Nation
THE STATES
Ekiti
The Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Mrs Feyisetan Fayose,
has advised parents to train their children in the way of the Lord as prescribed in the Holy Bible.
Fayose gave the advice while presenting gifts to the first and second new born babies of the year at the Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti.
She congratulated the mothers and thanked God for granting them safe delivery and preserving the lives of the babies.
The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Kolawole Ogundipe, said that the first baby came to life at about 1:15 a.m. weighing 2.8kg and the second one came to life at about 1:50 a.m. weighing 3.8kg.
Jigawa
Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has
urged youth to be united and shun ethnic and religious divides for a prosperous country.
Lamido gave the advice when he received PDP youth from various platforms across the country that paid him a visit at his Bamaina village residence in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of the state.
He explained that youth were vanguard of change who should ensure the country remained one for the betterment of their future.
According to him, there were still some irresponsible elders who preached hatred to divide them, to remain relevant in power.
Kaduna
The Interim Chairman of Kaura Local Government Area, Mr
Alexander Iya, has escaped an attack in Kogoro when a suspected armed youth who stormed his residence was apprehended.
The chairman, who confirmed the incident to newsmen said the suspect came to his house around 11am carrying locally fabricated weapons demanding to see him.
“Upon sighting the security personnel at the house, he jumped over the fence and made straight to my compound.
“ The suspect demanded to see me but unfortunately for him, I was not at home,” he said.
Iya, said the suspect thereupon vandalised his vehicle before he was chased and arrested.
Kano
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has expressed
confidence in the ability of President Muhammad Buhari to tackle to current economic challenges in the country.
The governor said this in Kano in his New Year message to the people.
Ganduje, who spoke through the state’s Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Mr Mohammed Garba, also expressed optimism about year 2017, and prayed that it would be full of opportunities, blessings and happiness for all Nigerians.
He said the past year had indeed not been very smooth on account of the economic recession in the country.
Katsina
A joint committee of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria’s
Pastors in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State has urged Nigerians to ensure increased religious tolerance and embrace government’s anti-corruption efforts in good faith.
Addressing a special prayer session, the committee Chairman, Pastor Daniel Onyeka, urged Nigerians to live in peace with one another and engage in viable economic and social activities that would contribute to nation’s growth.
Onyeka described the economic recession facing the nation as a challenge, and urged Nigerians to ponder on their actions “to correct mistakes and avoid evils that attracted God’s wrath.”
He explained that the special prayer was organised for protection and success of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and also to ask for God’s blessings to ensure peaceful country to overcome security.
Kogi
Some unknown gunmen have abducted a traditional ruler
in Kogi State, a family source said in Lokoja.
The monarch, whose name was given as Alhaji Isah Achuja, the Ohi of Ajaokuta, was returning from Lokoja, the state capital, on Saturday when his vehicle was intercepted on the Lokoja-Ajaokuta Road at gunpoint and the ruler taken to an unknown destination.
A member of the royal family, who did not want his name in print, told newsmen that an aide to the traditional ruler and his driver narrowly escaped being hit by the bullets of the abductors.
Kwara
The University of Ilorin (Unilorin) has produced an
automobile speed limiter that could be used by any vehicle including jeep, car, bus and truck.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, disclosed this in Ilorin while speaking with newsmen.
Ambali noted that the feat was in response to the challenge thrown at institutions of higher learning in the country by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Nasarawa
Stakeholders in Akun Development Area of Nasarawa
State, have passed a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari, for the positive intervention made to boost infrastructure in the country.
The stakeholders, who met in Ogba, Nassarawa Eggon Local Government, said Nigerians needed to be more patient with the Federal Government in order to realise the positive change they desire.
The stakeholders were in Ogba to felicitate with the Overseer of Akun Development Area, Mr Moses Malle over the New Year.
They agreed that Buhari and Governor Tanko Al-Makura were doing well in the areas of infrastructure development, security, fight against corruption, peace promotion, among others.
Niger
The Niger Child Rights Protection Agency say it has so
far received 1,085 cases of child violations since its inception in November 2016.
Director-General of the agency, Mrs Mairam Kolo disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Minna, adding that parents, guardians, neighbours, community reported cases such as child neglect, physical, psychological, sexual abuses to the agency while the agency discovered some during its sensitisation campaign.
She said that some cases reported to the agency were referred to the police for proper investigation and others to the courts directly.
The director-general, however, commended the state Governor, Abubakar Bello, for establishing the agency as part of his political will to end violence against children.
Ogun
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has con
firmed the death of three persons in a road accident involving a black Honda CRV Jeep and a white DAF trailer in the Sagamu axis of the Lagos /Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
FRSC’s Sector Commander in the state, Mr Clement Oladele, gave the confirmation in an interview with newsmen in Sagamu.
He said that the accident could have been caused by overspeeding.
“The accident occurred around 2 pm and the rescue team were on ground to immediately manage the situation.
Osun
The Osun State House of Assembly has urged Nigeri
ans to be optimistic as the New Year will be a year of economic recovery.
The legislature gave the advice on Tuesday in Osogbo through a statement issued by the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye.
Oyintiloye said the various programmes and policies which government had put in place would bring succour to Nigerians.
While acknowledging the tenacity and perseverance of Nigerians in the face of economic recession, he called on Nigerians to support government’s policies and programmes aimed at revamping the economy.
Oyo
The founder of the One Love Family sect, Satguru
Maharaji ji has called on the African Union (AU) to tackle the crises rocking some African countries before they get worse.
