Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Tuesday said mass road networks across the FCT will give credibility to Nigeria’s quest to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030.

The projects, Wike said, were anchored on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Wike said this at the official flagged off of the construction of Arterial Road S1 with a three-span bridge from Ring Road II to the FCT Fire Service station in Kaura District, Abuja.

The minister said the crucial road will not only open up the Kaura District for development but will also enhance the operational capacity of the Fire Service Station within the area.

The Minister said; ‘It will help the fire service station in case of emergencies. By the time this road is constructed with a three-span bridge, of course, anywhere there is any fire incident and they are called upon, they will respond immediately. Again, this is also to contribute to their efficiency in their job delivery’.

Wike expressed confidence that the contractor, Infiouest Construction Company, which is currently undertaking the Abuja/Kaduna/Zaria Road, will deliver a good quality job and appealed to the company to also give opportunity to the youths to participate in the road construction.

He said: ‘I understand that Nigeria is bidding to host the Commonwealth Games, and it will be difficult for us to achieve that if we don’t have a good network of roads. When the Committee comes and they see that the basic infrastructure is being provided, that gives us the leverage to be given the hosting rights of the Commonwealth Games.

‘So, all these linkages, all these networks of roads are also geared to showcase to the world that we have a city that can host the Commonwealth Games’.

Stressing that the construction and rehabilitation of key roads in each of the six Area Councils was designed to extend development beyond the city centre, Wike reiterated that Abuja city will compete with some of the developed cities of the world by the end of President Tinubu’s first tenure.

‘As I have said before, it is the hope of the Renewed Hope Agenda that before the first tenure of Mr. President ends, Abuja will be a different place. Abuja will be competing with some other cities of the world’, the Minister stated.

Minister of State, FCT, Mariya Mahmoud, while delivering the vote of thanks, expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for his leadership and vision in the provision of infrastructure that directly improves the lives of the people and thanked the FCT Minister for his consistent drive to transform Abuja into a modern, functional, and inclusive city.

Providing an overview of the road project, the Acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Yunana Dauda, said access roads being developed under the project included part of Arterial Road S1 to connect to the Ring Road II in collector Road CS2, as well as a minor access road that formed part of the Kaura District Development.

He said the scope of work includes the construction of 2.4km of asphalt-paved roads with the three-span bridge, surface water drainage, as well as erosion control measures, among other engineering services, adding that the road project, during its construction, will provide direct and indirect job opportunities.

There will be no anniversary parade to mark the 65th Independence celebration tomorrow in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Federal Government said yesterday.

However, other programmes already slated for the anniversary will take place, according to a statement by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Senator George Akume.

The Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen, explained that the decision does not diminish the significance of the milestone celebration.

The director stressed that other programmes lined up for the anniversary will proceed as planned.

He said: ‘The cancellation is in no way a diminishment of the significance of this milestone anniversary, and the government remains committed to celebrating Nigeria’s 65th year of independence with dignity and enthusiasm.’

Imohiosen said the government regretted any inconvenience caused by the cancellation and assured that activities marking the anniversary would reflect the spirit of national pride.

The director added that the Federal Government was appreciative of the understanding, support, and cooperation of Nigerians, the diplomatic community, and guests.

He urged Nigerians to always support the reform initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing them as essential to the collective goal of building a greater Nigeria.

Civil society organisation, Save the Republic, has expressed concern over reports that more than 800 Nigerian engineers and workers were dismissed by Dangote Refinery for attempting to join a trade union.

Addressing journalists on behalf of the group yesterday, Rights Lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, said the matter raises serious questions about labour rights, fair employment, and Nigeria’s regulatory environment.

The group noted that Nigerian Constitution and the Trade Unions Act recognise the right of workers to freely associate and join unions, and any attempt to restrict such rights is inconsistent with the law.

‘The right to organise is a constitutional guarantee under Section 40 of 1999 Constitution, as amended,’ Adeyanju said. ‘It is important Nigerian workers are able to exercise this right without fear of dismissal or intimidation.’

Save the Republic also noted the broader implications of the refinery’s reported actions, noting the Dangote Group has benefited from government interventions and licences. Adeyanju stressed given the scale of public support, transparency and fairness in employment practice were essential.

He said Nigeria’s competition and consumer protection laws discourage any practice that could entrench monopoly or undermine rights of stakeholders, including employees.

‘This is a matter of public accountability,’ he noted. ‘When a project of this scale receives state support, Nigerians have a right to demand fair treatment and full transparency in employment practice.’

It appealed for calm and dialogue, urging parties to dialogue, stressing rights of workers must be respected while ensuring the refinery thrives.

