Nation
THE STATES

President Muhammadu Buhari (left) in a handshake with Archbishop Anthony Obinna of Owerri Catholic Diocese during a meeting of the President with the leadership of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria at the Presidential Villa Abuja last Monday
Adamawa
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is to deploy
medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical professionals to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps nationwide.
The Director-General of NYSC, Brig-Gen. Sule Kazaure, made this known while flagging-off the NYSC intervention programme at Damare IDPs camp in Yola.
Kazaure said that the deployment of NYSC to the camps was part of the scheme’s contribution to government’s efforts in assisting the IDPs.
“This programme, which is designed to bring succour to the inmates in this centre, is also intended to compliment government’s efforts towards provision of the welfare needs of members of IDPs nationwide.
FCT
A Kado Grade 1 Area Court has sentenced a 36-year-old
driver, Surajo Zailani, to two months imprisonment for possession of fake currency.
Zailani, a resident of Mpape in the FCT, had pleaded guilty to a one-count charge.
The presiding officer, Malam Abubakar Sadiq, however, gave him an option to pay a fine of N10,000.
Prosecutor Salisu Khaleel had told the court that Sanusi Mohammed of Utako village reported the matter at Utako Police Station on April 14.
Jigawa
The Jigawa State Government has constituted a task
force to monitor petroleum products allocated to the state to ensure that they were not diverted.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Youth and Sports, Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, told newsmen that the committee was set up at the last State Executive Council meeting.
Ibrahim said members were drawn from security agencies, ministries of commerce, information and finance.
According to him, the task force is headed by the Special Adviser to the state Governor on Security, retired Col. Muhammed Hassan.
Kaduna
The Kaduna Judicial Commission of Inquiry recently con
cluded its Public Hearing into the December 12 Shiite/Army clash in Zaria.
The Chairman of the Commission, Justice Muhammed Lawal-Garba announced the end of the public hearing at the panel’s sitting.
The commission had before winding up, heard submissions of the Commandant, Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, Brig.-Gen. Christopher Musa and three other Commanders on their role during the clash.
Our correspondent reports that a total of 150 memoranda were submitted to the panel, with testimonies and recommendations from stakeholders..
The Chairman said that the panel may receive other submissions when the need arises.
Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has said that it would train
105 youths on technical skill acquisition to enable them start a business of their own.
The Deputy Governor, Alhaji Samaila Yombe, made this known when he visited the state works school in Birinin Kebbi.
The school principal, Garba Danfulani said the youths would be trained on carpentry, automobile mechanic, vulcanizing and computer programming.
Kwara
A Kaiama Area Court in Kwara has dissolved a 14 year-
old marriage between Aishat and Sule Salihu over alleged husband’s rudeness to his mother-in-law.
Aishat, the plaintiff had sought a relief for the dissolution of the marriage that was blessed with three children.
She told the court that she filed the divorce suit as a result of a misunderstanding between her mother and the husband.
The plaintiff said her husband failed to show up for a reconciliation relief granted him earlier by the court.
Lagos
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has
named Dolphin Park after the late Dr Tunji Braithwaite, in recognition of his contributions to the political development of Nigeria.
Ambode, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, made this known at a special service of songs organised by the Braithwaite family in Lagos.
He said that Braithwaite’s struggle for the emancipation of Nigerians and his daily agitation for improved living condition for the masses was commendable.
“The late Dr Braithwaite gave all his life to the betterment of the lives of the masses; on several occasions he had stood for and defended the rights of the common man.
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Nasarawa
A Mararaba Upper Area Court in Nasarawa State has
remanded a 22-year-old security man, Ayuba Linus, in Keffi Prison for alleged negligent conduct.
Linus, a resident of Abacha Road, Mararaba, Nasarawa State, was dragged to court by Rachael Doda of the same address on a three-count charge of negligent conduct, housebreaking and theft.
The presiding officer, Vincent Gwehemba, ordered the remand of the accused and adjourned hearing in the case until May 5.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt. Stephen Kwaza, told the court that on April 22, the defendant allowed unknown persons now at large to break into the complainant’s flat.
Kwaza said that the unknown persons made away with some electronic items.
Ondo
An Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State, has
granted a 25-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Bayo Ikudaisi, N50,000 bail for alleged dangerous riding.
The magistrate, Mr Banji Ayeomoni, also asked the accused to produce two sureties in like sums and evidence of two years’ tax clearance.
Ikudaisi, of no fixed address, had pleaded not guilty to a three- count charge of dangerous driving, driving without driver’s licence and driving unregistered motorcycle popularly called ‘Okada’ on a public highway levelled against him.
The prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, had told the court that the accused on March 23 at about 3:00 p.m., along Okitipupa-Igbokoda Road rode on an unregistered Qlink motorcycle in a dangerous manner.
Oyo
The Wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has said
that 2,500 women will receive free screening for cancer, diabetes, blood pressure and malaria through her Pet Project, “Future Assumed’’, in Ibadan on Thursday.
Buhari made the disclosure in Ibadan, when she visited Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Salisu Adetunji, in his palace.
She said that the screening had become necessary as it would enable them to know their health status early and improve their health.
She said breast and cervical cancer, blood pressure, diabetes and malaria were major killer diseases across the globe and could be prevented or managed through regular check-ups.
Plateau
The Plateau House of Assembly has extended the tenure of
the Chairmen of Management Committees of the 17 local government areas of the state.
This followed a motion moved at plenary session by the Majority Leader of House and the member representing Shendam constituency, Mr Henry Yenkwap.
Our correspondent, reports that the management committee chairmen, who were appointed in July 2015, have spent over eight months in office.
Our correspondent also reports that the incumbent chairmen were appointed after those elected during the former PDP-led administration were ousted by Governor Simon Lalong.
Contributing to the motion, the member representing Mikkang constituency, Mr Na’anlong Daniel, urged the House to ensure that the management committee chairmen were accountable.
Sokoto
The Sokoto State Government and UNICEF have signed a
N2.09 billion agreement on a Joint Annual Work Plan in six key areas in the health sector.
Details of the plan, to be executed in 2016, indicated that the agreement would cover health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and hygiene.
The plan is also expected to accelerate the realization of women and children’s rights to survive, develop, and participate in all activities toward progress and prosperity
According to a statement signed by Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s spokesman, Imam Imam, the state government will contribute N1.083 billion, while UNICEF will provide N 1.006 billion.
Yobe
A Gusau Magistrates’ Court has ordered for the remand of
one Yusuf Rabiu of Nasarawa, Damba Area, Gusau, for allegedly raping a married woman, Hassana Ibrahim of the same address.
Though the accused pleaded not guilty, the Magistrate, Alhaji Umar Abdulnasir, ordered that he should be remanded in prison custody.
The case was adjourned till May 11, for further mention.
The Prosecutor, Sgt. Lawal Isah, had told the court that on April 4, while the complainant’s husband, Ibrahim Isah was away, the accused, armed with knife, flashed torchlight on the complainant’s face.
Isah said that the accused attacked and raped the complainant and also stole her cell phone, valued at N5,000 and escaped.
Zamfara
The Zamfara State office of the National Drug Law and En
forcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 63 suspects and confiscated 130.2 kolgrammes (kgs) of various illicit drugs in the first quarter of 2016.
Its commander, Mr Thomas Ejim, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the arrests of some suspected drug traffickers in Gusau.
Ejim said that the drugs found on them included 24.15kgs of cannabis sativa and 106kgs of various types of psychotropic substances.
According to him, 47 out of the 63 suspects arrested are being counseled by the command while 14 suspects had been convicted.
Nation
Over 26,000 Lagos Students Failed 2024 WASSCE -Commissioner
The Lagos State Government has disclosed that 26,592 public school students failed the 2024 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, raising alarm across the state’s education sector.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, during a ministerial press briefing yesterday in Alausa, Ikeja, said that “45.7 per cent of the 58,188 students from public schools who sat for the exams did not pass.”.
This failure rate comes despite the state government’s significant financial backing N1.577 billion was paid on behalf of the students to cover WAEC fees.
“Suffice to say that the sum of N1,577,794,000 only was paid by the state government as examination fees for 58,188 students who were captured for the year 2024 WASSCE,” Alli-Balogun announced.
In a bid to tighten accountability and avoid wastage, the Commissioner disclosed that biometric and image registration was carried out to accurately determine eligible students for government sponsorship for the 2025 WASSCE.
“The exercise successfully captured and registered 56,134 students as bona fide beneficiaries of the Lagos state government’s sponsorship for the examination,” he added.
However, the Lagos State Government rolled out a bold educational intervention – the Eko Learners’ Support Programme for WASSCE and NECO candidates – aimed at reversing the tide of academic failure in the state’s public schools.
Launched on January 14, 2025, the initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to equip Lagos students with tools for success.
“This forward-thinking initiative was designed to support and empower young scholars in attestation of the ministry’s commitment to advancing interest and management of the educational system in Lagos State,” Alli-Balogun stated.
Nation
Ekiti Vaccinates Over 226,000 Girls Against HPV
Ekiti State Government says it has vaccinated 226,429 eligible girls in the State against the Human Papilloma Virus, an infection believed to be a leading cause of cervical cancer.
The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, said the HPV immunization exercise, which she flagged off in the State in May 2025 was a great success, noting that it reached targeted communities and protected children against cervical cancer.
The governor’s wife made the disclosure in Ado Ekiti yesterday during a one-day stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting on the introduction of Measles Rubella vaccines in Ekiti State.
She said, “The introduction of Measles Rubella Vaccines is a very crucial step towards protecting Ekiti children particularly the target age group of nine to 14 years from diseases.
“I urge all women in the State to regularly scan their breasts. This can be done with the aid of the Mammography machine which is available at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti”.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, noted that the Measles Rubella vaccines would be rolled out nationally in October, 2025.
Filani said that the State was taking proactive steps to sensitise residents of the State before the date to ensure adequate awareness on the vaccines by citizens.
Nation
Monarch Preaches Peace As He Unveils Palace

The Acting Ochimba of Ogida in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam, says peace remains paramount in the socio-economic development of Etche land.
Eze Azuatalam, however, called on his people to embrace and eschew violence at all times.
The Onwa Nagbara Oha made the call during the official commissioning of his palace at Ogida recently.
The epoch-making ceremony held at his palace saw the attendance of members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs; the academia; the political class; the clergy ; women as well relevant stakeholders within and outside Etche land.
The Ngbaragida of Azuafor re-emphasised the essence of peace and social harmony which he said open the window for meaningful development to take place.
He also sought the support and collaboration of his people to achieve the desired goals of development, progress and prosperity.
He noted that the peace being witnessed in the area must be sustained through collective effort, saying, contributions and sacrifices need to be made by all concerned to live in peace.
Eze Azuatalam said his aim towards building a better Ogida cannot be compromised as he and his people have no other place called home.
The Acting Ochimba said as part of efforts to build a better Ogida, he has instituted a number of development projects, adding that some of his kinsmen have been empowered through his hard-earned money and resources, saying, he will continue to assist the less- privileged around him.
He reaffirmed his desire to impact positively on the lives of his people as the engagement of the youths will help to reduce social vices in the area.
He thanked members of the Etche Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs for honouring his invitation.
He specifically thanked the Onyi Ishi Etche and Ochie of Etcheland, His Eminence E mmanuel Opurum for leading Etche on the path of prosperity, and described the revered King as a role model to the younger generation.
He said his fatherly role has been a source of hope and inspiration to his subjects.
The palace was unveiled by His Eminence with the assistance of Ochimba of Abara, Eze Jonah Nwala and other prominent Etche traditional rulers and chiefs while the Onyi Ishi Etche was represented by Eze Ken Nwala, Onyi Ishi Agwuru, Ulakwo/ Umuselem Clan.
The Onyi Ishi Etche urged other prominent sons of Etche to emulate the kind gesture of Eze Ndudiri Azuatalam as his magnanimity is being seen and appreciated by his people.
Eze Azuatalam also applauded the efforts of Prof Mekuri Ndimele, former Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education in the growth of Etche land.
According to him, during Ndimele’ s tenure, a lot of development projects were sited at the institution, including the development of Etcheland and empowerment of Etche people.
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