The Guard Nigeria Project (GNP), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has called on residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other Nigerians to resist the temptation to do anything that may lead to post-election violence.
The organisation also urged politicians and party supporters to accept the results of the election or channel their grievances through the appropriate quarters.
GNP Executive Director, Mr. Promise Amahah who gave the advice at a media briefing in Abuja, said there was the need to respond to the growing apathy among residents of the FCT and other parts of the country. He also said there was the need to stir up the love for country and neighbour regardless of social status during and after the election.
Amahah said it is also imperative to state that one of the core objectives of the Guard Nigeria Project is to restore Nigeria’s system whose absence has been the bane of the nation.
“We are concerned and optimistic Nigerians. We are made up of several ethnic groups and social strata, united by our common identity and love for our country. As we go about during the general elections, the polity has been greatly heated up and has also led to the recent exodus of Nigerians to their respective places of origin nation-wide.
“The situation is saddening and calls for prompt intervention on re-orientation and social engineering, which are parts of our key mandate. Some Nigerians are using the current socio-economic imbalance to manipulate Nigerians against Nigeria during this period. We have become enemies to ourselves and to our country.
“For a paradigm shift to be achieved we must become intolerant of the negative status quo; for whatever you tolerate stays at your address. We are no longer comfortable with the status quo and Nigeria will no longer be the address of all kinds of vice during and after the elections,” he said.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari on his victory at the presidential election April 28.
The Secretary of the party in the FCT, Hon. Abdullahi Candido, who also congratulated residents of the FCT and entire Nigerians on the peaceful and successful conduct of the presidential polls, said there was the need for Nigerians to rejoice, because the long-awaited change has finally come.
According to Candido, Nigerians should pray for the incoming government of Gen. Buhari, which would be inaugurated on May 29, this year, saying that apart from the immense support which Gen. Buhari had during the election, Nigerians should always pray for the government to enable it to succeed.
“The earnest quest for positive change has been in the heart of every Nigerian. Nigerians, for a very long time, have longed for change because of the high level of corruption which the present administration allowed to eat into the fabric of the society.
“Corruption almost crippled the economy of this country. Now that the needed change has come, we believe that corruption would also be a thing of the past.
“The change has also come to Nigerians, mostly for residents of the FCT, whose rights and privileges have been trampled upon by the corrupt administration of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, who has punished the people with different anti-people policies which have made them to live like strangers in their own land.
“The APC government under Gen. Buhari has promised the people of the FCT a ministerial slot and Permanent Secretary, so that Abuja people would be able to defend and decide their future at the Federal Executive Council (FEC). I know he will fulfill every promise he made to Nigerians.
“Nigerians have made their choice and the victory at the polls was not APC’s victory but victory for all Nigerians whose votes counted. What Gen. Buhari needs now is prayer so that the long-awaited positive change would be reality in our lives when the new government assumes power on May 29,” he said.
In a related development, the Association of Local Government Nigeria (ALGON) has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for what it described as his high sense of maturity and genuine statesmanship. The association noted that by calling to congratulate the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, he doused tension and allowed peace to prevail after the presidential election.
President of the association, Hon. Micah Jiba, who disclosed this while briefing reporters, further congratulated Gen. Buhari on his victory at the polls, saying that the outcome of the election was the wish of God who gives power to whom he wishes.
Jiba, who described the victory of Gen. Buhari as the popular demand of Nigerians, said it should not be seen as a victory for the APC alone, but for all Nigerians who believe in positive change and wants the success of Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Election is like a football match where a winner must definitely emerge and the spirit of good sportsmanship is for everybody to accept the outcome or result of every competition. Nobody should be seen as an enemy because of politics. We should all see ourselves Nigerians, irrespective of our political and religious affiliation. We should come together to make the incoming government a success.
