Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr
Babachir Lawal says he is not nursing the ambition to become governor of Adamawa State.
Lawal told newsmen in Yola that the speculation was baseless, adding that at his age and position as SGF, it was not proper for him to think of serving as state governor in the future.
“At over 60 years of age and my position as SGF, I should not be thinking of being a governor, governorship should be left for younger people”.
Lawal also said he was not planning to sponsor a candidate for governorship of the state.
“The whole thing is funny, they are even saying that I favour my own tribe of Kilba in federal appointments because Bos Mustapha was recently appointed the Managing Director of Nigeria Inland Waterways Agency.
“People need to know that Mustapha is not only well qualified for the job but also a chieftain of the party who actively participated as an official in Buhari campaign organisation.
“Buhari knows Mustapha’s capacity and Buhari’s appointments are always based on merit.
Bauchi
About 12 persons have been reportedly killed in an auto
crash along Bauchi, Kano road.
Witnesses report that the victims were operatives of a popular local security outfit, Danga Security, heading back to Bauchi from Ningi, a town about 70 kilometres away.
The commandant of the Danga Security outfit, Yusuf Hassan who was in another vehicle behind the one involved in the crash, said the accident occurred about 5p.m. at Kafin Liman Village, along Bauchi Ganjuwa road in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state.
“Nobody is expecting that to happen, we were returning from Ningi to Bauchi, I was in my car and the Hilux that had an accident was conveying my personnel. It was four kilometers ahead us. It collided with a tanker that lost control and rammed into our Hilux killing all the 11 personnel”.
Benue
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has commended
the operatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigating the Speaker and other members of the State House of Assembly for allegedly misappropriating N750 million meant for purchase of official cars.
The governor said his government would not condone any act of criminality or defend anyone who had a hand in fraud.
I would recall that the Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Terkinbi Ikanyga, his Deputy, James Ikefe, the majority leader, Benjamin Adanyi, Deputy majority leader, Nick Eworo, the minority, leader, Sule Aulu and ten other members were recently arrested and detained in Abuja by EFCC.
It was gathered that though they were left off the hook via bail after spending three days in detention, seven other members had been summoned to appear before the commission for questioning.
Borno
Soldiers have recorded successes in their operations
in parts of the North-East and North-West, killing several Boko Haram insurgents and three armed bandits respectively.
The Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman in a statement said the troops 118 Taskforce Battalion, 8 Taskforce Division on blocking position at Garere Junction ambushed Boko Haram insurgents at Gudumbali, northern part of Borno State, while they were crossing to another location with some logistics items.
Usman said that during the operation the troops killed two and ambushed one of the terrorists.
He said the troops also recovered a truck earlier stolen by the terrorists in Kangarwa.
Ekiti
Some members of Esure Ekiti in Irepodun-Ifelodun Local
Government Area of Ekiti State have told Governor Ayo Fayose not to pardon the seven persons convicted of rioting and malicious damage in the community in 2014.
The seven persons were convicted in 2014 after a bloody feud between two quarters of Ilomu and Anyinshin in the town.
A letter of Appeal dated June 29, 2016 written on behalf of Ilomu quarters by their counsel, Dr A. D. Adebayo said the town had remained peaceful since the accused persons were convicted, pointing out their pardon might jeopardise the peace.
FCT
The General Overseer of Deeper Life Church, Pastor Wil
liams Folorunsho Kumuyi has urged Nigerians not to lose hope in President Muhammadu Buhari because God is on the throne.
He said he was hopeful that Buhari-led administration was on the right track to reposition Nigeria’s economy.
“Although the country might be passing the ‘best of times’, there are strong reasons not to lose hope on Muhammadu Buhari, because God is on the throne; He will turn things around for Nigeria. There is always light after the tunnel”.
Lagos
The Senate has reiterated its commitment to remove any
form of monopoly that will impede the development of private and public free trade zones in Nigeria.
