News
Easy ride for NCC’s Maida in Senate on appointment confirmation
It was easy ride for the newly appointed Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC ), Dr Aminu Maida when he appeared for screening before the Senate Committee on Communications on Wednesday.
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The Committee chaired by Senator Ikra Aliyu Bilbis (PDP Zamfara Central), saw him as a round peg for the round hole of the Nigerian Communications Commission going by his pedigree and track records in the Telecommunication cum Technological sector .
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Aminu Maina had prior to his appointment by President Bola Tinubu as the new Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, served as the Executive Director, Technology & Operations at Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS).
He is a seasoned-technical professional with over 15 years multi-functional and international experience in FinTech & Telecoms & Enterprise Technology.
He holds an MEng in Information Systems Engineering from Imperial College London and a PhD in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the University of Bath UK.
Members of the committee like Senators Jimoh Ibrahim, Abdulazeez Yar’Adua, Abdul Ningi, Adamu Aliero etc, vouched for competence of the appointee for the job and commended President Tinubu for making a right choice.
Specifically Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC Ondo South) said: “Going by very impressive Curriculum Vitae of the appointee submitted to us, his pedigree, expertise and functional knowledge acquired up to the Cambridge University in London, there can be no any other better choice for NCC job than him.
“He has the knowledge and capacity to bring out the best for the country from the commission in terms of better Telecom services and would surely deliver”.
In his submissions before the committee, Dr Maida said the two key areas he would be focusing on are improved coverage and connectivity of telecom services to the remotest parts of the country.
“NCC under my leadership if confirmed as Executive Vice Chairman by the Senate, would ensure that network subscribers get value for their money, drastic reduction in drop calls, improved network coverage and rural connectivity.
“Technological innovation for stoppage of hacking into subscribers’ accounts would also be at the front burner of actions to be taken in no distant time”, he said .
Apparently impressed by his submissions, the Committee Chairman, put a voice vote to members for the appointee to take a bow and go which was affirmatively responded to, by all members who shouted Ayes!
Feelers from the committee , indicate that report for Maida’s appointment confirmation by the Senate, will be presented in plenary today and adopted .
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News
Bodo-Bonny Road: Communities upbeat, eagerly await project completion
For the first time in history, Bonny Island is set to be connected to mainland Rivers State by road. The Bodo-Bonny Road, spanning 35.7 kilometres, is a landmark infrastructure project that will unlock new economic opportunities for the region. Constructing this road, however, has been no small feat. Running through low-lying marshlands, tidal zones, and swampy terrain, the project has required advanced engineering to ensure that the road can withstand heavy rainfall, flooding, and unstable ground conditions.
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Despite these challenges, visible changes are taking shape along the route. On the mainland, work on the road foundation is nearing completion, while in Bonny, sections of the newly paved surface are already in use. Bridge structures are in place, and the installation of protective barriers is expected to commence soon. Road workers are laying the final layers in preparation for asphalt paving, which project managers say will begin in the coming weeks.
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A Julius Berger official on-site confirmed that work is advancing as planned. “We are making steady progress, and the project remains on track. The goal is to ensure the road is stable and durable, even with the challenging terrain,” he explained.
Inside Bonny Island, finishing works on the concrete road are moving at a steady pace, with some sections already accessible. Workers remain committed, with activities continuing even during their break hours. The Bodo-Bonny Road is already drawing activity, with traders and small businesses setting up along completed sections.
Julius Berger’s Administrative Manager, Barr. Samuel Hart described the progress as steady and well-coordinated. “This project spans three to four local government areas, and from our engagements, the communities see it as their own. They are eager to drive from Port Harcourt to Bonny without hindrance,” he said. Hart reaffirmed Julius Berger’s commitment to timely delivery, emphasizing that traditional rulers and local stakeholders are closely monitoring the work with anticipation.
Chairman of the Bodo-Bonny Road Peace Committee, Chief Dr. O. R. Longjohn, echoed this sentiment, stating, “This project will unlock tremendous opportunities for Bonny Island, enabling socio-economic development across the region and beyond. Bonny Island plays a vital role in Nigeria’s economy, housing the nation’s largest oil and gas industries. Julius Berger’s work here is transformative, and we eagerly await completion.”
Security remains a key challenge, but measures are in place at the project site. Assistant Security Manager, Abraham Ikhenoba, highlighted the role of military support in maintaining stability. “We frequently engage with local communities to understand their concerns. The enthusiasm for this project is palpable; residents see Julius Berger as a company deeply committed to Nigeria’s progress,” he said.
