Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Federal Government has donated three trucks-load
of grains to returned Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Madagali Local Government Council of Adamawa State.
The NEMA Camps Coordinator in charge of Adamawa and Taraba Mr Sa’ad Bello, presented the items in Gulak town, Headquarters of Madagali.
Bello said the gesture was part of Federal Government’s humanitarian intervention to assist returnee communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency.
He explained that the three trucks were, however, not sufficient, considering the large number of the people but that more assistance would soon reach the community.
He added that “this is the first time grains relief material meant for the returnees through NEMA directly reached Madagali Local Government Area.
Bauchi
Accidental leak of a chemical substance suspected to
be chlorine from a cylinder in Bauchi, endangered the health of some students of a private school, Rainex Hallmark International College, who were attending classes.
It was gathered that the cylinders, presumably empty, and owned by some businessmen from Kano, were kept in premises close to the College, located in Fadaman Mada Area of Bauchi.
A woman who described herself as the ‘Director of the School’ said in a telephone interview Saturday that the incident occurred at about 10 am on Friday.
Contacted for his comment, Bauchi Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mahmoud Mohammed, said he would issue a statement on the matter at a later time.
Benue
The Benue State Sector Command of the Federal Road
Safety Commission (FRSC) has inspected over 2000 commercial vehicles for compliance with installation of the speed limiting device.
The state Sector Commander, Mr, Chidiebere Nkwonta, gave the figure in an interview with newsmen in Makurdi.
FRSC began advisory enforcement of installation of the device in commercial vehicles on October 1.
He said that the corps would collaborate with transport unions and other relevant stakeholders, including the media, religious leaders and traditional rulers, to ensure compliance.
He refuted a claim by some motorists that the speed limiter installation deadline had been extended to February, 2017.
Borno
The Chief of Army staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the
army would establish additional Forward Operation Bases to support increasing military operations across the country.
Buratai stated this while fielding questions from newsmen after the inauguration of a new Forward Operation Base in Buratai, in Borno State.
He revealed that already provisions had been made in 2017 budget for construction of more operational bases across the country.
According to him, the increasing operational activities in the fight against insurgency and terrorism in the North East, had necessitated the establishment of the Forward Operation Base in Buratai.
He stated that the base, which had accommodation and other facilities, would support operational activities in the area.
Ekiti
The regent of Orin Ekiti, in Orin, Mrs Bola Dada, has
appealed to the Federal Government and the National Assembly to hasten work on the proposed dam project in the town in Ido Osi local government area of Ekiti State.
In an interview with newsmen on the sideline of the annual “Orin Day’’ celebration, Dada said that adequately funding the dam would aid irrigation and improve farming in the area.
She recalled that the Owena River Basin Development Authority had already carried out feasibility studies on the project, and confirmed that it would boost irrigation farming in the area.
The regent, however, identified lack of effective follow-up, as well as funding, as the major factors hindering the commencement of the project.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government has earmarked N11.4 billion
for township road projects in the 2017 budget estimate sent to the State House of Assembly for approval.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai had on October 12 sent a budget proposal of N215.9 billion for the 2017 financial year.
The budget breakdown shows that the N11.4 billion was part of the N24 billion earmarked for the ministry of works, housing and transport for capital projects.
The document indicates that N3.4 billion was set aside for trunk roads, N400 million for ring roads and N250 million for box culverts.
It also shows that N500 million will be spent on the supply and installation of street lights while N150 million was for street naming and house numbering.
Nasarawaa
The Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Mr Silas Agara,
has been praised by some Lafia residents and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for consistently obeying traffic rules.
They made the commendation in Lafia in separate interviews with newsmen.
Sector Commander of FRSC in Nasarawa State, Mrs Faustina Alegbe, expressed delight with the deputy governor’s conduct, within Lafia, the state capital.
A commercial motorcycle operator Mr Yusuf Adamu, who saw the deputy governor obey traffic rules on Shendam Road in Lafia, said he was touched by the deputy governor’s action.
A Lafia resident,Mr Hassan Usman also praised the deputy governor for his exemplary conduct.
Niger
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed that one
person was killed and another seriously injured following a misunderstanding between two transport unions at the Abdulsalam Abubakar Motor Park, Minna.
The misunderstanding was between members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria.
Police Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Bala Elkaina confirmed the death in an interview with newsmen in Minna.
He said that the injured person was currently receiving treatment at Minna General Hospital.
Elkaina said that the police had invited the two leaders of the union for thorough investigation in order to bring the culprits to justice.
Ogun
Former Vice Chancellor of Covenant University, Ota, Prof. Charles
Ayo, has urged the Federal Government to invest more in the health sector to reduce capital flight.
Ayo spoke at the 7th Inaugural Lecture of the institution titled, “Deconstructing the National Development Agenda : The Role of Information and Communications Technologies.”
He said the nation lost N1.5 trillion annually to health tourism due to poor infrastructure in the sector.
The don said that there was an average of 1,700 persons per hospital bed and the ratio of physician to the populace too wide..
The Chancellor of the institution, Dr David Oyedepo, said Federal Government should look at education as a core requirement in achieving changes as well as solving nation’s challenges.
Oyo
An advocacy group, Partnership for Advocacy in Child
and Family Health (PACFAH), has called for increased budgetary allocation to health sector in 2017 to boost the nation’s economy and productivity.
The Programme Coordinator of PACFAH, Ms Anu Rotimi, made the call at the end of a three-day stakeholders and advocacy meeting in Ibadan.
The meeting also featured a Validation Workshop for trend analysis of the 2006 to 2016 budgetary allocations to health sector in Oyo State.
Rotimi described the sector as the major driver for economic development which should be given priority in the nation’s budgetary allocation.
According to her, health and economic performances are inter-linked, and health sector is a viable avenue to revive the economy.
Plateau
The District 9125 of Rotary Club International has immu
nized no fewer than 2,000 children against polio in Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The state Representative of Nigeria National Polio Plus Committee of Rotary in Plateau, Ms Gloria Thomas, said that the gesture was aimed at ensuring complete eradication of polio in Nigeria.
Thomas said that the exercise was in fulfillment of the pledge made by the club in 1985 to ensure that children enjoy a polio-free world.
“At least, children who missed the last exercise during the just concluded Polio plus Day would certainly have benefited from the one we just administered to them.
“Every Polio plus Day, Rotarians always come out en mass to support and ensure that every child gets immunised; to protect and boost their immune system against diseases,’’ she said.
Taraba
Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has commiserated
with the people of Gashaka Council Area of the state over the death of Lamdo Gashaka, Alhaji Hammangabdo Sambo.
Sambo, 81, died at the National Hospital Abuja on Saturday night during a protracted illness.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Hassan Mijinyawa, Ishaku said that the death was a huge loss to the government and people of Taraba.
He described Sambo as a courageous and sincere monarch whose wisdom and honest counselling would be missed.
He was survived by about 70 children and many grandchildren.
Sokoto
Sokoto State Government says only five malaria-related
deaths were recorded at the Kofar-Kade Primary Health Centre in Sokoto North Local Government Area in the last one month.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Alhaji Al-mustapha Othman, made the clarification while briefing newsmen in Sokoto shortly after he led officials of the ministry on assessment visit to the centre.
Othman said that no fewer than 390 patients were admitted at the facility during the period under review.
The permanent secretary said that the drugs were distributed to all health facilities across the state.
According to him, the drugs were being dispensed free to all categories of patients across the state.
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
