Category: Local

Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, has dismissed claims that the South-East has been excluded from major road and infrastructure projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, describing such reports as “misleading and deceptive.” Reacting to a viral social media post titled “The Politics of Asphalt: Why is the South-East missing from the map?” by Mr. Linus Anagboso, Umahi accused some individuals of deliberately twisting facts to incite the public. He said the Tinubu administration has fairly distributed projects across the six geopolitical zones, with the South-East prominently captured in the third Legacy Project — the Cross River–Ebonyi–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa–Abuja highway, covering 465km x 2, of which 231.64km x 2 and 231.64km x 1 fall within the South-East at a cost of ₦445.8 billion. According to Umahi, ₦108 billion has already been paid for the project, which was reviewed at the July 31, 2025 Federal Executive Council meeting to extend coverage from 118km to 231.64km. “Under President Tinubu, 90% of abandoned projects, some dating back to 2013, have been revived and are now ongoing. The South-East is receiving the same fair treatment as other regions,” Umahi stated. He listed other ongoing projects in the region, including: Umahi urged South-East residents to support President Tinubu and the zone’s governors, stressing that unity, rather than “politics of hate and misinformation,” will help the region achieve the presidency in the future.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed that Nigeria’s economic growth and poverty reduction goals cannot be achieved without the rapid development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which he described as the backbone of the nation’s economy. Speaking at the 7th Expanded National MSME Clinic (Ondo 2025) held at the International Culture and Event Centre, Akure, Shettima noted that MSMEs account for 90% of jobs in Nigeria and are central to achieving inclusive growth. He revealed that 65 Ondo-based MSMEs have already benefited from the Federal Government’s ₦75 billion intervention fund, designed to provide affordable financing to entrepreneurs. Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa hailed the clinic as a “revolutionary step” toward unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential, highlighting his administration’s OUR EASE Agenda in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He called for federal support to establish a Fashion Hub Shared Facility and an Oil Palm Processing Plant in the state. Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji stressed the importance of patronising locally made goods, while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, urged stronger public-private partnerships to empower young entrepreneurs. The MSME Clinic recognised several Ondo-based businesses, including Denki Wire and Cables Ltd and Kay Classic Fashion, winners of the National MSME Awards for Excellence in Manufacturing and Fashion, respectively.

By Kamal Yalwa: Abuja | August 5, 2025 The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has increased the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, at its retail outlets nationwide. In Abuja and surrounding areas, the new price is N955 per litre, up by N65 from the previous N890. In Lagos, petrol now sells for N915 per litre, compared to N865 earlier. The hike has triggered concerns among commuters and business owners already grappling with high inflation and rising living costs. A Nigerian Tribune survey confirmed that the new prices have been implemented across NNPC stations in Abuja’s Central Business District, Wuse, Berger, Nyanya, and Mararaba in Nasarawa State. Independent marketers are selling at varied rates — MRS stations in AYA, Abuja, sold at N850, AA Rano at N920, while NIPCO, Zamson, and AYM Shafa stations along the Abuja–Keffi Expressway pegged prices at N920. Although NNPC Limited has yet to issue an official statement, the increase follows Dangote Refinery’s upward revision of the ex-depot price from N820 to N858 per litre.

By Kamal Yalwa: Malumfashi, Katsina State Troops of Operation Fansan Yanma have arrested a female suspect allegedly found with military gear and three loaded ammunition magazines in Malumfashi town, Katsina State. The woman was reportedly intercepted at a routine checkpoint around 1:00 a.m. while attempting to leave the town under suspicious circumstances. A search of her travel bag uncovered a military uniform, camouflage trousers, a tactical jacket, several mobile phones, and other security-related items, including the loaded magazines. Security officials say the items were carefully concealed in her luggage to evade detection. A security source disclosed via his official X handle on Monday evening that the suspect is in custody and undergoing interrogation, with investigations focused on identifying her network and motives. While authorities have not released her identity or confirmed any affiliations, military sources suspect she may be linked to a syndicate that supplies weapons and military equipment to terrorist groups operating in the region.