The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has appointed Mr Chidi Amadi, as his Chief of Staff.
Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press, Office of the Minister, announced the appointment in a statement in Abuja on Friday.
Ogunleye said that Amadi, a former Chief of Staff to Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, was appointed for his vast experience in public service.
He added that Amadi had held several strategic political positions, including Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“As Chief of Staff, Amadi will play a pivotal role in supporting the FCT minister in the formulation and execution of policies and programmes aimed at advancing the development agenda of the territory.
“He will also provide strategic guidance, as well as ensuring the smooth functioning of the minister’s office” he said.
The director said that Amadi would be sworn into office on March 18. (NAN)
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration is ready to provide incentives to investors interested in developing the territory’s tourism sector.
Wike stated this at the inauguration of a Sunrise Waterpark, a recreation centre developed by Nadeem Group in Abuja on Friday.
The park is located at Sunrise Hill Estate, R1 Sunrise Blvd, Kugbo, Abuja.
The minister noted that the tourism sector has the potential to become one of the highest foreign exchange earners for the country.
He, however, pointed out that the sector had sadly remained largely untapped and undeveloped.
He said that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration, under the “Renewed Hope” agenda has made the development of the tourism sector one of its top priorities.
He added that the government had sent out a clarion call to private investors to look in the direction of tourism and harness its full potential for the benefit of the country.
“I am glad that the Nadeem Group has heeded to the call.
“The FCT has a lot of sites that have the potential of becoming great tourism sites, such as the fishing site in Yaba, the Ushafa Pottery Centre and the Millennium Tower project.
“It will be gratifying to see private investors coming to these areas and to give them a new breath of life.
“Our doors remained open for discussions and possible incentives to see Abuja grow up to its full potential in the tourism sector,” the minister said.
Wike said that he personally inaugurated the park, a private sector investment, because of its importance in developing Abuja tourism sector.
Describing the park as the biggest and most modern waterpark in the West African sub-region, the minister expressed optimism that more tourism sites would be developed in Abuja.
“It is also important to note that commissioning of the park is a testament to the vibrancy and tourism potential of our beloved city, Abuja.
Earlier, the Chairperson of Nadeem Group, Nadia Nadeem, said that the groups’ investment in the recreational facility was to foster bonds and friendship for family members of all ages.
Nadeem said that the Sunrise Waterpark came at a time the Nigerian government was taking steps to create jobs and attract foreign investments.
According to her, the park has the potential of creating hundreds of jobs for Nigerians in many sectors including tourism, hospitality, entertainment, transportation, trade and commerce, real estate, and construction.
“In the coming months, the waterpark is expected to attract many economic activities into Abuja.
“It will attract foreigners from within Africa and throughout the world, making us partners in progress in the development of our dear city, Abuja,” she said. (NAN)
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has announced the re-introduction of annual school sports festival, 25 years after the last edition.
Wike made the announcement during the grand finale of the maiden Nyesom Wike FCT School Sports Festival at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday.
The minister, represented by Mr Ibrahim Aminu, Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, FCT Administration, explained that the school sports festival was designed to discover young talents.
He said that the last time school children across the six Area Councils of the FCT gathered to integrate and participate in sporting activities was over 25 years ago.
Wike said that the era of having only inter-house sports in FCT schools was over.
He added that at the end of inter- house sports, there would be a festival and other regional and national school sporting competitions that would take the school students and pupils to greater heights.
“The Nyesom Wike FCT School Sports Festival has come to stay annually in the FCT.
“We expect the support and partnership of our beloved parents and sponsors, both nationally and internationally, to make the sports festival a tourist attraction in FCT,” he said.
The minister explained that the maiden sports festival tagged, “Discovering Young Stars”, was part of efforts to make FCT a Hub for discovering young stars for Nigeria.
“We hope that the laurels won today will bring more smiles and hope to our children in FCT schools,” Wike said.
Dr Danlami Hayyo, Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, said that the festival began with preliminaries in the eight Zone of the FCT on Feb. 22, adding that the athletes worked very rigorously to get to the final.
Hayyo pledged the administration’s commitment to sports development in public primary and secondary schools.
One of the coaches, David Daniel of Junior Secondary School. Gwako, said: “we won four gold medals, four silva and six bronze medals.
“We really appreciate the minister for resuscitating the sports festival. This festival has motivated my athletes so much and they can do better.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the Primary School Category, Local Government Education Authority Primary School, Kpadna, emerged overall winner with seven gold medals.
In the Junior Secondary School (JSS) Category, JSS Gwako emerged winner with four gold medals, while Government Secondary School, Karu, won the senior secondary school category with 9 gold medals. (NAN)
Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has congratulated Dr Udo Atang over his appointment as Head of Federal Capital Territory Civil Service.
Eno, in the congratulatory message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ekerete Udoh, in Abuja on Thursday, thanked President Bola Tinubu for finding Atang worthy.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu had, on Tuesday, approved the appointment of Atang, the most senior director in the FCT Administration, as its pioneer Head of Civil Service.
Ten other persons were appointed as Permanent Secretaries.
The statement quoted Eno as describing Atang’s appointment as a demonstration of President Tinubu’s spirit of inclusivity.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom, we thank Tinubu most profoundly and pledge our loyalty and unalloyed support to his administration.
“To Dr Atang, I have no doubt that given your professional prowess in public service, you will rise to the occasion and acquit yourself creditably. Accept our ongratulations,” the governor said.
Atang hails from Ikot Udota community in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom. (NAN)
The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), in Abuja on Thursday, inaugurated its Lagos State Executives to pilot the affairs of the association for the next four years.
Its National President, Alhaji Musa Maitakobi, who inaugurated the executives, cautioned all members of the association against violence in Lagos and other parts of the country.
Maitakobi said, “Lagos state is very important to the association and any member found creating trouble would be dealt with.”
He also expressed the association’s support for the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reform the transport sector and tackle all forms of thuggery around motor parks.
Maitakobi said that the constitution of the association frown against thuggery and any forms of violence.
He emphasised the need for unity and mutual respect among the executives and members of the association.
” If you are working in the chapel and they remove you, the association will find another place for you. We want to show that truly we have forgiven ourselves.
” Let us come together and operate together. Thanks and God bless you.”
In his inaugural speech, the Lagos State Chairman of RTEAN, Oba Sulaiman Raji-Adeshina, pledged to run an all-inclusive administration devoid of rancour.
He also promised to sanitise all motor parks against unethical conduct and criminality.
He thanked Maitakobi for ” forgiving all the Lagos executives of the RTEAN.
” He (Maitakobi) is a father to each and everyone of us. I also thank the electoral committee for its transparency and accountability.
” I pledge that I will do my best and carry the association to an enviable position and I plead with all the executives and members that are here and those that are not here that let us work together as one family.
“We are all RTEAN in Lagos and Abuja, the nation’s capital,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new executives were sworn-in by the National Legal Adviser of RTEAN. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
The Archdiocese of Abuja Methodist Church Nigeria has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, for the changes he is bringing to the territory, Abuja.
The archbishop of the diocese, Most Rev. Michael Akinwale, gave the commendation when he and other bishops of the church visited the minister in his office in Abuja on Thursday.
Akinwale, describing the changes as revolutionary, also commended the minister for the improved security being experienced in the FCT.
“We commend you for trying to maintain the Abuja Master Plan and of course, the security which you have provided.
“Today, we can sleep with our two eyes closed. Within the last two months, it has been very, very traumatic, and we commend you on that,” he said.
Describing Abuja as Nigeria’s commonwealth, the bishop expressed confidence in the capacity of the minister to get things done the right way in the capital city.
He explained that the visit was to congratulate the minister, identify with him and wish him well as he steers the affairs of the FCT, leading it to greatness.
“Our duty as a church is to pray for our leaders; those who have been placed in authority of leadership to lead the people,” he said.
The cleric also informed the minister of the forthcoming annual apostolic visit of the head of the Methodist mission, Most Rev. Oliver Aba, to Abuja.
Responding, Wike thanked the delegation for the visit, stressing that the church’s role in keeping the country together was very important.
He assured the church and other religious groups of continued partnership and appealed for continued prayers for Nigeria and its leaders, including the president.
“We require prayer for peace; we require prayer for stability; we require prayer for this country to move forward.
“The church and other religious groups have been praying for this nation to remain together, and therefore, whatever we can do to support, we will always do.
“We will do all that we can to make Abuja the city that everybody will be proud of,” he said.
According to the minister, the government is trying to handle issues of insecurity and infrastructure and promised not to let anybody down. (NAN)
3rd from left: Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, General Manager LASTMA, Mr Sola Giwa, SA to governor on transportation, Mr Lanre Mojola, Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission and other dignitaries at the stakeholders parley on Wednesday in Lagos.
By Chiazo Ogbolu
Mr Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, has urged event centre operators to embrace the rules of engagement that will ensure smooth traffic flow around their centres.
Giwa made the appeal at a special stakeholders parley on transportation safety at event centres, clubs and places of gathering in Lagos on Wednesday.
The stakeholders’ parley was organised by the Office of the Special Adviser on Transportation in collaboration with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and Lagos State Safety Commission.
The special adviser noted that every minute wasted affected everyone, and so the need to ensure free flow of traffic at all times, by everyone adhering to traffic rules and regulations.
“A megacity like Lagos state can only be governed by rule of law and that is what the government of Lagos State is all about.
“Yes, the event centres are in business and while they are at it, it’s important that they think about others. Their business should not inconvenience others.
“These event centres, hotels, clubs are seen in megacities and as a government, we are giving an enabling environment for them to prosper and as much as they are making business, other people should not suffer,” he said.
Giwa noted that to ensure free flow of traffic was the essence of the partnership with the safety commission.
On issue of giving out sanctions for non-compliance, he said that it was not about sanctions, but being able to communicate with the operators, coax them and enlighten their mind to see the need for them to buy into this.
“Enforcement is the last resort and I don’t think we will get there, these are people we have noticed that from their relationship with the safety commission, they are willing to work with the state.
“I’m sure we are not going to get to sanctions but, however, if it comes to that, we will know when we get there. But, this is about having an egalitarian society where everyone understands the need for laws and abides by them,” he said.
Giwa noted that the society thrived when there was law and order, urging Lagos residents to obey all traffic rules in the state, as the government was doing so much to provide everyone with the enabling environment to make Lagos State a smart city.
Mr Lanre Mojola, Director-General, Lagos State Safety Commission, noted that the gathering was basically to engage operators of event centres in Lagos State, lay out rules of engagement, what was expected from them, the do’s and don’ts.
Mojola said that Lagos, being the centre of excellence and the most populated state in the country, had the highest number of events, as it was on record that over the past three years, 40,000 events take place annually in Lagos.
“In terms of traffic management, these are the specifics, there is need to train them, also the traffic and safety marshal within their premises.
“On safety protocols, we expect, every event with over 250 people to be registered and an event safety permit granted before they can host the event. Evidence of training in traffic and safety management of centres’ personnel will be sought for.
“We noticed that when these events occur, because the event centres lack space for the several hundreds of vehicles going in and out, we see the vehicles constituting clogs that flow to the road causing traffic.
“We cannot continue to watch this happen, these event centres should not create problems to normal road users,” he said.
He urged association heads to cascade the outcome of the meeting to members and solicit their collaboration as the ultimate goal was for the city to run smoothly and safe for all citizens.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, noted that education and awareness campaign should be intensified to ensure the public do not flout parking regulations and safety standards.
Bakare-Oki said it was imperative that they foster collaboration among local authorities like Nigerian police, so as to create a comparative approach to traffic management.
“We need to use this platform to share experience, cultivate the spirit of cooperation, togetherness that can transform to good things.
“Also, let me emphasise that LASTMA is saddled with the responsibility of free flow of traffic, security of people at all times and so needs the cooperation of the motoring public,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the operators present urged the state government to look into the issues of bad roads, poor orientation of LASTMA officials, menace of touts, etc, as they also cause traffic on the roads. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Christiana Fadare
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has distributed food items to lepers in Abaji, Kuje and Gwagwalada area councils as part of efforts to fight hunger among vulnerable residents.
Mrs Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, the Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, said during the distribution in Abaji, Abaji Area Council on Wednesday that the gesture is under the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu.
She explained that the food items included rice, indomie, macaroni, semovita, couscous and spaghetti, among other items.
She said that the food items, distributed to lepers and other residents, would be extended to other vulnerable groups.
She identified the vulnerable groups to include women, youths and widows across the six area councils of the FCT.
Presenting the food items to the leprosy colony in Yangoji, Abaji Area Council of the FCT, the mandate secretary said that the initiative was designed to achieve zero hunger among vulnerable groups in FCT.
She added that “this is a special intervention from the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, aimed at putting food on the tables of the poor and vulnerable in communities.
“The FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike and the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, are working with the Office of the First Lady to ensure availability of food in rural areas.”
She assured residents of government commitment to end their suffering, particularly through increased access to staple foods.
Responding, the leader of the Leprosy Colony, Mr Ali Isa, thanked FCTA and the first lady for the gesture, which he described as lifesaving.
He said ‘ we are very happy today. I have seen the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the Renewed Hope Initiative of the first lady in action.”
The Women Leader of the colony, Hajiya Sadiya Abubukar, who equally commended the gesture, said that the move was a demonstration of government’s commitment to meet the needs of the poor.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the food items were also distributed to youths, widows and other vulnerable persons at Kulo and Iddo Sarki communities in Kuje and Gwagwalada area councils respectively.
