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Sule Orders Investigation into Alleged Sale of Donated Items by Nasarawa Hospital Staff

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Sule Orders Investigation into Alleged Sale of Donated Items by Nasarawa Hospital Staff

  Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has ordered an immediate investigation into reports of missing mattresses and fans at Umaisha General Hospital in Toto Local Government Area of the state. In a viral video earlier this week, the lawmaker representing the Umaisha/Ugya constituency, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Sa’ad Abdullahi, lamented the inability of hospital staff to account for the medical items he bought and donated to the hospital. The lawmaker, a member of the All Progressives Congress, visited the hospital to assess the condition of the facility and ascertain the use of the items donated to support its operations. The items include 50 orthopaedic mattresses, 50 ceiling fans, and 40 standing fans, which were donated to the Umaisha General Hospital, Toto Local Government Area of the state. However, on Wednesday, during the inauguration of the eight new Commissioners, Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries and board members at the Aliyu Akwe -Doma Banquet Hall, Government House, Lafia, the state capital, the governor recalled what had transpired during the lawmaker’s visit to the hospital. He lamented that while the lawmaker was concerned about the state of health of his constituents, it was unfortunate that some people don’t “mean well” for the state. Sule disclosed that he had requested a report on the incident to be submitted before the weekend. The governor said, “A very honourable member from Umaisha/ Ugya recently bought a lot of mattresses and all kinds of fans, standing fans, ceiling fans, and the rest of that because he was concerned about what his local primary healthcare was undergoing.” “Few days back, he returned there and discovered that the officials of the hospital had actually sold those items. This is a terrible thing that will happen if you have people who do not mean well for Nasarawa State. I am waiting for the honourable commissioner, and I expect that report by the end of this week.” As seen in the video. After an earlier conversation with an unnamed male hospital staff member, the lawmaker recalled his discussion with a doctor whose face wasn’t revealed in the video. “Doctor, (do) you remember the last time I spoke with you about those orthopaedic mattresses, (do) you remember what you told me?” he asked. On both occasions, the doctor replied, ‘Yes” The lawmaker then turned away from the doctor and faced the staff member who had shown him one of the supposed mattresses earlier. He queried, “Do you know me? Do you realise I work under the state government? Please, for Allah’s sake, don’t let me be very upset with you.” After the man’s affirmation that he knows him, Abdullahi then asked further, pointing to one of the mattresses, “Why are you lying to me? How can you tell me this is the mattress I bought? Can I show you the mattresses I bought?” he asked, raising his mobile phone. The lawmaker then asked for the whereabouts of the items he bought. “I bought them for my people. Where are the ceiling fans? I bought more than 50 ceiling fans, more than 40 standing fans. Where are they? Look at the condition of my people. You’re telling me you’ve taken the mattresses round the wards; take me to the wards. Where are they? Let me see them.” He recalled that he had had a prior discussion with the doctor, who told him the mattresses were still in the store, after which he urged the doctor to return the mattresses. He said, “It is my money that I used to buy them for my people. Why will they be suffering? Look at the condition of the people here,” as the video showed one woman sitting beside another another laying on a bed. The hospital staff member later revealed that about seven of the 50 mattresses had been given temporarily to discharge patients, with an arrangement for them to be returned.

