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Wike hands over fully equipped ambulance buses to FCT hospitals
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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has reaffirmed the commitment of the FCT Administration to overhauling the health sector and enhancing emergency services in the nation’s capital.
Wike, who made the pledge in Abuja on Thursday, while presenting 12 state-of-the art ambulances to FCT hospitals, explained that the move was a critical component of a broader strategy to ensure that no sector be it infrastructure, education, or health is left behind under the current administration.
Addressing critics who questioned the administration’s initial focus on road construction, Wike explained that without the construction of roads, it would be impossible to deploy ambulances during emergency situations.
Wike said, “So many people were saying why are we concentrating on road infrastructure, why are we not focusing on education? But people forget that these ambulances may break down when there are no good roads. When it is an emergency period for you to convey patients and the roads are not in motorable condition, then the whole essence of emergency vehicles becomes useless. So, first things first, and that’s what we have been able to do.”
While emphasizing the commitment of the FCT Administration to improving the health sector, the Minister further disclosed that the administration was currently in the procurement phase for the rehabilitation and furnishing of 14 health centers across the FCT.
He equally confirmed that the FCT Civil Service Commission has been directed to commence the employment of new personnel to address staffing shortages in the FCT Health sector.
The Minister used the occasion to also address the recent indefinite strike action by the FCT Joint Union Action Committee, which has been halted by the National Industrial Court.
He explained that, although litigation was not the best choice, the FCTA was left with no other option than to go to court after its appeals to workers to shelve their strike were ignored.
Wike noted that the administration had reasonably met the demands of the workers, but added that some people with political interests, unfortunately, hijacked the labour struggle to sabotage the efforts of the government.
The Minister however reemphasized that the administration was open to dialogue to ensure industrial harmony and advised workers to be law-abiding.
He said; “To workers and some of us who are management staff, who sabotage the efforts of the government, I’ve said that the whole essence is to have dialogue. Where there are problems, you sit down and say these problems, I can solve this now, leave this for me tomorrow and I will be able to do it tomorrow.
“If you make a request or a demand for five items for example and the government says okay, we can take up three items and thereafter, we take up the other two items, if you are really sincere, if there is no objective behind it, there is no way you will not accept. But when you leave it and begin to join issues with us as politicians, we will of course treat you as politicians,
“I can’t sit here as a Minister and I see a political opponent trying to run the administration down using some people. No government will shut its eyes and allow that to happen. This society is not a lawless society.”
“So, I appeal to all of you, forget this thing that you say you will go and block the gate and you will not obey court order…I appeal to all of you, senior staff, management staff and the junior staff, nobody will sit to say you are not entitled to get your entitlement. Except that person is an extremist. I appeal to all of you to have a reconsideration and allow peace to reign for the development of the FCT”.
The FCT Minister, while highlighting the financial health of the FCT Administration and the institutional progress recorded under his tenure, however, explained that the government could not commit its entire resources to workers welfare as it also needs to fund the ongoing massive infrastructure development across the capital territory.
Speaking earlier, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Health Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe praised the FCT Minister’s people-oriented governance and thanked the Minister for his support to the FCT Health Sector.
Dr Fasawe, who also described the presentation of ambulances to FCT hospitals as a reflection of the FCTA’s commitment to emergency preparedness and improved health outcome for all who reside in the FCT, further noted that improved roads in areas like Abaji, Kwali, and Gwagwalada have significantly shortened emergency response times in the FCT.
She also confirmed that the FCT is currently the only state/territory that has paid all medical allowances, including the medical residency training fund and hazard allowances, up to date.
Dr Fasawe who highlighted other interventions in the FCT health sector said; “These interventions together, when we reflect on them, show a deliberate and coordinated effort to deliver accessible, high quality and responsible healthcare for the people of the FCT. On behalf of the health sector, we sincerely appreciate the Minister for this support and commitment”.
Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Kumshida Yakubu who also attended the event, commended the FCTA’s efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and pledged the continued support of his organization to help the FCT achieve its health goals.
The Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, on Wednesday ordered the unconditional release of Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo and other detained leaders of Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area.
Delivering judgment in a fundamental rights enforcement application, Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa granted the order while ruling on a motion filed on May 4, 2026.
The case, Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/42/2024: Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo & Ors v. Federal Government of Nigeria & Ors, also has July 13, 2026, fixed for continuation of hearing on the substantive matter.
The court had earlier ordered that the detained persons be produced before it, a directive which was reportedly not complied with by the military authorities.
Counsel to the applicants, Dr. Jonathan Ekperusi, appeared alongside Andrew Ubido, Esq., while Magdalene Irorere held brief for the 3rd and 5th respondents during the proceedings.
Following the ruling, members of the Okuama community expressed relief and joy over the court’s decision.
Victor Akemor, speaking on behalf of some community members, described the ruling as a welcome development.
“This is great news. Finally, we have reason to celebrate. The court is indeed the hope of the common man,” he said.
He also called on the Delta State Government to assist in facilitating the implementation of the court order and commended community leaders and legal representatives for their efforts.
