Doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have embarked on a three-day warning strike to protest unpaid salaries, allowances, and unfulfilled commitments from the government.
The strike, led by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) FCTA, has disrupted medical services across major government hospitals in Abuja, including Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, Kubwa, and Nyanya.
At a press briefing in Abuja, ARD FCTA President, Dr. George Ebong, criticized the government for neglecting doctors’ welfare and healthcare infrastructure, despite a 21-day ultimatum issued to FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, in December 2024. Highlighting their grievances, Dr. Ebong called for the immediate payment of six months’ salary arrears, release of accoutrements allowances, promotions, and settlement of 13 months’ hazard allowance arrears. He warned of an indefinite strike if the government fails to act, stating, “Just as roads are being constructed, the welfare of doctors should also be prioritized. We need actions, not just promises.”
The Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, has urged northern elites to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s economy and driving national development.
Dr. Alake made this call on Tuesday in Kaduna while receiving the Most Impactful Minister award from the Arewa Think-Tank. He credited his accomplishments to the collaborative governance approach championed by President Tinubu, which fosters synergy across ministries.
“The achievements of a single minister are the result of teamwork and collaboration across ministries,” Dr. Alake remarked in a statement released by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Segun Tomori.
Achievements in the Solid Minerals Sector
Dr. Alake outlined significant progress in the solid minerals sector under his leadership, including the establishment of Mining Marshals in partnership with the Ministries of Interior and Defence. He also highlighted efforts to globally promote Nigeria’s mining sector with support from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Investment.
He praised President Tinubu’s leadership, citing the 25-year economic projection for Lagos State as a transformative blueprint for national growth. “President Tinubu’s visionary policies in Lagos remain a shining example of strategic planning and sustainable development,” he said.
Reforms for Long-Term Sustainability
Dr. Alake emphasized the importance of bold reforms undertaken by the Tinubu administration, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery. “These reforms may involve sacrifices, but they are necessary to dismantle systems that benefited a few at the expense of the masses,” he stated.
Support from Prominent Leaders
The award ceremony, chaired by retired General Martin Luther Agwai, drew prominent figures, including Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba Sani, former Kaduna Governor Alhaji Ramalan Yero, and Chief Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Public Communications.
General Agwai called for prioritizing agriculture to combat climate change and insecurity, while Governor Sani highlighted successes in agricultural policies that have boosted the livelihoods of farmers in Kaduna State.
Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have renewed their commitment to strengthening their geological agencies and boosting mineral exploration by leveraging Saudi Arabia’s advancements in mining technologies.
At a closed-door meeting during the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Minister of Mining, Engr. Bandar Al-Khorayef, highlighted the efforts of the Saudi government and private sector in integrating cutting-edge technologies into mineral exploration. He noted that innovative products displayed at the forum aimed to enhance awareness and adoption across the mining sector.
The initiative was spearheaded by Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who advocated for mutually beneficial partnerships between the two nations across the mining value chain. Dr. Alake emphasized Nigeria’s potential in leveraging Saudi Arabia’s gold market to position Nigerian gold refineries under agreements that would foster economic growth for both countries.
Accompanied by Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, and other top officials, Dr. Alake also engaged with the Saudi Chamber of Commerce to attract investment in Nigeria’s vast lithium and iron ore deposits. He assured prospective investors that the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) would provide detailed data to de-risk investments and streamline exploration projects.
Dr. Alake further underlined Nigeria’s strategic role in the global shift toward lithium-powered electric machines, proposing partnerships with Saudi investors to facilitate the export of processed industrial inputs. He also commended Saudi Arabia’s steel production investments, positioning them as a model for Nigeria’s iron ore-to-steel initiatives.
This collaboration demonstrates Nigeria’s dedication to diversifying its economy through solid minerals development and harnessing international expertise to unlock the sector’s potential.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced the approved fare for the 2025 Hajj as N8,457,685.59k for intending pilgrims from Abuja.
In a statement released by the Board’s Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Lawal, intending pilgrims who have already made deposits are required to complete their payments by Thursday, January 30, 2025, to secure their participation in this year’s pilgrimage. Lawal also urged prospective pilgrims who are yet to make any deposit to ensure full payment before the deadline to secure their spots.
He emphasized that all payments must be made through bank drafts, as cash transactions will not be accepted. The prompt conclusion of payments will enable the Board to finalize the list of intending pilgrims and remit the required funds to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Additionally, the Board has initiated discussions with service providers in Saudi Arabia to secure high-quality feeding and comfortable accommodations for the FCT contingent in Makkah. These efforts are in line with the Board’s commitment to providing exceptional services under the New Hope Agenda of the current administration.
The Board has advised intending pilgrims to act quickly to avoid missing the opportunity to participate in this year’s Hajj exercise.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructural development and community upliftment, citing the successful completion of the 11km Yangogi-Sukuku-Ebo road in Kwali Area Council as a testament to the administration’s dedication.
Speaking at the official commissioning of the project on Tuesday in Abuja, Wike expressed satisfaction with the community’s support for the government and reiterated the administration’s resolve to deliver on its promises. “I thank God Almighty that we made that promise, and today it is a promise made and a promise fulfilled. You are the first community where we are doing a road and installing streetlights,” he said.
The Minister highlighted the impact of the project on the community, emphasizing its role in enhancing connectivity, reducing insecurity, and improving access to essential services like healthcare and education. He also commended Gilmore Construction Company for completing the road on schedule and renovating a local school as part of its corporate social responsibility. “I urge other companies to emulate Gilmore by contributing to the development of the community,” Wike added.
The Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, praised the administration’s swift execution of the project, noting its completion less than a year after its groundbreaking in February 2024. She emphasized the road’s transformative impact on rural development, calling it a critical step in fostering economic growth and sustainable communities. “Investing in rural infrastructure is not just about economic development; it’s about building inclusive and resilient communities,” she said.
Residents of Kwali expressed gratitude to the Tinubu-led administration for addressing their needs, reaffirming their support for the government’s vision of inclusive development. The event also underscored ongoing projects in the area, including the construction of police stations, as the administration continues to prioritize the welfare of rural communities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep regret over the United States’ decision to withdraw from the organization, highlighting the critical role the partnership has played in safeguarding global health and security. In a statement, WHO emphasized its efforts in addressing disease outbreaks, building resilient health systems, and responding to health emergencies worldwide, including in challenging environments where others cannot operate.
As a founding member since 1948, the United States has been instrumental in shaping WHO’s mission, contributing to milestones like the eradication of smallpox and the near-eradication of polio. WHO also noted its ongoing reforms to enhance accountability and cost-effectiveness. The organization called for constructive dialogue with the US to sustain their long-standing partnership, which it described as essential for protecting global health and the well-being of millions, including Americans.
President Bola Tinubu is currently hosting a closed-door meeting with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and prominent leaders from Ogoniland to discuss critical issues, including the Ogoni clean-up project and the possible resumption of oil exploration in the area. The meeting, held at the State House in Abuja, has drawn significant attention due to the longstanding environmental and economic challenges facing Ogoniland.
The delegation includes Senators Lee Maeba, Magnus Abe, and Olaka Nwogu, as well as other key stakeholders like Victor Giadom, Kenneth Kobani, and Monsignor Pius Kii. Senior federal officials such as National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and NNPC Group CEO Mele Kyari are also in attendance. The discussions are believed to address the 2011 UNEP report highlighting severe environmental degradation in Ogoniland and concerns raised by civil society organisations demanding $1 trillion for clean-up and compensation. These developments come as the Federal Government seeks to address the prolonged halt in oil production, which has significantly impacted Nigeria’s GDP amid an ongoing energy crisis.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) announced on Monday that its operatives successfully thwarted multiple bandit attacks across the nation over the weekend, leading to the elimination of 11 bandits and terrorists in Kogi and Katsina states. The operations were part of the Force’s ongoing efforts to combat crime and ensure public safety.
According to Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, the police’s intelligence-led policing strategy has yielded notable successes. On January 18, 2025, operatives in Kogi State received intelligence about a group of armed bandits holding a strategic meeting for a possible attack in Budon, Kogi State. A swift response from the Kogi State Command led to a gunfight in which one bandit was neutralized, four others arrested, and an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 30 rounds of ammunition, and two motorcycles were recovered.
On the same day, in Katsina State, police intercepted a group of armed bandits heading to attack Ruwan Doruwa village. A fierce gun battle ensued, resulting in the elimination of seven bandits. The remaining gang members fled, leaving behind 109 rustled livestock.
