The Presidency has defended the Federal Government’s decision to spend ?712.3 billion on the remodeling and complete overhaul of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, describing the cost as modest when compared against global standards.

Temitope Ajayi, senior special assistant on Media and Publicity to President Bola Tinubu, made the comparison in a post on his X handle, pointing to the $19 billion renovation currently underway at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport in New York.

“Anyone who has traveled through JFK Airport in New York in the last three years will see the extensive renovation work going on at the United States’ premier international airport,” Ajayi wrote. “JFK is being renovated at the cost of $19 billion.

“At the last Federal Executive Council meeting, the Federal Government approved the remodeling and complete makeover of MMIA at the cost of ?712.3 billion. In dollar terms, it is around $500 million.

“This will be considered a modest cost by all standards and at the level and scale of work that will be executed.”

Ajayi’s statement comes amid public debate over the hefty price tag of the project, which was approved during last week’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Tinubu.

The Lagos airport upgrade — part of the administration’s broader “Renewed Hope Infrastructure Agenda” — is expected to include a full modernisation of the aging terminal, improved passenger experience, and upgraded safety and security infrastructure.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) have condemned the Niger State Government for threatening to shut down Badeggi FM 90.1 and demolish the station’s premises.

The radio station, based in Minna, is privately owned and has been under pressure following reported moves by the administration of Governor Umaru Bago to shut it down.

In a statement signed by the NUJ National President, Alhassan Abdullahi, yesterday, the union described the alleged action as “a blatant act of intimidation and an assault on press freedom.”

“The threats issued against Badeggi FM 90.1 by the Niger State Government are deeply troubling and represent a dangerous overreach of executive power.

“Such actions undermine democracy and send a chilling message to independent media organisations,” he said.

The NUJ reminded the state government that the National Broadcasting Commission remains the only legally empowered authority to regulate, license, or sanction broadcast stations in Nigeria.

“No state government has the constitutional right to interfere with the operations or facilities of any media house.

“It is the responsibility of the NBC to investigate any allegations of wrongdoing by broadcast stations and to take appropriate actions through due process,” the NUJ president said.

According to the union, freedom of the press is enshrined in the Constitution and is essential to the survival of democratic governance.

“Independent journalism must never be stifled through threats, intimidation, or politically motivated directives.

“We are calling on Governor Bago to withdraw the threat of closure and demolition immediately and allow the proper legal channels to address any issues,” Abdullahi stressed.

The NUJ also urged civil society groups, professional associations, and the general public to resist any form of executive highhandedness that undermines press freedom.

“We will not stand by and watch as journalists and media institutions are harassed for doing their job,” Abdullahi concluded.

In the same vein, the Nigerian Guild of Editors has condemned the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Government, describing the action as a threat to press freedom and democracy.

In a statement issued on Saturday and jointly signed by its President, Eze Anaba, and General Secretary, Onuoha Ukeh, the editors described the governor’s action as censorship and intimidation that undermines the principles of a democratic society.

The editors described the action as reminiscent of the military era, saying, “This act of censorship and intimidation undermines the fundamental principles of a democratic society, where free press is essential for holding those in power accountable.”

Citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the editors stated that press freedom and freedom of expression are guaranteed under Nigerian and international law.

They noted that Badeggi Radio served as a vital platform for public discourse and information dissemination, and that its closure posed a threat to democracy.

According to the editors, the power to sanction radio and television stations rests with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission after due investigation, not with a state governor.

“We are happy that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, has pointed this out. This should go beyond observing the anomaly. The Federal Government should order the unsealing of the premises of the radio station, while investigation is carried out.

“Government officials should know that we are in a democracy and therefore, the act of arbitrary order for the sealing off and closure of a radio station is unacceptable. Arbitrary closure of media houses reminds us of the dark days of military rule, which ended 26 years ago,” the statement read partly.

While noting Bago’s allegation that the station incited violence, the NGE said such claims must be investigated and proven before any action could be taken.

The editors urged media to operate under strict adherence to the code of ethics of journalism, with responsible conduct at the back of the minds of the professionals.

They also urged authorities to uphold citizens’ rights to access information and express themselves freely, stressing that Badeggi Radio should be reopened pending the conclusion of investigations.

“The Guild reiterates that a free and independent press is essential for a functioning democracy and demands that governments at all levels respect and uphold this fundamental right,” the statement said.

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to boosting food security through strategic partnerships with development agencies, aimed at encouraging increased investment in food production across the country.

This was contained in a statement by the Director, Information and Publicity, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Funmi Imuetinyan, shared by the Nigerian Television Authority on its official X account, yesterday.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, disclosed this when the newly appointed Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation to Nigeria, Dr. Gudain Hussein, and his delegation paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

The statement noted that Utsev, during the visit, emphasised President Bola Tinubu’s strong commitment to enhancing food production in the country.

He recalled that those efforts inspired the “Declaration of a state of emergency on food security and the administration’s sustained drive to attract investment in various aspects of agriculture and the food value chain.”

“He assured the delegation of the Ministry’s readiness, through the Department of Irrigation and Drainage, to collaborate fully with FAO in advancing food production in Nigeria in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda and the mandate of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.”

“The minister added that the FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative and the proposed Investment Summit coming up in Abuja will serve as a veritable platform to unite investors and stakeholders to accelerate food security efforts nationwide”, the statement added.

The statement noted that Hussein, in his remarks, explained that the courtesy visit was to inform the Minister of the forthcoming FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative.

The statement continued, “The Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Dr. Hussein, said the visit is to inform the Minister of the upcoming FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative for the Sahel, themed ‘Investment in Irrigation and Water Resources’, scheduled for 16–18 September 2025 in Abuja.”

“He highlighted the crucial role the Ministry will play in the forum, noting that agriculture consumes nearly 90% of available water resources. He explained that the forum will provide opportunities for strategy development and collaboration in FAO’s intervention areas, including investments through grants, loans, and capacity building.”

“While underscoring the importance of Public-Private Partnerships in crops, livestock, forestry, biodiversity, climate change, and food sustainability, he proposed the formation of a technical committee with the Ministry to develop a policy framework for strategic collaboration.”