Economy
FG Intensifies Renewed Hope Agenda with Strategic Road Projects Across Nasarawa State
FG Intensifies Renewed Hope Agenda with Strategic Road Projects Across Nasarawa State
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its intention to improve road infrastructure across the country as part of efforts to enhance economic growth, connectivity, and ease of movement for Nigerians. This assurance was reiterated during the continuation of the Federal Ministry of Works’ nationwide media tour and commissioning of emergency and special intervention projects in Nasarawa State.
Speaking during the tour, the Director of Information and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Works, Mal. Mohammed A. Ahmed, stated that the projects are part of the Federal Government’s strategic efforts to rehabilitate critical sections of its road network under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He explained that upon assuming office in May 2023, the present administration inherited 2,064 ongoing road projects, many of which had been abandoned due to funding challenges, and an inherited debt burden of about ₦13 trillion.
According to him, the Federal Government consequently prioritised 260 emergency and special intervention projects across the country to address critically failed sections of federal roads and areas affected by flooding and other natural disasters.
“These projects were initiated to quickly restore critical road and transport links to ensure seamless movement of people, goods, and services across the country,” Ahmed said.
He noted that the intervention projects are being executed under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, is part of the administration’s broader infrastructure development drive under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
One of the projects commissioned during the tour was a 6-kilometre section of the road linking Agyaragu town to Sabon Kwara in Keana Local Government Area, Nasarawa South Senatorial District, Nasarawa State. The contractor, A.A. Albasu (Nigeria) Limited, commenced construction in November, 2022 and completed it in November, 2023. The project forms part of a 10.5-kilometre corridor serving the surrounding communities.
The construction works included earthworks, excavation and removal of existing culverts, and excavation to the required depth to receive blinding. Other works carried out include the provision of pipe culverts and lined drains, 200mm thick naturally occurring lateritic sub-base course materials, 100mm thick crushed stone base course, asphaltic concrete wearing course, surface dressing on shoulders, and lane markings.
Providing technical details of the project, the Federal Controller of Works in Nasarawa State, Engr. Ishaku Mamri, explained that the road had previously been in a deplorable condition, causing significant hardship for road users, residents, and traders, who rely on the route to transport goods and access nearby towns. He disclosed that the rehabilitated section was constructed to a standard width of 7.3 metres with shoulders, and that it includes approximately 4 kilometres of drainage infrastructure to ensure durability and effective water management.
“The road was awarded in November, 2022 and completed in 2023. It has since been in use by the community and has significantly improved movement within the area,” he added. Engr. Mamri noted that residents have expressed appreciation for the intervention, while also appealing for the completion of the remaining four (4) kilometres of the alignment.
As part of the Media Tour, Engr. Ahmed Tijjani Aminu, a representative of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Lafia Branch, Engr Simon Obagu were present. Also present was the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nasarawa State Council, Comrade Salihu Mohammed Alkali, who performed the official commissioning of the project, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Works.
The media tour also included a visit to the ongoing Lafia Bypass project site, a 15.8-kilometre alternative route designed to ease traffic congestion within Lafia metropolis by providing a faster corridor for commuters travelling between Abuja, Makurdi, and the eastern parts of the country.
According to the Project Engineer for Messrs China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), Engr. Tijani Olalekan, the contract, which had previously stalled after being awarded by the past administration, fully recommenced in February, 2024 under the current administration and has now reached over 80 percent completion. It is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
The scope of work includes site clearance and earthworks, construction of hydraulic structures, sub-base, stone base, stone pitching, lined drains, asphaltic concrete binder course, as well as the relocation of electrical poles along the project’s corridor.
The Commissioner of Works, Housing, and Transport, Nasarawa State, Hon. Mu’azu A. Gosho, commended the contractor for the quality of work. Also present were the Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Lafia Branch, Engr. Simon Obagu, Engr. Ahmed Tijjani Aminu, representing COREN; the NUJ Chairman in Nasarawa State, Salisu Mohammed Alkali; and community members, who all expressed satisfaction with the quality of the work executed.
At the Nasarawa–Toto axis, officials also visited ongoing rehabilitation works on the Keffi–Nasarawan Toto–Abaji road, a strategic route aimed at improving connectivity between the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, and other neighbouring states.
