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250km Benin-Asaba Highway Reconstruction To Be Completed In 30 Months – Works Minister

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Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpehbholo (mic) assisted by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Mr Adeniran Ajaikaye, of African Plus Partners, Minister for Works, David Umahi and Deputy Governor, Delta Monday Onyeme, at the event in Benin City

it’s legacy project – Okpebholo

The Minister of Works, David Umahi on Sunday disclosed that the reconstruction of the 250km Benin-Asaba Highway is expected to be completed within 30 months.

The Minister made the disclosure during the flagging off ceremony at Kilometre 15, Iguomo junction along the highway on Sunday.

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He said, “This construction is like a cashless programme. We will not see the money but the work will keep going on”.

“This project is 125 kilometres by 2, that is 250 kilometres. It will have solar lights and the Federal Government is not putting in any money,” he added.

READ ALSO: Insecurity: Track Down Individuals With Illegal Firearms, Okpebholo Tasks Security Agencies

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Umahi emphasized the importance of infrastructure development.

We need good infrastructure in this country. Infrastructure is the foundation upon which every other programme thrives.”

The project is to be funded through a Public Private Partnership

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On his part, Governor Monday Okpebholo, who represented President Tinubu at the occasion, called the road a legacy project.

He noted that “Edo State is now becoming like Lagos in terms of infrastructural development.”

READ ALSO: Ovia Killings: Okpebholo Visits Scene, Talks Tough, Pledges Justice, Establishment Of Police Post

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Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, thanked the President for his efforts.

He described the Benin-Asaba road as “a critical infrastructure that connects the Eastern and Western regions of Nigeria.”

He appealed to the Minister of Works, Umahi, to modify the initial project design, which was planned to terminate at Summit Junction, Asaba Delta State.

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He requested that the road be extended to the Onitsha Bridge, noting that this adjustment would provide greater economic benefits and improve connectivity for travelers moving between the South-South, South-East, and other regions of the country.

READ ALSO: Okpebholo Signs Two Bills Into Law

Adeniran Ajakaye, Managing Director of African Plus Partners, revealed that the road from Benin City’s King Square to the Benin bypass will be a 10-lane carriageway with 5 lanes on each side.

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Federal Ministry of Works Permanent Secretary Olufunso Adebiyi described the event as “a significant milestone in the president’s renewed hope agenda.”

He noted that the highway is “a crucial link between the Southern and Northern regions of Nigeria” that is “vital to trade and other economic activities.”

The Benin-Asaba 125KM Road Project is funded by the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited, managed by Africa Plus Partners Nigeria Limited Consortium (APPNL).

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The project seeks to improve transportation efficiency, enhance trade, and provide a safer road network while implementing an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) to minimize environmental risks and protect local communities

 

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Immigration Officer Gets N5m For Arresting Fleeing Ritualist

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An immigration officer, Ugochukwu Orji, who arrested a fleeing Enugu State-based native doctor accused of killing and kidnapping people for rituals, has been rewarded with N5 million for his efforts by an industrialist, Ebuka Onunkwo.

Onunkwo, who is also a senatorial aspirant for the Anambra South senatorial by-election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, hosted the immigration officer at his residence in Ihembosi, Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, according to a press statement released by his media team on Tuesday.

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Orji was at his duty post along the Seme Border area last month when the fleeing native doctor, popularly known as “Ichie Billion” attempted to use a motorcycle to cross over to the Benin Republic from Nigeria at Seme Border, but having seen his face on the internet, he quickly intercepted him.

READ ALSO: Our Country A Home, Not Hotel, Badenoch Decries UK Immigration Crisis

Recall that “Ichie Billion”, who hails from Umuojor village in the Isiagu Community of Enugu State, had been on the run after being declared wanted by the Nigerian Police Force in connection with the kidnapping of a 13-year-old girl and alleged multiple ritual killings.

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The native doctor was thereafter intercepted by the Nigerian Immigration Service and subsequently handed over to the Lagos State Police Command following his arrest at the border by the immigration officers.

