FCT MINISTER PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR WOMEN GOLFERS IN NIGERIA

R-L: FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike; President, Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, Dr Lami Onayi Ahmed; Matron of the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria, and Iyalode of Lagos, Hajia Bintu Tinubu during a courtesy call on the Minister on Friday, October 30.

FCTA PRESS RELEASE 

FCT MINISTER PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR WOMEN GOLFERS IN NIGERIA 

- Allocates land based on commitment to Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has pledged direct financial assistance and land allocation to the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN) to build a new office accommodation and cover key operational expenses for the upcoming 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT).

The FCT Minister announced the funding commitments on Friday, October 30, 2026, when he received an executive delegation from LGAN led by its President, Dr. Lami Ahmed, at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja.

On the Logistics Package for the golf tournalment  scheduled to run from November 2–7, 2026, at the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja  , the Minister assured that the FCT Administration will provide direct financial support to ensure a seamless continental tournament.

Speaking on the land allocation to the LGAN, the Minister assured that the Administration will also provide financial backing to execute the project. "We will give you land to build and we will make available funding for you to build," Wike affirmed. The FCT Minister however reminded the association that the land allocation was hinged on the development of the land within a stipulated time.

Responding to LGAN's request to use the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre for the closing banquet and prize presentation, the Minister also approved a 50 percent fee reduction to cover facility maintenance costs at the Centre which is managed by Julius Berger.

FCT MINISTER COMMISSIONS PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AT DUNAMIS GLORY DOME

Chairman PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike; Pastor Mrs Becky Enenche; General Overseer, Dunamis Church, Abuja, Pastor Dr Paul Enenche at the Commissioning of the Pedestrian Bridge at the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Airport Road, Abuja on Friday, October 30.

FCTA PRESS RELEASE 

FCT MINISTER COMMISSIONS PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AT DUNAMIS GLORY DOME

... SAYS NIGERIANS SHOULD VOTE FOR LEADERS WITH CAPACITY 

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has officially commissioned a newly constructed pedestrian bridge across the ten-lane Airport Expressway undertaken by the Dunamis International Gospel Centre (Glory Dome) in Abuja.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Abuja on Friday, October 30, 2026, Wike commended the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche, and his wife, Dr. Becky Enenche, for their proactive commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through the bridge construction.

He emphasized the role of practical leadership and sacrifice in driving societal development, noting that infrastructure projects executed by religious and private organizations complement government efforts in safeguarding lives and improving public welfare.

"Government cannot do everything. There is no way anywhere in the world that the government carries out every single function," Wike stated. "You have carried out what we call corporate social responsibility. Instead of utilizing these resources elsewhere, you sacrificed for the welfare and safety of the people."

In a significant show of support for public-private collaboration, the Minister announced that the FCT Administration will reimburse 50 percent of the construction cost to support the church’s ongoing infrastructure.

When the Rain Returned

Symbolic photo concept representing your feature story, capturing the key milestones: the rainy café where the couple first met, the long-distance journey between Abuja and London, the handwritten proposal, and their eventual wedding reunion. The recurring rain motif symbolizes fate, perseverance, and enduring love.

When the Rain Returned

By Ward9ice

The first time Amara Okeke met David Bello, she nearly walked away without saying a word.

It was a rainy July afternoon in Abuja. The power had gone out at a crowded café near Wuse Market, and customers were grumbling as the darkness swallowed their laptop screens. Amara, a young journalist chasing deadlines, sat impatiently by the window, tapping her fingers against a notebook.

Across the room, David was struggling to save a presentation before his laptop battery died.

"Would you mind if I shared your table?" he asked.

Amara looked up briefly.

"It's not my table," she replied.

That was all.

No sparks. No dramatic chemistry. No magical soundtrack.

Just two strangers sheltering from the rain.

Yet neither of them knew that the storm outside was quietly introducing them to the person who would change their lives forever.

A Friendship Built on Ordinary Days

Over the following weeks, they kept running into each other.

At a bookstore.

At a community charity event.

At a traffic standstill along Ahmadu Bello Way.

Eventually, coincidence gave way to intention.

David began texting.

Amara replied.

Then came long conversations.

