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 Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Senate Matters, Senator Basheer Lado, has commended his principal for assenting to South West and South – South Development Commissions Bills as well as the Nigeria Anti – Doping Bill 2025.
Senator Lado who made the commendation in a personally signed statement, described presidential assets to the bills as monumental milestone and testament to visionary leadership and national progress.
The statement reads: “I extend my warmest congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for yet another historic achievement his decisive and visionary assent to the South-West Development Commission Bill, the South-South Development Commission Bill, and the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025.
“These landmark legislations are a clear reflection of President Tinubu’s relentless commitment to inclusive governance, equitable progress, and Nigeria’s emergence as a global powerhouse.
“His Excellency has once again demonstrated that leadership is not merely about policies—it is about impact, legacy, and a deep-rooted dedication to uplifting every citizen.
“By signing into law the establishment of the South-West and South-South Development Commissions, President Tinubu has reaffirmed his role as a transformational leader who prioritizes regional empowerment, economic expansion, and infrastructural excellence.
Building on the foundation of his earlier assent to the South-East and North -West Development Commissions, it is evident that President Tinubu is deliberate in bringing development across all regions.
“These commissions will serve as catalysts for industrial growth, job creation, and social advancement—ensuring that every corner of Nigeria benefits from his administration’s progressive vision. This is the mark of a true statesman—one who understands that a nation’s strength lies in its ability to uplift all regions without bias.
“In the same vein, the Nigeria Anti-Doping Bill, 2025 is yet another bold step that solidifies Nigeria’s commitment to fairness, excellence, and integrity in global sports.
“President Tinubu has once again positioned Nigeria as a nation of high ethical standards, ensuring that our athletes compete on the world stage with honor and credibility. By domesticating the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sports, his administration has safeguarded the future of Nigerian sports, protecting our athletes from unfair practices while reinforcing our global reputation as a country that upholds integrity.
“This momentous occasion underscores President Tinubu’s unmatched leadership—one that is proactive, decisive, and deeply attuned to the needs and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
His ability to enact groundbreaking policies that foster unity, drive economic prosperity, and elevate our international standing speaks volumes of his unwavering dedication to national transformation”.
News
BREAKING: Key contact details missing in petition to recall Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan – INEC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has acknowledged receiving a petition for the recall of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District but noted that key contact details of the petitioners were missing.
In a press release signed by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, the commission stated that the petition was submitted with six bags of documents containing signatures from more than half of the 474,554 registered voters in the district.
However, the covering letter only provided a general location, “Okene, Kogi State,” without a specific address or multiple contact numbers as required by INEC’s regulations.
INEC emphasized that the recall process is guided by the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and its 2024 Regulations and Guidelines for Recall.
The commission assured that once the petition meets all requirements, it will proceed with verifying the signatures using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in an open process involving petitioners, observers, and the media.
INEC is currently making efforts to reach the petitioners through other means and urged the public to disregard speculation on social media regarding the recall process.
News
Natasha’s case to be assigned to another Judge as Egwuatu recuse himself, citing Akpabio’s petition
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, has recused himself from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s case citing a petition by lawyers to Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The case bothered on suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Udughan from the Senate for six months, but a dramatic twist to it Justice Egwuatu who is presiding over the matter on Tuesday recused himself and ordered that the cas file be sent to the Chief Justice for reassignment.
The trial judge based his decision on a petition the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, wrote to challenge his objectivity in the matter.
Though the suit was originally fixed for hearing, however, when the matter was called up by the court’s clerk, Justice Egwuatu announced his decision in a short ruling he delivered.
He said the case-file would be returned to the Chief Judge for a reassignment to another judge.
It will be recalled that Justice Egwuatu had on March 4, issued an interim order that stopped the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions from going ahead with the disciplinary proceeding that was initiated against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan over an allegation that she flouted rules of the legislative house.
He held that the disciplinary process should be placed on hold, pending the determination of the suit that was brought before him by the embattled female lawmaker.
More so, Justice Egwuatu gave defendants in the matter, 72 hours to show cause why it should not issue an order of interlocutory injunction to stop them from probing the plaintiff for alleged misconduct, without affording her the privileges stipulated in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act.
He granted permission for the plaintiff to serve the Originating Summons and all the accompanying processes on all the defendants, through substituted means.
It held that they should be served by handing the processes to the Clerk of the National Assembly or by pasting them on the premises of the National Assembly and publishing same in two national dailies.
The interim orders followed an ex-parte application and an affidavit of urgency that was brought before the court by the lawmaker.
However, despite the orders of the court, the Senate Committee held its sitting and slammed the plaintiff with a six months suspension.
Following an application by the defendants, Justice Egwuatu subsequently amended the interim order he issued in favour of the plaintiff, by vacating the aspect that barred the Senate from undertaking any activity within the pendency of the suit.
The Senate President had through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, queried the powers of the court to meddle in the affairs of the Senate.
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