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UMAHI’S DRIVE IN WORKS SECTOR AND THE DELIVERY OF RENEWED HOPE AGENDA

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By; Vitalis Obidiaghaa

Briefing the Press after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Monday, 26th February, 2024, the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, announced that Nigeria’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a N1.06 trillion contract for the construction of the first phase of the coastal road from Lagos to Calabar. Senator Umahi, who disclosed this to newsmen, explained that the phase is part the 700 kilometer road spanning nine states and with two spurs leading to the Northern states. According to him, FEC approved the fund for the first phase made of the 47.47 kilometers dual carriage way to be constructed with concrete, having five lanes on each side and a train track in the middle.

In his words: “Today, we had the approval of FEC for the construction of 700 kilometer of coastal routes running from Lagos through the nine coastal routes or states up to Cross River; meaning that it goes through Lagos; the Lekki Deep Seaport, Ogun state, Ondo State, Delta, Bayelsa, Port Harcourt and Akwa Ibom. But we also have two spurs that leads to the North, from the ongoing Badagry-Sokoto route and the one that leads to the Trans-Sahara route that goes from Ogoja down to Cameroon. Now, it is a dual carriage way. And each carriage way has five lanes and a provision for a train infrastructure that will be at the middle.”

The above development, which has earned Mr. president the commendation of well-meaning Nigerians, signifies Senator Umahi’s quest to use his expertise as a thoroughbred structural engineer to transform Nigeria’s road infrastructure, easing the pains that Nigerians have gone through over the years, due to poor road networks. This becomes even more encouraging when one considers the strategic importance of that coastal route to Nigeria’s economy, especially as it serves as a linkage between the South-West and the South-South economic corridors within our nation.

The significance of this project will be better appreciated when one considers the fact that one of the key indicators for measuring a nation’s developmental quest is to examine the effort such nation makes towards her infrastructural development. This is predicated on the fact that a good road network, apart from providing comfort for the travelling public, also serves as a vital catalyst for sundry economic activities. And every informed, mind who means well for our nation, will agree to the fact that the coastal route, just like many other strategic routes within our shores, holds so much promise for our nation’s economic rejuvenation.

That, perhaps, explains why Mr. President stated during his campaign, that his intention was to “modernise and expand public infrastructure so that the rest of the economy can grow at an optimal rate,” —a promise he is now determined to fulfill by the activities of Senator Umahi, the honourable minister of works. And if one rises beyond sentiments, and judges by the series of activities carried out by Umahi ever since he assumed office as the Minister of Works, one would agree to the fact that he came with a high level of determination to make a difference towards transforming Nigeria’s road infrastructure. This can be seen, not only through his words and ambitious project plans, but also in his profound understanding of how to navigate the associated challenges that come with such ambitious projects. An example of such scenario is the case of this coastal road from Lagos to Calabar.

Recall that FEC had on the 30th of October, 2023, approved that the Lagos to Calabar coastal road be procured under (EPC+) Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing in favour of High-Tech Construction African limited, which means that the company was supposed to search for the funding. And they have already started searching for the funding, but there are hitches here and there. And in his proactive quest to ensure the success of this ambitious project, the Minister thought it wise to seek for the understanding and intervention of Mr President towards fast-tracking the project and Mr. President gave his consent.

Umahi’s passionate words to Mr. President were as follows: “Since this project was going to be procured in two phases and multiple sections, can we get the Federal Government to fund the phase one, which is 47.47 kilometers, running from Ahmadu Bello in Lagos down to Lekki Deep Seaport?” and Mr. President graciously approved. Speaking further, the Minister stated that “we also have the challenge of a lot of infrastructure on the road corridor. So, we requested Mr. President to approve that we realign the road, so that we move closer to the ocean shore, and then avoid those properties which could lead to litigation. And Mr. President also approved. But then, that led to a new challenge. And the challenge is the need to start the project as quickly as possible as to protect, you know, the communities along the corridor. So today, we have procured the first section, which is 47.47 kilometers, under 10 lanes and FEC graciously approved the contract for N1.067 trillion with no objection.”

