Lawrence Bajah, Author at Tribune Online

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disclosed that 70% of the six hundred and twelve million naira proposed for the Area Council Services Secretariat for 2022 Capital budget would be used for infrastructural development in rural areas. Mandate Secretary Area Council Services Secretariat, Hon. Ibrahim Dantshoho, made this known during the familiarisation tour to Abaji Area Council. Though he said the Secretariat was looking at two billion naira considering the need to boost development. According to him, he said the core- mandate of the Secretariat is to facilitate the developmental efforts at the Area Council's level to be in conformity with the FCT standard of qualitative infrastructural development, empowering rural communities for better lives, and instituting a robust and supervisory framework to effectively reposition the Area Councils to the next level. Dantshoho added that the Secretariat is working on improved synergy with Area Councils to encourage the Secretariat building on its achievements in the rural communities, adding that it has recently renovated the Chief of Yaba's Palace, and awarded contract of construction of a double-cell box culvert along Achido- Naharati road, amongst others. "I want to encourage the Council Chairmen to see the Area Councils Service Secretariat as a partner in progress by maintaining a good working relationship and you should channel all your demands on policies matters to FCT Administration through the Area Councils Services Secretariat for effective service delivery so that our records can be set straight. "Consequently, I want to assure you that my position as the new Mandate Secretary is to drive your mission to have a successful tenure and improve the standard of living in every community under your council." The Mandate Secretary, therefore, advised the Council Chairmen to make their leadership style to be more motivational to ensure that their steps are counted as part of their achievement. On his part, the Ona of Abaji, Adamu Baba Yunusa pledged to work with the ACSS towards making the people at the grassroots feel the impact of government. Also speaking, the Chairman of Abaji Area Council, Abdulrahman Ajiya commended the two ministers, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello and Dr Ramatu Tijani Aliyu for their constant support, especially in the provision of pipe-borne water as well as the end of year palliatives for the people of Abaji. To tighten security in Abaji, Abaji Chairman said the Council collaborated with DSS, Vigilante, and the Police to stem the tide of criminality being perpetrated in the area. He however called for the support of FCTA in the area of Security to sustain the progress made so far in combating crime in Abaji Area Council. The Abaji Chairman also used the medium to plead for the upgrade of Abaji General Hospital, completion of Abaji University as well as provision of a good road network to the farm areas to enable farmers to convey their farm produce seamlessly to the markets. The Secretary also visited the Chairman FCT Traditional Council of Chiefs, Ona of Abaji Adamu Baba Yunus, Chief Robochi Palace, and the Chief of Yaba Palace. YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state... Selfies, video calls and Chinese documentaries: The things you’ll meet onboard Lagos-Ibadan train The Lagos-Ibadan railway was inaugurated recently for a full paid operation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation after about a year of free test-run. Our reporter joined the train to and fro Lagos from Ibadan and tells his experience in this report... Lekki Shootings: Why We Lied About Our Presence — General Taiwo The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing the killings at Lekki Toll Gate, on Saturday resumed viewing of the 24hrs footage of the October 20, 2020 shooting of #EndSARS protesters by personnel of the Nigerian Army… ICYMI: How We Carried Out The 1993 Nigerian Airways Hijack —Ogunderu On Monday, October 25, 1993, in the heat of June 12 annulment agitations, four Nigerian youngsters, Richard Ajibola Ogunderu, Kabir Adenuga, Benneth Oluwadaisi and Kenny Razak-Lawal, did the unthinkable! They hijacked an Abuja-bound aircraft, the Nigerian Airways airbus A310, and diverted it to Niger Republic. How did they so it? Excerpts… ICYMI: What North Will Not Accept About 2023 Presidency —Prof Mahuta, UDU Don And Kebbi Dev Foundation Chairman Sahabi Danladi Mahuta, a community mobiliser and APC chieftain. Mahuta spoke to select journalists at the sidelines of an Islamic conference in Abuja recently. Excerpts…