The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FCT

  • FCT frowns at indiscriminate posters’ pasting

    Henceforth, anyone or organisation found pasting posters indiscriminately will be prosecuted, the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) has said.

    This warning was issued by the Director of the FCTA’s Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS), Mallam Ibrahim Yusuf at the commissioning of GEMSROCK, a new ultramodern electronic billboard in Abuja’s Wuse 2 district.

    Yusuf said his department has already taken measures to control the rash of posters and billboards in the city, saying they had approached religious organizations, political parties and businesses to bring the situation under control.

    “There is no way you can solve this problem without going to the source. So we have visited churches and other religious organisations as well as business owners to talk to their members about pasting posters in Abuja,” he said.

    The director said for now they are giving a period of grace after which they will take drastic measures to curtail the trend.

    “If they continue we will soon start to prosecute them,” he said.

    Instead of defacing the city with posters, Mal. Yusuf urged members of the public to engage the services of the many electronic billboards to showcase their products and services.

    While commissioning the installation, the director commended the management of GEMS Communications LTD for installing the ultramodern digital billboard, saying it is at par with what is obtainable in some of the world’s foremost capitals.

    Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of GEMS Communications, Mr. Atilola Odudare said the company invested so much to install the electronic billboard in an attempt to “redefine outdoor by blending emerging technology with the art which is environmentally friendly and enhances the looks of Abuja.”

    He said the electronic billboard built in the shape of a rock and located in the Wuse 2 business hub is designed to complement both the business and aesthetic angles of the capital and called on businesses to take advantage of this by having their products advertised on it.

    According to him, “the billboard is proposed to be the first user friendly billboard in Nigeria and will be interactive with the immediate environment.  It is the first if its kind in out-of-the-box outdoor advertising.”

    Odudare added that, “the product gives users of outdoor exposure to ‘budget as it is programmed’ to deliver time sharing with all accompanying flexibility. It is also web-based product and eliminates the rigors of physical visit to the site by the client; they can view the exposure delivery of the products on their palms.”

  • FCT polls: low turn out in Kubwa

    FCT polls: low turn out in Kubwa

    Kubwa, a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the Bwari Area Council witnessed low turn out of voters for the Council election held on Saturday.m

    Most of the polling units, like the Kubwa village primary school that normally has crowd of voters recorded low turn out as only few people came to vote.

    Some of the old polling units around Kubwa had few voters, while newly setup units like the one at the Water Board junction in Byazhin had no voters.

    The Corps member who is also the presiding officer of the unit attributed the lack of voters to the fact that the unit is new.

    “People are probably not aware of this unit even though my supervisor said that he will direct voters to us, we are still waiting.”

    The polling unit at the Byazhin junction equally had very few voters, so were the different polling units inside the Byazhin primary school.

    A residents of Kubwa, Ola Adeniyi explained that most people are finding it difficult to go out and vote due to the fuel scarcity. “I have packed to Byazhin but I registered in Chikakuri which is after Byazhin across, nobody is giving me transport fare or fuel, so how do you expect me to vote.”

    When asked why he was not voting, another resident of Kubwa John David claimed not to know the aspirants. “I don’t know who the aspirants are, I voted during the Presidential election and I can’t imagine stressing myself this time around.”

    Even though the Police had warned residents of no movement and some major roads were blocked with tyre and planks, residents could still be seen moving around in numbers, with commercial motorcyclists going about their business freely security officials looked on quietly as a few petty traders displayed their wares, while some shops in the Kubwa village were opened discreetly to customers.

  • As FCT goes to the polls on April 9

    SIR: Periodic and transparent election determines the legitimacy of a government and increases people’s confidence in democracy. Credible election is also essential to peace and development of any nation. And as the capital of Nigeria, what happens in Abuja with regard to the April 9 Area Council Elections is crucial to the stability, prosperity and participation in future elections in the country as Nigerians and interested stakeholders abroad watches without blinking at Professor Mahmood Yakubu-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

    However, it is imperative to state that mismanagement of electoral processes could present windows of avoidable conflict which in most instances degenerates into violence. Election as we know is all about people making choices through voting in order to let their voices heard and anything contrary is void and absurd.

