President Bola Tinubu on Saturday flagged off N137 billion rehabilitation work on the Bama–Banki and the Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala roads in Borno.

He said during the ceremony that the roads, when fully completed, would boost trade and agricultural activities and enhance efficiency in security operations.

The project area borders the neighbouring Republic of Cameroon.

The existing road is a single-carriageway with two lanes, 49.15km in total length, and begins at Bama town at the Cameroon border.

Mr Tinubu, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said the roads were key to restoring trans-Saharan trade between Nigeria and the neighbouring countries of Chad and Cameroon, which had been disrupted by the insurgency.

“Bad roads are also a security risk. A corridor that is difficult for citizens to travel is equally difficult for security personnel to patrol and protect

“Promises acquire meaning when citizens can drive on the roads, move their goods, reach their families and live with greater security,” he said.

Earlier, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the president of the Dangote Group, and the contractors handling the projects said his group had 12 major roads covering over 1,000km across the six geo-political zones.

Mr Dangote said the projects put together cost the federal government about N3 trillion under the roads infrastructure tax credit scheme.

He stated that the Bama-Bank road and Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala road would open up Nigeria’s economy, facilitate military operations, thereby improving security and attract investors.

In his address, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said that the projects were first awarded in 2021 at a combined cost of about N55 billion, but construction was delayed due to insecurity-related challenges.

Mr Umahi said the projects were later reviewed, with phase I estimated at N70 billion and phase II at N67 billion.

He said the projects would adopt the concrete technology system, which offered superior performance, long lifespan, reduced maintenance requirements, and gave greater value for money.

According to him, the scope of work also includes the construction and maintenance of bridges along the route, road furniture, traffic safety facilities and other ancillary works to improve road usage.

He said that the Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala road was part of the trunk 95.A3 major North–Southerly route, which started at the road-over-rail bridge on the Port Harcourt township boundary and continued to Aba-Oktupa–Oturkpo–Alaide–Makurdi-Lafiya-Akwanga-Jos–Bauchi-Kari-Potiskum-Maiduguri and -Dikwa–Gamboru-Ngala, the Nigerian border to Cameroon.

The minister stated that, when completed, the roads would enhance the movement of farm produce and trade, improve transportation quality, boost businesses, and provide greater access for security agencies in their operations.

In his remarks, Governor Babagana Zulum also said the interventions were vital to the state’s recovery efforts, adding that the roads would expand economic activity to Chad, Cameroon, and the Niger Republic.

 (NAN)

Three young footballers with Nigerian roots, Chinedu Agu, Michael Ani, and Nathaniel Chioma, have taken a significant step in their careers after signing their first professional contracts with English club Portsmouth FC.

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Sports247 reports that the talented trio, who have all progressed through Portsmouth’s academy system, have been rewarded for their impressive development with professional deals that bring them closer to achieving their dream of first-team football.

Their latest achievement marks a major milestone, not only for the players themselves but also for their families and supporters who have followed their journeys through the youth ranks at the English club.

Signing a first professional contract is often regarded as one of the defining moments in a young footballer’s career, symbolising the transition from academy football to the professional game.

For Agu, Ani, and Chioma, it represents the beginning of an exciting new chapter and an opportunity to continue their development within the Portsmouth setup.

The trio will now aim to build on their progress and work towards earning opportunities with the club’s senior team, with hopes of eventually making their professional debuts for the Pompey family.

Their success also provides another positive story for Nigerian football, highlighting the growing number of players of Nigerian descent making their mark within some of Europe’s leading academy systems.

Over the years, England has produced several footballers with Nigerian roots who have gone on to enjoy successful professional careers, and the emergence of Agu, Ani, and Chioma will undoubtedly be closely monitored by football followers in both Nigeria and England.

The development is a source of pride for Nigerian football enthusiasts, who continue to celebrate the achievements of young talents connected to the country excelling abroad.

As they embark on their professional journeys in Hampshire, the three youngsters will be hoping to justify the faith shown in them and continue their steady rise through the ranks.

For Chinedu Agu, Michael Ani, and Nathaniel Chioma, the dream of professional football has officially begun.