Proposed Aba State, the Most Economically Viable Among Contending State Requests- Group

By: Michael Mike

Proposed Aba State has the potential of becoming the most economically viable among all state creation proposals currently under consideration, a group of indigenes from the area have said.

The agitators, in a statement on Tuesday by the Chairman and Secretary, Aba State Movement, HRH Eze Love Wogu and Chief Godfrey Akara, respectively, said the creation of Aba State is deep rooted, and not a recent or politically motivated demand, but a century-long pursuit rooted in a distinct identity.

They pointed out that if not for the 1983 coup, Aba state would have come to reality by now.

They noted that other states proposed at the same time had been created.

They said: “This isn’t simply a demand; it’s a promise that has been repeatedly made and validated but never kept.”

They added that: “The movement’s unwavering dedication is evidenced by its submissions to every state creation committee and national conference since 1988, demonstrating a resilience that has outlasted numerous governments and generations.

“Throughout Nigeria’s complex history of state creation, the quest for Aba State stands out as a persistent and enduring endeavor.

“The journey began in 1915 when the British colonial government administratively united the Asa, Ndoki, and Ngwa people into the Aba Division.

“The formal political pursuit of autonomy began just over a decade later, in 1927. This long struggle reached a critical milestone in 1983 when the National Assembly, under a democratic government, approved a referendum for the creation of Aba State.

“However, that referendum was never realized due to the military coup of December 31, 1983. Ironically, every other state recommended for creation alongside Aba in 1983—Adamawa, Jigawa, Katsina, Kogi, Taraba, and Enugu—has since been established, leaving Aba as the only unfulfilled recommendation.”

They also said: “Beyond historical claims, a compelling economic case exists for Aba State. Advocates argue that the proposed state would not only be sustainable from its inception but would also quickly become a significant financial powerhouse.

“The region is already the commercial and industrial heart of the South East. Aba metropolis, home to the renowned Ariaria International Market, is a major hub for leather goods, footwear, and engineering fabrications, serving markets across West and Central Africa.

“This economic strength is further bolstered by vast resources, including approximately 124 operational oil wells and some of Nigeria’s highest-quality gas reserves in Ukwa West.

“Furthermore, the proposed state has the unique advantage of self-sufficient electricity generation, thanks to the Geometric Power Plant in Osisioma Ngwa, which promises to trigger a significant industrial revolution.

“A 1998 Federal Government survey revealed that the nine Local Government Areas comprising the proposed Aba State contributed the largest portion of Abia State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).”

Proposed Aba State, the Most Economically Viable Among Contending State Requests- Group

NTAC DG Highlights Benefits of Physical Fitness as Agency Makes Once-in-a-Week Fitness Walk Mandatory for All Staff

By: Michael Mike

Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub has highlighted physical exercise as a necessity for fitness and mental alertness for all workers in the public service space.

He said such physical fitness and mental alertness were necessary for the kind of energy and focus required not only to drive service-delivery, but also make for enhanced productivity amongst workers.

The NTAC boss, who led some members of the NTAC Management for a 45-minute walk at the popular Jabi Lake Sports Field opposite the NTAC Complex in Abuja, reiterated the connection between physical fitness and enhanced productivity and hinted that a day would be set aside for all staff of NTAC to engage in such activity.

He said: “We all know the importance of physical fitness to our work as public servants. If we refuse to engage the body to make it active, even our brain fails to work optimally .

“Oftentimes, our routine, from home to office and from office to home, hardly allows us to engage in even simple walking for the length of time our bodies require to stay in optimum health and fitness.

“Today’s novel Walk is merely to encourage us to tone up our muscles daily,to avoid the killer situation called sedentary lifestyle, keep ourselves fit and be able to drive more actively the requirements of Mr.President’s Renewed Hope Agenda here in NTAC. We will surely find a way to incorporate this in the activities and programmes of the Corps.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps has set aside the end of work every Wednesday for a physical fitness walk for all staff of the Agency who are not encumbered by any form of incapacitation or underlying illness.

In an Internal Circular signed by Amb.Saidu Muhammad and circulated to all NTAC staff, Monday at the NTAC Complex in Abuja, the Deputy Director in-charge of Administration at the Agency informed members of staff of a walking exercise with the Agency’s Director General at the end of work on Wednesday, November 12, adding that the mandatory walking exercise would take place at the Jabi Lake Sports Field opposite the NTAC NTAC DG Highlights Benefits of Physical Fitness as Agency Makes Once-in-a-Week Fitness Walk Mandatory for All Staff

Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps,Rt.Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub has highlighted physical exercise as a necessity for fitness and mental alertness for all workers in the public service space.

He said such physical fitness and mental alertness were necessary for the kind of energy and focus required not only to drive service-delivery,but also make for enhanced productivity amongst workers.

The NTAC boss,who stated the above over the weekend when he led some members of the NTAC Management for a 45-minute walk at the popular Jabi Lake Sports Field opposite the NTAC Complex in Abuja, reiterated the connection between physical fitness and enhanced productivity and hinted that a day would be set aside for all staff of NTAC to engage in such activity.

“We all know the importance of physical fitness to our work as public servants.If we refuse to engage the body to make it active,even our brain fails to work optimally .

“Oftentimes,our routine, from home to office and from office to home,hardly allows us to engage in even simple walking for the length of time our bodies require to stay in optimum health and fitness.

“Today’s novel Walk is merely to encourage us to tone up our muscles daily,to avoid the killer situation called sedentary lifestyle, keep ourselves fit and be able to drive more actively the requirements of Mr.President’s Renewed Hope Agenda here in NTAC. We will surely find a way to incorporate this in the activities and programmes of the Corps.”

Meanwhile ,the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps has set aside the end of work every Wednesday for a physical fitness walk for all staff of the Agency who are not encumbered by any form of incapacitation or underlying illness.

In an Internal Circular signed by Amb.Saidu D.Muhammad and circulated to all NTAC staff,Monday,at the NTAC Complex in Abuja,the Deputy Director in-charge of Administration at the Agency informed members of staff of a walking exercise with the Agency’s Director General at the end of work on Wednesday,November 12, adding that the mandatory walking exercise would take place at the Jabi Lake Sports Field opposite the NTAC Complex.

NTAC DG Highlights Benefits of Physical Fitness as Agency Makes Once-in-a-Week Fitness Walk Mandatory for All Staff

FG, UNICEF commend Gombe’s efforts to eliminate NTDs

The Federal Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Bauchi Field Office have commended Gombe State’s efforts to eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).

They gave the commendation on Tuesday in Gombe during a media dialogue on NTDs elimination organised to assess progress in the state.

Hajiya Hawau Abubakar, North-East Zonal Coordinator for NTDs, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, said “significant progress” had been made towards ending NTDs in Gombe.

Abubakar said the state’s commitment, supported by the Federal Government and development partners, was enhancing the health and wellbeing of the people across Gombe State.

She stressed that achieving NTD-free status would positively impact the wellbeing of residents, especially children, and improve the economic fortunes of the state.

Abubakar urged the government, media, and stakeholders to sustain the momentum, expressing optimism that the state could be free of NTDs before 2030.

Dr Nuzhat Rafique, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Bauchi, also praised Gombe State for the progress made so far in eliminating NTDs across communities.

Rafique said the state’s commitment to providing counterpart funding for NTD elimination activities was already yielding positive results in several localities.

She explained that Gombe State was close to the “breakpoint” where widespread preventive treatment could halt further circulation of the diseases within communities.

According to her, achieving that stage would mark a major success in the fight against NTDs in the state and across the region.

“The progress so far is encouraging, but we must continue investing resources wisely to eliminate NTDs and protect children and women,” she said.

Rafique, however, said more effort was required to completely eliminate the diseases due to their severe impact on children and society.

She called for an integrated approach, using community-based mobilisation to promote hygiene, sanitation, and access to clean water in the state.

She also urged residents to prevent infection by avoiding contact with flies and mosquitoes that spread the diseases.

Commending the media’s role, Rafique described journalists as “the main game changers” in raising awareness and driving positive behavioural change.

Dr Musa Abdullahi, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, said most local governments were now NTD-free.

Abdullahi said all LGAs, except Akko and Kwami, had been declared free of NTDs, thanks to the collaboration with the Federal Government, UNICEF, and other partners.

He commended the continued partnership, noting that it had significantly improved the health and wellbeing of Gombe residents.

FG, UNICEF commend Gombe’s efforts to eliminate NTDs