The Nation Newspaper

Tag: City

  • The alpha city

    The alpha city

    The soldiers came; the hoodlums retreated. Okada riders and keke napep shrank their geography of commerce. This happened in Ikorodu a few days ago, and it emphasises the unease by both residents and the Lagos State governor over the serial reports of daredevilry in the city.

    But the military intervention in Ikorodu came only a week after Governor Akinwunmi Ambode told some editors how he dared one night into an abandoned building in the Falomo area and found many city never-do-wells within its cosy walls. They had turned the place to a cell to lay eggs of mischief and lay their heads. The miscreants infested the hideouts with assortment of weapons, drugs, etc.

    Ikorodu and Falomo inhabit antipodal universes. Falomo lies in the Ikoyi heartland where the well-heeled plume. Ikorodu, for most part, belongs to the low rung of the social ladder.

    Yet, the criminals have managed to find peace and fertility in both places, indicating they are like the wind. They are everywhere.

    On security, there is also the startling statistic in Lagos. The government will use 30,000 policemen to watch over the lives and safety of 20 million people.

    Hence in more muted tones, the governor had had to speak about partnership with Abuja.

    But this is not a matter of safety alone. Traffic chaos riled the city dwellers and paralysed activities. It compelled the governor to experiment with the rule to keep the trailers out of sight in daylight. The trailers, unhinged and menacing, had tipped over quite a few times, crushing cars and lapping off lives.  But the Apapa-Oshodi gridlock that spills over to other parts of the city has been a hobgoblin government after government has had to contend with.

    What this tells us is that the status of Lagos as Nigeria’s special city ought to go beyond rhetoric.

    The use of soldiers has revealed the inadequacy of the police as a force to tackle Lagos. It means we have to recruit more of them. But more importantly, it reactivates the debate about state police. If the constitution empowers states to form their own police, Governor Ambode will not look to Abuja for soldiers since it does not have enough to go round. The deployment of soldiers also reflects a nationwide emergency on security.

    Today, soldiers operate in the Northeast to mow down Boko Haram; in the Niger Delta as counterpoise to militants; in the Southeast over kidnapping, among others. Now, they are going to be in Lagos for a while.

    Lagos is Nigeria’s special city because it hosts its bread and butter. The young and restless come here. The business opportunities whirl in its bosom. It is so partly because of the general failure of the democratic experiment so far to provide what many call the dividends of democracy: Food, shelter, healthcare, security, jobs. Philosophers call it the good life. Only few states give its residents what Lagos gives Lagosians.

    So, Lagos is not just a city, it is the cot of its citizens. Here everyone wants to grow up and then graduate into a room with a view in the mansion.  Former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) often noted that people came to Lagos everyday to live. Governor Ambode told editors that recent reports show that more people have thronged the city never to return in the past few months than any time in its history.

    It mounts pressure on infrastructure, health care and, of course, security.

    In every developed country, the major city is a treasure. Not more in this regard than New York or London. Like Lagos, New York sprang from a humble coastal town. Like Lagos, New York is babel of many languages and ethnic backgrounds. Like Lagos, New York has battled with the paradox of infrastructure and population density. That explains why it is regarded as the immigration hub of the country. It is often the nest of crime, machine politics and social inequality. In his book, The Affluent Society, John Kenneth Galbraith lamented a city where skyscrapers looked down over potholes. It is the sort of inequality that informed the writing of about the greatest book on the subject by the French economist Thomas Piketty titled, Capital in the 21st Century.  Unlike other states in the United States, New York has a special tax relationship with the centre. It keeps 83 cents from every dollar it makes. It enjoys that privilege because it has the top two richest districts in the country and political donors bloom its suburbs.

    President Buhari’s approval of soldiers to help douse crime in the city must be commended. But the traffic snarl must also be treated with urgency. Traffic chaos fuels deviant havens. When traffic flows, the hoodlums lose opportunities. The Oshodi-Apapa gridlock arises from infrastructure deficit, and it is because a road connecting the place to the trailer parks remains undone. Once that is out of the way, the conversation will begin. We can then visit the larger issue of rail transportation that gives something close to a silver bullet.

  • Nine-year-old’s prize for coming to the city

    Nine-year-old’s prize for coming to the city

    Ifeanyi Chiazor hoped for the good life leaving Delta State for Abuja. On arrival, he was asked to mind a shop owned by his aunt, who would allegedly batter and slash him with a blade. VINCENT IKUOMOLA and FAITH YAHAYA report

    Not all the boy’s dreams crashed. Nine-year-old Ifeanyi Chiazor dreamt to see the big city, its huge buildings and sleek cars cruising on paved roads. He achieved that because he was taken to the Federal Capital City (FCT) to live with an aunt who promises matched his ideas. So he did see the glitzy nation’s capital, though he headed straight to the suburbs of Dape, Gwagwa where his relative lived with her family.

    It was the second arm of his dream, which was to continue his primary school and one day become a successful man that misfired terribly.

    What Ifeanyi got was assault and battery.

    At the time when the entire world was uniting against child abuse and violence, somewhere in the rusty settlement of Dape in Abuja Municipal Centre, her aunt was reportedly busy perpetrating crime against her defenseless nephew, inflicting cuts on him.

    For an offence whose gravity could not be ascertained yet, Ifeanyi’s aunt beat him severely, using a razor blade to cut him in several parts of his body.

    One account said the boy spilled palm oil. Ifeanyi’s version was that it was the aunt’s son who actually poured out the oil, while Ifeanyi got the beating for spanking the aunt’s two-year-old son who spilled the oil.

    What he thought was a correctional measure for his aunt son resulted to injury that is sure to leave a scar that will probably last a lifetime.

    Ifeanyi spoke to our cur correspondents at Our Lady Clinic and Maternity Home in Gwagwa where he was rushed to.

    He said, “My name is Ifeanyi Chiazor, and I am nine years old. My aunt (name withheld) inflicted this wound on me because her son spilled oil and I spanked him and then packed the oil and then the son reported me to my aunt and that was how she started beating me.

    Continuing, he said: “She used belt to beat me but in the process the belt cut, and she then used wooden kitchen stool to hit me and when that one broke, she carried lamp and after that, she took me to the room, she locked the door and started using razor blade to cut my body.”

