The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Kebbi governor flags off training of 3000 teachers

    Kebbi governor flags off training of 3000 teachers

    Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has kicked off the training of 3,000 primary school teachers under the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme. The event was held at the Presidential Banquet Hall in BirninKebbi, the state capital.

    In his address governor, Atikuhailed the UBE for organising the exercise, stressing that maintaining and sustaining schools is a collective responsibility of both the government and individual. He assured that his administration will continue to do all it takes to support education in the state. He explained that one of the challenges facing the sector is the huge member of people with fake results.

    He called on the participants to see this training programme as a means to renew their commitment to service delivery. Governor Atiku also emphasised that everyone who is not qualified to be in the education sector will soon be fished out.

    Earlier in his opening remarks, the state commissioner for education Alhaji Muhammad Magawata Aliero said the training is an intervention programme designed  by the UBE commission to train  a sizeable number of teachers in all the 36 states.

    He explained that the training was for the second  tranche fund of 2014 which could not be conducted for some reasons,  adding that  the initial number  approved by the commission was 1,500 participants but due to the efforts of the state governor, the commission approved  the number of beneficiaries to 3,000.

    Magawata  stated   further that the five days training has been centralised to take place in the four emirate headquarters of Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Yauri  and Zuru.   He assured that in days, 3,000 primary school teachers would be trained towards improving their pedagogical skill in teaching the four core subjects of English Language, Mathematics, Basic Science &Technology as well as Religion and National Values.

  • Anti-malaria campaign hits schools

    The fight to eradicate malaria received a boost in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as ExxonMobil took the campaign to secondary schools.

    Working alongside its partners, National Basketball Association (NBA) and Africare, students for days were fought on how disease burden in the country could be drastically reduced through effective engagement of needed resources, habits and personnel.

    The groups use sports (basketball) and other learning skills to train students across the nation’s capital on how various strategies could be used not only to sensitise, but defeat ailments that have snuffed lives out of many citizens, and currently constitute threats to the lives of others.

    Malaria was highlighted at the event as one of the ailments receiving attention for elimination. The project is being funded by ExxonMobil, while NBA offers the sports component.

    Africare, a partner that works on health component of the project, has contributed through distribution of “thousands” of mosquito nets and conducted malaria tests for many people across the country, said Country Director, Africare Nigeria Dr. Orode Doherty.

    Doherty said the project was yielding desired results third year after it was launched, and that it would be expanded to all parts of the country.

    “Africare is working in 15 states in Nigeria. So, as an organization, scalability is not an issue for us. We are already working in multi-million dollar opportunities. So, scaling is not an issue. We are ready to go. We are working with the ministry. We’ve shown them what we are doing. this is an opportunity for them to come in and see what we do with this children so that we can expand it to other schools in the country, target children who are out-of-school, targeting children who are in IDP camps, children who do not have opportunity to be educated among others,” she stated.

    Director of malaria project, Africare, Dr Patrick Adah, said the organization implements different malaria projects in the country and helps to coordinate those projects in various locations in the country.

    “Malaria is endemic. What that means is that the disease is with us here. Over the years, the disease has been ravaging, killing so many children, and even adults in a very large proportion. The Federal Ministry of Health under the auspices of the National Malaria Programme, with all the malaria partners in the country are putting efforts together to ensure that we burden of malaria, and even to eliminate malaria in the country. But, because the disease is endemic, it takes a long time and serious efforts to ensure that malaria is completely eliminated. But, over the years, efforts are being made to control malaria, and we are making progress,” he said.

    The event featured former NBA player, KelennaAzubuike and other notable figures in basketball in the country.

  • Gombe celebrates 20th anniversary

    Gombe celebrates 20th anniversary

    The festivity lasted a week with celebrities in attendance. But when Gombe State Deputy Governor and chairman of the 20th anniversary committee Dr. Charles Iliya spoke at the gala and award night marking the end of the merriment, he seemed to have felt the need to explain the elaborate celebration.

    “We have reason to celebrate,” he said, “because our state has impacted tremendously and it needed to show the world its  achievements. Today, the state can boast of a state university, state polytechnic, state college of education, training and rehabilitation of youths. The construction of road networks across the state and airport has greatly improved accessibility and mobility.”

