Abuja
Abuja Residents Lament Disruption Of Schools, Health Centres Over LG Workers’ Strike
Abuja Residents Lament Disruption Of Schools, Health Centres Over LG Workers’ Strike
Abuja Residents lament disruption of schools, health centres over LG workers’ strike. Another resident, Luka Malo, expressed frustration, describing area councils as the closest tier of government to the grassroots.
Residents of Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried disruptions to basic services in public schools and primary healthcare centres following an ongoing strike by local government workers.
The residents, who spoke in seperate interviews with journalists on Tuesday, described the situation as distressing, saying the shutdown had worsened hardship for families dependent on public facilities.
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), FCT Chapter, had directed its members to commence an indefinite strike from Tuesday, January 27.
The union explained that the strike was in solidarity with workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) over unpaid entitlements and promotion arrears affecting area council staff.
According to NULGE, the decision followed directives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and NULGE national body.
A resident, Aisha Babale, said that she took her baby to one of the community primary healthcare centres to be treated for an ailment, only to find out that they had commenced a strike.
”I couldn’t do anything, I just broke down crying because I didn’t know what else to do or where to run to and we have no money for the big hospital.
”I just wanted them to test my baby for malaria and typhoid and get drugs if need be but they said the staff are not available.
”This is getting exhausting and tiring every time. I pray that they pity the masses and resolve their issues with the government soon enough to help us,” she said.
Another resident, Luka Malo, expressed frustration, describing area councils as the closest tier of government to the grassroots, which he said should always function effectively.
”When the councils stop working, the people feel it immediately because there’s always a delay in accessing health and administrative services.
”This should not be so. It is not as if we even had prompt services in the first place, not to mention it being stopped totally. It is unfair to the communities,” he said.
A public servant, Theophilus Shemang, warned that prolonged disruption could weaken grassroots administration and erode public trust in government institutions.
Protes
Ms Shemang recalled that a previous strike disrupted an entire school term, forcing pupils in public schools to resume when private school pupils were on holiday.
He urged the FCT Administration and council authorities to urgently engage union leaders to prevent further hardship for residents, especially children and vulnerable groups.
The Bwari NULGE leader, Emmanuel Ishaku, said there was no official timeline for suspending the strike.
Mr Ishaku explained that the union was uncertain when services would resume, stressing that workers were committed to pressing their welfare demands.
A correspondent who visited the council secretariat observed that the institution was operating at skeletal levels, with most administrative services suspended.
The correspondent also observed that many public school gates remained shut, forcing pupils to stay at home and widening learning gaps in the community.
Obi, Amaechi, Others Meet In Abuja, Discuss Nigeria’s Democratic Future
Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, on Saturday hosted Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and other opposition leaders at his Abuja residence.
Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, Achike Udenwa, former governor of Anambra; and Victor Oganku were also at the meeting.
TheCable understands that discussions by the politicians centred on strengthening the opposition front and Nigeria’s democratic future.
Amaechi, Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and are eyeing the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former minister contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and came second behind President Bola Tinubu, who won the party’s ticket.
In March, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, said the party was working to adopt a consensus approach in selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 poll.
Abdullahi said the party had the options of direct primaries and consensus for electing its presidential candidate, adding that indirect primaries were “no longer on the table”, as stipulated in the amended Electoral Act.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Amaechi said he has positioned himself as a viable contender for the next presidential race on the ADC platform.
Amaechi rejected the call for a consensus arrangement within the ADC ahead of the 2027 poll, insisting that aspirants must be allowed to test their popularity at the ballot.
Peter Obi
He said Nigerians are yearning for competent leadership to address economic hardship and insecurity.
The former governor of Rivers, however, said he would support Abubakar if the former vice-president emerges as the party’s standard-bearer for the 2027 presidential poll.
FG Warns Against Illegal Use Of Ambassador Title, Fake Diplomatic Identities
President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has warned against the rising abuse of diplomatic titles in Nigeria, particularly the illegal use of the designation “Ambassador” by unauthorised individuals and groups.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in Abuja.
“Some of the persons conferred illegally with the Ambassadorial titles unfortunately parade themselves as such in official communications and even in engagements with foreign embassies in Nigeria which has caused serious embarrassment to the federal government.
“The Ministry warns that individuals parading themselves as “Ambassadors” based on such deceitful conferment are engaging in impersonation, which is a criminal offence and therefore strongly cautions all persons involved in such illegalities or parading themselves as Ambassadors to desist forthwith,” the statement said.
The government also raised alarm over the use of fake diplomatic passports, identity cards, vehicle number plates, and other materials bearing the insignia of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by impostors.
Tinubu
According to the statement, some of those involved in the practice go as far as parading themselves as ambassadors in official correspondence and in dealings with foreign missions in Nigeria, a development it said has embarrassed the country.
It, however, stressed that only the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has the constitutional authority to appoint and accredit ambassadors for Nigeria, adding that no individual, group, or organisation has the power to confer diplomatic titles.
NPF Debunks False Terror Alert In FCT, Arrests Suspect For Incitement
False terror alert in FCT,. The Nigeria Police Force wishes to categorically debunk a viral video circulating on social media alleging an ongoing terrorist attack in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The Force states unequivocally that no such incident occurred, and the claims contained in the video are entirely false, misleading, and malicious.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the video was deliberately curated using misleading footage sourced from online platforms to construct a false narrative aimed at causing panic, inciting public fear, and undermining public confidence in the security architecture of the nation’s capital.
In furtherance of its commitment to maintaining public order, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested one Pam Joseph in connection with the creation and dissemination of the false content. The arrest followed credible intelligence and digital forensic investigations linking the suspect to the origin and circulation of the video.
The Force reiterates that while citizens have the right to freedom of expression, such rights do not extend to the deliberate spread of misinformation capable of threatening public peace and national security. Members of the public are therefore advised to verify information before sharing and to refrain from engaging in activities that may incite fear or disorder.
Police
The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to safeguarding public order and national security, and will continue to monitor digital spaces and take decisive action against individuals who engage in the dissemination of false or misleading information.
DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+) mni
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
10th April, 2026
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