The Controller explained that the road project, originally awarded in 2018, experienced delays due to inadequate funding but has since gained momentum following renewed commitment from the Federal Government.
The FCW further revealed that the project has been restructured into phases, with the initial Phase 1 nearing completion under the 2025–2026 budgetary provisions, while Phase 2, involving concrete pavement construction is set to commence, soon. The Federal Government recently approved the second phase of the project covering approximately 129.3 kilometres at a cost of about ₦203 billion, further underscoring the administration’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s road and transport infrastructure.
The Project Manager, Mr. William, as well as the Site Engineer, Engr. Daniel Aleyemi, assured the team of quality work, while expressing optimism that the project would be completed before the end of the month.
Nasarawa State
The Director of Information and Public Relations emphasised that road infrastructure development remains a central pillar of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly under the priority area focused on expanding and improving the national infrastructure. He noted that the administration is also advancing four (4) Legacy Road Projects, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, the Calabar–Abuja Super Highway, and the Dualisation of Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Road, all aimed at transforming connectivity and stimulating economic development across the six (6) geopolitical zones of the country. All the roads will be on concrete pavements with solar street lighting and railways.
The nationwide media tour, he added, is designed to promote transparency, allow journalists and professional bodies to verify the quality of ongoing works, and enable Nigerians to see firsthand the progress being made in the delivery of critical infrastructure.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to sustaining the momentum in road construction, reconstruction, expansion, and rehabilitation to support economic growth, national integration, and improved quality of life for Nigerians.
Mohammed A. Ahmed
Director, Information and Public Relations.
7 March, 2026.
Economy
NNPC: Commissioning, Handover Of Rehabilitated Hospital Wards At National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi
NNPC: Commissioning, Handover Of Rehabilitated Hospital Wards At National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi
This intervention forms part of the NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte’s ongoing commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure across Nigeria, ensuring that more patients receive care in decent, functional facilities.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th April 2026, the NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte., the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of NNPC Limited, will commission and hand over three fully rehabilitated hospital wards with a 100-bed capacity at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos State.
Eereporter.com
The event is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am prompt.
NNPC
This intervention forms part of the NNPC Foundation Ltd./Gte’s ongoing commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure across Nigeria, ensuring that more patients receive care in decent, functional facilities.
Watch the commissioning LIVE on the NNPC Limited YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nnpclimited/streams
Alleged N1.63b Money Laundering: EFCC Re-Arraigns Bauchi Accountant-General, One Other
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, re-arraigned Bauchi State Accountant General, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja and an unlicensed Bureau de Change operator, Aliyu Abubakar of Jasfad Resources Enterprises, before Justice O. A. Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The duo were re-arraigned on amended five-count charge, bordering on conversion of public funds belonging to Bauchi State Government, and money laundering to the tune of N1, 635, 270, 350.9k (One billion, Six Hundred and Thirty-five million, Two hundred and seventy thousand, Three hundred and fifty Naira, Nine kobo).
They were earlier arraigned on April 7, 2025, with Jaja as the first defendant, while Abubakar was the second, however, in the amended charge, marked FHC/ABJCR/101/2025, dated, January 5, 2026, and filed on the same date, Abubakar, trading under the name of Jasfad Resources Enterprise became the first defendant and Jaja, the second.
Early in the proceedings, prosecution counsel, Abba Muhammed, SAN, informed the court that the prosecution has filed a second amended charge and prayed the court for the defendants to take their plea.
