The Nation Newspaper

Tag: FCT

  • Inside Kayode Oke’s mini-zoo

    TALL, fashionable, and handsome, he bestrides the social and business terrains like a colossus. Ask the average resident in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and he would tell you that this gentleman’s impact in the entertainment industry in general and the hospitality industry in particular is significant.

    What many don’t know about the Chief Executive Officer of wave-making Softess Group of Companies, Otunba Kayode Oke, however, is that he owns a talk-of- the-town mini-zoo at his palatial mansion in a highbrow section of the capital city.

    The stylish mini-zoo is reportedly populated by a number of carefully selected animals, including some rare species of dogs, lions, tortoise and peacock, among others.

  • CNPP berates SSS for querying ex-FCT minister

    CNPP berates SSS for querying ex-FCT minister

    The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) yesterday condemned the State Security Service (SSS) for questioning former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Nasir el-Rufai.

    The CNPP described the action as bias and unfair.

    It added that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, had made similar statements, like many notable Nigerians, who had not been summoned.

    The CNPP urged the SSS to “restrain in making mountains out of mole hills and embarking on selective amnesia, which casts our security agencies in partisan colours”.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, the conference said: “The CNPP has read carefully the statement credited to Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, in which he said there would be violence, if the 2015 elections are not credible, free and fair.

    “We are at a loss how this nimble conditional statement constitutes security threat and is rated weighty enough to attract the attention of the Directorate of State Service {DSS} to arrest him.

    “In our candid view, it smacks of selective justice and gives credence to the watch list, which former President Olusegun Obasanjo harped on in his letter to President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “We hope we are not sliding back to the dark days of dictatorship, when a watch list would drift into a hit list!

     

    “Otherwise, what is harmful in the speech, when it sounds like a rapid response to the explosive pessimistic statement made by the Chief Electoral Officer of the federation, Prof Attahiru Jega, few days earlier that the 2015 elections will not be perfect? It’s a speech couched as if the hurdles before INEC are insurmountable and, therefore, a good excuse to rig the elections. Then argue after the havoc that ‘I told you before’.

    “Or, can we easily forget the explosive statements by the former governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, that stopping President Jonathan in 2015 will have grave consequences? Nor the ones by Alhaji Asari Dokubo and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, all President’s men?

    “Yet, we have no record that any of them has been hounded by the DSS.”

     

     

  • Community demands development

    Community demands development

    Residents of Congo community along Funtaj Road in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the council chairman, Mr. Shaban Tete to provide the community with basic infrastructure in this year to ease their prolonged suffering.

    Checks by our correspondent revealed that members of the community are truly going through hard times due to non-availability of basic infrastructure such as pipe-borne water, electricity, healthcare centres and others that can improve their well-being.

    Zephaniah Iyah who is indigenous to the community expressed griefs that, since the existence of the community, past administrations have failed to provide dividends of democracy to it, saying that it seemed as if the community has completely been ruled out of the council.

    “The bad state of this community is becoming unbearable and things are getting worse by the day. There is nothing in this community that can represent the existence of past and present administrations. We have been left behind in all areas of development.

    “Past administrations have failed to impact positively on our lives and I do not know why we are treated this way. We voted for them as our leaders, but they have failed to lead us well. I am appealing to our present chairman, Mr Shaban Tete to come to our aide and save us from further suffering in this New Year,” he said.

    Ishiaku Balla, another inhabitant also expressed his disappointment over what he called criminal neglect of the area. He said that because of the neglect those indigenous to Congo Village have been experiencing for a long time, they have completely lost hope of the government of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “When I visit Kuje town and other communities that have received some infrastructural improvement from past and present chairmen, I always ask if Congo Village is part of Kuje Area Council. The truth is that the government has disappointed us. I hope this present administration will make a difference and restore our faith in the ruling party.

    “I sincerely want to appeal to Mr Shaban Tete to come to our rescue. We need potable water supply, even if it is two or three water boreholes, electricity to improve our economic values, healthcare centres to take care of our health needs and other basic infrastructure that will give us a sense of belonging,” he said.

     

  • Minister seeks peaceful coexistence

    Minister seeks peaceful coexistence

    The Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed has urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory to eschew violence and live as one family.

    The Minister made the exhortation while receiving the officials of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), FCT Chapter led by Rev. Israel Akanji that paid him Christmas Homage in his official Residence, Gwarinpa I District, Abuja.

    Senator Mohammed emphasized that violence cannot take anybody anywhere, adding peace opens doors to growth, development and prosperity.

    The Minister called for continued peaceful co-existence amongst all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory irrespective of political or religious inclinations.

    He appreciated the visit on this auspicious day  of Christmas and thanked the leadership of both Christian and Muslim religions in the Federal Capital Territory for the responsible role they have always been playing in the day to day live of the Territory.

