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LAGOS-CALABAR HIGHWAY: I disagree with Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s with all due respect-Chief Chekwas Okorie

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

 

I have watched with great concern the distortion of facts and deliberate malicious propaganda against the Lagos-Calabar Highway contract. The recent public presentation of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s book wherein he described the Lagos-Calabar Highway as ‘wasteful and a fraud ‘ compelled me to weigh in on this debate. I have immense respect for President Obasanjo.

In the absence of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first republic president of Nigeria and Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first republic Premier of the old Western Region, President Obasanjo unarguably is the most prolific author amongst Nigeria’s former Heads of State or Presidents on national issues since Nigeria’s independence in 1960.

His comments, whether in the form of his books or his famous Letters, resonate across Nigeria and beyond. People pay attention.

However, I consider it most uncharitable for him to describe the Lagos-Calabar Highway contract as wasteful. I wish to recall that the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway was first conceptualized by the former Federal Commissioner of Finance in the first republic, Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh. However, due to many intervening circumstances, including the Biafra-Nigeria war and post-war politics, this project only resumed momentum under the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo, who initiated the Warri-Calabar portion of the project.

Subsequent Nigerian governments renamed the project East-West Road and extended it to Lagos. Unaccountable trillions of public funds were wasted in the project that was poorly designed and partially implemented.

Whatever was implemented was easily washed off by rains and floods. Fortuitously, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu took up this iconic project as one of the legacy projects his government will be remembered for.

The Lagos-Calabar Highway was redesigned, expanded, and given a timeline for its completion. In order to achieve this lofty objective, the contract was awarded to Hitech Construction Company based on Engineering, Construction, and Financing (EPC+F) contract.

In this arrangement, the federal government will provide 30% of the N15 trillion cost while the contractor will source 70% of the funds with firm commitment to adhere to the completion deadline without excuses. It is important to note that the contractor’s fund will be recovered through toll fees.

The feasibility of this legacy project shows that the economic and social benefits that will accrue to the public along the over 700-kilometer route of the highway include but are not limited to job creation, improved trade, foreign investments, enhanced connectivity of the nine coastal states, production and market centers, tourism development, etc.

Whatever any person may say about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it has to be admitted that his agenda for the Nigerian road infrastructural network is the most robust and audacious scheme ever mounted by any Nigerian government since the end of the war in 1970. President Tinubu scored the bull’s eye when he chose His Excellency, Engr. Senator Dave Umahi to drive his nationwide infrastructural road network projects as Minister of Works. Senator Umahi came with an unmatched pedigree in qualification and verifiable cognate experience in civil engineering.

His eight-year tenure as the governor of Ebonyi State transformed what was formally a rusty and backward state into an enviable and economically viable state to be reconned with in Nigeria The energy, passion, and commitment he brought to bear in his assignments are unprecedented.

He is practically all over the country ceaselessly, supervising and inspecting works of all the contractors under his ministry to ensure strict adherence to standards and strict compliance with specifications.

President Tinubu is dutifully following up with approvals for the release of funds such that there is hardly any section of Nigeria that is complaining of lack of inclusion in government attention to federal roads that travers their area.
Finally, the Lagos-Calabar Highway, upon completion, will be the biggest federal government project in the areas that have over years provided the goose that always laid the golden eggs that sustained Nigeria.

Any person from the seventeen states of southern Nigeria who is not supporting the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Highway should have a rethink.
I urge President Tinubu to pay similar attention to the resuscitation of the deliberately abandoned sea ports in Warri, Bonny, Port Harcourt, Onne, Uyo, and Calabar. Do this, and Nigeria will record and remember you as the father of modern Nigeria.

Chief Chekwas Okorie
Ojeozi Ndigbo.

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2nd Phase Leaders Complete Training on Leadership and Mediation – Gen. Elaye Lauds Otuaro’s Visionary Drive

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Administrator of the PAP, High Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, flanked by trainees at the end of leadership training and their masters displayed in exposures

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The 2nd Phase Camp Leaders’ training on “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation”, sponsored by the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has successfully come to a close Friday on a commendable note.

The intensive leadership-building initiative, held under the distinguished leadership of the Administrator of the PAP, High Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, aimed to equip leaders with practical skills in peacebuilding, mediation, and conflict resolution—critical tools for sustaining peace in the Niger Delta region.

Reacting to the successful completion of the programme, General Elaye ThankGod Dollar Slaboh, National Chairman of the Third Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme, alongside his national leadership, congratulated the participants for their commitment and active engagement throughout the training.

General Elaye commended Dr. Otuaro for his visionary leadership and strategic direction, which is rapidly changing the dynamics of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, shifting it towards human capital development and long-term peace.

He emphasized that such initiatives are essential for reinforcing grassroots leadership and consolidating the peace already being enjoyed in the region.

> “This training is not just a success for the 2nd Phase; it is a win for the entire Niger Delta. The wisdom of High Chief Otuaro in investing in leadership and conflict resolution will continue to bear fruit,” General Elaye stated.

 

The Presidential Amnesty Programme continues to champion developmental engagements that bridge gaps, empower beneficiaries, and promote sustainable peace in the Niger Delta.

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Regional Development Minister,Engr Momoh bags Awards

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Minister of Regional Development, EngrAbubakar Momoh (right) receiving a n award from Executive Secretary/ National Coordinator of the Institute, Dr. Musa Aliu Yakub Okhumeode

 

Regional Development Minister,Engr Momoh bags Awards

By Our Correspondent

Minister of Regional Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh has been conferred with two Awards by the Institute of Professional Economists and Management Policy (IPEPM) tagged ‘ Excellent Leadership Award and Professional Doctorate Fellowship Award”.

Receiving the Awards today in his office, Engr. Momoh, expressed profound gratitude for the recognition and reiterated that true governance is about leaving a lasting legacies.

He further said “My track record speaks for itself and is a testament to the awards I have received “.

He used the opportunity to commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and resilience in ensuring the holistic development of the country.

According to him, the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Regional Development is a bold step to integrate all Regional Development Commissions under one coordinated umbrella.

The Ministér said that the recognition bestowed upon him further reinforces his commitment to service and to impact mankind.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation who is the Executive Secretary/ National Coordinator of the Institute, Dr. Musa Aliu Yakub Okhumeode, said the courtesy visit was to present the prestigious Awards in recognition of his exceptional leadership and contribution to regional and national Development, as well as to seek partnership in strategic training programmes.

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Minna Lack of Sensitisation responsible for transporting small arms and light weapons to criminal gangs-Enanch and offi officials

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The Zonal Director, North Central, National Centre for Small Arms and Light Weapons Mr Abdul Adamu,NUJ council chairmen and otticials and others omrade Abu Nmodu

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

The Zonal Director, North Central, National Centre for Small Arms and Light Weapons Mr Abdul Adamu Enenche made the submission during a visit to the Niger State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ in Minna.

Of recent, many Nigerians have been apprehended with cache of arms and ammunitions meant for delivery to bandits, kidnappers and other criminals.

This has raised questions as to why some individuals will willingly allow themselves to be used as couriers of illegal weapons to criminals.

The Zonal Director, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Mr Abdul Adamu Enenche said lack sensitisation on dangers of such acts and intelligence from people are contributing to the spread of arms.

He observed that porous or poorly managed borders and activities of local fabricators who manufacture guns are other sources of weapons proliferation that the Centre is trying to address.

Mr Adamu Enenche who solicited the support of members of the NUJ to enable the Centre to achieve its objectives, promised to synergize with other sister agencies.

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Niger State Council, Comrade Abu Nmodu expressed optimism that there would be great reduction of criminal activities once the issue of small arms are resolved.

Comrade Nmodu urged the Centre to be open for collaboration with the Union especially in the area of training members on it’s activities.

Across section of members of the Union who spoke on the occasion stressed the need for the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons to deploy officers of the Centre to the grassroots for easy intelligence gathering.

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