Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency
(ADSEMA) says no fewer than 2,000 school-aged children of Internally Displaced Persons, have enrolled into the Safe School programme in the state.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr. Haruna Furo, who disclosed this to newsmen in Yola, said the initiative was part of the Federal Government’s special education package for the children of IDPs nationwide.
According to him, the programme is a collaboration between State Universal Basic Education Board, National Emergency Management Agency, and UNICEF.
He disclosed that the main objective of the programme was to ensure that the education of the affected children did not suffer any setback while living in the camps.
“Presently, the Safe School programme for children of IDPs in both primary and secondary schools had commenced in six designated camps across the state.
“Over 2000 children have enrolled in the programme and about 165 of them, already admitted into various Unity Schools and Colleges across the country.” Furo said.
Bauchi
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the North
East Zone has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to be fair to all Nigerians without religious prejudice or ethnic sentiment.
The Chairman of the association in the zone, Rev. Shuaibu Byal, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.
Byal said that the generality of Nigerians from different walks of life and without prejudice to religion and ethnicity voted for the president.
He said that it would be fair for the Buhari administration to consider every part of the country for appointment into the various political offices irrespective of religion, regional or ethnic differences.
“Appointments into political offices have always been based on ethnicity and religion in this country.
“Now that the long awaited change has come, Nigerians expect a shift from such predispositions.
“As Nigerians, we expect fairness and equity in appointments into political offices, particularly by ensuring a balance between the two major religions, to strengthen trust and confidence among us,’’ he said.
Ekiti
Former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr.
Olufemi Bamitile, said the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari would restore Nigeria’s lost glory.
Bamitile said this in his country home, Kuta in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State when he addressed a gathering of party faithful to celebrate the inauguration of President Buhari.
He commended the courage of APC supporters in the state and urged them to continue working for the success of the party.
FCT
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria
(HURIWA), an NGO, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to pay attention to police reforms and to wage total war against corruption and mass poverty.
National coordinator, HURIWA, Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, made this call in a signed statement made available to journalists in Abuja.
Onwubiko described the smooth civilian -to-civilian transition programme that took place on May 29 as unprecedented and successful.
He urged the new Federal Government to begin without further delay the comprehensive overhaul of the anti-graft machinery by appointing tested, trusted, fearless, incorruptible and competent persons to his cabinet.
The HURIWA boss stressed the need to appoint competent and qualified persons to head the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Commission (ICPC).
He said HURIWA believed that the current leadership of the two anti corruption agencies have compromised in very unpleasant dimension.
Gombe
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has
pledged to continue to pursue probity, transparency and accountability in running the affairs of the state.
He spoke while taking oath of office for a second term in office in Gombe administered by the State Chief Judge, Justice Akila Heman at the Pantami Stadium Gombe.
The governor promised to carry all stakeholders along to give them a sense of belonging.
He said the sporadic attacks from insurgents and the hosting of internally displaced persons from the neighbouring states affected by the crisis had negative impact on the lean resources of the state.
The governor, however, said his commitment and stringent fiscal management had led to the transformation of the state into a modern metropolis for other states to emulate.
Jigawa
Some persons displaced as a result of the Boko Haram
insurgency, have resorted to begging in major streets of Hadejia town in Jigawa, to fend for themselves.
Sources said that the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), comprising of women and children, roam the streets, offices, market places and other strategic locations, to beg for alms.
According to sources some of the IDPs were taking refuge in unoccupied stalls at Hadejia market, due to lack of approved camp in the area, while others, who migrated from Yobe and Borno states, as well as Niger Republic, were staying with relations in Hadejia town.
Hauwa Bakari, one of the displaced persons, said she was forced to beg to fend for herself and her three children.
Kano
Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, said that his
administration would employ female sanitary Inspectors to strengthen personal hygiene in many homes in the state.
Ganduje announced this in Kano while launching a campaign on “Keep Kano Clean” at the Gyadi-Gyadi dumping site in Tarauni Local Government Area of the state.
He said that the present administration would focus more on strengthening personal and environmental hygiene with seriousness, to keep Kano clean.
The female inspectors, he said, would go into houses to ensure that children and everyone in the house observed personal and environmental cleanliness, as it used to be.
He further said that sanitary inspectors would be posted to all markets and slaughter houses in the state, to oversee their activities, stressing that the new administration would not tolerate negligence in sanitation issues.
Kwara
An economist, Mr. Babatunde Salami, has blamed poor
economic management and unjustifiable high debt profile for the country’s failing economy.
Salami made the remark while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin.
According to him, it is pitiable that it may take about four or more years to offset the over N14 trillion loan borrowed by government.
He stressed that it was unimaginable that the level of development was not commensurate with the country’s debt profile.
Lagos
The Women Advocates Research and Documentation
Centre (WARDC) has urged the Federal Government to establish an Independent Electoral Offences Tribunal to address issues of electoral violence in the country.
The Executive Director of the centre, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, made the call at a joint media briefing with the International Foundation for Electoral System and the European Union on “Issues and Challenges of Post 2015 Election’’.
Plateau
Elder statesman and All Progressives Congress (APC)
chieftain in Plateau, Alhaji Yahaya Kwande, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to resort to the use of internal mechanisms in fighting corruption.
He told newsmen in Jos last Saturday that corruption was not a new thing in Nigeria as it predated the colonial era.
Kwande however said that the scourge of corruption escalated because institutional mechanisms for fighting it such as checks and balances in the various Ministry’s Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were relegated to the background.
He lamented that, in recent time, even commissioners and deputy governors were mere figures heads who acted on issues, including corruption among their staff, only on the directives of either the president or the governors.
Sokoto
Former VC Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Prof. Shehu
Riskuwa, has expressed confidence that the present administration would weed out Boko Haram insurgency.
Riskuwa told newsmen in Sokoto that President Muhammadu Buhari, being an army general, would come out with stringent security measures that would end the killings of innocent souls.
He said that Buhari had the political will to end the activities of the insurgents, hence the decision to relocate the military central command to Maiduguri showed that the administration was committed to tackling the insurgency.
He explained that ‘’ it has been part of his campaign to bring to an end the activities of the insurgents.

Secretary, Nuj, Fct, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche (left), presenting a nomination form for the post of the Nuj President to the National Secretary of the union, Mr Shu’Aibu Leman, on behalf of Mustapha Lamidi of the News Agency of Nigeria (Nan), during the submission of the form for Nuj Election in Abuja recently. With them are the contestant, Mr Mustapha Lamidi (2nd-right) and Chairman, Nan Chapel, Mr Felix Ajide.
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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