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Wike renames Abuja ICC after Tinubu

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has renamed the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Wike made this known during the unveiling of the rehabilitated centre by Tinubu in Abuja on Tuesday, as part of activities to celebrate the president’s second year in office.

He also named some of the halls after Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speakers of the House of Representative, Tajudeen Abbas.

This, according to him, is to thank them for supporting the FCT Administration and demonstrate the cordial working relationship, among the Executive, Judiciary and the Legislative arms of government.

He recalled that the conference centre was built in 1991 under the military government, adding that the centre has not been rehabilitated since then.

He said that Tinubu, in line with his “Renewed Hope Agenda”, gave the order to rehabilitate the centre, following the dilapidated state of the conference centre.

Wike added that following Tinubu’s quality leadership, the matching order has transformed the edifice to a befitting conference centre, which demonstrated that Nigeria was truly the giant of Africa.

“Today Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre is a match with any other international conference centre in the world,” he said.

The minister, however, said that to maintain the facility, everybody that intends to use the conference centre must pay.

“I want to let everybody know, whether you are a ministry; whether you are an agency, if you want to use this you have to pay something. That is the only way it can be sustained.

“Nothing like my brother, my sister has a wedding. If you want to use such a beautiful place, then you must pay something,” he added.

Wike said that the centre was handed over to a politician to manage and he killed the place.

He added that when the FCT Administration took over the edifice to rehabilitate it, the politician dragged the FCT Administration to court amidst other pressures from politicians.

He thanked Tinubu for encouraging him to go ahead with the rehabilitation and ignore the distractors saying, “if not for your kind of person, we would not have done this work.

“We thank God for showing that leadership. This is because our problem is leadership. If you have the right leadership, things will get done and that is what you have shown us”.

Tinubu, who described Wike as a transformative leader, noted the dilapidated state of the centre when he visited the centre to attend the ECOWAS Parliament.

“It was a very dirty, disorganised, uninhabitable environment. Aside from the side talk I had with the Senate President, I turned to Wike and said this conference centre is not reflecting who we are. Have we sunk this low?

“He said no, but bear with us, we will do whatever we can do to transform the place. You won’t come back to find it in a dilapidated state and today I am very happy.

“I am greatly honoured and happy to be here to reopen this international conference centre as part of our determined efforts to change the way we do things, to reflect us as people of quality, people of character, people of determination, people of great spirit.

“That is who we are and I am glad that you, Nyesom Wike, is reflecting that,” the president said.

Tinubu urged Wike not to pay attention to the busybodies and bystanders, “whatever they say, continue to do your good work.

“You are a transformational leader, you have the foresight, the vision and the determination to succeed. Thank you very much”.

On his part, Akpabio commended Wike for the renovation, rehabilitation, and transformation of the international conference centre.

“We are proud of the fact that we do the budgeting, we give the approvals, and you do the execution.,” he said.

The centre, built by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC in 1990 and completed in time for the 1991 OAU Heads of Government meeting, has long served as a venue for government functions, international summits, exhibitions, and corporate events.

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Four arrested as police uncover N500m Canadian-Australian visa scam

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested four individuals in connection with a visa scam that defrauded over 100 Nigerians of approximately ₦500 million.

The suspects, identified as Blessing Wefsutu (27), Chineye Christian (36), Archibong Udeme Ifereke (23), and Maurine Peter (25), were apprehended by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). All four are reportedly staff members of an educational consultancy firm located in the Ago Okota area of Lagos, where the fraudulent activities were allegedly carried out.

According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the suspects deceived their victims with false promises of securing work visas to Canada and Australia.

The case, initially lodged at the Ago Okota Division, was later transferred to the SCID for deeper investigation. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects fraudulently obtained ₦500 million from over 100 unsuspecting victims,” Hundeyin stated.

Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, advised the public to exercise caution when dealing with travel and recruitment agencies. “Residents must exercise due diligence to avoid falling victim to such scams. The Command remains committed to pursuing justice and protecting residents from fraudsters and other criminal elements,” Jimoh said.

Further investigations uncovered that the syndicate includes other accomplices who are currently on the run. The police have assured the public that efforts are underway to locate and arrest all individuals involved.

The arrested suspects are currently in custody as the investigation continues.

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Nigerian Air Force to acquire 49 new aircraft by 2026

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has announced plans for a major expansion of the Nigerian Air Force’s aerial fleet, with the acquisition of 49 state-of-the-art aircraft scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.Nearby concert tickets

Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Aircraft Engineering Conference held at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) headquarters in Abuja, Abubakar said the incoming aircraft will include three CASA 295 transport planes, 10 AW-109 Trekker Type B helicopters, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters, and 24 M-346 fighter jets.

“These aircraft are all high-tech platforms that require very sophisticated maintenance activities to operate effectively,” the Air Marshal stated during his address at the event themed, Enhancing Aircraft Serviceability in the NAF through Strong Maintenance Culture and Strategic Partnerships.

He underscored the need for NAF personnel to adopt advanced, innovative, and data-driven maintenance practices, stressing that the expansion in operational capability must be backed by robust engineering and logistics support systems.Nigerian fashion

“In the last two years, NAF has reached new heights in operational capability. But this progress must be matched by robust support systems to ensure sustained air power delivery in pursuit of national security goals,” Abubakar said.

He added that significant investments have already been made in logistics infrastructure, spare parts, and ground support tools to ensure that all operable aircraft are fully serviceable by the fourth quarter of 2025.

Chief of Aircraft Engineering, Air Vice Marshal A.I. Amodu, also spoke at the event, describing aircraft engineering as “the backbone that supports the NAF’s mission and objectives.”

He said the rapidly evolving security landscape demanded a proactive and responsive approach to aircraft maintenance, and emphasized the importance of the annual conference as a platform for exchanging ideas, refining strategies, and promoting a culture of engineering excellence.

In addition to the planned acquisitions, the NAF has taken delivery of 15 new aircraft in the last two years. These include six T-129 ATAK helicopters, two AW-109 Trekker Type A helicopters, three Beechcraft King Air surveillance aircraft, and four Diamond 62 reconnaissance planes.

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Bandits abduct ward councillor and others in Katsina

Armed bandits have abducted several people, including a ward councillor, Hon. Buhari Aliyu Daudawa, in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Security analyst Bakatsine, who disclosed this on Tuesday, July 15, 2025 said the attack occurred on Monday night in Daudawa community.

According to the conflict journalist, the gunmen kidnapped Buhari Aliyu Daudawa, who serves as the councillor representing Daudawa ward, along with several other residents.

“Yesterday night, bandits invaded Daudawa in Faskari LGA, Katsina State. They abducted several people including the ward Councillor, Hon. Buhari Aliyu Daudawa during the invasion,” Bakatsine wrote.

The exact number of abducted victims is still unknown at the time of filing this report.