The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Asokoro

  • Wike to kick-off rehabilitation of roads in Asokoro

    Wike to kick-off rehabilitation of roads in Asokoro

    As part of his commitment to the maintenance and optimization of public infrastructure as well as ensuring the seamless functioning of essential services in the city,  the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Nyesom Wike will today flag off the rehabilitation of road projects in the  Asokoro District of the Abuja.

    The Asokoro District, known for its significance and strategic importance in the city, will witness comprehensive road rehabilitation aimed at improving accessibility, traffic flow, and overall urban aesthetics.

    According to a statement issued yesterday by the Director Press, office of the FCT minister, Anthony Ogunleye, the initiative is a testament to the minister’s dedication to ensuring that public infrastructure is not only developed but also meticulously maintained to meet the evolving needs of the city.

    The kick-off ceremony will take place at the AYA roundabout in Asokoro by 12 noon.

    Ogunleye said: “The following are the streets in Asokoro that are to be rehabilitated : Abdoul Diouf Street, Akenzua Street, Gado Nasko Close, Gnassingbe Eyadema Street, Haile Selassie Street, Julius Nyerere Crescent, Justice Roseline Ukeje Close, Kwame Nkrumah Crescent, Kyari Mohammed Crescent, River Yambo Street, Maitama Sule Street, Nelson Mandela Street, Patrice Lumumba Street, Samora Machel Street, Siaka Steven Street, Udo Udoma Street, Ukpabi Asika Street, Williams Tolbert Close, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Aya Ramp, Aya Roundabout, Usman Fodio Crescent, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Muhammadu Ribadu Street, J. F. Kennedy Street, Ali Akilu Crescent, Ibrahim Taiwo Street and Justice G. Sowemimo Street/Jose Marti Crescent.

    Read Also: Reps committee expresses anger as INEC fails to appear for Budget defence

    “Other locations outside Asokoro include: Burundi Street,  Cabinda Street,  Damba Close,  Ndande Crescent,  Suez Crescent,  Lumsar Street,  Addis Ababa Street,  Manzini Street,  Benghazi Street,  Manapulane +Casamance Street,  Bamenda Street,  Lukulu Street,  Kamina Street,  Tamale Street,  Matadi Street,  Algeria Street,  ASBA / Dantata Street, Off Ring Road-2,  Queen Elizebeth Street and  Gashua Close, Area-8, Garki.

    “The FCTA wishes to inform the public that the affected roads will be partially closed to traffic and road users will be diverted to other adjoining routes to allow for smooth conduct of the rehabilitation works.

    “The general public is to further note that the FCT Department of Road Transport Services, the police and the Federal Road Safety Corps have been duly informed of this exercise and would be on ground to ensure seamless traffic control and management during the period of planned rehabilitation works.”

  • 2019: Buratai warns military against showing sympathy for any party

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai on Tuesday warned Officers and men of the Nigerian Army not to show any sympathy to any Political party, religious or ethnic group as the nation commence activities for the 2019 general elections.

    Lt Gen Buratai who advised military officers and personnel to shun politicians who are likely to approach them during the elections, said a Special Court Martial has been established by military authorities to try defaulters of the code of conduct guiding the military.

    Lt Gen Buratai sounded the warning at the opening of the 2nd and 3rd Quarters Chief of Army Staff Conference held at Command Officers’ Mess, Asokoro, Abuja, on Tuesday. He said any military personnel interested in partisan politics should resign forthwith.

    He also warned that necessary steps should be taken by army commanders to prevent any act that is inimical to the corporate existence, unity and stability of the country, maintaining that any lapse in this regard would not be condoned.

    At the Conference which was attended by GOCs, Field Commanders, Corps Commanders as well as Commanders of Army Schools and Institutions, Lt Gen. Buratai said “as political activities unfold towards the 2019 General Elections, GOCs and Field Commanders at all levels are enjoined to continue to remind officers and soldiers under their command to remain non-partisan and be guided by the stipulated code of conduct in the discharge of their duties.”

    The COAS further said: ” As professional soldiers, none of us should be sympathetic to any political, religious or ethnic cause. Any personnel of the NA who is interested in politics should voluntarily retire from the NA to pursue his / her political passion.

    “Furthermore, I wish to remind all on the prohibition of NA personnel from any form of worship outside the established barracks worship areas, except those permitted for wedding and some peculiar social functions.

    “I want to reiterate that the Special Court Martial to try defaulters is already in place. I enjoin you all to observe the codes of conduct guiding military personnel and thus refrain from any occult, ethnic, political or religious extremism as these would distract us from our enshrined constitutional responsibility as professional soldiers”.

    Lt. Gen Buratai explained that the conference was meant to appraise the performances of the army in the past few months in line with set objectives and to chat a course forward on how to deliver on various activities and operations in the remaining months ahead.

