GORONYO RECEIVES OUTGOING, INCOMING EGYPT DEFENCE ATTACHES, PLEDGES STRONGER NIGERIA-EGYPT COOPERATION The Minister of State for Works,  Bello Muhammed Goronyo, Esq., has received the outgoing Egypt Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Mohammed Ibrahim, and his successor, Colonel Mohamad Mosaad, in his office, pledging continued support for stronger bilateral relations between Nigeria and Egypt. Goronyo, who received the Egyptian military delegation during a courtesy visit today 8th September, 2026 in his office in Abuja, described the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and Egypt as cordial and mutually beneficial, noting that both countries share historical and cultural. The Minister of State recalled his previous encounter with the outgoing Defence Attaché while serving at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, noting that it was a pleasant coincidence to receive him again in his current capacity at the Ministry of Works as he prepares to conclude his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria. He commended Colonel Mohammed Ibrahim for his service and contribution to strengthening Nigeria-Egypt relations during his tenure, particularly his demonstration of patriotism, discipline, professionalism and commitment to duty. According to him, the visit was significant as it not only provided an opportunity to bid farewell to the outgoing Defence Attaché, but also to formally welcome his successor and assure him of Nigeria's readiness to sustain the existing relationship. Goronyo said the relationship between Nigeria and Egypt had continued to gain momentum under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, with both countries exploring areas of mutual interest including trade, agriculture, tourism, security, education and economic development. He said the growing partnership between the two countries demonstrated the importance of African nations working together to harness the continent's enormous human and natural resources. He stressed that Africa had the population, resources and potential required to compete favourably with other continents, urging African countries to deepen cooperation and leverage their shared strengths for sustainable development. He expressed optimism that the Memoranda of Understanding and other agreements reached between Nigeria and Egypt would continue to translate into tangible benefits for the citizens of both countries. “On behalf of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE,  and the entire management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Works, I sincerely welcome you and thank you for this visit. “We wish the outgoing Defence Attaché the very best in his future assignments and welcome the incoming Defence Attaché. On our part, we will continue to provide the necessary support to enable you to discharge your responsibilities effectively. “Our doors remain open, and we will continue to support one another for the progress of our two countries and for the benefit of humanity,” Goronyo said. Earlier, the outgoing Egypt Defence Attaché, Colonel Mohammed Ibrahim, expressed appreciation to the Minister of State for receiving him and his delegation, describing the meeting as particularly significant as he prepares to conclude his assignment in Nigeria. Colonel Ibrahim introduced the incoming Defence Attaché, Colonel Mohamad Mosaad, and said he was confident that the existing strong relationship between Egypt and Nigeria would be further strengthened under his successor. He also disclosed that the Egyptian side had secured approval for the establishment of a Deputy Defence Attaché position, describing the development as another indication of the importance Egypt attaches to its bilateral and military relationship with Nigeria.  In his remarks, the incoming Egypt Defence Attaché, Colonel Mohamad Mosaad, expressed gratitude to the Minister of State for the warm reception and pledged to work towards deepening cooperation between Nigeria and Egypt. He said he was optimistic about his new assignment and looked forward to identifying more opportunities for collaboration, investment and exchange of capabilities between the two countries. Colonel Mosaad noted that Nigeria and Egypt, as two major African countries, had a shared responsibility to contribute to the development and advancement of the continent through stronger partnerships. He expressed confidence that his tenure would further consolidate the longstanding friendship, cultural ties and cooperation between the two nations. The meeting ended with renewed assurances of continued cooperation, mutual support and stronger bilateral relations between Nigeria and Egypt. ...

