News
*NYESOM WIKE AND ABUJA ROADS*
Is’haq Modibbo Kawu
Today is Saturday, May 4th, 2024. I had an early appointment inside the precincts of Aso Villa. I live in the Gudu District of Abuja, so I came out of my residence and took the turn through the Gudu cemetery, and followed the direction towards Asokoro. That was where my “problem” commenced. I hadn’t driven in that direction for several weeks. After a while, I came upon construction workers that early in the morning, and further ahead, I noticed that I was literally heading into a maze. The roads had been opened up in several directions.
I’ve lived in Abuja for 22 years now, and with the surety of a native dweller of the FCT, I instinctively took a right turn and the next thing was that I found myself by the A-Y-A junction. Well, all was not lost, I thought to myself. I followed the road past the ECOWAS Secretariat, and further down, the road had been blocked! I turned round and made for A-Y-A again and took the under bridge turn, again with the false assurance that I would be led to the turn going into the presidential residence. And for the umpteenth time, I missed the turn. That was when I decided to consult the satellite navigation system; unfortunately, I missed the turn which I was directed to ply and I went further on the road till I found the older network of roads and I could conveniently orient myself in the proper direction. I arrived late to my destination but not much damage had been done in respect of my appointment.
Believe me, Abuja is changing in a lot of ways. But the most poignant and standout expression of the changes must be the incredible amount of work that’s been done on the road network since the commencement of the Tinubu administration. All over the city, the change is enveloping residents, and it is one aspect of infrastructural development that we can relate with.
My youngest kid attends a boarding school that is located in a serene location of the city. The drawback was the road leading to the school. Then Nyesom Wike happened as our FCT Minister, and he made a vow to revive the Abuja railways system. One of the problems associated with the light railway system was the absence of link roads into the city. My child’s school is located close to one of the railway stations. During one of the visiting days, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that the access road that Nyesom Wike promised early in the life of the administration was already opened up. As we noted, that area of Abuja won’t be the same again. Property would appreciate, and a lot more commercial engagements would surface. Change indeed has come, and it is all around us.
When President Tinubu appointed Nyesom Wike as Minister of the FCT, there was quite some surprise about his choice for the position. Wike is the typically cantankerous politico, one that cannot live outside of the cloak-and-dagger proclivity associated with the most deadly province of Nigerian politics. He has lived through and carries the most brutal scars from the peculiar complexities of South-South politics in general, and its local manifestations in Rivers State in particular. Controversy has been his first nature. The question was, “How well could he make the transition into the different calculations of Abuja politics”?
As for immersion in the pits of the local politics of his state, Nyesom Wike is still the gladiator. He is sharply administering jabs and making desperate efforts to own his corner. On the opposite side, he faces a very formidable array of opponents, ready to cut him to size, if not to pieces! But I am not too sure that there’s the need for the onlookers to pity either Wike or his adversaries. That’s the politics that built and fortified each one of them. In the long run, they would either fight to finish, and one side is completely disabled; subdued; or cut to pieces! Time will surely tell.
But back in Abuja, Nyesom Wike is living up to the billing as a minister, and the good work that he is doing must be admired. That’s not without its controversies. But surely, can we ever build without controversy? The last FCT Minister that was worth the name and able to impact on the general state of our capital city was Nasir El-Rufai. It’s looking like Nyesom Wike is trying to prove a point too. The incredible amount of work being done on the roads is testimony to his determination. I think he is earning plaudits that the Tinubu administration can be very proud of.
In the lead to the 2023 general elections, I was part of a team that conducted pre-election training for members of the Nigerian police in the six geopolitical zones of the country. We spent a few days training at the counter-terrorism school outside of Port Harcourt, but lodged in a hotel within the city. It offered an opportunity to behold the work that had been completed and those still under construction, especially with the flyovers in the Garden City.
Against the backdrop of what he had done in the past in his home state, it probably shouldn’t have surprised us that within a year, Wike is burning his imprimatur on the roads of Abuja. We are certainly enroute to a much better federal capital. Over the previous eight years, the city went through a peculiar form of inertia driven by the lamentable incompetence at the helm of its affairs. Nyesom Wike is showing that a year can truly make a difference!
Yes the man seems cut out of the political cloth of controversy. He is the ultimate show man and a ruthless political operator. Wike is a master of political communication and he has the annoying ability to get on the political nerves of his opponents. He attracts controversy and political opprobrium the way bees are attracted to nectar. But give it to him; he knows how to fix roads and he is doing a lovely job with the roads of the Federal Capital Territory. A few weeks to the first anniversary, the Tinubu administration can be very happy about the changes enveloping Abuja, and I think the president will give Nyesom Wike a very firm handshake for his efforts.
Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, PhD., FNGE*; is Broadcaster, Journalist, and a Political Scientist.
kawumodibbo@yahoo.com
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have rescued Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, the sister of a former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her 12-year-old twin sons: Peter and Paul.
According to available information, they were rescued at about 7:30pm on Saturday in a heavy gun duel with their abductors.
