Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Supporter of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari,
identified as Abubakar Duduwale , has set for a walk from Yola in Adamawa to Abuja.
He told newsmen in Yola on Saturday at the onset of the walk that the adventure was to express his joy over the emergence of Buhari as president-elect.
Duduwale, from Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa and Chamba by tribe, reportedly began the journey at Yola Gate on Yola-Numan highway at about 6:30 a.m.
He said he had wanted to start the journey a day after the Independent National Electoral Commission announced Buhari as a winner but somebody from Lagos pre-empted him.
“The reason why I am trekking from Yola to Abuja is to express my joy and solidarity with President -elect Muhammadu Buhari.
“I want to trek from Yola to Abuja to witness the inauguration ceremony of President elect, Duduwale said.
Borno
The Borno State Government has warned residents
in the state capital to desist from tapping electricity from street lights using generators.
The warning is contained in a statement signed by Alhaji Baba Sanda, the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Works.
The statement described the spate of vandalism and illegal connection of electricity in Maiduguri as disturbing and called on the people of the state to stop the trend.
“In spite of the concerted efforts being made to stop the illegal act, it has continued.
“That is why we have intensified efforts and patrol to ensure that anyone caught in the act faces the wrath of the law,’’ the statement said.
It also said that measures had been put in place to deal with persons caught tampering with all government facilities in the state.
FCT
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Friday
said it would take stringent measures to check the activities of scammers that were swindling unsuspecting job seekers of large sums of money.
Mr Gboyega Fola-Kayode, Special Assistant to the Comptroller-General of the service, Mr David Parradang, said this during an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Fola-Kayode, who spoke for the comptroller-general, was reacting to a case of job scam reported by one of the 2015 recruitment applicants.
He said Parradang condemned the incident, saying that a lot of Nigerians had been swindled of large sums of money by scammers with promise of fake employment into various agencies and parastatals of government.
Kano
Kano State Task Force Sanitation Committee, has
shut down the Unguwa Uku slaughter house in Kano due to very poor sanitary condition.
Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, told newsmen that the action was taken after “several warnings over the past few months”.
Abbas who doubled as the State Commissioner for Environment said two local governments were responsible for the slaughter house.
Abbas, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Bello Bari, explained that the committee had written to Kumbotso and Tarauni local councils to reconstruct drainage at the abattoir but were yet to comply.
He said that the present drainage was done without expert advice.
The committee said that the slaughter house was closed to safeguard the lives of residents.
Katsina
Katsina State Governor-elect, Aminu Masari has
promised to provide free education and healthcare services for the benefit of orphans in the state.
Masari made the promise in Katsina on Saturday while donating food items to the Katsina Orphanage Home.
He said that his administration would continue to feed the orphans free of charge on a daily basis.
The governor-elect said that the gesture was part of his efforts to improve the living condition of people in the state, particularly the less privileged in the society.
“My administration will do everything possible to cater for the need of such children so that they will grow up to be responsible people in the society.
Kebbi
Members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC)
in Kebbi State on Friday elected Malam Murtala Usman, as the new Chairman at its triennial delegates conference held in Birnin Kebbi.
The Returning Officer for the conference, Mr Kafas Dogonyaro, said that Usman polled 603 votes against the incumbent Chairman, Alhaji Sadiq Kao’je, who garnered 437 votes.
The other officials elected as ex-officio included Malam Samaila Sawwa, Malam Aminu Kangiwa and Malam Abubakar Danladi.
Dogonyaro also announced that other officials of the NLC that were returned unopposed included Malam Yunusa Musa,Vice Chairman; Malam Tasiu Lawal,Vice Chairman; Malam Umar Kalidu, Treasurer and, Malam Abubakar Umar, Auditor.
Kaduna
The Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, has advised
the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen anti corruption laws in the country to make it easier to prosecute offenders.
The Managing Director of the foundation, Justice Mamman Nasir, made the appeal at a news conference in Kaduna.
Nasir said fighting corruption would require laws that would make it difficult for people to be corrupt and easier to prosecute.
Nasir, who is also a former president, Court of Appeal said, “Our laws must make corruption difficult to perpetuate but easy to logically prosecute persons accused of corruption.”
He also called for the strengthening of the nation’s security forces to make them well informed and committed to protecting the country’s constitution.
Lagos
The Lagos State Government on Friday said it res
cued no fewer than 62 babies abandoned across the state in the last one year.
The Permanent Secretary in the Office of Youths and Social Development, Dr. Adesegun Oshinyinka, gave the figure at a news conference in Ikeja.
He said that 34 of the babies were male, while 28 were female.
The permanent secretary said that the babies had been taken to some registered orphanages where they were being given adequate care.
Ondo
The Ondo Government has banned the production
and consumption of locally-made gin, commonly called ‘ogogoro‘ in the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Akinyanju, announced this at a news conference in Akure on Saturday.
The commissioner attributed the ban to the outbreak of an unknown disease two weeks ago in Irele Local Government Area of the state.
“Our clinical analysis reveals the fact that there were no known viruses, while toxicology reports have confirmed our prime suspicion of methanol poisoning.
“We have reviewed our strategies and embarked on sensitisation to let people know that locally-made gin is prohibited.
Osun
Assemblyman Busola Adeyeni representing Ife-East
in Osun has pleaded with Nigerians who are living in other countries to invest in their country.
He made the plea in an interview news on Saturday in Ile-Ife.
Adeyeni expressed concerns about the attitudes of some Nigerians abroad who, somewhat, abandoned and neglected their home country just for mere luxury of living.
He also urged them to always come home to celebrate annual festivals which he said could give them the opportunity to interact and make investment plans.
“It is not a crime to be a sojourner in a foreign land but it is a crime not to have a foresight for the future,’’ he said.
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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