Before the next year’s council elections, Minister of State Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), called for the leadership of the APC to encourage continuity in the area councils in order to improve good governance.

She made this call in Kwali at a book presentation to mark the second year anniversary of the chairman of Kwali area council in the Federal Capital Territory.

She, however, commended Hon. Danladi Chiya, Chairman of Kwali Area Council, for the accomplishments of the two-year term of his administration, pointed out that party leaders and supporters played a greater role in the reappearance of any politician.

Aliyu also hinted that one term was not enough to consolidate a term on an incumbent’s achievements, while inviting Kwali to break the political jinx. He frowned at the culture of one term for political leaders of the municipality of Kwali.

“Indigenous people and residents of the area council of the Kwali must be led by leaders equal to the opportunity to strengthen, if you genuinely want to develop and move Kwali to the next level and represent the FCT, particularly in the national assembly. Please take advantage of your leaders for a second term to serve you, “She pleaded.

While appreciating its support for the reappearance of all APC candidates in next area council election by the party members and executives, the minister ordered other crucial stakeholders to return with a drawing board to come up strategies for the victory of the party.

On his part the Chairman of Kwali Area council, Hon. Danladi Chiya, said that his administration was open to constructive criticism which could bring about development for the council or otherwise. His administration was open to constructive criticism.

The boss of the Council, however, complimented the Minister of State of FCT Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu for his leadership styled and for his willingness to push the councils to higher heights.

Senator Philip Aduda, who was represented by the Commissioner representing the FCT in Public Complaints, Comrade Ezekiel Dalhatuin conveyed a goodwill message to the Chairman.

…Gift Him, Tricycle, Job and scholarship.

The Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu (RTA) Foundation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has awarded Mr. Emakoji Agenyi Jacob, a former Assistant Superintendent of Police, for his dedication and remarkable performance in the discharge of his duties.

During the award ceremony, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the foundation’s founder, announced a tricycle (Keke) donation, an employment opportunity for his first daughter with a National Diploma, and a scholarship for his son in JSS 3 up to his graduation at the university of his choice.

Aliyu, who described the retired officer as a man of unquestionable honesty and integrity, said the honor was meant to emphasize the positive and lasting legacies of the departed police.

She, however, described the retired officer as a man of indisputable honesty and integrity, also noted that the honour was to highlights the positive and enduring legacies being engineered by the Nigerian police and indeed one that raises the banner for officers to be rest assured that commitment to service, nation and good character are  virtues to embrace.  

According to her, “in the discharge of his duties, he exhibited very rare and high degree of humility and compassion as a police officer. Always calm, friendly and very respectful. He approaches everyone with the  dignity you deserve as a human being and speaks to you in a calm voice with some stealth that exposes the discipline and training he had garnered over the years but yet humane.  

“He on many occasions exhibited compassion and patience as he helped inquiring motorists while being cautious and mindful of his primary mission safety of lives and property. He will never demand for tips or any form of patronage”.  

Aliyu, therefore, used the occasion to call on officers who are still in service to emulate the exemplary conduct of the retired ASP Emakoji, adding that good character pays.  

In an emotional laden voice, Mr. Emakoji Agenyi Jacob, said he was overwhelmed by the honour done him by the foundation, while praying that God will continue to lift the foundation to greater heights.  

He said : “My sincere prayers to you today and always is that as you honour me, God will honour you and your children. God will lift you and the foundation to an enviable height”.  

…Warns Against Distortion Of Abuja Master Plan

After a three-week pause, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) resumed a large demolition campaign in Iddo Sarki, a village near the University of Abuja, on Wednesday, demolishing over 350 illegal structures.

The Iddo Sarki hamlet, which is just a few kilometers from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, is said to have been taken over by desperate investors looking to profit from the town’s proximity to the University of Abuja by building illegal student hostels and motels.

The break was agreed upon by FCTA and several stakeholders, who requested more time to speak with community leaders and also enlist the help of other stakeholders, who pleaded for extra time to speak with community leaders and also enable affected people to relocate, according to Comrade Ikharo Attah, Chairman, FCT Ministerial Committee on City Sanitation.

According to Attah, returning the bulldozers to the Community was crucial to maintaining the sanitation pace, since the number of illegalities detected had escalated to alarming levels.

He went on to explain that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory had reaffirmed his commitment to the current exercise, which was part of a plan to keep the nation’s capital from becoming a slum.

He, however, warned all attempts to to distort the master plan will be resisted, he  warned that there was no relenting on the proposed demolition of illegal structures at Mpape community. 

He stated that, enough time and notices  have  been given to affected people at Mpape, stating that  in two weeks time the bulldozers will move in there.

