Metro
FCTA Threatens to Demolish Night Clubs for Flouting Original Land Use
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has advised two night clubs, namely Karu Paris Lounge and Cool Leo to immediately revert to the original land use or risk demolition in two weeks.
This is as the FCT Ministerial Task Force on COVID-19 Enforcement sealed the said clubs for violating COVID-19 protocols.
Speaking on behalf of the administration, the Head, Media and Enlightenment FCTA COVID-19 Enforcement Team, Comrade Ikharo Attah who led the exercise, said the decision followed calls from residents over violation of the safety guidelines by the operators.
According to him, “We received several calls from residents of Karu-site that they have some persons who keep very large gatherings at night, we came in and discovered them, we went to court and prayed the Judge, and her Lordship, Magistrate Idayat Akanni gave us seal off order for the property, Karu Paris Lounge and Cool Leo, which we have done.
“Beside the case of COVID-19 violations which is the key issue, these are highly populated residential areas, so the owners must revert to the original approved use within 2 weeks, if they fail to do the needful bulldozers will enter here after expiration of the deadline,” Attah said.
Attah, however, explained that the Task Force operation was not limited to a particular area, but comprehensive, saying any acquisition from some persons on selective exercise was unfounded.
In another development, the FCT Mobile Court sitting at Eagle Square convicted 72 violators of COVID-19 health protocols.
In her ruling, the Magistrate, Idayat Akanni said all the violators pleaded guilty and were sentenced to pay a fine of N2, 000 each or undertake one week community service.
The court Prosecutor, Udeme Umana, had informed the court that the defaulters were found not wearing facemasks, and some of them, who had one were not wearing it properly.
Meanwhile, Comrade Ikharo Attah, Head, Media and Enlightenment of FCTA COVID-19 Enforcement team said the desire of the Administration is to sustain the enforcement.
He said the minister of FCT Malam Muhammad Bello with FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma mandate on sustaining the fight against COVID-19 in the city must be obeyed.
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)
Metro
British Council Partners NUC on Development of Varsity Curriculum
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)