Minister of Women Affairs, Uju-Kennedy Ohanenye, says the ministry is working with stakeholders for the establishment of mobile courts to get justice for women incarcerated for years in correctional facilities without trial.
The minister said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a women empowerment conference to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The conference, organised by Arise Monalisa Foundation in collaboration with One Percent International Management Services Limited, discussed issues affecting women, young female entrepreneurs and children.
Ohanenye said many women awaiting trial over minor offences have been abandoned in correctional facilities for years, with no hope of getting justice.
She said that the establishment of the mobile court would help such women and aid in decongesting the correctional facilities.
“Remember when I came in as minister and they said women were suffering I had to go to the prison yard, I saw many women abandoned in the prison for over four years awaiting trial over minor issues like owing debt of N10,000, N15,000, N20,000.
“Out of what I said before on inhumanity to humans, they just drop them there because they feel they don’t have anybody to speak for them, we don’t want that to continue to happen.
“That’s why I was looking for a mobile court to get these women released, and I went straight to Mr President and I asked for a mobile court and, Mr President said go ahead and gave me a nod,” she said.
According to the minister, she had contacted the Attorney General of the Federation and state governors to collaborate in the endeavour.
“I wrote to the governors’ forum and I was called to make a presentation and it was approved and the consent letter was given to me.
“I need to go now and ensure it’s implemented in all the states,” Ohanenye added.
She said in spite of some stumbling blocks, she was determined to get the mission accomplished.
“This is something that could allow our fellow women to breathe; this is something that can decongest the prisons.
“When people said it’s impossible to have a mobile court I said it will be possible, because this is something that will protect the lives of women and children,” the minister said. (NAN)
Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, has stressed the need for effective Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) coordination for economic prosperity, societal well-being, and sustainable development of the country.
Nnaji made the call on Monday, in Abuja at the opening of the National Research, Development, and Innovation (NRDI) Coordination Summit.
The conference was organised by Research for Impact Knowledge Economy and Sustainable Development( RIKE SD) in collaboration with the West and Central African Research and Education Network ( WACREN), Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and RDI Coordination. org
The minister said that the theme of the gathering, “Advancing Nigeria’s Global Competitiveness Through a Resilient National RDI Coordination,” was not just a statement but a clarion call.
Nnaji said that the government was poised to reshape the future of the country by unleashing potential through unified RDI coordination.
He said that the conference was a pathway to redefine and reposition Nigeria on the global map of innovation, science, and technology.
“In today’s rapidly evolving world, the pace of technological advancements is not just fast; it is exponential.
“Nations that have recognised and harnessed the power of research, development, and innovation are leading the charge towards economic prosperity, societal well-being, and sustainable development.
“It is time for Nigeria to take its rightful place among these nations,” he said.
According to him, to achieve this, we must first acknowledge that our RDI ecosystem requires robust coordination, one that is resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking.
“Our goal is to create a system where academia, industry, government, and the community not only interact but thrive together, fostering an environment ripe for groundbreaking innovations.
“Our vision for Nigeria is to become a hub for African innovation, contributing significantly to the global knowledge economy,” he said.
According to him, this can be achieved by implementing a three-pronged approach which includes strengthening institutional frameworks, fostering public-private partnerships and investing in human capital.
Chief Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology( L) and Dr Mustapha Popoola, Global Impact lead, Research for Impact Knowledge Economy and Sustainable Development (RIKE SD) at the opening of the National Research, Development, and Innovation (NRDI) Coordination Summit on Monday in Abuja.
He said that it was imperative to build and strengthen the institutional frameworks necessary for effective RDI coordination.
“This includes policy reforms that incentivize research and development, protect intellectual properties, and facilitate the commercialization of research outcomes.”
While giving further explanation on fostering public-private partnerships, Nnaji said the collaboration between the public sector, private industry, and academic institutions was crucial.
“By fostering partnerships that leverage the strengths of each sector, we can accelerate the translation of research into market-ready solutions that address our most pressing challenges,” he said.
