Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Adamawa government has spent N10 million on flood and other related disasters’ sensitisation campaign, the Deputy governor, Mr Bala Ngillari, has said.
Ngillari, who received the Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Sidi, in Yola last Thursday, said the campaign was initiated following the early forecast and warning by NEMA on the possibility of flooding in some parts of the state.
Sani-Sidi was in Yola for the consultative meeting of Heads of States Emergency Management Agencies.
“Adamawa state received the warning early this year and acted immediately through continuous sensitisation of the various communities,’’ he said.
Through this campaign, disaster prone areas took actions that reduced effects and losses in some parts of the state, especially in Guyuk, Numan, Demsa, Lamurde and Yola which were flooded.
Bauchi
Some rural farmers in Bauchi state want a review of the fertiliser distribution system in the state, our correspondent learnt that most of the farmers in some rural settlements on the outskirts of Bauchi metropolis were not satisfied with the distribution method being adopted by the state government.
In separate interviews with farmers in those settlements, they told our correspondent that they see the channels through which the commodity was being distributed as unreliable.
They pointed out that the year 2011 has been the worst, in comparison with the problems experienced in previous years.
Malam Babaji Yakubu, a 56-year-old maize farmer in Inkil village, blamed lack of fertiliser for the poor harvest on his farms this year.
Mohammed Muktar of Sabon-Layivillage, noted that the situation should have been better in spite of the problems of rainfall.
Borno
A Borno High Court will on Sept. 30 deliver its judgement in a case involving a house wife who allegedly killed her daughter by setting her ablaze after poisoning her.
The woman, Rebecca Emmanuel, allegedly burnt her seven-year old daughter in Biu Local Government Area of Borno.
Emmanuel was standing trial for alleged culpable homicide punishable with death under section 221 of the Penal Code Law.
The accused was said to have taken her daughter to a bush in Biu where she gave her a bottle of maltina beverage adulterated with poison to drink.
According to the report, the seven-year girl, thereafter, became unconscious after crying of stomach pain.
The girl who later died in the bush was covered up with dry leaves and grasses by her mother who reportedly set her ablaze. However, the judgement of the case which was earlier slated for Sept. 20 was adjourned, due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Purtum Ngadda.
FCT
The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) says there is the the need for the country to simplify its judicial processes to ensure prompt adjudication of cases.
This was one of the recommendations of the 16th summit of the Group which ended last Thursday in Abuja.
The Group advised “all tiers of governments to simplify judicial processes on election petitions, commercial disputes and other cases in the nation’s judicial system,’’
“There is the need to reverse the culture of impunity by ensuring compliance with existing laws, procedures and regulations,” it said.
NESG urged the government to promote value-based ideologies and to intensify the war on corruption in both private and public sectors.
“Public and private sectors should have the will to allow the system to run effectively through good administration and corporate governance.
“Governments should create a rallying point for citizens to buy-into Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020 in order to deliver power, deregulation of downstream petroleum sector and education reform in the next 12 months,” it said.
Kaduna
TheFederal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has decried the spate of indiscriminate parking on the nation’s highways by drivers of articulated vehicles.
FERMA’s North West 1 Zonal Director, Mr Kaboshiyo Avongs, told newsmen last Thursday in Kaduna that many lives had been lost due to indiscriminate parking by mostly tanker drivers.
Avongs recalled that several measures had been taken to tackle the menace of indiscriminate parking to no avail.
He, however, said new measures, including outright impounding of such vehicles, were being contemplated.
Avongs expressed regrets that several discussions held with the tanker drivers union aimed at changing their attitude to indiscriminate parking were not yielding results.
He commended the Kaduna State Government for providing land to build parks for trailers at Tafa in Kagarko Local Government Area and Mararaban Jos in Igabi Local Government Area.
Avongs said the two areas were noted for the high frequency of accidents involving articulated vehicles, adding that the facilities would reduce the rate of such incidents when completed.
Kebbi
The Kebbi House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs is to collaborate with state ministry of women affairs in tackling issues affecting women and children for sustainable development.
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Alhaji Garba Bena, told journalists in Birnin Kebbi last Thursday that an enabling environment that included logistics,useful advice and any other relevant observation, would be created for effective performance.
He said the House would address gender issues, especially the intensification and enforcement of the state law which prohibits child labour,stressing that the Law has reduced the menace of child hawking reducing children to domestic servants.
According to him, the law that prohibits stigmatisation against people living with HIV and AIDS is still enforced, stressing that from the available records released by the State Action Committee on AIDS (SACA) the prevalence of HIV and AIDS has reduced.
Kogi
The newly established Federal University, Lokoja, will formally commence academic activities in January 2012 with 200 students, its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abdulmumin Rafindadi, has said.
Rafindadi told newsmen in Lokoja that the university will take off at its temporary site with only two faculties – Arts and Social Science with few departments.
He said the faculties of engineering and education would be added over the next two or three years and said that the student population of the university may not be more than 600 at its peak.
He explained that the pioneer students of the university would be selected from the 961 applicants, who made the school their first choice in the last UTME conducted by JAMB,
More than 2,000 other applicants who made the university their second choice would not be consider for admission at all, he explained.
The vice chancellor stated that the university would hold its first post-UTME screening on Sept. 27
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Lagos
The EFCC in Lagos has arraigned two men before an Ikeja High Court for allegedly defrauding a local government council boss of the sum of three million Naira.
Augustine Nwokolo, 46, and Kalu Emole, 48, were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money with false pretence.
EFCC prosecutor, Mr Kayode Oni, alleged that the duo had conspired to defraud Mr Ezekiel Chukwukwere, Chairman of Nwangele Local Government Council of Imo State.
He said they committed the offence on March 15 in the Egbeda area of Lagos by collecting the sum of N3 million from the council boss.
“The duo claimed that there was a petition against Chukwukwere and that the money was to help him sweep the petition under the carpet at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja,’’ the prosecutor said.
He said Chukwukwere had lodged a complaint with the anti-graft body about a phone call which was made by one Mr Linus, demanding the money from him.
Ogun
A gender specialist, Mrs Funmi Hassan, has decried the high level of discrimination and violence against Nigerian women.
Hassan made the observation last Thursday in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, at a two-day leadership skill training for women farmers.
The theme of the training is“Team building and Women Right”.
Speaking on the occasion, Hassan said women’s rights were those human right issues that related to women as the subordinate group in a male-dominated society.
She noted that violence against women was one of the cruel social mechanisms by which women were forced into a subordinate position.
Oyo
The principal of a public school in Oyo State and his deputy (both names withheld) were among those apprehended on Wednesday in Ibadan over illegal collection of fees.
The Commissioner for Education, Mrs Tokunbo Fayokun, announced the arrests at a news conference in Ibadan, saying the task force set up by the education ministry to check the collection of unapproved fees from parents and students took the measure.
She explained that the task force was constituted to make life bearable for parents and guardians, and ensure that the cost of education was affordable.
“The task force proceeded in its task and succeeded in apprehending some principals who engaged in the act.”
Plateau
The Court of Appeal sitting in Jos has dismissed Plateau’s Governor Jonah Jang’s appeal seeking to quash the case of his challenger and Labour Party candidate, Mrs Pauline Tallen.
The Plateau Electoral Petition Tribunal had in its pre-hearing ruling of July 25, 2011, decided in favour of Tallen, while ruling in a case filed by Jang, who had alleged that the LP’s petition against him was not filed on time and should be dismissed.
Dissatisfied with that ruling, Jang appealed against the ruling on the grounds that during the pre-hearing, Tallen willingly withdrew an application, which was the life wire of her petition.
Jang’s counsel, Mr Olu Dundare, had told the appellate court that even though the withdrawal of the application was done with the advice of the tribunal, it was a blunder made by the petitioner, pointing out that it was sufficient ground to invalidate the case.
Sokoto
Sheik Yusuf Alibawa, a Sokoto-based Islamic scholar, has enjoined prospective pilgrims to this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia to pray for peace, progress and political stability of Nigeria.
Alibawa newsmen in Sokoto last Thursday that the nation was dire need of God’s intervention.
He said that prayers by pilgrims as well as other Nigerians would enable the country to overcome the challenges facing the country, especially on security matters.
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
