The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • Abuja hosts Africa dialogue on UN Habitat III Feb 21

    The need to address the housing challenge faced by the continent will be the focal point in Abuja next week, as leaders in the continent converge to chart a way forward to address this menace.

    Besides, it will also afford the continent the opportunity  to take a concerted position ahead of the United Nations (UN) Habitat III conference scheduled  for Quito, Ecuador in October.

    The meeting, which will be hosted by the  Power, Works and Housing  Mr. Babatunde Fashola, from Monday, February 21 to Friday, February 26 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja.

    President Muhammadu Buhari will lead deliberations that will chart a sustainable path for Africa’s urban future, as Ministers for Housing and Urban Development on the continent gather in the Federal Capital Territory, for the Africa Regional Preparatory Conference, ahead of the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III).

  • Protests over sacked VCs in Abuja

    Coalition of civil society groups yesterday shut down the entrance of the National Assembly and Ministry of Education in Abuja in protest against the sack of 13 vice chancellors by the Federal Government.

    The protesters barricaded the entrance to the Federal Ministry of Education.

    The civil rights organisation described the sack as illegal.

    The protest left commuters and workers stranded for hours in the traffic.

    Addressing reporters, the coalition Chairman, Bassey Etuk, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to relieve the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, of his appointment “because he knows nothing”.

    He said their sack and replacement by people mostly from the North violated the Federal Character principle.

    One of the placards  read: “Six professors were taken from Bayero University, Kano… Haba! Why?”

    The protesters also petitioned Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara.

    The group gave the minister 48 hours to reverse the sack and resign his appointment.

  • On Abuja CCTV project

    The House of Representatives’ decision to unravel the circumstances surrounding the $470 million National Public Security Communications System (NPSCS) is timely.  It is coming at the right time, in view of the current administration’s crusade to recover monies meant for prosecution of the war against Boko Haram that were allegedly diverted by some government officials.

    By commissioning the probe, one thing is very certain: the House seems set to address the over three-year-old controversy over the project for which many had accused the contractor erroneously.

    The former Director-General of the NigComSat, Timasaniyu Ahmed- Rufai, told an apparently shocked “Ad-Hoc Committee to Investigate the Award of CCTV Cameras in Abuja and Lagos” that the project was fully completed by the contractor, ZTE and proper verifications and certification were conducted on every subsystem of the project in 2012.

    In fact, Rufai likened what happened to the project to someone who bought a brand new car and refused to fuel it. According to him, “a team of 25 engineers went to every location to verify different stages of the project. We issued Acceptance Certificates after which payments were made to the contractor. There were milestones that were all carefully and professionally observed by the project implementation team.”

    He further revealed that the entire NPSCS project had to “Power Down” in 2012 for federal government’s, failure to provide “operational funds” for running the system.

    The former DG’s revelation, would, however, seem to assuage the feelings of many Nigerians who had hitherto felt that the Chinese firm may have played a fast one on the government by installing sub-standard or non-functional equipment.

    The Public Security Communications System (PSCS) project was initiated during the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and was funded through a finance agreement between the Nigerian government and the China Export Bank.

    The project has five main components: The Global Open Trunking Architecture (GoTA) subsystem, the Video Surveillance Subsystem (VSS) which has a component of 1000 cameras; and the Coalition Emergency Response System (CERS) which supports Police Call Centre for emergency calls. There is also the E-policing Subsystem which facilitates the deployment of E-policing databases, and the Video Conferencing subsystem which enables video conferencing by all commands of the Nigeria Police with the Force Headquarters and among themselves.

    The entire project covered installation of 2,000 digital solar-powered cameras, 1,000 each in Abuja and Lagos; 37 switch rooms, microwave backbone, 37 coalition emergency response systems, 38 video conferencing sub systems, 37 e-police systems, six emergency communication vehicles; and 1.5 million phone lines for subscribers to generate revenue.

    Footage of the cameras were said to have been used in resolving a $1 million theft in Abuja and a planned attack on the Louis Edet House, which the Police headquarters foiled.

    For those that have closely followed the arguments since the controversy of the surveillance systems broke, one thing they feel must happen, and quickly too, is for the House to get cracking to unravel key actors whose actions or inactions stalled a project that would have saved the nation needless deaths.

    While the dummy sold to the Nigerian public was that ZTE failed to deliver, it will be recalled that former Police Affairs Minister, Caleb Olubolade, had at a mid-term briefing of the ministry, said that the project was already completed.

    Former Vice President Namadi Sambo had also, while inspecting some of the facilities at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja expressed satisfaction and happiness with the operation of the security platform. He was quoted to have said: “I can see the whole of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos; Abuja Airport, Abuja; and so many things,” and went on to congratulate the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of Police Affairs at the time.

    The question that then begs for answer is: Could it be that the said top government functionaries who had roles to play in the project implementation were telling Nigerians half-truths? Was there a management and operational contract signed at the delivery of the project? Was there any budgetary provision for sustainability of the project? There were insinuations that top officials in the immediate past government only wanted to frustrate the project since it was awarded by the Yar’Adua administration to create alibi for a new contract which another firm was just waiting to pick. This probe must dig deep.

    For the House, doing a thorough job would entail going beyond merely listening to the invited persons and organisations, to actually conduct physical verification of installation sites.

    While the former DG of NigComSat may have poked the government with the allegations of stifling the project of funds, the agencies that supervised the project too might also not be totally blameless.  The House may also have to find out if it is true that the allocated spectrum for the PSCS has allegedly been reallocated to commercial operators, thereby preventing it from functioning very well.

    In view of the strategic nature of the project to national security, Nigerians look up to the House to not only get to the root of the matter, also address some shortcomings in its implementation. The idea of commercialisation completely negates the objective of this project because it undermines the idea of a secured, controlled communication platform for security agencies which the NPSCS project was designed to fill.

    One suggestion that may make some sense is allowing the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to completely take over operations and maintenance of the project.

     

    • Musa Abdullahi writes from Kano.

  • ‘Abuja CCTV project was fully completed’

    The former Managing Director of Nigcomsat, Engineer  Timasaniyu Ahmed- Rufai   has told  the  House of Representatives  Ad-Hoc Committee Investigating  the Award of CCTV Cameras in Abuja and Lagos  that the project was fully completed by the then contractor,  ZTE Nigeria Limited but that the Federal Government failed to operate and maintain the project.

    The Video Surveillance project is a component of the   $470 million National Public Security Communication System (NPSCS) project which has been subject of public criticism in recent times.

    Chinese telecoms giant, ZTE  denied any wrong-doing in the execution of the NPSCS project, saying it completed and delivered one of world’s best Video Surveillance System (VSS) to the Federal Government

    Ahmed-Rufai said that the company’s  team of 25 engineers  ”went to every location to verify different stages of the project” and  issued Acceptance Certificates after which payments were made to the contractor.

    “There were milestones that were all carefully and professionally observed by the project implementation team,” he said,adding:”as the Project Consultant, I stand by every payment that was made and every decision taken on the project. The project was completed, tested and every component was working.

    “It is erroneous for anyone to call the project a CCTV project because the Video Surveillance System (VSS) is even less than 8 per cent on the project. There were five components and they were all completed.”

    When asked why the cameras in Abuja and Lagos  were not  working currently, Ahmed-Rufai likened what  happened to someone who bought a brand new car and refused to fuel it.

    “They had to power down the backbone for the communication system because government was not forthcoming in maintaining and operating the system. It is a complete communication system, there were phones for security agencies, they were special phones for security agencies which some people decided to lock up somewhere.  “There were emergency communication vehicles, they were all delivered, People were trained, from the police and other agencies but somehow some people decided not to operate the system. Those cameras depend on a backbone that has over 670 base stations. Those BTS has to be powered for the cameras to work,” he said.

