Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

March 27, 2015

Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State (left) with Catholic Archbishop of Jos Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama, at the Funeral Mass in Honour of 2nd Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Bauchi, Late Bishop John Malachy at St. John Catholic Cathedral in Bauchi yesterday.

Adamawa

The Adamawa State command of the Nigeria Immi
gration Service last Wednesday, met with the leaders and representatives of ECOWAS and other African nationals in the state over Saturday’s elections.
Addressing the leaders, the Comptroller, Mr Ubi Nkanu, urged them to warn their members to steer clear of the elections.
Nkanu said any foreigner caught trying to vote or participate in the election would be dealt with, adding that some illegal aliens were recently caught with voters’ cards and had since been deported.
He said that the command had mobilised its men to ensure that no foreigner voted during the elections.
Nkanu said Nigeria’s borders would remain closed during the elections and urged everyone to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding.

Benue

The Benue State Police Command has denied ar
resting innocent citizens ahead of the March 28 and April 11 elections.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Austin Ezeani, made the denial in an interview with newsmens in Makurdi.
The spokesman, who was responding to complaints by residents over alleged arbitrary arrest by the police, said the raid was targeted at criminals and not to victimise anybody.
According to him, the raid is based on privileged information and innocent persons would be released after thorough screening.
“The operations has yielded positive results as the police have recovered arms and illicit drugs, especially cannabis sativa, charms and stolen vehicles”.

Borno

Senator Mohammed Ndume has expressed optimism
that the military will liberate Gwoza from Boko Haram insurgents very soon.
Ndume (APC-Borno South) stated this during a chat with newsmen in Maiduguri.
He said the military had demonstrated high sense of patriotism in its recent anti-terrorism war.
“In the last five weeks, the military had performed creditably by reclaiming 22 communities from the insurgents.
“I believe that the remaining communities will be reclaimed in the shortest possible time.
“Gwoza, which is the strong hold of the insurgents, will be reclaimed any moment from now, going by recent developments.
“I think that the soldiers deserve commendation for what they are doing’’, Ndume said.

Ekiti

Ahead of the elections, traditional rulers in Ekiti on
Wednesday assured NYSC members to be used as INEC ad-hoc staff of their safety.
The monarchs gave the assurance when a team of the NYSC management led by the State Coordinator, Mr Chidube Ibeh, visited some of the monarchs.
Our correspondent reports that NYSC team visited the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, Arinjale of Ise-Ekiti, Oba Adetunji Ajayi, and the Elemure of Emure, Oba Adebowale Adebayo.
Other monarchs visited were the Oluyin of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Ademola Ajakaye, and the Regent of Ikere-Ekiti, Ayooye Adegboye.
Addressing the team in their palaces, all the monarchs visited described Ekiti people as peace-loving who would never do anything that would endanger the lives of the corps members.
FCT

Director-General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency
(NiMet), Dr Anthony Anuforom, said the agency was committed to building climate knowledge required for action through the automation of its climate observatories.
Anuforom said this while addressing newsmen during activities marking the 2015 World Meteorological Day with the theme, ‘Climate Knowledge for Climate Action’ in Abuja, recently.
He said that NiMet had embarked on the automation of its observatories around the country, to enable it to provide climate knowledge for climate action, with six locations currently on the test run.
Anuforom said the theme of the year was timely and apt, following the completion and inauguration of NiMet’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centre.

Gombe

The Minister of Transport, Sen. Idris Umar, has called
on the electorate in Gombe state to eschew violence in the upcoming elections.
Umar made the appeal while speaking with newsmen in Deba, headquarters of Yamaltu/Deba local government area of the state on Wednesday night.
He advised the electorates to conduct themselves orderly to have peaceful polls.
“Well, we thank God, the elections are here on Saturday the 28th of March this year and of course, on the 11th of April of this year.
“My message to the people of Gombe state and Nigeria as a whole is that we should conduct ourselves orderly during the elections so that have peaceful conduct of the elections,” he urged.