So far, more than 1,000 lepers, poor and vulnerable women, youths and widows received the food items. (NAN)
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has promised improved security and more infrastructure to residents of the FCT, Abuja.
Wike gave the assurance while briefing newsmen, after a closed-door session with Senators at the National Assembly, in Abuja on Wednesday,
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senate had invited the minister and the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, to brief the lawmakers on modalities put in place to secure residents of the FCT.
The minister said the interaction was fruitful, adding that the senators had agreed that security has significantly improved in the FCT.
“I am glad they are all happy with what we have done, what we are going to be doing and they provided some suggestions on ways forward.
“What is important is what the FCT should expect from now. I will say improved security, more infrastructure. You can see what is going on in the FCT. It has been turned into a construction site.
“You can also see what has happened in the FCTA. Now we have our own Civil Service Commission; now we have our own Permanent Secretaries which has never been.
“There are new things in the FCT, and the residents are happy,” Wike said.
He noted that no society existed without one form of crime or the other, adding that what was critical was being able to limit or reduce the level of insecurity.
On the spate of kidnappings, the minister said: “Most of the kidnapping stories you hear, some of them are stage-managed by people. There are some internal arrangements.
“Take for example, you have a housekeeper or a driver in the house who will plot to kidnap the child of their boss. In such a case, what do you expect us to do?
“What we can do is to ensure that the person that is kidnapped is released.”
The minister said the two most wanted kidnappers, terrorising residents of the FCT had been arrested, adding that the development had reduced the level of kidnappings in Abuja.
“We are not saying we have gotten to where we want to be but we are doing a lot and people should acknowledge that what used to be is not what we are seeing now.
“We will continue to do our best to ensure that we provide the best to our people.
“We cannot give you the assurance that there will be no form of criminality, nobody can do that, as long as we are humans,” the minister said. (NAN)
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has implored Nigerians to uphold truth and integrity in the face of misinformation and falsehood that threaten the fabric of society.
Shettima made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the presentation of a book titled: “Beating All Odds: Diaries and Essays on How Bola Tinubu Became President”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book is written by a veteran journalist and literary artist, Sam Omatseye.
“Nigerians need more men and women of courage.
“I hope that this marks the beginning of our commitment to truth, our dedication to integrity and our resolve to push for a nation that comes together to choose the truth over a lie,” he said.
Shedding light on the challenges faced in the lead-up to the 2023 presidential elections, Shettima extolled Omatseye’s literary prowess and unwavering commitment to truth.
“Whoever possesses the power to craft words into memorable sentences is an army of one, especially when they see the world through three dimensions.
“Mr Sam Omatseye stands as a courageous sentinel for our history.
“He transcends the omissions of those who shy away from truth in the most uncomfortable places and in the scariest of circumstances.
“Omatseye is both a hero of the people and an intellectual. I am excited to celebrate today,” he said.
Shettima also highlighted the critical role of authentic journalism in safeguarding democracy.
“The build-up to the last presidential elections in Nigeria revealed a peculiar type of writers and bloggers.
“These authors, devoted to political fantasy, have dedicated their lives to crafting false narratives and outright fabrications to sow chaos.
“Mr Omatseye didn’t only set out to share his personal diaries as a well-read political historian, he has given the world a three-dimensional view.
“Successfully, the author underlined both the delicate and the concrete turns of events that led to this electoral outcome,” he said.
On President Tinubu, the central character of the book, Shettima said, even, those trying to dent the image “know fully well that the President is a political phenomenon”.
“His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, is a political phenomenon; even those who attempted to undermine him live to confess to this fact.
“The President’s years of building people and relationships played out during the elections and this book provides sufficient material for curious minds,” Shettima said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, former Gov. Segun Osoba of Ogun state, commended the effort of the author of the book.
Osoba described Omatsaye as a versatile writer whose mastery of words is captured in his portrayal of events during the electioneering period.
According to him, the book chronicles the interventions of Omatseye in the 2023 presidential elections and an important process in the life of the country.
He also thanked the author for his belief in President Tinubu’s commitment to the Nigerian project.
Osoba gave assurances that the administration would take courageous decisions to address current challenges in the polity.
For his part, the author described the book as his own attempt to put in context all that transpired during the 2023 electioneering period.
Omatseye also said that the book was his modest contribution to the advancement of democracy in the country.
Mr Louis Odion, the book reviewer, described it as a meticulous chronicle of the most divisive presidential election in the history of Nigeria
He said the book, “is a vindication of the President as well as a razor-sharp snapshot of Nigeria at a critical moment”. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
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