News
Construction of Bwari/Gurara roads will enhance economic development in border communities – FCT Minister
The Honourable Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has said that the construction of the Bwari/ Gurara road by the FCTA will enhance economic activities in the border communities between FCT and Niger State and also fulfil a mandate of the FCTA to also assist in the development of the border communities from which the FCT was carved.
The Minister said this when he received a delegation of stakeholders from Tafa Local Government of Niger State, led by Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari, former Minister of State of Mines and Steel Development and the Speaker of the Niger State of Assembly, Hon. Abdullahi Bawa Wuse who had come to the FCTA on an appreciation visit for the ongoing road construction work between Bwari in the FCT and Tafa and Gurara in Niger state.
In the words of the Minister, “The whole idea of road networking is to connect people. It really doesn’t make sense to build roads and just stop at the border. Luckily for us, the founding fathers of the FCT were very forward thinking and envisaged that while the city is in existence, the surrounding areas from where the FCT was carved, which for all intent and purposes are part of what we call the greater Abuja area, especially the border areas should also be developed. So there was this concept of development planning that would allow Abuja to provide development in these locations.
Speaking further, on why construction of the roads were essential, the Minister said “anybody coming in from either Lokoja or Kaduna axis, by the time they reach new Wuse in Tafa Local Government, even if you want to go to places like Jere or Southern Kaduna or you want to come into Bwari proper, there is really no need for you to go all the way round, either through the road in Dakwa or come right inside the city and then go through Dutse Alhaji you will simply link into Bwari.
That’s all the justification. It was all done for the public good and I’m saying so, that the wider public should appreciate the focus of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration in terms of emancipating the people, and enhancing development.
Malam Bello also said that the construction of the roads will also economically empower the residents of the communities along the roads whose occupation are mainly agrarian in nature.
He said “For instance, the Bwari/Gurara road passes through the FCT, Niger and parts of Kaduna State and the whole idea is that it brings tremendous amount of linkage to these communities and help their businesses to thrive.
Speaking earlier, the Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Hon Abdullahi Bawa Wuse said the delegation was in the FCTA to pay a visit of appreciation to the FCT Minister for the construction of the Bwari/Tafa/Gurara road which he said had been abandoned for over 30 years.
He said, ”after the construction of the dam, nobody ever looked at the need to really put up that road in a proper shape that is being done by you now. Once more, we appreciate Allah for bringing you as the Minister of Abuja and using you to open up that road once again. We are indeed very appreciative of it.
Also speaking, Hon. Abubakar Bawa Bwari said “Nothing would be too much to show appreciation for what you have done for us and still doing. You would be remembered for what you’ve been doing in Abuja. All the infrastructure that were abandoned for years are now being completed, despite the challenges of funding. One wonders how you’ve been able to carry along. I know that the funding that used to come – one percent or so that used to come to the FCDA is no longer there, yet you’ve been able to do this”.
“We want to thank you for all the attention you’ve given to satellite towns and I want to say that apart from the road that for which we are showing appreciation today, you’ve been able to dualize the Bwari/Jere road, opening up our area for economic activities, social interaction and so many other things. We can’t thank you enough” he added.
On entourage from Niger State were the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mohammed Sani Idris, Chairman of Tafa Local Government, Hon Ibrahim Mami traditional leaders and APC party leaders.
Also in attendance were the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Malam Bashir Mai-Bornu Director of Projects, Builder Saka Isiaka Ahmed and other senior officials of the FCTA.
In a similar vein, the FCT Union of Pensioners have expressed their appreciation to the FCT Minister for the prompt payment of the pensions and other entitlements of its members. The appreciation was made during a meeting held between the FCT Administration and members of the FCT Pensioners Union.
The union members who were led by the FCT NLC Chairman, Comrade Abubakar Alhassan Yakubu, commended the FCT Minister for his management of the affairs of pensioners saying that negative comments being made about him were untrue.
The Minister promised to resolve all lingering matters concerning pensioners describing them as senior citizens who had worked hard for the development of the FCT and the nation.
Also at that meeting were Comrade Aliyu Ibrahim Chairman, FCT Pensioners Union, Comrade Mohammed Bida, Secretary, Comrade Theophilus Okoli, Chairman of the FCDA/FCTA branch of the Union, Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, and other officials of the FCT Administration and union members.
Abuja currently is agoged as Pastor Chris Oyakhilome holds a 3-day mega crusade in Abuja, the Zonal Pastor of Christ Embassy Abuja Zone 1 and the Chairman, Steering Committee, Pastor Dipo Fisho, yesterday, disclosed that the crusade is basically to spread the love of Christ and save the souls of the people.
According to Fisho, the crusade holds from Friday March 21st-Sunday March 23rd 2025 at the Main Bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja, with the theme ‘Upward and Forward Only with Pastor Chris’.
