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THE STATES

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Bauchi
Rep. Aliyu Gebi,  (Bauchi Federal Constituency) last Sat
urday called for devolution of powers from the federal level to the state and local government councils.
Gebi made the call in a paper entitled: “Hindrances to Transformation Agenda. The Way Forward”, he delivered at the Annual National Alumni Lecture of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi.
He said it would be difficult to deliver dividends of democracy with the current power structure in the country, adding that it would be difficult to realise the aims of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda if power structure remained unchanged.
Earlier, the National President of the alumni association, Malam Mohammed Wada, said the association would continue to uphold the aspirations of the founding fathers of the university.
Benue
The priest in charge of the Catholic Youth
Centre, Makurdi,  Rev. Fr. Ambrose Amue, last Sunday appealed to Nigerians to exhibit humility in public service.
Amue, who  made the appeal at a sermon, said that humility was necessary as those in leadership positions were entrusted with such responsibility by the people.
He said  humility would always enable political officer holders to act with fear of God and  provide selfless service to the people.
The cleric urged politicians to consider political appointments as an opportunity to serve the people better.
According to him,  leadership is about rendering service and that those occupying the positions of responsibility must see themselves as servants  rather than  masters of the people.
Borno
The Borno State Government said last Sunday that it
would partner with Pakistan to harness the full agricultural potential of the state.
Governor  Kashim Shettima made the statement while receiving a Pakistani trade delegation, led by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Alhaji Dauda Danladi, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Maiduguri.
Shettima pointed out that the partnership would cover areas like agriculture, pharmaceuticals, sports and gum Arabic among others, and declared that government was also making effort to revive the state’s education system through strengthening of science education.
The governor said that the administration was also willing to partner with Pakistan in the area of training for science teachers and training of medical doctors.

Jigawa

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
in Jigawa State has arrested a 25-year-old woman for allegedly dumping her new born baby girl in a graveyard in Kazaure Local Government.
The NSCDC commandant in the state, Mr Muhammad Gidado, said last Saturday in Dutse that the suspect was arrested last Friday at Ilallah quarters in Kazaure town.
Gidado said the woman, who was a housemaid in the area, was arrested after the corps conducted a thorough investigation among divorcees, widows, housemaids and prostitutes living in the area.
He said a medical examination at the General Hospital at Hadejia revealed that the suspect was the biological mother of the baby.
Kaduna
Kaduna State chapter of the Jamaatu Izalatul Bidia
Waiqatusunnah (JIBW) last Saturday said youth empowerment was key to the eradication of moral decadence and violence among them.
Chairman of the group, Sheik Tukur Isa said this when he led other officials to pay a courtesy visit to the Chairman of Jema’a Local Government Area in Kafanchan, Kaduna State.
He said government at all levels should take the empowerment of young people as a cardinal point in their programmes, adding that self-reliant youths remained one of the keys to addressing lots of the social vices facing the country.
The cleric commended Jema’a local government council’s efforts at uniting the people of the area and pledged its support and prayers for unity among the people.
Kano
Kano State Government has urged residents of the state
to desist from erecting structures on waterways to avoid flooding.
The Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, made the call while speaking to newsmen in Kano shortly after the monthly environmental sanitation exercise on Saturday.
Abbas said the flood which occurred in many parts of the state was man-made and could have been prevented if people did not block waterways.
According to him, “people erect structures on top of waterways and drains and when there is a down pour they experience flood because the passages are blocked. I want to commend the Governor Kwankwaso administration for its efforts to revert to Kano’s initial town plan. That is the only solution to the current situation as some structures have been moved away to free the waterways.”

Kogi

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has approved the
appointment of four new permanent secretaries into the state civil service.
This is contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary in charge of the state Civil Service Commission, Mr Felix Ogbodo.
The statement, a copy of which was made available to newsmen last Sunday in Lokoja, named  new permanent secretaries  as  Messrs James Adedoyin, Usman Odawn, Ibrahim Joshua and Mrs Iyabode Agbore.
It said the appointments was with immediate effect.

Kwara

APC chairmanship candidate in the Irepodun Local Gov
ernment Area of Kwara State, Mr Abdulraheem Olawuyi, has called on religious leaders to assist government in reviving the nation’s education sector.
Olawuyi made the call last Sunday at the 2012/2013 Prize Giving Day ceremony of the Omu-Aran Summer School Programme in Omu-Aran.
Olawuyi who decried the not-too impressive fortune of the education sector in Nigeria, said the trend posed grave danger to the growth and economic development of the country.
According to him, any nation aspiring to develop either through research, scientific or medicinal needs to strive harder to ensure a high level educational development of its citizenry.
“Government at all levels in the country seems to be at a loss as the state of Nigeria’s education sector declines by day. It is declining at such an alarming rate, hence the need for divine intervention through prayers.

Niger

Activities of Prison Fellowship of Nigeria in the areas of
evangelism and care for inmates have brought about positive changes in the lives of inmates across the country.
Pastor Peter Okere, the chaplain of the fellowship, Suleja chapter, stated this last Saturday in Suleja, Niger State, at a one-day Prison Ministers’ Conference entitled  “The Chosen One’’.
He said the fellowship’s decision to embark on prison outreach programmes was informed by its belief that prisoners deserved God’s love.
Okere urged the public to have compassion for prisoners, insisting that experience had shown that repentant prisoners had been useful in the spread of the gospel and prevention of crimes.

Ondo

A teenager, Oluwaseyi Adelegan, 14, was last Friday
murdered by unknown assailants at his father’s house in Akure.
The deceased is the son of Chief Solomon Adelegan, the National President, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services.
The Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) in Ondo State, Mr Wole Ogodo, confirmed the incident.  It is obvious the young boy was killed while trying to move out of his bedroom to the sitting room before he eventually gave up,’’ Ogodo said.
Ogodo, who said that no arrest had been made, said that the case had been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
According to him, “the information surrounding the death of the young boy is still sketchy, but I assure you that police will get to the root of the crime”.

Taraba

A joint meeting of Taraba State chapters of the Muslim
Council and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) last Saturday advised politicians not to use religion to pursue their selfish agenda in the State.
In a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting in Jalingo, CAN and the Muslim Council decried the manner politicians in the state were whipping up religious sentiments to achieve selfish political goals.
The communiqué was signed by the State Chairman of the Muslim Council, Alhaji Inuwa Mafindi and the state Vice Chairman of CAN, Rev. Ben Ubeh.
It observed that Taraba had been “unnecessarily thrown into a state of confusion by selfish politicians who did not mean well for it since the return of Gov. Danbaba Suntai on August 25.
The communiqué commended the State Government and the peoples  efforts aimed at maintaining peace and for their tolerance of one another. It urged the people to remain calm to ensure that the prevailing peace was sustained.

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Bikers, Others Grace Burial Of Rivers Philanthropist

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Bikers were among prominent dignitaries who recently attended the burial ceremony of late Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor (née Lawson) in Omagwa Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The burial service, held at the St. Martin’s Anglican Church field, attracted a large turnout of religious leaders, business executives, political figures, celebrities, bikers’ groups, traditional rulers and community members from different parts of Nigeria. Also present were the Bishop of the Anglican Province of the Niger Delta, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, and popular businessman and socialite, Obi Cubana, among other notable personalities.
The remains of Mrs Grant Offor, a respected professional, philanthropist and devout Christian, were laid to rest amid an elaborate and well-coordinated funeral ceremony that reflected her wide-reaching influence and the high regard in which she was held by family, associates and the larger community.
The ceremony drew public attention due to its unique logistics, as two helicopters were deployed. An air ambulance helicopter conveyed the casket to the church field, while another helicopter transported members of the deceased’s family from Abonnema to Omagwa Community.
Dignitaries and mourners gathered in large numbers to pay their final respects.
In an emotional tribute, High Chief Engr. Grant Offor, described his late wife as everything to him, stating that her passing had created a deep void in his life and in the lives of their children. He disclosed that he committed his time, resources and efforts in a bid to save her life, adding that if money or human effort alone could prevent death, she would still be alive.
Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor was born on May 4, 1978, at the Ibiso Maternity Clinic, Port Harcourt, and passed away on November 15, 2025, after a prolonged illness that lasted nearly three years. She was born a twin and grew up in a family noted for service and leadership. Her father, the late Engr. Benoni Lawson, served as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), while her mother, Mrs. Irene Lawson, is a nurse.
She attended Port Harcourt Primary School and International Secondary School (ISS) before proceeding to the University of Science and Technology (UST), Port Harcourt, and later the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, where she studied Accountancy and graduated with honours. She was widely known during her academic years for her discipline, focus and reserved lifestyle.
After completing her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, Mrs. Grant Offor began her professional career in the banking sector, including service with the defunct All States Trust Bank, and later worked in other professional capacities. She earned a reputation for integrity, diligence and ethical conduct.
She was married to Engr. Grant Offor for over 20 years, a union blessed with three children. As a wife and mother, she was described as deeply devoted to her family, instilling values of faith, patience, kindness and discipline. Her home was known among close associates as one built on prayer, love and godly counsel.
A committed Christian, Mrs. Grant Offor was known for her strong faith and love for gospel music, particularly songs of healing and deliverance. Even while receiving specialist medical care in the United Kingdom, she reportedly remained steadfast in her belief, trusting in God until her final moments.

Adding to the show of solidarity, the President of the Rivers State Chapter of the Pantas Female Bikers Group, Mr. White Timano, disclosed that High Chief Engr. Grant Offor is a major sponsor of Uyo Micah’s Carnival, one of the group’s major events. He said bikers and supporters travelled from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta States to commiserate with the family and show support during the period of mourning.

Mr. Timano described death as inevitable and encouraged the family to remain strong, stressing that only God grants the grace required to endure such painful loss.