The above good news and the commendations that it has generated so far do not come as a surprise to those who have followed Senator Umahi’s determined efforts towards the transformation of Nigeria’s road infrastructure ever since he resumed duty as the Minister of Works, it resonates deeply with the aspirations of many Nigerians who rejoiced when Mr. President gave him that important responsibility. Those who have followed his activities closely can attest to the fact that he is determined to ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President becomes a reality through the delivery of quality road infrastructure in Nigeria.

Speaking during one of his meetings with the project stakeholders in Lagos, Umahi stated that “the Lagos-Port Harcourt-Calabar Coastal Highway is the first of its kind in the whole of Africa, and it is quite innovative as it shows that the giant of Africa is beginning to show her prowess and this is being revitalized by the captain of the ship, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu. So, this is very beautiful. Another good news is that this project is going to be built on a concrete road of 11 inches thick with 20-millimeter reinforcement.”

For those who believe in the unfolding greatness of the Nigerian nation and the determination of the present administration to live up to the truest potential of the Nigerian nation, these words from Senator Umahi and his drive to make a difference reassure Nigerians of the steadfastness of the Renewed Hope Agenda. That is why he deserves the support of all Nigerians.

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Update : 2027 Race: APC Pegs Presidential Form at ₦100m, Unveils Primaries Date

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The All Progressives Congress has released its timetable for the 2027 general elections, fixing its presidential primary for May 15 to 16, 2026.

According to the schedule signed by the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, on Monday, the party will begin the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms at its National Secretariat from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while submission of completed forms will close on May 4.

The APC pegged its presidential form at ₦100m, comprising ₦30m for expression of interest and ₦70m for nomination.

Governorship aspirants are to pay ₦50m, while Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly forms cost ₦20m, ₦10m and ₦6m respectively.

The timetable indicates that screening of aspirants will hold between May 6 and May 8, while screening results will be released on May 11, followed by appeals from May 12 to May 13.

Photo: X/@OfficialAPCNg

Presidential primaries are scheduled for May 15 and 16, while those for the House of Representatives, Senate, State House of Assembly and governorship will hold on May 18, May 20, May 21 and May 23, respectively.

The party also fixed May 25 for the conclusion of election appeals across all categories.

The schedule shows that all primary elections will be conducted within eight days.

The party, however, granted concessions to female aspirants, youths and persons living with disabilities, who are to pay for only the expression of interest forms and 50 per cent of the nomination fees.

The timetable stated that the schedule was in line with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the Independent National Electoral Commission guidelines

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Breaking : Tinubu Endorses ₦68.32 Trillion 2026 Budget, Prolongs 2025 Spending Timeline

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President Bola Tinubu has signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, authorising an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion for the current fiscal year.

He also signed a separate bill extending the implementation period of the 2025 budget from March 31 to June 30, 2026.

The budget allocates ₦4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and ₦15.8 trillion for debt service.

It further sets aside ₦15.4 trillion for recurrent expenditure and ₦32.2 trillion for capital expenditure through the Development Fund.

The presidency made the disclosure in a statement signed by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Friday.

The statement read, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assented to the 2026 Appropriation Bill, which provides for an aggregate expenditure of ₦68.32 trillion. He has also signed the bill extending the implementation period for the 2025 budget from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026.

“The N68.32 trillion budget for this year earmarks N4.799 trillion for statutory transfers and N15.8 trillion for debt service. It allocates N15.4 trillion to recurrent expenditure and N32.2 trillion to the Development Fund for Capital Expenditure.

“With capital expenditure accounting for about 50 per cent, the 2026 budget underscores the administration’s continued commitment to economic stability, national security, infrastructure development, and inclusive growth.

“The allocations reflect a strategic balance between statutory obligations, debt servicing, recurrent expenditure, and capital investments critical to driving productivity and improving the quality of life for Nigerians,” it added.

The 2026 Appropriation Act took effect on April 1, with the Federal Government commencing full implementation in line with what the presidency describes as the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Tinubu also assented to the Appropriation (Repeal and Enactment) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which extends the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act by three months to June 30.

The presidency said the extension would ensure the full utilisation of appropriated funds, particularly for critical infrastructure projects at advanced stages of implementation.

“The extension will ensure the full and effective utilisation of appropriated funds, particularly for critical infrastructure and development projects that are at advanced stages of implementation across the country.

“It will enable Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to consolidate ongoing works, enhance project completion rates, and maximise value for public expenditure,” the statement read.

