Tag: Mariya Mahmoud

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud on Wednesday distributed 900 metric tonnes of 30 trucks of assorted fertilizers to farmers in the capital territory.

The fertilizers were donated by the Central Bank of NIgeria, CBN, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, to the Federal Capital Territory Administration for distribution to farmers in the territory.

During the flag-off ceremony for the distribution, Mahmoud said that the distribution of the fertilizers was part of the Federal Government’s under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategic effort at addressing the present food crisis.

She, however, reiterated the Administration’s commitment to address the food security situation in the territory, amid the high cost of food items challenges challenges the people are facing.

“As you may recall, within the past two months, we have undertaken several initiatives to enhance food production. In collaboration with the World Bank and Islamic Development Bank, we achieved a significant milestone by providing farmers with a comprehensive range of agricultural inputs”, she explained.

The minister said, “Building on this success, we also successfully distributed the palliatives approved by Mr. President, bringing much-needed relief and succor to the residents of the FCT.”

Mahmoud also assured that the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat has fully adhered to the distribution guidelines outlined by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to ensure a seamless distribution plans that would ensure the fertilizers reach the intended beneficiaries.

The minister thanked partners for their support in training of Agricultural Extension Agents and farmers, stressing that the administration is committed to sustaining this synergy and continuing the efforts to empower agricultural stakeholders with the knowledge and skills necessary for success.

The minister used the occasion to call on FCT residents, particularly the youth population, to take advantage of the vast arable land that the FCT is blessed with and venture into agriculture, no matter how small.

Permanent Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Secretariat, Mrs.Grace Adayilo stated that the importance of agriculture in human livelihood cannot be overstated, as it serves as a vital source of food and economic prosperity for communities.

Adayilo said, “With a fast-growing population, agriculture will no doubt play a crucial role in creating jobs and ensuring food security in the FCT.”

“This event therefore signifies a significant milestone in the desire of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through his “Renewed hope Initiative” to restore the lost glory of agriculture, which hitherto was the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy.”

She disclosed that in compliance with the CBN guidelines, the Mandate Secretary had set up an Ad-hoc committee, consisting of relevant stakeholders to strategize on how to ensure that the beneficiaries of this intervention are the actual farmers.

She said, ” I want to assure you Ma, that the people you see here today, are farmers that have been certified by the committee as genuine farmers who have been in their different ways, adding value to the food production systems in the FCT.”
By this we are sure that fertilizers will not end up in the markets but serve the intended purpose, she promised.

The Mandate Secretary, Lawan Kolo Geidam said that the donation of assorted fertilizers by the CBN is an apt and timely response to mitigate the adverse impart of the current global food crisis exacerbated by climate change, low production, and high prices on Nigerians.
According to Geidam, the timely intervention is also a proof of the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to prioritize agricultural revitalization by empowering farmers with essential inputs.
“We are equally profoundly grateful to Mr. President for his magnanimity in directing that the fertilizers be distributed to farmers free of charge.”

“We are optimistic that the substantial quantity of fertilizers generously provided will yield a remarkable outcome, culminating in a bumper harvest this year, thereby enhancing food availability, improved nutrition, economic growth, and overall well-being of FCT residents”, Geidam said.

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

As Nigeria marks the 2024 International Youth Day, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has said that youths are a catalyst for sustainable development.

Mahmoud who said this in her message to the youth to mark the 2024 youth day, on Monday noted that the FCT Administration recognizes the dangers of paying lip service to matters relating to the advancement and development of the youth.

The minister emphasised that the incumbent FCT Administration places a high premium on youth development hence the creation of a Youth Secretariat. 

She said, “It may interest you to note that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President, our result oriented Honourable Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has secured approval for the establishment of a Youth Secretariat and has appointed a Mandate Secretary who is one of you.”

Mahmoud gave assurance that the Administration would continue to rekindle the hope of its youths to a secured future, however, charged them to always embrace dialogue instead of confrontation in all cases.

“The import of this is that dialogue promotes mutual understanding, and matured crisis management for development and growth,” she noted.

Mahmoud, who described this year’s theme: “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”, as apt, emphasised the role of digital technology in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

“The campaign aims to put a spotlight on digital initiatives and solutions led by youth and those that engage with youth. Through their digital networks they are not just connecting to millions but bringing social change and benefiting the disadvantaged in society,” she explained.

Furthermore, she urged stakeholders in youth development to join hands with the Administration to develop the youth through the provision of qualitative education, recreation/sporting facilities and youth empowerment programmes. 

Mahmoud said, “let us all get the youths seriously involved in the task of nation building and socio economic development, because when you build the youth you are building the nation”. 

The United Nations in 1999 through the adoption of Resolution 54/120 had declared August 12 of every year as the International Youth Day

It is a day set aside by governments and other stakeholders in youth development with the opportunity to draw attention to youth related issues. 

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju 

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has called on women leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to contribute meaningfull ideas that will make the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu to succeed.

The Minister made this call when women leaders of the APC paid her a sympathy visit in her office, as she also tasked them to work together for the interest of all Nigerians.

Mahmoud also emphasized on the need to bring women closer, not only when elections are around the corners, but for the purpose of building an inclusive society.

She, however, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his style of leadership, stressing that the government is on the right track towards building an inclusive society.

Mahmoud said, “For us to achieve the issue of inclusion, we have to work together. And that is even the logo of our great party, the broom tied together.”

“We have to synergize for us to achieve. We have to be working together with synergy. We need to know what is happening in Taraba, we need to know what is happening in Katsina, we need to know what is happening in Imo.” 

