Nation

THE STATE

Published

16 years ago

December 28, 2009

FCT

Arewa elders in the North have commenced plans to douse the tension building up due to political intrigues and speculations on the health of President Umar Yar’Adua.

Sources informed The Tide that beginning from this week, notable personalities from the Arewa Consultation Forum (ACF) will be making strategic visits to several influential personalities across the country.

The visit is aimed at ensuring that their avowed support for any necessary constitutional procedure is followed in case of any development in the presidency.

According to the sources, ACF leaders have firmly resolved not to oppose the vice President as the nation’s leader, if it becomes inevitable.

Osun

Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate in the April 14, 2007 election in Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has described as illegal plans by the independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to conduct the Osun East Senatorial District and Osogbo State Constituency e-run elections on Wednesday.

Citing a federal court ruling INEC had last Friday announced its plan to hold the elections.

But speaking with reporters at the weekend in Ilesa, Osun state, Aregbesola faulted the electoral commission, saying the election could not go on because a court order restraining, INEC from conducting the election subsisted. Aregbesola was in Ilesa, his hometown, for the Iwude festival, which attracted sons and daughters of Ijesa land, including the state deputy governor, Erelu Olusola Obada, who led government functionaries to the cultural event.

Ondo

The Ondo State representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Barr. Benson Enikuomehin, has advocated synergy between states in the Niger Delta and the interventionist agency.

The Federal Commissioner warned that it would not be in the interest of the people for representatives on the board to work across roads with their state governments.

Addressing Ilaje elders who paid him solidarity visit on Christmas day, Enikuomehin assured the people that he would join hands with the Governor Olusegun Miniko-led government to ensure visible development in the state.

The NDDC Chief, who emphasized his membership of the people democratic party, thanked the governor for his support while the “struggle lasted.”

He expressed dismay at opposition put up by some PDP chieftains in the state against his confirmation, adding that he had forgiven them.

He praised the leadership style of the governor and urged the people to shun politics of “bad belle” and key into the new vision of transformation in the state.

Borno

An auto accident has claimed eight lives in Bama Local Government of Borno State. The accident which occurred at Ngoresoye village along Bama-gwoza road also left two of the passengers with serious injuries who are now on admission at the Bama General Hospital, the headquarters of the Local Governemnt. An eye witness told The Tide that a Peugeot Wagon en-route the Gwoza had an head collision with a truck going to Bama which was driven that night without head light. The eye-witness who said he assisted in the evacuation of the accident victims, described the accident as fatal and blamed it on the driver of the truck who was driving without head light in such a busy road in the night. The Borno State Police Public Relation Officer (ASP), Adamu Azare when contacted, confirm the incident and urged drivers to put their vehicles in good order and obey all traffic rules.

Niger

Basking on the success of the N6 billion infrastructural bond recently secured by Niger State, government is set to float another N30 billion bond, just as it plans to increase the internally generated revenue (IGR) by over sixty per- cent.

The State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning, Alhaji Mu’azu Bawa who disclosed this in Minna at the weekend at the post 2009 budget press conference, said that the bond to be floated is essentially for the infrastructural development, adding that the package was put in place in the line with the vision 3:2020 of the state government.

Giving a breakdown of the facility, the commissioner who spoke through Alhaji Ibrahim Matani, Permanent Secretary, Budget and Planning, said that out of the whole package, N20 billion will be devoted to the construction of urban and rural roads, provision of water, health and sport facilities.

He further said that the remaining N10 billion of the package will be use for the establishment of Matani maintaining that the lesson learnt and the success recorded in the just concluded N6 billion bond will greatly help in the drive for the proposed N330 billion bond. On the N17 billion deficit in the 2010 budget proposal, the commissioner who was not explicit as to him the shortfall will be financed, however said that adequate measures are in place to address the deficit.

Lagos

The General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called on the Federal Government to decongest prisoners across the nation, to ensure the welfare and physical well-being of inmates.

Pastor Adeboye made this call while commissioning the newly refurbished chapel in Agodi prisons, Ibadan by the RCCG, as part of the activities for this year’s annual evangelism programme, tagged “let’s go a fishing.”

The cleric, who urged the inmates to count their earthly punishment as a blessing, in view of the eternal condemnation that awaits sinners in heaven, lamented the congestion of prisons in the country, adding that government should do something about the situation.

The pastor, who was apparently reacting to the information provided by the Deputy Controller of Prisons, Oyo State, Mr Olumde Ayokanbi, that Agodi prison, which was build in 1894, to accommodate 390 inmates, as against the current 670, told the inmates, to be focused on God and forsake their evil ways when released.

“If you have been convicted for your crime and punished here on earth, you should rejoice, because people will be punished eternally for their evil deeds on earth; and eternal punishment it greater than the one on earth,” he added.

He therefore urged them to make up their minds to serve God, nothing that those who lived for the gratification of their evil desires would be confined to hell, the place, which he described as a venue of eternal pains and groaning, adding that hell was not fit for man.

Kano

Operative of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the early hours of Christmas day arrested a full truck-load of cannabis worth several millions of naira.

The MAK-truck with registration number XM 950 FK, allegedly owned by Road Network Transport Company was intercepted along Ring Road at the point of off-loading the consignment.

The trailer took off last Wednesday night from Ogbese in Ondo State.

The illicit drugs stuffed in sacks were concealed with saw dust in a bid to deceive the narcotic agents.

Nicholas Sahu-Walter, Area Commander of NDLEA in Kano also displayed two buses, one J-5 and gulf car arrested two weeks ago with large quantity of cannabis at entry point along Zaria-Kano road.

Monetary value of all the illicit drugs arrested by the agency in Kano within two weeks of the yuletide was put at over N100 million.

Seventeen suspects are cooling in the NDLEA cell in connection with the latest arrest described by Walter as the biggest haul made in the history of the common within such period of time.

Paul Keji (31) and Okebumi Yinka (23) are among those in the NDLEA net.

While Okebunmi claimed to be an employee of Road Network, Paul said he was trained by the company as a driver but was sacked in January 2007, after his involvement in an accident.

“My elder brother, Hezekiah is the driver of the truck. He took ill at Ife and asked me to help him convey goods to Nassarawa,” Paul narrated, adding that he was flagged down to carry the goods at Ogbese Ogun State, on is way back to Ife.

Ogun

Governors Adams Oshimhole and Gbenga Daniel of Edo and Ogun State respectively as well as Christian leaders across the country have urged Nigerians, as they celebrate Christmas, to pray for the recovery of President Umaru Yar’Adua, just as they lamented that over 70 percent of Nigerians are living below poverty line.

They also enjoined Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect and pray about the numerous socio-political challenges currently facing Nigeria and stressed the need for all stakeholders to imbibe the values of tolerance and patience.

Daniel, in his message, urged Christians to remember that the season was not all about festivities and merriment but more about the goodness of God to humanity and the irth of the founder of the Christian faith whose life of humility, sacrifice, obedience, love and patriotism should be emulated by all.

“This is a time for us to reflect on the lowly birth of Christ, His immutable teaching, His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection which showed the supremacy of the power of the Almighty God and His willingness to intervene in the affairs of men. We should all imbibe and put to practice Jesus Christ teachings, share the joy of the season with the less priviledged and renew our commitment to the course of building an enduring and prosperous nation,” he stated.

While urging Nigerians to remember Yar’Adua in their prayers, he said only God has the power to heal and preserve the lives of all mortals.

Sokoto

Sokoto State High Court II granted bail to the former governor, Attahinu Bafarawa and eight others who are standing trial before it on a 47-court charge of alleged corruption involving over N15 billion, just as Bafarawa thanked God for the ruling. He added that the struggle to retain his integrity continued.

Bafarawa and fifteen others had been arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on December 16. The court had at its sitting of Monday, December 21 granted the application of the lead counsel to the commission, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, for the issuance of bench warrants for the arrest of the seven other accused persons who failed to appear before the court for no just cause.

In response to the bail application, the presiding judge, Justice Bellow Abbas, said that the applicants brought three applications for bail relying on section 341 (2a, b and c) of the Criminal Procedure Code, CPC.

According to Abbas, “the application is a constitutional matter and having carefully examined all the averments of the applicants and the respondents, the court is satisfied that the applications ought to be granted bail.”

He however ruled that the each of the nine applicants including Bafarawa were admitted to bail in the sum of N20 million and a surety in like sum each. Describing the applicants as men of integrity and urging their supporters to remain clam in the interest of peace, Justice Abbas warned the applicants not to take any step to jeopardize the case.

Nation

Bikers, Others Grace Burial Of Rivers Philanthropist

Published

12 hours ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

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

Published

12 hours ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

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

Published

12 hours ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

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.