Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reiterated his commitment to construct the 113-Kilometer Ibadan Circular Road, despite protests by those he described as political merchants hired to discredit a good idea.

He was speaking while inaugurating two Central Bus Terminals at the Iwo Road Interchange in Ibadan.

On the wave of criticisms hurled at him regarding the ongoing Ibadan Circular Road, he said he wouldn’t be deterred from continuing with what would move the state forward.

Makinde emphasised that the 113-kilometre Ibadan Circular Road project was a cornerstone of his administration’s vision for sustainable growth and urban expansion.

According to him, the road, when completed, will ease traffic congestion, open up new economic corridors, and attract more investment to the state.

He said it was unfortunate that some individuals had chosen to politicise a project designed to bring long-term economic and infrastructural benefits to the state.

However, he pledged to engage genuine landowners whose properties were affected by the circular road project in the coming week.

He reiterated his commitment to the state’s development, saying it remained unshaken.

He said the bus terminals fulfilled the promises he made to the people of the state.

Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday underscored the importance of a good transportation system in enhancing citizens’ economic activities and convenience.

Obasanjo who together with Governor Makinde, unveiled the terminals,
noted that Ibadan, being a populous city, needed a viable transportation system to ease the movement of its residents.

“If you’re going to make it convenient for people to live in Ibadan, transact business in Ibadan, there must be availability of transportation; that is what these bus terminals are meant for,” Obasanjo said.

He submitted that Ibadan could take the status of the capital of Yorubaland, having been the former capital of the old Western Region.

While commending Makinde for the developmental strides of his administration, he said the benefits of his deeds transcended Oyo State to the entire region.

The former president, therefore, urged the Oyo State governor to remain focused on his vision to bring unprecedented development to the state.

According to him, the governor will be insulted by some people, but he should not relent in doing whatever good work there is to be done.

The construction of the two ultra-modern Ibadan Central Bus Terminals commenced in June 2021.

The newly inaugurated terminals are part of the four bus terminals built in Ibadan by the Makinde-led administration in the last five years.

The two terminals would be expected to accommodate at least 42 parks and attract about 15,000 passengers daily.

President Bola Tinubu has urged editors across Nigeria not to relent in upholding the highest standards of journalism and to continue to report boldly and truthfully.

The President stated this while speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Guild of Editors’ Annual Conference held at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday.

The conference, themed “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,” brought together editors, senior journalists, and policymakers to reflect on how the media can strengthen unity amid national challenges.

Tinubu tasked the media to continue to act as a stabilising force in a rapidly changing information environment.

“I urge you, therefore, to continue upholding the highest standards of journalism. Report boldly, but do so truthfully. Critique government policy but do so with knowledge and fairness. Your aim must never be to tear down, but to help build a better society,” the President stated.

He urged editors in Nigeria to uphold integrity and fairness in their reportage, noting that responsible journalism remains essential to sustaining democracy and national cohesion.

“The freedom secured through struggle is not self-sustaining. It requires constant vigilance and responsible exercise.

“A democracy is sustained not only by elections and laws, but also by the integrity of public conversation,” he stated.

The president commended the Nigerian press for its historical role in advancing justice and democracy, recalling how journalists “endured intimidation, detention, and personal hardship in defence of the public good.”

He, however, cautioned that the digital age has amplified misinformation, making the editorial function more critical than ever.

The president urged editors to be constructive in their criticism of government policies while maintaining fairness and accuracy.

He urged, “As editors and managers of the national information space, you shape narratives. You influence public understanding. You decide what becomes national focus and how our collective challenges are interpreted. The weight of that responsibility is significant. It must be exercised with wisdom, fairness, and a strong sense of national duty.

“Nigeria is a large and diverse country. Debate and differences are part of our reality. However, disagreement must never translate into the erosion of national cohesion. Criticism, when informed and constructive, is a service to the nation. But cynicism that breeds mistrust and despair can weaken the very foundations of the society we all seek to improve. The national interest must always remain paramount.

