The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • N3tr Centenary City shapes up

    N3tr Centenary City shapes up

    Not everyone agrees that clocking 100 years is enough reason to throw a party. There are too many challenges to indulge in such frolic, some argue. The nation, they say, has yet to find its footing in so many respects and insecurity remains a growing threat. Why celebrate?

    President Goodluck Jonathan believes there is cause for joy. One reason he puts forward is that 100 hundred years after it was named, Nigeria has not broken up into different nations.

    The Northern and Southern protectorates were amalgamated by the colonial authorities on January 1, 1914. It was then that Nigeria’s journey to nationhood began.

    The president believes that Nigerians should be celebrating their determination to excel and remain one.  And to solidify his convictions, he promised that a Centenary City would be built to mark the feat. That promise was made during the celebrations in February.

    The City is now taking shape.

    Located between the Airport and the main city of Abuja, the Centenary City, built on top of a hill, will forever be remembered by all even generations yet unborn.

    At the groundbreaking and unveiling ceremony, President Jonathan said the city will be a place where nobody will own a power generating set or build a personal borehole as every infrastructural facility needed to make live comfortable will be in place.

    The cost of the city is put at N2.976tr ($18.6 billion).

    A total of N1.2bn, being 100 per cent compensation has been paid for economic trees to the original inhabitants as well as structures belonging to some non-natives. The city sits on 1,200 hectares of land.

    Twenty per cent of the plots are earmarked for residential houses, while the remaining 80 per cent are for mixed use and for commercial purposes.

    The city is expected to incorporate a free trade zone, duty-free regime, tax holidays and non-regulated banking services. These are part of government’s efforts to boost trade and investment in Nigeria, which in turn, would create thousands of job opportunities for Nigerians.

    The Federal Government hopes to replicate the successes achieved in Dubai, Monaco, Shenzhen (China), Singapore and Songdo (South Korea).

    President Jonathan, who was elated that the establishment of the city is happening during his regime said: “I am indeed delighted to be part of history at today’s groundbreaking and unveiling ceremony of the Centenary City, Abuja.

    “In all, the joyful reflections and re-awakening shared by the nation, through this year-long commemoration of our amalgamation, there may, perhaps be no greater symbol of the spirit of our determination than this city that unfolds before us.

    “Let me commend the leadership of great men like the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar who accepted to chair the Board of the Centenary City Plc. I am pleased to state that the successes of such cities as Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Shenzhen in the Peoples’ Republic of China and the Songdo International Business District in South Korea had shown that the development of a themed city is a strong social, political and economic tool for securing foreign investment, promoting positive international attention and heralding new national economic renaissance.

    “Offering free trade status, outstanding infrastructure, secured business environment and efficient transport services, this Centenary City promises a unique and innovative global standard in real estate creativity. I will be happy to see a city where there will be no personally-owned power generating set and borehole.

    “I am very pleased that our Centenary City has been designed by a reputable world-class design team as an efficient “mixed-use” City with emphasis on modernity and Nigeria’s distinctive cultural heritage, ably integrating contemporary demands and future expectations into a working scheme that will allow the city develop in a sustainable and socially-responsive manner.

    “It is important that the outcome will be a modern city where natural beauty and architectural ingenuity will merge to create an environment, alive and productive, with many unique sub-themes including a prominent cultural core with various symbols of Nigeria’s unity and strength, a green-city concept, as well as Presidential Archives that will house the history of our political development.

    “This will be a revolutionary approach to urbanisation in Africa and will, through its private ownership, promote the private sector’s participation in projects of significant magnitude. It will also represent a landmark of professional excellence for all branches of the development team.

    “It is my determination to make the Centenary City a sustainable and viable economic project, providing not just the best infrastructure and facilities, but also an example in urban management, maintenance and security. It will remain totally a business venture, owned and managed by private business people and investors, but government shall continue to be the vision driver, providing the necessary, conducive investment and functional environment.

    “In many ways, this legacy project also marks a coming of age and a new chapter in our efforts for greater involvement of the private sector in major development projects. I therefore commend and congratulate the Promoter Investors, for putting their money and trust in this initiative and welcome other captains of industry who shall be investing in the Centenary City.

    “I commend, especially Eagle Hills LLC and Nael and Bin Harmal Hydroexport (NBHH) both of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Julius Berger International of Germany for their confidence in Nigeria, and pledge that my administration will continue to provide you and other investors in our country the necessary support to sustain your investments.”

    Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, (rtd) who is the chairman of the Centenary City Plc, noted that the project can be successful only if peace reigns in all parts of the country.

    “Therefore, I call on Nigerians to ensure they maintain peace across the country and ensure that this project is concluded as planned. This is historic and we will not leave any stone unturned to achieve success,” he said.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim said the Centenary City with 1, 262.27 hectares of land size ranks as the biggest present city development in the world.

    He said the city being a free trade zone, is going to be one of the few cities in the world that have that status.

    He said: “It is revolutionary; it is visionary as well transformational. It is the new approach to attracting foreign direct investment.

    “Mr. President, you will recall that in your speech during the flag-off ceremony of the Centenary celebrations on February 4, 2014, you promised the nation that what will come out of the celebration is a green city to be known as a Centenary City. You also directed that the city should be developed to achieve two main goals. The first is to provide a centre to collect, document and showcase the contributions of Nigerians to the cultural, political, social and economic development of the world in the last 100 years. The second is to develop a centre of excellence in service delivery, in financing a sector and ensure diverse economic activities with excellent world-class infrastructural facilities that will promise business, leisure, sports and tourism.

    “These directives became a road map for the committee to realise your ambition for the Centenary City. Accordingly, the Centenary City is not only to manifest a milestone contribution for Nigeria but also to create an economic forum that will create thousands of jobs, attract foreign investments while catering for the modern day living needs of the teeming population of Abuja.

    “It is in line with this concept that the Centenary City is planned to host about 500, 000 individuals who may be workers, businessmen, shoppers, tourists, sports lovers and so on. The planned residential component of the city is only to support the economic activity and to ensure human presence round the clock.

    “I want to emphasise that the Centenary City project is not a housing estate. It is an economic project. It is important to note that the Centenary City project is being promoted by Centenary City Plc; a company composed of investors from Nigeria and abroad.

  • Lab technicians hail Ahmed’s health plan

    Lab technicians hail Ahmed’s health plan

    The Kwara State branch of the Association of Laboratory Technicians and Assistants of Nigeria (AMELTAN) have praised Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed’s administration for the renovating and remodelling five General Hospitals in Ilorin, Omu-Aran, Offa, Share and Kaiama.

    The general hospitals cover the three senatorial districts of the state.

    AMELTAN appealed to the state government to start paying call-duty allowance for their member’s working day and night in the state.

    AMELTAN also wants its members especially those working with the Community Health Insurance Scheme placed on permanent appointment.

    The state chair of AMELTAN, Elder Bandipo Olusanyan made the demand in Ilorin, the state capital at the association’s 3-days conference

    He equally sought for the recruitment and posting of “our members to local government health facilities in the state.

    Said he: “Apart from this, the state of art medical equipment purchase, improved staff welfare including prompt payment of salaries, payment of consolidated health salary structure, release of promotion and extension of community health insurance have endeared the governor to our heart.

    “The same gesture also extended to smaller health centres, Iwo Cottage Hospital, Omupo Cottage Hospital and Edidi Health Centre are part of good work executed to serve our people.

    “We also appreciate the state governor for the sustainable peace and harmony that provides the platform for us all to operate in Kwara state. The massive infrastructural provision and pace of development has helped our association to live up to expectation.”

  • Another lunge at the image challenge

    No one has quite explained the perennial paradox. How can a country be so endowed, yet so derided? Some reckon that Nigerians are among the best brains in the world and that few can boast of its natural resources, yet no one is in doubt that their country is a great way from the league of developed nations. The international community and its media also do not seem to have such a great opinion of the country.

    Successive governments have tried to address this challenge without much success. President Olusegun Obasanjo did his bit. So, too, did President Umaru Yar’Adua.  President Goodluck Jonathan has taken a shot at it. His administration has launched the ‘Nigeria our heritage’ project.

    The Minister of Culture, Tourism, and National Orientation at the presentation of the new project in Abuja, said government will reverse the negative perception of the international media through the promotion of tourism and cultural heritage. The government said it would overhaul the nation’s global image and promote tourism for the patriotic purposes of creating wealth for national development and securing international trust for foreign investment.

    Duke further explained that the tourism innovation would restore a positive perception for Nigeria as an emerging international hub for business in the next century. According to him, the western media does not see anything positive about Nigeria, hence their consistent negative reports, adding that Nigerians all over the world have stretched the boundary of creativity, but this is not appreciated by purveyors of negativity against the country.

    He said: “In the last few months, there has been a global conspiracy against Nigeria; a lot of indignity has been dished to the leadership and humiliation to the country by western media; Nigerians have stretched the boundaries of creativity and stretched milestones, there is a need for a new story of Nigeria to begin.

    “To us, part of the strategy is to create and brighten the image of our country while encouraging Nigerians to re-invigorate their hope and commitment to the Nigerian project.”

    The minister explained that his ministry has adopted the project being sponsored by some private individuals under government’s policy on Public Private Partnership.

    He observed that countries like South Africa and Rwanda were able to erase the negative perceptions against them while Nigeria with a population of about 160 million people was still being vilified by the international media. He appealed to Nigerians to work hard to change the negative perception about the country by believing in the nation and having confidence that it could be greater.

    Duke stated that the ministry would work with the  ”Nigeria, our Heritage Project” initiators to overhaul the nation’s image and promote its tourism and cultural heritage using such platforms as the creative and performing arts, National Council for Arts and Culture, literatures and others to drive the project. He said the 744 local governments in the country will be used to showcase the much-desired change through festivals.

    The project would, among other things; chronicle Nigeria’s past and present while projecting progressive initiatives for the future that will create access for international interests and investment in potential business opportunities in Nigeria and re-define Nigeria as a world leading nation through development of leadership institutions and frontier schemes.

    The project will also put Nigeria first in Africa. It promises to make the nation the giant in business, a haven for investors through tourism, while projecting the culture and reshaping the image of the country. It also seeks to bring prominence to the nation’s local languages.

    It will engender a new and positive global perception of Nigeria such that Nigeria would be enabled internally and externally to realise her full potential.  It is about what and where Nigeria should be 100 years from now.  The core essence of that dream is that Nigeria should be one of the top five economies in the world by the year 2114.

    Duke said, “Through the ‘Nigeria, our heritage’ project, we shall celebrate the rich cultural inheritance and vast economic endowment of Nigeria as well as the large market the country offers. We recognise the bright future of Nigeria as a rising business destination in the continent of Africa; above all, we recognise the impact that a rebranded Nigeria, collectively supported by all Nigerians, will have on businesses, the economy, and our people.

  • Nigerian sports in reverse?

    Nigerian sports not only appear to be in retreat but also back to the dark days.

    While Nigerians were still sad that the Super Eagles could not go beyond the round of 16 in the just-concluded FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Nigeria, on Wednesday last week, was suspended by the world football governing body from taking part in any international sporting competition due to alleged government interference in the affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Apart from competitions, neither the NFF nor any of its members or officials may benefit from any FIFA or CAF development programmes, courses or training during the suspension period.

    The immediate casualty of the latest FIFA ban will be the Falconets, who will be prevented from participating in the forthcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada slated from August 5 to 24, except the suspension is lifted on or before July 15, 2014.

    Nigerians were already hoping that the Falconets would bring joy to them by doing what the boys could not do in Brazil.

    If the ban is not lifted, Nigeria will also forfeit an U-17 African qualifier match billed for July 20 in Democratic Republic of Congo.

    It is also sad that the Super Eagles players had issues with their match bonuses and welfare packages in Brazil, which many believed psychologically contributed to their early ouster from the competition.

    Another sign that all may not be too well in the Nigerian sports was the FIFA suspension that came barely two hours after Sports Minister; Tamuno Danagogo gave assurance to Nigerians that Nigeria will escape the FIFA sledge-hammer.

    This, among other issues, have continued to worry stakeholders in the sector who are wondering  whether the minister is being misled by technocrats and civil servants who want him to fail on the assignment or that he is a square peg in a round hole.

    Speaking with State House correspondents on Wednesday last week, few hours before the FIFA suspension, Danagogo said: “Nigeria is safe, I can tell you that. What FIFA wants is for the right things to be done. So far, if you look at what has happened, I think government has been very fair. Government has done everything possible not to unduly interfere.

    “The chairmen of football associations and other stakeholders, who also didn’t want the Maigari administration to continue, held their congress and the congress passed a no confident vote on that executive. That is not government’s action. It is strictly a decision of a majority of the stakeholders of football in the country.”

    Worried about the saga over the bonuses and welfare packages of the Super Eagles in Brazil, the Sports Minister said: “ Really it is an unfortunate development. It is embarrassing that issues like that keep up cropping up each time African countries go to the world stage.

