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Tinubu approves construction of two federal roads in Ekiti

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the inclusion of the construction of Itawure – Aramoko – Ado Ekiti and Aramoko – Ijero – Ifaki Ekiti roads in the 2026 budget of the Federal Government.

The Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji on Media, Yinka Oyebode, disclosed this in a statement released in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.

Oyebode stated that a letter to the effect of the approval “has since been forwarded from the Office of the President to the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi. The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, was also copied.”

Oyebode added that “when constructed, the two newly approved roads will further ease travelling, enhance connectivity across different parts of the country, boost commercial activities and open up the state to greater economic opportunities and development.”

He disclosed that “the development was sequel to the visit of Governor Oyebanji and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Sunday, November 9, 2025, where issues concerning the condition of federal roads in the State were discussed.”

Recall there has been some public outcry and deliberate misinformation over the deplorable condition of some federal roads in Ekiti State, particularly the Itawure – Aramoko – Ado Ekiti Road.

The Tinubu-led Federal Government has awarded contracts for three such roads, including the Akure – Ikere – Ado Ekiti Road and Ifaki – Oye – Ikole – Omuo Ekiti Roads in the state, and contractors have been mobilised to the site

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The Oyebanji administration in Ekiti State has also constructed one of them—the Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Road—in addition to many inter-city and intra-city road projects in the past three years.

According to the governor’s media adviser, Oyebanji, on behalf of the Ekiti people, expressed thanks to Tinubu for his strategic intervention in the socio-economic and infrastructure development of Ekiti State, as well as other support provided for the state.

Oyebode, who expressed the Oyebanji government’s commitment to the welfare and well-being of the citizens, assured that it would continue to collaborate with the Federal Government, institutions, private sector players, and development agencies in its development efforts.

The PUNCH recently reported that Oyebanji had assured the Federal Government was responding positively to the people’s yearning by awarding contracts to fix three of the six federal roads in the state.

The governor had urged citizens to show understanding for the government, stressing that the Federal Government had given assurances on the roads, while his government would also continue to invest in road and power infrastructure to boost the economy.

He had lauded President Tinubu “for his unwavering support for the state and for the demonstrated efforts at fixing the roads, which had culminated in the contractual awards of three of the roads.”

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US, Iran reach deal to end war, reopen Hormuz

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The United States and Iran said they reached a deal to end the Middle East war on all fronts including Lebanon, and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, but offered little indication on the thorny question of Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Washington and Islamabad said the agreement was to be signed on Friday in Switzerland, signalling what would be a major breakthrough to ending months of war that have taken thousands of lives and roiled energy markets.

Few of the details were made public, but US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz — a key conduit for global oil supplies — would reopen after the planned signing of the deal on Friday.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” US President Donald Trump posted Sunday on social media as he marked his 80th birthday.

“Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

Soon after, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said in televised comments that the deal put an “immediate end” to the countries’ war and that they would hold talks within two months to seek a “final agreement.”

Just hours earlier, Tehran had vowed to retaliate against a strike by Israel against Iranian ally Hezbollah in the suburbs of Beirut which threatened to push back an agreement.

But later in the day, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif made the announcement: “Both sides have declared the immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”

He added thanks to leaders of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey for their support in the mediation effort.

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• Details remain unclear –

The content of the agreement, which follows weeks of fraught negotiations and periodic threats from Trump of fresh hostilities unless Iran reached a deal, remained unclear.

Iran’s Mehr news agency reported that the US would release $12 billion in frozen assets to Iran before the start of negotiations.

It quoted a 14-point “memorandum of understanding” between the two nations, which it said stipulated “the release of 24 billion dollars in frozen Iranian assets during the 60‑day negotiation period” that begins after the MoU is signed.

The Trump administration didn’t immediately comment on the details of the agreement, which may prove contentious as the US presses its effort to end Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and deal with its stockpile of highly enriched uranium — believed to have been buried by US strikes last year.

In an interview with the New York Times on Sunday, Trump said Washington was still negotiating whether Iran would suspend its enrichment for 20 years.

The US leader hinted that he might settle for a 15-year suspension, but said he did not want to negotiate via the press.

• ‘Seize the moment’ –

The announcement of the deal was greeted with international relief and hope for an enduring end to the conflict.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said it was a “critical step” toward resolving the war in the Middle East.

The United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy said they were prepared to lift sanctions imposed on Iran and will work “with the US, Iran and regional partners to seize this moment, maintain momentum and achieve a long-term diplomatic settlement.”

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The announcement also brought relief at market opening on Monday. Oil prices plunged more than four percent in Tokyo, and Japan’s Nikkei stock index jumped three percent.

The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has had a worldwide economic impact, from inflated gas prices that have fueled inflation in the US and many other countries and congested supply chains for goods like fertiliser key to food production in areas far beyond the Middle East.

“What we’re going to be able to do is drive down the cost of energy, not just now but for the long term, and create a real engine of prosperity in the Middle East,” US Vice President JD Vance told Fox News.

He said that he planned to attend the signing of the peace deal, which was slated to take place in Geneva, and that it was possible Trump could also go.

• Israeli strike –

It was a rollercoaster Sunday, with Trump in the morning angrily blaming Israel for delaying its signing with the airstrike on Beirut, which he said had delayed the agreement.

In an expletive-laden phone interview with US news outlet Axios, Trump had fumed about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying: “I was so pissed off. I let him know.”

The last time Israel hit the Beirut suburbs, it sparked one of the strongest jolts yet to a ceasefire that has largely held since April, with Iran firing off a retaliatory missile barrage and Israel responding with strikes.

Tehran has long demanded that any agreement to halt the war must include the parallel conflict in Lebanon, where Israel has been pursuing a campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah.

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EU chief hails US-Iran deal to end war, reopen Hormuz

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European Union chief, Antonio Costa, on Monday welcomed a deal between the US and Iran to end the Middle East war, adding that the bloc was ready to contribute to a strategy for “lasting peace”.

“I look forward to an end to this costly war and to the full restoration of freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,” Costa, the European Council President, wrote on X.

The United States and Iran said they had reached a deal to end the Middle East war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz, but offered little indication on the thorny question of Tehran’s nuclear programme.

Washington and Islamabad said the agreement was to be signed on Friday in Switzerland, signalling what would be a major breakthrough in ending months of war that have taken thousands of lives and roiled energy markets.

Few of the details were made public, but US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz — a key conduit for global oil supplies — would reopen after the planned signing of the deal on Friday.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete,” US President Donald Trump posted on Sunday on Truth as he marked his 80th birthday.

“Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorise the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow! “

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Okpebholo condemns Edo kidnapping, orders police prob

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Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has condemned the kidnapping that reportedly took place on Sunday at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City, describing it as unacceptable and a direct attack on innocent residents.

In a statement released on Monday by his media aide, Patrick Ebojele, the governor also directed the Edo State Commissioner of Police to immediately commence a swift and coordinated investigation into the incident with a view at securing the safe rescue of the victims and arresting those responsible for the attack.

The governor warned that the state government would not tolerate any act that threatens public safety and security or disturbs the peace of the state.

He stated, “I strongly condemn this act of kidnapping and I call on the Commissioner of Police to immediately open investigation into the matter.

“As a government, we will not tolerate any act that threatens public safety and security or disturbs the peace of the state.”

Okpebholo urges residents of Benin City and across Edo state to remain alert and report any suspicious movements to the nearest Police station stressing that timely information will support ongoing police operations.

He reaffirmed that the government would not relent until those responsible were apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law.

The PUNCH reported that a woman was kidnapped while shopping in one of the stores at the Vegetable market, which was captured in a video.

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