    Asked how neither her aunt’s husband nor the neighbours heard him shout and came to his rescue, the boy said: “If neighbours come, she will pick up a fight with them. Her husband was around but he could not help me. All he did while my aunt beat and cut me with the blade was to cry.

    He continued: “After cutting me, she went to look for vehicle that will bring me to the hospital but the [driver] charged her N1500, but she said she could only afford N100. So, she looked for a tricycle (Keke NAPEP) to bring me here.”

    Ifeanyi also disclosed to our reporters that contrary to the promise his aunt made to his parents before he came to Abuja, that he will be registered in school, all he has been doing ever since was to assist his aunt in selling in her shop instead of going to school.

    The boy who could not communicate properly because of the pain he was going through, said:  “I used to be in school in the village but my education stopped when I came to Abuja. I was in Primary 3 in Agbogidi Primary School in Ogboani, Delta State and my aunt promised my parents that she would enrol me in school immediately I got to Abuja but when I came to Abuja, I was not enrolled; rather, I was helping her sell provision in her shop.”

    When asked if he would still want to stay with his aunt, Ifeanyi said, “I will like to go back to the village because the suffering here is too much. I came to Abuja from Ogboani in Delta State. My father is an okada rider and my mother makes and sells garri,” he said.

    The owner of the clinic and nurse who attended to Ifeanyi, Mrs Virginia Ugwu described his situation as very bad.

    •Some of the stitches
    •Some of the stitches

    She said, “The situation of the boy when he was brought in was very bad. She cut him in several places like the abdomen, the buttocks down to his back thigh, lower abdomen, and because of the condition, we started treating him without even demanding for anything.

    “When the police officers in Gwagwa came, they said I was supposed to report the incident before I begin treatment but I began the treatment because the boy was in a bad shape and he had lost so much blood.

    “The stitches are over 30. The cut was so deep, the cut at the lower abdomen got to his tissue and after the stitches, it was difficult for Ifeanyi to urinate; I had to take him to another doctor who helped in draining the urine before he started urinating normally”.

    Also speaking, the son to the owner of the clinic, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwu said: “I was here when the boy was brought in; the woman brought him on the third of September; she came in crying because the boy was in a pool of his own blood.

    “She told the clinic that he is her son and that she inflicted the injury on him but she blamed the whole act on the handiwork of the devil. According to her, the boy is a stubborn type and that he does not listen to her instruction [which angered her] but she also said it was not intentional and that it was the work of the devil.

    “She actually deceived us because she claimed that the boy was her son and that made people to desert the boy because they saw it as a family matter but it was when the aunt left that she was going to bring him food and clothing that the boy spoke up because it was obvious that the boy is really afraid of her.

    Continuing, Mr. Ugwu said: The woman left and never wanted to come back. We later got in touch with the Mai Ungwa in Dape who helped in getting in touch with her. The Mai Ungwa called her and when she picked, she asked if the boy was dead?

    ”After waiting for several hours for her without seeing her, we went to report to the police station because she brought the boy around 3pm, and she didn’t come back until 1am. She was arrested thereafter but she was released the next day.

    Our correspondents discovered that Ifeanyi’s case has not only attracted the attention of the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP), the agency has rescued the boy while it has also commenced investigation which according to gathering might lead to prosecution of the boy’s aunt. The Head, Press and Public Relations of the agency, Mr. Josiah Emerole who confirmed the incident, told our correspondents that the boy was already with them and that investigation on the matter was on.

    Mr. Emerole also revealed that the woman has been granted administrative bail because she is currently nursing a three month old baby. But he said she has been asked to be reporting to the agency. He also confirmed that the woman will be prosecuted at the end of the investigation.

    Ifeanyi has also pleaded not to return to his aunt’s house because of the ill-treatment he gets.

    Speaking on how NAPTIP got to know about the boy, he explained that the boy’s aunt wanted the boy discharged and that was when the clinic called NAPTIP and they have since taken over the case.

    In section 351 of the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria, any person who unlawfully assaults another is guilty of an offence and may be liable to imprisonment for one year but it has been observed that cases of assault has continued to thrive despite the spelt out punishment.

    For this act to be curbed, there is need for enforcement of the law which will serve as a example for those who indulge in this act. On the part of parents, they should also be careful of who they give their children to no matter the promise made.

  • Moses shoots down City

    Moses shoots down City

    •Noisy neighbours unbeaten record shattered
    •Iheancho makes 6.mins cameo

    Nigerian  International Victor Moses continued his good form for West Ham as he scored in his first away match for the Hammers against Manchester City yesterday.

    The on loan Chelsea winger had a glorious debut last weekend in the 2-0 win against Newcastle United at Upton Park and showed abilities again at the Etihad when he hit a beautiful strike past Joe Hart within the first five minutes of play.

    That goal spurred the Hammers and they duly grabbed the second goal of the match through Senegalese forward Diafra Sakho who tucked in a rebound after Joe Hart punched away Wintson Reid’s header from a Dmitry Payet corner.

    However, the home side pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time when record signing Kevin de Bruyne received a pass from current African footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure and coolly finished from 20 yards in his first premier league start in front of the Etihad fans.

    West Ham manager Slaven Bilic took out Victor Moses after an hour of play as he freshened the team in the face of heavy Manchester City attack which was intensified with the introduction of Nigerian wonder kid Kelechi Iheanacho in the last six minutes but the away side held on for a great away win.

    The Hammers have now beaten Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City away in six premier league matches and Moses goal was the first the Citizens conceded this season.

  • AFRIMA SHOPS FOR HOST CITY

    AFRIMA SHOPS FOR HOST CITY

    AS the November 15 date slated for this year’s edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) inches close, partnering agency, the African Union Commission (AUC) in conjunction with the International Committee of AFRIMA, have expressed interest in four Nigerian cities, including Port Harcourt, Lagos, Uyo, and Calabar, for the hosting right of the continental event.

    The four states have since been asked by the AUC, to indicate their interest to host AFRIMA 2015.

    AUC’s Commissioner for Social Affairs, Dr. Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko stated that “the main purpose of the partnership is to showcase the tourism and economic potentials of one of the great cities in Africa and promote its strengths to a global audience which in turn add to the GDP of the state and the continent at large.”

    He notes that hosting AFRIMA presents a lot of benefits that would help in raising the continental and international profile of the host city.

