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Tinubu inaugurates FCT’s southern parkway says Investment in infrastructure will be sustained to enhance quality of life-

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday in Abuja, inaugurated the Southern Parkway project, which serves as a critical artery connecting major areas within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The Southern Parkway is one of the principal arteries conceived and planned as a freeway to provide access and connectivity to the Southern Development flank of the Capital City.

The other principal artery is the Northern Parkway, which has been substantially developed over the years to service the Northern District.

The project was awarded in 2010 but was not completed until the intervention of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Speaking at the inauguration of the project, President Bola Tinubu described infrastructure development as an enabler of economic growth and prosperity, stating that his administration would sustain investments in critical sectors to improve the welfare of citizens.

The President commended Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for his diligence and courageous efforts, noting the recent infrastructural developments in the city.

“Today, we gather to mark a significant milestone in the journey of our nation towards progress and development. As we commemorate our first year in office, it is a great joy and a welcome challenge that we have a huge responsibility on our shoulders.

“I understand the Southern Parkway not only represents a physical artery that connects vital areas within the FCT but symbolizes our collective aspiration for connectivity, ease of livelihood, accessibility, and progress. By providing a seamless and efficient transportation corridor, this road will not only ease traffic congestion but will also enhance mobility for residents and visitors to the FCT.

“The completion of the Southern Parkway underscores our commitment to inclusive and sustainable development as we strive to build a world-class Capital City. We recognize the fact that infrastructure development is a provider of jobs, and an enabler of economic development and prosperity. We believe we are going to achieve all that we have set out to achieve.

“The needs of our citizens are paramount in our thoughts and actions. By making our citizens the central focus of our development, we believe Nigeria will succeed.

“Barrister Nyesom Wike, Mr. Projects. I thank you for giving us hope and for your sincere commitment to shared values. Well done. As a team leader, you have worked so hard. I must recognize your vision that is revolutionary and inspiring to many of our people. The changes you have made to the FCT, structurally and administratively, are yielding results and elevating belief in the hearts of many Nigerians,” the President said.

Explaining the significant features of the project, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory said the road consists of 12 lanes in total.

“Your Excellency to bring the level of development of the Southern Parkway on par with the Northern Parkway, this project which was awarded in December 2010 to Setraco Nigeria Limited at the contract sum of N16.2 billion was later revised to N35.7 billion due to changes in scope and other economic indices. But this was done before this administration came in.

“The scope of work is made up of two main carriage ways of four lanes each and two service carriage ways of two lanes each, making a total of 12 lanes. It also includes the construction of four interchanges, a total of eight bridges in addition to the position of associated underground engineering facilities.

“I am happy to inform Your Excellency that the project is now completed in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President,” the Minister said.

Mr. Wike said the completion of the project will enhance traffic circulation around the city centre, reducing delays and travel time, while accelerating the development of the Southern Axis of the city, bringing improved socio-economic benefits to residents and other Nigerians.

“Your Excellency, on assumption of office with my Honourable Minister of State in August 2023, we were confronted with many uncompleted projects that have gone on for several years. However, the coming of the current administration and Mr. President’s unflinching support has indeed led to the completion of this project, among others now ready for commissioning. The Federal Capital Territory Administration and FCT residents appreciate Mr. President’s support and laudable achievements. It is in this regard and for many other patriotic persuasions that the FCT Administration hereby humbly resolve that this very important road be named Bola Ahmed Tinubu way,” the Minister stated.

Giving further details, the Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Shehu Ahmad explained that the Parkway System forms an integral part of the network of roads in the transportation masterplan of the Federal Capital City.

“It dissects the two development corridors and is planned to function as a freeway to optimize vehicular movement between the developed sectors and the Central Area. Within the Central Area, the Parkway System encloses the cultural axis. In the Northern Development Corridor, it is known as the Northern Parkway (A9). It begins at the city centre around the Inner Northern Expressway, near the National Mosque and the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre intersection.

”It traverses Phases 1 to 4 in the north of the city, ending at the Outer Northern Expressway Junction, near the Dei Dei area, for those familiar with Abuja. It covers a total length of 25 kilometres. In the Southern Development Corridor, the Parkway System starts from the City Centre at its intersection with the Inner Southern Expressway. It passes through Phases 1 to 4 of the south of the city and ends at the Inner Southern Expressway near Kuje, located in Phase 4, spanning a total length of about 27 kilometres,” the Executive Secretary concluded.

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Gov Nwifuru congratulates Mbata on emergence as Ohanaeze president General

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru has congratulated the newly elected President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator Mbata.

Nwifuru said with the experiences Senator Mbata has garnered in various theatres, taking the organisation to yet another level of growth is indubitable.

This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday, by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr Monday Uzor and made available to journalists in Abakaliki.

The Governor says, “Sen Mbata your emergence is a testament to your outstanding leadership qualities, dedication, and the confidence reposed in you by our people.

“This pivotal role offers an opportunity to unite and advance the interests of our ethnic group, promoting our rich cultural heritage, values, and aspirations.

“I am confident that under your able leadership, you will continue to serve as a beacon of progress, fostering unity, development, and a stronger sense of identity among the Igbo people”.

While assuring greater collaboration with the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Governor Nwifuru asserted “Please be assured of my administration’s support as we work collaboratively to uplift our communities and address the challenges facing our people”

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Tinubu approves ban on homosexuality in Nigeria’s military

Nigeria’s military personnel have been banned from engaging in homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, cross-dressing, and other acts deemed contrary to the ethics of the country’s armed forces.

The nation’s military personnel were also barred from body piercing, tattooing, disorderly behaviour and drunkenness on or off duty.

The fresh directive is contained in Section 26 of the revised Harmonised Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service signed by President Bola Tinubu on December 16, 2024, a copy sighted by DAILY POST’S correspondent at the weekend.

Also, the condition of service prohibited military personnel from joining secret cults and owning private businesses.

“An officer must not engage in homosexuality, lesbianism, or bestiality.

“He/she is not to belong to or engage in activities of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Trans, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual or Agender, Two-Spirit, LGBTQIA2S+, group and cross-dressing, amongst others.
“An officer must not engage in body piercing and tattooing of any part of his body. An officer shall not engage in any form of disorderly behaviour, brawl, or any action of public disgrace. An officer must not at any time be drunk, whether on or off duty.”

The condition of service also forbids the involvement of officers in amorous relationships with subordinates or their spouses.

The military personnel are obligated to pay financial dues, including vehicle licenses and insurance, on time, while they are prohibited from joining secret societies or political parties.

“An officer shall pay all just financial obligations in a proper and timely manner, especially those imposed by law and mutual contract. It is a very serious offence for an officer to be apprehended for failure to license or insure his vehicle and other legal financial obligations. In the same vein, the issuance of a dud cheque constitutes an offence.

“An officer shall not hold membership in any secret society or political party. He shall not participate, in any way, in activities concerned with such societies or parties, even in observatory capacities.

“For the avoidance of doubt, since cultural or purely traditional religious societies are not normally secret by membership or in the conduct of their affairs, they are ipso facto expelled from belonging to secret societies.”

“An officer shall not engage in private business. He shall not use or be allowed to use government property, his name, position, and connection in any way with commercial enterprises outside employment or activity with or without compensation, which interfere or has the tendency of interfering with his official duty or which may be reasonably expected to bring discredit to the Service,” the document stated.
Meanwhile, the document did not spell out punishments or disciplinary measures against any personnel who violates the rules.

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Kano Emirship tussle: Bayero rejects Appeal Court judgement, heads for Supreme Court

Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero has rejected the judgement of the Appeal Court which nullified a Federal High Court order that removed Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.

Bayero on Sunday said he is heading to Supreme Court to challenge the appeal court verdict.

Speaking to newsmen at the Nasarawa Palace of the 15th Emir Of Kano, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, Aminu Babba DanAgundi, who filed the suit that was struck out by the Appeal Court, said, “Sanusi did not even understand that he has completely lost out in the whole of the cases at hand.

“That is why I expressed regrets over remarks by the 16th Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, using the Mosque pillar to propagate something that was not true and did not happen at the Appeal Court.

“We initially went to Federal High Court seeking the nullification of the repeal law by the State Assembly, which we felt was done haphazardly.”

DanAgundi further warned Sanusi to stop parading himself as the Emir of Kano.

“The position of Muhammadu Sanusi II that he emerged victorious was wrong, the court said that the Federal High Court has no legal right to hear issues with regards to chieftaincy affairs. But what we went to court for was different.

“We were not arguing on the powers of State Assembly to enact of repeal laws, what we were asking was lack of fair hearing on the 15th Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, that he was removed without given him chance to protect himself.

“The State Assembly didn’t follow the right procedures in repealing the laws,” he added.

He asked the Police and the DSS to stop Sanusi from allegedly moving around with thugs, accusing the Emir of plotting to disrupt peace in Kano.

According to him, Sanusi will not claim victory until the Supreme Court judgement has been given.

“The Attorney General and Speaker of the Kano State Assembly went to court seeking to stop Bayero from parading himself as Emir, but the Appeal Court rejected that position and said that Bayero was not given fair hearing.

“By this it clearly shows that Bayero is still the Emir of Kano.”