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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a 100 kilometer stretch of the project to pass through Edo, correcting the initial alignment that excluded the State from the 700-kilometer route, it has emerged.

The extension of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to Edo State has been described as a strategic socio-economic intervention that will unlock new opportunities in trade, investment, and connectivity across the South-South corridor.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the approval during the Edo State Independence Day Gala Night at the State Villa in Benin City, where Governor Monday Okpebholo rallied support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid, citing his ongoing efforts to address decades of infrastructural decay that are beginning to yield results.

According to his Media aide, Uchenna Orji Inna statement on Friday, the Minister said the decision to extend the route through Edo was a demonstration of President Tinubu’s inclusive approach to development and his long-standing vision for a modern coastal highway.

Umahi explained that the project, first conceived 47 years ago by then-Governor Tinubu of Lagos, had suffered setbacks but was now a reality under the Renewed Hope agenda.

He noted that the revised alignment increased the project length from 700 to 750 kilometers, with the additional stretch captured in Edo State.

‘The coastal road was first dreamt by President Tinubu 47 years back. He contacted Governors who were in office with him, but unfortunately, the project could not take off.

‘But then, the route was made known, but unfortunately, the route did not pass through Edo State, very sad.

‘When you hear 700 kilometres, and today you hear 750 kilometres, you ask yourself where is the difference coming from, the difference is coming from here because a miracle Governor appeared on the State.

‘The President called me and said, This project must pass from Lagos to Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and to Cross River. That is why we are here.

‘Your Excellency, the President has given you 100 kilometers 2 of the coastal highway,’ Umahi told Governor Okpebholo and guests at the gala.

The Minister commended Edo people for their support for Tinubu administration and praised the governor for agreeing to intervene on critical sections of the Benin-Sapele-Warri highway, which he described as a deathtrap for motorists.

He applauded the quality of work being delivered by the contractor CBC on part of the road and directed them to remobilize fully, with strict supervision from the Works Ministry.

‘I want to thank you highly, for this intervention, and I want to thank CBC for the quality work we have seen. But we must see more. The controller must be giving me photographs of work done every day. We have to do more work at night,’ Umahi said.

He assured residents that the Federal Government remained committed to completing inherited road projects in Edo and across the country despite the huge infrastructural and funding deficits carried over from previous administrations.

Governor Okpebholo, in his remarks, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for correcting what he described as a historic omission by ensuring Edo was part of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

He said the gesture was proof of the President’s extraordinary love for the State and urged Edo people to stand firmly behind him as he seeks re-election in 2027.

The governor also hailed Umahi for his innovative approach to road construction, which he said guarantees quality and value for money.

He pledged that his administration would continue to complement federal efforts in infrastructure delivery.

‘A few days ago, I came to this axis on my way back, and what I saw almost made me weep. Knowing the number of vehicles that were on this road, the trailers that fell, I felt it should not be so.

‘The President is trying, and whoever is criticizing the President does not know what they are doing. However, criticism is also good because it serves as a wake-up call for all of us,’ Okpebholo said.

He explained that he invited the Minister because of the deplorable condition of the Benin-Sapele-Warri road, which he described as a daily ordeal for commuters.

‘Our people are crying out for this road to be fixed. For us to earn more votes, we need to do something about this place, whether it is the Federal Government or Edo State. The Benin people use this road the most, and they cannot go to work or come back from work without struggling.

‘That is why we need to fix this road so that it will be motorable. This is the essence of inviting you here,’ he added.

Singer Niniola Apata has triggered fresh speculation about a possible pregnancy after she recently appeared in a video flaunting what looked like a pronounced baby bump.

The footage quickly made waves online, prompting fans and gossip blogs to ask whether the singer is expecting.

In the video, Niniola was seen embracing what many interpreted as a mid-riff protrusion. Accompanying the visuals was a caption:

‘There is time and season for everything.’

Some took the line as a subtle nod to a new chapter in her life.

The video has fuelled widespread speculation among fans and media outlets.

Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde has hailed the exploits of Jagz Hotels in the hospitality industry, describing its huge investment as a game changer for tourism and economic growth.

Speaking at a hospitality conference organised by the Jagz Hotels to mark its first anniversary in Ibadan, the Governor said the exploits of the hotel reflect the positive impacts of his administration’s business-friendly policies, which has continued to attract both local and foreign investors.

Makinde noted that the giant strides of Jagz Hotels in the hospitality industry aligned with his administration’s broader plan to expand the Oyo state’s economy through tourism development.

He said that his administration recently broke a 43-year-old jinx at the Ladoke Akintola International Airport, when a wide-bodied aircraft successfully landed on the newly upgraded runway for the first time since its commissioning.

