News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja          Dignitaries at the flag-off of Section II of Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway in Kebbi State over the weekend.  Committed to improved road infrastructure across the country, President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated Section II of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.  News Rider reports that Section II, which comprises 258 kilometres with three-lane carriageway is a component of the 1068 kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.  The Governor of Kebbi State, His Excellency Nasir Idris flagged off the project on behalf of President Tinubu in Gulumbe town of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area over the weekend.  He noted that the people of the Northwestern region are extremely excited about President Tinubu's decision to execute the project. The governor said: "Mr President, we thank you for being alive to your responsibilities as a leader of our great nation. This is a North West corridor to the North Central, Sou...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Capital Territory FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) has confirmed that seven persons died in the tragic building collapse at Sabon Lugbe along the Airport Road.  This was even as FEMD dismissed speculations that 40 persons were trapped in the rubble when the building collapsed on Saturday, October 26, 2024.  News Rider had reported that a building still under construction, sited in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), collapsed about 5 pm on Saturday, while the victims were still inside the building. But a statement by FEMD Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa on Tuesday revealed that the collapsed structure was located at Gidash Estate and was marked for demolition by the Department of Development Control, Abuja Municipal Management Council (AMMC).  The statement reads: "FEMD wishes to clarify that the said structure located at Gidash Estate was one of the buildings earmarked for removal by the Department of Developmen...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja           Engr David Umahi The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has fired back at the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Hon Remi Oseni over the derogatory statement made against him and the Ministry.  Addressing newsmen on Monday, Umahi berated Oseni for meddling into the affairs of the ministry without requisite information to back up his claims, describing his actions as damaging to the National Assembly.  News Rider reports that the House chairman on FERMA had during an interactive session on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at the National Assembly accused the minister of neglecting the repair of deteriorating roads but rather channeled his energy on misplaced priorities.  Oseni had blamed Umahi for excessively focusing on the N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar Super Highway project without any concrete plan to fix other Federal roads across the country despite...

At least, two persons have been confirmed dead and over 40 trapped after a storey building collapsed in the Sabon Lugbe area of Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.  The building, which is still under construction is sited in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC). It collapsed about 5 pm on Saturday, October 26, 2024, while the victims were still inside the building. A source who spoke on condition of anonymity pleaded with the relevant government agencies to urgently assist in rescuing persons still trapped under the rubble. News Rider reports that a two-storey residential building collapsed in the Kubwa area of Abuja some weeks back.

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja            Faces of the victims of Chopper crash in Rivers State on Thursday. More bodies have been recovered as the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) launches aggressive search and rescue efforts for victims of crashed helicopter in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. News Rider reports that eight persons, comprising six passengers and two crew members were onboard Sikorsky S-76 helicopter that crashed on Thursday, October 24, 2024. With registration 5N-BQG, the chopper, operated by Eastwind Aviation, crashed one kilometre away from its destination, precisely around 11:22 am.  The Director General of NSIB, Alex Badeh while speaking during a Channels TV show, Sunrise Daily on Friday confirmed that two more bodies have been recovered while three more are yet to be found.  "We have recovered two more bodies, making it a total of five. There are three more down there that hopefully will be recovered to...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja          Engr David Umahi  The Federal Government has flagged off the construction of 1,068 kilometres Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway 48 years after it was abandoned during the past regime. Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi stated this on Thursday in Ilelah town, Sokoto State at an official ceremony signaling the construction of Section I, Phase 1A of the superhighway.  The idea to construct the superhighway was conceived as part of the 4th National Development Plan in 1976 during the former Head of State's regime, General Olusegun Obasanjo, but was abandoned in 1979 after Obasanjo handed over power to late former President Shehu Shagari.  When completed, the highway will pass through seven states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and terminate in Lagos.  The minister noted that the event was a manifestation of one of the legacy projects of Mr. President, spanning over 2,000 km, with the North having 5...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja          President Bola Tinubu  In an apparent move to reshuffle his cabinet members, President Bola Tinubu has fired five Ministers, reassigned ten and appointed seven additional ones. .  This was part of the eight far-reaching actions endorsed by the President, meant to reinvigorate his administration's capacity for optimal efficiency, in fulfillment of his promises to provide better life to Nigerians. The agenda was presented during the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, which was presided over by the President in Abuja.  The eight actions approved by Mr. President include: 1. The renaming of the Ministry of Nigeria Delta Development to Ministry of Regional Development to oversee the activities of all the Regional Development Commissions. The Regional Development Commissions to be under the supervision of the new Ministry are; the Niger Delta Development Commission, the South East Development ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  President Bola Tinubu has scrapped the Ministry of Niger Delta and Ministry of Sports Development.  To this end, the President will establish a Ministry of Regional Development to oversee all the regional development commissions such as Niger Delta Development Commission, North West Development Commission, South West Development Commission, and North East Development Commission. Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga disclosed this via his X handle on Wednesday.  The decision to scrap the ministries, which was reached during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in Abuja, will pave the way for the National Sports Commission to take over the role of the Ministry of Sports.  In addition, the President also merged the Ministry of Tourism with the Ministry of Culture and Creative Economy. 

