President Bola Tinubu is presiding over a meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

The meeting began shortly after Tinubu arrived at the venue at 2:34pm, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Our correspondent observed that the Ministers of Defence, Foreign Affairs, the Federal Capital Territory and Aviation, among others, were absent from Wednesday’s meeting.

The council is expected to consider a new National Policy on Small and Medium Enterprises as one of the items on the agenda.

The Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, Charles Odii, had on Tuesday hinted at the pending policy while speaking at the rollout of a free digital training platform designed to improve SME access to government contracts in Abuja.

Odii said, “SMEDAN welcomes this partnership as the apex agency for MSME development. We see this portal as a practical step towards making the government a more accessible market for entrepreneurs.

“When capable SMEs can compete for public contracts on clear terms, they gain avenues and experience, the government broadens its supplier base, and more value stays in the local economy.

“This is fully consistent with the national policy on MSMEs. We are reviewing the national policy on SMEs right now and we are just awaiting the FEC approval for the policy, from 2026 to 2030, and the policy expressly provides for improved MSME participation in public procurement under its market access provisions, recognising public contracts as a strategic route for enterprise growth, formalisation, and local content.”

By Laide Akinboade Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to show what they did for Rivers State, questioning their contributions to the people of Tai and Ogoni.

Wike spoke at a town hall meeting in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he mobilised support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the election.

The former Rivers State governor questioned Atiku’s record during his eight years as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, asking whether he had done anything for the people of Tai and Ogoni.

“Atiku, you have been vice president for 8 years, is that not correct? Is it not correct? Do you remember the Thai people? Do you remember the Ogoni people?” Wike asked.

He also dismissed the social media popularity of Obi, arguing that online visibility was not enough to qualify anyone to lead the country.

“Yes, Peter Obi everywhere in social media, everywhere in social media. Peter Obi, what did he do? No, go and ask him,” he said.

Wike urged the people to look beyond political popularity and assess candidates based on their records and contributions, particularly to the development of their communities.

He cited the establishment of the Federal University of Environment in Tai as an important development for the Ogoni area, saying the institution would create employment and educational opportunities as it grows.

The minister urged residents not to underestimate the benefits of the university, noting that establishing a federal institution required considerable effort and legislative backing.

He urged residents to consider the development opportunities available to the area when deciding whom to support, maintaining that political leaders should be judged by their records rather than their popularity.

Chairman of Tai Local Government Area, Mbakpone Friday Okpe, highlighted his administration’s efforts to support the university and expand educational opportunities for local students.

Okpe said the council had completed the screening of postgraduate students for bursaries and grants, explaining that the intervention was intended to help students take advantage of the institution’s presence in the area.

He said the council had also constructed the university’s entrance gate and a dual-carriageway within the institution, alongside a one-kilometre tarred road, to complement the Federal Government’s efforts.

The chairman listed markets and lodge facilities among projects completed by his administration, adding that other projects, including a health centre, a modern town hall and community roads, were planned.

Okpe said the university represented an important opportunity for Tai and the wider Ogoni area, adding that the local government would continue to support its full take-off.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested a Deputy Superintendent of Corps with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Onoja Samuel, for allegedly firing shots into the air during a confrontation with traders at a market in the Kubwa area of Abuja.

According to the police, Samuel had gone to the market armed with a pistol following reports that some traders had assaulted his wife.

In a statement on Wednesday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said operatives attached to the Kubwa Police Division were promptly deployed to the scene and arrested the suspect after disarming him.

“On 25th October, 2026, at about 1:50 pm, a distress call was received at Kubwa Police Division reporting that an unidentified man, armed with a pistol, was firing sporadically into the air at a market in Kubwa, Abuja.

“Upon receipt of the report, Police operatives attached to Kubwa Division were promptly deployed to the scene. Following concerted efforts, the suspect was successfully disarmed and arrested.

“Preliminary investigations identified the suspect as one Onoja Samuel, a Deputy Superintendent of Corps with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

“Further findings revealed that the suspect had gone to the market armed with a pistol following reports that some traders had assaulted his wife. During an ensuing argument with the traders, he fired several shots into the air,” Adeh said.

The police spokesperson said a CZ pistol and 17 rounds of live 9mm ammunition were recovered from the suspect during his arrest.

She added that the NSCDC officer remained in police custody and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Ahmed Sanusi, urged personnel of sister security agencies to exercise restraint and notify the police divisions responsible for areas where they intend to conduct authorised operations.

“Operatives of sister security agencies are urged to exercise restraint and notify the Police Divisions responsible for the areas in which they intend to conduct sanctioned operations within the FCT, to ensure proper coordination and prevent avoidable clashes,” he said.