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The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Commission (NSC), has slated the ancient Zaria Polo Club for comprehensive restoration as part of its nationwide sports infrastructure renewal program.

Consultants from the NSC recently visited the club’s Elizabeth Road complex in Zaria, Kaduna State, to inspect damaged facilities and assess structural requirements following more than ten years of neglect.

‘Yes, we are happy that the Federal Government has finally come to our rescue. Already officials from Abuja have visited us here in Zaria and have inspected the complex and taken note of all that is required to put the polo club back in use,’ a senior Zaria Polo Club official confirmed. ‘We are thrilled that the noble game will soon return to Zaria, and the Zazzau Emirate Council is fully supportive of this effort.’

In preparation for the revamping project, the Zaria Polo Club Management Committee convened an emergency meeting to restructure operations. The committee resolved to dissolve the current management team, suspend Polo Captain Faruk Dokaji, and establish an interim committee to oversee transition efforts.

Founded in the early 1920s by members of the royal family and British officers, Zaria Polo Club is one of Northern Nigeria’s oldest sporting venues. Its annual tournament historically serves as the opening leg of the second phase of the national polo tour, featuring top teams from Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina competing for historic honors including the Royal Signal Trophy, Emir of Zazzau Cup, Jafaru Cup, and University Cup.

Wale Adenuga Productions, producers of some of Nigerian’s most beloved TV series including, ‘Superstory,’ ‘Papa Ajasco and Company,’ ‘Akpan and Oduma,’ and ‘Nnenna and Friends,’ as well as the creative powerhouse behind PEFTI Film Institute has congratulated Binta International School on the successful launch of its ultramodern campus in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Under the proprietorship of Pastor Mrs. Ehimwenma Adenuga, the new Ibadan Campus marks a significant expansion to Binta, which previously had campuses in Ejigbo, Mushin, and Ajao Estate, Lagos.

This is in a bid to bring premium education closer to the doorsteps of parents who value the professional nurturing and development of their children and wards.

The Chairman of Wale Adenuga Productions, Wale Adenuga, MFR, was full of congratulatory messages to Binta International School as he said: ‘Wale Adenuga Productions and Binta International School have always had a special history together. Aside from the fact that Binta’s Proprietress is my beautiful wife of more than fifty years, WAP has always played a big role, especially in the area of nurturing the talents of Binta students. Binta and Friends TV series was created and featured talented students from Binta.

‘A lot of Binta students feature in WAPTV programs. The relationship between both organizations has therefore played an important role in exposing young talents to opportunities within the creative industry.’

The Federal Ministry of Works has dismissed reports alleging structural defects on the Oju-Ore Bridge in Ota, Ogun State, saying the bridge passed required integrity tests and remains structurally sound.

The ministry gave the assurance following an inspection of the ongoing project by a delegation led by the Director of Bridges, Highways and Road Designs, Engr. Musa Saidu, on the directive of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi.

The inspection followed concerns raised on social media over the quality and structural integrity of the bridge.

Addressing journalists after the inspection, Saidu said the assessment showed that the project complied with required engineering standards, describing reports of structural failure as unsubstantiated.

‘The bridge has undergone integrity tests and passed. It is structurally stable,’ he said.

He cautioned against relying on photographs or videos posted on social media to determine the structural integrity of major infrastructure projects, stressing that such assessments must be based on scientific and engineering tests.

‘Engineering decisions are based on scientific tests, not assumptions,’ Saidu said.

He said the ministry would not compromise the quality of federal infrastructure projects, adding that the Oju-Ore Bridge was being constructed in line with approved designs and specifications under the supervision of relevant authorities.

Saidu described the quality of work by the contractor, Laralek Construction Company, as satisfactory, noting that some minor finishing works identified during the inspection would be addressed before completion.

He said the movement of heavy-duty vehicles across the bridge was further evidence of its structural capacity, although construction was yet to be completed.

‘The structural stability of the bridge is guaranteed. Heavy trucks are already moving across it, even though construction has not been fully completed,’ he said.

The director urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information capable of undermining confidence in public infrastructure.

He also warned traders and other members of the public against operating or loitering beneath the bridge while construction activities continued, describing the practice as unsafe.

‘Construction sites are restricted areas across the world. People should not be trading or loitering beneath an active bridge project. It poses serious safety risks,’ he said.

The ministry expressed confidence that the contractor had overcome earlier challenges affecting the pace of construction and would complete the project within the stipulated timeframe.

Representing Laralek Construction Company, Mr Tope Ojo said the bridge was being constructed in accordance with approved engineering designs, drawings and government specifications.

He said the major structural components, including the spans, bearings, beams and piers, had been executed according to the approved designs, with some components exceeding minimum design requirements.

‘There is absolutely no cause for alarm. Every integrity test required for the bridge has been conducted, and all results confirmed compliance with engineering standards,’ Ojo said.

He added that the integrity tests were conducted by independent consultants rather than the contractor, with the results subsequently submitted to the relevant authorities.

Ojo also disclosed that officials of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) had conducted an on-site technical assessment of the project.

According to him, the assessment covered the critical structural elements of the bridge and confirmed compliance with applicable engineering requirements.

A member of the Oju-Ore Stakeholders Council, Comrade Akomolafe Zubair, welcomed the ministry’s intervention, saying the technical assessment would help restore public confidence in the project.

Zubair said the inspection had reassured residents and motorists who had become concerned by reports circulating on social media.

He appealed to residents of Ota and motorists using the corridor to remain patient as the contractor completes the outstanding works.

He expressed optimism that the bridge would soon be completed and opened to full public use, easing movement along the busy Ota corridor.

The Oju-Ore Bridge project remains under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Works, with the contractor expected to complete the remaining works in line with the approved project schedule.

North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has begun remodelling and renovation of one of the office structures donated to the commission by the Nasarawa State Government to provide additional office space and a more conducive working environment for its growing workforce at its headquarters in Lafia.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Dr. Cyril Tsenyil, said this while handing over the facility to the contractor, Messrs Geodata Construction Nigeria Ltd., after inspecting the building alongside the Executive Director Projects, Princess Atika Ajanah.

Tsenyil described the remodelling and renovation as critical to the operational success of the commission, noting that the provision of adequate office facilities was essential to enable workers to effectively discharge their responsibilities and advance the mandate of the NCDC.

He urged the contractor to abide by the specifications and terms of the contract and ensure the project is delivered within the stipulated timeframe and to the required standard.

The NCDC boss expressed profound appreciation to the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, for his magnanimity and continued support to the commission, particularly for donating the facility in addition to another building, which the state government renovated and which is currently being used by the agency for its operations.

Tsenyil said since its establishment, the commission had been undertaking foundational activities, including extensive consultations and engagements with key stakeholders across the Northcentral, aimed at securing their buy-in and obtaining their inputs into the development of a comprehensive blueprint for regional development.

He said the series of engagements would culminate in the maiden North Central Development Summit scheduled to hold in Abuja on September 14 and 15.

According to him, the summit is expected to provide a broad framework and strategic direction for coordinated and sustainable development across the Northcentral.

The Executive Director of Projects, Princess Atika Ajanah, said the remodelled building would accommodate five directorates of the commission and provide office space for over 100 workers.

She said the main reception of the commission would also be located at the remodelled facility, while a new entrance gate would be built to improve access to the complex.

Ajanah said the Projects Directorate would monitor the execution of the project to ensure compliance with approved specifications and quality standards.

She said the project had duration of 15 to 16 weeks, expressing confidence that the completed facility would improve the working environment and operational capacity of the commission.

The representative of Geodata Construction Nigeria Ltd., Jim Jibril, assured the managing director that the company would deliver a quality project in accordance with the specifications, standards and terms of the contract.

He pledged the commitment of the company in ensuring the project is executed professionally and delivered within the agreed timeframe.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected moves to recall Osun East Senator Francis Fadahunsi, saying the lawmaker has provided quality representation to the senatorial district.

The party also called on the Osun State Police Command to thoroughly investigate the alleged killing of 22 of its members during the 2026 governorship election.

The APC made its position known on Friday through its Director of Contact and Mobilisation Committee for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Hon Akinyele Akintola, at a press conference in Ilesa.

Akintola, while reacting to protests against Fadahunsi, said the senator had placed human values at the centre of his public service.

He described a video purportedly showing Fadahunsi making an inflammatory statement as doctored, saying the party rejected what he called a campaign against the two-term senator.

‘We reject a coordinated campaign of calumny against the two-term Senator of Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi, over a ‘doctored’ video depicting that he made an inciteful statement,’ Akintola said.

He said Fadahunsi had condemned political killings in Osun State, particularly in Ijesaland, and warned against activities capable of escalating tension in the state.

Akintola also praised the senator’s representation, saying at least 400 qualified women and youths had secured employment through his interventions.

He said the senator’s constituency projects had also impacted education, road construction and rehabilitation, electricity and solar power, information and communication technology, skills acquisition and social intervention programmes.

On the alleged killings during the 2026 governorship election, Akintola said more than 22 APC members had been killed and called for a comprehensive investigation.

He noted that some arrests had been made and names mentioned in connection with the incidents, urging the police to establish the facts and bring anyone found culpable to justice.

‘We want to emphasise that elections should be a project of cognitive ideas and resourceful policies promotion rather than needless and unwarranted killing,’ he said.

Akintola urged the police to strengthen security measures in Ijesaland and other parts of Osun State to prevent further violence.

‘We therefore urge the Nigerian Police to wake up to their responsibility and ensure that the situation is brought under control in Ijesaland and Osun State in general,’ he added.

The member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the House of Representatives, Chinedu Ogah, has alleged that people enlisted in the ongoing recruitment exercise of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are not genuine indigenes of Ebonyi State.

Ogah urged the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, to immediately review the list and enlist genuine indigenes of the state.

He described the development as unacceptable, a short-changing of Ebonyi in the recruitment exercise and a violation of the federal character principle.

He said the federal character principle stipulates that every state must be equitably and genuinely represented in recruitment exercises conducted by federal agencies, ministries, departments and parastatals.

The lawmaker, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, alleged that names contained in the list released by the FRSC as successful candidates under the Ebonyi quota were not indigenes of the state.

He further alleged that some of the candidates presented forged identification certificates to secure employment under the Ebonyi quota, thereby denying genuine indigenes the opportunity to benefit from the recruitment.

‘The Corps Marshal of FRSC should review the list for the Ebonyi quota in the ongoing recruitment exercise because the names in the Ebonyi list are not Ebonyi people.

‘If the Corps argues this, there should be a physical parade of those candidates they enlisted as Ebonyi people. Let us come and show them that those candidates are carrying fake identification certificates,’ Ogah said.

He urged the FRSC to immediately correct what he described as an anomaly by ensuring that genuine Ebonyi indigenes are enlisted under the state’s quota.

‘The Corps should immediately enlist real Ebonyi people into the ongoing recruitment exercise because the Ebonyi quota can’t be given to those who are not indigenes of the state.

‘They should obey the federal character rules which stipulate that every employment must be done equitably and genuinely.

‘They should not tag people they enlisted as Ebonyi people because they are not our people. Over 80 per cent of those people they enlisted for Ebonyi State are not indigenes of the state,’ he alleged.