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35 Days After Lockdown, FCT Edges Back To Life

Published

5 years ago

May 4, 2020

…Resident throngs Banks, Private owners business open, Hustling Soar

Joel Ajayi

Resident, Government offices, Banks, Private owner business, and some activities is gradually come alives in the Capital City of Nigeria after a 35 days of lockdown in the city.

Though, Educational Institutions, recreation centers, Churches, Mosques, Markets amongst amongst other were seen closed.

Restrictions on movement in the last 5 weeks are tentatively being relaxed now in FCTas life begins to return to normal.

The consensus is that the worst has passed in FCT after 5 weeks of widespread quarantine people are able to catch up with friends again.

Major streets in the city were seen busy, as movement of vehicles is second to none transporters in their numbers resumed work earnestly, Private owner business were equally seen opening their businesses.

Not only that, Hustlers in the city littered everywhere to commence the hustling, Artsian, such as car wash operators, food vendors, Mechnics, sellers were everywhere ekeing for the living.

Though Customers were not allow to enter banks en mass because of social distancing, residents in the FCT on Monday thronged various banks to do one transaction or the others.

Like a fury fire, the rates of new infections of COVID-19 continue to soar in Nigeria from data released by Nigerian Center for Diseases Control NCDC as at the 3rd of May 2020. 278 persons were affected, in the FCT as the cases of affected persons in the country rises to 2558, 400 discharged while 87 death recorded so far.

It with be recalled that on 27th of April President Muhammadu Buhari in his Nationwide broadcast anounced gradual ease of lockdown in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Saturday, 2nd May, 2020 at 9am.

According to Buhari, Based on the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the various Federal Government committees that have reviewed socio-economic matters and the Nigeria Governors Forum, I have approved for a phased and gradual easing of lockdown measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective from Saturday, 2nd May, 2020 at 9am.

“However, this will be followed strictly with aggressive reinforcement of testing and contact tracing measures while allowing the restoration of some economic and business activities in certain sectors.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the lockdown in the FCT, Lagos & Ogun States shall subsist remain in place until these new ones come into effect on Saturday, 2nd May 2020 at 9am.” Part of the speech read.

Also, the office of the Head of Service of the federation under the leadership of Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, stated the readiness of civil servant to resume duty in a memo dated April 30 and addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, all ministers and MDAs.

The circular read: “Further to Mr. President‘s broadcast on a phased and gradual easing of the Iockdown measures occasioned by COVID-19, officers on GL. 14 and above and those on essential services are hereby directed to resume work with effect from Monday 4th May, 2020 in the first instance

“Offices are to open three times a week Monday, Wednesday and Friday and close at 2.00pm on each day. In resuming, the concerned officers are to ensure full compliance with the directives and advice on the COVID-19 pandemic preventive measures including maintenance of social distancing, regular washing and/ or sanitizing of hands and wearing of face masks.

“Officers are advised to limit the number of visitors they receive to the barest minimum and such visitors should also comply with safety and health advice/directives.

“As you are aware, the Federal Secretariat Complexes have been decontaminated while efforts are ongoing to do some in other public offices.”

The Gleamer Online News who take a short trip within the FCT On Monday reported that life is returning to FCT as some busineses, offices open their business for their day to day activities.

Federal Secretariat witnessed low turn out as only Senior and essential staff were gaining entrance while old Federal Secretariat in Area 1 follow the suit.

At the Area 7 Garki popularly known as the home of banks, Various banks has reopened all previously declared closed as the virus spread rapidly, resident besieged the banks either to withdraw or do other transaction.

Though market management FCT did not open the gate of UTC a Popular business place in Area 10, the place indeed, come back to life, as traders and hustlers in their numbers positioned themselves outside the gate to start their business while some are eargerly looking for customers.

At Area 2 Market, only fruits shops were allow to open while others shops still remain closed.

Almost all the Major roads in FCT were busy with millions of vichular movement as resident are happy to gain freedom after 35 days in Captivity.

However, the effects on livelihoods could last for many years, with lots of businesses facing bankruptcy, unemployment, losing means of livelihood, inflation jumped, and economic output in one of the Africas fastest economies was at its lowest level
in the period of quarantine.

It may be too early to do a victory lap just yet, but for anyone around the world looking for signs of positivity and hope, Nigeria would be a good place to turn to.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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