Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Malam Ahmad says that, the state government Sajoh, has set up a High Powered Committee to resuscitate all skills acquisition centres in the state.
Sajoh, told newsmen, Thursday in Yola that the decision was taken at the State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.
Sajoh said that, the committee had Gov.Bindow Jibrilla as chairman with some commissioners and some stakeholders in empowerment and poverty alleviation as members.
“The new focus of this government is youth empowerment, we are reappraising the skills acquisition centres.
“We have taken it so seriously that council has set up a High Powered Committee with the Governor as the Chairman and Chief of Staff to the Governor as Vice-Chairman.
Benue
The National Population Commission (NPC), last Thursday said, it has started the third phase of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) in Benue State for the 2018 National Population Census.
Mrs Patricia Kupchi, NPC Federal Commissioner in Benue, told newsmen in Makurdi that, the exercise started in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.
She said that, enumerators would move round communities in the area to number and divide houses into enumeration areas, using satellite maps.
According to her, the exercise is aimed at dividing the enumeration areas into smaller units for effective census coverage.
FCT
Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama says, Nigeria is in need of about one billion dollars (N314.8bn) for recharging of drying Lake Chad.
The minister told newsmen last Wednesday in Abuja that the fund would also take care of the humanitarian needs of persons affected by Boko Haram insurgency in North East Nigeria.
Onyeama said that, an international conference of donor countries and agencies has been scheduled in Oslo, Norway, to raise the funds on February 24.
He said the conference was being put together with the support of Germany and Norway, who galvanised the international community to support Nigeria’s efforts in addressing its humanitarian challenge.
Jigawa
Director of Jigawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Shehu Sambo, last Thursday said, 3,260 children below the age of five in the state had died of malnutrition between 2010 and 2016.
Sambo disclosed this in a paper presentation on overview of Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition at the ongoing advocacy meeting on management of severe acute malnutrition by UNICEF, Bauchi field office.
He explained that, 36,271 out of 280,980 children admitted within the period under review were defaulters who did not complete treatment, hence some of them might have died thereafter while 20,226 of them were cured.
The Director noted that, it was worrisome that over 800 children died of malnutrition in the state in 2016 alone.
Katsina
The Katsina State Government says it has earmarked N12.3 billion for the completion and rehabilitation of some dam projects to boost water supply and irrigation in the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Abdullahi Imam, said this during a news conference on Thursday in Katsina.
He said N5 billion had been set aside for the completion of Zobe water supply project in Dutsin-ma Local Government Area of the state.
Imam said that, when completed, the project would improve water supply to Kankia, Charanchi, Bindawa, Rimi Batagarawa and Katsina Local Government Areas.
“Government also sets aside N3 billion for the regional water supply in Danja Local Government Area to boost water supply and irrigation, particularly tomato and sugarcane production.
Kano
Kano State Executive Council has approved N780 million for the continuation of projects in various sectors in the state.
The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, made this known while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting on Thursday in Kano.
Garba explained that, N60 million was approved for the procurement of chairs and desks for schools by the Ministry of Education.
Garba also said that, 37 junior secondary schools would be upgraded to Senior Secondary Schools and 66 new Junior Secondary Schools would be constructed.
Kogi
Kogi State House of Assembly last Wednesday in Lokoja passed the 2017 appropriation bill of N174.8 billion for the fiscal year.
The bill, passed during special plenary sitting in Lokoja, was based on expected revenue of N174.8 billion and an expenditure of same figure, giving it a balanced outlook.
The budget is made up of Recurrent Revenue of N81.66 billion and Capital Receipts of N93.18 billion as well as Recurrent Expenditure of N58.531 billion and Capital Expenditure of N116.320 billion, amounting to N174.851 billion.
Passage of the Appropriation Bill followed the adoption of report of the Assembly’s Committee on Appropriation and Budget Monitoring as well as clause-by-clause consideration by the Committee of the Whole during the special sitting.
Kwara
The Kwara State Government has earmarked N3.2billion for the take-off of two new campuses of the Kwara State University (KWASU) to be sited in Osi and Ilesa-Baruba.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Alhaji Babatunde Ajeigbe, disclosed this on Thursday during a news conference on the outcome of the State Executive Council’s meeting held on Wednesday, February 22.
The briefing was also attended by the Special Adviser to the governor on Legal Matters, Mr Suleiman Atolagbe, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA), Dr Muideen Akorede and the Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba.
Ajeigbe said, the N3.2 billion was for the construction of roads, students’ hostels, lecture theatres, offices and water reticulation for the two campuses.
Lagos
The raid of Sango Ota Rice Garage last Tuesday night by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) sent “shivers down the spines” of Alaba Rago market rice sellers in Lagos.
The sellers, who expressed fear of a raid by officials of the Customs Service, had adopted more strategies to woo customers.
Some of the sellers told newsmen last Thursday in Lagos that Customs officials ought to restrict their operations to the borders.
According to them, there is no reason for Customs to go into the markets to harass sellers whose business is to sell the commodity and fend for their families.
Nasarawa
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) says it has commenced training of drivers on safety strategies to adopt while transporting pregnant women with complications to health facilities.
The Consultant of the NURTW Emergency Transport Scheme Alhaji Ismail Balogun, made this known on Thursday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, while addressing members of the union.
Balogun said that the training was to curb the increasing rate of maternal mortality.
He said that 30 drivers selected from Doma and Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Areas of the state would benefit from the scheme.
According to him, the training will focus on the safety strategies to adopt while transporting pregnant women with complications to health facilities for proper medical attention.
Ogun
The management of the Home Grown School Feeding Programme in Ogun State last Thursday assured that it remained committed to effective service delivery to benefitting pupils across public primary schools in the state.
The Programme Manager, Mrs Tinuola Shopeju, stated this during an interactive session with food vendors engaged under the programme in Abeokuta-North and Abeokuta-South local government areas of the state.
Shopeju explained that additional vendors would be considered to adequately meet the demands of the beneficiaries.
She assured that the department would sustain the interaction with the vendors at regular intervals, to ensure prompt service delivery and feedback towards resolving various challenges confronting them.
The programme manager enjoined them not to hesitate to forward their observations, as and when due, for necessary attention.
Plateau
A total of 450 entries from 32 secondary schools across Plateau State have been received for this year’s Plateau Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS) Essay Writing Competition.
The students are expected to write on taxation in the state, and specifically offer suggestions toward enhancing such receipts in Plateau.
The Chairman of the eight-man panel of judges assessing the entries, Chief Vonjen Lar, disclosed this to newsmen last Wednesday in Jos.
Lar, a retired Permanent Secretary, described the response from the students and schools as, “very positive and “encouraging”.
“We have already started marking the scripts; we shall move through various stages and eventually arrive at the best three.
Nation
Bikers, Others Grace Burial Of Rivers Philanthropist
Bikers were among prominent dignitaries who recently attended the burial ceremony of late Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor (née Lawson) in Omagwa Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The burial service, held at the St. Martin’s Anglican Church field, attracted a large turnout of religious leaders, business executives, political figures, celebrities, bikers’ groups, traditional rulers and community members from different parts of Nigeria. Also present were the Bishop of the Anglican Province of the Niger Delta, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, and popular businessman and socialite, Obi Cubana, among other notable personalities.
The remains of Mrs Grant Offor, a respected professional, philanthropist and devout Christian, were laid to rest amid an elaborate and well-coordinated funeral ceremony that reflected her wide-reaching influence and the high regard in which she was held by family, associates and the larger community.
The ceremony drew public attention due to its unique logistics, as two helicopters were deployed. An air ambulance helicopter conveyed the casket to the church field, while another helicopter transported members of the deceased’s family from Abonnema to Omagwa Community.
Dignitaries and mourners gathered in large numbers to pay their final respects.
In an emotional tribute, High Chief Engr. Grant Offor, described his late wife as everything to him, stating that her passing had created a deep void in his life and in the lives of their children. He disclosed that he committed his time, resources and efforts in a bid to save her life, adding that if money or human effort alone could prevent death, she would still be alive.
Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor was born on May 4, 1978, at the Ibiso Maternity Clinic, Port Harcourt, and passed away on November 15, 2025, after a prolonged illness that lasted nearly three years. She was born a twin and grew up in a family noted for service and leadership. Her father, the late Engr. Benoni Lawson, served as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), while her mother, Mrs. Irene Lawson, is a nurse.
She attended Port Harcourt Primary School and International Secondary School (ISS) before proceeding to the University of Science and Technology (UST), Port Harcourt, and later the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, where she studied Accountancy and graduated with honours. She was widely known during her academic years for her discipline, focus and reserved lifestyle.
After completing her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, Mrs. Grant Offor began her professional career in the banking sector, including service with the defunct All States Trust Bank, and later worked in other professional capacities. She earned a reputation for integrity, diligence and ethical conduct.
She was married to Engr. Grant Offor for over 20 years, a union blessed with three children. As a wife and mother, she was described as deeply devoted to her family, instilling values of faith, patience, kindness and discipline. Her home was known among close associates as one built on prayer, love and godly counsel.
A committed Christian, Mrs. Grant Offor was known for her strong faith and love for gospel music, particularly songs of healing and deliverance. Even while receiving specialist medical care in the United Kingdom, she reportedly remained steadfast in her belief, trusting in God until her final moments.
Adding to the show of solidarity, the President of the Rivers State Chapter of the Pantas Female Bikers Group, Mr. White Timano, disclosed that High Chief Engr. Grant Offor is a major sponsor of Uyo Micah’s Carnival, one of the group’s major events. He said bikers and supporters travelled from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta States to commiserate with the family and show support during the period of mourning.
Mr. Timano described death as inevitable and encouraged the family to remain strong, stressing that only God grants the grace required to endure such painful loss.
The church field was tastefully decorated, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere. The burial ceremony featured hymns, live music, scriptural exhortations, eulogies and tributes celebrating the life and legacy of Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor. Messages from notable personalities highlighted her contributions to family life, philanthropy, professional service and community development.
On behalf of the family, High Chief Engr. Grant Offor expressed appreciation to all who stood by them throughout the period of mourning, thanking guests for their prayers, presence and support.
The burial ceremony stood as a testament to the enduring legacy of Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor, whose life of service, faith and quiet generosity left a lasting impact on many across Rivers State, the Niger Delta and beyond.
Nation
Security Guard Missing After Fence Demolition In PH
Asecurity guard has been reported missing following the demolition of a fence at a property located at No. 19D, Golf Course Layout, Old Government Residential Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident reportedly occurred late Sunday night at the disputed property said to be owned by Ozone Global.
Eyewitnesses revealed that a group of men, some of whom were dressed in what appeared to be naval uniforms, arrived at the premises on motorcycles and allegedly pulled down the fence surrounding the property.
During the incident, a security guard on duty, identified simply as Abubakar, was allegedly taken away by the group to an unknown destination.
A relative of the missing guard, Musa, said efforts to get immediate help, including alerting a nearby police point, proved abortive as the incident had already occurred before any intervention could be made.
“I escaped because I noticed them early, but my brother was taken away. Up till now, we don’t know where he is or how he is doing. We are appealing to the authorities to help locate him,” Musa said.
Meanwhile, one of the intermediaries involved in the land transaction, Mr. Chimezie Bright, alleged that the incident may be connected to an ongoing land dispute over the property.
Bright claimed that the land was purchased by Ozone Global from one late Mr Felix Orie and that documents from the Rivers State Ministry of Lands and Housing indicate that the land was allocated to Mr Orie.
He further alleged that another claimant to the land, Mr. Mac Oruche, had allegedly challenged the ownership and opposed development on the property, despite the matter being the subject of a court case.
According to Bright, tensions over the property had previously resulted in disagreements during attempts to fence the land.
“We carried out due diligence before the purchase, including verification at the Ministry of Lands. However, the dispute has persisted,” he said.
Bright expressed concern over the alleged involvement of uniformed personnel in a civil land dispute and called for a thorough investigation into the incident, particularly the whereabouts of the missing security guard.
As at the time of filing this report, Abubakar’s location had remained unknown.
Efforts to reach Mr. Mac Oruche for his reaction were unsuccessful, while the police are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Nation
OIU Protests Arrest Of Witnesses In Okon Aku Crisis Probe
The apex socio-cultural and development association of the ancient Ohafia Kingdom, the Ohafia Improvement Union Incorporated (OIU) has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, expressing grave concern over the arrests of several individuals from the Okon Aku community who were cooperating with a state-constituted Panel of Inquiry investigating the recent communal crisis in the community located in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
The union also called for the immediate release of those arrested.
In a letter dated February 6, 2026, and received at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, the union described the arrests as troubling and procedurally irregular, noting that the affected individuals had either testified or were preparing to testify before the government-sanctioned panel.
Those reportedly arrested include Udo Ukoha of Ndi Envoke; Okereke John, Udonsi Obin, Eteo Ayo, Idika I. Kalu, and John Ukwakwe of Ndi Owom; and Ukpabi Uche Idika of Ndi Ebin.
While emphasizing that it does not seek to prejudge the legal culpability of any individual, the OIU stressed that the timing, context, and manner of the arrests could undermine the credibility, independence, and integrity of the Panel of Inquiry.
“The arrest of individuals cooperating with an official inquiry poses a serious threat to the fact-finding process, creates fear among potential witnesses, and may discourage public participation,” the union stated, warning that such actions could obstruct efforts to uncover the root causes of the crisis.
The union further noted that panels of inquiry rely heavily on voluntary and truthful cooperation, and any action that instills fear in contributors risks eroding public confidence in the justice system, violating principles of fairness, transparency, and natural justice.
Consequently, the OIU urged the Office of the IGP to immediately review the circumstances surrounding the arrests, suspend any further actions perceived as targeting witnesses, and issue clear directives to guarantee the safety and freedom of all individuals participating in the inquiry.
The President General of Ohafia Improvement Union, Chief Prince Kalu Ikpemini, signed the petition, which was also copied to the Executive Governor of Abia State and the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Umuahia.
The union reiterated that the Ohafia community desires lasting peace and reconciliation, which can only be achieved through a transparent, fair, and uncoerced investigation into the Okon Aku crisis.
The Okon Aku communal crisis erupted in early January 2026, prompting the Office of the Deputy Governor of Abia State to immediately establish the Panel of Inquiry to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the conflict, with the aim of preventing future occurrences.
It is against this backdrop that the Ohafia Improvement Union has raised an alarm over the arrests, calling for the immediate release of those detained and emphasizing the need to protect witnesses rather than intimidate them.
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