God for giving us the opportunity, enablement and grace for compassion to offer scholarships to secondary and tertiary institution pupils/students. We are also highly delighted with your esteemed presence at this second edition of this scholarship award program. .

    “It could be recalled that last year, a total number of 140 pupils/students from secondary schools, polytechnics and universities were awarded the scholarship by this Foundation for citizens of Omu Aran.

    “The report by UNESCO few years back that over 10 million Nigerian children were out of school was sad and devastating. With the current economic recession where many jobs have been lost and businesses shut down, it is not in doubt that the figure would have increased highly by now.

    “This is not a good tale in our education sector, as education is the life-wire and development stimulus of every individual and nation.”

    Engr. Babalola bemoaned the state of dilapidation of infrastructure in the state educational institutions adding that, “it is a common sight in this state, many classrooms with broken windows, doors and even chairs and desks, that pose dangers to the occupants being used by our children, teachers and other educational workers. Some of the classrooms, do not even have desks; compelling our students to sit on bare-floor or even come with their chairs and desks from school. Such development in this 21st century is retrogressive and must be addressed.

  • NEPC rues EU’s ban on beans

    The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has bemoaned the ban by the European Union (EU) on the exportation of Nigerian beans.

    NEPC said the ban, announced early this year, has been extended to 2020, adding that the discovery of high residue of preservative chemicals led to the ban.

    Director, Export Office, NEPC, Matthew Iranloye said this in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at a two day workshop/demonstration of agricultural produce’s drying equipment for improvement, preservation and export competiveness.

    Iranloye said, “The time it got to the market was not the time it was supposed to get to the market. By the time it got to the market, the residue was so high that it was not good for human consumption. That one has been consistent and that was what led to the ban.

    “It has been extended for three years. It was supposed to be lifted in 2017 but they look at what is still on ground and said it does not seem that Nigeria is getting it right. We have to redouble our efforts. The next three years, it is still banned but it can still be lifted before the end of that time being 2020. If they see that we have commitment and what we will not come upon.

    “It is a big market for Nigerian food. Out of about five black in the Diaspora, about three of them are Nigerians. That means that if we cannot get the supply of those items that they crave for Nigeria, we are then assist other African economy.”

    He added that NEPC is championing inter-ministerial committee that is working on the quality issues in all its ramifications to see to it that we get it right and consistently do.

    A consultant to NEPC and resource person at the workshop, Olumuyiwa Aiyegbusi put the country’s post-harvest losses at the region of N1 trillion in Nigeria.

    Aiyegusi, who is the chairman, Olu Olu Group, said, “it is a major loss for us. Between production and the market, we are losing 25 to 30 percent of what we produce, that is not good enough.

    “It will not give us food security and we cannot export. What we can do to prevent this ugly trend is a wholistic approach by preserving and removing water in a conditioned storage. Produce like tomatoes, orange, paw-paw, etc .

    “You can also do the same by removing water from mangoes or pineapple. In other words most of our produce can be preserved by removing water and can be reconstituted when you need it.”

  • Operation ‘No More Slums’

    Operation ‘No More Slums’

    The Niger State government has taken a bold step to halt the development of slums, reports JUSTINA ASISHANA

    Chaotic, unplanned and unflattering. That is what slums essentially are, and Niger State has its fair share of them. But unlike other states, it seems to be taking a novel approach to discouraging them.

    You have heard of or seen government’s bulldozers tearing down structures, while owners and residents of such structures cry foul and even sue. This is a familiar scene in the nattion’s capital, Abuja, and its suburbs. Several other states have also applied the bulldozer option.

    In Niger, the government wants to stop new slums from developing, rather than focusing solely on demolishing old ones, although some unplanned structures could give way at some point.

    You might call it Operation Stop New Slums.

    On this plan, the state government has  Minna, the capital, in its sights, as well as other major cities. If all goes well, Niger will go down in history as the state where no slums sprouted in years.

    The state Commissioner of Lands and Housing, Alhaji Haliru Jikantoro disclosed this at the 50th Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Niger State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners in Minna.

