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First year anniversary: It’s my bragging day — Tinubu boasts, flags off 700KM Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
…Says Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway will spur economic devt
…Orders completion of Abuja-Kano Road within one year
…From 7hrs to 1hr 15mins: FG’s road intervention saves time, boosts economy — Lagos Deputy Gov, Hamzat
By Sodiq Adelakun and Matthew Denis
President Bola Tinubu has officially flagged off the construction of the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a project that has been shrouded in controversy.
The ceremony took place on Sunday in Victoria Island, Lagos, and was attended by top government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma, Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Minister of Works Dave Umahi.
The first phase of the project, which spans 47.47 kilometers of dual carriageway, has been awarded to Hitech Construction Company Ltd.
However, the project has generated significant controversy due to the demolition of structures along the beach and allegations of lack of transparency in the awarding process and project cost.
Despite these concerns, the President’s administration has pushed forward with the project, which is expected to be completed in phases.
Meanwhile, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is seen as a key infrastructure project for the country, aimed at improving connectivity and economic development in the region.
The flag-off ceremony comes ahead of the first anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration on May 29, and is seen as a key milestone in his government’s infrastructure development plans..
During the event, President Tinubu expressed optimism that the road will be completed, describing the flag-off as his “bragging day.”
“It’s my bragging day,” he said. “We will do this road. We are determined to do it.”
He said the project is a beacon of hope to Nigerians. According to him, it will connect communities, and bring jobs to people.
“The project is more than a mere road. It is a symbol of hope, unity, and prosperity. It will connect communities, bring prosperity to people, and create opportunities for millions,” he added.
In the same vein, The President inaugurated the newly reconstructed Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota-Oshodi Expressway, a 36.02km expressway connecting Nigeria’s premier ports — Apapa and Tin Can Island — to larger parts of Lagos State.
He disclosed that the Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway would enhance access to the ports, boost commercial activities, and spur economic development.
The projects inaugurated were the newly reconstructed Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota-Oshodi Expressway and the rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge.
The 36.02km Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota-Oshodi Expressway, which connects Nigeria’s premier ports – Apapa and Tin Can Island – to larger parts of Lagos State, was inaugurated by the President, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The expressway, originally constructed between 1975 and 1978, had deteriorated significantly over the years, causing severe delays in the evacuation of goods from Apapa Wharf.
The reconstruction was executed in four sections using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) by Dangote Industries Limited under the tax credit method of infrastructure funding, with Hitech Construction Nigeria Limited as the subcontractor.
The Third Mainland Bridge, which spans about 11.8km, was also virtually inaugurated by the President.
The bridge, which was commissioned by President Shehu Shagari in 1980 and completed by General Ibrahim Babangida in 1990, recently underwent significant rehabilitation to improve its structural integrity and extend its lifespan.
…Says Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway will spur economic devt
Speaking at the inauguration, President Tinubu said the Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota Expressway would enhance access to the ports, boost commercial activities, and spur economic development.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Works, Dangote Industries Limited, and Hitech Construction Nigeria Limited for their efforts in delivering the projects.
‘’This is a great feat by any standards, and it is all for Nigeria. I congratulate the Ministry of Works and the contractors for the great work.
‘’It is not only in Lagos that these good things are happening. From the Presidential Villa in Asokoro to the AYA Roundabout in the capital city (Abuja), you will notice a great deal of work and some of these projects will be commissioned this week,’’ the Senate President said.
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi explained the reason for the use of concrete technology in constructing the road, noting its durability, as well as the rising cost of bitumen used in making asphalt.
“We want our contractors to migrate to the use of concrete technology for road construction,” the Minister said, while describing the inauguration of the road as another plus on the utility of tax credits in the country.
On the Third Mainland Bridge, the Minister explained that the project went beyond mere rehabilitation.
“We had to replace all the expansion joints, and we also noticed that over the years all the maintenance on the bridge was only for the surface and that created a lot of super elevation, potholes, and increased the dead load on the bridge resulting in increased deflection,” he said.
…Orders completion of Abuja-Kano Road within one year
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, Dr. Yakubu Kofarmata, announced that President Tinubu had instructed the ministry to complete the Abuja-Kano Road within one year.
He assured Nigerians that the Makurdi-Enugu Expressway was nearing completion and that other federal road projects across the country were also receiving attention.
According to Dr. Kofarmata, the Minister of Works, Engr. Umahi, has saved Nigeria a total of N1.19 trillion by renegotiating the costs of some ongoing road projects nationwide.
‘’What we are witnessing today is Nigeria working under the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration, and the determination to have a better Nigeria where infrastructural facilities are functioning,” the Permanent Secretary said.
