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LMI 2025: Nigeria Tops Global Labour Export, NTAC DG Lauds Nation’s Demographic Strength

Published

6 months ago

November 20, 2025

*Pledges to Partner with Mentees of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) Fellowship Programme for Broader Promotion of their Skills and Expertise

Joel Ajayi

The Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Rt.Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub has identified Nigeria’s youthful population as an asset and labour force that can drive the entire global economy and development.He said it was the strength of the country that has aided its contributions to the development of other parts of the globe in diverse areas of life, using technical manpower assistance.

Buba,who stated the above over the weekend at the ongoing 2025 edition of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) Fellowship Programme in Abuja,also added that Nigeria possesses an active population of young people that are not only energetic,but skillful and highly productive.This population,he reiterated,has continued to leverage their various competencies and skills to serve the world greatly in all fields of human endeavour.

Represented at the event by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity,Nkem Anyata-Lafia,the NTAC boss took his audience through the establishment of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps and informed of the many strides Nigerians continue to make through service to humanity in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific countries; all of which,he insisted,were aimed at driving Nigeria’s soft power diplomacy.

“Across the world,the concept of soft power diplomacy is mainly exemplified in the quest by nations of the world to attract friendship and respect and to win influence by every means other than coercion.

“Through sports,music,films,our clothing and,indeed,by other diverse kinds of service like volunteering in education, engineering,health management and development mediation, Nigeria has continued to deepen its influence, respect and friendship across the world.
Today, Volunteers of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC),with the constant support of our dear President and father,have supported the African,Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) States in their developmental strides, including being Vice Chancellors of Universities and highly placed officials of government.This commitment has caused these countries to identify with Nigeria whenever there is need to do so globally.

“All of this has helped in ensuring that our citizens, like Okonjo-Iweala of the World Trade Organization,Amina Mohammed of the United Nations,Dr.Akinwunmi Adesina of the African Development Bank and many other Nigerian-born global actors are constantly supported to emerge leaders of multilateral organizations any time the opportunity to bring in these leaders arises.

“On their own,our Volunteers and experts achieve a wide range of benefits each time they leave the shores of our nation to practise their act for two years and return.They return more experienced and equipped to favourably compete with their fellow professionals anywhere in the world.This, in turn, contributes to national pride, development and the empowerment of the individual professionals and those who depend on them,”the NTAC DG revealed.

Earlier,while welcoming resource persons, including Dr.Ochogwu Joseph Ochogwu,DG, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution,an Agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,and the Senior Special Assistant (Central Delivery Unit) to the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs,Mrs Simi Fajemirokun,to the event,Dr.Dapo Oyewole,Senior Special Assistant to the President on International Co-operation and Secretary, Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL),lauded the partnership of the NTAC and the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) from the inception of the body.He added that the NTAC DG had used his time and other resources to promote the activities of the group and to turn around the Agency to the benefits of all Nigerians.

Dr.Ochogwu,who spoke on the peace-keeping and other mediation efforts of Nigeria across time, highlighted the benefits of such efforts, while noting their monetary costs.He also praised such commitment and selfness to the progress of the world and the preservation of mankind by Nigeria.

Also brought to the fore was the success story of the hosting of the recently held West Africa Economic Summit (WAES),headed by Mrs Fajemirokun. The event,which was considered second to none in organisation and impacts,also provided an opportunity for Agencies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to showcase their support to the Ministry and their service to the world.

The event concluded with glowing tributes to the Founder/Initiator of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI),Rt. Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila,Chief of Staff to Mr.President and Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives,who in the past few years has continued to avail of diverse personal resources to engage one Nigerian youth from every State of Nigeria and the FCT each year for participation in the 3-week training and leadership mentorship of the LMI in Abuja.

This year’s Mentees,which were selected from over 7000 applicants between the ages of 21-35,is intended to build the capacities of young Nigerians for public-sector service and leadership, especially in the Legislature.

*Please,see some pictures from the event.

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FG Commits To National Development With Major Contract Agreements — Umahi

Published

15 hours ago

May 14, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has again signed landmark contract agreements with four (4) construction firms to execute critical road projects across the country, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The contract signing ceremony, held on Thursday at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, marks another major step in the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering durable, sustainable road infrastructure that enhances connectivity, stimulates economic growth, and improves the quality of life of Nigerians.

The four contractors and their respective projects are as follows:

1. Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited – Reconstruction of Mando (Kaduna) – Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State,

2. Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited – Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road in Oyo and Ogun States,

3. Messrs Truecrete Solutions Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road in Osun State and

4. Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road in Osun and Oyo States.

Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, described the projects as strategic national infrastructure designed to boost economic activities, improve transportation efficiency, and strengthen national integration. He noted that the reconstruction of the Mando (Kaduna) –Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State holds special significance, as it was one of the key infrastructure development commitments made by His Excellency, President Tinubu during the 2022/2023 electioneering campaigns. According to the Minister, the present administration remains resolute in its determination to deliver world-class infrastructure that will stand the test of time. “Our vision is to build roads that will last for generations. Under the Renewed Hope administration, we are determined to deliver infrastructure that can serve Nigerians for up to 100 years through the adoption of rigid pavement (concrete) technology,” Umahi stated.

The Minister commended the selected contractors for their competence, track records, and proven capacity, emphasising the Federal Government’s confidence in indigenous contractors. He particularly praised Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited, Truecrete Solutions Limited, and other indigenous firms for their commendable performances on previous projects across the country.

Umahi charged all contractors to mobilise to their respective project sites immediately and commence work without delay, stressing that the Ministry expects measurable progress within the stipulated timelines.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan, who formally signed the contract agreements, described the occasion as the successful completion of the procurement process and the official commencement of project implementation.

He commended the leadership of the Ministry for its commitment to ensuring that projects reached the execution stage and reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to effective monitoring, quality assurance, and timely delivery.

Also speaking, the Director of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Mr. Clement Ogbuagu, presented details of the awarded contracts as follows:

1. Reconstruction of Mando–Birnin Gwari Road, Kaduna State

Contractor: Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited

Contract Sum: ₦178,116,787,162.00

Length: 122 Kilometres

2. Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road, Oyo and Ogun States

Contractor: JRB Construction Company Limited,

Contract Sum: ₦295,996,609,992.77

Length: 114.5 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent)

3. Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road, Osun State

Contractor: Truecrete Solutions Limited

Contract Sum: ₦101,806,585,825.90

Length: 70 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent) and

4. Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road, Osun State

Contractor: Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited

Contract Sum: ₦114,854,477,607.93

Length: 73 Kilometres

All the projects will be executed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to building durable, cost-effective, and sustainable road infrastructure nationwide.

The ceremony represents another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s road network and accelerate national economic development.

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