By Funmilayo Adeyemi

The President of UNESCO Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO REF), Abdulsalami Ladigbolu, has commended Dr Elizabeth Egbetokun, President of the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), for the agricultural training of women.

Ladigbolu expressed his appreciation during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

He highlighted that, in celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), POWA, in collaboration with UNESCO REF, has been working to enhance the economic value of Nigerian women.

Ladigbolu mentioned that both organisations facilitated training for police Command wives, AIG’s, and DIG’s wives across the federation on the Hydroponic Agriculture program in the United States as part of the 2024 IWD festivities.

“This aligns with the core policy of President Tinubu’s administration to ensure ample food production for the nation, fostering wealth creation, and generating employment opportunities through agricultural value addition.

“It is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s ambition to establish agricultural hubs across Nigeria,” he explained.

Ladigbolu emphasised that the POWA state chairpersons undergoing the training will establish a robust and permanent structure to achieve the president’s agricultural goals.

This effort, he added is also instrumental in contributing to the United Nations Goal 2 by 2030, which focuses on food security.

He noted that it would promote indigenous farming systems, boost productivity through incentives and linkages, and stimulate the development of the value chain at both cottage and industrial levels. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Razak Owolabi

By Philip Yatai

Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) has called on governments at all levels to give women town planners opportunities for responsible leadership in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

National President of the institute, Mr Nathaniel Atebije, made the call at the investiture of the National Chairman of Association of Women Town Planners in Nigeria (AWTPN) in Abuja on Thursday.

Atebije said that the women town planners deserved recognition for leadership positions in governance, following the leadership capacity they had acquired and built over the years.

He noted that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had not had more than five women as Directors of Planning Institutions in its 48 years of existence.

“This applies to almost all states and federal agencies that have not given the female gender the opportunity to excel in their departments.

“Our women have come of age; let us give them the chance to manifest.

“Knowing the humanitarian and benevolent hearts of women, we call on agencies of government and international organisations to kindly collaborate with women in their intervention programmes in communities to ensure the promotion of a liveable world,” he said.

The president also called on communities to assist the government by employing the expertise of town planners, particularly women, for the physical planning of their settlements.

In her inaugural speech, National Chairman of AWTPN, Mrs Rekiyat Fache, said that the association would partner with relevant government agencies and critical stakeholders to move the association forward and contribute to national development.

Fache identified slum upgrading across the federation as one of the major planning interventions of the association.

She also noted that the changing dynamics in climate change required critical thinking and practical solutions to its causative factors.

Fache stated that her leadership would also focus on tree planting as one of the mitigating measures against climate change, including sanitation exercises to clean major cities across the country.

“Similarly, our work plans within the stipulated period are tailored to suit solid waste management and alternative energy from fuel to gas,” she said.

Chairman of the occasion, Mr Isah Shuaibu, said that the investiture created an avenue to reflect on and celebrate the vital contributions of women to urban planning in the country.

According to Shuaibu, the event also symbolises the growing recognition and empowerment of women in shaping the urban fabric of the nation.

He said that the investiture highlighted women’s indispensable role in promoting inclusive and equitable planning processes that respond to the diverse needs of communities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the association presented awards to some notable town planners and other critical stakeholders in the town planning sector.

One of the awardees, Dr Jummai Ahmadu, acting Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, said that the expertise of women in town planning, if properly tapped, would contribute to restoring Abuja to a global city.

Ahmadu called on the women to work with the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to ensure that Abuja takes its place as the pride city of the nation.

Another award recipient, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Development Control, FCT Administration, urged the new leaders of the association to embrace integrity, collaboration and learning, all of which he described as enablers of success. (NAN)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

By Ahmed Ubandoma

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has announced plans to introduce Electronic Vehicles to ease challenges associated with intra and inter-state transportation in the region.

The Chairman of the reconstituted Governing Board of NEDC Retired Maj. Gen. Paul Tarfa, made the announcement shortly after his meeting with members of the board in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was the first after the Board’s inauguration by Vice President Kashim Shettima in August 2023.

Tarfa said the move to embark on the e-mobility projects was to address transportation challenges faced by people in the region.

”We plan to embark on (e-mobility projects) that is Electronic Vehicles to ease the challenges of transportation faced by people in the North East” Tarfa said.