    Iliya urged the citizens to love one another as no meaningful development can be achieved without peace, adding that Gombe was among the fastest developing of the states created in 1996.

    Elder statesman Maitama Sule who presented a lecture titled ‘Restructuring Nigeria: Implications for national unity and integration’, also had a message of peace, hope, and unity.

    He said, “Thank goodness that you have Governor [Ibrahim] Dankwambo, thank goodness that you have a young Emir, thank goodness that the previous leaders have done their best and I hope and pray that you will cooperate with the administration in order to realise the potential greatness of this great area.

    The elder statesman disagreed with those agitating for a restructuring of the country. Instead, he advocated for a bloodless revolution as the panacea to the country’s present predicament.

    “We have problems in this country today, but we will overcome. The people that will enable us to overcome are you (the masses), the youths.

    “I am not calling for a bloody revolution; I am calling for a bloodless revolution. We need re-orientation; change your minds and we can do it.”

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo urged Nigerians to hold on to the message of hope, optimism and unity preached by Maitama Sule, saying they would lead the country far into actualising its goals.

    Alhaji AtikuAbubakar disagreed with Maitama Sule’s view, arguing that the country needed to be restructured for its greatness and potentials to be truly realised.

    Governor Dankwambo described the road to statehood as long, rough and complicated, which the people conquered because they were united. He itemised the programmes and projects executed by all five administrations in the state from the era of the pioneer administrator Group Captain Joseph Orji (Retd) till date, saying there was every need to celebrate and left to the people to judge whether the state had actualised the yearnings and aspirations of the Gombe’s founding fathers.

    Group Captain Joseph Orji who went round the state on a tour to see facilities and structures put in place by the state government, said the state has achieved a lot over a short period of time and therefore has every reason to celebrate.

     

  • One week in Boko Haram’s former hqtrs

    One week in Boko Haram’s former hqtrs

    For the best part of a week, Borno State Governor Ibrahim Shettima was in Bama to supervise the rebuilding of the damaged erstwhile capital of the insurgents’ “caliphate”. DUKU JOEL reports

    Such was the hold Boko Haram had on Bama town that when Borno State Governor Ibrahim Shettima said he was relocating there for a week following its recovery from the insurgents, many including his security advisers tried to dissuade him. The governor was going to supervise the rebuilding of the town, which was badly damaged by the insurgents. Shettima did not get much green light from aides.

    The reason was simple. There were few places, if any, in the Northeast that were attacked more fiercely and repeatedly as Bama was. Eventually, the insurgents captured the town, chased out the monarch and converted his palace to their operational base. They hoisted their flag and called Bama the capital of their so-called caliphate. For one a half years, Bama was a no-go area. Only the terrorists ruled there.

    That picture has changed, as the military recaptured the town under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. Still, some fear that remnants of the much-weakened terror group could attack anytime.

    Bama town is an urban centre that was largely destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents after they took over the town for almost two years  before it was liberated by the military in late 2015.  It is located 74km away from Maiduguri and it is one of the third most populated local government areas next to Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Biu in southern part of the State.

    The Nation recalls that the insurgents had attacked the town, killing dozens, destroyed ýmore than 80 percent of the houses, sacked the Emir and took over his palace after declaring it a sovereign territory with a new set of laws and leader.  The military however toppled the insurgents and recovered the area by the end of 2015, months after President Muhammadu Buhari took over affairs.

    His idea of moving to Bama became very clear when he rode through the rough, scary highway of Maiduguri to Bama with a full security arsenal to crush any Boko Haram ambush standing in his way. A trend evidently possible on the once dreaded highway only pliable and operated by the insurgents in the last one and a half years.

    He said, “My office is now here. I decided to relocate here to live here and supervise reconstruction works. I will administer Borno State from here. I am fully prepared to be here for days to come, one week, two weeks or even more. I will not leave until we are able to rebuild a good number of private houses, municipal buildings, markets, schools and clinics.

    “I want the reconstruction work to take proper shape before I leave. We cannot wait till forever before we reclaim our destiny. Bama is the one of the worst affected areas and we will move from here to other parts of the State. While I am here, we have a full structure of Government in place operating in Maiduguri so that activities of managing IDP’S, civil service, implementation of Government policies and programmes will continue while I am here. I will be in constant touch with Maiduguri, I came prepared,” Governor Shettima boasted.

    Before Shettima’s relocation to Bama, heavy duty equipment, construction materials and hundreds of trucks of variety of building materials were already shipped into Bama town ahead of the reconstruction and rebuilding of the town. As soon as Shettima arrived Bama, he went straight to inspect the reconstruction of works on private residential houses, police stations, stores, schools, hospitals, the Emirs palace among others.

    Throughout his almost one week in Bama, the tempo of construction and activities in the town scaled up completely. To ensure that the town remains safe throughout the construction and rebuilding work in the town which is still very susceptible and vulnerable to Boko Haram attacks, a total of 500 Civilian JTF, and Vigilantes were inaugurated and charged by the governor to compliment the military security strength to forestall any Boko Haram attacks while the constructions last.

    But the biggest surprise of Gov. Shettima came on his third day in Bama when elders of the area, encouraged by what they described as his bold decision  to relocate to their town, pooled resources together and hired over 5000 vigilantes as their contribution to protect Bama from any external aggression by Boko Haram.

    Leader of the forum, Al-Amin Kam Salem  at the Emir’s palace told Gov. Shettima of the gratitude of their community over his commitment to rebuild their ancestral home to facilitate quickly the return of the people back to the town.

    He said, “There is no motivation greater than the courageous relocation of our governor to our ancient town, we are going to definitely contribute financially, morally and spiritually towards the rebuilding of Bama and the continued peace of the town. We are completely behind the governor.

    “We have Civilian JTF, local hunters and vigilantes already willing to protect the town against aggressors. All these people are ready to complement the security agencies. We are spiritual people and we will continue to pray for God’s continued protection on the town.

    “We have donated 5,000 men to guard against any form of aggression on Bama; these are local hunters and Civilian JTF. Our people are already on ground, assisting in the ongoing reconstruction of the town and we are all yearning to come back to our homes. Immediately the homes are ready, everyone would move in,” Kamsalem said.

    Another remarkable development that Bama witnessed during Gov. Shettima’s stay was the clearing activities that took place in the town. Our correspondent observed that Bama which was literary transformed into a Boko Haram town uptill now is 70% inaccessible from civilian population for fear of IEDs and mines littered in the course of the insurgents’ long stay in the town.

  • FCT to build special infectious diseases centre

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration plans to construct a special infectious disease centre in Abuja.When completed, patients with highly infectious diseases in the FCT will be quarantined in the centre and given adequate treatment.

    Minister of the FCT Mallam Muhammad Bello made the revelation when members of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), FCT Chapter, paid him a courtesy call.

    Chief Press Secretary, FCT, Muhammad Sulemade this known in a statement.

    The statement read,”The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has announced plans to build a specialised centre where patients with highly infectious diseases in the Federal Capital Territory will be quarantined and given adequate treatment.

    “According to him, ‘“plans are underway by the FCT Administration to build a modern specialised health facility where patients with highly infectious diseases could be kept and given special attention.”

    “I have discussed also with some of your colleagues on the need to have a specialized centre for infectious diseases especially during the Lassa fever saga some months ago; I was surprised that patients that were suspected to have had the virus were kept initially at the National Hospital. I asked why we didn’t have a specialised centre in the territory for cases of such nature, where we will be able to quarantine affected people,” he stressed.

    “The Minister emphasised that such centre is on the front burner of his administration; noting, “We are working assiduously, believing that at some point, we should be able to have such facility in the city to serve the whole Territory”.

    “Malam Bello disclosed that the FCT Administration is currently partnering with some private individuals to set up new hospitals in the FCT in order to shore up the shortage in the number of hospital bed spaces noticed in the Territory; adding that government cannot do it alone.

    “His words: “For a long time, the issue of inadequate bed spaces in the FCT has really been something of great concern to me. Based on the briefings I got from the Health & Human Services Secretariat when I assumed office, I was amazed by the numbers I saw in terms of available bed spaces and since then, we have encouraged many private sector people that want to set up a hospital to come over and do it because government alone will not be able to bridge this huge gap”.

    “The Minister added, “Also, I have impressed upon owners of one or two of the hospital projects that you have seen on ground to try to get them completed because the more they are the better the services to humanity”.

