The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • Buhari condoles with Sen. Goje over wife’s passing away

    Buhari condoles with Sen. Goje over wife’s passing away

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday commiserated with the Goje family over the passing away of Hajiya Fatima Yelwa Goje, wife of Sen. Danjuma Goje.

    In a letter of condolence to the former Gombe State Governor delivered by a Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Education, Dr. Adamu Adamu, at the funeral ceremony, President Buhari described Hajiya Yelwa as a kind and caring mother.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said: “Further to our telephone conversation, I convey my deepest condolences to you for the loss of your dear wife, Hajiya Yelwa.

    “The loss of a spouse is one of the cruellest blows of our lives. However, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala gives life and takes it away when He wills,’’ he said.

    The President prayed that Allah would admit her into paradise.

    In his remark, Goje expressed his appreciation to the President for sharing in the family’s grief.

    The Federal Government’s delegation are Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Musa Bello, Minister of State, Power, Works and Housing, Sulaiman Hassan, Permanent Secretary, State House, Jalal Arabi and the President’s associate, Musa Daura.

    Others are Senior Special Assistant, Domestic Affairs, Sarki Abba and Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmad Idris.

  • Take Algeria match very serious, Onigbinde tells Super Eagles

    Take Algeria match very serious, Onigbinde tells Super Eagles

    Akinade Onigbinde, the coach of FRSC Football Club of Abuja, on Thursday called on the Super Eagles to see Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Algeria as an all-important match.

    Onigbinde said this in Abuja that this would help them get a good result which would then elevate the team in the FIFA ranking.

    He said the match was capable of either improving or negatively affecting the country’s position in the global football ranking.

    “The match should be taken very serious in order not to drop on the FIFA ranking.

    “Also, the way we play against Algeria will impact positively or negatively on our friendly with Argentina,” Onigbinde warned.

    The coach described the Nigeria/Algeria match as a determinant for Nigeria’s preparations for the World Cup, and urged the players to shun laxity and complacency.

    “The Eagles must go all out to crush Algeria with all it has as a formidable team.

    “I also believe that the match against Algeria is more important than the one against Argentina, because it is the warm-up against Argentina,’’ he said.

    The coach said the team should not succumb to pride or over-confidence, adding that this could result in concession of defeat.

    The Super Eagles will face Algeria in Constantine on Friday in their final match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    NAN

  • Igali promises to improve wrestling in Nigeria

    Igali promises to improve wrestling in Nigeria

    The President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation ( NWF ), Daniel Igali, on Thursday promised to help in improving the wrestling sport in the country, through improved refereeing and coaching. 

    Igali who is attending the ongoing United World Wrestling ( UWW ) Referees and Coaches Education Course at Manchester in the UK said he would do this by imparting knowledge.

    The Sydney 2000 Olympics gold medalist said participants in the course were being taught wrestling specific technical knowledge such as coaching, refereeing and safety rules updates.

    “It is a professional development course which commenced on Sunday and is expected to end on Saturday. It’s been such a demanding and rewarding experience,” Igali said in Abuja.

    He added that the course would be very handy ahead of the African Championship of February 2018.

    “The various officials of the game must be aware of the little changes in the elite sport.

    The UWW Referees and Coaches Education Course is a seven-day event.

    Read Also: Lagos unveils Football Forever

  • Ethiopian Airlines lands B787-9 in Abuja on Tuesday

    Ethiopian Airlines lands B787-9 in Abuja on Tuesday

    Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest airline group, has announced that it would bring its newest Boeing 787-9 plane tagged the “Big Brother“ to Abuja on Tuesday.

    A statement by the Media Consultant, Mr Chukwuemeka Chigozie, on Monday, said the B787-9 was part of its commitment to deliver exceptional service to African market by operating the latest technologically advanced aircraft in the market.

    The airline said that passengers had enjoyed the unique on board features of this latest technology aircraft like the biggest windows in the sky, high ceiling, less noise, distinctive lighting, and higher air humidity.

    According to him, Ethiopian Airlines has always services Abuja with its newest Aircraft.

    “It brought the Dreamliner B787 to Abuja in 2012 and reopened the Abuja Airport this year with the A350 when the Airport was reopened after 6 weeks closure.

    “Ethiopian Airlines has been operating into Nigeria since 1960 and currently flies to 5 cities in Nigeria and it was the only international Airline that flew to Kaduna when Abuja Airport was shut for repairs.

    “Ethiopian becomes the first carrier in Africa to operate the 787-9 and extends a tradition of setting aviation milestones,’’ he said.

    The airline became Africa’s first carrier to fly the 787-8 in 2012, and also introduced the 777-200LR (Longer Range), 777-300ER (Extended Range) and 777 Freighter.

    The 787 Dreamliner was the most innovative and efficient airplane family flying today, and more than 600 Dreamliners had entered commercial services since 2011.

    According to him, Dreamliner has been flying almost 200 million people on more than 560 unique routes around the world, saving an estimated 19 billion pounds of fuel.

