Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Adamawa has arrested six suspects for allegedly vandalising PHCN cables in Yola town.
Parading the suspects, comprising a man, Mohammed Adamu, and five minors he used for the operation, the state Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Goodluck Asibi, said the minors were caught after vandalising a cable behind Yola Technical College.
Asibi said the minors subsequently led the defence corps patrol team to Adamu, their sponsor.
The commandant alleged that Adamu had been using the minors for such activities after which he usually gave them some stipend of between N1,000 and N2,000.
The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, has advised parents to rise up to the challenge of ensuring proper upbringing of their children and impacting them with moral values.
The emir, who is also the Chairman, Kaduna State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, gave the advice in Zaria at the traditional fast breaking dinner with the people of the area to mark the 10th day of Ramadan.
Idris said parents had a significant role to play in inculcating moral values in the society, through proper upbringing of their children and wards.
He said such efforts would go a long way in curbing youth restiveness, thereby making the society safe for all.
“It is the duty of parents to ensure that their wards exhibit high sense of discipline and become committed to what will move the society forward,” he added.
Bauchi
Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has submitted 18 names of commissioner-nominees to the state House of Assembly for screening and clearance.
Mr Adoji Disina, the member representing Disina Constituency in the House announced this in Bauchi during a plenary session.
Disina told the House that the submission of the list was in accordance with the 1999 Constitution and urged his colleagues to prepare toward the screening of the nominees.
He announced Alhaji Abubakar Faggo, (Shira), Tasiu Abubakar (Katagum) and Hajiya Talatu Muhammed (Itas Gadau) and Mahiru Maiwada (Torro) former Speaker and the former commissioners for Information, Women Affairs and Rural Development as some of nominees.
They include Alhaji Aminu Hamayo (Misau) former Finance Commissioner, Dr Sani Mallami (Bauchi), Alhaji Muhammed Mai-jama’a (Bauchi), Sani Muhammed-Gura (Ningi) and Mustapha Hassan (Ganjuwa).
The Tide source reports that after a lengthy deliberation, the members agreed to commence the screening of the nominees.
Katsina
The Code of Conduct Bureau has warned the newly appointed commissioners in Katsina State to declared their assets to avoid unnecessary embarrassment.
The State Director, Mr. Simon Abu, gave the warning at a news conference in Katsina.
He said the warning became necessary in view of the fact that only two of the 16 new commissioners have so far declared their assets before they took over the affairs of their respective offices.
He said, “according to the bureau’s laws, all political appointees must declare their assets before swearing-in, but majority of the appointed commissioners have yet to declared their assets.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government says it will provide relief to 35 compounds affected by flood in Masama community in Gwandu Local Government Area.
Governor Saidu Dakingari, who visited the flooded area also directed the Sole Administrator of the area, Muhammadu Juli, to embark on the clearance of drains in the town to avoid further loos of property.
He also directed the state urban development authority to commence the clearing of drains and illegal structures in major towns.
The District Head of Masama, Alhaji Al-Mustapha Masama, told the governor that the absence of systematic drainage system, had exposed the area to flood during the rainy season and appealed to authorities to ensure a reversal of the problem.
Ondo
The Police Command in Ondo State says 2,900 graduates in the area have applied for the advertised posts of Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Inspector of Police.
This is contained in a statement signed by the command’s Spokesman, Mr Adeniran Aremu, and made available to our correspondent last Wednesday in Akure.
It stated that examination and screening of applicants would hold between August 15 and Aug. 20.
All applicants are to report at the command headquarters along Igbatoro Road, Akure for the interview.
It warned all applicants to desist from any act that could disrupt the exercise.
Osun
The Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP) has said that only 15 per cent of the 160,000 kilometres of roads in the country are good.
RAMP, an offshoot of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture made the disclosure at its Annual Retreat and Review Meeting in Osogbo.
Mr Ubandoma Ularamu, the National Coordinator, said that the 15 percent covered both the secondary and tertiary roads in the country.
According to him, the larger population of Nigerians lives in the rural areas even as about 70 per cent of the Local Government Roads are bad.
“Out of over 160,000 kilometres of secondary and tertiary roads in Nigeria, with an average registered network of 4,000 kilometers per state, only about 10 – 15 per cent is paved.
Oyo
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has identified the well-being of children and women as a crucial health indicator for the progress of the Nigerian society.
Ajimobi stated this at the signing ceremony of the 2011-2012 Programme Implementation Agreement (PIA), with the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in Ibadan on Wednesday.
He said that his administration would work with UNICEF and other development partners to ensure that matters affecting women and children were given priority.
The governor said that government would deliver institutional framework to guarantee the rights of children to survival, adding that women would be empowered in realisation of the set goals.
Ajimobi reminded the meeting that with just four years to the target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the challenges were enormous.
Plateau
A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Shedrack Best, said a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Isa Song, was named Special Adviser on Legislative matters.
Also appointed were former Governor Joshua Dariye’s Chief of State, Alexander Molwus, as the Special Adviser on Political Affairs, and Mr. Ayuba Dangwong, a former Plateau correspondent of the Nation Newspapers, Special Adviser on Media.
Dangwong took over from Dauda lamba, who was appointed Special Adviser on Legal Matters.
Sokoto
Sokoto State Government has spent about N20 million to purchase laboratory equipment for the Sultan Abdulrahman School of Health Technology, Gwadabawa.
Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu, the Commissioner for Health, told our correspondent in Sokoto last Thursday that the government accorded priority to the promotion of health knowledge.
“We will ensure the availability of basic health facilities to enable the school to produce well qualified health personnel to manage our existing health institutions.”
He explained that the ministry would also encourage health personnel to acquire more knowledge for the development of the health sector.
Maigwandu called on the staff of the ministry to complement the effort of the state government in the promotion of the sector.
Taraba
The Taraba Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources says it is worried about the low level performance of the World Bank assisted Fadama programme in the state.
The state government has, therefore, set up a monitoring and evaluation committee under a newly established unit to continually assess the activities of the implementation of the programmes in the state.
The Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Mr Anthony Jellason told newsmen in Jalingo last Wednesday that a lot of lapses had been observed in the implementation process over the years.
Jellason said that the state government had decided that before releasing its counterpart fund, the monitoring and evaluation committee, made up of experts in various fields, must be in place.
Nation
Bikers, Others Grace Burial Of Rivers Philanthropist
Bikers were among prominent dignitaries who recently attended the burial ceremony of late Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor (née Lawson) in Omagwa Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The burial service, held at the St. Martin’s Anglican Church field, attracted a large turnout of religious leaders, business executives, political figures, celebrities, bikers’ groups, traditional rulers and community members from different parts of Nigeria. Also present were the Bishop of the Anglican Province of the Niger Delta, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, and popular businessman and socialite, Obi Cubana, among other notable personalities.
The remains of Mrs Grant Offor, a respected professional, philanthropist and devout Christian, were laid to rest amid an elaborate and well-coordinated funeral ceremony that reflected her wide-reaching influence and the high regard in which she was held by family, associates and the larger community.
The ceremony drew public attention due to its unique logistics, as two helicopters were deployed. An air ambulance helicopter conveyed the casket to the church field, while another helicopter transported members of the deceased’s family from Abonnema to Omagwa Community.
Dignitaries and mourners gathered in large numbers to pay their final respects.
In an emotional tribute, High Chief Engr. Grant Offor, described his late wife as everything to him, stating that her passing had created a deep void in his life and in the lives of their children. He disclosed that he committed his time, resources and efforts in a bid to save her life, adding that if money or human effort alone could prevent death, she would still be alive.
Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor was born on May 4, 1978, at the Ibiso Maternity Clinic, Port Harcourt, and passed away on November 15, 2025, after a prolonged illness that lasted nearly three years. She was born a twin and grew up in a family noted for service and leadership. Her father, the late Engr. Benoni Lawson, served as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), while her mother, Mrs. Irene Lawson, is a nurse.
She attended Port Harcourt Primary School and International Secondary School (ISS) before proceeding to the University of Science and Technology (UST), Port Harcourt, and later the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, where she studied Accountancy and graduated with honours. She was widely known during her academic years for her discipline, focus and reserved lifestyle.
After completing her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, Mrs. Grant Offor began her professional career in the banking sector, including service with the defunct All States Trust Bank, and later worked in other professional capacities. She earned a reputation for integrity, diligence and ethical conduct.
She was married to Engr. Grant Offor for over 20 years, a union blessed with three children. As a wife and mother, she was described as deeply devoted to her family, instilling values of faith, patience, kindness and discipline. Her home was known among close associates as one built on prayer, love and godly counsel.
A committed Christian, Mrs. Grant Offor was known for her strong faith and love for gospel music, particularly songs of healing and deliverance. Even while receiving specialist medical care in the United Kingdom, she reportedly remained steadfast in her belief, trusting in God until her final moments.
Adding to the show of solidarity, the President of the Rivers State Chapter of the Pantas Female Bikers Group, Mr. White Timano, disclosed that High Chief Engr. Grant Offor is a major sponsor of Uyo Micah’s Carnival, one of the group’s major events. He said bikers and supporters travelled from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta States to commiserate with the family and show support during the period of mourning.
Mr. Timano described death as inevitable and encouraged the family to remain strong, stressing that only God grants the grace required to endure such painful loss.
The church field was tastefully decorated, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere. The burial ceremony featured hymns, live music, scriptural exhortations, eulogies and tributes celebrating the life and legacy of Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor. Messages from notable personalities highlighted her contributions to family life, philanthropy, professional service and community development.
