Osun State Police Command has arrested a couple after the husband allegedly stabbed a bishop to death in Osogbo.

The command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, disclosed details of the incident on Thursday.

Leader of Rapture Empowerment International in Osogbo, Shina Olaribigbe,  was identified as the deceased’s cleric.

Reports suggest that the couple had been having disagreements which led to them living apart. Olaribigbe had reportedly attempted to resolve the conflict before their separation.

The suspect is alleged to have attacked and killed the cleric after encountering him at his wife’s residence in the early hours of Thursday.

“We were informed that the pastor was at the woman’s house today (Thursday) when the husband arrived. We were also told that the husband stabbed the pastor,” Opalola said.

The deceased was reportedly on the bed of the aggressor’s wife when the incident occurred.

“The husband stabbed him several times and he died. It is believed that the husband acted on suspicion that the pastor was having an affair with his wife,” the spokesperson added.

In a statement, Opalola said the incident occurred on January 1.

“Osun State Police Command has arrested a 43-year-old man, Wale Ogunkanmi in connection with the murder of his church pastor, Shina Olaribigbe, 52.

“The incident occurred on January 1 at about 11:25pm. Ogunsanmi, who had been living separately from his wife for about a year, allegedly broke into her residence where he found her with the pastor. He then stabbed him to death with a knife.

“Police officers from Dugbe Division responded promptly to the scene, arrested the suspect and recovered the exhibit.

“The corpse has been deposited at UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

“Investigation is ongoing. The command is working to ensure that justice is served,” the statement reads.

Jigawa State Police Command  has arrested a woman for allegedly poisoning the food at her wedding.

The incident reportedly led to the death of one of the guests, with the groom left critically ill and hospitalised.

Spokesman of the command, Lawan Adam, said the incident occurred in Jahun Local Government Area, adding that  investigation has commenced. 

He said the bride and another woman are being interrogated by the criminal investigation department.

“We received a report that the bride had tainted the food served at the wedding reception, leaving the groom critically ill.

“Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged food poisoning that occurred during a wedding ceremony.

“The command is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and we will provide more details as soon as possible.

“For now, we can confirm that the incident occurred and we are working tirelessly to unravel the facts.

“We urge the public to remain calm and assured that justice will be served. We will do everything in our power to ensure that justice is served,” Adam said. 

Abia State governor, Alex Otti has banned all forms of payment in primary and secondary schools, marking the enforcement of compulsory  attendance for children of school age.

The governor introduced an imprest account system for  principals and headteachers to manage the running of schools, with specific monthly allowances for their operations.

Otti made this announcement in his New Year speech on Wednesday, stating that “We have stopped all forms of payments in primary and secondary schools. Not even PTA levies should be charged in any public school.

“We have introduced an imprest account system for the running of schools. Headteachers and  principals are  entitled to specific sums every month to manage the day-to-day operations of their schools.

“There is, therefore, no excuse to extort or deny any child the opportunities that come with learning and enlightenment. We shall be strict with enforcement and it will be a grievous mistake to test our will.”

The governor also emphasised the state’s commitment to enforce compulsory attendance for children of school age in schools across Abia.

He added that his administration is set to allocate 35 percent of the entire budget to interventions in the education and health sectors.

Otti said, “We shall fast-track efforts to remake our schools into centres of excellence in effective teaching and learning.

“As you may know, the law mandating all children of school age to be in school comes into effect today. As soon as the new school term begins later in the month, it will be unlawful to find any child outside the walls of the classroom during school hours.”

The governor also shared his administration’s urgency to build systems, rebuild the state and realign governance priorities to reflect the true aspirations of the people.

“We have since evolved a system that prioritises the needs of the downtrodden by paying attention, listening carefully and channelling public resources to where they yield the highest social and economic dividends to the majority by taking on very difficult but economically and socially significant projects in road infrastructure, health and education, waste management and environmental recoveries,” he said.

Governor Otti reiterated the state’s focus on security, warning that his government would not hesitate to deploy its full might against any individual or group posing a threat to the safety of residents.