    “This comes as ET announced that it will add a 6th weekly service to and from Yaoundé & Libreville effective November 3,’’ he was quoted in the statement.

    NAN

  • Abuja, not that dream capital

    SIR: STwo critical reasons for establishing Abuja away from Lagos as the administrative capital of Nigeria were for defence of the country and centrality to and easy accessibility to all regions and people of the country. A capital free from the stranglehold of natives, a model city and home to all responsible Nigerians seeking to live and do business in it.

    The planners of this city were smart but the executors aren’t. Why aren’t there world class model cities near Abuja?

    Everything starts and ends in the heartland. The beauty of the city rises inside of the heartland and falls as you drive outside of it. Many people who live outside of this city aren’t happy, they can’t be, because the surrounding cities pass for slums – they aren’t zoned and planned as the one-city Abuja and the aesthetics in these places are nothing to write home about. Many of the people who live inside of Abuja city aren’t happy either because no-one is in charge to control the rising cost of living. Costs of housing, of public transportation connecting high-brow areas in the city are throat-cutting.

    What is totally not acceptable is to have one beautiful city and slums surrounding it. In Egypt, governments over time tried to de-congest Cairo (though not yet successful) by building many model cities outside of it. Whatever you can find in Cairo, you can also find in the many well-planned satellite cities outside of Cairo.

    Not so here in Abuja. In the FCT, there are too many empty houses with high perimeter walls with no people living in them save for security men, many of whom say they haven’t seen their landlords in decades.

    The money used to build Abuja should have been invested in human capital and physical infrastructures. Bad politics and greed prevented the following, astutely, of the blue-print for the development of Abuja. The surrounding towns are becoming a magnet for the good, the bad and the ugly.

    The Gwari (Gbagi) people, the main inhabitants of Abuja many of whom now live in the suburbs have complained and are still complaining that they were not adequately compensated by the federal government and this is a recipe for trouble in future.

    Most of the economic assets in Abuja are owned by southerners and in a fragile nation like Nigeria, a north/south divide resentment on the part of the natives can trigger an ethnic clash.

    The money used to build Abuja should have been invested in the economy all around Nigeria and probably would have made Nigeria an economic giant like South Korea.

     

    • Simon Abah,

    Abuja.

  • Nigeria to host ICAO World Aviation Forum

    Nigeria to host ICAO World Aviation Forum

    Nigeria is set to become the first country to host the International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO ), World Aviation Forum ( IWAF ), scheduled to hold from Nov. 20 to Nov. 22 in Abuja.

    Mr Ariyo Akinfewa, media consultant to the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, on Friday in Lagos, said that although this was the third edition, it was, however, the first time it was being hosted outside the ICAO’s headquarters in Montreal, Canada.

    Akinfewa in a statement said this year’s edition was a special forum because the global aviation communities would converge in Nigeria to deliberate on the theme: “Financing the Development of Aviation Infrastructure.”

    “The country is more than delighted to play host to this all-important forum as the first country in the world to do so.

    “This is a rare opportunity for Nigeria being the first time the forum is being held outside Montreal and we are more than delighted to host it,” the Minister was quoted as saying.

    Similarly, ICAO in a publication on its website said the forum would explore how development of aviation infrastructure plays a key role in the achievement of the visionary United Nation’s Agenda 2030 and African Union Agenda 2063 prosperity objectives.

    According to ICAO, there will also be a special focus on funding and financing of airport, air navigation, and other aviation infrastructure projects.

    It said the forum would also stress the importance of aligning policies and planning for air transport with the national development planning.

    “This high-level event directly supports the ICAO ‘No Country Left Behind initiative’ and will be of key interest to Ministers and other senior government officials responsible for civil aviation, transport, infrastructure, finance, and tourism, as well as key industry and financial partners.

    “During the event, a day will be dedicated fully to Africa aviation development financing.

    “The second day of the forum will focus specifically on financing challenges facing aviation infrastructure and capacity development in Africa,” it said. NAN

  • Defeating Algeria imperative for national pride – NFF

    Defeating Algeria imperative for national pride – NFF

    Dr Mohammed Sanusi, General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ), on Friday said victory by the Super Eagles over Algeria in their last World Cup match was imperative to uphold national pride.

    Sanusi, who made this known in Abuja said that all necessary preparations were being made for the nation’s male national football team to maintain their lead in Group B of the world cup qualifiers.

    He said that the Super Eagles had all that was required to beat Algeria considering the level of support given to them by the NFF.

    The NFF scribe called on Nigerians to continue to support the team, promising that they would not disappoint the country.

    “The match against Algeria is about national pride and we are doing everything possible to win the match,” Sanusi said.

    NFF had last week released a 24-man list of players for the matches against Algeria and Argentina.

    The Super Eagles, which has qualified for the global event, will play Algeria on Nov. 11 in their last World Cup qualifiers and a friendly against Argentina on Nov.14, ahead of Russia 2018.