He also said, the purpose of the meeting was to inform Nigerians on the giant strides  the commission made so far.

”Some of the key issues we discussed during the meeting was to ensure the completion of all the ongoing projects.

”Especially the six major road projects that are ongoing across Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Yobe and Borno States and we hope to complete them by Dec. 2024.

Tarfa also informed the gathering of the board’s commitment to key into the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in keeping with his desire for the vulnerable Nigerians.

He, therefore assured Nigerians of their determination to complete all the ongoing projects embarked upon by the commission.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the Commission Mr Mohammed Alkali, said, the board had already approved the use of the electronic vehicles for inter-states mobility within the region.

Alkali further explained that the use of such vehicles would serve as a costs cutting measures against the petrol consuming vehicles.

The NEDC MD also announced plans to release three hundred thousand bags of rice for immediate distribution to support vulnerable communities in the region.

According to him, this is part of the commission’s efforts to support families in need due to the current increase in food prices.

”Some of the items we earmarked for distribution include Spaghetti, vegetable oil, Sugar, branded mats and blankets, male and female cloths as well as children wears” Alkali said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), says it will begin emergency distribution of grains to residents across the six Area Councils of the territory.

FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mahmoud explained that the meeting was to consider the modalities and to constitute a Strategic Committee for the distribution exercise, in line with the directives of President Bola Tinubu.

She explained that Tinubu had instructed that a strategic committee be constituted to ensure a transparent and equitable distribution of the grains to vulnerable Nigerians.

According to her, the distribution would be done through the National Emergency Management Agency.

She expressed disappointment with the area council chairmen for treating the invitation to the maiden stakeholders meeting with levity.

Mahmoud warned the chairmen against any act that would sabotage the good intention of President Tinubu towards the residents of the territory.

She said that members of the committee would be made up of the Chairmen of the six Area Councils of the FCT, representative of the FCT Emergency Management Agency, traditional rulers, Department of State Service, and Nigeria Police Force,

Other representatives would be drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, faith-based organisations, National Union of Local Government Employees, Nigeria Red Cross Society, and women, and youth groups,

Also to be represented in the committee are Persons Living  with Disabilities, Principals of boarding schools, Civil Society Organisations, and the media.

Chairman of the FCT Traditional Rulers, the Ona of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa, assured the minister of the support of traditional leaders.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presidential directive came barely four days after a warehouse belonging to the FCT Administration was invaded and looted by hungry residents. (NAN)

Edited by Gabriel Yough

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) project is 95 per cent completed and will be ready for inauguration in May.

Wike stated this when the Belgium Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Pieter Leenknegt, visited him in Abuja on Wednesday.

The minister explained that the feat was part of efforts to improve public transportation in the federal capital, Abuja.

“When we came on board, we found out that the Abuja Light Rail was not functional and we felt that it will be a good thing for the people, if we decongest the city by putting it to function.

“So, President Bola Tinubu directed that whatever can be done, should be done, so that in his one year in office, the light rail will come on board for the use of the residents.

“The people can use it going out of the city, going to the airport and other area councils, and instead of going with their vehicles they can take the train.

“I can announce to you that we are almost there. The company handling the project, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), is almost 95 per cent completed.

“By the grace of God, we believe that in May, Mr President will inaugurate it,” the minister said.

Wike added that discussion was on-going with private investors to change the mode of public transportation in the FCT.

He acknowledged that the deficit in public transportation constituted a security challenge in the city, adding that most of the operators were not registered.

He expressed concern that most residents did not know the vehicle they were boarding, adding that efforts were on-going to ensure all public transport operators were registered.

The minister added that the government had concluded plans to build taxi and bus terminals where residents could patronise registered and identified operators.

He further said that the construction of the terminals would commence in the next one month, with the approval of the Bureau of Public Procurement.

The minister also said that discussion was on-going with the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General, Department of State Services, and cattle herders on ways to stop open grazing in the city.

He explained that the discussion was to get the herders to understand why they should not rear cattle within the city.

“I can tell you that it is not what we want, but believing that the matter will be resolved and alternatives will be provided for the herders to rear their cattle,” he said.

Wike also sought partnership with the Belgian government on security and agriculture.