“President Jonathan proved to every Nigerian that when he said ‘nobody’s political ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian,’ he meant it. That was why he exhibited the true spirit of statesmanship by calling to congratulate the newly elected President of Nigeria, Gen. Buhari, even before INEC officially announced him a winner.
“That singular action by President Jonathan could be described as an epitome of a true Nigerian hero and his name would be written in gold when Nigerian political history is written. This is because it has never happened before in the history of Nigeria. Nigerians should also pray for the incoming government of Gen. Buhari for it to succeed and take the country to the desired change that we all prayed for,” he said.
Staff of the Industrial Training Fund have been rewarded for their hard work at a carnival-like occasion in Jos, reports YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU
Reward has come for some hard-working staff of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). And it came at a carnival-like atmosphere at the Fund’s headqarters, Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The management and staff turned up in their best attires. The premises also reflected the mood. Colourful decorations hung everywhere, in sync with the well-dressed staff.
Entertainers were just as colourfully clad. Drummers thumped their decorated drums with as much zest as the mood demanded.
And to top it off, dedicated workers were called out and presented with awards. They reached out and collected their prizes with thanks and a smile.
The annual occasion is called the end-of-year party, though it sometimes takes place in December, January or even February. This year’s edition was different, coming even later, in late March.
•ITF staff at the event
ITF staff look forward to it because it often leaves them with long-lasting memories such as the merit award, of which every staff is a potential winner. There is an award for the oldest staff, one for the most active department, another for the most dedicated and committed staff, not to mention the various prizes for individual performances.
Renowned cultural troupes usually entertain the crowd. This year, it was the state troupe which thrilled the audience.
The award has placed ITF as one of government parastatals with efficiency in administration because the staff are conscious of the fact that the management are taking record of their individual inputs and are duly rewarded.
The Fund’s supervisory minister, being that of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment usually attends the feast, but in this year’s edition, the Minister of State, Kenneth Kobani was the special guest of honour, though he was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdulkadir Musa.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Musa said, “I am delighted and honoured to have been invited by the Industrial Training Fund, today on the occasion of the 2014 Annual Review and Merit Award Celebration. As you may be aware, I was sworn in as Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment early this week. This event is therefore my first official function since being sworn in.
“I am deeply pleased that my first function would be to join one of the most important parastatals under my purview, whose strides have contributed in no small measure to the realisation of the Transformation Agenda of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR).
“We are all familiar with the unemployment situation in the country despite the laudable strategies of the Federal Government through initiatives such as National Enterprise Development Programme, the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, the Jobs Board, the MSME Committee the National Automotive Policy and through the committed efforts of Agencies such as the Industrial Training Fund.
“I have been briefed about the mandate by Mr. President for the Industrial Training Fund to train 2 million Nigerians annually. I am equally aware of the achievements the ITF has recorded in the National Industrial Skills Development Programme, which has trained over 72,000 Nigerians in only two years; and other numerous initiatives by the ITF that are all geared towards creating jobs.
“These are indeed commendable accomplishments but fall short when weighed against the President’s ambition of creating 3 million jobs annually for teeming Nigerians that are employed.
“For the ITF to fully implement its mandate, all hands need to be on deck. On our part as the supervising Ministry, we promise to assist the ITF in all areas particularly in the area of training for job creation and entrepreneurship
“In charge of ITF is a woman, the Director General and Chief Executive, Dr. (Mrs.) Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko. She used just few words to describe the event. In her welcome address, she said the merit award ceremony is an important date on the ITF calendar.”
She added, “It provides us the platform to render an in-depth account of how we fared as an organization in the out-gone year, and also recognize and reward stakeholders and members of the workforce, whose outstanding corporate and individual contributions were critical to our achievements.”
The DG, as usual, used the event to talk on the task before ITF, saying:
“This very event is my first Merit Award Ceremony as Director-General of the ITF, having assumed duty in May, 2014. Our mandate from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR when I was appointed, was to train 2 million Nigerians annually. Mr. President’s charge was informed by unemployment surveys that indicated that 23.9 percent of our population of about 167 million was unemployed; with youth unemployment reported to be over 50 per cent.