Osun@35: Adeleke Pledges to Heal Divisions, Unite Residents After Election

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  Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has promised to bridge existing divides across the state and run an inclusive administration following the recent governorship election, assuring residents that equity, fairness and unity will remain priorities in the next phase of his tenure. Adeleke made the pledge in a state broadcast on Thursday to mark the 35th anniversary of the creation of Osun State, as he acknowledged the pains, deaths and injuries arising from the recent electoral crisis. The governor said the difficult circumstances surrounding the election had tested the state’s democratic values, while commending residents for their commitment to democracy and the rule of law. A release on his official X handle revealed all these. “My people, as you have again conferred the leadership mandate on me under recent difficult circumstances, I promise to heal the wounds, unite the people and uphold equity and fairness,” Adeleke said. “Our administration will be all inclusive and attentive to criticisms in our bid to strengthen state development.” He said the experience of the past few months had caused significant disruption to the lives of residents, particularly families who lost loved ones. “I recognise the pains and sacrifices of our people in the last few months,” Adeleke said. “We all recognise the unfortunate disruptions in our lives due to the recent governorship election. In many fora, I empathize with many families who lost loved ones. Your sacrifices and those of many who were injured will not go in vain.” Inquiry, compensation fund over election violence Adeleke announced the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the recent electoral violence, saying it would receive memoranda from victims and residents affected by the incidents. “Our administration is setting up a Commission of Inquiry on election violence. The body will take memorandum from all victims and residents who are affected by recent electoral violence,” he said. “This initiative is to identify the causes and remedies and proffer ways to stop such recurrence in the future.” The governor also announced an election victim compensation fund headed by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun. “Our administration has also set up an election victim compensation fund headed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun,” Adeleke said. “This initiative is to cushion the effect of the recent needless violence.” He urged residents not to engage in reprisal attacks. “As we celebrate the anniversary of the creation of our dear state, I urge all residents to be law abiding and avoid violence. We must not engage in reprisal attacks,” he said. “This initiative is to cushion the effect of the recent needless violence.” He urged residents not to engage in reprisal attacks. “As we celebrate the anniversary of the creation of our dear state, I urge all residents to be law abiding and avoid violence. We must not engage in reprisal attacks,” he said. Osun voters for defending democracy The governor also praised residents for turning out to vote despite the violence surrounding the election. “On the day of election, you trooped out en masse to exercise your voting rights. You did so with candour and fearlessness. Amidst reign of terror, you rejected the guns and embraced the ballot,” he said. “As true sons and daughters of the source, you not only voted but you defended your votes even at personal risk to your lives. Again, I doff my cap for your courage and patriotism.” Adeleke described the election as the toughest test of Osun’s identity since the state’s creation 35 years ago. “Of all developments in the last 35 years of the creation of our dear state, this last state election stands out as the toughest test of who we are as a people,” he said. “By your conduct and the outcome of the polls, Osun people demonstrated to the world that we are indeed the cradle of the Yoruba race, that we are people of valour and integrity.” He said the state’s recent experience represented more than an electoral contest. “Our recent experience as a state is not only a defence of democracy but of good governance and rule of law,” Adeleke said. Build on infrastructure, education, healthcare Adeleke pledged to build on his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, digital economy, sports, agricultural mechanisation, education and healthcare. “We will build on our achievements on state infrastructure, digital economy, sports development, agricultural mechanisation, education and healthcare expansion,” he said. “The youth, women and students will continue to receive special attention.” He also promised greater attention to industrialisation, workers’ welfare, rural development, ease of doing business, wealth creation and anti-poverty initiatives. “We will continue to implement our renewed five point agenda within the compass of due process, procurement regulations and project implementation best practices,” Adeleke said. “We will further refine the adoption of the local content model while expanding financial inclusion through cooperative sector financing.” The governor called for continued cooperation from residents as Osun marked 35 years of its creation. “On this anniversary day, we have a lot to be proud of despite our challenges. I seek your continued cooperation to further deliver good governance. I will work harder never to disappoint you, the great people of Osun state.”

