The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • ‘We’re committed to security of residents’

    ‘We’re committed to security of residents’

    The Chairman of Abaji Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Yahaya Garba has reiterated his commitment to the protection of lives and property of residents of the council.

    Hon. Garba, who spoke through the council’s Head of Administration, Alhaji Isah Rubochi while addressing residents and stakeholders on the need to complete some dumped buildings which pose serious security challenges.

    According to the council chief, although the country is currently overcoming its security challenges, governments, especially at the local level, will not relent in its efforts to curb crime and criminality in the country.

    He further urged residents to trim overgrown trees around their houses to avoid their being used as hide outs for criminal.

    Garba also used the opportunity to appeal to residents to have faith in the present administration, as efforts are being made to address various challenges confronting every community in the council.

     

  • X-raying Jonathan’s form donations

    The cost of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Presidential Nomination Fee and Expression of Interest Form has been fixed for N22 million.

    President Goodluck Jonathan, who is the sole candidate of the party, realised N99.915 million from donations and pledges, bringing the cash to over 354% of the amount needed to obtain the form.

    The donations, which came from individuals, associations and communities, warranted two statements to be issued last Wednesday from the office of the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

    The office had to update the first statement to capture the latest donations received after it was issued.

    While the N22 million donations from PDP governors is expected, but the motives for donations from widows and people with disabilities who need more financial and moral supports from the society, cannot be clearly placed.

    No doubt, this is just the beginning of more donations to come as the campaign begins in earnest.

    But what are the real motives behind the N99.915 million donations and pledges? Are they genuinely given out of love for Mr. President or as gratitude for the past or as part of a larger plan towards future selfish gain?

    Maybe the President needs to pause a little and really take a critical look at each of the donations ranging from N5,000 to N22 million in order to unveil the true motivations behind them.

    Those who donated  include: Mr. Kennedy Ikenna Odoeme – N5, 000, Mr Ezemagu Sunday Nnamdi – N10, 000, PDP Governors – N22 Million, Transformation Agenda of Nigeria  (TAN) – N22m, Ogbia LGA Stakeholders, Bayelsa state – N5m, Otuoke Community Stakeholders – N2m, Brass LGA Stakeholders, Bayelsa state – N50, 000, Bayelsa State PDP Stakeholders- N5m, Northern Youths Forum – N2m, Central Market Traders Union, Kaduna State – N1m, PDP Stakeholders, Zaria LGA – N500, 000, PDP Stakeholders, Yobe State – N500, 000.

    Others are PDP Stakeholders, Kaduna State- N2m, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore – N5m, The Goodluck Support Group, Gombe State – N1m, Adamawa State PDP Stakeholders – N3m,  Ebonyi State PDP Stakeholders- N2m, Kogi State PDP Stakeholders – N5m, Rivers State PDP Stakeholders – N5m, The 2015 Project – N1m, Team Goodluck, Ondo North Senatorial District – N5m, Middle Belt PDP Women Support  Group for GEJ 2015 – N500, 000, King David Generation Foundation, Jos – N200, 000,  Behwong Weneng Yere Duk, Jos – N200,000, Redemption 3 Youth Organization, Plateau State – N500, 000,  Plateau State Indigenes Association, Abuja – N300,000, Gombe Youth United for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan 2015 – N500, 000, Gombe Youth Vanguard for PDP- N500, 000, Yamahu/Deba Goodluck Support Group – N200, 000,  Coalition of Gombe Support Groups for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan – N2m, Hinna Youth Coalition for Goodluck – N500, 000, Nigerian Women Pray for Jonathan – N1m, National Association of Widows – N100, 000, National Council of Women Societies – N500, 000,  Female members of the PDP Board of Trustees – N500,000, Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities – N100,000,  National Association of Market Women – N500, 000, Community Awareness and Development Network – N1m.

    The Presidency also got donations from Presidential View And Endorsement Platform -N200,000, Association of South East Town Unions – N300,000, Goodluck Jonathan 2015 Online Group – 250,000, The Light Network for Jonathan 2015, Lagos State – N300,000, Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos State – N200,000, Oghareki Graduate Association for Jonathan, Delta State – N500,000.

    Another poser is where will the balance of the donations in excess of the cost of the form go to. Will it go to the motherless babies homes or be held back for the campaign proper.

     

    Avoiding NFF crisis

     

    Every deliberate efforts were made last Wednesday to show the neutrality of the Presidency in the crisis that engulfed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    The occasion was the presentation of the African Women Football Championship (AWC) trophy and the victorious Super Falcons to President Gooduck Jonathan before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting.

    The crisis in the Nigerian football house that day had centred on the current President, Amaju Pinnick and the factional President, Chris Giwa, who had headed to a general law court, which was threatening sanctions from FIFA. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has jurisdiction over such cases.

    But by Thursday, Nigeria escaped the wrath of FIFA as Justice Ambrose Allagoa of the Federal High Court sitting in Jos struck out the suit filed against the NFF by Chris Giwa-led group.

    Pinnick, before the court struck out the case, was among the delegation that accompanied the Super Falcons to the Presidential Villa on Wednesday and seemed not to be given proper recognition as the head of the Federation that won the AWC trophy.

    He was first ommited when the master of ceremony, the Principal Secretary to the President, Hassan Tukur was making introduction of some of the delegation that came with the team.

    The NFF President or the name of Pinnick was also not mentioned among the group to present the AWC trophy to President Jonathan at the brief occasion witnessed by cabinet members.