Speaking after inspecting facilities at Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL), members of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment led by its chairperson, Senator Fatimat Rayi-Resaki said the fact-finding tour would enable the senate gather useful information to aid its review of existing laws.
According to Raji-Rasaki who was accompanied by Senators Effiong Nelson and Yusuf Abubakar. The senate has shown commitment towards creating a conducive environments that would move the economy of the nation forward by strengthening the laws governing the operation of the trade zone.
She added that the committee would also visit similar projects in Calabar and Kano.
The chairman of LADOL, Mr Bedi Jadesimi while thanking the committee for the visit said he hoped that it would convey a different perception that Nigerians were capable of doing and pleaded with the legislators to create a conducive business environment devoid of policy somersault that could send wrong signal to investors.
Ogun
The rift between the Ogun State Government and the
Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ogun State council is yet to be over as the union has challenged the government to publish details of how it expended the bailout fund from the Federal Government.
The union faulted the state government’s claim that the bail-out fund was used to service the outstanding arrears of salaries/deductions of local government workers, describing it as mere political propaganda.
The NULGE leadership had accused the Ibikumle Amosen-led government of diverting N9.1 billion bail-out funds meant to pay salary arrears of the state government employees, including those of 20 LGAs for other purposes.
The union disclosed that the administration did not settle the outstanding arrears of salaries and deductions of local government workers with the bailout fund.
This is contained in a statement siged by the union President, Comrade Olatunji and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Oyo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has
called for a thorough investigation into the murder of a member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Gideon Aremu (Dorelope-LP).
This is contained in a statement issued by the party’s Director of Publicity and Strategy, Mr Olewale Sadare in Ibadan.
The statement described the death of Aremu who was the chairman, State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Public Relations and Security as brutal and disturbing.
“We received the news of the killing of Hon. Gideon Aremu with utter disbelief and rude chock.
This is in view of the fact that such nasty development and political violence have become history the state since 2011 when the current administration took the mantle of leadership of Oyo state”, it said.
Plateau
The Plateau State House of Assembly has witnessed a
rowdy session as members of the People’s Democratic Party protested the extension of the tenure of the transition chairman of the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
Governor Simon Lalong had written a letter to the lawmakers, requesting that the tenure of the local government transition chairmen be extended by six months instead of the original two months.
The chairmen were appointed following the sacking of the chairmen who were elected into office by former Governor Jonah Jang.
But the 10 PDP lawmakers led by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Yusuf Gagdi protested the move, saying that it was against the agreement reached with the lawmakers when the chairmen were elected last year.
He said that the chairmen’s tenure had been extended by two months in the former exercise since they were appointed earlier this year.
A pan-Nigeria organisation committed to the promotion and preservation of indigenous languages, Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters (ILCP), has called for the deliberate development and compulsory teaching of indigenous languages in both primary and secondary schools across the country.
The group made the call during its maiden Congress held in Bori, Rivers State, which was convened to examine challenges hindering the official adoption and effective teaching of Ogoni languages in schools.
Speaking at the Congress, the Executive Director of the organisation, HRC Mene Magnus Edooh, Amb.P, emphasised the critical role of indigenous languages in preserving a people’s culture, values and history. He warned against the gradual extinction of native languages, noting that language loss equates to identity loss.
“Years ago, Latin was a language of global relevance, but today it is largely extinct. We do not want Ogoni languages to suffer a similar fate. As a people, we cannot afford to lose our identity through the death of our languages,” Edooh said.
He explained that the Indigenous Language and Culture Promoters was established to collaborate with language stakeholders to ensure that children and younger generations remain connected to their mother tongues. The organisation also appealed to governments at all levels, as well as relevant institutions and individuals, to take strategic actions aimed at promoting and sustaining Nigeria’s indigenous languages.
Also speaking, the newly appointed Director of Media and Information, Prince David N. Gbarato, questioned the rationale behind government reluctance to accord indigenous languages their rightful place in national development policies.
