Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

on

Adamawa
The Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA) says over 2,000 Internally Displaced children were enrolled into Safe School initiative programme in the state.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr Haruna Furo, told newsmen in Yola last Sunday that the initiative was part of  the Federal Government’s special education package for IDPs children nationwide.
He said many displaced children were sent to various Unity Colleges across the country under an exchange school Programme.
Furo said there were four ongoing categories of education programmes for IDPs children in the state.

Ekiti
An  Ado-Ekiti High Court last Wednesday sentenced a local government worker, Ojo Ayodele, to life imprisonment for abducting and raping a 15-year-old girl.
A  report says that Ayodele abducted the minor in Ijero-Ekiti and took her to a secret location in the town where he subjected her to continuous sexual assault for 21 days.
Justice Oluwatoyin Abodunde, in her judgment, found Ayodele guilty as charged and sentenced the accused to life jail.
The judge, who also found Ayodele guilty of abduction, sentenced him to seven years for the offence.
The jail terms are, however, to run concurrently.

FCT
The police last Thursday arraigned Prince Eze in a Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, charged with duping his fiancee of N150,000.
The defendant, of Jikwoyi, Abuja, is facing a two-count charge of criminal breach of trust and cheating.
The prosecutor, Joshua Ayanna, told the court that the matter was reported by Joyce Ohamsi of Area 1, Garki, Abuja, at the Apo Police Station on March 10.
He said the plaintiff bought a plot of land worth N350,000 owned by Shepherd House Church in Karshi village, Abuja in November 2012.

Katsina
The Border Community Development Agency (BCDA) has handed over a Veterinary Clinic worth N25 million it constructed at Hui community of Baure Local Government Area of Katsina State.
An official of the agency Mrs Atarhe Akpohwaye-Abu,who handed over the facility to the officials of Katsina State Government on Wednesday, said the project was part of the efforts of the agency to bring development to rural communities.
Akpohwaye-Abu said the project was strategically located especially considering the fact that the area was predominantly an animal rearing community.
She said the clinic would immensely promote livestock production as well as consumption of hygienic meat in the area.
She further said, the agency considered Katsina State very important and strategic due to the large international boarder markets and economic activities in the area.

Kwara
The Lions Club International said last Wednesday that it had spent $1 billion globally on humanitarian services in the 100 years of its existence.
An International Director of the club, Mr Kumar Raju, disclosed this at a news briefing in Ilorin to herald its 12th Multiple District Convention in Nigeria.
Raju noted that Africa took the larger part of the club’s grant for humanitarian services.
According to him, about $50 million grant is donated annually by members of the club across the world to pursue various projects.
He explained that aside meeting humanitarian needs, the club had also assisted in the area of disaster relief, saving sight and serving the youths.

Lagos
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, said it had arrested 120  suspected pipelines vandals in the state between January and May 2017.
The State Commandant, Mr Tajundeen Balogun, made this disclosure on Monday, in Lagos, while receiving the Head of Lagos Editorial,  Mr Mike Mbonye, who paid him a visit.
Balogun said that the suspects were arrested in different parts of the state, particularly in Ikorodu and Badagry, noting that the suspects had been sabotaging the nation’s economy.
“Ikorodu axis has been very challenging for us due to the type of terrain.
“So sad, that almost all security agencies have lost their men in Ikorodu; we have equally lost five men in the area.

Nasarawa
Pathfinder International Nigeria and Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH), NGOs, have said that only 171 out of 808 public health facilities were providing Family Planning (FP) services in Nasarawa State.
Pathfinder Consultant, Dr Yemi Osanyin, made this known last Wednesday in Lafia during a one-day dissemination of the findings of Family Planning Situation Analysis in the state, organised by the group in collaboration with the state government.
He explained that the aim of the workshop was to present a draft report on the FP situation in the state with the view of encouraging women and girls to embrace FP programmes, considering its enormous benefits.

