The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Get a piece of FCT’s fastest growing community

    Get a piece of FCT’s fastest growing community

    For some, Orozo community may end with a bitter taste in the mouth, the same way the Maitama District turned out for a Nigerian-born visitor from America back in the 80s.

    The visiting lady, so the story goes, was in Abuja hoping to invest in the new federal capital. She had a drive round town, zooming through the Maitama district which, of course, had no Transcorp Hilton at the time and was far from what it is now.

    There wasn’t much to the area, either vast, empty land or boasting local settlements of indigenous people. It was even said that the present location where the Hilton is situated had a small local bar where locals hung out for a drink of locally brewed beer called burukutu.

    She saw the prospects and told her husband who was riding with her that the area was good fro investment and that she would like to buy land there.

    The man talked her out of it, telling her that it was a local place that would amount to nothing.

    She travelled back without investing in Maitama. Years later, she returned to the same location and wept.

    Orozo is probably another Maitama in the making, but do  people see it as such?

    Twenty years ago, most of the communities and satellite towns that have grown to big cities today were just small struggling communities.

    A resident of Kubwa, Raphael John explained what the settlement used to be like.

    “I have been in Kubwa since 1990, Kubwa was nothing like it is today. In those days, the indigenous houses were scattered all over Kubwa; in fact a Fulani hamlet used to be in the middle of the road joining Kubwa and Dutse, where the present Living Faith Church in Dutse is now, and we used to go there to buy fura but today things have changed.”

    Some believe that places like Orozo, if well developed, could help solve the country’s housing deficits.

    Kingsley Ode, a resident of Nyanya, said, “During the [Alhaji Shehu] Shagari era, he tried to deal with the housing deficit in the country at that time by building lowcost and cheap houses for low income earners. What Nigerians need is not  huge and expensive mansions but normal houses like those lowcost houses that will be affordable for the masses, most of the houses in this high-brow parts of Abuja are too expensive.”

    Orozo, presently the fastest growing community in Abuja, is located after Nyanya, Karu and Jikwoyi. It is partly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and partly in Nasarawa State but unless you are a surveyor or are aware of the demarcation, you will not be able to tell the difference because of the level of development that is taking over the once small community.

    Various estates like the Atlanto Villa Estate, Orozo Mass Housing, Catholic Church Estate, Navy Estate and others have sprung up in the area.

    The Atlanto Investment Ultra Modern market, the only market situated in the middle of all the estates, creates business and marketing opportunities for residents trooping into this new community.

    Apart from the number of estates, the government has been allocating lands to individuals in Orozo district and although many of those allocated are beginning to build and move over to the area, a lot of them say that they are still waiting for others to come before they move over there.

    To make life easier, estates like the Atlanto Villa do not only sell completed houses but also sell  land within the estate for one bedroom, two bedrooms and three bedroom bungalow spaces for people to build.

    The ultra modern market which is quite spacious and with all the modern facilities found in all Abuja ultra modern markets is also built in bungalow forms which the developers said was for the convenience of everyone, including the aged, handicapped and for individual maintenance.

    Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer Atlanto Investment and Property Ltd. Isaac Agbanwu said that Orozo is fast developing and is going to be a beautiful place, comparable to other high-brow communities in Abuja in a few years.

    He also said, “Orozo, as a matter of fact, is very close to town; in my assessment, what is demarcating Orozo and Garki is just the hill, the highrise that is running from Abacha Barracks to Karshi; when this becomes noticed by the government, a government can just wake up and create a tunnel and that will be all, if it happens, within five minutes, you will be in Garki.

    “Instead having to travel from Jikwoyi and the rest, with the new road to Apo, you just cut out somewhere and will be finding yourself in the Apo roundabout, it’s a very short distance. The proliferation of estates now in Orozo is a wonderful thing, there are so many estates coming up here and of course there is an approved market which is the Atlanto Investment Market that is ongoing which will serve the community, so as a matter of fact, Orozo is fast developing and is going to be a wonderful place in a few years to come.”

    Asked the reason for the high cost of housing and abandoned houses in Abuja, Agbanwu said that as a developer, one has to be aware of the price of building materials in the market because high cost of building will definitely lead to high cost to the final consumers.

    “Most of the estates around here, if you are buying their house and paying immediately, 3 bedrooms is 13 millioný.

    “The major problem with the housing schemes being embarked on in Abuja is the fact that it is being embarked upon by people who are big and got money from big sources, their thoughts and abilities are high, for instance somebody will go and build a four bedroom duplex along airport road for example and they will tell you N75 million, N100m.

