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Road Project Cost Debate Intensifies As Umahi Challenges Makinde To Public Discussion

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The Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, has reacted angrily to comments made by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde over the ongoing controversy about the cost of road projects under the current administration.

 

Umahi made his feelings known while inspecting the Keffi section of the Abuja-Mararaba-Keffi Road, along side the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on Saturday.

 

He told his host: “I have a lot of respect for governors and the Governors Forum. But if a governor that is far my junior in engineering and governance insults me, I will talk back.

 

“One thing I’m very good at is Mathematics. I’m an ‘A’ student in mathematics.”

 

Controversy on cost per kilometre

 

The minister said: “This controversy about cost per kilometer, I have told you that this project is about 43 kilometres.

 

“But we have increased it to utilize the money given for the project by the last administration, which was N73 billion. We have increased it to about 45 kilometers.

 

“If we are doing surface tracing on the shoulder, the cost will be different. If we are using asphalt on the shoulder, the cost will be different. If we are using concrete as we are using, the cost will be different.

 

“It is being mischievous when you ask for the cost of a length of road, but by the professorial information, you can ask for cost per kilometer; could be divided to sections.

 

“First, estimated cost, and estimated cost of this project, you can divide N73 billion over 45 kilometers,. That is the estimated cost. This cost has the element of contingency.

 

“When you have finished this project – and of course, you can see that in this project, there are places you are using the existing median and there are places you will construct new median – will the cost be the same?

 

“It is not possible.

 

“When you have finished, you removed the vop, you removed contingency, you have not used. It is N40 or N70 billion, and probably you have done 50 kilometers.

 

“Then that is when you divide and have an average cost. Average cost of definitive and estimated cost is a probable element.

 

“When I heard that somebody, my brother and friend Governor Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State said… I don’t want to join issues with him.

 

‘Road construction, not electrical engineering’

 

“I think he is an engineer, an electrician. They called it electrical electronics. This is road construction.

 

“Electrical electronics no reach there (This is beyond Electrical Electronic Engineering).

 

“I am his senior in governance and his senior in engineering practice. And so anything he doesn’t understand, he should call me and ask and I will not join issue because I have respect for our governors.

 

“I have respect for him as my friend and brother but, he should withdraw the word that am dancing around. I never danced around and if he insists, he should come for debate. That is very important.

 

“There is no ambiguity in cost per kilometer. But I am teaching them that cost per kilometer could be divided into estimated cost, which has element of variance and average cost, which is definitive.

 

“That is what it is .

 

“So also is when somebody that is dangling without knowledge; going asking AI what is the difference between cost per kilometer and average cost.

 

“I am happy that AI told him what I told him. I am happy that NUC program on who is a professor also made me right.

 

“You can become a professor by the reason of your practice and I think God has made me one when it comes to practical. Field engineering program, that is what it is, you can’t take it back.”

 

Speaking about the traffic congestion along the Abuja-Mararaba-Keffi Highway, Umahi said the Federal Government would require the buy-in of the Nasarawa State government to find a permanent solution to the problem.

 

He explained that the state government would be required to take down shanties along the road corridor because there was so much illegal trading activities going on.

 

Umahi said: “We have market trading on the road in a number of locations. Our inspection today; we are going with the Governor of Nasarawa State.

 

“If the governor will do the demolition to create additional carriage way, we will fix additional carriage way in those locations and there will be no more traffic in those locations.”

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Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race

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The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.

He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”

“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”

Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.

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Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency

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The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.

In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.

Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote

Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.

The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.

‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.

President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded

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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience

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Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.

The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.

In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.

He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”

The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.

Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.

“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”

Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.

“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”

The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.

By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.

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