The NBS disclosed this in its Consumer Price Index, CPI, and Inflation Report for January, released in Abuja on Monday.

According to the report, the January headline inflation showed a decrease of 0.05 per cent compared to the 15.15 per cent recorded in December 2025.

It said that on a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate in January was 12.51  per cent lower than the rate recorded in January 2025 at 27.61 per cent.

Furthermore, the report said that on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in January was -2.88 per cent , which was 3.42 per cent lower than the rate recorded in December 2025  at 0.54  per cent.

“This means that in January,  the rate of increase in the average price level was lower than the rate of increase in the average price level in December 2025.”

It said that the three major contributors to the headline inflation year- on- year were food and non-alcoholic beverages at 6.04 per cent, restaurants and accommodation services at 1.95 per cent, and transport at 1.61 per cent.

The report said that the least contributors were recreation, sports, and culture at 0.05 per cent, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and narcotics at  0.06 per cent, and insurance and financial services at 0.07 per cent.

It said that the CPI declined to 127.4 in January, and reflected a 3.8-point decrease from the 131.2 recorded in December 2025.

The report said the food inflation rate in January was 8.89  per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 20.73 percentage points lower compared to the rate recorded in January 2025 at 29.63 per cent.

It said that on a month-on-month basis, the food inflation rate in January was -6.02 per cent, which decreased by 5.66 per cent compared to the -0.36 per cent recorded in December 2025.

The NBS attributed the decrease in food inflation on a month- on- month basis to the decrease in the average prices of water yam, eggs, green peas, groundnut oil, soya beans, and palm oil.

“Others are maize (Corn) grains, guinea corn, beans, beef meat, melon (Egusi) unshelled, cassava tuber, cow peas (White), among others.”

“All items less farm produces and energy, or Core inflation, which excludes the prices of volatile agricultural produce and energy, stood at 17.72 per cent in January 2026, on a year-on-year basis.

“This shows a decline of 7.55 per cent when compared to the 25.27 per cent recorded in January 2025.

“On a month-on-month basis, the core inflation rate was -1.69 per cent in January, which decreased by 2.26 per cent compared to the 0.58  per cent recorded in December 2025.”

The report said that the inflation rate of the sub-indices for January 2026 showed that energy stood at -3.13 per cent.

It also said that farm produce stood at -5.10 per cent,  services at 0.48 per cent, goods at -4.63 per cent and imported food at -6.81per cent.

It said that on a year-on-year basis in January, the urban inflation rate was 15.36 per cent, which was 14.09 percentage points lower than 29.45 per cent in January 2025.

“On a month-on-month basis, the urban inflation rate was -2.72 per cent, which decreased by 3.71  per cent compared to December 2025  at 0.99  per cent.”

The report said that in January, rural inflation rate was 14.44 per cent on a year-on-year basis, which was 10.60 percentage points lower than the 25.04 per cent in January 2025.

“On a month-on-month basis, the rural inflation rate was -3.29  per cent, which decreased  by 2.74  per cent compared to December 2025 at -0.55 per cent.”

On states’ profile analysis, the report showed that in January, the all-items index inflation rate on a year-on-year basis was highest in Benue at 22.48 per cent.

This was followed by Kogi at 20.98 and Abuja at 19.25 per cent.

It said that the lowest rise in headline inflation on a year-on-year basis was recorded in Ebonyi at 8.72 per cent, followed by  Katsina at 8.94 per cent and Imo at 10.61 per cent.

However, the report said that in January, the inflation rate on a month-on-month basis was highest in Imo at 1.93 per cent, followed by  Ondo at 1.93 per cent and Kaduna at 0.67 per cent.

“Cross Rivers at -6.34 per cent, followed by Ogun  at -6.30  per cent  and Kogi  at -6.03 per cent and  Plateau at -2.54 per cent all recorded a decline  in month-on-month inflation.”

The report said that on a year-on-year basis, food inflation was highest in Kogi at 19.84  per cent, followed by Benue at 18.38 per cent, and Adamawa at 17.29 per cent.

“Ebonyi at 1.69  per cent, followed by Abia at 3.23  per cent and Imo at 3.74  per cent recorded the slowest rise in food inflation on a year-on-year basis.’’

It also said that on a month-on-month basis, food inflation was highest in Imo at -1.26   per cent, followed by Akwa Ibom at -2.21 per cent, and Zamfara at -2.96 per cent.

“Yobe at -11.88 per cent, followed by Nasarawa at -9.06  per cent and Sokoto at -8.31 per cent, recorded a decline in food inflation on a month-on-month basis.”

Source: NAN

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The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Joshua Ukandu, on Sunday in Abakaliki, said that the children were abducted on Saturday morning.

Ukandu said that the incident occurred at Nkwegu, opposite Nkwegu Military Cantonment gate, in Abakaliki local government area of the state.

“Yes, we are aware of the incident.

“It happened in the early hours of February 7, which was Saturday.

“The suspects took away three children: one male, aged two, and two females, aged four and two years respectively,” he said.

The PPRO added that the incident was reported to the command by the parents of the abducted children.

“There has been no demand for ransom, and no arrests have been made yet.

“Our officers are investigating and working towards rescuing the abducted children,” he said.

Source: NAN

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SP Joshua Ukandu, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abakaliki.

Ukandu said that the arrest followed a joint operation involving the Army, the Directorate of Security Services, DSS, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.

He said that two traditional rulers, Onyaidam Bassey and Godfrey Oko-Obia from Amasiri in Afikpo council area were also in their custody.

The police spokesperson told said that 10 people were earlier arrested in connection with the incident.

There has been a long standing land dispute between the people of Okporojor in Oso Edda community in Edda and their Amasiri neighbours in Afikpo local government area.

Suspected warlords from Amasiri community had on January 29, 2026, attacked Okporojor Village and beheaded four persons, burnt houses and destroyed other valuable property.

“Yes, on the Thursday attack, the update is that the coordinator of Amasiri, two traditional rulers from Amasiri and other individuals were arrested by a joint operation of the security agencies in the state.

“Those arrested are all in our custody and investigations on the killings are still ongoing.

“The command and other security personnel will not relent until all those involved are brought to justice,” the PPRO said.

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In the last five years in the five South Eastern states of Anambra, Imo, Abia, Enugu, and Ebonyi, Mondays have been declared sit-at-home days, meaning a no-work day. The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in 2021, ordered that Mondays be observed as a no-work-day in those states in solidarity with their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who was arrested in Kenya, and ferried back home to face prosecution over his agitation for the creation of Biafra Republic out of Nigeria.

The sit-at-home protests, enforced by IPOB and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network, since 2021, has transformed from a symbolic act of dissent into a protracted crisis, with devastating socio-economic and security consequences for the region. There are reports that more than 776 lives have been lost to the activities of unknown gunmen during these times. Imo and Anambra states hold the record for more than half of these deaths. Besides this, the region has suffered staggering losses, including N7.6 trillion in economic damages and systemic disruptions to education, governance, and livelihoods.

Initially rooted in legitimate grievances over marginalisation and the detention of Kanu, the movement has been hijacked by violence, criminality, and internal fragmentation, eroding public support and deepening instability. Small businesses, according to SBM Intelligence, lost about N4.6 trillion every year since its commencement, while transport companies lose between N10 billion and N13 billion every Monday when violent groups enforce the shutdown. These losses stem from widespread market closures, disrupted supply chains, and the inability of businesses, particularly SMEs, to operate effectively. The impact is evident in both urban and rural areas. Large commercial hubs like Onitsha Main Market, one of Africa’s largest, has been repeatedly forced to close, resulting in missed transactions and financial strain for traders and consumers.

Even with the absence of Nnamdi Kanu, Simon Ekpa, became the self-styled second in command, and from his base in Poland, continued to direct the enforcement of the sit-at-home order. His eventual arrest and prosecution outside the shores of the country did not bring an end to the sit-at-home, as many of the local enforcers had succeeded in instilling fear into the minds of the locals back home. Any trader that tries to open their stall on Mondays for business was dealt with. Some were killed, while others had their businesses destroyed. There seemed to be little or nothing many of the state governors in the region could do, as most of them were sympathetic to the cause of Kanu. But after more than two years and with the crisis still dragging, some state governors now feel that the time is ripe to nip the crisis in the bud. The economic toll it is having on their states’ economies is enormous and the idea is no longer sustainable.