Herrera Reveals Why He Chose to Play for Free at Boyhood Club

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  Former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has described his return to boyhood club Real Zaragoza as a dream come true, revealing that he is playing for free in a bid to help the Spanish side restore its fortunes. The 37-year-old midfielder has returned to Zaragoza after 15 years away, joining on a free transfer from Boca Juniors. Herrera began his professional career at Zaragoza before going on to play for Athletic Club, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Boca Juniors. Despite enjoying a successful career that included the Europa League, FA Cup and several league titles, Herrera says coming home is one of the most meaningful moves he has ever made. “This is probably the last dream that I wanted to make come true,” Herrera told BBC Sport on Thursday. “To come back home, to the place where I grew up, that allowed me to be professional – not only in football, also as a human being.” Zaragoza are currently going through one of the most difficult periods in their history. The club were relegated from La Liga in 2013 and, after years of struggling in the second division, have now fallen into Spain’s third tier. Herrera admits it has been painful to watch the club’s decline but says he wants to concentrate on helping them move forward. “It has been so sad, of course, for all us Zaragozistas,” he said. “Real Zaragoza belong to Europe, they belong to compete for trophies, to be fighting with the biggest clubs in Spain and in Europe.” “I want to put my quality, my experience and my passion to try to help my team to come back where I think we belong.” The midfielder has also decided to donate his salary to the Real Zaragoza Foundation rather than take a wage from the club. “I don’t need a contract. I have a very successful career. I have taken care of my money,” Herrera said. “I can give this present to myself. To put that shirt on… for free because I wanted to help my club, my team, my city.” Herrera said the decision was motivated by his deep connection with Zaragoza and his desire to give something back to the club that helped shape him. “It’s something that I wanted to do. It’s something that I can do and it’s something that makes me feel so proud to be able to be here just to help.” “I’m not thinking about money or contracts. I feel privileged to be able to do that.” Herrera was a passionate Zaragoza supporter before becoming a first-team player. His father, Pedro, also played for the club and later served as its general manager. The midfielder’s earliest football memories include watching Zaragoza defeat Arsenal in the 1995 Cup Winners’ Cup final — a competition he later won himself during his career. Now he hopes his experience can help Zaragoza return to the level he believes the club deserves. Rather than looking back at the years of decline, Herrera wants the club to focus on rebuilding. “Since the first day I came, I don’t want to talk too much about the past,” he said. “We have been talking too much about what we have done wrong.” “Let’s stop crying about what happened in the past. Let’s build on the future. Let’s come every day to training with a smile.” For Herrera, returning to Zaragoza is about more than ending his playing career. It is an opportunity to repay the club that gave him his first chance and helps restore its place in Spanish football. “In Spain, we say closing the circle,” he said.

2027: Agboola Unveils 100,000-Job Plan, Promises Education and Industrial Revolution in Oyo

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2027: Agboola Unveils 100,000-Job Plan, Promises Education and Industrial Revolution in Oyo

  The Oyo State gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mogaji Olusegun Agboola, has unveiled an ambitious development agenda focused on education, skills acquisition, industrialisation, digital transformation and job creation as the party intensifies its mobilisation ahead of the 2027 governorship election. Agboola, the Mogaji Abiolu of Oke Ofa Tite, spoke during a political gathering and reception held in Ogbomoso, where he joined party leaders and supporters to welcome SDP leader, Honourable Mulikat Adeola Akande. The gubernatorial candidate described the large turnout and reception accorded party leaders as an indication that residents of Ogbomoso and other parts of the state are yearning for change. According to him, the presence of representatives from all 33 local government areas of Oyo State at the gathering demonstrated that the SDP remains strong and well represented across the state.   Agboola said his decision to seek the governorship was driven by his desire to expand the community-oriented interventions he had undertaken through the foundation established in honour of his late father, Chief Ezekiel Atanda Agboola, popularly known as “Mafoya,” one of the founding fathers of the Bodija International Plank Market in Ibadan. He noted that the foundation had contributed to communities through healthcare interventions, scholarships, solar panel donations and provision of boreholes, stressing that his administration would seek to take such interventions to a much larger scale if elected. “I’m here obeying the call to serve our people, and we’ve been serving the people for a while,” Agboola said. He identified education as one of the major areas requiring urgent attention, lamenting that Oyo State, which he said was once among Nigeria’s leading states in education, had lost ground. Agboola promised comprehensive educational reforms, including the expansion of vocational education, skills acquisition and youth development programmes. He also emphasised the need to equip young people with knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies. The candidate, who studied Biochemistry at the University of Ibadan and has spent more than two decades working in the Information and Communications Technology sector, said his experience had convinced him that young people could build sustainable careers when given access to the right skills and opportunities. He projected that his proposed reforms could generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities across different sectors. “By the time we’re done with the educational reform, we’ll be creating nothing less than 15,000 educational services people — teachers, mentors and sports coaches,” he said. He added that the revival and expansion of industrial activities in the state would create opportunities for professionals including industrial chemists, engineers, accountants and lawyers, while improvements in the water sector would also generate employment for water engineers and other specialists. According to Agboola, the proposed digital transformation of the state would have an even wider employment impact. “By the time we deliver the digital transformation we require for the state to function efficiently, more than 100,000 jobs will open up,” he said. He also pledged to strengthen the agricultural and agro-industrial sectors, improve healthcare delivery and create more opportunities for young people through vocational and technical training. Agboola urged residents of Oyo State to take the 2027 election seriously, stressing that their votes remain a powerful tool for determining the direction of the state. “Your power is that one vote. Don’t give up on it,” he told the gathering. Also speaking, the SDP Oyo State Chairman, Honourable Okunlade Michael, said the party had conducted sensitisation exercises across the three local government areas in Ogbomoso. He said the response from residents showed a growing desire for change, adding that the SDP was prepared to provide an alternative political platform for the people of Oyo State. Similarly, the SDP Chairman representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Alhaji Agboola Fatai, urged citizens to participate actively in the electoral process and vote for candidates of their choice. He maintained that the SDP had a long history in Nigerian politics and called on residents to come out en masse during the election. The Ogbomoso gathering forms part of the SDP’s wider mobilisation and sensitisation activities across Oyo State as the party prepares for the 2027 governorship election.

FG: 668,000 Electricity Meters Deployed and Installed at Customers’ Premises

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  The Federal Government says about 60 per cent of active electricity customers across Nigeria have now been provided with meters, as part of ongoing efforts to close the metering gap and curb arbitrary estimated electricity billing. The disclosure was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, following the second meeting of the National Council on Privatisation for 2026, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to the statement, the metering exercise is being carried out under Phase 1 of the $500m World Bank-financed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme, alongside initiatives such as the Presidential Metering Initiative. The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi, said 668,000 meters had so far been installed out of the 1,033,000 meters delivered under the programme. “On various issues, we provided updates on meter deployment under Phase 1 of the World Bank-financed Distribution Sector Recovery Programme. We have implemented 60 percent of the meters that have been delivered in the country out of 1,033,000. So far, we have deployed and installed 668,000 meters on customers’ premises,” he said. The government said the metering initiative was aimed at closing the electricity metering gap and eliminating arbitrary estimated billing for registered customers across the country. The BPE boss also disclosed that about 17 states had established State Electricity Regulatory Commissions since April 2024, following the transition provided for under the Electricity Act. He said Akwa Ibom State became one of the latest states to establish its own electricity regulatory commission in July, but noted that some aspects of the implementation of the law still required adjustment. “Some fine-tuning is required here and there in the implementation of that Act,” Gbeleyi said. He added that the council had directed key stakeholders, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, Minister of Power, Special Adviser to the President on Power, NERC and BPE, to engage on proposed amendments to the law. “Council has directed that stakeholders, led by the Attorney General of the Federation, the Honourable Minister of Power, the Special Adviser on Power, the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Oil and Gas, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the BPE and all other critical stakeholders, should engage constructively so as to streamline and harmonise the Federal Government’s position in terms of the required amendments to fine-tune the Electricity Act,” he said. Also speaking, the Minister of Power, Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe, said the government was working to ensure Nigerians derived greater value from electricity and other critical sectors of the economy. “We are working concertedly and in a very collaborative manner to ensure that we give value, either in electricity or in telecoms—whichever area—to make sure that Nigerians benefit from this government,” Tegbe said. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of Power, the Attorney-General of the Federation’s representative, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and private members of the council.

EPL: Delap Joins Nottingham Forest in £50m Transfer Deal

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  Liam Delap has officially joined Nottingham Forest in a club-record £50 million transfer from Chelsea, putting pen to paper on a five-year deal with the City Ground outfit. The 23-year-old striker joins Forest after just one season at Stamford Bridge, where he scored only one Premier League goal. Delap is hoping the move will revive his career and help him rediscover the form he showed during his breakthrough Premier League season with Ipswich in 2024-25. He scored 12 league goals for Ipswich that campaign, despite playing for a side that won just four games and was relegated. His performances attracted Chelsea, who signed him for around £30m. A year later, Chelsea have reportedly made a £20m profit by selling him to Forest for £50m. Delap’s physical strength, pace and ability to carry the ball were among the qualities that made him so effective at Ipswich. He recorded 26 shot-ending carries that season — the most by any Premier League striker. Now at Forest, Delap will work under manager Oliver Glasner, who he believes can help him take the next step in his development. As reported by BBC Sport on Thursday, reacting to the transfer, Delap was quoted as saying, “This is a massive club with a big history. “I spoke to the manager and I like his way. I think he can be the one to really help me develop and make that next step.” Forest will hope Delap can reproduce the form that made him one of the Premier League’s most promising young strikers and justify the club-record investment.

US Plans to Revoke Up to 200,000 Visas Over Alleged Asylum Fraud

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  The US government is planning to revoke the visas of foreign nationals who entered the country for tourism or business but later sought to extend their stay by applying for asylum, the State Department said on Tuesday. The crackdown marks another step in the Trump administration’s signature drive to reduce immigration into the United States. The administration said it is now working with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and revoke the visas of people who, it said, came to America billing themselves as temporary visitors but then applied for asylum so they could stay permanently. “Obtaining a visa in order to seek asylum is fraud — which is grounds for visa revocation,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement that confirmed press reports about the new policy. The White House, in a post on X, suggested “up to two hundred thousand visas” would be affected and claimed it would be the “largest mass visa revocation in history.” The State Department neither confirmed nor denied that number. Pigott said, “The number of revocations remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis.” Early this month the department said that since President Donald Trump returned to power in January 2025, some 175,000 foreigners had seen their US visas revoked on grounds ranging from criminal offenses, including driving under the influence, to praising the killing of the right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. The administration also recently revoked the visas of Mexican officials, including the son of the former president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. This prompted a complaint from the current president, Claudia Sheinbaum. Trump, who won reelection in large part on his promise to fight illegal immigration, has expelled huge numbers of people who were in the country without proper residence papers. But he has also worked to restrict the entry of foreigners who do go by the rules and has gone after those who overstay their visas after they expire. Some of these measures have been challenged and curtailed by the courts. Last Friday a federal judge struck down a government ban on visas to nationals from 75 countries who wish to settle in the country indefinitely. These countries included Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Thailand and Yemen. The Trump administration is also planning to expand vetting of the social media accounts of visa applicants. “We are making clear that a visa is a privilege — not a right,” Pigott said Tuesday. AFP

