Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) has an
nounced the suspension of its ongoing registration exercise in Bauchi State due to the death of its chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Jibo.
Speaking to newsmen recently, the National Vice Chairman of the party, Alhaji Muslihu Maigari, said the death came as a shock to the party.
According to him, Jibo’s death was a serious loss to the party not only in the state but in the country.
Also speaking, the deceased’s brother, Alhaji Umar Jibo, said Abdullahi died at the National Hospital, Abuja while on official assignment.
FCT
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDC) has advised the warring people of Guari and the Fulani communities in the Bwari Area Council, to learn to live in peace.
NSCDC commandant in the area, Mr John Efere, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Bwari.
Speaking over the crisis between the Guari and Fulani people residing in Geram community, he said that there was need for the people to live in harmony.
Efere, a Chief Superintendent of NSCDC, also spoke of the necessity of the people to develop the attitude of staying vigilant and to report suspicious movements in the community.
Gombe
Gombe State Government said it had installed 20 fire
hydrant in Gombe, the state capital, to assist fire fighters with water to combat fire outbreaks.
Alhaji Isa Mohammed, General Manager of the state Water Corporation, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen recently.
He said that officials of the ministry would accompany fire fighters round the metropolis to show them the locations of the fire hydrant.
“We will soon take them (fire fighters) round the city to show them the locations of the fire hydrant”.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government said it had placed se
curity agencies on alert to avert any breakdown of law and order in the state. The Commissioner for Information in the state, Mr Ben Bako, made the call in a statement in Kaduna.
Bako urged the residents to be vigilant, support security agencies and report suspicious movements around them to relevant authority.
“This call became necessary to assure citizens of government’s continuous vigilance on happenings within the state”.
Katsina
The Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria
(HERFON), an NGO, has urged the Katsina State Government to dedicate 25 per cent of its annual budget for the health sector to malaria control.
Chairman of the foundation in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Kurfi, made the call in Katsina during an advocacy visit to the State House of Assembly. The chairman said “malaria constitute majority of health problems in hospitals in the state, hence the need for allocating 25 per cent of health sector budget to ensure effective malaria control.’’
He urged the lawmakers to support the NGO in its malaria control efforts and always involve health professionals during their oversight visits to health facilities in the state.
Kwara
An expert on Family Medicine, Dr Esther Bankole,
has warned homosexuals and those practising oral sex of the dangers of contracting hepatitis.
Bankole, a staff of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), gave the warning at the Lenten season programme organised by the wife of the state’s governor, Mrs Omolewa Ahmed.
She said those at risk were people with unusual sexual orientation such as homosexuals, those practising oral sex and the sexually promiscuous.
Bankole, who described hepatitis as the inflammation of the liver tissue, said it may also be caused by toxins, drugs, radiation or a virus.
Lagos
There was a mild drama at an Oshodi Magistrates’
Court in Lagos as an ex-convict, Segun Olanrewaju, changed his guilty plea as he was being sentenced.
Our correspondent reports that Olanrewaju had earlier pleaded guilty to the theft of two mobile phones worth N80, 000.
Olanrewaju, 24, who resides at 23, Olufemi St., Yaba, was arraigned on March 4 and remanded him in Kirikiri Prisons after admitting the charge of theft.
The case was scheduled for facts and sentencing on Tuesday.
However, when the Magistrate, Akeem Fashola, was about to sentence him, he changed his plea, saying:“ I earlier pleaded guilty because I did not understand the charge.”
Nasarawa
A Grade One Area Court in Mararaba, Nasarawa
State has discharged a 19-year-old student, Emmanuel Ebuka, charged with assaulting his colleague, Umoh Kelvin.Our correspondent reports that Ebuka was arraigned on five counts of criminal conspiracy, trespass, intimidation, mischief and theft.
The presiding judge, Mr Albert Maga, discharged the accused, after the prosecutor, PC Friday Adaji, told the court that both parties had settled their differences “amicably”. Maga therefore struck out the case, and said “it is always good for parties in a matter to iron out their differences.
Ondo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned
in strong terms the manhandling of two of its members in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, by suspected political thugs.
This is contained in a statement issued in Akure by the Zone ‘B’ Vice-President, Mr Dele Atunbi. The union described the attack on its members covering the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat that was gutted by fire in Ado-Ekiti as debasing and dehumanising. “We at the NUJ frown at a development where thugs have constituted themselves as lords in Ekiti State under a democratically elected government.
Osogbo
The Chairman, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation
(OSBC), Mr Kola Akanji has promised that the corporation would be fair to all political parties ahead of the August 9 governorship election in the state.
Akanji made the promise in Osogbo in an interview with newsmen. He said that both the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) had always been in the vanguard of fair hearing.
“As the governorship election approaches in Osun, the corporation is aware that there would be increased political activities from the parties, individuals and stakeholders.
Ogun
The Principal Dental Officer, Ogun State Dental Clinic,
Ijebu-Ode, Dr David Ogunba,has advised residents to go for regular dental check-up to prevent tooth decay and mouth odour.
Ogunba gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Ijebu-Ode.
According to him, decay often set in when acid by bacterial fermentation of food debris accumulates in the tooth and destroys its hard tissues. Ogunba said refined sugars found in confectioneries such as candies, chocolates, cakes, ice-cream, jams and peanut butter were often responsible for tooth decay.
Taraba
The Taraba Board of Internal Revenue has registered
over 5,000 eligible tax payers in the state from 2009 to date, its Chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Galadima, has said.
Galadima told newsmen in Jalingo that the registration captured both private individuals and civil servants. He said that all the registered persons had been issued Tax Identification Number (TIN) as directed by the National Joint Tax Board.
The chairman said the TIN would enable the board develop a data base that would assist in checking tax evasion.

L-R: District Head of Barnawa, Alhaji Kabir Zubairu, Chairman, TY Danjuma Foundation, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) and President, Civil Rights Congress, Comrade Shehu Sani, at the graduation of participants of TY Danjuma Foundation vocational skills acquisition in Kaduna State, last Wednesday. Photo: NAN.
Nation
Cleric Preaches Love As Deputy Governor, Chief Judge Grace Wedding In PH
The Presiding Bishop of Kingdom Life Gospel Ministries Outreach, Port Harcourt, Bishop Victor Uzosike, has described love as the bedrock of human existence, family stability and societal harmony, stressing that without love, nothing meaningful can thrive.
Bishop Uzosike made this assertion while speaking to journalists during the wedding ceremony of his daughter, Praise Uzosike, to Architect Chibuzor Akubueze on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The solemnisation was held at the Kingdom Life Gospel Ministries Outreach, Port Harcourt, and was attended by dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond.
According to the cleric, love is not only the foundation of relationships but also a powerful force that determines the success of individuals, families and communities.
“If you do not love a place, that place will not bless you. If you do not love your children, they will not be useful to you. If you do not love your family, your family will become a strange island to you. What you do not love, you do not have. Love is the key,” he said.
Reflecting on his family’s journey, Bishop Uzosike said God’s love had sustained them through seasons of challenges and triumphs, noting that unity had remained their greatest strength.
“We have stayed together as one family. God has shown us love in miraculous and mysterious ways, especially during difficult times,” he stated.
Describing the wedding as an amazing and beautiful experience, the bishop expressed appreciation for the show of love from his daughter’s friends, many of whom travelled from the United Kingdom and Ghana to attend the ceremony. He revealed that some of them personally paid for their flights and accommodation, which he described as a rare display of genuine friendship.
He also disclosed that his first daughter, who lives in Manchester, United Kingdom, with her husband, could not attend the wedding due to tight schedules, but noted that she remains happily married and fulfilled.
While thanking guests for honouring his family with their presence, prayers and goodwill, Bishop Uzosike said he felt proud and grateful to God.
“One of the greatest gifts God can give to a man is children who are sound in all ramifications. My children can see, hear, speak and walk. That alone is enough reason to be grateful,” he said.
He praised the bride, describing Praise as an exceptional achiever who had distinguished herself academically. According to him, she completed secondary school at 15, graduated with First Class honours at 19, and earned distinctions in her MBA as well as her first and second master’s degrees.
“For a long time, people believed that highly educated women may not marry early or at all. Today, Praise has proved otherwise. She has made her mother and me very proud,” he said, describing her as a rare gem.
Bishop Uzosike also expressed joy over his son-in-law, whom he described as God-fearing, disciplined and professionally sound.
“He is well brought up, passionate about God and morally upright. His parents did a great job. My wife, Pastor Esther, also did an excellent job,” he added.
The wedding ceremony attracted prominent personalities, including the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu; the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Ayemeyie; and several senior clerics.
Bishop Fidelis Ugbong officiated the solemnisation, while Apostle Chika Onuzo delivered the sermon, identifying communication, sex and money as key factors that can strengthen or weaken marriages.
Prof. Ngozi Odu also prayed for the couple and paid glowing tributes, drawing admiration from attendees.
The reception, held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt, was equally colourful. Justice Matilda Ayemeyie proposed the toast, describing marriage as not always a bed of roses and emphasising patience, commitment and understanding.
The event was chaired by Chief Henry Nwabugo and attended by notable personalities, including retired Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili; Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey; Hon. Otunba Jumbo; Nze Best Anele; and Prof. Henry Ogiri, among others.
Guests were entertained with dance performances by the couple, while the parents’ outing added elegance to the celebration. The master of ceremonies, Ambassador Kingsley, kept the audience engaged with humour and interactive sessions.
Overall, the wedding was a remarkable blend of spirituality, culture and celebration, marked by love, joy and unforgettable moments.
Nation
2027: APC Chieftain Predicts Tinubu’s Victory …Says Bayelsa Stakeholders Supporting President en masse … IPAC Knitted Together, Working In Synergy With His Office
Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC), in Bayelsa State and Special Adviser to the State Governor on Inter-Party Relations, Dr Jackson Ebi Suokiri has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure landslide win in the 2027 Presidential polls.
The Governor’s Aide stated this in Yenagoa, the state capital on Wednesday while fielding questions from newsmen against the backdrop of Tuesday’s pioneer Stakeholders meeting of the party convened by the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri as leader of the Party in the State upon his recent defection late last year.
He averred that Party stakeholders in the state were prepared to give the President the massive support needed to return elected, come 2027 following his sterling trajectory of performance and qualitative leadership prowess.
Dr Suokiri stressed that the reason for the governor’s swapping of party was in the best interest of the state, while also noting that the governor took the right decision as there was no need continuing with opposition politics even as the state has to align with the national government for rapid socioeconomic and political advantages for the state and its people.
“Governor Diri’s defection like you’ve personally heard him saying was for the best interest of our state, Bayelsa. When you’ve a President performing well at the national level and being very supportive to your state as a governor, I don’t think you’ve to be in an opposition party anymore, but rather align with the centre.
“Diri is a bridge builder. He is at peace with everybody and willing to work with all, irrespective of party affiliations or political differences for the interest of the state.
“As Stakeholders we’ve resolved to collectively work to return President Tinubu elected for second term in 2027. And you can see the Governor is not pressuring anybody or the structure of his former party, the PDP to defect like he has done.
“The PDP structure in the state is still intact, and for the APC, his new Party even as current leader in the State, he has been working with the structure and everybody he met on ground, hence you can see that the APC Caretaker Committee led by Dr. Dennis Otiotio has been maintained at the pioneer Stakeholders meeting convened by the Governor.
“But you must also know like you’ve seen and I’ve previously said that Governor Diri has outperformed expectations of Bayelsans in all sectors, be it economy, infrastructure, health, education, etc.”, he said.
Meanwhile, as against insinuations that some political parties were not working with the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party Relations, the Governor’s Aide has revealed that as it were currently, all the 19 registered political parties with presence in the state are working in unity with his office as members of the Inter-party advisory council (IPAC).
“IPAC is working in unity with my office. Before the Governor’s defection the only party that wasn’t working with my office was the APC. But since after his formal defection, the APC and even those other parties that were either sympathetic to the APC, the governor’s new party or the PDP, his former Party are all now working together with my office as members of IPAC”, Suokiri added.
By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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