Nation
THE STATES
Kogi State Police Commissioner, Mr Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi (right), explaining a point to Governor Idris Wada (2nd-right), during his visit to the Police Headquarters in Lokoja last Monday. With them are the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Nasiru Yunusa (left) and the Personal Assistant, Mr Unekwu Sule.
Adamawa
The American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola has
created new study-abroad windows to enable highly motivated students to seek experience and active educational responsibility beyond Nigeria.
The University President, Dr Margee Ensign, announced the new windows in Yola last Thursday in a statement signed by Mr Daniel Okereke, the university’s Director of Communications and Public Relations.
Okereke quoted Margee as saying the windows would start in September.
He stated that “the Global Liberal Arts Alliance is an alliance of 27 liberal arts universities, including AUN, in 15 countries.
Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State said that the
Federal Government has taken over the funding of the 22 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in the state.
The governor said this while breaking Ramadan fast at the Yerwa Girls College IDP camp in Maiduguri.
A statement issued by Mallam Isa Gusau, the Special Adviser to Shettima on Communication and Strategy, stated that the governor commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the decision.
Gusau quoted the governor as saying that the funding began few weeks after the assumption of office of Buhari.
He quoted Shetimma as saying that the state had already started feeling the impacts of Buhari’s administration.
According to him, with the emergence of Buhari as president, the Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA,) has taken over so many responsibilities in the camps.
Ekiti
The Ekiti State House of Assembly has confirmed a re
tired teacher, Mrs Olubunmi Olayinka, three former legislators — Bisi Kolawole, Lanre Ogunsuyi and Kehinde Odebunmi as commissioners.
Others include the current Vice-Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti, Mr Taelolu Otitoju, as well as Mr Samuel Ayodeji, Mr Kolapo Kolade, Dr Olurotimi Ojo, Mr Olugbenga Olajide and Mr Victor Egunjobi.
Names of the nominees were presented by Governor Ayo Fayose and cleared by the 26-member PDP House at its plenary sitting held in Ado-Ekiti, presided over by the Speaker, Mr Kola Oluwawole.
The Leader of Business of the House, Mr Ekundayo Akinleye (Ijero), who moved the motion for screening and confirmation of the nominees, reminded them to comply with the Code of Conduct as regards declaration of their assets.
FCT
Former Director-General of the Raw Materials Research
and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Peter Onwualu, has urged universities nationwide to establish research centres in their faculties.
Onwualu, who is now a visiting professor to the National Universities Commission (NUC), told newsmen in Abuja that such centres would boost research and innovation.
“One other thing that needs to be done is to encourage the establishment of centres of excellence and research units within faculties. “In other words, in addition to traditional departments, you can actually have special institutes or special research centres that focus on key national problems”, he said.
Gombe
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Gombe State
has granted the request of the APC and its governorship candidate, demanding a forensic examination of documents used during the 2015 Governorship election.
Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Mathew Adewara, granted the request in his ruling on an application filed by the APC.
He said the tribunal would allow the forensic examination of the document to enable the petitioners (APC and its gubernatorial candidate) have necessary materials for the purpose of the presentation of their petition in the case.
The chairman, however, refused to grant the second request of the petitioners demanding for a recount of votes cast during the elections.
Jigawa
Some farmers in Hadejia, Jigawa State, have advocated
for introduction of modern preservation techniques to check spate of food poisoning.
A cross section of the farmers made the call in an interview with newsmen in Hadejia.
The farmers also called for a training programme to expose them to proper application of chemicals on agricultural produce.
Alhaji Abdulkadir Daudu, a bean grower, said the measure would encourage the use of safer techniques in food preservation.
Daudu said that poor farmer education and absence of such facilities were responsible for high cases of food poisoning.
Kano
The FRSC in Kano State has said that it had facilitated
the establishment of road safety clubs in 140 primary and secondary schools in the state.
The spokesman of the commission in the state, Kabiru Ibrahim, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kano.
He said the road safety clubs were established to sensitise students on road traffic rules and regulations.
‘’This is part of our renewed effort to ensure that road accidents are reduced on our highways through sensitisation carried out by the clubs.
‘’We want children who ride bicycles to school to have sense of sharing the road with other road users and to differentiate between right and wrong so as to avoid unforeseen accidents,’’ he said.
Ibrahim said the commission had also embarked on massive enlightenment campaign in secondary schools on national safety under its “ Catch Them Young Programme.’’
Lagos
The Lagos State Chapter of the Poultry Association of
Nigeria (PAN), has called on the state government to enact a law to compel poultry farmers to register with it.
The association’s General Secretary, Mr Olugbenga Ogunsetan, told newsmen in Lagos that such a move would enable the body to have a comprehensive data bank of its members.
Ogunsetan said that would help the association in its distribution of bird-cages to poultry farmers and to estimate the number of chicks and eggs produced by them annually in the state.
“As of now, there is no data base of poultry farmers in the state and so government needs to compel poultry farmers to register with the association. “A data base will help the association to interface with government for policy formulation,” Ogunsetan said.
Ogunsetan also said that the data would be collected from each local government area in the state. According to him “the data will give us the dimension of the farm holdings which will translate in the input to be used and that will help the industry.
Ogunsetan speaking further said that the current price increase and scarcity of eggs was because the poultry farmers were currently selling off their layers.
Plateau
Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria
(FRCN), Alhaji Ladan Salihu, has accused the international media of “worsening and prolonging the insurgency in the North-East’’.
“The international media unnecessarily prolonged the Boko Haram violence by its reckless approach that treated it as just a headline-grabbing conflict,’’ Salihu told newsmen in Jos.
According to him, the international media “deliberately refused to see the violence as an internecine conflict demanding all hands toward ending it’’.
He particularly accused the international media of “failing to give appropriate, fair and balanced reportage that will attract cohesive international attention to end the hydra-headed monster called terrorism’’.
Sokoto
An Islamic scholar, Sheikh Kabiru Gombe, has advised
youths to shun social vices and be responsible citizens.
Gombe gave the advice at a Ramadan fast commentary on the Holy Qur’an, held at Savanna Bank Mosque, Sokoto.
He said Islam promotes peace and urged young people to work hard and embrace religious tolerance.
The cleric also called on youths to adhere to the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Taraba
No fewer than 110,849 people are living with HIV and
AIDS in Taraba State, Mr Edward Ogenyi, National Coordinator, Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN), has revealed.
Ogenyi made this disclosure in Jalingo at the commencement of a five-day Demand Generation Activities for HIV and AIDS Service Uptake in Taraba State.
He said the activities marked the first phase of implementation of the President’s Comprehensive Response Plan (PCRP) for HIV and AIDS, funded by NACA/SURE-P HIV/AIDS Programme, launched in July, 2013.
Yobe
The Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety
Corps(FRSC) in Yobe State, Mr Yusuf Garba, has said the agency had no equipment to evacuate accident wreckages on highways in the state.
He told newsmen in Damaturu that vehicles involved in accident along highways in the state constituted threat to motorists.
“The sector does not have equipment to clear tankers, trailers and other long vehicles involved in accident and occupying portions of the highways. “Road users on the busy Kano-Maiduguri road are threatened by such vehicles, especially during rainy and when over taking,” he said.
Zamfara
The Malaria Action Programme for States (MAPS), an NGO,
says that 97 per cent of Nigerians are prone to malaria attack.
A consultant with the project, Mr Umar Garba, said this in Gusau while briefing stakeholders on the importance of using treated mosquito nets.
The consultant also said that the malaria scourge had resulted in the reduction of the nation’s annual GDP by one per cent.
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