    Matlou Tsotetsi, Direcor of Sponsorship and Communication, AFRIMA, adds that the host city should be one that is willing to create value and deep brand equity not only for Nigerians but Africans. “It must have the most motivation to host AFRIMA in line with its values; have the strongest vision in tourism, culture and entertainment; have the most adequate facilities, surrounding Infrastructure, security and tourist attraction to host the event and should have hosted successful events in the past that attracted both national and or global audiences,” he said.

    AFRIMA is of the belief that Port Harcourt, Uyo, Calabar, and Lagos cities are capable of hosting this year`s edition of AFRIMA, even though all cities over the years have shown capacity in terms of security, political stability, tourism, culture preservation, entertainment and tourism.

    AFRIMA is expected to be a star-studded event that will be broadcast to 84 countries on 109 television stations across the world.

    The show will be preceded by the ‘Africa Music Summit’ on November 13, themed Reviving the Business of Music in Africa. The Summit is a platform for the African music industry stakeholders to engage and deliberate on how the music industry in Africa can be nurtured in a way that adds to the GDP of the continent. The Summit will also examine opportunities for job creation in the vibrant music industry as a tool for reducing poverty and insecurity in Africa.

    Organisers add that there will be the “AFRIMA Music Village,” taking place on November 13-14, as an open festival-style concert. Performing live each night will be different, high-selling African music stars bringing thrilling entertainment to more than 50000 audience members expected to attend.

  • Cleaner City: Lagos, firm partner on recycling of waste oil

    Cleaner City: Lagos, firm partner on recycling of waste oil

    To tackle the indiscriminate handling/management and disposal of spent/waste oil, a major contaminants of its ecosystem, the Lagos State Government has said it will partner with Ecocycle Technology, to begin a recycling programme aimed at ensuring a cleaner environment.

    The General Manager/CEO, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Adebola Rasheed Shabi, said the move was aimed at protecting the environment and the prevention of further contamination of the surface and underground water body in the state.

    He said under the new system Lagosians whether corporate or individuals, would be encouraged to deposit their used oil at any of the specially designated collection centres across the state for onward disposal by the firm.

    Shabi said since the proper management of used oil is a major environmental concern, in accordance with the laws setting up the agency, it would be an offence for anyone to discharge their spent fuel indiscriminately into storm drains or elsewhere in the state when the system finally rolls off.

    He said: “The goal of this effort is to ensure an environmental quality that is consistent with the social and economic needs of the state, in order to protect human and animal health, welfare, property and quality of life.”

    He further stated that the continuous monitoring and control of the disposal of solids, liquids and gaseous wastes generated by both government and private facilities has led LASEPA to setting some benchmarks that has ensured the safety of lives of residents.

    He said approximately about two hundred million litres of used oil are dumped on the bare ground or into storm drains nationwide every year, with no one bothering about its adverse effect on the environment and human health.

    “Improperly disposed oil can contaminate drinking water and harm aquatic animal and plant life, by depriving them of nutrients and oxygen. These waste oil contains heavy metals (i.e. Chromium, Lead, Zinc, Mercury, etc, that bio-magnify in the body tissues of the aquatic animals such as Cyclops, Planktons and other Benton) that are primary producers in the food chain,” he said. When these primary food chains are consumed by man, he explained, they become carcinogenic (cancer causing agents), in the human bodies.

    With this partnership, LASEPA, Shabi said, is encouraging Lagosians to protect the state’s natural resources, surface and underground drinking water supplies by properly disposing used motor/engine oil at public collection centres that would be appropriately designated across the state.

    The Managing Director of Ecocycle Technology Mr. Albert Adewunmi said the firm is determined to put an end to the contamination of the ecosystem as a result of waste oil through a beneficial recycling system that is meant to make the environment cleaner.

    He listed some of the products that could be generated from the recycled waste oil to include fresh engine oil, diesel, asphalt residue, which could be mixed with bitumen, as well as soap.

    “The recycling would also create work opportunities for hundreds of people directly and millions indirectly as waste collectors, and job creators,” Aderomi said.

    He added that the recycling system comes with a waste buy back opportunity where the firm would be paying a token to anyone who patronises it by bringing their waste oil in exchange for cash.

  • Centenary City, centenary cut

    They touted it as a city to be built on virgin land; a city on the hill, so to say. But not comparable to the holy city of Jerusalem, which the Bible talks about. However, the promoters of the Centenary City had a similar city in mind; a city that will blow our minds and punch a hole in our pockets. In the pockets of those that can afford it, that is.

    The Centenary City was conceived as a monument to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates from which present day Nigeria emerged. It was a lavish celebration on which billions of naira were spent. Then Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, was at the helm of the planning committee.

    Abuja was virtually locked down for this once in a lifetime ceremony, which started in February, 2014 and ended  in February, 2015. The idea behind the city’s conception may not be bad, but was it done with the purest of motives? This is the question now being asked amid the controversy over the city’s status. The Centenary City is not just a city, but a city within a city carved out of the capital city of Abuja. Some villages were sacked for the city. These are the villages of  Baruwa, Kpaikpai, Gosa, Daiynna, Toge and Ruga.

    Eventhough these communities initially kicked against the acquisition of their land for the project, they later acquiesced after being compensated.  Then Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Bala Mohammed,  also initially reportedly refused to buy into the project, claiming that the city is not captured in the Abuja masterplan. He also later changed his mind and signed the certificate of occupancy (C of O) following orders from above. Whether it was done on orders from above or not, the time for asking questions is here. And those behind the project are afraid that they may be called upon to give account.

    Questions could not be asked in the past because we were under a government of anything goes. Former President Goodluck Jonathan was and still is a happy, jolly fellow, who did not want anything to disrupt the good life he was having in government.  He allowed his lieutenants a free hand to do whatever they liked as long as his own interest was not affected. And some of these lieutenants used his name to perpetrate evil under the guise of working in the national interest.  To rebuild the nation, we must probe the sordid deeds of the past to deter our future leaders. Otherwise, we will continue to move around in circles – all movement and motion.  But they would have none of such probe; they want us as a people to pretend as if nothing went amiss under their watch. We know that a lot went wrong under Jonathan. The former president also know that many things went wrong under him, but he did not have, as they say, the liver to act.

    With the Buhari administration determined to clean the Augean stable, these yesterday men have been running to the Abdulsalami Abubakar-led peace committee to help save their necks. The panel’s brief, I beg to say, does not include interfering in the due process of getting past public officers to account for their stewardship. The panel has done its best by getting President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Jonathan to accept the outcome of the March 28 election. It should not see this selfless service as a licence to dictate to the Buhari administration how to run the country. The panel has no hold over Buhari because it brokered peace between him Jonathan before the poll. If the government has decided to probe Jonathan, so be it.

    Didn’t Jonathan tell the world before leaving office that he was not afraid of being probed? His plea, however, was that the probe should be extended to the governments before his. That was only a suggestion, which the present government can either accept or reject. His suggestion is not binding on Buhari. If Jonathan is so much interested in the probe of the governments before his, why didn’t he initiate it? He should not use this as a ploy to accuse the Buhari administration of witch hunting him. Why should the government do that? He needs not be afraid if his hands are clean.

    The truth is there was nothing clean about the Jonathan administration and this is why those who served in it are jittery about being probed. No amount of blackmail should stop the Buhari administration from going ahead with the exercise. One of the projects that should be looked into is the Centenary City. Was due process followed in the acquisition of the vast land for the project? Were the displaced villagers duly compensated? How did it acquire its free zone status when it is not purely a commercial venture? Are such projects worldwide given such status? How do they acquire it? The project looks good on paper, but deep down it smells of a scam. Like everything Nigerian, some people have used it to con us. They have made a cut from the project and will still make more, if the government does not act fast to stop them.

    There is something fishy about the Centenary City. If not, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Vice Chairman, Southsouth Cairo Ojougboh will not be crying foul. To Ojougboh,  the Centenary City, which is expected to be completed in 10 years, is a scam. Why? He submits : “It is an elaborate scheme cunningly conceived to defraud the government and the good people of Nigeria”. Ojougboh should know because he was Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) Chairman when the city acquired its free zone status. Could the Centenary City have got that status without the NEPZA chairman’s knowledge? That is impossible except if it was done behind his back. If this is so, those who did it should answer for their actions.

    Ojougboh, who is enraged that Anyim has taken him to court over the  matter and also organised a protest, which he calls ‘’a show of shame’’ against him,  insists that the project is “crime personified” because its C of O was obtained under false pretence. He adds that it was cunningly contrived to look like a public private partnership (PPP) management. The city, he maintains, was also “cunningly incorporated as a free zone without any authority whatsoever to do so. It is public knowledge that the only agency with the authority to designate any area as a free trade zone is NEPZA, where I served the nation as chairman. It is, therefore, inevitable that being a man of conscience, who would have no traffic with impunity or corruption, I would reveal this scam to the authorities and the general public.

    “The Centenary City is indeed a project devised to trick the authorities into giving a huge chunk of land to one man under the guise of PPP”. What do those asking the present government to let sleeping dogs lie say of these allegations? Swept under the carpet? Is that what will ensure that the peace we now enjoy endure? No, it will rather shatter it because where there is no justice, there can be no peace. If we want peace, we should embrace justice first. Otherwise, what we will have, will be peace of the graveyard.

    As for me, I cannot wait for Ojougboh to make good his promise to initiate “legal proceedings by way of sending petitions to the appropriate authorities as regards this issue”. It is only those whose hands are not clean that will be afraid of the impending probe of the past government, an exercise which many Nigerians are eagerly waiting for. Heavens will not fall over this probe whether some people like it or not.

  • Cleaner City: LAGOS goes tough on street trading

    The Lagos State Goverment has vowed to combat the menace of illegal street trading and hawking in the state  metropolis. This is part of its effort to attain a cleaner and healthier environment.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Oluwatoyin Onisarotu, said traders who that fail to abide by State Environmental Sanitation Law would henceforth face the full wrath of the law.

    “It is disheartening to see how our major roads and highways like Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Ikorodu road, Agege motor road, Victoria Island, Ikoyi-Obalende, Ojuelegba – Stadium, Surulere, Oyingbo, Carter bridge, Idumota, Oshodi, Ketu, Mile 12,Third Mainland bridge, Cele, Iyana-Ipaja, Agbado Oke-Odo, Airport Road, Ikeja, amongst others have been converted to illegal markets,” he said.

    Onisarotu, therefore, warned traders engaging in this illegal act to desist as the state government would not compromise any act that may derail the effort of the government in achieving a cleaner environment in the state, warning that state environmental sanitation law forbids anybody from converting the road median, setbacks and walkways to any trading activities.

    He said the state governor, Mr.Akinwuni Ambode, has mandated Law Enforcement Officers and Regulatory Agencies to ensure compliance with the provision of the state Sanitation Laws forthwith.

  • City of killer drivers

    City of killer drivers

    The nation’s capital posts grim statistics on road fatalities. Blame motorists who never bother to go to driving school. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports

    Nigeria has one of the highest road traffic crash records in the world with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) posting the highest figures. Speed limits in the city appear to be viewed as mere suggestions, and lanes nothing more than driveways on which to zoom and swerve at will, while driving against traffic is routine. If caught, a little money gets you out of trouble.

    Many pedestrians are frequently crushed as a result, leaving resident with just one conclusion: Abuja drivers are not properly trained in driving, or better still, refuse to be trained.

    Some roads in the FCT are notorious for ghastly accidents. Abuja-Kubwa-Zuba Expressway tops the list. The road under reconstruction, when completed, will likely be among the best and widest in the country with 10 lanes.

    Many Abuja motorists are ignorant of the dangers associated with smooth roads and therefore have little consideration for safety, hence avoidable accidents are common. For this reason, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps or FRSC have stationed their ambulances at some locations along the expressway.

    The Abuja-Lugbe-Gwagwalada Road, also being rehabilitated, is another blood sucker. When completed, it may rank among one of the best in the country. But many reckless drivers have met their deaths on that road, while several others have sustained critical injuries in deadly crashes.

    Residents continue to lament that despite endless sensitisation by the FRSC and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) on roads regulations, the capital city is still facing the challenges of reckless driving and beating of traffic lights which is resulting to increasing rates of road accidents.

    They are of the opinion that because there are no stringent measures to monitor speeding on the highways, there are endless accidents in the FCT. They also say that if there are measures to monitor drivers, while the reckless ones are arrested, it will go a long way to reduce accidents.

    An investigation has shown that many hit the road as soon as they buy their first cars, with probably only a week between the purchase and their first experience on the expressway. They shun  driving schools.

    This further contributes to the increasing fatal accidents in Abuja.

