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THE STATES

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Bauchi

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State on Tuesday
sacked his Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and Personal Assistants.
The sack, however, did not affect the governor’s Special Adviser on Due Process and other aides working directly for him and his deputy.
This was contained in a statement issued in Bauchi by the Permanent Secretary, Political Affairs, AlhajiHashimuYakubu, and made available to newsmen.
“The Executive Governor of Bauchi State has approved the disengagement of the following appointees with immediate effect:
“All Special Advisers, with the exception of the Special Adviser, Due Process.
“All Senior Special Assistants; Special Assistants and Personal Assistants, with the exception of those who work directly under the Executive Governor or the Deputy Governor,’’ the statement said.

FCT

A newly-elected member of the House of Repre
sentatives, Mr Mike Etaba, says the 8th National Assembly must facilitate Bills and oversight activities that would lead to drastic reduction in cost of running government.
Etaba, who was elected on March 28, to represent Obubra/Etung Federal Constituency of Cross River, stated this on Sunday in Abuja.
He was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“The 8th Assembly must, as a matter of priority, facilitate Bills and oversight activities that will lead to drastic reduction in the cost of running government.
This, the new lawmaker said, was necessary to enable government have the resources to revamp the education sector and undertake massive infrastructure development across the country.
“The education sector needs to be reviewed to address the current challenges of the 21st century,’’ he said.

Kano

No fewer than seven people were killed in Kano
on Sunday when a pedestrian bridge at Dorayi quarters, Kano, collapsed, the state Police Command said.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP MagajiMajiya, confirmed the incident in an interview with newsmen.
Majiya said the incident happened around 4:45 p.m. when the bridge, which was still under construction, caved in and collapsed on a car, which was passing underneath it.
“The workers at the site had warned motorists not to pass because they were working on the bridge but the driver of the taxi allegedly ignored the warning.
“So, the moment he moved; before he passed, the bridge caved in and collapsed on the vehicle, which led to the death of seven persons,’’ he said.
According to him, the vehicle has since been evacuated from the scene while the corpses have been deposited at a hospital morgue.

Kwara

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has set up five committees to reposition the party after its defeat in the April 11 governorship election.
Dr Rex Olawoye, Publicity Secretary of the party said in an interview newsmen on Sunday in Ilorin.
He said that the committees were set up after Saturday’s meeting of the party’s State Executive Council which x-rayed PDP performance in the 2015 general elections.
Lagos

The Lagos State Government on Monday said it
could not for now determine when local government elections in the state would hold.
MrAdemorinKuye , Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, made the statement at a news conference in Ikeja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commissioner was responding to a question on why Executive Secretaries were still in charge of councils after the expiration of the three-month provisional period for which they were appointed.
He said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had yet to provide all the needed materials for the election and a credible election could not hold without them.
The commissioner said that the government could not hold elections when no fewer than 400,000 PVCS had yet to be issued to eligible voters.

Nasarawa

An Islamic cleric in Nasarawa State,
MalamIshaqAdudu, has called on the President-elect, Gen. MuhammaduBuhari and other elected leaders, to be transparent in the discharge of their duties.
Adudu, who is the Chief Imam of KidiMagoron Mosque in Lafia, made the call in an interview with newsmen on Sunday in Lafia.
He said it was imperative for all elected leaders to ensure prudence in the management of public resources and be transparent in the discharge of their duties.
“As religious leaders, our role is to preach peace and unity because no meaningful development can be achieved in any society without peace.
“Peace is priceless and non-negotiable and Nigerians must embrace peace for speedy development to be achieved.
“I also want to task our president-elect, Gen. MuhammaduBuhari and other incoming leaders on the need to be prudent and transparent in the discharge of their duties.

Osun

The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly,
MrNajeem Salaam, on Tuesday commended civil servants in the state for their understanding and patience over the delay in the payment of their salaries.
Our correspondent reports that civil servants in the state are being owed five months salaries arrears.
Salaam, who commended the workers during the assembly’s plenary, explained that the non-payment of the salaries was due to dwindling allocations from the Federation Account.
The speaker said: “In spite of the difficulties, they (civil servants) are prepared to move on and for this gesture we are also assuring them of our support.

Oyo

An Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan on Tues
day remanded a 30-year-old man, AbiodunAdeyemi, in Agodi prison over alleged armed robbery at a fuel station.
Adeyemi, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of armed robbery and conspiracy.
The plea of the defendant was not, however, taken by the court.
The Chief Magistrate, MrOlaideHamzat, ordered the remand of Adeyemi pending receipt of legal advice from the office of the state Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
He, thereafter, adjourned the case till June 10 for mention.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, InspAliuSamad, told the court that Adeyemi and others still at large committed the offence on Feb. 20 at 8.00 p.m.

Taraba

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the
just-concluded governorship election in Taraba State, Sen. Aisha Alhassan, has rejected the results of the poll as announced by INEC on Sunday.
Addresing a press conference in Jalingo shortly after the announcement of the results, Alhassan described the entire elections process as a “daylight robbery’’ and said the party would challenge the results in the elections petitions tribunal.
“The combined governorship elections in Taraba were characterised by violence, massive rigging, ballot snatching and abuse of the card readers in substantial parts of the state by the PDP and their allies,” she said.
She contended that results ascribed to Wukari, Donga, Takum, Sardauna, Zing, Yorro, Kurmi and some parts of Ussa, Karim-Lamido, Bali, Ardo-Kola and Lau local government areas were not acceptable as they did not reflect the true results of the election in Taraba.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Millennium Development Goals, Bauchi  State, Alhaji Auwal Mashema; Chairman, Misau Local Government, Alhaji Mohammed  Kure; Govenor Isa Yuguda and Chairman, Bauchi State Hospitals Management Board, Dr  Mohammed Liman, at the inauguration of Misau General Hospital on Monday.

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Millennium Development Goals, Bauchi State, Alhaji Auwal Mashema; Chairman, Misau Local Government, Alhaji Mohammed Kure; Govenor Isa Yuguda and Chairman, Bauchi State Hospitals Management Board, Dr Mohammed Liman, at the inauguration of Misau General Hospital on Monday.

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

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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.

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

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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

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Firefighters battle New Year Day inferno in Abuja, several states

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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.
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