    “Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, FCT Chapter, Dr. Chiedozie Jude Achonwa remarked that the Chapter intends to resuscitate its existing rural health programme to further serve the rural dwellers and contribute to the sustainable goals of the Federal Capital Territory.

    “While assuring the government of industrial harmony, Dr. Achonwa called for increased health infrastructure in the Territory considering the ever influx of people.”

  • Waiting for surgery, one year after bomb blast

    Waiting for surgery, one year after bomb blast

    One year after the Kuje blast, baby Ifeoluwa is in dire need of surgery to walk again, Vincent Ikuomola writes.

    Do you remember the story of baby Ifeoluwa Adebayo who miraculously escaped the November 2015 Kuje bomb blast, which claimed no fewer than 20 lives?

    Well, the then 11 months old Ifeoluwa who was thrown off from her late mother’s back is doing fine, though she still lives with the scare. She now limps as a result of the blast which chopped off two toes from her right leg.

    Ifeoluwa, who will be two years old in the next two months, is in dire need of surgery to replace the toes with artificial ones and after waiting for about a year without hearing from the government, the family is appealing to kind-hearted Nigerians to come to their aide.

    The surgery is very essential for her to walk normal again, but the chances are very slim except help comes from either the government or kind-hearted Nigerians as the immediate family are also finding it difficult to make ends meet.

    The blast, blamed on Boko Haram, has seriously impacted negatively on their source of income and lifestyle.

    Mr. Adebayo Moses, Ifeoluwa’s grandfather who lost his wife and two children in the Kuje incident, is still finding it difficult to overcome the trauma, which has torn his life apart.

    The retired civil servant still finds the death of his beloved wife difficult to cope with even after about a year.

    The trauma was so much that Adebayo, a 58-year-old pensioner and native of Ife, Osun State, had to relocate from Kuje to Dawaki along Kubwa-Suleja Expressway.

    Recounting the incident Adebayo stated, “My wife and her three children were coming from her garden in Kuje. They were trekking home when the bomb blast occurred. My wife, first daughter and last child died in the blast. Another of my child, Esther, who followed them, sustained injury on her leg, while my granddaughter, who will clock one year on the 22nd of this month, lost two of her toes.

    “I am not myself. I have been devastated since this unfortunate incident occurred. My wife was like a mother to me. My lovely children ask after my wellbeing all the time. It is only God that can help me because I do not know how I will cope without them.

    He said of his daughter, Ifeoluwa’s mother, “My late daughter, Christiana, had just finished from Nasarawa State Polytechnic.”

    Almost a year after, he confessed to Abuja Review that things have been very difficult in terms of the loss, physically and financially.

    Adebayo struggled to control his emotion.

    “Whenever I get to the location of the bomb blast, I won’t be able to sleep.”

    On the plight of baby Ifeoluwa, he said “ the hospital (National Hospital Abuja) tried its best to do something about the baby’s chopped off toes and we learnt that they have written to the federal Ministry of Health for approval but the reply hasn’t come till now. The baby is not walking well. She limps.”

    He hopes government will “respond to my plight and assist me in the area of the baby’s surgery. Right now my entire gratuity has been spent and all my investment in Kuje has gone down the drain after the death of my wife as I can’t go back to that place.”

    Esther, Ifeoluwa’s aunt, who now takes care of both her father and little Ifeoluwa, scored over 200 in the last Joint Admission Matriculation Board exam but said, “I don’t think I can go to school right now because nobody will stay with my dad. He is already retired from the civil service and right now he cannot really do anything. So I have to do everything possible to see to his survival and that of the baby.

    “I can’t just abandon my father in this situation, his pension is just N14, 000 and how much can that do?”

  • ‘Traditional institution can curb insecurity’

    ‘Traditional institution can curb insecurity’

    Newly appointed Head of Civil Service in Gombe State Dr. Daniel Musa has made a case for traditional administrators, saying they can help curb insecurity if strengthened by constitutional provision.

    He said, “From what we’ve seen so far, it is important that the traditional institution should be given a responsibility, a non-political responsibility because they are for everybody and are not supposed to take sides in political matters.

    “In issues that pertain to security, I think the traditional institution should be given a constitutional responsibility. It is good that who is coming into our domain at any particular time is known; where he is coming from, what brought him to the town, who is he associating with, how long he would be staying, and so on and so forth, as was the case in days past when the institution was stronger.

