馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Federal Ministry of Works bans motorcycles and tricycles on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
The Federal Ministry of Works has prohibited commercial motorcycles and tricycles on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, effective this week. Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr. Olufemi Dare, announced the ban, stating it is intended to protect the new superhighway from misuse and deterioration. The restriction also applies to all bridges across Lagos State. Additionally, the ministry has banned indiscriminate parking of trucks and articulated vehicles, as well as the disposal of refuse along highway corridors. Signages indicating these restrictions have been installed, and task force officials will be deployed to ensure compliance. Mr. Dare emphasized that these measures are crucial for preserving the road's long-term sustainability and maintaining the value of the "world-class infrastructure" for Nigerians, urging all road users to comply for public safety.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo's wife, Yanina, and their two children, Aaron and Ainhoa, died after powerful twin earthquakes struck Venezuela. Trejo, who plays for Club Sport Maritimo La Guaira, searched for his family for three days in the rubble before their bodies were recovered. The club expressed deep sorrow over the loss. Trejo was at a team training camp in Caracas when the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes hit, and immediately returned to his home in La Guaira, the state most affected. His brother-in-law, Ricardo Ardiles, described the scene as horrific, with the building completely destroyed. Venezuelan authorities reported nearly 1,500 deaths and tens of thousands still unaccounted for. The disaster, described as a rare "doublet" by the US Geological Survey, also claimed the lives of other footballers, including promising young talent Yimvert Berroteran, and young players V铆ctor Palacios and Razan Sijaa. The partner of player H茅ctor Bello also died while protecting their child. Among the deceased are also eight Chinese nationals.
Must ReadAsian stocks largely increased and oil prices saw a modest rise on Monday following reports that the United States and Iran have agreed to cease mutual attacks. This development comes after a weekend of strikes that challenged a fragile truce between the two nations. Investor confidence remains unstable after recent market volatility caused by the Middle East crisis and concerns over a tech bubble fueled by the AI boom. While a deal to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is anticipated, tensions persist. The US Central Command reported attacking 10 Iranian military targets, with Iran retaliating against US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Both countries have reportedly agreed to a ceasefire and plan to meet in Qatar for further talks. US President Donald Trump reiterated threats of military action if Iranian strikes continue, while Iran's top diplomat warned against attempts to bypass its preferred route through the strait. A US official confirmed a temporary stand-down, allowing free vessel movement. Iran's foreign ministry also announced its first meeting with Oman regarding waterway management. Meanwhile, equity markets generally closed positively, with Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Wellington, Taipei, Manila, and Bangkok all rising. London and Paris retreated, but Frankfurt edged up. South Korean chip makers SK hynix and Samsung experienced losses, though the government's plan to invest nearly $1.2 trillion in a new chip-building hub and AI data
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has claimed there is a plot by elements within the ruling establishment to prevent the African Democratic Congress ADC from participating in the 2027 general election. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku stated he received "credible information" about coordinated political and legal maneuvers to keep the ADC off the ballot. He described this as part of a broader campaign to weaken the opposition and deny Nigerians a free choice for their next president. Atiku, the presidential candidate of the ADC, warned that excluding the party would be a serious assault on Nigeria鈥檚 democracy. He urged Nigerians to resist efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress APC to dictate which opposition parties can contest elections. Atiku also alleged a pattern of institutions being drawn into partisan disputes, with frivolous litigation and administrative actions used against opposition figures. He accused the ruling party of prioritizing political battles over governance, despite Nigeria's economic and security challenges. Atiku emphasized that the ADC's growing popularity should be met through democratic competition, not institutional interference, and called on the judiciary, Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, civil society organizations, and the international community to remain vigilant. He asserted that no administration has the constitutional authority to de