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The Gombe State recorded no fewer than 54 deaths from snakebites in 2025, the State Epidemiologist, Dr Nuhu Bile, revealed on Tuesday.Bile stated this in Gombe during the State Public Health Emergency Management Committee meeting in the state. The meeting, supported by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, was chaired by the State Deputy Governor, Mr Manassah Jatau, who is the Chairman of the PHEMC in the state. Bile, while giving the summary of surveillance activities in 2025, said that in the year under review, 1591 cases of snake bite were presented at the snake bite Hospital in Kaltungo. He said that the 54 deaths recorded represented 3.4 per cent of the cases, while others were treated and discharged. According to him, the 1591 cases recorded in 2025...

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has declared that it will investigate a petition lodged against the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, by the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote.Dangote, in a petition submitted on December 16, 2025, through his lawyer, Ogwu Onoja (SAN), called on the ICPC to investigate, prosecute, and potentially arrest Ahmed over allegations of corruption and financial impropriety.The petition claims that Ahmed spent more than $5m on the education of his four children in Switzerland, reportedly paid upfront for a six-year period, without any lawful source of income to justify such expenditure. That Engr Farouk Ahmed has grossly abused his office co...

The House of Representatives on Tuesday disclosed plans to step into detained Nigeria aircraft and personnel in Burkina Faso.The legislators will be meeting with senior government officials in the Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs over the development.The decision of the House to intervene followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by an Ekiti lawmaker, Mr Rufus Ojuawo. The lawmakers urged the President Bola Tinubu-led government to make use of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and African Union frameworks to facilitate cooperation, mutual understanding and the expeditious clearance of the aircraft and detained military personnel. They also urged the Office of the National Security Adviser to coordinate inter-agency communication...

The Senate Tuesday approved the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) submitted by President Bola Tinubu.The is sequel to the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly.In approving the framework, the Senate reduced the crude oil benchmark price for 2026 to $60 per barrel, down from the $64.85 earlier proposed by the executive, while fixing benchmarks at $65 and $70 per barrel for 2027 and 2028, respectively.The Upper Chamber said the adjustment was necessitated by heightened geopolitical tensions in Europe and the Middle East, as well as the volatility of international oil prices. The approval followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by...

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has expressed deep sorrow and devastation over the tragic fire outbreak that gutted a section of the main Timber Market (Kasuwar Katako) along the Railway Station in Gombe. The fire incident which occurred around 08:00pm on Monday, destroyed shops, goods and means of livelihood of many traders and business owners. The Governor described the incident as painful and distressing, noting that the scale of destruction is a huge setback to hardworking men and women who depend on the market for their daily sustenance. He extended his heartfelt sympathy to affected shop owners, traders and all individuals who suffered losses as a result of the inferno, assuring them that the Government stands firmly with them at this difficult moment. Mea...

The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has denied a media report claiming that it lost funding from the United States and scaled down its operations. PPDC, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, described the report as misleading and factually inaccurate. The organisation said it had not lost U.S. funding and was currently implementing two justice-sector reform projects funded by the people of the United States through the U.S. Government. The projects are the Reforming Pre-Trial Detention in Nigeria (RPDN) Phase II and the Court Administration and Case Management (CACM) project. According to PPDC, both projects are active and delivering measurable impact across several states in Nigeria. It said its U.S.-supported programmes had contributed to justice delivery...

By Victor Okoye The I-Tree International Group of Schools, Ilorin recently hosted a colourful Fruits and Vegetable day to promote healthy living among primary and secondary school students. The event which held on Thursday, 11th, 2025, featured vibrant fruit and vegetable displays, practical sessions, presentations, and creative activities, drawing students, teachers, parents and guests in a lively, educative atmosphere. Mrs. Evelyn Balogun, Executive Director of the school, said the initiative aimed to encourage regular consumption of fruits and vegetables for healthier lifestyles. Balogun explained that the programme was added to the school calendar to round off first-term activities while reinforcing lessons on balanced diets and nutrition awareness. She said students’ a...

