News Agency of Nigeria
FCTA, UN Women train rural women on cassava processing, branding
Gender

FCTA, UN Women train rural women on cassava processing, branding

By Philip Yatai

The Women Affairs Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the UN Women have begun the empowerment of more than 150 women on cassava processing and branding for the international market.

Mandate Secretary of the secretariat, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Benjamins-Laniyi explained that the empowerment was under the FCT’s “Ba Yunwa: Ba Fushi” economic empowerment project with support from UN Women.

Ba yunwa: Ba fushi is a hausa expression which means “no hunger: no anger”.

She said that the beneficiaries were drawn from Sheda community in Kwali Area Council of the territory, to improve agricultural businesses in rural communities.

She said that the empowerment programme, which began on July 9, was to harness Sheda women’s entrepreneurial skills in processing and branding of “akpu”, a local delicacy for the international market.

Akpu, also known as fufu, is a popular Nigerian food, particularly among the Igbo people and other groups in the South-South region.

It is made from fermented cassava and often enjoyed with various Nigerian soups.

She said that 50 women were already trained as part of FCTA’s commitment to strengthening women’s resilience, improving food security, and enhancing overall well-being of residents.

She explained that the project was designed to empower women, girls, and children in the FCT, particularly the Akpu Women’s Group in Kwali Area Council.

She added that the goal of the project was to strengthen women’s resilience, improve food security, and enhance the overall well-being of residents in the FCT.

“It was also designed to provide access to a reliable source of water for the Akpu Women’s Group through the provision of a borehole for the Akpu Agro-processing Zone.

“This will enable the women to have access to a reliable source of water, which is essential for their agricultural activities.

“It was equally meant to equip the women with the skills and knowledge they need to start and manage their own businesses through business entrepreneurship and empowerment training.

“The overall goal is to improve the economic well-being of the women and their families,” she said.

Benjamins-Laniyi said that the project aligned with the administration’s commitment to gender inclusivity and sustainable development, a key part of the two-year celebration of renewed hope in the FCT.

She reiterated FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s commitment to empower women across the six area councils of the territory, in line with President Bola Tinubu ‘s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.

According to her, the women were being trained extensively to improve their cassava processing and branding skills.

“This will enable them to tap the potential of the international market.

“We are poised to strengthen women’s capacity in agricultural processing, improve food security and enhance the overall well-being of FCT residents.

“This we are doing through strategic empowerment of Sheda women engaged in processing of “akpu”, with improved skills, improved standards of hygiene, as well as branded packaging for export.”

The mandate secretary added that a work shed and a borehole were being constructed for the women to provide conducive working environment and water to support their processing businesses.

She thanked UN Women for the continued support and partnership to change the lot of women, girls and children in the FCT.

Also, the Head of UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mrs Beatrice Enyong, said that the empowerment sought to build women’s capacity towards enhancing food security in Nigeria.

Enyong, who was represented at the event by the acting Deputy Country Representative, Mrs Patience Ekeoba, said that the empowerment would address challenges faced by women in agro-entrepreneurship, income generation and self-sufficiency.

She commended the FCT Women Affairs Secretariat for the bold initiative aimed at creating a community-driven solution for women, families and the local economy.

“This programme seeks to address several challenges in our community, such as lack of access to entrepreneurship training, low participation in economic activities and poor access to clean water and sanitation.

“Other challenges include limited skills for managing small businesses and the persistent burden for women to provide for their families with little structural support,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

AMAC chairman decries demolitions in Karsana community, vows legal action
Metro

AMAC chairman decries demolitions in Karsana community, vows legal action

By Philomina Attah

Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Chairman, Christopher Maikalangu, has decried the recent demolition of property in the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) Karsana Community by a developer, Oceanic Properties and Equilibrium Concept.

Maikalangu made this known on Saturday in Abuja after inspecting the extent of the demolition and its effect on the livelihoods of the residents.

He described the developer’s action as a grave injustice against the community, and vowed to seek redress for them in court.

According to the area council boss, the people of the community are legitimate indigenous Gbagyi people of the FCT, who are entitled to full compensation for the damage caused to them.

“Legal action will be pursued by the community and AMAC authorities. Official reports are being submitted to senior government officials,” he said.

Maikalangu appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of the FCT, Mr Nyesom Wike for immediate intervention to address the situation.

He also appealed to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to intervene toward their immediate resettlement, adding that many families had been rendered homeless.

“As you can see, these people are homeless. Where are they going to sleep today?” No warning, no compensation.

“If you want to relocate people who live here, first thing, compensate them. If you don’t want them here, give them another alternative.

“With the Gbagyi people, the name Karsana is important,” he said.

The council boss noted that the demolition was carried out without any prior warning, court notice, or compensation.

He vowed that no construction work would take place on the disputed site until the displaced residents were compensated and resettled.

“The developer acted outside due process and ignored community rights. If you want to relocate people first thing, compensate them. If you don’t want them here, give them another alternative.

“Get them somewhere, build houses for them, and relocate them. But you destroyed the houses, they have nowhere to sleep and you are comfortable. It’s unfair. We are all Nigerians.

“We can’t continue like this in this country. The federal government has to intervene in this case,” he said.

Mr Dikko Jezhi, the community’s Youth Secretary, recounted the trauma which the people have been subjected to due to the demolition, noting that the people have nowhere to go at the moment.

“Residents were at work when their homes were demolished with police escort. Families had no advanced notice and lost all possessions.

“Generations of indigenous families, including the elderly, are now left stranded.

“I asked my mother yesterday if she had another state aside from this, and she replied no. Even her grandfather, this was where the grandfather was born,” Jezhi said.

He added: “So we don’t know where to go. They have demolished our houses. Our properties are down.

“They have been pushing the indigenous people to the wall. We won’t react because this is our father’s land.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that critical structures, including the chief’s palace and a church, were among the buildings destroyed, leaving the community in despair. (NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen

FG trains FCT health managers on smart, data-driven operational plans  
Health

FG trains FCT health managers on smart, data-driven operational plans  

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has trained health leaders and managers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on development of smart, budget-linked and data-driven Annual Operational Plan (AOP).

The four-day training, which ended on Saturday in Abuja, was under the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NSHRII) leadership, health system strengthening and planning capacity development.

Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat (FCT HSES), said that the training marks a significant milestone toward the development of a data-driven and smart budget-linked 2026 AOP.

This, according to Fasawe, will align with FCT budget and enable administration to draw down on available funds from the Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIs).

She explained that more than 70 senior health officials, programme managers and planning officers across the FCT, area councils, development and implementing partners participated in the four-day stepdown training.

She described the training as a “bold step” toward strengthening health systems and development of a budget-linked AOP that would align with government priorities for donors and development partners to key into.

Fasawe specifically urged development and implementing partners to align their plans and funding with the priorities and initiatives of the FCT Health Sector Strategic Blueprint (HSSB) and AOP.

Also, Dr Teresa Nwachukwu, the acting Director, Health Planning Research and Statistics, FCT HSES, said that the training was funded and facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

Nwachuckwu, who is also the FCT SWAp Desk Officer, added that the training was conducted through the NHSRII and the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) Coordinating Office.

She added that the training, designed to address the capacity gap among health managers and leaders across the country, would impact the needed skills for the development of 2026 AOP from the HSSB.

“The plan is being designed to align with the FCT budget and strategically incorporate flagship initiatives such as the HOPE Health Agenda, HSSB and the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII).

“This will be in line with President Bola Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Health Agenda under the NSHRII, HOPE Health and SWAp,” she said.

She said the participants were equipped with practical leadership, planning and governance tools to drive efficient health service delivery.

“The training equally prioritised evidence-based budgeting, results-oriented planning, and multi-stakeholder coordination, essential to system-wide accountability and impact,” she added.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the participants were trained on the principles and context of HSSB, SWAp, MAMII, HOPE Governance and HOPE Health.

