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African Economy
FCT traders to close shops as Tinubu unveils Abuja road Friday
FCT

Residents and commuters in the Federal Capital Territory are advised to brace up for temporary traffic disruptions on Friday, as the Apo-Wasa Road will be closed from 11am to 4pm ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to inaugurate a major infrastructure project in the city.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, traders, mechanics, and shop owners at the Apo Mechanic Village have voluntarily agreed to shut down operations for the day.

Olayinka confirmed that the road closure is necessary for the security and smooth flow of the event.

According to the Federal Capital Territory Administration, the move is to enable them “give President Tinubu a rousing welcome and participate fully in the commissioning ceremony.”

The project slated for commissioning is the newly completed Left-Hand Service Carriageway of the Outer Southern Expressway Stage II, stretching from the Ring Road I Junction to Wasa Junction.

The event will take place at 2:30pm on Friday with Tinubu expected to personally perform the inauguration.

“The Apo-Wasa Road, which is to be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu tomorrow, will be closed to vehicular movement between 11am and 4pm,” Olayinka said.

He added that traffic enforcement personnel would be deployed to critical areas to ease movement and redirect motorists to alternate routes.

“Motorists are therefore urged to use other routes between 11am and 4pm tomorrow, when the Apo-Wasa Road will not be accessible.

“We appeal to road users that will be affected by this temporary closure to bear with the government while using alternative routes,” the statement read.

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Nigeria Politics
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Kano targets 3 9 million children for polio vaccination in June
The Kano State Government has set a target to vaccinate 3.9 million children under the age of five during the June 2025 Outbreak Response campaign.The Director-General of the Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr Nasir Mahmoud, announced this during a media dialogue on Thursday in Kano.Mahmoud explained that the campaign aligned with the national strategy to eradicate polio and maintain Nigeria’s polio-free certification.He said that the vaccination drive became necessary due to the recent resurgence of the type 2 poliovirus in parts of the state.According to him, factors such as community resistance, poor data reporting, and insecurity have contributed to the virus’s re-emergence by hindering previous immunisation efforts.“Ungogo Local Government Area recorded the highest level of non-compliance during the May 2025 campaign.“To improve vaccination coverage, local government areas are now ranked monthly based on performance,” he said.Mahmoud reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to eradicating polio by December 2025 and pledged to significantly reduce the maternal mortality rate within the same timeframe, describing both goals as top priorities.He stressed the importance of collaboration with traditional rulers and the 44 local government chairmen to overcome challenges.The UNICEF Chief of Field Office in Kano, Mr Rahma Mohammed, highlighted that surveillance conducted in 2025 detected the virus in Warawa, Bunkure, Kano Municipal, and Nasarawa Local Government Areas.“This is unacceptable and must be halted. Polio remains a highly infectious disease that spreads rapidly and knows no borders,” he warned.Mohammed emphasised that even a single case of polio anywhere posed a threat to children everywhere and called for coordinated efforts to contain the outbreak.He urged all levels of government, traditional rulers, and the media to intensify awareness campaigns and ensure full vaccination coverage, especially in high-risk areas.The UNICEF official reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s polio eradication efforts and called for the timely release of counterpart funding and stronger supervision of immunisation campaigns.He also urged the government to declare a public health emergency and increase media engagement to counter misinformation about the vaccine.He also urged the government to declare a public health emergency and increase media engagement to counter misinformation about the vaccine.
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Nigeria Politics
Democracy Day Plateau gov unveils 15 new metro buses
As Nigeria celebrates Democracy Day, the Plateau Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, on Thursday unveiled 15 new metro buses as part of a broader effort to revive the state’s public transportation system.The governor also commissioned other projects executed by his administration, including the laboratory, paediatric ward, and Office complex at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital in Jos, Utonkon Bridge and adjoining roads along Utonkon–Abattoir road in Jos, and a storey administrative block. He refurbished Joshua Dariye Hall, Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, Jos Campus.The PUNCH recalls that the governor had, last year, commissioned the first set of 15 Metro Buses to mark his first year in office, bringing the total number to 30 buses.Speaking at the commissioning event to mark June 12, Governor Mutfwang expressed gratitude to God for reviving the Plateau Express Service, one of the state’s legacy institutions that had faced numerous challenges over the years.He noted that the last time the service operated effectively was under the previous People’s Democratic Party (PDP) administration and proudly stated that the current PDP-led government is realigning with national initiatives.Mutfwang highlighted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s charge to governors to alleviate citizens’ suffering, especially following the removal of the fuel subsidy. He said that the transport sector was identified as a key area to directly pass benefits back to the people.The governor announced that Plateau Express Service was now a functional transport system within the Jos metropolis, already benefiting residents and boosting mobility across the state. The governor recalled the overwhelming joy and excitement that greeted the arrival of the new buses.“Plateau Express Service began many years ago and has gone through numerous challenges. But I am proud to say that the last time Plateau Express truly served the people of Plateau was under the last PDP administration. And today, again, under a PDP-led government, we are proud to align with the initiatives of Mr. President.“When Mr. President came into the office, he charged governors across the country to do everything possible to alleviate the suffering of the people. We believed one of the key sectors to address the challenges brought by the removal of fuel subsidies was transport. And so, we decided that the best way to bring subsidies directly back to the people was through the transport sector. I’m glad to say that today, we now have a functional transport service within the metropolis, benefiting our people immensely”, he said.Commending the leadership of Plateau Express, Governor Mutfwang said the success proves that institutions thrive under clear, patriotic leadership.Besides the transport service, he revealed ongoing efforts to revive other institutions, including ASTC (Plateau State Transport Corporation), Jos International Breweries, Payam Fish Farm, Hill Station Hotel, and Plateau Hotel.A historic moment at the event was the introduction of the first female driver for the Plateau Express buses. The governor shared his pride in supporting female empowerment, recalling how he sent nine boys and three girls for automotive training during his tenure as a local government chairman.He reiterated that the new buses were purchased brand new, not used “Tokunbo” vehicles, and were funded from the state’s constitutional allocations, not federal grants or donations. He noted it was made possible by reallocating resources and prioritising the transport sector over luxury purchases for other ministries.Looking ahead, he revealed plans for “Plateau Express 3.0,” signalling continued expansion and modernisation. He also highlighted partnerships to upgrade Jos Airport into an international cargo hub and ongoing talks with the federal government to improve railway infrastructure.He called on all residents to protect the investment for the benefit of current and future generations, stressing that development must take precedence over politics.These projects reflect the administration’s drive toward infrastructural renewal and enhanced public service delivery for the people of Plateau State,” Mutfwang added
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Nigeria Politics
Print Democracy Day Unite to build prosperous nation NGF urges Nigerians
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has called on all Nigerians to unite in the collective pursuit of a more inclusive and prosperous nation, as the country marks Democracy Day.In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Forum’s Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, the NGF commended the progress Nigeria has made over the past 26 years of unbroken democratic governance. It also reaffirmed the commitment of governors across the country to deepening democracy and ensuring sustainable national development.The statement read, “On behalf of my colleagues at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), I congratulate all Nigerians on the commemoration of Democracy Day.“June 12 is a watershed in our national history. We therefore join President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and other stakeholders to honour our heroes and heroines who played significant roles in the struggle for democratic rule.”The NGF acknowledged that while democracy in Nigeria has recorded appreciable growth since 1999, the journey is still ongoing and demands continued engagement, cooperation, and accountability at all levels of government.“The last 26 years of unbroken democracy have seen appreciable progress in different areas of our national life. Notwithstanding the progress, our nation, like every other human community, has its challenges and aspirations. Together, we can leverage constructive dialogue and all other democratic mechanisms to engage one another for better outcomes,” the statement continued.AbdulRazaq further assured Nigerians that the Forum remains committed to collaborating with stakeholders, including the Federal Government, civil society groups, and development partners, to build a more inclusive democratic environment and ensure peace and prosperity for all.“As leaders of our people, we commit ourselves to working with all stakeholders, including the Federal Government, civic organisations, and other partners, to widen the democratic space and make our country more fertile for sustainable peace and inclusive prosperity,” he stated.The Forum wished Nigerians a peaceful and reflective Democracy Day and urged citizens to remain hopeful and active in contributing to the nation’s development.
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Nigeria Politics
Abiola s mandate alive in Tinubu says Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday said decades after the June 12 debacle, providence returned the baton of MKO Abiola’s struggle for the soul of Nigeria’s democracy to one of his most trusted lieutenants, President Bola Tinubu.He said that while hope was one thing they could not take or extinguish from the final account of Abiola’s life, faith in the promise of Abiola’s vision has renewed the nation’s hope.Shettima made the observation during the Public Lecture Commemorating Nigeria’s 26th Democracy Anniversary held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.The Vice President affirmed, “It is this faith in the promise of Abiola’s vision that has renewed the hope of this nation. 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Safety
Anambra celebrates Democracy Day without protests
Major streets across Anambra State have remained peaceful and calm and devoid of any June 12 protest currently going on in some states across the country.Our correspondent who visited major cities of the state such as Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, observed that both economic and commercial activities were going on without any hitch.This is just as operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were seen positioned at some strategic places providing security to prevent any form of lawlessness.Checks by our correspondent on Thursday also revealed that some of the residents did not have idea if protests were going on.Speaking on the development, the state NSCDC Commandant, Maku Olatunde, who disclosed that the command mobilised and deployed no fewer than 750 personnel to protect critical national assets across the state.According to Olatunde, the deployment which covers all the 21 local government areas of the state included specialised units such as tactical squads, anti-vandalism squad, female special forces and counter terrorism squad.He said they were strategically positioned in government buildings, public utilities, transportation hubs, telecommunication facilities, electricity infrastructures, high-risk areas, areas prone to violence, blackspots and other vulnerable points.“The Command is committed to providing a secure environment for Anambra citizens to celebrate without fear of any security threats.“We are fully prepared to neutralize any potential security breach and ensure the state maintains its relative peace.“We urged Anambra residents to remain alert and report any suspicious movements or activities to the nearest NSCDC formation or other sister security agencies,” he added.He extends his warm wishes to Nigerians for a joyous Democracy Day celebration, reaffirming the NSCDC’s dedication to maintaining peace and security in collaboration with other sister security agencies throughout the state.
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