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FCT Fire Service Saves 69 Lives, ₦14.4bn in 10 Months

Toyin Adebayo
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FCT Fire Service Saves 69 Lives, ₦14.4bn in 10 Months

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service saved 69 lives and property valued at more than ₦14.4 billion between January and October 2025, its Controller, Engr. Adebayo Amiola Zacchaeus, announced on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference marking the Service’s 23rd anniversary at its Abuja headquarters, Zacchaeus said the agency responded to 338 fire incidents and nine rescue operations during the period. Despite these efforts, 19 lives were lost and property worth ₦6.07 billion destroyed.

Zacchaeus credited the achievements to the dedication of officers and stronger partnerships with stakeholders and residents. “We honour our serving and retired personnel for their professionalism and sacrifice, as well as the fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price,” he said.

However, he highlighted critical challenges, including an aging fleet of firefighting trucks operating beyond their lifespan, with maintenance costs now unsustainable. Manpower shortages were also flagged, as the Service struggles to keep pace with the FCT’s rapid growth.

To improve response times, Zacchaeus called for new fire stations in Wuse, Guzape, Mpape, Jikwoyi, Orozo, Karshi, Karsana, Idu, Karimo, and Lugbe.

He described the Service as a multidisciplinary institution staffed by engineers, architects, planners, accountants, medical personnel, lawyers, and security experts—positioning it to meet global standards.

With the dry season approaching, Zacchaeus urged residents to avoid open fires, refuse burning, and improper handling of electrical appliances. The Service, he said, will intensify public awareness campaigns across communities, estates, and institutions.

He praised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for supporting new fire stations under construction in Kaura, Utako, Mbora, and Gaduwa, alongside improved road access. Still, he appealed for sustained funding amid rising diesel prices and vehicle upkeep costs, which now run into millions monthly.

Zacchaeus thanked the media for promoting fire safety and accurate coverage of the Service’s work, calling journalists “indispensable allies.”

Established in 2002, the FCT Fire Service remains a cornerstone of public safety in the nation’s capital.

China Won’t Dictate U.S. Policy on Nigeria: Riley Moore Fires Back at Beijing

Ola Akinola
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China Won’t Dictate U.S. Policy on Nigeria: Riley Moore Fires Back at Beijing

In a blistering rebuke that has ignited fresh trans-Pacific tensions, U.S. Rep. Riley M. Moore (R-W.Va.) declared Tuesday that “China will not dictate our foreign policy” after Beijing warned Washington against military intervention in Nigeria over what the Trump administration calls a “Christian genocide.”

Moore, a 38-year-old Catholic freshman who rode Trump’s 2024 coattails to flip West Virginia’s 2nd District, posted the statement on X at 9:00 p.m. ET—exactly 24 hours after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning accused the U.S. of “wanton threats” and “interference” in Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“President Trump is absolutely right to defend our brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering horrific persecution, and even martyrdom, for their faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Moore wrote. “China will not dictate our foreign policy to us, and we will not be lectured to by a Communist autocracy that recently arrested 30 Christian pastors for their faith and throws ethnic minorities in concentration camps.”

The Spark: Trump’s October 31 Ultimatum
The clash traces to Halloween night, when President Trump redesignated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act and tasked Moore and Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) with leading a congressional probe.

Trump’s Truth Social post warned: “If the killings don’t stop, we will withhold every penny of aid—and yes, guns-a-blazing military options are on the table.”

Moore’s office cites Open Doors and Aid to the Church in Need data showing 7,132 Christians killed in Nigeria in 2025 alone —an average of 35 per day—mostly by Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa, and Fulani militias in the Middle Belt.

Since 2009, the toll exceeds 62,000 dead and 19,000 churches razed.

Beijing’s Red Line
At Tuesday’s noon briefing in Beijing, Mao Ning fired back: “The U.S. has no right to wield human rights as a weapon to intimidate a sovereign African partner. China firmly supports President Tinubu’s leadership and Nigeria’s chosen development path.”

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed the sentiment, calling Trump’s threat “regrettable” and insisting “no foreign boots will touch Nigerian soil.” Spokesperson Daniel Bwala told NewsFocus: “Independent monitors—including the U.N.—have found no evidence of state-sponsored genocide.”

