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Banditry not hindering Federal Govt nationwide roads projects – Minister  

 

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The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said banditry in parts of the country has not disrupted work on federal roads.

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Umahi spoke on Saturday in Enugu while inspecting the Enugu–Onitsha highway and the Eke Obinagu mega flyover, among other projects along the corridor.

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He said projects remained unhindered because President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to provide adequate protection for contractors handling federal road works.

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“The President directed the National Security Adviser, service chiefs and related authorities to support us with adequate security on project sites.

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“There are no security issues at various project sites as most security agents stay inside bushes and are not seen.

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“Work is therefore going on at various sites in accordance with the President’s directives,” he said.

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To demonstrate progress, Umahi said concrete was being applied on many roads at night, especially in northern states experiencing extreme heat.

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“The weather in the northern part of the country is presently above 45 degrees Celsius and you cannot apply concrete under such conditions.

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“Applying concrete at night shows there is adequate security on our sites and anyone who tries anything funny will have himself to blame,” he said.

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The minister expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, urging the South-East to appreciate the President’s infrastructural drive in the zone.

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“The Eke Obinagu flyover has attained 99 per cent completion, while sections of the Enugu–Onitsha road are nearing completion.

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He said: “They will all be inaugurated by the President in May.

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“This is the time for Igbos to appreciate President Tinubu and we will secure over 80 per cent of votes for him from the zone.

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“It will take someone like myself from the South-East to replicate President Tinubu’s unprecedented strides in the zone’s annals.”

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Mrs Chioma Nweze, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East), thanked the President for the projects, saying the region owed him gratitude.

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“From the Enugu–Onitsha highway to the Enugu–Umuahia–Aba–Port Harcourt and Onitsha–Owerri roads, the President has opened avenues for social and economic growth.

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“Farm produce can now be conveyed to markets and students can exchange ideas across states, among other benefits of improved road infrastructure,” she said.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that contractors and supervisors pledged to deliver the projects within agreed timelines, commending the Federal Government’s support. (NAN)

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Govt. vows to get justice for teenage Girl allegedly raped by eight men

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Govt. vows to get justice for teenage Girl allegedly raped by eight men

The Anambra Government has vowed to get justice for a 16-year old girl (name withheld) over alleged sexual molestation by eight men including her guardian.
The incident occurred in Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Esther Onyekesi, made this known during an interaction with newsmen on Thursday in Awka.
“The teenager, who was severely raped by these men is now two months pregnant, according to medical report presented by a concerned priest from Nawfia, who reported the case.
“Therefore, the ministry must stand for this helpless girl,” she said.
Onyekesi decried a situation where adults who are supposed to protect young people take advantage of them, especially to the level of sexual molestation and exploitation.
She assured the safety of the girl and encouraged men to protect women, especially young girls rather than take advantage of them, in order to build a better society.
According to the teenager brought to the office of the commissioner, her guardian forces himself on her every night and later other men join in the act.
She said that with the help of a good samaritan, she was rescued a week ago from the abuse and brought to the ministry.
Asked about the wife of her guardian, she said the wife was sick with stroke, while her sons and daughters were all grown and some married.
She informed the commissioner that the police had arrested two persons out of the eight suspects that allegedly molested her.
She said that the case was before the Nawfia police station. (NAN)

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I accepted to be Obi’s running mate because 3 top politicians rejected him – Datti Baba-Ahmed opens up

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Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has opened up on the circumstances that led him to join forces with Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election, saying his decision was largely driven by sympathy for the former Anambra State governor.

Speaking during an interview with Symphoni, Baba-Ahmed disclosed that Obi had unsuccessfully approached three prominent politicians to be his running mate before eventually turning to him.

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According to the former senator, he would have welcomed any of the politicians accepting Obi’s offer, but their refusal left him concerned about both Obi’s political prospects and the state of the country.

Reflecting on their partnership, Baba-Ahmed said, “I have sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship.”

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He explained that Obi’s search for a vice-presidential candidate in 2022 was marked by repeated setbacks, a development he said deeply affected him.