The detained individuals, including Prof. Arthur Ekpekpo, President General of Ewu Kingdom; Chief Belvis Adogbo; Dennis Malaka; and Mabel Owhemu, have been in custody for nearly two years.
One of the detainees, Pa James Oghoroko, reportedly died while in detention.
The Okuama leaders were arrested by military personnel between August 18 and 19, 2024, following the killing of 17 soldiers near the community.
More than 100 Nigerians serving jail terms in Ethiopia may soon be transferred to Nigeria as both countries conclude arrangements for a prisoner transfer agreement.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, arrived in Addis Ababa for the signing of the pact alongside the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
The Nigerian delegation was received by Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the country’s Chief of Protocol.
According to Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the agreement is scheduled to be signed on Wednesday.
She disclosed that four Nigerian inmates died during the lengthy process of negotiations, judicial reviews and ratification of the agreement.
“We cannot afford to lose any more precious lives. We are determined to bring home the living,” she stated in a post on her X handle.
The minister identified Kaliti Prison and Aba Samuel Prison as the facilities where the affected Nigerians are being held.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu described the agreement as a product of the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Ethiopia, anchored on humanitarian considerations, justice and bilateral cooperation.
She said that while the Nigerian government continues to urge its citizens abroad to obey the laws of their host countries and protect the nation’s image, it remains committed to ensuring that Nigerians facing legal challenges overseas are treated fairly and in accordance with established legal frameworks.
The minister added that the welfare and protection of Nigerians abroad remain a key priority of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
She also expressed appreciation to the Ethiopian government for its cooperation in bringing the agreement to fruition.
A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday rescheduled further hearing for June 24 in the post-conviction proceedings being conducted in the N33.8 bilion case involving former Power Minister Saleh Mamman.
By the court’s schedule, a lawyer to Mamman, Mohammed Ahmed, is to appear to explain some aspects of an affidavit he filed, in which he made some allegations against the trial judge.
Yesterday’s adjournment was informed by the claim by another lawyer, Suleiman Yakubu that Ahmed was indisposed.
The court had on May 7 convicted Mamman on all 12-count charged on which he was prosecuted and sentenced him to 75 years imprisonment in absentia.
Upon an order for his arrest and production, the prosecuting agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended him somewhere in Kaduna and presented him before the court on May 26.
The court directed that he should be committed to the Kuje prison where he is must serve his sentence.
Also on May 26, the prosecution informed the court about its motion for the forfeiture of some recently discovered assets allegedly acquired unlawfully by Mamman.
But, before the application could be heard, lawyer to the defendant exited the court without the notice, a development that informed an adjournment till June 8.
The recently discovered assets, according to court documents filed by the EFCC, include: Walijam Apartments, located on No.43, Plot 435 Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja and Bloom Luxury Suites Nigeria Limited, located at No 5, Amana Crescent, New Estate Unguwan Rimi, Kaduna State.
They include a mansion on No 11, Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja; a mansion on No 13, Misratah Street, Wuse 2, Abuja and A.U.A. Plaza, situated on Plot 734, Kade Street, Wuse 2, Abuja.
On June 8, lawyer to the prosecution, Rotimi Oyedepo, (SAN) reminded the court that the business of the day for hearing of the prosecution’s motion for consequential order to forfeit some properties belonging to the convict (Mamman).
The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho drew Oyedepo’s attention to a counter affidavit filed for the defendant, but which was deposed to by his other lawyer, Ahmed, who, in the affidavit, allegedly claimed that the judgment delivered on May 7 was done when the judge “became enraged.”
Oyedepo claimed not to have been served with the affidavit, following which Justice Omotosho ordered, who Yakubu, who appeared for Mamman, to give a copy to the prosecuting lawyer.
Justice Omotosho directed Ahmed, who deposed to the affidavit, should appear before his court on May 10 to provide explanation in relation to some of his averments in the affidavit he deposed to.
Ahmed was absent on May 10. Yakubu, who also appeared for the defendant, claimed Ahmed was ill.
Yakubu, who apologised for the manner he left the court on the previous date, claimed that Ahmed has been ill for some time, saying: “He has been coughing, and we don’t know if it is tuberculosis because the cough has defiled all drugs.”
He further claimed that Ahmed has gone to his village for treatment and urged the court to adjourn further hearing till the following week.
At that point, Justice Omotosho sought to know how Yakubu came to the conclusion that Ahmed suffered from tuberculosis.
Responding, Yabuku said it was because Ahmed had taken drugs and his ailments persisted, a response, that prompted prosecuting lawyer to express disappointment with the attitude of the defence lawyers.
Oyedepo said: “This is what we kept complaining about. We are counsel in the temple of justice my Lord. I don’t know when I started experiencing a bitter part of my colleagues in this matter.
“I don’t think this is proper. As it stands now, our motion is ripe for hearing.”
Oyedepo, who accused the defendant of deploying dilatory tactics, said: “these tactics will not work,” following which he agreed to an adjournment.
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