PEOPLES DAILY, MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2013
PAGE 16
New FCT transport policy: Taxi drivers decry low patronage
By Stanley Onyekwere with agency report
J
ust a week into the June 3 commencement of the total restriction on minibuses popularly referred to as Aaraba buses from operating in Abuja city centre, some Abuja taxi operators over the weekend said they recorded low patronage. This, the operators attributed to the taken off of the new transport policy in the nation’s capital city; restraining mini-buses operations to specified feeder routes outside city limits and in the satellite towns. Areas the mini buses are not allowed to operate in the city include
Wuse market to Eagle Square to Asokoro to AYA to Nyanya, Area 3 junction to Tafawa Balewa to Herbert Marcaulay Way to Berger junction to Jabi, Gudu market to Apo quarters to Ahmadu Bello way to Federal Secretariat to Gwarinpa and AYA to Shehu Shagari to Federal Secretariat to Transcorp Nicon junction. A taxi driver, Mr. Lawal Akanbi, who operates between Garki and Wuse, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that it had not been easy for him. “It is not easy, as you can see; I cannot even see a single passenger from Area1 to Wuse Market because since mini-buses are no longer operating, transport fares have been
increased. “Because of the new policy in the FCT on the restriction of minibuses some people prefer relaxing at home during the weekend instead of spending so much money on transport,’’ he said. He appealed to the government to provide more buses so that people would be encouraged to move around the city, especially at the weekend. Another taxi driver who operates in Central Area in the city, Ikechukwu Nwabueze, said the policy had forced residents who had hitherto to the development, to use their private cars instead of moving with taxis to cut cost.
Women fetching water from a borehole tap, yesterday in Bwari, Abuja.
According to him, people don’t trouble themselves using taxis because the fare is high and since the situation does not affect scarcity of fuel, they use their cars instead. Also, a taxi driver, Mr Abiodun Yusuf, lamented the development had reduced business activities, saying: “Apart from us, the taxi drivers, the situation has also affected cost of food items. “Traders are recording very low patronage because customers want to manage the little money they have.’’ Like others, he also appealed to the Federal Government to find a solution to transport situation in the territory.
Photo: Justin Imo-Owo
Church begins 4-day health seminar today By Stanley Onyekwere
A
s part of its contribution to raising a healthy population in Nigeria, the Foursquare Gospel Church, in Asokoro, Abuja has undertaken to play host to a four-day seminar on healthy living. The four-day event billed for
5pm each day, kicks off today (Monday) through Thursday, June 13, has as its Guest Speaker, Rev Tony Akinyemi of Shepherd Flock International Church, Lagos. Akinyemi, an authority on scriptural principles and precepts on healthy issues, would highlight good and necessary dietary habits
that can enhance positive and healthy lifestyles on the theme: “Vibrant Health; your heritage.” A statement signed by one Ohi Alegbe for the church, said Akinyemi, who believes that ill-health is avoidable, strongly recommends the Seminar series for “those who don’t want to be
sick; who are sick and tired; and tired of being sick and tired.” “Organised by the Excellent Men’s Fellowship wing of the church, the seminar series which initially held last year, is designed to assist in raising a healthy population of Nigerian citizens”, the statement said.
‘Be creative’, Oputa tells youth
A
retired Supreme Court Justice, Chukwudifu Oputa over the weekend, in Abuja, urged youths to explore legacies bequeathed by great artistes to promote creativity and intellectual development among them. Oputa made the call at the launch of an NGO, Harcourt-Whyte Foundation, aimed at promoting production of sacred hymns and campaign against leprosy in Nigeria. The event, which is in honour of Ikoli Harcourt-Whyte, who died in 1977 , in a motor accident, which featured rendition of hymns composed by him, was designed by the foundation to collate and document his 300 hymns with a view to keeping them alive. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that in his life time, HracourtWhyte’s hymns became part of the rich culture and art of eastern Nigeria and Christendom. Oputa urged Nigerians to appreciate and honour people whose works the society could gain from. He, however, urged youths to be inspired by Harcourt-Whyte’s story in order to strive further in spite of difficult situations currently confronting the country. Oputa recounted how HarcourtWhyte attained his goals in spite of the challenges of being a destitute and an orphan who was affected by leprosy. “In spite of all the handicaps Whyte was able to make it; it does not matter how you are born, what matters is the will to excel in life; because where there is will there is a way, we must celebrate those who left something for us to copy’’’ he said. Earlier, Mrs. Ezenwa Okorafor, Secretary, Board of Trustees, HarcourtWhyte Foundation, said the foundation intended to establish facilities for the production of music and training of artistes among others. Okorafor added that the foundation would also promote the campaign against leprosy and tuberculosis. According to her, the foundation intends to achieve this by helping to create awareness about these diseases and their effects on mankind. She said that the foundation would coordinate treatment for the diseases, mobilise volunteers and donor agencies, and distribute drugs and other relief materials to the afflicted. His son, Sir Godwin HarcourtWhyte, said the appreciation and sustenance of his father’s music would be an inspiration to manyyouths. (NAN)
Preach peace, work for unity, Imam urges Nigerians
T
he Deputy Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, Sheikh Ahmad Onilewura, has called on Nigerians irrespective of religious creed to preach peace and work for the unity of the nation. Onilewura made the call on Saturday in Abuja at the 11th Executive Walimatul-Quran and Merit Award of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Academy. The Imam, who delivered a lecture titled, `Reading the Quran: Living in
Peace’, emphasised the need for peace and unity for the country to develop. He described Islam as a religion of peace and urged Muslims to live by the dictates of the Quran. “The word, Islam, connotes peace, according to the tradition of Prophet Muhammad `Peace is Islam’ this means that peace is one of the prerequisites of Islam,’’ he said. “The Quran, avers that reconciliation is best (Q4:128), and
judging by the consequences, the way of peace is far better than that of confrontation. “Allah has decreed that success will be met with only on a reconciliatory part; and not on confrontational or violent course’’, he said. Onilewura urged Muslim and Nigerian leaders to always follow the path of peace as exemplified by Prophet Muhammad. Earlier, Chief Imam of Al-
Habibiyyah Academy, Imam Fuad Adeyemi said the Quran Studies programme by the academy was aimed at building a better society. He said Al-Habiyyah had been working hard through its various programmes, such as its Zakat Foundation, to build a peaceful and righteous society. He said the Al-Habibiyyah Zakat (Islamic Charity) Foundation had disbursed over N250 million to 300
categories of beneficiaries since March 2010 when it was founded. “We are pleased to see many people becoming business owners through this scheme”, he said. The event was witnessed by Islamic scholars, the academia and government functionaries. A total of 89 students received certificates for completing various courses in Quran and Arabic studies (NAN)