NIGERIA NEWS
UTA set to expand footprint in Nigeria, opens Benue State office
Our Reporter
The United Towns Agency for North South Cooperation (UTA), a United Nations affiliated international non-governmental organization dedicated to sustainable development, education, and community empowerment, is proud to announce the opening of its Benue State coordinating office.
This was announced by the Country President of UTA, Amb. Abigail Amalaha during the official handover of letter of Authority to the Benue state coordinator, Mr Shaala Ukaa. The event took place on Tuesday, 9th of December 2025 at the corporate office of UTA in Abuja.
With the mandate, Mr Ukaa will oversee and coordinate the affairs of the organisation in the state in line with the objectives of the international NGO.
While presenting the letter, the Country President urged the Coordinator to take advantage of his experience as a grassroots person to bring succour to the people of Benue state, especially the rural dwellers who have been victims of incessant banditry attack and insecurity.
Amalaha further stated that this strategic expansion marks a significant milestone in UTA mission to foster inclusive growth and grassroots impact across the country.
According to the Country-President, “We are thrilled to bring UTA vision and values to Benue State. This new office reflects our long-term commitment to working hand-in-hand with communities to create sustainable change, especially in areas where our support can unlock untapped potentials.
Benue State, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” offers a fertile ground for UTA’s agricultural innovation and rural development initiatives’’.
In his response, the state coordinator affirmed his commitment to the novel initiatives and humanitarian activities of UTA. He explained that the state office will soon roll out programs and activities that will support small holder farmers, promote climate-smart agriculture, and enhance food security, while also investing in education and vocational training for youth and women.
The new office will serve as the state hub for UTA programs in agriculture, youth empowerment, education, and health, with a strong focus on community-led development and capacity building.
By establishing a permanent presence in Benue State, UTA aims to deepen its partnerships with local stakeholders, government agencies, and civil society organizations to deliver tailored solutions that address the unique challenges and opportunities within the region.
The date for the official inauguration of the state office will be announced soon. The event will witness the presence of prominent sons and daughters of Benue state, friends of the state, traditional leaders, development partners, and members of the press. The event will also feature cultural performance and roundtable discussion on collaborative development strategies for the state.
With this expansion, UTA reaffirms its dedication to empowering communities, amplifying local voices, and building a more equitable future for all.
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, is dead.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State announced the development in a statement on Thursday night.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Ewhrudjakpo slumped on Thursday afternoon while he was working in his office, and was immediately rushed to a hospital in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Mr Abiodun, who is also the chairperson of Southern Governors’ Forum, said in the statement that Mr Ewhrudjakpo died at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, where he was rushed to after he slumped on Thursday afternoon.
“I received news of the demise of the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, with deep sorrow.
“The incident came as a profound shock to all of us, but we submit to the will of the Almighty God, who has chosen to call him home at this time,” the Ogun governor said.
He commiserated with the Governor of Bayelsa State, Duoye Diri, the people of the state and the deputy governor’s family and friends over the incident.
“No doubt, Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole have lost a gem, but we shall take comfort in the knowledge that he lived a life of service to humanity and made profound change in the lives of people,” he said.
PDP confirms death
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also confirmed the death of Mr Ewhrudjakpo, who is a member of the party.
In a statement on Thursday night, the national spokesperson for the PDP, Ini Ememobong, described the death of the deputy governor as “devastating and an inexplicable loss.”
“This devastating news has left the National Working Committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, and indeed the entire membership of our great party, especially our faithful members in Bayelsa State, in profound grief,” Mr Ememobong said.
The PDP spokesperson said Mr Ewhrudjakpo was “a faithful party man” and “consistent politician” who believed in and practised politics with principle.
Mr Ewhrudjakpo chose to remain in the PDP, when his boss, Governor Diri, dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month. Mr Ewhrudjakpo’s decision to break with the governor and his camp on the defection fuelled speculations of a plot to remove him from office and replace him with a compliant candidate that will share the same party with the governor.
PDP, on Thursday, described Mr Ewhrudjakpo as a hero of political integrity and expressed regrets over his death.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of this hero of political integrity, and we pray that God grants his soul eternal rest,” he stated.
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Bayelsa govt remains silent
The Bayelsa State Government has yet to speak on the death of the deputy governor.
The Commissioner for Information in the state, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, did not respond when contacted by PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday night.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has concluded the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Ogun State, recording a total of 85,739 new registrations as of December 5, 2025.
The figure includes 57,598 completed online pre-registrations and 28,141 physical registrations, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Ogun State, Mrs. Feyijimi Saseyi, disclosed on Thursday.
Mrs. Saseyi stated that the exercise began on August 18 and 25, 2025, for online and physical registrations, respectively, and concluded on December 10.
