Abuja
FCT Minister Wike Seeks Stronger Partnership With Japan To Fast-Track Abuja Master Plan
FCT Minister Wike Seeks Stronger Partnership With Japan To Fast-Track Abuja Master Plan
Abuja Master Plan. Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says his administration will strengthen collaboration with the Japanese government to fast-track Abuja’s development in line with its master plan.
Wike spoke during the visit of Suzuki Hideo, Japanese ambassador to Nigeria, alongside officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The minister applauded the role of Japan in the development and review of the Abuja master plan, stressing its importance for long-term growth.
“You have contributed to education, health, nutrition, and other critical sectors that impact directly on our people,” he said.
“You have been working closely with the FCDA on the Abuja master plan. That is very key for us. We will continue to cooperate with you to ensure that this is actualised.”
The minister said Japan’s interventions in Nigeria’s education sector include training programmes for teachers and support for quality learning infrastructure.
According to him, “we have seen the support in education, including training of our teachers in Tokyo. This is very important to improve our education sector.”
Wike said agriculture and urban development are priority areas for future collaboration, while assuring the Japanese delegation that the FCT administration is ready to provide an enabling environment for sustained partnership.
“We will partner with you, particularly in agriculture and city development, to ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President becomes a reality,” he added.
While speaking, the Japanese ambassador reiterated the commitment of his country to Nigeria’s development.
He stressed that Abuja remains prominent to Nigeria’s progress in its status as the political and administrative capital.
He said Japan is advancing projects in waste management and industrial development, including a plastics value chain initiative in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), with a pilot facility set for handover.
“The development of Abuja is crucial for driving Nigeria’s progress. Japan and JICA have been implementing various projects in infrastructure, healthcare, and economic development,” he said.
FCT Minister Wike
He stressed that there are ongoing efforts to upgrade the Abuja master plan through JICA and improve residents’ quality of life and support sustainable urban growth.
Ishigame Keiji, the chief representative of the JICA Nigeria office, noted that the interventions of the organisation in FCT cut across critical issues like water, power, health, agriculture, and education sectors.
He explained that the review of the 1979 master plan of Abuja, which focuses on infrastructure expansion, economic growth, and climate resilience, is being supported by JICA to align with the development needs of the city up to 2050.
Keiji stated that the agency is ready to move into priority infrastructure development immediately once the revised plan is completed, backed by its global experience in executing large-scale projects.
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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