What started as casual friendship slowly became something deeper.

He admired her determination. She admired his kindness.

Unlike many people she had met, David never tried to impress her with expensive gifts or grand speeches. He listened.

And listened well.

TUC Rejects FG’s N70,000 Transport Allowance, Demands N300,000 Minimum Salary

Symbolic Photo
TUC Rejects FG’s N70,000 Transport Allowance, Demands N300,000 Minimum Salary

TUC Rejects FG’s N70,000 Transport Allowance, Demands N300,000 Minimum Salary

Editorial: Nigerian Workers Deserve Wages That Reflect the Cost of Living

Nigeria’s ongoing struggle over workers’ welfare has taken another potentially significant turn following reports that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 transport allowance and is demanding a minimum monthly salary of ₦300,000. 

The reported disagreement highlights the widening gap between government interventions and organised labour’s expectations for meaningful relief amid the rising cost of living.

At the heart of this development is a fundamental question: can a transport allowance adequately address the financial difficulties facing Nigerian workers when the cost of food, housing, transportation, healthcare and other essential services continues to put pressure on household incomes?

For millions of Nigerian employees, the answer depends not merely on the announcement of financial assistance but on whether such assistance translates into measurable improvements in their purchasing power and living standards.

Editorial note: The precise circumstances of the reported rejection, the official terms of the proposed allowance and the TUC’s latest formal position require confirmation from current, authoritative reports. The discussion below examines the implications of the reported dispute without treating unverified details as established facts.

The Federal Government’s ₦70,000 Transport Allowance

According to reports published on October 28 and 29, 2026, the Federal Government approved a monthly transport allowance of ₦70,000 for public service workers for six months, beginning in November 2026. The measure followed a conciliation meeting between government representatives and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The initiative is intended to provide temporary financial relief for workers facing increasing transportation costs and wider economic pressures. However, the TUC argues that temporary payments are neither sufficiently sustainable nor far-reaching to resolve the underlying problem of inadequate salaries.

The disagreement is particularly significant because the TUC's objection is not simply about the amount being offered. It is about the structure of the intervention, the reliability of previous government commitments and whether workers can maintain a decent standard of living on their existing earnings.

FG’s $21.7 Billion Loan Request Sparks Borrowing and Debt-Servicing Concerns

Symbolic Photo
FG’s $21.7 Billion Loan Request Sparks Borrowing and Debt-Servicing Concerns

FG’s $21.7 Billion Loan Request Sparks Borrowing and Debt-Servicing Concerns

An Editorial on Nigeria’s Rising Debt Burden, Fiscal Responsibility and the Need for Productive Borrowing

Nigeria’s proposed $21.7 billion borrowing request has brought renewed attention to one of the country’s most pressing economic questions: how much more debt can the Federal Government responsibly incur without placing an unsustainable burden on public finances and future generations?

At the heart of the controversy is a difficult balancing act. Nigeria needs substantial funding to address infrastructure deficits, strengthen public services, stimulate economic growth and meet its development obligations. Yet, as the government considers additional external financing, concerns are growing over the country’s capacity to repay its debts, the increasing cost of debt servicing and the consequences for citizens already struggling with high living costs.

The debate is therefore not simply about whether Nigeria should borrow. It is about why the money is needed, how it will be spent, what benefits it will generate and whether the country can comfortably meet its repayment obligations.

The $21.7 Billion Proposal: What Is Before the National Assembly?

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the National Assembly to consider a supplementary external borrowing plan covering the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years. The request comprises approximately $20.52 billion and €1.045 billion, which together amount to about $21.7 billion when converted into a common currency. The proposal is intended to finance infrastructure and development programmes across Nigeria.

The proposed investments cover power, transportation, healthcare, education, agriculture, water supply, security, digital infrastructure, employment generation and financial management reforms. According to the President, the projects have undergone technical and economic evaluations and are expected to support job creation, skills development, entrepreneurship, poverty reduction and food security.

The government argues that Nigeria's infrastructure deficit is too substantial to be addressed entirely through available public revenue. Roads, railways, electricity networks, hospitals, schools and other essential facilities require significant capital, and the administration maintains that carefully structured external financing can help bridge the gap.