    ZTE Nigeria Managing Director, Mr. Hao Fuqiang  who also  spoke at the sitting of the committee said contrary to public perception,  the project was not to merely installed  cameras  but one  conceived  to deploy  comprehensive, reliable, modern and robust  public security communications technology.

  • McCleod leads 30 others to camp in Abuja

    McCleod leads 30 others to camp in Abuja

    • Final team to be unveiled Jan. 8

    For the first time since the untimely demised of her mother, teenage sensation, Angel McCleod will be returning to the court as she leads 30 others to camp in readiness for the 2016 International Tennis Federation (ITF) Africa Junior Championship Zonal Qualifiers holding in Abuja.

    The tournament, which serves off on January 9 to 17 is a West and Central African Zonal Championship with over 15 countries expected to compete for places at the 2016 African Junior Championship holding in March in Pretoria, South Africa.

    15 year-old McCleod whose mother, Beauty was murdered in October will join the rest of the players for the camping holding at the Abuja National Stadium from today for the qualifiers serving off on January 9.

    According to national junior coach, Mohammed Ubale, McCleod is expected to travel to Enugu for the burial of her late mother on Wednesday January 6 from the camp in Abuja.

    “I want to say that McCleod is indeed looking forward to the tournament being the wish of her mother to play the game to the high level. I think she is in good spirit for the championship as she has been training in readiness for the competition. She knows that her mother wants her to play the game to top level and she is willing to fulfil her dream by taking part in her first major tournament since the demise of her mother in October. She is a strong player and I believe she will go far in the sport,” Ubale said.

    However, Ubale disclosed that the invited players would be tutor on the techniques and tactics of the game while their physical fitness will also be considered during the final selection on January 8.

    Aside McCleod, other top players expected in camp are South Africa-based Adetunji Adetayo who will be competing with McCleod in the girls’ U-16 event.

    Others expected in the Abuja camp are Christopher Itodo, Christopher Bulus, Michael Osewa, Gabriel Friday, Baraka Quadre, Marylove Edward, Daniel Adeleye, Joe Fortune, Timipre Maxwell, Oziozia Yakubu, Peter Lawal, Ahmed Lawal, Maryam Balogun, Favour Moses, Musa Sani, Matthew Abamu, Chidima Eze, Toyin Asogba, Gabriel Richard, Filippo Trombi, Iye Onoja. Rebecca Peter, Joshua Daniel, David Amusu, Saminu Abubakar, Auwal Garba, Joy Sunday, Toyosi Adeusi and Usman Garba.

    24 players will make the final list for the qualifiers, while other members of the coaching crew are Rotimi Akinloye and Abel Ubiebi.

  • Minister orders probe of security breach at Abuja airport

    Minister orders probe of security breach at Abuja airport

    Minister of State for Aviation Hadi Sirika has ordered the suspension of three top officials of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, over an incident involving Turkish Airlines at the airport.

    Mr. Sirika told reporters in Abuja yesterday that after listening to explanations by the airport officials on the incident which happened at about 11pm on December 24.

    He said the ministry ordered thorough investigation to ascertain the cause of the breach and why the airline brought in passengers without their luggage.

    The suspended officials, according to him, are the Airport Manager, Terminal Manager and Head of Airport Security, who were ordered to hand over to their next in rank pending the conclusion of the investigation, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He stated that the action of the passengers, forcing their way into the tarmac and blocking the aircraft from taking off was a security breach which must not be condoned.

    Sirika said: “There has been an unfortunate incident where some agitated passengers of the Turkish Airlines arrived without their luggage making them to force their way into the tarmac which is a breach of security.

    “The explanation given is not satisfactory because the primary purpose of the government is to ensure safety of lives and property of its citizens.

    “The cardinal objective of this administration is to secure the country and manage it and we cannot fail in aviation and we cannot fail in this important assignment at a very important point.

    “We have ordered for the investigation into the matter immediately and all the people that are manning the various places; Airport Manager, Terminal Manager and Head of Security, should handover to the next man in rank pending the outcome of the investigation.

