Metro
Gov Otti Abolishes ‘State Of Origin’ Dichotomy In Abia State

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has said there will be no division in Abia under his watch as indigenes and non indigenes resident in the state will be treated equally.
He said that his administration does not care where a resident of Abia comes from but was only interested in the competence and what the person can offer the state in service.
Otti said this at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia on Sunday during the thanksgiving service to mark his one year in office. “I think what is most important is also that this administration does not discriminate, we don’t even want to know what part of Abia you’re coming from.
“We don’t even want to know what part of Igboland you come from. Once you reside here (in Abia), you are a part of us.
“That is why today, we have for the first time a Permanent Secretary, who does not come from Abia State, who does not come from any state in the South East but comes from Edo state,” Governor Otti stated.
Otti, who said that his administration refused to throw a celebration party for his one year in office, announced that a multi-billion naira terminal project which would have all motor parks and a railway station in one place, would be flagged off by his administration in Umuahia on Tuesday. According to him, the city of Umuahia, which he described in the past as a glorified village, would witness a total infrastructural turnaround in the next one year with railway coming from Aba
He appealed for more prayers and support from Abia citizens, saying that his administration would continue to do the right thing no matter the criticism from the opposition. Preaching a sermon at the thanksgiving service, Rev Uma Onwunta of the Presbyterian Church, said God expects thanksgiving from his people.
Metro
Danger averted as police rescued six kids from collapsed building

The Lagos State Police Command has rescued six children from a building within an estate in the Ejigbo area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to newsmen on Saturday in Lagos.
He said that on Tuesday at about 12p.m., the police received information that six children were staying alone in a building.
‘The case was transferred from the Ejigbo Police Station to the Gender Unit in Ikeja after reports indicated that the children were left alone in a residential house.
“The children, aged between seven and 13 years, have been rescued and are currently in a protective shelter through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development,’ he said.
Hundeyin said initial findings revealed that their mother was currently abroad for medical treatment and had left them in the care of a caregiver.
The spokesperson added that efforts were underway to contact their mother, and investigations were ongoing to gather more details about the case.
NAN
Metro
Fire engulfs MTN office in Oyo

An MTN booster station at the University of Ibadan (UI) in Oyo State was reportedly engulfed in flames on Saturday.
The fire, attributed to an electrical surge, erupted within the Faculty of Nursing.
According to reports, the incident took place in the early morning hours, around 4 a.m., and resulted in significant damage to the Mikano electrical generator, the control board, and other telecommunications devices at the booster station.
The state capital, Special Adviser on Fire Services Reform to Governor Seyi Makinde, and Chairman of the State Fire Services Agency, Moroof Akinwande confirmed the incident.
He said, “The state Fire Service’s prompt response doused the fire at the MTN booster station beside the Faculty of Nursing, University of Ibadan.
“The fire personnel, led by ACFS Olubunmi, were promptly deployed to the scene and arrived on time.
“On arrival, we met the Mikano electrical generator and board on fire. We quickly joined hands with the university’s fire marshals, and the fire was extinguished completely. The fire was caused by an electrical surge”, he explained.
Metro
Insecurity! Gunmen invade church, slash pastor’s 2 fingers

Heavily armed gunmen reportedly stormed Elyon Paradise Ministry Church, shooting Pastor Divine Omodia and abducting six members of the congregation in Asagba Ogwashi, near Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic, Aniocha south local government area of Delta State.
The attack, which took place on February 21, 2025, at approximately 10:30pm., saw the assailants round up the church premises before shooting the pastor and severing two of his fingers, causing severe blood loss.
One of the Pastors, Pastor Steve Victor Onuchukwu, who spoke revealed that since the attack, the kidnappers have not contacted the church or the victims’ families to demand ransom.
“The matter has been reported to the police, but so far, no tangible results have been achieved,” Onuchukwu stated.
“One security agency assured me they are working around the clock to secure the victims’ release, but we have no concrete updates yet.”
Concerns continue to mount over Pastor Omodia’s condition, as he remains in critical care at an undisclosed hospital.
According to Onuchukwu, medical personnel are making efforts to stabilize him.
“We rushed him to the hospital immediately, and he is currently in the operating theatre, where doctors are doing everything possible to save his life,” he said.
Meanwhile, when contacted for a statement, Delta State Police Command spokesperson Bright Edafe claimed no official report of the incident had been made to law enforcement.
“I am not aware of any such report because nobody has informed us about it,” Edafe stated.
The attack has heightened concerns over security in the region, with residents and church members demanding swift action to locate the kidnapped victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
-
News21 hours ago
Book launch: Abacha’s daughter, Gumsu derides Babangida
-
News21 hours ago
Social media in awe as former RCCG pastor ties nuptials with male lover
-
News21 hours ago
Justice Delayed: The Imperative for Accountability in the Wake of Ibrahim Babangida’s Autobiography
-
News20 hours ago
SAD: Finally, Police recover remains of soldier k!lled over unpaid N20m ransom
-
News20 hours ago
See Black Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today 22nd February 2025
-
News19 hours ago
Nigeria Seeks Stronger Economic Ties with China
-
News20 hours ago
Gov Adeleke Votes As Osun’s LG Election Begins
-
News20 hours ago
LP Withdraws from Osun LG Election Over Security Issues