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• August 25, 2025
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Lagos suspends Ogudu-Ifako Bridge repairs over gridlock, robbery attacks

The Lagos State Government has temporarily halted rehabilitation works on the Ogudu–Ifako Bridge in Kosofe Local Government Area following mounting public complaints over gridlock and a surge in traffic-related crime along the corridor leading to the Third Mainland Bridge. The second phase of the project, which began on August 19 and was expected to run
Lagos suspends Ogudu-Ifako Bridge repairs over gridlock, robbery attacks

The Lagos State Government has temporarily halted rehabilitation works on the Ogudu–Ifako Bridge in Kosofe Local Government Area following mounting public complaints over gridlock and a surge in traffic-related crime along the corridor leading to the Third Mainland Bridge.

The second phase of the project, which began on August 19 and was expected to run until October 1, 2025, focused on repairing expansion joints on the bridge.

However, the resulting congestion has left motorists stranded for hours, creating opportunities for hoodlums to prey on commuters.

Journeys that ordinarily last 15 minutes have stretched to as long as six hours, with multiple reports of robbery incidents in traffic.

One of the victims, media executive and lawyer Richard Akinnola, recounted his ordeal while stuck in traffic near the 7Up/Old Toll Gate axis in Ketu.

Writing on his X account, he said: “Calling on RRS, Lagos. Two days ago, the repair work on Ogudu road from 7Up commenced.

“This has led to serious traffic along that corridor. I was in the traffic about noon when I was robbed by hoodlums who took advantage of the severe traffic. They were in the process of breaking my car windows when armed idiots dispossessed me of every cash on me.”

He lamented the absence of adequate security personnel in the area, urging the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, to deploy officers before commuters suffer worse attacks.

Responding to the outcry, a senior RRS official, who requested anonymity, disclosed that additional personnel had been mobilized.

“The RRS Commander has drafted armed men to strategic locations along Ogudu-Ifako where the rehabilitation is ongoing to protect motorists,” the source confirmed.

The Lagos Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, had earlier warned that the bridge repair would be executed in phases and advised road users to expect diversions.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Mr Olawale Musa, said the suspension was necessary to review existing traffic management strategies and address security concerns.

“The project was paused to review the traffic management plans. Work will resume within the week after consultations with the contractor and stakeholders,” Musa stated. “We appeal to residents for patience, to obey traffic officials, and to make use of alternative routes. The exercise is ultimately for public benefit, and we are working to fast-track the completion date.”

Musa also revealed that ambulances had been stationed along the corridor to promptly attend to emergencies while efforts continue to mitigate the inconvenience caused by the repair work.

Lagos suspends Ogudu-Ifako Bridge repairs over gridlock, robbery attacks

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• August 25, 2025
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NLC, Atiku’s aide, activist, Akpan reject proposed salary raise for Tinubu, govs, ministers

There is disquiet following the proposed salary increase for President Bola Tinubu, governors, ministers and other government officials in the country. DAILY POST reports that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, penultimate Monday revealed moves to review upwards the remuneration of government officials. The RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, who spoke with journalists in
NLC, Atiku’s aide, activist, Akpan reject proposed salary raise for Tinubu, govs, ministers

There is disquiet following the proposed salary increase for President Bola Tinubu, governors, ministers and other government officials in the country.

DAILY POST reports that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, penultimate Monday revealed moves to review upwards the remuneration of government officials.

The RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, who spoke with journalists in Abuja, described current earnings of Nigerian President, Governors, Ministers as inadequate, unrealistic, and outdated.

Mohammed Shehu disclosed that President Bola Tinubu presently earns N1.5m monthly, while ministers receive less than N1 million, stating that the figures have remained unchanged since 2008.

According to him, “paying the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria N1.5m a month, with a population of over 200 million people is a joke”.

