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  • Southeast receiving unprecedented federal attention under Tinubu, says Umahi

    Southeast receiving unprecedented federal attention under Tinubu, says Umahi

    The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the Southeast is receiving more federal attention under the administration of President Bola Tinubu than at any time since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

    According to him, the region is witnessing significant progress, particularly in infrastructure development and other critical sectors.

    Umahi spoke at his residence in Abakaliki while receiving people from the old Ezeagu zone, led by Senator Julius Ucha, who paid him a thank-you visit.

    He said the current administration had created opportunities for greater inclusion of the Southeast in national development and urged the region to focus on progress.

    The minister encouraged residents of the region to support the president, expressing confidence that Tinubu would secure a second term in office.

    He added that although the Southeast might not yet be leading in infrastructure development, it had recorded notable improvement compared to previous years.

    “The share we are getting from the administration of President Tinubu is huge, we may not be the first but we are not the last, in the past, we were the last, we were forgotten, we were nothing, we had nothing.”

    Umahi emphasized that supporting both the President and South-East governors aligns with the region’s long-term interests.

    He noted that the President assumed office at a challenging time and has remained focused on stabilizing and growing the nation.

    Highlighting the broader economic outlook, the Minister said Nigeria is gaining global recognition for economic growth, with international institutions like the World Bank pointing to the country as an example of rapid development.

    He also spoke against the sit-at-home actions in parts of the South-East, stating that they negatively affect the people of the South East.

    He commended the approach taken by Prof. Charles Soludo in Anambra State to fight twb exercise.

    “The Biafra we are looking for is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because the issue was marginalization, all those things we did not get before, and we are getting it now.”

    Umahi further said meaningful development, rather than agitation, remains the pathway to integration and progress for the region.

    On governance and infrastructure, the Minister praised the President’s commitment to continuity, noting that ongoing projects inherited from previous administrations have been sustained.

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    “No president has ever inherited and continued all the projects safe from this president.”

    He also described his working relationship with the President as transparent and shared that he enjoyed working with the president.

    “He has never asked me to give a contract to anybody or to put any money for anybody. Never.”

    Earlier, Senator Julius Ucha thanked the Minister for facilitating key road projects that are already impacting his community and others.

    “It’s a difficult thing to construct roads, but we are eternally grateful to you for your love for us.”

    Ucha recalled requesting the construction of the Ezillo–Ezeagu Road during the campaign period when the Minister was Governor and now, the project has been awarded and speedily progressing.

    He said the project received further backing from the Ebonyi State Government led by Governor Francis Nwifuru, who confirmed it as one of the administration’s early priorities.

    The senator also mentioned the Enugu–Ozara–Nkanu–Agbani–Nkomoru–Isu Road via Ojiegbe, which he said has equally been awarded.

    “We are eternally grateful to you for these consecutive roads… without those two roads, it will be difficult for us to move.”

    According to Ucha, road construction remains one of the most demanding responsibilities of the government, and we do not take the projects for granted. 

  • Ganduje’s wife commends minister over Kano mega empowerment programme

    Ganduje’s wife commends minister over Kano mega empowerment programme

    Former First Lady of Kano State, Prof. Hafsat Abdullahi Ganduje, has commended the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mariya Mahmoud, for launching the Kano Mega Empowerment Programme.

    She described the initiative as a practical and sustainable effort aimed at addressing the economic needs of women and vulnerable citizens.

    Speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the unveiling of the programme, Prof. Ganduje praised Mahmoud’s foresight, noting that the initiative reflected the empowerment ideals of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “The programme exemplifies empowerment that is people-focused and designed to combat poverty, strengthen families and promote social stability,” she said.

    Prof. Ganduje also used the occasion to call for peace among political leaders in the state. She urged former governors Abdullahi Ganduje and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to set aside their differences in the interest of Kano.

    She appealed to both leaders to support the incumbent governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, in the overall interest of the state.

    She expressed satisfaction that the programme targeted APC women leaders alongside other vulnerable groups, noting that it would improve livelihoods and strengthen grassroots engagement.

    Prof. Ganduje congratulated the minister and other partners involved in the initiative, stating that responsive leadership combined with empathy could positively impact lives.

    Also speaking, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, said the FCT Minister of State had demonstrated commitment to people-focused policies, in line with the human capital development priorities of President Bola Tinubu.

    She urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the items provided to enhance their self-reliance and support their families.

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    On behalf of the beneficiaries, the APC women leader in the state, Hajiya Fatima Dala, thanked the minister for the initiative, commending what she described as a transparent process that ensured the support reached the intended recipients.

    “We have had ministers from Kano State, but we have never seen such an empowerment programme in the history of Kano State.

    “The Minister has demonstrated concern for women and the vulnerable by ensuring that only those who deserve these items actually benefit from it.

    “I urge other beneficiaries to please make good use of these items to be self-reliant. Let me also use this opportunity to call on other politicians to emulate the minister by empowering more women because we have the bulk vote”.

    Empowerment items distributed include cars, motorcycles, fertilizers, rice, and sewing machines.

    Others include tricycles, wheel chairs, spaghetti making machines, grinding machines, and financial empowerment.

  • Defence Minister Musa commissions renovated quarters for corporals in Sokoto

    Defence Minister Musa commissions renovated quarters for corporals in Sokoto

    The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.) has commissioned two newly renovated and remodelled Corporal and Below Quarters at Giginya Cantonment, Sokoto State.

    The project is aimed at improving the welfare and living conditions of Nigerian Army personnel, particularly non-commissioned officers.

    Speaking at the inauguration, Musa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of troops, describing non-commissioned officers as the backbone of the Armed Forces.

    “These men and women deserve a living environment that reflects their daily sacrifices in their professional duties and family lives,” he said.

    He also commended the leadership of the Nigerian Army for driving infrastructure development across formations and cantonments nationwide, noting that such efforts are essential for enhancing professionalism and combat readiness.

    The newly remodelled quarters, designed for corporals and lower ranks and their families, feature modern amenities, including well-ventilated residential units intended to provide improved comfort and security.

    The upgrades are expected to ease accommodation pressures within the cantonment and improve the overall quality of life for service personnel.

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    In his vote of thanks, Commander of the 8 Division Garrison, Brigadier General Abdumalik Muhammed, expressed appreciation to the minister for his support and presence at the event.

    He described the project as a significant boost to troop welfare and a demonstration of the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of soldiers at all levels.

    The commissioning came as the Nigerian Army intensified operations against banditry and insurgency in the North-West region. Giginya Cantonment, which houses the 8 Division, plays a key role in these operations, making the welfare of its personnel a priority.

    Highlights of the ceremony included the official unveiling of the facility, a guided tour of the accommodation blocks led by the minister and senior officers, the symbolic handover of keys to beneficiaries and a group photograph to mark the occasion.

  • APC chieftain hails Tunji-Ojo’s role as Ondo marks 50th anniversary

    APC chieftain hails Tunji-Ojo’s role as Ondo marks 50th anniversary

    As Ondo State celebrates its golden jubilee, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Otunba Agboola Kelly, has highlighted what he described as the contributions of the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to the state’s growing national and international profile.

    Kelly, who is the Coordinator of the Ondo APC Elders Movement for Tinubu 2027, in a statement, described Tunji-Ojo as an illustrious son of the state whose performance in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet has drawn attention within and outside the country.

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    Kelly said the minister has distinguished himself in the Renewed Hope administration, particularly through reforms in the Ministry of Interior.

    According to him, Tunji-Ojo has introduced innovations, digital reforms and improved efficiency in key services, including passport processing.

    He added that the minister’s approach to leadership has attracted recognition and reflected positively on the state.

    Kelly urged the people of Ondo State and Nigerians generally to continue supporting the minister, expressing confidence that his leadership would deliver further benefits.

  • Radda chairs PPP capacity workshop for Katsina executive council

    Radda chairs PPP capacity workshop for Katsina executive council

    Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State on Saturday chaired a one-day capacity-building workshop on Public–Private Partnerships (PPP) for members of the State Executive Council.

    The workshop, organised by the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), was aimed at strengthening policy-level understanding and leadership oversight of PPPs as a strategic tool for infrastructure development, improved service delivery and sustainable economic growth in the state.

    Declaring the workshop open, Radda said PPPs have become an essential instrument for governments seeking to bridge infrastructure gaps while ensuring fiscal discipline and value for money.

    He urged members of the Executive Council to fully understand and internalise the principles, processes and governance requirements of PPP arrangements in order to deliver tangible benefits to the people of the state.

    According to him, the workshop builds on reforms already undertaken by the state government to institutionalise PPPs.

    The governor highlighted the creation of a dedicated PPP portal to enhance transparency and investor engagement, as well as provisions in the current state budget for PPP project preparation and facilitation. He said the measures demonstrate the government’s commitment to moving from policy formulation to implementation.

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    In his welcome address, the Director-General of KIPA, Alhaji Ibrahim Jikamshi, said the workshop forms part of a structured capacity-building programme designed to deepen knowledge of PPP frameworks among top government officials.

    Jikamshi recalled that the agency organised both an appreciation workshop and an intermediary-level workshop in the previous year for officers of key ministries, departments and agencies across the state. He said the sessions were aimed at building foundational understanding of PPP concepts and processes.

    He added that members of the State Executive Council–led PPP Project Facilitation Committee would participate in a follow-up workshop focused on the governance and management structure of the Project Facilitation Fund.

    According to him, the next phase is expected to strengthen coordination, oversight and leadership in managing resources for PPP project development in the state.

  • Adeboye urges Nigerians to rely on God’s ‘divine insurance’ amid insecurity

    Adeboye urges Nigerians to rely on God’s ‘divine insurance’ amid insecurity

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged Nigerians to place their trust in what he described as a “Divine Insurance Policy” with God, particularly in the face of rising insecurity across the country.

    Adeboye made the appeal during a sermon at the church’s monthly Thanksgiving and special prayer service for the transportation sector and their families, held at the RCCG national headquarters in Ebute-Metta, Lagos.

    Drawing from Psalm 91, he described the scripture as a covenant of protection, security and longevity for believers, stressing that genuine safety is not rooted in human policies or assurances.

    The service, themed “Divine Insurance,” was attended by leaders in the transportation industry, church members and students of Redeemer’s College of Technology and Management (RECTEM).

    “A human insurance policy has limits, but the divine insurance from God provides a complete, heavenly shield,” Adeboye said, adding that true security is found in God’s presence, which offers refuge from danger and calamity.

    He explained that God’s protection extends beyond the scope of human institutions, providing peace of mind, restful sleep and inner satisfaction.

    “You cannot call an insurance company and ask, ‘How much should I pay to sleep well at night?’ They will tell you they don’t cover that. But my God does,” he said.

    Adeboye, however, noted that access to what he described as divine protection is conditional, stating that it is reserved for God’s children and requires a life of holiness, obedience and faithful service.

    “There is a premium for this divine insurance. If you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God and follow His commands, you have no reason to worry. God promises not only to cover you but to bless you abundantly,” he said.

    He urged believers to turn away from sin and remain committed to God’s will in order to remain under what he described as heavenly protection.

    Read Also: Understanding Nigeria’s security crisis beyond the noise

    Speaking to journalists after the service, the General Overseer’s Special Assistant on Administration, Pastor Oladele Balogun, said insecurity is often viewed solely as a governance issue, but added that safety also has a spiritual dimension.

    He illustrated his point with the account of a woman who avoided travelling by road due to fear of accidents, only to be struck by a vehicle outside her home.

    “The concept of divine insurance addresses the fear that affects daily life,” Balogun said. “Many people hesitate to travel, but under God’s cover, it does not matter whether you move by day or night—you will be secure.”

    Balogun also linked national security to societal values, noting that vices such as bloodshed, deceit and corruption undermine spiritual protection.

    “That is why I call on Nigerians to return to God. Let us reject evil, wickedness and sin. When we turn to God and obey His will, we remain under His divine protection,” he said.

  • Pipeline surveillance: End ethnic campaign against Tantita, N’ Delta activist cautions

    Pipeline surveillance: End ethnic campaign against Tantita, N’ Delta activist cautions

    Niger Delta activist, Comrade Preye Tambou, has warned ethnic groups in Delta State calling for the cancellation of the Federal Government’s pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), to desist forthwith.

    He described the agitation as dangerous and divisive.

    Tambou, speaking to reporters in Warri, said the campaign against Tantita on ethnic grounds threatens peaceful coexistence and undermines national security, stressing that the gains recorded in the oil and gas sector since the company took over surveillance duties are evident.

    He noted that Nigeria’s crude oil production had been at a historic low before the engagement of private surveillance firms, adding that output improved only after Tantita commenced operations.

