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Category: Governance

  • Angry ocean threatens Tinubu’s landmark Coastal Highway

    FG deploys advanced solutions to tackle ocean threat on the coastal highway under construction

    While critical economic activities suffer crushing setbacks due to deplorable state of roads in the hinterland, the Federal Ministry of Works lavishes scarce resources on Coastal Highway.

    The latest in the series of engineering trial-and-error is the deployment of advanced engineering solutions, including geotextiles and rock layering, to tackle an ocean threat on the controversial highway under construction.

    ‎‎The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, however, assured the public assurance on Monday during a tour of some roads and bridge projects in Lagos State that there was no cause for alarm.

    Umahi said that the ocean nearly broke into the carriageway at Kilometer 14.6, posing a  threat to the highway project.

    ‎He said that the ministry deployed advanced engineering solutions for reinforcement on the section.

    ‎”This additional work was not anticipated and has eaten into the project’s contingency fund,” he said.

    ‎The minister said that failure to address the matter could negatively affect  the entire project.

    ‎He commended the project contractor and supervisors for a swift response that saved the highway from ocean encroachment.

  • Retract ‘terrorist’ tag of political parties – Nigeria urges Canada

    The Federal Government has called on the Government of Canada to retract a Canadian court’s designation of some Nigerian political parties as terrorist organisations.

    The government’s reaction is contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed by its spokesman, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

    The court had while delivering judgement on an appeal filed by a Nigerian asylum-seeker, Douglas Egharevba, denied him his request.

    The court declared that Egharevba, who arrived in Canada in Sept., 2017, was ineligible for Canadian residency because he was formerly a member of the said political parties who allegedly indulged in political violence.

    The Nigerian government therefore admonished Canada to refrain from actions that could be misconstrued as endorsing politically motivated narratives against Nigeria.

    “The designation is a baseless classification that is not only reckless, but constitutes an unacceptable interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs and democratic processes.

    “Nigeria is a sovereign nation with robust legal and constitutional framework governing political activities. Our political parties operate within the ambit of the law and are integral to the country’s vibrant democracy.

    “To associate legitimate political entities with terrorism without credible evidence is a grave misrepresentation that undermines Nigeria’s democratic institutions and could incite unnecessary tension,” the statement said.

    “The Federal Government of Nigeria, therefore, calls on the Canadian authorities to immediately retract this erroneous designation and refrain from actions that could be misconstrued, as endorsing politically motivated narratives against Nigeria,” it added.

    According to the Nigerian government, the Canadian Court only made a sweeping accusation against the entire membership of political parties that produced three democratically elected presidents, rather than  focus on individuals found wanting.

    The Federal Government also said that designating every member of the mentioned political parties as a potential terrorist, by implication, was completely false and unacceptable.

    It said that diplomatic channels remained open for constructive dialogue, and urged the Government of Canada to engage with the relevant Nigerian institutions to rectify such an error.

    “Nigeria remains committed to the global fights against terrorism and has made significant strides in countering extremist groups within its borders.

    “The Federal Government, therefore, calls on the international community to disregard this misguided ruling and reaffirm its confidence in Nigeria’s democratic governance, and the Rule of Law.

    “Government urges Nigerian nationals to refrain from making unfounded allegations against Nigeria, under the pretext of seeking asylum or favour from foreign entities,” the statement added.

  • Police to investigate cruel murder of  youth by kidnappers

    Nigerian Police in Anambra state has ordered investigation into the gruesome murder of a youth in Amansea, Awka-North Local Government by suspected kidnappers.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Tochukwu Ikenga quoted the state commissioner of police, Ikioye Orutugu as giving the order in a statement, on Friday in Awka.

    The sister to the deceased  told the police on Thursday that their abductors were Fulani herdsmen who tried to humiliate them, but owing to the resistance of her brother they attacked him, resulting to his death.

    Orutugu said the trending video of a tragic incident involving the abduction of a young boy and his two sisters in the state, was a cruel murder of the boy by the suspected kidnappers that needed to be investigated.

    He condemned in the strongest terms the heartless and barbaric act, which was currently trending in the social media.

