David Umahi, minister of works, says the first phase of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project will be completed on May 29, 2025.

Speaking on Thursday in Abuja during an inter-ministerial press briefing as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary, the minister said after the project is completed, it will be tolled for five to 10 years to recover construction costs.

The construction of the highway began in March. The first phase of the project, made up of 47.47 kilometres of dual carriageway, was awarded to Hitech Construction Company Ltd.

“We started the coastal highway, 700 kilometers that is traversing Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, ” Umahi said.

“People did not understand the merits of this project. People did not see this project as an investment. And so today, the first section is going to be completed by May 29 and we’re going to toll it, and we’re going to get back our money within five to 10 years.”

According to the minister, the federal government is planning to implement additional initiatives, including developing land along the corridor for tourism, factories, and housing, as part of efforts to further enhance returns on the project.

“We also acquired a number of land within the corridor, because we’ve seen that tolling of roads alone is not just going to give you return on investment immediately,” Umahi said.

“So, along these corridors, we are acquiring land where we use for tourism, where we use for factories, where we use for housing and so on and so forth.”

Umahi also said the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway is designed to relieve the strain on Apapa Wharf.

“This has long faced challenges due to its shallow berths that limit cargo handling capacity. These constraints have necessitated the costly process of transloading, where goods are shifted between vessels, resulting in significant daily financial losses for Nigeria,” he said.

The minister further said the importance of the seven axle road under construction is to facilitate the seamless transportation of goods from the Dangote refinery, fertilizer plant, and other major industries within the Lekki free trade zone.

“This critical infrastructure will connect to the Sagamu-Benin Expressway, ensuring smoother logistics and supply chains across key regions, including the North, south-west, south-south, and south-east,” the minister said.

Umahi added that the project is set to tap into the renewable energy potential along the coastal corridor, with plans to harness wind energy for future development.

The Federal Government, on Friday, re-arraigned 10 persons arrested in connection with the #EndBadGovernance protest organized between August 1 and August 10 on alleged treasonable felony charges.

The Government, through the Inspector-General of Police, re-arraigned them on an eight-count amended charge following an application by the prosecution counsel, Simon Lough, SAN, before Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The 10 protesters were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Gombe during the 10-day protest, which resulted in violence and killings in parts of the country.

They were first arraigned on September 2 before Justice Nwite on a six-count charge.

However, they pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

The judge granted them N10 million bail each on September 11, with one surety in like sum.

Upon the resumed hearing on Friday, Mr Lough, in his application, sought to substitute the earlier charges with the amended ones, which included Daniel Akande as the 11th defendant.

Akande, a member of the Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights, was arrested on September 1 in Abuja during a church service.

After the fresh counts were read to the defendants, they all pleaded not guilty.

Akande’s (11th defendant) lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, prayed the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms, while the other defendants’ lawyers urged the court to allow their clients to continue with the earlier bail granted.

The judge agreed with Adeyanju and admitted Akande to N10 million bail with one surety in like sum.

He also ordered that the defendant must submit his international passport to the court registry.

He stated that the surety must swear to an affidavit of means and reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

Justice Nwite also granted the prayers of the other defense counsel.

The matter was adjourned until October 4 for a ruling on the bail variation for the 3rd, 4th, and 10th defendants and fixed November 11 for trial.

Ahead of the resumption of Emirates Airlines’ flight operations to Nigeria next Tuesday, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has negotiated an agreement on reciprocal rights to ensure that Nigerian airlines commence direct flight operations to the United Arab Emirates, UAE.

A statement by Mr Tunde Moshood, Special Assistant on Media and Communications to Keyamo, said the minister, who led a delegation to UAE to finalise negotiations on the resumption of Emirates, stated that the meeting set the foundation for a new Bilateral Air Service Agreement, BASA, between both nations.
Moshood said this would enhance collaboration between the two countries and establish guidelines for both countries.