In a significant development, the NPF also stepped up its fight against human trafficking and illegal baby factories. A major operation in Ondo State led to the rescue of 207 kidnapped children from suspected traffickers. A syndicate involved in child abduction was arrested following intelligence that led to the discovery of 14 children, ranging from 1 week to 7 years old, in Akure.
The police force’s continued efforts reflect its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives and properties of Nigerians, demonstrating a firm stance against crime and promising to bring all offenders to justice. The NPF remains dedicated to enhancing public safety through collaboration with other security agencies and intelligence-driven operations.
Thank you. Thank you very much, everybody. Well, thank you very, very much. Vice President Vance, Speaker Johnson, Senator Thune, Chief Justice Roberts, justices of the United States Supreme Court, President Clinton, President Bush, President Obama, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and my fellow citizens. The Golden Age of America begins right now.
From this day forward, our country will flourish and be respected again all over the world. We will be the envy of every nation, and we will not allow ourselves to be taken advantage of any longer. During every single day of the Trump administration, I will very simply put America first. Our sovereignty will be reclaimed. Our safety will be restored. The scales of justice will be rebalanced. The vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end. And our top priority will be to create a nation that is proud, prosperous and free.
America will soon be greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before. I return to the presidency confident and optimistic that we are at the start of a thrilling new era of national success, a tide of change is sweeping the country, sunlight is pouring over the entire world, and America has the chance to seize this opportunity like never before.
But first, we must be honest about the challenges we face. While they are plentiful, they will be annihilated by this great momentum that the world is now witnessing in the United States of America.
As we gather today, our government confronts a crisis of trust. For many years, a radical and corrupt establishment has extracted power and wealth from our citizens, while the pillars of our society lay broken and seemingly in complete disrepair.
We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while at the same time stumbling into a continuing catalog of catastrophic events abroad. It fails to protect our magnificent, law-abiding American citizens, but provide sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals, many from prisons and mental institutions that have illegally entered our country from all over the world.
We have a government that has given unlimited funding to the defence of foreign borders, but refuses to defend American borders or more importantly, its own people. Our country can no longer deliver basic services in times of emergency, as recently shown by the wonderful people of North Carolina, been treated so badly. And other states who are still suffering from a hurricane that took place many months ago.
Or more recently in Los Angeles, where we are watching fires still tragically burn from weeks ago without even a token of defence. They’re raging through the houses and communities, even affecting some of the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in our country, some of whom are sitting here right now. They don’t have a home any longer. That’s interesting, but we can’t let this happen. Everyone is unable to do anything about it. That’s going to change.
We have a public health system that does not deliver in times of disaster, yet more money is spent on it than any country anywhere in the world. And we have an education system that teaches our children to be ashamed of themselves, in many cases to hate our country despite the love that we try so desperately to provide to them. All of this will change starting today, and it will change very quickly.
My recent election has a mandate to completely and totally reverse a horrible betrayal, and all of these many betrayals that have taken place, and to give the people back their faith, their wealth, their democracy, and indeed, their freedom.
From this moment on, America’s decline is over. Our liberties and our nation’s glorious destiny will no longer be denied, and we will immediately restore the integrity, competency, and loyalty of America’s government. Over the past eight years, I have been tested and challenged more than any president in our 250 year history, and I’ve learned a lot along the way the journey to reclaim our republic has not been an easy one that I can tell you.
Trump vows to ‘tariff and tax’ foreign countries US oil imports from Nigeria to drop as Trump plans energy emergency order Those who wish to stop our cause have tried to take my freedom, and indeed to take my life. Just a few months ago, in a beautiful Pennsylvania field, an assassin’s bullet ripped through my ear. But I felt then and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again. Thank you. Thank you very much.
That is why each day under our administration of American patriots, we will be working to meet every crisis with dignity and power and strength. We will move with purpose and speed to bring back hope, prosperity, safety, and peace for citizens of every race, religion, colour and creed. For American citizens, Jan. 20th, 2025 is Liberation Day.
It is my hope that our recent presidential election will be remembered as the greatest and most consequential election in the history of our country.
As our victory showed, the entire nation is rapidly unifying behind our agenda with dramatic increases in support from virtually every element of our society, young and old, men and women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, urban, suburban, rural and very importantly, we had a powerful win in all seven swing states, and the popular vote we won by millions of people.
