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FCTA Begins Rehabilitation Of Public Schools
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Federal Capital Territory (FCT), minister, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, flagged off the rehabilitation of 19 public schools across the six area councils of the FCT, with a stern warning to the treasury department not to frustrate the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.
Wike, who sounded the note of warning at the FCT School for the Gifted, said the current administration was not just focused on providing access to education but will ensure it provides quality education through the provision of a conducive teaching and learning environment for all children in the territory.
He disclosed that the funding for the rehabilitation project was from the 2023 Supplementary Budget, adding that an additional 20 schools will also benefit from the initiative through the “whole-school rehabilitation approach” under the 2024 supplementary budget.
Recall that the FCT Administration had in January 2024, announced that it was committing the sum of N13.1 billion for the renovation and rehabilitation of 40 schools, under the accelerated whole-school rehabilitation approach.
The whole school rehabilitation approach was designed to rehabilitate the entire school infrastructure and facilities, including toilets, hostels, dining and provision of furniture and water.
Wike, while speaking at the event said, “Today we are here to flag off the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 19 schools. These 19 schools are based on the Supplementary Budget of 2023. I want to assure you that for the 2024 Budget, we are also going to select another 20 schools for rehabilitation and reconstruction.
“As the Minister of State said, education is key to every development. It’s the mandate of Mr President that we must not only sponsor education, we must also take health. I can assure you that now that the budget has been passed, we will come back to Gwagwalada for the General Hospital and make sure you are given the best.
“Let me assure the contractors that nobody will be owed. I made sure that before I left the office, I had made sure your mobilisation was sent to the bank. I have told the treasury that woe betide anybody who sabotages the effort of this present government led by President Tinubu.”
Earlier, the Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, while appreciating the FCT Minister for his doggedness in achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, noted that the minister has been to Gwagwalada Area Council thrice, this year, to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
She said the current administration is poised to improve infrastructure development and so the team will be back again to provide infrastructural development in the health sector.
She said; “We will soon be back to Gwagwalada to deliver infrastructural development in the health sector.”
On his part, the Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr Danlami Hayyo, stated that the rehabilitation work is an indication that the administration is not only focused on the construction of roads but also investing in the future generation through Education.
He recalled that only recently, the minister approved over N280 million in scholarships to fresh indigent students in the FCT.
Meanwhile, the contractor in charge of the project, Engr. Osondu Ekwekwe, while congratulating the minister for the giant strides achieved in the FCT, appreciated him for remembering the FCT School for the Gifted, Gwagwalada.
He pointed out that the school was in urgent need of an intervention, as most of its facilities were dilapidated and a far cry from what a school should be.
An assessment by the contractor shows that about 16 classroom blocks were completely dilapidated, while the school’s 1.8-kilometre perimeter fence had collapsed, leaving the school accessible to herders and other invaders.
“The school is currently not conducive for learning and habitation. Most of the students defecate in the open due to the absence of toilets among other amenities.
You have to hold your breath if you go to the back of the classrooms because the students defecate in the open. Most of the classroom blocks are completely dilapidated. Let me assure you, Honourable Minister, on behalf of the contractors handling other rehabilitation work at other schools, that we will deliver on this project on time.
Tribune Online gathered that the 19 contractors had taken possession of the site and work has commenced across the 19 schools pencilled down in the first phase of the accelerated whole-school rehabilitation project.
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has marked his 61st birthday by sponsoring 120 inmates at the Medium Security Correctional Centre, Kuje, Abuja, to sit for the National Examinations Council (NECO) and National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examinations.
The initiative, which took place at the correctional centre on Thursday, formed part of activities marking the Speaker’s birthday and continued his support for educational opportunities for inmates.
Speaker Abbas who was represented by his Special Assistant on Humanitarian Affairs, David Igbe Okponya said the gesture was intended to ensure that incarceration did not become a barrier to education, personal development and the opportunity for inmates to rebuild their lives.
Delivering the Speaker’s message to the inmates, he urged them to use their time in custody to prepare for life beyond the correctional centre.
He urged the inmates not to allow their present circumstances to define their future.
He said: “I leave you with three words: Believe. Learn. Rebuild. Believe that your future can be better. Learn everything that can make you a better person. And when the opportunity comes, rebuild your life and make a positive contribution to society.