    “As to the airline also, the Consumer Protection Unit of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has been ordered to find out what happened, how compliant they are and deal with it accordingly.”

    He added that the ministry was yet to get the flight manifest to be able to ascertain the number of passengers involved.

    According to him, the passengers got agitated and got access into the prohibited area because there was security lapse.

    The minister stated that the nation’s aviation sector had the capacity to grow, adding that it was already showing signal that it could tremendously contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    According to him, aviation is carrying by value, 31 per cent of the world cargo which makes it a very important industry as the fastest means of transportation.

    “With specific to Nigeria, you could see how we grew from Kano Airport where the first plane landed in the country to about 22 Federal Government owned airports plus several other private owned airports.

    On the whole, aviation I can say has grown to an appreciable level in the country and it has the capacity to grow more which is important to the economy of the country,” he said.

    Mr. Sirika added that the country also had good manpower such as pilots and engineers to move the industry forward.

    He disclosed that the government was determined to deliver a more vibrant and efficient aviation sector in 2016 by making safety, security and efficiency its watch word with regards to transportation.

    “It is not about the beauty of the airports or planting flowers or other vanities, it is about safety, security and efficiency as far as aviation is concerned,’’ he said.

  • Kunle Afolayan is Peugeot’s new brand ambassador

    Kunle Afolayan is Peugeot’s new brand ambassador

    It was another moment of glory for ace filmmaker and actor, Kunle Afolayan, who yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), as the brand’s new ambassador.
    The ceremony commemorates the company’s exclusive unveiling of the new Peugeot 508 model at the NAF Conference Center and Suites, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kado, Abuja.
    Spotting a six piece Agbada, Afolayan looked every inch a Hausa man, as he signed the agreement with the company’s MD/CEO, Mr. Ibrahim Dutsinma Boyi, at the event attended by select friends and clients of the company.
    Afolayan attended the event with his partner, Seun Soyinka uploaded photos from the event on his Facebook page, saying; “The unveiling of the new Peugeot 508, and I was also officially unveiled as Brand Ambassador for Peugeot. I was presented with a brand new car. What a way to end the year… Lord, I thank you.”
    According to Boyi, the partnership became important to showcase outstanding and complete alignment of the two brands; Afolayan and the new Peugeot, which are of international standard.
    “I am happy to announce that in Mr. Afolayan’s next movie, The CEO, Peugeot 508 will be prominently featured as one of the vehicles. Already Afolayan is an Ambassador of Air France so the choice is not accidental, but a well thought of decision,” said Boyi who added that, “Afolayan became an internationally accepted brand, thus the organization was excited to sign the partnership to promote both brands.
    “The car is fully assembled in Kaduna, Nigeria. After completion of the 508 brand, the quality standard recorded complied 100 per cent with the quality standard of Peugeot factory, France. It is based on global quality standard of the Peugeot brand,” Boyi added.
    In his remarks, the foremost movie producer lauded the gesture, saying it meant a lot to the entertainment industry.
    He said it would open vista of opportunities and more partnerships with the corporate world.
    “It means production value will always be at the top, for a French company to want to associate with a local brand in Nigeria, they must be sure the brand and quality of your brand can compete with international standards,” he said, referring to his partnership with Air France.    
    Afolayan disclosed that he had earlier reached out to Peugeot before they started shooting his new movie to solely to promote local contents in the nation.
    “At that point, we couldn’t get someone to give us headway but eventually, they reached out to us. We had a meeting and we are here today. I can tell you that it worth being here and it worth the partnership,” he said, describing the brand as a well balanced, modern car with good air conditioning system.
    Afolayan’s deal with PAN is coming five months after the filmmaker inked an endorsement deal with Air France. The partnership is also hinged on his next movie, The CEO, currently in production.
    The CEO, according to pundits, will further stamp the filmmaker as a promoter of cross cultural stories and pedant for technical details.
  • Court sacks PDP acting chair, Secondus

    Court sacks PDP acting chair, Secondus

    • Orders Secondus to vacate office in 14 days

    Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf of the High Court of the Federal Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja has sacked the Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus.

