Buhari inaugurates 5 projects in Ogun, lauds Abiodun - Newstrends
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Buhari inaugurates 5 projects in Ogun, lauds Abiodun

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President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, inaugurated five key projects in Ogun State and commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for being a “silent, effective achiever.”

Buhari, who was received at the Gateway City Gate, Sagamu Interchange by a delegation of the state government, governors from the South West states, senators, ministers, traditional rulers and top government functionaries, said Governor Abiodun has been able to deliver visionary and trail-blazing projects even in the midst of prevailing and challenging circumstances occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the Gateway City Gate; the 42-Kilometre Sagamu Interchange-Abeokuta Road; the 14km Ijebu-Ode-Epe Expressway and two Housing Estates for low, medium and high income earners at Kobape and Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta, respectively, could not have materialised without the state government’s huge investment and commitment to security of lives and property.

While assuring Nigerians that two major federal roads under construction, the Sagamu-Benin Expressway and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, would be commissioned before the end of 2022, the president expressed delight that the 14km Ijebu Ode-Mojoda-Epe Road has been reconstructed into a modern expressway by the state government.

“Impressive road will complement the Sagamu-Benin Expressway that the Federal Government is currently reconstructing; also due for commissioning this year,” he assured.

Describing Abiodun as the ‘‘performing governor of Nigeria’s Gateway State,” the president said he was a worthy example of promises made, promises kept.

‘‘This has made Ogun State one of the safest and most peaceful states in the country and investors’ destination of choice.

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‘‘You have justified the mandate of the people of Ogun State. You have represented our party very well. Your Excellency, well done! I am proud of what you have done for your state and your people. You have made our great party, the APC, proud too.

“Just across the road is the 42-kilometre Sagamu-Interchange-Abeokuta Road which the state government has reconstructed and equipped with street lights.

‘‘I am particularly impressed by the quality and standard of your road projects, and the creative way you have deployed resources to reconstruct and rehabilitate them.

‘‘It is significant to note that the two road projects being commissioned today are federal roads. This is an example of constructive engagement, cooperation and collaboration between the federal and states governments.

‘‘These roads also fit well into our rail transportation master plan that connects Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital to Kano, with Ogun State having more rail stations, along the Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor.”

The president, who noted that the housing programme of the state government was inclusive, also said the projects cut across different social strata, capturing the low, medium and high income earners.

He assured that Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta and the Sango Ota-Idiroko roads would receive the attention of the Federal Government.

President Buhari also announced that the Federal Government would consider extending tax credit as funding option for the reconstruction of the two roads, as done for the 100km Sagamu Interchange-Papalanto-Ilaro Road, submitting that he would consider the approval of the reconstruction of Sagamu-Ogijo Road by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited under the tax credit scheme.

He was later bestowed with the ‘honorary indigeneship’ and presented with the key of Gateway State by Governor Abiodun.

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Earlier, Governor Abiodun said ​all the projects and programmes his administration had undertaken were deliberate and guided by a vision to give Ogun a focused and qualitative governance and create an enabling environment for a Public Private Sector Partnership to thrive.

He said ​the choice of the five projects being commissioned was, however, symbolic of the various types of projects across all sectors of our state’s economy, spreading through the three senatorial districts.

Abiodun further informed the president that all state government projects have the inputs and are informed by the needs of the people as expressed by them at different engagement fora.

The governor, however, explained that the Gateway City Gate is an iconic monument that not only beautifies the environment, but a reflection of the new approach to governance in the state, adding “it symbolises the convergence, harmony, and unity among all the groups and sections of the state.

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VIDEO: Tinubu Approves 27 Road Projects Worth N3.9 Trillion Across 15 States

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15 hours ago

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June 30, 2026

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VIDEO: Tinubu Approves 27 Road Projects Worth N3.9 Trillion Across 15 States
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

VIDEO: Tinubu Approves 27 Road Projects Worth N3.9 Trillion Across 15 States

  • Minister Umahi Announces Completion of 118km Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway Section

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved 27 road projects valued at over N3.9 trillion across 15 states, marking one of the most significant infrastructure interventions in the country’s recent history.

