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L-R: Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali-Ndume, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Chief Executive Officer, Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija Global (AOA), Dr Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija and Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, during the 1st annual dialogue on Rebuilding Borno in Abuja, on Tuesday.

L-R: Senate Majority Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali-Ndume, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, Chief Executive Officer, Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija Global (AOA), Dr Ayoade Olatunbosun-Alakija and Senate Committee on Health, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, during the 1st annual dialogue on Rebuilding Borno in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Borno

University of Maiduguri has presented first class
degree certificates to 172 students of the institution during its 22nd combined convocation.
The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi,  who announced this at the ceremony said 37, 259 students, comprising five sets of students from 2009 to 2015 graduated at the convocation.
“It is gratifying to inform you that the university graduated five sets of students from 2009/2010, 2010/2011, 2012/2013, 2013/2014, and 2014/2015 academic sessions from 12 colleges, faculties, distance learning centre and 23 affiliated colleges.
“A total of 37, 259 students were graduated, out of this 32, 869 were regular students, 841 students were from affiliated colleges and 3,549 students were from the Distant Learning Programme,’’ Njodi said.

FCT

A 38-year-old auto mechanic, Kolawole Murtala, who
allegedly defrauded one Kunle Dosunmu of N200,000, has appeared before a Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrate’s Court, Abuja.
Murtala, a resident of Sector ‘F’ Lugbe, Abuja was docked for allegedly collecting N200,000 from Dosunmu to replace his car engine but failed to do so.
He is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on fraud and breach of trust.
The prosecutor, Mr Okere Chimaeze, told the court that the accused committed the offences in December 2015.
He alleged that the defendant collected money from Dosunmu to repair his Peugeot 406, but opted to convert the money to his personal use.

Jigawa

The Kiyawa local government council of Jigawa has
banned fishing activities in all rivers and streams in the area.
The council’s Information Officer, Malam Balarabe Abdullahi, said this in an interview with  newsmen in Dutse.
Abdullahi said that the council’s Caretaker Committee Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Sulaiman, announced the decision after the council’s security meeting recently.
He explained that the action was taken following disputes among fishermen in the area.
The spokesperson quoted the chairman as saying that no fisherman should fish in any of the waters in the area without obtaining permission from the authorities.

Kaduna

Examination Ethics Committee of Kaduna State Ministry
of Education, Science and Technology has paid an unscheduled visit to schools in Kaduna to check examination malpractice in the ongoing WAEC examination.
The committee made of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasir Islam (JNI), National Association of Private Schools, Quality Assurance Board, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), paid the visit.
The state Commissioner for Education, Dr Shehu Adamu, told newsmen shortly after the visit that the exercise was to ensure compliance to examination procedure, rules and regulations in all schools in the state.
Adamu said that members of the committee were going round the schools to serve as invigilators in both public and private schools suspected to be operating as ‘miracle or deliverance centres’.

Kwara

Prof. Adetayo Talabi of the Department of Human Ki
netics, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, has advised Nigerians not to over-dress in humid weather to avoid dehydration.
Talabi gave the advice in an interview with  newsmen in Ilorin.
He said that hot and humid environment being currently experienced in the country could cause more loss of water from the body system.
Talabi said that over-clothing in hot and humid environment would disturb the cooling effect of the body which could lead to dehydration.
Lagos

The Acting Director-General, Standards Organisation
(SON), Mr Paul Angya, said the agency would need additional 10,000 staff to fight substandard products in the country.
Angya stated this in an interview with newsmen in Lagos.
He said that if more staff were employed, they would be able to go far places in the country to check substandard products.
“We have just 1,500 staff at hand and there is no how they can cover the market places in the country.
“It was recommended in 1993 by government officials that SON needed 10, 000 staff for its operations,’’ he said.
Angya said that many lives had been lost due to substandard products coming into the country, adding that the integrity of SON concerning the laboratory tests results had not been compromised.

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Urban Development Board (NUDP)
has arraigned 2 filling stations owners at Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lafia for operating in residential areas.
The defendants were MM Nigeria Ltd. and Chibo Oil Investment Limited.
Representatives of the two stations, Adamu Usman and Mamman Maji, applied for out of court settlement.
The Acting General Manager Development Control of NUDP, Juliana Haruna, told newsmen that the board instituted a legal action against them because they had not complied with set down rules.
“Everyone knows the degree of hazards posed by siting filling stations close to people’s houses. So, we are out to ensure that things are done properly.
“If anything occurs today, which we do not pray for that to happen, only God knows the level of damage it would cause.

Niger

The Speaker of the Niger House of Assembly, Mr Ahmed
Marafa, has solicited for media support for the state government to deliver on its electoral pledges.
Marafa made the call while addressing newsmen at the state Assembly complex in Minna.
He noted that the developmental progress has been made in the state without adequate publicity.
According to him, the poor media coverage given to such improvement in the lives of the people makes them insignificant.
He said adequate coverage of state government activities was critical to the success of the administration.
“The three arms of government in the state are working very hard to improve the state and its economy since the inception of this administration.
“The media is central to the success of any government, so I want to enjoin you all to help play your part in the development of our state by constantly keeping the people informed of the policies and programmes of government.