The launch of children books, titled: “Rise of Phoenix and Mariamo and the bowl of cashews ” by Mrs Teresa Ameh on Monday in Abuja. By Jacinta Nwachukwu Mrs Teresa Ameh, an accomplished author of children’s books, has urged parents to encourage reading habit among their children. Ameh said that this would boost their confidence while interacting with others. She gave the advice at the launch of her 9th and 10th books entitled: “The Rise of the Phoenix and Mariamo and the Bowl of Cashews’’ in Abuja on Monday. Ameh, who is also a civil servant with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), said children who don’t read, grow up to becoming adults who don’t read. She said there were adults who could not express themselves in p...

  By Collins Yakubu-Hammer The Federal Government has tasked the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria ( CIPPON) on collaboration with public and private sector to drive growth and innovation for the benefit of the country. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, gave the charge during the inauguration of the new President and Members of Governing Council of the Institute in Abuja on Monday. The minister was represented  at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry,  Mr Chinasa Ogbodo. According to him, the composition of the Institute’s governing council members reflects confidence in their professionalism, integrity and capacity to advance the standards of the printing profession. He noted that...

By Victor Okoye Abuja, Dec. 6, 2025 (NAN)The TYB-IGRCC, Abuja, buzzed on Saturday as golfers stormed the fairways for the end-of-tenure kitty celebrating Maj.-Gen. S.S. Jiya, immediate past captain. With pride, precision, and bragging rights on the line, players teed off confidently, determined to post impressive scores and cap the season with memorable performances. The course proved demanding, delivering moments of brilliance and frustration as changing conditions tested skill, patience, and tactical judgment throughout the keenly contested rounds. As play progressed, tension mounted with tight scores, ensuring every swing counted and composure became as vital as consistency. At the end, Engr. John Uche emerged champion. Playing off handicap 15, he returned a gross 74...

By NAN The ceremony, originally scheduled to hold at the Senate Building of the National Assembly Complex, was relocated to the Federal Secretariat Phase 1 Hall, Abuja, due to unforeseen circumstances. At the event, 10 distinguished practitioners were honoured with the ranks of Senior Counsel of Nigeria (SCN) and Senior Legislative Counsel of Nigeria (SELCON). The awardees included Chief Dr. Amb. Ebosetale David Aigbefoh, Esq.; Dr. Grace Dafiel; Henry I. Chinkere-Nwogu, Esq.; Mrs. Adetoun Simisola Akwarandu, Esq.; Ahassan Ifzal Mughal, Esq.; Timothy Tersugh Ahua, Esq.; Prince Dr. Ebere Uwama Nwokoro; and Rt. Hon. David Iohermba Chief Finan Ndukwu, Esq., among others. The Blue Silks rank is conferred pursuant to Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nig...

The Tangale Community Overseas (TCO) has thrown it's full support to Dr Musa Idris Maiyamba as the rightful Mai Tangle amidst years of intense succession dispute of the royal throne. The TCO, a strong socio-cultural pressure group of the Tangale speaking people of Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State, in a statement sent to our Correspondent in Gombe by it's Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr Eli Ibrahim Kerek, insisted that the Tangale people have the right to determine their leadership according to their culture and traditions. According to the statement, the Court of Appeal in Maiduguri had recently ruled in favour of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s disputed position on the chieftaincy tussle. It said,, the dispute stems from Governor Yahaya’s refusal to appoint Dr. Maiyamba, ...

By Victor Okoye Abuja, Dec. 15, 2025 (NAN) Dame Julie Okah-Donli, OON, has expressed deep sorrow over the sudden and tragic death of Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, describing the loss as devastating to the state and the nation. In a condolence message issued on Monday, Okah-Donli said she stood in solidarity with the people and government of Bayelsa State at a time of profound grief. “On behalf of the Okah-Donli family, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the late Deputy Governor, the Government of Bayelsa State, and all Bayelsans mourning this painful loss,” she said. She described the late Ewhrudjakpo as a calm, dignified, and committed leader whose contributions to governance and public service would remain indelible. “H...

