The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Bulldozers get to work in Jalingo

    Bulldozers get to work in Jalingo

    The presence of heavy bulldozers, excavators, front loaders, dump trucks and terrain cranes bear witness that serious construction work is going on. Daily, there is that motion-sound that informs even a blind person that someone is at work. Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, is quietly changing its face. One man to thank is Darius Dickson Ishaku, the governor.

    Ishaku, a consummate architect and town planner, had set the tone and direction of his administration on day one when he took the oath of office. He has often said Jalingo is more rural than urban as it should be.

    Heavy equipment, which Jalingo residents call ‘DDI bulldozers’ are seen everywhere in the state capital working. The Palace Way, which runs through the Jalingo daily market, is receiving the most attention. Shoddy buildings with rusted roofs along the Palace Way have been cleared to widen the street and for new edifices to be built with long span.

    The PW Nigeria Limited is the contractor. This giant construction company had been contracted by former governor Danbaba Suntai since 2007. PW had however, stopped work and was pulling its equipment out of the state until Ishaku took over the mantle of leadership and reopened discussion and re-negotiation with the company. They were abandoned in the last two years when Suntai suffered severe injuries when a plane he flew crashed in 2012.

    PW is now re-mobilised to site. Besides Jalingo, they are back to work on the Bali-Serti-Gembu Road which was constructed by the Babangida regime. The Taraba State Road Construction and Maintenance Agency (TARCMA) is also re-mobilise to rehabilitate some 6.5 kilometer local government township roads.

    The DDI bulldozers in Taraba reminds us of the El-Rufai Bulldozers in Abuja few years ago. Not everyone is happy to have Ishaku’s “new and beautiful Taraba.” Tears are running down the cheeks of those whose properties have been pulled down by the DDI bulldozers.

    “We didn’t vote this man to destroy our structures,” they cried out. It is the sweet-bitter story. And it is not clear whether those affected would be compensated by the state government. All make-shift apartments inform of shops have been cleared. Now, you can stand in one end of a street and see someone several metres away.

    Another remarkable feature hallmarking Jalingo city as an emerging beautiful enclave is its traffic lights. Ishaku ensures that the lights are working, as taps too are running under his watch. Motorists are now stopped at junctions by the red light, until the green gives them way. Traffic officials now have less work to do. At night -when darkness comes, street lights shine to enthrall a beautiful grey or tan colour. These were absent when Taraba state was created from the defunct Gongola in 1991.

    Rev. Jolly Nyame, who became the first democratically elected governor in 1992, met Jalingo as a typical rural settlement. From that time till date, what is referred to as the “City Beautiful Movement” may not have been speedy here, compared to the cosmopolitan states of Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano, but it has been stunning of recent.

    The improvement of the aesthetics and grandeur in Jalingo, accompanied with increased population, has reshaped the moral and civic virtues of the Jalingo community.

    Young men and women, who receive auxiliary pay cheques in the Ministry of Environment, work as cleaners to sanitise the main arteries to make them sparkle. You will marvel at its contrasts from what it used to be. Its architectural range reflects modern touches. And now the climax can be reached, with an architect cum town planner in the saddle. Sources say the governor may go a step further, to totally implement the Jalingo Master Plan. Jalingo sprang up in defiance to its master plan -decades before it became a state capital. “This is just a little start and people are beginning to cry, what if the master plan is to be implemented in totality? You know even our government offices were not built according to the plan,” a source from the State House told The Nation.

    That is to say, at 24 years of creation, which the state celebrated in August, the urbanisation of the state capital has influenced both demographic social reform and contemporary planning of settlements, particularly in its heartbeat. Magami and Mayo-Gwoi areas are good examples.

    The state capital had taken off in disregard to its Master Plan. Residents had used local implements like hoes and shovels to open up foot paths. They built residences on sanitary lines and dumped refuse in water channels that blocked run-offs. There was no descriptive settlement pattern, and raw sewages were openly dumped to pollute the town. Its environment was always enveloped by a putrid smell of meat and animal and human defecates.

    Now, some good roads, paved streets and curvets are being built, to stimulate the rise of grandiose structures and exquisite complexes like modern shopping plazas.

    Ishaku has said he has come to “rescue Taraba” from all of that. And the change has been remarkably rapid within the first 100 days of his administration despite cries of fierce economic crunch and unprecedented debt burden inherited from the previous government.

    Jalingo city, like every other capital city, is now more of the people, than the physical precinct; the social and economic life, their businesses and where they unwind after the daily official work etc. There is a modified pattern of buying and selling, a departure from the hitherto uproar by a rowdy grasping consumers or goods vendors struggling to make brisk business.

    More tributary streets are springing up, adorning the face of the Hammaruwa Way -the main artery in the state capital.

    “If I have N9 billionI will hit nine major roads running. What I need is peace; give me peace and I will give you development,” Ishaku said at a dinner he organised in Government House Jalingo to mark the 55th Independence anniversary.

     

  • Nigerians should learn from Ilorin peace’

    Nigerians should learn from Ilorin peace’

    Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari says that peace in multi-ethnic and religiously divergent Ilorin should be a case study. ADEKUNLE JIMOH reports

    The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari said that the ethno-religious and political diversity of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has been a source of blessing to the town and that Nigerians should take a cue from the ancient town.

    The monarch also urged would-be chroniclers of Ilorin history to carry out intensive research before publishing any book about the town.

    Represented by the Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Soliu W. Mohammed, the emir spoke this at the launch of a book titled: “Managing Ethno-political relations in Nigeria: The Ilorin example, 1823-2003.”

    Foremost historian and Dean, College of Humanity and Social Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof Akeem Danmole urged Nigerian intellectual to come up on the history of their towns and cities.

    Prof Danmole who taught the author of the book, Dr Abdulwahab L. Olumo at the university, said he encouraged the writer not to abandon the writing of the book midway.

    Chairman of the occasion and former Vice Chancellor University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Shuaib Abdulraheem said that the book having been subjected to academic scrutiny had met international standard.

    He said the author’s dedication and perseverance made the book to see the light of the day, adding that “no one can tell the story of a town than the ‘son of the soil.’”

    A lecturer in the department of political science, UNILORIN, Prof Hassan Saliu said “either in past or present, Islam is a major factor working to unite all Ilorin people with the existing political order. Once Islam is removed from our understanding of certain phenomena in Ilorin, our knowledge of such issues would be incomplete.

    “This had played out in the rejection of merger with our western brothers and sisters under the first republic. Nothing has changed in the position of Ilorin as the town has shown more tolerance and accommodation with northern political establishment than any other political tendency in the country.

    “Indeed, the Ilorin people have never failed to make the point that they are Yoruba speaking people in the north, not Yoruba. It is however a troubling reality that we do not yet have much to show for this alliance.”

    In his own remark, Akeem Yusuf, a legal practitioner said the book had contributed to the body of knowledge, noting the author had contributed his quota to the development of the community.

    Mr. Yusuf added that “the book is a challenge to all of us here to put on our thinking cap by coming up with our own books to advance the frontiers of knowledge.”

     

  • Traditional ruler marks 10th anniversary

    Traditional ruler marks 10th anniversary

    Dignitaries have converged on Idi-Ape area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Alhaji Aremu Zubair’s reign as the Mogaji Aare of Ilorin. Special prayers were offered at the event.

    The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari bestowed the title on the ruler whose progenitors were some of the earlier settlers at Idi-Ape in the metropolis.

    Some dignitaries at the event include doyen of senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in the state, Alhaji Alarape Salman, former secretaries to the state government (SSGs), Alhaji Shehu Gafar, Alhaji Saka Isau (SAN), Mudi Gold, Architect Mahmud J. Faworaja and Chairman, Ilorin West local government, Alhaji Sulu Oloje.

    Others are Aremo of Idi-Ape, Saadu Suleiman, Kwara state Surveyor-General, Musa Eletu, Secretary, the state Ministry of Lands, Tunde Suleiman, a controller at the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FGBN), Wale Abatan etc.