    Tambou argued that pipeline surveillance is a Federal security contract, not an ethnic entitlement, and must be awarded strictly on merit and competence.

    “Those agitating for cancellation of the pipeline surveillance job awarded to Tantita over ethnic grounds should discontinue such a puerile position,” Tambou said, warning that it could set “dangerous trends among ethnic groups in Delta State and beyond.”

    He added, “When agitation shifts from ‘fix the system’ to ‘cancel it if I am not in charge,’ it stops being just and becomes elite competition by protest.

    “Pipeline surveillance is not ‘common wealth’; it is a Federal security contract. You do not share a security contract the way you share revenue allocation; you earn it by capacity, trust, and results.”

    He cautioned against proposals to fragment surveillance jobs among communities, warning that such an approach would fuel arms proliferation and weaken national security.

    “The idea of ‘community guarding pipelines’ is a security nightmare,” Tambou said. “Fragmenting surveillance into hundreds of community fiefdoms would militarize communities, encourage extortion, create parallel armed structures, and collapse national energy security.”

    Addressing allegations of corruption and wealth display, Tambou dismissed them as speculative without evidence.

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    “Owning a Rolls-Royce is not proof of theft; spending dollars is not proof of corruption. If corruption exists, produce court-tested evidence, not gossip,” he said.

    He maintained that the real metric should be oil theft reduction, noting that production rebounded after surveillance reforms, even if theft has not been completely eliminated.

    Tambou also accused critics of selective outrage, recalling that previous surveillance contracts handled by other firms did not attract similar ethnic protests.

    “The only thing that changed is the face of the contractor, and that alone reveals the dishonesty behind the current hysteria,” he said.

    He urged Nigerians to focus on oversight and performance rather than ethnic hostility. Starting: “Criticism is legitimate, but ethnic hate is not. Reform what is imperfect, audit what is powerful, prosecute what is criminal, but never destroy what is functional without a superior alternative.”

  • Group advocates stronger funding for cancer care as survivors, advocates march in Abuja

    Group advocates stronger funding for cancer care as survivors, advocates march in Abuja

    Cancer survivors, advocates and civil society groups have urged the Federal Government and other key stakeholders to give greater attention to Nigeria’s high cancer burden, the rising cost of treatment and persistent gaps in access to care.

    Project Pink Blue said more focused action by government and stakeholders, alongside increased public awareness, has become urgent given that Nigeria records about 127,000 new cancer cases each year, with an estimated 79,000 deaths, which translates to a mortality rate of more than 50 per cent.

    “Other countries have higher diagnosis rates but lower mortality. That’s where we hope to get to and that is why the public must be made aware of the cancers,” Programme Associate with Project Pink Blue, Faridah Banwo said.

    This emerged on Saturday when advocates and public health experts took to the streets of Abuja in a road walk organised by Project Pink Blue to mark World Cancer Day.

    The walk, held under the global theme ‘United by Unique’, was aimed at highlighting the different cancer journeys faced by patients while pressing for stronger government support, especially increased funding for cancer treatment, Banwo explained.

    The 8-kilometer walk, which also featured skating, a 10 km marathon, and 40 km cycling race, according to her, was focused on awareness and advocacy, noting that many cancer patients in Nigeria are forced to choose between basic needs and life-saving treatment.

    “To treat cancer, it’s very expensive here in Nigeria. Cancer patients have to determine, do they want to buy food or do they want to buy medication?” she said, adding that incomplete treatment due to lack of funds remains common.

    She called on the Federal Government to increase allocations to the Cancer Health Fund and urged state and local governments to establish their own cancer health funds to reach more patients and reduce treatment abandonment.

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    Banwo said Project Pink Blue supports cancer patients beyond awareness, providing psychological support, patient navigation and information on appropriate health facilities to reduce late diagnosis and misdiagnosis, which she described as a major contributor to cancer deaths.

    She also highlighted the organisation’s Pink Blue mobile app, designed to help patients and caregivers locate functional treatment centres and access reliable information.

    “You don’t just come down to Abuja from another state and find out that the machine is not working,” she said.

    Banwo said the road walk was part of broader efforts to push cancer awareness beyond hospitals and conferences, taking the message directly to the public in the hope of driving early detection, policy action and sustained support for patients.

    A colon cancer survivor of five years, Fortune Osilem, who joined the walk, said early detection saved her life and urged Nigerians to go for regular check-ups.

    “It’s not a death sentence. The earlier you detect it, the better your chances,” he said, while cautioning against stigmatizing patients.

    On his part, the General Manager of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Martin Zarybnicky, said the hotel partnered the initiative as part of its commitment to supporting health and charity causes, noting that cancer awareness requires collective effort from government, private sector and the public.

  • Ex-Don urges fair pipeline surveillance contracts to avert Niger Delta crisis

    Ex-Don urges fair pipeline surveillance contracts to avert Niger Delta crisis

    A former university lecturer, Dr. Youpele Banigo, has called for a more equitable distribution of oil and gas pipeline surveillance contracts to prevent what he described as a looming conflict in the Niger Delta.

    Banigo said the current pipeline surveillance arrangement was heavily imbalanced and could fuel resentment and disillusionment among oil-producing communities that bear the brunt of exploration activities.

    The scholar, who once served on the Presidential Technical Committee on the Niger Delta, recalled that the committee’s 2008 report strongly recommended meaningful participation of host communities in protecting critical national oil assets.

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    “Our vision at the time was for broad, inclusive participation by all producing communities,” Banigo said.

    He noted that the report also anticipated the need to build capacity among local stakeholders, stressing that although such a process might pose initial challenges, it could be addressed through a structured and inclusive framework.

    Banigo urged relevant stakeholders in the oil and gas sector to propose a model that would guarantee every oil-producing community a fair opportunity to participate in pipeline surveillance activities.

    According to him, the most practical step would be to unbundle the existing arrangement and restructure it in a way that ensures equitable and participatory involvement across oil-producing areas.

    He warned that failure to adopt a more inclusive model could heighten tensions in the region, with negative implications for security and crude oil production.

  • Traditional ruler, political leaders, stakeholders call for investment, peace in Oba-Oke

    Traditional ruler, political leaders, stakeholders call for investment, peace in Oba-Oke

    Traditional authorities, political leaders and community stakeholders in Oba-Oke, Osun State, have called for increased investment, improved infrastructure and sustained peace as critical pillars for the town’s development.

    The calls were made during the 27th Oba-Oke Day celebration, which attracted government officials, political figures, community leaders and sons and daughters of the town from within and outside the state.

    In his address, the Oloba of Oba-Oke, Oba Adam Bamidele Iyiola Yusuf Esutola II, urged residents to maintain peaceful relations with neighbouring communities and cautioned youths against thuggery and other social vices capable of undermining development. The monarch encouraged young people to pursue education and vocational skills that would enable them to be self-reliant.

    The Chairman of the Oba-Oke Development Union (ODU), TPL Yakubu Oladipupo Abdul-Ganiyu, highlighted the town’s agricultural strength and expanding fishing activities, noting that Oba-Oke produces cocoa, kolanut, rice, maize, cassava, yam and plantain. He added that despite these advantages, inadequate infrastructure continues to limit economic growth.

    Abdul-Ganiyu appealed to private investors and Oba-Oke indigenes in the diaspora to take advantage of the town’s peaceful environment, fertile land and strategic location, while also calling on government authorities to provide enabling infrastructure to support investment.

    Speaking at the event, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), expressed concern over the state of infrastructure in Oba-Oke, describing the condition of access roads, schools and public facilities as unsatisfactory.

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    Oyebamiji said the continued neglect of the town, particularly the underutilisation of the Owala Dam, represents a missed opportunity for job creation and economic expansion. He stated that the dam has the potential to support tourism, agriculture and other commercial activities if properly developed.

    He assured residents that, if elected governor in 2026, his administration would prioritise the rehabilitation of roads, improvement of schools and the full development of the Owala Dam, drawing on his experience as former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

    Also speaking, the Chief Launcher of the event, Rt. Hon. Busayo Oluwole Oke, a member of the House of Representatives, stressed the importance of effective collaboration between local and state governments to ensure that public funds are directed toward priority development projects.

    The Chief Host, Ambassador Issah Adedotun Niniola, thanked guests and donors for their support, noting that community-driven projects remain essential to Oba-Oke’s progress. He called for sustained unity among residents and stakeholders to advance the town’s development agenda.

    The celebration ended with a collective appeal to Oba-Oke indigenes in the diaspora to return home with ideas, capital and partnerships, reinforcing the message that sustainable development will require unity between government, traditional institutions, and the people.