According to Makinde, the development would further open Oyo state to more tourists and investors who can enjoy world-class hospitality services provided by Jagz Hotels and other establishment.

He commended Chairman/CEO of Jagz Hotels, Engr. Kayode Adegbulugbe, for injecting over N10 billion into the state’s economy, saying that such confidence in government policies shows that Oyo is becoming a hub of investment.

He said; ‘I am glad to be here one year after we inaugurated this business. The business has not folded up; instead, it is waxing stronger. That does not happen by accident. it is the result of hard work and dedication from the management, staff, and even patrons of this hotel.

‘Since the past one year, the economic environment has been very challenging, yet this hotel is still standing tall. That shows you have built a formidable team. As a government, I assure you that whatever you need to keep succeeding, please ask, and we will oblige,’ the governor added.

The Managing Director of Jagz Hotels, Mr. Gbenga Lugard Agbomoagan, lauded Governor Makinde-led administration for creating a partnership framework that supports private businesses.

Agbomoagan, who presented Makinde an award of excellence for promoting an enabling business environment, said that the government through its policies had given the Jagz Hotels the confidence to commit huge resources into its Ibadan project.

The Managing Director noted that the experience had been more rewarding compared to other locations where the company has operations.

Highlighting the company’s impact in just one year of operation, Agbomoagan disclosed that Jagz Hotel, Ibadan had lifted more than 150 unemployed youths out of poverty through empowerment and employment opportunities.

He noted the hotel employs no fewer than 159 people, with 137 of them drawn from Oyo State, adding that these figures represent more than statistics, as it would has a multiplier effect on society by reducing poverty as well as fostering economic stability.

He assured that the company would not relent in its mission, pledging that Jagz Hotels would continue to provide world-class hospitality services in Ibadan while expanding opportunities for youths in Oyo State.

Oyo Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, also commended the management of Jagz Hotels, noting that the growth of the hospitality sector in Ibadan reflects the success of the Makinde administration’s investment-friendly climate.

In their contribution, a Professor of Hotel Management and Tourism, Prof. Wasiu Babalola, and the Head of Department, Wildlife and Ecotourism, University of Ibadan, Prof. Samson Ojo, lauded Jagz Hotels for redefining hospitality business in Oyo State.

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Faith, has been warmly embraced by his father following his disqualification from the reality show.

Faith was expelled on Thursday evening after a physical altercation with fellow housemate, Sultana, during a skincare task rehearsal.

He had forcefully dragged a basket containing group materials, causing Sultana to fall and sustain injuries to her ankle and hand.

Offering reassurance, Faith’s father told him, ‘Don’t worry, you’re great. You’ve done well, no doubt about that. You are fantastic. We love you. It shall continue to be well. Nobody can truncate your destiny.’

The disqualification has generated mixed reactions among fans, with some condemning his actions while others argue the punishment was justified. Many also commended Sultana for her composure.

The development came as a major twist, as Faith had already secured a spot among the top 10 finalists – Kola, Imisi, Isabella, Sultana, Jason Jae, Mensan, Koyin, Kaybobo, and Dede – ahead of Sunday’s grand finale.

All is set for the flag off of the Ibom Ignite Conference 2025 with a target of empowering over 1500 youths on leadership and entrepreneurship.

A statement by the Chairman of the Central Planing Committee, Pastor Imo-abasi Jacob, indicates that the conference is slated for today Friday and Saturday, October 3 and 4, 2025, and will take place at the

Ibom LED Centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Parts of the statement read: ‘Ibom Ignite is the premier youth leadership and entrepreneurship gathering, returning with a bold theme: ‘Ignite to Accelerate.’

‘This conference is set to transform youths in leadership and entrepreneurship in Akwa Ibom State. It will empower over 1,500 participants with the tools, networks, and insights needed to turn ideas into tangible impact.’

The statement also disclosed that registration had long been concluded both for the conference and the highly anticipated Ibom Ignite Entrepreneurship and Innovation Grant, a funding opportunity designed to propel startups and bold ideas into scalable ventures.

The event will feature seasoned speakers, fireside chats, intimate, thought-provoking conversations on leadership, innovation, and resilience, panel discussion sessions, as well as Innovation and Pitch Opportunities.

‘Ibom Ignite is not just an event but a movement of possibilities. To accelerate, you must first be ignited. Ibom Ignite 2025 is about sparking bold ideas and giving them the momentum to grow into solutions that transform communities.

‘The theme, Ignite to Accelerate, captures the essence of the 2025 edition: before acceleration can happen, there must first be ignition, a spark that fuels growth, vision, and transformation,’ the statement added.

A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Okechukwu, has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his insistence on remaining in the 2027 presidential race, except a younger candidate emerges through a ‘competitive primary.’

Atiku, in a statement by his media adviser, Paul Ibe, on Thursday, dismissed reports that he had offered to step down for younger aspirants under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing them as false and mischievous.

He clarified that he would only concede if a younger candidate emerged through a fair contest.

Reacting in Abuja on Friday, Okechukwu, a former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), described Atiku’s stance as anti-democratic, accusing him of undermining Nigeria’s long-standing zoning and rotation principle, which he said has been the glue holding the Fourth Republic together since 1999.

Okechukwu recalled that Atiku himself benefited from zoning in the past but later campaigned against it, leading to his 2014 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary victory, which had no southern aspirant.

He argued that discarding zoning in favour of ‘dollarised primaries’ amounts to eroding equity, inclusion, and stability.

According to him, Atiku’s position confirms fears that his pursuit of power is not to strengthen democratic institutions but to weaken the very principles that sustain Nigeria’s plural society.

The Delta State Police Command has impounded twenty-five vehicles over the enforcement of the tinted glass permit.

Recall that a Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, on Friday ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to suspend the enforcement of the tinted glass permit by vehicle owners.

The court asked the police and the IGP to maintain the status quo and ‘respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter.’

In April, the Nigeria Police Force announced it had resumed the issuance of tinted glass permits nationwide through the Police Specialised Services Automation Project, after suspending the scheme in 2022.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, initially set an August 12 deadline for motorists to obtain the permits, but later extended it to October 2.

The Police defended the policy as lawful, citing the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991 and national security concerns.

A statement on Friday, October 3, on its verified ‘X’ page – @DeltaPoliceNG said, ‘Enforcement of tint permits. Twenty-five vehicles were impounded for driving a tinted vehicle without a tinted permit in Asaba.

‘Visit @POSSAP_NGG website today and get it done or your police state headquarters.’

When he announced the abolition of the fuel subsidy regime on May 29, 2023, Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu listed the potential benefits of the measure to include the prospect of increased allocations to the country’s subnational entities (states and Local Governments) for use in strengthening their economies via spending on infrastructure and social services. A long-standing advocate for stronger federating units with robust financial autonomy, the President followed through by approving exponential increases in allocations (comprised of improved earnings from oil exports, a revamped tax code, and other statutory allocations) to the country’s 36 states and 774 LGAs.

Last month (August 2025) alone, according to the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, the Federation Account Allocation Commission (FAAC) disbursed a total of N2.23trn among the three levels of government. This comprised the following: N1.48trn in statutory revenues; N672.90bn in Value Added Tax (VAT); N32.34bn in Electronic Money Transfer Levies (EMTL); and N41.28bn in the form of Exchange Difference. A breakdown of the allocations shows that from the distributable statutory revenue of N1.48trn, the FG received N684.46bn, states got N347.17bn, and LGs N267.65bn. An additional N179.31bn (representing 13% of mineral revenue) was shared with oil-producing states as derivation. For VAT revenue distribution, the FG received N100.94 bn, while states and LGs received N336.45bn and N235.52bn respectively. From EMTL collections of N32.34bn, the FG received N4.85bn, states got N16.17bn, and LGs took N11.32bn. The N41.28bn Exchange Difference was also shared, with the FG receiving N19.80bn, states N10.04bn, LGs N7.74bn, while N3.70bn was paid as 13% derivation revenues to oil-producing states.

The above figures, mind you, are for August 2025 alone. Now, multiply that by the over 25 months since mid-2023, when these disbursements took effect. From 2023, in fact – when total monthly allocations for states and LGs stood at an average of N760bn – the figure surged to N3.2trn in 2024 (an almost threefold increase!). For the first time since the 1960s, the sub-nationals – combined – got more money than the FG, ending the top-heavy arrangement that had prevailed before the Tinubu administration came on board.

Two years on, though, Nigerians are, for the most part, yet to see the tangible benefits of those increases to sub-nationals – whether in new or rehabilitated infrastructural projects, or in the quality of public sector service-delivery, or in the area of social investments. They are, in short, seeing little or no improvements in their standard of living, let alone their quality of life. And across the length and breadth of the country, they are wondering: Where and how is this money actually being utilized? More importantly, what form of accountability mechanisms are in place to ensure that these funds are spent judiciously? For them, these funding increases have become what the street calls ‘audio money.’

No thanks to the dramatic spike in inflation occasioned by President Tinubu’s initial action in pulling the plug on the subsidy regime, Nigerians are asking their respective state Governors to justify the increased allocations. According to them, the majority of state Governors have simply not done enough to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on their citizens. ‘If anything,’ says a spokesman for the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) ‘things are getting worse. The quality of life is degenerating at an alarming rate. There is clear and present danger ahead unless [the Governors] change their trajectory.’

On his part,a spokesperson of the Joint Service Council had this to say: ‘Even those of us who are working, our salaries cannot cope with the situation . You can imagine the plight of those who . are jobless.’

No thanks to the sorry plight of the average Nigerian, some stakeholders have now gone as far as questioning the very rationale for the increased (and increasing) allocations in the first place. Why throw money, they ask, at people who are not – by their nature and the lack of strong accountability mechanisms – accountable? It is a sad example, they say, of flushing money down the sink into bottomless pit of corruption.

The recent behaviour of a large number of these state Chief Executives has led critics to charge that most of them are now prioritizing personal luxuries- in the form of choice real estate (in foreign lands), private jets and other personal indulgences – over public welfare. The stark contrast between the lavish lifestyles of Governors, their aides and other associates and hangers-on, on the one hand, and the poverty-stricken nature of the states they’re supposed to be governing, on the other, is too glaring to ignore. As we speak, 20 out of the 36 Governors (accompanied in most cases by their entire families) are reportedly abroad on vacation – jamborees fully funded by their impoverished (but cash-rich) states.

To some observers, most of the monies have also disappeared down the rabbit-hole of patronage networks. ‘Most of the time,’ said one analyst, ‘the money is a consolation prize for political allies through procurements and contracts . State Governors are using these funds to build their political enterprises, not to provide quality basic services .’

Other observers have blamed this cavalier, bull-in-a-china-shop attitude of state Governors and their lackeys to public funds on the lack of strong institutions to monitor disbursements and utilization of the funds – and to hold the culpable to account. As long as there are no consequences for mismanagement of these funds, they say, this malfeasance would not only continue, it will grow into another hydra-headed monster populating the Hobbesian jungle that life in Nigeria has become for the common man. This situation is not helped, they say, by the prevailing perception that even the FG does not appear to show any interest in enforcing accountability at the level of states and LGs.

Though President Tinubu has, on various occasions in the past, appealed to Governors to utilize funds responsibly – to ‘let the poor breathe’ in his own words, and to ‘spend the funds, not the people’ – there is little he can do, short of declaring a state of emergency, or withholding funding to offending states, at least for a while. Even then, he would have to contend with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which mandates that the country’s funds be distributed among its constituent units (without pre-conditions).

For the time being, then, he – and the vast majority of hapless Nigerians – can only ask the million-dollar question: ‘Where’s the money?’

The answer, as the old song goes, is blowing in the wind.

Perception and image are essential components that form our communications and understanding of life. They impact our behaviours and opinions. If not clear, it can be bad and damaging. Over the years, Nigeria has experienced different perceptions globally and some of that hasn’t been good. Things are about to change for the better, as the Managing Director of the Nigeria Global Reputation Management Project, the country’s official initiative dedicated to shaping and projecting a powerful, positive, and unified image of Nigeria globally, Patricia Obozua is leading this commendable initiative.

The former Vice President, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, Africa at The Coca-Cola, said ‘Nigeria’s global perception has evolved from being viewed narrowly as an oil-rich but unstable country to being increasingly recognized as a hub of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.’

Patricia says the biggest misconception we face is the tendency to see Nigeria from one dimension. either a nation defined solely by its challenges, or more recently, only by the explosive success of Afrobeats and Nollywood. ‘We need to dispel this oversimplification.’ She stated.

On the primary target audience for this initiative, Patricia says the project’s expected audiences are not fixed groups, but circles that constantly connect and influence each other. For her, a strong global reputation must be built on the solid foundation of domestic reality and pride. According to her, ‘Domestically, our audience includes citizens, the private sector, civil society, and the media. Nigerians must see themselves reflected positively, because national confidence is the foundation of international credibility.’

The project is powered by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), and it brings together government, private sector, and cultural leaders to align Nigeria’s national narrative with our economic and cultural realities, ultimately driving investment, tourism, and global influence.

Measurement and data analysis of the initiative is important so progress can be reported. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics, according to Patricia, this will be achieved. From tracking Nigeria’s position in recognised rankings, to measuring tone and volume of international media coverage and social discourse, and monitoring correlations with Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and tourism numbers (long-term), the initiative is ready to change the wrong narratives projected about Nigeria.

