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L-R: Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Governor Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi State and Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State, during the National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Governor Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi State and Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State, during the National Economic Council meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

Adamawa
Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa, the Speaker, Adamawa State
House of Assembly, has dismissed alleged plans to impeach Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla.
Mijinyawa, during a special sitting of the House in Yola, described the alleged plan as “malicious’’.
“The attention of the House is drawn over false publication that members of the House are gathering signatures to impeach the sitting governor.
“The publication was purely a mischief from the enemies of the state who always wish us bad luck,” Mijinyawa said.
Similarly, the Chief Whip of the House, Mr. Hassan Burguma, condemned the allegation.
Burguma, at a news conference in Yola last Monday, also said that the House had never signed any document to impeach the governor.

Bauchi
Secretary, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bauchi
State, Rev. Vincent Bature,said Bauchi State Government has sponsored 185 of its members to Israel in 2015.
Bature made this known in Bauchi when state officials of the association paid a courtesy call on Governor Mohammed Abubakar of the state.
He commended the governor for the gesture which according to him “has become an annual event for the state government to give our members tickets.”
He called on the governor to fulfil some of his campaign promises especially his promise that Christian teachers would be recruited to teach moral lessons in primary schools in the state.
The secretary further called on the governor to appoint members of the association into vital positions when setting up his cabinet.
Ekiti
An hairdresser, Mrs Tina Agada, has approached an Ikole
Customary Court seeking for dissolution of her 6-year-old marriage to John Agada, over alleged brutality and lack of care.
In a suit filed before the court Tina alleged that the defendant was in the habit of beating her and always threatening to kill her.
She said the defendant who had not paid her bride price since they married six years ago, had no regard for her and the two children of the union.
She told the court that her husband never cared about the wellbeing of the two children nor paid their school fees.
Tina further said Agada always threatened to kill her whenever she refused to allow him to sleep with her.

FCT
A 37-year-old man, Samuel Uromi has been arraigned in a
Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on a three-count charge of mischief, extortion and stealing.
Uromi, a member of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), however, pleaded not guilty to the three- count-charge levelled against him.
The prosecutor, Mr Uromi, said that the accused committed the offences on December 11 at Area 1 Roundabout, Abuja.
He told the court that the complainant, one Jonah Agocha, reported the case against the accused at the Garki Police Station.
The prosecutor said that Uromi extorted money from Agocha, a commercial cab driver and robbed him of his belongings.
“The accused claims to be a member of the NURTW. He forcefully collected the car keys of the complainant and ran away with it to an unknown destination.
“The accused later returned to steal the car and N7, 200 inside it as well as damage the passenger side of the car while trying to escape,’’ Out said.
Kano
The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi, has ad
vised religious institutions and other organisations to refrain from acts capable of promoting violence in the country.
He gave the advice while receiving some members of the Shi’ite Islamic sect who visited him at his Palace in Kano on Monday.
The emir stressed the need for all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious or political inclinations, to desist from anything which could breach the peace in the country.
“The advice is necessary, especially now that the country is fighting insurgency,’’ he said.
The traditional ruler, who described the recent violence in Zaria as unfortunate, called on the people to always exercise restraint in order to ensure peace and unity in the country.
Katsina
All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker represent
ing Katsina Central Senatorial district at the National Assembly, Senator Ibrahim Kurfi has earmarked N10 million for the provision of free-eye treatment to no fewer than 5,000 less-privileged in Katsina State.
Kurfi spoke through his Personal Assistant, Alhaji Muntari Dabo, at the opening ceremony of the exercise held at the Katsina General Hospital, Katsina on Monday.
He said that some of the beneficiaries would be provided drugs and medicated glasses at the hospital.
The senator said that some would have to undergo surgery before they would regain their sights.
Kurfi said that he would provide feeding, transportation and accommodation for those that would undergo eye operations.
Lagos
The Federal Fire Service Controller in Lagos State, Mr
Aderemi Olusola, says the service saved property worth more than N26.4 billion from fire in the first half of this year.
Olusola also said that during the period, properties estimated at more than N10.7 billion were lost to fire incidents.
He told newsmen in Lagos that the estimate of saves and losses were based on information supplied by the property owners.
He said that between January and November 2015, the service responded to 247 fire incidents, adding that three lives were lost to the incidents.
The controller said that one person was rescued, while two of the fire service men sustained injuries.
Olusola said that fire incidents had been high during the “Ember’’ months due to excessive heat and harmattan.
Nasarawa
Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has an
nounced the appointment of Dr. Shehu Usman-Yamusa as Emir of Keffi.
Al-Makura made the announcement at a meeting with the state’s traditional council in Lafia following the death of the occupant of the stool, Mohammed Chindo-Yamusa on December 4.
He said the appointment was with effect from December 14.
He explained that the new emir, who is the son of the deceased, was appointed by the king makers of Keffi Emirate Council.
He added that the appointment came after a seven-day notice of the demise of the emir in line with extant laws and guiding instruments of the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
He said Usman-Yamusa of the Abdul-Zanga royal family scored five votes during the selection, while his opponent Mohammed Suleiman scored two votes.
Osun
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has presented
a budget proposal of N150.7bn for 2016 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly.
The Permanent Secretary, Budget & Economic Planning, Mr Segun Olorunsogo, presented the proposal on behalf of the governor.
He said the financial document was in line with the six point integral plan of the government.
Olorunsogo told the House that N113.1bn was for recurrent revenue, and N37.5bn was for capital receipts.
He said that personnel cost would take N33. 3bn while N12. 2bn and N37.1bn would be spent on overhead cost and consolidated revenue fund charges respectively.

Oyo
A Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan has dissolved the
43- year-old marriage between one Disu Onifade and his wife, Sherifat, over the latter’s quarrelsomeness.
Mr Ademola Odunade, the President of the court, stated that he was merely carrying out the wishes of the couple as an amicable settlement could not be made.
“In the interest of peaceful co-existence, the union between both of you has ceased to be henceforth.
“Onifade shall pay N2,000 to enable Sherifat pack her belongings,” he ruled.
Earlier in his petition to the court, Onifade said that his wife was quarrelsome even after divorcing and accepting her again.
Plateau
The United Nations (UN) said that it was partnering
Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN) Limited and some institutions in the country to train 500 insurgency victims on vocational skills.
Mr Matthew Alao, Conflict Prevention and Peace Building Analyst of UN Development Programme (UNDP) disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Jos.
Alao said the UN was carrying out the skills acquisition programme in big and standard institutions in the country to give the beneficiaries quality training which would enable them to begin new lives.
“Basically, we advertised for any available facility within the country where we can train these beneficiaries.

Sokoto
Authorities of some Federal Government institutions
in Sokoto say the schools have adopted proactive security measures against any threat to lives and property in the institutions.
A Principal of one of the schools told newsmen in Sokoto that the measures were necessary because of threats by some miscreants to attack the schools.
The Principal, Federal Science College, Sokoto, Mrs Rhoda Shekarau, said that the Federal Ministry of Education had directed all federal schools across the country to be on the alert.
Shekarau said that the college had responded to the government’s directive and established a well-coordinated security network, to avert any eventuality.

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

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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
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Asarama Kingdom Condemns Gruesome Murder of A Commercial Vehicle Driver

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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
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Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

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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.

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