He said: “The Word of God in Hebrews 13:1 says, “Let brotherly love continue.” What a profound and deeply stirring exhortation! When meditated upon, this passage can illuminate your heart and open your mind to divine epiphanies by the Spirit of God. Glory to His Name!
“The Lord Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, declared the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, and mind,”* followed by this: “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”Brotherly love, therefore, isn’t merely a suggestion—it is a divine mandate! Hallelujah!
“We are utilizing every medium available—social media, billboards, television, radio, and more—to share this divine invitation. Thousands of brethren across Abuja and its environs well branded and kitted are reaching out daily, spreading the Good News, distributing flyers, and inviting everyone to this life-changing program. Yes, ‘Upward and Forward Only with Pastor Chris’ will take place from the 21st to the 23rd of March, 2025, at the Main Bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja, starting at 3 PM daily. Hallelujah!
“To love God is to serve Him and to honor Him with our lives, walking in obedience to His divine instructions. When we follow His Word, our faith is expressed, and therein lies our success. This is the very heartbeat of ‘Upward and Forward Only with Pastor Chris’. For decades, I have had the privilege of pastoring and mentoring countless souls, and I can tell you this: the love of God is the very crux of the Gospel. His love compels us to speak with wisdom, to react with grace, and to stand boldly for the truth. Hallelujah!
“As Christians, we are custodians of the Gospel of Christ. This sacred message is not ours to keep hidden; we are commissioned to take it to the ends of the earth. Matthew 28:19-20 the Master charges us to go into all the world and preach the Good News to every creature. This is our divine calling! For ‘Upward and Forward Only with Pastor Chris’, the Holy Spirit has directed us to bring this message of salvation and divine life to the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja. Praise the Lord!
“Regardless of your background—whether you are a Free Thinker, Muslim, Animist, Buddhist, or Occultist—this message is for YOU! The love of God knows no boundaries, and His salvation is available to all who will receive it. We invite you to join us for this extraordinary 3-day event that will transform your life forever. Glory to God!
“This effort is a demonstration of brotherly love. We are so full of the joy, beauty, and reality of God’s amazing grace that we must share it with everyone! Love compels us to act, to give, and to bring others into the fullness of God’s blessings in Christ Jesus. Praise the Lord! This is why we are sparing no expense—because some things are worth far more than money. Jesus paid the ultimate price for our salvation, and now it is our time to shine His light to the world.
“Beloved, the love of God has brought immense success into my life, and I am passionate about seeing you live victoriously in Christ Jesus. This is why my brethren and I from all Christ Embassy Churches and LoveWorld Fellowships across Abuja extend this heartfelt invitation to you. Come and experience the power of God for yourself!”
Thousands have been stranded at Heathrow in the United Kingdom as fire guts electrical substation that supply electricity to the airport.
The international flights has been disrupted in the early hours of Friday with a yet to be released option as at the time of the press.
Authority said, Heathrow Airport will be closed all day Friday after a fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies it with power
The fire is still burning, London Fire Brigade says, with no power at Terminal 2 and 4 as well as 5,000 homes nearby. Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport, warns of days of disruption – more than 1,350 flights are thought to be affected today.
The implications will stretch far wider than Heathrow, and could impact flights much further afield,
Edited by Jenna Moon and Barbara Tasch, with Charlotte Gallagher reporting from Heathrow
Smith goes on to say that 29 people from neighbouring properties were evacuated over the fire, adding around 150 people in total were evacuated to a rest centre.
He says the fire brigade will continue to have a presence in the area throughout the day.
Fire safety and fire investigation officers are working with the Met Police to establish the nature of the fire, he adds.
There remains no power at Terminal 2 or Terminal 4 at Heathrow Airport, Smith says.
We’re now hearing from the London Fire Brigade, as deputy commissioner Jonathan Smith addresses reporters with an update on the fire at the electricity substation near Heathrow Airport.
The fire involved a transformer comprising 25,000 litres of cooling oil that was fully alight. 10% is still alight, he says.
Met Police declared it a major incident, he adds, saying that firefighters worked under challenging conditions.
Press watch live above to follow along. We’ll bring you more updates shortly.
BBC/CAPITAL POST NIGERIA
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has lost its quest to remove the ally of Chief Nyesom Wike as the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the early hours of Friday affirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the National Secretary.
Anyanwn who was planted by Wike as the National Secretary of the PDP has been engrossed in legal battle as Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT is now loyal to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
In a unanimous judgment, the five member panel averred that the matters bordering on the leadership or membership of a political party is its internal affair and should not be the business of a Court, hence, the Court has washed off its hands in PDP affairs.
The court proceeded to set aside the decision of Appeal Court, Enugu Division which on 20 December 2024 affirmed the removal of Anyanwu by a Federal High Court in Enugu.
The Apex Court held the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to have heard the matter instituted by Aniagwu Emmanuel.
Anyanwu contested for Imo State Governorship on the platform of PDP in 2023, but failed to secure victory.
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