Nation
THE STATES
Ekiti
The Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose,
has advised parents to train their children in the way of the Lord as prescribed in the Holy Bible.
Fayose gave the advice while presenting gifts to the first and second new born babies of the year at the Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.
She congratulated the mothers and thanked God for granting them safe delivery and preserving the lives of the babies.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Kolawole Ogundipe, said that the first baby came to life at about 1:15 a.m. weighing 2.8kg and the second one came to life at about 1:50 a.m. weighing 3.8kg.
Jigawa
Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has
urged youth to be united and shun ethnic and religious divides for a prosperous country.
Lamido gave the advice when he received PDP youth from various platforms across the country that paid him a visit at his Bamaina village residence in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of the state.
He explained that youth were vanguard of change who should ensure the country remained one for the betterment of their future.
According to him, there were still some irresponsible elders who preached hatred to divide them, to remain relevant in power.
Kaduna
The Interim Chairman of Kaura Local Government Area, Mr
Alexander Iya, has escaped an attack in Kogoro when a suspected armed youth who stormed his residence was apprehended.
The chairman, who confirmed the incident to newsmen said the suspect came to his house around 11am carrying locally fabricated weapons demanding to see him.
“Upon sighting the security personnel at the house, he jumped over the fence and made straight to my compound.
“ The suspect demanded to see me but unfortunately for him, I was not at home,” he said.
Iya, said the suspect thereupon vandalised his vehicle before he was chased and arrested.
Kano
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has expressed
confidence in the ability of President Muhammad Buhari to tackle to current economic challenges in the country.
The governor said this in Kano in his New Year message to the people.
Ganduje, who spoke through the state’s Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Mr Mohammed Garba, also expressed optimism about year 2017, and prayed that it would be full of opportunities, blessings and happiness for all Nigerians.
He said the past year had indeed not been very smooth on account of the economic recession in the country.
Katsina
A joint committee of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria’s
Pastors in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State has urged Nigerians to ensure increased religious tolerance and embrace government’s anti-corruption efforts in good faith.
Addressing a special prayer session, the committee Chairman, Pastor Daniel Onyeka, urged Nigerians to live in peace with one another and engage in viable economic and social activities that would contribute to nation’s growth.
Onyeka described the economic recession facing the nation as a challenge, and urged Nigerians to ponder on their actions “to correct mistakes and avoid evils that attracted God’s wrath.”
He explained that the special prayer was organised for protection and success of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and also to ask for God’s blessings to ensure peaceful country to overcome security.
Kogi
Some unknown gunmen have abducted a traditional ruler
in Kogi State, a family source said in Lokoja.
The monarch, whose name was given as Alhaji Isah Achuja, the Ohi of Ajaokuta, was returning from Lokoja, the state capital, on Saturday when his vehicle was intercepted on the Lokoja-Ajaokuta Road at gunpoint and the ruler taken to an unknown destination.
A member of the royal family, who did not want his name in print, told newsmen that an aide to the traditional ruler and his driver narrowly escaped being hit by the bullets of the abductors.
Kwara
The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) has produced an
automobile speed limiter that could be used by any vehicle including jeep, car, bus and truck.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, disclosed this in Ilorin while speaking with newsmen.
Ambali noted that the feat was in response to the challenge thrown at institutions of higher learning in the country by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Nasarawa
Stakeholders in Akun Development Area of Nasarawa
State, have passed a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari, for the positive intervention made to boost infrastructure in the country.
The stakeholders, who met in Ogba, Nassarawa Eggon Local Government, said Nigerians needed to be more patient with the Federal Government in order to realise the positive change they desire.
The stakeholders were in Ogba to felicitate with the Overseer of Akun Development Area, Mr Moses Malle over the New Year.
They agreed that Buhari and Governor Tanko Al-Makura were doing well in the areas of infrastructure development, security, fight against corruption, peace promotion, among others.
Niger
The Niger Child Rights Protection Agency say it has so
far received 1,085 cases of child violations since its inception in November 2016.
Director-General of the agency, Mrs Mairam Kolo disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Minna, adding that parents, guardians, neighbours, community reported cases such as child neglect, physical, psychological, sexual abuses to the agency while the agency discovered some during its sensitisation campaign.
She said that some cases reported to the agency were referred to the police for proper investigation and others to the courts directly.
The director-general, however, commended the state Governor, Abubakar Bello, for establishing the agency as part of his political will to end violence against children.
Ogun
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has con
firmed the death of three persons in a road accident involving a black Honda CRV Jeep and a white DAF trailer in the Sagamu axis of the Lagos /Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
FRSC’s Sector Commander in the state, Mr Clement Oladele, gave the confirmation in an interview with newsmen in Sagamu.
He said that the accident could have been caused by overspeeding.
“The accident occurred around 2 pm and the rescue team were on ground to immediately manage the situation.
Osun
The Osun State House of Assembly has urged Nigeri
ans to be optimistic as the New Year will be a year of economic recovery.
The legislature gave the advice on Tuesday in Osogbo through a statement issued by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye.
Oyintiloye said the various programmes and policies which government had put in place would bring succour to Nigerians.
While acknowledging the tenacity and perseverance of Nigerians in the face of economic recession, he called on Nigerians to support government’s policies and programmes aimed at revamping the economy.
Oyo
The founder of the One Love Family sect, Satguru
Maharaji ji has called on the African Union (AU) to tackle the crises rocking some African countries before they get worse.
Maharaji ji made the call while addressing newsmen at the Satguru Maharaji ji Village in Ibadan.
The sect leader listed some of the affected countries as Zimbabwe, South Africa, Liberia, Gambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan.
He also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to empower the EFCC to obtain detailed information on constituency projects executed by the National Assembly since 2007.
Plateau
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), has lauded
road users in Plateau State for the low road crashes experienced during the Yuletide.
The Command’s Public Education Officer, Mr Andrew Bala, gave the commendation in an interview in Jos.
Unlike 2015 when high number of road crashes were recorded, only four road crashes were recorded during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.
Bala said that no life was lost in the crashes.
The public education officer attributed the success to the resilience and total commitment of the officers and men of the command.
Yobe
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDS),Yobe State command, says it will intensify intelligence, surveillance and protection to promote peace and security in the state in the New Year.
The Commandant of the corps, Dr Muhammad Fari, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu.
Fari said that the presence of NSCDC personnels in the 17 local government areas would scale up intelligence gathering and surveillance on movement of persons across the state to curb criminal activities.
He said the command would improve on proactive measures to check crime before they were committed.
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.
Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.
The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_
The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.
The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.
Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.
Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.
On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.
In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.
Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.
Amadi Akujobi
