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‎The Member Representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, Chinedu Ogah has called for the restoration of Abakaliki Street in Anambra State to promote unity and oneness among the two states.
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‎Abakaliki street in Awka was changed to Club Road by Anambra State Government.
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Chinedu ‎Ogah who is the Chairman, House Committee on Correctional Services urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to immediately restore Abakaliki Street in the state, warning that failure to do so, may make Ebonyi State to start changing all streets in Abakaliki to Ebonyi names and villages.
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‎He noted that Anambra has over 100 streets in Ebonyi State and wondered why the only street named after Ebonyi State should be changed in Anambra.
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Chinedu ‎Ogah said Ebonyi State has been so kind to Anambra people by accommodating them in all aspects of life including elective positions and other areas, whereas Ebonyi people living in Anambra have not been treated fairly in that state.
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‎”Professor Chukwuma Soludo should readdress the issue of changing Abakaliki Street to Club Street in Anambra. If he fails to do this, it will make Ebonyi people to change all the names of Anambra streets in Ebonyi State”
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‎“In Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, we have Awka Street, Onitsha Street, Ekwulumili Street, Ekwulobia Street, Aforezuna Street and many others, and they have not been changed.
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‎“Anambra has over 100 streets in Abakaliki but the only one street named after Abakaliki in Anambra State has been changed. Governor Soludo should change his decision immediately. If he doesn’t do so, we will start renaming the streets we named Anambra to our own names and our villages.
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… says A’Ibom worthy of emulation

Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, has applauded the audacious investments in human capital development by Governor Umo Eno in Akwa Ibom State, saying he is worthy of emulation.

In his speech at the launch of the ARISE Human Capital Development Strategic Plan held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Uyo, Vice President Shettima noted that investment in human capital development surpasses every form of investment.

“That is why I commend Akwa Ibom, not only for your outstanding performance, but for daring to dream bigger.

“With an under-five mortality rate of 80, compared to the national average of 110, and with only 3.5% of primary school-age children out of school—far below the national average of 25.6%—your state is not merely compliant with our national vision. You are ahead of the curve. And I assure you, the federal government stands ready to partner hand-in-hand with you.

“This is the Governor in whom the President has a lot of confidence.

“Let me therefore commend the Governor and his team for not only adopting the HCD framework but localising its operation and placing people at the center of public policies. This is leadership, this is what it means to govern with vision, foresight and commitment.”

The Vice President said the National Human Capital Development Programme, which has entered its second phase, is a solution re-engineered to meet the moment.

“At its core, HCD 2.0 is about integration and impact. It is built on the foundation of HCD 1.0, but goes further to incorporate cross-cutting themes. What has brought us together in Uyo—the launch of the ARISE Human Capital Development Strategy by His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno—is a template for each state of the federation. It’s a strategy that acknowledges that we can’t build an enduring castle without a solid foundation.

“What Akwa Ibom State has shown us here isn’t just progress, it is leadership. It has become the first state in the nation to localise the HCD vision in its truest form. While other states have a strategy tailored towards the state, Akwa Ibom has taken a step forward by adopting the strategies in all local government areas.

“We cannot solve what we do not measure. This is why we have launched the HCD Dashboard to monitor these indicators at both state and local levels with precision. We are deploying data not for reports, but for results.

“I urge every governor to learn from the example set by His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno. There’s no legacy that surpasses that of building our people. There’s no monument that would outlive the legacies of health, education, and opportunity,” he said.

Earlier in his remark, Governor Umo Eno saluted the Vice President for the great work done in putting together the building blocks of the ARISE Human Capital Development and Local Government HCD Implementation Roadmap and Strategic Plan, and also leading frontally towards its implementation and delivery.

He also appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making Human Capital Development a major focal area of his Renewed Hope Agenda, of which, according to him, Akwa Ibom State is a beneficiary.

The Governor said the Human Capital Development Plan is also designed to expansively provide key human-centric projects such as healthcare services, which the State is currently executing through investments in the construction and equipping of primary healthcare centers, provision of quality education at both the primary and secondary levels, empowerment of people, and equipping them with the requisite skills, knowledge and equipment they need to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

He enumerated different efforts of his administration at human capital development to include: establishment of the Ibom Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development Centre (IBOM-LED), which has trained over 4,000 people with start-up grants ranging from N5,000 to N750,000; the Dakkada Skills Acquisition Centre, DASAC, where over 400 trainees recently graduated in various areas of skill sets.

Also in the list included: 16 youths in Toulouse, France for training as pilots with Airbus; 21 engineers who recently came back from training with Ethiopian Airlines and would soon be absorbed by Ibom Air; empowerment of businesses, traders, and farmers with grants worth over N4 billion through Town Square Empowerment Meetings and support for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs); and many others.

He noted that his people-first policy, which is encapsulated in the government’s ARISE Agenda, aligns with that of the federal government, and he would do all possible to ensure the HCD programme meets its set target.

— EKERETE UDOH

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has announced a landmark 95 percent implementation of the 2024 statutory budget, describing the achievement as unprecedented in the history of the FCT.

Wike made this known during a media briefing after inspecting several critical infrastructure projects across the Territory, including major roads at Life Camp and Katampe, as well as the ongoing renovation of the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

“I can tell you we’ve done not less than 95 percent of the budget implementation. That is historic. It has never happened before. And if you look at the projects there, you will see that there is no project that is in the 2024 budget that we have not touched,” he stated.

He attributed the progress to the National Assembly’s decision to extend the lifespan of the 2024 FCT statutory budget until June 2025, which he said enabled the Administration to sustain funding and accelerate delivery on major projects.

Wike also revealed that the 2025 statutory budget had already been submitted to the National Assembly and expressed hope that its timely passage would maintain the current momentum and support the completion of key infrastructure across the FCT.

During the tour, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, commending contractors for adhering to timelines and maintaining high standards.

Among the projects visited was the 4-kilometer six-lane dual carriageway linking Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III, currently under construction by Julius Berger. Once completed, the road will significantly improve connectivity between the districts of Kado, Karmo, Gwarimpa I, Dape, Ido-Gwari, Saburi, and Dei-Dei.

Another major project nearing completion is the access road from Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway (by N16) to the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe District. This route will also connect the N20 (Wole Soyinka Way) in Jahi District with Katampe and Maitama, enhancing mobility in the area.

Wike expressed particular delight at the progress of the International Conference Centre renovation, which he described as rapidly advancing.

“These projects will be inaugurated by Mr. President during his second-year anniversary celebrations. We have gone to the International Conference Centre, which is almost ready. The first phase of the N5 will also be ready by the end of May,” he said.