The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FCT

  • Okorocha hails FCT on cleanliness

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has praised the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Obinna Chukwu for ensuring cleanliness and sanity in the capital city despite the absence of a substantive minister.

    Okorocha who gave this commendation during a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Mr. John Chukwu, further explained that he was at the FCTA to see what the Permanent Secretary is doing in the territory.

    According to the Imo state governor, the capital city is looking quite neat, due to the recent reinvigorated efforts of the administration to clean up the FCT.

    He however noted that despite the achievement, there is still room for improvement and expansion in the FCT.

    While responding, the FCT Permanent Secretary said he was elated over the Governor’s visit, adding that it shows leadership and humility of the number one Imo citizen.

    He therefore pledged commitment of the FCTA to support the state government and the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.

    “I assure you that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will be a world-class capital city like those in America and Europe,” Chukwu added.

     

  • Mass defection hits FCT PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Federal Capital Territory has suffered a major setback as one of the its stalwarts, Hon. Yahaya Alhassan Gwagwa has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with over 600 supporters from the six Area Councils of FCT.

    Gwagwa, who was the immediate past Mandate Secretary of Area Council Service Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration was received by the APC executives and other stakeholders of the party in his Gwagwa ward office.

    Though, he did not elaborate much on why he is quitting the PDP, there were speculations that his movement to the ruling APC might not be unconnected with the forthcoming Area Councils elections scheduled to hold next year.

    Gwagwa told our correspondent after the ceremony that he decided to move from his former party to the APC to contribute his quota to the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to him, “I have found integrity, honesty and competence in the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari and I cannot stay aloof and watch things from the sidelines”.

    Gwagwa who is believed to be a grassroots politician and the Sardaunan of Gwagwa used the occasion to call on his numerous supporters to vote for the All Progressives Congress in the forthcoming FCT Area Council elections, even as he noted that the present administration will lead the country and FCT to the promised land.

    Earlier, the ward chairman of the party, Hon. Mohammed Apula described the movement as a vote of confidence on the leadership of APC, assuring that the party will capture the six Area Councils in the next year elections.

    He described the event as a major landmark, while tasking the defectors to be resolute in canvassing for votes.

    Apula assured all members of the party who are aspiring for various political position of equal opportunity, stressing that the party will be fair and just to all aspirants in the forthcoming Area Council elections scheduled for April 2016.

     

  • FCT wins NNPC’s 2015 quiz

    The Federal Capital Territory  (FCT) representing the North Central Zone has won the 2015 NNPC annual national quiz competition.

    The contest was won by three students from some secondary schools in the FCT. They will enjoy university scholarships to be sponsored by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in any institution.

    Speaking during the grand finale of the event at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, the Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Joseph T. Dawha, felicitated with the winners, assuring of the readiness of the NNPC to sustain the programme to mentor the leaders of tomorrow to succeed in their academic pursuits.

    Dawha said the competition, which is the 14th edition, has lived up to the objectives for which it was instituted, adding that most of the winners of the competition in the past have graduated with flying colours from various universities across the country.

    According to him, since the competition made its debut 14 years ago, it has helped in developing the interest of young Nigerians in studying science and technology courses in tertiary institutions across the country and beyond. He said the scholarship scheme has not only helped the development of science and technology in the country but has also gone a long way in assisting the nation’s future leaders to prepare towards contributing their quota to national development.

    He assured that NNPC would not relent in supporting this competition and other community-based efforts aimed at building national human capacities and capabilities stressing that the NNPC would continue to execute many more strategic community development projects, particularly those that would improve Nigerians.

    Dawha announced the increase of the bursary from N100,000 to N250,000 yearly for all NNPC scholars in their first degree programmes.

    The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Taiye Hassan Haruna represented by the Director Reform and Coordination Mrs. Edna Eneh commended the NNPC for giving the young ones the opportunity to compete at the national stage stressing that hard work is the only way out of hard life.