“Let this occasion remind us that no human being should be defined only by his worst moment.
“Whatever brought you here is part of your history, but it does not have to define the rest of your life.
“Use your time here wisely. Read, study, learn a trade, acquire a skill, and build your character. When the opportunity comes for you to return to your communities, return prepared to contribute positively to your families and to Nigeria.”
The event also featured testimonies from previous beneficiaries of Abbas’ educational sponsorship, as well as the cutting of the Speaker’s birthday cake with inmates.
An inmate identified simply as Adeolu, who benefited from the Speaker’s examination sponsorship last year, expressed appreciation for the support.
“A big thank you” to the Speaker, he said, before adding, “The foundation builder—that is what we call him in here.”
Another former beneficiary, Chikwendu, recounted how the educational support helped him change his course of study from science to art before sitting for the NECO examination sponsored by the Speaker.
He said he eventually obtained seven distinctions.
“Last year, you were here to plant a seed. I want you to know that, that seed has germinated. We are indebted to our father, the Right Honourable Speaker,” Chikwendu said.
Giving an overview of the educational programmes in the FCT Command, the Education Desk Officer, DSC Adikwu Owoicho, disclosed that more than 2,000 inmates had been registered for various educational programmes.
He said inmates registered in 2025 recorded encouraging performances in both NECO and NABTEB examinations.
“The Speaker is taking the lead in the number of NECO and NABTEB registration sponsorships nationwide. The NGOs are doing their best, but the Speaker is taking the lead,” Owoicho said.
Earlier, the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Peter Jen, who represented the Comptroller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, commended the Speaker for supporting the Nigerian Correctional Service’s efforts to reform and empower inmates.
The Comptroller General described education as a critical pillar of the Service’s mandate of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration.
He also advocated employment opportunities for reformed inmates, saying those who had undergone rehabilitation were ready to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Representing the Deputy Controller General in charge of Inmates Training and Productivity, SC Igomu Augustine, also appreciated the organisers for supporting inmates and the Service’s efforts to make them productive and better prepared for reintegration into society.
He said the Speaker was taking the lead in sponsoring the registration of inmates for NECO examinations across custodial centres.
The latest sponsorship formed part of his continued support for education and rehabilitation initiatives aimed at giving inmates opportunities to acquire qualifications, skills and the confidence needed to rebuild their lives after release.
Another Nollywood actor, Chijioke Nwokafor, popularly known as CJay Nwoks is dead.
He died on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at an undisclosed hospital in the Badore area of Lagos State.
The sad news was announced by actress Nkechi Blessing, who recently cast CJay as the lead actor in her new film.
Speaking on why the film will no longer be released, Nkechi, who was seen crying in a video on her Instagram page, said, “it took me a lot to do this video because we won’t be dropping the movie again by 5pm.
Right now, I’m in the hospital in Badore. I just lost CJay. CJay is dead. I don’t even know where to start.”
The cause of his death is still very sketchy as at the time of filing this report.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., has called on Nigerians to remain hopeful about the country’s future, declaring that Nigeria is making progress politically, socially and economically.
Abbas made the call in his Independence Day message to Nigerians as the country marked its 61st anniversary of independence on Thursday.
The Speaker noted that Nigeria had continued to mature as a nation, stressing that democracy was taking root in Africa’s most populous country despite the challenges confronting it.
He emphasised the importance of patriotism, peace and national unity, urging Nigerians to work collectively towards the country’s development, growth and prosperity.
Abbas also called on citizens to sustain their prayers and support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, while stressing that nation-building must transcend political affiliations, ethnic differences and religious beliefs.
According to him, the task of building a prosperous nation requires a renewed sense of patriotism and a collective commitment to the common good.
He urged Nigerians to embrace a new national consciousness, love their country and remain dedicated to its progress, insisting that the responsibility for national development rests on every citizen.
The Speaker wished Nigerians a peaceful and memorable Independence Day celebration, expressing hope for a stronger and more prosperous nation.
Abbas Marks 61st Birthday by Sponsoring 120 Kuje Inmates For NECO, NABTEB
SAD! Another Nollywood star is dead
Independence: Nigeria Making Political, Economic Progress, Speaker Abbas Says
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