Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
An Adamawa-based NGO, Mana Foundation for Grassroots Development, says it donated sporting facilities to youth centres in Adamawa to enhance sports development in the state
The Director of the foundation, Miss Amina Gadzama, said in Yola on Saturday that it donated volleyball, table tennis and scrabble facilities to youth centres in the 21 local government areas.
Gadzama said that the donation would ensure development of the games.
She said that the gesture was to encourage the youth to develop their sports talents and to enable them make a living through sports.
Gadzama said the foundation had also concluded arrangements to organise inter-school football competition for girls in junior and senior schools in the state.
“A football competition will be organised for girls schools, the competition will be conducted at local government and state levels. ’’
Gombe
Farmers in Gombe State are hopeful that 2012 farming season will yield good results in the agricultural sector.
Some of the farmers, said the weather signs had indicated that the season would bring a lot of blessings.
One of the farmers, Alhaji Mohammed Bula, said that from all indications, this year’s farming season would be a successful one.
“Like our forefathers told us that if there is a serious hammattan and too much heat in the year, we are going be blessed with a good farming season and we have observed it this year,” he said.
He said that he had been farming for over 20 years, adding that every year he realised about 300 to 500 bags of Sorghum or Millet.
Bula urged the State Government to ensure early supply of fertiliser to farmers at subsidised rate.
Malam Adamu Babawuro, also a farmer, predicted that Gombe would be among the states that would produce large quantities of grains, which the country would benefit from.
Babawuro expressed the belief that the loans given to farmers by the government in collaboration with the Bank of Industry would help in ensuring success during the farming season.
Another farmer, Musa Ajiya, advised the government to accept farm produce as repayment of the loan given to the farmers.
Kano
The new President of the Kano State Chapel of National Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ), Hajiya Amina Usman, has pledged to wage war on the rampant cases of rape in Kano State through advocacy.
Usman made the pledge in Kano on Saturday while being sworn-in as President of the chapel.
She said that her administration would ensure massive support of NAWOJ members, adding that she would operate an open-door policy.
“We hope to follow the foot steps of our predecessors who worked tirelessly to see that NAWOJ awakened from its long slumber,” she stated.
Usman said that NAWOJ would collaborate with the Nigeria Union of Journalists in the training and re-training of its members.
“We are willing to assist and organise social gatherings and offer assistance to children at the orphanage homes in the state so they can feel the impact of our organisation,” she said.
Kogi
The Kogi State Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, on Saturday in Lokoja reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing an improved working environment for its civil servants.
Awoniyi spoke after being decorated with the state’s new identity card by the Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Moses Atakpa.
The Deputy Governor who solicited the continued support of workers said an improved working environment would help the state in the attainment of its transformation agenda.
“Only a virile and well co-ordinated civil service will help in implementing government policies for the attainment of set-goals,’’ he said.
Awoniyi pointed out that the state government would provide every facility and working tool needed for effective service delivery by the civil servants.
“This is because government is committed to securing an improvement in the well-being of the citizenry,’’ he said.
The Deputy Governor commended the state’s civil servants for living up to their official responsibilities since the inception of the present administration in the state.
Kwara
A Nigerian-born American Preacher and President for the World Revival Mission, Pastor Sam Aweda, says that only righteousness will bring the nation back to the path of sanity and prosperity.
Aweda, who spoke with newsmen said “we have found ourselves a highly religious nation in crises of moral laxity.”
The clergyman, who came into the country to organise a one-day conference tagged: “A Day of Commitment to Godliness and Nation”, said he would reach out to many stakeholders during the religious endeavour.
The event is slated for Ilorin, the Kwara capital, on May 5.
Aweda said: “If we remove poverty in the land, those things which people list as problems, for which they sleep nights in places of worship, will disappear.’’
“Poverty is the root cause of many illnesses that afflict many people. How will someone not be sick, when he cannot get balanced diet to eat?.
Lagos
A Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, has advised youths to be more committed to sports.
Oladunjoye said in Lagos that the Lagos State Government was planning to engage the youths through sports.
“Sports is to encourage young players, and give them a sense of belonging; in essence, making them responsible citizens,” he said.
Oladunjoye said the Lagos State Government would scout for up-and-coming sports talents at the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF), scheduled for November 27 to December 9 in Lagos.
