The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Relief as Jos gets facelift

    Relief as Jos gets facelift

    Bulldozers have moved in to rehabilitate dilapidated roads in Jos, the Plateau State capital. Residents are thrilled not just for the roads but also because the government is completing the abandoned projects of previous administrations. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

    It is easy to see why the residents are happy seeing bulldozers get to work on Jos streets. The city has been in decay for years, robbing it and its residents the charming beauty for which it was known. In various parts of the capital city roads are in such disrepair that driving through them has been quite an uncomfortable task, rather than pleasure. So when the bulldozers moved in, the people expressed relief.

    But there is another reason for their relief. Several projects initiated by previous governments were not finished before the end of their tenures. This almost makes Jos the capital of uncompleted projects. The uncompleted projects cost taxpayers money, so why not celebrate if a new government decides to complete, rather than abandon, them.

    That is why the people are happy with the Simon Lalong administration,which took the  rare decision to complete such abandoned projects.

    Such continuity has been rare in Plateau State where every administration would not want to have anything to do with the project of the previous government.

    This negative development has slowed development and rubbished consistency, among other consequences. That is why  abandoned projects dot the Plateau landscape.

    By May 29 when Governor Lalong took office as the fifth civilian governor of the state, Jos, the  capital city was a ghost of itself. The beauty of a capital city had faded out, its attractions, allure and nature all but gone. The city has not been at its best. The situation of the famous Tin City then was necessitated by what residents described as ‘bad government policies and misplaced priorities’ by the immediate past administration of Jonah Jang.

    The immediate past administration left the city in a very bad shape with a good number of uncompleted projects scattered all over the city. Though the list of uncompleted projects is long, the one that is causing severe pains to residents  is the road projects, particularly the one that started from Secretariat Junction at Yakubu Gowon Way through to Maraba Jamaa Roundabout. This road cuts across the city centre and remains not only the longest and most popular in the city, but perhaps the most useful.

    Given this scenario, the hardship encountered by motorists plying the city of Jos is similar to what those in the rural areas are currently facing.

    Given the numbers of cars that ply the roads in the city, the situation is obviously worse in the state capital. When there is no rain, the roads are full of dust. When it rains, the uncompleted road becomes muddy, the pot holes giving motorists a nightmare.

    While the construction of road began in June last year, motorists endured the traffic gridlock. Everyone was restricted to one lane of the road as the second lane is closed for construction. People endured the hardship and prayed it will end soon, but all of a sudden, the construction company disappeared from site and left road users with a disorganised city road. The roundabouts are worst hit especially those of Old Airport Junction, Secretariat Junction, Miango Junction, Zaramaganda Junction, D B Zang Junction, Zawan Junction as well as Vom Junction.

    But based on the culture of a new government always not giving room for continuity of governance in the state, residents refused to place their hope on the project. This made Governor Lalong to re-assure citizens of the state that he will complete the project.

    People never believed him, It had never happened before in the history of the state. But while the new administration was battling with the huge financial challenges he inherited, Governor Lalong kept appealing to citizens to endure.

    “The governor understands the challenges faced by motorists with the state of major uncompleted roads within Jos-Bukuru metropolis. The governor further assured citizens that the situation would be remedied immediately to ameliorate the difficulties faced. The governor assured that the Transition Committee consultation with contractors would be intensified to ensure that a common understanding is reached with government to facilitate their immediate mobilization to site for the continuation of the road projects which were suspended.

    But even with the assurances by Gov Lalong, citizens doubt if such work will commence soon. Some said that cannot come untill next year. Mr. Joshua Bitrus said, “Yes, the governor has been promising, but these are politicians, you don’t trust their promises, but let’s see how it will go because as citizens we are aware he has no money to work with, that is why we are not expecting the project soon” Indeed, their doubt was based on clear understanding of the economic mess of the state at that point. But sooner than later, Gov Lalong mobilised contractors back to site for the road work to continued.

