The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday declared that he would ensure that former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, fails in his push for the presidency.

Speaking through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike said he has no regret that Atiku refused to pick him as his running mate during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election.

In an interview with Adesina Giwa-Osagie, Atiku said he had “no regrets” for ignoring Wike as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.

Wike had expected to be compensated with the vice-presidential slot, but Atiku picked former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Addressing why he chose Okowa over Wike, Atiku stated that he deliberately left the decision to the PDP.

“They said I did not consult widely in 2019 when I picked Peter Obi as my running mate, so in 2023, I told the party to set up a committee to recommend three names,” Atiku said.

Atiku said the committee ranked Okowa as the top choice, with Wike in second place and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel in third.

“So I picked number one,” he said.

Responding, Olayinka said Wike has no regret over losing the slot to Okowa.

Posting on X, Olayinka wrote: “Two years after making the @OfficialPDPNig lose a presidential election it could have won, @atiku is giving reasons he did not pick @GovWike as his running mate and that he has no regrets.

“Someone should tell our serial presidential election contester that Wike also has no regret for ensuring that he failed in the election and will make sure that he fails again and again.”

In commemoration of World Water Day 2025, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), a member of Coca-Cola HBC (CCHBC) and the bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company and Quality Foods Africa, operator of Dodo Pizza, Krispy Kreme, Scoop’d Ice Cream and Burger Nation, have reinforced their commitment to water stewardship and environmental sustainability across Nigeria.

World Water Day, observed annually on March 22, is a United Nations initiative to spotlight the importance of freshwater and advocate for sustainable water management. The 2025 theme, “Glacier Preservation,” underscores the critical role of glaciers in sustaining life and maintaining the global water cycle

According to Oluwasoromidayo George, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director at NBC, the company marked the occasion with initiatives across several states, engaging communities, environmental advocates, and stakeholders to promote water conservation.

“Water is life—it sustains people, communities, and ecosystems. As the main ingredient in our products, we take our responsibility seriously by using it efficiently, treating it responsibly, and ensuring safe water returns to the communities we serve. Our World Water Day initiatives reflect this unwavering commitment,” George stated.

She explained that NBC’s activities spanned multiple locations, including Maiduguri, Kano, Lagos, Abuja, Asejire, Owerri, and Benin, focusing on water security, waterway and coastal protection, and community empowerment through sustainable actions.

A major highlight of this year’s activities was the clean-up exercise at Elegushi Beach, Lagos, organized in partnership with Quality Foods Africa (QFA), franchisors of loved brands like Dodo Pizza and Krispy Kreme, as well as homegrown brands such as Scoop’d and Burger Nation. Employees of NBC and QFA, along with volunteers and environmental advocates, participated in removing plastic waste and pollutants, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to cleaner coastlines.

“At Quality Foods Africa, sustainability is at the heart of what we do. Partnering with the NBC for this year’s World Water Day aligns with our commitment to responsible business practices. Through initiatives like the Elegushi Beach Clean-Up, we are not just fostering cleaner coastlines but also reinforcing the importance of collective action in protecting our environment for future generations” – Omachona Eguda, Marketing Manager, Quality Foods Africa.

On March 21, NBC conducted an awareness session at Amakohia Primary School, Owerri, educating students and teachers on the importance of water conservation. On March 22, the company embarked on a sensitisation drive at Kuchigoro Community, Abuja, which included a WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) awareness campaign to enhance community water access and hygiene standards. The activities culminated with a water conservation awareness walk in Owerri on March 25, further amplifying messages on sustainable water management.

Through these initiatives, NBC continues to lead by example in water conservation and environmental sustainability, reaffirming its role as a responsible corporate leader dedicated to a water-secure future.

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About the Nigerian Bottling Company

Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd is a member of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company A.G, an anchor bottler for The Coca-Cola Company in 29 countries in North, Central and South Europe, Asia and Africa with over 715 million consumers and more than 197 brands in these markets. NBC manufactures, markets, and distributes a portfolio of strong brands including Carbonated Soft Drinks which has the iconic Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes and Limca; Still Drinks including the Five Alive range and Eva water while also partnering with other beverage businesses to sell Monster and Predator energy drinks and premium spirit brands.

The Nigeria Police Command in Rivers State on Tuesday confirmed the killing of an unspecified number of suspected vandals attempting to vandalize a pipeline in the Rumuekpe Aluu community.

CP Olugbenga Adepoju, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, revealed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, stating that the suspects died on the spot.

He reported that the operation was part of the ongoing joint effort with other security agencies to safeguard Rivers.

Adepoju said: “The joint security forces successfully thwarted an attempt by miscreants to vandalise a pipeline, leading to the death of the vandals who sought to detonate it.

“The failed detonation was due to the swift response of security personnel to the incident at Allu-Rumuekpe in Ikwerre Local Government Area, LGA, of Rivers on March 16.”

Adepoju also disclosed that following the success, security forces proceeded to Onelga LGA on March 19, where they stopped another potential bomb attack by criminals.

According to him, two suspects were arrested in possession of four dynamites during the operation.

He added that the police also detonated pods, and other Improvised Explosive Device, IED, components.