    The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala represented by Mrs. Justina Ibe, Director Support Services in the Ministry applauded the NNPC for encouraging science based education, saying it would help sustain the programme of the Federal Government.

    A pioneer winner of the NNPC quiz competition, Modungwo Andrew Nwabu, expressed gratitude to the NNPC for the award of scholarship that saw him through his university education and called on the winners to do the Corporation proud.

    The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Ohi Alegbe said the NNPC as a responsible and responsive corporate citizen, would continue to contribute its quota to adding value to the educational sector through its annual quiz competition.

    The list of finalists for the competition were made up of the champions of the six geo-political zones, including Akwa Ibom for the Southsouth, Anambra for the Southeast, FCT for the Northcentral, Lagos for Southwest, Katsina for Northwest and Gombe for Northeast.

    The contest was in English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and General Knowledge.

  • FCT to imbibe financial transparency in all agencies

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Chukwu has given the directive for all revenue accruable in the Administration to be properly paid into designated banks.

    He stated that all bank accounts records of the administration would be verified at all times for transparency and accountability and added that all infractions against service financial and administrative due processes; rules and regulations would attract strict sanctions and possible prosecution.

    This was made known in a press statement sent by Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary FCT Muhammad Sule, who stated that Engr Chukwu made the revelation in Abuja, at the commissioning of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) ICT Training Centre.

    It stated, “All revenues generated should be properly accounted for, and paid to only approved bank accounts as records would be verified.

    “Engr. Chukwu also instructed that all officers and men of the FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services should adhere to the change mantra of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Thus, the Permanent Secretary implored the management and staff of the DRTS, to intensify efforts to continue to enforce the regulations on the ban of motorcycle, restriction of tricycles, un-painted taxes, illegal mechanic workshops and illegal car marts.

    “He admonished the motoring public in the Federal Capital Territory to always obey traffic rules and regulations. Engr. Chukwu however assured the resident of the Territory of the FCT Administration’s continued commitment to ensure efficient and excellent service delivery.

  • Fraud: Court remands ex-FCT Minister’s aide, others

    Fraud: Court remands ex-FCT Minister’s aide, others

    Justice Abubakar Talba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja Monday ordered that Yau Mohammed Gital, the Chief of Staff to the immediate past FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed and two others be remanded in prison.

    The judge’s order followed their arraignment on a 10-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence, conspiracy and forgery involving about N192, 000,000.

    Also arraigned with Gital, who was said to be a member of the Land Allocation Committee, Federal Capital Territory Administration, include his former Special Assistant, with Shuaibu Yakubu and the Managing Director, Jibmir Ventures Nigeria Limited, Jibril M. Tahir.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) stated in the charge that the three accused persons to obtained money from various unsuspecting persons under the false pretence that the money was for processing and facilitation of land allocation by the Federal Capital Development Authority.

    The three pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them, following which their lawyer, Nura Imam applied to the court to grant them bail pending their trial.

    The judge adjourned to July 2 for ruling on the bail application and ordered that the accused persons be held in prison before the next date.

  • LULU DRUMS UP SUPPORT FOR FCT PRINCIPALS’ CUP

    LULU DRUMS UP SUPPORT FOR FCT PRINCIPALS’ CUP

    Former NigeriaFootball Federation (NFF) President Sani Lulu Abdullahi has thrown his weight behind the organisers of the 2015 FCT Principals’ Cup Football Competition.

    The former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Director of Sports, who spoke at the Area 3 Garki ,Abuja, Football Field at the weekend, where he watched his academy boys, FOSLA Academy, play a friendly match against Supreme Court FC Fedeers’ team, said the best thing to happen to grassroots development of football in the FCT is the intiative of the FCT Football Assocaition to organise the Principals’ Cup in the capital city.

    Hear him: “This is a welcome development which every sports-loving Nigerian should embrace to the fullest. I am more impressed because the organisers have decided to de-emphasise the involvement of government in the competition, and have decided to seek the involvement of corporate bodies in the competition. This is a laudable one, which is a strong foundation for future sustainability. The corporate world should embrace the idea, as this would provide them the opportunity to invest in the future of the young players that would emerge from that competition”.

    Lulu said that the gains of such investment supercedes every other thing. “I want to make it very clear that no country in the world can develop effectively in the game, if adequate attention is not paid on the development of the game at the grassroots. It is at the schools that the real raw talents would be identified, and nutured to stardom,” he said.

    The Omachi Atah Igala, who is the Proprietor of FOSLA Academy, said his boys will surely take part in the competition, and that that would be another opportunity for the boys to exhibit their talents to all Nigerians. In the friendly match, FOSLA Academy defeated Supreme Court Feeders by three goals to one.

  • BREAKING NEWS: Buhari, governors in a meeting

    BREAKING NEWS: Buhari, governors in a meeting

    President Muhammadu Buhari and governors of the 36 states of the federation are currently in a meeting at the Aso Villa in Abuja.

    The proposed meeting between President Buhari and the state governors is expected to provide a solution to the problem of unpaid salaries as witnessed by some states in the country.

    As at the time of filing this report, the meeting has just begun.

     

    Details later …

  • Traders sue FCT agency over N120m levies

    Traders occupying Commerce Plaza in Durumi District of Abuja have sued an agency of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), before the High Court of the FCT.

    They are seeking to void the imposition of arbitrary N120million levies on them.

    The traders, in the suit filed by their lawyer, Mohammed Ahmed, want the court to declare the charges illegal on the ground that the AEPB’s newly-introduced levies violated existing regulations guiding their occupation of the plaza.

    They asked the court to order the AEPB to withdraw the charges and set aside the charges, arguing that it (AEPB) provided neither infrastructure nor environmental services in the plaza since they (the traders) have moved into it.

    “Our careful study of the bills/charges and the Law and Regulation made by you and contained in the AEPB Act show that the bills are not only arbitrary but illegal.

    “You cannot assess or collect rates or charges for services not provided,” the traders said.

    They want the court to declare that the harassment, threat of arrest, intimidation and sealing of their business premises is un-warranted and illegal and unconstitutional.

    They also asked the court to restrain the board from further harassing them on account of the charges.

    The traders seek a declaration that the bills and charges imposed on the plaintiffs for solid waste, requiring them to pay individually huge sums of monies are arbitrary, capricious, excessive and illegal.

  • National peace cup holds November

    National peace cup holds November

    A non-partisan football and music festival to foster peace and love among Nigerians, especially policy makers, corporate organisations and young artistes will hold later in this year.

    The festival, first of its kind in the history of the country, is part of the efforts towards involving all State Governors, Artistes, Entertainers, and political fathers across the country to sustain peace and love in the country.

    Titled National Peace and Unity Cup, the event is scheduled to hold within a period of 20 days during which young Nigerians with football and singing talents would be empowered to display their prowess across all 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    These young Nigerians would be grouped according to geo-political zones while they exhibit their talents through football or music at the event in November.

    Speaking at the pre-launch briefing in Lagos, Mr. Bankole Moshood, Chief Responsibility Officer of the organizing company, MOB Zenox Enterprises, explained that the event was conceived as a result of the need to build upon the post election peace handed to Nigeria, which according him was “against the run of play, going by the predictions and expectations of pundits and prophets of doom who had concluded that Nigeria would be consumed by war.”

    He explained further that since football was already a cementing factor in Nigeria, while war and chaos thrived on the strength and vigor of youth: “It has become imperative and strategic to merge the two in a non-partisan political and merry atmosphere devoid of strife and rivalry for the purpose of deepening and establishing the desire for national peace and progress in the subconscious of our youths.

    Expected at the festival include Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, General  Yabuku Gowon (Rtd) and Chief Alex Ekweme among others.

    More so, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), National Union of Road Transport workers (NURTW) have being sensitized while corporate bodies like SIFEX group and others in the banking industry and telecom sectors have began putting their weight behind the initiative.

  • How well do you know Nigeria?

    How well do you know Nigeria?