He said such talents would be groomed to become professionals in their chosen sports and thus make a living through sports.
“We want to take advantage as the host state to engage Lagos youths and athletes to take whatever sports they participate in, to the next level,” Oladunjoye said.
Ogun
The police last Sunday foiled a robbery attempt at a branch of Guarantee Trust Bank in Kuto, Abeokuta, a statement said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Muyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement that the attempted robbery took place at 5 a.m.
It said the robbery suspects had stormed the bank, carrying different equipment, such as hammers, a gas cylinder, chisel and others, for the operation.
Adejobi said the suspects engaged the State Anti Robbery team in a gun duel, adding that the team, supported by the Quick Response Squad, forced the robbers to flee.
He said that the suspects left with bullet wounds and were forced to abandon their tools.
“‘The Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikemefuna Okoye, has ordered immediate investigation combing of the vicinity and investigation into the attack.
Sokoto
Sokoto State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) begind a 16-day tour of the 23 local governments of the state to assess development at the grassroots.
A statement signed by its chairman, Labaran Dundaye and secretary, Bashir Mani, said in Sokoto on Sunday that the tour was sequel to the approval granted by Governor Aliyu Wamakko .
According to the statement, the monitoring tour is aimed at assessing the achievements of the state and the local governments in the last five years.
“It is also aimed at boosting the rural coverage by the working journalists in the state, as well as enhancing the entrenchment of democracy,’’ it added.
The six chapels of the NUJ in the state, as well as the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and Veteran Journalists, would all be represented on the tour.
Taraba
Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State has charged the State Tourism Development Board to live up to expectations of marketing the tourism potential of the state.
He warned that failure to do this would compel government to withdraw its sponsorship of the annual Nwonyo Fishing and Cultural Festival.
Suntai gave the charge last Saturday at Ibi in Ibi Local Government Area of the state at a ceremony to mark the 2012 Nwonyo Fishing and Cultural Festival
He observed that a situation where people were invited for a jamboree using government resources to enjoy themselves and go away without any revenue accruing to government was no longer to be encouraged by his administration.
He complained that “four years after the board came into being we are yet to see if tourism in Taraba State can be turned into a revenue generating venture. “
He noted that this had remained a great challenge for members of the board.
“In the next two years if you cannot change your ways of handling the tourism issue in the state I will quietly withdraw from this unprofitable venture because Nwonyo Fishing Festival would have to be transformed to a revenue generating festival,” Suntai said.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Board, Prof. Sa’ad Abubakar, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, said that progress was being made in the tourism sector in the state.
He said that the board had been working relentlessly to involve the private sector in the tourism sector of the state.
Abubakar noted that the level of involvement of MTN, Zain and Zenith Bank among others in this year’s edition of the festival was a major breakthrough.
The Arewa /Northern Community in Rivers state has appointed Alhaji Shuaibu Wada Madawakin Tilda as the Acting Dan Buran Rivers State.
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Cabinet Council.
The appointment follows the dethronement of the former occupant,
Alhaji Musa Saeedu.
A statement from the Palace of the Sarkin Arewa/Northern Community (Sarkin Hausawan) in Rivers State and signed by His Royal Highness, Alhaji Hussaini Isah said the dethronement is with immediate effect.
The statement further disclosed that the decision follows an allegation of acts of insubordination and conduct considered contrary to the values, discipline, and traditions of the Northern community perpetuated by the Fmr Dan Buran.
The statement advised the public to discontinue to recognising and addressing Alhaji Musa Saeedu as the Dan Buran of the State, adding that he no longer holds the title and remained suspended.
Responding via telephone interview, Alhaji Musa Saeedu said he will not make any comment regarding the matter.
The Alliance Française of Port Harcourt opened its doors to more than sixty French language teachers from Port Harcourt and across Rivers State at the weekend for an afternoon dedicated to celebration, creativity, and community spirit.
The event which was Supported by the Embassy of France in Nigeria, forms part of the global celebrations marking the Journée Internationale du Professeur de Français (French Teachers Day) a day officially set aside to observe worldwide every 20 November.
The Tide Entertainment reports that every year, French teachers around the globe are honoured for the passion and dedication they bring into their classrooms.In 2025, the theme chosen “Chanter, jouer, enseigner: la francophonie en musique” (Sing, Play, Teach: Francophonie in Music) invited the entire community to explore the joy of teaching through song, performance, and artistic expression.
A Day that brings teachers together for the French teaching community in Port Harcourt, this celebration is much more than a ceremony, it is a rare moment to step away from the classroom and reconnect with the simple joy of sharing, learning, and creating together.
The Alliance Française transformed the occasion into a space buzzing with music and entertainment. Teachers from primary schools, secondary schools, universities, and adult learning centers gathered to exchange ideas, reconnected with colleagues, and discover each other’s talents in an atmosphere filled with warmth and friendship.
Honouring Creativity with the theme “Our Teachers Have Talent!”This year, the Embassy of France launched a national contest titled “Nos profs ont du talent!” (“Our Teachers Have Talent !”), participants were invited to either interpret or create a Francophone song.For a month, from 13 October to 13 November 2025, teachers from across the country submitted their performances online, filling the digital space with francophone music.While winners of this nationwide competition were announced.
According to the the Director, Mrs Marina Lacal, Alliance Française Port Harcourt, excitement and anticipation were added to the celebrations, saying that in Port Harcourt, the festivities went even further. Port Harcourt experienced a Unique Celebration that went beyond the online competition, Alliance Française Port Harcourt created something special, an event where teachers met physically, shared moment of joy, and present their musical talents live.On stage, teachers sang the songs they love and those they have created, showcasing the creativity that animates their classrooms every day.
She explained that that off stage, they( participants )shared stories, network with colleagues, laughed together, and celebrated their unique contribution to the promotion of the French language in Rivers State.This gathering is also a moment of recognition. Every day, French teachers open doors for thousands of learners, children discovering their first French words, teenagers preparing for exams, university students shaping their future careers, and adults embracing new opportunities.
“Today, the spotlight shines on them. More Than an Event, A Tribute to Their Dedication The 2025 celebration in Port Harcourt was a heartfelt tribute to the teachers who make French come alive, those who inspire, guide, and encourage learners with unwavering commitment,” Mrs. Lacal said
The Director explained that It recognises their resilience, their creativity, and their essential role in building bridges between cultures.By offering them a moment of relaxation, fun, artistic expression, and professional networking, Alliance Française Port Harcourt reaffirms its mission to support educators, strengthen the teaching community, and celebrate the vibrant energy of the Francophonie in Nigeria.
Climax of the exciting event was the presentation of prizes to winners of the competition.
The Chairman Advisory Committee on Entertainment and Performing Arts, Khana Local Government Area, Hon. Lexy M. Mueka has expressed gratitude to the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area Dr. Thomas Bariere for his support and vision in promoting entertainment as a tool for peacebuilding and youth engagement.
Hon Mueka made this known to the Tide Entertainment during a recently concluded concert tagged “OGONI ARISE CONCERT” held at the No. 6 Field, Old Port Harcourt Township.
According to him, the concert was not just an event but a movement aimed at reawakening the cultural consciousness of the Ogoni people and inspiring the younger generation to use their talents positively.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the event, organized by Triple 3 Entertainment under the auspices of the office of the Chairman Advisory committee on Entertainment and Performing Arts to the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area, was a vibrant celebration of peace, unity, and cultural renaissance among the Ogoni people.
“Conceptualized as a platform to promote social harmony, empower young creatives, and showcase the rich artistic heritage of Ogoniland, the Ogoni Arise Concert succeeded in bringing together community leaders, entertainers, and the general public in a rare show of solidarity. The event featured electrifying performances by indigenous and regional artistes, dance troupes, comedians, and cultural ambassadors, all united under one message — Ogoni is rising again,” Hon. Mueka said.
“The Ogoni Arise Concert was designed to remind us of who we are — a people of strength, creativity, and unity. We wanted to show that entertainment can be a bridge for peace, a voice for our youth, and a celebration of our identity,” he added.
The event also featured a special Award Presentation Ceremony recognizing distinguished Ogoni sons and daughters who have made remarkable contributions in areas such as leadership, humanitarian service, creative excellence, and cultural promotion. The awards added a touch of prestige and purpose, reinforcing the concert’s theme of celebrating excellence while inspiring future generations.
Security at the event venue was top-notch, turnout of attendance impressive, and the atmosphere electric throughout the night.
Meanwhile, guests and participants had described the event as “historic, well-organized, and truly uplifting.”