    Mrs. Sade Adamu, a resident, described the recklessness of drivers as pathetic and worrisome because it brings pain to other careful road users.

    Shola Dina, another resident, said,

    “The truth is that driving is all about being very careful. But that is what is lacking when we study Abuja drivers. From observation, we find out that their driving is more offensive, instead of defensive. They are usually impatient and go to the extent of breaking traffic rules and regulations and not taking note of road signs.

    “I do not think that most drivers in the FCT attended driving schools; that is why they do not observe traffic rules and regulations. Driving entails responsibility, care, consideration and having courtesy for other road users. It has to do with safety first above all. I will advice that the government should do something about the bad behaviour of drivers within the city and the Road Safety agency should sanction those that do not follow the rules on the roads.”

    Mr. Ayo Joseph, the Proprietor of Joy International Driving School in the FCT, said that drivers are supposed to attend certified driving schools for them to drive safely and avoid accidents, saying that it is the reason while the Road Safety certifies most driving schools.

    “[Anybody who wants] to start a driving school must go to the CAC [Corporate Affairs Commission] to register, and after FRSC and Vehicles Inspection Officers (VIO) and  all these agencies have registered your name, then the person is free to start a driving school. Then the owner of the diving school will be attending road safety courses, so that they will have the recognition to issue their students driving certificate.

    Joseph explained that driving schools teach the road signs, the traffic signs, warning signs, regulatory signs, the mandatory signs and prohibitory signs. So, that drivers will know the rules and regulations in driving, because, if somebody as a driver do not know those signs, it could easily cause accidents.

    “Some drivers in the FCT see those signs as road decorations, just like flowers decorate the roads, but they are signs to ensure safe driving. Why there are accidents on the road is because  some drivers call themselves professionals and try to beat traffic light that show the ‘Red’ light for them to stop, and by so doing there may be another oncoming vehicle and that would lead to fatal accident.

    “Most of these drivers that have accidents are not learners, they are the supposed professional drivers without attending driving school and they have automatic vehicles. Also, most of them always try to beat Road Safety when they are asked to stop or slow down and this act can cause accident on the way.

    “Another reason for accident in the FCT, is over speeding. So, on expressway, the maximum speed is supposed to be 100km per hour, while highway is supposed to be 90km. Also, a good driver is supposed to be patient and alert because of other road users, like human beings and animals.

    A private car owner says it is not just about drivers not observing the rules. The truth, he says, is that most of them do not even know the rules. “How many of our drivers go to driving schools before getting their driver’s licences? To tell the truth, even me I had not perfected my driving ability when I got my driver’s license”, he explains.

    The Federal Government has endorsed various policies to deal with the menace of unqualified drivers yet the same government has consistently fallen short on enforcement while people seem to always find a way around the system.

    One of the most recent accidents in Abuja claimed the life of a woman, identified as Deaconess Ngozi Ike, 39, and a mother of five, who was crushed by a truck which suffered brake failure.

    Another victim, Mrs Rose Awhia, aged 52 and mother of two, who, perhaps missed her way and, instead of driving a stretch to turn, chose to drive against traffic on the speed lane when a Toyota Hilux van, on speed, had a head-on collision with her car. Though the impact was more on the Hilux van and the two persons inside it, the woman died before medical attention could get to her while her sister survived.

    What many motorists fail to understand is that vehicles are designed for maximum loads. It is, therefore, not surprising that when subjected to stress above the loads, accelerated wear and tear set in on the vehicles.

    Another car owner, Segun Omo  said: “I know how dangerous that road is because its wide and with unexpected diversions on it due to construction still going on and heavy traffic due to travellers from other states, the airport, and other parts of the city… its really unfortunate that most of our drivers think they are on a race circuit thats why they drive without thinking of other road users, residents by the roads their family or the passengers in their vehicles….May the souls of the departed RIP and may God grant speedy recovery to the injured.  Please this is a reminder to those alive: We have only one life, we have family, friends, loved ones, and those whom we mentor knowingly or unknowingly please lets think of them and drive safely and defensively… we shouldn’t practice Electronic Arts Need For Speed Hot Pursuit (EA NFSHP) games or even James Bond 007 style of driving. Sometime we cause everything that happen to us in life but after it happen we blame devil nobody has ever see devil now is the innocent passenger who lost her life may her soul rest in peace.”

     

  • Ibadan: A city of 100 masqueraders

    Ibadan: A city of 100 masqueraders

    As the masqueraders’ season in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, draws nearer, TAYO JOHNSON takes a look at a tradition that is as old as the ancient city itself and presents some of the 100 or so masquerades that make Ibadan tick. 

    In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, devotees of masquerades or Egungun in Yoruba are getting set for their annual festival, a socio-cultural event that captures the essence of this ancient city of over three million people.

    The festival which takes place throughout the month of June and part of July, kicks off later this month when the Oloolu, the most revered of the 100 or so masquerades in Ibadan carries a pot full of ritual ‘sacrifice’ round some designated areas in the city to ward off calamities and cleanse the land to usher in peace and prosperity.

    The Oloolu is expected to take the ‘sacrifice’ from its ancestral home at Ode Aje in the heart of the city by 1 pm to Idi Ape, Beere, Oja’ba down to the Olubadan of Ibadan palace before depositing it at Idi Ape by midnight.

    It is the belief among the locals that without the Oloolu carrying this sacrifice every year and depositing it at Idi Ape which is of spiritual importance to the city, Ibadan would not know peace and no Olubadan dares toy with this tradition.

    After the Oloolu must have cleansed the land with the sacrifice this month, the other masquerades take the stage one after the other in June before the Oloolu returns in July to close the masquerades’ festival.

    Who are the masquerades?

    Masquerades literarily and ordinarily depict grotesque figures that should be feared, but in our clime, the Yoruba race in particular, they represent a bevy of beauty and colourful costumes.

    Through drumming and dance, it is believed that these robed performers get possessed by the spirits of the ancestors, as manifested as a single entity. Their festivals are usually a huge destination for tourists and locals alike. As a matter of fact, some people travel home from far and near to behold the spectacle presented by the masquerades.

    However, their essence is believed to be more than the colours and glamour, singing and dancing. It is also believed that they spiritually clean the community. They also expose the strengths and weaknesses of the community to encourage behavior more befitting of their descendants.

