Metro

PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2023 METRO

By Stanley Onyekwere

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, approved the creation of three new Departments, appointment of five new Directors and confirmation of four Acting Directors of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), as substantive Directors.

It was gathered that those whose appointments were confirmed include; Director of Public Building, Arc Olugbadebo Adebowale Ademo, Director, Engineering Services, Engr. Ferdinand Obiora Ezeoha, Director, Engineering Design and Evaluation, Engr. Abdulkadir Bello Tunau, Director, Department of Urban & Regional Planning, Town Planner Yahaya Abubakar while Arc. Celestine Sunday Eze was confirmed as the Director of Special Duties in the Office of the Executive Secretary.

Also, the newly appointed are Aminu Gaya Aliyu, Director, Human Resources Management Department, Hauwa Asabe Mohammed, Director, Finance and Accounts Department while the new Department of Engineering Infrastructure Rehabilitation has Engr Jatto Abdulkareem as Director, Rasheed Salimonu, Director of Procurement, while Maryam Ada Ameh is to oversee the Internal Audit Department.

Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr Shehu Hadi Ahmad, who disclosed this while briefing journalists in his office, explained that substantive Directors were also appointed for the newly created Departments.

Ahmad added that as part of efforts to ensure that staff enjoy their entitlements even

FCT Minister okays new FCDA departments, Directors’ appointment

after retirement, Town Planner Abioye Musibau who retired in Acting capacity as Acting Director in the Department of Urban & Regional Planning, was confirmed as a substantive Director.

Furthermore, the FCDA boss enjoined the new Directors to live up to the confidence reposed on them by the FCT Administration.

2023: Residents urged to resist disharmony, disaffection

By Stanley Onyekwere

Abuja residents are admonished to collectively resist any attempt to cause disharmony and disaffection within their ranks, in the new year and beyond.

In particular, they are reminded that as residents of the FCT, they are obliged to live up to the ideals of the founding fathers of the Territory as a place where every Nigerian can call home.

This charge was given by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, in a new year message, on behalf of the FCT Administration to residents of the FCT.

Bello also called them to ensure that in the spirit of peace, unity and togetherness, they actively participate in the 2023 general elections, coming up next month.

He noted that elections in the FCT have always been peaceful, so they should ensure that the upcoming 2023 polls also reflect such. "As we begin our journey into 2023, which holds a very important place in the democratic development of our country, I wish to applaud residents of the Territory for your exemplary conduct not only in our collective quest of building a befitting capital Territory for our country, but also for holding true to the principles of unity and peaceful co-existence which is the foundation on which the FCT is grounded. "Exactly a year ago, in my 2022 New Year message, I enjoined residents of the Territory to participate actively in the Area Council elections. I once more commend you all for abiding by the democratic and lawful processes in the election of the council chairmen. "We must therefore, collectively resist any attempt to cause disharmony and disaffection within our ranks. Elections in the FCT have always been peaceful. Let us ensure that the upcoming 2023 polls also reflect this", he stressed.

The Minister however, assured that over the next five months, heralding the end of the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the FCT Administration will not relent in its efforts of ensuring the development of the Territory and the well-being of its residents.

New Year: Aliyu doles out items to 120 new born Babies, mothers in Abuja

By Stanley Onyekwere

No fewer than 120 mothers of new born babies in selected Primary Health Care Centres across the six area councils of the FCT were gifted with delivery kits and baby items, as part of activities to celebrate the New Year.

The selected primary healthcare facilities visited include Aleyita Primary healthcare in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Dutse Alhaji primary healthcare centre in Bwari area council, and Township Clinic primary healthcare centre in Gwagwalada area council

Others are Township Clinic primary healthcare centre in Kwali area council, Kuje Comprehensive Health Centre in Kuje area council and Township Clinic primary healthcare centre in Abaji area council.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, who made the donation also gave a token of undisclosed amount of cash to some nursing mothers.

Aliyu, while presenting some of the items to beneficiaries at Kuje Comprehensive Healthcare Centre in Kuje Area Council, yesterday, described the successful delivery recorded in various primary healthcare centres as a bundle of joy, just as she prayed that joy would continue to radiate in the FCT in 2023 and beyond.

The minister, who was represented by the Director of Administration and Finance, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Mrs. Justina Pawa, tasked mothers on early training of their children, noting that children are gift from God.

While calling on mothers to accept all vaccines given during government approved immunization campaigns, the minister used the occasion to remind them of the need to ensure that their babies complete the routine immunization before the age of two.

“Remember to take care of yourselves and attend post natal clinics and continue to take your routine medicines. On my part, I will continue to identify with you and sharing in your joy.

“Since I came to office in 2019, I have continued to implement and support initiatives that would improve the health of mothers and children particularly towards reducing maternal and child deaths from preventable causes, also empowering women to contribute meaningfully to the upkeep of themselves and their families.

“I will also encourage you to always contribute to the growth of the family in particular and community at large. All babies born today are welcome and I pray to God to continue to grant mothers and babies good health, while the fathers continue to have the means to support their families,” Aliyu noted.

Earlier, one of the beneficiaries, Hajiya Ibrahim Kudirat, who delivered a bouncing baby boy at 12:01am on the New Year’s Day, inside Kuje Comprehensive Health Centre, thanked the minister for the kind gesture.

She noted that the items and cash donation would assist mothers at this early stage of delivery.

Other beneficiaries are, Mrs. Mary Olayinka, who delivered at 12:40am, at the Bwari Comprehensive Healthcare centre in Bwari area council, while Mrs. Idoko Christina, delivered a baby girl at 1:52am, amongst other deliveries.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of food items to FCT Minister of State by the community head of Aleyita community, in appreciation of her efforts in boosting community healthcare.