Ondo Among States With Lowest Poverty Level – FG

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December 24, 2025

By Ayodele Oni

The Federal Government has said that Ondo State ranks among the States with the lowest multidimensional poverty level in Nigeria.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro, disclosed this on Tuesday during a luncheon hosted by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for traditional rulers at the Government House Banquet Hall, Akure.

According to the minister, while Nigeria’s national poverty rate stands at 63 per cent, with about 30 per cent of the population classified as ultra-poor, Ondo State records a significantly lower poverty rate of 27.7 per cent.

Dr. Doro revealed that the Federal Government had commenced implementing targeted policies and programmes aimed at reducing poverty and empowering citizens to achieve resilience, independence and self-sufficiency.

He added that his ministry would work closely with the Ondo State Government to further drive down poverty levels in the state.

The minister stressed that collaboration with state and local governments remains central to the success of federal poverty-reduction initiatives.

In his address, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed appreciation to traditional rulers for their unwavering support, noting that their contributions have been instrumental to the peace, security and development of the state.

“The reason for bringing Kabiyesis to this gathering is to formally thank all of you. We appreciate what you have done and continue to do for our state, our people, and this government.”

He highlighted the importance of traditional institutions, noting that their endorsement during the last governorship election contributed significantly to his victory, which recorded 366,781 votes—the highest in Ondo State’s gubernatorial history.

“Your support ensured that the majority of voters in your domains cast their votes for us. A few did not, which is allowed in politics, but the majority voted because you stood by me,” he added.

Governor Aiyedatiwa also commended the monarchs for their role in maintaining peace and security, particularly in border communities, and for their cooperation with security agencies, which he said has helped make Ondo one of the safest states in the country.

He further appreciated religious leaders for their prayers and support, assuring that the state government remains stable and functional, with all arms working in harmony to prioritise the welfare and security of the people.

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Win Opener Against Tanzania

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Akinwale Kasali

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December 23, 2025

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Super Eagles of Nigeria has recorded a 2-1 win over the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in its opener at the ongoing African Cup of Nations, AFCON, Championship in Morocco.

The Super Eagles grouped alongside Tanzania, Carthage Eagles of Tunisia and the Cranes of Uganda is gunning for its fourth AFCON title, and started brightly with a Win over its East African rival.

Goals from Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Ademola Lookman in each half gave the three-time AFCON title winners the much needed victory.

The West African nation took the lead in the 34th minute from a corner kick to put its opponent on its toes.

Despite taking the lead, the Super Eagles pressed further for the second goal, but several chances went begging, with the Tanzanian Goalkeeper, Foba, denying Victor Osimhen Two scoring opportunities.

At the start of the second half, Osimhen scored a goal, but it was ruled offside.

Tanzanian midfielder, Charles M’Mobwa beat the offside trap to give his side the much needed equalizer.

Less than 10 minutes after Tanzania got its equalizer, a screamer from Ademola Lookman gave the Super Eagles the lead.

The Super Eagles made several attempts to get the third goal, but was denied.

Coach Eric Chelle started the match with Stanley Nwabali in goal, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Osayi-Samuel, and Zaidu Sanusi in defense.

Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman were in the midfield, while Akor Adams and Victor Osimhen led the attack.

With this Victory, the Super Eagles top the Group and will play Tunisia in four days time

Terrorism: Kano Inaugurates 2000-Strong Neighbourhood Watch

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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December 23, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf on Tuesday December 23, 2025, informed that the state is presently in talks with neighbouring States of Kaduna, Katsina, and Bauchi, for the formation of a strong cross-border intelligence sharing and joint border operations framework.

This is as he vowed not to yield any part of Kano to the rampaging terrorist elements operating within the Nort West region of Nigeria.

Governor Yusuf who spoke at the occasion of the formal inauguration of a 2000-strong Kano Neighbourhood Watch, noted that his administration is not only out to secure the people, but is committed to enthroning lasting peace in the commercial nerve centre of Northern region through the provision of employment opportunities for the youths.

