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Adamawa

 

Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State has

appointed Justice Nathan Musa as the new Acting Chief Judge of the state. At the swearing-in of the Acting Chief Judge in Yola on Monday, Nyako congratulated him on the appointment and urged him to be fair and honest in discharging his duties, he said:

“Your appointment is based on merit, following your successful record in the state judiciary.’’

The governor urged the judiciary to join hands with other arms of government to move the state forward.

 

Bauchi

 

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi had called on

Nigerians to pray that the security challenges facing the country should end in 2013.

Yuguda, who made the call recently in his New Year message, said that this would enhance the effort made toward achieving lasting peace in the country.

He called on citizens of Bauchi to make a New Year resolution toward a peaceful co-existence among their brothers and sisters irrespective of religious, cultural or political differences.

“While we usher in the New Year, I urge you to use the occasion to assess your performances in the last one year and pray for better and prosperous 2013.

 

Benue

 

Makurdi residents have resolved to pray for God’s

intervention concerning the security challenges facing the country instead of relying on leaders in 2013.

‘Our security is in the hands of the Lord, we would go to him, cry to him, petition him, and appeal to him for the forgiveness of the sins of Nigeria, we know our God, He would never let us down.

“We would serve God wholeheartedly from 1st January 2013 so that he would intervene in our security challenges in the country.

“We would pray so that God will change the minds of our leaders and they would fulfill their promises.”

 

Ekiti

 

The police in Ado-Ekiti last Monday arraigned five

men, Sola Bamikole, Adedayo Adedoyin, Seun Awoyemi, Ayo Adeosun and Blessing Adedayo before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ court for allegedly stealing cat fish.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Caleb Leranmo, told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 24, at about 4:00 a.m. at Odo-Aremu Sreet, Ado-Ekiti.

Leranmo alleged that the accused unlawfully broke into the beer parlour of one Madam Lucky restaurant and stole fresh cat fish from the pond.

Leranmo said the offence contravened section 390 (g) of the Criminal Code Cap. C 16, Vol. 1 of Ekiti State of Nigeria.

 

FCT

 

The Federal Government will save about N300

billion annually on the importation of wheat through the use of 20 per cent cassava flour for bread production.

Mr Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information, announced this on Monday in Abuja at a news conference, while briefing newsmen on the achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in 2012.

Maku said the amount spent on wheat importation had so far been brought down by N200 billion following the improvement in the production and processing of cassava flour.

He said the government was exploring agriculture as major area to create jobs and wealth generation.

Gombe

 

The family of Alhaji Jalo Ganga, the Gombe

lawmaker who was kidnapped on Sunday in Gombe, has resorted to praying and fasting for his release.

The elder brother of the legislator, Alhaji Yayaji Ahmed-Ganga, made this known while speaking with newsmen in Gombe recently.

He said family and friends of the legislator embarked on prayer to seek God’s intervention in the kidnap which had put friends and relations of the legislator in a pathetic situation.

He said the family had not had any communication with their brother and appealed to the kidnappers to release him.

 

Jigawa

 

An acute fuel scarcity in Dutse and its surroundings

has left motorists frustrated in long queues at filling stations.

The situation has negatively affected free flow of vehicular and human movement and brought hardship to the people.

Our source, who went round some fuel stations on Tuesday, reports that because of the non-availability of fuel in major filling stations, there are long queues of vehicles at NNPC retail stations which have stocks.

Meanwhile, in the thriving black market, a litre of petrol sold at N150.

 

Lagos

 

A Muslim cleric in Epe Local Government Area of

Lagos State, Mr Olademeji Kaka, has urged Muslims and Christians to embrace peace and unity in the new year.

Kaka, who is the Imam of Lagbade Central Mosque, gave the advice recently night in a special prayer, tagged, “Tahajjud Night’’, to mark the end of year 2012.

He called on Muslims and Christians to collectively observe one day of fasting and prayer for the peace and unity of the country.

“Muslims love peace, Islam does not preach violence and we are peaceful people and that is why we are going to use this prayer to pray for the peaceful coexistence of Muslims and our Christian brothers and sisters.

 

Plateau

 

Youths protesting against Sunday killing of their

peer by stray bullet in Kuru, near Jos, last Monday destroyed the only bridge in the area.

Capt. Salisu Mustapha, the STF media officer made this known in an interview with newsmen in Jos on Monday.

Mustapha said: “the youths have destroyed one part of the bridge, only one part is passable and vehicles must queue up to take their turns from opposite directions.’’

He confirmed that one youth was hit by a stray bullet on Sunday, but rejected the youths’ position that the bullet was fired by soldiers.

 

Sokoto

 

Alhaji Umar Mohammed, the Chairman of Isa

Local Government, Sokoto State, has advised the people to form vigilance groups to assist security agencies in confronting security threats.

Mohammed told newsmen in Sokoto that the agencies needed intelligence reports to apprehend criminals. “

This is greatly important as the system would help in crime prevention. “

The task of ensuring the safety and security of lives and property is a collective duty of all Nigerians,” he added.

 

Yobe

 

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Yobe State said four

insurgents had been killed and 59 suspects arrested in an operation in Yindiski area of Potiskum Local Government.

A statement by Lt. Eli Lazarus, JTF spokesman, stated that one policeman died and a soldier, who sustained injury, was receiving treatment.

The statement said “four AK 47 rifles, one double barrel gun, 16 magazines and 380 rounds of ammunitions were recovered’’.

It said other items recovered in the operation included two gas cylinders and materials used for improvised explosive devices.

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Cleric Preaches Love As Deputy Governor, Chief Judge Grace Wedding In PH

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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.

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2027: APC Chieftain Predicts Tinubu’s Victory  …Says Bayelsa Stakeholders Supporting President en masse  … IPAC Knitted Together, Working In Synergy With His Office

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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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Firefighters battle New Year Day inferno in Abuja, several states

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Federal Fire Service FFS entered the New Year on full operational alert, tackling multiple fire outbreaks across the country from midnight into the early hours of January 1, 2026, in what officials described as one of the busiest festive-season deployments in recent years.
The intensified nationwide response followed a December 2025 directive issued by the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, who had ordered that no firefighter should proceed on leave throughout the holidays.
According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services of the FFS, DCF Paul Abraham, the no-leave policy proved critical as the Service moved swiftly to contain fires in several states.
The Federal Capital Territory FCT recorded its first fire incident of the year barely twenty-three minutes after midnight when flames erupted at Cake Hot Restaurant located within River Plate Park, Wuse, Abuja.
Abraham said fire crews from the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Fire Service arrived promptly and were able to stop the blaze before it could spread through the popular recreational centre.
While a section of the garden area was destroyed, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded.
Officials said property worth an estimated ?1.5 billion was saved, although losses were placed at about ?500 million.
“Preliminary findings suggested that the fire was triggered by objects thrown during New Year celebrations, reinforcing long-standing warnings over the dangers posed by fireworks during the harmattan season”, the Service said.
The Controller General had repeatedly urged Nigerians to avoid fireworks, candles and open flames indoors, warning that the dry winds characteristic of the season allow fires to spread rapidly.
He also warned the public about electrical faults and power surges and advised that electrical appliances be switched off and unplugged when not in use or when occupants leave their homes, stressing that overloading sockets and extension boxes remains a significant cause of domestic fires.
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