General News
Oluremi Tinubu to Inaugurate Remodelled Abuja City Gate in May as Projects Near Completion — Wike
Wumi Tewogbade,Abuja
Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu, will inaugurate the remodelled Abuja City Gate in May as part of activities marking the administration’s third anniversary, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has disclosed.
Speaking on the project, Wike said the ongoing remodelling of the Abuja City Gate would redefine the capital’s identity and create a befitting entrance for the nation’s seat of power.
“We are remodelling the City Gate so that it truly reflects Abuja’s identity that once you arrive, you know you are in the city,” he said.
According to him, the redesigned structure will feature a water fountain symbolising the 36 states and the FCT, alongside recreational spaces for residents and visitors.
Wike credited the initiative to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, noting that her vision inspired the transformation of the iconic structure.
“This was initiated by the wife of the President. She said we cannot have the entrance of the city like that. We thank her for that vision,” he added.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, particularly commending Julius Berger for its performance.
“By and large, we are meeting timelines. We are happy with the quality of the job, and the contractors are also delivering,” Wike said, reaffirming the FCT Administration’s commitment to completing key infrastructure projects on schedule.
Wike made the disclosure on Thursday after inspecting ongoing projects across the Federal Capital Territory, including the Court of Appeal complex, judges’ quarters and housing for heads of courts.
He said the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, located in Daki Biyu, is nearing completion and would be ready for commissioning within the same period.
“With the Court of Appeal Abuja division… it is almost at a final stage now and will be handed over by May this year. We are hoping it will be part of the inauguration for the President’s third anniversary,” he said.
The minister also expressed satisfaction with progress at the judges’ quarters, noting that over 20 duplexes at the FCT High Court, alongside magistrates’ quarters, are close to completion and expected to be delivered by the end of May.
He explained that adjoining lands are being integrated into the quarters to enhance security and ensure proper access control.
“We have to make sure that those who will live within the judges’ quarters can be properly identified for security reasons. So we are taking over those adjoining areas,” he stated.
Wike further disclosed that residences for heads of courts including the Chief Judge of the FCT, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and President of the National Industrial Court would be completed by October.
General News
Benue Bishop Shuts Schs, Hospital, Parish In Alia’s Community Says “Church Cannot … Expose Priests, Students To Danger”
By Felix Umande
The Catholic Bishop of Gboko, Most Rev. William Avenya, has ordered the indefinite closure of four Catholic institutions in Ihugh, Benue State, and withdrawn pastoral agents following repeated attacks, arson and insecurity.
The decision, contained in a letter and decree dated October 12, takes immediate effect and affects St. Winifred Secondary School, St. Winifred Nursery and Primary School, St. Thomas Hospital, Salus Mind Care Center and St. Winifred Parish, Ihugh.
In the pastoral letter, Avenya described the withdrawal as painful but necessary to protect lives, stressing it was not motivated by anger or retaliation.
“The Church cannot, in conscience, continue to expose her Priests, Consecrated Persons, Teachers, Medical personnel, Students and Patients to danger,” he said.
The bishop cited repeated disturbances including the burning of student hostels at St. Winifred Secondary School on October 28, 2025, May 10 and 15, 2026, and October 11, 2026, recurrent burglaries at St. Winifred Parish and criminal incidents at St. Thomas Hospital. He recalled that during the reopening of the hospital on June 21, 2024, some persons displayed placards and chanted slogans demanding that Reverend Sisters leave Ihugh.
Avenya said the Diocese had engaged the host community, traditional rulers, elders and security authorities to find lasting peace, but without security guarantees.
The decree directs the withdrawal of priests, consecrated persons, catechists, pastoral workers and lay mission partners, while teaching and non-teaching staff, medical personnel and administrators are to be redeployed through appropriate diocesan offices.
It also orders safeguarding of diocesan property, transfer of parish registers and archives to the diocesan archives, and reverent removal of the Blessed Sacrament, sacred vessels and other sacred objects under supervision.
The bishop said arrangements would be made to minimise impact on students, patients and staff. Students are to be assisted to continue education in other Catholic schools in the Diocese, while patients at St. Thomas Hospital will be referred to other facilities, especially those needing urgent care. Affected staff, he said, would be treated with justice and charity.
Addressing Catholics in Ihugh, he declared:
“To our Catholic faithful in Ihugh: do not lose heart. Your Baptism is not lost with a building, nor is your faith diminished by the closing of a door.”
He appealed to community leaders, traditional rulers, youth leaders, government and security agencies to restore peace and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice, adding that return is conditional on genuine repentance, restitution and credible assurances of safety.
“This decision is a painful one, but it is not a final farewell,” he said.
Avenya called for intensified prayers for peace and designated Friday, October 23 as a day of prayer and fasting for peace and reconciliation.
Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, today at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, presented the Company’s 2025 Audited Financial Statement (AFS) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Ojulari, who was accompanied by the Company’s Group Chief Finance Officer (CFO), Dapo Segun, presented the statement, which delivered impressive results that include ₦7.2 Trillion Profit After Tax (a 33% rise compared to ₦5.4 Trillion in 2024), ₦5.8 Trillion dividend and ₦34.5 Trillion revenue.
On 29th September, 2026, NNPC Ltd announced its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2025, following its Annual General Meeting and second Earnings Call with financial and business analysts.
The results highlight the Company’s growing earnings strength and improved operational performance, laying the foundation for future growth.
The National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA), Dr. Eferebo Sylvanus has been honoured with the Maritime Innovation and Technology Leadership Award at the 15th Democracy Heroes Award Africa.
Eferebo received the honour at the ceremony held at the weekend at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, in recognition of his professional leadership and contributions to marine engineering, naval architecture and maritime technology.
The award comes amid growing calls for Nigeria to harness its maritime resources through indigenous expertise, technological advancement and research-driven industrial development.
The Democracy Heroes Award Africa, now in its 15th edition, recognises individuals making contributions across different sectors.
Eferebo’s recognition places a spotlight on a specialised but strategically important profession whose impact extends beyond engineering into industrial development and the wider blue economy.
As Nigeria continues to explore new opportunities in maritime trade, offshore energy and shipbuilding, the challenge will be ensuring that professional recognition is matched by sustained investment in research, infrastructure, training and the practical application of homegrown technology.
With more than two decades of experience in engineering consultancy and technical leadership, Eferebo leads NIMENA, a professional body committed to advancing marine engineering through research, education, technical standards and industry collaboration.
His academic background includes a Bachelor of Technology in Marine Engineering, a master’s degree in Naval Architecture and Ship Construction, and a doctorate in Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding from Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a registered engineer with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Beyond his professional credentials, Eferebo has built a career around developing technical solutions for Nigeria’s maritime and offshore industries.
He is the founder and chief executive officer of Somatrix Marine Limited, an engineering consultancy involved in marine consulting, ship design, marine surveys, construction management and research and development.
His leadership extends to engineering regulation and policy development, including work on maritime engineering standards and local content development.
Benue Bishop Shuts Schs, Hospital, Parish In Alia’s Community Says “Church Cannot … Expose Priests, Students To Danger”
Spread the loveBy Felix Umande The Catholic Bishop of Gboko, Most Rev. William Avenya, has ordered the indefinite closure of...
President Tinubu Receives NNPC’s 2025 Audited Financial StatementBy Aliyu Musa
Spread the loveGroup Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Limited, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, today at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, presented...
NIMENA chair, Sylvanus receives tech leadership awardBy Philip NyamAbuja
Spread the loveThe National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA), Dr. Eferebo Sylvanus has...
SDP crises: Court strikes out criminal case against Shehu Gabam
Spread the loveBy Saint Mugaga A Magistrate Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has struck out a criminal...
Wike Orders Removal of Illegal Structures, Stops Unauthorised Commercial operations
Spread the loveBy Isa Abdul, Abuja Wike has ordered the immediate enforcement of operations against unauthorised commercial activities and illegally...
Benue Govt Closes Two Schools in Makurdi Over Textbook Sales Violation
Spread the loveBy Vincent Tyosuugh Two academic institutions, Orenda Opal Schools have been closed by the Benue State Government over...
Only Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Can Tell Us He’s not Hearing the Truth About Nigerians’ Suffering –Cardinal Onaiyekan
Spread the loveBy Son Tertsea, Abuja Cardinal John Onaiyekan has explained why the reactions to his interview with Arise TV’s...
Nigeria Fighting Cervica Cancer: 18 Million Girls Vaccinated
Spread the loveBy Nick Ibe, Abuja In its intensified efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in Nigeria, the Federal Government said...
Bauchi Govt: Minimum Pension Now N32,000, Pays Gratuities To 2012, 2013 Retirees
Spread the loveBy Michael Lim As part of effort to reduce the huge backlog of gratuities, the Bauchi State government...
Nigeria’s Overall Best Teacher From Ogun Shows: Where You Start in Life Does Not Matter
Spread the loveBy Seyi Balogun, Lagos The emergence of Nigeria’s Overall Best Teacher for 2026 at the Federal Government’s President’s...