₦airaland Forum

The Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has officially inaugurated the newly elected FCT Area Council Chairmen, declaring an end to administrative laxity, incessant labour strikes, and financial unaccountability at the local government level.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony held at the FCDA Conference Hall in Abuja on Monday, June 15, 2026, Barr. Wike congratulated the new leaders on their victory at the FCT Area Council polls held in February, noting that their assumption of office ushers in a vital new era of grassroots leadership.

The Minister explicitly warned the new Chairmen that the celebration was over and the real work should begin. Reminding them of the solemn covenant they made with the electorate, he stated that the days of treating public office as a mere title were over.

"It will no longer be business as usual", Barr. Wike cautioned. "Your people listened to you and they all came out to vote for you. Remember, you have a covenant with the people. The people have performed their own civic obligation. You owe a duty to them to make them feel the impact of governance. It’s not to wear your traditional clothes; it is time to work for your people".

In a major policy directive, Barr. Wike announced tight fiscal monitoring over local government funds. While promising never to tamper with their allocations, he emphasized that the FCT Administration will closely monitor how every Naira is spent.

He strictly reminded the newly inaugurated leaders of public service rules governing local government finances, stressing that no Executive Chairman has the authority to directly sign checks.

"Some of you here operate accounts. No Executive Chairman is allowed to sign checkbooks. Your own is to approve. That’s why we have civil servants who are signatories to the accounts of Area Councils. Let no Chairman put himself in trouble by signing checks for withdrawal of money. You don’t have the authority", The FCT Minister declared.

"This is not the time you tell your treasurer or head of local government to meet you in a hotel, or ask, 'How much do we have? Remove this, keep this for me, I’m traveling tomorrow’. It will no longer happen. Please hear it now: if I know, I will call EFCC, I will call ICPC to look into your matter".

The Minister expressed deep dissatisfaction with the perennial strikes by the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and primary school teachers, which have historically paralyzed local education and governance. He noted that the FCTA has repeatedly borne the burden of bailing out Area Councils to pay teachers' salaries and rehabilitate schools, and tasked the new chairmen with finding permanent solutions to these labor disputes.

Barr. Wike further ordered the Chairmen to immediately halt the practice of abandoning their domains to reside in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) or luxury city hotels, linking their physical presence to local security intelligence.

"Stay where you were elected and perform your work. Don’t tell your people, 'come and see me in the city'’. You were not elected in the city. Stay at home so that your people can carry their problems to you. Stay at home so that you will know where kidnappers and bandits are operating from. If you are not at home, you won’t know where the problems come from. You must stay at home and give information to security agencies, the FCT Ministers, and the FCTA", Barr. Wike ordered.

To foster performance, the FCT Minister announced that the FCTA will reward Councils that distinguish themselves in governance. He said any Area Council adjudged as the most peaceful, or ranked highest in providing basic infrastructure, will receive special rewards from the Administration.

Barr. Wike also challenged the new leaders to use his own career trajectory which saw him climbing from a Local Government Council Chairman to a Governor and two-time Minister, as an inspiration. Pointing to the FCTA's rapid infrastructure delivery, which grew from a 9-day project commissioning streak in 2024, to 19 days in 2025, and an unprecedented 31 days in 2026, he urged them to set immediate 100-day and 1-year benchmarks. He also counselled them to empower youth and women, and to hold monthly stakeholder briefings to maintain public trust.

Earlier in her remarks, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, noted that the ceremony marked a renewed commitment to accountability, service, and inclusive growth at the grassroots.

She congratulated the newly inaugurated Chairmen and their deputies and encouraged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate through purposeful leadership, transparency, and people-centered governance. "May your tenure be defined by unity, innovation, and sustainable development", Dr Mahmoud stated.

The oath of office was administered on the Chairmen by Justice Belgore of the FCT High Court.

In a major boost to the nation’s justice sector, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially commissioned the new state-of-the-art Court of Appeal, Abuja Division Building in Dakibiyu.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Monday, June 15, 2026 at the court premises, President Tinubu who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, described the facility as a bold statement of his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda towards providing a befitting home for the rule of law.

The President noted that the new complex was birthed from his directive to replace the previously cramped, inadequate workspaces that hindered judicial efficiency, adding that the world class facility, featuring two large and eight smaller courtrooms, is designed to expedite legal proceedings and reduce congestion in correctional centres.

“When I visited and saw the condition, I gave a simple instruction: fix it. Today we have fixed it”, he stated.

He commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his exceptional delivery of the project in record time, and lauded the indigenous contractor, Visible Construction Limited, for also demonstrating that Nigerian firms possess the capacity to deliver high-quality infrastructure on schedule.Addressing the justices, the President stated that the complex was their right and not a favour and urged them to ensure that justice remains swift, fair, and blind to status.

He said, “My Lords you serve this nation under immense pressure. The Abuja division carries a heavy docket. From election petitions to constitutional matters, the eyes of Nigeria are on you. You deserve an environment that matches the weight of your responsibility. This complex is not a favour. It is your right. And we will do more”.

President Tinubu also emphasized that his administration is committed to rebuilding Nigeria brick by brick, adding that the project will serve as a centerpiece in his broader mission to restructure the judiciary and strengthen democratic institutions through improved infrastructure and increased funding.

Earlier in his remarks, the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike stressed that the provision of a comfortable, modern environment for judges was essential for the protection of the independence and integrity of the judiciary.

The Minister disclosed that he frequently visited the construction site to ensure the job was completed on schedule and in accordance with agreed standard, adding that the FCTA also constructed the access road to the court building which, he said, has encouraged construction works in hitherto undeveloped plots around the area.

Emphasizing the necessity of sustained funding for such urban renewal, the Minister urged residents to pay their ground rents, stressing, “You cannot have development when there is no fund. All of us are clapping…but have you asked yourself, have you played your own role as expected of good citizens? So, it is not enough to clap… If you know you have not paid your ground rent, consider that the land no longer belongs to you. We will give it to those who can pay us ground rent".

Also speaking at the event, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for demonstrating an unprecedented and transformational commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s judiciary. He particularly noted the historic, industry-wide upward review of judicial officers' remuneration by over 300%, which he described as a decisive effort to restore the dignity and independence of the judiciary as a co-equal arm of government.

The President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, on her part expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory for the delivery of the state-of-the-art Court of Appeal Abuja Division complex.

She emphasized that providing an enabling environment was critical to the judiciary’s functionality, noting that the new facility, equipped with 10 modern, fully digitized courtrooms. will drastically increase the court’s capacity to handle urgent matters such as political cases with unprecedented speed.

In an overview of the project, Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Engr Richard Yunana Dauda, revealed that the project was designed as a cascading building of 5-storey and 3-storey with a connecting walkway, 2 big court rooms, 8 small court rooms, 10 justice suites, 3 conference halls, a library, administrative offices and other essential external works. Engr Dauda stated that the completion of the project would facilitate the operations of the Court and hoped that it will in turn "translate into better justice delivery for the entire Nation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has officially commissioned the completed main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), stretching from the Ring Road I Junction (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway) to the Ring Road II Junction (Kabusa junction leading to outer districts of Lokogoma and Galadimawa in the FCT).

The President, who was represented at the ceremony by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, described the landmark project as a tangible manifestation of the "Renewed Hope" agenda, declaring that his administration has effectively brought an end to the culture of uncompleted and abandoned public works across Nigeria.

He said, "When we took the oath of office to lead this great nation, …we promised a renewed hope that is tangible—hope that you can see, hope that you can feel, and hope that you can drive on! We don't start projects to abandon them. The era of uncompleted projects in Nigeria is gone! We finish what we start".

President Tinubu recalled that he had, in the last two years, commissioned the initial stages of the inherited OSEX project (also known as Mahamadou Issoufou Way) and stressed that its completion will further enhance traffic flow in the FCT, reduce lost man-hours and save fuel for commuters.

He commended the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and his team for their dogged determination and focused vision in structurally transforming the nation’s capital for long-term prosperity, noting that the FCT Minister has shown that public service is about performance and not excuses.

"You have kept the contractors on their toes, and you have kept our vision alive. This is the spirit of the Renewed Hope agenda—delivering quality results for the Nigerian people, on time", President Tinubu stated.


The President also used the occasion to reassure Nigerians that the current administration was fiercely committed to infrastructure development across the country. “We will continue to build, we will continue to reform, and we will continue to invest in the future of our people”, he said

The Senate President, while delivering the executive address, also lauded Barr. Wike’s efforts to relocate the Apo Mechanic traders along the road corridor to a permanent site in the Wasa District. He noted that the tangible deliverables in the FCT were already earning the administration deep support from residents, as reflected in the ruling party's massive victories during the recent Area Council elections.

Speaking erlier, the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, recalled the President's explicit directive upon their inauguration in 2023 to ensure the completion of all inherited projects, given that they had already gulped significant public funds.

Barr. Wike further stated that the contract for the OSEX main carriageways from RRI to RRII was awarded in October last year, adding that he frequently visited the construction site to ascertain the progress of work, while the FCT Administration also ensured that the project was adequately funded.


The Minister admitted that he originally questioned whether China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC) could complete the road and its bridges in time for the President's third anniversary, but praised the firm for honoring its commitment and delivering on schedule.


“I want to sincerely thank CGC. This means that nothing is impossible if we are determined and committed to achieving results. With a proper understanding with your contractors and their belief that you will also carry out your own obligations, we were able to achieve a lot in ensuring we completed our project. I’m happy with them, and I want to say thank you so much on behalf of the FCTA", Wike said.


The Minister also used the occasion to dismiss critics who claim the country's developmental progress is stagnant, noting that the FCT Administration has earmarked an unprecedented 31-day period to inaugurate completed infrastructure projects in both the city centre and the satellite towns.

He added that the FCT Administration has also fully provided the infrastructure at the new site in Wasa District for the long-awaited relocation of the Apo Mechanic Village, bringing an end to years of unfulfilled promises by previous administrations to move them out and decongest the area.

"It baffles most of us when people say nothing is happening in this country. Can those in the FCT say nothing is happening in Abuja?" The Minister asked.

Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, while delivering the vote of thanks, expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to infrastructure development, describing the official commissioning of the two main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) as another landmark achievement under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She also affirmed that the project represents a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory and a testament to the President's determination to deliver purposeful governance through impactful infrastructure.

Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr Richard Yunana Dauda, in the project overview, explained that the commissioned project mainly comprised the two main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway from Ring Road I to Ring Road II and was being developed in stages.

He said the project, on full development will traverse Apo and Wasa districts, up to Kuje, terminating at the intersection of the Federal Highway, A2, at Gwagwalada along the Abuja-Lokoja route.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has confirmed the preparedness of his Administration to commence the commissioning of over 30 projects across the Territory.

Speaking with newsmen on Thursday, June 4, 2026, shortly after an inspection tour of some of the projects slated for commissioning, Barr Wike expressed his delight over the quality of all the projects inspected and confirmed that they were 100% completed.

“From what we have seen, we are set to go. I can say all the projects we inspected are one hundred per cent ready...I am very happy with the quality of the job”, he said.

Projects inspected included the Gwarinpa-Jahi Interchange, the Airport-Kuje Road, the Kuje-Gwagwalada Road, the Outer Southern Expressway main carriageways and the aesthetic redesign of the Abuja City Gate.

With specific reference to the Abuja City Gate, Barr Wike pointed out that its launch may be done at night so that the beauty of the redesigned Abuja City Gate would be better appreciated. “We believe that the City Gate will be inaugurated sometime in the night so that we can see the beauty of the place. We are very happy indeed, and I am sure that the residents of Abuja are also happy. This is governance in action, and you can see the dividends of democracy. You can see the Renewed Hope working, and we believe by the grace of God, from Monday we will start the commissioning of these projects”, he said.

He further extended an invitation to the media to be part of the commissioning ceremonies so that they could appreciate the level of work that the government had done towards transforming the Federal Capital Territory, adding, “You will be our apostles, our ambassadors to tell the world of the transformations by Mr President in FCT”, he added.

Responding to a question on the number of projects to be commissioned by the president, the FCT Minister said it would be determined by the Presidency, stressing that it was not possible for him to commission every project.

The Minister hinted that senior officials in government would also be involved in the commissioning exercise as was done in previous years.


PHOTOS:

1. The Outer Southern Expressway main carriageways, Abuja, ready for commissioning on Thursday

2. The interchange linking Jahi and Gwarimpa districts, Abuja, on Thursday. Ready for commissioning

3. An aerial view of the Kuje to Gwagwalada road. Ready for commissioning

4. A section of the Airport to Kuje town road on Thursday. Ready for commissioning

Homeowners at Dr. Sam Nujoma Estate in Galadimawa, Abuja, have appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to intervene over alleged security threats, assault, and extortion by developer El Salem Nigeria Limited.

In a complaint letter to the FCT Administration’s Legal Secretariat, the chairman of the estate resident association, Echefu Ifeanyi, said the house owners legitimately purchased the land and built and they are not tenants.

He alleged that officials of El Salem have refused to hand over management despite not having any more land to sell and have kept instigating private guards to threaten and assault the people.

Ifeanyi said the estate, on plot 21 in the Cadastral zone C17, Industrial Area II was originally allocated to the African University of Science and Technology in 2007. The university later entered into a sublease agreement with El Salem, which named the estate after Dr. Sam Nujoma and brought in eight other developers without FCTA approval.

He added that the site was designated in the FCTA development plan as a students’ hostel and not for other purposes.

The Chairman urged the Minister to help put measures in place to help Homeowners obtain their Rights of Occupancy and Certificate of Occupancy.

Confirming the development, FCTA Director of Investigation and Prosecution in the Legal Department, Joseph Eriki, in a letter of response to the Nigeria Police Force -CID, advised the police to arrest officials of El Salem and anyone claiming approval for purposes other than education.

He also accused the university of unilaterally changing the land use without government consent.

On the sublease and resulting criminal activities, Country Director of the African University of Science and Technology, Mr. Adekoya Seyi, said discussions were ongoing to resolve the matter.

“We are not unaware of the issues. Discussions are ongoing and will soon be resolved. However, I am not going to yield to the demands of the FCTA Legal Department Director,” Seyi said.

Efforts to get a response from El Salem Nigeria Limited Executive Director, Mr. Michael Onyebuchi, were unsuccessful as he did not answer or return calls.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State has no choice but to continue supporting President Bola Tinubu, citing what he described as unprecedented federal appointments and developmental projects enjoyed by the state under the current administration.

Wike made the declaration on Saturday in Port Harcourt during a luncheon organised by the Rainbow Coalition in honour of candidates participating in the forthcoming Governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections in Rivers State.

The former Rivers State governor urged residents to compare the benefits the state had received under previous administrations with what it had gained in less than three years of the Tinubu administration.

According to him, Rivers people must appreciate the President for recognising and rewarding the state.

“From 2023 to now, compare what Rivers State has benefited under this administration with what it got under previous governments. Look at the appointments and opportunities that have come to Rivers State. Compare them and tell yourselves the truth.

“President Tinubu has shown so much appreciation to Rivers people. We have no choice but to continue supporting him,” Wike said.

The minister dismissed ethnic and sectional sentiments in politics, insisting that governance and development should remain the primary considerations for voters.

He urged political supporters to focus on grassroots mobilisation rather than media appearances, stressing that elections are won at polling units.

“Television will not give you votes. What gives votes is going to your polling units, your wards and your local governments. Deliver your polling unit, deliver your ward and deliver your local government,” he said.

Wike also expressed confidence in the political strength of the Rainbow Coalition, declaring that the group would dominate future elections in the state.

“If you want to be relevant in Rivers politics, come and join the Rainbow Coalition. If you want to be governor, senator, House of Representatives member or councillor, come and join us,” he stated.

The FCT minister warned against any attempt to destabilise Rivers State, saying the state would resist forces seeking to undermine its interests.

“Rivers people are peaceful, but nobody should take our peaceful disposition for granted. Nobody can come here and hijack what belongs to our people,” he said.

Wike further called on aggrieved politicians to return and work with the coalition, assuring them that there was room for reconciliation and unity.

“I am using this opportunity to forgive everybody. Come back home sincerely and let us work together for the progress of Rivers State,” he said.

The former governor maintained that leadership should be determined by competence and commitment to the welfare of the people rather than ethnicity or religious considerations.

“It does not matter where a leader comes from. What matters is that the person will not make us regret supporting him. Our concern is good governance and the development of Rivers State,” he added.

At the event were the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and Action Alliance governorship candidates, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Sam Ejekwu and Ben Eke respectively, while that of Labour Party, Chima Bons was represented.

Others like the State Chairman of APC, Tony Okocha, PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Aaron Chukwuemeka, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, Ambassador-Designate to Ireland, Chief OCJ Okocha (SAN), Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Senator Magnus Abe, Niger Delta Development Commission's Executive Director of Finance and Administration and Boma Iyaye eulogized the FCT Minister's ingenuity in bringing together all major political gladiators in the State.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has declared several critical road and infrastructure projects across the nation’s capital ready for formal inauguration by June this year.

The declaration followed an extensive inspection tour conducted by the Minister on Monday, May 25, 2026, ahead of the scheduled commissioning in June to mark the third anniversary celebration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

During the tour, which covered the Renewed Hope City Access Road in Karsana District, Old Keffi Road Rehabilitation, FCT Highway 105 (Airport Road to Kuje), the Kuje to Gwagwalada Road (Phase 1) and City Gate remodeling, Barr. Wike expressed immense satisfaction with the pace and quality of work across various sites. He described the day as "one of the happiest days" given that the anticipated projects are now primed for inauguration.

The Minister disclosed that the construction of the access road to the Renewed Hope City in Karsana which is a critical infrastructure designed to unlock access to thousands of affordable housing units in the FCT was 98% completed and commended the construction firm, Lubriks, for delivering an exceptional job on the vital corridor.

Similarly, the Minister noted that the rehabilitation of the 17km Old Keffi Road stretching from Kado Village and Life Camp junction through to the Dei-Dei axis was officially cleared for commissioning, adding that the contractors were wrapping up the final stages of asphalt paving and street light installations. Once completed, this critical infrastructure will link populated communities like Saburi, Gwagwa, Idu and Karmo directly to the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) dramatically reducing travel time.

While praising the progress of work on the FCT Highway 105 from Airport Road to Kuje which is being executed by Arab Contractors, Barr. Wike described the newly transformed highway as a stellar example of governance in action. Additionally, the Minister stated that the Phase 1 of the high quality Kuje to Gwagwalada Road, handled by Gilmor was also completed and has vividly transformed the visual landscape of the entire Kuje area.

"It’s a very fantastic job. I am sure anybody who goes there will admire it, and that is what is called governance. That's showcasing governance. I’m very proud of the contractor, that is Arab Contractors. We are very proud of what they have done”, the Minister stated.

Rounding off the tour at the Abuja City Gate remodeling project, the Minister said the initiative was on track for a formal handover by early June and would successfully give the nation's capital a modern, welcoming new look. He stated that the landmark face-lift project being handled by Julius Berger Plc, was the visionary brainchild of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and lauded her supportive role in the administration.

"This is what you have when you have a good woman who means well for the administration of her husband. I am talking about the first lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. This is her brainchild. I am sure she will be happy with what she has seen. I am very happy with Julius Berger, and pleased with the quality of the job, and I am sure anybody, whoever passes here in the night, will see a different scene when they are coming into the city, the capital of Nigeria," Barrister Wike stated.

Addressing recent political developments in his home state of Rivers, specifically the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election, Barr. Wike stated that he was unsurprised by the emergence of Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda as the APC governorship flagbearer, describing Chinda as an experienced, highly qualified material whose track record in both the executive and legislature speaks for itself.

He also reacted to the late withdrawal of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from the contest, faulting the Governor for picking the APC gubernatorial nomination form, despite agreeing not to run for a second term as condition for the State Assembly to drop the impeachment proceedings against him.

He said, "In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form because the agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not talk about a second term. Collecting the form first didn't show signs of gentlemanship... But whatever it is, he has withdrawn, and somebody has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress".

VladimirTheGrea:
Racism in Nigeria is higher than that of Argentina.

The southwesterners are the highest rascists in Nigeria as of today.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says he will support only candidates that support President Bola Tinubu’s reelection, irrespective of political party in the FCT area councils’ election, scheduled for Feb. 21.

Wike stated this in Abuja on Saturday night, during Sen. Sandy Onor’s 60th birthday, a celebration of six decades of scholarship, leadership, service and meaningful impact.

The Minister, who said he owed no one an apology for supporting Tinubu, promised to support any candidate that supports the President at all cost.

“We have the FCT Area Council election coming up on Feb. 21 and I have a duty to support any candidate that supports President Tinubu to win.

“It is also my duty to ensure that any candidate that is not supporting Tinubu does not win in the election, and I owe no apology on my stand,” Wike said.

Speaking on the celebrant, the Minister described him as a “credible ally, a trustworthy friend and good brother”.

According to him, Onor is not just a friendly but a reliable friend, even in times of trouble “when you know who is a friend.

“I will continue to be with you and work with you, because I know even if I am not alive today, you will not abandon my family.”

Reading the citation of the celebrant, Prof. Anthony Eyang said that Onor, born on Feb. 14, 1966 in Ikom, Cross River, was raised in an environment deeply rooted in community values, discipline and faith.

Eyang said that the journey of Onor, a Professor of History began from the lecture halls of the University of Calabar to the floor of the Nigerian Senate, and onward to Cross River politics.

“This reflects a life devoted to learning, leadership, and the advancement of society,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman planning committee, Senator Philip Aduda, said that the event was a thanksgiving of God’s faithfulness on Onor’s life both as an academic and a politician.

On his part, Mr Samuel Otom, former governor of Benue, described Onor as an “icon”, a great Nigerian, and a man who had prepared himself and fit for leadership.

Otom, who stood in for the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, former governor of Abia State and Ambassador designate, equally described Onor as a “good man.”

Also, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) described the celebrant as a courageous and intelligent man.

“I love Sen. Sandy Onor because he is not one of those who stigmatise the constitution as a product of the military,” he said.

Prof. Dave Imbua, Head of Department of History and International Studies, University of Calabar, while presenting a Festchrift, a book written by scholars in honour of the celebrant, said Onor has remained a notable historian among academics.

The book was unveiled by Ikpeazu, on behalf of Wike and his friends, with N50 million.

In his remarks, the celebrant said he had realised in his 60th year of life that it was good to be a man of excellence and a man of character, adding that hard work always pays.

Onor, however, said that: “everything becomes insignificant if the finger of God is absent in one’s life”.

He thanked his family, friends and well-wishers for the show of love, adding that their support would not be taken for granted. (NAN)