Nation
THE STATES
Kwara
Police in Kwara State have arrested five suspects in con
nection with severance of a human head allegedly for ritual purpose.
Among the suspects is a septuagenarian who is alleged to be a herbalist.
It was clamed that the planned ritual was meant to make one of the suspects (name with held) become a rich man.
The police said its team of detective acting on information, found the severed head with another of the suspects (name withheld also) in his residence at Igbonna in Oyun Local Government Area of the state.
They said confession of the suspect on interrogation led to the arrest of the others.
The suspect, during an interaction with newsmen at the police head quarters in Ilorin, however, claimed that he was innocent.
Edo
Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomole, on Tuesday sent
three names of commissioners designate to the Edo State House of Assembly for approval to replace the three commissioners who resigned last year.
The nominees, who are expected to be in charge of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, as well as that of Transport, are Anstem Ojezua, Dr. Cordelia Aiyowieren-Awize and Lucas Okojie respectively.
Three members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who were serving as commissioners in Oshiomole’s administration resigned their appointment in September last year over irreconciliable differences.
They are Vincent Akhere, who was in the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, Fedelis Oriafo, who was in the Ministry of Transport and Mrs. Sera Adetugboboh, who was in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. they had cited personal reasons for their resignation.
Bayelsa
Embattled contractor, Joseph Ajuwa, who is handling the
installation of the floodlights and electronic scoreboard at the Yenegoa Sport Complex, said the decision of the Bayelsa State Government to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest him over the uncompleted project is an act of victimisation aimed at discrediting him.
Ajuwa, who is the Managing Director of Yarbek & Company, denied claims that the project was abandoned as alleged by the state government.
In an interview with The Tide’s source on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the contractor said there was an agreement between him and the state government on November 4, last year, that the manufacturer of the floodlights would take 10 to 14 weeks in France before shipment, which takes a maximum of 30 days.
The state government had alleged that the contractor abandoned that N450 million project since 2006, despite several appeals that funds collected to complete the work.
Consequently, the governor directed the sports ministry to invite the EFCC to arrest the contractor for breach of contract agreement.
Niger
Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has
cautioned the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of inherent danger of imposing candidates on Niger and during the fourthcoming 2011 general election.
He also advised the nation’s traditional rulers, as custodians of the peoples’ culture and tradition, on the need to be conscious of their actions and inactions in order not to send the wrong signals to their subjects of their roles in politics and the next years’ election.
Aliyu gave the warning at Agaie headquarters of Agaie Local Government Area of the state, during the distribution of vehicles and motorcycles to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) official in council areas within the Niger South Senatorial Zone.
He told the traditional rulers not to do anything that would be detrimental to their position but to act in compliance with the country’s constitution, which provides that they remain non-partisan.
Aliyu was responding to a comment by the Emir of Lapai, Umaru Bago, who said that with the presence of traditional rulers at the Agaie event, they were at liberty to attend similar functions put together by any other political party.
Lagos
Nigerians have been urged to make sacrifices to move the
nation forward.
The call was made by Venerable Igeni Isemede during the solemnisation of holy matrimony between Nkem Oyindamola Dike, daughter of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshall, Paul Dike and Ikechukwu Ebube Obianyor.
Ven. Isemede also said the nation could be improved if leaders eschewed corruption and other social vices, which he said, is “the bane of all developing countries”.
Rivers State Deputy Governor Engr. Tele Ikuru, represented Governor Chibike Rotimi Amaechi at the event, which took place at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
Ven. Isemede said “he regretted the attitude of some citizens, noting that such were detrimental to the progress and development of the country, urging such people to have a rethink of God’s will in their lives”.
He also urged citizens to make their ways right before God. Isemede further enjoined the couples to provide succour from the vissitides of life to their spouses, saying “You are the umbrella your spouse has from the troubles of this world and prayed for the sustenance of the godly virtues in families.
Abuja
The Federal Government has assured members of the dip
lomatic corps of its readiness to combat crime and unrest.
Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan gave the assurance recently when he hosted head of diplomatic missions and international organisations at his Aguda residence, Abuja.
Governors and Ministers also attended the dinner.
Jonathan said peace and security formed a key area which would receive the government’s attention.
He spoke on the December 25 botched terror attack by Umar Farouk Abdumuttatalab on a US plane, urging the diplomats to see the incident in its proper perspective.
Jonathan said “Nigerians are peace loving people and responsible members of the international community.
“This incident must, therefore, not become an excuse to single out Nigerians for undeserved profiling and the application of restrictive measures which unduely impinge on our dignity, freedom and fundamental rights”.
Anambra
The state House of Assembly and Executive of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Prof. Chukwuma Soludo were at daggers drawn on Tuesday following indications that 12 of its members may be expelled for alleged anti-party activities.
Giving the indication, PDC Caretaker Committee Secretary, Tony Muobike, and its Publicity Secretary, Joseph Ofokansi, said the party is considering expelling the members who they claim are supporting Andy Uba, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate.
They had already written to the lawmakers mandating them to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them, adding that the de-registration of Uba, Mrs Uche Ekwunife and Nicholas Ukachukwu of the LP, Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) and HDP from PDP has commenced at their respective ward levels.
Delta
Delta State House of Assembly has warned on the delay
in competing the Asaba International Airport and the new Government House.
Its committee on Finance and Appropriation also ordered stabilini Visionmi, the contractor handling the Asaba Township Stadium and its chairman, Wale Babalaki, to appear before the committee next week Tuesday.
Chairman of the committee, Daniel Mayuku, gave the order last Tuesday at the commencement of inspection of some mega projects across the state.
According to him, most of the projects ought to have been completed last year, particularly that of the Asaba Township Stadium for which the contractor has collected over 90% of the contract sum.
Abia
Demolition of illegal structures is billed to commence in
Aba and Umuahia in February, according to the Abia State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Planning, Emeka Nwachukwu.
The Commissioner said this in Umuahia recently while briefing newsmen on the activities of his ministry.
According to The Tide source, Nwachukwu said some of the building blocked drainages, while others, which did not comply with the town planning laws would also be affected in the exercise.
The commissioner explained that the essence of the demolition is to accommodate the lapses noticed in the planning of the two towns when the digital mapping of the two towns begins.
He noted that many landlords have vacated the town planning laws by using their buildings for purposes other than what is contained in their certificate of occupancy.
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has inducted and given orientation to 100 Ogoni youths for training on Creative Arts. The beneficiaries were drawn from Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
The induction and orientation ceremony, which took place at the CRAB of the Department of Theatre Arts of the University of Port Harcourt on Wednesday, was a prelude to the training proper, billed to commence next Tuesday.
As usual, HYPREP issued undertaking forms to the trainees, for them to complete and submit as a guarantee that they would subject themselves to the requirements of the programme as well as be of good behaviour throughout the four-month duration of the training.
HYPREP also announced that it would pay N150,000 to each of the beneficiaries monthly, as transport and feeding allowance, stressing, however, that only those who fully participate in the training would be entitled for the allowance.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, welcomed the trainees to the programme, saying, HYPREP’s projects are evolving and that one thing that is happening today is that the Project has gotten leadership right, by making promises and keeping those promises.
According to him, the Project had equally promised to move away from rudimentary skills acquisition to high impacts acquisition levels, which it has kept today by sponsoring the training on Creative Arts.
He noted that in planning its livelihood programmes for Ogoni youths, HYPREP has taken time out to look for skills that would add value to the lives of the beneficiaries.
Zabbey, who was represented at the event by the Director of Technical Services, Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi said by packaging the Creative Arts training, it was expected that the Ogoni people would have their own version of Nollywood known as Ogoniwood just as Nigerians are familiar with Hollywood, Bollywood, Kannywood and Nollywood.
To achieve this goal, the Project Coordinator explained that it was the reason for choosing a reputable establishment like Halibiz Consult Limited, to partner with the Department of Theatre Arts of the University of Port Harcourt, which he described as one of the most prestigious in the Niger Delta, for the training of the beneficiaries.
He also indicated that in doing this, HYPREP was desirous of going for talents that would help the Ogoni people grow in the film industry, and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously.
Zabbey equally enjoined the trainees to put in their best so that in the next three to five years, they would carve a niche for themselves and become forces to reckon with in the film industry.
On her part, HYPREP’s Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee said HYPREP does what it says it will, stressing that the process of training Ogoni youths on specialised skills started three years ago.
According to her, the selection process for the training was rigorous and transparent, and was carried out by renowned actors actresses.
She disclosed that the training consists of three major aspects, which include acting, script writing and make-up, while Nollywood actors like Charles Nnoje, Ngezu J. Ngezu and award-winning make-up artist, Jude Odo would be on hand to drill and groom the beneficiaries.
Mrs Nzidee noted that the programme is a specialised training that does not have anything like starter packs but that it is purely a professional certification programme that would launch the beneficiaries into the Nollywood industry in Nigeria.
According to her, the Creative Arts training is one of the four specialised trainings organised by HYPREP to ensure that the Ogoni people are well positioned in vital industries like Aviation, Maritime, Creative Arts and Mechatronics.
