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CSO Applauds Wike’s Scorecard as FCT Minister

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A civil society organization (CSO), Arewa Coalition for Good Governance (ACGG), has commended the “genuine and tireless efforts put in by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike,” in the last one year.

In a statement issued in Abuja Tuesday, signed by Mallam Bello Datijjo (Coordinator) and Comrade Kabir Mustapha, the ACGG observed that, when Wike was appointed Minister of the FCT last year, many northerners expressed fears that Wike, being a southerner, would not put in his best to develop the federal territory. “But all these fears have been put to rest, in less than year, as Barr. Wike has proven beyond doubt, that he is ready to surpass his performances as Governor of River State,” the statement noted.

Of particular interest to the group is the maintenance and sustenance of security of lives and property by the Wike administration, despite the activities of dire-hard bandits and terrorists. ACGG also lauded Barr. Wike on his efforts at initiating programmes that would enhance religious dialogue and tolerance by inhabitants of Abuja, which they further said, have brought about peaceful co-existence between original indigenes of Abuja and as well as settlers.

The Arewa Coalition also made specific mention of the Abuja Light Rail which, they said, is scheduled to be commissioned on Monday, May 27, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The group also noted that commencement of commercial operations by the rail line within Abuja, will ease the tension and difficulties experienced daily on the roads of Abuja by workers, especially civil servants. “The perennial holdups and (in some cases, gridlocks) would be drastically reduced with the commencement of operations by this rail project,” the group noted.

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ACGG said, with Wike’s performance on this project, “the Federal Government can now be trusted when it makes promises.” This, according to them, is because, the Commander-in-Chief, Bola Tinubu, had made a promise that his administration, under the Renewed Hope Agenda, would deliver the metro-line to Nigerians within one year in office.

Other achievements enumerated by the Coalition include: “the incredible road networks being carried out all over the federal capital territory; the development of the real estate sector in the territory which comes with improved standard of living of residents; accelerated construction of good road within Abuja; the contract for the renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja; provision of potable water, solar electrification, street lightening,” among others.

ACGG also hailed Wike for the completion of “the official residence of the Vice President (VP’s Lodge); the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) which commences from the Villa Roundabout To the Ring Road 1, which has four number of interchanges; and B6 and B12 Circle Roads, as well as the N20 from Northern Parkway (Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Expressway), all billed to be commissioned same day.”

On traditional institution, the Coalition said Barr. Wike had upgraded the status of new chiefs for some chiefdoms, which it named as: Karu, Kwali and Yaba within the FCT. It added, “This is part of Wike’s efforts to make sure that, the traditional institution is working in tandem with the grassroots and the FCTA.”

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“Wike has planned to deploy drones by partnering with the Parliamentary Republic of Hungary around the 800 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory. This effort is aimed at securing inhabitants of the territory,” the Coalition observed.

ACGG also commended Wike’s efforts in convincing President Bola Tinubu administration to remove the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which it noted, “has made FCT self-dependent.”

“Wike has also made it possible for the FCTA to have its own Civil Service Commission, a feat will make it possible for FCT Directors to become Permanent Secretaries, like their counterparts in other Federal Ministries,” the Coalition noted.

Wike’s “no nonsense” stance with his dealings with contractors, has also been acknowledged by the Coalition, which has paved way for using original materials for execution of jobs awarded and the best quality of finished projects for commissioning.

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Even with all these achievements, ACGG wishes to urge Wike not to be distracted by those who do not want to see anything good in his efforts, but to rather concentrate on developing Abuja to the status of a model capital city which all Nigerians will be proud of.

ACGG also quoted a personality they referred to as “an Abuja-based philanthropist and humanitarian per excellence, Dr Emmanuel Musa of EMNAMU Foundation” who is also a resident of the city to have aptly captured the milestones of the FCT Minister, which he termed, “Wike is taking Abuja to the comity of developed capital cities in the world, for sustainable development, efforts which must be commended by all well-meaning Nigerians,” as according to him, “no FCT Minister in the annals of history has achieved such a feat in the short period of time.”

The organization quoted Dr Musa to have emphasized that Minister Wike has, “within one year, written his name in the hearts of the residents on the sands of time, that posterity will always be kind to him for putting the people first.”

“Let me also commend President Bola Tinubu for having the foresight and vision to appoint Barr. Wike as the FCT Minister. And, with Wike’s excellent performance in the FCT, it is high time politicians emulate the good works and excellent political pedigree of Barr. Wike as wherever he finds himself; or whatever he touches, becomes gold and the people are better for it,” ACGG quoted Dr. Musa as saying.

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In view of the above, ACGG joins millions of well-meaning Nigerians to commend and applaud Wike’s development strides in FCT within this short spate of time. We therefore give Barr. Wike a sounding pass-mark and call for all hands, including the international community, to be on deck, to assist the FCT Administration under Barr. Wike to make Abuja a city to be proud of as well as a world tourism site of destination.

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Many Pastors Are Not Enjoying Their Marriages Due To Wives’ Behaviours – Bamiloye

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Renowned Christian filmmaker and evangelist, Mike Bamiloye, has raised concerns about the challenges some pastors face in their marriages, attributing these struggles to the behavior of their wives.

Bamiloye shared that many pastors are unable to fully enjoy their marriages because their wives use their husbands’ pastoral roles against them. He explained that some pastors’ wives feel secure in the knowledge that their husbands, being men of God, are unlikely to consider divorce or other drastic measures. This, according to Bamiloye, emboldens them to act in ways that strain the marital bond.

He pointed out that such behavior not only affects the pastors but also impacts their ministry, as they are expected to maintain exemplary relationships in the eyes of their congregations.

In addressing this issue, Bamiloye emphasized the need for mutual respect, understanding, and open communication in pastoral marriages. He urged pastors and their wives to prioritize their relationship and seek counseling when faced with difficulties.

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“Pastors’ marriages should be a beacon of light and a model for others. When the relationship at home is troubled, it can hinder the effectiveness of their ministry,” he noted.

Bamiloye’s observations have sparked important conversations within Christian circles about the unique pressures pastoral families face. His call to action serves as a reminder of the importance of building healthy relationships and seeking support to ensure that ministry work does not come at the cost of personal happiness and marital stability.

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FG eyes 25,000 jobs from Lagos textile, garment economic zone

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The Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, has said the Lekki Textile and Garment Special Economic Zone project located in the Eyin-Osa area of Epe, Lagos State, will generate 5,000 direct and over 20,000 indirect jobs when operational.

Ogunyemi made the remarks while disbursing cash compensation to the seven Eyin-Osa families that contributed the 240.09 acres of land for the Federal Government project.

A statement issued by the NEPZA Head, Corporate Communications, Martins Odeh, disclosed this on Sunday in Abuja.

The MD, represented by Mrs. Chika Ibekwe, Director of Zone Operations, said that the community would be continually regenerated, adding that the benefits that would accrue from the gestures would spill over to several generations.

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The beneficiaries included families of Olayinka Salami, Aderenle village, Muhammed Balogun, Bashorun Seidu, Iyanda, Matanmi Mobolaji, as well as the Agara Onileyan respectively.

“The space will generate 5,000 direct and over 20,000 indirect jobs for the country, just as it will serve the export markets of the South-West region.

“There are many benefits to gain from the SEZ, including employment generation, especially to the local community, the opportunity for backward linkage, improvement of infrastructure network around the project, and others too numerous to mention now,” he said.

Ogunyemi further said that the development was in line with the goals and objectives of the Federal Government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

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He, however, stated that the current administration of President Bola Tinubu is not just interested in attracting Foreign Direct Investments through the Free Trade Zone Scheme but was also interested in the development of all the host communities.

“This exercise is to commence the application of the Authority’s new concept of Community Social Regeneration in order to open a new chapter of cooperation and mutual understanding to foster unhindered progress of the free trade operations across the country.

“NEPZA has since re-aligned its mandate with the administration’s economic policy to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda of the president.

“NEPZA will not shy away from leading the country on the path of economic growth. The Lekki Textile and Garments SEZ project is already attracting investment interest to this remote area of Lagos.,” Ogunyemi said.

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Ogunyemi also explained that the Federal Government had taken steps to replicate the economic scheme across the six geopolitical zones, adding that more states should leverage the speedy development potentials of the scheme.

According to him, the Lekki Textiles and Garment SEZ will also serve as hubs for Information and Communication Technology, Agro-industries, as well as world-class sports and community development centres.

On his part, the president of Eyin-Osa United Kingdom Development Association, Muftau Shittu, the umbrella association for the host community, said that the area had been occupied by their forefathers for over 500 years.

He said that at the beginning, the enclaves and villages that constituted the community had lived in peace practising economic activities such as farming, hunting, fishing, brewing of hot drinks and timber lumbering.

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Shittu however, said that trouble started in mid-year 2003 when groups of land grabbers started claiming ownership of Eyin-Osa lands from the original and rightful owners.

According to him, in May 2008, without due diligent information, the lands were expropriated to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, and the journey for adequate compensation with the Lagos State Government began.

“We are delighted today for this humane approach of the federal government through NEPZA. The community can only imagine these good gestures as most of the earliest promises were not kept. We now have NEPZA management and government that are serious about regenerating the Eyin-Osa land.

“We are happy to cede the total of 240.09 acres to NEPZA for the economic emancipation of our land. We pray that this cooperation and the steps to regenerate our people become permanent,” he added.

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Lagos seals church, fuel station over environmental violations

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The contractors handling various housing projects on behalf of the Lagos State Government have been warned to deliver all aspects of the projects as scheduled in all contract agreements or have contracts terminated and re-awarded to those who will deliver on time.

The Commissioner for Housing in Lagos State, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, who had earlier expressed his displeasure and dissatisfaction with the level of work done during a routine inspection of Sangotedo Housing Estate Eti Osa phase 2, lamented that the project was yet to get to the expected level despite Lagos State Government commitment and support to the contractors.

The commissioner reiterated his dissatisfaction after an evaluation of the projects, formal briefs from project supervisors, and a follow-up meeting between the Ministry’s technical team and the project contractors at the ministry’s conference room at the secretariat in Ikeja.

He frowned at the slow pace of work witnessed at some of the project sites visited and directed the affected contractors to increase the speed of work or be excused from the sites.

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Akinderu-Fatai said, “Shifting of completion period by contractors will no longer be tolerated because we will not allow you to slow us down, as there is pressure on the government to deliver on all its promises, especially in the housing sector.”

He further expressed the dissatisfaction of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on the inability of most of the contractors to adhere to the agreed time of delivery on various aspects of the projects.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Abdulhafis Toriola, enjoined the contractors to ensure they deliver every facet of the project as scheduled without compromising quality.

The project review meeting was attended by heads of technical departments and supervising officials.

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The Sangotedo Housing Estates phase 2 after completion will comprise about 43 blocks and is expected to add over 500 housing units to the existing stock.

The first phase of the project consisting of 744 home units was delivered and inaugurated by Sanwo-Olu in December.

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