Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway will Boost Agriculture, Open Economic Opportunities, Says Information Minister

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway will boost agriculture and open new economic opportunities for communities and states along the 1,000-kilometre corridor, including Kebbi State.
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The Minister stated this when he received the Kebbi State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Yakubu Ahmed Birnin-Kebbi, and members of the state Governor’s media team on a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Abuja.

Idris said about 250 kilometres of the highway would pass through Kebbi State, making the project an important opportunity for the state to expand agriculture, improve trade and strengthen economic activities.

“The Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway is not just designed to link communities, states and cities together. It is also designed to provide an avenue for the advancement of economic activities in the corridor. About 250 kilometres of that super highway will pass through Kebbi State,” he said.

The Minister noted that the project would create opportunities beyond road transportation, explaining that about 63 dams are expected along the corridor, with potential benefits for agriculture, power generation and other economic activities.

He also commended the Kebbi State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure and security, saying such collaboration was important to national development.

“I have witnessed first-hand what collaboration between the Federal Government and the states can achieve in agriculture. In Kebbi, we saw large-scale tomato farming and women actively participating in agriculture and earning livelihoods,” Idris said.

He recalled that the Federal Government’s investment in major infrastructure projects, including the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, was part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to take development closer to the people and create conditions for businesses and communities to thrive.

“The population of Nigeria exists mainly in the states, not in Abuja. That is why the Federal Government continues to work with state governments to take development to where the people are,” he said.

Earlier, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Information said the delegation was in Abuja to brief the Minister on the achievements of the state government and strengthen its relationship with the Federal Government.

“We are here to tell the story of Kebbi State and to show the progress being made. With the support of the Federal Government, Kebbi has enormous potential for agriculture, infrastructure and economic development,” he said.

He said Kebbi had made progress in agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and security, adding that the state was committed to working with the Federal Government to unlock its development potential.

The Minister assured the delegation that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation would continue to communicate development initiatives across the country and support efforts to ensure that Nigerians are informed about opportunities created by government investments.

Information Minister

In attendance were the Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Suleiman Haruna, PhD, among other senior management staff.

Rabiu Ibrahim, mnipr
Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation

Thursday, 13 August, 2026
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Umahi Charge Federal Controllers: Put Nigerians First, Take Ownership of Your Projects

The Honourable Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, has charged Federal Controllers of Works across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory to remain committed to quality project delivery and always put the interests of Nigerians first.
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Umahi gave the charge on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, during the Ministry’s monthly meeting with Federal Controllers of Works from across the country, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja. a regular platform for reviewing the progress of federal road projects, addressing challenges and strengthening supervision and accountability in project delivery.

Umahi urged the Controllers to take a keen interest in construction and make continuous learning a priority, stressing that effective supervision requires both professional knowledge and practical understanding of what is happening on project sites.

“Take interest in the construction. Read your books to improve. I learn a lot from the site, not from the office,” the Minister said.

He encouraged the Controllers to spend more time on project sites, understand the realities of construction and remain close to the people who are directly affected by the projects under their supervision.

According to him, public service is more meaningful when it is driven by genuine passion for the people.

“When you have passion for the people, you put God first. God will make you do more things you don’t even know how to do,” he said.

The Minister, who reflected on his experience as Governor of Ebonyi State, said his achievements in office were driven by his faith, commitment to the people and a strong sense of responsibility.

“When I was Governor, God gave me the revelation that I had the ability to do so many things. That was God’s direction,” Umahi recalled.

He told the Controllers that placing the people at the centre of their work is also a way of putting God first, adding that genuine commitment to public service brings personal fulfilment.

“When you put the people first, you are putting God first. You will enjoy your job. You will be happy with the job. As you are putting God and the people first, you are creating everlasting blessing for your family,” the Minister added.

Umahi Charge Federal Controllers

The Minister urged the Controllers to remain diligent and committed to their responsibilities, noting that the quality of work delivered on federal roads is ultimately measured by the difference it makes in the lives of Nigerians.

Francis Nwaze, FIPMD
Senior Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Works (Media)
August 12, 2026
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World Press Freedom Day: FG Calls For Collaboration To Address Disinformation, Misinformation

The Federal Government has called for stronger collaboration among the media, government institutions, and other stakeholders to address the growing threat of disinformation and misinformation, stressing that collective action is essential to protect public trust and national stability. The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known on Monday in Abuja at the 2026 World Press Freedom Day commemoration held at Radio House.

“This administration has prioritised collaboration with media stakeholders and international partners to promote responsible journalism, counter disinformation and misinformation,” said the Minister.

He described press freedom as a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution, noting that the Federal Government remains fully committed to its protection. “The Federal Government fully recognises press freedom as a fundamental right and remains committed to fostering an environment where the media can operate freely, safely, and responsibly, in accordance with democratic principles and the rule of law,” he stated.

Idris noted that the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken deliberate steps to strengthen transparency and access to information through sustained media engagement, implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, and investment in public communication platforms.

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He further pointed to Nigeria’s partnership with UNESCO in establishing the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI) in Abuja as a key step towards building a more informed and discerning public. “This pioneering initiative reflects our commitment to strengthening media and information literacy, empowering citizens to engage with information critically, and promoting responsible communication in the digital age.”

The Minister urged journalists to uphold professionalism, fairness, and ethical standards in their work, stressing that press freedom must go hand in hand with responsibility. “The true test of press freedom lies not in our declarations, but in our actions, how safely journalists can do their work, how truthfully information is shared, and how responsibly it is consumed,” he said.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, described the event as a critical platform for strengthening collaboration across institutions.

“This gathering reflects our shared commitment to strengthening press freedom and fostering a more informed and inclusive society. It provides an opportunity for constructive engagement on how best to advance a media environment that is both free and responsible,” she said.

World Press Freedom Day

Ukaire emphasised the need for coordinated responses to the challenges posed by the evolving information ecosystem, particularly the spread of misinformation. “The expansion of digital platforms has introduced new complexities that require coordinated institutional responses, especially in addressing misinformation and strengthening public trust,” she noted.

She added that the Ministry remains committed to facilitating dialogue, strengthening partnerships, and promoting professionalism within the media space.

The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to working with the media, civil society, and international partners to build a resilient information system that supports democratic governance, national unity, and sustainable development.

The event was attended by the Inspector General of Police, represented by FPRO, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, mni, mnipr; the Director-General of the Department of State Services, represented by Director of Protocol M. O. Chukwuka, fsi; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, Dr Dilli Ezughah; Head of UNESCO Abuja Office, represented by the Head of Communication and Information Sector, Ms Yachat Nuhu.

Rabiu Ibrahim
Special Assistant (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation
Monday, May 4, 2026