    “These days, people come in and go out at will without even the ‘Mai Anguar’ (Ward Head) knowing, not to talk of the Emir. I think if we are able to do that, we will be able to curb some of these insurgent behaviours that we’ve been having: kidnappings and the Boko Haram insurgency that we’ve been suffering from. I believe if the traditional institution is strengthened by way of constitutional provisions, they will play a great role in curbing some of these vices that are bedeviling our society.”

    Dr. Musa spoke at Deba, headquarters of Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of the state, after he was turbaned as the Kaigama, Deba Emirate – the Chief Adviser to the Emirate

    Speaking at the occasion, the Emir of Deba, Retired Lt.-Col. Abubakar Waziri Mahdi said the bearer of the title ‘Kaigama’ would play an advisory role in the Emirate.

    He said Dr. Musa was chosen for the role because of his wealth of experience, intelligence and knowledge, urging him to bring these qualities to bear in assisting the Emirate with progressive ideas and advice.

    The royal father informed the newly installed chief that the responsibilities of the traditional council were 24 hours service and there are no weeks or days off.

    A close associate of the Head of Service, Habu Zarma Hinna, an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner who doubles as the Zarman of both Hinna and Yamaltu from Yamaltu Emirate, thanked the Emir of Deba for the honour bestowed on his friend.

    He said, “It is something of pride that people like the Kaigama and many other illustrious sons of the land are taking pride in accepting responsibilities within our communities to uphold our tradition and to assist in the smooth administration of our land. I want to say congratulations to the new Kaigama of Deba. He has been tested and found worthy that he can do even better than we deem fit in this capacity as the Kaigaman, Deba.

    “I know he will be a good councillor to the Emir and of good assistance to the entire people of Deba Emirate, Yamaltu Emirate and the state at large.”

    The new title bearer was thankful to God for the gift of life and the opportunity, as well as the people of Deba and all those that came to felicitate with me

    He appreciated the Emir of Deba, of whom he said: “I don’t know what to tell him. Actually he took me by surprise. He has given me a very big responsibility and I want to thank him for the confidence he had in me to have given me such responsibility.

    “It is a responsibility that entails you looking far and wide and see that whatever is good for the people of Deba, you work out how you can bring it so that they can benefit from it. And I promise that I will do my best to discharge the responsibility to the best of my ability and in the interest of the people of Deba and the state at large.

    “It is indeed surprising to me but I have accepted it because God has designed that it is going to be so and I thank God for everything,” he said.

    Born to the late Reverend Musa in 1958, the Kaigaman Deba who was also appointed the Head of Gombe State Civil Service a few months ago, has promised to use both offices in promoting the ideals and interests of both the emirate as well as the people of the state and the state at large.

    “As Kaigama, I am to advise His Royal Highness the Emir; and from time to time, he will be giving me assignments to carry out for him; and whatever assignment he gives, I’m expected to put in my best in the interest of the Emirate and state.

     

  • Air Force: Another fight for girl-child

    Air Force: Another fight for girl-child

     The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) played a major role in crippling the terrorist group Boko Haram by building schools designed for the girl-child. It has also launched a major campaign for a disadvantaged segment of the population, reports SEUN AKIOYE

    Inside the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Abuja, the vision statement of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar was boldly written. The statement reads:  “To re-position the NAF into a highly professional and disciplined force through capacity building initiatives for effective, efficient and timely employment of air power in response to Nigeria’s national security imperatives.”

    On the surface, it may look like one of those well-crafted mission statements which usually end up as empty statements, but for the man who is referred to simply as “chief”, the vision is worth every weight.

    One of the ways which the CAS is hoping to re-write history and fulfil his vision is through education not only of Air Force personnel-which is done through training- but also providing for the needs of the dependents of his men through provision of world-class educational facilities.

    One of such is the Air Force Girls’ Comprehensive School located at the NAF Base Abuja.  The NAF was not the original initiator of the school, but the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA) led by Hajia Hafsat  Abubakar, wife of the CAS. But the NAF took over the construction of the school after NAFOWA ran out of resources to complete it in 2013.

