Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Federal Government on Thursday announced the confirmation of Alhaji Dahiru Bobbo as the substantive Public Complaints Commissioner for Adamawa.
The news of the confirmation was contained in a statement issued in Yola by the commission’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Hamman James.
Bobbo was the Registrar, University of Maiduguri and a onetime Secretary to the Military Government and Head of Service in the defunct Gongola State. He had also served as the Director General, National Boundary Commission.
It said that the commission was soliciting “usual cooperation from general public to enable it discharged its duty effectively in the state.
“I would like to reiterate that the Commission’s mandate as a grievance-handling body, includes the investigation of the conduct and administrative excesses in government ministries, private companies and their officials. “This is with a view to providing social justice for individual citizens,” the statement further stated.
Borno
The Borno Government said last Thursday that it planned to renovate the Gwoza General Hospital to improve its condition.
Governor Kashim Shettima said this when he paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Idrissa Timta, in Gwoza, headquarters of Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA).
Shettima expressed regret over the hospital’s current dilapidated condition.
“We are going to award contract for a complete overhaul of the structures at the hospital. “We will also equip the hospital with the standard facilities befitting of its status as a general hospital,” he said.
Shettima pointed out that the contract would be awarded in the next two months for work to commence.
“We will insha Allah (by the grace of God) award contract for the renovation of the hospital in the next two months. “I believe that the project will be completed and commissioned in the next nine months so that individuals can start benefiting,” he added.
Jigawa
The prices of foodstuffs and other essential commodities
have gone up in Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State as Muslims count down to the Ramadan fast.
That the prices of food items such as rice, beans, yams, vegetables and beverages had increased by between 15 per cent and 20 per cent.
A 50kg bag of rice now cost N9,200 as against N8,000 previously while a bag of beans sells for N18,000 compared to N12,000 it sold about a month ago. A tin of groundnut oil jumped to N7,200 from the former price of N6,200.
A big tuber of yam now cost N600 as against N300 while a crate of egg now sells for N750 as against N680.
Malam Bayero Aliyu, a trader, attributed the price increases to security challenges in some parts of the northern states, adding that the situation made it difficult for traders to go to some places to buy food items.
Malam Haruna Ibrahim, a customer, also appealed to traders not to increase the prices of their commodities.
Ibrahim said that Ramadan was a holy month when Muslims should be merciful to one another.
Kaduna
The New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN), has sacked 30 workers as part of measures to reduce the company’s running cost.
The Managing Director of the company, Malam Tukur Abdurrahman, said in Kaduna on Thursday that the affected workers were sacked for redundancy.
He said those affected included drivers, secretaries, radio, fax and telephone operators.
“We have drivers but no vehicles to drive. We even have a driver that is now blind. Also, we have secretaries to officers that do not exist and fax operators, which we no longer use.”
The managing director advised the sacked workers to present their documents to their contributory pension providers to get their entitlement.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), NNN chapter, Ibrahim Adamu, said those affected included six workers in Lagos and 24 in Kaduna head office.
Adamu said although the management of the company explained the reason for the exercise, the action was untimely.
Kano
The Kano State Government, says it has purchased various foodstuffs worth N150 million for Ramadan free feeding.The Kano State Government, says it has purchased various foodstuffs worth N150 million for Ramadan free feeding.
This is contained in a statement signed by Alhaji Bala Salihu, the Director of Press to the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Ganduje. This is contained in a statement signed by Alhaji Bala Salihu, the Director of Press to the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Ganduje.
The food items included bags of rice, beans, sugar, cooking oil, flour and take away containers.The food items included bags of rice, beans, sugar, cooking oil, flour and take away containers.
The statement quoted Ganduje as saying that 10 mosques and three Quranic schools from each of the eight metropolitan local governments had been selected as distribution centres for the foodstuffs.
Katsina
Vegetable sellers in Funtua, Malumfashi and Kafur markets in Katsina State have complained of low patronage as the Ramadan fast draws nearer.Vegetable sellers in Funtua, Malumfashi and Kafur markets in Katsina State have complained of low patronage as the Ramadan fast draws nearer.
The Chairman of the Vegetable Sellers’ Association at Malumfashi Market, Malam Yakubu Haruna, that the quantity of vegetables and other items being supplied from nearby villages to township markets, had dropped due to the scarcity.The Chairman of the Vegetable Sellers’ Association at Malumfashi Market, Malam Yakubu Haruna, that the quantity of vegetables and other items being supplied from nearby villages to township markets, had dropped due to the scarcity.
Haruna said that the prices of commodities were high this year compared to last year, and urged customers to bear with the situation, adding that the prices at the market would soon stabilise.Haruna said that the prices of commodities were high this year compared to last year, and urged customers to bear with the situation, adding that the prices at the market would soon stabilise.
He expressed the hope that patronage would be high when fasting commenced and called on his co-traders not to capitalise on the situation to increase prices of items. He expressed the hope that patronage would be high when fasting commenced and called on his co-traders not to capitalise on the situation to increase prices of items.
In Funtua, another vegetable dealer, Malam Ibrahim Dandayi, also complained a medium sized basket of tomato sold for between N3,500 and N4,000 while a bag of fresh pepper went for between N7,000 to N8,000.
Kebbi
Pilgrims from Kebbi will be provided with improved accommodation, medical care and welfare during the 2012 Hajj to Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims from Kebbi will be provided with improved accommodation, medical care and welfare during the 2012 Hajj to Saudi Arabia.
Chairman, Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Usman Bello, who made the promise in Birnin Kebbi during a meeting of the board, said that transportation of the pilgrims would also be improved. Chairman, Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Usman Bello, who made the promise in Birnin Kebbi during a meeting of the board, said that transportation of the pilgrims would also be improved.
Bello urged members of the board to work out modalities to reduce the hardship faced by pilgrims in the Holy Land.Bello urged members of the board to work out modalities to reduce the hardship faced by pilgrims in the Holy Land.
Nasarawa
The Criminal Justice Committee members in Nasarawa State, met last Thursday in Lafia to find ways of decongesting prisons in the state.
The Public Relations Officer of Nasarawa State High Court, Mr Enoch Maku, said that the meeting was necessitated by the overcrowding of prisons in the state.
The PRO also said that the essence of the meeting was to ensure speedy administration of justice in order to decongest the prisons.
Maku said to achieve the objective, the Criminal Justice Committee, chaired by the Chief Justice of the State, Badamasi Maina, made some resolutions concerning the responsibility of the various stakeholders.
Oyo
The Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) lastn Thursday
urged Nigerians to be security conscious, saying confronting the nation’s current challenges was a collective business of all stakeholders.
The body made the plea at a forum in Ibadan to herald its crusade tagged: “ Night of Wonders.’’
Speaking at the forum, NBC Central Workers Committee Chairman, Rev. Johnson Adeleke, said the terrorist attacks in some parts of the country required divine intervention to tackle.
Adeleke urged Christians to pray fervently in order to assist the nation to overcome its current challenges.
The Vice President of NBC, Rev. Dr Gold Anie, also said government and security agencies must be given support to tackle the current security challenges.
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