Lagos

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, has urged
voters not to make trouble as they wait behind to defend their votes after casting their ballots.
Fashola spoke at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Somolu area of the state.
He emphasised that there was no law prohibiting the electorate from staying behind at the polling units after voting.
“Some people have said that you should not stay near the polling units after voting; that is untrue.
“Let me tell you something, election is governed by law; I am saying this because I am not just a lawyer but a leader in the legal profession.
“There is nothing in the electoral law that stops you or prohibits you from staying at the polling units to defend your votes.

Ogun

A 23-year-old taxi driver, Tosin Olayinka, has been arraigned before an Abeokuta Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing the belongings of his passenger and a tyre.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Eigbejiale told the court that the accused committed the offences on February 26 and on March 4 at 66 Majekodunmi Street, Iberekodo, Abeokuta.
He said the accused stole the handbag of one Felicia Obasa containing N58,000 when she (Obasa) boarded Olayinka’s taxi on her way to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.
Eigbejiale said the accused also stole the front tyre of a taxi owned by one Dauda Fasasi.
He said the tyre cost N8, 000.
The prosecutor said: “the accused is a habitual criminal who disguises as a taxi driver; he is fond of carrying passengers to different destinations after assessing their belongings.

Plateau

The Pankshin local government council in Plateau said
it had executed projects worth more than N500 million since its inception last year.
The Supervisory Councilor of Works, Mr. Emmanuel Danboyi said this in an interview with newsmen in Pankshin.
“I assure the people of this area that with more funds, the council would execute more projects, “ Danboyi said.
He listed some of the projects to include: a Township Stadium; boreholes/hand Pumps and roads/culverts.
Others are: 23km Mile V-Nyelleng-Wuseli road; 10 km Llankan-Abwor Dyis road and Wuseli and Tal bridges.

Sokoto

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in
charge of Zone 10, Alhaji Bala Hassan, has said that the police are ready to provide security during Saturday’s presidential election in the zone.
The zone comprises Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Hassan told newsmen in Sokoto that an effective operational order on how to provide security at each of the polling units had since been made and issued to the commissioners of police in the area.
He said that the police commands had embarked on “operation show force” with other security agencies to show their preparedness for the elections.

Nation

Rumuaholu Community Denies Land Grabbing Allegations, Accuses Obio/Akpor Chairman of Interference in Land Dispute

Published

2 days ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ekeanyanwu family of Rumuaholu Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has strongly refuted allegations of land grabbing levelled against it, describing recent media reports as false, misleading, and deliberately fabricated.

The family made its position known during a press briefing held on Wednesday at the residence of Dr. Colonel Ogwumerum Eke in Rumuaholu. The briefing was attended by community leaders, stakeholders, and family representatives.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Dr. Eke dismissed claims attributed to the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Gift Worlu, which allegedly labelled the family as land grabbers. He described the allegations as baseless, frivolous, and lacking any factual foundation.

According to Dr. Eke, the Ekeanyanwu family remains the legitimate owner of the parcel of land known as Ohia Agbada, comprising approximately 6,000 plots situated along the Obiri-Ikwerre Airport Road corridor. He further maintained that Victory Estate, located within the disputed area, belongs exclusively to the Ekeanyanwu family and not to the Rumuosi Community as claimed by the council chairman.

Dr. Eke stated that ownership of the land had been affirmed by the courts, citing Case No. CCC/22/2015 at the Choba Customary Court. He explained that while the suit was instituted against another family in Rumuaholu, the Rumuosi Community sought to be joined in the matter but their application was rejected by the court.

He further disclosed that the family currently holds 15 subsisting court judgments in its favour relating to the disputed land, including judgments from the Customary Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal.

The family spokesman alleged that the Obio/Akpor council chairman, in collaboration with the local Anti-Land Grabbing Committee, was attempting to undermine the court decisions and dispossess the family of its land through what he described as “backdoor means.”

Dr. Eke accused the chairman of assuming the role of an appellate authority over matters that had already been conclusively determined by competent courts.

Expressing concern over recent developments, he alleged that individuals acting under the influence of the council chairman had destroyed properties worth millions of naira within Victory Estate. He described the action as a direct affront to existing court judgments and the rule of law.

Displaying copies of court judgments during the briefing, Dr. Eke questioned the rationale behind branding judgment creditors as land grabbers, insisting that those challenging the court rulings were the real offenders.

