By Muhammad Abdullahi
Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that in its bid to cleanse the social strata of the Nigeria capital city, enormous desired results were yielded with about 452 commercial sex workers, recently lifted off the streets and comprehensively rehabilitated.
The Secretary Social Development Secretariat Hajia Hadiza Kabir who stated that the two FCT Ministers had also scaled up actions to develop a Capital City that has a socially friendly environment void of moral bankruptcy.
Hajia Hadiza revealed that the regular clampdown on some red-light zones and arrest of commercial sex workers, was a social responsibility, through which the Secretariat rescues young women from the shackles of drugs and other forms of criminalities, while providing them with meaningful means of livelihoods.
The Secretary explained that with the trainings and skills acquired by the rehabilitated commercial workers, with the starter packs given to them, they were expected to contribute hugely to the country’s GDP.
While stressing that the administration had embarked on several programmes targeted at alleviating the plight of other vulnerable members of the society.
According to her, the troubling menace of baggers within Abuja, was being tackled by regular arrests and repatriation to their various home states.
She further reassured that FCT Administration will continue in its sensitization of the public on the dangers of allowing beggars, hawkers and mentally unstable people roam about on the streets of Abuja.
Aliyu identifies unity, understanding as Roadmap to Peace
By Muhammad Abdullahi
Abuja
Minister of State Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has argued that it is not peace that brings about unity, but rather, unity brings about peaceful coexistence among people of divergent historical, ethnic and religious affiliations.
The Minister who made this observation at the official launch of peace and unity campaign held in Abuja, also asserted that people of different socioeconomic, cultural-norms and values, must tolerate one another for peace to reign in their respective domains.
She also reiterated that no matter the divergent views, tribes and religions, the unity of Nigeria was not negotiable, while calling on every Nigerian to join the peace campaign in their various states.
She, however, commended the organizers, the Ambassadors of Voice for Change in Nigeria for their thoughtfulness which crystallizes the relevance of peace in a national entity of multi-vocal groups.
Aliyu noted that the Federal Capital Territory Administration decided to partner with the group because responsible and responsive leaders must work assiduously towards unity and tolerance among ethnic groups in the country.
The minister, therefore, recommended absolute level of citizens’ orientation, education, tolerance, culturally relative norms and values be inculcated among the youths so as to make them the future leaders of this great entity called Nigeria.
In his remarks, the President of Ambassadors of Voice of Change in Nigeria, Mr. Bala Ahmed, said with the official launch in the nation’s capital, the campaign train would be moved to the 36 states of the federation to preach the gospel of peace.
While commending the Federal Capital Territory Administration for the partnership, he also called on governments at all levels, religious and traditional institutions to domesticate the peace initiative.
Recall that the event was attended by renowned Nollywood actors and entertainment industry amongst whom are Timi Dakolo, 2face Idibia, John Ikechukwu Okafor popularly known as Mr. Ibu, Gentle Jack, Okey Bakassi, and Afro Beat star, Sir Shina Peter.
Others are Samson Siasia, Saeed Balogun, Francis Agoda popularly known as I Go Dye, Sunday Osakuri popularly known as original Stereo Man amongst others