Category: PM News

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has vowed that his administration will continue its fight against insecurity, insisting that criminals threatening the state must be driven out.

Alia made the declaration during an unscheduled inspection visit to the Taraku Mills in Gwer East Local Government Area of the state, where he assessed ongoing maintenance work aimed at reviving the dormant agricultural company.

The governor said protecting lives, securing farmlands and restoring peace remained critical to unlocking Benue’s agricultural potential and returning the state-owned mill to full production.

‘My priority is to protect my people and safeguard our lands so they can continue feeding the nation. Terrorists must leave Benue State. We shall continue to enforce the law and pursue them until they are brought to justice. Nobody will take Benue land,’ Alia said.

The governor expressed concern that persistent attacks in parts of Benue and neighbouring states, including Nasarawa, Cross River, Kogi and Taraba, could affect agricultural production needed to sustain the revival of Taraku Mills.

He said farmers in Benue had the capacity to supply the factory with key raw materials such as soybeans, maize and groundnuts, but insecurity remained a major threat to farming activities.

Alia said restoring peace across the state was necessary for the successful return of the multi-billion-naira facility, which has remained inactive for several years.

During the inspection, engineers working on the rehabilitation project tested some of the machines that had undergone repairs, a development the governor described as a sign of progress towards full restoration of operations.

He expressed confidence that production would begin soon, urging farmers across the state to increase cultivation ahead of the mill’s expected take-off.

According to him, the revival of Taraku Mills would strengthen Benue’s agricultural value chain, create employment opportunities and boost the state’s economy.

Alia also commended the engineers handling the project and members of the host community for protecting the facility from vandalism during the years it remained inactive.

He described the community as disciplined and committed to ensuring

The Presidency has expressed satisfaction with the scale and quality of infrastructure development in Imo State, describing the projects inspected during the Renewed Hope Ambassadors National Media Tour in the state as clear evidence of purposeful leadership, and effective collaboration between the Federal and State Governments.

The Tour is an initiative of the Governor Hope Uzodimma-led Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Communications Team.

Tunde Rahman, Director of Media and Publicity, Renewed Hope Ambassadors in a statement listed said the delegation, which included members of the Presidential Communications Team and over 40 senior journalists, toured several completed and ongoing projects across Imo State.

They also applauded Governor Uzodimma for driving an infrastructure revolution that is transforming the state into a major hub for innovation, healthcare, education and economic development.

Among the projects inspected was the Imo Digital City, where smartphones and laptops are being assembled, providing employment opportunities to young people while positioning Imo as a growing centre for digital technology and innovation in Nigeria.

The team inspected the ongoing construction of 2000-bed capacity ultra modern infectious disease centre in partnership with the NNPCL, expressing the hope that the facility would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s public health preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks.

Also inspected were the ongoing construction of a world-class Heart Transplant Centre at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, in Orlu Local Government, the ongoing expansion of the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre in Owerri into a modern facility with over 2,000-seating capacity, and the construction of a five-star hotel comprising more than 110 rooms by the state government.

Speaking during the inspection tour, Mr. Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, said Imo State is aligning with the mission and vision of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the implementation of different legacy projects across the State.

‘ When you talk about the micro of the Renewed Hope Agenda, such features are like this infrastructure and the human capital development we just saw in Orlu Local Government now a 2000-bed infectious disease center at almost 85% completion.

‘ We saw the oxygen plant, we saw the revitalization of the healthcare centre that had been abandoned for several years and I think this is the kind of projects that are impactful to the people and that is what Renewed Hope is all about,’ he said.

The team also inspected the ongoing construction of the strategic 19-kilometre Orlu-Akokwa-Uga Border Road, linking Imo and Anambra States. According to the Special Adviser, the project will address the devastating menace of gully erosion while providing a critical interstate transport corridor that will improve connectivity, facilitate commerce and promote regional integration.

Dare also praised the state government’s decisive intervention in resolving the accreditation and certification challenges that previously prevented graduates of Imo State medical schools from obtaining specialist recognition, describing the achievement as a major boost for healthcare delivery and medical education.

The Presidential aide also commended the ongoing construction of a world-class Heart Transplant Centre at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, which is expected to expand access to specialised cardiovascular care and reduce the need for Nigerians to seek advanced medical treatment abroad.

The establishment of the Imo State University of Innovation, Science and Technology in Imuma also earned high praise for its focus on science, technology, engineering and innovation, which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of developing a knowledge-driven economy.

