Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

on

FCT
President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the last
Friday assassination of the Emir of Gwoza, Alh Idrissa Timta, by the insurgent group, Boko Haram.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, disclosed this on Saturday, in an interview with the State House correspondents in Abuja.
He said the president had also spoken about those who were willing to renounce terrorism and those who were willing to embrace peace,
According to him opportunities have been created for them through the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolutions of Conflict in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.

Jigawa

A group, the Education Sector Support Programme in
Nigeria (ESSPIN) is to conduct a head count of out-of-school children in Auyo Local Government Area of Jigawa.
The Coordinator of the programme, Malam Danladi Abubakar, made the disclosure last Saturday during an advocacy visit to Auyo, Jigawa.
ESSPIN is a key education intervention programme, supported by the British Department for International Development (DFID).
The programme is designed to support the development of basic education, nomadic and adult literacy programmes.

Kano

The Kano State Government has commended the
remarkable improvement in the level of compliance to the monthly sanitation exercise in the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, who gave the commendation while speaking with newsmen shortly after the exercise in Kano last Saturday.  He said that the level of compliance was unprecedented as fewer defaulters were recorded as against the previous exercises.
Ten  mobile courts that operated under the state Task Force Committee on Sanitation for the month of May arrested 180 defaulters.
Also, the courts received the sum of N443, 750 being fines received from defaulters to the exercise in various parts of the state during the month.

Katsina

The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir last
Saturday urged the populace to always do the right thing for the country to overcome its challenges.
He said in Katsina when he conferred the traditional title of ‘Kaugaman Katsina’ on the Acting Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Alhaji Kabir Mashi, that without attitudinal change, the nation’s economic and social challenges would be difficult to surmount.
The emir also urged the populace to continue to pray for peace in the country, and continue to support efforts by government to address the nation’s challenges and also called on religious leaders to avoid utterances capable of bringing about disunity among the people.

Kogi

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has promised that
his administration would ensure that politicking in the state would be devoid of rancour and violence ahead of 2015 general elections.
Wada who gave the promise in a statement issued in Lokoja last Sunday by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, Mr Michael Abu, said that the administration would ensure peaceful coexistence among political parties in the state, which he said, had always been the cardinal focus of his administration.
He said that politicking should be development and people oriented and not destructive, he added

Kwara

The Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria
(APHPN), in collaboration with the Nigerian Tobacco Control Research Group, last  Saturday, urged the Federal Government to increase tax on tobacco products.
The National Chairman of the Association, Prof. Tanimola Akande, made the call during a news conference organised to mark the “World No Tobacco Day’’ in Ilorin.
Akande also urged the Senate and the House of Representatives to “quickly do the needful” in harmonising and passing a comprehensive tobacco control bill.
Niger
The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has commended a UK-based NGO, Africa Healthcare Development Trust (AHDT), for offering free medical treatment to over 3000 patients in his domain.
Abubakar who  made the commendation Sunday in his Wadata Palace in Bida while receiving members of the NGO said the gesture had helped to improve the health of the less privileged in the society in addition to bringing relief and succour to families of the beneficiaries.
He said the complementary role of NGO was worthy of emulation by other prominent sons and daughters of Nupe land.
A spokesman for the group, Dr Aminu Usman, had earlier commended Niger  State Government for funding part of the programme and the Bida Emirate for providing enabling environment for the team to offer the services.

Nasarawa

Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State said that
his administration was using security vote to pay over 1,400 youths engaged by the state government under the Nasarawa Youth Empowerment Scheme (NAYES).
The Governor disclosed this in Lafia on Sunday, while speaking to journalists shortly after inspecting some abandoned road projects initiated by the previous administration in Adudu, Keana and Agyaragu.
Al-Makura said that the gesture became necessary following the zero allocation to the scheme in the 2014 budget proposal approved by the PDP controlled Nasarawa State House of Assembly.

Ogun
The Ogun State Government said last Saturday that it
had committed N21.6 billion to subvention to its tertiar institutions in the last three years.
Amosun said the government had also purchased 54-seater TATA Buses, Hilux Patrol Vehicles, Ambulances and 18-seater buses for the two state universities and Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.
He disclosed that the government had also spent N3.25 billion on the purchase of textbooks and instructional materials which were distributed freely to pupils in public primary and secondary schools.

Osun

The Osun State  Government said last Saturday that it
would establish an automotive specialist institute to be named Bola Ige Mechatronics Institute (BIMI) at the Osun College of Technology, Esa-Oke.
Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, said in a statement in Osogbo, that the institute, when completed, will be the first of its kind in the country.
He said the institute would specialise in modern technology in vehicles such as combined electro-mechanical system with full automated control known as “Mechatronics.”
Plateau

Coordinator, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
in Plateau State, Mr Peter Gai, said the goals would soon begin free medical service at the grassroots across the state.
In an interview in Jos on Sunday, Gai said the service would provide diagnoses and treatments for various diseases.
He, however, said that the exercise would be done in some selected health centres in the three senatorial districts of the state.
Gai said the exercise was an effort at meeting some key goals of the MDGs, insisting that only patients at the grassroots would benefit from the free medical service.
“It will involve a holistic medical examination, treatment of different ailments and administration of drugs.  “Those ailments that are beyond the medical team on the field would be referred to hospitals for proper treatment,” he said.

Sokoto
The Nigeria Security and  Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
command in Sokoto State has deployed security men in plain-clothes to the border between the state and Niger Republic to prevent arms importation into the country.
The corps Commandant in Sokoto, Alhaji Aliyu Yemal, said in Sokoto on Saturday that the command was working with other security agencies to check arms importation and ensure those engaged in such acts were arrested.
Yemal said the command was also working with local government chairmen and community leaders that share border with neighbouring Niger Republic in that regard.
The commandant solicited for the support of the people, especially those in rural areas, to cooperate with the officers in
efforts to prevent illegal importation of arms for the good of the country.
Taraba

The Kefas Agbu Foundation, a charitable organisation,
has awarded scholarship to 16 youths from Taraba to study various courses in the U.S., UK, Russia and Italy.
National coordinator of the foundation’s scholarship scheme, Mr Lukas Agbu, disclosed this at a ceremony in honour of the beneficiaries last Saturday in Jalingo.
He said the scheme was initiated by Lt Col Agbu Kefas (rtd), Chairman, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to ensure education-for-all in the country.
Agbu said the scholarship which would be offered on a continuous basis would soon extend to other parts of the country.
Also, Alhaji Muhammed Wangara, the chairman of the occasion, advised the beneficiaries to shun anti-social behaviour while pursuing their studies.

 L-R: Secretary to the Government of  the Federation, Senator  Anyim Pius Anyim, Governor  Adam Oshiomhole of Edo State  and Governor  Emmanuel Uduaghan of  Delta State, during the meeting of  President Jonathan with governors from oil producing states in Abuja, recently. Photo: NAN

L-R: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Governor Adam Oshiomhole of Edo State and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, during the meeting of President Jonathan with governors from oil producing states in Abuja, recently. Photo: NAN

Continue Reading

Nation

Bikers, Others Grace Burial Of Rivers Philanthropist

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Nation

Security Guard Missing After Fence Demolition In PH

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Nation

OIU Protests Arrest Of Witnesses In Okon Aku Crisis Probe

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Trending