Earlier, the Ambassador said that the visit was to get to know the minister’s plans in mass public transportation, update on the Abuja Light Rail project and the stand on open grazing in the city.

Leenknegt expressed satisfaction with developments in the FCT, particularly the green vegetation and trees as well as less traffic.

He said that the Belgian government was open for partnership on areas of mutual benefits. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Philip Yatai

Workers in FCT Administration and Federal Capital Development Authority, under the umbrella of Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC), have elected new leaders for a term of three years.

Mrs Rifkatu Iortyer, the immediate Vice President of the union emerged President unopposed in Abuja on Tuesday.

Other elected officials are Mr Musa Istifanus as Vice President, Mr Umar Abdullahi, Secretary and Eric Esemekhai, Treasurer.

The President said after the election that she would prioritise the welfare of workers in the next three years through constructive engagement with management of the FCTA.

Iortyer said that she would pool the knowledge and experience of workers to push for improved welfare packages.

“Together we will put our heads together through teamwork to improve on where our predecessors stopped.

“My priority is the welfare of workers. This is because, if you are a leader, it is the welfare of members that is paramount and what should be on your mind,” she said.

She promised to have a cordial working relationship with the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, who has demonstrated high regards for workers and their welfare.

The president particularly said that Wike had already secured President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the implementation of the FCT Civil Service Commission Act, 2018.

She said that Wike was on the verge of appointing nine permanent secretaries for the nine secretariats of the FCT Administration.

“So far, he is in the right direction because the civil service commission has been our fight for a very long time.

“The union has not met with the minister, but we have put one or two requests, and he has answered us even without interfacing with us.

“Every of our requests is being considered; that is the most important thing. So, we expect that we are going to have a good working relationship with the minister,” she said.

The outgone president, Mr Korede Matilukoro, who served for two terms, said that the journey had not been easy.

Matilukoro described the implementation of the FCT CAC law, promotion of directors from between levels 10 and 15, to over 146 and the promotion confirmation, advancement, and conversion as some key achievements.

He said that under his leadership, the union secured land allocation for about 200 members for the development of FCT/FCDA Staff Housing Estate.

He said that so far compensations have been paid, building plan approval secured, including survey and other requirements.

He said that the new leadership would deliver the allocation for the benefiting staff.

Matilukoro said that the welfare of workers had significantly improved under his leadership among other successes, and urged the new leadership to build on what has been achieved so far. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Angela Atabo

The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), has called for policy reforms that will ensure adequate funding and maintenance structure for any projects to be embarked upon by the government.

The NSE President, Ms Margaret Oguntala made the call at an event in Abuja, to mark the World Engineering Day themed “Engineering Solutions for Sustainable World”.

Oguntala said most projects became moribund because of lack of funding and maintenance culture.

“We find out that in Nigeria, when we embark on  projects, we do not have plans on how to maintain them and that’s why they become moribund.

“There is therefore the need for a review of our policies in a way that will capture the maintenance of any project after their completion,” she said.

Oguntala gave the example of the refineries which for many years had not been performing optimally leading to importation of petroleum products

She recalled that in the 80s  Engineers were engaged to manage and maintain a lot of projects, but the culture had since changed as  a lot of projects were now moribund.

Oguntala stressed the need for policy reforms to involve engineers in all national projects for  regular maintenance and  sustainability.

She specifically underscored  the need to  strengthen  legal frameworks that would allow for transformation of the power sector among others for economic development.

According to her , Nigeria needs to leverage on the variety of engineers available in all sectors of the economy for sustainable development.

Oguntala underscored the significant roles of Engineers in proffering solutions in the face of the current global economic, social and humanitarian crises.

She said that the World Engineering Day  offered a unique opportunity to give hope to younger persons, whether they are already in the profession or aspiring to become engineers.

The Minister of Works ,David Umahi, represented by his Chief of Staff, Joseph Ekumankama, commended NSE for its effort in developing Nigeria and reassured NSE of the government’s support.

Prof. Abubakar Sambo, President-Elect, Nigerian Academy of Science, in his presentation titled “:The case of Nigeria, advocated alternative means of generating electricity.

Sambo said there is the need for Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African nations to adopt robust energy policies based on carefully produced energy demand and supply projections. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi