The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • A time to say thank you

    Many women and youths had to stand for hours at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja penultimate Saturday night. Every space surrounding the oversubscribed tables and seats in the hall was taken up by those who could not sit. Still, there was a spillover of guests outside.

    The event was the appreciation dinner in honour of All Progressives Congress (APC) women and youths across the country who defied the rain and sunshine to cast their votes on March 28.

    It was an event for President Muhammadu Buhari to say thank you to them for the role they played in his victory at the polls.

    Even though President Buhari was away in South Africa for the 25th African Union (AU) Summit, his wife, Hajiya Aisha Buhari hosted the women and youths to a lavish dinner attended by wives of state governors on the APC platform.

    For easy movement, most of the women and youths were conveyed to the venue in their hundreds in large capacity buses owned by the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO), an agency under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

    While the groups from the various states wore the same attire, ‘Aso Ebi’ many others appeared in their best attires.

    But the criteria for accessing the security gates and entrances at the Villa were the special invitation cards printed for the event.

    The hall walls, tables and chairs were decorated in blue and white colours while the chairs and tables were marked for the delegates according to each state of the federation.

    Unlike the scarce sitting and standing spaces, there were enough variety of foods and drinks to satisfy the guests.

    There were also plenty souvenirs to go round.

    Aisha Buhari said: “Here we are today celebrating the victory of our great party, celebrating the peaceful handover of power from one democratically elected President to another.

    “When we started our campaign, we knew that it was not going to be easy for us but with the team work, it is a success story now.

    “I want to thank all Nigerian women and youths for the crucial roles you played towards the success of the last election. I am very much aware of your steadfastness during the electioneering campaigns up till the elections proper.

    “I wish to acknowledge your efforts which contributed significantly to our success story. An occasion like this will naturally offer us an atmosphere to interact and reflect on how to play more supportive roles to our government at all levels for the benefit of our people.

    “Remember we were voted by the people and so we are going to work for the people and government is of the people.

    “In line with the philosophy of my husband, President Muhammadu Buhari, this administration is an open one and it is for all Nigerians as he said he belongs to every Nigerian and also belongs to nobody.

    “I simply cannot thank you enough for the love, contributions and sacrifices during this journey. Many have lost their lives and many found themselves in difficult situations, particularly victims of insurgency.

    “It is with heavy heart that I recall their sufferings during this period. Yet, many of them were determined to cast their votes in anticipation of a change in their lives.” She added

    The National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not fail at the event to charge the new administration to go beyond saying thank you to the numerous women and youths who made the victory possible.

    Tinubu, who was represented by Senator Babafemi Ojudu, in his remark titled ‘The change is about them,’ said that every woman and youth in the rural and other parts of Nigeria must not be forgotten.

    The Nigerians, the new government must not forget, he said, include that woman in the creek of Niger Delta who paddles her canoe night and day in search of her livelihood; the woman in Kotonkarfi who fry Kose to provide for her children; that woman in the deep forest of Igbo land who rides her bicycle with her hoe on her shoulder to cultivate cassava to send her children to school; that woman in Ado Ekiti, who toils hours in the market selling Gari to train her children; the Gwari woman who with her pot nestled on her shoulder walks kilometers daily in search of water; the mothers of missing Chibok girls who continue to live with the agony of the loss of their daughters; and the millions of ordinary Nigerian women who defied the elements and queued for hours to cast their votes for APC.

    “This change is about them , it is for them, for their children and their future. We must therefore do everything possible not to disappoint them. This change must not be aborted. You must defend it so that together we can say we have fulfilled our covenant with our people.” He added

    No doubt, the lives of all Nigerians will definitely be affected if the lives of women and youth are touched.

     

    Renewed onslaught against Boko Haram

     

    The third week of President Muhammadu Buhari in office has continued to expand the international campaigns against the deadly Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

    He took the case, last week Sunday, to the 25th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in South Africa.

    Sensing that the noose is closing in on it, the sect appears to be carrying out fresh desperate attacks.

    Apart from attacks in Northern parts of Nigeria last week, Boko Haram struck at unusual terrains.

    It carried out twin suicide bombings in the Republic of Chad last week Monday, killing about 34 persons and injuring more than 100 victims.

    There was also an attack by the sect in Niger Republic last Wednesday night, killing about 30 civilians.

    Chad and Niger have been in the forefront of collaboration efforts with Nigeria to eliminate the sect from the sub region.

    In response to the attack, Chad’s military had claimed that it carried out series of air strikes against Boko Haram bases in Nigeria, causing heavy human and material damage to six of the sect’s bases.

    But Defence Headquarters in Nigeria countered that there was no Chadian military airstrike in Nigeria.

     

  • Requiem for hospitality icon

    Requiem for hospitality icon

    Finally, Hill Station Hotel, Jos, once the pride of its owners, Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa states, has collapsed under the weight of woeful management, debts and neglect. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

    Everyone loved Hill Station. It offered guests and sightseers much to savour: a solid architectural piece located on a rocky hill in an enticingly wooded part of Jos, the Plateau State capital. It was a meeting point for politicians and government functionaries, and a second home to tourists, many of whom foreigners who relished the temperate weather of the scenic city.

    Not anymore. Hill Station is in the past now, its tangible assets carted off to be auctioned in the hopes that they would help to offset retirees’ salary arrears and other benefits. What about the staff who held on till the hotel last breath? Well, the best they can do is to probably hope for the best.

    Located in the mountainous part of the city, the hotel once summed up the city’s tourist potential, its beauty and the people’s hospitality. Those days are over. The once glamorous and architectural masterpiece that was the pride of all has become part of history. Blame mismanagement and neglect by its owners, Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa states, which once made up the old Benue Plateau State. Unable to show commitment towards sustaining the fortunes of the hotel, the three states allowed Hill Station to go into oblivion.

    Members of staff of the hotel were owed huge sums of money in salary arrears and other allowances. Its assets have been confiscated and probably sold off by retirees of the hotel at the instance of the National Industrial Arbitration Court where the retirees took their case to.

    Everybody in the state knew that the hotel had been experiencing serious managerial and financial challenges for over a decade, a situation lodgers and members of staff attributed to poor management and governments’ indebtedness which runs into several millions of naira. It is also alleged that the management of the hotel has been insensitive to the welfare of staff, even as they accused the management of corruption.

    General Manager of the hotel, Mrs. Mildred Best attributed the mess which the hotel is thrown into as emanating from the prolonged crises in the state which the hotel management has had to grapple with in recent years.

    She claimed that the communal crises which have affected the tourist potential of the state made it impossible for guests to lodge in the hotel. She also identified stiff competition from better-managed private hotels that sprang up almost every day has also affected the fortunes of the hotel. For 15 years or more, the hotel has experienced several problems that have made it impossible to cater for the welfare of its staff and pensioners.

    The hotel owed its staff for several years, and was once picketed several times by organised Labour; many of members of staff resigned due to the inability of the hotel to pay their emolument. Some members of staff stayed back, hoping the situation would improve as the management kept promising.

    Things got worse. Those who left because they could not bear the situation were not paid their entitlements. The existing staff union keeps picketing the hotel and those who had retired believed that they had no option than to drag the management to court.

    One of the members of staff of the hotel, Abel Madugu claimed that the hotel owes them salaries for 20 months while those who retired since 2006 have also not received their benefits. The retirees claimed the hotel owes them between N2 million and N7 million; depending on how long each retiree served the company.

    In 2011, the retirees dragged the hotel to court and obtained judgment against the management. Without waiting for the execution of the judgment, some other retirees headed for the National Industrial Court and, in December last year, the court gave another judgment against the management of the hotel.

    In the judgment, the two courts ordered the immediate payment of the benefits of the workers, failure of which its property are to be auctioned to the public to raise funds for the payment of the retirees. The total sum the company owes its retirees amounted to about N100 million.

    The company failed to honour the judgment of the two courts and did not appeal any of them. This forced the retirees to return to court to seek an order for the execution of the judgment and the Industrial Court did not hesitate in granting the order.

    Subsequent to the order of execution, the retirees came to the hotel in company of their counsel and the police to enforce the order. With the help of a truck, the court evacuated every property belonging to the hotel they could lay their hands on.

    However, when the court and the retirees came to execute the order, a mild drama ensued as the General Manager put up a weak resistance against the execution of the court order.

    First, she refused to receive the order of the court from the court Bailiff as she directed the staff to lock up the hotel and go home so as to prevent the court from having access to any part of the hotel. She fled the premises as soon as she gave that directive. Though members of staff succeeded in locking up the hotel rooms, they did not succeed in locking the bar and the conference hall.

    So, the evacuation of the property began from the reception, the bar and the conference hall. Realising that her first option did not work, the General Manager came back and ordered the security men to lock the gates to prevent any vehicle from coming in or going out.

    In reaction, the team went for police re-enforcement and when that was done, the General Manager discovered that the game was up and began to appeal for amicable resolution. But that apparently came too late as the truck conveying the properties had made several trips. By the end of the exercise, everything the hotel owned was evacuated, including beds in all the rooms.

    Counsel to the retirees, Linus Shingshak said if all the movable properties are not enough to settle the N100 million debt owed the retirees, some buildings belonging to the hotel  may also be put up for sale to recover the entire money to pay off the retirees.

    Some of the retirees who came to witness the enforcement of the court order could not hide their feelings over the way and manner the company they served with the whole of their heart has treated them.

    Abdulahi Mukhtar said: “I served the company for 20 years before I retired voluntarily. I deserved my retirement benefits, but since 2011 when I retired, the hotel has refused to settle the N4.1 million it owes me.”

    Another retiree, Okoh Godwin Obotu said: “I retired in 2010 after putting in 21 years in the service of the hotel. I have not been paid my claims till date. I am among those who went to court.”

    Among the retiree is a 75-year-old man, John Davou, who said he served the hotel for 37 years and retired in 2010. He said he and his family have been ravaged by poverty while he has N5.7 million to claim from his former employer.

    He said: “I’m suffering. I’m no longer employable and my entitlement that should sustain me has not been paid to me in the past six years. I have been begging to feed and pay my rent.”

    The General Manager, who was visibly angry with the action of the court, expressed surprise at the development, saying: “I am surprised at this development; I know the company is indebted to the retirees. They took us to court and I pleaded for payment by installments of the amount involved. I have even paid the first installment of N500, 000 a month. But all of a sudden, the court gave this order. I never expected this.”

    On why the company failed to offset its liability to its former workers, the General Manager said: “The hotel has not been doing well because the crises in the state took their toll on the hotel. Up till now, business is yet to pick up in the hotel. I have been appealing for patience but they refused to listen to my appeal.”

    People around the hotel were in shock while watching helplessly the forcible evacuation of belongings of the hotel. It was a scene hard to imagine.

    While some of them argued that the hotel has just become a victim of mismanagement, others believed that the state governments that co-owned the hotel had brought about its misfortune.

    Joshua Bala, one of those who witnessed the evacuation exercise said: “Our governments are bad managers. This hotel was expected to be modernized in accordance to current trend in the hospitality industry. But they refused to fund this hotel and they also refused to privatise it. Now, the hotel is gone.

    “It is alleged that the Plateau State Government alone may have owed the hotel over N100 million. If it had paid its dues accordingly, the hotel would have been able to offset its bills. Now this has become a huge disaster and a slap on the governments that own the hotel. I can’t imagine that three governors will jointly own a hotel and the hotel is under-funded; this is shameful.”

