The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Council

  • Kuje council chair canvasses support

    The chairman of Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Shaban Tete has appealed to residents to support the council during the economic meltdown.

    Tete said that the economic issues in the country are not only causing hardship in other states but also in the FCT.

    He further gave the assurance of more and better developments on ground in the area council when allocations to the council’s improve because, according to him, no form of developmental intentions can be met without funds.

    The council boss made this known through his special assistant Media and Publicity, Hon. Yusuf Dabo who divulged the issue to newsmen in Abuja.

    “But, we are doing our best to affect the lives of our people positively.  But,  people will not understand what is going on in the council,  particularly Kuje area council that is sharing border with Nassarawa state.  For instance, we are presently grading a ten kilometre road from gigbe in Kwali area council to Kwaku up to Takwa.

    “We sunk boreholes in Kwaku, Pasu,  Gadoro and Sabo villages and also rehabilated some broken down boreholes in Lanto village and in Kayada in Kuje town.  We are building a health centre in Chibiri village and also provided rural electrification in Kango village.

    “Since our administration,  we have purchased six 33kva transformers that have been installed in various locations of the central ward,  like Unguwan Gade, behind central mosque, Unguwan Gade Kassa, Kayada Primary School, Low cost housing Mentobal.

    “All this have been achieved within the meager amount of money that is coming to the council coffers.   We will definitely do more in future, all we need is for residents to support and always pray for our administration,” he said.

     

  • Council welcomes UN’s adoption of 17 development goals

    Council welcomes UN’s adoption of 17 development goals

    The African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) has welcomed the UN’s adoption of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim at eradicating extreme poverty and hunger by 2030.

    This is contained in a statement by Mr Oseloka Zikora, Head of Communication of (AMCOW)  in Abuja yesterday.

    The statement, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the council welcomed the good news of all the SDGs, and in particular, Goal six solely dedicated to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

    “One hundred and ninety-three world leaders met at the United Nations General Assembly and approved 17 SDGs to replace the Millennium Development Goals which will expire in December 2015.’’

    It congratulated the water and sanitation sector community for celebrating the inclusion of a dedicated water security and sanitation goal, saying without water, these goals could not be achieved.

    It quoted AMCOW President Mr Amadou Mansour-Faye, as saying that the centrality of sustainable management of water and sanitation in ending global poverty and ensuring sustainable development was not up for further debate.

    “The benefits extend well beyond the water and sanitation domain to ensuring increased agriculture and food production, energy security, and better education for our teeming populations,’’ Mansour-Faye, Senegal’s Minister for Hydraulic and Sanitation said.

    The statement noted that AMCOW played a significant role in the global advocacy for a distinct Water Security and Sanitation Goal.

    Such role, it said, was based on the firm belief that this was primarily essential for ensuring secure, productive and sustainable water for all purposes, sanitation and hygiene interventions.

  • Council sensitises residents to health

    Council sensitises residents to health

    The Executive Secretary, Badagry West Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Hon. Joseph A. Agoro has praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his commitment to the health of the residents. He said the governor’s inauguration of 20 Mobile Care Units Ambulances and 26 Transport Ambulances for general hospitals and primary health care centres was proof for this commitment.

    Hon. Agoro spoke during the sensitisation programme which the council held at Gbaji about the Lagos State Emergency Medical Service (LASEMS) and Lagos State Ambulance (LASAMBUS) unit.

    He said to ensure that all hospitals function at the optimum, Governor Ambode approved the purchase of power generating sets and X-ray machines to be installed in all general hospital to ensure that there is 24-hour power supply.

    The council chief also revealed that the governor had also approved the recruitment of more paramedic staff and special medical coordinators to ensure smooth provision of medical service for the people.

    To this end, he said, it is necessary on our part to enlighten our people on this people-oriented programme and also to let you know the importance of these programmes to our council area.

    Hon. Agoro noted that “rapid urbanisation and industrialisation of Lagos State has led to appreciable increase in the number of road traffic, industrial and marine accidents and medical emergencies. This informs government’s commitment to the strengthening of the Lagos State Emergency Medical Service (LASEMS) and establishment of the Lagos State Ambulance (LASAMBUS) in March, 2001.”

