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Tag: Abuja

  • Only 35 per cent of infrastructure developed in Abuja – Minister

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammed Bello has revealed that only 35% of Abuja’s infrastructure has been developed.

    Bello said that the FCT was projected for 3.1 million population when fully built within a projected 25 years period.

    He added that Abuja presently Abuja is the 4th largest city in the Country and one of the fastest growing cities in Africa with over 2.75 million population squeezed within just two phases of the planned five phases.

    Speaking at the 2018 edition of the commemoration of the movement of seat of government from Lagos tp Abuja, he said that it has been 42 years since its creation and 27 years after the movement from Lagos.

    The Minister who was represented by Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engineer Umar Gambo Jibrin, urged everyone to see Abuja as a national heritage.

    His words “42 years since its creation and 27 years after the movement from Lagos, Abuja indeed, has come of age. It has surpassed Logos as the destination for foreign direct investments. It has become a major aviation and conference hub for West Africa. We have also inaugurated a modern light rail transport system that is the first of its kind in the sub-region and FCT, indeed, has become the melting pot of Nigeria that it was conceived to be.

    “However, the city’s demographic expansion has proceeded beyond the protected growth plan when the city was founded. FCT was projected for 3.1 million population when fully built within a projected 25 years period. According to the National Population Commission, Abuja presently is the 4th largest city in the Country and one of the fastest growing cities in Africa with over 2.75 million population squeezed within just two phases of the planned five phases. Three more phases are waiting on the wings. Presently only  about 35 percent of the infrastructure is developed within the developed two phases.

    Read Also: 70m Nigerians need housing, says Minister

    “On this note I, therefore, urge all of us to see Abuja as our national heritage and join hands to protect it. This is because so much hes been invested in the building of the new capital -infrastructure, public utilities, institutions etc. Today, however, we are confronted with a new set of challenges, namely; vandalism of public utilities like manhole covers, bridge railings, transformers and streetlight poles and components, transformers as well as plain acts of sabotage and disobedience to rules that make for orderly living.”

    Executive Head, Editorial Board, The Guardian newspaper, Mr Martins Oloja who was the keynote speaker of the occasion, stated that Abuja has been an orphan of some sort.

    His words, “Abuja has been an orphan of some sort perhaps because of near absence of democracy in its governance processes. All the 36 states’ governors are elected but the ‘militicians’ who gave us this constitution made Abuja just a part of the Office of the President, no thanks to Sections 299-302 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Even the original inhabitants who have been agonizing without organizing well about unfulfilled promises since 1976, could not remember Abuja @ 40 and I said so in February 2016.”

  • Economy in bad shape, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has told Governors of the 36 states of the federation that the economy of the country was in a bad shape.

    The President met with the Governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja for about 30 minutes on Friday.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulaziz Yari said the President told them to tighten their belts ahead.

    On what the President’s response was, he said: “The President responded by thanking and telling us that the economy is in bad shape and that we have to come together and thinking and rethinking on way forward.”

    Read Also: Buhari, governors meet in Aso Rock

    He also said that the governors thanked the President for releasing the Paris club funds to them without any discrimination.

    In attendance at the NEC are David Umayi (Ebonyi),Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Nasiru El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi).

    Some Deputy Governors are also in attendance including the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Mannir Yakubu.

  • Buhari, governors meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed doors with the 36 states governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting, which started around 12.40p.m, was held at the Council Chamber.

    The governors were in Abuja for the extended National Economic Council (NEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Buhari, had on Nov.19, held similar meeting with representatives of Nigerian Governors Forum at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where the same issue of national minimum wage was deliberated upon.

    Representatives of the Governors forum, who met with the president over the issue then, included governors of Zamfara, Lagos, Kaduna and Enugu, while the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige was also in attendance.

    The Amal Pepple Tripartite Committee on the Review of National Minimum Wage, had on Nov. 6, submitted its report to President Buhari where it recommended N30,000 as the new national minimum wage.

    While receiving the report, the president expressed his commitment to ensuring the implementation of a new national minimum wage and pledged to transmit an Executive Bill (on National Minimum Wage) to the National Assembly for its passage within the shortest possible time.

    However, the 36 state governors had since expressed reservation over the proposed N30,000 new minimum wage by the Amal Pepple committee, saying the state governments were not in a stable financial position to pay the new minimum wage.

    The Chairman of the Governors’ forum and Governor of Zamfara, Alhaji Abdul’aziz Yari, had on Nov. 15, told newsmen at the end of an emergency meeting of the governors in Abuja that payment of N30, 000 wage was not practicable.

    The meeting with the President was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • SDP presidential candidate, Duke signs peace accord document

    Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Donald Duke, on Thursday said there was no need for the peace accord being signed by presidential candidates.