The goals of the project have been broken down to three. First is to project Nigeria’s strengths. our entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and cultural leadership. Second is to build trust by ensuring that what is communicated abroad aligns with the progress made at home. Third is to create a coordinated platform where government, business, civil society and diaspora voices work together to tell a consistent, compelling story about Nigeria.

On likely challenges, she says the key one will be to provide balance and perspective. ‘I intend to address this by adopting a solutions-driven communications approach. For every story of a challenge, there is a parallel story of resilience, innovation, or progress that deserves equal attention.’

Patricia holds on to the importance of collaboration to make this work. She says the success of the project requires the active involvement of the private sector, development partners, the diaspora, and culture leaders. ‘International collaborations with UN agencies, multilateral banks, and global think tanks will give us reach and credibility.’ Patricia narrated.

She further stated that organisations and individuals can be part of the project through amplifying positive Nigerian narratives within their global networks, joining the project’s working groups or contributing insights as a sector expert, and also partnering if your organisation has a stake in Nigeria’s global standing.

This project is powered by the NOA. The NOA provides the crucial grassroots reach to ensure Nigeria’s international narrative is authentic and reflects the domestic reality.

The Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, has said that Leah Sharibu and every Nigerian child still unaccounted for in the war against Boko Haram remain scars on the nation.

Kukah made the remark while reviewing ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum’, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, at its official launch.

He said, ‘Now, the issue of Leah Sharibu and the Chibok girls, these are what the author refers to as the scars. And in my view, as long as Leah Sharibu is unaccounted for, as long as any of the abducted children in Nigeria is unaccounted for, every child that is unaccounted for is a scar on the face of Nigeria.’

According to him, military action alone cannot end the Boko Haram insurgency, as insurgents are driven by a readiness to die, unlike soldiers who fight to stay alive.

Kukah also faulted the label ‘Boko Haram,’ insisting that such narratives divert attention from the deeper causes of the crisis.

‘And I think this is where the Nigerian government has gotten it wrong. First of all, let’s not forget. We are the ones who gave them the name Boko Haram,’ he said.

‘They didn’t say that they are Boko Haram. We are the ones who gave them the name, and because we gave them the name Boko Haram, we have become comfortable. It has affected our strategy.

‘Boko Haram says their name is Jama’at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da’wa wa al-Jihad. That is their name. And the English translation is that people committed to the prophet’s teachings for the propagation of jihad. The challenge is what context of preaching,’

While charging political leaders to write biographies, he said the nation was already in trouble and needed solutions on the way out.

He said, ‘First, the Nigerian military must be inspired by this book to also create a sense of urgency about returning to the barracks so that their honour, their integrity, their professionalism can be guaranteed.

‘Soldiers have written to say that they are often better off under civilian government than under military government. However, the presence of the military in 36 states out of 36 states in Nigeria makes the notion of democracy an oxymoron.

‘We cannot be in a democracy and be surrounded by soldiers, because increasingly, psychologically, people are beginning to think, see the military as an army of occupation. It shouldn’t be so.’

He also charged the federal government to expand its concept of national security to cover all aspects of security, including food and health.’

Kukah accused northern leaders of using ‘Islamism’ as a tool to grab power, which he said was destructive Islam.

‘I would like to use this opportunity to speak to my Muslim brothers, especially from Northern Nigeria. Islamism is what is called political theology. In Christianity, it could be the same thing, but political theology, that is, the instrumentalization and the skewed usage and manipulation of religion as a tool for governance.

‘Nigeria is a democracy, and there is a way that good Muslims can participate in democracy, and good Christians can participate in democracy. But the idea that we want to use religion to enforce power is what Islamism is all about. It has become destructive to the religion itself. Suddenly now, in this day and age, we are here.’

However, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, faulted Kukah’s claim.

He said, ‘I also want to correct a wrong notion that many non-Muslims hold about jihad. Jihad does not mean a Muslim must kill a non-Muslim. Jihad means ‘to strive.’ In every aspect of life, one strives to be the best they can be-to be a good Muslim, a good Christian, a good farmer, or a good engineer. Jihad is not about killing non-Muslims; that is a misconception that has persisted for decades.

‘In addition, I want to clarify another issue. When Bishop Kukah spoke about Islamism, he may have used some words in a way that created misunderstanding, making Islam appear negative. But Islamism is not about seeking power for its own sake. Rather, Islam emphasizes good governance in society. Whoever is in power-take, for example, President Goodluck Jonathan-we gave him 100% support throughout his presidency. Nobody said anything negative about him, and he himself knows that.

‘So, Islamism is not what some people think. It is not about seizing power; it is about promoting good governance.’