Promises - News Agency Of Nigeria

Days of empty promises, abandoned projects over in FCT – Tinubu

Philip Daniel Yatai
Jul, Fri, 2025

Metro

Days of empty promises, abandoned projects over in FCT – Tinubu

136 total views today

By Philip Yatai and Uche Bibilari

President Bola Tinubu says the days of empty promises and abandoned projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other parts of the country are over.

Tinubu stated this in Abuja on Friday, while inaugurating the newly rehabilitated Aguma Palace, Radio Nigeria, New Market Road and other connecting roads in Gwagwalada.

The project was the 17th, inaugurated by Tinubu to celebrate his second year in office.

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the president assured Nigerians that no community under his administration was too far to be seen, and no voice too faint to be heard.

He added that his administration was steadily bridging the gap between promise and performance.

He said that the projects being unveiled in the FCT were not imposed from above but nominated by the people of Gwagwalada themselves.

“This is the kind of democracy we believe in; one that listens, one that responds, and one that delivers.

“The road is a corridor of dignity for the market women, a path to safety for our school children, and a road to prosperity for the hard-working trader.

“We are not just building infrastructure; we are building confidence and governance.

“For too long, those who lived beyond the city centre have watched development happen from a distance.

“They have watched their dreams of inclusion delayed by excuses, and their hopes defied by shifting priorities; we are here to rewrite that history,” he said.

Tinubu said that his government was not just rehabilitating roads but rehabilitating trust.

According to him, the transformation unfolding across the FCT is the product of deliberate reforms and the bold reform-oriented policies of this administration.

“By expanding the revenue base of the FCT, we are investing in roads, schools, hospitals, and people.

“The newly rehabilitated Aguma Palace, Radio Nigeria, and New Market Road is a lifeline to the communities it connects.

“From rehabilitated healthcare centres to improved learning environments for our children, from safer roads to a more responsible public service, the FCT is undergoing a quiet revolution.”

He said that the revolution was made possible by people like the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who refused to accept mediocrity.

Describing Wike as the most colourful politician in the Nigerian political landscape, the president thanked the minister for his accomplishments so far.

Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to projects that speak directly to the lives of the people.

“We are focused on creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow, for families to thrive, and for communities to prosper.

“We are determined to ensure that development is not a privilege reserved for the few, but a right enjoyed by all,” he added.

In his remarks, Wike said that the 10-kilometre road was nominated by the residents of Gwagwalada, including the 9.5km Paikon-Kore Road, constructed and inaugurated in 2024.

“One good thing about the projects in rural areas is that, we never sat in the city and said, go and do so, so, road.

“We came here and the people said, this is what we want. This is what we call community participation in governance.

“The day we came here for the flag off of this project was the day I knew the importance of these roads to the residents of Gwagwalada. The road had completely collapsed and the people were suffering,” he said.

Acknowledging the excitement on the faces of Gwagwalada residents, the minister commended Tinubu for supporting the FCT Administration to deliver life-impacting projects in satellite towns.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the various projects inaugurated by Tinubu in the last 16 days “as enablers of economic growth, social harmony, and improved quality of life”.

“The inauguration of this road is a demonstration of our dedication to inclusive governance and infrastructure renewal in both urban and rural communities,” Mahmoud said.

Earlier, Mr Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, the Coordinator of the FCT Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), said that the project was awarded in September 2024 to a local contractor.

Zulkiflu added that the completion and inauguration of the road marks a significant advancement in the FCT’s efforts to improve infrastructure in satellite towns and area councils, which reflect Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agender”.

He thanked Wike for the trust placed on STDD to manage and oversee the execution of the project. (NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Jarigbe reaffirms commitment, highlights achievements

Lydia Beshel
Jun, Sun, 2025

Politics

Jarigbe reaffirms commitment, highlights achievements

274 total views today

Landmarks

By Cecilia Odey

Sen. Jarigbe Agom, representing Cross River North, has reiterated his dedication to fulfilling his campaign promises, emphasising infrastructure development, education, and youth empowerment as his core achievements.

Jarigbe made the remarks during an interview with the Cross River Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF) in Abuja on Sunday.

Speaking about his legislative performance and development initiatives, Jarigbe stated,
“I believe I’ve done well.

“I’ve kept to my promises and delivered on the mandates given to me by my constituents. It’s still a work in progress. I won’t beat my chest, but I’ve remained consistent.”

The Senator highlighted several projects included in the 2024 and 2025 national budgets benefiting the five Local Government Areas in his senatorial district.

“Notable accomplishments include the construction of classroom blocks, provision of medical supplies, installation of solar-powered street lighting, and the rehabilitation of rural roads.

“Every ward in my district has benefitted.

“Even health centres that lacked basic equipment such as thermometers and glucometers now have these essential medical supplies.

