The spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has rubbished claims that his principal traveled to London for medical treatment.

Olayinka expressed disbelief, querying how Wike could have been rushed to London on Thursday night and yet returned by Friday to visit the Dape community in Life Camp.

He criticized those perpetuating such rumors, noting the irony of questioning the health of a minister who is actively visible in public.

In a Facebook post, Olayinka said, “Some are claiming that FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was flown to London for medical attention on Thursday night.

“They’ve even provided specific times and an aircraft number.

“Well, if Wike was indeed flown to London on Thursday for urgent medical treatment, then he must have used witchcraft to return on Friday to visit the Dape community in Life Camp, as well as Gishiri and Pigba Sama communities in Abuja.

“Interestingly, the Minister will again use his so-called witchcraft to return to Abuja on Monday to commence the commissioning of road projects.

“People who haven’t undergone a medical check-up in over ten years are the ones speculating about the health of a Minister who is actively seen every day performing his duties. Let them continue!”

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has disclaimed a purported recruitment announcement for the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), warning the public against falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

In a statement released on its official X handle (formerly Twitter) on Friday evening, the oil company clarified that no separate recruitment process was ongoing for PHRC beyond the one initiated in 2024.

The statement, titled “NNPC Ltd Disclaims Purported Recruitment Announcement for PHRC,” was signed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye.

“The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has urged members of the public to discountenance purported recruitment announcement for the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) circulating in certain online platforms,” the statement read.

NNPC Ltd further explained that its recruitment process, which commenced last year, covered all its subsidiaries, including PHRC. The company noted that candidates who passed the Computer-Based Aptitude Test were proceeding to the interview stage.

“The purported recruitment link being circulated in various online platforms is the handiwork of fraudsters who are keen on taking advantage of the newly revamped Port Harcourt Refinery to fleece unsuspecting members of the public with a phantom recruitment announcement. We, therefore, call on members of the public to be wary of the ploy and not fall for it,” the statement warned.

The Adamawa State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Commission has disbursed N61,080 to each of the 2023 pilgrims from the state over poor services rendered to them by the service providers while in Saudi Arabia.

The executive secretary of the pilgrims commission, Malam Abubakar Salihu, disbursed the refunded money, saying it was a step of accountability.

The disbursement was paid into the account of the pilgrims or, for those without account numbers, through the local government schedule officers of the 21 local governments of the state.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Shuaibu Musa Mele appreciated the commission for ensuring that each pilgrim gets his rightful refund.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had earlier refunded money through the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, for sharing among the 36 states of the country.