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Livestock sector can become Nigeria’s 2nd leading revenue earner, says FCT minister

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FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has indicated that livestock sector can become Nigeria’s second leading revenue earner if the right structures are put in place.
A statement by her special adviser on media Austine Elemue quoted the minister to have made the assertion at the commencement of vaccination campaign against trans boundary Animal Diseases in North Central Zone of Nigeria, organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Represented by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, Aliyu also noted that livestock has enormous economic value as an avenue for wealth and job creation for thousands of Nigerians.
She, however,, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his foresight in approving the nationwide vaccination exercise, noting that it was a well thought out initiative that would give a further push in efforts to diversify the Nigerian economy,e
It will also nhance sustainable development and guarantee food ssecurity, the minister explained further.
The minister uspointed out thathe FCT wiwhich has aapidly growing livestock population, this challenged mostly byhe outbreak and spread of animal diseases, exacerbated by age-long nomadic livestock practices as well as increasing trans-boundary/migration of livestock without any form of control.

“This situation has made it difficult for farmers to access quality animal health care, resulting to the loss of up to 40 –50 percent of animal stock by farmers thereby increasing the risks of transmission,” she stressed.
While commending the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (FMARD), Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) and other critical stakeholders for their relentless fight ovgainst the outbreak and spread of animal diseases, shover the years, e, however, stated that the donation of 47,000 doses of vaccines by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has further strengthened the capacity to combat animal diseases in the FCT.

liyu, therefore reiterated the determination of the FCT Administration towards repositioning the livestock sector, stressing that the Administration has currently developed a 10-year Livestock Development Plan (2022-2032) to provide the necessary framework for implementation of developmental programmes for the sector in the Territory.

The minister, called on livestock farmers in the north central zone to cooperate with the veterinary health officials who would be deployed to the field to carry out this exercise, just as she she assured that the Administration would on its part, put every measure in place to ensure that no part of the FCT is left out in the exercise.
Earlier, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, noted that animal vaccination has been the safest and most effective means to prevent the outbreak and spread of animal diseases.
Ibrahim commended the FCT Minister of State for her continued support for the livestock sector in the territory, adding that her approval for the convening of monthly clinical interaction by veterinary health practitioners, the upgrade of veterinary clinics as well as the institution of a community engagement initiative to identify and resolve all the contentions issues between the host communities and farmers in the grazing reserves are yielding fruitful results.
He expressed the optimism that as more and more farmers settle at the reserves, trans boundary movement of livestock would be reduced with farmers having enhanced access to quality animal healthcare for their animals.
Others who spoke at the event include the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr. Maimuma Abdullahi Habib, Leader of Miyett-Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Sheep and Goat Farmers Association amongst others.

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FCT minister for State performs Zuba Modern Market ground breaking ceremony

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Dr. Mariya Mahmoud
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Federal Capital Territory Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has performed the ground breaking for the construction of Zuba Relief Market In the Gwagwalada Area Council under Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
Special adviser on media to the minister Austine Elemue in a statement quoted the minister at the event to indicated that the ceremony is a confirmation of the administration’s commitment to the provision of critical infrastructures to residents, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.
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She described the ground breaking was a bold step by the FCT Administration through the Gwagwalada Area Council towards reducing the burden on funding through budgetary allocations.

Explaining further she said, the Zuba Modern Market was awarded to Khuntex Engineering Company Limited in December 2021, on a Public Private Partnership agreement, to redevelop the market to a modern market. 

According to her the agreement was for the Area Council to provide unencumbered land and Khuntex to fund the construction 100 percent.

“To solve the protracted funding issue, the Gwagwalada Area Council decided to explore private sector funding options as we are witnessing today which leverages the utilisation of private sector in exchange for land as a resource for the redevelopement of the Zuba Modern Market, amongst other Public, Private, Partnership (PPP) initiatives”.

While emphasising the importance of robust market infrastructure in rural areas, the minister noted that rural markets serve as the lifeline of countless communities, providing a platform for farmers and artisans to sell their produce and goods.

