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Umahi inaugurates FERMA Board, challenges members on road infrastructure needs

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Engr. David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has charged the newly inaugurated members of Governing Board of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency ( FERMA) to brace up to the challenges of road infrastructure maintenance facing the country and show unwavering commitment to the road maintenance programmes of the Renewed Hope administration of President Bols Tinubu.

Umahi gave this charge during the inauguration of the FERMA Governing Board at the Conference Room, Federal Ministry of Works, Headquarters. Mabushi, Abuja on 21st December, 2023.

A statement Thursday by Hon. Orji Uchenna Orji, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister, has it that Umahi thanked the President for appointing men of proven integrity and ability into the FERMA Board and for approving the 2023 Supplementary Budget which provides landmark interventions on the Federal roads.

He said road infrastructure was critical to the socio-economic development of our nation noting that the critical sectors that drive economic growth rely greatly on road infrastructure development.

“Let me first congratulate the nominees of Mr. President to the FERMA board and to express my gratitude deeply to Mr. President who has found you worthy to do this job. We have a very critical situation with our roads all over the country. and for me, the number one thing Nigerians needed like yesterday is road. Road is everything. If we fix our roads today, we will bring down inflation in this country, because bad road is affecting every aspect of our economic activities.,” the Minister said.

He maintained that the enhanced budgetary provision for road infrastructure under our dear President shows his commitment in changing the narrative of our road infrastructure.

“This underscores the fact that Mr. President understands the plight of our people as far as our road infrastructure is concerned, he’s doing everything within the budget and outside the budget to fix our roads. And I want to assure Nigerians on behalf of Mr. President that our hopes are renewed in tackling our road infrastructure decays,” stated Umahi.

It would be recalled that in compliance with section 3 of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, (FERMA) Amendment Act 2007, the President had on 13th October, 2023 approved the appointment of the following members of the Governing Board of FERMA and they had been confirmed by the Senate:
Engr. Dr. Chukwuemeka Chijioke Agbasi – Managing Director, Engr. lbi Terna Manasseh – Member, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala – Member, Sen. Timothy Aduda – Member
Babatunde Daramola – Member
Hon. Preye Oseke Member
Aminu Adamu Papa – Member
Engr. Abubakar Bappa – Member
ACM Shehu Mohammed – Member
Yusuf Lawal Othman – Member

Earlier the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Mahmuda Mamman Mamman, described the newly appointed members of FERMA board as people of proven competence and experience and expressed hope that they would perform in their new assignment.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of the newly constituted board, the Managing Director of FERMA Engr. Dr. Chukwuemeka Chijioke Agbasi, thanked the President for finding them worthy to be appointed as board members of FERMA and pledged to discharge their responsibilities with the fear of God and align to the policy of the Federal Minister of Works and also to the mandate of FERMA.
He expressed the commitment of FERMA towards making a visible difference on the road condition and the travel experience of commuters in the country.

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“My husband is dying,” El Rufai’s wife raises the alarm

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Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El Rufai is currently facing challenges in detention, and constantly bleeding from both his nose and mouth, indicating serious health issues.

In a public statement to mark El Rufai’s “150th Day in incarceration,” one of his wives, Aisa, made the claims and appealed to the international community to intervene over what she described as her husband’s prolonged detention and alleged denial of due process.

She argued that the former governor’s continued incarceration amounted to “punishment before trial” and posed a threat to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Aisha also called on foreign governments, multilateral organisations and international human rights groups to closely monitor the legal proceedings involving her husband.

However, many people have taken to the social media to ask Aisa where she was when her husband, as governor of Kaduna State, was persecuting thousands of citizens, especially Christians from Southern Kaduna.

So others have wondered where Aisa was when her husband, then governor of Kaduna State threatened foreign elections observers that they would be taken back to their countries if they try to interfere in Nigeria’s electoral process.

 

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NiMet concludes 10-Day climate risk management training for agric professionals

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The 10-Day train-the-trainer workshop on Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension (CRMAE) organized by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has come to a successful end.

The training workshop was organized by NiMet, in collaboration with some partners, including International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Sasakawa Africa Association, and others.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Prof. Charles Anosike, Director General/CEO of NiMet, described agricultural extension officers as the critical link between climate services and farmers, noting that they translate weather and climate information into practical guidance on planting dates, crop selection, and water management.

He said the training reflects the collective commitment of NiMet and its partners to ensuring that climate information is accessible, understandable, and useful to farmers across Nigeria.

Professor Anosike noted that the Nigeria-adapted Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum will strengthen the capacity of extension personnel to deliver climate-informed advisory services. Citing evidence that effective, localized extension services can increase agricultural productivity by 20–30 percent while reducing vulnerability to climate shocks, he urged participants to cascade the knowledge gained through extension networks, farmer groups, cooperatives, and rural communities.

He stressed that the programme’s success would ultimately be measured by improved farmer livelihoods, stronger climate resilience, and enhanced national food security.

The NiMet boss also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to institutionalizing and promoting the widespread adoption of the Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum as part of the Agency’s efforts to strengthen climate services for agriculture and contribute to national food security.

In a closing remark on behalf of the AGRA Country Director, Dr. Esther Ibrahim described climate risk management as an essential component of modern agricultural extension. She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired during the training to provide farmers with timely, reliable, and actionable climate information that supports informed decision-making and resilient agricultural production.

Others at the event include Mr. Pierre Sibiry, ILRI Representative; Dr. Jim Hansen, Resource Person; Dr. Godwin Atser, Country Director, Sasakawa Africa Association; and Dr. Victoria Pillah of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The workshop concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants, who are expected to cascade the training across extension networks and farming communities, helping to bridge the gap between climate science and farm-level decision-making while improving farmers’

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Ex-President Jonathan expresses sadness over death of Amaechi’s mother

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Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a former Nigerian president, has expressed sadness over the passing of Dame Ezinne Mary Amaechi, mother of former Governor of Rivers State and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice presidential candidate, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

Jonathan expressed his feelings Saturday, in a condolence message signed by media aide, Ikechukwu Exe and sent to Nationwide Reports.

The former president his expressed his  sympathies to Amaechi, the entire Amaechi family, and all those mourning the late matriarch.

He described the death of a mother as a profound loss, noting that although death is inevitable, the enduring legacy of a life dedicated to faith, family and service continues to inspire and comfort those left behind.

Dr. Jonathan observed that the late Mrs. Amaechi’s profile reflected a life of exemplary devotion to God, family and community. He noted that her reputation as “a woman of faith, compassion and quiet strength, as well as her commitment to promoting peace, unity and service, earned her the admiration and respect of all who knew her.”

He prayed that God Almighty would grant Rt. Hon. Amaechi and the entire family the strength, comfort and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, while urging them to “draw solace from the cherished memories of her exemplary life and the enduring values she imparted to her family and community.”

The former President also prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed matriarch.

 

 

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