Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The election of a new governor for Adamawa State will
hold October 11, 2014, nearly three months after Governor Murtala Nyako was removed by state lawmakers, the state Residential Electoral Commissioner, Kasim Gaidam, has announced.
Nyako was impeached alongside his deputy on July 15 after a prolonged battle with members of the State House of Assembly over allegations of corruption and mismanagement.
The governor was found guilty of all 16 charges leveled against him by the lawmakers, and his removal paved way for the speaker of the state assembly, Umaru Fintiri, to take over as acting governor.
Under the Nigerian Constitution, a new governor or president must be elected within 90 days in the event of an impeachment of a former holder of the office.
Borno
The Emir of Gwoza, Alhaji Mohammed Idrissa Timta, who
was abducted last week Tuesday after his town was attacked and captured by Boko Haram insurgents, has appeared in public after escaping from the insurgents’ den.
The Emir who was held hostage in Mandara Mountains of Gwoza hills by the insurgents with some of unspecified number of his subjects, was said to have escaped captivity Sunday night due to heavy rainfall which allowed for relaxed watch from their abductors in the hills.
According to military sources in Maiduguri, the Emir and one of his district heads also held captive were able to escape with others to Madagali in Adamawa state.
The source further disclosed that the emir will be taking a trip to Yola where he will board a flight to Abuja. In Abuja, he will be expected to undergo medical checkup before taking him to an undisclosed location for safety.
It would be recalled that the emir was enthroned about three months ago when his father, Alhaji Idrissa Shehu Timta, his predecessor was killed by insurgents in a highway multiple attacks at Kwajaffa, in Adamawa state.
Ekiti
An Ado-Ekiti Customary Court on Monday dissolved the
26-year-old marriage between Yakubu Kasali, 50, and the wife, Florence.
The court’s President, Mr Joseph Ogunsemi, had earlier slated judgment for June 30 after hearing from both parties in May. Florence, 43, sought divorce over alleged frequent fighting and lack of care for her and their children.
She said they always fought each time she demanded for school fees and welfare allowance for the children from her husband.
She claimed her husband was taking care of her and the children before he suddenly stopped doing so.
The mother of six also said that she was living in her husband’s family house, when he suddenly instructed his family to send her out of the house, alleging that she was witch.
The respondent denied the allegation, saying he had never beaten the wife since he married her.
Kasali explained that he had been taking care of the children by providing them money and food from his farm.
He denied sending the wife away, saying she was the one that decided to pack out of the family house.
Kasali alleged that she was deceived by a man who promised to marry her.
Dissolving the marriage, the President of the court, Mr Joseph Ogunsemi, held that it had broken down irretrievably.
FCT
The Department of State Service (DSS), yesterday, appealed
to politicians to desist from the habit of dragging security forces into political matters.
DSS disclosed that it was being hunted by political parties for rejecting the N14 million bribe that was offered its officials in Osun State, during the gubernatorial election that took place last Saturday. The spokesperson of the Department of State Service (DSS), Marilyn Ogar, who stated this during the routine security briefing at the National Briefing Centre, in Abuja said the service could not be induced with money.
Ogar said, “The director that was in charge of election duty for the DSS was asked to come and collect N4 million for himself and N10 million for the men, because the money was declined, that is the offence that the DSS has committed.
Jigawa
The Jigawa Commissioner for Health, Dr Tafida Abubakar,
said on Monday that the state government had successfully controlled the spread of gastroenteritis disease in Hadejia community.
Hadejia town had recorded outbreak of gastro-enteritis two weeks ago, resulting in the death of seven people, while 306 others were treated.
However, Tafida told newsmen that those affected by the epidemic, had been treated and discharged from the General Hospital, Hadejia.
He said that apart from providing free treatment to those affected, government had directed the Waste Management Authority to clear garbage in the town, thereby checking the spread of the disease .
The commissioner said that the state government had also set up a technical committee to investigate the cause of the outbreak, with a view to averting its occurrence in future.
“The epidemic was recorded only in Hadejia town and we have recorded significant achievement in the effort towards total control of the disease.
Kwara
Kwara state government has announced the immediate
closure of a private hospital in Ilorin over a suspected Ebola Virus contaminations even as the government urged residents in the state not to panic noting that though the case was a global case, but that Kwara state is safe.
The Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Public Health,Professor Sunday Popoola,in company of his counterpart from the Secondary Health,Dr Ibrahim Gambari said this at a press conference in the government house, Ilorin.
Professor Popoola told journalists that a seven month old baby girl brought to a private hospital in Ilorin was suspected to have the Ebola virus adding that the victim had been isolated and quarantined in Sobi Specialist hospital.
He explained that the suspected baby girl came into the state with her mother as visitors from Ibadan Oyo state, adding that upon their entry into the state in August the child was taken to the private hospital on malaria case.
Lagos
Two men, who allegedly broke into three apartments and
carted away some valuables worth N 227,000, were on Monday brought before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The accused, 34-year-old Charles Menye and 35-year-old Williams Ufort – are being tried for conspiracy, burglary and theft.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Kalu Umeh, told the court that the accused, who both reside at Satellite Town area of Lagos, broke into some homes and stole property valued at N 227,000.
Umeh said the accused committed the offences on May 8 at Tokumo Ajibade Close, Satellite Town.
According to him, the accused with others still at large raided the apartments of Mr Felix Adebayo, Jimoh Olawale and Mathias Ozofor respectively.
Nasarawa
Governor of Nasarawa State, Umar Tanko Al-Makura
Thursday called for the disarmament of all militia groups in the state and the country at large before the conduct of the 2015 general elections.
Al-Makura also implored the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to be independent as possible as the name suggests, noting that credible elections can only be guaranteed if the body lives up to expectations.
The governor spoke through the secretary to the state government, Zainab Abdulmumin in Lafia, the state capital at the 2014 security summit tagged “Security Uncertainties and Challenges of Elections: The Need for Re-Assessment of Security Strategies” organised by the Nigeria Securities and Civil Defence Corp, Nasarawa state command.
Al-Makura who decried politics of bitterness and rancour advised the electorates to be ready to defend their votes come 2015 pointing out that votes should not be canvassed for based on “deep pockets” but for the credibility of the individual seeking elective position in the land.
Ogun
Ex-Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has
requested the various tiers of governments in the country to empower youths in the country for national development.
He spoke yesterday immediately after a 2-km health walk to commemorate this year’s International Youth Day with the theme: “Youth and Mental Health”, organised by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Youth Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He emphasized the need for the training, empowerment as well as employment of the youths so as to engender national development, noting that “any nation that fails to prioritise the training and employment of its youths should be ready to battle challenges.”
The former president enjoined youths to embrace peace and contribute their quota towards national development.
Sokoto
Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and Aliyu Wamakko
of Sokoto States have called on Nigerians to vote wisely if they want to bid goodbye to poverty, insecurity and bad governance that have characterized development in the country in the last four years.
The duo spoke separately in Rimawa town, Sokoto, Thursday at the inauguration of a modern agricultural skills acquisition centre constructed by Wamakko’s administration.
Wamakko said Nigerians should not only be yearning for change but actualise their commitment through votes.
The governors described current government at the top as weak, inefficient and has failed to deliver in all respects.
According to them, the All Progressives Congress is ready to change the direction of Nigeria and Nigerians to a secure and better nation in the interest of the citizens.
Ameachi said there was need for a total departure from where Nigerians are now, adding that “the only treatment that can cure Nigerians of the Peoples Democratic Party is APC.
L-R: Governor Idris Wada of Kogi, Director General, MDGs, Precious Gbanoil and Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger, at the National Economic Council meeting in Abuja, yesterday.
The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide and the Mgboh XIII of the Mgboh Royal Family of Emohua Kingdom in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze (Barrister) Godspower Onuekwa, penultimate Friday celebrated his 80th birthday with pomp, pageantry and fanfare.
The celebration, which commenced with a symposium organised in his honour at Rivers State University on Thursday, August 21,2025, got to a resounding climax on Friday at Suntai Event Centre in Port Harcourt, where people from all walks of life, including business associates, friends, well-wishers, relatives, community folks, traditional rulers, and admirers, gathered to pay glowing tributes to the celebrant.
Before then, a well attended thanksgiving service was held that same Friday at Emmanuel Anglican Church, Okoro-Nu-Odo, to honour him and return gratitude to God Almighty for the fruitful and eventful life and accomplishments of the Emohua leader and icon.
The service which was officiated by Rt Rev Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, Bishop of Niger Delta North had other renowned and respected clerics like Most Rev(Dr) Blessing Enyindah, Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion); Rt Rev(Dr) Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta; Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, Bishop, Diocese of Evo; and Ven Solomon Eze Nelson, Archdeacon, Okoro-Nu-Odo; among others lined up as officiating ministers.
The service lived up to its billing, as it featured powerful and soul-lifting praise and worship; point-blank prayers; and beautiful renditions, which electrified the entire atmosphere, essentially packaged to thank God for the life of the celebrant.
However, the crowning moment actually came when the who is who, the crème de la crème of the society, thronged the terraces and fabulously decorated expansive hall of Suntai Event Centre, to celebrate Eze Onuekwa, amid accolades, aplomb and panache, wining and dining, and clinking of glasses with him and all.
The chairman of the colourful ceremony, Chief Evans Woherem, who was represented by Eze(Prof) Christian Akani of the prestigious Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, praised the celebrant for his youthfulness in spite of clocking 80 years, generosity, humility, humaneness and selfless services to the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, the Niger Delta and Nigeria, and called on all and sundry to emulate his good legacies and simple disposition towards life and existence.
Goodwill messages also poured in in torrents to underscore and salute the doggedness, resilience, astuteness and uniqueness of the endearing life of the celebrant, with Prof Emenike Wami, the Ochia Ohna Ikwerre(XIV), taking the lead.
Prof Priye Iyalla, the wife of late renowned writer, novelist and playwright, Dr Elechi Amadi, held the audience spellbound as she masterfully reeled out the profile of the celebrant, amid intermittent applause from the crowd.
The Tiv Community from Benue State, resident in Rivers State, were not left out, as they honoured and decorated Eze Onuekwa in their complete traditional regalia.
Cultural displays from Baptist Church, Rumuowhor; ADNA Wogbuji Dancing Group, Egbeda; Tiv Dancing Group; and Promoter Eze and Rumu-Mgboh Emohua Wrestling Group, equally added colour and grace to the occasion, with the celebrant and his wife, Dame Ann Onuekwa, joining them to wriggle their waists and bodies in ecstasy.
In his response, the highly elated celebrant, Eze Onuekwa thanked all those gathered to celebrate with him, saying, celebrations would never cease in their homes, and attributed everything he represents in life, including his modest accomplishments to God.
Eze Onuekwa, while addressing newsmen, harped on the need for hard work among the youths and members of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, as a way of sustaining and giving meaning to the motto of the organisation, which he noted is anchored on peace, unity and progress.
He specially thanked God for sustaining his life, and for making everything possible for him and his family, saying, he was joyous that he has today become an octogenarian and elder statesman in Rivers State.
His son and medical practitioner, Dr Samuel Chizia Onuekwa expressed delight that people from far and near had come together to celebrate the father, whom he described as a role model and great inspirator.
He said it was a good thing that the children were celebrating their father when he is alive, stressing that the last time Eze Onuekwa was celebrated in such magnitude was 20 years ago, during his 60th birthday celebration, and prayed God to grant him many more years in good health.
Among dignitaries who graced the event were Senator Andrew Uchendu; Chief Sampson Agbaru; Prof Emenike Wami; Dr Peter Didia; Eze(Prof) Samuel Ugo Onyeka; and a host of others. Justice Iche Ndu(rtd); and C O Kattey were among personalities that attended the thanksgiving service, while the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi led the academics who graced the symposium, alongside Eze G A O Omodu.
As the 100 Ogoni youths trained by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Creative Arts close out their training on Tuesday at the Theatre Arts Department, University of Port Harcourt, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, has urged the beneficiaries to use the skills acquired to ensure that the Ogoni stories are told and heard in the right way.
The trainees, who had completed a four- month training in script writing, film production and make-up are beneficiaries of the HYPREP sustainable livelihood programme, aimed at providing high demand skills to Ogoni youths in the lucrative creative arts and entertainment industry.
Zabbey described the Creative Arts training as well as other programmes and interventions as HYPREP’s strategic sustained effort to create alternative sources of livelihood.
”Targeted capacity building for Ogoni youths and women remains a central strategy in HYPREP’s livelihood restoration and improvement efforts. Our goal is to reach every part of the Ogoni community and ensure that no group or talent pool is left behind. This training is a deliberate step to empower young people who aspire to make their mark in the creative and entertainment industry”, he said.
While commending the trainees for producing four short films within the training period, one of which was premiered at the ceremony-Dirty Festival, the Project Coordinator noted that the training would serve as a springboard into the industry, and enable them earn a living, become entrepreneurs, and open new doors of opportunities for themselves and their communities. The three other movies are Open Pain, Bomu and Green War.
He enjoined them to utilise their skills and platforms to promote civic responsibility, peace, and environmental sustainability, urging them to ensure that Ogoni is heard in the right way, speak for HYPREP and highlight the progress being made in implementing the recommendations of the UNEP Report.
Other speakers at the event, including the Director of Technical Services of HYPREP, Prof. Damian-Paul Aguiyi; Dr Ovunda Ihunwo, Head of the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Port Harcourt; Chief Douglas Experience, the Project Coordinator of Halibiz Consult Limited; and Mrs Josephine Nzidee, Head, Sustainable Livelihood of HYPREP, all applauded HYPREP for the training, and charged the trainees to maximise the opportunity.
The trainees were later presented certificates of participation.
Visibly elated Ms Lebee Tornwe, one of the beneficiaries, thanked HYPREP and the Project Coordinator for offering the trainees the rare opportunity to acquire skills in the creative arts and entertainment industry, and expressed delight that Dr Ihunwo and Halibiz Consult Limited gave their all in grooming them.
With the wrapping up of the Creative Arts training(100), HYPREP has trained 230 Ogoni youths in high demand skill sets ,viz; seafaring(100); and aviation (30). The Project will this year, commence training in other skill areas, including Mechatronic, Aviation, Full-Stack Development, Commercial Diving, Underwater Welding and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Still in the offing is the training for Ogoni Persons Living with Disabilities in five skill sets- fish farming; basic computer skills; photography; fashion and design; and shoemaking in line with their Needs Assessment and HYPREP’s policy of inclusivity.
The National Youth Council of Ogoni People (NYCOP) had called on stakeholders to work collaboratively towards the development and empowerment of Ogoni youths.
NYCOP made the call in a communique issue over the weekend after an emergency Congress in Port Harcourt and signed by its President, Comrade Raymond Nwibani Marcus.
In the communique, NYCOP endorsed President Bola Tinubu’s appointments of the Governing Council and Board of Trustees (BOT) members of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), particularly Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah as Chairman of HYPREP’s BOT.
It respectfully appealed to the President to consider appointing a representative from the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) under the leadership of Engr. Olu Andah Wai-Ogosu, being the pioneering social vehicle for Ogoni advocacy since the inception of the Ogoni struggle, adding that it would significantly contribute to the decision-making process.
The body commended the overall management of HYPREP and urges the President to continue funding the HYPREP project.
NYCOP furthermore recommended considering the conversion of HYPREP from a project to a full-fledged agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The communique also stated that NYCOP thanked President Tinubu for establishing the Federal University of Environmental Technology, and for appointing key staff, forming a dialogue committee, and initiating infrastructural projects like the Eleme axis of the East-West Road and the Bonny-Bodo Road, significantly enhancing regional connectivity and economic prospects.
In solidarity with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the endorsed President Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying it believes his leadership embodies the aspirations of the Ogoni people and Nigerians at large.
“After thorough consideration of the Disciplinary Committee’s report, NYCOP resolves:
” To indefinitely suspend Comrade Nade Nade Burale from his position as Secretary General due to misconduct.
“To declare Comrade Saviour Imeabe persona non grata on Ogoni youth issues, given his actions’ potential to instigate crisis in Ogoni and beyond” the communique stated.
NYCOP in his resolution issued a 7-day ultimatum to former HYPREP BOT Chairman Mike Nwialeghi to explain the $100 million HYPREP fund investment, warning of potential litigation.
NYCOP reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ogoni youth interests and preventing personal aggrandizement.
According to the communique the resolutions demonstrate NYCOP’s efforts to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth.
“We will no longer tolerate any individual or group using the name or issues of Ogoni youth for personal aggrandizement.
” Our mandate is clear: to promote the collective welfare and advancement of Ogoni youth” the communique said.
NYCOP passes a vote of confidence in Hon. Emmanuel Nwika Deeyah, acknowledging his impeccable credentials and credibility to lead the BOT of HYPREP effectively.
Kiadum Edookor