www.abujadigest.

info

Published by the Federal Capital Territory Administration Vol. 3, 32nd Edition, 4th - 17th September , 2023

NEWS PG 8
N825m Compensation:
Abuja indigenes
applaud Tinubu, Wike
Call: 08033327674

Wike, Mahmoud get heroic

welcome in FCTA
To restore Abuja Master Plan Security, sanitation, transportation, others top agenda
By Ben Ukeji, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Minister as political associates.
Wisdom Acka and
of the FCT and Dr. Mariya Mahmoud,
Minister of state for the FCT.
The atmosphere at the No 1, Kapital NEWS PG 2
Street, Headquarters of the FCT
Sunday Shekwonya
Though the duo have never worked in
t was like a home-coming for the two the FCT Administration, they were
Administration, housing the offices of the
two Ministers was electrifying as workers Go back to site,
I
newly appointed Ministers of the however, warmly received, accorded a
Federal Capital Territory (FCT), resounding and memorable welcome by the
workers of the FCT Administration as well
of the FCT Administration in their numbers
trooped out to catch a glimpse of the
Ministers. Contd. on page 2
we'll pay
- Wike tells contractors

NEWS PG 4
FCT Minister
inaugurates
Press
Corps Exco
NEWS BACK PG
FCTA pledges
support for women
in agriculture
FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike with Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud addressing the press on arrival.

FCT EMERGENCY (FEMA)

MANAGEMENT AGENCY
THE RAINS ARE HERE AGAIN!
DON'’T BE A FLOOD VICTIM
Clear the drains Do not build on ood plains Do not drive or walk on ooded water
Switch off electrical appliances during rains

“Reducing disaster risk for a safe and happy FCT”

COVID-19 is real, please get vaccinated.

Abuja Digest Weekly
2 DIGESTNews
Wike, Mahmoud get heroic welcome in FCTA
Contd. from page 1
Both Wike and
Mahmoud were joyfully
received by the teaming
F C TA Wo r k e r s a n d
associates, who came out as
early as 8:00am, Monday,
21st August 2023 and
b e s i e g e d t h e F C TA
Secretariat anxiously
waiting for the arrival of a
man they considered as a
round peg- in -a -round hole,
capable of turning around
the fortune of the 47 years
old capital city.
The workers,
associates gathered right
from the gate through to the
main entrance of the
Ministers' office to receive a
man believed to have
demonstrated an incredible
track record of success in all
public offices he has
occupied.
The crowd was massive
and comprised majorly of
Wike's well-wishers who
came to see a man, they
have perhaps, heard of, and
watched commission
signatures infrastructural
projects while serving as a
two-term governor of the oil
rich Rivers State.
The staff were
apprehensive and expectant
g i v i n g t h e t e n a c i t y,
pragmatism, and
progressive approach Wike
has brought to bear on
governance in every
position he has held so far in
his public life.
At about 2:00pm on
that fateful day, the signs
signifying the arrival of the
Ministers were obvious as
escort pilot vehicles arrived
the FCTA premises. It was
however, the FCT Minister
of State who arrived first. 10
minutes after, the man of the
moment, the big
Masquerade, Barrister
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike,
arrived the FCTA.
His arrival, however,
caused a huge traffic
headache for the security
and protocol officials who
struggled to control the
mammoth crowd that had
besieged the premises
despite the scorching sun.
The workers cheered, the
political associates sang and
danced joyfully. Right from
the Ahmadu Bello
Expresses way, Wike's well
-wishers were in multitudes.
An obviously excited
Wike, cheerfully waved at
the crowd. But due to the
size of the crowed that took
over the main entrance of
the Minister's office, Wike
and the Minister of state
have to be taken into the
building through the back
entrance. A decision some
of the workers were not
pleased with. They had
expected the protocol and
security team to have
allowed them to have a
close look at a man they
have been eagerly waiting
for.
One of the FCTA
4th - 17th September, 2023
workers, Gabriel Adams,
who spoke with Abuja
Digest Newspapers, said he
and other colleagues were
expecting to see a man
whom they have admired at
a close range.
The two Ministers
made straight to the
Minister's conference room,
where they met with some
o ff i c i a l s o f t h e F C T
Administration as well, as
the representatives of the
v a r i o u s m e d i a
organizations.
In his maiden address
to the FCT residents, Wike
vowed to restore the
bastardized Abuja Master
plan, sanitize the city from
shanties, improve
transportation, pay attention
to the security of lives and
property amongst others.
As always, the new
FCT Minister lived up to
his biding, as he, did not
disappoint the people. He
declared that he was
appointed to solve
problems, the new Minister
explained that he has
categorized the mandate
given to him by President
Bola Ahmed Tinubu into
short and long terms.
The "short term
deliverables", according to
him, were those that could
be done immediately and
within six months. On the
other hand, the long term
items include those
projects, roads and other
infrastructure that could
take years to complete.
Improvement of
security in the nation's
capital top his chart of short
term deliverables, as Wike
charged relevant security
agencies in the FCT to live
up to expectations and
ensure security of lives and
property of the residents.
Related to security
deliverable is the issue of
dysfunctional street light,
which keeps Abuja dark at
night thus facilitating
nocturnal crime; Wike
p r o m i s e d t o u rg e n t l y
illuminate all the nooks and
crannies of the Federal
Capital City, and "make it
hot for criminals".
Another short term
target he set was to ensure
environmental cleanliness,
where Wike stated that his
Administration would
consider establishment of
waste management systems
to solve Abuja's increasing
waste and introduce
sanitation days.
In respect of the city
management, the Minister
told FCT residents and
Nigerians that the current
FCT Administration would
not allow open grazing
within the Federal Capital
City, berating a situation
where cows brazenly graze
on grasses planted for
ornamentation.
He pledged to make
necessary consultation with
herders in the Territory
within the short period of
time with a view to ensuring
that the city centre,
especially, was rid of open
grazing.
On the menace of
Wike
Mahmoud
commercial motorcycles,
he insisted that their
activities must be stopped;
warning that the new
government will not allow a
situation where commercial
motorcycles compete with
vehicles on roads meant for
the vehicles but assured that
an alternatives will be
provided to reduce hardship
of the people.
Vandalization of public
utilities which has defiled
all attempts at solutions also
attracted attention of the
new Minister.
In order to safeguard
the facilities at all times, the
Minister instructed the
security agencies to treat
vandals of manhole covers
and other public facilities as
armed robbers.
Wike said that
rehabilitation of vandalized
portions of the Abuja Light
Rail, its air-conditioning
Abuja Digest @abujadigest
systems and others, would
be completed as quickly as
possible, adding that
President Tinubu had
indicated interest to have a
ride on the train. Therefore,
everything must be done by
the FCT Administration to
revitalize it as soon as
possible.
Proliferation of bus
stops, motor parks, markets,
especially street trading also
constituted part of the short
term deliverables listed by
the Minister.
In order to improve
public transportation in the
FCT within the short time to
alleviate the plight of
commuters, Wike hinted at a
possible audit of the Abuja
U r b a n M a s s Tr a n s i t
Company (AUMTCO), to
know the whereabouts of all
buses in its fleet.
Similarly, the Minister
disclosed that, following his
request, President Tinubu
has approved the release of
N2 billion as part palliative
measures to cushion the
effect of subsidy removal on
fuel.
Stoppage of revenue
@abujadigest
leakages in order to pay for
the provision of
infrastructure was also
promised by the Minister.
Moving into long-term
deliverables, the Minister
disclosed that he and the
Minister of State, Mariya
Mahmoud were also given
the mandate to restore the
integrity of the Abuja
Master Plan, berating the
rich for being responsible
for the several abuses Abuja
has faced.
The Minister vowed to
step on toes if need be to,
carry out demolition of
illegal structures in the
nation's capital.
This demolition
declaration would be done
mainly to reclaim green
areas, preserve flood plains,
with a view to stopping
perennial flooding, deaths
and wanton destruction of
property.
According to him,
those who have distorted the
Abuja Master Plan by
indulging in flagrant and
unilateral change of land
use will have themselves to
blame.
This is as the Minister
vowed to ensure that all
illegal structures built
inappropriately will be pull
down to restore sanity in the
Federal Capital City.
O n L a n d
A d m i n i s t r a t i o n , Wi k e
warned land racketeerers to
find other genuine means of
livelihood; saying that his
Administration will
strongly frown at situation
where people collect
government allocation only
for speculative purposes.
Wike remarked that
there was no way
government would allocate
land and instead of
developing them, allottees
would turn land speculators,
wait for the provision of
engineering infrastructure
to shore up premium so they
could sell with astronomical
profits.
On the spate of the
uncompleted structures
abound in the Federal
Capital City, Wike appealed
to the owners of such
structures to complete them
or have them revoked and
reverted to the government.
Speaking further, the
new Minister expressed
dissatisfaction over the
nonpayment of Ground
Rents and other land
charges, stressing that the
government needs such
revenues to carry out its
responsibilities of
providing basic
infrastructure and services
to the residents.
The Minister also said
his Administration is
committed to providing
infrastructure and other
necessary services to the
satellite towns of the
Federal Capital Territory.
He stated that funding
of certain key projects that
would make the city bubble,
including the Millennium
Tower would be sought as
part of long-term
deliverables.
By mid-last week,
Wike announced that the
FCT Administration would
ensure settlement of
compensation to
communities affected by
planned development of the
second runway of the
Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport,
Abuja.
Accordingly, more than
N825 million was approved
to compensate the affected
original inhabitants to
relocate and make way for
immediate commencement
of the project, which ought
to have been completed.
As the people hailed
Wike for identifying with
them and approving the
fund, a potential crisis
between the Administration
and Federal Ministry of
Aviation and Aerospace
Development was averted.
The hitherto
disagreement over whose
responsibility it was to pay
compensation prevented a
project expected for
completion last June to kick
off till last week, when
Wi k e ' s m a g i c w a n d
ingeniously calmed fraying
nerves, restored peace, hope
and brought happiness to
Abuja natives.
Following high
expectation from the
people, Wike noted: "We
have been in office for
barely one week, and people
want us to perform miracles.
I am not a prophet. The
Minister of State is also not
a prophet. There are those
whose role it is to perform
m i r a c l e s . We c a n n o t
perform miracles.
The Minister also
disclosed his desire to build
a new Secretariat for the
FCT Administration; saying
the present one was not
befiting for an office in
charge of developing the
nation's capital.
" We c a n n o t d o
everything at the same time.
That's why I have said we
will have short and long
term deliverables, and tie
our projects to the Internally
Generated Revenue (IGR),
and be paying as we
generate so that we will not
have abandon projects
everywhere in the city".
Wike, therefore, called
on Nigerians to shun
divisive politics and support
President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu's led government to
succeed.
He insisted that the
s u c c e s s o f t h e
Administration would be
beneficial to all citizens
irrespective of religious,
political, and even ethnic
backgrounds.
 Abuja Digest Weekly 4th - 17th September, 2023

