Relief has finally come for Nigerians as the Federal Government and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) reached a truce, bringing an end to the crippling 84-day nationwide health strike.
The breakthrough followed a high-level conciliation meeting in Abuja, after which JOHESU ordered its members across the country to return to work immediately in the interest of patients and national health security.
In a major concession, the Federal Government withdrew its earlier “No Work, No Pay” directive slammed on the striking workers and approved the immediate payment of January 2026 salaries.
Minister of State for Health, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described the resolution as a victory for dialogue and mutual respect.
“The Federal Government remains fully committed to the welfare, dignity and professional advancement of all health workers. Dialogue remains the most effective tool for resolving disputes in our health sector,” he said.
Salako assured that no JOHESU member would be victimised, sanctioned or intimidated for participating in the strike, acknowledging the sacrifices made by health workers during the prolonged standoff.
The government also pledged to continue negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement and address lingering issues surrounding the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).
In a move aimed at long-term peace, the minister disclosed that provisions for the proposed salary adjustments would be captured in the 2026 Appropriation Act, based on recommendations of the existing technical committee.
The Ministry of Health commended the “spirit of patriotism and responsibility” shown by both sides and assured Nigerians that efforts are underway to restore full and uninterrupted healthcare services nationwide.
For millions of patients who have endured weeks of disruption, the suspension of the strike signals a long-awaited return to normalcy in public hospitals across the country.
Strike Over! FG Bows, Pays January Salaries as JOHESU Suspends 84-Day Shutdown
$2.5m ‘Dubai Prince’ Scandal: Ikeji Fights Back, Cries Blackmail , Business Sabotage
Chairman of Zube Sunstar Group of Companies and founder of the Nzube Ikeji Foundation, Henry Nzubechukwu Ikeji, has come out swinging, rubbishing allegations linking him to a $2.5 million romance and investment scam.
Ikeji described the claims as wicked, malicious and a calculated attempt to destroy his name and cripple his business empire.
His reaction followed a February report by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), which alleged that he and another Nigerian, Dr. Martins Abhulimhen, posed as a Dubai prince and his financial manager to allegedly swindle a Romanian businesswoman identified simply as Laura.
But Ikeji, in a strongly worded statement issued in Abuja, said the allegations were “100 per cent false,” insisting he has never engaged in fraud, romance scam or impersonation.
“I have never been involved in any criminal activity. These claims are fabricated and aimed at sabotaging my business interests,” he said.
According to OCCRP, Ikeji allegedly contacted the woman on LinkedIn, presenting himself as a member of Dubai’s royal family and a philanthropist interested in humanitarian investments.
The interaction reportedly blossomed into a romantic relationship, during which the woman was persuaded to part with millions of dollars for supposed engagement and investment plans.
The report further claimed that the woman was later directed to London to meet the prince’s alleged financial manager, identified as Abhulimhen, who reportedly used the alias “Dr. Mathew Croos.” Over a period of nearly two years, more than $2.5 million was allegedly transferred, with parts of the funds traced to accounts in the UK and Nigeria.
OCCRP also pointed to the public visibility of the two men, noting their appearances at high-profile events alongside senior Nigerian officials and business figures, which it said lent credibility to the alleged scheme.
However, Ikeji dismissed the claims as a grand plot.
He maintained that his relationship with Abhulimhen was purely professional and tied to a legitimate licensing project involving the Federal Ministry of Environment. He alleged that trouble started after Abhulimhen attempted to edge him out of the project.
“When that failed, the blackmail and false accusations began,” Ikeji alleged, describing the saga as a desperate move to hijack the venture.
He also denied ever travelling to Dubai, insisting his international travel records are verifiable. Ikeji further stated that he does not know any Romanian woman and has no connection whatsoever to the central claims of the investigation.
Beyond the fraud allegations, Ikeji claimed that he and his family have been subjected to threats and harassment since the story broke. He said the incidents have been documented and are now before his lawyers.
The businessman disclosed that his legal team has been instructed to file defamation suits against those behind what he called a smear campaign, as well as media platforms that published the allegations. Petitions, he added, would also be sent to security agencies over alleged cyberstalking and threats.
