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“No More Business as Usual” — Alake, Lawmakers Vow to Make Solid Minerals Tinubu’s Next Economic Game-Changer

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Nigeria’s solid minerals sector is gearing up for a bold transformation as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda gains momentum with key players vowing to break old habits and reposition mining as the bedrock of the country’s economic diversification.

At a high-level Ministerial Retreat themed “Enhancing Performance, Strengthening Accountability, and Fostering Innovation in the Solid Minerals Sector,” held Friday in Abuja, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Henry Alake, declared that the days of lip service are over.

“This retreat is taking place at an auspicious moment a moment of collective joy and renewed purpose,” Dr. Alake told participants at the Wells Carlton Hotel, Asokoro. “Our Ministry was recently named Best Ministry in Service Excellence during Civil Service Week. But this is more than an award it is a challenge to do more. On excellence, we must neither fail nor falter.”

Dr. Alake listed sweeping reforms already underway to reposition the sector: the creation of the Nigerian Solid Minerals Company a public-private investment vehicle to unlock billions in foreign capital; a historic ₦1 trillion exploration budget to bridge Nigeria’s mineral data gap; and the launch of the Mining Marshals, a dedicated 2,350-member task force cracking down on illegal mining.

“In 2023, we generated ₦6 billion from mining licences. By 2024, it rose to ₦12.58 billion. Royalties doubled to ₦36.8 billion. We have formalised over 300 artisanal cooperatives to drive legal mining. These figures prove that commitment delivers results,” Alake said.
He urged the Ministry’s senior officials to seize the moment: “The global energy transition is redrawing mining value chains. Nigeria must not be left behind. The era of business as usual is over our charge is clear: deliver results for the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

As Dr. Alake concluded, “We are building the future, not just managing the present. Our children and their children must see the results of our Renewed Hope.”

The sector’s push got firm legislative backing from the Chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Senator Ekong Sampson, who pledged to work hand-in-hand with the Ministry to unlock Nigeria’s underground wealth.

“I commend our Minister for convening this timely retreat,” Senator Sampson said. “It sets the tone for the next phase of collaboration. From gold to lithium, bitumen to coal our minerals hold the key to diversifying our economy, creating jobs, and earning the foreign exchange we need. We are ready to provide the legislative framework to make it happen.”

Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals Development, Honourable Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi, underscored the game-changing potential of recent reforms.

“In less than two years, we moved from $6 billion to $38 billion in revenue, and attracted over $800 billion in foreign direct investment,” Gbefwi noted. “The Nigerian Solid Minerals Development Company is a masterstroke this is our chance to replicate Norway’s oil success story, but with minerals. We must build resilient institutions that serve our communities for generations.”

Permanent Secretary, Engr. Yabo Faruk Yusuf, credited teamwork and dedication for the Ministry’s Service Excellence award, calling the recognition a springboard for deeper reforms.

“This award shows what we can achieve when we put our shoulders to the wheel,” Engr. Yusuf said. “Our job now is to turn this momentum into measurable results for the Nigerian people.”

Also speaking, Director-General of the Nigerian Mining Cadastre Office, Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom, described the retreat as a moment of rebirth for the entire sector.

“‘Retreat’ means we want to make things better,” Nkom said to resounding applause. “Apart from the wealth beneath our feet, we our capacity are the real wealth. By the time we leave here, we must be recharged and ready to deliver a sector that attracts investors and transforms communities.”

African Mining Ministers Applaud Alake’s Leadership, Adopt Continental Reporting Code

By
Toyin Adebayo
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In a major step towards standardising Africa’s mineral resource management, ministers under the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) have unanimously adopted the new Pan-African Resources Reporting Code (PARC) a move championed by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake.

Speaking at the sixth inter-ministerial meeting of the AMSG, Dr. Alake highlighted the need for a unified and transparent mineral reporting system to boost investor confidence and position Africa’s mining sector for sustainable global competitiveness.

“A critical challenge facing Africa’s mineral development is the absence of a harmonised and transparent mineral resource reporting framework across the continent,” Alake told delegates at the meeting. “This inconsistency undermines investor confidence, hinders proper valuation of assets, and limits access to development financing.”

