The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has exposed Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s henchmen as those who wrote petition against him to EFCC to bar him from becoming governor. 

Speaking on Saturday at a mammoth reception by the Ijaw on Saturday at Abalama, Rivers State, Wike said that his stance did not mean that he hates the Ijaw.

According to the FCT minister, those currently helping Fubara to take decisions were those behind the petition to EFCC to ban him from contesting to become governor. 

Noting the irony that those who petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC against Fubara, and fought to stop his emergence as governor becoming the governor’s close associates and advisers, he said:
“People have no conscience at all. People who wrote petition to the EFCC that he should not be governor are the ones now deciding for him.”

Waxing philosophical, Wike asked what could have been his fate and that of his followers had President Bola Tinubu not made him minister of FCT.

“Assuming that the president did not give us this position, what could have happened to us?”

Upon that claim, Wike told his mostly Ijaw audience that the majority of them were not benefiting from the governor.

“Let nobody deceive you that the governor is Ijaw and all of you here are Ijaw but are you benefiting?

 Politics is interest. People must not come to use people and dump them. That politics of use and dump must stop.

“You surrounded yourself with people who wanted to be governor, people who I said do not mean well for Rivers. I have never seen this kind of politics where you surround yourself with people who want your seat. Kalabari people,” Wike told his Abalama audience.

The reception was graced by several dignitaries including former Senator George Sekibo and the National Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South-South, Chief Dan Orbih.

Speaking on the occasion, Orbih who was with Wike at Abalama, said:
“Today we travelled to Ijaw land for a grand reception in honour of Barr. Nyesom Wike.

I am glad I was there to join the good people of Ijaw extraction to celebrate the dependable,  result oriented political genius of Nigeria, Barr. Nyesom Wike.

The outstanding performing Minister of FCT. I make bold to say, He is South-South PDP precious gift to Nigeria. I thank the ijaws for celebrating him.”

The Federal Road Safety Corps has stated that it is currently studying the court ruling on faded vehicle number plates.

On January 17, 2025, a Federal High Court in Lagos issued an order restraining the FRSC from arresting or imposing fines on drivers with faded number plates.

The case, marked FHC/L/CS/253/2024, was brought before the court by Chinwike Ezebube, who argued that the FRSC, as the sole designer and producer of vehicle number plates in Nigeria, was responsible for the quality and durability of those plates.

The court considered several questions related to the responsibility of the FRSC for the fading of number plates and whether it could penalise drivers for using plates that deteriorate due to poor quality production.

In response to the ruling, the FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, explained to Sunday PUNCH that faded number plates result from normal wear and tear rather than poor manufacturing.

Ogungbemide emphasised that the National Road Traffic Regulations of 2012 as amended allowed vehicle owners to apply for replacement of lost or damaged number plates.

He assured that the corps was carefully reviewing the court’s decision and would fully comply with the judgment.

The spokesperson reiterated that the FRSC respects the rule of law and would not take any action that disrespects the court’s ruling.

“Faded number plates are not as a result of poor quality. Rather, it has to do with normal wear and tears which is why the NRTR, 2012 (as amended) in reg 39 gives vehicle owners the opportunity to apply for replacement of loss or damaged number plate.

“The corps is studying the court’s judgment but will not do anything to disrespect the court or its decision. “FRSC is a responsible organisation and will always abide by court order and rule of law.”

The cost of cement in Nigeria has seen notable fluctuations in recent months, largely influenced by economic conditions, production costs, and government interventions.

These price changes impact the construction industry, affecting both large-scale developers and individual builders.

Below is an updated breakdown of the latest prices for major cement brands in Nigeria, including Dangote, BUA, Lafarge (Elephant), and others.

1. Dangote Cement

Dangote Cement, a subsidiary of Dangote Industries Limited, remains the largest cement producer in Nigeria, known for its widespread availability and quality. As of March 2025, the price of a 50kg bag of Dangote Cement ranges between ₦9,900 and ₦10,500, depending on location and retail supplier.

2. Lafarge Africa Plc (Elephant Cement)

Commonly referred to as Elephant Cement due to its distinctive branding, Lafarge Africa is a well-established name in the Nigerian cement industry. The price for a 50kg bag of Lafarge Cement currently varies between ₦9,100 and ₦10,500, influenced by regional market conditions and supply chain costs.

3. BUA Cement

BUA Cement, a major competitor in the Nigerian market, is recognized for its affordability while maintaining high quality. The 50kg bag of BUA Cement is currently priced between ₦8,000 and ₦11,000, with variations depending on the region and seller.

4. Ibeto Cement

Ibeto Cement, a product of the Ibeto Group, is known for its cost-effectiveness and growing market presence. As of March 2025, a 50kg bag of Ibeto Cement is available at prices ranging from ₦9,500 to ₦10,500.

5. United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited (UniCem)

UniCem, a brand under Lafarge, has a strong market presence, especially in eastern Nigeria. It is widely used for both residential and structural construction projects. The price of a 50kg bag of UniCem Cement currently falls between ₦11,500 and ₦13,500, with location-based variations.

Government Efforts to Regulate Cement Prices

In response to rising cement costs, the Federal Government initiated discussions with major cement manufacturers, including Dangote Cement, BUA Cement, and Lafarge Africa. These engagements aimed to address supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures, and price manipulation within the industry.

As part of this intervention, an agreement was reached to lower cement prices from the previous range of ₦9,000–₦15,000 per 50kg bag to a more stable range of ₦7,000–₦8,000, depending on location. However, despite this agreement, significant price reductions have not been widely observed in the market.

The persistent high cost of cement has raised concerns among industry stakeholders, prompting further government scrutiny and potential regulatory measures to ensure affordability for consumers and businesses.

Cement prices in Nigeria remain volatile, influenced by production costs, transportation challenges, exchange rate fluctuations, and market demand. While government intervention aims to bring relief, actual price reductions have yet to take full effect. Consumers are advised to monitor market trends and buy from reputable suppliers to get the best deals.