Maintaining that he remains a law-abiding citizen with no criminal conviction, Ikeji insisted that any funds linked to him were tied to legitimate business or charitable activities.
While OCCRP said its investigation relied on financial records, digital communications and law enforcement sources across several countries, Ikeji argued that the matter should be settled in court not in the media.
As investigations continue, neither Ikeji nor Abhulimhen has been convicted over the allegations.
Tinubu’s Timely Intervention Calms Rivers Tension as Wike Flags Progress on Major FCT Roads in
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention has helped douse fresh tension in Rivers State, expressing confidence that the latest move would restore lasting peace.
Wike, who spoke during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Abuja, described the President as a stabilising force in moments of political strain.
“Mr. President has been very kind to the people of the state. If there seems to be a problem between the legislature and the governor, as a father, he has to intervene,” he said.
According to the Minister, this is the second time the President has stepped into the dispute, and he expressed optimism that the crisis would not recur.
“I believe, by the grace of God, this will be the last time. I have told the Assembly to do the needful and obey Mr. President, which I know they will not hesitate to do. I also believe the governor will carry out his own part to make sure this is the final time Rivers people will hear this kind of discord,” Wike added.
The Minister made the remarks after inspecting the completed N5 road project at Life Camp and the ongoing Karsana road network project in the FCT.
At Life Camp, executed by Julius Berger, Wike expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of delivery, noting that the contractor had kept to its promise.
“You were there when Julius Berger said in three weeks’ time they would have finished. What they are working on now are the walkways; the streetlights are already there. The last time we went there, the bridges were not complete, but today you can see that the bridges are completed four lanes on each side,” he said.
He described the project as one of the key infrastructure initiatives expected to be inaugurated as part of activities marking President Tinubu’s third year in office.
“We are happy. It is one of those projects that we think will be inaugurated by the President’s third year in office,” he stated.
At Karsana, where Lubriks Construction is handling a road network spanning over 10 kilometres, the Minister commended the contractor for what he described as impressive workmanship.
“You can see the walkway done here. I’m very impressed with the quality of work. I didn’t know it is like a ring road, covering over 10 kilometres,” he said.
Wike expressed confidence that the contractor would meet the May/June completion deadline, assuring that the FCT Administration would provide the necessary funding support.
“From what I have seen, they are really going to meet up with the set time. On our part, we will make sure they get the necessary funding so as to finish this project on time,” he said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to routine project inspections to ensure contractors deliver according to specification and timeline, stressing that infrastructure expansion remains central to the development agenda of the FCT Administration.
“For 10 Years I Couldn’t Smile” — Mariya Mahmoud Restores Hope as Hundreds Receive Free Dental Care in Kano
“I am super elated… I cannot even close my mouth,” the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said with a broad smile as she watched residents of Bunkure Local Government Area queue for free dental treatment at the town’s Primary Health Care Centre.
What began as a large-scale empowerment programme across Kano State has now taken on a deeply human face in Bunkure the Minister’s hometown where over 1500 residents have so far benefited from a free dental outreach facilitated in partnership with the Global Smile Initiative (GSI).
For many beneficiaries, the intervention was more than medical care; it was the restoration of dignity.
One 40-year-old woman, Zulai Adamu fighting back tears, said she had not smiled in public for over a decade because of damaged teeth.
“For 10 years I couldn’t smile or laugh because I was afraid people would laugh at me,” she said. “I used to go to the hospital, but I couldn’t afford the treatment. Today, the Minister has restored my smile. Now I can laugh when and where necessary.”
Dr. Mahmoud, visibly moved by such testimonies, said the outreach was part of a broader package following an empowerment programme that covered all 44 local government areas and 484 wards in Kano State, where over 464 persons received various forms of support.
“As you can see, so many people gathered here today,” she said. “Some had dentures fixed, some had extractions, others did scaling and polishing. Many of them didn’t even know they needed to clean their teeth twice a year. Some cannot afford artificial dentures. That is why we brought this initiative here.”
According to the Programme Coordinator of GSI, Dr. Olusegun Alalade, a Consultant Restorative Dentist, the cases handled ranged from routine scaling and polishing to fillings, extractions, and denture replacements.
“As at the time you met us, we have attended to close to 200 beneficiaries,” he said, noting that over 500 people turned up for the exercise. “Scaling and polishing alone costs between N2,500 and N5,000 in government hospitals. If you multiply that by over 150 people, you can imagine the financial relief this programme has provided.”
Dr. Mahmoud explained that beyond treatment, beneficiaries also received dental kits toothbrushes and toothpaste alongside health education on oral hygiene.
“If you cannot brush three times a day, at least do it in the morning and before bed especially at night,” she advised. “And if you have any problem that needs medical attention, rush to the hospital. We have active primary healthcare services here in Bunkure.”
While describing the outreach as repeatable rather than strictly sustainable, she hinted at plans to expand similar interventions into other areas of need.
“It could be ophthalmic next time, for those with eye problems. It could be for children addressing malnutrition. It could be free antenatal care for pregnant women,” she said. “We can go one by one. It is very doable if we have the opportunity.”
The Minister said the initiative aligns with what she described as the “dividend of democracy” under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
For the residents of Bunkure, however, the dividends were measured not in policy language but in renewed confidence in the laughter of a woman who had hidden her smile for 10 years, and in the quiet relief of men and women who walked into the clinic in pain and left with hope.
As Dr. Mahmoud put it, “I thank Almighty Allah for giving me this opportunity for my people to benefit. Alhamdulillah.”
Ganduje Hails Mariya’s Mega Empowerment
***Says initiative will lift women, vulnerable out of poverty
Former First Lady of Kano State, Prof. Hafsat Abdullahi Ganduje, has showered praises on the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, over her massive empowerment drive in Kano, describing it as a bold step to rescue women and vulnerable citizens from poverty.
Speaking at the launch of the Kano Mega Empowerment Programme where she was Special Guest of Honour, Prof. Ganduje said the initiative is a practical, grassroots intervention tailored to tackle biting economic hardship.
According to her, the programme reflects the people-centred philosophy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and shows leadership driven by compassion and results.
“This is true empowerment that directly touches lives, combats poverty, strengthens families and promotes social stability,” she declared.
In a dramatic twist, the former First Lady used the platform to appeal to Kano’s political gladiators former governors Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to bury their differences for the peace and progress of the state.
She urged both leaders to unite and support Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to ensure stability and continuity in governance, stressing that Kano’s development must come first.
Prof. Ganduje also expressed delight that the empowerment scheme targeted APC women leaders and other vulnerable groups at the grassroots, noting that the move would not only boost livelihoods but also deepen political participation.
Also lending her voice, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, commended Dr. Mahmoud for keying into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s human capital development agenda.
She advised beneficiaries to make proper use of the items distributed to achieve self-reliance and uplift their families.
Earlier, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud said the programme was designed to promote dignity and economic independence among struggling families.
“Women are the backbone of our homes, communities and even our political structures. When you empower a woman, you empower a nation,” she said.
She added that the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in women inclusion, youth empowerment and social welfare.
On behalf of beneficiaries, Kano APC Women Leader, Hajiya Fatima Dala, described the programme as unprecedented.
“We have had ministers from Kano before, but we have never seen this kind of empowerment in the history of our state,” she said.
She praised the transparent selection process and urged other politicians to emulate the minister, noting that women remain a decisive voting bloc.
Items distributed at the event included cars, motorcycles, tricycles, wheelchairs, sewing machines, grinding machines, spaghetti-making machines, fertilisers, bags of rice and cash grants.
Observers say the mega empowerment initiative is set to ignite small businesses and give hundreds of families across Kano a fresh economic lifeline.
Mahmoud Storms Kano With Massive Empowerment, 4,064 Smile Home
It was jubilation galore in Kano on Saturday as no fewer than 4,064 indigenes benefitted from a mega empowerment programme rolled out by the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud.
