Metro
Don’t run away from your people, Wike advises the newly elected Kuje Area Council Chairman
By Wumi Tewogbade, buja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, advised the newly elected Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Danladi Samuel Shekwolo, not to run away from listening to his people, because when he was campaigning, he was always at home.
Wike stated this when he paid a thank you visit to the residents of the area council, Abuja.
The FCT Minister said, power and money are two very important things that he must consider, after he is sworn into the office.
He added that though people demands a lots but he should not abandon his people because of this but rather he should do his best.
Wike threaten that if Samuel, as Chairman of Kuje Area council is an away chairman, will be in trouble, because he will let h people know that they have made a mistake.
He noted that he was very, very proud when they declared the Kuje result.
According to Wike, “Now, Samuel, let me tell you now, you know, yes, he is humble, but he has not entered office. It’s only when you enter office we see the humility. You know, when a man has not seen power, a man has not seen money, you cannot determine whether he will be humble or he will not be humble. Do you understand me? Because these two factors are very serious factors that can change a man, can change a woman, within a second. You don’t know what it takes when he has security following him. You don’t know what it means when he is sitting in his office and there are so many people looking for him. You say, “I am not ready now.”
“So, power and money are two very important things that you must consider. I pray and I do believe that you will not abandon your people. I know that people demand a lot, but do the best you can. Don’t be a chairman that is an away chairman. Be a chairman that is a home chairman. Don’t run away from listening to your people. Because when you were campaigning, you were always at home. Now that the results are strong, don’t be an away chairman”.
Wike warned, “And I know, working with me, if you are an away chairman, you will be in trouble. Because I will let your people know that we have made a mistake. But I don’t think we made a mistake. Continue with the way you are going. God who has brought you this far will make sure you complete very well.
“Most people do not know that being a chairman of council is what will elevate you tomorrow, is what can bring you down. You know, it is the government that is closer to the people. So when you don’t do well, you will see what the people will say about you.
“We were lucky. I was chairman in 1999, became chairman again, became chief of staff, became minister of state, became governor, now became FCT minister. I can tell you that it is not that I am the most hardworking person, but somehow, with the blessings of God and your sincerity to people, it matters a lot.
“So I believe you have this at the back of your mind, that you will not end up only being chairman of Kuje Area Council”.
He noted, “Remember one thing in life is when people have done you good, you go back and tell them thank you. Thank you in the sense that if they said they will not do it, you will not kill them. But having decided to listen to you and have agreed to work for you, I don’t think there’s anything difficult in you going back to tell them thank you.
“And that is why Mr. President has directed me not to take your support for granted, but instead to make sure we go back to all the area councils, to all the areas, to tell the traditional rulers, to tell the leaders of those areas that he appreciates you, that he asks you to vote for candidates who will support him or who are supporting him and you did not hesitate, you voted for them”.
He therefore assured Kuje residents that the ongoing constructions Kuje-Gwagalada and Kuje-Airport roads would be inaugurated during the 3rd anniversary celebration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
He stressed, “We have tried to change that narrative that politics is all about you. Politics is all about you getting the best. Politics is all about you making sure that your lives improve. Whether everybody likes it or not, Mr. President has shown that indeed he cares, and we could not care for the good people of Kuje.
Responding to the requests of the chairman -elect he said, “So you have mentioned two or three roads. Let me tell you, by the time your chairman is sworn in, by June this year . I don’t want to swear them in now, by the time they are sworn in, I will call him, I will call the traditional rulers, we will see them, which one they will start first”.
Earlier the Chairman elect for Kuje Area Council, Danladi Samuel Shekwolo, urged the Minister to look at constructions of three roads that would grow the economy of the council, these roads include, kuje-Gwagwa, Kuje-Pegi and Kuje – Rubochi.
“My appeal to you, please, sir, that you should look into this, especially we have three roads that will help us grow our economy in Kuje Area Council: from Gwagwa to Kuje, from Kuje to Rubochi, and also from Kuje to . Your Excellency, I know as a leader and as a father, you will do that for your son.son”
He used the opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, FCT Minister and all his supporters during the election, he therefore promised to do his best as Chairman of Kuje Area Council after they are sworn in.
”And I want to reassure you of our commitment, by the special grace of God, that we are going to work together with you, and of course, to stand on the mandate of our president, the Renewed Hope agenda, to make sure that we deliver dividends of democracy to our people in Kuje Area Council”, he assured.
Wumi Tewogbade,Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, at the weekend, launched a grassroots social mobilisation exercise to promote birth registration in the FCT.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, launched the programme in Abuja,.
She said birth registration is aimed to address the low level of birth registration, especially children that are born outside the health center in the rural areas.
The exercise, is in collaboration with UNICEF Nigeria, Nigeria Population Commission (NPC), Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and National Orientation Agency (NOA), .
The Mandate Secretary who was
represented by Director, Child Development Department, Dr Idris Yahaya Attah, emphasised the importance of birth registration.
The Mandate Secretary said, the initiative, was in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to ensure every child is registered and documented, paving way for a brighter future.
“A lot of children are born outside hospitals and in remote communities. These children need to be properly captured and documented as citizens of the FCT and Nigeria”, She said.
Benjamins-Laniyi stressed that accurate data is crucial for planning and development, urging Abaji communities to cooperate with the FCT Administration to ensure they benefit from democratic dividends. UNICEF Nigeria, represented by Mrs Phydelia Abbas, is supporting this initiative.