    “It is the reason for the huge number of empty estates in Abuja, maybe you are working somewhere and are lucky to hitý money in billions and trillions, you decide not to lodge it in a bank but push it, such projects they will also understand how big you are and your source so the cost that they will give to you for construction will be high, where you are suppose to use N1m to build, they can hike it to N3m, so imagine a man who does not understand property and development that spends for example N5m to develop, he will of course want to make a gain of at least N1m which is the reason for the high price in real estate business.

    “But if it is something you do genuinely from your mind so that people can own houses and you also understand the system and not just coming into it because you simply see it as a business, in the aspect of knowing the real price for gravel, cement, the real amount needed to build a two bedroom flat, if you have the understanding without allowing people give you exorbitant prices it will not affect the final consumers, so if the cost of production is high, definitely the consuming cost also will be high.

    “So you see big and beautiful houses with no one inside while the masses are still looking for housesý, if the government had continued the way they started by giving land to people, with the approval to build their houses, it would have reduced the problem of housing in Nigeria.”

    The FCT administration at a point began creating a road that will run from Orozo and come out in Apo, which on a normal day would have hastened the development of the area but so far the road is yet to be completed and residents of Orozo are hopeful that if the project is revisted and completed by the incoming administration, it will reduce the traffic gridlock always witnessed on the Nyanya/Maraba road and make life easy for them.

    Resident of Orozo, Michael Obi said, “The resean why most people are afraid of this area is because of the terrible traffic witnessed around Nyanya and Karu Junctions but the new road that is being created from here to Apo will actually make the journey faster, if only the new government will finish the road, more people will want to relocate to Orozo and the centre and other parts of Abuja will be decongested because with the level at which developers and private owners are building now in Orozo, this place will not be known in the next two years.”

     

  • Bloodbath sparks protest in Plateau

    Bloodbath sparks protest in Plateau

    Youths in Jos, the Plateau State capital, have protested renewed violence in several Berom communities in which no fewer than 30 residents have been killed by gunmen. The protesters asked why neither the state government nor the military task force has failed to halt the attacks. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

    image_2
    •The protesters

    When some residents of Jos took to the streets, their protest was not particularly about violence in the Plateau State capital; it was about the bloodbath in several Berom communities in both Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas. Save for the occasional terrorist strikes in Jos, the city has been relatively quiet.

    Not so for such Berom neighbourhoods as Shonong, Sopp, Rim, Bangai, Bachi in Riyom, and Zakubang and Vat in Barkin Ladi. In the few weeks those communities have come under consistent attacks in a manner that has everyone wondering not just who the attackers were but why they attacked. No fewer than 30 people were said to have been killed in the attacks. The injured are much more than that, while properties destroyed have yet to be estimated, though reckoned to be staggering.

    One question the residents are asking is why the attackers strike mostly at the beginning of the planting season.

    Series of organised attacks against the Berom people are gradually becoming an annual ritual. The Berom who are predominantly farmers have been attacked in the last few years especially when the people returned to the farm.

    Before the latest onslaught, 10 people were killed in attacks on Berom communities in Riyom. Chairman of Barkin Ladi Local government Hon. Emmanuel Lomang who confirmed the attacks said, 17 people were killed in Vat village while 13 others were killed in Zakupang village, all of Foron District of the local government. She added that the attackers also looted the communities apart from killing the residents.

    The recent killings brought back bitter memories of the ugly past, sending shock waves down the spine of residents of the state.

    The residents are also asking why and how the killings could continue with the Special Task Force (STF) on the ground.

    The STF code-named Operation Safe Haven has its headquarters in Jos but the troops are not that far from Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas. Investigations revealed that because of the level of insecurity in these two local governments, the STF created sector commands in both councils, Sector 9 in Riyom, Sector 6 in Barkin Ladi.

    Despite the closeness of the federal troops to the people, residents of the two local governments have continued to witness attacks by unknown gunmen. Some residents of the state said the recent attacks left them thinking that insurgents fleeing from the Northeast may have found another safe haven in Berom land.

    They said the attackers’ methods bore a striking resemblance to the modus operandi of Boko Haram fighters, considering the weapons used and tactics deployed. Some of the natives said even the security agencies are scared of the gunmen. Some even said the security agents became all the more reluctant to face the attackers when the latter killed two troops.

    The security agents who include men of the state-owned ‘Operation Rainbow’ and personnel of the STF beat a retreat after the incident while those stationed in Shonong were immediately withdrawn and sent back to the Sector 9 headquarters in Riyom on the orderS of the state Commissioner of Police.

    The withdrawal of the security agencies further worsened the situation of the civilians as they became helpless and vulnerable. The only alternative available to the helpless villagers is to flee their homes in search of safer heavens.

    Chairman of Riyom local government Mrs. Josephine Piyo is not comfortable with the increasing number of displaced persons in various camps at the local government headquaters, describing the situation as pathetic.

    She said in tears, “We are in a state of confusion, my people are helpless, I am also helpless, the local authority is helpless, the security cannot protect us as expected, the entire local government is in turmoil, we don’t know what to do anymore.

    “I was aware of the fragile security situation in Riyom LGA before I took over a year ago, so I made it a top priority to restore peace in the various communities; I established a peace parley among all the stakeholders of the local government, I mean the Berom, Fulani, the farmers, the cattle breeders, religious leaders, youth leaders and women leaders. We do meet regularly in my office to dialogue on how to achieve peace. And the dialogue process has produced results, there has been stability in the localities, the attacks were no more for some period.

    “In fact we counted over six months between the second quarter of 2014 up to the first quarter of 2015, there was no single attack by anyone within the period. All of a sudden, we started seeing attacks shortly after the presidential election on March 28, since then the council has not slept, the people are as helpless as the security agencies. If you ask me, I don’t know the causes of the latest attacks, I thought I had succeeded in restoring peace and we were busy planning to make sure the peace we achieved was sustained so that I can concentrate on providing social infrastructure for the people. But now we have been returned to square one I don’t know where to go from here, I need help.

    “The security agencies have tried their best, but the situation has not changed, the attacks continued almost on a daily basis and the gunmen are unchallenged. I think the soldiers on ground need re-enforcement. I pity the security agencies because they are not finding it easy, several of them are risking their lives, they are overwhelmed; more troops are needed here.”

    On his part, Chairman of Barkin Ladi local government, Hon Emmanuel Loman also said, “The insecurity in Berom land is becoming protracted and devastating, the federal government need to also give maximum attention they are giving to Northeast to Plateau North Senatorial zone. I said so because, since 2010, more than 10,000 Berom people have been killed by unknown gunmen, we keep crying out but the federal government seems not o take us serious. We have done within our own local power to stop these incessant attacks, the state government have equally done a lot, so what is required now is mass deployment of federal troops to the areas. And how long will the federal government wait to take decisive action, people are been killed on daily bases as if they don’t have the right to live. Something should be done urgently to save the defenseless people”.

    The Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly Hon. Daniel Dem believed that those carrying out the attack may be members if the Boko Haram insurgents. The Majority Leader who represents Riyom Constituency said “As a matter of fact my constituency is under siege by gunmen I suspect to be Boko Haram. They are heavily armed and they operate with impunity. They don’t spare the villagers, they also don’t spare the security agencies,

  • N15m jobs tools for widows, others

    N15m jobs tools for widows, others

    Help is coming for widows and other needy persons in Kwara State. Jobs tools worth N15m have been distributed to them.

    The items did not come from one source, but two. The Cherubim and Seraphim Church Movement teamed up with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) Oluwole Foundation to drive the project.

    •The clerics and the items distributed
    •The clerics and the items distributed

    The empowerment materials included sewing machines, big-size deep freezers, motorcycles, grinding machines, weaving machines, threading machines, pop corn making machines.

    The empowerment programme was preceded by a church service during which members in the flowing white robes sang praises to God.

    Speaking at the presentation ceremony in Ilorin, the state capital, the Executive Secretary of the Oluwole Foundation, Pastor Moses Popoola, said the foundation was introduced to help beneficiaries and church members in particular to engage in small-sscale businesses.

    Pastor Popoola, who said the presentation was the third, added that the gesture had gone beyond empowerment, adding that it involved award of scholarship to benefiting students.

    He also said that the empowerment materials, which were distributed, were based on request by the beneficiaries, adding that they were interviewed to know what they wanted to do to identify their areas of specialisation.

    Said he: “Before the commencement of the programme, we took inventory of many amongst us who are living below poverty line. The aim is to assist people who intend to go into small scale industry.

    “The foundation spends between N10 and N15 million every year on the programme as it also involvement granting of scholarship to indigent but brilliant student members of the church.”