    Ibadan, with no fewer than 100 masquerades being ‘worshipped’ by devotees so to speak, the head of the Egungun clan in the city Chief Soladoye Fadeyi, lends more voice to the essence of these masquerades.

    He said in the early years of Ibadan when the whole place was in disarray, scattered by war, crisis everywhere and nothing was working well in the land, “our forefathers consulted the oracle ýand the oracle said Ibadan will become famous and great only if the families can start worshipping masquerades. So that was how they started it at Ile-Lapapo at Ita Baale and each families in Ibadan contributed clothe for the outing of the first masquerade”

    According to Fadeyi, there are over 100 masquerades in Ibadan and all the families rooted in Ibadan have a link with these masquerades one way or another.

    Giving a brief background of the masquerades, Fadeyi said the first masquerade in the land was named Labala and it came out over 120 years ago. His coming, he said brought peace, progress, prosperity and goodwill to Ibadanland. And whenever that masquerade comes out, he said, no other masquerade or any other person crosses his path.

    He listed the other masquerades including Alagangan, Alapasapa, Ogundeji, Oloolu, Olunlade, Atipako, Abidi-Elege, Godogodo, Ferebiekun, Anikulapo, Lobanika, Telebiitan, Gbebolaja among others.

    These masquerades have different family backgrounds, costumes, rituals and taboos.

    Oloolu

    Recalling the history and importance of one of the greatest masquerades in Ibadanland, the head of Aje family where the Oloolu masquerade originated, Chief Raheem Oyerinde, disclosed that their ýgreat forefather, Ayorinde Aje, who was a warrior along with Ogunmola, Ogbori-efon, Ibikunle, Oderinde, Oderinlo went to fight in Ogbagi in Akoko, Ondo State and Oloolu was a great war masquerade in that town and was so powerful such that no one could confront him during the war.

    ”Nobody could defeat Oloolu during that war but it was our father, Ayorinde Aje that fought him and removed his regalia and costumes, before he was brought to Ibadan as a slave. During his stay in Ibadan, there was famine, ill-health and crisis in the land and all the elders and chiefs were looking for a way out, that was how Ayorinde Aje suggested that Oloolu should be used to carry the ritual to appease the gods, so immediately he carried the ritual, there was rain and everything got back to normal in Ibadan. Oloolu helped Ibadan to be what it is today. Since then anybody that is the head of the Aje family becomes the custodian of Oloolu masquerade.

    According to Chief Oyerinde, ”any area in Ibadan where the people ýtry to fight the Oloolu anytime he is out, such areas will continue to experience bloodshed, and that is what is happening in Opopoyeosa area till date, because they tried to beat Oloolu there sometimes ago. Oloolu is so great that he gives the barren children, he provides for the needy, he prospers business among other good things he can give to an individual who is ready to serve him”

    He further revealed that in time past and presently many politicians seeking elective positions have started coming to seek Oloolu’s assistance for victory at the polls, adding that their wishes are always granted once they can also fulfill their promises.

    Obadimeji

    According to Chief Ojetunde Asoleke, one of the two claimants to the title of Olori Alagbaa (Head of the masquerades) in Ibadan, Obadimeji masquerade is worshipped by the Opayinka, Opadiran and Ojesanmi family in Ibadan and any member of the family can ‘carry’ the during the festival, adding that any member of the family that

    abandoned the family tradition of worshipping the masquerade will be in trouble for the rest of his life.

    ”For instance, I once abandoned this masquerade but shortly after, I had series of problems. I lost all the wealth I had accumulated over the years and things were not going well for me until I returned back to worship him. Evil befalls anyone ýthat does such” he said

    Obadimeji masquerade according to Asoleke was one of the warriors deployed to the front by Ibadan during Kiriji war and assisted greatly in swinging victory in favour of Ibadan soldiers.

    And as part of the preparations for the outing of Obadimeji, the families concerned usually offer sacrifices to appease the masquerade using such items as He-goat, ram,  , corn meal, alcoholic drink, dry pepper, kolanut, and beans cake.

    Its costume or Eku is usually sown with such materials as red lace, damask, and other types of unique materials except white.

    Giving the taboo associated with this masquerade, Asoleke said;” during his outing, Obadimeji’s clothe must not be torn by anyone and there must not be any fighting behind him, or the persons that fought behind him will die.”

    Owolewa and Owolaake

    The two masquerades are under Obadimeji because in Ajia town where they are based, Obadimeji was worshipped before they came into being. Owolewa is a statue masquerade, while Owolaake is not. Their costumes are similar with red and black materials tidings.

    The ritual performed for the two are the same, as the worshipers use kolanut to enquire from the masquerade what he demands for the festival before he comes out.

    It was learnt that he may demand vegetable oil, ram, alcoholic drink, ýor more kolanut. This masquerade is used it to seek peace during any turbulent time in the land.

    Aladin-Osogbo

    Worshipped by the Aladin Osogbo family in Ita-ege, Olomi area of Ibadan, the masquerade is open to all members of the family to ‘carry’ the costume on the day of its festival. The Alaagba of Idi-Aro, Chief Ojelabi Aladi-Osogbo told The Nation that the masquerade bestows prosperity on its followers. “I have been carrying it for 35 years and it has brought prosperity to me.” He said.

    He explained that the masquerade was brought from Osogbo by their fore-fathers during a war to Ibadan.

    Before it can come out, he said the family will ýfirst worship the god of iron and devil and if he refused to come out that means there is danger on its way. “The only thing we do afterwards is to eat and drink and leave this masquerade alone” he said

    Aladi-Osogbo stated that it’s costume is unique with shades of red, yellow, and black.

    He explained that the taboo associated with the masquerade is that it forbids any member of the family from eating pounded yam and yam flour together at the same time. Aladi-Osogbo said anybody that does that would suffer terrible stomach ache that may take his life except the anti-dote was given to such a person.

    The Alaagba of Idi-Aro lamented that the masquerade festival would have been more glamorous and colourful if the families involved are given financial support by the government.

    “As bad as it remains, even if we request police escort during our outing, ýwe will be forced to pay them a token before they can accept. Our traditional religion is the first, as such it demands all the entitlement being given to the modern religion worshippers” he said

    Adaradoun

    The Alaagba of Oremeji, Chief Ojemuyiwa Olubuade said this masquerade is worshipped in Eesarun compound in Agugu area of Ibadan, adding that the masquerade determines who among the family members wears its costume during the festival.  If anyone stubbornly carries it without its approval, he said there will be problem for such a person and the masquerade only be appeased with alcoholic drinks.

