News
Ignore Ireti Kingibe, Akpabio counsels Wike
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday weighed in on the verbal altercation between Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and lone FCT Senator, Ireti Kingibe, urging the minister to pay no heed to detractors.
Akpabio gave the charge while flagging-off the construction of the Kugbo Bus Terminal in the Nyanya area of the nation’s capital, Abuja.
He said; “A lot of people will say things. I saw a legislator on television mentioning that she was not carried along. Well, she is a member of the Senate, and when a decision is taken, she is bound by that decision.
“Please, ignore every distraction and be rest assured that no matter what you do, not everyone will praise you. Others will still try to find faults.”
The Senate President praised Wike’s transformative efforts at upgrading transportation networks, constructing abandoned roads, and developing state-of-the-art facilities.
He said the Kugbo Bus Terminal is expected to facilitate efficient movement, reduce traffic congestion, and improve the overall quality of life for residents and visitors.
Earlier in his remarks, Wike thanked Akpabio for flagging off the project and acknowledged the support of the Senate and House Committees on FCT and Area Council in securing funding through the 2024 Appropriation Act.
“The administration of Mr President is not just for the elites or those who can afford it but for people who cannot afford it,” Wike emphasized. “Look at the kind of rainfall today, how many people will be on the road to wait for taxis or buses?
They have to go back to their houses and probably not be able to go to work today for their daily activities. But when this bus terminal is completed, you have access to the place whether it’s raining or not.
You can identify or know who is the person that is picking you and take you safely to wherever you are going. It will also reduce ‘one chance’ incidents, where you are on the road, you don’t know who has the car, and the person tells you, ‘Are you going to Nyanya?’ and you say yes, then the next story you hear is that the person has been kidnapped.
With this, you don’t need to go and wait on the road; you just come to the bus terminal and board wherever you are going. This will reduce the level of insecurity.
“What makes our city a great city is when basic infrastructure is provided. A city like Abuja, until now, cannot have proper public transportation, and with what Mr. President has directed us to do, I believe in the next twelve, thirteen months, there will be a change in transportation in FCT”, said Wike.
He thanked the Senate President, the committee chairman on FCT, and Chairmen of Area Councils for their support.
Wike had on Monday tackled Kingibe who had consistently accused him of sidelining her.
The minister said Kingibe would lose the support of the people in the next election.
Wike’s comments were a reaction to to an earlier interview by the senator where she accused the minister of sidelining her and masses in the territory.
Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, was among the twenty eminent Nigerians including seating governors of four states who were honoured by the Verbatim Magazine at the Late General Yaradua Centre recently.
He was recognized by the investigative journal for excellence and quality leadership in legislative performance for year 2024 based on his contributions in the plenary of the House of Representatives, the number of Bills and motions he has sponsored so far.
Professor Nnamchi was last year rated the most performing legislator from the southeast by the authoritative organ of the National Assembly, “The Order Paper” which evaluates the work rates of the legislators annually.
As at the end of March, 2025, the lawmaker who represents Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency in the 10th House of Representatives has sponsored thirty-six Bills and over twenty impactful motions in the House. Over twenty of the Bills have passed second reading.
Speaking at the well attended Verbatim 13Th Anniversary Lecture delivered by the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, the magazine Editor, Mr Tobs Agbaegbu, affirmed that the awardees were carefully selected through in-depth evaluation and investigation by its team of editors.
He stressed that the magazine has established itself as a leader in investigative journalism and as such would not be associated with questionable awards that lack merits.
The award recipients cut across private and public sectors’ practitioners, governors, legislators, military officers and journalists all of whom had distinguished themselves in leadership as Trail Blazers in their chosen careers.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The presidency has debunked reports that the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu has been replaced, describing it as ‘fake news.’
“Disregard any fake news making the rounds about the replacement of the INEC Chairman.
“Any such announcement will come from the SGF’s office or the any other official source.” – O’tega Ogra, Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Digital Media and New Media.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Umrah, business, and family visit visas for citizens of 14 countries, including Nigeria, Egypt, and India, as part of preparations for the upcoming Hajj season.
Officials speaking to ARY News said, “The suspension of Umrah, business, and family visit visas is aimed at preventing unregistered individuals from attempting to perform the pilgrimage.”
The move comes amid concerns over the rising number of pilgrims attempting to join Hajj without official permits. In recent years, many visitors have overstayed their visas, contributing to overcrowding and serious safety risks.
Authorities also expressed concern over the misuse of business or family visit visas by individuals who enter the Kingdom and work illegally, a violation that “disrupts the labour market and breaches visa conditions.”
The Saudi foreign ministry stated that the new measures were implemented “to streamline travel procedures and enhance safety during Hajj.
It added, “Individuals found to be staying in the Kingdom illegally may face a five-year entry ban.”
The countries affected by the ban are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Nigeria, Jordan, Algeria, Sudan, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Yemen, and Morocco.
-
News13 hours agoAPC opens up over alleged rift between Tinubu and his deputy, Shettima
-
News8 hours agoJust in: Presidency Insists INEC Chairman, Yakubu Not Sacked
-
News13 hours agoVeteran comedian opens can of worms, says I ‘ve caught many of my friends wives flirting with big men, govs
-
News9 hours agoJUST IN: Police Nab leaders of April 7 nationwide protest
-
News20 hours agoIkpeazu, Ugwuanyi, Shehu Sani, Omokri, others make ambassadors’ list
-
News19 hours agoPolice warn against planned nationwide protest
-
News8 hours agoJust in: Saudi Arabia Suspends Visa Issuance to Nigeria, 13 Other Countries
-
Economy13 hours agoSEE Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate In Lagos, FCT, April 7th 2025