GORONYO BAGS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE, INDUCTED AS FELLOW, DECORATED YOUTH VANGUARD AMBASSADOR The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., has been honoured with an Award of Excellence and inducted as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership in recognition of his contributions to leadership, youth development, public service and national development. The Minister was also decorated as a Youth Vanguard Ambassador, under a programme being developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to provide platforms for young Nigerians to showcase their talents, innovations, research and leadership potential. The honours were conferred on the Minister during a special ceremony held today, Monday, 7th September 2026, at the Minister's Conference Hall, Mabushi, Abuja. The ceremony was led by the Country Director, USA, Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership, Dr. Samuel Ojo. Speaking at the ceremony, Goronyo expressed appreciation to the Institute and the organisers for finding him worthy of the recognition, describing the honour as both a privilege and a renewed challenge to contribute more to humanity and national development. He said, “It is not something small. I take it as a big thing and as another challenge to serve humanity.” The Minister noted that his commitment to leadership and youth development had taken him to various platforms nationally and internationally, including engagements with the Global Peace Foundation and participation in programmes in countries such as the United States of America and the Philippines. He stressed that effective leadership must be anchored on transparency, honesty, integrity and accountability, noting that public office holders must continually strive to make positive contributions to society. Goronyo commended the organisers for recognising his contributions to youth engagement and development, stressing that empowering young Nigerians remains critical to the future of the country. He also expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE,  for the cordial working relationship and partnership between them since his assumption of office as Minister of State for Works. Describing Umahi as “a brother and partner in progress,” Goronyo said their collaboration had contributed to advancing the objectives of the Ministry. Speaking on the Federal Government's infrastructure agenda, the Minister of State highlighted the strategic importance of road infrastructure to Nigeria's economic growth and national development. He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, had demonstrated a strong commitment to improving road infrastructure across the country through major legacy projects and strategic interventions. Goronyo cited major projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and other strategic road corridors, as evidence of the administration's determination to improve connectivity, facilitate economic activities and promote national development. He added that the adoption of concrete technology on selected major projects would contribute to the durability and longevity of Nigeria's road infrastructure. The Minister called on Nigerians to continue supporting the administration's development agenda, particularly its efforts to address infrastructure deficits and create an enabling environment for sustainable economic growth. Earlier, Dr. Samuel Ojo, Country Director, USA, Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership, explained that the ceremony was organised to formally honour and decorate Goronyo, who could not attend the Institute's earlier programme due to a flight delay. He said that, in addition to the Fellowship and Award of Excellence, the Institute selected the Minister as one of its Youth Vanguard Ambassadors because of his demonstrated commitment to youth development and leadership. According to Ojo, the Youth Vanguard Programme is being developed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to engage young Nigerians through intellectual, innovation and research challenges across tertiary institutions and among youths in the Federal Capital Territory and the 36 states of the federation. He said the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between young Nigerians with talents and the opportunities required to develop and commercialise those talents. “We have a lot of talents in the field of innovation and research, but there is no bridge. We are trying to create that bridge through this programme in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development,” he said. Ojo added that the programme would provide opportunities for young Nigerians to develop their talents, create jobs, promote innovation and contribute meaningfully to the future of the country. He disclosed that the programme would operate at state, zonal and national levels, with plans for a national gathering to be officiated by the President and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development. In accepting the Fellowship and professional induction, Goronyo pledged to uphold the principles of integrity, accountability, professionalism, human rights, inclusion and respect for the dignity of all persons. He further committed himself to investing in human-capacity development and supporting the advancement of the management profession for sustainable and inclusive development. The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to serving as a positive example to those he leads and remaining accountable to the people and society for his actions. The citation presented at the ceremony highlighted Goronyo's extensive experience in public service, law, politics and youth mobilisation. It noted that he had served in various capacities within the political and public service space, including at the local government level and within party structures, and had played a significant role in youth mobilisation during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election. The citation also highlighted his service across different arms and levels of government, including his appointment as Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation before his deployment to the Federal Ministry of Works as Minister of State. Goronyo is a member and Fellow of several national and international professional organisations and associations, reflecting his broad experience in law, management, public relations, engineering, environmental matters, peacebuilding and leadership. The ceremony was attended by officials and representatives of the Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership, members of the media and other invited guests.   ...

