Nation
THE STATES
Abuja
There are allegation of fraudulent practices in the salary department of the National Assembly.
Quite a number of complaints have been made by many against the staff on the department which is situated at the Annex of the National is supposed to have been done by the Auditors, who would have collected 10 percent of the amount in question.
Benue
Councillors in Ogbadibo local council of Benue State are presently at dagger drawn with the council chairman for allegedly mismanaging the recently released excess crude funds.
This was coming after repeated warnings from the Benue State government to invoke necessary sanctions against local government council leadership in the state that pilfer the excess crude funds released to the councils for development purposes.
The councilors who have commenced impeachment proceeding against the council chairman, Mr. Clement Agada, are also venting their anger on the chairman for his alleged total disregard for the principles for accountability and transparency in the handling of the council’s funds.
The aggrieved councilors reached the decision after a committee set up to investigate the management of the last allocation of excess crude totaling N78 million released to the council in December discovered that the council chairman allegedly misapplied the funds.
Aside the impeachment proceedings, the local government legislative council under the leadership of Mr. Julius Ali had directed the immediate freezing of the council’s account in three commercial banks to forestall further illegal withdrawals from the affected accounts.
For now the only authorised withdrawal is for the payment of workers’ salaries to save the council workers the agony as a result of the crisis.
Ondo
The commissioner representing Ondo State in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NNDC, Mr. Benson Enikuomehin assured the people of the communities of adequate and unprecedented development and fairness to all the communities in the region.
Enikuomehin gave the assurance in Akure during a reception organised for him by leaders from Ilaje council area of the state.
According to him, the areas have suffered in the past and within the next four years some developmental projects would be inaugurated.
He said plans are on to reclaim an expanse of land in the oil rich community of Ilaje while some road projects would be awarded to link it with other towns in he hinterland.
Communities which would benefit from road projects according to him include Ugbo, Ugbonla and Mahin township roads.
Enikuomehin said the contract had been included in this years’ budget.
He lauded the governor for nominating him for the board appointment and promised to justify the confidence reposed in him.
The commissioner pointed out that the “door of NDDC is opened for anybody irrespective of political affiliations because as a Peoples Democratic Party member I was nominated by Labour Party administration in the state.”
Enikuomehin said he would not work against the interest of the governor but work with him for the Development of the Niger Delta region areas of the state.
Plateau
Teacher in Plateau State have threatened to resume their suspended strike, accusing the government on reneging on the agreement reached with them.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, in the state Comrade Gunshin Yarling alleged that the state government had failed to abide by the agreement reached on the 27.5 percent Teachers salary structure, TSS, and outstanding three years leave transport allowance.
He said the teachers were dissatisfied with the implementation of the agreement reached to end the over four-month strike and would not return to classes until their demands were fully met.
However, the state government in a swift reaction denied the allegation saying it had infact, started a gradual implementation of the agreement.
Commissioner for Education, Prof. Angela Miri told journalists that the NUT had been trying to resist the verification exercise which would see unqualified teachers being eased out of the system.
“Our children are suffering from the strike. The implementation of the agreement has started. I have been asking the chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, about the progress being made and she said NUT was trying to resist the verification exercise that we are going to do which is part of the agreement,” she said.
She appealed to the teachers to consider the negative effect of another strike on school children who were get to regain lost ground fro last year’s four month strike, adding that those of them with requisite qualification or evidence of having started NCE programme had nothing to fear.
The Gbony Gwon Jos, Da Gyang Buba had in October last year brokered an agreement between the state and the teachers to end the protracted crisis.
Lagos
Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI, agents have carried their investigation of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab into Ghana, trying to piece together his time in the West African nation before he embarked on a journey that ended with his Christmas Day attempt to blow up a U.S. plane.
Abdulmutallab arrived in Lagos, Nigeria December 24 from a flight originating in Ghana. He then flew to Amsterdam where he boarded a plane bound for Detroit on Christmas.
