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Tag: Abuja

  • ASUU strike didn’t follow due process – Minister

    ASUU strike didn’t follow due process – Minister

    The Federal Government on Wednesday insisted that the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) did not follow due process.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, admitted that the Federal Government has failed to meet up some ASUU’s demand.

    He said “Very sad that I am here and ASUU is on strike, late last year we had a meeting because ASUU gave one week notice of strike and we were able to work out some agreement, I must confess government has not fulfilled its part of the bargain, even though we are unhappy that ASUU went on this strike without following due process and giving us good notice, we realised that we promised something and we didn’t fulfill it.

    “I hope I will be meeting them later today or tomorrow and am sure we will be able to reach some agreement so that the strike will be called off as soon as possible.

    “Am sure you are aware of the issues we agreed on, there is the issue of re-negotiation which is the only one they agreed government has done what it promised because we set up the re-negotiation team and negotiation is already ongoing.

    “There is the issue of Earned Allowances and I think because of some miscommunication what we promised could not be done, but am assuring ASUU and the whole nation that this is going to be done.

    “There is the issue of registration for Nigerian Universities Pension Commission. I think that one there are few issues that need to be sorted out with the Nigerian Pension Commission, I believe there will be no problem with that.

    “The issue of their staff school which I think the court has given them verdict to go ahead with it, they have requested that they should be allowed to stay off TSA and I think government will not do this but there are some peculiar funds in the university like endowment which are monies kept and all the interest they generate, prices and so on are given.

    “Government will exempt that one only, but universities it is part of the peculiarities, they just must log on. I hope later on when I meet them today there will be total agreement.” he said

    He said that ASUU needs to give account of the releases made by the government for the Earned Allowances before more payment can be made.

    According to him, the government has the money to pay.

    Asked to reconcile the statement  he made during the last dispensation about ASUU strike, when he said ‘So, instead of hectoring ASUU to call off its strike, the nation should be praying for more of its kind in other sectors of the economy,’ the minister said that was still his position.

    He said if ASUU had not forced former President Goodluck Jonathan, he would not have created the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), without which he said, the university system would have collapsed.

    The minister emphasized: “That is still my view. I believe ASUU is composed of patriotic people, very responsible.

    “If I can look at what their struggle is, they force the then government to create TETFund and today, without TETFund, the university system would have collapsed.

    “I’m not supporting ASUU, am supporting what is good. If it is something bad, I will condemn it.” he added

    The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed disclosed that FEC approved the memo from the Ministry of Transportation for rehabilitation contract for Itakpe-Ajaokuta rail line.

    He said that the contract was awarded to CCECC at the tune of $122.62 million and to be completed in 15 months.

     

  • Business summit excites Abuja residents

    It was not just a business summit, but also an atmosphere of praise, worship and thanksgiving as The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) celebrated its annual business summit, tagged Leading Edge Conference 2017

    The capacity and empowerment colloquium, a brainchild of the Senior Pastor of TREM, Rev. Maxwell Dolor Gbinije, started five years ago to address the need to empower and equip church members as well as other residents of the Federal Capital Territory with the skills and knowledge to excel in business.

    This year’s edition focused on entrepreneurship and emerging opportunities in the agricultural sector. The event provided participants with an opportunity to get startup capital and knowledge on marketing, among other things.

    The breakout sessions included snail farming taken by Mr. Davies Echehwisi, fish farming taken by Mrs. Franca Uwaifo, entrepreneurship taken by Mr. Stanley Nwankwo; poultry farming facilitated by Doris Maryanne Ngban and Petty Trading anchored by Mrs. Joy Ohakwe.

    It was an opportunity to learn new things about business and the dynamics of doing business.

    Mr. Tonye Cole, MD/CEO Sahara Group who was the first speaker, spoke on how many people refuse to leave their comfort zone. He said there is the need to not only be sensitive to opportunities but also to be prepared for them.

    He said being successful does not guarantee that one is a success, and that one of the most difficult things for men is for them to unlearn the things that they know. “If you don’t do that, new things cannot enter into your heart,” he said.