He said that investing in human capital was also crucial to the development of the nation.
“At the heart of any successful RDI ecosystem are the people. Investing in education and training to build a skilled workforce ready to navigate and lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution is non-negotiable.
“We must nurture our young talents and provide them with the platforms to excel and innovate.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the journey to enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness through resilient RDI coordination is a collective endeavor,” he said.
According to him, it requires commitment, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
“As we deliberate over the course of this summit, let us be guided by the principle that our unity in purpose and action is our most significant strength.”
Some participants at the opening of opening of the National Research, Development, and Innovation (NRDI) Coordination Summit, in Abuja on Monday
The Chief Strategy Officer, WACREN, Mr Omo Oaiya, said that the network focused on Pan-African initiatives to strengthen open science in Africa.
“As part of that, we are also working with countries in different events like this to drive cooperation and collaboration so that we can reap the benefits of such an endeavor.
“So, RIKE SD is our local facilitator here. But between both of us, we’ve been able to create a new impetus in the Nigerian RDI coordination space.
“The main goal of this activity is to bring the different RDI actors together to look at a way of co-creating a future that we can build on.
“We are trying to align this with the presidential priorities that have been announced and the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
Oaiya said the essence of the summit was to bring international connections to support activity within Nigeria to drive RDI forward.
The Global Impact lead, RIKE SD, Dr Mustapha Popoola, said the essence of the summit was to enhance RDI coordination.
According to him, RIKE SD is a Nigerian Non-For-Profit Organisation that has a Pan-African scope.
“We are the first research as a service organisation in Nigeria who is looking at taking research, development, innovation, outcomes and output from Nigeria to other African countries.
“For the first time we know that for us to have results based on the directive of Mr President, we should actually institutionalise the use of research and development outcomes in ministry agencies and departments.
“It is important for us to get coordinated and know what we can offer.
“We are using an approach, we call it pentagonal nexus whereby the government is going to be working alongside with the industry, academia.
And, at the same time we are focusing on the communities that are going to use those outcomes of research at community level,” he said.
The President-elect Nigerian Academy of Science, Prof. Abubakar Sambo, said the summit was expected to look into the eight areas of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“It will bring out how research and development, and in particular science, technology and innovation research can be used to significantly impact those eight areas of Mr President.
“It is to bring up what are needed to be undertaken to boost the development of the country through programs that involve research, development and innovation, and also through policy making.
“It is very important for the MDAs to incorporate in their yearly programmes, aspects that will be boosted through the outputs of research, development and innovation activities,” Sambo said.
Some participants at the opening of opening of the National Research, Development, and Innovation (NRDI) Coordination Summit, in Abuja on Monday
Also speaking, Dr. Shabihul Hassan, Chairman Tech India Ltd, said that the whole concept of research, development and innovation was collaboration.
“We have been connecting, collaborating with intellectuals, with members of the public and private sector to see how we can foster growth in the agri-sector, in the health sector, in the power sector, in the infrastructure sector.
“The key is teamwork. This is teamwork within the country, outside the country, collaborating nationally, internationally, and collaborating between the public and private sectors.
“So the private sector sets the way, it sets the standard. The public sector competes. The public sector also becomes competent, equally competent. So it’s collaborative work.
“The purpose of conferences like this is to bring people together, especially intellectuals, people with knowledge, different backgrounds, and different countries. And that is the key to development,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).
Tea makers, popularly known as “Mai shayi”, say their business is witnessing low patronage, especially for noodles, as the price continues to increase rapidly.
They spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday while reacting to the incessant increase in the price of Indomie instant noodles.
NAN reports that ‘Mai shayi’, which means tea makers in the Hausa language, is operated mainly by Hausa men in makeshift kiosks.
They are found in estates and by the roadside in different parts of Abuja and they also sell fast food like noodles, fried eggs, bread, and tea.
NAN reports that the price of Indomie noodles, a popular fast food in Nigeria enjoyed by both the young and old? skyrocketed within a short period.
