Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The Bauchi State Police Command said on Thursday that it had yet to receive official information on the alleged attack by unknown gunmen on a youth leader Uba Boris.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mohammed Barau, told newsmen in Bauchi that the command had yet to receive the information, hence no arrest was made.
He said that the case, which was said to be reported to an out station in the metropolis, had to be officially sent to the command before they could go through it and take possible action.
Unknown gunmen on Tuesday night attacked the youth leader in his residence injuring him on the head, hands and thigh.
Ekiti
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has explained that the States Peer Review Mechanism (SPRM) it recently introduced is aimed at assisting state governments in accelerating their developmental programmes.
The Director-General of the forum, Mr Asishana Okaure, gave the explanation in Ado-Ekiti when he led officials of the forum on a visit to Gov. Kayode Fayemi.
He said the exercise was undertaken through periodic reviews of progress made in the implementation of the state governments’ development programmes.
“It is our hope that through participation in the peer review process, state governors will be able, not only to learn from their peers about innovative and good practices, but to also adopt them in their respective states.’’
FCT
Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State has solicited the Federal Government’s intervention to contain the threat posed by effluent discharge from Shanawa Industrial Estate in the state capital.
The governor made the call on Wednesday when he paid a courtesy call on Mrs Ibukun Odusote, the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office (EFO).
A statement signed by Mr Tolu Makinde, an Assistant Director in the office, quoted the governor as saying that effluent discharge from the estate posed a serious danger to public health.
According to the statement, made in Abuja, Kwankwaso warned that effluent discharge could contaminate underground water in the area.
Jigawa
Twenty people have died from a disease outbreak suspected to be gastro-enteritis in four local government areas of Jigawa, according to community leaders and health workers.
Villages in Ringim and Taura local government areas were among the worst hit, our correspondent learnt.
The village head of Larbar-Gurugunya in Taura Local Government Area, Alhaji Bashir Abdullahi, told newsmen that 15 people had died in his village in the last two weeks.
Abdullahi identified the lack of potable water and health centres as major factors responsible for the deaths.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Environment Protection Authority has arrested more than 1,000 stray animals, the General Manager of the Agency, Alhaji Sani Aminu, has said.
He told the newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday that they were arrested within the last 12 months.
Aminu said that the animals, comprising dogs, sheep, goats, cows and pigs, were arrested for disturbing traffic flow and causing accidents in the metropolis.
He said that about 400 were claimed by the owners after paying penalties.
Aminu said recent increase in public complaints contributed to the massive arrest, explaining: “We receive more than 20 complaints a day on the menace of the animals.’’
The general manager said the animals also contributed to the unkempt nature of some streets in Kaduna, thereby causing environmental pollution which had been threatening the health of the residents.
Kano
Supporters of former Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, say the ban on political rallies and gatherings is unfair because they have the right to uphold their ideology.
One of the supporters Malam Abdulmumin Wudilawa, told newsmen that the blanket ban was an indication that the present administration wanted to dominate the political activities in Kano state.
Wudilawa expressed dismay over the ban, saying that they were not embarking on a political rally or a meeting; rather they mobilised the supporters of Shekarau to welcome him back from Saudi Arabia.
Kebbi
The Kebbi Community and Social Development Project has disbursed N50.9 million in development funds to 10 communities in Yauri and Birnin Kebbi, its Acting General Manager, Alhaji Bello Alkali, said on Thursday.
Alkali told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that the funds were disbursed at designated centres after a free pre-disbursement training conducted for members of the project management committees.
He said that at the Yauri centre, five communities — Kangungun Zamare, Ijima, Umama, Gamji and Runtuwa Dikko Mayala — were engaged in the two-day training workshop.
The acting general manager said the communities were expected to execute water, school and road projects, noting that 48 members of the project management committee participated in the training on how the projects should be executed.
Niger
The police in Niger State on Wednesday said that it would soon charge 54 suspected criminals arrested recently within the state to court for various offences.
Mr Richard Oguche, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, made the disclosure while briefing journalists at the police headquarters in Minna.
He said 44 of the suspects (males) were arrested by a joint team of police and army at black stone, Zuma rock, Madalla.
The police spokesman said that the police recovered cutlasses, table knives, daggers and charms on them, adding that they were also smoking dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp in the guise of celebrating sallah.