    Hill Station Hotel Limited was incorporated in 1954 and began business before Nigeria’s independence in 1960. It used to be one of the leading hotels in the Northern region.

    It was initially managed by the Colonial Masters but was later handed over to the Northern Nigeria Development Company (NNDC).

    As a limited liability company, the NNDC controlled 54 per cent of its shares. The remaining 45 per cent was shared among Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue state governments as co-owners.

    However, the investors could not manage the hotel profitably. At the same time the three states could not lease it out to private individuals to maximise profit. With the prolonged conflict in Jos, the hotel lost patronage. It could also not compete with new emerging hospitality businesses in the city of Jos.

  • Medical screening for Hajj pilgrims

    Medical screening for Hajj pilgrims

    Intending pilgrims from the Federal Capital territory have been informed that they will undergo a compulsory medical screening arranged by the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board to qualify them to travel to Saudi Arabia.

    Director of the Board, Malam Bashir Muhammad stated this while monitoring the second phase of the Education and Orientation exercise for 2015 intending Pilgrims at the permanent Hajj transit camp over the weekend.

    In a press statement sent by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Commission, Muhammad Aliyu, Malam Bashir warned the pilgrims to present themselves to the screening organised by the board and participate in all activities arranged for the success of the exercise.

    And warned that failure to participate in any of the activities by the intending pilgrim may risk the chances of performing hajj through the board this year.

    The statement also disclosed that the director had disclosed that the board had fixed 28th to 30th of Julyfor the medical screening which is to be conducted at the permanent hajj camp.

    It also stated that, “Mallam Bashir said that the third phase of the education and orientation exercise for the pilgrims would be conducted on 25th and 26th July at the usual venue.

    “The fourth and final education and orientation exercise for intending pilgrims this year which involve practical and examination is scheduled to take place on 1st and August 2 at the hajj camp, while distribution of literature materials and uniform would be conducted immediately after the payment of the balance of hajj fare as soon as the federal government releases the final hajj fare for this year.

    “He urged the intending pilgrims to take the programmes with all seriousness they deserve in order to get the value for their money. He therefore warned all intending pilgrims who are yet to submit their international passport to the board, to, as a matter of urgency, do so to enable the Board process their travel documents or risk the chance of performing the hajj.

    “The education and orientation exercises were aimed at educating the FCT intending pilgrims on all aspects of the operation ranging from hajj rites, Transportation system for the operation, morale and manners during Hajj exercise, as well as Saudi rules and regulations

    in addition to new policies introduced for this year’s Hajj by the Saudi authorities and National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

    “The exercise also enables the intending pilgrims get conversant with the prohibited items for the journey and penalties. Various stakeholders on Hajj affairs are expected to present lectures on their role in the operation.”

     

  • Goodbye to Eagle Square

    Goodbye to Eagle Square

    Soon, the popular Eagle Square will be converted to a rail terminal. GRACE OBIKE reports

    It may abide for a while, but the popular Eagle Square in the heart of the nation’s capital will eventually give way to a rail terminal.

    Like other cities in the world, Abuja boasts its own high-profile square, where presidents are inaugurated and some of the biggest events are held.  The square has hosted thousands of uniformed personnel, hundreds of horses and perhaps an uncountable number of the high and mighty.

    It was at the Eagle Square that President Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated a little under a month ago. It has served as an important landmark in the city

    But in the thinking of the powers-that-be, the square should give way to a rail terminal, in keeping with the plan to transform the city into one of the most beautiful capitals in the world.

    Most countries of the world  have their squares located in the centre of their cities which attract lots of tourists. Examples are the Tiananmen Square located in the centre of Beijing, Trafalgar Square which is a tourist attraction in central London and lots more. The Eagle Square may not boast such popularity or attractions as these other venues and is not always available for everyone to strut on, nor does it draw tourists; in fact, when nothing special is happening, it is little more than an open space with chairs. Still, it has earned its exalted place in event destinations.

    Soon, however, the great Abuja landmark and ceremonial space will give way to a rail terminal that will serve the Secretariat and the Central area environs, according to the Director Transportation, FCT, Mr. Alex Ezumah, an engineer.

    “Eagle Square was built to be dismantled,” he said. “If you look at it, the structures where done somewhere, brought in there and assembled and when we are ready, we will dismantle it and take it elsewhere.

    “The dismantling of this precious square is not going to be embarked upon because authorities of the FCT do not like it or know of its value as the occasional ceremonial square, no. It will have to go because the square is presently sitting on the Lot 2 of the Abuja rail corridor and the avoidance of the square will certainly distort the Abuja master plan.”

    Speaking further, he said, “Eagle Square, I am sure you know, is on a temporary location, according to the Abuja master plan, the Eagle Square is not supposed to be where it is situated right now, rather that place is part of the Abuja rail corridor and it is a terminal for the Secretariat and Central area environment; actually it is the lot 2 of the Abuja rail network that will terminate in that area.

    “Although the dismantling of the square may not happen soon due to the fact the administration is yet to complete all the processes required for the lot rail network, resident will have to bear in mind that the day will come when the square will have to give way or for residents who might be wishing for an act of providence, that might spare the square or still are of the believe that the President of someone else high up the ladder will have to sign up on the dismantling before it happens.

    Ezumah clarified, “FCTA and FCDA (Federal Capital Development Authority) have been charged statutorily to develop Abuja, we do not need any other approval to carry out development in Abuja but what handicaps we may have would be funding or political issues but not that we need anybody to approve or allow us do our job, whatever our money can fund or get a loan to do, to make Abuja move forward and make life better for the masses, the FCTA will do.

    ”The corridors for the Abuja rail network has been preserved and protected for more than 30 years, there is no doubt

    there are few encroachments here and there and that can be explained, encroachment in the sense that if you are not going to use a land for 20 years, you deplore it for other things but not permanent structures and when the need to use it comes, it is removed. I can tell you, if we

    have 300kms of rail network, 250kms is free of any encumbrance.

