FCT news

COVID-19 Endemic Lowers Celebration Of Eid Mubarak In FCT

Published

6 years ago

May 24, 2020

…As FCT Minister, NYSC, AMAC Preaches Peace, Unity

Olaide Akanbi

This year’s edition of Eid Mubarak celebration was indeed an uncommon one as most of all the prayer ground in the city, were vacant as Muslims faithful mark the end of Ramadan at home courtesy of religious restriction put in place by the government due to the pandemic COVID-19 that affected all spheres of life.

Eid el-Fitr remains an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide which marks the end of Ramadan the Islamic holy month of fasting.

The religious is a single day during which Muslims are not permitted to fast, the holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to-sunset, Ramadan fasting.

However, the day of the Eid el-Fitr, therefore, falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal. The date for the start of any lunar Hijri month varies based on the observation of the new moon by local Islamic authorities.

Being the first Eid el-Fitr to be celebrated at home in the city as a result of COVID-19 The Gleamer Online News who went round to see the level of compliance reported that many prayers ground, that used to be bubbling in the previous celebration was practically empty as Muslims faithful observe their prayer at home across the city.

Unlike before, when Eid el-Fitr was celebrated amidst fanfare and prayers will be raised at all prayer grounds across the city to the end of fasting. its rather empty, mosques, scanty street in the FCT.

Unfortunately, this year’s celebration has been muted, sober and devoid of that fanfare for which it has come to be associated with for decades, due to the novel coronavirus, otherwise called COVID-19 pandemic.

The gradual ease of lockdown by government that is affecting the opening of religious gatherings at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) remain an attempt to curb the spread of the disease have forced many Nigerians, especially Muslims and mosques, to scale down the celebration.

The Gleamer Online News gathered that many prayer grounds were not open while in the mosque’s presence of security personnel at all those places were felt.

In Abuja , The Gleamer Online News who went round the city gathered that the prayer ground like Area 11 new site, National mosques, Area 7 Mosque, Muslim Community Center MCC mosque in Zone 3 amongst other were completely empty as part of compliance to the federal government directives.

The commercial activities are nothing to write home about as empty street were practically observed, the recreational centers in the city refuse to open while cinemas as some fun places were under lock and key.

Despite all the circumstances beyond all resident, the compelling need for residents to show love to one another, eschew bigotry, ethnic rivalry and pray for the country to realize her potentials, as well as prayer for a quick end of COVID-19, echoed in the 2020 Eid-el-Fitr messages by religious and political leaders as Muslim faithful celebrate 29 days of dawn-to-sunset Ramadan fasting.

In his message to Resident, the Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa has congratulated Muslim faithful across the Territory for the successful completion of the Ramadan fast and wishes them a pleasant and joyous Eid-el Fitr celebration.

Malam Bello urged them to intensify their prayers for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to him, while the Holy month of Ramadan was no doubt used to pray fervently for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative consequences on society.

“I must urge the Muslim Ummah not to relent in their prayers but rather intensify them even after Ramadan, because in times of tribulations, true supplications to the Almighty indeed yield positive results.”

In the same vein, the Director-General, National Youth Service Corps, Brig-Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim DSS Ph.D. MTRCN, Management and Staff of the Scheme heartily felicitate with the Muslim faithful on the successful completion of the Ramadan Fast urging them to allow the teaching of Allah to reflect positively in their conduct.

In a statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Adenike Adeyemi (Mrs) Relations on Saturday In Abuja, charges Muslims faithful to continue to pray for the peace of Nigeria.

According to the statement, May the holy month of Ramadan which witnessed fasting, spiritual contemplation, as well as works of charity bring restoration, not only to our economy, health and social systems, but that of the globe at large, as we collectively battle COVID-19 pandemic and its attendant consequences.

“Management earnestly prays that the gains of the great spiritual exercise and the teachings of the Almighty Allah shall remain very visible in our individual and collective conducts, particularly that of the Corps Members upon whose shoulders the future of this country rests, to the benefit of our dear Nation.

“As we celebrate this season of renewal, let us continue to observe the safety protocols of COVID-19, predicated on the use of facemask, social distancing, use of hand sanitizer and proper washing of the hands with liquid soap for at least twenty seconds

The Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Malam Abdullahi Candido equally urged variously ethnic groups residing in the Council Area to ensure unity and peaceful co-existence. While he called on residents to continue to pray for the peace and growth of the city and nation at large.

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FCT news

Beyond Displacement: How Vocational Training Is Empowering Over 100 Women and Girls in Abuja

Published

3 weeks ago

October 27, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

For women and girls living at the New Kuchingoro Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Abuja, rebuilding their lives requires more than shelter and basic necessities. The opportunity to acquire practical skills, earn an income and provide for their families can also play a crucial role in restoring confidence and creating a pathway towards economic independence.

This aspiration informed the five-day Life Skills Bootcamp organised by GLIDE Media Foundation in partnership with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), which provided more than 100 displaced women and girls with vocational training and start-up funding.

The programme, which culminated in a grand finale on Saturday, October 24, 2026, was designed to equip participants with practical knowledge, entrepreneurial skills and financial management techniques to help them establish small businesses and improve their livelihoods.

For the participants, the initiative offered an opportunity to explore income-generating activities that could help them support their families while navigating the economic difficulties associated with displacement.

Turning Skills into Opportunities

At the heart of the programme was the recognition that practical skills can open doors to economic opportunities, particularly for people facing difficult living conditions.

The bootcamp combined classroom-style sessions with hands-on vocational training, allowing participants to learn both the principles of running a business and the practical steps involved in producing goods for sale.

During the practical sessions, participants received training in making beaded slippers, baking, producing soap and preparing petroleum jelly.

They were divided into three groups, with specialised trainers demonstrating production techniques and supervising their activities.

Beyond learning how to make the products, participants received guidance on packaging, marketing and selling their goods. These additional skills were intended to help them understand how to turn their newly acquired abilities into viable small-scale businesses.

The provision of start-up funds at the conclusion of the programme was another important component, offering participants financial support to begin applying what they had learnt.

By combining vocational instruction with initial funding, the organisers sought to bridge the gap between acquiring skills and putting them to productive use.

Building Financial Confidence

The programme also recognised that earning money is only one part of running a successful business. Knowing how to manage income, control expenditure and save for future needs is equally important.

Consequently, the theoretical sessions covered budgeting, saving, expenditure planning and the need to keep personal finances separate from business funds.

Participants were encouraged to understand how financial decisions could affect their businesses and household welfare.

Facilitators also introduced digital financial services, including OPay and Moniepoint, highlighting their potential to support transactions and the management of small businesses.

The sessions provided an opportunity for participants already engaged in business to share their experiences, including the challenges of managing earnings and attracting customers.

Discussions also explored how social media could help entrepreneurs promote their products beyond their immediate communities and reach a wider customer base.

For aspiring business owners, these lessons offered a foundation for thinking beyond production to the practical demands of operating a business in an increasingly competitive environment.

Confidence, Parenting and Personal Development

While economic empowerment remained central to the initiative, the bootcamp also addressed personal development, decision-making, leadership and wellbeing.

Participants were encouraged to build confidence, identify achievable goals and recognise their capacity to contribute to their families and communities despite the challenges associated with displacement.

Parenting and child protection also featured prominently during the sessions.

Discussions covered positive parenting practices, children’s emotional wellbeing, school attendance and the difficulties of balancing childcare responsibilities with income-generating activities.

Facilitators emphasised the importance of supportive home environments and explained how parental behaviour could influence children’s development.

The inclusion of these subjects reflected the programme’s broader focus on helping participants navigate both their economic responsibilities and family obligations.

For women and girls managing several demands, the combination of livelihood training and personal development offered a more comprehensive approach to building resilience.

A Pathway Towards Economic Independence

GLIDE Media Foundation said the initiative was designed to equip displaced women and girls with practical skills that could support their families and reduce their dependence on external assistance.

The partnership with the NRS provided support for a programme that combined entrepreneurship, financial literacy, vocational instruction and start-up funding.

The foundation expressed hope that participants would continue developing their skills and translate the training into sustainable businesses capable of improving their economic circumstances.

However, the long-term impact of the initiative will depend partly on participants’ ability to establish businesses, attract customers and manage their earnings effectively.

Continued guidance, access to markets and opportunities to strengthen their skills could further support their efforts to build sustainable livelihoods.

For the more than 100 women and girls who participated, the bootcamp represents an opportunity to move from learning to action.

Ultimately, its success will be reflected not only in the skills acquired during the five days but also in how effectively participants use their training and start-up funds to generate income, support their families and build greater economic independence.

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