Easter: FCT Minister Wike Tasks Residents On Community Service

FCT Minister Wike tasks residents on community service. He assured residents of security across the FCT.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged residents of the FCT to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation and foster a spirit of harmony within their communities.

Mr Wike made the call in his Easter message to residents in Abuja on Friday, while congratulating Christians on the successful completion of the 40-day Lent, and extending warm greetings to all residents as they join the global Christian community in celebrating Easter.

“As we celebrate, let’s remember the values of love, compassion, and kindness that Easter represents.

“May we continue to work together towards building a community that reflects these values, where everyone can live in peace and prosperity,” he said.

The minister described Easter and the resurrection of Jesus Christ as a “profound symbol of new beginnings and renewed hope” for all Nigerians.

He said the Easter season offers an opportunity for the Christian faithful to reflect on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

The minister urged residents to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation and foster a spirit of harmony within their communities.

“This Easter season offers us an opportunity to reflect on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and for new beginnings and renewed hope.

“I urge FCT residents, especially the Christian faithful, to use the occasion of the Easter celebrations to rededicate themselves to the virtues of love and service to our fatherland,” he said.

Mr Wike assured residents that the FCT Administration has deployed security teams across the FCT to ensure a hitch-free celebration.

“I want to assure you that the FCT Administration is committed to ensuring your safety and security. Adequate measures are in place to guarantee a peaceful and enjoyable Easter celebration,” he added.

Mr Wike also acknowledged the transformative impact of President Bola Tinubu’s administration on the FCT.

FCT Minister Wike

According to him, the ongoing infrastructural revolution across the city and satellite towns was a direct result of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I want to express my appreciation to Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda has driven significant development in the FCT.

“His commitment to the progress of the FCT is evident in the numerous infrastructure projects transforming our territory, and I am proud to be part of this journey towards a more prosperous and harmonious FCT,” he said.

Silver Anniversary Tribute To Group Captain Samuel Mbidon Ethnan: Celebrating 25 Years Of Enduring Legacy

Celebrating 25 years of enduring legacy. Twenty-five years may have passed, yet the memory of the late Group Captain Samuel Mbidon Ethnan remains vividly alive within the serene avenues, immaculate quarters, and disciplined rhythm of life at Sam Ethnan Air Force Base, Ikeja.

For the Lagos Base community of the Nigerian Air Force, this silver anniversary is far more than a solemn remembrance; it is a celebration of a visionary leader whose legacy continues to define the identity, culture, and standards of the Base that proudly bears his name. Born on 4 October 1954 in Numan, Adamawa State, and commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a member of Regular Combatant Commission Course 15, he distinguished himself as an exceptional Fighter Air Traffic Control Officer and a leader of uncommon foresight.

His professional training at the Royal Air Force Shawbury in the United Kingdom and the Ghana Armed Forces Staff College sharpened the strategic and administrative acumen that later defined his command appointments, particularly his celebrated tenure as Commander Base Service Organization, Ikeja, where he embarked on the transformation that permanently etched his name into the history of the Service.

The enduring story of Group Captain Ethnan’s legacy is most visible in the culture he built and the people he inspired. Under his stewardship, sanitation became a tradition, infrastructure renewal became a collective mission, and welfare became a command priority. Barracks, offices, roads, and recreational facilities were maintained to impeccable standards, while his personal supervision of sanitation exercises, facility inspections, and security arrangements inspired officers, airmen, airwomen, civilian staff, and families to embrace discipline as a permanent way of military life.

His leadership style, firm, fair, and deeply humane, earned him profound respect across the Base community. It was in recognition of this transformative impact that the Base was renamed after him following his passing on 3 April 2001, immortalizing a legacy built on service before self, excellence, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of his personnel.

Silver Anniversary

As the Base community marks this Silver Anniversary Tribute celebrating 25 years of enduring legacy, officers, airmen, airwomen, veterans, and families do so with pride, gratitude, and renewed commitment to the ideals he lived for. Under the leadership of Base Commander, Air Commodore MA Imam, a rich line-up of commemorative activities, including memorial parades, sanitation and beautification exercises, historical exhibitions, legacy lectures, sporting and welfare events, prayers, and interactive sessions, has been carefully arranged to honour his memory and reconnect younger generations with the timeless values he embodied.