    “He further explained that the rail network which is divided into six different lots will be completed at different time frames with the first segment, which will be the lots 1A and 3, to be completed by this Dec.2015 and this will hopefully ease the suffering of Abuja residents.

    In explaining the Abuja rail network system, he said, “The Abuja rail network which comprises approximately 300kms is segmented into six lots that is 1,2,3,4,5 and 6, we have the ongoing lots 1 and 3 which is been done by Chinese company.

    “It will start from somewhere in the Central area where we have the NNPC mega station and go through Wuye, where they are cutting the road, through the national park, through Ring road 1, get to Idu where you have the major depot and facilities, big terminal and depot and an exchange station. From Idu it will continue to Kubwa and also from Idu, another leg will go to the airport all totalling about 45.245kms that is the first phase of the Abuja rail network being handled by CCECC Nig. Limited.”Then there is the lot 2,4,5 and 6. Where lot 2 is the rail network that starts from Gudu, go through Garki 2, through the Police officers mess behind FCDA, beside Akwa Ibom house and then where you have the Bullet building and then get to the Eagle square and the continue from their through Maitama, beside the Nicon Hilton and then get to Katampe and go to Gwagwa to join the leg going to Kubwa at Gwagwa where we have a transfer station.

    “Then the lot 4,5 and 6. Lot 5 is the stretch that will go from Kubwa to Bwari and terminate their and maybe with a detour to Suleja, this one is a proposal, it was not in the original network but the idea is being tinkered with, lot 4 is the southern part of the transit way, the part that will go towards Abaji, Karshi and maybe to Gudi in Niger State to join the national rail and then lot 6 is the lot that will start from the Airport wherethe first segment terminates, through Kuje to Gwagwalada and from there it will join the line coming from Minna, the national line, In a nutshell this is the entire segment of the Abuja rail network.”Lots 1 and 3, we have done the visibility study, conceptual design and final design but construction is still ongoing in lots 1A and 3 by the Chinese company, lots 1B we are thinking of making an addendum to theongoing 1 and 3, so we can say that lots 1 and 3 is ongoing and committed, then lot 2, we are trying to do under Public Private Partnership (PPP), a company Merses IRMG has signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)  with the FCT administration to further the work done because lots 1,2 and 3 had their visibility study before now, a Canadian company Merses CPCS of Trascorm did a visibility study and conceptual design of lot 1,2 and 3, then it was from this visibility study that the Chinese took up 1 and 3 to do the final design and final feasibility and then continue with the development but lot 2 stopped at that level now you have to do the final design and final feasibility for you to develop any lot.

    “The first segment we are doing has a target completion date of Dec. 2015 even though we are running a little bit behind schedule but in the last two years things has been more steady especially after Nigeria and the FCT secured the China Nexim bank loan to fund it.”

     

  • Arrested for reckless driving

    Arrested for reckless driving

    Drivers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are allegedly reckless. But GRACE OBIKE reports that the establishment of mobile courts by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to try traffic offenders will bring sanity on Abuja roads

    Usually, when one goes to learn how to drive, one of the pieces of advice given to one is to consider other motorists as insane who are likely to make crazy moves while driving. This is because their careless manner of driving might endanger the lives of others.

    It is not uncommon to notice that most people have always seen drivers in Abuja as carelessý and reckless. For years, people have complained of how people just hit the road with their new cars without ensuring that they are competent in terms of driving. When drivers in Abuja are not recklessly on speed, they are driving against traffic without caring.

    Although private car owners are also culpable of reckless driving ý, it is equally common with painted and unpainted cab drivers. They have become so fond of breaking traffic rules. Their actions have caused a lot of road mishaps that claimed several lives.

    Being away that most private motorists are careful to avoid their vehicles smashed, they drive recklessly and if they smash other people’s cars, they simply beg and are, most times, left to go free.

    Unfortunately, the trend that is becoming common in Abuja with most drivers is over-loading. Most vehicles over-load their vehicles either with passengers or goods, most times both. When most of the recalcitrant drivers feel that they can get away with it, they carry so many passengers. Seats that should normally take three passengers are loaded with four or five. This engenders discomfort. In fact, some passengers have become so accustomed to this trend that they have resigned to fate. When the passengers complain about the discomfort they are experiencing, the driver will mildly ask them to manage.

    Hopefully, the issue of over-loading and reckless driving will soon become a thing of the past, as the Federal Road Safety Commission is poised to enforce laws against these twin traffic offences in the nation’s capital.

    Not only are the offending drivers arrested, their vehicles are impounded and the drivers dragged to a mobile court for prosecution.

    Just last week, about 50 offenders were brought before the Magistrate’s Court of the mobile court. Some of them were warned; some asked to ensure that their vehicles were road worthy, while others were fined.

    The Unit Commander, R87.15 Kubwa, Assistant Corps Commander Yusuf Abdullahi stated that they have been sensitising drivers on the dangers of over-loading. He warned drivers of the punishment that will be meted out to offenders by the Corps.

    He said: “When we talk of over-loading, it has to do with both mankind and goods. It covers all categories of vehicles. There is a required load capacity for both human and goods and the moment it is violated, it becomes a problem.

    “The Corps considered the trend and realised that it is becoming too rampant in the cityý. We decided to put in place some measures to control it. We embarked on public enlightenment campaigns at motor parks were we informed them of the dangers associated with the excessive loading of vehicles; we have, as well, tried to enlighten the public through the media.

    “We have now initiated a mobile court. Whoever we apprehend, we hand him over to the mobile court where we have a Magistrate who presides over the issue.

