News Rider

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has blamed the power outage experienced in parts of the Federal Capital Territory on a technical fault.  Confirming the outage in a statement on Tuesday, the distribution company hinted that the technical fault was on the feeder serving the areas affected by the outage. AEDC listed the areas affected by the outage as Central Area, Wuse Zone 3 & 4, Nicon Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, Grand Square, Rochas Plaza, MTN Switch Yard, Millennium Park, Statement Hotel, among others. News Rider reports that parts of Abuja had experienced a two-week outage due to the relocation of the 33KV DC Airport Feeder and 132KV Kukwaba-Apo Transmission Line Towers along the Outer Southern Motorway. The statement reads: "Dear valued customers in Central Area, Wuse Zone 3 & 4, Nicon Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, Grand Square, Rochas Plaza, MTN Switch Yard, Millennium Park, Statement Hotel, Police Station Wuse Zone 3, Kings Care Hospital, Abidjan Str...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The 90-year-old President, Market Women Association of Nigeria,  Madam Felicia Sani paid a surprise visit to female journalists, just as she lamented the increased cases of gender-based violence across the country.  Sani, a respected advocate for women's rights, shared her wealth of experience during the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists ĺ(NAWOJ) FCT Executive Meeting in Abuja recently.  She stated that underage girls are mostly victims of sexual and gender-based violence, pleading with female journalists to use their platforms to challenge harmful gender norms and drive societal change.  Sani urged mothers to instill good morals in their daughters and closely monitor their caregivers.  The women leader highlighted what she described as 'Uncle Syndrome',  encouraging journalists to create awareness on the need for victims to speak up despite threats from violators.  She harped on the need to dispel the fear crea...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has disclosed that good road network is panacea for achieving food security, ending poverty, improving security, enhancing economic growth and job creation. He stated this in Abuja at a two-day retreat organised for Highway Engineers and management staff of the Ministry with the theme: "Ensuring Delivery of Mr. President’s Agenda on Road Infrastructural Development." The minister noted that massive infrastructure development embarked by the present administration across the six geo-political zones is premised on stimulating the economy and improving the lives of the citizens. He reaffirmed the present administration's commitment towards the reconstruction and rehabilitation of failing major highways across the zones, which will provide robust road infrastructure, as well as alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians.  Umahi disclosed that the retreat which was aimed at enhancing optimum service delivery,...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Engr David Umahi The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi has declared that the dualisation of Abuja-Kaduna highway contract was not reawarded to  Infoquest Nigeria Limited as speculated in the media.   This is coming barely 24-hours after a viral report on the Social Media, which quoted the minister as saying that Infoquest Nigeria Limited secured a 'No objection' of N252.89 billion from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).  Specifically, one of the national dailies (Daily Trust Newspaper) had in January 21, 2025, published the report, claiming that a section of Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road dualisation contract was awarded to Infoquest Nigeria Limited.  Addressing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, Umahi described the report as unwarranted, false, misleading, and damaging.  News Rider reports that President Bola Tinubu had in November 2024,  approved the redesign of the remaining 127 kilometres of Section I, Abuja - Kad...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project office Dr. Aishetu Gogo Ndayako (M) with EPO Management staff, IITA & HJRBDA Management, and Project Consultants during the inspection of Kafin Chiri Dam in Kano over the weekend. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the Ecological Project Office (EPO) has promised to spread more intervention projects across the States.  Permanent Secretary of EPO, Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako stated this over the weekend during stakeholders' engagement and inspection of Kano irrigation project. The project comprised of Tiga Dam, Challawa Dam, and Kafin Chiri Dam. She disclosed that Mr President is committed to ameliorating the plight of Kano residents and improving socio-economic benefit within the catchment area and Nigeria generally. The permanent secretary informed that the intervention project will be divided into three components such as infrastructure rehabilitation around the three dams, const...

