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THE STATES

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Adamawa

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
says it has established seven new camps in Yola to accommodate Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the recent attacks in Mubi, Adamawa State.
Its North-East Coordinator, Alhaji Muhammadu Kanar,  disclosed this to newsmen in Yola, shortly after he distributed relief materials to no fewer than 3,000 IDPs at Daware camp in Fufore Local Government Area.
Kanar said that 10,000 IDPs were registered within the last two days adding that several thousands were still trooping into the camps.
He said the state government had provided over 100 vehicles to help evacuate those that were stranded in the bushes and highways after escaping the insurgents’ attacks in Mubi and Uba towns.

FCT

The Budget Office of the Federation has urged stake
holders in the review of workers’ minimum wage to consider the revenue generation profile of the country in taking decisions.
The Director-General of the office, Dr Bright Okogu, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja  recently.
He observed that the Federal Government raised workers’ wage bill from N857 billion in 2009 to N1.8 trillion in 2014.
He said that the increase followed incessant strikes by various labour unions across the country.
He said that “if you have that kind of situation in an environment where your revenue is not growing with the same margin, obviously there will be challenges.

Gombe

The Ministry of Transport is to develop a strategy on how best to safeguard motor parks in the country, says the Minister  Malam Idris Umar.
Umar stated this in Gombe while speaking to newsmen shortly after visiting the Federal Teaching Hospital and Specialist Hospital Gombe, where the victims of bomb blast were admitted as well as the scene of the blast.
“I will soon summon an emergency meeting with Commissioners for Transport to discuss how best to safeguard our motor parks.
“Just recently we concluded the National Transport Council meeting; we addressed the issue of safety and security.
“But of course even the current level of challenges, we need to probably do more on the level of guarding the motor parks”.
Kadunaa

A gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of All
Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, has appealed to politicians to shun money politics.
Addressing party executives of Zaria Local Government in Zaria the aspirant said the call became necessary in view of the influence of money in the nation’s politics.
Lukman said avoiding money politics would certainly guarantee authentic and vibrant democracy in Nigeria.
The aspirant said that he was in Zaria to formally inform the executive members of APC in the area that he had purchased the form to aspire for gubernatorial seat.
Lukman urged the party leadership to give all aspirants a level playing field.
Kebbi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State
says it is working towards a consensus governorship candidate for the 2015 polls.
The party said each of the three senatorial districts would present an aspirant for screening before zeroing in on one candidate.
The Chairman of the Resolution Committee of the party, Alhaji Suleiman Argungu, told newsmen in Birnin-Kebbi that whoever emerged of the three would be the party’s flagbearer in the election.
“The resolution committee will ensure each of the Senatorial Districts presents an aspirant out of the many aspirants,’’ he said.
Argungu said the 10 aspirants who had indicated interest to contest the governorship seat were expected to agree on only one.
Kogi

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Kogi
State says that its mobile court has convicted 47 drivers of various traffic offences within one week.
The Sector Commander in the state, Mr Godwin Omiko, told newsmen in Lokoja that the convicted drivers were serial violators of the road safety rules and laws.
He said that the drivers were arraigned before a mobile court presided by Senior Magistrate Rachael Omajali, who found them guilty after trial.
He also said that those convicted were among 89 motorists arraigned before the court for overloading, over-speeding, seatbelt violation, phoning while driving and dangerous driving, among others.

Kwara

A member of the Kwara State  House of Assembly,
Moshood Bakare, has expressed concern over the mass exodus of employees from the private to the public sector of the economy.
Bakare also expressed concern over the attendant negative consequences of the situation on the nation’s economy.
He said that economies, in developed parts of world, were driven by the private sector while the reverse was the case in Nigeria.
Addressing newsmen in Ilorin, the lawmaker expressed worry over what would befall the nation’s economy if urgent steps were not deployed to tackle the situation.
Bakare, who represents Omupo Constituency in the assembly, said there was need for the government to return normalcy to the ailing economy.

Osun

The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Osogbo on the
August 9 Osun State governorship election has begun hearing the preliminary objections together with the substantive petition filed by Senator IyiolaOmisore to challenge re-election of Governor Rauf  Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress.
The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime, said on Tuesday in her ruling that the panel would hear the issues of jurisdiction together with the petition of Omisore, who contested the election as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Counsel for the petitioner, Dr. Alex Iziyon(SAN), had on Thursday prayed the tribunal to hear the preliminary objections and the petition together in order to save time but Aregbesola, had through his lead counsel, Chief Akin Olujinmi(SAN), raised an objection to this.
He said the issue of jurisdiction, which bothered on the competence of the petition, should be first heard before the substantive petition.
However, the panel, in the ruling delivered on Wednesday, said all the four motions pending before it would be taken together with the petition.
Oyo

Team Akala, a support group for the re-election of former
Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State in 2015, has said that its principal is not jittery over the exercise.
The group said this in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Mr Niran Adeyoju, and made available to newsmen in Ogbomoso recently.
The group said a statement being circulated that Alao-Akala was jittery over 2015 was untrue.
The group also condemned the reports that its principal disrupted the distribution of voting materials for the ward congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held across the state on Saturday .
“The former governor did not in any way disrupt the congress when it is obvious that he was already leading in virtually all the wards.
“There is no basis for him or any of his political aide to have led thugs to the party secretariat to disrupt the process of distribution of materials, when we are already aware that the congress was already in our favour,’’ it said.

Plateau

The Plateau  State chapter of the PDP is to conduct a
fresh ward congress in Pankshin Local Government, after it failed to carry out the exercise on Saturday, says its Organising secretary, Mr Michael Dachom.
Our correspondent reports that the congresses are expected to produce delegates to form the Electoral College to conduct the party’s primary elections— preparatory to the general elections in 2015.
Dachom told newsmen in Jos that the ward congresses could not hold in Pankshin because of some disagreements among stakeholders over the officials posted to conduct the exercise.
“The disagreements dragged on till late into the night and we had to postpone because of the terrain in Pankshin, coupled with the fact that the electoral panel had to move to all the wards,’’ he said.

Yobe

Twenty-nine people died yesterday in the mid-day sui
cide attack on Muslim Shiite sect members celebrating the Ashurah Day in Potiskum, Yobe State,  eyewitnesses said.
The suicide attack took place at TsohonKasuwa, a densely populated area in the commercial city. It is 100km south of Damaturu, the state capital.
But the police put the figure of the dead at four, including the bomber. They said five people were injured.
The leader of the Shiite group, Mallam Mustapha Lawan Nasidi, said 29 members of the group were killed; over 80 injured.
Lawan blamed the military for the rise in the death toll, alleging that “many of the people were killed by security agencies, particularly soldiers”.

L-R: Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire,; Governor Babatunde Fashola and Commissioner for Sciene and Technology, Mr Ayo Mabadeje, at a briefing on Public Security System Demonstration in Lagos recently.

L-R: Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire,; Governor Babatunde Fashola and Commissioner for Sciene and Technology, Mr Ayo Mabadeje, at a briefing on Public Security System Demonstration in Lagos recently.

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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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