The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal Capital Territory (FCT)

  • Two caught on Arik flight stealing co-passenger’s money

    Two caught on Arik flight stealing co-passenger’s money

    There was a mild drama Friday on a 7am flight of Arik Air from Lagos to Abuja as two suspects were caught stealing from a bag belonging to another passenger few minutes to landing at the local wing of Nnamdi Azikwe Airport in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The attention of the passengers were attracted by the voice of one of the crew members on the flight asking one of the suspects to sit down and should dare not utter a word since he had been finally caught.

    But the key suspect stood up to the crew member, asking him to state his offence.

    Unknown to the suspect, whose names was not available at the time of filing this report, his movements on the plane were being monitored by an eagle-eyed Arik Air worker, who pretended to be a passenger who was sleeping.

    But the Arik Air worker, who adorned a pair of dark glasses watched as the first suspect  opened one of the overhead lockers, brought down a bag and removed a polyethylene bag containing two wrapped envelopes and loose N1000 notes.

    The second suspect came into the picture when he gave a black bag to the first suspect, who kept their “loot” inside. He zipped up the bag and hid it by the side of his seat.

    The airline worker, who was detailed to do the monitoring then removed his glasses and drew the attention of other crew members.

    To the surprise of all on board, the first suspect became recalcitrant, daring anyone to touch him or take his photo.

    The key suspect said: “If anyone dare come to me, I will blow you and nothing will happen. I didn’t do anything.”

    When the polyethylene bag was retrieved, the owner, Mr. Peter Imoh, was in shock.

    When approached, he said: “My brother what do you expect me to say? You can see that I am still in shock.”

  • “440,000 candidates write JAMB exams in two days”

    “440,000 candidates write JAMB exams in two days”

    No fewer than 440,000 candidates have sat for the 2017 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations within two days across the country.

    The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is’haq Oloyede made this known in Abuja on Monday during a tour of the examination centres in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Oloyede said that the exams would end in Bauchi, Abia, Niger states and some other states on May 15 while the UTME would continue in Kebbi state, Lagos state, Oyo and some other states.

    He also said that some centres in Delta state were underutilised, adding that the Board would fully involved the centres in future exams.

    He called on candidates to avoid being exploited by unscrupulous persons in the name of getting exam questions for them.

    He said that a case of a person who attacked JAMB officials in Abia state had been reported to the security personnel.

    “I believe everything is going on well. We are monitoring the situation except for a person that was said to have attacked our staff in Abia state this morning.

    “Candidates should be careful because some of these people go about telling the candidates they can give them questions.

    “We are therefore appealing to people to do everything according to the law and avoid cutting corners with JAMB,” he said.

    On the recent industrial action at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Oloyede said there was preparation to move the candidates to the University of Ilorin for their exams.

    “We understand that there is a sort of strike by either staff or students in Lautech and two of our centres are in that school.

    “However, arrangement is being made already to transfer the students because there are no private CBT centres in Ogbomosho and the closest place is Ilorin because of the proximity.

    “So we believe it is better than taking them to Ibadan or any other place in Oyo state.”

    Oloyede also condemned the incessant strike in Nigerian Universities, saying that the acts could destroy the future of the country and citizens.

    He added that unions were free to disagree with the government but not at the detriment of students.

    “Anybody who loves this country and education will be against incessant strike.

    “I don’t mean government should take academic staff or non-academic staff for granted but it means we should find a way of solving our crisis not at the expense of the innocent ones,” Oloyede said.

    Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, who was also on exams monitoring, applauded the board for smooth conduct of the exams.

    Anwukah, however, urged candidates to put more effort in order to succeed in the examination.

    “Based on what I have seen today, the exercise is excellent and if we can fathom this into what we are doing, I think it will be excellent from now on.”

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that centres visited within the territory are Digital Bridge Institute, Global Learning Institute, Sascon International School and the JAMB headquarters centre.

     

  • FCT police command warn IPOB against planned protest in Abuja

    FCT police command warn IPOB against planned protest in Abuja

    The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Mr Musa Kimo has warned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) against its planned protest in Abuja.

    Kimo gave the warning in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesman, ASP Usen Omorodion in Abuja on Sunday.

    He said as a professional organisation, the command would not fold its arms and watch criminal elements hide under the guise of such protest to cause breakdown of law and order.

    Kimo advised residents to go about their lawful duties without fear and molestation.

    In a related development, the FCT spokesman the command arrested a member of an armed robbery syndicate at Robochi, Abuja on April 26.

    He said Usman Alhaji Mai-moto, 24, a principal suspect was arrested with a stolen motorcycle by police operatives on routine patrol.

    The spokesman said the suspect confessed to have participated in the snatching of several motorcycles at gunpoint.

    Omorodion said the suspect had given the police useful information that led to the arrest of one of his cohorts, Wisdom Peter, 18, who was arrested while trying to sell a stolen motorcycle.

    He said the two stolen motorcycles had been recovered from the suspects.

    “Frantic effort is being made to arrest their cohort said to be in possession of the firearm used by the syndicate for its robbery operations.’’

    Omorodion said the command had also arrested three suspects who specialised in house breaking.

    The suspects are : Mansur Aminu, 24, Emmanuel Aboki and Dauda Isa.

    Items recovered from them include, two clippers, 11 SIM cards and one generating set.

    He said the suspects would be transferred to the Command Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation and prosecution.

  • HIV/AIDS: FACA distributes 7m condoms to FCT residents

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Agency for Control of HIV/AIDS (FACA) said it distributed seven million condoms to FCT residents in 2016, to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

    The Project Manager of the agency, Dr Uche Okoro, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview in Abuja on Saturday.

    Okoro said that beneficiaries consisted of those vulnerable to the condition like commercial sex workers and homosexuals.

    He further said that FACA carried out intensive training for those prone to HIV/AIDS infection on the importance of the use of condoms, consistently, while having sexual intercourse.

    “Some people pay extra money to have sex with commercial sex workers without the use of condom, with the intention of spreading HIV through them.

    “We have advised them not to accept or allow such a thing as their lives are equally important,’’ the project manager said.

    According to Okoro, the prevalence of HIV had reduced drastically in the FCT with the agency’s massive enlightenment campaign, especially in 2016.

    He also said that FACA had designed a five-year strategic plan from, 2017 to 2021, on eradicating HIV/AIDS in the territory.

    Okoro, however, expressed concern over the gradual withdrawal of support by development partners, saying that the development would pose a challenge to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.

    He, therefore, urged the Federal, state and local governments to pay serious attention to eradicating the condition from the country.

  • Workers running out of patience with FG over new minimum wage – TUC

    The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has warned that workers were running out of patience with the Federal Government over delay in negotiation of a new minimum wage.

    NAN reports that the Nigeria’s current minimum wage is N18,000 with organised labour asking it be increased to at least N50,000

    Mr Ahmed Olayinka, Chairman, TUC, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter said while speaking during an awareness rally on the forthcoming International Workers, Day celebration slated for May 1, in Abuja.

    He warned that the workers cannot wait indefinitely for government; adding that in view of the hardship been experienced by Nigerian workers as a result of economic recession, the government should fast-track the implementation of the proposed new minimum wage.

    “We in the labour union and the entire Nigerian workers are losing our temper, the government must do something fast, because prices of things have skyrocket in the market.

    “The common man cannot afford the basic needs of life and workers now pay double of what they used to buy in the market’’.

    He said that the labour union was in support of the anti corruption drive of President Muhammadu Buhari and would do anything to expose corrupt officials.

    Olayinka said that the Labour union had always been in support of good governance, adding that it was aware that corruption was fighting back and it would support the government to tame the tide.

    “Corruption is fighting back and we are on the same page with the government, but the only thing we are asking for is a review of the minimum wage because N18, 000.00 can no longer take care of us.”

    Also speaking, Comrade Amaechi Lawrence, Chairman FCT Chapter, Nigeria Labour Congress said that the union embarked on a road show to sensitise Nigerians on the workers day celebration

    He urged Nigerians workers, including market women and men to come out on the May Day to celebrate workers, adding that those in the FCT should converge on the Eagle square.

    Lawrence said that the NLC would continue to sensitise Nigerians against corruption, while calling on the government to quickly review workers wage because the N18, 000.00 minimum wage was grossly inadequate.

    Comrade James Imoyera, Assistant General Secretary, NLC urged Nigerian workers to come out en-mass to celebrate workers day.

    He said that workers needed to put the country on the path of progress, adding that Nigerian workers had been agitating for a review of minimum wage because they were the one creating the wealth.

    NAN reports that on March 6, 2011, former president Goodluck Jonathan signed the N18,000 National Minimum Wage into law.

    The new wage law states that once an employer in the public or private sector has a workforce of about 50 persons, he or she is bound by the law to pay a minimum wage of N18,000.

    The signing of the law increased the national minimum wage across the country from N7, 500 to N18,000 per month.

  • Atiku insists Nigeria must restructure to get governance right

    Atiku insists Nigeria must restructure to get governance right

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says Nigeria will continue to grapple with the crisis of severe and debilitating socio-economic problems unless it  gets the  structures of the federalism and governance right.

    Abubakar stated this in a paper titled; “The Challenge of Unity, Diversity and National Development: Nigeria at a Crossroads”, which he delivered at the formal public presentation of the Daily Stream newspaper, at the Banquet Hall, Nigeria Air force Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja.

    According to him, the current system, which is characterized by a focus on sharing rather than production, is clearly not conducive to development.

    He noted that virtually all the development indices had not been favourable to Nigeria: massive and pervasive poverty, double-digit inflation, unemployment, dwindling foreign exchange receipts, poor GDP growth rates, high infant and maternal mortality, high levels of illiteracy, and millions of school-age children out of school.

    “For Nigeria to develop – or even make any appreciable progress – we must re-structure Nigeria’s political, administrative and political architecture.

    “That way we can free resources that would otherwise go to unviable ventures and projects, then commit same to areas that directly cater for and benefit the people.”

    He said restructuring would facilitate the emergence of a leaner bureaucracy, enhance efficiency, block wastages and promote more prudent management.

    He said this would make for happier constituent units more committed to the progress and unity of the country and the emergence of a sense of nationhood.

    “However, I am not here just to lament over the sad and unenviable state of affairs in Nigeria.

    “I firmly believe in the viability of the Nigerian Project, I remain unshaken and completely persuaded that we can eventually change the story of Nigeria for good by collectively making Nigeria a productive, prosperous, peaceful and united nation whose people are happy and contented and one that is able to really lead Africa and assume a pride of place in the comity of nations,” he added.

    Abubakar, who narrated his experiences from his recent trip to Malaysia, said he had concluded arrangements to assemble a class of economic experts to brainstorm on the best ways to boost the economies of the three tiers of government in Nigeria.

    The former vice-president, who affirms that Nigeria is truly in crossroads, said “the problem with our federalism is that over the years it has become so skewed in favour of the centre that it impedes our economic development, distorts our politics, weakens our people’s commitment to the country and threatens our existence as a united country”.

    He, therefore, stressed the need to discuss and agree on the kind of federal structure desirable for the country.

    “Reverting to the regions of the past seem untenable because those minority groups which feel that they have been liberated from their bigger, dominant neighbours, are unlikely to accept a return to that older order.

    “We may consider using the existing the geo-political zones as federating units because they will be more viable economically and address some of the minorities’ concerns?

    “If we prefer to keep the current state structure, could we consider introducing a means-test such that a state that is unable to raise a specified percentage of its revenues from internal sources would have to be collapsed into another state?”

    Abubakar, who described himself as more of a businessman than politician, said he would never implement a uniform National Minimum Wage structure across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    He said under his leadership, state governments in Nigeria would be allowed to pay their workers’ salaries based on their respective financial standing.

     

  • FRSC decries incessant violation of traffic rules in Abuja

    Mr Sunday Oghenekaro, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Wednesday, decried the incessant violation of traffic rules in Abuja.

    Oghenekaro, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, said that residents of the territory were hiding under the present economic hardship to violate traffic rules.

    For instance, he frowned at the use of private vehicles for commercial purposes, which he said, was unlawful.

    “The man using the private car for commercial purpose will tell you, “I have lost my job; how else do you want me to feed?

    “But the question is, have you done the right thing? The fact that you have lost your job does not mean you should do wrong things.

    “Of course, we know that times are hard but that should not make us to indulge in doing things that are at variance with public safety and security.

    “When people continue to use their private cars for commercial purpose, it gives room for criminal elements to pretend to be those, who are also operating ‘kabu-kabu’ to transport commuters,’’ he said.

    Oghenekaro, who also condemned the non usage of pedestrian bridges by commuters, faulted the habit of boarding or alighting from vehicles at non designated bus-stops.

    The commander added that the sector was already expanding its sensitisation campaign to churches and mosques.

     

  • Judge to rule on ex-Air Force Chief Mamu’s request to testify in secret

    Justice Salisu Garba of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will on May 19 decide whether or not to allow a former Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Air Force Headquarters, Air Vice Marshall Mohammed Mamu (retd), who is standing trial on bribery
    related charges testify in secret.

    Justice Garba chose the date after taking arguments from prosecution lawyer and Manu’s lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir and Joseph Daudu (SAN) on the propriety of allowing the defendant to continue his testimony in open court in view of the claim by Daudu that his client’s evidence could
    touch on national security.

    Manu opened his testimony Thursday as the first defence witness. But, at a point, he stopped and informed the court that his evidence in relation to what he did with the $300, 0000, described by the prosecution as proceeds of bribery paid to him could “be directly linked with national security.”

