By Ismail Abdulaziz

The Kano State Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, has congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 63rd independence anniversary.

In a statement by his Press Secretary, Ibrahim Shuaibu, Gwarzo said that the anniversary was a time to reflect on the country’s journey since independence and celebrate its achievements.

The Deputy Governor also urged Nigerians to work together to build a better future for the country.

“As we celebrate this anniversary, let us remember the sacrifices of our forefathers who fought for our freedom. Let us also remember the challenges that we face as a nation and work together to overcome them.

“I believe that Nigeria has a bright future ahead of it. We are a blessed nation with abundant resources and talented people. Let us work together to build a country where everyone can thrive,” he said.

Gwarzo also used the opportunity to call on Nigerians to be united and embrace peace.

He said that the country can only achieve its full potential if Nigerians are united and work together.

“I urge all Nigerians to embrace peace and unity. Let us put aside our differences and work together to build a better future for our country” Gwarzo said.(NAN)

PR:

By Philip Yatai

Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike, on Friday in Abuja, reassured residents of the territory of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to make Nigeria work for all.

Wike gave the assurance while inaugurating Mr Ibrahim Aminu as the Mandate Secretary, Social Development Secretariat of the FCT Administration.

He assured that President Tinubu would make the country work through his “Renewed Hope’’ agenda.

He said the agenda was designed to restore lost hope and make Nigerians believe that things could work again.

“Nigerians are tired of hearing excuses every day.

“That is why we will do everything we can to assure FCT residents that things will change, and things have started changing,’’ he stressed.

Wike told the inaugurated mandate secretary that he had only a few hours of merriment and should set to work immediately to serve Nigerians and not necessarily his Katsina home state.

The minister said the FCT was unique, describing it as a city where every Nigerian felt at home, adding: “so our services are for Nigerians.

“We believe in your track record that you are going to put in your best. We must work as a team because nobody knows it all.

“It is teamwork that will make you excel.

“The Minister of State for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud and I, will give you all the cooperation you need to succeed.

“Bear in mind that at the end of the day, you will be held accountable for what you are able to do with the opportunity that is given to you.

“This is no time for excuses; this is time for performance; a time for achievements,” Wike said.

He commended the former Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Governor of Katsina State, Mr Aminu Masari for attending the event.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister inaugurated seven mandate secretaries on Sept. 12, but Aminu was absent at the occasion.

Those inaugurated were Mr Bitrus Garki, Secretary, Area Council Services Secretariat, Mr Lawan Geidam, Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat and Mr Danlami Ihayyo, Secretary, Education Secretariat.

Others were Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, Secretary, Health, and Environment Services Secretariat, Mr Salman Dako, Secretary, Legal Services Secretariat, Mr Chinedum Elechi, Secretary, Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public Private Partnership.

Mr Uboku Nyah was inaugurated as Secretary, Transportation Secretariat at the occasion. (NAN)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration would partner with the Republic of Italy on sustainable city tourism and agricultural development.

Wike said this when the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stefano Leo, visited him in his office in Abuja on Friday.

He said that he would personally visit the Ambassador to discuss areas of mutual benefits for the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Italy.

The minister particularly identified the development of Abuja as a sustainable city as one of the areas of interest, including tourism and agricultural development.

“You know very well that Abuja has a very good landscape for agriculture and tourism development,” he said.

The minister explained that the publication of the names of embassies and commissions owing ground rent was not targeted at anybody, but to improve Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

According to him, the IGR will be utilised for development of the city.

He assured the ambassador that the FCT Administration would make the environment comfortable for embassies and commissions to carry out their activities and for businesses to thrive.

Earlier, Leo said that he was in the minister’s office to congratulate and wish him well in his.

He recalled how impressed he was when he visited Rivers in 2022, and expressed optimism that the minister would do better than he did in Rivers as a governor.

“Having you here in Abuja means we can continue our very good cooperation. I will be glad to host you at the Embassy,” he said.

He said that Italy was at the forefront of tourism, adding that the country had huge plans to support sustainable city development and new ideas for green city.

“It will be a pleasure to follow your ideas to strengthen cooperation with you,” the Ambassador said. (NAN)

Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Philip Yatai

The Joint Task Force of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Thursday crushed more than 470 motorcycles impounded for operating illegally in the capital city, Abuja.

The motorcycles were impounded by the taskforce during an operation that began from the Carwash Bus Stop, Lugbe, through Gosa, Bill Clinton Drive, Trademore Estate, Lugbe Junction and Kubwa.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that over 400 motorcycles were earlier impounded and crushed on Aug. 31, during a similar operation for the same offence.

Mr Obokutom Nyah, Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, FCTA, told journalists during the exercise that the decision to crush the motorcycles was in line with the provisions of the law.

Nyah warned commercial motorcyclists to limit their operations to designated areas, stay clear of the city centre and stop constituting a security threat in the city.

He explained that there are areas designated for different kinds of vehicles, adding that commercial motorcycles are only allowed to operate in the suburbs.

“So, we encourage the operators to respect their boundaries, because if you cross the line, you will face the full wrath of the law,” he said.

Also, the Director, FCT Directorate of Road Traffic Services, Mr Abdulateef Bello, said that the number of motorcycles operating within the city was outrageous.

Bello said that the taskforce would extend its operations to night hours, adding that currently, between 200 and 400 motorcycles are being impounded on a weekly basis.

He added that the taskforce was considering arresting residents that patronise motorcycles as part of efforts to strengthen the level of enforcement.

He advised residents against patronising motorcycles but should learn to walk short distances where possible, for their own safety.

The director further advised those investing in commercial motorcycle business to have a rethink, stressing that the FCTA would invest its resources to curtail them. (NAN)

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Philip Yatai

The FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, says a six-man committee has been set up to resolve the lingering dispute between local government employees and the six Area Councils in the FCT.

Wike stated this while addressing newsmen after a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and the council’s chairmen in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the disputes bother on unresolved allowances and deductions due to local government employees, who planned to to embark on strike on Oct. 2 in solidarity with primary school teachers.

The FCT Wing of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) had on Sept. 11, embarked on indefinite strike, over unpaid 40 per cent peculiar and other outstanding allowances.

Other concerns of the teachers include non-payment of 25 months arrears of the 2019 approved national minimum wage, non-release of some promotion letters to beneficiaries and non-implementation of released promotion letters.

Other issues are non-payment of promotion arrears, non-upgrading of concerned teachers, non-implementation of salaries for upgraded teachers and non-implementation of annual salary increments in some councils.

They also alleged non-compliance with the agreement on payments of the backlog of teachers’ entitlement amongst others.

The minister said that the committee was given two weeks to submit its reports on the modalities to resolve the problems.

“We believe that NULGE is satisfied with the arrangement put on ground to resolve the issues and I believe that in the next 48 hours, NULGE should do the needful for the interest of the entire FCT,” he said.

The minister commended the NULGE officials for attending the meeting with open mind for a quicker resolution of the problems.

Mr Bitrus Garki, Secretary, Area Council Service Secretariat, FCT Administration, told journalists that the meeting was to resolve the 40 per cent unpaid peculiar allowance, hazard allowance and other deductions.

Garki said that some of the issues dated back to 2006.

“What happened today was basically to understand what the issues are and the challenges the areas councils were actually facing.

“The minister has intervened and set up a six-man committee, made up of members of NULGE, directors of finance in the six areas councils and officials of the FCTA.

“From our discussions, NULGE applauded the minister for speedy intervention and responding to their letter.

“We all agreed that the strike should be called off, pending when the report will come out from the committee, and we will meet again to find lasting solutions to the problem,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Joseph Edeh

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has reassured residents of the FCT of his commitment to improve the city’s infrastructure including roads and healthcare facilities.

Wike, who stated this in his Eid-El-Maulud message in Abuja on Tuesday, also called upon the residents to equally meet their obligations to the government and  the society.

He said: “We understand the importance of providing essential infrastructure and services to enhance your quality of life.

“Let us all contribute to the growth and progress of our beloved FCT. Obey traffic rules, pay your taxes, and participate actively in community initiatives.

“I also express my gratitude to the law enforcement agencies, healthcare workers, and all essential service providers who continue to work tirelessly to keep our city safe and functioning, especially during challenging times.

“Together, we can make the FCT even better.”

Wike reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s unwavering commitment to meeting its obligations to the citizens.

He urged the residents to reflect on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on peace, compassion and unity.

He said that Eid-El-Maulud was not just a celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad, but an opportunity to “reaffirm our commitment to the values of tolerance, love, and kindness that he so tirelessly preached.

“It is a time for us to remember the importance of empathy and the virtues of togetherness that should guide our interactions with one another.

“In the FCT, we are fortunate to have a diverse and vibrant community that represents the rich cultures of our great nation.

“This diversity is a testament to the values of unity in diversity that our country holds dear.

“As we celebrate this day, let us remember that our strength lies in our unity, and our progress depends on our ability to live in harmony with one another.”

The minister commended the residents for their unwavering commitment to peace and harmony, stressing that their cooperation and respect for one another’s beliefs and cultures remain the bedrock for peaceful coexistence.

Wike called for continued nurturing of the spirit of understanding and unity.

“As we celebrate Eid El Maulud, I urge you all to extend a hand of friendship to your neighbors, regardless of their background or beliefs.

“Let us open our hearts to those less fortunate and share our blessings with those in need.

“In doing so, we not only honour the teachings of the Prophet but also strengthen the bonds that hold our community together,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has expressed the determination of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to turn the country’s anticipated demographic bulge into dividends.

Shettima stated this in his keynote address at the opening of a two-day retreat for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly (NASS) in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom, on Friday.

He said the unrivalled democratic credentials of Tinubu, which include legislative experience would continue to rub off on the entrenched and valuable governance style of the President.

“One out of every four black man is a Nigerian. The trajectory of global growth is facing Africa and Nigeria will make or mar that transition. By 2050, Nigeria will be the third most populous nation on earth.

“Our population will hit 440 million and by the end of the century, Nigeria will be the most populous nation on earth. And what are we going to do with the anticipated demographic bulge?.

“This is a blessed nation. We can change the anticipated demographic bulge into demographic dividends. I believe with the quality of leadership we have it will not turn into a democratic disaster that will consume all of us.”

The vice president said that Nigeria was the representative of the Blackman, saying “that is the burden we all carry, if Nigeria fails, the Blackman has failed. Let us make Nigeria work.”

Earlier, the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, noted that the true test of government policies and programmes was the ability to improve the lives and circumstances of citizens in measurable ways.

“We have gathered here in lovely Akwa Ibom State for the purpose of improving our individual and shared ability to be better stewards of the mandate we are given. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole