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FCT Minister flags off road rehabilitation project

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Barrister Nyesom Wike

As part of efforts to improve road infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has flagged off the resurfacing/rehabilitation of existing roads and remedial works on bridges within the Federal Capital City.

Carrying out the flag-off exercise in the Garki II District of the FCT on Monday, September 11, 2023, Barrister Wike disclosed that the road resurfacing/rehabilitation project in the district falls under phase one of the project, adding that work would also commence in the Entire Garki District in the next few weeks.

According to the Minister, the provision of road infrastructure, is one of the many benefits that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised residents of the FCT, adding that other aspects of development in the FCT would also be addressed in due course under the renewed hope agenda of the President.

He therefore urged the traditional rulers and other residents of the FCT to give maximum support and cooperation to the contractors working on the project to ensure it is completed within schedule.

The Minister however warned the contractors against colluding with officials of the FCDA to frustrate the timely completion of the project, adding that the FCT Administration will no longer accept the variation of contracts in the FCT.

Stressing that the FCT Administration had the finances to pay the contractors, the Minister assured that every aspect of the project has been considered, thereby foreclosing the possibility of any variation.

According to the Minister, “My dear people of FCT, Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the FCT Minister of State and my humble self to assure you that his agenda of renewed hope works.

“What we have come to do today is to assure you that the agenda of renewed hope of Mr President is not just by talking but also putting it into practice. That is why we have come to start with flagging off of a number of roads in this area. This is just phase one. In the next few weeks, we will go to phase two, which is the entire Garki.

“This is about road infrastructure. There are so many things that Mr. President has promised. Just be patient, we are taking it one after the other. That is the message I have told you here.”

Speaking in both English and pidgin for emphasis, the Minister said, “To the contractors, let me warn you now; all these things wey una de do with engineering services, e no go work again. Nothing like variation. It will not work. A Job of one Naira; in the next seven days, it now becomes fifteen naira, it will not work.

“So, don’t even try it. There is no variation in this job. We have the money to pay you. So, if you like, go to engineering services and do anything with them; it will not work. We are paying you your money and I assure you, nobody will owe you a dime. We are going to pay you and you must finish within the time we have agreed with you.”

The Minister further assured that the FCT Administration will do everything within its powers to bring about a turnaround in the fortunes of the FCT in line with the visions of the city’s founding fathers.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr. Shehu Hadi Ahmad, explained that the road resurfacing project is designed to rehabilitate a substantial number of dilapidated roads within the phase one of the FCT, which were developed in the 1980s, in order to prolong their lifespan.

He said the project will involve scarification and removal of existing asphalt in some locations, while in other places, it will require milling and asphalt overlay.

He said about 135 roads covering 42 kilometers in Wuse, Garki and some areas in Maitama and Asokoro Districts are ivolved in the rehabilitation and resurfacing exercise.

The project, when completed, according to the Executive Secretary, will improve the flow of traffic in the FCT, reduce travel time and make the roads even safer.

He therefore commended the FCT Minister for deeming it necessary to take on the project as a priority, adding that the replacement of gully inlet covers as well as the rehabilitation of drainage systems will also be undertaken.

The Hon. Minister of State in her remarks said that there has been tremendous positive feedback from residents of the FCT for improvements of streetlights and sanitation in the city and also praised the commitment of the Minister to improving the FCT as no 48 hours passes without project sites being visited

Also speaking, the representative of the contractors working on the project, Obada Zabadne, who is also the CEO ZBMC Ltd, thanked the FCT Minister for the trust and opportunity given to them to work on the projects.

Mr, Zabadne assured that the contractors were very committed and would work very hard in the next few months to achieve the objectives and possibly surpass expectations in the FCT.

Other officials present during the flag off exercise include the Chairman, House Committee on the FCT Hon. Aliyu Betara Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Mr. Olusade Adesola, traditional rulers and other officials of the FCT Administration, among others.

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Natasha uncovers arrest plot after reported Akpabio to IPU in New York

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Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has uncovered plot by security agents to arrest her upon arrival to Nigeria from Interparliamentary Union, IPU where she reported alleged sexual harassment against Nigerian Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District was suspended for six months for flouting the purported Senate Rules and Order, after which she claimed sexual harassment and proceeded to the IPU.

She revealed that she faces arrest by Nigerian government as Nigerian security officials are planning to arrest her upon her return to Nigeria, claiming that the planned arrest was like ked to her participation in the IPU meeting in New York on March 11, 2025

On Sunday the Kogi female Senator was quoted as saying
that she was aware of plots.

“I’m aware there are plans underway to have me arrested as soon as I arrive Abuja,” Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is still in the US after the IPU meeting, said.

Though she didn’t disclose details of the planned arrest by 2hich of the security agencies, her participation has however considered an embarrassement to the Nigerian government and since her appearance at IPU on March 11, 2025, things were no longer at ease within the government circles.

A source within security domain confirmed that a probe has been launched into Natasha’s participation at IPU.

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Biggest cocaine, opioid shipments meant for US, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland seized in NDLEA’s 2 weeks raid [Pictorials]

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in raid across states in last two weeks led to the seizure of biggest multiple illicit drug consignments bound for the United States, Saudi Arabia, Poland, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates.

The drugs, including cocaine, tramadol, loud, and molly, were concealed in various items such as prayer beads, board game packs, and female clothing.

This was made known in a statement signed by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi on Sunday.
The statement read, “Desperate bids by some drug trafficking organisations (DTO) to move illicit consignments such as Cocaine, Tramadol, Loud, Molly and others concealed in prayer beads, packs of board games, female cloths to the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland, and United Arab Emirates through logistics firms and the Lagos airport have been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.

“At least, two suspects behind some of the aborted missions at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos have already been arrested. One of them is a 43-year-old businesswoman, Jakpor Egware May, who was nabbed at the Gate ‘C’ departure hall of the Lagos airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy on Saturday, 8th March 2025.

“When she was searched, 190 parcels of tramadol 225mg and another parcel of skunk, a strain of cannabis, were recovered from her luggage. In her statement, she claimed that she bought the drugs herself, with the intention to resell them in Italy.

“At the export shed of the Lagos airport, NDLEA officers on Tuesday, 11th March arrested a 60-year-old suspect, Yahaya Fatai Ayinla, while attempting to ship a cargo containing cloths used to conceal 400grams of skunk going to New York, United States of America.

“At some logistics companies in Lagos, efforts by drug traffickers to export over two kilograms of Loud, Molly, Tramadol 365mg, 225mg hidden in Vitamin C bottles and female cloths to the US were frustrated by NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, DOGI. “Other shipments of 230grams of cocaine concealed in prayer beads, soles of locally made shoes and packs of board games heading to Saudi Arabia, Poland and UAE were equally intercepted between Monday 10th and Wednesday 12th March.”

In a separate operation in Kano, NDLEA operatives arrested 40-year-old Hassan Haruna at Chalawa and recovered 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479 kilograms.

In Kogi State, officers intercepted 58,300 pills of tramadol along the Kabba-Obajana highway in a commercial bus traveling from Lagos to Abuja.

Additional raids in Kachia, Kaduna State, led to the arrest of 21-year-old Idris Hamza, who was found in possession of 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg.

Another raid in the Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North LG resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Aminu Magaji, from whom 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized.

The statement added, “In Kano, a total of 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg were recovered from a 40-year-old suspect Hassan Haruna who was arrested by NDLEA operatives at Chalawa area of the state on Wednesday 12th March, while no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were intercepted along Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi state in a commercial bus coming from Lagos enroute Abuja on Tuesday 11th March.

“Raid operations in Kachia, Kaduna state on Thursday 13th March led to the arrest of Idris Hamza, 21, with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg seized from him, just as a similar exercise in Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North LGA, on Friday 14th March resulted in the arrest of 25-year-old Aminu Magaji from whom 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered.”

In Kwara State, NDLEA operatives intercepted 40,200 tramadol 225mg tablets from two suspects, Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan.

A separate seizure of 21,700 tramadol capsules was made along Eiyenkorin expressway in Ilorin, leading to the arrest of a suspect identified as Salisu Usman.

In Taraba State, officers arrested 35-year-old Polycarp Adeku and seized 15.77 kilograms of skunk from him. In Osun State, NDLEA operatives intercepted a commercial bus carrying 48.7 kilograms of Ghanaian loud, Colorado, and Canadian loud, all potent strains of cannabis.

The statement added, “While a total of 40, 200 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from the duo of Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin – Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara state on Friday 14th March, NDLEA operatives equally seized 21,700 capsules of same opioid from a suspect Salisu Usman along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin on Thursday 13th March.

“In Taraba State, NDLEA officers on Friday 14th March arrested Polycarp Adeku, 35, at Bente road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77Kg skunk, while in Osun state, operatives on Thursday 13th March, intercepted a commercial bus marked SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island in front of King University, Ode-omu, with a total of 48.7kg Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis. Not less than nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow up operations.”

In Abuja, NDLEA officers arrested 58-year-old Ade Esan, also known as Pastor, along the Gwagwalada expressway with 27,800 tramadol 225mg pills in his possession.

Another suspect, 26-year-old Usman Mohammed, was nabbed with varying quantities of skunk and cocaine.

In Abia State, a raid in the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LG, resulted in the arrest of 34-year-old Chinaza Nwogu, also known as Young Money.

The statement added, “A 58-year-old suspect Ade Esan (aka Pastor) was on Tuesday 11th March arrested along Gwagwalada expressway, FCT Abuja with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg, while another suspect Usman Mohammed, 26, was nabbed same day with various quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse zone 3 area of Abuja.

“In Abia state, NDLEA operatives on Saturday 15th March raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, where a 34-year-old suspect Chinaza Nwogu (aka Young Money) was arrested with 274grams of heroin, 141grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, 4grams of cocaine and Seven Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand, Fifteen Naira (N753,015.00) monetary exhibit.”

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Rivers Crisis: Wike taunts Fubara, accuse governor of sharing money belonging to State

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike

The former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has accused the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara of sharing Rivers State with those he surrounded himself with who cannot help him.

Speaking at a civic reception in his honor at Abalama Town in the Kalabari Kingdom, organized by NEW Associates, Wike, the former governor of Rivers State, blamed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, for instigating the political crisis in the state.

The former governor who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT stated that Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule who recently won their case at the Supreme Court would not be stopped from doing their constitutional duties.

Wike stated this while addressing the large crowd that gathered to receive him, Wike said he attended the event despite threats from certain individuals, emphasizing that the occasion proved the opposition was merely making “radio noise.”

“I heard some people say I wouldn’t come here. Who are they, and how many are they? What you’ve done today shows the world that all the noise on the radio is not the reality. If you are from Kalabari and the Ijaw nation and you are receiving me today, God will continue to bless you. I will always stand by you and support you.”
Wike also denied reports that he described the Ijaw people as a minority in Rivers State, stating that his words were taken out of context.

“Some people have deliberately misinterpreted my interview. However they choose to twist it is their business. I simply said we all worked together, and without unity, it would have been difficult to produce the governor. Chief Alabraba did not allow me to rest during the decision-making process; he nearly fainted when we were choosing the candidate.

“Himself, OCJ Okocha, Sergeant Awuse, and Celestine Omehia were present when we met. On the day of the primary, the current governor initially refused to run, saying my Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu, should be the candidate instead. Celestine Omehia insisted that Kamalu should run because he believed the governor couldn’t effectively carry out the responsibilities of the office.”

Wike alleged that those surrounding the governor advised him to withhold the salaries and allowances of Assembly members for over a year. He stressed that he would not interfere with the Assembly’s constitutional functions.
“They told you to seize the salaries and allowances of Assembly members for over a year, leaving them without income to feed their families or pay school fees. You were jubilating, and people encouraged you, assuring you that nothing would happen.

“Now, something has happened. I am not going to stop the Assembly from performing its constitutional duties. The Assembly should be allowed to do its job. People who love peace do not threaten others.

“I told you that the House of Assembly members would not lose their seats. I told you that the local government shenanigans would not stand. I don’t need to be a governor to know that what is illegal is illegal. We fight it constitutionally, following due process. What did we do wrong?

“We simply said that the Assembly members, local government chairmen, and National Assembly members worked hard to make you governor—do not abandon them. But they claimed I was asking for money. Has the money come? Those you are sharing money with, how far?

“Yesterday, I was a bad man, a crook, and a criminal. But it was that same ‘bad man’ who made you governor against all odds. If I hated the Ijaw people, I wouldn’t have done that, and nothing would have happened. I believe in the principle of ‘live and let live.”

Wike also criticized those surrounding the governor, labeling them “natural ingrates” and warning that money is not everything.

“Anyone who is not an ingrate would not associate with what is happening. I told the governor to enjoy what God had given him in peace and not to engage in unnecessary conflicts. But his advisers told him, ‘You are the governor, you have money.’ I agree, but money is not everything. These people have nothing to offer. Now, look at where we are. How far?”

Meanwhile, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, praised Wike for his political acumen and unwavering support for the Ijaw people.

“Wike has worked to resolve the political crisis in Rivers State by following the dispute up to the Supreme Court. We pray that peace will return to the state through this process.

“We will continue to support you at all times and uphold collaboration as a powerful force for advancing the interests of all parts of the state. Your contributions to Kalabari land will remain indelible for generations to come.”

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