News
Collapse rumours diversionary, but undeterred – Wike
The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has dismissed as baseless and diversionary, widespread rumours about his collapse and being rushed abroad for treatment.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, following a routine inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects slated for commissioning in May to commemorate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second anniversary in office, Barrister Wike categorically denied the claims, saying that they were untrue.
He attributed the spread of these rumours to political machinations, specifically pointing to those he alleged, sought to divert attention from serious allegations of planned attacks on national assets, including the Rivers State House of Assembly complex as revealed by a former Head of Service of Rivers State government.
He said, “What happened was that the former Head of Service of Rivers State government came out to let the public know what was going on about a plan to bomb the House of Assembly complex and attack national assets. To divert the attention of people from focusing on that, they had to bring up rumours that I had been flown overseas. There was never a time I collapsed, there was never a time anybody took me overseas”.
The Minister said he was focused on his job of providing good governance in the FCT and would not be distracted by such unfounded rumours.
Barr. Wike emphasized his continued public engagements, citing his presence at the President’s Iftar engagement and his leading of Abuja residents during the Sallah homage to the President as evidence of his robust health. “You see me every day. The day Mr. President broke Iftar during his birthday, I was there. The next day, I led Abuja residents to pay Sallah homage. I see so many stories online, this is politics. Those things don’t bother us. We are not distracted. We are focused on our jobs.”
He thanked Nigerians for their concern but cautioned against wishing ill health on others, reiterating that only God determines the time of one’s passing. “I thank Nigerians for showing concern, but people should not wish their fellow human beings such a thing to happen. We know that we will die one day, nobody will remain in this world forever, but it’s only God who determines the day you will die. No human being can say you will die today or tomorrow. So, don’t bother yourself, I’m very agile and I can assure you that I will write the condolence letters for those peddling these rumours.”
Speaking on the infrastructure projects he inspected, Barr. Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the International Conference Centre (ICC) renovation, the Arterial road N16 in Gishiri and its interchange connecting Maitama District to Katampe, and the Judges Quarters and its access roads in Katampe District.
He said, “We were at the International Conference Centre where much work has been done. They are keeping to the time that they have given and they are also doing a good quality job. We’ve gone to Gishiri and the roads leading to the Justices Quarters. I’m very much impressed with the good jobs and the contractors handling these projects. You can attest to the fact that this is a quality job being carried out”.
He commended the contractors, including Julius Berger and CGC, for their commitment to delivering the projects on schedule and assured that funding, with the support of President Tinubu, was not a challenge.
He encouraged taxpayers to fulfill their obligations, promising that they will witness the tangible results of their contributions. “All we will say is that those who are supposed to pay their taxes should pay their taxes, and ask us what we are doing with taxpayers’ money. They can see what we are doing with taxpayers’ money.”
Nairobi, Kenya: April 8, 2025 – The Congress of African Journalists (CAJ) has called for the immediate release of three journalists detained in Burkina Faso and forcibly conscripted into the armed forces. Guezouma Sanogo, president of the Association of Burkinabe Journalists (AJB), his deputy Boukari Ouoba, and Luc Pagbelguem, a reporter for the private TV station BFI, were arrested by National Security Council intelligence officers on March 24.
Sanogo and Ouoba were detained after speaking out against increasing violations of press freedom during the AJB Congress. Pagbelguem’s arrest followed his media outlet’s coverage of the congress, where Sanogo also advocated for the release of four other journalists who were abducted and conscripted into the army in 2024.
A video surfaced online last week showing the three journalists in military uniforms in an undisclosed location, flanked by armed men in Burkinabe army uniforms. The CAJ has strongly condemned the actions of the Burkinabe authorities, urging them to release the journalists immediately and uphold press freedom.
“We call on the Burkinabe authorities to immediately release the detained journalists and ensure journalists and media outlets can operate freely,” said Christopher Isiguzo, president of CAJ.
He expressed deep concern over the growing crackdown on journalists and media outlets in Burkina Faso, which has included suspending AJB’s operations.
