Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, has condemned in a strong terms the abductions of the former Vice Chairman of Kuje Area Council along side some members of the council’s legislative arm by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.
She , however, described the incident as unfortunate and heinous, while , regretting that the cases of abductions have become so rampant especially in Kuje Area Council of the territory.
The minister, also assured that the FCT Administration would take drastic measures to address the situation, while appealing to residents of the community to remain calm as efforts are place to recover all kidnapped victims.
Her words; “It is regrettable and unfortunate that we are still having cases of abductions and kidnappings of innocent citizens in the Federal Capital Territory. It is regrettable because this is the seat of government and we must do everything possible to put to an end this senseless killings and abductions of residents in the territory.
“However, I want to appeal to residents especially those in the Area Councils to remain calm, as the FCT Administration under the leadership of Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, is working assiduously to protect lives and property of residents. I want to assure you that the security agencies are on top of the situation,” the minister stated.
It would be recalled that gunmen suspected to be kidnappers stormed Pegi community early hour of Sunday and abducted the Council Vice Chairman, Hon. Mohammed Baba, Legislative members and some political aides.
As Schools in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) resume after seven months of Covid-19 break and anxiety, the is organising a two-day intra-action review workshop in line with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.
The Acting Secretary of the FCT Health and Human Services Secretariat (HHSS) Dr. Mohammed Kawu, made this known in a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.
He hinted that the intra-action review is critical at this point to enable relevant stakeholders to collectively review the current response approach so as to identify challenges, adopt best practices and re-strategize for improved response.
His words; “The review meeting which is expected to hold between October 13 and 14, 2020, “will also help to document lessons learned, share experiences and utilize available evidence to plan for future outbreaks.
“One of the key focus of the workshop will be to build consensus amongst relevant stakeholders with specific target on full decentralization of the response to the Area Councils”.
“Other key targets of the review meeting include improving community engagement and participation in the response, sustaining safety measures in FCT schools, improving enforcement of preventive measures and integrating the distribution of palliatives with the response activities”, he stressed.
It would be recalled that on the 20th of March 2020 the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), confirmed the first COVID-19 case. Following the confirmation, a multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated to coordinate the outbreak response in collaboration with Partners.
Dr. Kawu pointed out that the response strategy is based on an Incident Management System (IMS) with thematic areas focusing on Surveillance and Epidemiology, Laboratory, Infection Prevention and Control, Health and Safety, Case management, Risk communication, Logistics, Coordination, and Research.
“An incident action plan (IAP) was developed to guide the response with an overarching goal of containing the spread of COVID-19 in the FCT”, he said.
Contrary to the order given by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu that all tiers of education in Nigeria should resume activities on the 12th October , 2020, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) on Thursday said the order is not applicable to them.
This, according to the union because of the discrepancies in the implementation of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
Speaking on behalf of the union, the ASUP President, Comrade Anderson Ezeobe, made this known in Abuja on Thursday, while hinting that the 15 days ultimatum issued by the union before the lockdown occasioned by Covid-19 pandemic was still valid.
He added that, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union has directed various chapters to hold congresses with a view to taking drastic decision on the next line of actions.
Ezeobe, however, regretted insensitive of the government to their plight, despite assurances that the discrepancies in their wages will be resolved.
According to him; “We can’t be giving an ultimatum and be repeating an ultimatum; we decided to go back on our congress to take a referendum, because we have to educate our congress.
“The trade union is an epitome of democracy, so we are taking the matter to our congress to say, this is what has happened and the same way, we will explain to our chairmen, and they’ll take the matter back to congress and then our congress will decides on the direction to take.
“We understand that the pandemic has altered a lot of dynamics and so with the feedback we get from our members, we can come back and say, we are shutting down or giving a particular date. So we are waiting for directives that will come from our Congress,” he stated .
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on Covid-19, Boss Mustapha has hinted that Nigeria is no longer in the top five countries by cumulative deaths in Africa as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While warning that the cheering news should not create room for scepticism and nonchalance with regard to the virus as it was still very much in existence.
He added that the European Union (EU) and the Federal Government were still perfecting control measures regarding flights into Nigeria,especially as daily passengers into Nigeria soars to 4,500.
According to him; “Although Nigeria is no longer in the top five countries by cumulative deaths in Africa, the PTF continues to urge Nigerians to change their attitude of scepticism and nonchalance to the virus. For the avoidance of doubts, the virus is real, ferocious and deadly.
“To date, Nigeria has recorded 59,738 confirmed cases and 1,113 fatalities. The PTF is fully conscious, but not deceived, by the fact that our recovery rate is high and very encouraging. We still urge, however, that everyone should get tested because testing is the only way to detect, isolate, trace and treat.
“Media reports have suggested that many Nigerians do not trust the government and its agencies. We need to continue to build mutual trust between government and the governed if successes already recorded are to be sustained in the fight against COVID-19.
He continued; ” The PTF and relevant agencies are working with the European Union on the issue of flights into Nigeria. As soon as negotiations are completed, Nigerians will be informed accordingly. For flights currently allowed into Nigeria, we are seeing a combined number of 4,500 arriving passengers per day into Lagos and Abuja.
“Let me remind all Nigerians that like our diamond anniversary celebration, the COVID-19 has made year 2020 a most significant year for us in Nigeria. We need to do all we can to survive it and we have the solutions in our hands. Together let us take responsibility”.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced fumigation of all public schools across the six Area Councils of the nation’s capital ahead of school resumption slated for Monday 11th, October, 2020.
FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, while performing a symbolic exercise at the Government Junior Secondary School, Garki said that the exercise was aimed at protecting and save guiding pupils, students and management staff of public schools against the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.
Aliyu also used the occasion to call on operators of private schools in the territory to carry out the same exercise before school resumption while also tasked parents and guardians to ensure that their wards are properly kitted before going to school.
According to her; “We are here to symbolically flag off the fumigation exercise as collectively decided and championed by the Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello. Earlier in the day, we had a press conference on the need for the schools to be opened on Monday for academic activities.
“So, to that effect and in adherence to extant rules of the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to ensure that there are adequate safety and care for our children. So we are embarking on the fumigation of our schools.
“The Minister is also doing the same thing at JSS Jabi. So, from today, the whole public schools in the Federal Capital Territory will be simultaneously fumigated until Monday when we are ready for resumption”.
While speaking on the fate of private schools, the minister said, “As for the private schools, of course, there is a criteria for resumption and most of them are complying. And any school found wanting, there are standards for disciplinary action to be taken. But for now, we are good to go”.
Also, the principal of Government Junior Secondary School, Garki, Mrs. Mohammed Fatima, expressed the preparedness of her school to resume academic activities as announced by the authorities.
Her words; “We are very prepared as you can see for yourself. We are perfectly prepared. The grasses are trimmed, fumigation is going on, we have our wash hand basins, sanitizers, liquid soaps and face masks. In short everything is on ground”.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has halt the payment of third term school fee across the territory.
While warning private school owners not to demand money from parents or guardians.
The FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, on Thursday gave this order at a press conference to herald the reopening of all schools across the Federal Capital Territory on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, for 2020/2021 Academic Session.
While explaining that boarding schools are to resume on Sunday, while Day schools would resume on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020.
The minister added that the decision to reopen schools had been probably one of the most painstaking decision that the FCT administration had to take as team.
His words; “In opening of schools we have to be very careful and conscious of the need to ensure that all the efforts of all of us during the last few months are not in vein.
“Based on the reality on ground as well as the inputs and advice of medical personnel and the guidelines of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF) and releases from the Federal Ministry of Education.
He continued; “We have come to the conclusion that it is relatively safe for us to open up schools in the FCT base on certain guidelines and conditions which will be release shortly.”
Bello, however, noted that the gathering of young people and children within enclosed environment posed very peculiar challenges that requires handling with utmost care caution particularly by the schools and education administrators.
He, therefore, enjoined parents, guardians and stakeholders to compliment the efforts of the FCT administration by further creating awareness and sensitisation of their people and wards on the needs to adhere strictly to health guidelines.
He also, warned that the virus had not been eliminated and it was still a deadly disease, saying “now is therefore not the time for us to be complaisant.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman FCT Schools Resumption Committee, Dr Fatima Abdulrahman, who read the guidelines for the post COVID-19 school resumption disclosed that there was no going to be third term.
Abdulrahman directed schools to conduct revision and examination to tidy up and end second term within two weeks.
She , however, warned private schools owners against demanding for third term fees, adding that maximum class size should be 25 students per class.
She said that the FCT administrator had suspend all activities that encourages crowding and clustering in schools.
Abdulrahman further stated that every school should have a sick bay where students with high temperature would be kept under the supervision of health personnel until their parents come for them.
She warned that any school that does not comply with the guidelines and an outbreak occurs in the school due to negligence, risk closure.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has revealed plans to convert one of its abandoned broadcasting facilities at Abaji Area Council of the territory to a training centre for media practitioners.
Speaking on behalf of the administration, the Managing Director, Abuja Broadcasting Corporation Ltd, Mr. Ibrahim Damisa, said this would be made possible if only the recommendation on the abandoned broadcasting facilities at Abaji is considered.
He made this known in Abuja during a tour of facilities of the Abuja Broadcasting Corporation Ltd, Headquarters by the FCT Ministers Press Corps, on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to him, the management team of the station has recommended to the FCT Minister , the need to convert the station’s abandoned facilities to a training centre where media practitioners’ capacity would be built through regular training.
” We are looking at how we can use our facilities at Abaji to build capacity for journalists, if our recommendations are accepted, we shall proceed to establish a training school there”, he said.
Damisa also frowned at the damaging effects of fake news on the image of the country, as being promoted by citizen journalists on social media , while urging professional media practitioners to remain distinguished and always be committed to the ethics of the profession.
He attributed the rapid transformation in the station to the resolve of the Minister, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello to revive all revenue generating agencies under his administration, he equally reiterated commitment to the welfare of staff , which he said was utmost to the sustainability of the on going transformation.
He, therefore, called on policy makers to always recognise media practitioners as well as carry them along in policies implementation.
Saying, implementation of many of government’s policies fail, when the media is not properly incorporated into the processes and also empowered to bridge the communication gap between government and the people.
Damisa ,however, opined that the backlash that followed the recent increments in electricity tarrif, petrol pump prices, even the subsidy removal was because the media were not recognised as a stabilising factor.
According to him; ” you are the ones bringing the communication gap between the people and the government. When it comes to communications, journalists play a very good role, they play the role of preparing the minds of the people to be receptive to the policy implementation.
” When electricity tarrif was increased the journalists were not recognise, the journalists would have taken sensitization about the increment to the people.
” We need to know as reporters what the government is doing so that it can be properly communicated to the people, especially on the issue of subsidy removal , the journalists need to prepare the mind of the people “
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the FCT Minister Press Corps, Comrade Attah Ikharo noted that what the media organisation have on ground, the station will compete favourably with sister organisations both within and outside the FCT.
The Chairman who was represented at the occasion by his Vice Chairman, Alhaji Hudu Yakubu said the visit was in recognition of the noticeable achievements in the media organisation.
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Engr. Freeborn Okhiria, as the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation NRC.
In a statement made available by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Dr Magdalene Ajani disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari in the letter Ref: No SH/COS/17/A/1698 dated 5th October, 2020 approved the renewal of Engr. Freeborn Okhiria, as the Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), in accordance with the relevant section of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act. Cap 129, LFN, 2004.
Okhiria who was first appointed as MD of the corporation on 24th October, 2016 will continue his tenure effective 20th October, 2020 for a second and final four (4) year tenure.
The Senior Staff Of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) has given the Federal Government a 21 Day ultimatum to expedite actions in resolving the disjointed implementation of salary in the polytechnic since the commencement of Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
This is contained in a communique signed and read by the National President of SSANIP, Comrade Phillip Ogunsipe at the end of NEC emergency meeting held in Abuja.
The Union further lamented that apart from the disjointed salary issue faced by its members since the implementation of IPPIS in February, 2020, other lingering issues associated with IPPIS include non-release of new Minimum Wage arrears, inconsistencies in the release of third party deductions, non-payment of COVID-19 hazard allowance for health workers, delay in the release of 2018 and 2019 promotion arrears, among others.
The communique stated that failure of the IPPIS to address these highlighted challenges within 21 days from the date of this communique would leave the Union with no option than to review its stance on IPPIS.
While adding that, “Against this backdrop, the Council wishes to call on the relevant agencies Of Government to expedite actions toward resolving these highlighted challenges.
Equally, the Council Wish to frankly state that failure of the IPPIS to address these highlighted challenges within 21 days from the date of this communique would leave the Union with no option than to review its stance on IPPIS”
The Union also called on the Federal Government to urgently address the issue of security of life and property and also the general decay in the entire road network across the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of N10 Billion for the National Population Commission (NPopC), for the continuation of Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) across 546 Local Government Area of the country.
He also approved an additional N4.5 Billon to be included in the 2021 Budget for the completion of the exercise as part of the preparations for the next census.
The Acting Chairman of National Population Commission, Dr. Eyitayo Oyetunji disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while briefing reporters on the release of the funds and the update on the EAD at the NPopC headquarters.
According to him; “Hitherto, the Commission had been implementing the EAD in phases due to limitations in the availability and allocation of funds. I am however pleased to announce, that His Excellency, Mr. President has reaffirmed his commitment towards the successful completion of the EAD and indeed towards conduct of the next census by approving the release of the total sum of ten billion naira for the continuation of the EAD in the remaining 546 LGA of the country. The President has graciously followed this up by a further approval of an additional N45 billion to be included in the 2021 Budget for the completion of the exercise as part of preparations for the next census.
“No doubt, this milestone development, under-scores the President’s understanding of the role of data, especially demographic data as the bedrock for informed development planning and allocation of resources. facilities and services. The President has by this giant intervention demonstrated his desire to invest in the population, especially our teeming youthful population and to thereby lead the country to harness the demographic dividend. We in the National Population Commission, perceive this highly commendable action of His Excellency, Mr. President as further indication of his dogged resolve to take this country into a post COVID-19 era that will emerge from systematic planning and optimal utilization of available resources especially the human capital with which the country is abundantly blessed.
He continued ; “There is no gain saying that no nation can develop beyond the capacity of its population. For us at the Commission we wish to reiterate our preparedness and unwavering commitment to work towards the successful conclusion of the EAD and the conduct of the next census and to thereby provide accurate, reliable and up-to-date demographic data for national planning and development”.
Asked when the next census will commence, Oyetunji said: “I can tell you that we are very close to the conduct of the election. You will recall that President Muhammadu Buhari appointed the complete membership of the NPC including a substantive chairman.
“That in itself is an indication that government is working towards the exercise. And you will also agree that at a time like this there was high demand for scarce resources for government to commit a sum of N10 billion to the EAD is an indication that we are truly closer than when we began.
” like they say in the bible the exert time and date is what we have not yet indicated. With the speed we want to complete the EAD which is the major preparatory activity, for us at the NPC we are ready at any moment and prepared to conduct the census. We just need a nod to do so.”
He said NPC is briefing on the commencement of the next phase of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) exercise of the National Population Commission which is the 10th phase of the exercise so far undertaken.
The NPC boss said a total of 228 LGAs were successfully demarcated across the 36 States and FCT in the previous 9 phases.
He said the 10th Phase of the exercise will commence on 5th and end on October 29th 2020, including training and fieldwork.
Oyetunji also disclosed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has entered into a special arrangement with the National Population Commission (NPC) under which the NPC is assisting INEC to create digitized maps of INEC Registration Areas (Wards) for the first time as part of the EAD.
He noted that, it is expected that the output of the collaborative effort will further enhance the accuracy and transparency of future elections.
He added that in the face of the growing insecurity besetting parts of the nation, information from the EAD is also invaluable for security surveillance as well as crime prevention and detection.
