The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says on Tuesday, that the FCT Administration (FCTA) is open for partnership with the Republic of Ireland.
The partnership, he said, would be in the areas of agriculture, vocational education and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Wike disclosed this when the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Peter Ryan, visited him in his office in Abuja.
He said that through the partnership, the FCT Administration would grow the economy of the FCT while leveraging the strong ties between Nigeria and the Republic of Ireland.
On ICT, Wike said that President Bola Tinubu-led administration would create technology jobs for the youth through his Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, the FCTA intends to provide opportunities for the youths in the digital economy to reduce unemployment.
“We think that we would be interested in partnering with companies in Ireland where we can build ICT hubs for the interest of the youths, to reduce the level of unemployment.
“Again, education is key for us, particularly vocational and skilled education, where our youths can acquire some skills in particular areas,” the minister said.
The minister also identified agriculture, with the available vast land in the FCT, as a very critical sector that could contribute to improving the economy of the federal capital.
He said that the FCT Administration would be very happy to collaborate with companies in Ireland to introduce technology-based agriculture in the FCT.
This, he said, could be achieved through leveraging the expertise in Ireland, adding that all partnerships would be for the mutual benefit of both Ireland and the FCT.
Responding, the Irish envoy informed Wike of his country’s willingness to connect FCTA to expert teams in Ireland for further discussions.
He explained that Ireland has a cultural hub in its largest chamber of commerce – the Dublin Smart City, where different partners and businesses work closely.
According to him, the cultural footprint of Ireland is one of the reasons foreign investors are attracted to Ireland.
He assured the minister that he would connect the FCTA and its policy makers to the consortium of experts in his country.
On vocational education, the ambassador said that the head of its largest vocational education provider would be in Abuja in the second week of December and would be at the minister’s disposal for talks.
The Ambassador also acknowledged the existing opportunities for collaboration to promote indigenous technology startups in Abuja.
“A lot of the startups in Dublin are spinouts of the big technology players like Google and Meta.
“We work closely with them as indigenous startups to create jobs for young people and as you know, a lot of these people are geography neutral.
“They just want talented young people, and they want an environment where they can flourish.
“We can see the potential for it in Abuja. Maybe there is one or two little steps we could take together to demonstrate practical things”, he added. (NAN)
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has tasked journalists on effective reportage of Federal Government agenda on employment generation in the country.
Mr Emmanuel Igbinosun, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said this at a one-day workshop on Monday in Abuja.
The theme of the workshop organised by the Press and Public Relations in the ministry is “Strategic Reportage on Job Creation/Employment Generation for Labour Correspondents”.
Igbinosun said that journalists and the mass media have acritical role to play in the success of President Bola Tinubu administration.
According to him, journalists have the task of educating the public on the activities of the government towards delivering on the present government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“As one of the eight-point agenda of this administration, tackling unemployment is central to the success of this administration.
“Every effort and policy of the government on it requires adequate publicity and public awareness.
“The media, as dependable allies of the government in national development, needs to report on them effectively,” he said.
On the workshop, Igbinosun said it was organised for the understanding and strategic reporting of job creation and employment generation aspects of the Ministry’s mandate.
He added that the workshop was also in recognition of the significant role of the media as a strategic partner to the ministry, in actualisng its mandate and delivering on its services.
“The workshop will focus on deepening the knowledge of the Labour correspondents in the functions of the ministry in achieving that,” he said.
He urged all to work together with the federal government in achieving its agenda of generating employment through in-depth and knowledge-based reporting of the government’s efforts and policies in that area.
Also, Mr Joseph Akpan, Director of Employment and Wages in the ministry, said the mandate of the ministry was not primarily to create jobs for unemployed citizens or address issues of strikes.
Akpan said that, rather, the ministry was established to aid the government in power to ensure there was a conducive environment to boost job availability.
He added that employment opportunities can be seen as a boost if the road networks were in good shape and if an effective compensation scheme was in place as well as other contingencies.
Akpan also noted that the best option for job creation was self-employment or entrepreneurship because of the capacity for expansion.
Speaking, Mr Olajide Oshundun, Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, noted that many Nigerians hold the erroneous belief that the Labour ministry only settled industrial disputes.
He said these insinuations or speculations necessitated the workshop to promote a better understanding of the workings of the ministry.
Also, Dr Tiza Shaakaa, Deputy Director, Skills Development and Certification Department in the ministry, said the ministry had trained and certified over 70000 Nigerians.
He said the training took place between 2020 and 2022 in various skill acquisition programmes aimed at bridging the nation’s unemployment gap.
He also noted that the ministry’s newly revised National Employment Policy was ready for the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
Mr Patrick Abulu, Acting Chairman of Labour Correspondents of Nigeria (LACAN) commended the ministry for the efforts to ensure that journalists were educated on the programmes of the ministry. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
President Bola Tinubu has sympathised with the Canadian government, diplomatic community, and persons affected by a fire incident on Monday at the Canadian High Commission in Abuja.
This is contained in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Monday in Abuja.
The President assured the Canadian authorities of the support of the Federal Government in the aid of diplomatic and local staff of the High Commission who were particularly affected by the incident.
Tinubu prayed for the repose of the departed souls and wished all injured persons a rapid and full recovery.(NAN)
President Bola Tinubu is to attend the Arab-African and Saudi-Africa summits holding this week in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this on Sunday while briefing State House Correspondents in Abuja.
He said that the attendance of president was predicated on the administration’s drive to use all avenues to attract Foreign Direct Investment into the various sectors of the economy.
‘’The president will use the summit to attract Foreign Direct Investment into the country. The two summits will surely yield tangible economic benefits for the country and Africa.
He added that the president would be aggressive, like in all other of his engagements, in attracting genuine foreign investors into different sectors of the economy.
The Arab-African Summit is aimed at establishing practical solutions for developing Arab-African cooperation and catching up with the emerging and influential international powers in African.
The summit seeks to identify fields for cooperation, build a common vision for sharing knowledge and experience, and identify projects and frameworks for improving bilateral and multilateral ties between Arab and African countries.
‘’In light of the geostrategic shifts unfolding in the international system, Arab countries are collectively and diligently seeking to diversify their strategic partners.
‘’This effort has created opportunities for establishing promising strategic partnerships in several fields with many actors in the international community,’’ Dr Khalid Manzalawi, Assistant Secretary-General for International Political Affairs of the League of Arab States, said at a meeting in Cairo in October.
Some of the objectives of the Summit include reinvigoration of the Arab-African Relations, addressing issues relating to conflicts and counter-terrorism as well as tackling challenges such as poverty, education, health, food security, developmental matters, debt crises, and global challenges like climate change, migration, and humanitarian aid.
The Summit was last held in 2016.
Ngelale said that detailed briefing would be made in the course of the various meetings by the president with investors, which are relevant to the economic rejuvenation of the country.
He said that the president would be accompanied to the summit by cabinet members, the business community as well as other relevant government functionaries.(NAN)
An Abuja-based businessman, Alhaji Aminu Baba-Kusa, has donated 3.25 hactares of land housing the famous Al-Noor Masjid (Mosque) and another edifice to the International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education (ICICE) in Abuja.
Baba-Kusa presented the legal documents of the land, including the mosque and the edifice, to the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the centre, Prof. Ibrahim Sulaiman, at Wuse 2, FCT.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Baba-Kusa conceived the idea of building the mosque in 2005 during Umrah (lesser Hajj) and eventually acquired the land, constructed and completed the mosque while prayer started in July 2012.
Baba-Kusa said he decided to donate the property for the sake of the Almighty Allah and his commitment to the advancement of Islam and Muslim community in the country.
“I thank God for giving me the opportunity to be here personally because I have been down for over two years, but to God be the glory, I’m healthy today.
“On behalf of myself and family that we decided to give half of the entire land housing the Al-Noor mosque to the International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education (ICICE) for the benefits of Muslim ummah.
“So half of it is about 3.25 hectares of land, which is here 3.25 hactares.
“This include the building we are in now, the mosque expansion and the proposed parking lots which we have at the tip end of the plots.
“And this is for the benefit of Muslims all over not only in Abuja but others that will be coming because there are so many activities that will be going on.”
He expressed optimism that the centre would continue to be a reference point and platform for the propagation of Islam.
Al-Noor mosque, situated along Ibrahim Babangida Way in Wuse II, Abuja.
“I hope at the end of the day this centre will be a platform for Muslims in the country.
“I am happy that I’m part of it today and part of this ceremony to handover all these documents to Prof. Ibrahim Sulaman, who has being the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Al-Noor Mosque since 2012, when we started operating.
“And this is about 11 years and to God be the glory, it is done and that is a great day. I am happy really to see that I’m donating for the sake of Allah for the use of Islam.”
He noted that the remaining portion of the land was curved out for his Al-Noor Education Ltd.
“This is our company, so we will take this part of the land for other uses that will help bring in lots of activities to the centre,” Baba-Kusa said.
Responding, Sulaiman, who commended Baba-Kusa for donating for the sake of Allah, challenged him to strive to give more charity.
“Today is historical and momentous for each and every one of us. Anybody who doubt before about what Alhaji Aminu Baba-Kusa can do that doubt is gone.
“We have been together all our lives and we never seize being together: now this is the culmination of being together and I am happy is for a good course, for the sake of Muslim Ummah, for the sake of humanity.
“I will not ask him to stop where he has stopped. I think he still has more to do for us, for Islam and for the Muslim community.
“So, do more because when you do more you will never loose for doing your best for the sake of Allah.”
Also, the Director-General of the ICICE), Dr Kabir Kabo, said the centre with support from the Islamic Development Bank and Public Private Partnership built offices and residential shops.
“And that will enable us to have our vision fulfilled by establishing Al-Noor University in Abuja.”
The Director-General of ICICE, Dr Kabir Kabo, while conducting journalists round the properties.
He thanked the donor and his entire family for their courage to support and accept the donation.
He said Nigeria need people like Baba-Kusa, sayng that if many people emulate the kind gesture of the donor Nigerian society will definitely be a better place.
Kabo assured that the centre would continue to initiate quality educational and humanitarian programmes to help the needy, widows, orphans and conduct medical outreach to improve health condition of the poor and destitute.
“On behalf of the management of the ICICE, the custodian of Al-Noor mosque, we are actually proud and delighted with the contribution that has been made by our able generous and very kind per excellent, Aminu Baba-Kusa.
“We are grateful to him for donating a land with a building that is worth billions and also the mosque that he built himself that is worth billions and even the fencing of the land.
“Today, I am self fulfilled as the D-G of the centre and I will want Allah to grant him mercy, reward him with Aljannah and reward him with what he has done not only in the hereafter but also in this life.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration will provide the needed infrastructure before allocating land to anyone for development.
Wike stated this when the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, visited him in Abuja on Thursday.
He said that his predecessor had made some allocations, adding, however, that some of the areas had no infrastructure or access roads to the lands.
“For me, it is baseless to allocate land to people when they cannot have access to them. For the development of the land, we want to make sure you have access to them,” he said.
The minister said that President Bola Tinubu had given him the go-ahead to allocate land to the executive, the legislative and the judicial arms of government.
He, however, said that what was delaying the allocations was developing the strategy on how it would be done, considering the huge number of expected beneficiaries across the three arms of government.
“So, what we are trying to do is to do it in phases, because all cannot be done at the same time,” he said.
Wike stressed the need for the three arms of government to work together, while maintaining their respective independence.
While acknowledging the importance of the judiciary to the survival of the nation’s democracy, he stated that whatever it required to strengthen is could not amount to over-demanding.
Earlier, Tsoho appealed for allocation of landed properties to all the serving Federal High Court judges.
“The peculiarity of our job, due to frequent transfers, takes us everywhere without being recognised in any of these states or even our states of origin.
“This is because we are not likely to be posted to our states of origin.
“Consequently, we are denied various forms of policies as judges and justices, serving and retired, since we are not part of the judiciaries of such states.
“Failure to cater for our interests at the federal level makes us seemingly orphans and stateless.
“We believe, however, that service nationwide translates into being truly federal citizens who should be recognised and given a stake in the Federal Capital Territory.
“I kindly urge Your Excellency to use your good offices in allocating landed properties to all serving federal high court judges,” the chief judge said. (NAN)
Mr Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has promised to ensure timely completion of ongoing renovation of the National Mosque and the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
Wike gave the assurance after he inspected the ongoing renovation of the two national monuments in Abuja on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the leadership of the National Mosque and the Christian Worship Centre had visited Wike and appealed for the completion of renovation projects.
Wike, after assuring them of his full support, promised to visit the two centres to see things for himself before deciding on the next line of action.
The minister told journalists shortly after the inspection tour that the renovation at the National Mosque stopped due to additional work that ought to be done.
He expressed satisfaction with what was done so far and gave the approval for funds to be released to the contractor to enable him to complete the additional work.
On the National Christian Centre, Wike said he would look at the cost of the phase two renovation project and approve it if it is within what FCT can fund.
He said that if the cost exceeds FCT approval threshold, he would approach President Bola Tinubu for approval, assuring that Tinubu would not abandon such important national monuments.
“He is not anti any religion; he takes all religion as one, because we are one Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has adopted the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business Initiative, to strengthen Public-Private Partnerships in driving sustainable development in the agricultural sector.
Mr Lawan Geidam, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, stated this when the officials of the Agribusiness Innovation International Limited (AGRICON), visited him in Abuja on Thursday.
Geidam added that the secretariat was in talks with several private organisations as part of efforts to reposition the agricultural landscape of the territory.
He said the private sector had a crucial role in the quest for sustainable food and nutrition security in the capital city, Abuja.
“The FCT Administration has keyed the into the ease of doing business initiated by the Federal Government to galvanise private sector investment in the socio-economic development of the country.
“This is being achieved through the injection of funds and efficient ideas that will help to enhance the development of the nation and the capital city.
“The agricultural sector is expected to be a major beneficiary of this initiative,” Geidam said.
He assured investors that the agricultural sector would receive the needed attention under the visionary leadership of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike and the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud.
This, he said, would help to unlock the abundant potentials of the sector, not only to investors but the teeming population of the FCT, particularly in the provision of sustainable means of livelihood.
The mandate secretary recognised the contributions of AGRICON, which he said was adding value to the agricultural sector in the FCT.
He expressed optimism that private sector investment would transform FCT to a centre for agricultural innovation.
Earlier, Mr Maurice Ebo, Chief Executive Officer, AGRICON, lauded the FCT Administration for the opportunity to contribute to the development of Abuja.
Ebo said that the visit was to update the Mandate Secretary on the activities of the oganisation and the impact on the famers.
He added that the visit was also to brief him on the upcoming 2024 AGRICON Fair and Expo, which would focus on oil palm production for the benefit of FCT famers.
He acknowledged the potential of public-private partnerships in driving progress in the agricultural sector and improving the livelihoods of FCT residents. (NAN)
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has warned against the use of the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture complex in Garki, Abuja, as a drinking joint by shop owners.
Mr Ibrahim Masari, the Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat, FCTA, gave the warning during an emergency meeting with business operators and shop owners at the secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.
Masari, thereafter, designated 7.30 p.m. as the daily closing hour for all business and shop owners operating within the complex due to security concerns.
He expressed dismay at the level of lawlessness that transpired within the secretariat when he paid an unscheduled visit to the complex around 7.10 p.m. on Oct. 29.
He explained that the visit was to affirm the veracity of the information at his disposal about the heinous acts that happens at the complex late hours of the night.
“To my dismay, I discovered more than 500 persons within the complex at such late hours, enjoying themselves with alcoholic drinks and smoking indiscriminately.
“I was not aware of what the event or activity was all about, as there was no official communication whatsoever to that effect.
“After waiting patiently till about 8.30 p.m. with no signs of them exiting soon, I invited some of the private security guards on duty who accompanied me to disperse the gathering.
“This is very disturbing.
“Management will no longer condone a situation whereby non-staff and tenants in the secretariat will stay back after official closing hours to as late as 9 p.m,” he said.
The mandate scribe said that the 7.30 p.m closing hour would take effect from Thursday, advising members of the public to take note to avoid embarrassment from security personnel.
He stressed that the civil service rule forbids the sale of alcohol or any other intoxicating substances within working premises.
He added that an internal mechanism has been activated to sanction business owners who encouraged such lawlessness and disregard to the extant rules.
“Business owners and members of the public who transact businesses in the complex after 7.30 p.m will have themselves to blame, if caught flouting this directive.
“Our private security guards have been duly advised accordingly,” he said.
He explained that the decision was imperative taking into consideration the security of lives as well as government properties. (NAN)
Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero has commended Air Peace Airline’s Tuesday’s maiden commercial flight to Jeddah.
The airline’s spokesman, Mr Stanley Olisa, stated in Ikeja on Wednesday that the emir commended Air Peace for expanding its Asian footprints with Tuesday’s flight.
Air Peace operated its maiden commercial flight from Kano to Jeddah on Tuesday on a B777s jet carrying 231 passengers.
The airline had in the past been operating chartered flights to Saudi Arabia on Hajj operations.
The emir noted that with the launch of the scheduled nonstop flights to Jeddah, Air Peace would further deepen bilateral ties between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, boost economies of both countries and advance mutual development.
Ado-Bayero also commended the Chairman of Air Peace Airlines, Dr Allen Onyema for the impact he was creating in the country through the airline.
He thanked the Saudi Arabian authorities, travel partners and the Nigerian government for making the launch possible.
Reacting, Onyema described Air Peace’s entry into Jeddah as a milestone, stating that Jeddah was the airline’s sixth international destination in nine years of launch of commercial operations.
“This is huge, not just for Air Peace, but for Nigeria.
“We are undoubtedly exemplifying our ambition of connecting Nigeria to the world with world-class flight services.
“Air Peace is on a mission to easing the air travel burdens of Nigerians and plugging the connectivity gaps that had hitherto existed.
“We are happy to be serving as a means of solidifying socio-economic ties between Nigeria and other countries of the world,’’ Onyeama said.
He noted that Nigeria and Saudi Arabia had always cooperated smoothly with religious tourism being a key driver of the relationship.
He said that in line with its route expansion drive, Air Peace would launch flight operations into London soon.
Onyeama expressed gratitude to the emir of Kano who felicitated with the airline during its recent ninth anniversary, describing the emir as a bridge-builder.
He also applauded Ado-Bayero for his contributions to nation-building, adding that the nation needed more of such traditional rulers.
He said Air Peace was modernising and increasing its fleet as it already signed an order for five new E175 aircraft in addition to existing orders for 15 Boeing MAX aircraft. (NAN)
Edited by Alli Hakeem
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