From the market survey conducted by NAN, a carton of Indomie standard pack which is the smallest size with 40 pieces, is being sold for between N10,500 to N11,500.
A carton of the Super Pack, which contains 40 packs, is sold for between N17,800 to 18,700, and a cartoon of Hungry Man size which contains 24 packs is sold for between N16,800 to N17,500.
Also, a packet of the standard size sells for N300, while a packet of the Super Pack and Hungry Man is sold for N500 and N700.
However, NAN reports that in Supermarkets, the prices are much higher for the single packets and the cartons.
In one of the major supermarkets in Abuja, the standard size is selling for N330 per pack and N13,200 for a carton, while the Hungry Man size is being sold for N845 for a packet and N20,280 for a carton.
Abba Idris, a Mai Shayi in Apo said patronage had reduced for indomie because of the price increase.
“I make one hungry man now for N750, but a month ago I was making it for N400. Also, I sell one super pack for N550 as against N300 a month ago.
“Many of my customers are complaining because of the increase in price of indomie and they are not buying like before, ” he said.
Another Mai Shayi, Mustapha Abba, in Gaduwa, said his customers had reduced because they could no longer afford to buy indomie.
“I was making one super pack for N350 three weeks ago but now I make it for N600, while the hungry man was N450 now it is N850.”
According to him, before when you come to my stand, you will see many people in the morning and evening but they are no longer coming like before.
“Some people that used to buy two packs can only afford one pack now. Some don’t even request eggs again.
“We are not making much gain from this business. If we are to sell to make a good profit, we will not see anybody again,” he said.
Another Mai Shayi in Bwari Area Council, Gambo Haruna also said he had witnessed a drop in patronage for indomie due to the price increase.
“Before we used to buy indomie N5,000, it increased to N6,000 and continued increasing. Now it is over N10,000, some N11, 000, depending on the size.
” Customers must reduce, they cannot afford it again because of the price now,” he said.”
Also, Mohammed Hassan, who runs a Mai Shayi business in Wuse Zone 6, corroborated what his colleagues had earlier said.
“Hungry man is N800 and the super pack is N700 without egg. Before hungry man with two eggs was N850, while super pack with two eggs was N700.
” The price keeps increasing whenever I go to the market.
A carton of super pack was formerly N11,500 but now it is N18,500. My customers have really reduced. They say they can no longer afford it,” he said.
Azeez Lamidi, a vulcanizer, said he could no longer afford to buy indomie from the mai shayi because of the increase in price.
” Before, I used to buy one super pack with two eggs for N600, now it is N1,000, without egg it is N700.
By the time I remove that from the money I make a day for just one meal I have little to take home.
“Indomie used to be food for everybody, now it is big man food,” he said.
Mr Obinna Dozie, a retailer in Area 2 Market said patronage for indomie had reduced because of the continuous increase in its price.
“People are buying but not like before. If you cook two indomie super packs it can’t reach one spaghetti. Now people are going for cheaper things,” he said.
A wholesaler in Garki Market, Madame Zainab Ali said the price of indomie increased twice in one week leading to a drop in sales.
“Just two weeks ago, the price of indomie increased twice in that week.
” A carton of super pack was selling for N11,200 but two weeks ago it increased to N12,200 on Tuesday and by Thursday of that same week it increased to N17,200.
“The small cartoon which was N7,000 also increased on Tuesday to N8,000 and N10,000 by Thursday of that same week.
“We are not even making much profit from the sale of indomie and patronage has really dropped which is expected when the prices of anything increases.
“This is the current situation in the country with many food items,” she said.
Mrs Omozele Osagie, a Civil Servant and mother of four said she had stopped buying indomie because it had become too expensive.
” My children love indomie but we can no longer afford it. A carton of smallest size indomie is now N11,500. If you use N11,000 to buy just indomie then what is left from your salary to buy other food items which have also increased.
” I have told my children no more indomie for now. We can’t even afford to buy the packets either.
“One super pack is N500 and I will need like three to four packs for my four children. So we are talking about N1,500 to N2,000 for just one meal. We cannot afford it,” she said.