To the black and Hispanic communities, I want to thank you for the tremendous outpouring of love and trust that you have shown me with your vote. We set records and I will not forget it. I’ve heard your voices in the campaign, and I look forward to working with you in the years to come. Today is Martin Luther King Day and his honour, this will be a great honour, but in his honour, we will strive together to make his dream a reality. We will make his dream come true. Thank you. Thank you.
National unity is now returning to America and confidence and pride is soaring like never before. In everything we do. My administration will be inspired by a strong pursuit of excellence and unrelenting success. We will not forget our country. We will not forget our Constitution and we will not forget our God. Can’t do that.
Today, I will sign a series of historic executive orders. With these actions, we will begin the complete restoration of America and the revolution of common sense. It’s all about common sense.
First, I will declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came.
We will reinstate my remain in Mexico policy. I will end the practice of catch and release. And I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country.
Under the orders I signed today, we will also be designating the cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. And by invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 I will direct our government to use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks bringing devastating crime to U.S. soil, including our cities and inner cities. As Commander in Chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions and that is exactly what I am going to do. We will do it at a level that nobody has ever seen before.
Next, I will direct all members of my cabinet to marshal the vast powers at their disposal to defeat what was record inflation and rapidly bring down costs and prices.
The inflation crisis was caused by massive overspending and escalating energy prices and that is why today I will also declare a national energy emergency. We will drill, baby, drill.
America will be a manufacturing nation once again, and we have something that no other manufacturing nation will ever have, the largest amount of oil and gas of any country on Earth and we are going to use it, and they use it. We will bring prices down, fill our strategic reserves up again, right to the top and export American energy all over the world.
We will be a rich nation again and it is that liquid gold under our feet that will help to do it. With my actions today, we will end the Green New Deal and we will revoke the electric vehicle mandate, saving our auto industry and keeping my sacred pledge to our great American autoworkers.
In other words, you’ll be able to buy the car of your choice. We will build automobiles in America again at a rate that nobody could have dreamt possible just a few years ago and thank you to the autoworkers of our nation for your inspiring vote of confidence. We did tremendously with their vote.
I will immediately begin the overhaul of our trade system to protect American workers and families. Instead of taxing our citizens to enrich other countries, we will tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens. For this purpose, we are establishing the External Revenue Service to collect all tariffs, duties and revenues. It will be massive amounts of money pouring into our treasury coming from foreign sources. The American Dream will soon be back and thriving like never before.
To restore confidence and effectively is to our federal government, my administration will establish the brand new Department of Government Efficiency.
After years and years of illegal and unconstitutional federal efforts to restrict free expression, I will also sign an executive order to immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America. Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents. Something I know, something about. We will not allow that to happen. It will not happen again.
Under my leadership, we will restore a fair, equal, and impartial justice under the constitutional rule of law and we are going to bring law and order back to our cities.
This week I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life. We will forge a society that is colourblind and merit based. As of today, it will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.
This week, I will reinstate any service members who were unjustly expelled from our military for objecting to the COVID vaccine mandate, with full back pay. And I will sign an order to stop our warriors from being subjected to radical political theories and social experiments while on duty. It’s going to end immediately.
Our armed forces will be free to focus on their sole mission: defeating America’s enemies.
Like in 2017, we will again build the strongest military the world has ever seen. We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars that we end, and perhaps most importantly, the wars we never get into.
My proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker and unifier, that’s what I want to be, a peacemaker and a unifier. I’m pleased to say that as of yesterday, one day before I assumed office, the hostages in the Middle East are coming back home to their families.
Thank you. America will reclaim its rightful place as the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth, inspiring the all and admiration of the entire world.
A short time from now, we are going to be changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and we will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs. President McKinley made our country very rich through tariffs and through talent. He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama after the United States, the United States, I mean, think of this spent more money than ever spent on a project before and lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal.
We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made and Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharge, charged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form. And that includes the United States Navy and above all, China is operating the Panama Canal and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama and we’re taking it back.
Above all, my message to Americans today is that it is time for us to once again act with courage, vigor, and vitality of history’s greatest civilization. So as we liberate our nation, we will lead it to new heights of victory and success. We will not be deterred.
Together, we will end the chronic disease epidemic and keep our children safe, healthy, and disease free. The United States will once again consider itself a growing nation, one that increases our wealth, expands our territory, builds our cities, raises our expectations, and carries our flag into new and beautiful horizons.
And we will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars launching American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars.