…From 7hrs to 1hr 15mins: FG’s road intervention saves time, boosts economy — Lagos Deputy Gov, Hamzat
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Femi Hamzat, has expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Works for important road improvements that have reduced travel time from seven hours to just one hour and 15 minutes.
Speaking on the matter, Dr. Hamzat highlighted that about two years ago, numerous companies relocated from the Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota axis due to the road’s deplorable condition.
He thanked the President, the Ministry of Works, Dangote Group, and Hitech Construction Limited for the current improvements and for their work on the Third Mainland Bridge.
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Daura meeting: Mixed reactions trail Atiku, El-Rufai, Ali Modu Sheriff’s visit to Buhari’s residence
…Visit, an attempt to build northern alliance, unseat Tinubu in 2027 — Shehu Sani
…Nigerians must shine their eyes, reject regrouping of criminals, those who caused us pain — Ex-CAN boss, Hayab
…Meeting unfortunate if it has any connection with 2027 — Activist Abdul Bako
By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
Mixed reactions have continued to trail the visit of Northern politicians to Former President, Muhammadu Buhari at his Daura residence in Katsina state.
President Buhari received the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Alh. Atiku Abubakar, accompanied by the former Governor of Sokoto state, Alh. Aminu Tambuwal, former National Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Tsauri, party stakeholders and his supporters on Saturday.
Also, the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Mal. Nasir El-Rufai and former Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff visited Buhari on Sunday and Monday respectively in Daura.
The visit according to the politicians was a Sallah homage and to congratulate the statesman for successful celebration of the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir festivity, a meeting that observers said has connection with synergy for the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the development amongst many Nigerians, the Senator who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani alleged that Northern politicians are trying to build a strong alliance using Buhari as a rallying point to challenge and evict President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
Sani said that the recent visit only appears to be the usual Eid homage, meanwhile it is a platform to resurrect Buhari’s political charm, fanaticism, stock up and light up the Arewa sentiment and thereafter mobilise the gullible to another hollow without considering the inferno it would eventually generate.
The Lawmaker who condemned Northern politicians on what he tagged ‘obsession to power’ accused the Buhari’s administration of gross incompetence, stressing that the former president, though a Northerner left the region worse than he met it, adding that poverty and insecurity was at its peak than anytime in Nigeria’s history while he was in power.
“The recent visits by some prominent Northern politicians to Daura appears to be the Usual Eid homage. But looking deeper and beyond the facade, it’s surreptitiously a new attempt to build a strong northern alliance using ex President Buhari as a rallying point to challenge and evict President Tinubu’s Government in 2027. It is a regrouping of Northern political forces for the next general election. A project that will eventually kiss the dust.
“They want to resurrect Buhari’s political charm, fanaticism and mobilise the gullible to another hollow and bewildering end. They want to stock up and light up the Arewa sentiment without considering the inferno it would eventually generate. Thesame Buhari that led Nigeria for eight years and left the North worse than he met it.
“It’s too early to forget. By the time he left power, poverty and insecurity was at its peak than at anytime in Nigeria’s history. They had power and wasted it; what do they want to do with it again?
“A Southerner is in power just for one year. It’s too early for the desperate and power hungry northern elite to start plotting. The south never did that to Buhari. Their intended action has the capacity of ruining the democratic process and wrecking the fragile unity of the country when the south is awakened to this reality.
“Their obsession with power is condemnable.Opposition to Tinubu from the point of policies, promises and programs of his administration is a democratic right of any Nigerian. People have the right to speak and criticise the Government.
“But attempts to whip up Northern sentiments to achieve their political ends is a dangerous political experiment and expedition at this material time. No serious southerner challenged Buhari for eight years; these power drunk Northern politicians are dragging the region to a new political journey through a land mine.
“Buhari’s reign ensured nepotistical placement, installation and dominance of Northerners at strategic positions of authority and power for eight years. Results had shown that they only enriched themselves, pillaged the economy of the country and pauperized our country.
“The Daura homage of the disgruntled and the obsessed will fail. Our people in the North should reject these faces and their plots.They have nothing to offer. From the abandoned Baro Port, Ajaokuta, Lake Chad basin refiling and Mambilla hydro power, they failed. They came to power when the North was in the hands of terrorists and left it in the joint hands of terrorists and Bandits. The Northern Talakawa should reject their antics,” Shehu Sani said.
Speaking with our Kaduna Correspondent on Monday in Kaduna, the immediate past chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Kaduna state Chapter, Rev. Dr. John Joseph Hayab opined that there is nothing wrong with paying Sallah homage, meanwhile he stated that everything is wrong if it has a political undertone.
Hayab who also doubles as the Country Director for Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, (GPFN) likened politicians as friends in the time of interest who only try to confuse Nigerians as though they are enemies when they do not have anything in common to share.
The cleric who urged Nigerians to shine their eyes against regrouping criminals and those who had caused the nation pains, explained that Nigeria belongs to everybody and not a few who always want to hold her to ransom.
He said, “People who have caused us pain always gang up when it comes to politics. The same gang of criminals who have no interest in the Nation at heart. They only disagree when they are looking for what they want to get for themselves.
“As a nation, we must try to shine our eyes and differentiate between those who love us and those who do not love us. They do not even love Buhari but they want to ride on his name for their selfish interest.
“It is not wrong to pay Sallah visit but wrong when there is a political undertone. Nigerians have suffered in the hands of few people who gang up when they want something to share. We must not give them the opportunity again,” Hayab added.
Meanwhile, the National President, Campaign for Democracy, a Rights Activist and Social Crusader, Comrade Abdul Bako Usman stated that if the meeting is for the actualisation of 2027 then the gesture is rather unfortunate.
Speaking with our Kaduna Correspondent via phone conversation, Abdul reiterated that North has been in jeopardy for years without the politicians meeting with the likes of Former Heads of state: Abdulsalami Abubakar, Ibrahim Babangida among other Northern elites for synergy to proffer lasting solution to the issues of insecurity and multidimensional poverty bedevilling the region for decades.
Bako said, “It is very important for leaders to meet and strategise on ways to move their region forward, but if it at all the meeting has anything to do with 2027 then it is very unfortunate.
“Because it will be good if that alliance has to do with tackling insecurity, multidimensional poverty in the north. But if they are coming together in working with synergy to the actualisation of 2027 or for political reasons then it’s quite unfortunate because the north has been in jeopardy for long but none of them have gone to meet former presidents like, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar.
“So, going to see Buhari if it’s for political reasons then it’s rather unfortunate.”
It is important to note that northern elites over time accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of marginalisation, saying that they will prioritise someone who is seen as more inclusive, less controversial, and more aligned with the interests of all regions of the country.
One of those critics are the Northern Elders Forum, (NEF) who said that they regretted voting for president Tinubu’s emergence in the 2023 general elections and will not support his reelection in 2027.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has been unanimously elected as the new Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, following a meeting of the 16 governors in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The position became vacant after the passing of former Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, in 2023.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced the decision, citing the forum’s confidence in Abiodun’s leadership abilities. Abiodun expressed gratitude for the opportunity, promising to lead with inclusiveness and efficiency.
He also pledged to work closely with his Vice, Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, to address regional interests and drive development in the southern region.
The emergence of Abiodun as Chairman marks a new chapter for the Southern Governors’ Forum, as the region seeks to tackle pressing issues and promote collective growth.
According to him, “This is indeed a significant honour bestowed on me by my esteemed colleagues, and I deeply appreciate their confidence in my leadership. Together, we will strive to ensure quality governance across our states and collectively engender exceptional regional development throughout Southern Nigeria.
“I also extend my congratulations to my colleague, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, who has been elected as the Vice Chairman.”
Among those present were Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Alex Otti of Abia State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
Also in attendance were Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, Bassey Otu of Cross River State, Charles Soludo of Anambra State, the deputy governor of Imo State, Chinyere Ekomaru of Delta State, Monday Onyeme, and the deputy governor of Ondo State, Olayide Adelami.
The meeting was convened to discuss crucial matters affecting their respective states and the nation at large.
By Omobolaji Adekunle, Abeokuta
The Ogun State Government has confirmed 25 suspected cases of cholera, with one death, across seven local government areas.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, stated this at a press conference in Abeokuta the state capital urging the public to report suspected cases to the Ministry.
The affected LGAs are Ado Odo/Ota, Remo North, Odeda, Sagamu, Ijebu North, Ewekoro, and Obafemi Owode. Nine cases have been confirmed, with one death recorded.
The State Community Health unit is on red alert, and the Ministry is coordinating the outbreak response with other stakeholders.
Treatment for Cholera is free in all public health facilities, and rapid response teams are prepared to respond to calls on short notice.
The Commissioner advised the public to be vigilant, especially in border areas with Lagos State, the epicentre of the cholera outbreak.
The Environment Commissioner, Mr. Ola Oresanya, announced that the State government has constructed over 60 public toilets and improved waste management collection.
The Education Commissioner, represented by Mr. Oluwole Majekodunmi, urged school administrators to ensure hygienic food and proper handwashing practices.
Contact lines for suspected cases: 08038642812, 07034214893, and 08084250881.