    Earlier in his sermon, Evangelist Olaolu Adeyemo, talked about “God’s Position on Empowerment”, saying that God has given human being enough to make use of in life.

    “Unfortunately, many are so weak in just praying to the lord. Rather, they fold their hands and believe that the food will flow into their pot and money will fly into their pocket. That’s not what the scripture prescribes.

    “So we intend to enlighten the people about their roles in making use of what God has provided, even ahead of our creation. He has supplied us all and handed it over to us to make good use of them. And charged people to think of what they can do to sustain themselves and others around them.

    “However, Christians should know that God has entrusted them with what to do not just anything but something useful that is not derogatory to the name of the Lord.”

    Evangelist Adeyemo, while speaking with The Nation said that: “The purpose of the empowerment is to help our members to be independent financially so that they will not constitute to the financial pressure on the society.

    “It is targeted at those who are not privileged. We just want to teach them what the bible says about what a Christian must do. Christianity is a faith and the work is a work of faith. God created all things before creating human beings so that we can work.

    “The bible says faith without work is dead. We are trying to let people know that it is not just seeing it as an opportunity to come and collect this we want them to observe the environment and see what problems are there and how they can proffer solution because business is proffering solution to identified problems. From there they can make a living; with that they won’t be permanent beggars all in the name of Christianity.”

  • FCT literacy level above 70%, says minister

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has achieved a literacy level above 70 percent and ranks among the highest in Nigeria.

    The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed disclosed this at the just concluded 58th Annual National Congress of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS).

    The Minister, who was represented at the occasion by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Chukwu said, “This was solid dividend of investment in this sub-sector by the FCT Administration”.

    Mohammed remarked that the education sector in the Federal Capital Territory has enjoyed a priority position in its budgetary allocations under the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

    The Minister recalled that the greatest challenges his Administration had encountered on assumption of office was the unbearable high level of congestion in the classrooms due to the ever influx of people into the Territory.

    Mohammed, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, reiterated that his Administration confronted the problem through concerted programme of massive construction of more classrooms and establishment of new schools.

    His words: “In addition, to the provision of infrastructure, attention was paid to the procurement of instructional materials, as well as recruitment, promotion and development of teachers”.

    He revealed that in the wake of the Ebola scare last year in the country, the FCT Administration expended N100 million to safeguard its school children and teachers.

    While appreciating the corporation and understanding of the FCT ANCOPSS, he urged them to continue to ensure prudent management of available resources to make our schools a better place.

    Senator Mohammed also appreciated the National ANCOPSS under the leadership of Hajiya Fatima Abdulrahman for bringing its National Congress to Abuja, which has the theme “A good School Community Relationship; A Tool for Effective Implementation of the New Curriculum”.

    The FCT administration Secretary for Education, Mallam Kabir Usman also advised Principals of Secondary Schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and entire Nigeria to ensure a harmonious relationship with the communities where their schools are located.

    Usman said that the role of the community in the school administration structure is very important.

    According to him, in the FCT where school based management system is being implemented, the support of the communities have been actively sought and this has yielded positive results, saying that the success of the newly introduced trade subjects is also heavily hinged on the support of the community.

    The FCT president of ANCOPSS, Mohammed Ladan, said that in spite of the remarkable feats achieved by the FCTA in the education sectors, there is the need for recruitment of more teachers, completion of on-going projects some FCT Secondary Schools, also provision of computers to all junior and senior secondary schools in the FCT.

    “The minister should also consider the perimeter fencing of schools yet to be fenced in view of the current security challenges, also the appointment of Principals into key positions such as making them board Chairmen, Executive Secretaries, Advisers and Special Assistants.

    “The promoting of Principals to Grade Level 17 as it is the case in some states, the posting of well trained security men to all schools in the FCT, organising and sponsoring principals, vice principals and teachers to capacity building workshops within and outside the country, the provision of land for building FCT ANCOPSS headquarters and the provision of an 18 seater bus to ANCOPSS, as it is in the case in all the states of the federation,” he said.

    The National President of ANCOPSS, Fatima Abdulrahman also appealed to state and federal government to urgently address the persistent challenges bedeviling the educational system, particularly at the basic and post basic levels.

    Abdulrahman also highligted some of the major challenges facing the education sector, to include, inadequate number of teachers, inadequate science laboratory equipment and lack of trade subjects equipment, among others.

    She stressed the need for a more robust ICT and E-learning resources in Schools and the construction of new schools to meet the ever increasing population of children of school age.