Ambition is the lifeblood of a great nation and right now, our nation is more ambitious than any other. There’s no nation like our nation. Americans are explorers, builders, innovators, entrepreneurs and pioneers. The spirit of the frontier is written into our hearts. The call of the next great adventure resounds from within our souls. It
Our American ancestors turned a small group of colonies on the edge of a vast continent into a mighty republic of the most extraordinary citizens on Earth. No one comes close. Americans pushed thousands of miles through a rugged land of untamed wilderness.
They crossed deserts, scaled mountains, braved untold dangers, won the Wild West, ended slavery, rescued millions from tyranny, lifted billions from poverty, harnessed electricity, split the atom, launched mankind into the heavens and put the universe of human knowledge into the palm of the human hand.
If we work together, there is nothing we cannot do and no dream we cannot achieve. Many people thought it was impossible for me to stage such a historic political comeback. But as you see today, here I am, the American people have spoken. I stand before you now is proof that you should never believe that something is impossible to do.
In America, the impossible is what we do best. From New York to Los Angeles, from Philadelphia to Phoenix, from Chicago to Miami, from Houston to right here in Washington, DC, our country was forged and built by the generations of patriots who gave everything they had for our rights and for our freedom. They were farmers and soldiers, cowboys and factory workers, steel workers and coal miners, police officers and pioneers who pushed onward, marched forward, and let no obstacle defeat their spirit or their pride.
Together they laid down the railroads, raised up the skyscrapers, built great highways, won two world wars, defeated fascism and communism, and triumphed over every single challenge that they faced. After all we have been through together, we stand on the verge of the four greatest years in American history. With your help, we will restore America’s promise and we will rebuild the nation that we love and we love it so much.
We are one people, one family, and one glorious nation under God. So to every parent who dreams for their child and every child who dreams for their future, I am with you. I will fight for you and I will win for you. We are going to win like never before. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
In recent years, our nation has suffered greatly but we are going to bring it back and make it great again, greater than ever before. We will be a nation like no other, full of compassion, courage and exceptionalism. Our power will stop all wars and bring a new spirit of unity to a world that has been angry, violent and totally unpredictable.
America will be respected again and admired again, including by people of religion, faith, and goodwill. We will be prosperous. We will be proud. We will be strong and we will win like never before. We will not be conquered. We will not be intimidated. We will not be broken and we will not fail.
From this day on, the United States of America will be a free, sovereign and independent nation. We will stand bravely. We will live proudly. We will dream boldly, and nothing will stand in our way because we are Americans. The future is ours and our golden age has just begun. Thank you. God bless America. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.
Minutes after the inauguration of the new president on Monday, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials under the Trump administration shut down the CBP One app, a digital tool that allowed migrants to schedule appointments at U.S.-Mexico border ports of entry.
The shutdown effectively canceled all pending appointments for migrants without visas seeking legal entry into the United States, signaling the administration’s intent to adopt stricter border control measures.
This move is part of a broader policy shift aimed at dismantling pathways introduced during the Biden administration, despite a notable decline in migration over the past six months. According to CBP data, 96,048 foreign nationals were encountered at the border in December, with 48,722 seeking formal entry at ports of entry.
CBP One had been a key component of the Biden administration’s border strategy, encouraging migrants to use legal avenues to seek refuge in the United States. The app’s discontinuation marks a significant departure from those policies.
President Trump is also expected to sign ten executive orders on Monday addressing border enforcement. Among the anticipated actions is the reinstatement of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), commonly known as the “remain in Mexico” policy. The program, which was a hallmark of Trump’s previous administration, required asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their U.S. immigration cases were processed. Over two years, approximately 70,000 third-country nationals were returned to Mexico under the program.
These changes reflect a return to the hardline stance on immigration that characterized Trump’s earlier presidency. Critics have raised concerns about the humanitarian impact of such policies, particularly as many migrants face dangerous conditions while awaiting decisions on their asylum applications.
The administration’s new measures come amid a decline in monthly border encounters, which fell below 100,000 for the first time since November 2023. In January 2021, coinciding with President Biden’s inauguration, CBP reported 78,414 encounters, with just 3,098 individuals presenting at ports of entry, a stark contrast to the December 2024 figures.
The shift in policy underscores a renewed focus on border security and immigration enforcement, with significant implications for migrants and asylum seekers seeking refuge in the United States.
