The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Okada out, tricycles in

    Okada out, tricycles in

    For quite a spell, commercial motorcycles were everywhere in Kaduna State. Then, one day, the state government banned them, drawing huge protests from not just the motorcyclists but even also the physically challenged. The argument was that the ban would create more problems than it would solve. People would lose their jobs and the many families would be affected, the protesters said. The physically challenged said the ban would adversely affect their movement since their relative often conveyed them on the motorcycles.

    The Mukthar Yero administration was unmoved and soon the ban became law. But the government also fashioned another means to ease the problem which the ban created: providing commercial tricycles. The primary beneficiaries were members of the Association of Commercial Motorcycle Riders of Nigeria (ACOMORON).

    Speaking at the distribution of the tricycles to the beneficiaries in Kaduna, Governor Yero said it was decision of the government to buy the tricycles and distribute same at 50 percent of the initial cost is in “furtherance of our resolve to create job opportunities for our teaming unemployed youths and to improve the general wellbeing of our people. I am happy to inform you that what we are witnessing today is just one out of the several intervention programmes designed to provide palliatives to our people especially those directly affected by the recent ban on activities of commercial motorcyclists”.

    He assured the people of the state that the law banning the operation of commercial motorcycles in the state was not conceived to bring hardship to them, but was aimed at improving security as well as the overall wellbeing of both commuters and operators of commercial motorcycles”.

    Yero said that the government was aware of the initial difficulties faced by the people of the state due to the ban on commercial motorcycles and is ready to cushion the effect through provision of additional means of transportation across affected parts of the State.

    He noted that since the first phase of the beneficiaries of the 700 tricycles distributed in 2013 under the Subsidy Reinvestment Programme kept to the term of the agreement, the government was giving out another set of 1000 tricycles to reduce difficulties of transportation in the urban and semi-urban centers as well as create jobs for people, especially those initially engaged in commercial motorcycle business.

    He said, “These tricycles are to be given to beneficiaries who have been identified by the implementation committee of Kaduna State SURE-P through due diligence at 50% subsidy. In clear terms, the cost of each tricycle is N531,825,00 inclusive of plate number registration, taxes and a 12 months comprehensive insurance cover. Beneficiaries are expected to pay back only 50% of the total cost within a period of 12 months. A beneficiary is however required to make a deposit of N67,000 which is 25% of the subsidised rate before taking the Tricycle this gesture is born out of our genuine commitment to creating means of productive ventures for our youth”. He directed that the tricycles be distributed in area affected by the ban. According to him, Kaduna metropolis comprising Kaduna North and South and some areas affected by the ban in Igabi and Chikun Local Government Areas are to be given 400 units of the tricycles, while Zaria and Sabon Gari will receive 300 units. Kafanchan will get 150 units, while 50 units each will go to the other affected areas of Lere, Birnin-Gwari and Giwa Local Government Areas for use in designated areas affected by the ban.

    He also directed that “in allocating the tricycles, special consideration was given to members of the Commercial Motorcyclists Union. Our decision is informed by the recognition of the immense cooperation of the Union towards the smooth implementation of the law banning the operation of commercial motorcycles in some parts of the state, we intend to continues with our cordial partnership and collaboration with the Union in the development of our dear State”.

    He warned that “government will not tolerate any form of abuse of its kind gesture with regard to use of these tricycles. For the avoidance of doubt, I have directed that these tricycles should be allocated to our citizens on the basis of needs. In other words, only those who will directly use them should be allocated. I have also directed that any beneficiary who is found to be operating his tricycle on third party basis should have it withdrawn and re-allocated to another beneficiary. Government is putting in place designated routes for each of the vehicles. Accordingly, machinery has been put in place to ensure full compliance. This is to ensure that all areas affected by the ban on commercial motorcycles benefit from this distribution. Let me also say that the selection of beneficiaries of our scheme is devoid of partisan or other primordial considerations. We have established channels of communication with relevant stakeholders ranging from traditional institutions, the clergy and eminent sons and daughters of the state, our objective is to ensure that only those who really need to be accommodated in this programme are given the opportunity”.

    The governor believes that citizens of the state can take the opportunity of the new transport law in the state to invest, saying “our economy will benefit immensely if you invest in the transport sector and assist government to fully migrate from the use of motorcycles to tricycles, taxis and buses. We are all aware of the health hazards, traffic risks and security threats associated with the use of motorcycles as a mode of commercial transportation. I will also call on them to take maximum advantage of this opportunity provided by Government. The repayment plan has been designed in such a way that is realistic, convenient and affordable. It is our hope and desire that the scheme will transform your lives from those of unemployed youths to not only being employed but in the nearest future as employers of labour. I must however warn that Government will not condone default in the repayment plans by beneficiary’s failure to abide by the conditions and terms of engagement will lead to confiscation of the tricycle. You must bear in mind that you were chosen from a list of thousands of others who applied, you must therefore work hard to justify your selection.