    Cole said opportunities abound and that people only need to change their perspective.

    He said, “If you have the Holy Spirit you will know things before they happen. Change your perspective. If everyone is shouting recession, what do you see? If you allow what you hear to lead you, you will crash

    “For example, the whole North East is an opportunity for those that can see. Even if all you do is supply water. In crisis there are opportunities. Some are saying crisis, others are saying opportunities. Leave your comfort zone. You are unique. No two people are the same. If you want to be successful, know yourself.”

    He said many say they’re okay where they are. “If you don’t leave your comfort zone, crisis will seek you, and tribulation will chase you out. Don’t be afraid to leave. Why people don’t leave their comfort zone is because of the fear of the unknown. God has said I have not given you the spirit of fear. There is no trouble that will come your way that you cannot overcome.

    Mr. Odun Emasealu MD/ CEO Interior Woodworks Limited, spoke of the need to take a step when one is convinced and have heard from God.

    He said the righteous are as bold as a Lion, adding that there is nothing to be afraid of in Business In Nigeria.

    Emasealu who said he started his business with a thousand Naira in the past, failed and had to start again posited that God wanted everyone to know His glorious riches and therefore, all participants in the event “have a right to look forward to Gods glory. You have a right to look forward to progress.

    “Joseph was in the prison and the bible said that he prospered in all that he did. Prosperity is forward movement, you, live in another realm. Your mentality has been changed from around you and as a Christian, you’re more equal than others. If your mentality is not right, your motion cannot be correct. You should be living in a world of victory and a world of circumspect living.

    When you start a business, by God’s design it’s meant to grow. You must remove yourself from the current environment that you are and transform yourself into another realm of victory and wisdom. Move yourself into  the world of the visionary. You must focus, live the prophecy.”

    According to Emasealu, “Your future already exists.Your mission and your activities must synchronise. Your pace determines your race. There is a process of growth which is little too big.”

    Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM) Dr. Mike Okonkwo, while speaking to the congregation on the third day of the event, noted that where there is no vision, the people perish and conversely where there are no people, the vision dies

    According to him even in business It’s scripture that will tell people what to do.

    “The scripture aligns you when you’re going wrong, and how right to stand with God,” he said.

    While quoting Isaiah 5, 13 and 14) he said lack of knowledge empowers the devil against the church and that as long as you’re ignorant the devil holds sway

    The man of God said the earth is full of God’s goodness and everyday he loads us with benefits but that many church folks don’t understate their position in God. “Most people’s faith does not produce anything,” he said

    Okonkwo further said as children of God, “All we need for life and godliness has already been given to us. He has given us in Him before the foundation of the earth. We have been blessed from the beginning, so, our faith is easy to exercise.

    He explained that people should not explain grace but simply enjoy it. God, he said can bless His children “even in a toxic environment.

    He further states: “Outside Jesus, we do not have inheritance. Our prayer is to see what has been given to us. You are to seat on the table that has been set for us and partake in the feast

    “Sickness, debt has insulted you, but the authority of heaven will bring it to an end today.

     

  • Electrician docked for alleged criminal trespass

    Electrician docked for alleged criminal trespass

    A 35-year-old electrician, Olumide Oni, was on Monday arraigned in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for alleged criminal trespass.

    The defendant, a resident of NEPA junction, Apo, Abuja, was charged with criminal trespass; attempt to commit an offence and being in possession of suspected stolen items.

    The prosecutor, Donaldtus Abbah, told the court that one Olufemi Samuel of Apo resettlement, Abuja, reported the matter at the Apo Police Station on Aug. 6.

    He said that the complainant and some friends attended a vigil in a church on Aug. 6 and decided to sleep in their cars.

    Abbah said that all of a sudden, the defendant trespassed into the church auditorium, attempted to steal but was arrested by the complainant.

    He said that three energy bulbs, a cell phone and a small Bible were seen in the defendant’s possession.

