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Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State (middle), his Wife,  Mrs.salamatu Umaru-Al-Makura (7th left), with trainees of Mothers and Child Care Education Foundation (MCCEF), during their graduation in Lafia on Saturday

Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State (middle), his Wife, Mrs.salamatu Umaru-Al-Makura (7th left), with trainees of Mothers and Child Care Education Foundation (MCCEF), during their graduation in Lafia on Saturday

Bauchi
Wife of Bauchi State governor, Hajiya Hadiza
Abubakar, has said the state government was committed to reforming the health sector in the state.
Abubakar said this at the 2015 Maternal, Neo-natal and Child Health Week (MNCHEW) held in Bauchi.
She said that the flag of has clearly shown the willingness and commitment of the government towards giving priority to the sector.
She said that MNCHEW, which was aimed at reducing childhood mortality and improving maternal health, would provide various packages for women and children across the state.
“The week is a strategy to achieve Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing child mortality and improving maternal health, the programme is going on in all the 20 local government areas of the state,’’ she said.
Benue
Wife of Benue  State governor, Mrs Eunice Ortom,
has advised hospital owners in the state to upgrade their facilities with a view to screening blood samples.
Ortom gave the advice in an interview with newsmen last Wednesday in Makurdi.
She said that upgrade of blood sample facilities would checkmate the units of blood from donors with questionable lifestyles.
The wife of the governor noted that intensive screening was the only effective way to reduce the spread of hepatitis virus and other blood related diseases.
She alleged that available statistics obtained from the state ministry of health showed that many people in the state had the virus but had refused to go for testing.

Ekiti
Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has said that
his administration would collaborate with the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to maintain peace in the state.
Fayose made the remark when the national executives of the union paid him a courtesy visit at  Government House in Ado-Ekiti.
He said that leaders must ensure that peace remained the hallmark of their governance, stressing that being a leader was not about driving the best cars but the number of lives impacted.
Fayose said his administration was able to resolve the issues between RTEAN and security personnel in the state by encouraging them.

FCT
Some stakeholders in the education sector have criticised
the West African Examinations Council (WAEC’s) decision to withhold the 2015 results due to debts owed by some states.
The stakeholders, who spoke with newsmen in separate interviews in Abuja on Wednesday, described the decision as insensitive and irrational.
One of the stakeholders, Mrs Perpetua Okorie, said WAEC had not considered the interest of the children in taking that hasty decision.
Okorie, a parent, said that students should not be held to ransom for any inaction on the part of government.

Jigawa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
command in Jigawa State, says  it  has arrested two suspects for alleged theft of three motorcycles and a cell phone.
The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Malam Muhammad Gidado, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Gidado said one of the suspects, Inuwa Ali, aged 19, was arrested in Shuwarin village, Kiyawa Local Government Area.
He explained that the suspect allegedly stole one motorcycle (Daylong brand) from Jahun Local Government Area and rode it to Shuwarin village in Kiyawa Local Government Area.
The commandant added that when the suspect got to Shuwarin, he abandoned it and attempted to take another one (Boxer brand).

Kaduna
Chairman, Interim Management Committee of Zaria Lo
cal Government in Kaduna State,  Alhaji Ja’afaru Abbas, said 35 trucks of fertilisers had been procured by the council for farmers.
Abbas made this known while inaugurating the sales of fertilisers for this year’s farming season in Zaria.
The chairman said the sales of fertilisers to farmers at subsidised rate became necessary in enhancing bumper harvest during this year farming season.
He said that NPK fertiliser would be sold at a subsidised rates of N3, 750; Unrea fertiliser would cost N3,600, while SSP fertiliser would attract N2,940.
The chairman said the commodity was specifically meant for the small scale farmers and warned them against any act that could lead to diversion of the fertilisers.

Kebbi
Kebbi Maternal and Child Health Care Civil Society, an
NGO, has distributed Treated Insecticidal Mosquito Nets to 150 pregnant women in Kebbi.
Hajiya Maryam Mustapha, Chairperson of the NGO, who presented the nets to beneficiaries in Takalau community in Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, said the group would ensure that pregnant women were protected from health hazards.
“The group would sustain support that would safe guard the health of mother and child, especially against mosquito bites that is rampant during raining season,” she said.
She explained that the group was established to support efforts made by the state and local governments as well as donor agencies in reducing the rate of maternal and child mortality.
Lagos
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai
Owoseni, on Thursday urged traditional rulers in the state to be “the eyes and ears” of security agencies in the fight against crime.
Owoseni made the appeal when he met with the royal fathers at the government house to brief them of his programme and his expectations.
He said the royal fathers occupied a very important position in the society since they were in better position to know and get information about individuals and their activities.
Owoseni assured them of the command’s determination to ensure adequate security in all parts of the state, adding that the command was working out new strategies on how best to make the state crime-free.
Osun
Governor  Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, says work
ers’ backlog of salaries would be paid soon.
This promise is contained in a statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, in Osogbo.
The statement said Aregbesola made the promise when Ijesa Society, a social group, visited him.
Aregbesola, according to the statement, expresses his displeasure over the delay in payment of workers’ salaries.
The statement said every government initiative in the state represented the fulfillment of campaign promises made to the people.

Plateau
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has met with
leaders of Berom and Fulani herdsmen in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local governments to find solution to lingering crises in the areas.
Lalong said the meeting was to give the leaders opportunity to openly express themselves and suggest ways to stop attacks and reprisals in the areas.
The governor said he earlier met with the Beroms and Fulani herdsmen at separate occasions where they expressed themselves..
“The summary of all the meetings is that everybody is tired of crises and we all want peace. Today is an opportunity for all of us to find lasting peace in Plateau’’, he said.
The governor said the essence of governance was peace, hence the reason for the series of meetings his administration had held with various stakeholders within the last two months.
Mr Nasiru Oki, Commissioner of Police in Plateau, said the meeting was very fruitful.
Oki said a committee had been set up to look into key issues deliberated upon by the parties towards bringing the desired lasting peace.

Yobe
A Non Governmental Organisation, Advocacy Part
nership on Environment, Water and Sanitation, has urged Yobe State Government  to rescind its decision scrapping the Ministry for Environment in the state.
The NGO made the call in Damaturu when its officials visited the Speaker, Yobe House of Assembly, Alhaji Adamu Dala-Dogo.
Chairman of the organisation, Alhaji Sheriff Ibrahim, said retaining the ministry will go a long way to effectively fight the challenges of desertification and other environmental threats.
“Although the rationalisation of government ministries was done to save cost and improve service delivery, we wish to call on government to have a rethink on the scrapping of the ministry for environment.

Zamfara
Zamfara State Government has donated N450 million
to the Federal University in Gusau for the construction of additional lecture theatres and students accommodation.
The Acting Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Haruna Sallau, announced the donation at the First Matriculation of the university in Gusau recently.
Sallau said the donation was part of the state government’s commitments to ensuring that a concrete foundation was laid in the university, for better educational development.
He noted that the government also provided additional land at the permanent site of the university worth N700million.
Sallau added that utility vehicles were also provided for officials of the institution.
He reiterated government’s commitment to continue to partner with the university in order to ensure sustainable development of education in the state.

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

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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
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Asarama Kingdom Condemns Gruesome Murder of A Commercial Vehicle Driver

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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
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Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

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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.

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