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Emergency Road Intervention Commissioned as Presidential Aide Leads Media Tour of Kogi Projects
Joel Ajayi
As part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to deliver quality infrastructure across the nation, ensure the effective execution of Federal road projects, and improve safety on critical highways, the Federal Ministry of Works, on 12 January 2026, undertook an inspection of key road projects in Kogi State. The visit covered the ongoing reconstruction works on the Abuja–Lokoja Expressway, Section III (Abaji–Koton Karfe), and included the formal commissioning of the Itobe–Ayingba Road Emergency Intervention Project.
The event, part of the Ministry’s National Media Tour across all geopolitical zones, brought together key stakeholders, including the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North Central Zone, Dr. Abiodun Essiet, members of the Press, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and other stakeholders. It featured the inspection of ongoing Federal road projects and the commissioning of an emergency intervention project in the State, the first stop in the North Central zone.
During the inspection, Dr. Essiet highlighted the strategic importance of the Abuja–Lokoja Highway as a key link between Northern and Southern Nigeria. She assured that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved sustained funding for critical road projects nationwide and urged contractors to accelerate work, while upholding high-quality standards.
She commended host communities and security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), for their cooperation with traffic management and diversion measures. She also disclosed that security arrangements are being strengthened to enable nighttime construction, where required, to accelerate project delivery.
Engr. Zira Adamu, Engineering Representative (ER) on the project, provided technical insights, explaining that the construction involves a composite pavement system comprising rigid (concrete) and flexible (asphaltic) pavements.
He stated, “Eight kilometres of rigid (concrete) pavement have been completed, while 13.8 kilometres of asphalt binder course have been achieved. Overall project completion currently stands at 10.21 per cent, with approximately 66.67 per cent of the project timeline elapsed. The contract sum for the project is ₦89,888,414,585.20.”
He added that the project was initially awarded on 24 March, 2022 with a completion period of three years, noting that progress has been largely affected by traffic management and security challenges along the corridor.
The project is being executed by two contractors, with Messrs Geld Limited/Triacta (Nigeria) Limited handling one carriageway (Lokoja- Bound) and Trucrete Solutions Limited managing the Abuja-bound section.
The Federal Controller of Works in Kogi State, Engr. Patiko Musa, assured the public that construction work is ongoing, adding that additional equipment and work gangs are being deployed to accelerate progress.
Similarly, the Itobe–Ayingba Road Special Intervention Project, a 1.6-kilometre emergency repair completed at ₦972 million, was commissioned on behalf of the President by the SSA-P. The project is part of the 260 emergency interventions carried out nationwide to address critically failed sections of inherited projects by the present administration. With 2,064 road and bridge projects inherited, emergency repairs on the most hazardous sections remain a top priority.
The Itobe–Ayingba Road is a vital federal highway linking the Eastern, Central, and Western parts of Kogi State and connecting with the Okene–Ajaokuta–Itobe Road. It serves key industrial corridors, including the largest iron and steel plant and one of the largest cement factories in Africa, playing a critical role in commerce, transportation, and socio-economic development.
The scope of work executed included site clearance and scarification, provision of lateritic sub-base and crushed stone base, asphaltic binder and wearing courses, cut-and-patch of potholes, desilting of drainage systems, and installation of road markings.
The project received commendations from representatives of the Kogi State Government, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Lokoja Branch, and the host communities, who expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for addressing long-standing infrastructural challenges. Community leaders confirmed that the intervention has significantly reduced road accidents and improved safety and economic activities.
At the Dualisation of Lokoja – Benin Road, Section I, Phases 1 & 2 (Lokoja – Okene), after receiving briefings by the Federal Controller of Works (FCW), Kogi State, Engr. Musa Patiko and the Project Manager, Messrs CCG (Nig.) Limited, the SSA-P expressed dismay at the slow pace of work, urging the Contractor to put in more effort, while assuring that funding constraints would be met.
The host community complained about the menace of dust buildup occasioned by the construction work and the company was admonished to be health-conscious and environmentally friendly in their operations.
As a proactive measure to surmount the security issues affecting the pace of work on some projects, the SSA-P met with the Commander, 12 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Lokoja, Brig. Gen. Kasim Umar Sidi, who promised to provide 24-hour security cover to any construction company, on demand.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Kogi State, Engr. Abdulsalam Sagir, while thanking the present administration for the various projects in the state, asked for more. The Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Lokoja Branch, Engr. Adanu Emmanuel and a representative of Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Conscience of Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, Lokoja, Mr. Idris Miliki Abdul urged the contractors to abide by the specifications and timelines of their respective contracts.
Other projects inspected by the Team include the Rehabilitation of Abuja – Lokoja Expressway, Sections 4a and 4b, and the Special Repair of Lokoja – Ganaja Road.
News
FG Targets 50,000 Youths for Digital Jobs, Deepens Partnerships for Nationwide Empowerment Drive
Joel Ajayi
Federal Government has intensified efforts to empower young Nigerians through strategic partnerships, digital skills development, and inclusive programmes aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities nationwide.
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, made this known during a media interview with African Independent Television (AIT), where he outlined a renewed policy direction focused on measurable impact, transparency, and large-scale youth engagement.
At the core of this effort, he explained, is a landmark partnership with the Digital School (TDS), supported by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, targeting the training of 50,000 Nigerian youths in globally competitive digital skills.
The Minister noted that the initiative is expected to produce at least 5,000 internationally certified and job-ready youths within the first six months of implementation.
Comrade Olawande also highlighted the Ministry’s sector-specific collaborations, including its partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), aimed at boosting youth participation in agriculture. He added that this is being complemented by expanded programmes under the Nigerian Youth Academy and other key youth empowerment initiatives.
He further disclosed that the government is scaling up internship, gig economy, and startup support programmes to reach a wider range of beneficiaries across the country, while also intensifying efforts to promote digital literacy through The Digital School (TDS) initiative, being implemented in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
To enhance transparency and ensure merit-based access to opportunities, the Ministry has introduced a digital engagement platform, “Nigerian New Tech.” He added that ongoing reforms in youth health, financial inclusion, and social protection are also broadening opportunities for young Nigerians.
During the interview, the Honourable Minister said:“We are moving away from fragmented and tokenistic approaches to youth development. Our focus is to build sustainable systems that empower young Nigerians at scale and with real impact.”
“Through our partnership with The Digital School and the UAE Government, we are not just training youths; we are preparing them for global opportunities, whether they choose to work remotely or internationally.”
“For too long, many young Nigerians, especially those in the informal sector, have been excluded from structured opportunities. This administration is committed to ensuring that no young person is left behind.”
“Our role as government is to create an enabling environment where young people can thrive, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
“Transparency and merit are at the core of all our programmes. Access to opportunities should not depend on who you know, but on your capacity and readiness to grow.”
The Honourable Minister reaffirmed that youth development remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth, assuring that the Ministry will continue to deepen partnerships, expand programmes, and implement sustainable frameworks for the benefit of present and future generations.
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