The Source reports that the flag off of the local security outfit is coming on the heels of the unprecedented wave of insecurity that has swept through a significant part of the Kano North Senatorial District of the state of late.

Kano which had, before now, was almost, completely insulated from the dastardly operations of terrorists and other criminal elements, however, since about two months ago, been witnessing an orgy of violent attacks, kidnappings and killings in Shanono, Bagwai and Tsanyawa Local Councils of the State.

Much of the attacks are strongly believed to be launched by suspected terrorist elements from neighbouring Katsina state.

Addressing the newly recruited members of the Neighbourhood Watch on Tuesday, Governor Yusuf informed that the initiative is geared towards taking the fight to the den of terrorists.

According to him, while serving to tackle the scourge of insecurity, the outfit will, at the same time, be a veritable vehicle to enhancing employment opportunities in the State.

He charged members of the guard to leverage their training to confront the emerging security challenges in the State.

The Kano state Governor noted that the initiative represents a pragmatic approach towards professionalizing community security, while at the same time providing a dignifying means of livelihoods for the state’s youths

“We are not just celebrating your graduation, we are inugurating a new chapter in community security and reaffirming our commitment to youth empowerment.

“Lasting peace is built on security and opportunity . An idle mind is vulnerable ,but an engaged and employed youth is a fortress against crime”,Yusuf stated.

To encourage and motivate them, the security corps members, according to the Governor are to form part of the state’s public service.

He emphasized that the initiative also represents part of the wider employment drive among the youths of the State, coming on the heels of the recent engagement of several hundreds of Mathematics teachers and no fewer than 40,000 people under the BESDA initiative aimed at addressing yearning gaps in the education sector.

While appreciating the importance of the availability of credible intelligence gathering, vigilance and swift response to the modern security framework, Governor Yusuf informed that the Neighbourhood Watch will be working in concert with the conventional security agencies for the purpose of efficient delivery.

“No single agency can adequately secure Kano state. Effective security today demands cooperation ,and intelligence sharing .

“You are, therefore, urged to complement rather than duplicate the efforts of the conventional forces.

” On our part, we are in talks with neighbouring Katsina, Bauchi and Kaduna states to develop establish joint Border operations and shared intelligence frameworks to tackle cross-border banditry and criminal networks”, he added.

Gov. Aiyedatiwa Ends Tour, Rally Support For President Tinubu

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Ayodele Oni

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December 23, 2025

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By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressives Congress, (APC), has strengthened its base in Ondo State with the defection of key members of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party,(SDP) as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa concluded his Thank You on tour to 18 Local Government Areas of the state in Akure.

Defectors included Adekanmbi Oluwatuyi, a PDP member from Akure; Chief Falusi of the PDP from Akoko North-East; and Chief Kora Adebisi, an SDP member from Akoko North-West.

Others were Yusuf Lateef, who joined the APC alongside former 2016 local government officials, councillors, supervisors and advisers, as well as Ijanusi Olawale and his group from Akoko South-East.

However, the much touted defection of Agboola Ajayi, PDP governorship candidate during last year’s election did not take place.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Ebenezer Adeniyan stated that Governor Aiyedatiwa welcomed them into the party and urged them to work for the success of the APC in 2027.

The Governor also cautioned party members against internal rancour as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum.

He warned that infighting would weaken the party, stressing that party supremacy would determine those who would fly the APC’s flags in future elections, noting that the party remained one and indivisible.

Governor Aiyedatiwa further called on the people of the state to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027, describing the President as irreplaceable.

The Governor thanked residents of Akure South for their continued loyalty to the APC, recalling that the local government delivered the highest number of votes among the 18 local government areas in the November 16 governorship election.

He expressed appreciation for the mandate given to him and his deputy, describing the support as decisive to the party’s victory.

