By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has asked investors to take advantage of the stable policies, modern infrastructure, and the safe, well-planned environment in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, to grow their investment in Africa.

The minister, who was speaking at the 2025 Nigeria–Hong Kong–China Business Summit held at the Hong Kong International Conference Centre, noted that business climate the of Abuja remains conducive for enterprise growth.

Mahmoud, further reaffirmed the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s commitment, under the leadership of Barrister Nyesom Wike, to fostering a business-friendly ecosystem that attracts investments in manufacturing, logistics, and innovation.

She commended the summit’s organisers for crafting a unique platform that bridges continents by linking ideas, investors, policymakers, and innovators.

While highlighting the summit’s theme, “Tapping Nigeria’s Potential: Strategies for Becoming a Leading Manufacturing and Industrial Hub of Africa, The Natural Resources Supply Chain,” Mahmoud underscored Nigeria’s ambitious pivot from a resource-dependent economy towards one driven by production, exports, and value addition.

According to her, “Nigeria possesses abundant natural endowments, strategic geography, and a vibrant, entrepreneurial population.

“What is needed now are robust international partnerships to enhance technology transfer, infrastructure growth, and industrial integration along our natural resources supply chain.”

She also applauded the Nigeria of the Year Awards, for recognizing exemplary Nigerians who have championed excellence in business, governance, and innovation, inspiring confidence in Nigeria’s boundless potential.

The Minister expressed hope that the engagements would yield tangible partnerships, strengthen Nigeria-Asia relations, catalyse industrial development, and promote sustainable prosperity.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has tasked solid waste management contractors in the FCT to ensure an immediate improvement in sanitation in the FCT, warning that excuses would not be tolerated.

Barr. Wike stated this at the weekend, in Abuja, when he had an interactive meeting with 54 solid waste cleaning contractors who were recently awarded waste cleaning contracts in the FCT.

Addressing the contractors, Barr. Wike emphasized the critical importance of effective waste management to the FCT and announced that a Task Force would be set up immediately to monitor the contractors’ operations, adding that future payments would be subject to satisfactory performance.

According to the Minister, “Management of waste is a very difficult job. So, I want to plead with you to see it that you are carrying out an assignment for the development of our capital city.

“So please help us to keep the city clean. It’s a job that you applied for, nobody forced you. I assure you that your payment is not a problem. Do the job as required and do it very well. There will be no favouritism. Your job is what will speak for you and you must get the job done”, the Minister stressed.

He warned that he will not hesitate to terminate the contract of any cleaning company if refuse is sighted in their allocated zone.

“This will not be business as usual. You must work during the weekend and have a special team to evacuate waste”, Barr. Wike directed. He further mandated the Director of Procurement to carry out immediate checks to ascertain the capacity of companies allocated more than one operational site, stating that excuses related to bad equipment would no longer be accepted.

“Those who are given more than one slot, we have to know what capacity they have. If you are allocated two sites, we will not accept excuses of bad equipment. You cannot go and apply for jobs for two areas when you don’t have the capacity to deliver. We don’t want any area to be left behind. We want everywhere to be clean”, he stated.

Barr. Wike further urged residents to also provide feedback to the government on the contractors’ performance, assuring residents that their feedback matters in ensuring payments.

Responding to an appeal by the contractors for the payment of outstanding eight months arrears, the Minister observed that some areas, particularly parts of Asokoro, were not serviced by the contractors for periods in the past. He said that the outstanding eight months payments would be processed, but clarified that payment would be done strictly on merit.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Mr. Felix Obuah, confirmed that 54 successful contractors were selected from over 500 applicants, adding that the companies have been duly issued letters of award and assigned different beats across the FCT.

Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Mr. Ibrahim Babayo, thanked the Minister for the audience and urged his colleagues to heed the warnings, while also pledging the contractors’ commitment to ensuring a clean FCT.

By Wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA), and the Royal School of Education Therapy Foundation, at the weekend reiterated that persons with special needs must be included in healthcare planning, as stakeholders warned that gaps in access and awareness continue to put vulnerable families at risk.

This agreement was reached during the second edition of the Free Family Health Fair, organised by the Foundation in collaboration with the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, which focused on children with developmental disabilities, maternal health, and preventive care.

Founder of the Foundation, Dr. Badewa Adejube Williams, said the fair aimed to confront dangerous health myths and ensure parents understood critical developmental milestones for children with special needs.

She revealed that, in the FCT alone, over 250,000 children with developmental disabilities had been identified, though many more likely remain undocumented, especially in rural areas.

“When you look at a child, you have to look at the child holistically. What was the birthing process like? Was the mother even getting prenatal care? Most parents don’t keep record of such things.

“There are essential markers that will be an indicator that a child has a developmental disorder, and if you find that early enough and begin intervention early enough, there is a better chance for the child to improve,” she said.

On her part the Acting Director of the FCTA Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Salma Belgore, warned that persons with special needs must be deliberately prioritised under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, BHCPF.

Belgore who was represented by the acting Head of Equity and Special Programmes, Vershima Igyundu, said sidelining this group has long-term consequences for families and the health system.

“Persons with special needs represent one of the most vulnerable groups in our communities, often experiencing significant barriers in accessing timely, affordable, and quality healthcare. As we continue strengthening the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) Program, it is critical that their enrollment remains a top priority.

“A health system is only as strong as its ability to reach those who are most at risk of being left behind. By deliberately enrolling persons with special needs, we demonstrate our commitment to equity, fairness, and the principle that every life, regardless of ability, deserves protection.”

Meanwhile, Osayande Osagie of the FCT Hospital Management Board highlighted the dangers of misinformation and secrecy during pregnancy, particularly around procedures such as caesarean sections, which he said save countless lives.

“We also want to find out about your social history. Your age, your job, drug history, medical history, alcohol usage among other things. After that we want to do a general examination, take your height, weight, so we can calculate your BMI, body mass index, among other examinations so we can identify those at risk of diabetes or blood pressure. We want to have an idea if the pregnant woman has enough blood,” he explained.

Hundreds of residents were screened for diabetes, hypertension, BMI, and other risk factors at the fair. Organisers stressed that the fair is part of an ongoing effort to spark essential conversations about disability inclusion, preventive care, and access to health services across the FCT.