General
Senate Asks FG to Concession Eleme-Onne Axis of East-West Road
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Senate Committee on Trade and Investment has asked the federal government to concession the Eleme-Onne axis of the East-West Road to private investors for reconstruction and management.
This was made known by the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Francis Fadahunsi, during a visit to the Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne, Rivers State, where they raised the issue of the deplorable road as a key transport route for the nation’s economy.
Mr Fadahunsi, who led members of the committee to tour the free zone, described Onne Free Zone as a successful initiative in a public-private sector project.
He explained that the committee was conducting the oversight visit in an effort to work with the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) and other stakeholders in the zone to generate more jobs for Nigerians.
He said, “The lone access road to the oil and gas industrial hub in the Eleme-Onne axis of Rivers State needs to be urgently saved from total disrepair, in order to prevent adverse impact on industries located in the area that could lead to a massive loss of jobs and revenue to the government.
“The Eleme-Onne Road is part of the East-West Road network and serves as the only access to the Port Harcourt Refineries at Eleme; the Onne Port Complex; the nation’s flagship Oil and Gas Free Zone at Onne; Indorama-Eleme Petrochemicals Company, which is the nation’s leading fertilizer producer and exporter; as well as the Notore Industries Limited, another fertilizer producer and promoter of the Notore Industrial City (a free zone).”
On his part, the Managing Director of OGFZA, Mr Umana Okon Umana, reiterated the need for the Federal Government to concession the Eleme-Onne section of the East-West Road.
He also presented the OGFZA progress report in infrastructure development, increase in investments and export value, as well as human capital development to the committee.
Presentations were also made by operators in the Free Zone, which include Intels Nigeria Limited and FMCEquip, makers of equipment for deep-sea oil drilling.
FMCEquip, in its presentation, reported 96 per cent compliance with local content laws and regulations and commended the management of OGFZA for being very supportive.
Another stakeholder affected by the recent uproar, Intels, briefed the committee on its billions of dollar investments in infrastructure in the free zone and community support in Rivers State, Cross River and Delta states.
Recently, Niger Delta youths blocked the Eleme axis of the East-West Road with petrol trucks and other articulated vehicles, demanding the immediate reconstruction of the deplorable sections of the road by the federal government.
Following the action, the government sprung to action and appealed to the protesting youths to suspend the protest and promised that repairs will commence.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The federal government has promised to collaborate with stakeholders in the real estate sector to drive affordable and inclusive housing, aligning with broader initiatives aimed at improving access to decent homes for low-income and informal-sector workers.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Muttaka Rabe Darma, made this pledge at the 2026 Abuja International Housing Show (AIHS), where industry heavyweights like Dangote Cement, HBM Nigeria and others showcased their products.
Mr Darma noted that the government was ready to partner with organisations to address Nigeria’s housing challenges, remarking that the exhibition’s theme, Housing Solutions for Low-Income and Informal Workers in Africa, aligned with government efforts to expand access to affordable and inclusive housing.
He lauded Dangote Cement and others for their significant contribution to affordable housing and infrastructure development in Nigeria, describing them as key partners in efforts to bridge the nation’s housing deficit and improve access to quality building materials.
The Minister also commended Mr Aliko Dangote for his commitment to Africa’s industrialisation and economic transformation, noting that his investments continue to drive sustainable growth across the continent.
In the same vein, the chief executive of AIHS, Mr Festus Adebayo, described Dangote Cement as a dependable partner whose consistent support has contributed to the growth and success of the annual housing exhibition.
Dangote Cement’s Regional Sales Director for North Central, Mr Bankole George, who represented the National Sales Director, Dolapo Alli, said housing remains critical to dignity, social stability, economic productivity and inclusive development.
He identified major barriers to affordable housing as high land costs, expensive building materials, limited access to mortgage financing, weak rental systems and planning regulations.
He advocated innovative housing finance models tailored to low-income earners and informal workers, including micro-mortgages, rent-to-own schemes, cooperative savings programmes, employer-assisted housing and incremental housing loans.
The exhibition attracted thousands of policymakers, investors, housing professionals, exhibitors and delegates from several countries, reinforcing its status as one of Africa’s leading platforms for housing and urban development dialogue.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Young bloggers, online content creators and digital influencers have been charged to embrace ethical journalism, responsible storytelling and fact-based reporting as they shape public opinion in the digital age.
This task was given by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Mohammed Idris, during the Niger State Bloggers, Online Publishers and Content Developers Forum on Monday in Abuja.
In a statement on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Rabiu Ibrahim, the Minister said digital platforms offer enormous opportunities for innovation and civic engagement but must be used responsibly to promote truth, national unity and constructive public discourse.
He urged bloggers and content creators to verify information before publication, reject misinformation and disinformation, avoid sensationalism, and use their platforms to educate, inspire and promote national development.
Mr Idris also encouraged young Nigerians to see digital content creation not only as a source of income but also as a tool for civic engagement and nation-building, stressing that ethical communication is essential to strengthening democracy and public trust.
He further encouraged aspiring bloggers and digital entrepreneurs to continue developing their skills and uphold professional standards that will strengthen the credibility of Nigeria’s online media ecosystem.
“There is no democracy that can thrive without a responsible media. You cannot carry freedom and abandon responsibility,” he stated, adding that the government remains committed to protecting press freedom while encouraging ethical journalism.
The Minister also highlighted the establishment of the International Media and Information Literacy Institute (IMILI), the world’s first UNESCO Category 2 Institute dedicated exclusively to Media and Information Literacy, describing it as a major step in promoting digital literacy and responsible online engagement.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Rabiu Kwankwaso, disclosed that Mr Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, signed agreements committing himself to serving only one four-year term if elected in 2027.
Mr Kwankwaso explained that the documents comprised a formal agreement involving the political party and a separate personal accord between himself and Mr Obi.
According to Mr Kwankwaso, the deal stipulates that the presidency will return to Northern Nigeria in 2031 upon the completion of an Obi-led administration’s four-year tenure, if elected next year.
“We have agreed to formalise it in writing,” Mr Kwankwaso stated. “We have executed one document for the party and another between the two of us,” he revealed during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today late on Monday.
He reiterated that Mr Obi would honour his pledge and resist pressure to seek a second term, expressing confidence in the former Anambra State governor, noting that his interactions had convinced him that he would respect the agreement.
“I personally believe him, and, based on what I now know about him, I do not believe he will change his mind when the time comes,” he said. “We are all gentlemen.”
Mr Kwankwaso added that he and Mr Obi would continue to collaborate after the proposed administration completes its term.
“The agreement is that after four years, we will continue to work together as a group, as a party, and as friends and brothers,” he said. “After our four-year term, from 2027 to 2031, power returns to the North. That is the consensus.”
The former defence minister did not state that he would be the NDC presidential candidate in 2031; his comments referred broadly to the presidency returning to the North, rather than to his personal political ambitions.
Mr Obi has repeatedly pledged to serve only one term if elected; however, he has yet to publicly confirm the specific details of the documents described by Mr Kwankwaso.
In the 2023 Presidential polls, Mr Obi was the Labour Party presidential candidate while Mr Kwankwaso contested on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
