News
FCT Minister flags off upgrading of roads in Bwari Area Council
In continuation of efforts by the FCT Administration to bridge the gap in the provision of infrastructure in the FCT satellite towns and the city centre, the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on Monday, October 28, 2024, flagged off the upgrading of the War College/Army Checkpoint and other ancillary roads within the Bwari Area Council.
Speaking during the flag-off exercise, Barr. Wike stressed the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving the living conditions of the people in the satellite towns through the provision of vital infrastructure.
The Minister, who stated that the road project was awarded to an indigenous contractor, said this also demonstrates the President’s commitment to empowering the local populace and indigenous contractors.
Recounting the series of events before the contract award, Barr. Wike said he personally visited the project site to ascertain the veracity of the proposed contract and the contractor’s capacity to deliver on the project.
He said “It makes me happy that under the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one thing I’ve always emphasized is to empower our people, empower our indigenous contractors who have shown capacity, who are willing to work”.
Speaking on the efforts of the present administration to provide infrastructure in the nation’s capital, Barr Wike revealed that the President has approved the award of the 9.5km Kabusa/Ketti road and the 11km Kabusa/Takushara road in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, as requested by the council chairman, Hon Christopher Maikalangu.
The Minister also revealed that an MOU has been signed between the FCTA and CGC for the provision of potable water in Kwali, Gwagwalada and Kuje Area Councils.
He said, “We went to China, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CGC to provide water for Kwali, for Gwagwalada and for Kuje to start with. We are not just only providing roads. Now Mr. President has taken a step further to see that you must have portable water to drink…”.
“As far as infrastructure is concerned, by the time this administration finishes in 2027, Abuja will be a different thing altogether”. The Minister added the administration has restored the people’s confidence in government, while assuring that development will get to all parts of the nation’s capital in due course.
He said, “I can assure you that every Area Council will be treated very well. You don’t need to worry yourself. The Renewed Hope Agenda is real. You can see that promise made, is promise fulfilled”.
Commending the Area Council Chairmen for their support for the FCT Administration, the Minister also stated that he has refrained from interfering with the allocations of the FCT Area Councils to encourage autonomy. He also called for Accountability on the part of the Council Chairmen.
The FCT Minister, while also noting that government requires revenue to provide infrastructure, called on FCT residents to pay their taxes and ground rents, even as he urged them to also hold the government accountable.
Speaking on the efforts of the government in the aspect of human capital development, Barr. Wike also revealed that N10 billion was earmarked, in the budget, for the empowerment of the youths in the FCT.
In his goodwill message, Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Senator David Jimkuta, described the ongoing infrastructure provision in the FCT as unprecedented.
FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike (5th left) flanked by the Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud (4th left) and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Senator David Jimkuta (6th left) during the flag-off ceremony of the upgrading of the War College/Army Check point and other Ancillary Roads in Bwari Area Council on Monday.
Senator Jimkuta who also described the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike as the symbol of the Renewed Hope Agenda, added that the Minister’s excellent performance across the FCT was clear for all to see.
In her address, the Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud thanked President Tinubu for giving approval for the upgrading of the War College/Army Checkpoint and vital ancillary road projects, which she said will improve economic activity in the rural areas and enhance the quality of lives for the citizenry and thanked the FCT Minister for his vision, leadership and commitment to the development of the FCT.
On his part, Chairman Bwari Area Council, Hon. John Gabaya also thanked the FCT Minister for his commitment to the provision of infrastructure in the Bwari Council.
Hon. Gabaya described the Minister as the Messiah of the FCT and pledged the continued support of the people of Bwari Area Council for the FCT Administration.
Highlighting the scope of work for the 11 kilometer road project, the Coordinator Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said it has an 18-months completion timeline.
He added that the road project, when completed, will open up rural communities in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the FCTA’s desire to provide an enabling environment and improve the living conditions in the FCT satellite towns.
An aerial view of the Ushafa road(one of the ancillary roads) in Bwari Area Council flagged off for upgrade on Monday
Also speaking, Abdullahi Suleiman, the Managing Director of Abdulval LTD (the Contractor handling the project), thanked the Minister for entrusting the company with the project and assured him that the project would be delivered on time.
The Education Ministry said it is in contact with security and education officials and is coordinating with admins and parents.
A plane carrying a group of 150 Israeli students on a trip to Poland made an intermediate landing in Antalya, Turkey, the Education Ministry said on Monday.
The landing was made following concerns about a technical malfunction, and for reasons of caution, a decision was made to stop in accordance with aviation rules.
N12 reported that a bird had entered the plane’s engine during the flight.
The high school student delegation – from Ein Kerem High School in Jerusalem – was en route to Poland on a standard school trip to learn about the events of the Holocaust. They were accompanied by security personnel from the Shin Bet, as is customary for any delegation to Poland.
The Education Ministry said that they are in continuous contact with security and education officials and are in coordination with school administrations and parents.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland. September 19, 2021. (credit: NATI SHOHAT/FLASH90)
It was reported that all the students “are feeling well, staying in a safe and protected area within the airport, and are closely accompanied by the teaching staff who are with them at all times.”
In addition, the ministry was informed that a replacement plane is on its way to them, and it is estimated that at 3:00 p.m., they will take off for Krakow to continue their educational journey.
Holocaust learning
Israeli school trips to Poland typically take place in the winter and the summer, and, according to Education Minister Yoav Kisch, aim to allow “students to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust, to be exposed to the atrocities that took place, and to prove the victory and resurrection over the attempt to destroy the Jewish people.”
In November 2023, the ministry announced it would cancel the winter Poland trips due to the rise of antisemitism worldwide in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas war.
…Declares a total dividend of N2.10 per share
Lagos, Nigeria, March 29, 2025: Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, released its 2024 full-year Audited Financial Statements, reporting a 210% growth in Profit Before Tax to N385.2 billion.
According to the Bank’s results released on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Friday, 28 March 2025, Gross Earnings increased by 87.7% to N1,043.4bn, driven by 106.9% growth in interest and similar income to N950.6bn. The increase in Interest Income was led by a combination of improved yield on earnings assets and 51.6% expansion in earnings base to N6.3tn. This led to a Profit After Tax of N278.1 billion, representing a 179.6% annual growth.
Commenting on the results, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc said, “We are delighted with our 2024 full-year (FY) performance, which showed strong growth across key revenue lines, improved asset quality, and significant traction in our strategic business segments. Our impressive results led to a triple-digit increase (210.0%) in Profit Before Tax (PBT), rising from N124.3bn in 2023 to N385.2bn in 2024.”
A further review of the financial performance revealed that the bank’s net interest income increased by 127.1% to N629.8 billion, driven by a high-yield environment in 2024. To optimize its margin, the bank sustained its asset yields above funding cost by maintaining a high low-cost deposit profile at 92.6%. This led to an increase in its Net Interest Margin from 8.1% in 2023 FY to 12.0%.
Similarly, the bank continued to deepen its market share in both the corporate and retail segments, with customer deposits increasing by 47.9% from N4.0trn in 2023FY to N5.9trn. The increase was driven by strong double-digit growth across all deposit types. The Retail Banking Business gained significant traction with savings deposits increasing by 28.8% to N1.1trn, marking the 10th consecutive year of double-digit annual growth in savings deposits.
Despite the difficult economic terrain in 2024, the bank has continued to support the real sector of the economy by increasing its Net Loans & Advances from N3.1tn in 2023FY to N4.4tn in 2024FY.
“This remarkable performance demonstrates our capacity to deliver superior returns to our shareholders. In line with our commitment to them, we have declared a final dividend of N1.25 per share, bringing our total dividend for the 2024 financial year to N2.10 per share”, explained Onyeali-Ikpe.
Having consistently paid dividends since 2006, Fidelity Bank will pay investors a total dividend of N2.10 per share for the 2024 financial year, subject to shareholders’ approval at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 29 April 2024. The dividend will be paid on 29 April 2025 to shareholders whose names appear on the register of members as of 15 April 2025.
It will be recalled that the bank successfully completed the first phase of its capital raising exercise through a Public Offer and Rights Issue in 2024, which were oversubscribed by 237.92% and 137.73%, respectively. The positive result is a testament to the strength of the Bank’s franchise in the capital market. A total of N175.9bn was recognized as fresh capital in 2024 financial year from the exercise, which had a positive impact on its Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at 23.5%. The bank plans to conclude the second phase by Q3 2025, ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s deadline, which will further strengthen its capital base and reaffirm its attainment of Tier 1 Bank status in the Nigerian Banking Industry.
Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged commercial bank with over 9.1 million customers who are serviced across its 251 business offices and various digital banking channels in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine.
Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
By Sunday James
The gruesome killing of 16 innocent northern hunters in Uromi, Edo State, over false accusations of kidnapping is yet another damning indictment of the failure of law and order in Nigeria.
Time and again, innocent lives have been lost to the mindless brutality of mob justice, a savage and inexcusable act that has become far too common across the country.
This is not an isolated incident. Nigeria has witnessed several tragic cases of jungle justice where angry mobs, fueled by misinformation and misplaced aggression, have taken the law into their own hands.
The Aluu Four incident in 2012, where four young university students in Rivers State were falsely accused of robbery, beaten, and burned to death in a horrific public spectacle, remains one of the most chilling examples.
In 2022, Deborah Samuel, a young student in Sokoto State, was lynched by fellow students over alleged blasphemy, an incident that sparked outrage but yielded little justice. In Lagos, several suspected petty thieves were set ablaze by mobs in broad daylight without any fair trial.
Across the country, from Anambra to Kano, Port Harcourt to Abuja, numerous cases of public executions by mobs continue to surface, often with little to no legal consequences for perpetrators.
The rise of mob justice is fueled by a cocktail of systemic failures that have left Nigerians disillusioned with formal justice mechanisms.
The breakdown of law and order, where the Nigerian police fail to deliver swift and transparent justice, has led to public distrust, encouraging citizens to take matters into their own hands. Rising insecurity, including the surge in kidnappings, banditry, and violent crimes, has left many communities in perpetual fear, triggering knee-jerk reactions to perceived threats. Ethnic and religious tensions have also played a major role, with deep-seated biases making certain groups more vulnerable to targeted attacks.
The proliferation of unregulated local vigilante groups and security outfits has further emboldened extrajudicial actions against innocent civilians. Additionally, the slow pace of criminal trials and the failure to punish perpetrators of jungle justice have normalized impunity.The Edo killings, like many before them, must not be swept under the rug.
The government must ensure immediate arrest, prosecution, and conviction of all those involved in this heinous act. Strengthening law enforcement agencies to curb vigilante excesses and restore public trust is paramount.
There must be massive public enlightenment campaigns to educate citizens on legal redress rather than mob action. Strict penalties must be enforced against communities and groups involved in jungle justice to deter future occurrences.The Nigerian government must wake up to its responsibility of protecting lives and ensuring justice for all.
If mob justice continues unchecked, no one is truly safe. This latest atrocity in Edo should be the final warning: justice delayed is justice denied. The killers must be held accountable, and a nationwide crackdown on jungle justice must begin immediately. Enough is enough. The rule of law must prevail.
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