“Year 2014 was therefore an eventful one for the ITF as the new Management under me was navigating the teething problems associated with all new leaderships as well striving to actualize the Presidential charge and implement ITF’s mandate.
“Rather than being overwhelmed, these expectations and challenges motivated us to performance levels perhaps not equaled in the history of ITF. One key factor that played in our favour was the Four-point Agenda which was rolled out by Management. Perhaps the first in the history of the ITF, the 4-point Agenda which includes: escalation of the number of Nigerians trained to 2 million annually, full automation of ITF business processes, ensure 100 percent levy generation, and ensure 100 percent implementation of SIWES, was not only intended to ensure effective service delivery that will add value to the bottom line of our esteemed clients’ operations and guarantee full actualization of our mandate but also serve as our guiding beacon. The 4-Point Agenda played no small part in our accomplishments in 2014.
“ITF recorded landmark achievements in all key result areas, especially in Technical Vocational Skills, Management and Entrepreneurship Training
The mandate of the Industrial Training Fund, as we are all aware, is to generate a pool of qualified indigenous manpower to man the critical sectors of the Nigerian economy. In actualising this mandate, the Fund provides training in Technical Vocational Skills, Management and Entrepreneurship.
“Against the backdrop of the Presidential charge and other job creation initiatives of the Federal Government, the ITF in 2014 escalated efforts in skills acquisition in order to equip Nigerians with skills for employability and entrepreneurship.
“Apart from imparting skills to Nigerians through Industrial Skills Training Centres located in Kano, Ikeja and Jos and the Model Skills Training Centre in Abuja, the ITF implemented the National Industrial Skills Development Programme (NISDP) in liaison with Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Bank of Industry (BOI). The programme which is the hard skills component of the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan has so far trained 74,000 Nigerians. In 2013 alone, the ITF through the Programme trained 37,000 youths from the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT in several trade and craft areas including Welding and Fabrication, ICT and Autotrornics, Fisheries, Yam, Cassava and Rice Processing, Tiling, Plaster of Paris (POP) and Plumbing, Tailoring and Garment-making, as well as Cell Phone and Generator Repairs.
She stated further, “In 2014, the scope of the programme was expanded as it rolled out simultaneously in the 36 States and the FCT; a deviation from the first three phases when trainees from selected States were trained at a given time. Our projections are that beginning from 2015, several phases of the programme would run in a given year.
“As further indication of our commitment to meet Mr. President mandate, the ITF, in conjunction with the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) continued with its Technical Skills Development Project (TSDP) using facilities of NECA member companies including the Peugeot Automobile Nigeria, Kaduna; Niger Dock, Lagos; OCO Industries, Port Harcourt; Nigerian Breweries Plc, Ibadan and the Fund’s ISTCs in Ikeja and Kano. The Project has already graduated 2,300 trainees, most of who were employed on graduation. Due to high demand of its graduates, the project has been expanded to include A.G. Leventis Agricultural School, Ilesha, and Kamjay Farms, Lekki, Lagos. It will be further expanded this year.
“The ITF has also entered into collaboration with Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN) for the training of 350 Artisans and Craftsmen in the Construction Industry in each State of the Federation and the FCT. The training, which has already commenced, will perhaps mark the end of paucity of skilled artisans in the construction industry.
“In addition, as part of our effort to drive the National Automotive Policy, the ITF has entered in to collaboration with SENAI of Brazil. One aspect of the collaboration will be the establishment of 3 Automobile Parts Training Centres in Nigeria. The Centres, which will come on stream soon, will serve the dual purpose of producing parts to supply over 22 companies that have already commenced production or have indicated interested to investment in the Nigerian Automobile sector and also train Nigerians in production of Automobile spare parts. This will reduce our current dependence on imported auto parts and create employment.
“In order to further open up access for Nigerians willing to acquire skills, the ITF has produced 4 Mobile Training Units from Brazil. Six others are still being expected even as plans are also underway to establish 38 new Industrial Skills Training Centres and 6 Centres of Advanced Skills Training for Employment.
“The ITF is also leading Nigeria’s inaugural participation in the World Skills Competition which is slated for Brazil later this year. The World Skills competition, which started in 1947, is designed to motivate the youth to compete; to make them enthusiastic about vocational training and to compare skills and abilities of people from different countries. Despite its growing popularity with countries around the globe; Nigeria did not participate until now. The build up and participation in the Competition will serve to further sensitise Nigerians on the need for skills acquisition.
“Overall, the Fund performed creditably in its training activities in 2014 as it implemented a total of 13,044 training programmes that attracted 237,561 participants from 5,815 public and private organisations. The Fund also implemented 699 Special Intervention Programmes. Of the number trained, 202,460 now are gainfully employed while 5000 are now owners of their business. It is noteworthy that 16,211 of the Special Intervention Programmes were women”
The DG expressed delight in what ITF has been able to do to motivate their staff.
“It is a known fact that staff that are happier are more productive. It is also common knowledge that you cannot give what you do not have. Against this realisation therefore, the ITF within the period under review sponsored a total of 1,108 staff on staff development. The breakdown is as follows: Part Time programs – 14, International programs – 242, Long Term staff development programs – 27, Short Term programmes – 821, and Internship – 4.
“To further motivate the workforce, 78 staff were rewarded with Long Service Awards. Management also approved a total of N45,761,656.25, which was disbursed to 56 staff as motor vehicle and Housing loans. Within the same period, a total 549 staff were promoted to various grades- 248 from CONRAISS 2 – 6, 257 from CONRAISS 6 – 11, and 44 CONRAISS 12 and above just as Management initiated processes for the review of the Fund’s existing condition of service.
The vastness of the space and grandeur of the structures may shed some light on why land means so much to the authorities. Bulldozers, a common sight at the seat of federal power, continue to tear down structures, leaving their owners or occupants in tears, while the official explanation is that the city master plan is distorted and that private developers will do a better job.
A sprawling land space valued at N700bn has been provided in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to accommodate a mega-city centre comparable to the sights in places like Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed allocated 21 hectares of prime land in the Central Business District for the Abuja City Centre project.
The project which is expected to attract private investment will comprise a national mall, condominiums or privately-owned buildings, shopping and office complexes, five-star hotels and recreational facilities.
Mohammed stated that the project apart from providing critical infrastructure for the Federal Capital Territory is also expected to generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Muhammad Sule, said in a statement that the minister announced this while handing over the plot of land to the consortium, adding that the project is for a mixed-use development expected to define the character of the FCT.
Senator Mohammed who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Adamu Ismaila, stated that the over 21 hectares of land is on plots 1532 and 1533 within the Central Business District, Abuja.
His words, “The N700 billion (about 3.5 US Dollars) project will comprise of a National Mall, condominiums, shopping and office complexes, 5-Star hotels and recreational facilities”.
“He reiterated that the architectural philosophy is in tandem with the modern and contemporary design concept of Work, Live and Play.
“According to him, the project apart from providing critical infrastructure for the Federal Capital Territory is also expected to generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.
“Senator Mohammed remarked that since the declaration of interest by the investors, the FCT Administration has been able to execute a development agreement with the consortium and has also incorporated a special purpose company, ‘City Centre Development Limited’, to execute, operate and manage the project.
“The consortium had obtained the approval of the Development Control after it finalised the structural and other associated designs of the City Centre in addition to securing robust technical and financial partnerships for the effective execution of the project, he stressed.
“Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Chicason Group, Chief Alex Chika Okafor noted that the Abuja City Centre project is designed to be a premium mixed-use real estate development with multiple towers including Upscale Residential, First Class Developments for offices and retail spaces, 5-Star Hotels and a World Class National Park at the centre of the development.
“Our development partner in the project, Eagle Hills of Abu Dhabi, is a world-class premier developer and a related company to the EMMAR Group with signature developments in Dubai, Singapore, USA, UK, Malaysia, Turkey, Egypt, Belgrade etc,” he added.
“The chairman assured that with the commencement of work at site, the project launch work would be carried out later in the year when the sales centre and show room will be ready.”
The head teacher of Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School in Angwandodo community in Gwagwalada area council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Ahmed Shangalo had said that government should set-up machinery to monitor and make adequate supervision of food vendor in schools and public palace to enhance healthy living.
Shangalo who made the call at the 2015 World Consumer Rights Day at Angwandodo community, said Consumer Protection Fan Club (CPFC) in the LEA primary school is a unique club that was established in to help the pupils to know their rights and responsibilities as young consumers and invaluable parastatal of the government.
He stressed the need for people to remain healthy and strong, as there is need for people to distinguish between healthy and harmful items.
On her part, the teacher in charge of Consumer Protection Fan Club (CPFC), LEA primary school in Angwandodo, Mrs. Ogu-Chinma Chinyere, said consumer protection fan club was created out of passion for young consumers, whom they feel should be able to know their rights and responsibilities, so as to protect them from being unduly taken advantage of some manufacturers and producers.
Chinyere said such knowledge will help them to be able to identify and avoid substandard products and services, that humble assertion has been proven right by the recognition of the club by consumer protection council.
According to her, it has made members of the club to share information about things they have learnt amongst people in their immediate environment, saying that their young consumers have also been taught about their rights and responsibilities as consumers, how to check their BB (Best Before), PD (Production Date) and BN (Batch Number) and how to shop and make complaints about defective and expired production.
Indigenous people of Dagbalo and Akpajenjiya communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have concluded arrangements to send a petition against the Minister of the territory, Senator Bala Mohammed to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague over what they described as inhuman and undemocratic treatment.
Leader of Dagbalo community in Apo, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Rev. Danjuma Tanko who made this known to journalists at a press briefing in Abuja, expressed sadness over the continuous silent of the minister on the situation against the natives, saying that about five Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) have been consulted over the matter to make necessary arrangement to sue the minister to the ICC.
Tanko said, as a result of selfishness, greed and corruptible means of acquiring wealth, the administration has cause an untold hardship to the communities, making reference to the incident that occurred about two years ago on July 30th 2013, when pick van fully loaded with armed soldiers invaded their communities and forced them out, demolishing their houses, farm lands, destroying their economic trees in one day.
He said that the singular act of wickedness was perfected as a result of lucrative position the community occupied and the FCT administration’s interest made it easy to abuse the natives of the communities without human face to provide an alternative for the people.
“It’s in the light of this embarrassing behaviour of our leaders, which made us to see the necessity of the rule of law and it should be allowed to be the protector of the common man. We are also calling for oversight probe of the FCT Minister, for him to account for all the money budgeted for six years in the of resettlement and compensation of Abuja indigenes,” he said.
He also accused the minister of using forceful tactics to take over of their homes thereby causing hardship and death to natives of their communities, saying that the time has come to put a stop to the wickedness that the FCTA is inflicting on their communities.
“Our major reason for taking the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed to the ICC is to make them account and pay for all the mal administration done to our people. What is the minister’s interest to acquire lands for himself, children and friend at the expense of the original owners.
“I want to make it abundantly clear to Nigerians that Federal Government has never in any way acquired the Abuja land. What the FCT administration is doing is to use force to seize our land without any meaningful compensation and some the places suffering displacement includes, Maitaima, Karu, Nyanya, Kubwa, Jabi, Karmo, Gudu, Garki, Gwarinpa and several other communities,” he said.
