Economy
PDP Attacks Edo Governor Okpebholo Over Claim On Benin-Asaba Road Project
PDP Attacks Edo Governor Okpebholo Over Claim On Benin-Asaba Road Project
PDP attacks Edo governor Okpebholo over claim on Benin-Asaba road project. Mr Nehikhare advised the governor to deliver on his mandate with original projects that genuinely benefit the people.
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has described Governor Monday Okpebholo’s claim of initiating the ongoing reconstruction of the Benin-Asaba Expressway as misleading and inaccurate.
In a statement on Saturday, the party’s caretaker committee’s Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, said “the governor’s narrative distorts public records.”
He condemned the claim by the governor’s chief press secretary linking the project to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as political propaganda and a misrepresentation of facts.
According to Mr Nehikhare, the expressway project was conceived and finalised under former governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration through a structured public-private partnership framework.
Mr Nehikhare said, “In January 2024, Obaseki signed a N228 billion concession agreement with Triple A Infrastructure, InfraCorp, and Africa Plus Partners to execute the redevelopment of the road.’’
He stated that the project was part of the Federal Government’s Highway Development and Management Initiative and followed required regulatory approvals and standards.
Mr Nehikhare noted that the initiative was not a routine contract, but a visionary infrastructure renewal effort designed by Mr Obaseki to deliver long-term economic benefits.
He insisted that the APC-led federal government played no role in the planning or initiation of the project, alleging that the execution was deliberately delayed until after the Edo State 2024 elections.
Describing Mr Okpebholo’s recent inspection tours of the project as mere publicity stunts, the PDP said the tours added no real value to the project’s scope or funding.
The party maintained that Edo people were politically aware and could not be deceived.
It urged the governor to focus on initiating and completing his own impactful projects rather than claiming credit for inherited ones.

Governor Okpebholo
Mr Nehikhare advised the governor to deliver on his mandate with original projects that genuinely benefit the people.
Recall that during a recent inspection, Mr Okpebholo described the project as a tangible outcome of Mr Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He praised it as a cornerstone of the president’s development vision and a demonstration of the federal government’s commitment to its promises.
He stated, “This is part of the RHA of Mr President. He is taking this road straight to Asaba. It is going to be 10 lanes. Five on one side, five on the other side.
Remember when this road was flagged off a few months ago, the minister for works was here. The minister for finance was also here. And I was here. This is the fruit of that flag-off.’’
According to him, the project “is the demonstration of Mr president’s RHA for our people.”
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
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
“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.
Crime
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
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
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
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
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.

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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