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NASS Lauds Wike’s Exceptional Performances as FCT Minister

Wike appealed to the lawmakers to approve the N1.78 trillion FCT Statutory Budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year.

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Ningi, who equates the current status of the FCT with Johannesburg and Cairo, however, urges the FCT minister to do more to improve the security in the territory.

The leadership and members of the National Assembly have lauded the exceptional performance of Mr Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The lawmakers gave the commendation when Wike appeared before them to defend the N1.78 trillion FCT Statutory Budget proposal for the 202 fiscal year.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Sen. Ibrahim Bomai, particularly commended Wike for the wonderful performance in just a short time as FCT minister, along with the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud.

Bomai also said he was impressed with the FCT’s 2025 revenue and fiscal framework.

“This is the first time FCT is proposing to generate about N1.7 trillion. What FCT has presented is one of the best budgets so far.

Also, the N608 billion projected Internally Generated Revenue for 2025 also shows a significant improvement,” he said.

Also, Sen. Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central, PDP), commended the FCT minister for the comprehensive turnaround of Abuja as Nigeria’s capital city.

Ningi, who equates the current status of the FCT with Johannesburg and Cairo, however, urged the minister to do more to improve the security in the territory.

Similarly, Sen. Mohammed Ndume (Borno South APC) said: “Everybody that knows where Abuja was two years ago and what it is now, knows that you have done well.

“Even yesterday, my friend told me that Wike is doing fine, and I said no, it is the Senate that is doing fine because without approving his budget, he cannot do anything”.

Ndume pledged the continued support of the Senate to enable him to succeed.

On his part, Sen. Osita Ozunaso (Imo West, APC) said that the FCT budget performance was commendable, particularly the reduction in personnel cost to allocate more funds to capital projects.

“Whenever we are sitting on budgets, people come here and they increase the personnel cost, but you have reduced the personnel cost in the 2025 proposed budget by N21 billion from the amount allocated in 2024.

“Second, you have more capital expenditure than recurrent expenditure. This is commendable,” Ozunaso said.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North, APC) described Wike as one of the best ministers under the APC administration.

Oshiomhole noted that too much money was being spent on overhead with very little available for infrastructure, “what Wike has done is worth noting and commendation”.

He also commended the FCT minister for implementing specific programmes to bring life to rural communities in FCT.

This, he said, was the most potent statement to decongest the city, by taking development to the people where they live.

Also, Sen. Ireti Kingibe (FCT, LP), who had been very critical of Wike’s leadership style, commended the minister for the visible performance, which she said was undisputable.

Earlier, at the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Committee on FCT, Mr Muktar Betara, commended Wike for the ongoing transformation of the nation’s capital.

Other lawmakers took turns to applaud the exemplary performance and dedication of the FCT minister to deliver the dividend of democracy to FCT residents in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Earlier, Wike appealed to the lawmakers to approve the N1.78 trillion FCT Statutory Budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year.

He explained that out of the N1.78 trillion, N1.28 trillion was earmarked for capital projects, representing 72.3 percent, while N494.1 billion was set aside for recurrent expenditure, representing 27.7 per cent.

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Homicide: Killer husband on the run for alleged murder of wife

Ayobami Ayanwale was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her children by her husband.

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Tragedy struck at number 21 Olutayo Alao Street, River Valley Estate, mainland Lagos.

A mother of three simply identified as Ayobami Ayanwale was allegedly stabbed to death in front of her children by her husband.

Eye-witness neighbours who confirmed the incident said that her body has since been deposited at a mortuary after she was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital at Olowoora area of the community.

Following the incident, the alledged killer husband has fled, leaving the survived three children with the dead wife’s elder brother at Akute.

The case was reported to Adigboluja Police station Ojodu-Abiodun.

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Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day on January 15

The Director Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Samaila Uba, disclosed this emphasising that the redesignation was to reflect the dual dual essence of the occasion in honouring the living while also acknowledging the fallen heroes.

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Previously known as ‘Armed Forces Remembrance Day‘, the name has been officially changed to ‘Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.’

The Director Defence Information (DDI), Maj Gen Samaila Uba, disclosed this emphasising that the redesignation was to reflect the dual dual essence of the occasion in honouring the living while also acknowledging the fallen heroes.

“January 15 is set aside annually by the Federal Government of Nigeria to honour the living personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) while acknowledging the sacrifices of those who have paid the supreme price to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity as well as the lives and properties of its citizens.

He urged the media to adopt “Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day” in all their future reportage.

“The AFN once again appreciates the media’s unwavering support in the fight against insecurity and looks forward to even stronger collaboration ahead, he said.

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Farouk Ahmed: Dangote Takes Petition Against Ex-NMDPRA Boss to EFCC

In the petition signed by Lead Counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja S.A.N, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Mr. Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.

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  • Aliko Dangote and Farouk Ahmed when the going was good.

The Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote, through his legal representative, has filed a formal corruption petition against former Managing Director of the Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, at the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This move follows the withdrawal of the same petition from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), a strategic decision aimed at accelerating the prosecution process.

In the petition signed by Lead Counsel Dr. O.J. Onoja S.A.N, Dangote urged the EFCC to investigate allegations of abuse of office and corrupt enrichment against Mr. Ahmed and prosecute him if found culpable.

“We make bold to state that the commission is strategically positioned along with sister agencies to prosecute financial crimes and corruption related offences, and upon establishing a prima facie case, the courts do not hesitate to punish offenders. See Lawan v. F.R.N (2024) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1953) 501 and Shema v. F.R.N. (2018) 9 NWLR (Pt.1624)337.”

Onoja further urged the commission, under the leadership of Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, “…to investigate the complaint of Abuse of Office and Corruption against Engr. Farouk Ahmed and to accordingly prosecute him if found wanting”

The petition also stated that: “The commission’s firm resolve in handling this matter with dispatch is not only imperative and expedient but will also serve as a deterrent to other public officers out there with such corrupt proneness and tendencies”

The development reinforces Dangote’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

It will be recalled that on December 14, 2025, Dangote raised concerns about Mr. Ahmed’s financial dealings, alleging that the former regulator is living far beyond his legitimate means.

According to Dangote, four of Mr. Ahmed’s children attended elite secondary schools in Switzerland, incurring costs running into several millions of dollars—an expenditure that raises questions about potential conflicts of interest and the integrity of regulatory oversight in the downstream petroleum industry.

Dangote listed the schools attended by Mr. Ahmed’s children: Faisal Farouk (Montreux School), Farouk Jr. (Aiglon College), Ashraf Farouk (Institut Le Rosey), and Farhana Farouk (La Garenne International School), noting that each child spent six years in these institutions.

He estimated annual tuition, travel, and upkeep per child at $200,000, totaling approximately $5 million for their secondary education.

Additionally, Dangote alleged that Mr. Ahmed spent another $2 million on tertiary education for the four children, including $210,000 for Faisal’s 2025 Harvard MBA program.

“Nigerians deserve to know the source of these funds, especially when many parents in Mr. Ahmed’s home state of Sokoto struggle to pay as little as ₦10,000 in school fees,” Dangote stated.

The petition calls for a comprehensive investigation to ensure accountability and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory institutions.

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