However, the Senate's referral of the request to its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for scrutiny has placed the proposal under legislative examination. As of the latest reports on October 29, 2026, the request had not received final approval.

EBOLA AND NATIONAL SECURITY: NIGERIA’S ₦45.08 BILLION AIRPORT BIOSECURITY INVESTMENT

Symbolic Photo
EBOLA AND NATIONAL SECURITY: NIGERIA’S ₦45.08 BILLION AIRPORT BIOSECURITY INVESTMENT

EBOLA AND NATIONAL SECURITY: NIGERIA’S ₦45.08 BILLION AIRPORT BIOSECURITY INVESTMENT

An Editorial on Public Health Preparedness, Border Protection and the Need for Accountability

Nigeria’s reported approval of ₦45.08 billion for airport biosecurity in response to Ebola concerns raises an important question about the country’s preparedness to prevent dangerous infectious diseases from crossing its borders. 

At a time when international travel connects countries within hours, the ability to detect, isolate and respond to potential health threats at points of entry is not merely a medical necessity; it is a matter of national security, economic stability and public confidence.

Ebola is among the most serious viral diseases known to public health authorities. Although an outbreak elsewhere does not automatically mean Nigeria is in danger of an outbreak, international movement can create opportunities for infectious diseases to spread across borders. The appropriate response is therefore not panic, but vigilance, effective surveillance and transparent public-health planning.

The reported ₦45.08 billion approval should consequently be examined not only in terms of the amount involved, but also in terms of what the money is expected to achieve, how quickly the proposed measures can be implemented and how the Nigerian public will benefit from the investment.

The Federal Government’s decision and its implications

According to reports published on October 28, 2026, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, approved ₦45.08 billion for an integrated biosecurity and disease surveillance system covering five of Nigeria’s international airports. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the approval after the Council’s meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The initiative is intended to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to identify infectious diseases before they spread within communities. It is also designed to improve coordination among the agencies responsible for public health, immigration, customs and border management.

The scale of the investment reflects the importance of protecting a country that receives more than 18 million air passengers annually, according to the minister. An infectious disease entering through an international airport could pose a threat not only to human lives but also to commerce, tourism, transportation and investor confidence.

STATE POLICE: 30 STATES BACK CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AS NIGERIA MOVES TOWARDS DECENTRALISED POLICING

Symbolic Photo
STATE POLICE: 30 STATES BACK CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AS NIGERIA MOVES TOWARDS DECENTRALISED POLICING

STATE POLICE: 30 STATES BACK CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT AS NIGERIA MOVES TOWARDS DECENTRALISED POLICING

Editorial | October 29, 2026

Nigeria’s long-running debate over the establishment of state police has reached a significant legislative milestone, following the disclosure by Senate President Godswill Akpabio that about 30 state Houses of Assembly have endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment to introduce decentralised policing in the country.

Akpabio made the disclosure on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, when members of the Arewa Revival Project, a northern youth organisation with membership across the 19 northern states, visited him in Abuja. He expressed confidence that the amendment process was approaching completion and suggested that Nigeria could introduce state police within a short period.

The announcement has renewed public attention on a fundamental question of national security: can bringing policing closer to the people improve Nigeria’s ability to protect lives, property and communities against persistent threats, including kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other violent crimes?

The development is particularly important because the proposed reform would change the existing constitutional framework under which the Nigeria Police Force operates primarily as a federal institution.

2027: Obasanjo’s Testimony on Atiku, Amaechi’s Entry Worsened ADC Ticket, Wike Says

2027: Obasanjo’s Testimony on Atiku, Amaechi’s Entry Worsened ADC Ticket, Wike Says

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s record in office, arguing that his years in government, particularly the testimony of his boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo should be examined as Nigerians assess his renewed presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike also argued that former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi’s entry into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had complicated the party’s presidential ticket, while questioning the political platform’s capacity to present a convincing alternative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The FCT minister made the remarks on Thursday during a Rainbow Coalition meeting in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he challenged Atiku to account for his eight years as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.

Wike, who said he had contested a presidential primary against Atiku, questioned the impact of the former vice-president’s time in office, particularly his role in the federal government’s privatisation programme.

“Atiku was vice-president from 1999 to 2007. How many years? He was not just a vice-president, but a very powerful vice-president. He was in charge of privatisation and everything concerning companies and industries owned by the government,” Wike said.

Wike Unites Rivers Political Leaders Behind Tinubu, Other Rivers Rainbow Coalition Candidates, Declares Total Reconciliation

Wike Unites Rivers Political Leaders Behind Tinubu, Other Rivers Rainbow Coalition Candidates, Declares Total Reconciliation

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday rallied political leaders and candidates from different parties in Rivers State behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, declaring that the Rainbow Coalition was committed to mobilising support for the president ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike, who is also the leader of the Rainbow Coalition, spoke during the official unveiling of the coalition’s candidates in Port Harcourt, where he urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the country to support Tinubu, irrespective of their party affiliations.

The event brought together Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former governor and Senator Magnus Abe, political leaders, and candidates from different political parties under the coalition’s platform.

Wike said the alliance was designed to unite political interests in Rivers State around a common objective, insisting that party differences should not prevent leaders from working together to advance the state’s interests and support Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

He urged PDP members in Rivers, Kwara, Benue, Ondo, Ogun and other states to rally behind the president.

“Every PDP member in Rivers State will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Kwara State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Benue State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Wike said.

Wike Hails Fintiri at 59, Says; "He is a dependable ally"

Photo (L-R) Nyesom Wike, Hon. Minister, Federal Capital Territory, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Executive Governor, Adamawa State

FCTA PRESS RELEASE  

Wike Hails Fintiri at 59, Says; "He is a dependable ally"

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has congratulated the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, on his 59th Birthday, describing him as "a dependable ally, friend and brother." 

According to a statement on Tuesday, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister said Governor Fintiri remained a reference point in commitment to friendship as well as in politics and governance in Nigeria.

"From the deepest part of my heart, I congratulate you on your attainment of 59 years today.

AMA EBONY — Two Hearts, One Lie

AMA EBONY — Two Hearts, One Lie

Episode Theme: Two-Timing Amongst Student Couples

Setting: Federal University Campus

---

SCENE 1

EXT. FACULTY BUILDING – MORNING

Students move from one lecture hall to another. AMA EBONY and her friend ADA walk together after a class.

ADA:
Did you hear the latest gist?

AMA EBONY:
(smiling)
Campus runs on two things: lectures and gist. Which one is this?

ADA:
Tosin and Vivian have broken up.

AMA EBONY:
Really? They looked fine last week.

ADA:
Apparently, Tosin has been dating Vivian and another girl from the Department of Economics at the same time.

AMA EBONY:
(shakes head)
Two watches on one wrist and you still won't know the correct time.

ADA:
(laughing)
Only you can explain cheating with watches.

AMA EBONY:
Because that's exactly what it is. Confusion disguised as enjoyment.

They continue walking.

You may also like

---

SCENE 2

INT. STUDENT CAFETERIA – AFTERNOON

AMA EBONY sits alone, eating lunch and reviewing notes. TOSIN approaches.

TOSIN:
Ama Ebony.

AMA EBONY:
Tosin. Have a seat.

TOSIN sits down.

TOSIN:
Everybody is talking about me.

AMA EBONY:
People usually talk when actions become louder than explanations.

Ebola Patient Evacuated From Nigeria Via Air Ambulance: A Critical Public Health Development

Symbolic Photo of Ebola Virus

Ebola Patient Evacuated From Nigeria Via Air Ambulance: A Critical Public Health Development

In a significant development in Nigeria's management of its latest Ebola outbreak, the country's reported index patient was evacuated from Abuja aboard a specialized air ambulance and flown abroad for continued treatment. 

According to multiple reports published on October 26, 2026, the evacuation took place through the private aviation section of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The patient was identified in reports as a 42-year-old Ugandan-born woman who is married to a Swiss diplomat. She had been receiving treatment in Nigeria after becoming the country's first confirmed imported Ebola case in the current outbreak. 

ARISE News reported that the evacuation occurred early Monday morning and involved a convoy of ambulances and diplomatic vehicles arriving at the airport's General Aviation Terminal before the patient was transferred to a medical evacuation aircraft.