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The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the award of N169.74 billion contracts for the construction and rehabilitation of 10 roads across the country.

The Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, stated that the projects would enhance the Federal Government’s objective of improving transportation infrastructure and restoring the nation’s road network.

In a series of tweets on Saturday, the government explained that this was in line with its implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

The approval, which was sequel to a memorandum presented to the Council by the minister on Thursday, covers the rehabilitation of the Umuahia (Ikwuano)-Ikot Ekpene Road, Umuahia, Umudike in Abia State,  and the rehabilitation of Calabar-Oban-Ekang Road (Section1) in Cross River State.

It also consists of the construction of Yola-Fufore-Gurin Road in Adamawa State, rehabilitation of Ado-Ekiti –Igede-Aramoko-Itawure Road in Ekiti State, and the rehabilitation of Funtua-Dandume-Kaduna State Border Road in Katsina State.

Others, according to the memorandum, are the rehabilitation of Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala Road (Yandev-Katsina-Ala Section) in Benue State, and rehabilitation of Old Enugu-Onitsha Road (Opi Junction-Ukehe-Okpatu-Aboh Udi-Oji to Anambra Border.

The rest are the rehabilitation and dualisation of the 74KM (Approximately) Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road in Abia/Akwa Ibom States, construction of 4-kilometre Township Road in Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State, and rehabilitation of Billiri-Filiya-Taraba State Border Road in Gombe State.

The tweets revealed that the Umuahia (Ikwuano)-Ikot Ekpene Road was awarded to Messrs Hartland Nigeria Limited/ Raycon & Company Nigeria Limited in the sum of N13,296,283,958.68, with a completion date of 48 months, and the rehabilitation of Calabar-Oban-Ekang Road (Section1) in Cross River State was awarded to Messrs Setraco Nigeria Limited in the sum of N27,781,851,866.55 with a completion date of 24 months.

The construction of Yola-Furore-Gurin Road (approximately 56KM) was awarded to Messrs Wiz China Worldwide Engineering Limited in the sum of N13,643,670,884.81 with a completion date of 12 months.

The rehabilitation of Ado-Ekiti–Igede-Aramoko-Itawure Road in Ekiti State (35KM approximately), according to the memorandum, was awarded to Messrs Deux Projects Limited/Hitech Construction Company Limited at N14,838,220,269.00 with a completion period of 30 months, while the  rehabilitation of Funtua-Dandume-Kaduna State Border Road in Katsina State was awarded to Messrs Rabash Enterprises Nigeria Limited/Afdin Construction Limited in the sum of N9,887,040,586.50 with a completion period of 24 months.

The memorandum further revealed that Messrs Rockbridge Construction Limited would rehabilitate the 43 Km (approximately) Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala Road (Yandev-Katsina-Ala Section) in 24 months at the cost of N11,892,018,600.00, while Messrs Arab Contractors O.A.O Nigeria Limited would rehabilitate Old Enugu-Onitsha Road (Opi Junction-Ukehe-Okpatu-Aboh Udi-Oji to Anambra Border) (Approximately 90Km) in 24 months at the cost of N31,946,055,289.93.

Messrs CGGC Global Project would rehabilitate and dualise the Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road in 24 months at the cost of N30,649,735,111.38, and the construction of a 4-kilometre Township Road in Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State by Messrs Birak Engineering & Construction Company Limited in the sum of N1,755,086,798.85 would be completed in 12 months.

The rehabilitation of Billiri-Filiya-Taraba State Border Road by Messrs Triacta Nigeria Limited is also to be completed within 24 months in the sum of N14,048,396,236.88.

Mr Fashola explained that his ministry has decided to initiate the new road reconstruction and rehabilitation projects in some states of the Federation to open up settlements, provide access for the evacuation of goods and services, as well as improve the socio-economic lives of the people within the stretch of the different communities in the project areas.

He attributed this to the realisation of the government’s objectives of restoring growth and investing in the people.

The minister said the 50KM Umuahia (Ikwuano)-Ikot-Ekpene Road would create between 180 to 200 jobs with 90 per cent of the jobs for Nigerians and 10 per cent for expatriates.

According to him, while the rehabilitation of the approximately 60 Km Calabar-Oban-Ekang Road (Section1) in Cross River State would generate between 400 and 500 jobs with 40 per cent of the jobs for Senior Nigerians and 100 per cent for intermediate workers, the construction of Yola-Furore-Gurin Road in Adamawa State would provide no less than 300 jobs with 90 per cent reserved for Nigerians and 10 per cent for expatriates.

Fashola added that 200-250 workers would be employed in the  rehabilitation of Ado-Ekiti –Igede-Aramoko-Itawure Road in Ekiti State with 90 per cent of the jobs to be handled by Nigerians and 10 per cent by expatriates, while the rehabilitation of Funtua-Dandume-Kaduna State Border Road in Katsina State would generate 200 jobs with 80 per cent for Nigerians and 20 per cent for expatriates.

In the rehabilitation of Makurdi-Gboko-Katsina-Ala Road (Yandev-Katsina-Ala Section)in Benue State, he said 100 workers would be employed with 90 per cent of them Nigerians and 10 per cent expatriates.

While 400-500 workers will be employed in the rehabilitation of Old Enugu-Onitsha Road (Opi Junction-Ukehe-Okpatu-Aboh Udi-Oji to Anambra Border) with Nigerians constituting 90 per cent while expatriates will make up the remaining 10 per cent of the workforce, according to the minister, the rehabilitation and dualisation of Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road in Abia/Akwa Ibom States will generate 200 jobs with Nigerians taking 80 per cent of the jobs and expatriates take 10 per cent.

Similarly, he said 200 workers would be employed in the construction of the 4-kilometre Township Road in Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State with 10 per cent of the jobs to be done by expatriates and 90 per cent by Nigerians.

He added that the rehabilitation of Billiri-Filiya-Taraba State Border Road in Gombe State would generate 300 jobs with 90 per cent for Nigerians and expatriates making up the remaining 10 per cent of the workforce.

Highlighting the scope of works to be covered in each of the projects, Fashola gave extensive details of the procurement processes which he said began under the 2018 Appropriation with newspaper advertisements in July 2018.

He said this culminated in the certification and issuance of a Due Process Certificate of “ No Objection” for each of the 10 Projects by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, says there is no way good governance can be delivered to the people without a free media environment that guarantees access to information.

He stated this at an event to commemorate the 2019 World Press Freedom Day which held on Friday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.Saraki, who was represented by the Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Philip Aduda, highlighted the contribution of the press to the growth of the nation’s democracy.

“We do appreciate that we cannot deliver good governance without a free press, and we are always available to work in tandem with the media to ensure a democratic society that serves us all,” he said.

The Senate President added, “Let me, therefore, assure you that the 8th Senate values the media as crucial partners in the quest to build a stronger and more vibrant democracy.”

He noted that the legislature has gone a long way towards opening up the National Assembly as an institution that belongs to the people.

The lawmaker listed some of the steps they have taken to include the use of social media to give live updates on plenary and committee meetings, as well as live-streams of proceedings in the Senate.

He stressed that the pen has proven to be as effective, if not mightier than the sword, attributing it to the power of words to plant, grow, shape and motivate ideas into action.

The Senate President believes in a country with a chequered post-independent democratic experience such as Nigeria, the notion of ‘press freedom’ must drastically evolve from something its people pay lip service to  into what must be practised, championed and protected at all costs.

According to him, the urgency of this is reflected in the nation’s ranking on the Global Press Freedom Index of 2019, where it is ranked 120 out of 180 countries.

Saraki said, “Clearly if we truly wish to grow and preserve our democracy, we must understand that a free and pluralistic media environment that guarantees access to information, is non-negotiable.

“When citizens have information, they are able to make informed choices due to the diversity of their viewpoints.”

“When we have such a society when citizens are not only well-informed but are free to express their valid opinions — without fear or prejudice — it is only then that we can truly say are practising true democracy,” he added.

Democracy, according to the Senate President, has its foundation in the freedom of the press, which in turn promotes good governance, accountability and respect for human rights.

He, however, said while the objectives may not be easy to achieve, the nation can agree that it can be done if it was determined to see it through.

The memories of Nigerian football legend, Rashidi Yekini, have continued to remain fresh not just for his fans in the country, but also for football lovers across the world.

Seven years after he passed on, the world’s football governing body, FIFA and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) among others took to Twitter on Saturday to pay tributes to the 1993 African footballer of the year.

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan has decried the alarming rate of illegal migration by Nigerian youths and called on the Federal Government to make the country habitable.

The prelate, at a news conference in Abuja on Saturday, ahead of the church’s national conference on irregular migration, added that if the country is inhabitable, youths would leave with the mindset that things will be better abroad.

He urged the youths to be patient because they are considered unwanted as illegal migrants.

“If you are an illegal migrant, you have no right wherever you are; you are likely to be manipulated, exploited. You cannot even complain if you are not being treated well, because when you do and go to the police, the first thing they ask you is, where are your papers? If you have no papers, then you have no standing.

“It is a terrible thing to live in a nation where you are considered unwanted, and because of the difficulty of crossing these boundaries, illegal migration leads to trafficking.”

He advised that the best way to curb illegal migration is to make the country habitable, so people can travel at will and with dignity.

“The first remedy is to make Nigeria the home of Nigerians, not that they shouldn’t travel, but do so when and how they want to, freely and with dignity.

“When they now make Nigeria in a way that home becomes uninhabitable, that the youths just want to get out, you hear young people saying that there is no way it won’t be better out there.

“If you live in a nation where your young people are telling you this, then what kind of nation is that?, If I was president of that nation, I will resign,” he maintained.

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has expelled its former National Secretary, James Okoroma and 16 other executive members for alleged anti-party activities.

The party made the announcement to journalists after its National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on Friday.

According to the National Secretary of the party, Steve Uwajie, the affected officers and members were found guilty of causing division in the party.

“In compliance with article 52.1 of the ADP constitution, the following officers have been expelled from the party as a result of anti-party activities, insubordination and causing disaffection and division among members.

“The officers expelled are as follows are; Dr James Okoroma, Engineer Esther Oche, Chief Iboro Idabba, Temitope Salami, and others.”

The party also dissolved all executives at the state, local government, ward and polling units across the country.

“Subject to the provision of the party constitution, ethics and values, the council shall jointly with NEC dissolve all state executive committee, all local government executive committee, all ward executive committee, all polling unit executive committee, and appoint all caretaker committees to run the party until another executive committee is elected.

“Provided that the period from the dissolution to the election of a new executive committee shall not exceed three months.

Sixteen people have been confirmed dead following an auto crash involving about three vehicles in Kano State, north-west Nigeria.

The accident took place on Friday at Tukai village in Danbatta Local Government area of the state.

An eyewitness told Channels Television that the three vehicles were coming from different directions before they collided.

“There was an accident involving a 406 Peugeot, Volkswagen Golf and Honda Accord, which happened at about 7pm (on Friday). All victims, including the drivers, died in the crash,” he said.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Command in the state confirmed the incident to Channels Television on Saturday.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the FRSC Command, Kabiru Ibrahim, the incident occurred as a result of over-speeding.

He said, “The vehicles collided from opposite directions, the cause of which, I can authoritatively tell you was due to speed limit violation and subsequent loss of control by the drivers.”

Mr Ibrahim explained that the golf car took off from Daura to Kano while the Peugeot car was coming from Kano when they collided.

He added, “A team of policemen has recovered N579, 000 and 10,000 CFA Niger Republic’s currency, and plans are underway to hand over the money to the relatives of the victims once we identify them”.

Mauricio Pochettino insists nine-man Tottenham won’t let a “cruel” 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth ruin their bid to finish in the Premier League’s top four and reach the Champions League final.

South Korea forward Son Heung-min was sent off for a needless push in the closing moments of the first half and Argentine defender Juan Foyth saw red for a studs-up lunge soon after the interval, barely two minutes after entering the field as a half-time substitute.

Pochettino’s side looked like they would hold on for a point as the match entered stoppage-time, but Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake ended third-placed Tottenham’s stubborn resistance to delay their attempt to guarantee a place in the top four.

A win at Dean Court would have achieved that aim, but fourth-placed Chelsea will now go above Spurs if they defeat Watford and Arsenal, currently fifth, will move to within one point of their north London rivals if they beat Brighton.

“Of course it is difficult to get something positive. We made a massive effort,” said Pochettino.

“We need to move on. We have ahead two finals. It is in our hands. If it does not happen we will be proud because nobody expected Tottenham to be in the position they are today.”

Tottenham’s ninth defeat in their last 15 games in all competitions means they need to wait for Sunday’s results to see if they need to win their final Premier League game of the season at home to Everton on May 12.

It was the worst possible preparation for their bid to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the Champions League semi-final second leg at Ajax on Wednesday.

“We are fighting six teams. It’s impossible for all six to get the top four, whatever happens, I will feel proud and whatever happens in the semi-final I will be proud,” added the Argentine.

Pochettino didn’t rest any of his key players ahead of the trip to Amsterdam, with Son, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Moussa Sissoko and Lucas Moura all starting, although Jan Vertonghen was absent after his head injury in midweek.

Lucas Moura tried to catch out Bournemouth’s teenage keeper Mark Travers with an audacious effort from the halfway line.

Travers, making his Premier League debut, was way off his line, but went unpunished as the Tottenham forward’s shot went just wide.

The 19-year-old was fortunate on that occasion, but he proved he had banished any nerves when he dived to his right to save Dele Alli’s long-range strike.

– Ugly tackle –

Lucas tried again from more conventional range when the Brazilian burst clear for a shot from the edge of the area that Travers did well to tip over the bar.

Shining in his personal duel with Lucas, Travers foiled the Tottenham star for a third time, quickly rushing off his line to save with his legs before producing another superb save to keep out Alli’s header.

Tottenham finished the half down to 10 men as Son earned an out-of-character dismissal.

Frustrated by a heated battle for possession with Ryan Fraser, Son responded to Jefferson Lerma’s presence by shoving the Bournemouth midfielder to the turf, leaving Craig Pawson no option but to flash the red card.

Tottenham’s disciplinary woes weren’t finished yet and Pochettino was left shell-shocked after his half-time substitute Foyth was the second player to be sent off following an ugly tackle that smashed into Jack Simpson’s leg in the 48th minute.

Tottenham couldn’t hold out and Ake headed home from Fraser’s corner in the 91st minute.

In a dramatic finale, Tottenham felt they should have had a penalty with the last kick when Alli was bundled over by Wilson, but Pawson ignored their protests.

Residents of Katsina are worried about the increased rate of kidnapping, banditry and insecurity as a whole in the state.

The residents are saying that if special commitments are not attached to security in the state, it will affect farming and economic activities.

They, however, called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency for Katsina and Zamfara states as quickly as possible.

Their concern comes after the kidnap of the father-in-law to President Muhammadu Buhari’s Aide de Camp, Mohammed Abubakar.

The victim, Musa Umar who is said to be the Magajin Garin Daura was abducted in his Daura residence, Katsina North shortly after observing Maghrib prayer.

The attackers shot sporadically to disperse the crowd and picked the traditional ruler in a Peugeot 406.

The traditional ruler who is the father of Fatima Musa was a retired customs comptroller.

The Lagos state coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mohammed Momoh, has suggested that corps members may experience delay in getting the Federal Government’s newly approved national minimum wage.

NYSC Members This, Momoh said, was because the NYSC is still waiting on the government to issue a circular regarding the payment of the increased minimum wage.
The coordinator assured that corps members who “fall within that said period and is qualified” for the increment in allowance would begin to receive the new payment of N30, 000 as soon as the circular is released.
“The effective date of implementation would be stated on the circular and any corps member that falls within that said period and is qualified for the monthly allowance would benefit from the increase if and when the implementation starts,” he explained.
“Corps members are Nigerians and it is only expected that they would benefit from the increase. At the appropriate time, the federal government would fix the allowance for corps members. This would then be made public by the NYSC.
“I have no doubt that the federal government would do the needful in accordance with the minimum wage.”

FIFA World Cup 2020: Qatar unveiled one completed stadium out of the 12 Stadia for 2022 world FIFA world cup named “Vagina stadium”

FIFA World cup NationOnlineNews confirmed that the stadium contains innovative cooling technology to bring temperatures down for the 40,000 fans.
Designed by the late British-Iraqi architect, Dame Zaha Hadid.

StadiumInspired by the flowing shape of a dhow boat, a traditional Arabian pearl.