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Umahi Commends CHEC For The Quality Execution Of The Ongoing Mararaba-Keffi Road Project

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FG Reaffirms Strong Commitment To Kogi Roads As Umahi

Umahi Commends CHEC For The Quality Execution Of The Ongoing Mararaba-Keffi Road Project

Minister of Works, David Umahi, has commended China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the quality execution of the ongoing Mararaba-Keffi Road project.

Mr Umahi made the remarks on Saturday during an inspection of the 43.65-kilometre road reconstruction and expansion project linking the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with Nasarawa State.

He also appealed for the prompt release of outstanding funds that have been approved for the project.

The minister said the project, executed under the Federal Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, had reached technical completion. Eereporter.com

He added that the project would be ready for commissioning after a few outstanding observations were addressed.

“We are very happy with China Harbour. They have done a very good job. Today, the job is technically completed and ready for commissioning.

“The few observations we have made will be addressed before then,” he said.

Mr Umahi noted that the project, awarded in June 2023 at a cost of N73.9 billion, would significantly improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and ease traffic congestion along the busy Abuja-Keffi corridor.

He, however, expressed concern over outstanding payments owed to the contractor under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Tax Credit Scheme.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu has approved the payment of outstanding commitments under the scheme, and the funds should be released without delay.

“We are owing the contractor quite a lot on this project. The President has approved the payment, and I appeal that the funds be released promptly.

“I feel unhappy when contractors are encouraged to work and the approved funds are withheld,” he said.

Mr Umahi also noted that design innovations were introduced on the project, including the use of rigid concrete shoulders alongside flexible carriageways to enhance durability and reduce maintenance costs.

He also commended Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for complementary infrastructure projects around the corridor, particularly flyovers aimed at improving traffic flow.

Mr Umahi further directed contractors handling adjoining projects to adopt night-time construction schedules where necessary to minimise inconvenience to road users.

“We must put the people first. While carrying out these projects, we should not subject road users to unnecessary hardship,” he said.

Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works supervising the project, Yakubu Usman, said the road had attained 99.8 per cent completion.

Mr Usman said only a few ancillary works, including the installation of streetlights, kerbs, and U-drains, remained outstanding.

He added that the project was a model for future federal highway construction, noting that the innovative shoulder design would protect the pavement structure and extend the road’s lifespan.

The Chairman of CHEC, Wang Wenfei, on behalf of the contractor, appreciated the Federal Government, the Ministry of Works, and the National Assembly for their support throughout the project.

“With the support of the Minister of Works and the National Assembly, we have successfully completed the job.

FG Reaffirms Strong Commitment To Kogi Roads As Umahi

Umahi

“We will also address the observations and directives given during the inspection as quickly as possible,” Nr Wang said.

The Mararaba-Keffi Road is one of the busiest transport corridors in the North-Central region, serving thousands of commuters and commercial vehicles travelling between Abuja and neighbouring states daily.

The project is expected to boost regional mobility, facilitate trade, and stimulate socio-economic activities along the corridor upon commissioning.
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Anthony Joshua Dedicates Comeback Victory To Friends Killed In Ogun Crash

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Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua Dedicates Comeback Victory To Friends Killed In Ogun Crash

Nigerian-British heavyweight boxer, Anthony Joshua, has dedicated his victory over Kristian Prenga to his late friends and trainers, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, after overcoming two knockdowns to secure a second-round knockout win.
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The bout, watched online, marked Joshua’s first fight since a car crash in Ogun State, Nigeria, in December claimed the lives of Ghami, his strength and conditioning coach, and Ayodele, his personal trainer.

Joshua entered the ring wearing camouflage attire bearing the names of the deceased coaches in their honour.

Speaking after the fight, the former world heavyweight champion described the victory as a tribute to their memory.

“It’s what champions do. We rise, we get knocked down and we stand up and keep going. That’s life.

“It was more than punch power. That was spirit, that was Latz, that was Sina and their families. It still hurts to talk about it. It’s been tough,” he said.

Joshua, who started the contest as the overwhelming favourite, suffered a dramatic opening round after Prenga knocked him down twice within the first three minutes.

However, the British boxer recovered to dominate the contest, eventually stopping the Albanian in the second round to remain on course for a highly anticipated showdown with fellow Briton Tyson Fury.

Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, praised the former champion’s resilience, describing his performance as remarkable given the personal tragedy he had endured.

“To even step into the ring was astonishing,” Hearn said.

He added that Joshua had used his training camp to remain focused while coping with grief, noting that the fighter had shown exceptional determination after being knocked down twice.

Hearn also confirmed that contracts had been been signed for the long-awaited heavyweight clash between Joshua and Fury, although the date and venue have yet to be announced.

Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua

Fury, who defeated 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday, did not attend Joshua’s fight as he returned to the Isle of Man after his bout.

“I respect everything he has achieved, but this is the fight we’ve been calling for and now we’re here.

“I hope the fans will enjoy it.

“I’ve learned that I can’t be stopped, I won’t be denied, and we’re coming.” Joshua added.
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Babachir Lawal: Obi-Kwankwaso Ticket Has 70% Chance Of Winning In 2027 election

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Peter Obi

Babachir Lawal: Obi-Kwankwaso Ticket Has 70% Chance Of Winning In 2027 election

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has said a joint presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso has a stronger chance of winning the 2027 presidential election than if both politicians had chosen to contest separately.
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Lawal made the remarks during an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday.

According to him, an Obi-Kwankwaso ticket would stand a 70 per cent chance of victory, while he predicted that President Bola Tinubu would have a 50 per cent chance and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar would lose.

“Peter Obi will try to be fair to everybody. Peter Obi will try to do that which is right. Peter Obi, Kwankwaso, take note, I’m pairing them. I’m pairing them. Individually will be disaster, but I’m pairing them.

“So I’ll give them, on my own scale, close to like 70 per cent. Again, Bola, 50. Atiku, zero,” Lawal said.

“Definitely, Atiku will lose. He will, and I pray he loses. I’m not the only one, and he will lose,” he said.

Lawal’s comments come after his fallout with Atiku following his resignation from the African Democratic Congress.

Peter Obi

Obi, Kwankwaso

The former SGF has repeatedly alleged that the ADC presidential primary that produced Atiku as the party’s candidate was marred by widespread irregularities, claims the party has not officially accepted.
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ICPC: Responsible Data Handling Is Inseparable From Our Anti-Corruption Mandate

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ICPC

ICPC: Responsible Data Handling Is Inseparable From Our Anti-Corruption Mandate

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, has affirmed that responsible data handling is inseparable from the Commission’s anti-corruption mandate, stressing that public trust depends not only on the Commission’s ability to investigate and prosecute corruption-related offences, but also on its capacity to protect personal information entrusted to it.

The Chairman made this known while declaring open a One-Day Sensitization and Awareness Programme on Data Protection and Privacy for officers and staff of the Commission held at the ICPC Headquarters, Abuja.

The programme, themed “Responsible Data Handling: Strengthening Accountability and Preserving Public Trust through Data Protection,” was organised to deepen awareness of responsible data management and strengthen a culture of accountability across the Commission.

Dr. Aliyu, represented by the Director, Legal Services Department, Mr. Henry Emore, noted that the Commission receives, processes, analyses, stores, shares and retains enormous volumes of information in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities, much of which relates to petitioners, suspects, witnesses, complainants, employees, contractors, consultants and members of the public.

According to him, every personal record in the Commission’s custody represents an individual’s dignity, privacy and trust, making it imperative for officers to ensure that such information is handled lawfully, responsibly and securely.

He explained that while data has become one of the most valuable assets in modern governance, enhancing decision-making, service delivery and investigations, its mishandling could expose individuals to harm, compromise investigations, undermine public confidence and damage institutional reputation.

The ICPC Chairman further stated that data protection is no longer the exclusive responsibility of ICT professionals or legal practitioners but has become an essential element of good governance, transparency, accountability and institutional integrity.

Emphasising that responsible data handling is integral to the Commission’s anti-corruption mandate, Dr. Aliyu urged officers to demonstrate integrity in the collection, access, use, disclosure, storage and disposal of personal information, noting that the principles of accountability, fairness, confidentiality and respect for individual rights must guide every aspect of the Commission’s operations.

He disclosed that the Commission has continued to strengthen its internal data protection governance framework through the establishment of the Data Protection and Incident Response Team (DPIRT), comprising officers drawn from various departments and units to identify compliance gaps, promote awareness, improve internal processes, strengthen incident response mechanisms and embed privacy considerations into operational activities.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commission’s Data Protection Officer, Barr. David Nwaze, described the sensitization programme as a strategic initiative designed to reinforce the understanding that data protection is not merely a legal obligation but a professional responsibility and a shared institutional value.

Barr. Nwaze expressed appreciation to the Chairman and the Management of the Commission for their unwavering support towards advancing ICPC’s data protection compliance journey.

ICPC

ICPC

He urged participants to actively engage in the programme, ask questions, share experiences, and apply the knowledge gained in their daily responsibilities, stressing that protecting personal data is fundamental to safeguarding institutional integrity, preserving public confidence, and strengthening accountability within the Commission.

The event featured two paper presentations titled “Responsible Data Handling: Strengthening Accountability and Preserving Public Trust through Data Protection,” delivered by Mr. Inelegwu Egahi, and “The ICPC–NDPC Collaboration: Leveraging ICPC’s Institutional Mandate to Strengthen Data Protection Compliance in the Public Sector,” presented by a Nigeria Data Protection Commission official, Barr. Babatunde Bamigboye.
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