Sources revealed that no fewer than two of the kidnappers were neutralised, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
Recall that John-Paul and her twins were kidnapped on June 3, 2026 around 7:30am while she was driving them to school.
Details shortly…
The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Johnson Suleman, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider stepping down if his administration is unable to effectively tackle the growing insecurity threatening lives and livelihoods across Nigeria.
The outspoken cleric made the remarks while addressing members of his congregation during a church service, where he expressed concern over the persistent wave of terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks in different parts of the country.
Suleman argued that the government’s approach to combating insecurity must shift from targeting only armed attackers to identifying and dismantling the networks of individuals allegedly financing and sustaining terrorist activities.
According to him, the true challenge facing Nigeria is not merely the criminals carrying out attacks but the powerful sponsors who provide them with resources, weapons, logistics, and financial support.
The preacher stressed that any serious effort to defeat terrorism must begin with exposing and prosecuting those behind the scenes who enable extremist groups to operate.
“The sponsors of terrorism are the real problem confronting the nation. The government should focus on them. If the President cannot deal decisively with those people, then he should resign and allow someone else to take over the responsibility,” Suleman declared.
He further claimed that many of the young men currently involved in violent activities are products of extremist networks that have existed for years and were allegedly allowed to expand unchecked.
According to him, some of the individuals now seen carrying sophisticated weapons were children during the early stages of insurgent activities and have since grown into active participants in criminal and terrorist operations.
Suleman maintained that arresting or eliminating foot soldiers alone would not end insecurity, insisting that authorities must trace and neutralize those who recruit, fund, and arm violent groups.
“The young boys carrying assault rifles today did not emerge overnight. There are people empowering them, financing them, and providing the resources that sustain their activities. Until those sponsors are identified and brought to justice, the problem will persist,” he said.
Despite his criticism of the government’s handling of the security situation, the cleric praised Nigeria’s security institutions, describing them as highly professional and capable of confronting the country’s challenges when adequately supported.
Drawing from his international travels, Suleman said he has confidence in the abilities of the Nigerian military, the police, and the Department of State Services (DSS), arguing that the country possesses competent personnel capable of delivering results.
“I have visited many countries around the world, and I can confidently say that the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, and the DSS rank among some of the finest security institutions globally. The issue is not necessarily a lack of capacity but the willingness to take bold action against those driving insecurity,” he stated.
The cleric emphasized that stronger political resolve is required to dismantle criminal and terrorist networks operating across the country. He warned that insecurity would continue to worsen unless those allegedly sponsoring violence are exposed, arrested, and prosecuted under the law.Politics
His comments come at a time when many Nigerians are increasingly concerned about the security situation, particularly in regions affected by recurring kidnappings, terrorist attacks, communal violence, and banditry.
Citizens, civil society groups, religious leaders, and political stakeholders have repeatedly called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts aimed at restoring safety and public confidence.
Suleman’s remarks are likely to add to the growing national conversation on security and governance, as pressure mounts on the Tinubu administration to deliver lasting solutions to the country’s security challenges.
The cleric concluded by urging the government to stop treating insecurity as a routine criminal issue and instead confront what he described as the broader network allegedly sustaining terrorist operations throughout Nigeria.
Popular US actor James Handy, known for his roles in films including Jumanji and Top Gun: Maverick, has been stabbed to death at his home in Los Angeles, police have said.
Handy, who was 81, was found unconscious in the front garden of his home in Tarzana, California, on Wednesday with several stab wounds to the chest.
Michael Gledhill, 44, the son of Handy’s girlfriend, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Officers responded to a report of “unknown trouble” after a caller dialled 911 and told police: “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.”
Handy was born in New York and appeared in a string of films and TV shows over six decades, often as a supporting character or for a small number of episodes.
Despite rarely being the leading star, Handy racked up a long string of credits, including NYPD Blue, K-9, Law & Order, CSI: NY, Logan, Alias, Castle, NCIS, The West Wing, Arachnophobia, The X Files, and Murder, She Wrote.
His most recent film role was in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick, in which he played Jimmy, a bartender who works with the character played by Jennifer Connelly, Tom Cruise’s love interest.
Paying tribute, entertainment writer Jay Bobbin said he was “heartbroken to learn about the passing of a superb character actor”.
Writer and producer Don Winslow, who created the 2001 procedural drama UC: Undercover, in which Handy appeared, described Handy as a “terrific actor”.
“We were honoured to have him on UC: Undercover in a recurring role,” Winslow said. “His performances were always special.”
Following Handy’s death, the LAPD said Gledhill “flagged down nearby responding officers, telling them he was the one they were looking for”.
“The suspect resides at the location with his mother, who is the victim’s girlfriend,” a statement added.
“Detectives believe this is an isolated incident and there appears to be no danger to the public.”
After his arrest, Gledhill was transported to Van Nuys Jail and booked for one count of murder, with his bail set at $2m (£1.5m).
Breaking: Finally police rescue Adelabu’s sister, her twins
‘If You Can’t Halt Insecurity, Step Aside’ — Apostle Suleman
Famous US actor stabbed to death in his apartment
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