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FG to Complete East-West Road 2022

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East-West Road

By Adedapo Adesanya

The federal government has announced that the East-West Road would be completed and commissioned in the first quarter of 2022.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Godswill Akpabio, confirmed this at a tripartite meeting of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and ex-militant leaders in Okochiri, Okrika Local Government of Rivers State.

The meeting, according to the Minister, was geared towards remodelling the Amnesty Programme on how repentant militants can become entrepreneurs instead of depending on government-assisted stipends.

Mr Akpabio said that the Niger Delta remains a priority in the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration agenda, stating that contractors have been mobilised to site and by August 2021, the East-West road project would have gone far, as he has devoted three quarters of his ministry’s 2021 budget to the project.

The Minister said: “We must find ways to move the Niger Delta region forward. We are hopeful the East-West road will be completed by December. Contractors have been mobilised to site, Setraco, RCC and Giito are back on site.

“By August this year, the project must have gone far. I am also a part and parcel of the victims of East-West road, I ply that road almost daily. That’s why I went to Mr President and told him I will take over the project.

“I have devoted one-quarter of my ministry’s 2021 budget into the road. I also insisted that NDDC must make a contribution, even if it is N25 billion and also the Federal Ministry of Finance is contributing about N25 billion to make N100 billion for the completion of that road.

“I am sure that by early 2022, between February and March, we will commission the entire section of the East-West Road. The failed portions you see now, you will see them no more.”

Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr Miland Dikio, disclosed that the programme has been repositioned to empower ex-agitators to be competent and efficient in their chosen fields, so as to be independent of stipends.

“We have brokered a truce with the major stakeholders. We inherited a lot of debts and we have started paying those debts sequentially from 2014 downwards.

“For students, we are also clearing backlogs of fees. There are students who had partial scholarships and we are working to ensure that such dichotomy does not exist anymore.

“For the empowerment, we want to ensure that those powered can compete for any job anywhere, not because they are from the Niger Delta, but because they are competent and qualified,” he said.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Tinubu Tasks Acting IGP Disu to Restore Peace, Strengthen Security Nationwide

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Tunji Disu decorated IGP rank

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Tunji Disu, has been charged to do everything within his powers to restore peace and strengthen security across the nation.

This task was given to the new police chief by President Bola Tinubu after being decorated at the State House in Abuja on Wednesday.

Mr Disu was chosen to succeed Mr Kayode Egbetokun on Tuesday. His appointment is expected to be approved by the Nigeria Police Council and confirmed by the Senate next week.

President Tinubu described Mr Disu’s appointment as coming at a critical moment, urging him to rebuild public confidence in the police’s capacity to do their job in collaboration with other security forces.

“I made this decision for you to assume this responsibility. I know your record. I saw the dedication you exhibited while you were in Lagos when I was governor,” the President said.

“Lead firmly but fairly, demand professionalism at every level and ensure that the safety of lives and property remains our highest priority. It’s a daunting challenge. I know you can do it. You have my word, you have my full support,” he added.

Mr Tinubu urged him to advance the security pillars of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He expressed confidence in the Acting IGP’s discipline, operational experience and leadership capacity.

“Nigeria is challenged with banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities. You will be part of the thinking and innovation to overcome them,” the President said, reaffirming his belief that Nigeria would prevail under a committed leadership.

The President also paid tribute to Mr Egbetokun, who was present with his spouse, saying, “We are a grateful nation. Nigeria appreciates your contribution to maintaining law and order.”

He urged Egbetokun to be ready to offer useful advice to his successor and wished him and his family peace, good health and success in future endeavours, noting,

“You have not succeeded without a good successor. His success will also be part of your legacy.”

Mr Tinubu urged all security stakeholders to work collectively to safeguard lives and property during this critical period.

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Real Estate Sector Now Safe Haven for Fraudsters—EFCC

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real estate fraud

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, has lamented how “people now defraud the government and individuals and invest in real estate.”

He raised this concern when he received the executives of the Association of Real Estate and Property Managers (AREAPM) in Edo State on Wednesday.

The EFCC chief, represented by the acting Zonal Director and Deputy Commander of the Commission, Mr Sa’ad Hanafi Sa’ad, warned real estate managers against money laundering.

“We have noted with grave concern that fraudsters are laundering money and hiding proceeds of crime through real estate and property. People now defraud the government and individuals and invest in real estate,” he stated.

He noted that the agency would continue to discharge its statutory mandate of bringing those who seek to circumvent the system to book.

“As a commission, we recognise the role of Real Estate and Property Managers. Property Managers are designated non-financial businesses and professions.

“So, we expect them to be professionals and uphold the relevant rules and regulations in the discharge of their duties,” he stated, adding that, “The commission will apply the laws when there is a breach of relevant rules and regulations.”

He assured the AREAPM executives of the organisation’s willingness to collaborate with them in dealing with fraud and criminality in the sector.

“We have a unit, the Land and Property Fraud Section, which attends to issues in that regard. So, when you have challenges, you can report to us,” he stated.

In his remarks, the chairman of AREAPM in Edo State, Mr Akpesiri Michael Egbonoje, stated that the essence of the visit was to seek areas of collaboration with the commission and work out ways of combating real estate financial crimes and fraud in the state.

“Part of our strategy is to familiarise ourselves with law enforcement agencies in the state and seek for collaborative relationships. As a body, we cannot do it alone; we need help in the areas of financial crimes.

“We have tried to sanitise the space, but we realised that your agency is at the apex when it comes to dealing with financial crimes.

“We believe that structured collaboration between AREARM and the EFCC will promote financial transparency, investor confidence, and accountability within the real estate sector.”

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Coroner’s Court Fixes April 14 for Inquiry into Death of Chimamanda Adichie’s Son

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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Coroner’s Court sitting at the Yaba Magistrate Court has announced April 14, 2026, for the commencement of an inquiry into the death of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi Esege, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Dr Ivara Esege.

Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji fixed the date on Wednesday when the matter came up before the court.

The twin child, Nkanu, died on January 7, 2026, after receiving care at Atlantis Hospital and undergoing medical procedures at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital in Lagos.

The child was initially admitted to Atlantis Hospital in Lagos for what was described as a worsening but initially mild illness.

The family had sought initial care as arrangements were being made to transfer him to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States. Atlantis referred him to Euracare for pre-flight diagnostic procedures, including an MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line.

However, the child passed away following the procedures.

His parents have alleged medical negligence and professional misconduct in connection with his death.

According to a leaked internal message sent privately to family members and close friends at the time, Ms Adichie blamed the staff of Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, located in Victoria Island, Lagos, for causing the demise of the lad.

“My son would be alive today if not for an incident at Euracare Hospital on January 6th,” she wrote in a broadcast message confirmed later on.

“We have now heard about two previous cases of this same anesthesiologist overdosing children. Why did Euracare allow him to keep working? This must never happen to another child,” she also wrote in the lengthy message.

The 48-year-old writer had her first child, a daughter, in 2016. In 2024, her twin boys were born using a surrogate.

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