He called on members of the public to disregard what he termed misleading radio announcements purportedly made by the council chairman and urged government institutions and security agencies to uphold the sanctity of court judgments.

Also speaking at the briefing, Elder Prince Ndaokani, Principal Oji Owhor of Rumuaholu Community, supported the Ekeanyanwu family’s claims. He maintained that the disputed land originally belonged to Dr. Eke’s late father, who, according to Ikwerre native customary law, acquired ownership through the clearing and development of the land.

However, the allegations were dismissed by the Chairman of the Obio/Akpor Anti-Land Grabbing Committee, Chief Alex Wali, who responded on behalf of the local government council.

Chief Wali declined to engage directly with the claims made by Dr. Eke, stating: “That man cannot be gifted with our valued response to his tirades. People like that should not be in public but should be rotting in jail for heinous crimes against humanity.”

He maintained that nothing would prevent the council chairman from carrying out his constitutional responsibilities as the chief executive and chief security officer of the local government area.

According to him, the protection of lives and property remains a fundamental responsibility of government at all levels, and the council would continue to discharge its duties in that regard.

The dispute is the latest chapter in a long-running land ownership controversy in the area, with both sides maintaining opposing claims over the disputed property.

By Akujobi Amadi

Nation

Asarama Kingdom Condemns Gruesome Murder of A Commercial Vehicle Driver

Published

2 days ago

June 12, 2026

The Tide

The Asarama General Assembly in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has condemned the gruesome murder of a commercial vehicle driver by some identified criminal elements in the community.

It would be recalled that on Thursday the 28th of May 2026, the kingdom was thrown into mourning, following the gruesome murder of a commercial vehicle driver by some criminal elements

The Assembly which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also called for the establishment of a Mobile police and police anti cultism departments at the Asarama Police Division.

The Okangh Ama /Paramount Ruler of Asarama kingdom HRM king Appolus J Nteijaewaye who read the text for the briefing onbehalf of The Asarama General Assembly at the briefing said the community condemned in totality the gruesome incident.

He said the kingdom also extends its condolences to the bereaved family of the murdered driver, stressing that as a kingdom it would leave no stone unturned to ensure that such an incident never occur within it’s territorial space again.

The General Assembly also commended the prompt intervention of the Nigerian police Force which led to the arrest of some members of the criminal gang, adding that even though the crime was committed at Asarama, some of those allegedly involved were not indigenes of Asarama kingdom.

“As a kingdom we use the sober moment of this unfortunate incident to further commend the prompt reaction of the leadership and men of the Nigeria Police Force in Rivers state that led to their effective results aimed at eliminating criminality and deterring the evil ones in our society “

The Community also described the incident as a pointer to the level of vulnerability of not only Asarama kingdom but the entire society, against the background that the sanctity of life ought to be sacred and protected by individuals, groups, communities and governmental institutions”

Meanwhile ,The Asarama General Assembly has called for the establishment of a Mobile Police as well as police anti cultism departments at the Asarama Police Division

It said this has become necessary inview of the strategic location of the kingdom as a gateway to the rest of Andoni communities and Opobo -Nkoro Local Government Area.

“Owing to the peculiarity of our geographical location especially the amphibious nature of Asarama kingdom, intricately linked with its neighbouring inter ethnic Ogoni and Opobo -Nkoro Local Government Areas in general and intra Andoni communities in particular, the relevant authorities should urgently approved special mobile police force,Anti cultism and Marin units to be attached to the Asarama Divisional headquarters”

The kingdom also decried the continuous neglect of the Asarama police Division, since it’s establishment adding that the division up till date,does not have a single firearm as well as enough personnel

It said this situation has exposed the community to activities of criminal elements.

“The sordid state of the only security outfit that ought to police our territory and beyond now seems to complicate the delicate insecurity that we are already exposed to, first as a nation and second as a people inhabiting an intricate amphibious gateway kingdom

“Consequently we hereby cry to the appropriate authorities to urgently equip the Asarama Divisional Police headquarters with adequate men arms and ammunition “the Community said.

John Bibor

Nation

Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

2 weeks ago

June 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.

Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.

The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.

“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.

Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state

He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.

“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.

While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.

He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process.

Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.