The statement reads: “The Honourable Minister, accompanied by his technical team, engaged in constructive discussions with UAE aviation authorities, to ensure smooth reintroduction of Emirates Airlines into the Nigerian airspace next week Tuesday. The new BASA, which was a focal point of the talks, is designed to enhance collaboration between the two countries and establish guidelines for their evolving relationship in the aviation sector.

“Crucially, the negotiations also yielded a significant agreement on reciprocal rights, ensuring that Nigerian airlines will soon have the opportunity to commence direct flight operations to the UAE. This marks a historic development for Nigeria’s aviation industry, expanding international connectivity and offering more options to travelers between the two nations.

“Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Festus Keyamo stated: “Today’s discussions reaffirm our commitment to fostering a balanced and forward-looking partnership with the UAE. We are pleased to have secured reciprocal operational rights for Nigerian airlines, which will not only deepen our bilateral ties but also strengthen the global competitiveness of Nigeria’s aviation industry. As Emirates returns to Nigeria, we look forward to a thriving and mutually beneficial air service relationship.

“This development follows weeks of diplomatic and technical consultations aimed at restoring direct air travel between Nigeria and the UAE, further signaling the Federal Government’s dedication to ensuring the best possible outcomes for both Nigerian and international travelers. The resumed flight operations by Emirates and the new BASA will play a pivotal role in promoting tourism, business, and cultural exchanges between Nigeria and the UAE, as well as fostering economic growth.”

Agboola Ajayi, standard-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo, says he will win the governorship election in the state “convincingly”.

Ajayi, who was the deputy governor of Ondo between 2017 and 2021, spoke on Friday during a press briefing in Lagos.

The Ondo governorship election will hold on November 16, 2024.

Ajayi claimed that residents of the state have been grappling with poverty under the All Progressives Congress (APC) which has displayed a “lack of foresight and defined policy for good governance”.

He alleged that Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of the state, lacks foresight and coordination, and is “grossly incompetent in managing the affairs of the state”.

“It is my candid position that Ondo state cannot afford to continue an inch further on this road to perdition,” he said, adding that the election will shape or mar the fortune of the state in the next four years.

The governorship candidate said the people of the state would resist any attempt to buy votes and rig the election.

The former deputy governor reeled out his plans for the state in various sectors, including security, agriculture, education, health, infrastructure, industry and marine economic development, rural development and environment, sports, and civil service.

SECURITY

Ajayi said if elected, he will enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies, particularly Amotekun, forest guards, vigilantes and traditional hunters through “advance training” and the provision of appropriate equipment and required legislation.

“We will incorporate and engage traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders in implementing community policing and neighborhood watch for the safety of our people,” he said.

“We will invest heavily in technology by deploying modern surveillance and intelligent gathering technologies to effectively monitor hotspots and vulnerable areas such as forest reserves and farmlands to prevent and respond to crime appropriately.”

AGRICULTURE

Ajayi said his agricultural policies will be anchored on promoting self-sufficiency in food production to meet the UN food security mandate.

He said this will include providing training and support for farmers to adopt modern farming techniques and incentives to investors to establish an agro-processing industry to add value to agricultural products, reduce post-harvest losses, create jobs for the youth and grow the economy of the state.

“We shall sustain agricultural practices for long-term productivity by ensuring the availability of fertilizers and agricultural input at subsidized rate. Providing tractors for farmers at a subsidised rate will be encouraged,” he said.

“We would also establish a procurement agency that will provide a ready market for all our agricultural produce which will in turn encourage our farmers to produce beyond their subsistence level.”

EDUCATION

Ajayi said quality education for economic development, social equity, technological advancement and cultural preservation for sustainable development will be guaranteed by his government.

According to him, schools will be built and renovated with the provision of information technology, recruitment of quality teachers and purchase of educational materials.

He said tertiary education will be well funded through an increase in budgetary allocation, adding that affordable tuition fees in the institutions will be negotiated with stakeholders.

HEALTH

The gubernatorial candidate said the health sector in Ondo is in bad shape.

“We shall address this ugly trend by providing at least one primary health centre in each of the 203 wards in the state which will be staffed with trained and dedicated medical personnel,” he said.

“The provision of essential drugs, hospital consumables and laboratory services to patients at affordable cost in all public medical facilities across the state will be our priority.

“We will partner with investors to establish pharmaceutical manufacturing industries in the state to produce drugs for sale to government institutions and the general public.

“The welfare of our medical officers and staff in the health sector will be our priority for effective service delivery.”

INFRASTRUCTURE AND MARINE DEVELOPMENT

Ajayi promised to rehabilitate roads, construct waterways, provide rural and urban electrification, and enhance and improve clean and pipe-borne water delivery “for the benefit of our people”.

“We will ensure that the moribund companies in Ondo state are resuscitated and where this is impossible, we will encourage the establishment of new ones,” he said.

“All these will be pursued with the singular purpose of creating massive employment opportunities for the people of the state.

“I will win Ondo guber poll convincingly.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has extended the suspension of processing fees on cash deposits for six months.

The development comes six days before the suspension date initially fixed, expires.

On May 1, banks resumed the collection of processing fees on cash deposits.

Six days later, CBN suspended charges on the deposits until September 30.

However, in a circular directed to all banks, other financial institutions and non-financial institutions, dated September 24, 2024, and signed by Adetona Adedeji, CBN’s director of banking supervision, the apex bank extended the date to March 31, 2025.

“Further to our letter dated May 6, 2024, referenced BSD/DIR/PUB/LAB/016/023, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) hereby extends the suspension of processing charges on cash deposits above N500,000 for individuals and N3,000,000 for corporates,” the apex bank said.

“The previous suspension, set to expire on September 30, 2024, has now been extended until March 31, 2025.

“This suspension pertains to the 2% and 3% fees outlined in the ‘Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial Institutions and Non-Bank Financial Institutions, issued on December 20, 2019.”

CBN asked all financial institutions to continue accepting cash deposits from the public without any charges during the period.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, okayed a suit seeking to compel the Federal Government to investigate alleged link between the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle and the operation of bandits in Zamfara State.

Cited as 1st to 3rd defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1434/2024, which was brought before the court by a Zamfara state-based human rights activist, Abubakar Dahiru, are; President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, as well as the Inspector General of Police. 

Specifically, the plaintiff, through his counsel, Mr. Ojonimi Apeh, is praying the court to declare that “it is imperative for the 1st Defendant (Tinubu) herein to give directions to the 3rd Defendant (IGP) to investigate the activities of bandits and kidnappers in Zamfara state and in particular the allegations surrounding the Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Matawalle in relation to banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara state with a view to securing and/or restoring public safety in Zamfara state.”

He further applied for, “an order of court mandating the 1st Defendant herein to direct the 3rd Defendant herein to investigate the activities of bandits and kidnappers in Zamfara State, and in particular the allegations surrounding the Minister of State, Defence Hon. Bello Matawalle in relation to banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State with a view to securing and/or restoring public safety in Zamfara State.”

As well as, “a declaration that by the provisions of Section 215(3) and (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, and other relevant laws, the 1st Defendant herein either by himself or through such other Minister of the government of the Federation as he may authorize can give directions to the 3rd Defendant herein with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order in any part of the federation.”

The plaintiff, in a 22-paragraphed statement of claim he filed before the court, said there is presently high wave of armed banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara state, insisting that activities of hoodlums, “which started like a mustard seed in Zamfara state grew to an alarming and unprecedented proportion during the period between 2019 and 2023 when Hon. Bello Matawalle was the Governor of Zamfara state.”

“The Plaintiff avers that armed banditry and kidnapping have rendered thousands of the people of Zamfara orphans, widows, widowers, homeless, hungry, etc due to the activities of criminals who maim people, extort their monies, kill their loved ones and subject them to all manner of physical and emotional torture.

