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 Governors of States, during a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday

Governors of States, during a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday

Benue

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, says that God
has given the people of Nigeria everything a nation needs to be successful.
Ortom, who made the remark at Igbor in Gwer East Local Government Area of the state, however said the country had failed to harness its resources to become a successful nation.
The governor was at Igbor to inspect the Benue Burnt Bricks Company and Ikwe Wildlife Resort.
He noted that the state was blessed with abundant human and natural resources which needed to be properly tapped for the good of all.
According to him, the failure to transform existing industries in the state and across the country is part of what is retarding the nation’s development and the attendant hardships faced by people.

FCT

The Nigerian military says  it has the constitutional and
moral responsibility to protect Nigerians and could not suddenly engage in mass murder as portrayed in the allegations by Amnesty International.
Chief of Administration of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Abubakar, said this while briefing newsmen on the recent allegations of war crimes against some senior military officers by the Amnesty International.
Abubakar said following the Amnesty International report released on June 3, the Nigerian military as a responsible corporate organisation was bound to respond to the allegations in order to put the records in proper perspective.
He recalled that upon the written request from Amnesty International to the military to comment on the allegations, the military promptly commenced investigations into the allegations.
He said consequently, several investigations on the allegations were ongoing.

Gombe

The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, Gombe
State, has ordered Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to expedite action on the reproduction of necessary documents requested by lawyers to prosecute their petitions before it.
Justice Mathew Adewara, Chairman of the tribunal, being assisted by Justice Abba Mohammed and Justice Hafsat Abdulrahaman gave the order at the pre-hearing season in Gombe on Saturday.
The chairman gave the order following the complaints by Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), who is the counsel of the petitioner, Alhaji Inuwa Yahaya and APC, who also petitioned the victory of Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo, joining the PDP and INEC.
He said they had made several efforts for the INEC to serve them with some of the viral documents to be use before the tribunal.
According to him, they were served with some and denied other documents as requested.

Jigawa

Governor Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa State, has re-
appointed Alhaji Sani Alhassan, as the Executive Secretary, Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir, in Dutse, said Alhassan was reappointed based on his “excellent performance in the past.”
It said that the appointment was with immediate effect, and urged the executive secretary to continue rendering selfless service to the state.
“While we commend you for the excellent performances you recorded in the previous Hajj operations, we also urge you to continue with that in future operations,” the statement further said.

Kaduna

The Anglican Bishop of Wusasa Diocese in Zaria, Kaduna
State, Rt. Rev. Ali Buba-Lamido, on Saturday advocated death penalty for corrupt public office holders.
He made the call at the Sixth Synod of the Wusasa Diocese of the Anglican Communion, held in Zaria, Kaduna State.
According to him, the death penalty option is the only way to put public officers in Nigeria in check.
Buba-Lamido said the call became imperative in view of the fact that corruption could kill more people than a conventional weapon.
“If our leaders know that they would be prosecuted if found corrupt they would be on their toes to avoid corrupt practices,” he said.

Katsina

President Muhammadu Buhari  has urged Nigerians to
be patient and accept democracy not as a system of government but as a lifestyle in order to ensure development of the country.
The president said this when he paid homage to the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar, after attending the Juma’at prayer at the Lowcost Mosque, in Daura, Katsina State.
The President, who delivered his speech in Hausa, urged those who were aggrieved after the 2015 elections to seek redress through democratic means and institutions.
Buhari noted that Nigeria was adopting democracy from the western nations and learning fast by avoiding mistakes made when studying the weaknesses and strengths of those nations.
According to him, if Nigerians decide to be hasty, some avoidable mistakes can be made.

Kwara

Nigeria has the largest population of people with sickle
cell disease in the world, with over 150,000 babies born with the serious condition every year, researches have shown.
A pharmacist with the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Mr Lanre Alege, said this in a lecture delivered during June edition of the keep fit exercise for staff of the hospital at the Kwara stadium on Saturday.
He said it was estimated that only five per cent of the children with Sickle Cell Disease live past the age of 10 in Nigeria, compared to over 96 per cent surviving into adulthood in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Alege, who is the Coordinator of the programme, also disclosed that the recurrent pain and complications of the disease can interfere with many aspects of patients life, including education, employment and psychological development.
He said that Sickle Cell Disease is a genetic disorder due to the presence of an abnormal form of haemoglobin in the red blood cells, called haemoglobin S (Hb S) instead of haemoglobin A (Hb A).

Lagos

Primary school authorities in the country have been ad
vised to encourage their pupils to make use of libraries to improve their reading culture.
A management staff in the Office of the Registrar of the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Dr Ayoola Olatunde, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
He said it was necessary to expose pupils to use of library facilities at tender ages.
The don described the primary school level as “ a crucial stage of development and a foundation, which the rest of the educational system is built on”.
Olatunde said that reading was one of the most effective processes of conscious learning, which must be inculcated in children.
Nasarawa

Chairman, General Private Nursing Practitioners of Ni
geria, Nasarawa State branch, Chief Stephen Angbas, has appealed to the state’s Ministry of Health to reduce the cost of renewing licence by practitioners.
Angbas made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Lafia on Saturday.
The chairman, who is also the proprietor of Angbas Medical Centre, Lafia, expressed concern over the increase in charges of renewing licence fees by private nursing practitioners in the state.
“We are appealing to them to look at the issue of renewing licence fees and make it reasonable to allow the private sector participate in health care delivery services.
“In those days, it was N13, 000, but now it had gone up beyond our reach,” he said.

Plateau

The price of tomatoes has soared in markets in Jos and
its environs.
A  survey carried out in some markets also revealed that the price of pepper has also gone up.
Our correspondent learnt at the Farin-Gada tomatoes market, that a basket of fresh tomatoes which sold for N800 two weeks is now N6, 000.
The paint bucket which sold for N300 two weeks ago, now sells for N800.
A basket of pepper that was sold for N600, now sells for N4, 000, while the paint bucket of pepper now attracts N700 up from N200 which it sold two weeks ago.

Taraba

The Chairman, Muslim Council in Taraba State, Alhaji
Inuwa Manu, has urged Muslim faithful to use the Ramadan to demonstrate love and peaceful coexistence among different religious adherents in the state.
Manu made this known in an interview with newsmen in Jalingo on Saturday.
He said the call became imperative following activities of miscreants who were bent on causing public disturbances in the name of religion in the state.
According to him, criminals have infiltrated religious bodies with the sole aim of causing confusion so as to benefit from it.
He urged the people to embrace peace and respect each other’s religion so as not to create room for the miscreants to capitalise on it to cause problem in the state.

Yobe

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State has assured
security personnel involved in the war against Boko Haram insurgents in the state of prompt payment of allowances.
Gaidam made the pledge on Saturday during a special parade by troops of 27 Task Force Brigade, Operation Zaman Lafiya, in Damaturu.
The parade was to decorate deserving personnel who had spent a minimum of six months in the ongoing operation against the insurgents in the North East.
The governor also pledged to provide more logistic support to the brigade, to assist with its operations.

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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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