    Deputy Governor and Chairman of the SURE-P Implementation Committee in the state, Amb. Nuhu Audu Bajoga said that the distribution was in addition to the 700 tricycles distributed by the government in 2013 during the first phase of the SURE-P sectorial Intervention in the transport sector. He stressed that during the first phase, the government distributed of 700 tricycles, 40 Taxis, 35 Mini and 15 Luxurious Buses to various beneficiaries at 50% rebate.  This gesture has had positive impact in the wellbeing of beneficiaries and significantly enhanced Commuter Services in the State. He asked beneficiaries, to judiciously utilize these tricycles by sustaining the current atmosphere of orderliness as currently being witnessed in commuter services in the metropolis and environs.

    Some analysts in the state has however criticise the amount being paid for the tricycles which they consider as too expensive. Yakubu Musa, a resident of the metropolis told The Nation that giving out a tricycle at the cost of N531,000 is too expensive. He said: “even though they are supposed to pay half of that amount, I must tell you that N531,000 can give you a good car which you can use for commercial purpose. If you consider the fact that these tricycles are not strong, you will realise that the investment is not really worth it. In any case, I commend the government for having the political will to make the investment. But our fear right now is that these tricycles may turn out to be more troublesome than the commercial motorcyclists.”

  • Education is a priority, says ex-council chief

    Education is a priority, says ex-council chief

    The immediate past chairman of Kuje Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Hon. Danladi Zhin has said impact of the investment by the administration of Hon. Shaban Tete on education is a long-term one whose benefits would be realized later, even as he said that education is the best form of poverty alleviation in any society.

    Zhin, who is aspiring for the House of Representatives to represent Kuje, Abaji, Gwgwalada and Kwali Federal Constituency in the FCT, revealed this in Abuja at the dinner and award night organised by Nigerian Universities Education Student Association (NUESA), University of Abuja chapter in Gwagwalada Area Council Abuja. The event was tagged “Youth for Peace and Unity.”

    According to Zhin, as long as he remains a member of PDP, he will never compromise the education programme of President GoodLuck Jonathan for Nigerian youths, saying that he believed in the concrete development of the youth through quality education.

    “Some political opponents are calling the youth leaders of tomorrow, but still turn round to frustrate the education sector which is targeted at the youth. I vow to maintain the path of destiny of the youth, because it is in the hands of the leaders to make it work. So, I want to urge the youth to be law-abiding citizens in their future endeavours,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Mrs. Sarah Jibril said the only legacy parents could bequeath to their children is sound education, adding that the youth could be empowered through sound education and their good involvement in political activities, as well as embarking on various projects that could be of benefit to them.

    She told the outgoing students that men without women cannot achieve much in their various professional callings. She therefore appealed to men to give recognition to women to enable them to contribute to nation-building for the good of every Nigeria.

    The occasion featured awards presentation to some students and distinguished Nigerians, among who were Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Mrs. Sarah Jibril and the immediate past chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Danladi Zhin, among others.

  • Saraha Homes: We didn’t flout court order

    Saraha Homes: We didn’t flout court order

    The Federal Capital Territory’s Department of Development Control said it never flouted any court injunction in the demolition exercise its officials carried out on structures owned by Saraha Homes Landlords’ Association, Kafe District.

    Reacting to a story on Abuja Review on June 10, 2014, the Director in the Department, Mr. Yusuf Yahaya Anako, said the owners of the structures on the controversial Plot 140, Kafe District were victims of a web of deceit or false claim of ownership of the title by the developer.

    Yahaya, while noting that the developer ignored relevant contravention notices sent to him, said the Department is conscious of its responsibility and would not take court injunction with levity.

    He said:  ”The attention of the Department of Development Control has been drawn to a publication in The Nation Newspapers of Tuesday, June 10, 2014 captioned “Another estate demolished despite Court injunction.” This claim was made by some subscribers into the illegal developments on Plot 140, Kafe District under the aegis of Saraha Homes Landlords’ Association.

    “The Department feels obliged to respond to this as a responsible government agency that believes in the Rule of Laws and for the mere fact that it owes a duty to the Nigerian public. The subscribers bought into the deceit or false claim of a developer who has no title over the plot in question and without due diligence checks commenced development without approval from the Department of Development Control. Despite service of relevant contravention notices, the illegal developers intractably ignored, despised and abused all the notices and continued their illegalities with impunity.