Moore’s Hypocrisy Charge—and the October Arrests
Moore zeroed in on China’s own record. Between October 10-11, Public Security Bureau teams in seven provinces rounded up 29 pastors and elders of the 10,000-member Zion Church network, including founder Pastor Jin Mingri (a Peking University alumnus who studied at Fuller Seminary).

Charged with “illegal use of information networks” under new September rules banning unlicensed online preaching, the detainees remain incommunicado in Beihai No. 2 Detention Center. Five were later released; lawyers have been denied access.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the sweep on October 12, calling it “the CCP’s hostility toward Christians who reject Party interference.”

How the Night Unfolded: A Timeline

– Oct 31, 7:42 p.m. ET — Trump posts CPC designation, tags Moore and Cole. 

– Nov 3, 2:15 p.m. Abuja — Nigeria’s Senate President Godswill Akpabio calls emergency session; Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP-Kano) accuses Moore of “colonial nostalgia.” 

– Nov 4, 12:00 p.m. Beijing — Mao Ning issues warning. 

– Nov 4, 9:00 p.m. ET — Moore drops viral X thread (4.8 million views by dawn). 

– Nov 5, 6:00 a.m. Lagos — Tinubu chairs National Security Council; military deploys 2,000 additional troops to Plateau State.

Stakes for 2026
Moore’s defiance is more than rhetoric. The House Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Trump loyalist Michael McCaul, is scheduled to mark up the Nigeria Religious Freedom Sanctions Act next week—mirroring Ted Cruz’s Senate bill that would freeze assets of any Nigerian official “complicit in anti-Christian violence.”

Aid at risk: $1.2 billion in annual U.S. security and health assistance, plus $800 million in counter-Boko Haram training.

Voices from the Ground
In Jos, Plateau State, Rev. Gideon Para-Mallam—whose cousin was beheaded by Fulani raiders in July—told NewsFocus via satellite phone: “We welcome any help that stops the nightly raids. But foreign troops? That could ignite wider jihad.”

In Beijing, exiled Zion pastor Sean Long warned: “China is killing the chicken to scare the monkeys. Arresting Zion signals every house church: register or vanish.”

What’s Next
Moore will testify Thursday before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. Sources say he’ll present satellite imagery of 47 villages torched since September and push for a U.N. peacekeeping resolution—potentially the first U.S.-led armed mission in sub-Saharan Africa since Somalia 1993.

As Moore told supporters at a Charleston rally last night: “This isn’t about empire. It’s about Easter morning versus the grave. And America still chooses resurrection.”

NewsFocus will continue to provide updates as this story develop.

Mamdani Wins NYC Mayor Race; Democrats Sweep Key Elections in Trump Era

Ola Akinola
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Mamdani Wins NYC Mayor Race; Democrats Sweep Key Elections in Trump Era

In a resounding rebuke to the incoming Trump administration, progressive firebrand Zohran Mamdani claimed a stunning upset victory in the New York City mayoral race late Tuesday, capping off a night of Democratic triumphs across key battlegrounds. The 34-year-old state assemblyman, a democratic socialist and vocal critic of federal overreach, will become the first Muslim mayor of the nation’s largest city—and the youngest in more than a century.

With 98% of precincts reporting, Mamdani garnered 52% of the vote, edging out independent challenger Andrew Cuomo, the former three-term governor who mounted a comeback bid with establishment backing, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, the Guardian Angels founder who leaned heavily into law-and-order messaging. Turnout surged to 68% in the five boroughs, fueled by intense national interest and a barrage of attack ads from Trump’s orbit.

The win marks the opening salvo in what Democrats hope will be a broader resistance to President-elect Donald Trump’s second term, set to begin in January after his narrow 2024 Electoral College victory. Mamdani’s campaign, built on promises of affordable housing, universal childcare, and aggressive climate action, mobilized a diverse coalition of young voters, immigrants, and labor unions—echoing the grassroots energy that propelled Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Congress in 2018.

A Victory Speech That Lights the Path Forward

As confetti rained down in a packed Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Mamdani took the stage just after midnight, his voice steady amid cheers that drowned out the blaring hip-hop playlist curated by his team. Flanked by his wife, artist Aysha Khan, and a multiracial phalanx of supporters waving Palestinian and pride flags, the mayor-elect delivered a speech that blended defiance with optimism.

“In this moment of political darkness, New York will be the light,” Mamdani declared, his words a direct shot at Trump’s promises of mass deportations and tariff wars. He outlined a bold 100-day agenda: freezing rents on 500,000 units, launching a citywide green jobs initiative, and suing the federal government over anticipated cuts to sanctuary city funding. “We will not bend to threats from Washington,” he added, drawing roars from the crowd. “New York has always been the world’s conscience—tonight, we recommit to that sacred duty.”

The address, clocking in at 22 minutes, was a masterclass in progressive oratory, weaving personal anecdotes from his Ugandan refugee roots with policy wonkery on everything from micromobility subsidies to decriminalizing fare evasion. Polling had shown Mamdani trailing Cuomo by double digits in September, but a late surge in mail-in ballots from Queens and the Bronx—districts he has represented since 2021—flipped the script.

Trump’s Shadow Looms Large

The victory was not without its thorns. Trump, who has long viewed New York as a personal fiefdom despite his Mar-a-Lago exile, had injected himself into the race with uncharacteristic fervor. In October rallies in Staten Island and a Truth Social tirade, the president-elect warned that a Mamdani mayoralty would trigger “immediate and severe” slashes to the city’s $100 billion-plus federal lifeline, including transit grants and public health dollars. “This radical socialist will turn the Big Apple into the Rotten Apple—watch,” Trump posted last week.

Moments after networks called the race for Mamdani, Trump fired off a fresh missive on his platform: “And so it begins. NYC’s nightmare starts now. Funding? Gone. Chaos? Coming. Enjoy the show, folks!” The post, viewed over 5 million times by dawn, underscored the brewing clash between Gotham’s progressive vanguard and Trump’s MAGA machine. Mamdani’s team dismissed it as “vintage bluster,” but analysts warn of real fiscal peril: The city relies on $8 billion annually in federal aid, and Trump’s first term saw repeated attempts to claw back funds from blue strongholds.

As BBC North America editor Anthony Zurcher observes, Mamdani’s triumph is “a remarkable victory sealed by sheer audacity,” but the road ahead is treacherous. “Real challenges lie ahead—budget shortfalls, migrant surges, and a polarized council—and his successes, and failures, will be closely scrutinized by friend and foe alike.” Zurcher, who covered Mamdani’s assembly tenure, notes the mayor-elect’s DSA ties could galvanize the base but alienate moderates in a city still reeling from post-pandemic crime spikes.

A Broader Democratic Wave

Mamdani’s win was the marquee event of an off-year election cycle that saw Democrats shore up their ramparts. In Virginia, former Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam protégé and state Sen. Abigail Spanberger was projected to reclaim the governorship from Republican Glenn Youngkin, flipping the commonwealth blue with a 4-point margin in a race dominated by education funding and abortion rights. Spanberger, a former CIA officer, capitalized on Young’s stumbles over book bans and a controversial voucher push, boosting turnout among suburban women by 15% over 2021 levels.

New Jersey’s race was even more lopsided: Incumbent Democrat Phil Murphy’s handpicked successor, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, cruised to victory over GOP challenger Jack Ciattarelli with 58% of the vote. Fulop’s campaign, laser-focused on property tax relief and offshore wind expansion, neutralized Ciattarelli’s inflation jabs in a state where Democrats hold supermajorities.

Out West, California voters approved Proposition 47 by a slim 52-48 margin, authorizing an independent commission to redraw congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterms. Critics decried the measure as a “Democrat power grab,” arguing it would entrench the party’s 40-12 House edge, but proponents hailed it as a bulwark against gerrymandering after the 2020 census battles. Early maps suggest gains in Orange and Riverside counties, potentially netting three seats for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

How the Night Unfolded: A Timeline

  • 7:00 p.m. ET: Polls close in NYC amid unseasonably balmy 65-degree weather; first returns show Cuomo leading in Manhattan by 10 points.
  • 9:30 p.m.: Mamdani surges in outer boroughs as absentee ballots drop; Sliwa concedes on Fox News, quipping, “At least the rats will have a socialist friend.”
  • 11:15 p.m.: CNN projects Mamdani the winner; Cuomo’s camp signals a recount but sources say it’s ceremonial theater.
  • 12:05 a.m.: Victory speech electrifies Barclays; AOC tweets, “NYC just got its heart back. Let’s build, Zohran!”
  • 2:00 a.m.: Virginia and NJ calls roll in for Democrats; Prop 47 teeters before squeaking through.
  • 4:00 a.m.: Trump posts; Mamdani responds on X: “Darkness fears the light. Good morning, America.”