The Foundation for Community Empowerment Initiative FOCEI has expressed determination to join forces with stakeholders aimed at ending the culture of silence exhibited by victims and relatives of persons who suffer Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Gombe State. A baseline survey by FOCEI in Liji and Zambuk communities, all in Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, has indicated that there is poor knowledge, attitude and practices on issues relating to the GBV. From the report, there is an unhealthy culture of GBV, particularly, the attitude of silence exhibited by victims and their relatives whenever there is an occurrence. In most cases, these violations leaves victims or survivors traumatized and thus, negatively affecting the society in many ways. Mr Benjamin Maina, i...

The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Sunday called for the investigation of the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Farouk Ahmed, over the alleged payment of about $5m for the secondary school education of his four children in Switzerland.Dangote said Ahmed must appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal to explain to Nigerians the source of his money.The business mogul also accused the boss of NMDPRA of economic sabotage.A similar allegation was dismissed in July by Ahmed, describing them as an orchestrated smear campaign based on false allegations against Ahmed and its leadership. Revisiting the allegation during a press briefing at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lekki, Lagos, Dangote spoke extensivel...

The police have arrested a mortuary attendant in the Upper Sakponba area of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State over an allegation of missing vital organs from a corpse kept at Akugbe Mortuary.A member of the family and friends had raised an alarm accusing the mortuary attendant of harvesting organs from the body. Relatives of the deceased were said to have raised the alarm when they arrived at the mortuary on Friday to collect the body for burial and allegedly discovered that some vital organs were missing. An eyewitness, Osaro Ivie, described the scene as chaotic, saying tempers flared after family members accused the attendant of engaging in ritual practices. “The relatives claimed that the chest cavity of the deceased had been emptied and stuffed with nylon,” I...

Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has commenced investigation into an incident involving a Hawker 800XP aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-ISB at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano State. The aircraft, operated by Flybird Aircraft Management Services Limited, departed Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for Kano on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at approximately 09:20 am. Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, in a statement, said while the nose gear collapsed during landing, all eight persons on board disembarked safely. Oladeji stated: “During the approach phase into Kano, the flight crew reported a landing gear indication anomaly and requested multiple low passes over the runway to allow air traffic ...

The Federal Government has henceforth banned the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three in both public and private secondary schools across Nigeria. The directive was issued on Sunday by the Federal Ministry of Education in a press release dated December 14, 2025 and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Boriowo Folasade. It was stated that the decision was taken following “growing concerns over the increasing incidence of examination malpractice, including the use of so-called special centres during external examinations.” The statement noted that such practices “undermine the integrity and credibility of Nigeria’s education system.” The ministry disclosed that the policy would take effect from the 2026/2027 academic session....

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday called on West African leaders to work together to contain insecurity and military incursion in the region, citing the recent coup attempt in the Benin Republic and renewed instability in Guinea-Bissau. Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, spoke when he gave the opening address at the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government at the State House, Abuja. “The external threats confronting West Africa today demand nothing less than a united front, terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes of government, transnational organised crime, arms for liberation, cyber insecurity, climate shocks, food insecurity and irregular migration,” said Tinubu. He framed the moment as an existential test for the b...

By Genesis Ogiri In a milestone for global energy scholarship, the governing council of Castle Park University, USA, has formally conferred the rank of Professor of Energy Policy and Management on Dr. Chinedu Ogwus, Ph.D, effective December 13, 2025. The promotion highlights his sustained academic distinction, transformative contributions to energy governance, sustainable development, and policy innovation, and underscores the University’s commitment to nurturing scholars whose work shapes national and international energy discourse. The University emphasized that Prof. Ogwus’ elevation represents both individual achievement and institutional distinction, reinforcing its commitment to research excellence, policy-oriented education, and sustainable energy solutions, and further c...