By Ahmed Ubandoma

The President, Africa First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM), Aisha Buhari of Nigeria, on Wednesday visited the site of the ongoing construction of the new Permanent Secretariat of the Misson in Abuja.

The first lady, who was accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, expressed happiness with the progress of work done so far.

Mrs Buhari commended the construction firm handling the construction of the project for working assiduously to deliver the project within the timeframe.

”I thank the Almighty Allah for giving me the opportunity to construct the Secretariat of the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission during my tenure as the first lady of Nigeria which will be inaugurated in few weeks time.”

While commending the contribution of the federal government towards the execution of the project, the first lady expressed the need for the minister of women affairs to expedite action towards the release of funds donated by the Nigerian government to ensure the completion of the project.

”I will like to thank the Nigerian government for their intervention. We also understood that some funds amounting to N500 million was allegedly received by the Honourable Minister of women affairs on behalf of the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission.

”We therefore appeal to her to immediately credit the account of the peace Misson for us to adequate compilation, auditing and handing over process” she said.

The first lady therefore expressed gratitude to other stakeholders for their contributions towards the successful construction of the new Permanent Secretariat.

On her part, the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, commended the courage and tenancy of the first lady in delivering the multi-million naira project.

Ahmed expressed optimism that the project will add value to the efforts of African women in peace building across the continent.

”We are very pleased with the progress of work that has been done here. This project started a year ago and it is within the time frame and is going to be commissioned very soon.

“And it is really a credit to our First Lady, that this project has been pushed so fast, and the quality of work here is very much.

”It is good that Nigeria is actually showing leadership and we see this mission as our own and it’s a representation of peace in Africa,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng).

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Vincent Obi

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has confirmed the death of two persons and rescue of four individuals at a collapsed wall in Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja.

The Director-General of FEMA, Dr Abbas Idriss, confirmed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Idriss said: “Around between 10 a.m to 11 a.m., we received a distress call that there was a building collapse beside the United Bank for Africa Bank (UBA) at Ademola Adetokunbo Crescent, Wuse II.

“We quickly activated our rescue team to go there and on getting there they saw it was a wall that fell on artisans working around the area. So far six people were removed from the rabbles and two have died while four are in the hospital at the moment.

“It is a building under construction and they have eaten into the building next to them because it is not their building that fell it is the neighbour’s building that felt on them.”

The director-general said that theagency had been sensitising FCT residents on the need to abide by building approvals and the Abuja Master Plan.

He called on stakeholders saddled with the responsibility of granting building approvals in the FCT, like the Department of Development Control, Department of Engineering Services and other agencies, to ensure that they give proper approval and monitored constructions in all locations.

“That is the only way to guard against the situation because the approval supposed to be in phases as you give approval in phase one, when they do according to specification you now give them approval for the second phase that is how it should be.

“But if you give a blanket approval to just go and start the building they can build with whatever material they can. However, in this case like I said earlier, we are not talking about usage of inferior materials.

“It is because they extended their building and eating into the neighbourhood structure, which eventually collapsed on the artisans,” said the FEMA chief executive. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Capital Territory Administration ( FCTA) on Tuesday in Abuja announced that it would start prosecuting defaulting and illegal Estate Developers at the Urban and Regional Tribunal.

The Director, Department of Development Control of FCTA, Malam Mukhtar Galadima, made the disclosure when he led management staff of the department to demolish illegal structures built on water channels, around Kukwaba District.

Galadima also disclosed that the department had concluded arrangements to drag illegal developers to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for causing both government and off takers economic losses.

The director, who also toured Katampe District to monitor and inspect the area, noted that the actions of many of the developers amounted to economic crimes, which the EFCC could beam further searchlight on.

He stated that apart from the losses they incurred, each time their illegal structures were demolished, both off takers who subscribed to their property and the government also suffered economic losses.

He said the resources being committed into the demolition was enormous that it could not be allowed to go just like that.

Director, Department of Development Control FCTA, Mukhtar Galadima during the demolition on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, the case of the developers in Kukwaba demonstrates how responsible citizens ought not to handle economic activities.

He disclosed that the developers knew that the area they encroached upon was a reserved green area, because it was located on water channels, yet they were illegally selling to off takers and also building on it. (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Ahmed Ubandoma

Dr Emem Omokaro, Director-General, National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC), has expressed commitment to strengthen collaboration with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to create career path for caregivers in Nigeria.

Omokaro was speaking on Wednesday when she met with the officials of NBTE in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports tha the meeting was a follow-up to NSCC`s stakeholders engagement on the development of national benchmark statement and minimum standards in curriculum for training caregivers to older persons earlier held in Abuja.

She said at the gathering that NSCC was working towards ensure compliance, standards and regulations of caregivers, especially to older persons and other vulnerable groups in Nigeria.

“ Why we want to work with the National Board for Technical Education is to ensure a structured collaboration towards creating a career path for caregivers, to certify, standardise and regulate the operations of caregivers in the country.

“ Because NBTE’s core mandate is to accredit and regulate, so NSCC as a government agency cannot regulate without working with an agency like NBTE because we are working towards ensuring technical competence,“ she said.

The D-G said the centre had identified some strategic institutions, one of which was the NBTE to achieve this target.

She said the aim of the engagement was to ensure quality care assurance for certification, develop training modules for caregivers and care agencies administrators as well as open a website for registration of care agencies.

The Executive Secretary, National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) Prof. Idris Bugaje, represented by the Director Skills Development, Mr. Abbati Mohammed, assured the centre of the readiness to provide the necessary support towards achieving its objectives.

According to him, relevant skills acquisition is required to standardise the system of caregiving in the country.

NAN reports that, a Memorandum of Understanding between NSCC and NBTE for accrediting caregivers is expected to be signed after all the discussions are harmonised at a later date. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Idris Abdulrahman

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Chairman, League of FCT Imams, Sheikh Tajudeen Adigun, on Thursday urged all Muslims to imbibe the culture of self-reliance in compliance with the teachings of Islam.

Adigun gave the advice in his keynote address at the distribution of food items and cash to over 2,000 needy persons by the Nurul Yaqeen Islamic Foundation at Life Camp in Abuja.

The cleric urged every muslim to work hard to earn a living, saying, “in Islam, there is nothing like just waiting for somebody to give you.”

He said that Islam was a religion that encouraged everybody to work so as to be self-reliant and also give out alms to the needy.

Adigun said: “Until we have the culture of thinking of the way out individually, we cannot solve the problem of poverty in the society.

“This is because those who are rich as you are seeing them, they are in categories.

“There are those who are merciful and ever ready to give out and there are those who don’t mind, they believe it is their handiwork that makes them to reach such position.

” So, they are too careless to even know if somebody is suffering, but the only way is to encourage individuals to have something doing.

“If we have that culture, poverty will be reduced tremendously in the society.”

Adigun commended the foundation, under the leadership of Imam Yahya Al-Yolawi, for consistently reaching out to the needy, especially in the month of Ramadan.

“Today is a great day in the history of Nurul Yaqeen Islamic Foundation where a number of individuals have gathered together in this holy month of Ramadan to collect food items and cash donation.

“Islam has always encouraged giving to charity. Allah said in the holy Quran that those who are giving out their wealth in the day time, in the night time, secretly and openly.

“They are doing this so as to make people to be happy their reward lies in His hand a very big reward.

“So, we encourage other organisations and individuals too to give out charity to those who are in need off especially in the month of Ramadan,” he said.

Earlier, Imam Yahya Al-Yolawi, the leader of the foundation, said they had been distributing food items to the less-privileged for the past four years.

He described the programme as” remarkable in the history of the foundation”.

Al-Yolawi called on those that had the means to give out alms and charity to the less-privileged, especially in the month of Ramadan where the reward was multiplied.

The cleric said that the foundation was feeding over 300 persons daily since the beginning of the Ramadan fast, which would last till the end.

“You can see the turnout of the people over and above what we witnessed in 2022,” Al-Yolawi said.

Also, Mrs Hadiza Kasim, the Secretary, Advisory Committee of Women in Da’awah of the foundation, said the massive turnout of the less-privileged in the event showed the enormity of poverty in the country.

“So, from the government down to the individuals, those whom Allah has blessed and have means should all rise up and ensure that we extend a helping hand,” she urged. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ayodeji Alabi/Bashir Rabe Mani

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), in partnership with Wema Bank and Digix Technologies, has unveiled a cashless payment application for travellers known as Karrygo Cashless Programme.

The Executive National President of RTEAN, Dr Musa Maitakobi, unveiled the application on Wednesday in Abuja.

He explained that the application would provide a seamless financial transaction process for transiting Nigerians in line with the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Represented by Amb. Muhammad Abubakar, Deputy National President of RTEAN, Maitakobi, said that the Karrygo programme would eliminate fraud and improve accountability in the transportation sector.

” We are partnering with the Wema Bank and Digix Technologies, a technology partner, to provide a seamless financial transaction process for the transiting Nigerians, in line with the present cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

” This will ensure hitch free transportation.

Maitakobi also said that the programme would put a check on insecurity, as all information about the travellers final destination would have been collected from the electronic or digital manifest generated in the cause of processing their payment for the journey.

” It is our hope that when this programme comes into full implementation, a lot more sanity will be enthroned in the road transport sector in Nigeria.

” And after this official launching, all our members across the country will be properly trained on what should be done to achieve greater results.

” This is because we need personnel to handle the equipment to be used, for example, Non-internet Point of Sale (POS) which will function without network, because of those in remote areas.”

Earlier, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Biu, expressed hope that the inauguration of the application would push the cashless policy upward.

Represented by the Deputy Corps Marshal, Motor Vehicle Administration, Osawe Efosa, Biu, enjoined the leadership of RTEAN to encourage its members to install speed limit device on their vehicles for safety.

Also, the Founder and Director of DiGIX Technologies Ltd., Damola Akindolire, said the initiative would reduce cash transactions in transport operations in order to protect investment and improve public security.

Akindolire also said that the application would position the Nigeria public transport ahead of its peers in Africa and reinforce its status as a leader in Africa.

He said RTEAN, under the leadership of Maitakobi, had become a forward thinking organisation, adding that the adoption of the cashless policy was one of the proactive actions of RTEAN leadership and was highly commendable.

” For us at Digix, our passion for this project stems from the mandate issued by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

” The benefits of this programme cannot be over emphasised, it is in line with the transformation plan of the President Muhammed Buhari’s administration and in the area of security, it will reduce kidnapping and cost of doing business. ”

” We consider RTEAN and Wema Bank the right partner of choice to implement this programme and our goal is to work closely with all stakeholders to achieve 90 per cent compliance within the next 12 months.” (NAN)

Edited by Idris Abdulrahman

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Government on Tuesday urged Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to collaborate with the National Agency for Mass Literacy to establish leaning centres for hawkers as well as its members.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, made the call at the 10th National Delegates Conference, Abuja 2023 of RTEAN, held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, in Abuja.

“When I sometimes visit parks in company of family, I still see young children; girls and boys hawking when they should be in school. Yet your members turn blind eyes to such scenarios.

“In some cases, these children become victims of exploitation and abuse.

”And because they are powerless, they have no voice and are afraid to report, so the cycle of abuse continues. Even women have reported such abuses in the parks.

“I want to appeal to the leadership of RTEAN to work with the National Agency for Mass Literacy to set up learning centres in the parks.

“This will support both adult learning by your members and young hawkers in and around the parks,” she said.

Tallen commended the National President of RTEAN, Dr Musa Maitakobi, for protecting passengers against touts, thugs and other unwholesome behaviors in and around motor parks across the country.

She urged the leadership of the association to constantly enlighten its members on other issues bothering on Gender Based Violence (GBV) which are often witnessed in motor parks.

Earlier, the Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dauda Biu, enjoined the leadership of RTEAN to discourage its members from frequent night journeys due to its attendant implications.

Represented by the Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, Biu said the relationship between the FRSC and RTEAN had been cordial under the current president.

“He has been very cooperative and the organisation is one of the excellent organised road transport unions in Nigeria.

“In as much as we cannot stop night journeys, we appeal that drivers should try to avoid night journeys because of its hazards, including assistance that usually comes late to victims.”

The Registrar, Trade Unions, Mr Falonipe Amos, advised the association to ensure that all its activities are in line with the constitution, and commended Maitakobi for the achievements RTEAN recorded in the last few years, especially in the maintenance of industrial peace and harmony in that sector.

”These achievements will not have been possible without a proactive and pragmatic leadership that is committed to doing things with the future of your association in mind,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, the newly-reelected National President of RTEAN, Maitakobi, called on the incoming government of Sen. Bola Tinubu to give priority attention to the transportation sector.

He urged members of the association to embrace digitisation and accept new policies that seek to improve transportation sector, which was the “mover of the nation’s economy”.

He thanked members of RTEAN for reelecting him as the executive national president, saying “my election has given me more comfort that my policies and administration are acceptable”.

Maitakobi, therefore, promised to consolidate on the achievements recorded during his first administration from October, 2020, to date.

“We have done our best even though our best was not enough, but we moved the association from one step to another. We were able to get a permanent National Secretariat in Abuja.

“We initiated the Traveler Accident Insurance Scheme (TAIS) which serves as an emergency rescue support in terms of accidents and activated our affiliation with the International Public Transport Organisation.

“We conducted elections in 31 states of the federation and Abuja, created allowances for National Executive Members and revalidated our membership cards across the country.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high point of the 10th national delegates conference was the administrating of the Oath of Office to newly-elected National Executives Committee of the association.

NAN reports that the new executives will steer the affairs of the RTEAN for the next five years. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Vincent Obi

“It is not only here in Mararaba, if you go to city centre in Abuja and places like Airport road, Kubwa expressway, where we have heavy human traffic, the situation is the same.

“People are no longer comfortable to use the bridges as traders and beggars have taken over them,” she said.

Ogar alleged that even criminals were operating on the bridges, snatching peoples’ items like phones and handbags.

She appealed that action be taken by the government against using pedestrian bridges for trade and dwelling places, adding that bridges should be used for what they were built for.

One of the traders, Mr Eze Nwachukwu, told NAN that it was the economic situation in the country that conditioned him to the bridge.

He expressed the willingness to sell inside a shop but could not afford one due to the high cost of renting a store.

“Most of the shops being built by the government are too expensive. Where do I get such money?

“If not for lack of cash, you won’t see me here because it is not the best place to trade. Government should have sympathy on us,” he said.

Also, another trader, Mrs Lucy Benson, appealed to the government to consider some of the petty traders who could not afford to pay for shops by reducing costs of shops in the market.

“It is even risky to some of us to sell outside because our goods are not secured, you can imagine us packing things up and down every day, we want to come out to sell.

“If I could afford prices of shop, why should I come outside here to sell when my goods are not saved,” she said.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Muktar Galadima, Director, Development Control, FCT, while speaking with NAN, decried the alarming rate of incursion into public infrastructure in the territory.

Galadima said that FCTA had always frowned at occupation of footbridges by beggars and its conversion to selling points by traders.

He described it as violation of the FCTA environmental law which would not be allowed to go on.

“Such incursion is against the Abuja Master Plan. We won’t allow it to go on,” he said.

Galadima said that the department had the backing of the provisions of the FCT Act of 1976 as well as the Urban and Regional Planning Act of 1992, to enforce strict compliance with the Abuja Master Plan.

According to him, the FCT Administration has reiterated its resolve to recover pedestrian walkways in its efforts to ease human and vehicular movement, especially within the city.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Idris Abdulrahman