    According to him, the leadership of these two religions have shown wisdom and responsibility in conduct as well as relationship with their followers, resident in the Federal Capital Territory.

    Senator Mohammed challenged religious leaders in the 36 states of the federation to emulate the exemplary posture of the FCT religious leaders by replicating what they are doing in the FCT to ensure that the whole nation is at peace at all the times.

    While assuring them that his Administration will continue to support them in achieving their target goals, he also urged them to remain supportive to the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    His words: “I urge you to continue to support the government of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to continue in its Transformation Agenda”.

    Speaking earlier, the FCT CAN Chairman, Rev. Israel Akanji prayed that Nigeria and its leadership would continue to be in peace and grow from strength to strength.

    Rev. Akanji revealed that FCT CAN recently held an election and that seven of the members of the Executive were re-elected which he attributed to the wonderful cooperation they have been receiving from the FCT Minister.

    He reiterated that they were very happy to have served their people ie. Christian Community living in FCT, during the tenure of Senator Bala Mohammed as Minister.

    Rev. Akanji said that Senator Mohammed has always been promoting religious harmony, which has made their jobs as religious leaders very easy.

    In a statement to mark the 2013 Christmas celebrations, the minister spoke further on love and peace. In the document released by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule, the Minister “congratulated the residents, particularly the Christians on this occasion and remarked that the celebration calls for sober reflection as well as emulating the good works of Jesus Christ.

    “He further charged residents of the Federal Capital Territory to rededicate themselves to the service of God and humanity to make the World a better place.

    The Minister expressed gratitude to God for the privilege and mercy He has granted, as Nigerians join Christians in other parts of the World to commemorate this day in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.

    “He appealed to all residents of the Federal Capital Territory to continue to be good neighbours to their fellow residents, irrespective of religious belief because the best in the sight of God is the most pious.

    “Senator Mohammed enjoined residents to resolve in our commitment to make selfless service to growth and development of the nation.

    “The Minister also appealed to them to continue to supplicate to God for the well-being, peace and prosperity of our nation as well as its leadership.

    The Minister urged Christians to use the occasion to reflect on the life of Jesus Christ and to continue to imbibe his teachings, which are primarily premised on selflessness, sacrifice, patience, modesty and spirituality.

    “Senator Mohammed remarked that the celebration also calls for sober reflection and spiritual rejuvenation as Jesus Christ lived his life for the entire mankind.

    On security, the Minister assured that all security outfits in the Federal Capital Territory are adequately prepared to be on top of any unexpected security breach during and after the festivity period.

    “He further assured that the FCT Administration will continue to guarantee the security of the lives and property of all residents of the Federal Capital Territory , irrespective of political or religious affiliations and therefore called on residents to always report any suspicious movement to the law enforcement agents.”

     

  • FCT literacy level hits 60 per cent

    The literacy level in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT  has increased to 60 per cent  compared to 30 per cent that it was in 2011 .

    The Director, Agency for Mass Literacy Alhaji Musa Yakubu Maikasuwa who said this at the  FCT Literacy Day held at Gwagwalada Area Council, said efforts are still being taken to ensure that a full level is achieved.

    Alhaji Musa Yakubu explained that the celebration of the day was to showcase the effort of the Agency for providing second oportunity for the disadvantaged youths and adults residing  in the FCT who missed acquisition of suchthese literacy in a formal setting in their impressionae childhood and early adult years.

    To bring literacy to the doorsteps of the residents according to the Director  the agency established six vocational centres on tailoring , fashion and design, brick laying, automobile mechanic, woodwork and joinery at Karshi, Bwari, Abaji, Kwali Gwagwalada as well as in Kuje ARea Council.

    The FCT Minister, Senator  Bala Muhammad who was represented by the Secretary for  Education Secretariat,  Mallam Kabir Usman called for a synergy between the formal and informal sectors in the education system to eradicate all forms of illiteracty in the society.

     

    The Minister pledged the commitment of the FCT Administration to develop the education sectors.

    Some of the representatives of the area councils at the exhibition commended the Agency that have assisted them in producing working tools that have made them to remain self reliant.

  • Oyo, FCT win male, female football events’ third-place honours

    Oyo state and the FCT on Friday emerged third place winners in the male and female football events respectively in the ongoing National Youth Games (NYG) in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the matches were played at the training pitches of the National Stadium’s Package A.

    In the male category, Oyo state thrashed eight-men FCT 4-1 to win the third-place, with two goals coming in each half. In the female category, the FCT female team beat Team Taraba 2-0.

    The coach of Oyo state male team, Sanusi Musiliu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the match that his team benefitted from the advantage of its opponents being incomplete.

    NAN reports that the male FCT team had been decimated by the loss of some players to the screening exercise conducted at the games shortly before the competition commenced.

