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Wike, Keyamo Join Forces to Host Nigeria’s First International Airshow

Toyin Adebayo
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Wike, Keyamo Join Forces to Host Nigeria’s First International Airshow

Abuja is set to make history as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged full support for Nigeria’s first-ever International Airshow a landmark event designed to project the capital city onto the global aviation stage.

The Minister made this known on Wednesday when he received the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and his team on a courtesy visit in Abuja. Wike described the forthcoming airshow, scheduled for December 2–4, 2025, as a monumental opportunity to showcase Abuja’s beauty, infrastructure, and readiness for international business and tourism.

“The FCTA will be interested to partner with you and have an official opening speech that day to officially endorse this show, which is a very, very major show in Abuja,” Wike said.

He, however, cautioned that while the FCT Administration will provide institutional support, organizers must ensure commercial responsibility and value-driven engagement.

“Everything cannot be free, free, free. That’s the problem Nigeria has. You want to advertise to the entire world, but you don’t want to pay,” Wike remarked.

To ensure the city’s full readiness, Wike directed key departments including the Transport Secretariat and Abuja Environmental Protection Board to collaborate with the Aviation Ministry on logistics, mobility, and environmental management.

“You will have to liaise with the Transport Secretariat as it requires train support and CNG buses,” the Minister said. “We’ll also help with publicity through FCT media channels and controlled use of billboards but on commercial terms.”

He assured that the FCTA had already enhanced infrastructure along the airport corridor, adding that the city will be clean, secure, and ready to welcome visitors.

“Look at the airport road down to your gate we did that road,” he said proudly. “We’ll ensure the city is cleaned up and secure before your guests arrive.”

Earlier, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed that the airshow would coincide with a milestone celebration 100 years of aviation in Nigeria, dating back to when the first aircraft landed in 1925.

“This will be a major global event,” Keyamo stated. “Around the world, airshows are key fixtures the Farnborough, the Paris, the Dubai Airshows but Nigeria has never had one in our history.”

Keyamo revealed that the event, to be organized in collaboration with the Nigerian Air Force and private investors, would attract top global aviation brands, aircraft manufacturers, and industry players seeking opportunities in Nigeria’s emerging aerospace market.

“As part of that centenary celebration, we are partnering with a private company to drive this initiative, massively supported and aided by the Nigerian Air Force,” he said.

Highlighting Abuja’s strategic role, Keyamo stressed that the success of the event depends heavily on the FCT’s cooperation, given the expected influx of international visitors.

“We expect very distinguished guests heads of global aviation firms, foreign diplomats, and possibly President Bola Tinubu,” Keyamo disclosed. “We need your help with transportation, security, media partnership, waste management, and tourism promotion.”

He further invited the FCTA to participate as an exhibitor at the airshow, offering a complimentary stand to showcase Abuja’s modern infrastructure, investment potential, and tourism appeal.

“We’d like to partner with FCT-owned media outlets and collaborate with the Abuja Tourism Board to promote Abuja’s culture and hospitality,” he added.

The collaboration between the two ministers underscores a shared vision of transforming Abuja into a continental hub for aviation, innovation, and business tourism.

With the FCT’s backing, the Nigeria International Airshow is expected to attract the world’s attention positioning Abuja as Africa’s next destination for aviation excellence and reinforcing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of making the capital a world-class centre for trade, technology, and investment.

Wike, Elumelu Urge African Investors: Bring Wealth Home to Build Prosperity, End Poverty

Toyin Adebayo
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Wike, Elumelu Urge African Investors: Bring Wealth Home to Build Prosperity, End Poverty

…As FCTA Hosts 2nd Abuja Business and Investment Expo

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, have called on African investors to channel their wealth into local economies to drive sustainable growth and eradicate poverty across the continent.

They made the call on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Abuja Business and Investment Expo (ABIEXPO 2025), held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja. The event was organized by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its investment arm, the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL).

Represented by the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, Wike said the Tinubu administration is committed to transforming Abuja into a modern, investment-driven city that reflects Nigeria’s aspirations for sustainable and inclusive growth.

“As Abuja symbolizes Nigeria’s aspirations, our mission, supported by Mr. President, is to make it a safe, investment-friendly city that empowers all citizens,” he stated.

The Minister noted that the summit’s theme, “Empowering Sustainable Growth: Unlocking Potentials in Emerging Markets,” aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes inclusive development, infrastructure expansion, and job creation.

Wike revealed that the FCTA is investing massively in road networks to link satellite towns, area councils, and rural communities to the city centre an effort designed to spur industrialization and unlock new economic corridors.

“The FCT Administration remains steadfast in building a sustainable, flourishing capital city and enhancing Nigeria’s position on the continental and global stage,” Wike said, commending AICL for creating a strategic platform to foster innovation, partnerships, and investment opportunities.

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Tony Elumelu charged African investors to redirect their investments toward the continent, stressing that true transformation must come from within.

“Make your money, but please bring it home and invest locally,” Elumelu urged. “It will be a disservice to make so much and then keep the money in economies that are already developed.”

He declared that Africa’s economic future “will not be written in boardrooms in Washington or London, but right here in Africa in Nigeria, in Abuja and it will be written by Africans.”

Elumelu underscored the shared responsibility of both government and private sectors in ending poverty, warning that “poverty anywhere is a threat to all of us everywhere.”

He highlighted the success of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), which has empowered 24,000 young African entrepreneurs with $5,000 seed capital, training, and mentorship including 641 beneficiaries from the FCT.

“Our young people are the future of this continent,” he said. “Success is not just profitability; it’s about using prosperity as a tool for social transformation.”

The Group Managing Director/CEO of AICL, Ambassador Maureen Tamuno, said ABIEXPO 2025 aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to strengthen investor confidence, stabilize the economy, and drive sustainable development.

She revealed that this year’s edition attracted delegates from South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Botswana, alongside top Nigerian investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.

“ABIEXPO 2025 marks the next chapter of Abuja’s transformation into a resilient, globally competitive city,” Tamuno stated.

She added that the Expo introduced dedicated Youth and Women Days to foster inclusion and connect innovators with investors in emerging markets.

The 2nd Abuja Business and Investment Expo brought together leaders from both the public and private sectors to explore strategies for accelerating economic diversification, job creation, and sustainable development in line with Nigeria’s long-term growth vision.

With the FCTA’s renewed commitment and the private sector’s growing participation, stakeholders agreed that Abuja is on track to becoming a beacon of innovation, investment, and inclusive prosperity not only for Nigeria but for Africa as a whole.

Elumelu to African Leaders: Build Economies, Not Just Profits

Toyin Adebayo
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Elumelu to African Leaders: Build Economies, Not Just Profits

Africa’s foremost entrepreneur and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, has called on African governments and business leaders to embrace a new economic ethos that prioritizes building sustainable economies over extracting profits, stressing that Africa’s transformation must be driven from within.

Speaking at a high-level summit in Abuja, Elumelu said:“Africa’s economic transformation will not be designed in New York, London, or New Delhi. It will be created here on our continent by African entrepreneurs, African investors, and African leaders turning potential into prosperity.”

He urged both the public and private sectors to forge a new social contract anchored on trust, transparency, and shared vision, adding that no nation can achieve lasting prosperity without a strong and vibrant private sector.

“No one but us will develop our country,” he said. “True leadership is not just about generating profit, but about generating progress.”

Elumelu, who commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, for the “remarkable transformation” taking place in Abuja, said the Federal Capital represents a symbol of Nigeria’s excellence and a growing investment hub.

“Abuja is a window to our nation. I salute the FCT Minister’s efforts to ensure that our capital city demonstrates Nigeria’s true excellence,” he said.

Elumelu emphasized that the private sector currently contributes over 70 percent of Africa’s GDP and 80 percent of total employment, noting that entrepreneurs are redefining what is possible across the continent from tech innovation in Lagos to agribusiness in Kigali and renewable energy in Nairobi.

He reiterated his philosophy of Africapitalism, which advocates for long-term investments in critical sectors that unlock prosperity for all.

“Doing well and doing good are not mutually exclusive,” he said. “They are the twin foundations of Africa’s transformation.”

Through the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), he said, over 24,000 young Africans have been empowered with seed capital of five thousand dollars, training, and mentorship including 641 Nigerians as part of efforts to tackle youth unemployment and promote inclusive growth.

“It is a betrayal of our generation for young people to leave school and not find jobs,” he stated. “Success is not just profitability, but how prosperity can be applied as a tool for social transformation.”

Abuja as Model for Investment

Citing his group’s investments in the Federal Capital Territory, Elumelu said projects such as Transcorp Hilton Abuja, its new 5,000-capacity Events Centre, and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) illustrate how private capital can drive development and reposition Abuja as a regional business and tourism hub.

“Through Transcorp, we transformed the Hilton Abuja into a world-class hospitality icon — a beacon of Nigerian excellence.
We also believe electricity powers productivity, which is why our investment in AEDC is a commitment to energizing homes, schools, hospitals, and industries,” he said.

He noted that such investments reflect a belief in the future of Nigeria and the potential of its capital city to attract global investors, provided there is consistency in policies and trust in governance.

“Trust is the currency of investment, and policy stability converts trust into capital. No investor will commit where the rules keep changing,” Elumelu warned.

Call for Public–Private Partnership

Elumelu called for stronger public–private partnerships to translate ambitions into achievement in key sectors like power, digital connectivity, agriculture, and transport infrastructure.

“Government must create sound macroeconomic policies and reliable infrastructure. In return, the private sector must uphold ethical standards, invest locally, and deliver tangible social impact,” he said.

He added that predictable regulations, patient capital, and innovation-driven markets are essential to unlocking Africa’s full potential, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which he described as the “true creators of employment.”

“If we don’t prioritize SMEs as a country and a continent, we will fail to build sustainable success,” he warned.

A New Ethos for Africa

Reaffirming his belief in Africa’s potential, Elumelu said the continent must move beyond dependency and lead a continental movement of enterprise one that positions Africans not merely as consumers of global ideas, but as creators of global value.

“Let us believe in African excellence. Let us invest in African innovation. No one will build Africa for us. We must build the Africa we deserve prosperous, inclusive, and self-reliant,” he declared.

He concluded by urging investors to look beyond short-term profits and channel their resources into projects that create jobs, strengthen institutions, and foster peace.

“Make profit for sustainability,” Elumelu said, “but also help catalyze other sectors so that all of us can live in peace. That is the true meaning of transformation.”

Security Is Everyone’s Business: IGP, FCTA Urge Stronger Public-Private Alliance Against Insecurity

Toyin Adebayo
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Security Is Everyone’s Business: IGP, FCTA Urge Stronger Public-Private Alliance Against Insecurity

…As ASIS Abuja Celebrates 15 Years of Strengthening Partnerships

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have renewed calls for stronger collaboration between government institutions and private security operators to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.

Speaking in Abuja during the 15th anniversary celebration of the Abuja Chapter of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), themed “United in Resilience: Forging Public-Private Partnership to Protect,” the IGP represented by Assistant Inspector-General Adeboye Hamza emphasized that effective policing now requires a “whole-of-society approach.”

“This is an era of a whole-of-society approach,” Egbetokun said. “That is why the Nigeria Police Force has been at the forefront of promoting community policing a shift from government protect to everyone protect.”

He stressed that the participation of civil society and private security organizations would enhance intelligence gathering, early warning, and response systems across the country.

Also speaking, the Director of the Department of Security Services, FCTA, Adamu Gwary, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to protecting critical infrastructure and combating vandalism.

Represented by Dr. Peter Olumuji, Secretary, Command and Control Centre, FCTA, Gwary disclosed that the Administration is working closely with traditional and religious leaders to strengthen community-based surveillance and intelligence sharing.

“Part of our measures includes partnering with private security operators such as vigilante groups, hunters, and private companies,” Gwary explained. “These collaborations have been vital in safeguarding public assets and complementing the efforts of conventional security agencies.”

In his remarks, Edward Orim, Chairman of ASIS Abuja Chapter 273, described the group’s 15-year journey as one of commitment to professionalism, innovation, and collaboration in Nigeria’s evolving security landscape.

“Since inception, we have promoted excellence in security practice, fostered knowledge exchange, and strengthened partnerships between the public and private sectors,” Orim said.

He noted that ASIS Abuja has become “a beacon of professionalism,” aligning with global standards while remaining responsive to Nigeria’s unique security realities.

“This symposium reminds us that when it comes to national security, collaboration is not optional it is essential,” Orim added.

The event drew participants from law enforcement agencies, intelligence units, private security firms, and the corporate sector, all of whom underscored the importance of innovation, trust-building, and sustained collaboration in tackling insecurity and building national resilience.

$1 in Family Planning Saves $9.8 — Prof. Fatusi Urges States to Fund Reproductive Health, End Maternal Deaths

Toyin Adebayo
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$1 in Family Planning Saves $9.8 — Prof. Fatusi Urges States to Fund Reproductive Health, End Maternal Deaths

Nigeria stands to gain nearly tenfold returns on every dollar invested in family planning while drastically reducing unsafe abortions and maternal deaths, according to Professor Adesegun Oladapo Fatusi, a foremost public health expert.

Speaking in Abuja at The Challenge Initiative (TCI) National Dissemination Meeting themed “Celebrating Milestones, Inspiring Progress: Empowering Local Leadership for a Sustainable Family Planning Future,” Prof. Fatusi President of the Academy for Health Development (AHEAD) and Immediate Past Vice-Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo called on governments at all levels to move from “talk to tangible action.”

“For every one dollar we invest in family planning, we get back $9.8 in savings,” he said. “Investing in family planning isn’t just saving lives it’s smart economics.”

The Professor of Community Medicine at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, explained that evidence-based tools like the Family Planning Impact Calculator show how such investments prevent thousands of unsafe abortions and save women’s lives.

“With just one million dollars, we can prevent about 6,000 unsafe abortions and save thousands of mothers,” he said. “But without that investment, nothing will happen.”

He stated that meeting Nigeria’s family planning needs could reduce unsafe abortions by about 80 percent and maternal deaths by 61 percent outcomes that directly support the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Fatusi lamented that despite repeated commitments, family planning funding in Nigeria remains grossly inadequate.

“Without funding, there is nothing,” he said. “Up to 2011, the Nigerian government never invested a single dollar in family planning commodities. Even now, the commitment is inconsistent. Many states are yet to allocate at least one percent of their health budgets to family planning.”

He revealed that as of July 2024, the funding gap for family planning commodities stood at 52 percent, with only five states showing consistent support.

“There’s more money in the states today than ever before,” he noted. “So there’s no excuse. What we need is the political will and leadership to prioritize family planning.”

According to Fatusi, family planning remains one of the most effective strategies to curb maternal mortality, teenage pregnancy, and unsafe abortion.

“It has taken us so long to get where we are that falling back would be a disaster,” he warned. “If we don’t fund commodities and sustain access, we could lose years of progress and it may take another five years to recover.”

He underscored that countries investing in family planning reap both health and economic dividends through reduced healthcare costs and improved productivity.

Fatusi stressed that achieving lasting impact requires community ownership and local accountability.

“Without community-based systems, there is no health system,” he said. “Communities must not only benefit from programs they must own them, believe in them, and hold leaders accountable.”

He cited a rural community that mobilized to demand healthcare infrastructure after a maternal death as a powerful example of grassroots leadership driving change.

“The difference between crisis and opportunity is leadership,” he said. “That’s what we need at every level courageous leaders who can turn challenges into reforms.”

While urging sustainable financing, Fatusi also called for investment in human resources and digital capacity to strengthen service delivery.

“Without a strong health workforce, we cannot make progress,” he emphasized. “We must invest in people, in technology, and in locally driven innovations. Each state must find what works best for its people there is no one-size-fits-all approach.”

He further advocated integrating family planning into Nigeria’s broader health system for sustainability.

“If you’re building a house without a strong foundation, you’re wasting your time,” he said. “The health system is the foundation. Family planning, maternal, and child health must all be part of one strong, functional system.”

Commending the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for renewed focus on maternal and reproductive health under Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Fatusi urged that family planning remain at the heart of national health policy.

“I’m excited that the Health Minister is pushing to reduce maternal deaths,” he said. “But if we lose sight of family planning, those gains will not be sustainable.”

He concluded with a call for stronger advocacy and data-driven decision-making.

“People can only act on what they know. That’s why advocacy is key,” he said. “Leaders must understand that family planning is not about politics it’s about saving lives and driving development.”

The TCI meeting brought together state commissioners, development partners, and reproductive health advocates who showcased milestones in promoting local ownership and sustainability of family planning programs across Nigeria.

Wike Vows Total Support for Tinubu, Says FCT Transformation Proof of President’s Vision

Toyin Adebayo
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Wike Vows Total Support for Tinubu, Says FCT Transformation Proof of President’s Vision

***Promises to Focus on Education, Complete Kuje Road, and Change Abuja’s Narrative

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty and support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that his administration’s visible transformation of Abuja is a direct reflection of the President’s vision for renewed hope and national development.

Wike, who spoke during a project inspection and commissioning tour, said he had no regrets supporting Tinubu and would continue to align his efforts in the FCT with the President’s developmental agenda. “For all of you who supported Mr. President, be assured I will also support you. I said it here if you are supporting Asiwaju Bola, I’m going to support you. Anywhere you are, the moment I know you are with Asiwaju, you get my support under the FCT. So, if you know you have not changed your mind, don’t change your mind, because very soon there will be a political tsunami,” he declared.

Commending contractors for their dedication to ongoing infrastructure projects, Wike particularly lauded Arab Contractors for their commitment to the completion of the Airport–Kuje road despite outstanding payments. “I thank you sincerely. I’ve seen what you are doing from Airport to Kuje. Those who knew Kuje before should go there now and see what Asiwaju’s government is doing the difference is clear. Asiwaju has changed the entire landscape of our city, not just in the city but also in the satellite towns,” he said.

The Minister also used the occasion to commend the staff of the FCT Administration for their hard work and dedication, urging them to hold their heads high. “Let me thank everybody who works with FCT. All of you have done well. Those who are not happy will never be happy in their life. Everywhere you go as an FCT staff, carry your shoulder high,” he said, adding that his focus would soon shift to revamping education across the territory. “After this round of commissioning, I will take a short rest and come back to focus on education. I will not stop there. I will change the narratives and show the opposition that FCT is working.”

He further emphasized that his commitment to delivering projects was not driven by politics but by service to the people. “What’s important is the job being done. There were no roads, no infrastructure, and our businesses were going down. We are changing that story. It’s not about the religion I belong to it’s about listening to the people and solving their problems,” Wike stated.

In her remarks, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said the project represents a commitment to providing communities with the infrastructure and comfort they have long deserved.

“As we celebrate this achievement, let us remember that every milestone is a promise kept, and every completion marks a new beginning,” she stated.

Dr. Mahmoud expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that his Renewed Hope Agenda continues to illuminate every corner of the Federal Capital Territory. She also commended the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, for his exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to delivering projects that touch lives and uplift communities across the territory.

Banigo Reaffirms Senate’s Backing as TCI, Stakeholders Chart Sustainable Future for Family Planning in Nigeria

Toyin Adebayo
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Banigo Reaffirms Senate’s Backing as TCI, Stakeholders Chart Sustainable Future for Family Planning in Nigeria

Nigeria’s push toward sustainable family planning received a major boost on Tuesday as the Senate, development partners, and state health officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening domestic financing and institutional ownership of reproductive health programmes.

Speaking at The Challenge Initiative (TCI) National Dissemination Meeting held in Abuja with the theme “Celebrating Milestones, Inspiring Progress: Empowering Local Leadership for a Sustainable Family Planning Future,” the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator (Dr.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, announced that the National Assembly ensured the inclusion of ₦2 billion counterpart funding for family planning commodities in the 2024 budget.

“We made sure there was provision for counterpart contribution for family planning,” Banigo said. “Our goal is to ensure that no single girl or woman who needs this service is left behind. Family planning improves maternal and child health outcomes, and as legislators, we will continue to provide resources and oversight to ensure funds are used to touch lives across the nation.”

Banigo, who previously chaired the Rivers State Task Force on Family Healthcare, commended TCI for its state-driven model and innovative interventions that have transformed reproductive health services across Nigeria.

“Family planning allows people to determine who they are in the future,” she said. “When I chaired the Task Force, TCI played a pivotal role in expanding access and shifting community attitudes. Their ‘Makeover Project’ changed the face of primary health centres and made them more attractive to women in rural communities.”

She congratulated TCI Nigeria on launching its Project Compendium and urged states to sustain funding for family planning beyond donor support, adding that “sustainability starts with ownership.”

Welcoming participants, Dr. Taiwo Johnson, Project Director of The Challenge Initiative (TCI) Nigeria, highlighted the programme’s evolution since 2017, describing it as a model of government ownership and co-financing.

“From the pilot phase to NextGen, TCI has remained government-led, co-financed, and co-implemented,” she said. “Our focus has shifted from demonstrating effectiveness to institutionalizing interventions within state systems. Over 50 percent of TCI-supported states now have dedicated budget lines for family planning and have integrated funding into their annual operational plans.”

She emphasized that the project’s focus on data-driven decision-making and commodity security had changed how states plan and deliver family planning services.

“There’s a saying that goes, ‘no product, no service.’ That’s why we’ve worked closely with states to ensure commodity security. We are proud that data-driven decision-making is now part of the culture where we work.”

Representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, Director, Department of Family Health, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to family planning as a key pillar of human capital development.

“Without family planning, we cannot achieve sustainable development,” she said. “The Ministry is committed to ensuring that reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health services are delivered effectively and equitably. The TCI model has demonstrated that government ownership and sustainability are possible when states take the lead.”

Dr. Ukaire commended TCI for aligning its work with national policies and data systems, stressing that the model had successfully moved from donor-driven to government-owned implementation.

“Even when TCI ceases to exist, the work will continue because the model promotes sustainable investment and long-term programming.

Representing the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP), Andrea Anschel, global lead for TCI, described the meeting as “a celebration of resilience, innovation, and collective achievement.”

“When TCI Nigeria began, the vision was not just to do more for governments but to build systems that governments could own,” she said. “Today, that vision has become a reality. Across many states, we see reduced dependence on external funding and increased domestic financing for family planning.”

Anschel praised the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Bayer AG for their consistent support and hailed Nigerian states for “writing their own success stories.”

“Sustainability is not about leavingbit’s about staying differently, standing beside government as a coach and ally. The true measure of success is not what we celebrate today but the lives transformed tomorrow.”

Regional Representative of TCI Global, Kojo Lokko, also applauded Nigeria’s exemplary performance within the 13-country TCI network that has reached more than 280 million people worldwide.

“Here in Nigeria, working in 22 states, TCI has helped increase contraceptive uptake, improve adolescent-friendly services, and strengthen leadership capacity,” Lokko said.
“However, the sustainability of this work rests with youbthe state governments. Commodity stock-outs threaten the trust we’ve built. I urge all commissioners and permanent secretaries to make commodity security a top priority.”

Adding a strong media and advocacy perspective, Mr. Akinlabi Jimoh, Executive Director of Development Communications (DevComs) Network, decried Nigeria’s recurring cycle of family planning interventions that fail to outlive donor funding.

“As far back as the 1990s, I reported on family planning and mental health issues, and by 2008, my organization’s work earned the One Africa Award from Bono and Angkor. Yet, despite all the awards and initiatives, it’s still the same old story—projects come and go, but the underlying issues remain,” he said.

Jimoh stressed that family planning affects all sectors of national life, from education to economic stability.

“When you go to your bank platform, you’re sending money to one person, then to another education group; your wife has given birth, your son is going back to schoolbthese things are all connected. Family planning affects virtually all of us,” he said.

He called for innovation and long-term, community-driven strategies.

“Perhaps at the community level, we can start doing things differently. Nigeria’s future in family planning depends on building systems that ensure continuity, ownership, and long-term impact rather than changing the dynamics of proposals with every new funding round.”

Delivering a goodwill message, Dr. Ejike Oji, Country Coordinator of Advance Family Planning (AFP), commended TCI for complementing national efforts.

“TCI has shown that it is better to cook the rice than to eat it raw,” he joked. “They have done extremely well in expanding access and are now on the pathway to sustainability.”

He emphasized collaboration and transparency, urging timely release and judicious use of family planning funds.

“Together with UNFPA and other partners, we will continue to ensure that funds allocated for family planning are released and used for their intended purpose,” he assured.

The meeting drew participants from state health ministries, commissioners, traditional rulers, civil society, and development partners all united in a shared vision of a Nigeria where family planning is locally funded, owned, and sustained.

As participants applauded the unveiling of TCI’s Compendium of Achievements, the consensus was clear: family planning is no longer a donor-driven initiative but a homegrown national priority.

“The future of family planning in Nigeria,” Senator Banigo concluded, “lies in our collective will to ensure that every woman and girl can decide freely and safely when and how to have children because that is the foundation of a healthier, more prosperous nation.”

Reps Demand Full Disclosure of FG’s Financial Bailouts to States, LGs Since 2023

Uche Kingsley
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Reps Demand Full Disclosure of FG’s Financial Bailouts to States, LGs Since 2023

The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to provide a detailed account of all financial interventions granted to states and local governments outside the regular monthly allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) since 2023.

This followed a motion raised on Tuesday by Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, who expressed concern over the lack of transparency surrounding several bailout and support packages disbursed by the Federal Government to subnational governments in recent years.

Dasuki noted that while these interventions—ranging from budget support facilities and infrastructure development funds to ecological and emergency relief grants—were designed to stabilize state economies and spur development, there is currently no public record showing how much was disbursed, to whom, and under what terms.

“The absence of a transparent and accessible record of these financial interventions raises legitimate concerns about fiscal accountability and value for money,” he said. “As representatives of the people, it is our duty to ensure proper oversight of public funds and to guarantee that these interventions are used for their intended purposes.”

He stressed that the current opacity makes it difficult for both the legislature and citizens to track the impact of the funds or ensure they align with national development priorities.

Adopting the motion, the House directed the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to, within two weeks, submit a detailed report outlining all such interventions since 2023—including the type, amount, date of release, recipient entities, and any conditions attached.

The House also mandated its Committees on Finance, Inter-Governmental Affairs, and Public Accounts to scrutinize the submissions, engage relevant stakeholders, and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.

Lawmakers said the move demonstrates the National Assembly’s renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and equitable distribution of national resources, stressing that all public funds must deliver measurable benefits to Nigerians.

