News From Nigeria
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the death of renowned journalist and one of the founders of Newswatch Magazine, Yakubu Mohammed, as a colossal loss to the media industry in Nigeria.
Yakubu Mohammed, a one-time pro-chancellor and chancellor of the Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University, died on Tuesday at the age of 75. He was a well-celebrated journalist, author, columnist, and publisher.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a condolence message issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said the death of the renowned journalist is painful and heartbreaking. He said the rich experience and knowledge of Yakubu Mohammed will be sorely missed.
He said: “The death of former Managing Editor of Newswatch and ex-Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Newswatch Communications Limited, Yakubu Mohammed, is a great loss to journalism and the media industry in Nigeria, his family and friends. The journalism icon, who was a role model to many media practitioners in Nigeria, would be greatly missed.
“Yakubu Mohammed was a bold, courageous and uncompromising journalist, editor, columnist and publisher who spent his lifetime to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria.
“He was a role model to many journalists in Nigeria, having nurtured and provided platforms for media practitioners who have become leading voices in the noble profession and leaders in different sectors.
“On behalf of the people and government of Lagos State, I sympathise with Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, the Mohammed family and the people of Ologba in the Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State over the demise of the veteran journalist.
“I also commiserate with the deceased’s friends, colleagues, and the media industry in Nigeria over the passing of the accomplished journalist. I pray that God will grant Yakubu Mohammed eternal rest and those he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
SPECIAL ADVISER – MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
14 JANUARY 2025
. Contract validates Juilius Berger’s expertise – MD
Amidst fanfare and excitement, Delta state Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori flagged off the Otovwodo flyover in Ughelli North area of Delta state early in the week saying that the project is a permanent solution to the chronic traffic congestion at one of the state’s busiest junctions.
According to the governor, the project aligns with his administration’s infrastructure renewal agenda, focusing on durable road construction, prudent resource use, and improved connectivity across urban and rural areas.
He said rapid population growth in the local government has overstretched Ughelli’s road network, particularly at the Otovwodo Junction along the East–West Road, turning it into a notorious traffic bottleneck that costs commuters several productive hours daily, adding that he had personally experienced the gridlock at the junction.
Before now, he said as an interim measure, his administration constructed alternative routes, including Uduere, Okogbe, Oru, and Edo streets, as well as Royal Avenue linking Agbarha-Otor Road to ease traffic ahead of the flyover.
The Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch thanked the state government for the confidence reposed in the company, describing the contract as a validation of its technical expertise and partnership with Delta State.
We sincerely thank you for the confidence reposed in us by awarding this significant contract to Julius Berger. We do not take this trust for granted. We see this award not just as a contract, but as a validation of our technical expertise and a testament to the strong partnership between our company and this great State, the Managing Director said.
He commended the governor’s vision and commitment to infrastructure development under his administration‘s M.O.R.E. Agenda of Delta State – the BIG HEART, adding that Julius Berger is privileged to be the partner of choice in this collective journey towards progress and prosperity.
Lubasch continued, having started with the construction of landmark roads and flyovers in Warri, we are eager to continue this transformation here in Ughelli. The project features a 15-span flyover designed as a 2-lane dual carriageway, complete with a connecting road network, a roundabout, specific drainage systems, and modern solar street lighting.
The Julius Berger Chief Executive did not mince words in saying that, at Julius Berger, we deliver our projects to the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency. Our teams work diligently to ensure timely completion while minimizing disruption to daily life in the area, even as he asked for the full cooperation of the good people of Delta State and the host community throughout the construction period, saying that, your support is vital to help us achieve success and deliver a project that will serve generations to come.
The Otovwodo Flyover project in Ughelli, Delta State, is a significant infrastructure development initiative aimed at alleviating traffic congestion at one of the state’s busiest junctions. The project, valued at ₦39.3 billion, is expected to be completed within 12 months and includes a multispan reinforced concrete bridge with dual carriageways, roundabouts and associated road works. It is designed to improve connectivity across urban and rural areas, reduce travel time, enhance safety, and boost economic activities in the region.