    “When we got to Brazil and the players were grumbling and the grumbling is not just for this world cup, these boys are bitter that right from the World Cup in South Africa and the Confederation Cup, they had entitlements which they said FIFA paid to NFF out of which they ought to get their share. But I wasn’t in the know of all these until I got to Brazil.

    “We know that the Federal Government paid every kobo that we needed. Mr. President approved the fund which was released as at when due. So we don’t need to have any problem. FIFA even gives money for the same things that the Federal Government released monies for and the players should get their money,” he said.

    Even though the former Director-General of the National Sports Commission, Dr. Amos Adamu recently had issues with FIFA, such FIFA ban never came under his tenure and the many years he was in the sports sector. He always had a way of nipping any issue in the bud before it happens.

    The FIFA ban also probably would never have come if the immediate past Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi had remained in the saddle.

    One of the successes Abdullahi claimed to have achieved before he was removed from office on March 5, 2014, apart from winning many laurels for Nigeria, was bringing peace and harmony among the warring parties in the sector.

    In March, Abdullahi, through his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Julius Ogunro said: “Abdullahi settled the almost fratricidal war in the Nigerian Football Federation by making all the parties involved in the crises agree to a comprehensive peace deal.”

    It is worrisome how Nigerian football has gone back to the era of warring groups and court cases.

    Nigeria needs to urgently go back to the drawing board and try to chart a new course.

    As a way forward, government should thoroughly investigate the matter and punish anybody involved in any fraudulent practice concerning Super Eagles’ bonuses as a deterrent to others in the future. The matter should not be swept under the carpet.

    In the spirit of true democracy, it must also ensure it does not unduly interfere, whether directly or indirectly, in the affairs of the NFF in line with FIFA statute.

    While it is good news that Amos Adamu is part of the Nigerian delegation to resolve the current FIFA ban, Nigeria must definitely find a way of going back to its winning ways because taking sports, especially football away from Nigerians’ social life is like taking everything away from them. Its unifying power cannot be over-emphasised.

  • Kano relishes lawmaker’s gesture

    The classroom blocks he built have brought run-down schools back to life. Water is available in many communities, thanks to him. To the less privileged, he has brought hope. That is why Kano North senatorial district adores Senate Chief Whip, Senator Bello Hayatu Gwarzo.

    A resident of the area, Malam Hamisu said, “for us in Kano North Senatorial District, Senator Gwarzo remain irreplaceable because he is a caring and loving father of all. In fact, there is no community in this Senatorial District that has not benefited from Senator Gwarzo’s benevolence,” he said, adding that Senator Gwarzo’s excellent performance has become the reason why people of the district, irrespective of party affiliation, insisted that he must continue to represent them since 1999.

    By the execution of numerous laudable projects, Senator Gwarzo, according to the people of his District, has positively touched the lives of the less privileged in the district. He has installed over 400 water hand-pumps, as well as sunk solar-powered boreholes spread across the 13 local overnment areas of the district, just as he has built not less than 200 classroom blocks and a college for girls in Gwarzo town.

    Other projects initiated and executed by the lawmaker, adjudged to be the longest serving senator in his constituency from 1999 to date, include water supply to Janguza Jumaat mosque, including Bukavu barracks.

    Also, Senator Gwarzo has established a foundation in his constituency, which provides free healthcare medical services, as well as the sponsorship of football tournaments and the construction of feeder roads to link remote villages within his constituency.

    To ensure hitch-free potable water supply to all residents of his constituency, Senator Gwarzo constructed earth dams, including community halls, built in Gwarzo, Shanono, and Danbatta which has the capacity to accommodate not less than 500 people, just as he also initiated the construction of Kunchi-Lamba-Kazaure Federal road project. Already, Senator Gwarzo has commenced preparations for both the fasting and Sallah periods, as he has concluded arrangements to hold meetings with party leaders, stakeholders and members and will during the meeting unfold his plans to distribute rams and Sallah gifts to members of his constituency to mark the festive period.

    In his capacity as a party leader, Senator Gwarzo during festive periods, distributes foodstuff, comprising millet, bags of rice, textile materials (Sheda) to both men and women, as well as cows and rams to communities and at the conclusion of the fasting period, he breaks fast with his constituent members. In his determination to add value to the quality of life in rural communities in his constituency, Senator Gwarzo embarked on rural electrification projects, particularly in areas like, Dunawa town in Mokoda Local Government Area, electrification of Dambatta to Masallachi in Dambatta Local Government Area, Gwanda village in Dambatta and Dukawa viallage also in Dambatta Local Government Area.

    Other areas that benefited from the rural electrification projects include Maiganji village, Tsaraka village, including 15 other villages and towns, all which are located in Dambatta, Gabasawa, Tsanyawa LGA, Bichi Rimin Gado and Kunchi Local Government Areas. For the sustenance of power supply, Senator Gwarzo also sponsored the construction of 33/11 KVA transmission line from Kkankia to Bichi Local Government Area, just as he also embarked on Solar street illumination projects, covering 11 Local government Areas, among which are Getso town in Gwarzo Local Government Area and Shanono town in Shanono Local Government Area.

    For the stable supply of potable water for both human and animal consumption, Senator Gwarzo also embarked on motorised borehole projects, providing water to towns like, Dawakin Tofa, to Butu Butu in Rimin Gado Local Government Area, as well as in Bagwai and Dogo towns in Makoda Local Government Areas. Apart from that, Senator Gwarzo, who has the interest of the less privileged at heart also embarked on solar powered boreholes and constructed such boreholes in U/Gara, Gabasawa Local Government Areas, including 58 other Local Government Areas, as well as initiation of irrigation projects, especially meant for dry season farming to ensure an all-year round provision of water for the health growth of vegetables and assorted crops for human consumption.

    Also, Senator Gwarzo embarked on similar projects, like hand pump borehole water supply, covering so many local government areas, just as he also embarked on road construction/Rehabilitation projects to ensure easy accessibility to towns and villages within Kano North Senatorial District. And to ensure a healthy society, Senator Gwarzo also embarked on the construction of not less than 23 Health centres, prominent among which are Makoda Health Centre, Shuwaki Health Centre, Dumbulim Health Centre in Tsanyawa among others scattered across 23 locations for easy accessibility fo healthcare facility for a health living.

    In order to teach members of his immediate constituency how to fish but not to providing them with fish all of the time, Senator Gwarzo embarked on the construction of less than 31 conducive classroom blocks for pupils and students, so as to learn how to fish, so as to desist from depending on Government for their basic needs and become self-sufficient.

    Some of the projects Gwarzo initiated and sponsored are the construction of classroom blocks in Gabasawa, Dambatta, Makoda, Kunchi, Tsanyawa, Bichi, Bagwai and Shanono.

    Others are in Gwarzo, Kabo, Rimin Gado, Tofa and Dawakin Tofa, as well as the construction of Girls Science College in Gwarzo, including the provision of solar street lights, small Earth’s Dam construction, as well as feeder roads within the vicinity of the Kano North West Senatorial District. Based on his impressive performance, members of his constituency have been and still clamouring for him to contest and continue in 2015, promising that they will collectively cast their votes for him to ensure continuity in the Senate, so as to continue to adequately represent their interest.

    Members of his constituency have been and still commending his efforts in ensuring their welfare, pointing out that not too long ago, Senator Gwarzo in his magnanimity shared so many cows to various communities, with which to mark one of the Sallah festivity.

    Within the last four years, Senator Gwarzo has spent not less than N5 billion in the execution of various human-oriented projects for members of his immediate constituency and beyond.

    For the people of Kano North Senatorial District, Senator Gwarzo has consistently impacted positively on their lives, an indication that whoever challenges him in 2015 may have a tough fight.

  • Minister bans power-bikes

    Power bikes are no more welcome at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) – no thanks to the bomb that killed 23 people and injured over 53.

    FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed directed the Police Commissioner to prosecute any person illegally using power bikes and motorcycles.

    The directive, according to a statement issued by the Assistant Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule which was conveyed to the FCT Police Commissioner via a letter dated June 27, 2014 but signed by the FCT Permanent Secretary, John Chukwu, reminded him that the ban on the use of power bikes and motorcycles in the FCT was still in force.

    The minister said the reminder is underscored by the fact that one of the suspects in the recent bombing at the Emab Plaza, Wuse II District Abuja was seen on a power bike by security agents.

    The minister further directed that all security personnel using motorcycles should obtain permits from the FCT Commissioner of Police and the FCT Transportation Secretariat; in addition the officer should be properly kitted in their uniform and helmet.

    According to the letter, the intention of the FCT Administration is to, as a matter of urgency; evolve necessary bye-laws and security protocols that will indicate minimal security requirements in private and public institutions as well as other congregational locations in the Federal Capital Territory for compliance and enforcement.

    The administration, the minister said, will also embark on “know-your-neighbour campaign” as a strategy to promote neighbourhood security awareness among residents.

  • Residents demand improved power supply

    The Gwagwalada Area Council has been urged to provide electricity transformers for the residents of the area in order to curb the incessant power outage bedeviling the area.

    Some of the residents of the area who spoke with our reporter stated that the city has been suffering from incessant power outage while some had been without light for months, adding that it was affecting the economic development of the area.

    One of the residents, Soji Nkanu attributed the epileptic power supply to the inadequate supply of transformers to make power available in the area, adding that the  power supplied to some areas were  not always useful to them since most times it comes at midnight and would not last for a long time.

    “Gwagwalada has been suffering from lack power supply for a very long time now.  Some parts have not seen light for some months while some in some areas, light only comes at midnight which could only last for two to three hours,” he said.

    Nkanu added that the experience has pushed most of the residents into buying electricity generating sets and lamented that even with the epileptic power supply, they had to pay huge amount of money as electricity bills.

    “Light can never be stable in this area. It is not a new thing for power to cease for almost 100 times a day. It is unfortunate, yet we pay huge amount of money as electricity bill,” he said.

    Another resident, Maryam Alkali stated that the power supply which was supposed to be rationed so that various areas will use light, do not come regularly. She called on the government, particularly the area council, to fulfill the promise of provision of basic amenities for the people.

    “People are lamenting. It is always a total blackout at the area. A times, they will flash it for five minutes in the morning and you wouldn’t see it again until  around 1:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m. Sometimes, the light comes in form of candle light” she said.

  • ‘No more protesters’ roadblock’

    ‘No more protesters’ roadblock’

    THESE are trying times for protesters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Anyone intending to stage a protest at the seat of power must think again. Those who protested the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok nearly three months ago were  shocked to hear of a swift police order banning such activities in the FCT. That directive by the Territory’s Police Commissioner Mr. Joseph Mbu was later vacated by higher authorities but everybody took a hint.

    Now, FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed has cautioned individuals, communities and groups to desist from taking any action that would hamper free movement of persons and vehicles, such as deliberate blockade of traffic on highways and roads.

    The minister gave the warning during a meeting with some original inhabitants of the FCT under the aegis of Greater Gbagyi Development Association.

    Those who attended the meeting included some original inhabitants of Abuja from the Airport Road axis, the Chairperson of the FCT chapter of National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), the Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Forum and some officials of Greater Gbagyi Development Association.

    They pleaded for the minister’s intervention to secure the release of those arrested by security operatives in connection with the protest which resulted in the blockade of the ever-busy Zuba-Kubwa-Abuja City Super Expressway for over four hours recently.

    Referring to the alleged recent blockade of the expressway by some people protesting the demolition of structures at Lungu Village and a similar action on the Abuja Airport Highway about a month earlier by protesters, the minister stated that such unlawful tendencies would no longer be allowed by government and the law enforcement organs.

    According to a statement issued by the Special Assistant (Media) to the minister, Nosike Ogbuenyi, the minister said any person or group of persons who decided to take the law into their own hands by preventing the vast majority of law-abiding residents from going about their legitimate activities would face the full wrath of the law.

    According to him, those behind the blockade of Kubwa Express Road have been arrested and would soon be arraigned in court.

    He said the administration, in conjunction with security agencies, will prosecute the culprits to serve as deterrent to others.

    While admitting that individuals will have their rights to express their grievances through protests, the minister cautioned that such should not be taken to the extent of holding the entire society to ransom as was the case with the blockade of major entry/exit routes to the Federal Capital City.

    Recall that the alleged mastermind of the false rumour that a mother and her child were killed during the recent demolition of illegal structures at Lungu Village, Gwarinpa, one Mr. Yunusa Ahmadu Yusuf and the Chief of Lungu Village, Mr. Ezekiel Sanya Zakka (aka Easy) were arrested last week by security agents.

    They were, however, granted bail by police following the intervention of Senator Mohammed.

    They will, however, be arraigned in court and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the land.

    Yusuf was said to have been arrested in his village in Kaduna State while the Zakka was picked up at Lungu Village.

    The former had been parading himself as an Abuja Original Inhabitant.

    The two men were nabbed for their roles in peddling the false rumour of death and incitement that led to violent protests and blockade of the Zuba/Kubwa/Abuja City Express Road resulting in damage of public facilities.

    The bail of Zakka and Yusuf followed the minister’s acceptance of an apology tendered on their behalf by the Original Inhabitants of Abuja living on the Airport Road axis and some officials of Greater Gbagyi Development Association.

