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Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, last Tuesday said over
two million people displaced from their communities by members of the Boko Haram sect are currently taking refuge in his state.
Yuguda spoke with State House correspondents shortly after attending a meeting President Goodluck Jonathan had with parents of the girls abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno State on April 14.
He said the situation had become a challenge to his state which is surrounded by all the states having security challenges, adding that  his state’s resources were being overstretched because they had to share the little they have with the refugees.
Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, faulted those who are of the view that the President’s meeting with the parents was too late in coming.

Borno
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly,
Abdulkareem Lawan, last Tuesday, said the rumoured impeachment process against the governor was a farce and the machination of political interest working to destabilise the troubled state.
He noted that it was glaring that  majority of the lawmakers were wholly committed to the return of peace to the state and would stand against any act that would cause a breach of the peace.
The Speaker, who warned that any impeachment process against the governor would further draw the state back, noted that the governor had done nothing to warrant being removed.
Lawan, who spoke on the telephone to journalists from Saudi Arabia, where he is on the Lesser Hajj, said the impeachment process alleged to be championed by the former governor of the state, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, would fall flat.
He said, “The leadership and more than two-third of members of the Assembly are fully behind Governor Kashim Shettima, and our major preoccupation at the moment is how to restore peace in the state and put an end to killings, rather than any political upheaval.”

Ekiti
Court of Appeal sitting in Ado Ekiti has dismissed an ap
peal challenging the appointment of Oba Adegoke Adeyemi as the Alara of Aramoko-Ekiti.
The court upheld the decision of the Ekiti State High Court which struck out the suit filed by one of the contestants to the throne, Prince Olusegun Aderemi.
Adeyemi was declared the Alara of Aramoko on August 10, 2009 after defeating Aderemi by seven votes to six in the ballot by kingmakers.
Aderemi had challenged the appointment and asked the trial court to set aside the purported election of the monarch among other reliefs.
But the court presided over by Justice Cornelius Akintayo, on April 16, 2013 ruled that the case was incompetent because the plaintiff did not exhaust the conditions precedent and local remedies before filing the case.

FCT
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar,
says the force will establish a 26-bed cottage hospital in each of the six geo-political zones in the country.
He gave the assurance last Tuesday in Abuja in an interview with newsmen shortly after he declared open a three-day seminar for police medical officers.
He said, “We have made it a point of duty now that very soon if there is recruitment; they (medical unit) are going to be given large chunk. “This is to enable them to recruit more doctors and other medical personnel.”
Abubakar said the establishment of the cottage hospitals in the zones was to enable officers and men of the force in the rural areas benefit from the police medical services.
Also, AIG, Medical, Mrs Grace Akudo, said the unit had received some fund from the National Health Insurance Scheme and promised that it would be used to upgrade the force’s medical facilities.
Akudo said the unit would soon develop a strategic medical plan for the force where training of professionals would be given priority.
She said in the planned recruitment, both middle and high level professionals would be recruited to provide effective medical services to officers and men.

Kano
Six persons have died of cholera in Kafin Dalawa Village in
Tudunwada Wada local council of Kano State. Besides, the state Ministry of Health has confirmed the out break of cholera in nine local councils and had since deployed medical personal to observe the situation and check possible epidemic.
The affected councils are Doguwa, Tudunwada Wada, Gaya, Wudi, Dawakin Kudu, Garko, Kabo, Rano and Sumaila, all outside the metropolis. The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaram Yusuf, told newsmen that 116 people were infected, though the ministry was already working to curb further spread.
He hinged the outbreak to the method of consumption of food and water, especially during the Ramadan period, even as maintained that only seven persons were currently on admission for suspected cholera infection.
However, a non-governmental organisation, Isma Medicare Initiative, revealed that about 701 people have been infected in the past six days, with 20 severe cases in Kafin Dalawa alone.

Kwara
Two people were feared dead in Ilorin, Kwara State capital
last Tuesday  when men of the Nigeria  Custom Service and suspected smugglers clashed  over the alleged refusal to check their consignment,  at Binukonu motor park, Sawmill area, Ilorin.
It was  revealed that, the Customs men were on trail of a vehicle carrying suspected smuggled cosmetics products, including air fresh conditioners car perfumes into the city, having refused arrest.
Sources said that the driver of the vehicle was thus chased by the men to Binukonu  Motor park at Saw Mill area, where they  exchanged gunshots.
The stray bullet allegedly fired by men of the Customs hit one of the members of the motorpark, leading to burning of used tyres at different areas of the town by colleagues of the dead person.

Lagos
Lagos lawyer, Mr Festus Keyamo has described the res
ignation of Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Mr Bala Ngglari as illegal and unconstitutional.
In an open letter to the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Keyamo said the impeachment of the state governor, Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd) and the resignation of Ngglari were characterised by illegalities.
He warned that the nation might be gradually sliding into “a state of anomie, if your Excellency turns a blind eye and deaf ears to the various illegalities that have characterised the process employed in the gale of impeachments, or threatened impeachments and/or removal of elected representatives of the people in various parts of this country.”
He argued that as at the time Ngglari purportedly resigned, Nyako was still the governor and therefore the letter of resignation should have been addressed to him (Nyako) and not the Speaker.
Ogun

The Forum of South-West Peoples Democratic Party state
lawmakers has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to rescue the abducted Chibok girls, using the best option that will not put the lives of the girls in danger.
They made this call last Tuesday in a communique after their meeting in Abeokuta, last Thursday, signed by 15 PDP state lawkers from Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun and Ondo, they commended Jonathan’s effort to curtail insecurity in the country, they urged him to expedite action on the rescue mission.
They said, “While we commend the President for his determination and zeal to ensure that insecurity become a thing of the past, we also appeal to him not to rest on his oars in attempt to rescue the abducted Chibok girls using the best option that will not put their lives in danger.”
The lawmakers also called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, and other security agencies, to provide adequate security for the Osun governorship election holding on August 9, as well as the 2015 general elections, to prevent unnecessary shedding of blood, before, during and after the polls.

Osun
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osun State chapter,
has demanded a detailed account of how the state’s allocations and other funds collected by the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola, since the inception of his administration were utilised.
The party, in a statement last Tuesday, by the Director of Media and Publicity of Iyiola Omisore Campaign Organisation, Mr. Diran Odeyemi, said the PDP was making the request because it had established that all the projects the Osun State government had claimed as its projects were either funded by the Federal Government or with local governments allocations.
The party said it welcomed the admittance by the government spokesperson, Mr Sunday Akere, that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan through UBEC, built all elementary and middle schools in the state, while those roads executed at local governments were paid for by all council areas in the state.
The PDP said, “With the facts at our disposal, Ogbeni Aregbesola has received over N300bn from federation account since he took over as the governor of the state. All elementary and middle schools in Osun state are built by UBEC, all high schools were constructed with SUKUK bond,

Plateau
Aggrieved workers of Jos North Local Government Coun
cil in Plateau State have staged a protest over non-payment of their two months outstanding salaries and other entitlements.
The workers in the early hours of last Tuesday blocked the council secretariat preventing people from going in to conduct their day-to-day activities.
The protesting workers had earlier blocked the entrance of the council secretariat to prevent the interim chairman and other senior staff of the council from gaining entry into the secretariat.
Chairman of the Jos North NULGE, Mr. Yakubu Dung, however said the workers were not on strike, stressing that they were just gathering to be addressed by the leaders of the workers’ union.
He said the council was seriously addressing the plight of the workers, adding that leadership of NULGE is in dialogue with the management. Chairman of the council, Mr. Danjuma Sanda, was not available for comments.

L-R: Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John  Oyegun and Senator Chris Ngige, during the APC chieftains visit to the cardinal in Abuja, yesterday.

L-R: Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun and Senator Chris Ngige, during the APC chieftains visit to the cardinal in Abuja, yesterday.

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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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