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‘Security Agents Need Higher Education To Defeat Bandits’

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The Archbishop of Kaduna Diocese, Anglican Communion, Bishop Timothy Yahaya, has said that for the country to win the war against banditry and kidnapping, the nation’s security men must be upgraded educationally and in quick response to the activities of the criminal elements.

Yahaya spoke to journalists, yesterday, at the premises of Christ Anglican Church, Kaduna, before ordaining five of his members into Priesthood and 12 others as Deacons.

He advised that the Federal Government should open recruitment depots across the country to recruit thousands of police and soldiers to wage war against the bandits.

He said the number of criminals in the bush has outnumbered the number of security men fighting them, adding that the minimum academic qualifications for the nation’s police should be a national diploma.

“I want to believe that at the national level our leaders have accepted the reality that it is not an easy task for Nigerians. And, therefore, I want us to work in various dimensions; number one dimension is that we must declare state of emergency on security in Nigeria. We need state of emergency.

“We are supposed to open depots across the country to recruit soldiers and police in thousands to beat these men in the bush because it is like the number of the men we have in the bush has outnumbered our security men. We need a security emergency.

“Number two, our recruitment process has to change because these criminals are degrees holders, Masters holders, and if we must beat them, the minimum requirement into the Nigeria police should be national diploma so that we can have sharper people that can beat these modern criminals we have around.

“I want to say that the economy of Nigeria is very sick. We must do something about it. We are talking about diversification; it is not just with mouth to see the reality of diversification.

“Nigeria can feed the whole of Africa. And that will give us a clean economy in this country. We should make sure that whatever we are doing we should cause a revolution in the power sector.

“And I want to speak to Nigerians that if we want to move ahead, we must ensure the relationship between agriculture and industry and by so doing we will find out that our country will be great. And those in the ministry of trade, commerce, and industry have to be very careful.

“We import toothpicks to Nigeria, we import envelopes to Nigeria, we import tissue paper to Nigeria.

“It means that our hard-earned currency going out of this country for things that are not necessities of life. We should cut down rubbish and import only what is necessary in this country.

“And let me add that we should patronise made-in-Nigeria goods so that this country will be great again. When we stop importing rubbish, we are creating jobs in our country. Don’t export our hard-earned money to the world,” he said.

On Priesthood ordination, he said, “we are very careful not to ordain unworthy people because the world has been saturated with ministers, but ministering nothing.

“So, we are very careful that the men we are ordaining and sending out today are trustworthy, credible, reliable, dynamic, and pragmatic men to make impact and change our generation.

“These ones are with a difference. We want to call on all leaders that have authority to ordain to be very careful who they ordain because even the Bible says don’t be quick to lay your hands on who you want to ordain.

“The difference between a motivational speaker and a priest is that a priest is declared in the hands of God to preach reality, while a motivational speaker moves your emotions, makes you to be excited for a few minutes. Having been excited, you realised that reality is not with you.

“A true man of God preaches reality with you for eternity. And I can tell you that we are not only having motivational speakers, but we also are not having people who have become ministers of finance of the gospel, who have made merchandise of the gospel, nonsense of the gospel, and that is what we are out to correct so that by our generation and time, we don’t get these wrong people in position of leadership.

“Whoever is ordained is a leader and therefore I want to challenge pastors all over the world and even political leaders to know that leadership is trust, in leadership you are expected to deliver goods and services that are expected by your people.

“If you are a pastor you are expected to deliver in three forms; in spirit, in God, and in body, that means you are a complete human being. And it is expected that you are at your duty post 24 hours because people will be in one crisis or the other.

“Today if people could preach against drugs peddling, drug abuse in our country will come to barest minimum.

“If our children are trained by ministers as they grow and we bring back Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) and bring more teachers of CRK to teach the reality, I believe our citizenry will be better today.

“Therefore, I call on our leaders, whoever is there, that leadership is a trust, one day we shall give an account of it.

“Remember that as a good leader there are legacies you will leave behind that you will be remembered for.

“Do you want to be remembered for stocking money in water tanks, hiding money in soakaways, the number of houses you bought in Dubai, how you looted your people, dilapidated houses, potholes on roads, your IGR is increasing and there is no development anywhere, or the good things you have done for the people? Remember that there is a day of reckoning when you shall give an account of leadership.

“The Priests have to be very prayerful, because without God nothing is possible, they have to speak out to men in authority and leadership, they should not be political, not to take sides, they should remain neutral to be able to tell the truth to power.

“We must live by example, people must see us as the people they can trust, the people they can believe and relate with, the people that bring solutions to the problems of our country.

“Today, I believe that the problem of Nigeria will become a thing of the past if we look unto God and live exemplary life, tell ourselves the truth.

“No matter your faith, no matter your religion, you are supposed to be nationalistic and patriotic to this country. It is my prayer and desire that we all become patriotic in this country,” he said.

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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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