    He said that Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, in the absence of a current updated master plan documents, has approved the declaration of some road corridors and the emerging new areas as Special Planning Areas (SPAs).

    “The state capital and other urban areas in the state have been developing without any significant plan to guide development as an interim measure to stop further haphazard growth. The Ministry is aiming to ensure that all activities on land on these Special Planning Areas shall be registered and approved to ensure their conformity with the general goals of the government.”

    Jikantoro who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Kudu Nagye, stated that the government is working tirelessly towards ensuring its towns are not turned into slums, saying that areas like Kpakungun, Maitumbi and Dutsen Kura in Minna metropolis are being given special focus.

    He said it is alarming that 21 slum settlements have been identified in the four major towns in the state.

    The great thing about this plan is that town planners are collaborating with the government.

    The state chair of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Ibrahim Usman Shafii said there has been a sharp paradigm shift from the traditional planning approach to more of human management and development.

    He expressed the readiness of the association to partner and collaborate with the ministry of lands and housing with all physical development problems especially in addressing the international interventionist agencies on urban developmental programmes.

    Shafii then commended the state ministry of lands and housing on its efforts in making the review of some cities’ master plans and addressing some contemporary physical planning issues and needed intervention from the federal government to FCT bordering states.

  • Minister bemoans domestic violence

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello has expressed dismay over the high prevalence of domestic violence in the Federal Capital Territory, saying such unfortunate incidents should have no place in the nation’s capital.

    The minister made this known when the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) led by the Regional Vice President for Africa, Hajiya Laraba Shuaibu paid him a visit.

    Bello who stated that the FCT has one of the highest incidences of domestic violence in the country according to available data, said the FCT Administration has been using its Social Development Secretariat, the Office of the Vice President as well as some of the NGOs around to bring the issue to the fore so that people can understand its ills to the society.

    He said, “We realised that based on the available data, the FCT appears to be among those states where the prevalence was quite high. So, we have been using our Social Development Secretariat and the Office of the Vice President and some of the NGOs around to try to see how we can discuss more about it with the intention of reducing such bizarre situation.”

    Bello called on FIDA to help reach out to the grassroots through discussions and advocacy visits to enlighten them on the dangers of domestic violence.

    The Minister also harped on the need for out of court resolution of land disputes in the Federal Capital Territory, saying residents should be encouraged to embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to save money and time.

    He said, “As much as possible, we will like you to encourage people to look at alternative ways of resolving land disputes because at the end of the day, everybody wins and the city wins more, because development is accelerated.”

    The Minister added, “For us as a city, any plot of land allocated and not developed does not add value to us because any development you do, there is a chain of multiplier effect within the society and the economy, because you will generate employment and create business transactions. At the end of the day, a family stays in a home or an office is created.”

    Bello further called for a change of attitude towards traffic laws in Abuja; wondering why anybody of sane mind would want to drive against the traffic in the FCT for instance, stressing, “that is simply dangerous to the person driving as well as to other citizens, and we would like FIDA to communicate these to the people”.

    The minister expressed delight over the upcoming African Regional Conference of FIDA in Abuja, saying, the FCT Administration will give all necessary backing to ensure a successful continental event.

    He noted that it is always a thing of joy for Abuja to host events of such magnitude for the very prospect of showcasing the beauty and potentials of the Territory to the wider world.

    ”We always feel very proud in Abuja to host international events of the type you are preparing to hold, because it’s an opportunity for us to showcase the city to the wider world and to be able to interact with people from other nations, so that at least we try to see areas we can benefit from. I know that this particular conference is going to host your members from across the African continent and that also makes it more interesting, because you are bringing people that are nearer to us,” the Minister emphasised.

    The FIDA Regional Vice President for Africa, Hajiya Laraba Shuaibu who was supported by the Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee, Victoria Fumilayo-Awomolo (SAN) said they were in FCTA to solicit for the support of the Administration to host this continental conference.

    Fumilayo-Awomolo lauded the minister for the uncommon achievements of his Administration despite the economic hardship the country is passing through; saying that the minister has been able to change the trend of events in the territory.