The new code, developed through the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) in collaboration with PARC, is designed to align Africa’s resource reporting with international best practices. Alake urged member countries to adopt the framework for all government-funded and private-sector exploration projects, describing it as a foundation for credible, investor-grade project development.

The Minister’s leadership drew widespread praise from fellow African mining leaders. Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Wilmot Paye, and South Sudan’s representative, Eruaga Jackson, commended Alake’s drive and diplomatic skill in projecting AMSG’s mission at high-level global forums.

“Dr. Alake’s commitment has put the AMSG on the map, attracting global attention and vital partnerships for Africa’s value-addition agenda,” said Paye.

Welcoming participants to the meeting, Alake noted that the successes achieved so far are due to the collective dedication of all member countries. He revealed that Nigeria has completed all procedures for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally ratify the AMSG charter — and encouraged other African mining nations to accelerate their own ratification processes.

The Gambian Minister of Petroleum, Energy & Mines, Nani Juwara, and Somalia’s Deputy Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Abdiwahab Abdi Omar, also endorsed the new reporting code, describing it as a strategic boost to Africa’s mining industry and a testament to the African Union’s commitment to sector reforms.

The ministers agreed to roll out the reporting framework in their respective countries and collaborate closely to ensure smooth implementation.

Presenting the AMSG’s annual budget, General Secretary Moses Engadu announced that the group will host side events at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the upcoming African Minerals Summit in Kenya, and the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit to be held in Abuja.

With this adoption, Africa’s mining leaders say they are sending a clear message: the continent is ready to attract more investments, promote fair valuation of its resources, and take its rightful place in the global mining arena.

Fake Drugs Surge Past 50% as ACPN Raises Alarm, Demand Action

By
Toyin Adebayo
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The National Chairman of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN), Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, has raised a fresh alarm over Nigeria’s deepening fake drug crisis, warning that counterfeit medicines now account for more than 50% of drugs in circulation levels last seen before the sweeping reforms of the early 2000s.

Speaking through an official press statement ahead of the Association’s 44th Annual International Conference, scheduled for July 22nd–27th, 2025 in Awka, Anambra State, Pharm. Igwekamma described the resurgence of fake and substandard medicines as “a major source of worry in contemporary times,” with new evidence pointing to a rapid return to the grim figures of the past.

“Our usually reliable and dependable research-based efforts indicate that we are back to the days of over 50% of drugs in circulation being fake and substandard, as against official figures hovering between 13% and 15%,” Igwekamma stated.

He noted that the influx of fake foods and drinks has also grown into a “tens-of-billion-naira business championed by modern-day merchants of death,” posing fresh dangers to public health and national security.

Recalling the milestones recorded under the late Prof. Dora Akunyili’s stewardship of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) between 2001 and 2009, Igwekamma lamented that recent years have seen regulatory lapses that emboldened illicit drug syndicates.

He cited historical studies by the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) dating back to 1988, which exposed that 33% of drugs in Nigeria were fake then, with 7% causing fatalities. By 1998, new surveys indicated the fake drug incidence had worsened—almost 50% of counterfeit drugs were traced to open drug markets, while patent medicine vendors accounted for nearly 33%.

According to Igwekamma, despite the entrenchment of the Fake Drug Act during the 1999 transition period, its enforcement has weakened in recent times, allowing fake and unwholesome products to flourish unchecked.

“Despite some modest efforts by NAFDAC, the influx of fake drugs and unwholesome food and drinks has surged very significantly in the last five years when the Federal Task Force and equivalent State Task Forces have almost become moribund with negligible regulatory output,” he said.

However, Igwekamma applauded one bright spot in recent enforcement: the landmark collaboration between NAFDAC and the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN), which led to the closure of the notorious Sabon-Geri open drug market in Kano in January 2024. The Sabon-Geri action coincided with the launch of Nigeria’s first Coordinated Wholesale Centre (CWC), part of the National Drug Distribution Guidelines designed to phase out unregulated open drug markets.