Across the neat residential quarters, organized public spaces, and enduring culture of orderliness within the Base, his vision remains visible as a living monument, ensuring that his story will forever inspire all who serve in the community he transformed.

Umahi Opens Section Of Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Urges South-East To Delivers Up To 80% Votes To Tinubu

The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON on Thursday, April 2, 2026, officially opened a completed section of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure across the Southeast and Nigeria in general under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Speaking during the event, the Minister pondered on the past condition of the road and its importance to the region:

“The journey of Enugu to Onitsha was taking about 7 hours before 2023. The most important road in South East is this road.”

He explained that the project, which was initially under a tax credit arrangement involving MTN Nigeria and executed by RCC, had stalled before quick intervention from the President.

“We inherited this road under Tax credit of MTN and executed for them by RCC but everything was on stand still until I went to plead with President Tinubu.”

According to the Minister, the President’s intervention brought renewed direction and improved construction standards:

“The President didn’t only give acceleration to the construction of this road but he directed that atleast 50% of it must be on concrete and like that of Lagos Calabar coastal Highway.”

He added that the project had earlier been awarded without significant progress before the current administration reviewed and restructured it:

“The project was awarded before the coming of President Tinubu with no meaningful progress made. We reviewed it and allow MTN to continue with their contract sum excluding 72KM.”

Highlighting the scale of commitment, he said:

“It takes a lot of courage to do what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing. The entire road is being reconstructed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Providing updates on the current status, the Minister noted:

“The first 50km of reinforced concrete pavement is about 97% completed but the President directed me to come and open the road so that the people of SouthEast will not suffer during the Easter period and that why I am here to open the first 15km of the road.”

He further outlined several ongoing and completed road projects across the Southeast:

“The third legacy project is connecting southeast to Abuja in less than 4 hours. The section of that project is going on in southeast, 123km, 455b and it’s being done in reinforced concrete pavement.”

“That is not enough, we have Afikpo-Uturu-Okigwe, 64km, it’s being reconstructed under Dangote Tax credit, 193b, concret work is ongoing.”

“The Aba Ikot Ekpene Road, 1 Carriageway is completed, the second one is being engaged.”

“Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene is 95 percent done.”

“The Umuahia – Aba being executed by Arab contractors is 99% done.”

“The Owerri-Aba road, being constructed by Arab contractors is 70% done.”

“The second Niger By Pass, 17.5km with multiple bridge and flyovers, 174b, being done by CGC, that work is ongoing, 30% being paid for.”

“The Enugu-Abakaliki, 183b, 30% fully paid, that project is ongoing.”

“You come to multiple section, Enugu to Portharcourt. First section from Enugu being done by CGC, 60km dualized, about 70% of that project is done. We have directed that the remaining project of about 64km should be done on concrete. That is being done by CGC and that is 100b.”

“You come to the Setraco section, 99% finished. You come to the Arab contractors from Umuahia to Aba, 99% finished. Infact, we have to change the section in Aba, the last lane to be on concrete.”

“You come to Aba to Portharcourt, it’s being done by CCECC, one full carriageway done, second carriageway redesigned to be done on concrete.”

“Time will fail us to say all that the President is doing in SouthEast.”

“Owerri – Onitsha, that project is ongoing by CGC.”

“You come to one of the biggest Flyover in the country at Ekeobinagu, that project is 99% done. It’s almost 1km of Flyover. You all witnesses to the quality and the beauty and it’s for the President to commission it.”

He also referenced key emergency interventions:

“Talk about the two bridges that collapsed at Artisan section of Enugu State, within 9 months, the President reconstructed them with solar light.”

On the Enugu–Onitsha expressway, he added:

“You can see this Enugu-Onitsha, it’s going to be solar light all through. That’s what’s happening in Lagos Calabar Coastal Highway, that’s what’s happening Sokoto Badagry.”

