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THE STATES

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Bauchi

The Gombe State Water Board, says the state will meet the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of providing potable water and basic sanitation to half of the population before 2015.

The board’s General Manager, Alhaji Isa Mohammed, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi recently.

Mohammed, who was in Bauchi to witness the launching of Bauchi State Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Policy, said the state had short-term and long-term policy toward achieving the MDGs objectives.

“We have short term solution and part of the short-term is all the boreholes are undergoing reticulation and about 70 per cent of the boreholes are functional and undergoing repairs.

 

Borno

Fifty persons have returned to Maiduguri after a three-month extensive training on agriculture in Thailand.

The group, comprising 41 males and nine female departed home in November for the course aimed at preparing ground for agricultural revolution in the state.

Receiving the group, Alhaji Zanna Mustapha, the Deputy Governor of the state, commended them for their dedication to study while in Thailand.

Mustapha explained that they were sent for training in Thailand so that the state would be among the top food producers in the country.

 

FCT

A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Nkiruka Onyejeocha, says granting local government councils autonomy is not a solution to their problems.

Onyejeocha (PDP-Abia), the Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Abuja recently.

She said that the problem inhibiting the development of local government areas in the country was not who kept the money allocated to the councils, but how it was managed.

“Is the problems about who keeps the money or who gives out the money?

 

Gombe

The Director-General, National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr Paul Orhii, has enjoined stakeholders to follow proper channels to register their products with the agency.

Orhii made the call at the interactive session with the stakeholders in Gombe last Friday.

He said that following due process in the registration of products would assist the country in ensuring quality products for the consumers.

According to him, the purpose of the meeting is to interact with the stakeholders on the challenges facing them in the state and to look for a way forward.

 

Kaduna

The Federal Government is planning to establish mega universities to address admission constraints among Nigerians, President Goodluck Jonathan said last Saturday in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The President said this at a special convocation and launching of  N50 billion Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Phase II Development Fund at the university’s main campus, Samaru, Zaria.

Jonathan was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

He said that when established, each of the mega universities would absorb more than 200,000 students.

 

Kano

The Kano State Government has assured residents of provision of a healthy and safe environment.

The state Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, made the promise at the end of this month’s sanitation exercise in Kano.

Abbas said that the government would, however, require the support and cooperation of the people to make a success of the programme.

“The main objective for introducing this exercise was to change the attitude of people on the issue of health. The governor is very concerned in seeing that health is improved tremendously through personal sanitation and hygiene.”

 

Kwara

The Elerin of Erinle, Oba Abdulganiyu Ibrahim Olosooku, has appealed to parents to always encourage their children and wards who wish to participate in sporting activities.

Olosooku made the appeal recently at Erinle, Kwara, while honouring the U-15 Moje Queen FC of Erinle that represented Nigeria at a soccer tournament in Germany.

The monarch said the team’s feat overwhelmed him with joy, noting that many of such success would come the community’s way.

He commended their parents for releasing them for the tournament in spite of the misgivings of some of his subjects.

 

Lagos

Vincent Adekoya,  an Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon, last Sunday in Lagos advised against the use of  car-piece and exposure to noisy environment to prevent hearing loss.         Adekoya, a lecturer at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, (LASUTH), gave the advice in an interview with newsmen to mark International Day for Ear and Hearing.

He said that 90 per cent of hearing loss could be prevented because most of the causes were usually acquired due to ignorance or negligence.

According to him, some pregnant women use drugs indiscriminately during the first three months of baby formation and this can affect the baby’s hearing ability.

 

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Government is to purchase 2,000 computer laptops for distribution to its civil servants, Mr Andrew Affi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, has said.

Affi however, told newsmen on Saurday in Lafia that the laptops would not be given out free of charge.

“Any civil servant who is interested will be given one for N135,000 and will be expected to pay up the money within 18 months,” he said.

 

Niger

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger has dissuaded the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) from making the killing of two students of Nasarawa State University to degenerate into national problem.

Aliyu gave the advice on Friday in Minna when he met with the NANS’ Director of Exchange programmes, Mr Olusina Oyebisi, who presented a document to him on the issue.

According to him, if the issue is not resolved it may affect the entire education sector of the country.

It would be recalled that two students of the university were allegedly killed by soldiers, while protesting against water scarcity on the campus and its environs on February 25.

 

Ogun

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo last Saturday identified lack of quality leadership among other factors as major hindrances to development in Nigeria as well as other African countries.

Obasanjo, who acknowledged that Nigeria and Africa had enormous potential, said it was only quality leadership that could bring such to realisation.

He spoke in Abeokuta during the final of Africa Region Intercollegiate Debate on Human

Security Africa, organised by Centre for Human Security, (CHS), an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.

Some University and secondary schools from secondary schools from Nigeria and other African countries participated in the debate.

 

Plateau

The Special Task Force (STF) maintaining security in Plateau said there was an attempt by some miscreants to bomb a mosque in Jos recently.

This is contained in a statement signed by the STF Media Officer, Capt. Salisu Mustapha, on Saturday in Jos.

It stated that the attempted attack on the mosque took place at about 8.30 p.m.

The mosque, the statement added, was located on the Bukuru expressway in Jos South LGA.

According to the statement, the miscreants threw a hand grenade into the mosque but it failed to detonate and thereafter, they fired shots in the air and escaped.

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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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