    The master of ceremony had mentioned Sports Minister, Super Falcons’ Captain and the teams’s coach as those that will present the trophy to Mr. President.

    Probably because he is a native of Delta state, which is known as the ‘Big Heart’ of the nation and popularly referred to as ‘Delta no dey carry last’, Pinnick rose up and joined the group to present the trophy to President Jonathan.

    He did not fail to enjoy every bit of the ceremony as he posed with others for photo shots with the President and the AWC trophy.

     

    FCT Council of Chiefs, Area Councils endorse Bala Mohammed for longer tenure

     

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of Chiefs and the six area councils last Wednesday were unanimous about improving development in the capital city under the Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed.

    Paying a courtesy visit to President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, they declared that they have never had it so good in the city than with Mohammed as FCT Minister under Jonathan’s administration.

    The delegation, including Chairman FCT Council of Chiefs, HRH Alhaji Adamu Baba Nisa, Sarki Jiwa, HRH Idris Musa, HRH Alhaji Mohammed Bada, Robochi, Kuje Area Council, Etsu of Bwari, HRH Ibrahim Yaro, Agura of Zuba, Mohammed Umar, Sakari of Karo, Emmanuel Shota,  FCT PDP Chairman, Y.Y. Suleiman, Senator Philip Aduda, Senator Jubrin Wowo, Chairman, Kwali Area Council, Hon. Ibrahim Daniel, Chairman Abaji Area Council, Hon. Yahaya Garba, among other demands begged Mr. President to continue to retain Mohammed as the Minister of the territory.

    While making his remartk, Alhaji Baba Nisa said: “Mr. President, we thank you very much for sending Bala Mohammed to be our Minister. If there is anything required of us, we will support him and support you because we want him to remain in the FCT. He has done a lot for us.”

     

  • Senator praised for empowering residents

    Senator praised for empowering residents

    The Chairman of Kwali Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Ibrahim Daniel has expressed gratitude to Senator Philip Aduda for his empowerment programme in all the area councils.

    Hon. Daniel gave this commendation during the flag-off of the distribution of cars and motorcycles as part of his empowerment programmes for PDP stakeholders in the six area councils and wards.

    According to Daniel, Aduda has done what no Senator had done in the areas of infrastructure, provision of social amenities, effective representation in the Senate and empowerment programme for the FCT residents.

    However, the Commissioner representing the FCT in the Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Hassan Sokodobo has affirmed the FCT endorsement of President Good-luck Jonatham as well as Senator Aduda because of their uncommon transformation they have exhibited. He called on residents of the FCT to support them in their second term bid because of their performance.

    “We as a people in the FCT have looked around and discovered that there is no body that has ever met our aspirations as Aduda since the inception of democracy. I can tell you authoritatively that there is no ward in all the area councils that has no one of Aduda’s project or the other,” Hassan said.

    Six jeeps and 62 motorcycles were distributed to the six area councils and 60 wards of the FCT respectively. Alhaji Musa Yahaya, one of the beneficiaries from Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) praised Aduda for his gesture.

  • Insecure, polluted Karmo market

    Insecure, polluted Karmo market

    ITS fame does not match its challenges.

    Karmo Market in Abuja Metropolitan Area Council (AMAC) is like any other in any rural area. It is one of the largest markets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) but lacks basic infrastructure.

    It is located almost near the centre of the town a few kilometers away from the Central Business District (CBD). Not only do residents troop in every Tuesday to buy or sell, traders from neighbouring towns and states, especially Zuba in Niger State, also visit the market to sell their wares.

    While Karmo town still grapples with lack of good road infrastructure, safety remains a thing of concern for residents and traders. Traders are either wracked by the fear of the unknown or they are worried about demolition, a common trend in the FCT Department of Environmental Control.

    Apparently, one of the challenges Karmo traders experience is that of renting standard shops. This is even as they complain over losses incurred on goods worth millions of naira due to lack of proper structures. The traders also wonder why the Abuja Metropolitan Area Council (AMAC) demands N5,000 fees annually and N200 extra charge on every market day and yet refused to develop the market.

    What has become a daily nightmare for motorists and a major concern for traders in the market is the unavailability of parking spaces for vehicles. As a result, motorists stop by the roadside to pick, drop passengers or offload goods at the detriment of other motorists as it most times results in traffic disorder.

    This is also compounded by traders who conduct business transactions by the road side. They prefer to push their wares closely to the single-lane road which links it with the popular Berger Roundabout to Die-Die/Kubwa Expressway. This, according to a commuter, is to attract customers.

    On the security situation in the market, traders often times lament the illegal operation of security officials.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that security officials deployed to some areas in the market allegedly extort money from commercial drivers, an act far from their official duty which is to ensure protection of lives and properties.

    Despite these unpleasant situations, Karmo Market appears to be the favourite choice for buyers and sellers among other local markets in the territory.

    Its proximity to the town and affordable cost of commodities could be reason for its popularity.

    It is a place of choice for residents who cannot afford to visit the popular Exclusive Stores and Malls.

    When markets in developed societies are provided with basic infrastructure such as power, effective water supply; security and horticultural designs, little or none of these are found in ‘Karmo’ and other market premises across the territory.

    However, as good as it may appear, a visit to the market revealed urgent need of adequate security for the people, especially on every market day.

    Meanwhile, Chairman of the market association, Mr. Michael Ifemenam said about 10, 000 traders visit the market weekly.

    Obviously, the conditions in the market indicate that the traders are susceptible to danger, even in the current security situation in the country.

