While Nigerians marked another democracy day with celebrations, residents of Old Kutunku Phase II in Gwagwalada Area Council spent the day lamenting decades of government neglect and infrastructural decay.
The Keida Road community, which links Abuja to Lapai in Niger State, remains without a single health facility, school, or motorable road despite existing for over 30 years and housing hundreds of families.
Residents said the poor state of the area speaks volumes about how democracy has failed to reach the grassroots.
They said their deplorable conditions of living in the community only revealed that they have not benefitted from the dividends of democracy.
According to them, Old Kutunku is one of the Communities that has been lacking basic social amenities like schools, healthcare facilities and most especially road infrastructure.
For a resident of the community, Retired Reverend Simon Danjuma Kaura, the dilapidated condition of the major road in the community has resulted to various okada accidents where series of serious injuries had been sustained by victims.
With 547 registered houses and a growing population, residents say Old Kutunku has the numbers but not the attention of elected officials. The five-kilometre road into the community, they say, is a death trap cutting them off from economic opportunities and basic services.
Civil servant Patrick Oseiji, businessman James Ndachaba, and trader Agnes Christopher joined the call for urgent government intervention, insisting that fixing the road would open up the community to investment and ease transportation challenges.
The Mai Angwan of Keida Road Phase II, Chief Bitrus Mohammed Baba, revealed that multiple appeals to the Gwagwalada Area Council have gone unanswered.
“We also don’t have health facilities in this community, even school we don’t have but we have taken steps by informing Gwagwalada Area Council Authority believing that the issue will be addressed.”
He, however, acknowledged the recent donation of six solar-powered streetlights by the Area Council Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Jibrin Giri, but noted that more needed to be done.
“However, we thank the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Alhaji Abu Giri for giving us 6 solar powered street lights recently”, he stated.
Chief Baba and other residents appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to replicate his ongoing infrastructure projects in their community, saying the area has been left behind for far too long.
Fathers neglect fueling social breakdown, Abuja cleric warns
A cleric with the Baptist First Baptist Church, has called on fathers across the country to live up to their responsibilities, warning that failure to do so was contributing to the decline in family values and national development.
Speaking at the 2025 Father’s Day service of First Baptist Church, Gwagwalada, Reverend Deji Oyelami said many of the crises facing the country could be traced to absentee or irresponsible fatherhood, adding that any man who fails to provide for his family has no business claiming faith.
“Any man who does not provide for his household has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel,” Oyelami declared, quoting 1 Timothy 5:8. “You can’t build a nation if homes are broken. Rebuilding Nigeria starts with responsible men.”
Preaching on the theme “Responsible Men”, the cleric urged fathers not to let economic pressure push them into compromising their values, warning that ungodly living would only deepen their struggles.
He said the church would continue to push for strong, God-fearing homes as a foundation for national rebirth.
The Vice President of the Men Missionary Union, MMU, Rufus Ojoawo, said the annual event was not for show but a spiritual reminder that men must lead by example in their homes, churches, and society.
“Being a father is not just biological, it’s spiritual, financial, emotional. We are raising men who can stand and be counted,” he said.
Some members used the event to call on government to roll out policies that support families, saying Nigerian men are under increasing pressure to meet their roles in a harsh economy.
The celebration featured a symbolic parade by the Royal Ambassadors and Girls’ Auxiliary, drama performances, a talk show, and special prayers for fathers.
