Nation
THE STATES
FCT
Hajia Zainab Ahmed, the Executive Secretary,
Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (NEITI) has called on Nigerians to join hands with the Federal Government to fight corruption for nation building.
Ahmed gave the advice in Abuja at a public presentation of a book, titled: “President‘s Diary: Nigeria‘s Ethical Revolution” organised by the Office of Ethics and Moral Values.
Our correspondent reports that the 410-page book was written by 18 authors.
She said that many Nigerians had lost ethics and moral values right from homes, adding that their weak foundation must be corrected by making them adhere to ethics and moral values in their daily activities.
Kogi
Governor Idris Wada of Kogi said on Wednesday that
the state would establish Public Private Partnership (PPP) Bureau to facilitate infrastructure development in the state
Wada said this in Abuja at a World Bank sponsored training on PPP on Wednesday in Abuja.
“We are working steadily on the institutionalising framework for Public Private Partnership in Kogi State and in a matter of months a PPP bureau will be in place.
“The Kogi PPP bureau, when established, will be a one- stop business center for PPP devoid of frustrating bureaucratic delays of any kind,” he said.
According to him, this will facilitate coordination between projects initiating ministries, agencies of government and private investors.
He said that Kogi with its location and largest deposit of solid minerals in the country, offered a great opportunity for infrastructure Investments.
Wada said that unique opportunities for investment in the state were in various sectors, including transport, power, road, health, tourism.
He commended the World Bank and Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for the training and urged participants
Kwara
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof.
AbdulGaniyu Ambali, has pleaded with health workers to stop their incessant industrial actions that often paralyse the nation’s hospitals.
He made the plea last Tuesday in Ilorin when he received members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN).
Our correspondent reports that members of the association were in Ilorin for the 46th Annual Conference and Scientific Workshop organised by the association.
Ambali said: “It is important for all professionals in the health sector to work together to put an end to strike.
“We are inspired by your comments that appreciate the fact that our (UNILORIN) academic calendar has been stable over several years.
Lagos
National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Party
(APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has advocated gender equality in policy making in the country.
Mohammed made the observation in Lagos at a summit organised by Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) in partnership with United Kingdom Aid and Voices Change.
Our correspondent reports that the aim of the summit was to promote gender equality as a principle of human rights and a developmental goal.
WARDC is also advocating the rebalancing between men and women in terms of resources, legal rights, participation, decision making and equal relations.
Nasarawa
Governor Umaru Al-makura of Nasarawa State has
approved an upward review of the allowances of NYSC members posted to the state.
Al-makura announced this at the end of a three-week orientation for Batch C corps members held at the Majaji Dan –Yamusa NYSC orientation camp in Keffi.
In an address to the 1,782 corps members, Al-makura said the allowance would be increased from N2,000 to N5, 000 because of current economic situation in the country..
The governor urged the corps members to use the lessons gained during the orientation period to improve themselves, their host communities and the country at large.
He enjoined them to use the potential in the state to gain more experience for themselves, adding that his administration attached high premium to youth development and the NYSC scheme.
Ogun
An Abeokuta Magistrates’ Court in Ogun has remanded
a 33-year-old man, Olayinka Ogundairo, in prison custody for allegedly defrauding a pastor of N400,000.
According to the prosecutor, Cpl. Moshood Hammed, the accused committed the offence sometime in February at the Saraki Adigbe area in Abeokuta.
Hammed said that the accused defrauded one Pastor Jacob Oyedokun of N400,000.00, after tendering false certificates.
“The accused entered the church of Pastor Oyedokun and claimed that he is studying abroad but his benefactor had died.
“He tendered a forged NYSC discharge certificate, a certificate of a Master of Science degree in Anatomy and Physiology from the Council of the Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, U.K., and a Kebbi State University of Science and Technology statement of results.
Oyo
The National Headquarters of Action Alliance (AA) said
that it had not been able to pick anybody as its candidate for any of the elective offices across the country.
Mr Kenneth Udeze, the National Secretary of the party, told newsmen in Ibadan that candidates of the party would be determined at a properly conducted primaries.
“As much as the party will fully participate in all the elections, candidates for all elective offices from states, national legislatures, governors and the presidency will be determined at a properly conducted party primaries,’’ he said.
Udeze said that those claiming to have picked anybody as the party’s flag-bearer must be out of tune with the national directive of the party.
He said that the Senate/House of Representatives primaries would be held on December 8; Governorship/State House of Assembly on December 9 and the National Convention on December 11.
Plateau
Sixty-one politicians, including Senator Joshua Dariye and
former Deputy Governor, Mrs Pauline Tallen, have formally returned to PDP in Plateau State.
Our correpondent reports that the returnees, who were received in style by Governor Jonah Jang, spoke through Mr Pam Gyang, Tallen’s running mate in 2011 governorship election, while in Labour Party.
Although Dariye and Tallen were not mentioned in the list of the few defectors called out, they were seated at the Nenfor Arena, Pankshin, in Plateau, where they were formally received by Jang and other party leaders.
“We are back in PDP and we have come to stay and not to leave again; PDP has been a progressive party and we have come to support it move forward.
“Most of us, the returnees, are founding members of PDP but defected due to one reason or the other but today, we are back home; there is no place like home, “ Gyang said.
Sokoto
Former Vice President and an All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has donated N 8.5 million to the party in Sokoto State.
Abubakar made the donation during his visit to the state as part of a nationwide campaign to woo the delegates to the party’s forthcoming presidential primaries.
Abubakar said that N5 million was given to the party to facilitate its activities; N1 million for the party’s elders while N2.5 million was for the 50 delegates from the state.
“My aspiration is never a do-or-die affair, but to stabilise the affairs and alleviate the suffering of the people in the country.”
Abubakar also said that the party’s presidential aspirants had already reached an agreement that whoever emerged after the primary elections will be given total support from all other members of the party.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State Government, says it spends N400 million
monthly to feed the 192 secondary school students in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the state’s School Feeding Board, Alhaji Atiku Maradun, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Gusau.
Maradun said the state government gave priority to secondary schools’ feeding as part of its efforts to improve secondary education in the state.
He added that the secondary school feeding programme had reduced the difficulties faced by parents in sponsoring their children in boarding schools and consequently increased the enrolment of students into secondary schools across the 147 wards in the state.

L-R: Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Strategy, Mr Lateef Ibirogba, wife of former Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Jakande and Chairman, Premier Lotto Ltd, Chief Keshington Adebutu, at the 2,600 days in office of Gov. Fashola, recently
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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