“The CWC are well-regulated drug centres designed to replace the Open Drug Markets (ODMs). It is in the spirit of such collaborations we desire to save consumers from the almost five million unregistered drug-selling outfits dotting both rural and urban Nigeria,” he explained.

In a bold call to lawmakers, the ACPN Chairman urged the National Assembly to urgently amend the existing Fake Drug and Unwholesome Food Act to transform it into a more potent and enforceable legal tool.

“The NASS must, as a matter of urgency, amend the existing Act to become a much more potent Act of parliament,” Igwekamma said, adding that decisive reforms could help dismantle criminal networks behind the deadly trade.

While sounding the alarm, Igwekamma also used the press briefing to unveil the focus of this year’s conference themed “Technology Integration, Personalized Care: The Future of Community Pharmacy Practice.”

According to him, the theme captures the ACPN’s resolve to reposition community pharmacists at the forefront of Nigeria’s evolving healthcare delivery system—by leveraging digital innovation, artificial intelligence, telepharmacy, electronic health records, point-of-care testing, and personalized pharmaceutical services.

“We are at a critical juncture where the traditional roles of community pharmacists must expand to meet the rising demands of a tech-savvy, wellness-conscious population,” he declared.

Set to convene in Awka, Anambra State’s bustling capital, from July 22nd to 27th, the conference will host over 3,000 delegates, including pharmacists, technologists, policymakers, academics, researchers, students, and industry stakeholders.

Highlights of the six-day gathering will include: A Walk Against Fake and Counterfeit Medicines a public demonstration to raise awareness about the deadly threat; Keynotes and Technical Sessions featuring global thought leaders in pharmacy and health technology; Workshops and Panels exploring emerging innovations, regulatory frameworks, and pharmaceutical entrepreneurship; ACPN Exhibition Expo showcasing technology companies, digital health platforms, drug manufacturers, and healthcare startups; and Cultural Night and Gala Awards to celebrate industry achievements and foster professional bonding.

Igwekamma commended the Government and people of Anambra State for their overwhelming support in hosting the conference, describing Awka as an ideal setting for inspiration, networking, and forward-thinking solutions.

In closing, Igwekamma appealed to all community pharmacists, healthcare professionals, regulators, industry leaders, and development partners to join forces in building a more resilient and people-focused pharmacy practice for Nigeria’s future.

“Together, we shall build a community pharmacy model that delivers impact through innovation and compassion,” he said.

The 44th Annual International Conference of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria promises to be a defining moment one that not only confronts Nigeria’s decades-old counterfeit drug scourge but also charts a bold course for a smarter, safer, and more personalized healthcare system for all Nigerians.

Wike Asks Tinubu To Release NDDC Audit, Let Amaechi’s Wife Explain N4bn — FCT Minister Fires Fresh Salvo

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has demanded that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu make public the long-suppressed forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), alleging that the document will expose how former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s wife mismanaged over N4 billion meant to empower women in the region.

Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Wike launched a blistering counterattack against his predecessor and political rival, Rotimi Amaechi, who recently demanded respect on the basis of seniority and experience.

“I call on Mr President to release the NDDC forensic audit report so Nigerians will see how Amaechi’s wife spent N4 billion supposedly for training Niger Delta women. Let her come out and tell Nigerians where the money went,” Wike declared.

He alleged that the controversial audit, which was ordered years ago to uncover widespread mismanagement in the NDDC, was buried by former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami to protect vested interests.

“It was Malami who suppressed that report. That’s how Amaechi’s wife became an ‘industrialist’ overnight — by handling billions meant for the people. Four billion every month, training women — where are the women today?” he asked.

Responding to Amaechi’s claim of seniority and demands for respect, Wike dismissed such assertions as hollow.

“You earn respect through integrity and what you deliver for your people, not because you are 200 years old or because you were governor before me,” he fired back.

Wike recalled his own political journey, stressing that he rose on merit long before he ever met Amaechi.

“In 1998, I contested for and won the Obio/Akpor Local Government chairmanship — one of Nigeria’s most prominent councils. I didn’t know Rotimi Amaechi then. So who is senior to who?” he said.

The Minister accused Amaechi of dragging his wife’s name into politics to score cheap points.

“When did your wife become an industrialist? Selling goods doesn’t make you an industrialist. If you truly love your wife, why expose her to this ridicule? I respect my wife too much to use her as a political tool,” Wike stated.

He also tackled opposition voices boasting of a new coalition strong enough to unseat President Tinubu in 2027.

“They claim there’s a coalition that will sweep Tinubu and the APC out of power. By who? The same people who had the chance to fix Nigeria but failed to deliver even a kilometre of road in their villages? Nigerians know better now,” he said.

The FCT Minister insisted the current administration’s focus is clear: deliver visible projects that touch real lives.

“While they plot coalitions and gossip on TV, we are building roads, terminals, schools, hospitals. Let them bring their own scorecards — not empty promises and noise,” he said.

Wike concluded by warning Nigerians to be wary of recycled politicians promising change they failed to deliver when they had power.

“It’s time to ask hard questions. What did they do with all their chances? Show Nigerians your record — not more slogans and propaganda,” he said.

He urged President Tinubu to prove his commitment to transparency by making the full NDDC audit report public.

“Nigerians deserve to know the truth and the truth will speak for itself,” Wike declared.

Court Orders Senate to Recall Senator Natasha — Slams N5m Fine for Contempt

By
Saladin Babagana
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the entire Senate to immediately recall the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Justice Binta Nyako, delivering judgment on Friday, ruled that Senator Natasha’s six-month suspension was unconstitutional and violated the rights of her constituents to proper representation in the National Assembly.

The judge held that while the National Assembly has the power to discipline its members, any sanction must not be so excessive that it effectively silences the voice of an entire constituency.

“The suspension for six months is a clear breach of the Constitution and denies her constituents their right to representation,” Justice Nyako stated, noting that the duration also exceeded the maximum number of sitting days allowed under the law.

However, the court found Senator Natasha guilty of contempt for an unspecified action during the proceedings and imposed a fine of N5 million on her.

Justice Nyako further directed the senator to publish a public apology in two national newspapers and on her Facebook page to purge herself of the contempt.

The ruling puts an end to weeks of legal battle following Natasha’s suspension by her colleagues, which sparked debates about legislative overreach and the right of Nigerians to full representation at all times.

‘Operation Show Your Scorecard!’ — Wike Hits Back at Critics, Dares Opponents to Account for Their Record

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has thrown a direct challenge to opposition figures, declaring that no amount of “coalition politics” or propaganda can overshadow the visible results being delivered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in Abuja and beyond.

Speaking at the commissioning of the newly rehabilitated Aguma Palace–Radio Nigeria–New Market Road in Gwagwalada Area Council on Friday, Wike said critics who are uncomfortable with the rapid transformation of the FCT should be brave enough to show Nigerians what they achieved when they held power.

“Mr. President, today is the 16th day you have devoted your time to personally participate in commissioning projects,” Wike said. “I never knew people were so pained that so many things are happening in the FCT until last night when I watched one of the presidential aspirants of the so-called coalition party — an industrialist — so pained that he’s angry the President, the Vice President, the Senate President, the Speaker, the SGF are coming to commission projects. Yet they claim the people are angry!”

Turning to the cheering crowd, the Minister posed a pointed question: “Gwagwalada people, are you angry?” The resounding reply came back: “No!”

Wike mocked what he called “fake coalitions” designed only to distract Nigerians from genuine progress.

“I asked people and they said this coalition started 18 months ago. Mr. President has been in office for two years. So you started coalition when he was barely six months in office? When will you stop deceiving Nigerians?” he fired back.

He then took a swipe at former leaders, saying it was time for them to stop hiding behind empty talk and account for their time in office.

“Somebody came into office for just six months, you say Nigerians are angry. But you were Senate President for eight years, Speaker for four years, Minister of Transportation for eight years — yet you never made angry Nigerians happy! Now you want to come back to power? You won’t come back!”

Declaring this era “Operation Show Your Scorecard,” Wike said true leaders must show evidence of how they used their time in office to better the lives of the people.