Eereporter.com
Count two of the charge reads, “That you Aliyu Abubakar (trading under the name and style of “Jasfad Resources Enterprises” a purported Bureau de Change operator), Sirajo Muhammad Jaja (Accountant General of Bauchi State), Abubakar Muhammad Hafiz (at large), between 29 October, 2024 and 31st December, 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit: money laundering by converting the sum of One Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety Million, One hundred and Fifty four thousand, Three hundred and Thirty seven Naira, Two kobo (N1, 290,154,337.2) of public funds, belonging to Bauchi State Government which you transferred from the Bauchi State Sub-Treasury Account, domiciled in United Bank for Africa with account number 1018819396 into the bank account of Jasfad Resources Enterprise domiciled in United Bank for Africa with account number 1023444660 and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(b) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering(Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Count three reads; “That you Aliyu Abubakar (trading under the name and style of of “Jasfad Resources Enterprises” a purported Bureau de Change operator), Sirajo Muhammad Jaja (Accountant General of Bauchi State), Abubakar Muhammad Hafiz (at large), Ari Manga (at large), and Muhammad Aminu Bose (at large), between 3rd January, 2025 and 14th March 2025, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did commit an offence to wit: money laundering by converting the sum of Four hundred and twenty-six million, One hundred and sixteen Thousand, Thirteen Naira, Seven kobo (N426, 116,013.7) of the public funds, belonging to Bauchi State Government which you transferred from the Bauchi state Sub-Treasury Account, domiciled in the United Bank for Africa with account number 1018819396 into bank account of Jasfad Enterprise, domiciled in United Bank for Africa with account number 1023444660 and thereby, committed an offence contrary to Section 18(2)(b) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
They pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, following which the counsel to first and second defendants Gordy Uche, SAN, and Chris Uche, SAN, respectively applied for the defendants to continue to enjoy the bail granted them by the court, which was not objected by the prosecution counsel.
The first defendant’s counsel, further moved a motion challenging the competence of the charge, and asked the judge to strike out counts two, three, four and five for allegedly being a duplicity of action, and to save the defendants from suffering double jeopardy. This found support from the counsel to the second defendant, Chris Uche, SAN, while they faced objection from the prosecution counsel.
The court, however, reserved ruling on the contention till the end of trial, citing Section 395 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA 2015.
In continuation of the trial, the prosecution called its first witness, Prosecution Witness One, PW1, Abimbola Williams, a compliance officer with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) with 20 years’ experience.
She informed the court that the bank in February 2025, received a request from the EFCC for details of some of its clients.
“The request asked for the bank statements of Jaspa Resources account, Bauchi State Sub-treasury account and the documents were printed and copies given to EFCC,” she said.
The banker, who said that the documents were certified by her, tendered them through the prosecution and they were in evidence by the court and marked as exhibits. Although the defence lawyers raised an objection, they said their objection would be expounded in their written addresses.
Further in his testimony, the PW1 narrated to the court how money, running into multi-million Naira, belonging to Bauchi State was allegedly moved from Bauchi State Sub-treasury Account number: 1018819396, to Jasfad Resources Enterprise account number: 1023444660, domiciled in UBA.
EFCC re-arraigns Bauchi Accountant General,
She told the court that on October 29, 2024, there was a debit transfer from Bauchi State Sub-treasury Account to Jasfad Resources to the tune of N13, 144,500. Also that “On October 29, 2024, we have a debit transfer of 1N7,196,300. On October 30, 2024 there were two debit transfers from Bauchi Sub-treasury account to Jasfad Resources Enterprise, first for N50 million and the second for N7, 321,000,” he said.
The witness further disclosed that there were 18 other times, on different dates within the period that transfers were made from Bauchi State Sub-treasury Account to Jasfad Resources.
Following the conclusion of the PW1’s evidence-in-chief, Justice Egwuatu adjourned the matter until May 12 for continuation of trial.
Economy
Umahi To Ebonyi NASS Hopefuls: Close Ranks With Governor, Achieve Consensus As Ebonyi Targets Over 95% Votes For Tinubu’s Re-election
Umahi To Ebonyi NASS Hopefuls: Close Ranks With Governor, Achieve Consensus As Ebonyi Targets Over 95% Votes For Tinubu’s Re-election
The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, CON has intervened in the emerging disagreement among political stakeholders in Ebonyi Central, calling for unity, restraint, and alignment with the leadership of the state as preparations intensify ahead of the next election cycle.
The intervention followed a video that surfaced on April 24, 2026, showing what appeared to be a misunderstanding between the senator representing Ebonyi Central, Senator Ken Eze, and a National Assembly aspirant from Ikwo Local Government Area, Chief Christian Asaga Nwali at the burial event of the father of Chief Peter Orogwu AKA BabyOku. The disagreement, which quickly drew attention online, centered on who should succeed Senator Eze at the end of his current tenure.