    “When the threat of enforcing applicable sanctions (demolition) was given by the Department, the illegal developers proceeded to court for an injunction which they believed was meant only to tie the hands of the authority while they continued the illegal development. The injunction was granted to by the court on Plot No. 55, Kafe District restraining the Department from demolishing structures on the said Plot and not Plot 140.

    “It is important to note that Plot No 140 is clearly different and defined by physically visible landmark from Plot No. 55. The Department, in respect of the Court Order, did not carry out any demolition on Plot 55 despite being in contravention but only on Plot 140 which was not covered by the injunction as it is not within Plot No. 55.

    “Once again, this Department reiterates that it is a law-abiding government agency which handles its mandate with fairness and ensures that it complies with the tenets of the Rules of Law.

    “Nigerians need to know that the Department, in pursuance of its statutory functions, still recognises what human face is. This was what played out during the exercise at Plot No. 140 where only perimeter fences and gate houses were touched at the time, leaving out the main buildings occupied by fellow Nigerians.

    “The general public is hereby advised to always exercise due diligence in handling matters of development in any part of the Federal Capital Territory. There are many fraudsters masquerading as genuine and well-intended developers who want to provide houses for unsuspecting and innocent Abuja residents.

    “Before anybody subscribes to developers in Abuja, there is always the need for him or her to visit relevant departments for enquiries to know the authenticity of the Plot and the Building Plan they often parade which, most times, do not emanate from the Departments of Land Administration and Development Control respectively.

    “We all owe this country the duty to develop the city of our dream through truthfulness and adherence to regulations.”

  • Protest over planned demolition

    Protest over planned demolition

    The indigenous people of Jahi 1 Village in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have staged a peaceful protest over plans by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to demolish over 300 houses in the community, vowing to resist such action.

    The protesters, who were expressed their anger against Senator Bala Mohammed’s administration, carried placards with some inscriptions that read “FCT law and policy should benefit the people, not political patrons,’ ‘ “Who paid? Who received Officials or conspirators?”  and “Our farmlands taken, our livelihood decimated, our homes destroyed, our children violated and our lives threatened. Is that fresh air?”

    The chief of the community, Alhaji Adamu Dogo, explained that the protest aimed at preventing the FCDA from carrying out the proposed demolition of houses in the community, which he described as act of wickedness and inhuman on the part of the FCT Administration under Senator Mohammed.

    Chief Dogo said: “The community is currently mourning the death of a woman that died as a result of the demolition threat by the FCT authority, because her house was among the marked ones. The tension and trauma she experienced on receiving the sad news of the threat caused her death.”

    Lamenting that the FCT Administration does not regard them as fellow mankind was why they could enter any community to demolish their only source of existence.

    “We are not against development, but the officials of the FCDA have no human heart. We have to send our children to schools. That is why we admit tenants in our houses. They are building houses and giving out lands only to non-indigenes. No single indigenous person has been given any allocation in the FCT.  We want to live in peace and the FCT Minister should give us that peace.

    According to the monarch, they are yet to recover from the onslaught of the FCDA, when they came back about two weeks ago with well-armed military personnel and marked our houses for demolition, without giving us any explanation why they want to demolish our homes.

    “Things are not done that way. We are all human beings and citizens of Nigeria. It was wrong for them to come into my community to mark houses without first informing the chief of the community. Moreover, we are still in dialogue with the FCTA. But they refused to leave, insisting that they are going to mark the houses, which we allowed them to do.

    “Then on Friday, June 6, the same officials came back in the company of well-armed military men to demolish our houses. This was even as the administration failed to compensate or resettle the indigenes. I must confess that we have been pushed to the wall, that we had no choice but to resist the troop of soldiers sent by the FCT Administration to our village,” he said.

    He stressed that they will not allow the administration to toss them around without any proper arrangement for the well-being of the natives and residents, saying they will not be cowed into leaving their ancestral homes.

    Old women carrying loads on their backs were not left out of the protest.

    National Coordinator Greater Gbagyi Development Initiative (GG-DIN), Prince Gbaiza Gimba also explained that since the vast land now known as FCT was taken over by the Federal Government in 1976, the indigenous people of the FCT have literarily been under “perennial harassment by government officials and private land grabbers using military and police personnel to dispossess them of their farmlands and homesteads without any arrangement on how to compensation or resettlement them.

    Gimba said: “Zhayi community woke up one day to discover that they had been ambushed by a detachment of the military not to smoke out Boko Haram insurgents but to demolish the homes of law-abiding citizens. Just to enable some powerful individuals take possession of lands given them by the government.

