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Adamawa

Teachers in Mubi Local Government of Adamawa State  has resumed work, following the suspension of the seven-week old strike by the chapter’s NLC.

The workers had in September embarked on an indefinite strike to press for the implementation of the N18, 000 minimum wage.

The strike had paralysed government business and closed down public schools and clinics.

Our correspondent, who went round various schools in Mubi, reports that most teachers had reported to work as early as 7:30 a.m.

The situation was the same at the General Hospital, Mubi as doctors and other health personnel were seen attending to patients.

However few workers reported to work at the Mubi Local Government Secretariat and other government’s offices in the area.

At Sabon-Pegi Primary School, teachers and pupils were seen cleaning classrooms and the school premises.

Some of the teachers, who spoke to newsmen, commended the state government and NLC for amicably resolving the crisis.

Bauchi

Bauchi Radio Corporation (BRC) has opened training workshop for pioneer staff on the management of community radio stations in the state.

The Managing Director,  Alhaji Muhammed Ahmed, said that the creation of the radio stations was aimed at educating the citizens of the state and to inform them appropriately.

He added:”The creation of the stations is a courageous act by the state government under Gov. Isa Yuguda to raise the socio-political consciousness of the rural communities through effective broadcasting at the grass roots.’’

He said that five stations were already selected to be inaugurated and that they had produced a comprehensive documents with details on structure and schedules of duties of each worker on a community radio station.

He added that the training was also a stepping stone for the series and continuous training and re-training of the staff that would manage the stations.

He said that the participants would be exposed to the rudiments of leadership and management, programmes production, news gathering techniques at the grass roots, as well as appreciation of local cultures and cultivating good public relations.

Borno

The Borno Sector Commander of FRSC, Mr Christopher James, in Maiduguri on Thursday advised motorists to drive with caution throughout the ‘ember months’.

James, who gave the advice in an interview with newsmen noted that most of the road accidents recorded across the country took place during the ember months.

“Many people want to travel for celebration at this period and drivers do not consider their vehicle loading capacity and overload them which often resulted in accidents,” he said.

He also attributed lack of maintenance as one of the causes of road accidents, pointing out that some drivers did not examine and service their vehicles before putting them on the road.

FCT

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the door to the central store of its Lagos office where some Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines and other items got missing was not broken.

Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman,Mr Kayode Idowu told newsmen on telephone that the stealing might have been carried out in the night.

INEC on Tuesday uncovered the theft of 1,388 DDC machines, 2, 986 internal hard discs and 644 computer batteries.

Idowu said indications of the theft were first noticed on Oct. 16 while the quantity of items involved was determined through an in-house audit concluded on October .24.

Gombe

A lawmaker, Alhaji Manu Swa, has pledged to support Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo in reactivating the Balanga Dam to enhance development in the state.

Swa, who won last Saturday’s by-election for the Balanga/Billiri Constituency , made the promise while speaking with newsmen in Gombe.

He noted that the dam, built for irrigation purposes, had been under-utilised for a long period of time, hence the decision by the state governor to extend water supply to Balanga, Billiri, Kaltungo and Kumo towns.

Kano

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has donated relief materials worth millions of naira to victims of this year’s flood disaster in 14 local government areas of Kano State.

The items donated included 1, 200 bundles of roofing sheets, 1, 800 bags of cement, 4,000 pieces of plants, 200 package of zinc nails and 200 bags of nails.

Others were 1, 200 bags of rice, 600 bags of maize, 300 bags of guinea corn, 200 bags of millet, 200 bags of beans, 800 cartons of cereals and 2,000 pieces of blankets.

Speaking while presenting the items to victims of the disaster in Tarauni local government area in Kano, the Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Sani Sidi, said the gesture was to alleviate the sufferings of the affected persons.

Represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Yusha’u Shu’aibu, the Sidi said the items were donated based on the assessment conducted by NEMA officials in the zone in August.

Kwara

The Kwara House of Assembly on Wednesday decried the deplorable condition of federal and other feeder roads within the state.

The Assembly, in a resolution on a matter of urgent public importance raised by Mr Kamal Fagbemi

(Oke-Ogun constituency), noted that the Ajase-Ipo/Offa/Erin-Ile federal road had become a nightmare for road users due of its deplorable state.

He said that the condition of the road leading to Osun boundary, had provided undue advantage for armed robbers to harass motorists and travellers.

He urged the lawmakers to summon the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to explain the reason for the delay in rehabilitating the road for which funds had been released to them.

“The road is in a sorry state and has crippled the economic activities of people of the affected areas,” he said.

Lagos

General Manager, Technical Services, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) Mr Jeleel Olubori has suggested partnership among state governments to ensure effective waste management.

Olubori made the call in a paper he presented at the two-day conference tagged “Sustainable City Development, Waste Management and Waste-to-Energy,” jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Embassy of Sweden in Abuja.

In his paper, titled ‘Waste Management in Developing Countries’, Olubori said that Lagos State had a lot to offer other states in terms of technical support and human capacity development on best practises in waste management.

He said that the state operated an integrated waste management system that has made it a model in the country.

Oyo

The Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Tokunboh Fayokun, has urged technological institutions to assist in developing solar energy to complement government’s efforts at resolving the energy crisis facing the nation.

He made the call in Ibadan at a “Distinguish Service Award” ceremony in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

Fayokun said technological institutions should be able to develop a cheap solar energy that would not only serve their need, but also serve their immediate neighbours.

He said if the institutions were able to develop their own energy supply, it would open the door of economic prosperity, and make them less dependant on government for financial support.

Fayokun commended the founding fathers of the polytechnic for their foresight, saying that the institution had become an octopus in educational matters in the country.

Sokoto

Sokoto State Police Command has arrested two people, Anas Aliyu, 24, and Bilyaminu Tafida, 23, of the state Polytechnic for allegedly stealing one Honda civic car with registration number AY 696 BWR.

The suspects were paraded at Marina Police station by ASP Mustapha Isa, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO) last Wednesday.

He said that the car was stolen at Dan Fili in Sokoto metropolis and taken to Argungu in Kebbi State.

Isa explained that the command had adopted sensitive security measures to ensure the arrest and prosecution of criminals in the state.

He added that the suspects would be charged to court after investigation of the case.

Zamfara

A Gusau Magistrate Court handling a case of alleged missing genitals, heard on Wednesday that the accused had made a false claim.

Testifying before Magistrate Umar Abdulnasir, Dr. Adebiyi Adewale, who conducted the medical examination, told the court that the accused, Idowu Olatunji, was tested twice and found that he had had intercourse twice with his wife after the alleged incident.

Ola conducted the examination told the Olatunji, a banker, had on September 2, alleged that Saminu Turaki, a journalist, formerly reporting for the National Life newspapers, mysteriously stole his manhood shortly after the two of them had a handshake in the banking hall.

Turaki escaped being lynched due to the quick intervention of a combined team of the police, civil defence and the bank’s security.

He was later taken to the Gusau Police Station while the banker was taken to the Gusau Federal Medical Centre for examination.

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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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