“And more importantly we need to know how we can assist our mother, the First Lady of Federal Republic of Nigeria. What are her methods of getting closer to our women so that we apply same in Kano, we apply same in Katsina and other states of the federation for us to achieve.”

“We have to bring these women closer. Not when elections are around the corner. So we need to be close because we need to advise the First Ladies of our states. We have to really work harder. We have to brainstorm and come up with practical ideas.”

While speaking on the recent infrastructural developments in the FCT, Mahmoud assured her guests that before the end of the tenure, residents of the territory would witnessed several changes in terms of infrastructures, agriculture, people’s welfare, education and health sector.

She said, “And I want to assure you that this is just the beginning. Before the end of the tenure, you will see several changes in terms of infrastructures, in terms of agriculture, in terms of our people’s welfare, and then also education and health sector at large.”

Earlier in her opening remarks, the leader of the delegation and National Deputy Women Leader of the APC, Hajia Zaniab Ibrahim, commended the FCT Minister of State for her team work, noting that the recent changes in the nation’s capital was as a result of committed team work.

While expressing sympathy over the fire incident that gutted the minister’s residence two weeks ago, she however pledged the commitment of APC women to support the programmes and policies of the present. administration.

She said, “the projects we are seeing in recent times in our capital city are worth commendation. We are very happy that both of you are working together for the upliftment of FCT.”

“We sincerely hope that these infrastructural development are cascaded to the satellite towns so that our people in the rural areas can feel the impact of the government.”

Present at the occasion were the Senior Special Assistant on Administration and Strategy to FCT Minister of State, Dr. Abdullahi Isah Kauramata, and State Women Leaders of the All Progressives Congress across the federation.

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has stated that criminal act and not hunger behind the looting of a warehouse in the Gwagwa-Tasha on Sunday.

Mahmoud stated this at the end of her assessment visit to Gwagwa-Tasha to ascertain the level of damage of the warehouse.

Speaking to journalists at the scene, Mahmoud described what she saw as an unfortunate incident, a situation whereby hoodlums carted away all the grains and other food stuffs including the roofs and fence.

The Minister, who expressed disappointment over the attitude of the youths within area, however assured that the Administration would established a police post in all government warehouses across the territory going forward.

She said, “we are here due to the unfortunate incident that happened early hours of yesterday, where hoodlums attacked this very warehouse and packed everything that is here, including the fence.”

“Not only the food items that are here, including the roofings, windows, and even the gates of this place and offices were all attacked.”

“You can see the level of damage. There is nothing that is left here, including machineries that are used for the processing of these things.”

“As you have heard, people around, the youth of the environment or the community are suspected to have instigated this incident. So, this is a very sad event. And we are not happy about it,”

The Minister revealed that the unfortunate incident occurred when the Administration was restocking its warehouse with a view to meeting up with the directive of Mr. President to distribute palliatives to all the six area councils in FCT, as she vowed that the Administration would prosecute those behind the ugly incident.

According to her; “We did distribution about twice. And then as we were about to do the third one, where these trucks were here to offload these food items, and then they were attacked, and even injured some people on duty.

“This is really a bad situation. And it is not something that the Administration will take lightly. All those that are involved must be brought to book. We have to do something.”

“And also, this is a sign that we need to reinforce the security situation around all our warehouses, because you just have to keep food.”

“But the way this thing happened actually is beyond hunger. This is a criminal act. Somebody that is hungry cannot move out to remove all the roofings that are here. All the doors, all the windows, and also the gates.”

“This is not showing that we are good ambassadors of the nation. So definitely we are going to take action about this event that has happened.”

Mahmoud, however, stressed that the incident may slow down the distribution of palliatives in the territory, saying “we have to reconstruct, not even renovate this warehouse, all the offices, and then the gates that are damaged”.

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

The Minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr Mariya Mahmoud has called on National Youth Service Corps , NYSC, members in the territory to avoid all forms of social vices that will jeopardize their service year.

Mahmoud gave this advise at the closing ceremony of the 2023 Batch ‘B’ stream II orientation course on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said that such vices like cybercrime and drugs abuse are destructive and can lead the youths to self destruction, adding corps members to do more for nation-building and socio-economic developments in their respective areas of assignment.

Mahmoud said, ” we urged you all to shun vices that will destroy your service year and future.”

“Nation -building are twin areas of vital importance to the country. The FCTA believe that you, as leaders, will galvanize your talents and potential towards enthroning a more united, prosperous and egalitarian nation that will not only be the pride of all but legacy for future generations.”

” We urge you to accept your postings in good faith and settle down quickly in order to contribute to the growth of our dear country. I assure you that every part of FCT is accessible by modern means of affordable transportation and communication, you have nothing to fear.”

The minister reiterated that the FCTA is committed to Security of lives and property , and emphazied that the Administration will to provide the needed peaceful environment for the Corps members.

“We implore you not to expose yourselves to danger and avoid unnecessary journeys and other security risk; please, prioritize your personal security. ”
The people of the FCT are warm, hospitable and accommodating, especially to members of the National Youth Service Corps” she said.

The NYSC FCT coordinator Mrs. Winifred Shokpeka disclosed that a total number of 3, 920 registered Corps members has taken the Oath of allegiance to participate in the exercise across the Six Area Councils.

She urged the corners to be good ambassadors of the NYSC by shunning acts capable of putting the name of the scheme in disrepute.

“Respect the culture and tradition of your host communities and be security conscious always. Please obtain a written permission before embarking on any journey outside the FCT.”