Abia State Won’t Get Paid For Fixing Federal Roads, Says Governor Otti

Abia State won’t get paid for fixing federal roads. Mr Otti said the new federal government’s policy was that states could toll such roads “if they want their money back.”

Abia state governor, Alex Otti
Abia state governor, Alex Otti
Governor Alex Otti of Abia says the federal government has no plans to reimburse the state for federal road projects his administration executed.

Speaking at his monthly media interactive session with journalists on Friday night, Mr Otti said the new federal government’s policy was that states could toll such roads “if they want their money back.”

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fixing all Abia roads, federal or state, saying, “They’re all used by Abia residents.”

“Before we jump on any federal road, we have long engagements with the federal government, and those roads must be ceded to us in writing,” he said.

Mr Otti also addressed compensation concerns for the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road rehabilitation, saying he expected the federal government to pay since it awarded the project without funding.

He said, “We always pay compensation on any route we are entering.

Abia State

“But then, my understanding is that, if there was any compensation to be paid, the federal government should have done so because the route was actually awarded but was not funded. So, that’s my understanding. I can’t be too sure.”

The state government had undertaken to rehabilitate critical federal roads, including the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road, the Owerrinta-Umuikaa dual carriageway, and the Ohafia-Arochukwu Road, among others.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to establishing a state police.

He said, “The new general manager for Homeland Security is working with his team to get us ready once the whistle is blown.”

Mr Otti ruled out any possible defection to another party, saying he would run for reelection on the Labour Party (LP) platform in 2027.

According to him, the Supreme Court decision has settled the party leadership crisis.

He, therefore, urged interested Nigerians to register for LP membership.

Mr Otti described the progress on the newly introduced electric buses as “exciting,” saying 30 more buses were expected by July, bringing the total to 50.

NSAP Seeks Strong Military Support To Tackle Insecurity In Livestock Sector

livestock sector. Olaniyi Babayemi, the president of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP), has urged stronger civil-military collaboration to enhance livestock production and tackle security challenges.

Mr Babayemi spoke on Saturday at a media briefing ahead of the Society’s 51st annual conference, scheduled for Monday at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna.

He said the theme, ‘Civil-Military Collaboration for Sustainable Livestock Production and National Security,’ would highlight the growing link between agriculture and national security.

Mr Babayemi, also Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture and Technology, Okeho, Oyo State, said livestock production now plays a vital role in national stability.

“Where farmers and herders cannot operate safely, food production declines, livelihoods are disrupted, and instability increases,” he said.

He noted that the military’s logistics, intelligence, and operational strengths could help secure grazing routes and farming communities.

According to Mr Babayemi, the collaboration does not mean militarising agriculture but creating a safe and enabling environment for productivity.

He emphasised peaceful coexistence between pastoralists and farmers, advocating ranching, controlled grazing, and improved feed management as sustainable solutions.

“The future of livestock production depends on peaceful coexistence. Productivity and harmony must go hand in hand,” he added.

He said about 1,000 participants, including officials, military leaders, academics, and industry stakeholders, would attend the conference.

Mr Babayemi also highlighted achievements, including stronger institutional frameworks, expanded global engagement, and plans for a permanent Abuja secretariat.

He expressed optimism that the conference would yield practical recommendations to boost production, reduce conflicts, and strengthen national stability.

“Food security is everyone’s responsibility. A secure livestock sector means a more stable and prosperous nation,” he said.

Also speaking, the local organising committee chairman, Philip Vantsawa, described the choice of the Nigerian Defence Academy as strategic and unprecedented.

Mr Vantsawa said the decision departed from over five decades of hosting the conference solely in civilian universities.

According to him, the move aligns with the theme and reflects the need for cross-sector collaboration.

“NDA has never hosted a conference of this scale. As sub-Saharan Africa’s premier military university, it is the most suitable venue,” he said.

He said the conference would bring together scientists, agricultural experts, and security stakeholders to address pressing national challenges, especially farmer-herder conflicts.

Mr Vantsawa added that it would foster collaboration between civilian experts and the military to develop sustainable solutions.

“We are fully prepared to receive participants. The conference will deliver actionable strategies to address recurring livestock sector conflicts,” he said.

He said a key outcome would be a communiqué outlining a practical policy blueprint for government and stakeholders.

NSAP

According to him, it will chart a new direction for resolving farmer-herder crises and improving animal production systems.

Mr Vantsawa also conveyed the readiness of the academy’s leadership to host participants from across Nigeria and beyond.

“At the end, we expect robust collaboration and recommendations to guide policy and ensure lasting solutions,” he added.

The conference is expected to attract participants from academia, government agencies, the military, and the private sector.

Tinubu Assures Nigerians Of Improved Power Supply, Says “We’re Paying Attention To It”

Tinubu assures Nigerians of improved power supply. President Bola Tinubu says his administration is paying attention to the electricity challenges across the country amid growing complaints from Nigerians over poor power supply.

Speaking on Friday at the 2026 national convention of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Tinubu acknowledged widespread concerns over electricity outages.

“I assure you, many of you lamenting the problems of electricity and power. We are paying attention to that,” the president said.

He said the grid asset management company, Camco, is expected to inject about 1,500 megawatts into a new grid corridor to strengthen supply.

“We are going to improve on it. Electricity will become better, and be assured there will be opportunity and progress in our industrialisation path,” Tinubu added.

In recent months, Nigerians have continued to decry erratic power supply and frequent outages.

On March 24, Bayo Adelabu, minister of power, apologised to Nigerians over the poor electricity supply and incessant outages witnessed in recent months.

Adelabu said the apology was necessary given the dry season, which has caused extreme heat and disrupted businesses, schools, and industries.

Tinubu Assures Nigerians

The minister said the government remains committed to ensuring adequate power supply across the country.

He said power generation and distribution are expected to improve in the next few weeks, adding that the country is targeting 6,000 megawatts of electricity before the end of the year.

Adelabu also noted that Nigeria requires over $100 billion in combined public and private sector investment to fix the power sector.

The minister pledged that the government would implement rapid corrective actions in the power sector.