News Agency of Nigeria
Wike promises improved security, more infrastructure for FCT residents
Metro

Wike promises improved security, more infrastructure for FCT residents

 

By Philip Yatai

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)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Shettima urges Nigerians to uphold truth, integrity
Metro

Shettima urges Nigerians to uphold truth, integrity

By Salisu Sani-Idris

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

Fire razes 10 shops in Wuse Market, Abuja – FEMA 
Defence/Security , Metro

Fire razes 10 shops in Wuse Market, Abuja – FEMA 

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), says no fewer than 10 shops were razed down by fire in Wuse Market on Tuesday.

FEMA’s Head of Public Affairs, Mrs Nkechi Isa, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

Isa, who said that no life was lost, added that the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained.

She, however, said the fire was brought under control by a combined team of the Federal Fire Service, FCT Fire Service, and Julius Berger Fire Department.

The FEMA spokesperson said the agency received a distress call on the 112 emergency toll-free number at 4.05 pm about the fire incident at the market.

She added that the Agency, being the lead coordinating body for all emergencies in the FCT, thereafter, activated its stakeholders to ensure maximum response.

Isa identified the stakeholders as the FCT Fire Service, Federal Fire Service, National Emergency Management Agency, FCT Police Command, and Julius Berger Fire Service.

The acting Director General of FEMA, Mr Mohammed Sabo, appealed to FCT residents to equip their homes and business places with basic firefighting equipment like extinguishers and fire blankets.

Sabo noted that the 10 shops affected by the fire incident did not have a fire extinguisher.

He also noted that access to the place was unhampered allowing the fire trucks to effectively fight the fire.

He advised market management to put a fire tinder in place to prevent loss of properties during fire outbreaks.

Sabo also urged FCT residents to avoid storing petroleum products and other combustible items in their homes.

He called on residents to always use the 112-emergency toll-free number in the event of an emergency.

Earlier, Mr Innocent Amaechina, spokesman of the Abuja Market Management Ltd (AMML), who confirmed the outbreak of the fire said that only a portion of the market was affected.

Amaechina refuted the erroneous report in social media that the whole market was engulfed in fire.

The official, who also could not confirm the cause of the fire, said that the incident reportedly began between 2pm and 3:00 p.m.

He said that some shops, including the office of the AMML in the market, were burnt down by the fire.

He added that some vehicles parked at the northern parking lots in the market were equally burnt.

“I have not been able to have access to the market to assess the extent of the damage, but the police and fire service officials have arrived at the scene and taken control of the situation,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Tinubu appoints Atang pioneer Head of FCT Civil Service Commission, others
Metro

Tinubu appoints Atang pioneer Head of FCT Civil Service Commission, others

 

By Philip Yatai

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr Udo Atang, the most senior director in the FCT Administration (FCTA) as its pioneer Head of Civil Service Commission.

Mr Anthony Ogunleye, Director of Press, Officer of the FCT Minister, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

Ogunleye also announced the appointment of 10 Permanent Secretaries for various Secretariats of the FCTA as provided for in the FCT Civil Service Commission Law, 2018.

He identified them as Dr Adam Babagana (North East), Wanki Ibrahim (North East), Asmau Mukhtar (North West), Dogo Bodinga (North West), Olusa Olusegun (South West) and Adetoyi Kolawole (South West).

Others are Grace Adayilo (North Central), Olubunmi Olowookere (North Central), Ibe Chukwuemeka (South East) and Okonkwo Nonubari (South South).

The director also announced the appointment of Mr Emeka Ezeh as Chairman of the Commission, with six others as commissioners, representing the six geopolitical zones.

He identified the commissioners as Ahmed Mohammed (North West), Anthony Okeah (South-South), Mohammed Ibrahim (North East), Miskoom Naantuam (North Central), Jide Jimoh (South West) and Barrister Azubike (South East).

“Similarly, Mr. President also approved the following to fill existing vacancies in some critical agencies of the FCTA.

“The are: Abdulkadir Zulkarfi as Coordinator Satellite Town Development Department; Mr Felix Obuah, Coordinator Abuja Metropolitan Management Council; and Oladiran Akindele, Coordinator, Abuja Infrastructure Investment Council (AIIC),” he said.

The director said that the appointments take immediate effect, adding the appointees would be sworn in on March 18.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike had on Oct. 13, announced Tinubu’s approval for the establishment of the Civil Service Commission for the FCT.

The appointment, therefore, marks the full implementation of the FCT Civil Service Commission Law, 2018. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

FCTA disburses N4.4bn to area councils, pension, teachers
Metro

FCTA disburses N4.4bn to area councils, pension, teachers

 

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disbursed N4.43 billion to the six area councils of FCT, pension scheme and primary school teachers, as statutory allocation for January 2024.

FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, disclosed this while presiding over the 186th Joint Account Allocation Committee meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

Mahmoud pointed out that the amount represents a slight decline compared to N4.8 billion shared in the month of December 2023.

The breakdown of the figures shows that N1.97 billion was disbursed to the six area councils, while N2.46 billion was earmarked for pension scheme and primary school teachers.

On the disbursement of the N1.97 billion to the area councils, the Abuja Municipal Area Council received N475.42 million, Gwagwalada got N310 million, while Kuje received N327.51 million.

Bwari Area Council received N302.89 million, Abaji got N254.14 million, while Kwali received N304.95 million.

A further breakdown of the N2.46 billion disbursed to teachers and pension scheme, shows that primary school teachers received N2.1 billion, while N44.39 million was set aside as 1 per cent training fund.

Also, N226.48 million was earmarked as 15 per cent Pension Fund, while N107.85 was earmarked as 10 per cent employer pension contribution.

The minister appreciated members of the committee for their steadfastness over the years. (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

FCT safe, free for foreigners to conduct businesses – Wike
Metro

FCT safe, free for foreigners to conduct businesses – Wike

 

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the federal capital, Abuja, is safe and free for foreigners to conduct their businesses.

Wike stated this when the Ambassador of Poland to Nigeria, Mrs Joanna Tarnawska, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said that the security in the city had significantly improved and safe for everybody, including foreigners, to carry out their businesses without fear.

“We are happy to make sure all the foreigners are free to carry out their businesses.

“Abuja is the capital, and you can see how safe it is.  It is one of the lovely cities that everybody will want to visit,” he said.

The minister, who described the relationship between Nigeria and Poland as cordial, expressed FCT Administration’s willingness to collaborate with Poland in developing its agriculture sector.

He explained that the partnership would enable the Administration to empower the teeming youths with employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.

He added that job creation and security were among top priorities of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Wike said that Poland could arrange for some of its investors to set up large farms in Abuja that would employ the youths, and eventually owned the farms in due course.

Earlier, Tarnawska, said she had been in Nigeria for over five years as Ambassador of Poland, and described the country as a very interesting place to live in.

She explained that the visit was to assure the minister of the continued bilateral relationship developed many years ago.

She said that the discussion with Wike would continue to consider new avenues of cooperation for mutual benefits. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

74 directors bow out of FCTA, FCDA
Metro

74 directors bow out of FCTA, FCDA

 

By Philip Yatai

Abuja, March 10, 2024 (NAN) No fewer than 74 Directors have bowed out of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), having clocked 60 years of age or 35 years in service.

FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, stated this in Abuja on Sunday, at an event organised in their honour.

Wike said that the FCT Administration would continue to tap from their experience and expertise to accelerate growth and development in the federal capital, Abuja.

Represented by the acting Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Udom Atang, the minister expressed optimism that the wealth of experience of the retirees would be of great value to the administration.

He said that the batch of the retirees were among the earliest staff of the FCTA and FCDA, and, therefore, played crucial roles in building Abuja from the scratch to its current state.

He said that because of their institutional knowledge and experience, the FCTA would be reaching out to them for in-house training to coach and mentor the younger ones.

According to him, nobody can do it better than those who have been here before.

The minister restated the FCTA’s commitment to improve welfare of staff under the “Renewed Hope” agenda of the current administration.

Also speaking, the acting Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, commended the retirees for dedicating a significant portion of their lives to public service.

“These directors have exhibited exemplary leadership, dedication, and professionalism throughout their tenure, serving as beacons of integrity and commitment to the welfare and progress of the FCTA.

“Their unwavering dedication has contributed to the advancement of our administrative processes, the implementation of crucial policies, and the successful execution of numerous projects that have transformed the landscape of the FCT,” Ahmadu said.

Some of the retirees who spoke to journalists on the sideline of the event, encouraged those still in service to build on their achievements for accelerated growth and development of the territory.

One of them, Dr Matthew Ashikeni, urged those in service to focus more on adding value to the system, rather than what they can gain from it.

Ashikeni, who retired as Director, Special Duties at the FCT Health and Environment Secretariat, also tasked the government to invest more in primary health care to attain universal health coverage.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 74 retirees bowed out of service in the third and fourth quarter of 2023. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Lawal

Economic hardship: Council chairman shares food items to FCT communities
Metro

Economic hardship: Council chairman shares food items to FCT communities

 

By Philomina Attah

The Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Mr Christopher Maikalangu, on Saturday distributed bags of grains to vulnerable men and women in Saburi and Dakwa communities in Jiwa Ward of the council.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Maikalangu at the ceremony said the gesture was to help cushion the effects of economic hardship on the beneficiary communities.

According to him, the palliative will be utilised in phases, with the first phase devoted to the distribution of food items to households in communities.

The council chairman said the second phase would take care of subsistence farmers, micro, small and medium scale enterprises.

NAN also reports that Maikalangu personally, alongside his aides, supervised the distribution of items consisting 50kg bags of millet, corn, sugar, and other food items to the communities.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to do the needful toward ensuring equitable distribution of dividend of democracy.

He, however, directed the immediate construction of a Primary School in Bagusa Community and to also fence Zaudna Primary School for security purposes.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

 

NGO empowers 200 women with self-reliance skills in Abuja
Metro , Gender

NGO empowers 200 women with self-reliance skills in Abuja

 

By Philip Yatai

Helpline Social Support Initiative (HSSI), an NGO, has trained 200 women in Abuja, on self-reliance skills, as part of efforts towards building a life of dignity among the poor and vulnerable.

