News
Neglected Highways in Ogoja – A Tale of Mismanagement and Lost Opportunities,
Neglected Highways in Ogoja – A Tale of Mismanagement and Lost Opportunities,
By Mike Udam
The deteriorating state of the highways in Ogoja is a cause for deep concern, and the recent release of 400 million naira to the contractor, one Emma Ventures Investment Limited, highlights the long-standing negligence and impunity we have endured.
Here are some critical aspects you need to know about this dire situation:
The deplorable condition of this road has unintentionally led to the growth of the food business in Egoja Ndim, Ukpe, Mbagidi and Adagom communities. With trucks struggling to navigate through the deep pothole-ridden road and being forced to remain in the line for hours because of the fall of one truck blocking access, local food vendors have found a thriving market in providing sustenance to weary travelers. What is seen as a challenge and pain to the truck drivers and other passangers has become an opportunity for these enterprising individuals who now cook and sell to the stranded truck and tanker drivers and their crewmen.
Ndok Junction, once a bubbling business spot and sit out joint, has now become an unlikely tourist attraction. Men, seeking reprieve from the pressures of home life, gather to witness the astounding meandering skills displayed by truck drivers navigating these treacherous bad spots. It’s a spectacle born out of necessity but has unintentionally become a source of entertainment. Once a truck driver passes through successfully, he gets a huge ovation.
The alarming negligence extends to the point where unknown individuals have broken through the prevention barrier at Moniaya bridge. This reckless act has opened the floodgates for trucks that cannot meander through the bad spot to pass through the town, wreaking havoc on our colonial-era roads and bridges. It’s a clear sign of the deterioration reaching critical levels.
On the other hand, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and other related agencies, which used to thrive on the highway due to constant checks and monitoring, are now at a loss. With the roads in such a deplorable state and trucks lined up for over 13km and only one lane created for small vehicles, there are no longer vehicles to regulate, and their personal revenue has dwindled. This has also compromise road safety of all road users.
Shockingly, despite the awareness of the dire situation by the Ogoja big men and other political leaders of thought, none of them saw fit to remind the governor to direct the visiting minister of works to inspect the failed Ndok Junction section of the Federal Highway. The visiting minister remained in Calabar and then returned to Abuja, showcasing a lack of political will that is frustrating, to say the least. Our leaders must prioritize the well-being of their constituents over political considerations.
I know if Dave Umahi was in Ogoja to see things for himself, the contractor would have been sent to jail.
It’s a glaring tragedy that 400 million naira has been allocated for road repair, only to seemingly vanish into thin air. The people are left in deep distress and agony, while the promise of improved infrastructure remains unfulfilled. This mismanagement of funds is not only a financial loss but also a betrayal of the trust placed in our leaders.
This dire state of affairs transcends political affiliations. Whether you support BAT, Atiku, or Obi, it’s immaterial in the face of the suffering inflicted by bad governance. We are all ensnared in the web of mismanagement and indifference. It’s high time we unite as a community to demand accountability and change from our leaders.
The state of the highways in Ogoja is not just a matter of inconvenience; it’s a reflection of the systemic issues plaguing our governance. It’s high time our leaders take responsibility, order the state ministry of works to address these pressing issues, and seek reimbursement from the federal government. The people of Ogoja deserve better, and the time for change is long overdue. We must stand together to demand the infrastructure and governance we rightfully deserve.
I am calling on our amiable governor to pick up the phone and call the attention of the minister of works to order the contractor urgently back to site.
While the minister will be looking for the file of the contractor to sanction, the governor should immediately swing into action by ordering urgent palliative measures to fix those bad spots that have made life unbearable for all residents of Ogoja. Keeping quiet will embolden impunity.
Mike Udam contributed this article from Ogoja through mikeudam@yahoo.com
Neglected Highways in Ogoja – A Tale of Mismanagement and Lost Opportunities,
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
By: Michael Mike
The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has said the principles of the United Nations Charter offers guidance to Nigeria and other African countries bedeviled by terrorism and other violent conflicts.
The message was given by the Director-General of the Institute, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of United Nations.
Ochogwu said: “Today, October 24, 2025, marks exactly 80 years since the entry into force of the United Nations Charter. As the world commemorates this historic milestone, we are reminded of the enduring vision of the Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom. This vision remains profoundly relevant to Africa and to Nigeria, where the pursuit of peace, justice, and inclusive development continues to shape our collective aspirations.
“In today’s complex and rapidly changing security environment, the principles of the Charter, namely sovereign equality, peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for international law offer essential guidance. Across Africa, the persistence of violent conflicts, terrorism, and governance challenges underscores the urgent need to strengthen multilateral cooperation, preventive diplomacy, and mediation capacities. Nigeria’s leadership under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and her experience in regional peacekeeping and conflict resolution affirm our commitment to these ideals and to the transformative role of international law in sustaining peace and security.
“The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) stands as a bridge between national policy and global peace initiatives. We reaffirm our partnership with the United Nations, the African Union, ECOWAS, and other stakeholders to promote dialogue, reconciliation, and institution-building. In this decade of action, we must deepen investments in peace infrastructure, youth empowerment, and cross-border cooperation to realize the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
He added that: “As we look to the future of the United Nations in Africa, the challenge before us is clear: to make peace sustainable, justice accessible, and security inclusive. The continued faith of Member States and communities in the principles of the UN Charter is an enduring source of hope for a more peaceful, secure, and prosperous continent.”
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity.
By Fathia Adenike
The heartbeat of Nigeria’s bustling cities and quiet villages lies ìtàn a Yoruba word meaning “story” or “history” a powerful force shaping cultural identity. Across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic landscapes Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa,and beyond. Storytelling isn’t just tradition; it’s a living bridge connecting past, present, and future.It’s an Oral Threads of Heritage,From moonlit Yoruba folktales whispering òrìṣà deeds to Igbo elders recounting ancestral proverbs, Nigeria’s oral traditions transmit values, wisdom, and belongings. These stories embed moral codes, communal bonds, and cosmological maps that ground Nigerians amid rapid change. Ancient myths seep into contemporary Nigerian life. Olókun’s oceanic power meets Lagos’ tech-driven streets; Ọṣun’s fertility echoes in art exploring feminine resilience. Writers like Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart and Ben Okri The Famished Road weave such mythic threads into explorations of identity, disrupting colonial ruptures.
Today, Nigerian storytelling leaps into digital realms. Podcasts like “The Nairaland Podcast and Twitter threads” retelling folklore showcase ìtàn’s adaptability. Social media becomes a virtual àbù̀ (drumbeat), amplifying voices across Nigeria’s youthful diaspora.
Ìtàn fosters cultural resilience. As Nigeria navigates urbanization, migration, and tech disruption, these stories offer anchors. They articulate collective memory, mediate conflict, and nurture belonging across ethnic lines Igbo, Yoruba.
Hausa in a nation of profound diversity.In Nigeria’s mosaic, ìtàn remains a vital pulse reminding Nigerians, globally, of roots nourishing identity’s complex, beautiful branches. ìtàn remains an irreducible heartbeat reminding Nigerians globally of identity’s deep, branching roots nourishing complex beauty. As Nigeria braids tradition with cutting edge innovation, these stories transmute into luminescent beacons, diachronistic continuity. Resonating poignantly in diaspora conversations spanning oceans.
Echoing vibrantly in Nigeria’s creative expressions celebrating Ultimately, ìtàn transcends mere retrospection; it dynamically sculpts Nigeria’s unfolding narrative vectors. These andaren’t antiquarian tales; they’re heritage-infused blueprints propelling Nigeria’s stories into uncharted tomorrows narratives carrying ancestral essence into modernity’s unspooling scroll. ìtàn brings identity filaments, affirming storytelling as Nigeria’s quintessential cultural DNA.
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity
ShightVault X Èkó Runners Club: Running Through Lagos, Redefining African Performance Culture
LAGOS, NIGERIA – October 11, 2025 — Nigerian sportswear brand, ShightVault is making bold strides in redefining the culture of movement and style in Africa. The brand recently led a major collaboration with the Èkó Runners Club, hosting a vibrant community event themed “RUNWITHLAGOS” at The Finery, Ikoyi.
The activation brought together over 280 guests, including more than 140 runners who took part in a 5KM morning run through the heart of Lagos. The day unfolded into a full lifestyle experience, from yoga sessions and high-intensity training classes to ice baths, networking, food, drinks, and friendly competitions, blending wellness and urban culture in one energetic celebration.
At the center of it all was ShightVault, showcasing its limited-edition collaborative run-fit, a sleek performance line that sold out quickly at the venue.
Speaking at the event, Riches Efe Arhiakpore, Executive Director of ShightVault, described the collaboration as a reflection of the brand’s growing vision:
ShightVault is more than a sportswear label, it’s a movement. This collaboration with Èkó Runners Club represents how we want to connect fashion, fitness, and community. We’re open to working with more run clubs across the country and internationally as we expand our reach in both the sports and fashion industries.
The event was powered by key sponsors including KNGSMN, Pocari Sweat, ZoneX, Red Bull, and Glacee Table Water, alongside partners who helped deliver one of Lagos’ most engaging fitness activations of the year.
As ShightVault continues to grow beyond Nigeria’s borders, the brand is positioning itself as a global voice for African sportswear innovation, bridging performance, design, and cultural expression in every stride.
ShightVault X Èkó Runners Club: Running Through Lagos, Redefining African Performance Culture
UN@80: IPCR Says Charter Offers Guidance to Solving Terrorism, Violent Conflicts
PRESIDENT TINUBU CHANGES SERVICE CHIEFS
How Nigeria’s Ancient Storytelling Traditions Shape Modern Identity
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions4 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
News6 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