    Olubuade gave part of the ritual materials for the worshipping of the masquerade to include ram, fowl, corn meal, beans cake and vegetable oil.

    Adaradoun’s significance to Ibadanland according to him, was that it gives barren women children but the mother and child must worship it forever.

    Speaking on its taboo, he said:” In a year, if the family refused to carry the masquerade and worship him, there will be thunder strike on us. Also, we must all agree in unison for the masquerade to go out, or else his outing will not be successful”

    Olubuade stated that his costume is reddish, along with all colours except white.

    Adinimado-Ire

    The Adinimado-Ire masquerade is the responsibility of the Korukoru family in Oje area of Ibadan. Speaking with The Nation, the Alaagba of Oje Chief Aderinto Ojeyemi said he was in charge of leading the masquerade out every year for 24 years before he became the Alaagba.

    “Before we could ascertain the next person to carry it, we used kolanut to consult the masquerade and he chose Ifasina after me but if he is not around, it’s Oluwagbemiga that carries it.

    “Anyone in our family who abandons this masquerade for another religion will have problem” he said

    It is forbidden for any member of the family to eat a parrot, and any member that does that will writ in pain and would only be relieved after consultation with the masquerade to know the antidote.

    On its significance to Ibadan land, Ojeyemi stated that it’s a war masquerade that was brought from Owu kingdom to fight and win many wars for Ibadan. It’s costume is barely the same with other masquerades.

    Areweyo

    It is worshipped by Olosa-Oko family in Idi-Aro area of Ibadan.  According to the Chief Security guard of all ýmasquerades in Ibadan, Chief Ojetokun Areweyo, it’s a he-goat that is used to appease the gods to decide whom to carry the masquerade.

    “I have been carrying this masquerade for over 16 years. It was nine of us that wished to carry him but I was the youngest among them all and I was later chosen to carry it. Its significance is that it gives the barren children and they usually come back the next year for thanksgiving. The materials used for ritual before its outing includes; vegetable oil, beans cake, corn meal, kolanut, he-goat, dry pepper among others” he said

    Areweyo disclosed that it is forbidden for any woman to move closer to the masquerade or hug him, if not she will be barren forever.

    Sodo

    It is a dancing masquerade worshipped by the Oro family of Ita-Ege area of |Ibadan. Any member of the family chosen by the gods is allowed to lead the masquerade out during its annual festival.

    Giving an insight into the masquerade, a member of the family Mr Ojeyemi Sodo said the elders consult the masquerade with a kolanut to decide who to carry it, and if they do otherwise and chose anyone themselves, the person will die.

    Sodo stated that it is a taboo for anyone on the entourage of the masquerade to fight with a whip or cutlass during its outing stressing that if they do the person will die immediately.

    “We use He-goat, fowl, beans cake, kolanut, dry pepper, and alcoholic drink to appease the masquerade before he comes out. Its significance to Ibadanland is that it blesses people in need and boost the socio-economic condition of the town. If he doesn’t come out in a year there will be hardship for the people.

    ”Its costume is the same with red damask, lace, Ankara and guinea, but white is not part of its clothes. None of the members of the family must abandon it, if not there will be calamity for such a person” ýhe said

    Sihaba

    It was brought to Ibadan from Ighoho during the war and it is worshipped by the Olodo family in Oja-Igbo area of the city.

    According to the Secretary of the masquerades in Ibadan, Chief Ifayemi Awodele the custodian of the masquerade uses kolanut to consult him to decide who to carries it during its outing.

    “It is a taboo for anyone who is not from our family to stand in front of this masquerade for 30 minutes, if anyone does that the person’s blood will drain off immediately. Its significance is that anyone that needs a child comes to him to beg for one and he answers their prayer immediately and it’s mandatory that they come back the next year for thanksgiving.

    “The costume is same with other masquerades and there must be red colour among the clothe he will put on except white. The ritual performed is done with he-goat, corn meal, beans cake, alcoholic drink, vegetable oil, moin moin among others.” he said

    On the festivals, he said: “We do celebrate our masquerade festival in June of every year and during this period there will be six strokes at the top of the palm tree instead of normal three. It is the blood of the ram, cow or fowl that is used for the sacrifice along with eko, cake beans, moin- moin among others.

    According to him, during the masquerade’s outing, the custodian known as “Atokun” controls his movement and directs him. He is the one that curbs him from causing trouble anytime he gets annoyed.

    He also stated that the ‘Alagbaa’ý was responsible for the upkeep of the masquerade’s regalia and clothes, adding that he is the  one in charge anywhere he goes with his supporters.

    Alapansanpa

    Speaking on the features, and importance of ýthe Alapansanpa masquerade, its former custodian Asimiyu Ogundeji stated that the Ogundeji family is responsible for the worship of the masquerade.

    According to him, the Alapansanpa masquerade was used in the past to fight and win many wars in and outside Ibadan.

    “This masquerade is a renowned one and it’s importance to Ibadan cannot be over emphasised. It comes out once in a year, June to be precise, and it must go to the Olubadan palace where he whips the Olubadan with his whip three times before the Monarch will now bless him with gift and other items. If he doesn’t go to the Olubadan Palace, there will not be peace and prosperity in the land and that means the Olubadan is a bad person” he said

    Ogundeji listed items that are used for its rituals to include Kolanut, bitter-kola, plam oil, salt, ram, cornmeal, among others.

    He said its costume is very unique because it is very smart on him and it’s full of shades of red and black.

    On the taboo attached to this masquerade, he said:” No woman must enter his power house and if any woman enters his power house during mentration, such woman may die or may be barren for life”

    Atipako

    This is a load carring masquerades, mostly followed by women. A family elder known either formally or informally as “Alaagba” presides over its ancestral rites. He may or may not be initiated into the local Egungun society.

    A priests and initiates who are trained in ancestral communication, ancestral elevation and funerary rites are assigned to invoke and bring out the ancestors through the pouring of alcoholic drinks with kolanut. They wear elaborate costumes for the masquerade masquerade.

    It comes out in June of every year, and it spiritually cleanses the community; through the dramatic acting and miming of the robed priests, they demonstrate both ethical and amoral behavior that have occurred since their last visit. In this way, they expose the strengths and weaknesses of the community to encourage behavior more befitting of their descendants. When this performance is completed, the Alaagba gives messages, warnings and blessings to the assembled spectators.

