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Deputy Governor Martins Babale of Adamawa State (right) inaugurating the UNHCR Relief  Office in Yola recently. with him is the Assistant High Commissioner on  Refugees of UNHCR,Mr Volker Turk.

Deputy Governor Martins Babale of Adamawa State (right) inaugurating the UNHCR Relief Office in Yola recently. with him is the Assistant High Commissioner on Refugees of UNHCR,Mr Volker Turk.

Bauchi
The Director, Leprosy and Tuberculosis Control in Bauchi
state, Dr Yakubu Abdullahi, has advised parents to immunise new born babies with Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine to prevent Tuberculosis (TB).
Abdullahi gave the advice in an interview with newsmen  in Bauchi.
He said the diagnosis of tuberculosis in under- five children was often difficult due to the specimen collected from them.
He said that children could be diagnosed with the two various types of tuberculosis, which includes exposing the child to infected person and poor ventilation.
Other causes of the disease are overcrowding, malnutrition, immunity status, prolonged use of steroids and Cytotoxic drugs.

Gombe
The Gombe State Police Command has urged residents
of the state to be security conscious and prayerful during and after the Easter celebration.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mohammed Padah, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Thursday.
He said that the command had put measures in place to ensure protection of lives and properties of the citizenry.
“There is need for everybody to be security conscious while going about their normal businesses.
“ Adequate security has been put in place in conjunction with other security agencies in the state to ensure peace and security,’’ he said.

Kaduna
Governor Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State has pledged
to offer quality service to the people irrespective of historical, ethnic or religious orientation.
El-Rufai made the pledge in Kafanchan, shortly after the endorsement of a peace declaration by 29 communities in five local government areas of the state.
The Kafanchan Peace Declaration was at the instance of Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD).
“We recognize everyone as a citizen of Kaduna State and in accessing social services, have no regard for his or her historical, ethnic and religious orientation.
“ We as a government are pursuing an investment strategy anchored on our conviction that the private sector is the engine of job creation and growth.

Katsina
The member representing Katsina South Senatorial Zone,
Sen. Abu Ibrahim has commenced skill acquisition training for 1, 775 persons from the zone.
Speaking at Malumfashi Training Centre the scheme focal person, Malam Babanyara Mailikelike, said beneficiaries comprised men and women across all ages from the 11 local governments that made up the zone.
The focal person said that between 150 and 180 beneficiaries were selected from political wards in each of the 11 local government areas.
Mailikelike said beneficiaries were trained on production of soap, perfume and cream, livestock and poultry keeping, food and animal feeds processing as well as interior decoration.

Jigawa
The Jigawa Government has constituted an 11-member
committee to verify construction of township roads and payment of compensation to those whose structures would be affected by the projects.
Malam Isama’I Ibrahim, the Public Relations Officer, Office of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said this on Thursday while speaking with newsmen in Dutse.
Isama’I said that the SSG, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir, who inaugurated the committee, urged members to discharge their duties with the “fear of God’’.
The spokesperson said that aside from identifying the number of structures to be affected and pay compensation, the committee would also verify the authentic persons involved.
According to him, the committee will cost the compensation payments, and if possible, review the compensation rate.
Lagos
A 59-year-old businessman, Mr Joseph Olatunde, has
filed for divorce at an Igando Customary Court in Lagos State over his wife’s alleged shameful act.
Joseph, in his application, is seeking for the dissolution of his marriage to his wife, Kemi Olatunde , whom he said had gained a reputation as a street-fighter.
“My wife, who is a pastor, an evangelist, a church interpreter and women leader, fought with nine persons in a day in our street wearing only a bra and a tight.
“She fought from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., during which residents of the street were begging her to stop but she refused.
“ I also pleaded with her but she cursed and I was ashamed of myself.
“I had to take her pictures with my cell phone when she was fighting in the public with only the brassier covering her body and sent it to her family.” he said.

Nasarawa

A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Nasarawa
State, has ordered the remand of a student, Joseph Olowo, charged with trespass and attempted theft.
Olowo, 24, who resides at Mararaba, is facing a two-count charge of trespassing on private property and attempt to commit offence of stealing.
The judge, Mr Albert Maga, ordered the remand of the defendant following an oral application made by the prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Adaji.
Maga ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody till April 5 when his bail application would be considered.
Adaji had objected to the bail on the grounds that the defendant was not a first time offender and had a pending case of theft to which he was admitted to bail on March 11.
Earlier, the prosecutor had told the court that Ameh Emmanuel of Behind Kapda Market, Mararaba, reported the case at the ‘A’ Division Police Station, Mararaba, on March 18.
Ogun

More than 2,500 residents of Ogun have benefitted from
the free health initiative organised by the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari.
Our correspondent reports that the initiative included checking of Body Mass Index, screening of the eye and blood sugar level as well as distribution of free eye glasses and drugs.
The programme, which was meant to cater for 2,500 persons, saw more than 5,000 in attendance.
Speaking at the flagging off ceremony, Buhari said the programme was to cater for the health of young and old Nigerians.
The wife of the President, who was represented by Dr Abdulrahaman Kamal, said she had also organised similar initiatives targeted at women and children, particularly those hinterlands.
Ondo
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)
says its members will work with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to obey the new safety idea.
Mr Folajimi Akinifesi, the Chairman of NURTW in Ondo state, told newsmen on Thursday in Akure that FRSC officials had briefed them on the safety device.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia, says: “A speed limiter is a governor used to limit the top speed of a vehicle.’’
Akinifesi said: “Our members will comply with the speed limiter because it is a safety precaution to reduce frequent road mishaps.
“Most of the accidents are caused by speeding, reckless driving and careless overtaking.

Osun
The Osun House of Assembly said it was determined to
outlaw street trading and illegal markets in the state.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Najeem Salaam, said this at plenary in Osogbo during the consideration of a bill on street trading and illegal markets.
Salaam said it would become an offence for any person to engage in street trading or to operate an illegal market in the state once the bill was passed into law.
He said the law would ensure a clean environment, adding that this was one of the cardinal aims of the government.
Salaam, who noted that street trading had claimed many lives on the highways, added that the bill, when passed, would check this.
Sokoto

Head of the committee, Malam Lawal Maidoki said in
Sokoto that the gesture was to reduce burden on the poor and enhance their wellbeing.
He said, “the gesture is part of the monthly allocation being given by the state government to assist the less privileged among our society, to ease their suffering and ensure healthy and productive citizens.’’
The chairman explained that part of the money was used for the medication and rehabilitation of some mentally deranged persons.
Zamfara
An Islamic organisation, the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah
Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), says  it has spent more than N100 million on developing its Islamic Centre in Guzape District, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Sheikh Yusuf Rigachikun, the Deputy Chairman, National Ulama’u Council of JIBWIS, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Gusau.
Rigachikun said the N300 million worth project started last year when the organisation signed the project contract agreement with an indigenous construction company, Coxa Integrated Limited (CIL).
He explained that the centre was aimed at providing a befitting facility for Muslims in the FCT and the country at large for knowledge acquisition and other religious activities.

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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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