Details are scarce because “this is a security issue,” James Agyenim-Boateng, the country’s Deputy Information Minister, told our source. He said the FBI had been in the country since last Saturday and that no arrests have been made as of yet.
Agyenim-Boateng said Abdulmutallab, upon arriving in Ghana Dec. 9 from Ethiopia, had listed one hotel where he was staying on his immigration form, but actually stayed in a different hotel.
Investigators, he said “have put that part of the puzzle together.”
Ghana, the official said, was unhappy about not having information on Abdulmutallab after his father reported the young man’s radical views on the United States and other foreign security agencies.
“Fighting terrorism is a collective responsibility of every country and it is therefore important that we share security information of this nature if we are to fight terrorism,” Agyenim-Boateng told our correspondent earlier this week.
“If we have heard this information (given to the US embassy in Nigeria) from our Nigerian counterparts, the suspect would have been subjected to a more thorough screening,” he said.
In Detroit, Abdulmutallab is due in federal court Friday for his arraignment on charges that he failed to detonate a chemical-laden explosive on the Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines flight. But with so much evidence stacked against him, experts say his defense team is left with few options as the case moves forward.
Attorneys outside the case say the 23-year-old’ s lawyers can challenge incriminating statements to the FBI, seek a mental-health exam for Abdulmutallab – and seriously consider a plea deal.
“This is not a case of mistaken identity or a whodunit. For the defense, it’s damage control,” said Joseph Niskar, a defense lawyer who was involved in a 2001 terrorism case in Detroit that fell apart for the government.
Former U.S. Attorney David Griem, who gave CBS News the government’s perspective, agrees.
“This a no-lose trial for the prosecution. .. You have a combination of two factors; One, that the crime was so horrific and, two, overwhelming evidence,” Griem told our source.
The Presiding Bishop of Kingdom Life Gospel Ministries Outreach, Port Harcourt, Bishop Victor Uzosike, has described love as the bedrock of human existence, family stability and societal harmony, stressing that without love, nothing meaningful can thrive.
Bishop Uzosike made this assertion while speaking to journalists during the wedding ceremony of his daughter, Praise Uzosike, to Architect Chibuzor Akubueze on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The solemnisation was held at the Kingdom Life Gospel Ministries Outreach, Port Harcourt, and was attended by dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond.
According to the cleric, love is not only the foundation of relationships but also a powerful force that determines the success of individuals, families and communities.
“If you do not love a place, that place will not bless you. If you do not love your children, they will not be useful to you. If you do not love your family, your family will become a strange island to you. What you do not love, you do not have. Love is the key,” he said.
Reflecting on his family’s journey, Bishop Uzosike said God’s love had sustained them through seasons of challenges and triumphs, noting that unity had remained their greatest strength.
“We have stayed together as one family. God has shown us love in miraculous and mysterious ways, especially during difficult times,” he stated.
Describing the wedding as an amazing and beautiful experience, the bishop expressed appreciation for the show of love from his daughter’s friends, many of whom travelled from the United Kingdom and Ghana to attend the ceremony. He revealed that some of them personally paid for their flights and accommodation, which he described as a rare display of genuine friendship.
He also disclosed that his first daughter, who lives in Manchester, United Kingdom, with her husband, could not attend the wedding due to tight schedules, but noted that she remains happily married and fulfilled.
While thanking guests for honouring his family with their presence, prayers and goodwill, Bishop Uzosike said he felt proud and grateful to God.
“One of the greatest gifts God can give to a man is children who are sound in all ramifications. My children can see, hear, speak and walk. That alone is enough reason to be grateful,” he said.
He praised the bride, describing Praise as an exceptional achiever who had distinguished herself academically. According to him, she completed secondary school at 15, graduated with First Class honours at 19, and earned distinctions in her MBA as well as her first and second master’s degrees.
“For a long time, people believed that highly educated women may not marry early or at all. Today, Praise has proved otherwise. She has made her mother and me very proud,” he said, describing her as a rare gem.
Bishop Uzosike also expressed joy over his son-in-law, whom he described as God-fearing, disciplined and professionally sound.
“He is well brought up, passionate about God and morally upright. His parents did a great job. My wife, Pastor Esther, also did an excellent job,” he added.
The wedding ceremony attracted prominent personalities, including the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu; the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Ayemeyie; and several senior clerics.
Bishop Fidelis Ugbong officiated the solemnisation, while Apostle Chika Onuzo delivered the sermon, identifying communication, sex and money as key factors that can strengthen or weaken marriages.
Prof. Ngozi Odu also prayed for the couple and paid glowing tributes, drawing admiration from attendees.
The reception, held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt, was equally colourful. Justice Matilda Ayemeyie proposed the toast, describing marriage as not always a bed of roses and emphasising patience, commitment and understanding.
The event was chaired by Chief Henry Nwabugo and attended by notable personalities, including retired Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili; Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey; Hon. Otunba Jumbo; Nze Best Anele; and Prof. Henry Ogiri, among others.
Guests were entertained with dance performances by the couple, while the parents’ outing added elegance to the celebration. The master of ceremonies, Ambassador Kingsley, kept the audience engaged with humour and interactive sessions.
Overall, the wedding was a remarkable blend of spirituality, culture and celebration, marked by love, joy and unforgettable moments.
Nation
2027: APC Chieftain Predicts Tinubu’s Victory …Says Bayelsa Stakeholders Supporting President en masse … IPAC Knitted Together, Working In Synergy With His Office
Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC), in Bayelsa State and Special Adviser to the State Governor on Inter-Party Relations, Dr Jackson Ebi Suokiri has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure landslide win in the 2027 Presidential polls.
The Governor’s Aide stated this in Yenagoa, the state capital on Wednesday while fielding questions from newsmen against the backdrop of Tuesday’s pioneer Stakeholders meeting of the party convened by the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri as leader of the Party in the State upon his recent defection late last year.
He averred that Party stakeholders in the state were prepared to give the President the massive support needed to return elected, come 2027 following his sterling trajectory of performance and qualitative leadership prowess.
Dr Suokiri stressed that the reason for the governor’s swapping of party was in the best interest of the state, while also noting that the governor took the right decision as there was no need continuing with opposition politics even as the state has to align with the national government for rapid socioeconomic and political advantages for the state and its people.
“Governor Diri’s defection like you’ve personally heard him saying was for the best interest of our state, Bayelsa. When you’ve a President performing well at the national level and being very supportive to your state as a governor, I don’t think you’ve to be in an opposition party anymore, but rather align with the centre.
“Diri is a bridge builder. He is at peace with everybody and willing to work with all, irrespective of party affiliations or political differences for the interest of the state.
“As Stakeholders we’ve resolved to collectively work to return President Tinubu elected for second term in 2027. And you can see the Governor is not pressuring anybody or the structure of his former party, the PDP to defect like he has done.
“The PDP structure in the state is still intact, and for the APC, his new Party even as current leader in the State, he has been working with the structure and everybody he met on ground, hence you can see that the APC Caretaker Committee led by Dr. Dennis Otiotio has been maintained at the pioneer Stakeholders meeting convened by the Governor.
“But you must also know like you’ve seen and I’ve previously said that Governor Diri has outperformed expectations of Bayelsans in all sectors, be it economy, infrastructure, health, education, etc.”, he said.
Meanwhile, as against insinuations that some political parties were not working with the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party Relations, the Governor’s Aide has revealed that as it were currently, all the 19 registered political parties with presence in the state are working in unity with his office as members of the Inter-party advisory council (IPAC).
“IPAC is working in unity with my office. Before the Governor’s defection the only party that wasn’t working with my office was the APC. But since after his formal defection, the APC and even those other parties that were either sympathetic to the APC, the governor’s new party or the PDP, his former Party are all now working together with my office as members of IPAC”, Suokiri added.
By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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