  • A farewell church service

    With ten days to the handover date, President Goodluck Jonathan is not only in the winding down mode but has started to roll out the drums to celebrate seeing the end of his administration.

    Whether he danced at all or his dance steps matched the tunes from the gospel music or not are a different kettle of fish.

    The celebration is also for Almighty God, who has spared the life of his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan throughout the tenure despite evil predictions that only one of them would leave the seat of power alive.

    Jonathan’s story, however is different from his predecessor, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who died in office after illness.

    To give glory to God for His mercy and guidance throughout his tenure, Jonathan led the first family for a Thanksgiving and Farewell service in his honour last week Sunday at the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life-camp, Gwarimpa, Abuja.

    Determined to be part of the thanksgiving service, the First Lady, who fell sick about two and half years ago and divinely came back to life after several surgical operations abroad, was  present during the service.

    She had laid low, not appearing in any public function or church service with her husband since he lost the March 28 Presidential election.

    Jonathan, who traced how God has been good to him at the thanksgiving service from the scholarships he got during his school days through his political life from Deputy Governor to Governor to Vice President and President, however could not transform the gratitude in his heart to the desired dancing steps for God during the service.

    Giving reasons why he could not loosen himself and dance to honour God like King David in the Holy Bible, he simply told the congregation that he was not endowed with the dancing and singing gifts.

    Not even the challenge to him by the Aso Villa Chaplain, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba, during one of the Sunday services in the Villa early last month, could save the day.

    Onwuzurumba, had urged Jonathan to feel free anytime he is in the presence of God by replicating his campaign dancing steps in church, even if that is the only dancing steps he knows.

    Besides the Primate of the Church, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh specifically charging Jonathan to dance like King David when it was time for the first family’s thanksgiving last week Sunday, Onwuzurumba’s wife also urged Jonathan to dance during the service.

    But when the time came, Jonathan did not heed the advices of Onwuzurumba, Archbishop Okoh and Onwuzurumba’s wife.

    When given the opportunity to speak during the service, he said: “In fact, when the Primate was giving the message, he said that I should dance like David.”

    “And as we were singing one of the hymns, the wife of my Chaplain came to whisper to me that I was not dancing.”

    “I said how I wish I could dance even more than David. Unfortunately for me, there are certain things that I wouldn’t say God didn’t give me, but I am not good at. I don’t know how to do it.”

    “I don’t know how to sing, I croak. If I try to dance, I miss my steps. So I also stop dancing. Otherwise, I would have danced and danced, and even danced more than the scripture which says David danced to the extent that one of his wives had to curse David for dancing that way.”

    “Probably, my wife would have been angry too. But unfortunately, I don’t know how to dance. But I have all the reasons to thank God.”

    The two Sundays between the Thanksgiving service at the Cathedral in Lifecamp, Abuja and the May 29th handover date are also for the President’s farewell and thanksgiving services.

    The Sunday church service at the Aso Villa Chapel two days ago, was for Jonathan to thank God in the chapel where he had worshiped since the time he was Vice President of Nigeria under Late Umaru Yar’Adua.

    Jonathan will also have the opportunity to thank God and bid the Nigerian Christian community in the Federal Capital Territory farewell at next Sunday’s interdenominational church service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, which is part of the programmes towards the  inauguration of the in-coming government.

     

    Not now, Mr. President

     

    Many journalists covering the Presidential Villa were shocked to their marrows last week Monday.

    The source of their shock was the de-accreditation of a member of the State House Press Corps, Mr. Musa Ubale of the Deutsche Welle (German Radio).

    His offence was that he asked the visiting Chadian President, Idris Derby, questions right in the presence of President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau’s whereabout and the link between the troops of the Multi-national Task Force and mercenaries from South Africa.

    He asked the questions while the Chadian President was briefing journalists on the purpose of his visit and discussions at closed door meeting with President Jonathan.

    But Ubale’s State House accreditation tag was withdrawn immediately the Chadian President left with the claims that the Presidency was embarrassed by the questions.

    The government’s actions have somehow generated sort of arguments among journalists within and outside the Villa.

    Majority of them felt that nothing was wrong with the Ubale’s questions and that he was just doing his work while the Chadian President had the liberty to either answer the questions or ignored them.

    Only a very few journalists not more than the number of fingers on my right hand believed that Ubale should have exercised some restraints especially in a security environment like the Presidential Villa.

    A great number of the journalists and other Nigerians however felt that the Presidency shouldn’t have taken the action especially as it has prided itself over the years of being the government that signed the Freedom of Information bill into law.

