By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, said celebration of Abuja@50 years would be celebrated duringbthe 3rd anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in May 2026.

Wike stated this when Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, acting Executive Secretary (ES), visited the Minister to commemorate with him on Abuja@50.

The FCT Minister appreciated God for being the Minster at this crucial time, “For me, most people have been thinking that there would be ceremony to mark the jubilee year of the FCT. I thank God that I became minister when FCT turn 50 years. I remind that during the 3rd anniversary of Mr. President, there would be need to commemorate the 50th year anniversary of the creation of the FCTA.

“So I didn’t want to do anything now. Then next three months, during the President’s three years in office, I don’t want to take away the shine from Mr. President. And I believe that that compendium will be necessary to be launched during the 3rd year anniversary of Mr. President”, he said.

Acknowledging the support of Mr. President, he said, “All these our achievements wouldn’t have been made possible but for the very big support we have received from Mr. President. This is 50th year. Then you would have asked yourself a question. Why is it that for 50 years so many things were lacking? And that’s why I tell people that if you’re an ungrateful person, you could not remain ungrateful. If you’re a grateful person, you could not appreciate those who have done well for you. That Mr. President came on board and felt that there’s stagnant, there’s no growth amongst the civil servants and felt that there’s a need to have their own civil service commission which was denied for how many years? Ministers have come and gone. Presidents have come and gone. Nobody was able to put a seat down and say the right thing must be done”, he said.

Enumerating the things that are achieved during Mr. President administration, he said there is massive infrastructure development, FCT now has it own Civil Service Commission,
“Today, every worker is happy that there’s hope they can be a permanent secretary. There’s hope they can be a head of service. So it’s not easy to achieve but somebody made it possible”.

“Today, everybody is saying there’s massive infrastructural development. If that was not made possible, we would still be hanging around. We would still be saying nothing is going on. So we must appreciate somebody who has laid the foundation for us to get to where we are. We must appreciate and that’s why I want to say that, very soon I’m going to set up a committee that will plan to commemorate our 50 years in office, with that of Mr. President, third year in office. It’s very, very important”, Wike said.

Earlier the acting Executive Secretary (ES), commended President Tinubu and the Minister and the Chairman FCDA Board, Barr. Ezenwo Nyeson Wike, CON for the unprecedented achievement recorded within the short period of two & half (2) years out of the 50yrs of our collective history.

He said, “While considerable progress has been made, there is still a lot more to do.
The vision of our fore-bearers : “To build a First Class Capital City and Territory comparable to the Best Capital City and Territory in the World” is on course and your Excellency (the Hon. Minister/ Chairman FCDA board) have driven it further by the unprecedented achievements in infrastructural development”.

He therefore said on behalf of the staff and Management of the FCDA, he pledged their loyalty, commitment and dedication to the task of building the new Federal Capital under your leadership.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), on Monday assured residents that
antivenom is fully stocked and readily accessible across all FCTA-owned hospitals and public health centres.

This assurance is coming few days after the death of singer and social media influencer, Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene, which triggered widespread anger and allegations of medical negligence.

This was contained in a statement issued by Health Services and Environment Secretariat and personally signed by Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, its Mandate Secretary, in Abuja.

The Mandate Secretary, , Federal Capital Territory Administration expresses her deepest condolences to the family of Ms. Ifunanya Lucy Nwangene, who sadly passed away following neurotoxic complications from a snakebite.

“The loss of a promising young life is deeply painful and distressing. I share in the family’s grief and reaffirm that such medically preventable deaths must be taken seriously, with strengthened measures to prevent recurrence”, she said.

She noted, “Snakebites remain a largely preventable public health emergency. Snakes inhabit rainforests, grasslands, farms, and semi-arid areas, and often hide near human dwellings in search of food or shelter—leading to increased human-snake encounters. In Nigeria, highly venomous species such as cobras, vipers, and puff adders are present. As a rule, all snakebites must be treated as venomous until proven otherwise.

“Prevention and First Aid
All FCT residents are urged to adopt primary prevention measures, including wearing protective clothing when in farms or tall grass, avoiding dark areas or using flashlights at night, clearing debris around homes, sealing entry points, and never handling snakes.
In the event of a bite, immediate first aid includes staying calm, immobilising the affected limb below heart level, removing constrictive items, gently cleaning the wound, and proceeding immediately to a hospital with antivenom. Harmful practices—such as cutting or sucking the wound, applying tourniquets, ice, or herbal remedies—must be avoided.

“Emergency Care, Anti-Venom, and Ambulance Services
The FCTA reassures residents that different forms and types of anti-snake venom are widely available across FCTA-owned hospitals and public health facilities. Stocking decisions are guided by collaboration with veterinary doctors, who help identify the most common snake species (venom strains) in the FCT. Accordingly, polyvalent and multivalent antivenoms are maintained, centrally stored in FCTA owned Abuja Central Medical Stores, and directly managed by the Secretariat to ensure quality, cold-chain integrity, and availability.
Prompt treatment is critical.

“While antivenom is most effective when administered early, its use does not guarantee recovery, particularly where neurotoxic symptoms have already manifested, underscoring the need for rapid evacuation.

“To reduce response times, the FCTA has strengthened secondary prevention through expanded road networks and the recent procurement and deployment of 12 ambulances, equipped to manage emergencies. Hospitals provide antivenom administration, immobilisation (without tourniquets), monitoring for adverse reactions, and supportive care. Tertiary care, including ICU admission, airway management, coagulation monitoring, and blood transfusion services, is available across FCT hospitals.
Quality Assurance and Emergency Access

“I want to reiterate that all healthcare facilities—public and private—must adhere strictly to approved clinical protocols. Monitoring and enforcement will be intensified, and facilities found negligent will face sanctions.

“For emergencies, residents should contact FCT Emergency Medical System and Ambulance Services Numbers – 090157892931, 090157892932”, she assured.

She therefore assured the residents that FCTA remains resolute in strengthening emergency systems, enforcing quality healthcare standards, and protecting the lives of all residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, on Monday, advised Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) FCT Council, against the planned peaceful protest scheduled to hold , Tuesday, 3rd February 2026, within the Federal Capital Territory.

This was stated in a statement signed by SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command, Abuja.

She said, while the Command recognizes and respects the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and protest, and remains committed to providing adequate security for all lawful activities, intelligence reports at the disposal of the Police indicate plans by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria and other non-state actors to infiltrate and hijack the protest for purposes inimical to public peace and security.

The statement reads in part, “In view of the above, and in the overriding interest of public safety, the FCT Police Command respectfully appeals to the organizers of the planned protest to consider rescheduling the activity to a later date and time. This measure is aimed at forestalling any breakdown of law and order, while also ensuring that the rights of other residents to safety, freedom of movement, and the conduct of lawful daily activities are not infringed upon.

“The Command assures residents of the Federal Capital Territory of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges all citizens to continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the collective effort to maintain peace and security”.