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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has flagged off the construction of the Transit Way (N2) road project, designed to provide a critical connection between the Central Business Area and Wuse districts through two strategic bridges.

The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, speaking during the ceremony, said the project, upon completion, will drive economic growth, enhance mobility, and attract investment to the FCT.

‘We are here today to connect from N2, the Wuse District, to the Central Area with two bridges. To the glory of God, this project has been flagged off. I assure you, day and night, we will monitor the contractors handling this work to ensure timely delivery,’ Wike said.

The Minister also announced further investment plans in the education and healthcare sectors.

He said the administration would commence the rehabilitation of at least 40 schools, adding to the 70 schools already under various stages of renovation, with 45 nearing completion.

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has announced the creation of the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Council (NNEDC) – a new coordinating body designed to drive industrialisation, attract investment, and harmonise development policies across the northern region.

The announcement followed the successful conclusion of the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialization Summit (NNIIS) held in Abuja, where participants pledged over $10 billion in new investments spanning mining, agriculture, and power sectors.

In a communiqué signed by Prof. Ango Abdullahi, Chairman of the NEF Board of Trustees, the Forum said the NNEDC would serve as the institutional framework for implementing the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Masterplan (NNEDM). The masterplan is anchored on three pillars – security, policy coherence, and private capital mobilisation.

The two-day summit, themed ‘Unlocking Strategic Opportunities in Mining, Agriculture, and Power (MAP 2025)’, brought together federal officials, northern governors, the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC), private sector leaders, development partners, financiers, academics, and civil society groups.

According to the communiqué, the event featured exhibitions by the 19 Northern States’ Investment Promotion Agencies, corporate sponsors, and Deal Room sessions (B2B, B2G), resulting in investment commitments exceeding $10 billion over the next five years.

Delegations from Turkey, India, Canada, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia also attended the summit, expressing strong interest in investing in the region’s growth sectors.

The NEF commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and pledged accountability and transparency in implementing the summit’s outcomes.

Governors from the North West, North East, and North Central regions signed the Northern Nigeria Economic Development Charter, committing their states to a unified regional economic vision.

The communiqué further stated that the NNEDC will operate under the joint oversight of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NNGF).

A Joint Implementation and Monitoring Taskforce (JIMT) will manage transitional activities and publish an operational roadmap within 60 days.

The NNEDC will also issue quarterly scorecards to track key outcomes such as job creation, energy expansion, and investment inflows.

NEF Director-General, Prof. D.D. Sheni, described the initiative as ‘a decisive pivot from rhetoric to execution’ in Northern Nigeria’s economic journey.

‘With security as the bedrock, policy coherence as the framework, and private capital as the engine, Northern Nigeria can transform its endowments into sustainable growth,’ he said.

The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive prosperity, pledging to lead the region into a new era of coordinated economic transformation.

Workers of the Kwara State Garment Factory on Monday staged a peaceful protest in Ilorin to demand urgent intervention over alleged poor working conditions and unfair employment practices.

The protest, held at the frontage of the factory, was monitored by police officers deployed to ensure it was not hijacked.

The protesters also marched along Airport Road, carrying placards to express their grievances.

They said more than 200 staff across the operating, cutting, maintenance and embroidery sections were affected.

Speaking to Daily Trust, an aggrieved staff, Mrs. Kehinde Hussein pleaded with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to look into their plight.

‘The governor whom we regard as our father has been doing well and we commend him,’ she said, adding, ‘But those who he handed the administration of this place to have been treating us unfairly.

‘They gave us probation letters for six months, but more than two years later we are still not permanent employees despite their promise. They deduct too much from our salaries even though we work tirelessly. Despite the economic situation, we are collecting N48,000. We deserve more than the minimum wage and we want the governor to come to our aid. We are really suffering’, she added.

Another protester, Mr Ahmed Ahmed, said workers travel long distances to work daily and that the management had failed to prioritise their welfare.

‘Some of us had to borrow money to come here,’ he said. ‘They promised to pay us N50,000 which is not even enough, but now they pay N48,000, and they do not pay on time. We cannot take this anymore.

This factory was set up by the Kwara State Government to benefit citizens and reduce unemployment, but the management is undermining the good intentions of the governor. We demand justice, fairness and equity. Our welfare should be paramount.’

Another worker, Jimoh Babalola, said the nature of their work warranted better pay and treatment.

