Abuja Reports

Mental Health, Menstrual Care Take Center Stage in Abuja Community

Published

3 weeks ago

March 30, 2025

By Our Correspondent

A campaign promoting mental and menstrual health awareness has sparked hope among women and girls in the Karmo community of the Federal Capital Territory.

Led by PAD-UP Africa and Shield Girls2Women Initiative, in collaboration with the community chief, the initiative is tackling deep-seated issues that affect women’s well-being.

At the heart of the campaign is a call for free sanitary pads and economic empowerment, with experts linking financial instability to mental health struggles.

Speaking at the event, held to mark International Women’s Day 2025, Project Director of Shield Girls2Women Initiative, Florence Ibrahim, emphasized that poor mental health can disrupt menstrual cycles, making emotional resilience a necessity for women.

“This is more than a one-time outreach. We are equipping women with coping strategies and fostering intergenerational conversations where older women guide younger ones through life’s challenges,” Ibrahim stated.

Founder of PAD-UP Africa, Ashley Lori, shed light on the connection between financial dependence and domestic abuse, stressing that many women remain trapped in unhealthy situations due to economic hardship.

She reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowerment, inclusivity, and skill development, ensuring that women take charge of their futures.

Jiwa Chiefdom’s Village Head, Umar Sarki Gani, praised the initiative’s impact, urging the government to improve hygiene infrastructure and deploy health experts to educate rural communities.

For many beneficiaries, the event was life-changing. One participant expressed gratitude, saying, “The knowledge and sanitary pads given today mean so much. I feel seen and supported.”

With plans to extend the outreach to other areas, the movement is gaining momentum, proving that when women are empowered, entire communities thrive.

Abuja Reports

FCT Workers Plan Protest Over Unpaid Minimum Wage

Published

24 hours ago

April 22, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Adenike Lawal

Tension is rising in the Federal Capital Territory as workers and primary school teachers from all six area councils gear up for a major protest in Abuja on Wednesday, April 23.

Their demand is clear—full implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage and other pending entitlements.

Under the joint banner of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, the workers say their patience has worn thin following months of failed negotiations with the area council chairmen.

Speaking in Gwagwalada, Comrade Sa’ad Abdulmumin, Secretary of NULGE FCT, accused the council leaders of deliberately neglecting workers’ welfare. He revealed that despite the release of N4.1 billion by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for wage implementation and arrears, the funds remain unused for their intended purpose.

Beyond the new minimum wage, the protesters are also demanding payment of a previously approved N30,000 wage award, salary adjustments of 25 to 35 percent, a 40 percent peculiar allowance, and full implementation of health sector salary structures.

They also decry the failure to remit pension deductions to their administrators.

“This protest is a last resort. We have endured strikes, dialogues, and delays. Now we are demanding our rights—no more, no less,” Abdulmumin said.

Efforts to reach the head of FCT ALGON, Danladi Chiya, were unsuccessful, as he failed to respond to calls or messages.

As the impasse deepens, the unions remain united in their demand for justice, warning that they will not back down until every kobo owed is paid.

Abuja Reports

FCTA Backs More Private-Sector Deals

Published

1 day ago

April 22, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

The Federal Capital Territory Administration has pledged to deepen partnerships with the private sector to improve service delivery across Abuja.

At the inauguration of the new Garki Hospital Management Board, Dr. Baba Gana Adam, Permanent Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, hailed the renewed partnership between FCTA and Nisa Medical Group as a shining model of success.

He described the 15-year-old collaboration as proof that public-private partnerships can deliver real benefits to citizens, adding that the FCTA is eager to replicate such arrangements in other sectors.

Dr. Adam also applauded FCT Minister Nyesom Wike for his bold leadership in renewing the Garki Hospital agreement, noting that his support has been instrumental in sustaining the vision.

The administration says it remains focused on building efficient services through well-structured private-sector collaborations.

Abuja Reports

Easter Blackout Hits Over 20 FCT Communities

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

More than 20 communities across the Federal Capital Territory spent Easter in darkness following a major power outage blamed on a technical fault and an explosion on key electricity feeders.

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company confirmed the disruption, listing affected areas such as Keffi Garage, Dadin Kowa, Gitata, Angwan Rama, Orozo, and Karshi, among others.

It assured residents that technical teams are working urgently to restore supply.

The outage coincided with renewed assurances from the Federal Government on power sector reforms.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed plans to inject 4,000 megawatts into the national grid by 2026 under the Siemens-led Presidential Power Initiative.

He added that another 2,000 megawatts would be targeted this year, in line with economic directives set by the Tinubu administration to boost national electricity capacity.