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THE STATES

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Benue

Katsina-Ala Local Government Council says it has started
the construction of rural roads to boost the transportation of farm produce from the council to urban markets .
The Chairman of the council, Mr Martins Agir, made this known during the ongoing accountability briefing for local government councils in the state.
Agir said his administration considered the construction of rural roads a priority, owing to the agrarian nature of the council, and disclosed that an ultra-modern yam market had also been constructed to boost its production in the area.
Agir, who expressed concern over the weak revenue profile of the council, said he dissolved the existing market committees and reconstituted new ones for the purpose of enhancing revenue collection.

Borno

The Borno State Government last Thursday said it planned
to recruit 100 fresh graduates to beef up the state civil service.    Governor Kashim Shettima made this known when he received a delegation of past labour leaders in the state at the Government House, Maiduguri.
Shettima explained that the objective was to fill the existing vacancies at the middle cadre level in the service due mainly to retirements and death of civil servants.
A onetime president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ali Chiroma, who led the delegation, commended the governor for his developmental projects in spite of the prevailing security challenges facing the state.

Ekiti

The Ekiti State House of Assembly last Thursday passed
three bills aimed at strengthening the judicial process in the state. The bills were the “Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Bill 2014’, “Ekiti State Arbitration Bill 2014’ and “Ekiti State Law Reform Commission Bill 2014.
The Chairman, Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters, Mr Segun Erinle, presented the three reports of his committee on the bills before they were considered and passed.
Welcoming the lawmakers to the new year, the Speaker, Adewale Omirin, thanked them for their patriotism which he noted translated to making laws that brought dividends of democracy to Ekiti citizens.

FCT

Senate President, David Mark, has called for the adoption
of a global approach to tackle terrorism in order to end the menace threatening world peace.
Mark said in Abuja when he played host to the British Parliamentary under- Secretary for Justice, Mr Jeremy Wright said that world leaders must come together to work out a blueprint to fight terrorism.
He noted the growing trend and spread of terrorists across the globe and canvassed for collaborative efforts to end the menace.
Gombe

The National Population Commission (NPC) last Thurs
day said it had registered 102,140 births in Gombe State in 2013.
The NPC Commissioner in charge of the state, Alhaji Bala Magaji, said the enlightenment programme of the commission had helped in eliciting positive response as more now registered their newly born babies.
He said the commission was also issuing attestation certificates to support the declaration of age and birth certificates of people above 17 years.
“Attestation certificate is equally universally accepted and it attracts only N2, 000. It is important for everybody to obtain it,” he advised.
Kano

The Harmattan season has brought some measures of ru
ral life to the metropolitan Kano city as many residents now converge at fire hearth to fight cold.
Residents now use firewood and charcoal to make fire to warm themselves and boil water for bath.
In the early morning and evening at Sabongari, Nasarawa and Fagge areas of the Kano State metropolis, people squat in groups around fire at tea shops and courtyards as “Majalisa” and chat heartily.
Commenting on the development, Mohammed Bello, a Nigerien who sells tea at Fagge, Kofar Mata, said that business had improved because some people drink tea (shayi) while warming themselves.
Kaduna

The Kaduna State House of Assembly last Thursday sus
pended its member, Dr Shehu Adamu, for six months over allegation of N180 million bribe levelled against other members.
The decision followed a motion by Alhaji Muhammad Ali, (Kawo – PDP), who drew the attention of members to an interview granted by Adamu, (Maigana-APC), where he made the allegation.
Adamu had in an interview on September 23, 2013 in the electronic media and national dailies, accused members of collecting bribe of N10 million each to remove the former speaker, Usman Gangara and other principal officers.
On November 6, 2013 when the motion was moved by Ali, the assembly mandated its Committee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate.gation.

Kwara

Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed of Kwara State has consti
tuted a committee on job creation.
Inaugurating the committee last Thursday in Ilorin, the governor said his administration had put ‘necessary machinery in motion’ to create jobs for youths in 2014, and said the committee would work out modalities for the establishment of job intervention initiative tagged “QuickWin’’ programme.
Ahmed said his administration was determined to get more young people into employment this year, noting that government would also facilitate the training of some youths and offer credit facilities to others who might wish to start their own business.
Lagos

Lagos State President of the Environmental Health Offic
ers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Mr Akin Akingbehin, has advised operators of eatery houses to ensure that their staff are medically fit.
Akingbehin said last Thursday in Lagos that it was important to get the potential workers examined, to ascertain their health status before being employed by fast foods operators.
According to him, the potential workers must also meet certain requirements necessary to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases.
He advised eateries’ operators to adhere strictly to the stipulated laws guiding the operation and standard of eatery business and told them to be mindful of the impact of their waste generation on their immediate environment.

Niger

Niger State Government said it spent over N477.6 million
on the settlement of WASCE and NABTEB registration fees for the final year students in public schools in the state last academic session.
The state’s Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Danladi Abdulhameed who, stated this in Minna last Thursday during an interactive session with newsmen said that under the state’s free education policy, the government pays one public examination fees for students in the state, while the parents pay for the other.
He said most parents preferred paying the National Examination Council (NECO) fees while the state government settled WASCE fees and other examinations.
Osun

The Director of the Centre for Distance Learning, Obafemi
Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Bode Asubiojo, has described distance learning education as a viable alternative.
Asubiojo said in an interview last Thursday in Osogbo that distance learning education was the only way to curb the desperation for admission into universities among school leavers.
The don cited the example of some prominent Nigerians who did not have university education through the conventional classrooms but became educated through distance learning.
He, however, stressed the need for operators of distance learning initiatives to adhere to international best practices in the delivery of programmes.

Oyo

Wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, has
received books worth N5 million from Heinemann publishers to complement her ‘Educate a Rural Child’ (ERC) project.
Senior Special Assistant on Social Welfare, Mrs Sandra Kolade, who received the books on her behalf, said that the books would be distributed to ERC intervention primary schools, as library resource materials.
She reiterated Ajimobi’s commitment to taking qualitative education to children in the rural areas and promised that all the books would get to the right places.
Chairman, Heinemann, Mr Ayo Ojeniyi, noted that books were indispensable tools to education, stating that primary education should be accorded priority as the foundation on which other phases of education rested.

Plateau

The Chairman of Plateau State Independent Electoral Com
mission (PLASIEC), Mr Peter Dalyop, last Thursday announced that six political parties had been cleared to contest the January 30 council elections.
Dalyop hinted the political parties as; All Peoples Grand Alliance (APGA), Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) and All Progressives Congress (APC).
He told newsmen in Jos that he was satisfied with the screening and clearing of candidates of the political parties, adding that the candidates list would be released on Monday.
Taraba

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
lastThursday donated relief materials to victims of state of emergency in neighbouring Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, taking refuge in Taraba.
The Agency’s Director-General, Alhaji Muhammed Sidi, donated the materials in Jalingo, on behalf of the Federal Government.
Represented by the head of Gombe State Operations Office of the Agency, Mr Appolos Jediel, Sidi said the gesture was aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the victims, adding that the donation was in response to the request for assistance by the Taraba State acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar.

L-R: Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs Funso Ibikunle Amosun,Wife of Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government, Mrs Funke Oladipo,Wife of Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mrs Funmi Adeyemi, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, at the funeral service of Prof. Wole Soyinka's Daughter, Iyetade, last Friday. Photo: NAN

L-R: Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs Funso Ibikunle Amosun,Wife of Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government, Mrs Funke Oladipo,Wife of Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mrs Funmi Adeyemi, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, at the funeral service of Prof. Wole Soyinka’s Daughter, Iyetade, last Friday. Photo: NAN

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Bikers, Others Grace Burial Of Rivers Philanthropist

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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.

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Security Guard Missing After Fence Demolition In PH

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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.

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OIU Protests Arrest Of Witnesses In Okon Aku Crisis Probe

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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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