Nation
THE STATES
The family of Mr Kayode Ogunlusi in Ayegunle-Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State on Monday lost their children after taking a cassava meal prepared by the family.
Our correspondent reports that five other members of the family, who also ate the cassava meal, are now on admission at the emergency unit of the University of Ado-Ekiti Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.
Ogunlusi, the father of the deceased children, who only regained consciousness after receiving medical attention, said the family ate the cassava meal on Sunday night as dinner.
He explained that few hours after taking the meal, two of the children started vomiting, while one became unconscious.
The father, who disclosed that the food was prepared by his wife,
Abosede, said members of the family were later taken to a private hospital in the town for initial treatment by their neighbours.
FCT
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) on Tuesday called on the federal government to address unemployment as a means of checking insecurity in the country.
Mr Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator, HURIWA, told newsmen in Abuja that unemployment was the major cause of crime in the country.
He demanded for the establishment of a data collection unit at the Ministry of Labour and Productivity to ensure that accurate record of unemployed youths were kept.
Onwubiko added that paying unemployed youths some stipend would contribute to the fight against crime.
He urged the federal government to implement people’s friendly policies that would create the enabling environment for school leavers and graduates to be gainfully employed.
Kano
Alhaji Ibrahim Yakasai, the Kano State Commissioner for Commerce, Tourism and Industries, has advised the Council of Chambers of Commerce to collectively develop the industrial sector to achieve vision 20:20-20.
The commissioner gave the advice on Monday at the opening of the third meeting of the Nigerian Council of Chambers of Commerce in Kano.
Yakasai said Kano State as a pace setter in all aspects of human endeavour, had repositioned it’s economy in spite of the economic meltdown.
He added that a clear testimony was the prevailing peace and tranquillity in the state, adding that it was the driving force for peaceful co-existence and the development of commerce and industries.
Kwara
The Kwara Government said it had so far spent N2.5 billion on the installation of 725 transformers in various communities between 2003 and date.
The Commissioner for Energy, Alhaji Zakari Mohammed, said this in Ilorin recently while answering questions from newsmen on the activities of his ministry.
The commissioner said the purchase and installations of transformers by the state government was the highest any government had done for its communities in the country.
Mohammed said that the second phase of the government rural electrification project would commence in the next two weeks with the distribution of transformers to 105 rural communities.
Lagos
Prof. Osita Eze, the Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) has advocated for capacity development of Foreign Service Officers (FSO) to enable them actualise the country’s foreign policy.
In an interview with newsmen in Lagos, Eze contended that the expertise of the officers was required to reposition Nigeria on the world scene.
“Nigerian government needs to adequately empower, train and retrain FSO to enable them discharge their assignments creditably and promote the country’s foreign policy,’’ he said.
The Director-General said that Nigeria, being the “anchor’’ of the African continent, should strive to create an environment that would enhance her leadership position.
Ogun
Absence of regular medical check-ups and stress have been identified as major causes of the upsurge in premature deaths in Nigeria.
Dr Samuel Adeloye, an Ijebu Ode-based medical practitioner made the observation on Tuesday at a symposium, organised by an NGO, “Save Lives First”.
Adeloye, who noted that most Nigerians were in the habit of working beyond their capacity without regular check-ups, said the situation had led to the untimely death of many.
He explained that the economic situation in the country had forced many to engage in desperate searches for extra income at the expense of their health conditions, describing it as “an unfortunate situation”.
Osun
The Osun Coordinator of NAPEP, Mrs Funmi Akinyemi, said on Monday that a new programme tagged Village Economic Solution had been introduced to create jobs.
Akinyemi who announced this in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo, said the programme was designed by NAPEP to assist the less-privileged.
According to her, under the programme, interested youths are expected to form a cooperative societies, to enable them to benefit from the stimulus package.
She said the federal government had provided funds for disbursement to some identified well-organised and serious minded youths as a revolving loan scheme.
Akinyemi said the scheme was different from other conventional government programmes because it was rural people-friendly and targeted at assisting young villagers with skills.
Oyo
The Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture wants 20 per cent allocation to each local government council to be used for agricultural development.
To this end, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Kunle Ishola, told journalists in Ibadan that the ministry had proposed an amendment to the bill on local government matters in this regard.
Ishola said the bill, if passed into law, would make it an offence for any council to divert money meant for agriculture to any other area.
He complained that the fees charged at the federal government’s grain silos located in the Monatan area of Ibadan were too high just as the prices of grains sold there.
Plateau
The Plateau Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba has embarked on a familiarisation tour of police formations in Jos, following the gradual return of peace in the city.
A statement signed by the Plateau Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Asp. Mohammed Lerama, said that during the tour, the commissioner would meet and address officers and men of the force.
It noted that the commissioner would also meet with members of vigilance groups and the Police Community Public Relations Committee (PCRC) in the state.
The statement said that Aduba would pay a courtesy visit to important personalities in the police formations, local government chairmen and traditional rulers.
The command appealed to the public to remain calm, maintain peace and to continue to consolidate on the peaceful atmosphere so far achieved in the state.
Yobe
The National Directorate of Employment in Yobe has trained 150 widows, orphans and vulnerable persons on various vocations for self-employment.
The Coordinator, Alhaji Adamu Ba’ aba made the disclosure on Monday in Damaturu during an interview with the newsmen.
He said, the directorate had trained 30 people in rural agricultural development, 50 in sewing, 10 in waste management, 50 in ICT and 10 in interior decorations.
“The graduates in agricultural development have been given loans totalling N2.9 m for livestock farming in cattle, goat, sheep rearing and fish farming,’’ he said.
Adamu noted that, the widows trained in weaving, sewing, shoe and beads making had been given working tools worth N1.9m for the take off of their business ventures.
The Presiding Bishop of Kingdom Life Gospel Ministries Outreach, Port Harcourt, Bishop Victor Uzosike, has described love as the bedrock of human existence, family stability and societal harmony, stressing that without love, nothing meaningful can thrive.
Bishop Uzosike made this assertion while speaking to journalists during the wedding ceremony of his daughter, Praise Uzosike, to Architect Chibuzor Akubueze on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The solemnisation was held at the Kingdom Life Gospel Ministries Outreach, Port Harcourt, and was attended by dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond.
According to the cleric, love is not only the foundation of relationships but also a powerful force that determines the success of individuals, families and communities.
“If you do not love a place, that place will not bless you. If you do not love your children, they will not be useful to you. If you do not love your family, your family will become a strange island to you. What you do not love, you do not have. Love is the key,” he said.
Reflecting on his family’s journey, Bishop Uzosike said God’s love had sustained them through seasons of challenges and triumphs, noting that unity had remained their greatest strength.
“We have stayed together as one family. God has shown us love in miraculous and mysterious ways, especially during difficult times,” he stated.
Describing the wedding as an amazing and beautiful experience, the bishop expressed appreciation for the show of love from his daughter’s friends, many of whom travelled from the United Kingdom and Ghana to attend the ceremony. He revealed that some of them personally paid for their flights and accommodation, which he described as a rare display of genuine friendship.
He also disclosed that his first daughter, who lives in Manchester, United Kingdom, with her husband, could not attend the wedding due to tight schedules, but noted that she remains happily married and fulfilled.
While thanking guests for honouring his family with their presence, prayers and goodwill, Bishop Uzosike said he felt proud and grateful to God.
“One of the greatest gifts God can give to a man is children who are sound in all ramifications. My children can see, hear, speak and walk. That alone is enough reason to be grateful,” he said.
He praised the bride, describing Praise as an exceptional achiever who had distinguished herself academically. According to him, she completed secondary school at 15, graduated with First Class honours at 19, and earned distinctions in her MBA as well as her first and second master’s degrees.
“For a long time, people believed that highly educated women may not marry early or at all. Today, Praise has proved otherwise. She has made her mother and me very proud,” he said, describing her as a rare gem.
Bishop Uzosike also expressed joy over his son-in-law, whom he described as God-fearing, disciplined and professionally sound.
“He is well brought up, passionate about God and morally upright. His parents did a great job. My wife, Pastor Esther, also did an excellent job,” he added.
The wedding ceremony attracted prominent personalities, including the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu; the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Ayemeyie; and several senior clerics.
Bishop Fidelis Ugbong officiated the solemnisation, while Apostle Chika Onuzo delivered the sermon, identifying communication, sex and money as key factors that can strengthen or weaken marriages.
Prof. Ngozi Odu also prayed for the couple and paid glowing tributes, drawing admiration from attendees.
The reception, held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt, was equally colourful. Justice Matilda Ayemeyie proposed the toast, describing marriage as not always a bed of roses and emphasising patience, commitment and understanding.
The event was chaired by Chief Henry Nwabugo and attended by notable personalities, including retired Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili; Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey; Hon. Otunba Jumbo; Nze Best Anele; and Prof. Henry Ogiri, among others.
Guests were entertained with dance performances by the couple, while the parents’ outing added elegance to the celebration. The master of ceremonies, Ambassador Kingsley, kept the audience engaged with humour and interactive sessions.
Overall, the wedding was a remarkable blend of spirituality, culture and celebration, marked by love, joy and unforgettable moments.
Nation
2027: APC Chieftain Predicts Tinubu’s Victory …Says Bayelsa Stakeholders Supporting President en masse … IPAC Knitted Together, Working In Synergy With His Office
Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress(APC), in Bayelsa State and Special Adviser to the State Governor on Inter-Party Relations, Dr Jackson Ebi Suokiri has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would secure landslide win in the 2027 Presidential polls.
The Governor’s Aide stated this in Yenagoa, the state capital on Wednesday while fielding questions from newsmen against the backdrop of Tuesday’s pioneer Stakeholders meeting of the party convened by the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri as leader of the Party in the State upon his recent defection late last year.
He averred that Party stakeholders in the state were prepared to give the President the massive support needed to return elected, come 2027 following his sterling trajectory of performance and qualitative leadership prowess.
Dr Suokiri stressed that the reason for the governor’s swapping of party was in the best interest of the state, while also noting that the governor took the right decision as there was no need continuing with opposition politics even as the state has to align with the national government for rapid socioeconomic and political advantages for the state and its people.
“Governor Diri’s defection like you’ve personally heard him saying was for the best interest of our state, Bayelsa. When you’ve a President performing well at the national level and being very supportive to your state as a governor, I don’t think you’ve to be in an opposition party anymore, but rather align with the centre.
“Diri is a bridge builder. He is at peace with everybody and willing to work with all, irrespective of party affiliations or political differences for the interest of the state.
“As Stakeholders we’ve resolved to collectively work to return President Tinubu elected for second term in 2027. And you can see the Governor is not pressuring anybody or the structure of his former party, the PDP to defect like he has done.
“The PDP structure in the state is still intact, and for the APC, his new Party even as current leader in the State, he has been working with the structure and everybody he met on ground, hence you can see that the APC Caretaker Committee led by Dr. Dennis Otiotio has been maintained at the pioneer Stakeholders meeting convened by the Governor.
“But you must also know like you’ve seen and I’ve previously said that Governor Diri has outperformed expectations of Bayelsans in all sectors, be it economy, infrastructure, health, education, etc.”, he said.
Meanwhile, as against insinuations that some political parties were not working with the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party Relations, the Governor’s Aide has revealed that as it were currently, all the 19 registered political parties with presence in the state are working in unity with his office as members of the Inter-party advisory council (IPAC).
“IPAC is working in unity with my office. Before the Governor’s defection the only party that wasn’t working with my office was the APC. But since after his formal defection, the APC and even those other parties that were either sympathetic to the APC, the governor’s new party or the PDP, his former Party are all now working together with my office as members of IPAC”, Suokiri added.
By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
-
Politics3 days agoEFCC Alleges Blackmail Plot By Opposition Politicians
-
Business3 days ago
AFAN Unveils Plans To Boost Food Production In 2026
-
Sports3 days agoJ And T Dynasty Set To Move Players To Europe
-
Business3 days ago
Industrialism, Agriculture To End Food Imports, ex-AfDB Adviser Tells FG
-
Politics3 days ago
Datti Baba-Ahmed Reaffirms Loyalty To LP, Forecloses Joining ADC
-
Politics3 days ago
Bayelsa APC Endorses Tinubu For Second Term
-
Business3 days ago
Cashew Industry Can Generate $10bn Annually- Association
-
Entertainment3 days agoAdekunle Gold, Simi Welcome Twin Babies