    There is the presence of a handful of security operatives mainly at the entry and exit of the market while few security officials were seen patrolling the road, with the sole aim of easing traffic congestions.

    However, some of the traders who spoke to our correspondent demanded adequate security in the market.

    A dealer in DVD, audio and tapes who identified himself as Ayotunde said: “Insecurity in Abuja will be a child’s play when compared to what may happen if there is any bomb blast in this market; the death toll will be outrageous. That’s why we need serious security here. It’s very important.”

    Another trader, Austin Seal who deals in phone accessories said he had been operating at the market for over three years, adding that the issue of insecurity was never a concern until the recent bombings in the FCT.

    He further said there was the need for commitment on the part of security officials saying.

    He said: “I don’t think government is bothered about security in the market, but the market association provides security every market day. There is a police station nearby. The officers also go round to monitor any breach of the peace.”

    On his part, John Paul, a student who trades in used phones at the market, accused security officials of unlawful extortion of money from drivers who stop-by to pick passengers.

    He added that security of lives and properties in the market was of little or no interest to them.

    He said: “Most of the security officers are interested in extorting money from commercial drivers and care less about the security of people inside the market. They need to ensure that there is no one carrying something that can harm another person.

    Mrs. Sarah Eniola also who demanded adequate security said: “The market is not that dangerous if there is security. So, government should increase the number of security personnel in the market. We have been under God’s protection.

    “With what is happening in the country currently in terms of insecurity, we are not safe, but we hope God will be by our side.”

     

    Request forhygienic environment

    While the issue of insecurity remained a huge challenge for the traders, they also have issues with the unhygienic condition of the market.

    Some who spoke to our correspondent in confidence expressed worry over the persistent collection of taxes and issuing of tickets by AMAC, even as the market remained undeveloped.

    The officials of AMAC are being accused of coming with some fake government documents to collect taxes. It was gathered that any trader who fails to pay will have his goods seized and taken away and may not be retrieved.

    The traders also lamented that while the taxes are collected, there is no tangible development in the market. The unhygienic situation of the market has seemingly taken its toll on sellers of edible food commodities. This is as they lament shortage in patronage from customers who are weary of filthy condition of the market.

    Some source said: “Sometimes they even come with police. I don’t know if operating with police personnel is legal or not. If you don’t pay, they will seize your goods and go away like that without minding to tell you where to come and reclaim the goods. It is too bad.

    “It is not a healthy place for people to come and do business. It is also not a healthy place where people should sell eatable things. This is a part of Abuja; they need to improve on this.”

    Emeka Ukewize, who sells footwear, also expressed his displeasure on how the filthy environment has affected volume of his sales. He said: “Imagine what you are seeing around. Look at how everywhere is dirty. The road is bad and everywhere is littered. The environment is unhygienic.

    “Despite the fact that we are selling food items, the environment is so dirty. Some people will not want to patronise us because of the dirty environment. So, we need permanent shops so that we can sell our goods and services.

    “We pay AMAC N50 and some N200. Upon the money we are contributing, the entire market is dirty and unhealthy.

    “Sometimes, government will just come with bulldozer and demolish shops for no just cause. It’s not as if they are ready to erect any good structures. They will just demolish the entire place and it becomes empty. I don’t understand the kind of government we have.”

     

    Need for appropriate market structure

    There is also the demand among the traders for appropriate market structure. This they considered most important, aside from security; perhaps, because of the losses they recorded during demolition of their kiosks and the effects of downpour during rainy season.

    The traders urged the government to provide them with standard shops.

    “If government can provide a place for us to sell our goods, it will be most appropriate. If they cannot, they should provide us with land.

    So, anyone that has money to build shop can do so,” Ayotunde said.

    Mrs. Eniola said: “We need shops that the traders can rent, especially during this rainy season. The rain has destroyed our goods. So, government should come to our aid.”

    Chairman of the Market Traders’ Association, Ifemenam said demolition of their shops is the major threat, even as he said proper market structure should be provided for the traders.

    He said: “Demolition is our major challenge here. It is not up to three months they came to demolish this place. They came with soldiers, police and other security agents to destroy our properties.

    “They always come every three months. There are neither roads nor shops. So, if we decide to build, they will come and destroy what we had built. We have lost millions of Naira in this place. About three months ago, it was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) who helped us to prevent the officers who came to demolish our shops. She told the officers to provide an alternative place for us before demolishing our properties.

    “Government is not doing anything here. They don’t even know that there are people here, except when it is time to pay the annual N5, 000 fees. Apart from that, every trader during market days pays between N50 and N200 to government.”

    Mr. Ossai Sunday, who sells palm oil, urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to provide the needed infrastructure in the market.

    He stressed the need for government to provide good roads across the market and put in place health facilities in case of emergencies.

    “Some people collect N50 from us at every market day. At times, they

    demand N200 as money to build modern market for us. But up until now, we have not seen anything. They have the right to collect such money but it should be

    used for the right purpose,” he said.

    Efforts made by our correspondent to speak with security officials at the nearby police station were futile as they said the person competent to speak on the matter was not available. However, a police source said the police are aware of the present security situation.

    “We are aware of the security challenges. As you can see, our officers are all over the place controlling traffic and ensuring that the traders are safe,” he said.

     

    AMAC ignorant ofmarket ticketing

    Investigation revealed that AMAC was aware of the extortions but unaware about the collection of taxes. There were indications that several groups who are not staff of AMAC had been extorting money from the innocent traders. It was an entire

    blame-trade when AMAC accused Karmo traditional ruler of alleged extortion. Incidentally, the traditional ruler alleged it was AMAC that extorts money from traders through its personnel.

