The Presidency on Friday held a dialogue with the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) as part of efforts to end the movement of cows through the streets of Abuja’s city centre.

The meeting, convened at the instance of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who is Chairman of MACBAN’s Board of Trustees, and the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, brought together stakeholders and leaders of the association from Abuja and surrounding states.

Speaking at the forum, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Abiola-Ajimobi, said the Tinubu administration remained committed to addressing challenges faced by pastoralists.

“We are here for a stakeholder engagement meeting to let livestock stakeholders understand the efforts being made by the administration of President Tinubu. We are working on grazing reserves, ranches, and Special Agro Industrial Processing Zones. We are also reviving grazing reserves and providing feeds, water, veterinary clinics and other amenities for pastoralists,” he said.

Also, Dr. Balarabe Kakale, Special Assistant to the Minister of Education on Almajiri and Out-of-School-Children Education, said the meeting considered how the Federal Ministry of Education’s initiatives could support pastoralist communities.

He noted that pastoralists expressed readiness to move into designated grazing reserves in the FCT, provided necessary amenities such as water, power, veterinary services, and nomadic schools are available.

MACBAN’s National President, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, said the dialogue specifically addressed concerns about cattle roaming the city centre and the education of pastoralist children.

“Out of about 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, we believe 80 percent are from pastoralist families. We want to make Abuja a model and see how solutions here can be replicated,” he said.

Othman-Ngelzarma added that a committee would be established to work on practical measures to stop cattle movement in Abuja’s streets.

The dialogue ended with a resolution by stakeholders to collaborate with government on sustainable grazing solutions and inclusive education programmes for pastoralist families.

Report from News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

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The Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) of St. Agnes Catholic Church, Wuye District, Abuja, has concluded the 2025 edition of its Prize for Academic and Behavioural Excellence, an annual initiative aimed at rewarding hard work, discipline, integrity, and scholastic achievement among children of the parish.

Prizes and certificates of recognition were formally presented to winners during a brief ceremony held after Sunday Mass.

Now in its third year, the initiative was introduced in 2023 to extend the traditional role of fathers in guiding their children beyond individual homes and into the wider parish community. The prize also serves as encouragement for children whose fathers may not be present, ensuring they receive mentorship and recognition within the Church family.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Jude Nnadozie, President of the CMO of St. Agnes Parish, stressed the need for continued guidance in children’s lives.

“As fathers, we shape our children by guiding their academic, moral, and spiritual growth, while also leading by example. Beyond our individual homes, the CMO makes us one fatherhood, and the parish our family. We must therefore extend the same guidance and leadership to build a stronger faith community. This annual exercise helps us achieve that,” he said.

Highlights of the 2025 edition included:

– Recognition of over 50 children who participated in the summer academic excellence program.

– A brief talk on Dyslexia, emphasizing that less-than-excellent academic performance does not define a child’s potential or future success.

– Presentation of prizes and certificates of excellence to three winners each from the primary, secondary, and tertiary categories.

– A symbolic toast to the 2025/2026 academic year, encouraging students to sustain their efforts and contribute meaningfully to society.

The event enjoyed full support from Rev. Fr. Godwin Oje, the Parish Priest, as well as the Parish Council and the Catholic Women Organisation, reaffirming the Church’s commitment to education, moral upbringing, and nation-building.

About the CMO

The Catholic Men Organisation (CMO) is the umbrella body of all adult Catholic men in parishes across Nigeria, with structures at parish, diocesan, provincial, and national levels.

The CMO fosters spiritual growth, moral discipline, and active participation in the Church, while also extending mentorship and support to families and children.

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“…after a pause in the development and construction, the project is now back on track with the promise to redefine sub-Saharan Africa’s skyline and enhance Nigeria’s global standing in urban development.“

The long-delayed Abuja Centenary City Project has gathered new momentum after Julius Berger Nigeria Plc was awarded the contract to deliver primary infrastructure for the multi-billion-naira development.

Project managers confirmed that Julius Berger will handle Phase 1 works valued at ₦750 billion, beginning with a 4.3km Plot Access Road and secondary infrastructure for The Grove Residences, Safari Park Residences, and The Ridge Villas. Dar Al-Handasah Consultants (DAR), the project’s original master planners, have also been retained to provide detailed engineering design.

Conceived as Abuja’s foremost urban renewal project, Centenary City is envisioned as a cosmopolitan smart city combining a modern downtown skyline with peaceful suburban living. It aims to attract international investors, serve as a residential haven, and function as a tourism hub.