Isiguzo also highlighted the detrimental effect this crackdown is having on press freedom, warning that it fosters fear and self-censorship among journalists, thereby undermining the fundamental right to freedom of expression and access to information.
The CAJ president further called for the release of three other journalists forcibly conscripted into the army in 2024: Serge Oulon, editor-in-chief of L’Evénement newspaper, Adama Bayala, and Kalifara Sere from BF1, a private TV channel. These individuals went missing in June 2024, with the authorities confirming their conscription in October of that year. The fate of Alain Traore, a columnist with Omega Media, remains unknown, as he was seized by masked gunmen in July 2024, with the authorities refusing to comment on his whereabouts.
As the repression intensifies, many journalists have fled the country, fearing arrest and forced conscription. Notably, Newton Ahmed Barry, a prominent journalist, was placed on a list of individuals “wanted for association with a terrorist organization” by the Burkinabe authorities on April 1.
During the AJB Congress, additional concerns were raised regarding the disappearances of journalists Bienvenue Apiou, James Yazid Dembele, and Mamadou Ali, highlighting the ongoing threat to press freedom in Burkina Faso.
The CAJ continues to monitor the situation closely, calling on international bodies to exert pressure on the Burkinabe government to respect the rights of journalists and ensure their safe return.
Troublesome 27 Rivers State House of Assembly legislators werenhosted to dinner in the United Kingdom by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom.
The dinner took place on Monday April 7 which has been confirmed by Lere Olayinka, the spokesperson for the minister.
Olayinka said the lawmakers who were suspended amidst plot to impeach the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara were hosted during their stay in the UK for a Legislative Capacity Building Course.
In a video post shared on X, Olayinka said the minister departed Nigyon Sunday night to host the meeting.
Olayinka wrote, “Yesterday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hosted Rivers State House of Assembly members who are in the United Kingdom for Legislative Capacity Building, to a dinner.
“Wike left Nigeria on Sunday night after visiting his political friends and associates in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,” he said.
Yesterday, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, hosted Rivers State House of Assembly members who are in the United Kingdom for Legislative Capacity Building, to a dinner.
Wike left Nigeria on Sunday night after visiting his political friends and associates in Port Harcourt,… pic.twitter.com/EOr3SwTMMA
— Lere Olayinka – Aresa 1 (@OlayinkaLere) April 8, 2025
The lawmakers are Nyesom Wike’s loyalists and bowed to remove the Governor from office for having altercation with their political godfather.
……says this will promote Nigeria value system
Former First Lady of Lagos State, Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro as an ambassador designate, saying the move will promote Nigeria value system.
Expressing her joy, Sen. Raji-Rasaki said President Tinubu, is branded of appointing reputable individuals to serve in his administration, adding that the crops of the newly screened Ambassadors is a testament of putting a round peg, in a round hole.
Speaking further, she pointed out that Pedro has never shy away from building serious interest of all Lagosians, this she stressed, “Pedro is a technocratic to the core. President Tinubu could not be mistaken in the choice of Femi Pedro as an Ambassador from Lagos State. Born in Lagos, he becomes a voice to reckon with in the politics of Lagos State within a short stint of time.
“His wealth of experience in the banking sector as a leader, entrepreneur and investor came to fruition as he humbly served in the transformation of Lagos State. Pedro was also part of Governor Tinubu’s unprecedented revenue drive which saw Lagos State restructured the entire revenue generating mechanism, the results is the ongoing economic evolution being witnessed in Lagos today.
Raji-Rasaki urged Mr. Pedro and other newly appointed ambassadors, when screened by the Senate and resume duties, to support and as well identify with all Nigerians residing in their various places of assignment to ensure they succeed in their legitimate works and businesses and by extension, contribute to the nation building., “I can only urge you never to relent in creating a conducive environment from Nigeria government for developmental drive of the nation from the Diaspora. Congratulation, I wish you a successful tenure in office.”. Sen. Raji Rasaki prayed.
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