    Given that Abuja is microcosm of Nigeria, it is therefore expected that the election will be an improvement over the recent past elections marred by inconclusive processes, irregularities and deadly violence. The Independent National Electoral Commission as a matter of fact needs to set new standard and ensure that logistic problems are dealt with beforehand to avoid unnecessary disfranchisement of the populace. On the other hand voters should eschew violence, exercise patience and demonstrate commitment to perform their civic responsibilities by partaking en masse.

    Nevertheless, we urge all the contending parties to go beyond signing of peace pledges and ensure that their supporters are involved in the peace plan for all practical purposes. We therefore appeal to the candidates to uphold the spirit of sportsmanship and adopt the culture of magnanimity in defeat just like former President Goodluck Jonathan who now serves as a living icon of democratic example in Nigeria and beyond.

    We also enjoin the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to remain uncompromising watchdogs and stand firm in their struggle for fairness as we expect free and acceptable election in Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

     

    • Comrade Chike Oguanya,

    Suleja, Niger State.

  • FCT frowns at indiscriminate posters’ pasting

    Henceforth, anyone or organisation found pasting posters indiscriminately will be prosecuted, the Federal Capital Territory Authority (FCTA) has said.

    This warning was issued by the Director of the FCTA’s Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS), Mallam Ibrahim Yusuf at the commissioning of GEMSROCK, a new ultramodern electronic billboard in Abuja’s Wuse 2 district.

    Yusuf said his department has already taken measures to control the rash of posters and billboards in the city, saying they had approached religious organizations, political parties and businesses to bring the situation under control.

    “There is no way you can solve this problem without going to the source. So we have visited churches and other religious organisations as well as business owners to talk to their members about pasting posters in Abuja,” he said.

    The director said for now they are giving a period of grace after which they will take drastic measures to curtail the trend.

    “If they continue we will soon start to prosecute them,” he said.

    Instead of defacing the city with posters, Mal. Yusuf urged members of the public to engage the services of the many electronic billboards to showcase their products and services.

    While commissioning the installation, the director commended the management of GEMS Communications LTD for installing the ultramodern digital billboard, saying it is at par with what is obtainable in some of the world’s foremost capitals.

    Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of GEMS Communications, Mr. Atilola Odudare said the company invested so much to install the electronic billboard in an attempt to “redefine outdoor by blending emerging technology with the art which is environmentally friendly and enhances the looks of Abuja.”

    He said the electronic billboard built in the shape of a rock and located in the Wuse 2 business hub is designed to complement both the business and aesthetic angles of the capital and called on businesses to take advantage of this by having their products advertised on it.

    According to him, “the billboard is proposed to be the first user friendly billboard in Nigeria and will be interactive with the immediate environment.  It is the first if its kind in out-of-the-box outdoor advertising.”

    Odudare added that, “the product gives users of outdoor exposure to ‘budget as it is programmed’ to deliver time sharing with all accompanying flexibility. It is also web-based product and eliminates the rigors of physical visit to the site by the client; they can view the exposure delivery of the products on their palms.”

  • Kaduna economic summit: FCT, Port Harcourt golfers, others storm tournament

    As preparations for the Kaduna State Economic and Invest Summit (KadInvest) continued over the weekend, golfers from across the country on Saturday participated in the Kadinvest 2016 Golf tournament held in Kaduna.

    Wife of Kaduna State Governor, Hajiya Hadiza El-Rufai, who performed the tee-off as golfers from the host club, Kaduna Golf Club, were joined by players from golf cubs in Abuja, Kano, Minna, Jaji and Port-Harcourt.

    Hajiya El-Rufai was supported at the opening of the tournament  by senior government officials, including Dr. Manzo Maigari, Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry, Hadiza Bala-Usman, Chief of Staff to the Governor and Chris Umar, Deputy Chief of Staff in the office of the Deputy Governor.

    Welcoming the golfers, Executive Secretary of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA), Gambo Hamza, explained the thrust of KadInvest as a platform to stimulate private sector investments in the many opportunities that Kaduna State offers.

    Hamza said: “Securing and fast-tracking investments is the best way to create sustainable jobs, grow the economy and improve livelihoods for our people,” he explained.

