By Sumaila Ogbaje

The National Personal Asset Acquisition Scheme (NAPAAS) says it has established an empowerment development fund to cater for ex-servicemen, widows and children of fallen heroes in commemoration of the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

The chief executive officer of the scheme, Mr Aminu Bello, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the wreath-laying ceremony  to mark the day on Friday in Abuja.

Bello said that the aim of the fund was to transform Nigeria Legion, ex-servicemen, widows and children of fallen heroes from being “cost centres” to a profit/revenue and commercial entities.

According to him, the NAPAAS Empowerment Development Fund is a fund whereby every Nigerian is expected to donate to alleviate the suffering of ex-servicemen as well as the widows and children of the fallen heroes.

“It is a fund that is set aside for as much as we can raise and people can donate both from within the country and in diaspora.

“Our appeal therefore goes to the federal government, the National Assembly, the Nigeria Legion and Ministry of Defence to assist us through these challenges.

“We are also calling on Investors both local and foreign as donor organisations to come to our support as we progress to succeed together,” he said.

Bello said that the organisation was motivated principally by the wordings in Nigeria’s National Anthem which pledged that the “labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain”, which it adopted as its slogan.

He said that NAPAAS had tried its best within its limitations to provide for and link up the ex-servicemen, widows and children of the fallen heroes with items of basic needs.

He said the organisation had so far empowered them with items such as tricycles, motorcycles on hire purchase, donations, gifts and joint venture commercial partnership in agriculture, health, housing, skill acquisition, education and transport.

Bello said that NAPAAS had distributed 5,000 bags of rice, 2,000 motorcycles and 100 tricycles to interested ex-servicemen through hire purchase/credit basis since 2016.

He added that 250,000 bags of rice, 10,000 motorcycles and 5,000 tricycle were also available for only those interested to access and also access into NAPAAS Joint Venture Commercial Partnership in housing, agriculture, transportation and health.

According to him, this project will serve as a reward to ex-military/ex-para-military pensioners of their unreserved service to their fatherland.

“The programme goes further to avail members the opportunity to become employer of labour, thereby eradicating poverty and unemployment in the country,” he said.

By Vivian Emoni

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to effectively implement all genuine government projects, policies, agreements, and contracts at both national and international levels.

Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), made the commitment at the commissioning and handing over ceremony of construction of hydraulics structures and road improvement works in Abuja.

The project located on Tudun Wada- Karshi Road, FCT, Abuja,  was executed by the Federal Government through the Ecological Fund Office (EFO).

Mustapha said that the implementation of the project was for the benefit of the people and would no doubt boost economic activities within the area.

According to him, the implementation of the project is keeping faith with the administration’s promise that no part of the country will suffer any neglect owing to its geographical location or political consideration.

“Let me also reiterate the present administration’s commitment to continue with the implementation of all genuine government projects, policies, agreements, and contracts at both national and international levels.

“Any project that aimed at laying a solid foundation for our quest for a virile and prosperous nation on the path of unfettered development, will be implemented,” he said.

Mustapha said that the project was in two phases and was approved by the President for third quarter in 2018, and first and second quarters 2019, respectively.

He said that the scope of the phase one consisted the construction of hydraulic structures including drains and culverts and earthworks along 13 km of the road.

He added that the phase two included the provision of surface protection on the reclaimed road as well as the construction of a new bridge beside the failed one.

“The importance of the project to the communities along the location and environs cannot be overemphasised, as it is expected to address the devastating effects of flooding along the banks of the river.

“The project was intended to check the erosion of the embankments of the Sabon Karshi bridge, restore vehicular and pedestrian movement across the river.

“It also reduce dangers to lives and properties and offers alternative route from FCT to Nasarawa State.

“I, therefore, call on the communities to see the project as theirs, jealously guard it and protect the constructed works from being tampered with,” he added.

The SGF appreciated the President, staff of EFO, as well as the contractor, Messrs Masarki Nigeria Limited for a job well done.

Dr Habiba Lawal, Permanent Secretary, EFO, said that the project was initiated through a request for an urgent intervention forwarded to the EFO by Alhaji Sani Bako III, Emir of Sabon Karshi.

Lawal said that the aim of the project was to address the continues flooding of the river bank and the erosion of the bridge embankments along the road.

She said that the commissioning and handing over the project to the community would achieve the purpose of enabling community to take over and exercise ownership over the project.

The permanent secretary thanked the SGF, FCT Minister, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, as well as Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Sule, for actualising the project.

Speaking, Gov Sule appreciated the Federal Government for the support to ensure that the project was implemented.

Sule said that the effort had improved the economic activities of the community and ease the movement of road users in Nasarawa and FCT.

Bako, Emir of Sabon Karshi said that the road had caused a lot of havoc, adding that many people had lost their lives and properties along the road by flooding, during rainy season.

He, however, appealed to the government to help complete the remaining  road of about five kilometres.

He said that the road was the only way that linked the community to Abuja without going through Mararaba-Nyanya Road.

The consultant of the project and Project Manager of the Masarki Nigeria Ltd., Ahmed Makanju, said that the construction of the road was a huge success.

Makanju thanked the governments for all their supports in making sure that every facility needed for the construction of the road was provided.

He also thanked the entire community for their cooperation. (NAN)

By Diana Omueza

The North Central Geo-Political Zone has said its first ever North Central Cultural Week (NCCW) scheduled for November would be a vital tool to sustain peace and unity in Nigeria.

