The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  •  ‘How to boost Taraba’s tourism sector’

     ‘How to boost Taraba’s tourism sector’

    Dr. Yakubu Tor-Agbidye is Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism in Taraba State. In this interview with FANEN IHYONGO, he reveals that Taraba has much tourism potential that could boost its economy and that of the country. He advises that infrastructure be put in place for the industry to flourish, among other issues. Excerpts: 

    Taraba has witnessed some quiet periods in tourism activities in recent times. What could be responsible for the situation?

    It is not quite true that tourism activities in Taraba State have been dull. There are circumstances that have forced activities in the culture and tourism sector to be seemingly quiet.

    We have had series of disturbances in the state. We have been promoting culture and tourism in Taraba for quite a long time, by organising festivals in which we invite people across the region to participate.

    Last year, we celebrated the World Cultural Day in Gembu, Sardauna Local Government Area. We were planning very seriously to also launch the Nwonyo Fishing Festival when the ethno-religious crisis in Southern Taraba resurfaced. The crisis seems to have caused tourism activities not to be vibrant.

    You cannot promote tourism when there is insecurity in the area. So, the violence in the state has slowed down tourism activities, but it is just a matter of time; it is temporary. When the crisis is over, tourism activities will resume in full swing. I have a lot of plans on ground, which I believe shall take the state to an enviable pedestal when peace returns.

    Appraising what Taraba has invested so far in the culture and tourism sector, will you confidently say it has reaped the benefits of its investments?

    When I assumed duty as Adviser on Culture and Tourism three years ago, I noticed that the state boasted of  much tourist attractions that could be utilised to promote tourism nationally and internationally. I realised that we have a lot of potential (I mean just potential) but the infrastructure was  not developed.

    To fix the infrastructure, we need huge sums of money, which the state does not have at the moment. So, the potential are there, but untapped. I have divided the state into three zones –A, B and C–in terms of tourism. My desire is to ensure that, at least, we develop an attractive cultural/tourist centre in each of the zones. But looking at the amount of resources needed to build these infrastructure to a point of attracting national and international tourism, it wouldn’t be that easy because we don’t have that kind of resources.

    We can just package our tourism very well and sell it. We cannot ask tourists to come and build the infrastructure for us. The state has to fix the infrastructure to attract tourists to invest and promote our tourism.

    So, our basic problem is the huge resources required to develop the infrastructure before we can think of marketing our tourism industry to the outside world.

    Will the state reap from tourism if the huge sums of money are available to fix the infrastructure?

    Recall what Governor Suntai said the other day; that the Nwonyo Fishing Festival which was being organised annually, for instance, is a waste of resources because it has not generated any revenue to Taraba State.

    There are certain fundamental principles that should be understood in developing the tourism industry. When I say the state has tourism potential, it doesn’t mean it is all about organising festivals and inviting people to come and feast on the jamborees.

    Let us consider the Central Taraba for example; the Mambilla Plateau in Gembu. There are a lot of sceneries that are good for visitors to come and watch. In Serti, there is the Gashaka National Gumti Park, with a lot of wild animals. One can develop the area for international tourism to take place.

    So, what I mean is that we need to develop our tourism industry very well. When we develop our tourism industry, then we can sell what is developed to the international community to come in with their money. That is the only time the state can reap or benefit from the money sunk in tourism. Not just organising festivals, but developing the infrastructure and selling what is developed to the international community, telling them what we have in Taraba that they participate in.

    There are different types of tourism that I want to talk about here: there is a tourism that is for leisure, where people could come, relax, watch things and enjoy themselves. We have medicinal tourism, where people can come for treatment and other things.

    In this case, we have a lot of medicinal products in Gembu, but we need to identify and put them there so that if anyone comes here, he will see what we have. We have a lot of wild animals that are not readily available elsewhere. We can put them in zoos for people to come and watch. Then we can build hotels around such areas so that when people come, they can go there and lodge in.

