News
Wike Will Restore Abuja Masterplan -Okocha
…Says Nation’s Capital Drifting Into A Slum
Former national chairman of Protocols/Logistics Committee of the defunct Tinubu-Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council (TSGICC), Chief Tony Okocha, has expressed the hope the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, will restore the Abuja Masterplan.
He said the nation’s capital was drifting into a slim due to the activities of developers who acquire and develop every available space thereby blocking waterways and exposing the territory to incessant flooding.
Okocha spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on the sidelines of an event organised by stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to celebrate the inauguration of Wike as a minister.
The APC chieftain said: “I live in Abuja or I am a regular visitor in Abuja. I know that the Abuja status that we used to know, the austethic beauty, with which it was initially designed is begining to drift. It is drifting into slums.
“As some of you know, recently, Abuja was flooded and that is not just part of the Abuja framework. The reason is that some people have taken the laws into their hands by begining to acquire properties and develop properties on waterways.
“It is said that water must to find its route and when water is unable to pass through the proper channels prepared for it, what follows certainly is that it will find a way out. So, the Abuja masterplan that is known to all of us, which was initially said to by the synoscure of excellence has started drifting away and is no longer qualified to be called a capital city.
“When you have a lot of us whose interest is business profiteering, everywhere they see open space becomes a market. That is what is happening right now in Abuja. The original plan is almost gone.
“I think that the President may have interest in bringing back to its status and to do that, you don’t need a push and start. You need somebody who has courage. You need somebody who can exhume the confidence at the slightest opportunity, to change Abuja to what is used to be.”
Okocha, who thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for bringing Wike to be part of his administration, described the former Rivers State governor as “a square peg in a square hole.”
He said: “I intend to thank the President in writing; that he has put a square peg in a square hole. Former Governor Wike is not a neophyte when it comes to governance and administration. He is not a pushover in the political sphere.
“So, all that the President will be needing for which he has so appointed him, he will get even more. Wike has the advantage of turning a stone into a marble. So, wherever you think he will fail, that will be his stepping stone.”
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
A former Deputy Minority Whip of the Senate, Senator Danjuma Tella La’ah, has called on Nigerians to remain hopeful amid the country’s current economic and security challenges.
In his Easter message on Sunday, the lawmaker who represented Southern Kaduna Senatorial District in the 9th National Assembly, urged citizens to draw strength from the message of resurrection and renewed faith symbolised by Easter.
“As we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, I bring warm Easter greetings to all Christians, the good people of Southern Kaduna, and Nigerians across the nation,” he said.
La’ah expressed optimism in the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition the country, saying the current administration was working to resolve the nation’s difficulties.
“I urge fellow Nigerians not to lose hope. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing everything possible to turn around the challenges that have hindered our nation’s progress,” he added.
The former lawmaker also prayed for divine guidance for the President, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, and other leaders at various levels.
According to him, the commitment to inclusive governance was yielding positive results in Southern Kaduna and across the nation.
“May this Easter inspire us to trust in God’s promises and believe in the transforming power of Christ’s resurrection—for our lives, our communities, and our nation,” he said.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
A former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (retd.), has been conferred with the traditional title of Sarkin Yaki (Defence Chief) of Jaba Kingdom. Also honoured was Mrs. Abigail Katung, wife of the Senator representing Kaduna South and the Lord Mayor of Leeds City, United Kingdom, who was installed as Gimbiya (Princess) of Jaba Land.
The colourful coronation ceremony took place on Friday at the Kpok Ham Palace in Kwoi, the headquarters of Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna State. It attracted dignitaries including top military officers, government officials, academicians, and guests from across Nigeria and the diaspora.
Other honourees at the event included:
Dr. Gideon Jock, conferred with the title Hasken Jaba (Light of Jaba); Barr. Dr. Deborah Usman, as Jakadiyan Jaba (Ambassador of Jaba); and Engr. Dr. Dogara Gyet, as Jagaban Jaba (Forerunner of Jaba).