    Atipako masquerade always carry on his head stones, mortar and pestle  which portrays it’s significant for blessing the masses and the land.

    Attack on Oloolu

    Speaking on the attack on the Oloolu masquerade in 2012 at Gbodu junction, Popo-Yemoja, Ibadaný, the head of Aje family where the Oloolu masquerade was originated, Chief Raheem Oyerinde, explained that there was a fidau being held in honour of a late chief Imam, Rafiu Fasasi, a.k.a Lorisirisi, but the Oloolu needed to pass that route to pay homage to one of the traditional title holders in the area, popularly known as Kunmi.

    “We didn’t disturb their ceremony but only wanted to pass through that place ýto greet the Ibadan high chief before they pounced on us, beating the custodian to stupor and later died, while the Oloolu himself escaped in anger with minor injuries on the head’ he said

    On the effect this terrible act will have on Popo-Yemoja area, he said calamities, chaos and rancour will continue to ravage the community yearly until they appease and apologise to the masquerade.

  • So close to city, so far from growth

    So close to city, so far from growth

    Dape community is about 15km drive from the Central Business District. That means pretty little to its over 4,000 residents. Why? They lack almost everything they need. There is no health facility. Nor is there water fit for drinking.

    That is not all. There is no police post either. Until 2013, Dape had no primary school, let any institution higher than that. The primary school, which came in 2013 being the only evidence of government presence in the district, has just one block of three classrooms.

    After its opening of on November 1, 2013, the pupils have been studying under the worst possible conditions. The school boasts neither toilet facilities nor a fence. Primary1 pupils have no classroom. Primary Four, Five and Six pupils make do with a single classroom. One more room accommodates two other classes, while crèche kids occupy the third room.

    When Abuja Review visited the school, a teacher was busy instructing pupils on the corridor of one of the classrooms. The children sat on benches while their teacher scrawled away on a make-shift board held in by some wooden materials. Apparently, if there were to be a giant tree in the school environment, the pupils would have opted for it.

    It was gathered that efforts were made by the Head Teacher, LEA Primary School, Dape, Mrs. Martha Aboki-Zhawa and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) before a few seats were acquired.

    During another visit to the community, the residents appealed to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) for help. The residents, through their traditional ruler, Chief James Ibrahim Diko, said he made several efforts to draw the attention of the authorities to the needs of his people. While help tarried, the community head built another block of two classrooms, using whatever resources he could find.

    A section of the uncompleted classrooms fell due to paucity of funds and materials. Diko said he had solicited support from the Senator representing Federal Capital Territory, Senator Philip Adudah but no result yet. He emphasised that if the government could not provide anything else, it should at least, support the community with school infrastructures to protect the pupils, especially during learning hours.

    “I took over as traditional ruler of Dape District barely seven years ago but there was nothing to show as government presence. So I had to rise up to the challenges and did some follow-ups. An English adage says the mouth that closes is the one that smells. As you can see, we got connected to power barely three years ago. By the grace of God, we have just three classrooms for the school, which is not enough for our population. That is the only government presence here.

    “I applied for pipe-borne water, no response yet, so it’s an individual that is running the business.  applied for health centre, no answer yet. I applied for a police post, I had to start building it myself; it is barely at the roof level now. We have just a single transformer so I wrote to Senator Philip Adudah to support the community with another.”

    The traditional ruler continued, “Basically, education is the bedrock for socio-economic development of any nation. Without education no society can develop and you won’t have communicated with me. By the time you have that knowledge, you will be able to analyse, ascertain and address groups of people or individuals.

    “So I plead to government to add more to the block of classrooms and fence the school. That is the most important priority because ofthe security challenges in the country.

    Others can then follow. We can evenassist government as I’m doing. I was building two blocks but because offinance problem, I could not complete it and one side fell. I’m trying my bestto assist the government so government can also assist us.”  “Presently, there is no health centre here. It’s either we go to Gwarinpa General Hospital or private hospitals. There is no government borehole or tap. What you see here are boreholes run by individuals,” he added.

    The head teacher emphasised the need for more classrooms. As for her, there is urgent need to address the situation considering the increasing population of the pupils. She lamented lack of toilet facilities, perimeter fencing and security measures to protect both teachers and pupils. Although, efforts were made to the AMAC Education Secretariat, through the Secretariat Head of Department (HOD) for Works described as Mr. Shedrack. However, likely interventions were promised for the school in 2014 to be implemented this year.     “I was in LEA, Jabi when transfer came with promotion to head this school. When I came in,

    there was no single infrastructure. There was no teacher, no chair, no desks even teachers’ desk. I was only managing it the way I could. I had to employ three teachers paying them through my salary. If they pay me, I will pay them until last year second term, they gave me two teachers from LEA and two from federal teachers. “I have written twice to the education secretary through the HOD, Works and they promised to do something but we are still waiting. The benchand desks

    were provided by personal efforts and the PTA,” Aboki-Zhawa.

    Master Taiwo Basset, a Primary Six pupil expressed dissatisfaction over lack of toilet facilities in the school. Little Basset said it was unhygienic for the school to run without toilet facilities. “We need toilets and classes and teachers because we are just managing here,” he solicited.

    In a lighter mood, the traditional ruler urged residents to observe traditions of the community. As for him, civilisation has eroded someof the norms and value systems. “Years then, our fathers do have festivals theydo celebrate annually. Like Kakaje, Mamaje, Aboli even Jimaje and the rest butdue to civilisation, youths don’t even like to engage in them. I don’t know whymaybe they think they are advanced or civilised.”

    However, the onlyrepercussion as observed by the district head is the production of low harvest. Otherwise, farmers who observe the festival do have bountiful proceeds. When Abuja Review contacted LEA AMAC Education Secretary,Mrs. Grace Adayilo, she expressed commitment to attend to the situation, addingthat it would take a gradual process to meet all the need. She said the school was newly established to ensure everycommunity in the territory has a primary school.”The school is new and Rome was never built in a day. We created the school to relieve children from going to karmo. We have almost 150primary schools in AMAC and before I came in, it was 140. We even thank God there is a structure there. It is the commitment of the

    authorities to ensureall communities have a school of their own. “Aside, I am not in in charge of capital projects. It is only Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) that is in charge,” Adayilo added.