Mr Tj Onoja, a bachelor, said the increase in the price of indomie had become alarming, saying I don’t eat indomie frequently anymore.
“As the price of food items keeps increasing every day, one must apply wisdom when shopping.
” You cannot afford to buy everything you want anymore. Indomie is no longer within the reach of the common man,” he said. “(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed different views on why people draw tattoos on their body.
The residents, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, said some got tattoos for beautification while others did it for identification or representation.
Miss Famoofo Ayomitide, a virtual assistant, said that she admired those with body tattoos and believed they were tattooed for different reasons.
“I think they like the way it looks.
“I know a friend who got a tattoo because of the death of someone she holds close to her heart.
“She got it because of how significant it is and for the memories they shared,” she said.
Similarly Mr Mboho Ubong, a lawyer, said that he believed people design tattoos on their bodies because of how beautiful it looked on the skin.
“Sometimes, people get tattoos because of the memories or the pictures of it carries.
“Some people also draw tattoos to show their love to their lovers, either using their name or their image,” Ubong said.
Another resident, Mr Atomore John, a realtor, said that some people drew tattoos because they want to belong to the trend.
According to him, a category of people may fancy a celebrity who has tattoos; and in a way to identify with that celebrity, do same.
“Some go as far as getting the image of the celebrity drawn on their body as part of identification”, Atomore said.
Miss Happiness Eraighigbe, a student, said she believed some people just loved the beauty of art and would want to see it on their skin, rather than frames.
Others, she added, may have it drawn due to peer pressure.
She said that some tattooed symbols and graphics that had deeper meanings or represent something important to them.
“It will amaze you to know that some people are drawn to the feeling of pain the needle of the tattoo gun gives.
“It is like a sweet sour feeling they get and seem to enjoy it,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mallam Yunusa Abubakar, a Muslim cleric, said that although people got tattoos for different reasons, it was considered haram in Islam.
According to him, it is like altering Allah’s creation.
“Prophet Abdullah Ibn Masud has cursed those who draw tattoos and the one who the tattoo was drawn for”, Abubakar said.
He, however, cautioned those who got tattoos to ensure they stayed free from infected devices in order not to endanger their lives.
In the same vein, Pastor Isaac Aderemi said drawing tattoo on the body was against biblical injunction and God frowns at it.
Quoting from the Bible in Leviticus 19 verse 28 “You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the Lord,” the cleric said beautification should not be done against God’s commandment.
According to him, apart from other implications of it, it is a sin to draw tattoo on the body and should not be encouraged in the society(NAN) (www.nannews.ng).
Residents of Pegi community in Kuje Area Council, FCT, have called on the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to address the deplorable roads in their community.
The residents made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
They said that the current situation had led to high rate of insecurity and also made life to be difficult for the residents.
Mr Ale Alfred, a civil servant and a resident of the area, said that the bad roads were seriously aiding the activities of criminals in the community.
“We have been experiencing a lot of kidnapping and robbery incidents as a result of the bad roads.
“Just last week, there was an incident where two women were killed. The truck was carrying a load and the two women were walking on the road when the tragedy occured.
“We have been suffering from this in the last 14 years, from the time of Malam Nasir El-Rufai as the FCT Minister,” he said.
Alfred said this was after the demolition of Karimu, and people were relocated to Pegi community.
“I am appealing to the FCT Minster, Wike, to fix the roads in Pegi community to make life easy for residents and non-residents.
Mrs Omolola Asiwaju, a business woman, said that traders find it difficult to move their things from the market to their stores because of bad roads.
According to her, traders bear the brunt more because they end up incurring more losses as a result of loss of perishable goods.
“As I was coming from the market, my goods spilled on the road, and sometimes I end up having broken items which I eat because I can’t sell them to my customers.
“Because of the bad roads, I even pay extra transport to carry my goods to the market to avoid them being damaged,” she said.
Asiwaju said that many residents have relocated from the community because of the deplorable roads.