    Golfers like Senator Ben Birabi, His Royal Highness Alfred Diete-Spiff and General Zamani Lekwot participated in the tournament which was sponsored by Pinnacle Investments.

    Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, who made a surprise appearance at the gala dinner for the tournament where trophies were presented told the golfers that he had just returned to Kaduna from Paris where he met the management of Peugeot Citroen to further discuss the bid for Peugeot Automobile Nigeria.

    According to the governor: “Jobs and prosperity are essential to restoring our Kaduna as a cosmopolitan city that welcomes all and provides opportunities to start and grow successful businesses.”

    El-Rufai commended the sponsors and participants in the golf tournament for providing such a wonderful platform for unveiling KadInvest 2016.

  • INEC recruits 9,000 ad hoc staff for FCT election

    INEC recruits 9,000 ad hoc staff for FCT election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it has now recruited the required number of ad hoc staff for the April 9 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the FCT, Prof. Jacob Jatau disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

    NAN recalled that INEC FCT had on March 16 postponed the area council election from March 19 to April 9 due its inability to recruit over 9,000 ad hoc staff required for the conduct of the election.

    “I can confirm to you that the commission is fully ready for the April 9 election.

    “We have been able to recruit the additional ad hoc staff to meet the shortfall that made us postponed the elections.

    “The commission has also trained the additional adhoc staff recruited for the exercise.

    “All is now set for the conduct of free, fair and credible election in the FCT,’’ Jatau said.

    Mrs. Ndidi Okafor, the INEC Deputy Director of Publicity in FCT, told NAN that the commission had recruited 9,374 ad hoc staff for the exercise.

    Okafor added that the commission had also recruited and trained extra personnel in addition to the 9,374 ad hoc staff to address likely shortage on Election Day.

    “The ad hoc staff are employed from the serving National Youth Serving Corps (NYSC) members, students of the University of Abuja and ex-NYSC corps members from our data bank,” Okafor said.

    Okafor called for the collaboration of stakeholders to ensure credible and violence free election comes April 9.

     

  • FCT and problems of land allocation

    The activities of officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) are the responsibilities of President Muhammadau Buhari through the delegated authority of the Minster of the Federal Capital Territory. In other words, the blame for the lack of remedy for any corrupt tendencies or acts of impunity by officials of the FCTA or FCDA or even the FCT Minister rests securely at the door-step of the president.

    As a man with a fearsome reputation of dealing with corrupt men and women in the society, it is expected that those who work with Buhari directly at the Presidency and indirectly at the FCT Ministry, etc, must be above board in their dealings with members of the society or in carrying out their duties to the nation. Any doubts about Buhari’s commitment to the war against corruption could be deciphered from the way the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is handling the arms-gate scandal without being entangled with ethnic sentiments or religious considerations.

    Unfortunately, it would appear that all is not well with the way land allocations are being handled in the FCT. Some officials of the FCT Ministry, FCTA and FCDA appear bent on sustaining the corrupt tendencies and acts of impunity that reigned supreme under the past governments even now that the affairs of the country are being directed by an anti-corruption regime. An appraisal of what is happening now between officials of the FCT and Minanuel Investment Ltd over the lingering issue of approvals for the reconstruction of 372 houses at Lugbe Extension 1 brings to sharp focus the problems of land allocations in the FCT.

    For instance, in a petition dated February 12, 2016 and signed by Samuel Ogala for Falana & Falana Chambers and directed to the Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT asked for the approval of the land.

    Why are officials of the FCTA and the FCDA allegedly bent on re-allocating plots of land belonging to Minanuel Investment Ltd to third parties despite a valid court judgment insisting that no such thing should take place?

    There is no doubt that what is happening at Lugbe Extension 1, Airport Road, now known as Kyami District, Abuja, was allegedly orchestrated by a Senator in the last Senate and a former minister. The issue is: why should the FCT Minister under a corruption-fighting president condone the acts of impunity allegedly perpetrated under past federal governments?  If the FCT officials are not out to sabotage the anti-corruption campaign of President Buhari, why are they not doing the needful to ensure granting approvals for the building plan for reconstructing the 372 housing units for subscribers who have paid for the structures?

