News Agency of Nigeria
Wike-led FCTA opening Abuja for businesses, housing, investment -Tinubu
Metro

Wike-led FCTA opening Abuja for businesses, housing, investment -Tinubu

By Philip Yatai

President Bola Tinubu says the Nyesom Wike-led Federal Capital Territory Administration is opening the territory for businesses, housing and investment.

Tinubu said this in Abuja on Tuesday, while inaugurating the right-hand service carriageway of the Inter Northern Expressway (INEX), from Ring Road III to Outer Northern Expressway, ONEX (Murtala Mohammed Expressway).

The project was among the 10 so far inaugurated out of the 17 projects outlined for inauguration to celebrate Tinubu’s second year in Office.

Represented by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, the president described the newly constructed INEX as a “critical piece” of the Federal Territory Master Plan.

He added that the road was designed to ease traffic flow, enhance connectivity and improve urban mobility for millions of commuters, residents and businesses in the city.

He commended the FCT Administration led by Wike, for his vision and commitment to quality and timely execution of projects.

“What you have contributed to something larger than the roadway; you have contributed to the future of our capital.

“This vital carriageway we inaugurated today is not just a road; It is a symbol of progress and a reflection of my administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“An agenda committed to building infrastructure that serves the people, unlocks economic potential and supports sustainable development,” he said.

Tinubu pointed out that as traffic volume increases in the FCT, and across the satellite towns, it has become imperative for continuous expansion and maintenance of critical routes.

This road, he said, would not only connect key junctions, but also facilitate safer and faster movement within Abuja transportation corridors.

“It will open more opportunities for businesses, housing, and investment in the adjoining districts.

“It is quite apt to say that projects like these are a testament to what we can achieve when planning, execution and leadership are aligned with purpose.

“We are determined to replicate these sources in every part of the country with roads, bridges, railways and more ensuring that no region is left behind,” he added.

Earlier, Wike said that the 16-kilometre road was awarded in 2014 at the cost of N7 billion but was executed and completed by the current administration at N31 billion due to inflation and variation.

He said that the completion of the project was in line with Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, to complete ongoing projects that would impact the life and the economy of the people.

He commended Tinubu for the commitment to making sure that a project of this nature was concluded.

“This is the industrial site of Abuja. The Industrial Park is somewhere close, and the developer had not been encouraged until the Tinubu Administration rescued the situation.

“The Industrial Park, when completed, will create 40,000 direct jobs. If we are able to give them support, some of the problems will be solved,” he said.

The minister emphasised that road infrastructure was the driver of any economic growth, stressing that investors would come when there were roads.

He noted that Tinubu has done quite well for the residents and for the development of Abuja and appealed for his continued support.

“I will continue to do the best under the renewed hop agenda for the interest of our country and for the interest of Abuja,” he said.

On her part, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, noted that the project was another testimony to Tinubu administration’s resolve to deliver impactful and people-centred governance.

Mahmoud said that the road would serve as a symbol of collective determination to build a better, more connected, and more prosperous Nigeria under Tinubu.

Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Development Authority, said that the INEX was the primary road that bound the inner development corridor of the northern flank of the city.

Dauda said that the full scope of the road in the Abuja Master Plan from Maitama to ONEX was a 32.5 kilometre, 10-lane expressway.

He said that the road was planned to consist of two main carriageways of three lanes each and two service carriageways of two lanes each.

“The Master Plan provides that the expressway commences at Maitama by the IBB Golf Course, traverses through the Central Area, passing between the National Mosque and the Yar’adua Centre in Phase I and continues through Phase II of the city to Wuye and Dakibiyu Districts.

“It then proceeds to Phase III and Phase IV, through the Idu Industrial Area and terminates at ONEX,” he said.

He said that the road was being developed in stages with the first phase being the right-hand carriageway from Ring Road II to Ring Road III, adding that the second stage was the section being inaugurated. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Helpline unveils project to strengthen cultural rights of FCT original inhabitants 
Metro

Helpline unveils project to strengthen cultural rights of FCT original inhabitants 

By Philip Yatai

Helpline Social Support Initiative (HSSI), an NGO, has unveiled a two-year project to strengthen the cultural rights of the Original Inhabitants (OIs) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Unveiling the project at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the HSSI Project Manager, Mr Onoja Arome, said that the move was to preserve the cultural heritage of the OIs.

