Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Musa Bello has restated the commitment of the FCT Administration to ensuring ease of doing business in the territory.
The Minister stated this in Abuja while commissioning a $54 million Novare Central Mall located in the city centre.
His words: “Once again, I congratulate the management and staff of Novare Real Estate Africa, for yet another addition to the Novare series. I would like to pledge the commitment of FCT Administration to ensuring ease of doing business in the Territory.
Bello who was represented by FCT Permanent Secretary, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa further used the occasion to call on other investors to take advantage of the territory’s friendly business environment.
He said: “I therefore reiterate my earlier call, during the opening of the Novare Gateway Mall on the Airport Expressway, for investors to take advantage of the Abuja’s ripe business environment now.”
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of Novare Central Mall, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu remarked that the FCT Administration under the leadership of Muhammad Musa Bello has provided enabling environment for investments.
He said: “Permit me to express our sincere gratitude to the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, whose continued support and positive disposition towards Foreign Direct Investment, FDI has been most beneficial to the success of this project and investment in FCT.”
Harping on the benefits of Novare Central Mall to the FCT Administration, the Chairman disclosed that already 5,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created, in addition to boosting the revenue profile of the Administration.
Girls for Girls project (G4G) is the intervention of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) aimed at promoting and sustaining girl-child education in the northern part of the country.
UNICEF believes that G4G will contribute to the retention goal of Girls Education Programme Three (GEP3) by supporting girls in schools to complete primary education and aspire to higher levels of education.
It, therefore, makes the initiative an integral part of GEP3 to be implemented in the northern part of the country in collaboration UNICEF Nigeria, the Federal Government and the United Kingdom Department of International Development (UKAID).
According to UNICEF, the project is to attract additional one million girls to school and empower them with knowledge, skills and confidence needed to remain in school and complete the full course of education.
Girls Education Project, established in 2016 with strategic aim of encouraging girls in schools will, nevertheless, end in 2020.
UNICEF Education Specialist Azuka Menkiti noted that G4G project was meant for girls in schools — from primary four to six — and it would bring additional one million girls to school in the area.
Menkiti also said that more than 15, 303 girls had been enrolled under three states in the north-western states with more than 4,399 of the girls from Zamfara, 5,284 girls from Bauchi State and 5,620 girls from Katsina State.
“Within the GEP3, the goal is to bring additional one million girls to school. We also hope to create an environment where girls will be supported to live above the poverty line for themselves and for their communities.
“This programme is to look for those who are in schools; and the major concern for us is to ensure that the girls are in school.
“Within the past six months that this initiative started, a lot of changes have happened in schools in the northern part of the country.
“We have 15, 303 girls who have been enrolled in 813 G4G groups in 300 schools across 18 Local Government Areas in Zamfara, Bauchi State and Katsina State’’, she said.
The educationist said that in Katsina State, more than half of the girls did not conclude their primary education as they were either given out in marriages or refused to be educated.
She said that with the introduction of the G4G, access to equitable education to early learning and basic education had increased.
Menkiti added that the initiative had led to the formation of an association responsible for the mentorship of the girl-child in the three pilot states.
She explained that G4G groups would be established in more than 8,000 primary and Qur’anic schools by 2019, noting that UNICEF would be partnering with state governments to sustain the project.
Similarly, Mr Tayo Fatinikun, Executive Director, Life Helpers Initiative Zamfara, said that the initiative had helped the state to develop girls’ interest in education, skills acquisitions and health matters.
Fatinikun said that the 4,399 girls enrollment were spread across 100 selected schools in six Local Government Areas of Zamfara — Anka, Talata-Mafara, Shinkafi, Kaura-Namoda, Bugudu and Tsafe.
He added that each of the schools had three mentors who were trained to relate with the girls on their challenges, observing that 960 girls were also trained on social, vocational and health based issues.
“Zamfara is one of the educationally disadvantaged states of the federation with very poor and low enrollment, retention level and strong disparity between boys and girls enrollment.
“Our targets are the children, women of reproductive age, youth and the community structures,’’ he said.
He admitted that there had been state involvement through creative and dynamic leadership of State’s Universal Basic Education Board.