Speaking on regional development and inclusion, the Minister stated:

“When I boldly say that the Biafra we are looking for is here and that’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

“In 2027, the people of SouthEast must be very strategic. We want these projects to be completed.”

“God already told me, you know this is David, the only man that is both Priest and king. And God has told me that President Tinubu will win again, he will win again.”

“It’s important that our people are strategic. We will not mount the seat of presidency by foul language, by mere wish, nobody will give it to us. We have to be strategic.”

“I will not stop telling the southeast, no matter who has the presidential ticket of other political parties, Southeast people must be strategic to support the president.”

On concerns about marginalization, he noted:

“The marginalization we are talking about, it’s over, for the first time, your son is Minister of Works.”

Speaking to leaders of South East, he said:

“I want to plead with leaders of SouthEast, we need to be vocal in telling the people what the president is doing for us. No more marginalization.”

“We never had service chiefs before but this administration, we have two, one before and one now. So, all the marginalization we are talking about is over now. It may not be 100% but the president have just begun. And so we have to support him.”

He also referenced earlier political agreements:

“Yes, South East deserves to be president but in 2023, we gave that right, Southern president to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We all met in Asaba, all the Southern Governors and we said it’s our turn, Emilokan, Emilokan will be over in 2031.”

On political engagement and unity, he said:

“My mouth will not close in telling the people of South East, in leading them, in appealing to them for us to be wise.”

“Anybody that is not supporting who you are supporting, you start attacking them, what sort of politics is that?”

“We vote for our brother in SouthWest, when it’s our turn, they will vote for us, that’s the strategy.”

On the economy and governance, he stated:

“The president has done extremely very well. You have to understand the kind of economy Mr. President inherited but the macro economy are all breathing very very well. They are all alive, the worst is over, the president is dealing with the micro economy.”

“When you talk about fuel economy and so on and so forth, strategic meeting was held yesterday on how to handle the unfortunate incident of the Iran war which has brought hardship on our people, so, the president is not asleep on this.”

He further called on regional leaders:

“I want our leader the Governor of Imo State to charge all the leaders of South East to be very vocal about supporting the President.”

“We will not support the President keeping quiet. Leaders must meet. We must collectively proclaim what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing for us.”

“And I am bold to say that all the Governors of southeast are supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

“But we have to take it down to our supporters, let them know what the president is doing for us.”

“Let them know that when we appreciate what he has done for us, he will do more for us.”

He emphasized the essence of governance:

“Governance is about development. Governance is about infrastructure. Governance is about fairness, equality and justice.”

“For the first time, we are part of being at the helm of affairs. As we are developing other regions through the support, finances, leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, South East for the first time is not left behind.”

He concluded with remarks on leadership, courage, and ongoing work:

“Even if our son becomes president at the right time, unless people like me and many people like me who get courage, I get courage, I don’t fear, that’s the only person that can attempt to do what the president is doing for us. Not anybody.”

“I have directed on this road to review all the failed asphalt sections on this road so that we can review it.”

“I have directed full solar light from Enugu to Onitsha.”

“I have directed full tree planting from Enugu to Onitsha.”

Umahi Opens Section Of Enugu-Onitsha Expressway

“That is the proof of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He will do more for us.”

“We should not be aiming to give him anything less than 80 percent. Do that and leave the rest for us. We will boldly go to negotiation table.”

“Let nobody split our votes. Let nobody mislead us.”

“I was shouting it when I was Governor like John the Baptist, prepare the ways of the Lord. This time I am shouting it again. Be strategic in voting for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

“If you are not being vocal to let the people know what the president is doing for us then you are not for us.”

“We need our leaders to begin to be very vocal and to be bold and begin to declare this divine president as a gift to the people of South East.”

“And he has asked me in furtherance to his love and commitment to the people of South East to come and open this road.”

“This first section is very strategic in the life of our people.”

“No more trailers falling at Ugwu Onyema, no more people suffering.”

“And we are going to put all the road architecture and our people will be very happy with what Mr. President has done for us.”

Francis. Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Works.
April 3, 2026