TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC),  Dr Hamid Bobboyi  has called for the support of the Federal Capital Territory  Administration (FCTA) for the establishment of a Digital Resource Center in the nation’s capital.

Saying that the establishment of such a Center became imperative with the COVID-19 Pandemic where students had to take online classes.

Bobboyi  made this known when he led a delegation of top management staff of the Commission on a courtesy visit on the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello yesterday in his office on Abuja.

He, however, commended the FCT Administration for having one of the highest number of qualified teachers in the country. 

He said “One of the challenges that we have in the country has been the area of qualified teachers. Looking at what is available in other parts of the country, we are very much encouraged looking at the picture here in the FCT. Despite the challenges, the FCT is deemed to have one of the highest qualified teacher numbers in the country.

He continued “Others have unqualified ratios that are very appalling. In primary schools, again, FCT qualified teachers are much higher, well above 86 percent, while at junior secondary school, you have up to about 88 percent to almost 90 percent. So, it’s a trend that we encourage for the simple fact that without qualified teachers, it’s very difficult to establish a qualitative educational system in the country.

Boboyyi  added that; “We want to extend our congratulation to you for superintending over a basic education sector that is performing very well here in the FCT. We have been visiting some of the schools, we have been looking at a lot of issues that take place within the FCT because the Commission itself is located within the FCT and its staff are also of course within the city”.

He also commended the FCT Administration for accessing its UBEC funds up to 2019 saying that many other states were still struggling adding that the FCTA has utilized the resources judiciously with the provision of infrastructure.

While speaking on the problem of out-of-school children, the UBEC Executive Secretary also said that the efforts of the FCTA in this regard has substantially reduced the number of out-of-school children in the Territory.

Earlier in his response, the FCT Minister , Malam Muhammad Musa Bello  thanked Bobboyi for the commendation and said the development of education  remains a priority for the FCT Administration.

Speaking on the establishment of the Digital Resource Center,  Bello pledged the support of the FCTA saying that it would be very difficult for agencies such as UBEC to function efficiently without leveraging on technology.

Also at the meeting the Deputy Executive Secretary (Services) of UBEC, Executive Secretary (Technical) Dr Bala Zakari, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, Ag Secretary for Education, Alh. Umaru Marafa, executive Chairman, FCT UBEB, Dr Kabir Matazu, amongst others.

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday arraigned and convicted 27 persons who violated the Presidential order on Covid-19 guidelines.

This violation is against the Presidential Order pursuant to Section 4 of the Quarantine Act, Cap. 02, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The convicts (24 in numbers) were brought before the FCT Mobile Court presided over by Magistrate Idayat Akanni who sentenced the convicts to one day community service in any government agencies and fine varying between N2,000 to N 3,000 or a two weeks imprisonment.

She, however, adjoined the case of three defendants who pleaded not guilty to August 21st,2020

The Prosecutor Counsel , Udeme Umanah who read the charges before the COVID-19 regulation defulters arrested at Pana village in Utako district, said the offences bother on violation of dust -to-dawn curfew, violation of ban on social gatherings and the violation of compulsory wearing of face mask when appearing in the public.

Fielding questions from newsmen, the Chairman FCT Ministerial Task Team on COVID-19 enforcement , Comrade Ikharo Attah said Nigerians especially FCT residents should comply to the safety guidelines.

According to him; “Most of the people are thinking that the issue of COVID-19 is gone, but is not over, the fight against the pandemic is still on, so we must strictly adhere to the rules.

“We in the FCT are law abiding because the guidelines issued by the PTF have not been lifted, the people must understand that the protocols are in place, restaurants, beer parlours and drinking joints are not allowed to operate, it is because of these violations that the defulters in Pana village have been arrested” he said.

He, however, listed the places sealed for 4 days to include Chioma restaurant, Madam Okosu and Mrs. Hashimu.

While commenting on the judgement, the FCT Police command spokesperson, Anjuguri Manza said the police stance on COVID-19 regulations was still in place.

He stated that :”We want to remind FCT residents that the COVID-19 regulations is very much in place, people should know that the curfew that starts from 10. Pm to 4. Am daily is also in place”

Manza explained that those who operate beer parlours and restaurants should adhere to the guidelines.

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

In order to efficiently manage the nation’s capital,  the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to the deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) .

He made this known when he received a delegation from the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), led by its  Director General, Engr Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi on a courtesy visit to the FCTA, saying, i foresees a future where Abuja  is run fully as an ICT compliant city.

According to the Minister ; “At the FCT level, many of our agencies are already, in one form or the other, using ICT to do our work and we are moving towards improving that”.

He , however, assured his guests that the FCTA will support NITDA in its quest also to achieve this shared dream for the nation’s capital.

Bello added that, “Being in Abuja, I can assure you that we will always be available to partner with your organization to deploy whatever you need to deploy, whether it is solutions to schools that are e-based or solution to security matters or traffic management or the health system. In all these areas, we have some form of IT deployment already”.

The Minister further stated that ; “So, it’s just a matter of streamlining and upgrading and you can use Abuja as one giant platform where you can showcase what is possible so that when people come in here, you will always show them what you are doing because all the institutions that you will require to do all the deployments that you need to do are available within the FCT Administration”.

Bello also stressed that Nigeria can achieve a lot by leveraging on the ICT platform, adding that, “From what we have seen and what we read, the youth population is already fully ready for it.

He continued , “For many young Nigerians e- banking is the only form of banking that they know”. He also added that “It is very obvious also, if there is anything about COVID-19, is the fact that it has brought to the fore, the need for technology and the need for e-governance”.

Earlier, the DG of NITDA, Engr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi had solicited the support of the FCT Administration towards the establishment of an Information Technology Hub in the Territory, akin to the popular Silicon Valley in California.

He said: “NITDA is one of the drivers of that initiative and the initiative has identified five key stakeholders – universities as the producer of the human capital, government as the enabler because the government’s role in business is to provide the enabling environment.

He added that, “Then corporate organisations as the market because when you graduate from school, for most of the people, our mindset now is to look for white collar job. Then we have the innovators and the entrepreneurs, which can be students or graduates. Then venture capitals who can invest”.

The NITDA Boss who stated that ICT was the third major contributor to the nation’s GDP, said at the rate the world is moving, ICT was going to dominate everything. He added that, “As we are today, ICT powers almost everything we do, from office to personal things. Therefore, ICT is central to the development of any country”.

Also present at the meeting were the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malan Bashir Mai-Bornu, the Director of Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), Dr Isa Jalo and other senior members of staff of the FCTA.

As Aliyu Flags Off 2020 Tree Planting Campaign  

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, said the Administration was investing in the adoption of solar lighting to illuminate streets in the satellite towns of the territory.  

She made this known at the official flag-off of 2020 Tree Planting campaign in Karshi, Abuja Municipal Area Council, while stressing that the FCT Administration was working on other innovative solutions capable of earning carbon credits with which to spur development in the satellite towns.  

She stated that, Tree Planting campaign was an annual global event meant to create awareness amongst citizens on the need to sustainably manage forests for the purpose of meeting the developmental needs of the present generation without compromising the opportunity of future generations to manage theirs.

To this end, she said the administration was working on a number of policy instruments to enhance the protection of the territory’s tree stock, adding that efforts are also being expended to promote the wide adoption of climate-friendly practices across the nooks and crannies of the territory.  

Speaking on this year’s theme “Forests and Biodiversity: Too Precious to Lose”, the minister noted that this could not have been coined at a better time than now when all hands need to be on deck to ensure the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

Her words; “Goals 13 and 15 of the SDGs require all and sundry to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; and protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss”.  

She, however , called on other relevant departments to, as a matter of urgency, join hands with the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD) in the re-vegetation of all open spaces, degraded hill tops and hill slopes, reclaim old burrow-pit as well as rivers and flood-prone areas to prevent and mitigate adverse environmental consequences in the satellite towns of the territory.  

Amity further said that the STDD has earmarked 48,000 assorted indigenous tree species to be planted in the six Area Councils and 20,000 to be donated to foreign Embassies/High Commissions, FCT Public and Private Schools, religious bodies among others.  

Earlier, the Ag. Coordinator of FCT Satellite Towns Development Department, Engr. Felix Nwankwo, identified the environment as an asset to the present and future generations, hence the need for its sustainable management, noting that incidences of ecological and environmental disasters ravaging the entire globe are the direct consequences of man-made and natural factors.  

Nwankwo, affirmed that trees in an environment are known to enhance the supply of oxygen to the atmosphere which serves as immunity booster to citizens thereby reducing the expected susceptibility to COVID-19 fatalities.  

The highpoint of the occasion was the planting of trees by the FCT Minister of State, Chairmen of Area Councils, heads of agencies, traditional and religious leaders across the six area councils of the territory.

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Management of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board ( MPWB) has called for early completion of its permanent office complex project located at Gudu district of the Federal Capital City.

The Director of the Board, Mallam Muhammad Nasiru Danmallam gave the call when he led the management team to inspect the level of project being executed by the Department of Public Building of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

Danmallam, however, expressed happiness over the quality of the work and the level of work done which was aimed at accommodating staff of the board to carry out their official duties.

The director , in a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Lawal Aliyu
also assured the contractor handling the project of all necessary support to facilitate prompt release of fund for the execution of the project in line with the desire of the Administration.

He expressed his appreciation to the FCT Minister of state, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu whose passion for the project ensured that the contractor was mobilized back to site after abandonment for many months for lack of funding.

Danmallam called on the Contractor to increase the tempo to ensure early completion of the project to actualize the commitment of the Administration in the provision of befitting working environment for its staff to carry out their official assignments.

Briefing the team earlier, the Contractor handling the project, Mr Ejike Amu pledged to ensure the early completion of the project without compromising quality with the prompt release of funds.

He said the contract was a five-storey building with offices, conference rooms, Parking lodge, Mosque and other structures for the Board.

The contract which was first awarded in the year 2011 was later reviewed and re-awarded in 2014 to serve as office accommodation for the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

In order to control indiscriminate waste disposal in the the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) , the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu on Thursday unveiled Cash 4 Trash recycling hub in Nyanya area of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

Unveiling the project, the Minister said that the aim of the scheme was to promote healthy environment and erosion control.

She stressed that blocking the drainage with litres has been one of the major factors contributing to flooding in some parts of the territory.  

Aliyu, however, commended the WASTE Africa and the FCT Satellite Towns Development Department for what she described as laudable initiative.  

Her Words , “This scheme will go a long way in controlling blockages on our streets and drainages by ensuring that waste are exchange for cash. Trash to wealth will also empower our youths to earn legitimate income.  

“The era of sitting down and do nothing has gone. The Federal Capital Territory Administration through the Satellite Towns Development Department is partnering with all these bodies and more to ensure that you can pick up some litres and get some money.  

“The scheme will empower the youths and at the same time clean the environment. This is an igneous way of getting money through trash. So, I want to congratulate Nyanya women and youths and also call on them to ensure that they use this scheme judiciously by picking up some litres that can be exchanged for wealth”.  

Earlier, the Convener of WASTE Africa, Ms. Funto Boroffice, said that Abuja lacks recycling plant, hence the need to introduce it in the nation’s capital like most cities in the country.  

She, however revealed that with the support of Coca Cola Foundation, WASTE Africa was able to establish seven recycling hubs in the territory, just as commended the FCT Administration for the partnership.  

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

Not less than 35 inmates of the FCT Vocational and Rehabilitation Center Bwari, yesterday, graduated from various sections of the facility, ending five year wait for the students.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, who spoke at the 7th graduation ceremony of students of the center, said the Administration has without doubt, demonstrated its commitment to effective service delivery, by providing the needed support for persons with disabilities.

Represented at the event by her Special Assistant on Social Development, Mrs. Simisola Ayoade, the minister charged the grandaunts to make proper and commercial use of the starter parks given to them, even as she assured that the administration will broaden its scope of providing entrepreneurial and skill acquisition with profitable value to persons living with disabilities.

“Government is further taking series of actions in advancing the inclusion of persons with disabilities as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals agenda of the United Nations which is aimed at improving the well being of persons with disabilities as it relates to the 17 SDGs with the ability of opening up communication, independence and improved quality of livelihood for persons with disabilities.

“Furthermore, the Administration is taking additional steps to reinforce the battle against the phenomenon of discrimination which constitutes one of the main challenges that people with disabilities face at every level of society.”

Speaking on the prolong interval since the last graduation in 2015, the Director Social Welfare, Social Development Secretariat of the FCTA, Dr. Felicia Nwogu, identified administrative challenges as being responsible for the delay.

“For about five years now, we have not been able to graduate due to one reason or the other. Before now we have had six graduation ceremonies, then the mandate was on the NGO, Society against Prostitution and Child Labour Eradication in Nigeria, SAPLAN. There was however one or two anomalies that government was not satisfied with while SAPLAN was in charge. We had some administrative issues which constituted a major drawback to the graduation.

“However, going forward, we hope to have graduation ceremonies annually, but of course we don’t expect government to do everything on its own. Some NGOs or institutions can take up this graduation, give the grandaunts starter parks and they can take care of themselves.”

She assured that the Administration will not renege on its pledge to provide critical support for the vulnerable.

The beneficiaries who were trained in leather works, metal fabrication, electronics, welding, fashion designing, tailoring, among other vocations, received starter parks including filling machines, industrial sewing machines, bench grinders among other equipment.

Officials say the equipment and start up capital distributed to the 35 beneficiaries is valued at over N4million.

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is also the Chairman of the National Council on Nutrition has highlighted poverty as a major factor exacerbating malnutrition.

According to him, poverty has been worsened by COVID-19 pandemic and the displacement of large populations as a result of banditry and insurgency.

He made this known at the virtual National Nutrition Summit held yesterday in Abuja.

The Vice President, however, identified the 2016 review of the National Nutrition Policy and the 2017 reconstitution of the National Council on Nutrition as major steps that the government has taken to turn the tide on the issue of nutrition in addition to progressive increases in nutrition allocations.

He commended the conference for what he described as “important conversation on Nutrition”.

Earlier, the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Oludolapo Osinbajo, who represented First Lady of Nigeria, Dr. Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari charged stakeholders to end the scourge of malnutrition ravaging Nigerian children so that they can survive, thrive and possess the requisite cognitive ability to handle the future. To ignore this, she said, is to mortgage our future, “because tomorrow, we would not have competent young adults to run government, businesses or even academia.”

While adding that; “By now we are certain that the Government and people of Nigeria are not oblivious of the nutrition situation in the country. We have also made some progress in recent years, especially having more stakeholders talking about Nutrition, and getting more nutrition-sensitive budget lines at Federal and State levels.”

Mrs. Buhari also drew attention to the current global pandemic, which has worsened the situation by moving all attention and resources towards the containment of the COVID -19 virus, and unconsciously excluding vulnerable children in the process. She stated that their lives are equally as important.

She, however, expressed hope that all stakeholders will strengthen their resolve to make and follow through with their commitments on Nutrition.

Other speakers at the event includes the Minister of Health, Prof. Osagie Ehanire and Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba; both stated that there is clear relationship between malnutrition and underdevelopment with Nigeria having the highest rates of malnutrition in Africa and second highest in the world, calling for more concerted effort to address this negative trend.