News
FCT Minister To Construct 5km Road Across Area Council
… Reiterates commitment to renewed hope agenda
By Abubakar Yunusa Ojimaojo
The FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has reiterated his commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
The Minister who stated this when he received former Senator representing the FCT, Senator Philip Aduda of the PDP and the APC candidate for the FCT Senatorial seat in the last election, Honorable Zakari Angulu Dobi on a courtesy visit to the FCTA, called on politicians, irrespective of their political party to join hands with the President to achieve the objectives of the Renewed Hope agenda.
Barr. Wike commended the lawmakers who though belonging to opposing political parties had resolved to work together for the overall interest of the FCT and its residents.
He said: “Let me thank you on behalf of the Honourable Minister of State and the Mandate Secretaries for this visit. What you have done today is what is supposed to be, members of two political parties who had elections against each other coming to say no this is not the issue of party A or party B but the issue of the development of the Federal Capital Territory. I commend you for that spirit”.
The Minister assured his guests that what is currently happening in the FCT was a testament of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the president is also mindful of the indigenous population of the FCT,hence the appointment of an indigene as a cabinet minister, a feat, he said, was the first since the creation of the FCT.
Barr. Wike said: “What is happening in the FCT is part of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, giving hope to the residents as well as identifying that there are people from this area even though it is a Federal Capital Territory. And this is the first time any president has done it by appointing somebody from the FCT as Minister. That is why we say, we need a man with the political will to do those things people are afraid of doing. And he has kept to that faith.
“And those of us who are here will give him the necessary support to achieve what he promised Nigerians. For us, we want to work with everybody. It does not matter which party you belong to, it is about the development of the FCT and we must work together to be able to achieve this”.
The Minster who cited the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission and the withdrawal of the FCTA from the TSA as part of the President’s promises for the FCT, stressed that career progression, which the Commission stands to bring, was a great motivation for civil servants to put in their best while the removal of the FCTA from TSA signifies rapid development for the entire FCT.
“The removal of FCTA from TSA is to encourage development, particularly infrastructural development in the FCT. With this singular effort, you will see what will happen in the FCT in years to come”, he added.
Barr. Wike also disclosed that the President has directed the construction of a minimum of 5km road in each of the six Area Councils of the FCT before May 29, 2024 as part of efforts to develop the Area Councils, adding that development will not focus in the city only.
He said: “Mr President has directed that we carry out a 5km road in each Area Council. We have six Area Councils and we are working hard before May 29 to achieve 30km road in the Area Councils. It is something unprecedented and the President is fully committed to development not just within the city but in the rural areas also”.
The Minister urged residents to be patient with government as tough decisions would be made for the overall good of the nation’s capital.
“I urge residents to be patient. We are going to take tough decisions. Resident should not see it as punitive but for the good of the FCT”, he said.
Earlier, Senator Aduda had assured the Minister of their unflinching support, saying that, “For us it is about how to develop the FCT”.
While congratulating the Minister, the lawmaker commended him for the great developmental strides in the FCT since he assumed office, which, he said, was true to his nick name of “Mr Project”.
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
In a powerful display of compassion and community spirit, Honourable Larai Sylvia Ishaku, Executive Chairperson of Jaba Local Government Area (LGA) in Kaduna State, spearheaded the distribution of rice to residents across all 10 electoral wards for Easter Celebration.
The well-organised event took place at the H.R.H Danladi Gyet Maude Secretariat at Kwoi, where crowds of grateful beneficiaries gathered to receive vital support from Hon. Laria Sylvia Ishaku.
Also in attendance were Hon. Mustapha Danladi Babaladi, the Executive Vice Chairman of Jaba LGA, and Comrade Abashiya Sahjury, Chief of Staff to Hon. Laria and other key political Leaders, which demonstrate strong leadership presence and a united front in delivering relief to the people.
The rice distribution reached a broad section of society, including former unit executives, recent political decampers, market women and traders, healthcare personnel, Okada riders (commercial motorcyclists), people living with disabilities, security personnel, and representatives from religious and community-based organisations such as the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and others.
During her speech, Hon. Larai Sylvia Ishaku reaffirmed that the initiative was part of the broader support structure provided by Governor Uba Sani and All Progressives Congress (APC) for the people of Jaba LGA in Kaduna State.
She emphasised that her administration’s intention is to continue delivering practical benefits and genuine support to the masses (grassroots). “We are committed to ensuring every resident of Jaba LGA experiences the dividends of good governance. By the end of 2026 and beyond, no one will be left out,” she assured.