    “But for the intervention of the Almighty God, many lives and property worth billions of Naira would have been lost had the military detachment thrown caution to the wind and shot at the unarmed civilians who rather vowed to be killed than watch their property go under the teeth of the bulldozer.  “This is because the only means of livelihood left to the original inhabitants, whose farmlands have been consumed by development is by renting their homes to other Nigerians who daily flood Abuja in search of greener pastures.”

    The group, Gimba said, called for the review of extant land administration laws and policies since the root of “corrupt practices in the administration of the FCT lay in the initial slipshod and deficient laws that relate to the creation and administration of the FCT and in the offshoot policies, regulations and laws that followed these initial sloppy ones. A review of these laws should be done in line with international conventions and laws.

    “Review or revoke all the improper allocations and bring racketeers to book and enact a law setting up a development trust fund to meet human development needs of the original inhabitants of FCT whose means of livelihood which is land have been taken away from.”

    The protesters also pleaded with people of good conscience in Nigeria to prevail on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to save them from final economic strangulation and annihilation by meeting their demands and make appropriate legislation to protect the indigenous communities of the FCT.

  • Kwara blames Fed Govt for fertiliser supply hitches

    The Kwara State government has blamed the federal government for the hitches being experienced in the supply of fertilisers, maize and rice in the country.

    The state added that the number of registered farmers quoted by the federal government in the 2014 Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) is at variance with the figures in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Anthony Towoju said this in Ilorin, the state capital, when some members of the Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEP), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) paid him a visit in his office.

    “The minister for Agriculture was quoting a figure of about 285,000 farmers that registered for 2014 GES whereas to the best of our knowledge, the ones that participated last year were only 139,000,” Towoju said. “We have written them in Abuja to tell us how they got 285,000 farmers and their names.”

    Speaking further, Towoju said, “The bulk of the blame of this scheme goes to the Federal Government. All the inadequacies I have seen as the commissioner for agriculture stem from Abuja. Reasons: GES is supposed to be a provision where our small holding farmers will be assisted to get inputs of two bags of fertiliser, either 10kg of maize of 12.5 kg or rice. As I am talking to you now the register of all farmers in Kwara State is not with us. It is in Abuja. Even the Abuja figure of farmers in the state is at variance with our own.

    The states are not well carried along in GES whereas states are major stakeholders; because “We pay 25 per cent and federal government pays 25 per cent of the cost. But they are holding it as if it is their baby. In GES today, all the fertilizer supplying companies were appointed in Abuja, state governments have no input of who gets the contract of fertiliser supply. All the agro feeders participating in GES are appointed in Abuja; all the help-line staff in Kwara were also appointed in Abuja.

    “They told us that they advertised through the internet. How many Nigerians especially at the local level have access to the internet? That breeds corruption and that is what they love doing in Abuja. The states are in better position to identify their farmers as they are domiciled in the states and present it to Abuja. But Abuja will come and identify the farmers in the state even without our knowledge.

    “You know why we are concerned about GES is that we have paid and we are the owners of our farmers. We want our farmers to benefit.

    We have protested to the federal ministry of agriculture that we are not properly carried along. They operate through email. There must be openness. Abuja must see GES as a joint baby of the federal and state governments.  All the supply chain-managers only come here, do what pleases them and go away. That is why I told them that we are not in military regime, we are in democracy.

    “For you to participate in GES as a state, you had to agree with the federal government, but if we see that the way they are running GES is not to the interest of our people, we can withdraw from the scheme. Some states abinitio, told the federal government that they are not interested.”

    He hailed members of the CCEP for the advocacy visit saying that “if you had not come to this ministry you will not get the right information. When you have the right information definitely, the public will have the right information at its disposal. In the ministry of agriculture there is no segregation between men and women farmers.”

  • Abaji council chief gets award

    The Chairman of Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Hon. Yahaya Garba, has received the most ethical responsible local government in the FCT award.

    The Director of Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation, Prince Salih Ibrahim, said the centre, which is a non-governmental organisation, conducted an independent investigation on elected representatives, especially area councils chairmen. Hon. Yahaya Garba emerged first position, having viewed critically the impact he made in the council in the last one year.

    Ibrahim: “Our organisation, which is non- partisan, is out to expose corrupt public officers and leaders in the FCT, who, instead of offering services to the people, embezzle public funds and allow their constituents to suffer.”

    Hon. Yahaya Garba, while accepting the award, said it was a challenge for him to provide more services to the people of Abaji. This, he said, is because reward comes with more call for service. He reaffirmed his commitment to work for the benefit of the people.

    Garba further said he dedicated the award to the electorate who gave him the opportunity to serve them as chairman, saying that his administration will not rest until the people of the council have improved standard of living.

  • ‘A new Niger has appeared’

    ‘A new Niger has appeared’

    Newly appointed Niger State Commissioner of Information, Communications and Strategy, Malam Danladi Ndayebo speaks in this interview with journalists on the policies and programmes of government as well as its economic vision. JIDE ORINTUNSIN was there. Excerpts:

    What would you say are governor Mu’azu Aliyu’s achievements in the  seven years of his administration?

    When we were campaigning in 2007, we had a clear picture of the kind of reforms we wanted to pursue and the expected outcomes. Let me take you back to Governor Aliyu’s inaugural speech. That address captured the situation of things at the time he took over and gave insight into what we wanted to do as a government to reverse the prevalence of poverty and underdevelopment that was ravaging the state.

    Seven years down the line, we have left development imprints that are difficult to ignore. In the last seven years, Governor Aliyu has stamped his seal of excellence in all the critical sectors of the state’s economy. We have done wonderfully well in agriculture, education, infrastructure, health, security, you name it.

    How would you assess the performance of your administration’s much talked-about vision to make Niger State one of the top three most developed state economies in Nigeria?

    Well, so far so good. In the last seven years we have been able to make Niger State better than we met it. At the beginning of the administration, we looked at our opportunities and potentials as a state and consequently conceived a strategic development action plan, which envisions that Niger State should be among the top three most developed states economies by the year 2020.

    It is important to say that the Vision 3-2020 document has remained our guiding principle and a standard by which performance of the various ministries, departments and agencies is bench-marked. And i am happy to say that we have recorded successes in all our priority sectors of education, agriculture, health and infrastructural development. We have also done well in the areas of tourism and culture, urban and rural transformation, water supply, environmental sanitation and housing, among others.

    Regarding creation of jobs for the teeming unemployed graduates, what would you say is the achievement of administration?

    This is one area that we took seriously right from the outset. Between 2007 when we came on board and now, we have recruited over 5,000 graduates under the Graduate Employment Scheme (GES). The state has also engaged and trained 500 youth as sanitation officers and another 500 as Green Guards to police our forests. A total of 500 youth traffic vanguards have also been engaged to assist in the management of vehicular movement in the State as well as 300 young people who have been trained in the area of poultry and fish farming.

    It is significant to state that our administration has been adjudged the best in the history of the state in terms of prompt payment of salaries and allowances of workers, their capacity building and implementation of minimum wage apart from the special wage structure for professionals in the health sector.

    The Government has also introduced a civil servants car loan scheme through which workers are assisted to own their own cars at 10% subsidised rates.

    At the inception of this administration, the governor declared free and compulsory education in the state. How far about the implementation of the policy?

    When in 2007, we declared free and compulsory education, not many people believed it was possible, perhaps because the initiative is unprecedented in the history of the state. I am happy to tell you that there are landmark achievements in this sector, like the progress we have made in the in the area of girl-child education.

    We also pioneered the effort at integrating western and Islamic education, ahead of Federal Government’s almajiri school programme. And I am sure you have not forgotten that we have been consistent in the payment of NECO/WAEC fees for final year students in all public secondary schools in the State since 2008.

    We are also ensured up-to-date payment of counterpart fund of over N6Billion to the Universal Basic Commission (UBEC) for the transformation of basic primary education through the activities of the State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), leading to increase in primary school enrolment from about 630,000 in 2008 to about 1.5 million today. Payment of scholarship to over 23,000 students in Nigerian universities and other institutions of higher learning have also been regular and I can go on and on…

    Niger State has close to 10% of the nation’s total land mass. One naturally thinks that agriculture should be your area of comparative advantage?

    Many of you have lived here for many years and you should be the one telling others what the current administration has been doing to change the face of agriculture in the state. Our landmark achievements in this area include the Established Niger Rice Investment Consortium (NSRIC) Project to boost rice production and position Niger State as the major producer of high quality rice in the country. To get the project off the ground we established and equipped five Agricultural Equipment Hiring Centres of the NSRIC Project in the rice producing communities of Doko, Jima, Mambe, Ndaloke and Gaba.

    We have procured 400 units of tractors and distributed to the Tractor Hiring Units Implementation programme in the 25 LGAs to boost agricultural production and revitalized agricultural extension infrastructure by renovating nine (9) centres across the state and distributed 100 motorcycles to facilitate the movement of the extension workers.

    Irrigation programme has also enjoyed a boost with the reactivation of 16 schemes across the state to boost all year farming. We have also registered over 270,000 farmers under the Growth Enhancement Support (GES).

    It is because of our modest efforts that the State was selected as one of four additional phase II States for the implementation of the Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP II) in collaboration with the World Bank and French Development Agency.

    The buffer stock programme in which thousand tones of grains are sold to the public at subsidized rates regularly has been sustained by our administration.

    Your government has received commendation for its achievements in the health sector. How are you consolidating on these gains?

    Let me thank you for recognising our modest achievements in this all-important sector and to say with all sense of humility that we have been able to fulfil virtually all our campaign promises and even attained greater heights in some areas. Like you rightly said, we have made tremendous progress in the area of health care delivery. We have been proving free medical services for children under five, pregnant women (up to 40 days post delivery) and the aged over 70 years of age.

    We have constructed and equipped three ultra modern, hi-tech General Hospitals in the three senatorial zones of the State (located at Gulu, Sabon Wuse and Nasko). Government has also embarked on the construction of 134-bed neo natal and maternity wings as part of the expansion of Minna General Hospital (with funding support from SURE-P special projects directorate).

    Do not also forget that between 2007 and now we have constructed over 200 Primary Healthcare Centres across the State in partnership with the MDGs office aside the renovation of all existing General Hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centres in the State.

    The Babangida Aliyu’s administration also upgraded the IBB Specialized Hospital, Minna into a Specialist Hospital with expanded scope to diversify its operational base in meeting the ever increasing medical needs of the people. This is unprecedented in the history of the state. Within the same hospital we established a Dialysis Centre for the treatment of patients with kidney disorders and procurement of modern Computer Tomographic scan machine (CT Scan).

    Some rural health centres were also upgraded to the status of general hospitals. They are General Hospital Kutigi and General Hospital Agaie and Lemu General Hospital.

    But the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has consistently argued that your government has little or nothing to show in terms of infrastructural development. They contend that most of your legacy projects are substandard. What is your take on this?

    Such a verdict only goes to show that the opposition party clearly does not know what to make of the phenomenon called Babangida Aliyu. Governor Aliyu’s seven-year administration is the closest to a revolution in Niger State. And our work speaks for us.

    We have achieved in concrete terms in seven years what other leaders can only dream of in a decade. In Minna alone we have reconstructed and dualised almost all the township roads. We dualised the Yakubu Lame/ Government House Road, the Mu’azu Mohammed Road, the Musa Zago Road, the Mobil Roundabout – Keteren Gwari – Old Secretariat Road project, the new Eastern Bye pass- Bahago Roundabout – Eid-Burial Ground Road project, the Jonathan’s place Road project, the Maitumbi – Maikunkele Road project, the Peter Sarki Road, the Niteco Road, (now Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi Road), the old Bay Clinic Road, among others.

    The administration also constructed the Lapai-Gwari- FUT Road, the Kwakwuti- Kafin Koro-Gwada Road and work on the construction of a bridge across the Shiroro River has reached 70% completion. So what is APC talking about?

    Outside the state capital, the administration also undertook the reconstruction of road projects such as the dualization of the Lagos street in Kontagora, the Luma -Babbana road in Borgu Local Government Area, the Lapai – Gulu – Muye road, some township roads in Bida and similar ongoing ten kilometre road projects spread across the 25 council areas of the state as part of the administration’s road projects for community integration and socio economic development.

    Not to be missed is the Ward Development Project introduced by the current administration. It is a novel initiative which has since become iconic and a model to other states. Under the project, funds are allocated to the 274 wards in the state on a monthly basis and a committee of selected persons superintend over a forum where the entire community agree on a project of their choice. This has given a huge sense of belonging to the grassroots.

  • Jonathan’s grouse with Gulak

    It is no longer secret that the former Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, who stoutly defended President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration’s actions and policies, was unceremoniously relieved of his appointment on April 29.

    He has been replaced by the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Rufai Alkali.

    Before the new appointment, Alkali who is a political scientist from Gombe State was, last year appointed Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna.

    But what was not very clear till Wednesday last week was the reason or reasons for terminating the appointment of the ever-vocal Gulak.

    During his tenure as Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, Gulak stepped on many toes in defence of the Goodluck administration.

    No reason was given for the termination of Gulak’s appointment in the statement issued in April by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati in which he announced the decision of the government.

    The statement read: “President Goodluck Jonathan has terminated the appointment of his Special Adviser (Political), Alhaji Ahmed Gulak with immediate effect.

    “President Jonathan thanks Alhaji Gulak for his services to the present Administration and wishes him success in his future endeavours.

    “A replacement for Alhaji Gulak will be announced in due course.”

    Since the termination of Gulak’s appointment, no reference or reasons have been officially given for the action.

    President Jonathan, while administering oath of office on Alkali before Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday last week, gave an idea of what might have led to Gulak’s sack.

    As a ‘simple’ man, Jonathan must have detested Gulak’s outspokenness and seemingly immaturity in handling issues while he held sway as the Special Adviser on Political Matters.

    Jonathan didn’t hide his feelings on Wednesday when he made it very clear that he needed a mature person on the position who will think twice before making any utterance.

    Jonathan said to Alkali: “You are very mature person and I believe that in your conduct, your utterances, your actions and inactions, you will portray a good character; a character that politicians and young people will use as role models.

    “I congratulate you on your appointment. I know you will not betray the confidence reposed in you by disappointing not just me, but all Nigerians.

    “As the Political Adviser, you are like the Group Managing Director to Mr. President on political issues.”

    Recalling Alkali’s role in the past, Jonathan said: “You are not new; you took us round the whole country during our 2011 campaigns. So, you are already a well-known person. You have worked as a member of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    “Your appointment is vital because you are the Chief spokesperson of the President on political issues. When one listens to some of the comments that we politicians make, they sometimes could be terrible and do not portray the character of good politics.

    “We are supposed to be nation-builders. Even though it is extremely difficult to agree that a politician could be a statesman because of our partisanship, at least in our utterances, we should give Nigerians hope that this country will be together and that we must unite and collectively develop our country.”

    What was very clear from Jonathan’s remarks was tutoring Alkali on how to go about the assignment.

    This must be good for Alkali as Gulak, who was busy attacking every perceived enemy of the government, didn’t know that he was also soiling his relationship with his master through his conduct and utterances.

    The cool-headed Alkali will, no doubt, find it easy to fit into the new assignment as directed by the President.

  • ‘Rivalry hinders healthcare delivery’

    The Nigerian healthcare delivery system is being hampered by rivalry among healthcare providers in the country, former House of Representatives chair on health, Dr Wale Okediran has said. He also said other healthcare providers have accused the federal government of unduly favouring medical doctors.

    Dr Okediran was speaking in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the 30th induction ceremony for the University of Ilorin (Unilorin) medical school graduates.

    The Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Dr Abdulmumuni Ibrahim presented by Dr Victor Gbenro conducted the induction ceremony for the 103 graduates.

    The former president of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), who was the guest lecturer, spoke on the topic: ‘Serving three masters; the interplay between medicine, literature and politics.’

    The medical doctor turned politician added: “The health profession is teamwork; no profession is superior to other members of the health team. The superiority rivalry between health workers has negatively affected healthcare delivery in this country.

    “In fact, the present health bill before the National Assembly has been passed on two separate occasions, but on each occasion whenever the president wants to assent to the bill protests will come from health workers saying that the doctors have been too favoured in the bill.  The current bill with the president should have been assented to since but because of pressure from members of the health team.”

    The Provost of UNILORIN College of Health Sciences, Prof Ayodele Omotoso described the current security challenges in the country as discouraging medical doctors in the diaspora.

    “The recent security challenges, namely kidnappings and terrorism, discourage doctors in the diaspora from contributing their quota to national development,” he said.

    “The 21st century doctor has to tackle with health problems that are both individual and universal. A quick glance at the Nigerian healthcare system immediately reveals some of its strengths and weaknesses. The challenges with the health sector may well be a vista to population-sized systemic effect.

    “While the medical training indeed is adequate and comparable with global standards, nothing quite insulates the doctors in Nigeria from the Herculean task brought about by extraneous factors. It is a social situation to which we must all rise, putting all sufficiently trained hands on deck.

    “Social factors may directly or indirectly impact negatively on the health of individuals and the populace. For example, poverty and ignorance affect access to and maximization of available healthcare services. Also, bad roads prevent quick access to the hospital and lack of power may cause otherwise avoidable delays with surgical procedures.”

  • Kwara savours infrastructural upgrade

    Kwara savours infrastructural upgrade

    May 29 was more than an anniversary in Kwara State. To the people, there were far more crucial issues than merely witnessing another Democracy Day. It was a time to relish upgraded infrastructure: roads, hospitals, schools, electrification, and the peace among the state’s three million people. To their governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, it was an opportunity to tackle fresh challenges and deliver on other promises made.

    That Thursday, Ilorin, the state capital, was abuzz. But nowhere was the excitement as pronounced as on the open field of the Government House, where a crowd was waiting for the state’s number one citizen. In the crowd were the various ethnic groups that make up the state. Traditional rulers sat calmly, clad in their royal gear. Traditional dancers were unmistakable in their colourful costumes. Student groups made their presence felt, not just with their boisterous solidarity chants but also their giant banners.

    When the T-shirt-clad governor rose to his commanding height to address his people amid loud cheers, he wasted no time in telling them that he was conscious of his mandate and the obligation of leadership.

    “Three years ago when I became your governor,” he began, “I made a solemn pledge to prioritise youth empowerment in all government programmes. That commitment was driven not by political expediency or the euphoria of victory. Rather, it was propelled by the urgent need to empower this largest component of our population.

    “Today, as we formally employ the single largest number of youths, I make bold to state that we have significantly fulfilled our pledge in this regard. With the flag-off of QuickWin and the engagement of 5200 youths, this administration has employed 10,200 youths since inception and will engage an additional 3000 by the end of the year.”

    The QuickWin scheme, the state government’s response to youth unemployment, means a lot to the governor. As the jobs plan took off with the employment of 5200 youths, a number added to the initial 5200 youths earlier taken off the labour market, Ahmed said his administration was working on employing and empowering another 3000 by the year’s end.

    Providing jobs and skills is a clearly thought-out plan in Kwara. For instance, the Ahmed administration voted N640m for revolving soft credit facilities to 41,000 small and medium-scale enterprises or SMEs and skill acquisition centres “for the benefit of our youths,” as the governor put it. There are also mechanisms in place to check misuse of the credit lines and ensure that beneficiaries pay back promptly and brighten other clients’ chances of obtaining the soft loan.

    The governor spoke about his administration’s efforts in health, mentioning the expanded Community Health Insurance Scheme, the supply of drugs and equipment to hospitals and the remodelling and expansion of Ilorin, Offa, Share, Kaiama and Omu-Aran hospitals, fitting them with state-of-the-art facilities.

    In Ilorin, the story is told of one of those health facilities once taken over by the state University Teaching Hospital. But on relocating to its permanent site, the tertiary hospital left a glorified carcass behind, a health facility that was no longer worth the name. The Ahmed administration stepped in and breathed new life into it. Practically, dry bones took on new flesh and not only did the hospital come alive, it also became a model health facility.

    The Kwara Advanced Diagnostic Centre (KADC) or Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre (HADC), to give it its preferred new name, is one example of the state government’s solid health plan. The facility located at Asa Dam Road in Ilorin, is a public private partnership outfit. In keeping with the spirit of excellence, its management believes in attracting the best hands to run the Centre, the reason many staff are not indigenous to Kwara. Still, judging from its modern equipment, it is fair to say the Ahmed administration, a major partner, clearly knows what the state and its people deserve.

    At the Centre are various scan machines of varying sizes and capacities, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) facilities, manned by some of the best personnel in the sector.

    Bolanle Mariam Oladapo, HADC marketing manager, said a celebrity turned up one day at the Centre. The august visitor, said the trained nurse, would reveal that he searched in vain in the United Kingdom for a cure to his health condition, only to discover that the answer was in Ilorin.

    Governor Ahmed himself said his ultimate plan is to ensure that nobody in Kwara would have to go beyond 500 metres before finding a credible health facility.

    A few things have pleased the governor, one of them electricity, another road network.

    “More communities,” he said, “are now powered with electricity through our rural and urban electrification programme under which we have procured and installed transformers across the state. We have [also] demonstrated the benefits of continuity by completing all but a few inherited roads while a similar proportion of those started by this administration within and outside the state capital have been completed, such as the Oro-Ijomu Oro Road which I commissioned yesterday.”

    In education, Ahmed said, “more of our children now receive functional education as we have up-scaled reforms, enhanced primary and secondary school infrastructure and structured skill acquisition training in the state.

    The governor is also conscious of the challenges. Despite his administration’s efforts in providing jobs for Kwara youths, Ahmed was in no mood to exult that Thursday. He pointed out that “many more youths remain cut off from jobs not because they are unwilling or incapable of work but because the opportunities are limited.”

    Is there any solution? Yes. Ahmed said after a careful study, his administration found out that it was best to reintroduce skill acquisition in an academic environment. The result is the International Vocational Centre in Ajasse, where students will learn skills and receive a City and Guilds certification. The school offers courses in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, welding, air conditioning and electrical fittings, among others.

    Graduates in those fields will easily key into the global market, Ahmed said.

    That will further help to scale back the unemployment profile.

    Ilorin was clean-swept, the effort of a corps of youths engaged to keep the city clean and green. Residents have other things to be happy about too. One is the peace they enjoy and the fact that the current terrorism challenge has somehow spared the state.

    There is love and respect for one another in the state, despite its ethnic diversity and the employment and entrepreneurship drive may also be helping. But Ahmed is in no doubt that it is only God who has kept the violent elements from Kwara.

    On another anniversary, the people will like to thank God again for His guiding hand.