Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Adamawa State House of Assembly last Friday in Yola, commenced public hearing on the abandoned rural electrification projects in the state.
Speaking at the commencement of the hearing, the Chairman of the House Committee on Rural Infrastructure and Community Development, Alhaji Salihu Kabilo, said the measure was not to witch-hunt anyone but to ensure accountability.
Kabilo urged members of the public and stakeholders to make available necessary information on the contracts to help the committee do its work.
He said the house was committed to ensuring that contractors paid to execute government’s projects did the job they were paid to do.
The state’s Commissioner for Community Development and Rural Infrastructure, Alhaji Aminu Iyawa, lauded the house for the hearing.
Benue
The Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority (LBRBDA), has sunk a borehole at Logo community in Akpehe area of Makurdi.
The borehole was sunk close to the Saint Joseph Catholic Church Akpehe in Logo 11, Makurdi.
The Managing Director of the Agency, Mr Ada Chenge, said while commissioning the project on Saturday in Makurdi, that the hand-pump borehole, would provide relief to the people of the community.
He said that the project was aimed finding a lasting solution to the perennial water shortage in the Benue State capital.
In an address, Rev Fr. Celestine Terfa, the Parish Priest of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, Akpehe, commended the authority for the initiative and gave assurance that the borehole would be utilised by all members of the community
members.
Jigawa
Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, has said that the success of his administration is based on the prudent management of resources.
Lamido made the statement in Dutse on Friday while breaking the Ramadan fast with supporters of Peoples Democratic Party.
“I never took loans from any bank, institution or foreign organisation to execute projects and my government is not owing contractors. “As soon as contractors complete their projects, our consultants evaluate them and we pay immediately,’’ he said.
The governor commended the citizens for their support and peaceful coexistence and stressed that “no development can take place in an atmosphere of violence and rancour.”
He promised to lead the people with the fear of God and give them their due by providing them the dividends of democracy.
Kano
The Kano State Government, said it would complete the seven uncompleted township roads it inherited from the previous administration before the end of the year.
Alhaji Mohammed Yahaya, the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning gave the assurance while answering questions from newsmen in Kano on Friday.
The uncompleted roads are: Sharada, Murtala Mohammed, Rijiyar Zaki, Mohammed Wase, Kabuga, Daula and Bank roads. ‘’When we came in we saw that the cost of the projects was outrageous,’’ he said.
Yahaya said that following the discovery, the State Government set up a committee of consultants to verify what had been done.
The commissioner said that the State Government had already paid all outstanding debts to contractors who handled the projects. He said government had also planned to dualize the Airport road from Ashton-pilgrims camp-Yahaya Gusau road to de-congest the road.
Kaduna
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, told graduating students of the Nigerian Military School (NMS) on Saturday that discipline and selfless service were the pathways to success for the Nigerian Army.
Speaking at the 54th graduation ceremony of the NMS in Zaria, Ihejirika said that no army would succeed in the absence of discipline, commitment, dedication and selflessness service.
The army chief, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Laurence Ngubani, Chief of Training and Operations, Army Headquarters said, “as members of the Nigerian Army, discipline should be your watchword.
“Remember, success demands the highest level of discipline, commitment, dedication, perseverance and selfless
service,’’ he said.
Kebbi
Comptroller of the Kebbi State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service Mr Sule Momoh, has said that 42 illegal immigrants, residing in the state have been deported in the last one month.
Momoh made the disclosure in an interview in Birnin Kebbi last Friday.”We identified and deported 42 illegal immigrants to their various countries during our routine duties within one month,” he said.
He said the immigration service in the state had intensified security surveillance at boarder areas in view of the security challenges facing the country.
“All the authoritative roads leading into neighbouring countries were monitored by immigration personnel and in many cases the illegal immigrants were identified, arrested and deported as most of them did not possess entry documents.”
Kwara
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State, has extended the ban on the use of commercial motorcycles in some areas in Ilorin by an additional four weeks.
The governor extended the ban on Saturday, following a violent protest by commercial motorcyclists in some parts of the state’s capital on Saturday.
At a meeting with officials of the protesting motorcyclists at the Government House, the governor explained that the ban was not punitive.
The commercial motorcyclists had earlier embarked on protest at Sawmill, Geri-Alimi and Taiwo Road from where they marched to the state’s House of Assembly and then to the Government House.
The state’s Chairman of the Commercial Motorcyclist Riders Association, Alhaji Toyin Alase, expressed displeasure over the restriction of motorcyclistsd in some areas of the city.
Niger
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab, says the army is prepared to protect the country territory.
Wahab told newsmen after visiting Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger on Friday that the army would protect the territory in spite of its involvement in counter-terrorism interventions.
He said the army and other security agencies were prepared for their constitutional duties of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity as well as lives and properties of Nigerians and its visitors.
He assured the civil society that his officers and men had been trained to carry out their operations in line with their rules of engagement and in accordance with global best practices.
Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has restated his commitment to ensuring good governance and even development in the state. Amosun made the remark on Friday at the Government House in Abeokuta at a meeting with traditional rulers from Ogun Central and Yewa Zone.
“Let me re-assure the good people of Ogun State that we will continue to work to advance the development of our state. “The work will continue as we have started and unprecedented development will be witnessed across the state as the mission to rebuild is on course,” he said.
He said that newly-elected Local Government chairmen and councillors in the state would work in line with the five cardinal programmes of his administration.
While thanking the electorate for their support, especially during the just-concluded local council elections in the state, he assured that good governance would be felt in the remotest parts of the state.
Sokoto
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 10, Sokoto, Mr Muktari Ibrahim, said on Saturday that the police had put in place improved security measures to sustain peace in the seat of the Caliphate.
Ibrahim said this while conducting the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminurity measures to be adopted in and outside the state for peace, progress and political growth of the zone as well as the country
at large.
He further said that all security officers in the zone had been put on red alert to confront any threat.
Yobe
The Emir of Fika in Yobe, Alhaji Mohammed Ibn Abali Idris on Friday in Potiskum, escaped an attack by suicide bomber at the Potiskum Central Mosque.
The Yobe Police Command’s spokesperson, Mr Toyin Gbadegesin, said the bomber tried to get close to the emir after the the Friday prayers, but was prevented by a policeman.
The spokesman said that upon falling down, one of the concealed explosives detonated and killed the bomber, while five policemen and two civilians sustained injuries, adding that the emir escaped unhurt.
Gbadegesin stated that the police anti-bomb squad, thereafter, detonated some other un-exploded devices carried by the bomber.
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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