News
Tinubu Orders Release Of Funds To Regional Development Commissions
President Bola Tinubu has directed the timely release of funds to the Regional Development Commissions, warning their boards and managements against corruption, waste and the execution of projects that do not directly benefit the people.
Tinubu gave the directive while declaring open the first North Central Stakeholders Development Summit organised by the North Central Development Commission in Abuja on Monday.
The President, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, said the Federal Government would continue to provide political and financial backing to the commissions to enable them execute projects capable of unlocking the economic and industrial potential of the country.
He, however, urged the commissions not to depend solely on government funding, advising them to explore alternative sources of financing, including public-private partnerships, donor funding and development financing.
“Government will continue to give the NCDC and other Regional Development Commissions the political and financial backing to embark on key projects that will unlock the economic and industrial potentials of the nation.
“I therefore direct the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to ensure that all funds accruable to the Commissions are released as and when due,” he said.
Tinubu said the creation of the Regional Development Commissions was part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to accelerate development across the country and address longstanding development gaps.
He stressed that the commissions were not established to replace, duplicate or usurp the functions of any tier of government.
“Rather, it is our way of looking at why development gaps still exist and trying to close them up for the benefit of our people,” he said.
According to him, the commissions are expected to focus on development priorities capable of unlocking the potential of their respective regions while providing interconnectivity for the country.
He listed roads, rail, air transportation, industrialisation, security, investment, human capital development, education and health among the sectors requiring attention.
The President urged the commissions to develop clear, concise, attainable and fundable programmes, warning against the execution of white elephant projects.
“The era of white elephant projects is over and there is no excuse for the Commissions to become another conduit for wasting public funds,” he said.
Tinubu also charged the Ministry of Regional Development to ensure that the commissions operated within the Regional Development Policy Document, while the legislature provides the necessary oversight.
He warned the boards and managements against corruption, marginalisation, politicisation and ethnicisation of government operations.
“Such actions will not be tolerated and government will not hesitate to sanction anyone found culpable,” the President said.
Speaking on the North Central region, Tinubu said the area had enormous potential in agriculture, food production and agro-processing, solid minerals development and processing, industrial development, peace and security.
He said the region had operated below its potential for too long, urging stakeholders to use the summit to chart a new development trajectory.
The President also acknowledged the security challenges confronting the North Central, saying the Federal Government had intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering, established more formations, deployed additional personnel, increased the prosecution of criminals and supported dialogue and reconciliation.
He urged the NCDC to complement the government’s efforts to stabilise the region, stressing that development could only take place in an atmosphere of peace and security.
Tinubu said the theme of the summit, “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region,” was appropriate, noting that it provided an opportunity for stakeholders to develop a consensus-driven plan for the region.
He urged participants to scrutinise the proposed development plan and ensure that it reflected the aspirations of the people and aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The President warned against allowing the summit to become another platform where ideas were discussed and reports produced without implementation.
“This Summit should not end up as one of those platforms where ideas are ventilated and reports generated only to be left dusting on the shelves. The NCDC should show a better example by following through to implementation,” he said.
Tinubu further urged the commissions to seek alternative funding sources, including public-private partnerships, donor funding and development financing, where permitted by their establishing laws and government guidelines.
News
Iheanacho, Arokodare, Awaziem Light Up Europe With Goals
Kelechi Iheanacho continued his impressive scoring run, finding the net for the 12th consecutive game as his team, Bursaspor won its game 4-2 on Sunday.
The victory propelled the Green Crocodiles to the top of the Turkish 1. Lig table, marking their third consecutive league win.
Iheanacho scored Bursaspor’s third goal five minutes into the second half to maintain his remarkable form in front of goal.
The 30-year-old has now recorded 16 goals and three assists in 12 appearances for the club this season.
Bursaspor will aim to extend their winning streak when they host Bandırmaspor in their next league fixture on Saturday.
In the Turkish Super Lig, Chidozie Awaziem scored a brace to inspire Konyaspor to a 2-0 victory over Gençlerbirliği.
Awaziem opened the scoring two minutes before half-time, handing the hosts a vital lead going into the break.
The Nigerian defender struck again 11 minutes into the second half, reacting quickest from close range after the opponent failed to clear a corner kick.
His second goal sealed the victory for Konyaspor, ending their three-match winless run in the league and securing all three points for the hosts.
