Rural Communities - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Tosin Kolade
Apr, Thu, 2025

FG to enhance rural infrastructure in Niger Delta- First Lady

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By Shedrack Frank

First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has assured that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to delivering accessible and affordable infrastructure to rural communities in the Niger Delta region.

She said this during the inauguration of access to health insurance services for poor and vulnerable people and the commissioning of the Cottage Hospital and Community School.

The event was organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative in Otuasega, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Thursday.

She added that the Federal Government was focused on significantly aiding in saving lives and ensuring that communities received prompt medical attention when needed, to reduce the health mortality rate in the country.

The First Lady also inaugurated the commencement of the NDDC 2025 free medical outreach and the donation of medical equipment to some health facilities in the region.

Tinubu explained that the introduction of a health insurance scheme, specifically designed to cover rural communities in the Niger Delta, would provide thousands of families with access to affordable and reliable medical care.

“I am honoured to be in Bayelsa State after my first visit, and it is a great delight for me to officially inaugurate the NDDC medical outreach programme.

“The health insurance scheme and the distribution of school desks, benches, and textbooks, in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative, will benefit the nine states of the Niger Delta region, namely: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Rivers, Edo, Imo, Abia, and Ondo.”

“Bayelsa is graciously hosting us today.”

She further explained that the NDDC/RHI collaboration began in 2024 to provide further support in critical areas of development by empowering communities.

According to her, this will improve the quality of life in the Niger Delta region, in line with our Renewed Hope Initiative model for a better life for families.

“You may recall that the NDDC’s earlier interventions in education provided more than 45,000 preloaded educational tablets and textbooks to upper primary schools, junior, and senior secondary school students.

“These resources were distributed in both urban and rural communities across all the NDDC states.

“Additionally, the NDDC-RHI internship scheme has begun disbursing N50,000 monthly stipends to 500 pre-identified beneficiaries for one year in all nine states, through the office of the state First Ladies.

“This is akin to a conditional cash transfer.

“Today, the medical outreach programme, which I am told is conducted quarterly, aims to deliver special health services directly to the communities.”

The First Lady said it would address common health issues, provide preventive care, and raise awareness about health concerns that disproportionately affected rural residents, particularly in maternal and child health.

She said in addition, 11 fully equipped ambulances would be donated, along with the supply of personal protective equipment to enhance healthcare delivery.

“Each NDDC state will receive one ambulance, while Bayelsa and Delta will each receive two ambulances.

“This contribution will significantly aid in saving lives and ensure that communities receive prompt medical attention when needed.

“The introduction of the health insurance scheme specifically designed to cover rural communities in the Niger Delta will provide thousands of families with access to affordable and reliable medical care,”she said.

Earlier, the Managing Director of NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, said that the essence of the partnership between the Renewed Hope Initiative and NDDC was to ensure the commission delivered the dividends of development in the areas of health, education, and other social services.

He emphasised that these efforts particularly focused on benefiting women, children, and youth in the Niger Delta region.

He further stated that for the past month, NDDC has been commissioning road projects in the region, initiated by the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu.

On his part, Gov. Douye Diri expressed his appreciation to the Federal Government for several developmental projects executed in Bayelsa, especially the linking of roads to some coastal communities.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jan, Tue, 2025

Metro

Tinubu’s govt committed to rural devt – Wike

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, said that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration was committed to the development of rural communities in the territory.

Wike stated this while inaugurating the newly constructed 11-kilometre Yangoji – Sukuku – Ebbo Road in Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

He said that the communities in Kwali were the first to have newly constructed roads fitted with streetlights.

“That is to tell you that the government of Tinubu is committed to the development of our people.

“Therefore, all we urged you to do is just to be patient. If you are patient, at the end of the day, you will benefit from this administration.

‘Sometime last year, the Minister of State and I visited Kwali for a stakeholders’ meeting and in that meeting, you told us what your problems were.