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 348, 95 and 319 of the Penal Code.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The judge, Alhaji Umar Kagarko, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    He adjourned the case until Oct. 9 for hearing.

  • Three youths get 15 months for stealing carpet

    Three youths get 15 months for stealing carpet

    Three youths — Aliyu Ahmed, Aliyu Abdullahi, and Sani Bala — of between ages 21 and 23, who strayed into Gwarimpa area of Abuja and stole a carpet, are to spend five months each in prison.

    A Grade 1 Area Court sitting in Kado, Abuja, sentenced the trio of Ahmed, 22; Abdullahi, 21; and Bala 23 for joint act and theft.

    They pleaded guilty to the charges at the resumed hearing of the case on Monday.

    The judge, Alhaji Ahmed Ado, who handed down the verdict, however, gave them an option of N10, 000 fine each.

    Ado, who warned them to desist from committing crimes, said the punishment should serve as a deterrent to others.

    Before the judgement​ was delivered, the convicts pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

    Earlier, Police Prosecutor Judith Obatomi told the court that the accused were caught by some policemen on patrol in Gwarimpa area of  Abuja on Aug. 9.

    According to him, a brown carpet was recovered from them.

    The offences contravened Sections 79 and 288 of the Penal Code.

  • Abuja, Oyo wrap up Walkhearton

    Abuja, Oyo wrap up Walkhearton

    The walk-for-the-heart organised by Dufil Prima Foods Plc, maker of Power Oil in FCT Abuja and Oyo State has ended the third edition of the annual Power Oil WalkHeartOn initiative which began a couple of weeks ago.

    The Power Oil WalkheartOn 3.0 which  kicked off three Saturdays ago in Lagos at the National Stadium Surulere, followed by Enugu and Port Harcourt at Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium, Ogui and Liberation Stadium, Elekahia respectively, generated lots of accolades from participants, before the final lap in Abuja FCT and Ibadan.

    The annual heart health awareness walk was strategically designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and remind Nigerians on the benefits of a daily fitness routine. It was aimed at encouraging Nigerians to walk at least 30 mins every day to keep fit and stay healthy.

    The five-kilometre walk which recorded a huge turnout at both locations, started in Ibadan at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium into Liberty Road; towards Challenge roundabout and back to the stadium. The walk was led by the Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Oyo State, Mr Abayomi Oke, along with invited artistes, while in Abuja, the movement began from the River Plate Park Wuse 2 into Ahmadu Bello Road towards the Adetokunbo Ademola roundabout and back to the park.

    Oke told the participants the benefits of engaging in sporting and fitness activities as a form of exercising the heart to keep the entire body functional. He also praised the brand and team for the continuous partnership with Oyo State on the project.

    He also considered the initiative as a worthy one as it encourages everyone especially the youth to imbibe the culture of exercising which is in line with the vision of the state.

    The Brand Manager, Power Oil, Miss. Amisha Chawla who was also part of the fitness walk in Oyo State, said: “participation in Ibadan has always remained amazing, even in the last edition which held at this same venue. And going by the information received from the FCT Abuja activity, the turnout is equally high. And we are delighted that the WalkheartOn 3.0 project has successfully come to an end for the year and the advice is for Nigerians to keep the fitness and healthy living flying which is the whole objective of the initiative’’.

    Miss Chawla said the expectation of the participating crowd was greatly surpassed in both locations as people came out in thousands to join the healthy walk.

    The comedians and guest artists who put up great performances at both cities (Sound Sultan with MC Bonus in Abuja and Woli Arole and Afonja Sanyeri in Ibadan) also took active parts in leading the walk to encourage and demonstrate to the public the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle by taking a healthy walk for a healthy heart.

    Mrs. Beatrice Aroja, the walk Participant in Abuja praised the brand for the laudable initiative of encouraging healthy living amongst Nigerians. She confirmed that she felt light and better and hoped to engage in walk as part of her daily routine.

    Power Oil health camps were also available to all, offering free basic medical checks for participants to ascertain their health statuses, including blood pressure, BMI and general medical consultation.

