A Dynamic Communicator And Bridge Buider At The Federal Ministry Of Works: FRANCIS NWAZE

In every successful administration, effective communication is indispensable to achieving government objectives, promoting transparency, and keeping citizens accurately informed.
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Behind every vibrant public institution is a dedicated communication professional who understands that information is not merely disseminated but strategically managed to build public confidence and trust. One such outstanding personality is Mr. Francis Nwaze, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media to the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE.

Interestingly, the Igbo name Nwaze, which translates as “royal child,” fittingly reflects the dignity, composure, and sense of responsibility that Mr. Francis Nwaze brings to his office. While royalty is often associated with privilege, he demonstrates that true nobility is expressed through humility, dedication, service, and respect for others.

Though relatively young, Mr. Nwaze has distinguished himself through exceptional professionalism, creativity, and impressive communication skills. He carries out his responsibilities with remarkable maturity, confidence, and sound judgment. Whether anchoring official programmes, coordinating media engagements, or communicating government policies, he does so with clarity, eloquence, and precision—qualities that continue to earn him admiration within and beyond the ministry.

Working closely with the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, Mr. Nwaze has become a dependable voice in projecting the activities, achievements, and vision of the Federal Ministry of Works. He understands that effective communication extends beyond issuing press statements; it is about building public trust, promoting accountability, and ensuring that Nigerians remain well informed about the ministry’s policies, projects, and ongoing infrastructure transformation across the country.

One of his most commendable attributes is his ability to foster harmonious working relationships with the Department of Information and Public Relations. Rather than creating divisions, the “royal child” has built bridges founded on mutual respect, teamwork, and professionalism. He relates warmly with officers of the department, values their expertise, and promotes collaboration in fulfilling the ministry’s communication mandate.

Mr. Francis Nwaze also believes in empowering those around him. He provides communication professionals with the operational latitude to discharge their responsibilities effectively while encouraging initiative, creativity, innovation, and teamwork. This inclusive leadership approach has fostered a positive working environment where ideas are welcomed, contributions are appreciated, and every member is motivated to give their best.

His calm disposition, humility, accessibility, and genuine respect for colleagues have earned him widespread admiration. He listens attentively, responds thoughtfully, and ensures that everyone feels carried along in the execution of assigned responsibilities. These qualities have further strengthened coordination between the Minister’s Media Office and the Department of Information and Public Relations, resulting in more effective public engagement and improved dissemination of information.

Under the visionary leadership of Engr. David Umahi, whose commitment to infrastructure development continues to transform the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Francis Nwaze has remained a hardworking, resourceful, and dependable media aide. His loyalty, diligence, and professionalism complement the Honourable Minister’s vision and have contributed significantly to ensuring that the ministry’s achievements receive the visibility and public appreciation they deserve.

Works Ministry

Indeed, Mr. Francis Nwaze truly lives up to the noble symbolism of his name. Like a “royal child,” he leads not with arrogance but with humility; not by seeking attention but through service; not by creating barriers but by building bridges. He represents a new generation of media professionals—competent, innovative, disciplined, collaborative, and unwaveringly committed to excellence.

It is my sincere prayer that Almighty God will continue to bless Mr. Francis Nwaze with wisdom, strength, sound health, and even greater opportunities to serve. May his dedication to duty, spirit of teamwork, humility, and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to inspire colleagues and future generations of public servants in our beloved nation, Nigeria.

BY: KABIRU HARUNA
AD, Information and Public Relations
Federal Ministry of Works.
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Alleged N7.8b Fraud: I Deposited Billions For Emefiele In Zenith Bank, Says Witness

The Third Prosecution Witness, PW3, Richard Agulu, in the trial of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, on Tuesday, July 7,2026, told Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Maitama, Abuja, that while he worked in Zenith Bank, he banked billions of naira in cash for Emefiele brought by his personal assistant, Eric Ocheme.
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The witness, a former staffer of Zenith Bank disclosed under cross-examination by defence counsel, Mathew Burkaa, SAN that he would usually lodge the sums in the accounts of Ifeabigo Integrated Services and Kelvito Integrated Services or deposit them in Zenith Bank’s vault, all on Emefiele’s instruction.

He further told the court that while he was with Zenith Bank, he was under Emefiele’s instructions, to receive cash from Ocheme and disburse them according to his instruction. Emefiele, he said, would usually convey the instructions to him through Ocheme’s phone.

The witness, who stated that he worked in the banking sector for 17 years, disclosed that the withdrawals made from the deposits he made for Emefiele into Ifeabigo Integrated Services and Kelvito Integrated Services accounts were authenticated by the real account owners and signatories, adding that he had verbal waivers from his superiors to attend to the transactions of the defendant.

“My lord, for every transaction, I followed normal banking transaction procedures. I followed the steps for cash deposition but there are different scenarios for different transactions. There are waivers for some certain customers who can bring cash into the bank. I was not given a written approval but I was given a waiver to attend to the transaction of the defendant which was verbal from my superiors. I cannot mention names. I don’t want to put somebody in trouble,” he said.

The witness further revealed that he supervised the transfer of N1.6 billion to MG Properties Limited on Emefiele’s instruction through his personal assistant, Ocheme.

Emefiele

Justice Halilu adjourned the matter till November 3,4,5, 2026 for continuation of trial.

Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on an eight-count charge, bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, forgery and unlawful possession of properties suspected to be proceeds of crime to the tune of ₦7,831,002,396 (Seven Billion, Eight Hundred and Thirty-one Million, Two Thousand, Three Hundred and Ninety-six Naira).
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El-Rufai Dennied Access To Medical Care, Doctor Arrested, Says ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is deeply alarmed by reports that today, officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) forcefully denied Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai access to medical care, arrested his personal physician and physically assaulted his wife.
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Information reaching us is that El-Rufai was billed for treatment at the National Hospital in Abuja today. But against the hospital’s advice that he would require hospitalisation in view of his failing health, officials of the ICPC insisted on returning him into custody. Protests by his personal physician and his wife led to scuffles during which his wife was assaulted and the doctor subsequently arrested.

The actions of the ICPC and the Tinubu government have for months now gone beyond the realm of law enforcement.

Their actions have become an assault on the Constitution of 200 million Nigerians, on human dignity, and on the most basic principles of justice and human rights.

The world should know today that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is holding a political prisoner in Nigeria by the name of Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai.

No democratic government that claims to respect the rule of law should deny a detainee access to medical care or prevent close family members from seeing him in flagrant disobedience of the courts, which granted him unfettered access to his lawyers, physician and family members.

Such conduct belongs to authoritarian regimes that use state institutions to break political opponents rather than to uphold justice.

This is no longer about Mallam El-Rufai alone. It is about whether Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy or has descended into a republic where law enforcement agencies have become instruments of political persecution.

As we have said since this treatment of Mallam El-Rufai began: “Today it is El-Rufai. Tomorrow it could be any Nigerian whose only offence is to disagree with those who wield power.”

The ICPC owes Nigerians immediate explanations. On whose authority was access to his family denied? Why has access to his doctor been refused despite concerns about his health? What legal basis exists for these actions? Why were El-Rufai’s wife and doctor assaulted by the ICPC operatives?

President Tinubu cannot continue to hide behind anti-corruption agencies while pretending that these actions are independent of his administration.

Under our Constitution, the buck stops with the President. Every day that Mallam El-Rufai remains in custody under these circumstances is another day that Bola Tinubu keeps criminalising political opposition instead of confronting the grave crises of insecurity, unemployment, inflation, and hunger confronting millions of Nigerians.

The ADC therefore demands the following:

1. Immediate and unrestricted access for Mallam El-Rufai to his wife, children, legal team, and personal medical practitioners.

2. An urgent review of the punitive and disproportionate bail conditions imposed on Mallam El-Rufai, with a view to ensuring that they conform with the Constitution and the fundamental principle that bail is intended to secure attendance at trial, not to inflict punishment before conviction.

3. An immediate end to the harsh, degrading and unnecessarily restrictive conditions under which he is being held and supervised, and his release from what has become a regime of political persecution masquerading as lawful process.

El-Rufai

4. Full compliance with all constitutional guarantees and internationally recognised standards governing the treatment of persons in custody.
5. Complete transparency from the ICPC regarding the legal and factual basis for every restriction imposed on him.

6. An immediate end to the use of state institutions as instruments of political intimidation, vendetta and selective justice.

Signed:

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary, African Democratic Congress (ADC)
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