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After Kogi’s Explosion, Buhari Commissions Flyover, Reference Hospital, Other Projects
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has attested to the remarkable legacy works of the Governor Yahaya Bello led administration, particularly the numerous infrastructural projects cutting across different sectors as well as his efforts at securing the state noting that the federal government was indeed proud of him.
The President made this remark while delivering his speech at the conference hall of the newly commissioned ultra modern Ohinoyi’s palace before officially commissioning projects including the world class Reference Hospital in Okene, emergency response ambulances, GYB Model Science Secondary School in Adankolo, Ganaja junction flyover bridge, Muhammadu Buhari Civic center, road construction and other legacy projects of his administration.
He expressed that he was excited to be in the state to commission several legacy projects by the GYB led administration noting that his administration was such which prides in the fulfillment of the obligations made to the Nigeria people at the National and sub national level hence his glad disposition of the impressive array of legacy projects in Kogi.
While listing the diverse projects which would be commissioned, he highlighted that the Reference Hospital which boasts of the first hyperbaric treatment chamber was a commendable feat alongside the fleet of Ambulances attached to it for emergency medical response.
The President noted that his administration was working to reposition Kogi state for a bright future as an industrial hub as the government was passionate about activating the confluence state as the center of Nigeria’s solid minerals, especially iron and steel.
President Buhari asserted that the Ajaokuta Steel Complex holds the potential to unlocking such great potential which his administration inherited amidst a tangle of local and international commercial disputes but was glad to note that his government has genuinely rescued Ajaokuta from all legal liabilities and was ready for concession to a private investor that would put it to work for Nigeria and Kogi’s socio economic benefits.
He added that the process has cost the Federal Government over $400million so far but he considered it money well spent as his administration moved closer to achieving its objective of transforming Kogi State into Nigeria’s iron and steel power house. The President alluded that the benefits of getting Ajaokuta working again are numerous as it would provide an estimated over 500, 000 jobs and more than $1.6billion annual income to Nigeria promising to see the process to a logical conclusion.
Governor Yahaya Bello while delivering his speech thanked the President for granting the request to visit the state to commission some of the numerous legacy projects of his administration, a visit which the governor acknowledged was historic and had thrown the whole state into jubilation and celebration.
He recalled that when he was sworn in on 27th January 2016, his government was determined to serve the people hence the commissioning of a competent and professional diverse team who produced the New Direction Blueprint which has remained his administration’s guide in delivering good dividends and accelerated development to the people and in the state.
The document which according to the governor was a vox populi of the summation of the needs of the citizenry have yearly been zeroed down to the state’s budgetary allocation which his administration have ensured the fulfillment of every promise made to the electorate during every campaign. We have also ensured that the entirety of the people of Kogi state have benefitted from their financial, natural and every other resources, he added.
Earlier, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim who was represented by the Ohi of Okenwe, noted that the President’s visit for the commissioning was highly historic as it had been a long time dream that Kogi state would be projected to the world.
The Anambra State Government has released fresh details challenging former Governor Peter Obi’s claim that he left more than ₦2.13 billion in an ecological fund account before handing over power in 2014.
The state government made the disclosure in a statement released on Saturday, September 26, 2026, titled “Peter Obi’s Debts and Lies: More Questions Than Answers.”
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According to the statement, the account number cited by Obi as containing the ecological fund was actually the Anambra State Government’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) Consolidated Account.
The government said First Bank, in a letter dated September 16, 2026, confirmed that account 2018779464 was an IGR account and not an ecological funds account.
It further claimed that as of March 17, 2014, the account balance was not close to ₦2 billion and that the account never recorded an inflow or balance of ₦2.13 billion throughout its active period between 2011 and 2018.
The state government consequently questioned the whereabouts of the money Obi said he left as an ecological fund.
The latest development follows Obi’s earlier defence of his administration’s financial record, in which he said the ₦2.13 billion was released for the Oko/Umuchiana erosion control project and was deliberately left for his successor to execute.
Obi had also maintained that the ecological fund was separate from the savings he said his administration left behind.
However, the Anambra Government also challenged Obi’s account of the state’s overall financial position at the time he left office.
It alleged that his handover document highlighted assets and savings while failing to adequately disclose outstanding liabilities.
The government claimed that the document included valuations for incomplete projects such as the Nnewi Shopping Mall, Onitsha Hotel and Agulu Lake Hotel.
It also alleged that a purported ₦10 billion Federal Government refund was included in the stated net balance even though the money had not been received before Obi left office.
On road infrastructure, the government said Obi’s administration had awarded and signed contracts for 101 roads covering 779 kilometres, with outstanding liabilities of about ₦127 billion at the time of handover.
The state government argued that such liabilities should be considered alongside the savings and assets attributed to the administration when assessing the financial position inherited by Obi’s successor.
The fresh statement has therefore reopened questions over the disputed ₦2.13 billion ecological fund and the broader financial position of Anambra State at the end of Obi’s administration.
While the Anambra Government says bank records support its latest position, Obi has continued to defend his administration’s financial record and his account of the ecological fund.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged the new leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to prioritise regional unity, integration and engagement with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
He made the call on Friday in New York, United States, while receiving the new ECOWAS Commission President, General Birame Diop (rtd), and his delegation on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, September 26, 2026.
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Shettima urged the new ECOWAS leadership to prioritise regional integration and build stronger relationships among countries across West Africa.
“Beyond your administrative duties, your leadership of the commission must make deliberate efforts to build bridges of friendship across the sub-region. ECOWAS should be at the forefront of our engagement with emerging blocs in the area such as Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
“I urge ECOWAS under your leadership to champion the cause of regional integration and strengthen the bonds of unity and friendship among our people,” the Vice President said.
He also urged the commission to take private-sector participation seriously in the execution of the Lagos-Abidjan highway project.
Shettima congratulated Diop on his election, noting that he assumed office at a difficult time requiring greater synergy and cohesion among leaders and people of the sub-region.
The Vice President assured the new ECOWAS president of Nigeria’s continued cooperation and support, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained committed to efforts aimed at transforming the regional body.
“My boss, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a man of honour and conviction who will always support efforts aimed at advancing the transformation of ECOWAS as a regional body, and the progress of the area in general,” Shettima said.
He added that Nigeria would continue to create an enabling environment for ECOWAS to succeed and contribute to the attainment of the vision and objectives set by its founding fathers.
Earlier, Diop commended Nigeria for its role in the establishment and sustenance of ECOWAS, as well as its sacrifices for the stability and prosperity of the sub-region.
He said the commission was facing challenges, including insecurity and lagging development, which required Nigeria’s intervention as a “big brother.”
The ECOWAS president described the organisation as a tool for regional stability that should be encouraged and supported, while urging other countries in the sub-region to cooperate with Nigeria towards achieving inclusive development and a better future for West Africans.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Jimoh Ibrahim and senior officials of the ECOWAS Commission.
Kenyan President William Ruto on Friday toured the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex in Lekki, Lagos, where he was hosted by Dangote Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Aliko Dangote.
The visit comes ahead of the planned September 30 groundbreaking of a proposed 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lamu, Kenya, being developed with Dangote.
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The Dangote Group had earlier confirmed that Dangote would host Ruto during his visit to the Lagos refinery.
The planned Kenyan refinery is expected to expand refining capacity in East Africa and strengthen petroleum supply in the region.
Ruto had earlier said discussions with Dangote and Africa Finance Corporation CEO Samaila Zubairu focused on financing and final preparations for the project.
Dangote is targeting a combined refining capacity of 2.1 million barrels per day through the planned expansion of the Lekki refinery and the proposed Kenyan facility.
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