Today’s Headlines: Tinubu needs 2nd term to complete projects’ – Umahi says as FG flags off N1.5trn Niger highway, Ex-President Obasanjo hails Eruani’s extraordinary vision on $1b Azikel refinery

The Federal Government has flagged off the reconstruction and dualisation of the Lambata-Bida-Mokwa-Makera-Kontagora highway in Niger State at a cost of N1.5 trillion, as Minister of Works, David Umahi, called for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election to enable him to complete ongoing road projects nationwide.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in Bida with Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, representing the President.

Speaking at the event, Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government was executing 5,500 kilometres of new and ongoing road projects across the country, with Niger State accounting for 1,055 kilometres.

He described the highway as a potential fifth legacy road project of the Tinubu administration, citing its length, the use of reinforced concrete pavement and the participation of the Dangote Group through the Federal Government’s infrastructure tax-credit scheme.

Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has commended the President of Azikel Group, Dr Eruani Azibapu, for his extraordinary vision, entrepreneurial courage and monumental investment in the development of the $1 billion Azikel Refinery in Bayelsa State.

Obasanjo, who gave the commendation during his historic visit to the Azikel Refinery located at Obunagha, Yenagoa Local Government Area, where he performed the symbolic erection of the refinery’s Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), expressed satisfaction with the transformation of the refinery site since his earlier visit eight years ago, when he laid the foundation for the industrial development.

He applauded Dr Eruani’s determination and commitment to indigenous petroleum refining investment.

The Azikel Refinery is being developed as a full-scale petroleum refinery designed to produce Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), or diesel, and other refined petroleum products.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has appealed to Nigerians to get their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Atiku said the call is directed at Nigerians of all ages following economic hardship and insecurity.

According to him, it is very difficult for many parents to feed their children, while pensioners are struggling to buy medicine and food.

The former Vice President further stated that the youths spend almost all their earnings on transport, rent and other basic needs.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised the Federal Government not to restore broad petrol subsidy, but deploy targeted support for vulnerable households to cushion the impact of rising energy costs.

IMF argued that blanket petrol subsidies were expensive, often benefited higher-income consumers disproportionately and could worsen fiscal pressures amid rising borrowing costs.

Rodrigo Valdés, director of the IMF’s fiscal affairs department, made the disclosure during a press briefing on the fund’s fiscal monitor at the 2026 annual meetings of the IMF and World Bank in Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday.

His comments followed a question on how the fund could recommend allowing energy prices to reflect scarcity when higher fuel prices in Nigeria could raise transport costs, worsen inflation and deepen poverty, particularly when the government was facing calls to restore petrol subsidy ahead of an election year.