By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has warned the Coordinator of Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Mr Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, against negotiating with contractors.

Wike, who gave the warning while inaugurating the coordinator in Abuja on Tuesday, advised him to view the appointment as an opportunity to contribute to national development.

He also advised Zulkiflu to effectively coordinate activities in the satellite towns, as against sitting in the office and negotiating with contractors.

“It is your business to coordinate, liaise and brief me as the minister of the FCT.

“You are not sent there to sit in your office and begin to negotiate with contractors. If I find out, I will not hesitate to take necessary action,” he said.

The minister said that the FCT Administration was working to ensure all satellite towns felt the impact of the government.

He urged the coordinator to utilise the opportunity to achieve results and make the needed impact, pointing out the numerous ongoing projects in the satellite towns.

This, he said, would ensure that residents of satellite towns feel the impact of President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.

“Mine is, do your work. If you do your work, everybody will see that you are doing your work.

“I don’t like praise singers. Your action will speak for you.

“Now that FCTA is seriously involved in the development of satellite towns, make sure that things are done very well,” the minister said.

Wike also charged the coordinator to ensure effective sanitation in satellite towns, adding that he would not condone any form of corrupt practices associated with the cleaning of the areas.

He said that FCTA pays the bills of satellite towns cleaners every month, without verifying whether they have carried out the job or not, lamenting that people want to make money without doing the job.

“What we have done now is to make sure that all the area councils’ chairman is involved in vetting before payment is carried out.

“Now you are the coordinator, make sure that things are done very well before you send me any paper.

“Mr President found you worthy to contribute to national development, particularly as regards the FCTA.

“This is for you to contribute to driving the renewed hope agenda in satellite towns,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Philip Yatai

Some charity organisations and orphanages in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commended Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) for donating bags of rice to less privileged and vulnerable households in the territory.

The groups were among the 48 organisations supporting the distribution of the rice to beneficiaries across the capital.

The representatives of the organisations said during the distribution exercise in Abuja, that the gesture was life-changing and described it as a true service to humanity.

One of them, Mrs Khadija Oladipupo, Lead Programme Officer, Mission for Education, Social and Health, said that the donation had helped in nourishing and uplifting the needy in benefiting communities.

“Together, we are making a meaningful difference in the lives of our population, especially those in need,” she said.

On her part, the Chief Executive Officer, Gajiya Charity Foundation, Hafsat Gimba, commended the Foundation for the support, which she described as a ‘generous assistance’.

“The items have brought immense relief and comfort to the less privileged in the society during these hard times. Your kindness and compassion have touched their hearts profoundly.

“The rice has eased their burdens and provided them with the necessities they desperately needed.

“Knowing that there are individuals and organisations like ADF, who care deeply about the well-being of others, filled me with hope and renewed faith in humanity,” Gimba said.

In the same vein, the President, Network of Women with Disabilities, Lois Auta, said: “Your commitment to supporting marginalised communities, particularly women with disabilities, exemplified your dedication to social responsibility and compassion.

“Through your donation, you have not only alleviated the immediate needs of persons with disabilities, but also demonstrated solidarity and empathy towards our cause.”

Speaking further, the President of JADAFIA Group, Mrs Rakiya Bamalli, said that the support had enabled the group to expand its Ramadan outreach programmes.

Bamalli said that the items distributed during the outreach included food packages, iftar meals and essential supplies to families and communities facing hardship.

This, she said, had made a significant difference in the group’s efforts to provide relief to those in need in communities.

Also, Mr Femi Akosile of Bimbola, Nutrition and Health Foundation, said that the rice had been distributed to families and individuals experiencing food insecurity.

“Your contribution has made a significant impact on our efforts to support those in need in our communities.

“We want to sincerely say that your partnership and commitment to making a positive difference in our communities are truly inspiring, and we are honoured to have had the opportunity to work with you,” Akinsile said.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the exercise in Abuja, Mrs Azeeza Jibril of 1Ummah Foundation, said that the donation was impacting positively on the lives of the beneficiaries.

She identified other organisations supporting the distribution exercise in the FCT as Hope for Survival Children’s Home, Gishiri, Child to Child Charity Foundation, and Gajiya Charity Foundation.

Others are Dagam Pilame Community Association, Eeqra Foundation/Orphanage, and Support Our Troops Foundation for Widows, Leprosarium-Yangoji, Karmajiji Disabled Colony, NASFAT Foundation, and JIBWIS Group among other groups.

The company’s spokesman, Mr Anthony Chiejina, explained that the distribution of the rice was under the foundation’s National Food Intervention Programme.

Chiejina said that the initiative was in continuation of ADF’s commitment to supporting the government in alleviating economic hardship among poor Nigerians.

He said that a total of one million bags of rice were being distributed across the 774 Local Government Areas of the country.

He added that the exercises began in March, with official inauguration in Kano and Lagos states. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, on Monday in Abuja canvassed for continuous investment in research, innovation and technology to tackle Climate change in the country.

Oyetola, represented by his Permanent Secretary, Mr Olufemi Oloruntola, made the call in his opening address at a “Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on National Blue Economy Strategy.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was organized by the African Union for Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) with funding from the Kingdom of Norway.

According to Oyetola, investments in research, innovation, and technology can unlock new solutions for ocean conservation, resource efficiency, and climate resilience, paving the way for a more prosperous and sustainable future.

The minister said over-exploitation of marine resources, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change threaten the health and resilience of ocean ecosystems.

“To address the challenges requires concerted efforts to promote responsible resource management, mitigate environmental impacts, and build resilience to climate change.

“This will help to build the potential to drive inclusive growth, create employment opportunities, and alleviate poverty, particularly in coastal and island communities.

“When we choose to harness the vast potential of our oceans sustainably, we can unlock new sources of economic value, such as fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, renewable energy, and
biotechnology,” he said.

Speaking, Mr Babatunde Sule, the Director of Maritime Services Department of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, said that climate change ought to be tackled collectively.

Sule said that priority ought to be placed on preventing calamities and disasters to reduce lost of lives on the marine environments.(NAN)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has suspended all events at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Wike announced the suspension after he inspected the centre in Abuja on Monday.

He explained that the suspension was to enable Julius Berger to carry out holistic rehabilitation of the centre.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister had terminated the contract of Messrs Integrated Facility Management Services Ltd, assigned to manage the centre.

Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press, Office of the Minister, who announced the development on April 4, added that Julius Berger had been contracted for the immediate renovation of the centre.

After going round the facility, the minister described it as a mere conference centre, “There is nothing international about the centre.

“When we came here for the ECOWAS inauguration sometime last week, with President Bola Tinubu, no right-thinking human being would see the state of this facility and be happy.

“In fact, during the inauguration, Tinubu drew my attention to the rot. Even the lighting system was so poor.

“This is unacceptable. There is no way we can accept this as an International Conference Centre.

“You cannot call it a conference centre but not international, because there is no standard compared to any international conference centre”.

He added that the FCT Administration would not continue to be embarrassed by the poor state of the centre.

“So, we are sorry to announce this; every booking made here is cancelled.

“We will start immediate rehabilitation of the centre to meet up with international standards,” the minister said.

He said that Julius Berger had been given eight months to complete the total renovation of the centre.

The goal, according to him, is to transform the facility into a befitting International Conference Centre that Nigerians will be proud of.

He said that Julius Berger was called back to rehabilitate the centre because it was the company that built the edifice.

“We believed that in the next seven to eight months, the company would do something that Nigerians and the international community would appreciate,” he said.

On the management of the centre, if the rehabilitation was completed, Wike said that the Managing Director of Abuja Investment Company (AIC), Amb. Maureen Tamuno knows what to do.

“If she does not do it well, well, we will have no choice but to wade the big stick; but I believe she has the capacity to run it well,” the minister said.

He explained that he would not probe anybody on what led to the rot of the centre, but to move on, get the job done and give the country a befitting international conference centre.

NAN reports that Tamuno, an experienced public officer, entrepreneur, and diplomat was appointed as new head of AIC on April 4.

She was the Nigerian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Belize, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

By Maureen Okon

The Editorial Department of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has introduced a quarterly birthday celebration for its members of staff to boost their morale.

NAN reports that the maiden edition of the birthday celebration for staffers born in the months of January, February and March was held on Monday at the agency’s headquarters.

Speaking at the event, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, the Editor-in-Chief (EIC), said the initiative was to bond members of the department, celebrate one another and create atmosphere to unwind.

“For journalists who work day and night filing stories on all aspects of national life, they deserved to be celebrated on their birthdays.

“It is also a forum for reporters, editors and controllers, working together in the newsroom to bond in a relaxed atmosphere,’’ he said.

The EIC prayed God for direction and increase for the celebrants, as they enter into a new phase of their lives.

Mr Rotimi Ijikanmi, an Assistant Editor-in-Chief in the agency, who spoke on behalf of the celebrants, applauded the initiative of the EIC.

