News
COVID-19: Remarks by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu during a media briefing on the index cases in Abia
Since 27th February, 2020 when COVID-19 made its entrance into our country from Italy, Nigeria responded by setting up a Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, which quickly identified high risk areas for Nigeria namely Lagos and Abuja.
Though we remain in prayer and hopes that the virus will elude us in Abia, we prepared like all other states for the rainy day.
In Abia:
– we provided 2 isolation centers in Aba and Umuahia with a combined capacity for about 50 patients
– and there is an additional facility at Federal Medical Centre (FMC)
– we trained all our front line officers down to the PrImary Health Care (PHC) level,
– we provided 6 state owned ambulances
– we provided ventilators, oxygen concentrators, patient monitors and more than enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
– Government banned public gatherings and eventually locked down the state.
Yesterday, the 20th day of April, 2020 we recorded the first 2 cases of COVID-19 patients.
The significance of this index case in Abia is multiple fold. At least, it proves that COVID-19 is real.
Secondly, the two patients are old (70 and 72 years old respectively) and have no previous history of travel at least in the recent past.
This pretty much looks more like community transmission, placing a huge burden on our shoulders as citizens to continue with the lockdown and maintain social distancing.
This morning, we have dispatched our officers on rigorous contact tracing exercise.
We must thank and encourage our front line officers who put their lives at risk for the sake of all of us. They have previously followed and tracked all previously reported cases, ‘Miracle’ was tracked and tested with negative result. ‘Prosper’ was also apprehended and tested and it turned out negative, among many more already tested.
The days ahead will be difficult and calls for more courage and commitment in the hands of our front line officers and all citizens.
Government will continue to provide all the PPE required to protect our medical and paramedical personnel. We are sending a consignment of additional PPEs and other materials to support Federal Medical Center ( FMC), Umuahia
Government will insist that all borders shall remain locked till further notice.
All our citizens should remember that wearing of face masks in Abia is compulsory.
Government will encourage all citizens to continue to practice social distancing and strict rules of hand washing as well as use of sanitizers.
We shall embark in massive contact tracing across all the LGAs where these index cases have been associated with in the recent past. Hence, Ikwuano, Ukwa West and Umuahia North will be covered during this contact tracing.
The private clinic where one of these patients was treated is hereby closed to the public until properly disinfected while all the doctors and nurses who attended to them still remain quarantined until the result of their tests is out.
The state shall embark on massive community testing drawing samples from ward to ward even in local governments that are remote to the target LGAs and the details will be announced.
It is important to note that both patients had underlying medical conditions ranging from Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Stroke and Heart failure. However, we are optimistic that our medical team and the team at FMC are capable of doing a good job, God helping them.
Finally, Ndi Abia, let’s take heed. Remain at home.
Dr Okezie Ikpeazu
Governor, Abia State
21/04/2020
News
Seyi Vibez Drops Fuji Moto Album Featuring Trippie Redd, French Montana, NLE Choppa & Olamide
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Seyi Vibez has released his highly anticipated album Fuji Moto, a 14-track project that fuses Fuji rhythms with trap, street-hop, and melodic Afro-fusion. The album arrived on November 14, 2025, under EMPIRE, marking one of Seyi Vibez’s most ambitious creations yet.
Fuji Moto features standout international and local collaborations, including Trippie Redd, French Montana, NLE Choppa, and Nigerian rap icon Olamide. The project also includes several deep, introspective solo tracks where Seyi Vibez reflects on pain, resilience, spirituality, and his rise from the trenches to global acclaim.
Within hours of release, the album debuted at No. 2 on the Apple Music Nigeria Top Albums chart and quickly became Seyi Vibez’s most-streamed project ever on Spotify, reinforcing his status as one of the most influential voices in modern Afrobeats and street music.
With its blend of traditional Fuji influences and contemporary sonic experimentation, Fuji Moto cements Seyi Vibez’s reputation for pushing boundaries and representing the sound of the streets on a global stage.
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Abuja
Wike Presides Over FCT Exco, Launches New Waste Management System for Cleaner Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will commence a comprehensive new waste management regime across Abuja from Monday, November 17, 2025, as part of efforts to improve sanitation and restore environmental order in the nation’s capital.
The announcement followed the FCT Executive Committee Meeting held on Thursday and presided over by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Coordinator of the Abuja Municipal Management Council (AMMC), Chief Felix Amechi Obuah, revealed that the Executive Committee had ratified and approved a memo appointing new contractors to handle waste collection and management across different districts of the FCT.
According to him, the approval also covers the procurement of basic waste treatment plants, alongside the maintenance and operation of supervisory utility vehicles to support the new regime.
Chief Obuah, who acknowledged widespread complaints about waste disposal in the capital, expressed optimism that residents would begin to experience a significantly cleaner and better-managed Abuja once the new system takes effect.
Also speaking, the head of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, disclosed that the Committee approved payment for the emergency evacuation of waste from open dump sites, waterways, and stream channels in the Dogon Gada community of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
He explained that a total of ₦111,913,176 was released for the execution of the cleanup contract.
In addition, the FCT Transportation Secretary, Hon. Chinedum Elechi, announced approvals for printing services for the Directorate of Road Transport Services. He added that funds have also been approved for the operation and maintenance of 34 existing traffic lights, as well as the installation of three new traffic light systems within the Federal Capital City.
Earlier in the meeting, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Hon. Chidi Amadi, reiterated Wike’s determination to maintain high environmental standards in Abuja.
“The Minister is very concerned about the waste management contract,” he said. “He is serious about it because it directly affects the cleanliness and overall image of the city.”
With the new waste management framework set to take effect next Monday, the FCTA says it is fully committed to delivering a cleaner, orderly, and world-class Abuja.
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Abuja
Senator Ned Nwoko Releases Voter’s Card to Deny Marrying Regina Daniels at 17
Senator Ned Nwoko, 67, has released what he claims to be Nollywood actress Regina Daniels’ voter’s card to debunk widespread claims that he married her when she was 17 years old.
The document, reportedly issued by INEC, lists Regina’s date of birth as 1998, suggesting she was 21 when the couple tied the knot in 2019 not 17, as previously alleged.
Nwoko shared the card on social media in response to Regina’s recent revelation that she was underage at the time of their marriage, alongside new allegations of abuse and drug exposure during their relationship.
In his rebuttal, Nwoko dismissed the accusations as false and malicious, suggesting that Regina’s statements were influenced by “substance-related issues.”
The controversy has intensified following claims of family confrontations and arrests, though no formal legal action has been filed by either side.
Regina, who has presented her international passport showing a 2001 birth year, maintains that she was 17 at the time of their union. The conflicting records have fueled online debates over document authenticity and the couple’s 46-year age gap.
Social media users remain divided, with some defending Nwoko’s evidence, while others question the motive and legality of the marriage. Many commentators have also called for privacy and due process amid the escalating feud.
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Abuja
Your anger misplaced, face those who scammed you — Wike’s aide tackles ex-Naval chief
Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has reacted to the controversy involving former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (retd.), over a disputed plot of land in Abuja.
In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Olayinka alleged that the retired naval chief was deceived into buying land that had been officially designated for park and recreational purposes, not residential use.
According to Olayinka, rather than directing anger at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for enforcing land-use regulations, the former naval chief should focus on the individuals who sold him the illegal property.
“Vice Admiral Gambo was scammed. He needs to use his military might against the person who sold land meant for park and recreation to him to build duplexes — not FCTA officials carrying out their lawful duties,” Olayinka stated.
He revealed that the land in question was originally allocated to Santos Estate Limited in 2007 for park and recreation purposes.
Olayinka further explained that in 2022, the company applied to the then FCT Minister for approval to convert the land to residential use, but the request was declined. Despite this, the company allegedly went ahead to partition and sell the land to unsuspecting buyers, including the former naval chief.
“Santos Estate Limited had already sold the land to unsuspecting people, including the former Chief of Naval Staff, who is now building duplexes on it,” Olayinka noted.
“Like I said earlier, shouldn’t the former Chief of Naval Staff be more concerned with the person who scammed him, rather than using military might to hold on to a property on which he was duped?” he queried.
Reacting to comments made by Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), former Chief of Army Staff, Olayinka added:
“I read the statement made by the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai. As Director General of Rotimi Amaechi Campaign, Buratai has done his job.”
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Abuja
Badaru Defends Soldiers, Says No Officer on Lawful Duty Will Be Punished Over Wike Incident
Minister of Defence, Mohammad Badaru Abubakar, has assured that no officer or soldier performing lawful duty will face punishment over the recent altercation between military personnel and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in Abuja.
Speaking during the ministerial briefing to flag off activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Defence College, Abuja, Badaru reaffirmed the government’s support for security personnel executing their duties responsibly.
“We will always protect officers and our armed forces personnel on lawful duty. Any officer on lawful duty will be protected if he is doing his job lawfully and if he does it well,” he said.
The assurance comes amid tensions following a confrontation between Wike and a military officer who led soldiers to secure a disputed plot of land in Abuja’s Gaduwa district.
After the incident, a coalition of retired military veterans threatened to occupy the FCT ministry if any disciplinary action was taken against the officer, insisting he acted under a lawful directive.
On National Security Achievements
The Defence Minister also highlighted key achievements under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, noting that the armed forces have recorded major successes in counter-terrorism and internal security operations nationwide.
According to Badaru, within Tinubu’s tenure, troops have neutralised over 13,000 terrorists and criminals, arrested more than 17,000, and rescued nearly 10,000 hostages. He added that over 100,000 Boko Haram and ISWAP combatants and their families have surrendered.
“These coordinated operations have dismantled major terrorist enclaves, neutralised notorious bandit commanders, and restored peace to hundreds of communities, enabling displaced persons to return home,” he said.
Badaru also disclosed that in the South-South region, troops destroyed over 1,900 illegal refining sites, safeguarding vital oil and gas infrastructure.
He emphasized that the military’s growing operational capacity is supported by strategic modernization efforts, including the procurement of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and naval vessels.
“The signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Act in 2023 marks a milestone in indigenous defence production, positioning Nigeria as an emerging hub for defence technology in the region,” the minister stated.
He further called for collective participation in the fight against insecurity, stressing a “whole-of-society approach” that involves government, civil society, traditional institutions, academia, and the private sector.
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