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We’ve Resolved 10 Out of 14 Demands Of Workers, Remaining Four Being Addressed
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has said that 10 out the 14 demands of the workers that are on strike have been met, adding that other demands are being looked into with a view to addressing them.
The FCTA also said that there are workers under various unions such as the Law Officers Association of Nigeria that have dissociated themselves from the strike action, and these workers deserve the rights to be allowed access to their offices to perform their duties.
The Association of Resident Doctors, Federal Capital Territory (ARD-FCTA), even wrote to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, appreciating him for “his exemplary leadership and commitment to the welfare of healthcare workers, as demonstrated by the payment of the longstanding 13 months hazard allowance arrears as well as the payment of one month wage award.”
Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, who made this known in a statement on Monday, said top officials of the FCTA have held several meetings with union leaders, including on Saturday and Sunday.
He said in one of the meetings held with Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) leaders on Friday, January 16, the demands as well as the interventions of the FCT Minister were laid bare, and at no point did the the Minister expressed unwillingness to address any of the demands.
Appeal was made to JUAC Officials that other pending issues were not severe enough to warrant the declaration of strike action, and that dialogue should be adopted in resolving all other issues affecting staff welfare in the FCTA.
For instance, one of the demands made was non-payment of outstanding five months Wage Award, payment of which has commenced. Also, the outstanding 13 months Hazard Allowance and 22 months Rural Allowance for Health Workers have been fully paid by the administration.
The workers also listed non-payment of 2023 promotion arrears and outstanding 2024 promotion arrears as part of their demands. Meanwhile, the outstanding arrears in the sum of N286,166,772.46, covering 724 Officers across 24 SDAs was approved by the Minister in December 2025 and being processed for payment to the beneficiaries.
On elongation of tenure of retired Directors and Permanent Secretaries in violation of the Public Service Rules, this has been ressolved with Minister assuring the workers of strict compliance with the Public Service Rules.
JUAC also raised issue of lack of training and retraining of staff and on this, on this, all SDAs have been directed to forward general and specialized training needs to the permanent Secretary, Common Services for onward submission to the office of the Head of Service for further necessary action.
Another issue is non-remittance of National Housing Funds (NHF) deductions and Pension Contributions since May, 2025, which is the function of workers themselves and has nothing to do with the Minister or the FCTA management. The Head of Service has therefore constituted a Committee comprising of the workers to holistically address all issues relating to all deductions and remittances.
On claim of defective promotion examination process with a pass rate of about 22.5 percent, it was pointed out that the figures and percentage presented by JUAC had no official backing and they were therefore advised to await the formal release of the results of the promotion examinations as directed by the Minister.
Also, the issue of overstay of Overseeing Directors has been reasonably addressed by the conduct of the 2023 promotion for eligible Deputy Directors while the release of the just concluded 2024 staff promotion by the FCT Civil Service Commission will conclusively address the matter.
In all, it can be seen that the FCT Minister has made concerted efforts to address the demands of the workers and he will continue to accord them top priority.
From all indications therefore, and considering all the efforts already made by the Minister in acceding to almost all the demands as well as explanations by the FCTA management staff in the meetings held, the strike action embarked on by JUAC is unnecessary, ill-motivated and obviously aimed at achieving purposes other than welfare of the workers.
The FCTA also call on security agencies to ensure that workers who have opted not to be part of the strike have access to their offices so as to carry out their lawful duties unhindered.
Ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has accused the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) of procuring a highly toxic chemical compound, thallium sulphate, allegedly capable of being used for assassinations.
In a statement posted on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, El-Rufai claimed that information available to opposition political leaders suggested that the office of the National Security Adviser, headed by Nuhu Ribadu, had imported approximately 10 kilograms of thallium sulphate from a supplier in Poland.
The former governor said he had formally written to the ONSA seeking urgent clarification over the alleged transaction, describing the matter as one of grave public concern.
A fire outbreak at the Singer Market in Kano has destroyed properties worth over N5 billion, affecting over 1,000 businesses and leaving seven persons missing.
The market’s Chairman, Alhaji Junaid Zakari, disclosed this to newsmen in kano on Sunday.
Zakari described the incident as one of the worst tragedies in the market’s history, with four residential buildings housing small-scale businesses razed.
Goods, equipment, and valuables were completely burnt, crippling the livelihoods of hundreds of families.
The chairman further revealed that seven persons were declared missing as of the time of filing this report.
Zakari added that investigations were ongoing to determine their whereabouts to confirm whether they were alive or dead.
He said emergency responders and security agencies were working to unravel the cause of the fire.
Zakari described the incident as a tragedy that would never be forgotten in the history of the historic market, stressing the urgent need for support to enable the affected traders to rebuild their businesses.
He, however, commended Gov. Abba Yusuf for visiting the scene while the fire was still raging, stating that the Governor’s swift response demonstrated concern and solidarity with the victims.
Authorities are yet to officially determine the cause of the inferno, as the affected traders continued to salvage what remained of their properties.
Alhaji Isa Abubakar, a shop owner, said he lost goods worth over N200 million, saying, “from God we come, to Him we shall return.
“I am here and it is heartbreaking to see goods worth billions of Naira destroyed by fire.”
Abubakar commended Yusuf for visiting the scene, demonstrating concern and solidarity with the victims.
Musa Ibrahim, a market trader, recounted his experience, saying that he lost goods worth over N340 million in the fire.
“The fire had consumed everything we had,” he said, pointing to the remains of his shop
The Units Chairmen’s Forum of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Ughelli North chapter led by Coach Charles Tuedor held an interactive session with Elders, Leaders, and Stakeholders at the residence of Amb. Thompson O. Akpososo in Afiesere Community on February 14, 2026.
The meeting was marked by a significant donation: Hon Chief George Osikorobia, the first Ughelli North Local Government Council Chairman elected under the PDP platform, donated a party secretariat to the PDP. He urged the units chairmen to continue spreading the party’s message across the LGA.
Party leaders, including Hon Pastor Stephen Kesiena Nomuoja and Hon Daniel Emaye, commended the units chairmen for their unwavering efforts and commitments towards the party’s growth. They urged them to remain steadfast and continue working towards the party’s success.
Hon Dr Olotu Akpodiete JP, the Ughelli North, South, and Udu Federal Constituency House of Reps Aspirant, represented by Hon. Ovo Erhabor thanked the units chairmen for their resilience and assured them that the party will overcome its current challenges. He urged the unit chairmen to sensitize the electorates on the importance of getting their voters’ cards, emphasizing that it is crucial for the party’s success in 2027.
The meeting organizers thanked sponsors, including Hon.Dr.Olotu Akpodiete JP,Hon.Oke Umurhohwo,Pastor Kesiena Nomuoja,Madam Rita Agbah, Hon. Daniel Emaye,Hon. Alex Akporute, Amb. Comrade Kpoharor Emmanuel, Chief Scott Udu, Hon. Karo Akpososo among others
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