News
Wike Offers 5,000 Households Free Cooking Gas Cylinder, Six Months Refill
As the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, commences full implementation of its Breathe Clean Air Initiative, more than 5,000 households are set to benefit, receiving free gas cylinders along with free refills of cooking gas for six months.
This was disclosed on Saturday at the official launch of the Safe Environment Renewable Project – Breathe Clean Air Abuja.
The Mandate Secretary, FCTA Health and Environment Secretariat, FCT-HES, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said the focus of the program goes beyond distributing palliatives. She explained that it aims to tackle environmental ignorance and help women better manage household health.
She noted that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has touched every aspect of human life, with a clear intention to improve living standards across all social classes.
Fasawe stated that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has fully aligned himself with the President’s vision and has shown firm commitment to making the FCT a better place for all.
She said, “The truth is, health is wealth. Health and environment are equal. So, the focus of this program is not only to give out palliatives, as we’ve done in the past.
“The focus of this program is to address the Renewed Hope Agenda Initiatives. It’s to tell Nigerians that if only we can put our hands together, and not wait for governments alone, we can have a happy, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria. Because truly, with peace and prosperity Nigeria will be great again.”
Also speaking, Babagena Adams, Permanent Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCTA, said the initiative is vital as it will reduce the stress pregnant women endure.
He said, “We’re also saving the pregnant women, along with the family. So, if they live healthy, they’ll be more productive, and the GDP of FCT will increase. A healthy community is a wealthy community, that’s the benefit.”
Earlier, a partner of the initiative and Chief Executive Officer of IHS Nigeria Limited, Mohammed Darwish, said the initiative is designed to protect mothers and children from inhaling toxic gases that endanger their health.
He explained that prolonged use of firewood and charcoal exposes families to hazards such as lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
According to him, “the six-month voucher distributed in addition to the cylinder would encourage the beneficiaries to sustain the usage of the gas cylinders.
“This programme, in a nutshell and simple English, is about helping 5,000 mothers, sisters, and daughters by not inhaling toxic gases anymore, and by really making sure that their health is better by breathing fresh air. That’s in a nutshell,” he said.
The Executive Vice President of IHS, Ayotade Oyinlola, added that the distribution will significantly reduce the proportion of family income spent on medical bills.
A Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist at the National Hospital Abuja and Secretary of the Nigerian Cancer Society, FCT Chapter, Dr Ayuba Hannatu Usman, said the initiative is centered on health prevention through lifestyle improvement.
Adding her voice, Daniela Omotola, one of those spearheading the campaign through Rotaract Clubs in Abuja, hailed the project as a timely, life-changing intervention that will reduce pollution-related illnesses and support a healthier FCT.
Stakeholders at the launch noted that as more households transition to cooking gas, pressure on surrounding ecosystems — including tree loss, soil degradation, and rising temperatures — is expected to reduce over time.
According to the FCTA, the project forms part of its broader strategy to promote environmental health, reduce pollution, and create safer living conditions for residents of the Federal Capital Territory in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News reports that Justice had earlier convicted Kanu on all seven counts levelled against him by the Federal Government.
The judge sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment for count 1, 2, 4,5, and 6.
He also sentenced Kanu to 20 years forcount 3 without option of fine.
The Judge sentenced Kanu to five years in prison on count seven without option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ruled that he should not be kept in Kuje prison. He forfeited Nnamdi Kanu’s radio transmitter and barred him from access to social media.
More are still coming
The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death sentence on the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, following his conviction on all seven terrorism counts.
The request was made on Thursday by the FG’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), shortly after Justice James Omotosho found Kanu guilty of all charges preferred against him.
Awomolo, addressing the court after the verdict, argued that the severity of Kanu’s actions merited the maximum penalty under the law.
The senior lawyer insisted that Kanu committed “many illegalities” and should not be treated with leniency.
Awomolo further reminded the court that four of the seven counts on which Kanu was convicted carry the death sentence under Nigeria’s terrorism laws.
He urged Justice Omotosho to take this into account in determining the appropriate punishment.
“It will not be considered justice that he is isolated and punished lightly in a country where we have Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lakurawa, et cetera,” he argued.
According to the prosecution, Kanu’s actions were as destabilising as those of other violent groups and should be treated with equal seriousness.
Awomolo also urged the judge to ensure that Kanu is kept in a secure correctional facility pending the court’s final pronouncement on sentencing.
He stressed the need to prevent any disruptions or security breaches involving the IPOB leader while the sentencing process is underway.
Kanu was earlier found guilty of inciting violence, ordering attacks on security personnel, calling for killings, and issuing threats capable of terrorising the public, all captured in broadcasts tendered as evidence by the prosecution.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has delivered his ruling in the case between the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the Federal Government.
Naija News reports that the judgement was given in Nnamdi Kanu’s absence after the judge had ordered security operatives to kick him out of the court over his unruly behaviour.
Nnamdi Kanu had earlier stated that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja does not have the jurisdiction to try him.
The separatist, who has been in custody since 2021, faced seven terrorism-related charges bordering on alleged incitement, running an unlawful group, and acts threatening national security.
The IPOB leader contended that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, under which he is being prosecuted, has been repealed.
He urged the court to strike out the charges, describing them as “disclosing no offence known to law” and therefore invalid.
Kanu also requested that the court nullify the “purported plea of not guilty” entered on his behalf, claiming it was obtained through deception and contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.
He further asked the court to set aside all subsequent proceedings and order his immediate release.
“My contention is very simple: this court lacks jurisdiction to try me,” he said.
Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Omotosho ruled that the court has the authority to preside over the Nnamdi Kanu case.
The judge also stated that the matter of extradition has been settled by the Supreme Court, and he ruled against Kanu in this regard.
On the issue of fairness in the hearing for Nnmadi Kanu, Omotosho ruled against the IPOB leader, stating that the court ensured he received a fair hearing.
On the defendant not entering his defence, Justice Omotosho said: “I begged the defendant passionately to enter his defence, but he remained obsolete. That shows that he chose to rest his case on the prosecution. Which is a gamble and a risky action.”
The court found Nnamdi Kanu guilty and convicted him of count 1 in the charges filed against him by the federal government.
The Judge said: “The court will rely on the uncontroverted evidence of the prosecution. This court, therefore, finds that the prosecution has discharged Count 1 beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the defendant (Kanu) is hereby convicted in respect of Count 1.”
More judgement is being read and this report will be updated as it comes in…….
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