Tanko further called on the president not to appoint any person who is not an indigenes of Abuja as a Minister of the FCT, in order to avoid ressetlement catastrophe in future.
The bars of prison have not repressed the excellence of inmates at the Kuje jail. No fewer than 31 inmates there had 69 distinctions at the November-December 2014 West Africa Examination Council Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE). The high-flying candidates have already received their certificates.
The certificates were presented by the representative of the Controller General of Prisons, Deputy Controller of Prisons (DCP), Musa Tanko.
A total of 38 inmates were enrolled for the examination in Kuje Prison. The 2014 examination was the fifth West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) examination conducted in Kuje prison since its inception in the year 2010 to 2014.
Out of the 38 inmate candidates that sat for the examination, 31 results were released while 7 results are withheld.
From the released results, a total of 67 distinctions, 94 credits, 73 passes and 41 failures were recorded.
Speaking at the occasion, DCP Tanko reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Prisons Service to humane confinement, reformation and rehabilitation of those in its custody noting that assisting inmates to have access to educational opportunities at all levels is one notable way of keeping their hope of successful return to the larger society alive.
He further stated that Kuje Prison has continue to record impressive inmates participation in external examinations since the programme started in 2010 which has culminated in close to 41 of the prisoners taking up various degree programmes in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Special Study Centre in the Prison.
He thanked NUGA BEST, a non-governmental organisation for sponsoring the registration of the inmates in 2014 and called on other good spirited members of the society to support this laudable human development project in the prison particularly in the areas of free lecture delivery, supply of relevant textbooks/learning aids and means to facilitate early registration of candidates in order to give life a new meaning for those in incarceration.
The center according to the Prison Public Relations Officer, FCT Command, Chukwuedo Humphrey, could have recorded more success if: “the following problems and challenges encountered in the previous examinations were properly tackled before the 2014 examination: late and inadequate preparation of the students, lack of conducive learning environment and atmosphere, lack of comfortable reading, learning desks, chairs, inadequate and insufficent recommended text books/writing material, lack of subject teachers to prepare inmates for examination and late registration due to lack of funds.
“While we sincerely appreciate the effort of the prison authority and all our sponsors, we still want to use this medium to appeal to all concern to come to our aid in tackling the above mentioned problems and challenges before the 2015 examination because we already have over 100 inmates that have indicated their interest in this year examination.”
Over 1, 435 graduates have benefited from one year internship programme in the federal government initiated Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS) under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance and Ultimax Consult Limited and established with an intention of building the capacity of youths and exposing them to necessary experience needed for successful business and career.
GIS Project Director, Mr. Peter Papka, who made this known at the graduation ceremony in Abuja, where 127 graduates completed their one year internship programme, reaffirmed that the GIS was meant to improve the work ethics, orientation and provide employability skills needed to improve their personal and career development skills.
Papka, who was represented by an official of the scheme, Mr. Alhasan Samaila, noted that over 21,000 graduates out the 50,000 targeted have exited the scheme in its two years of introduction, with most of them retained by their host firms, while some have been self employed with the skills acquired skills.
He further disclosed that FCT has over 1,435 beneficiaries and 544 firms that have been verified and approved to take in graduates for internship, providing them with necessary mentorship.
He reminded them that GIS was part of government’s effort in contributing to their capacity for effective service, especially through staff assessment, official etiquette, staff management and development through structured mentorship and other critical areas which are necessary for the growth of any firm.
In the presence of their employer representatives, the interns expressed gratitude to the federal government for initiating such a wonderful programme that had transformed their lives.
However, Blessing Samuel and Anthony Balogun who were among the beneficiaries in their submissions said that the programme has improved their inter-personal relationship skills and confidence level, calling on the federal government to increase awareness of the scheme to enable graduates especially at the rural areas benefit from the scheme.
Speaking on the gains of GIS, an employer representative, Blessing Titilayo, accepted that the arrival of the interns to her organisation has turn around the company’s revenue generation and sued for it sustenance by the government.
Meanwhile, 167 fresh graduates have been inducted into the scheme for a fresh one year internship programme under the supervision of Ministry of Finance and Tenex Zil consulting Limited.
The biggest gainers were the eye patients, over 10,000 of whom turned up to be treated free in Zaria, Kaduna State.
But there were other equally striking perspectives to the outreach. The exercise was carried out by Dr. Abdulrauf Wale Babalakin in honour of the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris as the monarch marked his 40th anniversary on the throne.
Just as remarkable is the fact that Dr Babalakin’s mother, the late Ramatu Ibironke Babalakin was born in Zaria.
The free eye treatment was carried out through Babalakin’s foundation, ‘Ramatu Ibironke Babalakin Foundation (RIBF).
During the 10 days exercise, over 1,000 patients suffering from cataract and other visual challenges were given free eye surgery. The patients were among the over 10,000 visually impaired persons receiving free eye treatment sponsored by the RIBF.
At the opening ceremony of the exercise, the exercise which saw many old people with visual challenges trooping in for the reachout which is also in celebration of the 11th memorial anniversary of Alhaja Ramatu Ibironke Babalakin, in whose name the foundation is instituted to aid the visually impaired and wipe out blindness and other eye related problems from Nigeria.
Flagging off the 10 days event, the Emir said, when Dr. Wale Babalakin met him to do something in commemoration of his 40th year on throne, he felt, nothing could be better to celebrate his reign on the throne of Zazzau Emirate than anything that would have positive impact on the people of the emirate, especially, the masses.
“That is why I suggested that, since Dr. Babalakin is an Optometrist and a philanthropist, he should come to the aid of my people who are visually impaired.” He said.
While asking his subjects to pray for the founder of Babalakin Foundation and repose of his mother’s soul, the Emir told them to take advantage of Babalakin’s magnan-imity to address their visual challenges and other related diseases
Earlier in his address, Dr. Babalakin who was represented by Prof. Ishaq Oloyede said, the exercise has been ongoing in the southern parts of Nigeria for quiet sometime now, but he felt, he has done nothing if people of Zaria where he was born and raised have not benefited.
According to him, “Zaria, formerly known as Zazzau, has been turning out a galaxy of stars and it’s the home of the renowned Barewa College that had produced five Nigerian Heads of State, namely Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Murtala Muhammed, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, and Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, not to mention the Premier of the old Northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
“Also in the number of great personalities bred in Zaria is the late Alhaja Babalakin, who was born on October 6, 1930 in the ancient town where she also met her husband, retired Supreme Court Judge, Mr. Justice Bolarinwa Oyegoke Babalakin (CON). She died on March 7, 2004.
“Before the today event in Zaria, RIBF had recorded resounding success treating over 1000 eye patients in Gbongan, Osun State hometown of Justice Babalakin, where many surgeries were carried out while a large number of eye glasses were also distributed to the needy.
”The Foundation replicated this in Owo Local Government Area, where more than 4,000 patients were treated. But, we felt, we would not be fulfilled if we fail to come to Zaria to extend this treatment to the people of the Emirate”. He said.
At the closing of the exercise however, ýDr. Babalakin (SAN) who was physically present told the Emir that, surgery was carried out on over 1,000 patients, while thousands of others received eye glasses and medications as the case maybe.
While presenting eye glasses to some of the patients who have been operated upon, Dr. Babalakin said, the gesture was in remembrance of his mother’s birthplace and celebration of the Emir on his 40th year on throne.
He, however, promised the Emir that, as he is going back, he will think of other areas through which he can further touch the lives of the people of Zaria.
Responding, the Emir, Alhaji Shehu Idris commended Babalakin for his tireless efforts towards assisting humanity and prayed that, God will continue to assist and uplift him.
