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Your Attack on Umahi On Coastal Highway Baseless, Ohanaeze tells Peter Obi

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The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and some others to seek “diplomatic and private engagement” with the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, over the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

 

 

This, the organisation noted, was better than public confrontations that may impede the progress of the project.

 

 

As contained in a statement on Sunday by its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze said the criticisms do not serve the interests of the nation.

 

 

The statement read, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the revered apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, rises with unwavering clarity amidst the tumult of baseless scrutiny and undue criticism directed at the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project and the commendable work of Senator Dave Umahi, Minister of Works.

 

 

“The relentless assault on these vital infrastructure initiatives raises eyebrows, and Nigerians, particularly the Igbo populace, question the motives behind these attacks, which do not serve the interests of the nation.”

 

 

While denouncing the “unwarranted vilification” targeted at Umahi, the organisation underscored the “necessity for diplomatic and private engagement over public confrontations that may impede the progress of south-eastern infrastructure development.

 

 

“Ohanaeze reiterates the call for respectful dialogue and collaboration, urging Peter Obi to eschew public acrimony and seek constructive discourse with Senator Umahi to gain authentic insights into national development projects.”

 

 

This is coming after Umahi alleged that Obi was inciting the people of the South East (Igbo) against the Federal Government on the coastal highway project.

 

 

He maintained that Obi had been a critic since President Bola Tinubu’s administration embarked on the project, describing it as a “job-losing one and misplaced priority.”

 

 

In his response, Obi said, “During my governorship, I made it abundantly clear that all structures obstructing existing roads and lacking approval would be removed,” adding that he challenged “anyone to verify and show me where the demolished structures on existing roads or ongoing businesses were not encroaching on the road and built without government approval while I served as governor.”

 

 

However, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo declared its “solidarity with Nigerians and Ndigbo in lauding President Tinubu and Senator Umahi’s dedication to enhancing national infrastructure with human face exemplified by the recent allocation of a N2.75bn compensation fund for affected property owners along the project’s Right-of-Way.

 

 

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a harmonious environment conducive to progress and equitable development for all Nigerians.”

 

 

In what it described as a “decades-long neglect of critical infrastructure in the region,” the organisation urged stakeholders to “prioritise collective advancement over divisive tactics and to engage in constructive dialogue that ensures the realisation of a prosperous and united nation.”

 

 

On Wednesday, Umahi disclosed that the FG would commence the payment of N2.75 billion in compensation to property owners affected by the demolition necessary for the construction of the coastal highway which spans from channel 0 to channel 3.

International News

Transfer: Real Madrid , Cucurella Reach Verbal Agreement 

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Chelsea reliable defender, Marc Cucurella may join Spanish giant, Real Madrid before the end of the current transfer window.if information from transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano are anything to go by.

 

Romano In a latest transfer update, said Real Madrid has reached verbal agreement to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.

“Verbal agreement in place between all parties, player too — he’s the left back wanted by Mourinho” the update read.

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Hakimi, Vinicius Barred From Speaking Spanish At World Cup

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FIFA has come under scrutiny after several high-profile players, including Achraf Hakimi and Vinicius Junior, were discouraged from speaking Spanish during media engagements at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

 

The issue first surfaced ahead of Morocco’s Group C clash with Brazil when a Spanish-speaking journalist attempted to question Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi in Spanish.

Despite Hakimi, who grew up in Madrid and speaks the language fluently, indicating he was comfortable answering in Spanish, event officials reportedly insisted that questions be asked in English.

Hakimi attempted to reassure organizers that language would not be a barrier, but officials maintained that no Spanish translator was available for the session. A compromise was eventually reached, with the reporter asking the question in Spanish while Hakimi responded in English.

The controversy intensified during Brazil’s media session when Vinicius Junior was also interrupted while responding to a question in Spanish.

The Real Madrid forward, who is more comfortable speaking Portuguese or Spanish than English, was reportedly asked by organizers to switch languages.

Rather than continue in Spanish, Vinicius opted to answer in Portuguese before turning his attention back to Brazil’s World Cup preparations.

The incidents sparked widespread debate among journalists and fans, many of whom questioned why Spanish—a language spoken by millions across North America—was effectively restricted at a tournament being hosted largely in the United States.

According to Spanish media outlet El País, FIFA only provides Spanish-language translation services at World Cup press conferences involving Spanish-speaking nations such as Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay.

For all other teams, questions and answers are expected to be conducted either in English or the official language of the participating country.

The policy has generated criticism online, with many supporters arguing that multilingual communication should be encouraged at a global event like the World Cup.

The backlash was particularly strong in Vinicius’ case, as the Brazilian forward appeared visibly uncomfortable being asked to communicate in English.

The controversy overshadowed what was otherwise a highly anticipated encounter between Brazil and Morocco, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

With the issue now drawing international attention, FIFA may face increasing calls to review its media language guidelines as the tournament progresses.

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It’s Illegal’…Falana’s Bombshell Indicts Govs, FG.

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Human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has warned federal and state governments against negotiating with and rewarding terrorists.

 

According to Falana, the practice is illegal.

He stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Amnesty International Second Annual General Meeting in Abuja on June 13, 2026.

Falana claimed it is public knowledge officials of the Federal Government and some State Governments have been holding meetings and negotiating with terrorists and bandits, which has led to thousands of ‘repentant’ criminals being forgiven and given cash gifts of undisclosed sums of money.

Asserting that the “satanic Boko Haram sect and similar bodies have been proscribed” under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, Falana insisted that “their members and allies shall be prosecuted and not pampered and forgiven by the Nigerian State.”

Highlighting the legal consequences, he quoted Section 22 of the Act, stating: “A person who knowingly—(a) arranges, manages, assists in arranging or managing, participates in a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, (b) collects, or provides logistics, equipment, information, articles or facilities for a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, or (c) attends a meeting, which in his knowledge is to support a proscribed entity or to further the objectives of a proscribed entity, commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of at least 20 years.”

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