TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has called on Arewa Youth Council to promote and immortalise the legacies of Late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Defunct Northern Nigeria.  

She made this known when the leadership of Arewa Youth Council (AYC), paid her a courtesy call in her office,yesterday in Abuja, while noting that such legacies would influence the performances of public officers in the country, especially in the north.  

The minister who was represented by her Special Assistant on Youths and Women, Simisola Ayoade, affirmed that the level of insecurity in the northern Nigeria was a clear departure of the legacies of Sir Ahmadu Bello, who worked tirelessly to promote unity of northern Nigeria and the country at large.  

In her words; “I am delighted that our youths especially from the north are beginning to come to the full realization that they are critical stakeholders in governance. I want to state unequivocally that the present level of insecurity, social vices and economic backwardness in some parts of the north is a clear departure from the legacies of Sarduana of Sokoto.

 
“Therefore, continue to promote and immortalise the legacies of Late Sir Ahmadu Bello, because such legacies will in no snall measure influence the performances of public officers in the country, especially in the north,” she stated.  

While commending the leadership of AYC for the visit, the Minister identified education as key to breaking the yoke of drug addiction and other social vices among youths in northern Nigeria, just as she called on other youths to build one united nation.  

Earlier , the President of Arewa Youth Council, Comrade Dogo Shagari, observed that despite Sardauna’s legacies, northern region has continued to embrace poverty, stressing that the northern states are behind every other states of the federation.  

According to him, “We need something that will unite the north regardless of political parties or ethnicity. For many years now, no conscious efforts to fight poverty has been made commensurate to the growing population of the region.
“We need to unite to fight poverty and to get qualitative population needed to fight poverty alongside investment in education”.  

The highpoint of the occasion was the conferment of “Icon of Peace/Nation Building” award on the FCT Minister of State.  

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has expressed the determination of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to partner with the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, for strict enforcement of road safety laws in the nation’s capital.

Bello made this known when he received a delegation from the FRSC, led by the new Zone 7 Area Commander, Assistant Corp Marshal, Jonas Agwu on a courtesy visit to the FCTA, stressed the need for the Corps to massively deploy men and equipment to ensure enforcement of road safety laws on the roads.

Congratulating the Zonal Commander on his new command position, the Minister placed a lot of emphasis on the need for enforcement of traffic and road safety laws saying, “Enforcement is key. You have to massively deploy men and equipment on a very, very sustained level. Not just one week or two weeks but a sustained level, even if it takes months”.

The Minister in a press statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Anthony Pinkeye stated that, particular attention should be placed on the traffic congestion that occurs regularly at the Lugbe axis along the Airport Road especially in the evenings where unauthorized trading take place usually under the pedestrian bridges.

The Minister, however, emphasized that the laws establishing the FRSC were explicit and very strong, and called on the FCT Sector Command of the FRSC to put the laws to good use.

The FCTA, he said, will support and partner with the FRSC with the effective use of the Mobile Court system. The Airport Road, the Minister emphasized further, is the gateway into the City and should at all times reflect orderliness.

Pledging the support of the FCTA for success in the discharge of his duties, the Minister urged Agwu to leverage on the good working relationship that already exists between the FCT sector of the FRSC and the national Headquarters of the Corps.

Earlier in his remarks , the Assistant Corps Marshal Jonas Agwu had commended the Minister for his openness and support for the FRSC, which he said, had contributed to the successes achieved by the Corps in the nation’s capital.

He also appreciated the good working relationship amongst the various relevant agencies in the FCT involved in management of traffic and curbing insecurity in the Territory, attributing it to the hard work and effective leadership of the Honourable Minister of the FCT.

Agwu also pledged to build on the existing structures available in the FCT to meet the effective road safety and traffic management objectives of the FCTA, adding that the creation of more designated bus stops and deployment of more high capacity buses will further aid traffic flow in the city.

Present at the meeting were the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Malam Bashir Mai Bornu, Director, Department of Human Resource Management, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir, the FCT Sector Commander, FRSC, Mr. Ayuba Gora Wobin, the Director, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, DRTS, Alhaji Wadata Bodinga and other management staff of the FCTA.

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

Two Corps members of batch B 2019, Miss Ilori Ayotola Deborah, batch number FCT/19B/5861 and Mr. Ilozumba Patrick Chiagozie, batch number FC/19B/6140, have gained automatic employment into the services of Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for their outstanding performance during their one year mandatory youth service in the territory.  

They also bagged ministerial award in recognition of their immense contributions to rural communities especially during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic.  

While presenting the award to the deserving corps members, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, applauded them for exhibiting what she described as “consciousness and selflessness” during their one year mandatory service.  

She used the occasion to pledge that the FCT Administration would continue to appreciate those who have worked hard to promote the unity of this country especially during service year, stressing that the NYSC scheme has continued to foster unity among different ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.  

Her words ; “Today marks another milestone in the history of our younger ones especially the two outstanding corps members. During the processes of growth, we all look forward to a time when we will be appreciated, a period where someone will tap you on the shoulder and say you have done well.  

“Today happens to be the day for these young lads. You will get so many awards and laurels with the way you are going and with your antecedent, the sky is the limit for both of you. From your citations, you have exhibited consciousness and selflessness in service.  

“Nobody will hear about you if you choose to carry out your normal duties, but you must do extraordinary things to be treated extraordinary. The Governing Board finds you worthy for this honour, and I have no doubt in my mind that you deserves this award after listening to your citations.  

She continued; “You are indeed outstanding. When I listened to the citation of Ilori Ayotola Deborah, I was really proud of a young beautiful lady who is selfless and committed to duty. The administration will therefore continue to appreciate those who have worked harder to promote the unity of this country. The period of youth service, ushers you into a completely new environment, new culture, new faces to cohabit with and understand and learn from each other.  

“Once again, we appreciate you for your outstanding performance and to inform you that there is always a space for you in the FCT Administration. We are waiting for your response because you must make FCT proud and I will be the happiest person to see you among those that will be receiving the presidential award. The two corps members, if interested should be engaged in the services of FCT Administration and I believe that it will encourage other corps members to stand-out”.  

Earlier in her remarks, the Acting Secretary, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Delichukwu Onyedima, said corps member Ilori Ayotola Deborah, who hails from Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti state was born on February 27, 1994. Ilori, had her tertiary education at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state where she studied Linguistics, and served as Welfare Coordinator of the Youth Support Network.

A Nigerian Youth Forum targeted at reproduction health of young adolescents. She was also a member of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) CDs group.  

While corps member, Ilozumba Patrick Chiagozie, who hails from Anambra state graduated from Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka where he obtained a degree in Fine and Applied Art and passed out with a Second Class Upper.

He was deployed to the Federal Capital Territory for his youth service and posted to Federal Inland Revenue Service for his primary assignment. He served as a Federal Engagement and Enlightenment Tax Team Officer.  

TOYIN ADEBAYO, ABUJA

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, has said that it has refunded the sum of Seventy Four Million, Five Hundred and Forty Nine Thousand Naira (N74,549,000.00) to 2020 Intending Pilgrims who requested to collect back their deposit.

The Spokesperson of the Board, Muhammad Lawal Aliyu gave the revelation in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.

According to him , a total of 74 intending pilgrims who made deposit to the Board in respect of the 2020 Hajj that could not hold due to Covid-19 pandemic have so far collected their money.

The Public Relations Officer, however, advised Intending Pilgrims who have made deposit and are still willing to collect their money to do so before the end of this month as the Board is finalizing arrangements for the commencement of registration for 2021 Hajj exercise from 9th of September as directed by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

He further stated that , the refund of money collected is a continuous exercise but emphasised the need for early declaration of interest in order not to derail preparation for the forthcoming Hajj operation.

He also disclosed that all deposits not claimed would automatically be rolled-over as deposit against 2021 Hajj exercise.

Lawal added that, prospective Intending Pilgrims who wish to perform the 2021 Hajj through the Board can deposit a minimum of N1,000,000.00 (one million Naira) only via a Bank Draft payable to the “FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board Abuja” before the release of the actual fare by the Federal Government.

The statement also warned all intending pilgrims who are yet to return their completed application forms or submit their International Passport to do so to enable the Board facilitate early registration formalities and process their travel documents.