Nigerian Youth Charged To Promote Peaceful Co-Existence Nigerian youth has been charged to promote peace and unity at all times for meaningful development in the country because the future belongs to them. The Director, Public Procurement, Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Alhaji Musa Badeiri stated this as he received members of the Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) who paid him a courtesy call in his office today. Badeiri posited that Nigerian Youth are energetic, hardworking, committed and has the potential to make Nigeria a country of their dream that will be reckoned with in the comity of nations. He said “We are all Ambassadors; we must show it by our deed and action” He noted that the Nigerian Independence in 1960 was through the effort of our Founding Fathers like Sir Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo and Sir Nnmadi Azikwe.  He stated, “we are living on the goodwill of our past leaders who fought for the country’s independence and as such we also have the responsibility to continue the good works and maintain peace at all cost’. While appreciating the award and honour given to him, Badeiri assured the Council of his support and mentorship at all times. Earlier, the Vice President, National Affairs and leader of the Delegation, Barrister Faruk Mohammed disclosed that the Council is involve in various advocacy campaigns to promote peace and good governance in the country, campaign against drug abuse among the youth and also in partnership with the National University Commission for educational and social responsibility to the youths amongst others. Mohammed affirmed that the Council singled out Alhaji Badeiri for the award of Excellency (the Golden Medal of Honour) due to his immense contributions towards nation building, educational development and youth empowerment, adding that, “this award is not just to honour you but also to submit to your mentorship”.   ...

FG Still Committed To Infrastructural Services Despite Inadequate Resources The Federal Government has once again reiterated its commitment towards the provision of critical infrastructural services across the nation despite inadequate resources and low budgetary provision. This was contained in a statement by the Minister of State II for Power, Works and Housing, Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma, mnis, when he received a delegation and Council members of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, in his office at the Ministry’s Headquarters today in Abuja. Zarma stated that budget is usually inadequate in all MDAs, but noted that President Buhari, in fulfilment of his campaign promises to Nigerians is committed to the yearnings and aspiration of the people towards the nation’s development. Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Abdulrahman Ibrahim, on behalf of the delegation expressed their delight to the Minister for receiving the team at a short notice despite his tight schedule. He commended the Ministry on its achievements and success story in the housing, power and road sectors since the inception of this administration. He thanked the Ministry for including ATBU among the nine pilot universities to benefit from the rural electrification project in Nigeria Prof. Abdulrahman Ibrahim stated that their mission is to solicit the support of the Minister and indeed the ministry towards the provision of road network projects in the main campus and also the upgrading of its present 0.5 megawatt to 3.5 megawatt electricity to enhance proper and effective utilization. He lamented that the present budgetary provision of the university is grossly inadequate for these huge projects; hence they crave the support and intervention of the Ministry towards the realization of these projects. The delegation was led by the Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Amb. Mrs. Nimota Akanbi,OON, Vice Chancellor Prof. Abdulrahman Ibrahim and other Council members of the University and were also present. The Minister thanked the ATBU authority for the honour accorded him at the last convocation ceremony of the school, adding that the Ministry will not hesitate to render necessary support on the issues presented. ...

FG Commits N22.7b To Mayo Belwa-Jada-Ganye-Toungo Road In Adamawa State The Federal Government is to spend the sum of N22,699,176,016.86 on the rehabilitation of Mayo Belwa-Jada-Ganye-Toungo road in Adamawa State. The Minister of Power, Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN who was represented by his Minister of State 1, Honourable Mustapha Baba Shehuri and flanked by his counterpart, Minister of State 11, Surveyor Suleiman Hassan Zarma, at the Flag-Off Ceremony in Mayo Belwa town, over the weekend, disclosed that the 112km road was due for rehabilitation having been built since 1999. Fashola stated that the road, which is presently characterized with failed sections, potholes, alligator cracks, depressions and washouts at the edges, is an important economic route which links and passes through the agriculturally predominant towns of Mararaba, Jamtari, Jada, Dashen, Ganye and Toungo. It also leads to the neighbouring Taraba State. The contract which has a completion period of 36 months, the Minister said, provides for the reconstruction of 112km road to a required 7.3m carriageway width and 2.75m shoulders. The carriageway, he noted, is to be overlaid with 60mm asphalt concrete binder course, 40mm asphalt concrete wearing course with pavement of 200mm thick and 200mm stone base. Other ancillary benefits to the road users on that corridor, Fashola added, include stone pitching, kerbs and chutes to avoid washouts, kilometer posts and most importantly, road sings to give direction and make driving less cumbersome and pleasurable. In his response, the Special Guest of Honour, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Senator Bindow Umaru Jubrilla thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and Members of the National Assembly and most especially the Member representing Jada-Ganye-Mayo Belwa-Toungo Federal Constituency, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas for finding it worthy to invest so much on the corridor stating that the Federal Government is bound to generate huge revenue from the investment in the area of increased rice production and livestock farming. The ceremony attracted so many illustrious sons and daughters of the constituency and state some whom included Senator Ahmed Abubakar, Senator Binta Massi Garba, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha and the Gangwari Ganye, HRH Alh. (Dr) Umar Adamu Sanda,OON among others. Other dignitaries that showed solidarity to their friends in Adamawa State were the Senate Committee Chairman on Works, Sen. Kabiru Gaya, Chairman House Committee on Works, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Nebo among others. The contract was awarded to Messrs Triacta Nigeria Limited. ...