Concerned by the development, Umahi, who described both men as his political mentees, moved swiftly to calm tensions. On April 26, he hosted the two leaders in a meeting aimed at restoring order and reinforcing unity within the political family.
Eereporter.com
Speaking after the meeting, the minister commended both parties for their respect and willingness to resolve the issue.
“I want to thank you people highly for this show of respect coming from you concerning what ordinarily should not be a problem. Sen. Ken Eze is my product, C sagas is my product but they are having some issues, not directly but their boys is causing some problems for a matter that doesn’t lie in their hands.”
He recalled that the question of zoning had been addressed in the past, noting that there was an understanding that the Ebonyi Central senatorial seat would rotate to Ikwo after the current tenure.
“Firstly, the central senatorial seat had an agreement that after the present four year term position, it will go to Ikwo and incidentally, the decision was made by my Boss, referring to his predecessor as Governor, Chief Martin Elechi and the governor was in that meeting. Of course he was very strategic in my administration. So that is why C-sagas can say he is contesting.”
Even so, Umahi stressed that politics remains dynamic and that decisions must be guided by present realities and collective leadership.
“Now, politics is dynamic, life is dynamic. Life is very very simple. I have advised them, first to maintain peace. It is the right of everyone to contest but the decision is beyond them.”
He urged both camps to take their concerns to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, whom he described as a leader deserving of full respect.
“I have advised them that we have a governor in the state, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, and he is a man of great quality. He has respect for all the leaders. He must be accorded his own respect. So my advice to them is to gather 10 leaders from Ezza and Ikwo respectively and go and meet the governor.”
According to the minister, only a structured engagement involving the governor and selected leaders from both sides can produce a fair and lasting resolution.
“Only these two leaders have the capacity to resolve it. If Ikwo doesn’t go now, they will go in future, if Ezza doesn’t continue they will still have another opportunity but let that decision be between the governor and the selected leader from both clan.”
Shifting focus to the broader political landscape, Umahi emphasized the need for unity in order to deliver overwhelming support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“They are one people and we wouldn’t allow anything to divide them… just like the governor mentioned in church yesterday that the election we have, the president is fully and totally adopted in Ebonyi state and I, myself is saying that he is the sole candidate in Ebonyi state.”
He pointed to ongoing federal projects in the state as a strong reason for continued support.
“And any decision we’re going to make concerning the National assembly will revolve around getting maximum vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because what the president is doing in Ebonyi state we have never had any federal project of even 10% of that magnitude.”
Umahi made it clear that political decisions at all levels must align with the goal of delivering a decisive mandate for the President.
“So it is in our interest irrespective of what they are vying for. Make sure that we are very strategic and then bring up people and carry the people along so that we give President Tinubu 95% vote. Our vote is not for any clannish candidate. Our vote remains for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu…”
Umahi To Ebonyi NASS Hopefuls
He added that consultations would continue to ensure consensus candidates emerge for the National Assembly.
“It is a very strategic move we’re going to be making and I will be working closely with the governor to ensure that we carry the people along… to arrive at the consensus candidate of the National Assembly…”
The minister also reaffirmed strong support for the state governor, warning against any political challenge to his position.
“Nobody should touch the governor of Ebonyi state position, it is a no go area… Because we are all committed to the two tenures of our governors.”
Earlier, Senator Ken Eze expressed appreciation for the minister’s intervention, describing him as a father figure whose leadership continues to guide them.
“You’re a good father and at a time like this we are proud to say we have you as our father. We came to you as your children to intervene and we’re proud of you, you’ve always shown that leadership.”
He appealed to supporters to avoid actions that could deepen divisions, especially on social media.
“To all our supporters, the social media influencer please we’re one people. We’re brother. C saga is my brother. We have no reason to quarrel… Please don’t fight in the social media. Please stop writing against any leader… If you write against any leader or C Sagas you’re not writing for me.”
Also speaking, Chief Christian Asaga Nwali echoed the call for unity and respect for leadership.
“We appreciate you dearly, here we are we are all your subjects. We promise to always make you proud your excellency and Ebonyi will be peaceful as far as we’re concerned…”
He urged supporters to refrain from insults and trust the process.
“…it is only God that enthrones a leader… Please no insults to our leaders no insults to anyone, we’re together and in unison.”
Francis Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media)
April 26, 2026
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