News
Video: “We’re not owing salaries”-FCT Minister’s spokesperson, Olayinka reveals
The spokesperson to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Lere Olayinka, has revealed that the FCTA is not owing any salary to workers who embarked on strike.
He made this revelation on Wednesday during an interview on a television programme.
Olayinka explained that despite claims suggesting unpaid wages, the government has settled all salary obligations to staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
According to him, the only salary that could be described as pending is that of January 2026, noting that the month had not yet ended at the time the strike began.
“There’s this mindset that it’s because the government is owing salaries. No salary is being owed. The government is not owing staff of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) a dime in terms of salary,” he said.
His remarks came as the strike by FCT workers continued over what the unions described as unmet demands by the administration.
Addressing the issue of promotion arrears, which is one of the workers’ complaints, Olayinka said approval had already been given for payment.
“As at December last year, the minister already approved N286.1 million for the payment of these arrears,” he said.
He added that the process was already ongoing. “The minister has approved, and it’s at the treasury level — payment is being processed. What else do you want the minister to do?” he wondered.
He also reacted to claims that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, refused to meet with the workers.
“The minister did not give you an audience? He sent people led by the Head of Service to hold meetings — several meetings with the union leaders, the Head of Service, Chief of Staff to the minister, Permanent Secretary of Common Services, and the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission,” he said.
He queried the criticism further, saying, “Those are the people the minister sent, and you are saying the minister did not give you an audience. How else do you want him to give you one?”
The strike began on January 19, when workers of the FCTA and FCDA shut down activities across Abuja over what they called ‘unmet demands’ by the FCT administration.
The industrial action affected all FCTA secretariats, departments, agencies, area councils, and parastatals within the Federal Capital Territory.
Earlier , Minister Nyesom Wike said the workers submitted 14 demands, out of which the government had already addressed 10.
“So what then is the issue?” he queried.
Wike also said efforts by security agencies and FCT management to engage the unions through dialogue had not yielded results, insisting that there was more behind the strike than the stated demands.
However, on Tuesday, Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court ordered the striking workers to suspend the industrial action pending the hearing and determination of the case before the court.
The judge ruled that once a dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court, all forms of industrial action, including strikes, must be halted.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, mother of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy LoveWorld Nation fame, is dead.
Reports from Edo State say that she died at the age of 88 yesterday, Friday, September 25, 2026.
A local publication, Esan News Magazine, reported thus:
“An Iroko has fallen. A mother of nations is gone. Heaven has gained a saint.
According to information made available to Esan News Magazine by a prominent member of the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele, Ewu, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, the matriarch of the great Oyakhilome Clan, the beloved mother of our son Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, fondly called Big Mummy, has transited to glory.
September, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, humility and motherhood that touched generations across the world.
“Big Mummy was not just the mother of Pastor Chris. She was the mother of all. A virtuous woman, a prayer warrior, a woman of uncommon grace who raised children that have become global blessings and pride to Esan land.
“Idunwele Ewu is mourning. Ekagholo Family is mourning. Ewu Kingdom is mourning. Esanland is mourning. For we have lost an Okpokhuo, a true jewel of Esan motherhood.
“Her life was a testimony. She lived for God, she lived for family, she lived for humanity. Her laughter brought joy. Her prayers brought strength. Her counsel brought wisdom.
“On behalf of the management and staff of Esan News Magazine and the entire Esan Nation home and abroad, we extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to our dear elder brother, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the entire Oyakhilome Clan, the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele Ewu, and the Christ Embassy family worldwide.
“We mourn with you in this time of grief. We stand with you. We pray that the good Lord who called Mama home will grant you all the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
“May her gentle, beautiful and faithful soul rest in perfect peace. Rest on, Big Mummy. Rest on, beloved mother of Pastor Chris. Rest on, Iroko of Ewu.
“Adieu Mama!”
Meanwhile, a senior official of Christ Embassy who was contacted by News Express this Saturday afternoon neither confirmed nor denied the report.
He said: “I have heard the news, too, but it is not for me to confirm her death. I mean, she was aged 88.”
The official promised to make relevant contacts, adding: “I am sure that a statement would be issued if the news is true.”
Six inmates die in one week amid suspected cholera outbreak in Kano prison
Painful: Blessing CEO Loses Son While Still In Kirikiri Prison
SAD: Pastor Chris Oyakhilome’s mother is dead
-
News13 hours agoHow AI Could Cause the catastrophic death of a Billion people — Billionaire Bill Gates Warns
-
Sports13 hours agoAFCON Qualifier: Nigeria Defeats Madagascar
-
News21 hours agoSoludo Govt Admits: ‘Peter Obi Did Well as Anambra Gov Amid Financial Records Dispute
-
News23 hours agoPope Leo XIV Warns Against AI Risks, Urges World to Protect Human Dignity
-
News23 hours agoNigeria @66: Tinubu Urges Citizens to Keep Faith, Says ‘Light At End of Tunnel
-
News13 hours agoPolice Arrest Officer Who Said Igbo Man Can Never Be President