In a firm response to recent misleading media reports, AEC Unity Network Limited has denied any ties to the AEC-Geofocus Consortium (Geofocus) and its claims regarding the Abuja-Lagos Super Highway and High-Speed Train projects.

The company, which is the officially recognized concessionaire for the 470-kilometer corridor project, emphasized its exclusive mandate to design, finance, construct, and operate the superhighway and high-speed rail linking Abuja and Lagos—key infrastructure initiatives under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

AEC Unity Network’s clarification follows a series of claims made by Engineer Mutiu Yinka Idris, alleged to be the Director of Operations for Geofocus.
Idris had claimed that the consortium was in charge of the projects and had secured significant investment, including $16 billion in funding from Middle Eastern investors.
He also asserted that the project would soon be launched, with a grand flag-off expected before February 2025.

However, in a statement issued on Sunday, AEC Unity Network vehemently rejected these assertions, stating that the claims were “baseless” and “false.”
The company reiterated that it had received necessary approvals from the Federal Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Finance, and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), and that it alone was entrusted with the projects.

Legal consultant Ayodeji Ademola, acting on behalf of AEC Unity Network, stressed that the company was the sole legitimate entity authorized to execute the Abuja-Lagos projects, emphasizing the need for transparency and professional conduct throughout the process.

“These false claims by Geofocus are not just misleading; they aim to deceive stakeholders and misappropriate the credibility of the national projects we are leading,” Ademola stated.

AEC Unity Network also highlighted the role of individuals within the Geofocus consortium, including Mr. Fisayo Ishola of FANE, suggesting that these parties were engaging in deceptive practices to gain recognition for projects in which they had no involvement.

The company also sought to reassure the public that the Abuja-Lagos Super Highway and High-Speed Train projects remain firmly under the planning and approval stages, and no external entities, including Geofocus, are authorized to act on behalf of the Federal Government in relation to these initiatives.

With an emphasis on integrity and professionalism, AEC Unity Network urged investors, contractors, and the public to disregard any announcements or media reports emanating from Geofocus or its representatives, underscoring that all valid information related to the projects would be issued through its official channels.

By Veronica Dariya, Bwari (Abuja)

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has kicked off the year with a proactive approach to staff wellness, organizing a 5km health walk in Bwari, Abuja, to gear up for the demanding 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) season.

The health walk, held on Saturday, saw JAMB staff traverse a scenic route through the Nigerian Law School road, Kuduru road, and Bwari Area Council Secretariat, before returning to the board’s headquarters.
SpeKing on the initiative, JAMB’s Director of Human Resources, Mr. Gani Abdulrahman, emphasized the importance of physical and mental preparedness for the UTME exercise.
“Managing the UTME is like fighting a war. We need our team to be alert, energized, and healthy throughout the process. This walk is a first step to achieving that,” Abdulrahman said.
The director revealed plans to institutionalize periodic fitness activities and reactivate the board’s sports club to promote long-term wellness among staff.
For many participants, the event was more than a fitness session. Mrs. Halima Aliyu, one of the staff members, said the health walk offered a chance to socialize and unwind while promoting a culture of exercise.
“This walk is a perfect way for us to bond as colleagues while keeping fit. Many of us get so busy with work that we forget to take care of ourselves. This initiative reminds us of the importance of health,” Aliyu said.
She expressed hope that such activities would become a regular feature of JAMB’s calendar, contributing to both personal health and workplace productivity.
This health-focused initiative is part of a broader effort by JAMB to ensure its staff are equipped to handle the pressures of the annual UTME, which demands precision, focus, and stamina.
The board has promised to unveil details of the 2025 UTME process soon, raising expectations for what could be one of its most innovative and efficient examinations yet.
As JAMB gears up for a busy year, the health walk reflects a commitment to fostering a culture where productivity is powered by wellness. It’s a fresh reminder that a healthy team is a productive team—and JAMB seems poised to lead the charge.

British Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has again drawn sharp criticism following comments made during an event organized by the think tank Onward.
In her remarks, Badenoch expressed concerns about Britain potentially facing the challenges she attributes to Nigeria, describing her home country as plagued by “terrible governments.”
The Conservative Party leader, who was born in the UK but mostly raised in Nigeria, had repeatedly described growing up in fear and insecurity in a country plagued by corruption.
Nigerian Vice-President Kashim Shettima accused her of denigrating the country.
Speaking to the audience on Thursday, Badenoch recounted her upbringing in Nigeria and how her family struggled financially despite working hard. She noted that her experience shaped her determination to prevent similar circumstances in the UK.
“And why does this matter so much to me? It’s because I know what it is like to have something and then to lose it,” Badenoch said. “I grew up in a poor country and watched my relatively wealthy family become poorer and poorer, despite working harder and harder as their money disappeared with inflation. I came back to the UK aged 16 with my father’s last £100 in the hope of a better life.”
Badenoch’s comments drew attention for their critical tone, particularly her remark about the Nigerian government:
“I have lived with the consequences of terrible governments that destroy lives, and I never, ever want it to happen here.”
Badenoch further criticized Nigerian institutions, including the police, comparing her experiences in Nigeria to those in the UK.
She accused the Nigerian police of corruption, sharing a personal anecdote:
“The police in Nigeria will rob us,” she said, to laughter from the audience. “When people say I have this bad experience with the police because I’m black, I say well, I remember the police stole my brother’s shoe and his watch.”
These statements have been met with backlash from Nigerians, with many accusing her of reinforcing negative stereotypes and distancing herself from her roots.
Critics argue that Badenoch’s comments overlook the complexities of Nigeria’s challenges, while others see them as a betrayal of her heritage.
Some have taken to social media to express disappointment, accusing her of using her background to score political points.
While some observers have defended Badenoch’s remarks as honest reflections of her experiences, others have urged her to focus on contributing solutions rather than critiquing from afar.
This is not the first time Badenoch’s comments about Nigeria have stirred controversy. Recently, she distanced herself from the country’s northern region, stating she has “nothing to do with the Islamic northern region.”

As the leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, Badenoch’s remarks highlight the tension between personal narratives and political diplomacy, sparking debates about identity, governance, and the responsibility of leaders with multicultural roots.