Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Dry season famers in Adamawa State have predicted poor harvest in the state following the hike in the price of petrol.
President Goodluck Jonathan has announced a new fuel pump price of N97 as against the deregulated price of N141.
The announcement of the deregulation of the petoleum downstream sector triggered a six-day strike by the organised labour and the civil society groups, to protest the policy.
The state chairman of the Dry Season Farmers Association, Alhaji Adamu Dan Wazam,told newsmen in Yola that the high cost of fuel was threatening dry season farming.
Dan Wazam, who is also the chairman of vegetable dealers in the state, said that some farmers were no longer paying adequate attention to their farms due to their inability to fuel their water pumps to irrigate their farms.
“Many vegetables, fruit, rice and maize farms have been affected and about 90 per cent of our dry season farmers who depend on small petrol water pumps to irrigate their farms, were also affected.
“Report reaching us from our members across the state is that some of the farmers are losing interest in the business.”
Bauchi
A North-East based political pressure group, Democrats for Good Governance (DFGG), has unanimously endorsed former Bauchi State Governor Adamu Mu’azu for the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
This is contained in a communiqué signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the group, Yusha’u Bala and Chief A D Musa respectively on Monday in Bauchi.
The NGO urged Nigerians to begin to look at the past and positive track records of performance of their leaders to enable them select a credible leader.
The group commended the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and host of others from the North-East, for their contribution to the development of the country.
It urged members of the party and the North East region to give Mu’azu, who it described as “the only aptly qualified person to hold the post of PDP National Chairman,” another chance.
Benue
The Benue Police Command has paraded 39 suspected armed robbers, car thieves and cultists accused of terrorising innocent people in the state.
Parading the suspects in Makurdi, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the suspected criminals were arrested at different locations within the state in the last one month.
Ibrahim, who commended the police for making the arrests, assured Benue citizens that no stone would be left unturned in their resolve to rid the state of criminals.
He said that three of the suspected robbers, who allegedly attacked and robbed a catholic priest of the sum of N340,000 at Katsina Ala on December 26, 2011, were arrested.
The deputy commissioner said that the police were committed to flushing out all armed gangs from the state.
Ibrahim, therefore, called on the people to support the police in tracking down criminals by volunteering information that would lead to their arrests.
Ekiti
Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has defended his decision to appoint indigenes of the state from abroad into his cabinet, saying it was aimed at facilitating the transformation agenda of his administration.
“I will continue to search for Ekiti people wherever they may be to help in the transformation agenda of the administration.”
Speaking while administering the oath of office on two Special Advisers, Messrs Olufemi Tolani (Public Private Partnership), and Dare Tolulope (Legal Matters) on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, Fayemi advised critics of his administration to stop describing such appointees from abroad as foreigners.
He said every community in the state had “excellent and great people” in top positions across the globe in the private sectors, who would be brought to the state “to foster robust governance and deliver dividends of democracy to the people”.
FCT
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has appealed to the National Assembly to ensure that the Nigeria Police is provided with all its logistic requirements.
PCRC Chairman, Gwagwalada Abuja Branch, Prof . Chikwendu Williams, made the appeal on Monday in Abuja in an intreview with newsmen.
He said that Police Area Command, Gwagwalada, lacked patrol vans, noting that the cammand could not respond to emergencies.
Williams said that vehicles currently in use by the command, needed to be serviced, while their tyres required replacement.
He said that the police needed to be properly equipped, especially during this period of great security challenge in the country.
Williams appealed to individuals and corporate organisations to assist solve the mobility problems of the police.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has began the assessment of the performance of the 2011 budget, the House Committee Chairman on Information, Yakubu Yusuf has said.
Yusuf told newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday that the legislators would not pass the 2012 budget proposal if they were not satisfied with the performance of last year’s budget.
He explained that the budget assessment was a constitutional requirement for the legislature before considering the current budget estimates.
According to him, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and projects will be visited to enable members to have first hand knowledge of their performance in 2011.
Kogi
A non-governmental organisation, the National Youth Leaders’ Forum of Nigeria, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the step he took in reviewing the petrol pump price from N141 to N97.
The forum’s president, Mr Ben Oduntoye who gave the commendation in Lokoja on Monday, said it was quite courageous of Jonathan to have fixed the price at N97 after due consultations.
