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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday lambasted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing him as a “serial failure”.

Wike also dismissed Atiku’s 2027 presidential ambition as unrealistic.

Wike said this during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects in Kuje and along the Kuje–Gwagwalada corridor, where he combined updates on project delivery with a pointed rebuttal of Atiku’s recent criticism of the Bola Tinubu administration.

Responding to Atiku’s remarks on national television that the current administration has failed Nigerians, Wike challenged the former vice president to compare governance outcomes, particularly in the FCT.

He argued that the visible transformation of Abuja in three years of the Tinubu administration outperforms the eight years Atiku served as vice president.

Wike said Nigerians would find it difficult to accept claims that nothing has been achieved, insisting that ongoing infrastructure upgrades across the FCT speak for themselves.

Wike referenced former President Olusegun Obasanjo, claiming Atiku’s credibility had already been questioned by his former principal.

He argued that such criticism from within Atiku’s own political history undermines his current posture as a critic of government performance.

The FCT Minister said he would “encourage” Atiku to contest future elections, including in 2027 and 2031, suggesting that repeated bids for office were the only means by which the former vice president remains politically relevant.

“2027 is not available,” Wike declared, adding that Atiku’s continued ambition does not translate into electoral viability.

The minister also dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the FCT administration attempted to frustrate its national convention by targeting the Rainbow Event Center in Garki.

Wike denied any knowledge of interference, stating that he had directed his office to investigate the claims and identify those responsible for what he described as deliberate misinformation.

He questioned the timeline presented by the party, noting that a request allegedly submitted on April 7 for an event scheduled on April 14, without follow-up, suggested a premeditated attempt to attract public sympathy.

Wike further downplayed the prospects of a united opposition coalition involving figures such as Peter Obi, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and Nasir El-Rufai.

He argued that electoral realities, including the ADC’s failure to secure a single councillorship seat in previous FCT elections, contradict claims of a formidable opposition.

Using Rivers State as an example, Wike maintained that prominent political figures would struggle to deliver electoral victories for newer alliances, insisting that established parties like the PDP remain more competitive.

Wike however advised opposition parties to focus on internal organisation rather than public criticism.

“As you make your bed, so you must lie on it,” he said, and accused opposition figures of attempting to shift blame for their political shortcomings.

On infrastructure, Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on key road projects. He disclosed that one section of the bridge along the Airport–Kuje road would soon be open to traffic, with full completion expected before the end of May.

He also confirmed that the first phase of the Kuje–Gwagwalada road, covering about seven kilometres, is nearing completion, with contractors assuring delivery within the same timeframe.

According to him, the projects are part of a broader effort to decongest the city centre and stimulate development in satellite towns such as Kuje.

Wike clarified that the 2026 budget is yet to be approved, noting that the administration is currently implementing the 2025 budget, which has been extended to the end of June.

He expressed confidence that project execution would not be disrupted by the approaching election cycle, stating that contractors would continue work uninterrupted and that a significant portion of planned projects would be completed before the elections.

The minister maintained that governance must remain on course regardless of political developments, insisting that ongoing projects demonstrate the administration’s commitment to delivering tangible results.

Wike Labels Atiku ‘Serial Failure’ Over 2027 Bid is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission, NDPC, has issued a regulatory advisory to all Data Controllers and Data Processors in the country.

This is in response to escalating threats to data security infrastructure.

The Commission said that its technical assessment indicates that some shadowy threat actors have engaged in coordinated operations targeting financial systems and some key digital infrastructure in Nigeria.

“Public establishments are therefore reminded of the presidential directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that, ‘Data is the new oil, its value increases the more it is refined and responsibly shared,” a statement signed by Babatunde Bamigboye, Esq. Head, Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, said.

It quoted the President as saying, ‘I therefore direct all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies to capture information rigorously and safeguard it under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.”

The Commission advised that data controllers and processors (including MDAs) are to urgently step-up their technical and organisational measures to ensure the privacy of all Nigerians and other data subjects in line with the Nigeria Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act).

The measures include: Appointment of duly trained and certified Data Protection Officers, Development and effectual implementation of Privacy Policies and information security standards, Carrying out Data Privacy Impact Assessments Deployment of robust identity and access controls, including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Implementation of zero-trust security architecture and network segmentation and Immediate remediation of identified system vulnerabilities and continuous patch management.

Others are Securing cloud infrastructure, APIs, databases, and access credentials, Implementation of real-time monitoring, logging, and threat detection mechanisms, Implementation of encryption, key management, and secure credential handling, Conduct of Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) on critical systems and Regular backup, recovery, and resilience testing.

NDPC said it is prepared to provide requisite regulatory support to organisations in order to ensure adequate level of data privacy and protection.

Organisations that fail or neglect to implement appropriate measures as required under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 may incur legal liabilities.

NDPC issues data protection advisory over escalating threats

Former Kwara State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa has formally declared his intention to contest the governorship election in 2027.

In a message to party elders, stakeholders, traditional rulers and religious leaders across the state, Bolarinwa said his decision was driven by a commitment to public service and a determination to consolidate and advance the gains of progressive governance in Kwara.

He stressed that his aspiration is driven not by personal ambition, but by a lifelong record of service that spans the grassroots, the legislature and national institutions.

Bolarinwa has served as a councillor and a two-term chairman of Lagos Mainland
Local Government, and later as a two-term member of the House of Representatives.

He noted that the journey so far has equipped him with administrative experience and legislative insight, enabling him to understand governance both at the community level and within the broader architecture of national policy.

Addressing newsmen on Thursday, he expressed confidence that with the support and prayers of stakeholders, the APC would not only consolidate its achievements in Kwara State but also secure another decisive mandate in 2027.

He urged party leaders and the people of the state to remain focused on the shared objective of building a Kwara anchored on peace, equity, prosperity and inclusive progress.

Recall that earlier on Thursday, stakeholders of the APC in Kwara North said that Bolarinwa was their choice for the governorship position.

2027: Ex-APC chairman, Bolarinwa declares for Kwara governorship poll

Nigeria’s Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Thursday spearheaded the adoption of a landmark resolution on post-conflict recovery at the 152nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly…

A total of 744 repentant terrorists have graduated from the Federal Government’s De-radicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Camp under Operation Safe Corridor.

Most of the participants were from Borno (597), followed by Yobe (58), Kano (15), Bauchi (12), and Adamawa (10), Abia (2), Akwa Ibom (1), Anambra (2), Ebonyi (3), Enugu (1), Katsina (3), Kebbi (1), Kogi (5), Nasarawa (4), Niger (2), Plateau (2), and Sokoto (2).

The group also included foreign nationals: one each from Burkina Faso and Cameroon, two from Chad, and four from the Niger Republic.

At the graduation ceremony held in Gombe, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, said the programme is a strategic effort to address the root causes of insurgency, stressing it is not an amnesty but a measure to reduce reoffending and curb extremist recruitment.

“This is not a reward but a deliberate approach to reducing violence, weakening recruitment pipelines, and fostering long-term stability,” he said.

He noted that combining military operations with rehabilitation is key to achieving lasting peace, urging the graduates to embrace reintegration and shun violence.

The coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier General Yusuf Ali, said participants underwent psychosocial support, vocational training, and reorientation programmes to prepare them for reintegration, describing it as a collective responsibility.

“This process is about rebuilding identity, restoring values, and preparing individuals to return as responsible members of society,” he said.

Ali added that the programme equips participants with the skills needed to reintegrate and contribute positively to national development, noting that reintegration requires collective support from government, communities, and families.

FG graduates 744 repentant terrorists under Safe Corridor programme

The Oyo State Coordinator of the City Boy Movement, Chief Ahmed Ajibola, has revealed that the group is targeting one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in Oyo State…

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has unveiled a new drive to revitalise Nigeria’s palm oil industry, aiming to reduce imports and save about $500m annually through expanded local production and private sector investment.

The initiative was announced at a National Stakeholders’ Meeting on the Joint Development of Nigeria’s Palm Oil Production Capacity held in Abuja on Thursday, where the Ministry partnered with Mass Industrial Development and Logistics Limited and other stakeholders to design a large-scale public-private partnership (PPP) model for the sector.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the programme is designed to reposition palm oil as a key driver of industrial growth, job creation, and food sovereignty, without relying on public sector borrowing. He was represented by his Senior Technical Assistant, Engr. Ibrahim Alkali.

Kyari noted that Nigeria, once a global leader in palm oil production with over 40 percent market share in the 1960s, now produces about 1.4m metric tonnes annually, far below the domestic demand of over 2.5m metric tonnes.

He said the shortfall forces the country to spend between $500m and $600m yearly on imports.

According to him, the structural deficit presents both a challenge and an opportunity, adding that Nigeria has over three million hectares of suitable land for oil palm cultivation but remains underutilised due to ageing plantations and low productivity.

The Minister said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the National Oil Palm Development Strategy, which seeks to expand production, improve yields, and strengthen value chain integration from smallholder farmers to industrial processors.

Under the proposed model presented by Mass Industrial Development and Logistics Limited, phase one will establish seven integrated oil palm estates of 10,000 hectares each across participating states. Each estate will combine plantations, milling and refining facilities, storage systems, and residential communities with housing, schools, and healthcare infrastructure.

Phase two will focus on downstream processing and manufacturing of palm-based products to increase value addition and enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in both domestic and export markets.

The Ministry projected that the model could deliver internal rates of return of 18–25 percent, with payback periods of five to seven years, citing strong market demand due to Nigeria’s supply gap of over one million metric tonnes annually.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, said the project was approved following extensive consultations and validation of the National Oil Palm Development Strategy.

He described the initiative as timely, noting its potential to boost productivity, value addition, and job creation.

Stakeholders at the meeting, including state governments, agriculture commissioners, research institutions, development partners, and private investors were urged to support the programme to unlock the sector’s full economic potential and restore Nigeria’s position in the global palm oil market.

FG Targets $500m Savings In Palm Oil Sector Revival Plan is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Amakama community in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State has been thrown into mourning following the alleged killing of three persons by a man identified as Chinedu Anamelechi, a former vigilante commander, in a violent incident that has sparked widespread shock and concern.

The incident reportedly occurred within a short period and escalated rapidly, leaving residents unable to intervene.

Eyewitness accounts said the suspect first attacked his wife with a knife, inflicting fatal injuries. He was also alleged to have shot his sister-in-law and killed a young man who attempted to stop the assault.

Although the identities of the victims were yet to be officially released at the time of filing this report, sources confirmed that the violence unfolded in quick succession, throwing the community into panic.

A member of a local security outfit in Umuahia, Bright Nwabuko of the “Ottawike Security Outfit,” confirmed awareness of the incident in a Facebook post, expressing shock over the development.

“Nawaooo in Olokoro village again? It’s always good not to make a sadist a head of a security cause it will cause more harm than good… an ex commander of Oloko vigilante group did all this? May the souls of the departed rest in peace… Amen,” he said.

The Abia State Police Command also confirmed the incident, however stating that one Ezinne Ariwodo was killed while two others sustained injuries during the attack.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, said police operatives responded swiftly to distress calls and arrived at the scene.

“Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the Command swiftly raced to the scene, where they found the lifeless body of the deceased in a pool of blood with gunshot injuries,” she said.

She further disclosed that the injured victims were immediately rescued and taken to the hospital for treatment, while the deceased was confirmed dead and deposited in the morgue for preservation and autopsy.

DSP Chinaka added that normalcy had since been restored in the area and urged residents to remain calm.

“Investigation is ongoing as efforts are in place to apprehend the suspect,” she stated, noting that security agencies were working to track down the fleeing suspect.

Meanwhile, residents of Amakama and adjoining communities have continued to express concern over the incident, calling for swift justice and stronger security measures to prevent a recurrence of such violent attacks.

The police have assured that investigations are ongoing.

Ex-Vigilante Commander Allegedly Kills Wife, Two Others In Abia Community is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Kano State Government has announced that Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, is expected to officially launch the North-West zonal deployment….

The Universal Basic Education Commission has disclosed that it has returned 700,000 out-of-school children to classrooms nationwide and distributed 15 million learning support kits to pupils.

The Executive Secretary Dr. Aisha Garba who was speaking during the flag-off ceremony for the distribution of around 140,000 instructional materials to FCT public basic schools on Thursday in Abuja, described the FCT intervention was “a continuation of these nationwide efforts” to ensure every child has access to quality education.

“The FCT SUBEB has received allocations that include core subject textbooks, teacher resource packs, and digital learning aids designed to strengthen teaching and learning outcomes.
“These items, which are around 140,000 in number, are expected to impact no fewer than 10,000 pupils in the FCT. This is indeed a milestone worth celebrating,” she said.

Garba said UBEC has advanced inclusive education initiatives through partnerships with all 37 SUBEBs and the FCT, focusing on infrastructure, teacher development, structured pedagogy, teaching aids, and digital learning tools.

She said UBEC, in collaboration with states, recently distributed 100,000 instructional materials and school records to Integrated Quranic and Tsangaya Education centres nationwide, strengthening non-formal education and addressing Nigeria’s out-of-school children challenge.

“Beyond core textbooks, the Commission has distributed smart boards, tablets, desktop computers, and over 400,000 library materials, benefiting hundreds of schoolchildren across the country.

“Recently, 15 million learning support kits were distributed across the country to support wholesome learning among our children,” Garba added.

She described the instructional materials as “tools of empowerment—resources that will enable our teachers to teach more effectively and our pupils to learn more meaningfully.”

Garba commended the leadership of FCT SUBEB for the “timely flag-off” and said she remained optimistic that the materials would reach end users as soon as possible.

She urged the FCT Administration to replicate the initiative through its annual statutory budget, “especially in terms of the timely release of counterpart funding for UBE projects, so that together, we can strengthen the quality of our basic education as well as minimize the incidence of out-of-school children in the FCT and indeed in Nigeria over time.”

Garba said the Nigerian child “remains at the heart of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President and indeed the Minister and Minister of State for Education.”

“Our combined resolve to place Nigerian children at par with their counterparts across the globe remains unshaken,” she said.

Also speaking, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike said he had approved the renovation of 108 schools across the capital territory with the mandate of President Bola Tinubu renewed hope agenda.

Represented by the Education mandate secretary, Dr Danlami Hajo disclosed that FCT has always been regular with the payment of marching grant of UBEC.

UBEC Returns 700,000 Children To School, Distributes Learning Materials is first published on The Whistler Newspaper