    “Our opponents had only eight players. So, we used that to work them up till they got tired. So, the goals just kept coming in for us. But, apart from that, the players performed according to the instructions given while correcting the mistake they made in the semi-finals. Now, we will take this third-place victory as consolation, since we could not reach the final,” Musiliu said.

     

  • FCTA workers lock minister out

    FCTA workers lock minister out

    Aggrieved workers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration have called for the sack of the Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed.

    They accused him of blocking their career development path.

    The workers, who blocked the entrance to the minister’s office, displayed placard with inscriptions such as: “Bala must go”; “Staff welfare zero”.

    They sang “we no go gree o” when the Permanent Secretary, John Chukwu, came out to address them.

    Chairman, Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC-FCDA) Ajao Adejumo, who led the protesters, said Mohammed’s administration has undermined the progressive path of the workers. He said the Administration does not train workers.

    Adejumo said the FCTA has not provided workers with incentives, despite several appeals.

    The Permanent Secretary, John Chukwu, who addressed the protesters, told them that the administration was aware of their demands and has begun discussing with union leaders.

    He said: “Most of your requests, I have heard. I appeal to all of you to just give us today to talk to the union.”

     

    We do not discuss in the market place and am sure all of you are responsible workers.

    “I know all of you are law abiding and responsible. Workers have the right to assembly; nobody is saying we will deny you your right.

    “All of us have a moral duty to better the territory, please do not allow your selves to be misguided. I am a civil servant like you.”

  • ‘Project’ll create 10 million jobs’

    ‘Project’ll create 10 million jobs’

    Aviation Minister Ms Stella Oduah has declared that the Nigeria Aerotropolis project will create 10 million jobs, especially in the first two years of its take off.

    Oduah said an estimated N100 billion will be generated annually from the initiative.

    The minister was speaking at the Public Hearing by the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee probing the FCT Land Swap.

    The Ministry of Aviation is participating in the land swap for the Abuja Aerotropolis project.

    She said the projects, to be sited in Abuja and other major airports, would transform the economy and the living standards of the rural farmers through Perishable Cargo exports.

    The minister said the initiative was private-sector driven, with 20 per cent equity holding through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    Ms Oduah said the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had endorsed the Abuja Aerotropolis for which documentation was being finalised for the land acquisition.

  • Judge withdraws from suit against Leadership reporters

    Judge withdraws from suit against Leadership reporters

    Justice Peter Affen of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja yesterday withdrew from adjudicating the forgery case filed against two LEADERSHIP reporters by the Federal Government.

    His withdrawal followed a report that the case file was withdrawn from Justice Usman Musale, without any application from parties, and re-assigned to Justice Affen, who hails from Bayelsa, the same state as President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The Federal Government filed the criminal charge against the Group News Editor of the newspaper, Mr. Tony Amokeodo and political correspondent, Chibuzor Ukaibe.

    In the charge, it was alleged that they forged a letter from the Presidency.

    During yesterday’s proceeding, Justice Affen said he is withdrawing from the case to protect his integrity and that of the judiciary.

    Justice Affen is the third judge to handle the case since the action was instituted several months ago.

    When the case came up yesterday, Counsel to the Federal Government, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo ((SAN), said he saw the publication and expressed shock over it.

    “I saw the publication this morning and I must say that it is objectionable and unfair. I knew nothing about it but its effect is enormous,” he said.

    Counsel to the journalists, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) said: “I was surprised when I saw the report yesterday. I hold your lordship in high esteem and from my investigation, the court did not ask for the case.”

    Falana added: “Having regard to the integrity and the independence of the judiciary, your lordship may wish to send the case file back to the Chief Judge. This humble application is hinged on need to preserve the integrity of the judiciary.”

    Justice Affen, in his short ruling, said the only thing that connects him with President Jonathan is that they are from the same state.

    “I must place on record my profound gratitude to counsel in this matter for seeking to protect not only my integrity but that of the judiciary. It is correct that justice is rooted in confidence and must not only be done but seen to have been done.

    “The implication of the publication is far too damaging to ignore. I will, therefore, in the interest of justice return the case file to the Chief Judge for re-assignment to another judge that is not from Bayelsa State,” the judge said.

  • FCT vendors partner NUJ

    Newspaper vendors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are partnering the territory’s chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to enable its members achieve its target.

    A statement by the vendors’ Chairman, Samuel Jimoh, said a conference would be held today in Abuja to educate newspaper vendors and other stakeholders on the need to sustain capacity-building in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for individuals and corporate organisations.

    Speakers at the event include: Angelo Peter Elosia, a former presenter of a Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme and publisher of Investment Expo.

    Others expected at the conference, the statement said, are: Peter Ajayi, a director at the National Productivity Centre, Abuja, who will present a paper, titled: Public Private Support As A Strategy for Reducing Unemployment; Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, who is the special guest of honour.