GORONYO CALLS FOR STRONGER MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM, SAYS ROADS REMAIN BACKBONE OF NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The *Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE* represented by the *Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq.,*has called for a stronger collaboration amongst stakeholders in the road, rail, maritime, and aviation sectors to develop an efficient, intermodal transportation system capable of driving Nigeria’s economic transformation. Goronyo made the call on Wednesday 2 September, 2026 at the 19th National Council on Transportation with the theme, *“Developing Effective Transportation Systems for Nigeria: The Role of Integrated Transportation,”* in Abuja. He described roads and bridges as essential lifelines of trade, commerce, and human mobility, noting that robust, expanded, and durable road networks connect rural agricultural communities with urban markets, facilitate access to seaports and rail terminals, and enable mobility across the country. The *Minister of State* said the Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, was giving unprecedented attention to infrastructure development through the Renewed Hope Agenda, with substantial investments and innovative financing mechanisms being deployed. He highlighted the Federal Government’s major road infrastructure projects, particularly its four legacy projects, which cut across the six geopolitical zones. These include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja (Trans-Sahara) Highway, and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri-Yola corridor with a spur from Jos to Ibi in Taraba State. Goronyo explained that the projects were designed not merely as road construction initiatives but as strategic investments that would promote connectivity, stimulate commerce, create employment opportunities, and strengthen national integration. They are investments that will earn carbon credits for the country through the use of environmentally friendly cement instead of asphalt in construction, the building of dams for irrigation and renewable energy, solar-powered street lighting, and windmill technology along the littoral corridor. According to him, the completion of the projects would significantly ease transportation across the geopolitical zones, enable farmers to move their produce to markets faster, improve industrial access to raw materials and markets, and provide safer and more comfortable movement for Nigerians. He stressed that the Federal Ministry of Works was also embracing rigid pavement technology as part of efforts to construct durable roads capable of withstanding heavy traffic and high water tables, thereby reducing road failures. *Goronyo* said the approach was particularly important given the pressure placed on the nation’s roads by heavy-duty vehicles, emphasising that effective rail transportation would complement this by moving a significant portion of the heavy freight. The *Minister of State* also urged Nigerians to protect public infrastructure, warning against vandalism, and theft of road and bridge furniture, and other critical assets. He called on communities to take ownership of the infrastructure in their areas and assist government agencies in protecting public assets. The Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, Senator Adamu Aliero, commended the Federal Government for the level of resources being committed to road infrastructure under President Tinubu. He described road infrastructure as critical to national development, adding that no country achieved sustainable economic growth without a good road network. He applauded the theme of the Council as timely, as it provided an opportunity for stakeholders in land, water and air transportation to harmonise policies and develop a sustainable intermodal transportation strategy for the country. He assured that the National Assembly would continue to support initiatives aimed at developing a reliable and efficient transport network across the country. Representing the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, at the Council, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Alhaji Abdullahi Idi, highlighted significant progress recorded in Nigeria’s aviation sector under the present administration. He stated that the administration had focused on improving aviation safety and security, upgrading infrastructure, supporting local airlines, developing human capacity, strengthening regulatory frameworks and enhancing Nigeria’s position as a regional aviation hub.  According to him, Nigeria recorded an Effective Implementation score of 91.45 per cent in the April 2026 ICAO Safety Audit, describing the result as a significant milestone for the sector. He revealed that the administration was also reviewing and strengthening Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASAs) with strategic international partners to improve connectivity, facilitate trade and tourism, attract investment and create employment opportunities. He stressed that the ultimate measure of success would be the extent to which aviation policies translate into jobs, investment, trade, tourism, affordable connectivity, increased cargo capacity and sustainable economic growth. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, FNSE, disclosed that the Ministry was working towards strengthening enforcement mechanisms leveraging technology to ensure that traffic offences were properly captured and sanctioned. He explained that technological systems would enable the authorities to identify vehicles and drivers involved in traffic offences and facilitate the prompt enforcement of penalties. Adebiyi said the objective was to develop a system where offenders would not easily evade penalties, while ensuring that due process was followed before sanctions are imposed. He reassured that the proposed measures were aimed at improving compliance, road safety and responsible driving behaviour across the country. A representative of Global Foremost Impressions Ltd., Prof. Emmanuel Chijioke Ogbonna, described the integrated transportation model being promoted by the Federal Government as innovative and transformative. He said the discussions at the Council had provided valuable insights into how the integration of road, rail and other transportation modes could address Nigeria’s transportation challenges. Ogbonna expressed optimism that effective implementation of the policy would transform Nigeria’s transportation sector and deliver a more efficient, affordable, safe and seamless transport system.  The 19th National Council on Transportation brought together key stakeholders from the road, rail, aviation, maritime and other related sectors to deliberate on policies and strategies for developing an efficient, integrated and sustainable transportation system for Nigeria. The Council reaffirmed the commitment of stakeholders to greater collaboration, strategic investment, and coordinated policy implementation towards building a seamless transportation system capable of supporting economic growth, national integration and improved quality of life for Nigerians.   ...