    Both services run on 24 hours a week basis and have led to significant improvement in the response time and quality of care with attendant improvement in morbidity and mortality rates occasioned by medical emergencies.

    These services cover awareness campaign on the preventive aspect of medical emergencies, including home, road, traffic and industrial accidents and how to access services; training of personnel in pre-hospital-based management of trauma and medical emergencies and effective radio communication; establishment of an effective radio communication network linking the public, LASAMBUS, LASEMS and the Ministry of Health, dedicated (easy-to-remember) phone hotline (112) and free treatment within the first 24 hours of emergency policy.

    “As part of measures to enhance prompt response to emergency situations, Governor Ambode inaugurated 20 Ambulances and 14 Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU) in addition to the existing fleet of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) for public use in which our LCDA was among.

    “Today, we are sensitising our people and also inaugurating this worthy project in our LCDA to the glory of God and to the service of humanity.”

    He thanked the royal fathers, community leaders, Commander of Army, Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), members of staff of the LCDA and other guests for attending the event.

  • Council aspirant promises development

    In aspirant for the chair of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Bala Iyah, has promised to make rural development a core area of his administration if he won the forthcoming poll.

    Iyah was a councillor representing Garki ward in the council on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He made this known while inaugurating his campaign team.

    He said: “It is my sincere desire to emulate and continue with the good works the past and present leaders of the council have been doing for us. My vision and mission is to empower the people of AMAC educationally, economically, in rural infrastructures and agriculture. I want to take development to rural communities and ensure that the poor people are given opportunities to live a better life.”

    He promised not to disappoint the people of AMAC and to do his best to carry out his responsibilities of his people, when he is elected as chairman of AMAC.

  • Council chief advises against building on riverside

    Chairman of Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Yahaya Garba, has warned residents not building their houses by the riverside in order to avoid being washed away by flood.

    He made the call while declaring open a two-day sensitisation and enlightenment campaign for residents and traditional rulers in the council.

    He advised the residents not to farm around riversides and should also avoid dumping refuse in drainages in order to allow free flow of water during the rainy season.

    He said his administration will continue to empower the environmental department of the council to always evacuate and clear drainages to avoid erosion. Earlier, the head of Environment in the council, Alhaji Yusuf Simbabi also charged the residents to comply with the laid down rules, by building according to plan and to ensure that they work in line with environmental standard to safe guard our houses.

  • FCT gives Area Council ultimatum on refuse 

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration has given the chairmen of the six Area Council one week deadline to clear all the heaps of refuse littering the area councils.

    FCT Permanent Secretary, John Chukwu expressed disappointment over the huge volume of waste in all the area councils and satellite towns.

    Chukwu who reminded them of the statutory responsibility of maintaining the environment, added that the ugly trend of heaps of garbage must immediately be reversed according to the change mantra of the Federal Government.

    Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary FCT, Muhammad Sule said this  in a press statement. He said  Chukwu gave the instruction during an emergency meeting on the state of environment in the Area Councils and Satellite Towns.

    He added: “Chukwu during the meeting expressed disappointment over the poor state of environment as well as the huge volume of waste in all the Area Councils.

    “The Permanent Secretary reminded the Council Chairmen of their statutory responsibilities of 100 per cent maintenance of the environment; stressing that cleanliness is next to godliness.

    “He reiterated that the ugly trend of heaps of garbage in all the Area Councils and Satellite Towns must immediately be reversed in line with the change mantra of the Federal Government.

    “Chukwu warned that the Chairmen are elected leaders; noting that Councils’ elections are around the corner and therefore the people are going to hold them accountable.

    “He insisted that enough is enough; saying that the Council Chairmen must sit up as this sorry state cannot be allowed to continue in the Territory.

    “The Permanent Secretary emphasised that Abuja is one of the most important places in the country, being the abode of Mr. President, members of the National Assembly, highest ranking judicial officers in the country as well as members of the diplomatic community; and therefore the window in which the world sees Nigeria.