The health managers’ capacities were built on health systems, frameworks and system thinking, HOPE disbursement- linked indicators, problem-solving tools and bottlenecks analysis.

Other areas included intervention prioritisation techniques in healthcare delivery, data literacy for decision-making and performance dialogue, monitoring evaluation, accountability, research and learning Plan and AOP development process.

The participants also went through hands-on training on the web-based AOP tool, leadership, team building and change management.

A core outcome of the workshop was the identification of critical health financing gaps in the FCT, especially in the areas of poor funding for health and absence of budget lines for monitoring and evaluation activities of the SDAs.

They also noted the challenge of funding for health at the area council level, including absence of budgetary provisions for critical programmes.

The participants urged development partners to align funding and programmes with government-led strategies and a joint planning and development of 2026 AOP to ensure donor inputs directly support FCT-specific health priorities.

Other recommendations included strengthening area council-level financing and the need for enhanced budget releases at the state and area council levels.

They also advocated increased domestic and donor resources for health system strengthening and increased health budgetary allocation in line with the 15 per cent Abuja Declaration of April 27, 2001. (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Association applauds cybersecurity research excellence award winners for hard work  
Science & Tech

Association applauds cybersecurity research excellence award winners for hard work  

 

By Jessica Dogo

The Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) has applauded the winners of the 2025 National Cybersecurity Awards for their hard work and outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

CSEAN’s President, Ade Shoyinka, who gave the commendation in a statement on Sunday also commended the National Information Technology

Development Agency (NITDA), for successfully organising the event’s maiden edition recently in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, with the theme: “Building a Resilient Digital Future,” brought together policymakers, industry leaders, security experts, and development partners.

It aimed to explore emerging cyber threats, close national vulnerabilities, and policies that support national security and sustainable digital development.

Shoyinka also lauded the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and Office of the National Security Adviser for co-hosting the first National Cybersecurity Conference (NCSC 2025) during which the awards were given.

While describing the maiden edition of the event as successful and progressive, Shoyinka congratulated all the winners for their outstanding contributions, which he noted would enhance the nation’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

“CSEAN received the Cyber Security Research Excellence Award given for the impactful research and Policy work.

“The CSEAN Research Team has produced several technical reports, National Cyber Threat Forecasts from 2022 to 2025, and Landscapes from 2022 to 2025 for use in national policy and cybersecurity preparedness.

“These resources are available to the public through the official CSEAN website for each individual’s use, be they stakeholders in the public or private sector,” he said.

He further explained that the CSEAN research team serves as managing editors for the peer-reviewed conference proceedings of a cyber-secure Nigeria, which document academic insights from past conference events.

According to him, the researches’ Volumes 1, 2 and 3 are available on the official conference website, adding that they demonstrate a strong commitment toward knowledge dissemination and academic discussion.

“NCSC 2025 is a significant advancement along Nigeria’s journey to a resilient, secure digital future, and innovative mindset, a culture of shared responsibility, and strategic coordination to protect Nigeria’s digital ecosystem for current and future generations.

“As the NCSC 2025 comes to an end, Nigeria acknowledges the importance of a secure digital future and the role that innovation, shared responsibility, and national coordination have in ensuring resilience in the digital economy.

“The presentation of the Cybersecurity Research Excellence Award to CSEAN is a great reinforcement ahead of the CSEAN Cyber Secure Nigeria Conference on the 8th and 9th of October 2025, in Lagos State, Nigeria,” he said.

The Conference, “Digital Trust as National Capital: Enabling Secure, Inclusive Digital Economies”, aims to build on the momentum from NCSC 2025 to continue the conversation of innovation and trust in Nigeria’s digital space.

The association’s president said the Lagos conference would highlight CSEAN’s emerging role in influencing national conversations about cybersecurity and developing and providing inclusive, research-based, secure digital economy solutions.

He said: “As Nigeria further develops its digital transformation across critical sectors, threats to our digital infrastructure, economy, and citizens have expanded in size and complexity.