As dawn broke over the Hudson, Mamdani’s team decamped to Gracie Mansion for transition talks, a symbolic handover from term-limited incumbent Eric Adams, whose scandals had cratered his approval to 22%. For the new mayor, the honeymoon may be brief—Trump’s inauguration looms, and with it, the first tests of federal-city brinkmanship.

Yet in a polarized nation, Mamdani’s ascent offers a glimmer: proof that even in Trump’s America, the city that never sleeps can still dream big. NewsFocus will continue tracking the incoming administration’s response and Mamdani’s first moves in office.

US cannot send troops to Nigeria without Tinubu’s consent – Bwala

Toyin Adebayo
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US cannot send troops to Nigeria without Tinubu’s consent – Bwala

Presidential Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has firmly stated that the United States lacks any legal or diplomatic basis to deploy troops or conduct military operations in Nigeria without the explicit approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, warning that any such move would constitute a grave breach of Nigeria’s sovereignty.

Speaking in a BBC interview on Monday, Bwala responded directly to recent threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested American military intervention if Nigeria fails to curb alleged targeted killings of Christians.

“Nigeria is a sovereign nation,” Bwala declared. “Any form of military operation on Nigerian soil without the consent of the Federal Government is unacceptable and would amount to an infringement on our territorial integrity.”

He rejected the framing of Nigeria’s security challenges as a religious conflict, emphasizing that banditry, terrorism and communal clashes affect citizens across faith lines.

“What we are dealing with is a national security challenge that affects everyone – Muslims, Christians and others,” he said. “It should not be framed solely as a religious war.”

Bwala underscored Nigeria’s willingness to deepen security cooperation with Washington through intelligence sharing and arms procurement, provided such partnership respects international law and Nigeria’s national interest.

Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom and his threats of potential ground operations or airstrikes have sparked widespread concern in Abuja.

The presidential aide reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity and protecting all Nigerians, while preserving mutual respect in bilateral relations with the United States.

Diplomatic sources say Abuja is quietly engaging Washington through back channels to de-escalate tensions and clarify the non-sectarian nature of the country’s security threats.

As the 2027 elections approach, the controversy risks complicating Nigeria-U.S. ties at a time when Abuja seeks enhanced military support against insurgency and banditry.

Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri joins APC in grand Yenagoa ceremony

Ola Akinola
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Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri joins APC in grand Yenagoa ceremony

Yenagoa, November 3, 2025 – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a colourful event that drew thousands to the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, effectively turning the oil-rich state into ruling-party territory.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, standing in for President Bola Tinubu, handed Diri the APC broom and raised his hand to thunderous applause as white-T-shirted supporters from all eight local government areas danced under a sea of blue-and-white flags.

“This defection is not just a Bayelsa defection; it is the Ijaw nation defecting to the APC,” Diri declared, flanked by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and governors from Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Delta and Akwa Ibom.

Diri resigned from the PDP on October 15 after what he called “extensive consultations”, citing the opposition party’s “crumbling structure” and the need to align Bayelsa with the centre for faster development.

Twenty-three of the state’s 24 lawmakers, led by Speaker Abraham Ngobere, followed their governor into the APC, leaving the once-dominant PDP with just one seat in the assembly.

Shettima praised Diri’s “patriotic courage” and promised “unprecedented federal support” for roads, flood control and the Brass fertiliser plant.
National Chairman Yilwatda handed Diri a second broom with a direct charge: “Sweep every PDP vote into APC in 2027.”

The defection makes Diri the 25th APC governor and the fourth PDP helmsman to cross over this year, after Delta’s Sheriff Oborevwori, Akwa Ibom’s Umo Eno and Enugu’s Peter Mbah.

Only Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara now flies the PDP flag in the entire South-South.

As drummers beat along Ekeki Motor Park and Ovom waterside, Diri said “Some may not understand today, but history will vindicate me. Bayelsa has chosen progress over partisanship.”

Back in the PDP national secretariat, acting chairman Umar Damagum could not be reached, but a senior chieftain whispered: “The umbrella is now a walking stick.”

