Authority of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, has tasked members of the Presidential visitation panel to ensure that town planning and development control regulations in the University of Abuja are met.

The Panel also want the plan to fit into the overall FCT Masterplan.

The FCT Minister, Malam Mohammed Bello made the remarks when he received members of the Presidential Visitation Panel led by its Chairman, Alhaji Bukar Aji to the University of Abuja on courtesy visit to his office.

According him, the FCT is a creation of law and thus, every part of it has to be developed based on a systematic, coordinated and codified manner.

The Minister said that ”the University of Abuja is an institution that is closely linked with the FCT Administration as well as the growth and development of the city.”

”The presence of the University of Abuja and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital in Gwagwalada has immensely enhanced the growth and development of the Satellite town to the benefit of the host community,” the Governor said.

The University, Bello also said has also partnered with the Administration to solve specific matters such as the seismic issues regarding some rock formations in some parts of the FCT.

He stated that the University has contributed to the manpower development of the Administration as many of its staff have taken advantage of the proximity of the University to improve on their academic and professional qualifications.

Judging from the caliber and antecedents of the members of the Visitation Panel, Governor Bello, further stated that he was confident they would carry out a  very good job of reviewing the situation in the university and guiding its administration properly in its management.

The Chairman of the Visitation Panel, Alhaji Bukar Aji said that the purpose of its visit was to formally inform the Minister and the residents of the FCT that the Presidential Visitation Panel on the University of Abuja has commenced its assignment.

The Chairman said ”the visitation exercise was a fact finding one as part of a statutory responsibility that happens every five years and a critical part of its assignment includes an objective examination of the affairs of the University.”

He added that its terms of reference includes; examining issues relating to governance, accountability, evaluation of the progress made in the university after the last visitation exercise as well as looking into the working relationship between the host community and the University.

Other members of the Panel present for the courtesy visit were Professor Ahmed Yakassai, Dr Ibinag Ewa, Col. Danladi  Adamu (Rtd), Abubakar Matazu and Samuel Ikani who is the Secretary.

Also present were the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu, the Director Department of Human resources Management, Dr. Bashir Muhammed, the Director Project in the Office of the Minister, Saka Ahmed amongst others.

Mercy Chukwudiebere

The Niger State Government in North Central Nigeria, has expressed its commitment to reposition the civil service for better performance.

The State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Bello stated this to felicitate workers and the organised Labour on May Day celebration.

Acknowledging the significant role of workers in nation building, Governor Bello said ”Civil Service remained the key to the success of his administration. ”

He describes civil servants as ‘pivotal to the success of Policy implementation of any administration,’ stressing that when the civil service is properly positioned, every aspect of government runs smoothly.

“Every government needs a vibrant workforce, and therefore priority attention must be accorded to the critical role civil service plays in good governance.

“The impact of government’s policies and programmes on the citizens is determined by whether they have been implemented excellently or shoddily. This in turn, depends on the efficiency and effectiveness of the civil service,” the Governor stated.

Governor Bello stressed the need for government to identify the weaknesses of the service, streamline past efforts to revamp it, and apply vigorous measures to make it a truly enduring and supportive institution, saying that civil service  has the onerous duty to execute government policies and programmes.

He also reminded the workers that professionalism and adherence to the ethics of the civil service should be their watch word as no Nation of the world can attain greatness without a vibrant and dedicated civil service which is the nucleus of every government.

The Governor therefore urged workers in the state to remain focus, dedicated, and committed in the discharge of their duties even as the state government would continue to work out ways of improving workers welfare,to provide a conducive working environment.

Congratulating the workforce,  Governor Bello, however appealed to workers both private and civil servants in the state to continue to show understanding with the current trend and ensure that they do away with bad eggs among them as a mark to the Global Workers Day celebration.

Mercy Chukwudiebere

The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello has paid tribute to Nigeria’s workers that lost their lives while fighting the Covid -19 pandemic and prayed that they rest in peace.

The Minister sent the felicitations on behalf of the FCT Administration, to all workers in the nation’s capital on the occasion of the 2021 Workers’ Day celebration.

He also called on members of the public not to be complacent because the pandemic was not yet over and urged them to continue to observe all non-pharmaceutical protocols, to  pevent the spread of the disease.

Bello said that preventing the spread of Covid-19 would honour the memory of the workers who had paid the ultimate price while fighting the pandemic.

He recognised and applauded the efforts of all the frontline and essential workers who worked tirelessly over the last one year as the nation fought the Covid-19 pandemic.

In the words of the Minister “I acknowledge and applaud the efforts of all the frontline health workers comprising  the doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory officers, cleaners, drivers, administrative officers and all others who risked it all so that the rest of us are safe.

“I salute also, the other essential workers who functioned in public utility organisations such as electricity, water supply, telecommunications, environmental sanitation and not forgetting our security operatives,” the Minister said.

Bello also acknowledged the role played by workers in the development of FCT over the years and saluted the efforts of the pioneer workers who made the sacrifices that were essential in laying the foundation of what has grown to become a beautiful capital city.

While calling on the trade unions to work with the government and embrace dialogue in settling trade disagreements, he promised that the FCTA would take all necessary steps to ensure that staff were well motivated and able to deliver the best possible services to the residents of the FCT.

He also assured staff of the FCTA that the Administration was committed to the promotion of their welfare and wellbeing.

Bello called for their cooperation and dedication to service, adding that the FCT and indeed the nation cannot reach their full potentials without a committed, dedicated and patriotic workforce.

Mercy Chukwudiebere

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB has promised to refund monies paid by candidates who were unable to generate profile codes due to poor network or delayed response from telecommunication service providers.

The Board warns that the refund would not apply to wrong registrations, in the case of candidates who entered wrong codes while trying to generate their profiles.

The Registrar of the Board, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who disclosed this, said ”the decision was arrived at after consultations with stakeholders.”

He stated further that service providers have also agreed to the refund decision.

Mercy Chukwudiebere

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says workers are major pillars for the development and survival of Nigeria.

Jonathan said their sacrifices have been the major reason the nation still exists.

He said this on his official Facebook page on Saturday while celebrating International Workers Day.

“I celebrate all Nigerian workers on this year’s #International Workers Day. You are a major pillar for the development and survival of our nation.

“Your commitments and sacrifices to the progress of our country have been a major reason we have continued to exist as one nation and recorded many victories in times of global and national challenges,” the ex President said.

He stated ; “During this Covid-19 pandemic, many of you have been at the vanguard of protecting lives and giving hope to millions of people.

 “No matter the challenges we face today as a country, I urge us to remain selfless in service, patriotic in action and focused on the cause of nation-building.

“Let us continue to serve with honour, dignity and love in whatever place we find ourselves so that we can achieve peace, unity and progress in all our lands.”

NP/Mercy Chukwudiebere

The Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, in the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abdullahi Candido has described workers, particularly those in the Council as the engine room for the progress and development of any given society.

To mark this year’s Workers’ Day, Candido, felicitated Nigerian workers, particularly those in AMAC for their sacrifices and productivity in the development of the Area Council and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT in general.

He said; ”the contributions of workers particularly in AMAC are responsible for the much talked remarkable achievements recorded by the present administration.”

He, however, used the opportunity to appreciate the workers in AMAC who have supported this administration in its strides to provide social and infrastructure development despite challenges.

While wishing them a successful Workers Day celebration, Candido reiterated that his administration would continue to keep faith with the workers by paying their salaries as and when due and building their capacity through training and retraining.

Mercy Chukwudiebere