Editorial Abuja Digest @abujadigest @abujadigest

3
Need to eliminate shanties in Abuja
A buja the nation's capital, also illegal buildings which keep resurfacing.
www.abujadigest.info

termed the pride of Africa was The effect of shanties on the

created by Decree No. 6 of 1976
during the Administration of Late General
Murtala Mohammed, The Federal Capital
Territory occupies a land mass of about
8,000km2 comprising of Federal Capital
City (FCC), area councils and satellite
towns. A US firm International Planning
Associates made the Abuja master plan
which serve as a guide to the physical
development of the Territory. The
development of the Federal Capital City is
in phases with each phase of development
subdivided into districts, areas and zones.
That is to say that every development area
in the Federal Capital City is in tandem
with the Abuja Master Plan, which is
subject to review every 10 years.
FCT was conceived with the vision to
build a capital city which can compete
favourably with other development cities
of the world both in infrastructural
development and management. Planned
with beauty and aesthetics, Abuja is meant
to serve not just as the nation's capital city
but also that of Africa and as a world's
conference destination. In the bid to
achieve these, successive administrations in
the FCT have not failed to execute projects
and programmes that have advanced
Nigeria's capital city in different
dimensions.
However, the emergence of shanties in
different parts of the FCC have grossly
distorted the physical planning of the city
and could be traced to an uncontrolled
influx of people into the city in search of
greener pastures most of who do not have
access to decent accommodations and
therefore have resorted to erecting illegal
development of the cities like Abuja are
Published by the Federal Capital Territory Administration numerous, they are safe havens for
miscreants, armed robbers, kidnappers,
PUBLISHER drug dealers and prostitutes. More so,
Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCT t h e s e p o s e s e c u r i t y t h re a t s a n d
CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD
Adesola Olusade environmental hazards as open defecation
MANAGING EDITOR: Muhammad Hazat Sule together with other breaches of sanitation
DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR: Leticia Wogu
EDITOR: Victoria Agorom laws are mostly rampant in such areas
REPORTERS: All Heads of Information in FCT which has resulted in several health
SDAs & FCTA Information Officers emergencies in the Territory.
PAGE HANDLERS:
GENDER: Josie Mudasiru In our view, it would be beneficial if
DIPLOMATIC TURF: Ogaga Ikogho both environmental and development laws
FEATURES: Emmanuel Tortiv
PROPERTY/BUSINESS: Niyi Lawal are enforced to ensure strict compliance by
AREA COUNCILS: Christopher Anioji the citizenry. The Department of
SPORTS: Gyang Dakwo D e v e l o p m e n t C o n t ro l s h o u l d b e
HEALTH: Prudence Okonna
HEAD MARKETING: Jide Abdulazeez empowered more both with funds and
MARKETING EXECUTIVES: equipment so they can face this upheaval
Olalekan Jimoh. Salamatu Aminu.
Abu Sadiq Hassan. Faustina Inalegwu task with more results.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Roland Okafa Provision of low cost houses in different
GRAPHICS: Danladi Nathan Diyot, Abraham Shaibu-Abuke, parts of the territory will be a great respite.
ACCOUNTANT: Desmond Imadonmwinyi
Abuja Digest Office, Neighbourhood Corner shops, Zone B, Apo The initiative by the Federal Government
Legislative Quarters, Abuja. Tel: 08033327674, 08035886272 to provide 148,000 housing units will offer a
E-mail: info@abujadigest.com Website: http:/www.abujadigest.info
good leap in this direction. In this regard,
and substandard structures majorly on there is the urgent need to put pressure on
u n d e v e l o p e d p l o t s w h i c h a re b y private developers who have mass housing
development indices uninhabitable. allocations to begin the development of
This ugly situation has remained a great their individual plots or risk outright
challenge to the FCTA and does not augur revocation. A pragmatic housing policy in
well with the development plans of the the FCT is a sure way out of this negative
nation's capital as it has massively abused trend.
the Abuja Master Plan and to some extent And with the current security situation
defaced and marred its beauty. The FCT in the country, the continuous presence of
Department of Development Control was shanties in the FCT should not be
purely created to correct such anomalies entertained at all. Department of
and to put the FCT back to its genuine Development Control as well as other
development patterns. The Department relevant agencies should not relent in their
since inception has not failed at sanitizing efforts to rid the City of shanties and other
the capital city in the bid to rid it of such illegal structures.

DIGESTNews
Go back to site, we'll pay - Wike tells contractors
ongoing projects was part of his Expressing displeasure over settlement). “I am going to attach had earlier given him marching
By Felix Durumbah
short term deliverables. uncompleted projects in the city, money to it (projects)…..I hate orders to finish the project

F
CT Minister, Nyesom
Wike, has directed all
contractors handling
different projects in the FCT to
return to site, promising that the
FCT Administration would settle
them.
The Minister broke this news
in a meeting with the contractors
in his Area 11, Garki I District
office, Monday.
Pledging “We are here to
solve problems”, Wike explained
that completing some of the
He stressed that one of the
basic things that made a city was
road network, saying: “The roads
are very key. We are trying to see
how we can map funding. We are
determined to ensure that
contractors go back to site”.
The Minister stated that he
and the FCT Minister of State, Dr.
Mariya Mahmud have a proven
track record in project monitoring
and inspection, warning they
would not compromise standards.
the Minister berated: “It does not
make sense to award many
projects and not finish them”,
even as he disclosed that the
Administration would not only
use Federal allocation to execute
projects but tie its projects to
revenue generation to ensure their
completion.
Wike, however, warned that
after releasing funds to them, the
Administration don't want to hear
any excuses at all (after
litering projects everywhere
without completion”.
The Minister said that
another advantage when the
contractors were working was the
generation of employment for the
youths; saying, “We are serious
and very contractor will go back
to site”.
One of the targeted
deliverables, completion of the
Abuja Light Rail, the Minister
disclosed that President Tinubu
because he was desirous to ride on
the Abuja Light Rail soon.
The Minister, therefore,
tasked the Federal Capital
Develooment Authority to
provide a face-lift to Asokoro
District, and resolve its erosion
challenges, just like the
resurfacing of Maitama and Wuse
Districts, among others.

...As Minister of State tasks Heads of SDAs on service delivery

By Freda Aideyan delivering services that will have 'renewed hope' agenda of areas of His Excellence the Administration.
direct bearing on the residents of President Bola Tinubu will be President of the Federal Republic Her words: “I Will be having

T he Minister of State for the

Federal Capital Territory
( F C T ) , D r. M a r i y a
Mahmoud, has called on heads of
Secretariats, Departments and
t h e
She stated this during a
F C T .