“When you were Senate President, show your scorecard. How did you help the people of Benue State? Is it by flying a helicopter to Otukpo? We are here for 16 days showing our scorecard!” he said to loud applause.

Recalling his own political battles, Wike reminded the crowd of how he has consistently defeated so-called political heavyweights.

*“In 2015, I defeated a very powerful governor who wanted his boy to be governor. In 2019, a ‘super minister’ borrowing money everywhere and leaving us heavily indebted — I defeated him too. In 2023, they said they would support a man whose only business is jumping from party to party. Now, in 2025, they say there’s another coalition. Dem born you born coalition?!” he quipped, sending the crowd roaring with laughter.

Speaking on the significance of the Gwagwalada road, Wike said the project was not imposed from Abuja city centre but selected by the people themselves, which he described as true “community participation in governance.”

“One good thing about these rural projects is we never sat in the city to decide what to do. We came here and the people said, ‘This is what we want.’ That is how governance should work!” he said.

He also highlighted the FCT Administration’s commitment to promoting local capacity by awarding contracts to Nigerian companies.

“The Ushafa–War College Road in Bwari was done by local contractors. The bus terminals were done by local contractors. That is the policy of this administration: empower our own people!” he added.

In a final swipe at those calling for protests, Wike dared them to lead by example instead of encouraging unrest from the comfort of foreign cities.

“Some people say Nigerians should come out and revolt. The man saying it — I want you to lead it. Start it in Rivers State. Not that your children are in London while you send other people’s children to the streets. Bring your children, come back, and face us first!” he said.

He assured the Gwagwalada community that more people-oriented projects were coming, promising continued delivery in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Are you happy? Do you want more things? We will give you whatever you want,” Wike declared. “Mr. President, we are proud because you have changed the narrative. As for those who don’t want to be happy — may they remain unhappy forever. Me, I’m always happy!”

‘One of the Most Colourful Politicians’: Tinubu Hails Wike as Gwagwalada Road Opens

By
Toyin Adebayo
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, as “one of the most colourful politicians in the Nigerian political landscape,” applauding his fearless approach to leadership and the visible results his tenure is bringing to the nation’s capital.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the commissioning of the newly rehabilitated Aguma Palace–Radio Nigeria–New Market Road in Gwagwalada Area Council on Friday, President Tinubu praised Wike’s unique style and political audacity, which he said have helped fast-track real development in the FCT.

“The inimitable, the incredible, the superb Minister of the FCT. One of the most colourful politicians in the Nigerian political landscape. I mean, he dances very well and he threw some jibes at the opposition today,” Tinubu said through Shettima, drawing laughter and cheers from the large crowd that gathered to witness the ceremony.

Turning to the importance of the project, Tinubu noted that the newly completed road goes beyond mere infrastructure; it demonstrates his administration’s commitment to bridging the gap between the city centre and communities that have long been neglected.

“For too long, those who lived beyond the city centre have watched development happen from a distance. They have watched their dreams of inclusion delayed by excuses and their hopes defied by shifting priorities. But we are here to rewrite that history,” he declared.

He emphasised that the road, chosen by the people themselves, symbolises responsive governance that listens to citizens and delivers real impact.

“What brings us together on this historic day is more than a road. It is a reminder that no community under this administration is too far to be seen and no voice too faint to be heard. We are not just rehabilitating roads, we are rehabilitating trust,” Tinubu said.

He described the transformation taking place in the FCT as the product of deliberate reforms, stating, “By expanding the revenue base of the FCT, we are investing in roads, schools, hospitals and our people.”

President Tinubu called the new road a “corridor of dignity for market women, a path to safety for school children, and a road to prosperity for the hardworking traders.”

“This road will do more than ease the movement of people and goods. It will make this community safer. It will improve access to education and healthcare. It will unlock economic potential, especially for our rural dwellers,” he said.

He also praised Wike for proving that bold, sometimes disruptive leadership is vital to deliver meaningful change.

“I thank him for proving that disruption is not a threat to order but a requirement for progress. Honourable Minister, Mr. President is mightily proud of your accomplishments and, of course, your political sagacity and no-holds-barred attitude,” the Vice President said on Tinubu’s behalf.

President Tinubu also appreciated the traditional rulers in Gwagwalada for their support and patience, describing them as true partners in progress.

“This project is not just a symbol of government presence. It is your project. It belongs to the people of Gwagwalada,” he said.

He assured the people that the era of abandoned projects and failed promises was over.

“We are determined to ensure that development is not a privilege reserved for the few, but a right enjoyed by all,” Tinubu said, before formally commissioning the road amid jubilation and cultural performances.

In his remarks, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike said the road, like others delivered under the Renewed Hope Agenda, was not designed from behind closed doors but chosen through genuine community engagement.

“One good thing about these projects in our rural areas is that we never sat in the city to dictate what to do. We came here and the people told us, ‘This is what we want.’ That is what we call community participation in governance,” Wike said.

He noted that the administration is committed to empowering local contractors who deliver quality jobs that benefit communities.

“The Ushafa–War College Road in Bwari was done by local contractors. The bus terminals were done by local contractors. That is the policy direction of this government: to empower our own people,” Wike stated.

Also speaking at the event, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said the road and other projects recently commissioned are clear evidence of President Tinubu’s vision for inclusive governance and tangible development.

“The commissioning of this road demonstrates our dedication to inclusive governance and infrastructure renewal in both urban and rural communities,” Mahmoud said.

She praised President Tinubu’s leadership for inspiring development that improves the lives of ordinary Nigerians across the FCT.

Greed and Power Hunger, Not Wike, Destroyed PDP — FCT Minister’s Aide Blasts Bolaji Abdullahi

By
Toyin Adebayo
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Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has fired back at Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, accusing him and his allies of wrecking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) through “greed and desperation for power.”

Olayinka, in a statement on Friday, dismissed Abdullahi’s claim that Wike ruined the PDP, describing it as dishonest and hypocritical.

“People like Bolaji Abdullahi, driven by selfish ambition and political greed, are the reason the PDP lost its way not Wike,” Olayinka said.

He challenged Abdullahi to explain why he defected from the PDP back in 2014 long before Wike became Minister.

“Is it Wike who made him leave the PDP when he fell out with Senator Bukola Saraki the same man who lifted him from Special Assistant to a Minister? As Minister under President Jonathan, why did he abandon the PDP for the APC? Was it Wike who pushed him then too?”

Olayinka accused Abdullahi of conveniently ignoring his own record of “political waka-about” and Atiku Abubakar’s role in frustrating the PDP’s efforts to win Lagos State in 2003.

“He won’t say it, but everyone knows it was Atiku’s treachery that cost the PDP Lagos. Now they are pretending to be saviours of democracy,” he said.

Mocking Abdullahi’s electoral failures, Olayinka said, “Despite serving as Special Assistant, Commissioner, Minister, and even getting the PDP Senate ticket in 2023, he still lost to his APC rival. If your own people can’t trust you with a governorship ticket or Senate seat, then you are a political liability, plain and simple.”

He described the so-called opposition coalition as a gathering of “serial decampees and frustrated politicians” only seeking power for personal gain.

“How can they claim they want to save democracy when their frontmen include Atiku, whom Obasanjo called patently corrupt; El-Rufai, who bent the knee to pay terrorists; Rotimi Amaechi, under whom the Rivers judiciary was shut for over a year; and Dino Melaye, who couldn’t even vote for himself? Nigerians can see through the lies,” he stated.

Olayinka urged Abdullahi and his group to stop “deceiving Nigerians with rescue slogans” and admit their only mission is to grab power for themselves and their cronies.

“They are desperate and hungry for power but too bad for them, they won’t get it,” Olayinka concluded.

FCT Primary Teachers Set to End Strike After Wike’s Bold Intervention

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

Primary school teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to suspend their three-month strike following a decisive intervention by the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike.

This was disclosed by the Chief of Staff to the Minister, Mr. Chidi Amadi, in Abuja on Tuesday after a closed-door meeting involving the FCT Administration, area council chairmen, leaders of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and members of the National Assembly.

