News
FCT Minister To Construct 5km Road Across Area Council
… Reiterates commitment to renewed hope agenda
By Abubakar Yunusa Ojimaojo
The FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has reiterated his commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
The Minister who stated this when he received former Senator representing the FCT, Senator Philip Aduda of the PDP and the APC candidate for the FCT Senatorial seat in the last election, Honorable Zakari Angulu Dobi on a courtesy visit to the FCTA, called on politicians, irrespective of their political party to join hands with the President to achieve the objectives of the Renewed Hope agenda.
Barr. Wike commended the lawmakers who though belonging to opposing political parties had resolved to work together for the overall interest of the FCT and its residents.
He said: “Let me thank you on behalf of the Honourable Minister of State and the Mandate Secretaries for this visit. What you have done today is what is supposed to be, members of two political parties who had elections against each other coming to say no this is not the issue of party A or party B but the issue of the development of the Federal Capital Territory. I commend you for that spirit”.
The Minister assured his guests that what is currently happening in the FCT was a testament of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the president is also mindful of the indigenous population of the FCT,hence the appointment of an indigene as a cabinet minister, a feat, he said, was the first since the creation of the FCT.
Barr. Wike said: “What is happening in the FCT is part of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, giving hope to the residents as well as identifying that there are people from this area even though it is a Federal Capital Territory. And this is the first time any president has done it by appointing somebody from the FCT as Minister. That is why we say, we need a man with the political will to do those things people are afraid of doing. And he has kept to that faith.
“And those of us who are here will give him the necessary support to achieve what he promised Nigerians. For us, we want to work with everybody. It does not matter which party you belong to, it is about the development of the FCT and we must work together to be able to achieve this”.
The Minster who cited the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission and the withdrawal of the FCTA from the TSA as part of the President’s promises for the FCT, stressed that career progression, which the Commission stands to bring, was a great motivation for civil servants to put in their best while the removal of the FCTA from TSA signifies rapid development for the entire FCT.
“The removal of FCTA from TSA is to encourage development, particularly infrastructural development in the FCT. With this singular effort, you will see what will happen in the FCT in years to come”, he added.
Barr. Wike also disclosed that the President has directed the construction of a minimum of 5km road in each of the six Area Councils of the FCT before May 29, 2024 as part of efforts to develop the Area Councils, adding that development will not focus in the city only.
He said: “Mr President has directed that we carry out a 5km road in each Area Council. We have six Area Councils and we are working hard before May 29 to achieve 30km road in the Area Councils. It is something unprecedented and the President is fully committed to development not just within the city but in the rural areas also”.
The Minister urged residents to be patient with government as tough decisions would be made for the overall good of the nation’s capital.
“I urge residents to be patient. We are going to take tough decisions. Resident should not see it as punitive but for the good of the FCT”, he said.
Earlier, Senator Aduda had assured the Minister of their unflinching support, saying that, “For us it is about how to develop the FCT”.
While congratulating the Minister, the lawmaker commended him for the great developmental strides in the FCT since he assumed office, which, he said, was true to his nick name of “Mr Project”.
By Abubakar Yunusa
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has slashed its ex-depot price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N825.
Esan Sunday, head of media relations and branding communications at Dangote Group, announced the reduction in a statement on Wednesday.
The development comes more than three weeks after the refinery reduced petrol price from N950 per litre to N890.
The new price means that the refinery has significantly cut the ex-depot price by N125 from N950 per litre in January.
“This recent price reduction will also ensure that Nigerians pay between N860 and N865 per litre for petrol at the pump in Lagos,” the statement reads.
“This strategic price adjustment is designed to provide essential relief to Nigerians in celebration of the Ramadan season, while also supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic recovery policy by alleviating the financial burden on the Nigerian populace.
“It is important to note that Dangote Petroleum Refinery has consistently lowered the prices of petrol and other refined petroleum products to the benefit of Nigerians.
“This marks the second reduction of PMS prices in February 2025, following a previous decrease of N60 earlier in the month.
“Additionally, in December 2024, during the yuletide period, the refinery reduced the price of PMS by N70.50, from N970 to N899.50 per litre, as part of its commitment to easing the cost of living and providing relief to Nigerians during the holiday season.”
The oil firm refinery also said previous reductions have positively impacted the overall cost of living, benefiting various sectors of the economy.
Dangote refinery added that its high-quality products, which have become a favourite in both domestic and international markets, will remain available nationwide, particularly through its key partners — MRS Holdings, AP (Ardova Petroleum), and Heyden — at market-friendly rates.
The organisation assured the public of a consistent supply of petroleum products, with sufficient reserves to meet domestic demand and a surplus for export, thereby boosting the country’s foreign exchange (FX) earnings.
The refinery also called on marketers to support the initiative, ensuring that Nigerians remain the primary beneficiaries of its effort
Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the ruling party had a debt of N8.9 billion when he assumed office.
Ganduje took over from Abdullahi Adamu, who was the national chairman of the APC until his resignation in July 2023.
Speaking during the APC’s NEC meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the former Kano governor said the expenses were incurred during pre-election legal battles, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections.
“The current NWC inherited debts and legal liabilities to the total tune of N8,987,874,663, arising from various legal engagements,” Ganduje said.
However, the APC chairman said Kareem Kana, the national legal adviser, has been working to reduce the debt burden.
“We still passionately appeal to the national executive committee to intervene accordingly,” he said.
Earlier today, the chairman said the party is making efforts to mend internal divisions and bring aggrieved members back into the fold.
Ganduje explained that the APC had initiated high-level discussions among party leaders and stakeholders to address lingering disagreements and strengthen party unity.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jude Okoye, the elder brother and former manager of Paul and Peter Okoye of the defunct music group, P-Square, on charges of laundering ₦1.38billion, $ 1 million and £34,537.59.
Jude was arraigned alongside his company, Northside Music Ltd, before Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a seven-count charge
One of the counts read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did directly acquire a landed property known as No 5, Tony Eromosele Street Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos worth ₦850,000,000.00 (Eight hundred and fifty million naira) only, which money you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Another count read: “That you, Jude Okoye Chigozie and Northside Music Ltd sometime in 2022, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did indirectly using bureau de change convert the sum of $1,019,762.87 (One million nineteen thousand, seven hundred and six-two dollars eighty-seven cents), domiciled in Access Bank Plc operated by Northside Music Lid to the naira equivalent and remitted into various bank accounts with the intention of concealing that the said fund form part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (2)(a) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Larry Peters Aso, applied for a date for hearing as well as for the remand of the defendant in the correctional facility pending trial.
The defendant’s counsel, Inibehe Effiong, informed the court of a pending bail application. He asked for a short date for the hearing. Effiong also asked that the defendant be remanded in the EFCC’s custody pending the hearing of the application.
Aso objected to the request for the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC custody. He argued that the EFCC custody was already congested with suspects awaiting arraignment. He urged the court to remand the defendant to the correctional facility since he had taken his plea.
Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter till February 28 for bail hearing and April 14 for trial.
He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi correctional facility.