Adwa Victory At 130: Ethiopia Marks Historic Triumph And Women’s Day In Abuja

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Embassy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia in Abuja hosted a colourful celebration on Saturday, March 7, 2026, to mark the 130th Anniversary of the Victory of Adwa alongside International Women’s Day.
The event, held under the themes “Adwa 130: From a Dark History to a Bright Horizon!” and “50 Years of Women’s Voice for Equality and Prosperity,” brought together Ethiopians living in Nigeria, people of Ethiopian origin, and Nigerian friends of Ethiopia.
Delivering the keynote address, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia to Nigeria, H.E. Legesse Geremew Haile, described the Victory of Adwa as a historic milestone achieved through the collective sacrifice, unity, and determination of the Ethiopian people.
He emphasized that women played a crucial role in securing the historic victory over Italian forces in 1896, noting that their contributions remain a strong symbol of courage and patriotism.
The Ambassador also highlighted Ethiopia’s progress in promoting gender equality, stating that women are increasingly occupying leadership positions in government, parliament, and the cabinet at both federal and regional levels.
Encouraging the younger generation to uphold the “Spirit of Adwa,” Ambassador Legesse urged Ethiopians at home and in the diaspora to contribute actively to the country’s ongoing development efforts.
He outlined several key national initiatives, including modernizing the agricultural sector, where Ethiopia has recently emerged as Africa’s largest wheat producer, expanding industrial capacity through the “Ethiopia Tamirt” (Produce in Ethiopia) initiative, promoting tourism through the Gebeta projects, and advancing digital transformation through artificial intelligence to improve service delivery.
The Ambassador also addressed Ethiopia’s strategic economic goals, calling for unified support for the country’s pursuit of peaceful access to the sea, describing it as a vital national interest for a nation of over 130 million people with a rapidly growing economy.
According to him, Ethiopia remains committed to achieving this objective through peaceful and mutually beneficial diplomatic engagement.
Reaffirming the country’s long-term development vision, Ambassador Legesse said Ethiopia aims to become one of Africa’s five largest economies by 2035 and among the world’s top 20 economies by 2050. He therefore called on the Ethiopian diaspora to actively participate in the nation’s development initiatives and major projects.
The celebration also featured a presentation titled “The Trust of Adwa: Unity, Sovereignty, and Reconstruction,” which highlighted the historic significance of the Battle of Adwa fought on March 1, 1896. The presentation underscored how Ethiopia’s victory over the Italian army became a powerful symbol of African resistance, inspiring Pan-Africanism and anti-colonial movements across the continent and the diaspora.
Participants at the event described Adwa as a shared African victory, stressing that its legacy should continue to inspire present and future generations to work towards rebuilding their nations and strengthening the continent.
The programme was further enriched with patriotic poetry and educational video presentations performed by young children.
The ceremony began with the Ethiopian National Anthem and concluded with a ceremonial cake-cutting and reception attended by guests and members of the Ethiopian community in Nigeria.

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.

Residents Appeal For Immediate Resumption Of Road Project In Abuja Community

Residents appeal for immediate resumption of road project in Abuja community. Residents of the Mpape community in the Bwari council have appealed for the immediate resumption of work on the abandoned Mpape Road project.

News Agency of Nigeria • March 6, 2026
Road under construction used to illustrate this story (Credit: X)
Road under construction used to illustrate this story (Credit: X)
Residents of the Mpape community in the Bwari council have appealed for the immediate resumption of work on the abandoned Mpape Road project.

The residents made the appeal on Friday in a letter addressed to FCT minister Nyesom Wike, describing the road as the only major access route into Mpape District.

“It is also a critical link to other parts of the FCT,” the residents said in the letter.

Donatus Shekwolo, who signed the letter on behalf of the Mpape residents, commended the ongoing infrastructure reforms across the territory and urged the minister not to forget the area.

“The suspension of the Mpape Road project has continued to inflict hardship on residents and commuters.

“The road’s deplorable condition has led to daily gridlock, prolonged travel time and frequent vehicle breakdowns. Transportation costs have risen, while safety risks increase during the rainy season.

“Mpape hosts an estimated 500,000 residents, including civil servants, artisans and traders contributing to Abuja’s economy,” Mr Shekwolo said in the letter.

Mr Shekwolo noted that the area accommodates the Julius Berger Nigeria Plc quarry site, which supports construction activities across Abuja.

“The presence of heavy-duty trucks, alongside commercial and private vehicles, places enormous pressure on the damaged road,” said Mr Shekwolo.

He said, on behalf of the residents, that constant interaction between trucks and smaller vehicles has worsened the road’s deterioration and heightened accident risks.

Road projects

“Several houses and businesses were demolished to pave the way for the project, and many families remain displaced, while portions of land were left exposed and unsafe.

“Completing the road will enhance mobility, economic activities, security and emergency response services. The minister should intervene and ensure the immediate resumption and timely completion of this project,” the letter stated.