    In December 2015, the CAS directed that work should resume and in eight months, a world class infrastructure stood in the ruins of the abandoned structure. What was built was described by the Minister for Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan as a “21st century school.”  The sparkling new school boasts a mini stadium, dining hall, hostel, tennis court, fully equipped classrooms, a library and a clinic. There is a standby generator to provide electricity while the science, art and agriculture laboratories and four other classrooms are equipped with interactive white boards which enables the students to experience the three ways of learning: hear, see, feel.

    Educating the girl child

    The CAS did not bite his lips when he enumerated the importance of educating the girl child and why the NAF view it as one of its cardinal focus.” Our experience in fighting insurgency in the Northeast indicates the exploitation of the girl-child by insurgents due to low literacy level. At present, birth rate statistics show that 65 percent of births are girls. It is documented by most state Ministries of Education that the enrolment of girls in secondary schools is below 45 percent.

    “This statistic is further supported by the results of the West African Examination Council. For instance in 2011out of a total of 688,516 girls that sat for the examination, only 226,804 got 5 credits. Similarly in 2012, about 747,553 girls sat for the examination and only 310,822 were successful.”

    The CAS said this NAF resolved to establish the school as “our modest contribution to Mr. President’s efforts at enhancing girl-child education in Nigeria.” With the new school, the NAF now has two secondary schools dedicated to girl-child education with one in Jos and Abuja respectively. He added that the school will educate the hearts and minds of the girls that would pass through its gates.

    For the Minister of Education, the construction of the school was “humbling” also stressing that the ratio of girl child education to boys is 1:3 in some states. This is also reinforced by the extremism of Boko Haram and the risks associated with girl child education kept the female educational attainment perpetually low.

    After commissioning the school and a tour of the facilities was conducted, Dr. Yemi Esan said: “ I came here with some uncertainties but I am impressed, this school is directed towards the underprivileged to curt out of school syndrome, we encourage other arms of government to follow suit, this is a 21st century school.”

    Yemi- Esan would not be the only one to be impressed, the next day at the Air Force Base Kaduna where NAFOWA had rehabilitated a nursery school and added the NAFOWA Little Angels Primary School, the CAS was also left impressed.

    “I am overwhelmed,” he said when he was called to make a remark after the school had been commissioned by Hajia Aisha Buhari, the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the wife of Kaduna State Governor, Hajia Hadiza El-rufai.

    “Four years ago, I brought my daughter to the crèche here, but I am sure she cannot recognize her school again because of the transformation,” he said. Like the girls school, the NAFOWA Primary school was built to world standard with ample playing room for the children, a fully equipped library and computer centre, spacious and conducive atmosphere for learning, white black boards, fully equipped home economics room and a crèche with modern facilities.

    While the CAS may have focused on education for the dependents of personnel, the real driver of these projects is adding value to the society.” Adding value to the society is our core mandate, I strongly belief that adding value to the society is the best legacy we can bequeath to our children,” he said.

    But there is also a greater vision: thinking ahead.

    “We have recruited 2,400 personnel and with the increase, you must start thinking of infrastructure. Our actions are driven by the desire to add value to society and that is the right direction to go,” he said.

    There are many worries that come with such projects, will the infrastructure not a pointer to an exorbitant school fees.  Will the school be opened to children of civilians and how would the NAF maintain such a high standard facility, how much was expended into the project?

    The CAS has answers for all. The school will follow the usual NAF fees schedule without adding anything on, the school will be opened to civilians, the NAF has maintenance structure put in place and the schools are of high standard so will stand the test of time and the schools are built using direct labour from the NAF, thereby cutting costs and enhancing the skills of Air Force engineers.

     

  • Beauty queen helps the needy

    Beauty queen helps the needy

    Miss Ambassador to the North, Akogun Biodun Deborah, has reached out to orphans and the destitute in Kogi State.

    The queen, along with friends, was at the Moms Orphanage in Felele, Lokoja, the state capital, where she distributed beverages, clothing, food items and toys, even cash. She also danced with inmates and staff of the home.

    It was on the nation’s Independence Day anniversary.

    Akogun said her inspiration comes from God, adding that she feels fulfilled bringing a smile to people’s faces.

    She said, “They say charity begins at home. I am from Kogi State, and I said why don’t we start from here? It is Independence, so why not share with those that are needy and those who may not even know what is happening? The orphans need our love and attention. So, me and my friends, we were there to celebrate with them. I derive pleasure from helping people, particularly the less-privileged; I derive pleasure from making them smile.