Oyebanji Reappoints Retired Ekiti Accountant-General to Office

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  Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday approved the appointment of Mrs Titilayo Olayinka as the state’s new Accountant-General. The Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Yinka Oyebode, said in a statement in Ado Ekiti that the appointment, which took effect immediately, came barely 24 hours after Olayinka’s retirement as Accountant General/Permanent Secretary in the State Civil Service, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60. “With the appointment, Ekiti State has joined other states, including Enugu, Osun and Akwa Ibom, that have engaged seasoned retired accountants general to head the important office of Accountant General of the state, while other states like Kwara, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia and Katsina have sourced professionals outside the civil service to man their respective offices of State Accountant General,” he stated. The media adviser said Olayinka served meritoriously as Accountant General of the state between November 28, 2019, and August 24, 2026, adding that her appointment underscored Governor Oyebanji’s resolve to engage highly competent hands to man strategic positions as preparations for his second-term administration gather momentum. According to him, the new Accountant General of the state will bring to her new assignment a wealth of experience in accounting, auditing, project management, expenditure control and procurement. Oyebode added, “Mrs Olayinka, in her new role, has the mandate of the governor to set up a comprehensive training programme for accountants across the State Civil Service, aimed at enhancing professional capacity. “A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Mrs Olayinka holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration. She has extensive experience in the private sector, public sector and international development. “She is widely credited for her strategic contributions to Ekiti State’s improved standing in accountability, transparency and fiscal management over the past six years and the attendant positive outcomes recognised by reputable bodies and institutions. “These include, among others, Ekiti State’s number one ranking in the BudgIT State Fiscal Transparency League for Q2, Q3 and Q4 2024 and Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 2025. The state was also adjudged one of the leading states in both local government budget transparency and the Subnational Audit Efficacy Index by PLSI. The state was also rated among the top 10 states in the federation that published detailed and accessible budget information for all its Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). “These recognitions reflect strong competence, transparency, effective auditing processes and prudent financial management,” the SA Media said. Oyebode stated that Governor Oyebanji, while congratulating Olayinka on her new appointment as the Accountant General of the state, urged her to continue to serve with greater distinction and dedication. He also commended her for her previous meritorious service to the state.  

Motorists Stranded as FG Commences Emergency Repairs on Damaged Ekiti Highway

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  The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, on Tuesday visited Ekiti State to inspect the condition of federal roads, as stranded motorists raised concerns over the deteriorating state of the Ifaki-Oye-Kabba Road. Goronyo, who visited the Ifaki-Oye-Kabba Road, where road users groaned over a bad portion around Oye-Ekiti and articulated vehicles had been stuck for days, expressed concern over the hardship being experienced by motorists stranded along the route. An articulated vehicle driver, Quasm Abudu, who said he had been stuck at a particular spot on the highway for about three days, lamented the hardship he had faced and the opportunities he had missed while stranded on the road. A road user and resident of Oye-Ekiti, Mr Bolade Olowo, who spoke at the bad spot, described the situation as “traumatic and unpalatable”, lamenting that the continued deterioration of the road was crippling socio-economic activities. He said, “The continued deterioration of the road is crippling socio-economic activities. It has cut off communities in the local government and along the route. It also poses a serious security threat in the area.” Olowo appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency and other relevant authorities to urgently mobilise resources towards fixing the road. “The route links Ifaki, Oye, Ayegbaju, Ilupeju, Itapa and Osin-Ekiti, among communities critical to the economic activities of residents in Oye Local Government in Ekiti State, leading to other states of the country, where heavy-duty trucks pass to other states,” he said. The minister of state, who spoke at the bad portion while emergency palliative works had already begun to make the road passable and free trucks that had been stranded for days, reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to fixing the Ifaki-Oye-Kabba Road within the shortest possible time. Goronyo said the road, which linked the South-West with the northern part of the country, was a critical economic corridor that required urgent intervention, disclosing that a contract for the rehabilitation of the road was awarded to Gamji in 2025. He said, “The contractor had been mobilised, but was complaining of inadequate funding. The Federal Government will review the funding arrangement and ensure that the contractor is adequately mobilised to return to site.” He said the government had, however, begun immediate intervention through FERMA, adding that equipment and materials had already been deployed to the affected section. He said, “We want to appeal to all the people concerned that they should be patient with us. We will make sure that we put this road to use very, very soon. “My appeal to the agitated motorists is that they should please bear with us. We are deploying materials to this place and they should create a conducive atmosphere for the contractor to be able to do this work within 48 hours. “We are going to block the entrance from the Ifaki end to ensure that no articulated vehicles ply this road again until this project, I mean this palliative arrangement, is completed,” Goronyo said. The Minister of State, Goronyo (holding a white sheet), with other officials of the Ministry of Works, inspecting the failed portion along Ifaki-Oye-Kabba Road The Minister of State also inspected the Efon-Iwaraja Road, where car owners were seen turning back owing to a ditch at a particular spot on the road and using another route to their destinations. Goronyo promised immediate remedial work on the failed portion of the road, assuring motorists and residents that the Federal Government would not allow the federal road to remain impassable. Goronyo said, “I am assuring residents and motorists that the Federal Government would undertake immediate remedial work on the Efon-Iwaraja Road to restore access and ease the hardship being experienced by road users.” The minister of state, who said the intervention was part of the broader directive by President Tinubu to address critical road failures across the country and ensure the free flow of traffic, said the Tinubu administration was leaving no stone unturned in ensuring good roads across the country. He said the Tinubu administration was undertaking major projects, including the about 1,068km Illela-Sokoto-Badagry Highway, the about 750km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road. He said, “The massive investment in road infrastructure is necessary because roads are central to virtually every aspect of the economy. Once you have roads, you have security, you have employment generation, you have agriculture, you have healthcare. You have everything. Roads lead to prosperity.” Goronyo, while reiterating the Federal Government’s determination to complete ongoing projects and use improved road infrastructure to stimulate commerce, industries, employment and food security, said, “There is no president in the history of this country that has given priority to road infrastructure like President Bola Tinubu. “For the past one week, the Minister of Works, David Umahi; myself; all the directors in the ministry, all the SAs and SSAs of Mr President; we have been crisscrossing the roads across the country. We have met a very difficult situation, and we are fixing it,” the minister of state said.

