As the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, commences full implementation of its Breathe Clean Air Initiative, more than 5,000 households are set to benefit, receiving free gas cylinders along with free refills of cooking gas for six months.
This was disclosed on Saturday at the official launch of the Safe Environment Renewable Project – Breathe Clean Air Abuja.
The Mandate Secretary, FCTA Health and Environment Secretariat, FCT-HES, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said the focus of the programme goes beyond distributing palliatives. She explained that it aims to tackle environmental ignorance and help women better manage household health.
She noted that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has touched every aspect of human life, with a clear intention to improve living standards across all social classes.
Fasawe stated that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has fully aligned himself with the President’s vision and has shown firm commitment to making the FCT a better place for all.
She said, “The truth is, health is wealth. Health and environment are equal. So the focus of this program is not only to give out palliatives, as we’ve done in the past.
“The focus of this program is to address the Renewed Hope Agenda Initiatives. It’s to tell Nigerians that if only we can put our hands together, and not wait for governments alone, we can have a happy, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria. Because truly, with peace and prosperity Nigeria will be great again.”
Also speaking, Babagena Adams, Permanent Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, FCTA, said the initiative is vital as it will reduce the stress pregnant women endure.
He said, “We’re also saving the pregnant women, along with the family. So if they live healthy, they’ll be more productive, and the GDP of FCT will increase. A healthy community is a wealthy community, that’s the benefit.”
Earlier, a partner of the initiative and Chief Executive Officer of IHS Nigeria Limited, Mohammed Darwish, said the initiative is designed to protect mothers and children from inhaling toxic gases that endanger their health.
He explained that prolonged use of firewood and charcoal exposes families to hazards such as lung cancer and other respiratory diseases.
According to him, “the six month voucher distributed in addition to the cylinder would encourage the beneficiaries to sustain the usage of the gas cylinders.
“This programme, in a nutshell and simple English, is about helping 5,000 mothers, sisters, and daughters by not inhaling toxic gases anymore, and by really making sure that their health is better by breathing fresh air. That’s in a nutshell,” he said.
The Executive Vice President of IHS, Ayotade Oyinlola, added that the distribution will significantly reduce the proportion of family income spent on medical bills.
A Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist at the National Hospital Abuja and Secretary of the Nigerian Cancer Society, FCT Chapter, Dr Ayuba Hannatu Usman, said the initiative is centred on health prevention through lifestyle improvement.
Adding her voice, Daniela Omotola, one of those spearheading the campaign through Rotaract Clubs in Abuja, hailed the project as a timely, life-changing intervention that will reduce pollution-related illnesses and support a healthier FCT.
Stakeholders at the launch noted that as more households transition to cooking gas, pressure on surrounding ecosystems — including tree loss, soil degradation, and rising temperatures — is expected to reduce over time.
According to the FCTA, the project forms part of its broader strategy to promote environmental health, reduce pollution, and create safer living conditions for residents of the Federal Capital Territory in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