    Duke said that the country has laws to deal with electoral defaulters.

    He urged the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), to increase the tempo of voter’s education and decisively deal with electoral offenders especially vote buyers, in a bid to sanitise the system.

    The former Cross River State governor said this after a public presentation of a book entitled ‘The Coming Revolution: A Manifesto for National Greatness,’ authored by Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, in Abuja.

    His words: “They is really no need for peace accord because we have laws. We just want to show that we are coming into the race.

    “They are laws that deal with those who don’t want to respect the norms of the society. In a sane society it ought not to be so.”

    Duke, who had earlier signed the deal, however, commended the process, stressing that it would tame political leaders from orchestrating violence in 2019 elections.

    “The peace accord is necessary. It is one of the fundamental thing to do. You can’t have elections of violence. INEC must do the right thing by increasing voter’s education.

    Read Also: Say no to another war – 82-yr-old monarch tell students

    “INEC should live up to its responsibility by sanctioning candidates involved in vote buying so that everybody will fall in line. Until we do that people will continue to do whatever they like.”

    He, further noted that the continuous migration of Nigerians to other countries in search of greener pastures had made them: “engender species not just to the neighbouring countries but the world.”

    Speaking on the 214-paged book, Prof. Hagher said it was written not to make money, but for consumption and understanding of Nigerians on how to make the country great; thereby urging President Mohammadu Buhari, especially to read the intellectual work.

    “President Buhari should read the book because it contains four chapters about him. My duty as a scholar is to talk true to power. I will fight injustice whenever it rear its head. Even if the victim of yesterday becomes the oppressor today I will fight him.

    He advised politicians to adopt his: “manifesto by developing the educational and health sectors respectively.“

  • Buhari promises adequate reward for party loyalists

    *Babachir Lawal in Aso Rock

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday night promised that party men and women who work hard for the party towards 2019 general elections will be rewarded adequately.

    He gave the assurance during the launch of the TogetherNigeria group at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    The group is supporting the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election.

    The President regretted that not all those that worked for the party in 2015 were rewarded.

    He also thanked the Nigerian celebrities for laundering Nigeria’s image globally.

    He said “Tonight’s event once again reminds me of our political struggles over the years and the support I enjoyed from many support structures such as The Buhari Organization (TBO) and Buhari Support Organization (BSO). I am happy that today we are not only celebrating our election victory but our numerous land mark achievements.

    “I have listened and I acknowledge with delight the story of Buhari Support Organization (BSO) past, present and future from previous speakers. In particular, I commend the plan to reorganize and reposition the organization towards the forth coming election and beyond. This has once again given me further encouragement, hope and optimism in our political journey.

    Read Also: Ezekwesili promises poverty reduction, if elected

    “At this point, I would like to acknowledge the over whelming support I enjoyed from individuals and organizations across the country over the years. I say thank you to all those who contributed to our successes in one way or the other.

    “Some of you, individuals and organizations, may be feeling disappointed because we have not been able to please everyone. I would like to assure you that this time hard work and loyalty will be rewarded adequately.

    “Finally, I wish to thank the TOGETHER NIGERIA Group for educating the world about our good work and achievements. I will like to also thank our celebrities for projecting the image of Nigeria globally and for your contributions to the development of our entertainment industries.

    “To our teeming supporters across the country and beyond I say thank you for your continuing and unrelenting support.” he said

    Those who attended the ceremony included the Wife of the President, Dr Aisha Buhari, Wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo.

    Also at the occasion were the Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Almakura and the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun.

    The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal was also among dignitaries that graced the occasion.

  • Buhari hails Swiss Govt for returning stolen funds

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja said Nigerian government remains deeply grateful to the government and people of Switzerland for their support in resuscitating the economy, especially the return of illegally stolen funds.

    He made the remark while receiving Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Mr George Steiner, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity  Garba Shehu, said the return of stolen funds and interventions in the crisis in the North East further indicate the Swiss government’s commitment to the development of Nigeria.

    “We are grateful to the Swiss government for allowing illegally stolen funds to be brought back to Nigeria,’’ he said.

    The President noted that the facilitating roles the Swiss government had been playing in the North East, particularly in reaching out to Internally Displaced Persons, had been most helpful, adding that bilateral relations between both countries will continue to be strengthened.

    Responding, the Swiss Ambassador said his government will always be disposed to supporting Nigeria in ensuring peace in the country, especially in the North East.

    Read Also: Buhari to INEC: put Nigeria first in 2019

    “We have strong and solid relations with Nigeria. It’s an honour and privilege for us to contribute to issues of importance in the country,’’ he added.

