Nation
THE STATES
Representative of IGP, Mr Chris Olakpe (right), presenting food items on behalf of IGP to one of the widows of police officers that lost their lives on duty, Mrs Nandi Peter, during the presentation of food items to the widows in Jos last Monday.
Bauchi
The diverse ethnic and multi-religious communities of Yelwa, Kagadama, Gwallameji and Lushi of Birshi-Miri District, Bauchi, Bauchi state last Saturday celebrated six years of living together in peaceful co-existence.
The programme was organised by Muslim and Christian Youth Movement for Peace in conjunction with Birshi-Miri Concern Citizens Forum.
In his speech, Mr Yusuf Kumsu, the Chairman, organising committee of the programme, explained that the event was organised to celebrate six years of peaceful co-existence among the diverse ethnic groups in the communities.
The state Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda expressed joy for the lasting peace being enjoyed in the state in spite of the current security challenges affecting the neighbouring states and commended the organisers of the event as well as religious and community leaders for the wonderful initiative.
Benue
Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, last Sunday, said some yet to be identified criminals, under the guise of Fulani herdsmen have been attacking and killing Tiv indigenes in the state.
Governor Suswam, while briefing journalists at the end of a security meeting held at the new banquet hall in Makurdi, said “some criminals are the ones attacking Benue communities, not Fulani herdsmen.
The governor added that the security meeting became necessary following the continued attack and killing of innocent Benue citizens in Guma, Gwer West and Makurdi.
Suswan said a committee had been raised, chaired by a Retired Permanent Secretary, Mr Moses Anagende, and 11 members to recommend ways of arresting the criminals. He said the committee has one week to submit its report.
Kano
The Kano State Government is to deploy sanitary in-spectors to all the 44 local government areas of the state.
The state Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, who disclosed this in an interview in Kano after the monthly sanitation exercise in some parts of the state, expressed dismay over the sanitary condition of some areas.
He specifically indicted owners of some business outfits for operating without regards to basic rules of hygiene.
Abbas also said sanitary inspectors to be deployed to the council areas would be empowered with the necessary skills to ensure the discharge of their duties.
Katsina
Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State last Sunday said the state’s Local Government elections would be conducted in the first quarter of 2014.
Shema who disclosed this in Katsina at a state PDP zonal meeting said the elections date would be announced in January for the political parties to begin preparations
The governor, who was represented by Sen. Umar Tsauri, said all the materials needed for the exercise were on ground.
The 34 local governments in the state were being managed by caretaker committees as a result of the expiration of the tenure of elected council officials early in 2011.
“The elections will take place next year, God willing, because everything has been put in place,’’ Shema said.
Kogi
Kogi State Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, has called on Nigerians to strive for legacies that would outlive their stay on earth.
Awoniyi made the call last Saturday at the funeral of Mrs Elizabeth Bello, former Chief Nursing Officer in Egbe, Yagba East Local Government Area of the State.
Awoniyi, who described death as a compulsory end for all mortals, held that it was unfortunate that people now lived without thinking of leaving good legacies behind.
He said the deceased would be remembered for putting smiles on the faces of women whom she medically assisted to achieve conception and delivery and called on the family she left behind to take solace in her good works and be consoled by the testimonies about her life.
Kwara
The Chairman of Irepodun Local Government Council in Kwara State, Alhaji Luqman Owolewa, on Sunday, said the council discovered 339 “ghost workers’’ on its monthly pay roll.
Owolewa said in Omu-Aran, headquarters of the council, that an audit committee would soon be set up to scrutinise the council’s pay system.
He said the audit committee became necessary in order to fish out more “ghost workers’’ and correct other anomalies in the council’s pay process.
The chairman said that the result of his assessment of the workers few weeks after assumption of duty showed that out of the 839 workers on the council’s pay roll, only 500 were genuine staff members.
Nasarawa
The traditional ruler of Shafa Abakpa Community in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Hussaini Kyafi, has urged the Federal Government and wealthy Nigerians to promote the country’s cultural heritage.
Kyafi stated this on Sunday at Shafa Abakpa, in the Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, during the 2013 Irewha Hunting Festival, an annual event which unites all the community’s tribes and brings members of the community together.
Kyafi said the event was a cultural heritage and traced its origin to the first settlers in the community, who were all hunters.
Special Adviser to the Nasarawa State Governor on Legislative Matters, Mr Musa Yusuf, said the event reminds Nigerians of their cultural values and virtues.
Niger
The Nupe Land Community Association for Grassroots Transformation has renewed its agitation for the creation of Edu State.
The Secretary of the association, Alhaji Baba Wachiko, who renewed the agitation in Bida on Sunday, said the new state, to be carved out of Niger, Kogi and Kwara states, “will cater for the needs of Nupe speaking people.”