The RMAFC boss stressed that though the commission was not responsible for setting the minimum wage for civil servants or public sector workers, it was constitutionally mandated to determine the salaries of political, judicial, and legislative office holders.

The proposal was, however, greeted with stiff opposition from stakeholders, who outrightly rejected the move, citing the untold hardship bedeviling the country at the moment.

Many stakeholders believe that even when inflation makes pay raises necessary, the timing is wrong, especially at a time when countless Nigerians are passing through economic hardship and deprivations occasioned by the reform policies of the present administration.

In an interview with DAILY POST on Sunday, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar and an activist lawyer, Nkereuwem Akpan Esq, called for an immediate suspension of the proposed pay raise.

Retreat your step now – NLC tells RMAFC

The spokesman of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Benson Upah told DAILY POST on Sunday that the union is outraged by the decision of the RMAFC to embark on a comprehensive upward review of the remuneration packages of political office holders across the country.

According to the NLC, the move is “insensitive, unjust, inequitable”, stressing that it will only succeed in deepening the growing inequality between civil servants and political office holders.

“It will equally deepen poverty among the generality of Nigerians, the majority of whom have not only been adjudged to be multi-dimensionally poor, live miserably poor.

“While we recognise the need for good remuneration packages, they should be across board and equitable and not done on the basis of discrimination as that runs contrary to the letter and spirit of our constitution.

“One of the most heinous crimes against humanity is the institution and promotion of apartheid in any human setting, no matter how subtle.

“Accordingly, we demand as follows: The current earnings of all political office holders should be made public;

“The benchmark for the proposed review should equally be made public; RMAFC should put this exercise on hold before it triggers a tsunami”.

Whoever conceived the idea of salary increase doesn’t mean well for Tinubu govt – Atiku

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has also condemned the move, stating that whoever conceived the idea of “salary increase for government officials doesn’t even mean well for the administration”.

In an interview with DAILY POST, Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe said, “policies of Tinubu’s administration is to benefit them only.

“It is all to serve their interests. We saw how much that was wasted on the vice president’s residence”.

According to him, the “government is all about wastage. The saddest part of it is that these monies are all borrowed. Borrowed is supposed to be put into productive use.

“Our children are going to pay back those loans, they are not free. So it is very insensitive of the government to be talking about increasing the salaries of public officials.

“The so-called minimum wage is not even a living wage. The wage cannot take average civil servants home. As things stand now, minimum wage in Nigeria cannot buy a bag of rice.

“The civil servant still has the school fees of his children to pay, he has healthcare and he is even being tasked here and beyond. They have been engaging in ill-conceived tasks that do not in any way grow our economy.

“Whoever came up with the idea of salary increase for government officials doesn’t even mean well for the administration. It is a no. This is not a government of yourself, by your family and for your friends”.

Activist lawyer, Chief Nkereuwem Udofia Akpan laments humongous allowances for government officials

On his part, Chief Nkereuwem Udofia Akpan, Constitutional Lawyer and human rights activist says government officials, especially members of the National Assembly should have the number of their allowances slashed.

In an interview with DAILY POST, the lawyer said the National Assembly constitutes a real drain on the economy.

“If you consider the humongous and mind-bogging allowances each of the 109 Senators and 460 Representatives take home in a month, vehicle allowances, accommodation, entertainment, car maintenance, furniture then the almighty politics behind those constituency projects,” he stated.

On the proposed pay raise, the activist lawyer wondered why “someone like Mr President who has been a Senator and two term governor of Lagos State and has practically controlled the State ever since” is still looking for a salary increase.

“The First Lady was recently quoted as saying that they were already rich before coming to Aso Rock and most Nigerians agree with her.

“Let’s be honest about these things for once. These sort of stories are somehow diversionary, misleading and truly unnecessary

“I say so for the following reasons: Firstly, it’s not about the official salaries and take home pay but the official jumbo packages and perks, that is the problem.