    When the infrastructure is developed and we sell our tourism to the international community, people coming in can patronise us, by spending their money–be it dollar, naira, euro or other currencies. That is when the state would reap the benefits, but not when the state takes huge sums of money and organises events. Many countries now rely on their tourism industries. Their states do not spend money. They have developed their infrastructure and they generate their revenue when foreigners visit their countries to spend their dollars.

    What particular type of tourism do you think Taraba State should develop, in terms of priority?

    As I said, we have leisure tourism, medicinal, historical; religious and other forms of  tourism. We can develop all of them.

    Which of them do you think the state should start with, considering revenue generation?

    You can start with the leisure, because people travel out for leisure. Medicinal tourism is for those who are particularly sick. So, we can start with the leisure because tourists like to relax when they seek break from the stress of day-to-day life.

    For example, if you go to Obudu Cattle Ranch, you are going there to relax, see fascinating scenery, enjoy the pleasant atmosphere and become happily refreshed. So, leisure tourism should be a starting point.

     

     

     

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    We need to develop our tourism industry very well. When we develop our tourism industry, then we can sell what is developed to the international community to come in with their money. That is the only time the state can reap or benefit from the money sunk in tourism. Not just organising festivals, but developing the infrastructure and selling what is developed to the international community

  • FCTA needs N200bn to resettle natives

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) requires about N200 billion to compensate and resettle villages within the 250 square kilometres of  the Federal Capital City.

    The Minister of  the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed revealed this while receiving the participants of the National Defence College, Course 23, 2014 that came on a study tour.

    Mohammed, who was represented at the occasion by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr John Chukwu, said the administration has been innovative in tackling the infrastructural challenges in the territory.

    He emphasised that the ever-dwindling funds for infrastructural development made the FCT Administration   introduce the Abuja Land Swap policy to improve infrastructure as well as reduce the housing deficit in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Mohammed noted that in 1976 when the Federal Capital Territory was created, the government required only about N2 billion to resettle the natives although the value of N2 billion then was much.

    He reiterated that the cost of resettlement of the natives increased as a result of the increase in population of the natives.

    According to him, the population of the natives then was manageable than what obtains today as the families keep on growing.

    The minister remarked that with the introduction of the Land Swap policy, the FCT Administration is simultaneously opening up 10 new districts and proffering solution to issues of resettlement and compensation that hitherto had become knotty.

    He revealed that the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan has positively impacted on the development of the entire 8,000 square kilometres of the Federal Capital Territory by changing its landscape for good.

    The leader of delegation and Director, Curriculum Programme Development of the National Defence College, Commodore Aliyu Baba Lawal, appreciated the warm reception accorded the participants.

    Commodore Lawal called for continued collaboration between the FCT Administration and the National Defence College; stressing that the administration has, for a long time, been partnering with the college.

     

     

     

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    In 1976 when the Federal Capital Territory was created, the government required only about N2 billion to resettle the natives although the value of  N2 billion then was much…The cost of resettlement of the natives increased as a result of the increase in population of the natives.

  • Joy as Jigawa airport takes its maiden flight to Mecca

    Joy as Jigawa airport takes its maiden flight to Mecca

    For the people of  Jigawa State, the flag-off of this year’s Hajj airlift to Saudi Arabia from the Dutse International Airport at Fanisau Village recently was an opportunity to show to the entire country that the state is indeed The New World. As a result, they turned out en masse from the 27 local government areas very early to witness the event, which also served as the official inauguration of the airport.

    To add colour to the ceremony, they came with their traditional drums singing and dancing. The retinues of the Shehu of  Borno and the Emirs of  Kano, Hadejia, Suleja, Ringim, Funai, Daura, Kazaure, Gumel, Kaltungo, Maradun and the Oba of Lagos, who is also this year’s National Amirul Hajj, added sounds and lyrics from their trumpets and paraphernalia of offices. In essence, the roads leading to the airport were, for many hours, witnessed heavy gridlock from both human and vehicular movements.

    However, among the early birds at the event was a slim Octogenarian, who wore white guinea brocade and sat at the back of the pavilion, meant for eminent personalities. In the midst of siren-blowing vehicles, he gazed intermittently at the surrounding of the airport, smiling at every objects of  his attraction.

    Investigation revealed that the elderly man was the Chairman of Committee for the Creation of Jigawa State, Mallam Inuwa Dutse. Moving closer to him, his eyes looked misty with joy and fulfilment. With slow and steady voice, he returned the greetings of two reporters who went to him to request for an interview, which he instantly granted.

    Responding to a question on how he felt, he said: “I am very happy to attend the 2014 Hajj airlift’s flag-off and the inauguration of this airport in Dutse, which was the least developed area in the former Kano State. I am very, very happy to be alive to witness this occasion.

    “When Jigawa State was created, there was very little development. But with the coming of Sule Lamido, he has done the best to raise the level of development in Jigawa State to one of the best in Nigeria. I am very pleased and very glad.

    “We the people of Jigawa State support the governor for what he is doing. He has justified our agitation for the creation of more states and, especially Jigawa State. His performance will also serve as justification for those agitating for more states.”

    Mallam Dutse vividly conveyed the feelings of the people and dignitaries, as the event turned out to be. The event was not the first they would be attending. They had witnessed former heads of state and top serving politicians coming to inaugurate one project or the other during Lamido’s over seven years tenure.

    The projects included the inauguration of the state secretariat, NYSC Orientation Camp, High Court complex, roads network, College of  Nursing and Midwifery as well as a civic centre and rally ground -Aminu Kano Triangle.

    The residents also listed the inauguration of the state television and radio stations, local government secretariats, second nationally-recognised state-owned School for the Gifted, state university, residences and offices for Deputy Governor, Speaker and Deputy Speaker, local government chairmen, Chief Judge and Grand Khadi, housing estate for civil servants, Emirs’ lodges among other landmark projects.

    And from the remarks of dignitaries who spoke at the carnival-like ceremony, which could also have been mistaken for a political rally or campaign, the governor had delivered again.

    Those who addressed the intending pilgrims and the guests were the Vice-President, Namadi Sambo who represented President Goodluck Jonathan; Chairman of Northern Governors’ Forum and Niger State Governor Aliyu Babangida; Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad the 111; the 2014 Amirul -Hajj and Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Aremu Akiolu, Chairman of Jigawa Council of Chiefs and Emir of Hadeija, Ahaji Adamu Abubakar Maje, Executive Chairman of National Hajj Commission, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello.

    Sambo, in his address, expressed the apology of President Jonathan for his inability to be at the event. He asked the 530 pilgrims to be better ambassadors of the country, imbibe the orientations given to them by the country’s agencies and to adhere to Saudi Arabia laws.

    He said: “I believe all pilgrims are aware of the challenges our country is experiencing. These challenges require not only dedication of the leadership but also prayers from every pilgrim. We should therefore be persistent in our prayers for peace, progress and prosperity of our beloved country.”

    The President reminded the pilgrims of their spiritual obligations, saying as they perform the Hajj pilgrimage, they must dedicate themselves to the spiritual revival of their souls to achieve “good life on earth and aspire for eternal bliss in the hereafter.

    He prayed for their safe airlift and successful hajj.

    Jonathan, who praised the improvement in airlifting of pilgrims to the Holy Land where Nigeria had been able to meet her deadline, said: “I am glad to note that the days when Nigeria requested for extension of time from Saudi Arabia because of our inability to meet the airlift deadline for the closure of the King Abdulazeez International Airport are gone for good.”

    He further praised the Nigeria Hajj Commission for their improved performance in being able to surmount the numerous challenges they were confronted with.

    “We note the improvement in performance of Hajj operations in Nigeria. I urge the leadership of the Hajj Commission to see this improvement as a motivation to propel it to greater height so that Hajj operations in Nigeria will toe the line of international best practice,” he said.

    He added that the administration has always supported the welfare of all Muslims through the Hajj Commission by assisting the pilgrims with consular, medical and exchange support services.

    “While government will continue to meet these primary and essential needs, it is important that the commission works towards being more self-sustaining and self-financing,” he said.

    The President assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was doing everything possible to contain the spread of the Ebola virus disease and has promised to continue supporting all the states of the federation.

    He stated that the government has, in addition to the N200 million support funds to Lagos State, earmarked the sum of N1.9 billion as support for states to contain the spread of the virus. He added that this support has also been extended to some neigbouring countries to contain the spread of the disease.

    To the Sultan of Sokoto and Permanent National Amirul Hajj, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar 111, the pilgrims must adhere strictly to the rules and regulations governing the performance of hajj and to present themselves to all necessary medical tests to be carried out on them.

    The Sultan, who also called for special prayers by the pilgrims to defeat all the evils in the country, urged all Nigerians to join hands in bringing to an end the security challenges the country is experiencing.

    He praised the Federal Government’s efforts in containing the spread of the dreaded Ebola virus in the country, which he said has made this year’s hajj possible.

    Oba Osuolale urged the pilgrims to be of good manners and not to engage themselves in any act capable of embarrassing the country.

    The Chairman of the National Hajj Commission praised Jigawa State for the preparation it put in place for the Hajj airlift.

    He said there would be 12 designated departure centres, including four new ones in Enugu, Bauchi, Kebbi and Dutse for the airlift.

    He hailed the government for the support it extended to the commission.

    Babangida Aliyu praised Lamido as the most experienced among other governors in the North. Urging him to prepare for higher services, the Niger State governor said he came to know what warranted the governor’s outburst over the nomination of Jonathan by the Northeast chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He promised that the issues that necessitated Lamido’s remarks would be resolved.

    Those issues, he said, included the settlement of the N13 billion spent on the Dutse airport, extension of pipe-borne water from Auyo to Dutse and construction of Federal roads, among others.

    Surprisingly and as if he was overwhelmed by the mammoth gathering and praises heaped on him, Lamido’s remarks were short. He thanked the hajj commission for the choice of Dutse for the flag-off of the hajj operation.

    The pilgrims were airlifted by Max Air. The maiden flight departed at 5.38p.m.

    Meanwhile, Jonathan did the groundbreaking ceremony of the airport project on October 5, 2012. With its inauguration, the airport according to the Sultan, “is one of the best if not the best in this part of the world.” Other eminent personalities also described it as the fastest airport project ever executed by any government. It was built on five kilometres radius piece of land and situated at 10. 4 kilometres distance northwest from Dutse main town. It has 3000 by 60 metres runway. It is equipped with fire-fighting trucks, land body scan machines, high resolutions close circuit television cameras (CCTV) , covering in and out of the fenced the airport facilities. It is also equipped with air navigation equipment, Doppler, the voice communication and control system (VCCS) and the Conventional Very High frequency omnidirectional Radio Range (CVOR) in the seven- storey control tower to enable communication from all direction with aircraft at the distance of 180 nautical miles from the airport.

    An engineer at the airport said: “The CVOR is the latest best air navigational equipment in the world manufactured by Thales. The landing aid instruments guides the aircraft to the centre of the tarmac, the Glide Slope that provides glide angle, the Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) and non-Directional Beacon were installed to give pilots and passengers better view when landing and taking off.”

    Before the hajj operation, Overland Airways began thrice weekly flights (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) operation from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to Dutse on Monday, July 14 this year.

    After the hajj flag-off, a resident of Dutse said: “Who knows how many projects of this standard Lamido will inaugurate again before he lives office?”

  • Youths urge council on development

    The Rubochi Youth Association (RUYA) in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has called on the authorities of  the council and the FCT Administration to provide infrastructural facilities for residents of the community.

    In a communiqué jointly signed by the union’s President, Comrade Iyakwo Joseph, Secretary, Comrade Abdullahi  Galadima and Publicity Secretary, Comrade, Ayaje John Bako at the end of the union’s first economic summit held at the community, the youth urged the council to provide potable water, electricity and good road network to link Rubochi-Gombe with neighbouring Gadabuke town.

    They also urged the FCT Administration to intensify efforts in rehabilitating the Kuje-Gwagwalada and Abaji-Rubochi roads, saying it would go a long way in attracting the attention of merchants that will patronise traders at the Rubochi Market, thereby boosting economic activities as well as revenue generation for the council.