  • Drama as groups protest for and against Buhari in Abuja

    Drama as groups protest for and against Buhari in Abuja

    The protest led by the popular musician, Mr. Charles Oputa (Charlie Boy), at the Unity Fountain in Abuja to demand President Muhammadu Buhari’s immediate return to the country or his resignation, continued on Thursday with another group of protesters in support of the President.

    The protesters under the aegis of #OurMumuDonDo#, as early as 9am  were holding their protest when another group, Buhari Support Group under the auspices of Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives arrived the scene putting up their own tent at the other end of the Unity Fountain.

    The police and other security operatives on ground immediately took over the arena to avoid any clash and  break down of law and order.

    While the protesters against Buhari were monitored till the end of the activities, the other group for the President was allowed to carry placards chanting the goodwill of President Buhari.

     The police authority also allowed them to move around town singing from the Unity Fountain through to the secretariat road.

     The Buhari support group, the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives, led by Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi while condemning the activities of the #OurMumuDonDo#, said there is no cause for alarm over the President’s health.

     The group also said there was no provision in the constitution that stipulates for how long the president can stay out of office while on medical vacation.

     According to the group, what the President needed to do which is stipulated in the constitution was to transmit power to the Vice President through a letter to the National Assembly, which President Buhari already did before leaving for the UK.

     At the other end of the Unity Fountain the #resume or resign protesters called on President Muhammadu Buhari to demonstrate integrity by resigning from office, saying he is incapacitated and cannot rule the country.

    The civil society coalition members reminded Buhari that he asked late President Musa Yar’Adua to resign or be impeached when the latter was sick in 2010, stressing that he should toe the path honour by doing so.

    Speaking to journalists on the fourth day of their protest at the Unity fountain, Maitama, Abuja on Thursday, the convener, Deji Adeyanju said Buhari should leave office if he knew what integrity meant.

    He insisted the President should have done so within one month of leaving the country on medical leave. 

    Charlie Boy urged the youths to fight for their future by joining the campaign to compel Buhari to resign, insisting that Nigerians had the right to demand the health status of the President whose medical bills, he said were being paid by the public.  

  • Court orders flogging of man for stealing waste bin

    Court orders flogging of man for stealing waste bin

    A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Thursday ordered that 20-year-old Nasiru Mohammed, be given six strokes of the cane for stealing a waste bin.

    Mohammed of Jabi Park, Abuja, was arraigned on a two-count charge of joint act and theft.

    The judge, Abubakar Sadiq, convicted Mohammed as he admitted committing the offence.

    The prosecutor, Dalhatu Zannah, had told the court that one Michael John of Haruna Street, Utako, Abuja, reported the matter at the Utako Police Station on Aug. 7.

    Zannah said that on the said date at about 7.30 p.m. at Utako, the convict and one other person now at large, intentionally and criminally stole a waste bin kept in front of the complainant’s house.

    According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Sections 79 and 288 of the Penal Code.

    The prosecutor said that the convict admitted to committing the offence during police investigation and interrogation.

    Following the plea of the convict, the prosecutor prayed the court to try him summarily, under Section 347 of the Administration of Criminal Justices Act, 2015.

  • School celebrates culture

    Pace Setters Academy, Abuja, celebrated its 2017 international cultural day with representatives of seven embassies recently.

    The colourful ceremony had children from the primary arms dressed in the attires of various ethnic groups – Hausa, Ibo, Ijaw, Yoruba, and Edo and It danced to local songs.

    Representatives of South Korea, China, Japan, Liberia, Ethiopian and Nigerian embassies as well as parents in attendance applauded the display by the pupils.

    Throwing more light on the school’s show of culture, its Director, Kenneth Imansuangbon, said the purpose was to honour the pupils, provide entertainment and above all to identify with their heritage.

    Imansuagbon, a lawyer, said the school has continued to blaze the trail.

    “We have been setting the pace for others to follow. We are ahead of others both in academics and extracurricular activities both in and outside the country. We are guided by our name and our students must show good example. In Pacesetters, you must have good character which counts in academics, social activities, religion, self-esteem, confidence and totality. In terms of standards, it is second to none. We have our laboratories; children have access to facilities, computers and internet.

    Lamenting the woes that have befallen the Nigerian education sector, he said the system was going down – producing half-baked graduates.

    “I would say that our products from Nigerian universities these days are half-baked. And you can’t give what you don’t have. Why are they half-baked? We need to go back to the root and take care of our university system. Firstly, teachers should be well paid; we need to equip our laboratories and we need to emphasise merit and not who you know so that the students within the academic system would study hard.  It helps because when the students find themselves outside, they will be able to perform well because they have been equipped by the system.

    “The way forward for the country is not bombs, oil or stolen money, but the education we are able to give. If we have a country whose people are well educated, everybody will know his right and there will be a rapid development. So education must take the highest budget and health. I don’t believe that the military should have the highest; we should educate our children rather than use the money to buy bombs. Education must be a priority.”

  • Alleged maltreatment: Govt rescues boy from parents

    An 11-year old boy, Master Chibuike Alexander Unegbu, has been  rescued from his parents and handed over to Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) Social Development Secretariat (SDS).

    The long journey to Chibuike’s rescue commenced when a concerned resident placed a call to the FCTA Call Centre, complaining that young Chibuike’s human rights were being trampled upon by his own parents.

    According to the anonymous caller, for many years, Chibuike was being locked up in his parents’ house, with all doors padlocked whenever they were not around; adding that unlike the couple’s other two younger kids, he (Chibuike) never went out with the parents to anywhere, including church and that he was not in school.

    Investigation revealed that persistent efforts by a combined team of the Nigeria Police (Lugbe Division) and the FCT Administration who paid several unsuccessful visits to the house in Lubge to save Chibuike finally paid off last week when they met his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ifeoma Chinasa Okwu and invited them to Lugbe Police station for questioning.

    Acting Director, Gender, Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Agnes Hart while speaking with newsman on the development stated that the Secretariat confirmed the allegations through the Call Centre that: “a child somewhere in Lugbe was being locked in the house without care. That he is not taken out whenever the family is going out. They don’t take the child either to church or out anywhere.”

    Mrs. Hart went on: “And we felt very concerned that this shouldn’t be happening in the FCT. This is a very serious form of abuse so we contacted the Nigeria Police in Lugbe who kept on promising us to do something about it but because we have the best interest of this child, we decided that we would bring the child and the family together.”

    She revealed that the FCT has Child Rights Act which enables it to arrest or take such cases very seriously, warning that the FCT Administration would not take such abuses lightly.

    “If you are a biological mother and you are molesting the child in anyway, we won’t take it lightly. So am sounding a note of warning to all parents, if you have intention of wanting to maltreat a child in FCT, it won’t be tolerated. We have the best interest of the child at heart. This is a clear form of abuse and we will not tolerate it in the FCT,” she warned.

    Mrs. Okorie, while responding to the allegations expressed shock and added that she and her husband was giving Chibuike and the others children the best they could without segregation.

    “Am surprised that it is termed that am neglecting my child, the child I had when I was in school. I am a proud mother and nobody loves my child more than me. It is not true at all that am neglecting my son, I love him. I got pregnant for a boy who promised to marry me while in 200 levels at the University of Ibadan, but he later denied it. I went home with the pregnancy and my mother sent me out of the house that I should take the pregnancy to the boy.

    “I took the pregnancy to Ukgiwe, Imo state, to stay with the boy’s parents for one year, where I gave birth to the boy (Chibuike). When he was six months old, I came back to stay with my Mum, because I was tired of staying in the village. I started doing jobs and I was able to save for my UTME form which I took and my name was first on the list in the English Department, Nassarawa State University,” she explained.

    While sobbing, with tears rolling down her face uncontrollably, the seven-month old pregnant Mrs Okorie disclosed: “I took him to class back then in the University, where everyone knew me and my son. I came out the best in my Department. For someone to tell me am ashamed of my son is not true at all”.