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the Federal Government’s infrastructure development programme. The projects span Adamawa, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba, and Yobe states.

Speaking on the development, Umahi stated that the approvals reflect the administration’s commitment to bridging Nigeria’s infrastructure gap and stimulating economic growth through strategic road construction and rehabilitation.

“The President has demonstrated unwavering commitment to transforming Nigeria’s road infrastructure. These approvals are not just about roads; they are about connecting communities, enabling commerce, and saving lives,” Umahi said.

According to the Minister, the largest single project under the approval is the re-award of the 409-kilometre dual carriageway project in Niger State, valued at N1.8 trillion, to Aliko Dangote under the tax credit scheme. The project is expected to significantly improve connectivity in the North-Central region and facilitate the movement of goods and services.

Other major projects approved include N276 billion for the dualisation of the Ilorin-Ogbomoso Road, N265 billion for the reconstruction of the Iseyin-Eruwa-Agbesi Road connecting Oyo and Kwara states, and N217 billion for the dualisation of the old alignment Ijaye to FGC to Ilorin Road with a spur to Akinmorin.

In the South-East, the Federal Government approved N116 billion for the 21-kilometre Abakaliki-Afikpo Road in Ebonyi State and N86 billion for the reconstruction of the Enugu-Abakaliki Road with a flyover. The government also approved N86 billion for the Adikpo-Ajayi-Tese-Akpa-Otukpo Road connecting Benue and Cross River states.

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The South-West region received significant attention with the approval of N110 billion for the Ogbomoso-Oko-Illupu Road linking Oyo and Osun states. Additionally, N98 billion was approved for the construction of the 30-kilometre Idi-Araba-Ayede-Olodo Road in Oyo State, N82 billion for the rehabilitation of Igbeti Road, N74 billion for the Igbeti-Soro-Kishi Road, and N15.5 billion for the 13-kilometre Badeku-Jaiye Road in Oyo State.

Ekiti and Ondo states will benefit from the N34 billion, 18-kilometre Ikere-Ekiti-Ijare Road project, while the rehabilitation of the Kabba-Ifaki-Ado Ekiti Road connecting Kogi and Ekiti states received N24.7 billion.

In Lagos State, N15.7 billion was approved for the construction of Pacific Road linking Igbe Laara to Ikorodu, a project expected to ease traffic congestion in the densely populated Ikorodu axis.

The North-East region also received substantial allocations, with N83 billion approved for the Jimeta-Mayo Belwa Road project in Adamawa State, N71 billion for the construction of the 52-kilometre Dabban-Makina Road in Niger State, and N62.99 billion for the Tungo-Karamti Road with five bridges between Adamawa and Taraba states.

The rehabilitation of the Yola-Hong-Mubi Road phase 2 received N58 billion, while phase 2 of the Yola-Fufore-Gurin Road project in Adamawa State, covering 20 kilometres, received N15.246 billion.

Plateau State will benefit from N92 billion for the rehabilitation of the Baban-Lamba-Sharan phase 2 Road, while Yobe State received N15 billion as augmentation for a 32.2-kilometre road project in Gashua originally awarded in 2022.

In Kwara State, the government approved N21 billion for a flyover bridge at Oko-Olowo Junction, while the rehabilitation of sections 1 and 2 of the Ilorin-Omorin-Ebe-Kabba-Obajana Road in Kwara and Kogi states received N104 billion.

Umahi also disclosed that the first 118-kilometre section of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highway, valued at N137 billion, has been completed. He expressed optimism that work on the remaining 164-kilometre section would be completed by November.

The Minister also announced the approval of the full business case for the operation and maintenance concession for the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. He directed the immediate commencement of reconstruction of the failed sections of the Ibadan axis using concrete technology to ensure durability.

“We are not just building roads; we are building a foundation for sustainable economic development. The use of concrete technology on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will ensure that the road serves Nigerians for decades to come,” Umahi added.

He noted that the projects would generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the affected states and boost economic activities in the regions.

The Minister urged contractors handling the projects to adhere strictly to specifications and timelines to ensure timely delivery of the projects.

