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FCT Minister Charges Residents In A New Year Message
Joel Ajayi
The Honourable Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has asked residents of the Territory to support all government programmes and policies which he said are designed primarily for the benefit and wellbeing of the people.
Malam Bello said this in his New Year message to the residents of the Territory.
He said that no government the policy is ever designed to inflict hardship on the populace but are formulated and implemented for the benefit of the greater populace. He said that support for government policies will ensure the success of such policies which ultimately will be enjoyed by the majority of the citizenry.
Describing the outgoing year as very important and significant in the socio-political development of Nigeria primarily because of the general elections and its accompanying events, Malam Bello thanked residents for their cooperation and peaceful conduct during the elections and those accompanying events.
According to him “2019 was a very important year in the socio-political development of Nigeria because of the 2019 general elections which culminated into unforgettable Democracy Day celebrations. I wish to thank residents for their peaceful conduct and for being exemplary hosts to the foreign dignitaries who were in the FCT for this event”
He reminded them that this form of benevolence should be maintained if the FCT is to consolidate on its rising profile as the conference tourism hub of the continent. He reminded residents that the FCT was poised to play host to several international events in the year 2020 and FCT residents and businesses stand to gain a lot if they maintain a warm and friendly attitude for which they have become known. An accommodating attitude, he said is essential to build and nurture the budding tourism industry.
Malam Bello also reiterated the need for residents to obey all extant rules and regulations guiding living and doing business in the FCT. He mentioned the unfortunate incidences of flooding in some parts of the city in 2019 which were caused primarily by developers who illegally erected structures on flood plains and river courses despite repeated warnings not to do so.
He therefore urged residents especially developers to follow all development control and land use regulations to avoid unpleasant consequences.
The FCT Minister also said that the Administration in 2020 will intensify efforts alongside relevant security agencies to ensure that lives and property in the FCT are secured. He however, said that security was the responsibility of all and that residents should imbibe the habit of reporting suspicious events or individuals to the relevant security authorities.
Malam Muhammad Musa Bello once more wished all residents of the FCT a very prosperous 2020.
Featured
Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles
Joel Ajayi
At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.
Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.
What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.
Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.
In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.
Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.
“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”
She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”
The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.
Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”
For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”
Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”
Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.
Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.
Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.
With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.
Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.
“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.
He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.
“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”
Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.
“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”
He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”
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