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Abeokuta

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, on Tuesday promised to actualise the dream of late Health Minister, Prof. Olikoye Ransome-Kuti, for a medical village.

Ransome-Kuti, aged 73, died on June 2, 2003 at a London hotel while attending a WHO conference.

The renowned paediatrician and indigene of Abeokuta, had proposed to build a medical village at Ipakoto in Ifo local government area of the state.

He, however, could not actualise the dream before his demise.

Amosun, who spoke while receiving the management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Abeokuta, expressed his administration’s commitment to building the village.

Abuja

The most common allergies cause symptoms like itching, runny nose and mild swelling but the more serious conditions like asthma and some food allergies can have deadly consequences, according to Dr Abiodun Awolusi, a medical doctor.

Awolusi, Head of Accident and Emergency Unit, National Hospital Abuja, told  newsmen that allergic reactions could result in eczema, rashes, inflammation of the nasal airways, asthma attacks, and reaction to food, drugs and the venom of stinging insects.

According to him, an allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system that occurs when a person’s body reacts to normally harmless environmental substances.

Ijebu-Ode

The Academic Staff Union of Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE), Omu-Ijebu, Ogun State,  has suspended its four-month old strike.

The union in a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr Femi Osibamawo ,  in Ijebu-Ode on Tuesday, stated that the strike was suspended due to the plea by Governor Ibikunle Amosun during his state media conference.

The union had in March embarked on an indefinite strike over non-payment of nine months salaries and arrears of the academic staff.

The union while  pleading with Governor Amosun to fulfill his promise to pay the outstanding  salaries and arrears of the lecturers  said they would press for the payment within  the next  three weeks.

Jos

The University of Jos will conduct its post-UTME screening of prospective students in August, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hayward Mafuyai, has announced.

Mafuyai, who made the announcement at a news briefing in Jos, said the cut-off points for the various courses would be made known at a meeting called by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for next week in Abuja.

The vice-chancellor said the institution had been under intense pressure with applications overshooting the required slots for each department.

Kano

An Islamic scholar, Malama Hafsat Bello, says youth empowerment, through the provision of sustainable means of profitable employment will eliminate criminal tendencies and enhance national security.

She told newsmen on Tuesday, in Kano, that both the federal and state governments should give priority to the creation of job opportunities to bring a new lease of life to the youth under the new dispensation.

Bello said it was by constructively engaging the youth that government could effectively weam tje, frp, cro,e amd ptjer megatove temdemcoes.

Kebbi

The Kebbi government has received and distributed 26,000 tonnes of fertiliser to farmers in the state for the 2011 farming season.

Alhaji Umar Aliero, the General Manager, Kebbi State Agricultural Supply Company (KASCOM), told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, that efforts were on to deliver the commodity to all the wards in the council areas at subsidised rates.

He said that state and local government committees had been set up to ensure smooth and equitable distribution of the commodity to farmers, irrespective of political or other differences.

Aliero added that government had also purchased seedlings worth N6.5 million for distribution to farmers.

Kogi

The Kogi Government has purchased more than 5,000 assorted farming implements for distribution to farmers in the 21 local government areas in the state to enhance mechanised farming.

Governor Ibrahim Idris, who made the announcement on Tuesday, while inaugurating various projects executed by the Okene Local government area, said time had come for farmers to do away with obsolete farming tools.

He said the quality and quantity of agricultural produce in the state had failed to improve over the years due to the dependence of most rural farmers on the traditional and obsolete manual tools.

Idris promised that the challenge of low yields by farmers would soon be a thing of the past in the state.

Lagos

Some local government chiefs in Lagos State have appealed to the NNPC to extend to the rural areas the sale of kerosene in mobile trucks.

They also urged the federal government to ensure that the product was not diverted by middlemen.

The NNPC, in partnership with Capital Oil, on July 16 began the sale of kerosene to consumers from mobile trucks following a lingering scarcity of the commodity.

Mr Olusegun Agbaje, Chairmen of Epe local government council, said that the government should extend the initiative to the rural areas for the benefit of those Nigerians who are the main consumers of the product.

He said that the extension of the sales to the rural areas would reduce the high dependence on firewood for cooking.

Lokoja

Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has appealed to aggrieved groups and individuals nationwide, to eschew violence in the interest of unity and stability of the nation.

He said it was under an atmosphere of peace and tranquility that the nation could achieve developmental goals.

He made the appeal in Lokoja during a courtesy call on Governor Ibrahim Idris of Kogi.

The Speaker added that dialogue remained a viable option to resolve the nation’s problems, adding that the House was evolving an agenda for the next four years.

Maiduguri

Governor  Kashim Shettima of Borno, has described the killings by the Boko Haram sect in the name of Islam as as “unjustifiable.”

“How can a true muslim explain, let alone profoundly justify the current unfortunate cold blooded murders and bombings in the name of Islam”.

“Islam means peace and submission to the will of God and thus it should remain so, in both theory and practice.”

“This was the understanding of our forefathers; theirs is the true meaning of Islam in both letter and spirit,” Shettima told newsmen in Maiduguri.

Ondo

An accident involving four trucks at Asewele/Ajue in Ore, Odigbo local government area of Ondo State, on Monday night, left two dead and many others injured.

The FRSC Unit Commander, Mr Mike Arinzeagu, told newsmen on Tuesday, in Ore, that the accident was caused by an earlier accident involving a truck.

He said a truck with registration number ABUJA KX940 KWL had earlier fallen on the road.

“The other four trucks later rammed into this truck, which later resulted in the death of two people and many others injured.”

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command has mobilised 5,000 police personnel for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the state.

The Commissioner, Alhaji Adeola Adeneji, said in Sokoto on Tuesday, that necessary operational arrangements have been concluded.

He said that Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) had been briefed and put on alert, to ensure peace and political stability.

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Cleric Preaches Love As Deputy Governor, Chief Judge Grace Wedding In PH

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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.

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2027: APC Chieftain Predicts Tinubu’s Victory  …Says Bayelsa Stakeholders Supporting President en masse  … IPAC Knitted Together, Working In Synergy With His Office

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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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Firefighters battle New Year Day inferno in Abuja, several states

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Federal Fire Service FFS entered the New Year on full operational alert, tackling multiple fire outbreaks across the country from midnight into the early hours of January 1, 2026, in what officials described as one of the busiest festive-season deployments in recent years.
The intensified nationwide response followed a December 2025 directive issued by the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, who had ordered that no firefighter should proceed on leave throughout the holidays.
According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services of the FFS, DCF Paul Abraham, the no-leave policy proved critical as the Service moved swiftly to contain fires in several states.
The Federal Capital Territory FCT recorded its first fire incident of the year barely twenty-three minutes after midnight when flames erupted at Cake Hot Restaurant located within River Plate Park, Wuse, Abuja.
Abraham said fire crews from the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Fire Service arrived promptly and were able to stop the blaze before it could spread through the popular recreational centre.
While a section of the garden area was destroyed, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded.
Officials said property worth an estimated ?1.5 billion was saved, although losses were placed at about ?500 million.
“Preliminary findings suggested that the fire was triggered by objects thrown during New Year celebrations, reinforcing long-standing warnings over the dangers posed by fireworks during the harmattan season”, the Service said.
The Controller General had repeatedly urged Nigerians to avoid fireworks, candles and open flames indoors, warning that the dry winds characteristic of the season allow fires to spread rapidly.
He also warned the public about electrical faults and power surges and advised that electrical appliances be switched off and unplugged when not in use or when occupants leave their homes, stressing that overloading sockets and extension boxes remains a significant cause of domestic fires.
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