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THE STATES

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Adamawa

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in
Adamawa State, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, has  donated six buses to the party in the state.
Presenting the buses in Mubi, Abdullahi, who is the Sardauna of Michika in Adamawa State, said the gesture was to strengthen the party in the state.
He urged members of the party to close ranks and empower the party to reclaim its leading position in the state.
Abdullahi, a retired federal civil servant, said the support and goodwill he enjoyed from the people of the zone during his days in service, prompted him to join politics to repay them.

Bauchi

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has congratu
lated the new Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ima Niboro, on his appointment.
This is contained in a statement issued in Bauchi by Mr Ishola Michael, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor.
Yuguda also congratulated the Directors-General of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mr Shola Omole, and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Alhaji Ladan Salihu.
The governor said that the media had played a vital role in shaping the minds, impression and actions of people, and urged the new chief executives to use their positions for the development of the nation.

Borno

The Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha, has Saturday, denied having any rift with Governor Kashim Shettima over the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Mustapha denied the alleged rift, which he said was making the rounds when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Biu, Alhaji Mustapha Aliyu, in his palace.
He said it was not true that he had teamed up with former Borno Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, to take over the control of APC in the state.
The deputy governor said the rumoured disagreement with his boss was the handiwork of mischief makers.

Ekiti
A bricklayer, Mr Adewale Omole has abandoned his
wife in a ‘spiritual home’ after he heard that she was expecting triplets in Ado Ekiti.
Narrating her story, Mrs Abosede Omole, who already had two children, told newsmen that her husband abandoned her and the babies.
She said that her husband started behaving strange after she went for a scan in Lagos where she was told that she was expecting triplets.
Abosede, who gave birth on Friday at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), said “my husband abandoned me even before I gave birth and he has refused to perform his responsibility as father.

Gombe

The Police Command in Gombe State says its officers
killed three armed robbers during a patrol on the Gombe-Dukku road on recently.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the command, DSP Fwaje Atajiri,  disclosed this to newsmen in Gombe.
He said the police also recovered four guns, 307 live ammunition and two vehicles from the robbers during a joint operation with police men from Bauchi State.
Atajiri said that the vehicles recovered were one Honda Accord and a Toyota Avalon which were suspected to be stolen from Lagos-Ibadan axis.
“Upon seeing a police vehicle, they opened fire and the police returned fire and the ground battle lasted about 45 minutes on the Gombe-Dukku road on Friday.
“Three of them were killed; we recovered four arms, 307 live ammunition and two vehicles, one Honda Accord and one Toyota Avalon,.
“ The men were believed to have stolen the vehicle from Ibadan-Lagos axis,” he said.
The spokesman said that the police were intensifying efforts to arrest other members of the gang who escaped.

Kaduna

The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna
State has elevated 23 Ph.D holders to the status of professors.
This is contained in a statement issued  in Zaria, by the institution’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, Dr Sama’ila Shehu, and made available to newsmen.
According to the statement, besides the professors, the management also approved the elevation of 41 others as readers and principal research fellows of the institution.
“At the 460th regular senate meeting of January 30, the vice-chancellor announced the promotion of 23 professors and 41 readers as approved by the Governing Council of the University.”

Kwara

The Kwara State, college of Education (COED),
Ilorin, last Saturday matriculated 4,000 students for the 2013/2014 academic session. The newly admitted students would study in 30 departments and three schools .
Addressing the students, the Provost of the college, Dr Isiaka Opobiyi ,urged them to use the opportunity to achieve excellence in their educational pursuit.
He warned them against acts such as cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice, indecent dressing and drunkenness.
Opobiyi also urged the students to face their studies to excel in their academic pursuit.

Lagos

The Grand Matron, Christian Association of Nige
ria (CAN), Alimosho Local Government Area, of Lagos State Mrs Beatrice Egunleti, has urged wealthy Nigerians and philanthropists to support the less privileged in the society.
She made the appeal at the inauguration of her non-governmental organisation, “Project Care”, held at the Bible Baptist Church, Egbeda, Lagos.
Egunleti said she was putting in place a welfare outreach to empower the less privileged and integrate them into the society.
“When we come together, we can arrest the situation by turning around lives that would have been wasted”, she said.

Ondo

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
in Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has expressed satisfaction with the turnout of people for the party’s ongoing membership registration.
Akeredolu, a former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), spoke in Owo shortly after he registered as a member of APC.
The one-time President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) registered at Ward 5 Unit 6 in Ijebu area of the town.
“The turnout is overwhelming. We have to send for more materials because of the turnout.
“People are already geared for change … Nigerians are ready for change,”  he said.

Plateau

Sen. Gyang Pwajok has commended the Special Task
Force (STF) over the arrest of 16 cattle rustlers, saying that the feat will restore peace to troubled Plateau North.
Pwajok (PDP-Plateau North), who made the disclosure when he reacted to the arrest, said that bursting the racket would “certainly reduce future excuses for such attacks’’.
“We expect a huge reduction in such attacks, except if the conflict merchants come up with new excuses,’’ he said.
He added, however, that the STF must go beyond the cattle racket and identify the killer squads behind the killings in Plateau.

Sokoto

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that PDP will work
to lead Nigeria to greatness.
Jonathan was speaking in Sokoto at a grand reception organised for a former governor of the state, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, who defected to PDP with his supporters from APC.
“The PDP is the only party that is stable and it will continue to uphold the tenets of democracy.
“The PDP respects the rule of law at all levels and we respect the constitution,” he said.
Jonathan said PDP was the number one party in Nigeria and would continue to be so.
He further said that the Federal Government under the party would continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

Zamfara

Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State has warned
political parties against the use of thugs in the state, ahead of the 2015 general elections.
Yari gave the warning when he received Alhaji Mamman Sule, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in-charge of Zone 10, at the Government House, Gusau.
The governor said the warning became imperative “as the nation prepares for the 2015 general elections.
“The Zamfara government will not tolerate any thuggery. This warning is particularly for politicians who engage youths in thuggery just to intimidate the opposition.
“We will strongly use the law to stop such people even if they are members of the ruling APC in the state.’’

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Water Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, member of the  Committee, Sen. Joshua Lidani, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Aviation, Mr Bayode Boluwaji, Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe and Chief Engineer, SSC Nigeria Limited, Mr Etim Frank, during inspection of Kashimbilla multi-purpose dam in Taraba last Monday.

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Water Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, member of the Committee, Sen. Joshua Lidani, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Aviation, Mr Bayode Boluwaji, Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe and Chief Engineer, SSC Nigeria Limited, Mr Etim Frank, during inspection of Kashimbilla multi-purpose dam in Taraba last Monday.

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Bikers, Others Grace Burial Of Rivers Philanthropist

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Bikers were among prominent dignitaries who recently attended the burial ceremony of late Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor (née Lawson) in Omagwa Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The burial service, held at the St. Martin’s Anglican Church field, attracted a large turnout of religious leaders, business executives, political figures, celebrities, bikers’ groups, traditional rulers and community members from different parts of Nigeria. Also present were the Bishop of the Anglican Province of the Niger Delta, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, and popular businessman and socialite, Obi Cubana, among other notable personalities.
The remains of Mrs Grant Offor, a respected professional, philanthropist and devout Christian, were laid to rest amid an elaborate and well-coordinated funeral ceremony that reflected her wide-reaching influence and the high regard in which she was held by family, associates and the larger community.
The ceremony drew public attention due to its unique logistics, as two helicopters were deployed. An air ambulance helicopter conveyed the casket to the church field, while another helicopter transported members of the deceased’s family from Abonnema to Omagwa Community.
Dignitaries and mourners gathered in large numbers to pay their final respects.
In an emotional tribute, High Chief Engr. Grant Offor, described his late wife as everything to him, stating that her passing had created a deep void in his life and in the lives of their children. He disclosed that he committed his time, resources and efforts in a bid to save her life, adding that if money or human effort alone could prevent death, she would still be alive.
Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor was born on May 4, 1978, at the Ibiso Maternity Clinic, Port Harcourt, and passed away on November 15, 2025, after a prolonged illness that lasted nearly three years. She was born a twin and grew up in a family noted for service and leadership. Her father, the late Engr. Benoni Lawson, served as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), while her mother, Mrs. Irene Lawson, is a nurse.
She attended Port Harcourt Primary School and International Secondary School (ISS) before proceeding to the University of Science and Technology (UST), Port Harcourt, and later the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, where she studied Accountancy and graduated with honours. She was widely known during her academic years for her discipline, focus and reserved lifestyle.
After completing her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, Mrs. Grant Offor began her professional career in the banking sector, including service with the defunct All States Trust Bank, and later worked in other professional capacities. She earned a reputation for integrity, diligence and ethical conduct.
She was married to Engr. Grant Offor for over 20 years, a union blessed with three children. As a wife and mother, she was described as deeply devoted to her family, instilling values of faith, patience, kindness and discipline. Her home was known among close associates as one built on prayer, love and godly counsel.
A committed Christian, Mrs. Grant Offor was known for her strong faith and love for gospel music, particularly songs of healing and deliverance. Even while receiving specialist medical care in the United Kingdom, she reportedly remained steadfast in her belief, trusting in God until her final moments.

Adding to the show of solidarity, the President of the Rivers State Chapter of the Pantas Female Bikers Group, Mr. White Timano, disclosed that High Chief Engr. Grant Offor is a major sponsor of Uyo Micah’s Carnival, one of the group’s major events. He said bikers and supporters travelled from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta States to commiserate with the family and show support during the period of mourning.

Mr. Timano described death as inevitable and encouraged the family to remain strong, stressing that only God grants the grace required to endure such painful loss.

The church field was tastefully decorated, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere. The burial ceremony featured hymns, live music, scriptural exhortations, eulogies and tributes celebrating the life and legacy of Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor. Messages from notable personalities highlighted her contributions to family life, philanthropy, professional service and community development.

On behalf of the family, High Chief Engr. Grant Offor expressed appreciation to all who stood by them throughout the period of mourning, thanking guests for their prayers, presence and support.

The burial ceremony stood as a testament to the enduring legacy of Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor, whose life of service, faith and quiet generosity left a lasting impact on many across Rivers State, the Niger Delta and beyond.

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Security Guard Missing After Fence Demolition In PH

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Asecurity guard has been reported missing following the demolition of a fence at a property located at No. 19D, Golf Course Layout, Old Government Residential Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident reportedly occurred late Sunday night at the disputed property said to be owned by Ozone Global.
Eyewitnesses revealed that a group of men, some of whom were dressed in what appeared to be naval uniforms, arrived at the premises on motorcycles and allegedly pulled down the fence surrounding the property.
During the incident, a security guard on duty, identified simply as Abubakar, was allegedly taken away by the group to an unknown destination.
A relative of the missing guard, Musa, said efforts to get immediate help, including alerting a nearby police point, proved abortive as the incident had already occurred before any intervention could be made.
“I escaped because I noticed them early, but my brother was taken away. Up till now, we don’t know where he is or how he is doing. We are appealing to the authorities to help locate him,” Musa said.
Meanwhile, one of the intermediaries involved in the land transaction, Mr. Chimezie Bright, alleged that the incident may be connected to an ongoing land dispute over the property.
Bright claimed that the land was purchased by Ozone Global from one late Mr Felix Orie and that documents from the Rivers State Ministry of Lands and Housing indicate that the land was allocated to Mr Orie.
He further alleged that another claimant to the land, Mr. Mac Oruche, had allegedly challenged the ownership and opposed development on the property, despite the matter being the subject of a court case.
According to Bright, tensions over the property had previously resulted in disagreements during attempts to fence the land.
“We carried out due diligence before the purchase, including verification at the Ministry of Lands. However, the dispute has persisted,” he said.
Bright expressed concern over the alleged involvement of uniformed personnel in a civil land dispute and called for a thorough investigation into the incident, particularly the whereabouts of the missing security guard.
As at the time of filing this report, Abubakar’s location had remained unknown.
Efforts to reach Mr. Mac Oruche for his reaction were unsuccessful, while the police are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

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OIU Protests Arrest Of Witnesses In Okon Aku Crisis Probe

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The apex socio-cultural and development association of the ancient Ohafia Kingdom, the Ohafia Improvement Union Incorporated (OIU) has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, expressing grave concern over the arrests of several individuals from the Okon Aku community who were cooperating with a state-constituted Panel of Inquiry investigating the recent communal crisis in the community located in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
The union also called for the immediate release of those arrested.
In a letter dated February 6, 2026, and received at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, the union described the arrests as troubling and procedurally irregular, noting that the affected individuals had either testified or were preparing to testify before the government-sanctioned panel.
Those reportedly arrested include Udo Ukoha of Ndi Envoke; Okereke John, Udonsi Obin, Eteo Ayo, Idika I. Kalu, and John Ukwakwe of Ndi Owom; and Ukpabi Uche Idika of Ndi Ebin.
While emphasizing that it does not seek to prejudge the legal culpability of any individual, the OIU stressed that the timing, context, and manner of the arrests could undermine the credibility, independence, and integrity of the Panel of Inquiry.
“The arrest of individuals cooperating with an official inquiry poses a serious threat to the fact-finding process, creates fear among potential witnesses, and may discourage public participation,” the union stated, warning that such actions could obstruct efforts to uncover the root causes of the crisis.
The union further noted that panels of inquiry rely heavily on voluntary and truthful cooperation, and any action that instills fear in contributors risks eroding public confidence in the justice system, violating principles of fairness, transparency, and natural justice.
Consequently, the OIU urged the Office of the IGP to immediately review the circumstances surrounding the arrests, suspend any further actions perceived as targeting witnesses, and issue clear directives to guarantee the safety and freedom of all individuals participating in the inquiry.
The President General of Ohafia Improvement Union, Chief Prince Kalu Ikpemini, signed the petition, which was also copied to the Executive Governor of Abia State and the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Umuahia.
The union reiterated that the Ohafia community desires lasting peace and reconciliation, which can only be achieved through a transparent, fair, and uncoerced investigation into the Okon Aku crisis.
The Okon Aku communal crisis erupted in early January 2026, prompting the Office of the Deputy Governor of Abia State to immediately establish the Panel of Inquiry to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the conflict, with the aim of preventing future occurrences.
It is against this backdrop that the Ohafia Improvement Union has raised an alarm over the arrests, calling for the immediate release of those detained and emphasizing the need to protect witnesses rather than intimidate them.

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