Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA) has expressed concern over the poor participation of the private sector in emergency relief response for Internally Displaced Persons in the North East.
Alhaji Muhammed Kanar, North East Zonal Coordinator of the agency, expressed the concern in an interview with newsmen in Yola, recently.
Kanar said that the attitude of leaving everything to government was over, as it could not afford to carter for the needs of all the people.
Bauchi
Rice farmers in Itas-Gadau Local Government Area,
Bauchi State, have said the Federal Government’s N3.6 billion Mechanised Agriculture Intervention Fund would reduce the cost of their activities when disbursed.
The Chairman, Rice Farmers Association of Nigerian (RIFAN), Malam Auwalu Saidu, Itas-Gadau Local Government chapter, made the assertion in an interview with newsmen at Gabu.
He commended the Federal Government for coming up with the intervention, saying it would boost food production nationwide and make agriculture more lucrative.
“With this intervention, tractors and other farm machinery will be provided for hire at affordable prices to the farmers just as seeds; fertiliser and water pumps are being provided.
Borno
No fewer than 4,000 people in Borno State were
engaged in community-based development activities under the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) in 2013.
The SURE-P Coordinator in the state, Malam Wakil Kalanga, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri recently.
Kalanga said that the participants were being empowered under the Community Services, Women and Youths Employment (CSWYE) project of the SURE-P.
He said that the beneficiaries were drawn from the 27 local government, included youths, women and vulnerable groups selected by the community leaders in their various localities.
Gombe
A commercial agricultural firm, Savannah Integrated
Export Processing Farm, has provided 1,504 acres of subsidised land to 1,000 farmers at Dadin-Kowa irrigation site to boost irrigation farming in Gombe State.
The farm manager of the firm, Malam Nasiru Umar, spoke to newsmen in Dadin-Kowa town recently.
Umar said the firm provided land to the farmers at subsidised rate, cultivated the land and gave to farmers of different crops at the site.
The farm manager said the company had wanted to give them water for irrigation, but could not do that and advised them to dig shallow wells.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government said it had spent N371
million to purchase vehicles for the 25 council chairmen in the state.
The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Salisu Ndarawa, said this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
Ndarawa said 25 Toyota Prado Jeeps were purchased for the chairmen, adding that nine of the vehicles had been delivered to some of them.
The commissioner said the remaining 18 would be delivered soon.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State House of Assembly has con
firmed the reappointment of Alhaji Kindi Zauro as a commissioner in the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC).
Our correspodent reports that Governor Saidu Dakingari had requested the legislature to approve the reappointment after Zauro’s tenure expired five months ago.
The Speaker, Alhaji Habibu Jega, who presided over the plenary session, said members endorsed the reappointment unanimously after a voice vote.
Meanwhile, the House has also confirmed the appointment of Malam Hassan Dakingari as a Special Adviser to the governor on Micro Finance Banks.
Lagos
An Ogudu Magistrate Court in Lagos State has
sentenced a 25-year-old ‘pure water’ hawker, Musa Sule, to one year imprisonment, with hard labour, for stabbing a colleague.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Omolade Awope, sentenced Sule after he pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of assault.
Delivering judgment, Awope described the action by the convict as “callous”, adding that Sule must be very violent.
“Sule saw a knife just lying fallow in a tomato seller’s shop, picked it and put it in his pocket. What attracted him to the knife and for what intent?
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government said that it had
constituted an 11-man committee to tackle the spread of communicable diseases in the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Lafia.
According to him, the move is to ensure quick response in the event of any outbreak of diseases as well safeguard the lives of the people.
Akabe said that there were reported cases of Cholera, Lassa fever and other communicable diseases in Lafia and other parts of the state recently, which resulted to loss of lives.
Ogun
The Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro, has appealed
to traditional rulers to caution politicians in their domains against activities capable of aggravating the security challenges facing the country.
Moro made the appeal in Abeokuta when he paid a courtesy call on Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake and paramount ruler of Egba land.
He visited the monarch shortly after inaugurating an administrative block and 36 units of staff quarters at the Civil Defence College of Security Management in Abeokuta.
The minister expressed concern over incidents of insurgency, militancy and communal clashes in some parts of the country.
Sokoto
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr
Usman Bugaje, has advocated the formation of political parties in Nigeria, based on “content, conscience and courage.”
Bugaje said this at the maiden edition of the monthly lecture series, organised by the Muslim community, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
He also called for the use of modern technology to transform political parties and democracy and stressed the need for vibrant civil society organisations as panacea to the nation’s political problems.
Yobe
The authority of the Federal Government College, Buni-
Yadi, in Yobe State, Mr Ibrahim Abdul, has confirmed that 29 of its students were killed by insurgents who attacked the institution on Monday.
A Senior Master, gave the figure while receiving Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam during a sympathy visit to the school.
Abdul said that 11 students also sustained various gunshot wounds.
He said that all the hostels and classrooms were burnt by the insurgents who attacked the college at about 11.30 p.m.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State Government has distributed more
than N20 million as assistance to victims of a recent attack in Tungar Rakumi Village of Maru Local Government Area.
The villagers were attacked three weeks ago by unknown gunmen, who killed 25 residents, burnt down houses and foodstuff and injured many others.
Chairman of the committee set up to distribute the money, Alhaji Sani Mayanci, said it was meant to serve as assistance to families of the victims.
He said the families of those who died would receive N300,000 each while others affected by the incident would be given N100,000 each.
Nation
Cleric Preaches Love As Deputy Governor, Chief Judge Grace Wedding In PH
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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