By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Tuesday, has announced the immediate upgrade of all traditional rulers in the nation’s capital.

Wike revealed this when he paid a thank you visit to the residents of Abaji area council, Abuja.

 The FCT Minister elevated all 2nd Class Traditional Rulers to 1st Class status, and all 3rd Class Traditional Rulers to 2nd Class across FCT.

He commended all the traditional rulers and added that they all deserve the promotion for supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Wike, “The Ona of Abaji, Alh. (Dr) Adamu Baba Yunusa,when I see traditional leaders, who are very truthful. I feel so honored that I have met you, even during our meetings with traditional leaders. I called you before the meeting, and you told me to go home, that you will support Mr. President.  I don’t think that there is anything you would request, that we will not do. No.

‎”Let me tell you as a chairman of council, to get a design for the palace of Ona of Abaji. Let me also say, the Ona of Abaji, you made a very important request. But the palace was concerned only.

“All the second class traditional rulers have been upgraded to first class. And all the third class have been upgraded to second class. Because you have worked hard for it, and you deserve it”.

He also assured the people of Abaji that he has come to give them good governance and dividends of democracy.

The FCT Minister also commended the Chairman of Abaji Abubakar Umar Abdullahi, for his humility and what he is doing for the residents of the council.

 “I want to say that each time I meet with them, in particular their Chairman, I’ve never seen a man with such humility that is very special. I will urge him to keep it up because he has a lot of places to go.

‎”We make a request that you support President Bola Tinubu and that support will start from the council election. And that council election came out February 21, 2026. And you fulfilled your own promise. You came out in your numbers. Out of 135 polling units, you gave to Mr. President 133 polling units. What else can we say but to tell you thank you. Now you have done your own and we will do our own too”.

‎He therefore urged them to ignore critics and politicians who pretend to love them.

“They are very deceitful. They will come down. On the day of the market, they will stop on the road. They will buy groundnuts. They will buy roasted corn. And they start chewing. All those things are fake news. Do you understand me? All those things. You see what people say, you don’t know who left your hand at old age. Once you are not used to, you are not used to”.

‎On projects, he assured, “The chairman said that two areas are having problems with erosion. And has said that the project, a road project that was abandoned. Let me tell you, even if he did not vote for us, he didn’t vote for Mr. President. But because of the humility of your chairman, it has attracted us to say that we are going to give you support. Therefore, Mr. Chairman, therefore, the Abaji-Ebagi community, these two areas of erosion and the road they abandoned will be done”.

‎He also assured them that, “We have made it public that the University of Science and Technology, under this administration, will see the reality of it”.

Earlier, the Chairman of the council, Yunusa, commended the FCT Minister for the various ongoing development experiences in the council since his Inception.

‎”Your Excellency, after your coming, we experienced a rapid development, a sense of belonging, that we belong to FCT. When you came on board, we were opportune to get a developmental project, a five-kilometer road of Naharati Township in Abaji Area Council, which is first of its kind, Your Excellency.

‎”Under your good leadership, we were able to secure a two-divisional police force, situated in Yaba and Gaube, at 90% completion. The people of Abaji have confidence in your leadership. And we believe, Abaji Area Council will be great under your leadership.

“Because of your good leadership, in the past election, Abaji Area Council had 135 polling units. To the glory of God and your leadership, APC won 133 polling units across Abaji Area Council, leaving just two polling units out of 135 polling units. We won the 10 political wards of Abaji Area Council. We won the election with a total vote of 15,535, which is first of its kind”.

Yunusa, therefore appealed, “We want to tender our passionate appeal, pleading for the completion and approval for the commencement of the University of Science and Technology. We have a gully erosion, which claims a lot of properties, one in Wadata and one in Modelli. Your Excellency, we are seeking your aid.

“There is an abandoned road project, which was awarded in 2014. That project is abandoned, sir. It’s a 15-kilometer road, Pandagi to Urimba-Ebagi. That project has been abandoned, and it is a FCDA project,

“We want to assure you that come 2027, just go and sleep”.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed sympathy with the family and associates of renowned football administrator and former Super Eagles head coach, Adegboye Onigbinde.

Onigbinde died on Monday at the age of 88. The President also extended condolences to the Nigeria Football Federation, the National Sports Commission, professional colleagues and football fans over the passing of the veteran administrator, who distinguished himself as the first indigenous coach of the national team in 1982.

Tinubu’s condolence message was contained in a statement released on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

In the statement, the President commended the contributions of the Modakeke high chief to grassroots football development and the strengthening of football administration in Nigeria.

Tinubu also acknowledged the historic leadership of Onigbinde, who guided Nigeria to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1984.

The President said, “The accomplished football manager will be remembered for his discipline, integrity, foresight, and passion for the round-leather game.”

The family of the football tactician announced his passing on Monday in a message signed by a family member, Bolade Adesuyi.

Onigbinde led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Japan and South Korea.

Nigeria were eliminated in the group stage after defeats to Argentina (1–0) and Sweden (2–1), and a goalless draw with England.

Before then, he coached the Green Eagles between 1982 and 1984

In 1984, Onigbinde also led Nigeria to the final of the 1984 African Cup of Nations, where they lost 3–1 to Cameroon.

Later that year, he took over as coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club in Ibadan and guided the club to the final of the African Cup of Champions Clubs, where they lost to Zamalek SC of Egypt.

Since stepping down from the national team job, Onigbinde remained a respected Nigerian football tactician and later served as a technical instructor for the Confederation of African Football and FIFA.

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

Not fewer than 9000 youths from across the 18 local government areas of cross river state have shown up in Calabar the cross river state for the police recruitment exercise into the Force.

Meanwhile, only about 65 successful applicants from each of the 18 local government areas of the state would be selected.

This indicates that only 1,170 successful applicants will be selected from the state in the 2025/2026 exercise.

Speaking on Monday when he addressed the applicants at the Police Officers’ Mess on Moore Road Calabar, venue of the exercise, Commissioner of Police, Rashid B.

He stressed that the exercise which started on Monday March 9, 2026 is free, transparent, and based solely on qualification and merit.

A statement signed by ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, the Command’s PRO, on Tuesday, said, “The Command therefore advises all applicants to remain vigilant and report any individual or group demanding money or making fraudulent promises in connection with the recruitment exercise via the Police complaint response unit in the hr state, 08134096900.”

The commissioner had received members of the 2025/2026 Police Constable Recruitment Screening Team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Victor Bekep, at the venue.

He charged the screening team to carry out their assignment with diligence, professionalism, and transparency.

The CP assured the team that the Command, in liaison with the Cross River State Government, will provide the necessary support to ensure the exercise is conducted smoothly and without hitches.

The Team Lead, DCP Victor Bekep urged the applicants to conduct themselves in an orderly and disciplined manner throughout the exercise.

He emphasized that the screening process is strictly merit-based and that only candidates who meet the stipulated requirements will proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process.