Metro
Abuja: Minister Appoints Ex-council Chair, Transportation Secretary FCTA
By Laide Akinboade
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has approved the appointment of Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido as the new Secretary for the Transportation Secretariat of the FCT Administration
The Born on December 3, 1965 in Jiwa, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abdullahi Adamu Candido served two terms as elected Executive Chairman of AMAC on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from 2016 – 2022.
He replaces Hon. Zakari Angulu Dobi who resigned his appointment as Secretary of the Transportation Secretariat to contest for the senatorial ticket of the FCT in the forthcoming general elections which he has secured on APC ticket.
Also appointed is Farida Odangi Suleiman who is now the Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties to the FCT Minister.
Farida Odangi Suleiman replaces Hon. Abu Zarri Ribadu who also resigned his appointment as Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties to the FCT Minister to contest for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of the FCT in the forthcoming 2023 general election. He is now the APC candidate for that position.
The Minister also appointed Engr. Hassan Umar Danjuma and Engr. Tauheed Amusan as Chairman and General Manager of the FCT Water Board, respectively.
Abubakar Sadiq Maina was also appointed as the Group Managing Director of the Abuja Investment Company Limited, a subsidiary of the FCT Administration.
Meanwhile, the Minister has also ratified the appointment of Zanna Alhaji Hamza as the substantive Director of the FCT Treasury (DOT). The new DOT has been serving in acting capacity since the retirement of his predecessor.
The appointments take immediate effect.
In another development, the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council Congratulated Candido on appointment as Mandate Secretary Transport Secretariat Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The congratulatory message was contained in a statement signed by Senior Special Assistant Media and Public Affairs to AMAC Chairman, Kingsley Madaki and made available to newsmen in Abuja Thursday.
The chairman said, “It is a well-deserved appointment for FCT residents, considering his monumental contributions in repositioning the FCT political structure as in recent years.”
Maikalangu noted that his outstanding performance at his party would have led to his appointment as FCT Mandate Secretary, even as clearly shown that hard work and consistency pay.
He further noted that with his caliber of person, residents especially in the satellite town should be expecting next-level development and maintained that with his wealth of experience of having full knowledge of FCT politics, there is no doubt he will work perfectly with the FCT Minister to enable him to consolidate on his numerous achievements in his first tenure.
He appealed to the newly appointed Mandate Secretary to work out modalities to tackle transport-related issues in the territory and also be open to new ideas that will reduce the suffering of the FCT residents.
He noted that issues militating against transportation may receive urgent attention since Candido is not new to the system, stressing that it is good news to have such an experience person in the system.
Metro
Wike Approves Deployment of FCTA’s Pioneer Perm. Secs
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has approved the deployment of the 10 pioneer Permanent Secretaries of the FCT Administration.
The FCT Head of Service, Dr Udo Atang, announced the deployment in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
Atang said that Dr Adams Babagana was deployed to Health Services and Environment, while Wanki Ibrahim was deployed to Treasury and Budget.
He also said that Asmau Muhktar was deployed to the Social Development Secretariat, while Dogo Bodinga was deployed to Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public Private Partnership Secretariat.
The head of service added that Olusa Olusegun was deployed to the Area Councils Services, Adetoyi Kolawole to Women Affairs, while Grace Adayilo Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat.
Also deployed were Olubunmi Olowookere to Legal Services Secretariat; Ibe Chukwuemeka to Education Secretariat; and Okonkwo Nonubari to Transportation Secretariat.
“The posting takes immediate effect. Thus, the affected officers should handover to their immediate subordinates in their current Secretariats, Departments and Agencies,” Atang said.
Wike had on March 18, inaugurated the permanent secretaries in line with the provisions of the FCT Civil Service Commission Law, 2018, which commenced operation. (NAN)
Metro
FG Declares March 29, April 1, Public Holiday to Mark Easter Celebration
The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1, as public holidays to mark the Easter celebration.This was contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Aishetu Ndayako on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to her, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government. Tunji-Ojo urged Christians and all Nigerians to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man. The minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promoted values of love, forgiveness and compassion which were essential for social cohesion and harmony.He called on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they were capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development of Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.Tunji-Ojo further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.This, he said, was in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.He wished Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration.The minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with the Tinubu’s administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all.Metro
Wike Woos Indian Investors to Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has sought for huge investments from Indian investors, as part of strategies to fast tract the development of the capital territory, Abuja.
Wike made the call when the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Shri Balasubramanian, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.
He acknowledged the presence of many Indian companies in the country, particularly petrochemicals and fertiliser companies among others.
“We would also like to have this kind of relationship in Abuja.
“You have seen improvement in security; you have seen improvement in infrastructure in Abuja. That is part of the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“We will discuss other areas that will be of mutual interest between India and Nigeria, and Abuja in particular,” he said.
The minister said that it was within the purview of the FCT Administration to ensure that all Embassies in Nigeria, have an unhostile environment to enable them perform their assignments.
Earlier, Balasubramanian said that the excellent relationship between India and Nigeria was quite old.
The Ambassador explained that India began its diplomatic relationship with Nigeria two years before the country became independent in 1958, when India established a diplomatic office in Lagos.
He said that there were over 155 Indian companies in Nigeria, with more than 27 billion dollars of investments in various manufacturing areas.
He said that companies ranged from plastics to steel, oil, and pharmaceuticals among others in every sector.
According to him, Indian companies are the second largest employer of labour after the Nigerian government.
“So that is the level of engagement that we have, including wonderful political relationships.
“Culturally, we also have excellent cooperation. We have been having various groups from Nigeria going to India to participate in different exhibitions and cultural activities.
“We are very happy with all the facilities that are being extended to our Embassy.
“We are more than happy about it and would like to continue the relationship”. (NAN)