Nation
THE STATES
FCT
The Police have arraigned a 60-year-old man, Alhaji
Bashir Mohammed, in a Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court, Wuse, Abuja, for failure to produce a suspect.
Mohammed, a businessman who resides at Deidei, Abuja, was said to have stood for bail for Abdullahi Saidu of Wuse zone 1, Abuja, but failed to produce him when asked to.
He is facing a one-count charge of shielding an offender.
The prosecutor, Insp. Abdullahi Adamu, had told the court that on October 4 the accused stood for bail for Abdullahi Saidu at Wuse Police Station and promised to produce him on October 9.
He said that when that date came, the accused and the suspect were nowhere to be found until he was seen at Wuse market and arrested.
Kano
A 27-year-old man, Murtala Abdullahi, on Wednes
day, appeared before the Nomansland Magistrates’ Court in Kano, charged with criminal conspiracy and buying stolen vehicle.
According to the First Information Report, the theft was reported at the Bompai Police Division, Kano, by Usman Audu of Farawa Quarters, Kano, in August.
The report indicated that Audu alleged that Abdullahi criminally conspired with one Abdullahi Ibrahim and two others simply identified as Surajo and Shuaibu, all of Kunchi Local Government Area of Kano State to commit the offence. It added that Ibrahim, Surajo and Shuaibu, now at large, sold a stolen Honda Civic car with registration number AE240DAL to Abdullahi at N500,000, an offence which contravened sections 6 (a),(b),(c) and 5 (1) of Robbery and Firearms Special Provision Act.However, the accused denied committing the offences but the Magistrate, Mr Ibrahim Khaleel, ordered that he be remanded in prison and adjourned the case until Dec. 22 for further mention.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State House of Assembly has rejected
autonomy for local governments and the scrapping of state electoral commissions as proposed in the amendment to the 1999 Constitution.
Our correspondent reports that the assembly also rejected amendment to the provisions on indigenes and citizens by birth.
It, however, adopted all other recommendations as presented to it by the National Assembly.
The members had voted clause by clause in line with the recommendation of its special committee on the review of the constitution.
Mr Kantiok Ishaku, the Chairman of the seven-man committee had urged the members to place national interest above all other considerations in considering and voting on the sections sought to be altered.
Kwara
Sen. Simeon Ajibola, who won the PDP governor
ship ticket for the 2015 elections in Kwara, remains the flagbearer of the party, his campaign outfit has said.
The Director General of the Ajibola for Governor Campaign Organisation, Mr Shuaib Olanrewaju, made the clarification in an interview newsmen in Ilorin.
Olanrewaju said that contrary to the rumour making the rounds, Ajibola remains the authentic flag bearer of the party.
He said the clarification was necessary against the background of postings in the social media insinuating that the governorship ticket had been withdrawn from Ajibola.
Olanrewaju said the state and the 16 local government executive bodies of the party as well as other contestants had already congratulated Ajibola on his victory.
He recalled that Gov. Gabriel Suswan of Benue, who supervised the December 11 rescheduled primary election had submitted the result to the national headquarters of the party, adding that it had been accepted.
Kebbi
The Federal Ministry of Finance has commenced the train
ing of 95 unemployed graduates in Kebbi State who were selected for the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS).
Mr Edward Aleko, communication specialist of the scheme, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi that 400 graduates across the state would be trained during the first phase of the scheme.
He said that 50,000 graduates are expected to benefit from the training meant to reduce unemployment in the country.
Aleko said: “The GIS was instituted by the Federal Government to cushion the hardship faced by unemployed graduates.
“It will also help to reduce vulnerability of unemployed graduates and build the manpower and capacity required for national development.
Nasarawa
A Grade 1 Area Court in Aso Pada, Mararaba, Nasarawa
State, has sentenced a 32-year-old businessman, John Daniel, to 24 months imprisonment for breach of trust and cheating.
The presiding Judge, Mr Albert Maga, convicted the businessman after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of breach of trust and cheating.
Maga, however, gave the convict an option to pay N6,000 fine or remain in Keffi Prison for 24 months and also ordered him to give N140,000 as compensation to the complainant.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Adaji, had told the court that the matter was reported at the ‘A’ Divisional Police Station, Mararaba, on December 15 by Mrs Ego Godwin of down Quarter, Mararaba. Adaji said sometimes in January 2014, the convict of same address came to the complainant and asked her to join a contribution of N8,000 with over 20 other people, which she accepted.
He said the convict told her that she would receive N140, 000 as her contribution in June 2014, but that she went for her husband’s burial and therefore could not receive the money.
Adaji added that when she came back, the convict refused to give her the money and converted it to his personal use without her consent.
Niger
The Nigeria Customs Service has handed over various il
licit drugs it recovered from the traffickers to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for destruction.
Mr Mohammed Biu, the Customs Area Controller in charge of Niger, Kogi and Kwara zones, presented the drugs for destruction in Minna.
“This is part of the established synergy customs has with other security agencies to assist in proper investigation since it is not in our purview to investigate such matter,’’ he said.
Biu said that his officers intercepted seven cartons of Taramol, Taramadol and Jonaviga tablets worth N1.2 million on September 24 along Mokwa-Kaduna Road.
Lagos
Lagos State Government last Thursday urged opera
tors of health facilities and healthcare providers in the state to ensure adequate prevention and control of infection to improve service delivery.
Dr Yewande Adeshina, Special Adviser to Gov. Babatunde Fashola on Public Health, said this at the seventh stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA).
Our correspondent reports that the programme was organised for operators of health facilities and healthcare providers in the state.
Adeshina said that there was the need to put in place a mechanism that would ensure holistic prevention and control of infections from one patient to another.
Ogun
Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun state says the insti
tution embarked on entrepreneurial training that would make its graduating students to be job providers for the nation.The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samson Ayanlaja, said this at the 6th convocation ceremony and conferment of honourary first degrees, doctorate degrees and presentation of prizes for 2013/2014 session in Ota.
Our correspondent reports that 310 graduating students participated in the ceremony.
They comprised 14 students bagging first class honours, 79 in second class upper division, 127 in second class lower division, 59 with third class, six receiving ordinary pass and 25 postgraduate students.
Ondo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Zone-B, has
advocated autonomy for the third tier of government in Nigeria in the on-going amendment of the 1999 Constitution. According to a statement in Akure by Mr Dele Atunbi, Vice-President of the zone, granting of autonomy to the local government is in the spirit of true federalism.
“Local government autonomy will bring about rapid transformation at the grassroots, unlike the present situation of stunted growth and inaction.
“Grassroots development will reduce tremendously rural urban drift and congestion in our city centres.
“Reduction in rural urban drift will equally reduce organised crimes in the country and ensure the success of the youth in agriculture programme of the Federal Government.
“This will in turn bring about food security as well as generate more activities at the grassroots, “ the statement said.
Nation
Cleric Preaches Love As Deputy Governor, Chief Judge Grace Wedding In PH
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.
Nation
2027: APC Chieftain Predicts Tinubu’s Victory …Says Bayelsa Stakeholders Supporting President en masse … IPAC Knitted Together, Working In Synergy With His Office
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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