The beneficiaries, drawn from the 44 local government areas of the state, went home with cash, food items, motorcycles, fertilisers, grinding machines, working tools, tricycle wheelchairs and six vehicles.
The exercise, which targeted APC women leaders, vulnerable persons and low-income earners, turned into a carnival-like event as excited beneficiaries hailed the minister for what they described as an unprecedented gesture.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mahmoud said the programme was aimed at promoting self-reliance and restoring dignity to families struggling with economic hardship.
“Women are the backbone of our homes, communities and even our political structures. When you empower a woman, you empower a nation,” she declared.
She explained that the intervention aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially in the areas of women inclusion, youth empowerment and social welfare.
Throwing her weight behind the initiative, Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Halilu, said Mahmoud had demonstrated that human capital development remains a top priority of the present administration.
Former House of Representatives Majority Leader, Hon. Ado Doguwa, added a dramatic twist, revealing that the empowerment was funded from the minister’s personal resources.
“No government funds were allocated for this. She dipped into her personal purse to support her people. That is sacrifice,” Doguwa said.
Meanwhile, the event also took a political turn as the Chairperson of the occasion, Prof. Hafsat Abdullahi Ganduje, appealed to former governors Abdullahi Ganduje and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to sheath their swords for the peace and progress of Kano.
“They are not just political leaders, they are brothers. Kano needs unity now more than ever,” she pleaded.
Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, APC women leader Hajiya Fatima Dala described the empowerment as the first of its kind in the state.
“We have never seen this level of support before. The minister made sure genuine people benefited,” she said, urging others to use the items wisely.
For many families across Kano, Saturday was not just another day it was a day hope returned.
Betrayal Go Follow You!’ – Wike Sends Strong Warning to 2nd-Term Governors
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has thundered a strong warning to Nigerian politicians, especially second-term governors eyeing succession plans, declaring that anyone who supports betrayers will end up being betrayed.
Wike dropped the bombshell on Saturday in Port Harcourt while commissioning the Rivers State Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ headquarters, which houses Majority FM 89.5, a situation room, offices and operational vehicles.
In a no-holds-barred speech, the former Rivers governor said politicians must be careful who they align with, stressing that betrayal is a seed that always produces harvest.
“Whether you are a senator, House of Reps member, minister or governor, if you support betrayers, betrayal will follow you everywhere,” Wike warned.
He particularly cautioned governors serving their second term and nursing ambitions of installing successors, saying backing the wrong persons would backfire.
“You support a betrayer and think you will survive it? The day you are betrayed, you won’t have the mouth to talk. You will reap what you sow,” he declared.
Apparently referring to his own political experience, Wike said while his own successor took “some months” before showing signs of betrayal, others may not be that lucky.
“My own took some months; your own will start immediately after inauguration,” he said.
The FCT Minister insisted that loyalty and integrity remain the backbone of political survival, adding that leaders must be mindful of the alliances they build.
“Betrayal is your portion if you support betrayers,” Wike stressed, saying it was a message politicians should not take lightly.
His fiery comments have since sparked fresh political conversations across the country.
2027: Rivers Is Locked Down For Tinubu, We Don’t Need Gov To Deliver – Wike Boasts
*** Says state “battle ready” as he commissions Renewed Hope HQ, radio station
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday fired a political missile from Port Harcourt, declaring that Rivers State is fully secured for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of 2027 — with or without a sitting governor.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Rivers State Renewed Hope Ambassadors headquarters, which also houses Majority FM 89.5, a situation room and operational vehicles, Wike said Rivers people have what it takes to mobilise massive support for Tinubu’s re-election.
“We don’t need to have a governor to mobilise for Mr President. We have senators, National Assembly members, assembly members, council chairmen and party leaders. We have all it takes,” Wike thundered.
The former Rivers governor described the oil-rich state as a “no-go area,” insisting that the structure already put in place would deliver victory for Tinubu in 2027.
“Our commitment is not by mouth. It is not by newspaper talk. We are showing it with action. Let anybody come to Rivers and learn,” he dared.