“The Plaintiff avers that he recently listened to the interview of Governor Dauda Lawal on TVC Television on 18th September 2024, wherein he publicly accused Hon. Bello Matawalle of involvement with kidnappers and bandits in Zamfara State.

“The Plaintiff avers that he has also read an online publication by Umoru Faruk Salifu in the 21st Century Chronicles online Newspaper of 22nd September 2024, where he accused Hon. Bello Matawalle of sponsoring bandits, buying vehicles for bandits, sabotaging efforts of law enforcement agents to curb banditry and kidnapping in North Western Nigeria, granting amnesty to terrorists, etc.

“The Plaintiff avers that he also read an article by Professor Abdussamad Umar Jibia wherein he chronicled series of allegations of Hon. Bello Matawalle’s involvement with banditry and kidnappings in Zamfara state.”

Among other claims, the Plaintiff, “avers that despite the open allegations as to the involvement of Hon. Bello Matawalle with banditry and kidnapping in Zamfara State, no efforts have been made by government to investigate him with a view to coming out with the truth or falsity of these allegations while the spate of banditry and kidnapping continue to reign in Zamfara State to the detriment of citizens.”

Meanwhile, the court is yet to fix a date for the matter to be heard.

The organizers of the scheduled October 1st nationwide protest have written to the Nigerian Police to seek for adequate security for their members.

This is contained in a statement jointly signed by the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), Joint Action Front (JAF), and Pan-African Consciousness Renaissance (PACOR-Nigeria).

In a press briefing on Thursday, Hassan Soweto, national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), called on Nigerians to engage in peaceful protests against “anti-poor policies”.

The organizers noted that in Lagos, the protest will commence at Ikeja under bridge at 7:30am, with participants marching through various streets to raise awareness.

They also asked Olanrewaju Ishola, Lagos state commissioner of police, to provide adequate security for participants in line with the Police Establishment Act 2020.

“By this announcement, we inform the Commissioner of Police of our planned October action and remind the Police of their obligation under Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 to provide adequate security for citizens participating in public meetings, rallies, and protests,” they said.

“This action serves as a warning and urgent cry for the Tinubu administration to address our demands immediately. If our demands are not met, more protests will follow the National Day of Survival.”

Giving reasons the protest must hold, the organizers opined: “We invite you on another journey to redeem our nation as we continue to stand against the anti-poor policies of this regime,” the statement reads.

 “As is obvious to everyone, none of the demands of our ten days of rage in August has been met.

“Rather, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu simply went ahead to use our national treasury to procure luxury cars, aircraft, and other luxuries for himself and the first family without caring a hoot about the plea of hungry Nigerians.

“To show the absolute disdain that the Federal Government holds for the people, Tinubu has gone ahead to now unleash on the Nigerian another round of hike in fuel price earlier this month.

“As we speak, the price of fuel hovers between N900 per litre to N1900 per litre depending on which parts of the country you are.

 “Meanwhile, less than two years ago, a liter of fuel did not cost more than N200 per litre. This is outrageous. This is intolerable. As a direct consequence of this increment, life has become unbearable for many Nigerian people.

 “Many are starving as the increase in fuel price has also impacted food prices. Inflation has rendered the N70,000 new National Minimum Wage irrelevant and incapable of bringing any relief to Nigerian workers.

“At the same time, the sharp rise in the cost of imported goods has rendered traders and shopkeepers redundant as shops are overflowing with goods that no one is ready to buy.

“The situation has also affected businesses and industries. Nothing less than ten multinational firms have left the shores of Nigeria between May last year, leading to even more job losses.

“Based on the foregoing, we of the #EndBadGovernance Movement have decided to declare October 1st, 2024, as ‘National Day of Survival.