Amadi explained that the meeting, convened by Wike, was the latest in a series of efforts to resolve the prolonged industrial action that has kept thousands of pupils out of school since March.

He announced that the meeting reached a landmark decision to release the accrued 10 per cent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the area councils for the past six months to offset about 70 per cent of the outstanding minimum wage owed to primary school teachers.

“While this will not clear all arrears at once, it is a significant step towards permanently resolving the crisis and restoring learning across the FCT,” Amadi said.

To tackle the remaining issues, the Minister has directed the formation of a Special Committee made up of representatives from the NUT, FCTA, the area councils and NANS. The committee is expected to submit its report within two weeks, detailing how the remaining concerns will be addressed once and for all.

Amadi further revealed that Wike has also pledged to personally intervene in settling other outstanding matters affecting local government workers to ensure that the area councils return to full operations without further disruptions.

Speaking on behalf of the area council chairmen, Mr. Abubakar Abdullahi confirmed their backing for the resolution, noting that although forfeiting six months of IGR would be tough, it was necessary to secure the education of FCT children.

“We have all agreed to release the funds to settle this matter because we cannot continue to keep our children at home. The Minister has shown leadership, even though by law he cannot seize the councils’ IGR. But because of our collective resolve to end this crisis, we gave our consent,” Abdullahi said.

He appealed to the teachers to reciprocate the gesture and call off the strike without delay.

On his part, the National President of NANS, Olushola Oladoja, praised Wike’s intervention and described it as a courageous decision that put the interest of pupils first.

“The Minister took this step in good faith and the council chairmen supported him because they genuinely want schools reopened. It is our hope that the teachers will respond positively,” Oladoja said.

NUT Chairman, Mohammed Shafa, acknowledged the resolutions but said the union’s State Executive Council would deliberate and announce a final decision soon.

Recalls that the teachers embarked on the indefinite strike in March over the non-implementation of the minimum wage, the 25 and 35 per cent salary increase, the 40 per cent peculiar allowance, the N35,000 wage award and other entitlements agreed upon since 2022.

With this breakthrough, there is renewed hope that classrooms across the FCT will soon reopen, bringing relief to thousands of pupils and parents eager to see an end to the long disruption.

My Children Won’t Get Special Abuja Land — Wike Vows to Crush Land Racketeering

By
Toyin Adebayo
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0

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has vowed that neither his children nor any well-connected individual will receive special treatment in Abuja’s land allocation under his watch.

Wike, who spoke during a live media chat in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed what he called “malicious rumours” that his family is cornering land in the capital city, insisting that only due process will decide who gets land — not political influence or family ties.

“If my own children apply for land today, they will not get it just because they bear my name. They must follow due process like everyone else. Nobody is entitled to free land in Abuja because they know the Minister,” Wike declared.

He accused vested interests behind illegal land rackets of sponsoring false stories to distract him from cleaning up the FCT’s notorious land sector.

“People apply for land claiming they want to farm or build. Instead, they sit on it for years, speculating and selling it off at huge profits while Abuja’s development suffers. That era is over. Use the land for what it was given — or we’ll revoke it. It’s that simple,” he said.

The Minister revealed he has turned down several dubious land requests brought to his office by powerful figures.

“When you say no to them, they go around cooking stories, blackmailing you. But we won’t be distracted. We are here to sanitize Abuja’s land administration, no matter whose ox is gored,” he added.

Wike called on journalists and the public to reject conspiracy theories and support genuine reforms that will protect Abuja’s long-term growth.

“We have about 2,000 hectares of land to manage responsibly — not for people to grab, hoard, and resell while real investors and the people lose out,” he said.

He assured credible investors of a transparent process and warned that abandoned plots would no longer be tolerated.

“If you want land to build, farm, or invest, you’re welcome — but if you think you’ll use connections to take plots and do nothing with them, you’ll be disappointed,” Wike stated.

He urged the media to help hold the system to account and steer the national conversation towards meaningful issues.

“Abuja’s real needs are infrastructure, jobs, and security not cheap talk about land for my children. That will never happen. Let’s focus on what will move the capital forward,” Wike concluded.

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