Wachiko, who made the call in a paper he presented at the summit of the association, said the creation of the new state would serve as panacea for the socio-political and economic empowerment of the Nupe people.
He said “this agitation should not be treated as an exclusive affair of the Nupe speaking people. Rather, it is about the present and future status of Niger State which every reasonable Nigerlite should be interested in. The creation of a new state from the present Niger State is long overdue.
Lagos
The Lagos State Government said it had spent N1billion to support no fewer than 400 graduate farmers to set up their own farms.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Co-operatives, Mr Gbolahan Lawal, said in Lagos that the beneficiaries were those trained under the state’s Agricultural Youths Empowerment Scheme(AGRIC-YES).
The commissioner said that the essence of the programme was to create a generation of modern farmers, while creating job opportunities and promoting food security.
Lawal said that the programme was fully residential, adding that the government only recently inaugurated 200 units of two-bedroom apartments at the programme site, to improve the living standards of participants.
Osun
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has pledged to restore the lost glory of Modakeke in 2014.
Aregbesola made the promise in a message to the 28th Modakeke Ako-ri-aaye Day Celebration and Launch of N500million Community Development Fund, Saturday.
The governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Fatai Kolawole, said more local governments would be created.
He said this issue, which had been before the Osun Assembly, would be actualised and would surely favour the people of Modakeke.
Plateau
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, last Monday donated foodstuffs to widows of policemen killed while on duty in the Plateau command.
The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe, who represented the IGP, said the items was to enable them celebrate the New Year.
Olakpe said the items included a cow, 30 bags of rice and eight cartons of vegetable oil, stating that the items were for 30 widows that lost their bread winners in the line of duty within the past 12 months.
Responding on behalf of the widows, Mrs. Nandi Edache, commended the IGP for the gesture and called on the IGP to accelerate the payment of their husbands’ benefits to enable them settle their children’s school fees.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government last Sunday announced plans to sponsor 200 students to pursue various degree programmes in Cyprus and Pakistan.
Gov. Aliyu Wamakko disclosed this at the Yabo Local Government Area of the State when he inaugurated some projects executed by the Old Boys’ Association of the Sarkin Kabi Shehu Model Primary School, Yabo.
Wamakko said that the students were expected to depart Sokoto for Cyprus and Pakistan in January 2014.
He commended the members of the association for executing the projects and appealed to others to emulate them.
Wamakko stressed the need for all and sundry to complement the government’s efforts in providing a conducive atmosphere for effective teaching and learning.
As the world marked the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child on Sunday, October 11, 2026, a non-governmental organisation, Stand Up for Women Society (SWS) has intensified its campaign against child marriage, urging schoolgirls to prioritise education, protect their rights and develop skills for a better future.
The organisation joined the global observance of the day under the theme, “International Day of the Girl Child: End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” with a sensitisation programme at Government Girls Secondary School, Oromenike, D-Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Led by its Vice Chairperson, Daba Benebo, the group engaged the students in discussions on the dangers of early marriage, teenage pregnancy, sexual abuse and other challenges that threaten the education, safety and development of the girl child.
Speaking during the programme, Benebo urged the students to reject early marriage and remain focused on their studies, stressing that education would empower them to make informed decisions about their lives and future.
She cautioned the girls against allowing anyone to deprive them of their right to education and dignity, advising them to report cases of harassment, abuse and other violations of their rights to the appropriate authorities.
Benebo assured the students that SWS remained available to support them whenever they encountered violations of their rights.
She also encouraged them to maintain discipline and responsible conduct while avoiding behaviours that could expose them to negative influences and jeopardise their future.
Beyond formal education, the SWS vice chairperson urged the students to acquire vocational skills that could provide additional opportunities for economic independence and help them navigate future challenges.
The sensitisation programme, enlivened by singing, dancing and to share their views and experiences on issues affecting the girl child interactive sessions, provided an opportunity for the students to share their views and experiences on issues affecting the girl child.
One of the major issues raised during the discussion was the appropriate age for marriage. While some participants maintained that 18 years was the constitutionally approved age, the discussion highlighted the need to consider not only age but also the maturity, preparedness and responsibilities associated with marriage.
The speaker stressed that marriage required adequate mental and emotional preparation, as well as the capacity to shoulder its responsibilities.
She therefore advised the students to concentrate on acquiring a sound education before considering marriage, noting that education would equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to make responsible decisions and manage family life.
The issue of teenage pregnancy also featured prominently during the question-and-answer session.
In addressing the subject, the speaker explained that pregnancy could occur even at the age of 12, using the example to underscore the vulnerability of young girls to the consequences of early sexual activity.