BY MAGNUS AYOKA, Abuja President Bola Tinubu A ticking time bomb is threatening to devastate Nigeria's healthcare sector as staff of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), responsible for regulating and safeguarding the nation's environmental health, struggle to survive without salaries for 12 months. Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) formerly known as sanitary inspectors are referred to as Dubagari by the Hausas’, Nwa ole ala by the Igbos’ and Wole Wole by the Yorubas.  Though they play a critical role in preventive healthcare system, their efforts have been instrumental in preventing diseases and curbing outbreaks of diseases in Nigeria.  During the 2014 Ebola outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, EHOs risked their lives to combat the spread of these diseases. Most recently, the council played a pivotal role in checkmating the Lassa fever epidemic in 21 states, and curtailing the outbreak of diseases during the Maiduguri flood disaster in 2024, whi...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja In a bid to achieve zero pothole on the alignment, the Federal Government has commenced palliative works on failed sections of Abuja-Kaduna Dual Carriageway project pending the re-award of the contract.  Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi stated this during the inspection of Abuja-Kaduna Dual Carriageway project recently. He confirmed that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu has set bold timelines for the completion of the rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway project.  The minister said that the ambitious project is central to improving Nigeria’s infrastructure and ensuring better reconnectivity across the northern region. Umahi was accompanied by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammad Idris; Chairmen of the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi and Hon. Akin Alabi; and other members during the visit.  He emphas...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has vowed to nullify pact sealed with non-performing contractors over slow pace of work on Bodo-Bonny Road in Rivers State.  To this end, he mandated the Federal Controller of Works (FCW) to issue a warning notice to the contractors ahead of the termination if there are no improvement at the project site.  Umahi disclosed this on Tuesday during the commencement of the inspection of ongoing road projects in the South East and South South geopolitical zones.  The project is handled by  Messrs Reynolds Construction Company (RCC). While expressing satisfaction with the quality of work on the East-West Road, Section III (Eleme Junction - Onne Junction), the minister directed RCC to deploy more resources to quicken the project or risk re-scoping and re-award of the contract. He fixed April 2025, as the deadline for the contractor to deliver a section of the carriageway. The minister also inspected th...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Minister of State for Works, Hon Bello Muhammad Goronyo (middle) addressing participants at the second Annual General Meeting of Sokoto Professionals Network (SPN) in Sokoto State recently.  The Minister of State for Works, Hon Bello Muhammad Goronyo has informed professional bodies that synergy is crucial in unlocking new opportunities.  This was even as he noted that collaboration will strengthen socio- economic foundation of professional networks.  Goronyo disclosed this at the second Annual General Meeting of Sokoto Professionals Network (SPN) with the theme: "Year of Consolidation and Progress" in Sokoto State recently.  News Rider reports that the network was designed for professionals to make valid contributions toward the development of the state.  He noted that the theme was relevant at a time when unity and progress are needed for the growth of the state and Nigeria generally.  Goronyo urged members of the associa...

  BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja      Pastor Daniel Olukoya The General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Dr Daniel Kolawole Olukoya has unveiled detailed and mind-boggling prophetic outlook for 2025.  He disclosed this during the church's combined Crossover and Manna Water services at the Prayer City, Mowe, Ogun State on December 31, 2024 to January 1, 2025.  He tagged 2025 as: 'A Year Of Strange Battles, just as he listed the strange battles as those without glory fighting to destroy those with glory.  Olukoya stated that 2025 will be the year of the rise of Joseph, Esther and Daniel, adding that God will raise transformative leaders.  He described 2025 as a year of tragedy for married men that prefers to date young ladies, saying that the marine kingdom has injected destuctive women into the world.  The GO informed that prayers are needed to avert strange economic and political turbulence.  Below are the pr...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Hon Bello Goronyo  As Nigerians usher in the New Year, the Federal Government has promised to unveil more sustainable infrastructure development and modernise the road networks that will strengthen the economy across the States.  The Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo stated this in his New Year message on Wednesday in Abuja.  He reaffirmed that the Ministry of Works, under the leadership of Engr. David Umahi remains steadfast in delivering impactful projects that will improve the lives of Nigerians.  Goronyo said: "Let us approach this New Year with renewed determination and unity of purpose. Together, we can build a nation where opportunities abound, where progress is tangible and where the aspirations of every Nigerian can be realised. "As we welcome the dawn of a new year, I extend my warmest greetings and heartfelt wishes to all Nigerians. May this year bring you and your loved ones peace, prosperity...