Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The new Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru, has told groups and individuals kicking against the new change in the assembly to sheath their swords and respect the will of God and rule of law that brought the change.
“Leadership belongs to God and He gives it to whoever he wants at the chosen time. Those insisting that the assembly must return to status-quo are challenging the will of God,” Umaru told newsmen in an interview in Yola.
Umaru who described the change that led to his emergence in the PDP-dominated house as the popular wish of the lawmakers who had lost confidence in the former leadership, accused the groups and individuals agitating for the return of the former leadership of trying to blackmail the house by spreading rumours that the change was a plot against the executive.
Bauchi
Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 12, says with the right approach and tools, the police can tackle security challenges in the country.
Abubakar, who made the observation last Wednesday at a news conference in Bauchi, called on men of the force to exhibit professionalism in handling security problems.
Abubakar said the current state of criminality in the country, especially in Zone 12, was of great concern to the government and the force.
He warned his men not to abdicate their responsibilities, adding that any commissioner of police who allowed his command to be attacked “shall bear the consequences of his inaction’’.
FCT
The National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND) on a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
Speaking during the ceremony in Abuja last week the National President of NASSI, Mr Chuku Wachuku, said that the MoU would give credit to entrepreneurs to rapidly grow the economy through small scale businesses.
According to him, the relationship of NASSI and NERFUND is to transform talk into action, particularly, to create opportunities for the unemployed to set up businesses.
Commenting on the process of registration, Wachuku said that applicants should apply through their local and state governments to enable the body to get their details.
The Managing Director, NERFUND, Mr Baba Gimba, said that the relationship was to empower Nigerians and reduce poverty among the people.
Gombe
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has appointed Hajiya Fatima Shehu-Abubakar, daughter of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, and 18 others as commissioners in the state.
Others are former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Hassan Adamu, and the chairmen of Billiri and Shongom local governments, Messrs. Rabenson Wasa and Samuel Bulus, respectively.
Mrs Aishatu Ahmed, Malam Shehu Hadi, Malam Babagoro Abdulkadir, Alhaji Ahmad Walama, Malam Jalo Bajoga, Malam Hamza Wuro-Bokki and Malam Mijinyawa Labaran also made the list.
Jigawa
Jigawa State has recorded two new cases of polio virus in Gwiwa Local Government Area of the state, bringng the number of cases reported this year to 11
UNICEF Representative in the state, Mrs Jane Nyanzi told a meeting in Dutse ahead of preparations for polio-free torch campaign scheduled for Friday, that other LGAs where cases had been reported are Ringim, Babura, Guri, Roni, Birnikudu, Dutse and Gwiwa.She called on residents to embrace immunisation, noting that non-compliance to the exercise and high number of missed children were the reasons for incessant outbreaks.
Nyanzi said that poor commitment by vaccinators also remained a big challenge to a successful eradication.
She called on all relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts in the fight against polio for its eradication by 2012.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State House of Assembly said last Wednesday that political and ethno-religious crises advsersely affected smooth implementation of the state’s 2011 budget.
The legislators made the declaration while debating the general principles of the 2012 budget presented by Gov. Patrick Yakowa on Dec. 15.
They noted that the spate of violence witnessed in the state posed serious threat to the execution of development projects in 2011.
The lawmakers said the 2012 fiscal policy must be religiously implemented to redeem electoral promises.
In his contribution, Mr Yohanna Jatau (PDP-Jaba) said that peace and harmony were essential for the development of the state, stressing that stability is imperative for faithful implementation of the budget.
Kebbi
Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi has approved the construction of a 12 Km road from Birnin Kebbi to Makera settlement at the cost of N3.4 billion.
The governor announced the approval during an inspection tour of the N270 million Danyeku Bridge in Bunza Local Government Area, a statement said.
The statement, issued by the Press Secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Mua’azu, in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, said the road had five bridges covering 345m.
It, however, said the government might revoke the N4.8 billion contract for the construction of the 110km road linking Bunza and 23 other settlements.
Lagos
The West African Examination Council has withheld the results of 39, 066 of the 404,863 candidates that sat for the Nov/Dec. 2011 West African School Certificate Examination (WASC).
Dr Iyi Uwadiae, the Head of National Office of the Council, disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos last Wednesday.
Uwadiae attributed the development to the various reports of alleged examination malpractices that characterised the exercise, pointing out that 179,840 females sat for the examination
He urged candidates who sat for the examination to check the details of their performance with their scratch cards on the council’s website within 24 hours.
Uwadiae expressed optimism that with more attention being given to the education sector by the various states governments, the country would soon witness a positive turnaround in examination results.
He lauded Ebonyi government for providing accommodation for the take- off of the council’s branch office in Abakiliki.
Niger
Traders in Niger State have attributed the low sales of goods for Christmas to the delay in the payment of workers’ salaries in the state.
A survey by our correspondent on Wednesday revealed that most of the traders at the two main markets in Minna had low patronage.
They complained about poor sales as the usual rush associated with sales before Xmas was lacking.
Some traders said that the situation had left them with a lot of unsold goods.
Mr Moses John, a trader in Minna market said he spent thousands of Naira to buy goods specifically for sales during the period.
“The poultry we normally buy chicken from increased its price by 20 per cent and we have to increase our price in the market to enable us make profit as this is festive period.’”
Ondo
Irele local government in Ondo State has pledged continued support for the state chapter of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTAP) .
Mr Oluwatobi Akinbiola, the chairman of the council, made the pledge on Wednesday during the inauguration of Irele chapter last the association.
Akinbiola, who received an award from the chapter, for being the “Best Ondo State Local Government Chairman”, commended its executive members for their contributions to the development of the state’s cultural heritage.
Plateau
Otunba Segun Runsewe, the Director-General of Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, has decried the lack of tourism investment in Plateau as a result of the recurring crises in the state.
Runsewe said at an interactive session with community leaders on Wednesday during the “National Peace Week ‘ in Jos that the state had lost a huge investment in the tourism sector.
He pleaded with the community leaders to put behind them whatever might have transpired in the past.
Sokoto
Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has approved the payment of more than N172.5 million as bursary for 34 indigenes of the state undergoing various medical programmes in the U.K.
Alhaji Abdulkadir Kalgo, the chairman of the state’s Scholarship Board, disclosed this in Sokoto on Wednesday in a statement signed by Malam Isa Abubakar, the board’s Information Officer.
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
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