Nation
THE STATES

Adamawa
The Adamawa State Government has set up a committee to reintegrate Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) returning to various communities in the state.
Deputy Director, Ministry of Women Affairs, Adamawa State Mrs Regina Vincent, told newsmen in an interview last Tuesday in Abuja.
Vincent, said that the committee would ensure that the returnees were properly treated to enable them cope with the challenges of life in the larger society.
She said that government was conscious of its responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of IDPs as they move back to larger society.
“Those that intend to leave the camp and settle with host communities remain our priority, because they have nothing and nowhere to go; there is a plan to shift them to other camps and settle them there.
Bauchi
The Nigerian Army, last Tuesday said it had cleared kidnappers’ camps in Toro and Ningi Local Government Areas of Bauchi State.
It disclosed this in a statement signed by Maj. Joseph Afolasade, Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 33 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Bauchi State, and made available to newsmen.
Afolasade said, a detachment of soldiers from the 135 Battalion of the Brigade in Bauchi flushed out the kidnappers from their hideouts on May 14.
He said, the troops were deployed under an operation code-named ‘Operation Harbin Kunama II’ to clear the notorious camps in Lame, Burra, Dangarfa and Dangardo forests in the state.
The spokesman said that the soldiers had earlier averted an attempt by the suspected kidnappers to escape, adding that, one Ado Ahmed, 20, was arrested.
Benue
The Benue State Police Command, recently arraigned one Benedict Kum, 31, before a Makurdi Magistrate’s Court over alleged criminal conspiracy, armed robber and rape.
The Police prosecutor, Veronica Shaagee, told the court that one Helen Iorbee, who resides behind Oxnet Water, Akpehe, Logo II, Makurdi reported the case at ‘E’ Division Police Station, Makurdi, on May 10.
Shaagee alleged that Kum, also of the same address, conspired with one other person, now at large, to rob and rape the complainant.
“They broke into my house, robbed me, took my Itel phone valued at N24,000 and N17,000 cash, before one of them raped me,’’ Iorbee was quoted as telling the police.
The prosecutor further said that the accused, who was arrested during police investigation, voluntarily confessed to the crime.
Ekiti
An Ado-Ekiti Customary Court last Tuesday dissolved the 10-year-old marriage between Mr Ilori Ayotunde and his wife, Yetunde.
Ilori sought dissolution of the marriage on grounds of adultery, “no rest of mind and lack of care for him.’’
The 35-year-old furniture maker told the court on oath that the respondent was fond of having secret affairs with different men while she was living in his house.
The father of two children told the court that the behaviour of the respondent did not give him peace of mind, whenever he thought of her actions.
FCT
Director of Stroke Action Group, Dr Biodun Ogungbo, last Tuesday advised Nigerians on regular check-up of their blood pressure to avoid silent death.
Ogungbo, gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, ahead of the World Hypertension Day scheduled for May 17, with the theme “Know your Number”.
“Sadly, many are not aware about this silent killer in our midst. Those who are also often do not take it seriously.
“This is why millions of people are literally walking time bombs because of their high blood pressure.
“If it remains untreated, this can cause a heart attack, stroke or kidney disease,” he said.
Ogungbo, said hypertension had ranked first and described as the medical illness most frequently diagnosed in elderly person.
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Emergency Nutrition Action Plan (KADENAP), has commenced train-the-trainer programme to eradicate malnutrition in the state, an official has said.
Hajiya Ummi El-Rufa’i, wife to Governor Nasiru El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State, disclosed this at the flag-off of the training programme for some selected health personnel in Zaria.
Report that the training is entitled: “Training on Community Management of Acute Malnutrition: Training of Trainers (TOT)”.
The governor’s wife, who was represented by Alhaji Shehu Usman-Muhammad, a member of KADENAP, said the workshop was aimed at improving the quality of health workers’ service in the management of malnutrition.
“It is specifically organised to train-the-trainers for them to train others in their various local governments and zones.
“It provides an opportunity to bring participants together from all over the state and best 20 will be selected to become trainers in the management of malnutrition in primary and secondary facilities,” she said.
Katsina
The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar Farouk, has commended the Federal Government for sustaining provision of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Farouk made the commendation in Daura last Tuesday when he received the National Commissioner of refugee commission, Hajiya Sadiya Farouk in his palace.
He said the present administration deserved commendation because of its commitments and determination to alleviate the hardships of IDPs.
He also lauded the efforts of Katsina State Government in supporting and implementing Federal Government programmes, stressing that Governor Bello Masari
was committed to replicating the ideas and philosophy of President Muhammadu Buhari in the state.
The emir added that he would go round to interact with IDPs in his domain with a view to giving them a sense of belonging.
Kogi
Two policemen were killed by gunmen last Tuesday morning on Magongo-Okene road in Kogi State.
The gunmen also made away with the AK47 rifles of the policemen who were on duty during the attack.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, confirmed the killing.
Inalegwu, who described the killing as sad, said the fleeing gunmen would be tracked down and prosecuted.
The Administrator of Ogori-Mangogo Local Government Council in whose domain the incident took place, Mr Moses Akande, condemned the killing and described it as unfortunate .
He hoped that the police would arrest the killers and bring them to justice.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has opened the bid for the award of N8.6 billion contracts for construction of new school buildings.
Speaking during the opening of the bid on Tuesday in Lafia, Nasarawa SUBEB Chairman, Mohammed Dan-Azumi, said the process was in line with the law to ensure due process in the award of contracts.
Dan-Azumi, who was represented by Mr Freeman Kasa, a member of the board, promised to provide a level playing field for all the bidders to participate and ensure that due process was strictly adhered to.
“Even though this is my first interface with all the contractors since I assume office, I will ensure that due process is strictly adhered to and make sure there is no favouritism,” the chairman said.
Ondo
Two women, Basirat Abdullahi, 30, and Yemi Ebisola, 25, were last Tuesday arraigned in an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court, Ondo State, for alleged beating a couple because of N10,000 foodstuffs debt.
The prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the defendants on April 25, around 6:00 p.m. at No. 4, Bamidele St., Igbodigo, Okitipupa, unlawfully assaulted their debtors by beating them mercilessly.
Orogbemi said that the suspects, who came to collect the debt owed by the couple, Samuel Fafeyiwa and Bola Fafeyiwa, pushed Bola down from a staircase and she sustained various degrees of injuries.
Oyo
Some members of the Olubadan-in-Council have dissociated themselves from the decision of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji , to appoint Alhaja Iswat Ameringun as the new Iyaloja of Ibadan.
Report that, Chief Labake Lawal was removed as the Iyaloja and replaced by Ameringun.
Also reports that, Lawal had dragged the Olubadan and the council to court to seek nullification of her replacement.
But a statement issued on Monday and signed by two high chiefs, Lekan Balogun and Owolabi Olakulehin, dissociated themselves from the appointment of a new Iyaloja.
Zamfara
The Federal University, Gusau in Zamfara State, has rusticated 15 students and expelled two others over examination misconduct, The Tide sources reports.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Magaji Garbage, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen while inspecting ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination [UTME] in Gusau, lastTuesday.
He said that University Governing Board took the measure to serve as deterrent to other students who might indulge in examination malpractice.
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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