This feat nonetheless, Fatinikun said that insecurity in some communities and local government area have hindered the educational progress of some girls.
“Some communities are very volatile and so there is need for the government to provide security for schools in the area.
“Low infrastructure development is another threat to the education of the girl-child; so there is need to provide quality facilities conducive for learning for the girls,’’ he said.
Mothers Association, a group which was formed to boost G4G initiative, therefore, appealed to the state government to empower parents, especially women; and mentors so that children would be able to further their education.
The chairperson of the association, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi, made the appeal at a field trip on the assessment of the project implementation at the Tudun Wada Primary School, Talata-Mafara, Zamfara.
Amina said that while the men struggled for daily up-keep of the family, the women should be encouraged through empowerment programme to run small scale businesses and assist in ensuring that their children were given quality education.
The chairperson, however, commended UNICEF support for the initiative, noting that it had inculcated more discipline, hygiene and zeal to search for knowledge among the children.
Some of the beneficiaries have also pledged to re-enrol their out-of-school peers back to classes through G4G project.
One of the beneficiaries, Fatima Abba, 13, said that the G4G programme had improved her status in her community and also encouraged her peers to go to school.
Abba, who said she was aspiring to be a social worker, expressed happiness over the support and encouragement she received from her parents for her education.
Similarly, Ummi Hassan, another beneficiary, said that the project had improved her in skills acquisition as well as given her the zeal to remain in school to complete education.
According to her, through interaction with peers and mentoring techniques employed by participating pupils in the G4G, she has successfully re-enrolled about 10 out-of-school-girls back to the classroom.
“Since I started participating in the G4G meetings, I learnt that basic education is all I need to achieve my desire of becoming a doctor to help women in my community.
“Therefore, I have pledged to encourage and re-enrol my peers that were in the past attending school and later drop out to come back,’’ she said.
Also, Hadiza Isa, a primary six pupil, observed that the G4G project introduced by UNICEF would end girl-child molestation in their schools and community at large.
“Our mentors said that we should not allow boys or men to touch our body because we want education. Our body should be for me alone and that whoever does that, we should tell them no,” she said.
Funmilayo Adeyemi is of the News Agency of Nigeria
A tribal group from Benue State, north central Nigeria, Mdzough U Tiv, says it has observed the killing of the Tiv extraction since in January, 2018, which continued unceasingly without any realistic intervention from the federal government.
A statement by President-General of the Mdzough U Tiv, Kaduna State chapter, Shimakyaa Iorkyase, said, “This cruelty on human lives of Tiv extraction continued unceasingly with no proven and realistic intervention from the Federal Government headed by His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari – a man who was overwhelmingly voted for by the Benue sons and daughters.”
The statement lamented that President Buhari’s appointees had acquiescently ignored his orders and at some points blamed the Benue people and the Governor for enacting Anti-Open Grazing Bill.
The statement added, “They insinuated but very wrongly too that the Anti-Open Grazing law is the cause of the killings in the land.
“During these trying periods, both the Rulers and the Ruled were not only united but were seen to be united regardless of partisan divides.
“Chief Engr. Edward Ujege, the President-General of Mdzough U Tiv Worldwide with his counterpart in Idoma and Igede have been at their best in this regards.
“Our Governor, His Excellency Dr. Samuel Ortom, a man with very high pedigree rooted on sound impeccability has even vowed to pay the supreme prize in defending and standing for his people.”
Shimakyaa Iorkyase noted that with the 2019 general elections drawing close, Mdzough U Tiv, Kaduna State chapter was distraught to hear that the governor of the state has been given a ‘red card’ and has quitted the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.
“While the Governor’s decision is highly respected and valued as he has the constitutional right to association, we appeal to all the Political leaders in the state not to hit up the polity by creating tendencies that could bred disunity at this trying time of ours.
“We must also insist that the Governor should be given all the necessary cooperation and avenues to exercise his divinely entrusted executive powers.
“Our elected representatives both at state and federal levels cum other stakeholders should also concentrate on making laws that will benefit the vast majority of Benue people and the nation at large.
“We CANNOT AFFORD to be divided now that the enemy is looking direct into our faces.
“While the Politicians pursue their respective political interests, the overall interest of the Tiv nation – protecting lives and preserving our ancestral land should be very paramount” .