For Project Director, Tim Nippert, the project represents both an engineering milestone and a national priority. “The terrain here is extremely challenging, requiring precise technical expertise, planning, and logistics. We are working hard to deliver this road. The current base course coverage ensures protection in case of early rains, allowing us to continue working through the season. By September, all three road sections will be ready for asphalt placement, with final preloading removal scheduled by year-end,” he said.
The Bodo-Bonny Road project spans four local governments and is a testament to the potential of public-private partnerships. Funded through a tripartite agreement between the Federal Government, Nigeria LNG (NLNG), and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the road is expected to transform access to Bonny Island, reinforcing the critical role of infrastructure in fostering regional and national integration.
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News
Echocho begins three-day training and empowerment of youths in agriculture across Ankpa Federal Constituency [Pictorials]
The training and empowerment of youths in Agriculture in Ankpa Federal Constituency commenced on Wednesday at the conference hall of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees.
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The exercise which was facilitated by the Senator representing Kogi East, Distinguished Sen Isah Jibrin (Echocho), would see to the training of youths from Ankpa Federal Constituency .
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The programme designed for beneficiaries from Ankpa, Omala and Olamaboro local governments aims to equip youths with essentials agricultural knowledge while providing them with capital and seedlings, facilitated by Sen Isah Jibrin (Echocho).
Declaring the training and empowerment open, Senator Isah who was represented by his Senior Legislative Aid, Alhaji Danlami Garba, called on the youths to be committed to the training in order to be self-employed.
He said, the youths should leverage on peace prevailing in Kogi East to get back to agriculture in order to sustain food security in line with the Federal Government’s agricultural policy, adding that the best form of security for any nation is food security.
According to him, the training of youths was part of his constituency projects targeted at youths because of their strength and passion for self development, stressing that the nation stand to benefit by redirecting their focus to self employment through agriculture, assuring that the training will be extended to other Federal Constituencies in few weeks.
He said: “As you undergo a three-day training, it’s an opportunity for you to delve into agricultural enterprise productively, leveraging on various government agricultural initiatives.
“Of course, Kogi East has rich history of agriculture that ocassioned the famous Afor Gam Gam, Ikanekpo in Ankpa, Bagana, Aja Abejukolo, Anyigba, Ejule, Aja Itobe, Oguma in Bassa and other markets which were highly patronised by people from adjoining States.
“It’s our collective resolve that the district would be returned to the good old days through agriculture, economic and empowerment that ensures that our youths are mobilised to farms in the forthcoming season.
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News
Anambra guber: Group purchases APC Nomination Form for Ozigbo
Another governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Valentine Ozigbo has obtained the nomination and expression of interest forms to contest the 2025 Anambra gubernatorial elections.
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A group, Valiant Movement purchased the N50 million forms on his behalf in the party headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
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The Movement described Ozigbo as a leader whose vision, integrity, and deep-rooted connection with the people, embody the true aspirations of Ndi Anambra.
In a statement signed by the leader of the movement, Chief Teddy Ezeike, the reason for purchasing the forms for Ozigbo is to demonstrate its resolve to ensure that transformational leadership is entrenched in Anambra State this year.
According to them, “It is a rallying cry from the streets of Onitsha to the fields of Ayamelum, from the marketplaces of Nnewi to the hills of Aguata—a call for a leader who understands our struggles, shares our dreams, and possesses the competence, character, and compassion to chart a new course for Anambra.
“Valentine is the people’s choice — a rare bridge between the grassroots and the elite, between tradition and innovation, between the Anambra of today and the Anambra of our dreams.
“A multiple-award winning global CEO, one of Nigeria’s most recognisable philantropists, an international sports promoter, and an icon for youth development and excellence, Valentine’s record speaks for itself: a corporate business leader who has demonstrated excellence, a political force who has inspired millions, and a statesman whose commitment to good governance has never wavered.
“Ozigbo is a shining beacon of hope and progress in a time when Anambra yearns for true leadership and our decision to present this form to Valentine Ozigbo is an affirmation that we will no longer accept mediocrity in leadership, that we will not settle for politics as usual, that we will not allow Anambra to be governed by anything less than the best.
“We are making a statement that we deserve more, that Ndi Anambra deserve a leader who listens, understands, and delivers, that the era of empty promises and broken systems must come to an end.
“We call on all members of the All Progressives Party (APC) and lovers of democracy, all believers in progress, and all Ndi Anambra who dream of a state that works for all to rise, unite, and join us in this mission.
“The Valiant Movement has made its choice, and we urge every son and daughter of Anambra to stand with us, to stand with Valentine Ozigbo, and to stand for a future that is bold, visionary, and unstoppable”.
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