    His lawyer amplified the fear he expressed and even sought a stop in the proceedings to enable him give the Tahir a snippet of what his client intends to say, to enable him (Tahir) appreciate the point he was making.

    Although Justice Garba said he was opened to adopting any measure agreed to by parties, Tahir objected to a secret testimony by Mamu.

    Tahir said the nation’s security was not in issue in the case. He added that the trial must continue in the open court.

    He said, “Section 243 of the Evidence Act deals with exclusion of evidence in terms of public interest. Our take is that the issue here is not of national security. As far as we are concerned, the
    pre-condition for exclusion of evidence has not been met.

    “The DW1 (Mamu) is not a minister or a governor. He is not caught by the provision of section 243 of the Evidence Act. This is a criminal trial and the law says criminal trial must be in the open. The pre-condition in section 243 has not been met.

    “If we consider Section 190 of the Evidence Act, he did not work with the President; he did not work with the governor. Exhibits S and T, particularly Exhibit S, are what led to what the defendant is saying now.

    “The Exhibit S is a communication between the defendant and Hima Abubakar, the Managing Director of Siociete D’ Equipment Internationaux on March 10, 2015. It is also a private letter from the defendant to the Hima Abubakar.

    “The Exhibit does not carry the imprimatur of the state. We think, that issue of national security has not arisen here,” Tahir said.

    In a counter argument, Daudu said, “I want it to be placed on record that I gave him (Tahir) the opportunity to preview the oral evidence and he has by reference to sections of the law rejected it.

    “It is not about the evidence that has been given before. It is about what he is going to say. The prosecutor is presumed to have fiat of the Attorney-General of the Federation, so he can take decision on behalf of the AGF while he is prosecuting.

    “He should have at the back of mind that this case revolves around the war against Boko Haram. It involves whether funds appropriated for the war was well spent or not. While we want to defend ourselves, we do not want to do more harm than good by spilling the milk.,” Daudu said.
    Replying on point of law, Tahir stood his ground, saying “let the milk be spilled; let the egg be broken.”

    Mamu, in his earlier testimony, said all the cash and cars, he was accused of receiving from contractors as bribe, were a form of payment for the bills he incurred on behalf of Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nigeria Limited, while executing jobs the company was
    handling for the Air Force.

    He said he was compelled by the EFCC to return the $300,000 and two of the cars – Ford Expedition SUV and Jaguar XF Saloon – after the EFCC threatened to arrest and detain his two daughters.

    Mamu said “Despite all these explanations, I was threatened with arrest and detention and the arrest and detention of my two daughters, Fatima Mamu and Hadiza Mamu, who are directors in Kalill Fertilizers Nigeria Limited.

    “In view of the threats as a responsible father, I conceded to refund the money under interrogation, in the hope that I will be reimbursed by Hima Abubakar. I was compelled to pay back the $300, 000,” he said.

    Mamu is facing a three-count charge filed by the Economic and Fianancial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in which he is among others, accused of receiving gratification from Societe D’ Equipments Internationaux Nigeria Limited, one of the contractors engage by his
    employer –  the Nigerian Air Force.
    Mamu was equally accused of receiving a cash gift of $300,000 and the sum of   N5.9m, as balance for the purchase of a Range Rover Evoque, from the firm and its Managing Director, Hima Abubakar.

    Mamu is also accused of receiving a Ford Expedition SUV and Jaguar XF Saloon valued at N15m and N12m, respectively, from the firm as gratification.

     

  • Why Judiciary is perceived as corrupt, by ex-Supreme Court Justice

    Why Judiciary is perceived as corrupt, by ex-Supreme Court Justice

    …Group seeks more access to court

     

    The perception in certain quarters that the nation’s Judiciary is corrupt is a fallout of the general misunderstanding about the operations of this arm of government, former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olufunlola Adekeye (retired) has said.

    Justice Adekeye faulted the general categorisation of the Judiciary as a corrupt institution. She argued that by its nature as a very powerful arm of the government, it was to the detriment of any country that accepts the labelling of its judiciary as corrupt.

    The retired jurist spoke in Abuja Tuesday at the released of the second quarter report of court observations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) carried out by a group, the Rule of Law and Enforcement Initiative, also known as Partners West Africa – Nigeria (PWAN).

    Justice Adekeye, who praised the initiative by PWAN, said it will enhance the understanding of the operations of the Judiciary and improve public confidence in the court, because justice is rooted in confidence.

    “With this project, people can now have free accessibility to the court or the operations of the court. There is no secret about it. Members of the public will have access to the court and they will know what happens within the court system.