Tolu Arokodare was also on target in Holland, scoring the winning goal as Ajax secured a 2-1 victory over Sparta Rotterdam.
The striker found the back of the net just before half-time to earn the former European champions all three points.
Arokodare has now recorded nine goals and three assists in 14 appearances across all competitions this season.
News
Tragic: Police Corporal Kills Female Colleague, Commits Suicide In Kogi
A police corporal allegedly shot and killed his female colleague before turning the gun on himself during night duty at ASCO Camp in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The incident, which occurred at about 11.04 p.m. on Friday, October 23, claimed the lives of Corporal Amos Yusuf and Woman Corporal Grace Onimisi.
The Kogi State Police Command, which confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Lokoja yesterday by its spokesperson, ASP Salifu Oyiza Oyiza Afusat, said both officers were taken to separate medical facilities, where they were confirmed dead.
According to the statement, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ajaokuta led a team of officers to the scene after the incident was reported.
“Preliminary findings indicate that Corporal Amos Yusuf, who was on night duty, shot Woman Corporal Grace Onimisi and thereafter shot himself,” the statement said.
It added that the remains of the deceased officers had been deposited at the mortuary of ASCO Hospital.
The police said an AK-47 rifle and four expended cartridges were recovered at the scene as exhibits.
The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for an in-depth investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“The circumstances and motive remain subjects of investigation, and the command will not speculate on matters yet to be established,” the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, expressed condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased officers.
The command said it would provide verified updates as the investigation progresses.
News
Ogun TRACE Launches Operation Safe Roads 2026 Over Ember Months Crashes
As part of its ember months traffic management strategy, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) has launched Operation Safe Roads 2026 to reduce road accidents, fatalities and traffic congestion across the state from September to December.
The initiative, tagged “Safe Roads • Safe Drivers • Safe Vehicles • Safe Communities,” aims to intensify traffic law enforcement, enhance emergency response services and encourage responsible driving practices during the ember months.
The ember months is a period from September to December, which are usually characterised by increased travel for commercial, social, religious and festive activities, hence the establishment of the operation to curb crashes and enhance safety.
TRACE’s Most Senior Commander, Elias Omonayajo, said at the weekend that the initiative was launched to enhance road safety, ensure smoother traffic movement and encourage motorists to comply with established traffic regulations throughout the ember months.
Omonayajo said that the campaign, themed “Think Safety First, Act Safely Always, Return Home Safely Every Day,” would target major highways, urban centres, accident-prone areas and key transport corridors across Ogun State.
He explained that the operation would employ a coordinated, intelligence-driven and service-focused strategy, with personnel stationed at strategic locations to prevent avoidable road accidents and ensure swift responses to emergencies.
The commander explained that the agency would strengthen monitoring and enforcement measures against traffic offices identified as major causes of road accidents and traffic congestion.
He said that offenders would be penalised for violations susch as over-speeding, reckless driving, street racing, dangerous overtaking and other unsafe driving practices that could endanger the lives of the motorists and other road users.
Omonayajo said that the operation would also target unroadworthy vehicles, faulty tyres, defective braking systems, overloaded vehicles, improperly secured cargo and other mechanical defects that could compromise road safety.
He said that motorists found driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, using mobile phones behind the wheel, operating vehicles without valid documents, driving against traffic or flouting lane discipline would face stricter enforcement measures.
The commander said that the operation also focused on clamping down on other traffic violations, including failure to use seat belts, dangerous U-turns, disobedience to traffic signals, unauthorised driving on road shoulders, illegal parking, and improper loading and off-loading of passengers or goods.
He said that the agency would move against roadside trading and other activities that obstruct traffic movement, particularly around markets, motor parks, commercial centres and busy urban roads.
Omonayajo explained that the measures were intended not merely to punish offenders but also to prevent avoidable accidents, protect pedestrians and motorists, and ensure that roads remain accessible to emergency responders.
He said that priority would be given to areas including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Abeokuta metropolitan corridors, interstate routes, major entry and exit points, accident black spots, motor parks, markets, commercial centres, major intersections and religious or event centres.
The commander said that high-risk locations are expected to receive round-the-clock or extended-hour coverage where necessary, particularly during periods of heavy traffic and increased movement of people and goods.
He added that the operation would feature round-the-clock patrols, rapid-response and accident-response units, traffic control teams, intelligence and public enlightenment units, as well as recovery and towing coordination teams.
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