Earlier, the state APC Vice Chairman, Atili Ikoto Agabra, said the party had no room for “joiners or partners,” stressing that relevance within the APC would be determined strictly by members’ contributions and commitment.

He urged the new members to work for the party at all levels and demonstrate loyalty through consistent participation in party activities

PDP Loses Two Rivers Senators To APC

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Adesina Soyooye

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December 23, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

Same day six Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Members of the House of Representatives dumped the Party for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, two Rivers Senators toed the same line.

Senators Allwell Onyesoh and Mpigi Barinada, representing Rivers South-east and Rivers South-west respectively on Tuesday, during plenary, dumped the PDP by handing over their defection letters to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who read it at plenary.

Their defection leaves only Dr. Ipalibo Banigo, Rivers State as the only PDP Senator from the State. She was Deputy Governor under Nyesom Wike when Wike was Governor of Rivers State.

16 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly had earlier defected from the PDP to the APC. Governor Siminalayi Fubara followed a couple of days later.

Edo: Police Command Decries High Rate Of Missing Corpses, Human Organs

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Ayodele Oni

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December 23, 2025

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Monday Agbonika - Commissioner of Police Edo State

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Police Command has expressed concern over high rate of missing organs and corpses in mortuaries in the state.

Speaking on the current issues of missing corpses and alleged organ harvesting in the state, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, warned the perpetrators to desist from it or be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.

“Permit me to use this opportunity to issue a strong warning against the disturbing trend of disappearance of corpses from some morgues within Edo State.

“Such acts are criminal, inhuman, a callous and gross violation of the sensitivity of the bereaved, and I assure the public that anyone found culpable will face the full weight of the law without exception.

“I also advise families and those in need of mortuary services to patronize government-owned mortuaries where proper oversight and accountability are guaranteed.”

Speaking on some feats achieved by the command in the outgoing year, the police Boss revealed that a total of 821 suspects have been nabbed by operatives of the command for various criminal offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes between January and December 2025.

A breakdown of the 821 suspects is as follows: 39 for armed robbery, 171 for kidnapping, 117 for murder, 62 for rape/sexual offences, 239 for cultism, 36 for unlawful possession of firearms, and 157 for other unspecified offences.

In addition, operatives of the Command secured the release of 377 kidnapped victims, recovered 11 stolen vehicles, and seized 188 rounds of ammunition of different calibres.

Agbonika stated that the achievements were made possible through robust inter-agency collaboration involving the Nigerian Army Mechanised 4 Brigade, the NAF 107 Air Maritime Group, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), forest guards, local vigilante groups, and hunters.

“This joint approach underscores our collective resolve to confront and decisively neutralise security threats in the state.

“As we celebrate the Christmas season and prepare for the New Year, I wish the good people of Edo State a peaceful, safe, and prosperous festive period.

“I urge everyone to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and cooperative with security agencies,” Agbonika stated.

20 Persons Rescued, Chief Engr. Missing As Fire Guts Navy Vessel

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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December 23, 2025

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Nigerian Navy on Tuesday December 23, 2025, announced the rescue of no fewer than 20 crew members aboard one of its vessels which was gutted by fire along the Calabar Channel.

But the Chief Engineer who was said to have jumped overboard out of fear of being engulfed by the raging inferno is, however, said to be still missing.

A statement from the Base Operations Officer in Calabar, Lt. Commander Kelechi Ahunaya, informed that the ill-fated vessel, a Motor Vessel MV Chimba Express enroute from Gabon to Calabar was carrying 21 persons, including 14 Nigerians ,and seven Cameroonians as at the time of the incident.

According to him, 20 persons were rescued, while one person – the Chief Engineer of the Vessel is still unaccounted for.

The Vessel was said to be laden with scrap materials and other logistical items.

The intervention of the Naval Base ,Ahunanya noted followed the receipt of a distress call at about 13 hours on Monday.

“On arrival, a thick smoke was observed emanating from the Vessel, prompting immediate rescue operations.

“Crew members who had abandoned ship, as well as those stranded on deck, were rescued using life buoys. Twenty crew members were successfully rescued and administered first aid”, he added.

The Base Operations Commander, however, assured that the Base in concert with personnel from Forward Operating Base ,IBAKA ,and Navy Security Station 030 House boat have intensified efforts to locate and rescue the missing chief engineer who he said jumped overboard owing to fear of an explosion.

“When I Made My First One Million US Dollars, Wike Was Just Passing Out From Law School” – Gov Makinde

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Adesina Soyooye

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December 23, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has mocked the much touted wealth usually associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Wike, since the end of his two-term tenure as the Governor of Rivers State, has always been touted as one of the richest politicians in Nigeria, and allegedly, one of the richest of President Bola Tinubu’s Ministers; the one who drives around in Rolls Royce in his State, atimes.

But Makinde is not moved by that.

At a televised Media Chat at Government House, Ibadan on Tuesday, December 23, 2024, Makinde declared that at the time he made his first one million US Dollars, Wike was just coming out of the Nigerian Law School. He said he made the one million dollars in 1997, at the age of 29 years, only. The FCT Minister graduated from the Law School in 1997.

On how he managed to make that huge amount of money at such a young age, Makinde explained that it was from the first major contract he secured form Mobil.

Makinde: “This is the first contract that Mobil awarded to Makun. Within that one year, I made $1 million. I was 29 years old in 1997, and perhaps at that time, he (Wike) had just left law school.”

The Governor, an Engineer, was born on December 25, 1967. He founded Makon Engineering and Technical Services Limited (METS) in 1997 after having worked for sometime in the oil and gas sector.

By this public disclosure, Makinde seems to be saying, indirectly, that unlike Wike, he had long made his money before he became a politician.

Six Rivers State PDP House Of Reps. Members Dump Party, Defect To APC

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Adesina Soyooye

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December 23, 2025

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By Adesina Soyooye

The political drama unfolding in Rivers State continued Tuesday, December 23, when six Peoples Democratic Party members in the House of Representatives dumped the Party and defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Those who defected are, allegedly, political allies of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. They are Honourables Solomon Bob, Victor Obuzor, Dumnamene Dekor, Cyril Hart, Blessing Amadi and Felix Nwaeke. Incidentally, the most loyal of the Rivers House of Representatives Members, who is also the Minority Leader in the House Honourable Kingsley Chinda did not defect.

The defectors followed the footsteps of 16 Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who, a couple of weeks ago, defected from the PDP to the APC. A few days later, the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara defected also, and was quickly declared the leader of the Party in the State.

It is not yet known how the game will play out. Will Wike decamp to the APC? Or, as is being alleged, encouraging his loyalists to defect to the APC in order to checkmate Fubara

Yuletide Traffic: LASG Directs Communities With Gated Streets To Open Them

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James Orji

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December 23, 2025

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The Lagos State Government has ordered the opening of all gated streets in the state from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. to alleviate traffic across the state during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The government issued the directive in a statement sighed on Tuesday by the State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi.

The state usually witnesses severe vehicular traffic during the celebrations due to the many activities that are earmarked by residents during the period.

The state government, however, directed the communities in the state to ensure that all gated streets are opened to allow for free-flow of traffic.

The Babajide Sanwo -olu administration also warns owners of gates and other structures erected on public roads without approval from the Ministry of Transportation to remove them within a week.

Part of the statement: “The Lagos State Government has directed communities operating gated streets to ensure that such gates are opened daily from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. during the festive period to ease traffic flow across the State. heads?

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“The Government also called on owners of gates and structures erected on public roads without prior approval from the Ministry of Transportation to remove them within seven (7) days of this notice.

“According to the Ministry of Transportation, this directive is in line with established State guidelines and aligns with the THEMES+ Agenda of the current administration, which prioritises the free flow of traffic, safety of lives and property, and the enhancement of ease of doing business in Lagos State.”