    In an effort to further seek clarification on the matter, Head of Information and Communications, Mrs. Patience Olaloye referred our correspondent to the council’s Head of Marketing. Efforts were also made to reach the Director of Revenue of the council which did not yield any positive result as at the time of filing this report.

    Several calls were put through to the AMAC Head of Marketing who was identified as Madam Christy. She explained that AMAC only demanded N50 from the traders on every market day and not N200 as claimed. She also denied collection of annual N5, 000 tax from the traders.

    Christy alleged Karmo traditional ruler and youths in the area might be responsible for the exploitation.

    “We know the Chief of Karmo and other youths in the area do collect money from them but we, in AMAC only give out N50 ticketing to all traders,” she said.

    On provision of a permanent market structure, she said AMAC had begun talks with the FCTA and efforts are being made to build a permanent market in the area. According to her, the council did not have a temporal location for the traders but it was inappropriate for them to carry out their trading activities in the area.

    “There is no temporary place for them now. FCTA has promised to make available a permanent place for them. So, the process is currently in the pipeline,” she said.

    Responding, Karmo traditional ruler, Alhaji Suleiman Adoga told

    our correspondent, through Suleiman Ishaka that AMAC was responsible for the annual tax. He said AMAC sent some officials to every shop in the community to demand the N5, 000. Who then is reaping off the traders?

  • First Lady lifts Plateau women

    It was a surprise gift from the nation’s First Lady, though some reasoned that it may have been perfectly timed to coincide with the campaign for 2015 elections, which had begun to heat up in the state.

    What did Dame Patience Jonathan give Plateau women in Jos? Trailer-loads of fertilisers, 2000 bags of rice, 1000 bags of Guinea corn and millet, 200 grinding engines, 150 sewing machines, 40 hair dryers, 20 tricycles, 40 motorcycles, bundles of roofing sheets, nails and bundles of wrappers, among others.

    Even though it was the inauguration of the state chapter of the pet project of the First Lady tagged Women for Change and Development, the items, according to some of the women, will change their lives for good.

    The items were delivered on behalf of Dame Jonathan by the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Jumoke Akinjide.  Speaking while inaugurating the chapter of the organisation, the First Lady asked women in the country to stand up and be counted at this point in time when politics is again taking the centre-stage of events in the country.

    She said: “As you are aware, this is an NGO that advocates improvement for our women politically, economically and socially. Its membership is open to all Nigerian women irrespective of political affiliation. Today, therefore marked a new beginning and a significant development for the people of this state because the women for change and development initiative is committed to accelerated improvement in the well-being of rural women as well as the less privileged in the society. This NGO is an important avenue through which the women can collectively discuss, strategies and chat a way forward for themselves and the women folk. The NGO has also tried to impact on the lives of women in Nigeria by championing the implementation of the national gender policy on the 35% affirmative action in respect of women’s representation in governance. That is why I am calling on all women across the country to come out and take our chance in the 2015 elections, the time is now, politics is around the corner, it offers another opportunity for women to aspire for elective positions and also support women in positions of authority. So I use this opportunity to call on women to register, seek political post and vote wisely during every election at the local governments, states and federal levels. The NGO will ensure, women especially those at the grassroots, are carried along in the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. It is a well known fact that the transformation policy gives priority attention to education, food security, healthcare delivery, economic empowerment and the inclusion of women in governance.”

    Wife of the Plateau State governor and founder of Women in Agriculture and Youth Empowerment (WAYE) Ngo Talatu Jang expressed the general feelings of Plateau women when she said: “I am particularly proud and pleased to witness this historic event. There is no better way to empower women than the way the wife of our President Dame Patience Jonathan is currently doing across the country. Surely, the NGO of Nigerian First Lady is demonstrating a unique way of empowering women. Surely, there can be no better way of bringing the dividend of democracy to women in the grassroots. A lot has been achieved as far as the empowerment of grassroots women is concerned since the inception of President Goodluck Jonathan administration, the efforts so far has not only changed the status of women in the country; it also gives us hope that the future of women and particularly the girl-child is brighter than ever. For instance, with 13 female ministers as members of the federal executive council, a significant number of female ambassadors, Senior Special Advisers to Mr President as well as other female chief executives, the women of Nigeria never had it so good”.

    She said further that “With the kind of strong political will demonstrated by the Jonathan administration, which is completed by the Plateau state government, I can say with all sence of optimism that Nigerian women are today walking the path of our great women leaders of the past. We are therefore in the process of producing another sets of women nationalists like Fumilayo Ransome Kuti, Magaret Ekpo, Hajiya Gambo Sawaba, all of blessed memory. The inauguration of the Plateau state chapter of Women for Change and Development Initiative is not just another milestone in the lives of our women, but an event that will remain ever green in our minds as it marks the creation of a platform for the sustained empowerment of our women”

    Plateau State coordinator, Mrs Gwammen Bernadette Nukup said, “The Women for Change and Development Initiative was born out of a global and Nigerian need for a palliative action to uplift women from the stagnated dark ages of the past into the mainstream of 21st century political, economic and social development with equal opportunities for women to pursue and attain excellence in any profession or vocation of their choice without any barrier or hindrance. The NGO is also a product of sincere efforts, search and desire of our dear mother and heroin, Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan, for a strategy to liberate and empower the Nigerian women to successfully withstand and weather the storm of gender inequality which before now has been the lots of Nigerian women. It is in line with this spirit that our own mother in Plateau state Ngo Talatu Jang has over the years worked tirelessly to improve and empower our women, thereby complementing the efforts  of the Dame Patience Jonathan through her own NGO known as WAYE foundation as a platform.