Arome said that the project would be supported by the MacArthur Foundation, through the Resource Centre for Human Right and Civic Education (CHRICED).

He explained that the project was designed to train 100 vulnerable women and youths in cultural attire production.

This, according to him, is to increase the cultural identity awareness of the OIs and create job opportunities through skill acquisition in arts and craft.

He added that the project was to advocate the resettlement and adequate compensation of OIs whose land had been encroached upon or taken over by developers without adequate compensation.

He said “it will also create awareness of their presence as OIs whose voices are gradually going into
extinction.

“These, among others, are what the Helpline Social Support Initiative shall be engaged with in the next 18 months of the project.”

Arome said that the 1973 decree that created the FCT came with a lot of consequences for the OIs.

He noted that the OIs were forced to relinquish their ancestral land for the development of the nation’s capital.

He added that “the development scattered the indigenous people, with many of them losing most of their economic trees and farmlands, thereby causing high unemployment rate among the OIs.

“This was why the MacArthur Foundation stepped in, through CHRICED, and in 2021 supported HSSI to implement the first phase of the project.”

The manager said that the project recorded huge success with a total of 200 vulnerable women and youths trained and empowered to preserve their cultural identity.

He said the beneficiaries were now making a living by producing cultural attire as entrepreneurs.

On awareness creation, Arome added that 39 jingles were produced and aired in OIs local languages, while advocacy visits to the department of resettlement and compensation were carried out.

He said “today, we make bold to reiterate that CHRICED has deemed it fit to continue on the project, thereby supporting us again to continue with the second phase of the project.

“We hereby call on stakeholders in this venture to empathise and sympathise with the OIs and join us in this venture to create an incredible impact that will out-leave us and usher new generations to a life of ease in the FCT.” (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Tinubu’s govt. constructs 150km roads in FCT satellite towns – Wike
Metro

Tinubu’s govt. constructs 150km roads in FCT satellite towns – Wike

By Philip Yatai

The administration of President Bola Tinubu has constructed not less than 150- kilometres of roads in satellite towns of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between 2024 and 2025.

The FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike disclosed this in Abuja on Monday, during the inauguration of the newly constructed rural road from A2 Junction (Abuja-Lokoja Expressway) to Pai community in Kwali Area Council of the FCT.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports road was among the 17 projects executed by the FCT Administration and being inaugurated to celebrate Tinubu’s second year in office.

Wike said that the 150km roads consisted of both completed and ongoing projects.

“This shows that the emphasis is not just to improve infrastructure in the city, but also to improve life and other infrastructure in satellite towns,” he said.

He explained that the 15-km A2 to Pai road was executed under emergency intervention after the contract for the construction of Pai to Gumani was awarded.

He added that the Pai to Gumani, another 15-km road, was ongoing and would be completed before the end of the year.

The Minister added that a 13 km road from Gumani to Yangoji had been equally awarded.

“At the end of the day, along the stretch of this road, we will have done about 45 km,” he said.

The minister equally recalled that Tinubu approved six emergency roads in the six area councils of the FCT in the 2024 National Budget.

According to him, the six road projects had been completed and inaugurated in 2024.

“When we were appointed in August 2023, in our supplementary budget, we included six emergency roads in the six area councils, and you provided funds for them in the national budget.

“I want to inform you that these roads have all been completed and inaugurated.

“We are providing these data so that doubting Thomas can go and check whether they are in existence or they are just mere propaganda.”

He identified the roads as the 9km Paikon Kore to Ibwa Road in Gwagwalada Area Council, and 7.2 km Gaba and Tokulo Road in Bwari Area Council.

Also completed and inaugurated were the 5km dualised Kuje township road from Tipper Garage to LEA Secretariat in Kuje Area Council and the 11km Sukuku-Ebo-Yangoji. Road, in Kwali Area Council.

Others are the 5km access road to Saburi I and II in Abuja Municipal Area Council and another 5-kilometre road in Abaji Area Council.

“For the 2025, we will also inaugurate the completed 10km of Aguma Palace, Radio Nigeria and Market Road in Gwagwalada.

“There is also the 18km Nyanya Karshi dual carriageway.

“We are equally going to inaugurate the 7.4 km Dutse Alhaji to Usuma Dam Road and the dualised Ushafa to War College and Army Checkpoint Road, a 16.4 km road and other roads in Bwari Area Council.

“If you calculate the ongoing roads and those completed, within the satellite towns, we have constructed not less than 150 km of roads,” the minister said.

He said that the roads were strategic not only in improving the lives of rural dwellers and economic activities but also in improving security response in satellite towns. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Tinubu promises inclusive devt. to uplift lives of Nigerians
Metro

Tinubu promises inclusive devt. to uplift lives of Nigerians

By Philip Yatai

President Bola Tinubu says his administration will ensure a balanced and inclusive development targeted at lifting the lives of Nigerians.

Tinubu stated this in Abuja on Monday, while inaugurating the newly constructed rural road, from A2 Junction (Abuja-Lokoja Expressway) to Pai community in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The road was among the 17 projects executed by the FCT and being inaugurated to celebrate Tinubu’s second year in office.

Tinubu said that the A2 to Pai road project was one of many that his administration was delivering across the country, “and we will not stop.

“We will continue until every Nigerian can feel the touch of meaningful governance”.

He, however, said that road and infrastructure development were meaningless if they were not developed for the benefit of the people.

“Indeed, this project will continue to elevate our lives if this administration continues to prioritize infrastructure development in all zones.

“The inauguration of the newly constructed road from A2 Junction on Abuja-Lokoja Expressway to Pia town is both symbolic and strategic.

“It is strategic because it opens a new corridor for agriculture, commerce, education, mobility, and other areas, strengthening our national economy from the grassroots up,” he said.

Tinubu added that rural communities such as Pia make an important contribution to Nigeria’s social and economic fabric, especially in food production and local enterprises.

He, however, pointed out that the community potential had been hindered by poor road access, isolation, and neglect for far too long.

“Today, that narrative is changing.

“To the people of Pia, this is your road. I urge the community to take ownership of this infrastructure, guide it, maintain it, and use it to the fullest.

“Let it be a pathway to growth and a bridge to a better life for the youth, farmers, traders, and students who will move with great ease,” he said.

He commended the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike and his team for what he described as a “wonderful job”.

He added that Wike was thinking about the people and their needs and thinking about the country he represents.

“Nyesom Wike and his team, you are doing a good job for the underserved rural areas.

“Thank you, Nyesom Wike, for all you are doing. We greatly appreciate the efforts you and your team have put in place to achieve this.

“I would not have been here and noted what is here if not for your efforts,” he said.

Earlier, Wike explained that the 15-km A2 to Pai road was executed under emergency intervention after the contract for the construction of Pai to Gumani was awarded.

“We awarded the contract for a road project from Pai to Gumani. So, when we were coming for the flag -off, I was asking, where are we going to flag-off the road?

“I now ask, how do we get to that Pai, when this road is not constructed? It doesn’t make sense.

“All we would have done is, okay, let us construct the road from A2 to Pai, later we can construct from Pai to Gomani, and I thank God that today we are inaugurating it,” he said.

He added that the Pai to Gumani, a 15-km road, was ongoing and would be completed before the end of the year.

He equally said that a 13 km road from Gumani to Yangoje was equally awarded.

On his part, the Coordinator, Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said that the road project was awarded to Zeberced Group in November 2024.

Zulkiflu said that the road was already uplifting the wellbeing of the people and stimulating economic activities.

Also, the Village Head of Pai, Alhaji Sani Abubakar thanked Tinubu for appointing Wike as the minister of the FCT saying, “he is the right person for the job”.

He said that communities along the road have been facing challenges of transporting their farm produce, adding the constructed road was already improving economic activities in the area. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

World’s longest hairdressing marathon record holder, T-Jos secures Ighalo’s support
General News

World’s longest hairdressing marathon record holder, T-Jos secures Ighalo’s support

By Philip Yatai

Nigerian barber Joshua Aiyenuro, known as T-Jos, who completed the Guinness World Record for the Longest Hairdressing Marathon, has gained Super Eagles star Odion Ighalo’s support for his youth empowerment initiative.