Michael Peters, a civil servant and a resident of Pegi, said that people usually sustain injuries from motorcycle accidents as a result of the bad roads.
He urged the government to build good drainage system to divert erosion from the roads.
“Government should fix the roads to lessen the hardship and sufferings of the Pegi residents,” he said. (NAN) (wwwnannews.ng)
Residents of Karu, a suburb in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are groaning over the lingering water scarcity in the area in the past three months.
The residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interview on Monday in Abuja that the situation was disheartening, especially for those who don’t have boreholes or dug up wells in their compound.
NAN reports that the water scarcity, according to the FCT Waterboard, was due to a damaged pipeline feeding a major water treatment plant in Usuma Dam, Bwari Area Council of the FCT.
The residents, who said that the water scarcity had persisted for over three months, expressed disappointment that they were not warned in time for them to store water to be able to survive the scarcity.
“Lack of sufficient water has posed a great challenge to me because I now buy water,” said Miss Modester Ngwu, a hair saloon owner in Karu village.
According to her, “I have never bought water because I have a customer who allows me to fetch water from her house.
”But with this water scarcity, I now buy water from water vendors and this is affecting my business.
”This is because customers won’t agree to pay extra money for my services and this makes it difficult for me to break even,” she said.
Ngwu pleaded with the government to look into the issue with urgency because they have been suffering this issue for over three months and nothing has been done yet.
Mrs Gloria Chijioke, a resident, expressed her displeasure over the scarcity and the high cost of water.
Chijioke added that though there was a dug up well in the estate, water from it was not clean enough for cooking.
According to her, “l make use of the well water for washing clothes while I use sachet water for cooking and drinking.
”This has increased my spendings tremendously in the last three months,” she said.
Chijioke said she now buys water from water vendors for washing since the well has dried up.
She added that the cost of water from water vendors has also increased tremendously.
”I used to buy a truck of water of eight or 10 cans for N1,200 but due to increase in demand, the price has been raised to N2,000,” she said.
Mr Musa Nuhu, a laundry worker at Karu, however, said that a lot of his customers are complaining of the increase in cost of laundry services and this was also affecting his business.
“We are hardly patronized now because customers are complaining of the increase in prices.
”We all know how things are now in Nigeria and coupled with the water scarcity, we have no choice than to increase our prices,” Nuhu said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Residents of Ilameja community in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State have called on Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Inspector General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, to take urgent steps against alleged attacks by land grabbers on the community.
The residents, who made the call at a news conference on Saturday in Lagos, said the persistent attacks on the community had left them with sad tales.
A resident, Mr Tunji Balogun, said that constant attacks by land grabbers had brought pains and sorrow to many residents.
Balogun ,also the Project Director ,Social Justice and Human Rights Group, a non governmental organisation, called on the state government and security agencies to act without delay,to protect lives in the community .
“We are calling on Gov. Sanwo-Olu and IGP Egbetokun and other security agencies to deliver us from these attacks by land grabbers .
“Government should swiftly intervene to halt these constant attacks on our people , willful destruction of properties, forceful encroachment by these land grabbers .
“We are law -abiding and responsible people , we do not want a situation where the matter will result in clashes in the community”,he said.
Balogun alleged that the land grabbers always attacked people working on building sites ,saying many had been hospitalised owing to the injuries sustained.
“We have so many cases of injured victims and the case of late Sodiq Kolapo, an innocent bricklayer who was shot while working as labourer on a building site .He was not only killed,his his body was taken away by the land grabbers.
“Other victims like Samusideen Oluwo and Sunday Olabayo, are still nursing injuries sustained during attacks onn site.
“We want Gov. Sanwo-Olu to urgently come to our rescue before the situation becomes worse,” he said.
Mrs Joke Kolapo, the widow of the late bricklayer ,said things had been difficult for her and the children since her husband was killed .
Kolapo said that her husband was allegedly attacked by land grabbers at a construction site in the community ,saying the assailants also took her body away.
“He was just working as bricklayer, a labourer for that matter at the site, not even an native of the land.
“I was expecting my husband to come home on that particular day and I waited till midnight ,but I didn’t see him.I tried his line several times ,it was not reachable.
“I later went to his friend who introduced him to the job and asked of his whereabouts.
“He told me that they were attacked by the land grabbers and my husband had been shot dead and his body taken away.
” I was shocked hearing that from him and I cried like a baby. Up till now I have not seen my husband’s body or his burial ground.
“I am a nursing mother with three children, I want the government to intervene and come to my aid and the community . she said.
Another resident ,Mr Wale Adeola ,said many residents of the community had been living in fear owing to the problem. (NAN)
By Okon Okon
The International Christian Organisation for Sustainable Development (ICOSD), an NGO, has pledged to donate sanitary items to schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
The ICOSD President, Dr Joseph Vambe, said this at the start-up workshop on Integrated Sexual Gender Based Violence in Government Schools (I-SING) projects in Abuja.
Vambe said that the project, in collaboration with the Government of Ireland, would commence in three pilot Local Education Area (LEA) Primary schools in the FCT to promote hygiene.
The beneficiary schools are LEA Primary School Abattoir in Gwagwalada, LEA Primary School Kiyi in Kuje and LEA Primary School in Pyiakasa in Lugbe.
According to Vambe, the project is part of ICOSD’s initiative to synergies with the government to eradicate poverty, violence related activities among younger generations.
“The project is drive towards poverty eradication and we will be looking at some of the areas that results to poverty in our society.
“We noticed that sexual gender based violence is part of the reasons for poverty in the society where a girl/boy child is being defiled, bruised up with certain mentality and becomes violent in the society.
“And from there, they take into some other destructive activities like drugs abuse and all that you can think of. At that point we felt we should do something in our own way.
“And that is actually what necessitated our developing this I-SING projects especially in government schools,’’ he said.
Vambe said that the organisation was able to reach out to Government of Ireland on the project and they keyed into it which necessitated the execution of the project.
Presenting the objectives of the I-SING, Mr Wilson Ejembi, National Director Advocacy, Programmes and Partnership Lead, said the project was designed to create awareness/educates young adolescents across schools in the FCT.
“The project will create awareness on prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, basic personal hygiene and school pace sanitation.
“To make this effective, the project team shall provide one latrines each in three pilot schools, 100 dignity kits to girls child in those schools,” he said.
Speaking also, Mrs Onwuzubike Violet, Desk Officer FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), commended ICOSD’S team, adding that education of the a girl child in particular, remained a serious issue in Nigeria.
According to her, eradicating violence in schools is something that is common to the entire society hence, the need for synergy to tackle its menace.
“We thank you for coming out strong to do this with your whole heart and I want to believe that you will follow it up to a concrete implementation and not leaving it half way.
“I know that things are not too good in our schools but for you coming out like this to help us, we are very grateful,” she said.
The UBEB desk officer also assured ICOSD’S team of the commission’s approval to execute its projects.
Contributing, Mrs Grace Adekanye, Headmistress Academy LEA Primary School Abattoir, expressed joy over the gesture by the ICOSD’S team for choosing her school out of many other schools within the area.
“When this body came and met me in my school, we were very happy to accept the offer out of many schools we have in Gwagwalada Area Councils.
“To remember our own school, we really thank you so much for the gesture,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop had in attendance representatives of the Chairmen of Gwagwalada, Kuje and Abuja Municipal Area Councils, the community chiefs, pupils from the beneficiary schools among others.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Ismail Abdulaziz
The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, has described the maiden Southern Kaduna Cultural Festival as a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people and promote cultural exchange.
Balarabe, who stated this while inaugurating the festival in Kafanchan on Thursday, added that the event also provides an opportunity for the people of Southern Kaduna to tell their story.
“The festival is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Southern Kaduna and promote intercultural exchange among the people of the area.
“In a world that often emphasises our differences, events such as this provide us with an invaluable opportunity to recognise and celebrate our shared humanity.
