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FCTA approves N9.8bn for rehabilitation of Abuja airport’s presidential wing
The Executive Council of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has awarded the sum of N9.8bn to Julius Berger Plc for the rehabilitation of existing link roads and other facilities at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The Council gave the approval following the 9th Executive Council meeting held at the FCT Secretariat in Abuja on Friday.
The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Shehu Ahmad, who briefed the press after the meeting, explained that the contract was awarded to Julius Berger for the sum of N9,874,326,036.10, with a completion deadline of six months.
He noted that the contractor had previously been responsible for managing the facility.
He added that the contract would cover the rehabilitation of the link road, the access road to the Presidential Kitchen, the hangar housing the presidential aircraft, and the holding centre for visiting presidents.
“The second memo presented by the FCDA concerns some rehabilitation work, specifically the construction of the existing link road from Bill Clinton Drive to the Presidential Wing. If you have travelled that road, you would know it is in a state of disrepair, and other facilities within the Presidential Wing have shown signs of distress and dilapidation, so they are to be rehabilitated.
There is a presidential kitchen located within the Presidential Wing, but there is no access road from the main road to this area. We plan to provide that road and also rehabilitate the hangar housing the presidential aircraft.
“These are some of the facilities to be addressed, and additionally, there are runway lights on the side of the Presidential Wing, as well as a guest house – a holding centre for visiting presidents and other dignitaries,” he said.
The Secretary also announced that the Council approved the award of a contract for the construction of an access road to the new site of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Giri to Messrs Levant Construction Limited, at the cost of N7,825,379,618.57, with a completion period of nine months.
Among other memos and contracts considered and approved were the contract for the construction of access roads to Kugbo and Mabushi Bus/Taxi Terminals in the FCT, awarded to Messrs Planet Projects Limited for N7.22bn with a completion period of 12 weeks; and the design and construction of ten staff quarters for the Nigeria Law School in Bwari, Abuja, awarded to Messrs Austlinks Energy Services Limited, at a contract sum of N2.19bn, with a completion period of nine months.
Iran has carried out the execution of two individuals accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, according to an official statement from the country’s judiciary.
Authorities said the two men were convicted on charges of espionage linked to Mossad, and were found guilty of working with what officials described as a hostile intelligence network operating within Iran.
According to the judiciary, the suspects had been under investigation for activities considered detrimental to national security.
Their death sentences were subsequently upheld by the country’s Supreme Court prior to being enforced.
The executions were confirmed on April 20, 2026, although officials did not provide specific details regarding the exact time or location.
Iranian authorities stated that the case is part of ongoing efforts to counter and dismantle foreign intelligence operations within its borders.
There has been no independent confirmation of the allegations, and Israeli authorities have not issued any immediate response.
The incident reflects the persistent strain in relations between the two countries, with Iran frequently reporting the uncovering of alleged espionage networks tied to Israeli operatives.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area in Ogun State.
President Tinubu also approved a special take-off grant of N15billion for the college.
The President’s approval was in fulfilment of the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, particularly with respect to the expansion of the Police Academy based in Wudil, Kano state, into multiple campuses across the country.
The intervention fund will be sourced from the TetFund 2026 allocation to finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and core training assets.
A high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) recommended the siting of the new campus in Erinja.
The meeting considered student intake capacity, funding realities, academic quality assurance, and the long-term needs of the Nigerian Police Force, which is currently recruiting more men.
President Tinubu believes the expansion will strengthen institutional governance, modern policing education and national security.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), South West Zone, has disowned a press conference purportedly held in Ibadan on Monday, which claimed that the zone had condemned the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, declared support for Governor Makinde of Oyo State and loyalty to a Turaki-led National Working Committee.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Oyeniyi, described the event as the work of organised impostors who do not represent the party at any level.
“The Zonal Chairman, Engr. Deji Doherty, was away in Abuja attending the 108th meeting of the National Executive Committee of our great party and no zonal officials held any press conference. The claim of an Ibadan press conference is therefore a barefaced lie,” Oyeniyi said.
The statement said those behind the Ibadan gathering do not speak for the party, hold no mandate, and are not recognised by any organ of the PDP from ward to national level.
Oyeniyi further said the illegality of the group was very pronounced, noting that they do not even have a Zonal Vice Chairman, which is very significant for any structure claiming to speak for the PDP South West.
“These are the ones whose agenda was to destabilise the party but they failed. Looking at them, one could see that their group is now a psychiatric ward with no staff. Destabilising elements always end up as wanderers. Karma never forgets, and wickedness by default carries consequences too,” the statement read.
According to Oyeniyi, “these ones slung toboggan, and now the stones are expectedly raining on them, and their current noise and theatrics will not substitute for acceptance by party members or the public.”
The PDP South West said its loyalty to the Abdulrahman-led National Working Committee and the National Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Wike remains unalloyed and also advised the impostors to retrace their steps and rejoin the party through the proper channels, rather than constituting themselves into a nuisance, as no amount of media stunts or paid propaganda will confer any legitimacy on illegitimacy.
He urged the general public, party faithful, and the media to disregard the publication, stating that official communications of the PDP South West Zone would continue to come only through recognised party channels in the zone under the leadership of Engr. Deji Doherty.
Iran executes two men over spying for Israel
Tinubu approves N15bn take off grant for new police academy
PDP South West Disowns Ibadan Press Conference, Calls Organisers Criminal Impostors
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