“One of the requests you made that day was for us to construct this particular road.

“Thank God Almighty that we made that promise and today it is a promise made and a promise fulfilled,” Wike said.

The minister also said that the promise to build additional Police Stations in the area was being fulfilled, adding that the construction would be complete soon.

He equally promised to construct a bridge at River Ebbo to connect more communities in the area council, as requested by the council’s Chairman, Mr Danladi Chiya.

“Mr Chiya because you have led your people well; because you have supported this administration; and because your people are happy with you, let me tell you, that bridge will be done.

“Mr President said anything you want you should tell me and we will do it for you,” he added.

The minister thanked Gilmor Construction Ltd, for completing the road project in time and for renovating Sukuku Primary School.

Also, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said that though the 11km road may seem like a modest undertaking, “but its impact will be far-reaching.”

Mahmoud said that the road would enhance connectivity, reduce the challenges of insecurity, and open up opportunities for trade and commerce.

“It will also improve access to education and healthcare, thereby, empowering our rural population to lead healthier and more prosperous lives,” she said.

Earlier, Chiya thanked Wike for changing the landscape of rural communities in FCT.

He said that the road construction projects in the area council had connected several communities in the area and appealed for the construction of a bridge at River Ebbo to connect other communities.

According to him, the road network has significantly improved security in the area, saying, “We celebrated our Christmas without any hitch.

“We are saying thank you for what you have done to the Kwali Area Council.”

On his part, the Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department, FCT Administration, Mr Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said that the project was awarded in January 2024.

“This project stands as a significant milestone and reflects the Administration’s dedication to bringing the gaps of infrastructure, ensuring that no community is left behind in the quest for progress and sustainable development.

“This is part of the FCT Minister’s commitment to change the face of rural communities through quality leadership.

“The road will significantly improve the living conditions of the residents who are predominantly agrarian by facilitating smoother access to market and vital services.

“This is a game changer for the people of Kwali, in line with the global goal for inclusive development and sustainable growth,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Bayo Sekoni

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jan, Sun, 2025

Metro

Gwagwalada residents laud Wike’s rural transformation projects

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By Philip Yatai

Some residents of Gwagwalada in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commended FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s rural transformation projects.

The residents gave the commendation in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gwagwalada on Sunday.

NAN recalls that Wike had on Feb. 1, 2024, inaugurated the construction of nine-kilometre Paikon Kore to Ibwa road in Gwagwalada.

Wike had explained that the project was one of several road projects to be constructed in rural areas across the six area councils of the FCT.

He added that the projects were designed to make rural dwellers comfortable and open rural communities for development.

Eight months later, the Minister, again, inaugurated the rehabilitation of the Aguma Palace – Radio Nigeria – New Market Road, also in Gwagwalada.

The residents described the projects as “life changing”, adding that the impact on the socio-economic life of the people was overwhelming.

One of them, Mr Ibrahim Makeri, particularly said that the completed Paikon Kore – Ibwa road would impact significantly on agricultural production in the area.

Makeri added that before the road was constructed, most residents along the road corridor were cut off from Paikon Kore during the rainy season, due to flooding water.

He said that pupils who transited primary schools in Ibwa to junior secondary schools located in Paikon Kore were majorly affected.

The resident explained that most of the children do not go to school during rainy season because the rains usually flooded the road.

“With the road successfully constructed, anybody can go wherever he or she wishes to go,” he said.

Makeri appealed to the minister to extend the road beyond Ibwa to connect 70 other communities along the road corridor.

Senior Project Manager, Setraco Nig. Ltd, Mr Senaka Rupanetti (2nd right) and some locals, employed by the company for the execution of Paikon Kore – Ibwa road in Gwagwalada, Gwagwalada Area Council of FCT

The story was no different for Japhet Adamu, 23, Daniel Gaji, 20, and Yahaya Abdullahi, who were among the 75 locals employed by Setraco Nigeria Ltd, while executing the projects.