    The minister warned FCT residents against all forms of lawlessness such as blockade of roads and highways in the FCT and peddling of lies with a view to inciting the people and blackmailing the authorities.

    Describing the baseless allegations of deaths as callous, the minister stated that the action demonstrates the extent some people could go to cause disaffection in pursuit of selfish purpose.

    Senator Mohammed urged the Commissioner of Police to prosecute all those found culpable in the unjustified incitement, even as he warned all residents, including original inhabitants not to do anything that will cause disaffection in the society.

    He reiterated the position of the FCT Administration not to demolish houses belonging to original inhabitants of the FCT that were enumerated and captured in official data, adding that if in the cause of demolition, any of such houses is demolished, adequate remedy would be provided.

    He stated that nobody should do anything to hold the entire country to ransom, while warning the original inhabitants to be wary of the people they habour in their various settlements.

    According to him, he was aware that some original inhabitants were providing cover to strangers that they could not vouch for.

    The FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Mbu condemned the false allegations of deaths following the Lungu demolition exercise.

    He said the police had done thorough investigation and found out that the allegations were totally false.

    ”Up till now, no report has been filed with the police by anybody about any death as a result of the demolition exercise that took place at Lungu Village,” he said.

    He described the inciting fabrications about death as a criminal offence against God and man.

    Mbu also warned all deviant elements against challenging government, stressing that nobody should take the law into his own hand.

  • Agony of displaced Taraba Tiv farmers

    Agony of displaced Taraba Tiv farmers

    Hundreds of Tiv farmers in Taraba State have been killed and thousands severely injured in clashes with Fulani herdsmen. Survivors relived their physical and emotional torment, when Senior Correspondent FANEN IHYONGO visited their camps

    They looked hungry, weak and ill. Some looked terrified and emotionally drained. Many were unable to speak. They sleep on the floor in stuffy relief camp rooms. Mosquitoes bite them every night. Tiv farmers of Taraba State who survived the Fulani attacks are having the worst of times in their camps.

    They used to till the land, using the proceeds to look after their families.  They supplied the markets with yams, maize, soya beans, guinea corn, rice and cassava, among others.

    Farming was their life. Now, their means of livelihood is cut off and they have become destitute, terrorised in the central district of the state which they call home.  Today, their Fulani neighbours who once made jokes and merriment with them, have become their assailants and killers.

    “I don’t know the meaning of existence anymore,” one of the victims told this reporter.

    They have become endangered species in their own state. Some of them wonder if they are seen as aliens.

    Since the beginning of this year, Fulani insurgents, sometimes perceived to be largely mercenaries, reportedly numbering over 6,000 besieged the southern and central districts of the state. Tiv villagers became their prey. The insurgents, sometimes clad in military camouflage, attacked anytime of the day or night. They have killed thousands of Tiv farmers, wounded many more and forced the rest from their homes. Not a few Tiv women and girls have been raped and degraded by the herdsmen.

    Even in the relief camps the victims are afraid of discussing what has befallen them for fear of divulging information to perceived spies from the enemy camp.

    Little children who found something to eat were seen playing; some were crying but many generally looked pale and ill.

    Two children and a woman were said to have died, added to the 14 who passed on earlier. They reportedly died of hunger and disease. Their bodies were seen being evacuated, but no one could say exactly where they would be buried.

    An 82-year old man was said to have lost his mind in the camp after reportedly losing his wife and four children to Fulani attacks. Their assailants allegedly burnt them alive in a house where they were hiding.

    Members of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and SEMA, the state arm of the organisation, brought relief materials but they could not serve even a quarter of the camp population in the five locations. Concerned officials from the local government council also prepared food for weak children  but the Fulani militia broke into the camp demanding to be served first. The invaders took the food away with a promise to attack the people in the evening if they remained in the camp. This reporter saw the camp officials pleading with the marauders to have mercy on the children. They did not. The camp’s location near a police station did not deter them.

    Bem Iorleva, 36, has been sleeping in the bush. He furtively goes to the camp only at noon hours to see his people. But these days he could not go as the militants reportedly began to trail him. He is said to be among six on hit list of Fulani herdsmen. The six were reckoned to have incurred the wrath of invaders when they reportedly condemned and resisted their attack.

    “They want to turn us from defencelessness to a worse state. Those of us who are of the active age, enlightened and have some sources of wealth are the major target; they want our heads by all means,” Iorleva said.