    “All hands must be on deck to keep the environment of the entire 8,000 square kilometres of the Federal Capital Territory very clean to showcase the city to the world.”

  • PR Council warns unregistered consultants

    The Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) has warned unregistered consultants, who have set up PR practice, to get ready to be named and shamed.

    Rising from an extraordinary general meeting in Lagos on the state of PR practice in Nigeria, the professional body warned all unregistered consultants and their clients to get ready for a legal showdown.

    Following a motion moved by the Chief Executive Officer of CMC Connect Burson-Marsteller, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, members  passed a vote of confidence on the present leadership of PRCAN, while praising them for partnering with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to step up the fight to rid the industry of quacks and unregistered PR Consultants.

    According to him: “PR is a profession regulated by law just like medicine and accountancy. The law regulating PR practice in Nigeria  is an Act of the Parliament. You cannot just wake up one morning in South Africa and decide to float a PR agency. No, it is never done and this will not be allowed here in Nigeria. We must take the battle to the gates of these unregistered professionals just like our colleagues in advertising have done.”

    Responding, the PRCAN President, John Ehiguese, thanked members for their unalloyed support, saying the PRCAN leadership will continue to work with the NIPR to ensure that the crusade is pursued to its logical conclusion.

    He reiterated the resolve of the association to engage other corporate bodies and government establishments still patronising the services of unregistered PR Consultants, assuring those who are qualified to practise PR of the readiness of the professional body to welcome them to its fold.

    The PRCAN President further assured all private and public sector organisations in need of PRCAN consultancy services that the professional circle is the right direction to look.

    He said: “This is a win-win situation for us and for all private and public sector clients, who need the services of PR consultancies. If any of our members is not living up to the standards expected by the clients, such clients should know that they can make a formal report to PRCAN and we will ensure they get their money’s worth in terms of best-in-class professional PR services. But we can only hold our registered members accountable for standards and not the unregistered army currently parading themselves about as PR consultants in Nigeria.”

    PRCAN and the NIPR have challenged MTN Nigeria and Guinness Plc for appointing unregistered PR firms as Public Relations Consultants.

  • Council chief warns against illegal structures

    Council chief warns against illegal structures

    The Executive Secretary of Iba Local Council Development Area, Hon. Isiaka Yaya has reiterated the council’s commitment to the well-being of the residents, even as he said the business of government is to cater for the people to ensure that they are happy. He said one of the ways residents would live happy life is through ensuring clean and healthy environment.

    Hon. Yaya spoke at Alaba Rago Market where he monitored the monthly sanitation exercise penultimate week.

    While urging the residents and traders to maintain clean environment which will guarantee healthy living, he frowned at the rate at which illegal structures sprang up in the market despite that they had been demolished by the construction firms handling the 10-lane Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor.

    A statement signed by the Information Officer of the council, Mrs Jimoh Sharafat said the Executive Secretary advised the traders through their head, Seriki to desist from erecting illegal structures, adding that those who flout the directive would face the full wrath of the law.

    According to the statement, the council boss expressed dismay over unwholesome attitudes of some residents on the environment, saying some of the ailments which people suffer from resulted from unhealthy environment due to their unfriendly approach to the surroundings.

    “Basically, our attitude to the environment is very discouraging. For instance, the way we indiscriminately dispose of our domestic wastes is quite unfriendly to the environment. Indiscriminately people empty their wastes into our drainage systems thereby blocking them. The most worrisome among our attitudes to the environment is our penchant for tree cutting and building of illegal structures which prevent our breathing in dirt-free air.

    “It is time we shaped our actions with a more prudent care to avoid dangerous environmental consequences. Through ignorance, or indifference, we can do considerable and irreparable harm to the earthly environment on which our life and well-being depend. On the other hand, through wise actions, we can achieve for ourselves and our posterity a better life in an environment more in keeping with human needs and hopes. To defend and improve the human environment for present and future generations has become an imperative goal for mankind,” Hon. Yaya said.