‘We came out to protest because of the challenges we face,’ he said, adding, ‘The nature of our work should attract more than N100,000. There is no opportunity for rest or leave, and it does not matter whether you are sick or not.

‘When you complain, they tell you to write a letter, yet they still deduct your salary at the end of the month. One of our colleagues had an accident while traveling, and while recuperating at home, the management still deducted N2,500 daily from his salary. We are family men. How will N48,000 be enough for us in this economic situation, not to talk of the deductions? Many of our colleagues have already left because of the poor conditions. We were very happy when we got employed, but that joy has turned to sorrow. We are pleading with the governor, as a kind-hearted leader, to rescue us.’

Mrs. Ismail Halimah also appealed to the governor to consider their situation.

‘We have been holding these probation letters for more than two years,’ she said. ‘They keep saying we are still in training, but for how long? My transport alone costs N30,000 monthly, leaving me with less than N20,000 before deductions. I have a child and other responsibilities, and the economy is harsh. We are begging His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who we know loves the youth, to please intervene.’

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Government has announced a temporary shutdown of the garment factory as part of a transition process to a new management team.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, the government said the closure was necessary to facilitate maintenance and inventory checks ahead of the handover to the new operators.

‘Sequel to the advertisement on the expression of interest published in national newspapers in compliance with public procurement regulations for the outsourcing of the management of the garment factory, we are glad to announce that a preferred winner has emerged.

‘The garment factory will, therefore, be temporarily shut down to undertake pre-handover maintenance and inventory checks.

‘All civil servants seconded to the garment factory are to return to their ministries, while trainees are advised to apply to the successful bidder for engagement.

‘All trainees shall be given a one-month training allowance’, the statement added.

Experts have tasked the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to translate the surge in oil rigs to increased crude output.

This followed the release of the figure by the commission which showed that Nigeria recorded a significant rise in oil rig count, growing from just eight in 2021 to 69 as of October 2, 2025. The figure represents a 762.5% increase in four years.

According to a statement by the Commission, the 69 rigs include 40 active rigs, 8 on standby, 5 on warm stack, 4 on cold stack, and 12 on the move.

According to a statement by the Commission, the 69 rigs include 40 active rigs, 8 on standby, 5 on warm stack, 4 on cold stack, and 12 on the move.

The NUPRC noted that this surge reflects renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s charge that ‘Nigeria is ready for business’ under a stable and reformed investment climate.

‘This shows a renewed investor confidence in Nigeria. The success aligns with the charge of President Tinubu that Nigeria is ready for business and that the right investment climate prevails now in the Nigerian upstream as daily actioned by the NUPRC,’ the statement said.

Offshore oil rigs are huge structures in the ocean that drill for oil and gas beneath the seafloor.

‘Next challenge is to convert rig surge into crude output’

Speaking with Daily Trust, Prof. Omowumi O. Iledare, Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics and Executive Director, Emmanuel Egbogah Foundation, said the achievements deserve commendation but also careful reflection.

He noted that the transformation of NUPRC since the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 represents a maturing institution asserting its autonomy and professionalism, saying the separation of policy, regulatory, and commercial roles is gradually yielding visible institutional order.

He added that the reported surge in rig count from eight in 2021 to sixty-nine in 2025 illustrates renewed investor activity and optimism.

He, however, said sustainability, not statistics, is the true measure of success and the challenge ahead is converting this rig resurgence into consistent crude output growth, reserves replacement and improved cost efficiency.

‘Fiscal and governance indicators are also encouraging. Surpassing revenue targets by more than 80 percent in 2024 and approving nearly $40 billion in new Field Development Plans point to rising investor confidence. However, such figures must be sustained through policy consistency, transparent implementation, and credible performance monitoring.’

He said the commission’s embrace of digital bid rounds, the ‘Drill-or-Drop’ compliance policy, and gas-flare commercialisation are aligned with global best practices.

‘Equally notable is the remittance of over N358 billion to Host Community Development Trusts, signaling a new phase of social accountability in Nigeria’s petroleum governance. The real test will be ensuring these funds translate into measurable improvements in welfare and security in producing communities.’

‘On the continental stage, NUPRC’s leadership in forming the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) demonstrates forward-thinking engagement, positioning Nigeria as a regional voice in hydrocarbon governance and energy transition dialogue. From an emeritus lens, therefore, the assessment is balanced. NUPRC has provided regulatory stability, rekindled investor confidence, and demonstrated early signs of institutional maturity. The task now is to consolidate gains, deepen transparency, and entrench professionalism beyond personalities and politics. Performance, after all, is not just about what is achieved-it is about what endures and adds value across generations.’

The Senior Pastor of the Apostolic Foundation Church in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT, Pastor Adedayo Adedayo, has called on Nigerians to believe in their country and work collectively for its development.

Pastor Adedayo, who made the call during a service at the church on Sunday in Gwagwalada, stressed that every Nigerian must have faith in the nation.

‘I bet you, if we believe in Nigeria, we are not inferior to any European nation. Donald Trump of the USA is not inferior to me. It is God that created him, and it is also God that created me as black, and that doesn’t make him superior to me,’ he said.

He asserted that Nigeria can be better if its citizens believe in it and embrace positive actions, noting that Nigeria has the potential to surpass any European nation if citizens consistently do the right things.

He regretted that corruption has been the country’s primary challenge, which he noted has continued to retard development since independence.

The cleric, however, acknowledged the ongoing infrastructural development across the country, especially road construction and the provision of water, stating that this progress will impact the lives of every Nigerian positively.

Natives of Babanla, one of the worst-affected communities in Kwara State, have appealed to the government for urgent intervention, stating that worsening insecurity has disrupted their livelihoods, forced displacements, and crippled economic activities.

Speaking in separate interviews with Daily Trust over the weekend, several victims described the situation as unbearable and called on both state and federal authorities to take decisive action.

A community leader in Babanla in the Ifelodun Local Government Area, Prince Yusuf Jimoh, said catering for over 33 displaced persons who relocated to his home following the bandit attacks has become extremely difficult.

‘I operate a block industry and live in a four-bedroom apartment. Imagine the condition we are passing through,’ he said. ‘While I plead with the government to dislodge the bandits from their hideouts, we also appeal for support and assistance to the victims to enable them to rebuild their lives. Everything is at a standstill and feeding has become so hard that some now beg for food. Some victims are staying in mosques. We are presently 33 people living in this modest apartment,’ he added, urging the federal government to act swiftly to prevent residents from losing their ancestral lands.

Another resident, Taibat Jimoh, a trader, said the situation has forced many to abandon their homes and farmlands.

‘We have lost our sources of livelihood and now depend on others in Ilorin to survive. There is no clear sign of when this will end. We cannot go to our farms or anywhere else, and that is why we are begging the government to come to our aid,’ she said.

For 19-year-old mother of one, Hamzat Waliya, the plea is simple: ‘I want the government to help us dislodge the bandits. Once that is achieved, we are ready to go back to our community to continue our lives.’

Also speaking, Alao Mohammad, a resident of Igbaja, said the situation has affected educational institutions in the area.

‘Some university campuses here have relocated their students to Ilorin. I am now appealing to friends, associates, and relatives to help me raise money to move my wife, children, and other family members to Ilorin. I will remain here for now to monitor the situation because this is where I work,’ he said.

Daily Trust reports the state government, in collaboration with troops, has stepped up its onslaught against the bandits after the attacks on Babanla and Oke-Ode communities, which resulted in scores of deaths.

The commercial city of Aba was transformed into a huge carnival scene when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commissioned the 6.7km Port Harcourt Road, reconstructed by the leading engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC.

Amidst sonorous singing and dancing, there were displays by masquerades and DJs. Women and youth groups were not left out, as each competed for available spaces to underscore their joy at the redemption which the project commissioning signified.

President Tinubu, who was represented by the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi described the completed road project as a miracle delivered by the state government through Julius Berger.

The President commended Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, for the quality of work executed as well as his commitment to infrastructural renewal across the State.

On the reconstructed road, Tinubu said the government and contractor’s efforts have led to the ‘miracle of transformation’ being witnessed in not only Aba, but also the entire state.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director, Administration of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Dr. Abdulaziz Kaita said, the road is more than a corridor of asphalt and concrete but a lifeline for commerce and connection as it links markets to manufacturers, neighbourhoods to opportunities, and Aba to the broader economy of the South-East and the Niger Delta.

Bloom Digital Media Ltd, Abuja’s leading creative and digital communications agency, has been honored with the prestigious ‘Outstanding Digital Agency of the Year’ award at the Marketing Edge Awards 2025, held at Balmora Convention Center, Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

This recognition cements Bloom Digital Media’s position as one of Nigeria’s foremost agencies driving innovation, creativity, and measurable impact in the digital marketing landscape.

Speaking on the award, Tseyi Agharaye, Lead Director of Bloom Digital Media, expressed gratitude to the organizers and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to excellence.

Agharaye said: ‘This award is not just a win for Bloom Digital Media, but for our clients, partners, and the incredible team whose passion and creativity fuel everything we do. At Bloom, we believe in pushing boundaries, telling compelling stories, and creating strategies that deliver real value. This recognition inspires us to aim even higher as we continue to shape the future of digital marketing in Africa and beyond.’

Speaking to the recognition, Emmanuel Obi, Creative Director of Bloom Digital Media, shared: ‘This award is a celebration of teamwork, passion, and vision. We are honored to be recognized as the Outstanding Digital Agency of the Year. This achievement underscores the collective dedication of our team, and the trust of our clients. We’re excited to keep building, keep innovating, and keep telling powerful stories.’

Since its inception, Bloom has worked with top-tier brands across aviation, real estate, healthcare, technology, FMCG, and lifestyle sectors, delivering cutting-edge solutions in brand strategy, social media marketing, PR, advertising, and digital transformation.

The Marketing Edge Awards is one of Nigeria’s most respected platforms recognizing outstanding achievements and celebrating brands, agencies, and professionals who have demonstrated excellence, consistency, and innovation in marketing communications. This year’s edition brought together industry leaders, innovators, and trailblazers to celebrate excellence and spotlight brands redefining standards.

With this award, Bloom Digital Media further solidifies its reputation as a powerhouse in digital innovation and an agency to watch on the Global marketing scene.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has assured the residents of the state of readiness of the state’s Independent Power Plant (IPP) to ensure 24-hour power supply by end of the year, as six out of eight new 60mw gas turbines procured by the state government arrived the state.

Speaking when he visited the project site at Elebele community in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state, Governor Diri also disclosed that the power that will be generated and distributed from the state’s independent power plant will not be free and that Bayelsans will pay for the service.

Daily Trust reports that the power equipment and their accessories arrived in the state about a week ago.

The governor stated that people of the state were upbeat about the prospect of 24-hour power supply by the end of this year.

He explained that consumption would be metered and paid for as the government had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Jampur Group for establishing a customised metering production plant in the state.

He said: ‘I had given the end of this year as the deadline for this project and we are sticking to that. Hopefully before Christmas, we will have these turbines fired up and by God’s grace Bayelsa will begin to have 24 hours uninterrupted power supply.

‘We are actually expecting eight gas turbines but six have arrived and I have been assured that the remaining two with some accessories will be here next week. These are the most modern gas turbines.

‘Initially, we planned to have two very large plants but later, the experts advised that there could be a blackout if one of them breaks down. So I had to approve the eight.

‘As you know, to maintain this equipment and the gas to fire them, even though it is on our soil, we will spend money to procure it from the company. So it is not free. For there to be constant electricity everybody must pay for it. It is pay as you consume.’

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have launched a Joint Task Force on Digital Governance and Anti-Corruption to curb corruption in IT-related government projects nationwide.

The initiative was announced at the ICPC Headquarters in Abuja during a high-level working visit by the NITDA management team led by its Director General, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, according to a statement by NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications, Hajiya Hadiza Umar.

The task force is designed to identify and mitigate corruption risks in government IT projects, strengthen enforcement, and promote the use of technology as a tool for efficient service delivery.

Abdullahi also revealed plans to build functional websites for all 774 local government councils across Nigeria to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement at the grassroots level.

He lamented that only 10 local governments currently operate functional websites, describing the situation as unacceptable in a digital age.

‘The absence of digital footprints at the local level slows service delivery and creates distrust between citizens and government,’ Abdullahi said.

He added that between 2017 and 2023, NITDA cleared over 1,480 IT projects worth more than N3.4 trillion across 326 federal institutions-saving the government over N316 billion through improved oversight and alignment with national digital policies.

Despite this progress, Abdullahi noted that only about 28 percent of federal institutions currently comply with the IT project clearance process.

To address this, NITDA plans to introduce new guidelines, including certification for IT designers and implementers, to ensure projects are secure, interoperable, and efficient.

Responding, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Aliyu, commended the partnership, stressing that corruption in IT procurement undermines public trust and economic growth.

‘Local governments are the closest tier of government to the people. A lack of digital visibility raises serious accountability concerns. Once councils publish their budgets, projects, and activities online, citizens can track them, which alone will discourage misconduct,’ he said.