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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday said his administration is opening up Abuja to economic opportunities through sustained investment in road infrastructure, declaring that the commissioning of Collector Roads 01 and 02 in Mabushi District marks another milestone in the transformation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the inauguration of the roads linking the Mabushi Bus Terminal to Ahmadu Bello Way, Tinubu said the project would eliminate traffic bottlenecks, improve connectivity and stimulate economic activities across the capital city.

“We are not just opening two roads. We are opening up Abuja. We are connecting people to opportunity and cutting hours of waste from daily life,” the President declared.

He noted that residents had endured years of difficult movement, unnecessary detours and lost productive hours due to poor road connectivity in the area.

“For many years, movement in this part of the capital was a struggle. Traffic bottlenecks. Needless detours. Time lost that should have been spent at work, at school or with family. Today, that changes.”

According to him, the roads will create seamless links across Mabushi and the wider FCT, boosting commerce, improving mobility and enhancing security.

“When roads connect, businesses grow. When movement is easy, productivity rises. When travel is safe, citizens are free. That is the Renewed Hope Agenda at work.”

Describing infrastructure as the foundation of economic growth, Tinubu said roads remain critical to national development.

“Roads are not just asphalt. They are the veins of commerce, the bridges of unity and the channels through which our people pursue their dreams without fear or delay.”

He thanked residents for their patience throughout the construction period and urged them to safeguard the public infrastructure.

“I know the diversions were frustrating. I know the dust was uncomfortable. But you endured because you believed in a better Abuja. Today, your patience has paid off. These roads belong to you. Use them responsibly and protect them jealously.”

The President also singled out the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for commendation, saying the remarkable transformation taking place across Abuja was evidence of focused leadership.

“I gave you a simple charge: ‘Make Abuja work for all.’ You took it and ran with it. From satellite towns to the city centre, you are turning blueprints into roads people can drive on today.

“Your energy, your insistence on delivery and your refusal to accept excuses are why the FCT is transforming under this administration. Nigerians see it. I see it. Well done, Minister Wike.”

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a world-class capital city where no community would be left behind.

“Our vision remains clear: a world-class capital that works for every resident, whether you live in Asokoro or Kuje, Wuse or Gwagwalada. Interconnectivity is how we get there one road at a time, one district at a time.”

Earlier, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike attributed the rapid infrastructural transformation in Abuja to President Tinubu’s unwavering support and leadership.

“It is your directive that every district in Abuja must be touched. Every district must feel the impact of your administration,” Wike said.

The minister explained that the commissioning formed part of the ongoing 31-day inauguration of projects to mark the administration’s third anniversary, adding that almost every district in the FCT would benefit from one project or another.

He maintained that road construction remained the bedrock of development, saying the newly completed roads had already triggered rapid real estate expansion within the Mabushi District.

“Look at this road and look at the houses around it. Without this road, these houses would not have come up. Investors are coming because infrastructure has arrived.

“People used to say, ‘We cannot eat roads.’ Today, they can see what roads can do. Roads attract investments, create jobs, increase property values and stimulate economic development.”

Wike praised Tinubu for consistently providing the resources needed to execute projects across the FCT.

“When you have courageous, focused and determined leadership, those working under such leadership have no option but to deliver. We have not complained because each time we approach Mr President with requests, he gives us the necessary support.”

He assured residents that the administration would sustain the pace of development in both the city centre and satellite towns.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described President Tinubu as the driving force behind the Renewed Hope Agenda, saying his commitment to infrastructure development was changing the face of the nation’s capital.

She also hailed Wike as “a master builder of Nigeria’s capital city,” whose determination and commitment had translated development plans into visible projects.

Mahmoud called on residents to protect public infrastructure and continue supporting government efforts to build a modern, inclusive and prosperous Federal Capital Territory.

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A Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday set aside its earlier judgment of December 10, 2025, which had compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Delivering his ruling in Suit No. FHC/LKJ/CS/49/2025, Justice Isah Dashen held that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision can be made in the matter.

The court upheld the application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), ruling that the party is a necessary party to the suit.

Justice Dashen noted that counsel to the PMP successfully demonstrated the party’s legal interest, which warranted its inclusion in the proceedings.

According to the judge, the earlier judgment was constitutionally defective as it was delivered without hearing from all interested parties.

He declared that such an omission rendered the entire process null and void.

Justice Dashen further ruled that the status quo be restored to what it was before the December 2025 judgment, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

He also observed that certain material facts were suppressed in the earlier proceedings, which justified the decision to set aside the judgment.

Consequently, the court ordered that the substantive suit commence afresh, with INEC, the Peace Movement Party (PMP), and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) as parties to the case.

Counsel to the applicant, C.S. Ekeocha, told journalists that the Peace Movement Party approached the court after discovering that the NDC’s registration was based on a logo it had previously submitted to INEC before the commencement of the suit.

According to Ekeocha, the court agreed that the applicant’s rights had been affected and consequently vacated the earlier judgment.

“The court has ordered all parties to return to the position they occupied before the judgment of December 10, 2025, and directed the claimants to join all necessary parties to ensure the issues in dispute are effectually and completely determined,” he said.

He explained that the implication of the ruling is that every action taken by INEC in compliance with the now-vacated judgment stands reversed.

“The recognition of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, the issuance of its certificate of registration, its inclusion in INEC’s records, and any appearance on ballot papers arising from that judgment must be withdrawn pending the final determination of the substantive suit,” Ekeocha stated.

He, however, clarified that the substantive case remains before the court and has not been decided.

“The matter has not been concluded. The court merely set aside its previous judgment and directed that the party whose interests were affected be joined so that all sides can be heard before a fresh decision is reached.”

Ekeocha also dismissed suggestions that the court merely ordered parties to maintain the status quo, insisting that the ruling specifically directed a restoration of the position that existed before the December 10, 2025 judgment.

The ruling effectively returns the dispute over the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress to the Federal High Court for a fresh hearing, with all relevant parties expected to participate before a new determination is made.

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The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has launched a Women in Leadership Programme to build a pipeline of female leaders and expand career opportunities in Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital technology sectors.

—“A structured community, not a one-off”—

Unveiled in Abuja Thursday, the initiative will provide mentorship, professional networks, and capacity-building to help women take on greater responsibility within the regulatory and wider telecoms industry.

Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management, Rimini Makama, said the programme is the Commission’s first deliberate effort to create a structured mentorship community for female professionals in regulation.

“Although several leadership initiatives for women exist, this is our first deliberate effort to create a structured community. We want to build a mentorship network for female professionals within the regulatory environment,” Makama said.

She added that the goal is permanence: “We want to institutionalise it so that when I leave the NCC, it will be adopted. It is not going to die with me; it is here to stay.”

—Leveraging NCC’s 70% female director base—

Makama highlighted existing gender progress: women currently hold about 70% of director-level positions at the NCC.

“We want to harness that energy and wisdom and channel it into developing women working in regulation. We must continue to build and scale female leadership across the industry,” she said.

—Maida: Platform to inspire the next generation—

NCC Executive Vice-Chairman, Aminu Maida, described the programme as strategic for preparing future leaders.

“This gathering will encourage women to aspire and reach the top of their careers,” Maida said, noting many talented women in the Commission have the potential to assume key roles.

“I see a lot of promise in the next generation of women in the commission,” he added.

Court issues fresh arrest warrant for Police Officer over N300m “criminal eviction” in Maitama

—What the programme will do—

1. Mentorship community: Pair senior female regulators with early- and mid-career professionals for knowledge transfer.
2. Networking & knowledge sharing: Create platforms for cross-sector learning and visibility.
3. Institutionalised capacity-building: Embed the programme into NCC’s long-term framework beyond current leadership tenures.

The NCC says the initiative is expected to drive greater gender inclusion, mentorship, and leadership development as part of building a more diverse and innovative telecoms industry in Nigeria. [Culled from NAN]