X-RAY NEWS

Says 172 Host Community Development Trusts Incorporated The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says 172 Host Communities Development Trusts (HCDTs) have been incorporated by oil and gas companies (settlors) so far. Under the Petroleum Industry Act, oil and gas companies are mandated to contribute 3% of their Operating Expenditure (OPEX) of the preceding financial year to a Host Communities Trust Fund for the benefit of such communities. Addressing the leadership of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in Abuja, Eyesan said the NUPRC has been enforcing the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act especially those relating to host communities and the obligations of operating companies. “We have laid out procedures for doing things and we have put regulations in place to streamline the process. So far, we have registered 172 HCDTs and we have been able to manage contributions by settlors,” The NUPRC boss stated. Eyesan said the HCDT whic...

The Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government will not allow the prolonged deterioration of the Benin–Asaba Road to continue, despite inheriting a concession agreement entered into by the previous administration. The Minister spoke on Friday, August 28, 2026, during an inspection of Phase 2B of the Second Niger Bridge at the Nkwerre–Ezunaka section of the Onitsha–Enugu Expressway. Umahi said the Federal Government inherited the concession arrangement with Africa Plus Partners Ltd as part of the agreements entered into by the previous government, but stressed that the overriding interest of Nigerians would remain the priority of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration therefore has to follow due process. However, the minister made it clear that the concession would not become an excuse for government to allow Nigerians and road users to continue suffering. “Our hands are tied by the concession agreement that was entered before...

Says, It's Over  75% Completion.   The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing and commissioning the 284-kilometre Kano–Daura–Katsina sections of the Kano–Maradi Railway Development Project by December 2026. The assurance followed a joint inspection of the project by officials of  the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Federal Ministry of Finance and financiers of the project  from Tuesday, 25 August to Thursday, 27 August 2026, to assess progress on the strategic rail corridor. The inspection established the physical completion of the Kano–Katsina section at over 75  percent and included a test run on the completed track, with officials travelling by train from Kazaure to Katsina. Speaking after the inspection, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, represented by the Director, Rail Transport Services, Engr. Habiba Buhari, said the project remained firmly on course for commissioning in December ...

Says : Completion Will Serve As A Symbol Of National Pride, Confidence In Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has asked the Contraction in charge of building it's Head Office (THE BARREL) to fast track it's completion. This is as the Commission Chief Executive, NUPRC, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, asked the contractor to deliver the project by the first quarter of 2027. The NUPRC Boss stated this during an an inspection of the proposed Head Office. The Chairman, NUPRC Board, Senator Magnus Abe, who was also at the site said the current arrangement whereby major oil and gas companies seeking to discuss multibillion-dollar investments had to move between different NUPRC locations across Abuja to transact business with the regulator, projected an image that is detrimental to the country’s investment drive.Senator Abe said,  According to him, "This image is not just bad for the country, but bad for business. Senator Abe added that the...

The NSITF Managing Director/CEO Oluwaseun Faleye has described Ugboaja’s passing as a huge loss to the labour movement, saying he stood firm for the rights and dignity of labour. The NSITF boss, in a condolence message on Friday in Abuja, said Comrade Ugboaja was a committed labour leader, an articulate advocate for Nigerian workers, and a patriot who served with dignity and passion. "As the General Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja stood firm for the rights and dignity of labour.  "He was a bridge-builder, a voice of reason, and a dependable partner in the pursuit of protection for all workers. "A brilliant lawyer and an astute administrator, his contributions to the advancement of workers’ welfare and social justice will be greatly missed”, The MD stated.  While celebrating Ugboaja’s life of service, courage, and unwavering commitment to the Nigerian worker, the NSITF MD said his legacy of advocacy and integrity will endure.  "On behalf of the Board, ...

The FG has empowered 100 women and youths in Adamawa State with livestock starter assets and inputs as part of Federal Government efforts to promote inclusive participation, enterprise development and sustainable livelihoods in the livestock sector. Speaking at the empowerment programme in Adamawa State, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the initiative was designed to bring more women and young people into the livestock value chain and equip them with the means to establish and grow sustainable livestock enterprises. The Minister explained that, each of the 100 beneficiaries received a heifer or young bull, in addition to starter inputs comprising bags of concentrate feed, mineral salt lick and dewormers. According to him, the intervention is part of the Federal Government’s livestock transformation agenda under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with a focus on engaging young people in productive ventures and creating opportunities for...