“NCSC 2025 represents a coordinated national effort to enhance the security of Nigeria’s critical systems and people in an ever-evolving digital landscape through resilience building, knowledge sharing, and collaboration across the national cyber ecosystem.

“It also demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing its cybersecurity framework consistent with best practices globally and was powered by QNA.” (NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen

Stakeholders divided over establishment of malaria eradication agency
Health

Stakeholders divided over establishment of malaria eradication agency

 

By Naomi Sharang

Critical stakeholders in the health sector in Abuja expressed divergent views on the move by the Senate to establish the National Agency for Malaria Eradication.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the disagreements among the stakeholders came to the fore during a public hearing on the bill seeking for the establishment of the agency, as sponsored by Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta).

NAN also reports that the public hearing was organised by the Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary).

Chief State Counsel in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Imarha Reuben, while kicking against the bill, argued that creating such an agency would lead to duplication of already existing ones.

Reuben also said that it would run contrary to the implementation of Orosanye’s report.

“The Federal Ministry of Justice is against the National Agency for Malaria Eradication (Establishment) Bill 2025 SB 172 to avoid duplication of functions of existing similar agencies, in line with implementation of the Orosanye report,” he said.

The Chairman, Malaria Technical Working Group in Nigeria, Dr Kolawole Maxwell, also expressed his opposition to the proposed agency.

Maxwell said that rather than establishing an eradication agency, governments at all levels should come up with concerted efforts at ensuring total elimination of malaria.

“We recommend that the current eradication target should be changed to elimination.

“We are also suggesting that the malaria programme should be housed within a coordinated government structure to avoid fragmentation and for easy coordination.

“If malaria is taken out as an agency, it leads to another fragmentation of the health sector,” he said.

On his part, Mr Fraden Bitrus, Director Post-Marketing Surveillance at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), called for the strengthening of efforts toward eradicating the disease without involving creation of a new agency.

However, the President of the Environmental Health Officers Association, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, Ismaila Dankogi, supported the establishment of the agency.

According to him, the proposed agency will help the country to change its approach of dealing with malaria from curative to preventive.

Also, the Executive Director of Community Vision Initiative, Dr Chioma Amajoh, strongly supported the move for establishment of the agency.

Amajoh said that the agency would serve as a required springboard for coordinated action against malaria.

She appealed to the committee to allow the proposal to see the light of the day, arguing that clinical case management of malaria in Nigeria over decades had failed to tame the scourge.

In his remarks at the commencement of the public hearing, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said it was time to move from seasonal campaigns to institutionalised eradication, backed by law, science and accountability.

Speaking earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Ipalibo Banigo (PDP- Rivers), thanked all the stakeholders for their inputs into the proposed legislation, assuring them of objective considerations of all the submissions.

“I assure you that this committee will consider all views objectively and transparently.

“And we remain committed to delivering legislation and oversight outcomes that prioritise the health, safety and wellbeing of all Nigerians,” Banigo said.

NAN reports that another bill and a motion for public hearing included: “The Federal Oil and Gas Hospital, Benikuru, Delta (Establishment) Bill, 2025 sponsored by Sen. Joel-Onowakpo  Thomas (Delta).

Another was a motion on the “Urgent Need to Investigate and Halt the Continuous Unwholesome Practices of Chemical Ripening of Fruits Among Fruit Sellers in Nigeria”, sponsored by Sen. Anthony Ani (Ebonyi). (NAN)

Edited by Augusta Uchediunor/’Wale Sadeeq

Kaduna lawmaker empowers 3,000 constituents with N400m 
General News

Kaduna lawmaker empowers 3,000 constituents with N400m 

By Amen Gajira 

Mr Dan Amos, member representing Jema’a/Sanga Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, has empowered no fewer than 3,000 members of his constituency with N400m.

Amos made the donation at an event in Sanga Local Government Area on Thursday to commemorate his second anniversary in office.

The lawmaker, who is the House Committee Chairman on House Services, explained that the initiative was intended to provide support and relief to his constituents.

He noted that the beneficiaries were picked across different strata of the communities, including students, youths, women, men, community leaders, artisans, and traders.

“3,000 people will receive N100,000 each, while 100 other persons will get N1 million each, making a total of N400m,” he stated.

He added that he had constructed 120 boreholes, installed 25 solar powered water systems and deployed over 2,000 streetlights among others across his constituency in the last one year.

“These efforts are about restoring dignity to rural life, easing the burden on women and children, and creating a foundation for inclusive development,” he noted.

He assured his constituents that he would continue to meet their yearnings and aspirations, in line with his campaign promises.

“As we step into the third year of our mandate, I rededicate myself to listen more, serve better, and work harder,” he said.

In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, described Amos as a dependable leader who had the best interest of his people at heart.

“Dan Amos is a blessing not only to his constituency but to the National Assembly and Nigeria as a whole.

“On behalf of the 10th Assembly, I want to thank the people of Jema’a and Sanga for giving us a man of impeccable character,” he added.

Chinda enjoined the beneficiaries to utilise the funds judiciously as well as emulate the lawmaker in carrying people around them along.

Other speakers, including the House Minority Whip, Ali Isah, and former Deputy Gov. of Kaduna State, Nuhu Bajoga, and an APC stalwart, Tanko Rossi lauded Amos for the initiative, describing the invaluable gesture as timely.

They called on other well-meaning individuals and politicians to emulate the lawmaker in providing succour to the downtrodden at this critical time.

Some of the beneficiaries applauded the lawmaker for empowering them with the cash support, saying they would use it to boost their businesses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lawmaker had on Wednesday also distributed two trucks of fertiliser, 3,000 bags of rice and four tricycles to his constituents. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Lawal

Nigeria4H2 project to unlock vast, untapped green hydrogen potential – Shettima
General News

Nigeria4H2 project to unlock vast, untapped green hydrogen potential – Shettima

 

By Emmanuella Anokam

Vice-President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria4H2 Project is designed to unlock Nigeria’s vast and untapped potential in green hydrogen, to revolutionise the economy and secure Nigeria’s place in the 21st-century energy market.

Shettima said this while opening the Nigeria4H2 Project Results Workshop and End of Project Stakeholders’ Interaction on Friday in Abuja.

The Nigeria4H2 project was initiated by the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), Federal University of Technology, Akure, Afe Babalola University and Federal University of Technology, Minna.

It was designed to assess the technical, infrastructural, regulatory, and investment landscape necessary to harness Nigeria’s green hydrogen potential to power transportation, produce electricity and manufacture fertilisers based on green ammonia in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that one of the key results of the Nigeria4H2 Project is that Nigeria has a potential to produce up to four million tonnes of green ammonia per annum.

Shettima, represented by Dr Tope Fasua, Technical Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, said that the world was moving towards cleaner energy sources, and Nigeria must not be left behind.

In an address titled “Unlocking Nigeria’s Green Hydrogen Potential: A Renewed Hope for a Sustainable Future’’, the vice-president said that the Nigeria4H2 Project represented Nigeria’s strategic and decisive response to this global imperative.

He said that the green hydrogen, produced from renewable sources such as solar and wind power, offered a compelling pathway to diversify the country’s energy mix.

He said that it can also reduce carbon footprint and create new economic opportunities.

“Nigeria is uniquely positioned to become a leader in this burgeoning industry.

“We are blessed with an abundance of sunlight and wind resources that can be harnessed to generate clean electricity required for green hydrogen production.

“Our strategic geographical location and our skilled, youthful population provide the essential ingredients for a successful and scalable green hydrogen economy,’’ he said.

He said that with the global energy paradigm, undergoing a profound and irreversible transformation, the clarion call for a sustainable, decarbonised future was no longer a distant echo but a resonant demand.