Speaking shortly after their installation, Gen. Agwai described the moment as a landmark in his life, marking a transition from national military service to traditional recognition.
“This is a significant moment for me. Having served my country at the highest level in the military, being recognised by my people in this way is deeply humbling,” he said.
“If you render service to your people, even in the grave they will remember you. It is not about wealth, but about service to humanity.”
He noted that the role of Sarkin Yaki is symbolic of an adviser on security and defense matters to the traditional leadership, which remains relevant even beyond military service.
Mrs. Abigail Katung expressed joy over the honour, saying it reaffirms her roots and her people’s appreciation of her contributions, despite living abroad for 25 years.
“To still be remembered in your homeland after so many years away is a thing of joy. This recognition is deeply meaningful, especially coming from my people,” she said.
“Culture is at the heart of everything we do. It shapes who we are. I hope to inspire young girls to believe in themselves and work hard to achieve their dreams.”
She credited her success to the support of her husband, Senator Barr. Sunday Katung, and emphasized the importance of gender inclusion:
“I call on those in positions of power to create more inclusive environments for women. Women make up half of the world’s population—and the other half was birthed by them.”
Dr. Gideon Jock, honoured as Hasken Jaba, said the title signifies enlightenment and a call to continue contributing to the development of the Ham people.
“I was nicknamed Mai Solar because I helped install over 1,000 solar-powered streetlights to improve security. This recognition will inspire me to do more for the youth, women, orphans, community leaders, and clergy,” he said.
Similarly, Barr. Deborah Usman, Jakadiyan Jaba, said she has always served her people quietly and was surprised to see her efforts acknowledged.
“This honour is a call to further reflect the values and traditions of the Ham people in everything I do. I feel privileged to be among the recipients of these titles.”
Elanzanews reports that the coronation ceremony was viewed as a strategic initiative by the traditional council to reconnect with illustrious sons and daughters of the Ham Kingdom, strengthening community ties, and promote unity and development in the region.
…Gives condition to forgive Fubara
… Says I wanted Fubara’s removal, Tinubu saved Rivers
Abubakar Yunusa
Nyesom Wike has described talks about a coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu as not sincere and believes those behind it are doing so for selfish reasons.
Wike, the Minister of the FCT, said this in Abuja on Friday during a media chat, accusing the masterminds of running away from issues bedevilling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s main opposition party.
He said, “those who are looking for a coalition are for selfish interests, the likes of Atiku and other people, which coalition, with whom?
“Why not come in to repair your party? Everybody wants to become president of the country, nobody wants to say, look, let me build our party so that at the end of the day, our party will be in a formidable position as an opposition party to take over power.
“You don’t do that, the only thing you want to do is let me find a way; how I will be the one, and if that does not happen, then it’s to your tent, oh Israel,” the immediate past governor of Rivers state said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, are among political heavyweights planning to float a coalition to dislodge President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.
That push has continued to make headlines in the country in the past months, but Wike said those behind it, especially members of the main opposition PDP, should fix their party instead.
Wike criticised Atiku, the arrowhead of the coalition movement, saying the ex-VP is about to make the mistakes that led to the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election.
“You make the mistake yesterday, you want to repeat the same mistake today, tomorrow you make the same mistake, and then you come out to say you were rigged out, who rigged you out? You’ve already rigged yourself by causing crisis,” Wike said.
The minister, who is a member of the PDP, also said the party is not ready for the next presidential election scheduled for 2027.
“The PDP is not ready for the 2027 election. It is very obvious. For instance, I have an examination and I am going to class to read. Indeed, am I reading? Am I studying? You don’t need to deceive anybody that you are reading. You are only trying to read so that people will see that you have carried your bag to class,” he said.
“That is the situation of the PDP. So, they cannot say for sure that they are ready for 2027. Power struggle cannot help the party.”