“The Boki Road and the road to my village, Ibil, have seen significant improvements,” he said.

On youth development, Jarigbe revealed that bursaries, grants, and international scholarships had been secured for his constituents through partnerships with agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).

“Some of our young people are currently studying in the UK and Europe through these opportunities,” he added.

He also noted ongoing empowerment programmes designed to support small business owners across the district, rolled out in phases to ensure inclusivity.

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, Jarigbe said he had leveraged his position to attract development projects beyond his committee’s direct scope.

“For example, I successfully lobbied for a Rural Electrification Agency (REA) project in Anagbo, even though REA isn’t under my committee. It was necessary for the community,” he explained.

Addressing concerns over limited federal appointments from Cross River State in the current administration, Jarigbe acknowledged the President’s sole discretion in such matters.

“I have made recommendations, but the President has the final say. Being in the opposition party limits what I can do,” he stated.

The Senator also discussed bills he had sponsored, including the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre and a Federal University of Technology for the district.

“The Medical Centre Bill has passed its second reading and undergone public hearing. Unfortunately, the University of Technology Bill was not assented to by the President,” he revealed.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the creation of Ogoja State, saying the necessary legislative groundwork had already been laid.

Asked about his political ambitions for 2027, Jarigbe emphasised that his best campaign strategy remained delivering on promises.

“The best way to campaign is to fulfil your promises. Let the people see your work,” he said.

He also dismissed claims that the 10th Senate operated as a rubber stamp for the executive, insisting senators made independent decisions.

“We debate and deliberate. I don’t act to please the President; I vote based on merit,” he stressed.

Responding to public criticism about lawmakers’ salaries, Jarigbe clarified that their earnings were regulated by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

“Our salaries are not as outrageous as people think. In fact, it’s challenging to accommodate all visitors I receive daily with what I earn,” he said.

The Senator debunked rumours of defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I was elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and I remain loyal to my people in the PDP. I don’t believe in switching parties for personal interest,” he declared.

He ended by urging his constituents to remain hopeful and assured them that his office would continue working to deliver the dividends of democracy.

“We will continue to do more,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

COO/AMM
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

3 years after, victims of Bauchi crisis beg for govt support

Ismail Abdulaziz
Mar, Thu, 2025

General News

3 years after, victims of Bauchi crisis beg for govt support

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By Olaide Ayinde/Ahmed Kaigama

Some victims of Yelwa Tsakani’s 2022 crisis in Bauchi state have called on the state government to come to their aid and fulfil its promises.

Some of the victims, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Bauchi on Thursday, said that without the government’s intervention, it would be difficult to recover their lost properties.

They urged the state governor, Bala Mohammed, to fulfil his pledge to the victims of the civil and religious crisis that occurred in the community on March 27, 2022.

They told NAN that the crisis resulted in the loss of one life, the destruction of approximately 11 houses, and extensive damage to other properties, leaving many families displaced, traumatised, and without shelter.

‘’During your visit to the affected community, Your Excellency gave a heartfelt assurance of support, including a commitment to rebuilding the destroyed homes and helping the victims recover. This gesture brought us hope and reaffirmed our trust in your leadership.’’

One of the victims, Mr John Haruna, attested to the fact that the governor promised to help them in getting their lost properties back, adding that he asked them to give accounts of what they lost in the form of houses and everything inside before the tragedy.

“He said he would see what he could do to help us and actually promised to fix everything for us.

“We gave them everything as demanded from us and later on, he came and gave us food items like rice, corn, millet and also gave us things like blankets and mats.

“That is all we received from the government but to talk about the issue of the houses that were razed along with the properties inside, we have not received or gotten anything in that regard.

“I will like to use this opportunity to plead with the governor to help us look into the matter because many of us that were affected could not afford to reconstruct their houses up till now.

“Although I have done some renovations and moved back to my house but not with the properties lost, I know that some other people could not afford to renovate not to talk of getting their lost properties back,” he said.

Another victim, Ismail Haruna, noted that the governor would revisit the promises he made to them on their plight if he can read it again on the pages of Newspapers.

Also, Mr Obed Bulus, who corroborated the fact that the state government only gave them grains and some clothing materials, said it had not compensated them in terms of what was lost to the crisis.

“The governor promised us that he will help us before the next rainfall in 2022 and we waited for so long but we didn’t see anything and we had to give up.

“We don’t know whether the press can help us get to the governor to hear our prayers for him to revisit the situation and help us,” he said.

Efforts by NAN to speak with officials of the State’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, proved abortive as of press time.

Ms Adama Ibrahim, the Public Relations Officer of the ministry, said she could not comment on the move of the Ministry towards addressing the situation.

She added that the Commissioner for the Ministry, Hajiya Hajara Wanka, had travelled out on an official assignment, and pledged to respond as soon as possible.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz