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- October 1, 2025
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Tinubu’s Coastal Highway Project Earns Praise from CSOs, Opposition Leaders, Economists
Tinubu’s Coastal Highway Project Earns Praise from CSOs, Opposition Leaders, Economists
Civil society organisations, opposition party figures and key stakeholders in the Nigerian business community have commended the Federal Government on the quality of work being done on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, and the commitment of the administration of President Bola Tinubu to infrastructure development/economic growth.
The stakeholders, who were impressed by the level and quality of work done so far, spoke to journalists on the sidelines of a tour of the project in Lagos.
According to them, Nigerians must rise above politics to support developmental efforts such as the coastal highway project, especially with the verification of the quality of work and huge economic benefits.
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed, during the tour, that the first section of the 750km highway project, which covers the stretch from Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, to Eleko, Lagos, will be completed by May 2026.
Umahi expressed satisfaction with the level of work executed so far by Hi-Tech, noting that a total of 35km had been completed, with 12km left for the Section 1 of the project.
A policy expert, chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, said, “You cannot develop a nation without a long-term plan. You cannot sustain a long-term plan in a multi-party democracy unless you’re able to build consensus around development.
“To build consensus around development, it means you will listen with the intention of hearing, not just with the intention of criticising, and you will go and see with the intention of verifying…
“What I have seen so far today is commendable, I must tell you. Beyond our political ideological differences, we need to, as a nation, breathe in and out to explore how to achieve a consensus to develop our nation.
“When you look at countries like Singapore, India and UAE, their achievements have come through building consensus for national development. A nation at 65 must be in a hurry to link its infrastructure to model after other globally competitive economies.”
“Nigerians must get the courage to build the kind of things that will position it as a country to turn the corner and go full throttle in investing in legacy infrastructure projects that will transform the economy,” he added.
Chairman, Proshare Group, leading financial information hub in Nigeria, Olufemi Awoyemi, specifically noted that the coastal highway project was a test case for big infrastructure projects and their financing.
“This is an alternative, providing a primary route for cross-country connectivity, away from the current congestion, and a test case for big infrastructure projects and their financing,” Awoyemi noted.
One of the leaders of about 20 civil society organisations represented during the tour, Declan Ihekaire, said he was happy that he had been invited to join the Minister on the project tour.
He said the work done so far and its quality must be commended by Nigerians.
“We, as CSOs must not condemn everytime. When we see where they are getting it right, we should talk so that we encourage them. Ultimately, the beneficiaries of good initiatives are the people,” he said.
While briefing the press, the Minister of Works reinforced the value of concrete in building durable roads and was satisfied with its deployment for the coastal road.
According to him, emerging economies like India have led in the use of concrete to build enduring roads.
Umahi noted that the first section of the project covered 47km of the coastal highway, while work had already commenced on the second section.
This, he said, would continue from Eleko, Lagos, to Ode-Omi, Ogun State.
“In executing this project, we saved properties like the landmark centre and evacuated refuse in the axis with a depth of 10m to carry out the work and align the concrete to the roads.
“I came to inspect the variations to the projects and the level of execution. We will also unravel the issues around the WinHomes and allegations of about $200m of diaspora investments in the real estate project.
“We will involve the EFCC and DSS to investigate the matter alongside civil society organisations,” the minister stated.
He, however, assured stakeholders that there would be periodic briefings and engagements with the media to provide updates on the progress of the coastal highway project.
Apart from the 750-kilometre Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway; the Minister listed the other three legacy projects designed to connect the entire country to include the 477-kilometre Trans-Saharan Highway traversing Calabar, Ebonyi, Kogi, Benue, Nasarawa, the FCT; the 422-kilometre Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Expressway; and the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.
“We will continue to reiterate that roads and bridges are the infrastructure that build the GDP of every nation. And it is from this that the GDP of other sectors will grow.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has this knowledge; he has demonstrated it when he was Governor of Lagos State and you can see that Lagos State is an economy within an economy.
“That is why we’re doing everything possible to support that, to develop infrastructure according to his vision and mission,” Umahi said.
Civil society organisations, opposition party figures and key stakeholders in the Nigerian business community have commended the Federal Government on the quality of work being done on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal
- Football
- October 1, 2025
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Man Utd star wants to join Napoli after Hojlund
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo has his sights on joining Napoli during the January transfer window, according to Daily Mail.
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MultiChoice Ghana clarifies DStv value offering, affirms support for government agreement
MultiChoice Ghana has clarified its new DStv value offering, which officially took effect today, 1 October 2025. The pay-TV provider explained that some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) published on its website had created the wrong impression about the new package. This follows a joint press conference involving the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, the National Communications Authority, MultiChoice Africa and MultiChoice Ghana. The press briefing outlined new measures aimed at improving value for customers…
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Iheanacho Has Big Pedigree — Celtic Star McGregor
Celtic captain Callum McGregor has been impressed with Kelechi Iheanacho’s impact since his arrival at the club. Iheanacho moved to the Celtic Park on a free transfer last month. The Nigeria international has made a significant impact since his arrival at the club, scoring two goals, and providing one assist in four outings. McGregor Thumbs […] The post Iheanacho Has Big Pedigree — Celtic Star McGregor appeared first on Complete Sports.
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PENGASSAN President Osifo explains suspension of nationwide strike against Dangote Refinery
The President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo, has explained that the union suspended its nationwide industrial action against Dangote Refinery out of respect for the Nigerian government and Nigerians. He made this clarification during a press briefing on Wednesday. The Association, however, noted that it is
PENGASSAN President Osifo explains suspension of nationwide strike against Dangote Refinery
The President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN, Festus Osifo, has explained that the union suspended its nationwide industrial action against Dangote Refinery out of respect for the Nigerian government and Nigerians.
He made this clarification during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The Association, however, noted that it is not satisfied with the truce brokered between it and Dangote Refinery.
“We are not happy with the terms of the agreement because it did not capture our main demand of recalling the 800 sacked Nigerians. But out of respect for government institutions, for the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Chief Reconciliator of the Federation, and ministers who worked tirelessly into the early hours of the morning to mediate, we decided to suspend the action,” he stated.
Osifo, however, warned: “If Dangote fails to keep its part, we will resume immediately, without any warning.”
This comes as DAILY POST reports that PENGASSAN suspended its two-day strike following the intervention of the Federal Government.
Part of the agreement reached is that Dangote Refinery would reabsorb the sacked workers, which was the primary basis for the strike action.
Recall that gas and crude supply had been cut from Dangote Refinery after PENGASSAN declared a strike on Sunday.
The action had affected the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery and Nigeria’s oil downstream sector, prompting intervention by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
Last week, Dangote Refinery reported that it had sacked over 800 workers for voluntarily joining PENGASSAN.
PENGASSAN President Osifo explains suspension of nationwide strike against Dangote Refinery
- Football
- October 1, 2025
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Chelsea set to battle Man Utd for Juventus wonderkid
Chelsea are ready to battle it out with Manchester United to purchase Juventus wonderkid Kenan Yildiz at the end of the campaign, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.
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- October 1, 2025
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‘Find Sommie’s killers’ — Family urges FG
The family of slain ARISE News anchor and reporter, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently unravel and prosecute the killers of their daughter. This was the emotional appeal made on Tuesday during a condolence visit by Senior Management of the ARISE Media Group to the Maduagwu family residence
‘Find Sommie’s killers’ — Family urges FG
The family of slain ARISE News anchor and reporter, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently unravel and prosecute the killers of their daughter.
This was the emotional appeal made on Tuesday during a condolence visit by Senior Management of the ARISE Media Group to the Maduagwu family residence in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.
Somtochukwu, fondly called Sommie, was murdered in the early hours of Monday, September 29, 2025, during an armed robbery at her home in the Katampe area of Abuja. The 29-year-old was a lawyer-turned-journalist whose rising career was tragically cut short, triggering widespread grief and outrage across Nigeria’s media and civil society spaces.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Engineer Obi Maduagwu, elder brother to Sommie’s father, described the killing as “senseless, cruel, and deeply painful.” He said the family appreciated ARISE News for standing with them but demanded accountability from authorities.
“We appreciate the solidarity shown by ARISE News, but we also demand justice. Those who did this must be found and brought to face the full weight of the law,” he said.
Leading the ARISE delegation was Mr. Bayo Awosemo, Deputy Managing Director, who was accompanied by Mr. Sumner Sambo, Director of News, and Mr. Chris Isiguzo, Director of Corporate Services and former National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). They conveyed the condolences of the ARISE Media Group and praised Sommie’s remarkable work ethic, strong values, and dedication to journalism.
Isiguzo, who is also President of the Congress of African Journalists, shared an emotional recollection of his last moment with the deceased:
“We were together in the office on Saturday and Sunday. In fact, before she went on air to present her programme, we exchanged pleasantries as always. Who could have imagined that hours later, we’d be talking about her in the past tense?
‘We are heartbroken, but we cannot question God. Her voice may be silent, but ¹ legacy will endure.”
Sommie’s mother was visibly inconsolable during the visit, while her father, Engineer Ifeanyi Maduagwu, was too distraught to speak. The family’s home in Port Harcourt was filled with sympathisers, friends, relatives, neighbours, and media colleagues; many of whom described her as brilliant, humble, and deeply principled, a rare gem in her generation.
Born on December 26, 1995, Sommie studied law in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, later transitioning into journalism where she found her true calling. She joined ARISE News as a reporter, producer, and anchor, known for her thoughtful interviews and coverage of legal issues, gender equity, and social justice.
Meanwhile the Director of Newsat Arise News, Sumner Sambo, assured the bereaved family that ARISE News will pursue justice to its logical conclusion, stating firmly:
“No stone will be left unturned in unmasking those responsible for this heinous crime.”
Sommie’s death has re-ignited calls for stronger protection for journalists and urgent reforms in Nigeria’s security architecture.
- Uncategorized
- October 1, 2025
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Kwara urges vigilance, limited movement as onslaught on kidnappers’ hideouts continues
As the onslaught on kidnappers’ hideouts by security forces intensifies, the Kwara State government has urged residents, particularly those in and around Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Oke Ero, and Irepodun LGAs, to remain vigilant and restrict outdoor activities as much as possible in the interim. The advisory follows heightened operations by combined security forces in border
Kwara urges vigilance, limited movement as onslaught on kidnappers’ hideouts continues
As the onslaught on kidnappers’ hideouts by security forces intensifies, the Kwara State government has urged residents, particularly those in and around Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Oke Ero, and Irepodun LGAs, to remain vigilant and restrict outdoor activities as much as possible in the interim.
The advisory follows heightened operations by combined security forces in border towns in Kogi and Kwara, where kidnappers are believed to have taken refuge.
“We urge people to be very vigilant and limit their movements to only very necessary routines. That is to avoid being caught unawares as the kidnappers are fleeing their hideouts.
“We do not want law-abiding citizens to be affected,” said the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, in a statement released in Ilorin on Wednesday.
She added that the government regrets any temporary inconvenience the limited movement may cause in the affected areas.
The statement commended security forces for their renewed efforts to root out the criminals and urged them to continue until the perpetrators are completely neutralised and flushed out of the forests.
Kwara urges vigilance, limited movement as onslaught on kidnappers’ hideouts continues
- Football
- October 1, 2025
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Liverpool eyeing January deal for Barcelona star
Liverpool are reportedly keen on strengthening their central defence with the purchase of Barcelona star Ronald Araujo in January, as per Spanish website Fichajes.
