MAN chieftain declares intention to contest Kwara South senatorial seat

A chieftain of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Prince Lekan Adewoye, has officially declared his intention to contest for a Senate seat in the Kwara South senatorial district of Kwara State, pledging to attract investment and create jobs for the constituents.

Adewoye, who is a prince of Arandun community in the Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, is also the Chairman, Basic Metal, Iron and Steel Sectoral Group, under the MAN.

Speaking during his official declaration in Ajase Ipo under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the senatorial aspirant promised effective and results-driven representation.

At the event, which attracted party leaders, government officials, traditional rulers, and members of the public, Prince Adewoye described his ambition as a movement for progress, not a personal quest for power. He said Kwara South must move beyond what he called years of underperformance and embrace purposeful representation.

He outlined key priorities to include job creation, infrastructure development, improved healthcare, quality education, and enhanced security.

The APC aspirant assured constituents that he would be an active and accessible senator, pledging not to be a silent voice but a strong advocate for the people.

Prince Adewoye also promised to empower youths and women, support agriculture and small businesses, and attract critical projects such as roads, electricity, and water supply.

He emphasized accountability, vowing to maintain regular engagement with constituents and ensure proper monitoring of government projects.

In his remarks, APC stalwart, Barrister Kayode Towoju, commended Adewoye’s courage and vision, describing him as a credible and grassroots politician with the capacity to deliver meaningful development to Kwara South.

The former Commissioner for Sports in the state urged party members and constituents to unite in support of the aspiration, saying that the entrepreneur is prepared to represent the Kwara South Senatorial District at the National Assembly come 2027.

FG launches multi-state action against tsetse-borne diseases

The Federal government, through the Ministry of Livestock Development, has intensified a coordinated, science-driven campaign across the Federal Capital Territory, Kogi, and Ogun States to combat the persistent threat of tsetse fly infestation and the diseases it transmits.

This multi-state intervention, executed simultaneously across key grazing reserves, rural livestock settlements, and high-risk corridors, signals a decisive move in the nation’s commitment to protecting livestock productivity, securing rural livelihoods, and strengthening public health outcomes under a unified national framework.

Across the three states, federal teams have deployed an integrated strategy combining surveillance, community engagement, and targeted vector control.

The field operations include strategic placement of biconical traps to determine tsetse fly prevalence, fumigation of high-risk zones, insecticide application on livestock and breeding grounds, and widespread sensitisation of pastoral communities.

In the FCT, operations at the Paikon kore Grazing Reserve which is home to more than 15,000 cattle, have focused on structured epidemiological assessment, with traps positioned at calibrated intervals of 500 meters to generate actionable data for precision response.

Deputy Director and FCT coordinator, Federal Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Ozoemena Uche, emphasised the broader health implications of the exercise, saying: ‘Tsetse flies transmit trypanosomiasis, which affects both animals and humans. Our goal is to reduce its impact on livestock productivity and prevent associated public health risks.’

Also speaking, the Manager of the Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve, Mohammed Abubakar Bala, highlighted additional concerns. ‘We are also dealing with diseases like foot-and-mouth and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. We need sustained veterinary support and access to vaccines to protect our livestock,’ he stated.

In Kogi State, surveillance and control activities spanned six local government areas – six local government areas, Adavi, Lokoja, Koton Karfe, Ajaokuta, Ofu, and Idah. The State’s Commissioner for Livestock Development, Olufemi Bolarin, noted that Kogi’s central location makes it a critical point in disease control and success recorded in the state would have a ripple effect across the country.

On her part, the Kogi State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Abba Helen, called for grassroots cooperation as she urged communities in the affected local government areas to support the efforts of the Federal Government as this is key to achieving lasting results.

Team Lead of the Tsetse Fly Surveillance and Ground Control Programme in the state, Abdulkadiri Adaji, spoke on the urgency of the intervention, ‘The prevalence of tsetse flies continues to impact livestock production and livelihoods.

‘This exercise is critical to generating data and implementing control measures that will reverse this trend,’ adding that ‘diseases transmitted by animals can affect humans and so addressing this challenge is essential not just for agriculture, but for national health security.’

In Ogun State, operations have been carried out across key livestock settlements, including Owowo RUGA Community (Ewekoro LGA), Alamutu RUGA Community (Abeokuta North LGA), and Alabata RUGA Settlement (Odeda LGA).

Representing the Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Taiwo Jolaoso, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening veterinary services by introducing initiatives like free vaccination to support farmers and improve livestock productivity.

State Coordinator, Dr. Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, stressed the importance of collaboration with state governments to ensure alignment of efforts and sustainability of these interventions, while Team Lead, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Gilbert Okoro, highlighted the dual approach adopted.

‘We are deploying both physical and chemical control methods. Traps are used to capture the flies, while insecticides are applied to eliminate those not caught.

‘This aligns with the One Health approach, ensuring that human health, animal health, and environmental safety are addressed together,’ he added.

The Head, Pest Control Services at the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chuka Ikejiaku, said the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development will continue to expand these efforts nationwide and called on all stakeholders to sustain cooperation in achieving a tsetse-free and disease-resilient Nigeria.

Oyo NATA elects new officers, promises stronger support for technicians

The election and swearing-in ceremony, held at the association’s secretariat in Ibadan, brought together technicians and leaders from across the South-West, reflecting the association’s grassroots strength and its vital role in supporting local livelihoods.

Thirteen contestants emerged unopposed into various leadership positions, with Comrade Yekini Abass Adeyimika elected as state chairman. Others are Comrade Sikiru Ishola (vice chairman); Comrade Joshua Olalere (secretary) and Comrade Nurain Dauda (PRO), among others.

The event attracted notable leaders within the association, including the South-West Zonal Vice President, Chief Salam Gbeje, as well as state chairmen from Ogun, Lagos and Ekiti States.

In his remarks, the immediate past chairman, Comrade Wemimo Oladokun, now the South-West Zonal secretary, thanked members for their cooperation and commitment throughout his tenure. He acknowledged the efforts of the past leaders, whose contributions, he said, helped to strengthen the association and improve the working conditions of technicians in the state.

Community leaders within the association stressed the importance of responsible leadership, urging the new officers to remain committed to the welfare of members.

Chairman of the Ogun State chapter advised the new executive to uphold the constitution of the association and ensure fairness in their dealings with members.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Gbeje emphasised the need for unity among members, warning against factional leadership that could weaken the association’s structure.

He noted that collective effort and cooperation among members will sustain growth and deliver meaningful benefits to technicians and their families.

The new chairman, Comrade Adeyimika, thanked the members for entrusting him with the leadership of the association.

He pledged to prioritise members’ welfare, strengthen professional development and promote programmes that will uplift technicians and their communities.

Kalu’s lawyers dismiss petition seeking withdrawal of legal qualification

Lawyers to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. (Dr) Benjamin Okezie Kalu, have asked the Council of Legal Education to dismiss a petition seeking the withdrawal of his qualifying certificate as a lawyer, describing it as ‘fundamentally deficient in law.’

In a letter dated April 28, 2026, and signed by Chukwuebuka S. Okeke of Olaniwun Ajayi LP Chambers, Kalu’s legal team responded to a petition filed on March 16, 2026, by John Aikpokpo Martins, Esq, who had requested the cancellation of Kalu’s certificate on the grounds that his attendance at the Law School and participation in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) ran concurrently.

In their response, the solicitors argued that the Council, as a statutory body created under the Legal Education (Consolidation, etc.) Act, can only exercise powers expressly conferred on it.

They stated that there is ‘no express statutory power conferred on the Council to ex post facto withdraw or cancel a qualifying certificate’, and that the Council’s disciplinary powers are ‘implied and necessarily narrow’ and can only apply in cases of ‘manifest vitiating criminal conduct. No such conduct has been established against Kalu’, the letter noted.

Kalu’s legal team specifically urged the Council to reject the petition on three major grounds: no vitiating criminal conduct, unsworn declaration, and no legal bar on NYSC/NLS concurrency, adding that ‘the Council cannot revoke a lawfully issued certificate unless a clear case of criminal misconduct is proven. The petition does not meet that threshold.’

‘The declaration relied upon by the petitioner was unsworn and carries no force of law. Formal criminal proceedings are a precondition for the Council to act on grounds of criminal conduct.’

‘The petition’s claim that concurrent participation in the NYSC scheme and the Nigerian Law School programme is unlawful has no legal consequence, as no statute, regulation, or binding institutional rule prohibits it.’

The solicitors added that no known conventions at the material time prohibited concurrency of such programmes.

‘The most fundamental deficiency of the petition is that even if the declaration was taken at face value, the underlying conduct it purports to preclude, namely concurrent participation in the NYSC scheme and the NLS programme, was not prohibited by the LEA or the regulations in force at the material time.’

‘Neither the LEA nor the LPA contain any provision that disqualifies a person from undertaking or completing the Nigerian Law School programme by reason of simultaneous NYSC service.’

‘Critically, a review of the Nigerian Law School Student Handbook for the 2010/2011 Academic Session reveals that there is no express prohibition on a student concurrently serving in the NYSC during that academic year. The petitioner has annexed no official regulation, subsidiary legislation, or circular issued by the Council that explicitly bars contemporaneous NLS studies and NYSC service.’

‘It is pertinent to note that a withdrawal or cancellation of the respondent’s qualifying certificate will be a penal outcome, which effectively means that the Council would be acting in a quasi-judicial capacity. Consequently, arising from the constitutional precepts entrenched in sections 36(8) and 36(12) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Council cannot punish the respondent by withdrawing his qualifying certificate if there is no written law which proscribes contemporaneous NLS studies and NYSC service, and also prescribes the punishment for same,’ the letter read.

To this end, Kalu’s legal team insisted that the petition lacks a ‘legally cognisable foundation’, urging the Council to decline jurisdiction over it.

‘For the foregoing reasons, it is respectfully submitted that the petition is fundamentally deficient in law and ought to be rejected without more,’ the letter read. The team also urged the Council of Legal Education to dismiss the petition, as the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) did earlier for lacking merit, adding that they remain available to provide any further information or clarification the Council may require.

A tribute to the guru, Dr. Michael Ishola Adenuga, @73

CELEBRATING 73 years of life, Dr. Michael Ishola Adenuga, GCON, remains a titan of industry with a Midas touch. His seven-decade-plus journey is defined by a legacy of monumental professional achievements and a commitment to philanthropy that remains largely unmatched. Exceptional from the start, Dr. Adenuga returned to Nigeria following his studies in the United States to take the reins of a family enterprise. By the age of thirty, he had already successfully restructured the business, quietly pivoting toward strategic ventures that would eventually propel him into the elite circle of the nation’s most prominent entrepreneurs. His academic foundation was laid at Ibadan Grammar School in Oyo State, before he crossed the Atlantic to earn his first degree at Northwestern State University in Oklahoma. He further solidified his business acumen in America by obtaining an MBA from Pace University in New York. By his mid-30s, Adenuga had already achieved billionaire status through the ownership of Equatorial Trust Bank and Devcom. He expanded his empire into the energy sector in his early forties with Conoil, and eventually gifted himself a grand entry into the telecommunications industry with the launch of Globacom to coincide with his 50th birthday in 2003.

The road to telecom dominance was not without its hurdles; in 2001, his firm, Communications Investments Limited (CIL), lost a $20 million deposit after a failed licence bid during the Obasanjo era. Undeterred, the ‘Guru’ returned to secure a comprehensive national carrier licence for Globacom-now the only major indigenous GSM provider in Nigeria, with a footprint extending into Ghana. Globacom made a dramatic entrance in August 2003, disrupting a market where established rivals claimed ‘per-second billing’ was technically impossible. Adenuga proved the skeptics wrong, turning that perceived impossibility into a reality that redefined the industry. By launching with per-second billing, Glo forced a market-wide shift in pricing, a move that brought immense relief and value to millions of Nigerian subscribers who had previously been overcharged.

As Globacom approaches its 23rd anniversary in August 2026, it continues to lead through innovation despite its later start. The company boasts a series of ‘firsts’, including the introduction of 2.5G, 3G, and 4G LTE networks, BlackBerry services, and the landmark GLO-1 submarine cable, which revolutionised high-speed broadband in the region. Today, Glo customers remain seamlessly connected, benefiting from a robust network that prioritises high-quality service and cost-effective communication. The company’s sense of social responsibility is equally profound. Globacom has been a primary benefactor of Nollywood, elevating numerous actors to the status of Glo Ambassadors, while also preserving Nigerian heritage by sponsoring major cultural festivals. These corporate efforts are mirrored by Dr. Adenuga’s personal generosity, which has empowered countless individuals across the federation. In the sporting arena, Adenuga’s impact is legendary. Beyond consistent corporate sponsorship of the national teams, he famously made a personal donation of $1 million to the Super Eagles following their 2013 African Cup of Nations victory in South Africa.

Furthermore, he established the Glo Soccer Academy to provide a professional pathway for young talents, sending finalists to train at elite facilities like the Manchester United and Dubai Soccer Academies. His influence also extends to the Glo Golf Tour West Africa and the Glo Marathon, both of which have offered significant financial rewards to athletes. In 2024, the strategic importance of the Glo 1 submarine cable was laid bare during a massive internet outage across Africa caused by damage to several international undersea cables. While connectivity failed in many West and South African nations due to disruptions near Côte d’Ivoire, Globacom’s infrastructure remained a beacon of stability.

While many banks and competing telecom firms faced days of downtime, institutions and individuals relying on Glo 1 experienced uninterrupted service throughout the crisis. Experts attributed this continuity to the superior resilience and robust engineering of the Glo 1 cable, which shielded its users from the regional digital blackout. The enduring success of Globacom is a direct reflection of Dr. Mike Adenuga’s visionary leadership and intellectual depth. As he celebrates his 73rd year, Nigeria owes a debt of gratitude to Dr. Adenuga for his unwavering faith in the nation’s potential. He stands as a beacon for the next generation, proving that with focus, resilience, and hard work, no ambition is out of reach.

How to update your iPhone iOS without using mobile data

For many iPhone users in Nigeria, updating iOS is not always easy. These updates are often large, and using mobile data can drain your subscription in a short time. Because of this, Apple Inc. limits most major updates to Wi-Fi connections.

High cost of data remains a concern for many households and due to this, some users tend to postpone updates, sometimes for weeks, simply because they cannot afford the data.

Yet, updating your iPhone iOS often helps to fix faults, improve performance and address security gaps that could affect the safety of personal data.

In this article, Tribune Online highlights simple and practical ways to update your iPhone without using your own mobile data.

Use Wi-Fi

This remains the easiest and safest method. Once you connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network, go to Settings, tap General, then Software Update. If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

Wi-Fi can be found in many places, including offices, campuses, hotels and cafés. Even if the connection is not very fast, it is usually good enough to handle a one-time update..

Use another phone’s hotspot

If you cannot find Wi-Fi, you can use another smartphone.Turn on the hotspot on the second phone and connect your iPhone to it.

Your iPhone will see it as Wi-Fi and allow the update to start. This method is common because it is simple, but keep in mind that it still uses data from the second phone. It works best if that device has a large or unlimited data plan.

Update through a computer

Updating through a computer is another option many users still rely on, especially when internet access on the phone is limited.With iTunes, the process is straightforward.

Once your iPhone is connected to a computer with a USB cable, open iTunes and allow it to recognise the device. The phone will appear at the top left corner, click on it to continue. From there, go to the Summary section. On the main screen, select Check for Update. If a new iOS version is available, the option to Download and Update will appear. Click it and follow the steps.

What to do before you start updating iPhone iOS

Before updating, take a few minutes to prepare your device:

Make sure your battery is at least 50 per cent, or plug it in

Ensure you have enough storage space

Back up your important files, just in case

Use a stable connection to avoid interruptions

2027: Orisun Igbomina urges unity, community inclusion

A group, Orisun Igbomina, has called on stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State to embrace unity, inclusiveness and competence-driven leadership as part of efforts to promote peaceful political participation and community development ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

In a statement, signed by its president, Gbenga Awoyale, emphasised that the progress of communities in the state depends on cooperation among political leaders and grassroots stakeholders.

Awoyale noted that unity and mutual understanding among actors will strengthen trust among residents and create opportunities for inclusive governance that reflects the needs of communities at the grassroots.

He added that while zoning remains an important democratic practice, it should be guided by competence and the ability to serve all communities effectively.

He urged party stakeholders to prioritise candidates with proven capacity, integrity and broad acceptability, stressing that inclusive decision-making will help maintain peace and strengthen relationships among communities in the state.

He encouraged dialogue and consensus-building among party members to address emerging disagreements, noting that peaceful engagement remains vital to sustaining political harmony and grassroots support.

In addition, Awoyale called on youths across Kwara’s three senatorial districts to participate in peaceful political discussions and community-focused activities that promote unity and development.

Reaffirming the group’s commitment to peaceful political engagement, he urged leaders to build an inclusive political platform that supports community growth, social harmony and sustainable development in the state.

NANS slams EFCC Chairman over claim on students’ involvement in cybercrime

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has rejected a claim attributed to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, alleging that six out of ten university students in Nigeria are involved in cybercrime, also known as ‘yahoo yahoo.’

The student body, in a statement issued by its Senate President, Usman Adamu Nagwaza, on Tuesday, described the claim as misleading and damaging to the image of Nigerian students both within and outside the country.

NANS said the assertion was unfounded and does not reflect the reality of student life across Nigerian universities.

The association expressed concern over what it called a ‘fallacious and unfortunate assertion,’ warning that such generalisations risk painting students in a negative light.

The group maintained that while it supports efforts to tackle financial crimes, it is wrong for public officials to make broad statements that suggest most students are involved in illegal activities.

It added that such comments could erode trust in the education system and unfairly stigmatise young people.

According to the statement, NANS is also worried that the anti-graft agency appears to be placing more focus on cyber-related offences while allegedly giving less attention to corruption cases involving political figures.

The association insisted that Nigerian students are largely law-abiding and focused on their academic and personal growth.

‘Nigerian students are not defined by criminality. We are individuals striving to acquire knowledge, build capacity, and contribute meaningfully to national development,’ the statement read.

NANS called on Ola Olukoyede to retract the statement, saying it is necessary in the interest of fairness and national integrity.

It warned that such remarks could harm the reputation of Nigerian students and weaken public confidence in higher education.

The association reiterated its support for the fight against financial crimes but stressed the need for accuracy, balance, and responsibility in public communication by government agencies.

5 simple ways to prevent your phone from overheating

Smartphone overheating is very common, especially with long hours of use, gaming, streaming, and exposure to hot weather. While it may seem harmless at first, frequent overheating can slow down your phone, drain the battery quickly, and reduce its lifespan.

Your phone naturally produces heat when it is in use. Problems occur when that heat builds up faster than it can escape. The aim is to reduce the workload on your device and allow it to cool properly.

In this article, Tribune Online highlights five practical ways to prevent phone overheating.

Keep your phone away from sunlight

Your phone already generates heat during normal operation, particularly from the battery and processor. When you expose it to external heat sources such as direct sunlight, hot rooms, or a parked car, the internal temperature rises much faster than usual.

Therefore to prevent overheating, keep your phone in cool, shaded areas whenever possible. Avoid placing it on car dashboards, or outdoor surfaces under the sun.

Close background apps you’re not using

Many apps do not completely shut down when you exit them. Instead, they continue running in the background, refreshing content, tracking location, or sending notifications. All of this activity uses processing power.

To curb this, make it a habit to close apps you are not using. You can also check your battery or app usage settings to identify apps that consume a lot of power and limit their background activity where possible.

Avoid heavy usage for long periods

Certain tasks require your phone to operate at high performance levels. These include gaming, streaming high-definition videos, video calls, and using GPS navigation.

During these activities, the processor and graphics unit work continuously, which generates a lot of heat. If this continues for long periods without a break, heat builds up inside the device because there is not enough time for it to cool down.

Therefore to prevent your phone from overheating, take short breaks during intensive use. Lower video quality when streaming, reduce graphics settings in games, and avoid using multiple heavy apps at the same time.

Remove your phone case when it gets hot

Phone cases are designed to protect your device, but they can also reduce airflow around it.

Thick cases, especially those made from rubber or heavy plastic, can trap heat inside.

Cases can block heat from escaping and increase temperature buildup.

Always remove your phone case temporarily when the device feels hot. This is especially helpful when charging your phone or using it for demanding tasks.

If overheating happens often, consider using a lighter case that allows better heat dissipation.

Keep your software updated

Your phone’s software controls how efficiently the hardware operates. When the system or apps are outdated, they may contain bugs or inefficiencies that cause the processor to work harder than necessary.

To prevent your phone from overheating, always make sure your software is updated .

Reps approve $516m loan for Sokoto-Badagry highway project

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved the request of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to obtain a fresh loan of $516,333,007 from Deutsche Bank AG for the construction of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway Project, Section 1 Phase IA and IB (120.00 km).

The approval of the loan followed the presentation and consideration of a report from the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, recommending the approval of the syndicated financing from Deutsche Bank AG for the project.

The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway is a flagship infrastructure project of the Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to open Nigeria’s north-west-south-west axis through the construction of an approximately 1,000 km inland dual carriageway linking Sokoto State, Kebbi State, Niger State, Kwara State, Oyo State, Ogun State, and Lagos State, running from Illela to Badagry.

The House also approved the inclusion of the project and its financing into the Federal Government’s Rolling Borrowing Plan, as well as the financing structure and terms, which include partial guarantee cover by the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC).

The loan is with a tenure of nine years, with up to a three-year grace period, an interest rate benchmarked at CME SOFR + 5.35% per annum, and strict legislative oversight, including quarterly reporting by the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Debt Management Office (DMO), and the Ministry of Works on project implementation and disbursement.

The approval included the submission of executed financing agreements to the National Assembly within 30 days of financial close; continuous monitoring by relevant committees; ensuring transparency and value for money through competitive and transparent procurement processes; independent technical and financial audits; and periodic evaluation of project milestones and outcomes.

The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, had earlier read a letter from the President to the House requesting the sum for the said project.

The letter, which was addressed to the Speaker, was titled, ‘Request for the Resolution of the National Assembly to approve the USD 516,333,007 syndicated financing from Deutsche Bank AG for the construction of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway Project, Section 1 Phase IA and IB.’

The President said that the purpose of the letter, dated April 20, 2026, is to request the House of Representatives for the Resolution of the National Assembly (NASS), pursuant to the provisions of Sections 16 and 21 of the Debt Management Office (Establishment, Etc.) Act, 2011, for the following:

The President said it was for the approval of the syndicated financing from Deutsche Bank AG in the sum of USD 516,333,007 (Five hundred and sixteen million, three hundred and thirty-three thousand and seven United States dollars only) for the construction of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway Project, Section 1 Phase IA and IB (Ch. 00+000 – Ch. 120+000 km) 120.00 km project, as well as the approval of the inclusion of the financing in the borrowing plan.

The letter reads, ‘The House of Representatives is invited to note that the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway is a flagship infrastructure project of the Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to open Nigeria’s north-west-south-west axis through the construction of an approximately 1,000 km inland dual carriageway linking Sokoto State, Kebbi State, Niger State, Kwara State, Oyo State, Ogun State, and Lagos State, running from Illela to Badagry.

‘The project will:

i. improve north-south connectivity, safety, and network performance on the corridor;

ii. reduce logistics costs and travel times by providing a continuous high-capacity expressway standard link to downstream markets;

iii. strengthen trade facilitation, food security, and national cohesion through improved access between production zones, markets, and ports; and

iv. safeguard long-term intermodal flexibility by reserving the central median for future rail integration and accommodating utility corridors.

‘The proposed financing arrangement consists of:

a. syndicated financing: USD 516,333,007 to be secured via Deutsche Bank AG, with a partial guarantee cover from ICIEC (Islamic Development Bank insurance arm);

b. Federal Government of Nigeria counterpart funding: NGN 265,542,689,569.54 as part of land acquisition, compensation, and support infrastructure, etc.;

c. tenor and interest rate: a tenor of nine years with a grace period of up to three years (inclusive), not exceeding the applicable Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) SOFR + 5.35% per annum.

‘The proposal is for the House of Representatives to approve the financing arrangement and terms as set out in paragraph 3 above, which have also been approved by the Federal Executive Council.

‘Based on the foregoing, I wish to request for the Resolution of the National Assembly to:

i. approve the syndicated financing from Deutsche Bank AG in the sum of USD 516,333,007 (Five hundred and sixteen million, three hundred and thirty-three thousand and seven United States dollars only) for the construction of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway Project, Section 1 Phase IA and IB (Ch. 00+000 – Ch. 120+000 km) 120.00 km project;

ii. approve the inclusion of the financing in the borrowing plan. A specimen of the resolution required is attached as Annexure I.

‘While I look forward to the timely issuance of the resolution by the House of Representatives, please accept, Rt. Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my highest regards.’