Nation
THE STATES
Jigawa
A Jigawa State based NGO, the Association for the Ad
vancement of Women in Nigeria (ASSAWIN), has distributed uniforms and books to 151 pupils in Hadejia.
The Director of the organisation, Hajiya Aisha Babangida, said this while distributing the items to the beneficiaries in Hadejia.
Babangida said that school uniforms, books, bags, shoes and other instructional materials were distributed to children selected from 20 primary and junior secondary schools in the area.
She said that the gesture was to encourage enrolment and retention in school.
“This is part of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) initiative to support the education of less privileged children.
“We had so far secured 36 birth certificates of children whose mothers could not do so following the death of their fathers,” she said.
Babangida explained that the organisation had also trained 40 mothers and children on various trades and provided them with economic strengthening equipment to enable them engage in productive activities.
Lagos
The Dredgers Association of Nigeria has urged the Na
tional Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to stop illegal dredging of sand in water ways across the country.
Executive Secretary of the association, Mr Richard Ntang, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
Ntang said the “reckless” sand excavation had made the depth of water ways irregular and dangerous for transportation and aquatic activities.
He said NIWA and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals should effectively tackle the problem, especially in Lagos State.
“Unlicensed operators have caused havoc to the even depth of nation’s waterways.
“Unsafe dredging activities pose threat to the safety of lives and the environment because it can cause a canoe or boat to capsize at will.”
Kano
The Kano State House of Assembly has passed into law
the 2015 Appropriation Bill of over N210 billion as proposed by the state government.
Speaking after the passage of the bill, the speaker, Alhaji Ali Danja, thanked the members for working tirelessly towards the passage of the bill in time.
He said its early passage would enable the state government to implement people-oriented programmes.
During the sitting of the house, the Speaker also announced the receipt of 2015 budget proposal for the 44 local governments in the state.
It would be recalled that on February 3, the Chairman of the House Committee on Budget and Appropriation, Alhaji Sule Bichi, presented the committee’s report on the budget proposal to the plenary.
Bichi said the amount was not altered after a thorough screening by members of the committee.
Kwara
The wife of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara STate,
Omolewa, has appealed to women in the country to imbibe healthy lifestyles to reduce the risk of having cancer.
A statement by Omolewa’s Press Officer, Mr Adeniyi Adeyinka, in Ilorin said she made the appeal to mark the World Cancer Day last Wednesday.
The statement said that women had been sensitised at the local level in Nigeria, especially on how to prevent breast and cervical cancers through public enlightenment.
“We are consciously providing basic screening centres in 28 communities spread across the geographical spread of Kwara,’’ it quoted her as saying.
The statement said the state had one of the most sophisticated diagnostic centres for cervical and breast cancer in Nigeria.
It urged all women to be conscious of living healthy lifestyles and to regularly go for checkup.
Nassarawa
Nassarawa State Universal Basic Education Board says it
has recently that it had not deducted the salary of primary school teachers to finance the election campaign of Governor Tanko Al-Makura.
The Executive Chairman of the board, Alhaji Abdulkarim Abdullahi said in an interview with newsmen in Keffi, that those peddling the rumour “do not wish the state well.”
He explained that the 20 per cent shortfall in the January salary of teachers of public primary schools in the state was due to reduction of funds received from the Federation Account.
Abdullahi, however, assured all teachers affected that the balance would be paid soon.
“I want to debunk claims in some quarters that the All Progressive Progress (APC) government in the state has deducted 20 per cent of primary schools teachers’ salaries to fund its campaign.
“This is not true; it is coming from those that do not wish the state well.
“I want to state, clearly, that the allegation is baseless, false and unnecessary as the board has not owed the salary of any teacher in the state.”
Niger
The Niger State Government says it will apply the full weight
of the law on anyone involved in political violence before, during and after elections.
The state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Alhaji Abdullahi Wuse, stated this after the Executive Council meeting in Minna.
He said government was worried by the wanton intimidation, destruction and threat by some people in the build up to the elections.
“Council members decry the manner of political activities by some unscrupulous people since the campaigns began.
“Various judicial measures are already in place in our statute books. Law enforcement agencies have been directed to arrest and prosecute perpetrators of violence of any kind.
“We appeal to parents and guardians of minors to warn their children and wards in order to avoid being prosecuted for their children’s actions’’, he said.
Ogun
The Ogun State Hospital in Sango-Ota may give mass burial
to 205 unclaimed corpses in 2014 by the end of this month, an official said.
Head of Mortuary Attendants, State Hospital, Ota, Mr Kunle Babalola, gave the indication in an interview with newsmen in Sango-Ota.
Babalola said that the hospital would follow the due process before the mass burial.
According to him, the unclaimed corpses in the hospital mortuary include 95 males, 85 females and 25 children.
Babalola said that there was a stipulated period of between six months and one year within which claimers could come for the corpses before declaring them unclaimed.
Ondo
The Ondo State Government has in Akure announced
that the state has not recorded any case of Avian Influenza (bird flu).
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Lasisi Oluboyo, told newsmen that the state government had taken measures to prevent the spread of the disease to the state.
Oluboyo explained that the major causes of the disease include heat, and unhygienic water given to the birds.
The commissioner said that the state had been fortunate as rain had fallen to mitigate the hot weather and provide more water for farmers.
“We have had rainfall this year, it is a good thing because some of the causes of the virus are heat and unavailability of clean water.
“We have enlightened our poultry farmers to provide adequate clean water for their birds and ensure that their vaccines are given regularly. Prevention is better than cure,” he said.
Osun
Osun State Government has warned the residents
against dumping refuse in drains and streams to avoid flooding.
Deputy Director, Water and Environmental Sanitation (WES), Mr Gabriel Odesanmi, Ife Central Local Government, gave the warning in Ile-Ife in an interview with newsmen He said that the rains that fell recently flushed out waste dumped inside gutters, thereby causing majority of roads in Ile-Ife to be littered with refuse.
He said that the sanitarians had been educating the masses on the need to maintain personal and environmental cleanliness.
“We have tried all efforts to sensitise the people on how to keep their refuse properly and maintain personal and environmental cleanliness, but they refuse to yield to simple correction.
Oyo
Two artisans, a bricklayer and vulcaniser, have lost their
lives in the process of evacuating a septic tank at Oremeji area, Mokola, Ibadan.
Our correspondent reports that the two men fell into the septic tank and died before help could get to them.
An eye witness, Mr Akamo Oladimeji, who identified the victims as Wasiu and Solomon respectively, explained that they were invited by the residents of the house to evacuate their septic tank.
Oladimeji said: “One of the deceased was trying to pour some chemicals into the soak-away before evacuation when he fell inside.
“While trying to rescue him, the second man fell inside as well.
“There was a third person with them but he escaped death because he had gone in search of a pumping machine they needed for the evacuation.”
Nation
Bikers, Others Grace Burial Of Rivers Philanthropist
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.
Nation
Security Guard Missing After Fence Demolition In PH
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.
Nation
OIU Protests Arrest Of Witnesses In Okon Aku Crisis Probe
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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