By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has provided eyecare services and donated reading glasses to more than 500 workers in the administration.

Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), FCTA, stated this during a news briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

Fasawe explained that the media briefing was part of activities to commemorate the 2023 World Sight Day, with the theme, “Love Your Eyes at Work”.

She said that the free services, which took place on Tuesday, were part of continued efforts to make eyecare services affordable and available to the working population of the FCTA.

“During the eye screening, 500 staffers of the FCTA were given reading glasses free to complement President Bola Tinubu’s initiative.

“You will recall that President Tinubu had in September inaugurated the distribution of five million reading glasses to Nigerians.

“As an individual, I am donating 750 reading glasses to the FCTA in support of the 2023 WSD activities,” Fasawe said.

She added that the team would move to Karu Abattoir on Wednesday to screen the workers and the immediate community.

Fasawe said that drugs and other medical interventions would be provided while an additional 500 reading glasses would be donated to the community members.

“Last year, we provided optical, medical, and surgical interventions to the teaming population of FCT residents, with support from relevant stakeholders and the Federal Ministry of Health.

“This year, the HSES has received the support of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike to celebrate the WSD with rapt attention to the sight and visual needs of workers.

“This is an indication of Wike’s resolve to ensure that FCT stays in the forefront in the fight to reduce the menace of avoidable blindness,” she said.

Fasawe added that a considerable proportion of Nigerians had the tendency to wait until there was an emergency before seeking the help of the eye care professional.

This, according to her, makes intervention and treatment difficult with outcomes that could have been better if presented earlier.

Fasawe described the workers of the FCTA as “middle-aged, highly mobile, dynamic, and very active”, stressing the need to take proper care of the eyes for maximum productivity.

“Over the years, we have continued to strengthen our eye care delivery system in the FCT with the establishment of eye clinics in 10 secondary health care facilities owned by the FCTA.

“In all of these centres, quality eye care services are being delivered in our bid to reduce avoidable blindness and visual impairment in the FCT,” she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, with the cooperation of the World Health Organization has set aside the second Thursday of October, every year, for the celebration of WSD. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says it has reduced its emergency response time from five to three minutes to reduce casualties and save lives and properties.

Mrs Florence Wenegieme, Director, Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, FEMA, made this known during a sensitisation campaign to commemorate the 2023 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the sensitisation was carried out at Bwari Area Council Secretariat, Abuja and the Palace of Esu Sa-Bwaya of Bwari (the Chief of Bwari), Ibrahim Yaro.

The sensitisation with the theme, “Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future for All” began on Oct. 4 across the six Area Councils of the FCT.

Wenegieme explained that the three minutes response time became faceable after training community structures to serve as first respondents to emergencies in their various communities.

She identified the community structures as local divers, emergency vanguards, disaster marshals, town criers, volunteers and other structures like youth and women groups.

She said that the community structures have been adequately trained on emergency response through drills and simulations to equip them with the needed knowledge and skills.

The director added that FEMA had equally procured power bikes for the agency officials to navigate the Abuja traffic and reach the emergency scene within three minutes.

According to her, emergency management is multisectoral and everyone’s business, including school going age children.

“Community members are usually the first respondents to an emergency because it happens within their community.

“They have been adequately trained to know exactly what to do during emergencies and rescue operations before FEMA officials arrive.

“This quick response will ensure that more lives and properties are saved,” she added.

Wenegieme explained that the awareness campaign was to ensure that residents identify disaster risk in their respective communities and know how to prevent and mitigate disasters to reduce the impact.

She added that sensitising community members was critical to ensure that no one was left behind during emergencies.

She particularly stressed the need for community members to pay attention to vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, the blind, the aged, and people living in disaster prone areas.

Responding, the Esu of Bwari Yaro promised to cooperate with FEMA in driving the disaster risk reduction messages to every household in Bwari area council.

Earlier, the Council Chairman, Bwari Area Council, Mr John Gabaya, said that the council has inaugurated its Local Emergency Management Committee to respond to emergencies at local level.

Bagaya, who was represented by the Council Secretary, Me Eli Kadanya, said that the council had taken proactive measures against hazards to avert disasters.

He explained that part of the measures included clearing of refuse, desilting of drainages and sensitization of residents against building on water wars and follow prone areas.

He assured FEMA of the council’s support in ensuring that community members were enlightened and mobilised to take action against disaster. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has approved the appointment of Mr Benedict Daudu, a Lawyer, as his Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Multilateral Cooperation.

The Director of Press, Office of the Minister, Mr Anthony Ogunleye, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said that the appointment was with immediate effect.

Ogunleye explained that the appointment was in recognition of Daudu’s outstanding legal expertise, extensive academic background, and profound understanding of key policy issues.

He said that Daudu, a distinguished and practicing Attorney in Nigeria, was expected to bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new role.

“He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Buckingham University in 2010, demonstrating his commitment to legal excellence from the outset of his career.

“Following his LLB, Daudu furthered his education by attending the Nigerian Law School between 2010 and 2012, where he honed his legal skills and deepened his understanding of Nigerian jurisprudence.

“His dedication to continuous learning and academic excellence led him to the prestigious George Washington University Law School, where he obtained his master’s degree in 2013.

“Daudu’s academic achievements are complemented by his extensive professional experience, which spans various areas of law,” he said.

Ogunleye added that Daudu’s years of legal practice had provided him with an in-depth understanding and practical experience in critical policy issues.

He identified his areas of expertise to include cybercrime law, anti-money laundering regulation, constitutional law, human rights, civil litigation cases and West African socio-cultural realities.

Ogunleye added, “His working experience has seen him working in various prestigious law firms within and outside the country, including JB Dauda and Co, Adams Law Office LLC and Ade Okeaya and Co.” (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday impounded 69 vehicles for various offences as part of its continued efforts to make Abuja city safe and clean.

The vehicles were impounded by the FCT combined Security Task Force at different locations in the federal capital, Abuja.

Mr Abdulatef Bello, Director, FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Service (DRTS), said that the seizures were in continuation of operations to clean the city of illegal operators of commercial vehicles.

This, according to him, is to improve security of lives and properties in Abuja.

Bello explained that the vehicles were impounded for offences such as wrong parking, operating ricketier vehicles, number plate violation, and vehicles suspected to belong to one chance operators among others.

He said that the FCT Administration would not rest in its effort to ensure the city was clean from all kinds of nuisance.

He added that the owners of the impounded vehicles would be prosecuted by FCT Mobile Court sitting in the premises of the DRTS.

The director said that three of the vehicle owners, suspected to be one chance operations, would be handed over to the police for prosecution.

He attributed the high number of casualties of once chance operators to the ineffectiveness of mass transportation system in the city.

Displaying a sharp object seized from one of the suspected one chance operators, the Secretary, Command and Control Unit, FCTA, Mr Peter Olumuji, said the administration was working hard to curb the menace.

Olumuji advised road users to patronise only painted taxis for their own safety, adding that efforts were ongoing to address the transportation deficit in the city.

Also speaking, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, Director, Department of Development Control, FCTA, equally blamed the high rate of criminalities in the FCT on indiscipline.

Galadima said that FCTA would continue to sensitize road users on the need to be extra careful when using taxis, so as not to become victims of one chance operators.

He particularly advised residents against patronising unpainted taxis or those without number plates. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has sought the collaboration of the European Union (EU) to strengthen the economy of the federal capital, Abuja.

Wike made the appeal when the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Samuela Isopi, visited him in his office in Abuja on Monday.

He said that the EU could partner with the FCT Administration in the areas of agriculture, tourism, and security.

The minister said that FCT was open for cooperation and investments in the aforementioned areas towards building a viable economy in FCT.

According to him, increased cooperation, and partnership in agriculture, tourism and security will help to unlock the economic potentials of the FCT and create jobs for the teeming populace of the city.

He expressed optimism that the visit of the Ambassador would create something tangible that would impact on the lives of the residents of the city.

Wike, who said he did not believe in mere visits, stressed the need to finalise on what needed to be done.

“Not just coming to tell me we are here to partner with you, we are here to work with you.

“It is good, but at the end of the day, the people will want to see what the achievements are, which for me, is a priority.

“You know that Abuja is one of the best cities in terms of available facilities. The landscape is beautiful, and it is a tourist and agricultural area.

“These are areas we can partner with you sincerely.

“Maybe, when we meet with the member countries, it becomes specific, which of these areas we can deal with, maybe agriculture, tourism, and security as the case may be,” the minister added.

He added that as part of the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, Wike said that the FCT Administration had submitted a proposal for the establishment of a Secretariat that would deal with women development issues.

This, he said, would ensure inclusion and promote the participation of women in governance.

Earlier, the EU Ambassador, said that the Union was refocusing its cooperation towards improving agricultural value chains and renewable energy.

This, according to her, would assist Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda. (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

By Olatunde Ajayi

Abduljelil Odunlami, a Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), says 1,100 inmates from the Agodi Correctional Centre in Ibadan are currently awaiting trial for various offences.

Odunlami, while visiting the Ibadan Branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said the facility currently housed a total of 1,244 inmates.

He added that the inmates comprise 24 female and 1,220 male, with 144 of the total number of inmates already convicted of various offences.

Odunlami disclosed that the aim of the visit was to seek for cooperation and support of members of the Ibadan Branch of NBA in helping inmates.

”We want you to assist inmates without financial means to get legal assistance, as our Agodi facility is housing many inmates who do not have financial capacity to get legal aid,” he said.

He added that the Agodi Correctional Centre was supposed to house inmates in the Ibadan axis by virtue of regulations.

“But some inmates are now being taken to the Oyo axis, and this is an aberration to the NCoS.”

Odunlami said the awaiting trial inmates needed NBA’s support for a quick dispensation of justice, especially those who do not have the financial capacity to get lawyers and are with critical sickness.

“If an offender within Ibadan is being remanded in the Oyo town correctional facility, there may be delay in justice.

“There may be an attack on the road, as well as the problem of safety on the road. Time must also be considered.

“So, I want us to join hands and work together to ensure that inmates within Ibadan are retained in the Agodi correctional facility for a quick administration of justice.

“Government is doing its best, but corporate organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like NBA also need to complement government’s efforts in the provision of welfare packages for inmates,” he said.

In her response, the Chairperson of Ibadan Branch of NBA, Folashade Aladeniyi, said the awaiting trial inmates have constitutional rights to be visited.

She said this would be within a specified timeframe and by their relations and lawyers without any financial obligation.

The chairperson, who was represented by the branch’s Secretary, Olakunle Akintola, urged correctional facility officers to ensure easy protocol for relations’ attention without intimidation or extortion.

Aladeniyi also urged correctional officers to always ensure proper evaluation of inmates to be presented for pardon or release during facility decongestion exercise, especially inmates with critical and life-threatening sickness.

“We are still finding it difficult to get medical certificates from medical facilities within correctional centres to apply for bail applications in courts.

“Something must be done about this because the medical facilities within the correctional facilities can not handle some inmates’ sickness,” the chairperson said.

Speaking also, Olakunle Faokunla, Chairman of the Advocacy Committee of Ibadan Branch of NBA, assured of continued partnership between the NBA and correctional centres in the state.

He said this would be in the areas of administration of justice and welfare support.

“Our branch has been visiting correctional facilities in the state and will continue to engage with the inmates to provide necessary support when needed.”

Edited by Olawale Alabi)

By Gabriel Agbeja

Dr Bashir Jamoh, Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), says the blue economy will offer 350 million jobs to Nigerian citizens if adequately harnessed.

Jamoh, who was represented by the Acting Coordinator of NIMASA, Abuja Office, Hajia Rakiya Lamai, made this known during the NIMASA Special Day at the 18th Abuja International Trade Fair, Abuja.

According to him, Nigeria’s vast under-utilised blue economy offers huge opportunities for growth and development to overcome its present economic challenge.

“The blue economy has enormous potential as it offers the country the opportunities of 350 million new jobs if adequately harnessed.

“Ocean resources like fishes, shrimps and other sea foods have not been satisfactorily harnessed, just as ship repairs are done in neighboring countries and in faraway Turkey because the facilities are lacking locally.

“With a combination of modern technology, relevant laws and support from the Federal Government, relevant agencies and stakeholders, disbursement of  CVFF Funds, NIMASA is working to fulfill its mandate of regulating operations in the maritime industry,” he said.

He said NIMASA was intensifying efforts to secure the Nigerian maritime environment and develop indigenous capacity for shipping expansion to provide value addition for sustainable growth and development of the Nigerian economy.

Jamoh further said waterways expansion would be a much better incentive than tax waivers as it would encourage more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and private sector involvement in the maritime transport business.

According to the NIMASA boss, moving toward waterways expansion will boost Port services and encourage the much-needed development in the industry.

“While we await a cohesive policy to fully kick into gear, we must all become ‘Blue Ambassadors’ (Advocates for the Blue Economy).

“The Blue Economy is every Nigeria’s Economy; the Media, Civil Society and other non-state actors, all have a role to play in galvanizing greater national awareness and participation.

“We must rethink our waters, we need a total rethink from a ceremonial view; events such as Argungu Fishing Festival as well as others which must be redesigned and repackaged from the standpoint of the blue economy,” he said.

He said efforts ought to be doubled to banish sea blindness amongst Nigerians and make seaward and sea-related activities more mainstream and attractive.

He added that a Public Private Partnership (PPP) ought to be harnessed for maritime cluster development. (NAN) (wwwnannews.ng)

FGA/MAM/VAO

Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Vincent Obi

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), FCT Administration, says community participation in emergency management is crucial to disaster risk reduction in the country.

Mrs Florence Wenegieme, Director, Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, FEMA, stated this on Friday in Abuja during the agency’s ongoing sensitisation campaign in commemoration of the 2023 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Wenegieme said at the Palace of Sa’Peyi of Garki, Alhaji Usman Nga-Kupi (the Chief of Garki Village), that community structures were the first respondents to any incidence of disaster.

She identified some of the structures as community volunteers, local divers, town criers, disaster marshals, traditional and religious leaders, women, and youth groups among others.

According to her, the participation of these groups in emergency management significantly reduced the response time to emergencies.

Wenegieme added that beyond early response to emergencies, the community structures were equally strategic in disaster reduction.

This, she said, could be done through consistent awareness creation and mobilisation of residents to desist from human induced hazards like bush burning and illegal connection of electricity.

Others, she said, included building on waterways, dumping of refuse on drainages and other forms of human induced hazards.

According to her, some of the induced hazards turn into disasters and eventually claim lives and properties.

“Therefore, equipping community members with the knowledge on what disasters are, how to prevent or mitigate them would go a long way in reducing the risk of disasters in communities.

“The sensitisation which began on Tuesday, was to ensure that no one is left behind during disasters or emergencies.

“This is in line with this year’s theme, Fighting Inequalities for a Resilient Future for All.

“The goal is to ensure that every community stakeholder plays a crucial role in disaster management, particularly early warning signals and disaster risk reduction,”Wenegieme said.

The director also emphasised that traditional and religious leaders were critical stakeholders in community sensitisation and mobilisation, describing them as critical to disaster management.

She added that the awareness campaign was to enlighten community members on ways to reduce the risk of disasters in communities and pledged FEMA continued partnership and support.

“This will help in keeping residents informed, cautious about disaster and prepared to prevent or mitigate where feasible,” she added.

Responding, the Chief of Garki Village, commended FEMA for all the support and directed all the district, village, and ward heads to cascade the messages in their respective communities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that similar campaigns were conducted at the Palace of the Ona of Abaji, in Abaji Area Council and Gwagwalada Area Council. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani