By Our Correspondent

In a bid to encourage business growth in the Federal Capital Territory and align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has issued 26,272 Certificates of Occupancy since the current administration took over.

That figure far outpaces the 8,697 land titles that were processed and approved between 2010 and 2023 combined.

During the 5½-year tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, 5,500 Certificates of Occupancy were issued.During President Muhammadu Buhari’s 8-year tenure, 3,197 were issued.

Many of the 26,272 beneficiaries under Wike’s leadership at the FCT Administration had actually received their land allocations over a decade ago but were yet to get their official documents.

Certificate of Occupancy serves as credible security for bank loans, home mortgages, and capital needed to expand businesses.
The struggle to obtain C-of-Os on time has long been a bottleneck for small and medium enterprises, cutting them off from financing.

According to a press statement issued by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, the Tinubu-led FCT Administration has now fast-tracked the process. In a statement released on Sunday, he said landowners can now receive their documents within 14 days of making full payment.

“The moment required payments are completed, land allottees can pick up their C-of-O within two weeks,” Olayinka stated.

He added that an automated alert system has also been rolled out so applicants get notified as soon as their papers are ready for pickup.
Olayinka blamed past delays on bureaucratic bottlenecks that discouraged people from completing payments.

Beyond the C-of-Os, the Wike-led FCT Administration has also approved 2,521 Consents to Assign and 177 Consents to Mortgage in the last three years of President Tinubu’s government.

By comparison: Jonathan’s administration granted 753 Consents to Assign and 180 Consents to Mortgage. Buhari’s 8-year government granted 684 Consents to Assign and 164 Consents to Mortgage.

A Consent to Assign is the legal clearance needed to transfer or sell a property, or to transfer loan obligations.
A Consent to Mortgage is the official approval required before a property can be pledged as loan collateral.

By Our Correspondent

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election, Mr Peter Obi, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the outcome as a significant victory for democracy and a reaffirmation of the power of the electorate.

Obi, in a statement titled “Osun: When the People Stand, Democracy Wins,” said the people of Osun had spoken “with courage and clarity,” stressing that the authority to choose leaders ultimately resides with the people.

He attributed Adeleke’s renewed mandate to what he described as the governor’s commitment to the people, compassion for their needs and the achievements recorded by his administration.

The former Anambra State governor also commended youths in Osun for what he described as their peaceful and courageous defence of their democratic mandate.

According to Obi, the vigilance and determination displayed by the youths demonstrated that when citizens unite to protect their votes, “the forces of good can overcome the forces of darkness.”

He said the major lesson from the Osun election was that democracy thrives when citizens remain vigilant, understand their civic responsibilities and insist that their votes count.

Obi maintained that every legitimate vote must be respected and every lawful electoral mandate protected, urging Nigerians to draw lessons from the Osun experience ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He called on Nigerians to remain informed, participate actively in the electoral process, vote and, most importantly, protect their votes.

The NDC presidential candidate noted that Nigerians are the ones bearing the brunt of hunger, insecurity, deprivation and economic hardship, and therefore possess the power through their votes to demand the leadership and change required to address the challenges confronting the country.

He also appealed to political actors to put national interest above partisan considerations and embrace peace, unity and the rule of law.

According to him, elections should not be treated as battles to be won through violence, but as contests of ideas, competence, character and service to the people.

Obi expressed optimism that the Osun experience would renew Nigerians’ confidence in the democratic process and encourage citizens across the country to remain vigilant and committed to building a just, secure, prosperous and people-centred nation.

By Our Correspondent

Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara has unveiled the reconstructed Buguma-Degema-Abonnema Road, a major transport corridor linking communities across the Asari-Toru, Degema, and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas.

The project, a 19.79 kilometre road was executed by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, brings to an end the nightmares of man- hour loss and insecurity associated with the route. The long stretch of road was in a very deplorable condition before the Fubara administration awarded the contract for its rehabilitation in September 2024.

In statement by his chief Press Secretary,Onwuka Nzeshi, governor Fubara disclosed that the completion of the project with record time is the fulfillment of a personal commitment made after witnessing the severe degradation of the road during a previous visit to the area.

“It is a road that you must pass if you’re going to Abonnema. It is a road that because of its state, a lot of evil activities was taking place there. But to the glory of God today, I don’t think those negative acts can even be imagined or be carried out along that corridor again.
I made a promise to myself that day that even if it is remaining one week, we must make sure that we fix this road. Today, to the glory of God, the road has been fixed.
“I am happy that today, we are all here gathered happily that this particular dream has come to reality,” he said

Governor Fubara reiterated that his desire for the state is not just about embarking on projects but in doing those things that will touch the lives of the people positively. He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to complete the Trans-Kalabari Highway, another major road project linking several coastal communities in the state. Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the people for their love and cooperation especially for allowing the contractors to do their jobs without hitches.
“You have shown me so much love. Nobody can take that away. One particular project that cannot be denied is the Trans- Kalabari Road that we are doing. I want to beg you that if I cannot meet all you requests today,don’t worry, my successor will continue from where I will stop,” he said.
Special Guest of Honour, the Amanyanabo of Abonnema Kingdom, King Desrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel, who officially commissioned the project, commended the state government for its rapid Infrastructure development, noted that the rehabilitation of the road
has drastically improved travel time, safety and the living conditions of the people.

“In the past, for you to leave any of our communities to Port Harcourt, you must, as a matter of fact, go into a one-day fasting and prayers the previous day. Otherwise, you are not sure you will get to your destination.

“Today, I can leave my palace in Abonnema by 10:00 AM, and I will be wherever I want to be in Port Harcourt before 11:00 AM,” the royal father said.

King Bob-Manuel stated that the reconstructed road will not only enable the local fishermen to transport their catch directly to urban markets in Port Harcourt for better profit margins, but will open the riverine communities to new investments.

Onwuka Nzeshi
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
August 17, 2026

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