familiarization meeting with

Agencies, (SDA's) under her
watch to be committed to
heads of SDA's in Abuja,
Thursday.
Dr. Mahmoud noted that
through quality service, the
achieved in the Territory.
She said unity and
commitment to work will help the
FCT Administration to achieve its
goals and objectives in impacting
on the lives of residents.
“We all know the priority
of Nigeria and his mandate, which
are under these SDAs, let us keep
to them,” she said.
The Minister of State urged
a meeting with each of the
Secretariats, Departments and
Agencies for a more detailed
information about their problems
them to be liberal by always and other activities and plans”.
providing the needed information
that can support the current
Abuja Digest Weekly
4 DIGESTNews
Education Secretariat
honours past Secretary
By Kabiru Musa and
Sarah Odugbo
T he FCT Education
Secretariat Management
Team recently rolled out the
drums to celebrate the immediate
past Secretary for Education, Hon
Sani Dahir El-Katuzu for being a
great leader of repute with visionary
leadership skills.
Speaking during the brief
event, the Permanent Secretary,
FCT, Mr. Olusade Adeshola
represented by former Director
Human Resource Management said
good leaders are celebrated
wherever they go and Hon. Sani
Dahir El-Katuzu's service towards
the development of Education in
FCT and the Administration cannot
be undermined.
He said his positive
contributions and presentations
during Exco meetings had been
very impactful and wished him
success in his future endeavour.
In his brief remark, the Acting
Secretary/Director of
Administration and Finance,
Education Secretariat, Malam
Leremoh Abdulrasaq said the
former Secretary for Education had
been an exceptional leader who
inspired everyone to aim for the best
in the education sector, adding that
he is a man blessed with patience to
listen and accommodate all views.
Others who spoke at the
occasion include, Hajia Neemat
Abdulrahim , Director, Education
Resource Centre, Dr. Sani Ladan,
Education Secretariat Management Team with the former Secretary
for Education,Hon Sani Dahir El-Katuzu (fourth on left ).
FCTA calls for quality
service delivery among PFAs
By Lydia Fulani
I n order to achieve effective
service delivery for enhanced
welfare of retirees, the Federal
Capital Territory Administration
(FCTA) has called on pension funds
administrators to ensure that
quality services are rendered to
both serving members of staff and
retirees of FCTA.
The Director, FCT Pension
Department, Mr. Rotimi Ajayi
made the call at a joint sensitisation
programme organised for Pension
Desk Officers, Heads of
Administration and Salaries of
various secretariats, departments
and agencies (SDAs) of the FCT.
The Director, noted that the
decision to organise the programme
was geared towards ensuring that
4th - 17th September, 2023
Director, FCT Secondary Education
Board, Director, Department of
Science & Technology, Mr
Kolawole Olobashola, Director,
Department of Policy, Planning,
Research & Statistics Mr. Joseph
Abunike all acknowledged the
positive contributions of the Former
Secretary to the education sector.
Responding, the celebrant, Hon
Sani Dahir El-Katuzu, who was the
ninth and immediate past Secretary
for Education said he was
pleasantly surprised that after he
had left the service of the FCT
Administration as a political
appointee, he could still be
celebrated.
He said he believed so much in
working as a team wherever he finds
himself and that the way to achieve
your own success is to be willing to
work and help people you meet
along the line of duty.
He stressed the need for
everyone to ensure that education
matters were not toyed with, urging
everyone to contribute their quota to
development of education.
He thanked the FCT
Administration, particularly the
Education Secretariat Management
Team for the opportunity to serve in
his own little way, adding that the
honour done to him was
heartwarming with great memories
ahead.
The highlight of the colourful
event was presentation of Photo
Album of activities embarked upon
from the beginning to the end of his
tenure.
the present administration gives its
best on the issue of retirement and
safeguarding of staff and retirees
from undue stress after meritorious
years of service.
The programme which was
organised by Pension Department
in collaboration with FCMB with
the purpose of enlightening
m e m b e r s o f s t a ff o n d a t a
recapturing, investment,
guidelines, benefit administration,
transfer window, statement
delivery, additional voluntary
contributions, programmed
withdrawal/ annuity, pension
enhancement amongst others.
The Director moreover,
commended the participants for the
confidence reposed in the
Department.
Abuja Digest
FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (5th L), FCT Minister of state, Dr Mariya Mahmoud (6th L)
and the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola (4th R) in a group photograph with newly
inaugurated executives of the FCT Minister's Press Corp. on 30th August, 2023
FCT Minister inaugurates
Press Corps Exco
By Daniel Achiniru
M
inister of the Federal
Capital Territory,
Barrister Ezenwo
Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday,
30th August, 2023 inaugurated
the newly elected Executive
Committee of the FCTA Press
Corps with a charge that they
must ensure accurate reporting
of events in the nation's capital.
The FCT Minister who
congratulated the EXCO
members for emerging
victorious in the elections, also
commended the electoral
umpire of the Press Corps for
conducting a free and fair
election, devoid of rancor. He
commended members who lost
in the elections but have now
queued up behind the winners.
Describing the press as an
important component of
democracy with a lot of roles to
play in the progress and
development of any country, the
Minister called on them to put
their personal biases aside and
project the interest of the
country.
The Minister who noted
that the press has the capacity to
influence the citizenry with
their reportage, urged them to
shun the temptation of negative
reporting detrimental to the
image of the country.
Barrister Wike said, “The
press is as important as the other
components of democracy. If
any society is to progress, if
there should be development,
the press has a lot of roles to
play, negative and positive.
Negative – selfish; positive – for
the interest of the country.
“Whatever you report has a
way of influencing the opinion
of the citizenry. We are all
human. We do know that we
have our own biases. But it's
@abujadigest
important to put your own bias
aside and protect or project the
interest of the country.
“There is no society that
can move forward without the
support of the press. All our
activities as Ministers,
Permanent Secretaries,
Directors can only be
appreciated by the public based
on what the press reports and
that's why it's very important to
report accurately.
Speaking on the importance
of investigative journalism, the
FCT Minister advised the press
to always ensure that they verify
the facts before reporting them,
even as he cautioned them
against relying on their intuition
or mere hearsay, which he said
could sometimes be misleading
and inaccurate.
The FCT Minister however
used the occasion to call for the
support and cooperation of all
stakeholders to ensure that
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
and the FCT Administration
succeeds, noting that the whole
country stands to benefit from
their success.
The Minister also requested
for patience and understanding
in the FCT, saying that his
administration required time to
settle down to the task ahead.
He said, “People expect
miracles. Nobody has bothered
to ask, have you settled down?
What can you do within one
week? I'm not a prophet and I
don't want to be. There are those
that have taken that
responsibility. I'm not here to
perform miracles, neither is the
Minister of State here to
perform miracle. But we have to
work with the support of every
stakeholder and the press”.
The FCT Minister however
stressed that the FCT
Administration will not waiver
@abujadigest
in its determination to correct
the misdeeds in the FCT, adding
that everybody in the FCT will
be held accountable according
to the law, irrespective of their
class or social status.
He said, “The kind of things
we hear people say that I had a
press conference, I was
threatening people. For Christ's
sake, why won't I threaten
lawbreakers? Who are they?
Why should I appeal to law
breakers? Why should I appeal
to an armed robber? Why
should I beg him? The law must
be applied. Sanctions must be
applied according to the law.”
“Speaking earlier, the FCT
Minister of State, Dr Mariya
Mahmoud, also used the
occasion to congratulate the
newly elected Press Corps of the
FCTA and wished them a
successful tenure in office.
Dr Mahmoud while
commending the press for
extensively reporting the
activities of the FCTA, however
called on them to continue to
carry out their duties with
professionalism.
In his vote of thanks, the
Chairman of the FCTA Press
Corps, Hudu Yakubu thanked
the FCT Administration for
providing the enabling
environment for the press to
thrive in the FCT.
He assured that the press
corps will continue to partner
with the FCT Administration
and provide professional
support.
Present during the
inauguration were the FCT
Permanent Secretary, Mr.
Olusade Adesola, Directors and
other officials of the FCT
Administration.

DIGESTNews
Wike pledges to complete
rehabilitation of Abuja
Metro Station
By Sunday Shekwonya
M inister of the Federal
Capital Territory (FCT),
N y e s o m Wi k e , h a s
assured the immediate provision of
fund for the rehabilitation of the
Abuja Metro Station, to make it
functional soon.
Wike, made the pledge in
Abuja shortly after undertaking an
inspection tour of the rail mass
transit infrastructure.
He emphasized that President
Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed
Ministers to solve problems and not
to make excuses, adding that
everything possible would be done
to ensure the Abuja metro system is
completed and put into use.
Wike who was accompanied
on the inspection tour by the
Minister of State, Dr Mariya
Mahmoud, management staff of the
FCT Administration and
journalists, said the Abuja metro
station was designed to improve
transportation in the FCT, noting
that its completion would also
restore the confidence of the
citizenry in the government.
The Minister said that it was
FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike inspecting on-going Abuja Light Rail rehabilitation
FCT residents decry rising food prices
By Goodnews Sunday Etimbuk
R
Abuja.
esidents of Federal Capital
Territory (FCT), have
decried the continuous rise
of food stuffs in the nation's capital,
In a market survey conducted
by Abuja Digest News, revealed
that residents are worried by the
steady increase o the prices of
foodstuffs..
Speaking with a businessman,
Dr. Joshua Adekunle, he bemoaned
the situation saying that some
buyers have lamented to him that
they cannot more sustain three
square meal owing to the economic
hardship.
Adekunle, while speaking
further, lamented that the price
control system in the country may
important to concentrate on
specific lots of the ongoing rail
mass transit system in the FCT and
get them completed, especially in
parts of the city where the traffic is
heavy in order to decongest the
roads.
According to him, “When I
assumed office, I said we have short
term deliverables, we have medium
and long term. Transport is one of
those things that we can do in order
to reduce the level of traffic within
the city and we know that we have
this metro station here and it's not
working. Why is it not working?
Can we fix it within the short term
so that people will say yes, this is
now working.”
“So, our position is that
whatever it is, the company that it
has been awarded to, we will sit
down to say for how long do you
think you can complete this and
then ask ourselves, do we have the
resources to make sure that we don't
come back to explain to members
of the public, this is why it was not
finished.”
“So, I can assure the public,
this is one project we must take to
logical conclusion. It is not going to
not function in this economic
situation because of the high cost of
transportation which has been
attributed to the removal of fuel
subsidy three months ago.
Also speaking, Miss Juliana
Okwonkwo, a trader in Gosa
Market, revealed that the prices of
foodstuffs are constantly rising on a
daily basis as a result of high cost of
transportation.
According to her: "sincerely
speaking, the major causes of this
economic hardship resulting to
high cost of food is the removal of
fuel subsidy that took place in May,
2023."
She said before now, the price
of local rice used to be N750 per
mudu, but now it is sold at N1,400,
while a mudu of foreign rice is now
sold at N1,800 as against N900 and
Abuja Digest Weekly
Abuja Digest @abujadigest
be a project we just abandon. Let's
complete this before we go to other
lots.”
Speaking earlier, the FCT
Minister of State, Dr. Mariya
Mahmoud, disclosed that rail
transportation is among the
palliatives that President Bola
Ahmed Tinubu intends to use to
alleviate the hardship in the
country, following the recent
removal of fuel subsidy.
Earlier in his briefing, the
Director Transportation, Engr.
Joseph Akinteye, explained that the
Lots 1A and 3 of the Abuja rail mass
transit system, which starts from
Idu to Bazango and from the Metro
station in the Central Business
District to the Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport, respectively
have already been completed,
except for about 5 kilometers in the
Lot A from Bazango station to
Kubwa where many residents stand
to benefit from the project.
The Minister, in company of
the Minister of State and senior
officials took a ride on the train
from the Metro Station to the
airport with a brief stop-over at the
Idu station.
a bag of local rice is now sold at
N36,000 while the foreign rice goes
for N50,000 as against N46,000 and
N44,000 respectively.
Another Trader, Mrs. Shinkpe
Audu, disclosed that a bag of garri
was sold N17,000 as against
N25,000, while a mudu of garri is
N500 and N600.
A trader in Wuse market,
Mallam Isah Adamu, said a mudu
of garri used to be sold at N700 but
now N1000, adding that the prices
of foodstuff is not only affecting the
buyers but the sellers are mostly
affected.
Adamu, pleaded with the
federal government to strategize
means on how to control constant
rise of prices of foodstuffs as well as
other commodities.
4th - 17th September, 2023
@abujadigest
Engr. Osi Braimah (left) receiving the award of "Outstanding Support
Award" from Engr. Ijirotimi, Chairman, NSE, Bwari Branch.
Director tasks NSE on
effective waste management
system
By Oji Moses
T he Director, Abuja
Environmental Protection
Board (AEPB), Engineer
Osilamah Braimah, has charged the
Nigerian Society of Engineers
(NSE), Bwari Branch, to come up
with workable and effective wastes
management system to tackle the
menace of poor disposal of both
solid and liquid wastes generated
across the Bwari Area Council.
Engr. Braimah gave the charge
in his office while receiving the
Executives of the Bwari Area
Council Branch of the Society who
paid him a courtesy visit.
Engr. Braimah said solid and
liquid wastes being generated
outside the Federal Capital City
(FCC) on daily basis are poorly
managed thereby posing threat to
human, animals and the entire
biosphere saying city cleaning at
the satellite towns is not
encouraging and residents do not
abide by environmental safety rules
thereby resulting to environmental
pollution.
According to him, “huge
tonnes of degradable and non-
degradable wastes generated daily
across the FCT satellite towns and
suburbs are not always properly
disposed and so find their ways into
the rivers and waterways causing
threat to lives of the residents
themselves through flooding,
pollution and environmental
degradation.”
“Residents engage the services
of scavengers and untrained wastes
managers who dump these wastes
generated everyday into rivers and
undesignated places and dumpsites.
These ugly and recurring
development has, from time to time,
led to outbreak of community wide
diseases like cholera, dysentery,
diarrhea, asthma and other forms of
pollution related diseases.”,
Braimah said.
He charged the visiting team to
put their training as professionals
into use by helping provide bio-
digester tanks at designated places
across the Area Council to take care
of liquid and degradable solid
wastes and so help make the
environment cleaner and safer for
residents.
“As professionals, you can
provide modern infrastructures like
bio-digester tanks in your Area
Council. It does not cost much and
yet very effective in managing
wastes. You can also have your
members assigned to monitor and
make professional contributions at
5
the existing dumpsites like the ones
at Idu industrial layout and Gosa.
One can equally be created at your
Area Council and managed by your
members.”
Engr. Braimah went further to
say that the onus is on engineers to
educate the society to imbibe
modern ways of sewage
management and treatment of
sewage sludge.
'Residents of Abuja generally
are yet to learn that they need to
separate and dispose wastes
according to whether they are
degradable or not. Everything is
collected together and most times
dumped at inappropriate places. We
cannot continue that way; you
professionals have to teach them.'
The Director said the Abuja
Environmental Protection Board is
ready to partner with the Branch in
any area that will help make Abuja a
clean and safe city for all.
Earlier in his address, NSE
Chairman Bwari Area Council
Branch, Engr. Olanrewaju Ijirotimi,
said part of their vision and efforts
is to bring engineering solutions to
rural infrastructural and social
amenities deficit at the Area
Council level.
Engr. Ijirotimi said the Branch
have been promoting engineering at
the grassroots through cash
donations to best science students
in selected secondary schools as a
way to encourage them to study
engineering courses in the
universities; donation of science
equipment to Government Science
Technical School, Garki; sank solar
powered borehole in Gaba
community at Bwari amongst many
other projects.
According to Engr. Ijirotimi,
'our visit to the Director is to seek
for partnership with the Board as a
way to impacting on our immediate
communities having identified
schools in Bwari Area Council
where pupils still learn under
unfavourable conditions. We are
making efforts to get partners to
collaborate with us to rehabilitate
the existing blocks of classrooms or
build new ones.'
The high point of the visit was
the conferment of an 'Outstanding
Support Award' to the Director,
which, according to the Bwari
Branch chairman, was in
recognition of his outstanding
contributions and support to the
Nigerian Society of Engineers,
Bwari Area Council Branch and
development of engineering
profession in Nigeria.
Abuja Digest Weekly 4th - 17th September, 2023