However, they are having a tough time convincing their people on the need to shelve the strikes and bring things back to normal. States like Enugu, Ebonyi, and Abia are doing all within their power to put a stop to the sit-at-home order. Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu state, imposed penalties for compliance with the sit-at-home order, which helped bring some normalcy back to Enugu. He ensured that civil servants that did not show up for work on Mondays went home with a pay cut at the end of the month; provided security for market men and women that are willing to work on Mondays, whilst also sealing shops that remained closed, all in a bid to resuscitate economic activities by showing that it was safe and mandatory to return to normal Monday routines.

The proponents of the order should realise by now that they have done more harm than good with the directive, and a great damage to the economy of the region.

In Abia State, Governor Alex Otti implemented a combination of strong security measures and public engagement to reduce the impact of the Monday sit-at-home order. He directed all security agencies to deploy at all flashpoints and conduct regular patrols to protect law-abiding citizens and deter any enforcer of the order. He also engaged directly with various stakeholders in the state including IPOB and community leaders on why the sit-at-home order should be discarded, emphasising that it has no legal backing and that it is economically destructive. Again, civil servants were lured back to work and those who failed to show had their salaries deducted.

In Ebonyi State, both the former Governor, Dave Umahi and the current Governor, Francis Nwifuru took the fight to militant groups by directing security agents to deal with miscreants fomenting trouble in the state. Umahi, now Minister of Works, established the Ebubeagu Security outfit to maintain daily patrols to prevent harassment of citizens by IPOB enforcers. This has led to improved security across the state as he charged the Nigerian Army to intensify efforts to end the order, whilst approving a reward system to boost the morale of security personnel.

To address the root causes of youth restiveness, his administration has launched vocational training and entrepreneurship support programmes to create sustainable jobs within the state.

On his part, the Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo, in an attempt to kick-start the economy of the state, directed an end to the sit-at-home order few weeks ago. However, traders at the Onitsha Main Market felt otherwise. On Monday last week, majority of them stayed away from their stalls and a shocked Soludo ordered the closure of the market for one week. Prior, he ensured that he addressed the concerns of the traders by meeting Nnamdi Kanu in prison, who assured him that he did not order the sit-at-home. Again, he said that 150 security men were posted to the market to ensure that hoodlums did not attack any trader that chooses to open for business. In addition, Soludo noted that the Onitsha Main Market was opened throughout the Christmas and New Year festivities without any incident. He wondered what went wrong and why the traders started closing their stalls again after the New Year. ‘’If they are willing to listen to the proscribed IPOB not to work on Monday, I will add another six days to it to make it one week so that they could have adequate rest.’’ It was at this point that all hell broke loose. Rather than abide with the directives of the Governors, the traders took to the streets to protest what they termed forced closure of the market and dared Soludo to do his worst.

The following day, the traders again took their protest to the Onitsha Head bridge, where they blocked vehicular movements of those travelling in and out of the state. It took the intervention of the police led by the Anambra Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, to disperse the traders from the bridge.

Soludo has now threatened to shut down the market completely if the traders remain recalcitrant, saying that he could revoke the market title and convert the space to a public school.

If there is one person that should know more about the economic implication of the Monday’s market closure, it should be Soludo. A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Soludo has told whoever cared to listen that the economy of the state is bleeding and that drastic measures had to be taken to get the economy back on track.

Indeed, the extensive economic haemorrhage of the aforementioned states is multiplied by the fact that most people in the Southeast operate in the informal sector as traders, shop owners, artisans, craftsmen, transporters, industrialists, wholesalers, and retailers of motley merchandise. Shutting down the economic space and closing schools in the entire zone has become counterproductive to whatever point IPOB may be making. On several occasions, students have had to miss external examinations fixed for Mondays as nothing could be done to salvage the situation. Many students in the zone have lost countless schooling days. This has created significant educational disadvantage for an entire generation, jeopardising their future and long-term development of the region.

Access to healthcare and other essential services have also become perilous on the enforced lockdown day. Apart from that, the sit-at-home order is also indicative of a larger erosion of political authority and serial failure of the State to restore law, order, and security. If non-state actors can order the closure of markets throughout the region and state governors are having a tough time reversing such directives, it goes to show where authority actually lies.

Foreign investors are no longer willing to operate in the South east region due to the spate of insecurity occasioned by the mindless killings of innocent Nigerians. Now, Soludo has vowed to make sure that economic activities return to the state on Mondays. “We are determined in the fight. We are prepared, enough is enough. I am concerned because the people have given me permission to be their chief servant, it is for the sake of our children, the poor people who depend on the market for daily survival. This fight is to secure Anambra and reassure our investors that Anambra is not a four-day work week; there is a full working week in this state. People; civil servants, and traders must come out on Mondays. For us, this is a moment of reckoning. The calculated economic sabotage to bring down Onitsha must be tackled and on behalf of the Anambra people, we will tackle it head-on. We have exercised enough restraint. Anybody saying he didn’t open for business because of insecurity is just delusional. Insecurity allows you to go to the stadium to play, it allows you to do workouts on the streets, but it doesn’t allow you to open your shop.”

The proponents of the order should realise by now that they have done more harm than good with the directive, and a great damage to the economy of the region. It is quite clear that the sit-at-home order won’t force the federal government to release Kanu. It is the local economy that has taken a hit and now is the time to bring the whole charade to a stop. Those canvassing for the release of Kanu should come up with another strategy, as the sit-at-home has actually set back the economy of the region by several years. In the part of the country where I came from, it is said that you do not cut your nose to spite your face. The south east region must be allowed to grow. The people are hardworking and their progress should not be limited or curtailed by the mindless sit-at-home order that further impoverishes the people. Governor Soludo should be supported by all right-thinking individuals in the state to get the economy of the state back on track. Ending the Monday’s retrogressive sit-at-home order is a step in the right direction.

See you next week.

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SP Joshua Ukandu, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, on Saturday, said that the man was arrested on Friday, November 21.

“The man was arrested by the men of the command after he allegedly raped the victim during school period.

“He is currently in our custody while interrogation and investigation are ongoing,” the PPRO said.

The command, therefore, warned residents to desist from the act of rape and protect the girl child in the society.

Ukandu said that the command under the Commissioner of Police, CP Adaku Uche-Anya, was committed to getting rid of criminal elements in the state.

Meanwhile, Mike Okorie, a resident in the area, said the accused had earlier defiled another secondary school student in different locations during school hours.

“Very true, the matter has been reported to the police and the school authority.

“This should be a wake up call to the government of Ebonyi to improve security in schools. This is the only state owned university secondary school.

“Some people said that the accused was a mad man. He used to walk around EBSU Secondary School and now he has been caught for raping a female student during school hours.

“I learnt that the man has been living around the school for some time,” he added.

Some other residents in the area decried the presence of mentally unstable persons around the school, calling on the state government to assist the school authority to evacuate them.

Also, another resident, who preferred anonymity, said the accused person had raped two students before he was caught.

“It’s worrisome, most of the mad men there, even walk naked and this is not good in a school environment,” the person added.

Source: NAN

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The command’s spokesman, SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abakaliki and made available to newsmen on Sunday.

Ukandu explained that Obasi was allegedly kidnapped, tied and locked up inside a hotel toilet.

He stated that the command also foiled an armed robbery attempt and neutralised one person during an operation along the Ehamufu–Nkalagu Road, Ishielu local government area.

He stated that the incidents occurred on November 12 and November 13.

The statement read in part: “The command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its fight against criminal elements operating within the state.

“On November 12, operatives of the command, while on a patrol along the Ehamufu–Nkalagu Road, heard sporadic gunshots and distress screams.

“The officers swiftly moved to the location and found one Ali Solomon struggling with three armed robbers, who were attempting to dispossess him of his motorcycle.

“Upon sighting the police, the hoodlums opened fire and fled.

“The operatives returned fire, neutralising one of the suspects and recovering one AK-47 rifle, loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition.

“Similarly, on November 13, a kidnapping syndicate, terrorising the Ezzangbo axis in Ohaukwu LGA, abducted one Obasi ThankGod, tied him up, and abandoned him inside a hotel toilet, while demanding ₦5 million ransom.

“Through diligent intelligence gathering, operatives of the command traced the hideout of the kidnappers, successfully rescued the victim, and arrested three suspects, namely: Uchenna Ogbozuru, Ebuka Ejiogu, and Chizoba Idenyi Ogwa.

“The suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”

Ukandu added that the State Commissioner of Police, Adaku Uche-Anya, further reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting the lives and property of all the residents.

The statement further quoted Uche-Anya to have assured residents of the state that “criminal elements have no hiding place within the state.”

Source: NAN

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‎NiMet’s weather outlook released on Tuesday in Abuja envisaged sunny skies over the northern region during the morning hours on Wednesday.

‎NiMet anticipated slim chances of isolated thunderstorms over South of Taraba State later in the day.

