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VP’s New Residence Fulfills Our Promise To Complete Inherited Projects – President Tinubu

VP’s New Residence Fulfills Our Promise To Complete Inherited Projects – President Tinubu
*** Says it’s wasteful to abandon projects after spending heavily
By: Our Reporter
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the official residence of the Vice President, saying it is in fulfillment of his promises to Nigerians, including completion of inherited projects which is one of the cardinal objectives of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday during the commissioning of the Vice President’s official residence, President Tinubu noted that it was in the government’s best interest as well as that of the public to ensure projects are completed.
The President who was represented at the event by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima , stated categorically that abandoning projects after spending heavily amounts to a huge waste of the nation’s resources.

His words: “As we commission this state-of-the-art edifice as the official residence of the Vice President, we are fulfilling a longstanding commitment and reaffirming our unwavering dedication to accountability, transparency and efficient utilization of resources for the betterment of our nation.
“I hold a very strong opinion that abandoning projects after substantial expenditure have been incurred is inherently wasteful, and it is in the best interest of the government and the public to see them through to completion. I therefore, once again, want to express my gratitude to the FCT Administration for taking up the responsibility and feel duty-bound to complete this project to avoid wastage of taxpayers’ money”.
Underscoring the importance of the project, President Tinubu explained that “the provision of a suitable residence for the Vice President is not merely a matter of convenience,” but also “a symbol of respect for the office and the individual who occupies it.
“However, rather than dwell on past shortcomings, you have chosen to seize this opportunity to demonstrate our resolve to confront obstacles head-on and deliver on the promises made to the Nigerian people in line with our Renewed Hope Agenda, which has the completion of inherited projects as one of its cardinal objectives,” he added.
President Tinubu applauded the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, over what he described as “his achievements, commitment, and loyalty”, pointing out that the commissioning of the VP’s official residence was the 9th in the series of projects completed by the FCT Administration under his dynamic and focused leadership.

He continued: “The actions of the FCT Minister and his dedication to duty are indeed remarkable and he stands as a shining example of what a public officer should be. As Victor Hugo rightly said, ‘Nothing else in the world, not even the army, is so powerful than the idea whose time has come’. Nyesom Wike is an idea whose time has come.
“He is a force of nature; coming out by 1am to inspect projects is a testimony of the quality of leadership we are having in the FCDA. And what you see is essentially what you get; he shoots straight from the hip, but most importantly, he is a doer, he is a performer. I think at the behest of the President you (Wike) should stand and take a bow”.
Earlier in his remarks, the FCT Minister, Wike, commended President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to completing abandoned projects across the nation, citing the Vice President’s official residence as a testament to the administration’s dedication.
Recounting the project’s tumultuous journey, Wike said, “This project was awarded in 2010, fourteen years ago, and was abandoned in 2015. It was not until January of this year that we had a revised budget for the project. Now, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has come and within a year, he has made this project a reality. This is the hope.
“If you don’t stay in a good environment, you cannot put in your best. Environment affects productivity and efficiency. By the time you are inside and see what is provided, I’m sure Mr. Vice President will be encouraged to do more work than where he stays now.”
Wike commended heads of the security agencies, including the National Security Adviser, Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), and the Inspector General of Police, for their involvement in securing the premises, which he said had been overrun by bushes and criminal elements upon his arrival on August 21.
The Minister also praised the construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria, for their dedication and efficiency, stating that “once you put the money on the ground for them; go home and sleep. They don’t need supervision.”
In her remarks, Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the commissioning of the Vice President’s official residence as “a testament to what we can achieve when we have the right support and unwavering dedication to deliver on our set goals.”
Mahmoud paid tribute to President Tinubu for his support, just as she expressed the FCT residents’ honour in witnessing the commissioning of the residence.
Also, present at the commissioning were President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin; Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils, David Jimkuta; Chairman, House Committee on FCT, Hon. Aliyu Muktar Betara, and Chairman, House Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Hon. Agbedi Fred.
Others were Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo, and Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
VP’s New Residence Fulfills Our Promise To Complete Inherited Projects – President Tinubu
News
Army officer dies after being set ablaze by wife in Akwa Ibom

Army officer dies after being set ablaze by wife in Akwa Ibom
By: Zagazola Makama
A Nigerian Army officer, Lt. Samson Haruna, has died after sustaining severe burns when his wife allegedly set him ablaze during a domestic dispute at Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
Zagazola Makama learnt that the tragic incident occurred on Sept. 22, 2025.
The source said the officer, who was also a medical doctor attached to the 6 Battalion Regimental Medical Officer (RMO), had a heated argument with his wife, Mrs. Samson Haruna, which resulted in her dousing him with petrol (PMS) and setting him on fire.
“The officer sustained severe burns and was immediately stabilised at the Military Reference Section (MRS) in the barracks before being evacuated to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital for further management,” the source said.
The officer, however, succumbed to his injuries despite efforts by medical personnel to save his life.
It was further gathered that the suspect has been arrested and is currently in custody while an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Army officer dies after being set ablaze by wife in Akwa Ibom
News
Pay us all our dues or prepare for indefinite strike…. ASUU to the federal government

Pay us all our dues or prepare for indefinite strike…. ASUU to the federal government
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has decried the federal government’s failure to remit third-party deductions, such as cooperative contributions and pension funds belonging to its members.
Chair of unimaid branch Dr Habu Mshelia in a recent interview described the action of the federal government as a serious breach of legal and ethical obligations to it’s members and called for it’s immediate reversal.
Dr Mshelia regretted that this systemic sabotage which started with the introduction of the integrated payroll and personnel information system (IPPIS) not only erodes trust but also jeopardizes the future retirement benefits of those who have faithfully contributed to these schemes.
“ASUU demands immediate rectification of this injustice and full restoration of financial integrity across all remittance channels.” He warned.
Mshelia maintained during the parley that ” These deductions, taken from members’ salaries, have not reached the appropriate bodies, crippling welfare schemes and jeopardizing future retirement benefits.
He added that: “This injustice must be urgently addressed to restore financial integrity and protect the economic well-being of our members.
“Since the adoption of IPPIS, these remittances have been withheld, crippling welfare schemes and threatening the financial security of our members. Worse still, the government’s actions appear to deliberately undermine the GIFMIS platform under the guise of salary vetting by IPPIS.
“This has led to consistent delays in salary payments, often by one to two weeks, causing unnecessary hardship and anxiety among academic staff.” Said the chairman.
Mshelia who briefed newsmen recently in Maiduguri said their lingering campaign against the wrong doings of the federal government was not a mere statement but a call to conscience. “A reaffirmation of their unwavering commitment to the defence of quality education, academic integrity, University autonomy and the dignity of university staff across the country.
“We speak today not only for ourselves, but for the future of Nigeria’s youth, for the sanctity of our institutions, and for the soul of a nation that must choose between progress and decay.
“Let it be known: ASUU will not remain silent while the foundations of our universities are eroded. We will not stand idle as agreements are dishonoured and our members are subjected to economic hardship and institutional disrespect.
The union leaders then called for the completion of certain unfinished businesses which they believe will bring harmony between them.
On the desperate need to renegotiate the 2009 agreement, Mshelia warned that
“The government’s refusal to sign the renegotiated agreement continues a troubling pattern of broken promises. Sixteen years after the original agreement, meant to address chronic underfunding, poor infrastructure, and inadequate remuneration, most of its provisions remain unfulfilled.”
Dr Mshelia regretted that certain reports like the 2012 Needs Assessment and pledges (MOU & MOA) made in 2017 and 2020 have all been ignored by the Federal government adding that “The Yayale Ahmed Committee Report now joins this list of abandoned commitments; Nemi Briggs Committee report; Professor Munzali Jubril committee report; the Babalakin led committee report.
He stressed that : “This persistent sabotage of Collective Bargaining condemns lecturers to poverty amid rising inflation and unbearable living costs. ASUU rejects this economic injustice and will resist any attempt to erode the integrity of Nigeria’s university system. Enough is enough.”
On payment of withheld salaries and arrears, the chairman regretted that “many of our members continue to suffer from unpaid salary arrears amounting to but not limited to 25–35% wage award. Promotion arrears, legally due to academics who earned them through merit, remain unpaid in many institutions including ours for over four years.
“Additionally, the punitive withholding of three and a half months’ salaries during the 2022 ASUU strike persists as an act of victimization. Immediate settlement of most of these arrears is essential to restore fairness, boost morale, and maintain industrial harmony within the academic community.
Speaking on terminal benefits of retired members, Mshelia lamented that members of the union were treated as trash instead of given the dignity of an emeritus professor.
“How on earth do you pay a professor 150k as pension after his selfless service to the nation? AProfessors who have dedicated over four decades to educating generations retire on a meagre ₦150,000 under the Contributory Pension Scheme, while inflation exceeds 21%. This is not just a labour issue; it is a national disgrace.
Assault on University Autonomy
“The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Maiduguri Chapter, unequivocally condemns the recent unilateral decision to rename the University of Maiduguri as Muhammadu Buhari University. This action is not only provocative, it is a blatant violation of the principle of university autonomy and a grave affront to the values of academic freedom, institutional integrity, and democratic governance.
“Universities are not political ornaments to be rebranded at the whim of power. They are intellectual sanctuaries, built on decades of scholarship, sacrifice, and service. The name University of Maiduguri is deeply rooted in the cultural, historical, and academic identity of the region. It reflects the aspirations of generations and the legacy of a community that has nurtured knowledge in the face of adversity.
“To erase that legacy without consultation is to insult the very soul of the institution. The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu policy statement, imposed without engagement with the university community, governing council, or stakeholders, sets a dangerous precedence. It signals a shift toward the politicization of our universities, where decisions are made not in the interest of education, but in pursuit of personal glorification. If allowed to stand, it will erode the credibility of our institutions and undermine the autonomy that is essential to their survival.
“ASUU stands as the unwavering voice of academic integrity and institutional independence. We do not respond with emotion, we respond with facts, with principle, and with resolve. The widespread rejection of this renaming, from alumni, students, staff, and civil society, is both justified and necessary.
“We call on all members of the Union, and indeed all Nigerians who value education, to continue their clear-eyed perspectives and decisive pronouncements. These have always guided our deliberations as we chart a path forward. Let it be known: We reject this ill-conceived and deeply offensive decision. We demand its immediate reversal. We reaffirm that the identity of a university must reflect its heritage, not serve as a monument to political power.
“The legacy of UNIMAID—painstakingly built over five decades—will not be sacrificed on the altar of political expediency. ASUU will not relent, will not surrender, and will not allow the autonomy of our universities to be trampled in silence.”
” We call on the Federal Government to honour its commitments. Parents, students, and the Nigerian public to see this as a fight for the future. NANS and student bodies to demand their right to quality education. Civil society, labour unions, religious and traditional leaders to intervene before another shutdown”. He concluded.
Pay us all our dues or prepare for indefinite strike…. ASUU to the federal government
News
Jos FM radio confirms release of reporters by DSS

Jos FM radio confirms release of reporters by DSS
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Two Jos Fm (Jfm) radio reporters abducted yesterday by overzealous state security operatives have been released from detention.
A statement signed by the Managing Director of the radio station, Clinton Garuba stated that after mounted pressure on the management of the secret service agency, the two reporters were allowed to go home.
In a statement released Sunday morning by the jos based radio station, Garuba noted that “further to our earlier statement regarding the arrest of our staff, Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, who were assigned to cover the burial rites of the late mother of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, at the COCIN headquarters Church, we wish to inform you that they have been released.”
It went further to state that ” upon confirming that the DSS was holding them, frantic efforts were made to secure their release. Although our efforts were initially rebuffed, they were eventually released.
“This event has once again prompted us to draw attention to the disturbing issues of press freedom violations, human rights abuses, and the erosion of the rule of law by security agencies.
“We want to reiterate that as professionals, our staff did what journalists are trained and ethically mandated to do: they documented an incident on video for public record and accountability.
“We call on the DSS to note that: Their actions in abducting and detaining them are illegal, undemocratic, and unacceptable.
“They represent a blatant violation of the fundamental rights to freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and personal liberty as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and various international conventions to which our nation is a signatory.
” The press is not an enemy of the state.
Journalism is a public service profession. Our duty is to inform, educate, and hold power accountable, not to serve as mouthpieces of authority. To criminalise this duty is to criminalise truth itself.
“The DSS must act with civility and restraint. We remind the agency that this nation is under civilian rule, not military dictatorship. Security agencies exist to protect citizens, not to intimidate or abduct them.
“Power must always be exercised within the bounds of the law and in accordance with respect for democratic norms.”
The statement further warned that this pattern of intimidation and repression must stop because it sends a chilling message to journalists that telling the truth may lead to persecution.
Such conduct, the statement noted, undermines the very fabric of democracy and fosters a climate of fear and impunity.
“We reaffirm that Jay 101.9 FM will not be intimidated or silenced. Our commitment to truth, objectivity, and the democratic ideal remains unwavering.
“To those who wield power, we remind you that the freedom of the press is the lifeblood of democracy. When journalists are silenced, democracy dies in darkness.
“We call on all citizens, the media fraternity, and the international community to stand in solidarity with us in demanding respect for the rule of law, freedom of the press, and for journalists to carry out their statutory duties without fear or hindrance, as well as respect for human rights.” The statement noted
This reporter recalls that the President of the Church of Christ in Nations COCIN Dr Amos Mohzo was about entering the headquarters building to prepare for the officiating of the service of the late mother of the national chair of the APC when some recalcitrant operatives of the DSS stopped him, his Assistant Secretary General and his Vice President.
They were wrongly stopped from entering the church even after proper identification at a time when the expected visitor President Bola Tinubu had not even taken off from Abuja.
Several efforts by Rev Mohzo and his management team to get into the church was turned down and it was so embarrassing that the young operatives stuck to their guns by refusing the COCIN President from going into the building where he was the landlord and number one Pastor in charge.
Jos FM radio confirms release of reporters by DSS
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