The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday began monitoring of the ongoing FCT Area Council elections at Lagos Crescent, Garki, where he urged traders and residents to comply with electoral guidelines to ensure a smooth process.

Addressing stakeholders in the area, the minister stressed the need for orderliness and full adherence to directives issued for the conduct of the polls.

Wike thereafter visited other polling units across Abuja to assess the level of preparedness and compliance.

He called on residents to come out en masse to exercise their franchise, assuring them of adequate security and a transparent electoral process.

*The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has deployed its operatives across all six Area Councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to monitor today’s local government elections and safeguard electoral integrity.

The deployment aims to curb voter inducement, vote-buying, and other forms of electoral malpractice during the polls organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement released on Saturday, the EFCC emphasized its commitment to ensuring a transparent and credible process. Executive Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, directed operatives to maintain strict surveillance across all council areas and take decisive action against any attempts to compromise the election through financial inducements or corrupt practices.

“Our officers are fully mobilized and actively patrolling polling units and surrounding areas in the FCT,” the statement noted. “The EFCC remains resolute in protecting the electoral process to promote transparency, accountability, and free expression of the people’s will.

“The six Area Councils — Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and Abaji — are holding chairmanship and councillorship elections today, marking a key local governance exercise in the nation’s capital.

The EFCC’s involvement aligns with broader efforts by anti-corruption agencies and security forces to deter vote-selling and ensure that the elections reflect genuine voter preferences rather than financial influence.

As voting continues, the Commission has urged the public to report any suspicious activities involving money-for-votes schemes, promising swift intervention where necessary.

No major incidents involving EFCC operatives have been reported so far, according to initial updates from various sources covering the polls.

ighlights 14 Million Children Registered in Two Years.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended Nigeria for achieving a significant milestone in child rights, with 14 million children’s births officially registered over the past two years.

This surge represents impressive advancement in ensuring every child is counted and recognized through legal identity.

The announcement came during a courtesy visit by UNICEF Country Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, at the State House in Abuja.

Ms. Abdelatef praised the First Lady’s exemplary leadership in championing children’s issues and family welfare nationwide. She described the progress in birth registration as unprecedented in her experience across various countries.

“Birth registration is the first right of every child—to be counted and recognized,” she stated. “It is really impressive. I have served in many places, but I have not seen such progress in two years as we have witnessed here in Nigeria.

“She highlighted key enablers of this success, including the digitalization of the registration system at health facilities and community levels, as well as ongoing legislative efforts with a relevant bill before the National Assembly.

“Things don’t just happen like that; we scale with leadership,” she added, expressing gratitude for the First Lady’s role in driving this initiative and allowing UNICEF to celebrate this “fantastic leadership.

“The UNICEF representative also acknowledged the First Lady’s broader contributions, referencing her involvement in initiatives such as the national library and food bank launches, as well as commendations from African women leaders at the African Union for her continental impact.

She linked these efforts to Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which she said is instilling hope for children and citizens alike.In response, Senator Oluremi Tinubu welcomed UNICEF’s recognition and reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring universal birth registration. “Every child counts,” she emphasized, noting that registration immediately after birth grants children nationality, legal identity, and access to essential services like health and education.

The First Lady described the news as a source of joy and a foundation for national development. “This is how nations develop,” she said. While celebrating the gains, she stressed the need for sustained efforts: “We are not there yet. We have to keep at it and make sure every child is counted.

“She pointed out that birth registration is just the starting point, extending to the issuance of birth certificates. Highlighting Nigeria’s lack of a recent census, she noted that starting with children would provide critical data on the child population to guide government planning and resource allocation.

Senator Tinubu also addressed persistent challenges, expressing concern over persistently high rates of tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and maternal and child mortality in Nigeria’s large population.

“These numbers are still high, and it is worrisome,” she said, while assuring that the administration is actively working to position the country for a better future.

She expressed appreciation for UNICEF’s longstanding support and reliable data, pledging continued collaboration in any area of mutual interest. “In any area you want us to collaborate, we are here,” she affirmed. “We want to thank UNICEF for the interest and the work you have done.

“This development underscores Nigeria’s ongoing push toward universal civil registration, aligning with global goals to provide legal identity for all children and support broader child rights and development objectives.