  • Police hunt killers of Kogi’s Fulani chief

    The Kogi State police command has said its personnel were still on the hunt for the killers of the state leader of Fulani group, Maiyati Allah, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubarkar Jalido.

    Jalido, a former two-term Secretary of Maiyati Allah in Kogi, took office as chairman of the group last September following a heated election which took place at the state secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    He was killed at his residence around 2am on Saturday by suspected assassins. His body was riddled with bullets and machete cuts.

    The incident occurred at Road 3 of Peace Community along the Ganaja-Ajaokuta road in Lokoja.

    The gunmen numbering about 10 may have used a detour to beat police operatives attached to C Division Lokoja, as they were said to have approached their victim’s house through an unfamiliar route, before gaining access into the resident.

    A resident who spoke under the condition of anonymity pointed accusing at Fulani herdsmen.

    A neighbour of the deceased said that he saw strange faces within the vicinity not knowing they had evil motive in that area.

    He said the deceased who is survived by two wives and children, was shot and cut with a machete as the assailants gained access to one of his wives’ room, having forced the door open.

    A doctor attached to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Lokoja, Sam Alhassan, who conducted autopsy on the deceased recounted what happened during the wee hours, since his house is close by to where the incident occurred.

    He said, “I was in my room which is just steps away to his house and I started hearing gunshots. Then, I rose up from my bed and I began to look through the window. I saw a group of bandits in two lines. At least I saw eight people, and they started shooting. The next thing that I saw was that a bullet hit the overhead tank and water started draining down. Later, me and my family went quiet for a while, then wife of the deceased came out and said ‘they have killed my husband.”

    “On saying that, my landlord, who is a security officer, went inside to go and ascertain this fact, that the man is actually dead. I went inside also, I saw Alhaji in a pool of blood, his body macheted”.

    It was however unclear whether or not the assailants made away with any money or property, as relatives kept mum, when prodded.

    The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr William Aya, who confirmed the incident, said the command was investigating the dastardly act.

    The deceased was buried same day according to Islamic rites.

     

  • Bidding Oshiomhole farewell

    The National Economic Council (NEC) meeting last Tuesday stood still for out-going governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. The governor was attending his last NEC meeting as his eight years tenure will expire on November 12 when he will officially hand over the reins of power to the governor-elect, Godwin Obaseki.

    The NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commended Oshiomhole for his successful two terms and positive impact on his state, his great contributions in the Council and his high performances in other national assignments given to him during his tenure.

    The Council was also impressed with the role he played in the campaign period leading to the election of Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Members were particularly delighted that Oshiomhole was able to ensure that the ruling party, APC did not lose its only state in the Southsouth geo-political zone to the opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    He successfully kept the opposition’s power brokers in the state at bay and prevented the claws of the PDP from grabbing the number one seat in Edo thrice.

    Against all odds, he flushed out the PDP from power in 2008, defeated the party when he contested for second term in 2012 and played a major role in the emergence of Obaseki in 2016.

    The Council ended up giving Oshiomhole, who attended his last NEC meeting with Obaseki, a standing ovation.

    It also ensured that Oshiomhole was part of the three governors that briefed State House correspondents at the end of NEC meeting last Tuesday.

    Shedding light on what transpired during the NEC’s closed-door meeting, Adamawa State Governor, Jibrilla Bindow said: “As you are aware we just concluded the NEC meeting and one of the issues we discussed is on the exit of our brother, whom I regard as my uncle, Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

    “It is going to be the last time he is going to attend the NEC. We all know his reputation, especially when it comes to integrity, honesty and commitment to his people in Edo State.

    “We are going to miss him. And we hope Almighty Allah will  protect him, give him good health and long life because we all know what Governor Adams Oshiomhole has done in this country even during his labour time up to his time as executive governor of Edo State.

    “And by the grace of God, He will also lift him to come and do another national assignment. All of us prayed for him and his family and we gave him three kudos and a standing ovation.

    “We all clapped for him for almost twenty minutes because, like I said earlier, Adams Oshiomhole is a man of his words and we are going to miss him greatly.” He stated

    But the exit of Oshiomhole from the NEC last week may not be for too long as some Nigerians already believed that he may be compensated with a ministerial job.