6 DIGESTNews Abuja Digest @abujadigest @abujadigest

DRTS begins profiling

of auto industry operators
By Kalu Emetu responsible government does is to given them to meet with the
have the data of those in the Management. He acknowledged

T he Federal Capital Territory
(FCT) Directorate of Road
Traffic Service (DRTS) has
begun the profiling of operators in
the auto industry in FCT to ensure
accurate data of operators in that
sector of the FCT economy.
The Director, DRTS. Dr
The Monitoring Team and the Leader, Hajiya Maryam Hassan Ahmed Abdul-Lateef Bello made the
(4th left) in a group photograph with the Medical Director, Karshi revelation in a meeting with the
General Hospital, Dr. Sani Wilfred (6th right) and NYSC members leadership of the amalgamated
during the Team's visit to Karshi General Hospital. unions of the auto businesses who
paid him a visit in his office in
Staff Welfare: Abuja, stating that governments
all over the world exist for the
FCT HRM embarks on good of its citizens and can only
plan well when it has the accurate
data of its citizens in every sector.
monitoring of NYSC/SIWES The Director said the
objective of the Directorate is
By Gyang Dakwo and appreciation to the FCTA for their clear, to have safety and sanity on
Ifesinachi Ekwueme support and was full of praise to FCT roads, explaining that the
the Corps members for their benefits that accrue to the industry
business and know how to relate
with them anytime the need arises.
Through such relationship,
government will know how to
make provision for their places of
operations and will not plan off
hand when they are to allocate
plots or shops and other facilities
to make the business thrive.”
He further explained that
while governments at every level
plan to give quality of lives to its
people, though with some
challenges sometimes, there is the
need for cooperation which is what
the Directorate is asking for.
“It is through this kind of
relationship that relevant trainings
can be organised to improve on the
operators of the industry through
local and international co-
operations which individuals can
hardly achieve on their own, there
that there was misinformation
which was the reason why his
members did not seem to accept
the proposal from the Directorate.
He lamented that his members
have always been used to develop
Abuja and when the area is fully
developed, they are forced out of
the area and doubted the feasibility
of them having a place in Wasa
where they have been asked to
relocate to.
The unions who pride
themselves as 'the heartbeat of the
nation's economy' said they have
suffered a lot of deprivations, even
when many of their members do
not have operational base, claimed
they are taxed more than other
citizens and appealed for a case to
be made on their behalf to reduce
multiple taxation in Nigeria.
They acknowledged that it is

I n furtherance of the Federal dedication to duty.

C a p i t a l Te r r i t o r y Speaking after the visits, the
Administration's (FCTA) Team Leader, an Assistant
drive towards ensuring that Director in the Division, Hajiya
National Youth Service Corps Maryam Hassan Ahmed on
players are enamours when they
have the backing of government.
He noted that the certificate that
will be given to any business can
serve as collateral.
is always the need to unionise as it
is the easiest way governments and
other corporate bodies can reach
their members.”
He urged the leaders to ensure
sometimes difficult managing
their members as they are novice to
government's policies because
many of them are not opportuned
to pass through certain levels of
(NYSC) members and Students behalf of the Deputy Director, Dr Bello told his visitors that that they brief their members on formal education, therefore it is
Industrial Work Experience S W B , M r . O g u n n i r a n the meeting became necessary the outcome of the meeting for difficult changing them from a
Scheme (SIWES) students are Akinkunmi, expressed delight following years of suspicion and them to understand that particular mind set but appealed
properly placed in accordance that the Youth Corp and SIWES inability of the unions to partner government in FCT has good for some considerations.
with their areas of discipline, the members were meaningfully with government through the intensions that will add greater He however, appreciated FCT
Staff Welfare & Benefits (SWB) engaged and promised to ensure Directorate to have a clear data of values to the individual business. Administration for the
Division of the Department of more Corps members are duly those in the industry and the need The Union was led to the programme, saying that they were
Human Resource Management, posted to hospitals within the to give quality service to Abuja Directorate by the FCT Chairman really getting it clearer unlike in
FCTA, has carried out quarterly FCT and environs. residents. of the National Association of the past. He said they will have
According to him, “whether Nigerian Traders (NANT) Amb. something
monitoring exercise for NYSC On the issue of delay in anybody likes it or not, the auto Edozie Ugwu, who commended
members and students on SIWES p a y m e n t o f m o n t h l y the Directorate for the opportunity
posted to the FCTA. business has come to stay what any
transportation and
The exercise which covered accommodation allowances
the 2nd quarter of 2023 was which the Corps members
carried out by a team of six complained about , Hajiya
NIPR President solicits support from members
groups formed with the mandate Hassan Ahmed explained that the By Josie Mudasiru institute, saying that the motivated to be excellent FCT NIPR Chapter, Hajia
to cover the various SDA's within FCTA pays at three months and Sarah Mudasiru new Executives led by in their attitude to attain Maryam Sanusi, said it
the FCTA as well as the six Area interval assuring them that all him is determined to enviable heights while was heartwarming to play
Councils. their allowances have been
Each team was tasked with processed and will be paid
the duty to ensure that Corps immediately.
members and SIWES students Some of the SDA's visited
T he newly elected actualise the objectives of
P r e s i d e n t a n d the institute without
Chairman of the compromise.
Governing Council, The President
announcing a new dawn
for the prestigious
Institute.
He added that
host to the newly elected
National President of the
institute adding that all
the efforts of the FCT
are properly placed and also to include: Karshi, Karu, Kubwa, Nigeria institute of Public disclosed that he has everyone is a stakeholder Chapter during the
Relations ( NIPR) Dr Ike mapped out strategies in hence they are expected election came to fruition.
have one on one interaction with Bwari, Kwali and Abaji General
Neliaku has called on w h i c h t h e i n s t i t u t e t o c o n t r i b u t e She expressed her
them (Corpers/SIWES) with a H o s p i t a l s , , G o v e r n m e n t members of the institute
view to assessing their progress, Secondary Schools Bwari, to offer him the needed matters will be placed in meaningfully to the delight to remain
the front burner above development of the committed to the goals
finding out their challenges and K u b w a , D u t s e A l h a j , c o o p e r a t i o n a s h e self - interest. institute which has over and improving the
expectations in the course of their Gwagwalada and Kuje, College assumes role as President He further revealed the year remain on top. standard of the Institute
service period. of Education, Zuba, as well as on the Institute. the new Executives' He said,the new while urging members to
The focus of the exercise was Government Day Secondary The NIPR President resolve to continue to Executives will not take give their support to the
Batch C stream 1 & 2 and Batch A S c h o o l , G w a g w a l a d a a n d made the during the enhance the Institute's for granted any new Executives as they
stream 1 & 2. Government Girls Science Monthly Meeting and reputation and ensure that suggestions that will help pilot the affairs of the
I n G o v e r n m e n t D a y Secondary School, Kuje. Dinner organised by the PR professionals are to move the prestigious Institute to greater
Secondary School, Gwagwalada FCT Chapter of the Institute to the next level heights.
the Principal, Mr. Bello Adekunle and aimed at adding She thanked
expressed his appreciation for the values to the new members for their various
visit and lauded the Corp leadership to deliver on contributions before and
members posted to his school for its mandates stressing that during the National
their dedication to tduties, even as the Institute has a lot to Annual General Meeting
he pleaded for more to be posted offer to the Nigerian held in the Federal
to the School. Society . Capital Territory.
Upon interacting with the He commended the She assured that the
Corps members, the Team was Chairman of the the FCT FCT Chapter will not
Chapter and new council relent in it's pursuit of
made aware of the assistance
member, Fellow Maryam excellence in the Institute.
given them by the Principal by Sanusi for her The highlight of the
w a y o f p r o v i d i n g commitment and colourful event was the
accommodation, and ensuring undiluted efforts to make presentation of
they have a conducive sure the FCT Chapter congratulatory card to the
atmosphere during their service Candidates comes out new National President
period. victorious in the just and Chairman of
The Team also visited Karshi concluded Annual Governing Council of the
General Hospital where the Chief General Meeting institute, Dr lke Neliaku
Medical Director, Dr. Sani election. by the Fellows of the
The newly elected National President and Chairman, Governing Council, Nigeria W e l c o m i n g institute
Wilfred expressed his gratitude
Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Dr Ike Neliaku fnipr ( on blue facecap) during members, the Chairman,
for the visit. He voiced his
the Meeting and Dinner organized by FCT Chapter. with his wife.
 Abuja Digest Weekly 4th - 17th September, 2023

