Kwali - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Lydia Beshel
Mar, Wed, 2025

Abuja Indigenes propose Kwali as capital of FCT state

237 total views today

Kwali

By Uche Bibilari
Indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have advocated for the creation of Abuja State with Kwali as capital.

The Etsu of Kwali, Mr Luka Nizassan III, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kwali, the headquarter of Kwali Area Council.

The Etsu said that a document had been submitted for the review of the 1999 constitution to give FCT a state status.

He said in the proposal, submitted by the original inhabitants of FCT and other stakeholders, Kwali should be made the headquarters of the state.

The traditional ruler also appealed to the Federal Government to establish a tertiary institution in Kwali, to fast track development in the area council.

According to him, by FCT the master plan, Kwali is the educational hub for the territory, hence the siting of National Educational Research and Development Council, an institution responsible for developing educational curriculums, in the area.

He added that the National Mathematical Centre, Sheda Science and Technology and National Seed Council are all located in Kwali as the original educational zone for the FCT.

“This institutions are set up to support tertiary institutions, to support research because they have facilities that are supposed to aid and also provide tertiary non-degree programmes.

“The University of Abuja was located in Gwagwalada because Kwali was formally the headquarters of Gwagwalada Area Council.

“This is why I am appealing for the establishment of a tertiary institution in Kwali to support already established institutions in the council, ’he pleaded.

Nizassan specifically appealed to the Federal Government to consider siting the recently approved FCT Federal Polytechnic in Kwali.

According to him, Kwali has what it takes in terms of structures and land for a polytechnic to be located in the council.

The Etsu said the people of Kwali were willing to donate the Federal Technical College, Kwali as take off infrastructure for the Polytechnic. (NAN)
Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Rotimi Ijikanmi

Lydia Beshel
Mar, Tue, 2025

Community

Kwali community begins documentation of artefacts to boost tourism

158 total views today

Tourism

By Veronica Dariya

The Etsu of Kwali, Luka Nizassan III, has announced plans to document historical artifacts in Kwali community to enhance and promote tourism in the area.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, the traditional ruler stated that the initiative would include factual accounts of potential tourist sites, particularly those linked to the renowned potter, Dr Ladi Kwali.

Nizassan revealed that he had already identified and profiled various tourist attractions within the community, including the restored gravesite of Kwali, “which is expected to boost the area’s tourism potential.

“This community holds the greatest tourism potential in the FCT because it is the home of Dr Ladi Kwali. I am one of her grandsons,” he said.

“Her gravesite has been developed, and we have documented all potential tourist sites. We are exploring ways to develop them so that the community can benefit from the tourism economy.”

He added that discussions had already began with the Permanent Secretary of the FCT Social Development Secretariat and the Director of Tourism on how to harness the area’s tourism potential.

“One step I have taken is to engage the services of archaeologists to date some of the historical remains we have,” he said.

“This is to enrich our history as a people and also to be able to have factual stories about these tourist sites.

“This is the best way to profile stories sites if there are true stories behind them and not myths.

“We want to tell the true stories about ourselves; to make sure that the dates are appropriate and built from proper facts.”

The chief added that the move would also alter the false and misinterpretation of the history of people of Kwali community, as earlier presumed by some writers and historians.

He stated that presenting factual accounts directly from the indigenous people of the community would provide an authentic representation of its history, thereby attracting visitors to the unique settlement.

“We are working to discard inaccurate narratives and share the true stories about ourselves,” he said.

“We believe that once these stories are shared, people will become curious to learn more about us and will visit our community.”

Nizassan also mentioned that his chiefdom was collaborating with private investors to develop resorts and hotels in the area.

According to him, this initiative will enable visitors to enjoy the serene environment as a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

He described his people as hospitable and welcoming, adding that tourism would offer visitors a firsthand opportunity to experience the rich culture and heritage of the community.(NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Kevin Okunzuwa

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jan, Thu, 2025

Metro

Wike’s projects beaming light of hope on rural communities – Etsu Kwali

354 total views today

By Philip Yatai

Mr Luka Nizassan, Etsu of Kwali, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s rural road projects are beaming a light of hope on rural communities.

Nizassan stated this while reacting to the newly inaugurated 11-kilometre Yangoji – Sukuku – Ebbo Road in the area council executed by the Wike-led FCT Administration.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, that the communities contribute 30 per cent of food production to the Kwali Area Council.

He described the road project as the most impactful project undertaken by the Wike-led FCT Administration to transform rural communities.

According to him, the construction of the road has renewed the hope and trust of his people in President Bola Tinubu-led federal government and the commitment to deliver good governance to the people.

“No one would have thought that these communities would receive such massive infrastructural intervention until Wike beamed the light of hope on us.

“This road will increase agricultural production by enhancing the movement of farm machines and reducing the cost of transporting agricultural inputs.

“The communities are now accessible for businesses and the evacuation of agricultural products to larger markets, thereby, increasing the economic value of agricultural products.

“This will have a direct bearing on food security and poverty reduction.”

The traditional ruler added that one of the immediate benefits of the road was the significant improvement of security in the area.

He explained that the communities were hitherto prone to kidnappings and other security challenges.

“The road has now provided security agencies the needed access to patrol and respond to distress calls promptly, thus, de-escalating the activities of criminal elements in the area,” he said.

NAN reports that the FCT Minister had on Monday begun the inauguration of completed road projects in rural communities across the six area councils of the territory, beginning with a five-kilometre road in Abaji Area Council.

Wike, said while inaugurating the 11-kilometre Yangoji–Sukuku–Ebo Road on Tuesday, that the gesture was part of Tinubu’s commitment to develop rural communities. (NAN)

Edited by Emmanuel Yashim

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jan, Mon, 2025

Metro

Etsu Kwali rates Wike high on schools’ rehabilitation across FCT

291 total views today

By Philip Yatai

Mr Luka Nizassan, Etsu Kwali, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has rated FCT Minister Nyesom Wike high on school rehabilitation and upgrade across the territory.

Nizassan stated this in an Interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

NAN reports that Wike had on March 21, 2024, inaugurated the rehabilitation, upgrade and reconstruction of public secondary schools across the FCT.

The Minister had explained that the move was part of President Bola Tinubu administration’s efforts to improve access to quality education in public schools.

The Kwali traditional ruler said that so far, renovations were ongoing in more than 75 schools across the six area councils of the FCT with some already completed.

He said that as of mid-2024, the Wike-led FCT Administration had renovated Government Technical Secondary School, Kwali, and Junior Government Secondary School, Pai.

He added that renovation of Government Secondary School, Kwali, was equally ongoing.

According to him, the rehabilitation programme is already improving access to quality and inclusive education in public schools across the FCT.

He particularly commended the FCT Minister for improving schools’ infrastructure, including provision of water and sanitation facilities.

“The resolve of the honourable Minister to improve access to quality education and ensure equity for all learners in FCT, including rural residents, is remarkable.

“Learning spaces are now safer and conducive. These potent learning opportunities are already yielding great results.

“Also, ensuring that all students in urban and rural areas have access to quality education is particularly empowering the natives and residents of FCT to live quality lives in the future.

Nizassan equally said that Wike’s schools’ intervention was already addressing inequality in the education sector by providing equal access to education and vocational training.

This, he said, was empowering the natives of FCT to lead sustainable lives and make decisions that improved their quality of life.

Describing Wike as “God’s sent”, the traditional ruler said that the Minister was realising the full vision of Tinubu’s administration for the people of FCT.

“The Minister’s achievements in just a year and few months had surpassed that of previous administrations put together.

“Wike’s remarkable achievements should be lauded and emulated by all duty bearers,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru