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From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in Kebbi State has kicked off repair works on major federal roads under its ‘Operation Connect to Your Destination (OCYD)’ initiative, ahead of the 2025 yuletide season.
While flagging off the exercise at Km 1+150 along the Kalgo-Bunza Road, the FERMA engineer-in-charge of the state, Mr Rilwanu Usman, said the operation was designed to ease travel difficulties and reduce accidents during the festive period.
According to him, “The essence of our coming here today is to kick-start Operation Connect to Your Destination 3.0 under the leadership of our Managing Director, Dr Chukwuemeka Agbasi. This is the third edition of this nationwide operation.
“Anyone familiar with this road knows how dangerous it is, given the high rate of fatal accidents leading to loss of lives and property. Our goal is to avert such tragedies and ensure a hitch-free yuletide travel season.”
He explained that the exercise involves intensive pothole patching, rehabilitation of failed sections and asphalt overlays to strengthen the road surface.
“We are targeting a complete pothole-free stretch from the beginning of the road to the junction and we even intend to go beyond that,” he added.
The engineer noted that FERMA had remained visible across Kebbi State, citing the recent restoration of a notorious flooded section along the Argungu-WACOT Road.
“Even this road linking Bunza to Koko has witnessed significant repairs. During the rainy season, articulated vehicles diverted to this axis after the collapse of the bridge on the Koko Road.
“We intend to restore it fully and keep it motorable,” he said.
Usman commended the agency’s boss, Agbasi for the initiative, stressing that it aligned with the Federal Government’s mandate to keep all federal roads serviceable.
He also acknowledged the support of Gov Nasir Idris and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen Atiku Bagudu, for their contributions to President Bola Tinubu’s vision of an efficient and economically vibrant Nigeria.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that failed and distressed sections are remedied promptly. This programme enables us to do that in a more targeted and impactful manner,” he said.
In his remark,, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Works in the state, Alhaji Malami Aliyu, said the ministry was monitoring FERMA’s activities to ensure roads remained safe and durable.
“We are working together to protect lives and property through quality road infrastructure. We commend FERMA for this initiative, which complements routine maintenance efforts,” he said.
Some of the motorists interviewed during the kick off of the repairs, expressed satisfaction with the intervention, describing it as timely and beneficial.
A commercial driver, Malam Dauda Alkali, lauded FERMA for its consistent commitment to maintaining federal roads in the state.
“The way FERMA is working on federal roads in Kebbi is commendable. Their efforts should be emulated by the state government, especially on roads linking Nigeria to Benin and Niger Republics,” Alkali said.
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He added that the initiative had eased the hardship motorists had faced following the devastation caused by heavy rains and flooding during the last rainy season.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, Alhaji Garba Dan-Malam, described the exercise as a “much-needed intervention.”
Gov. Yusuf hails Dangote for dedicating 25% wealth to charity
From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has applauded Alhaji Aliko Dangote for dedicating 25 percent of his wealth to charity, describing the gesture as a historic boost to human development and a model for philanthropic leadership in Africa.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, yesterday, the governor spoke during an event held in Lagos, which attracted top national stakeholders, including the Vice President Kashim Shettima, governors of Kano, Gombe, Nasarawa and Borno, alongside the two ministers of education.
At the gathering, the Aliko Dangote Foundation announced a N100 billion education support package targeting 155,000 students across Nigeria.
The Foundation also revealed a 10-year vision to spend up to N1 trillion to reach 1,325,000 beneficiaries, with a major focus on out-of-school children.
Governor Yusuf welcomed the initiative, noting that its emphasis on access, teacher training and infrastructure directly complements Kano’s bold education reforms under the state of emergency declared in the sector.
He highlighted Kano’s achievements in education, including the recruitment of over 13,000 teachers, major school rehabilitation, reduction of overcrowded classrooms, distribution of desks and support for students through scholarships and tuition fee reductions.
He also emphasised ongoing efforts to conduct a statewide survey to accurately identify out-of-school children and integrate Qur’anic schools into learning centres.
The governor commended the decision to allocate N15 billion for upgrading the state-owned Aliko Dangote University, Wudil, to international standards, noting that it would enhance access, improve quality and boost global competitiveness.
He said the Foundation’s intervention captures the real needs of the system, supports Kano’s priorities and strengthens partnership for education.
He reaffirmed Kano’s overall vision for education, saying, “Every school is a good school, every child enrolled in school, every student an engaged learner, every teacher a caring educator, every parent a supportive partner and the government as a committed investor in human capital development.”
He also underlined key actions taken and planned by the government, noting that over 13,000 teachers had been recruited, hundreds of overseas scholarships provided, tuition fees cut in half for state university students, rehabilitation of 1,358 secondary and technical schools, as well as 5,200 primary schools.
“Also, the installation of 250 boreholes and 820 toilet units, construction of 28,264 classrooms and 300 laboratories planned and a statewide survey for out-of-school children to ensure access for every child, including integration of Qur’anic schools,” he added.
The governor expressed optimism for a future of great partnership and mutual collaboration with the Foundation to achieve the goals.