    Steiner told President Buhari that the Swiss government looks forward to having stronger relations on economic issues with Nigeria that will be mutually beneficial, pointing out that the ongoing reforms in the country already send right signals to investors.

    President Buhari, who also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Belgium, Dr Daniel Dargent, said feasibility studies to revamp the Lake Chad Basin will require a diversion of River Ubangi in the Congo Basin.

    The President said the diversion of  River Ubangi will improve the livelihood of more than 40 million people who survive on Lake Chad Basin, urging the Belgian government to support the negotiation.

    In his remarks, the Ambassador of Belgium said his government will support an initiative that will improve the livelihood of people.

    “We are in a global world and we need to start evolving more on issues that directly touch lives, especially in supporting Nigeria which will one day become a Permanent member of the Security Council’’ he said.

    While receiving his Letters of Credence, President Buhari congratulated the Ambassador of Hungary, Dr Sandor Gyorgy Beer, on his posting to Nigeria, urging him to sustain the healthy relations that had existed between both countries for many years.

    The Hungarian Ambassador said relations between both countries had been strong over many years, noting that he will work towards improving it, especially on economic issues and sports.

    Dr Beer said Nigeria and Hungary already had a strong pedigree in sports, especially in football, that can be improved, assuring the President that he will work towards more exchanges between both countries by setting up a football academy in Nigeria that will promote matches, trainings and skills development.

    “Nigeria is a great country and it’s an honour to be here,’’ he said.

  • Buhari appeals to NNMA to resolve Nigeria’s diversity

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday appealed to the Nigerian National Merit Award, NNMA, to establish new policies on how best to solve issues pertaining to the nation’s diversity.

    This statement was made on behalf of the President by the Permanent Secretary on Social Duties, Mr. William Alo, at the 11th Annual forum of the Laureates of Nigerian National Order of Merit termed ‘The Imperative of Unity in Diversity’ which took place in Abuja.

    Acknowledging the role NNMA has to play in amalgamating the diversity of the country, Alo also commended the NNMA and the 2018 sole awardee in Humanities, Mr. Olu Obafemi, declaring the forum open.

    “As we gather here, the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation is very proud of the governing board in its achievements so far since its inauguration.”

    “To harness individuals who have excelled in one endeavor or the other and have contributed a lot to the development of this country,” he said.

    “Today we are kicking off with an award lecture to be delivered by the only person to win this year’s award, Mr. Olu Obafemi.

    “The NNMA board I the only organization known for excelling in the area of transparency, organization, and in the area of identifying people who are non-questionable in character in any form.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman, NNMA Governing Board, Prof. Shekarau Yakubu, solicited for the building of a multilateral car park at the NNMA in order to increase the group’s revenue base as a response to inadequate funding.

    Read Also: Aisha Buhari to women: vote Buhari again

    He petitioned to the Presidency to make available “timely and adequate funding to the agency given the financial constraints faced by NNMA.”

    “It is with this in mind that the NNMA planned a project for the extension of the building with a multilevel car park so as to enlarge the revenue base of the NNMA,” he stated.

    “If approved and sponsored, it will go a long way in making the NNMA self-sufficient in the near future thereby making the NNMA less dependent on government for budgetary funding.”

    The Chairman also pleaded with the Federal Government to give legal backing to the proposed NNMA Policy Group in order to assist Federal, state, and other government agencies in the implementation of the nation’s policies and programs.

  • Aisha Buhari to Nigerian women: Vote Buhari again

    The Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday called on Nigerian women to ensure the return of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in 2019.

    She made the appeal at a National Women Leadership Summit organized by a political group, Project 4+4 for Buhari & Osinbajo 2019, at the National Women Development Center, Abuja.

    Mrs. Buhari, in a statement by her Director of Information, Suleiman Haruna, observed that during the last election, women participated fully in the voting process and ensured that APC was elected.

    According to her, that was why the government of President Muhammadu Buhari came up with social investment programmes targeted at them and their children in order to engage them and reduce the level of poverty among them.

    She called on them to spread the good news of the accomplishments of the current administration.

    She said women have been at the receiving end of the struggles of men, especially soldiers who have been fighting insurgency and called on government to ensure speedy release of their entitlements so that their families do not suffer.

    She called for a one-minute silence in honor of all soldiers that lost their lives in the process.

    She commended the political group for organizing the Summit and setting the tone for other Buhari support groups as 2019 election campaign period opens.

    Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, speaking at the event, commended women for providing a permanent support base for the APC and said they remain ambassadors of the party wherever they find themselves.

    Read Also: Buhari calls for calm over deadly violence in Cross River

    She called on them to continue to support the party, saying continuation of the party in 2019 means a better Nigeria for them and their children.

