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First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for transforming Abuja’s City Gate into a major recreational and environmental landmark, while calling on states to involve more young people in environmental protection initiatives.

Speaking during a ceremony to honour the FCT Administration for its environmental efforts under the Renewed Hope Green Initiative, Mrs Tinubu said she was impressed by the transformation of the City Gate, describing it as “unbelievable”.

She disclosed that despite a ₦50 million prize set aside under the Green Challenge to encourage states to reclaim abandoned spaces and dumpsites, no state entered the competition.

Commending Wike’s efforts, she said: “When I saw what he did with the City Gate, my God, unbelievable, unbelievable. I want to thank him. He’s done very well.”

Recalling her own experience as a student environmental activist, she said she belonged to the Youth Environmental Programme for West Africa while at the College of Education and travelled across several West African countries.

“I remember when I was in the College of Education, I was a member of the Youth Environmental Programme for West Africa. We travelled from Nigeria throughout West Africa by road. It was a memorable experience for us,” she said.

Responding, Wike revealed that the First Lady personally inspired the transformation of Abuja’s City Gate after repeatedly urging him to improve the aesthetics of the nation’s capital.

“The First Lady had to commend the FCT for keying into the Renewed Hope Green Initiative because she has always said we have to change our environment and create opportunities where people can gather and relax,” he said.

According to the minister, the idea originated from one of Mrs Tinubu’s observations after returning from foreign trips.

“She called on me to say, ‘Why do we travel out and we do not learn anything when we travel? Look at the way our city looks, look at the way city gates in other countries look. Why not do something to change it?’”

Wike said the First Lady followed up the conversation two months later after noticing that no work had commenced.

“She called back and said, ‘I have passed there several times and it doesn’t appear that anything has changed.’ I told her something would be done.”

He explained that the FCT Administration subsequently engaged the original designers of the City Gate to develop a new concept that has since transformed the location into a vibrant public attraction.

“Today, by the grace of God, whenever you pass there, even at night, you see people gathered there. There is activity. That is what it is supposed to be,” he said.

The minister disclosed that similar projects would be extended to other parts of Abuja, particularly the Life Camp area, where plans are under way to develop another green recreational centre.

“I’ve also told the First Lady that I want to replicate another one when you go to the Life Camp area. We have a green space where people come to relax, but it doesn’t look tidy or attractive. I’ve directed that it should be redesigned into another recreation centre where people can come and relax. That is what happens in other countries,” he said.

Wike described environmental sustainability as essential to national development, noting that no city could truly develop without clean and well-maintained green spaces.

“Nobody can talk about the development of any country or city where the environment is not clean. When you go to Europe, what attracts you is the beauty, the green environment and the clean surroundings. When you put green areas around developments, it looks natural. That is the way we are supposed to live.”

He also expressed appreciation to the First Lady for recognising the FCT Administration’s efforts, saying her encouragement had motivated him to do more.

“Leadership is about learning. She drew our attention to areas that needed improvement, and instead of complaining, we acted. When leaders point out what needs to be done, the right response is to improve. That is exactly what we have done,” Wike said.

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By Gloria Ikibah

For millions of Nigerians living with chronic pain, stroke complications, spinal injuries and other disabilities, rehabilitation remains one of the most overlooked aspects of healthcare.

Many patients travel hundreds of kilometres in search of physiotherapy services, while those who can afford it often spend huge sums seeking treatment abroad. For countless others, the cost of rehabilitation, shortage of specialised equipment and limited access to quality care mean they simply learn to live with pain and disability.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that one in every three people globally will require rehabilitation at some point in their lives, making physiotherapy and rehabilitation one of the fastest-growing healthcare needs worldwide. WHO’s Rehabilitation 2030 initiative has repeatedly warned that demand for rehabilitation services is increasing because of ageing populations, road traffic crashes, stroke, cancer, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases, while access to services remains grossly inadequate in many low and middle-income countries. (World Health Organization)
Nigeria mirrors this reality.

A recent national assessment conducted under the WHO Rehabilitation 2030 programme found a significant gap in rehabilitation services across the country, prompting the Federal Government to begin integrating rehabilitation into primary healthcare while expanding services nationwide. (MRTB)

Against this backdrop, the official opening of NOHSONIC Physiotherapy Clinic in Abuja is being seen as another important step towards improving access to modern rehabilitation services and reducing the growing dependence on medical tourism.