    The  CP condoled with the grieving family as well as the good people of Amansea, adding that operatives of the State Intelligence Department to identify the survivor to assist the police in its investigation.

    The commissioner urged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative by providing credible information that would aid the swift arrest of the suspects.

    The CP reiterated the command’s resolve to remain firm in the war against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

    Oturugu assured that the command would continue to prioritize the protection of every citizen in line with the constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property.

  • Tinubu support group says Okonjo-Iweala’s commendation validates FG economic programmes

    As suspected, the Tinubu Media Force (TMF), a support group for  President Bola Tinubu, asserts that Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s recent remarks validates the administration’s economic management.

    The TMF National Coordinator, Mr Oluwagbenga Abiola, said  this  in a statement on Friday in Lagos.

    Abiola was reacting to Okonjo-Iweala, ‘s commendation of the President’s economic policies.

    Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of World Trade Organisation(WTO), on Thursday commended Tinubu for working to stabilise the  economy, saying  his administration’s reforms  are moving in the right direction.

    Okonjo-Iweala, a globally respected economist and a former Minister of Finance, spoke to State House correspondents after a courtesy visit to the President on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said: “For the Tinubu Media Force, this endorsement is further proof that the administration’s reforms are laying the right foundations for sustainable growth.

    “Economic data support this view. Nigeria’s GDP grew by 3.13 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, with the services sector surging by over 5 per cent.

    “The Tinubu administration is targeting 7 per cent annual growth by 2027 and a quadrupling of the economy by 2030, anchored on a rebased GDP of N372.8 trillion. Key reforms span energy, transport, education, agriculture, and industry.”

    Noting that education remains a flagship priority for Tinubu’s administration, Abiola said that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had disbursed over N104 billion to no fewer than  600,000 students in federal tertiary institutions.

    According to him, this includes N20.07 billion in tuition payments to 192,906 students and N12.82 billion in stipends to 169,114 students.

    “With over 9,000 applications processed daily, the scheme has been described as a lifeline for Nigerian families,” he said.

    On infrastructure, Abiola said that the administration was driving landmark projects such as the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, projected at $11 billion to connect nine states and create millions of jobs.

    “Work on the first 47.47km segment is underway, backed by $747 million in funding,” he said.

    Abiola said that other major road projects include the 1,000km Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, dualisation of the Kano–Maiduguri Road, rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, completion of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road, and reconstruction of over 330 roads and bridges across the country.

    According to him, beyond roads, the government has launched construction of 10,000 affordable housing units, expanded the national health insurance scheme to include children, improved passport processing, and stabilised electricity supply across board.

    He said that the government has also commissioned new federal medical centres  for affordable access to health care .

    “Agricultural reforms and the introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) as an affordable transport fuel are also expected to reduce food and transportation costs,” he said.

    According to him, the proposed tax reform bill also aims to ease burdens on low and middle income earners by eliminating regressive levies, simplifying tax collection, and focusing more on high income sectors and large corporations.

    Commending Okonjo-Iweala for her “objective and fact-based” analysis, Abiola urged commentators to evaluate the administration’s performance on measurable achievements rather than partisan narratives. 

  • Kogi bye-election: INEC confirms receiving sensitive materials

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Kogi  says it  has received sensitive materials for the Dekina-Okura II house of assembly bye-election in  the state.

    INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC)  in Kogi, Mr Oliver Agundu, made the disclosure on Friday.

    Agundu, who spoke through the commissions’s  Voters Education Officer in Kogi,  Mr Haruna Haliru, said the sensitive materials were collected from the  Central Bank of Nigeria  Zonal Office in Lokoja.

    He said the  commission is ready to commence distribution of the sensitive materials to  various polling units in the four affected wards for the election.

    “The Dekina-Okura II state constituency has a total of 78, 059 registered voters, out of which 76, 385 had collected their Permanent Voter Cards  and ready for the election, ” he said.

    The REC  said that only five out of the 18 registered political parties are contesting in the election.

    He listed the parties as  Accord, African Democratic Congress,  All Progressives Congress; Allied People’s Movement, and the  People’s Democratic Party.