With 2027 looming, the creeks of Bayelsa have turned blue—and the battle for the soul of the Niger Delta has just begun.

PDP crisis deepens as Wike loyalists seize party secretariat

Gladys Phillip
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PDP crisis deepens as Wike loyalists seize party secretariat

Abuja, November 3, 2025 – The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated dramatically on Monday as supporters loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike stormed the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, and installed Mohammed Abdulrahman as acting national chairman.

The protesters, waving PDP flags and chanting solidarity songs, demanded the immediate vacation of the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC), accusing it of mismanaging party affairs and undermining internal democracy.

The takeover followed a weekend of reciprocal suspensions that has plunged the opposition party into its worst leadership turmoil in years.

Last week, the Damagum faction suspended National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) for one month over alleged anti-party activities. In a swift counter-move, the Wike-backed faction convened in Abuja and suspended Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and other key officers, declaring Abdulrahman acting chairman.

By midday Monday, the Abdulrahman group had gained physical control of the national chairman’s office. Speaking to journalists inside the secretariat, Abdulrahman pledged to unify the party and prepare it for future electoral battles.

“We are ready to work in the interest of our dear party,” he said. “Our focus is to heal divisions, restore confidence and reposition the PDP as a credible alternative for Nigerians.”

Security operatives were deployed to the premises to prevent clashes, as both factions remained defiant.

A letter notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Abdulrahman’s appointment was delivered Monday morning—the second such notification in less than 72 hours.

Party sources say governors, elders and the Board of Trustees are intensifying behind-the-scenes efforts to avert a total collapse, with an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting now seen as the only path to resolution.

As night fell, Wike loyalists maintained a vigil outside the secretariat, vowing not to leave until their leadership is fully recognized.

The PDP, once Nigeria’s ruling party for 16 years, now faces the real prospect of parallel structures and a fractured opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

NSA Ribadu chairs emergency security summit over Trump’s Nigeria threat

Ola Akinola
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NSA Ribadu chairs emergency security summit over Trump’s Nigeria threat

National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu on Monday afternoon convened Nigeria’s top military and intelligence chiefs for an urgent closed-door meeting at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja, hours after United States President Donald Trump warned of possible American military strikes on Nigerian soil. 0 1 30

Security analyst Zagazola Makama, citing sources inside the high-level session, told Guardian Nigeria the gathering was triggered by Trump’s weekend declaration that he had ordered the Pentagon to “prepare for possible action” against “Islamic terrorists” he accused of killing Christians in record numbers. 74

“Participants are reviewing fresh intelligence, mapping diplomatic fallout and crafting a unified response to preserve Nigeria’s sovereignty,” Makama said. “The NSA wants calm, clarity and zero daylight between the services.”

Trump’s original post on Truth Social, published late Saturday, threatened to halt all U.S. aid and send troops “guns-a-blazing” unless Abuja halts what he called a “genocide” against Christians. The president did not name specific incidents, but far-right American commentators have amplified months-old claims of targeted religious cleansing. 2 10

Independent monitors, including the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), insist violence in Nigeria’s troubled north cuts across faiths. Between 2020 and September 2025, 417 Muslims died in 196 targeted attacks—100 more fatalities than the 317 Christians killed in 385 incidents. 13

Makama warned that inflammatory foreign rhetoric risks “emboldening extremists to stage provocative attacks for global cameras” and could unravel delicate inter-faith peace initiatives in flashpoint states.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Sunday called Trump’s narrative “a gross exaggeration,” stressing that both mosques and churches have been torched in banditry and jihadist raids. “We need American rifles and drones, not designations or threats,” he posted. 7

Sources say Ribadu’s briefing to editors later today will reaffirm Nigeria’s openness to joint counter-terrorism operations—provided they respect Nigerian command and international law.

Across Abuja, diplomats are burning midnight oil. One Western embassy official, speaking anonymously, described Trump’s language as “the diplomatic equivalent of a hand grenade with the pin half-pulled.”

For now, the capital holds its breath. The outcome of Monday’s war-room talks, Makama reports, will be channelled through the Office of the NSA before any public statement lands.

FCTA launches youth-led campaign to combat air pollution in Abuja

Toyin Adebayo
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FCTA launches youth-led campaign to combat air pollution in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has unveiled a youth-driven environmental initiative aimed at tackling air pollution and fostering sustainable practices, with students positioned as key drivers in safeguarding the environment for future generations.

