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THE STATES

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Adamawa
Rep.Adamu Kamale of Madagali/Michika Federal Con
stituency has said that Madagali Local Government Area is the worst affected by insurgency in the state.
Kamale told newsmen in Yola that Madagali was now a ghost of its former self and needed urgent government attention, particularly in areas of security and relief supply.
He lauded the effort of the Presidential Committee on North East and other intervention groups for their effort in rebuilding areas affected in Adamawa, and called for priority to be given to Madagali.
The lawmaker said that sufficient funding was being expected in 2017 budget for rehabilitation and reconstruction work in North East.
Bauchi
The National President, Association of Muslim Pro
fessionals (AMP), Alhaji Zakariya Ajiboye, has advocated extending membership to non member states in order to impact positively on the larger community of the Muslims.
Ajiboye said this during the association’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Bauchi.
He said that through expansion of chapters, more professionals would be captured on the platform, adding that this would aid the association towards spreading the knowledge of Allah.
It also agreed that Rivers and Edo states in the South as well as Lagos in the Western region would work towards achieving this extension of membership.

Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State has called
for prosecution of persons who allegedly diverted 50 bags of rice meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
Shettima gave the directive in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Isa Gusau, in Maiduguri.
The directive followed reports that hundreds of IDPs apprehended some officials of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency for alleged theft of food stuff meant for their upkeep.
”Four officials were said to have been arrested by the police after IDPs held them.’’

Ekiti
A housewife, Mrs Olabosede Oke, has prayed an Ado-
Ekiti Customary Court to dissolve her 20-year-old marriage over alleged constant beating by her husband.
Forty-two-year –old Olabosede, a resident of Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti, told the court that her husband, Segun, beat her each time she requested for feeding allowance.
She also said that Segun was not interested in the welfare of their six children.
Responding, Segun denied the allegations, saying that he had never beaten his wife.

FCT
The National Council of Women’s Societies has congratulated its own, Mrs Amina Mohammed, who was appointed the new Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.
The statement signed by the NCWS National President, Mrs Gloria Shoda, said Mohammed’s appointment should not come as a surprise to people who know her worth.
The council indicated that the appointee possesses inherent capabilities to see her through the new responsibility, adding that her record of impeccable and meritorious service to Nigeria and the United Nations also stands her out.
Shoda said that the development was a reaffirmation of the global community’s confidence in Nigeria and its commitment to enhancing the status of the female gender.

Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government says it has earmarked
N14 million for the conduct of the 31st Qur’anic Recitation Competition in the state.
The Executive Secretary, Islamic Education Bureau, Dr Yakubu Abbas, disclosed this at the opening ceremony of the competition in Dutse.
Abbas said that the exercise was organised by the Jigawa State Ministry of Education.
He explained that 324 students were currently participating in the competition.

Kaduna
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu,
Maj-General Adamu Babayo-Abubakar has said that the Nigerian Army will continue its high academic standard in all its institutions across the country.
Babayo-Abubakar said this in an interview with journalists shortly after he represented the Chief of Army Staff at the 75 Regular Recruits Passing Out Parade at the Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The GOC said: “We in the Army, have zero tolerance for indiscipline, just as you can see, here in the depot, those that we felt have not met up with our standard by way of deeds, discipline and character are shown the way out.
On insurgency in the North-East, Babayo-Abubakar said that the Army was doing very well in collaboration with neighbouring countries like Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Kano
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corrup
tion Commission, has recovered more than N1.150 billion cash, movable and immovable property between 2015 and 2016.
The Executive Chairman, Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Malam Muhuyi Rimingado disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Rimingado said the commission has recovered several moveable and immovable property located in different parts of the state, adding that many individuals are under investigation by the commission.
According to him, the commission had received more than 1,486 complaints this year on different aspects of life that involve corruption, contractual and marital disputes.

Kogi
Kogi State Coordinator of Small Scale Women Farmers
Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) Hajia Safiya Yahaya, has urged the Federal Government to provide adequate security to check raping and killing of women farmers by herdsmen and militants.
Yahaya, who made the call at the 2016 Annual Women Farmers Forum in Lokoja, said there was need for government to ensure security as well as provide trauma healing programmes for women farmers in crisis affected areas.
She said that the call had become necessary now because, “any moment from now the Anchor Borrowers Programme will start but what has the government done to address the menace of herdsmen who rape and kill our women on the farms.”

Kwara
An lslamic Cleric, Shekh Muritala Agaka, has advised Nige
rians to be more prayerful so that the nation could overcome the economic recession currently being experienced in the country.
Agaka gave this advice while delivering a lecture at the Maoulud Nabbiy for Prophet Mohammed organised by Nuru Shuadahi Society of Nigeria in llorin.
The event, which took place at Salman Saruq Onilu Mosque in Oko-erin, featured special prayers for the nation, sermons and rendition of various lslamic songs.
He urged Nigerians regardless of religious inclinations, tribe or ethnicity to further intensify prayers for the country to overcome its problems.
Lagos
No fewer than 25 industrial unions have elected Mr Joe
Ajaero as President of a new labour centre, United Labour Congress (ULC).
The unions elected Ajaero, the general secretary of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), at the ULC maiden delegates conference in Lagos.
The new labour centre emerged after a two-year internal crisis that split the Nigeria Labour Congress.
Ajaero, who was elected unopposed, said that ULC would fight for the interest of workers and ensure a more equitable Nigeria where workers’ dignity and the work place would become less prone to impunity.

Nasarawa
A member representing Doma South Constituency in the
Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Mr James Dangana, has distributed clothing materials worth N1.8 million to his constituents for Christmas/New Year celebration.
Dangana (APC), who is also the chairman, House Committee on Information, said the gesture was to assist the people celebrate the two festivals.
According to him, giving arm to the people will go a long way in improving their standard of living during and after they yuletide for the overall development of the communities.
He also said that 20 cows had been bought to be slaughtered and distributed for the enjoyment of the communities during the period.
Niger
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has as
sured Nigerians of adequate security before, during and after the Christmas and New Year festivities.
Idris spoke at the 8th annual Nupe Day celebration in Bida, headquarters of Bida Local Government area of Niger.
He said that already, operational order had been issued to the commissioners of police in the 36 states and FCT on how to provide protection for the citizenry during the period.
The I-G urged Nigerians to assist the police with necessary information that would help in checkmating crime during the celebrations.
Osun
Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Ojo, has freed 16
inmates of both Ile-Ife Prisons and Ilesa Prisons awaiting trial.
Three inmates regained freedom at the Ile-Ife Prisons while 13 inmates from the Ilesa Prisons on grounds of overstaying in prisons, ill-health and minor offences.
The released inmates from Ilesa Prisons were Monday Effiong, Tunde Olalekan, Adekunle Idowu, Abu Bello, Gbenga Aroko, Lateef Bamidele and Raphael Akinlabi, 80-year-old Oyedeji Aisha, Ezekiel Igwe, Adebare Monsuratu, Aliu Ishaka and Samuel Olaoye.

Oyo
An early morning fire outbreak has razed some parts of
Araromi Market at Agodi Gate, Ibadan, where used tyres and motor parts worth over N10 million were destroyed.
Mr Abdul Azeez Ojo, Chairman of the market,  said that the inferno began at about 5.30 a.m. last Sunday.
According to him, the Fire Service was alerted and they responded promptly.
Ojo, however, said a sizeable number of shops equipped with tyres and other goods were razed before the arrival of the fire fighters at about 6 a.m.

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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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