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Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is creating jobs through the construction of roads in the nation’s capital.

Wike reiterated the need for the residents to pay their taxes, saying the money is used to provide modern roads and social amenities.

The minister said this while officially flagging off the construction of the Mohammed Isa Road extension within the Asokoro District in Abuja.

He emphasised that the ambitious infrastructure drive undertaken by the FCT Administration was heavily dependent on the availability of resources.

Wike urged the residents to pay their taxes and continue to support President Tinubu’s administration to enable it to deliver programmes that would make their lives better.

The minister likened the provision of good infrastructure to making a ‘good soup,’ which cannot be provided without resources.

He said: ‘The President is providing jobs through the construction of roads in the FCT. Pay us what you owe us. If soup sweet, na money kill am (A sweet soup is a product of good money). If you don’t have the money to buy the various items when you are cooking the soup, it will look like ordinary water. But when you have money, all the medemede (ingredients) will be there. Even if you are not hungry, but because the soup attracts you, you will be forced to be hungry.

‘So, all these good roads, good drainage systems won’t be possible if you don’t pay your taxes. So, try to pay your taxes so that we can provide more of these roads.’

Wike noted that prominent critics of President Tinubu’s administration have begun to acknowledge its successful performance, particularly in infrastructure development.

The minister said the new road project was initiated following a direct appeal from a major critic of the present administration, calling for infrastructure provision, specifically roads, drainage, and streetlights in the Asokoro extension, similar to the work being done in other districts of the FCT.

Recalling their exchange, he said: ‘I remember very well that one of the major critics of the present government of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu – I will not call his name – he came to me and said: ‘Look, you have been providing infrastructure in terms of roads in all these other districts. What about us in the Asokoro extension?”

Wike described himself as one of the agents of President Tinubu, whose task is to translate the President’s vision into action.

According to him, the FCT’s progress is a testament to the President’s effectiveness.

He added: ‘We forget that Mr. President has agents or people who carry out his directives or instructions. You cannot say the FCT is working and Mr. President is not working. Through us, we carry out the directives, we carry out the instructions, we carry out the vision of Mr. President. One of the visions is that the FCT must compete favorably with other cities of the world, and that is what we are doing.’

The minister explained that the Mohammed Isa Road extension project was taking place on the 10th day of project flag-offs across the FCT in the current series covering roads and water projects.

He said the road would significantly enhance connectivity, improve the city’s landscape, and create employment for residents.

‘Look at the topography; look at the landscape. By the time these roads are completed, the drainages are put in place, the streetlights are on; look at the employment that is being created. Every day, one company carries out one construction or the other. Tomorrow, we will be in another place where one company is carrying out another construction. Our teeming youths are all engaged in this. That is creation of employment,’ Wike stated.

Providing an overview of the project, the Acting Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Richard Yunana Dauda, said the contract for the Mohammed Isa Road extension was awarded to Messrs. Global Spectrum Energy Services Limited with a completion period of 14 months.

He said the scope of work included the construction of approximately four kilometres of roads along with the provision of modern drainage systems, water distribution network, sewer line network, street lighting, power supply, telecommunication ducts, and other infrastructure services.

Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah has said that President Bola Tinubu returned the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) bill without assenting to it due to issues concerning the mandate section of the Bill and also the one per cent Freight Stabilisation fee.

Speaking with reporters on the sideline of the visit of the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez at the weekend in Lagos, Akutah said that the issues surrounding the NPERA Bill have been addressed and the Bill is currently at the National Assembly for assessment before going back to the Presidency for his assent.

He said: ‘The NPERA bill was returned by Mr. President to the office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for advisory due to issues raised over the mandate section of the Bill, 1 per cent Freight Stabilisation fee and also the new role of the Shippers Council as Port Economic Regulator.

‘But those issues have been clarified by the council. We met with the Attorney- General of the Federation and we have looked at those issues one after the other.

‘Those issues created a little bit of confusion but that has been resolved because the Gazette of the Presidential Order of 2015 and the regulations of 2015 have all been handed over to the Minister of Justice.

‘So, they have now looked at it again to see that the council mandate has changed by the order of the president appointing the Shipper’s Council as the Port Economic Regulator.

‘So, those aspects that needed to be corrected have been corrected and the bill has gone back to the National Assembly on its way back to Mr. President for assent.

