Category: News

By: Kamal Yalwa President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to indigenous content and infrastructure development as he commissioned the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, alongside several other major road projects across the country. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Lagos on Saturday, Tinubu directed the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and other key officials overseeing national projects to enforce strict compliance with regulations on local content, skills transfer, and Nigerian participation. The President also issued a stern warning to estate developers and contractors building illegally on federal land without approvals. He declared that such property owners would no longer receive compensation for violating setback laws and urban development regulations. “Let me warn all developers that the Federal Government will enforce building setbacks, and developers without approvals will not be compensated. We have gazetted and published these setbacks, and enforcement will follow in full,” Tinubu said. He commended Engineer Ronald Chagoury for his role in preventing the Atlantic Ocean’s encroachment on Victoria Island and Ikoyi, praising the bold intervention that helped avert a disaster. “I said we would do it, and we did. We averted a disaster greater than a tsunami in Victoria Island and Ikoyi,” Tinubu stated. The President also urged Nigerians to remain patient with his administration’s economic reforms, noting early signs of recovery in the foreign exchange market and the gradual drop in food prices. “I want to appeal to all Nigerians that hope is here. Our economy is recovering,” he assured. He expressed gratitude to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, the Federal Ministry of Works staff, contractors, and Lagos residents for their support. The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a 700km project spanning the coastal areas of Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States. The commissioned Phase I, Section I stretches from Ahmadu Bello Way to Eleko Village Area in the Lekki Peninsula. Other projects commissioned by the President include: President Tinubu emphasised that these projects reflect his administration’s resolve to improve national infrastructure, boost economic activities, and ease transportation for Nigerians. “These projects demonstrate our commitment to strengthening connectivity, boosting trade, and building an economy that works for all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has strongly criticised a recent report by Amnesty International, describing it as lacking in context and failing to recognise the significant achievements of the Nigerian Armed Forces in combating insecurity across the country. The DHQ said the report, which accused the government of failing to protect citizens from relentless attacks by armed groups and bandits, was based on “sweeping generalisations” and “unverified statistics.” Amnesty International had claimed that at least 10,217 people were killed and 672 villages destroyed in the past two years, with Benue State accounting for the highest casualties at 6,896 deaths, followed by Plateau State with 2,630. However, in a statement on Friday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, refuted the claims, insisting they misrepresented the security situation and ignored the asymmetric nature of the threats Nigeria faces. Kangye highlighted that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Armed Forces have neutralised over 5,000 insurgents and bandits, liberated 350 communities previously under terrorist control, and rescued over 1,200 kidnapped civilians. He added that the sustained military presence in volatile areas like Zamfara, Plateau, and Benue States has enabled displaced persons to begin returning home safely. Kangye dismissed Amnesty’s claim that 6,896 people were killed in Benue as “humongous and misleading,” saying the military’s records show 693 deaths in the state during the review period. The DHQ also pointed to successful operations in Zamfara, where over 2,000 military offensives were conducted, resulting in the rescue of 687 abductees, the neutralisation of 1,500 terrorists, and the destruction of several bandit enclaves. Kangye urged Amnesty International and other civil society groups to be cautious in their reporting and to recognise the complex socio-political realities the military confronts in restoring peace across Nigeria.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has said many Nigerians blame the President for the country’s challenges because they suffer from a “short memory” and often forget the state of the nation before Tinubu assumed office. Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Friday, Onanuga argued that critics of the administration fail to consider the economic and structural problems Tinubu inherited when he took office in May 2023. According to him, Nigerians are too quick to forget the fuel shortages, foreign exchange crises, and heavy subsidy debts that plagued the nation prior to Tinubu’s emergence as President. Onanuga recalled that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) had significantly reduced fuel imports due to the federal government’s failure to settle over ₦4 trillion in unpaid subsidy claims. He noted that the fuel scarcity witnessed during the 2023 elections forced Tinubu to announce the removal of the subsidy on his first day in office, a decision aimed at reviving the oil sector and stabilising fuel supply. Defending the controversial reforms introduced by the Tinubu administration, including the subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification, Onanuga insisted these were necessary measures to correct systemic imbalances and ensure long-term stability. He urged Nigerians to give the President credit for tackling issues that previous governments avoided, emphasising that the administration’s actions have started yielding positive results, despite the initial hardships. Onanuga concluded by highlighting the government’s commitment to transparency and its efforts to ease the burden on citizens, pointing to the steps taken to stabilise the forex market and attract investment into the economy.Tools

Enugu State has been announced as the host of the 2025 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), a week-long event themed “Connected Culture,” slated for November 22–29, 2025. The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, presented the hosting rights to Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House in Enugu, citing the state’s rich cultural heritage, recent developments, and vibrant atmosphere as reasons for the selection. Asika commended the state’s growing cultural and economic influence, noting that NAFEST would attract over 5,000 participants from across Nigeria and beyond. He added that the festival’s return to Enugu, after 17 years, would not only foster unity but also stimulate youth empowerment and capacity-building opportunities, particularly for the state’s creative sector. Governor Mbah welcomed the development, promising to deliver an exceptional NAFEST experience. He said hosting the festival aligns with his administration’s vision of transforming Enugu into a premier hub for business, leisure, and tourism, with a target of attracting three million visitors annually. He assured participants of safety and a conducive environment, given the state’s investment in security infrastructure. The 2025 NAFEST is expected to significantly boost Enugu’s economy, spotlight its cultural landmarks such as the Awhum Waterfall and Nsude Pyramid Canopy Walkway, and position the state as a key destination for arts and culture in Nigeria. Governor Mbah expressed optimism that the event would be a memorable one, leveraging Enugu’s aesthetic appeal and ongoing infrastructural advancements.

The suspected billionaire ritualist Ezeani, who was arrested while trying to escape Nigeria, has narrated his side of the story, saying some people in his community didn’t want him to be next-of-king, calling his arrest political