    “There will be no room for misunderstanding, and to be saying the Judiciary is corrupt. They will have that power to criticise or to pass comments that will help the Judiciary to improve its services,” she said.

    PWAN’s Programme Manager, Barbara Maigari, while presenting the report, noted that although there were improvements in the operations of courts in the FCT from when the first report was released last December, there was need to do more particularly in the area of free legal services.

    The report recommended, among others the need for electronic recording facilities in court to enhance efficiency; need for the National Judicial council (NJC) to provide time frame for when court must sit and for the prosecuting agencies to be diligent in their duties to prevent delay in criminal cases.

    Maigagri said her group’s exercise, under the theme: “Social accountability in the judicial sector project.” is intended to increase civil society’s access to government’s information as a tool to fight judicial corruption, enhance access to justice and expand the opportunity for citizen’s engagement with government.

    Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Ishaq Bello said he was convinced that the PWAN’s project, which provides an outside perspective to the operations of FCT courts, will “help us take a critical look at our operations, from a deferent eye, to access our activities.”

    Represented by Justice U. A. Musali, Justice Bello said the activities by PWAN “will help the public understand us better and vice versa. It will build further understanding about the judicial process and the challenges we face.

    “We will look at the recommendations critically and make amend where necessary and eventually improve on our integrity and strengthen the judicial system,” Justice Bello said.

     

  • ‘Rising unemployment is hinged on non-teaching of science practicals’

    Nigeria’s economic woes and rising unemployment is a result of a faulty educational system, arising from a lack of practical teaching of science-based subjects in institutions, the Federal Ministry Education has said.

    The Deputy Director, Science Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Grace Takerhi, made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

    Takerhi spoke with NAN at the 20th National Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (JETS) competition in one of the oldest schools in Lagos, CMS Grammar School, Bariga.

    She said that the only way to stem the rising unemployment was practical teaching of science-based subjects.

    NAN reports that the 20th edition of the JETS Competition got underway on Tuesday with students from across the country displaying their talents.

    The theme of the competition is “Enhancing Food Security through Science and Technology Application’’.

    Reflecting on the promotion of technical studies to enhance national wealth and economic recovery, Takerhi said that only qualitative teaching with practical experience could create self-employment and entrepreneurship.

    “If we look at our educational system and the attendant rising unemployment, we will see that there is a convergence and that is the lack of practical teaching for science-based courses in our institutions.

    “If we also look at what is happening, graduates from science-based courses are looking for jobs in Federal Ministry of Education. What is the relevance of their courses to where they are seeking careers?

    “If the institutions are well equipped for practical teachings, the students will understand their courses and will know how to make use of the courses to employ themselves rather than looking for employments.

    “Nigeria needs to bridge the disconnect between classroom teachings and practical teachings and meet the real life situation on ground. Sciences are meant to solve societal problems not adding to it,’’ she said.

    Takerhi said that the problem of lack of practical had also been compounded by the lack of placements for Industrial Training Attachment for the students in science-related courses.

    “Right now, we are having a lot of challenges when our students apply for placement for their industrial attachments which is one of the basics of practical teaching in scientific applications.

    “Many of these students are roaming about the streets looking for where to have the needed experience with no company to absorb them. Yet they need this experience and if they don’t get it how will they learn?

    “We need collaborative effort of government and the organised private sector in this regard to work out modalities that will make it compulsory and easier for the students to get placement for attachments.

    “Private organisations should not reject those students or else our educational system will continued to be in the doldrums,’’ she said.

    Takerhi said that the specialised schools for technical education should be well funded to enhance the practical learning of vocational studies.

    “Our technical institutions need a lot of improvements so as to face the practical teachings of vocational studies. The names are just there, but they don’t have enough materials for practicals.

    “Facilities such as well-equipped laboratories, technical workshops and vocational training equipment must be provided. What this translates to is that there should be more budgetary allocation to technical schools.

    “We need to fight education tourism by providing enough funding.

    “There is an increase in enrollment of students in science-based courses now so we need to also play our part in ensuring that we provide the funds.

    “The only way this nation can attain the highest height in wealth creation is through technical education and vocational studies and we need to expand our frontiers in supplying enough funds,’’ she said

    NAN reports that the participants in the JETS competition are students from primary and secondary schools from across the country.

    They are expected to come up with local inventions that could help to solve some societal engineering and scientific problems under the supervision of their teachers.

    The competition has about 500 students and JETS Coordinators from the states.

    This year’s edition recorded a huge success as students developed inventions that could stand the test of time. All the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had stands to display the ingenuity of the junior engineers and scientists.