Earlier, the Chief Imam of the Zazzau Emirate Council had showered prayers on Babalakin inside the Emir’s Palace.
Some of the over 10,000 beneficiaries of the free eye treatment commended the founder of RIBF for his philanthropic gesture, praying that God will replenish him in multiple folds.
Hauwa Umar, one of the patients who went through surgery said, she had been suffering from glaucoma for quiet sometimes now, but thanked Babalakin who has finally made her regain her sight.
For his efforts in sport development in the past six years, some young professionals here and abroad last week promised to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in last Saturday’s presidential elections.
The youths at an elaborate ceremony at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, maintained that Jonathan has reformed sport in Nigeria and brought it to winning ways.
Besides laurels and medals to Nigeria at the federal level under Dr. Jonathan, the youths also recalled that he inspired many laurels that were won by Bayelsa State when he was the governor and deputy governor of the state.
To ensure that there is no downturn in the achievements in the sector in the next four years, they said their votes will go to Jonathan.
Reeling out the achievements of the president in sports, the Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo said no former president or head of state in Nigeria achieved Jonathan’s feat in sports.
He formally presented a book at the occasion chronicling the achievements of the president.
The book by Sola Ojewusi was titled:’GEJ Sport Vision Group: A Special Tribute to Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.’
Part of a chapter of the book titled ‘A performer’s advent’ reads: “In 2013, for instance, apart from the Super Eagles winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the third time after a nineteen-year hiatus, the U-17 team, Golden Eaglets, again conquered the world, making history as the first team to win the cup a fourth time.”
“Before the year ended, Super Eagles confirmed their place at the next World Cup in Brazil, becoming the first African nation to do so with a hard-won victory over Ethiopia.”
“2014 followed with resounding successes by the national athletic teams conquering Africa in junior and senior categories before proceeding to make us all proud at the Commonwealth Games.”
“It was also the year of great soccer feats by Nigerian women teams at the Under-20 World Cup and the African Women Championship..
“For the first time in a long, long time, Nigerians can celebrate again, they can rush into the streets to celebrate long-awaited victories. Our flags, long absent at moments of sporting honours, were seen waiving again, with pride and with glory as the nation began to win again,” it stated.
As the event was going on at the Eko Hotel and Suites, which coincided with the final match of the 2015 African Youth Soccer Championship, the crowd went haywire when it was announced that the Flying Eagles of Nigeria beat their Senegalese counterpart to win the championship.
Winning the championship that Sunday earned the Flying Eagles a record seventh African Youth Championship success.
Gold medalist, Blessing Okagbare, who spoke through Skype in a documentary at the event, maintained that President Jonathan has been more than a coach to the sports sector in the past six years.
The youths at the event, coordinated by the former Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha, gave their word to the President that they would vote for him in the election so that the laurels and trophies would continue to come to Nigeria.
While the youths felt that by voting for President Jonathan they were voting for sports development, the President believed that votes from the sector should be for him because of his record in the sector.
Even though the electoral system does not allow for identifying and tracing of votes to individuals and groups in order to ascertain who they voted for, the President, no doubt, felt that the election should be payback time for him from the sector because of his support for sports.
Jonathan and Presidential election result
Despite reports by some groups predicting victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in last Saturday’s election, President Goodluck Jonathan on the eve of the election still urged all political parties and candidates to accept the outcome of the elections.
This statement by the President in a national broadcast has not only shown him again as a simple man, but also given credit to his claim that he has not lost sleep due to the election, where he was contesting for second term in office.
While also advising Nigerians that elections should never be mistaken for war or opportunity to set fellow citizens against each other, he said that no political ambition can justify violence or bloodshed.
It is hoped that this call will really be heeded by parties’ supporters in order to take Nigeria’s democracy to a higher hieght.
Once rigging and manipulation are kept out of the system, most Nigerians will definitely welcome the outcomes of the March 28th elections.
