By Francis Nansak

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has directed the state government to immediately suspend the ongoing construction of Toto/Umaisha road over inability of the contractor to meet the stipulated time for the project.

The Chairman, House Committee on Works, Hon. Suleiman Azara gave the directive when the State Ministry of Works and Transports appeared before the House Standing Committee on Works and Transports for its budget assessment for the first quarter of 2025 today in Lafia.

Hon. Azara, the Majority Leader of the House expressed dismay on the slow pace of the work , saying that the contractor lacks the capacity to construct the road.

He said that after three years now, the project which was contracted for a year, has exceeded its initial approved one year of work, yet remains uncompleted.

” We cannot sit down and allow some contractors to sabotage the good efforts of the state government.

” As His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule mean well and has passion for the development of the state.

” It is in view of this that We are urging the state government to stop
Ela Engineering and Construction Nigeria Limited, handling the construction of Toto/ Umaisha road from working on the said road” he said.

Hon. Azara said that the committee would meet with Gov. Sule with the view of providing final solution by ensuring that the road is constructed fully.

The Chairman assured of his committee’s commitment to synergize with the state government to provide infrastructure across communities of the state.

On his part, Commissioner for Works and Transports, Hon. Muazu Gosho hinted that the ministry has reached an agreement with Gov. Sule regarding the Toto/Umaisha road construction and other roads projects facing similar challenges in the State.

He appreciated the committee for ensuring that the right things are done for the overall development of the state.

In a related development, the Nasarawa Electricity Power Agency (NAePA) also appeared before the committee for assessment of the agency’s 2025 budget performance for the first quarter,

The General manager, Engr. Yakubu Suleiman appreciated the committee for their efforts in ensuring constant power supply in the state.

He also thanked Gov. Abdullahi Sule for prioritizing power supply in the state.

Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara, the Chairman of the Committee said that the House would continue to do its best in ensuring that the people of the state enjoyed constant power supply.

He assured the agency of the committee’s support to succeed.

Similarly, Nasarawa State Motor Vehicle Administration and Traffic Management Agency led by its General Manager Mr Victor Jerry Iya also appeared for the same exercise and appreciated the committee for the maximum cooperation the agency is getting from them and called for its sustenance.

Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara, the Chairman of the Committee assured the agency of the committee and House continued synergy for effective motor vehicles administration and traffic management in the State.

According to The Africa Report, the meeting took place in London last week, shortly after Tinubu left Paris.

The meeting, it was learnt, was at the insistence of Governor Fubara, who has been desperate to return to office since the president declared a state of emergency in oil-rich Rivers State.

During the meeting, Fubara promised to make some compromises.

Negotiations are ongoing, but from all indications, his suspension will be lifted before the six-month deadline,” said an adviser to the president who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak to the press.

Another presidential aide said Fubara is also open to joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to ingratiate himself with the president and then obtain cover.

“If Fubara joins the APC, it means the president’s chances of winning Rivers State are much higher,” he says.

The Africa Report was informed that Fubara’s estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike, was not part of the meeting and was uncomfortable with such meetings taking place behind his back.

However, Tinubu is expected to broker a meeting between Fubara, Wike, and the Rivers State lawmakers to find a lasting solution to the crisis in the state.

••Miyetti Allah Decries Being Left Out of Governor’s Stakeholders’ Dialogue Amidst Insecurity

The Fulani community in Plateau State has voiced its strong disapproval over being excluded from a crucial security stakeholders meeting convened by Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Monday. The meeting, held at the State Government House, aimed to foster collaboration between politicians, heads of security agencies, and traditional and community leaders to address the escalating attacks and killings in the state.
However, the Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), led by its Chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf-Babayo, issued a statement expressing their deep concern over the omission. MACBAN stated that they had expected the government to be inclusive of all stakeholders in its efforts to find lasting peace.
“We believe that the government, being a mother to all, should carry everyone along. It’s in this spirit that we find it unfair that critical stakeholders from other groups were present, while all relevant Fulani leaders and stakeholders in the state, including our organization, were overlooked and not invited to participate,” the herder group asserted.
Mr. Babayo emphasized that as key stakeholders, the Fulani community’s involvement would have been invaluable, providing an opportunity for their perspectives and concerns to be heard by government officials, security chiefs, and other participants.
“We are unaware of the reasons behind our exclusion and hope the government will consider engaging with the Fulani community in future meetings, ensuring inclusivity and fairness,” the MACBAN chairman concluded.

Pastor Tunde Bakare, founder of The Citadel Global Community Church, has voiced strong concerns over Nigeria’s increasing poverty and economic challenges. In a recent State of the Nation address delivered at his church in Oregun, Lagos, Bakare criticized President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the economic crisis and political instability, particularly in Rivers State.
Bakare lamented the nation’s plight, stating that the country’s suffering extends beyond poverty to a collective broken spirit. He noted that while many have prayed for Nigeria, the situation has worsened, requiring pragmatic actions. He warned that the anger of the poor could lead to political, social, and economic unrest.
Drawing a parallel with the biblical story of Joseph in Genesis 41, Bakare urged the government to emulate Pharaoh’s wise and humble leadership during a crisis. He called on President Tinubu to embrace humility, seek wise counsel, and make decisions that would ensure Nigeria’s recovery.
Bakare accused those in power of exacerbating the country’s political and social crisis through authoritarian tendencies and the erosion of democratic institutions. He described the governance in Rivers State as a political “theatre” controlled by Abuja and criticized the National Assembly for supporting unconstitutional actions.
Highlighting a “descent into tyranny,” Bakare criticized the National Assembly for becoming a rubber-stamp institution under President Tinubu’s administration. He contrasted the current legislature with past assemblies that stood against executive overreach.
Bakare also lambasted the mistreatment of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who faced attempts to silence her demands for accountability. He accused some senators of disgraceful behavior and failing to uphold the dignity of their office.
Bakare argued that under Tinubu’s influence, Nigeria’s institutions had become tools of power consolidation rather than vehicles for effective governance, risking a transformation into a dictatorship.
He urged the president to reconsider his approach, stating that no leader should have unlimited power.
Bakare also addressed the economic challenges, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of the naira. He expressed concern over the hardship these policies have inflicted on Nigerians, with soaring inflation, food insecurity, and a deepening economic crisis.
While acknowledging some positive developments, such as the increase in Nigeria’s foreign reserves, he emphasized that these achievements should not overshadow the broader governance challenges.
In his conclusion, Bakare proposed a model for economic recovery based on Joseph’s governance in ancient Egypt, advocating for locally managed networks of cities, industries, and reserves to weather economic downturns.
Pastor Bakare’s address called for humility, accountability, and effective governance from Nigeria’s leadership.