Day: October 3, 2023

Creative Vision Development Foundation (CVDEF) an NGO supported by Christian Aid Nigeria has planted trees in some selected communities in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to mitigate climate change.

Karshi, a suburb within the FCT is the first beneficiary with 80 trees planted, followed by Junior Secondary School, Kurudu with 25 trees planted.

Mrs Funmilola Oladejo, Executive Director of the NGO spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the tree planting exercise in Karshi community on Tuesday.

“We have planted 80 trees in Karshi today to mitigate climate change within the community. More trees of different varieties will be planted in the FCT and some selected schools.

“Planting of economic trees is essential in the environment because it serves as shade, cover, food, climate change mitigation, gives cooler temperature and ensures a healthy environment amongst others.

“We will continue to collaborate with communities at the grassroots and plant more trees in secondary schools within the FCT to mitigate climate change,” Oladejo assured.

She said that the NGO was carrying out a project called Youth Advocacy for Climate Action (YACA) with support from Christian Aid Nigeria.

Mrs Funmilola Oladejo, Executive Director of the NGO with some members of Creative Vision Development Foundation (CVDEF) an NGO supported by Christian Aid Nigeria during the planting of trees in a some selected communities in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to mitigate climate change

The YACA (project) tree planting theme is; “Plant trees. Save the World. Let the earth breathe ”.

Jude Gagah, Programme Intern with the NGO also corroborated that the trees planting was aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change within the area.

“One of the issues affecting humans in the environment is due to human activities such as burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and the indiscriminate disposal of wastes within the community ” Gagah said.

He decried the attitude of most residents who drop their wastes in drainage lines believing that when the rain falls it would wash the wastes away, but instead the wastes block the water channels which causes flooding.

Gagah expressed displeasure over what flooding could cause in the society after such acts of indiscriminate waste disposal, and called on residents to be more cautious and embrace tree planting to sustain their environment.

Also speaking, Alhaji Ahmed Doka, Hakimi Karshi, who represented the Emir of Karshi, HRH Dr Sani Bako expressed satisfaction over the tree planting saying it was a welcome development for the people of the community.

“We are having soil erosion in our community so with the planting of trees it will help us control the erosion,” Bako said.

He urged the people to monitor the trees that they have planted to ensure survival.

NAN reports that during the tree planting activity at Junior Secondary School, Kurudu the management team of the school were excited over the exercise.

Teachers and students were actively involved in the tree planting.

Similarly, Emmanuel Oresanya, Programme Intern at CVDEF lectured the students on the benefits of tree planting.

Responding, Mr Samuel Obu, the coordinator of the school environment club in the school thanked the NGO for the support towards sustainability of the school environment.

“This intervention will go a long way to sustain our environment. CVDEF is coming at the right time to support us,” Obu said.

NAN reports that after the tree planting exercise, three student each from the environment club were allocated by the club coordinator to nurture and monitor each of the trees planted.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Government is to investigate alleged negligence and refusal to treat Miss Greatness Olorunfemi, victim of “one chance” before her death at the Maitama General Hospital.

Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, made this known while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.

Olorunfemi was on Sept. 26 reportedly pushed out of a moving vehicle, believed to be a “one chance car” popularly known for robbing unsuspecting passengers of their valuables.

She was reported to have sustained injuries and was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment, but was not attended to due to no police report, but later died.

The minister said serious action will be taken to serve as a deterrent to other hospitals and staff, who refuse to treat emergency cases for reasons best known to them.

“Investigation has begun and all those responsible for any negligence will be held accountable for their actions,” the minister said.

While decrying the spates of attacks and insecurity in FCT, which had resulted in loss of lives, properties, amongst others, she encouraged citizens to assist in addressing the menace.

“So, let us just get this evidence, investigate the issue because we want to know why.

“We need an explanation. This person that died is a Nigerian and we are tired of Nigerians suffering maltreatment. We don’t want it anymore. The President doesn’t want it.

“The media should equally come out and emphasise on this too.

“Let’s also focus on the establishment of mobile courts to handle all these issues because so many people have died due to these issues.