DIGESTHealth Abuja Digest @abujadigest @abujadigest

7
Nurses embark on Professional Development programme
By Badaru Yakassai & the Health and Human Services children were more vulnerable to According to the Director, Nursing the Federal Ministry of Education,
Samuel Reuben Musa Secretariat, Mrs. Grace Leo Musa activities of sexual behavior in Services, ''Gone are the days when pointed out the challenges of the
said the training was organized to school and added that the nurses end their careers at grade shortage of nurses in the country's

N urses in the services of
Federal Unity Schools
have embarked on
professional development
programme with emphasis on
special and scientific ways to
manage adolescent and youth
sexual health challenges.
The training was organised
recently in Abuja by the Nursing
and Midwifery Council of Nigeria,
the FCT Abuja Mandatory
Continuing Professional
Development Programme in
collaboration with the Federal
Ministry of Education.
Declaring the training open
the Director, Nursing Services of
further update nurses working in
Federal Unity Schools in the 36
States of the Federation and the
Federal Capital Territory.
She urged participants to take
the training serious in order to
enhance and upgrade their
knowledge of the practice of the
nursing profession.
She said that the topic for the
Special Scientific Session
'Adolescents Sexual Reproduction
Health and Youth Friendly
Services' is timely, bearing the
fact that nurses working in Federal
Unity Schools are faced with such
challenges from students in
various schools. Stating that the
knowledge gained from the
training will build up participants
to attend to such challenges.
According to Mrs. Grace,
nurses are required to always
upgrade their knowledge of the
profession in order to update their
level of practice and the required
skills.She applauded the Federal
Ministry of Education for giving
nurses working under the Ministry
the opportunity to upgrade their
knowledge and skills through the
training. Participants also stood
the advantage of gaining six credit
units to qualify for their license
renewal to enable them continue
and progress in the profession.
level (14-15) in the Civil Service''
because nurses with required
professional qualifications and
certifications can equally attain the
Directorate Cadre in the Federal
Civil Service.Speaking earlier, the
Director of Nursing, National
Hospital Abuja, Dr. Umar Aliyu
welcomed the participants and
encouraged them to use the
knowledge acquired during the
training in professional practice as
it will help them in solving the
contemporary challenges they
faced in their places of work as the
topic of the training is timely.
Also delivering his goodwill
message Comr. Peter Ojonuba of
medical institutions especially in
the Federal Ministry of Education
and the demands for such a
profession in the public service.
He observed that the Federal
Ministry of Education had often
given less attention to Nurses'
demand in their budgetary
provision.
R e s p o n d i n g t h e
representative of the Permanent
Secretary, Federal Ministry of
Education, Mrs. Aham
Nwachukwu having listened to
issues raised at the opening,
promised to brief the Director,
Human Resources with the aim of
addressing the challenges.

Public Health Dept calls for compliance from food service facilities
By Prudence Okonna to. Federal Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Health where the Co-ordinate and supervise all
He recounted that the one- State Ministry of Health, and the Division is domiciled, performs activities on food hygiene and

T he Public Health
Department of the Health
and Human Services
Secretariat (HHSS), FCT, has
called on all food Service
Facilities domiciled in the nation's
capital to adhere strictly to
operation guidelines to provide
optimal services to the public and
avoid sanctions during
inspections.
Head, Environmental and
Occupational Health, Public
Health Department, Health and
Human Services Secretariat
(HHSS), FCT, Modi Jubrin, made
the call in an exclusive chat with
Abuja Digest over the weekend.
Jubrin explained that it is
important to make the call
following the court judgment
recently declared in Favour of the
FCT Administration, which gives
the FCTA the legal right to inspect
food service establishments in the
Territory and ensure that standard
operation procedures are adhered
year legal battle came to an end
after the Court ruled on 12th July
2023 in favour of FCTA.
Jubrin noted that this
followed an originating summon
dated 21st March 2022 with the
Applicant as Dunes Investment
and Global Services and Abuja
Municipal Area Council (AMAC)
and FCTA, as first and second
respondents respectively.
He explained that AMAC had
approached Dunes Investment
and Global Services to inspect its
facility but was refused access
following the history of
inspections by the FCTA which
appeared like a conflict of roles.
The applicant thereafter sued to
ascertain the appropriate
authority to inspect its facility.
The environmental health
expert stated that throughout the
court process, they presented facts
beyond reasonable doubt based on
the national policy that stated
clearly the functions of the
Area Councils.
His words: “We presented
facts beyond a reasonable doubt
based on the national policy that
stated clearly the functions of the
Federal Ministry of Health and
State Ministry of Health which we
fall under and the functions of the
Area Council”.
Jubrin noted that the FCT
subsidiary legislation gives the
HHSS and by extension the
Environmental and Occupational
Health Division of the Public
Health Department, the power to
inspect all food service
establishments and other
regulated services in the FCT.
The environmental health
expert seized the opportunity to
educate the public on the “Dos
and Don'ts” in ensuring standard
operation of food service
establishments such as
Restaurants, Bars, and Pastry
stores among others.
Jubrin explained that the state
oversight functions, carries out
surveillance and bi-annual
screening of food handlers, and
inspects and registers food
services establishments.
He noted that they are to
ensure proper sanitation of the
environment, proper disposal of
waste, storage of food items both
wet and dry as well as proper pest
control where food services are
provided.
The Environmental Health
expert reiterated that the Division
goes on a six-monthly basis to
screen and inspect Food handlers
to ensure they are fit to serve the
public and this involves taking
samples from them to ascertain
they are free from diseases that are
communicable.
The provisions of items ii to
vi of Chapter One, paragraph
1.2.1, Table 3 (3) stating the
mandates of the state ministry of
health in the National Policy on
Food Safety 2014, read thus: “ii.
safety within the LGA(s) and
other sectors in the State;
iii. Provide technical support
to the LGA(s) in the development
and implementation of food
hygiene and safety programmes;
Inspect and register all food
premises and hospitality
establishments within the State;
iv. Act as liaison between the
federal and local government on
food hygiene and safety
surveillance reporting and
information systems;
v. Conduct public health
surveillance on the food premises
under their jurisdiction; vi.
Investigate food hygiene and
safety complaints in food
establishments;
vii. Conduct bi-annual
medical examinations of food
handlers and issue medical
certificates of fitness
accordingly”.

DISCLAIMER
The attention of the Management of FCDA Staff
Multipurpose Cooperative Society, has been drawn to the
Public Announcement
The Department of Quality Assurance will be carrying out
continuous activities of impostors claiming to be members closure of Private Schools defaulting as follows:
of Executives of the above mentioned Cooperative Society 1. Unregistered Schools
attempting to impersonate by making attempt to register 2. Sub Standard Schools
& Operating in unconducive enviroment with health
the same Cooperative Society name in order to sell some of
hazards to the Students.
our properties. 3. Operating in faulty physical structure .
The general public is hereby advised to beware of these 4. Ignoring the professional advice of Quality
Assurance Evaluators in School plant facility with
elements and may wish to deal directly with the existing other Quality indices .
and duly registered FCDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative
Society. For further Details:
Contact: Department of Quality Assurance, Jabi,
Abuja.FCT.
Announcer
Comrade Akintayo Bamidele Abidemi Announcer:
General Secretary Dr( Mrs) Favour Nse-Edem
Director, Department of Quality Assurance,
FCDA Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society. Education Secretariat.
Abuja Digest Weekly 4th - 17th September, 2023

