FCT news

Jabi Lake Mall Event: Take Responsibility For Your Health, FCTA Charges Residents

Published

6 years ago

June 16, 2020

…Says No Party is worth the life of anyone

Joel Ajayi

The FCT Administration has charged residents of the Territory to take personal responsibility for their health and desist from violating the extant guidelines put in place to curtail the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the Territory.

FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Musa Bello issued this warning on Tuesday in Abuja through a statement issued by the FCT Chief Press Secretary, CPS Anthony Ogunleye reacting to the illegal music concert held at the Jabi Lake Mall on Saturday, 13th June 2020.

According to the Minister “Videos of the event which are still circulating on social media clearly showed a concert going on with music and live performances by a band and dancers. The video also showed attendees dancing to the live performances on the elaborately constructed stage”.

He reiterated that several aspects of the guidelines as postulated by the Presidential Task Force on COVID 19 as well as the FCT Administration were violated with reckless abandon. “For purposes of emphasis”, said Malam Bello, “the PTF and FCTA’s guidelines clearly state the following;

“There shall be no gathering of more than 20 people outside of a workplace or place of worship.

“There should be mandatory use of face masks when in public

“There should be social distancing of at least 2 meters between 2 people while in public

“There is a ban on all congregational events such as parties, weddings, concerts, etc

“ There is a closure of all clubs, bars, gardens, beer parlors, recreational parks, communal sports facilities, movie theaters and so on

“Markets and business premises are to remain open between 8 am and 3 pm and there is a ban on interstate travel

“All the guidelines as postulated above were clearly violated as the videos available on social media revealed.”

Malam Bello, The FCT Administration, however, stated that in views the actions of the organizers and attendees at this concert as reckless, wicked, insensitive and utter disrespect and disregard both for the law and the wellbeing and welfare of fellow citizens.

He also added that the FCT Administration which has a responsibility to protect the lives of the citizenry is determined to prosecute all those involved in orchestrating these infractions to the full extent of the law.

The Minister equally noted that there is a very real the possibility that a single positive individual at that event could by now have gone ahead to infect several others thereby leading to a possible exponential spread.

Speaking further, the Minister further reminded residents that COVID-19 is real and the disease has proven to be fatal. More worrisome he said is the fact that the number of new infections has been on the rise in the country and the FCT. He expressed dissatisfaction with the non-adherence to basic-COVID-19 guidelines.

“It is disheartening to see residents not adhering to even the basic guidelines of facial covering, social distancing, and hand washing or sanitizing. These guidelines have been put in place in order to save and safeguard lives”.

“Adherence to the guidelines could be the difference between life and death. This, therefore, begs the question; whether that concert or party which is clearly against the law is worth the health or life of a citizen. Clearly, no concert or party is worth the life of anyone.”

FCT Minister, therefore, encouraged residents to report to the relevant authorities when they notice infractions of the guidelines as the FCT Administration will embark on stricter enforcement measures.

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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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