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Demolition: Wike threatens to sack FCDA boss over poor hàndling of compensation
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has threatened to sack the acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Mr Richard Dauda.
Wike gave the threat in Abuja on Monday, during a meeting with community leaders of Gishiri village, Katampe District, Abuja, whose part of houses were demolished to make way for a road project.
He explained that the threat was over Dauda’s poor handling of the relocation and payment of compensation to the affected persons.
Trouble for Dauda began when the Youth Leader of the community, Adamu Umar, told the minister that the FCDA officials allocated a swampy area to them, different from the one he approved.
Another resident, Miss Juliet Jonah, also complained that some of the affected houses were valued as low as N72,000, asking, “can N72,000 build a house in this current economy?”
The minister who could not hide his disappointment, asked Dauda why he allocated a different location from the one he approved?
Although Dauda refuted the claim, stressing that the area was not swampy, the visible furious minister warned him against giving government a bad name.
“Let me warn you now. I will sack you. You want to go and take the land? You can’t try that.
“You cannot take me to a place to relocate the affected persons, I told them about it, and now you are saying it is not enough. Have you come to tell me?
“This rubbish must stop. Don’t give the government a bad name. Moreover, you are an indigene of Abuja,” he said.
Wike promised to revisit the location to see for himself and assured the affected persons that the matter would be resolved.
He also explained that the amount each person would receive as compensation would be based on how the house was valued.
He said that the FCT Administration had no intention of making anybody suffer, stressing that the government was working for the interest of the people.
“The essence of President Bola Tinubu’s administration is to renew the hope of Nigerians and not to make anyone suffer.
“The road is not for Wike but part of efforts to open Abuja and make it one of the best cities in the world,” he said.
He explained that the funds for the payment of the compensation had been increased from N655 million to N1.3 billion, considering the current economic realities.
He said that the initial amount was based on the official government rates for compensation depending on the value attached to any demolished property.
The minister also warned Dauda against selective compensation of the affected persons on grounds of indigenisation.
According to him, the government does not pay compensation based on where people come from; compensation is paid based on who has property at the affected site.
“I am hearing that you said you will not pay certain people because they are non-indigenes. The day I will hear it again you will tell how you became an indigene.
“What do you mean by non-indigene? What kind of mentality is this? I don’t know where this is coming from.
“I built a house; or I built a store, and a road is passing there, and you are telling me that I am not entitled to compensation because I am a non-indigene. How does this sound?”
Wike, who said “I won’t take that rubbish”, ordered Dauda, who was supervising the payment of the compensation and relocation of the affected persons to everybody that was affected.
“Go and pay people their money as approved. If you are doing anything on the contrary and I find out, you will regret it,” he said.
Verifying the payment record, the minister noted that the N72,000 had been increased to N145,000 following the increase of the compensation fund.
He added that another person that was supposed to get N7 million would now receive N14 million, while a school that was initially supposed to receive N49 million would now receive N99 million. (NAN)
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has announced that more than 4,000 women have benefited from the Federal Government’s free Cesarean section (C-section) initiative since its inauguration.
Pate disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a media conference marking the 2025 Safe Motherhood Day.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Innovating for Safer Birth: A Collective Responsibility to Crash Maternal Mortality,” with the slogan “Care for Moms, Hope for the Babies.”
Celebrated annually on April 11, Safe Motherhood Day aims to raise awareness about maternal health.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in November 2024, Pate revealed that the Federal Government would offer free C-sections for all women in need, as part of efforts to reduce maternal mortality.
This initiative is part of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) project, which aims to improve access to quality healthcare and reduce maternal and newborn mortality rates.
Pate emphasized that the government was committed to ensuring no woman dies during childbirth and that every newborn receives the care and dignity they deserve.
He outlined several ongoing government efforts to ensure safe deliveries, including the Health Sector Renewal Investment initiative, which addressed long-standing challenges in the health system.
“Under this initiative, we have strengthened the Primary Health Care system to ensure better access to quality maternal, newborn, and child health services.
“We are scaling up Comprehensive Emergency Maternal, Obstetric, and Newborn Care, especially for indigent and vulnerable populations.
“More than 4,000 women have already received cesarean sections, treated, and reimbursed through the National Health Insurance Authority’s emergency obstetric care programme,” Pate explained.
He said that the government had also expanded coverage of skilled birth attendants in underserved areas and broadened health insurance coverage.
“The National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System has been strengthened, with 23 states empaneled.
“Additionally, the Free Fistula Programme, offering free repair, care, and transportation, is currently active in 15 facilities.”
Pate noted that these reforms were already showing positive results, with improved health indicators in several states.
Addressing the theme of Safe Motherhood Day, Pate called on all Nigerians to take responsibility for ensuring safer childbirth for every woman, regardless of her background or location.
Country Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Walter Mulombo, also spoke on behalf of development partners.
He emphasised that safe motherhood started with comprehensive health security and called for continued investment in maternal and newborn health services, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
He urged the government to enact and uphold laws that would protect women’s and children’s health rights, including maternity protection and access to sexual and reproductive health services.
The event culminated in the launch of key policy and guideline documents aimed at advancing safe motherhood.
These included the Safe Motherhood Strategy (2024-2028), Guidelines for Managing Postpartum Hemorrhage, Preeclampsia and Eclampsia Guidelines, Essential Gynaecological Skills Manuals, and the National Training Manual for Obstetric Fistula Management.
NAN also reports that these documents underscore the government’s commitment to building a resilient, people-centered health system that proactively addresses maternal health challenges.(NAN)
Zamfara State Elders Forum has criticised Governor Dauda Lawal Dare for attempting to take credit for recent security improvements in the region, accusing him of political opportunism and failing to deliver on campaign promises.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Zamfara Elders Forum, through its secretary Dr Alhaji Umaru Yusuf Tsafe, described the governor’s actions as “misleading” and a display of “inconsistency and opportunism.”
The group alleged that Lawal had reneged on his 2023 election pledge to end insecurity in Zamfara within a month, instead shifting blame to the federal government when the situation worsened under his leadership.
“Governor Lawal rode into office on the back of promises he has completely failed to deliver,” Tsafe said, noting that the governor had previously campaigned by blaming his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, for the state’s insecurity.
“Once in office, he claimed he lacked the resources to act, exposing his lack of foresight and leadership.”
The elders further accused Lawal of attempting to claim credit for recent security breakthroughs, which they attributed to the efforts, of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu,
National Security Adviser malam Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of State for Defence Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and CDS musa
“Governor Lawal neither provided meaningful support nor initiated these operations,” the statement read, labelling his actions as “political desperation.”
The forum urged the people of Zamfara to demand accountability from their leaders, stressing that the state deserves “a governor who is honest, consistent, and genuinely committed to their safety.”
They condemned Lawal’s approach as exploitative, accusing him of seeking to benefit politically from the achievements of others.
Suspected Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters have detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) on Mandafuma bridge, along Biu-Damboa road in Borno state.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the incident occurred at about 2 am on Tuesday.
Makama said the explosion was aimed at hindering military reinforcements traveling through the area, and to disrupt the movement of motorists and passengers along the route.
Some images released by the publication show severe damage to the bridge which links Mandafuma village and Biu town.
On April 12, eight travelers were killed following an IED explosion on the Maiduguri-Damboa road in Borno state.
The incident which involved a commercial bus heading to Maiduguri from Damboa left 11 other persons severely injured.
Similarly, on March 21, four passengers were killed and four others injured after an IED exploded under a commercial vehicle in Biu LGA of the state.
The vehicle was said to have stepped on the IED upon reaching Sabon Garin, Kimba junction, leading to a massive explosion that killed on the spot four passengers, including three females and a male.