Wike showered praises on the Coordinator of the Rivers State Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, for spreading the Tinubu gospel across the 23 local government areas.
“You have moved to all the nooks and crannies of Rivers to talk about Tinubu for President. That is capacity,” he said.
He urged the group to immediately take the mobilisation down to the wards and polling units, stressing that the movement must penetrate the grassroots.
“We must go to the units and talk to our people. Go and see the situation room, go and see the radio station — we are battle ready. Unity is strength,” Wike declared.
Recalling the 2023 elections, Wike said Rivers leaders took a bold decision to support Tinubu without pressure, adding that the state would stand by the President again.
“Whether anybody likes it or not, when the President shows interest to run in 2027, we have no choice than to support him,” he said.
Earlier, Ambassador Akawor hailed Wike for what he described as visionary leadership and disclosed that coordinators had been appointed in all 23 councils to drive the Renewed Hope agenda across the state.
Kwara Massacre Shows Total Security Breakdown Under Tinubu — ADC
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the killing of about 170 people in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State as clear evidence of what it called a total collapse of security under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The party said measures announced by the Federal Government to curb insecurity were not working, insisting that the current strategy merely “redistributes terror” rather than eliminating it.
In a statement issued Friday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC condemned the massacre, describing it as one of the worst atrocities recorded in recent times.
“This horrific massacre is one of the worst atrocities recorded in recent times and stands as a painful reminder of the complete collapse of security across the country,” the party said.
It expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Kwara State, lamenting that citizens were being left unprotected.
The ADC questioned the effectiveness of the President’s declaration of a state of emergency on security in November 2025, as well as the widely publicised recruitment of thousands of police personnel.
“Nigerians are entitled to know what has become of that promise. Have these recruits been employed, trained and deployed, or has the exercise quietly stalled?” the statement asked.
According to the party, if such measures had been fully implemented, vulnerable rural communities would not remain exposed to mass killings.
The ADC also raised concerns over reports suggesting that the attackers could be linked to terrorist elements displaced from other regions, alleging weak internal security coordination.
“The net effect… is that the Tinubu administration is not winning the war against terror. It is merely redistributing it,” the party stated.
It further argued that recurring incidents of mass abductions and killings across different states point to deeper structural failures in intelligence gathering, border control, inter-agency collaboration and emergency response.
The party urged the Federal Government to provide a clear account of its security strategy, disclose the status of the promised police recruitment, and outline concrete steps to prevent the spread of terrorist activities across states.
“Nigeria cannot continue on this path of denial and inaction. Lives are not statistics, and governance is not public relations,” the ADC added.
INEC Recognition Sparks Fresh Hope in PDP as Caretaker Committee Eyes 2027
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee has hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognising its leadership, describing the move as a decisive step toward restoring stability and constitutional order within the party.
The Abdulrahman Mohammed-led committee, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said INEC’s recognition has cleared uncertainties and strengthened the party’s internal processes ahead of its National Convention and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The Wike-backed faction of the PDP noted that the development came at a critical time when the party is repositioning to field credible candidates and rebuild public confidence.
“By affirming a lawful leadership structure following the Federal High Court judgment, INEC has helped to remove uncertainties capable of undermining the party’s organisational processes and electoral readiness,” the statement said.
The committee commended INEC for what it described as a firm commitment to due process and the rule of law, stressing that such action reinforces democratic principles.
“Such institutional courage strengthens Nigeria’s democracy and reassures party members and supporters that legality, not arbitrariness, remains the guiding principle in electoral matters,” it added.
Calling for unity within party ranks, the committee urged members to set aside differences and embrace reconciliation in order to reposition the PDP as a credible alternative ahead of 2027.
“The time has come to set aside differences, embrace reconciliation and channel our collective energy towards strengthening the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections. Nigerians look to our party for responsible leadership, and we must not allow internal disputes to distract us,” the statement noted.
The committee further appealed to stakeholders at all levels to rally behind the recognised leadership of Abdulrahman Mohammed as it works toward organising a successful convention and laying the foundation for victory in the next electoral cycle.