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FG Flags-off Construction Of Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway

Published

2 years ago

October 25, 2024

By Joel Ajayi

Federal Government has flagged off the construction of Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway,During the flag-off of the project on the Section I, Phase 1A of the project in Ilelah town, Sokoto State on Thursday.

Minister of Works Sen David Umahi described it as a 48-year jinx being broken and a show of love for the people of the Northern part of the country by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, according to a statement from the ministry on Friday, signed by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed.

Speaking to the people during the ceremony that marked commencement of work, Umahi recalled that the idea of the project was first muted during the first tenure of former President Shehu Shagari but could not be started earlier than now.

Describing it as a payback to the people of Sokoto for the massive support given Tinubu Presidency at the 2023 polls in expectation of even much more from them during the 2027 elections, the Minister said the road is one of the Legacy Projects of Mr President, spanning over 2,000 km with the North having 52% and the South, 48.While appreciating the unwavering commitment and support of Members of the National Assembly for the President’s infrastructure development programme.

Umahi equally thanked the Office of the National Security Adviser ,NSA, for the promise to provide security for the entire stretch of the corridor while the work lasts.Welcoming guests at the occasion earlier, Deputy Governor Sokoto State and Commissioner for Works Hon. Idris Mohammed Danchadi alluded the project to “a dream come true” for the loyal people of the State.

Briefing the massive crowd at the ceremony, Director Highways Construction and Rehabilitation Engr Bakare Umar and the representative of Director Highway Bridges and Design Engr Musa Seidu described the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto – Badagry Superhighway as a Trade, Transport and Security ,TTS, Greenfield corridor traversing Sokoto state through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and terminating in Lagos State.

The length of Section I, Phase 1A starts from Km. 0 + 000 (Ilelah, Sokoto State) and ends at Silame on the Sokoto/Kebbi State border, according to them.In his goodwill messages, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu recalled that at a Town Hall Meeting in July, 2024 in Birnin Kebbi, the Minister of Works spoke about plans to embark on the project, stressing that the flag-off represents the vision of Mr President to transform Nigeria, and a proof that building viable and lasting infrastructures is possible.

Also another former Governor of Kebbi State and Vice-Chairman Senate Committee on Works Sen. Adamu Aliero noted that upon completion of the Superhighway, travel time between Sokoto to Lagos will be drastically reduced by 48 hours, adding that dams for irrigation and electricity generation and rail lines are amongst its integral parts.The Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi who dubbed the Minister of Works as “Mr Projects”, assured Nigerians of getting value for their money.

On his part, the Vice-Chairman, House Committee on Works, Hon. Usman Banye, said it was a rare honour and a privilege to be a part of the epoch-making ceremony, describing the project as a catalyst for economic growth and a testament to Mr President’s desire to better the lives of the citizenry.

Speaking, the Minister of State for Works, Barr Mohammed Bello Goronyo affirmed that the project is a clear testament of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration

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Eagle Times Newspaper Will Be Voice for Nigerians – Publisher Chukwunyere Vows

Published

20 hours ago

October 2, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.
Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.

He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.

According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.

“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.

“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.

Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.
“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.

He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.

According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.

Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.

He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.

We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.

He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.

Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.

He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.

“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

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