AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN PRAISED FOR SHOWING BRAVERY

By: Our Reporter

The Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, on Wednesday earned praise from North Central women for her bravery and resilience in the face of adversity.

‘’Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is a symbol of courage and determination. We are incredibly proud of her’’

The women also accused the leadership of the 10th Senate of stirring up anger and hate in the country.

The women in a statement in Makurdi applauded Akpoti-Uduaghan’s great qualities and achievements, her strong voice in the presence of wrong and the many risks taken.

‘’Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s courage provides us with hope and reinforces our capacity to live freely’’

The statement issued by the Chairperson of North Central Women Front (NCWF), Mrs. Mary Adamu said Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension , plot to eliminate her and the recent robbery attempt were meant to tarnish the true face of Nigeria and to discourage her from facilitating appointment and development projects to Kogi Central Senatorial District.

‘’Such acts of cowardice will not deter Akpoti-Uduaghan and the whole North Central women stand behind Akpoti-Uduaghan and her cause.

They said everywoman in the country should be able to take the brave stand as done by Akpoti-Uduaghan.

‘’It is our responsibility to ensure that people like Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan are not sidelined over the stand taken by them’’

The women commended Akpoti-Uduaghan for her eloquence, intensity and meaningful action.

Specifically, the women praised Akpoti-Uduaghan for speaking truth to power.

They demanded the Senate withdraw the punishment.

‘’Any woman who is not outraged with the action of the Senate President and his co-travelers, frankly we don’t know whether that person deserves to be called a woman in Nigeria’’

AKPOTI-UDUAGHAN PRAISED FOR SHOWING BRAVERY

Zulum begins 7.1 km express road, Borno’s fourth flyover

… To start new market, orthopaedic hospital, others

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, flagged off the construction of a 7.1 km terminus junction to Molai express road with a 6-span bridge and the state’s fourth flyover along the busy Post Office area in Maiduguri, on Tuesday.

The projects, designed to address increasing vehicular traffic, aim to provide a seamless route for commuters and goods and significantly enhance access to key economic zones, schools and healthcare facilities.

With an estimated completion timeline of 8 and 10 months, the projects are expected to create hundreds of jobs for skilled and unskilled workers, further contributing to the state’s economic recovery and resilience efforts.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a 7.1km terminus-Molai express road along Tashan Kano, Zulum said, “In continuation of our urban renewal programme, this morning we are here to flag off the construction of 7.1 km dual carriageway from Borno express terminal to Molai and also the construction of an additional bridge downstream of the road.”

He added, “What we are doing is not only for beautification but also to accommodate the increasing population growth in Maiduguri. We must expand the city.”

In the meantime, Zulum also charged the contractors for all the projects to ensure strict compliance with quality specifications and timely completion.

“Ten months is 10 months, the total contract sum is 16bn and we have paid 50% of this amount. So, the contractor has no excuse for delaying the project. We have also kept aside the remaining 8bn to be paid when due,” Zulum said.

Also speaking, the commissioner for Works and Housing, Engr Mustapha Gubio, emphasised that the 6-span bridge is meant to link the new road along the two sides of the Ngada-Bul River.

The commissioner also acknowledged that the ministry will adequately monitor the projects and ensure diligent compliance with the contract specifications.

… To start new market, orthopaedic hospital, others

Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has announced 5 key projects, including a new market, an orthopaedic hospital, another General Hospital, an international hotel, and a western bypass.

The Governor, who announced the 5 projects and many other developmental services on Tuesday in Maiduguri, assures that they will be completed before the expiration of his tenure.

“We want to construct a befitting additional market, an orthopaedic hospital, another General Hospital, an international hotel, and a western bypass. These are some of the major projects I want to execute before my tenure expires. Most importantly, completing all the ongoing projects,” Zulum stated.

Additionally, Governor Zulum expressed concern over the acute water shortage faced in Maiduguri Metropolis and surrounding communities which he said was caused by the destruction spurred by the flood disaster of last September (2024).

The Governor, however, appealed to residents for calm while assuring them that the state government is committed to addressing the problem. He said, “Maiduguri water supply network was damaged by last year’s flood, and the city is faced with acute water shortage. We are working very hard to complete the repair work on time.

He also stated, “I want to appeal to the people of the metropolis. The government is very aware of the situation and we are doing everything possible to address it.”

Zulum begins 7.1 km express road, Borno’s fourth flyover

Plateau stakeholders hold emergency meeting on security, seek stronger community defence

By: Zagazola Makama

Stakeholders in Plateau State on Monday held an emergency security meeting convened by Gov. Caleb Mutfwang to address the rising wave of violence in the state.

The meeting, which began at 1:00 p.m. in Jos, brought together representatives from the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Plateau State Advisory Council on Inter-Religious Harmony, the Council of Chiefs and Emirs, retired security personnel, National Assembly members, former governors, and other key stakeholders.

In his opening remarks, Gov. Mutfwang called for collective and practical solutions to end the persistent killings across communities in the state.

During the deliberations, the Gbong Gwom Jos, HRM Da Jacob Gyang Buba, and several other participants advocated for the strengthening of the state security outfit, Operation Rainbow.

They proposed making the outfit more inclusive and empowering it to serve as the first line of community defence before the intervention of federal security agencies. This position was widely adopted by many stakeholders at the meeting.

The governor further disclosed plans to set up a fact-finding committee and said arrangements were underway to facilitate a meeting between the elders of the state and President Bola Tinubu to discuss urgent security concerns.

The meeting ended peacefully at about 5:00 p.m. on April 21, 2025.

Plateau stakeholders hold emergency meeting on security, seek stronger community defence