“We shall also continue to prioritise the security of lives and property, adopting the necessary measures to keep criminals and their sponsors out of the state. Again, I would like to restate that we shall not hesitate to deploy the full might of  government against any individual or group whose activities pose a threat to the safety of our people,” he emphasised.

From David Christopher,Lafia

Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule has doled out N60 million financial assistance to traders  affected by the December 5 fire incident at Lafia Modern Market.

He announced the largesse during a meeting with the committee set up to investigate the extent of the damage caused by the fire, held at the Government House on Thursday. 

While excusing the delay in reaching out to the victims of the inferno, the governor said the money, comprising N55 million for those directly affected by the fire and N5 million for  Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association, NSTMA, is meant to serve as capital to enable those who lost their shops to continue  their businesses.

According to him the intervention became necessary considering the damage caused by the fire admist the prevailing economic hardship being experienced across the country. 

Governor Sule particularly called on  officials of  NSTMA not to take  out of the money meant for the victims. 

He emphasized that his administration is taking measures to ensure that fire incidents are reduced drastically across major markets.

Governor Sule  appreciated spirited individuals  who identified with the victims  through the donation of money amounting to N18 million, which he said is being utilised by tNSTMA to rebuild the shops destroyed during the inferno. 

“I was also informed that  some spirited individuals from Nasarawa State  came forward to make donations. I was informed that all the donations promised were redeemed. I was informed  that they are using the resources to rebuild some of the shops that were damaged. Let me use the opportunity to thank the various individuals who made the donations,” he said.

In an opening remarks, the Commissioner Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Abubakar Imam Zanwa, commended Governor Sule for the promptness and responsiveness. 

Zanwa disclosed that the investigative committee set up by the state government discovered that in all, 29 shops were affected by the fire with 24 completely razed down.

“That assignment has been carried out and we have been able to determine that 29 shops  got burnt, amongst which 24 were completely destroyed by the fire, while five were partially affected,” he said.

In a vote of thanks, President, Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association, Alhaji Musa Aliyu-Turaki, appreciated Governor Sule for coming to the rescue of members of his association that were affected by the recent fire incident. 

Aliyu-Turaki assured the governor that officials of NSTMA will carry along, all those affected by the fire towards making sure that every one gets what is due to them.

He disclosed that other spirited individuals  also donated various sums of money as relief to members of NSTMA, amounting to N18 million. 

The chairman added that they have collectively resolved to channel the said amount towards rebuilding the shops damaged by the inferno. 

From INIOBONG SUNDAY, Uyo 

As part of the yuletide,  EmemBest Foundation Outreach, EFO, has launched a scholarship  fund of N30 million for 25  undergraduates drawn from tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State.

Besides, over 1,000 schoolchildren received assorted gift items including educational materials, while no fewer than 2,000 rural women got rice, wrappers and essential items.

Speaking at the ceremony, residents of Eka Uruk Eshiet in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State lauded the foundation “for remembering the needy admist the socio-economic challenges facing Nigerians.

“This unusual kindness   has brought boundless joy and relief to women and children in Akwa Ibom State. 

“The foundation’s large-scale outreach  has been a beacon of hope, illuminating the lives of those who need it the most. At Eka Uruk Eshiet community in Etim Ekpo, the foundation’s philanthropic efforts shone brightly, as donations worth millions of naira were presented to the beneficiaries. 

“Tears of gratitude flowed freely, as 25 undergraduates received fully funded scholarships

 valued at N30 million, securing their university education and promising a brighter future.

“The smiles of 1,000 children lit up the atmosphere as they received back-to-school packs, overflowing with essential supplies, toys and books. Also, 2,000 women were empowered with wrappers, foodstuffs and vital provisions, alleviating the financial burden on their families during the festive period,” Chief Effiong  Ekpo, a community leader in the area, noted

Responding,  the founder and initiator of the scheme, Mrs Eme Udoidiong explained that she was moved by the excruciating effects of the prevailing hard times on the downtrodden.

 She disclosed her passion for transforming lives in rural areas, saying; “we are humbled by the opportunity to spread love, joy and hope to those who need it the most.

“Empowering women means empowering the family and community. By investing in the education and well-being of our women and children, we are building a stronger, more resilient society,” she stressed and assured that more less privileged would be captured this year and beyond.