Atiku Will Restore Petrol Subsidy Before Gradually Phasing It Out — Spokesman

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  Atiku Abubakar’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, has said the former Vice-President would reinstate petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027, with plans to gradually discontinue the policy once the economy stabilises. Ibe, who spoke on AIT on Tuesday, said the proposed subsidy would differ from the former subsidy regime, as government support would be tied to crude oil production and domestic refining. He said the policy would provide temporary relief to Nigerians and businesses, stimulate economic activity and improve productivity. “What he’s simply saying is that the subsidy that he is advocating will be tied to the barrel, the crude oil barrel. This is perhaps the only thing that we have in so much abundance that Nigerians have not yet benefited from,” Ibe said. According to him, crude oil would be supplied to local refiners at a discounted price, enabling them to produce petrol and diesel at lower costs, which would translate into reduced pump prices for consumers. “The crude oil will be sold at a discounted price, subsidised to refiners, and that will enable refiners to be able to produce fuel and diesel at a cheap cost. And when they produce cheaply, they will sell at the real pump price,” he said. Ibe said an independent committee would determine the appropriate price of crude oil supplied to refiners, taking prevailing market conditions into account. He added that despite the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector, government could monitor prices to ensure refiners and marketers operated within the framework of the policy. “There’ll be a window because, of course, we deregulated. You may not fix the price but you can have price monitoring to ensure that everybody aligns with what government hopes to achieve,” he said. Ibe said the intervention would be temporary and aimed at reviving economic activity and increasing productivity. “It is not something that is… It is for a time, and it is essentially to ensure that we jumpstart this economy,” he said. The former vice-president’s spokesman also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for removing petrol subsidy alongside other major economic reforms without allowing the economy sufficient time to adjust. “No surgeon, no doctor would carry out two or more serious major surgeries, one after the other. They would do one, allow the patient to recuperate, and then undertake the second, or the third,” Ibe said. “But what has this administration done? The issue of subsidy, flippant. No cabinet. No advisers. Just in the heat of the moment, it has been removed. No shock absorbers. Nothing. No palliatives. Absolutely nothing.” He argued that the simultaneous removal of petrol subsidy, deregulation of the foreign exchange market and electricity subsidy had worsened the economic hardship faced by Nigerians. Ibe said restoring the intervention would give households and businesses the opportunity to recover and improve productivity. “You need to give Nigerians and give manufacturers an opportunity to ensure that there is productivity,” he said. His comments came amid an ongoing disagreement between Atiku and Tinubu over the former vice-president’s proposal to restore petrol subsidy. Tinubu had previously dismissed Atiku’s proposal as evidence of “serious ignorance on governance and economy.”

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