‘The way forward is dialogue. Nobody wants to kill Dangote Refinery. We want it to work, but we also want the rights of workers respected,’ he said.

Coach Finidi George has acknowledged that Rivers United must perform better than they did against Aigles du Congo of DR Congo if they are to progress to the group stage of the CAF Champions League.

Rivers United advanced to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League after securing a narrow 1-0 aggregate victory over Aigles du Congo in Port Harcourt on Sunday and will face Black Bulls of Mozambique next month.

Finidi expressed satisfaction with the hard-fought win, noting that his side dug deep to progress despite missed opportunities.

‘We are quite happy with the victory. It was not an easy one but any day, anytime, I will take the 1-0 win because we are now through to the next round,’ Finidi said after the game. ‘In the first half, we had a chance that should have been converted to calm the nerves, but it didn’t happen. We saw lapses and mistakes because the players were a little nervous. We spoke at halftime and the response was better, though we still couldn’t take our chances. Towards the end, our opponents tried to shock us, but we managed the game well.

‘It was not our usual style because we have a lot of new players. They will improve with time. I am happy we qualified, and the players know they must give everything to overcome our next opponents.’

Also Speaking on the game, team captain Temple Emekayi also reflected on the tactical approach of the Congolese side, noting that Rivers United had to adapt as the game progressed.

‘The opponents came with a clear game plan. They wanted to sit back and catch us on the counter. They kept to this until the goal came. In the second half, they threw everything forward knowing it was their last chance. With the pressure, we had to drop deep and defend our lead,’ Emekayi explained.

With the win, Rivers United will now shift focus to their second-round clash against Black Bulls of Mozambique, a fixture Finidi insists will require total commitment from his squad as they continue their quest for a group stage spot.

The President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Chief Emeka Obegolu said in the past 20 years of the chamber’s existence it has facilitated billions of naira in trade deals, investment, partnerships and provided visibility for SMEs by enabling them to access new markets.

Obegolu disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the 20th Abuja International Trade Fair with the theme: Sustainability, Consumption, Incentives and Taxation, stating that, this is not just the opening of another fair, it is the celebration of a historic milestone, 20 years of consistent commitment to trade, investment, innovation, and economic diplomacy in Nigeria and Africa.

He said: ‘The Abuja International Trade Fair has grown from a modest local exhibition into Nigeria’s most influential multi-sectoral trade platform, one of Africa’s most recognised trade events.

‘Over the past two decades, the Fair has hosted over 2,500 exhibitors from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It has attracted more than 1.5 million visitors across multiple sectors, facilitated billions of naira in trade deals, investments, and partnerships.

‘It has provided visibility for SMEs, enabling them to access new markets, strengthened collaborations with over 40 diplomatic missions, trade agencies, and international business associations.

‘These achievements underscore the pivotal role of the AITF as a catalyst for Nigeria’s economic growth and Africa’s integration into the global economy.’

He explained that the theme of this edition: ‘Sustainability: Consumption, Incentives, and Taxation,’ reflects the country’s collective resolve to address pressing economic and environmental challenges. As Nigeria’s economy expands, our priority must be to ensure that growth is sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven.

This Fair will serve as a platform for policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and development partners to examine how consumption patterns, incentives, and taxation can be strategically aligned to promote responsible production, attract investment, and encourage environmental stewardship.

The National President Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Jamil Ibrahim applauded ACCI for sustaining this platform and reaffirming NACCIMA’s shared commitment to positioning Nigeria as a $1 trillion sustainable economy by 2030.

Nigeria he said has made progress with the Business Facilitation Act the BFA 2023 which is for the ease of doing business as much more is needed to strengthen competitiveness and full alignment with AfCFTA.

Which he added as unlocking a continental market of 1.4 billion people deep reforms under the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement to improve Nigeria’s low ranking on cross-border trade indicators and ensuring all policies reflect a Nigeria-first agenda.

Support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received a boost in Edo State, following inauguration of the Grassroots Mobilisation for 2027 tagged: ‘PBAT 4+4 Grassroots Mobilisation’.

The group said Tinubu’s economic reforms had shown promising results, with notable gains in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, foreign reserves, and infrastructural development.

Edo State Coordinator of the group, Abel Emokpae, who spoke after the inauguration in Benin City, said President Tinubu had earned citizens’ support by delivering dividends of democracy.

He noted that the Tinubu administration had shown that it had capacity to turn around economic downturn and make it profitable.

He said the group aimed to secure massive support for President Tinubu across all stratums, including the local government councils in Edo State.

Emokpae challenged Nigerians to rally behind the present administration, emphasising that continuity was crucial for sustaining progress.

He said: ‘This can lay a foundation for a brighter future for the youth, knowing that President Tinubu is not the father that forgets serious children’s ambitions. The leaders of this group will soon visit some states to encourage more grassroots mobilisation, preparatory to 2027 election and by special grace of God, volunteers across the state will be captured.’

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved the establishment of the Ecological Funding and Management Commission, with Blessing Agbomhere appointed as chairman.

According to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, the commission will provide a legal and institutional framework for sustainable environmental management in Edo State.

The initiative is aimed at ensuring transparent and accountable resource mobilization while aligning state actions with national and international environmental commitments. It will also promote ecological sustainability, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and environmental justice.

Other appointees include Felix Ibhade as Executive Director (Projects), Ivie Uwaifo as Executive Director (Administration), and Khadijat Yusuf as Executive Director (Finance).

‘The names of the above-nominated individuals will be forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.

‘This decisive step reflects the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the environment for present and future generations while positioning Edo State as a leader in climate action and sustainable development.’

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and the former PDP National Chairman, Iyorcha Ayu, on Tuesday visited the Bodija residence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

The delegation, which arrived around 12:20 p.m., was warmly received by the monarch, who personally led them into his inner chamber.

Their visit came days after they were absent from the coronation ceremony of the Olubadan, held last Friday.

They said they were at the palace to formally congratulate the new monarch.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has reaffirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is firmly committed to policy continuity and governance stability, being a moral obligation necessary for Nigeria’s sustainable development.

Akume noted this in Abuja on Tuesday at the inauguration and maiden lecture of the Renewed Hope Grassroots Movement (RHGM), where he emphasized that President Tinubu believes continuity is not merely a governance principle but ‘a moral obligation to secure sustainable development and prosperity for all.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs in the Office of the SGF, Mr. Nadunga Gagare, Tue SGG said the President’s conviction is rooted in the belief that one of Nigeria’s greatest developmental setbacks has been the tendency to abandon policies, projects, and programmes whenever a new administration takes over.

‘This cycle of discontinuity has often stalled progress, wasted resources, and slowed down the pace of development. Sustainable development, however, thrives on consistency. A road started by one administration should be completed by the next,’ Akume said.

According to him, Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is anchored on ensuring stability in governance by strengthening national institutions, implementing reforms that outlive individuals, and building systems that deliver results for citizens irrespective of leadership changes.

Akume described the RHGM as an initiative that considers the yearnings of the masses for inclusive and accountable governance.

‘The Renewed Hope Grassroots Movement has a duty to mobilize, sensitize and ensure that citizens not only understand but take ownership of government policies,’ he added, stressing that democracy cannot thrive without the active involvement of the grassroots.

In his welcome address, the National Leader of the RHGM, Ambassador Isaac Chigozie Udeh, said President Tinubu has solidified his position ahead of the 2027 elections.

He noted that the movement was established to rally support for Tinubu’s policies and prevent what he called ‘experimentation’ by other political contenders.

‘We are here because we are comfortable with the policies of President Bola Tinubu and don’t want anybody else to come and carry out any experiment with us.

‘Nigerians need to be patient because what we are going through is like pregnancy; there will be joy very soon,’ Udeh said.

On her part, the National Women Leader of the RHGM, Mrs. Soaga Abiola, said the movement’s efforts would not be in vain, insisting that President Tinubu must be retained in 2027.

She also emphasized the importance of women’s involvement in governance, advocating for women to be considered for deputy positions in leadership.

Goodwill messages from RHGM members in the Diaspora, patrons, zonal and state coordinators, as well as leaders from the six geo-political zones, emphasized the importance of Nigerians rallying behind the government’s policy continuity and governance sustenance drive for the benefit of future generations.

The event also featured the inauguration of national officers, zonal and state coordinators, the national youth leader, and the presentation of awards to distinguished Nigerians.

Hundreds of people trooped to the Emmanuel Iwanyanwu International Conference Centre (EIICC) on Tuesday to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Imo State.

By 8 a.m., excited residents had begun streaming into the venue to catch a glimpse of the President, who is set to commission four signature projects: the EIICC, Concorde Hotel, the new twin flyover at Assumpta Cathedral Roundabout, and the Owerri-Mbaise-Umuahia road.

Security personnel worked tirelessly to manage the enthusiastic crowd, which included men, women, youths, traditional rulers, and other dignitaries.

Meanwhile, major roads such as Wetheral, Tetlow, and Bank leading to the Okigwe roundabouts were closed to vehicular traffic, causing some inconvenience as commuters trekked long distances to reach their destinations.