The minister stressed the need to improve access to quality education, women empowerment and prosecution of perpetrators of violence to reduce the rates and effects of negative vices in the country.

She, therefore, encouraged the media, citizens and other relevant stakeholders to contribute towards national development, peace and security in the country.

“Let’s focus more on things that will move the nation forward, because it will solve these issues of maltreatment and get women empowered, girls education.”

Kennedy-Ohanenye, reiterated the commitment of the government to ensure that lives of citizens are protected and to prosecute any offender found wanting and guilty of causing harm to lives and properties.

According to her, the establishment of mobile courts will ensure quick dispensation of justice for victims of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and ensure the perpetrators are prosecuted.

She said such would serve as deterrent and forestall others from committing GBV, harmful traditional practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), early marriage, amongst others.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) says it will recognise tax-compliant individuals and organisations as part to further appreciate excellence and dedication to civic responsibilities.

The Executive Chairman, Mr Haruna Abdullahi, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday to commemorate the 2023 Customer Service Week with the theme, “Team Service TM”.

The chairman said in the statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communications, Mr Mustapha Sumaila, that the aim was to inspire and motivate others.

Abdullahi said that FCT-IRS believed that highlighting their achievements would encourage a culture of compliance and responsible citizenship among taxpayers.

He extolled the trust, cooperation and support of all taxpayers and reaffirmed the service commitment to providing efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric services.

Abdullahi said: “Therefore, we encourage everyone to continue fulfilling their tax responsibilities as responsible and patriotic citizens.

“Together, we can build a prosperous future for our city.”

The chairman explained that the customer service week was dedicated to acknowledging the invaluable contributions and commitment of taxpayers in fulfilling their civic responsibilities by paying their taxes diligently.

According to him, taxpayers were the life-blood of FCT-IRS.

Abdullahi acknowledged the dedication and steadfastness of individuals, businesses, and organisations who have consistently fulfilled their tax obligations.

He said that the taxes being paid by citizens were pivotal in providing essential services, infrastructural development, and sustaining the economic stability of Abuja city.

Abdullahi pledged the service’s commitment to creating an enabling atmosphere for staff members by providing the necessary support and required infrastructure.

This, he said, would foster an environment of exceptional service delivery.

“We understand that a motivated and empowered workforce is essential in delivering exceptional service to our taxpayers.

“Thus, by nurturing a supportive work environment, we will ensure that our dedicated team perform their duties with utmost professionalism.

“The FCT-IRS is determined to equip our personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver services that meet global standards.

“Through comprehensive training programmes, we will continue to groom our workforce to match up to the evolving landscape of service delivery.

“This will ensure that our taxpayers receive the best possible assistance with their tax matters,” he said. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration will partner with the State of Israel on agriculture, security, and digital economy.

Wike stated this when he received the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Michael Freeman, in his office in Abuja on Tuesday.

He expressed a commitment to partner with Israel on information technology, particularly in the development of the planned Technology Village in Abuja.

The minister added that the climatic condition of Abuja city is also conducive for agricultural production.

“The climate here is good for agriculture, so I would like to partner with you to have a large technology driven farm to employ a lot of our youths.

“It will be good if you can open that channel,” he said.

Wike also called for partnership to improve the security situation in the FCT, stressing that security was very crucial to enable people to do their businesses without fear.

“Let us work together to help us reduce some of the insecurity in FCT,” he added.

Earlier, Freeman offered to support the FCT minister in making Abuja a technology hub using Israeli expertise.

He said that currently when people think about technology, Lagos always comes to mind, stressing the need to work together to build a technology-driven economy in the federal capital.

“I want to discuss with your team on using Israeli expertise to set up centres where people can learn about digital economy and build digital start-ups.

“We will also be glad to work with you on agriculture in Nigeria to provide jobs. We will also work with you on digital economy, alternative energy and security.

“There are huge opportunities for us to work on,” he said.

The ambassador invited the minister to visit Israel to discuss opportunities that could benefit all parties. (NAN)

Source: News Agency of Nigeria