News Rider

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  David Umahi Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi has concluded plans to commission the completed part of Phase I, Section I (30 km of 750 km) Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.  The event is scheduled to take place at Kilometre 8 of the project (Jakande Estate Area in Lagos State) today.  Umahi is also expected to virtually commission other completed Renewed Hope signature projects in the South such as Lagos -Calabar Coastal Road Corridor (Phase 1 Section 1: Ahmadu Bello to Eleko Village Area in Lekki Peninsula (Ch.0+000 - CH47 +474; 47.474km). The 30 kilometres project with contract number 8438, is handled by Messrs. Hitech Construction Limited.  He initiated the coastal highway 27 years ago with an enduring vision to expand the transportation ecosystem, improve accessibility along the coastal communities of nine States, foster  regional integration and social cohesion, and stimulate inclusive development.  Other projects line...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has indicated interest to attend the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) 70th anniversary, advising journalists to embrace innovation.  This was even as he pleaded with the leadership of NUJ to reorientate its members to ensure that journalism promotes unity, ethical standards, and combats insecurity, especially in the era of social media. He stated this on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the NUJ led by its President, Comrade Alhassan Yahaya, alongside other National and State Executives in Abuja.  While emphasising the need for ethical and responsible journalism, Akpabio stressed the importance of accurate, balanced, and fair reporting.  He was worried over the rise of social media journalism that often disseminated fake news.  "For us, we believe in maintaining a cordial relationship with the press, and we always advise that the media must conduct self-evaluation and reorientation,"...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  President Bola Tinubu  Minister of Works, Engr. Nweze David Umahi has praised President Bola Tinubu for embarking on infrastructure renewal and reviving ailing economy through transformative leadership initiatives.  He stated this on Thursday during the commemoration of the second-year anniversary of Renewed Hope Agenda led by President Tinubu in Abuja.  News Rider reports that President Tinubu was inaugurated as the 16th President of Nigeria on May 29, 2023, amidst pomp and pageantry at the Eagle's Square, Abuja.  Umahi noted that revolutionising road infrastructure in the works sector, meant to foster economic growth and enhance the quality of life for all Nigerians is bearing fruit.  He informed that within two years in office, the President granted unprecedented attention to road infrastructure through emergency interventions on failed roads and bridges nationwide.  The minister stated that Tinubu increased fundin...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Comrade Aisha Ibrahim The President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Comrade Aisha Ibrahim has requested for special considerations for female journalists covering the Hajj beat. News Rider reports that Hajj is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims.  In a statement issued in Saudi Arabia, Comrade Ibrahim stated that covering Hajj pilgrimage was fulfilling as one of the five pillars of Islam, which also presented an opportunity to serve humanity.  She noted that reporting about the spiritual exercise remained one of the most difficult beats, given the physical stress that lasted between 35 to 40 days. The President is designated to cover the 2025 Hajj event in Mecca for her home State, Borno. She is also the Director of Information, Borno State Hajj Commission.  Ibrahim emphasised that there are many issues and occurrences concerning women during the Hajj that could best be...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja    Peter Obi  The 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi has debunked rumors of engaging in private talks with President Bola Tinubu in Rome.  This followed allegations on Social Media platforms that Obi held private meeting with President Tinubu regarding a purported ₦225 billion debt crisis involving Fidelity Bank. News Rider reports that President Tinubu was one of the World leaders that attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, May 18 in Rome, where he exchanged pleasantries with Obi.  But in a statement via the microblogging platform, X on Thursday, May 22, 2025, Obi lamented that his solemn spiritual trip to Rome was twisted by blackmailers paid to propagate evil against him.  The statement reads: "It's obvious that the biggest business for blackmailers now is talking about Peter Obi from every negative perspective. Even my solemn spiritual trip to Rome has been twisted into yet another blackma...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Dr Mariya Mahmoud has praised female journalists' for their massive contributions in addressing insecurity.  This was even as she described female journalists as critical stakeholders in the fight against insecurity, adding that their work extends beyond reporting. Mahmoud, stated this at the inaugural zonal conference of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Zone D (North Central) on Thursday in Abuja, with the theme: "Curbing Insecurity: The Role of Female Journalists in National Security." “This conference marks a significant milestone—not just in the advancement of female journalists–but in the broader push for inclusive, ethical, and impactful journalism in our country,” she said. Mahmoud applauded the historic nature of the conference, adding that it was organised at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with multifaceted security challenges including te...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu  President Bola Tinubu has extended heartfelt felicitation to two British-based Nigerians, Opeyemi Bright and Jason Jackson on their historic election and inauguration as Mayors in London. He lauded the duo for sustaining the legacy of good works by Nigerians in the diaspora and consistently promoting the values of honesty, integrity, hard work, and commitment to the well-being of others.  Tinubu noted that their stories will inspire countless young people—both at home and in the diaspora—to pursue excellence and serve their communities with distinction. Bright was sworn in as the Civic Mayor of Barking and Dagenham, making history as the borough’s youngest-ever mayor at just 29, following seven years of outstanding service to her community.  Also, Jackson became the first Nigerian-born Mayor of Islington since the borough’s establishment in 1900, following a rapid rise through local government as a councillor and co...