By Safia Abdulrahman/Funmilayo Adeyemi

Schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have experienced high turnout of students as they resume for the third term academic session.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondents who monitored school resumption in Abuja on Monday observed students’ enthusiasm as they go about their academic activities.

The Headmistress, Local Education Authority (LEA), Wuse Zone 3, Fatima Omehi said the turnout was encouraging.

‘’ The turnout is very impressive, I will rate it at 80 per cent, and I think this is because of the emphasis we put on attendance.

” We have informed our pupils that in each subject, attendance carries 5 marks and it is important to adhere to this,” she said.

She commended the participation of teachers in the academic activities on the first day of resumption noting that all teachers were available and ready to carry out their duties.

She said students, after the assembly, were marched to their classrooms for sanitation.

A primary four teacher, Mrs Stephanie Daniel, said, ‘’we had a pre-resumption test from previous lessons and I can see that the students are prepared for this term, as it is a special term’’.

‘’It is special because we combine all performances from the first, second and third term to get an average score, which determines promotion,” she said

At the Fuaad Lababidi Islamic Academy, Wuse 2, some of the students who spoke to NAN expressed hope of a promising term as it is a promotion term to proceed to the next class.

Abba Aliyu, an SS3 student of the  school said, ” I’m happy to resume school and very well prepared to do better than the previous term because in a few weeks time I will be writing my WAEC exams”.

The Principal of the school, Mallama Bamalli, expressed gratitude over the large student turnout, saying it showed how ready and prepared the students were.

Bamalli said that the students already started their lessons as all classrooms and environment were cleaned prior to the resumption day.

Also, the Principal of Prosperity Academy, Dakwa ,  Hajarah Mohmoh said all was set for resumption as students as well as teachers were ready to carry out their responsibilities. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Philip Yatai

The National Boundary Commission (NBC), has proposed a Joint Technical Committee towards resolving the lingering interstate boundary dispute between Niger and Kebbi states.

The Director-General of the commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, made the proposal in Abuja on Friday, during a joint meeting of officials from the two states to agree on way forward.

Adaji explained that the Kebbi State Government had written to the commission, over an alleged encroachment of their lands in Bagudo Local Government Area by the people of Kwankoso Community of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

He added that the government had asked the commission to resuscitate action towards ensuring that the boundary between the two states was clearly defined and demarcated.

He recalled that in 2005, a Joint Committee had identified and articulated some documents adjudged to be relevant in the definition of the boundary.

He, however, said that the expected fieldworks to translate the documents to a physical demarcation on ground could not be carried out over the years.

Adaji expressed optimism that the technical committee, if constituted, would re-visit identified documents and re-evaluate their appropriateness for use in the definition and demarcation of the interstate’s boundary.

He explained that the meeting was organised to find a lasting solution to the boundary dispute.

He also advised the two states to establish a functional Local Government Boundary Committees in each local government area, to prevent boundary disputes from escalating into a crisis.

“There is also the need for the committees to investigate and articulate all facts on the issues and submit report to the State Boundary Committee as inputs for the state’s position:

“There is equally the need for a physical fieldwork to trace the boundary in accordance with relevant documents, if available, or the use of the principle of ground-to-paper, to supplement the insufficient relevant documents.

“The NBC will re-visit the identified documents and re-evaluate their appropriateness for use in the definition of the boundary.

“States and the Local Government Committees should enlighten and sensitise the affected communities on the essence of interstate boundaries, the importance of peaceful co-existence and solicit their cooperation during the field work,” he said.

The DG also called for a joint sensitisation of the affected communities, preparatory to the fieldwork to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

He explained that the Kebbi and Niger interstate boundary spans about 640-kilometre, adding that in 2004, a Joint Committee articulated a set of documents for use on the boundary.

He, however, said that the expected fieldwork was not carried out due to some challenges beyond the commission’s control.

“As we know, both Kebbi and Niger States emerged from what used to be the North-Western State of Nigeria.

“Niger and Sokoto States were created out of the then North-Western State in 1976 with the separation of what used to be the Sokoto and Niger Provinces. This development created a Sokoto- Niger inter-provincial boundary.

