Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

on

Adamawa

The Speaker, House of Representatives,  Alhaji Aminu
Tambuwal, in Yola has advised winners in the last general elections to ensure good governance when they assume office.
Tambuwal, who spoke at Government House, Yola, said the people were yearning for good governance.
The speaker, who is also the governor-elect of Sokoto State, said upon assumption of office, politicians should stop politicking and concentrate on good governance.
He urged leaders to be honest and committed to their mandate, and advised them to relate well with the people.
“They should be honest and dedicated to the mandate which the people gave to them,’’ he said.
Tambuwal described Adamawa Governor  Bala Ngilari as a man of destiny, commending him for ensuring that normalcy returned to the state.

Benue

Benue State Governor-elect, Samuel Ortom, has  pledged
to be fair to all in making key appointments into his administration.
Ortom gave the assurance when he received All Progressives Congress stakeholders from Kwande Local Government, Masev Development Association and Igede, who paid him a courtesy visit in Makurdi.
The governor-elect appreciated the contributions made by various communities towards his victory at the polls and stressed that no area would be shortchanged.
The former Trade and Investment minister disclosed plan to hold a roundtable with stakeholders to determine the zoning arrangements for positions in the incoming givernment.
“I will strive to promote excellence over sycophancy and mediocrity,” he said, and pledged to revamp state-owned companies in order to open space for employment.

Bornu

The Chairman of  Borno GSM  Market, Malam Musa
Isa has  said property worth N80 million were destroyed in an inferno that gutted the market last Friday.
Isah stated this in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri.
He said that the fire, which started at about 3.30 a.m. on Saturday, was caused by an electric fault.
He explained that 24 shops and 53 temporary phone sellers’ stands were destroyed in the incident.
Isa said that although no life was lost, the extent of damage was huge.
He added that “most of our people just came back from the market; somebody like Chinedu Mba, a major dealer in mobile phones and accessories lost over N8 million worth of goods to the fire.
It could be recalled that the Maiduguri GSM market popularly called “Jogol’’ had suffered suicide bomb attack in January last year in which 10 people were killed and several others got injured.

FCT

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) has said it has concluded plans to use drama to promote its anti-corruption crusade in Nigeria.
Chief Detective Superintendent with the EFCC Mrs Nwaninma  Okeanu made the statement last Friday in Abuja in an interview with newsmen. She said the idea would ensure that EFCC anti-corruption crusade was taken to the door steps of every Nigerian. “It was in consideration of the fact that an average Nigerian home spends quality time to watch films that the initiative to use drama to promote anti-corruption crusade was developed.
“The drama is not limited to the EFCC alone; so I encourage every Nigerian who has flair for acting to come and audition for a role,” she said.
Okeanu explained that the use of drama to strengthen awareness in the fight against corruption was a new initiative aimed at sensitizing families through films on the dangers of corruption.
“What people see and hear is what they believe and the new initiative is in consideration of the need for new approach in the fight against corruption,” she said.

Gombe

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
in Gombe State has called on traditional and religious leaders to preach against drugs abuse and cocaine intake among their people.
The Commandant of the agency in the state, Mr. Aliyu Adole, told newsmen in Gombe last Friday that the leaders should double their effort to sensitise the members of the public, especially the youth, who were expected to be the leaders of the future.
According to him, drugs use by the youth placed them out of control and some time made them to cause problems in the society.

Jigawa

The Jigawa State command of the Nigeria Security and
Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it had arrested a suspect for stealing a motorcycle (Boxer brand).
The Commandant, Mr Muhammad Gidado, told newsmen in Dutse that the suspect is a resident of Dingeri quarters in Jama’are Local Government Area, Bauchi State.
Gidado said the suspect was arrested a Andaza town in Kiyawa Local Government Area of Jigawa where he allegedly stole the motorcycle.
“Muhammad Sani of Dingeri quarters, Jama’are Local Government Area, Bauchi State, was arrested for stealing a motorcycle.“
“He was arrested by our men after he stole the motorcycle in Andaza village, Kiyawa Local Government Area, Jigawa,” he said.

Kano

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, has
advised Hausa movie producers to portray real culture of Hausa people in their quest to entertain viewers in the country. Sanusi gave the advice at the launch of a new Hausa movie titled ‘Hindu’ in Kano. Represented by Alhaji Aminu Bayero, Wamban Kano, Sanusi said the advice was necessary to promote the real culture of Hausa people to enable generations yet unborn to understand it very well.
“I want to use this opportunity to advise you (Hausa movie producers) to as much as possible portray genuine Hausa culture, norms, tradition and values,’’ he said.
He stressed the need for Hausa film producers to always seek for useful advice of stakeholders or custodians of the Hausa culture. He said the advice was to ensure that the message they intend to disseminate was true picture of the culture.

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Government says it shut down
126 illegal health facilities in Karu Local Government Area of the state.
Dr Thomas Affi, the team leader of the joint task force of the inspectorate unit of the state’s Ministry of Health, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the ministry’s inspection tour of private health facilities.
He said the tour on health establishments in the area was to eliminate quackery in the state’s health sector.

Oyo

A lecturer at University of Ibadan, Dr Morufat Balogun,
has invented a new agricultural technology to grow yam seedlings all seasons.
Balogun, a senior lecturer, Crop Protection and Environmental Biology, made this disclosure when she spoke to newsmen in Ibadan .
According to her, this newly invented agricultural technology will be put into use by yam farmers by 2016.
She said this would be possible through the production of Dormancy-Controlled Seed Tubers Technology.

Plateau

No fewer than 500 residents of Rantya, Jos South Lo
cal Government Area of Plateau, benefitted from medical outreach organised by the Living Faith Church (LFC).
The event took place at Stonebase, Bwak Community, Rantya where the beneficiaries were given drugs, while some where referred for laboratory tests by the medical personnel.
Resident Pastor, David Arua, told newsmen that the church initiated the programme because a lot of people with health challenges could not fund their treatment in hospitals.

Sokoto

Governor  Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has inau
gurated a N30 million rice mill established by an investor, Alhaji Nura Attajiri.
According to sources, the combined capacity of the mill is 1,250 kilograms per hour while operating for eight hours daily and six days a week.
Wamakko, who was represented at the inauguration by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Arzika Tureta, commended Attajiri for setting up the firm  with two loans of N20 million and N10 million advanced to him by the state government out of the nearly N3 billion loan disbursed to farmers and agro-investors in the state.

Yobe
An NGO, Ibrahim Gaidam Peace and Development Initiative, has pledged to enhance the living condition of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yobe.
Alhaji Isma’el Yusuf the Director-General of the Organisation, made the pledge on Thursday while presenting relief materials to IDPs in Kasaisa village in Damaturu.
He said the organization was established out of the desire to address the plight of IDPs in the state.
Attending to the needs of IDPs, Yusuf submitted, required the collective efforts of all stakeholders since government alone could not shoulder their responsibility.
Yusuf explained that residents of 13 villages sacked by the Boko Haram insurgents were currently taken refuge in Kasaisa village hence the need for groups and individuals to come to their aid.
“As part of social our resonsiblity, we will continue to provide necessary assistance to victims of the dreaded Boko Haram in Yobe state and in the Northeast in general.
“We are going to develop a database to have clear figures of the number IDPs in this community to enable us attend to their need effectively,” Yusuf said.

Chairman, Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations (Pacir), Chief Emeka Anyaoku (middle), addressing State House Correspondents after a Breakfast Meeting with President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja recently. With him are other members of the council.

Chairman, Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations (Pacir), Chief Emeka Anyaoku (middle), addressing State House Correspondents after a Breakfast Meeting with President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja recently. With him are other members of the council.

Continue Reading

Nation

Rumuaholu Community Denies Land Grabbing Allegations, Accuses Obio/Akpor Chairman of Interference in Land Dispute

