Author: Gabby

During his monthly media briefing on Monday, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, asserted that every resident of Abuja must acknowledge the transformative effects of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He challenged critics to set aside political biases and honestly assess the infrastructural developments visible across the city.

Wike emphasized that while the government has not achieved perfection, the tangible improvements in Abuja are undeniable. He urged Nigerians to focus on facts rather than sentiments, asking whether anyone living in the capital could truthfully claim that the current administration has made no difference in terms of infrastructure.

The minister’s remarks come amid ongoing debates about the performance of Tinubu’s government. Wike stressed that acknowledging progress does not mean ignoring remaining challenges, but he insisted that the positive changes in Abuja are evident to all who reside there.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has publicly refuted allegations made by activist Omoyele Sowore regarding property ownership in the United States. During his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike asserted that there is no legal barrier preventing him from acquiring real estate abroad. He accused Sowore of spreading unsubstantiated rumors about government officials and challenged him to provide evidence of the claimed Florida properties. Wike emphasized that while he has the right to own a house anywhere, he does not currently own one in the US, labeling Sowore’s statements as baseless and unethical for a self-proclaimed human rights advocate.

On Monday, residents of Ogun State took to the streets to voice their anger over the worsening security situation in Nigeria, particularly the recent abduction of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

The demonstrators, a mix of young people and nursing mothers, brandished placards with messages like “Their only crime was going to school—release our children and teachers,” “Stop brutality, kidnapping, and banditry,” “End insecurity: Nigeria is crumbling,” “Our future cries for help,” “Restore faith in our nation,” “Bring back our students,” and “Stop terrorism in Nigeria.”

As reported by DAILY POST, on May 16, 2026, gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area near Ogbomoso: Community Grammar School, L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esinele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota. One of the abducted teachers, mathematics instructor Mr. Micheal Oyedokun, was beheaded by the terrorists.

Speaking at the Panseke skating ground in Abeokuta, Pastor Juwon Owolabi, representing the protesters, expressed that residents can no longer sleep peacefully, unsure who might be the next target. He stressed that the nation has reached a critical point where no one—rich or poor—is safe, and even business activities have stalled.

“This is a time of mourning for parents and all of us. We cannot continue this way; we sleep in fear and panic. We trust the government has the ability and resources to end this insecurity now,” Owolabi said. “If it doesn’t stop, eventually no one will be safe. We stand with the parents and families of those held captive by terrorists. We are at a tipping point. If we fail to act, we will all become victims. It doesn’t matter if you are a civil servant, wealthy, or poor—you are not safe. Now is the time to unite; our numbers give us strength. The government must know we are united. Don’t wait until the 2027 election; you don’t even have a choice—the choices have already been made for you. This is the moment for us to speak out peacefully.”

He urged the Nigerian government to use every available resource to secure the release of the abducted children and ensure community safety.

Entrepreneur Ada Comfort, though her children were not taken, admitted she has been having nightmares about the kidnapped kids. She noted that insecurity has hurt her business, preventing her from traveling to Iseyin and Ilorin for her Asoke trade. “For the past week, I can’t travel or work, even though I have orders. Every mother whose child is in the hands of bandits is suffering. My children are safe, but I can’t sleep—I daydream about those kids and can’t imagine how their mothers feel. The least the government can do is provide security. We beg them,” she said.

Nursing mother Precious Jonathan, who brought her one-year-old baby to the protest, explained that she joined for the sake of her child and future children. “I want a better Nigeria for all of us. The government should remember us and give us a better nation. The other day, as I closed windows and wrapped my baby during heavy rain, I instantly thought of the children out in the bush,” she said tearfully.

Businessman Ayodeji Ojo called for immediate action, not just negotiations. “We need action, not talks. If we keep negotiating slowly, they will keep coming back for us, and we don’t know who’s next. If we remain passive, your family or mine could be next,” he warned.

The protesters demanded the closure of all schools until security challenges are resolved and the kidnapped children are freed. They argued that terrorists and kidnappers will never change, urging the government to take firm action to save the children.

A strong police presence was observed at the protest site. One officer said they were there to ensure the demonstration remained peaceful and was not exploited by criminals.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has refuted online reports claiming he intends to organize a protest regarding the country’s deteriorating security situation.

In a statement released on his official page, Kwankwaso clarified that the viral message is entirely false and does not represent his views or those of the NDC. He emphasized that he does not endorse any activity that might disrupt public order or result in harm to individuals or property.

“We oppose any measures that could cause a collapse of public peace or damage to lives and assets. As responsible leaders, we are dedicated to peaceful and constructive methods for tackling national problems,” the statement read.

The former governor also reiterated his faith in democratic processes, stressing that elections are the appropriate channel for expressing discontent and pursuing political transformation. “We firmly hold that the ballot box is the most credible and effective mechanism for airing grievances and achieving change. Our party, the NDC, is assured of a decisive win in the forthcoming elections through peaceful democratic means,” he added.

Kwankwaso urged the public to ignore the misleading message and to distance themselves from those spreading falsehoods. He called on citizens to remain calm and focused on lawful avenues for resolving national issues.

Residents of Commissioners’ Quarters in Damaturu, Yobe State, are expressing outrage over a severe water shortage affecting one of the capital’s key neighborhoods. The crisis emerged after a generator powering the primary public borehole for the area broke down, leaving many homes without running water.

Malam Abdul, a community elder, reported that tensions ran high among locals, with some wanting to stage a protest. However, he and other leaders managed to calm the situation by promising to bring their grievances to the appropriate authorities.