Represented by Mrs Phoebe Yayi, Commissioner and Administrator of Kafanchan Municipal Authority, Balarabe called on the people of the area to embrace the spirit of unity and respect for one another.
“Let us recognise that diversity is not a challenge but a strength; a source of enrichment that has the power to propel us towards a brighter future,” she said.
The deputy governor expressed confidence that the festival would serve as a catalyst for economic growth in the state.
“I am confident that the festival will not only provide three days of fun but will serve as a catalyst for economic growth in the state.
“The tourism potential of Southern Kaduna is vast and events like this help to showcase our endowment to the outside world,” she added.
Earlier, Mr Ishaya Akau, chairman of Southern Kaduna Leadership Council, said that the festival was a big step towards uniting the people of Southern Kaduna.
Akau explained that the purpose of the festival was to bring together the diverse communities in the area to celebrate their shared history and values.
“It is an opportunity to rediscover our roots and forge stronger bonds amongst ourselves irrespective of religion, ethnicity, and social background.
“The event is also a platform to showcase the vast opportunities Southern Kaduna has to offer.
“The festival goes beyond mere display of cultural extravaganza. It is a platform to draw the attention of investors and companies as we showcase the vast opportunities our region has to offer,” he stated.
He called on prominent sons and daughters of the area to complement government’s efforts by investing in the development of Southern Kaduna.
The Chairman, Central Planning Committee, retired Rear Admiral Ferguson Bobai, enjoined the spectators to enjoy the array of activities lined up to mark the event.
Bobai said that the three-day festival was being held to celebrate Southern Kaduna’s rich cultural heritage featuring cultural display, archery, football tournament, marathon race, fashion show, and beauty pageant.
Other activities, he said, include traditional wrestling, a musical concert as well as awards to prominent Southern Kaduna sons and daughters.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the opening ceremony was followed by a cultural display from over 20 out of the 57 ethnic nationalities in Southern Kaduna. (NAN)
Some hairstylists and fashion designers in Abuja have expressed concerns over low patronage in hair and tailoring services as the yuletide approaches.
Some of them told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Sunday that patronage has been low so far, when compared to previous years.
Miss Rita Adegbite, a fashion designer in Wuse, said preparations for the festivity have witnessed a slow pace because of the economic challenges in the country.
She said: “Not many people have patronised me yet as compared to last year and I think it is because things are harder this year.
“If I was to rate the patronage in percentage, I will say by this time last year, I had 100 per cent patronage but so far today, I will say 60 per cent.”
She, however, said that she was hopeful that the coming days would bring in more customers and increased patronage.
Similarly, Mrs Madaki Joyce, a hairstylist in Wuse, said many families have had difficulties feeding their families, this had also affect businesses like ours.
“In 2022 before this time, there was already an overflow of customers in my shop as at the third week of December.
“Things are very bad these days to the extent that some people will come to make their hair and plead to pay less for the service later,” she said.
She attributed the low patronage to the hard realities in the country, while also praying for a better tomorrow.
“By God’s grace, people are still coming to make their hairs though the pace is slow but I am hopeful that it will get better.
“In spite of this, I have produced enough wigs for people who preferred wigs, with the hope that people may still come to buy.
“I am still hopeful for a change, she said.
Another vendor, Mrs Chidera Joseph, a fashion designer in Wuse, said that even though she has had loyal customers who patronised her irrespective of the economic hardship, the numbers had dropped.
According to her, the challenges in the country have not given room for people to feed and wear clothes at the same time because of the high cost of living.
She added that the Christmas season was one of the periods tailors experience high patronage and make profit but this year had taken a different turn and “only a few can afford the luxury”.
Joseph said the situation has stopped her from having new customers during the yuletide, unlike in the previous season when she witnessed “Christmas rush”.
She added that things had become harder in the country than before, adding that God was still providing and doing the impossible.
NAN reports that Christmas in Nigeria and other parts of the world is celebrated annually on Dec. 25 and it usually involves buying of all kinds of foodstuff, materials, human and home adornment.
NAN also reports that the situation this year was different because of the current economic situation. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Vincent Obi
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