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FEC Approves MTN Takeover of N202.8bn Enugu-Onitsha Expressway

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The Federal Executive Council, on Wednesday, approved MTN’s takeover of the construction of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway at over N202.8bn under the road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, disclosed this to State House correspondents shortly after this week’s council meeting chaired by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to Fashola, the approval followed Executive Order 7 signed by the President in January 2019.

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This, he said, would enable the telecom giant to complete the dualisation of the 110-kilometer road.

Under the same scheme, the Council approved the Umuchi-Ususu-Umueme Road in Abia State for construction by GZ Industries at N4.2bn.
He explained that “the Ministry of Works and Housing presented two memoranda and they are largely PPP based memoranda. In January 25, 2019 specifically, President Buhari approved Executive Order 7, which was the road infrastructure tax credit scheme, to allow private sector to invest tax liabilities in advance in infrastructure, and that policy has helped us to finance roads like or by Obajana to Kaba, Apapa-Oshodi, Oshoki-Ojota Expressway, the Bodo-Bonni expressway in Port Harcourt, about 1000 kilometers covering 21 roads under the NNPC investment. So, there is an increased optic for that policy. Today, we have two more.
“The first that was approved is the one by MTN Nigeria Plc to take over and complete the ongoing Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. That road is 110 kilometres, which is being dualized. So, you have 110 kilometers times two.”

He added that the outstanding work aggregated to over 91km on both sides. While the Enugu bound section of the road had been largely completed, more work was required on the Onitsha section, the minister explained.
Fashola noted that the policy would allow a steady and sustained stream of funding for completion by MTN.

He continued: “The second memo also was under the Tax Credit Scheme and while the first one was related to the road linking Anambra and Enugu states, this one is with respect to a road in Abuja.

“Now, the road is called Umuchi-Ususu-Umueme GZ Industries Road in Abia. The private sector beneficiary of the approval is a company called GZ Industries. GZ Industries manufactures aluminium cans for bottling drinks. They have a factory in Agbara in Ogun State and they have another one in Abia in this area. So, it’s a link road to their factory.
“The approval was for N4,205,454,855,26.

The road is a 3.7km road. So, it’s an access road to their Industry Council, approved both memoranda.”
The council also approved the establishment of a fire truck maintenance and refurbishment centre in Katsina at N13.02bn. This formed part of the three memoranda presented to the council by the Ministry of Aviation.
According to the Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, the piece of infrastructure was “critical” for the country.

Sirika explained that past governments shipped Nigeria’s firefighting equipment to Europe where they were manufactured for refurbishing.
He lamented that the back-and-forth shipping costs were no longer sustainable, let alone exporting labour on scarce foreign exchange.
“So, the Buhari government decided that we should establish one and that center will cater for aviation firefighting equipment, including all other firefighting equipment around the country.

“In fact, it’s not going to be limited to only firefighting. It will be for heavy duty vehicles that could be maintained and the intended purpose. As they gain experience, we go into assembly of those trucks here in Nigeria, similar to what Volkswagen and Peugeot are doing, and eventually they start to manufacture our own.

“So, the setup will be with the aim to achieve that but the first initial contract is to set it up in such a way that we’ll be doing maintenance on that equipment, and the contract sum was N7,913,949,964,” Sirika explained.
The second contract under the first memo comprised the building of the maintenance center which would be executed by Ingenious Nigeria Limited at N3.99bn


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Court Orders Suspension of PDP National Convention Over Lamido’s Exclusion

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Federal High Court suspends PDP National Convention, orders the party to allow former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido to buy forms, undergo screening, and contest for chairman. INEC barred from monitoring until compliance.
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A Federal High Court has ordered the suspension of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention until former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido is allowed to fully participate in the chairmanship contest.

In a ruling delivered on Friday, the court held that the party must permit Lamido to purchase the nomination form, undergo screening, and contest for the national chairmanship position. The judge stated that preventing the former governor from acquiring the form amounted to a violation of his constitutional and party rights.

The court emphasized that proceeding with the convention without resolving Lamido’s complaint would constitute a breach of fair hearing and due process, noting that internal party democracy must comply with established legal standards.

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Additionally, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to refrain from monitoring or recognizing the convention until the PDP fully complies with the order.

The PDP has not yet issued an official reaction to the ruling.

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Obiano Alive, Former Aide Debunks Death Report of Ex-Anambra Governor

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BREAKING: Former Anambra Governor Willie Obiano Dies in London
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Former Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Mr. C-Don Adinuba, has dismissed reports claiming that ex-Governor Willie Obiano has died in London. Adinuba said that the former governor is alive, strong, and residing in Houston, Texas, United States.

SaharaReporters reported on Friday that Obiano had passed away in London after health complications.

Speaking in a telephone interview, Adinuba described the claims as “provocative,” “unfounded,” and entirely false.”

“I just spoke with the former governor and members of his family a few minutes ago. He is hale and hearty in Houston, United States, where he resides,” Adinuba said.
“Contrary to the reports, Obiano is not in London and has not been hospitalised. He is strong, hale, and hearty… Please ignore the rumour it is fake.”

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He urged the public to disregard what he called a deliberate spread of misinformation.

Obiano’s personal publicist, Tony Nezianya, also said he had not received any information confirming the rumoured death.

“I can’t confirm this; I am not aware of such news,” Nezianya told our correspondent.

Background

Willie Obiano served as Governor of Anambra State from 2014 to 2022, succeeding Peter Obi and handing over to the current governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo.

Born on August 8, 1955, Obiano hails from Aguleri in Anambra East LGA.
He is currently facing an EFCC investigation over an alleged ₦4 billion fraud during his tenure.

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Africa

African Union Rejects Christian Genocide Claims in Nigeria After Trump Threats

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Mahmoud Ali Youssouf
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The African Union (AU) has firmly dismissed allegations of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, countering recent claims and implied threats of U.S. military intervention made by President Donald Trump.

Speaking at a United Nations press conference on Wednesday, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf described the allegations as “dangerously misleading” and warned against external narratives that could inflame tensions in Nigeria.

“There is no evidence of a systematic campaign aimed at exterminating Christians in Nigeria,” Youssouf stated. “Extremist groups such as Boko Haram and ISWAP have, in fact, targeted far more Muslims than Christians since their insurgency began in 2009.”

AU: Violence Is Terrorism, Not Religious Cleansing

Youssouf explained that the AU continues to monitor the security situation in Nigeria’s northeast, where Boko Haram’s insurgency remains active. He stressed that the violence does not fit the definition of genocide and should instead be understood as “indiscriminate terrorism driven by extremist ideology, not religious policy.”

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Nigeria Agrees with AU Position

The Nigerian government has also rejected Trump’s characterization of events. Officials say that both Christian and Muslim communities have suffered, and that framing the conflict as a religious war undermines counterterrorism cooperation.

AU Warns Against Foreign Military Intervention

Responding to Trump’s threat of possible military action to “protect Christians,” Youssouf urged the U.S. to avoid unilateral decisions.

“Nigeria is a sovereign state. Any intervention must be coordinated with African institutions and grounded in facts, not political sentiment,” he said.

He added that mischaracterizing Nigeria’s complex security challenges could worsen religious tensions and derail stabilization efforts.

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Seyi Vibez Drops Fuji Moto Album Featuring Trippie Redd, French Montana, NLE Choppa & Olamide

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Seyi Vibez Drops 14-Track Fuji Moto Album With Global Collaborations
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Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Seyi Vibez has released his highly anticipated album Fuji Moto, a 14-track project that fuses Fuji rhythms with trap, street-hop, and melodic Afro-fusion. The album arrived on November 14, 2025, under EMPIRE, marking one of Seyi Vibez’s most ambitious creations yet.

Fuji Moto features standout international and local collaborations, including Trippie Redd, French Montana, NLE Choppa, and Nigerian rap icon Olamide. The project also includes several deep, introspective solo tracks where Seyi Vibez reflects on pain, resilience, spirituality, and his rise from the trenches to global acclaim.

Within hours of release, the album debuted at No. 2 on the Apple Music Nigeria Top Albums chart and quickly became Seyi Vibez’s most-streamed project ever on Spotify, reinforcing his status as one of the most influential voices in modern Afrobeats and street music.

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With its blend of traditional Fuji influences and contemporary sonic experimentation, Fuji Moto cements Seyi Vibez’s reputation for pushing boundaries and representing the sound of the streets on a global stage.

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Abuja

Wike Presides Over FCT Exco, Launches New Waste Management System for Cleaner Abuja

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Wike Presides Over FCT Exco Meeting As New Waste Management Regime Kicks Off Next Week Monday
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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) will commence a comprehensive new waste management regime across Abuja from Monday, November 17, 2025, as part of efforts to improve sanitation and restore environmental order in the nation’s capital.

The announcement followed the FCT Executive Committee Meeting held on Thursday and presided over by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Coordinator of the Abuja Municipal Management Council (AMMC), Chief Felix Amechi Obuah, revealed that the Executive Committee had ratified and approved a memo appointing new contractors to handle waste collection and management across different districts of the FCT.

According to him, the approval also covers the procurement of basic waste treatment plants, alongside the maintenance and operation of supervisory utility vehicles to support the new regime.
Chief Obuah, who acknowledged widespread complaints about waste disposal in the capital, expressed optimism that residents would begin to experience a significantly cleaner and better-managed Abuja once the new system takes effect.

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Also speaking, the head of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Hon. Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, disclosed that the Committee approved payment for the emergency evacuation of waste from open dump sites, waterways, and stream channels in the Dogon Gada community of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

He explained that a total of ₦111,913,176 was released for the execution of the cleanup contract.

In addition, the FCT Transportation Secretary, Hon. Chinedum Elechi, announced approvals for printing services for the Directorate of Road Transport Services. He added that funds have also been approved for the operation and maintenance of 34 existing traffic lights, as well as the installation of three new traffic light systems within the Federal Capital City.

Earlier in the meeting, the Chief of Staff to the FCT Minister, Hon. Chidi Amadi, reiterated Wike’s determination to maintain high environmental standards in Abuja.

“The Minister is very concerned about the waste management contract,” he said. “He is serious about it because it directly affects the cleanliness and overall image of the city.”

With the new waste management framework set to take effect next Monday, the FCTA says it is fully committed to delivering a cleaner, orderly, and world-class Abuja.

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