Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis and Leprosy (BACATMA), has begun collaboration with traditional rulers to curb the menace of malaria in the state.
The Chairman of BACATMA, Muhammed Sambo, made this known in Bauchi during a meeting with key malaria control agencies.
Sambo named NGOs and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) as other bodies whose support had been enlisted.
The meeting was held under the auspices of BACATMA, in collaboration with Human Progressive Union, Kofar Gabas, Bauchi, Progressive Union and Fasaha Women Group of Jama’ are.
Borno
The Petrol filling stations have reopened in Maiduguri after the NNPC rescinded its decision to relocate the Maiduguri depot to Gombe for security reasons.
The state chapter of the Independent Petroleum Markers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and other unions in the petroleum sector had last Saturday embarked on a strike over the relocation of the depot.
The Maiduguri Depot Manager, Alhaji Mohammed Bello, said in a statement in Maiduguri that the relocation order had been reversed.
“We refer to our earlier memo dated July 26 on the relocation of the depot to Gombe and to inform you that the NNPC management has approved the retention of the depot in Maiduguri.
Ekiti
Four men were on Tuesday in Ikere-Ekiti arraigned for alleged possession and selling of explosives.
The men, Monday Audu, Olagoke Fabusola, James Ogunjimi and Gabriel Ogundola were arrested on July 24 for allegedly selling the explosives.
The Police Prosecutor, Cpl Ajiboye Adebayo, urged the court not to grant bail to the accused because of the serious nature of the case, and asked that they be remanded in prison custody.
Counsel to the accused, Mr Christopher Omokhafe, pleaded with the court to grant bail to his clients, since police investigation into the case had been concluded.
FCT
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Inter-religious Council (NIREC), has said that no religious group in Nigeria will go to war over the Islamic Banking issue.
In a statement on Tuesday in Abuja Oloyede, said, “I support the statement of the Secretary-General of Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) that no Muslim worth the name is ready to go to war because there is nothing to war about”.
He said that since the issue of Islamic banking came to the front burner some months ago, many Nigerians had expressed divergent views “ranging from the ludicrous, mischievous and ignorant to the unimaginably extreme”.
Kogi
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE), in collaboration with the Kogi State Government, is to create 5,000 jobs within the next 12 months.
Alhaji Isah Ichaba, the state’s Head of Service (HOS), disclosed this in Lokoja at the opening ceremony of a four-day Training of Trainers (TOT) workshop for Enterprises Development Officers of the directorate from the Northern Zone.
Ichaba, who was represented by Mr Timothy Aliyu, the Permanent Secretary, Establishments, said that unemployment constituted one of the most serious developmental problems facing the country.
He said that considering the rate at which school leavers and graduates were being produced yearly, the unemployment situation might deteriorate further, if maximum support and encouragement was not given to the NDE to train youths for self-employment.
Kwara
The Kwara Government has appealed to residents to desist from dumping refuse indiscriminately but to complement the efforts of the government in bringing about a clean and green environment.
The Commissioner for Environment and Forestry, Mr Samuel Bamishaye ,made the appeal during an inspection tour of communities affected by flooding and flood prone areas.
Areas affected are Agunbelewo Community, Olorunsogo, Geri Alimi and Sawmill.
Bamishayesaid the indiscriminate dumping of refuse into gutters and drains had prevented easy flow of water in some part of Ilorin.
The commissioner charged all citizenry to clear all drains and debris around them to prevent loss of lives and property as had been the case in most parts of the country.
Lagos
Dr Olapade Agoro, Chairman, National Action Council (NAC), has described the controversy surrounding the proposed six-year single tenure for president and governors as a waste of time.
Agoro told newsmen in Lagos that President Goodluck Jonathan “should focus more on the myriad of problems facing the nation rather than the issue of tenure”.
He said: “The proposal is highly unnecessary for now. It is diversionary and confusing. It is fighting the wrong war at the wrong time and for a wrong cause.
“Nigeria has a myriad of problems including food security, insecurity, energy problems and a huge debt profile — all demanding the attention of government”.
Niger
Some angry youths in Izom village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger have protested against power outages in the community in the last five days, blocking the Minna-Suleja highway for more than two hours.
The youths chanted war songs and declared a war with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria.
The youths had ordered travellers to hoist leaves on their vehicles as a mark of solidarity with them.
The development kept commuters stranded till the police intervened to clear the road.
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of Suleja PHCN Business Unit, Malam Adamu Mohammed, attributed the power cut to a N30million debt that the community owed the company.
Osun
Fourteen suspected cult members have been arrested at the Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, the Media Relations Officer of the Institution, Mr Tope Abiola, said in Osogbo on Monday.
Abiola told newsmen that the arrest was made on Sunday by a combined team of security agencies in the school with the collaboration of the community vigilance group.
He said the suspects had converged on the community for an undisclosed operation, armed with dangerous weapons, such as guns, cutlasses, axes, clubs and charms, when they were caught.
“It is believed that they came from different Institutions for the undisclosed operation and suspected to be members of Axe Men Confraternity, “Abiola said.
Plateau
The Plateau State House of Assembly on Tuesday increased the membership of the committee probing the sack of the state Auditor-General, Mr Barnabas Achaka, from three to five.
Gov Jonah Jang, last week in a letter, urged the legislature to endorse the removal of Achaka, alleging that he was unable to audit the state accounts in the last eight years.
The House had constituted a three-man committee to study an earlier report presented by the immediate past legislators about the matter.
The committee is made up of Messrs Diket Plang, Zainab Dogo and Yakubu Choji.
Sokoto
Sheik Yusuf Alibawa, a Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, has tasked Muslims to use the Ramadan fasting period to pray for God’s intervention in the activities of the country.
Alibawa told newsmen in Sokoto that prayers would enable the country to overcome the security challenges threatening its peaceful co-existence.
“We need prayers among all Nigerians, irrespective of religions differences, for God’s intervention for peace, progress and political stability.”
He also called on Muslims to embark on special prayers, calling on God to instil His fears in the minds of Nigeria’s political leaders.
“We must collectively work together to sustain the corporate existence of our country by promoting religious tolerance and understanding.”
Nation
Cleric Preaches Love As Deputy Governor, Chief Judge Grace Wedding In PH
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
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