    NAN

  • Fire destroys 10m property at Abuja fun spot

    Fire destroys 10m property at Abuja fun spot

    Fire on Thursday razed a fun spot known as Quality Link Park in Wuse Zone VII, Abuja at about 11:00 a.m., destroying property worth more than N10 million.

    The fire gutted two huts at the park.

    The Managing Director of the park, Mr Chinemelu Onwughalu, described the incident as “unfortunate”, noting that more than N10 million worth of property was destroyed.

    He recalled that a similar incident happened four years ago, saying that the cause of the fire had been traced to the same person.

    He, however, commended the FCT Fire Service Department for coming to put off the fire in time.

    A gardener, Mr Abijah Britus, who caused the fire, said it happened while he was clearing refuse at a church sharing fence with the park.

    “I was asked to burn the grass by my elder in the church, known as Community of Hashem Worldwide, and I told him the fire can extend but he insisted that I should go ahead and burn the grass.”

    The leader of the fire service team, Mr Ijomah Azubuike, attributed the incident to “carelessness on the part of the young man burning grass close to the fence of the fun spot.

    “He did not stay there and monitor the fire.

    “This is what we call conventional fire, where smoke rise high above the fire level and breeze carries it sideways and then anywhere it touches it burns, especially this grass roof system.’’

    He said that two huts out of six huts in the park were partially razed with some items recovered from the scene of the incident.

    “For now, we cannot ascertain the cost of the materials damaged by the fire incident because we were not here before it broke out.

    “We have to liaise with the owner of the building before we can ascertain the worth of what was destroyed.’’

    Azubuike advised people to exercise caution during the dry season, especially when using fire to clear refuse.

    NAN

  • Osinbajo says financial inclusion key in economic recovery plan

    Osinbajo says financial inclusion key in economic recovery plan

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesdays in Abuja said that the country needs to ensure financial inclusiveness for all towards the revamp of the nation’s economy.

    He stated this while hosting Queen Maxima of Netherlands who is also the UN Secretary General’s Special Advocate for inclusive finance for development.

    According to Osinbajo, financial inclusiveness is important for development of the individual, community and country.

    “Of cause financial inclusion is absolutely important for us as an economy.

    “We need to be able to ensure that all of our people, wherever they live, no matter how far away they are can be reached with financial products; have bank accounts.

    “Payments can be made to them and they also can make payments; in other words they can participate in the entire financial architecture that the country offers and even that the international community offers.

    “And that really is important for development, for their development as individuals and as communities.’’

    The Vice President acknowledged the Queen’s second visit to the country to find out how far the country had gone with its financial inclusion plans and projects.

    Responding, Queen Maxima said that “Nigeria is a country of enormous potential where financial inclusion should be playing great role for your development.’’

    The Queen stated that having access to savings, insurance payment credit could make the people move out of poverty and invest in small businesses, create income, employ people and save for the rainy day.

    “Financial inclusiveness is a key element to support the economic growth recovery plan being championed by you.

    “Since 2008 Nigeria has actually made progress growing from 23 per cent to 48 per cent of financial inclusion.

    “But still more than half of Nigerians have to deal without very basic financial services that you and I rely on every day.

    “And in the last couple of years progress has been stalled and there is a moment to renew this commitment and leadership on financial inclusion,’’ she added.

    The Queen urged Nigeria to maximize the use of mobile money and make it sustainable, responsive and safe for all Nigerians.

    According to her the country has many potentials in that respect while many countries have already achieved it.

    She said only two per cent of Nigerians could use mobile money in contrast to 70 per cent in Ghana and higher numbers in other parts of the world.

    She stressed the need for strong ICT systems and assured that the UN would assist the country build a strong financial inclusive system.

    NAN

  • Hilton, Transcorp Hotels, Abuja sign 20-year extension

    Hilton  and Transcorp Hotels Plc, a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc  yesterday announced the signing of a 20-year extension to the current  agreement to manage the iconic Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja. The agreement will see Hilton manage the property until 2037. The hotel, which is a national landmark for having hosted countless Heads of State and global events like the World Economic Forum on Africa, has been operated by Hilton since its opening in 1987.

    Speaking at a signing ceremony in Washington DC, Chris Nassetta, Hilton’s President and CEO, said: “We have had an incredible relationship with the Transcorp team and we are happy to announce that we will continue to grow that relationship throughout the next 20 years. With our mission to be the world’s most hospitable company, I am delighted we will be able to continue welcoming guests to this hotel until at least 2037.”

    The award-winning 667-room hotel – one of the largest in sub-Saharan Africa – is currently undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation which will transform the property. The extensive refurbishment will continue the Transcorp Hotels legacy as the leading provider of hospitality in Nigeria.

    Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman of Transcorp Plc, the largest listed conglomerate on the Nigerian stock exchange and owners of hospitality subsidiary Transcorp Hotels confirmed: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing owner-operator relationship with Hiton. Our investment in the renovation reflects our commitment to shaping Nigeria into a leading hospitality centre in the West Africa region and with Hilton as our operating partners, we are confident that we will continue to lead in the sector.”