According to him, “People with well-developed languages are people with well-developed indigenous systems and affairs,” stressing that language development is fundamental to cultural and societal advancement.
The Congress further served as a platform for the ratification of key officers of the organisation and featured the participation of representatives from various indigenous language groups and other language stakeholders, all of whom echoed the call for renewed commitment towards safeguarding Nigeria’s linguistic heritage.
Nation
Diri Approves N200m Monthly Grant for Bayelsa Farmers, Targets Increased Local Rice Production
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has approved a monthly support scheme of ?200 million for farmers in the state as part of efforts to boost food security and expand agricultural production.
The governor announced the approval on Tuesday at the flag-off ceremony of the 2026 dry season farming programme held at the state-owned rice farm in Otuasega community, Ogbia Local Government Area.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the volume of rice harvested during the last farming season, Governor Diri directed the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources to ensure a significant increase in the production of homegrown rice in Bayelsa State by the end of 2026.
He stressed that despite the government’s provision of necessary support to the ministry and farmers, it was unacceptable that the state still had to procure rice from outside during the last Yuletide period.
The governor charged the Ministry of Agriculture to take food security seriously, noting that Bayelsa has a comparative advantage in several crop areas, with fertile soil that does not require fertiliser to produce organic crops.
While commending the Commissioner for Agriculture and other stakeholders for organising the event, Governor Diri urged the ministry to ensure that such initiatives go beyond yearly ceremonies and translate into tangible benefits for the people.
According to him, agriculture remains a key pillar of the state’s economic diversification drive, which his administration has prioritised through heavy investments. He also called on civil servants and residents to embrace agriculture as a way of life.
“Let it not be that we come here for a yearly ritual. This is something that affects us as a people and so we must all take it seriously. Food security will continue to be a top priority of my administration,” he said.
He added that agriculture strengthens the economy and highlighted the importance of transportation infrastructure in moving farm produce from rural communities to the state capital.
“We are investing in agriculture and connecting communities. The roads and bridges support agriculture. We have developed partnerships and collaborations and will continue to partner with other agencies to ensure Bayelsa attains the expected food security,” the governor stated.
Governor Diri further directed that by the end of 2026, the state should record a minimum production of 300,000 kilogrammes of rice, stressing that government would patronise local farmers rather than sourcing rice from outside the state.
On security concerns, he reiterated that the state’s anti-grazing law remains in force, warning herdsmen against destroying farmlands and urging farmers to report such incidents to security agencies instead of resorting to social media.
He also cautioned traditional rulers against allocating land in forest areas to herdsmen, warning that anyone found culpable would be sanctioned.
“For our farmers, we will always support you. Honourable Commissioner, identify the genuine farmers in the state. What we did for MSMEs will also be done for farmers. Henceforth, ?200 million will be set aside monthly to support farmers in Bayelsa State,” he added.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, described the event as a reaffirmation of the state government’s unwavering commitment to food security.
He commended Governor Diri for his substantial investment in the agricultural sector, noting that it has been the driving force behind the progress recorded so far.
Representatives of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Bayelsa State chapter, Nigerian Women in Agriculture Business, the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation and the Central Bank of Nigeria, among others, also lauded the governor’s sustained support for farmers, which they said has significantly improved the agricultural sector in the state.
-
News2 days agoDon Lauds RSG, NECA On Job Fair
-
Transport5 hours agoNigeria Rates 7th For Visa Application To France —–Schengen Visa
-
Transport5 hours agoWest Zone Aviation: Adibade Olaleye Sets For NANTA President
-
Transport5 hours agoWhy Air Fares Increaseing, Other Related Challenges……. A O N Spokesperson.
-
Opinion5 hours agoAs Sim Turns Golden
-
Business5 hours agoSugar Tax ‘ll Threaten Manufacturing Sector, Says CPPE
-
News4 hours agoDiocese of Kalabari Set To Commence Kalabari University
-
Sports3 hours agoSimba open Nwabali talks