The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has lauded the achievements of President Bola Tinubu, saying his impactful projects and reforms have rendered political opposition efforts ineffective.

Wike made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja, during the inauguration of Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way) to Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way) and other roads in the Katampe District.

He noted that the impressive pace of development under Tinubu’s leadership had disoriented critics and opposition groups, particularly the supposed coalition created to challenge Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

“I thought there would be a coalition, but when people see new projects being unveiled daily, that idea collapses.

“The coalition has failed because of the good work Mr President is doing,” Wike said.

He explained that the N16 to N20 road was awarded in September and commenced in Oct. 2024 and later extended through Gishiri Village to connect it to Wole Soyinka Way.

The further said that Tinubu administration has built contractors’ trust in government, adding that the contractors now have confidence to execute projects knowing they would be paid.

He disclosed that although the extension of the N16 road to N20 was recently approved by the FCT Executive Council, the contractor had already completed it, citing confidence in prompt government payments.

He also noted that communities affected by the road construction were adequately compensated, receiving 200 per cent of the compensation rate in line with Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”.

“President Tinubu has brought that trust back, and the people of the FCT, particularly those in satellite towns are seeing progress like never before,” Wike said.

He thanked the president for giving him the opportunity to be part of what he described as a “revolution in the FCT,” and vowed that no project initiated under his tenure would be abandoned.

Responding, Tinubu commended Wike and his team for their commitment to transformative infrastructure development, describing the minister as a “team builder and a team player.”

“Infrastructure is not a luxury; it is a necessity; it is the bedrock of national competitiveness, growth, social integration, and economic opportunity,” the president said.

Also speaking, the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, expressed gratitude to FCT residents for their patience during the construction process.

“To the people of Gishiri, Maitama, and the entire FCT community, thank you for your resilience and belief in the government’s capacity to deliver.

“You are the heart of this city, and this project is a tribute to your enduring hope,” she said.

Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Mr Richard Dauda, said that described the road as a 3.7-kilometre, six-lane dual carriageway.

He said that the road linked Maitama District in Phase I to Katampe, Jahi, and Mabushi Districts in Phase II. (NAN)

 The first lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has called on all politicians to support the current administration under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu to build the nation together irrespective of their political affiliation.

Mrs Tinubu made the call while addressing traditional rulers in Enugu state on Monday on the sideline of her visit for the distribution of Professional kits to Midwives in the state through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

She said the nation’s diversity and differences are a blessing that must be used positively to build a strong, safe and prosperous Nigeria.

The first lady described the traditional rulers as the eyes and ears of government at the grassroots and appealed to them to align with her vision to promote the health and wellbeing of their subjects.

She further urged the traditional rulers to support her advocacies against cervical cancer, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Female Genital Mutilation.

“As leaders we are responsible to take care of all Nigerians, political affiliation notwithstanding.

“Nigeria is a beautiful country and no one should hinder anyone from visiting any part of the country to experience this. We pray our security will improve and Nigeria should get to that place of safety,” Mrs Tinubu said.

She highlighted some of the upcoming programmes of the RHI to include Flow with Confidence aimed at ensuring that no adolescent girl misses school because of her monthly flow.

Also, the Environment Club/Society is aimed at getting students in secondary schools and tertiary institutions to participate more actively in restoring the environment.

While applauding the synergy that exists between the Federal government and the state, the Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers council, His Royal Highness Samuel Asadu said that unsafe cultural practices that hinder the growth of women have been eradicated in the state.

He commended the hard work and commitment of President Bola Tinubu and the dedication of Senator Oluremi Tinubu to make Nigeria better.

“For us here in Enugu, we the traditional rulers say, no vacancy in Aso Rock,” he said.

At the venue of the presentation of professional kits to the midwives in the South East Geopolitical Zone, the First Lady expressed satisfaction at concluding the distribution of the scrubs and crocs to the 6 geopolitical zones with Enugu concluding the exercise.

In his remarks, the Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah described Mrs Tinubu as the Florence Nightingale of this time owing to her responsiveness to the various pressing health issues.

He also commended President Tinubu by saying “his goodwill and love is appreciated. He is an epitome of courage and dedication.

Mbah further advised the beneficiaries to utilize the kits well.

The first lady to also used the opportunity to present a grant of N50m for onward distribution to 1000 women petty traders in the state under the RHI.(NAN)

 The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended  a driver who allegedly attempted to run away after  causing an accident that resulted in the death of a pedestrian.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

The statement was signed by Mr Taofiq Adebayo, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA.

Bakare-Oki said that the lone accident involved a black Toyota Tundra with registration number FST 222 HV and occurred at the Mosalasi Roundabout on New Ipaja Road.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the vehicle, speeding, veered uncontrollably off the carriageway, mounted the pedestrian walkway, and fatally struck a woman who died instantly from the impact.

“The momentum of the vehicle subsequently propelled it into a nearby private premises known to be engaged in the sale of livestock, where it inflicted significant structural damage to the perimeter fence and an adjoining advertising billboard.

“The driver, upon realising the gravity of the calamity he caused, made a frantic attempt to flee the scene.

“However, thanks to the prompt, coordinated and courageous intervention of officials from LASTMA. The suspect was swiftly apprehended and restrained,” he said.

He added tha LASTMA operatives handed the driver over to security personnel from the Gowon Estate Command, who were present at the scene of the incident.

“The remains of the deceased woman were respectfully relinquished to officers of the Nigeria Police Force for requisite procedures.

“Subsequent developments confirmed that the suspect has been taken into custody and is currently undergoing rigorous interrogation by police authorities as part of an ongoing and thorough investigation into the incident,” he said.

The LASTMA boss expressed sadness  over the loss of life and condoled with the bereaved family.

Bakare-Oki charged motorists  to subject their vehicles to routine safety checks, with particular emphasis on the integrity of braking systems.

He said that adherence to traffic regulations was not merely a legal obligation but a moral imperative to safeguard lives and property.

“The Lagos state traffic management authority remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing traffic laws and promoting road safety culture throughout the state,” he said. (NAN)