    She also revealed that when she was redeployed to Imo state from Jigawa State for her NYSC, she registered her son in Bright Way International School, Keffi, but had to take him out in the first term due to high fees which she could not afford, and “my husband was not finding things easy.”

    Mrs. Okorie had no reply when the Gender Director sought to know why she did not take the son to a public school which was affordable, instead of keeping him out of school for two terms.

    It was gathered that Chubuike Alexander Unegbu is a step son to Chinasa Okwu Okoie.

    In a related development, an abandoned five-year old child  who gave his name as Sheriff Ibrahim, was rescued and kept in the same Lubge Police Station.

    According to the police, Ibrahim was taken to the station by a roadside roasted meat seller, popularly known as maisuya, who explained that his mother bought N200 suya at his stand last week Sunday, promised to be back soon to pick him up but she never turned up.

    Anyone with information on how to reunite Sheriff Ibrahim with his parents should contact the DPO, Lugbe Police Station, Tunde K. Osuman on 08036017227 or 08056596330

  • Minister inaugurates 300 housing units

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammad Bello has commissioned 300 affordable housing units and laid the foundation for the development of another 300 in Kaba District, Abuja.

    The Minister said the FCT Administration embarked on the project to give teeth to President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts in tackling housing deficits in the country and ensuring good shelter for all.

    He added, saying, “We started with reforming the institutional framework for housing development in the Territory with a view to making it possible for private investors to move in…because of our belief that government alone cannot provide all the houses that the people need.

    “It is interesting to note that for as low as 6, 12 or 16 million naira, young, middle or higher level officers could subscribe to houses that fit their income after an initial modest down-payment according to terms corresponding to their mortgage arrangement.

    “I am glad to note that beside the provision of houses the agency is creating jobs for a considerable number of skilled and unskilled workers. I am aware that this estate has over 700 construction professionals and artisans working here.

    “I must inform us that Abuja is a mature city now and like all mature cities, the idea of empty plots has become a far cry. Indeed, phases I to III of the city has been fully allocated while what remains of phases IV and V is all we have currently. Consequently, the FCTA is emphasizing allocations to groups and institutions as well as high-rise developments to use the few spaces remaining to benefit the greatest number”.

    FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Babatope Ajakaiye who represented the Minister disclosed there was “no housing deficit in Abuja, but there is deficit in affordable housing. Go everywhere, you see estates locked up, and fanciful estates that people cannot afford to buy.

    “That is why we are doing this. One bed room is N6 million, two bed room starts from N10 to N12 million. It is affordable, with the help of the Federal Mortgage Bank that we give our civil servants loan and the Federal Government Staff Housing Loan Board is there for our civil servants to access loans and be able to afford this. So these are the kinds of things we are asking people to do, not to build houses that are not affordable”.

    On the issue of private developers taking land for mass housing and selling it, the Minister affirmed: “That has stopped. That is why the Honourable Minister has suspended mass housing allocation. We are sorting out all these, talking to developers.

    “The era of where people take land and sell is over. Now, you don’t take land and receive title. If you want to develop now, you have lease agreement for development. It is when we know that you are serious, may be up to three years that we start talking about giving you title. So everything is restructured now. It is not like before.

    Executive Director, Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board (FGSHLB), Dr. Hannatu Fika while delivering good will message noted that effective housing has multiplier effect on our economy through direct and indirect employment, adding that affordable housing has potentials including good health, reduced anxiety, depression and security”, among others.

    She further in her good will message, she revealed that that was why FGSHLB did float a “revolving loan scheme to cater for the housing needs of all interested public servants”, adding that the board has “developed a strategy to collaborate with estate developers identified by public servants themselves”.

    Acting Managing Director, Abuja Property Development Company (APDC), Mr. Yunusa Yusuf in his vote of thanks disclosed that the “commissioning of the first 300 units in APDC Capital Estate marks gradual completion of the provision of 615 housing units in phase I of the estate”.