NEWS
National Unity key Ingredients for Nigeria’s Progress – Otu

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has emphasized national unity and love as the key ingredients for Nigeria’s progress.
This was contained in a message during his New Year celebration with constituents in his ancestral home, Adiabo-Efut, Odukpani local government areas of cross river.
He also stressed the importance of religious and political tolerance as crucial for the country’s development,urging Nigerians to love and pray for their leaders at all levels, highlighting the country’s potential to become a global leader with its abundant resources.
In his words, “genuine love, forgiveness, and unity are essential for individual and national success”.
He reassured Cross Riverians of his commitment to the state’s prosperity, expressing his gratitude to them for their support and promised to fulfill his campaign promises.
He outlined plans to create jobs for unemployed youths, provide essential services, and build upon previous administrations’ achievements.
The governor’s visit to his hometown has become an annual tradition, allowing him to connect with his constituents and political leaders. This year, he was honored with the traditional title of UFORO IBOKU, Esit Edik, by the Creek Town Central Traditional Rulers Council, recognizing his impactful leadership within the first 19 months of his administration.
The council cited the governor’s agro-industrialization program and the ongoing construction of the Adiabo-Creek Town-Ikoento road as key achievements. His wife, Bishop Eyoawan Bassey Otu, was also honored with the title Utuenikang IBOKU Esit Edik for her dedication to girl-child education and development.
Otu’s message of optimism, unity and love resonates strongly as Nigeria navigates complex challenges. He stressed on his commitment to the people and his vision for a prosperous Cross River State.
NEWS
Court Remands Man Over Alleged Shop Burgling, Escape from Custody

A Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, on Wednesday, remanded Mubarak Ajadi, 18, in Agodi Correctional Centre for allegedly breaking into some shops and stealing N20,000.Ajadi pleaded not guilty when the five-count charge of breaking in, malicious damage, stealing and escape from lawful custody, were read to him.
Report says that the defendant, who was unable to meet the terms of the N100,000 bail, was later remanded in custody. The Magistrate, Mrs O.O. Latunji had admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.Latunji said that the two sureties must be blood relations.She subsequently adjourned the case until July 3 for hearing.Earlier, the Prosecution Counsel, Insp Oluseye Akinola, had told the court that the defendant committed the offences on June 10, at 1:30 a.m., at Iyemetu-Aladorin, opposite Floreb Hotel, Ibadan, Oyo State.Akinola said that Ajadi broke into the shops of three traders; Funke Adeniji, Iyabo Olatunji and Omobolanle Folorunso.According to the prosecutor, the defendant stole a cash sum of N20,000 from the shop of Olatunji and damaged the sealing of Folorunso’s shop before gaining access into it.He said that the total cost of the damaged ceiling was N20,000.Akinola said that the defendant was eventually caught by members of the vigilante group guarding the shops.The prosecutor also stated that the defendant escaped from lawful custody by jumping over the fence of Iyemetu’s police station while he was still being interrogated.He said that the offences contravened the provisions of Section 412, 390 (9) 356 and 42 of the Criminal Code , Cap 38, Vol. ii Law of Oyo State ,2000. (NAN)NEWS
17 Police Officers Injured in 2nd Night of Ballymena Riots

Seventeen police officers have been injured following a second consecutive night of sustained violence in Ballymena, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed.PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned that the ongoing rioting “risks undermining” the criminal justice process into an alleged sexual assault involving a teenage girl in the County Antrim town over the weekend.
Stormont ministers issued an urgent appeal for calm, insisting that the justice process must be allowed to run its course. In a joint statement, ministers from across the power-sharing executive said those involved in the disorder “have nothing to offer society but division and destruction.”Police reported that officers came under sustained attack for several hours, with petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks, and fireworks being thrown at them in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena on Tuesday night.Riot police were deployed, with officers using plastic baton rounds, water cannon, and dog units to try to disperse the crowds.Sporadic disorder was also reported in Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, and north Belfast.The violence followed a peaceful protest earlier in the week, held in support of the family of a girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted in the area.Two teenage boys have been charged in connection with the case and spoke to the court via a Romanian interpreter.During Tuesday night’s unrest in Ballymena, multiple businesses and homes were damaged, and several vehicles were set on fire. Police confirmed that:Seventeen officers were injured, with some requiring hospital treatment.Five individuals were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and remain in custody.One male was arrested for disorderly behaviour on O’Neill Road in Newtownabbey.Roads in affected areas were temporarily closed to ensure public safety but have since been reopened.Fifteen officers were also injured during similar violence in Ballymena on Monday night. (dpa/NAN)Foreign News
Pope Leo Prays for Victims of Austrian School Shooting

Pope Leo XIV said on Wednesday that he was praying for the victims of the mass shooting in a school in the Austrian city of Graz.
“I would like to express my prayers for the victims of the tragedy at the Graz school,” Leo said during his weekly audience in the Vatican.
Leo added that he is keeping the families, teachers, and fellow pupils in his thoughts.
According to police, a 21-year-old former pupil at the school entered the grounds on Tuesday and opened fire, killing 10 pupils aged between 15 and 17 as well as a teacher.
He then shot himself.
Eleven people remain in the hospital, most of them in intensive care.
All are now reported to be in a stable condition.
Graz, in south-eastern Austria, is home to around 300,000 people. (dpa/NAN)