    The REC  expressed satisfaction with the deployment of security operatives and observers for the election.

    He,  however, assured all stakeholders in the constituency of a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

  • U.S. threatens revocation of visa of truant students

    The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria,  Mr Richard Mills, says students who skip classes without informing the school authority will get his or her visa revoked.

    Mills said this when he visited the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris,  on Friday in Abuja.

    According to him, the primary responsibility of obtaining a student visa is not to violate its terms.

    “Don’t stay beyond the amount of time you were admitted when you arrived in the United States. If you overstayed, it could result in deportation and a lifetime ban on future travel to the U.S.

    “It is also important to understand that when you come to the Visa Window to apply for a visa, you have to be as accurate as possible about the reason for your travel.

    ”How will you fund your travel in the U.S. and what are the requirements in your life that will make you come back to Nigeria.

    “Is not a piece of paper that guarantees your admittance into the US, it is your understanding of how to fund your travel and reason for you as a Nigerian Citizen to come back home,” he said.

    Mills said the U.S. wants to  ensure sanity by ensuring that the few that break laws don’t do that in the future as visas can be revoked and the holder deported if they break our laws.

    “Student Visa holders should know that they need to remain in the programme that underlines their visas; if you skip classes or leave your programme of study without informing the school, the student visa could be revoked,” Mills stressed.

    He said that the goal is to ensure that travels into Nigeria and the U.S. continue, and would be done in a safe and secure way for both countries to continue.

    Speaking, Idris said the partnership between Nigeria and the U.S. was boosting the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu in many ways.

    He said Nigeria will continue to have close collaboration and engagement with the U.S. for the benefit of the two nations.

    ”At the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, we will continue to engage with all our partners including the U.S. to help foster better understanding, like the new visa laws.

    “We will also continue to engage with our other international partners, so that they can understand what the Nigerian Government is doing to inform Nigerians for better understanding,” he said.

  • APGA Women Leader’s son: Murder barbaric and condemnable

    YPP candidate in November 8 Anambra Guber poll, Mr Paul Chukwuma has condemned the murder of Mr Martins Onyekesi, an Awka-based fish farmer by gunmen.

    Chukwuma made the condemnation during a condolence visit on Mrs Esther Onyekesi, mother of late Martins, her only son on Friday in Awka.

    Mrs Esther Onyekesi is the Anambra Woman Leader of APGA.

    “We must all condemn this sad development; Martins Onyekesi was a young and vibrant fish farmer contributing towards the growth of the state.

    “Kidnapping him from their family compound at Okpuno area of Awka about ten days ago and murdering him is an evil we must all condemn.

    “This sad incident, which has sparked outrage nationwide, has brought to the fore the disturbing level of insecurity in Anambra.

    “Therefore, there is the need for the Anambra government to rejig the current security architecture of the state to tackle insecurity,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo had inaugurated a security outfit, “Operation Udogachi” to complement state-owned security agencies in tackling security challenges in the state.

    The governorship candidate in the company of his running mate, Mr Uzi Okagbue said that more actions were required to reduce the spat of security challenges in the state.

    The late fish farmer was abducted on July 27 before the news of his sudden murder.

  • Voter Reg.: INEC, security agencies to ensure seamless exercise in Lagos

    Ahead of the flag-off of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) met, Wednesday in Lagos with heads of security agencies.   

    The meeting was under the auspice of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

    The meeting held at INEC headquarters in Sabo-Yaba, Lagos State.

    At the meeting were representatives of  the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Army, Department of State Security, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Correctional Service, and Federal Road Safety Commission.

    Others are: the National Youth Service Corps, Federal Fire Service, and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission

    Speaking, Prof. Ayobami Salami, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Lagos, said the meeting was to kick-start a crucial partnership in preparation for the upcoming CVR starting on Aug. 18.

    According to Salami, the meeting is his inaugural engagement with ICCES members as the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the state.

    He commended the various security agencies present on their consistent for INEC operations, saying their collaboration had helped the commission to conduct better elections.