“For central region, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the region during the morning hours.

‎”In the afternoon/evening hours, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Kogi, Kwara, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa states,” it said.

‎The agency predicted a cloudy atmosphere over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Edo, Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Cross River, Rivers, Lagos and Akwa Ibom states.

‎NiMet envisaged thunderstorms with moderate rains over the entire region later in the day.

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‎It projected that sunny skies would be expected over the northern region during the morning hours on Thursday.

‎According to NiMet, later in the afternoon/evening hours, there are chances of isolated thunderstorms over South of Taraba state.

‎”For  central region, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the region during the morning hours.

‎”In the afternoon/evening hours, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Kwara, Kogi, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa state,’’ it said.

‎It anticipated cloudy atmosphere over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms and light rains over parts of Ondo, Imo, Edo, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

‎NiMet forecast thunderstorms with moderate rains over most parts of the region later in the day.

‎According to NiMet, sunny skies are expected over the northern region during the morning hours on Friday.

‎It predicted isolated thunderstorms over the southern part of Taraba State later in the day.

‎”Sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected over the central region during the morning hours.

“In the afternoon/evening hours, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Benue, the Federal Capital Territory, Kwara, Kogi and Nasarawa States,” it said.

‎The agency envisaged the cloudy atmosphere over the southern region with prospects of morning thunderstorms with light rains over parts of Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

‎NiMet forecast thunderstorms with moderate rains over most parts of the region later in the day.

“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

‎”Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng,’’ it said.

Source: NAN

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The incident was confirmed on Sunday by the command Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Joshua Ukandu, in a statement.

Oso-Edda and Amasiri community in Afikpo local government areas have been engaged in a long-standing communal conflict over land ownership.

DSP Ukandu condemned the Thursday killing, describing it as “wicked and inhumane.”

“We are aware of the incident and our men have been deployed to the disputed area,” he said, adding that “An investigation is ongoing to determine the root cause and bring those responsible to justice.”

Ukandu assured residents that efforts were underway to restore peace and prevent further escalation of violence in the region.

“I remember the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, has declared the area a buffer zone.

“My advice to the warring communities is to avoid the areas that have been declared buffer zone by security agencies and government,” Ukandu added.

Source: NAN

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The site, reportedly owned by one Henry Ahanaotu, was said to have been parcelled out and subletted to unlicenced petty miners operating without professional supervision.

The affected pit was allegedly being managed by an indigene of Ihietutu, Mrs Lovelyn Victor.

An indigene of the community, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that the incident was one in a series of unreported tragedies at the site.

He recalled that a similar incident earlier in the year also claimed two lives and left several others injured, yet no sanctions were imposed on the site owner or the illegal operators.

“Unfortunately, these incidents and deaths only end with the police, if at all.

“There has never been any punishment for the site owners or illegal miners, who put lives at risk,” the source said.

Reacting, Ahanaotu described the incident as unfortunate, but said that he subletted the lease to the operators as a means of empowering youths of the community.

He argued that Victor was an established miner with over four excavators and other heavy equipment.

“Mine pit collapse is a regular occurrence anywhere mining is carried out.

“Even Royal Salt, touted as the biggest mining firm in Nigeria, experiences incidences of pit collapse with attendant deaths.

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“The incident happened last weekend but we have yet to visit the scene to inspect and know why it occurred.

“I have also called the Federal Mines Officer to brief him.

“But as for carrying out operations based on safety principles, she does it well.

“She is also in partnership with other operators in the site.

“All we are doing is to help empower the people,” Ahanaotu said.

The spokesman for the state Police Command, SP Joshua Ukandu, confirmed the incident.

Ukandu said a report from the Ivo Police Division indicated that five persons were involved in the accident, contrary to the six reported by community members.

He said: “Five persons were actually involved in the unfortunate incident.

“The first victim died on the spot, while another died in the hospital.

“The remaining three have been treated and discharged,” Ukandu said.

Meanwhile, the state chairperson of the Federation of Women Miners, Mrs Sylvia Ogbuinya, has expressed regrets over the tragedy and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

Ogbuinya said that the operator of the affected pit was not a member of the federation and urged a full-scale police investigation into the incident.

“We carry out regular trainings and workshops for our members to bring them up to speed with modern safety standards in mining operations to safeguard lives.

“I have checked, and the affected operator is not a member of the federation.