T-Jos accomplished the marathon, which lasted 154 hours from June 10 to June 17, and met with Ighalo in Abuja on Sunday to gain his endorsement.

During the visit, T-Jos unveiled his ambitious plan to establish 1,000 barbing seats in every state of Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

This initiative aims not only to provide barbing services but also to offer skill acquisition opportunities for Nigerian youths.

Describing Ighalo as a major source of inspiration and support, T-Jos shared his journey, growing up as a street kid in Surulere, Lagos, with little hope of success.

He credited several mentors, including the Team Secretary of the Super Eagles, for helping him become the official barber of the National Team, where he eventually met Ighalo.

T-Jos expressed deep gratitude to God and to everyone who supported him throughout his journey.

In response, Ighalo lauded T-Jos for his resilience and determination, pledging his full support for the project.

He noted that T-Jos’ initiative aligned closely with his own philanthropic efforts in Ajegunle, Lagos, where his foundation supported talented young footballers, orphans, and widows.

Ighalo emphasised the importance of giving back to society and promised to assist T-Jos in any way possible to achieve his vision.

With Ighalo’s backing, T-Jos’ initiative is poised to make a significant impact by creating employment and skill-building opportunities for Nigerian youth.

The partnership between these two influential figures is expected to inspire others and drive meaningful change across the country.

As T-Jos embarks on this new chapter, his story stands as a powerful testament to perseverance and the transformative power of support and determination. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Tinubu lauds Wike for transforming Abuja to world class city
Metro

Tinubu lauds Wike for transforming Abuja to world class city

By Philip Yatai

President Bola Tinubu has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for keying into his vision of developing Abuja to a world class capital city.

Tinubu made the commendation in Abuja on Friday, while inaugurating the first phase of Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way), from Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III, to celebrate his second year in office.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, the President said that the Arterial Road N5 represented what Nigerians can achieve when vision meets action.

He said that the road represented a symbol of collective progress and commitment to a better future.

“It reflects on our commitment to deliver a modern infrastructure that improves the daily lives of our people.

“With the inauguration of this road, traffic circulation around the districts of Dape, Gwarimpa 1, Kado, Karsana, Idu, and Mbora will greatly ease.

“It will further decongest traffic gridlock around the life camp junction and adjoining neighbourhoods,” he said.

Tinubu also commended the FCT administration, the residents and stakeholders who have been integral to the project.

“Thank you, Mr Wike and all the residents and stakeholders who have made this project a reality.

“I also congratulate the FCT administration for keying into our vision of developing the nation’s capital to a level comparable to that of the world’s top capital cities,” he said.

On his part, Wike urged resident of the FCT to bear with the inconveniences caused by the ongoing infrastructural development, noting that development comes with challenges.

He said that the contract for the extension of the Arterial Road N5 was awarded by the Federal Executive Council in September 2024, but work commenced in October.

He said that the contract was awarded to Julius Berger in two phases, adding that the first Phase was inaugurated, while the second phase would be inaugurated before the end of 2025.

Wike commended the affected communities who lost their houses to the road project for their understanding and support.

He said that compensation was paid to both affected indigenes and non-indigenes in line with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the minister, conversation is ongoing with community leaders to pay them compensation to be able to extend the road to Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport.

He commended the President and the National Assembly for identifying with the FCT.

Earlier, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said that the road was a six-lane dual carriageway with a parking lane, making it eight lanes.

Dauda said that the road was one of the major inter-districts roads that traversed several districts in the city.

“As provided in the FCT Master Plan, the Arterial Road N5 starts from the Central Business District, International Conference Centre, passes by the NPC towers and traverses through Wuse District in Phase I.

“It continues through Utako and Jabi District in Phase II and up to Dape and Gwarinpa Districts in Phase III.

“Future development will extend the road up to Phase IV,” he said.

