Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
Former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, last Friday offered to partner with the Bauchi State Government to boost youth development.
Al- Mustapha , who is the President, Unity and Development Initiative (APUDI), an NGO, made the plea when he led members of the management team of the organisation on a courtesy call to the Bauchi State Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda ,in Bauchi.
He said that the organisation was creating new opportunities that would promote the well being of the younger ones.
Yuguda, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Musa Gumli , appealed to Al-Mustapha to take all that had happened to him as an act of God and forgive all those that erred.
Benue
The Executive Director, Environment and Climate Change Amelioration Initiative, an NGO, Mrs Victoria Esa, last Tuesday warned against bush burning and indiscriminate felling of trees.
Esa who gave the advice in an interview in Makurdi said bush burning and indiscriminate felling of trees were contributing to deforestation, erosion and global warming.
She urged the forestry departments at the state and federal levels to intensify efforts at reducing the massive felling of trees across the country.
Esa enjoined Nigerians to plant trees and flowers and nurture them to maturity in order to mitigate the effect of deforestation and its attendant consequences on the socioeconomic lives of the people.
FCT
The Chairman of Bwari Area Council in the FCT, Mr Peter Yohanna, has called on politicians, especially those in leadership position, to make judicious use of resources at their disposal, to promote grassroots development.
Yohanna who gave the advice on Monday in his address at the conferment of the award of “Friendliest Chairman” on him by the Bwari chapter of the Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association of Nigeria urged political office holders to be more prudent in the use of resources to ensure even spread of social amenities in the country.
Yohanna said that eradicating poverty was not only through hard work, but also by making use of available resources judiciously to solve problems affecting the people and advised the political class to always seek divine intervention in the face of leadership challenges, in order to be able to find solutions to the problems of the country.
Kano
Kano State Government has ordered polio workers to conduct house-to-house immunisation in the 44 local government areas of the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran, who gave the directive on Monday while monitoring the exercise in Garun Malam, Bebeji and Madobi local government areas said the workers should not wait for parents to bring their children to them for immunisation but to ensure that they entered the houses and immunise each of the targeted children.
He, however, commended parents for bringing their children below five years for immunisation centres and also commended traditional and religious leaders as well as voluntary organisations for working to ensure the success of the immunisation.
Katsina
The Katsina State House of Assembly last Tuesday passed the 2014 appropriation bill of N113.3 billion.
The passage followed the report on the budget presented by the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation, Alhaji Abdu Danshehu.
The state government, had in December 2013, presented the budget of N113.6 billion with a surplus of N609 million before the House.
The House, however, made some minor adjustments by reducing the budget to N113.3 billion with a surplus of N259 million.
Danshehu commended the various ministries and parastatals agencies for the way and manner they defended their budgets before the committee.
Kebbi
The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Mera, last Tuesday called on Kebbi State Government to enter into partnership with the Republic of Rwanda to develop the tourism potentials in the state.
Mera, made the call in Argungu when he received the Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Joseph Habineza, during a courtesy visit to his palace.
He said the partnership would favour the state, “considering the fast rate of recovery of Rwanda after its internal crisis”.
The emir noted that Rwanda had taken measures that have enhanced the country’s tourism, turning it into a major source of revenue.
Kogi
More than 10,000 unemployed graduates have applied to fill 60 vacancies at the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service.
A competent source in the service said in Lokoja on Tuesday that the service had advertised for applications from suitably qualified candidates to be engaged as Revenue Trainee Officers noting that about 900 of the applicants had First Class and Second Class Upper Division degrees as well as Distinction and Upper Credit at HND level.
It was gathered that government embarked on the recruitment drive to harness fresh brains following its resolve to reposition the service for operational efficiency in conformity with international best practises in tax administration.
Kwara
Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed of Kwara State on Tuesday presented a list of 16 nominees to the state House of Assembly for confirmation as commissioners in the state executive council.
The governor’s request contained in a message read by the Speaker of the House, Mr Rasaw Atunwa, during plenary was in consonance with Section 192, Sub-section 125 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
The nominees are Mr Amos Aboyeji from Oyun Local Government Area; Alhaji Issa Kayode, Moro; Alhaji Aliu Mohammed, Asa; Alhaji Shaaba Umar, Edu; and Alhaji Abubakar Mora, Kaima.
Ondo
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B, has advocated better wage for all media practitioners across the country.
A statement by the zonal Vice President, Mr Dele Atunbi on Monday in Akure described the monthly take home of media practitioners as a “slave wage’’.
According to the union, the disparity in the take home of media practitioners and other civil servants is economic dehumanisation, deprivation and marginalisation.
It pointed out that the media in collaboration with other well-meaning Nigerians fought for the independence of the country.
Osun
A peace advocate, Mr Ajibola Owolabi, has described the directive by the All Progressive Congress (APC) to its National Assembly members to block all executive bills as “counterproductive’’.
Owolabi, the Executive Director of Advocacy for Advancement of Peace and Harmony in Africa Initiative (ADAPHAI), an NGO, said in Osogbo on Monday that the essence of formation of political associations was to mobilise the people and make them conscious of the ideal of good governance.
According to him, party politics should not be personalised at the detriment of the people if the political party really exists for the wellbeing of the people adding that blocking a budget would portray a political party as anti-people.
Oyo
Acting Vice-Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola, University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin, and two others have won the 2013 African Growth and Development Policy Modelling (AGRODEP) innovative grant.
According to a statement from the Vice-Chancellor’s office and made available to newsmen last Monday in Ogbomoso. Gbadegesin, Prof. Joshua Ajetumobi of LAUTECH’s Agricultural Economics and Extension Department and Prof. Olusanya Ajakaiye of the African Centre for Shared Development and Capacity Building, Ibadan won the grant.
Plateau
The Public Complaints Commission in Plateau State resolved 301 cases and recovered N82 million for complainants in Plateau last year, the commission said in a statement in Jos on Tuesday.
Its Director of Investigation, Mrs H.H. Isandu, said it received a total of 598 complaints in the year with 297 cases still pending.
Of the monies recovered, the statement said that some were unpaid salaries while others were terminal benefits and recoveries from breaches of trust.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government last Friday in Sokoto conducted a mass wedding for 125 couples.
The wedding prayer (Fatiha) conducted at the Government House, Sokoto was presided over by Gov. Aliyu Wamakko and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who was represented by Alhaji Rilwanu Bello, the Magajin Rafin Sokoto.
Wamakko said that the gesture was aimed at further reducing the problems associated with the high number of unmarried youths and urged the new couples to uphold the trust reposed in them by the state government.
Taraba
The Acting Governor of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, on Monday in Jalingo signed the 2014 Appropriation Bill of N83.33 billion into law.
The budget figure was reviewed by the House of Assembly from N79.66 billion to N83.33 billion.
Umar said that N41.70 billion of the budget was for recurrent expenditure, while N41.63 billion was earmarked for capital expenditure.
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.
Nation
2027: APC Chieftain Predicts Tinubu’s Victory …Says Bayelsa Stakeholders Supporting President en masse … IPAC Knitted Together, Working In Synergy With His Office
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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