    “I get support from God and from my family and friends. They’ve been there, they encourage me and they tell me not to give up”.

    Her message of hope to Nigerians is that they should not give up even in the face of seeming hardship.

    She said, “God will surely help each and every one of us. I know that Nigeria will surely get better and I pray that these people get the help they need from the people and from the government, so that they can rebuild their lives.”

  • End of road for ‘beggar merchants’

    End of road for ‘beggar merchants’

    Three persons suspected of recruiting and shipping off fake beggars to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been arrested, reports GBENGA OMOKHUNU  

    The heat is on street beggars and the destitute but in the course of keeping them off the streets, the FCT Special Task Team on Abuja Environmental Protection has chanced upon some unscrupulous persons who apparently profit from a syndicate of fake beggars.

    The chairman of the Special Task Team, Squadron Leader Abdullahi Monjel (Retd.) disclosed this while parading the suspects.

    Monjel revealed that the feat was achieved as a result of the useful information received from Good Samaritans who reported the activities of this notorious syndicate to security operatives.

    The two suspected leaders of the syndicate, Mrs. Onyeachi and Mrs. Ogechi, are based in Keffi, Nasarawa State, but allegedly send their agents into the FCT on a daily basis wearing very dark glasses pretending to be blind and led by little kids, to beg for alms, after which the proceeds are remitted to their benefactors.

    Squadron Leader Monjel further disclosed that they ran out of luck when they were arrested by the task team and taken to Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre, Kuchiko in Bwari Area Council.

    According to a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, those arrested were Nnenna Nwehiwe (female) from Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State age 39; Christiana Akame, female, from Isu Local Government of Imo State age 40; and Ifeanyi Nwehiwe, male, from Imo State age 12.

    “On reaching the centre, they were put together with the blind beggars and destitute awaiting repatriation to their states of origin and the trio opened up, saying that they were not blind as claimed, and removed their dark glasses, so they should be released,” the chairman added.

    Monjel disclosed that after further interrogation the “blind women beggars” mentioned the two women that recruited them and others now at large from their villages.

    The chairman stated that the suspects have provided valuable information and would soon be handed over to the police for further investigation and subsequent prosecution.

    Monjel further revealed that the areas of security breach would definitely be intensively investigated as the suspects have cooperated by giving useful information.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will be creating a database for all beggars and destitute arrested in Abuja.

    The beggars and the destitute will be taken to the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre in Kuchiko.

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Muhammed Bello stated that the database would avail the administration adequate information on those arrested.

    He also said that it will also afford the government the opportunity to make adequate arrangement for repatriation.

    Bello stated this when Bello paid an unscheduled visit to the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre.

    He stated, “The FCT Administration is to create a database for all the arrested beggars and destitute taken to the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre, Kuchiko, in Bwari Area Council, Abuja.

    “The FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello dropped this hint when he and the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye, paid an unscheduled visit to the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre.

    “The Minister said that the establishment of the database would avail the Administration adequate information on those arrested as well as affording the government the opportunity to make adequate arrangement for repatriation.

    “Bello directed that FCT Social Development Secretariat to ensure that all those arrested be captured in the database for easy reference.

    ”He instructed that the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the FCT Task Team on Environment to after the arrest of beggars and destitute, be assembled and registered before taken to the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre where the Social Development staff will officially receive and hand them over to the management of the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre.

    “The Minister also directed the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre to commence the process of repatriation of the beggars and destitute in earnest in line with the extant rules to their various states of origin where the social welfare officials in such states are to receive them officially.

    “Malam Bello seized the opportunity to inspect the new borehole dug for the Centre by the FCT Administration and further directed that overhead tanks be provided and installed for immediate use by the inmates.

    “He asked the Social Development Secretariat to ensure that the pumped water is well reticulated; in addition the Secretariat should also fix all the street lighting points to illuminate the whole environment at nights.

    “The Principal of the Vocational and Rehabilitation Centre, Comrade Bala Tsoho told that the Minister that 145 new beggars and destitute were just brought into the Centre.

    “He reiterated that the welfare of the inmates especially regular feeding has drastically improved since Malam Bello came on board.”