He said that Phase I and II had been fully developed, adding that the potion being inaugurated was in Phase III section of the road, from Life Camp Junction up to Ring Road III. (NAN)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

ANRiN project exceeds target, delivers 6m services, tasks stakeholders on sustainability
Health

ANRiN project exceeds target, delivers 6m services, tasks stakeholders on sustainability

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

The Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria (ANRiN) project, has rolled out its achievements in improving the health and well-being of children under five, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women in Kaduna State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the first phase of the ANRiN project would end on 30th June 2025, while the second phase, 2.0, would begin on July 1st, 2025.

The ANRiN 2.0, which has three components, would entail; basic package of nutrition services, convergence with food systems and
data-driven multi sectoral coordination and accountability.

Delivering a presentation at a four-day sustainability workshop in Kano, the Project Manager of the ANRiN project in Kaduna, Dr Zainab Muhammad-Idris, said over the course of it first phase, the project delivered a total of 6,267,880 services, exceeding its target of 5,784,983.

Muhammad-Idris said that the services provided by the project included vitamin ‘A’ supplementation, deworming, micronutrient powder distribution, and counseling on Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) practices.

She added that the project provided contraception services, including Short-Term Methods (STM) and Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC), to adolescent girls.

Muhammad-Idris said a total of 146,897 adolescent girls received child spacing and family planning services, with 23,578 opting for LARC and 123,319 choosing STM.

At facility level, the project manager said that the project trained 60 Master Trainers, 120 Secondary Health Facility workers, and 510 Primary Health Care workers on various aspects of healthcare delivery.

She added that over 300,000 pregnant women were reached with MIYCN counseling, iron and folic acid supplementation, and intermittent preventive treatment for malaria.

Muhammad-Idris said the project established and strengthened 23 Grievance Redress Committees (GRCs) across the state, which serve as a platform for communities to provide feedback on the project’s services.

Speaking further, she recalled that the ANRiN project also provided emergency support to the Tudun Biri community (Drone attack victims) with food items, livestock, seedlings, agricultural inputs, among others.

The Chairman, Kaduna State Committee on Food and Nutrition (SCFN), Bashir Muhammad,stated that the project’s achievements demonstrated the impact of collaborative efforts in improving the health and well-being of children, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women in Kaduna State.

Muhammad stated that such collaborative approach would be crucial in ensuring that the benefits of the project were felt for years to come, and that the health and nutrition needs of the state’s most vulnerable populations continue to be met.

He, therefore, said it was imperative that the stakeholders continue to work together to ensure that the gains were sustained for the betterment of the state and nation in general.

Muhammad restated the SCFN’s commitment to supporting initiatives that improve nutrition outcomes in Kaduna State, emphasising the committee’s role in coordinating efforts to address malnutrition.

The State Nutrition Officer (SNO), Ramatu Haruna, lamented that malnutrition was a major public health issue in the state contributing to over 50 per cent of under-five deaths.

Haruna was represented by Jibril Isah, the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the State Primary Health Care Board.

He said that key MIYCN indicators revealed critical gaps with only 13 per cent of newborns receiving timely breastfeeding.

She explained that 41.1 per cent of infants were exclusively breastfed, and 12.3 per cent of children aged six to 23 months met proper feeding standards.

Haruna said that the state had 1,063 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), 31 Secondary Health Care Facilities, with 162 offering Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) services and 560 delivering MIYCN interventions.

Similarly, she said that one tertiary hospital and 31 secondary facilities served as Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) stabilisation centers, supported by community-based Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) services in all the 23 LGAs to strengthen capacity.

The SNO also said that 585 health workers from 162 PHCs had been trained on IMAM, alongside 1,620 community volunteers who have established 14,580 support groups statewide.

Earlier, Nutrition Specialist for ANRiN project in Kaduna, Hauwa Usman, said the workshop, which strategically brought stakeholders from various MDAs, was to review the achievements and lessons learned.

She added that the meeting was to strengthen capacity for sustainability planning and encourage multi-sectoral collaboration

NAN reports that ANRiN is a state-led and World Bank-funded performance-based project which aims to increase the utilisation of quality, cost-effective nutrition services for pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and children under five years of age.

Primarily, the project focuses on increasing access to and utilising a community-based Basic Package of Nutrition Services (BNPS) according to established targets to reduce malnutrition in Nigeria.

