News
First Lady Poised To Accelerate Development Of Cancer Centre
The First Lady, Hajiya Tuari Yar’ Adua is determined to accelerate development of the Abuja International Cancer Centre in order to take cancer treatment to the next level.
The FCT Minister, Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero dropped this hint on Tuesday while receiving the Vice President of Global Business Development and Managing Director of Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston Texas, USA, Mr. Mitch Latinkic in his office.
The Minister revealed that the design of the Centre is ready while the bill of quantity would be ready in three weeks to enable the real construction begin in earnest.
Senator Aliero disclosed that the construction and equipping of the Centre would be undertaken simultaneously because of the desire of the First Lady to record concrete achievement for the benefit of Nigerians especially those afflicted with the dreaded disease.
According to him, the whole effort of the First lady is for the Abuja International Cancer to be a Non-Governmental Organisation to give access to all classes of Nigerians irrespective of their social standing to benefit from its services at ease.
His words: “The Abuja International Cancer Centre would be private sector driven as the funds so far realised for the project were from well-spirited individuals, corporate organisations and international donors” .
He called for their continued support and understanding to ensure that this lofty dream is realised to the glory of God and greater benefit of the humanity.
Responding, Vice President of Global Business Development and Managing Director of Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston Texas, USA , Mr. Mitch Latinkic who said the delegation was in Nigeria on assessment visit of the Abuja international Centre lauded the foresight of the First Lady in establishing the Cancer Centre.
He assured that the delegation would help where necessary especially to make an impact in prevention of Cancer disease which is dreaded in nature.
Meanwhile, the FCT Administration has destroyed over two hundred shanties harbouring criminals and drug peddlers in Mabushi District of the Federal Capital City, Abuja .
The operation was carried out at the weekend by the Ministerial Joint Task Force recently constituted by the FCT Minister, Senator Muhammad Adamu Aliero to rid the City of illegal structures, shanties, street hawkers, beggars and commercial motorcyclists.
The suspected criminals and hard drug peddlers on sighting members of the FCT Ministerial Task Force escaped into the nearby bush.
It was observed that most of the shanties earlier removed by Ministerial Task Force were rebuilt to the greatest astonishment of the members; while in some cases they moved inward into the bush to erect additional shanties.
The Minister thus, lamented that the people are not cooperating but the operation would continue until they are tired and move out of such places with their illegal structures.
His words: “The FCT Administration would continue to discharge its statutory responsibility by maintaining the Abuja Master Plan in consonance with vision of its founding fathers as there would be no compromise” .
Senator Aliero reiterated that all black spots in Abuja must be adequately covered to save the residents of the trauma being experienced in the hands of the few undesirable elements who use such places as cover to perpetuate their illegal activities.
He warned that the war against illegal structures and criminal activities in the Federal Capital Territory is total and vowed that the operation would be a continuous one until Abuja is sanitised; insisting that no nooks and crannies of the city would be spared.
The Minister added that “they (crooks) have a chance to repent and get re-absorbed into the society or move out of the Federal Capital Territory as the FCT Administration is committed to get rid of them” .
Senator Aliero repeated the earlier call made to the allottees of undeveloped plots and those with abandoned, uncompleted buildings within serviced areas of the City including foreign missions to commence or completed the development of such properties.
“Accordingly they have been given six months grace period ending December 31, 2009 to commence/complete their development or face withdrawal/revocation their title documents”, the Minister stressed.
He insisted that there is no going back on that policy because the affected property owners/foreign missions have been given enough time from the previous FCT Administrations to date.
Senator Aliero remarked that alternative plots may however be made available to the Foreign Missions whenever they are ready to commence development as the government cannot condone non-development of property in the heart of city.
Justice Awaji, Abuja
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.