    This group also pointed out that President Jonathan has severally declared that his government has been good to all and no journalist has been gagged or incarcerated for doing his or her work.

    They believed that the Presidency ought not to take that kind of action now which goes contrary to President Jonathan’s image that was boosted globally following his concede of defeat to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari

    Jonathan, they felt, should be more concerned and focused on his glorious exit from power coming up in a matter of days and not let anything tarnish his image.

     

  • Indigenes seek role in new administration

    Indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the incoming administration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to involve them in his administration, in order for them to benefit from the positive change which they have prayed for, after been marginalized by past and present administrations.

    The leader of Dagbalo community, Rev. Danjuma Tanko, who made this appeal on behalf of the indigenes in a press briefing on the future of Abuja natives, said explained that the people of Abuja has suffered endless marginalization, which has made them to wonder if they are part of the country.

    According to Rev. Tanko, since the existence of Nigeria, the people of Abuja have never been given the chance to participate in the affairs of governance, saying that after the independence, during the North Western state, it was the beginning of marginalisation for the people of Abuja.

    “This situation was equally visited during the days of the military rules, when we expected participation during the second republic. The incoming administration should build a bigger hope for the people so that the people will feel and participate actively in this change that we have been praying for.

    “Because, no political appointment has been offered to indigenes. The people of Abuja have a lot of graduates today, but there are no jobs for them. Our means of survival has been ceased from us and converted into buildings and road constructions.

    “Even with the present degree of development in the city, it is highly worrisome if this is an invasion, as we wondered since the amalgamation of Nigeria to this day. We are law abiding people and we pay our taxes directly and indirectly,” he said.

    Tanko further said that the federal allocation which the FCT benefit from in theory and not in practical, other Nigerians who are already benefiting from their states come to the FCT to control the revenue allocation without considering the interests of the indigenes.

    “The end result on how they manage the FCT allocation is a total neglect of indigenous communities and advancement of act of impunity, whereby they cease our plots of land without alternative means or compensation. Developing and providing infrastructures on the ceased farmlands, while the indigenes lack good roads and electricity in their communities.

    “Our traditional status should also be upgraded and given the chance to contribute actively in the affairs of nation building. It must be noted that this people have sacrificed their kingdoms for the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria, so they must be carried along in the scheme of things,” he said.

     

  • Free HIV/AIDS screening for 1500 women

    No fewer than 1,500 grassroots women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will benefit from free HIV Aids screening and medical services in the 2015 Medical Women Association of Nigeria summit, Chairperson, Local Organising Committee of the summit, Dr. Fatima Zara has said.

    She said purpose of the summit was to converge women to improve their health care.

    She spoke during MWAN Donor’s Parley Meeting held in Abuja.

    Zara said maternal and infant mortality have continued to affect women development and their children.

    She identified need for the private sector to continue to respond to empowering women in the country.

    Among other thematic areas listed include immunization, Malaria, breast and cervical cancer screening and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

    The 2-day summit is scheduled to hold in July.

    Secretary of the Association, Dr. Eno Usoroh disclosed that the association having about 30 chapters across the country has designed programmes to partner with private sectors and international organisations.

    She said the association could give small grants, monitor and evaluate projects as well as enbark on humanitarian service.

    She added that the association would also support community based organisations and women associations to showcase need of the women to relevant stakeholders.

    In her remarks, President of MWAN, Dr. Valeris Okon said the 35 years old association was founded to cater for women helalth care delivery.

    She said in order to meet medical needs of the women, the association had to extend offices to some of the north eastern states.

    She said: “We saw our chibok girls taking away. That is the reason we have expanded MWAN to Yobe, Kano and we are extending to Mauduguri very soon.

    “We realised that women are more interested in looking after their husband instead of their children”

    “Women are mostly affected in Cancer and HIV, Coronary diseases. We made them know that they need to take care of themselves instead of looking for funds like the husband. If women care about their health, then we will be able to get better world we want,” she added.

     

  • The disabled don’t need handouts

    The disabled don’t need handouts

    A lawmaker in Kogi State is reversing the notion that all disabled persons need is occasional gifts. Through the Institute of Disabled Persons (IDP), Hon. Adeyemi Abidemi Adebola is training People Living with Disabilities (PLWD), reports JAMES AZANIA 

    The great thing about the outreach is not just that the needy are getting attention but that an erroneous notion is being reversed. Somehow, most people tend to see people living with disabilities or PLWD as perhaps only good for the occasional hand-out, a bowl of rice here, a wheelchair there or N1,000 some other time.

    Hon. Adeyemi Abidemi Adebola, a lawmaker in the Kogi State House of Assembly, said he thought PLWDs need a lot more than gifts. Give them education or train them, he said. That way, they will not only fend for themselves; they will also contribute to the growth of the society.

    That is why the organisation he founded, the Institute of Disabled Persons (iDP) located in  Egbe area of the state is empowering PLWDs with education and skills.

    The reporter observed a steady stream of enthusuastic beneficiaries into the iDP office.

    Most of them were on crutches or  aided by others, but they moved with purpose heading in one direction, somewhere in Iyale, Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

    It was an engaging sight.

    After bidding my time, I approached one of them, Grace Ogalie, a young lady with a cherubic face and countenance, who on crutches moved towards the same direction as the others. After some pleasantries, she hesitantly told me her name and where she and others were headed.

    Ogalie was born with healthy, normal limbs. She only became disabled following a lethal administration of polio vaccination when she was a toddler.

    Ogalie, who is a holder of a Senior Secondary School Certificate (SSSCE) has however remained up and coming. Highly talented, she is honing her skills in music, and for this, she was out early this morning to join others in a musical programme being arranged for PLWD by the Institute of Disabled Persons (iDP).

    My interaction with her was quite inspiring, as I got to meet others in the programme, who spoke of hope and their plans for the future, despite the seeming odds.

    A cross-section of PLWDs that I spoke with expressed a feeling of abandonment by government. They clamoured for the establishment of special schools as obtains in other states like Lagos, where there is a Technical (Special) College solely for the training of PLWD.

    They commended the efforts of iDP, saying the organisation has given them a sense of belonging and reawakened their spirit.

    Meeting with the Founder of iDPs, Hon. Adeyemi Abidemi Adebola, a politician and lawmaker in the Kogi State House of Assembly and why he is lending a hand to PLWD was another eye opener.

    Adebola, the House Minority Whip is also the youngest lawmaker in the state and is indeed using his youthful energy and resources to impact positively on the most vulnerable in the society.

    iDP according to him, took off formally in 2013, but that the urge to lend a helping hand to the needy predates.

    Hear him, “Being a lawmaker is public service, working for the disabled is serving humanity, I see it as not too far from each other. The essence of life is to help that cannot help themselves. There is no way we can appreciate God and our existence other than to care for the people that need help. If you travel abroad; Europe and America, you’ll cry for the disabled people here in Nigeria”.

    Shedding more light on the institute’s programme, Adebola said iDP’s was formed to advance the rights of PLWD, which he said is the most important and to cater to their welfare.

    “When we talk of welfare for the disabled, people often think of handouts and feeding, perhaps more of pitying agenda for the disabled. I think the greater welfare is for disabled people to have access to quality education and training so that they can contribute to the development of themselves, the nation and mankind generally.

    The disabled people have a purpose in life and it is positive. We must assist them in fulfilling it.

    “Once their rights are enforced they don’t need to be pitied; they have what they deserve, naturally and socio-politically, based on natural justice. They are human beings. We have to understand that they can add value to our economy. The disabled people have made giant strides all over the world; they have written books, they are great sportsmen and women and they have been leaders too. So, they have something to contribute beyond their disability. As a matter of fact, most geniuses in life are often thought to be disabled. Look at Albert Einstein for example”.

    Bemoaning the lot of PLWDs in Nigeria, coupled with the attitude of government towards them, the lawmaker vowed to bring to issue to the public domain. The iDP he said is also will come out with a the “seven things the President-elect must do for the 20 million disabled people in Nigeria”.

    As the saying goes that ‘heaven helps those that help themselves’, Adebola stated that the disabled have a role to play in the struggle for their rights, asserting that the profile of PLWD has risen significantly.

    Listing the mode of operation of the institute, he said it has developed a template for partnership with reputable institutions for the training of PLWD, identification and development of inherent talents and ploughing monies raised at their shows into supporting them.

    His words: “Our ambition is to build the largest campus for the physically challenged in Africa. We have started as an institution liaising with existing colleges, associations and entities that relate to PLWD. We staged a play in 2013 to raise funds for disabled people and in 2014 we realised that some of the disabled people in Kogi State have talent. So, we helped them to produce a music album which was launched at the School of Disabled in Iyale, in Dekina local government.