She added that the second phase of the CVR exercise is scheduled to commence on January 5, 2026.
She further announced that the voter register will be displayed at INEC offices across the state’s 20 local government areas from Monday, December 15, to Sunday, December 31, to allow for claims and objections in line with Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022.
According to Mrs. Saseyi, this display phase enables eligible citizens to verify their information, report errors, and identify ineligible or deceased persons, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the voters’ register.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions of abandoning their core responsibilities and converting the anti-graft campaign into what he termed a “full-blown political witch-hunt.”
In a statement released by his media office and circulated by his adviser, Paul Ibe, on Thursday, Atiku cautioned that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other agencies risk losing public confidence unless they “purge themselves of partisan contamination.”
His remarks follow the arrest and continued detention of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Atiku argued “that the nation’s anti-corruption war is dangerously sliding off course and mutating into a brazen political witch-hunt.”
He claimed the EFCC is “straying far from the noble principles” on which it was founded, alleging that the agency is now “weaponising its powers to serve narrow political agendas.”
According to him, “The politicisation of corruption investigations has rendered the EFCC’s credibility suspect and rubbished the very ideals that inspired its establishment.”
He also condemned what he called a “selective pursuit” of opposition leaders like Malami, warning that such moves cast the EFCC as “an overzealous appendage” determined to entrench a one-party state.
Atiku said, “EFCC suddenly became hyperactive the moment the African Democratic Congress (ADC) emerged as an opposition force, launching coordinated attacks on key figures such as Malami and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, while conveniently ignoring glaring corruption cases involving allies of the ruling party.
“We expected the EFCC to voice its objection to the appointment of former governors with unresolved corruption allegations. But partisan loyalty prevailed over integrity.”
The former vice president also claimed that had Malami defected to the APC, “the EFCC would have left him untouched, even if he had looted the entire CBN vault.”
Atiku stressed that no responsible nation undermines the autonomy of its anti-corruption bodies in pursuit of political objectives. He urged EFCC leadership to insulate itself from partisan pressure, insisting that its institutional reputation must not be bartered “for the fleeting interests of any political party.”
The post ‘Political witch-hunt’ – Atiku condemns Malami’s arrest appeared first on Vanguard News.
As the 2026 governorship election draws nearer, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Osun State, on Thursday disclosed that the commission has officially ended the first phase of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise with a total of 209,110 completed registrations.
Public Relations Officer of the commission, Musa Olurode, Public Relations Officer, who made this known in a statement in Osogbo, charged the public to note that the figure recorded does not yet translate into validly registered voters.
According to him, the figure remains preliminary and subject to further verification and cleanup processes and “the Commission appreciates the cooperation of citizens, stakeholders, and community leaders who contributed to the smooth conduct of this phase.”
“In line with the approved schedule, the display of the preliminary register of voters will take place between 15th and 21st December 2025 across all registration centres in the state.
“This display period serves as an important opportunity for claims and objections, allowing registered voters to check and confirm their details on the register.
“Request corrections where necessary and raise objections where entries are incorrect or fraudulent.
“The Commission in the state under the leadership of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, encouraged all registered voters in Osun State to visit the INEC Local Government Area offices where they originally registered to verify their details during the display exercise.
“This step is crucial in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and credibility of the voters’ register ahead of future electoral activities.
“Furthermore, the Commission wishes to remind the public that the second phase of the Continuous Voters Registration will commence on Monday, 5th January 2026.
“All eligible citizens who were unable to register during the first phase are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.
“INEC Osun State remains committed to transparency, inclusiveness, and the strengthening of Nigeria’s electoral process, ” he said.
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The Ogun State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, says it has arrested two suspected cultists and recovered a locally fabricated pistol, a live cartridge, and one axe in the Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, identified as 22-year-old Raji Selim, 23-year-old Rafiu Saheed, and 25-year-old Idowu Ganiu, who is currently at large, were alleged to be responsible for the kidnapping and killing of residents in the area.
The Corps Deputy Commander, Tajudeen Bakare, in a press statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta on Thursday, said they were arrested at about 11 p.m. on Wednesday in the Owotedo area of Ajegunle Idirorko.
According to Bakare, the three suspects, while on their way to carry out their operations, were intercepted riding on an unregistered Bajaj Boxer.
The statement reads: “The arrest of these suspects was successful, following several intelligence reports at the disposal of the Agency. In addition, our operatives have been on the trail of the gang for quite some time now.
“The suspects arrested include Rafiu Saheed, male, 23 years, and Raji Selim, male, 22 years, while the third suspect, popularly known as Idowu Ganiu, male, aged about 25 years, escaped.
“However, when they were searched, the following exhibits were recovered in their possession: a locally fabricated pistol, one live cartridge, one axe, and an unregistered red Bajaj Boxer motorcycle.
“This has been their modus operandi as criminal elements terrorizing innocent people, particularly in kidnapping and murder, in recent times,” the statement added.
The Deputy Commander stated that the suspects, alongside the recovered exhibits, have been transferred to SCID Eleweran, Abeokuta, for investigation and prosecution.
He urged members of the public, stakeholders, and parents to keep a close watch on their wards, neighbours, and any suspicious persons.
Retired senior officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday visited the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd).
Naija News reports that the aim of the visit was to congratulate him on his renewed tenure and assure him of their continued support in the fight against drug abuse and trafficking in the country.
The visit took place in Abuja, where nine former directors, led by ex-Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Sunday Nbona Joseph, met with Marwa.
The retired officers said the agency stands to gain more from his return because of his work pace, experience and steady push for a stronger drug control system.
They also thanked President Bola Tinubu for granting Marwa another term of five years and noted that they remain willing to give guidance whenever needed.
A large congratulatory card was handed to the NDLEA boss during the visit.
Marwa, in his remarks, thanked the former directors for their support over the years and for standing with the agency even after their exit from service.
He said the progress recorded under his leadership came through teamwork across the agency, adding that no chief executive can attain such results alone.
He stressed that the officers who worked with him played key roles in the achievements recorded before their retirement.
He also said that the agency has made more progress since their departure and assured them that better results lie ahead, especially with the strong backing the NDLEA continues to receive from President Tinubu.
The visit ended with renewed assurances from the retired officers to remain available to help strengthen the agency’s work in tackling drugs nationwide.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has expressed sorrow over the death of Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
The deputy governor passed away after a brief illness at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
In a statement issued by Fintiri’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, the governor described the late deputy governor as a remarkable leader who embodied trust, integrity, and dedication.
Fintiri extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Bayelsa State, particularly Governor Douye Diri, as well as the family, friends, and associates of the deceased.
Fintiri said Ewhrudjakpo’s courage, determination, and passion inspired many, stressing that the deceased leaves behind a legacy that will continue to motivate future generations.
“May his memory be a blessing to the people of Bayelsa State and Nigeria, and may his contributions to nation-building continue to inspire us all,” he said.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the death of the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo, as an inexplicable and painful loss.
The PDP made the submission in a statement on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong.
The party said it received the news of Ewhrudjakpo’s death with shock and prayed that God would grant his soul eternal rest.
It also expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, as well as the people and government of Bayelsa State, over the passing of the Deputy Governor.
The statement reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received with deep shock the news of the passing of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State and a trusted, faithful party man, His Excellency, Senator Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo, who reportedly collapsed and died earlier today.
“This devastating news has left the National Working Committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, and indeed the entire membership of our great party, especially our faithful members in Bayelsa State, in profound grief.
“While alive, Senator Ewhrudjakpo was an honest and consistent politician who believed in and practiced politics with principle. He was a person of conviction, not convenience; a leader whose life was anchored on belief, integrity, and strength of character. He held firmly to these virtues until his final moments.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of this hero of political integrity, and we pray that God grants his soul eternal rest.
“We express our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Bayelsa State on this painful and irreparable loss.”
Naija News recalls that Ewhrudjakpo died shortly after he collapsed in his office on Thursday and was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
Born on September 5, 1965, Ewhrudjakpo was 60 years old at the time of his death.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has mourned the passing of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who passed away on Thursday, December 11.
Governor Abiodun, who doubled as the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, expressed deep sorrow over the death of Ewhrudjakpo, saying he received the news “with shock.”
New Telegraph had earlier reported that Ewhrudjakpo slumped on Thursday afternoon and was rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where he was confirmed dead.
Reacting to the tragic incident in a statement issued in Abeokuta, Abiodun said the circumstance of Ewhrudjakpo’s death underscores his dedication to service.
“He apparently defied illness to serve the people of Bayelsa State,” Abiodun said.
The governor extended condolences to Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, as well as the government and people of the state, urging them to take solace in the life of commitment and service lived by the deceased.
The statement partly reads, “I received news of the demise of the deputy governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, with deep sorrow/
“The incident came as a profound shock to all of us, but we submit to the will of the Almighty God, who has chosen to call him home at this time.”
Abiodun described Governor Diri’s loss as particularly painful, noting that he has “lost a dependable ally,” and extended sympathy to the family and friends of the late deputy governor.
“It is my sincere prayer that the Almighty God will be with them and give them the strength to survive this hour of pain and sorrow,” he added.
The governor said Bayelsa State and Nigeria had lost “a gem,” but urged the public to take comfort in the fact that Ewhrudjakpo lived a life dedicated to public service.
“May his gentle soul rest in sweet repose,” he said.
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