“Secondly, the real problem is the brazen corruption, rot in the system and the outright looting of public funds through awards of contracts; the use of fronts for these massive contracts are the real issues.

“I would rather the President earns a handsome official salary than his being connected to contractors or involvement in oil deals.

“Away from the above, if you consider the stupendous wealth of our public servants, especially those who have served as two term governors and the fact that they are still accumulating wealth, you will be forgiven to think that these people don’t believe that death is around the corner.”

NLC, Atiku’s aide, activist, Akpan reject proposed salary raise for Tinubu, govs, ministers

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• August 25, 2025
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Nigeria worse than country at war – Chidoka

Osita Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation, has noted that Nigeria currently is far worse than a country at war. The former minister stated this during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday, warning that the instability in the country is more than a civil war situation. “From the data, it’s about more than a
Nigeria worse than country at war – Chidoka

Osita Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation, has noted that Nigeria currently is far worse than a country at war.

The former minister stated this during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday, warning that the instability in the country is more than a civil war situation.

“From the data, it’s about more than a civil war,” he said.

According to him, the number of people killed in places such as Gaza, Syria, and other places could be compared to that of Nigeria despite the country being at peace.

He said that Nigeria is hurting badly, calling on the government to show leadership.

The former minister also pointed to recent killings and kidnappings as proof of a worsening security crisis.

He said that this was not the time for blame games but for the government to bring stakeholders under one roof to seek solutions to those issues.

DAILY POST reported last week that the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, said that the recent increase in killings across the country cannot be unconnected to the lead-up to the 2027 general election.

Nigeria is witnessing a rise in terrorist activities in the North-East, frequent banditry attacks in the North-West, while states like Benue and Plateau have remained hotspots for violence and killings.

DAILY POST reported that on Monday, at least 34 individuals attending prayers at a mosque in the Unguwar Mantau community of Malumfashi Local Government Area, Katsina State, lost their lives.

In an interview on Channels Television on Thursday evening, Musa said that the increasing insecurity could be closely linked to political activities.

Nigeria worse than country at war – Chidoka

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• August 25, 2025
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Abia govt urges Obingwa people to utilize Nenu Specialist Hospital, shun quacks

Abia State government has urged rural dwellers in Nenu and Obingwa LGA at large to prioritize their health by using Nenu Specialist Hospital, an annex of Abia State University Teaching Hospital. The State government said that the people should not engage the services of medical quacks when they already have such a functional and upgraded
Abia govt urges Obingwa people to utilize Nenu Specialist Hospital, shun quacks

Abia State government has urged rural dwellers in Nenu and Obingwa LGA at large to prioritize their health by using Nenu Specialist Hospital, an annex of Abia State University Teaching Hospital.

The State government said that the people should not engage the services of medical quacks when they already have such a functional and upgraded hospital.

Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Uche, who made the call during a facility tour of the hospital, said the facility had expanded beyond its previous capacity at the time Abia State University Teaching Hospital, ABSUTH.

He listed the EGC, Theatre, Ultrasound, Labour Ward for pregnant women and other equipment, saying that such are not commonly found in local hospitals.

Represented by the Chief Medical Director, Abịa State University Teaching Hospital Aba, Professor Uzoma Nduka, during a facility tour of the hospital, Uche said that ABSUTH scaled through all accreditations.

He commended the people of Nenu, the host community for not being hostile but supporting the partnership between the two major medical establishments.

Also, the Mayor of Obingwa LGA, Mayor, Maxwell Nwadike,

commended National Chairman, Forum of former deputy Governors Nigeria, Dr. Chris Akomas and the entire Nenu community for building the hospital.

He said that the host community would no longer witness an exodus of villagers in search of treatment elsewhere but an influx of patients coming from other parts of the State.

In his remarks, Akomas, promised that an MRI machine is to be installed in the hospital soon to serve the need of the people.

Abia govt urges Obingwa people to utilize Nenu Specialist Hospital, shun quacks