    Earlier, National Coordinator of Project 4+4, Comrade Garba Musa Bello, said the purpose of the Summit was to bring together women from 774 local government areas and chart for them a strategy for the campaign period.

    He said it is not in doubt that women control the voting power and as such they must be reckoned with.

    He pointed out that the successes of government are too glaring to ignore, and women, who are witnesses and beneficiaries to these achievements must pronounce them to the world.

    He commended wife of the President and the role she plays in Nigeria’s political space, saying women have confidence in her protection and support.

    National Woman Leader, Salamatu Baiwa, said APC women have secured the concurrence of the party on the issue of a more gender-balanced administration come 2019.

    As campaign commences, she called for a mature campaign from members of the party, a campaign of issues and not that of insults. As a ruling party, she said, they must show example to other parties.

    Goodwill messages and presentations were delivered by an array of women leaders and academics.

  • Farmer urges govt. to banish poverty through plantain farming

    A farmer, Mr Dauda Yakubu, has urged federal and state governments to encourage unemployed youths to go into plantain farming to banish hunger and poverty.

    Yakubu, the Managing Director of Unique Farm Ltd., told our reporter on Tuesday in Abuja that plantain farming should be able to get Nigerians, especially the youths, out of poverty.

    He described plantain as a staple that attracts high price, saying its cultivation is relatively cheaper than rice, yam and other crops.

    “Modern breeding has produced high-yielding varieties. Plantain farming is now a money spinner and we are encouraging our youths to get involved.

    “Plantain farming should be an avenue for the various arms of the government to get Nigerians, especially youths, out of poverty.

    “Not many Nigerians grow plantain in spite of its high demand and ready market. In most markets, a small bunch of plantain costs about N1, 500.

    “Yet, growing this delicacy across the country is not as widespread as any money spinner should be,’’ he said.

    Yakubu said that one hectare could be the starting point for a young farmer and the types used in planting included peepers, sword suckers and maiden suckers.

    According to the entrepreneur, peepers are young suckers appearing above the ground with large leaves only.

    “Sword suckers are formed from buds or eyes and bear narrow leaves. Maiden suckers are taller with broader leaves.

    “The recommended spacing is 10ft (3m) x 10ft (3m) and a depth of 0.2m at the onset of the rainy season. About 400 suckers can be planted on an acre.

    Read Also: Govt records 12m rice farmers

    He described plantain farming as a lucrative business for anybody willing to earn good cash yearly.

    Yakubu said he started plantain farming on an acre and was possible to get at least 40 per cent return from his initial investment.

    He said that younger farmers had taken to plantain cultivation as they were inspired by his success.

    “The success has transformed the life of many farmers with children studying in private schools and their houses having some amenities.

    “As a strategy, I identify breeds that are more productive – high-yielding and pest-resistant varieties.

    “Prospective investors need to have at least N350,000. This will cover lease on the land, purchase of suckers, labour and other costs.

    He said with investment of N350, 000, one could make more than N1 million in turnover and more than 400 per cent in profit.

    “The profit depends on the quantity of bunches that can be harvested per acre/hectare multiplied by the selling price per bunch of plantain.

    “Plantain growing has changed the life of many because the market for plantain is all-year-round which can provide monthly income.

    “Plantain plantation can last for a very long time if it is well maintained. Constant weeding is the key to reaping big harvest and quality crops.

     

    NAN

  • PSC begins recruitment of 10,000 Constables

    The Police Service Commission (PSC), has announced the commencement of the process of recruitment of 10,000 Nigerians into the Nigeria Police Force as Constables.

    The Commission in a statement in Abuja on Friday by its Spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani  said the application which will run till the 11th of January,  2019 should be done online.

    The Commission also noted that the exercise is absolutely free adding that interested candidates should not to pay any money to apply and should not return any completed forms to anybody who might in the process demand for processing fees.

    The statement reads: “Applications from interested candidates will be received online and through the Commission’s portal, www.nigeriapolicecareers.net.

    “Application closes on Friday, the 11th of January, 2019, exactly six weeks from today, Friday, November 30th 2019.”

    Read Also: PSC reads riot act to IGP, others

    On the requirement for the position, the Commission said: “Applicants must have passion for a career in the Nigeria Police Force and must be a Nigerian citizen, not less than 18 years of age or more than 25 years of age.

    “Candidates must have an 0 level certificate or its equivalent with at least five credit level passes including Mathematics and English language in not more than two sittings.

    “Candidates must also be of good character and must not have been convicted of any criminal offence.”

    The Commission said it will deal ruthlessly with anybody no matter how highly placed who tries to circumvent the process or engages in fraudulent activities.

    “Specifically, it warned that Staff of the Commission or Police Officers caught demanding or collecting money to assist candidates in this exercise will not go unpunished.”