He added that FCTA will not pay any compensation to the victims, who contravened extant laws by building illegally. He however, advised that victims can seek for justice against the sellers of the illegal land.

” The first notice we give to the people is to stop buying land from the natives, unfortunately, the chiefs have denied selling land to anybody. 

” We are not going back in the demolition. After here we are moving to Mpape,  Where residents have requested for the demolition. 

” Anyone who buy land from the local Chiefs, is doing that in contraventions of the laws and such persons will bear the brunt. Our work is to remove illegalities.  Those who were affected can seek for justice against those that sold the illegal land” 

Meanwhile, the representative from the FCTA Department of Security Services, Peter Olumuji, confirmed that the ongoing sanitation and demolition exercise has reduced the rate of crime along the Airport road axis.

Olumuji said that from the statistics recorded at the department, the demolition had dislodged most of the criminals that hitherto held the residents to ransom. 

He further assured that FCTA  will not relent to ensuring adequate security at all the communities within Abuja.

…As PHC Official Condemns Lack Of Drugs 

Cholera has reportedly killed three people in Kobi community in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), with other cases in severe condition .

The densely populated rural settlement is a few kilometres away from Asokoro District, is said to have been ravaged by cholera for the past two weeks without any proper action by the council authorities. 

A senior community health officer who requested anonymity but works at the Kobi health centre verified the outbreak, saying that the Madaki of the Community had lost his sister and that he and his son had also been infected.

The health officer disclosed that while the Centre has Inadequate facilities to care for the patients, it can’t admit them, because of unavailability of cholera drugs in the centre.

Our correspondent gathered that that many critical cases had been referred to some private hospitals due to the ongoing industrial action by resident doctors, while some less acute cases are been managed by the affected people at their various homes.

More scary is the disclosure that the cholera outbreak is not just in Kobi, but also ravaging the two neighbouring communities around the Asokoro District. 

” Yes there is a cholera outbreak here in Kobi. We just referred one case to ECWA clinic Karu, because of the doctors’ strike.

” I don’t have the accurate record of those that have died, but I know of one death, and in that same compound, about two person, I was able to manage one, but referred one to same ECWA Clinic. 

” I don’t have drugs for cholera here, AMAC people said they are not aware. We have facilities to admit patients here, but we don’t have drugs”, the officer said.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has hinted that about 48 percent of infants are not optimally exclusively breastfed in the nation’s capital and this has created a margin which could, among others, be the poorest of the poor that requires extra efforts to reach.

She gave this hint at the commemoration of 2021 World Breastfeeding Week held in Garki, also described as worrisome that almost half of FCT babies are denied the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.

Aliyu, also revealed that from January to June this year, 2021, FCT has registered and treated 1,728 cases of acute malnourished under 5 children, just as she noted that suboptimal breastfeeding precipitate malnutrition.

She, however, acknowledged that the administration was making steady progress towards improving infant and young child nutrition in the FCT, noting that the multi-indicators cluster survey report of 2017 shows that the FCT has 52 percent of infants 0 – 6 months old, exclusively breastfed which was the 2nd best breastfeeding rate in Nigeria.

The minister said the theme of this year’s event “Protect Breastfeeding: A shared Responsibility” aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals campaign and it highlights the importance of supporting mothers to breastfeed for as long as they wish and also focuses on how breastfeeding contributes to the survival, health and wellbeing of all children.

“It is gratifying to note that FCT has adopted/adapted and continue to implement all policies and guidelines. As a matter of fact, some FCT health institutions, particularly the Asokoro, and Maitama Districts Hospitals that where designated Baby Friendly are still running twice a week breastfeeding clinic on Wednesdays and Thursdays, while Gosa Sarki and Tude communities in Abuja Municipal, and Kuje Area Councils are designated zero water communities for excellent universal performance in exclusive breastfeeding,” she affirmed.

Aliyu, said the FCT Administration has supported and would continue to promote the practice of breastfeeding especially putting babies to the breast within the first hour of birth and exclusively breastfeeding the baby for the first six months without water, adding that breastfeeding plays a very important role in improving children’s health and is one of the best investments for saving infants lives and improving the health, social and economic development of individuals and nations.

Also, Ag. Secretary FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat, Dr. Mohammed Kawu, identified cultural norms and traditional beliefs as some of the factors that could undermine the progress made so far in the territory.

Kawu, noted that though the ultimate responsibility for ensuring women and children rights to protection and survival lies with the government, but acknowledged that these rights cannot be fulfilled without the involvement of the members of households, communities, development partners and the private sector.

He, therefore, solicits support for collective responsibility for maximum breastfeeding practices by women to ensure adequate protection, survival and development of the FCT women and children.