    Alhaji Zubair while speaking with The Nation hailed the Emir of Ilorin for counting him worth of the chieftaincy title.

    He lamented the high rate of youth joblessness in his domain, adding that fixing jobless youths in his domain had been his greatest challenge since he assumed the stool of his forefather a decade ago.

    He, however, said that despite the challenge and with the cooperation of the community, youth restiveness has been curtailed in his domain.

    He hailed the state government for creating jobs for the people of the state but stressed that government alone cannot do it.

    “The challenges are many but as a human being one has to absorbed it, one of them is how do you place your people, how do you cater for them more so those who have not gotten employment, particularly the youth ,how do you cater for them. I thanked God one by one God is helping .Sometimes the civil service in the state is also helping, I thank God. But my main problem is how do I get job for this boys,” the Magaji Aare said.

    The traditional ruler however expressed delight that despite the challenge, youth restiveness in the area has been curbed through the cooperation of members of the community.

    Aremu charged members of the community particularly the youths to cooperate with the government.

    “They should not emulate the roughness that some of the youth in other areas are doing, they want to work with the government and we want the government to assist us and we want the governor to know that we are not violent”, he said.

    In his lecture,a renowned Islamic cleric, Sheik Sulyman Faruk Onikijipa said the reign of the Magaji Aare has been peaceful.

    The cleric said the Magaji Aare had achieved a feat that no one thought was achievable in the community.

    Also in his lecture, Sheik Buhari Musa said the Idi-Ape community had carved a niche for itself that the history of Ilorin can never be complete without a mentioning of the area.

    He admonished those in position of authorities to be sensitive to the plight of the masses and always have their interests at heart.

  • Youths to APC: choose credible candidates

    Indigenous youths of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), under the auspices of AMAC Youth for Good Governance (AYGG) have appealed to the leadership of the council chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure that a credible Chairmanship candidate is elected from the over 23 chairmanship aspirants in the forth coming party chairmanship primaries.

    The youth who made this call through their leader, Comrade Ishiaku Audu, in a press briefing in respect to the forth coming council elections,  explained that there is the need for the party to trail the path of the good example exhibited by the national level of the party,  where the leadership was not bought with money before the presidential election.

    Audu explained that the youth are worried with the numbers of aspirants that are vying for the chairmanship position and most of them intend to buy their way through with money, saying that since the APC has become the ruling party, that the numbers of chairmanship aspirants has gone beyond the expectation of the people.

    According to the indigenous youth,  it is obvious that with the numbers of aspirants and the ways most of them are going about the chairmanship election,  whereby some of them are trying to buy the conscience of the people with money is something to be worried about, that if the party is not careful,  the wrong person will be chosen during the primaries.

    “We are seriously disturbed, because we do not want the wrong person to be selected by the party during the primaries. We have taken critical look at all the aspirants and if we are allowed to make our choice,  we will prefer the former AMAC Secretary and present FCT APC Secretary,  Hon. Abdulahi Candido,  because he has been the only consistent person in the party, before it became the ruling party.

    “We must understand that the era of buying the conscience of people with money to get their votes is over. We are appealing that the primary election be based on somebody that has what to offer to the people of AMAC.   That is why we believe that Hon. Candido is the best aspirant amongst all of over 23 aspirants and he can continue with the spirit of positive change in the council.

    “We will not keep quiet and let things go wrong in the council.  We have gotten information of how some aspirants are trying to buy the conscience of people, by giving them cars and monetary gifts. That attitude has shown they do not have anything to offer the people, if anyone of them becomes chairman. AMAC people should not sell their future for peanuts. That is why we are appealing that the leadership of the party should not make mistakes during this election,” he said.

    The indigenous youth further advised the AMAC leadership of the party to consider experience and sincerity when making the choice to select the candidate to fly the party’s flag during the election, saying that only an aspirant  that has the experience in the affairs of the council, will be able to know how to affect the lives of the people when elected.

     

  • Floods: Forewarned, not forearmed

    Floods: Forewarned, not forearmed

    Despite sufficient warning, low-lying areas in Kaduna State have been flooded, leaving residents in agony. TONY AKOWE reports

    The authorities will hardly be blamed for the floods. They sounded the alarm but few listened. In early September, the National Emergency Management agency warned of possible flooding in some states, especially in communities along the river bank and other flood-prone areas in the country. The agency asked residents of those communities to evacuate.

    •Another section of the flooded areas
    •Another section of the flooded areas

    While on an enlightenment visit to Ungwan Romi community in Kaduna State, the Northwest Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Musa Ilallah warned residents against dumping refuse in drainages, as well as building houses in areas vulnerable to flood in the state.

    He said the agency embarked on flood-risk awareness to educate communities on the dangers of building houses on flood plain areas.

    He said, “Every year your community is flooded, so we decided to come out here to educate you on the dangers of dumping of refuse inside drainages. Flood only occurs due to blocked drainage after heavy downpours. In fact, most floods are man-made. People should also avoid setting up permanent structures such as houses in areas vulnerable to flood such as low-lying areas, dams and reservoirs. Please also watch out for flood warning because people need to clear all blocked drainage systems or gutters near their residence”.

    •A flooded part of Kaduna
    •A flooded part of Kaduna

    In addition, the warning also came after the authorities were informed that the Cameroonian authorities planned to release water from one of their dams. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency also warned of possible flood occasioned by heavy rainfall.

    There was sufficient warning, but all of it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. The flood came and many of them suffered the consequence, with their homes half-submerged after hours of heavy rain which reportedly started late in the night.

    After about two hours of heavy rain at night, it was said to have resumed early in the morning, causing the kind of flood that residents of Kaduna had never witnessed.

    Houses inside the Mamman Kontagora Estate as well as the Living Faith Church headquarters in Kaduna were submerged in the flood and residents of the estate were forced to flee.

    The church, it was gathered, could not conduct service or other daily activities for two days, while authorities of the Kingdom Heritage Model School, owned by the church ordered their pupils to stay away from the school premises because of the flood.

    An electronic short message from the school management read: “Heaven on earth greetings, all parents of KHMS Barnawa are please advised to keep their wards at home until the school premises is free from flood water. You shall be duly informed accordingly. Thanks, School Management.”

    The small bridge linking Barnawa to the city centre was completely covered and impassable for two days. The residents had to take alternative routes to work and back while the flood lasted.

    Teseem Akende, a journalist with TVC99 who resides at Kigo Road, one of the areas affected by the flood, told The Nation that the speed at which the water was coming was surprising.

    He said, “My house that you know was completely submerged. Thank God I left that house. My new house was inside the water, but I was not directly affected because I live upstairs, but the people downstairs were not lucky. I was lucky to have quickly moved my car away from the house and by the time I was returning to the house, the water was almost at my neck level. Within 30 minutes, everywhere was completely flooded.”

    Another victim, Johnson Audu told The Nation that he was unable to save anything from his house.

    He  said,  “I discovered I was trapped around 11:am when I dashed home to see what I could salvage from my house. Before I could get out, I discovered that the flood outside had reached close to my nostril level. I had no choice but to to climb upstairs where others had gathered. The boatmen came and started collecting N8,000 per head. Some of us refused to pay. But after an hour, with the situation getting worse, we started paying N20,000 per person. Even at that, there were not enough canoes to take everyone. Some people are still up there.” James Aboki, a resident of Kigo road in Kaduna metropolis was quoted as saying that when the rain started, some residents of the area called on emergency workers but lamented that nobody showed up. We made desperate calls around 7am this morning when it was obvious that there was disaster coming but SEMA never even picked our calls. We tried to remove what we can, before the entire place became like a sea,” he said.

    •Flooded parts of Kaduna
    •Flooded parts of Kaduna

    John Femi Adi, a journalist with The News magazine was not so lucky. His house located in the Kudenda area of Kaduna metropolis was overtaken by water and he had to relocate with his family to his parents’ house where he spent about three days before returning home. Adi told The Nation that he left the house that morning not expecting a psych level of flood.

    He said, “I have lived in Kaduna for over 40 years and I have never seen that magnitude of flood in my entire life. When I left the house with my family that morning for the hospital there were signs if flood, but I thought it was the normal flood associated with normal rains. We took my child to the hospital and after treatment, I went to the NUJ to do my job. I got home at about 6pm only to discover that my house had been taken over by flood. The level of flood in the house was about 6ft and there was no way I could go inside the house to rescue anything. It is my personal house and everything I had worked for were lost in the flood. We could not rescue anything from the house except the cloths we had on. Even the drugs my child was taking before we left the house as well as all the food and clothing were lost. The painful aspect is that we have not seen any government official coming to Kudenda to sympathise with us. I called some of the people I know in the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and they complained that they are handicap, but that they are taking stock. I have not seen anyone coming to Kudenda for such. It is unfortunate that we have a government that don’t care about what happen to its people. Things like this cannot happen in other countries. It appears that these people are only interested in what they will get out of government. It is a terrible experience and till today, about four days after the flood, we are yet to see anybody in government.

    The Director-General of NEMA was almost lynched along Kigo road because the people were angry that they had battle by themselves for several hours without any help, only for the man who is also a Kaduna man to come two days after. Over 50 houses located along the river side were gone.  It’s quite unfortunate that we can not help it. We saw our houses taken over by water and we could not do anything”.

     

    Investigations revealed that several houses were destroyed and many residents rendered homeless, while many farmlands were washed away. Even though the residence of former Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo was not affected by the flood, several of his neighbours who built their houses close to the Kaduna River bank were not so lucky. Residents struggled to savage their belongings from the flood, while canoe operators made brisk business from the helpless residents. It was gathered that some of them charged as much as N20,000 per head.

    The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management  Agency ( SEMA), Mr. Ezekiel Baba-Karik was quoted as saying the disaster was the worst in the history of the state with about 10 local government areas of the state affected by the flood caused by the heavy down pour of rain which started on Sunday to the early hours of monday. Areas affected by the flood within Kaduna metropolis include Barnawa, Tudun-wada, Kigo Road, Karatudu, Kabala Constain, Anguwan Rimi, Kudendan, Rafin Guza, Badiko, Hayin Mallam Mani and Gonin Gora, among several others.

    Most of places affected are settlements around the river bank.

    The Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi who came to visit the victims two days after the flood incurred  their anger when he arrived Kigo road new extension, one of the worst affected area. The furious victims rained all sorts of abusive words on the NEMA Boss.

    His attempt to address them attracted more aggressive comments.

    “You are only here to speak grammar; we have no place to lay our heads, and government doesn’t care for us; open your mouth and speak out, you are saying nothing. It is local canoe owners that have been helping us to move some of our loads out of this flood, you have come here to mock, you came empty handed without bringing any relief materials for us”.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • A frustrating fair

    A frustrating fair

    The exhibitors are few, patronage insignificant, items too costly. This year’s Abuja International Trade Fair is leaving a sour taste in the mouth, reports GRACE OBIKE  

    It hurts to admit, but the 10th Abuja International Trade Fair is falling short in several respects. There is none of the trademark hustle and bustle. Nor that feast atmosphere. The sellers are few, and those who display their articles are grumbling about low patronage. Even the few buyers are just as frustrated, lamenting prices they consider out of reach.

    People believe that new and uncommon products can be bought at cheaper rates at trade fairs. Indeed, that used to be the case in Abuja when patrons trooped to trade fairs especially those held at the old parade ground right in the middle of town.

    Things seem to be changing.

    Some residents of Abuja who visited this year’s fair at the J. T. Useni International Trade Fair complex along Airport Road with the hopes of a fair that can be compared to others left disappointed.

    •Scanty crowd at the fair
    •Scanty crowd at the fair

    The reason for this poor outing at the fair is not quite clear. Is it the poor economic situation in the country? Is it because the fair is being held during the Sallah celebrations or that the distance to the venue is far? What is beyond doubt is that fewer people visited the fair last week even though it was public holiday marking the Eid el-Kabir celebrations.

    Guests familiar with other trade fairs were mostly disappointed after they were forced to pay the compulsory N100 gate fee to enter the complex, with few stalls and even fewer buyers showing up.

    Although the few participants at the fair actually came from a few different countries like Egypt, Ghana, Cameroon, etc, others came from Lagos and other states.

    The fair, which was opened on Friday September 18 and ends on October 2, has given many participants reason to worry as most of them complained of low patronage and poor turnout of buyers.

    Ghanaian jewel seller who gave his name as Mensah complained of lack of sales.

    He said, “This was not what I expected, to be honest. Last year’s fair was better that this one. I have barely recovered my transport to Abuja, talk more of other things. The few people that come price the products so low and complain that they are expensive but it is not our fault.”  ?

    For some visitors, the fair was some sort of family excursion, with their active children turning the place into a playground, while the parents went from one shop to the other trying to bargain their way through the market.

    “I am honestly not impressed,” said a man who came with his wife and three children. “Will you believe they counted all of us in the car and made us pay for each person? It is crazy; usually, when you drive into trade fair grounds with your car, you are just required to pay for the car and not everyone else in it.”?

    Complaining further, he said, “We are in an electronic age and you will expect that there will be an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) mounted in the complex to make it easier to shop but none; the traders do not even have a Point of Sales (POS) machine to make shopping easier. One will have to leave the complex and go all the way to Area 1 to withdraw more money since Lugbe Federal Housing that happens to be the? area around here with a bank can only boast of one bank and there is no money in it with the Sallah break.”

    The theme of the fair is “Entrepreneurship as a panacea for economic growth”.

    Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Mr Abdulkadir Musa said that the trade fair seeks to lay a foundation for inclusive growth, wealth creation, food security and reduction of the cost of doing business in Nigeria.

    He added that the fair was one of the best platforms for international and domestic exhibitors to create new product lines, access new markets, build new business relationships and showcase new products.?

     

  • Aspirant to donate half of salary to charity

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aspirant of the forthcoming chairmanship election in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Abdulahi Candido has said he will donate 50 per cent of his monthly salary to charity if he wins election.

    He also promised to establish a local AMAC radio station that would focus on tradition,  cultural heritage, occupation and other vital aspect of the people in the territory, saying that the radio station would serve as a united force for the people of AMAC and Abuja at large.

    “AMAC is a very large council and the radio stations around do not really speak directly to the people. So, as a local council that operates within the locality,  our intention is to come out with a local radio station that can speak directly to the people in their mother tongues.

    “Different languages ranging from Igbo, Yoruba, Gbagyi, Gwandara, Hausa and other languages, would be concentrated on the radio production. That is the idea of coming out with a local radio station that will speak directly to the people outside what we have now.  When you bring a station that is grassroots oriented, it will affect the lives of the people directly,” he said

    Candido added that if elected his administration will establish skills acquisition and vocational centres in the 12 wards, where school leavers and unemployed graduates will be trained free of charge in different kinds of trade.

    “This is aimed at making the people self reliant and also job providers. A special unit will be charged with the responsibilities of finding jobs in Ministries,  Departments and Agencies (MDAs),  companies will also be approached with a view to ensure that AMAC quota is not short-changed.

    “While private companies that operate operates in our localities will be encouraged to provide their host communities with jobs. The council will enforce laws that will compel compliance, so that our younger ones are kept off the streets,” he said.

     

  • Christian pilgrims board screens travellers

    The Christians Pilgrims Welfare Board (CPWB) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has started screening pilgrims intending to travel to Israel for the 2015 pilgrimage.

     

    Executive Secretary of Nigerian Christians Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Kennedy Okpara explained that the screening exercise is necessary to ascertain if the pilgrims are Christians and understand the reason for the spiritual journey.

    Okpara, who was represented by the Federal Commissioner representing North Central Zone, Mrs. Unekwu Ugboro,  said the pilgrimage is a spiritual exercise and not for sightseeing or tourism.

