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L-R: Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Adebule, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, his wife, Bolanle and Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Rurum, during a visit by Governor Ganduje to Lagos State Government House, yesterday.

L-R: Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Idiat Adebule, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, his wife, Bolanle and Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Rurum, during a visit by Governor Ganduje to Lagos State Government House, yesterday.

Borno

Governor  Kashim Shettima of Borno State, has directed
the state Specialist Hospital to provide free medical services to the victims of a suicide bomb attack in Maiduguri.
Our correspondent  reports that the incident happened at the entrance of the Musa Usman Secretariat. Shettima, who gave the directive when he visited the victims at the hospital, described the incident as shocking.
The governor attributed the renewed suicide bombings to the current military operation in Sambisa forest, a hideout of the Boko Haram terrorists.
He advised residents to be vigilant as the fleeing terrorists are trying to sneak into the town to cause mayhem.
Earlier, Alhaji Ahmed Satomi, Chairman of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) told the governor that two persons including the suicide bomber died during the attack.
Ekiti

The management of College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti,
Ekiti State, has  approved the establishment of 11 new academic programmes for the institution.
Mr Temitope Akinbisoye, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the college, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado-Ekiti.
Akinbisoye said that the Provost of the college, Dr Mojisola Oyarekua, said the new academic programmes were established to create opportunities for people to acquire education irrespective of their status and background.
He quoted the Provost as saying that the programmes which would run for both diploma and certificate, were also set up to enhance manpower development.
Jigawa

The Jigawa State  chapter of the Jama’atul Nasril Islam
(JNI), has commenced the training of its 450 members on security, safety and First Aid.
The Secretary of the group, Malam Muhammad Babangida, told newsmen in Dutse that the programme was to complement government’s efforts to provide security, safety and disaster control in the state.
“The JNI feels it should contribute its quota to national security, health and disaster control through full participation in security and social responsibilities in the society,” Babangida said.  “The beneficiaries will be trained on modern security approach, improved peace, conflict prevention, peace building, first-aid, accident prevention and environmental hazard.
Kaduna

Sight Savers, an NGO, says  it has taken  the fight against
five Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) to rural areas in Kaduna state.
Dr AbdulKadir Isa-Randagi, the Programme Manager of the organisation, made this known to newsmen  shortly after a visit to the Emir of Zazzau in Zaria, Kaduna state.
Isa-Randagi said the programme was designed to reach the grassroots through traditional rulers to effectively achieve the set goals.
He listed the diseases as Onchocerciasis (River Blindness), Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephanthiatis), Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia), Soil Transmitted Helnicathes (Intestinal Worms) and Trachoma (Blinding Eye Disease).

Kano

A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Kano has sentenced a
22-year-old man, Bilyaminu Danladi, to 20 months imprisonment for causing hurt and being a member of unlawful society.
Danladi of Sheka Quarters Kano was charged with joining unlawful assembly and causing hurt while armed with deadly weapon, contrary to Sections 242 and 103 of the Penal Code.
The Chief Magistrate, Ibrahim Khaleel, sentenced Danladi after he pleaded guilty to the two-count charge.
Khaleel sentenced the convict to nine months imprisonment or a fine of N15,000 for the first count charge, and six months imprisonment or a fine of N10,000 for the second count charge.  He also ordered the convict to pay N50,000 as compensation to the victim to buy drugs or five months imprisonment.

Kebbi

The Chairman of Kebbi State Council of Ulama Malam
Umaru Ikah, has died on Wednesday at the age of 66.
A Government statement signed by Alhaji Abubakar Dakingari, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, said that the deceased died in Birnin Kebbi while returning from his farm.
Our correspondent  reports that Ikah, a renowned Islamic scholar, was survived by four wives, 45 children and grand children.
Until his death, late Sheikh Umaru Ikah, was the Sarkin Malamai of Gwandu Emirate, and was the leader of preachers committee of the 2015 Hajj delegation of the state.

Kogi

Kogi State House of Assembly has  invited all heads of
tertiary institutions in the state to appear before it on allegations of massive extortion of students under their management.
The resolution followed a motion moved at the House plenary by Lawi Ahmed (PDP-Okene 1) accusing heads of the institutions of connivance with their lecturers in the extortion game on students.
He told his colleagues that the students were forced to buy some unrecognised educational materials under threat of failure.
The legislator said such antics ran contrary to the operational rules of the institutions which are charged with providing needed environment for students to develop in character and learning for which they are awarded certificates at the end of their various programmes.
Moving the motion, he expressed regrets that the institutions had been turned into “extortion grounds where lecturers take advantage of their positions to intimidate and extort money from hapless students’’.

Lagos

A landlady, Modupe Akinbolade, 55 and her daughter,
Abimbola Akinbolade, 32, have been docked before an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly beating up Modupe’s tenant.
The accused trader and her medical doctor daughter who live at 14, Jisco Close, Ikola in Ipaja, a suburb of Lagos, are being tried for conspiracy, assault and causing a breach of the peace.
The prosecutor, Insp Clifford Ogu, told the court that the accused committed the offences on April 19 at Modupe’s residence.
Ogu said that a fight ensued between the complainant, Mrs Chinyere Mbadikwe and her landlady, Modupe Akinbolade, over the cleaning of the compound.
“The two were fighting when the landlady’s daughter came in and joined the mother to beat-up the tenant.
Osun

The Osun State House of Assembly has  passed the
state’s 2016 budget estimate of N141 billion.
The passage of the budget followed a motion by Mr Kamil Oyedele, the Chairman of Finance and Appropriation Committee during plenary in Osogbo.
The budget has N79.18 billion representing 56.06 per cent as Recurrent Expenditure and N62.09 billion representing 43.95 as Capital Expenditure.
Also, it estimated recurrent revenue at N99.47 billion, representing 70.41 per cent, while the capital revenue expectation is N41.80 billion, representing 29.59 per cent.

Oyo

A Dentist, Dr Yemi Ajala said that continuous toothache
and sharp pain without obvious cause could be signs of tooth decay.
Ajala told newsmen  in Ibadan that tooth decay was a decay of the outer part of the surface of the tooth as a result of bacterial action.
“The mouth is full of different types of bacteria that live on teeth, gums, tongue and other places in our mouths.
“Some bacteria are helpful, while some can be harmful such as those that play a role in the tooth decay process. These can lead to a hole in the tooth called a cavity.
“If not treated, tooth decay can cause pain, infection, and severe damage to the tooth,” he said.

Plateau

The Plateau State Government has approved the recruit
ment of 4, 850 ad hoc teachers as part of efforts to address the acute shortage of teachers in the state.
Prof. Mathew Sule, the Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), told newsmen  in Jos.
He said that the move was to address staffing deficit that had affected the quality of education in the state.
“Staffing deficit in public primary schools in Plateau has been a major concern and priority to the administration of Governor Lalong; he said.

Sokoto

The Sokoto State House of Assembly has passed a law
to repeal the Sokoto State Road Traffic Law of 1996.
In its place the assembly approved the enactment of Sokoto Roads Traffic Management Law, 2016.
Our correspondent reports that the assembly took the decision after ratifying the report of its Committee on Works and Transport during its sitting.
The report, presented by the committee’s Chairman, Alhaji Sani Yakubu, said that the new law would create “one management, administrative and enforcement agency for the state”
This will also empower it to enforce road traffic law and regulations, environmental and other public health laws and regulations, as well as providing supplementary/vigilante security in the state.’’

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

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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
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Asarama Kingdom Condemns Gruesome Murder of A Commercial Vehicle Driver

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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
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Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

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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.

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