Shettima, while commending the Energy Commission of Nigeria for providing a crucial platform to deliberate on the project, described it as a fundamental pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Nigeria 4H2 Project at its core. This project is designed to unlock Nigeria’s vast and untapped potential in green hydrogen.

“It IS a clean, versatile and abundant energy carrier that can revolutionise our economy and secure our place in the 21st-century energy market.

“The Nigeria 4H2 Project perfectly embodies this principle. It is an intricate mosaic of public-private partnerships, international collaboration, and domestic innovation.

“This is not a task for the government alone. It requires the collective genius, capital and unwavering commitment of every stakeholder present today, he said.

According to Shettima, the economic ramifications of the project were colossal.

He said that by positioning Nigeria as a major producer and exporter of green hydrogen, it could create a new stream of revenue, reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets, and attract significant foreign direct investment.

“Beyond the economic calculus, the Nigeria4H2 Project holds immense social and environmental benefits.

“It would contribute significantly to climate change mitigation efforts, helping to meet Nigeria’s international obligations under the Paris Agreement.

“By transitioning to a cleaner energy source, we can improve air quality, enhance public health and ensure a more sustainable future for generations to come.

“This is our moral duty to our children and to the planet,’’ he said.

Shettima described the workshop as a critical step in the project.

He charged the stakeholders to identify potential roadblocks to forge a common path forward by leveraging on collective expertise to develop a comprehensive roadmap. (NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

FAAN using sports to promote staff fitness, teamwork – MD
Aviation

FAAN using sports to promote staff fitness, teamwork – MD

By Gabriel Agbeja

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it is determined to advance staff fitness and teamwork through sporting activities.

The Managing Director (MD), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, said this during the maiden FAAN Inter-Regional Football competition in Abuja on Wednesday.

Kuku was represented by Mr Rindap Domtur, the FAAN Ag. Regional Manager of North Central.

According to her, workplace sports, like football, promote physical fitness, healthy competition, teamwork, and collaboration, ultimately contributing to a more productive and happier workforce.

“There is this old adage that says, all work, and no play makes Jack a dull boy; it is not every time you keep talking about work, all through. While you perform your duties, you need to keep fit; you need to be happy.

“You need to integrate. You need to relate with other people from other regions and the only ground for which we can come together is through sporting activities.

“By participating in football and other sports, FAAN workers can develop valuable skills, build meaningful relationships, and improve their overall well-being,” she said.

The MD added that the activity had started to unite the FAAN staff, as other people from other regions that had never been to Abuja got an opportunity to open up networking before returning.

Speaking, Mrs Omotosho Oyinye, the General Manager of FAAN Welfare Management Services, said the exercise would develop emotional resilience and mental toughness towards boosting productivity.

Oyinye, who is also the Chairperson Sports Committee, affirmed that there were minor challenges of coordination during the preparation, said, “υhowever, that “Such minor challenges are expected of every programme of such magnitude.”

Also speaking, Mr Adeleye Taiwo, Local Organising Committee Chairman for the event, said the event would be for a talent hunt to discover more talented players.

According to him, FAAN has had such sporting competition for over 12 years only in Lagos while outstations were not carried along.

“Now we have regional airports, and these people are complaining that they have not been carried along because we have so many talents in all these airports.

“The outcome of this event will strengthen our arsenal in terms of football. The big umbrella of it is the Federation of Civil Service Games, which we always participate in every year.

“This competition that started on July 13, will end on July 22, 2025,” he added. (NAN) 

Edited by Esenvosa Izah and Benson Iziama

New hospitals underway in FCT – Fasawe
Health

New hospitals underway in FCT – Fasawe

By Philip Yatai

Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), says new hospitals are underway in the territory to improve access to quality healthcare.

Fasawe disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday, during a capacity development training for health managers in the FCT.

She added that more than six to seven world-standard hospitals have opened in the territory, adding that additional ones would be constructed to bridge the access gap.

“You will soon start to see new hospitals in the FCT, but we can’t build new hospitals when there is no adequate human resource.

“Our doctors are running away but we are working on that right now,” she said.

She said that the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike-led FCTA was already working on improving human resource for health.

She said with the FCT minister that does things to perfection, the amount that has gone to the health sector in 2025 was unprecedented.

“We are working on improving our health systems now beyond building new hospitals.

“Under his administration, we have been able to increase our health workforce by over a 1000.

“We have also increased salaries of some health workers with some receiving doubled their salaries,” she said.

The mandate secretary added that a reasonable budgetary allocation had been earmarked for human resource, adding that for the first time FCT doctors were paid uniform allowance.

“I want to assure you that this administration is not taking health lightly and this annual operational plan will detail everything we need – how much we need, including miscellaneous.

“I know that the FCT Minister will do the right thing as he has started doing the right things towards repositioning the health sector,” she said.

Fasawe noted that the country was gripping with so many demands across all sectors but limited resources to address the needs, particularly the health sector needs.

She, however, said she was proud of President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”, which was already transforming the health sector.

She particularly said that road projects being executed and inaugurated in the capital city and across the area councils were significantly improving access to health facilities.

She commended all the doctors and other health workers working in FCT secondary facilities for the cordial working relationship with the FCT Administration.

“Since the Wike-led FCTA came on board, we witnessed only one warning strike and within three days the minister was able to resolve the issues.

“So, I want to commend the doctors that work in FCT who despite the difficult working conditions, have not gone on strike,” she said.

The mandate secretary however noted that in the area council, there was a general strike by the workers that lasted for more than three months.

She explained that primary health care centres were under the purview of area councils, adding that although they went on strike, they still provided essential services.

“The labour unions were kind enough to leave essential services throughout the strike.

“Schools were closed, other places were closed, but I can say for a fact that the last immunisation exercise, for the first time FCT recorded 101 per cent achievement, in spite of the strike.

“So, we are looking forward to a situation where doctors that have gone abroad will start to come back here to practice and we are starting to see a lot of that.

“What we need to do is look after the welfare of doctors,” she noted. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Delivery by skilled birth attendant compulsory in FCT – Mandate Secretary
Health

Delivery by skilled birth attendant compulsory in FCT – Mandate Secretary

By Philip Yatai

The Health Services and Environment Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) says delivery by skilled birth attendants is compulsory in the territory.

The Mandate Secretary of the secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, stated this in Abuja on Wednesday, during a capacity development training for health managers in the FCT.

Fasawe said that Nigeria was being rated as the capital city of maternal mortality in the world, adding that the move was to ensure no woman died on account of child birth in the FCT.

She reiterated the FCT’s zero tolerance for maternal mortality, adding that it was unacceptable for a woman to die whilst bringing life to earth.

She said: “It is compulsory that you deliver your baby with a skilled birth attendant.

“There’s no reason for anyone to die due to child delivery and we are facing it headstrong.

“We look for pregnant women; we give them health insurance; they get to the hospital and they go back and tell other persons.”

Fasawe said that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike had declared free health insurance for every pregnant woman in FCT so that money would not be the obstacle to accessing health services.

She urged FCT to take advantage of the free health insurance for pregnant women in the territory to be able access free healthcare services, including caesarean section.

“Just to the nearest family healthcare centre, register and access free healthcare.

“So, this is what we are hoping for, with this deliberate operational plan and collaboration with the Federal Ministry and all stakeholders through the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp).

“SWAp is simply where we all put our needs in one basket and another basket that would match our needs and theses needs come from available data.

“If we get data showing us that certain conditions are on the increase somewhere, we will go into that basket, and take money to resolve that situation,” she said.

Fasawe explained that the training was initiated by the Federal Minister of Health and the SWAp Coordination Office.

She said that the training was part of leadership health strengthening and planning, towards a rational, realistic, pragmatic, and comprehensive plan that informs health budgets for FCT residents.

“This underscores a shared commitment to building a healthier, more resilient FCT, and one that can serve as a model for the nation and contribute to the National One Health conversation,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

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