NEWS
Third Mainland Bridge Repairs Completed, as Road Users Hail FG
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, on Sunday, expressed satisfaction with repairs done on the Third Mainland Bridge, assuring motorists of smooth ride till the commencement of comprehensive rehabilitation in January 2024.
Kesha gave the assurance on Sunday during an on-the-spot assessment of the repairs on the bridge.
The controller had, on Thursday, announced a 24-hour closure of the bridge to allow for repairs of some critical portions.
NAN also reports that the closure took effect from midnight of Saturday till midnight of Sunday (today) to reduce the hardship being faced by motorists.
During the inspection, the controller stopped on various portions between Iyana-Oworo and Adeniji-Adele where remedial repairs had been done on a 9.
7-kilometre stretch of the Lagos Island in-bound lane.She stated that the construction done was just palliative works to keep the highway in good condition pending the comprehensive rehabilitation scheduled for January 2024.
“This repair is going to last beyond January; we don’t intend to do any work that will last only one or two months. Even by January, the road will still be good,” she said.
Kesha said that some of the components needed for the comprehensive rehabilitation works were being imported for the emergency repairs to begin.
She added that what the Federal Ministry of Works had been doing before now was attending to failed portions, adding that the comprehensive rehabilitation would involve total removal and replacement of the asphalt surface.
The controller added that damaged ramps and expansion joints would be replaced, in addition to the painting of the parapet walls and other major repairs.
According to her, the contract awarded for comprehensive rehabilitation of the bridge in January would last for six months, but would be divided into two segments of three months for each phase.
Kesha explained that the comprehensive repairs would give the infrastructure a new lease of life, after which the bridge would wear a new look.
She urged road users to continue to enjoy smooth ride on the highway, adding, however, that they should observe traffic and safety rules on the highway.
Meanwhile, some road users, who spoke with NAN, thanked President Bola Tinubu for the repairs, but called for more routine maintenance and increased funding for the bridge and other roads in Lagos.
Mr Adewale Edward, a commercial bus driver who plies Ikeja-CMS/Obalende route, commended the repairs done at the weekend which, he noted, was an off-peak period.
He, however, called for more regular maintenance and proactive measures to make the bridge pothole-free at all times.
A trader in Oke Koto, Agege area, Mrs Sadia Saleh, also praised the president for introducing short term repairs that would not impact activities and businesses negatively.
“Tinubu knows how to grow economy; that’s why he did the repairs after we had finished business on the Island on Saturday, and because people are plenty in Lagos, doing repairs on weekend is better.
“I like the one-day repair; government should be doing it like that at weekends and also at night. May God help our president,” she said.
Other road users also commended Tinubu and appealed for increased funding for federal road projects in the state.
NAN reports that the 11.8-kilometre bridge is the longest of the three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland.
The bridge, which starts from Oworonshoki, linking Apapa-Oshodi expressway and Lagos-Ibadan expressway, ends at the Adeniji-Adele interchange on Lagos Island.
It was constructed in 1990 and adjudged as the longest bridge in Africa until 1996 when the construction of Oct. 6 Bridge in Cairo, Egypt, was completed. (NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have been slated for burial on November 1.
Chairman of the burial committee, Senator Ben Obi, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Alongside with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb Okey Emuchay and burial sub-committee chairmen, Senator Osita Izunaso, Gen.
Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and others, Obi unveiled a series of activities culminating into the actual burial ceremony.“Our message today is to convey the dates for the burial of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Lagos day of tributes, Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Eko Hotels and Convention Centre.
“Abuja Day of Tributes Friday 18th October, 2024 at the National Ecumenical Centre.
“Enugu Day of tributes, Saturday 26th October with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will be held at the Okpara Square.
“Owerri Service of Songs Tuesday 29th October 2024. Commendation Service on 1st November in Owerri and Imo day of burial on Friday, 1st November 2024,” he said.
He added that further details will be communicated in due course.
On whether the Federal Government would participate in the burial, Senator Obi said the committee will visit President Bola Tinubu to intimate him about the transition of the statesman and details of his burial.
“We will be visiting President Tinubu to formally announce to him details of this transition and I am sure the President knows all that Chief Iwuanyanwu had done and he will do the needful,” he said.
Asked whether the late newspaper publisher had regrets about his inability to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure the realization of a restructure federation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said Chief Iwuanyanwu died a fulfilled man because he never shies away from doing his best in the circumstance.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu and I visited Kanu in jail and I think that was his last official assignment before his demise.
“Prior to that, he had never missed any opportunity to call for the release of Kanu.
“On restructuring, he never minced his words on equity, fairness and justice and he knew that he couldn’t do it alone.
“So he operated with the South-South PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere. He asked for parity in the number of states in each geopolitical zone.
“We in Ohanaeze will continue to pursue these issues that were very dear to his heart and we want to give the assurances that we will not fail,” Obi said.
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
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