    “The ongoing operations in different part of the country to curtail the activities of Boko Haram Terrorists, farmers/herdsmen clashes, armed banditary, cattle rustling, Kidnapping, pipeline vandalism and militancy among other crimes have witnessed tremendous achievements.

    “I want to emphasize that these successes must be sustained and consolidated. I therefore urge you to bring your ingenuities to bear on your duties,” the COAS stated.

    Regarding military operations across the country, Lt Gen . Buratai said : “The NA has launched Op LAST HOLD in the North East to completely degrade the Boko Haram Terrorist group around Lake Chad region and to facilitate the return of the internally displaced persons to their homes.

    “The operation is still ongoing and is achieving the set objectives. Additionally, the security situation in the North West and North Central particularly around some parts of Kaduna, Zamfara, Benue, Plateau and Taraba states have necessitated the deployment of troops by the NA, sister Services and other security agencies to put a stop to wanton destruction of lives and properties.

    Read Also: Aisha Buhari’s ADC in SSS custody over N2.5 billion fraud

    ” I want to urge the field commanders not to relent on their efforts to ensure effective synergy amongst the security agencies Within their respective Area of Responsibility to achieve desired end-states.

    “As part of efforts to complement the defence and arrangements put in place to Checkmate the security challenges in the country, I directed the establishment of 17 Bde in Katsina. I also directed the establishment of the NA Cyber Warfare Command to explore the cyber dimension to warfare and other military operations.

    “Others are the reestablishment of NA Special Project under the office of the COAS and establishment of FOB in Epe among others. Furthermore, Headquarters 8 Div and 1 Bde have been relocated to their permanent headquarters in Sokoto and Zamfara States respectively as provided in the NA ORBAT 2016 while 123 SF Bn has also been established to complement the efforts of 707 SF Bde.

    “The NA must continue to be proactive and decisive to ensure safety of Nigerians wherever they may reside.

    ” It is imperative to note that the unity and territorial integrity of Nigeria lies With the military and the NA in particular. Therefore, we must brace up to this onerous task which can only be borne with effort. Let me remind all commanders that, as a command responsibility, necessary steps must be taken in all circumstances to prevent any act that is inimical to the corporate existence, unity and stability of the country. I must add that any lapse in this regard would not be condoned.”

    Lt. Gen Buratai lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the support and understanding his administration has shown to the military so far and assured that the military would continue to give their best to protect the territorial integrity of the country and ensure that the country is safe and secure for economic growth and development.

  • Police arrests two hotel staff for $17,000 theft, 11 others

    Police arrests two hotel staff for $17,000 theft, 11 others

    The FCT Police Command have arrested two suspects for their alleged involvement in the theft of over $17,000 from the hotel room of a guest.

    The suspects who work as house keepers in one of the hotels in Asokoro area of Abuja stole the money from their victim.

    According to the Police, the suspects, Charles Ornguga and Festus Bekee changed the money into Naira and used it to purchase household appliances.

    Some of the things they bought with the money include; flat screen television,  refrigerator, CD home theatre, air conditioning, four burner gas cooker, microwave oven and stabilizer.

    This was disclosed in Abuja yesterday by the Command Spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah during the parade of the suspects.

    Other suspects paraded are; Joseph Ayuba, John Paul Okoh, Emmanuel Friday, Moses Eze, Bulus Luka, Obiara Echezona Anthony,  Abdullahi Aminu, Bamidele Adams, Philip Sabelo,  Fraku Adamu, and Felix Omotayo.

    Items recovered from them include;  two locally made pistol, one AK 47 rifle, 36 rounds of live ammunition, one Mazda car with registration number ABJ788AH, two phones, one black bag, one rope, some wraps of weeds, one berreta pistol, one iron bar, one knife, one saw, one chisel, and cutlass.

    Four of the suspects, Joseph Ayuba, John Paul Okoh, Emmanuel Friday, and Moses Eze were said to be responsible for the death of Barrister  Efosa Edwin Roland.

    Breifing Journalists about their operation, the Command’s Spokesman,  Manzah said: “Police Operatives attached to the Command Special Anti-Robbery Squad  (SARS), arrested members of a notorious armed robbery gang who stabbed late Barrister Roland.

    “They stabbed him on the chest and robbed him of his car on the 8th of November, 2017  at about 2350hrs. The victim who was rushed to National hospital by Police operatives unfortunately he died at the same hospital on the 9th of November, at about 0445hrs while receiving treatment.

    “As a result of discreet police investigation, four suspects linked to the incident have been arrested but one of the suspects Moses Eze who sustained gun wound on his leg while trying to escape police arrest died while receiving treatment in the hospital”.

    Manzah also said that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

  • Stakeholders to parents: Channel your wards energy towards positive impacts

    Stakeholders in education sector have urged school management and parents to help channel students’ energy toward positive programmes.