    Continuing, he said: “No doubt, poor economy and reduced human development are direct fall outs of man’s activities that are harmful to the environment. These include keeping dirty surroundings, pouring refuse into the sea that kill or drive away fishes, dirty drainage system that empties its dirty water into the sea which kill the fishes, cutting down trees, improper management of domestic and industrial waste products, pollution of both the air and the sea, bush burning and smoky engines. These help in endangering our environment and present harsh economic, social and health situations.”

    Replying, the Seriki promised that the traders would co-operate with the council to make life meaningful for the residents, by keying into the council’s policies and programmes evolved to enhance the people’s well-being.

     

  • Council chief donates bags, books to pupils

    Council chief donates bags, books to pupils

    Isolo Local Council Development Area Executive Secretary Olusegun Jubril has distributed school bags and exercise books to 14 primary school pupils.

    He made the donation during the closing seminar of the free summer coaching at the council.

    Jubril said parents, teachers and the government must come together to tackle the country’s security challenges in the country.

    He said: “The summer coaching was organised because we value both qualitative and quantitative education as a means of eradicating the menace of social miscreants. I am hopeful that the knowledge, skills and ideas acquired will go a long way in preparing you better for your future endeavours.“

    The Council Manager, Mr Kehinde Yusuf, said the initiative was designed to inspire the pupils, since it involved academic training, co-vocational and co-curricular activities.

    “We realised that during the long holidays, children are exposed to criminal activities. So, Isolo LCDA, in collaboration with the Community Initiative for Child Education (CICE) orgainised the programme to assist them in building a great future,” he said.

    Iyaloja Ire-Akari Market, Mrs Eunice Dosumu hailed the council chief for the gesture.

    A teacher, Omowunmi Awojobi, said some of the pupils, could not complete a sentence in English before the holiday started.

    “These same pupils can now speak and write well in English. I am glad because it makes our work easier,” she said.

    Speaking with The Nation, a pupil, Tosin Mantanmi, said she was glad for the opportunity.

  • Olu of Warri is alive, says Itsekiri youth council

    •Chiefs keep mum on monarch

    The Itsekiri National Youths Council has debunked reports that the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, is alive.

    In a statement yesterday on its website, the youths’ council said: “There has been a very serious rumour going around in various newspapers (online version) about the Olu of Warri.

    “We want to state that these are rumours and should be taken as such. The Itsekiri do not and would not keep the public in the dark on a matter like this. The Olu is very well and alive; that is the position of the palace.

    “Any statement contrary to this is a rumour being peddled by rumour mongers. We ask media houses and media practitioners to desist from delving into matters that they cannot confirm… This is totally wrong; it is an aberration and an abuse of information.

    “The Itsekiri at home and in the Diaspora should be well assured that the Olu is well and hearty.”

    Also, the reported passage of the monarch caused apprehension among the residents yesterday.

    But when our reporter visited his palace in the afternoon, there was nothing unusual there.

    Neither the chiefs nor the crowd at the palace said anything on the frontline monarch, whose “demise” was first reported on Saturday.

    Although none of the security personnel at the palace was willing to speak on the matter, one of those conversant with the affairs of the place, who spoke in confidence, said nobody knew what was going on.

    The source said: “There’s nobody within the premises who could give you any information now. The Olu’s family is not here and the chiefs have not come. Only a few known persons have strolled inside; by the time they realised there was nobody to talk to, they strolled back.

    “I have also been hearing the rumour, but you know how that sort of development can be. Even if it was true, you must wait and hear from a reliable source. So, I cannot confirm to you if it is true or not. You may need to wait to hear from the chiefs.”

    Efforts to get one of the monarch’s closest confidants and spokesman, Chief Mene Brown, were unsuccessful.

    Calls to his mobile phone were unanswered and a text message to it was not replied to.

    On Saturday, Chief Brown told our reporter that he could not confirm the report.

    The Olu of Warri, who had a partial stroke for some time, reportedly passed on last week in a Lagos hospital.