Reps Move to End Delta–Edo Border Tension, Probe Mosogar ‘Incursion’ into Edo Communities

Udehi Alambo
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Reps Move to End Delta–Edo Border Tension, Probe Mosogar ‘Incursion’ into Edo Communities

The House of Representatives has called for urgent federal intervention to stop what it described as “unwarranted incursions” by the people of Mosogar in Delta State into neighbouring Edo communities, warning that the situation could escalate into a violent interstate conflict if not addressed.

This followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Hon. (Dr.) Billy F. Osawaru, who raised alarm over the repeated attacks on Oben, Ikobi, and Obazogbe-N’Ugu communities in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

Presenting the motion titled “Need to Stop the Unwarranted Incursion by Mosogar Community in Delta State on Oben, Ikobi, and Obazogbe-N’Ugu Communities,” Osawaru said the affected Edo communities had lived peacefully with their Delta neighbours since the creation of both states in 1991, until recent incursions disrupted that harmony.

He alleged that the people of Mosogar, reportedly under the directive of some traditional authorities, had crossed into Edo territory and attacked residents, creating fear and tension.

“This incursion, allegedly carried out under the authority of the Ovie of Mosogar and some undisclosed chiefs, has left the affected communities in fear and could snowball into a full-blown crisis if not urgently addressed,” Osawaru stated.

The lawmaker warned that the continued invasion by hoodlums and thugs from Mosogar threatens lives, property, and the fragile peace in the border area.

Adopting the motion, the House directed its Committees on Special Duties and National Security and Intelligence to investigate the alleged incursion and report back within four weeks.

It also urged the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to take immediate steps to restore peace and ensure the protection of residents in the affected communities.

In addition, the House appealed to the Governments of Edo and Delta States to engage in dialogue and expedite resolution of the boundary dispute to forestall further conflict.

Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, referred the matter to the relevant committees for legislative action.

Nigeria Sitting on a Moral Volcano — Elder Oyelese Warns Tinubu, Political Leaders

Shehu Danladi
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Nigeria Sitting on a Moral Volcano — Elder Oyelese Warns Tinubu, Political Leaders

Former Minister of Power and Steel, Elder Wole Oyelese, has warned that Nigeria is edging dangerously close to a national implosion as corruption festers, morality declines, and the masses continue to suffer in silence.

In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, the elder statesman and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the country is “sitting on a moral volcano,” cautioning that if leaders fail to act decisively, public anger could soon erupt.

“Each act of injustice, every looted fund, and every display of indifference to the suffering of the people adds heat to that volcano,” Oyelese declared. “When leadership loses its conscience, the governed will eventually rise—not out of disloyalty, but because they can no longer breathe.”

He decried the trend of shielding corrupt officials and quietly writing off stolen billions while millions of Nigerians go hungry. According to him, “Nothing threatens a nation more than when thieves become kings and the law becomes their protector.”

Oyelese urged President Bola Tinubu to “step on toes, no matter how large,” and confront entrenched corruption with courage, warning that Nigeria “cannot survive on selective courage.”

He also criticised state governors for what he described as the “emperorship mentality” that has overtaken public office, arguing that with huge monthly allocations, no governor has the moral right to shift blame to Abuja for poor governance.

“The people are hungry and angry, but not foolish,” he cautioned. “Their silence must not be mistaken for consent or cowardice.”

The former minister called for genuine social intervention and full local government autonomy to restore development at the grassroots. He maintained that President Tinubu must “do the needful” to ensure administrative and financial independence for local councils.

“Local Government Autonomy is not a constitutional ornament—it is the lifeline of democracy,” Oyelese said. “When councils are free to function, development breathes again, and hope returns to the villages and towns.”

He urged political leaders to recover the moral compass of leadership before it is too late, warning that “those who sit atop the mountain of privilege must remember that when the base erupts, it swallows the peak.”

“The poor do not want revenge; they want relief,” he concluded. “Let us heal this nation before frustration turns to fury. True social intervention begins with a morality-fueled conscience.”

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