    There is no doubt, this program has gone along way in empowering our rural women with various economic activities like skill acquisition”.

    Interestingly, the Women for Change and Development Initiative (W4CDI) is said to have similar objectives with that of the Plateau state First Lady, Ngo Talatu Jang which is called Women in Agriculture and Youth Empowerment (WAYE). Through the WAYE program, women and youths on the Plateau has received various form of empowerment. The WAYE secretariat and Skill Training Center in Doi village is known as ‘Redemption Center’. At this center over 10,000 women and youths have received economic empowerment through skill training like  knitting, Tailoring, Weaving, Bead making, Computer Training, Catering Services, Hair Dressing etc, since the inception of WAYE in Plateau state six years ago. Ngo Talatu Jang said that “For us in WAYE Foundation, it has been so far, so good for women and youths in Plateau state. Through our Micro-enterprise for instance, the foundation recently carried out a financial literacy training workshop for over 700 women across the state. The Financial Literacy program was done in collaboration with a renown financial consultancy company called ‘The Fingertip Enterprises Development Partners International Limited’ with the support of Plateau state government. The financial literacy programme was not only aimed at providing entrepreneurial skills to our women but was aimed at preparing the women to access micro-credit facilities from financial institutions to be able to start their own business and be self-employed. This is bearing in mind that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has set aside N22 billion for Women in its Micro-Economic Development Policies of the Federal government. Under the reproductive health program of WAYE, 132 women have benefited from free cervical cancer screening program using the Pap Smear Techniques aimed at preventing Cervical Cancer diseases among women in the state. This health program was done in collaboration with the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH).

    She also said that “The skill training department of WAYE which started with 75 trainees has so far graduated over 1,150 students, who are not only doing well in their various skills but have since became employers of labour in their respective communities. This was achieved because the foundation has put in place qualified personnel to monitor and guide our trainees after graduation to enable establish their business fully making use of the take-off capital and tool we gave them on graduation. Now, with the provision and donation of these grinding engines, hair dryers, wheel barrows, Sowing machines etc, thousands of other Plateau women are going to be empowered and that is a major boost to our local empowerment program in the state. So, on behalf of the entire plateau women, I wish to convey our deep appreciation to Mother of the nation Dame Patience Jonathan for her contribution to uplifting plateau women, this gesture of the Nigerian First Lady will ever remain indelible in our minds”.

    Plateau women saw the items donated by the Nigerian First Lady as a shock absorber to them as they battle to recover from the long period of crisis which has crippled their economic base in the state. One of them Ruth Gideon said, “I see these items as a major relief to us as we are just coming from crisis. The crisis is over but we need rehabilitation so as to recover lost grounds. That is why these donations from the Nigerian First Lady comes so timely. We cannot thank her enough”

     

  • Inside Kaduna’s kid mechanics’ workshop

    Inside Kaduna’s kid mechanics’ workshop

    They come from different family backgrounds but share many things in common. They are young, some barely 10. TONY AKOWE caught up with the child mechanics of Kaduna, and reports on their drive and vision

    They are heroes in their own right. Theirs are low-income families, but the last thing they want to do is sit around and bemoan their challenges or join idle mates on the playground. Or, worse still, take to petty crimes. They rather chose to learn auto-mechanics after their public school hours.

    Little Sadiq, just 10 year old, goes to the workshop everyday to learn to fix cars. His dream is that when he graduates from the workshop, he would one day be called upon to repair the cars in the presidential fleet.

    He told The Nation: “I like the mechanic’s work, but not spraying of cars, and that was why I abandoned painting work my uncle asked me to learn and ran to learn car repairs in order to become a mechanic. I am busier in learning car repairs than painting, and that was why I did not want painting apprenticeship. I hate to be idle; I want to be seen doing something all the time. It is my hope and prayer that one day, after my graduation as a qualified mechanic I will be called upon to repair Mr. President’s cars. It could be President Goodluck Jonathan or any other president after him”.

    Sunday is another underage mechanic apprentice. He is a primary five pupil of Command Primary School located inside the old Artillery Barracks in the Kakuri area of Kaduna metropolis. He has what could be regarded as two different lives. He is a student between the hours of 8.00am and 2.00pm every week day. He is also an apprentice mechanic between 2.00pm and 6.00pm daily, as well as on Saturdays and throughout the holiday period. He is only 11 year old and prefer to spend his time at the mechanic village rather than play around with his mates after school hours or during the holidays. He told The Nation that he chose to do that as a way of planning his future.

    Already, Sunday has started performing some simple tasks in vehicle repairs and is optimistic that when he completes his secondary education, he would have qualified as an auto mechanic. He said he hoped to raise enough money from the trade to sponsor himself and help his family.

    Sunday and other young boys in the mechanic village have a tall dream. Some of them want to be mechanical engineers; some want to join the military, among other professions.

    Gabriel Adejo under whom Sunday and two other young boys are training, told The Nation that Sunday actually lived with him and he has decided to engage him rather than leave him to mix with children and be a liability. Gabriel believes that  the decision to engage Sunday has paid off as he has become useful to himself.

    Across the bridge is yet another mechanic village located in the Oriakpata area of the metropolis. Even though the area is known more for the sale of spare parts by Igbo traders, the mechanic village located there also boasts a good number of small boy mechanics.

    Saqid’s master, Mishood Adewale, told The Nation that Sadiq’s family initially wanted him to learn how to spray cars. He said when his uncle brought him to the workshop, he wanted Sadiq to learn car spraying, but after some time, Sadiq decided to abandon that, picking interest in the repair of cars.

    He said, “Since nobody forced him to pick interest in car repairing, I decided to accept him into my workshop and started training him. And so far he has shown a good level of intelligence and sharpness in learning car repairs these few months he had spent in the workshop. But when he was with painting of car, he showed dullness and reluctance in learning the trade of car spraying. As a small boy who is still growing up, I see him becoming a good motor mechanic, and by the time he spent most of his growing age years here, he will master the act very well. He is still a school boy, and whenever he closes from school, he comes back to the workshop to continue with the apprenticeship. However, I cannot tell how many years he is going to spend, but if he is a grown up person, I will say, he will spend five years to graduate from the apprenticeship. He is currently in primary four, and he is just ten years old, and he is learning fast. I can see seriousness in him, and I need to encourage and support him because there is seriousness in him. He is more committed to learning repairs of cars than learning car spraying. In my own workshop, we repair Japanese vehicles, but we have other mechanics that deal in the repairs of Peugeot and other brands of cars here. Personally, I started mechanic apprenticeship when I was in secondary school, and after school hours I would go back to learn how to repair cars, so after I completed my secondary school education, I spent another four years doing the mechanic apprenticeship. I can say that I spent almost nine years in the apprenticeship. There is another boy under me, he has spent close to four years so far under me, and he was very small when I admitted him here, and now he is up to 12 years of age. I am proud to say that I have trained not less than nine persons as mechanics. Today, all of them are on their own. And currently I have six apprentices under me”.

    Adewale has another apprentice nicknamed Senator. He told The Nation that he has already spent four years learning how to be an auto mechanic. Senator who is just 13 years old said “I have completed my primary school education, and I want to go to secondary school while I am still learning how to repairs cars. I see car repairs as a lucrative business, and I hope to make fortunes from it in future in order to help my parents”. Senator, according to Adewale has progressed very well and has shown a high level of commitment in learning the trade. His interest surpassed that of his seniors as he is always inquisitive and ask a lot of questions.

    At the Artillery mechanic village, The Nation discovered that there is quite a large number of kid mechanics learning the trade. Two brothers between the ages of seven and nine whose name could not be ascertained are also engaged in the trade. The elder of the two brothers was said to have taken a special liking to the trade and told the parents that he wants to be learning the trade after school hours. His younger brother also decided to be following him to the workshop. They are seen running errands for the big boys and assisting them whenever they are carrying out any repair. They are already familiar with the names of all the tools used by the mechanics as well as the names of the spare parts for each vehicle. Gabriel in whose workshop the boys are attached told The Nation that if they keep up with their present commitment, the boys will grow to be great mechanics and probably become excellent mechanical engineers.

  • ‘Let’s promote peace, national integration’

    They looked like military men in full regalia. They were properly dressed with cadres hanging from the shoulders to their chests. Most were in their late 50s and 60s; some armed with sword tightly fitted to complement their rank; either as a commanding officer or to perfect the amazing outfit. Obviously, from all indications, they are not military men but members of Knight of St. John.

    The day was set aside to celebrate emergence of the first Nigerian and African to be elected into the position of the World Supreme Council of the ancient Christian organisation held at the Supreme Convention in Columbus, Ohio. Members of the knighthood converged on Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral Abuja to celebrate one of theirs, Lt. Gen. Dan Anaebo who was unanimously elected into the new position last week as second Vice-President of Knights of St. John International, New York.

    Anaebo, who was former member Board of Trustees (BoT), advanced higher as he became the first Nigerian to attain the rank of Lieutenant-General in the Catholic Order.

    For many, the Christian group is just a pack of old men in knighthood uniform but for those who understand their purpose, Knights are regarded as ‘Soldiers of Christ’. They are a convergence of professionals in various fields, including architecture, ex-military red necks, doctors, engineers and media practitioners, among others.

    They are known for their commitment to spreading the Gospel, vigorously helping the needy, fostering growth and protection of the church, especially the Catholic family.

    Following the end of the Civil War, there was critical need for physical and spiritual healing. This led to the merger of Christian organisations, including the Knights of St. George, the Knights of St Paul, the Knights of St. Louis and the Knights of St. John to form a greater society of Knights in 1879.

    They met in Baltimore, Maryland and formed themselves into the Roman Catholic Union of the Knights of St. John, later shortened to the Knights of St. John. According to reports, the Order was officially incorporated in the State of New York on May 6, 1886. They thereafter worked to care for spiritual, social and physical needs of their members and neighbours. In the pattern of the Knights of the Crusade, they cared for the victims of the war by establishing a Widows’ and Orphans’ Funds.

    The Order continued to grow and expand into Canada, Panama, Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Liberia, Sierra Leone; Trinidad and Tobago and recently into England. In 1992, the name of the Order was officially changed to the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) to reflect the global nature of the Order.

    During the KSJI’s last convention, Ohio State Governor, John R. Kasich, said in his address that since 1879 when the KSJI headquarters came to the United States, “the Knights have diligently sought to care for the spiritual, social and physical needs of members and neighbours. Your dedication to your communities is remarkable, and you should be proud of the impact you have made. We commend your dedication to religious action, education, charitable benevolence, fraternalism, athleticism, patriotism and community. Your dedication to the mission of KSJI has

    made our world a better place.”

    At the thanksgiving Mass held in honour of Anaebo at the Pro-Cathedral, he attributed his success to commitments to preaching messages of peace in churches and everywhere he goes.

    Within the past 24 years, Okekenta has been serving as an officer of the Order in many capacities, not limited to Parish, Archdiocesan and National levels. He has been a member of the Supreme Council since 2003.

    Anaebo said he felt humbled to be elected into the position. According to him, it was not as a result of being the best of all but solely the grace of God on his life. He expressed concerns on the state of the nation, especially on insecurity and its peaceful co-existence.

    Though several stakeholders had come up with various approaches towards ending the uprising, he said the security situation in the country could only be solved through a collective approach by every individual. He added that it, however, became necessary to avoid split of the nation’s territorial jurisdiction.

    “Today, security is a challenge but I believe with collective efforts, God will grant the grace to seek peace and promote national integration of our country,” Anaebo maintained.

    The Archbishop of Abuja, Revd John Onaiyekan described Anaebo’s promotion as opportunity to promote spiritual interest in the church.

    According to Onaiyekan, Anaebo is the first Nigerian and African to be elected into such position. He expressed optimism the hierarchy would have a great positive impact on the growth and development of KSJI.

    Colleagues of the celebrator, shortly after the thanksgiving Mass, held a special march past (parade) for Anaebo. It was a display of almost a perfect demonstration joined by their female counterparts known as Ladies Auxiliary.

    Other elected officers of the Supreme Council were Supreme President-General, Dale Gossiaux, First Vice-President-Lieutenant General, Ton Deluca, Supreme Secretary/Adjutant-General- Lieutenant General Ton Zdanowicz and Treasurer- Lieutenant General, Terry Mc Cann.

    Others were Trustees –Major-Generals Martin Bela and Dennis Adjei, (Justice of

    Ghana’s Court of Appeal) and Inspector-General –Major-General James Gibbon. They have all been installed and have commenced work.

  • Church condemns Boko Haram’s violence

    The Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion has said the seemingly endless activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast and other parts of the country are worrisome.

    It therefore urged government at all levels to address the situation to avoid further escalation.

    The Omu-Aran Diocese in Irepodun Local Government Area Kwara State spoke at the end of its second session of the second Synod.

    In a  communiqué issued at the end of the Synod, the church condemned “in strong terms, the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents which have caused so much suffering to Nigerians, even as it called on government, the armed forces and other security agencies and all Nigerians to unite in order to prevent the activities of the group from spreading.”

    On the 2015 general elections, the church urged politicians and electorate to imbibe the culture of love, integrity and the fear of God before, during and after the elections.

    It listed corruption, assassinations, terrorism and kidnapping as some of the vices militating against the country’s growth and development, adding that churches and mosques cannot be exonerated from corruption which has pervaded every aspect of the Nigerian society.

    The church further said the trend is capable of preventing the country from achieving the much-needed political and economic development.

    It added that the root causes of these vices are “wicked hearts from the high and low places.” It called for purity of hearts, love and godly living among Nigerians.

    The communiqué which was jointly signed by the Diocesan Bishop and Chairman, Communiqué  Committee, Rt Rev. Philip Adeyemo and Sir J.S Bamgboye reads: “The Synod notes the high level of corruption in the country, which if not arrested will deprive us from realising our potential as a great country, and make people lose confidence in us as a people. The Synod therefore calls on government at all levels and all stakeholders to rise up and wage total war against the cankerworm.

    “The Synod notes with concern the infiltration of doctrines that are inconsistent with the faith of the founding fathers in our mission schools in the state and calls on the state government to accede to the current agitation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kwara state branch.

    “The Synod notes with satisfaction the synergy between the federal, Lagos and Rivers State governments in defeating the Ebola scourge and commends the sacrificial and professional roles played by our health workers in containing the scourge. Synod also prays that God will grant the families of those who died in the process the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Boko Haram: Damaturu after traders’ ban

    Boko Haram: Damaturu after traders’ ban

    Wheelbarrow-hawkers and roadside shops have been banned at four major roads in the Yobe State capital, Damaturu, after the Joint Military Force (JTF) said they found that Boko Haram fighters were using them to foment trouble. The roads are Potiskum Road, Gashua Road, Maiduguri Road and Gujba Road. The ban also affected all makeshift shops and fruit sellers.

    How did the traders take clampdown? Not very kindly, and their reaction has caught the attention of the state government which wants to pacify the traders and also ensure peace in the capital and state.

    The directive which was disseminated by the state Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture and the local radio station (YBC) asked all concerned to comply with it or face the wrath of the law.

    While the JTF maintained that it was a hard decision to take, it also stressed the necessity to ensure the safety of life and property in the state.

    The directive, however, took most residents by surprise and elicited angry reactions from some of the traders who were prepared for a showdown with the security operatives.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that opinions were divided over the decision of the JTF especially at this critical time when a lot of people have been forced into menial jobs and petty trading from their former businesses which were either lost to Boko Haram attacks or abandoned in the same vein.

    Some residents who spoke with The Nation described the decision as “harsh and hasty, unreasonable and insensitive,” stressing that it will create more problems than it will solve. Some others feel the decision of the JTF is for the good of the people.

    A resident who identified himself simply as Hamisu, said, “I am not a security man but I want to believe that in any decision that these people (security) take, there must be something they know that we don’t know. And maybe it’s because of such a thing they would come up with this kind of decision. It looks harsh but it’s going to benefit us in the long run, I believe”.

    Another resident who sells fruits along Gujba Road but does not want his name in print, said, “This is a very harsh decision on the common people. It is hasty, unreasonable and insensitive to the plight of the poor people. How can we feed our families without this kobo-kobo that we are getting from this petty market? If they drive us away then where are we going to, join Boko Haram or what?

    The complaints of the people did not fall on deaf ears as the state government apart from asking the JTF to temporarily suspend the directives set up a high-powered committee comprising the trade unions and other relevant stakeholders including Damaturu local government officials as well as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state. The committee which is headed by the State Commissioner for Environment Alh. Idi Barde Gubana  among other things is tasked with the responsibility of getting an alternative market for the traders before the full enforcement of the JTF orders.

    As part of efforts to ensure strict compliance of the directive in future, the committee to move to find alternative place for those who will be affected by the directive. The committee has bege. Inspecting some open sites within the state capital with a  view to establishing a new market for the traders who are due to be sacked by the time the ban takes effect.

    The Committee Chairman told the traders that the stage government was concerned about their plight and is taking measures to ensure that the unnecessary suffering is avoided. He emphasised that the military directive is in the interest of peace for all and called on the people to comply with the order as without peace, “no business activity will be carried out in the first place”

    He said: “The Yobe State government is concerned that so many residents will be jobless as a result of the ban hence the need to plead with the security forces for extension of the dateline to find an alternative location for the various hawkers to enable them carryout their lawful business activities before enforcing the ban. We therefore beg you to be law abiding by cooperating with security operatives in the search for lasting peace which is a veritable ingredient for any meaningful development to strive”, he said

    He also disclosed that his committee will speedily ensure that everything is put in place and nobody who intends to carryout legitimate business in the state will suffer. He however warned hoodlums who would want to take advantage of the situation to breach the peace of the state, while calling on traders to report any suspicious character among them.

    The chairman Damaturu Local Government Alhaji Kalli Mohammed also asked the traders to give their maximum support to the government for being considerate to their plight. He pledge the support of his council  towards the  actualization of  the dream of an ultra modern  market in the state capital, while calling on the traders to take advantage of the grace period to fix themselves awaiting the orders.

    The chairman, Damaturu Marketers Association, Alhaji Usman Mu’azu expressed gratitude to Yobe state government for sourcing for an alternative location for the traders and extension of time on the order by the military and assured of adequate sensitization of   his members. On his part, the Chairman of NURTW Yobe State Hussaini Ibrahim advised government to take advantage of the existing Sunday Market in the metropolis that is lying fallow instead of getting an entirely new place that may cost more money for the government. “We have gone round and seeing places but our advice is that Yobe State government can facelift the Sunday Market which has enough land to accommodate every trader in Damaturtu. “It will be cost effective for the government to follow this advice than sourcing for an entirely a new plot of land for a market which may cost millions of naira in either compensation or construction. The Sunday Market in our opinion is the best option for the government to explore at the moment especially because of the urgency of this matter”, he said.

    However, It is not clear at the moment how long the grace of the extension of the order by the JTF on the ban on hawking in the metropolis would last as the military have kept mute over the issue for now. Many traders(hawkers) is the state are now jubilating over the state government intervention on the ban, not forgetting also how urgent the state government is prepared to provide an adhoc market for them. A security source mentioned in confidence that, “we will monitor the situation and see how fast the state government could act on their promises. But if we discover that it will affect our operations, we will go ahead with our plans”. This is not the first time the JTF is banning hawking in the state. In the last two years, such a directive was issued to beggars and hawkers especially carrying out their trades close to security points but those orders were flaunted.

     

  • Monarch inaugurates committee on poverty alleviation

    The Ona of Abaji and Chairman of Council of Traditional Rulers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, has inaugurated a six-man committee on poverty alleviation in a bid to reduce the level of poverty in the area.

    Other members of the committee are the Sarkin Gabas of Abaji, Alhaji Kamal Adamu Shuaibu, as Chairman, Dan Maje of Abaji, Alhaji Salihu Abdullahi, Secretary and Etsu Gupa of Abaji, Alhaji Ali Sokodabo, Shaban Nupe of Abaji, Alhaji Ibrahim Yahaya Suleiman, Alhaji Yusuf Adamu Baba and Mr. M.I. Kakamba.

    While inaugurating the committee at his palace, Alhaji Yunusa said the level of poverty bedeviling residents of the council informed the setting up of the committee.

    He further said the poverty alleviation committee would create an opportunity for the unemployed, especially youths to be engaged in any kind of petty business or hands/skill acquisition programme.

    According to him, the committee would intensify efforts in reaching out to Federal Government, corporate organisations as well as some international donor agencies to support the committee.

    “At least, if some of these youths will have something doing, it would, no doubt, divert their attention from engaging in social vices to productive ventures. This is so because, a situation whereby there is high level of poverty in a society, the next thing for such youths is to either engage in political thuggery or any form of crime,” he said.

    The monarch therefore urged members of the committee to devote their time to ensure that the scheme becomes successful, even as he urged residents of the council to continue to live in peace with one another.

    Responding on behalf of the committee, Alhaji Kamal Adamu Shuaibu, praised the monarch for the initiative and for finding them trustworthy to carry out the assignment.

    He assured the monarch of the committee’s readiness to carry out the assignment diligently, such that, the high level poverty in the council is put to its barest minimum.

    “Your highness sir, this committee also shares the pains you feel over the high level poverty in the council, and we shall try our best to ensure that both our youths and women have something doing at the end the day,” he assured.