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja        Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi (middle) during a meeting with staff of Julius Berger Plc in Abuja recently.  The Federal Government has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Julius Berger Plc over the delay in the completion of the rehabilitation of Section II of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road.  To this end, the Federal Government directed the construction company to either accept or reject the approved reviewed sum of ₦740, 797,204,713.25 billion or face contract termination.  Minister of Works, Engr. Nweze David Umahi stated this on Tuesday during the courtesy visit of the new Managing Director of Julius Berger Plc, Dr. Pier Lubasch, who was accompanied by the outgoing Managing Director, Dr. Lars Richter at his office in Abuja.  Umahi warned that the Federal Government would not be held to ransom by the desire for unrealistic pricing and augmentation by contractors. News Rider reports that the 82 kilomet...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja                            Dr Anthony Simpasa  African Development Bank Group (AfFB) has appointed a Zambian economist, Dr. Anthony Simpasa as the Director of Macroeconomics Policy, Forecasting and Research.  The appointment was effective September 1, 2024. Simpasa is a thorough-bred professional with over two decades of experience in academia, central banking, and international development.  He is highly conversant with Africa’s development and policy landscape, even as he led teams on complex flagship projects, country operations and research initiatives. Simpasa joined AfDB in 2011as Principal Research Economist and has held several positions. Between February 2022 to March 2023, he served as acting division manager, Macroeconomics Policy, Debt Sustainability and Forecasting, as well as lead economist for the Nigeria Country Department. The economist played a pivotal...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja          Late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu  Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has paid glowing tribute to a politician par excellence, Late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, reminiscing his worthy achievement.  The philanthropist, who was a former President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, an Igbo apex group died on July 25, 2024, at the age of 82 years. In his tribute made available to newsmen over the weekend in Abuja, Umahi extolled the leadership traits of the late business business mogul and his numerous contributions to nation building.  Describing Iwuanyanwu as his leader, father, and professional colleague, the minister stated that he was grateful for the purposeful life and times of the late icon of Ndigbo.  Umahi said: "It is indeed nostalgic to share the treasurable memories of this great man of God’s purpose who has departed gloriously at a time of God’s will. I remember the beautiful memories of the splendour ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi explaining the concept of the project to the contractors and other visitors during the flag-off of the rehabilitation works on the Abuja - Kaduna road on Thursday. The Federal Government has threatened to revoke Section I of the Abuja - Kaduna road project awarded to Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc over slow pace of work.  News Rider reports that the contract for the rehabilitation of Abuja -Kano was originally awarded to Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc in in 2018.  The road project was divided into sections for ease of construction such as Abuja - Kaduna (Section I), Kaduna - Zaria (Section II) and Zaria - Kano (Section III). Section II is substantially completed, while Section III is at an advanced stage of completion but Section I is only about 27% completed. To this end, the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi cautioned Messrs Julius Berger (Nig.) Plc to stop playing games and pushing the administration ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja      Faulty circuit breaker that caused fire outbreak at the Federal Ministry of Works, Abuja on Friday.   Federal Ministry of Works, Abuja on Friday recorded a minor fire incident at Block A building of the headquarters.  The incident, which occurred around 11.30 am was caused from a faulty circuit breaker in the electrical control room on the ground floor. Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mr Mohammed Ahmed confirmed the fire outbreak in a statement made available to newsmen.   It reads: "This is to report that a minor fire incident occurred at about 11: 30 am at the Block A of the Ministry.  "The incident was as a result of a spark from a faulty Circuit Breaker in the Electrical Control Room on the ground floor." Ahmed noted that the Station Commander, Federal Fire Service, Federal Ministry of Works, Headquarters, Mr. Kekai Bekebi, alongside his team responded immediately to the outbr...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Staff during the launching of Performance Management System (PMS) at the Ecological Project Office (EFO) in Abuja on Thursday.  The Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO) Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako has unveiled the weekly performance appraisal for its workforce. Titled: "Performance Management System (PMS)", the appraisal, which is expected to be carried out every Thursday, is the second pillar of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021- 2025 (FCSSIP25).  The launch followed the directive of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, mandating all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to consistently track the performance of civil servants. It was designed to review, assess and improve employees’ performance across all on-going tasks, as well as projects within the EPO. Staff during the launching of Performance Management System (PMS) at ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to implement cashless tolling system for Abuja-Keffi Expressway in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu-led administration to revolutionise road infrastructure development and stimulate economic growth.  