    They spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the 4th edition of the Power Forward Project organised by Exxon Mobile in conjunction with Africare, an NGO.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Power Forward Project is aimed at using the game of basketball to teach and mentor over 10,000 students from 10 secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    It is also aimed at teaching secondary school students, life skills training such as leadership, respect and personal responsibility through basketball and other programmes to positively impact on them.

    Mrs Samira Jibir, Executive Director, Glisten International Academy, said that schools should as a matter of urgency, develop and orientate the minds of the students toward productivity.

    She said this would make students to be of value to themselves, their immediate society and the world at large.

    “There are so many distractions for the children which conflict with socio-cultural values of the society.

    “These range from exposure to high technology waves without control, being left at the mercy of adults’ house helps, relatives, cartoons, comprehensive sexuality education and peer group.

    “We neglect our roles as adults to guide, love and protect these children; we have failed these children.

    “We must therefore channel their energy to positive programmes like sports, for example basketball,” she said.

    Jibir commended power forward for engaging the time of the children positively, building their confidence and maximising their potential.

    Also, Mr Michael Kukigan, Business Resources Manager, ExxonMobil, said the project was meant to bring development to Nigerian youths by engaging them in what they loved doing, especially sports.

    Kukigan said the organisation, over the years, had been harnessing the talents and potential of youths, especially secondary school students, to groom them in becoming self-reliant in future.

    “The children have the talent and what we do is to focus on developing these talents.

    “We believe that beyond sports, the students need to have substance, know what it takes to get goal and leadership skills through education.

    “They also need to learn valuable lessons and understanding about public health and get education, to make life better for them and the country,” he said.

    He also said the 2017 edition of the project was targeted at reaching out to 10,000 youths in schools and vulnerable communities with life skill information.

    Mrs Victoria George, Deputy Director, FCT Secondary Education Board, stressed that popularising sports, especially basketball in the Nigerian schools would help the children to be celebrated in their life long skills.

    George noted that children were key players in leadership role in their various schools, adding that about 50 per cent of them that participated in the project were leaders in their various schools.

    She further said the project had tremendous impact on the students because it would help them turn away from social vices thereby building bridges that would foster country’s development.

    The schools represented in this edition are: Model Secondary School, Maitama, Rahinna Model College, Jikwoyi, Raberto Schools, Wuse 2, Divine Mercy Secondary School, Asokoro and Glisten International School, Jahi.

    Others are; Bicardos International School, Kubwa, Government Secondary School, Karu, Wuse, Garki and Airport.

     

  • Court adjourns reverend father’s rape case until May 25

    A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama on Wednesday adjourned until May 25 to commence hearing in a case of rape of a minor brought against a reverend father, Anthony Ochigbo.

    The case which is being tried by Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf was adjourned after the prosecuting counsel, Mr John Ijagbemi, wrote the court asking for adjournment.

    Ijagbemi said he was attending another court for a different case.

    The court had sometime in November 2016 adopted the bail condition given to Ochigbo earlier in another court.

    The counsel told the court that Ochigbo, 44, of Catholic Church of Assumption, Asokoro, Abuja, on Aug. 15, 2016 allegedly abused a 10-year-old girl sexually.

    He said Ochigbo had an unlawful sexual intercourse with her in the church which contravened  Sections 31 (1) and 32(2) of the Child Rights Act, 2003.

    Ochigbo was earlier arraigned before Justice Olukayode Adeniyi on Aug. 30, 2016 during courts’ vacation.

    Adeniyi granted him a N2 million bail with two sureties, who must be civil servants not below Grade Level 14.

    In addition, he said the sureties must be reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

  • Yeye Bola Dare in double celebration

    Yeye Bola Dare in double celebration

    YEYE Bola Dare is a lady that wields a lot of power in Abuja and close to the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan. So powerful is the former media practitioner that she could be referred to as Madam Fix it in the capital city of Abuja.

    Not only is she Madam Fix it, the vivacious woman has been dubbed Mother Theresa, no thanks to the orphanage she runs in Gwarimpa, Abuja. Between December 13 and 15, the Federal Capital Territory will play host to socialites, fun lovers and government functionaries as Yeye rolls out the drums to celebrate the 6th anniversary of Mother Theresa children’s home as well as birthday thanksgiving /party of 46 children. There will be thanksgiving service at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, Asokoro, while reception will follow at the home in Gwarimpa. The colour of the day is white and black with a touch of red. By 8pm, the stylish and glamorous lady will be entertaining the crème de la creme to her 46th birthday bash.

    Yeye Bola Dare takes delight in giving life and hope to the less-privileged children whom she named after world presidents and past Nigerian leaders. Her involvement in philanthropy is not unconnected with her calling to be the mother of many children.