He added that six other male suspects were arrested at the Barkin Sale area of Minna with dried leaves also suspected to be Indian hemp and other substances suspected to be hard drugs.
Plateau
Commercial activities are gradually picking up in Jos, after the recent violence that left many death and several others injured.
The markets were deserted as people were scared of going out for fear of being attacked.
The situation, which was compounded by state government workers’ strike is, however, returning to normal after the suspension of the industrial action.
Our correspondent who went to some markets in the metropolis observed that shop owners were back for business.
Mr Sylvanus Chukwuma, a textile dealer at the Terminus market told newsmen that he was tired of staying at home after spending all that he had on him before the hostilities started.
“With the presence of the security men in the markets, those that hate peace will be scared,’’ he said.
Mr Cyril Obiakor, the Chairman, Kabong Market Traders Association, told newsmen that although they still operated in fear, the level of patronage had increased significantly.
Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has identified lack of mutual understanding between Muslims and Christians as the biggest hindrance to peace and stability in Nigeria.
The Sultan made the observation in Sokoto on Wednesday when he received a delegation of members of Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria, led by the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja .
According to him, there must be understanding between Christians and Muslims as God has created us together with diverse backgrounds for us to coexist peacefully.
Abubakar further said that Nigerians should continue to be their brothers’ keepers in spite of the differences in religious, ethnic or political leanings.
Abubakar gave the assurance that his doors would remain open to all Nigerians, be they Christians or Muslims.
Yobe
The Yobe Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Idi Gubana, said on Wednesday that swamps of birds had migrated into the state, ravaging farmlands in Damaturu, Giedam, Yusufari and Yunusari local government areas.
Gubana told newsmen in Damaturu that the birds had already destroyed several farmlands.
He said that the ministry had drafted pest control officers to the affected areas to control the situation to save the remaining farms.
He expressed fears that the pests may migrate to other areas of the state to cause more havoc on farms.
“The ministry had deployed manpower and chemicals to the neighbouring communities of the affected local governments to check the spread of the pests,” the commissioner said.
Zamfara
Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara says the government is working on a bill for an act that would make cotton production a criteria for receiving agricultural support and other incentives.
Yari disclosed this in Gusau on Thursday when he received representatives of farmers from Maru, Tsafe, Maradun and Gummi local governments areas.
He said his administration was committed to harnessing the agricultural potential of the state to develop the economy.
“The state has great potential in agriculture, particularly in cotton production, which can earn us hard currency, rejuvenate our economy and address our pervasive poverty,” he said.
Yari said the government would forward the bill to the state Assembly, adding that it would boost commercial production of cotton, if passed into law.
The governor promised that his administration would provide farmers with high yielding cotton seeds, fertiliser, and modern farming equipment to ease farming activities.
The Arewa /Northern Community in Rivers state has appointed Alhaji Shuaibu Wada Madawakin Tilda as the Acting Dan Buran Rivers State.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Cabinet Council.
The appointment follows the dethronement of the former occupant,
Alhaji Musa Saeedu.
A statement from the Palace of the Sarkin Arewa/Northern Community (Sarkin Hausawan) in Rivers State and signed by His Royal Highness, Alhaji Hussaini Isah said the dethronement is with immediate effect.
The statement further disclosed that the decision follows an allegation of acts of insubordination and conduct considered contrary to the values, discipline, and traditions of the Northern community perpetuated by the Fmr Dan Buran.
The statement advised the public to discontinue to recognising and addressing Alhaji Musa Saeedu as the Dan Buran of the State, adding that he no longer holds the title and remained suspended.
Responding via telephone interview, Alhaji Musa Saeedu said he will not make any comment regarding the matter.
The Alliance Française of Port Harcourt opened its doors to more than sixty French language teachers from Port Harcourt and across Rivers State at the weekend for an afternoon dedicated to celebration, creativity, and community spirit.
The event which was Supported by the Embassy of France in Nigeria, forms part of the global celebrations marking the Journée Internationale du Professeur de Français (French Teachers Day) a day officially set aside to observe worldwide every 20 November.
The Tide Entertainment reports that every year, French teachers around the globe are honoured for the passion and dedication they bring into their classrooms.In 2025, the theme chosen “Chanter, jouer, enseigner: la francophonie en musique” (Sing, Play, Teach: Francophonie in Music) invited the entire community to explore the joy of teaching through song, performance, and artistic expression.
A Day that brings teachers together for the French teaching community in Port Harcourt, this celebration is much more than a ceremony, it is a rare moment to step away from the classroom and reconnect with the simple joy of sharing, learning, and creating together.
The Alliance Française transformed the occasion into a space buzzing with music and entertainment. Teachers from primary schools, secondary schools, universities, and adult learning centers gathered to exchange ideas, reconnected with colleagues, and discover each other’s talents in an atmosphere filled with warmth and friendship.
Honouring Creativity with the theme “Our Teachers Have Talent!”This year, the Embassy of France launched a national contest titled “Nos profs ont du talent!” (“Our Teachers Have Talent !”), participants were invited to either interpret or create a Francophone song.For a month, from 13 October to 13 November 2025, teachers from across the country submitted their performances online, filling the digital space with francophone music.While winners of this nationwide competition were announced.
According to the the Director, Mrs Marina Lacal, Alliance Française Port Harcourt, excitement and anticipation were added to the celebrations, saying that in Port Harcourt, the festivities went even further. Port Harcourt experienced a Unique Celebration that went beyond the online competition, Alliance Française Port Harcourt created something special, an event where teachers met physically, shared moment of joy, and present their musical talents live.On stage, teachers sang the songs they love and those they have created, showcasing the creativity that animates their classrooms every day.
She explained that that off stage, they( participants )shared stories, network with colleagues, laughed together, and celebrated their unique contribution to the promotion of the French language in Rivers State.This gathering is also a moment of recognition. Every day, French teachers open doors for thousands of learners, children discovering their first French words, teenagers preparing for exams, university students shaping their future careers, and adults embracing new opportunities.
“Today, the spotlight shines on them. More Than an Event, A Tribute to Their Dedication The 2025 celebration in Port Harcourt was a heartfelt tribute to the teachers who make French come alive, those who inspire, guide, and encourage learners with unwavering commitment,” Mrs. Lacal said
The Director explained that It recognises their resilience, their creativity, and their essential role in building bridges between cultures.By offering them a moment of relaxation, fun, artistic expression, and professional networking, Alliance Française Port Harcourt reaffirms its mission to support educators, strengthen the teaching community, and celebrate the vibrant energy of the Francophonie in Nigeria.
Climax of the exciting event was the presentation of prizes to winners of the competition.
The Chairman Advisory Committee on Entertainment and Performing Arts, Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Lexy M. Mueka has expressed gratitude to the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area Dr. Thomas Bariere for his support and vision in promoting entertainment as a tool for peacebuilding and youth engagement.
Hon Mueka made this known to the Tide Entertainment during a recently concluded concert tagged “OGONI ARISE CONCERT” held at the No. 6 Field, Old Port Harcourt Township.
According to him, the concert was not just an event but a movement aimed at reawakening the cultural consciousness of the Ogoni people and inspiring the younger generation to use their talents positively.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the event, organized by Triple 3 Entertainment under the auspices of the office of the Chairman Advisory committee on Entertainment and Performing Arts to the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, was a vibrant celebration of peace, unity, and cultural renaissance among the Ogoni people.
“Conceptualized as a platform to promote social harmony, empower young creatives, and showcase the rich artistic heritage of Ogoniland, the Ogoni Arise Concert succeeded in bringing together community leaders, entertainers, and the general public in a rare show of solidarity. The event featured electrifying performances by indigenous and regional artistes, dance troupes, comedians, and cultural ambassadors, all united under one message — Ogoni is rising again,” Hon. Mueka said.
“The Ogoni Arise Concert was designed to remind us of who we are — a people of strength, creativity, and unity. We wanted to show that entertainment can be a bridge for peace, a voice for our youth, and a celebration of our identity,” he added.
The event also featured a special Award Presentation Ceremony recognizing distinguished Ogoni sons and daughters who have made remarkable contributions in areas such as leadership, humanitarian service, creative excellence, and cultural promotion. The awards added a touch of prestige and purpose, reinforcing the concert’s theme of celebrating excellence while inspiring future generations.
Security at the event venue was top-notch, turnout of attendance impressive, and the atmosphere electric throughout the night.
Meanwhile, guests and participants had described the event as “historic, well-organized, and truly uplifting.”
