Nollywood actors have expressed grief over the death of their colleague, Francis Duru, describing his passing as a devastating loss to the Nigerian film industry. They paid tribute to the veteran performer, whose contributions to Nollywood spanned several decades.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that Duru died on Friday at the age of 57 following a brief illness, less than two years after the death of his 15-year-old son, Ifeanyi.

Following the news of his demise, several Nollywood stars took to their social media pages to express their sadness and honour his memory.

Veteran actor Kanayo O. Kanayo described Duru as a consummate actor and one of Nigeria’s most versatile and prolific performers.

In a post on his Instagram page, Kanayo wrote, “A consummate actor has left the stage. One of the most flexible, prolific performers Nigeria ever produced. Rest in peace, my brother.”

Similarly, actress Stephanie Linus described the actor’s death as tragic and heartbreaking, while praying for God to comfort his family during the difficult period.

She wrote, “Such a tragic and heartbreaking loss. May God grant his family the strength and fortitude to bear this loss. May his soul rest in peace. RIP Francis Duru.”

Meanwhile, Mercy Johnson-Okojie admitted that she was overwhelmed by the news and struggled to find the right words to express her grief.

In her tribute, she stated, “Too tired and speechless about this loss.”

Actress Kate Henshaw also reflected on the fleeting nature of life as she prayed for the late actor’s soul to rest in peace and for his family to find comfort.

She said, “Like a flame gone out, so are our lives when it all ends. God grant him eternal rest and comfort his family.”

Francis Duru rose to prominence for his portrayal of Ahanna in Amaka Igwe’s classic film, Rattlesnake. He went on to build a career spanning more than three decades, earning recognition as one of Nollywood’s respected performers.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed a social media report claiming that he endorsed Senator Ishaku Abbo, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Adamawa State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

reports that Wike’s position was made known in a statement issued on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

According to the statement, a post circulating online had quoted the minister as urging voters in Adamawa State to make informed decisions during the election, while describing Abbo as the most suitable candidate to lead the state.

The statement read, “The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has described as fake a report on social media indicating his support for the Labour Party, LP, Governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Senator Ishaku Abbo.

“The social media post had quoted Wike as saying that people of Adamawa State should make informed and thoughtful decisions at the ballot, stating that in his opinion, Ishaku Abbo is the best fit for the leadership of the State.”

Wike categorically denied any association with the Labour Party or its candidates in Adamawa State.

The minister also maintained that he had neither endorsed Abbo nor declared support for any other LP candidate in the state.

He urged residents to disregard the report, stressing that he would personally announce his preferred candidate if he decided to endorse anyone.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to be completed within the next three years.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Umahi reportedly made the disclosure during an appearance on Arise Television, where he suggested that the project could be completed around 2029.

The minister defended the Federal Government’s decision to prioritise major infrastructure projects despite concerns about the poor condition of existing federal roads across the country.

He also addressed concerns over the contract award process for the coastal highway, acknowledging that the project was awarded without public bidding but insisting that the direct procurement method used was lawful.

“There was no public bidding, but there was direct procurement. It’s within the law. That’s all I’ve just said,” he stated.

When asked about the expected completion date of the 750-kilometre highway, Umahi said the government was working towards delivering the project within the next three years.

“We have four years plus by God’s special grace. So we are looking at three years,” he said.

Asked whether he was confident that the entire highway would be completed within that timeframe, the minister attributed his optimism to his faith and confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“I’m a child of God. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Okay, so I’m giving you the faith I have and the president that I know, that I believe that within the next three years plus, the president will be able to complete that project,” he added.

However, Umahi did not provide a detailed construction schedule or disclose specific completion dates for individual sections of the highway during the interview.

Defending the government’s infrastructure spending priorities, the minister said his ministry was currently handling the construction and reconstruction of about 17,000 kilometres of roads, excluding major legacy projects.

“Out of about 35,000 kilometres of our federal roads, the one that is before me in the Ministry of Works, if you remove the few legacy projects we are constructing, we are constructing 17,000 kilometres of roads presently,” he said.

Umahi further disclosed that the ministry had completed approximately 1,700 kilometres of roads since the current administration assumed office. He added that more than six kilometres of flyovers, bridges and underpasses had also been completed.