“We wonder if she adheres to normal safety principles and regular environmental impact assessments to mitigate risks,” Ogbuinya said.

Some indigenes of Ihietutu, who also spoke on the incident, called on the state and federal mining authorities to check the activities of unlicenced and illegal miners in the area.

“These illegal miners are only concerned with profit and do not comply with regulatory standards, thereby endangering lives and the ecosystem.

“Collapsed pits resulting in deaths have become a regular occurrence in our community, putting families in constant agony.

“We are appealing to relevant authorities to enforce laws against illegal and unlicenced mining in our community,” they said.

Source: NAN

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We returned to Abuja on Saturday after a three-day working tour of Enugu and Ebonyi States as members of the National Communication Team, led by Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation. During the visit, we engaged with the governors and key officials of both states, held town hall meetings with citizens, and delivered messages from President Bola Tinubu, highlighting his achievements and commitment to lifting Nigerians out of poverty, particularly through the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme. We also inspected a range of federal and state projects, both completed and ongoing.

Our first key takeaway was the unanimous acknowledgement by the governors and citizens that the Tinubu administration is actively executing various projects in both states, as in other parts of the country. It is reassuring to see that the South East, like other regions, has not been left behind, as President Tinubu has ensured equitable distribution of federal projects.

In Enugu, the Federal Government has established a world-class oncological centre for the treatment of cancer. Major ongoing road projects include the Enugu–Port Harcourt Highway, Enugu–Onitsha Highway, the reconstruction of the 9th Mile–Umulumgbe–Ukehe–Opi Junction, and the iconic Eke Obinagu Flyover in Emene, which would resolve longstanding traffic gridlock in the area.

Minister Idris highlighted that the Port Harcourt–Aba railway project has been completed, delivered, and is currently operational. Additionally, the Federal Executive Council has approved $3 billion for the completion of the 2,044km Eastern Rail Line, projected to unlock N50 billion in annual trade for the region. Furthermore, $508 million has been earmarked for the upgrade and modernisation of Eastern Port infrastructure.

In Ebonyi,  portions of the Calabar-Abuja Super Highway have been completed, while work is progressing on the other parts of the road.

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu acknowledged that their states have never witnessed the level of federal intervention currently being experienced under President Tinubu. Governor Nwifuru noted that this is the first time since the creation of Ebonyi State in 1996 that the Federal Government has made such a significant impact.

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Our visit coincided with the commissioning of several landmark projects in Enugu, including modern bus terminals and 100 CNG buses by Governor Mbah. While he did not formally invite us to the ceremony, at an earlier meeting with the National Communication Team,  Governor Mbah expressed his gratitude to the Tinubu administration for increased revenue allocations resulting from the removal of fuel subsidies and the re-engineering of revenue collection by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Our tour of Enugu and Ebonyi reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive development and underscored the visible progress being achieved under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Governor Nwifuru shared a similar perspective, stating that his administration has been able to undertake many new projects without resorting to borrowing. Notably, he is establishing an ICT University in Oferekpe, developing several housing estates, and expanding the state’s road infrastructure, which he inherited from his predecessor. His signature project, the Vanco Flyover and twin underground tunnels in Abakaliki, is expected to be completed in 2026. This landmark project, the first of its kind in the Southeast—and indeed in Nigeria—is poised to become a tourist attraction.

Governor Nwifuru also emphasised that the iconic road project was awarded to a Nigerian construction company, indicating that the state was ahead of the Federal Government in supporting local businesses and buying Nigeria-made products.

The climax of our Ebonyi visit was the Town Hall meeting at the Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki. The event, attended by a vibrant crowd—party faithful, including many women in colourful attire—transformed from a simple meeting into a lively carnival atmosphere. Minister Idris delivered the President’s message of renewed hope, while Governor Nwifuru outlined his achievements since assuming office two years ago.

We concluded our tour of the states with a courtesy visit to the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, who provided additional insights into the extensive road and bridge projects being undertaken by the Tinubu administration across the South East and the nation. He clarified recent online reports, stating: “What I brought to the Federal Executive Council was a technical report on the state of the Third Mainland and Carter Bridges in Lagos, and proposals for their preservation. We will soon invite construction companies to submit suggestions on how the Federal Government can best safeguard these critical assets.”

Our tour of Enugu and Ebonyi reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive development and underscored the visible progress being achieved under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

*Onanuga is Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy.

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