Maharaji ji made the call while addressing newsmen at the Satguru Maharaji ji Village in Ibadan.
The sect leader listed some of the affected countries as Zimbabwe, South Africa, Liberia, Gambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan.
He also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to empower the EFCC to obtain detailed information on constituency projects executed by the National Assembly since 2007.
Plateau
The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), has lauded
road users in Plateau State for the low road crashes experienced during the Yuletide.
The Command’s Public Education Officer, Mr Andrew Bala, gave the commendation in an interview in Jos.
Unlike 2015 when high number of road crashes were recorded, only four road crashes were recorded during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.
Bala said that no life was lost in the crashes.
The public education officer attributed the success to the resilience and total commitment of the officers and men of the command.
Yobe
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
(NSCDS),Yobe State command, says it will intensify intelligence, surveillance and protection to promote peace and security in the state in the New Year.
The Commandant of the corps, Dr Muhammad Fari, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu.
Fari said that the presence of NSCDC personnels in the 17 local government areas would scale up intelligence gathering and surveillance on movement of persons across the state to curb criminal activities.
He said the command would improve on proactive measures to check crime before they were committed.
The Lagos State Government has disclosed that 26,592 public school students failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, raising alarm across the state’s education sector.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, during a ministerial press briefing yesterday in Alausa, Ikeja, said that “45.7 per cent of the 58,188 students from public schools who sat for the exams did not pass.”.
This failure rate comes despite the state government’s significant financial backing N1.577 billion was paid on behalf of the students to cover WAEC fees.
“Suffice to say that the sum of N1,577,794,000 only was paid by the state government as examination fees for 58,188 students who were captured for the year 2024 WASSCE,” Alli-Balogun announced.
In a bid to tighten accountability and avoid wastage, the Commissioner disclosed that biometric and image registration was carried out to accurately determine eligible students for government sponsorship for the 2025 WASSCE.
“The exercise successfully captured and registered 56,134 students as bona fide beneficiaries of the Lagos state government’s sponsorship for the examination,” he added.
However, the Lagos State Government rolled out a bold educational intervention – the Eko Learners’ Support Programme for WASSCE and NECO candidates – aimed at reversing the tide of academic failure in the state’s public schools.
Launched on January 14, 2025, the initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to equip Lagos students with tools for success.
“This forward-thinking initiative was designed to support and empower young scholars in attestation of the ministry’s commitment to advancing interest and management of the educational system in Lagos State,” Alli-Balogun stated.
Ekiti State Government says it has vaccinated 226,429 eligible girls in the State against the Human Papilloma Virus, an infection believed to be a leading cause of cervical cancer.
The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, said the HPV immunization exercise, which she flagged off in the State in May 2025 was a great success, noting that it reached targeted communities and protected children against cervical cancer.
The governor’s wife made the disclosure in Ado Ekiti yesterday during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting on the introduction of Measles Rubella vaccines in Ekiti State.
She said, “The introduction of Measles Rubella Vaccines is a very crucial step towards protecting Ekiti children particularly the target age group of nine to 14 years from diseases.
“I urge all women in the State to regularly scan their breasts. This can be done with the aid of the Mammography machine which is available at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti”.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, noted that the Measles Rubella vaccines would be rolled out nationally in October, 2025.
Filani said that the State was taking proactive steps to sensitise residents of the State before the date to ensure adequate awareness on the vaccines by citizens.
The Acting Ochimba of Ogida in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam, says peace remains paramount in the socio-economic development of Etche land.
Eze Azuatalam, however, called on his people to embrace and eschew violence at all times.
The Onwa Nagbara Oha made the call during the official commissioning of his palace at Ogida recently.
The epoch-making ceremony held at his palace saw the attendance of members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs; the academia; the political class; the clergy ; women as well relevant stakeholders within and outside Etche land.
The Ngbaragida of Azuafor re-emphasised the essence of peace and social harmony which he said open the window for meaningful development to take place.
He also sought the support and collaboration of his people to achieve the desired goals of development, progress and prosperity.
He noted that the peace being witnessed in the area must be sustained through collective effort, saying, contributions and sacrifices need to be made by all concerned to live in peace.
Eze Azuatalam said his aim towards building a better Ogida cannot be compromised as he and his people have no other place called home.
The Acting Ochimba said as part of efforts to build a better Ogida, he has instituted a number of development projects, adding that some of his kinsmen have been empowered through his hard-earned money and resources, saying, he will continue to assist the less- privileged around him.
He reaffirmed his desire to impact positively on the lives of his people as the engagement of the youths will help to reduce social vices in the area.
He thanked members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs for honouring his invitation.
He specifically thanked the Onyi Ishi Etche and Ochie of Etcheland, His Eminence E mmanuel Opurum for leading Etche on the path of prosperity, and described the revered King as a role model to the younger generation.
He said his fatherly role has been a source of hope and inspiration to his subjects.
The palace was unveiled by His Eminence with the assistance of Ochimba of Abara, Eze Jonah Nwala and other prominent Etche traditional rulers and chiefs while the Onyi Ishi Etche was represented by Eze Ken Nwala, Onyi Ishi Agwuru, Ulakwo/ Umuselem Clan.
The Onyi Ishi Etche urged other prominent sons of Etche to emulate the kind gesture of Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam as his magnanimity is being seen and appreciated by his people.
Eze Azuatalam also applauded the efforts of Prof Mekuri Ndimele, former Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in the growth of Etche land.
According to him, during Ndimele’ s tenure, a lot of development projects were sited at the institution, including the development of Etcheland and empowerment of Etche people.