The programme is currently being implemented in 12 high malnutrition burden states in Nigeria.(NAN)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Discrimination, violations against PWDs: NGO inaugurates Rights in Action project
Health

Discrimination, violations against PWDs: NGO inaugurates Rights in Action project

By Angela Atabo/Justina Auta

CBM Global Disability Inclusion, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has inaugurated the” Rights in Action” project to address intersectional discrimination and human rights violations against Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Inaugurating the project on Tuesday in Abuja, Mr Abdulazeez Musa, Country Director, CBM Global Disability Inclusion, said the project aimed to address all forms of marginalisation against PWDs.

According to Musa, the project which is an Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) advocacy project is funded by the Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The project is being facilitated by CBM Global Disability Inclusion and implemented by our technical partners, Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) and Inclusive Friends Association (IFA).

“What the project aims to achieve is to help PWDs to be able to achieve their goals and live their lives with dignity, to enjoy their full fundamental human rights just like anybody else.”

Musa added that the project also aimed to make PWDs have the ability and the capacity to self-advocate.

“On this project, we will be focusing largely on the marginalised groups because even among PWDs we have those that are also further marginalised.

“So you can imagine the layer of marginalisation and discrimination. An example of such a group is persons with learning difficulty or challenges and sometimes even the deaf community,” he said.

The country director explained that the organisation would work with such groups to strengthen their organisational capacity with a view to designing projects, mobilising their members and speaking out for themselves.

He said the OPDs would come up with the priorities themselves and design the interventions as they see fit and the technical partners would provide the needed support.

He added that a key aspect of the project would be to analyse how the community sees PWDs which is at the core of the issues.

Musa noted that Nigeria was not short of laws because it had passed the Disability Rights Act, adding that implementation had been the issue as people continue to see PWDs as persons that cannot contribute to nation building.

“So this project aims to address that; and we hope to see that this law is now being fully implemented by being allocated funds during the budgeting process and PWDs are living just like any other person in Nigeria,” said.

He disclosed that the project would run for two years, commencing in two pilot states of Adamawa in the Northeast and the Federal Capital Territory.

In the same vein, one of the implementing partners, IFA, said the project would aid in closing the marginalised gaps against and among PWDs.

The Executive Director, IFA, Grace Jerry, said the expectation of IFA would be to spotlight the most marginalised organisations that haven’t really been made part of major policies to drive inclusion processes in Nigeria.

“So for us, it is spotlighting those organisations and empowering them to drive policies for themselves, by themselves, and for the general good of the marginalised group.

“For instance, you talk about the deaf-blind community. This is a community of persons with disabilities who haven’t really gained much recognition in terms of their needs and their rights.

“This project, therefore seeks to amplify such marginalised groups and, of course, other groups giving them an opportunity to drive policy for themselves.

Mr Abdullahi Usman, President, JONAPWD, and also the implementing partner of the project, says the dream of the project is to see the underrepresented groups among PWDs get their own rights like others.

“This is because although collectively, PWDs in this country are fighting for their rights, but among us, there are also some PWDs who are also discriminated against within the community.

“For instance, people who have intellectual issues, people with cerebral palsy, the deaf and blind and persons with albinism are often denied their rights because of claims that they are not PWDs.

“So my expectation at the end of this project is to see that other communities of PWDs fully understand that all PWDs have equal rights with people without disabilities,” he said.

A representative from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Ms Sweet Okundaye, Director Legal Services, commended CBM Global Disability Inclusion for the initiative and promised the ministry’s support to the project.

Similarly, Ms Oluchi Adieze, Desk Officer, Rights of Persons with Disabilities, National Human Rights Commission, said the commission was established to promote, protect, and enforce the rights of every human living in Nigeria.

Adieze pledged the commission’s support to the project and urged the implementing partners to leverage its state offices to address human rights challenges from the grassroots. (NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker

Completion of 0m greater Abuja water supply project excites Wike
Metro

Completion of $470m greater Abuja water supply project excites Wike

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, expressed excitement for completing the 470 million dollars Greater Abuja Water Supply Project eight years after.