    The judge, in a judgment in a suit by former Political Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, held that Secondus was occupying the party’s Chairmanship seat illegally.

    Justice Baba-Yusuf noted that Secondus was from Rivers State, and not North-east geopolitical zone to which the PDP zoned the position.

    He gave Secondus 14 days within which to vacate the office and directed that the plaintiff or any other party member worthy of that position should take Secondus’ place.

    Lawyer to the PDP and Secondus, Chuwan Isaiah Paul, said the party will appeal the judgment and seek a stay of its execution to allow the party’s  current leadership prepare for its national convention slated for March next year.

    Justice Baba-Yusuf upheld rejected argument by Secondus and PDP (listed as defendants in the suit) that Gulak lacked the locus standing to initiate the suit having allegedly defaulted in the payment of party’s due.

    The judge also rejected the defendants’ argument that Gulak failed to explore the party’s internal mechanism for dispute resolution before approaching the court.

    The judge had, on November 30 reserved judgment in the case after entertaining argument from parties.

    Gulak had argued that Secondus was occupying the position illegally. He contended that by virtue of the provision of Article 47(6) of the party’s constitution, “the 2nd defendant (Secondus) form Rivers State, cannot replace the immediate past Chairman, Alhaji Muazu, who left office about seven months ago.

    He faulted the defendants’ claim that the party’s elders were working on a process to ensure a replacement for Muazu by next March,

    Gulak argued that it was unlawful and a breach of the party’s constitutional provisions for Secondus to hold office for over seven months in Acting capacity and refuse to allow a member form the geo-political zone where the last chairman came from to replace him.

  • Dana air begins daily low cost flights from Lagos to Accra

    Dana air begins daily low cost flights from Lagos to Accra

    As part of its ongoing domestic route network expansion plans, Dana Air has commenced daily flights from Lagos to Accra. The addition of Accra brings the current route network of the airline to five destinations – Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and Accra.
    According to the Accountable Manager of Dana Air, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, “business and leisure travelers to the beautiful city of Accra in Ghana, will experience the Dana Air -hospitality as we extend our operations to the cosmopolitan city of Accra.

     

    “We are working with the objective of integrating other cities from Accra into our route network and making air transport accessible by developing new routes and linking same to our existing routes.”
    He stressed that, with Dana Air’s far-reaching domestic route network in Nigeria, guests arriving Lagos from Accra will also benefit from a choice of onward connections from Lagos to Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Uyo.”
    Speaking further Obi said: Accra is a preferred destination for Nigerian businessmen and women and Dana Air’s foray into the city will further boost investments in the city and deepen the bilateral relationship between the two countries.”

     

    He noted that Dana Air’s daily flights to Accra will bring options, comfort and relief to its teeming guests who have been longing for an airline with superior on-time performance and world-class in-flight service.”

     

    The airline has also set an introductory online fare of N22,000 to boost leisure and business trips from Lagos to Accra.
    Only recently, Dana Air marked its 7th anniversary announcing more customer-friendly initiatives like online check-in, frequent flyer program for loyal guests and was also recently unveiled as one of the 100 most respected companies in Nigeria by BusinessDay.
    The airline is the only domestic airline to have undergone an operational audit conducted by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and its foreign partners – flight safety group.

  • NBA Abuja holds law week

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Abuja branch will hold its 2015 Law week and annual dinner tomorrow at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja.

    The branch chairman ,Mr. Elachi Agada, said NBA President Augustine Alegeh (SAN), Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar  Malami (SAN)  and Chief Judge of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory,  Justice I. U. Bello will present good will massages.

    Dr. Alex Iziyon (SAN) will present the keynote address on: Integrity, Specialisation and Consistency: The Cornerstones of a successful Legal Career.

    Justice H. Y. Baba, Chief A. S. Awomolo (SAN), Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN) and Justice Jude Okeke will be session chairmen.  An Annual Law Dinner and end of year party will hold on Friday.