On behalf of the family, High Chief Engr. Grant Offor expressed appreciation to all who stood by them throughout the period of mourning, thanking guests for their prayers, presence and support.
The burial ceremony stood as a testament to the enduring legacy of Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor, whose life of service, faith and quiet generosity left a lasting impact on many across Rivers State, the Niger Delta and beyond.
Nation
Security Guard Missing After Fence Demolition In PH
Asecurity guard has been reported missing following the demolition of a fence at a property located at No. 19D, Golf Course Layout, Old Government Residential Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident reportedly occurred late Sunday night at the disputed property said to be owned by Ozone Global.
Eyewitnesses revealed that a group of men, some of whom were dressed in what appeared to be naval uniforms, arrived at the premises on motorcycles and allegedly pulled down the fence surrounding the property.
During the incident, a security guard on duty, identified simply as Abubakar, was allegedly taken away by the group to an unknown destination.
A relative of the missing guard, Musa, said efforts to get immediate help, including alerting a nearby police point, proved abortive as the incident had already occurred before any intervention could be made.
“I escaped because I noticed them early, but my brother was taken away. Up till now, we don’t know where he is or how he is doing. We are appealing to the authorities to help locate him,” Musa said.
Meanwhile, one of the intermediaries involved in the land transaction, Mr. Chimezie Bright, alleged that the incident may be connected to an ongoing land dispute over the property.
Bright claimed that the land was purchased by Ozone Global from one late Mr Felix Orie and that documents from the Rivers State Ministry of Lands and Housing indicate that the land was allocated to Mr Orie.
He further alleged that another claimant to the land, Mr. Mac Oruche, had allegedly challenged the ownership and opposed development on the property, despite the matter being the subject of a court case.
According to Bright, tensions over the property had previously resulted in disagreements during attempts to fence the land.
“We carried out due diligence before the purchase, including verification at the Ministry of Lands. However, the dispute has persisted,” he said.
Bright expressed concern over the alleged involvement of uniformed personnel in a civil land dispute and called for a thorough investigation into the incident, particularly the whereabouts of the missing security guard.
As at the time of filing this report, Abubakar’s location had remained unknown.
Efforts to reach Mr. Mac Oruche for his reaction were unsuccessful, while the police are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Nation
OIU Protests Arrest Of Witnesses In Okon Aku Crisis Probe
The apex socio-cultural and development association of the ancient Ohafia Kingdom, the Ohafia Improvement Union Incorporated (OIU) has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, expressing grave concern over the arrests of several individuals from the Okon Aku community who were cooperating with a state-constituted Panel of Inquiry investigating the recent communal crisis in the community located in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
The union also called for the immediate release of those arrested.
In a letter dated February 6, 2026, and received at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, the union described the arrests as troubling and procedurally irregular, noting that the affected individuals had either testified or were preparing to testify before the government-sanctioned panel.
Those reportedly arrested include Udo Ukoha of Ndi Envoke; Okereke John, Udonsi Obin, Eteo Ayo, Idika I. Kalu, and John Ukwakwe of Ndi Owom; and Ukpabi Uche Idika of Ndi Ebin.
While emphasizing that it does not seek to prejudge the legal culpability of any individual, the OIU stressed that the timing, context, and manner of the arrests could undermine the credibility, independence, and integrity of the Panel of Inquiry.
“The arrest of individuals cooperating with an official inquiry poses a serious threat to the fact-finding process, creates fear among potential witnesses, and may discourage public participation,” the union stated, warning that such actions could obstruct efforts to uncover the root causes of the crisis.
The union further noted that panels of inquiry rely heavily on voluntary and truthful cooperation, and any action that instills fear in contributors risks eroding public confidence in the justice system, violating principles of fairness, transparency, and natural justice.
Consequently, the OIU urged the Office of the IGP to immediately review the circumstances surrounding the arrests, suspend any further actions perceived as targeting witnesses, and issue clear directives to guarantee the safety and freedom of all individuals participating in the inquiry.
The President General of Ohafia Improvement Union, Chief Prince Kalu Ikpemini, signed the petition, which was also copied to the Executive Governor of Abia State and the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Umuahia.
The union reiterated that the Ohafia community desires lasting peace and reconciliation, which can only be achieved through a transparent, fair, and uncoerced investigation into the Okon Aku crisis.
The Okon Aku communal crisis erupted in early January 2026, prompting the Office of the Deputy Governor of Abia State to immediately establish the Panel of Inquiry to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the conflict, with the aim of preventing future occurrences.
It is against this backdrop that the Ohafia Improvement Union has raised an alarm over the arrests, calling for the immediate release of those detained and emphasizing the need to protect witnesses rather than intimidate them.
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