They told NAN that the development had transformed their lives for good.

Abdullahi, who held a Higher National Diploma in Quantity Survey, said he was recruited as one of the surveyors, adding that it was his first major job since graduation several years ago.

The Senior Project Manager of the company, Mr Senaka Rupanetti, told NAN that the project was completed in December 2024, two weeks before the delivery date.

Rupanetti explained that the nine-kilometre toad project, with about 17 culverts, was delivered before the delivery timeline because Wike ensured that they get paid on time.

Speaking on the Aguma Palace – Radio Nigeria – New Market Road project, the affected residents on the market road corridor said that the project has turned things around in the area.

One of them, Mr Charles Eyo, who sells curtains, window blinds and other accessories on the road corridor, said that the road project has revamped businesses in the area.

“I have been paying rent for the past four years without making profit because the road was abandoned, leading to closure of most businesses.

“However, businesses are springing back to life since the commencement of the road project, and we thank Wike for that,” he said.

The ongoing construction of Market Road in Gwagwalada, Gwagwalada Area Council, FCT

Also, Mr Obi Nicodemus, who sells traveling bags, said politicians have been using the road to campaign for votes only to turn their back once they were voted into office.

“We are happy that Wike has finally wiped our tears and as you can see, businesses are coming back to life due to the ongoing road project,” he said.

Similarly, an Okada rider, Mr Monday Onoja said, “for ten years we have been suffering from this road, even those walking on legs finds it difficult to walk on the muddy road.

“We are grateful to Wike for smiling at us.”

The contractor, Mr Ebere Owhonda, Executive Director, Okmas Nig. Ltd, said that the project, expected to be completed in August had reached 40 per cent completion.

On his part, one of the community leaders, Mr Umar Abubakar, commended Wike for the resilience to improve the quality of life of rural dwellers.

Abubakar said that the Paokon Kore and that market road projects were abandoned by the previous administration.

‘However, in less than two years, Wike has done remarkably well for the people of Gwagwalada,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Lawal

Philip Daniel Yatai
Nov, Wed, 2024

General News

Foundation advocates transformation of rural communities to tackle youth migration

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By Ahmed Musa

Mr Emmanuel Obiabo, Executive Director of Statecraft Foundation, has emphasised the need for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration to prioritise transformation of rural communities to address increasing rate of youth migration.

Obiabo made this appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting with FCT Community Youth Associations in Abuja, focusing on enhancing service delivery in rural communities.

The meeting with the theme, “Promoting Active Citizenship and Leadership Development in FCT,” highlighted the importance of good governance in facilitating development.

Obiabo stressed that providing basic infrastructure in rural communities would significantly address challenges associated with youth migration.

“Some FCT rural communities lack Primary Healthcare Centres, power supply, and access to clean water.

“These gaps must be addressed to ensure the well-being of rural dwellers.

“The objective of the meeting is to facilitate commitments from stakeholders on addressing identified gaps, opportunities, and strategies related to infrastructure and service delivery in FCT rural communities.

“This includes education, primary healthcare, food, water, sanitation, power supply, and economic empowerment,” Obiabo said.

Mr Iliya Philip, Secretary of Ijah-Pada Community in Kwali Area Council, representing the youth, commended the foundation’s efforts in highlighting the community’s challenges.

Philip lamented the deplorable condition of roads and healthcare facilities in the community, appealing to the FCT Administration to expedite action towards revitalising the infrastructure deficit.

“While the FCT Administration has made efforts to improve infrastructure gaps in rural communities, including the inauguration of several roads in Kwali, Kuje, Gwagwalada, Bwari, Abaji, and Abuja Municipal Area Council, more needs to be done.

“This is especially in areas like Abattoir, Naharati, Rafi-Zurfi, Lanto, Kuyami, Sabo-Iddo, Peyi, Pambara, and Jigo”.(NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru