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As the 2027 elections draw near, Otunba Nick Ovuakporie, the Immediate Past State Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta State and currently serving as Executive Assistant (Political) to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has described the Governor as a symbol of unity, who deserves the support of all Deltans.

Ovuakporie, while commending the Delta APC stakeholders for unwavering backing, also condemned critics, urging the public to stand with the Governor in his quest to consolidate the M.O.R.E. Blueprint for Delta State’s future.

In a statement, Ovuakporie called on all discerning citizens to unite in condemning the harmful actions of naysayers and to celebrate the achievements of Governor Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E. agenda.

He said: ‘Politics has reached a critical juncture, marked by the unrelenting condemnation of the visible achievements of a government that has been tirelessly working to advance the development of a state. Since assuming office, Governor Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori has been at the forefront of a transformative journey, championing the state’s progress through deliberate actions that have earned accolades for a job well done.’

‘Today, Delta State stands among the rapidly developing states of Sub-Saharan Africa, a testament to the Governor’s unwavering commitment to progress.’

‘Development is a comprehensive endeavor that encompasses physical infrastructure, education, healthcare, security, and human capital development. The Governor Sheriff’s More Agenda Administration has been built on this holistic approach, prioritizing need-based development and relentlessly working to eradicate the scourge of poverty.’

‘It is indeed appropriate to acknowledge the Governor’s remarkable achievements. His efforts have given every Deltan a clear sense of pride in their identity, as the state’s landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation through major projects spread across the entire state.’

Ovuakporie listed a series of completed and ongoing projects across the state, which he believes serve as a testament to the Governor’s commitment and effectiveness.

‘These projects have been implemented in various towns and communities, including Asaba, Warri, Kwale, Ughelli, Sapele, Abraka, Oghara, Akumazi, Ovrode, Orerokpe, Onicha-Ukwuani, Okpanam, Ugbolu, Ibusa, Agbarho, Agbor, Sapele, Ode-Itsekiri, Gbaramatu, Ekpan, and Udu, among many others.’

‘The achievements of the Governor’s administration, rooted in the More Agenda blueprint, are driven by the core values of servant leadership, integrity, transparency, accountability, foresight, and selfless dedication.’

‘These values are evident in the flagship projects of His Excellency’s More Administration, including the Asaba Waterfront City, the work on the stormwater drainage across critical areas in the State, particularly the one linking Nnebisi Road, Anwai Road, DBS Road, Shoprite axis, and Summit Road, which is steadily on course, bringing Asaba closer to lasting relief from perennial flooding.’

‘Simultaneously, construction is advancing at Southern University, Orerokpe campus, School of Health Technology Ovrode, and the Government Technical College, Kiagbodo amongst others, with significant milestones already recorded, which is a testament to a Governor passionate about revolutionizing the length and breadth of the State through enduring development footprints.’

‘From flood control, road infrastructure, healthcare to education, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is delivering projects designed to stand the test of time and transform communities across Delta State. The completion of the Asaba-Ogwah-Uku-Kwale-Isoko-Ughelli super highway, ongoing five flyovers, and three slipways in Warri, Effurun, Owian, Ughelli, and Agbor-three of which are at advanced stages of completion.’

‘Countless intercity road projects, massive school infrastructure upgrades, and the construction and equipping of healthcare facilities are just a few of the many accomplishments that deserve recognition.’

He noted: ‘We must therefore unequivocally condemn those who have persistently launched media attacks on the More Administration from the shadows, seeking to mislead the public. Their actions are not only iniquitous but also detrimental to the progress of the state.’

‘All discerning minds must unite in condemning such behavior, as we must promote the achievements of the More Agenda Administration and support Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for re-election in 2027 as the sole candidate to continue his infrastructure revolution.’

He urged Deltans to stand against the detractors who, according to Ovuakporie, are undermining the progress of a state that has already made significant strides under the Governor’s leadership.

I was the pioneer State Youth Leader of the PDP from 1998 to 2008, and later served as the party’s Vice Chairman from 2016 to 2024. What happened was a huge disappointment to us. The PDP gave Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah the ticket, campaigned for him, defended his mandate, and stood by him through thick and thin – even under the rain and sun, we stayed at INEC to ensure our victory was protected.

But the appreciation he showed to the PDP – the party that made him governor – was to defect to the APC. And mind you, that defection was not an impromptu decision. It had been in the works for a considerable amount of time.

From the beginning, Governor Mbah was never really a party man. He wasn’t part of the PDP’s formation. He joined in 2003 when Governor Chimaroke Nnamani appointed him Chief of Staff, and later Commissioner for Finance. After 2007, following his encounter with the EFCC, he relocated to Lagos and focused on his oil business.

From that time until 2022, he remained inactive in Enugu politics – neither in his ward, local government, nor at the state level. He used the PDP as a vehicle for power, not as a home. But we built this party from the ground up – since August 30, 1998 – and no one can destroy what they didn’t build.

The PDP in Enugu remains intact, strong, and formidable.

Do you agree with the reasons the governor gave for leaving the PDP?

Not at all. His plan didn’t start today. After winning the election, he never visited the wards, local governments, or even the party secretariat to thank members. He never held a single meeting with the party’s leadership at any level.

His appointments also exposed his mindset – he sidelined party loyalists who toiled for him and filled key positions with technocrats. Governance needs professionals, yes, but politics also rewards loyalty. Party work is serious business – if you invest, you should reap.

Instead, he treated the PDP as disposable. But we are not shaken. The so-called crowd at Okpara Square during the defection rally was largely hired. Many people told me they were brought in early in the morning and left hungry till evening. After the rally, there was no traffic jam – a clear sign it wasn’t a genuine grassroots event.

So, there are still prominent PDP members who didn’t defect and are ready to rebuild the party?

Absolutely. I chair the Enugu State PDP Stakeholders Forum, and from day one, we appealed to him not to leave. We told him that if his problem was with anyone – be it Nyesom Wike or Sam Anyanwu – we could mediate. Wike is not a spirit; he’s human. If it’s a misunderstanding, we could resolve it.

But the truth is, Governor Mbah’s decision wasn’t about party issues. It was personal.

The governor said his defection was to ‘connect Enugu to the centre’ for the state’s benefit. Do you buy that argument?

That’s just political rhetoric. Anyone looking for an excuse to make a controversial move will always find one.

What ‘connection to the centre’ are we talking about? Elections are barely a year away if the proposed electoral reforms take effect. What can he possibly achieve within that time? Ebonyi is already connected to the centre – do they have two ministers? The answer is no.

Connecting to the centre has become a deceptive slogan. Governor Mbah’s defection is personal. Don’t forget he once joined other governors to sue the EFCC. When that failed, he recalibrated. Initially, the APC wasn’t even his first choice – he considered the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and later the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) before settling for the APC, mainly to protect personal interests.

But Enugu people are not deceived. They are feeling the pinch of his policies – rising taxes, higher rents, incomplete infrastructure. Where is the water project he promised in 180 days? Now it’s two years later, and we’re still waiting. Even the Austrian contractor fled.

Most of his so-called technocrats are disconnected from reality. His government is isolated – even his few political appointees have been sidelined. Imagine the Secretary to the State Government saying he doesn’t know his ward!

So, you’re saying the PDP is already rebuilding?

Yes, we have started rebuilding. The grassroots remain solidly PDP. Those who left are mostly appointees – House of Assembly members, commissioners, aides – people dependent on government patronage. But the real party structure is intact.

Let him go with his followers; we are reorganising from the wards upward. The local government and general elections will prove a point. We’ll field credible, grassroots candidates who can look voters in the eye and say, ‘Here’s what I’ve done.’

You mentioned there will be a crisis. What kind of crisis?

Not in the PDP – our house is in order. The crisis will be in the APC. Why? Because the governor is entering a party where structures already exist. APC members who contested elections and lost are patiently waiting for 2027. Now, he’s bringing in an entire team of defectors – House of Assembly members, Reps, senators – all eyeing tickets. Who will the party favour?

He’s already fighting APC leaders like Ugochukwu Agballah. His allies even stormed their meeting venue and destroyed canopies. How do you enter a party by breaking its structure? That’s a recipe for chaos.

The APC’s crisis has already started in Enugu. Ben Nwoye doesn’t know where he stands; Agballah is in court, and those who attended the defection rally say they haven’t been called for any meeting since. The calm you see in Enugu today is deceptive – it’s the calm before the storm.

Governor Mbah claimed 80 per cent of PDP executives defected with him. How do you respond?

That’s insignificant. Even if 80 per cent of executives left, they don’t represent the grassroots. Most of them were handpicked during congresses that were conducted in Government House. Many went with him simply because he appointed them.

The real PDP – the members who built this party from 1998 – are still here. We are reorganising and holding our meetings as usual. We are waiting for guidance from the national leadership, but we are not folding our hands.

Let me tell you: it will not be Uhuru for the APC in Enugu. Governor Mbah may have called the whole Southeast to Okpara Square, but none of them mentioned Nnamdi Kanu or the plight of Igbo traders whose shops were demolished in Lagos. And he says he’s connecting to the centre?

That’s not a connection – that’s a journey to nowhere.

The recent attempt to romanticize the so-called ‘re-enactment of Obaseki’s education reforms’ is not only misleading but also a desperate attempt to whitewash the failures of an administration that left behind a trail of disillusionment, deceit, and betrayal among Edo teachers. The ongoing narrative, deliberately sponsored and amplified by a few individuals nostalgic about the past government, seeks to misinform the public and distort the truth about the state of education in Edo. But facts, as always, are sacred and cannot be buried under political propaganda.

It is important to set the records straight: the Obaseki-led government did not reform education – it weaponized it for political survival. What was branded as ‘innovation’ was, in fact, a carefully packaged illusion that crushed the hopes of hundreds of young Edo teachers who were lured into the system without proper employment letters, pension benefits, or confirmation of their civil service status for more than three years.

These teachers were not treated as professionals shaping the minds of future leaders but as expendable pawns used to score political points and project a false image of progress.

Many of these teachers have since narrated their ordeals – how they were made to attend endless training sessions, often at their own expense, without any formal recognition of their employment status. They were paraded before cameras for political optics, yet denied the dignity and benefits of legitimate work. Their story is one of emotional trauma and betrayal – people who believed they were serving their state, only to realize they had been used as instruments of propaganda.

During the build-up to the last governorship election, these same teachers were promised permanent employment and improved welfare packages if they mobilized support for the governor’s preferred candidate. But when the political tide turned, they were abandoned. The promises evaporated. The administration turned its back on them, leaving behind a demoralized and frustrated workforce struggling to survive without certainty or hope.

The much-hyped EdoBEST initiative – which Obaseki’s media machinery continues to tout as a revolutionary success – was, in truth, a hollow project. It was a case of form without substance, of digital gloss masking institutional decay. Beneath the glossy tablets, colourful banners, and choreographed PR campaigns, lay a project riddled with inconsistencies and waste. Independent reviews and insider testimonies have revealed how EdoBEST became a convenient channel for financial mismanagement under the guise of ‘digital learning transformation.’

The programme created an illusion of progress, while the core challenges in the education sector – decaying infrastructure, poor teacher motivation, and lack of instructional materials – persisted.

In several rural communities, pupils continued to sit on bare floors. Classrooms lacked roofs, and teachers struggled to cope with overcrowded classes. The so-called ‘digital tablets’ distributed to a few schools became mere symbols for photo opportunities, rather than tools for real learning. Teachers were left frustrated as internet connectivity and maintenance support were non-existent. The entire project was built on presentation rather than performance, and on deception rather than development.

In truth, EdoBEST was not an innovation – it was a refurbishing of tombs whose contents were academic carcasses. No credible data ever proved that learning outcomes improved significantly under the programme. Instead, available records showed declining literacy levels and poor comprehension among pupils. The gap between rural and urban education widened, and teacher attrition increased due to poor working conditions.

Contrary to the false claim that the present administration is simply ‘re-enacting’ Obaseki’s model, what is happening today is the exact opposite – a restoration of sanity, transparency, and meritocracy in Edo’s education system. The ongoing recruitment of teachers is anchored on merit and competence, not political patronage or godfatherism. For the first time in many years, candidates were screened through a transparent and standardized process. It was an open exercise where applicants were assessed based on qualification, teaching aptitude, and subject mastery – not on who they knew or which political camp they belonged to. All these were carefully and thoughtfully carried out before absorbing over 5000 Edostar teachers into the state civil service.

This deliberate reform is part of a broader agenda to rebuild public confidence in government employment processes and ensure that every classroom in Edo State is manned by a qualified, motivated teacher. Those who were smuggled into the system under the previous government – some without the minimum teaching qualifications – have been carefully filtered out. It is not vindictiveness; it is restoration of standards. The era of mediocrity and political favouritism in the education sector is over.

The new administration recognizes that education is the backbone of sustainable development. No serious government toys with the future of its children by reducing education to a publicity tool. Unlike the previous administration, this government is not interested in photo opportunities or social media applause. Its focus is on tangible outcomes – classrooms that are functional, teachers who are professionally trained, and pupils whose learning progress can be scientifically measured.

Today, efforts are being made to rehabilitate schools, update curricula, and retrain teachers using globally tested pedagogical methods. The emphasis is on content, not camera; on impact, not image. It is about restoring dignity to the teaching profession and returning education to its rightful place as the foundation of societal progress.

Unlike the previous administration, the current government will not sustain fraudulent legacies or reward criminality disguised as policy. The days of using development as a cover for deception are gone. The new administration’s education policy is driven by accountability, transparency, and evidence-based planning. Funds meant for schools will reach schools. Teachers will be trained, paid, and respected. Pupils will be taught, not used as backdrops for political theatre.

The truth remains that Obaseki’s so-called education reforms were built on falsehood, manipulation, and exploitation. The Edo people are no longer deceived. They saw the teachers who worked with meagre pay. They saw the schools that never received the promised upgrades. They heard the testimonies of those who were betrayed after years of service. And they now see a government genuinely working to repair the ruins left behind, a government that values integrity over image, performance over propaganda, and merit over manipulation.

Where there was deceit, this government is bringing transparency.

Where there was propaganda, it is instituting progress. Where there was exploitation, it is restoring dignity to Edo’s teaching workforce.

The era of empty reforms and borrowed slogans has ended. A new dawn has begun, a new Edo has risen, one defined by truth, service, and accountability. Edo’s education sector is being rebuilt, not rebranded. And that, indeed, is the difference between the past of deception and the present of genuine reform.

President Vladimir Putin said yesterday that Russia would never bow to pressure from the United States or any other country, and cautioned that the response to any strikes deep into Russia would be very serious and overwhelming.

U.S. sanctions are ‘unfriendly’ act and ‘will have certain consequences, but they will not significantly affect our economic well-being,’ Putin said. Russia’s energy sector feels confident, he said.

‘This is, of course, an attempt to put pressure on Russia,’ Putin said. ‘But no self-respecting country and no self-respecting people ever decides anything under pressure.’

Putin said breaking the balance in the global energy markets could lead to a hike in prices that would be uncomfortable for countries such as the United States, especially given the internal political calendar in the United States.

Asked about a Wall Street Journal report that the Trump administration has lifted a key restriction on Ukraine’s use of some long-range missiles provided by Western allies, and remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy about domestic missiles with a range of 3,000 km (1,900 miles), Putin said: ‘This is an attempt at escalation.’

‘But if such weapons are used to attack Russian territory, the response will be very serious, if not overwhelming. Let them think about it,’ Putin said.

The Universal Basic Education program which aims to provide free, compulsory, and Universal education to children from primary up to junior Secondary level in Nigeria has experienced a steady decline in infrastructure and manpower, beginning from the last quarter of the twentieth century till now.

Public basic schools in Benue State have gone through long years of inattention and neglect causing significant decay in infrastructure thus infringing on the fundamental right to quality education and creating an unsafe, unhealthy, and unengaging environment for learning and teaching.

Poor infrastructure, unavailability of clean water, and lack of sanitary facilities like toilets increased the risk of illness among pupils and led to high teacher absenteeism. Other inciting causes for the decline included poor policy implementation and corruption, shortage of qualified teachers, inefficient management and supervision.

The Poor infrastructure and lack of qualified teachers crippled basic education in Benue State. This development which lasted for many years, impacted negatively on the state overall productivity and economic growth. Some of the schools have no active population till now, since parents refused to enroll their children in schools with no qualified teachers, dilapidated structures, and bushy environment.

The system witnessed deliberate inclusion of fake employees (ghost workers) on the payroll. The existence of this category of workers in the basic education sector led to significant financial loss for the state through corruption and payroll fraud. The practice also impeded hiring of qualified teachers thus undermining the integrity and efficiency of basic education in the State.

Paying phantom employees contributed significantly in pushing Benue State to the higher rung of debt. It created a culture of corruption and compensated for idleness which goes against the principle of paying for productive work.The whole system was left in comatose lying helplessly in a state of prolonged unconsciousness.

Governor Alia, after taking over the reigns of the state, quickly fashioned out policies aimed at ensuring quality education for all citizens. His choice of the Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) was borne out of necessity to revive the sector and provide quality basic education for Benue citizens. Dr. Grace Adagba, a seasoned academic with a sound wealth of experience in management and teaching has displayed relentlessness in her pursuit of excellence ensuring that every child in Benue State has access to quality basic education.

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Through the mandate given to her by the Governor, the SUBEB Chairman, Dr. Grace Adagba has fostered a culture of transparency by conducting regular audits and multiple reviews using biometric systems and other verification methods to ensure staff are real and present thus putting to rest the issue of ghost workers which has bedevilled the system for many years.

In prompt response to lack of qualified teachers, Governor Alia has recruited about nine thousand, seven hundred (9,700) teachers with sound knowledge and expertise to effectively manage classroom, keep students focused, deliver quality lessons, and provide constructive feedback.

With their wide range of knowledge and skills, the newly recruited teachers have already created an engaging learning environment, set high expectations aimed at promoting students’ achievements, and encouraging social – emotional growth among them.

Except where the population is displaced by insecurity and the schools are non-functional, all the public primary schools in Benue State now have enough teachers who are well trained to effectively teach and cater for individual student needs.

Additionally, the Governor has decided to invest heavily into school infrastructure by building standard storey buildings in over 250 public primary schools across the 23 local government areas of the state. This became necessary because, Governor Alia understands that high-quality infrastructure facilitates better teaching, improves students outcomes, and reduces dropout rates.

Who could have thought that public schools in Benue State will have storey buildings? With this quality of infrastructure in public primary schools in Benue State now, Governor Alia is not only building the schools, he is creating a homely and welcoming atmosphere that will make the schools a desirable place for students to learn.

To promote critical and creative thinking in children, Governor Alia is also building and equipping ICT centres in primary schools across Benue State. This will help to develop foundation for 21st century skills, enhance learning through technology, bridge the digital divide, and prepare pupils for the future workforce. Primary schools pupils in Benue State now have access to tools that improve creativity, problem solving, collaboration, and digital literacy, making learning more engaging and relevant.

Governor Alia’s commitment to long-term development and improvement of quality of life for the people of Benue State should attract commendations from all, especially advocates of positive change and supporters of social reforms and societal improvement.

Reviving public primary schools in the state will lessen the burden of high tuition fee imposed on parents by proprietors of private schools. In his attempt to ease this burden on parents, the Governor has put a stop to the growing trend of unlawful levies imposed on parents by proprietors of elementary schools in Benue State.

He expressed strong disapproval for the compulsory provision of sanitary items such as brooms, soaps, tissues, and napkins, which are often demanded from parents as part of school requirements. According to him, these are unjustifiable financial burdens, especially for families already struggling to provide basic education for their children.

The SUBEB Chairman, Dr. Grace Adagba has been visiting public primary schools and UBE centres in the state conducting regular supervisions to ensure that educational standards are maintained and that the schools are functioning effectively. Her regular visit to these schools will also help identify problems, provides guidance to teachers, and ultimately contribute to better pupils learning outcomes.

Governor Alia has been calling on parents to take advantage of this opportunity and enroll their children/wards into public schools where there is free tuition and a wide range of specialized services, and where their children/wards will be exposed to a broader spectrum of cultures and perspectives, preparing them for a diverse world.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has launched the Customs Verification Management System (CVMS), a homegrown digital platform that allows Nigerians to verify the clearance and duty payment status of imported vehicles in real time.

The move is aimed at eliminating fraud, curbing the influence of middlemen, and deepening transparency across Nigeria’s vehicle import value chain.

Speaking during the official launch at the Customs Headquarters in Abuja, the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, described the initiative as a major leap in the Service’s ongoing modernisation drive, aligning with the Federal Government’s broader digital transformation agenda.

He said: ‘Today marks an important milestone as we head into our ongoing drive to modernise the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service. We are hoping to build our progress on collaboration with the private sector, consolidation of our previous gains, and the delivery of innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness.’

Developed in partnership with the Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) and indigenous technology firm Afripoint Consult, the CVMS introduces a unified, automated process for verifying imported vehicle records, an area long plagued by forgery, misinformation, and duty evasion.

Vehicle clearance in the country has for years relied on fragmented, manual systems that left room for document falsification and revenue leakages. Buyers and dealers often struggled to confirm the authenticity of duty payments, a situation that sometimes led to vehicle seizures or double payments. Adeniyi said the new platform directly addresses those long-standing inefficiencies.

‘For years, verification of imported vehicles relied on fragmented and outdated methods – systems that left room for misinformation, for fraud, leakage, costing the country significantly, and leading to a lot of frustration. Recognising the urgency for change, the Nigeria Customs Service, in partnership with our indigenous technical partners, has developed an innovative homegrown solution to this challenge,’ he explained.

After two months of successful trial runs, the CVMS is now fully operational and globally accessible. Nigerians can verify any imported vehicle by entering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and paying a N15,000 verification fee using any local or international debit or credit card.

According to Adeniyi, the new verification system was built to serve both the public and Customs personnel.

‘This platform democratises access to verified information, enabling the public to make informed purchase decisions. For our officers, it eliminates inconsistencies and provides real-time validated data that improves decision-making,’ he noted.

The system, the CGC noted, provides a centralised database where every verified vehicle record can be traced and authenticated within minutes. It also standardises operations across commands, closes loopholes exploited by document forgers, and supports Customs’ enforcement and intelligence units.

Adeniyi said the launch aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s digital economy agenda and the Service’s goal of building a modern, data-driven Customs system.

‘This new system empowers the public and strengthens the integrity of our service by promoting transparency, accountability, and trust. It provides a centralised digital system where vehicle records can be traced, verified, and confirmed within minutes, improving the efficiency of our enforcement units and every relevant arm of the Customs,’ he stated.

He added that by digitising the vehicle verification process, the Service would strengthen revenue assurance, reduce disputes, and simplify compliance, ultimately improving Nigeria’s ease of doing business ranking.

He assured that with the CVMS, importers, dealers, and ordinary citizens can now verify vehicle clearance directly through the Customs portal without intermediaries or delays.

‘For the first time, Nigerians can verify the clearance and duty status of any imported vehicle directly from the Nigeria Customs Service – without intermediaries, without delays, and without doubt. This gives citizens, importers, and dealers the confidence to transact with clarity and certainty, reducing the risk of fraud, and ensuring that every vehicle purchased is backed by verifiable customs data and papers,’ the Customs boss said.

The system, according to him, also equips Customs officers with analytics and reporting tools to detect anomalies and improve enforcement.

‘Simply put, this system makes Customs work smarter, faster, and more transparent,’ the CGC concluded.

Kenya’s women’s marathon world record-holder Ruth Chepngetich has been banned for three years after she admitted to anti-doping rule violations but her 2:09:56 mark will remain on the books as it was set before her positive test.

Chepngetich, who smashed the record in Chicago last October, was provisionally suspended in July this year by the Athletics Integrity Unit after Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) was detected in a sample collected from the athlete on March 14.

The sample revealed an HCTZ concentration of 3,800ng/mL, far above the World Anti-Doping Agency’s minimum reporting limit of 20ng/mL.

Chepngetich, 31, initially denied any wrongdoing and could not explain the positive result despite an AIU investigation, which included analysis of her medications, supplements and phone data.

However, on July 31, two weeks after Chepngetich was suspended, she changed her explanation, saying she had unknowingly taken her housemaid’s medication, which contained HCTZ, while ill.

‘She stated that she had forgotten to disclose this incident to the AIU investigators,’ the AIU said in a statement.

HCTZ is used clinically to treat fluid retention and hypertension, with the AIU adding that diuretics may be abused to mask the presence in urine of other prohibited substances.

The AIU said Chepngetich’s actions were reckless and indirectly intentional rather than accidental, initially applying a four-year sanction.

However, Chepngetich’s early admission earned her a one-year reduction, resulting in a three-year ban issued on September 10.

‘The case regarding the positive test for HCTZ has been resolved but the AIU will continue to investigate the suspicious material recovered from Chepngetich’s phone to determine if any other violations have occurred,’ AIU head Brett Clothier said.

‘In the meantime, all Chepngetich’s achievements and records pre-dating the 14 March 2025 sample stand.’

SIR: Across Nigeria, the signs of a deep infrastructure crisis are impossible to ignore. From pothole-ridden highways and epileptic power supply to congested ports and inadequate rail networks, the country’s physical backbone is crumbling. While citizens struggle daily with the consequences, promises of massive infrastructure renewal have remained more rhetoric than reality. For a nation seeking to attract investment, create jobs, and lift millions out of poverty, the failure to provide reliable infrastructure is a heavy weight dragging progress backward.

Perhaps the most visible symbol of this crisis is Nigeria’s road network. Federal and state highways are riddled with potholes, many barely passable during the rainy season. Road accidents claim thousands of lives annually, many of them avoidable if proper maintenance were carried out. Truck drivers spend days stranded on roads leading to Lagos ports, creating bottlenecks that drive up the cost of goods. Rural communities remain cut off because feeder roads are either non-existent or in terrible condition, preventing farmers from bringing produce to markets and worsening food insecurity.

The power sector tells a similarly grim story. Despite billions of dollars spent on reforms, Nigeria continues to generate far below the electricity its citizens need. Frequent blackouts cripple industries, forcing businesses to rely on expensive generators. For small businesses and households, the cost of fuelling these generators eats deep into income. Meanwhile, renewable energy opportunities remain largely untapped, even though solar and wind could help close the gap. Without reliable power, the dream of industrial growth will remain a mirage.

Water and sanitation infrastructure are equally inadequate. Millions of Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water, relying instead on boreholes, wells, or unsafe streams. Urban centres face recurring water shortages, while sewage systems are either broken or non-existent. The result is frequent outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, which claim lives that could easily be saved with proper investment in sanitation. In rural areas, women and children walk long distances daily to fetch water, reducing time that could be spent on education or productive work.

The state of Nigeria’s rail system further highlights the neglect. Although some progress has been made with the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan lines, the network remains grossly inadequate for a country of over 200 million people. Cargo transport by rail, which could ease pressure on the roads and reduce accidents, is minimal. Instead, trucks dominate long-distance haulage, worsening road degradation and increasing costs for businesses. A modern, expansive rail system would not only transform trade but also integrate regions and boost national unity.

Airports and seaports, gateways to international commerce, also suffer from inefficiency. Delays, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and outdated facilities discourage foreign investors and frustrate local businesses. The high cost of moving goods through Nigerian ports has driven many importers to neighbouring countries such as Benin and Ghana. The result is a loss of revenue, jobs, and prestige. A country with Nigeria’s resources should be a regional hub for trade, but poor infrastructure ensures otherwise.

The consequences of this infrastructure deficit are profound. Without reliable roads, power, water, and transport systems, businesses cannot thrive, jobs cannot be created, and citizens cannot enjoy a decent quality of life. Investors, both local and foreign, are discouraged, choosing instead to take their capital to environments where infrastructure supports productivity. The gap between Nigeria’s potential and its reality continues to widen, leaving citizens frustrated and disillusioned.

Addressing this challenge requires not just more funding, but better planning and accountability. Infrastructure projects are often announced with fanfare but abandoned midway due to corruption or political changes.

To break this cycle, government must prioritize continuity, ensuring that projects are completed regardless of political transitions. Public-private partnerships should be encouraged, allowing private capital and expertise to complement government efforts. In addition, maintenance culture must be institutionalized, as infrastructure is not just about building new projects but sustaining existing ones.

Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit is not insurmountable. With the right policies, transparent governance, and sustained investment, the country can transform its roads, power, water, and transport systems. The benefits would be far-reaching: lower business costs, increased trade, job creation, and improved living standards. But unless bold steps are taken, Nigeria will remain a nation stuck on the road to development-moving, but never arriving.

Lagos-based public relations consultant and former head of Corporate Communications of defunct Skye Bank (Polaris Bank), Kayode Akinyemi, will bury his mother, Mrs Victoria Akinyemi, tomorrow at Afao-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Mrs Akinyemi died on June 13, at 85. She is survived by children, grandchildren, sisters and brothers.

Akinyemi, former director general of Ekiti State Bureau of Strategic Communications, said the programme begins with lying-in-state and service of songs at 10, Olorunfemi Esan Lane in Afao-Ekiti, under Ifelodun/Irepodun council, tomorrow, from 11am to 4pm.

Church service will hold at Christ Apostolic Church, Ifelodun, Oke-Iyanu in Odo-Oode, Afao Ekiti on Saturday by 9am.

Interment holds at her home and reception follows at CAC Primary School Playing Ground, starting from 2 pm.

Speaking during a recent episode of the Culli Podcast, the rapper said his girlfriend means everything to him and plays a crucial role in his life decisions.

He said, ‘My girlfriend is my everything. You know when the Bible says if you find a good woman, you’ve found a good thing. She’s my everything oh. Every single thing. She’s literally my life, bro. If you tell me something now that I need to make a decision, I’ll go and meet her first. That’s how much I trust what she’s saying.’

Odumodublvck went on to share how much he values her advice and friendship despite occasional disagreements.

‘I might not lean into everything she’s saying -we can have disagreements which is normal, you get. There are some things I’ll say, she’ll be like, ‘Ah no oh Odi, I don’t support this one oh,’ but I’ll still go ahead with it because that’s what I feel. Most times it works for me, sometimes it might not, and I’ll come back and say, ‘Omo, that thing that you told me,’ and she’ll be like, ‘Shebi I told you,” he said.

‘She’s my friend mehn, even apart from say we love each other, she’s my person.’

The rapper further described her as a blessing from God, saying, ‘God blessed me with that one. He gave me that one as a gift -like, ‘Despite everything in this world, if you don’t have anything, take this one.”

He added that he met her before fame and wealth came into his life.

‘I was lucky I met her before I had money. She’s the last girl that I met before I had money,’ he said.