Umahi spoke on Thursday during the flag-off of the Gombe-Biu super highway, a key component of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri dualisation project.

The minister described the project as another demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development and national unity, adding that insecurity should not be used as a political tool.

His words: “Security should not be politicized. It should not be weaponized. Why is it that anytime we are trying to have an election, there is heightened insecurity? This is very concerning because anybody who takes the life of others under any guise, God is watching, and God is going to pay back.

“If anybody has a hand in the insecurity because the person wants power, God will resist such a person. So we stand with the President, we pray for him, and we work with him. This phase will also pass, and we will win our election by God’s special grace.”

The minister said Tinubu had stabilised key sectors of the economy and would also restore lasting peace across the country.

“The boat is already on sail. It is on the high sea. We are experiencing turbulence, but the President has been able to stabilize the boat in so many directions.

“The macroeconomy is stabilized, the naira is stable, and we are descending the gains of the reforms to the micro level. This insecurity will also be solved by this President, and then we will all be grateful to God Almighty,” he stated.

Umahi said the Federal Government expanded the scope of the Gombe-Biu section following requests from the Gombe state government.

The minister said the Gombe-Biu section forms part of the approximately 700-kilometre Fourth Legacy Project stretching from Akwanga through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu to Maiduguri.

He added that HITECH Construction Company emerged as the preferred contractor after a competitive procurement process.

He cited the Sokoto-Badagry super highway, the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway and the Akwanga-Maiduguri corridor as examples of projects being implemented under the current administration.

The president of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Engineer Ahmadu Musa Kida has reiterated that the body’s under-18 programme scheduled that was released during the week is aimed at ensuring the country gets proper representation internationally.

Sports247 reports that Kida went on to reveal that the NBBF is committed towards enhancing the development of Nigerian basketball with adequate opportunities for both male and female players to further develop at home and abroad.

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He went on to explain that the internal and external targets informed the release of an elaborate programme schedule for the country’s boys’ and girls’ national teams into the 2026 FIBA Africa U18 Championship and other competitions.

The NBBF boss further pointed out that, in line with the federation’s commitment to creating opportunities for Nigerian athletes globally, a training and evaluation camp will hold for Nigerian players in Chicago, USA from July 24th to 26th.

Kida affirmed that the camp will provide an opportunity for eligible Nigerian players based abroad to compete for places on the final rosters, while strengthening the connection between the NBBF and its growing diaspora talent pool.

The final phase of preparation will see all selected players from Nigeria and the diaspora gather in Côte d’Ivoire from July 27th to August 2nd for a joint-camp that will focus on team chemistry, tactical preparation and final roster integration.

Both the boys’ and girls’ national teams will then compete at the 2026 FIBA U18 Afrobasket Finals in Côte d’Ivoire from August 3rd-16th, thereby highlighting the NBBF’s commitment to youth development and sourcing for future national team players.

Kida added, “This programme is designed to identify talent across Nigeria, provide opportunities for our diaspora players, and ensure our teams receive the appropriate preparation necessary to compete successfully on the continental stage.

“The future of Nigerian basketball lies in the development of young athletes. The addition of Benin City to our tryout locations demonstrates our commitment to expanding access and discovering talent from every part of the country.”