    Iorleva who has a wife and three children, has been lucky to have escaped the slaughter, but his sources of livelihood have been wiped out.

    “There is no safety even in the camps. The authorities have told us in clear terms they cannot protect us. You could be fetched and killed right there any time and nothing would be done,” he said.

    He added that some of the culprits who were arrested by security agents have been released.

    “We see them (their attackers) walking freely. They attack us in the villages, and yet they come here to torment us…Look at some of them (pointing to a group of four Fulani youngsters wearing black vests on one motorcycle).

    Iorleva, a principal at Rock Foundation Primary and Secondary School, had also been operating a bookshop and a barbing shop to augment his income. One day, the bookshop and saloon were attacked and vandalised by Fulani assailants. His home in Mai-Haula and the 17-year-old school where he taught were reduced to rubble. His proprietor, Peter Terna Ukpo is also taking refuge in the bush.

    Iorleva said: “Ukpo’s case is worse. They said they will butcher him if they see him.”

    Popularly known as Orlando, Ukpo is the president of Tiv youths in Bali. He is said to have lost “everything” to Fulani fighters.

    “Some of us would have been killed since, but for God. I had to run as I never did since I was born in order to escape death. They came with heavy weapons, some wielding guns, some long cutlasses and axes. They began to shoot and kill any Tiv person they sighted, without provocation.”

    As the Tiv residents ran for their dear life, the attackers looted and set their homes ablaze.

    Now, with the hellish life in the camps, the displaced want to leave for Benue where the bulk of their folks are, but transport fare is ptohibitive, even as some of them do not know where they are really going. The fare, per individual, from the camp St. Paul Catholic Church, Bali, to Zaki-Biam is N2000. From the camp to Gboko is N2,500 and N3,000 getting to Makurdi, the Benue State capital. Cargoes like a nine-inch mattress or a goat are charged N2000. So, one is left with the option of abandoning one’s bags of rice, groundnuts, corn, livestock and household appliances behind if one must survive.

    Meanwhile, their attackers have continued to either take over their properties or destroy them. Even on the road, the Tiv are often attacked  by herdsmen mounting roadblocks.

    Some help has come for them, though. Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Darius Dickson Ishaku, has donated relief materials and cash to the displaced persons.

    Darius, an architect, is from Takum Local Government Area of southern Taraba.

    His representative, Stephen Ibrahim Agya said the donation, included wrappers, foodstuff and cash.

    The traditional ruler of the Tiv in Bali, HRM David Gbaa, received the items on behalf of the displaced. Gbaa who praised the minister for the gesture said he would share the materials fairly among the five camps in Bali where the displaced are taking refuge.

    Agya added that the minister is making an arrangement to also assist displaced persons from Gassol and Ibi local government areas.

    Agya said he stumbled on the victims fleeing their homes so he informed the minister who quickly disbursed funds and materials to alleviate their deplorable condition.

    “I wept when I saw the Tiv victims in the camps. The old, women and kids; they looked stranded and emotionally wrecked. I saw their homes destroyed. It was pathetic.

    So, when I phoned the minister (Darius) he was saddened over the development. He promptly empowered and directed me to provide relief to the victims,” Agya said, adding that Darius has condemned the attacks and killings.

    In Bali where the minister donated relief materials, over 80 Tiv residents were gunned down and a Catholic catechist axed to death. Police said they recovered 46 bodies and that 6,086 houses were torched when they combed the area in search of the attackers.

    “Many of our people are still missing,” said Torver, one of the 148,036 displaced persons taking refuge in Kungwana area of Bali.

  • ‘We’ll support fight against insurgency’

    The Vigilante Group of Nigeria has said it will continue to support security agencies in the fight against insurgency in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The Commandant-General of Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Alhaji Usman Mohammed-Jahun, who revealed this at a sanitisation forum for State Commandants of the Group in Abuja, said about 200 members of the Vigilante Group have lost their lives to insurgency this year in the Northeast.

    While soliciting Federal Government’s support in the areas of funding and logistics, Jahun explained that a database had been created to ensure authenticity of all vigilante groups across the country, stating that the group has been repositioned to meet current development in security management.

    In a remark, the Board Chairman of VGN, Alhaji Ahmed Dalhatu said there should be unity of purpose among members of the organisation to enable them to achieve the goals of the group. Alhaji Dalhatu also stressed the need for states’ and Federal Government’s assistance to the group to strengthen the security of lives and property of people at the grassroots.