VIDEO: Tinubu Approves 27 Road Projects Worth N3.9 Trillion Across 15 States

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Breaking: Third Batch of Nigerians Fleeing South Africa’s Xenophobic Violence Arrives in Lagos

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June 30, 2026

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Breaking: Third Batch of Nigerians Fleeing South Africa’s Xenophobic Violence Arrives in Lagos

The third batch of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa touched down in Lagos on Tuesday, as the Federal Government continued efforts to bring home citizens caught in the wave of anti-immigration protests and xenophobic attacks that have unsettled parts of the Southern African nation.

The evacuees arrived aboard an Air Peace aircraft, which landed at the cargo terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, at about 10:54 a.m.

The latest evacuation comes amid growing concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in South Africa following weeks of demonstrations targeting undocumented migrants and businesses owned by immigrants. The unrest has disrupted livelihoods and heightened fears among many Nigerians living in the country.

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The Federal Government, through its diplomatic missions and relevant agencies, has been coordinating the voluntary evacuation of Nigerians who indicated their willingness to return home. Air Peace has been providing the evacuation flights as part of the humanitarian effort.

The ongoing repatriation follows renewed xenophobic tensions in South Africa, where foreign nationals—particularly Africans from countries including Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Somalia—have repeatedly come under attack during anti-immigration campaigns.

Over the years, similar outbreaks of violence have led to deaths, destruction of businesses and strained diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa, prompting repeated calls for stronger protection of migrants and lasting solutions to xenophobia.

 

Breaking: Third Batch of Nigerians Fleeing South Africa’s Xenophobic Violence Arrives in Lagos

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FG Overhauls NYSC After 53 Years, Approves Civilian Leadership, Skills-Based Service Scheme

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23 hours ago

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June 30, 2026

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FG Overhauls NYSC After 53 Years, Approves Civilian Leadership, Skills-Based Service Scheme

FG Overhauls NYSC After 53 Years, Approves Civilian Leadership, Skills-Based Service Scheme

The Federal Government has approved the most far-reaching overhaul of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) since its establishment 53 years ago, paving the way for a civilian-led, skills-driven service scheme designed to equip graduates for employment, entrepreneurship and national development.

The landmark reform, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), will see the NYSC transition from military operational leadership to civilian management, while the military will retain responsibility for the security of corps members. The reforms also introduce specialised career streams, expanded vocational training and a new orientation camp structure aimed at producing a workforce capable of supporting Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.

To fast-track implementation, FEC directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to reflect the approved changes.

Speaking on the reform, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the review was necessary to reposition the scheme as a modern institution focused on youth empowerment, skills development and productivity.

She explained that the reforms would strengthen Nigeria’s human capital by aligning the NYSC with the country’s economic priorities.

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According to her, the review covers virtually every aspect of the scheme, including registration, deployment, security considerations, orientation camp activities and post-service opportunities.

Under the new model, corps members will undergo a redesigned six-week orientation programme. The first two weeks will focus on civic responsibility, national values and leadership development. The next two weeks will cover career mapping, financial literacy, business planning and access to finance, alongside a structured career engagement programme with employers and public institutions.

The final two weeks will be dedicated to specialised training based on each corps member’s academic background, career interests and chosen service stream.

Bala Usman disclosed that the government has created 11 specialised NYSC streams from which participants will choose during registration.

The streams include Agric Corps, Medical Corps, Education Corps, Tech and Digital Corps, Legal Corps, Public Service Corps, Infrastructure Corps, Green Corps, Enterprise Corps, Creative Economy Corps, and Paramilitary and Security Corps.

She said each stream would offer targeted training designed to prepare graduates for careers in critical sectors of the economy.

According to her, the reform represents the first comprehensive review of the NYSC since its creation in 1973 and reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to transforming the scheme into a platform for building skilled manpower capable of driving economic growth.

The NYSC was established by Decree No. 24 of May 22, 1973, in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War to foster national unity, integration and reconciliation among Nigerian youths.

The scheme is currently headed by Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu but will, under the approved reforms, transition to civilian operational leadership once the necessary legal amendments are completed.

 

FG Overhauls NYSC After 53 Years, Approves Civilian Leadership, Skills-Based Service Scheme

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