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Tag: Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu

  • Aliyu Disburses Funds To 5,054 Beneficiaries In Abuja 

    Aliyu Disburses Funds To 5,054 Beneficiaries In Abuja 

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, today in Abuja disbursed funds under the government’s Economic Sustainable Plan to 5,054 beneficiaries in the nation’s capital.

    Aliyu who flagged off the ceremony in Abuja said the figure is made up of 3,650 beneficiaries of Social Transfer scheme; and 1,404 beneficiaries of Livelihoods grant, adding that the social transfer would run for 12 months of six cycles. 

    She explained that beneficiaries under this result area would be receiving stipends of N20, 000.00 bimonthly payments, while beneficiaries under the Livelihood Grants programme would receive between N50, 000.00 to N135, 000.00, one-off payment, depending on the business category.

    The minister said; “The programmes is anchored under the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) scheme. It is designed to expand access to livelihood support, food security services, and grants to poor and vulnerable households and firms. 

    “It also seeks to promote recovery of Medium Scales Enterprises (MSEs) in the country and revive the economy, especially in the rural areas, where over 70 percent of our population dwells.”

    According to the minister, beyond the NG-CARES initiatives, the FCT Administration this year implemented a set of other support programmes to residents of the Territory including the FADAMA CARES, CSDP CARES and the AEA CARES at different times and locations.

    Aliyu noted that the initiative is part of APC government’s blue-print for lifting 100 million people from poverty through comprehensive policies of Conditional Cash Transfer, Home Grown School Feeding and the N-Power schemes, Government Economic and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Trader Moni, Market Moni and a host of others. 

    “These programmes have impacted positively on the lives of the ordinary citizens.”

    FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, said the impact of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria led to the closure of many MSEs, loss of jobs, stalled provision of basic services in poor communities; thereby increasing the population of Nigerians living below the poverty line.

    Adesola also noted that as a response to these challenges, the World Bank supported the Federal Government with the sum of USD 750 Million to assist other states and FCT to implement a two-year emergency response programme, named the “Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus” (NG-CARES).  
    According to him, the NG-CARES programme seeks to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the livelihoods of poor individuals, farmers, vulnerable households, communities and owners of Micro and Small Enterprises, adding that in FCT, the programme has been domesticated and code named FCT-CARES.

    There was a symbolic presentation of dud cheques to some beneficiaries.

  • Unicentral commends Dr. Aliyu for awarding FCT’s only full marathon slot to firm

    Unicentral commends Dr. Aliyu for awarding FCT’s only full marathon slot to firm

    The Managing Director of Unicentral Resources Generation Limited Zsusanna Ogunmiloyo has commended the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu for awarding the only slot for Full Marathon (42.195km) in the FCT to her firm, Unicentral.

     A statement signed by Olukayode Thomas, Race Director, Abuja International Marathon, who is also the Head of Media and Publicity, said the management and staff of Unicentral are grateful to Dr. Aliyu who – after thoroughly examining their bids and presentations – finally okayed Unicentral’s bid and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to give Unicentral the sole right to organize the only full marathon in FCT for the next five years.

    Ogunmiloyo, who is also the Managing Director of Abuja International Marathon, said Dr. Aliyu’s approval is in line with the best global practices and standards approved by the governing bodies of athletics and marathons and road races in the world.

    The world’s biggest marathon destinations like New York, Tokyo, Dubai, London, Vienna, Amsterdam, Chicago, Boston, Dubai and – nearer home Lagos, Nairobi and Durban – all have only one full marathon.

    Ogunmiloyo said, “the logistics involved in the organization of a full marathon is huge, especially partial closure and total closure of the entire route for the duration of the race. That is why most cities have one full marathon and other races are half-marathons, 15km, 10km, and 5km”.

    Ogunmiloyo assures Dr. Aliyu, the Minister of FCT Hon. Mohammed Musa Bello, the permanent secretary Adesola Olusade, and the entire management and staff of FCTA, residents, and visitors to FCT that Unicentral will organize a world-class race.

    ‘’Our dreams for Abuja International Marathon are very high, but we know they are achievable, “she said. “That is why we have headhunted some of the best brains in marathons and road races in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world for this project. They have been working on the project for the last three years and the results are feasible.

    “We are the first full marathon in Nigeria to have its route measured and calibrated by AIMS and World Athletics before its first edition. Because we have experts working on the project, we have a runners’ friendly routes for all our races. We are also the first to organize an all-inclusive race. We will have for the first time in Nigeria on December 17, 2022, a full international marathon, a 10km and a 5 km. This is a first in Nigeria. ‘’

    Ogunmiloyo also announced that the elite field for Abuja International Marathon is capable of running sub 2 hours:10 minutes, which will be another first in Nigeria.

    “We are working all day and all night to deliver in Nigeria a world class-race that will rival the Abbott World Marathon Majors. We are appealing to Corporate Nigeria and Nigerians in general – especially citizens and residents of FCT – to support this noble project that will not only sell Abuja to the world as a tourist destination and a place to work and invest but it will also take away Abuja’s blemish as the only iconic city in Africa without a world-class international marathon”.

  • Aliyu calls for legislation to involve traditional rulers in nation building

    Aliyu calls for legislation to involve traditional rulers in nation building

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu has called on governments at all levels to pass legislation to involve traditional rulers participation in nation building.

    Aliyu made this call today when she was presenting a staff of office to the Sarkin Bwari, Alhj. Awwal Musa Ijakoro 11 , crowned by the community kingmakers.