Wike expressed his excitement in Abuja on Monday. at the inauguration of the project by President Bola Tinubu to celebrate his second year in office.

He explained that the project was awarded in 2017 under a partnership with the African Development Initiative to take care of loop one, two, five and six.

He added that the Chinese government provided 85 per cent of the funds while the Federal Government and the FCT provided 15 per cent.

The minister added that the project was completed in just two years in office, following Tinubu’s directive to improve water supply in the city.

“Although the project was awarded since 2017, your administration has completed it and today we are inaugurating it to improve water supply in the city,” he said.

Wike recalled that the FCT Administration had in 2024 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Chinese company to provide water in FCT satellite towns.

“I want to say today, that we almost completed the procurement process to provide water to residents of Bwari, Kubwa, and Karu among other communities.

“So, Mr President, you are not only providing water to residents in the cities; you are also providing water to residents in satellite towns,” he added.

He thanked Tinubu for the support and assured the President that this project would be completed and inaugurated in 2026 to celebrate his third year in office.

He equally thanked the National Assembly for the tireless support, which he described as “very encouraging”.

Inaugurating the project, Tinubu described it as a “monumental effort” that would ensure safe, sustainable and sufficient water to homes, institutions and communities across the capital city.

According to him, water is not a luxury, but a basic for human right and a foundation for public health, urban development and economic growth.

He thanked Wike for exhibiting a very great virtue of leadership.

“This virtue is when a leader is very conscious of the needs of his people and he goes about, committed with dedication to do it.

“That’s what you have been exhibiting in FCT,” Tinubu said.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, thanked Tinubu for his steadfast commitment to the welfare of Nigerians and for making the delivery of essential services a key priority of his “Renewed Hope Agenda”.

“Your excellency, your leadership has breathed new life into long-standing projects such as this one, transforming plans on paper into realities that directly impact the lives of our citizens.

“The completion of these water supply loops clearly demonstrates your administration’s resolve to ensure that no community is left behind in our pursuit of national development,” she said.

Earlier, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said that the completed project would significantly improve access to potable water supply in the city.

Dauda said that the project involves the construction of water supply pipes in loops one, two, five and six in line with the provisions of the Abuja Master Plan.

He added that it involves laying of 425-kilometre (km) of ductile iron pipes at various diametres, comprising 256 km of main lines and 169 km of distribution lines.

“The scope of the project includes site clearance and excavation, construction of loops one and two in Phase II, III and part of Phase IV in the norther development corridor and loops five and six in Phase II and III in the southern development corridor of the city,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Halima Sheji

I have no regret naming international conference centre after Tinubu – Wike
Metro

I have no regret naming international conference centre after Tinubu – Wike

By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says he has no regret naming Abuja International Conference Centre after President Bola Tinubu.

Wike said this in Abuja on Friday, during the inauguration of the completed 15-kilometre left hand service carriage way of OSEX Stage II, from Ring Road I to Wassa Junction.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that criticism followed the naming of the rehabilitated Abuja International Conference Centre after Tinubu, shortly after it was reopened on Tuesday.

Others described expending N39 billion to renovate the edifice as a misplaced priority.

Reacting, Wike wondered why some people were criticising the naming of the conference centre after Tinubu.

According to him, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was not built by Azikiwe and Moshood Abiola National Stadium was not built by Abiola.

He added that those criticising the rehabilitation of the centre do not have good taste.

“I have done it, and I have no regret at all,” Wike said.

He said that the only thing that was not changed in the centre was the structure saying, “everything in that centre was changed”.

He expressed dismay that instead of commending Tinubu for doing very well, some people derived pleasure in indulging in baseless criticism.

Wike said those who described the N39 billion spent on the renovation of the centre as a misplaced priority had lost track of time and the changing exchange rate of Naira to a Dollar.

“They said that the centre was built with N240 million, but which year? 1991.

“What was the exchange rate in 1991 compared with today? Look at it, 1991 and we are now in 2025.

“Nobody who loves this country will criticise the rehabilitation of the international conference centre,” he said.

The minister said that Nigeria was seen as the giant of Africa, adding that people must see what makes the country the giant of Africa.

“We deserve the best for the country and Mr President has given us the best,” he said.

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