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Update: Protesters Shut FCT Minister’s Office Over Extension Of Council Chairmen Tenure

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Hundreds of residents of the Abuja Municipal Area Council have shut down the office of Malam Mohammed Bello, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the FCT Administration Secretariat over the inauguration of the new elected council chairmen and councillors.

On Thursday, the administration announced the suspension of the inauguration, citing the ruling of an FCT High Court.

Findings revealed that one of the outgoing chairmen had approached the court to seek tenure extension by one year in accordance with the new Electoral Act which stipulates four-year term for area council chairmen in the FCT.

The court had subsequently ruled in his favour.

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FCT Natives Facilitate With Muslims Brothers On Eid-Mubarak

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The President of Abuja Original Inhabitants Youth Empowerment Organisation AOIYEO, Commandant Isaac David has congratulated Islamic faithfuls in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and urge them to reflect on the lessons as they mark this year’s Eid-Mubarak

The AOIYEO President, said the doctrine of Islamic faith is premised on sacrifice and peace respectively, adding that residents should pray for the FCT administration and the country over the present security challenges facing the country.

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Headlines

FCT Poll: Confusion As Two Candidates Lay Claim to AMAC APC Ticket

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

There is confusion in the ruling All Progressives Congress in the Federal Capital Territory as two candidates claim the chairmanship ticket of the party in the Abuja Municipal Area Council.

Two candidates, Sulaimon Gwagwa and Muritala Karshi have been campaigning at the different parts of FCT.

The two candidates had on many occasions claimed to be the candidate of the party.

According to reports, Gwagwa won the primary election with 109 votes while his closest challenger, Karshi scored 103 votes.

It was gathered that Karshi challenged the matter in court and won. Gwagwa appealed at the Appeal Court, the court ruled in his favour. Karshi, however, approached the Supreme Court.

However, revealed that Karshi’s name was on the Independent National Electoral Commission list.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the APC in FCT, Abdulmalik Usman, said there was little the party could do as the matter was at the Supreme Court.

He added that the party gave them the nod to go about their campaigns.

Usman said, “When you have a party that is strong you would see people struggling to be its candidate. There is little we can do because the issue is before the supreme court, we hope the apex court gives its ruling and declares one of them the owner of the ticket.

“But what we are doing as a party is to allow the two of them to campaign. It is the logo of the party that appears on the ballot paper and not the candidates’ names. Whoever gets the ticket in court would be our candidate for the election.”

When asked if the situation would not affect the chances of the party at the poll, he said, “It would not. The PDP candidate cannot withstand any of the two candidates. Besides, we are on the ground in the area council.

“Also, none of them has asked their supporters not to vote for APC. This is not happening for the first time. In 2007, we had two National Assembly candidates, the APC won and one of them got the mandate.

“No one should worry about what is happening. The two should carry on with their campaigns and work for the victory of the party in the area council.”

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Headlines

Panic as 40 suspected ‘Yahoo boys’ in white storm Abuja Estate

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

No fewer than 40 suspected internet fraudsters dressed in white were stopped from entering Mab Global Estate in the Gwarinpa area of the Federal Capital Territory.

It was gathered that security personnel manning the gate of the estate prevented them from accessing the estate around 11:45 pm on Friday.

According to residents, the suspected fraudsters said they came to honour a birthday party at a plot in which no celebration was happening.

They said the young guys were with bags and appeared as if they were up for a ‘ritual’.

The Chief Security Officer of the estate, Denis Omala, said they reinforced and came back around 2:30 am.

He said he had to call for reinforcement to subdue them.

Omala said, “Over 40 suspected Yahoo boys attempted to breach the estate security on Friday night.

“They dressed in white attempted to gain entrance into the estate around 11:45 pm but were not allowed in.

“They could not provide the requisite information on the particular house number that was expected. We turned them back. They returned strong in a convoy of 15 cars carrying over 40 people in white around 2:30 am.

“They became aggressive as they attempted to forcibly penetrate the estate. We had to call in all the security men and some residents to prevent them from breaching the peace of the estate.”

The Chairman of the Estate, Emeka Ihedioha, said he had to rush to the gate to ensure that the young men were turned back, adding that their intentions were not known.

He, however, urged the residents to be more vigilant.

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Headlines

Utako Demolition: Police, We have to Build, Indigenes fumes, says Land belongs to Ancestors

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Barely few weeks after the relax of the COVID-19 pandemic locked down last year, the development control of the Federal Capital Territory Stormed the Utako Village and demolished over 200 houses.

The department came few months after and erected a sign post of the Nigerian Police Force as the owner of the land.

Normalcy and business life retuned early this year woth the indigenes believing that all was well.

Event however took another twist on December 7th when trailers loaded with granites and sand were seen in large quantities offloading for construction to begin.

Drama ensued the following when a bulldozer with a combined force of the Nigerian Police and other security agents stormed the village to begin demolition.

Read Also: Abuja’s Utako Village: Where Prostitutes deliberately infect ‘Customers’ with HIV/AIDS

The Indigenes however came out in large numbers dressed in their native attires to stop the demolition exercise with placards and inscription saying ” this is our ancestral land” “Utako on Fire As Police Take Over Utako Village” and a host of others.

LEADING REPORTERS however gathered that the Utako chiefs went to report the issue to the Senator C Representing FCT, Philip Aduda whose response where sketchy but the demolition stopped while people still waited apprehensive to know their fate.

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Headlines

Néstle donates solar-powered borehole, renovates blocks of classroom in FCT

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Néstle Nigeria Plc on Tuesday commissioned a solar-powered borehole, a block of 4 toilet water system and renovated a 3 bedroom classroom in the Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

Factory Manager, Néstle, Abaji factory, Mr. Ayodele Ayeokere at the commissioning of the projects in Abuja stated that the projects are aimed at improving the quality of lives are of the people and the community at large.

According to Ayeokere, the projects was achieved through acceptance and support by the community with believe of a positive impact of the project on the people.

Alhaji Muhammed Shehu, representing Local Education Authority, Abaji lauded the initiative but asked for the construction of a new school building and a drainage system.

SUBEB chairman Alhaji Suleiman Hassan represented by the Desk office in charge of Nestle projects in UBEB in FCT,Alhaji Aboki Dibi also lauded the initiative enjoined the school authority to organize a committee that will be in charge of maintaining the projects from being vandalized.

“You should set a committee that will handle and take care of this facility.

“We do not want to come back in 1-2 years and the project has been turned upside down.
Security and utilisation of this facility is important, to avoid vandalization”.

Mr. Zabiru Ajya representing Abaji Area Council on his part noted that the project geared towards developmental programmes that has to do with education and persons that history will never forget.

He however appeal for employment and manpower development for the indigenes of the community.

According to Ajya, employment opportunities will strengthen the synergy between Néstle and the people of Abaji

“When our people are employed, this is when synergy between the community will be achieved, If you can see round now we can count the number of people from Abaji that are working on is not encouraging”.

Village head of Manderigi village, Alhaji Shaudu Garba
appeal for regular flow of potable water.

Garba noted that most times the water does not run regularly especially now that the dry season is setting in.

“The major issue we have in most of our communities is water, so we beckon on you to do more for us and God will bless you.

“We also want to to employ most of children as most of them have graduated without employment”.

Head Mistress, LEA Primary School, Abaji South, Mrs Musa Rabitu
appreciated Nestle plc for rehabilitating three blocks of classroom in the school.

Meanwhile, Mrs Rabitu stated that the school has a population of almost 1,120 pupils with only ten classes that are accomdating this number.

“Almost 100 or 90 pupils in one class and as you can see is not convenient. With this pandemic, we are suffering”.

“We need about 26 classrooms for now, but we are only managing 10 classes for this population”.

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FCT
Headlines

FCT Parks and Recreation dept begins park operators record update, cautions against illegal felling of trees in FCT

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The FCT Parks and Recreation Department has commenced Park Operators record update in order to ascertain the actual genuine park owners, and if, accurate remittances are made, even as it seeks to ensure compliances to bonded MOU as well as rules and regulation.

The Director in charge of the department, Hajia Risikat AbdulAzeez made this known during a media interaction in her office. She emphasised that the ongoing update includes all holders of Letters of Intent LoI to develop, operate and manage any designated park, green area and open space should come forward to update their records. If the forms in circulation has not reached them from the parks and recreation department.

Hajia Risikat also frowned at the way and manner trees are being fallen by unauthorised people which she said cannot be tolerated any longer as the department has taken measures to prosecute offenders no matter who is involved and how highly placed.The director particularly mentioned the Usuma axis where tree felling has blown out of proportion.

She explained further that there is an aggressive campaign embarked on in order to sensitize and educate FCT residents on the dangers of tree felling as regards to vegetational abuse and environmental hazard.

“The situation is becoming alarming and worrisome both within the city and around the catchment areas of Usuma Dam”

The Director also raised issues of violation of park regulations by many Park Operators who according to intelligence findings of the department operates beyond the authorised 7 pm closing time which is against the rules of the department. Since the assumption of office of the Director, alot of changes have taken place in areas of interaction with park operators, availing them of updated information, consistent and constant clearing of flowers along Abuja city centre and others too numerous to mention. Hajia Risikatu implores all park operators to comply in order to ease the tension for the owners. She assured FCT residents of service delivery from the department on areas of jurisdiction.

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Gunmen
Headlines

Just In: Gunmen abduct PUNCH reporter in Abuja

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A correspondent with The PUNCH Newspaper, Okechukwu Nnodim has allegedly been kidnapped by unknown gunmen at his residence in Abuja.

Sources close to the family of the kidnapped victim had confirmed the information to THE WHISTLER on Thursday.

According to the source, the four-man gang gained access to his resident by jumping his fence after firing several gunshots in the air.

The kidnapped victim had just rounded up a prayer devotion with his family and about retiring for the day when the assailants broke into the house through the window.

After gaining access to his house, the gunmen demanded money before he was whisked away

He was reportedly kidnapped alongside a child of his neighbour at his house in Kubwa, a suburb in the Federal Capital Territory at about 11 pm on Wednesday.

As of 3:30 pm on Thursday, the kidnappers have yet to contact his family.

Nnodim covers the business beat for The PUNCH in the FCT.

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