Nation
THE STATES
Ekiti
The 26 member Ekiti State House of Assembly last week unanimously passed the state’s Freedom of Information (FOI) and three other bills.
The passage of the bill, sponsored by Governor Kayode Fayemi, makes Ekiti the first state to pass an FOI bill.
The lawmakers also passed the “Ekiti State Bonds, Votes and Securiteis bill 2011” and Ekiti State Transport and Special Projects Bill 2011.
Also passed was the Ekiti State Local Government Adminstration Amended Bill 2011.
Debating the merit of the FOI bill, many members of the assembly commended the governor’s courage in personally championing the cause of the bill.
They said the fact that the governor sponsored and pushed for the passage showed that he was ready to run an open government.
FCT
Dr Idris Omede, the National President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), says breast-feeding can reduce the incidence of breast cancer.
Omede told newsmen last Friday, in Abuja, that breast feeding could reduce the incidence of breast cancer because of a hormone inside the blood stream.
“Once you have a break in hormonal interplay, the tendency is that the stimulus that would cause breast cancer is a bit suppressed,’’ he said.
He explained that the longer a mother breast feeds, the more her chances of not having breast cancer.
“One that breast feeds for one or one-and-half year has less chances of having cancer than someone that breast feeds for six months,’’ he added.
Gombe
Dr Abubakar Joshua, the epidemiologist in the Gombe State Ministry of Health, says some communities are still rejecting the polio vaccine in spite of the aggressive awareness campaign by the authorities.
He told newsmen in Gombe, last Friday, that some communities had held to their belief that the vaccine could cause infertility.
He named Kuri, Zambuk, Dadinkowa and Doso towns in Yamaltu-Deba local government area as the places where the rate of rejection was high.
Joshua, however, lauded the efforts of traditional rulers, whom he said had shown a lot of commitment in seeing to the success of the polio immunisation.
Kano
A group, the Joint Association of the Physically Challenged, on Saturday, called on the Kano State Government to renovate the three rehabilitation centres in the state.
The Chairman of the association, Alhaji Aminu Ahmed, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
Ahmed also urged the government to expand the rehabilitation centres located at Mariri, Bela and Tudun Maliki.
“The facilities at the centres are gradually becoming inadequate for our members largely due to the increasing number of inmates as well as shortage of rooms and facilities”.
Lagos
The Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos has spent over N350 million on capital projects in the last three years.
The Chairman of the council, Mr Sabiu Omolaja-Adelaja, told newsmen last Saturday, in Lagos that the sum was spent on the provision of health facilities, education, infrastructure and empowerment of farmers.
He said the council, which generates less than N500,000 as internally generated revenue, would ensure improvement in the socio-economic development of the area.
The council boss, who commended the state government for its financial support, added that investments had been made in youth empowerment, education, health care, infrastructural development, scholarship and rural projects.
Omolaja-Adelaja said that the council has also provided free school uniforms and exercise books to schools in the area in addition to the free primary health care service put in place.
Niger
The Niger Government is to collaborate with the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) to revive the train service between Minna and Kaduna.
The Permanent Secretary, Niger Ministry of Transport, Malam Umar Bawa, said this last Friday in Minna while speaking to newsmen.
Under the arrangement, he said the train would take off from Minna to Kaduna on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 7 a.m.
“We have commenced the rail service with a view to identifying the problems on the route and correcting them to ease the transportation needs of our people.
“The state government has released over N100 million to the Nigeria Railway Corporation to enable it revive the local train service to exclusively serve communities on the Minna-Kaduna route,’’ he said.
Osun
Oba Adebukola Alli, Alowa of Ilowa in Osun, standing trial for raping a 23-year-old NYSC member, was on Friday remanded in prison custody.
When the case came up at an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court, the lead defence counsel, Mr Victor Opara, sought for the vacation of an earlier order of June 24, which placed his client on house arrest.
Opara argued that the court’s order that a government doctor should attend to the monarch at his palace had not been complied with as no doctor came to treat him.
He expressed fear that the life of the traditional ruler might be in danger in view of his poor health condition.
Oyo
No fewer than 28 officers and 267 men of the 2 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, last Saturday participated in a sanitation exercise to mark the Army Week.
The Division’s General Officer Commanding (GOC) , Maj.- Gen. Muhammed Abubakar, said the exercise was aimed at sensitising residents on the need to maintain a clean environment.
Represented by Col Thomas Eze, the Garrison Commander, Abubakar said the army had over the years enhanced civil-military relations through social interaction and public-oriented projects.
He said the army regarded the civil communities around the barracks as next door neighbours and would continue to maintain cordial relationship with them.
The GOC, who said this year’s celebration was significant because it had various sporting events for youths, added that this was a reassurance that there was a future for the country.
Plateau
Mr Jacob Wongdem, the Permanent Secretary in the Plateau State Ministry of Health, has announced the outbreak of cholera in some parts of the state.
Wongdem, who earlier denied the outbreak of the disease, told newsmen in Jos last Thursday that it had killed 10 people.
He added that 370 people had also been infected by the disease, reported in Jos South, Jos North, Mangu, Shendam, Barkin Ladi and Pankshin local government areas.
“It is a bad situation, but the ministry is already doing everything to control and stem the ailment”, the permanent secretary said.
He attributed the outbreak to poor sanitary conditions and the consumption of contaminated fruits and unwashed vegetables.
“The state government is worried that lives have been lost in the unfortunate cholera outbreak. We have dispatched surveillance teams to every nook and cranny of the state to contain the outbreak”.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Governemnt said on Friday that it had purchased 14,000 tonnes of fertilizers worth about N1.5 billion for this year’s farming season.
The Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Jabbi Kilgore, told newsmen in Sokoto that already, various committees had been inaugurated to ensure smooth sale of the product to deserving farmers.
He said that 9,000 tonnes of NPK brand would be sold at N1,800 per bag while 5,000 tonnes of UREA would be sold to farmers at N1,700 per bag.
He explained that the secretaries of the 23 local government of the state would serve as chairmen of the distribution committees in their various areas.
Kilgore explained that effective measures had been taken to ensure the commodity got to rural farmers.
Yobe
The Yobe Government has engaged the services of 20 consultants for the Damaturu Specialist Hospital.
The state’s deputy governor, Alhaji Abubakar Ali, told newsmen on Saturday in Damaturu, that the consultants were engaged from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.
“We engaged consultants in the critical areas of General Surgery, Radiology, Internal Medicine, Gynaecology and Paediatrics, reflecting the clinical needs of our people”.
Abubakar said that there would be five consultants in all the medical fields to meet the medical needs of the people.
“Government is worried about the rigours of our people in moving their sick relations to seek medical attention and services in Maiduguri, Gombe and Abuja,’’ he said.
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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