In the meantime, affluent residents have opened their private boreholes to neighbors, providing some relief. Malam Baba Karami, another local, noted that the water board had been previously alerted about the need to extend operational hours due to population growth. He added that the aging generator had been plagued by oil shortages and mechanical issues for years, with residents sometimes buying oil themselves to keep it running.

Reacting to the development, Hussaini Adamu, Director of Technical Services at the Yobe State Water Board Corporation, admitted that the agency faces numerous challenges, including limited resources. The corporation manages over 100 boreholes across Damaturu and nearby communities, making maintenance difficult. For the DA 48 borehole serving the affected area, a block engine and crankshaft have been procured for an overhaul, and other parts like bearings and pistons are available locally and will be installed soon.

The Kaduna State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has commenced the disbursement of 123 Saudi Riyals to each pilgrim as a refund for foreign exchange differentials. The announcement was made by the Executive Chairman, Malam Salihu S Abubakar, after the Zuhur prayer at the Ibrahim Khalil residence.

According to Malam Salihu, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) initially set the Basic Traveling Allowance (BTA) at $500 per pilgrim, with an exchange rate of N1,143 per dollar. This resulted in a total payment of N721,500 per pilgrim. However, the naira appreciated by the time pilgrims were airlifted, with the exchange rate dropping to N1,350.74 per dollar. Consequently, the naira equivalent of the $500 BTA decreased to N675,370 per pilgrim, creating a difference of N46,130 per pilgrim.

The agency then converted this balance at an exchange rate of N375 per Saudi Riyal, yielding 123 Riyals per pilgrim, plus an additional N5. The refund process began after the Asr prayer on Monday, starting with pilgrims from the first flight. The remaining N5 will be paid to those who wish to collect it upon their return to Nigeria.

Pilgrims have expressed appreciation for the transparency and accountability demonstrated by the Malam Salihu-led Special Hajj Committee in managing the pilgrimage and the agency’s operations.

In a significant milestone for Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, Ogun State has been recognized as the second-highest performing state in Nigeria according to the 2025 State Performance Index (pSPI) released by Phillips Consulting. This achievement highlights the positive outcomes of the ISEYA development agenda on the region’s residents.

The index, which evaluates all 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory, placed Ogun just behind Lagos State. Kaduna, Adamawa, and Niger secured the third, fourth, and fifth positions respectively. The pSPI methodology blends 70% objective performance metrics with 30% citizen perception surveys, offering a balanced view of governance effectiveness.

Objective criteria include fiscal management, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic performance, while the perception component captures public sentiment on service delivery. Ogun’s strong showing is attributed to its growing industrial sector, sustained infrastructure investments, and strategic position as a manufacturing hub adjacent to Lagos.

Phillips Consulting noted that the state has attracted substantial investments in logistics, agro-processing, housing, and industrial parks, bolstering its economic profile and improving its national ranking. The pSPI serves as a governance scorecard for policymakers, investors, and citizens to assess state administration outcomes. The 2025 edition emphasizes evidence-based governance by combining audited public data with citizen feedback for a comprehensive evaluation.

This ranking reinforces Ogun’s reputation as a top destination for investment and sustainable development, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance infrastructure, economic opportunities, and quality of life for its people.

During a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, encouraged Nigerians to voice their concerns and propose ideas to the government. He emphasized that officials are not omniscient and cannot be expected to address every issue without input from citizens.

Wike stated, ‘You can alert us when something is wrong, and please share your recommendations. The government does not know everything. I am only human.’ He stressed the importance of constructive feedback rather than mere fault-finding, adding that no one has yet approached him with suggestions. ‘What good citizens should do is bring issues to the government’s attention,’ he concluded.

The Police Service Commission has issued a warning to the public regarding a fraudulent list circulating on social media, which falsely claims to be a shortlist of candidates for medical examinations in the ongoing police recruitment exercise. The commission categorically denies releasing any such list.

In a statement released on Monday, Torty Njoku Kalu, Head of Protocol and Public Affairs, clarified that the evaluation of the written examination is still in its final stages. Successful applicants will receive invitations for medical screenings through official channels, including email, SMS, the recruitment portal at npfapplication.psc.gov.ng, and other verified platforms.

The commission reiterated its commitment to a transparent, merit-based recruitment process, emphasizing that the effectiveness of the police force relies on selecting qualified personnel. It urged applicants and the general public to remain vigilant against fraudsters spreading fake news and to rely solely on official communications from the commission.

According to the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), a staggering 94.7% of data breaches and cyber attacks – especially within government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) – succeed primarily because of a shortage of skilled cybersecurity personnel. The National Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, made this known during the launch of a specialized drill on data protection for IT administrators in Abuja.

Dr. Olatunji emphasized that the consequences of data breaches extend beyond financial losses to severe reputational harm. Attackers target networks for various motives, including embarrassing the government, monetary gain, or simply for amusement.

He pointed out that as society moves more activities online, the risk grows: a breach occurs every 39 seconds globally, costing billions of dollars. A major contributing factor is the human element – 94.7% of breaches worldwide are linked to insufficiently trained personnel, and Nigeria faces an even steeper challenge.

To address this, the NDPC has launched an awareness campaign aimed at network administrators, data protection officers, and data handlers. The goal is to equip them with the necessary technical and organizational measures to safeguard networks and databases from unauthorized access that could lead to serious negative outcomes.

In a further step, the Commission announced plans to train Permanent Secretaries and heads of agencies on data protection, ensuring leadership understands and prioritizes cybersecurity.