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Wike hands over fully equipped ambulance buses to FCT hospitals
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.
This is Chukuku, along Kuje – Gwagwalada road, Kuje Area Council of the FCT.
Wike don reach here.
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The husband of a woman accused of killing their two-year-old son stood by her in court on Thursday as she pleaded not guilty to a first-degree murder charge.
Corie Walsh, 40, appeared briefly before a judge on September 24 during a preliminary hearing in the case involving the death of her son, Barrett Walsh.
Walsh appeared in a bright red jail uniform with her hair tied back during the roughly three-minute hearing. She stood beside her attorney, who told the court that the defence had subpoenaed her treatment records from the jail.
The records, attorney Andrea Lyon later said, were requested to determine whether Walsh was receiving the mental-health treatment she needs.
The defence is also seeking to have Walsh released before trial to a hospital for treatment, despite a judge rejecting an earlier request this month.
Walsh’s husband, Michael Walsh, sat in the public gallery during Thursday’s hearing alongside an elderly couple who appeared visibly emotional.
As Walsh was led from the courtroom after the hearing, she made eye contact with her husband.
Outside the courthouse, friends comforted Michael, with one supporter telling him, “She will get through this, she’s strong.”
Michael was later heard telling another supporter that he had been “packing up” the family home.
Speaking to reporters outside court, Lyon said Walsh’s family remained firmly behind her.
“Her whole family is here today — her husband, mother, mother’s best friend,” the attorney said.
“They love her and this is not — she’s never been violent… she was psychotic. They all know that and want her to get better. This is not who she is,” Lyon added.
According to court documents, Walsh’s two older children discovered Barrett with a rope around his neck and his feet off the ground in the basement of the family’s home in Frankfort, a suburb about 30 miles southwest of Chicago.
The children reportedly ran to a neighbour’s house for help.
The neighbour called 911 and attempted CPR on the toddler, but he had no pulse and was cold to the touch. Barrett was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy determined that the child, affectionately known as “Bear,” died from “asphyxia due to ligature compression of the neck,” according to court records.
Police later found Walsh fully clothed in a bathtub containing bloodied water. Investigators allege that she had attempted to kill herself by cutting her wrists and thighs with a dull kitchen knife.
Court documents further allege that Walsh confessed to killing her son and described him as the “anti-Christ” and “devil.”
The case has drawn particular attention because prosecutors allege Walsh had become intensely focused on the high-profile case of Lindsay Clancy, a Massachusetts mother accused of killing her three children.
Clancy’s defence argued that she suffered from postpartum psychosis and was legally insane when she fatally strangled her children with exercise bands. Her trial ended in a hung jury and mistrial.
According to Walsh’s defence team, she had discussed the Clancy case with neighbourhood friends shortly before Barrett was found.
During an earlier hearing, defence attorney Robert Kerr said Walsh had sent several “confusing” and “out of character” messages about the Clancy case.
Kerr told the court that Walsh had initially expressed one view about Clancy’s case before suddenly changing her position.
A witness reportedly described Walsh as abruptly saying that Clancy was “100% not guilty”, prompting friends to question whether she was okay and whether someone should check on her.
Walsh’s lawyers have argued that she was “severely mentally ill” and experiencing a psychotic episode when Barrett died.
The defence has also rejected suggestions that Walsh deliberately copied Clancy.
“Describing Corie to have copied Lindsay is to take an easy bait,” Kerr said during a previous hearing, according to a transcript.
Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has raised concerns about his personal safety ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying he is not certain he will be alive when Nigerians go to the polls.
Obi made the remarks during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, where he discussed the political environment ahead of the election and called for a peaceful and democratic process.
The former Anambra State governor said he had been subjected to petitions and investigations in different places, adding that he remained uncertain about what could happen to him before the election.
“As I speak to you, I have also petitioned, I’ve been investigated everywhere. I still hear that I’m not even sure whether I’ll still be alive at the end of this,” Obi said.
He said he was relying on God for protection, while expressing uncertainty over the circumstances surrounding him.
“I’m praying to God for His protection because at this stage, I’m not sure what is happening,” he added.
Obi also appealed to political actors, particularly state governors, to create an environment where presidential candidates and other contestants can campaign freely ahead of the 2027 polls.
According to him, governors have the right to support candidates of their choice, but should not prevent candidates from opposing parties from carrying out their campaigns.
“Some of them will be campaigning for presidency tomorrow. They will be campaigning for other offices tomorrow. Let’s have peace,” he said.
The NDC candidate recalled his tenure as governor of Anambra State, saying he allowed politicians from other parties to campaign in the state, including those supporting candidates who were opposed to him.
Obi’s comments come amid increasing political activity and debate over the conduct and security of the 2027 elections. He has repeatedly called for a peaceful, credible and issue-based electoral process, while urging political actors to avoid actions that could undermine democratic participation.
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