    “They are to be prepared spiritual and we pray that when they come back they would be changed people and when they are changed they will be able change their families, environment and nation positively,” he said.

    He also added that pilgrimage is for moral and spiritual transformation, “we believe that if people are morally and spiritually transformed they will fare better in their endeavours and impact positively on others and at the end of it all, we will have a better nation.”

    The Director of FCT CPWB, Dabara Vingo said the screening is aimed at ascertaining the health status of the pilgrims and to know the people with the tendency to abscond.

    Vingo also said that the board is fully prepared with the help of security, medical and other personnel to read the intent of the pilgrims, adding that the exercise started with 300 pilgrims, a number that increased to 1,200 due to additions from the NCPC.

    He said pilgrimage is for those that are intending to improve their holy life, “the Holy Land would make them read more about their faith thereby transforming their moral lives.”

     

  • Centenary City: Indigenes seek inclusion in compensation

    Indigenous people of Gude, Sauka and Dakibiyu communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have cried out against being left out when communities affected by the Centenary City project are compensated.

    They have also called for the revaluation of their economic trees and crops.

    Over 199 native people in the three communities affected lamented what they described as irregularities and deception in the assessment and valuation of their economic trees and crops, saying that they were unduly influenced and that the process lacked transparency.

    The natives through their counsel, Mr. James Ndeye, a lawyer, are appealing to the federal government and the FCT administration to do a mop-up in the valuation or conduct another assessment and valuation.

    Ndeye, who addressed journalists in Abuja on the presumed wrongful manner in which the natives were cheated during the valuation of the economic trees and crops, said that about 250 hectares of land was acquired for the project in the three communities.

    He added during and after the assessment and valuation of economic trees and crops on their farmlands, only officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), the Centenary City representative, the private consultant and the farm owners’ committee chairman went round the entire 250 hectares of land without the participation of the individual farm owners.

    “It was a fraudulent exercise since no amount was disclosed to farm owners before collection and signing of cheque as they were unduly influenced to collect cheque first before seeing the amount written on it,” Ndeye said.

    While stressing the need for government authorities to revisit the valuation process, he said inadequate compensation will not only be a scourge to the natives, but a gradual extinction of their livelihood and their generation yet unborn.

    He said all the affected farm owners were paid about N26 million, with the highest paid farm owner receiving N885, 000 for his 14 hectare while the least paid farm owner was N10, 000.

    Ndeye said the aggrieved natives would have to seek redress by taking legal action in a competent court of jurisdiction to challenge the mode or manner of acquisition of farmlands by the authorities in charge of the Centenary City Project.

     

  • ALGON mourns HID Awolowo

    The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has condoled with the family of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Nigerians over the death of Mrs. Dideolu Awolowo, wife of the late sage.

    President of ALGON Hon. Micah Jiba said he received the news of her passing with sadness, adding that Mrs Awolowo will be greatly missed.

    “On behalf of the 774 local governments’ chairmen and residents of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), we sincerely commiserate with the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of their mother.

    “She was a jewel of inestimable value to this great country. Nigerians will missed her, because of motherly role to many people who knew her and the role she played with her husband,  Chief Obafemi Awolowo in ensuring the unity of this country, is something that can never be over emphasises.

    “We join the family and millions of admirers of her late revered husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in mourning Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo who will be long remembered and celebrated as the famous spouse and pillar of strength of the late nationalist, political leader of our great country Nigeria,” he said.

    Jiba, who is also the chairman of AMAC added that the history of the nation will forever remember that Mrs. Awolowo was a great woman of substance and has left an indelible impression and very significant legacy both in the country and the minds of her admirers.

    “We prayed that God will comfort Chief (Mrs.) Awolowo’s family, relatives, friends, associates and admirers, and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss and uncommon vacuum she has left behind.

    “We also pray that God will receive the soul of the late mother of the nation and grant her eternal rest from her long, earthly service to her renowned spouse, family, community and the entire country,” he stated.