    “This meeting provides the platform for us to discuss our preparation and consider essential issues with respect to the security architecture of the state, and strategise in preparation for the exercise.

    “The CVR exercise presents an opportunity for eligible citizens to register, update their details and exercise their right to participate in our democratic process

    “The success of this exercise however, hinges on the security and stability provided by your agencies.

    “As we embark on this critical exercise, one cannot over-emphasise the pivotal role that your agencies play in ensuring the safety and security of our electoral process.

    “Your expertise and collaboration are indispensable in maintaining peace, preventing malpractices, and thereby upholding the integrity of our democratic endeavours,” Salami said.

    He said that INEC would always work with  ICCES to ensure a secure environment for voter registration, tame malpractices, prevent and respond to incidents of violence or intimidation, and enhance public confidence in the electoral process.

    “I look forward to a fruitful synergy with your agencies and pledge that INEC will work hand-in-hand with you to achieve our shared objectives.

    “Together, we can ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible process that strengthens our democracy,” Salami said.

    Giving more information on the forthcoming exercise, Mr Muyiwa Yussuf, INEC’s Head of Department, Voter Registration/ICT, said that the Online Pre-registration would start on Aug. 18, urging prospective eligible applicants to register online on INEC Portal via https://www.cvr.inecnigeria.org.

    Yussuf said that the In-Person Physical Registration would start on Aug. 25 at the 20 local government area offices and the state headquarters of INEC in the state.

    According to him, the exercise shall be all-year-round for a period as may be determined by the commission beginning from 9.00a.m. to 3.00p.m. daily, except Saturday and Sunday.

    He said that anyone on queue as at 3.00p.m. during the period would be accepted for registration.

    Yussuf said that those who just attained the age of 18, those who needed to replace lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and voters wishing to transfer their registration to a new location were eligible to participate in the exercise.

    He added that individuals who needed to update their voter information,including name, address ,could  also present themselves for the exercise.

    “It is very important to say that the commission would not tolerate double registration and registration of the underaged as there are many ways these can be detected,” he said.

    According to him, at the moment, Lagos State has 20 LGAs, 245 Registration Areas and 13, 325 Polling Units with a total of 7, 060,195 registered voters.

    He said that PVCs collected by voters as at February 2023 stood as 6,214,970 and a total of 845,225 uncollected PVCs.

    Speaking, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Lagos State Police Command, DCP Tijani Fatai, pledged the readiness of police and other security agencies to ensure a seamless exercise across the state.

    “It is our duty to protect lives and property-INEC and its officials are included. For us, we are ready to give adequate security backing to all activities that INEC is to carry out.

    “So, wherever the commission is going, we will provide its officials and materials with adequate security to make all those activities successful.

    “Let all the eligible residents be free to go out for their registration as their security is guaranteed,” he said. 

  • Missing N210trn: NNPCL to respond to senate query in 3 weeks

    The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has given Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) three weeks to respond to queries raised against it.

    The queries against the NNPCL were in connection with audit reports of 2017 to 2023, alleging unaccountability of N210 trillion.

    The committee, chaired by Sen. Ahmed Wadada, insisted that the amount in question was neither stolen nor missing but yet to be accounted for.

    The three-week window for explanations was given to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, after accepting his apology for past failed appearances before it.

    Ojulari had, after his apology to the committee, explained to its members that for satisfactory response from him on the 19 queries raised, he needed more time to dig into the technicalities and perspectives of the issues raised.

    “I’m just over 100 days in the office as the GCEO of NNPCL. I Still need time to do further digging, given the perspectives I have heard now into the issues.

    “This is coming in the midst of a huge national assignment, your explanation now changes my perspective about the issues.

    “I need to understand the issues myself so I can respond appropriately. Will get a team and please get the details properly reconciled so we can work to provide answers to the queries.

    “In doing this, I will surely engage the external auditors and other relevant groups,” he said.

    Though he requested for four weeks, the committee granted him three weeks which, according to it, is enough for the response expected from NNPCL.

    Explaining the nitty-gritty of the queries to the NNPCL GCEO, Wadada said that the N210 trillion unaccounted for was broadly in two components of N103 trillion liabilities and N107 trillion assets which, he said, must be accounted for.

    “There is none out of the 18 or 19 questions we have on NNPCL from us as a committee, neither did it come from the executive or the judiciary.

    “They are questions extracted from the audited financial statement of the NNPCL by the auditor-general covering 2017 to 2023.

    “Also, this committee had not, at any time, said the N210 trillion in question, as far as the queries are concerned, was stolen or missing.

    “What the committee is doing is required investigation on queries raised in the report, in line with its constitutional mandate.

    “Therefore, the committee is giving NNPCL three weeks to forward written responses to it on all the 19 queries, after which the GCEO will be invited along with other management staff for physical appearance and defence,” he said.

    NAN reports that before the ruling of the chairman, virtually all members of the committee had spoken on the seriousness of the issues at stake, but expressed optimism that the GCEO would clear the air on those issues.

    Sen. Victor Umeh (Anambra) said: “We are happy to have you because we have been waiting for you.

    “One thing that must be stated clearly is that we need transparency and NNPCL is in possession of Nigeria’s economic prosperity.”

    Sen. Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa), in his comments, said there was the need for the NNPCL management team to look into the issues raised since governance is a continuum.

    “The issues are germane and critical,” he said.

    Another member of the committee, Sen. Tony Nwoye (Anambra), said: “It is very important and germane to give them (NNPCL) fair hearing. Maybe the audited report is not correct.”

  • Tinubu’s Saint Lucia visit will boost ties with Caribbean -Presidency

    Tinubu’s Saint Lucia visit will boost ties with Caribbean -Presidency

    The Presidency says Tinubu’s state visit to Saint Lucia is a strategic engagement that will deepen educational and cultural cooperation with the island nation the Caribbean.

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    ‎This is contained in a statement  by the Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday.

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    ‎Onanuga said the visit will rekindle Nigeria’s ancestral and strategic economic ties with the Caribbean nation and the wider CARICOM bloc.

    ‎“In the wake of some Nigerians’ misguided, mischievous, and uninformed comments regarding President  Tinubu’s historic state visit to Saint Lucia, it is necessary to clarify the purpose.

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    ‎“First, from the perspective of the Government of Saint Lucia, the visit by the Nigerian leader paves the way for  rekindling of  ancestral bonds, igniting a new era of diplomatic, cultural, and economic possibilities between our nations,” Onanuga stated.

    ‎He stated that  the President’s historic visit aligned with Nigeria’s “Four D’s” foreign policy: Democracy, Development, Diaspora, and Demography—key pillars of  the country’s global engagement.

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    ‎Onanuga  noted that Saint Lucia, with deep African roots and a significant Nigerian-descended population, views the visit as a homecoming of sorts.

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    ‎It would be recalled that in the 19th century, Nigerian immigrants brought enduring cultural and religious traditions to the island, a legacy still felt today.

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    ‎Onanuga said  the visit underscored Nigeria’s rising soft power, driven by Afrobeats, Nollywood, and a literary heritage that resonated across the Caribbean.

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    ‎He noted that Saint Lucia, home to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), is a gateway to the 15-member CARICOM bloc with a 130 billion dollars GDP.

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    ‎He said that President Tinubu’s presence signalled Nigeria’s interest in expanding South-South trade and strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with the Caribbean.

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    ‎”Nigeria and Saint Lucia already share remarkable historical links, such as Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian, who served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from

    ‎1975 to 1979,” he stated.

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    ‎The presidency also highlighted  contributions of other Saint Lucians, including Neville Skeete, who helped design the Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters, and Sir Darnley’s son Michael, a frontline medical officer during the Nigerian civil war.

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    ‎Onanuga said that Nigeria’s Technical Aid Corps, part of Tinubu’s delegation, will support development efforts by deploying professionals to key sectors in Saint Lucia.

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    ‎The small Caribbean island of Saint Lucia gained independence in 1979, and had hosted fewer than 10 official state visits.

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    ‎The last African leader to visit was President Nelson Mandela, who attended the 1998 CARICOM Heads of Government Summit.