“We live in a time when information travels rapidly and widely. Social media has made every citizen a potential publisher. This has benefits, but it also increases the speed and scale of misinformation.

“Falsehood can take root before truth has time to speak. In such an environment, the editorial function is more important than ever. Verification must be your anchor; balance must be your principle, and professional judgement must be your guide.

Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic reforms aimed at long-term stability and prosperity.

“On our part, this administration remains committed to securing our nation, sustaining economic stability, and widening the circle of opportunity for all citizens.

“The reforms we have undertaken have been challenging, but they are designed to place our economy on a strong and enduring footing.

“We have taken steps to restore macroeconomic balance, encourage investment, and rebuild confidence. The signs of progress are visible in several sectors of the economy. Still, we know there is more work to do, and we remain focused on ensuring that growth translates into real improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians,” he said.

He called for collaboration among the government, the private sector, civil society, and the media to advance national unity.

“However, economic reforms and institutional improvements alone can not build the Nigeria we seek. Nation-building requires cooperation.

” It requires trust. It requires a shared understanding that our future is tied together. The government has its role. The private sector has its role. Civil society has its role. And the media has a distinct responsibility to help shape a climate of reason and unity,” he urged.

He, however, reminded the editors that their influence extends beyond headlines.

He added, “Distinguished Editors, your work matters. The tone you set in your newsrooms, the standards you enforce, and the courage with which you defend the truth will all help shape the direction of our national journey. Let us carry this responsibility with purpose.”

Meanwhile, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors(NGE), Eze Anaba, has tabled a five-point rescue package to the president and lawmakers to adopt fiscal and legal measures to keep the country’s media houses alive.

The NGE president cautioned that a weak media imperils Nigeria’s democracy and national cohesion.

Anaba, made the appeal during his opening address at the 2025 All Nigeria Editors Conference held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

Anaba said editors carry a constitutional duty to inform citizens, deepen accountability, and hold power to account, “as constructive partners, not adversaries,” but can only do so if their overcome mounting challenges.

The rescue package include corporate tax reliefs for 5–10 years to help media houses stabilise and meet operating costs; and VAT exemption on essential inputs, such as newsprint, plates and broadcast equipment, “in line with practices in countries like Canada, India and South Africa.”

The Guild also sought tax credits to incentivise large corporations to advertise in credible Nigerian outlets, boosting investigative reporting and reducing reliance on foreign grants, low-interest loans through the Bank of Industry or the Development Bank of Nigeria to modernise equipment and create jobs.

Anaba also called for a media development fund for digital transition, managed by an independent board, to support data journalism and multimedia storytelling while insulating newsrooms from political interference.

“The media today is distressed,” the NGE President said, disclosing that a ton of newsprint now costs roughly N1.3m–N1.4m and lasts “just a day or two” in a typical press cycle.

“If the media can not keep jobs by paying salaries, it can not help our democracy,” he stated.

He called for the repeal of laws that inhibit free expression, submission of the Guild’s review to the Minister of Information and House leadership, and the creation of a Media Freedom and Safety Charter endorsed by the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary to protect journalists from arbitrary arrests and ensure access to information.

Framing the conference theme ‘Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors’ and sub-theme ‘Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit: What Nigerians Expect in 2027’, Anaba said editors must rise above division, reject hate speech, and centre underserved communities and conflict zones in daily coverage to rebalance “urban-centred” news agendas.

In a move aimed at curtailing spread of videos seen as embarrassing the Federal Capital Territory Administration, officers from Grade Level 14 and below have been banned from coming to work with their mobile phones.

The directive to this effect was contained in an internal memorandum issued by the Head of Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), Chijioke Nwankwoeze, to all staff of the
AGIS and the Department of Land Administration.

The memorandum which specifically targeted all officers on Salary Grade Level 14 and below, forbidding them from entering office premises with their mobile phones beginning Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

The memo, issued by AGIS Management, reads in part: “There shall be a ban on the use of mobile phones within the office premises for all officers on Salary Grade Level (SGL) 14 and below… affected staff are not permitted to enter the premises with their mobile phones henceforth.”

The Atlantic Bell reports that the directive was issued barely 24 hours after videos of the heated confrontation between the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and a Naval officer, Lt. A. M. Yerima, at a disputed property site in Abuja went viral on WhatsApp. Sources said the videos of the confrontation were suspected to have been recorded and shared by AGIS staff to different group platforms.

“The minister was furious that the videos circulated among staff. He saw it as an act of sabotage. This phone ban is his way of showing anger,” said one source who asked not to be named.

The policy has sparked outrage among workers and civil rights advocates, who condemned it as primitive, draconian, and anti-labour. Critics say it reflects the minister’s growing intolerance for criticism and his penchant for authoritarian control.

“It’s absurd that in 2025, a minister would ban phones in a public agency because of a viral video,” one labour activist fumed. “This is not leadership—it’s paranoia in power.”

As of press time, the FCT Administration had yet to issue any official clarification regarding the controversial directive.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has urged the traditional rulers in the Niger Delta region to step up their collaboration and support to the Commission in ensuring the sustainable development of the region.

Speaking during the Annual Strategic Consultative Feedback Forum for Traditional Rulers in the Niger Delta Region, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated that the guidance and support of the traditional rulers were critical to sustainable development.

In a statement signed and issued by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC Executive Director, Corporate Governance, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, described the traditional rulers as “essential partners” in the development process.

He declared, “You are our essential partners in the quest for sustainable development in the Niger Delta Region. This forum is designed to gather valuable feedback from our traditional institutions, enabling us to understand your communities’ needs and priorities, first-hand. Through this interactive dialogue, we aim to compile community-based needs assessments, pinpoint critical areas for intervention, and enhance our collaboration in fostering inclusive, people-centred development.”

“We understand that we can’t truly develop the Niger Delta without your guidance, support, and input. You, our esteemed traditional rulers, are the genuine voices of your people and the guardians of their hopes and dreams.”

“We genuinely believe that this ongoing collaboration will yield more meaningful outcomes and help us achieve our overarching goals of sustainable development, peace, and prosperity for the region.

He observed: “The traditional institution remains the closest to the people. The institution is trusted, respected, and uniquely positioned to mediate, guide, and reconcile the controversies we experience among ourselves. Today, more than ever, your role is essential in bridging.

“We must therefore strengthen our local conflict resolution mechanisms; reviving traditional councils, promoting inclusive dialogue that engages men, women, and youth, and ensuring that grievances are addressed swiftly and fairly. Let us also encourage collaboration between traditional institutions and government agencies, civil society, and security forces, built on mutual respect and shared purpose.”

“The future of the Niger Delta depends on the peace of its communities. Development cannot thrive amid division. Let this forum renew our collective will to pursue peace, not as a temporary truce, but as a culture and way of life.”

Delivering his address, the National Chairman of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, and Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Felix Mujakperuo, the Orodje of Okpe described peace as a pre-requisite for development.

The TROMPCON Chairman, represented by the Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, and the First Vice Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, King Pere Luke Kalanama remarked that peace-building was necessary for sustainable development.

Furthermore, he stated that traditional rulers in contiguous kingdoms should be constituted into conflict management committees for conflict resolution, remarking that conflict resolution is necessary for conflict management.

Speaking on how the Commission could benefit rural communities, the Chairman of the South-South Monarchs Forum and the monarch of Emohua, King Sergeant Awuse, argued that one cannot offer feedback on any programme unless he was carried along from the inception. Decrying a situation in which traditional rulers are not part of project conception, formulation, and execution, he further remarked that this remains inimical to effective project delivery and, by extension, to the sustainable development of the Niger Delta Region.

In his own remarks, the Amayanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diette-Spiff, described peace as the main prerequisite for development. While laying credence to views canvassed by previous speakers, King Spiff said that traditional rulers should be given their pride of place in the Nigerian Constitution. He likened today’s traditional rulers to school children whose names do not appear in the school register, wondering why the Nigerian Constitution denied them the roles hitherto assigned to them in previous constitutions.

“Development, he said, ‘should be technically driven as is the practice in Britain and other Western nations.” He stated that the Niger Delta could be turned into an industrial hub with various areas of specialisation, including the marine industry, construction, agriculture, and fisheries.

Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has partnered with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to deepen intelligence sharing and strengthen anti-corruption systems for improved revenue.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, stated this when he led his management team on a courtesy visit to the ICPC office in Lagos on Tuesday.

Oshoba said the visit was in line with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Bashir Adeniyi, to reinforce inter-agency collaboration under the Service’s three policy pillars of consolidation, collaboration, and innovation.

He said effective partnership with ICPC was crucial to achieving Customs’ core mandates of revenue generation, trade facilitation, and national security.

He noted that integrity and accountability must remain central to port operations.

“My background in intelligence makes this collaboration particularly important, because without information, nothing works.

“We are committed to sustaining intelligence-driven engagement with ICPC to ensure transparency, strengthen internal controls, and promote preventive enlightenment among our officers,” Oshoba said.

He noted that the partnership would support Customs’ efforts to build a more ethical workforce through joint training, sensitisation, and compliance programmes focused on anti-corruption regulations and responsible conduct.

According to him, the command will also welcome ICPC officers to future engagements to help shape behavioural and attitudinal change among port stakeholders.

Oshoba appealed for ICPC’s understanding in handling issues arising from genuine human errors, adding that while no officer was perfect, the focus should be on strengthening systems to reduce both intentional and inadvertent violations.

He added, “Customs and ICPC are not rivals but partners working on the same national project. We must maintain open communication, identify loopholes, and close corruption risks that weaken the port environment.”

In his remarks, Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RACC), Mr Chukwurah Alexander, commended the Customs leadership for its proactive approach to institutional integrity and described the visit as a model of inter-agency partnership.

He said the ICPC’s operations were founded on professionalism, civility, and collaboration, and that the Commission’s current focus was on preventive system reviews, ethical training, and strategic advisory support rather than punitive enforcement alone.

Alexander explained that corruption had reached a level threatening national stability, urging all public institutions to stop masking weaknesses and to embrace collective reform.

He recalled that previous collaboration between ICPC and the Apapa Command had contributed significantly to high revenue performance, noting that the Commission provided valuable intelligence inputs that shaped Customs operations earlier in the year.

“ICPC will continue to provide credible information, conduct system audits, offer advisory services, and facilitate regular staff enlightenment.

“However, we will not hesitate to expose or remove clogs in the wheel of progress when necessary, ” Alexander assured.

He advised Customs officers to be mindful of the fine line between legitimate administrative actions and corrupt practices, stressing that ignorance of the law was not an excuse.

“Even minor acts such as unauthorised gifts, misuse of auction processes, or diverting funds meant for specific purposes can attract severe sanctions,” he warned.

Alexander added that ICPC was shifting more aggressively toward preventive collaboration as directed by its chairman, given that prosecution alone was costly and time-consuming.

He called for stronger national ownership of the anti-corruption campaign, urging Customs to sustain its leadership role as one of the country’s most critical revenue-generating agencies.

Both agencies ended the meeting with a renewed commitment to sustained intelligence sharing, system audits, and periodic reviews.

This is to enhance transparency, operational integrity, and national revenue performance.

Heads of Internal Audit Departments and Units in Nigerian universities have been advised to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology-driven approaches to strengthen transparency, prevent financial leakages, and improve efficiency in institutional financial oversight.

The call was made at the 38th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Committee of Heads of Internal Audit Departments and Units of Nigerian Universities, held at the University of Port Harcourt.

In a statement signed by Dr Sam Kpenu, Public Relations Officer,
University of Port Harcourt, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, in his opening remarks described the theme, “Revolutionising University Internal Auditing Through Technology and Innovation,” as timely and significant. He emphasized that the internal audit function plays a critical role in ensuring accountability and credibility in the management of university resources, adding that the adoption of modern audit tools will help institutions align more effectively with global best practices.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Emmanuel Ibanichuka stressed the importance of transitioning from manual audit systems to data-driven, technology-enabled procedures. He explained that AI, data analytics, and automation have become essential tools for detecting financial irregularities, strengthening oversight, and supporting evidence-based decision-making within the university system.

In his goodwill message, the Acting Auditor-General of Rivers State, Dr Yorkina Christian, encouraged audit professionals to develop practical capacity in digital auditing tools and foster stronger collaboration with ICT units in their respective institutions. He noted that the successful integration of technology into auditing requires not only improved systems but also consistent ethical conduct, professional discipline, and sustained capacity development.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the Committee of Heads of Internal Audit Departments and Units of Nigerian Universities, Dr Boniface Woke, stated that the conference was designed to equip practitioners with contemporary competencies for technology-assisted assurance and advisory services. He emphasized that continued peer learning, supportive policy frameworks, and professional training are vital for embedding innovation across audit functions nationwide.

Participants at the conference resolved to promote the use of AI-assisted analytics, strengthen institutional compliance frameworks, and uphold ethical conduct in audit practice, with the overall goal of enhancing transparency, accountability, and financial governance in Nigerian universities.

Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said that Nigeria had the highest number of unicorns in Africa worth over one billion dollars.

Tijani said that they had continued to attract investment that deliver jobs, products, and innovation that drive national growth.

He said Nigeria was leading a World Bank-sponsored project to deploy 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre, developing world’s largest, alongside plans to install 4,000 telecom towers to connect 20 million unserved Nigerians.

Tijani said this at the opening ceremony of the Digital Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (DNICE 2025) organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja.

The three-day event had its theme as “Innovation for a Sustainable Digital Future: Accelerating Growth, Inclusion, and Global Competitiveness.”

Earlier, the Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima had reassured Nigerians that the government’s reforms across sectors and especially the technology ecosystem was yielding significant impact and reposing the confidence of investors.

“The uncertainties of the global economy, shocks, shifting alliances and the rapid displacement of traditional jobs by emerging technologies have compelled us to act boldly.

“Our economic reforms are stabilising the sector, and I am proud to share that these reforms have inspired investor confidence.

“The world is taking note of our steady progress and this is our motivation to stay on course because digital innovation offers us a highway to reach our destination,” he said.

According to him, digital innovation is a sustainable and inclusive answer to our quest for relevance, opportunity and transformation.

The V-P further said the government was ensuring that the gains of economic development trickled down to the common man.

“If we must move beyond the quick means of simple application of technology to building deep tech solutions that address foundational challenges.

“This is such areas as agriculture, health, logistics and governance, we must set our priorities right, build a digital approach that works seamlessly across the country,” he said.

Shettima said that government’s strategy to reshape the country was anchored on developing people, infrastructure development and strong policy frameworks.

“The success of our cashless reforms has positioned Nigeria as one of the most dynamic fin tech ecosystems in the world and now we are opening the next frontier.

“We are in the advanced stage of passing the National Digital Economy and e-governance bill into law.

“This new bill will unlock the era of smarter governance, greater transparency and inclusive service delivery,” he said.

Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of NITDA, said that with a population of over 220 million and an average age of 18 years, it was imperative for Nigeria to harness the creativity of the youth.

“If we harness the energy, the creativity and talent of our youth, we are not just going to power Nigeria, but we can power the entire Africa into a new era of prosperity.

“If we fail to do that and provide a platform for our youth to create value, we are squandering the most valuable and precious asset we have as a nation.

“The answer to this challenge is our collective ambition to bring these youths together, engage them, provide a platform for them to showcase their creativity and their talents,” he said.

The conference, he said, was being attended by no fewer than 4,800 participants from 12 countries and from 25 states across the country.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress of work on the 14.5-kilometer Ndele/Omofo/Egamini/Agba-Ndele Road project located off the East–West Road in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.

Addressing newsmen during an inspection tour of the project on Tuesday, the Governor noted that the pace and quality of work being delivered by the contracting firm, Messrs Stream Co. & Equipment Limited, fell below acceptable standards.

He was accompanied on the tour by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who briefed the Governor on the status of the project and adjoining infrastructure.

Governor Fubara, who appeared visibly unsatisfied with what he saw on the stretch of the road, said his administration would not condone mediocrity or allow public funds to be wasted on underperforming projects. He, therefore, hinted that a review of the contract may be imminent to ensure the delivery of quality infrastructure to the people.

“I can say here already that the contractor handling the road from the bridge to the East–West Road is not doing a good job. I’m not happy about it. When I get back, there will be a need to review that contract because I’m not impressed. They don’t have the capacity, and we need capacity because we must have value for whatever money we’re spending,” the Governor said.

The Governor, however, commended Setraco Nigeria Limited for the standard and pace of work on the 240-meter Agba-Ndele/Abua Bridge, which forms a major component of the project. He explained that the bridge, which his administration inherited, would significantly improve connectivity among communities in the area once completed.

Governor Fubara stated that the bridge will serve as a key link between communities in Abua/Odual, Ahoada-East, and Emohua Local Government Areas, reducing travel time and providing an alternative route to the East–West Road.

He emphasised that the project demonstrates his administration’s commitment to rural connectivity and inter-community access, which are central to his development vision for Rivers State.

“Where we are standing on is a bridge connecting Abua/Odual, Ahoada-East, and Emohua Local Government Areas. The community that is connected to this bridge is Agba-Ndele.

“Instead of running through the East–West Road to Ahoada-East and heading into Port Harcourt or out of it, this bridge provides easy access for the Abua/Odual people to cross into Emohua, Agba-Ndele, and access the East–West Road in minutes,” he explained.

Governor Fubara also expressed optimism that the bridge would be ready for use in early 2026, noting that Setraco’s expertise and performance met his administration’s expectations for quality and delivery timelines.

He highlighted that projects of such importance should be handled by firms with the capacity to meet government standards.

The Governor further remarked that once completed, the bridge would serve as a crucial economic corridor for farmers and traders, especially those involved in agriculture and cultivation of local produce across the beneficiary local government areas.

He maintained that his administration is determined to deliver people-oriented projects that promote connectivity, strengthen commerce, and enhance livelihoods across the State.

“I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen on the bridge. I’m very sure that before the end of January, it might be completely ready for us to walk through and even drive across,” Governor Fubara said.

Reaffirming his vision for Rivers people, the Governor noted that his development plan seeks to integrate all parts of the State through strategic infrastructure investments that promote mobility, social cohesion, and economic growth.

He explained that his government is executing projects across multiple local government areas to ensure balanced development and inclusivity.

Governor Fubara stated that the administration will soon address the deplorable state of the Abua/Ahoada Road, which he said, will be included in the 2026 state budget.

“Our vision is to connect the entire Rivers State together, especially communities that have challenges of access. The bridge here connects Abua/Odual and Ahoada-East to Emohua and Port Harcourt. It will ease movement, promote trade, and boost our economy because agriculture is strong on this side. Moving goods to the city won’t be a problem anymore,” he said.

Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering quality infrastructure that provides value for public funds and meets the aspirations of Rivers people.