Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

on

Benue
A Makurdi Magistrates’ Court last Thursday ordered the remand of 35-year-old farmer, Shima Kaatyo, in prison custody over alleged criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Adama Owochio, told the court that, the case was transferred from Area Command Headquarters Gboko, to Benue State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Makurdi.
The transfer was contained in a letter with reference No: AR: 3100/BNS/GB/AC/VOL 10/470 dated Feb.22, 2017.
The letter stated that Samuel, Kobo, Lorliam Kaatyo, Daniel Kaatyo, Shima Kaatyo, and many others, whose identities are not yet known, conspired and burnt down the house of one Iortswam Gaadi.

Borno
Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, last Thursday inaugurated new caretaker committees to run the affairs of the 27 Local Government Areas in the state.
The caretaker committees were inaugurated in Maiduguri after the expiration of the six months tenure of the previous committees.
The governor said that, the inauguration was in accordance with the provision of Section 81 of the Borno State Local Government Law 2000, as amended.
Shettima, warned the new caretaker chairmen against having any links with Boko Haram insurgents.

Ekiti
Two men Bello Adedayo and Akingbade Ifeoluwa were on Thursday charged before an Ado Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly hitting a woman with a plastic bucket in the mouth and biting her.
The accused  Adedayo, 27, and Ifeoluwa, 18 are facing charges of assault and breach of the peace. Police prosecutor, Caleb Leranmo told the court that the accused committed the offences on March 19 at about 10.00 p.m. at Oke-Ila area of Ado-Ekiti. Leranmo alleged that, the accused assaulted a woman, Modupe Sunday also of Oke-Ila Street by hitting her with bucket on her mouth and biting  her.

FCT
An Osun-based, Science Teacher, Mrs Adeola Awokusibe has urged the Federal Government to rebuild Nigerian economy through science and technology education.
Awokusibe gave the advice in a telephone interview with The Tide last Thursday.
According to her, government should make science and technology education a priority in its national development strategy. She said that, science and technology education had suffered setback in Nigeria due to the low status accorded to it in general.

Kaduna
Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, last Thursday advised Nigerians to inspire hope and encourage cancer patients to lessen their pains and enable them live happily.
The governor, gave the advice at a “Cancer Sensitisation Campaign and Book launch” held at the main campus of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
The campaign was organised by the Centre of Excellence on Department Communication (CEDC), Department of Theatre and Performing Arts, ABU.
El-Rufa’i, who was represented by Dr Paul Manya-Dogo, Commissioner for Health in the state, observed that, such emphathy would not only lessen the pains but inspire hope in the patients.
The governor, advised cancer patients not to loose hope, assuring that, the desease was not a “death sentence.”

Kaduna
The Kaduna State Government says, it will immunise three million children under the age of five years against Polio within five days. The government said, it would achieve this goal through the state Primary Health Care Development Agency (KDPHCDA) with the support of stakeholders. This is contained in a statement, signed by Malam Hamza Ikara, the Deputy Director, KDPHCDA, and the State Coordinator, Journalists Initiative on immunisation Against Polio (JAP), Mr Lawal Dagara, made available to newsmen on Thursday in Kaduna.
It said, the exercise, which would be conducted on the streets, house to house and markets, would last between March 23 and March 28.

Katsina
The Katsina State Government, has inaugurated a committee to investigate alleged misconduct by some officials of the state’s Pilgrims Welfare Board during the 2016 Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Inaugurating the committee, last Thursday in Katsina, the State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, tasked the committee to discharge their duties without fear or favour. He expressed displeasure on the report of alleged connivance by the officials of the board to shortchange some pilgrims of their Basic Transport Allowance (BTA).
The officials were also alleged to have diverted some accommodations meant for the state pilgrims at Makkah.

Kwara
The Speaker, Kwara House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad, has given cash gifts and two motorcycles to a vigilance group in llorin to improve security in their areas.
Ahmad, made the donation in his office, when members of the vigilance group from the llorin South and llorin East paid him a courtesy visit on Friday. The Speaker said the donation was to assist the group to provide adequate security in the state.Ahmad, stressed the need for organisation and individuals to support vigilance groups to boost internal security across the state.

Lagos
A Professor of political science, Femi Otubanjo, last  Thursday faulted senate’s call for resignation of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, saying that, the senate went beyond its limit.  Otubanjo, who works with the National Open University of Nigeria, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lagos. The senate last Wednesday called for Ali’s resignation following his refusal to appear before it in customs uniform.  Senators at a plenary flayed up when the clerk of the upper legislative chamber read a letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Abubakar Malami, stating why Ali cannot appear before the senate in his uniform.

Nasarawa
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has called for the release of the National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria, Mr Dickson Akoh.
The Chairman of the council in Nasarawa State, Mr Mohammed Bako, made the appeal on Thursday at news conference in Lafia.
Bako, criticised the recent attack on the headquarters of corps an by the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Security (DSS).
He also condemned the subsequent arrest of the national commandant of the corps and other principal officers of the organisation by the security operatives.
“This ugly incident by the Nigeria police and DSS is coming on peak of the passing of the Bill of the Nigerian Peace Corps by the National Assembly. The bill is only awaiting presidential assent.

Niger
The Niger StateGovernment last Thursday inaugurated a 17-man Media and Information Management committee for effective dissemination of government programmes and activities.
The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Jonathan Vatsa, who is also the Chairman of the committee, announced this in a statement  on Thursday in Minna.
According to him, members of the committee comprises media executives and practitioners in the state with the mandate to expand the scope of media highlights of government programmes.
Members of the committee include the Director of Press Affairs, Managing Director, News-line Newspapers, General manager, Niger Radio.

Plateau
Plateau State housing commissioner, Mr Samuel Galadima, who died while jogging last Wednesday in Jos, was instrumental to re-introducing the bi-monthly exercise for executive council members.
Governor Simon Lalong, who disclosed this last Thursday, when he visited the family of the deceased in Jos, said that, the exercise was first introduced at the onset of his administration, but was later stopped.
“We started the exercise when we came in, and usually undertook it every first and third Wednesday of every month, but later stopped.
“Galadima was not happy when we stopped it and kept reminding me to re-introduce it.
“He kept reminding us, at executive council meetings, that such exercises will keep the executive council members physically fit and mentally alert.
“We eventually agreed with him and re-introduced the exercise, but little did we know that the good intention will lead to his dead,” he said.

Continue Reading

Nation

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

Published

on

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
Continue Reading

Nation

Asarama Kingdom Condemns Gruesome Murder of A Commercial Vehicle Driver

Published

on

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
Continue Reading

Nation

Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Trending