News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE Governor Chukwuma Soludo  The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has kicked against the directive by Anambra State government to shutdown  Onitsha Main Market over the trader's compliance with Monday sit-at-home order. To this end, IPOB directed all markets to open on Tuesday, January 27, describing the sit-at-home as a civil disobedience and silent protest against injustice. Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo had on Monday ordered the immediate closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week, following the traders’ continued compliance with IPOB's directive on sit-at-home.  Shortly after inspecting the market, the governor noted that the shutdown was a direct response to the failure of the market leadership to open on Mondays against the government’s directive. The governor warned that if traders failed to open at the expiration of the one-week shutdown, the market would be closed for another week and subsequently for longer period...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq. has hailed North-West youths as Vanguard of the Renewed Hope Agenda, describing them as the driving force behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory in the 2023 presidential election.  At the Meet and Greet of the PCC North-West Youth Mobilization 2023, Goronyo commended members of the North-West Youth Mobilization Directorate for their dedication, resilience, and strategic grassroots engagement during the 2023 campaign. Goronyo, who served as Director of National Youth Mobilization for the North-West Zone during the electioneering period, noted that the zone emerged as the highest contributor to the APC’s victory, delivering 2,652,235 votes, representing about 30 percent of the total votes secured nationwide by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. "This was not an accident. It was the outcome of tireless mobilisation, strategic planning, and an unshakable belief in the Asiwaju...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering transformative infrastructure with far-reaching socio-economic benefits, as Kebbi section of Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway advances speedily.  The 1,068-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway is one of the four Legacy Road Projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.  At the National Media Tour and Commissioning of Emergency/Intervention Project in Kebbi State, the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mal. Mohammed A. Ahmed revealed that the tour was organised to enable the stakeholders, media, and general public to directly assess the scale, quality, and progress of ongoing works - particularly sections of the superhighway with significant impact on communities in Kebbi.  "It is also intended to gauge public perceptions on the provision of road infrastructure by the Federal Government," he added. The Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Ishaya Va...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Monday, January 26, for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye.  The visit is aimed at strengthening the existing cordial relations between the two countries and exploring further areas of cooperation in security, education, social development, innovation, and aviation.  Recall that the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid an official visit to Nigeria from October 19 to 20, 2021. During President Tinubu's visit, both countries will engage in strategic political and diplomatic discussions on shared values in finance, communication, trade and investment.  The agenda will include meetings between high-ranking officials of both nations and the signing of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in scientific research, energy, technical cooperation, media and communications, military cooperation and protocol, among others. Also, during a business forum, investors f...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has commenced strategic talks with World Bank on strengthening Nigeria’s infrastructure, particularly the road sector. Receiving a high-level delegation from the bank in his office on Friday, Umahi appreciated World Bank for their interest in Nigeria's infrastructure projects.  Umahi noted that infrastructure development remains the most critical requirement for Nigeria to attain its desired position in global economic competitiveness, emphasising that efficient road networks are fundamental to national growth, trade, and social development. He briefed the delegation on the Federal Government’s Development Management Initiative, as well as the 'Build, Update and Maintain" (BUM) strategy of the APC-led administration.  Under BUM strategy, the government is responsible for constructing roads while the private sector will be engaged to maintain them. The model is also  designed to ensure sustainability...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Director of Information and Public Relations, Mal. Mohammed A. Ahmed (2nd right); SSA to the President on Community Engagement, North West Zone, Hon. Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai (3rd Right);Controller of Works Sokoto, Engr. Maigwandu Kasimu (2nd  Left); S. A. (Projects) to the Hon. Minister, Bukola Odeyemi (1st Left) and  Project Manager of Hitech Construction Company Ltd., Sokoto Engr. Johan Foucie (1st Right) during the inspection of ongoing construction of Sokoto - Badagry Super Highway. The Federal Government has secured the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway with Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance system and street lighting for the safety of road users and communities along the corridors.  This is even as the government assured that the ongoing landmark project is designed to enhance national integration, trade, and security, reaffirming its commitment to delivering safe, durable, and economically transformative road...