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NCDC Chair Vows Broad Stakeholder Collaboration to Drive North Central Devt

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By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The Board Chairman of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Barrister Cosmas Ternenge Akighir, has assured the people of the North Central geopolitical zone that the Commission will work closely with all relevant stakeholders to tackle insecurity, improve road infrastructure, and enhance health and education across the region.

Speaking at a dinner held in his honour by the Jemgbagh Active and Retired Directors Association at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, Akighir stressed the importance of forging strong partnerships with state governments, individuals, and corporate organizations.

Such collaboration, he said, would position the Commission as a model institution “standing tall when others are sitting down.

“We have a robust roadmap for developing our people—education, healthcare, road networks, and beyond. On insecurity, we will liaise with local vigilantes in partnership with the state governments. In all our endeavours, we will bring every necessary stakeholder on board to drive our agenda. I see the Commission becoming a model others will envy,” he said.

Akighir also highlighted the region’s vast mineral resources, noting that about 40 percent of Nigeria’s mineral deposits lie within the North Central zone. The Commission, he assured, would work within its mandate to ensure proper management of these resources to generate jobs and revenue for the people and government. He added that the NCDC would promote irrigation farming to boost food security in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s priorities.

Representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, praised President Tinubu for appointing Akighir as the pioneer Board Chairman of the NCDC. He urged him to remain consultative and engage widely with elders and stakeholders to record steady success.

“Barrister Cosmas is a young man with vibrant ideas. His appointment is well deserved. I thank President Tinubu for giving him this opportunity. I also advise him to always seek guidance from elders and carry stakeholders along so his journey will be smooth,” Utsev said.

Speaking on his ministry’s work, the Minister explained that the government had embarked on a comprehensive assessment of irrigable lands and the state of dams across the country. He noted that ongoing rehabilitation efforts, in partnership with private and development organizations, aim to strengthen year-round farming and reinforce national food security.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Jemgbagh Active and Retired Directors Association, Sir Frank Aul Mku, expressed the group’s appreciation and loyalty to Senator Akume. He commended the political leadership that has elevated the Jemgbagh axis and congratulated Akighir on his new role.

“We have over 100 members. We are not a political party, but we stand firmly behind you. We appreciate your leadership that has brought recognition to Jemgbagh. We wish our son, Barrister Cosmas Ternenge Akighir, the very best,” he said.

Metro

Police Arrest Bus Driver over Girlfriend’s Death in Edo

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The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 42-year-old commercial bus driver, Osabohien Ogieva, in connection with the death of his 32-year-old girlfriend, Joy Jerome.

The incident occurred in the Ikpe community of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.

Confirming the development on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Eno Ikoedem, said the lifeless body of the woman was discovered along a roadside near a river on January 10, 2026.

Ikoedem said operatives of the Idogbo Police Division promptly responded to a distress call and moved the body to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead and later deposited at the mortuary.

She said investigations revealed that the deceased, a resident of the Upper Sakponba area of Benin City, was in a romantic relationship with the suspect.

She said further investigation led to Ogieva’s arrest, during which he reportedly confessed to having a disagreement with the deceased on January 9, 2026, while conveying her in his bus.

The PPRO added that the suspect allegedly abandoned the body near a river at Ikpe community and went into hiding.

She alleged that the suspect later contacted the family of the deceased, claiming he had not seen her for days.

She said, “The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 42-year-old commercial bus driver, Osabohien Ogieva, for the alleged murder of his girlfriend.

“The lifeless body of the woman was discovered along a roadside near a river on January 10, 2026.

“Operatives of the Idogbo Police Division promptly responded to a distress call and moved the body to a hospital, where she was confirmed dead and later deposited at the mortuary.”

Ikoedem said the suspect is currently in police custody and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

On Sunday, the Kano State Police Command arrested three principal suspects in connection with the killing of a housewife and her six children in Dorayi Chiranchi Quarters of the Kano metropolis.

The suspects were arrested following an intelligence-led and coordinated operation carried out between the night of January 17 and the early hours of Sunday.

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Metro

Communities Hail Dangote Cement Obajana Plant Director Over Impactful CDA, CSR Projects

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The Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Obajana, Engr. Azad Nawabuddin, has received commendation from host communities for his exemplary commitment to community development.

Community leaders and stakeholders hailed his leadership for the timely implementation of the Community Development Agreement (CDA), as well as the consistent rollout of impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.

These efforts, they noted, have strengthened community relations, enhanced social infrastructure, and strengthened sustainable cooperation between the company and its host communities.

The Bajana of Obajana, Engr. Idowu Isenibi, commended the Obajana Plant Director, the company’s Vice President, Devakumar V.

G. Edwin, and Group President Aliko Dangote for their unwavering support through a range of developmental programmes and support.

He said the company’s social efforts are being implemented through a well-structured Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme under the Social Performance Department.

He added that these programmes are meeting community needs and fostering sustainable growth and development.

Also speaking, the Youth Leader of the Oyo Community, Abraham Paul, commended the Plant Director for what he described as uncommon and commendable support to the community, most especially in coming to the aid of the Community in seeing to execution of rehabilitation of vandalized 33kva lines that supplied electricity to the community.

He acknowledged that, despite the existence of some challenges impacting the Plant’s operation, he expressed optimism and confidence that, through sustained collaboration and dialogue, such issues would be effectively addressed for the overall benefit of the Plant and the host communities.

In his remarks, the Baalo of the Oyo Community, Solomon Obahawu, speaking through his aide, Mr. David Afolabi, stated that the company, under the leadership of the Plant Director, has made significant contributions to the social well-being and overall development of the Oyo community.

David Afolabi, serves as the Financial Secretary of the Oyo Community and as the Acting Director of the Parents–Teachers Association (PTA) for the Oyo Primary and Secondary Schools.

He alluded to the submission by the Chief sitting prompt support for human capital via provision of yearly scholarship, women enterprise promotion, farmers support and infrastructural provision, such as street lighting of the community, school buildings and furnishing among others..

The Monarch expressed appreciation to the company for implementing several impactful projects in 2025, including the employment of 20 local security personnel, the installation of 50 solar-powered streetlights, the construction of drainage infrastructure, and the conversion of three motorized boreholes into solar-powered systems to address the challenge of incessant power failure.

Director, Engr. Azad said the company had implemented several social projects, some of which include: Farmers Assistance Grants to Oyo and Iwaa, Vocational Skill Training, Market Women Assistance Grant to Oyo and Iwaa, funding Support to cooperatives in all the four communities and provision of security houses to promote and support community policing.

The General Manager, Social Performance, Prince Ademola Adeyemi, had noted that plan is ongoing to officially commission and handover some of projects completed in the four catchment communities of Oyo, Iwaa, Obajana, and Apata given improvement in security situation in the area.

He also informed that as a good corporate citizen, the Company has commenced the implementation of CDA signed with Jakura community with the award of contract for electrification of the community.

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Metro

Wike Appoints Daura SSA on Protocol Matters

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has appointed Mr Sani Daura as his Senior Special Assistant on Protocol Matters.

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the minister on Public Communications and Social Media, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Olayinka described Daura as a seasoned civil servant with over 30 years’ experience in the FCT Administration’s Protocol Department.

He explained that Daura, who became the Director, FCT Protocol in 2019, would retire from the Civil Service on Jan. 24.

Olayinka said that the appointment would take effect from the date of his retirement from the civil service.

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