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Enugu/Onitsha Highway: Tinubu committed to transformation of South East roads – Umahi

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By our reporter

The Honourable Minister of Works Engr. David Umahi, has assured the people of South East of the commitment of the Renewed Hope administration of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the transformation of the transportation infrastructure in the South East like every other Geo-Political Zone of the country.

Umahi gave this assurance during a courtesy call by a delegation from the Anambra and Enugu caucus of the 10th National Assembly who came to seek the federal government’s intervention on the completion of the construction of Enugu – Onitsha Expressway handled by RCC Ltd and funded by MTN under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.

The Minister who expressed deep sympathy over the lives that have been lost along the uncompleted sections of Enugu-Onitsha Expressway especially the recent incident of tanker explosion on the Ugwu Onyema axis of the road that killed scores of people, stated that the people of South East have every reason to have implicit confidence on the ability and will of President Tinubu’s administration to address the road infrastructure deficits in South East and other Geo-Political Zones of Nigeria, noting that under Mr. President, South East, has been given a pride of place in the political landscape of Nigeria.

He said “Again, we should also be grateful to Mr. President. Since he became President, we’ve not heard about farmers and herders clashes in the South East. Mr. President inherited 2,064 projects, totaling about N13 trillion, and today, those projects will be over N20 trillion, by reason of the floating of the Naira and the removal of fuel subsidy. It’s nobody’s fault. But by his good heart and commitment to rewriting the story of this country, he will make Nigeria great again.”

He reiterated the need for South Èast to rise up in gratitude to Mr. President for prioritizing intervention on roads and for solving the problem of marginalization of South East.

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“And so we want the National Assembly members, and of course, South East stakeholders, to please stand up and commend the President at all times, because this is not party something. And I can beat my chest and say that irrespective of party, no any other person will have the heart to do what Mr. President is doing for the people of South-East.”

Also speaking, the leader of the delegation and Minority Whip of the Senate, representing Enugu West, Sen. Osita Ngwu commended the Honourable Minister for the unprecedented scale of road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance nationwide expressed worries that some of the projects were not receiving adequate funding required to complete the projects in record time.

He made particular reference to the Enugu – Onitsha Expressway that was awarded to RCC and funded through the Tax credit, and today, some sections of the road have become a death trap to road users.

He stated that the delegation was compelled by the recent tanker mishap on the Ugwu Onyeama axis of the road in Enugu State to make the visit to the Honourable Minister.

He expressed the readiness of the Federal law makers to offer necessary collaborations and cooperation that would help in tackling the challenges and bottlenecks faced by the Ministry in ensuring the completion of the said road.

“We appreciate that since the minister assumed office that the President has graciously approved quite a number of projects in the South East. We appreciate Mr. President, but we are worried that it is not just about putting projects across our zone, but when these projects are not funded, it looks like it is just a game.

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” We are worried, however, that some of the projects that are in the South East are not receiving funds that can make them to progress so that we can have benefits for such projects. And when it is not funded, it becomes a worry to us”

On his part, the Senator representing Anambra Central in the Senate, Sen. Victor Umeh thanked the President of Nigeria for giving South East a sense of belonging in his administration and for the wave of road infrastructure transformation going on across the nation but pleaded with Mr. President to give accelerated intervention on funding to the roads in the South East so that the zone could fully benefit from the economic development agenda of the Renewed Hope administration.

According to Umeh, “While I joined my brother and colleague, Senator Osita Ngwu, in thanking the President for a worthy choice of Engr. Senator, Dave Umahi, to be the Minister of Works, he couldn’t have made a better choice based on his experience and what he was able to do as Governor of Ebonyi State through engineering infrastructure in that State. ”

He continued, “Through our oversight functions, we’ve been able to move around Nigeria in the various committees that we serve and we’re able to see the great works the President is doing in Nigeria to transform our transportation infrastructure through ambitious road projects and railway projects across Nigeria. We are from the South East Nigeria, and while we applaud the great strides the President is making to see that our roads are good and our railway infrastructure is actualized, we want to plead, on behalf of our people that South East should be given accelerated attention because of the infrastructure deficit we’ve had before he came on board”

