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Dave Umahi, the Minister of Works, has dismissed the claims circulating round that the ongoing 86.43 kilometers expansion of the Ore-Ondo-Akure highway is being constructed with substantial materials and not in conformity with international specifications.

Umahi, who led the team from the Ministry to the ongoing road project last week Thursday, said; ‘the width of the road is a standard 7.3-meter main carriageway on each side, and we have 2.75 meters on the shoulder.’

BusinessDay reports that the recent viral videos and comments on the ongoing road had raised alarm over the use of wire mesh on the road’s outer shoulders, with some alleging that reinforcement bars ought to have been used instead-just like on the main carriageway.

But, Umahi, who spoke through the Federal Controller of Works in Ondo State, Olajide Hussein explained that the distinction is a standard global engineering practice dictated by the different structural and functional demands of both sections.

He said, ‘We also saw the viral video and the complainant specifically mentioned the use of wire mesh on the outer shoulders, suggesting that the same heavy reinforcement used on the carriageway should be applied there as well. But that’s a misconception. The main carriageway and the outer shoulder perform different functions, and so they are designed differently.’

According to him, the main carriageway, which carries heavy and continuous traffic from trucks, trailers, and articulated vehicles, is subjected to high bending and flexural stresses, hence the need for heavy reinforcement bars.

‘To resist these forces and ensure long-term durability, 20mm longitudinal and 16mm transverse reinforcement bars are used on the main carriageway,’ he explained. ‘But the outer shoulder is designed to handle only occasional traffic, like breakdowns, short stops, or diversions. Therefore, it doesn’t require the same level of reinforcement.’

He further clarified that the A142 wire mesh used on the outer shoulders is a standard and approved material, in line with Nigerian Highway Design Standards and global practices for rigid pavement construction.

‘If you visit any of our single carriageway rigid pavement projects nationwide, you will find the same design pattern. It’s not peculiar to Ondo State or this particular project. The use of wire mesh on shoulders and reinforcement bars on carriageways is a universal highway design principle,’ Umahi affirmed.

Umahi disclosed that the Ore-Ondo-Akure Road spans 86.43 kilometers with a 7.3-meter main carriageway and 2.75-meter shoulders on each side. Contrary to some public assumptions, he clarified that the project is not a dualization effort, but rather the reconstruction of a single carriageway with improved features, including fully paved shoulders for safety and traffic management.

‘Before now, the road had no proper shoulders-only surface-dressed areas in a few spots. What we are doing now is building a modern, durable highway that meets global standards,’ he said.

He added that the project, awarded in 2024 with a four-year completion period, is on schedule and might even be completed ahead of time due to the contractor’s commitment and adequate supervision by the Federal Ministry of Works.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has turned down the Nigeria Police Force’s attempt to prevent the ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu Now’ protest, clearing the way for the demonstration to take place as planned on Monday, October 20, 2025.

In an effort to stop the rally, which is expected to take place near the Presidential Villa, Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police, instructed police legal representatives to file an ex-parte motion against activist and protest leader Omoyele Sowore.

The move was intended to stop the protest before it could begin.

Justice Umar, however, refused to grant the order without hearing from the opposing side.

Rather than approve the police’s request immediately, the judge directed them to formally serve Sowore with notice of the application and postponed the matter to Tuesday for a full hearing.

Following the ruling, Sowore welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a win for civil rights and reaffirming that the protest would go ahead as scheduled.

Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Sowore stated: ‘IG of @PoliceNG, Kayode Egbetokun, sent police lawyers to file a lawsuit against me in an effort to stop the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Aso Rock Villa on Monday.

‘But Justice Umar declined to grant their ex parte request, instructing them to serve me properly and setting the hearing for Tuesday.’ The police’s legal approach was widely seen as an attempt to use the judiciary to block a potentially contentious protest near the heart of government. Since the judge adjourned the hearing, no injunction is currently in place to prevent the protest from going ahead on Monday. This development raises the possibility of a public standoff between demonstrators and law enforcement around the Presidential Villa.

The court’s decision on Tuesday will determine the legal future of the protest.

It would be recalled that Sowore had announced the October 20 protest date on his X handle. He called it a ‘historic’ march toward Aso Rock Villa aimed at pressing for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Sowore emphasised that the protest would be peaceful and conducted within the bounds of the law.

In the fast-evolving world of finance, where billions move across borders daily and investor confidence can shift in seconds, Temitayo Kehinde Peters, CFA, stands out as one of the quiet architects behind Nigeria’s new wave of market transparency.

With nearly a decade of experience spanning Europe and Africa, Peters has built his career around a single, uncompromising principle: integrity in finance through robust systems. His work has contributed to strengthening compliance frameworks, protecting investors, and inspiring confidence in one of the world’s most dynamic emerging markets.

Early Inspiration: A Lesson from Crisis

For Peters, the journey into finance began not in a trading room, but during Nigeria’s 2004-2006 banking consolidation, an era of sweeping reforms that reshaped the country’s financial sector. As a young student, he recalls listening intently to then Central Bank Governor Charles Soludo explain why the government had to intervene to rescue failing banks and protect citizens’ savings.

‘That was when I first understood how strong regulatory frameworks could avert economic collapse,’ Peters says. ‘It showed me that finance wasn’t just about numbers, it was about systems that protect people.’

That early spark of curiosity became a lifelong pursuit: understanding how transparent systems build trust, and how the lack of them can destroy it.

Global Foundations at Morgan Stanley

Peters’ professional journey began in 2016 at Morgan Stanley in London, one of the world’s leading investment banks. As an Operations Analyst in the bank’s Prime Brokerage division, he supported equity and derivatives trading for institutional clients, a role demanding precision, discretion, and control over multimillion-dollar daily fund flows.

‘There were no shortcuts,’ he recalls. ‘Every transaction had to withstand scrutiny because one oversight could erode client trust built over decades.’

That experience proved formative, especially during the rollout of the EU’s landmark Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II) in 2018. The regulation aimed to enhance investor protection and transparency while standardizing practices across European financial markets. One of its key reforms, the unbundling of research costs from trading execution, required banks to create entirely new systems for cost tracking and client reporting.

‘I watched and learned in real time how institutions build compliance frameworks from scratch,’ Peters says. ‘That changed how I view financial governance forever.’

Returning Home: Research and Rigor

In 2019, Peters returned to Nigeria, driven by a conviction that the same principles shaping Europe’s mature markets could be adapted to strengthen Africa’s emerging ones. He joined one of Nigeria’s most respected research houses as a Fixed Income and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) Analyst.

His reputation grew quickly. His market insights and media appearances on AriseTV and other business programs made him a recognizable voice for precision and objectivity. ‘Credibility is currency in research,’ he says. ‘Once you compromise accuracy, you lose all relevance.’

Those years of disciplined analysis refined his understanding of market psychology and reinforced his commitment to transparency, traits that would soon define his next chapter in capital markets.

Building Trust in Nigeria’s Capital Markets

By 2021, Peters had transitioned into the capital markets division of two of Nigeria’s most prominent investment banks. There, he took on the complex work of structuring and distributing corporate and subnational bonds, commercial papers, and equity offerings.

His mission aligned closely with that of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Nigeria: balancing investor protection with sustainable market growth. Peters helped design issuance structures that ensured investor funds were deployed strictly for their intended purposes, a level of transparency still uncommon in many emerging markets.

‘Capital markets thrive on trust,’ Peters explains. ‘Every control we introduce sends a message: your investment is safe here.’

Colleagues and clients alike credit those frameworks with helping restore investor confidence. ‘Investors are returning because they trust the process,’ says a senior asset manager at a Lagos-based pension fund. ‘And that trust is the result of stronger, smarter structures designed by professionals like Peters.’

Fighting Financial Crime through Structure

Among Peters’ defining professional passions is anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, a field that fuses his operational experience in Europe with his strategic leadership in Africa. Through his work on issuance structures and verification of fund utilization, he’s contributed to building systems that make it more difficult for bad actors to exploit financial instruments.

‘The integrity of a market is measured by how well it prevents misuse,’ he says. ‘You can’t have sustainable growth without clean systems.’

That focus on integrity is bearing fruit. In recent years, Nigeria’s domestic bond market has seen record participation from local and international investors. Analysts attribute part of that renewed interest to greater structural transparency, driven in part by practitioners like Peters.

Financing Sovereignty through Local Markets

As Nigeria seeks to bridge its infrastructure gap, estimated at over $100 billion, Peters has been a vocal advocate for local currency financing. He argues that reducing dependence on foreign-denominated debt is not just financially prudent but strategically essential.

‘Developing strong domestic capital markets isn’t just an economic necessity, it’s a matter of sovereignty,’ he says. ‘Every successful local bond issuance is a statement that we can fund our future internally.’

The results are tangible. Over the past two years, Nigeria’s capital market has witnessed record-breaking growth in debt issuances, signaling growing investor confidence and a more resilient ecosystem.

Championing Ethics and Mentorship

Peters’ influence extends beyond the trading floor. As a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder, one of the finance profession’s most rigorous and globally recognized designations, he exemplifies ethical leadership in a sector often tested by opacity and misconduct.

He recently served as a judge for the CFA Society’s Industry Practitioner’s Ethics Challenge, a competition promoting ethical reasoning among young finance professionals. ‘Ethics isn’t theoretical,’ he says. ‘It’s about making hard decisions when nobody’s watching.’

Through mentorship, advisory work, and active engagement with regulatory bodies, Peters represents a new generation of African finance professionals setting global standards for transparency, accountability, and ethical innovation.

Global Experience, Local Transformation

From navigating complex multi-currency trades in Europe to designing frameworks that safeguard Nigerian investors, Peters’ career bridges global best practices and local transformation. His international experience gives him a unique perspective on what it takes to build markets that endure.

‘What I learned in London about systems, I’ve applied in Lagos to create structures that work,’ he says. ‘That’s the future of African finance, locally relevant but globally credible.’

Looking Ahead

As Nigeria’s economy evolves and its financial markets mature, Peters remains focused on one enduring goal: strengthening the systems that make markets work.

‘When integrity is built into the structure,’ he says, ‘trust naturally follows.’

For Peters, that philosophy isn’t just professional, it’s personal. In an era where financial misconduct can unravel entire economies, he’s part of a generation quietly reshaping how emerging markets are governed, one transparent system at a time.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has

alleged that the party members where been harassed and intimidated by political touts across Lagos State.

The ADC stated that it has become increasing difficult for party members to hold meetings and carry out political activities across different local government areas in Lagos State because of the trend.

This was stated by the ADC’s Local Government Area chairmen in Lagos during a press conference in Festac.

Ugochukwu Anaere, the head of ADC’s LGA’s chairmen in Lagos State who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, noted that there were reports of targeted attacks by party members across Lagos with security agencies appearing helpless.

According to him, virtually all our colleagues from the 20 LGAs in the state have reported one form of threat and or attack.

‘We have escalated these to the party hierarchy and the law enforcement agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services(DSS). Regrettably, these threats and attacks appear intractable’, the party said.

Anaere pointed that the party do not

want its members and leaders intimidated, harassed or brutalized anymore by any individual or groups of persons under any guise anymore. He stressed that similar situation was seen in the 2023 poll where party members were arrested and attacked across Lagos.

He called upon security agencies to arrest any individual or group making inflammatory comments, threat to attack voters ahead of the 2027 general election.

Read also: Governors’ defections part of conspiracy for one-party State – ADC

‘These grave concerns of ours, we appeal relevant national and subnational authorities to cause adequate steps to be taken to secure our votes and protect the lives and property of Nigerian voters, irrespective of their state, religion, creed, party affiliations and so’, he added.

The party further called for urgent amendments to the 1999 Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act, citing concerns over the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the appointment of Supreme Court Justices.

This is as the party reaffirmed its readiness to change the trajectory of the country, saying, Nigerians continue to suffer untold hardship with the incumbent government’s programmes and projects seemingly very far from addressing them.

‘Strong view that the sanctity of the 2027 elections cannot be guaranteed unless certain aspects of the 1999 Constitution(as amended) and the 2022 Electoral Act are urgently amended. ‘As it is presently constituted, we believe the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) is truly not independent and we urgently demand that the powers to appoint the leadership of the electoral umpire should not be vested with the President. Ditto the appointment of the Justices of the Supreme Court’.

In a major boost to sustainable urban mobility, the European Union has pledged pound 450 million to support the development of electric waterways transport in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital.

Gautier Mignot, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria/ECOWAS, disclosed this during the 18th annual research conference of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, on Wednesday, when he explained that the investment aims to revolutionise water-based transportation in the city, reduce carbon emissions, and ease congestion on overcrowded roads, marking a significant step toward cleaner, greener, and more efficient public transit in West Africa’s largest metropolis.

‘We will launch on Friday a very important project under our Global Creativity Strategy, which might help us perhaps in the future not to come late to this sort of event.

‘It is about funding the electric waterways transport system in Lagos. So that we can go more quickly from one point to the other through the water, and not be stuck in traffic jams.

‘It’s a 410 million euros investment with France and the European Union in a few years to have this network in place. It’s called the ‘Omi Eko’ project,’ he said.

The EU-backed pound 410 million electric waterways transport project is expected to decongest Lagos traffic by shifting commuters from congested roads to the city’s waterways.

To achieve this, the European Union and its partners aim to build new infrastructure like terminals and dredging routes, introduce high-capacity electric ferries on new routes, and integrate the new water transport system with existing road and rail networks.

According to the EU ambassador, the goal is to provide a reliable, efficient, and sustainable alternative to road travel, reducing gridlock and improving urban mobility.

Meanwhile, Mignot emphasised that the union is committed to science-based decisions and all kinds of human sciences; hence, it has allocated pound 100 billion to support research through the Horizon Europe programme for science and research over the next seven years.

‘We know that research is most efficient when it’s universal, when it’s international. It’s not efficient when it has to bend to borders, when national science is a narrow-minded concept.

‘Our big package of support to research, the Horizon Europe programme, almost pound 100 billion between 2021 and 2027, is a very international-minded programme,’ he said.

The EU ambassador further explained that the Horizon Europe programme funds research teams and research projects from all over the world, and emphasised that many Nigerian teams are also benefiting from it.

He explained that for the EU, its key objective is a human-centric digital transformation, and that this applies also to artificial intelligence.

‘We need to make sure that these tools are put at the service of humanity as a whole, and at the service of a few human beings, if you see what I mean.

‘We have to push many international actors, many countries in the same direction, and for us, the partnership with Nigeria is also key as a very big actor in the digital economy for the future,’ he said.

He revealed that the EU also has a global cooperation strategy to help its partners undertake the same triple transition that they are attempting in Europe: the green, digital, and inclusive transition.

This strategy, he said, is called the Global Gateway Investment Strategy.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to test its upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and commence the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2025 Anambra State governorship election.

In a statement signed by Victoria Eta-Messi, director of Voter Education and Publicity, the Commission said it will conduct a mock accreditation exercise to test the upgraded BVAS, adding that PVC collection for voters who registered during the recent Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise will hold from Wednesday, 22nd to Sunday, October 26, 2025.

INEC advised all eligible voters who participated in the CVR to visit the Registration Areas where they initially registered to collect their PVCs within the stipulated period. It emphasised that PVC collection will be strictly in person, as collection by proxy will not be allowed under any circumstances.

The Commission noted that the exercise is crucial for voters who intend to participate in the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State, urging all registered voters to make use of the opportunity to collect their cards.

As part of its preparations, INEC said it will also conduct a Mock Accreditation Exercise on Saturday, 25th October 2025 in selected polling units across the three senatorial districts of the state.

The exercise, according to the Commission, will test the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), assess its response time, and evaluate the process of uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal ahead of the main election. The mock accreditation will take place in selected polling units located in Awka south, Idemili north, Oyi, Anambra east, Aguata, and Orumba north local government areas. INEC encouraged voters in the selected polling units to participate actively in the exercise, noting that their involvement will assist the Commission in fine-tuning its operational and technological processes before the election.

Reiterating its commitment to operational efficiency, transparency, and stakeholder confidence, the Commission assured that all necessary measures are being put in place to ensure a smooth and credible governorship election in Anambra State.

Nigeria’s vibrant dance community took a historic leap forward as the Dancers Award 2025, themed ‘Legacy in Motion,’ set a new benchmark for artistic recognition and industry growth.

The event, held in Abuja, celebrated the creativity, discipline, and cultural power of Nigerian dancers, officially ushering in a new era for the nation’s performing arts scene.

The vibrant celebration of rhythm, dedication, and cultural expression officially elevated the status of Nigerian dancers to a new level of national and international recognition.

The atmosphere was electric as the best in the industry, from the streets to the stage were honored across a diverse array of categories, reflecting the industry’s rich diversity and creative complexity.

According to Henshaw Victory, the convener, the Dancers Award goes beyond a single event. It is conceived as a movement aimed at spotlighting Nigeria’s energetic young talents while advocating for institutional backing, funding, workshops, and functional theatre spaces necessary for local and international growth.

‘It is a powerful movement with the goal to shine compelling spotlight on Nigeria’s energetic young talents, advocating for the INSTITUTIONAL BACKING, FUNDING, WORKSHOPS AND FUNCTIONAL THEATER SPACE crucial for our local and international flourish.

‘We believe that with this step in the right direction, the government should endeavour to invest in performing art to fuel creativity and employment. This platform aims to transform dance from a passionate hobby into a viable, sustainable, and respected career path that contributes notably to the nation’s economic and cultural wealth,’

Shaw in a statement added that the award categories were meticulously designed to recognize the entire dance ecosystem, moving beyond popular performers to include choreographers, producers, creative directors, and institutions supporting dance.

For countless dancers across Nigeria, the Legacy in Motion edition represents a turning point, an affirmation of their dedication, skills, and artistry. Beyond recognition, he explained that it offers visibility and validation for years of relentless practice and creative exploration.

With the successful execution of the September 27th event, The structured celebration of excellence is expected to: Professionalize the dance industry, boost Nigeria’s cultural export, and spur both government and private sector investment.

The Adamawa State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (ADSACA) has reported that the state recorded at least 8,850 new HIV infections between 2022 and 2025.

Abdullahi Adamu, director of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation of the agency, disclosed this on Thursday in Yola at a media interactive session on the state’s HIV/AIDS response.

Adamu said the engagement was organised to strengthen collaboration with the media towards increasing public awareness of HIV prevention and behavioural change.

According to him, statistics show that from 2022 to date, new HIV infections have continued to rise annually across the state.

‘In 2022, we recorded over 2,700 new infections; in 2023, over 2,500; in 2024, 2,227; and from January to June 2025, we have already recorded 1,423 new infections,’ he said.

Adamu expressed concern over the continuous increase in new cases despite the availability of preventive measures, adding that the trend calls for urgent review of existing strategies.

‘We need to restrategise and adopt new approaches that will strengthen public awareness and promote preventive practices.

‘We have preventive options such as abstinence, consistent condom use, and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), but many people are not taking them seriously.

‘However, people living with HIV who adhere strictly to their medication cannot transmit the virus to others and can live healthy and productive lives,’ he said.

The Director also said that no fewer than 40,000 persons living with HIV were currently receiving treatment in the state, with about 93 per cent achieving viral suppression.

He added that about 400 HIV-related deaths were recorded in 2024.

Adamu called on pregnant women to register for antenatal care, noting that prevention of mother-to-child transmission was critical to reducing new infections.

‘In 2024, about 509 pregnant women who registered for antenatal care, were enrolled on HIV treatment, out of which 180 were new infections.

THINLINE (2025)

So, keep reading if you enjoy Nigerian Drama Movies, its being a minute with mainly foreign movies, but this time let review a Nollywood movie. In this new Nigerian movie, A young lady goes about scamming men and carting away with their money and valuables, one of these nights she robs a man hundreds of thousands of dollars which belonged to his wife, this made the man very furious and decided to eliminate her. Annie decided that she wanted to lure and bring down a very respectful man of God, she goes to his hotel, deceives him and get nude pictures and videos of him to blackmail him, but Annie as greedy and selfish as she was wanted more, she actually wanted him to leave his wife and marry her. Well, you will need to go checkout the movie to see if the pastor fell for her trick and if he left his wife for her. The 115m Nollywood, Crime, drama, social issues, African movie was directed by Akay mason, they featured actors like Uche Montana, Iyabo Ojo, Ebun Oloyede, Adeniyi Johnson, Prisma James, Ibrahim Yekini Itele, Yvonne Jegede, Abdulgafar Abiola.

WOMAN IN CABIN 10 (2025)

Laura is an award-winning journalist, who specialises in investigating special cases. Laura decided to go on a lavish yacht for an assignment to unveil why the very wealthy lady wanted to share her wealth. When Laura arrives on the yacht, she meets an old time friend and various wealthy people, but she feels something was really weird about the trip, on the first night on board, she heard some people fighting in cabin No 10, she wakes up looks outside and finds out that a body was dumped in the water, She calls the attention of the crew, they show up, do a head count, and find out that everyone was on board and no one was missing, suddenly it seemed like Laura was insane and making things up, but she knew she wasn’t, you must watch this movie to see the length Laura went to in order to proof that she was right. The 95m crime, thriller, mystery Film based on books was directed by Simon Stone, they featured actors like Kiera Knightley, Gay Pearce, Hannah Wadingham, David Ajala, Art Malik, Guru Mbatha-Raw, Kaya Scodelario, David Morrissey, Daniel Lngs Paul Kaye and many more.

BLUE MIRACLE (2021)

Omar was a good man, he lost his father at a very young age, so he grew up on the street, but didn’t allow the street destroy him. When he got older, he decided to set up an orphanage home to help kids who had no parents, his wife assisted him in running the home. Along the line the orphanage faced huge crisis and the bank was going to shut down the home if they didn’t pay up their debt, which had lingered for a long while now. In order to keep the orphanage home running Omar and his kids would have to partner with a washed-up boat captain for a chance to win one of the biggest fishing competitions in the village, to win a huge sum that could help save the orphanage home. You will need to watch this movie to find out if they won despite all odds being against them amongst more equipped and advanced competitors, and if he saved the orphanage home. The 96m Family Films, Kids and family, drama based on real life movie was directed by Dennis Quaid, Anthony Gonzaiez, Bruce McGill, Raymond Cruz, Nathan Arenas, Miguel Angel Gracia, Isaac Arellanes, Steve Gutierrez etc.

Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State has come out smoking, apparently using about two weeks to study the state of his state. He has begun with reactivation of projects that were stalled in the six months of his absence.

This is after he cancelled a N134bn renovation contract where N20bn was handed out as ‘mobilisation fee’ to a foreign contractor without bidding process.

Now, Fubara says he has reactivated most of the stranded projects especially the N195bn Port Harcourt Ring Road, and that the contractors have all returned to site.

He has also said he would rely on the traditional rulers to reach the remotest parts of Rivers State, saying they truly represent the leaders of the grassroots. Gov Fubara disclosed these during a meeting held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday, October 16, 2025, with traditional rulers ostensibly to acquaint them of the return of governance after the emergency rule in the State.

The governor informed the traditional rulers of the government’s efforts to reactivate stalled projects across the state, assuring them that major works, including the Port Harcourt Ring Road, hospitals, and roads, have resumed.

He emphasized that the interests of Rivers people remained paramount in all government undertakings, adding that the administration was committed to addressing any challenges facing the communities. Gov Sim Fubara (middle in red cap) with full council members of monarchs in the state

‘My meeting with you this afternoon is to tell you that we are back. It’s not me, all of us. Government has started again. Our projects, if you are aware, most of the project sites have all reopened. The Ring Road has restarted. The hospitals are mobilized back to sites. The roads, as at today, we’ve had meetings with all the contractors. They’ve all moved back to sites.

‘Also, the issues of other developments. I believe that most of them that were truncated, we will revisit them. Because at the end of the day, it has to do with the people. We must make sure that the interests of our people are supreme in whatever we’re doing. If you observe, every sector of the system has been activated.’

He acknowledged the unique position of the traditional rulers as the closest leaders to the people and vital role they play as custodians of culture and grassroots leaders in fostering peace and driving development, and appealed to them to continue to maintain peace within their domains as a way of supporting government initiatives.

Governor Fubara pledged to respect the traditional institutions, describing them as the ancestors and pillars of the state, and assured them of continued engagement and support. ‘You cannot control from Port Harcourt, living in Government House, to decide what happens in the most interior place in Kula. You might have a local government chairman; you might have a councillor, but who is the closest, who controls the sub-leaders of the families, communities that make up the big Kingdoms? It is you all here that control them. So, if we have to pray for peace, if we have to yield for development, who should be the people I should always listen to? It is you. ‘You know the problem, you understand the needs of the people. So, we are appealing that we need more peace. You want us to succeed, ensure that you maintain peace in your communities. Ensure that you support the government programmes. On my own part, I will give you the respect that you deserve.’

The governor further announced plans to fulfill pending commitments to the traditional rulers, including the provision of vehicles and other benefits according to their hierarchy, promising that these would be delivered by the end of November.

He also addressed the importance of the quarterly council meetings, urging the Council Chairman to remain apolitical and focused on promoting the collective interests of the State.

In his remarks, Chike Worlu Wodo, the Eze and chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, who is the Eze Oha Apara (IV), Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, reminisced the experience of the state and traditional rulers during the emergency rule, and expressed gratitude to God for the return of the Governor. He thanked him for the maturity and courage exhibited during the trying moment.

In their separate speeches, other monarchs from Ogbaland, the Amanyanabo of Bonny, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, and the Eze of Omuma Kingdom, noted the organic support Rivers people have for the governor, ascribing his return to God’s answer of the people’s prayers.

They noted that Rivers State is back on its feet, and urged the governor to continue with the developmental projects that he had always put in place, and focus on youth empowerment, job creation and community development.

Saying that these were the surest foundations for enduring peace, the monrachs assured the governor of the traditional institution’s commitment and readiness to continue to support the government’s developmental agenda.

Gov Fubara showed his grit few days ago when he cancelled the N134bn last minute renovation contract awarded by the Sole Administrator to a Chinese company.

The governor also ordered the company to return the N20Bn handed to them to start the job since they were yet to mobilise to site.

The governor promised to advertise the job and other projects for prequalification to select the best bidders. This move has roused all eyes on what must have taken place under the dark carpet during the emergency rule.