Nation
THE STATES
Ekiti
The location in Ikogosi in Ekiti West Local Government Area of EkitiState where the first plane crash was recorded in 1942, is to be converted to tourist centre.
The Special Adviser to the state Governor on Tourism Development, Mr. Segun Ologunleko, who inspected the crash site recently in Ikogosi-Ekiti, said the decision was to turn the state into attractive tourism destination in West Africa.
Ikogosi town is also famous for being the home to warm and cold water co-existing together on the same spot.
He said government’s determination to make the state a place where people could visit and see the relics of the airplane would complement the appeal of the warm spring in the area.
FCT
Helpline Foundation for the Needy (HFN) in collaboration with the Social Development Secretariat (SDS) of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) last week in Abuja donated food items to widows and orphans in the FCT.
President of the NGO, Mrs Jummai Ahmadu, said that her desire to distribute food items to widows and orphan, particularly during Christmas motivated her to set up the foundation in 2005.
According to her, the objective of the foundation is to enhance the wellbeing, economic and human empowerment of children orphaned by HIV and AIDS and vulnerable widows in the society.
“ The organisation since its inception is currently responsible for the education of more than 150 children both in primary and secondary schools.
Jigawa
The Jigawa Chapter of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has commended the Federal Government for distributing fertiliser and other inputs to irrigation farmers in the state.
The chairman of the association, Alhaji Adamu Maigoro, told newsmen at Auyo in Jigawa that the gesture would assist farmers and encourage agricultural activity.
It would be recalled the Federal Government had distributed 7,200 tonnes of fertiliser at 50 per cent subsidised rate to rice farmers in the state.
The Federal Government also distributed 2,400 tonnes of improved rice seeds free to the farmers this dry season under its agricultural palliative programme to accelerate rice production in the country.
Kaduna
The National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) last Thursday in Kaduna said it had spent N11.5 billion on the training of 425,000 teachers in the last four years.
The Director General of the institute, Dr Ladan Sharehu said this at a press briefing ahead of the flag-off of the Annual Nationwide Capacity Workshop for Teachers.
Sharehu said the programme, financed by the MDGs, was for the training of primary and Junior Secondary School teachers in four subjects English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science and Social Studies.
She explained that N3.5 billion was spent in 2009 to train 120,000 teachers, N4 billion in 2010 to train 140,000 teachers and N2 billion used in 2011 on the training of 125, 000.
Kogi
The Kogi State Government says it will soon domesticate the Child Rights Act to enhance its application for proper upbringing of children.
Mrs Patience Mameh, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, told newsmen in Lokoja that government had put in place measures that would popularise the Act.
She said that the upbringing of children should be premised on their guaranteed fundamental rights to check abuse and traumatising of children.
Mameh said that it was against this backdrop that the ministry recently held its maiden sitting of the “Children’s Parliament” to develop skills for good governance and responsible citizenship among the children.
Kwara
Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has reiterated the commitment of his administration to partnering community and religious bodies to eradicate poverty.
Ahmed said this at the Charity Home, Ilorin, during a special prayer to mark the 50th birthday of the former Governor of the State Sen. Bukola Saraki (PDP-Kwara Central).
He said that such partnership was aimed at improving the well being of the people,
He commended the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU), for being a dependable ally for growth and development in the state.
Lagos
Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has urged individuals, clubs and corporate bodies to partner with the government in the provision of social amenities that could aid quality education.
He made the call at the formal commissioning of Dr Lucas Memorial High School’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre, built by Techno Oil Limited in Lagos.
The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), said such partnership was very necessary.
“This will help in turning around the dwindling fortunes of education in the state,’’ saying, restating that provision of quality education was part of his administration’s 10-point agenda.
Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has congratulated Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, for emerging the first recipient of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership.
The governor said in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, in Abeokuta that Soyinka deserved the award.
He described Soyinka as an “embodiment of integrity, credibility, courage, selflessness, accountability, tenacity of purpose, among others.
“Soyinka has spent his entire adult life leading the crusade for a just and united society, founded on the sanctity of the rule of law and press freedom.
Osun
Two persons were killed by armed robbers while no fewer than five others sustained injuries during a bank robbery in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government Area of Osun.
The Tide source reports that the robbery attack lasted half an hour at the Ikirun branch of a new generation bank.
It was learnt that security agents attached to the bank and residents took to their heels on sighting the armed robbers.
Ondo
The President of Ikale World Congress (IWC), an NGO, Mr Samuel Ademola, has decried the high death rate among Nigerians due to curable diseases.
Ademola was speaking at a three- day free healthcare programme organised by the NGO at the state Specialist Hospital in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
He said the group organised the programme to reduce the death rate among indigenes of the area.
“ All of us here today belong to the same ethnic group and we have come up with this programme as a way of helping our fellow Ikale men.
Oyo
A researcher with Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Abubakar Oladeji, has advised his colleagues to disseminate research findings in simple language to make government policy implementation easier.
Oladeji, who spoke in Ibadan recently at a training for journalists on reporting research findings, said dissemination of findings to policy makers and the public was vital to any researcher.
He said, it was unfortunate that a lot of policy makers had little time for reading through technical research reports findings which they saw as academic prose.
He said because of this, it would be a fruitless exercise for researchers to be sending lot of pages of research outcome and recommendations to them.
Plateau
The Plateau Government has approved three months salary for its striking local government workers as part of efforts to placate them to end their eight months industrial action.
The state government said in a statement signed by its Director of Press Affairs, Mr James Mannok, in Jos that Gov. Jonah Jang had decided to tamper with the “no work no pay’’ policy on compassionate grounds.
“The issue is already before the National Industrial Court for interpretation, but government has approved payment of salaries to resuming workers with effect from October to December 2012,’’ the statement said.
Yobe
Yobe Assembly has unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam for engaging 10,000 youths under the state Special Empowerment Programme aimed at curbing unemployment.
The assembly passed the vote of confidence at its plenary session presided over by the speaker, Alhaji Dala Dogo.
The legislators said the gesture would help curb unemployment and contribute to checking insecurity.
The assembly also noted with satisfaction the ongoing training of youths, who were recently engaged as teachers in primary and secondary schools across 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
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