Mahmoud assured that through collaboration, the rural markets are equipped with modern facilities that would not only enhance the efficiency of agricultural value chains, but also empower rural entrepreneurs to access larger markets and attain better prices for their products.

She said; “the redevelopment of this Zuba modern market under public-private partnerships fosters economic resilience and social inclusion.

“It generates employment opportunities, enhances income levels, and promotes skill development among rural youth”.

In his remarks, the chairmen and chief executive of Khuntex Engineering Company Ltd. Engr. Dayo Jigan, assured that the first phase of the project would be completed in 10 months, as a mark of unwavering commitment and collaborative spirit of two dynamic forces.

He, however, expressed his appreciation to the administration, for their leadership foresight in initiating the remodeling of Zuba modern market.

He described the partnership as a labour of love and dedication.

On his part, the chairman of Gwagwalada Area Councils, Hon. Abubakar Giri, identified the Zuba modern market as one of the major markets that would boost the revenue base of Gwagwalada Area Council. 

He promised that other abandoned markets within the area council would be revived, even as he called on the contractor to complete the construction work within the stipulated period.

Recall that the 618 Zuba modern market will consists of mixed units of open/lock up shops, warehouses, eatery, banking hall, restaurant, police post, fire station, public toilet, bus loading bay as well as other amenities in line with global standard.

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Mahmoud rallies support for Renewed Hope Initiative

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FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has urged women leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to come up with ideas that would support the Renewed Hope Initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to succeed.
The Minister who made this call when women leaders of the APC paid her a sympathy visit in her office.
Special adviser on media to the minister Austine Elemue quoted the Minister to have also tasked them to work together for the interest of all Nigerians.
Mahmoud also reiterated 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.
According to her; “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.
In her words; “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.

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Council of retired Permanent secretaries (CORFEPS) celebrates its week

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***President Tinubu to declare event open

The Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries (CORFEPS) is set to celebrate its maiden CORFEPS week, starting with a Colloquium to be declared open by President Bola Tinubu as Special Guest of Honour, Tuesday, 5th March, 2024

A statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by Dr Goke Adegoroye, the National Publicity Secretary of the Council, said the second part will be the Annual General Meeting, at the Atiku Hall, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, on Tuesday 6th of March, 2024 for CORFEPS members only.
According to the statement, the third part will be the Investiture of the Grand Patron, President Tinubu
at the Rotunda Conference Hall of the Tafawa Balewa House, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Adegoroye said the colloquium has as its theme, ‘Reflections on Nigeria’s Public Service: Way Forward for Good Governance’.

“The morning session will be chaired by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and former Minister of Finance, His Majesty Oluyemi Falae, the Olu of Ilu-Abo and Baba Oba of Akure Kingdom.

“The afternoon session will be chaired by Amb. Babagana Kingibe, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and former Minister of Foreign Affairs,” Adegoroye said.

In his words, “Pursuant to its aims and objectives, CORFEPS under its current Chairman has decided to institute the CORFEPS WEEK as a yearly event preferably in the first quarter of each year.
“Commencing this year where, in addition to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) as stipulated in its Articles of Association, members will focus on an issue of national importance which will be exhaustively discussed with a view to providing recommendations on the way forward.
“The CORFEPS WEEK this year has been slated for 5-7 March 2024 and it is coming at an opportune period to enable us celebrate one of the icons of the Nigerian Civil Service, Izoma Philip Asiodu, founding Chairman of CORFEPS and Chairman of the Council’s Board of Trustees, who was 90 years old on 26 February 2024.
Adegoroye listed the Lead Speakers to include, Dr. Bukar Usman, who os highly distinguished retired Perm Sec in the Presidency, who is to give the general overview while Dr. Timiebi Koripamo Agary, OON retired Perm Sec will present the Insider’s Perspective
According to the statement, Mr. Martins Oloja, MD/Editor-In-Chief of The Guardian, Nigeria’s foremost Journalist on Public Policy, will present the Outsider’s Perspective
The statement explained further, there will be three discussants for the Colloquium, all retired Perm Secs, to include Amb (Dr.) Godknows B. Igali, Ammuna Lawan Ali, and Dr. Goke Adegoroye.

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