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Wike Directs Immediate Reconstruction of Dogon Gada Bridge – Coordinator

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has given a matching order for the immediate reconstruction of Dogon Gada box culvert in Lokogoma village, Abuja.

Mr Felix Obuah, the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), made this known in Abuja on Tuesday, during the 2024 Flood Risk Assessment and Community Awareness Campaign.

The campaign was organised by the FCT Emergency Management Department in collaboration with emergency management stakeholders.

Reports says that the culvert was on the access road that linked over 3,000 residents of Lokogoma village, popularly known as Dogon Gada community to Ring Road II.

The FCT Emergency Management Department had on April 7, barricaded the box culvert, which had collapsed, to avert loss of lives.

The community loses their loved ones to flooding while trying to cross the culvert during the rainy season, due to its low elevation and prone to flooding.

Obuah said that the construction of the bridge would commence immediately after the engineering department concluded their structural designs and other technical requirements.

He assured the community that FEMD was taking necessary action to ensure that no life was lost to flooding in FCT throughout the 2024 rainy season.

“The minister has given a matching order that the construction of the bride should commence with immediate effect.

“As I speak to you, any moment from now work will commence. The engineering process has begun already for the speedy construction of the bridge,” he said.

The coordinator pointed out that human action has an impact on the environment, exposing it to varying degrees of flood risk.

He explained that the exercise was a preparedness and awareness campaign to sensitise residents against actions that would predispose communities to flood.

“I assured FCT residents that with the proactive measure being taken by FEMD and other stakeholders, no life will be lost in 2024 to flooding in 2024.

“We must, therefore, continue to strengthen our collaboration towards flood prevention and mitigation,” Obuah said.

Earlier, acting Director-General, FEMD, Mr Mohammed Sabo, said that the flood risk assessment and awareness campaign was part of strategies to strengthen disaster risk reduction.

Sabo said that other flood prone communities would also be sensitised to mobilise residents to take proactive steps towards preventing loss of lives to flood.

He added that the flood risk assessment would enable FEMD to assess interventions that worked and areas that need additional interventions to prevent flooding.

Also, Mr Florence Wenegieme, Director, Forecasting, Response and Mitigation, said that the bridge had taken many lives over the years during the rainy season.

Wenegiene explained that the people were killed by the flood because they tried to cross the flooded bridge against warnings by FEMD and local divers stationed at the bridge.

Mr Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, thanked Wike for the prompt intervention to prevent more people from dying from flooding along the bridge.

He said that the distance from the community to Ring Road II was 800 metres, but the residents had to travel five to six kilometres through alternative routes to get to the ring road.

The leader of the community, Mr Irimiya Kanpani, who could not hide his excitement over the minister’s approval for the recommendation of the collapsed bridge described it as a huge relief,

“Now I can go to sleep knowing that the minister will fulfil his promise and my people will be safe. All I can say is thank you,” he said. (NAN)

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Eid-el-Kabir: Let’s Embrace Peace – Fintiri

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Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, CON, has called on the people of Adamawa to rededicate themselves to making the state a model of peace and harmonious living.

As Nigerian Muslims join their counterparts across the world to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir Sallah, the Governor said peace and harmony are necessary to enjoy the blessings of Allah, which he said abound in Adamawa.

“First, I use this opportunity to wish all Muslims a happy Sallah, and all Nigerians peace.

But whatever we want for ourselves lies in our hands to achieve, especially as we approach an election year,” Governor Fintiri said.

He noted that Nigerians must rescue the country from the vices threatening to pull it down. He added that the period offers the people another opportunity to submit completely to the will of Allah.

“We must renew our interaction with our fellow human beings and, most essentially, our duties to Allah. We must, therefore, reflect more on the reason for our creation and make moves to be closer to Allah,” he said.

While wishing the residents of the state and all Nigerians an exciting celebration during this occasion of piety and sacrifice, the Governor also urged leaders and followers to hold fast to the tenets of hope, sacrifice, and restoration, as epitomized in the central message of Eid-el-Kabir.

Fintiri said God has been good to the country by preserving peace despite aggressions and vexed issues. Despite unwanted developments, he said Nigerians must remain grateful.

“You must remain grateful for many things—peace, love, and well-being. And so long as there is hope, yesterday’s challenges can become history about how we turned things around,” he said.

“Those things should never overcome us. Being alive means there is a possibility to learn from yesterday, improve upon today, and turn around tomorrow. Builders look to tomorrow, and we must be builders in our minds.”

The Governor, who said his administration’s desire is to build tomorrow today, urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in their endeavours and prove wrong the cynics who think the country will sink.
Barka Da Sallah!

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Eid-el-Kabir: Hope Lies Ahead Hard Times, says Tinubu 

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By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday declared that the sacrifices Nigerians have endured under his administration’s economic reforms are beginning to yield positive results, even as security agencies across the country rolled out massive deployments to ensure peaceful Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

In a personally signed Sallah message, Tinubu said the difficult but necessary reforms undertaken by his administration over the past three years had stabilised the economy, improved investor confidence, and laid the foundation for job creation and economic growth.

Drawing lessons from Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience and willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail, the President urged Nigerians to embrace unity, compassion, and selflessness.

“As a nation, we are on a journey of reconstruction and renewal. The reforms we have undertaken are challenging but necessary to build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria for future generations,” Tinubu stated.

He added: “The sacrifices and efforts we have made over the past three years have yielded a more stable economy, making our country a preferred investment destination that will drive job creation and economic growth. The walk through the dark tunnel is over, and the light is here.”

While acknowledging persistent security threats, including killings and kidnappings by terrorists and bandits, Tinubu reassured citizens that his administration remained determined to defeat criminal elements.

He referenced the recent elimination of a wanted ISIS leader and urged Nigerians to pray for peace and national unity, warning that criminals must either abandon their evil ways or face the full weight of the law.

Meanwhile, security agencies nationwide announced heightened security operations ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.

In Lagos and Ogun states, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Olohundare Jimoh, assured residents of watertight security arrangements, directing Commissioners of Police to intensify visibility policing, patrols, intelligence gathering, and traffic management.

In Edo State, Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika said no fewer than 6,000 police personnel had been deployed across prayer grounds, highways, markets, motor parks, and recreational centres to forestall criminal activities during the celebrations.

Similarly, Delta State Commissioner of Police Yemi Oyeniyi ordered massive deployment of officers drawn from tactical units, area commands, and divisions, with support from the military, DSS, NSCDC, and FRSC to secure the state throughout the festive period.

Kaduna State Police Command also announced strategic deployment of personnel and operational assets to Eid grounds, highways, and public spaces, while bomb disposal experts were directed to sweep prayer grounds and crowded areas.

In the Federal Capital Territory, the police command activated a joint security operation code-named “Operation Sweep FCT” involving the military, DSS, NSCDC, Immigration Service, and FRSC.

Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said the operation would include continuous patrols, intelligence-led raids, and explosive ordnance sweeps at worship and recreational centres.

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Plateau State said it had deployed 1,820 personnel across all 17 local government areas to protect lives, critical infrastructure, and worship centres during the Sallah festivities.

Also in Osun State, Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan said security personnel had been stationed at entry and exit points, highways, prayer grounds, parks, and recreational centres to prevent criminal infiltration and ensure peaceful celebrations.

Across the country, security agencies urged residents to remain vigilant, cooperate with law enforcement authorities, and promptly report suspicious activities, while reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding lives and property throughout the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

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Makarfi Urges Unity, Sacrifice, Prayers for Nigeria in Eid-el-Adha Message

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By David Torough, Abuja

Former Kaduna State Governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has called on Nigerians to embrace the values of sacrifice, peace, unity and obedience to God as Muslims across the country prepare to celebrate Eid-el-Adha 1447 AH.

In a goodwill message issued on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Senator Makarfi congratulated the Nigerian Muslim community and all citizens for witnessing another Eid-el-Adha celebration, describing the occasion as a period for spiritual reflection and renewed commitment to the teachings of Islam.

The former senator stressed the importance of learning from the example of Prophet Ibrahim, whose willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah remains central to the significance of Eid-el-Adha.

He urged Nigerians to emulate the virtues of devotion, faith and submission to the will of God.

Makarfi also called on citizens to use the festive period to reflect on the state of the nation and pray for divine intervention amid the country’s challenges.

According to him, Nigerians must deliberately work towards harnessing the positive aspects of the nation’s diversity in order to achieve peace, development and prosperity.

He noted that Nigeria’s diverse human and natural resources should serve as a source of strength and unity, adding that peaceful coexistence and mutual support remain essential for national progress.

The former governor further prayed that the spirit of sacrifice, love and peace associated with Eid-el-Adha would strengthen national unity and bring hope, security and prosperity to Nigerians.

He also congratulated Nigerian pilgrims participating in the 2026 Hajj, urging them to pray for the country’s continued peace, security and development while in the holy land.

Makarfi wished the pilgrims a successful and spiritually rewarding Hajj exercise as well as a safe return home.

He concluded his message by wishing Muslims across Nigeria a happy Eid celebration, saying, “Eid Mubarak.”

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