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Wike offers 5,000 households free cooking gas cylinder, six-month refill

Published

3 weeks ago

November 16, 2025

Admin

As the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) commences full implementation of its ‘Breathe Clean Air Initiative’, over 5,000 households are set to benefit from it and also enjoy free gas cylinders with free refill of their cooking gas for six months.

This was made known on Saturday when the Safe Environment Renewable Project- Breath clean Air Abuja, was officially launched.

The Mandate secretary, FCTA, Health and Environment Secretariat (FCT-HES), Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said the focus of the program is not about sharing palliatives, but to address ignorance about the people’s environment and help women manage the home and health of their household better.

She noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu has touched every area of human life with the aim of improving standards of living for all classes of people.

Fasawe stated that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has keyed into the visions of President Tinubu and has shown enough commitment towards making the FCT a better place for all.

She said; “the truth is, health is wealth. Health and environment are equal. So the focus of this program is not only to give out palliatives, as we’ve done in the past.

“ The focus of this program is to address the Renewed Hope Agenda Initiatives. It’s to tell Nigerians that if only we can put our hands together, and not wait for governments alone, we can have a happy, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria. Because truly, with peace and prosperity Nigeria will be great again”.

Also the Permanent Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCTA, Babagena Adams, said the initiative was important, as it would help to end the stress that pregnant women pass through.

He said; “We’re also saving the pregnant women, along with the family. So if they live healthy, they’ll be more productive, and the GDP of FCT will increase. So a healthy community is a wealthy community, so that’s the benefit”.

Earlier in his speech, a partner of the initiative and the Chief Executive Officer, IHS Nigeria Limited, Mohammed Darwish, said the initiative was designed to help stop mothers and the children from inhaling toxic gases that are injurious to their health.

He said some of the hazards that followed long use of fire wood, charcoals for cooking are lung cancer diseases among other lung related ailments.

According to him; “ the six month voucher distributed in addition to the cylinder would encourage the beneficiaries to sustain the usage of the gas cylinders.

“This program, in a nutshell and simple English, is about helping 5,000 mothers, sisters, and daughters by not inhaling toxic gases anymore, and by really making sure that their health is better by breathing fresh air. That’s in a nutshell”.

The executive vice President of HIS, Ayotade Oyinlola, who spoke on the impact of the initiative, said the distribution will significantly reduce family income spent on medical bills.

A consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist specialist, National Hospital Abuja, and Secretary Nigerian Cancer Society, FCT Chapter, Dr. Ayuba Usman, said the initiative is centred on health prevention, while considering lifestyle improvement.

Adding her voice, Daniela Omotola, who is one those spearheading the campaign, using Rotaract Clubs in Abuja, praised the project as a timely, life-changing intervention that will help reduce pollution-related illnesses and support a healthier FCT.

Stakeholders at the launch noted that as more households transition to cooking gas, the pressure on surrounding ecosystems including tree loss, soil degradation and rising temperatures is expected to decline over time.

The FCTA said the project is part of its broader strategy to promote environmental health, reduce pollution and create safer living conditions for residents of FCT in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

News

PHOTOS: FCT Minister, Wike, inspects ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

Published

55 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Minister of FCT today inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa today

The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike today, Friday inspected ongoing construction of Interchange Bridge, Road linking Maitama, Gishiri, Jahi with Gwarinpa.

The project is titled; Full scope development of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) from Ring Road II to Ring Road III with Two Interchange Bridges at N16/RRII and N16/RIII intersections.

The portion from RRI to Arterial Road N20 (Solomon Lar Way) within Katampe District was developed and commissioned by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to mark 2nd year Anniversary of his Administration.

The portion from N20 to RRII is being developed under Jahi District Infrastructure Project, leaving the undeveloped portion from RRIII to Arterial Road N40 to link the road that leads to the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana Districts.

The portion of this Arterial Road N16 under reference traverses the Gwarimpa Housing Estate and this segment of the road when developed will provide access to the Gwarimpa Housing Estate located within Bunkoro and Wupa Districts as well as Sector Center E which is the hub of commercial and social activities comprising group of four districts namely; Gwarimpa II – C03, Kafe – C05, Wupa – C15 and Bunkoro – C18 Districts in Phase III of the Federal Capital City.

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News

“Why I dumped PDP for APC “- Rivers Speaker, Amaewhule

Published

2 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Martin Amaewhule, on Friday gave reasons why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The major reason for leaving the PDP is because of the division in the PDP,” Amaewhule, who represents Obio-Akpor I constituency, told the lawmakers on Friday.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for some programmes embarked upon by his administration that have benefited Nigerians, especially Rivers people.

According to the Speaker, his defection would enable him to partner with President Tinubu for the overall good of the Rivers people.

Amaewhule said, “Distinguished colleagues, let me happily announce to honourable members that your Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Chike Amaewhule, has decided and has indeed written to my Ward Chairman, Mr Osondo Orlu, of my decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.

“APC is my new party. I will do all that is needed to be done towards ensuring that the party card of the All Progressives Congress is issued to me in no time. I am happy to be a member of the APC so that we can join forces with Mr President. He is doing so much for this country.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for Nigeria. He is tackling issues of security headlong. The President has shown love to Rivers State; he is helping Rivers people to be part of the governance of this country. I am so delighted to be part of the APC so we can support the President right inside the All Progressives Congress.”

Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Since returning to civil rule in 1999, the PDP has maintained a tight grip on the oil-rich Rivers state, until the protracted crisis rocked the state, which pitched the lawmakers against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The crisis led to the partial demolition of the State Assembly complex by forces allegedly loyal to Fubara as well as the attempted moves to impeach the governor by the lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Worried by the development, President Bola Tinubu waded in to douse the tensions and declared a state of emergency on March 18.

The emergency declaration led to the suspension of Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu and the lawmakers.

At the expiration of the exercise, he reinstated Fubara, his deputy and the lawmakers on September 17.

News

Finally Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Assembly Members Dump PDP , join APC

Published

4 hours ago

December 5, 2025

ADMIN

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the All Progressives Congress.

Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

The House of Assembly is currently in session with the defectors blaming their departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the crisis in the party.

Others who dumped the PDP were the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).
Also included were Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Details shortly…