Nation
THE STATES
Benue
The Federal Ministry of Health has donated medical consumables worth several thousands of naira, to flood victims in Benue.
The Tide reports that the consumables included 20 gallons of methylated spirit, 500 pieces of household clothing, 25 cartons of water filters and 10 cartons of Darrows solution.
Others were 10 cartons of dextrose salines, 5,000 pieces of insecticide nets, 2,500 ACT tablets and 5,000 ACT syrups for children.
The minister, who was represented by Mr Akin Oyemakinde, a Consultant Epidemiologist in the ministry, said in Makurdi that the items were meant to prevent an outbreak of epidemic in the flood-ravaged areas.
FCT
Former Head of State, Ernest Shonekan, on Sunday in Abuja called for dialogue with leaders of those responsible for the spate of insecurity in parts of the country.
He made the call at the graduation ceremony for participants in Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 5, of the Institute for Security Studies.
Shonekan, who was the chairman of the occasion, said the dialogue was necessary to ascertain why they engaged in the act and to find ways to end the crisis.
“They are Nigerians, and to that extent, we must find ways and means of engaging them in robust dialogue to make them see reason and eschew violence.
Kaduna
The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has advised Christian clerics to always inculcate good character in the society.
The Assistant Pastor in Charge of Kaduna Province II of the church, Pastor Emmanuel Tinuoye said at the province-based ministers conference in Kaduna that the world would not get things right except the pastors got them right with Godly character.
He said that some pastors had failed the church in their conduct and way of life.
“A nation with people of strong positive character is an asset to its citizens because the standard of living will naturally be high.
Tinuoye said leadership bereft of positive character could not influence real growth in an economy, church, organisation and homes.
Kano
A non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Kano Stat, Hope Foundation for the Needy, has called for proper counselling of youths to reduce deviance among them.
Hajiya Naja’atu Isma’il, the Coordinator of the NGO, told The Tide in Kano that lack of counselling was a major problem triggering negative deviant behaviours.
“My encounter with many youths engaged in negative deviant behaviours made me understand that they needed counselling at every stage of their lives.
“So many of them grew up on the street without proper guidance due to many societal effects. They are also considered not part of the society.”
Kogi
Kogi State Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, has urged indigenes of the state living in some communities in Enugu and Anambra States to return home, following their displacement by flood.
Awoniyi made the call at Igah, Ogurugu, Ojoh and Atuoacha communities of Enugu and Anambra States on Friday when he visited them.
He appealed to those displaced to come back to Kogi State, adding that the government was building low cost houses for affected victims.
He noted that the state would also provide farm inputs and improved seedlings to farmers and nets to fishermen, among others to aid those affected.
Earlier In their separate remarks, Chief Ogbali Maccilani of Oguragu and Fabian Eneanya of Odeke, who spoke on behalf of the displaced persons, thanked the various state governments for the love shown to them.
Kwara
The Libarian of the Kwara State Library, Mr Abdullahi Shaba, has stressed the need to revive the library system to enhance education in the country.
Shaba, who made the assertion in Ilorin in an interview with our correspondent, noted that this would move the education sector forward.
“Government should equip libraries with books, modern technology and a well trained staff that will give direction to our education in the country,’’ he said.
He pointed out that reading culture among Nigerians, especially students was dead and called for its reawakening through a well equipped library, pointing that inadequate funding was one of the major challenges facing most libraries, while, “technology standard is zero because there are not enough computers to work on.”
Lagos
Some lawyers in Lagos have urged the Federal Government to urgently tackle the problem of extra-judicial killings to avoid chaos in the country.
In separate interviews with our correspondent, they attributed the constant killings to the level of frustration and despondency of the citizenry.
Prof. Itse Sagay, described the situation as one in which the citizenry behaved as if they did not exist in a modern and organised society but in a stone age, saying that the country was degenerating into a state of chaos where anyone could do anything to the extent of taking lives for no just cause.
Niger
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has said that the inland port at Barau in Niger State had reached 80 per cent completion and would be ready by March 2013.
The Managing Director of the authority, Alhaji Ahmed Yar’Adua, announced this when the Ministers of information and National Planning, Mr Labaran Maku and Alhaji Shamsudeen Usman respectively, visited the facility on the Good Governance Tour.
“We have reached 80 per cent completion and we are doing everything to see how this port can be completed and put to use.
“This project would have been completed by December 2012 but due to the recent flooding, we have shifted it, so I assure you that it will be completed by December 2013.”
Ogun
A former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), has reiterated the need for communities and university authorities to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure the safety of students.
Prof Peter Okebukola gave this suggestion while speaking with The Tide at Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State.
He was reacting to the recent attacks and killings of students of the University of Port Harcourt and the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi.
The Tide recalls that four students of the University of Port Harcourt were recently killed by some members of the Aluu community in Ikwerre North Local government area of Rivers State.
Ondo
The candidates of the three major political parties contesting in the Ondo State governorship election on Saturday lauded the electorates in the state for their massive turnout and orderly conduct.
Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who voted at about 2:18 p.m at his Ward 7 Unit 20 Polling Unit in Ondo, told newsmen after casting his vote that the turnout for the election was “ decent and unprecedented.’’
The ACN candidate, Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), also cast his vote at 12:50 p.m at his Oke-Ijebu Polling Unit in Owo.
Akeredolu, who spoke to newsmen after casting his vote, said that he was impressed with the turnout and conduct of voters.
Osun
The Imam of Ejigbo Central Mosque, Ejigbo in Osun State, Alhaji AbdulSalam Omotokese, has advised Muslims to move closer to Allah in order to enjoy his protection and mercy.
Omotokese gave the advice during the Friday Juma’at sermon and thanksgiving service in Ejigbo organised for the Osun State Speaker’s wife, Alhaja Muibat Salam, who regained her freedom from kidnappers after five days in captivity.
He lauded the Muslims for the joint prayer offered on October 12 for the freedom of the speaker’s wife.
He said that Muslims should have strong belief in Allah only, adding that what happened to the speaker’s wife was a great lesson to them all.
According to him, they should all believe in Allah for their security.
Sokoto
The Police Command in Sokoto State has said that it had offered a N100,000 reward to anybody with useful information that could lead to the arrest of four gunmen who robbed a filling station on October 19.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Alhaji Shaiubu Gambo, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the activities of the command.
Gambo said that the command had put in place various security measures to ensure that the criminals were brought to justice, adding that the four gunmen used motorcycles to rob Malami Filling station at Arkillah and a recharge card business centre.
According to him, they shot the recharge cards seller, who later died at the Usman Danfodio Teaching Hospital, Sokoto.
He urged members of the public to cooperate with the police by providing information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of criminals in the state.
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