 “On this day, we call on the Nigerian people, workers, students, youth, the unemployed, traders, and the poor to come out in peaceful protest and demonstrations against the excruciating condition of hardship, poverty, and hunger imposed on us by President Tinubu’s decision to implement IMF/World Bank-inspired anti-poor capitalist policies of fuel price hike, electricity tariff hike, school fees hike, and naira devaluation.

“We also call on the Nigerian people to utilize this day to demand with one voice the immediate and unconditional release of all #EndSARS and #EndBadGovernance protesters in police and prison custody, as well as freedom for detained journalists, whistleblowers, activists, and all victims of state repression.”

The Media Office of Yahaya Bello, former Governor of Kogi State, has launched a scathing critique of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the agency of conducting a politically motivated “hatchet job” against the ex-governor.

The statement, signed by Ohiare Michael, claims that the EFCC’s recent actions and press statements are biased and influenced by personal interests rather than a genuine commitment to combating corruption.

The EFCC had previously declared Bello wanted, stirring significant media attention.

Reports indicated that he had voluntarily appeared at the agency’s headquarters but was subsequently allowed to leave without any charges being filed against him.

This has raised questions about the EFCC’s intentions and the integrity of its actions.

“If the EFCC was truly interested in prosecution, would the agency not have taken him in on that day?” the statement rhetorically asked, suggesting ulterior motives behind the agency’s operations.

The media office further urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing dispute between Bello and the EFCC, emphasizing that the fight against corruption must be equitable and inclusive.

“Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians,” the statement concluded, calling for a fair approach to governance and accountability.

The Tinubu Youth Network (TYN), a group in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has asked President Bola Tinubu to suspend Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence.

The group also implored the president to order a probe into Matawalle’s alleged links with bandits — a claim the minister has repeatedly denied.

Ali Gusau, a retired general, had accused Matawalle of working in cahoots with bandits for initiating dialogue with terrorists.

Last week, Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara, said if he were Matawalle, he would resign and work towards clearing his name.

Lawal detailed how the government house was allegedly used to pay ransom for abducted permanent secretary’s children under Matawalle’s administration.

However, Matawalle dismissed the allegation, saying that the dialogues initiated with bandits freed abducted victims, including Lawal’s brother, without ransom payment.

The ex- governor defended his anti-banditry measures, citing “success” from “dialogues with bandits” during his tenure.

Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna on Thursday, Yusuf Muhammad, TYN secretary general, said the allegations leveled against Matawalle demand urgent investigation.

The group demanded the minister’s resignation for a “thorough” probe, adding that ignoring the allegations would harm the party long-term.

“These issues include the accusation of sponsoring bandits and misappropriation of state funds by his predecessor and the junior Defence Minister, Bello Matawalle,” the group said.

“These are serious matters that strike at the heart of governance, security, and the welfare of the people of Zamfara State and should not be handled lightly.

“We consider it our responsibility as youths to seek a thorough investigation into these serious claims to uphold the integrity of our party and our esteemed leader, the President.

“Failing to address these issues could hurt our party in the future. We want to emphasize that the issues at stake here are not just political problems.

“They encompass matters of life and death, economic survival, and the fundamental human rights of the citizens of Zamfara state, the Northwest, and Nigeria as a whole.”

Speaking further, Muhammad urged Tinubu not to ignore the claims made against his minister, adding that these allegations could tarnish his administration.

“The investigation we want the President to conduct is not to castigate the minister, but to safeguard the integrity of the APC and the President’s good image,” he said.

“It is imperative that Bello Matawalle be removed from his position for a panel to be set up to investigate the allegations against him”.

“The minister should clarify his connections with dangerous individuals like Bello Tagoji, Musa Kamarawa, and Ardon Zuru.

“The Tinubu Youth Network believes that where there is smoke, there is fire.

“In the interest of upholding transparency and fairness, we strongly urge Bello Matawalle to step down from his position and subject himself to a thorough investigation.”