Highpoint of the event was goodwill messages delivered by the Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido, development partner and award to the most healthy babies. The first prize goes to Chisimdi Ebubedike, second prize goes to Mohammed Gidado and the third price goes to Erica Arome.

…Just As FCTA Traffic Team Condemns Uniformed Personnel Lawlessness 

A junior Naval officer attacked and assaulted the Area Commander of the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), popularly known as Vehicle Inspection Officer, on Kubwa-Dutse Road, the Outer Northern Expressway.

Trouble was said to have started on Tuesday when A.A. Yusuf, a Naval officer, disregarded traffic rules, entered the wrong lane, and drove against traffic, according to police.

Segun Atanda, the Area Commander who was on duty directing traffic, was reported to have blocked the lawless Naval officer with a DRTS duty vehicle when he spotted him.

The Naval officer allegedly jumped out of his red Toyota Corolla, with registration number Yobe AA 440-GJB, and attacked the traffic officers after his lawless behaviour was challenged.

Naval officer allegedly dragged traffic officer around after punching him and forcing him to obtain his car’s license plate.

Comrade Ikharo Attah, the Chairman of FCT Ministerial Traffic Management Team, denounced the assault and stated the Naval officer’s actions were brutal and uncivilized.

He also decried the rate of assault and disobedience by uniformed personnels  to law enforcement officers in the line of duty, he noted that it was time such reckless behaviour was checked by government before it further destroys the country’s image.

Lamenting that, ” the incessant attacks and assaults on traffic officers by uniformed  men is very disturbing. At the Nyanya road,  Kubwa road and Dutse Alhaji stretch traffic officers are daily being  assaulted by uniformed men” 

He wandered why, “some uniformed men who are paid to protect and enforce the law are the ones breaking the law. What is most painful is the manner at which he dragged and assaulted the Area Commander who is enforcing the law like a child.” 

Attah also pointed out that “Uniformed men must know that ‘ esprit de corps’ is not a permission for lawlessness. Experience has shown that ones uniformed personnels drive against traffic they are easily followed by other civilians who are initially afraid to do so” .

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari promised to plant 25 million trees in the next ten years to battle climate change and boost the country’s carbon sink.

To that purpose, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has established an annual prize to honour the territory’s most ecologically conscious area council.

On Tuesday in Abuja, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, announced this at the commencement of the 2021 tree planting campaign and distribution of seedlings to area councils, villages, and schools.

The Minister also added that the administration has sustained the tree planting campaign with the planting of over 12,000 trees across the six area councils annually as part of efforts by the FCT Administration to reclaim lost trees and forests as well as keep the existing forest landscapes intact, stressing that this campaign also helps in raising the level of public awareness on the importance of engaging individual and collective actions to boost tree planting activities in the nation’s capital.

Aliyu, who described the theme: “Forest Restoration: A Path to Recovery and Well-being” as apt, however, stressed that the theme sets an agenda for countries to demonstrate practical commitments to the safety of the environment by engaging in actions that would address issues of land degradation, desertification and effective management of the ecosystem towards the restoration of forest resources and mitigating the effect of climate change.

While calling on developers to make adequate provisions to accommodate trees, she used the occasion to remind residents that it is against the law to cut down trees without recourse to the relevant extant environmental laws or to agencies of the FCT Administration.

Her words : “you will recall that in 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Climate Action Summit organized by the United Nations, pledged that Nigeria will within a 10 years period plant 25 million trees to mitigate the effects of climate change and enhance the country’s carbon sink.

” To support the actualization of this pledge, I would like to announce the institution of an annual award to select the best environmentally friendly area council in the FCT. The seedlings that will be distributed today on this occasion is symbolic. It is expected that the area councils will play their part by organising tree planting exercises in their various domains towards meeting this target”.

The minister revealed that as part of steps to protect the forests, the administration has begun the process of training and empowering the FCT Forest Guards to enable them effectively carry out surveillance activities to prevent further damage to the environment in the territory.

Earlier in his remarks, the Ag. Secretary Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mr. Ibe Prospect, noted that the global community is facing growing challenges of climate change, while adding that harmful agricultural practices and developmental activities are known to have largely contributed to the destruction of billions of trees around the globe.

Ibe said that the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat has intensified public enlightenment campaign in all the area councils, ensuring that relevant stakeholders such as the area council authorities, traditional institutions, estate developers and students are carried along to engage in practical activities towards tree planting and forest restoration.

The highpoint of the event was the distribution of tree seedlings to stakeholders and planting of trees by the FCT Minister of State, area council chairmen, traditional rulers, and notable actors in the entertainment industry.