    The communiqué also said the council authorities should encourage local farmers to engage in more productive farming activities through the provision of modern farm inputs and implements such as improved seedlings, fertiliser, tractors, harvesters and storage facilities. These will improve food production.

    “The authorities of  Kuje Area Council, under the leadership of  Mr. Shaban Ishaku Tete, should, as matter of urgency, save the neglected Rubochi development secretariat from total collapse by renovating it. Consequently, some departments of the council could relocate to the secretariat for easy of accommodation,” the communiqué said.

    The youth stressed the need for the council chief to designate some days to personally attend to official matters at Rubochi, an action, they said, would enhance administrative activities in the secretariat.

    The union therefore, pledged to collaborate with the council authorities in providing banking services at Rubochi, especially micro-finance bank that would encourage economic activities, even as they assured businessmen and residents of safety of their resources.

    “RUYA is also assuring businessmen and women that it would collaborate with palace chief of Rubochi and government of Kuje Area Council to ensure that all resolutions reached are implemented,” they added.

    In another development, The Chairman of  Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon.Shaban Tete has expressed determination to partner with the National Film and Video Censors Board, in order to eliminate uncensored and unapproved videos from the FCT markets.

    Tete made this commitment when members of executive of the National Film and Video Censors Board visited him in his office to express their gratitude to the council chief for the office space allocated to them.

    According to Tete, for the board to choose Kuje as site for their office was a welcome development, saying the leadership of the council will collaborate with the board in order to sanitise the movie industry. He noted that uncensored immoral movies seen in the markets currently are not capable of teaching good morals to the young ones.

    “We will do what it takes to support your board, so that you will succeed in your endeavour. Our hands are on deck, because we need to control the types of movies that our children watch at home that could negatively affect their behaviours.

    “So, anywhere the council needs to encourage your board, we will do so. Our doors are open to support you so that the movie industry would be properly sanitised,” he said.

    Earlier, Mrs. Patricia Bala, Director-General, National Film and Video Censors Board who expressed gratitude to the chairman for giving them the office space, said the board needed to collaborate with the leadership of the council after setting up the office, to make their fight against uncensored movies successful.

    “We hope to set up a committee with the council and we want the council to nominate a desk office which we would be liaising with to the council. We really need to set up the committee to start working, because we need to sanitise the industry. As it is now, our staff strength cannot cover the whole country.

    “We really need the collaboration of the council, since there are a lot of uncensored movies in the market. We alone cannot cover everything, which is why we need to work with the council. We will be happy if the committee is set up, so that we can kick off immediately. There are too many unwholesome movies in the market and if they are not approved, they will be thrown out,” she said.

  • Jonathan, Sambo and the 2015 ticket

    With all the organs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) declaring President Goodluck Jonathan the sole Presidential candidate of  the party for the 2015 general elections, the decision to pick his running mate is said to be the exclusive right of  the President.

    The sole candidacy declared for Jonathan was said to only cover him and not his Vice, Namadi Sambo.

    For this reason, many politicians interested in the number two job have continued to make clandestine moves to lobby for the post.

    Many of them are believed to be scheming to take charge in 2019 when Jonathan’s tenure will elapse should he get another term in 2015.

    Some of them have begun testing the waters with posters flooding Abuja and many parts of the country showing them as probable running mates to President Jonathan.

    A case in point is the poster showing the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu as the running mate to Jonathan, which took over Abuja streets as soon as Jonathan was declared sole candidate of  the party a forthnight ago.

    Muazu has not disowned or disassociated himself  from the posters, a week after they flooded Abuja.

    If he has nothing to do with it, political watchers expect Muazu to announce to the public that the posters were the handiwork of his detractors. This was yet to be done as at Thursday last week.

    Another allegation has it that Jigawa State Governor; Sule Lamido shelved his Presidential ambition to settle for the number two job under the party.

    But what is being thrown up against Sambo, who many believed has been very loyal and instrumental to all the achievements recorded by Jonathan in the past four years, was the allegation that he has a diminished political value and may not be able to deliver the North for Jonathan in 2015.