Published

on

The Ekeanyanwu family of Rumuaholu Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State has strongly refuted allegations of land grabbing levelled against it, describing recent media reports as false, misleading, and deliberately fabricated.
The family made its position known during a press briefing held on Wednesday at the residence of Dr. Colonel Ogwumerum Eke in Rumuaholu. The briefing was attended by community leaders, stakeholders, and family representatives.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Dr. Eke dismissed claims attributed to the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Gift Worlu, which allegedly labelled the family as land grabbers. He described the allegations as baseless, frivolous, and lacking any factual foundation.
According to Dr. Eke, the Ekeanyanwu family remains the legitimate owner of the parcel of land known as Ohia Agbada, comprising approximately 6,000 plots situated along the Obiri-Ikwerre Airport Road corridor. He further maintained that Victory Estate, located within the disputed area, belongs exclusively to the Ekeanyanwu family and not to the Rumuosi Community as claimed by the council chairman.
Dr. Eke stated that ownership of the land had been affirmed by the courts, citing Case No. CCC/22/2015 at the Choba Customary Court. He explained that while the suit was instituted against another family in Rumuaholu, the Rumuosi Community sought to be joined in the matter but their application was rejected by the court.
He further disclosed that the family currently holds 15 subsisting court judgments in its favour relating to the disputed land, including judgments from the Customary Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal.
The family spokesman alleged that the Obio/Akpor council chairman, in collaboration with the local Anti-Land Grabbing Committee, was attempting to undermine the court decisions and dispossess the family of its land through what he described as “backdoor means.”
Dr. Eke accused the chairman of assuming the role of an appellate authority over matters that had already been conclusively determined by competent courts.
Expressing concern over recent developments, he alleged that individuals acting under the influence of the council chairman had destroyed properties worth millions of naira within Victory Estate. He described the action as a direct affront to existing court judgments and the rule of law.
Displaying copies of court judgments during the briefing, Dr. Eke questioned the rationale behind branding judgment creditors as land grabbers, insisting that those challenging the court rulings were the real offenders.
He called on members of the public to disregard what he termed misleading radio announcements purportedly made by the council chairman and urged government institutions and security agencies to uphold the sanctity of court judgments.
Also speaking at the briefing, Elder Prince Ndaokani, Principal Oji Owhor of Rumuaholu Community, supported the Ekeanyanwu family’s claims. He maintained that the disputed land originally belonged to Dr. Eke’s late father, who, according to Ikwerre native customary law, acquired ownership through the clearing and development of the land.
However, the allegations were dismissed by the Chairman of the Obio/Akpor Anti-Land Grabbing Committee, Chief Alex Wali, who responded on behalf of the local government council.
Chief Wali declined to engage directly with the claims made by Dr. Eke, stating: “That man cannot be gifted with our valued response to his tirades. People like that should not be in public but should be rotting in jail for heinous crimes against humanity.”
He maintained that nothing would prevent the council chairman from carrying out his constitutional responsibilities as the chief executive and chief security officer of the local government area.
According to him, the protection of lives and property remains a fundamental responsibility of government at all levels, and the council would continue to discharge its duties in that regard.
The dispute is the latest chapter in a long-running land ownership controversy in the area, with both sides maintaining opposing claims over the disputed property.
By Akujobi Amadi
Continue Reading

Nation

Asarama Kingdom Condemns Gruesome Murder of A Commercial Vehicle Driver

Published

on

The Asarama General Assembly in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State has condemned the gruesome murder of a commercial vehicle driver by some identified criminal elements in the community.
It would be recalled that on Thursday the 28th of May  2026, the kingdom was thrown into mourning, following the gruesome murder of a commercial vehicle driver by some criminal elements
The Assembly which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also called for the establishment of a Mobile police and police anti cultism departments  at the Asarama Police Division.
The Okangh Ama /Paramount Ruler of Asarama kingdom HRM king Appolus J Nteijaewaye who read the text for the briefing onbehalf of The Asarama General Assembly at the briefing said the community condemned in totality the gruesome incident.
He said the kingdom also extends its condolences to the bereaved family of the murdered driver, stressing that as a kingdom it would leave no stone unturned to ensure that such an incident never occur within it’s territorial space again.
The General Assembly also commended the prompt intervention of the Nigerian police Force which led to the arrest of some members of the criminal gang, adding that even though the crime was committed at Asarama, some of those allegedly involved were not indigenes of Asarama kingdom.
“As a kingdom we use the sober moment of this unfortunate incident to further commend the prompt reaction of the leadership and men of the Nigeria Police Force in Rivers state that led to their effective results aimed at eliminating criminality and deterring the evil ones in our society “
The Community also described the incident as a pointer to the level of vulnerability of not only Asarama kingdom but the entire society, against the background that the sanctity of life ought to be sacred and protected by individuals, groups, communities and governmental institutions”
Meanwhile ,The Asarama General Assembly has called for the establishment of a Mobile Police  as well as police anti cultism departments at the Asarama Police Division
It said this has become necessary inview of the strategic location of the kingdom as a gateway to the rest of Andoni communities and Opobo -Nkoro Local Government Area.
“Owing to the peculiarity of our geographical location especially the amphibious nature of Asarama kingdom, intricately linked with its neighbouring inter ethnic Ogoni and Opobo -Nkoro Local Government Areas in general and intra Andoni communities in particular, the relevant authorities should urgently approved special mobile police force,Anti cultism and Marin units to be attached to the Asarama Divisional headquarters”
The kingdom also decried the continuous neglect of the Asarama police Division, since it’s establishment adding that the division up till date,does not have a single firearm as well as enough personnel
It said this situation has exposed the community to activities of criminal elements.
“The sordid state of the only security outfit that ought to police our territory and beyond now seems to complicate the delicate insecurity that we are already exposed to, first as a nation and second as a people inhabiting an intricate amphibious gateway kingdom
“Consequently we hereby cry to the appropriate authorities to urgently equip the Asarama Divisional Police headquarters with adequate men arms and ammunition “the Community said.
John Bibor
Continue Reading

Nation

Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

on

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.

Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.

The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.

“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.

Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state

He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.

“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.

While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.

He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process.

Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.

Continue Reading

Trending