“Easter symbolises love, sacrifice and the joy of giving, such effort is a way of saying thank to you people while fostering peace and unity within our communities in Jaba LGA.”
Addressing the political atmosphere, Hon. Ishaku urged residents to stay vigilant and not fall prey to deceptive political tactics. “Be cautious of those who seek to mislead you for selfish political gain. Where were they when they held power? They forgot you,” she declared boldly.
In appreciation for the gesture, One of the beneficiary, Mr. Dennis Iliya, expressed deep thanks on behalf of the beneficiaries. “We thank the APC government for standing by the people of Jaba. May the Lord Almighty reward the kindness shown by Governor Sani and Hon. Larai Sylvia Ishaku. Their kindness has brought relief during these difficult times. May God continue to bless them and the APC leadership,” he stated joyfully.
Joseph Tegbe, director-general (DG) of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), says Nigeria will soon sign a deal on ‘Digital RMB’ with China to enable a direct conversion of naira to Chinese Yuan.
The digital renminbi (RMB) is a central bank digital currency issued by China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China.
Speaking at the digital asset markets strategy masterclass series held recently in Lagos, Tegbe said the agreement is expected to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on the United States dollar.
He described the pact as a major step in Nigeria’s transition from a trade relationship with China to a mutually-beneficial development partnership.
The NCSP DG also said Nigeria has secured over $30 billion in investment commitments and 300 expressions of interest from Chinese companies within the last five months.
Tegbe also noted the importance of leveraging Chinese technology, particularly in the digital asset market and knowledge transfer, adding that the NCSP remains committed to supporting the globalisation of Nigeria’s capital market.
The director-general outlined the objectives of the partnership, which include driving infrastructure development, scaling up Chinese investments, strengthening trade and economic ties, promoting transparency, and advancing cultural exchange between both countries.
Also speaking at the event, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said the state is developing a securitisation policy to monetise idle assets and raise green bonds to fund infrastructure needs.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Abayomi Oluyomi, the commissioner for finance, said Lagos will become the first sub-national in the country to implement such a policy.
In his remarks, Nicholas Okoye, convener of the masterclass and a global investment advisor, said the digital transformation ushered in by the fourth industrial revolution has impacted all sectors and will open new frontiers of wealth for investors, institutions, nations, and sub-nationals.
“The most strategic ecosystem of this digital transformation has got to be ‘Digital Asset Markets’, which includes investment in cryptocurrencies as well as the tokenisation (digitisation) of traditional asset classes,” Okoye said.
“The proposed full adoption of ‘Digital Asset Markets’ in Nigeria’s capital markets and subsequently across Africa is going to be a game changer for wealth creation and economic growth sustainability.
“In addition, it will completely redefine the future of African finance, investment and capital market industries.”
Okoye said the digital assets present a unique opportunity for Africans to build wealth regardless of location or profession, providing for the first time, an accurate reflection of Nigeria and Africa’s true wealth position.
By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
Making the event that marked the Nigeria Union of Journalists at 70, the Taraba State chapter of the NUJ Honour chief David Sabo Kente as the philanthropist man of the year
The award presentation was held in Jalingo, the state capital, at the grand finale of the NUJ Press Week celebration.
Speaking at the ceremony, the state chairman of NUJ, Mr Eliud Jen, noted that the awards were carefully chosen base on concrete evidence of performance in various categories and meant to spur the awardees to do more.
Chief Kente, who was the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress APC, in 2023, has used his foundation, The DSK foundation, to help thousands of Taraban through scholarship, Small Medium Enterprises and lot more.
While congratulating the union for attaining 70 years, Kente called on government investors and everyone to give the union a support hand to enable its members to continue discharging their duties effectively.
Others who were awarded for outstanding performance are His Excellency Dr, Agbu Kefas the governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Yakubu Jafaru Chiroma, member representing Bali/Gassol Federal constituency, Dr Aisha Adamu, the CMD of Federal Medical Centre Jalingo, Hon. Aminu Hassan, ALGON chairman in the State, Professor Joseph Albasu Kunini, former Speaker of Taraba State and Professor Sunday Bako, Vice Chancellor Taraba State University Jalingo, the state Commissioner of Women Affairs and Child Development Mrs Mary Sinjen, Commandant 6 Brigade Jalingo Gen. Kinsley Uwa and several others were also given recognition as friends of the press.
Kente further appreciated journalists for finding him worthy to be honour, emphasizing that the award will spur him to do more.