Nigeria’s foremost engineering construction company, Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, will convene senior leaders from the development, engineering, finance, public and private sectors at its Luminary Soirée 2026, scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in Lagos. The 2026 edition, themed “The Lagos Proposition | Unlocking Value in a City in Transformation,” will examine the opportunities, investments and infrastructure requirements shaping the future of Lagos as the city continues its rapid expansion beyond its traditional growth corridors. The event will focus on where value creation is increasingly concentrated across the Lagos development landscape, the capital and enabling infrastructure required to support sustainable growth, and the readiness of the construction and engineering sector to deliver projects at the scale, pace and quality demanded by the market. Over the years, the Luminary Soirée has become one of Julius Berger’s flagship stakeholder engagement platforms, bringing tog...

FG has expressed its readiness to strengthen collaboration with Uganda in key areas of livestock development, including improved animal genetics, fodder production, crossbreeding, household ranching, technology transfer, livestock trade and knowledge exchange. The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stated this on Wednesday, 26th August 2026, when he received a delegation of the Nigeria-Uganda Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, led by its President, Chief Michael Awunor, on a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Abuja. Chief Awunor, who conveyed greetings from the Ugandan High Commission in Nigeria, said the visit was aimed at exploring opportunities for stronger cooperation between Nigeria and Uganda, particularly in the livestock sector. He identified livestock feed and concentrates, cattle genetics, crossbreeding and household ranching as areas in which Nigeria could benefit from Uganda’s experience and expertise. According to him, Nigerian livestoc...

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has commenced discussions with key South African institutions and private-sector stakeholders on strategic collaboration to strengthen livestock genetics, red meat production, meat grading and classification, agribusiness development, knowledge exchange and technology transfer. The engagement brought together Livestock Genetics Africa Limited, a Nigeria-based livestock company; Waymaker Trade Solutions of South Africa, which facilitated the collaboration; the South African Meat Industry Company (SAMIC), which delivered a presentation on red meat standardisation, grading and classification; and the North-West University Business School (NWUBS), South Africa, which participated as part of an agribusiness study tour focused on agripreneurship, knowledge sharing and technology transfer. Speaking during the engagement in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the proposed partnerships were aimed at acc...

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has urged the Nigeria Bar (NBA) to Expand Legal Frontiers of Workplace Protection to Cover Informal, Gig Workers   in Nigeria, saying the law must now cover informal sector and platform workers, not just those in formal employment. The Managing Director/Chief Executive of NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, made this assertion at the 66th Annual General Conference of the NBA in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Sapeaking on the theme “Beyond limits: Expanding the legal frontiers of workplace protection and social security beyond limits in Nigeria”, the MD noted that social security, as defined by the International Labour Organisation, is “a foundation for human dignity and resilience” and the protection a society provides to ensure access to healthcare and income security in cases of old age, unemployment, sickness, injury, maternity, or loss of a breadwinner. Represented by the General Manager, Abuja Region of the Fund, Mrs. Bridget Ashang, ...

Arising from the sufferings of road users and the host communities on the Benin-Asaba Highway, occasioned by ongoing reconstruction and expansion works, the Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi, undertook an on-the-spot assessment visit to the affected areas of the project on Tuesday, 25 August, 2026.  To underscore the importance of alleviating the negative impact of the ongoing works, the Minister was accompanied by the Members of the National Assembly’s Committees on Works, the Governor of Edo State, Senior Special Assistants to the President (SSA-P) on Community Engagement, South South, South East and North Central Zones, the Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC), and representatives of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). Engr. Umahi chided the Concessionaire, the Benin–Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited (BAECC), for unprofessional conduct and slow pace despite several warnings from the Independent Engineer ...

he Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, has moved swiftly to address the worsening condition of the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti road in Ekiti and Kogi States, and Benin-Agbor-Asaba Roads following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for urgent intervention to ease the hardship being faced by motorists and commuters. Umahi, who expressed deep concern over the deplorable condition of the road and the suffering of road users who have spent hours and, in some cases, days on the route, said the Federal Government was determined to take immediate corrective measures while working towards permanent solutions. President Tinubu, had directed the Federal Ministry of Works to urgently intervene and ensure that necessary corrective actions are taken to restore movement on the affected roads as quickly as possible. Said Umahi The Minister, in response to the directive, has already set machinery in motion for immediate action. The assignment is already on as of 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, ...

The Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to delivering critical road infrastructure capable of driving economic growth, improving connectivity and enhancing the quality of life of Nigerians. The Minister stated this on Monday, August 24, 2026, at the flag-off ceremony for the dualisation of the Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road, held at the Idi Ayunre axis of the road in Oyo State. Goronyo described the project as a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to upgrade the nation’s road infrastructure and provide efficient transportation corridors that will facilitate the movement of people, goods and services across the country. He said the dualisation of the Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road would have far-reaching economic benefits for Oyo and Ogun States, particularly by improving inter-state connectivity, reducing travel time, enhancing road safety a...

The Minister of Works, Senator (Engr.) David Nweze Umahi,  has declared an end to temporary interventions on the strategic Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road, as the Federal Government formally flagged off the dualisation of the route in Ibadan, Oyo State. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on August 24, 2026 that took place at Open Field of Legacy Estate, Umahi said the project marked a decisive shift from temporary fixes to the delivery of durable infrastructure under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  “Today marks the end of an era of temporary fixes on this vital corridor. Under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are building roads that will outlive generations.” The Minister described the Ibadan–Ijebu Ode project as more than an ordinary road construction project, stressing that its strategic importance goes beyond asphalt and concrete  “This 56.5km Dualisation is not just about laying asphalt or concrete; it is a deliberate economic intervent...

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the constitution of the 2027 All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, bringing together prominent political leaders, experienced strategists and grassroots mobilisers to coordinate the campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Elections. Among the key appointments is that of the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, who emerges as the Deputy Director-General, Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation of the 2027 APC Presidential Campaign Council. The appointment places Senator Engineer Umahi at the heart of the campaign's strategic machinery, particularly in the critical areas of infrastructure advocacy, political mobilisation and nationwide sensitisation. As Deputy Director-General responsible for Infrastructure, Mobilisation and Sensitisation, he is expected to bring his wealth of experience as a former Deputy Governor, Governor, and Senator, and a serving Minister and seasoned political leader to bear in taki...

Kogi at 35 is more than a commemoration of a date; it is a celebration of a people who have, across three and a half decades, turned diversity into identity, adversity into resilience and aspiration into progress. I warmly congratulate the Government and people of Kogi State on this milestone and commend His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for sustaining the development trajectory of the state.  I equally acknowledge the contributions of the immediate past Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, as well as those of our progressive political leaders, founding fathers, traditional, community builders and citizens whose sacrifices have shaped Kogi’s journey. As a proud Kogi son, I have always considered service to our people a responsibility rather than a privilege. In my own modest capacity, I have supported pathways to federal employment for Kogi indigenes, strengthened opportunities for indigenous small and medium scale enterprises, and invested in initiatives that give our young peop...

The Director General of Energy Commission Of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi has congratulated the people of Kogi State as the State clock 35 years today. 27th August 2026. In a Press Statement made available to R-Ray News,  Dr Mustapha Abdullahi said, "On behalf of myself, my family and the entire management and staff of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, I warmly congratulate the Government and the good people of Kogi State on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the creation of the state. "Thirty-five years is not merely a milestone; it is a remarkable journey of identity, resilience, unity, enterprise and development. " From its creation in 1991, Kogi State has continued to occupy a unique place in Nigeria’s history as the Confluence State, bringing together diverse peoples, cultures and communities in a shared pursuit of progress. " This anniversary is therefore a moment to celebrate the remarkable contributions of the people of Kogi State to the economic, soc...

Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, the Director General of Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN has been commended for his unwavering support and developmental strides in Kogi State. This is as the Kogi State House of Assembly has commended  him for his contributions to renewable energy development, youth empowerment, education and other initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of people across the state. The commendation was contained in a resolution adopted by the Kogi State House of Assembly following deliberations during its plenary session on Thursday, August 6, 2026. The resolution, identified as House Resolution 080 of the 8th Assembly (2026), followed the House’s consideration of the contributions of Dr. Abdullahi, particularly his role in facilitating the establishment of the Barefoot Renewable Energy College, Kogi State (BARECKS). According to the House, Dr. Abdullahi’s efforts demonstrate strategic leadership and a commitment to using renewable energy and other interventions ...