    If their wishes come through and Oshiomhole happened to get a portfolio of one of the ministries that are members of NEC, then he will just return to be a regular face in NEC.

    But if Oshiomhole does not become a cabinet member soon, other Nigerians believed that he will emerge the National Chairman of the APC in no distant time.

    No matter where the pendulum swings to, it seemed that Oshiomhole will not really be idle in the coming months.

     

    Oil to the rescue

     

    With the dwindling revenue from oil as a result its falling prices in the international market, the Nigerian economy have been battered since the beginning of this administration.

    The economy crumbled because Nigeria’s economy was over 90 percent dependent on oil revenues.

    There is hardly any household in the country especially among the low and medium income earners that has no ugly story to tell about the current economic challenges.

    The teeming unemployed youths, without any means of income, are definitely going through the worst times of their lives.

    But President Mohammadu Buhari believed that the same oil industry could still be exploited to quickly reflate the economy.

    Buhari, while launching the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Roadmap tagged ‘The 7 Big Wins’ at the old Banquet Hall of the State House last Thursday said: “The Petroleum industry remains critical to the Nigerian economy of today and the future, despite our current challenges.

    “The golden era of high oil prices may not be here now, but Oil and Gas resources still remain the most immediate and practical keys out of our present economic crisis.

    “Oil and Gas still remain a critical enabler for the successful implementation of our budget as well as the source of funds for laying a strong foundation for a new and more diversified economy.

    “As important as it is to ensure that Agriculture, Solid minerals and other critical sectors of the economy are supported to grow and contribute more to the nation’s economy, we still need a virile and efficient oil & gas industry to take care of our foreign exchange requirements.

    “This is a national imperative and a core thrust of our economic policy. Therefore, the task before the Ministry of Petroleum Resources is to maximise the potentials and opportunities across the whole range of the Oil and Gas industry to stimulate our economy in spite of the current challenges.

    “To do this certainly requires creativity, innovation, technology and robust partnership amongst various stakeholders.

    “If we are able to plug the leakages, and tighten loose systems that characterized this industry in the days of high oil prices, we are convinced that we can do even more with the little that we are getting at the moment than we did even in the time of plenty.” He stated

    The seven big wins, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, planned to deploy to change the oil industry and by extension boosting the Nigerian economy include Policy and Regulation, Business Environment and Investment Drive.

    Others are Gas Revolution, Refineries and Local Production capacity, Niger Delta and Security, Transparency and Efficiency and Stakeholder Management  & International Co-ordination.

    It is hoped that the 7 big wins will really be big and quick enough to salvage the economy at this hard times.

    The nation urgently needed this as other measures to reflate the economy like diversification into agriculture and solid minerals development will still take more time for Nigerians to start seeing their tangible results.

  • Abuja hosts book presentation

    The Federal Capital Territory will host the presentation of a book on the life and times of one of Nigeria’s foremost oil engineers, Dan Madu Nzelu as part of activities to commemorate his 10th anniversary.

    Many prominent Nigerians are expected to grace the event which has been scheduled to hold at the prestigious Shehu Musa Yar’Adua centre in the nation’s capital on November 3, 2016 to honour one of Nigeria’s finest oil engineers.

    In a press statement issued on behalf of the family by Mr. Emeka Nzelu , stressed that the book presentation authored by a seasoned writer, Mr. Jimmy Imo is one of the activities line-up to mark the 10th anniversary of late Nzelu.

    Other activities to commemorate the event include hosting of indigent widows by Nzelu’s Foundation on November 5, 2016, at Aboji village in Oba Idemilli south Local Government Area of Anambra State and thanksgiving service on November 6, 2016, at St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Oba, Idemilli South Local Government Area of the state.

    The statement further stated that the book presentation is a biography of Nzelu who during his tenure as the Managing Director of Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC) which was the arm of NNPC turned around the oil sector.

    “Engr. Dan Madu Nzelu was one of the most successful managers of NNPC’s big project in his time. He took over the project leadership of NNPC’s Escravos-Lagos pipeline (ELP) project (which feeds Egbin Power Station with Natural Gas) and gave the project a new impetus. The task was daunting as the route of the pipeline traversed difficult terrains such as swamps, big rivers and the ever busy Benin-Lagos Expressway.

    “Some sections of the forest which ELP passed through looked like no human activity had ever being there. On one occasions, he had to sleep inside his SUV in the forest when the swampy terrain held the vehicle unit help came the next day.

     

  • A youth blueprint in Gombe

    A youth blueprint in Gombe

    Back in 2014, the Gombe State government rehabilitated once dreaded youths; now that development plan has deepened with more acquiring various skills, reports VINCENT OHONBAMU

    Residents of Gombe State once had a healthy fear of a group of youths called Yan Kalare made up of political thugs. They roughened up targets, inflicted mortal injuries and even killed sometimes. What happened after the crime? Nothing, because they had powerful sponsors.

    The state government’s response, in 2014, was unique: train them in worthwhile ventures. It was a demonstration of its commitment to ensuring that young people are taken off crime and given a sense of belonging. The plan also helped to tackle restiveness.

    The Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo administration has launched yet another youth empowerment programme tagged G-Hope.

    The administration had in its first term launched, among many other empowerment programmes, the Talba Youths Rehabilitation and Re-Orientation Programme which captured over 3,000 youths, most of whom used to be Kalare, rehabilitated and trained them into useful elements of the society.

    It also launched the Talba Empowerment Scheme (TBS) in which about 1,000 taxicabs and tricycles were distributed to youths on revolving loans.

    Unveiling the programme in Gombe, the Commissioner for Youths Empowerment in Gombe state, Malam Farouk Yarma said G –Hope would capture and train 5,000 youths across the state in skills with the aim of alleviating their suffering.

    He said these 5,000 beneficiaries of the programme were drawn from across the 114 wards that make up the 11 local government areas of the state.

    He said the scheme which comprises three components: Ward Vanguard, Educational Corps and Youths for Skills Acquisition, is aimed at making the youth self-reliant, build their trust and enable them play a positive role in the state’s growth.

    “One of the agenda of this administration is entrepreneurship and skills development and it has thus far shown commitment in this direction.

    “In line with this, the government is helping the youths of Gombe State to identify their areas of strength so as to be trained and help the economic transformation of the state through locally made products.

    “Therefore, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment has since the assumption of office by this administration in 2011 gone through rejuvenation. Through its various youth orientation programmes, the Ministry has been able to change the fortunes of the youths of Gombe state by making positive impacts in their lives.

    “With this and all the previous youth empowerment activities, His Excellency, Alhaji, Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has fulfilled his campaign promises he made to the youths of Gombe state, which is to change their lives in a positive manner. The inclusion of youths in his cabinet is also another,” Yarma said.

    The Commissioner opined that graduates roaming the streets without jobs are mostly those without skills. This, he said: “informed the Ministry’s decision to change the trend to ensure youths are empowered through entrepreneurship and skill development while hoping that the programme would change the mindset of young people towards being their own bosses and masters of their own fate.”

    Also at the event of unveiling the G-Hope project at Pantami Stadium in Gombe, Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo said each beneficiary would receive a monthly stipend of N5,000 monthly. This amount does not include the cost of monitoring and evaluation of the programme.

    “The essence is to keep the youth fully engaged to enable them contribute their quota to the development of the state as well as humanity in general.

    “It is a job that will make them job creators rather than job seekers and contribute positively towards poverty and crime reduction,” Governor Dankwambo said while placing on records that the peaceful coexistence the state enjoys today, despite being surrounded by insurgency infested states emanates partly from the commitment to youth empowerment.

    While commending international donor agencies which he said mobilised the youths towards peace building as well as entrepreneurship, Dankwambo equally extolled clubs, associations and NGOs for rendering selfless service geared towards the growth and development of the state and county at large.

    He said government in the bid to weed out dormant and ineffective associations, and for the state to improve its internal revenue, ratified the upward review of registration fees charged on associations operating in the state, with the exception of all associations belonging to physically challenged persons.