    The effects of these uncompleted roads is not only for motorists and those who ply the roads, far from that, according to a resident Mr Yohana Lukeman, “a lot of residents are suffering due to the fact that their water source was destroyed in the course of road construction, a lot of residents have been disconnected from electricity because the road project affected their power supply poles. Several other residents are already facing the challenges of flooding due to uncompleted drainages. So, generally speaking, no one is spared of the hardship, it is not only motorists, it affects every residents”

    Governor Lalong followed this appeal to citizens by inspecting the road project in the city after paying official visit to the contracting firm handling the road project Pw Construction Company Nigeria Ltd. According to Gov Lalong, “From the information available to me, the contractor has no reason stopping the construction since he has claimed 60% of the contract sum from the last administration of Jonah Jang.

    He said, “I have therefore directed the contractor to return to site and complete the road to alleviate the hardship our people are facing, you can’t just deface the city roads and abandon it like that for no good reason. I’m sure the contractor knows the implication of ignoring my directive on this particular project, I will not sit down here and allow citizens to continue to face this hardship for no fault of theirs. Something must be done.”

    Interestingly, the construction company knew the implication of flaunting the order of the governor and so, they moved their earth moving equipment and resumed work on the road. Many would not belief it. But the bulldozers are currently working on the main road projects left uncompleted by the immediate past administration. Especially the gingantic flyover bridge at Secretariat Junction in Jos city.

    Lalong did not only continued with the inherited road project, he initiated new ones, some of which are near completion especially that of Rantya-Federal Low-cost roads. The governor also embarked rehabilitation of all the streets within the Jos-Bukuru metropolis.

    With the high amount of rains in on the Plateau, almost every road in the city has developed into potholes and gullies. The whole of the city center has become a city of potholes, there is virtually no street that vehicle can ply smoothly. Since the month of May when the rains became a daily affairs, motorists have been driving with tears, many motorists can be seen gnashing their tooth while on starring. You have to meander and negotiate through the potholes.

    Apart from flagging off the rehabilitation of existing road network, Lalong has also impressed the people of the state by mobilizing the construction company Pw Company Nigeria Limited to go back and continued the uncompleted road contract awarded by the immediate past government led by Jonah David Jang. The uncompleted road which cut through the heart of the city has been a source of nightmare since last year when Jang began the construction.

    With the rehabilitation of the bad roads and the return of construction on the uncompleted road, residents of Jos are hailing the governor for moving out to alleviate their plight particularly commercial taxi drivers. One of them Ahmodu Bala said, “My relief is because, recently I began to hate my driving profession because of the nature of roads in Jos, the roads are terribly bad, by the time you get home after the days work, you feel so devastated and it makes you get discourage of continuing the work the next day. But I have been a taxi driver all my life and I don’t want go quit. That is why I say this governor is a savior for repairing these roads.”

     

  • Car prize for pageant contest winner

    A brand new Kia Picanto car awaits the winner of beauty contest organised by Hartland Beauty Supply (HBS), the biggest beauty and cosmetics store in the heart of Abuja.

    The firm said it aims to groom young beauties to make a splash in modeling and also be the face of HBS.

    There will be consolation prizes for the first and second runners-up. Organisers of the programme who are already preparing for the event billed for November 15 in Abuja.

    Organiser of the programme and Manager of HBS Mrs. Obioma Obiekwe stated that the competition is for all beauties that believe they have all it takes to get involved in the pageantry industry and to be a brand ambassador for a beauty supply line like the HBS. She explained that contestants should visit their store to purchase their forms and be informed on the screening processes.

    “Hartland Beauty Supply is the organiser of the event and we hope to use the event to get a brand ambassador for the company and the search for contestants is on and is open to all Nigerians,” she said.

    She also added, “As a way of giving back to the society, Come Sunday, the 15th of November, 2015, HBS will be giving away a brand 2015 Kia Picanto to the winner of this competition. There would also be consolation prices for the first and second runners-up.

    “HBS is a one-stop shop that deals with everything Beauty. We deal extensively on hair extensions and hair products, cosmetics and makeup, body-care products, accessories, underwear and Lingerie, SPA services, Salon and Nail Studio.”

    Organisers of the pageantry say that theirs is an opportunity for Nigerian beauties who will like to tow the line of Nigerian top models and beauty queens who probably could not have made it or found it easy if they had not been given the platform to showcase themselves and talents to a world which in the process, came to appreciate them and what they stand to represent which is true African beauty and pride.

     

  • Breast cancer: Niger governor’s wife advocates self-exam

    Breast cancer: Niger governor’s wife advocates self-exam

    Wife of Niger State governor Dr Amina Abubakar Bello has urged women to constantly examine themselves in order to detect any onset of breast cancer and nip it in the bud.

    One out of 25 women is liable to have breast cancer and one way to stop the disease is to create awareness on it.

    This was one of the objectives of a free breast cancer screening programme organised in the state by Dr. Bello.

    According to her, creating awareness for detection is one of the ways to prevent this growing scourge amongst women as she said that the more people are aware of this disease, the better the chances of women surviving from the disease.

    Speaking at the Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign organised by the Fifth Chukker Polo Country Club in Minna to mark the Breast Cancer Day which is celebrated every October, the Governor’s Wife called on women in the state to ensure regular check up to curtail the menace of breast cancer lamenting that the type of cancer experienced in the country is preventive and every woman needs to do regular check up to ascertain whether they have breast cancer or not.

    She said that the awareness will cut across every part of the state as the state government is set to establish a primary healthcare center in each ward across the state to provide monthly breast cancer screening, especially to women in the rural areas.

    “What Niger State is trying to do is to make sure that every ward in the state have a primary healthcare center that will provide 24 hour service including the preventive measures as well as therapeutic measures.

    “To sustain it, we will begin a breast screening programme across the state through the primary healthcare centers where free breast cancer screening will be done once a month.”

    Dr. Bello who is also a Fifth Chukker Breast Cancer Awareness Ambassador urged women to embrace preventive measures as cancer treatment is astronomical advising women to carry out their self examination two days before or two days after their menstruation period.

    “The cost of treatment is astronomical; this is why emphasis is being laid on prevention. We have few cancer centres in the country that can deal with the treatment of cancer. Niger State is one of the states that do not have access to cancer centers. We send cancer cases outside the state. That is why we plan to increase the prevention so that the cost of treatment is reduced.”

    She also advised the people to calling to do away with every misconception and minx about breast cancer and its causes adding that women need to desist from going to chemists when they notice something wrong in their breast adding that they should go to General Hospitals as chances of them being mismanaged is less there.

    Delivering a lecture on breast cancer detection and prevention, Dr. Femi Olaleye of Optimal Health Care Foundation said that because cancer is a cellular tissue in the body that have forgotten to die, women must embrace early detection by doing self examination and or go for check-up.

    He stressed that it is important for women to know their glands and ducts as breast cancer starts small and if it is not detected early can lead to death.

    Olaleye stated the risks involved in getting cancer stating that women with family history of cancer is at a higher risk of coming down with the disease adding that lack of testing also contributes as self examination will save the life of every woman.

    “Only 20 per cent of lumps in breast is cancerous. After the self examination, the mammogram is taken to know if the lumps are cancerous or not.”

    He expressed sadness that women who die from breast cancer would not have died if there was early detection adding that breast cancer campaign should not be done every october but it should be a daily campaign.

    In her address, the Director of Business Development, Fifth Chukker Polo Country Club, Kaduna, Terri Brennan stated that awareness and education is the key tp early detection adding that everyone needs to be an ambassador of breast cancer to raise awareness of the scourge every day.

    She said that the discussion about breast cancer should not only be limited to women alone adding that it should be a topic that is not hidden and people should be comfortable to  discuss it.

    During the programme, there was question and answer session where Doctor Olaleye and the governor’s wife proffered answers to those who asked questions; the women were also taught to self examine themselves before experts examined them.

    About 300 women were screened for breast cancer during the programme.

     

  • NDIC hails faith-based community bank in Jos

    Rural dwellers in Plateau State and such low income earners as petty traders who cannot buy shares in big banks can now do so at a bank they can call their own established by Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN).

    The development has earned the microfinance bank praise from the National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

    The microfinance bank set up  in 2012 is growing and so is the profile of its customers in Jos city and the entire state. This much was revealed when the bank held its maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) at which it briefed its clients.

    COCIN is one of the largest indigenous churches in Northern region with its headquarters in Jos. The microfinance bank is wholly owned by the church. Its shareholders are equally the poor segments of the society who attend the church.

    The bank’s objectives include helping the poor to grow, encouraging petty traders to save and offering advice to small-scale traders. The bank also grants credit facilities to its customers who have genuine business plans.

    At the AGM held at Yelwa Club Jos, the bank gave an impressive account of itself. They declared profits to the admiration of shareholders.

    “Light Microfinance Bank Limited has made an unprecedented profit of N336 million as the year 2015 ended, against the N174million when the bank started its operations in 2012,” declared its chief executive Mr. Tat Danjuma.

    “The state licence Microfinance bank run by the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) has a clients capacity of 8,776 pulling as the leading microfinance bank in Plateau State,” said chairman of the board, Mr Bernard Poyi.

    The managing director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tat Danjuma said, “the laudable impact made by the bank in the years under review was not without Challenges” This according to him, “most of their clients are farmers and are been affected with the consistent attacks on villages in the state by unknown gunmen coupled with the activities of Boko Haram within the northern part of the country where their clients transacted businesses within the states.

    He maintained that the bank at the moment has only two branches in the northern zone of the state, and are working on other branches one each in other senatorial zones. “We have already put all modalities in place to open one branch in Kurgwi to cover the southern part of the state, as well one in Gindiri to cater for the abundant clients within the central zone respectively,” he said.

    The maiden AGM has given share holders and other clients a motivational direction and have set a prospect for the future by endorsing the increment of authorized capital from the initial N200million to N500million. While an increased in bank’s paid up capital from N183million to N300million.

    The Zonal Comptroller of National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) in charge of Plateau, Gombe, Yobe and  Bauchi state zonal office, Mr Emmanuel Vantau said the bank is moving in the right pace as he monitored their operation within the years under review with a risk of 2.0% compared to other micro-finance industries in the zone.

    Applauding the efforts of the management of the bank, Mr. Vantau said, “The difference between a good bank and a bad one is just a prudent management. This bank has been well managed at this level, and I will urge the management to keep it up for the benefit of the low income earner and petty traders who have no access to the conventional banks in the state”

    Vontau encouraged customers to “buy more shares in the bank, seek relevance financial advice from the bank and allow the bank to help them grow their small businesses as the company is set to be one of the leading national microfinance bank in no distant time in the country”

    One of the bank customer, Mrs Habila Yohanna said, “I’m so happy today because the bank is giving us hope as our bank, most of us have no access to the big banks but we feel at home with this one. The discuss with us and advice us in our small trade”

    A farmer in Bukuru said, “The bank help some of us to procure fertilizer last year, the bank is so supportive, it will remain the bank of poor people like us, I wish them long life and speedy growth for the benefit of the poor.”

     

  • ‘How police arrested cattle rustlers in Kano’

    ‘How police arrested cattle rustlers in Kano’

    For so long, they terrorised travellers and anyone they could find around the Falgore Games Reserve in Tudun Wada Local Government Area on the outskirts of Kano. The thick forest does not habour only wild animals but also deadly criminals and illegal immigrants from Mali, Niger Republic and Senegal.

    They robbed and tormented innocent citizens until security personnel turned the heat on them.

    What next? They zeroed in on cattle, stealing as many as they find and as often as possible.

    Police have said even cattle rustling is becoming an uncomfortable business for the hoodlums, as many of the criminals have been arrested, thanks to the spirited efforts of Kano State Commissioner of Police, Malam Muhammad Musa Katsina, with support from sister security agencies such as the Army and Department of State Security (DSS).

    The state police have described how 74 suspected cattle rustlers were arrested.

    Apart from the paraded 74 suspected cattle rustlers, there were also 818 cows and 87 sheep recovered from the suspects during 30 days of combing the forest.

    Parading the suspects and recovered cows and sheep before the state governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the Emir of Kano, His Highness Muhammad Sanusi II at Kanar Dawaki in Dawaki Kudu Local Government Area of the state, where the livestock were kept, CP Katsina said that three of the notorious cattle rustlers were killed in a gun duel during the operation while a police officer sustained injury in the process, but has been treated and discharged. Katsina said that the police recovered large cache of arms, as some of the suspects were nabbed clad in police and army camouflage which they use to intimidate and rob Fulani herdsmen.

    “Notable among the suspects is Umaru Dogo Ndaiye, a Senegalese national who was gunned down when he engaged our men in a gun battle who were on special duty at Falgore forest by Gazobi village. He later gave up while receiving treatment at hospital. A revolver pistol and 224 rustled cattle were recovered from him, while four other members of his gang were arrested. Other leading members of the bandits who lost their lives during gun duel with the police are Datti Umar Rodi and Mammadu Dogo,” he stated.

    According to him, during the operation, the police also recovered 21 arms, 42 AK 47 ammunition, 15 9.mm ammunition, 28 live cartridges and 12 locally made AK 47 ammunition. Also 82 drug dealers and cultists were apprehended, while 21 parcels of 464 raps of Indian Hemp were recovered, adding that 416 cartons of Tramadol, 119 sachets of Diazepam, 101 cartons of parklin and codeine syrup, five gallons of suck-and-die, including two tricycles used in conveying drugs by drug couriers were also displayed by the police.

    Giving account of how police smashed the cattle rustlers, CP Katsina said, “When I resumed duty in Kano recently, I came to understand through the Emir of Kano, His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II that there were serious complaints of cattle rustling by bandits in Falgore forest and its environs; and for that reason, I took it upon myself to visit the forest and the affected villages on a fact-finding mission. Having studied the situation on ground, we therefore decided to form a Police Anti-cattle Rustling Squad, Ambush Squad and Tactical Observation Points along the 36 kilometre Falgore forest highway.

     

    “We equally deployed adequate and effective specially trained men in all the ransacked and deserted villages surrounding the forest, covering Doguwa, Tudun Wada, Kibiya and Sumaila Local Government Areas of Kano state. The following villages which prior to our intervention were deserted due to the activities of the bandits are now secured and normalcy has returned. These villages are Yantagwaye, Murmushi, Karasa, Zainabi, Sabon Gari Yalwa, Kyakkyauta in Doguwa Local Government Area; while Sabon Garin Makwasa, Makwasa, Gazobi, Burum Burum in Tudun Wada; also Gidan Kare and Masu Sumaila Local Government Area.

    Governor Ganduje described the activities of cattle rustlers as worrisome, saying that, “this is happening as we are yet to get out of the menace of insurgency, but now another frightening dimension of crime has resurfaced, which is alarming.” Ganduje who was pained that out of the 818 cattle rustlers that were arrested; some of them are Fulanis, urged security agencies to ensure that they face the wrath of the law, while assuring them of the state government’s support in their quest to fish out other suspects involved in cattle rustling. Governor Ganduje said that already, a Committee has been set up to ensure that the recovered livestock are returned to their rightful owners, adding that those involved in cattle rustling should realize that their days are numbered. Ganduje hailed CP Katsina, state Director of DSS and Commander 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army and described them as his own ‘Service Chiefs,’ saying that they have made him proud over the feat, describing the situation as unpleasant, while calling on the communities and traditional rulers to support security agencies with useful information over the activities of cattle rustlers and other bandits in the state.

    Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, accompanied by all the District Heads in Kano and members of the Emirate Council underscored the seriousness attached to the war against cattle rustlers. The Kano monarch could not hide his anger sighting the cattle rustlers. The revered Kano monarch, during his speech read out some portions in the Holy Quoran that abhors stealing, while recommending that Islamic law should be applied in the prosecution of the suspects, which include amputation of hands and legs, killing, piecing their body with sticks, life imprisonment or to be exiled. He called on Governor Ganduje to give adequate support to security agencies so as to ensure that other bandits at the forest or elsewhere across the state are fished out and properly dealt with. The Emir who was full of praise to CP Katsina, state Director DSS, Lawal Safana and Commander 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig.Gen. Hamisu Hassan for their doggedness and efforts to ensure that the cattle rustlers were brought to book. Now that the war against cattle rustlers and other bandits along Falgore Game Reserve, has been declared, villagers and travelers may now breadth fresh air as The Nation reports that calm and normalcy have been restored in the area.

     

  • ‘Merge EFCC, ICPC’

    Alternate Chairman, Anti-corruption Commission of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), John Baiyesea, (SAN), has recommended the merger of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for effective prosecution of persons standing trial for corrupt offences.

    The Ilorin-based legal practitioner also suggested time a time limit for the prosecution of cases, adding that prolonged prosecution of corrupt cases creates room for people to escape justice.

    Mr. Baiyesea spoke this in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital at a public lecture organized by the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU) of the University of Ilorin.

    He urged Nigerians to stop idolising corrupt people, saying “Nigerians should rather treat such people with contempt and stop hailing them.”

    Said he: “Indicted persons for corruption should never be allowed to aspire again to public offices; the present constitutional provisions which prohibit only persons convicted and not persons indicted should be amended to the effect that if you are indicted, you must not be allowed to contest any public office or be appointed into public office until you clear that indictment.

    “Then again, there should be constitutional provision(s) to the effect that if you are convicted for any crime, particularly economic crime, you will be banned for life from contesting public office or being appointed to hold public office. By this practice Nigeria has been reduced to a laughing stock in the comity of civilised nations.

    “Looted funds when recovered should henceforth be used deliberately to fund some fundamental projects or infrastructure. I am making this suggestion because looted funds recovered from previous looters of our treasury cannot be traced to any meaningful project.

    “Our legal system and or laws should also henceforth make provisions to hold public officials and persons in both public and private who live above their means to be accountable for such excesses. In other words, anyone who lives above his means should be made to explain because that could be a prima facie fact of corruption.

    “There should be an effective and efficient monitoring and scrutiny of bank transactions of such people. That is the practice in South Korea, China, Hong Kong and even western countries generally. No serious society wishing to fight corruption can allow it citizens to live extraordinarily above his legitimate means of earning without explanation.”

    He added that “overwhelming Nigerians are conspirators with the looters of the country’s economy. It appears therefore that the problem will not go away very soon unless there is an attitudinal change.”

     

  • Indigenes protest ministerial list

    Indigenes protest ministerial list

    Some indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly over what they called the non-inclusion of an indigenous person on the ministerial list.

    They protested under the auspices of the Coalition of Indigenous Groups of the FCT.

    The protesters numbering over 100 gathered at the Eagle Square from where they marched to the National Assembly. They bore placards with such inscriptions as ’FCT indigenes deserve Ministerial slot’, ‘We need a second-tier government in FCT’, ’PMB please appoint an FCT indigene as a Minister, for fair representation at FEC’.

    Spokesperson of the group, Comrade Dalhatu Ezekiel said that they staged the peaceful protest after the list of nominees sent by President Muhammadu Buhari to the Senate on September 30 had no FCT original inhabitant on it.

    “We demand to be treated fairly, as enshrined in Section 299 of 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). When it comes to education, we produce graduates with good grades yearly, with wonderful areas of specialisation, like engineers, doctors and lawyers.

    “We are calling on President Buhari to appoint an original inhabitant of FCT as a Minister. We demand that the FCT be given a 2nd tier of government to carter for the original inhabitants as applicable in other states, like administrative and political structure of the FCT.

    “We demand for the appointments of FCT original inhabitants as chairmen of Boards into the Federal Government Ministries, Dep-artments and Agencies. We shall continue to support President Buhari and the National Assembly in all ramifications towards ensuring that the administration succeeds given the benefit of doubt. We shall at the same time stop at nothing, but will explore all avenues to ensuring that our demands are met rather than been overlooked,” he said.

    The Chairman Senate Committee on Information, Senator Dino Melaye, who spoke with the protesting natives, commended the peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves, telling them that the only agenda of the 8th Senate is the people.

    He appealed to them not worry because the present administration is going to listen to their plight and give them what they are agitating for.

    In a related development, a lawyer, Mr James Ndeye, has said some indigenous people of the FCT will sue the Federal Government if it fails to appoint an indigenous Abuja person a minister.

    Ndeye, himself an indigene, was speaking on behalf of others, said the omission of an Abuja native from the list of ministerial nominees submitted to the National Assembly was a breach of their constitutional rights and not privileges.

    The indigenous people urged President Muhammadu Buhari to fulfil his promise made to FCT indigenes during his campaign.

    Ndeye said, “It is no longer an issue of pleading but a constitutional right. We can seek legal redress, even if it means taking civil disobedience we would even do a simple peaceful protest to tell the authority this is what we want but we are not ready for violence,” he said.

    He explained that the natives have not seen any indications that an original inhabitant is included or would be included in the list of ministerial nominees whom he said could be the last batch of potential ministers.

    “There are so many areas injustices have been meted to the natives of Abuja and we thought that by this administration and with the party slogan of change we are going to experience change. But we are surprised that nothing new is coming our way.

    “I blame our political leaders, especially the elected area councils chairmen and the National Assembly members, who have failed over the years to organize pressure group in the FCT, irrespective of political party affiliation and differences like our past Nigerian leaders who in one voice in different parties sang one chorus for our independence,” he said.

     

  • Councils share N1.5b allocation

    The Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has distributed the sum of N1,501,176,445.24 to the six Area Councils of the territory being monies accruing to them from the Federation Account.

    FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Chukwu, an engineer, who made this disclosure in his office, said that the meeting was sequel to the earlier one held by the Federation Account Allocation Committee on the September 22.

    According to him, the sum comprises Statutory Revenue Allocation of N599,122,677.96; Value Added Tax of N893,892,259.86, and Exchange Rate Gains (August) of N8,161,507.42 totaling N1,501,176,445.24.

    Chukwu revealed that Abuja Municipal Area Council received the highest share of N353, 654,171; followed by Bwari Area Council that got N250, 226,160.05.

    According to the statement issued by the Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule: “Others are Gwagwalada Area Council with N232,595,399.19; Kuje Area Council got N225,553,845.96; Kwali Area Council received N227,405,902.23 and Abaji Area Council which received the lowest share of N211,740,967 for the month of August 2015.”

    The Permanent Secretary disclosed that statutory deductions were made in accordance with the Fund Allocation Monitoring Act payment of the Primary School Teachers Salaries, 15% Pension Fund, 1% Training Fund; LEA Teachers Monetization Entitlements as well as 7.5% Employer Pension Contribution.

    Chukwu enjoined the Council Chairmen to make judicious use of the funds by ensuring that transparency and accountability remain their watchword.

    He also advised the Councils to devise ways of improving their internally generated revenues (IGR) in view of the dwindling resources accruing to the government.

     

  • Crushing Boko Haram

    It is likely that when President Muhammadu Buhari a few months back directed the security outfits to defeat the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram by December, he probably did not take the weather dimension into consideration. But that may affect the realisation of the president’s deadline.

    The Sambisa forest, which is the heart of the war and most likely the base of the sect, is a difficult terrain in itself without the weather challenges.

    As the rainy season is gradually coming to an end, the hazy harmattan weather in the war-torn area is fast taking over the terrain.

    While visibility in the area during raining season is poor, the situation is worse under harmattan period as it will be almost impossible to see clearly beyond three meters diameters from any point in the forest.

    The weather is now providing the enemies unnecessary cover that may work against the deadline.

    If extra care is not taken, the weather may further give the insurgents the cover to plan more ambush against the armed forces and carry out more of their evil attacks against the masses.

    Despite the new challenges, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin, has expressed the armed forces’ commitment to meeting the deadline.

    He was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja last week Monday with other service chiefs to brief the President on the latest development.

    He said “It is a normal consultation to intimate him of the issues on the ground. We briefed him on the security situation on ground after a 60-day review and we had to brief him on the challenges we have and ensure that the mandate we have is properly delivered.

    “Of course, the challenges we are looking at are the issues of probably the weather as it were and some other logistics that we feel we should have so that the mandate can be quickly delivered.

    On whether there will be shift in the deadline, he said: “We have not said that. The mandate is that we should clear Boko Haram from the occupied territories and ensure that we reclaim all the lost grounds. That is exactly what we are doing.

    “It is a military operation and military operations have time-lines and these time-lines, we are working on it assiduously.

    He also disclosed that the US and UK have been involved in capacity building as part of their support to the government.

    As the capacity building continues, it is hoped that members of the Nigeria armed forces involved in the fight will be given the necessary gadgets and equipment to overcome the weather challenges and end the insurgency as scheduled.

    There is no doubt that US and UK and other supporters have the gadgets needed to scale the hurdles being presented by weather in the area.

     

    Shunning first Council of State meeting

     

    Immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan was among the past living Presidents and Heads of State that did not attend the first Council of State meeting under President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

    The meeting, which was held at the Presidential Villa, was expected to be attended by the serving President and Vice President, all living former Presidents and Heads of State; President of the Senate; Speaker of the House of Representatives; all living former Chief Justices of Nigeria and all state governors among others.

    Many past leaders, who were abroad for one thing or the other had in the past cancelled or shortened their visits abroad in order to attend such Council of State meeting where important decisions having great impact on the country are taken.

    Other former Presidents who could not attend the Wednesday Council of State meeting are Shehu Shagari and Olusegun Obasanjo.

    The duo have however attended several Council of State meetings under past administrations and could have been absent from Wednesday meeting for one cogent reason or the other.

    For the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, his reason for been absent at the meeting, which is the first under his tenure, is known to all as he had to appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal the same day.

    But it is not clear why the immediate past President Jonathan stayed away from the first meeting after leaving office.

    His presence at the first meeting would have send a strong message to Nigerians.

    It is hoped that his absence is unconnected with the anti-corruption drive of President Buhari, who is probing some activities under the immediate administration.

    Jonathan is expected to give Buhari all the encouragement and supports he needs to catch all the looters who diverted and stole the commonwealth of the people without his knowledge during his tenure.

    Among the past leaders, who were on hand to encourage the new administration on Wednesday included Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd) and Chief Ernest Shonekan.

     

    Thumbs up for Jega

     

    Against all odds, the former National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega served the country dedicatedly and meritoriously.

    During his tenure he midwived many elections in the country which were seen to be freer, fairer and more transparent globally.

    Of special note among the elections was the one that brought in the present administration headed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    So it was not out of place for the Council of State on Wednesday to single out and commend Jega for his achievements in the electoral system in Nigeria.

    Apart from the Council Secretariat directed to note the commendations, a letter of commendation may also later be sent to Jega.

     

  • Ex-minister hails Adamawa governor on workers’ pay

    For paying three years’ arrears of workers’ Leave and Transport Grant (LTG), former Adamawa State Governor and immediate past Minister of Youth Development Mr. Boni Haruna has hailed Governor Muhammed Umar Jibrilla.

    Haruna, who spoke to reporters in Abuja, said, “Governance is not only about providing infrastructure, but also about taking care of the welfare of the people, including the workers who are key to implementing programmes and policies of government.”

    He noted that such a gesture was very critical to a state like Adamawa with little industries and with economy relying solely on civil servants.

    Haruna noted that the Jibrilla administration has taken off in the right direction so far through his performance in the required critical areas.

    The former minister decried the action of immediate past governments in the state, which, according to him, had more earnings from the Federation Account than the state’s present administration.

    The past governments, he lamented, could not pay the workers’ basic entitlements like the LTG for about three years.

    Haruna advised Jibrilla to pay more attention to workers’ yearly salary increment, implementation of promotion, upgrading and payment of gratuity to retired civil servants.

    He emphasised that as Adamawa State’s former governor, he understood the critical areas that required urgent attentions.

    “What is important now is not party politics, but how governments should focus on bringing about development and ensuring that the lives of the people are changed for the better,” he said.

    He also lauded the governor for flagging off massive road constructions across Jimeta and Yola.

    Haruna noted that since he left office as governor, no government sought to build on his legacies like the Jibrilla-led administration.

    He called on Adamawa people to support the present administration, stating that there “is a ray of hope for a greater future in the state with the way the state government is executing its policies”.