She advised the students to avoid sexual intercourse and prioritise their education, personal safety and future aspirations.
The discussion also examined the difficulties some girls encounter when living with hostile spouses, relatives or guardians.
Benebo encouraged the students to cultivate patience, humility and diligence, noting that these qualities could help them navigate difficult situations and build a brighter future.
However, she warned that patience and humility should never be interpreted as an obligation to endure violence, abuse or degrading treatment.
She urged girls experiencing hostile or abusive living conditions to seek help from their parents, trusted adults or appropriate support services rather than remain in environments that could expose them to physical or emotional trauma.
“When such happens, please return to your parents and engage in petty trade or learn a skill to support your education rather than stay in a hostile environment,” Benebo stressed.
The programme also underscored the importance of protecting girls from early marriage and other harmful practices that can disrupt their education, compromise their well-being and limit their opportunities in life.
It also reinforced the need for families, schools, communities and relevant organisations to work together to ensure that girls have access to education, vocational training, protection and the support they need to realise their potential.
For SWS, the message was clear: empowering the girl child begins with protecting her rights, investing in her education and equipping her with the confidence and skills to make informed choices about her future.
Stories by Kevin Nengia
The Egberipapa Foundation has unveiled a mass transit scheme aimed at easing transportation difficulties and improving connectivity among communities in the three Kalabari local government areas of Asari-Toru, Degema and Akuku-Toru in Rivers State.
The initiative, established by former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Council, High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, popularly known as Egberipapa, is designed to make transportation more accessible and affordable for residents across the Kalabari area.
The scheme was launched on Monday, October 12, 2026, and is expected to address longstanding transportation challenges confronting residents, particularly those in riverine and hard-to-reach communities.
Communities expected to benefit from the initiative include Krakrama, Minama, Angulama, Sangama, Omekwe-Tariama and Omekwe-Ama.
The project is expected to ease movement within and beyond the Central Group area, while providing residents with a more convenient means of transportation for their daily activities.
For decades, transportation difficulties have posed significant challenges to several Kalabari communities, making movement between settlements both cumbersome and expensive. These challenges have also affected commercial activities, social interactions and access to essential services.
The introduction of the mass transit scheme is therefore expected to provide relief to residents, strengthen inter-community connections and stimulate economic activities across the benefiting communities.
Beyond improving mobility, the initiative could contribute to community development by facilitating the movement of people and goods, supporting local businesses and enhancing social and economic interactions within the Kalabari area.
As the scheme gets underway, attention will be focused on its implementation, accessibility and sustainability, as well as its capacity to deliver lasting transportation benefits to the target communities.
The initiative represents a potentially significant step towards addressing transportation challenges and promoting grassroots development across the Kalabari Kingdom.
The Amaewhule family of mbodo Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State has cautioned members of the public against entering into any land transaction involving a disputed property known as “Ada Oro Fam Land,” located behind the OPM Church along Airport Road.
The family, through its legal counsel, Barrister Ndubuisi Agumagu, issued the warning amid an ongoing legal dispute over the ownership and control of the property, which is said to comprise more than 900 plots of land.
The matter is currently before the Isiokpo High Court of Rivers State in a suit numbered IHC/246/CS/2026, presided over by Justice Sobere Biambo.
The claimants in the suit include Chief Green Amaewhule and others, while Fabulous Amaewhule and Odibola Properties are listed among the respondents.
Counsel to the Amaewhule family, Barr Ndubuisi Agumagu, advised prospective land buyers and members of the public to exercise caution and refrain from purchasing any portion of the disputed property pending the determination of the case by the court.
According to the legal counsel, the property is a family estate belonging collectively to the Amaewhule family, and no individual member of the family has the authority to unilaterally dispose of portions of the land.
The counsel specifically maintained that Fabulous Amaewhule, one of the respondents in the suit, does not have the legitimate authority, according to the family’s position before the court, to sell portions of the disputed property.
The family further warned that anyone who proceeds to purchase land from the respondents while the matter remains before the court would be doing so at their own risk.
It stressed that such buyers could potentially lose their investments should the court eventually deliver judgment against the validity of the transactions.
The legal team said the warning became necessary to prevent unsuspecting members of the public from committing their resources to a property whose ownership and right of disposition are currently the subject of judicial determination.
The family also urged prospective investors, developers and land buyers to conduct proper legal inquiries and obtain independent verification of the status of the property before committing funds to any transaction relating to it.
The Amaewhule family said its position was intended to protect members of the public from possible financial losses and further legal complications while the case remains sub judice, stressing that interested parties should await the final determination of the court.
Akujobi Amadi