The campaign, led by Ms Daniella Olayinka, a behavioural advocate and member of the Rotaract Club of Omole Golden (District 9111), targets secondary and tertiary students across the FCT. It forms part of the forthcoming “Breathe Clean Air Abuja” project, focusing on education and awareness.

Speaking at the launch in Abuja on Monday, the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, announced partnerships with Rotaract Clubs in Maitama, Apo FCT and Wuse II, alongside the Education Secretariat and other stakeholders, to highlight the hazards of air pollution and advocate clean energy alternatives.

“We recognise the critical role of young people as agents of change, especially on issues that affect our planet,” Dr Fasawe said. “That is why we are partnering with the Education Secretariat and other stakeholders to ensure students are included in this important campaign.”

The programme will employ interactive approaches such as debates, poetry recitals, talent competitions, social media challenges and environmental clubs to instil responsibility, spur innovation and drive behavioural shifts among the youth. Top performers will be awarded prizes to encourage participation.

Dr Fasawe emphasised the health and ecological dangers of charcoal and firewood stoves, while promoting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a safer option.

The flagship “Breathe Clean Air Abuja” project, set for formal inauguration on November 13, is a public-private partnership that will distribute gas stoves to more than 5,000 households in the FCT’s six area councils, prioritising underserved areas.

Representing the youth, Ms Olayinka pledged support for the FCTA’s agenda, stressing activities including tree planting, carpooling, waste management and ending open burning of refuse.

“This is our planet, and we must act now. By switching to cleaner energy, planting trees and embracing eco-friendly habits, we can build a sustainable future,” she said.

Under the theme “Renewing Hope, One Household at a Time,” the initiative reflects a collective commitment to a cleaner, greener and healthier Abuja through youth leadership and community involvement.

Education Ministry, World Bank, Fabsi Institute Launch Digital Skills Training for 200 Nigerian Youths

Toyin Adebayo
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Education Ministry, World Bank, Fabsi Institute Launch Digital Skills Training for 200 Nigerian Youths

In a decisive move to boost youth empowerment through technical and vocational education, the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the World Bank and the Fabsi Institute of Entrepreneurship, inaugurated a digital skills training programme for 200 Nigerian youths in Suleja, Niger State, on Monday.

This initiative, part of the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS)/Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET 2) Project, aims to equip young Nigerians with practical skills in computer hardware and mobile phone repairs. The programme also focuses on fostering self-reliance, innovation, and entrepreneurship among participants.

At the launch, Dr. Ngozi Onwudiwe, retired Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, described the programme as “a launch of dreams and a doorway to opportunity.”

“Today, we are not merely initiating a training programme; we are opening doors for young Nigerians to shape their futures, create solutions, and write success stories,” she stated.

Dr. Onwudiwe emphasised that the programme is a strategic investment in the nation’s youth, providing them with crucial technical and entrepreneurial skills necessary to thrive in a technologically driven economy. “Those who master technology and its repairs hold the key to tomorrow’s economy. This initiative aims to transform our youth into problem-solvers, innovators, and entrepreneurs — the leaders Nigeria needs in this digital era.”

She praised the collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Education, the World Bank, and the Fabsi Institute as a “model of impactful partnership” involving government, international agencies, and local institutions.

“Investing in skills development is investing in peace, progress, and prosperity,” Dr. Onwudiwe added. “To the trainees, your dedication here can change your lives. Be disciplined, creative, and honest — the world rewards not just what you can do, but who you are.”

Closing her remarks, she reminded participants that “the future belongs to those willing to learn, innovate, and lead with integrity.”

Dr. Ali Onoja, CEO of the African Health Project and Proprietor of Fabsi Institute of Entrepreneurship, disclosed the six-month programme targets youths between 15 and 35 years old, offering hands-on training, certification, and internships designed to improve their employability.

“This initiative is set to significantly enhance digital literacy and job readiness,” Onoja said. He added that successful trainees would be registered with the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), boosting their chances for formal employment and entrepreneurship.

The curriculum follows guidelines from the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and National Occupational Standards (NOS) certified by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

Reflecting on previous successes, Onoja revealed that more than 1,000 youths, including persons with disabilities, have benefitted from earlier phases of the IDEAS project, delivered in partnership with firms such as Ubelle Nigeria Limited and Neo Cloud Technologies.

“Of the 529 trainees enrolled in the 2024 cohort, 460 earned certifications in high-demand fields like data analytics, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and graphic design,” he noted. “We anticipate a 100 percent certification rate for this current batch.”

The programme promises to be a vital stepping stone for Nigeria’s youth, equipping them with the skills and opportunities to drive technological innovation and economic growth.

Kumuyi Didn’t Speak on US-Nigeria Row — Deeper Life

Ola Akinola
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Kumuyi Didn’t Speak on US-Nigeria Row — Deeper Life

Church Debunks Viral Quote on ‘Christian Genocide’, Trump Invasion Threat

THE Deeper Life Bible Church has angrily dismissed as “false and inaccurate” a viral online report claiming its General Superintendent, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, commented on the raging diplomatic firestorm between Nigeria and the United States over alleged Christian genocide.

The fake story, which exploded across WhatsApp and blogs on Saturday, quoted the revered cleric as dismissing reports of “Christian genocide” and accusing America of “trying to steal Nigeria’s natural resources” in response to President Donald Trump’s “guns-a-blazing” invasion threat.

But in a blistering statement posted on the church’s verified X handle (@deeperlifehq) Sunday evening, Deeper Life declared: 

“Any recent news reports or public statements being attributed to Pastor W.F. Kumuyi are FALSE and INACCURATE.”

The church explained that the 84-year-old pastor is currently “fully engaged with the Global Crusade with Kumuyi (GCK)”, having just concluded crusades in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Pakistan.

“He has not granted any recent press interviews or made public statements on other matters,” the statement stressed.

Church insiders told NEWSFOCUS the fake quote first surfaced on a little-known blog before being amplified by political WhatsApp groups desperate to drag respected clerics into the Trump-Tinubu row.

Trump’s Bombshell
The controversy erupted Friday when Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern and warned: 

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians… we may go in guns-a-blazing.”

Tinubu’s Push-Back
President Bola Tinubu fired back Saturday: 

“Religious freedom is a core tenet of our identity… Nigeria opposes persecution of any faith.”

Fake News Wave
NEWSFOCUS checks revealed at least seven viral fake quotes in 48 hours attributed to: 
– Pastor Enoch Adeboye 
– Bishop David Oyedepo 
– Sultan of Sokoto 
– Primate Elijah Ayodele 

All have been debunked.

In the 48 hours leading up to November 3, 2025 (i.e., November 1–2), fact-checkers and media outlets identified at least seven distinct viral fake quotes circulating on WhatsApp, Facebook, and X. All were falsely attributed to prominent Nigerian religious leaders and quickly went viral (some posts hit 500k+ views before being flagged).

Here is the verified list:

| # | Leader | Fake Quote (summary) | Debunked by | Date flagged


| 1 | Pastor Enoch Adeboye | “Tinubu’s policies are a test from God; endure till 2027.” | RCCG Media Office & Dubawa | Nov 1 |
| 2 | Pastor Enoch Adeboye | “I saw a vision: fuel will drop to ₦300 by December.” | Premium Times Fact-Check | Nov 2 |
| 3 | Bishop David Oyedepo | “Give your November salary as seed; poverty will flee.” | Winners’ Chapel PRO | Nov 1 |
| 4 | Bishop David Oyedepo | “God told me Atiku will return in 2027.” | Living Faith Media | Nov 2 |
| 5 | Sultan of Sokoto | “Yoruba elders must stop provoking Igbo; civil war 2 loading.” | Sultanate Council & The Defender | Nov 2 |
| 6 | Primate Elijah Ayodele | “Coup coming Nov 15; Tinubu will run to Dubai.” | INRI Church & PRNigeria | Nov 1 |
| 7 | Primate Elijah Ayodele | “Adeboye & Oyedepo will die before Shiloh 2025.” | Ayodele’s media aide (video denial) | Nov 2 |

All seven were officially denied by the leaders’ spokespersons within hours, and each denial post on X or Facebook garnered 100k–800k views, proving the fakes had already gone viral.

Church Warns Members
Deeper Life urged millions of members worldwide: 

“Verify every report before sharing. Protect the integrity of the Gospel”.

As the Nigeria-US diplomatic fever rises, one thing is clear — fake news is the first casualty of truth.

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