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Economy

Tinubu Has Done More For North, You Owe Him An Apology, Umahi Tells Kwankwaso

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There's No Bias Against North In Federal Projects Says Umahi

Tinubu Has Done More For North, You Owe Him An Apology, Umahi Tells Kwankwaso

Tinubu has done more for north, you owe him an apology, Umahi tells Kwankwaso. David Umahi, minister of works, has criticised Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, over comments suggesting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is concentrating infrastructure development in the southern region of the country.

In a statement posted on X by Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president, Umahi described Kwankwaso’s remarks as misleading and divisive, saying they do not reflect the actual distribution of federal projects under the current administration.

Kwankwaso had on Thursday alleged that the national budget was skewed in favour of the south.

He made the comment during a Kano state stakeholders’ dialogue on the 2025 constitutional amendment, where he said the imbalance in resources and development was contributing to insecurity and poverty in northern Nigeria.

Responding, Umahi said the data on road infrastructure projects contradicts Kwankwaso’s claim.
He cited the ongoing construction of the 1,068km Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, noting that the Kebbi and Sokoto sections alone account for 378km by six lanes — or 756km by three lanes — in the north.

The minister added that the 439km Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe road is also being redesigned to rigid pavement, in line with presidential directives aimed at durability.

He said that of the four key legacy road projects of the Tinubu administration, the north accounts for 52 percent of the total length while the south holds 48 percent.

“In the four legacy projects, the North has 52 per cent and the South 48 per cent. Within the ongoing projects as of today, the South has 409km by three lanes and the North has 756km by three lanes,” he said.

“The facts are there. I wonder why people don’t talk about other legacy projects of Mr President, but will always dwell on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

“This road has only 220km by three lanes in Lagos State, which is ongoing now. Cross River and Akwa Ibom have 130km by three lanes that is ongoing, whereas Kebbi alone has 316km by three lanes that is ongoing. Sokoto has 240km by three lanes that is ongoing.

“I think Senator Kwankwaso is not fair to Mr President and the unity of our country.”
In terms of current works, the north has 756km by three lanes while the south has 409km by three lanes, he said.

Umahi urged Kwankwaso to withdraw his statement and apologise to Tinubu, arguing that the facts on the ground show a balanced and fair approach to national development.

“To my brother, Senator Kwankwaso, you owe our President Tinubu an apology and a duty to withdraw your statement using the information I have provided herein for the benefit of Nigerians and the unity of the nation,” he said.

“I request the good people of Nigeria to ignore Senator Kwankwaso’s misleading statement and know that President Tinubu is fairly committed to developing every part of this country with fairness, equity, and the fear of God.”

He said attempts to present the federal government as biased were politically motivated and intended to stir division.

He also accused Kwankwaso of trying to appeal to northern sentiments by portraying himself as a defender of regional interests, warning that such tactics undermine national unity.

There's No Bias Against North In Federal Projects Says Umahi

Umahi Tells Kwankwaso

“I consider Senator Kwankwaso’s statement as a statement made out of desperation and as part of his struggle with a few others who believe that they can inherit the impeccable legacy of our dear late President Muhammadu Buhari, and that the only way available for them towards achieving the same is to be divisive and pretentious,” he said.

“Trying to be like our late President Buhari cannot be a job of three decades and cannot be done with deceit.”
The works minister noted that other major road projects under the current administration — including the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano expressway and the Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina route — further demonstrate federal commitment to infrastructure development across the north.

Earlier on Friday, Sunday Dare, special adviser on media and communication to the president, also refuted Kwankwaso’s claim, describing it as inaccurate and unhelpful.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

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