The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has urged residents of the FCT and Nigerians nationwide to embrace the spirit of love, peace, and unity during the Christmas season.

In a heartfelt message shared via her social media platforms, Mahmoud emphasized the need for kindness and support, especially toward the less privileged, while encouraging citizens to reflect on values that promote togetherness and harmony.

She expressed optimism that the festive season would usher in renewed hope, happiness, and abundant blessings, adding that the government remains committed to fostering progress, inclusiveness, and shared prosperity in the coming year.

Her message reads:

“As we celebrate the joyous season of Christmas, I extend my warmest greetings to you and your loved ones.

“This season is a time to reflect on the values of love, peace, and unity that bind us as a community and as a nation.

“Let us use this occasion to show kindness to one another, especially to the less privileged among us, and to strengthen the bond that makes the FCT and our nation a beacon of hope and harmony.

“Together, we can continue to build a nation of inclusiveness, development, and shared prosperity.

“May this festive season bring us renewed hope, happiness, and countless blessings. As we step into the new year, we remain committed to working to achieve greater progress and opportunities for all.

“Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!”

Tensions flared at the University of Abuja on Tuesday as protesting professors condemned the controversial process for selecting a new Vice-Chancellor.
The demonstration took a violent turn when security operatives allegedly assaulted a Channels Television crew covering the protest.
Witnesses reported that the journalists were manhandled, their vehicle vandalized, and detained for over an hour.
The aggrieved professors accused the university’s management of conducting a flawed and opaque selection process, calling for immediate reforms and fairness in appointing the institution’s next leader.
While the university authorities have yet to respond to the accusations, security presence on campus has been intensified to quell further unrest.
The incident highlighted growing dissatisfaction within Nigeria’s academic community over leadership appointments and governance practices.

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has announced a record-breaking revenue collection of ₦252.8 billion for the 2024 fiscal year, surpassing its ₦250.2 billion target by 19.8%.

The Acting Executive Chairman the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service, Michael Ango, made the disclosure at an end-of-year briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

He stated that the revenue represents a 19% increase from the previous year’s internally generated revenue of ₦211bn and 101% of the 2024 revenue target of ₦250bn.
He attributed the agency’s success to enhanced collaboration, improved processes, and strategic reforms. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, FCT Minister Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and other stakeholders for their unwavering support in achieving the feat.

“This remarkable performance is a testament to the dedication of our staff, the FCT Administration, and the cooperation of various government agencies. Together, we have laid the foundation for sustainable revenue growth, which is critical to the transformation of the FCT,” he stated.

He explained that ser ice implemented several initiatives in 2024 to enhance revenue collection, including Organisational Restructuring through the Creation of new departments such as Audit, Debt Management, Enforcement, and a High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs) Unit.
He indicated that over 52 training programs were conducted, with every staff member attending at least one session.
The service according to him Strengthened partnerships with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the FCT Judiciary to boost compliance.
He also pointed out that new payment gateways and plans for kiosks were created in strategic locations to simplify tax payment.
The Acting Executive Chairman outlined ambitious goals for 2025, to include harmonisation of Revenue Collection by managing revenue collection on behalf of Area Councils to streamline processes and improve transparency.

The introduction of new revenue streams in property and Betting taxes he said will complement existing taxes and align with recent Supreme Court rulings.

The Acting chairman of agency promised to intensify efforts to prosecute tax defaulters while continuing public education on tax compliance.
He promised impproved Working Conditions through provision of laptops to all staff by mid-2025 and addressing of manpower shortages

He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency, innovation, and collaboration as guiding pillars for 2025.
He called on residents to fulfill their tax obligations to support the FCT’s infrastructural development, driven by the leadership of Minister Wike.

In his concluding remarks, the Acting Executive Chairman emphasized the importance of partnership with the media in maintaining public trust and awareness.

“As we approach 2025, we count on your support to promote accountability and ensure our shared goals for the FCT are achieved. Together, we can drive the transformation of the FCT into a model city,” he stated.

The briefing ended with a commitment to continuous engagement with stakeholders and a promise of more impactful initiatives in the coming year.