“Subsequently, with the creation of Kebbi State out of the former Sokoto State in 1991, part of the hitherto Sokoto and Niger interstate boundary was transformed into the present Kebbi and Niger interstate boundary,” he said.

In his remarks, Surveyor General of Niger, Mr Idris Auna, agreed with Adaji that the dispute required a technical approach that would ensure proper and physical demarcation of the boundary.

Similarly, Mr Sadiq Diggi, Special Adviser to Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi on Boundary Issues, also supported the establishment of the technical committee to effectively resolve the crisis. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The State House Press Corps (SHPC) is organising a two-day capacity building workshop for its members in Lagos.

The membership cut across all the media organisations in the country representing the print, broadcasting and online platforms.

The workshop, in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), with the theme “Promoting Solutions-oriented & Sustainability Journalism in a Modern Democracy,” will start from Friday to Saturday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris will deliver the keynote address.

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, who is the Chief Host, will deliver a speech while the Minister of Solid Minerals Development Dele Alake will also deliver a goodwill message at the event.

Other speakers at the event include the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Amb. Ahmed Abubakar, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement Mr Federick Nwabufo, and the Director of UNIC Ronald Kayanja.

The NIA boss would speak on “Understanding the Interrelation between Intelligence Agencies and the Media in Shaping National Development” while the Director of the International Press Centre (IPC) Mr Lanre Arogundade would speak on “Ethical Journalism: An Insight into Deep Fakes and Fact-Checking.”

Prof. Jide Jimoh of the Lagos State University and a member of the editorial board of the Guardian newspaper will speak on “Extending the Boundaries of Newsgathering and Reporting to Advance Sustainable Development in Nigeria.”

The Senior Adviser on Information Integrity, Office of the Under-Secretary-General, UN Global Communications, New York, will speak on “The Quest for Information Integrity in an Era of Polluted Media Ecosystem.”

Kingsley Uranta, the General Manager of Channels Academy, will speak on “Retooling Journalistic Practice in the Quest for Solutions to Emerging National Challenges.”

Chairman of the SHPC, Dr Anule Emmanuel, explained that the training would provide members of the elite press corps a unique opportunity to enhance their knowledge, skills and competencies.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

By Angela Atabo

The Managing Director of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr Shehu Osidi, says the bank is restrategising the housing sector towards delivering more houses to Nigerians.

Osidi made this known on Wednesday, when he received the Housing Institutions Reform Task Team and the Multi-Agency Project Delivery Task Team in Abuja.

He said that the bank recognised the need for reforms and took the initiative to commence a journey of repositioning and recapitalisation in conjunction with the Bureau of Public Enterprises.

“We have a five-year strategy blueprint approved by the Board guiding our operations and a major ICT-Project.

“The core banking application is nearing completion, about 95 per cent to improve service delivery and enthrone efficiency.

“The amendment of the FMBN and National Housing Fund ACTs have also commenced in the National Assembly.

“The Executive Management is concentrating on a seven core but broad agenda to further deepen the on-going reforms and usher remarkable turnaround,” he said.

Osidi said that Nigerians would start seeing changes in the sector, adding that President Bola Tinubu’s government is committed to reforms in all sectors of the economy.

He said that the Minister of Housing and Urban Development had inaugurated four reform task teams to address the critical areas of the housing sector in Nigeria.

He listed them to include the Housing Institutions, Task Teams to reform the housing delivery agencies and the Multi-agency Reform Task Team to enhance collaboration between the various housing delivery agencies in Nigeria.

The MD said there were the Building Materials Manufacturing Hubs to be established in the six geo-political zones of the country, and then there are also the Land Reforms.

Osidi said that FMBN would also explore public private partnership to deliver massive housing in the country.

Earlier, Mr Adedeji Adesemoye, Chairman, Federal Housing Reform Task Team, said that the team was focused to deliver on its mandate of reforming the housing sector.

Adesemoye said the team had outlined a lot of reforms in the sector that when implemented would transform the nation.

According to him, the move is critical to both the ministry’s mandate and in order to continue with the buy-in of the president.

“Yes, there are a few challenges on the way which is not unexpected, but we are making sure that we are in contact with the Ministry and the agencies to ensure they key in so as to overcome the hurdles.”