Minister of Works, Engr. Nweze David Umahi stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the inauguration of a committee that will fastrack the implementation of cashless tolling system and dualisation of Keffi-Akwanga-Markurdi road.  The cashless tolling system is a strategic programme under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), aimed at promoting strong and sustainable transportation ecosystem. News Rider reports that a portion of Keffi-Akwanga-Markurdi was executed by China Harbour Limited through EPC + F, and funded up to 85 percent by China Exim Bank, while the Federal Government paid 15 percent of its counterpart funding.  Part of the agreement was t...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The latest report by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in partnership with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has revealed that droughts are responsible for 15 per cent of disaster-related economic losses and 85.8 per cent of livestock deaths globally. It highlighted that women and girls are not only experiencing greater hardships but are also demonstrating remarkable leadership in the face of drought.  The United Nations General Assembly had designated October 15 annually as International Day of Rural Women, to raise awareness on the role and situation of women in rural areas.  Launched on International Day of Rural Women, the report titled: "Women-led Solutions for Drought Resilience",  indicated that women produce up to 80 per cent of food in developing countries, yet own less than 20 per cent of lands. The report indicated the need to support women-led efforts to protect vulnera...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare Dr. Tunji Alausa (middle); Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom (3rd left); Director Hospital Services Department Dr. Jimoh Salaudeen (2nd left); Managing Director of JNCI, Mrs. Claire Omatseye (4th right), and others at the signing of MoU between the Ministry, GE HealthCare and JNCI in Abuja on Wednesday. The Federal Government has sealed a deal with GE HealthCare and JNCI Limited to bolster Biomedical Engineering in higher institutions.  Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, who endorsed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government on Wednesday in Abuja, noted that the move is expected to deepen and strengthen the nation's healthcare system. News Rider reports that biomedical engineering is the application of engineering principles to solve biological and medical problems in order to improve health care.  The MoU was signed by...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja An International Non-governmental Organisation, Feed The Future Nigeria has empowered 2.1 million smallholder farmers–69% males, 33% women and 31% youths–on improved and safe agriculture in seven States.  The empowerment was carried out through 311 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for smallholder farmers in Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Niger states. News Rider reports that the MSMEs provided inputs and extension services on most impactful and improved agricultural practices since 2020, thereby increasing the farmers' income by more than 100 percent.  To this end, the organisation has concluded plans to hold a media engagement on October 21 and National Impact Workshop on October 23, 2024 in Abuja.   Feed the Future is a USAID and PIND-funded 5-year extension activity that works with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to provide alternative models of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Serv...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Team Nigeria sleeping while abandoned at Libya Airport since on Sunday  The Libyan Football Association has denied the accusation of sabotage leveled against its country for purportedly abandoning Nigeria's Super Eagles team at the airport.  This is even as the association emphatically stated that Libyan national team faced similar treatment upon their arrival in Nigeria for the third match of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.  News Rider had reported that the Super Eagles were abandoned at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya for 12 hours since their arrival on Sunday afternoon.  The Eagles had travelled to Libya for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya scheduled to hold on Tuesday. But the team, alongside the Nigerian delegation en route to Benghazi for the qualifying match met their waterloo when the chartered aircraft was strangely diverted to Al Abraq, a s...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja         Super Eagles stranded at Al Abraq Airport on Sunday The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Super Eagles squad have pulled out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Libya scheduled to hold on Tuesday. This followed the inhumane treatment meted to the Super Eagles, who were abandoned at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya for 12 hours.  News Rider reports that the pictures of the Eagles, who were stranded at the airport since their arrival on Sunday afternoon, flooded the Social Media as the Libyan authorities failed to receive them.  The Eagles, alongside the Nigerian delegation en route to Benghazi for the qualifying match met their waterloo when the  chartered aircraft was strangely diverted to Al Abraq, a small airport used for hajj operations. Shortly after their arrival on Sunday, October 13, the team and officials were denied further assistance from the Libyan Football F...