‘There was a little bit hitch but we have overcome that hitch. So, it is now on track heading back to Mr. President. But the National Assembly still have to look at it because of those corrections that were made.

‘You can’t correct a bill that has been passed without the National Assembly looking at it. The corrections are not so many, just a few of them regarding the mandate and then regarding the one per cent freight fee.

‘The Bill is still with the National Assembly. You know that they have been on recess. They were supposed to resume last week but I think they moved it forward.

‘As soon as the National Assembly resumes sitting, they will look at this quickly and then do all the corrections and send it back’.

Italian Fabio Cannavaro will coach Uzbekistan as they prepare for their first World Cup next year, the Central Asian nation’s soccer association said on Monday.

Cannavaro won the World Cup with Italy as a player, captaining his country to the title in 2006, but his record as a coach is more mixed.

His most recent job was with Dinamo Zagreb but that was a short-lived spell of less than four months that ended in April.

‘The Uzbekistan Football Association has signed a contract with Fabio Cannavaro – a renowned specialist, one of the best defenders of his generation,’ the statement said.

The 52-year-old has previously had coaching roles with clubs in China and Saudi Arabia as well as in Italy. He also had a short spell as caretaker manager of China in 2019.

He will succeed Timur Kapadze, who was in charge in June when the Central Asian country qualified for the World Cup for the first time.

Akwa Ibom State is setting its sights firmly on the future, as the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno signalled his government’s intention to partner with T2 to accelerate digital technology growth and innovation across the state.

The announcement was made at the opening ceremony of the Ibom Ignite Conference 2025 in Uyo, a youth-focused leadership and entrepreneurship gathering designed to equip participants with tools, networks, and insights to transform ideas into impact.

Governor Eno’s declaration came in response to a keynote delivered by T2 CEO, Obafemi Banigbe, who painted a bold vision of Akwa Ibom as Nigeria’s next digital innovation hub.

‘I believe this state has the capacity to lead in building software solutions, Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, and vibrant startup ecosystems. Akwa Ibom is not just poised to birth the next big thing like Flutterwave or Paystack – it has the potential to emerge as a genuine digital goldmine for this region,’ Banigbe said.

The T2 boss stressed that unlocking this future depends on investment in people and skills. ‘The future is not built on oil. It is built on education, on human capital, and on digital skills. If we fail to develop the next generation, we risk wasting the immense talent of our youth,’ he noted, calling on government, industries, and communities to prioritize human capital development.

Banigbe spoke with heartfelt sincerity, expressing appreciation to Akwa Ibom residents for their patience and support for the brand throughout its challenges, while assuring them that the company was on a path of rebound.

‘We are back in business. We’ve gone through transitions and are re-emerging as more than a telecom operator. T2 is repositioning as a digital business and lifestyle partner, youth-friendly, tech-friendly, startup-friendly, and committed to enabling innovation and the creative economy. We are ready to work hand-in-hand with His Excellency and the government to turn Akwa Ibom into the South-South’s digital powerhouse,’ he affirmed.

This year’s conference, themed ‘Ignite to Accelerate,’ lived up to its billing with a rich programme of keynote speeches, fireside chats, thought-provoking conversations, and panel discussions on leadership, innovation, and resilience. Participants were also given a platform to showcase ideas and innovations through pitch opportunities, reinforcing the conference’s reputation as a launchpad for future changemakers.

On the sidelines, T2 deepened its customer engagement by hosting a Customer Forum in Uyo. The interactive session provided a direct platform for customers to voice concerns and share feedback with the company’s management. For T2, the forum was more than a listening exercise; it was a tangible demonstration of its renewed commitment to service excellence, customer satisfaction, and building long-term trust with its users.

With the state government’s vision and T2’s renewed drive, the partnership signals a major step toward transforming Akwa Ibom into a beacon of digital innovation, talent development, and youth empowerment in Nigeria’s Southsouth.

The Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa has resumed academic activities after months of lingering labour dispute that resulted in shutting down the institution.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the resumption followed intervention of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa as students and staff members were seen moving at the main campus while the liaison office was open.

The minister had summoned parties to the industrial dispute that left the Polytechnic located on the banks of River Nun in Bayelsa shut since July 11 to a mediatory meeting on Sept. 29.

Mr Ebifiye Etebu, Chairman of Non-Academic Staff Union at the Polytechnic told NAN on Tuesday that work resumed on Monday in compliance with the minister’s directive.

‘Following mediation by the Minister of Education, we resumed work on Monday and normalcy has returned on campus and the liaison office at Yenagoa,’ Etebu said.

James Ebilade, a student of National Diploma, Electrical Engineering Department, applauded the Minister for brokering a truce that resulted to the reopening of the school.

‘The prompt mediation of the Minister and subsequent resumption is highly commendable. We the students heaved a sigh of relief hearing with the news of resumption.

‘The resumption is a reality as both academic and non-academic staff members are on ground,’ he said.

NAN learnt that the governing council of the polytechnic held an emergency council meeting at the weekend ahead of Monday’s resumption and set up a panel to investigate allegations against the Rector, Dr Lukman Agbabiaka.

The unions, Non-Academic Staff Union, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in the polytechnic had withdrawn their services alleging high handedness and breach of the Polytechnic Act.

NAN gathered that the probe panel was mandated to report its findings in three weeks in line with the directives of the minister.

The workers had kept the institution under locks for alleged violation of the Polytechnic Act by the Rector who took the three unions to court over labour disputes whereas the governing council was statutorily mandated under the Act to handle labour related matters.

When contacted for reaction on current developments, Mr Nimizuo Pereseigha, Public Relations Officer of the institution declined comments.

Afrinvest (West Africa) Limited has officially opened its Enugu office, bringing over three decades of financial expertise to the Coal City.

The Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, describing the company’s presence as a ‘strategic boost’ to the state’s economic transformation agenda.

Speaking to newsmen, Afrinvest Group Managing Director(GMD), Dr. Ike Chioke, said the firm had long considered expanding to Enugu but found the right environment under the current administration of Governor Peter Mbah.

‘We had planned to come into Enugu three years ago during the administration of the former governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, but it did not materialise. When Peter Mbah came on board and began transforming Enugu into a business-friendly environment, the urgency to open this office increased,’ Chioke said.

He explained that Afrinvest would bring its broad experience in investment banking, asset management, securities trading, trusteeship, consulting, research, fintech, and microfinance to help businesses in Enugu grow sustainably.

Chioke noted that many successful Igbo-owned enterprises collapse after the founders’ demise due to weak governance structures.

‘There are standardised ways of ensuring business continuity, raising capital, and hiring the right people. That wealth of expertise which we’ve long provided clients in other regions is what we’re gladly bringing to Enugu,’ he said.

He added that the firm’s expansion aligns with its ‘Aku Luo Uno’ (think-home) philosophy of the Igbo and pointed out that Afrinvest already enjoys a strong relationship with the state through its sponsorship of Rangers International Football Club.

In his remarks, Deputy Governor Ossai described Afrinvest’s arrival as ‘timely and transformational,’ emphasising that the company’s range of services will strengthen Enugu’s investment ecosystem.

‘Businesses cannot thrive where support services that drive investments do not exist. The kind of services Afrinvest offers- from capital mobilization to business structuring- are the very backbone of a sustainable economy,’ he said.

Ossai urged Afrinvest to help local entrepreneurs move beyond personality-driven business models toward structured, multi-generational institutions.

‘We Igbo people are known for strong personalities. Everyone wants to own an Ifeanyi Ossai Nigeria Limited. But we must evolve to build systems like Guinness or Nigerian Breweries that outlive their founders,’ he noted.

He also encouraged Afrinvest professionals to engage with the state’s numerous tertiary institutions to inspire students and young entrepreneurs toward building sustainable, knowledge-based enterprises.

‘With the number of universities in Enugu, we should be leading a knowledge-based economy. I urge Afrinvest to visit these institutions and help shape the next generation of business leaders,’ he said.

Big Brother Naija Season 10 winner, Imisioluwa Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, has officially received her grand prize of ?150 million, which includes a brand-new SUV and ?80 million in cash.

The presentation ceremony took place in Lagos on Tuesday, where Imisi was seen proudly holding her symbolic cheque and posing in her new SUV – a moment that quickly went viral on social media.

After spending 72 days in the Big Brother Naija house with 29 other contestants, Imisi emerged victorious in the highly competitive ’10/10′ edition, defeating strong finalists such as Dede and Koyin.

Fans and fellow housemates took to various social media platforms to celebrate her victory, hailing her as one of the most deserving winners in the show’s history. Many praised her calm personality, emotional intelligence, and consistent authenticity throughout the season.

Imisi, a 23-year-old actress and fashion designer from Oyo State, captivated audiences across Nigeria and beyond with her creativity, resilience, and relatable nature.

Her journey in the house showcased a mix of wit, warmth, and confidence that resonated deeply with viewers, ultimately earning her 42.8% of the total votes in the grand finale.

A British Airways (BA) flight from London to Abuja was forced to make an emergency diversion to Barcelona, Spain, after Prof. Osita Obierika, died mid-air.

Obierika, a retired Air Vice Marshal (AVM) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), was a former Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Training Command, Kaduna and a directing staff at the National Defence College, Abuja.

The Octogenarian was said to have been returning to Nigeria from the United Kingdom where he was being treated for cancer.

According to reports, the aircraft departed London’s Heathrow Airport at 11pm on Sunday and was to arrive Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by 5am on Monday.

However, around 1:30am, the pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted to El Prat Airport in Barcelona, Spain.

A source who confirmed his death said there were many senior officers at the Abuja airport awaiting his arrival before news of his death filtered in.

It was gathered that the incident caused distress among passengers especially a pregnant woman said to have required urgent medical attention.

British Airways apologised to passengers for the disruption, assuring them of support and alternative travel arrangements. The airline said a replacement aircraft was deployed to continue the journey to Abuja, with the flight rescheduled to depart Barcelona at 2:50pm local time and arrive in Abuja around 5:45pm.

It was not immediately clear if Obierika’s remains were deposited in Barcelona or arrangements were made to return his body to Nigeria on the new flight.

A native of Enugu-Ukwu in Anambra State, Obierika was a distinguished elder statesman who was fondly called Prof.

He remained active after retirement, delivering lectures on national security at public events including a 2021 lecture at Baze University on ‘Security Sector Reform in Nigeria and the 4th Industrial Revolution’.

Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has assured that the state is fully prepared and safe to host the 2026 edition of the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA).

He gave the assurance on Tuesday when he led a NUGA delegation and the management team of the University of Calabar on an inspection tour of facilities at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

The governor described Calabar as a youth-friendly, peaceful, conducive, and welcoming city with a serene and green environment that makes it ideal for hosting national and international sporting events.

‘The field we are standing on today has produced some of Nigeria’s greatest football icons, including Uwenm Ekarika, Etim Essien, and John Okon, among others.

‘The first captain of the national football team was a Calabar man, who led the team to England for competitive matches,’ Otu said.

Expressing gratitude for the return of NUGA to Calabar after 35 years, Otu said he was confident the event would be a huge success.

He expressed optimism in the capacity of Dorncklaimz Enamhe, Executive Secretary of NUGA 2026 Local Organising Committee (LOC), to deliver memorable games.

The governor highlighted Calabar’s deep historical connection to sports, noting that it was the first city in Nigeria where football was played.

‘Enamhe is known for his dedication and commitment to any responsibility entrusted to him. I have no doubt he will deliver on this national assignment,’ he said.

Otu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sports development, saying that in the past two years, the state government has significantly promoted sporting activities and restored their pride of place in Cross River.

Enamhe said that Calabar has the greenest stadium in Nigeria, the best basketball court, and a world-class Olympic-size swimming pool, among others.

He said that Calabar is home to table tennis, with world-class champions.

‘Calabar is home to the biggest carnival in Africa, where youths will properly interact. Unical hosting NUGA after the 35th is huge for the state,’ he said.

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday officially flagged off the National Measles-Rubella Vaccine Introduction Integrated Campaign in Abuja.

She said the exercise was a collective resolve to end vaccine-preventable childhood diseases and safeguard the nation’s future.

Mrs. Tinubu described the event as ‘a declaration of our collective resolve as a nation to say ‘No More’ to the diseases that steal the future of our sons and daughters’.

The First Lady said measles and rubella remain among the leading causes of blindness, disability, and child mortality.

She noted that rubella infections during pregnancy could lead to blindness, deafness, or congenital heart defects in unborn children.

Mrs. Tinubu said: ‘A vaccine in a vial does not save a child. A vaccine in a clinic does not protect a community. Protection only becomes real when that vaccine is injected into the arm of a child.’

She urged mothers to take their children for vaccination and fathers to support them.

The First Lady also appealed to traditional and religious leaders to use their clout to dispel misinformation and encourage nationwide participation.

According to her, their previous role in the success of the HPV vaccine rollout still resonates.

Mrs. Tinubu reaffirmed her personal commitment to promoting vaccine uptake and pledged to mobilise governors’ wives, spouses of local government chairmen, and women’s groups to ensure that no child was left unprotected.

The First Lady hailed the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and development partners – WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and the Gates Foundation – for their partnership and dedication to Nigeria’s public health goals.

‘With this vaccine, our children will be protected against two deadly diseases and enjoy a lifetime of safety and protection. These vaccines are safe, effective, and free,’ she said.

Declaring the campaign open, the First Lady said the event represented ‘a pathway to hope and a promise of progress’.

She prayed for divine blessings on Nigerian children, mothers, and the nation.

The campaign set in motion a nationwide drive expected to reach approximately 106 million children aged nine months to under 15 years in two phases.

The campaign also integrates vaccination efforts against polio and the rollout of the HPV vaccine among adolescent girls, combining resources to optimize health impact.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, described the event as a ‘historic moment for Nigeria’s health system’ and the largest integrated health campaign on the African continent or anywhere else in the world.

The campaign, the minister announced, targets over 100 million Nigerian children, covering measles, rubella, polio, malaria, HPV, routine immunisation, and neglected tropical diseases.

He said the initiative reflected the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in prioritising health as a key pillar of national development.

‘The President is healing this country, unifying it through health, and inspiring national confidence,’ Pate said.

The minister hailed the Renewed Hope Agenda for repositioning healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

He said primary health care utilisation had risen from 10 million visits per quarter in 2023 to 47 million in the second quarter of 2025, while the government planned to make 4,800 additional PHCs fully functional by the end of 2025.

He paid tribute to frontline health workers who he said ‘risk their lives to deliver vaccines and healthcare services to the last mile’.

Pate added: ‘As Her Excellency flags off this campaign today, let us join her with conviction. The children we vaccinate and the trust we build will define the health legacy of an entire generation.’

Also, Education Minister Olatunji Alausa warned that sanctions would be imposed on school administrators who shut ting vaccinators from accessing their schools.

Represented by the ministry’s Deputy Director Peter Ojonuba, the minister described the campaign as a critical investment in Nigeria’s future and educational progress.

‘It is a day to ignite hope for healthier children, stronger communities, and a bright future for our beloved Nigeria,’ he said.

On behalf of the Gates Foundation, the Deputy Director of Immunisation and Disease Control in Nigeria, Yusuf Yusufari, said the foundation remained steadfast in supporting Nigeria’s immunisation and primary healthcare drive.

‘Today, like we did two years ago, we stand united behind one goal: that no child and no woman in Nigeria-or anywhere-should be left unprotected from preventable diseases,’ Yusufari said.

The deputy director cited Nigeria’s progress in routine immunisation, which has risen from 33 per cent in 2016 to over 60 per cent currently, alongside new vaccine introductions, such as pneumococcal, rotavirus, HPV, and now measles-rubella.

He warned that over two million Nigerian children have not received a single vaccine, the second-highest figure globally.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance Senior Programme Manager for Nigeria, Tarcile Mballa, said: ‘We have witnessed immunisation coverage rise from 27 per cent in 2001 to 67 per cent in 2024, a testament to collective commitment.’

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), stressed the importance of protecting children’s health as a national priority.

Oba Ogunwusi lauded the efforts of health officials and public officers for their dedication to sensitising Nigerians about rubella and other deadly diseases.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, noted that advocacy and education, rather than enforcement, were crucial for Nigeria’s rubella vaccine campaign to succeed.

‘We defeated polio not by force but by convincing people that the vaccine is safe. We held seminars with religious leaders to educate communities and show that the vaccine is not anti-childbirth or harmful in any way,’ the Sultan said.

President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Daniel Okoh, expressed support and optimism for the initiative to protect children and strengthen public health nationwide.