    “We have routine daily patrol and where we sense that it is becoming too rampant, we put up some measuresý. We are quite aware of all the unions and stakeholders in the areas. Where we notice that the offence is becoming rampant, we write to the organisations concerned. For instance, if we realise that school buses or staff buses or even company cars are involved in the issue of over-loading, we write to the organisation, informing them of the conducts of their drivers.

    “To really get rid of the menace of over-loading, we adopted the “operation no recklessness in Abuja” which has been on since the last quarter of last year. We warn residents not to allow motorists to squeeze them into vehicles in the name of trying to make money from them. Every passenger has the right to protect his or her own life. Being in an over-loaded vehicle constitutes serious danger to the occupants of the vehicle and other road users. People should always be conscious of safety.

    One of the drivers apprehended for flouting the law said: “Me I can’t take it anymore. I honestly do not know what is wrong with me. I don’t understand why I always find myself breaking their laws and been apprehended by them and the Nigeria police.

    “The other day, I was arrested by the police in Kaduna for causing an accident that led to the death of someone. They arrested me, locked me up and when they got fed up of me, they released me and I promised to always be careful. Now, I have committed another offence. So, please I want them just to take the car and sell it because I’m tired of this business. I want them to sell the car and give me the money so that I will look for something else to do.”

     

  • Plateau’s many roads of pains

    Plateau’s many roads of pains

    The hopes of residents of Jos, the Plateau State capital, with regard to good infrastructure were buoyed with several road projects begun by ex-Governor Jonah Jang. When he flagged off some road projects, especially at the twilight of his tenure, residents were confident that in no time, the problem of inadequate roads in the city would be in the trashcan of history. But YUSUF AMINU IDEGU writes that contrary to their expectations, the residents are experiencing hardship due to the many uncompleted roads.

    At the moment, Jos, the Plateau State capital is a ghost of itself. The city has lost its beauty, its attractions, its allure, its nature. The city has fallen short of been at its best. The current sorry situation of the famous Tin City was necessitated by what residents described as ‘bad government policies and misplacement of priority’ by the immediate past administration of Jonah David 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 lists of uncompleted projects are unlimited, the one that is causing severe pains to residents of the city is the road projects; particularly that which commenced from the Secretariat Junction at Yakubu Gowon Way through to Maraba Jamaa Round-about. The road project cut across the city centre of Jos and remained the longest and most popular street in the city.

    Jos is a city that has no ring road that takes visitors and motorists out of the city with ease. This implies that motorists that must travel through Jos city to another destination must pass through Yakubu Gowon Way. The village “Maraba Jamaa”, where the road begins means “Welcome to Jos”. This means, the street leads travelers or motorists into the city centre.

    The road project, which was embarked upon at the twilight of Jang administration began in June last year. It was an unexpected expedition by an outgoing government, but residents saw the venture as a good one for the city and prayed that the administration would complete it before its tenure elapses on May 29, this year.

    The people believed the administration’s promise with regard to the completion of the project, considering the fact that it had continued to re-emphasise and assure the people that it will not leave any project uncompleted at the end of its tenure.

    In truth, the achievements of the eight-year tenure of Jonah Jang could be said to be in road projects.

    However, majority of the roads are not completed. He initiated a five kilometer road project for each of the 17 local government areas. The project began within the first two years of his first term, but some of those roads remained uncompleted till he left office.

    Given this scenario, the hardship encountered by motorists plying the city of Jos is similar to what those in the rural areas are currently experiencing. Some say the awful experience motorists go through in the rural areas as a result of abandoned road projects far outweighs that which residents experience in Jos city.

    However, given the number of vehicles that plies the roads in the city, the situation is obviously worse in the state capital. When there is no rain, the roads are dusty which makes the atmosphere constantly charged in the day. When it rains, the uncompleted roads become muddy and filled with potholes.

    While the construction of the road began in June last year, motorists endured the traffic gridlock. Everyone had to make do with one lane of the road as the second lane was closed for construction.

    People prayed the hardship would end soon. But suddenly, the construction company handling the project abandoned the site, causing road users to undergo indescribable hardship. The roundabouts under construction were worse, especially those of Old Airport Junction, Secretariat Junction, Miango Junction, Zaramaganda Junction, D B Zang Junction, Zawan Junction as well as Vom Junction.

    The abandoned road has made a mess of traffic orders. Motorists now scramble for space on the narrow lane. Some, willingly or unwillingly, go against traffic rules, by driving against traffic. This, invariably, results in traffic gridlock, as traffic warden find it taxing to make road users comply with traffic rules. Being helpless, they only standby and watch the drama as motorists out twist one another.

    The overhead bridge project initiated by the Jang administration and regarded as one of the biggest in the North Central is now an ugly sight. It is still stands uncompleted.

    Jude Maduka, a resident of Bukuru who owns a shop on Ahmadu Bello Way Jos said: “I don’t know why this man decided to punish us like this. Before, it takes one only 20 minutes to travel from Bukuru to Jos. Now it takes one an hour. One burns more fuel, wastes more time and my shock absorber gets weak faster. This is punishment of the highest order. The man should have left the road the way he met it. We don’t deserve this punishment because I pay my tax regularly.”

    Mr. Ayuba Larab of the History Department University of Jos said: “In the first place, this road project is ill-timed. Jang began this project few months to the end of his tenure. It is a huge project that would have started at the inception of that administration, but the man chose to commence the project when he was about to leave office. It shows the man never meant well for Plateau people. He lacked clear vision and he messed us up. Jang has created more than enough pains to Nigerians who ply this road. That is why the new government is on rescue mission. The entire state is in total ruin, there are more uncompleted projects than completed ones.”

    Realising the plight of road users in the city, the new government issued a statement appealing to residents to be calm and bear the pain of the situation for a short while. The statement, signed by the Director of Press Affairs, Mr. Samuel Nanle on behalf of Governor Simon Lalong reads: “The Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong is calling on all the citizens of Plateau State and particularly residents of Jos – Bukuru metropolis to please bear with government as efforts are being intensified to address the difficulties encountered driving round the city with the rains now in season.