The President of the NGO, Dr Jumai Ahmadu, said at the opening of the training in Abuja, that the training was part of activities to celebrate the 2024 International Women’s Day.

Jumai, who was represented by the organisation’s Programme Manager, Mr Arome Onoja, said that the women were trained on soap and turban making, packaging and marketing strategies.

She added that the training was organised in partnership with Barek Charity Foundation, to provide vulnerable women with life-sustaining skills to improve their quality of life.

She called on governments at all levels to provide grants and other material support to women with skills, to positively change their lives, and in the long run, contribute to national development.

She said that the organisation had been advocating, training, and supporting vulnerable women in Abuja and environs, with means of livelihood.

“Today, Helpline has joined the world in celebrating women from all sections of the society, to impact their lives through vocational skills with a view to reduce their economic hardship.

“When we invest in women, we invest in the future. By providing women with access to education, health care, and economic opportunities, we can unlock their full potentials and drive economic growth.

“Numerous studies have shown that when women are empowered, economies thrive, and closing the gender gap in the workforce also can lead to increased productivity, innovation, and profitability.

“We, therefore, call on all and sundry to join us in bringing succour to the vulnerable women and other vulnerable groups from all sections of our society,” she said.

Also speaking, the Executive Director, Barek Charity Foundation, Mrs Comfort Omoya, said that the training was in line with the 2024 IWD theme, “Empower a Woman, Accelerate Progress”.

Omoya said that the training was designed to strengthen vulnerable women economically, to become self-reliant in the society.

She added that beyond the training, the women would be empowered with soft skills and soap making materials to enable them to use the acquired skills to generate income.

“When you empower a woman, it has a ripple effect. You empower her, she empowers her children, the community, and the world,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Safiya Alhassan, who commended the NGO for organizing the training described it as life-changing.

“Now I know how to make soap to generate income and help my family.

“I want to make use of the skills that I have acquired today to start a business, for the benefit of my family and my community, but I need the government to support me with startup capital,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Isaac Aregbesola

FCDA celebrates retired directors for unblemished, satisfactory service
Metro

FCDA celebrates retired directors for unblemished, satisfactory service

 

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), has celebrated three retired directors for their unblemished, satisfactory, and committed service to humanity.

The Executive Secretary of FCDA, Mr Shehu Ahmad, said during the event in Abuja, that the retirees were being celebrated as  members of the FCDA family and for their contributions to the development of the federal capital.

The retirees are Mr Isah Abdullahi, retired Director, Legal Services, Mr Bello Tunau, retired Director, Department of Engineering Design and Evaluation and Mr Adebowale Ademo, retired Director, Public Building,

Ahmad said, “The FCDA had and has always operated as a family. So, when a family member gets to the terminal point of his career, it is only fair that the family come together and celebrate his exit.

“The gentlemen we are celebrating today have unblemishly, satisfactorily, and committedly served their father land and have been here for 35 years, knowing nothing other than coming to serve in the FCDA.

“So, the maximum part of their lives has been spent in service here, and I think there is every cause for everyone to be happy for them, that they have exited honourably and unblemished too.”

On whether FCDA should be worried about the retirees leaving, the executive secretary said: “We have every cause to worry.

“This is because, these are gentlemen who have gone through all the rudiments of training and have acquired all the skills and expertise in their various fields that the service needs.

“But the only good thing about it is that they had, in the course of their service, trained a lot of their subordinates.

“So, there is a very reasonable succession arrangement, which for us is a comforting thing.”

The executive secretary advised the retirees to float consultancy outfits, make their doors open and their expertise available for the FCDA to consult.

He also advised their successors to learn from their challenges and build on their successes to move FCDA forward.

One of the retirees, Ademo, described his years of service in the FCDA as very fulfilling and leaving the service a fulfilled man.

He promised that his doors would be opened to support the development of the federal capital.

“We believe that success without a successor is not good enough.

“We’ve been very deliberate and intentional in grooming those that we have served together to be able to do the things we have been able to do and even better,” he said.

The story was the same for Abdullahi, who described his retirement as the best moment of his life, due to the specialised training and expertise acquired in legal drafting.

“I handled a lot of Bills that today are functional in the FCTA.

“The FCT Internal Revenue Service Law is one of the laws that I saw through and today, it is one of the agencies of the FCTA that is vibrant.

“There is also the FCT College of Education (COE) Law that established the capital college of education Zuba. and several others.

“Today, we are talking about the FCT Civil Service Commission. It is also one of the laws that I drafted and currently at the verge of being implemented,” he said.

He stressed that such specialised training and skills cannot be taken away from him, adding that it would keep him going through the years of retirement.

On his part, Tunau said he had fully prepared for the retirement, saying, “I am a professional. So, I will continue my practice.

“There is no idle time anymore; life continues in or out of service.” (NAN)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email