Mr Yabaji Sani, president of the North Central Unity Bridge, stated this on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the steering committee of the NCCW.
Sani said although the season for politics was fast approaching, the initiative was meant for the integration of the people.

According to him, other zones rarely stop their developmental plans because of politics and as such, the North Central will also not stop anything that has the potential to boost development and bring unity to the zone.

“So let us make it clear that the NCCW and the bridge are not political parties, have no political affiliation and will not be hijacked by those with political ambition.

“Our core objective for the NCCW is to promote rapid economic development, reduce insecurity to its barest minimum, curb restiveness and promote ideas of the sons and daughters of the region,” he said.

Sani said the cultural week would be a landmark event for the people of the zone to promote their socio cultural heritage like the “Ohanaeze Ndigbo” of the Eastern region and the “Afenifere” of the Western region.

“The north central has a lot of rich culture, high intellectuals, academia and numerous agricultural products that are highly undervalued in the country.

“Nobody can demonstrate our culture and potential better than ourselves and that is why we are coming together to put this type of event for the north central.

“The NCCW will be displaying the potential of our region through various means cutting across all age groups.

“It will be a rich display of culture and will help us regain our respect locally and at the international scenes,” he said.

Sani noted that coming together from time to time would also obliterate the barriers that had long divided the zone.

He said activities of the NCCW would include: trade fair, cultural display night, lectures and economic summits.

Members of the steering committee inaugurated are: Mr Chollom Jack, Ms Deborah Salawu, Mr Yakubu Nyango, Mr Francis Augustine, Hon. Garba U. Shammah, Mr George Koce, Mrs Queen

Abde Elizabeth, Hon. Jibrin Ahmed.

Others are: Mr Danjuma Kuyembo, Haj. Maryam Shuaibu, Jacob Edi, Haj. Maryam Ibrahim, Mr Innocent Idoh, Hon. Frank Kato, Hon. Samuel Gyang, Mr George Ebah and Mr Alfa Mohammed. (NAN)

By Okon Okon

The Federal Government on Thursday urged Nigerians to disregard the news circulating on the social media that it was contemplating another lockdown.

Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), also Chairman, Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, made clarification in a statement signed by Mr Willie Bassey, Director Information in his office.

Mustapha also advised Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government to contain the spread of the virus by adhering to Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPI’s) as recommended by PTF.

“The attention of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has been drawn to some misinformation circulating on the social media to the effect that the Federal Government is contemplating another lockdown this weekend.

“The PTF wishes to state categorically that there is no such consideration at any of its meetings, nor has any recommendation been made to this effect to the President.

“The PTF frowns at such unpatriotic misinformation which is capable of causing unnecessary panic and anxiety among the populace,” he said in the statement. (NAN)

By Ramatu Garba

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), command in Kano State has deployed 1,926 personnel for the Jan.16, local government council poll in the state.

Mr Abu Tambuwal, the state NSCDC Commandant said this in a statement by the spokesman of the Corps, ASC Ibrahim Abdullahi,on Thursday in Kano.

Tambuwal said the personnel drawn from various departments,divisions and units of the Corps were deployed to provide adequate security as well as to ensure crowd control in 8,084 polling units, wards and collation centres across the state.

“We will ensure maximum and adequate security for the protection of electoral officials,voting materials as well as the electorate in all the respective polling and collation centres.

” Additionally, the Corps will ensure orderliness at polling and collation centres and unauthorised persons will not be allowed into the centres,” he said.

According to him, NSCDC in collaboration with sister security agencies will take effective control to forestall any threat to law and order before, during and after the election.

He advised miscreants,hoodlums as well as political thugs to desist from disrupting the election.

“Anybody found wanting will be made to face the full wraft of the law,” he said.

The Commandant also enjoined the electorate to observe and adhere with the COVID-19 protocols such as social distancing and the use of facemask during the election.

By Fortune Abang

The French Embassy in Nigeria on Thursday said it would hold the 2021 edition of the Night of Ideas programme in Nigeria.

The Night of Ideas is an annual event designed to deepen exchange of ideas between countries and cultures, disciplines and generations.

According to a statement signed by Cécile Mercier, Cultural Affairs Officer of the Embassy, this year would mark the third edition of the programme scheduled to hold at the Alliance Française in Lagos on Jan. 28 at 6:00 p.m.

“In January 2021, more than 200 Nights of Ideas are expected internationally, from Finland to Peru, from Nigeria to Fiji, from Lebanon to Canada.

“This year, Institut Française in Paris designed a unique global programme; the programme will be reinforced in its digital dimension by a live broadcast on Facebook and YouTube.

“The programme entitled Night of Ideas; Circles of Solidarity, will address the general theme: Closer in the light of the new forms of solidarity.

“Which the crisis of our economic and social models calls for in the wake of a pandemic that will leave us with a world that is as uncertain as ever,” Mercier said.

She explained that the programme would be divided into several salons, to allow the audience to wander through a variety of spaces, take part in workshops-conferences and enjoy cultural activities.

She also said it would feature dance performances by Ennovate Dance House artistes and photography exhibition by Imaging Oworo, as tool to document environment and promote friendship.

“As part of the Night of Ideas, an exhibition of the works being produced will be presented in the gallery of the Alliance Française de Lagos.

“The exhibition will showcase how art and culture can be effective means for the reconstruction of individual and collective identities, for social cohesion and foster neighbourliness, she added. (NAN)