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Wike Unveils Plans To Extend Infrastructure To Newly Created Waru-Pozema District(Photos)
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said the FCT Administration will provide the necessary infrastructure in the newly created Waru-Pozema District to enable residents and developers move in and begin developments.
Wike stated this on Thursday, while speaking with journalists after inspecting several ongoing projects across the Federal Capital Territory.
He explained that the administration would work with relevant agencies to see the possibility of providing basic infrastructure in the district, located in Cadastral Zone D16.
According to him, the FCT Administration will consult the Federal Capital Development Authority and other relevant departments to determine the next steps, including whether the project is captured in the 2026 budget.
He noted that, “About the new district of Waru-Pozema in Cadastral Zone D16, we have to find out from the FCDA or the coordinator what they have in mind, whether it is in the 2026 budget,” he said. “Don’t worry, we will do everything we can to provide the needed infrastructure and open up the district so that people can move in.”
The minister also expressed satisfaction with the level of work on various judicial infrastructure projects inspected during the tour.
Wike noted that the contractors handling the Court of Appeal complex assured that the project would be completed by May. He added that the judges’ quarters, including the Federal High Court section, had already been furnished.
Wike explained that the project comprises 10 duplexes for the Federal High Court, 20 duplexes for the FCT High Court and another 10 duplexes for the Court of Appeal, adding that the facilities would be inaugurated during the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in office.
The minister also inspected a major road project in Katampe, which he described as functioning like a ring road, and commended the contractor for the pace and quality of work.
He praised construction firm China Geo-Engineering Corporation, saying it was one of the companies whose commitments could be trusted.
He also emphasized that, “It’s one of those companies—when they give you their word, you can go to the bank with it,”.
The Minister further expresser satisfaction with the level of supervision by the FCDA officials through the Acting ES, Engr Richard Yunana Dauda.
Speaking on his motivation for regularly inspecting projects, Wike said his commitment was driven by service and the confidence reposed in him by President Tinubu.
“For the President to have confidence in you and give you an assignment, you have no choice but to be committed to the job,” he said.
On national politics, the minister called for unity within the Peoples Democratic Party, saying reconciliation within the party must come first before discussions about future electoral strategies.
He expressed optimism that the party could remain competitive if members remained sincere in their reconciliation efforts, adding that attention was currently focused on the party’s forthcoming convention.
Iran slammed a US blockade around its ports on Monday as a “grave violation” of its sovereignty, as Washington and Tehran’s belligerent rhetoric rattled a fragile truce.
“The imposition of a maritime blockade constitutes a grave violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani wrote to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, in a letter seen by AFP.
The “unlawful” blockade also “constitutes a serious violation of the fundamental principles of the international law of the sea,” Iravani added.
US President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of ships entering or leaving Iranian ports and coastal areas in the Gulf Sunday, following the failure of peace talks over the weekend, warning that any Iranian attack boats that challenged the blockade would be destroyed.
The blockade came into force at 1400 GMT Monday, despite the United States and Iran agreeing to a two-week ceasefire days earlier, with mediator Pakistan and Gulf state Qatar continuing calls for it to be respected as diplomatic efforts continue.
Guterres on Monday called on “all parties” to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, after Iran and subsequently the United States blocked passage through the critical waterway.
The strait, through which a fifth of global oil and gas flows, has become a key flashpoint as the US and Iran attempt to gain leverage over each other during ceasefire negotiations.
Iravani said the “unlawful” blockade “poses a grave threat to international peace and security and obviously exacerbates the risk of escalation in an already highly volatile region.”
In a second letter, the UN envoy called on Middle Eastern countries hosting US military bases to “cease their internationally wrongful acts.”
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan should pay “compensation for all material and moral damage sustained,” he said.
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has distanced himself from recent media reports linking him to certain political aspirations, saying the comments were made without his knowledge or authorisation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Media Adviser, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai said the remarks had been attributed to an unnamed individual described in media reports as his political associate, and that he had no hand in them.
“Malam Nasir El-Rufai wishes to dissociate himself from comments regarding political aspirations which have been attributed to someone described by the media as a political associate,” the statement read.
“He did not authorise such comments.”
The disclaimer pointedly underscored El-Rufai’s reputation for speaking his mind directly, with the statement noting that he had been known throughout his public life for the frank articulation of his views.
“He is not about to outsource the expression of his political views and thoughts to others,” the statement added, warning that any future communication from the former governor would come directly from him or through his designated spokesperson.
El-Rufai did not identify the associate in question, nor did the statement specify the nature of the political aspirations that had been reported.
However, the swift and emphatic denial suggests the former governor was keen to prevent any impression that the comments reflected his current political thinking or intentions.
JAMB declares readiness for 2026 UTME, urges parents to protest admission violations
The disclaimer comes amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 general elections, a period in which the positions and affiliations of prominent political figures are under intense media and public scrutiny.
El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and two-term governor of Kaduna State, remains one of the most closely watched political figures in northern Nigeria.
His next political move — including which party platform he may adopt ahead of 2027 — has been a subject of widespread speculation.
The Yobe State Police Command said its operatives have arrested three suspected vandals involved in the destruction and theft of transformer components belonging to Yobe State Television at Garin Alkali Booster Station.
The Command, through its Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Damaturu.
According to the Command, the arrest was made on April 14, 2026, by its operatives stationed in Garin Alkali while acting on credible intelligence.
“The arrested suspects are Muhammad Auwali, a.k.a. Aburare, 51, Inusa Lawan, 53, and Hassan Ibrahim, 27, all of Bursari and Gashua axis, Bade LGA. One accomplice identified as Ozu, is currently at large.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects criminally conspired and vandalised a transformer located at the YTV Booster Station, Garin Alkali, Bursari LGA.
“The suspects dismantled the transformer and sold part of the metal components”, it said.
The Command added that upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and admitted to selling some of the vandalised transformer parts to Hassan Ibrahim for the sum of N250,000, out of which N150,000 had already been paid.
“Investigation is in progress, after which the suspects will be charged in court for prosecution”, the police command said.
Commissioner of Police Usman Kamfani Jibrin, in the statement, warned scrap metal dealers against purchasing suspected stolen items and urged them to cooperate with security agencies in protecting critical public infrastructure.
He stressed that anyone found involved in such unlawful activities will be dealt with in accordance with extant laws.
Iran slams US blockade as ‘grave violation of sovereignty’
El-Rufai distances self from comments on political aspirations attributed to associate
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