Adesemoye added that with the structure of  delivery on ground, the nation would have quick wins in less than 12 months.

He, however, noted that there would be long, short and medium term goals as soon as their report is being implemented.(NAN)

Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Ismail Abdulaziz

By Jacinta Nwachukwu

The National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) says it will build skills acquisition centres in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The Federal Commissioner in the organisation, Alhaji Tijani Ahmed, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, at a two-week Training and Empowerment of IDPs Youths in professional Driving and Agriculture.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was organised by the commission in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation, St. Pukat Foundation.

He said the idea of the empowerment programme was to provide durable skills to the persons of concern with the aim of making them self-reliant.

“The commission is saddled with the mandate to provide, protect and assist all persons of concern including refugees, Migrants, IDPs, asylum seekers, Stateless Persons and Returnees,” he said.

He said to deliver effective and sustainable protection to persons of concern, government and civil society must be fully involved.

“This in-house training will not only make the beneficiaries self-reliant, but also uphold the durable solutions mandate of the commission,” the commissioner said.

He further implored the beneficiaries to use the opportunity to increase their skills for their livelihood.

Ahmed also expressed appreciation to the foundation’s leadership for prioritising IDPs assistance, in their empowerment programme.

Earlier, the President of the foundation, Mr Samuel Pukat, said the beneficiaries would be trained in professional driving skills and agriculture production.

According to him, the agriculture production includes cassava, wheat and corn as well as rice cultivation.

He added that the training would help IDPs to be employable considering their level of education.

“When you train them in professional driving they can be recruited in any public or private organisation,” he said.

He also commended the commission’s leadership for supporting persons of concern nationwide. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

=============
Edited by Abdul Hassan and Abiemwense Moru

By Philip Yatai

Workers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC), have appealed to the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to make staff housing one of his projects.

The workers made the appeal at the commencement of the JUAC Week in Abuja on Wednesday, with the theme, “FCT Civil Service Commission – A New Dawn”.

JUAC President, Mrs Rifkatu Iortyer pointed out that Abuja was one of the cities with the highest rent in the country.

Iortyer added that the development had forced many workers to stay in outskirt of the city where rent was affordable.

She said that to address the challenge, JUAC had secured a land eight years ago, for staff housing estate.

She, however, said that the union was financially incapacitated to allocate the land to the workers, in spite of paying compensation and other commitments.

She explained that the union had equally made some moves for additional housing for the workers but unsuccessful.

“We appealed to the minister to consider our plea considering that housing is key to our staff. If we cannot do it as a union, let the housing issue be one of our minister’s projects.

“He should help us to have an affordable housing estate for our staff. We know him as ‘Mr Project’, as evident with the ongoing projects across the territory,” she said.

The president also appealed to the minister to look into the transportation scheme for workers, noting that most of the staff buses were grounded since COVID-19 lockdown.

She commended the minister for being labour-friendly and a welfarist to workers, adding that the biggest gift to the FCT workers was the FCT Civil Service Commission (CSC).

“FCT staffs can now grow to the peak of their career. We cannot thank him enough for making this a reality,” she said.

Also, the FCT Head of Service, Dr Udo Atang, described Wike as a labour-friendly minister, stressing that he has made staff welfare his priority.

“The minister had said that the establishment of FCT CSC is an integral part of President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.

“So, our hopes have been renewed and reestablished. We are all potential permanent secretaries and potential heads of service,”Atang said.

Responding, Wike, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Chidi Amadi, ascribed the successes so far recorded in FCT to the resourcefulness of the workers.

“Today, we are celebrating a new beginning; a new beginning that gives hope.

“A new beginning that gives motivation; a new beginning that gives us the assurance that whatever commitment and sacrifice we put in the service, there is the likelihood that it will be rewarded,” he said.

The minister lauded the collaborative efforts of the workers for a common goal, and advised the leadership of the JUAC to build a culture of negotiation and not confrontation.

“Collaboration should be the watch word. As long as we continue to have this seamless relationship, I will ensure that no worker will be left behind,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Joan Nwagwu

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, says the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) will soon launch the Young Farmers Club in public schools across the country.

She said this while inaugurating the Renewed Hope Initiative Women Agricultural Support Programme (RHI- WASP) on Tuesday in Maiduguri.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, said the programme was part of the RHI’s upcoming activities.

“We will soon be launching the ‘Young Farmers’ Club’ in public schools across the nation. The motto of this club is ‘Growing the Food I Eat Starts with me’.

“The Club will be launched in State-owned Primary and Secondary Schools. This initiative is to encourage farming among our young population.

“The first school to start the club, either primary or secondary, will have their members kitted with Branded Club T-Shirts and Trousers. The school with the best farm for each State would be identified.

“Prizes would be given to them, ranging from school renovations, equipping of school science laboratories, provision of ICT equipment and upgrading of School Libraries, as their preference may be,” she said.

She, therefore, encouraged all public schools to participate as soon as possible and identify students who were interested in joining the Club.

Tinubu also noted other ongoing activities of the RHI to include the “Every Home a Garden’”.

“Our ‘Every Home a Garden’, competition for first time women farmers is still on.

“This programme is designed to encourage our women to grow a garden in their homes. It does not cost much to grow food at home.

“This garden is to feed your families and share with your neighbours. The goal of this is to ensure food in every home, hence our slogan for this initiative is ‘food on every table’

“I encourage you all to spread the word in your communities. The winner of this competition will go home with N20 million and entries are to be submitted through the states to the First Ladies by October, 2024,” she said.

The First Lady also said that as part of the ongoing activities, the RHI is organising a National Fabric Competition called, “One Nigeria/ unity fabric”.

According to her, this competition seeks to create a fabric that is indigenous, promotes peace and unifies us as Nigerians.

“The competition is open to all Nigerians within and outside the shores of the country within ages of 15-25 years old.

“The winner of this competition will be given a cash prize of N25 million to be channelled towards his/her education or business venture as the case may be,” she said.

Tinubu noted that call for entries had begun with submission of entries closing on June 30, 2024.

She added that the Unity Fabric will be launched on October 1, 2024. (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

By Joan Nwagwu

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday inaugurated the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), women agriculture support programme in the North-East zone of the country.

Mrs Tinubu, while inaugurating the programme, said the initiative was part of RHI’s commitment to supporting women farmers nationwide.

The maiden edition of the RHI-WASP was held in the South-East on Feb. 28.

The first lady was represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima.

Tinubu said this would align with the broader national agenda to strengthen the agricultural sector in the country.

She said that the programme was supporting 20 women farmers per State in the North-East Zone with N500,000 each.

“To this end, a draft  cheque of  N10 million per State for the North-East Zone will be handed over to the wives of the governors of  Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe, the RHI State Coordinators, for onward disbursement to beneficiaries in their respective States.

“These farmers are those in the agrarian sector, animal husbandry, poultry and fish farming,” she said.

She added that the  initiative would be collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to empower potential farmers.

Tinubu  said  that in this phase, 75 per cent of the beneficiaries would be young female farmers while 25 per cent would be for the young male farmers.

“They will all be specially identified, trained and empowered.

“Also, the pre-identified 80 women farmers in each State for our agricultural support programme will be carried along.

“I want to implore our women farmers receiving support today, to seize this opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures.

“They should also contribute to local and national food production, and serve as role models for others aspiring to join the agricultural sector.

“I am confident that this initiative will not only transform the lives of the individual beneficiaries, but also contribute to food sufficiency in the North East Zone,” She said.

She urged the women farmers to seize the opportunity to expand their agricultural ventures, contribute to local and national food production.

The first lady added that the  programme was  holding simultaneously in three other zones.

Meanwhile, 100 Persons with Disability Small Business Owners in Borno, have been empowered with  N100,000 each, to recapitalise their businesses under the Renewed Hope Initiative Social Investment Programme (RHI-SIP).

The First Lady said that all pre-selected recipients of the grant would receive the funds on Tuesday, through  RHI coordinator for Borno, Dr Falmata Babagana Zulum.

She also listed some upcoming and ongoing activities of the  initiative as “Every Home A Garden”, “Food on EveryTable”, and “Young Farmers’ Club”.

“I look forward to witnessing the impact of this intervention in the lives of our women farmers, and the broader agricultural community across Nigeria,” she added. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

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