8 PropertyDIGESTWith Niyi Lawal

Wike’s appointment: Wake up call for Abuja Property Developers
W ith the appointment of
Nyesom Wike as the
17th Minister of the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT),
the throng of commendations,
analyses, comparisons and high
expectations that trailed it
confirmed that the time has come
for the the Abuja Master Plan
currently being reviewed will
receive the needed attention as the
Minister's speeches and body
language suggests.
Besides that it is quite glaring
also that the president Bola Ahmed
Tinubu wanted a quick
transformation of the city from the
present state to what id really
obtainable in the developed climes
of the world, so the choice of Wike
as the FCT Minister offered a
glimpse of hope given his
antecedents as Governor of Rivers
State.
The resounding ovation which
trailed his appointment especially
from FCTA staff was an indication
that the people of Abuja are
unarguably in agreement with the
President's decision to bring Wike
to FCT with the expectation that he
would replicate his giant strides in
Rivers State particularly the tasks
to sanitise the City.
An FCTA Staff who spoke
with Abuja Digest Newspaper,
Razak Abdulgafar on his opinion
on the Minister, described his
appointment in terms of enviable
personal attributes that perfectly fit
in to the requirements of any body
coming to FCT as minister.
He said: "This is what
underscored this promising
enthusiasm you are witnessing
across the City, people are very
c o n f i d e n t t h a t Wi k e w i l l
immediately wake up the sleeping
spirit of the City and turn it to a
functional City.”
Accordingly expectations are
high that the Minister can
conveniently take the bull by the
horn in restoring sanity to the
nation's capital. And those who the
public are expected to adjust their
girds are the Abuja property
developers, who recklessly distort
the master plan.
And the feeling is that Abuja
would breathe a fresh air again
which was understandably
reflected in the reason why both
natives and residents quickly
hailed his appointment with a
strong belief that his quick-wit will
be readily and easily deplored
because it came at time when FCT
was characterized with
proliferation of illegal structures,
Wike
buildings that contravened every
rules and regulations of
development control.
While speaking on the
continuous proliferation of
building of any structures without
recourse to procedures in Abuja in
relation to the appointment of Wike
as FCT Minister, Commandant
Isaac David, the president of most
focal indigenous group in FCT,
Abuja Original Inhabitant Youth
Empowerment Organization
AOIYEO said,, “the situation in
this aspect is getting hazy by the
day due to incessant urban
migration and only a person who
possesses strong and firm
determination to succeed, which
was similar to the kind of attributes
of Wike would have what it takes to
break the back of this ugly
predicament, because it is the case
of choosing either a narrow and
difficult path by adhering to the
dictates of master plan to place
Abuja where it supposes to be or
take easy path and window dress
this bad situation.”
The Minister's reaction to the
recent collapse of a building in
Garki, Abuja is a strong signal to
developers because the issue of
illegal building, non-compliance
with laid down rules and
regulations and erecting on an
unapproved places are direct roots
to the problems of insecurity, poor
sanitation and proliferation of
shanties.
The Minister stated : “These
are the things we have been saying,
nobody knows whose turn it will
be, therefore, when government
says it will take actions in areas we
believe there are illegal
developments or buildings that
don't comply with the standard
codes. It is not as if anybody has
any personal vendetta, but for me, it
is for us to do the right thing.”
" When government says take
building plan, it is not to suffer
anybody but to make sure that
everyone is protected. Cities are
planned to forestall this kind of
occurrences. Imagine buildings
without approval. I will ask that we
must identify and arrest the owner
of this property.”
“It's very important.
government will, of course, take
over this area and make sure no
further development is carried out
here”.
"There is no going back on
demolition. Illegality is illegality
and that someone didn't take action
before doesn't mean another will
not take action today or tomorrow."
All these are pointers to the
fact that FCTA under him would
not spare any defaulter no matter
the status.
He has provided a window
through his statements into his
plans to build Abuja of our dream,
the developers as matter of
conscience and necessity begin to
operate within the context of rules
and regulations guiding
development in FCT.
This would inevitably curb
breach of rules and insecurity.
The journey to this expected
transformation in the FCT will not
happen overnight but can be
realised through a political will and
commitment to implement
relevant policies.

APDC mulls plan for legislative village in Abuja

T he Abuja Property
Development
Company APDC
have mooted the idea to
build a world class National
Legislative Village for
members of National
Assembly.
This was revealed by
the Managing Director of
the Company, Builder
Lawal Aliyu Magagi when
Honourable Joshua Obika,
Member representing
AMAC/BWARI Federal
Constituency in the National
Assembly paid him a
courtesy visit in his office in
Abuja.
The Managing Director
said that the business of law
making is one of those tasks
that require a well planned
environment with a world
class facility that has
propensity that can directly
and indirectly add values to
the aspects of lawmaking in
good governance.
He explained that, for
Nigerians to appreciate the
beauty of legislative arm of
government, then we need
to do it the way it is always
done.
“As we all know that
the roles being played by the
legislature in the democratic
system of government is
inevitable as it remains the
only organ of government
that defines democracy, so if
this country wants to ensure
L-R: Hon Joshua Obika, representing AMAC/BWARI federal constituency and Builder
Lawal Magagi, Managing Director APDC during courtesy visit
an optimal delivery of this
responsibility, a well
designed home will be a step
towards achieving that,”
Lawal added.
He continued that
almost about 75 percent of
the current legislators in
Abuja do not have houses of
their own simply because
they are not residents of
Abuja before being elected,
"so we could imagine the
kind of distractions where
they live in the city and this
would always reflect in the
robustness and level of
research work in their
contributions on the floor of
the national assembly".
“So how do we expect a
law that will meet the test of
times if necessary things
that would make them give
their best was not there and
shelter or housing remains
one factor that we need to
considerably prioritize.”
Continuing he stated:
"Meanwhile, for the reason
of huge depletion in the
revenues available to
government to provide basic
dividends of democracy
among other serious and
competing demands, it
would not be advisable for
government to also engage
in this kind of capital
intensive projects and this is
where APDC is asking for
partnership."
“APDC have what it
takes in terms of expertise
and others to build this
legislative village for our
members and this is why we
are asking for the
partnership with National
Assembly through our
honourable members
representing Abuja to draw
the attentions of the leaders
in the house to this.”
Earlier while speaking,
the honourable member
thanked the entire
Management of APDC for
the privilege and promised
to take necessary actions on
this.
He also said that he was
glad to visit the Company
which is in line with the
mandate to identify with all
the stakeholders in FCT to
know what are the
challenges they have, most
especially those agencies
u n d e r t h e F C T
Administration.
“However, with our
keen interest in APDC,
purposely to see how we can
work together to provide
low income housing for the
low and middle class in the
City, because we know the
unique roles that was
expected of this company to
play in the provision of
residential and commercial
buildings within the FCT
which supposedly made it to
be in the driver seat in this
regard," Obika stated.

N825m Compensation: Abuja indigenes applaud Tinubu, Wike

T he Original
inhabitants of the
Federal Capital
Te r r i t o r y ( F C T ) h a v e
praised president Bola
Ahmed Tinubu and the FCT
Ministers, Barrister Nyesom
Wike and Dr.Mariya
Mahmoud for the payment
of compensation, of the sum
of N825.819 Million for the
Jiwa community.
The natives under the
auspices of the Abuja
Original Inhabitant Youth
E m p o w e r m e n t
Organization AOIYEO
spoke to Abuja Digest
Newspaper through its
president, Commandant
Isaac David who was full of
commendations for the
Tinubu led government
saying that if the previous
administrations have been
up and doing like this
nobody would even be
talking about the rights of
the Indigenous people.
“This government to us
in Abuja deserved every
accolades, commendations
and praises because
assuming we have been
having this kind of
leadership, I don't think
anyone would be talking
about the injustice because
the government, within this
short time have addressed
some of the right
infringements we do always
complain about.”
"The payment of the
compensation has signalled
to us that all other issues
around compensation in the
city would be properly dealt
with, those other aspects of
our cries on the political,
economical and cultural
injustice would be soon
addressed."
“So, president Bola
Ahmed Tinubu, Barr. Wike
Nyesom and Dr. Mariya
Mahmoud deserve our best
wishes for him to continue
discharge their
responsibilities to the
satisfaction of the good
people of Nigeria, we thank
them immensely.”
Meanwhile, Isaac
canvassed for the
establishment of the office
of special adviser on
resettlement and
compensation to avoid
mismanagement of the
compensation and to ensure
proper resettlement of these
inhabitants'
“The experience of the
past has shown that the
previous attempts
resettlement and
on
compensation was shrouded
in fraud and as a group
which wants every affected
Indigenes on the this
resettlement and
compensation to feel love
that this government has for
the people of Abuja
advocated for this office of
special assistant on
compensation and we are
very confident that the
administration would not
regret it if such office is
created for that purpose.”
Recall that FCT
minister, Wike announced
that the Administration
would pay the sum of
N825.819 million as
compensation claims to the
natives of Jiwa community
who were meant to be
relocated on the land that
was approved by the Federal
Executive Council FEC in
2022 for the commencement
and development of the
second runway for Nnamdi
Azikwe International
Airport, Abuja.
 Abuja Digest Weekly 4th - 17th September, 2023

PICTURENews 9

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Dr
Emmanuel Meribole, Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, and the
Chief of Jiwa Alh Idris Musa signing the agreement documents on the payment
of compensation to Jiwa Community during the Stakeholders meeting
on compensations matters for the 2nd Abuja Runway Project held in Abuja.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Barrister Festus Keyamo, FCT
Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike and the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud
during the stakeholders meeting on compensation matters for the 2nd Abuja Airport
Runway Project on 29/08/2023.

L-R: FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, L-R: Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, Hon Minister of State, FCT,
FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola and Executive Secretary, FCDA, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr Shehu Hadi Ahmed and
Engr Shehu Hadi Ahmed, during the meeting with major contractors in Abuja on FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike during the tour of on-going projects in Abuja
Monday, 28/08/2023. on Thursday, 24th August, 2023.

FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike (middle) and the Hon. Minister of State, FCT FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike addressing sympathisers at the site of the
Dr Mariya Mahmoud (2nd left) at the site of the collapsed building on Lagos Street, collapsed building in Garki II Abuja on Thursday.
Garki, on Thursday, 24th August, 2023

FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike (3rd left) flanked by the Minister of State, Dr
Mariya Mahmoud (2nd left) and the FCTA Permanent Secretary Mr Olusade Adesola Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusdae Adesola (right) presenting the handover notes
(4th left) outside the Abuja Metro Station during the Minister's tour of the light rail to the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike and Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud
facilities on Wednesday, 23rd August, 2023 during the handover ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, 22nd August, 2022
Abuja Digest Weekly
10 AreaCOUNCILS
Chiya restates commitment
to fiscal development
By Courage Danladi
T he Executive Chairman
of Kwali Area Council,
Hon. Danladi Chiya,
hosts FCT Commissioner of
Revenue Mobilization
Allocation and Fiscal
Commission (RMAFC), His
Excellency, Ambassador Ayuba
Jacob Ngbako, on an economic
development visit.
The Chairman who was
r e p r e s e n t e d b y t h e Vi c e
Chairman, Alhaji Mohammed
Yakubu, remarked that the Area
Council was open to digesting
initiatives and policies from the
Commission, aimed at fostering
fiscal growth and stability.
"Your Excellency Sir, the
Honourable Chairman is
unavoidably absent owing to
higher official engagements and
has directed me to receive you
and your team.
We have listened to the
mission of your visit to the
Council and must say it is very
clear; to assist us gain higher
financial muscle and to impart us
with requisite economic
wisdom, amongst others."
"Let me remind us that this
is in line with the Chiya-led
administration's vision."
The Chairman who
promised to ensure a legislation
on fiscal growth and provide
manpower for the Commission
at Council level, declared that no
word from the Commission will
be allowed to fall to the ground.
"Honourable Commissioner
Sir, we will work with the
Council Legislature on this
matter to enact a law to galvanize
revenue generation. We will
provide the Commission with
the requested personnel who will
serve as Desk Officer for this
cause."
"We are going to digest the
ideas you have shared with us for
the betterment of our revenue
and for the overall benefit of the
Council" the Chairman added.
Earlier, the Commissioner,
AMAC Boss begs Wike to fulfil
promises to Jiwa Ward
By Sunday Shekwonya
T
he Chairman of Abuja
Municipal Area Council
(AMAC), Christopher
Zakka Maikalangu, has appealed
to the Minister of the Federal
Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom
Wike, to consider the
construction of bridge, provision
of jobs and building of a standard
hospital in Jiwa ward.
The Chairman, made this
appeal while speaking after
signing the agreement reached
between the FCT Administration,
the Ministry of Aviation and Aero
Space Development, as well as
representatives of the Jiwa
4th - 17th September, 2023
in his opening address, outlined
initiatives which, he said, were
substantial to economic growth.
"I want to thank you for this
warm reception today. May I
start by saying that if we will, as
a local government, experience
economic liberty, we must use
some of these keys which
include; developing a roadmap
for fiscal growth, have fiscal
policy, embrace fiscal efficiency
and transparency."
Furthermore, the former
Nigeria Ambassador to Gambia
addressed the Council to
diversify and choose firsthand
revenue generation method.
"Executive Chairman Sir,
you must prioritize
diversification in revenue
generation so as to experience
economic development; from
health to finance, arts and culture
to social development- revenues
in these areas must be maximally
Ambassador Ayuba Jacob Ngbako
Community at the Federal
Capital Development Authority
(FCDA) Conference Room, in
Abuja.
Maikalangu, thanked the
FCT Minister for granting all the
request made by him as part of
compensation mechanism in
construction of the 2nd runway of
the Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport Abuja.
He commended the FCT
Minister and Minister of Aviation
for giving immediate
employment to 10 indigenes of
the Jiwa community, while
another 12 will come from the
Ministry of Aviation and the
Aviation Agencies.
Abuja Digest
tapped, because even at the
Federal level, they are indices
for revenue allocation."
"Another thing to add is that
the Council should take absolute
responsibility for revenue
generation by seeking direct
approach method where all
collections are centralized just as
we have at the Federal level."
One her part, the Director of
Administration and General
Services, Mary Ishaya (Ms) who
gave the closing remarks and
vote of thanks, acknowledged
the important role of the
Commissioner in nation
building.
She expressed confidence in
the Honourable Chairman's
commitment to economic drive
and stressed unreserved
readiness and support of Staff to
achieving the administration's
economic goals and objectives
He revealed that the Minister
directed for inclusion of the
rehabilitation of the Tunga
Madaki bridge in Jiwa
community in the 2024 budget, in
addition to the provision of a
modern healthcare facility.
Recall that the contract for
the construction of the second
runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport was
awarded in March 2022 by the
Ministry of Aviation and Aero
Space Development, but work
could not commence due to
disagreements over issues of
resettlement and compensation.
@abujadigest
Gender Justice
T he term Gender Justice
envisions a world
where everyone has
equal access to resources
regardless of their gender.
Examples of gender
injustice are in countries were
women are not allowed to vote,
get an education or drive.
In other places, women are
neither allowed to inherit
properties nor own landed
properties.
In the United States of
America, women were not
allowed to vote( nationally)
before 1920.
This Week, Gender Arena's
Guest; Ambassador Zainab
Mohammed takes us through
Gender Justice, GESI and other
sundry issues.
Ambassador Mohammed
i s T h e N a t i o n a l
Coordinator/Founder,
Partnership For Rural Women
Development ( P4RWD)&
Nigerian Young Women
Political Forum. She is a
Gender activist who is
passionate about gender
inclusiveness and participation
at all levels of Governance.
1. GENDER
JUSTICE:
Justice on its own
represents the level of fairness,
equity & level playing field
created for any human
phenomenon to thrive. Gender
Justice therefore must reflect
the deliberate concerted effort
applied across institutional
governance to ensure fairness
in providing equality in access
to some critical social, political
and economic interplay in the
social engineering of Modern
humanity.
Gender Justice, also
known as sexual equality or
equality of the sexes, is the
state of equal ease of access to
resources and opportunities
regardless of gender, including
economic participation and
decision-making; and the state
of valuing different behaviors,
aspirations and needs equally,
regardless of gender.
2. GENDER JUSTICE
IN NIGERIA:
It's not yet Uhuru in that
regard but we are gradually
moving above the formative
stages in the application or
acting out everything that has
to do with equity and justice
across the sexual strata.
Some of the challenges of
Gender Justice in Nigeria
could be highlighted as
follows:
1. Gender inequality,
impunity.
2. Inadequate human,
technical and financial
@abujadigest
investments.
3. Weak coordination and
monitoring mechanisms.
4. Insufficient data and
research.
5. Limited attention to
neglected groups and issues.
6. Dearth of evaluations
and evidence base to guide
programmes.
3. ACTION:
Gender Justice is
achievable in Nigeria only
when the narratives of equality
are narrowed down to their true
implications for social,
political and cultural
acceptance. I strongly feel the
word "equality" tends to
mislead or misinterpret the true
picture of what Gender Justice
entails. But for the benefit of
this topic, the under listed
approach should be well
implemented to achieve a true
Gender Justice.
1. Talk to women and girls.
2. Let girls use mobile
phones. .
3. Stop child marriage and
sexual harassment.
4. Make education gender
sensitive.
5. Raise aspirations of girls
and their parents.
6. Empower mothers.
7. Give proper value to
'women's work'.
8. Get women into power.
4. WHAT IS GESI:
GESI is a Deliberate
Policy framework directed at
giving equal access and
opportunities and removing the
barriers of discrimination
towards women and other
marginalised and vulnerable
populations such as disabled
people, indigenous
populations, refugees and
migrants.
With a whooping
estimated 104m (women and
girls) in the Nigeria Population
estimate as at 2021, the need
for Constant engagement on
the need for a thriving Gender
Justice System cannot be
overemphasized. The message
is clear and simple; "The real
developmental trajectories of
Nigeria can/shall begin to
manifest at that point where we
have agreed to across the
cultural/Religious divide
accept a society where Gender
Justice System thrives".
Gender Justice will be
achievable in Nigeria if we all
decide to start giving equal
access and opportunities to
everyone we come across. Let
every form of discrimination
towards women and girls and
other vulnerable groups stop
with you.
I wish you all a safe week.
 Abuja Digest Weekly 4th - 17th September, 2023

SportsDIGEST With Gyang Dakwo

FCT Sports Department
conducts National Youth
Games Trials
A s part of preparations for
the 2023 National Youth
Games, the FCT Sports
Department recently held a trial
Competition for Gymnastics,
Weightlifting, and some Combat
Sports as well as participated in
zonal qualifiers.
According to a statement
from the department's Head of
Media and Communication,
Vivian Onubogu, the essence of
the trial is to identify outstanding
in subsequent Federation
Tournaments," he said.
Meanwhile, FCT Karate
Coach, Dave Jegede, said four
athletes have been selected from
the trials to represent Team FCT in
Karate at the National Youth
Games
Jegede revealed that sourcing
for talents is usually done through
visiting schools in FCT where
new talents are sourced and
subsequently trained in
11
it teaches one to defend oneself,
adding that it is not dangerous as
some parents think. He noted
some of the athletes are graduates
who rather than engaging in social
vices,have embraced sports which
has now become a source of
livelihood for them.
The Trial Competition which
was organized and held at the Old
Parade Ground, Area 3 Garki,
Manny Pacquiao wants to fight
Abuja, was monitored by the
Assistant Director Technical, Dr at Paris 2024 Olympics
Esther Whoba and the Assistant

athletes who will represent the
FCT at the youth games.
The Director, FCT Sports
Department, Luka Istifanus, the
statement further pointed out, said
the territory had also participated
in the North Central Zonal
qualification tournament for team
sports in Jos, where it picked
tickets to participate in Indoor
Volleybal, Beach Volleyball and
Cricket at the games.
He revealed that no team
sport will be relegated to the
background, adding that the
selection of Team Sports for
Federation Competitions has
become necessary owing to the
fact that the athletes are large in
number, hence the need for a
qualifying tournament
"Those Team Sports that are
not able to compete this year, will
be given opportunity to compete
partnership with the schools'
games departments.
Likewise, Wrestling coach,
James George pointed out that
wrestling is a significant game as
Director, Sports Development,
Iyiola Ogundele, so as to ensure a
credible selection process.
M
anny Pacquiao wants to
return to boxing for the
Paris 2024 Olympics,
Philippine Olympic Committee
president Abraham Tolentino has
announced.
The legendary Filipino eight-
weight world champion retired
from the sport following his defeat
to Yordenis Ugas in 2021, but has
since hinted at a possible return.
Pacquiao previously quit
boxing to allow him to focus solely
on his political career in the
Philippines, where he is a senator.
However, he was unsuccessful
in his run to become President of
his home country in 2022.
As a result, the boxing icon has
since returned to the ring for
exhibition bouts.
But now, according to the
Philippine Olympic Committee
president, Pacquiao is eyeing a
more serious return.
"Senator Pacquiao's camp
reached out saying our Filipino
ring idol wants to fight in Paris,”
Tolentino said in a statement.
Pacquiao is now 44 and would
be 45 at the time of the games.
This rules him out of the main
route of qualification - next
month's Asian Games - which has
an age limit of 40.
However, Pacquiao could still
qualify through one of the two
Olympic qualifying tournaments
that will take place early next year,
or possibly through the
Universality rule.
Time will tell if Pacquiao ends
up participating, and whether he
could end his career by bringing
home Olympic gold for his country.

