Nation
THE STATES
un Resident Coordinator, Ms Fatma Samoura handing over unfpa Health Kits to Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno during her visit to Maiduguri last Thursday.
Adamawa
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
has advised Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Adamawa not to sell relief materials donated to them by the agency and other donors.
The state Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Sa’ad Bello, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Yola.
Bello said the advice became necessary as some beneficiaries of relief materials sold the items.
He said that on many occasions when such relief materials were seen in the market, people accused NEMA officials of selling them.
“Not for sale is boldly written on the materials. I want to appeal to the public to report any person seen selling the materials to the nearest police station,’’ Bello advised.
Benue
Concern Universal, an NGO, said it has received a grant
of N642 million from the Department for International Development (DFID) to scale up sanitation and hygiene in Cross River.
The Programme Manager of the organization Mr Nanpet Chuktu, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi.
He explained that the grant would be used for implementing the Community-Led Health Improvement through Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion (CHISPIN) in Nigeria.
He said the programme was expected to run for three years in similar design of the Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Programme with emphasis on activities at the local areas.
Chuktu said using the Community Led Total Sanitation approach, no fewer than 702, 000 persons in Biase, Ikom and Yala local government areas would benefit from the programme.
Ekiti
An Ado-Ekiti High Court has sentenced two students of
Ekiti State University (EKSU)- Akintunde Olumide and Oladapo Olaoluwa, to three years imprisonment each for belonging to secret cults.
Justice Mosun Abodunde, in her judgment held that the prosecution established a case of secret cultism against the two convicts beyond reasonable doubt.
The judge said that the police found in their custody, a small cutlass, black head warmer band, black T. shirt, and black trousers during investigation.
The judge held that the short cutlass was not the type used for agriculture or weeding grass.
“It is not a tool for education, it is a weapon of danger and incriminating, and should not be seen within the school premises,’’ she added.
Gombe
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has urged
traditional rulers in the state to sensitise their subjects on the need to guard against fire outbreaks.
Dankwambo made the call when he visited the Emir of Pindiga in Akko local government area.
He said traditional rulers had an important role to play in sensitising their subjects against fire disasters in view of the recent reports of fire outbreaks in parts of the North.
He advised the public to always switch off electrical appliances before closing from businesses, offices and their houses when going to bed, to avoid fire outbreaks.
The governor also advised people to desist from storing petroleum products in their houses, warning that such act may lead to fire outbreak.
Jigawa
The Jigawa Government says it wants some Chinese com
panies that have indicated interest to invest in agriculture to establish their factories in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Kabiru Ali, made this known when he briefed newsmen in Maigatari on the visit of the Chinese investors to the state.
“Basically, what we want these Chinese to do is to establish the factory here in Jigawa so that the state will be buying in bulk the equipment we need.
“Also, other states will come to Jigawa and buy the equipment they need,’’ Ali said.
Ali said that Chinese were in the state to see the possibility of establishing a factory for the manufacturing of small farm equipment.
Katsina
Sen. Mustapha Bukar (APC-Katsina North) says he is
training 710 youths in Computer and Information Technology (ICT) in Katsina State.
Bukar stated this in Daura at the opening ceremony of the training programme.
He said that the training would be conducted by the Global Plus ICT in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) sponsored by him.
According to him, the beneficiaries will be trained in three months, after which a certificate would be given to each trainee.
He pointed out that the programme would complement the state government efforts at making people of the state computer literate.
“Computer education is regarded as backbone of societal development worldwide, but our youths are left behind in that area,’’ he said.
Besides, Bukar said that the trainees would be empowered with working materials and capital to enable them establish their businesses and become self-reliant after the programme.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has awarded N11 billion
contracts for the renovation of schools and provision of furniture, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr Shehu Adamu, has said.
Adamu said while briefing newsmen in Kaduna that N7 billion would be spent on the renovation of 420 secondary schools, while N4 billion was for the provisions of furniture.
According to him, the state has a total of 4, 225 primary schools and 524 secondary schools, most of which are dilapidated.
“The contract entails the complete renovation of the schools, construction of toilets facilities, provision of solar-powered motorized boreholes with overhead tanks, and construction of new classes where necessary.
“For the furniture, the contracts were awarded for the provision of more than 770,000 units of furniture to be distributed across the state”.
Nasarawa
A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, has admitted
a 28-year-old wheelbarrow pusher, Friday Bebaca, to bail in the sum of N100,000 for alleged extortion.
Bebaca of Aso Junction Mararaba was arraigned on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and extortion.
The presiding officer, Mr Albert Maga, in his ruling, ordered the defendant to produce one surety in like sum.
Maga ordered that the surety should have a fixed address, reasonable means of livelihood, and also reside within the jurisdiction of the court.
He adjourned the case till April 15 for further hearing.
Prosecutor Friday Adaji had told the court that Musa Abubakar of Aso Pada, Mararaba, reported the matter at ‘A’ Divisional Police Headquarters, Mararaba, on March 30.
Adaji said the defendant conspired with two others now at large to attack the complainant along Mararaba Junction while he was coming back from work.
Oyo
The Sickle Cell Hope Alive Foundation (SCHAF) said it
has partnered with the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) to fight sickle cell in the country.
The President of the foundation, Prof. Adeyinka Falusi, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.
Falusi said that the foundation was forging collaboration with NYSC as part of efforts to promote awareness and education on preventive approach to the disease.
“The objective of NYSC is to inculcate in Nigerian youths the spirit of selfless service to the community.
“The corp members are distributed nationwide and SCHAF is initiating a partnership with the NYSC to serve as a vehicle of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) prevention.
Plateau
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Pla
teau has said that its Mobile Court has been a vital tool to check unqualified drivers and vehicles from plying the highways.
The state Public Education Officer of the commission, Mr Andrew Bala, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Jos.
According to him, the mobile court activity has been a vital tool that the corps is using to reduce the number of unqualified drivers and vehicles from plying highways.
“Mobile court proceeding has given our men on patrol the opportunity to charge traffic offenders and they are given a fair hearing when arrested.’’
Niger
Twenty thousand rice farmers in Niger would be as
sisted with a N1.8 billion loan, under CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme within the next four years, Niger Coordinator of Agriculture Graduates Association of Nigeria (AGAN), has said.
The Coordinator, Malam Hussaini Iliyasu, stated this in Minna at a stakeholders’ meeting.
Our correspondent reports that the Rice Value Chain Investment Project Multi Stakeholders’ meeting was held between the State Ministry of Agriculture, IFAD, CBN and the association.
Zamfara
The Emir of Gusau in Zamfara, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, has
refuted rumours of his purported death being peddled across the state.
In a statewide broadcast on the state –owned radio station the emir assured the people of the state that he was still alive.
“I want the people to know that I am alive, but I will soon go to Saudi Arabia for medical treatment,” he said.
The monarch said the announcement was necessary in order to clear the air over rumours being peddled by some people that he had died.
The emir, however, thanked his well wishers for their concern over his well-being and urged them to continue to pray for him.
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
