News
FG Flags-off Construction Of Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway
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
News
Ringo Sport Club, National Parks Service Team Up to Promote Eco-Tourism, Combat Climate Change
By Joel Ajayi
The Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria and the National Park Service (NPS) have begun moves to strengthen collaboration on eco-tourism promotion, environmental protection and climate change mitigation ahead of the maiden Nigerian Para-Military Ringo Sport Tournament (NIPAMRIST) 2026.
The National President of Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria and Chairman of the National Inter-Agency Organising Committee (NIAOC) of NIPAMRIST, Malam Ahmed Mohammed Sule, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Conservator-General of the National Park Service, Dr Ibrahim Musa Goni, at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja.
The visit was part of ongoing stakeholder engagements to secure the participation of personnel from para-military agencies and explore areas of cooperation ahead of the three-day tournament scheduled for November 19 to 21, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Sule said the tournament was designed to bring together officers and personnel of Nigeria’s para-military agencies to compete for honours while promoting inter-agency cooperation, national unity, physical fitness and general well-being.
He explained that the engagement with the National Park Service was aimed at strengthening preparations for the inaugural competition and building a lasting partnership that would extend beyond sports.
According to him, the National Park Service is a strategic partner in advancing the tournament’s objectives, particularly through the integration of sports and tourism to showcase Nigeria’s natural attractions and encourage environmental awareness.
Sule disclosed that the Service had registered for the tournament and that some of its personnel had benefited from the intensive Ringo sport training programme organised by the club.
He urged the Conservator-General to mobilise more personnel for the competition, stressing that adequate preparation and mass participation would contribute to the success of the tournament.
The Ringo Sport Club president added that NIPAMRIST offered an opportunity to use sports as a platform for promoting Nigeria’s eco-tourism potential, improving the fitness of security and para-military personnel, and encouraging stronger institutional partnerships.
He called for sustained collaboration between the club and the National Park Service to leverage the tournament’s visibility in promoting the country’s protected areas and supporting tourism development.
Responding, Goni expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to the success of NIPAMRIST 2026.
He pledged that the National Park Service would encourage active participation by its personnel, describing the tournament as an avenue to improve physical fitness, discipline, teamwork and esprit de corps among staff.
The Conservator-General also welcomed the proposal for deeper cooperation on eco-tourism, noting that the Service had continued to pursue partnerships that support biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and tourism development across Nigeria’s protected areas.
Goni linked the growing effects of climate change to environmental degradation and the neglect of environmental protection principles, noting that damage to ecosystems and the depletion of natural protective cover could contribute to displacement, migration and conflicts.
He said the relationship between sports and eco-tourism presented an opportunity to raise public awareness about Nigeria’s national parks while encouraging healthy lifestyles among service personnel and the wider population.
Goni assured the organising committee of the Service’s readiness to explore practical areas of cooperation before, during and after the tournament.
He also clarified that Nigeria has 17 national parks, with about 13 currently in active operation, correcting what he described as the misconception in some quarters that the country has only seven parks.
The visit ended with both parties agreeing to establish a working framework for the Service’s participation in the tournament and sustain discussions on eco-tourism promotion and other areas of mutual interest.
The organising committee expressed optimism that the partnership would strengthen NIPAMRIST 2026 and support its broader objectives of sports development, institutional cooperation and tourism promotion.
NIPAMRIST is the maiden inter-agency Ringo sport tournament organised by Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria for officers and personnel of Nigerian para-military establishments.
The 2026 edition is expected to feature 120 players and officials from eight agencies, including the National Park Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others.
The tournament is scheduled to run from November 19 to 21 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
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