The exercise, which began on March 26, will cover all Area Councils, with the following schedule:
- Abaji – March 26, 2026 (completed)
- Bwari – March 30, 2026
- Kwali – April 8, 2026
- Gwagwalada- April 9, 2026
- Kuje- April 10, 2026
- AMAC – April 13, 2026
The registration is free for children aged 0-1 year and 1-5 years. .
….as treatment success rates 94%
By Wumi Tewogbade,Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) revealed at the weekend that Abuja has over 16,000 annual burden of Tuberculosis (TB) cases.
FCT Director Public Health, Dr Dan Gasama , stated this at the community outreach in commemoration of 2026 World Tuberculosis Day, organized by the Federal Capital Territory Health Services and Environment Secretariat (FCT-HSES), Stop TB Partnership Nigeria, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP),and other partners, in Abuja.
Gasama added that, the treatment success rate for Tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria is now 94 percent when detected early.
The theme for 2026 celebrations ‘Yes, we can. We can end TB’.
People trooped out in their hundreds from Mabushi community and they were screened and tested for TB, Malaria, etc, and people were given free medications for malaria and some other minor ailments, some were refered to bigger hospitals.
Gasama said, TB remain one of the world’s oldest infectious diseases, and a public health concern globally and nationally, despite being preventable and curable, it continues to claim lives and disrupt families and communities.
He noted, “An estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB in 2014, with1.23 million deaths including 150,000 deaths among people with HIV.
“With prevalence of 219/100,000, Nigeria remain one of the countries with high TB burden , and FCT also has estimated annual burden of 16,000 cases.
“The country notified over 467,000in 2025 , the highest ever in our history. Treatment success rate have reached an impressive 94%, demonstrating that when TB is detected early and treated properly, it can be cured .
Additionally TB mortality has been reduced by 63% between 2015 -2024″, Dr. Dan said.
He said in FCT in 2025, FCT-TBLCP recorded it highest achievement to date, over 40,171 presumptive TB clients were identified and screened while 3,679 TB cases were notified the highest in history.
He noted that one of the unique commemorations of this year is the dedication to high-burden communities, where they take the message to their doorsteps.
The in her goodwill message, Dr. Jenny Momoh, who represented Dr. Jibrin Alkasim, the FCT state coordinator for World Health Organisation (WHO), said reiterated the commitment of the world body to eradicating TB completely. Which according to her is visible when countries, communities, and partners unite with purpose and determination.
WHO commended all the health workers and partners for their determination, supports and commitment, that has helped to save lives.
“Despite the challenges, we have seen remarkable advances in diagnostics, treatment options, digital tools, and community‑centered care. Yet millions still face barriers to timely diagnosis and quality treatment. This is why our collective action remains essential. Ending TB requires sustained investment, innovation, and a strong multisectoral response that leaves no one behind”, she noted .
Teresa Jatau, who spoke on behalf of National Coordinator TB network, in her goodwill message said, she is very happy with the turnout of people for the programme.
She reiterated the need for all hands to be on desk in order to completely eradicate TB on Nigeria.
She also remind Nigerians that TB affect children as well, “By collectively working together and collectively amplifying the voices of the community, amplifying the voices of even children. Oftentimes we have conversations about TB, but we neglect the children. But here, we should be reminded that children too are often affected by TB. And so they should be at the center of our conversation”.
She said TB network is committed to continue to do the work at the community level to ensure that everyone gets the information, the correct information, knows where to go to and seek care in case they are tested positive.
By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has reiterated its commitment in ensuring justice and rights of Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs) in Abuja.
The Mandate Secretary, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi stated this during the Celebration of IWD 2026 with 250 Persons living With Disabilities ( PWDs) at the Bamishe Community in Kuje Area Council.
She said, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
through The Renewed Hope Initiative Programme is particular about not leaving anyone behind; and hence the Theme of International Women’s Day 2026; Justice. Rights & Action for all women and girls, is very timely.
Benjamins-Laniyi, who was represented by Head, Women Affairs Department, Mrs Aina Sanni said, FCT Women Affairs Secretariat has concluded arrangement to initiating a pioneer community intervention collecting & collating the data of Women and Girls with disabilities so in order to enhance the administration’s engagement with Vulnerable Groups.
According to her, ” There’s ability in Disability. All it takes it the right tools and empowerment and political will. We have so many of you that are graduates because you had access to Braille, Sign language, mobility and other devices that made it easy for you to feel empowered”.
She continued that those who are educated amongst them can empower others who are not by ensuring that they learn a skill.
She added that with the achievement of The PWDs Community, it obvious that there’s ability in Disability for those ready to explore.
Ms. Justina Janet Agesepa, a person with vision impairment praised The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, on the ongoing Road infrastructure.
She said this is what is needed because most of the PWDs live in areas where it is difficult for them to be reached due to lack of access Road.
Ms Agesepa said They also need employment for the Graduates in their midst and empowerment for the Women.
Speaking in Hausa, Mallam Luka Kura from Cheta said the Challenge they faced is lack of Access Road and Borehole.He said the Water they are drinking is not hygienic and called on the Government to remember them.
At the end of the program, packs of Foodstuff, Rice and Garri were distributed amongst the participants who thanked the FCT Administration for reaching out to them.
Some of the Participants came all the way from the newly discovered Cheta Disability Community as beneficiaries of the WAS IWD program designed to spotlight, encourage and inspire Women & Girls Living With Disabilities in The Federal Capital Territory Administration
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