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

    “In furtherance to the above and in order to kick-start his policy of sustainable environment and urban governance, the Governor is enjoining all citizens to ensure sanitation in their neighbourhoods and the effective clearing of all drainage system so as to prevent flooding.”

    Residents are not convinced that the new government can follow through with its promise to intervene and ensure that the road projects are completed. They are of the view that there are other areas that require immediate attention from the new government. Others argue that the new government has to evaluate contracts of these contracts very carefully before jumping into completion of the projects.

    It is not only motorists that bear the brunt of the abandoned road projects.

    A resident, Mr. Yohana Lukeman said: “A lot of people are suffering due to the fact that their sources of water supply were destroyed in the course of road construction. A lot of residents have been disconnected from electricity because the road project affected the electric poles that supply light to their homes.

    Several other residents are already experiencing the challenges of flood due to uncompleted drainage systems. So, generally speaking, no one is spared of the hardship. It is not only motorists, it affects every resident.”

    Governor Lalong has begun the inspection of the road projects in the city and had visited PW, the construction firm handling the road projects.

    After the inspection, Governor Lalong said: “From the information available to me, the contractor has no reason for stopping the construction work since he has claimed 60 per cent of the contract sum from the last administration of Jonah Jang. “I have, therefore, directed the contractor to return to site and complete the road to alleviate the hardship our people are experiencing. 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 experience the kind of hardship for no fault of theirs. Something must be done.”

    However, there are views that the road projects were not completed due to the reduction in revenue, especially from the Federation Account as a result of the fall in global oil prices. That notwithstanding, the pains of the uncompleted intra-city roads will have to continue until it is completed by the Lalong administration.

  • Increasing tempo against Boko Haram

    Ensuring and sustaining peace and security in any society have been discovered to be major and essential ingredients for development and progress.

    No wonder President Muhammadu Buhari has devoted most part of his second week in office, just like his first week, to finding ways to eliminate the terrorists group, Boko Haram.

    Besides increasing the momentum against the sect, President Buhari appears to be unstoppable in his stride to crush Boko Haram.

    President Buhari, who left Nigeria on Sunday last week, made presentations to G-7 member nations, which include U.S., Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Canada in Germany last week Monday.

    Top on his ‘wish list’, through which he was seeking the assistance of the G-7 member nations, was the problem of insecurity and the Boko Haram terrorists operating in the Northeastern part of Nigeria.

    President Buhari, in Germany, was the toast of the world leaders as they expressed their willingness to come to the aid of his young administration.

    Like a new kid on the block, President Buhari, who was warmly received at the summit, was given the privilege to first address the G-7 among the invited presidents and prime ministers.

    Apart from the group’s acknowledgment of President Buhari’s emergence as President from an election adjudged freest in Nigeria’s electoral history, the G-7 leaders were sympathetic that the tremendous challenges facing Buhari’s government, including the Boko Haram, were not his making.

    They said they were also not unaware of the massive amount of confidence and expectations behind Buhari’s government.

    The group acknowledged that no one country can tackle the security threat of the Boko Haram since it had gone beyond Nigeria and now affecting other countries in the region.

    In line with the group’s request for specifics, President Buhari and other leaders in the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) have started preparing the military requirements needed to defeat Boko Haram for onward transmission to the G-7.

    President Buhari, who returned to Nigeria in the early hours of last Tuesday, also met with his security chiefs in Abuja on Wednesday over the insurgency.

    To continue to press forward against Boko Haram, over six hours extra-ordinary summit of Heads of State and Government of LCBC member countries, including Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Republic of Benin was held on Thursday at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Among the resolutions from the summit was approving deployment of the national contingents to the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) by July 30, this year.

    Welcoming member nations to the summit, President Buhari said: “Our meeting today is premised on the common resolve and commitment of member states of the LCBC and Benin to maintain the momentum in degrading the capacity of the insurgents until they are completely defeated.

    “It is also borne out of the urgency to mitigate the suffering that has been imposed on our civilian population by the nefarious activities of the insurgents and terrorists.

    “Our meeting today provides us an excellent opportunity to finalise the instruments for the operations of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), in order to give life to our joint military campaign to decisively defeat the insurgents.”

     

     

    Buhari and spiritual cleansing episode

     

    Delay in the relocation of President Muhammadu Buhari to the seat of power, Aso Rock, in the past two weeks has thrown up various speculations as reasons for it.

    President Buhari’s administration, which was inaugurated on May 29, has operated from the Defence House, Abuja in the past two weeks.

    President Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo were initially located to the Defence House when they were declared President-elect and Vice-President-elect.

    Top of the rumours spreading like wildfire, had speculated that the delay by the leaders to move to the official residences and offices in the Presidential Villa was to allow for spiritual cleansing to take place first at the facilities.

    The rumour also had it that President Buhari refused to move into the Presidential Villa because of advice from Senegalese spiritualists.

    But the Presidency had debunked the rumour and attributed the delay to ongoing renovation works at Aso Rock.

    On Thursday, the Presidency also released pictures of ongoing renovation works at the seat of power to journalist.

    Describing the story on the marabouts as hogwash, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed the Presidency’s “utter embarrassment at such suggestion,” as he declared that President Buhari is a practicing Muslim who believes his fate belongs to God.

    He pointed out that no true believer combines faith in God and reliance on the power of ordinary mortal, who can neither protect themselves, nor protect others from the hands of fate.

    Malam Shehu maintained that the so-called “spiritual cleansing of the Aso Rock Villa by Senegalese marabouts before President Buhari moves into the Villa” was the figment of the imagination of rumour mongers.

    He also claimed that it was ridiculous to attribute President Buhari’s delay in moving into the Villa to any advice from fictitious marabouts.

