Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Nigeria’s High Commissioner in South Africa Buba Marwa says aside the people’s yearnings, his credentials as a former Governor prompted his aspiration to govern Adamawa come 2011.
The retired Brig-General and one time military administrator in Borno and Lagos states is seeking the office of governor on the PDP ticket for next year’s general election.
Marwa told newsmen in Yola that he was a tested and trusted person with track record.
“I have been tested. People believe that Marwa has done it before and he will do it again in all aspects of governance at the state level,” Marwa said.
He said that in spite of his posting to South Africa, he was in constant touch with the people, contrary to beliefs in some quarters that he had been cut off from the people.
Marwa said he was fully in touch with home and could feel the yearnings and frustration of the people of Adamawa who asked him to come and run for governorship.
The aspirant promised free education and healthcare services to the people if elected governor in 2011.
Bauchi
The National Assembly has vowed to ensure the completion of all road projects executed up to 80 per cent, the House of Representatives Committee on works has said.
Rep Sani Abdullahi, the team leader of the committee, said this in an interview with newsmen at Headquarters of Shira Local Government Council of Bauchi State.
Abdullahi spoke after the inspection of the Yana-Shira-Azare 35 km road rehabilitation project.
He said that the National Assembly would vire funds from road projects whose execution were still in their early stages to attend to those about to be completed.
According to him, the measure is aimed at saving cost, time, as well as ensuring quality and legality of the various contracts.
Abdullahi observed that road construction was capital intensive and spanned beyond the country’s annual budget of four to five years.
“If you are building a contract of say N15 billion and you are financing it based on the annual budget which each ministry is tied to an envelop; you are only appropriating between N1.2 million or N1.5 million”, he said.
FCT
Mr Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information and Communications, has said that Nigerians abroad constitute a precious national resource.
The minister said this on Saturday in Abuja at a cocktail party organised by the New Nigeria Initiative (NNI) in Diaspora for Development.
Maku conceded that a major problem confronting Africa and Nigeria was that of good governance.
He said that there was a need to repair the structures of governance in the country.
He, however, said that Nigerians living abroad could never be comfortable anywhere in the world until they were able to participate in rebuilding the country.
“A nation is propelled by the values its leadership professes and not by its resources,’’ he said.
Maku described Nigerians living overseas as the country’s emissaries, urging them to return home and participate in nation-building activities.
Kaduna
The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) says it disbursed more than N3 billion loan to facilitate mega agricultural projects within the last nine years.
In a brief on its activities made available to newsmen in Kaduna last Friday, the bank said the loan was distributed to 16 mega projects in 14 states.
The benefitting projects, the brief stated, included poultry feeds, vegetable oil processing, arable crops production, tea production, agro processing, natural rubber production, cassava production and processing and flour mill.
The bank said it had also disbursed more than N2 billion loan to facilitate micro-arable and pineapple production in 12 states of the federation within the period under review.
“BOA had collaborated with reputable agencies, NGOs, governments and international agencies to make the loan available to 75,073 beneficiaries,’’ the brief stated.
Kano
Bayero University, Kano (BUK) will soon begin a Masters Degree programme in Public Relations, Malam Sule Yau has said.
Yau, the chairman of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Kano State chapter, said in a lecture in Kano yesterday, that BUK would run the programme in conjunction with the Institute.
He said that the decision to introduce the programme was informed by the commitment of the institute and BUK to enhance the practice of public relations in the country.
“We hope that by the next academic session, the Mass Communication Department of the Bayero University, Kano, will in conjunction with our Institute, start Masters Degree programme in public relations,” he said.
He disclosed that the Mass Communication department had already dedicated a classroom, which he said the Institute would furnish for the successful take-off of the programme.
The chairman further stated that the Institute and the department had worked out a curriculum for the course.
Katsina
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) says it has trained and empowered 50 physically challenged persons in Katsina State in various skills under its ‘jobs-stimulus package in 2010.
The NDE coordinator in the state, Mr Yakubu Mani, who disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of the trainees on Saturday in Katsina, said that 25 youths and 10 vulnerable women were also trained and empowered on ICT and assorted trades.
Mani said that the trainees were part of the 4,790 jobs stimulus package launched by the directorate this year.
He said that apart from the training, the trainees would also collect resettlement items as loans, to enable them to start their respective business.
According to him, the physically challenged persons and women were trained in shoe, bag and pomade and bead making, while the 25 youths received training in ICT.
Lagos
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Inumidun Akande, announced on Saturday that government had purchased 112 new Toyota Corolla cars for distribution to magistrates.
She made the announcement at a special end of year meeting with the magistrates.
“I can confirm that each and every one of you will soon have a brand new Toyota Corolla as your official car,” she said.
Akande said the magistracy occupied a prime position in the judiciary, and urged them to reciprocate the gesture by being loyal and committed in the discharge of their duties.
“There is need for you all as members of the Lower Bench to exhibit and maintain a high sense of discipline and responsibility in line with the ethics of our noble profession,” she added.
Nasarawa
The Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) has embarked on the construction of three new sub-stations in Lafia, Nasarawa State, to boost power supply in the state.
The PHCN Business Manager Lafia, Malam Abdulganiyu Isa, disclosed this at the fourth quarter customer consultative meeting in Lafia on Saturday.
Isa also said that power supply to Nasarawa State would soon rise from 10-15 megawatts to 20 megawatts at the completion of a new 450 MVA direct line.
The line, he added, was being injected into the Katampe transmission station in Abuja which has its supply source asKainji.
Isa told the meeting that of the three new sub-stations, two injection sub-stations: 33/11KV at Shendam road and Mararaba-Akunza in Lafia were almost 90 per cent completed, adding that they would soon be in operation.
He said that approval was being awaited for the construction of a transmission sub-station in Akurba a suburb of Lafia, to tap from a 330 KVA transmission line from Jos to Makurdi.
Plateau
The police in Plateau State are set to arrest the CPC governorship aspirant in Bauchi State, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, following an order by a Jos Federal High Court.
The Court, on Wednesday, ordered the arrest of the aspirant for allegedly refusing to appear before it after several summons and adjournments.
Adamu is the owner of Solid Unit Nig. Ltd, a mining company, sued for trespass by another company, Geotess Nig. Ltd.
Justice Bilkisu Aliyu, who ordered the arrest, expressed shock that the accused had not bothered to appear before the court at the adjourned sitting on December 15.
“I hereby direct that he should be arrested on sight, detained and brought to court on January 11, 2011, the adjoined date for the hearing of the case,’’ he declared.
The court, however, took steps to implement the order by taking the arrest warrant to the Plateau Police Commissioner, Abdulraman Akano.
Zamfara
Alhaji Abdulkakdir Tsafe, a PDP aspirant for House of Representatives in Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency, has said that PDP will emerge stronger after its primary elections.
Tsafe told newsmen in Gusau that the current crisis over zoning and its “unprecedented number of contestants” were manifestations of popularity of the party.
“I am optimistic that such differences bordering on individual interests would be amicably resolved at the party level and the party will come out of its primaries stronger to face the 2011 elections,“ he said.
The aspirant said the corporate interest of the party to win the 2011 elections was more important than individual’s interest, as such, members should unite to ensure the success of the party.
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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