    The governor warned that henceforth any association that failed to register would not benefit from any incentive in terms of grants, interest-free loan, fertilisers, etc; urging commercial banks operating in the state to always demand certificate of registration from clubs and associations before opening new accounts.

  • Plateau fights recession with trade fair

    Plateau State government has concluded arrangements to re-introduce the state trade fairs to boost the economy of the state. The trade fair scheduled to hold between October 18 and 27 is planned to encourage medium- and small-scale business.

    The state’s economy, like those of others across the country, is bad owing largely to the recession.

    But the state is hoping to inject life into its economy by encouraging local production, a plan trade fairs help to achieve.

    President of Plateau State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PLACCIMA) Da Bulus Dareng unveiled the plan while briefing newsmen in Jos, the state capital.

    He said, “Over 70,000 visitors are expected to grace the Jos 2016 Trade Fair with over 300 exhibitors from within and outside the county.

    He said, “The 2016 Jos Trade Fair will serve as a platform for intending investors and existing ones, manufacturing, buyers and sellers of goods and services to really exchange ideas, technology and innovations aimed at promoting their businesses even in the area of export and import of commodities in the state.

    “Activities of the fair will cover daily exhibition of goods and technology, product launches, vocational training, and skill acquisition programmes for skill seekers, children fun fair, daily musical concert featuring top Nigerian and upcoming J-Town artist.

    “Also available at the venue will be “Grills, Barbecue and other Nigerian Cuisines, High Life Music, Raggae Night, Campus Blast, Makossa Night, Cultural Night, Dance and Comedy to be handled by different people to provide entertainment for our exhibitors as side attractions at the trade fair ground”

    He said PLACCIMA is commited to protecting life and property at the fair.

     

  • 10-lane road to mop up traffic

    In order to reduce traffic problems in the Federal Capital City especially at peak hours, the FCT Administration will prioritise the construction of the southern part of the Abuja Parkway in 2017 fiscal year.

    The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, made this disclosure Thursday in his office while receiving the management team of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) led by its Director-General, Malam Yakubu Ibn Mohammed that paid him a courtesy call.

    The southern parkway is a 10-lane six-kilometer road traversing four key roads with 8 major interchanges from the National Christian Centre to the Ring Road I of the Federal Capital City. This project will however cover only the Phase I of the city for now.

    The Parkway in the Abuja Master Plan is expected to form the major spine and one of the longest Abuja roads from Central Business District traversing all the four phases of the Federal Capital City with facilities like streetlights, recreational, café centres and under passes among others.

    Malam Bello revealed that the project, which is a nerve centre of the Federal Capital City, would be included in the 2017 Appropriation Bill of the Federal Capital Territory.

    His words: “The Abuja Parkway project will be included in the 2017 budget because it is a very critical road that can reduce traffic problems in the city.”

    According to him, “one of the major concerns I share with you is the fact that I’m very worried about the condition of the road leading to your office. As a matter of fact, two nights ago, I went through the road quietly just to assess it and see the situation of things. We are trying to work toward ensuring that the 2017 budget takes care of that road”.

    “It is our intention is to continue the road that is under construction from the National Christian Centre, cross the Goodluck Jonathan Expressway, going by the side of your premises through AGIS and bursting out in Ring Road I by Gudu Distrct. That is a very critical road within the city that we hope if it is completed will ease vehicular movement and also give people an option, so that we can reduce the traffic congestion that we experience currently in the city centre”, he emphasised.

    The Minister however appreciated the robust relationship between the FCT Administration and the NTA; describing it as very cordial and would be continued in that direction.

    On the Annual General Meeting of the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON), Malam Belllo promised to be part of the General Assembly to enable the FCT Administration strengthen its relationship with the media.

    Speaking earlier, the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Malam Yakubu Ibn Mohammed thanked the Minister for the wonderful working relationship between the two organizations and promised to take it to greater heights.

    The Director-General said that BON would be having its General Assembly in Abuja before the end of the year where over 100 media executives are expected to participate and therefore urged the FCTA to take full advantage of the august occasion.