The church field was tastefully decorated, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere. The burial ceremony featured hymns, live music, scriptural exhortations, eulogies and tributes celebrating the life and legacy of Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor. Messages from notable personalities highlighted her contributions to family life, philanthropy, professional service and community development.

On behalf of the family, High Chief Engr. Grant Offor expressed appreciation to all who stood by them throughout the period of mourning, thanking guests for their prayers, presence and support.

The burial ceremony stood as a testament to the enduring legacy of Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor, whose life of service, faith and quiet generosity left a lasting impact on many across Rivers State, the Niger Delta and beyond.

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Security Guard Missing After Fence Demolition In PH

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Asecurity guard has been reported missing following the demolition of a fence at a property located at No. 19D, Golf Course Layout, Old Government Residential Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident reportedly occurred late Sunday night at the disputed property said to be owned by Ozone Global.
Eyewitnesses revealed that a group of men, some of whom were dressed in what appeared to be naval uniforms, arrived at the premises on motorcycles and allegedly pulled down the fence surrounding the property.
During the incident, a security guard on duty, identified simply as Abubakar, was allegedly taken away by the group to an unknown destination.
A relative of the missing guard, Musa, said efforts to get immediate help, including alerting a nearby police point, proved abortive as the incident had already occurred before any intervention could be made.
“I escaped because I noticed them early, but my brother was taken away. Up till now, we don’t know where he is or how he is doing. We are appealing to the authorities to help locate him,” Musa said.
Meanwhile, one of the intermediaries involved in the land transaction, Mr. Chimezie Bright, alleged that the incident may be connected to an ongoing land dispute over the property.
Bright claimed that the land was purchased by Ozone Global from one late Mr Felix Orie and that documents from the Rivers State Ministry of Lands and Housing indicate that the land was allocated to Mr Orie.
He further alleged that another claimant to the land, Mr. Mac Oruche, had allegedly challenged the ownership and opposed development on the property, despite the matter being the subject of a court case.
According to Bright, tensions over the property had previously resulted in disagreements during attempts to fence the land.
“We carried out due diligence before the purchase, including verification at the Ministry of Lands. However, the dispute has persisted,” he said.
Bright expressed concern over the alleged involvement of uniformed personnel in a civil land dispute and called for a thorough investigation into the incident, particularly the whereabouts of the missing security guard.
As at the time of filing this report, Abubakar’s location had remained unknown.
Efforts to reach Mr. Mac Oruche for his reaction were unsuccessful, while the police are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

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OIU Protests Arrest Of Witnesses In Okon Aku Crisis Probe

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The apex socio-cultural and development association of the ancient Ohafia Kingdom, the Ohafia Improvement Union Incorporated (OIU) has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, expressing grave concern over the arrests of several individuals from the Okon Aku community who were cooperating with a state-constituted Panel of Inquiry investigating the recent communal crisis in the community located in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
The union also called for the immediate release of those arrested.
In a letter dated February 6, 2026, and received at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, the union described the arrests as troubling and procedurally irregular, noting that the affected individuals had either testified or were preparing to testify before the government-sanctioned panel.
Those reportedly arrested include Udo Ukoha of Ndi Envoke; Okereke John, Udonsi Obin, Eteo Ayo, Idika I. Kalu, and John Ukwakwe of Ndi Owom; and Ukpabi Uche Idika of Ndi Ebin.
While emphasizing that it does not seek to prejudge the legal culpability of any individual, the OIU stressed that the timing, context, and manner of the arrests could undermine the credibility, independence, and integrity of the Panel of Inquiry.
“The arrest of individuals cooperating with an official inquiry poses a serious threat to the fact-finding process, creates fear among potential witnesses, and may discourage public participation,” the union stated, warning that such actions could obstruct efforts to uncover the root causes of the crisis.
The union further noted that panels of inquiry rely heavily on voluntary and truthful cooperation, and any action that instills fear in contributors risks eroding public confidence in the justice system, violating principles of fairness, transparency, and natural justice.
Consequently, the OIU urged the Office of the IGP to immediately review the circumstances surrounding the arrests, suspend any further actions perceived as targeting witnesses, and issue clear directives to guarantee the safety and freedom of all individuals participating in the inquiry.
The President General of Ohafia Improvement Union, Chief Prince Kalu Ikpemini, signed the petition, which was also copied to the Executive Governor of Abia State and the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Umuahia.
The union reiterated that the Ohafia community desires lasting peace and reconciliation, which can only be achieved through a transparent, fair, and uncoerced investigation into the Okon Aku crisis.
The Okon Aku communal crisis erupted in early January 2026, prompting the Office of the Deputy Governor of Abia State to immediately establish the Panel of Inquiry to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the conflict, with the aim of preventing future occurrences.
It is against this backdrop that the Ohafia Improvement Union has raised an alarm over the arrests, calling for the immediate release of those detained and emphasizing the need to protect witnesses rather than intimidate them.

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