Ogun

A 50-year old woman, Omolabake Adeshina, who alleg

edly assaulted one Taibat Akinlabi with electrical wire, has been charged before an Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ogun.
Adeshina, who lives at No. 21 Olayemi St., Iyana-Iyesi, Ota, is facing a charge of assault.
The Prosecutor, Cpl. Abdulkareem Mustapha, told the court that the accused committed the offence on March 28 at about 2:30pm at Oyewole Street, Iyana-Iyesi, Ota.
Mustapha said that the accused assaulted Akinlabi by using electrical wire to inflict injury on her.
He said that the offence contravened Section 355 of the Criminal Code, Vol.11, Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs A.I. Adelaja, granted the accused N200, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.
Adelaja said that the sureties must  reside within the court’s jurisdiction and should swear to affidavit of means as well as produce evidence of one year tax payment to Ogun State.
Osun

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has
described late Governor Adekunle Fajuyi as an embodiment of patriotism, victim of absolute loyalty and symbol of national unity.
Ooni Ogunwusi said this while playing host to a delegation of “Adekunle Fajuyi Education Trust“ led by its Executive Secretary, Mrs Desola Olajuyigbe at his palace, in Ile-Ife.
“Fajuyi, a governor of the defunct Western region, was killed alongside the former Head of State of Nigeria, Maj.–Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi, during the coup d’état of July 29, 1966.
“A patriotic Nigerian, victim of absolute loyalty and symbol of national unity that should not be forgotten in the history of Nigeria, “ he said.
The royal father pledged to give his full support to the trust in its noble quest to uphold and promote the Yoruba race.
Sokoto
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),
Sokoto State Command, has beefed up security at Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic to curtail illegal diversion of petroleum products.
The state Commandant of the corps, Mr Adamu Soja, told newsmen in Sokoto, that its officers on surveillance patrols at Gudu, Tangaza, Sabon-Birni and Illela border communities had been adequately briefed.
He warned petroleum marketers against diversion of the products to black market, saying that sensitive security measures had been adopted to monitor the sale of the commodity in and outside the metropolis.
He solicited the assistance of traditional and religious leaders in border communities by providing useful information that could assist in the arrest and prosecution of these ‘saboteurs.’

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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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Enugu North LG chairman presents ?10.8bn 2026 Budget, prioritises roads …Security, Healthcare, Human Capital Development

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Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area in Enugu State, Dr. Ibenaku Harford Onoh, has presented a Ten Billion Eight Hundred Million Naira (?10.8bn) 2026 budget to the legislative council of the local government.
The budget, tagged “Budget of Continued Growth and Consolidation,” was presented on Wednesday during a plenary session attended by councillors, department heads, and other stakeholders.
Dr. Onoh explained that the 2026 budget is designed to consolidate achievements recorded in 2025 while scaling up development across the council’s 13 wards. Priority areas include road infrastructure, grassroots security, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, and digital governance.
He also reviewed the 2025 budget performance, highlighting significant revenue growth and successful completion of key projects. Notably, the council’s internally generated revenue more than doubled, attributed to the introduction of digital revenue collection platforms and other innovative measures.
Among the 2025 achievements, Dr. Onoh mentioned the reconstruction of major roads at European Quarters, Hilltop, Coal Camp, and Ukwa Street, Ihewuishi, as well as the upgrade of the local security architecture through the reorganisation of the neighbourhood watch into “The City Watch.”
On the 2026 budget, the chairman stated that projected revenue would come from statutory allocations, VAT, internally generated revenue, and counterpart funding through public-private partnerships.
He noted that capital expenditure would take the larger share of the budget, with over half allocated to the economic sector. Planned projects include:
Completion of transport terminals at Aria Market
Construction and reconstruction of urban roads
Establishment of two sports centres
Healthcare interventions
Youth skills development programmes.
Dr. Onoh emphasised that the projects, policies, and programmes outlined in the budget are aimed at complementing the initiatives of Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah, who is setting standards for local government councils to follow.
Responding, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Chizoba Nnamani, said the budget would be carefully scrutinised in the interest of residents before its passage.
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Christians Convert To Islam or die As ISWAP burns down Christian village

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Christians in Adamawa have been asked to Convert to Islam or die as commanded by the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP).
.The ISWAP forcedly burnt down Christian village in Adamawa Nigeria as reported on January 1, 2026.
The Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, has continued to wreak havoc on Christian communities in the Northeast, Nigeria.
This comes as ISWAP burned down a Christian village in Adamawa State.
A security expert, Brant Philip, disclosed this on Thursday in a viral video released by the terrorists.
“ISWAP released an image of one of the Christian villages in Adamawa State burning, alongside a statement saying that all Christians in Nigeria are legitimate targets, and they have an opportunity to “spare their blood” by converting to Islam or paying the jizyah tax to ISWAP,” Brant Philip wrote on X.
The move is perceived as retaliation for recent joint airstrikes by the Nigerian and United States military against a terrorist enclave in Sokoto, Nigeria.
Recall that five days ago, United States President Donald Trump announced that the US military launched airstrikes against terrorists in Sokoto State.
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