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Adamawa

The Fadama III Office in Mubi South Local Government Council Area of Adamawa has registered 2,740 farmers, says the Desk Officer, Ms Lydia Solomon.

Solomon told Tide source in Mubi on Monday that the programme had also registered 137 Fadama User Groups (FUGs) since its inception in the area.

She said that the programme had embarked on sensitisation campaign to educate communities and promote participation in the programme.

“We embarked on grassroots mobilisation to create awareness and educate communities on how to participate in the programme.

“The campaign focuses on training the benefitting communities on how to draw up proposal for projects and ensure effective utilisation of funds,” Lydia said.

The desk officer urged communities in the area to form associations to enable them to benefit from various facilities under the programme.

Bauchi

Bauchi State Government plans to distribute 20 ambulances and 20 tri-cycles, popularly called “Keke NAPEP,” to some maternity centres, through the MDGs.

The Special Adviser to Gov. Isa Yuguda on MDGs, Hajiya Hajara Yakubu-Wanka, made the announcement on Monday while inspecting some projects in Alkaleri, Kirfi and Bauchi Local Government Areas.

She said the distribution of the items would reduce the hardship being faced by women, especially pregnant women and children while receiving anti-natal and other health care services.

Yakubu-Wanka said the items to be distributed would meet the needs of the health centres, especially the maternity centres.

FCT

Nigeria has called on member nations to support the programmes of the UNESCO to ensure lasting peace and sustainable development in the world.

A statement issued in Abuja by Mr Aliyu Othmn, the Special Adviser to the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’l, noted that Vice President Namadi Shambo made the call at the ongoing 36th session of UNESCO holding in Paris, France.

Sambo, who was represented by the minister, also urged member nations to go beyond how UNESCO contributes to peace and sustainable development programme to how it could improve its performance.

He stated that the conference was an opportunity for member-states to propose and recommend appropriate guidelines on how the body could fulfill its objectives on international peace as well as the common welfare of mankind.

Gombe

Gombe State Ministry of Water Resources, Town Planning and Environment has cleared more than 2,000 hectares of land for this year’s irrigation farming.

Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry told newsmen in Gombe on Monday that the actual activities for the dry farming would begin next month.

The permanent secretary said that rice, vegetables, onions, tomatoes and pepper would be cultivated at the site.

He said that in 2010 only 250 hectares were cultivated because the irrigation canal was not properly in place.

He said that Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo had released funds to the ministry to put the irrigation canal in place and that the ministry was working tirelessly to mobilise people to engage in dry season farming.

Jigawa

Chairman of Taraba Planning Commission, Mr David Elisha has urged the Federal Government to educate Nigerians on Vision 20:2020 to enable them participate in its implementation.

Elisha spoke to newsmen in Dutse, Jigawa, on the sidelines of a meeting of the National Council on Development Planning and Joint Planning Board.

“Nigeria’s Vision 20:20:20 should be brought down to a level where an ordinary Nigerian on the street will understand what we are talking about.

“ I believe an average Nigerian doesn’t understand it and that’s why there is the need for more enlightenment,’’ he said.

Kaduna

Kaduna chapter of NLC says it will soon dialogue with the state government on the implementation of the N18,000 minimum wage.

The NLC Chairman, Malam Adamu Ango, told newsmen in Kaduna that the meeting was aimed at sorting out some grey areas in the agreement on the contents of the new table for the implementation of the new wage which now included grade levels 9 to 17.

He said the meeting would take place when Gov. Patrick Yakowa and the Finance Commissioner, Mr John Ayuba, returned from their foreign trip.

Kebbi

The World Bank-assisted Kebbi Social and Community Development Project embedded environmental protection measures in 151 projects executed in the past two years at the cost of N277.1 million.

The General Manager of the project, Mr Usman Abubakar, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Monday that the construction of toilets and incinerators was compulsory for all the micro-projects executed.

He said that benefitting communities provided 10 per cent of the cost of the projects in their localities while 90 per cent comprised World Bank grant for projects in health, education and water supply.

He said that as a pre-condition for approval, benefitting communities were required to plant trees, build toilets and incinerators around their projects to protect the environment.

Lagos

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has urged smallholder farmers to form cooperatives to tackle global food security challenges.

In a statement in Lagos on Monday, FAO said that the development would boost poverty reduction globally, improve farmers’ income, bargaining power and resource sharing.

According to the statement, the decision was taken at the launching of the International Year of Cooperatives in New York.

It said that the role of agricultural cooperatives was imperative in improving the living standard of smallholder farmers and their families.

Oyo

The University of Ibadan (U.I) has dismissed six officials from two departments of the institution for various offences.

According to a statement in Ibadan on Monday, three of the affected persons were in the Security Department, while the others were from the Works Department.

The statement, which was signed by the Registrar of the university, Mrs Omotayo Ikotun, stated that the officers were disengaged in various offences, including “gross misconduct, theft and negligence”.

Ikotun said the Governing Council of the university had approved their dismissal.

Sokoto

A female politician, Hajiya Luba Hassan, says women will vote for Governor Aliyu Wamakko in the March 2012 gubernatorial election because of the many programmes executed to uplift them.

Hasan, the Secretary of the PDP in Gagi Ward, Sokoto South Local Government Area, spoke to newsmen on Monday.

She said for the first time in the history of  the state, women were given the opportunity to contribute toward the political growth of the state.

According to her, the skills acquisition centres set up by the state government have enabled women and youths to be self-reliant.

“We will forever remain grateful to the Wamakko administration for giving us the opportunity to learn various grades and for giving us incentives to start our business.

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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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