Planned facilities include five-star hotels, serviced apartments, the International Commerce Centre (ICC), the Centenary International Convention Center (CICC), the Mall of Africa, golf and polo estates, Nigeria Park, Safari Park, an Industrial Park, African Arts Museum, entertainment district, amusement park, healthcare and educational facilities, and extensive residential communities.

Officials say the revival of the project represents a step toward redefining sub-Saharan Africa’s skyline and strengthening Nigeria’s global standing in urban development.

They explained that the project, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), had suffered delays due to policy shifts and continuity issues but has regained traction under the current administration. They credited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, for providing “visionary leadership,” while also acknowledging the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, for championing sustainable urban renewal.

“The project is for Nigerians, conceived to celebrate national unity between North and South,” officials stressed, adding that the federal government holds a 5 percent equity stake through the provision of land.

“We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Julius Berger and DAR,” the Centenary City Board noted, pledging to deliver safe, sustainable, and state-of-the-art smart city solutions within the Centenary Economic City Free Zone.

The management has invited the public to watch for “strategic progress” in the long-awaited project.

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FCTA receives four 50-seater hybrid buses from PCNGi

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has taken delivery of four super 50-seater hybrid buses powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel fuel, donated by the Presidential CNG Initiative, to help boost public transportation in the territory.

It would be recalled that the PCNG Initiative is a flagship programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria, launched in 2023, to promote the widespread adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles, especially in mass transit systems, driving cost savings, job creation, energy security, and an environmentally friendly transport system.

Receiving the keys for the high-capacity buses on Thursday, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Transport Secretariat, Chinedu Elechi, described the gesture as a welcome development, as it would complement the ongoing repositioning of the public transport architecture in the FCT.

Elechi, who received the donation on behalf of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, noted that the buses would be moving over 200 people efficiently, thereby improving the daily mass transit of commuters across the territory.

According to him, the FCT Minister has always maintained that no modern city can survive without a robust public transportation system.

“So, public transportation is meant to move people from one point to the other, especially those who cannot afford private transportation, or those who can afford private transportation but opt to go on the public system. Because when tourists come in, they do not come with their private transportation. So tourism also depends on a robust public transportation system.

“This is why the Honourable Minister (Wike) has built roads, bridges, and is now building bus terminals. We have just commissioned two of the modern bus terminals at Mabushi and Kugbo.

“These buses, as good as they look, will be very helpful. We are going to get more buses; the minister is already working on that and we thank you so very much for this. They look very nice. I am sure both those who have private transportation and those who do not would enjoy the ride.

“So, on behalf of the Honourable Minister and the FCTA, we want to thank you and say that you should extend our gratitude to Mr President, whose initiative this is, and to you too for your hard work,” he stated.

Earlier, while making the donation, the Programme Director/Chief Executive of the Presidential CNG Initiative, Mr Michael Oluwagbemi, said the donation was part of its effort to make CNG a reality for efficient public transportation.

He said the FCT, having demonstrated great support for the programme and shown great innovation by investing not just in roads but also in terminals under the leadership of the FCT Minister, deserved to be a major beneficiary of the initiative.

He expressed hope that the delivery of the buses would serve as a foundational asset for the operation of the new terminals and a robust transportation system in the FCT.

He explained: “This is a presidential initiative. Mr President wants to see Nigerians move around more cheaply, safely, and reliably. On behalf of Mr President, on behalf of the board of the PCNGI and its management and staff, I hand over these four CNG hybrid buses to the service of humanity and for the employment of the people of the FCT.

“You are receiving four because you are one of our biggest supporters and also because, through you, we know more people, as you are in the business of direct transportation in the FCT. We see your terminals, we see your roads.

“We have identified potential onward beneficiaries of these buses to ensure that they get to the people of Nigeria and deliver the promise of Mr President.

“I want to say that we look forward to your (FCTA) continued partnership. We just left the FRSC,and they informed us that they will be launching new plate number formats for both CNG and EV vehicles in Sept

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with MAG International Links Ltd, a private investor, for the development of City Walk Abuja.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike said during the ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, that the project would be a replica of City Walk Dubai. He said that Abuja City Walk would be developed in the area earlier designated for Abuja Technology Village, located along Airport Road, but had remained undeveloped for the past 20 years.

The project, which would cover about 200 hectares, was inspired by the City Walk concept in Dubai.

It will bring together a thoughtfully curated mix of residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, institutional, and healthcare facilities.

Wike said that the MoU was to ensure that the company delivers the project based on agreed work plans and timelines.