    According to him, renovation works in the Villa was largely responsible for the delay in President Buhari’s movement into the Presidential Villa.

    Whatever the case may be, the staff and other groups working in the Presidential Villa are anxiously waiting for the leaders to relocate to the seat of power.

  • Varsity don needs N10m to survive

    Varsity don needs N10m to survive

    Professor Philip Ojoru Elaigwu has been going through severe spinal cord pains. He was diagnosed of spinal cord disorder which requires major surgery which can only be carried out in Europe. But he has to live with the pains because he could not afford the huge sum of money required for the surgery in Germany.

    Contacts with the German hospital has confirmed that Prof. Ojoru needs to pay at least N10 million for the surgery. This is besides the cost of visa and flight tickets to Germany.

    Prof. Ojoru is one of the young lecturers in the Faculty of Education, the University of Jos. He hails from Omala Local Government Area of Kogi State; he joined the University of Jos as a Graduate Assistant in October, 1990.

    Narrating his ordeal, the 52-year-old Prof. said: “It all began with just a little pain on my left leg. I kept taking drugs but the pains continued to increase. I was advised to go for a check at the hospital.

    “So, on December 10, 2013, I was referred to University of Jos Teaching Hospital (JUTH) to see one elderly doctor. On meeting the doctor, he told me what I am experiencing is not just an ordinary pain. So, he quickly recommended an MRI test (a computer test) at the World Health Organisation (WHO) Unit of the hospital. When they took me to the unit, I was asked to lie on the machine for 30 minutes. The machine revealed the picture of how my spinal cord looks like. I saw a battered spinal cord, all of them disjointed; I never believed that is the photograph of my own spinal cord. The machine revealed the real problem.

    “The next day, I was taken to the theater for surgery which lasted nine hours. Not less than seven doctors worked on me. After that surgery, I was taken to the ward from where they could have a close monitor of developments on the affected area. I was in the hospital for one month. At the end of it, the doctor told me they lack the facilities to give me adequate treatment for my spinal cord problem. He further told me that I required a major surgery that cannot be carried out in the country for lack of necessary medical equipment.

    “So, I went back home on these crutches and walking aids. On inquiry, I was informed that I will need at least N10 million for a successful spinal cord surgery in Europe.

    “A poor Nigerian lecturer like me, how can I afford this huge sum of money? The only option left for me is to seek help or remain in this pain perpetually. As you can see, I can’t sit for too long, I have to lie down always. I can’t stand for more than two minutes; I can’t sit for more than 10 minutes. I can lie down on one side of my body for more the 30 minutes. I will not be able to endure the pains.

    “That is what I experience at the moment; it’s like hell on earth. To walk now goes with pains. I’m just living in pains. And the only solution lay in advance personnel, advanced equipment, advanced knowledge and advanced location, that are what the doctors here said.

    “I’ve made an online contact with a hospital in Germany; they have sent me a form to fill. I have submitted it, waiting for their response. They have the capacity to handle my case but how can I afford the cost? This is where I need help,” he said.

    The case of this young Prof. is a pathetic one. He discovered the pain on his leg in 2012, the condition of the spinal cord was diagnosed in December 2013. It means he has been living in pains for about two years now. Meanwhile, the rate of the pains increases by each passing day, and at times unbearable.

    From JUTH where he was diagnosed of the spinal cord disorder, he was given all brands of tools to support himself while walking; and three different types of walking sticks. He cannot live without these tools at the moment. He needs them to move from one point of his room to another; even in his rest room he needs support.

    Prof. Ojoru can be contacted on his phone line 08036338013 for help by anyone who cares. He has been confined to his official residence at the university staff quarters in Jos.

    He said: “All that has been sustaining me all these days are members of the university community. They have been paying my salaries monthly. I remain so grateful to the university authority.”

    From all indications, Prof. Ojoru is waiting for financial help from government, individuals and corporate organisations.

  • Kwara, NGOs unite against childhood killer-diseases

    Kwara, NGOs unite against childhood killer-diseases

    Bothered by the rate at which children under the age of five die due to ailments from childhood killer diseases resulting from lack of immunisation, the Kwara State Government and Association of Civil Society in Malaria Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN) have had discussions on how to protect children from childhood killer diseases through immunisation. The event held in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    It was in commemoration of this year’s celebration of World Immunisation Week whose theme was “Close the Immunisation Gap”

    The programme was sponsored by Global Alliance for Vaccines (GAVI).

    The state government revealed that the fall in accruals from Federal Government to states has affected all sectors, including the health sector.

    The state’s Immunisation Officer, Hajia Hajarat Suleiman said some immunisation health workers discharged their duties disinterestedly because of lack of financial motivation.

    She added that though the World Health Organisation (WHO) is the sponsor of the immunisation exercise, states complement through counterpart funding.

    She said: “Health workers in charge of immunisation carry out the job half-heartedly because they are not well motivated. It is not that they don’t know the job; they have been trained and retrained. The truth is that they are not being paid salary.

    “All of us are working towards the same goal. That is why many of the health workers have volunteered to be part of the immunisation exercises.

    “I am happy all of us are here because of our children. We want them to live and be protected from all the childhood killer diseases.

    “Truly it is the World Health Organisation (WHO) that is sponsoring the programme while every state government is expected to pay its counterpart funds. But the dwindling revenues accruing to the states, including Kwars, has affected the health sector.

    “It has been long the state released its counterpart funds due to the reason highlighted above. Before the end of this year, government would be able to support any of your programmes.”

    Contributing, Secretary of ACOMIN, Adewoye Oluwasesan said “World Immunisation Week provides global platform to strengthen our collective efforts to ensure vaccination for every child, whoever they are and wherever they live.

    “Immunisation is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and immunisation is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. It is estimated to avert between two and three million deaths each year.”