    Sambo’s loyalty was said to have facilitated smooth running of the administration unlike the ugly experiences recorded in the past.

    As Jonathan is expected to publicly accept the sole candidacy and announce his running-mate in the next few weeks, political watchers are keenly eager to see if Jonathan will place Sambo’s loyalty above every other consideration, or if he will pick other politicians scheming and strategising to take control of the leadership in 2019.

     

  • Residents cry out over bad road

    Residents cry out over bad road

    Residents of  Zuba in Gwagwalada Council have cried out to the council authorities to come to fix the ‘water logged’ road along Zuba Park area. The bad state of  the road, they said, has made vehicular movement difficult.

    Some of the residents who spoke to our correspondent said due to lack of drainage in the area and the potholes on the road, it has always been over flooded, especially during rainy days.

    Narrating her ordeal on the road, a traveller, Aisha Zuba, stated that she was on a commercial motor cycle going to the park to board a vehicle to Kano and she and the motor cyclist fell into the dirty water because of  the bad road.

    “He fell on top of  his bike and I fell too. I thank God that nothing happened to both of us, only little bruises. The most annoying thing was that my bag fell into a pool of mud. My clothes were soaked. I had to cancel the journey. Seriously, something needs to be done about the road,” she said.

    One of the traders at the International Market, Zuba, Igwe Emeka said the road was getting worse by the day. He called on the council authorities to fill the potholes as it will make movement easier.

    Another resident, Chikodili Nze said the maintenance of  the road will enhance the development of the market thereby generating revenue for the government.

    “Wherever there is a market, it is necessary that the road leading to it should be motorable. We bring in a lot of goods to the market in trucks. It is always a busy road. But since the road is bad, there is always traffic jam,” she said.

  • Community faults minister on demolition

    Community faults minister on demolition

    Indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have faulted the decision of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, to the effect that his administration would no longer demolish houses in the territory without proper alternatives.

    The leader of Dagbalo community in Apo District, Rev. Danjuma Dara, who spoke on behalf of natives of Dagbalo, told reporters in Abuja that the decision of the FCT Administration was coming too late after his people had been driven out forcibly from their ancestral homes.

    Recalling that on July 30, last year, the FCDA officials, accompanied by armed soldiers conveyed in two pick-up vans stormed his community and demolished their houses, destroyed their farms and economic trees within five days.

    “The case was reported to Apo Divisional Police Station and we also filed a case at Jabi High Court. We are hoping to see justice prevail because we do not have any other home and our children are growing up fast.

    “Two years ago, a 22-year-old lady was shot and killed by the FCDA Police in Akpajenya Village when a wealthy woman came with allocation paper and accompanied by armed soldiers, claiming ownership of the land in total disregard of the original inhabitants of the community.

    “Since the vast land now known as FCT was taken over by the Federal Government in 1976, those indigenous to the FCT have literally been under constant intimidation and harassment by government officials and private land grabbers who use the military and police personnel to dispossess them of farmlands and homesteads with neither compensation nor resettlement,” he said.

    He said they wrote several letters to the FCDA, as they wanted to have a dialogue with them, but they refused, adding that they are no longer begging to see them. He also said they demand that he must see the people or he will not be comfortable with their next action.

    “We want to advise the government to stay away from our lands and our ancestral homes, because we do not have anywhere to go. We have made enough sacrifice for this country and the minister seems not to be aware of it. He will always pay us back by sending armed soldiers to bring down our houses.  Enough is enough. The government has pushed us to the wall.

    “That we are peace-loving people does not mean that we do not know our rights,” he said.

  • APC floors PDP at tribunal

    The Election Petition Tribunal sitting at Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has upheld the election of the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Abubakar Giri of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 16, 2013, council election.

    In a unanimous judgment, the Chairman of the three-member tribunal, Justice Binta Mohammed, said the chairmanship election held on March 16, 2013, was conducted in a substantial compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.

    According to her, the election conducted across the 10 wards of  Gwagwalada Area Council where the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 11, 323 votes and All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 11, 525 votes was in order.

    “In view of the foregoing, the petitioners failed to substantiate their claims. This petition, therefore, lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” she said.

