December 24-25, 2012
PAGE 35
COMMUNITY Traditional ruler calls for unity as Ndigbo in Abuja celebrate Iri-Ji Stories by GABRIEL GWAJIME
T
o ensure the continuous peaceful co-existence in the country among the tribes, a traditional ruler in Jiwa, in the Federl Capital Territory, Abuja, Alhaji Sa’idu Bello, has called for unity of purpose which, he says, will enable Nigeria to remain as an indivisible entity. Speaking in an interview with NATIONAL ACCORD weekend during the New Yam festival celebration of the Ndigbo held in Abuja, the traditional ruler urged all Nigerians to set aside tribalism along with religious sentiments, in order for the country to move forward. Alhaji Sa’idu, who is also the Chairman of a non-governmental organization in Abuja, Habitay for Humanity Foundation, further commended the Ndigbo for their New Yam Festival celebration, observing that such an event is capable of portraying the country rich cultural heritage to the outside world. While noting with happiness that peaceful co-existence in Abuja could not have come by chance, Alhaji Sa’idu charged other traditional rulers of the various ethnic groups to do everything humanly possible to ensure peace in their respective domains. According to him, “we in Jiwa have been trying our best to ensure that peace remains the focal point in the area. We preach and teach it to our children and our subjects. And, by so doing, we have impressed on them the essence of peace and togetherness in our areas.” On the celebration, the Sarkin Hausawa of Jiwa noted that such could not have come at a better time than now, “owing to some challenging situations that have bedevilled the country and the FCT
•Uwazurike promises to fight on
•Igbo elders celebrating New Yam festival in particular,” stressing that the festival was significant to Ndigbo in particular and Nigeria in general. Responding to questions on why he showed up for the annual event, Alhaji Sa’idu explained that he was present so as to support the Ndigbo in the FCT, “as such move could go a long way in forging national unity, irrespective of tribes and languages involved.” Alhaji Sa’idu who also holds the traditional tittles “Omokachi,” which means brave developer of peoples from Ndigbo in FCT, revealed how he has been dealing with people of other tribes in the territory without bias and sentiments. While commending the event organizers, the royal father
pointed out that such a celebration was capable of neutralizing all the tribal barriers which at times make Nigerians appear differently with others from outside. In another development, a leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra(MASSOB), Barr. Ralph Uwazurike told NATIONAL ACCORD weekend that he would never give up the demand for “the sovereign state of Biafra,” adding that “such would continue to be our demand and destination.” Barr. Uwazirike who also called for unity of purpose among the Ndigbo, however, warned against every divisive means that could jeopardize their corporate existence in the FCT, Nigeria and
beyond. In his address at the event, the Eze Igbo I of the FCT, Dr. Ibe Nwosu described the ceremony as an epoch-making occasion, calling on the Ndigbo from all walks of life to be at peace with one another for the interest of peace and unity in the country. A traditional leader of Ndigbo who further explained that the ceremony was to showcase several Igbo culture and tradition pointed out that the significance of the event was enormous. Many prominent sons and daughters of Igbo were present at the event with various Igbo traditional music, food and attires on display to the admiration and listening pleasure of all in attendance.
Kwali Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory, has begun a compulsory oneweek cleaning exercise in all
its 10 wards. This was made known to NATIONAL ACCORD weekend in Kwali by the Head of Environmental Sanitation Department, Alhaji Abdullahi Tarkwa. Alhaji Abdullahi who described a clean environment as “a health friendly environment,” added that most diseases could be avoided when people decide to create and stay in a clean environment and community. Speaking further, the HOD Environmental Sanitation, called for understanding and co-operation among all stakeholders in the council, “so as to make the exercise a rewarding experience for all in the council and FCT in general.” He further revealed to NATIONAL ACCORD weekend that no defaulter would be arrested during the time-frame for the exercise, adding that it was meant
to encourage the good habit of keeping environment clean and tidy at all levels. On the rationale for the exercise, the HOD said, such was in accord with a directive given to all the area councils by the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, to ensure that the FCT remains a model city in the country and beyond. To ensure that all the wards are thoroughly covered, the environmental sanitation boss revealed that workable strategies have been mapped out for the programme, urging people to desist from open defecation as it contributes to environmental pollution of every community. NATIONAL ACCORD weekend learnt that the project tagged: “Clean and Green... Greater Abuja,” is powered by the Satellite Towns Development Agency (STDA).
Kwali flags off compulsory cleaning exercise In its bid to meet up with the City Centre and the Aso Rock Villa in terms of a clean and tidy environment devoid, the
•Alh. Abdullahi Takwa
Corps member offers free medical services to Gwagwalada residents Over 100 people in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, recently benefitted from the free medical services provided by a corps member who is currently serving in the council. Uche Bikwe, one of the corps members serving in the Health Department in Gwagwalada, explained in an interview that he decided to provide free medical services to the people in the area as part of his Community Development Programme (CDP). This, according to him, was to reduce the health implications to the people at the grassroots level. Bikwe, who stressed the importance of health needs to all humans, disclosed that, through his free medical services at the grassroots, he was able to discover different health danger situations in many of the people that came for the exercise. This, according to him, inclue: high sugar level, high blood pressure, among others. In another separate interview, the officer in charge of Community Development Programmes in Gwagwalada Zone, Kwajafa Haiwa, informed NATIONAL ACCORD weekend that CDP was one of the cardinal points of the NYSC, adding that, during the programme more people have benefitted from the free medical services. Haiwa, who commended the the convener of the CDP for his thoughtfulness in providing free medical checks to all who came for the exercise, further explained how such a project had impacted on the people positively. She further appealed to the council leadership for more assistance to ensuring that health needs of the people were made a priority, noting that most patients suffering from one ailment or the other, could be assisted to live their normal lives due to free medical services which could ordinarily have taken huge medical bills in the hospital.