She said the last of such trainings on Mechatronics would take place in the coming months, and urged the beneficiaries to take the training seriously so as to put the Ogoni people on the Nollywood map.
She further indicated that while Charles Nnoje and Ngezu J. Ngezu would take the beneficiaries on the practical aspects, Jude Odo would take them on the make-up aspects.
Also speaking, the External Relations Manager of Halibiz Consult Limited, Alabo Experience Douglas said his company gives much premium to standard and quality, and assured that the firm would give the trainees value for the money spent on the programme.
While charging the beneficiaries to be dedicated and punctual, he stressed the need for them to approach the programme with the mindset of being empty so that at the end of the day, they would benefit maximally.
On his part, the Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt, Dr Ovunda Ihunwo said the CRAB is an acronym for Creative Review of Arts and Books, stressing that it was named by renowned playwright, Prof Ola Rotimi.
According to him, the CRAB had nurtured, groomed and produced Nollywood actors and actresses like Bobmanuel Udokwu, Ejike Asiegbu,Francis Duru, Hilda Dokubo, Monalisa Chinda, Julius Agwu, and a host of others, assuring the beneficiaries that they were on fertile environment to hone their talents.
He noted that symbolically, the crab is a nutritious seafood common in the Niger Delta, and reiterated the need for the beneficiaries to come empty for the training, as it were.
Ihunwo disclosed that the theory classes of the programme would run for three weeks while the fourth week would be for the master classes, and urged the trainees to avail themselves of the opportunity to make a difference by telling the Ogoni story, which he described as inexhaustible by themselves, in order to put Ogoni on the map.
A 23-year-old student of Nasarawa State University identified as Jatau Rilokwah, has been reportedly found dead in the university’s senior staff quarters.
A counter-insurgency expert, focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this on his X handle on Tuesday.
According to him, the discovery was made on April 27, 2025, by a security officer at the university, Emmanuel Gyawo.
He stated that Gwayo was directed by Prof. Shedrack Jatau to check on his son upon arriving at the residence, and he found Rilokwah hanging from the ceiling.
“Professor Jatau, who was reportedly out of the State at the time, was informed of the incident. A team of police detectives, led by the Divisional Crime Officer of Angwan Lambu, was dispatched to the scene.
“The body showed no signs of violence, and no suicide note was found. Rilokwah was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Keffi, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” he further stated.
He added that the student’s corpse had been deposited in the hospital morgue.
He also quoted police sources as saying that investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Ogun State Government has partnered with Nike Art Gallery to establish a new exhibition space at the Olumo Rock Tourist Centre in Abeokuta, a move Governor Dapo Abiodun says is aimed at boosting annual tourist visits from 20,000 to over 100,000.
Abiodun disclosed the plan on Wednesday while receiving the founder of the Nike Art Gallery, Chief (Mrs) Nike Davies-Okundaye, at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
“I went to Olumo Rock about a month ago and I decided that we needed to do something about restoring Olumo Rock to its old glory. From statistics, Olumo Rock hosts about 20,000 people a year in its current state, and I felt that we could increase that to at least ten times,” the governor said.
As part of the plan, an events hall within the tourist centre will be repurposed as a permanent gallery operated by Nike Art Gallery.
“I told them to shut it down. Practically, we want to bring it down and turn it into a gallery for you to use as an exhibition gallery,” he told Davies-Okundaye.
He added that the gallery will be ready before the National Sports Festival in May, when the State will host about 15,000 visitors.
“I want them to be able to see our tourist sites,” he said, listing attractions such as the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, the Ransome-Kuti family home, and the Adire market among key heritage spots to be showcased.
Highlighting Ogun’s improved infrastructure, the governor said, “Now that we’ve succeeded in having the intra and inter-state roads in place, you can come to Ogun State by rail; you can come by air. We’ve constructed one of the best airports in Nigeria, and very soon, you will be able to come by sea.”
Davies-Okundaye, in her remarks, praised the state’s efforts to promote tourism and pledged to use the new gallery to attract global attention.
“This gallery will bring many Heads of State. The one I opened in Abuja already has more than 10 Heads of State, including those from South Korea and the Czech Republic. The same will happen here,” she said.
She also applauded the Governor for his commitment to the Adire fabric industry.
“Adire is all over Nigeria, but Ogun has been promoting Adire for over 50 years. Today, the only cloth we can call our own is called Adire. This is what we can sell to the Europeans,” she said.
Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s backing of the Adire industry, citing policies such as the Adire Ogun Digital Marketplace, compulsory wearing of Adire in the state, and provision of solar-powered production equipment to support artisans.
He also revealed plans to open a creative arts and entertainment village in partnership with Bolanle Austen-Peters, expected to be completed within two months.