“We were not expecting this laudable initiative, it will surely boost morale and bring the member of staffs together,’’

He urged the department to sustain the programme and commended the EIC for the initiative.

NAN reports that the high point of the event was prayers for the celebrants by Mrs Hadiza Aliyu, a Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Mrs Abiemwense Moru, a Senior Editor, as well as refreshment. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Salisu Sani-Idris

A faith-based organisation, Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, on Monday offered prayers for national security, peaceful co-existence and socio-economic rejuvenation of the country.

At the event held at the Ansar-ud-deen Mosque, Maitama, Abuja, the organisation also prayed for the success of President Bola Tinubu’s administration as well as other leaders at various levels of government in the country.

The Abuja branch Chief Imam of the society, Dr Musa Olaofe underscored the need for citizens to work hard in the quest to promote peaceful co-existence and progress of the country.

He explained that the idea behind the special prayer session for the country stemmed from a desire to contribute to the nation’s progress and development, while also seeking divine wisdom and guidance for its leaders.

“Today is a special day to pray for Nigeria. As believers, we are not perturbed over the current situation because we believe strongly in Almighty Allah and we know that in no distance time, Nigeria will overcome the predicaments.

“We believe strongly that with this prayer, Allah will guide our leaders aright and eliminate the pocket of challenges confronting us as a nation,’’ he said.

He enjoined citizens to desist from cursing their leaders.

“We should continue to pray for them and say positive things about our country,“ he said.

The Chairman of the 2024 Ramadan Committee of Ansar-ud-Deen Society, Abuja branch, Ismail Omipidan revealed that the Society had successfully provided daily meals for over 500 fasting Muslims since the commencement of Ramadan.

Omipidan extolled all members of the society for their support to the committee.

He thanked all well-meaning Nigerians who donated generously to the society throughout the month of Ramadan to execute the feeding initiative and other obligations targeted to propagate and promote Islam.

Also, the Chairman, Ansar-ud-deen, Abuja branch, Mohammad Kabir-Olayiwola urged Muslims to sustain the good deeds exhibited during the Holy month beyond Ramadan period.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the society, distributed rice to its members, numbering over 400 as well as other members of the public. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has barricaded Dogon Gada box culvert, which is on the verge of collapse, to avert loss of lives.

Mrs Florence Wenegieme, Director, Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, FEMA, who led the exercise in Abuja on Sunday, described the development as a disaster waiting to happen.

Wenegieme explained that the culvert was on the access road that linked Lokogoma village, popularly known as Dogon Gida community, to Ring Road II.

She described the culvert as one of the vulnerable locations in the FCT, particularly to flooding during the rainy season.

According to her, many members of the community have lost their lives while trying to cross the culvert during the rainy season due to flooding.

“Dogon Gada community is one of the vulnerable locations in the FCT, particularly to flooding during the rainy season.

“Every year, we record loss of lives in this location, especially to flooding. Now the rain is becoming very heavy, and you can see that the box culvert is on the verge of collapsing.

“The shoulders are already sinking, and parts of the bridge are already broken.

“We tried to stop vehicular movement along the road to no avail, and to avert further loss of lives, we have decided to barricade the road completely.”

She noted that the area was under Phase III of the Abuja Master Plan, adding that the development of the area was yet to commence, as the development of Phase II was ongoing.

She, nonetheless, stressed the need for a standard box culvert to be constructed in the location to enable the community members to have access to the expressway (Ring Road II).

She explained that the barricade was a temporary mitigative measure pending when the culvert would be constructed.

“From this location to the express road is about 10 minutes, but the alternative access road will take them about an hour, which is better than loss of lives,” she said.

The Ward Head of Lokogoma Village, Mr Irimiya Kanpani, explained that the box culvert was constructed in 2016 through community efforts.

Kanpani also said that every year, the community members, about 3,000 mobilise resources to maintain the culvert until it finally gave way a few days ago.

He appealed to the Federal Government, the FCT Minister and the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council to come to their aid.

He said that the community had approached a contractor who said they would need more than N500 million to construct a standard bridge.

The ward head added that so far, members of the community have contributed N2 million to support the construction of a befitting bridge for the community, adding that the donation was ongoing.

“There is no year that we don’t lose a brother, a friend, a father, a mother, or a sister here.

“Our youths are gone and many of my friends have died in this location. Government should please come to our aid,” he pleaded.

Kanpani added that the alternative access road to the community was through Dakwo village by Santos Estate culvert, which was also being flooded every year because of its low elevation.

“This means that, if the culvert is not constructed and the rains commenced, we will be completely cut off, with no access, in or out of the community,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru