News Agency of Nigeria
Wike advises Gov. Okpebholo of Edo against probing Obaseki
Politics

Wike advises Gov. Okpebholo of Edo against probing Obaseki

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By Philip Yatai

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has advised Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo, against dissipating his energy and resources to probe his immediate predecessor, Godwin Obaseki.

Wike, who gave the advice during his visit to the state, also urged the governor to concentrate on the development of Edo.

The minister said in a statement signed by his spokesman, Mr Lere Olayinka, that probing the former governor would achieve no meaningful results.

Wike stressed that it was better for Okpebholo to deploy his time and the state’s resources towards achieving his developmental goals for Edo people.

“If there is someone who would have encouraged Okpebholo to probe and prosecute Obaseki, that person should be me.

“However, what I suffered in ensuring that he returned for a second term and how he paid me back is now in the past.

“We must pass through this process in life, move on for the development of Edo.

“Therefore, don’t do it. I’m the one that should have told you to pursue this man because I know what I passed through.

“If it were to be his power, you wouldn’t be here, but God has told him, ‘you don’t have it and I have given it to whom I want to give it to’” he said.

The minister also apologised to Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of the state, for humiliating him over Obaseki.

Wike said: Leader, I know how pained you are and what you passed through; I know it was like a humiliation to you.

“I was part of it because I humiliated you while supporting Obaseki. I apologised to you on national TV and i am still saying sorry for what I did to you.

“Let Obaseki and his team carry their problems and go. Focus on the development of Edo and you will see what you will achieve at the end of the day”.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Wike was in Edo to inaugurate the newly constructed Edo Line Terminal in Benin, which is the second phase of the Benin Central Bus Terminal.

The event was, however, cancelled following the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Tinubu’s administration transforming FCT to a befitting nation’s capital – Wike 
Metro

Tinubu’s administration transforming FCT to a befitting nation’s capital – Wike 

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike says President Bola Tinubu’s administration is transforming FCT to a befitting nation’s capital.

Wike stated this on Sunday,  during a Thanksgiving Service at St. James’ Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja, for the successful completion of project inaugurations by Tinubu to celebrate his second year in office.

The minister said nothing was moving in the nation’s capital until the coming of Tinubu’s administration, pointing out that residents were already confessing the changes.

“This is because you have a government that is determined to make the needed changes.

“If the Tinubu government is not interested, it will be the same thing but because he is interested, he said this is not the kind of capital we should have; this is not the kind of city Nigeria should be boasting of.

“We need to transform Abuja to be like other cities in the world and he gave me a matching order to see that things are working.

“Yes, we cannot say we have completely changed Abuja but you can see the processes and the steps being taken to put Abuja where it is supposed to be,” he said.

He pointed out that most of the infrastructure, particularly roads were in a bad shape, adding that currently things were different.

The FCT minister appealed to residents and Nigerians to be patient and see what Abuja would become in the next one year.

He pointed out that some people resisted his appointment as the FCT minister because he didn’t come from a particular area in the country, which he described as “unfortunate”.

Wike lauded Tinubu for standing firm on his decision to work only with people that would support him and work with him to develop FCT.

“We are contributing our own quota and it is left for the people to judge our performance. We will continue to work hard to improve on what Mr President has promised FCT residents and NIgerians in general.

“Like the Vicar of the Church Ben Idume has said, everybody can attest to the changes Mr President has introduced in the FCT.”

Wike pointed out that for the first time under Tinubu’s administration, the FCT now appoints its Permanent Secretaries (PS) as against posting them from the Federal Civil Service.

He explained that Tinubu’s decision was to ensure that FCT workers’ growth was not retarded as they retired at the rank of directors.

“People who get to the director level retire and do not get to the permanent secretary level, but today, by the grace of God, all the civil servants in the FCT are likely to grow to the level of permanent Secretary.

“Secondly, today, FCT had its own Head of Service, who of course, is a woman and from FCT. All these are things that people should thank Mr President for.

“Also, before now, it will be difficult for FCT to access funds, but Mr President in his wisdom decided that FCT Administration should be pulled out from the Treasury Single Account.

“This has significantly helped us to access funding and execute development and infrastructural projects across the FCT,” he said.

He explained that the thanksgiving service became necessary to thank God for the successful inauguration of 17 projects in 16 days by Tinubu to celebrate his second year in office.

“It was not easy. Nobody lost his life, no accident going from here to outside the city – Kwali, Gwagwalada and Bwari. It has not been easy.

“We thank God for the grace; we thank God for the strength given to all of us. It’s teamwork and we did it successfully,” he said.

Earlier, Idume presented an Award of Excellence to the minister for the exceptional performance in infrastructural development in the FCT.

Idume observed that contrary to the opposition Wike faced, he had proven his detractors wrong as FCT minister from the southern part of Nigeria.

He described Tinubu as a “visionary leader” saying, “he appointed Wike FCTA Minister because he knew he would perform against all odds”. (NAN)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

FCT primary teachers to call off strike following Wike’s intervention  
Metro

FCT primary teachers to call off strike following Wike’s intervention  

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By Philip Yatai

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), may soon call off the three-month primary school teachers’ strike, following the intervention of the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

Chief of Staff to the minister, Mr Chidi Amadi disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday, after a closed-door meeting with the area council chairmen, leadership of the NUT, and representatives of the FCT Administration.

Other participants at the meeting, he said, included representatives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANs) and the National Assembly.

Amadi explained that the meeting was convened by the minister, in addition to previous interventions to find a lasting solution to the prolonged teachers’ strike.

According to him, after extensive deliberation, a decision was reached to put the issues to rest.

He announced that part of the resolution was to withhold the 10 per cent accrued Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the area councils for the past six months.

He explained that the funds would be used to settle 70 per cent of the minimum wage owed the teachers.

“Although it will not cover 100 per cent of the debt for now, it will cover about 70 per cent. This is a laudable move towards addressing the fracas once and for all.

The chief of staff added that the minister had also directed that a Special Committee be constituted, composed of three members of NUT, two members from FCTA, one of the area council chairmen and representative of NANs.

He added that the committee would revisit all the other outstanding issues and within the next two weeks, submit a report detailing how the other outstanding issues would be permanently addressed.

“In addition to addressing the issues of the primary school teachers, Wike had taken a decision to address all outstanding issues of the local government employees.

“The minister pledged to personally intervene to ensure that their demands are addressed by the FCTA.

“This is to ensure that the area councils resume full operations effectively immediately.

Speaking on behalf of the area council chairmen, Mr Abubakar Abdullahi, acknowledged the resolution, saying “although it was not in favour of the area councils, it was necessary to resolve the issues.

“Six months of our IGR had been held to settle this issue. Ours at this point is to appeal to NUT to consider our children and call off the strike.

“Please NUT, we are calling on you to respect the fact that the minister has taken his time to resolve this matter.

“Wike had clearly stated that by law, he has no right to take the 10 per cent IGR of the area councils to clear the outstanding debt of the teachers.

“However, the chairmen have all agreed because they also, collectively, want an end to the strike and so we have agreed that the 10 per cent IGR should go to the teachers”.

He expressed optimism that the strike would be called off before Friday, so that children would go back to school.

Also, the National President of NANs, Olushola Oladoja, lauded the resolutions and expressed hope that the outcome would finally put the matter to rest and the teachers return to class.

Oladoja commended the minister for taking the bold step, stressing that any of the council chairmen could take him to court over such a decision.

“However, I believe because the council chairmen also want the issue resolved, they have no option but to concede the IGR for six months,” he said.

On his part, the NUT Chairman, Mohammed Shafa, acknowledged the deliberation, but said he would get back to the NUT State Executive Council, where the final decision would be taken.

The news Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the teachers had embarked on the strike in March over non-implementation of minimum wage

Other issues included non-implementation and payment of 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase, and non-implementation and payment of 40 per cent peculiar allowance.

The union were also demanding the payment of the N35,000 wage award and the implementation of the template on outstanding entitlements of teachers as agreed in 2022. (NAN)

Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi

Wike meets area council chairmen, NUT, NANs over teachers’ strike 
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Wike meets area council chairmen, NUT, NANs over teachers’ strike 

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, will meet with chairmen of FCT area councils, leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and National Association of Nigeria Students (NANs) on Thursday.

The meeting, according to a statement by NANs in Abuja on Wednesday, is to finalise modalities for the reopening of all public primary schools in the FCT.

The statement was signed by NANs National President, Olushola Oladoja and the association’s National Public Relations Officer, Adeyemi Ajasa.

The association explained that it had earlier resolved to stage a mass protest Wednesday morning at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Secretariat.

It added that its leadership was invited to a high-level engagement at the Department of State Services (DSS) Headquarters, where the issues at hand were thoroughly discussed in the interest of national security and students’ welfare.

It said that the first meeting at the DSS paved the way for a second strategic meeting with the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on FCT, Muktar Betara.

NANs said that the engagement revealed the root causes of the ongoing industrial action by the NUT and the efforts made thus far by the Wike-led FCTA.

It added that a third meeting was held with Wike on Tuesday, where the minister explained the issues at hand.

“That the FCT remains the only unit of the federation operating full local government autonomy, hence all salary payments, including that of primary school teachers, are the sole responsibility of the area councils.

“The FCT Administration is not directly responsible for the backlog of teachers’ salaries and therefore should not be held solely accountable for the inadequacies of the area councils.

“In a show of responsibility and commitment to resolving the crisis, Wike intervened by proposing a bailout—with FCTA offering to pay 60 per cent of the outstanding arrears while the area councils cover the remaining 40 per cent.

“When it became clear that this arrangement was not yielding desired results, the FCT minister withheld the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the area councils for the months of May and June, with a plan to utilize these funds to make up the 40 per cent requested of area council to clear the outstanding arrears owed to teachers.

“That based on this intervention, it was expected that the two-month arrears withheld be ready before the end of the week,” it said.

The association said that based on the productive engagements and emerging progress, it hereby suspends the planned protest while keeping close tabs on the implementation of all resolutions reached.

“We reaffirm our commitment to defending the rights of Nigerian students and ensuring that no child is denied access to education due to governmental lapses,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Wike taking governance closer to FCT residents – Tinubu
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Wike taking governance closer to FCT residents – Tinubu

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By Philip Yatai

President Bola Tinubu says the leadership quality of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is taking governance closer to the residents of the territory.

Tinubu stated this in Abuja on Monday while inaugurating the newly-constructed access roads in Giri district, executed by the Wike-led FCT Administration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the project was the13th so far inaugurated, out of the 17 outlined for inauguration to celebrate Tinubu’s second year in office.

Represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, the president said that Wike’s work speaks for itself in every corner of the FCT.

“From the vast-spaced districts of Maitama, Jahi, Katampe, Wuye, Mabushi and the likes, to the towns of Gwagwalada, Kwali, Bwari and Abaji, and the growing communities of Kabusa, Ketti and now Giri district, your leadership has brought progress closer to the people.

“You have not only embraced the visions of my administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”, you have localised it, made it meaningful and made it real.

“Your actions have brought quality and excellence to the dual states of communities long laid in the shadows.

“Honourable minister, on behalf of myself, my administration and the good people of the FCT, I say thank you for reminding us that good governance is not about fanfare, but about footsteps,” he said.

Tinubu said that the newly-constructed access roads were not just infrastructural achievements, but a statement of intention to open up Giri district and the FCT.

To the residents of Giri, Tinubu said: “May these roads lead you to greater opportunities; may they carry your children to school, farmers to markets, families to healthcare and dreams to reality.”

In his remarks, Wike said that the district houses University of Abuja, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Academy and other institutions.

He said that EFCC would be the first beneficiary of the access road, as it would encourage it to commence construction of its academy.

“Most of the problem we’re having here is that sometimes, when you allocate land, there are no facilities, no infrastructure, and people are not encouraged to develop the allocated land.

“So, we will do everything we can to see that basic infrastructure is provided in Giri to become an important district that will attract so many investors,” he said.

The minister further stated that efforts had begun to construct the critical road network in the district.

He said that he had already asked the acting Executive Secretary of Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr Richard Dauda, and other experts to begin working on the details.

Wike added that the road network would help to stop land grabbing by University of Abuja, adding that the university had grabbed 11,000 hectares without authorisation.

“So, I have told the director of land and other relevant agencies to carve out 4,000 hectares and give it to the university.

“The other ones would be reallocated because we are going to provide the roads here, and that is the true situation,” he said.

On her part, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the project as yet another shining example of the Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, connectivity and inclusive growth.

According to Mahmoud, the Giri road is part of a broader initiative to open up under-served communities and stimulate economic activities within the area councils.

Earlier, Dauda said that the project was awarded in November 2024 to provide access roads to the district, planned to be an institutional area.

He stated that the proposed main sewage treatment plant for the city at Giri was also located within the district. (NAN)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

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

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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

Tax: Wike says ‘big men’ remain FCT’s biggest problem
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Tax: Wike says ‘big men’ remain FCT’s biggest problem

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says big men (rich people) residing in Abuja remain FCT’s biggest problem in voluntary tax compliance for development.

Wike stated this during the inauguration of the newly constructed Collector Road CN2 (Zakari A. Kyari Street), in Abuja on Thursday, by President Bola Tinubu to celebrate his second year in office.

The road, from Arterial Road N11 (Ahmadu Bello Way) in Mabushi to Katampe District, leading to Judges Quarters and other connecting roads were constructed by the FCT Administration.

The minister said that the big men living in the FCT do not like paying taxes.

He, however, expressed dismay that the same big men pay their taxes and ground rent voluntarily in London, the United States of America and other foreign countries.

He said that the CN2 road and other connecting roads in Katampe District were executed with taxes and ground rents paid by responsible residents.

“For those who said we sealed their houses for not paying a ground rent, see the value; see the product of paying a ground rent.

“If you don’t pay, nobody will provide this infrastructure because the only thing the city has is just to collect taxes.

“People say Abuja is rich. How rich is it?” he asked.

He explained that what Abuja collects from the Federation Account was one per cent of what was due to the Federal Government every month.

“So, assuming that the federal government gets N800 billion every month. One percent of N800 billion is N8 billion Naira and N8 billion is not enough to pay salaries.

“Our salary today is not less than N13 billion because of the minimum wage increase.

“So, if we only depend on one per cent of what the federal government gets every month, it means that we can only pay salaries, not to talk about carrying out infrastructure.

“That’s why we’re very aggressive in saying you cannot enjoy infrastructure free of charge. You have to pay.

“It has nothing to do with ‘I belong to party A; I belong to party B, I belong to party C’,” he said.

He urged Tinubu, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Mr Benjamin Kalu, to talk to FCT residents on the need to pay their taxes.

This, he said, would enable the FCT Administration to deliver more infrastructure in the territory for the good of all.

He reminded FCT residents, particularly big men, that whoever has land in the territory and has not paid ground rent should pay or their names would be published as defaulters in newspapers.

He particularly pointed out that no poor man has the financial resources to build a house in Katampe and Mabushi, adding that those building houses in the areas were rich men.

“Mr Deputy Speaker, see what we are talking about. If you know you have land here and you have not paid, I will publish your name that you have not paid.

“It has nothing to do that I want to embarrass you, no. We need money to do the work that we are doing.

“No poor man can do these houses. No poor man. These houses are being built by rich men. So, you have to pay so we can carry out the job of delivering critical infrastructure.

“We need people to pay their taxes so that we will carry out development in the interest of our people,” he added.

Earlier, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said that the project was executed by CGC and was flagged off in October, 2024.

Dauda said that the CN2 road was a dual carriageway of two lanes each while the other roads were single carriageway.

