Abuja: Fire Guts Section Of Federal Secretariat

Abuja: Fire guts section of federal secretariat. There was panic at the federal secretariat in Abuja on Monday morning after a section of the office of the head of service of the federation caught fire.

Eyewitnesses said the fire was first noticed at about 8:20am. Social media footage showed plumes of black smoke billowing from the affected section of the building.

The incident occurred at Section C of the building within the federal secretariat complex.

Staff members were seen evacuating the area after emergency responders had been alerted.

The media department of the office of the head of service confirmed the incident.

The office said the outbreak was limited to Section C of the building.

Fire Guts Section Of Federal Secretariat

Officials said emergency responders were already working to contain the fire.

“The fire outbreak is limited to Section C of the building and is currently being attended to by emergency officials,” the office said.

The cause of the fire had yet to be disclosed at the time of filing this report.

Abuja (FCT)
federal secretariat in Abuja
head of service office in Abuja.

Borno ICPC Establishes Closer Ties With North-East Civil Society To Fortify Grassroots Anti-Corruption Fight

Borno ICPC establishes closer ties with North-East Civil Society to fortify grassroots anti-corruption fight. In a significant move to deepen the fight against corruption at the community level, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has undertaken a pivotal engagement with the North-East Civil Society Organisation of Nigeria (NECSOB), covering Borno and Yobe states.

The initiative underscores a growing recognition that sustainable governance reforms require the active participation of civil society as frontline partners.

The courtesy visit, led by the Commission’s Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC), was strategically designed to bolster collaborative frameworks for public enlightenment, community sensitisation, and the robust monitoring of government-funded projects. A central focus of the dialogue was the work of the Constituency and Executive Project Tracking Division (CEPTD), a unit vital for ensuring that public spending translates into tangible development for citizens.

Receiving the ICPC team, the Chairman of NECSOB, Ambassador Ahmed Shehu, hailed the visit as a timely and essential intervention in the collective battle against corruption. He stressed that synergy between state institutions and civil society is not merely beneficial but indispensable for promoting transparency and good governance.

“We cannot overstate the importance of this partnership. Civil society organisations are the bridge to the communities, and together with the ICPC, we can ensure that every naira allocated for development is accounted for,” Ambassador Shehu stated.

He introduced a distinguished array of stakeholders at the meeting, underscoring the broad-based support for the initiative. Notable figures included Comrade Bulama Asiso (NECSOB), Comrade Yusuf Inuwa (Executive Director, NLC), Comrade Mamman Bukar (Director, NLC), Ambassador Shettima Jaafar Imam (PACHE), Baba-Kura Bukar (FACDA), and Ambassador Kaltume Jaafaru (PCRC).

In his address, the RACC articulated the Commission’s vision of embedding anti-corruption norms within the social fabric. He emphasised that community-based organisations are critical allies in the effort to monitor constituency and executive projects, acting as the “eyes and ears” on the ground to ensure public funds serve their intended purpose. The Commissioner noted that empowering communities with the knowledge to oversee local projects is a powerful deterrent against abandonment and substandard execution.

The interactive session delved into specific mechanisms for enhancing accountability. The Second-in-Command to the RACC, A.D. David Samuel Damdakalak highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to help Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) meet their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). He provided insights into the Commission’s whistle-blowing framework, describing it as a crucial instrument for citizens to safely expose malfeasance and encourage a culture of accountability within public institutions.

Barrister Ibrahim Garba added a legal perspective, calling for more stringent enforcement measures and improved monitoring systems to curb the diversion and mismanagement of public funds. Broadening the scope of the discussion, he also raised a critical concern regarding sexual harassment in society, urging collective action to tackle this misconduct as an integral part of comprehensive integrity reforms.

A former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) brought attention to specific corrupt practices observed in project execution under the CEPTI, particularly concerning e-procurement processes. He advocated for unwavering transparency and strict adherence to due process to eliminate loopholes for corruption.

Adding a vital dimension to the conversation, Hajiya Kaltume Ja’afaru passionately emphasised the indispensable role of women in fostering accountable governance. She called for their increased and meaningful inclusion in advocacy, sensitisation campaigns, and all accountability initiatives, noting that women are often the most affected by poor service delivery and are powerful agents of change within their communities.

ICPC

As a tangible demonstration of its commitment to grassroots education, the ICPC delegation presented a collection of anti-corruption literature and sensitisation materials to the NECSOB Chairman. These resources are intended to support and amplify public awareness campaigns across the region.

The high-level engagement concluded with both parties reaffirming their dedication to sustained collaboration. This renewed partnership will focus on joint project tracking, continuous public education, and the strengthening of transparency mechanisms in Borno and Yobe States. A group photograph marked the occasion, symbolising a unified step forward in the shared resolve to combat corruption and champion the principles of good governance for the benefit of all citizens.

Abuja NUJ Calls For Greater Support For Women Chairwoman Of The Council

Abuja NUJ calls for greater support for women Chairwoman of the council. Grace Ike, made the call in a statement on Sunday in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration.

The Nigerian Union of Journalists, FCT council, has urged stronger synergy between government and stakeholders to dismantle barriers hindering women’s participation and progress across sectors in Nigeria’s development.

Chairwoman of the council, Grace Ike, made the call in a statement on Sunday in Abuja to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration.

Ms Ike said empowering women produced far-reaching benefits, as inclusive newsrooms encouraged richer storytelling, strengthened governance, promoted fairness in representation, and helped build more equitable societies.

She noted that women in journalism continued to demonstrate resilience, professionalism and dedication to truth, despite challenges, contributing significantly to public service and the strengthening of democratic values.

According to her, female journalists are breaking new ground by covering difficult beats, shaping public discourse, mentoring younger colleagues and proving consistently that professional excellence knows no gender.

“Our celebration must go beyond recognition and translate into action by mentoring young female journalists, creating safe workplaces, providing leadership opportunities and ensuring women’s voices are heard.

“These are the investments that will yield the greatest returns for journalism and society. The United Nations theme, ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls’. reinforces collective responsibility.

“Governments, institutions, media organisations and communities must work together to dismantle barriers hindering women’s progress and ensure equal opportunities for women and girls everywhere,” stated Ms Ike.

Ms Ike said that as the first female chairperson of the NUJ FCT Council, she stood on the shoulders of courageous women who broke barriers, challenged stereotypes and rejected limitations.

Abuja NUJ

She added that her leadership journey reflected what became possible when society deliberately provided women with opportunities to lead, contribute meaningfully and excel across professional fields.

“Let us recommit to giving more opportunities, support, mentorship and recognition to women because when women rise, journalism thrives, communities prosper, and our nation grows stronger,” she said.