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Adamawa

Brig.-Gen. John Nwaoga, the Commander of the 23 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Yola, has confirmed that 15 people including seven security men were killed when suspected bandits attacked Gombi town in Adamawa.

Nwaoga said at a news conference last Friday at the Command’s headquarters, that the incident occurred on Thursday at about 2.30 p.m.

“Eight civilians were killed in Uba, while seven police men were killed in the Gombi Local Government  Area Divisional Police headquarters.

“Right now we cannot conclude that the attack was carried out by members of Boko Haram sect; they could be bandits.

“We will reveal in subsequent investigation if they are actually members of the Boko Haram sect, judging by the way and manner the operation was carried out.

Kebbi

The Kebbi chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) will conduct a verification exercise aimed at identifying unqualified members and quacks in the profession.

The state chairman of the Union, Alhaji Muhammad Tukur, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi last Sunday that in addition to the verification an enlightenment campaign would be conducted for members to be conversant with the NUJ constitution.

He said the verification would also enable the smooth conduct of fresh election for new officials of the union, adding, “members were expected to pay their professional fees to enable them participate in the election”.

Kwara

Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara has condemned in strong terms the bomb attack that rocked the United Nations building in Abuja, where several people were killed and many others injured.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident last Saturday, Ahmed said the attack was a national disgrace and an assault on the United Nations.

According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba and made available to the newsmen in Ilorin, Ahmed described the attack as barbaric and dastardly act.

He also called on the Federal Government and security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the attack and bring them to book to forestall future occurrence.

Nasarawa

INEC in Nasarawa State has commenced a recount of the ballots cast in some polling units during the April governorship election in the state.

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had granted the request of the PDP for a recount of ballot papers used in the election in some units from which INEC declared Umaru Al-Makura of CPC as winner of the poll.

Former Gov. Aliyu Akwe Doma of PDP, who lost his re-election bid, is contesting Al-Makura’s victory.

But PDP said it was not impressed with “the snail speed” of the ballot recount.

The PDP had taken Al-Makura and CPC to the tribunal to challenge the election result.

Niger

The Acting Governor of Niger, Ahmed Ibeto, has called for a National Security Summit to find a lasting solution to incessant bombings in the country.

Ibeto was reacting to the latest bomb attack at the UN House, Abuja, which killed and maimed several persons last Friday.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Malam Danladi Ndayebo, quoted Ibeto as saying that the spate of bombings in the country had become a national emergency and should be treated as such.

“The issue of security should not be left to government alone. Government alone cannot stop the activities of terrorists which have left hundreds of innocent Nigerians either dead or wounded,” he said.

Ogun

An NGO, the Initiative for Environmental Education, has advised the three tiers of government to increase awareness on climate change in the rural and urban areas.

Mrs Justina Adebayo- Sopoiki, the executive secretary of the body, made the call in an interview in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, last Sunday.

Adebayo-Sopoiki said the awareness on climate change, especially tree planting, was very low in Nigeria.

“We have been hearing about what is happening in other countries in terms of flooding and other natural disasters due to climate change.

Ondo

The Ondo State Government has condemned the bomb blast, which damaged part of the UN building in Abuja last Friday.

In a statement issued by Mr Kolawole Olabisi, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Olusegun Mimiko, in Akure last Saturday, the government described the action as reprehensible and antithetical to sane reasoning.

It expressed dismay at the spate of bombings in the country and sympathised with the families of the victims as well as the UN.

The government appealed to the security agencies to leave no stone unturned in efforts to arrest the perpetrators of the act.

Osun

The Federal Government has spent N1.5 billion on the construction of 25,000 metric tonnes silos in Ilesa, Osun.

Dr Adegbite Ojo, Coordinating Director, Ministry of Agriculture, Osun, made this known while speaking with the newsmen in an interview, recently .

Ojo said that construction work was still ongoing at the project site being the only Federal Government silos in the state.

According to him, the construction of the silos shows that the government is committed to the revival and development of agriculture especially in the area of food production.

Oyo

The police and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have confirmed 12 persons dead from the flood disaster in Ibadan last Friday night.

Mr Iyiola Akande, the South-West Zonal Director of  NEMA, told newsmen that seven people died and five others missing in the flood.

Akande explained that three major bridges also collapsed in the flood that affected 11 local government areas around the capital city.

Similarly, the Police Spokesman in the state, Mr Femi Okanlawon, said that five people were found dead at Odo-Ona Elewe in Oluyole Local Government Area.

“One aged woman died when a wall fell on her while another old man was found dead at Apata area of Ibadan,” Okanlawon said.

Sokoto

An outbreak of Gastroenteritis in Gandi, Rabahl local government of Sokoto State

has claimed the lives of two children.

About 70 cases were said to have been recorded in the area.

The Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Abdullahi Maigwandu, confirmed the outbreak of gastroenteritis.

“We have since dispatched our medical team to the area and they are working with the local government and Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF) (Doctors without borders).

“The ugly situation has been brought under control. The medical teams are still working in the area to ensure that the epidemic is tamed,’’ the commissioner explained.

Yobe

The Yobe State Sharia Court of Appeal has said that more

than 1,000 pending appeal cases will be tried in September.

A statement issued by Muhammad Degubi for the Chief Registrar of the Court and made available to newsmen Saturday in Damaturu, said the appeal session would sit for 25 days.

“The 2011 Sharia Court Appeal session shall sit between September 5 and September 30 in Potiskum, Gashua, Geidam and Damaturu, to cover the three Judicial Divisions and the Headquarters.

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Cleric Preaches Love As Deputy Governor, Chief Judge Grace Wedding In PH

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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.

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2027: APC Chieftain Predicts Tinubu’s Victory  …Says Bayelsa Stakeholders Supporting President en masse  … IPAC Knitted Together, Working In Synergy With His Office

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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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Firefighters battle New Year Day inferno in Abuja, several states

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Federal Fire Service FFS entered the New Year on full operational alert, tackling multiple fire outbreaks across the country from midnight into the early hours of January 1, 2026, in what officials described as one of the busiest festive-season deployments in recent years.
The intensified nationwide response followed a December 2025 directive issued by the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, who had ordered that no firefighter should proceed on leave throughout the holidays.
According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services of the FFS, DCF Paul Abraham, the no-leave policy proved critical as the Service moved swiftly to contain fires in several states.
The Federal Capital Territory FCT recorded its first fire incident of the year barely twenty-three minutes after midnight when flames erupted at Cake Hot Restaurant located within River Plate Park, Wuse, Abuja.
Abraham said fire crews from the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Fire Service arrived promptly and were able to stop the blaze before it could spread through the popular recreational centre.
While a section of the garden area was destroyed, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded.
Officials said property worth an estimated ?1.5 billion was saved, although losses were placed at about ?500 million.
“Preliminary findings suggested that the fire was triggered by objects thrown during New Year celebrations, reinforcing long-standing warnings over the dangers posed by fireworks during the harmattan season”, the Service said.
The Controller General had repeatedly urged Nigerians to avoid fireworks, candles and open flames indoors, warning that the dry winds characteristic of the season allow fires to spread rapidly.
He also warned the public about electrical faults and power surges and advised that electrical appliances be switched off and unplugged when not in use or when occupants leave their homes, stressing that overloading sockets and extension boxes remains a significant cause of domestic fires.
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