FCT School Sports Festival Committee inaugurated

By Kabiru Musa and sporting event which has the potential to In his remarks, the President RATELS will become a hub for sports development.
Sarah Odugbo discover great talents in FCT School Sport Development Foundation and a He thanked the Education Secretariat for
Children. member of the Committee, Barrister Paul finding the Foundation worthy to be part of

F or effective mobilisation towards the

maiden edition of the forthcoming
Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
School Sports Festival, and to ensure
adequate synergy with relevant stakeholders
and partners, the FCT Education Secretariat
has unveiled the Sponsorship and Marketing
Committee .
Inaugurating the 12 committee
members, the Acting Secretary, Education
Secretariat, Mallam Abdulrazaq Leremoh
said that the inauguration of the Committee is
key to achieving the desired success of the
forthcoming FCT School Sports Festival .
The Acting Secretary explained that
festival will be a unique event designed to set
the pace for others to emulate adding that the
need for partnerships is to further share
responsibilities by bringing in the private
sector energy to drive the good course of the
The inaugurated committee members on Sponsorship and Marketing Committee. for
the FCT School Sports Festival.
He stated that the composition of the
committee is spread all over FCT
Departments and Boards to ensure wealth of
connections and contacts which will
facilitate the assignment of the committee.
Edeh expressed his delight to be part of the
development in FCT Education Secretariat.
He explained that the partnership for the
FCT School Sports Festival is for the next
five years in order to leave an enduring
the event assuring them of their undiluted
commitment to bring positive contributions
to the table.
In her acceptance brief, Mrs Allison
James of RATELS Sport Development
He therefore urged the Committee legacy and as a private sector stakeholder, Foundation acknowledged the honour of
members to put in their best and join in reposes faith in the many potentials bringing stakeholders together for the
helping to promote the programme by embedded in sports activities stating that his development of sports in FCT, promising
mobilising the needed funds and resources . Foundation is set to positively contribute its that they will intensify their efforts to ensure
Speaking earlier, the Director of FCT quota while putting measures in place for its the programme is successful.
Department of School Sports, Mallam sustainability in FCT. In her vote of thanks, Director,
Adamu Hashimu said the Department is The President likened the Sport festival Education Administration, Education
ready to solicit for profitable collaborations to a tree, which will grow and showcase its Secretariat, Hajia Rakiya Ibrahim
towards bringing more stakeholders of like fruits at appointed time with other Muhammad appreciate their various efforts
minds together to actualize the aims and stakeholders seeking opportunities to be part to render their undiluted services to making
objectives of the festival for the greater of the growth. the sporting event one of the best in FCT
growth and development of children and the He said the Dry Run done has adding that the Education Secretariat will
FCT. strengthened the knowledge and skills of the give them the necessary support in the
He therefore thanked them for making participants that in no distant future, FCT discharge of their assignment.
themselves available for the call to service.
UEFA Champions League
2023/24 Group Stages
The group stage of the Champions League kicks off on Tuesday, Sept. 19.
Group A Union Berlin AC Milan
Bayern Munich Group D Newcastle
Manchester United Benfica
Copenhagen Inter Milan Group G
Galatasaray Salzburg Manchester City
Real Sociedad RB Leipzig
Group B FK Crvena zvezda (Red
Sevilla Group E Star Belgrade)
Arsenal Feyenoord Young Boys
PSV Atlético Madrid
Lens Lazio Group H
Celtic Barcelona
Group C Porto
Napoli Group F Shakhtar Donetsk
Real Madrid PSG Royal Antwerp
Braga Borussia Dortmund
 4th - 17th September, 2023 www.abujadigest.info
FCT Sports Department
ABUJA DIGEST
Published by the Federal Capital Territory Administration Vol. 3, 32nd Edition, 4th - 17th September, 2023
conducts National Youth
Games Trials
Pg
11

FCTA pledges support for women in agriculture

By Zakari Aliyu contribution to food the invaluable contributions farming sector such as sustainable farming organisation through its
production. of women in agriculture, access to land and inputs to practices, crop activities all over Nigeria has

A
s part of its resolve to
boost agricultural
production and
enhance food security in the
Federal Capital Territory
( F C TA ) T h e F C T
Administration has pledged
its continuous support to
women farmers in the
Territory.
Minister of State FCT,
Dr. Mariya Mahmoud made
this declaration recently at
the National Advocacy
Forum organized by Small-
Scale Women Farmers
Organisation of Nigeria
(SWOFON) in conjunction
with Action-Aid Nigeria to
galvanize greater women
inclusion in agricultural
policies and programmes in
Nigeria.
Represented at the event
by the Acting Secretary,
Agriculture and Rural
Development Secretariat,
Mallam Ishaq Abubakar
Sadeeq, Dr. Mahmoud
commended SWOFON for
the critical role it has been
playing in bringing women
together to not just earn
sustainable livelihood
through sustainable
agricultural practices but
also making meaningful
She assured the women which is why it has enhance their participation diversification, post-harvest
that FCT Administration will repositioned the Women in in agricultural activities. management, and marketing
continue to pursue the Agriculture Desk under the Training and capacity strategies.
implementation of initiatives coordination of the building she added, are other Dr. Mahmoud
that will empower and Agriculture & Rural critical areas the expressed the readiness of
support women farmers Development Secretariat Administration will continue the Administration to
across the six area councils, towards comprehensively to give attention; tailored to collaborate with genuine
stressing that the addressing key challenges enhance the knowledge and investors towards boosting
Administration recognizes faced by women in the skills of women in the food production systems
in the Territory.
In her words, "Permit
me use this opportunity to
assure you that under the
“Renewed Hope” Agenda of
our dear President Bola
Ahmed Tinubu, the FCT
Administration is ready to
partner with genuine
investors that are interested
in adding value to
Agriculture. The
opportunities in FCT abound
and with the ease of doing
business environment
investors will enjoy fruitful
investment.”
Earlier in her welcome
address, Chairperson,
SWOFON Board of
Trustees, Mrs. Hannatu Yaro
acknowledged the FCT
Administration's support,
noting the provision of
Representative of the Minister of State FCT Mallam Ishaq Abubakar Sadeeq inputs to members of the
delivering the address of the Minister at the National Advocacy Forum for women organization at subsidised
farmers organised by the Small-scale Farmers Organisationof Nigeria (SWOFON) rates.
at the Howthorn Hotel in Abuja. She disclosed that the
been in the forefront of
advocacy for women
farmers.
Ya r o c a l l e d o n
government to do more in
building the capacities of
women in Good Agricultural
Practices as well as help in
addressing the challenges of
training, access to land and
inputs.
In his remarks, Mr.
Kehinde Arowosogbe who
stood in for the Country
Representative of Action-
Aid Nigeria, congratulated
the organisation for its
achievements stressing the
need for more inclusivity of
women in policies and
programs of government to
achieve the desired quest for
hunger reduction and food
security.
He encouraged all
stakeholders, including
agricultural organisations,
civil societies, and private
enterprises, to actively
participate in initiatives that
will contribute to the success
of women farmers.
Highpoint of the event
was the election of new
Executives for the
organisation.

Abuja Film Village gears up for Youth Festival

By Leticia Wogu
As part of efforts to employ film
as a vital tool to empower and
establish right values among the
Nigerian youth, the Abuja Film
Village (AFVIL) in collaboration
Abuja Digest Newspaper in her
office in Abuja, the MD/CEO of
A b u j a F i l m Vi l l a g e , D r.
Francisca Ibezim, said the
Festival which would take place
at the Silverbird Galleria, Abuja
intends to provide a platform for
young film makers to showcase
their talents, share their
perspectives and drive change
through film making. It also
proposes to educate young
Nigerians on the need to be good
citizens, towards building a
better nation for all.
“The Youth Educational Film
Festival is not just an event, it is
the celebration of the
extraordinary story that emerges
when the vibrant imagination of
our youth collide with the power
of cinematic story telling”,
Ibezim said.
Ibezim said that Abuja Film
Village in collaboration with
Actors Guild had earlier
organised an audition for young
people tagged, “Born Talent
Audition”, where talents were
discovered and would be
showcased at the Festival.
She added that as part of the
programme, there would be
Master classes on Acting, Script
Writing, Editing and Production.
While calling on government at
all levels and other private
organisations to support the
Festival, Ibezim also called on
youths to fully participate in the
programme.
Abuja Film Village [AFVIL],
was set up as a Public Private
Partnership [PPP] initiative of the
F e d e r a l C a p i t a l Te r r i t o r y
Administration [FCTA], with the
aim to position the City of Abuja,
and subsequently Nigeria, as a
global epicenter of film and
entertainment excellence.

DRTS eases vehicle registration process

By Josie Mudasiru Federal Government policy on and Collection of Plate
Ease of Doing Business. number.

Dr. Francisca Ibezim
with the Actors Guild of Nigeria
(AGN) and a Non Governmental
Organization, “I am the Future of
Nigeria Youth Initiative” is
organising the first annual Youth
Educational Film Festival
(YEFF), scheduled to take place
in the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT).
In an exclusive interview with
on the 18th and 19th of
September aims to use film to
promote the image of Nigeria and
address social vices such as drug
abuse, climate change, global
warming, domestic violence,
illegal migration, child and
sexual abuse, spread of fake
news, etc.
She stated that the maiden event
T he Directorate Of Road
Traffic Services (DRTS)
has instituted platforms
for easy registration of vehicles
calling on residents to continue
to utilise the online registration
platform in processing their
vehicle related transactions.
Speaking in his Office
during a chat with Abuja Digest
Newspaper, The Director, Dr
Bello AbdulLaleef said that
even though vehicle related
transactions of the Directorate
was automated in Abuja in 2010,
the Self Service Portal became
operational and available to the
Public in March, 2023.
The Director explained that
that the idea behind the
introduction of the Self Service
Portal was to make vehicle
registration process convenient
and accessible in line with
Dr Bello said that the
process has reduced the menace
of middle men, while also
creating an enabling
environment for the acquisition
of vehicle documents.
Other advantages of online
registration according to him
include; removal of
administrative bottleneck,
removal of touts, opportunity of
paying the exact amount and also
provides home delivery options.
The Head Of Information
And Communication
Technology Unit, Mr Auwalu
Mohammed outlined the
requirements of the online
registration to include: Visit the
url: selfserviceFctevreg.com,
NIN, VIN, Photo of Car Chassis
and Email address, Form/
Inspection, payment via DRTS
channels.
Abuja Digest gathered that
the Directorate has recorded
over a 100 thousand online
registration with zero complaints
from members of the public.
The Director however,
urged residents to shun middle
men and embrace the online
platform for ease of access as the
present Administration is set to
deliver on dividends of
democracy, especially in the area
of public transportation.
The Director also advised
residents and visitors to the
Federal Capital Territory to
avoid fake vehicle documents
but to follow DRTS Social
Media handles for timely and
relevant information on
transport issues and adhere to all
traffic laws and regulations.

Published by Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Abuja. ISSN:2006-0882 For Enquiries contact: Abuja Digest office, Neighbourhood corner shops, zone B,
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