    She revealed that the crowned Sarkin Bwari is the 5th Sarki who emerged following the demise of his father on the 25th of August 2017, after a successful 41-year reign.

    She noted that for the roles and relevance of traditional rulers to be constitutionally acknowledge the three tiers of government need to pass legislations that recognise the country’s traditional rulers as stakeholders and instruments of conflict management and peace building

    The minister used the occasion to advocate specific involvement of the traditional institutions in nation-building efforts in ways that would create conditions for more effective and efficient peace building, and conflict prevention initiatives in Nigeria.

    According to the minister, in the collective resolve and respect for traditional institution, the FCT Administration conveyed a letter of appointment to Alhaji Awwal Musa Ijakoro II as a 2nd Class traditional ruler and the 5th Sarkin Bwari, in October 2017.  

    She said, “Today’s ceremony is to formally present the staff of office to him in continuation of the legacies of his forebears, in the hope that he will provide good leadership, respect constituted authorities and promote harmonious relationships and respect for all tribes and inhabitants of Bwari community and its environs. “

    Furthermore she used the occasion to remind graded chiefs and district heads that traditional rulers in both pre-colonial and post-colonial eras contributed immensely to the formation, extension, greatness, and promotion of good relationships among different kingdoms and empires across Nigeria.

    Aliyu said; “The traditional institutions did make possible, great cohesion and sustained the development of political institutions that governed hitherto diverse peoples.

    “I want to state unequivocally that with respect to social control, peace and conflict management, there is a strong body of evidence that traditional rulers, though of varied cultures and backgrounds, remain strikingly relevant in our society.”

    “I, therefore, recommend continued involvement of our traditional institutions in nation-building efforts in ways that would create conditions for more effective and efficient peace building, peace-making and conflict prevention initiatives in Nigeria. “

    She reiterated that the staff of office was not just a symbol of authority, but also as an instrument to promote peace building and conflict management especially in the face of increasing insecurity in various parts of the country.

    The minister warned that the FCT Administration will not spare any traditional ruler that fails to live up to this expectation, and aids and abets criminality in his domain.

    “It is not in our character, no matter the level of enticement, to betray the trust bestowed on us. As traditional rulers and the custodians of our traditions, this obligation is even more fundamental. “

    “Indeed, any betrayal of public trust shall stand condemned and will
    not be acceptable in the seat of Government where President Muhammadu Buhari is the Governor General,” she further warned.

    Mandate Secretary FCT Area Council Services Secretariat, Hon. Ibrahim Abubakar Dantsoho, described the event as significant in the history of Bwari chiefdom, while charging the new Sarkin Bwari on safety and security of his domain.

    He also charged him to work with other traditional rulers in the territory.

    He commended the kingmakers of Bwari chiefdom and the chairman of Bwari area council for the peaceful selection process leading to today’s event. 

    The occasion was graced by the Sultan of Sokoto, HRM. Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, who was represented by the Etsu Nupe, Alhj. Yahaya Abubakar, Chairman FCT Council of Chiefs and Ona of Abaji, HRM. Adamu Baba Yunusa, and other first class traditional rulers from within and neighbouring states. 

    Wives of governor of Kebbi, Yobe, and Zamfarai State were also present

  • FCTA set to Graduate 120 Almajiris’ trained in vocational skills

    FCTA set to Graduate 120 Almajiris’ trained in vocational skills

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

     
    The FCT Administration through its Social Development Secretariat is set to graduate over 120 trained ‘Almajiris’ in various vocational skills.

    These street beggars were hitherto picked from major streets of Abuja and rehabilitated at the Bwari Vocational Training Centre.

     This is part of measures to implement a strategy towards the realization of taking 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.

    FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, during a routine assessment of the Secretariat expressed satisfaction over what she described as ’huge transformation’ of the vulnerable in the society.

     
    Aliyu who commended the initiative of the management staff of the Secretariat for keying into the presidential deliverables, also tasked them to scale-up the number of youths in the training programme with a view to meeting the target of Mr. President.

     
    “From inception about three years ago, we embarked on an impromptu visits to all our Secretariats, Departments and facilities to see how they were being managed, particularly the Social Development Secretariat where we have the human component that handles the people.”

     
    “Just like the ministerial deliverable by President Muhammadu Buhari, and the mandate of uplifting poor Nigerians out of poverty, the Social Development Secretariat is saddled with the responsibility of transforming the Almajiris and giving them basic skills.”

     
    “The Secretariat has given the beggars, destitute, and vulnerable a new lease of life, as you can see the Almajiris, rising from grass to grace. Some will be graduating as painters, bricklayers, carpenters, shoemakers and so on and so forth.”

    She emphasized that the FCT Administration, it is in line with Mr. President’s mandate to ensure that life is given back to the common man. The common man is empowered and upgraded and given good quality of living.

    Like never before, many have been transformed. Many have been trained and many today have a means of livelihood,” she noted.

     Aliyu, however, stressed that as soon as the graduation of this phase, a new set of 20 persons in each of the vocational skills would be recruited, adding that the Secretariat was targeting 200 youths in the next phase of engagement.

     
    Meanwhile, Head of Ceramics, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Mr. Mordi Stephen, revealed that since 2015, he graduates over 120 youths yearly in ceramics production, adding that he is currently training 5 students from different higher institutions posted to the Secretariat for Industrial Training.