    It is, however, heart-warming that the senate committee chairman on FCT, Dino Melaye, has vowed to see to the end of this matter given that the only way to extend justice to citizens who took out mortgage facilities to purchase the said houses.

    • By Thomas Adegoke

    Abuja.

  • Can you buy condoms for your partner?

    Can you buy condoms for your partner?

    A cross section of women in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed views on whether or not they could buy condom for use with their partners.

    The use of condoms is widely encouraged by the government and health organisations around the world to prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and unplanned pregnancy.

    However, in a developing and conservative society such as Nigeria, many see it as something that should be provided by the male and not the female because of stigma.

    The women, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews, gave reasons why they could procure or otherwise, condom in retail shops for their partners.

    Mrs Bunmi Oluokun, a house wife, said her husband, a pastor, always find it difficult to ask for condom in a shop, as he may be seen as having extra marital affairs.

    “Since he does not buy and I need it for birth control, I have to go for it.

    “I don’t want to have children more than I can care for, so I choose to pay the price.

    “There is nothing wrong with a woman buying condom, depending on the situation,’’ she said.

    Miss Mercy Aigbe, a student of the University of Abuja, said although she was not married, buying condom could be one of the most difficult things for her.

    “If you enter a retail shop as a single lady and ask for a condom, many see you as being promiscuous.

    “With this at the back of the mind of every female, she has every reason to shy away from purchasing condom herself.

    “But since I am not ready for pregnancy and maybe any unpleasant consequence of premarital sex, I provide condom for my man sometimes.

    “I do so by going to areas where I am not known to buy it to avoid any kind of stigma,’’ she explained.

    Another resident, Mrs Dorothy Agu, a business woman, said she could not go to a shop to buy condom no matter the need.

    She said that buying condom as a female made one to appear “irresponsible and to be disrespected’’.

    “Condom is not a daily commodity needed in the home, I am a married woman and it is expected that I should have no business with using condom, let alone buying it.

    “In fact, how will the seller look at me? He or she will definitely see me as an irresponsible and loose woman.

    “I think condoms are meant for singles to avoid unwanted pregnancy and diseases.

    “As for me, I even need more children adding to the two that I have, so I do not have need for condoms,” she said.

    Similarly, Miss Judith Asoba, a banker, said she cannot go to shop to buy condom for reasons best known to her.

    According to her, using condom is not bad but because of the society we are in, people tend to be shy when purchasing it, especially women.

    In her own opinion, Miss Nancy Edozie, a student in a tertiary institution, said that condom was a thing of choice.

    “I am not shy to get a condom from a pharmacy store, even as most people see it as stigma.

    “The impression people create is that a lady who buys it is filthy. To be sincere it is better to get the stigma than getting infections or unwanted pregnancy.

    “The society should get wiser,’’ she said.

    Mr Kingsley Douglas, a pharmacist and operator of a pharmaceutical shop in Wuse, told NAN that only a few female patronised his shop for condom.

    “Women are shy from buying such things because they feel that they will be look down upon.

    “In fact, when some women come in to the shop, rather than asking for condom, they will be dragging feet.

    “Some wait till no other customer is around before they ask while some will ask for other medicine which they do not need before hitting the nail on the head.

    “But, men always feel very free to ask and buy. They even ask for different types and their specifications,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, Dr Regina Okoye, a medical doctor, has advised that women should feel free to enter shops to buy condom when in need.

    According to her, the country has evolved above the perceived stigma that people see in buying condoms.

    “Besides, it is better to get the condom under whatever stigma than STD and unwanted pregnancy,’’ she said.

     

  • FCT gets election petitions tribunal

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Election Petition Tribunal has been inaugurated.

    At the inauguration, the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, urged members of the tribunal to do justice without fear or favour.

    He said the country cannot make any appreciable progress without total commitment to the ground rules and adherence to due process.

    Justice Bello said, “You should be careful and thorough in the review of petitions, responses, pleadings, evidence and argument of counsel that will appear before you.

    “The nature of the task ahead entails that you may get accolades. But unfortunately, condemnation will also come your way. If you work in good conscience and according to the law, not selling justice to the highest bidder or mortgaging it for tribalism, nepotism or any other unwholesome sentiment, society, history and posterity will acquit you by placing. You are on the positive side of the scale,” he said.