Speaker Nigerian House Of Reps, Hon. Dogara Yakubu
Speaker of the Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has reaffirmed the commitment of the green chamber to prioritising issues related to human rights and protection of the environment.
He said this on Wednesday at a public hearing by the House Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements on two bills pertaining to domesticating the Stockholm convention and the Rome Statute; international instruments on the protection of the environment and human rights respectively.
He listed increased foreign direct investment and lowering the administrative cost of taxation as some of the advantages of implementation.
“You will agree with me that these two Bills are very important to us as a Country because they are meant to protect human lives and secure the health of the people as well as the environment. In addition, they will lower the administrative cost of taxation and encourage the inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to our country.”
He added that the House considers health and environmental issues to be of utmost importance, especially as both bear a direct impact on economic growth and development.
“Let me stress here that the House of Representatives is aware of the need to be responsive and take initiative on issues of the environment and health, as well as national economic challenges. That is the essence of these two Bills. Moreover, the issues that these two Bills reinforce the provisions of the Right to Life in Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
The passage of these Bills into Law will further assure our international partners that we are alive to the obligations to which our country as a member of the global community is committed.”
Speaking on the process of making treaties part of the nation’s laws, he cited constitutional provisions and also explained the importance of public hearings.
“As we may all know, the process of making Treaties, Agreements and Protocols to become part of the Nigerian Laws is well encapsulated in Section 12 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended. It is this process of Legal transformation that we are working on that will validate the instruments and the extension of the rules laid down in such Treaties, Agreements and Protocols to individuals in our country.
Let me point out here that this Public Hearing, is an important segment of our Legislative process as it enables us to interface with the people we represent. It gives us the opportunity to obtain inputs from relevant stakeholders, and this enriches our Laws. This process makes the Parliament to be on the same page with the people and institutions for whom the Laws are made, thereby making the Laws to have acceptability and ability to stand the test of time.”
The bills being considered are: A Bill for an Act to Give Effect to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; and for other Related Matters (HB. 658), and A Bill for Act to Provide for the Enforcement and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes, Genocide and for Other Related Offences and to Give Effect to Certain Provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Court in Nigeria (HB. 593).
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, northeast Nigeria
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, northeast Nigeria
By Auwal Ahmad
A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Auwal Abdullahi, has described Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo’s presidential ambition as a mission impossible.
Abdullahi who stated this while speaking with Journalists in Gombe on Wednesday wondered how Dankwambo who had failed in governing Gombe state with only 11 local government areas could be the President of the country that has 774 local government areas.
“Because when you look at Dankwambo those that are very close to him, his own associates those that are together with him he is not handling them the way it supposed to be they supported him thinking that he is going to work for the people and what people want and the progress of the entire people of Gombe state but he failed.
“Director General of his campaign 2015 is no longer with him, even though he is in PDP, but not in Dankwambo’s camp, he is currently together with Atiku camp, why, because he doesn’t have the capacity of handling Nigeria.
“How can you expect the one who cannot control those that are with him, within just only 11 LGA, to lead a big country called Nigeria, impossible, so we are not going to support him,” Abdullahi said.
According to the PDP Chieftain, in the entire PDP, it is only Ahmed Makarfi that will compete with President Buhari, come 2019 general elections.
He said that Makarfi has capacity, capability and ability to lead the country.
“Because when you look at Kaduna state, Makarfi led Kaduna state for 8 years, serve as senator and look that the way he united the PDP umbrella, they came together, look at the PDP now, it’s a united party now, even other parties are looking to come back to PDP,” he said.
On Atiku Abubakar, the Chieftain said “Atiku and Co. are the causes of all problems in Nigeria, entire 16 years you are mentioning the problems we found ourselves, looters, whatever we are mentioning, Atiku and Co. are the genesis of all what is happening to Nigeria, so Atiku doesn’t have any capacity even in Northern Nigeria.
“I’m from the Northeast, but I’m not going to support Atiku, so we are now solely behind Makarfi because we are looking at Nigeria, not our own zone, as northeast Nigeria, from where ever you come, if you can give good leadership, we are supporting you”, he assured.