Dare acknowledged that the projects inspected so far demonstrate the impact of the strong partnership between the Federal and Imo State Governments in delivering people-centred development.

‘ This wouldn’t have been possible without the increased FAAC allocation that comes monthly from the Federal Government to the state government providing extra fund for development projects.

‘We have seen in a couple of other states in the North, how APC governors have been utilizing these extra FAAC allocation funds for infrastructural development and we have seen how state and federal governments are working together in projects delivering,’ he said.

Earlier, the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Mr. Declan Emelumba, commended the fact-finding efforts of the Presidential Media Team under the Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ national media tour.

Emelumba said Imo State under the leadership of Governor Uzodimma will continue to prioritise people-oriented projects by aligning with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has described calls for the resignation of the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, over the death of Miss Mary Habila as premature.

Dr Ezechi Chukwu, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, said in a statement on Friday in Enugu, that the call for resignation had no sufficient justification.

Chukwu said that Habila’s death was tragic and deserved a thorough, professional and transparent investigation before any political conclusions would be drawn.

He expressed sadness over Habila’s death and extended condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.

Chukwu urged Nigerians to exercise restraint and avoid comments capable of prejudicing the ongoing investigation or causing unnecessary public anxiety.

He also cautioned political actors, pressure groups and commentators against politicising the incident, stressing that the loss of human life should not be exploited for political or sectional interests.

The publicity secretary commended Umahi for calling for a comprehensive forensic autopsy and investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.

He expressed support for the ongoing investigation by relevant authorities, urging that it should be conducted impartially, professionally and without interference.

According to him, the outcome of the investigation should be guided solely by facts, scientific evidence and due process.

On the calls for Umahi’s resignation, he maintained that such demands were unjustified at this stage.

‘The mere fact that death occurred within the premises where an individual resides or is present does not, in itself, establish culpability or warrant demands for resignation.

‘Such an unfortunate occurrence could happen in any person’s home or environment, and responsibility can only be determined through a credible investigation based on evidence,’ Chukwu said.

He added that Nigeria remained a nation governed by the rule of law and the constitutional principle that every citizen was presumed innocent until proven guilty.

‘It would therefore, be inconsistent with the ideals of justice and fairness to impose political consequences before the relevant authorities have concluded their investigations and established the facts,’ Chukwu said.

He urged Nigerians to remain calm, allow the investigation to run its full course and refrain from speculative narratives capable of undermining public confidence in public institutions or prejudicing the search for truth.

Chukwu expressed hope that the investigation would uncover the truth, provide Habila’s family with the answers they deserved and ensure that justice was served, in line with due process.

‘Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Miss Mary Habila.

‘We trust that the ongoing investigation will uncover the truth, provide the family with the answers they deserve, and ensure that justice, guided by evidence and due process, is ultimately served,’ he said.

ýThe United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has commended the Federal Government following the rescue of 39 abducted pupils and five teachers in Oyo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victims were abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.

They regained freedom after spending 56 days in captivity through a coordinated, intelligence-led operation conducted by Nigerian security agencies under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, led the organisation’s delegation during a courtesy visit to First Lad, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, at the State House on Thursday.

Other delegation members included UNICEF Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef; Chief of Staff, Ted Mary; Senior Communications Adviser, Marlene Jensen; and Executive Specialist, Nabila Jamshed.

Russell praised the government’s commitment to women and children, describing investments in their welfare as essential to Nigeria’s future prosperity and long-term national development.

‘I think investing in women and children is an investment into the future of the nation,’ Russell said.

She thanked the government for rescuing children from conflict situations and reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through continued humanitarian and development partnerships.

‘UNICEF is glad to stay part of the team, helping as much as possible. We thank the leadership for rescuing children in conflict,’ she said.

Russell described conflict as one of the gravest threats facing children globally, exposing them to displacement, violence, abduction and severe psychological trauma.

‘Children need to be protected in these situations,’ she said.

She stressed the importance of making schools safe through community-based interventions, saying the First Lady’s leadership remained vital to strengthening child protection efforts nationwide.

Russell added that UNICEF continued supporting family tracing and reintegration programmes, helping rescued children reunite safely with their families after traumatic experiences.

The organisation also commended Mrs Tinubu for championing the registration of 14 million Nigerian children within two years through sustained birth registration campaigns.

UNICEF attributed the achievement partly to advocacy under the Renewed Hope Initiative, which accelerated birth registration across communities and strengthened children’s legal identity nationwide.

‘Birth registration is one of the most important because children are part of our priority to guarantee a great future,’ Russell said.

NAN recalls that UNICEF announced in February that officially registered births increased to 14 million between 2023 and 2026 across Nigeria.

The National Population Commission also confirmed expanding registration centres nationwide to ensure every Nigerian child receives a recognised legal identity from birth.

Russell further acknowledged the First Lady’s advocacy against Female Genital Mutilation and child marriage, describing both practices as harmful to millions of vulnerable girls.

Responding, Mrs Tinubu expressed delight over the children’s rescue and appreciated UNICEF’s continued solidarity with Nigeria during difficult periods marked by insecurity.

‘We are used to UNICEF partnering with our office through advocacy because the work of the First Lady is complementary and supportive,’ she said.

The First Lady explained that her office complemented government ministries without interfering in policy formulation despite her previous experience as a legislator.

‘My job now is quite different. I work cautiously with ministries ready to collaborate and make productive suggestions,’ she said.

Tinubu agreed that investing in children remained fundamental to sustainable national development regardless of a country’s economic strength or available natural resources.

‘When children are not well invested in, no matter how wealthy a country is, it cannot make substantial growth,’ she said.

She said her background in education reinforced her conviction that every child deserved quality education and opportunities to achieve their full potential.

The First Lady acknowledged that insecurity continued draining national resources, reducing funds available for development and social investment across the country.

‘Security is really bleeding those resources. In spite of that, we can still put policies in place that can help,’ she said.

Tinubu also identified the growing number of out-of-school children, particularly Almajiri children in northern Nigeria, as another pressing national concern requiring urgent intervention.

She said the government was working toward ensuring such children received formal education alongside adequate care, enabling them to build better futures and contribute meaningfully to society.

Nigeria has stepped up efforts to curb the misuse of controlled substances while safeguarding access to essential medicines for patients who rely on them for pain management, mental health treatment and palliative care, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

The global health agency made this known on Thursday after the conclusion of the National Drug Use Summit, a gathering of government officials, law enforcement agencies, development partners, civil society groups and healthcare professionals aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s response to substance abuse.

According to WHO, the summit reflected the country’s determination to confront drug misuse through a coordinated national strategy without restricting legitimate access to medicines required for medical care.

The organisation said the summit was organised by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the United Nations in Nigeria, with backing from development partners, including the Global Fund. The meeting focused on accelerating the implementation of Nigeria’s National Drug Control Master Plan.

‘Nigeria is taking bold national action to protect young people and communities from drug misuse while ensuring safe access to the essential medicines needed for pain relief, mental health care, and palliative care.

‘The National Drug Use Summit, convened by the FMoHSW, NDLEA, and UN Nigeria with support from partners including The Global Fund, brought together government leaders, security agencies, civil society, and health experts to advance the National Drug Control Master Plan,’ the statement partly read.

WHO noted that substance abuse remains a serious public health concern in Nigeria, especially among young people. The agency recalled findings from the 2019 joint survey by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the NDLEA, which showed widespread drug use across the country.

The organisation also stressed that its role at the summit was to provide technical expertise to help policymakers strike the right balance between controlling drug misuse and ensuring patients continue to receive medicines that are legally prescribed.

‘Drug misuse remains a major public health challenge affecting millions of Nigerians. The 2019 UNODC/NDLEA survey found that 14.4% of people aged 15 to 64 used drugs in the past year, with rising misuse of tramadol, codeine syrup, and prescription sedatives continuing to impact young people and communities.

‘WHO Nigeria supported the Summit with evidence-based guidance on balancing drug control with safe access to controlled medicines. This work strengthens regulatory systems, protects medical access, and reduces the risk of diversion and misuse,’ WHO stated.

One of the major resolutions reached at the summit was the endorsement of a communiqué designed to reinforce the implementation of the National Drug Control Master Plan.

‘A key outcome of the Summit was a Communique endorsed by partners to strengthen the pillars of the National Drug Control Master Plan,’ the WHO added.

Nigeria has in recent years expanded measures to combat the abuse of illicit drugs and controlled medicines through stronger enforcement, public education campaigns and improved treatment and rehabilitation services.

The National Drug Control Master Plan remains the country’s central policy framework for reducing both the demand for and supply of illicit drugs while promoting prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and international collaboration.

Troops of the 176 Guards Battalion, have arrested a suspected kingpin of an illegal mining syndicate and three other suspects.

The suspects were arrested during a raid on illegal mining sites in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This is contained in an operational report made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

The report said that the operation was carried out at about 8;30 p.m., on July 13 at Dukpa community following actionable intelligence.

It said that the intelligence was generated after the arrest of a group of illegal miners in the community on July 7, leading troops to identify and raid the syndicate’s operational base.

According to the report, the principal suspect confessed during preliminary interrogation to sponsoring the illegal mining operation.

It also disclosed that he recruited labourers from Katsina State to carry out illegal mining activities within the FCT.

‘Items recovered during the operation include one motorcycle, two digging tools, seven filter carpets, seven pumping machine nozzles, 53 wraps of suspected cannabis, ?360,400 cash and other mining implements. The suspects and recovered exhibits are currently in military custody pending further investigation and handover to the appropriate authorities for prosecution,’ the report said.

The report added that the raid was part of ongoing anti-illegal mining operations under Operation MESA, aimed at dismantling illegal mining networks, protecting Nigeria’s mineral resources and addressing security threats associated with illicit mining activities in the FCT.

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has commended the Federal Government on the launch of the National Guidelines for Public Procurement of Food and Related Services, describing the initiative as a landmark step towards creating healthier food environments and protecting millions of Nigerians who depend on publicly funded interventions for their meals.

Published in December 2025 and officially launched in Abuja on Monday, July 13, 2026, the Guidelines were issued by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning (FMBEP), relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, professional bodies and civil society organisations.

The Guidelines establish nutrition standards for food purchased with public funds across schools and school feeding programmes, hospitals, correctional facilities, NYSC orientation camps, orphanages, internally displaced persons’ camps, emergency shelters and other public institutions. It restricts the procurement, sale and service of sugar-sweetened beverages and beverages containing non-sugar sweeteners in these settings; provides limits for sodium, saturated fats and trans fats; promotes fruits, vegetables and whole grains; encourages local sourcing and integrates nutrition and food safety standards into public procurement.

According to CAPPA, public food procurement in Nigeria has long operated without uniform, nutrition-centric standards. As a result, cost and convenience have often taken precedence over nutritional quality, with highly processed foods containing excessive sugar, salt and unhealthy fats commonly supplied in public institutions and during emergencies. The organisation said the Guidelines have the potential to change this by placing nutrition at the centre of public food procurement. Against this backdrop, it urged public institutions at the federal, state and local government levels to fully implement the Guidelines.

Reacting to the development, CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, described the Guidelines as ‘a major milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards healthier food environments.’

‘Government remains one of the country’s largest purchasers of food. Every day, millions of meals are served through schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, NYSC camps, IDP camps and other public institutions. What government chooses to buy inevitably shapes what millions of Nigerians eat. The Guidelines recognise that public procurement is not just another purchasing activity but a powerful public health intervention.’

CAPPA particularly welcomed the introduction of maximum sodium thresholds for several processed and pre-packaged food categories in line with the National Guidelines for Sodium Reduction, 2024.

Another key provision requires each adult meal to contain no more than 35 per cent of the recommended daily sodium intake, equivalent to 700 milligrams of sodium or 1.75 grams of salt, with adjustments for children and other population groups.

The Guidelines also prohibit the purchase of partially hydrogenated oils and food products that list them among their ingredients. In addition, food products containing trans fats must not exceed two grams per 100 grams (2g/100g), while manufacturers are required to declare trans-fat content on product labels.

For retail outlets located on public property, the Guidelines encourage institutions to make healthier options more visible and affordable, discourage the promotion of unhealthy products, and use menus and signage to identify foods that meet criteria such as low sodium or no added sugar.

The organisation also identified the requirement that at least 30 per cent of institutional food procurement budgets be allocated to locally grown or produced foods supplied by smallholder farmers and community vendors as an important measure that could improve nutrition, strengthen local food systems and support rural livelihoods.

It noted that the new standards align Nigeria with growing international efforts to use government’s purchasing power to prevent diet-related diseases and create healthier food environments. The Guidelines also draw on the World Health Organization’s Action Framework for Developing and Implementing Public Food Procurement and Service Policies for a Healthy Diet.

While appreciating the Federal Government, CAPPA stressed that the success of the Guidelines would ultimately depend on faithful implementation. It encouraged the BPP to immediately constitute the National Food Procurement Oversight Committee (NFPOC), as provided for under the Guidelines, and commence the implementation measures contained in the instrument.

Under the Guidelines, the Committee will monitor compliance, investigate breaches, report violations to the appropriate authorities and provide a mechanism for civil society participation and independent reporting.

The group also called for the prompt designation of focal monitoring officers across institutions, routine inspections, quarterly compliance reports, annual independent audits, the establishment of a central compliance database and the publication of annual reports on institutional compliance.

‘Launching the Guidelines is an important first step. The real measure of success will depend on how faithfully these standards are applied in everyday procurement and food service operations. Procurement officers, caterers, contractors and food service providers must receive the training and support required to comply,’ Oluwafemi said.

CAPPA called on public institutions across all levels of government to begin aligning their procurement processes, contracts, menus and food service operations with the provisions of the Guidelines, noting that consistent compliance would determine whether the guidelines will translate into healthier meals for millions of Nigerians.

It congratulated the BPP, the FMBEP, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, participating government agencies, development partners including Resolve to Save Lives and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, professional bodies and civil society organisations that contributed to developing the Guidelines.

CAPPA added that it would continue working with relevant stakeholders to support implementation of the guidelines through research, public education, constructive engagement and independent monitoring.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified moves to pull Senator Rufai Hanga out of Rabiu Kwankwaso’s political camp ahead of the 2027 general election.

APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda raised the stakes on Thursday when he held talks with Hanga, a prominent Nigeria Democratic Congress chieftain and senator representing Kano Central.

Yilwatda described the meeting as a courtesy visit, saying their discussion focused on the ‘unity, peace, stability and future of Kano State.’

But the timing of the encounter has fuelled speculation that the ruling party’s national leadership has joined the campaign to lure Hanga away from Kwankwaso and the NDC.

The meeting came barely two days after a delegation of Kano APC leaders visited Hanga and openly asked him to join the ruling party.

Led by the party’s state vice-chairman, Salisu Maje Gwangwazo, the delegation claimed that Hanga had been sidelined despite his longstanding loyalty to Kwankwaso.

The APC leaders reportedly approached the senator after he failed to secure the NDC ticket to contest for another term in Kano Central.

Hanga had also been linked with the party’s deputy governorship ticket before the position reportedly went to another aspirant.

The Kano APC delegation urged him to follow Governor Abba Yusuf into the ruling party, promising that he would be respected and valued within its ranks. The Guardian

Fresh questions over Hanga’s political future emerged on Wednesday after photographs associated with the Kwankwasiyya Movement and NDC symbols were reportedly removed from his office.

Hanga did not explain the removal, while his aides offered no public clarification. He has also not formally announced his defection from the NDC. Independent

Speaking after Thursday’s meeting, Yilwatda avoided any reference to the defection controversy.

He said political leaders must work together to strengthen democracy and protect the interests of Nigerians, regardless of their party affiliations.

‘Nigeria’s progress is best served when we build bridges of understanding, encourage constructive dialogue, and place the welfare of citizens above partisan considerations,’ the APC chairman said.

He expressed confidence that such engagements would promote a more peaceful, united and prosperous Kano State.

However, his intervention has intensified the political battle for Hanga, one of Kwankwaso’s most prominent and longstanding allies in Kano.

The Conference of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) has stated that the outcome of Saturday, July 11 local government elections in Edo State was not the expression of the will of the people.

CRPP in a statement on Wednesday, signed by Dr Samson Isibor and Hon Nkama Waribe, its National Chairman and National Secretary respectively, described the celebration of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)’s victory as an attempt to legitimise what it called manufactured figures rather than a genuine expression of the people.

It would be recalled that the APC had won in all the 18 local government areas and the 192 wards in the election.

The Coalition said it was surprising that the APC was celebrating claims of over two million votes in an election that was characterised by widespread voter apathy and extremely low turnout across the 18 local government areas of the state.

It noted that the election failed to generate public enthusiasm despite the APC being virtually the only political party that fielded candidates for the exercise.

The coalition noted that the poor turnout clearly reflected the growing disenchantment of Edo people with the APC administration at both the state and federal levels, citing worsening insecurity, hunger, unemployment, poverty and the rising cost of living as major factors responsible for the electorate’s loss of confidence in the ruling party.

CRPP maintained that no amount of inflated or manufactured figures could conceal what it described as the obvious rejection of the APC by the people of Edo State, insisting that the reality witnessed at polling units across the state was at variance with the impressive figures being publicised by the ruling party.

The coalition further alleged that the huge vote figures being brandished by the APC were intended to create a false impression before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Edo State remained firmly under the party’s control and that he could expect similar electoral support in the 2027 general election.

According to the CRPP, ‘The figures being celebrated are clearly designed to hoodwink President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into believing that the APC still enjoys overwhelming grassroots support in Edo State.

‘However, the reality on the ground tells a different story, as the empty polling units and low voter participation exposed the true mood of the people.’

The Coalition warned that the APC should not mistake questionable and unrealistic election statistics for genuine popularity, stressing that the hardship confronting Nigerians had fundamentally altered the political mood of the electorate.

Meanwhile, the CRPP has challenged the Chairman of Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), Jonathan Aifuobhokhan, to disclose where he deployed the 10,000 ad hoc staff he announced to the world on July 9, that were recruited for the purpose of the election.

‘We make bold to say that the APC connived with the EDSIEC chairman to defraud Edo people by inventing such factitious figures of ad hoc staff that were never seen on ground. So, they should tell us how they used our money,’ the statement said.

CRPP, however, expressed confidence that the 2027 general election would present Edo people with an opportunity to freely express their democratic choice, adding that the APC would receive the ‘shock of its political life’ as voters had resolved to democratically reject the party through the ballot.

The Coalition therefore urged political leaders to focus on addressing the challenges confronting citizens rather than celebrating what it described as questionable electoral statistics, insisting that only good governance, transparency and accountability could restore public confidence in the nation’s democratic process.

Renewed Hope Ambassadors and members of the Presidential Communications team on Wednesday inspected a number of strategic federal and state government projects in Imo State.

The inspection was in continuation of the National Media Tour to showcase the federal and state governments’ landmark projects across the South-East geo-political zone, Tunde Rahman, Director of Media and Publicity, Renewed Hope Ambassadors said in a statement.

The National Media Tour, an initiative of the Governor Hope Uzodimma-led Renewed Hope Ambassadors in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team, is aimed at providing Nigerians with firsthand information on the implementation of key federal and state governments’ infrastructure projects across the country, while promoting transparency, accountability and public awareness of ongoing development initiatives.

The delegation, which included members of the Presidential Communications Team and over 40 senior journalists, toured the completed 56-kilometre Okigwe-Owerri Road, the 36-kilometre Owerri-Obowo-Umuahia Road, the ongoing upgrade and construction of the standard runway at the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport.

Other projects inspected were the newly-upgraded Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri now upgraded to Federal University of Technology as well as the Federal Medical Centre Owerri upgraded to a Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital Owerri.

Speaking during the inspection, the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Mr. Declan Emelumba, said the projects were the dividends of the strong partnership between the Federal Government and the Imo State Government.

He noted that the expansion of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport is designed to transform the facility into a major logistics and export hub, with eight modern warehouses for storage and cargo handling expected to boost agricultural exports, commerce and investment in the South-East.

According to the Commissioner, several of the landmark projects were financed by the Imo State Government through the expanded fiscal space available to subnational governments following the economic reforms of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

‘This is Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education. This place used to be Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri, previously owned by the state. Now, the Federal Government has upgraded it to a university less than a year ago.

‘What is important here is not just that it has been upgraded, it’s a project that has been dear to every government that has ruled Imo State, but none was able to accomplish it because this is one of the oldest Federal Government Colleges of Education in Nigeria.

‘I think they said there were about six in the country. Almost all of them had been converted to Federal University of Education. So, every government in Imo struggled to get it converted but couldn’t realize it until the coming of Governor Hope Uzodimma. And this was realized less than a year ago,’ he said.

Emelumba said the project had generated significant employment opportunities for Imo people and had also attracted TETFUND projects.

The Commissioner also explained that the enhanced funding has enabled Governor Hope Uzodinma’s administration to accelerate infrastructure development while complementing federal interventions across critical sectors, including transportation, healthcare and education.

He pointed out that the achievements also demonstrated the shared development vision of President Tinubu and Governor Uzodimma, whose administrations are working in synergy to deliver sustainable development and improve the quality of life for Nigerians.

Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, Mr. Tunde Rahman, emphasized that the successful execution of projects in Imo State, including the university upgrade and improvements to a federal teaching hospital, demonstrates the ‘beauty and significance’ of a state aligning with the federal government for development purposes.

Rahman commended Governor Uzodimma for undertaking projects that support the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially the educational initiatives like ‘NELFUND’ which ensures indigent students have access to affordable education, preventing them from abandoning school due to financial constraints.

Members of the media team commended the pace and quality of work on the projects inspected so far, describing them as visible evidence of the positive impact of collaborative governance between the Federal Government and the subnationals under the Renewed Hope Agenda.