Nation
THE STATES
Gombe
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo has, announced N58 million
as donation to enable Christians in four Local Governments of Gombe South in Gombe State to celebrate Christmas. The areas make up the Gombe South Senatorial District of the State.
Dankwambo who announced the donation in Kattungo during his tour of senatorial districts in the state said party officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders in the area had also been given money to assist them during the Yuletide.
He said the recent North East Economic Summit, which the state hosted, had started yielding dividends as the Federal Government had declared intention to assist in implementing some of the summit’s recommendations.
Dankwambo said some foreign investors had declared interest in investing in the state, adding that when that was done; many job opportunities would be created in the state.
Jigawa
Partnership for the Transformation of Health Sector
(PATHS), an NGO, last Saturday, donated equipment worth N60 million to some health facilities in Jigawa State.
In a statement by the Public Relations Officer in the State Ministry of Health Mallam Ali Mati, in Dutse said the equipment were distributed to 136 health facilities across the state.
The statement which quoted Dr Tafida Abubakar, the state Commissioner for Health, as saying that the gesture of the NGO was appreciated, said the items included midwifery kits and laboratory apparatuses.
According to the statement, the Department for International Development (DFID) had recently supported health facilities in the state with similar equipment worth N500 million stating that the donations had so far complemented the state government’s efforts at boosting the health sector.
Kaduna
The Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in Kaduna State has
impounded 150 unpainted commercial vehicles in three local government areas in the last two weeks, its spokesman, Malam Buhari Aliyu, has said.
He said that the arrests were made in Kaduna North, Kaduna South and Igabi Local Government Areas from December 9 to date adding that the exercise would continue in the remaining 20 local government areas in the state.
Aliyu disclosed that the offenders would be made to pay fine and paint the vehicles in the approved colours before release and urged commuters to help the agency in its job by refusing to board all unpainted buses and taxi cabs.
The spokesman appealed to other stakeholders to support the initiative meant to ensure compliance with existing laws and rid the sector of bad eggs.
Kano
The Kano State University of Science and Technology
(KUST), Wudil, will commence academic activities on January 6, 2014.
A statement signed by the Deputy Registrar, Information and Public Relations of the university, Alhaji Sabo Nayaya, in Kano on Saturday, indicates that the decision to commence lectures on January 6 was taken after its Senate reviewed the school’s academic calendar.
“The management of KUST, Wudil, wishes to inform its students that lectures will commence as from Monday, January 6, 2014,’’ it stated.
The statement urged all students of the institution to ensure strict compliance with the resumption date because lectures would commence as announced unfailingly.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government last Monday said it spent
N13.9 billion on capital projects at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU), Katsina, from 2007 to date.
The Special Adviser to Governor Ibrahim Shema on Higher Education, Alhaji Aliyu Haruna, made the disclosure at a news briefing in Katsina State.
He said some of the facilities constructed included lecture theatres, hostels, library, senate building and laboratories, aimed at enhancing teaching and learning in the institution.
Haruna added that the state government released N107.5 million quarterly to the university for overheads and Staff Development and Training, pointing out that N110 million was also released monthly for staff salaries.
The Director-General, Scholarship Trust Fund, Alhaji Shehu Muhammad, said N2.3 billion was spent by the government to support 181,984 students in the past seven years.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State School of Nursing and Midwifery has set
up a committee to verify certificates presented by applicants seeking admission into its 2013/2014 session.
The Principal of the school, Hajiya Saratu Makera, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday that only 50 vacant positions were advertised while more than 500 applications were received.
She said the school would prosecute any applicant found to have presented fake result adding that applicants who passed the screening will undergo oral interview.
“This is part of our quests to determine those academically and psychologically qualified. In previous admissions, some applicants presented fake results and this time, anyone who presented fake results would be handed over to the police’’, Makera stressed.
She said the National Council of Nursing and Midwifery had pegged the number of students to be admitted at 50 and said the school would appeal for permission to admit 70 students due to the high number of applications we have received.’’
Lagos
The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers
(NUPENG) yesterday appealed to petroleum marketers to avoid hoarding of the products during the Yuletide.
The NUPENG Chairman, South-West chapter, Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, who made the plea in an interview in Lagos said “we will play our own parts by ensuring that the products get to the filling stations’’.
Korodo also advised motorists against panic buying, saying that there would be adequate supply of the products for sale to the general public.
“We have been assured by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) that the products will be available in all the depots. “We have instructed our members to ensure 24 hours product distribution to customers,” the NUPENG chairman said.
He said that the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) had been directed to supply all filling stations with the products during the festive period.
Niger
The police in Niger State says three men of the Nigeria Air
Force had been arrested in connection with fracas at Tudun Wada Police Station in Minna.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, Mr Richard Oguche, who disclosed this in Minna on Saturday said, “the air force men stormed and attacked officers and men on duty injuring one of them on the head with jack-knife.
“This afternoon, six air force men went to Tudun Wada Police Station and attacked officers and men on duty with jack knives and belts. “The air force men were mobilised from the Minna Air Force Base by a serving officer in Kano”, he added.
Ogudu said trouble started on Friday night when police men on duty at Tudun Wada area apprehended the brother to the air force officer in question.
He said the brother was arrested and his motorcycle impounded for violating the law banning the use of motorcycles in Minna from 7p.m. to 7a.m.stating that the attack was checkmated by police officers and men on duty and three out of the six air force men arrested.
Ogun
The Ogun State House of Assembly last Monday passed the
State’s 2014 Appropriation Bill of N210.2 billion. The bill was passed after the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr Olusola Bankole, read the committee’s report.
Bankole said the budget was increased by N81 million to enhance the revenue generation drive of some of the ministries that had the capacity to generate more than what was proposed in the budget.
He said the committee recommended that state commissioners for Finance and Budget should ensure that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) adhered strictly to the execution of their projects.
The Majority Leader, Mr Isreal Jolaoso, moved the motion for its third reading and was seconded by Mrs Elizabeth Anifowoshe.
The Speaker, Mr Suraj Adekunbi, after the passage of the bill, ordered that a clean copy be sent to Governor Ibikunle Amosun for assent.
Oyo
The General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army
Ibadan, Major.-General Ahmed Jibrin, says the Federal Government is working tirelessly to maintain peace in the country.
Jibrin who said this last Saturday while addressing participants at the division’s 2013 end of year West African Social Activities (WASA) in Ibadan State, said government was doing everything possible to support the security forces in the country to sustain peace.
“The situation in the country is tensed with kidnapping and other social vices but a lot of successes are as well attained. The fight is still on and we are working hard to win,” he said.
He said that WASA entailed setting aside a day, usually towards the end of the year, for officers and men with their families to engage in social cultural activities noting that the culture is part of the legacy the colonial masters left behind for the Nigerian Army.
Plateau
The Special Task Force (STF) on Security in Plateau State has
said it would deploy its personnel to search visitors at recreation centres in the state during Christmas and New Year festivities.
According to a press by the Media Coordinator, Capt Salisu Mustapha, in Jos on Saturday, the STF would carry out the task jointly with local security operatives.
It stated that the search was to ensure that firearms were not smuggled into the recreation centres.
According to the statement, vehicles are banned from entering the premises of recreation centres during the celebrations and called on religious bodies to also put security measures in place during the period.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Police Command has said it would mount 24-
hour surveillance of churches, banks, highways and other public places during the forthcoming Yuletide celebrations.
The Commissioner of Police, Shua’ibu Gambo, said in Sokoto on Sunday.
“For the forthcoming Christmas and New Year, we are working round the clock in this direction. “We have put all the officers and men in the 23 local governments and Area Commands on red alert,’’ he said.
“Additional personnel have been drafted to Sokoto State city and its environs from the various area commands and divisions to the various Churches, intra-city, inter-city routes and other public places. “Additional patrol vehicles and plain-clothes security personnel have also been drafted across the state,’’ he added.
Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Muhammad Sidi, representative of Minister of FCT, Mr Ahmed Inuwa, representative of Director, Development Control, Mr Adamu Garba and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Rep. Abegunde Ifedayo, at the inauguration of NEMA’s Emergency Response/Ambulance Bay on Airport Road in Abuja, last Monday.
As the world marked the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child on Sunday, October 11, 2026, a non-governmental organisation, Stand Up for Women Society (SWS) has intensified its campaign against child marriage, urging schoolgirls to prioritise education, protect their rights and develop skills for a better future.
The organisation joined the global observance of the day under the theme, “International Day of the Girl Child: End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” with a sensitisation programme at Government Girls Secondary School, Oromenike, D-Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Led by its Vice Chairperson, Daba Benebo, the group engaged the students in discussions on the dangers of early marriage, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and other challenges that threaten the education, safety and development of the girl child.
Speaking during the programme, Benebo urged the students to reject early marriage and remain focused on their studies, stressing that education would empower them to make informed decisions about their lives and future.
She cautioned the girls against allowing anyone to deprive them of their right to education and dignity, advising them to report cases of harassment, abuse and other violations of their rights to the appropriate authorities.
Benebo assured the students that SWS remained available to support them whenever they encountered violations of their rights.
She also encouraged them to maintain discipline and responsible conduct while avoiding behaviours that could expose them to negative influences and jeopardise their future.
Beyond formal education, the SWS vice chairperson urged the students to acquire vocational skills that could provide additional opportunities for economic independence and help them navigate future challenges.
The sensitisation programme, enlivened by singing, dancing and to share their views and experiences on issues affecting the girl child interactive sessions, provided an opportunity for the students to share their views and experiences on issues affecting the girl child.
One of the major issues raised during the discussion was the appropriate age for marriage. While some participants maintained that 18 years was the constitutionally approved age, the discussion highlighted the need to consider not only age but also the maturity, preparedness and responsibilities associated with marriage.
The speaker stressed that marriage required adequate mental and emotional preparation, as well as the capacity to shoulder its responsibilities.
She therefore advised the students to concentrate on acquiring a sound education before considering marriage, noting that education would equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to make responsible decisions and manage family life.
The issue of teenage pregnancy also featured prominently during the question-and-answer session.
In addressing the subject, the speaker explained that pregnancy could occur even at the age of 12, using the example to underscore the vulnerability of young girls to the consequences of early sexual activity.
She advised the students to avoid sexual intercourse and prioritise their education, personal safety and future aspirations.
The discussion also examined the difficulties some girls encounter when living with hostile spouses, relatives or guardians.
Benebo encouraged the students to cultivate patience, humility and diligence, noting that these qualities could help them navigate difficult situations and build a brighter future.
However, she warned that patience and humility should never be interpreted as an obligation to endure violence, abuse or degrading treatment.
She urged girls experiencing hostile or abusive living conditions to seek help from their parents, trusted adults or appropriate support services rather than remain in environments that could expose them to physical or emotional trauma.
“When such happens, please return to your parents and engage in petty trade or learn a skill to support your education rather than stay in a hostile environment,” Benebo stressed.
The programme also underscored the importance of protecting girls from early marriage and other harmful practices that can disrupt their education, compromise their well-being and limit their opportunities in life.
It also reinforced the need for families, schools, communities and relevant organisations to work together to ensure that girls have access to education, vocational training, protection and the support they need to realise their potential.
For SWS, the message was clear: empowering the girl child begins with protecting her rights, investing in her education and equipping her with the confidence and skills to make informed choices about her future.
Stories by Kevin Nengia
The Egberipapa Foundation has unveiled a mass transit scheme aimed at easing transportation difficulties and improving connectivity among communities in the three Kalabari local government areas of Asari-Toru, Degema and Akuku-Toru in Rivers State.
The initiative, established by former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Council, High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, popularly known as Egberipapa, is designed to make transportation more accessible and affordable for residents across the Kalabari area.
The scheme was launched on Monday, October 12, 2026, and is expected to address longstanding transportation challenges confronting residents, particularly those in riverine and hard-to-reach communities.
Communities expected to benefit from the initiative include Krakrama, Minama, Angulama, Sangama, Omekwe-Tariama and Omekwe-Ama.
The project is expected to ease movement within and beyond the Central Group area, while providing residents with a more convenient means of transportation for their daily activities.
For decades, transportation difficulties have posed significant challenges to several Kalabari communities, making movement between settlements both cumbersome and expensive. These challenges have also affected commercial activities, social interactions and access to essential services.
The introduction of the mass transit scheme is therefore expected to provide relief to residents, strengthen inter-community connections and stimulate economic activities across the benefiting communities.
Beyond improving mobility, the initiative could contribute to community development by facilitating the movement of people and goods, supporting local businesses and enhancing social and economic interactions within the Kalabari area.
As the scheme gets underway, attention will be focused on its implementation, accessibility and sustainability, as well as its capacity to deliver lasting transportation benefits to the target communities.
The initiative represents a potentially significant step towards addressing transportation challenges and promoting grassroots development across the Kalabari Kingdom.
The Amaewhule family of mbodo Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State has cautioned members of the public against entering into any land transaction involving a disputed property known as “Ada Oro Fam Land,” located behind the OPM Church along Airport Road.
The family, through its legal counsel, Barrister Ndubuisi Agumagu, issued the warning amid an ongoing legal dispute over the ownership and control of the property, which is said to comprise more than 900 plots of land.
The matter is currently before the Isiokpo High Court of Rivers State in a suit numbered IHC/246/CS/2026, presided over by Justice Sobere Biambo.
The claimants in the suit include Chief Green Amaewhule and others, while Fabulous Amaewhule and Odibola Properties are listed among the respondents.
Counsel to the Amaewhule family, Barr Ndubuisi Agumagu, advised prospective land buyers and members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from purchasing any portion of the disputed property pending the determination of the case by the court.
According to the legal counsel, the property is a family estate belonging collectively to the Amaewhule family, and no individual member of the family has the authority to unilaterally dispose of portions of the land.
The counsel specifically maintained that Fabulous Amaewhule, one of the respondents in the suit, does not have the legitimate authority, according to the family’s position before the court, to sell portions of the disputed property.
The family further warned that anyone who proceeds to purchase land from the respondents while the matter remains before the court would be doing so at their own risk.
It stressed that such buyers could potentially lose their investments should the court eventually deliver judgment against the validity of the transactions.
The legal team said the warning became necessary to prevent unsuspecting members of the public from committing their resources to a property whose ownership and right of disposition are currently the subject of judicial determination.
The family also urged prospective investors, developers and land buyers to conduct proper legal inquiries and obtain independent verification of the status of the property before committing funds to any transaction relating to it.
The Amaewhule family said its position was intended to protect members of the public from possible financial losses and further legal complications while the case remains sub judice, stressing that interested parties should await the final determination of the court.
Akujobi Amadi
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