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  L-R: Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Dr Mohammed Bulama and first female Chairman of NUJ FCT,  Comrade Grace Ike during the NUJ@70 Anniversary Committee visit to Radio House in Abuja recently. As plans are underway for the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) 70th Anniversary, media Bigwigs have pledged live coverage for the landmark event.  This was even as the Planning Committee of the anniversary on Thursday, commenced nationwide tour to media houses, advocating partnership and support for the forthcoming NUJ @70 celebration.  Members of the committee, who visited TVC, Trust Media Group and Arise Television, were received by top management staff of the organisations.  The Chairman of Planning Committee who doubles as the Deputy President of NUJ, Dr. Abimbola Oyetunde commended the media houses for their laudable contributions and consistency in the industry, as well as their support for NUJ. She r...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja President Bola Tinubu  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been selected as one of the World leaders, expected to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Rome.  To this end, President Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rome, the capital of Italy, on Saturday at the invitation of Pope Leo XIV. Tinubu will be accompanied by top leaders in Catholic Church, Nigeria.  He will attend a solemn mass marking the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Bishop of Rome and the new leader of the Roman Catholic Church. In the Papal invitation sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Leo XIV underscored the need for President Tinubu's physical presence at a moment of particular importance for the Catholic Church and the world afflicted by many tensions and conflicts. Pope Leo said: "Your great nation is particularly dear to me as I worked in the Apostolic Nunciature in Lagos during the 1980s." President Tinubu...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  R-L: Director of Highways, Bridges and Design, Engr. Bede Uchechukwu Obioha; Minister of State for Works, Bello M. Goronyo, and Managing Director of Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA),  Dr. Adekanmbi Samuel at a meeting in Abuja recently.  Federal Government has pledged speedy intervention on deteriorated Benin–Sapele Road, particularly the section leading to Obayantor in Edo State.  The pledge followed a formal appeal by the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA) which highlighted the road’s deteriorating condition and effect on socio-economic activities in the state. At a meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi expressed concern over insecurity and economic paralysis stemming from the road’s poor condition. Umahi was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello  Goronyo, during the strategic talks on the need for urgent intervention on the road.  He said: "I...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja There is an indication that Gaza’s food system has collapsed after a two-month blockade on humanitarian aid.  This is even as the the entire population of Gaza is at critical risk of famine, and 925,000 people may die of starvation.  An International Humanitarian Organisation, Mercy Corps has revealed that the hunger catastrophe affecting more than two million civilians reached horrific new extremes. To this end, Mercy Corps has pleaded with the global community to donate generously in order to salvage the situation.  "There is no time to waste — donations are urgently needed to ensure we can ramp up distribution of lifesaving aid as soon as the borders re-open. Please rush your gift right now to help meet the extraordinary needs of families in Gaza and 40+ countries around the globe," the statement revealed.  Across Gaza, families are in pure survival mode, just as they are hungry, exhausted, and displaced.  Describing the desp...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Ministry of Works has  inaugurated newly elected Sports Club executives, expected to strengthen the affairs of the club.  Declaring the event open in Abuja, Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi commended the outgoing executives for their dedication.  He was confident in the new leaders' ability to actively engage members in sporting activities within the Civil Service and the Public Service at large. Umahi, who was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, emphasised the importance of sports for the well-being of staff, noting that it extends beyond mere recreation. He stated that sports foster a culture of excellence, teamwork, and improved well-being among the ministry's staff. Goronyo requested that as the second Grand Patron of the club, he should be considered as an official member.  The Director of Human Resources, Aliyu Abdullahi, who represented the Permanent Secretary, applauded the ...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja The Federal Government has disclosed that paucity of funds will not hinder June 2026 deadline for the completion of ongoing Abuja-Port Harcourt road project.  This was even as the government expressed satisfaction with the current pace of work, having reached 42 percent completion, at the route expected to enhance mobility and reduce travel time.  Minister of State for Works (HMS), Bello Muhammad Goronyo stated this at the inspection of Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Dual Carriageway on Saturday.  He was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Engr. Olufunsho O. Adebiyi and other management staff.  While fielding questions from the media, the minister confirmed that the project constitutes Section I of the contract, which spans 43.65 kilometres on one side and totals 87.3 kilometres for both carriageways.  He maintained that the road corridor is a critical segment of the larger Abuja–Lafia-Makurdi-Enugu–Port H...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja A recent survey conducted by Global Information Team Nigeria has rated the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) 70 percent on roads rehabilitation nationwide.  The survey titled: "Public Office Performance Evaluation Report", was conducted by the Convener of Global Information Team Nigeria, Okechukwu Eze.  News Rider reports that FERMA was was established by Act No. 7 of 2002 and entrusted with the mandate of  monitoring and maintaining all Federal roads in Nigeria.  Eze disclosed that the survey captured respondents from the media, national assembly and general public, adding that it acknowledged the role of FERMA on speedy intervention of Federal roads.  He lauded FERMA for improving its relationship with the media, just as he noted that Nigerians are feeling the impact of FERMA nationwide.  Reacting, Minister of State for Works Bello Muhammad Goronyo, who supervises FERMA, enjoined the agency to open up more channels...

    Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost  After two days of meeting, the Conclave finally elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new Pope.  Robert, who is the leader of Roman Catholic in Rome is the first United States Cardinal to assume the position of a Pope.  The new Pontiff known as Leo XIV, was elected by more than 100 Roman Catholic cardinals during a meeting in a secret conclave.  The conclave followed the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April  21, 2025, at the age of 88. As White smoke ascended to the sky from a chimney at the Sistine Chapel, Vatican on Thursday, it was an indication that the Cardinals had concluded their voting and a new Pope was elected.  The new pope, also the 267th Bishop of Rome, was announced to the waiting crowd by Cardinal Protodeacon Dominique Mamberti, as disclosed in a statement from Vatican Press Office. In his speech, Pope Leo XIV said: "Peace be with all of you!", just as he encouraged ...

In line with the eight-point agenda of the Renewed Hope administration, President Bola Tinubu has accelerated economic recovery in the Works sector across the six geopolitical.  Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi stated this on Tuesday in Abuja when he hosted Forum of State Chairmen of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria.  He promised to collaborate with the forum on project monitoring and fostering feedback mechanism in project delivery management, just as he commended the steps taken by Tinubu to exit Nigeria out of recession.  "There are lots of improvement in our economy. I have always said that Mr. President inherited an economy that was in oxygen; that was in shock, and then he came, and he put oxygen. Today, we have removed the oxygen. And the economy is promising. "If you come and look at the fuel subsidy removal, you just ask yourself, if that was not done, where will this country have been? People darken counsel without knowledge. And when you...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja  The Federal Government has hinted that Meta Platforms' threat of exiting Nigeria  does not absolve the company of liabilities for the outcome of a judicial process.  News Rider reports that on July 19, 2024, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) had fined Meta $220 million for several violations of Nigeria’s data privacy and competition laws.  The FCCPC accused Meta Platforms and WhatsApp (jointly referred to as "Meta Parties") for allegedly violating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR). It was found that Meta Parties engaged in multiple and repeated infringements of the FCCPA (2018) and the NDPR.  The infringements included denying Nigerians the right to control their personal data, transferring and sharing Nigerian user data without authorisation, discriminating against Nigerian users compared to users in other jurisdiction...

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja     Seyi Tinubu The Coordinator of the Conference of Patriotic Nigerians (COPAN) Barrister Uchenna Odieli has issued a stern warning to the factional President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Atiku Abubakar Isah against tarnishing the reputation of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.  This is even as he cautioned Isah to avoid allowing politicians to manipulate him into targeting Seyi Tinubu for political gain.  News Rider reports that the factional NANS president had accused Seyi Tinubu of bribery, torture and abduction.  Isah also accused him of attempting to disrupt the inauguration of NANS leadership in Abuja, dispersed crowd with thugs and locked up the inauguration venue.  But in a statement on Sunday, Odieli, who described himself as a stakeholder in NANS, accused certain individuals of exploiting Isah to tarnish Seyi Tinubu’s reputation.  "If you contest an election and ...

    Dr Alex Mubiru  African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has appointed a Ugandan national, Dr. Alex Mubiru as Director General for the East Africa Regional Development, Integration and Business Delivery Office. The appointment, which is effective May 1, 2025, will also usher Mubiru as the Country Manager designate for Kenya. Dr. Mubiru brings over 25 years of experience in international development, along with a track record of leadership and results-driven execution.  Since joining the Bank in 2009, he has served in many roles, including Principal Research Economist, Principal Country Economist, Lead Strategy & Operational Policies Advisor, Division Manager for Resource Mobilization & Sovereign Partnerships and Country Manager for Tanzania.  Also, Director of Strategy & Delivery in the President’s Cabinet, and since August 2022, Mubiru was also appointed as the Director General of the Cabinet Office of the President. Before joining the ...

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri has described the late Pope Francis as a humble servant that left a legacy of service and lasting vision for the Church of God.  Presiding over the fifth Novemdiales Mass in memory of Pope Francis in Rome, Cardinal Sandri proclaimed that 'Christ is Risen'. Cardinal Sandri stated that during the Easter period, the Church was between two important moments– the end of Pope Francis' papacy and the start of a new one.  "In just a few days, the Cardinal Protodeacon will once again step out onto the balcony of St Peter’s to announce the name of a new Pope. That role finds its meaning in the Paschal experience of Christ," he said.  Praying Together In a statement from Vatican Press Office, Cardinal Sandri explained that the Novendiales Mass is not just a time of mourning, but a moment for the Church to come together, to pray, to remember, and to reaffirm its faith in the Resurrection.  He added: "The cardinals gather not only as c...