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FCT minister inaugurates 2 committees to boost agric devpt In Abuja

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FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has constituted two committees to help boost agricultural development in the Territory.

Special adviser Media To FCT Minister of State Austine Elemue in a statement on Monday, listed the committes to include the Steering and Inter-Agency Technical Committees of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Projects in the Federal Capital Territory.

He quoted the minister while she inaugurated the committee to have expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, for approving the partnership on the projects which would go a long way in bringing about the avowed promise of leaving behind a legacy that will chart an unhindered course for sustainable economic development in Nigeria.

Aliyu, noted that the first of these projects was the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) which was facilitated by the World Bank to help northern part of Nigeria and the FCT to address critical challenges of regional desertification control and land scape management.

According to her, “Project aligns with the goal of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to set out broader landscape restoration of 4 million hectares of degraded land, and the promise of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030”.

She further stressed that the implementation would take place in the six Area Councils of the FCT; particularly in the rural communities, and would carter for the farmers and farm groups, the women and youth with their groups.
On the other hand, the minister noted that the concept of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme (SAPZ) which is co-financed by the African Development Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), aims at mobilizing private sector entities to develop value chains for selected strategic crops and livestock in the participating states.

Aliyu said the programme would significantly drive the modernization of the FCT agricultural sector, reduce food imports, enhance value addition in livestock value chain, staple food crops and create new economic zones of wealth and jobs creation in rural areas. 
The minister revealed that the steering committee of the projects are the apex decision-making bodies for the operation of the projects in FCT and has the responsibilities of providing guidance and taking decisions on the recommendations forwarded by the StateTechnical Committee and StateProject Management Unit (SPMU)
Also speaking at the inauguration, Mandate Secretary Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mallam Abubakar Ibrahim, noted that several states across the federation have already keyed into the programmes and today’s inauguration marks the official take-off of the programmes in the nation’s capital.
Ibrahim stressed that the projects aim at addressing environmental challenges as well as reinvigorating the livestock sector to enhance sustainable agricultural production and improved food and nutrition security.
He, however, assured that in view of the huge expectations on the projects, membership of the two committees were carefully drawn from relevant secretariat’s departments and agencies (SDA’S) of the FCT Administration.
Responding on behalf of the committee members, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, noted that the implementation of these two projects in the FCT could not have come at a better time than now when the capital city is in dire need of the implementation of innovative programmes that have the capacity to rapidly guarantee the attainment of food and nutrition security and improve the quality of lives of the growing population of the FCT.
According to him, “There is no gainsaying the fact that the issues of climate change and global hunger are interwoven, and experts have warned that unless urgent and necessary measures are taken, nations face immense threat of global food crisis”.

He assured the minister that members of these committees would put in their best to ensure that the objectives of the projects are realised.

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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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