Author: Joy Gyakyor

By Bilal Umar A misleading narrative has emerged attempting to discredit the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Vice President Kashim Shettima, and the Presidency. These claims center on the alleged cancellation of a Masha’ir service contract and insinuations of undue influence by the Vice President in contractor selection. However, a closer look reveals that these allegations are misleading, politically motivated, and aimed at undermining ongoing Hajj reforms. The Vice President’s role: Oversight, not direct involvement  Contrary to claims that Vice President Shettima personally selects Hajj service providers, his role is strictly administrative, limited to granting approvals for NAHCON’s board-vetted…

The Almajiri phenomenon persists in posing a significant threat to security in many parts of the country, including the nation’s capital Abuja. Security experts have variously expressed deep concerns that Almajirai, who are often abandoned by their families and the state, resort to begging and street life, conditions, which often expose them to abuse, criminalization, and recruitment into violent activities of extremist groups. Any serious government understands that the concentration of poor and uneducated youths in urban areas is embryonically latent to fostering an environment conducive to crime. This is the harrying issue that the Minister of the Federal Capital…

Chairman of the Ondo State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti has declared that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s successful conduct of the local government election in the state is a clear demonstration of his deep love for democracy, which remains a key pillar for growth and economic development. Ondo state held local government elections on January 18, 2025, across its 18 local government areas with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) winning 16 of the 18 chairmanship seats. Reports however indicate that the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), withdrew from the election citing concerns of transparency and credibility…

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev on Wednesday defended  before the Senate, a ₦211.79 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year detailing the level of implementation of the 2024 budget. The Minister had appeared before the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation at the National Assembly, Abuja to make case for the proposals for the water and sanitation sector. Addressing the lawmakers, Professor Utsev said that the Ministry’s commitment to advancing water and sanitation projects, boosting agriculture, creating jobs, and mitigating floods and droughts remain a top priority in line with the Renewed Agenda of President…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike is doggedly taking hardline initiatives against issues of insecurity in Abuja with reports indicating that some relative peace is fast returning to the city, writes Joy Gyakyor. The recent commendation from the world’s largest association for security professionals, ASIS International, on the vivacious spirit of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, in tackling insecurity in the nation’s capital, may not be the last. “The FCT Minister is providing the needed support, including technological equipment to strengthen the fight against insecurity with a view to keeping residents of…

The Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia on Wednesday met with Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja where he made further requests of support for the state’s agriculture and security sectors. Speaking to State House Correspondents after the closed-door meeting, Governor Alia said Benue has no reason to complain about food insecurity but should rather be supporting the government at the center in making food available to Nigerians. “Benue doesn’t have any need to talk about these food insecurities at all. Rather, we should be supporting the President to ensure that all the states that seem to be…

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, accompanied by his two sons, visited President Bola Tinubu in Lagos during the Christmas season. President Tinubu left Abuja for Lagos on 18 December 2024 shortly after presenting the 2025 appropriation bill to a joint session of the National Assembly. The President who held his first presidential media chat also in Lagos has been receiving guests during the Yuletide. Wike’s visit follows President Tinubu’s recent acknowledgment that the FCT Minister is one of the top-performing ministers in his cabinet.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has charged security agencies to work hard and ensure without excuses  that Abuja remains safe for residents to enjoy the end-of-year festivities. Wike gave this charge when he presided over the meeting of the FCT Security Committee in Abuja. The Minister had summoned the meeting to ascertain the level of preparedness of the security agencies for the security of the lives and property of all residents. A statement by the Director of Press in the Minister’s office Anthony Ogunleye said the Wike stressed that residents should be able to sleep with…

A group of professionals, Club De Pals has recognized a former governorship aspirant from Benue State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Honourable Godwin Ityoachimin with an award for committed service to the community. Club De Pals is a non-partisan community-focused organization aimed at fostering unity among the Tiv people with the motto “Unity in Friendship”. The event was held in Abuja during the Club’s annual reunion and awards ceremony where other distinguished members of the club were also recognized for their outstanding qualities. The group has said that it is committed to the socio-economic development of…

Board Chairman of the Ondo State Hospitals’ Management Board (HMB), Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, has urged the State’s Contributory Health Commission (ODCHC) to encourage more people to enroll in its scheme to benefit from quality healthcare delivery. Dr. Fasoranti made this call while leading other board members on a courtesy visit to the commission in Akure. According to him, the informal sector constitutes the majority of the State’s population, and it is crucial to bring more people into the health insurance scheme through the support of organisations. He commended the government for implementing health insurance in the State, noting that the…