    “We have close to 500 active members. What we do basically is that we keep on exploring their productive rights and in advocating for their rights which is even more important in the disability struggle.

    Government has not done anything so far but when the new government sets in next month we have seven agendas- Promote Disability and Disability Right Agenda, Improve the Educational capacity of Disabled people, Use technology to solve the problems of disability,  Improve Medical Conditions, Overseas training for Disabled people, Medical practitioners and

    Teachers, World Class Research Centre for the Disabled, Employment Quota for Disabled people) that will be jointly executed by organizations, institutions and government- We have been doing it without government but in fact, any government that has conscience will attend to the issue of disabilities. PLWD also vote. And, don’t forget that our profile has increased. In the war against Boko Haram for example, a lot of soldiers have been amputated, blinded and facing serious disability issues, all of which has impacted on the profile and the best thing that can happen is to pass the Disability Rights law immediately. It has been rejected twice in the National Assembly, although we here in Kogi State have passed it, but the governor is yet to assent to it”.

  • NGO trains FCT women on ICT

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) High Tech Centre for Women and Youths in partnership with Nigeria Technological Development Agency (NITDA) has trained selected women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Information Communication Technology (ICT).

    The training which was co-sponsored by CITEX And National Library of Nigeria (NLN) was organised for women leaders in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as opinion makers in the local councils, who are capable of influencing changes in their environments.

    The women were enlightened on coding techniques application development, business and enterprise developments in Information communication technology, empowerment,  skills and maintenance computer system among others.

    Speaking during the workshop, President of the NGO, Dr. Wunmi Hassan explained roles of women in national development.

    She said it was important to train women on ICT and empowerment, which according to her was capable of developing the society.

    Hassan encouraged the participants to think and act like entrepreneurs. She urged them to take advantage of little business opportunities and transform their livelihood.

    The NGO is engaged in training, capacity building and empowerment.

    “We are looking at change makers and people that can influence decisions. We want women who through their position can influence other women and their environment through empowerment.

    “We want to ensure that the library is well utilised by women ýto drive a change and do much more than reading.”

    “We say Nigerian need a change but the change will start with women. It is the women that will contribute more to moulding thýe society,” she added.

    In her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer, National Library of Nigeria (NLN), Alhaji Mallam Jato described the workshop as timely.

    The CEO urged the present administration to focus more on education, adding that if government could get a grip of the sector, it will hasten national growth.

    Jato, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Virtual Library Services Department, NLN, Mrs. Oluchi Kalu complained over situation where majority in the country cannot read or write which, according to her has slowed down development of the nation.

    She said: “When you talk of digital divide that is what Nigeria is actually going through. ICT is in vogue and Nigeria is behind. A situation where many people are not computer literate, they cannot even read or write and this is what one third of our population is suffering from.”

    However, she expressed optimism the training would positively influence the participants.

     

  • Indigenes advise lawmakers on good representation

    Indigenes of Abuja have called on their representatives at the National Assembly to work towards impacting positively on the lives of the people who voted them into the political offices they are presently occupying.

    A community leader in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Daniel Yepwi lamented that indigenes have been left behind in terms of education, employment and job opportunities, which indigenes of other states are benefiting from their states.

    According to Yepwi, it is time members in the House of Representatives and the Senate use their political offices to attract empowerment and proper development to the six area councils in the territory.

    He said that lucrative vacancies and opportunities made to indigenous people of the FCT are being harnessed by other Nigerians from other states at the detriment of the natives.

    “People of the Niger Delta are enjoying today, because their leaders stood firm without compromising. It is time other area council chairmen start emulating AMAC chairman, Mr. Micah Jiba for scholarships he has given to our children to study postgraduate degrees abroad, with the promise to do more.

    “The incoming FCT Minister should avoid demolition of our ancestral houses because no nation thrives without a history. Nigerians and government met Gbagyi people here in the FCT and I wondered why every government will come and start demolishing our homes? While in countries like USA, Maryland there are still ancestral homes and buildings owned by the red Indians who still live there till today,” he said.

    The indigenes who congratulated the President elect Muhammadu Buhari further advised him to maintain his principles and integrity by making sure he appoints an indigene as a minister, appealing to the incoming government to carry the indigenes along and avoid any thing that will plunge the youths into crisis like the Niger Delta youths.

    “We want the incoming administration to dwell more on projects and programmes that will benefit us, not like the Bala Mohammed-led administration that uses the military to demolish and humiliate us in our land,” he said.