Other national assembly members in attendance include, Senator Okey Ezea, representing Enugu North, Senator Kelvin Chukwu representing Enugu East, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, representing Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha, representing Eziagu/Udi Federal Constituency, Hon. Mark Chidi Obeta, representing Nsukka/Igbo Eze South Federal Constituency, Hon. Uchenna H. Okonkwo, representing Idemili North / Idemili South Federal Constituency, Hon. Engr. Paul Nnachi, representing Enugu East/ Isi Uzo Federal Constituency, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, representing Aninri Agwu/Oji River Federal Constituency, Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuife, representing Orumba North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Paschal Agbodike, PhD, representing Ihiala Federal Constituency, Hon. Engr. Dominic Okafor, representing Aguata Federal Constituency, Hon. Gwachan Maureen, representing Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency, Hon. Prof Lilian Orogbu, representing Awka North and South Federal Constituency; the General Manager of MTN, Ikechukwu Uchendu, the Manager Federal Affairs, Ifeoma Nkata, MTN Community Laison, Engr Chris Okoye, Project Mgt, Obioha Dike, Project Mgt, Tochukwu Onuorah, the Legal Adviser, C. J Caleb and Simisola Ogala, and Federal affairs, Halima Nura as well as the Key Directors of the Ministry including; the Director of Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. C. A Ogbuagu, the Director of Highways Bridge and Design, Engr. B. U Obioha, and the Acting Director of Highways Road and Design , Engr M. Saidu.

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Three Dead as Warri-Itakpe Train Derails in Delta, NRC Confirms

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The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the death of three persons following the derailment of the Warri-Itakpe train in Agbor, Delta State.
The corporation disclosed that four coaches left the rail track during the incident, which occurred on Monday, June 8, 2026.
In a statement, the Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, said emergency response teams and other relevant authorities were immediately mobilised to the scene to manage the situation and provide assistance to affected passengers.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed a serious train accident involving the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor at Agbor, Delta State,” the statement said.
According to Opeifa, rescue and emergency response operations were activated immediately after the accident, and all passengers on board have since been accounted for.
“Sadly, three fatalities have been confirmed at this time,” he stated.
He added that relevant authorities are continuing to assess the full circumstances surrounding the incident, while support is being provided to injured and affected passengers.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and loved ones during this difficult time,” Opeifa said.
The NRC urged members of the public to rely only on verified information and official updates from the corporation as investigations into the cause of the derailment continue.

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Newlywed Woman Disappears After Discovering Husband Had Two Children

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A newly married Nigerian woman who was recently declared missing by her family in Abuja has reportedly left her matrimonial home after discovering that her husband allegedly had two children with different women.

The woman, from Mbabum Community in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, had been the subject of a public appeal by her family, who sought assistance in locating her after she allegedly left her husband’s residence in Abuja.

According to a statement attributed to a family representative, Hon. Goshi Peter, the woman married Goshi Bem in March 2026 but left her matrimonial home about two weeks ago and had not returned.

However, in an update shared on Saturday, June 6, 2026, a Facebook user, Tyom Alexander, claimed she had spoken with the woman by phone.

According to Alexander, the woman said she left her husband’s home after discovering that he had two children from different women, information she alleged was not disclosed to her before their marriage.

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“I have been able to speak with this woman through the phone number provided by the whistleblower,” Alexander wrote.

“She said her husband didn’t tell her that he had children before their marriage. She only discovered this after they relocated to Abuja.

“The first child is five years old, while the second child is two years old, both from different mothers.”

Alexander further claimed that the woman stated she was safe and still in Abuja, and reportedly warned her husband not to bother searching for her.

“According to her, the man should not bother looking for her as she is doing fine in Abuja,” Alexander added.

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“If this is true, then the man has disappointed me. I wait to hear the man’s side of the story.”

As of the time of filing this report, the husband’s response to the allegations had not been made public.

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Consultant Laments Fate Of 200,000 kms Of Nigerian Roads

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By Okey Maduforo Awka

The fate of Nigerian roads especially the highways appears to be under threat of this year’s rainy season following fears by professionals that the over 200,000 kilometers of roads may collapse by the end of the year .

Deepening this apprehension is the lack of maintenance of those roads which have yearly carried loafs above it’s capacity occasioned by heavy duty trucks and tankers .

Expressing these fears , Consultant Engineer to the Federal government Patience Aningo noted that if urgent steps are not taken this year’s rainy season would spell doom for motorists and other road users across the country.

“Without consistent enforcement of axle load limits, and steady maintenance of our federal highways there strong indications that the country is at the risk of loosing over 200,000 kilometers of roads ”

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“Roads require precision from proper compaction to correct layer thickness”

“By then, what could have been addressed with minor engineering challenges would become a huge cost of maintenance”

“The frustrations lies a deeper issue and the persistent failure of roads that should last far longer is compromised by laxity on the part of the authorities concerned”

“The outcomes are sometimes undermined by weak supervision, inconsistent material quality, and cost”

She observed that poor drainage system has also been the bane of the Federal roads in the country.