Onunkwo, an industrialist, while presenting a cheque of ₦5 million to the immigration officer at his residence, said the gesture was part of his company’s Corporate Social Responsibility and encouragement for moral renaissance in the society.

 

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Tariff Hikes Won’t Solve Nigeria’s Power Crisis, Expert Tells Tinubu

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Attempts by the current administration to rely on increased electricity tariffs to resolve Nigeria’s chronic power supply issues are unlikely to succeed, according to energy expert Nick Agu.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday, Agu argued for a fundamental restructuring of the power sector, prioritising infrastructure over tariff hikes.

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Responding to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu’s optimism and recent celebration of Nigeria reaching a new peak generation of over 5,000 megawatts, Agu acknowledged the incremental increase as “a good thing, is good news.”

However, he quickly added, “But should we celebrate? The answer is probably not.”

READ ALSO: Investors Gain N1.93trn In 2 Days As Stock Market Hits 15-year High

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Agu underscored Nigeria’s severe “energy poverty” by drawing comparisons with other nations.

He noted that while Nigeria, with over 200 million people, struggles with around 5,000 megawatts, South Africa (65 million people) boasts 55,000 megawatts, Brazil (200 million people) supplies 150,000 megawatts, and even Qatar (3 million people) provides 8,000 megawatts.

So, you can see that three million people are enjoying more electricity than Nigeria, which has 200 million people,” he highlighted.

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READ ALSO: Tinubu Hosts Gov Adeleke, Deji Adeleke, Davido In Lagos

Agu underscored Nigeria’s severe “energy poverty” by drawing comparisons with other nations.

He noted that while Nigeria, with over 200 million people, struggles with around 5,000 megawatts, South Africa (65 million people) boasts 55,000 megawatts, Brazil (200 million people) supplies 150,000 megawatts, and even Qatar (3 million people) provides 8,000 megawatts.

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“So, you can see that three million people are enjoying more electricity than Nigeria, which has 200 million people,” he highlighted.

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From 158 To 351: Lagos Teen Excels In UTME After Initial Glitch

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A 16-year-old student, Oyindamola Apampa, has achieved a remarkable aggregate score of 351 in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, with 65 in English Language, 98 in Mathematics, 98 in Physics, and 90 in Chemistry.

Apampa, a student of Lagoon Secondary School in Lagos, described the feat as the result of determination, strategic preparation, and divine favour.

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A statement on Tuesday revealed that it was her second attempt at the UTME, explaining that her initial score of 158 was later invalidated due to technical issues experienced at her exam centre.

She said, “In my first UTME attempt, I scored 158. However, the results were widely criticised and later acknowledged by the authorities as inaccurate due to technical glitches affecting several examination centres, including mine.

READ ALSO: Mass Failure: UTME Candidates To Sue JAMB Over Technical Glitches

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“Consequently, the examination body authorised a resit to address these irregularities. In the resit, I achieved a score of 351.”

She added that her parents played a crucial role in supporting her academic journey by fostering a learning-friendly environment at home.

“My parents made our home a positive place for studying. We have a full library in the family living room, in addition to a separate multimedia study room where the whole family often gets together to talk about different topics and help each other learn,” she shared.

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Apampa also credited a learning centre in Lekki, Lagos, for providing her with additional academic support through UTME preparation classes and frequent mock examinations.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: JAMB Admits To Errors In 2025 UTME

The frequent mock exams at our learning centre were a great help in my preparation for UTME,” she said.

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In his reaction to the learning centre head, Osayi Izedonmwen, stellar 98 per cent pass rate in the 2025 UTME, attributed the achievement to its hybrid learning approach.

“At Teesas, we are fully IT-equipped to seamlessly support both online and physical learning within a convenient and friendly environment. This has played a key role in helping our students excel,” Izedonmwen stated.

Apampa is no stranger to academic excellence. She was placed on her school’s Honours list after securing 10 As and one B in her Junior WAEC.

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She has also represented her school in international competitions, such as the Conrad Challenge, where her team reached the final stage and earned a special mention.

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