He therefore appealed to Nigerians to embrace peace by accepting the federal government’s position in the best interest of the masses.
“We have to do this, because there were neither winners nor losers in the negotiation,’’ Oduntoye said.
Lagos
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said that it had arrested a 32-year-old man with 7.1 kg of liquid cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.
In a statment by its spokesman, Mr Mitchel Ofoyeju, NDLEA said that the drug was intercepted during the screening of passengers that arrived on an Emirate flight from Brazil, en route Dubai on Monday.
Niger
Niger government, on Wednesday assured victims of the recent violence which erupted in Minna over the removal of fuel subsidy, that it would offer adequate compensation to them.
Chairman of the 13-man committee set up by the government to investigate the matter, Alhaji Yahayah Dansallau, gave the asurance in Minna after visiting some of the victims.
“We have seen government and private properties that were destroyed, including individuals who sustained injuries.
“The responsibility of our committee is to assess what has happened and make recommendations to the state government, and our assessment is on-going.
“After our recommendations the government will take a decision on how to come in and compensate the victims, including the public institutions affected’’, he said.
Ogun
Sellers of sachet water in Abeokuta are recording a boom due to the scarcity of water in the Ogun capital, our correspondent reports.
Our correspondent, who monitored the development on Monday, reports that most residents have resorted to the use of sachet water to cook, bath and for other domestic chores.
The situation has increased the demand for sachet water and consquently the price.
Some residents, who spoke to newsmen, attributed the development to the inability of staff of Ogun Water Board to function, due to the sit-at-home strike declared by the NLC.
Mrs Adeola Adeyemi, a trader, said, “I now buy pure water at N10 per sachet instead of N5.
Ondo
Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has in Akure released N58 million to 52 farmers executing projects under the Fadama III programme.
The farmers were drawn from the various Fadama Community Associations in the 17 local government areas of the state.
The cheques were presented to the beneficiaries in Akure by Mr Ademola Olorunfemi, the Commissioner for Agriculture, who represented the governor.
Mimiko said that the government had so far released N224 million for the scheme, noting that 97 Fadama Community
Associations and Fadama Users Group, had earlier received N166.5 million from the state government.
Sokoto
The Sokoto Zonal office of the Department of Petroleum Resources ( DPR), has closed down 11 filling stations in Sokoto metropolis for selling petrol above the approved price of N 97 per litre.
The Controller, Alhaji Umaru Moriki, told newsmen in Sokoto on Wednesday that, two of the filling stations were owned by major marketers while the nine others belong to independent marketers.
The Arewa /Northern Community in Rivers state has appointed Alhaji Shuaibu Wada Madawakin Tilda as the Acting Dan Buran Rivers State.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Cabinet Council.
The appointment follows the dethronement of the former occupant,
Alhaji Musa Saeedu.
A statement from the Palace of the Sarkin Arewa/Northern Community (Sarkin Hausawan) in Rivers State and signed by His Royal Highness, Alhaji Hussaini Isah said the dethronement is with immediate effect.
The statement further disclosed that the decision follows an allegation of acts of insubordination and conduct considered contrary to the values, discipline, and traditions of the Northern community perpetuated by the Fmr Dan Buran.
The statement advised the public to discontinue to recognising and addressing Alhaji Musa Saeedu as the Dan Buran of the State, adding that he no longer holds the title and remained suspended.
Responding via telephone interview, Alhaji Musa Saeedu said he will not make any comment regarding the matter.
The Alliance Française of Port Harcourt opened its doors to more than sixty French language teachers from Port Harcourt and across Rivers State at the weekend for an afternoon dedicated to celebration, creativity, and community spirit.
The event which was Supported by the Embassy of France in Nigeria, forms part of the global celebrations marking the Journée Internationale du Professeur de Français (French Teachers Day) a day officially set aside to observe worldwide every 20 November.
The Tide Entertainment reports that every year, French teachers around the globe are honoured for the passion and dedication they bring into their classrooms.In 2025, the theme chosen “Chanter, jouer, enseigner: la francophonie en musique” (Sing, Play, Teach: Francophonie in Music) invited the entire community to explore the joy of teaching through song, performance, and artistic expression.
A Day that brings teachers together for the French teaching community in Port Harcourt, this celebration is much more than a ceremony, it is a rare moment to step away from the classroom and reconnect with the simple joy of sharing, learning, and creating together.
The Alliance Française transformed the occasion into a space buzzing with music and entertainment. Teachers from primary schools, secondary schools, universities, and adult learning centers gathered to exchange ideas, reconnected with colleagues, and discover each other’s talents in an atmosphere filled with warmth and friendship.
Honouring Creativity with the theme “Our Teachers Have Talent!”This year, the Embassy of France launched a national contest titled “Nos profs ont du talent!” (“Our Teachers Have Talent !”), participants were invited to either interpret or create a Francophone song.For a month, from 13 October to 13 November 2025, teachers from across the country submitted their performances online, filling the digital space with francophone music.While winners of this nationwide competition were announced.
According to the the Director, Mrs Marina Lacal, Alliance Française Port Harcourt, excitement and anticipation were added to the celebrations, saying that in Port Harcourt, the festivities went even further. Port Harcourt experienced a Unique Celebration that went beyond the online competition, Alliance Française Port Harcourt created something special, an event where teachers met physically, shared moment of joy, and present their musical talents live.On stage, teachers sang the songs they love and those they have created, showcasing the creativity that animates their classrooms every day.
She explained that that off stage, they( participants )shared stories, network with colleagues, laughed together, and celebrated their unique contribution to the promotion of the French language in Rivers State.This gathering is also a moment of recognition. Every day, French teachers open doors for thousands of learners, children discovering their first French words, teenagers preparing for exams, university students shaping their future careers, and adults embracing new opportunities.
“Today, the spotlight shines on them. More Than an Event, A Tribute to Their Dedication The 2025 celebration in Port Harcourt was a heartfelt tribute to the teachers who make French come alive, those who inspire, guide, and encourage learners with unwavering commitment,” Mrs. Lacal said
The Director explained that It recognises their resilience, their creativity, and their essential role in building bridges between cultures.By offering them a moment of relaxation, fun, artistic expression, and professional networking, Alliance Française Port Harcourt reaffirms its mission to support educators, strengthen the teaching community, and celebrate the vibrant energy of the Francophonie in Nigeria.
Climax of the exciting event was the presentation of prizes to winners of the competition.
The Chairman Advisory Committee on Entertainment and Performing Arts, Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Lexy M. Mueka has expressed gratitude to the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area Dr. Thomas Bariere for his support and vision in promoting entertainment as a tool for peacebuilding and youth engagement.
Hon Mueka made this known to the Tide Entertainment during a recently concluded concert tagged “OGONI ARISE CONCERT” held at the No. 6 Field, Old Port Harcourt Township.
According to him, the concert was not just an event but a movement aimed at reawakening the cultural consciousness of the Ogoni people and inspiring the younger generation to use their talents positively.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the event, organized by Triple 3 Entertainment under the auspices of the office of the Chairman Advisory committee on Entertainment and Performing Arts to the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, was a vibrant celebration of peace, unity, and cultural renaissance among the Ogoni people.
“Conceptualized as a platform to promote social harmony, empower young creatives, and showcase the rich artistic heritage of Ogoniland, the Ogoni Arise Concert succeeded in bringing together community leaders, entertainers, and the general public in a rare show of solidarity. The event featured electrifying performances by indigenous and regional artistes, dance troupes, comedians, and cultural ambassadors, all united under one message — Ogoni is rising again,” Hon. Mueka said.
“The Ogoni Arise Concert was designed to remind us of who we are — a people of strength, creativity, and unity. We wanted to show that entertainment can be a bridge for peace, a voice for our youth, and a celebration of our identity,” he added.
The event also featured a special Award Presentation Ceremony recognizing distinguished Ogoni sons and daughters who have made remarkable contributions in areas such as leadership, humanitarian service, creative excellence, and cultural promotion. The awards added a touch of prestige and purpose, reinforcing the concert’s theme of celebrating excellence while inspiring future generations.
Security at the event venue was top-notch, turnout of attendance impressive, and the atmosphere electric throughout the night.
Meanwhile, guests and participants had described the event as “historic, well-organized, and truly uplifting.”