Located in the Federal Capital Territory, the facility is equipped with advanced rehabilitation technology designed to manage chronic pain, neurological conditions, orthopaedic injuries, sports injuries, stroke recovery, cardiac rehabilitation and several other conditions requiring specialised physiotherapy.

Leading guests at the commissioning was the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera, who described the facility as a welcome development for Nigerians who previously had to seek similar treatment overseas.

After touring the centre, the traditional ruler said he was impressed by what he saw.

“Alhamdulillah, glory be to God. I’ve been around the clinic and what I saw is really pleasing. Most of what we see and experience when we go outside for treatments like this is here now and I believe this will go a long way in providing cheaper and warmer care to Nigerians from all walks of life.

“The proprietor mentioned he’s doing this with the intention of supporting and helping every Nigerian get access to recover from a stroke, pain or whatever they suffer from as easily and cheaply as possible, and the care they provide here is one that is very difficult to access outside.

“Some people cannot even walk, some cannot stand. It takes a long time to get permission to travel from embassies and also from the airlines. Having a centre like this in Abuja and hopefully closer to our states is a wonderful opportunity for all Nigerians.

“I’m really happy with what I saw and I believe we are turning the page for all Nigerians to receive the care we need within the shortest time and at the cheapest possible rates.”

Registrar of the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists Registration Board of Nigeria, Prof. Ahmad Alkali, said the facility complements ongoing government efforts to expand rehabilitation services across the country.

He revealed that Nigeria had recently completed a national assessment under the WHO Rehabilitation 2030 programme, which exposed a huge shortfall in rehabilitation services.

“Nigeria has just completed the process of situation assessment and what was found was that there’s a very huge gap in service delivery.

“The government is doing its best to expand the services by increasing the number of secondary and tertiary hospitals and also implementing the integration of rehabilitation into primary healthcare, which is going to help identify people at the grassroots who need those services and refer them to secondary and tertiary facilities.

“But because the number is huge, the public facilities alone will not be able to cater for everyone. Therefore, this centre is going to complement what government has done in providing services when people come to the secondary and tertiary levels of care. So this is a very wonderful development.

“We appreciate what has been done because what has been invested here, if invested in other businesses, could probably have produced double or triple the profit. But investing in health means the person has humanity in mind and that’s very commendable.”

For the founder and Managing Director of NOHSONIC Physiotherapy Clinic, Dr Kingsley Nwankwo, the project represents years of planning driven by one objective—to ensure Nigerians receive world-class rehabilitation without leaving the country.

He said the inspiration came from his daily encounters with people living with disabilities.

“NOHSONIC is something that I’m passionate about. It’s a dream that I’ve lived for years and to the glory of God it’s coming to fruition now.

“Every day of my life I meet people with one disability or another and it gives us concern—not because of lack of expertise, but because of inadequate equipment and limited options for improving recovery.

“We thought, why not bring this equipment into Nigeria? We can rehabilitate patients comfortably here.

“People suffer spinal injuries, disc problems and different kinds of pain. Instead of losing billions annually through medical tourism for services that can be provided here, let’s bring them home.”

He also expressed concern over the migration of Nigerian physiotherapists abroad.

“Nigeria is producing lots of physiotherapists. Most of them are leaving the country probably because of inadequate equipment, and we’re almost running short of manpower.

“If we have this equipment here, we’re going to attract more colleagues to stay back, learn these technologies, improve their practice and ultimately give the best care to patients.

“The most important thing to us is patients, and NOHSONIC is open to every class of patient.”

According to him, the centre houses close to 100 specialised machines, including advanced laser therapy systems, electronic tilt tables, electric traction beds, combination therapy units and shortwave diathermy equipment for managing chronic pain and neurological rehabilitation.

He said affordability remained central to the clinic’s philosophy.

“NOHSONIC is open to every class of Nigerians and even non-Nigerians. We are affordable.

“Every treatment room is independently equipped to serve its purpose. We are well prepared and open to receive patients.”

Nwankwo described the investment as part of the organisation’s broader commitment to corporate social responsibility.

“The establishment of this physiotherapy clinic is anchored on our firm belief in Corporate Social Responsibility as a necessary obligation. It demonstrates our conviction that privileged individuals in society must begin to give back through healthcare.

“It stands as a reminder that sustainable national development begins with healthy citizens and that every investment in preventive healthcare is an investment in human capital, productivity and the future of our society.”

He disclosed that the clinic would support vulnerable groups through discounted treatment for its first 50 registered patients, periodic wellness outreach for senior citizens and youth injury-prevention programmes.

“These are reflections of NOHSONIC’s broader social mission, which goes beyond making profits. It demonstrates our people-centred philosophy, our care for humanity and our determination to discourage medical tourism that drains between one and two billion dollars in foreign exchange annually.

“Today’s opening stands as a reminder that sustainable national development begins with healthy citizens, and that every investment in preventive healthcare is an investment in human capital, productivity and the future of our society.”

Healthcare experts say facilities such as NOHSONIC could help close the country’s rehabilitation gap by complementing public health services, retaining skilled professionals and reducing the number of Nigerians travelling abroad for specialised physiotherapy.

Beyond treating patients, the centre is expected to generate employment, support specialist training and strengthen public awareness of rehabilitation as an essential component of healthcare.

As Nigeria continues implementing the WHO Rehabilitation 2030 agenda, investments in modern physiotherapy facilities are increasingly being viewed not merely as private healthcare ventures, but as important contributions towards building a more resilient health system capable of restoring mobility, independence and quality of life for millions of Nigerians. (World Health Organization)

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to transform the abandoned recreational garden at the Life Camp Roundabout into a modern leisure and sporting facility, as part of the FCT Administration’s broader drive to expand recreational infrastructure for Abuja residents.

The move follows the successful remodelling of the Abuja City Gate, which has become a major attraction since its commissioning during activities marking President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.

The project earned the FCT Administration an award and commendation from the Office of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, under the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Green Nigeria Challenge.

Speaking after inspecting the Life Camp garden on Monday, Wike said the recognition from the First Lady had further motivated the administration to invest in more green and recreational spaces across the nation’s capital.

“Today, by the grace of God, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, gave the Federal Capital Territory Administration an award and commendation over our contribution to the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Green Nigeria Challenge and how we have been able to turn around the City Gate into recreation centres and make the environment greener,” he said.

The minister noted that the transformation of the Abuja City Gate had demonstrated the value of investing in public spaces.

According to the Minister, “It was the initiative of the First Lady to make sure that the City Gate looks like what city gates look like all over the world. Since it was commissioned, it has become an attraction centre where people visit day and night. This award will spur us and motivate us to continue implementing the ideals of the Renewed Hope Initiative,”

He described the condition of the Life Camp recreation park as unfortunate, lamenting that successive administrations had neglected a facility with enormous potential.

“It is unfortunate that governments have come and gone without thinking about this place. I must commend the First Lady for reminding us of the need to preserve areas where people can leave their homes and communities to relax,” he said.

According to him, the administration intends to restore the park with modern facilities that will cater for the recreational and sporting needs of residents.

“What we intend to do here is to bring it back and provide modern facilities so that people living within this area can come here for their daily sporting activities, recreation, relaxation, take photographs and enjoy themselves, just as it is done in advanced countries,” he said.

Wike disclosed that he had directed the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) to immediately begin the process of redesigning the facility, stressing that the project would receive emergency attention.

“I have directed the relevant officials of the FCDA to move very quickly and present us with what is most befitting for a city like Abuja. We are going to treat this as an emergency. It cannot go through the normal bureaucratic process because our people deserve better,” he said.

The minister also revealed plans to introduce an annual New Year fireworks display at the Abuja City Gate beginning this year, describing it as part of efforts to align Abuja with global capital cities.

“Just like it is done all over the world, where cities usher in the New Year with fireworks, that is what we intend to do this year at the City Gate. By the grace of God, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, we will, for the first time in this country, celebrate the New Year in that manner,” he said.

Expressing satisfaction with the natural landscape of the Life Camp site, Wike said the administration would engage reputable firms and compare multiple proposals before awarding the contract to ensure the best outcome.

“Look at the topography; see what we have been missing. Citizens want a good life, and they are not asking for too much. The administration of President Bola Tinubu is determined to restore hope to our people. We will invite the best companies and also obtain alternative designs so we can compare and choose the very best. We want something that meets global standards, and we want it delivered as quickly as possible,” the minister said.

The planned redevelopment forms part of the FCT Administration’s ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life in Abuja by expanding access to green spaces, leisure parks and recreational facilities for residents.