Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa has approved the appointment of Mr Musa Kaibo as the new Head of Service of the state.
A statement issued last Friday in Yola by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Kobis Thimnu, said the appointment is with immediate effect.
It said Kaibo’s appointment was as a result of the retirement of his predecessor, Alhaji Othman Mohammed.
Until his appointment, Kaibo was the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of Service.
FCT
The Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, has assured that the July 14 governorship election in Edo would be credible, free and fair.
The special adviser gave the assurance last Friday in Abuja while addressing newsmen on the forth-coming governorship election.
Gulak also promised that election materials would be distributed to all polling units on time to enable the electorate to exercise their franchise without hindrance.
On the recent court judgement reinstating elected local councils in Imo State, Gulak said that Gov. Rochas Okorocha had no constitutional power to dissolve the councils, adding that the court had done the right thing by re-instating the council chairmen.
The tenure of the council officials had not expired when they were told to go in June last year by the governor. A transitional committee was subsequently appointed to replace the 27 council chairmen. According to Gulak, the appointment of caretaker committees for local government councils is unconstitutional.
Kaduna
Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State has urged politicians to imbibe the spirit of togetherness to bring true national unity to the country.
At a dinner organised by the State Government to mark the end of the 2012 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, NADCEL in Kaduna last Friday, Yakowa said he had watched with keen interest the spirit of togetherness of the military, which other groups should emulate.
He commended the role the military and other security agencies played in bringing peace to the state and said the government and people of Kaduna were indebted to them.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Defence, Mrs. Outsole Obadiah, said the country was proud of the army, and urged them to continue to distinguish themselves where ever duty calls either within the country or outside.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, said NADCEL had showcased what the army had been doing in the past two years.
Katsina
The Katsina State chapter of the Joint Health Sector Union has expressed concern over alleged imposition of high tax on its members.
The Chairman of the union, Alhaji Aminu Usman, said in Katsina last Friday that the introduction of the new tax regime had reversed the benefit workers derived from the new salary structure.
The chairman said “the union wanted to make it clear that this is not acceptable.’’
Usman also called on the government to pay six months outstanding arrears to health workers in local government areas in the state.
He however, acknowledged that the state government had implemented the Consolidated Medical Salary and Consolidated Health Salary Structure for its members.
The union reaffirmed its support for the three-week ultimatum given by the Nigeria Medical Association for the state to improve the deteriorating condition of health sector or face an industrial action.
Kebbi
Kebbi State Director of Information, Alhaji Garba Hamisu, has advised journalists in the state to shun sensationalism and uphold professional conduct.
The director, who gave the advise last Friday, in Birnin Kebbi in an interview, assured journalists that the ministry of Information would furnish them with relevant information for dissemination to the public.
“Journalists have serious challenge in the current democratic dispensation. Their reports and criticisms of government activities should be objective, fair and factual,’’ he said.
Hamisu appealed to journalists to shun materialism and give priority to rural coverage to enable people in rural areas offer meaningful advise to policy makers that would improve their standard of living.
“If you want to make quick money, then this profession is the wrong place for you, but you can excel and gain recognition and respect through proper conduct”, he added.
Lagos
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Umar Manko, on Sunday said that 244 suspected armed robbers were arrested by the command in the first half of this year.
Manko said that the arrest of the ring leaders of the various robbery gangs in the state remains one of the biggest achievements of the command during the period under review.
He said that 160 guns and 948 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the suspected armed robbers who had been terrorising the state.
The Police chief said also that out of the 54 cases of robbery recorded during the period, 59 suspected armed robbers were shot dead while five policemen lost their lives in the various encounters with the robbers.
Manko added that 239 vehicles were snatched at gun points, 227 vehicles removed from where they were parked while eight vehicles were driven away by drivers during the period.
Ondo
The Ondo State Government has reiterated its commitment to the care and protection of orphans and vulnerable children in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Rotimi Adelola, said this last Friday in Akure while inaugurating the quarterly meeting of the state Technical Committee on Orphans and Vulnerable Children.
Adelola noted that the response to the plight of orphans and vulnerable children was largely driven by the state government.
He said the meeting was to develop guidelines for the implementation of intervention measures for the care, support and protection of orphans and vulnerable children in the state.
The committee, he added, would “provide a clear understanding of the guiding principles, define roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders to enhance collaboration and strategic partnership”.
Osun
Osun State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts has urged the executive secretaries of local government councils to explore ways and means to increase Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of their respective councils.
The Chairman of the committee, Mr Rasheed Olalekan, gave the charge while meeting with the Executive Secretaries and the management of six councils which appeared before it last Friday in Osogbo. The local government councils were Olorunda, Osogbo, Odo-Otin, Orolu, Irepodun and Ife-East .
Olalekan stressed the importance of IGR to the overall development of their local government areas in particular and the state in general if they work hard at improving their revenue profile.
Plateau
The leadership of the PDP in Plateau State has given its 19 members in the State House of Assembly three months to open their constituency offices.
The State Chairman of the party, Dr Haruna Dabin, said in Jos that the directive became necessary as the party believed it would aid its effort in the forthcoming elections, especially at the local government level.
He said that the flags of the party flying at those constituency offices would help in consolidating the gains of the party as the offices would provide party loyalists a place to hold regular meetings.
Dabin lamented that currently, only seven second time Assemblymen out of the 19 PDP elected members of the Assembly had constituency offices in the state.
“Only seven of them, who are second time legislators’ already have offices, we have 19 members in the Assembly.”
The PDP chieftain said that the directive which, would surely be complied with, was to enable the party to be prepared for major political events in the state that may soon unfold.
Zamfara
The Chairman of Gusau Local Government Area in Zamfara, Alhaji Lawali Mada, says the council will meet President Goodluck Jonathan’s December 2012 deadline on polio eradication.
Mada who made the pledge last Friday, at the launching of the second round of immunisation against polio at the palace of the Emir of Gusau, said the council had made all necessary arrangements toward meeting the objective.
He said the people of the area had been adequately mobilised through enlightenment campaigns conducted by health workers in collaboration with the information unit of the council to achieve the goal.
The Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Kabir Danbaba, said the Emirate Council had already mobilised all village and ward heads to sensitise their people for the success of the exercise, and expressed confidence that the polio disease would be eradicated from the area before December, this year.
The representative of World Health Organisation, Atiku Mai-ahu, urged the local governments in the state to be more committed in the renewed efforts by the Federal Government toward eradicating polio.
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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