He added that road projects were executed to provide infrastructure and open up the Katampe District for development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that shortly after the inauguration, Wike inspected Judges Quarters under construction in Katampe and the N5 Road (Obafemi Awolowo Way) from Life Camp to Ring Road III scheduled for inauguration on Friday. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Deputy Speaker hails Wike’s prudent investment of public resources  
Metro

Deputy Speaker hails Wike’s prudent investment of public resources  

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By Philip Yatai

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, for prudent investment of public resources to impact the lives of residents.

Kalu gave the commendation during the inauguration of the newly constructed Collector Road CN2 (Zakari Kyari Street), in Abuja on Thursday, by President Bola Tinubu to celebrate his second year in office.

The road, from Arterial Road N11 (Ahmadu Bello Way) in Mabushi to Judges Quarters in Katampe District, and other roads were constructed by the FCT Administration.

The deputy speaker, who represented Tinubu at the event, said that the parliament was proud of the FCT minister.

He expressed gratitude to Wike for his tireless efforts in delivering infrastructure projects in the FCT.

According to him, Wike’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the implementation of FCT’s budget is commendable.

“His ability to deliver projects within budget and timeframe is a testament to his leadership and vision.

“I said so because, oftentimes the parliament is worried when we make budget appropriations on whether the report of the budget implementation will reflect what the intention of the parliamentarians was at the time of making the appropriation law.

“Last year you inaugurated several projects and this year, again, you have given us 17 days to inaugurate projects.

“We are proud of you.

“We want to assure you that we are never afraid of approving your proposals when they come before the parliament because we know you know how to invest government resources to be able to impact the lives of the people that we govern.”

The lawmaker said it was not only Tinubu that was impressed with Wike’s services, “the parliament is impressed with your services.

“You have projected in reality not in theory the aspirations of Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.

“You have steadily, continuously and diligently proven that the principle guiding the agenda was not mere theory, and for that we are grateful,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that shortly after the inauguration, Wike inspected Judges Quarters under construction in Katampe and the N5 Road (Obafemi Awolowo Way) from Life Camp to Ring Road III scheduled for inauguration on Friday. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

UNIPORT confers honorary degree of Doctor of Science on Wike 
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UNIPORT confers honorary degree of Doctor of Science on Wike 

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By Philip Yatai

Abuja, June 18, 2025 (NAN) The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (DSc Honoris Causa) on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike.

The Vice-Chancellor of university, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, disclosed during the presentation of the conferment letter to Wike, at his residence in Abuja on Wednesday.

Georgewill added that the official decoration and presentation of the certificate would be on July 26, as part of activities to celebrate the university’s 50th anniversary.

He explained that the Act of the university empowered it to award honorary doctorate degrees to distinguished Nigerians who have contributed immensely to the growth of the nation.

He said that the university’s Senate approved the conferment based on Wike’s track record in public service and contributions to the development of the university and Rivers.

“Today marks the beginning of the 50th anniversary celebration of the university of Port Harcourt, and there is no better place to commence the ceremony than where we are today.

“You are also a distinguished alumnus of the university, and so the university is honouring you not only for your service but also your service to the University of Port Harcourt.

“Your footprints are just there for everybody to see in the university.

“We are proud to be associated with you and the university is indeed very proud that you attended it; you have a DNA of that institution in you,’’ Georgewill said.

Mrs Gloria Chindah, Registrar and Secretary to Council had earlier conveyed the confinement of the honorary doctorate degree on the minister in a letter dated June 10.

“It is with profound please that I write to convey to you the decision of the Senate of the University of Port Harcourt at its Extra-Ordinary meeting held on Tuesday, 3rd June, 2025 to confer on you, an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science (DSc Honoris Causa) in recognition of your visionary leadership and outstanding contributions to governance in Rivers and Nigeria.

“The conferment will be made at the 35th Convocation Ceremony of the university, which is scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 26, 2025,” she said.

Presenting the letter, the university’s Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, thanked Wike for being a good ambassador of the university.

Ohuabunwa said: “The university is very proud of you because in every endeavour of your life you have made us proud.

“When you were the Chairman and Security Head of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers, you defended the university.

“When you were the minister of education, you attracted great developments to the university.

“Today the Faculty of Law is in the university because Nyesom Wike was the minister of education.”

He added that Wike did not only bring the faculty of law to the university, but he also built it.

“As if that was not enough, when you became the governor of Rivers, you made an indelible mark and built one of the best Convocation Arenas in West Africa.

“Few weeks back, when we came to congratulate you on your appointment as FCT Minister, you donated a multimedia centre for the convocation arena,” he said.

He informed the minister that the convocation arena would be inaugurated on July 25, as part of the university’s golden jubilee.

Responding, Wike thanked the university for the honour saying “for me, it is the university that gave me everything.

“I am a proud alumnus of the university where I first studied political science before studying another degree in law”.

He explained that as the then minister of education, he wondered why a conventional university did not have a faculty of law.

Wike added that he felt bad and made it a point of duty for the university to have the faculty, including the Faculty of Social Sciences, to separate it from the Faculty of Humanities.

He added that he equally built one of the best convocation arenas for the university because it deserves the best.

“If I am in a position to do more for my university, I will continue to do it.

“I am happy and I accepted the offer on behalf of my family, my wife and my friends and promised to be there to celebrate the golden jubilee of the university.

“I will continue to partner and support the university,” Wike said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Minister lauds Wike for constructing bus terminals in Abuja
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Minister lauds Wike for constructing bus terminals in Abuja

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By Philip Yatai

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Said Alkali, has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, for constructing three bus and taxi terminals in Abuja.

Alkali gave the commendation in Abuja on Tuesday during the inauguration of the completed Mabushi Bus and Taxi Terminal, constructed by the Wike-led Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

He described it as “landmark achievement” and assured the ministry’s support through collaboration to sustain the efforts.

He added that the laudable initiative would no doubt improve public transport and boost economic activities in the territory.

The minister said “it will also provide veritable avenue that will facilitate the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which placed transportation on top of its priorities.”

He appealed to relevant stakeholders, especially the leadership of various road transport unions to maximise the potential of the terminal.

According to him, effective utilisation of the facility will encourage government to do more for the welfare of the people, dignity of road users and transport operators.

The minister disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the construction of six bus terminals, one in each of the geopolitical zones in the country.

Alkali said the terminals would be constructed in Abeokuta, Ogun State (South West; Onitsha in Anambra State (South East); Warri in Delta State (South-South); Lokoja in Kogi State (North Central); Gombe in Gombe State (North East); and Kano in Kano State (North West).

He explained that the choice of the locations was influenced by their strategic commercial viability and the need to boost economic growth and inclusive development through provision of modern transport facility in the respective zones.

He commended Tinubu for supporting the development of the transport sector in multi-faceted ways.

According to him, this is the first time in the history of the country that the Federal Government has made investment of such magnitude in the transport sector, apart from rail and road.

He appreciated the visionary leadership of Tinubu for prioritising the development of transportation as a globally recognised enabler of economic growth and gateway to the nation’s economy.

On his part, Wike said the FCT Administration inaugurated the construction of three bus and taxi terminals in 2024, one in Mabushi, one in Central Business Area and another in Kugbo.

He said that the Kugbo terminal would be inaugurated next week, while the one at Central Business Area would be inaugurated before the end of 2025.

He added that three additional bus and taxi terminals would be constructed, with one each in Gwagwalada, Bwari and Kuje this year.

According to him, the essence of the terminals is to enhance security by reducing the number of vehicles on the road.

“We are trying to eliminate the `one chance’ syndrome where commuters are vulnerable to attacks by unknown drivers,” he added.

Ealier, Mr Chinedum Elechi, the Mandate Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, FCT Administration, described the bus and taxi terminal as “first of its kind” in the territory.

Elechi added that the terminal, built on 1.8 hectares of land, was designed to operate for 24 hours for both intercity and intracity transportation.

He said that the project was awarded in May 2024 for completion in 15 months but was completed in 10 months.

He said that the terminal has among other facilities an escalator, ticketing booths, shops, cinemas, restaurants and a family room for nursing mothers.

To ensure security, the mandate secretary said that 45 closed-circuit television cameras have been installed in strategic locations within the terminal. (NAN)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

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