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Wike identifies with Zuma Film Festival says it is a Catalyst for economic growth

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has described the just concluded Zuma International Film Festival as a catalyst for economic prosperity.
He said, his administration’s commitment to making the Zuma Film Festival even bigger and better remains resolute.

The minister made the commitment at the closing ceremony and award night of the 2023 Zuma Film Festival held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Wike, who was represented by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, reiterated that the Administration is dedicated to implementing strategic plans aimed at further elevating the festival’s stature and impact.
Special Adviser on Media To FCT Minister of State Austine Elemue in a statement said the minister is seeking to amplify the reach and prestige of the Zuma Film Festival on the world stage.
“This will attract more attention, participants, and investments, thereby augmenting the festival’s economic benefits for the FCT.
“We also plan to expand the festival’s programme to encompass a wider array of cultural activities, workshops, and educational initiatives.
“By diversifying the offerings, we aim to attract a broader audience, including enthusiasts, students, and professionals, thus amplifying the economic impact across various sectors”, he added.
Wike also assured participants that the FCT Administration would continue to support local filmmakers and nurturing home grown talent.
His words, “We will continue to provide platforms, resources, and opportunities for budding filmmakers within the FCT, fostering on environment conducive to creative expression and innovation”.
While appreciating all the filmmakers, actors, producers, and everyone involved in the creation of these compelling works of art, the minister, however, called on them to carry forward the spirit of cultural convergence that has been the cornerstone of the festival.
Speaking earlier, the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, said the Zuma Film Festival has been an embodiment of the beauty found in the convergence of diverse cultures, ideologies, and creative expressions.
Adesola affirmed that throughout the festival’s period, residents of Abuja have witnessed a tapestry of narratives that have transcended boundaries, uniting people in the shared experience of the human story.
According to him, “Filmmakers, through their artistry, have not only entertained but have also provoked thoughts, stirred emotions, and fostered understanding among different cultures and traditions.
“Abuja, our beautiful city, has been adorned with the magic of storytelling, welcoming talents from around the globe to celebrate the richness of our collective human experiences”.
The highpoint of the event was the awards to deserving filmmakers, producers, actors amongst others.

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Harmonisation of FCT Revenue will end Multiple Taxation, FCT-IRS Boss declares

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Mr. Michael Ango

The Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), Mr. Michael Ango, has declared that the ongoing harmonisation of revenue collection and administration will effectively address the issue of multiple taxation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Appearing on Channels Television’s Dateline Abuja, Ango revealed that the FCT-IRS is working closely with government agencies and the six area councils to ensure the seamless implementation of the initiative.
He commended FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike for his directive and support in streamlining the tax system to make it more efficient for taxpayers while boosting revenue.

“The minister has tasked us to ensure the issue of multiple taxes is resolved swiftly. To achieve this, we aligned with the Federal Government’s Tax Reform Committee, where I served before my appointment. The FCT has now been adopted as a pilot for tax harmonisation, and the process is already underway,” Ango stated.

He explained that under the new system, taxpayers will no longer need to interact with multiple agencies. Taxes and levies for bodies such as AGIS, Development Control, Water Board, Abuja Environmental Protection Agency, and area councils can now be paid through FCT-IRS, which will handle collection and remittance.

“For instance, if you have 30 houses, you don’t need three agents to manage your rent collection. With this harmonisation, all taxes and levies will be centrally collected and properly distributed to the relevant agencies,” he explained.

Ango also emphasized the importance of voluntary compliance, urging taxpayers to view paying taxes as a civic duty. He highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects and services across the FCT as evidence of the effective use of tax revenues, encouraging residents to support development by fulfilling their tax obligations.

The harmonisation initiative is expected to streamline tax processes, eliminate redundancies, and provide a more transparent and efficient system for revenue collection in the FCT.

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Timi Frank tells Tinubu to halt Wike’s demolition of FCT residents’ homes

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Bola Tinubu

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Comrade Timi Frank, has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately intervene and stop the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from demolishing the homes of economically vulnerable residents in Abuja.

In a statement from Abuja, Frank accused Wike of using demolitions as a ploy for land grabbing, alleging that Wike allocates revoked plots to his associates and personally benefits from this practice.
Frank expressed concern that the minister’s actions damage the reputation of Tinubu’s administration, branding Wike’s demolitions as “ill-timed” and self-serving.
Frank further alleged that Wike has taken more aggressive action than any past FCT minister, reportedly revoking land to distribute it to close allies and influential figures.
He claimed Wike advised affected residents to pursue legal action, while allegedly having influence over the judiciary.
Additionally, Frank asserted that Wike is using land sales to fund political conflicts outside the FCT, including with Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
Frank warned Tinubu that failure to address Wike’s actions could damage the administration’s credibility and urged the President to act decisively by relieving Wike of his role.
He noted that Wike’s methods, similar to those used in Rivers State, are unwelcome in the FCT and called for swift action to prevent further harm to the government’s image and FCT residents.

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FCT Minister describes NYSC scheme as cornerstone to national integration

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Mariya Mahmoud

FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has described the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as a cornerstone of national integration and development since its inception in 1973.

Mahmoud spoke during the NYSC pre-mobilization workshop held in the nation’s capital, Abuja, stressing that the programme was designed to foster unity among young Nigerians.

Special Advisa on Media the Minister, Austine Elemue in a statement on Tuesday quoted the minister, who was the Chief Host of the event to have noted that the theme of the workshop, “Strengthening the NYSC mobilization process for effective service delivery” resonates deeply with the aspirations of the national vision.

Mahmoud charged stakeholders to play critical role in shaping the experiences of young Nigerian graduates, ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and mindset to contribute positively to the society.
“We are in a dynamic world where the needs of our communities are evolving rapidly.

“Therefore, our prospective corps members must be prepared to meet these challenges with creativity, resilience, and spirit of innovation.

“This workshop is an opportunity to share best practices, explore new ideas, and collaborate on strategies that will enhance the effectiveness of the NYSC programme”.

The minister used the occasion to commend the leadership of the NYSC for their unwavering commitment to improving the quality of service rendered by corps members.

“Your dedication to training and preparing our youth for the responsibilities they will undertake is commendable. By investing in their development, we are investing in the future of Nigeria,” she stressed.

While welcoming participants to the occasion, the NYSC Director General, Brig Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed, noted that over the years, the NYSC programme has been the vanguard of nation building, fostering unity among the different nationalities as well as playing critical role in national development.

According to him, “the imprints of the scheme is all over the landscape of our nation from the mega cities to the very rural communities of Nigeria.”

Ahmed emphasised that the mobilization process is a very critical component of the service year that deserved all seriousness, adding that the place of effective service delivery in a successful mobilization process cannot be overemphasized.

The Director General, pledged that the management remains committed in ensuring that the right things are done at all times from the beginning to the end of the mobilization process 

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