“When he approached three other major politicians in 2022, I would have been glad if one of them had gone with Peter Obi in 2022. But they all avoided him. I felt bad for him and I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation,” Baba-Ahmed said.

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He maintained that his decision to join the Labour Party ticket was voluntary and based on personal conviction rather than political calculation.

“I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer. For the sake of Nigeria, I extended that sympathy to him,” he added.

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The Obi-Baba-Ahmed ticket emerged as one of the most closely followed political movements during the 2023 elections, attracting significant support across different parts of the country.

However, the relationship between the two politicians has since been overshadowed by differences over political strategy and party affiliation.

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Baba-Ahmed criticised Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party amid its prolonged leadership crisis, arguing that internal disputes are common across political organisations and should be resolved rather than avoided.

Questioning Obi’s decision to seek political alternatives, he said: “If Abure was a problem, what makes him think Nwosu or David Mark of ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think Seriake of NDC will not be a problem?”

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He further argued that every political platform faces similar challenges.

“So it’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem and let’s work together. But he decided to move,” he said.

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Baba-Ahmed also dismissed suggestions that his political relevance was tied to Obi, stressing that he remains politically independent.

“With due respect, he does not own my politics; he doesn’t own me. I am independent,” he stated.

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Following the 2023 elections, Baba-Ahmed aligned himself with the Peoples Redemption Party, while Obi has continued his political activities through new political associations after leaving the Labour Party.

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accepted to be Obi’s running mate because 3 top politicians rejected him – Datti Baba-Ahmed opes up

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accepted to be Obi’s running mate because 3 top politicians rejected him – Datti Baba-Ahmed opes up

Former Labour Party vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has opened up on the circumstances that led him to join forces with Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election, saying his decision was largely driven by sympathy for the former Anambra State governor.

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Speaking during an interview with Symphoni, Baba-Ahmed disclosed that Obi had unsuccessfully approached three prominent politicians to be his running mate before eventually turning to him.

According to the former senator, he would have welcomed any of the politicians accepting Obi’s offer, but their refusal left him concerned about both Obi’s political prospects and the state of the country.

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Reflecting on their partnership, Baba-Ahmed said, “I have sympathy for him. And this sympathy was at the core of our relationship.”

He explained that Obi’s search for a vice-presidential candidate in 2022 was marked by repeated setbacks, a development he said deeply affected him.

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“When he approached three other major politicians in 2022, I would have been glad if one of them had gone with Peter Obi in 2022. But they all avoided him. I felt bad for him and I felt bad for Nigeria as a nation,” Baba-Ahmed said.

He maintained that his decision to join the Labour Party ticket was voluntary and based on personal conviction rather than political calculation.

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“I took it upon myself because naturally I have always been a volunteer. For the sake of Nigeria, I extended that sympathy to him,” he added.

The Obi-Baba-Ahmed ticket emerged as one of the most closely followed political movements during the 2023 elections, attracting significant support across different parts of the country.

Advertisement

However, the relationship between the two politicians has since been overshadowed by differences over political strategy and party affiliation.

Baba-Ahmed criticised Obi’s decision to leave the Labour Party amid its prolonged leadership crisis, arguing that internal disputes are common across political organisations and should be resolved rather than avoided.

Advertisement

Questioning Obi’s decision to seek political alternatives, he said: “If Abure was a problem, what makes him think Nwosu or David Mark of ADC will not be a problem? What makes him think Seriake of NDC will not be a problem?”

He further argued that every political platform faces similar challenges.

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“So it’s the same thing wherever you go. Stay here and fix the problem and let’s work together. But he decided to move,” he said.

Baba-Ahmed also dismissed suggestions that his political relevance was tied to Obi, stressing that he remains politically independent.

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“With due respect, he does not own my politics; he doesn’t own me. I am independent,” he stated.

Following the 2023 elections, Baba-Ahmed aligned himself with the Peoples Redemption Party, while Obi has continued his political activities through new political associations after leaving the Labour Party.

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