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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday hailed the performance of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, declaring that it has become very evidently clear that all districts in the FCT are now feeling the impact of governance through completed projects that improve the quality of life of residents.

The President, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, spoke while commissioning the Full Scope Development of Akinwumi Ajibola Street, comprising Important Local Streets (ILS) 16, 18 and 19, in Gaduwa District, Abuja.

Describing the project as a practical demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda, Tinubu said his administration was focused on delivering projects that address the everyday needs of Nigerians.

“We are here to open a road, but more importantly, we are here to restore access. The Full Scope Development of Akinwumi Ajibola Street is now complete and open for use. In this government, we measure ourselves by finished work. This street is finished work,” he said.

According to the President, residents of Gaduwa endured years of hardship despite owning homes in the district because there was no motorable road linking them to their properties.

“For years, families in Gaduwa built homes here in good faith, yet they had no motorable road to reach those homes. When the rains came, the place became impassable. That is not how a capital city treats its citizens. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we came to work, and today that promise is visible on these streets,” he added.

Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, for changing what he described as the culture of project delivery in Abuja through effective supervision, prompt funding and timely completion of projects.

“When the Honourable Minister reviewed the files and saw the neglect, he did not issue another memo. He brought contractors back to site, gave clear targets and backed those targets with funding.

“You have changed the culture of delivery in the FCT. You ended the era of mobilisation without movement and abandoned inner roads. You are taking development from the city centre into the districts and satellite towns so that no resident is left behind. You have my confidence and my commendation,” the President said.

He noted that the completed road would improve mobility, reduce travel time, enhance property values and provide safer access for residents through the provision of drainage and streetlights.

Tinubu also urged residents to protect the infrastructure by preventing vandalism and ensuring drainage channels remain free of refuse.

“We will not stop here. Across the FCT, from the city centre to the area councils, our task is to finish what matters, connect what was separated and ensure that public funds translate into public value,” he said.

Earlier, FCT Minister Barr. Nyesom Wike said the commissioning formed part of the 16th project in the administration’s ongoing 31-day project inauguration programme marking President Tinubu’s third year in office.

According to him, the President had directed upon assumption of office that every district in the FCT must benefit from government projects, irrespective of whether they are located in the city centre or satellite communities.

“You instructed us that every district in the FCT must feel the impact of this administration. Today, I can confidently say that no district can claim it has been neglected. We have taken development to Jahi, Gwarimpa, Katampe, Guzape, Kwali and now Gaduwa,” Wike said.

The minister attributed the rapid execution of projects to the cordial working relationship between the Executive and the National Assembly, which ensured timely budget approvals and releases.

He also cautioned the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) against naming roads constructed by the Federal Government without due approval.

“If the Federal Government constructs the roads, permission must be obtained before naming them. Do not wait for us to build roads before putting names on them or using them to generate revenue,” he warned.

In her remarks, the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the commissioning as another milestone in the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She said the project reflected the administration’s commitment to people-oriented infrastructure that improves mobility, enhances economic activities and raises the living standards of residents.

Mahmoud commended President Tinubu, Wike, the National Assembly, contractors, consultants, traditional rulers, security agencies and residents of Gaduwa for their contributions to the successful completion of the project, assuring that the FCT Administration would sustain the pace of infrastructure development across the territory.

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The identities of the students abducted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists during Monday’s attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, have emerged, as school authorities confirmed that 36 candidates remain in captivity.

Documents obtained from the school show that the missing students comprise 25 female and 11 male candidates who were writing the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) Senior School Certificate Examination when the terrorists stormed the school.

The development provides the first comprehensive account of those still unaccounted for following the brazen attack that once again exposed the vulnerability of schools in Nigeria’s insurgency-ravaged North-East.

The list indicates that although security forces mounted a rescue operation shortly after the attack, only seven abductees have so far regained their freedom.

Those rescued comprise five female students and two teachers.

A teacher who was among those rescued told SaharaReporters that 43 persons were initially abducted, including 41 students and two teachers, leaving 36 students still in Boko Haram captivity.

The media had earlier reported that troops of Operation HADIN KAI, backed by Nigerian Air Force surveillance and strike aircraft, pursued the fleeing terrorists into the bush, engaged them in a firefight and rescued some of the victims.

Security sources also disclosed that the troops recovered motorcycles used by the insurgents during the operation.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, a staff member of the Government Day Secondary School, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the attack came at a heavy cost.

According to the source, one teacher, one Nigerian soldier and a local hunter were killed during the exchange with the terrorists.

“They paid the supreme sacrifice while trying to stop the terrorists from taking away the students,” the source said.

The attack occurred while students were sitting for their NECO examinations after the insurgents reportedly infiltrated Lassa community on motorcycles, disguising themselves as soldiers and operatives of the newly created Forest Guards on the town’s market day before launching the assault. Security officials said the gunmen fired sporadically, killing a teacher before whisking away students into nearby forests.

The Borno State government has since confirmed that the abducted students are between 15 and 18 years old, while efforts involving the military, police, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and local vigilantes are continuing to secure the release of those still being held.

The latest mass abduction has renewed concerns over the persistent targeting of schools by Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, ISWAP, despite repeated assurances by Nigerian authorities that educational institutions in the North-East are adequately protected.

The media had also reported that the terrorists struck Lassa barely a day after another kidnapping incident in the same Askira/Uba axis, where several women working on their farms were abducted, highlighting the worsening security situation in southern Borno.

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Former Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, was arrested on Wednesday at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, where he was scheduled to board a chartered flight to Abuja.

Sources at the airport confirmed the arrest, saying Mr Nnaji would be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for interrogation.

The ICPC had been on the trail of the former minister since he resigned from office last year following investigations that revealed he forged his academic certificates.

In mid-June, a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the ICPC to arrest Mr Nnaji for investigation into the certificate forgery scandal. Beyond the arrest order, the court also granted the commission leave to declare him wanted through national newspapers, social media platforms and other media.

The ICPC had told the court that its ex parte application followed Mr Nnaji’s repeated failure to honour invitations extended to him for “investigative activities” over the forgery allegations.

Details shortly…