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THE STATES
Benue
The Benue State House of Assembly has summoned the Commissioner for Information and
Orientation, Mr Conrad Wergba, over his utterances.
The decision followed a motion moved by Mr Audu Sule (PDP
Agatu Constituency) and seconded by Mr Ianna Jato, (PDP Katsina-Ala East
Constituency).
Sule, who is also the chairman of the House Committee on
Information, told the Assembly that on Aug. 3, the commissioner issued a
statement which discredited members of the House.
He added that on August
8, 2012, in a publication titled “The Alternative”, the commissioner
alleged that the legislators were out to thwart the efforts of the government
and also accused the state legislators of “arm twisting” the government because of their “selfish and
pecuniary motives”
In their separate contributions, Mr Benjamin Adanyi,
Christopher Afaor, Terkimbi Ikyange and Paul Biam alleged that the commissioner
misled the people through his comments, and lamented that the action was a
deliberate ploy to tarnish their reputation.
Borno
The University of Maiduguri has denied media reports that it had extended its
resumption date for both new and returning students by three months.
The university’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Mohammed
Ahmed, said this in a statement in Maiduguri.
He said although it was true that the management had
cancelled one academic session due to the prevailing security challenges, the
action did not affect other academic programmes of the institution.
He explained that the university would re-open on September
3, for the first semester of the 2012/2013 session in line with its calendar.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Senate of the university at
its meeting on June 28, 2012, approved the calendar of dates and events for the
2012/2013 session. “According to the
calendar, registration for first semester 2012/2013 session for all students
will commence on September 3, and end on
September 22, while lectures will begin for all students on September 24,
2012,” he said.
Gombe
The Chairman, Joint Association of Physically Challenged
Persons in Gombe, Alhaji Ali Goro, has called on the state government to create
job opportunities for educated members of the group.
He said in Gombe that
out of the 12,298 physically challenged persons in the state, only 358 were
educated.
Goro said that out of the learned ones, only eight were
gainfully employed while the remaining 350 were not, adding that creating job
opportunities for them was the only way to discourage them from begging, as
well as encourage others to go to school.
He also appealed to the government to provide free education
at tertiary levels for the physically challenged.
Goro said that in spite of their participation in
electioneering and elections, no member of his association has been appointed
into any public office.
Jigawa
Thirty persons living with HIV and AIDS, have entered into
marriage contract under the couple match making scheme initiated by the Jigawa
Action Committee on AIDS (JISACA).
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Bashir Ahmad, said
in Dutse recently that the measure was
to control the scourge in the state.
Ahmad said that the agency in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN), had so far trained 50 HIV positive women on various trades.
Ahmad further identified stigma as responsible for the spate
of HIV/AIDS transmission among the rural dwellers in the state, which had risen
to 2.8 per cent.
The executive secretary said that poor attitude and lack of
education on the scourge were also exposing the positive living persons to more
difficulties, adding that the agency had embarked on enlightenment campaign to
sensitise communities on the scourge with a view to reducing the stigma,
enhance care and offer support services to HIV positive persons.
Kano
The Coordinator of the Legal Aid Council in Kano State,
Alhaji Abubakar Umar, has called for
adequate funding of the organisation to enable it to discharge its duties
effectively.
Umar made the call in an interview in Kano, stressing that
inadequate funding and the lack of operational vehicles were hampering the
activities of the agency.
“Lack of operational vehicles and inadequate funding are
some of the factors militating against the smooth operation of the agency.
“There are more than 184 courts, including Sharia,
Magistrates’ and higher courts in the state and we have to attend to some cases
outside the state capital,’’ he said. According to him, workers of the agency
find it difficult to travel to other local government areas because of the lack
of transportation facilities. “You know we are dealing with indigent clients
and sometimes we have to assist them with our own money,’’ Umar said.
Kano
The women’s wing of the Kano State Hisbah Commission donated clothes and pieces of jewellery to
widows and orphans ahead of the Eid-el-Fitr Sallah celebration.
A representative of the group, Zahra’u Umar, who delivered
the items to the beneficiaries, emphasised the importance of assisting the
needy, especially during the Ramadan period.
Zahra’u, who explained that the recipients’ names were
forwarded to the group for assistance by the representatives of their
communities, enjoined wealthy individuals to emulate the gesture.
One of the recipients, Hauwa Umar, thanked the group and
prayed that God rewards the sponsors. Another beneficiary, Ibrahim Isma’il, who
is an orphan, said:“I had no hope of having new clothes until I was given this
one today and may God bless the donors.”
The group donated clothing materials to 99 widows and 54
orphans ahead of the Sallah celebration.
Kaduna
The poverty alleviation scheme introduced by the wife of
Kaduna State Governor Mrs Amina Yakowa,
was not meant to score a political point.
The Interim Management Committee Chairperson, Sabon-Gari
Local Government, Hajiya Amina Dalhatu said this in Sabon-Gari during the distribution of some materials at
the council secretariat recently.
No fewer than 44 women from 11 wards of the local government
received either a sewing or knitting machine each.
Dalhatu said the gesture was aimed at empowering with a view
to reducing their reliance on their husbands for survival.
She explained that the scheme touched several aspect of
poverty alleviation. While calling for the support of all, the council boss
urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items to achieve the set
goals.
Kebbi
The Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) in Kebbi , has
warned motorists against illegal use of government, private and commercial
vehicle number plates.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Sector
Commander, Mr Seyi Daniel, in Birnin Kebbi, he said motorists found indulging
in the act would be penalised.
The statement said the commission was determined to end the
illegal use of number plates in the area, especially to prevent criminal
activities.
It urged members of the public to call the attention of the
commission when such illegality was observed, and also advised motorists to
ensure that their vehicles’ tyres were of good quality to prevent accidents,
especially during the rainy season.
It also called on motorists to obey traffic signs on the
highways. “The commission would not relent in curtailing road accidents as well
as the violation of traffic rules,” the statement added.
Kogi
Human and vehicular movements have been light in Okene, Kogi, as an uneasy calm pervaded the town where 19
worshippers were killed at the Deeper Life Bible Church at the Eikha-Adagu area
on Monday by gunmen.
The Commissioner of Police in Kogi, Mr Mohammed Katsina,
said on Wednesday that four persons had been arrested in connection with the
killings. Shops, banks, eateries and filling stations were closed as well as
the Federal College of Education and the Kogi State Polytechnic. Travellers,
who normally spent some 30 or more minutes to navigate the traffic in the town,
spent only about five minutes on Thursday.
Niger
The Niger Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Abdulahi Abdul,
said the Nigerian Army has intercepted one Johnson Adedokun with 90.50
kilogrammes of substances suspected to be Indian hemp. Adedokun was arrested at
a roadblock along Minna-Suleja highway.
Abdul, who made the disclosure while speaking in Minna, said
that Adedokun hailed from Ondo State. He said that, Adedokun, who is 40 years
old, was transferred to the agency by the authorities of the 31 Artillery
Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Minna that arrested him.
Abdul commended the Nigeria Army for the cooperation, and
urged people in the state to provide useful information on illicit drug dealers
to the command.
He warned parents to monitor their wards as they were the
most vulnerable in the usage of the drugs in the society.
He said that the command, in July, arraigned 10 suspects at
the Federal High Court, Minna, who were convicted to various jail terms while
other cases were still ongoing before the court.
Ogun
An Ogun State-based legal practitioner, Dr Oloruntoba
Mamora, has lamented the poor salary been paid young lawyers by law firms in
the country.
Mamora, who made the observation in an interview in
Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, said that most big law firms were fond of exploiting
young lawyers and paying them peanuts.
Mamora noted that despite the fact that most big firms had
enough money to pay the young lawyers well, they still subjected them to
inhuman treatment by underpaying them.
He, however, called on the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to
do everything within its power to ensure that young lawyers were treated with
respect and dignity.
“It is a very sad situation. Some of the old lawyers make
millions of naira but they still find it difficult to part away with N10,000 as
salary for young lawyers. “They do not care about others because if they do,
they will not be treating the young lawyers badly,“ he said.
Plateau
The Plateau State House of Assembly has summoned three
commissioners to appear before it at its next sitting.
The commissioners, who are expected to respond to charges of
contempt against the House, include commissioners of finance, water resources
and chieftaincy and local government affairs.
The assembly had accused the commissioners of negligence in
the discharge of their duties and refusal to answer summons of house committees
carrying out oversight functions on ministries.
The Speaker, Mr John Dabwan, who issued the summons in Jos,
said that the refusal of the commissioners to honour the invitation was “sheer
contempt’’.
A member of the House, Hon. Gondina Sambo, had in a motion
of urgent public importance, which received unanimous support of members,
accused the three officers of rebuffing summons of various committees.
Also to appear before the assembly is the Chairman of the
Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission who is expected to explain
delays in the conduct of local government polls.
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.
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.
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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