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“Nigeria has one of the largest road networks in Africa estimated at over 200,000 kilometers yet a
One major factor is inadequate drainage”

“Roads are not just paved surfaces; they are engineered drainage
systems, sealing cracks, and timely patching remains underutilized, despite its proven
underlying soil, and accelerates structural deterioration”

“In a country with intense seasonal rainfall, neglecting drainage is one
of the fastest ways to shorten a road’s lifespan.’

“Regulations must be enforced consistently to protect infrastructure investments”

“Similarly, the Abuja–Kaduna Highway remains a critical but vulnerable route, where
pavement distress and operational challenges continue to highlight the strain placed on key compromise
during construction directly reduces durability and increases long-term costs”

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“Drainage must be treated as a core design element, not an afterthought which affects Axle load against
what they were originally designed for”

“Heavy-duty trucks often overloaded introduce stresses that affect the roads ”

“Many Nigerian roads now carry traffic volumes and axle loads far beyond routes in the country
and despite ongoing reconstruction efforts, sections have deteriorated quickly ”

“When water is not properly managed, it penetrates the pavement layers, weakens the
This pattern is evident on major corridors such as the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, one of the busiest in the country “she stated.

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Enugu Govt Dismisses Viral UNN Attack Alert, Moves to Track Perpetrators

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Enugu Govt Dismisses Viral UNN Attack Alert, Moves to Track Perpetrator
The Enugu State Government has dismissed as false and misleading a viral social media post alleging an imminent terrorist attack on the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), assuring students, staff, and residents that there is no credible security threat to the institution.
The government described the post as the handiwork of criminal elements seeking to create panic, fear, and confusion within the university community and across the state.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Malachy Agbo, said the government had taken note of the viral message warning of a possible attack by individuals described as terrorists and jihadists.
According to him, investigations indicate that the alarm is false and part of a deliberate attempt by criminal elements and their collaborators to undermine public confidence in the state’s security efforts.
Agbo recalled that similar false alerts had been circulated in the past concerning locations such as Holy Ghost, Obollo Afor, Opi, Nsukka, Gariki, Awgu, and other parts of the state. He noted that those behind previous misinformation campaigns often operated anonymously and recycled old videos to create the impression of ongoing attacks.
He added that many of the perpetrators of the earlier false alarms were eventually identified and apprehended by security agencies.
The commissioner disclosed that the state government is already working closely with security agencies to track down those responsible for the latest viral post and ensure they face the consequences of their actions.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to public safety, Agbo said the government had continued to invest heavily in modern security infrastructure and technology to strengthen security operations across the state.
He stressed that the protection of lives and property remains a top priority of the administration of Peter Mbah, noting that recent investments have significantly improved the capacity and responsiveness of security agencies operating in the state.
The government therefore urged members of the UNN community, residents of Nsukka, and the general public to remain calm and continue their lawful activities without fear, assuring them that adequate measures are in place to guarantee their safety.
It further reiterated its resolve to sustain efforts aimed at maintaining peace and security across Enugu State while taking decisive action against individuals who spread false information capable of causing public panic.

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METHODIST CHURCH HONOURS MONDAY DIAMOND ANI WITH “APOSTLE OF FAITH” AWARD

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The Methodist Church Nigeria has honoured the General Manager of the Enugu State Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Hon. Monday Diamond Ani, with the prestigious “Apostle of Faith Award” in recognition of his outstanding humanitarian services and contributions to community development.
The award was presented by the Methodist Diocese of Akegbe, Aninri and Awgu Archdiocese (AAA) under the leadership of Rt. Rev. C. Orji, the Methodist Bishop of AAA Diocese, Enugu.
According to the Church, the honour was bestowed on Hon. Ani in acknowledgment of his selfless commitment to community development, social welfare, and humanitarian service over the years. The Church noted that his contributions have transcended political considerations and have positively impacted countless lives across communities.
His consistent humanitarian interventions have earned him the popular title “Odoziobodo”, meaning “one who builds and restores communities.”
Hon. Ani is widely regarded as a passionate advocate for community service, driven by a desire to improve living standards and promote love, unity, and a sense of belonging among the people. His dedication reflects Christ’s teaching on the greatest commandment—love for God and love for one’s neighbour—placing service to humanity at the centre of purposeful living.
Due to his unavoidable absence, the award was received on his behalf and later presented to him at his office by Dr. Okechukwu Animba, Vice President (South-East) of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
Responding to the honour, Hon. Ani expressed profound gratitude to Rt. Rev. C. Orji and the entire Methodist Diocese for recognising his humanitarian efforts. He prayed for God’s continued grace and strength to serve humanity and touch more lives through his work.
He also appreciated his principal, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, for appointing him to lead the CSDA, an agency charged with driving community interventions and sustainable development across the state.

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