    He noted that civil society organisations (CSOs), in partnership with governments, are important actors in implementing immunisation programmes.

    Mr. Oluwasesan added that the partnership delivered up to 65 per cent of immunisation services in many developing countries; strengthening health systems and training health workers; supporting logistics and vaccine delivery.

    Other benefits of the partnership, according to him, include transparency and accountability by bridging the gap between governments or global health actors such as GAVI and communities; representing the voice of communities and the issues that affect them in area of vaccine preventable diseases; encouraging all stakeholders to be more accountable and transparent in their actions; influencing public policy and supporting resource mobilisation.

    In order to close the immunisation gap, Mr. Oluwasesan recommendation that CSOs should include “integrating immunisation with other health services, such as post-natal care for mothers and babies; strengthening health systems so that vaccines continue to be given even in times of crisis/communal clashes and ensuring that everyone could access vaccines and afford to pay for them.”

    He added that the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) envisions a world where everyone is free from vaccine preventable diseases by 2020.

  • Glorious past of Aminu Kano aerodrome

    Glorious past of Aminu Kano aerodrome

    The time was approximately 5: 00 p.m. when the chartered eight-seater aircraft from Abuja operated touched down at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano. The aircraft is operated by Arik Air.

    Situated in zone the country’s major commercial centre, it was expected that the airport will be a beehive of activities. Being a day to the governorship and state House of Assembly elections, one expected that the airport would be very busy with activities. In the contrary, the airport experienced a lull.

    The Arrival Hall was under lock and key and officials of the airdrome had to go in search of whoever had the keys before the team of journalists on the flight could pass through the airport to their various destinations.

    Interestingly, the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport is the oldest airport in the country; having began operations in 1936 and used to be a beehive of activities. Business activities within and around the airport used to be high as both local and international airlines operated scheduled flight from there.

    The Nation’s findings revealed that until the mid-1990s, the airport was the second most active airdrome in the country outside the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.

    These days, it might be one of the least patronised airports. Worst still, it appears a decrepit and abandoned complex. Available information revealed that in the first decade of its operation, the airport served more as an important fuel stop for airliners on long flights between Europe and Africa, while more than half of the international flights into the country chose Kano as either the final destination, a transit point or stopover field. International airlines such as British Caledonian, KLM, Iberia and Saudia favoured the airport not only because of its safety record, but also because it’s handling facilities ensured a quick turnaround.

    Similarly, several domestic airlines operated scheduled flights in and out of the airport. They include Kabo Air, Nigeria Airways, Okada Air and other domestic carriers operating at least three daily flights into Kano. The business activities by these airlines boosted the economic activities and revenue of Kano.

    Many business men who import goods, especially Dutch-waxed clothes, kept operatives of the Nigerian Customs and Immigration Service constantly busy and watchful.

    Those who had used the airport in the past told our correspondent that Mallam Aminu Kano Airport’s entrance was well managed with a systematic boarding pattern.

    Mallam Usman Yakubu, who operated a shop at the airport when it was bubbly in the 1990s, claimed that in the yesteryear, about 40 flights were operated in and out of the airport daily. Yakubu said the dip of the economy which affected several companies, including those operating in Kano and the security situation in the country had affected flight operations at the airport.

    Many foreign airdromes that usually operated scheduled flights to Kano have diverted their flights to other airports. Many of the foreign airlines now fly directly to the Nnamdi Azikiwe Internati-onal Airport Abuja.

    However, with the economic downturn of the 1980s and 1990s, things began to change. Newer aircraft did not need fuel stops, and with the economy of Kano, many international airlines stopped serving the airport. KLM became the only European airline that continued scheduled flights to Kano, which they had done without interruption since 1947. In the wake of its misfortune, the airport’s average traffic fell to fewer than six flights a day.

    A Kaduna-based Christian leader who pleaded anonymity because he didn’t to be identified told our correspondent that he had stopped using the airport and now fly abroad from Abuja anytime he wants to travel.

    The religious leader who had used the airport for several years; flying the Royal Dutch Airline, KLM, said he felt insecure and stopped using the airport after the sharia crisis in the North in 2000.

    “I still used the airport a few times after the sharia riot, but I felt I insecure and I am sure many people would have felt the same way too. But it is sad that the airport is in a state you are describing right now because I remember that it used to be fun flying from there.

    “Currently, I prefer to fly from Abuja because it is safer, especially because of the insecurity in the North,” he said.

    However, some of the traders at the airport are still hopeful that the airport will bounce back to life. Some of them who spoke to our correspondent said they were optimistic that with the coming of the Buhari administration and his promise to check the activities of Boko Haram and promote industrial growth, the airport will become bubbly again as many people will begin to fly in and out of Kano again. “With the situation of things in the country, one will discover that many airports are currently underutilised, with only a few flight being operated from them. This place is not different. The economic and security situations in the country have had their tolls on the airport.

    “But I know that Buhari has promised to address these problems. When he does, I am sure people will begin to have confidence in coming to Kano again and definitely, the airport will come back to life again,” one of them said.

    But in spite of the seemingly gloomy nature of the airport, aviation experts are confident that things will be better again.

    The traders argued that things are beginning to change for the better at the airport. Shehu Ali told our correspondent that although the airport still has a long way to go in terms of being revived in order to regain its glory, there is a lot of promises ahead.

    Today, majority of international flights from the airport take care of the large Lebanese community in Kano and the yearly Muslim pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Such International flights are operated by Middle East Airlines, Beirut Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines (which operates the Kano-Jeddah route), Sudan Airways (Kano-Khartoum-Ndjamena), Kabo Air (Dubai-Jeddah) and Egypt Air, which flies between Kano and Cairo.

    Officials of the airport were not disposed to comment on the current situation of the airport, saying they have no authority to speak to the press on the matter except the Head, Public Affairs in Lagos.