Ogun
Police in  Ogun State have arrested a 20-year-old man for allegedly killing his 27-year-old roommate, Friday Michael.
The police spokesman in Ogun State, Mr Abimbola Oyeyemi, said in a statement that the incident happened last Friday at Mamu area of Awa-Ijebu.
“The suspect came in around 6.30 a.m. and shot the deceased, who was sleeping, with a locally-made pistol.
“The sound from the gun attracted other occupants of the house to the scene and they quickly alerted the police.
“The DPO of Awa-Ijebu Division led his men to the scene and the suspect was promptly arrested,’’ said the police spokesman.Oyo

Osun
A 30-year-old man, Olajide Adeshina, was last Thursday sentenced to seven years imprisonment by an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court for burglary.
Adeshina was convicted of the three charges of burglary, theft and fraud brought against him.
The convict, who pleaded guilty, had no legal representation.
The Chief  Magistrate, Mrs Fatimoh Sodamade, did not give Adeshina any option of fine.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Fagboyinbo Abiodun, had earlier told the court that the convict committed the offence on October 19, 2016 at about 12:00a.m at Ofatedo area in Osogbo.

Oyo
The Elders Consultative Forum for Shariah in Nigeria, Oyo State branch, last Sunday, distributed more than N2 million Zakat (obligatory charity in Islam) to 122 indigent persons in Ibadan.
Zakat is one of the five obligatory pillars of Islam and it is an annual deduction from every wealthy Muslims’ income, assets, savings or farm produce.
The Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Lasun Sanusi, said in Ibadan after the distribution that the intention was not only to empower the jobless, poor or ailing Muslims, but to enhance the holistic development of Muslims in the state.
Sanusi added that the money distributed would go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the beneficiaries.
He explained that the distribution of Zakat by the forum started five years ago and since then, different items and cash were given to the needy annually.

Plateau
The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, says speeding accounts for 60 per cent of road crashes recorded in the country.
Oyeyemi said this last Sunday at a thanksgiving service to mark the 4th United Nations Global Road Safety Week at the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Gigiriing, Jos, Plateau.
The global event has “Managing Speed” as its theme.
Oyeyemi represented by the Zonal Commanding Officer, Jos zone, Mr Oludare Fadogba, said speeding remains the most prevalent cause of road crashes in Nigeria and across the globe.
“Speeding is one of the most prevalent causes of road collision and attendant fatalities in Nigeria and even globally.
“The risk of crashes occurring is greater as speeding gets higher.
“Statistics show that speeding and the involvement of commercial vehicles consistently accounts for about 60 per cent of road traffic crashes in Nigeria.

Continue Reading

Nation

Cleric Preaches Love As Deputy Governor, Chief Judge Grace Wedding In PH

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Nation

2027: APC Chieftain Predicts Tinubu’s Victory  …Says Bayelsa Stakeholders Supporting President en masse  … IPAC Knitted Together, Working In Synergy With His Office

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Nation

Firefighters battle New Year Day inferno in Abuja, several states

Published

on

Federal Fire Service FFS entered the New Year on full operational alert, tackling multiple fire outbreaks across the country from midnight into the early hours of January 1, 2026, in what officials described as one of the busiest festive-season deployments in recent years.
The intensified nationwide response followed a December 2025 directive issued by the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, who had ordered that no firefighter should proceed on leave throughout the holidays.
According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services of the FFS, DCF Paul Abraham, the no-leave policy proved critical as the Service moved swiftly to contain fires in several states.
The Federal Capital Territory FCT recorded its first fire incident of the year barely twenty-three minutes after midnight when flames erupted at Cake Hot Restaurant located within River Plate Park, Wuse, Abuja.
Abraham said fire crews from the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Fire Service arrived promptly and were able to stop the blaze before it could spread through the popular recreational centre.
While a section of the garden area was destroyed, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded.
Officials said property worth an estimated ?1.5 billion was saved, although losses were placed at about ?500 million.
“Preliminary findings suggested that the fire was triggered by objects thrown during New Year celebrations, reinforcing long-standing warnings over the dangers posed by fireworks during the harmattan season”, the Service said.
The Controller General had repeatedly urged Nigerians to avoid fireworks, candles and open flames indoors, warning that the dry winds characteristic of the season allow fires to spread rapidly.
He also warned the public about electrical faults and power surges and advised that electrical appliances be switched off and unplugged when not in use or when occupants leave their homes, stressing that overloading sockets and extension boxes remains a significant cause of domestic fires.
Continue Reading

Trending