A group within the All Progressives Party in Gombe state, northeast Nigeria has filed a case at the state high court over the ward congress elections conducted in May 2018.
Malam Sirajo Khalid of Shamaki ward in Gombe Local Government Area, and 90 other contestants, filed the case challenging the congresses held in the 114 political wards in the State
Joined in the suit for which a copy was made available to newsmen on Wednesday, are the APC, Sulaiman Kawu Sumaila Chairman of the APC ward and local government congresses committee, and Saka Abimbola Isau Chairman of the APC ward and local government congresses Appeal Committee.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to declare that the ward congress election conducted on the 5th May 2018 in the 114 wards in the state was wrong, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever, as the election was conducted contrary to the party’s congresses guidelines and constitution
The plaintiffs are also seeking an order setting aside the ward congress held on the 5thMay 2018 on the ground that it is wrongful, illegal and of no effect whatsoever in that no legal ward congress was conducted.
The Plaintiffs further seek an order of injunction restraining the defendants and any other persons from recognizing any person purported to have been elected during the 5th May 2018 ward congress in the 114 wards in the state.
They are also asking the court to order and direct the defendants to conduct fresh ward congress in the 114 wards in the state and allow all interested candidates including the plaintiffs to participate therein and the defendants should pay the sum of 500,000 Naira as legal fees of the action.
The Zamfara state Police Command has confirmed the killings of three persons in a fresh attack by bandits in Sikida and Gyaddu villages in Maradun local government area of the state.
A statement by the command’s Spokesman, SP Mohammed Shehu said Joint Police and Military teams responded swiftly to the distress and on arrival, the bandits fled having killed three persons.
Shehu added that the command however foiled a bandit attack on Dangebe Village in Zurmi local government area of the state.
“Today being 17th July, 2018 at about 0830hrs, a gang of armed bandits/Cattle rustlers went to the above named Community with intend to attack and rustle cows from the villagers.The tactical teams of the Command engaged the bandits in a gun battle which forced them to beat a retreat back to the forest with possible gun wounds”, he said.
The state PPRO said 171 Cows were recovered during the operation.
“The entire axis has been subjected to coordinated bush combing to enable effect the arrest of the perpetrators of this dastardly act,” he said.
Media Training on LPAY in Kaduna, northern Nigeria
Media Training on LPAY in Kaduna, northern Nigeria
By Joseph Edegbo
A health advocacy group, Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative, NURHI has tasked Journalists to give the adolescents and youths correct information that would guide them to make informed choices as they grow through different stages in life.
An Official of the group, Aisha Waziri handed down the task Tuesday at a one-day sensitization workshop on Life Planning for Adolescents and Youths organized for Journalists in Kaduna, northern Nigeria.
Life Planning, she said, is fundamental in shaping the life and hopefully the future of a young person.
She stated that the period of transiting from childhood to adulthood requires special attention hence the need for journalists to among others, promote excellence in education and life planning among young people to ensure that they make informed decisions.
“Young people go through different maturity stages which often affect their emotional, physical and social being, she said.
Aisha who grouped the adolescents and youths to those between 15 and 24 years of age, told participants that this category of people needed correct information, especially on health and sexuality, among others.
She said, 55% of Nigerian population is under 20 years of age, while that of adolescents engaging in unprotected sex is 56% female and 48% male
Participants identified various barriers, myths and misconceptions common to life planning for adolescents and youths.
In a presentation on Social Media Strategic Approaches in Promoting Life Planning for Adolescents and Youths, a Consultant at the Development Communications Network (DevComs), organisers of the workshop, Sola Fagorusi said, the social media which is the fifth estate of the realm was powerful and on the rise.
He predicted that by 2028 there would be no hard copy of Newspapers in Africa, hence the need for Journalists to take advantage of the growth of the online publications very important.
Quoting the Nigerian Communications Commission, Fagorusi said there are 97 million internet users in Nigeria out of the county’s 186 million population, adding that, 70% of the population have access to online information on mobile phones.
He said in Nigeria about 15 to 20 million people are on Face book, and 7.2 million of them visit the platform daily.
The consultant who introduced various internet platforms and their benefits to Journalists also spoke of the best days and time when most people are online
