Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on
wealthy indigenes of Adamawa State to come and invest in the State.
Atiku made the call during the inauguration of Madugu Rockview Hotel in Yola.
According to the former vice president, the only way to develop the state is for the well-to-do citizens to invest in it.
“It is unwise for the wealthy citizens of Adamawa to go somewhere and invest while the state is lacking. “I, therefore, advise and challenge any well meaning citizen of Adamawa to come back home and invest in order to move our state forward”, Atiku said.
Governor Muhammadu Bindo of Adamawa expressed concern over poor investment attitude of people of the state.
Borno
The National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA) said last Saturday that it planned to collaborate with the Borno Government to enhance the welfare of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
Our correspondent that about 120, 000 IDPs, drawn from 22 out of the 27 local government areas of the state are taking shelter in 22 camps in Maiduguri.
NEMA Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Charles Otegbade, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen shortly after a meeting with officials of the state government in Maiduguri.
Otegbade said that the essence was to enhance hygiene at the IDPs camps as well as ensure improvement in theír living condition.
“What we have agreed upon is more like sharing responsibilities on how to continue to maintain the camps in a very hygienic manner.
Ekiti
The immediate past Speaker of Ekiti State House of
Assembly, Mr Dele Olugbemi, has urged the newly inaugurated legislators to support the administration of Governor Ayo Fayose to bring about meaningful development.
Olugbemi gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti.
He urged the legislators to cooperate with the Executive to ensure the delivery of more dividends of democracy to the people.
The former speaker said meaningful development could only be achieved when there is cooperation among the three arms of government.
“I want to charge the newly inaugurated legislators that they must cooperate with the administration Gov. Fayose to bring about meaningful development.
FCT
The Federal Ministry of Environment says it will imple
ment relevant actions to achieve sustainable development and environmental protection in the country.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Fatima Mede, gave the assurance in Abuja last a symposium organised to mark the 2015 World Environment Day (WED).
Mede said that the government had established various institutions and mechanisms to address specific issues to ensure environmental protection.
She said that the ministry had also fashioned out relevant policies and action plans to address some environmental challenges such as drought and desertification, erosion and climate change, among others.
According to her, the government has also, through the ministry and her agencies, developed relevant environmental laws and regulations to address some of these challenges.
Gombe
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has
approved the appointment of Mr James Phisagi as Acting Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
This is contained in statement signed by Alhaji Ahmed Usman, the state’s Head of Civil Service, and made available to newsmen in Gombe.
The statement said Phisagi’s appointment was with effect from June 4.
According the statement, Phisagi, 56, was the Permanent Secretary, General Duties at the SSG’s Office.
The acting SSG graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 1980 with BSC in Political Science.
Jigawa
The Kiyawa Local Government Council of Jigawa State
last Friday said it is targeting more than 80,000 children for vaccination against polio in the ongoing immunisation.
The Manager, National Programme on Immunisation (NPI), in the area, Alhaji Ashiru Mu’azu, said this through the council’s Information Officer, Malam Abdullahi Yakubu, in Kiyawa.
Yakubu said that, according to the NPI Manager, the state government has supplied 78,000 doses of Oral Polio Vaccines (OPVs) for the smooth conduct of the exercise.
The official said the exercise would be conducted under the supervision of the council chairman and his councillors.
According to him, the council had provided 135 cartons of sweets to woo children to participate in the exercise.
Kano
The former Director, Research and Documentation Unit,
Ado Bayero Foundation, Alhaji Ado Kurawa has described the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, as the most influential monarch in the history of Kano Emirate Council.
Kurawa made the remark at the first memorial lecture of the revered traditional ruler in Kano on Sunday.
The lecture, titled “The Contribution of the late Emir Ado Bayero to the Development of Islam in Kano”, was organised by the Bayero University Kano.
According to him, the late monarch was an important asset in promoting mutual understanding and resolving conflicts between different ethnic and religious groups.
“Bayero who reigned for 50 years contributed immensely to the development of Islam in the state through donation to Islamic organisations.
Kebbi
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has advo
cated making of history as a compulsory subject in schools to enable young Nigerians to understand the society better.
The sultan made the call at the 10th Anniversary of the Coronation of the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar.
He urged the youths to study the history of their traditional institutions and values, stressing that facts of history will guide their attitude towards the promotion of peace, love and education.
According to him, study of history will enable students to ascertain facts about past and appreciate roles of traditional rulers in maintaining peace, unity and coexistence of diverse people of Nigeria.
He also called on community leaders and to promote both Islamic and western education for the rapid development of society.
Lagos
A member of the 7th Federal Assembly from Lagos State,
Dr. Samuel Adejare, has called for regular summits between past and serving lawmakers where they could share experiences.
Adejare, who represented the Agege Federal Constituency I under the All Progressives congress (APC), told our correspondent last Friday that such summits would help to deepen Nigeria’s democratic culture.
He urged the Institute for Legislative Studies to regularly organise meetings between past and serving lawmakers at all levels for them to exchange ideas and share views on law making.
Nassarawa
The Catholic Bishop of Lafia, Dr Mathew Ishaya, has
called on Nigerians to give the much-needed support for President Muhamadu Buhari’s administration.
He said such support to the new government and political leaders would ensure its success.
Ishaya, who made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lafia, said no government could achieve any meaningful development and progress without the support and prayers of its citizenry.
He said: “Our role is to preach peace, unity and to advise our members and other Nigerians to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations.
Ishaya also called on the people not to relent in their prayers for the success of the new government and reminded them that “prayer is key to the success of every individual or government.”
Osun
The Programme Manager, Rural Water and Environ
mental Sanitation Agency in Osun, Alhaji Olaposi Adiatu, has described provision of potable water in a dirty environment as invitation to water-borne diseases.
Adiatu made this assertion in an interview with newsmen in Osogbo recently.
He said the provision of potable water in an unhealthy environment is automatically inviting diseases.
According to him, in as much as provision of potable water is essential, it would be counter- productive to have it in a dirty environment, as this could lead to contraction of various kinds of water-borne diseases.
”We have made it clear to our people that one of the major prerequisite to provision of water in their communities is their commitment to environmental sanitation, ” he said.
On the Millennium Development Goals’ projection of water for all by the year 2015, the RUWESA boss expressed his reservation about the attainment of this goal by the stipulated period.
Taraba
The National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA), Donga, has donated N5million worth of relief materials to 2,926 victims of gun attacks in Donga Local Government Area of Taraba.
Alhaji Muhammed Sidi, Director General of the agency, presented the items to the three camps of Tor Damisa, Model Primary School and Dozomga.
Sidi told the internally displaced persons (IDPs) that the relief materials were meant to alleviate their sufferings and not compensation to what they have lost.
“I want to make it clear that this relief materials we have brought to you is to alleviate your sufferings while the government is trying to restore peace in your communities.
“You must, therefore, try on your part to tolerate one another and assist government in finding lasting solutions to the unfortunate attacks in your communities,” he 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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