The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mr Nyeson Wike, is enroute to China for a series of official engagements toward the provision of water for satellite towns in the FCT.

Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the minister on Public Communications and Social disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

Olayinka said that the minister was currently in  Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, en route to China.

He explained that while in China, Wike would meet with officials of the China Geo-Engineering Corporation Overseas Construction (CGCOC) Group over the water project.

He recalled that President Bola Tinubu had visited China in September 2024 and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and CGCOC Group.

The MoU, he said, was to improve electricity and water supply in the FCT, particularly in satellite towns.

He added that projects were part of Tinubu’s agenda to renew the hope and confidence of FCT residents in the government, through the execution of people-oriented projects.

He said that Tinubu had approved N50 billion for the provision of potable water in FCT satellite towns.

The spokesman said that Wike’s trip to China was to finalise discussion with CGCOC on the project in fulfillment of Tinubu’s directive to ensure water supply in Gwagwalada, Kwali and Kuje area councils. (NAN)

The Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF) has called for a robust policy reform and financial commitment to revamp maternal health equity through health insurance. This is contained in a statement signed by Ms Esther Anolu, Head, Marketing and Communications, NSSF, and made available to Newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.

The Managing Director/CEO, NSSF, Dr Fejiro Chinye-Nwoko, reaffirmed its commitment to championing maternal health equity in Nigeria during the 7th edition of its Fireside Chat Series in Abuja. Chinye-Nwoko said that the theme of the chat, “Breaking Barriers to Maternal Health Equity: The Role of Health Insurance in Promoting Women’s Wellness,” was apt considering the staggering statistics of maternal health in the country. “Nigeria’s maternal mortality rate remains unacceptably high with over 1,000 deaths per 100,000 live births. “This cannot continue.“We are here to ask the hard questions: how can we ensure that when a woman needs care, she can access it without money in her pocket and without delay? “That’s what health insurance is meant to do, and it must be inclusive and accessible.” During the panel discussions, Dr Mojisola Odeku, Senior Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, underscored the need to leverage donor support to improve access to women’s health services. Prof. Chima Onoka, representing the Director– General/CEO of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), highlighted the Authority’s work in expanding insurance coverage and digitizing registration processes.Dr Binyerem Ukaire, Director and Head, Family Health Department, Federal Ministry of Health, discussed national interventions, including free emergency cesarean sections (C-sections) and treatment for Vesico-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) in over 20 states. Chinye-Nwoko added:“We know from our work in the field that women are not just uninformed — they’re unregistered, unempowered, and underserved. Awareness is low. Access is difficult.“But we have the tools, the data, and the partnerships to change that. What we need now is policy implementation and financial commitment that match the urgency of this crisis.”According to the statement, one of the most urgent conversations that emerged from the event was the question: “Who pays for the health of the poor?”It said the question sparked robust dialogue around the need for sustainable financing models that ensure maternal care is not a burden for vulnerable women. The statement said that there was a consensus that without strong financial support systems including government-subsidized health coverage, millions of women will continue to fall through the cracks. “Another key theme was the importance of prevention as a cost-saving strategy. “Panelists agreed that scaling up preventive care, such as screenings, mental health support, and access to contraception, would significantly reduce maternal deaths and lower long-term healthcare costs. “NSSF also shared insights from its grassroots work, including field experiences in Ekiti State and its WeNaija Impact Cohort programme. “These programmes have revealed the real-world barriers women face, including misinformation, lack of trust, affordability concerns, and difficulties navigating the enrollment process,” the statement said.It expressed the commitment of the fund to transforming the resolution of the conversation into action. The NSSF would be developing a set of targeted policy briefs, capturing the key insights shared at the Fireside Chat, and presenting them to relevant stakeholders in government, health institutions, and civil society. “These briefs will offer actionable recommendations aimed at shaping inclusive, gender-sensitive health insurance policies that prioritize maternal wellness. “As part of our next steps, we are also adapting some of these learnings into our internal programmes, particularly through the WeNaija Impact Cohort. “This is where community advocates are integrating innovative solutions such as insurance education, wellness voucher models, and localised engagement strategies to improve maternal health access at the grassroots,” the statement said.(NAN)

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

The Osun State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, yesterday announced the tragic death of one of its operatives, Lamidi Abiodun, who was killed during an ambush by suspected armed hoodlums at the Papa boundary area in Iwo, Osun State.The incident occurred on Wednesday, following a distress call from local farmers operating in the Papa Farm area Iwo.

The farmers alerted the Iwo Area Command of Osun Amotekun Corps about an ongoing attack on their farmland. In swift response, a team of Amotekun operatives, in company with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), mobilized to the scene to confront the threat and safeguard lives and property.Upon arriving at the location, the team was ambushed by a group of armed men allegedly led by a notorious criminal known as Akeem Olofa, who has been a menace in the region. During the confrontation, Mr. Abiodun was attacked. Although initial gunfire did not penetrate his body, he was brutally assaulted with a machete to the head and died instantly at the scene.While most of the operatives managed to escape the ambush, one member of the VGN identified as Nurudeen Alowonle remains unaccounted for as of the time of this report and one Alex Sola was shot on the leg. The tragic loss of Abiodun has sent waves of grief throughout the Amotekun Corps and the entire security community in Osun State.The incident has been formally reported to the Nigeria Police in Iwo, and the body of the fallen hero has been deposited at a local mortuary for further procedures. Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being intensified to bring the perpetrators of this heinous crime to justice.The Osun Amotekun Corps remains resolute in its mission to protect the people and communities of Osun State from all forms of insecurity. We urge residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.”We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Lamidi Abiodun and stand united in honor of his bravery and ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty”.