The event which assumed the semblance of a carnival that seized the entire expanded area of the project had in attendance, royal fathers, community leaders, members of the state executive council, as well as members of the state Assembly, the Senate and Federal House of Representatives representing constituencies in Delta state. Apart from the Managing Director who led Team Julius Berger to the flagoff ceremony, the Regional Manager, Region South and East, Engr Friedrich Wieser and the Project Manager, Engr. Thomas Haug, among others, witnessed the event.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, wishes to alert the public of planned campaigns of calumny by politicians and groups having vested interests in suspects being investigated or facing prosecution by the Commission.
A motley crowd of paid jobbers comprising politicians , academics, so-called civil society activists and some Nigerian fugitives in the diaspora have been recruited by these disgruntled elements to orchestrate campaigns of calumny through sponsored media attacks targeting the Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede and the institution itself with phantom allegations of political bias in the execution of the Commission’s mandate.
Their objective is to befuddle the works of the Commission and, through scaremongering, intimidate the Commission into a timid mode, where it will be afraid to investigate opposition politicians for fear of being labelled as partisan.
This campaign is likely to intensify as the political space becomes charged, in the months leading to the 2027 general election.
The Commission wishes to put those recruited into this ignoble enterprise on notice that their activities are under close watch, and EFCC will not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission. As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations. Commentaries about presumption of innocence of a defendant in court are in line with the provisions of the Constitution and not intended as defence of any individual or group. Additionally, the Commission has no alliance or working relationship with any political party. All these facts are unassailable.
The EFCC will not be pressured or blackmailed into making public disclosures of politically exposed persons being investigated for one alleged corruption case or the other. Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
January 7, 2026
Two established families in the Niger Delta Region on Thursday heaped praise on the Late Chief Executive Officer of Oghene Ochuko Motors, Chief Veronica Ikpeerha Ebireri.
They described her as a woman of great personal integrity, courage, good character and wealth.
‘’History has been good to Chief Veronica Ikpeerha Ebireri. The Niger Delta people, regardless of their orientation, think highly of her’’
The families of Ebireri and Umukoro spoke at the 25th remembrance of the persistent and methodical entrepreneur in Okpara Waterside, Ethiope East Local Government Area.
They applauded Veronica Ebireri for creating positive change and supportive space, leading by example, caring for the poor and offering sound counsel and teaching.
The tribute of the Okpe and Agbon families was read to the press by a prominent Nigerian journalist, political communication expert and strategist, Henry Ovie Ebireri.
The families commended Veronica Ebireri for lavishing inexhaustible love on the brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren.
‘’Chief Veronica Ikpeerha Ebireri was a kindhearted woman and moral leader. She gave hope for the future to many people’’
Tall, beautiful, energetic and generous, Veronica Ebireri was praised for drilling honesty, hard work and empathy into the children
‘’Words cannot express the joy we feel in our hearts as we recall your life of exemplary dedication to humanity and business’’.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ikpeerha Sawmills and Oghene Ochuko Motors was an influential trader, a leader of great stature and significance and a woman of humble origins.
‘’Hard work, humility, discipline and honesty brought her fame and fortune’’
The honest woman, employer of labour and meticulous achiever, according to the families, impacted in people’s lives at her own discomfort and sponsored many to higher institutions in Nigeria and abroad.
‘’Your impact on our lives is immeasurable. We continue to be grateful for the love you showered upon us. We continue to benefit immensely from your hard work, honesty, love, foresight and deep sense of humour which you shared with us. Continue to rest in perfect peace’’ the families said.
The families expressed profound gratitude to all for the unalloyed support, words of comfort and expression of love following her transition on March 10, 2001
Similarly, the Ajamikarawa, Egbeku, Igbimidaka-Elume, Eku, Okpara Waterside and Kokori families also celebrated the late Sapele lawyer, public administrator and businessman, Barrister Victor Okpako Ebireri for his firmness and good actions.
The former staff of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) died on Wednesday, November 7, 2012.
They described Victor Okpako Ebireri as a great motivator, caring father, dependable friend, lovely brother and exemplary leader.
The families highlighted Okpako Ebireri’s open mindedness, love for clearness and precision, self-control and serenity.
They also stressed his generous nature, sympathy, model of friendship and reverence for others’ individuality.
‘’Victor Okpako Ebireri was polished, grave, funny, thoughtful and intelligent’’
Particularly, the families praised his honesty and bravery.
Born on February 4, 1972, Victor Okpako Ebireri attended Okotie-Eboh Grammar School, Sapele, Mater Dei College, Ashaka, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and the Nigerian Law School.