    The Chairmanship candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muspha, had filed a petition, through his counsel, Chief Karina Tunya (SAN) before the tribunal challenging the declaration of Giri as the duly elected chairman of Gwagwalada council by INEC.

    The PDP had contended that the election conducted at Kofar-Gida and at Giri Kpeseli polling units of Gwako Ward was not in compliance to the Electoral Act as contained in the INEC guideline and election manual for 2011and alleged gross irregularities.

    But counsel to the respondent, Chief Ologun Orisha (SAN) represented by Barrister Samuel Zhibiri, described the judgment as a sound and well-researched one, adding that the judgment was very articulate and apt.

    However, counsel to the PDP, Chief Karina Tunya (SAN), disagreed with the judgment of the tribunal, saying the tribunal had failed to properly evaluate and analyse all evidences tendered before it.

    “Documents that are supposed to be rejected were admitted. So, we will definitely appeal the tribunal’s judgment,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the chairman of the council, Alhaji Giri, who spoke with reporters after the judgment, said the judgment has proved that he truly won the March 16, 2013, chairmanship election of the council. He was accompanied by his predecessor, Alhaji Zakari Angulu-Dobi, FCT APC Chairman, Alhaji Usman Abdulmalik; Secretary of the council and Alhaji Usman Yahaya.

    He said: “My victory at the tribunal was not only for me, but also for the entire residents of the council. I call on members of the PDP in the council to join hands with my administration to move the council forward.”

  • …. President breaks a jinx

    President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday last week, broke a jinx in the Presidential Villa by granting interview to selected members of the State

    House correspondents in his office.

    It has never happened before in the Villa during his tenure.

    The President had, most times, spoken through official statements issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, or spoke his mind on issues at official functions, and sometimes grant interviews at the airports or outside the country on official assignment.

    The President has also periodically granted interviews during Presidential Media Chats with mainly media practitioners from outside the Villa.

    But granting interviews to State House correspondents who cover the Villa within the State House, has almost become a taboo over the years.

    Tuesday last week, he spoke directly with State House correspondents, appealing to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and other unions to shelve its planned strike action and resume school on September 22.

    Closing the wide gap between the President and journalists covering the Villa is a step in the right direction as it will both improve better coverage of the Villa and boost enlightenment of Nigerians on the administration’s actions.

    A former Military President in Nigeria was said to have been close to journalists in the Villa during his tenure so much so that he knew almost all of them by their names and media houses.

    The U.S President, Barrack Obama and many world leaders also regularly brief and interact with journalists attached to their government houses.

  • Ebola: Experts advise Fed Govt on porous borders

    The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has said for the Federal Government to successfully control and eradicate the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the country’s porous borders must be plugged.

    First National Vice-President of the association, Alhaji Toyosi Raheem told reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, that there should be sufficient provision of equipment and diagnostic reagents/chemicals for the war on Ebola to be successful.

    Alhaji Raheem said: “There should be mandatory personal protective equipment (PPE) and other consumables such as laboratory gowns, gloves, eye shields, head and shoe covers; respirators designed to prevent viral particles, constant running water, liquid detergents, hand sanitisers, constant electricity with backups, adequate waste management procedures/practices and laundry facilities, among others.

    “When these are available in sufficient quantities and quality at various medical laboratories; whether public or private, Ebola Virus Disease will be contained. The era of no money to procure all these mandatory tools in the laboratory should not be allowed to continue in the era of EVD. Safety should never be treated as a political issue but as a mandatory matter because one lost life can never be replaced.”

    The laboratory scientist, who is a presidential candidate of the association, said harmony in the health sector will ensure speedy eradication of EVD.

    “Harmony is required in our various health facilities to enhance workplace and public peace. It is also required to promote effective and efficient healthcare delivery; to achieve the set health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other health targets in Nigeria.

    “Every effort should be made by government to ensure harmony in the health sector. Prevention and diagnosis of EVD is to be pursued aggressively by all the medical laboratory scientists. But adequate budgetary provision should be made for laboratory services to enhance safety of professionals, other health workers and the public,” he said.