Tinubu directed MDAs to ensure disciplined, transparent, and efficient utilisation of allocated resources, with strong emphasis on value for money and timely project delivery.

He commended the leadership and members of the National Assembly for what the presidency described as their “diligence, cooperation, and patriotism in expeditiously considering and passing the budget.”

“The President reaffirmed the importance of sustained collaboration between the Executive and Legislative arms of government in advancing national development objectives,” the statement noted.

Tinubu also assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to deepen fiscal reforms and boost revenue generation.

“He further assured Nigerians of his administration’s resolve to deepen fiscal reforms, enhance revenue generation, and prioritise investments that will stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen social protection mechanisms,” the statement read.

The budget, titled “The Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” was originally presented to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 19, 2025, at a proposed sum of ₦58.47 trillion.

It passed second reading in the House of Representatives on January 29, 2026, before going through further legislative scrutiny and emerging at ₦68.32 trillion at the point of assent.

During the second reading debate in January, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere had urged lawmakers to support the proposal, pointing to a projected 3.98 per cent economic growth rate for 2026, a projected drop in inflation to 14.45 per cent, improved revenues, and foreign direct investment growth.

He also cited a stabilisation of the naira at around ₦1,400 to the dollar and a rise in Nigeria’s external reserves to a seven-year high of approximately $47 billion.

When Tinubu presented the bill to lawmakers in December, he described it as a defining moment in Nigeria’s reform journey, acknowledging the pressures the process had placed on households and businesses while insisting the sacrifices were necessary.

“The path of reform is seldom smooth, but it is the surest route to lasting stability and shared prosperity,” he told the joint session.

He vowed that 2026 would mark a decisive shift to stronger budget execution discipline, announcing an end to the long-standing practice of running overlapping budgets and perpetual rollovers.

The budget’s four stated objectives are consolidating macroeconomic stability, improving the business and investment environment, promoting job-rich growth, and strengthening human capital development while protecting the vulnerable.

Key sectoral allocations include ₦5.41 trillion for defence and security, ₦3.56 trillion for infrastructure, ₦3.52 trillion for education, and ₦2.48 trillion for health.

Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, writing in a January op-ed, described the budget as a commitment to consolidate what was working in the administration’s reform programme and ensure that shared prosperity became “a lived reality for more Nigerians, faster.”

He pointed to expanding business activity, improving investor confidence, easing inflation, and stronger external reserves as early indicators of progress, and highlighted ongoing infrastructure projects including the Coastal Highway, Sokoto–Badagry Expressway, and Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Gas Pipeline as evidence of the administration’s delivery record.

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Northern Muslim and Christian Youths Warn U.S. Lawmaker Against Fueling Division in Nigeria

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The Coalition of Northern Muslims and Christians Youth For Religious Tolerance in Nigeria has called for the Florida State representative and Chairwoman of the UN-WCD, Kimberly Daniels to not pretend under Christianity faith to create division between Christians and Muslims in Northern region of Nigeria for her Call on the Nigeria authority to redeploy the Honourable Minister of State for Defence Dr.Bello Mohammed Matawalle.

During the Coalition joint emergency press conference which was held in Kaduna Northwest Nigeria, the Coalition Statement which was jointly signed by Secretary General Mr. Bitrus Bahago along with his counterpart the Public relation officer Ustaz Abdullahi Abubakar,
Read: “The statements credited to Florida State representative Kimberly Daniels calling for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redeploy the Honourable Minister of State for Defence Bello Mohammed Matawalle is not necessary and terrible motive aimed at targeting Norther Muslim public office holder”

“Mrs Kimberly Daniels Should note that Nigeria is not owned by only one faith, therefore we are collectively demanding her unreserved apology for her bigotry which could affect the peaceful Coexistence and religious tolerance between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria”

The Coalition Statement further remind Mrs. Kimberly Daniels that, “even though Matawalle is only overseeing the Nigeria Navy enjoyed a Cordial working relationship with his friend a devoted Northern Christian leader General Christopher Gwabin Musa who in charge of Nigeria army and Nigeria Air force combined.

The Coalition concludes by advising Mrs. Kimberly Daniels to desist from making unnecessary bigotry demand targeting or pointing finger at a particular faith.

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