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Covid-19: FCTA Threatens Tougher Measures Over Lockdown Violations

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Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister Muhammed Bala
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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Minister,   Muhammad  Bello said his administration may impose tougher measures to achieve health  safety precautionary protocols needed to contain the spread of the deadly novel Coronavirus in Abuja.

Bello who expressed displeasure over flagrant violation of the lockdown order at the rural areas within the territory, noted that the administration will not allow few individuals to carelessly  put the larger population at jeopardy.

The Minister disclosed this  at Asokoro District Hospital, when he inspected the on going work in the hospital, already converted to COVID 19 Isolation and treatment centre.

 

Bello who had earlier  inspected an already furnished 300 bed  facility at Idu District, designated as Isolation Centre for COVID 19 patients,  the on going rehabilitation works at Karu District Hospital, also meant for COVID 19 patients’ accommodation, said he was satisfied with both the private sector partnership and government’s preparedness to combat the dreaded disease. 

According to him, the Idu centre was a 300 bed facility,  but could be expanded to 500 beds. He noted that one 150 beds  were already installed through the partnership of Polaris Bank,  FATE Foundation , and more  300 beds would be  coming from Julius Berger PLC.

He further enjoined residents to demonstrate forbearance and cooperate with government by observing all the necessary rules recommended by health experts towards order to achieve victory over the virus.

He said, “while the lockdown has been relatively successful in the city centre, I must say that in many of our communities,  especially in the vulnerable communities the lockdown has not been extremely successful.  

” And when this virus hits us, it is going to hit these vulnerable communities very hard. That is why I am appealing.  This is a government that is very passionate,  but I am thinking that if the situation continues like it is now, government will have no option than take more harsh and firmer measures, because we will not allow a small percentage of us to put all of us at risk.

”  It is common knowledge what is happening the world over. We should thank God Almighty that we just talking about 47 cases in FCT,  with 2 deaths. As much as possible , we want it to remain low, but that can’t  be done without our cooporation. 

He added that while FCT administration prays that the confirmed cases of COVID -19 should not exceed the current 47, private partnership courted through the Ministerial Advisory Committee has made enough provisions to tackle the pandemic. 

” The Idu isolation centre is a reflection of what partnership can do, the partnership is between the government,  private sector and one of the stakeholders in Abuja,  the Chinese Construction Company,  the CCECC that provided furnishings,  as well as all the air conditions,  both power and water.

” We have one hundred and fifty beds already installed.  Polaris Bank donated 100 beds, 50 beds were donated by FATE Foundation , they also provided personal protective materials for health workers. Another 300 beds are coming from Julius Berger PLC . This partnership was made possible through the Ministerial Advisory Committee headed by the former minister of FCT, Dr. Modibo Aliyu Umaru”.

Metro

FG Declares March 29, April 1, Public Holiday to Mark Easter Celebration

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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.

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Metro

Wike Woos Indian Investors to Abuja

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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)

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British Council Partners NUC on Development of Varsity Curriculum 

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The British Council has partnered with the National Universities Commission (NUC) on the development of curriculum in tertiary institutions.

Mr Chikodi Onyemerela, Director of Programmes, British Council, at a workshop on Enhancing Curriculum and Pedagogical Approaches in Nigerian Universities, in Abuja on Monday, said the partnership was necessary to be in tune with global trend.

He said that there was need to change from traditional approach of teaching and learning to digital literacy in solving problems.

“NUC has since introduced the CCMAS which emphasised the cultivation of critical thinking, digital literacy, problem solving and enterpreneurial skill among graduates and this is imperative for our educational institutions to adopt accordingly.

 

“We must acknowledge the hurdles that lies ahead the traditional approach to teaching and learning which has long been entrenched in our university system and are not easily overturn.

“To change this will require a concerted efforts from each of us to challenge the status quo,” he said.

Also, the Acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, called for collaborative efforts in initiating continuous curriculum reform in Nigerian universities.

He emphasised the need for continuous curriculum reform in Nigerian universities to enable them adapt in a fast-changing world.

He also said that initiating such reforms usually come with challenges, noting that sometimes  the actualisation of the curriculum renewal is not fully realised due to the challenges of implementation.

“Continuous curriculum reform has been considered a necessary measure to assist schools respond to a fast-changing world.

“Initiating such reforms is not without challenges as, sometimes, the actualisation of the curriculum renewal is not fully realised due to the challenges of implementation.

“It is gratifying to note that this workshop is coming on the heels of the implementation of the recently-developed Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) in line with the Commission’s enabling laws.

“The new CCMAS is a product of sustained stakeholder interactions and engagement over the years. This involved a blend of academic experts, government (represented by NUC), professional bodies, and the private sector represented by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group(NESG).

“In order to enrich the draft documents, copies of each discipline were forwarded to all critical stakeholders including the relevant academic units in Nigerian Universities, the private sector, professional bodies and the academies for their comments and input,” he said.

Maiyaki said these inputs, along with the curriculum of programmes obtained from some foreign and renowned universities, served as major working materials for the various panels constituted for that purpose.

“Innovative courses such as Venture Creation, Entrepreneurship (programme Specific) and innovation, among others were incorporated into the general studies courses to enhance the employability skills of graduates,”  he said.

Maiyaki added that the new curriculum unbundles the Bachelor of Agriculture, Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and the Bachelor of Architecture Programmes, while establishing some emerging specialisations in these fields, in line with global practices.

He, however, stated that this was not a one-time process as there would be curriculum development and review to be at pace with current global trends. (NAN)

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