Rivers State Executive Council on Friday approved N1.854 trillion budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year.

The budget, which was tagged the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development” was given approval after a thorough deliberation at the EXCO meeting.

The meeting, which marked the first in 2026, was presided by the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara with his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu and others in attendance.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the meeting, Fubara’s Special Adviser on Economic Matters and Social Development, Prof Peter Medee said the council approved N1,854,248,734,475.76 for the provision of goods and services in the state in 2026.

Medee explained that the proposed estimate was designed in such a way that it would reflect the development priorities of the Fubara’s administration.

He noted that the budget is also expected to address some other critical obligations of the state.

The Osun State Police Command has warned against an alleged plan by some individuals to disrupt the smooth resumption of duties by local government employees under the aegis of the National Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, across the state.

The warning was contained in a public service announcement issued by the command following credible intelligence reports on Friday.

According to the statement, which was signed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan and issued by ASP Giwa-Alade Emmanuel, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, “the alleged plan targets council secretariats in the 30 local government areas, Ife East Area Office, Modakeke, as well as local council development areas.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, cautioned that “any individual who is not a bona fide staff member of the local government authorities must refrain from approaching or loitering around the secretariats.”

He stated that police personnel had been “directed to act decisively against anyone found attempting to incite unrest or disrupt public order at council premises.

“Such malicious plans will not be tolerated and will be met with resolute and decisive action by the Command to maintain law and order.”

CP Gotan added that it would not allow any group to undermine the prevailing peace and tranquillity maintained across Osun State.

CP Gotan reassured residents of the Command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, noting that officers would continue to carry out their constitutional duties with vigilance and professionalism.

He urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and vigilant, and to cooperate with security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious activities.

Residents were also advised to “contact the Police Control Room on 08039537995 or 08123823981, the Complaint Response Unit on 08035143235, 08066286549 or 08030732461, or through the Command’s official social media platforms for assistance.”

DAILY POST had reported that NULGE in a statement on Monday announced that its members across the state would resume back to work on Monday, January 5, 2026 after an eleven month strike.

The decision to go back to work was coming after NULGE Osun State chapter declared a strike in February, 2025 after elected officials of both the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, violently clashed over control of the local government secretariats in the state.

The violent clashes repeatedly led to the loss of lives in opposing camps prominent among whom is Remi Abass, an APC stalwart in Ikire, Irewole local government council area of the state.

Prof Pat Utomi, a political economist, has said that he would walk away from the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, whenever he decides to become someone’s running mate.

Prof Utomi stated this on Thursday when he appeared as a guest in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television monitored by DAILY POST.

He was speaking on Peter Obi’s defection to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

DAILY POST reports that Obi alongside other prominent leaders of the Southeast on Wednesday officially defected to the ADC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“I can tell you that Peter Obi will contest for the presidency come 2027 general elections. The day he becomes somebody’s running mate, I will walk away from his corner. I can tell you that for a fact.

“And secondly, something very important for this election to bear in mind is that the Nigerian presidency has become a retirement home where people go for the Nigerian state to pay their medical bills.

“This is not acceptable. They don’t have the fitness to run the country. The last one and even the current one do not have the fitness to run the affairs of this great nation,” he said.

Stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Borno State have called on Governor Bala Mohammed and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde to sheath their swords, embrace party unity, and realign their loyalty to FCT Minister, Nyesom  Wike.

Chairman of the stakeholders, Grema Kyari, made this call while addressing journalists in Maiduguri, commending the FCT Minister for his commitment to discipline and institutional integrity.

Kyari, a member of the National Working Caretaker Committee,  also hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for rejecting the outcome of the Ibadan Convention, which produced Kabiru Turaki as the National Chairman of the party.

The group further extolled the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Caretaker Committee for its bold, timely, and lawful decision to dissolve the Borno State PDP Executive Committee and approve the constitution of a Borno State PDP Working Caretaker Committee.

It noted that the action has brought renewed hope to party members across the state just as it reflected the aspirations of PDP faithful in Borno State who have long awaited justice and internal democracy.

“Wike’s steadfast commitment to discipline, constitutionalism, and institutional integrity remains unprecedented, especially in the face of sustained pressure and actions from governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde, who are supported by Barrister Kabiru Turaki, which have deepened the internal crisis of our party.

“In view of these undeniable facts, we hereby call on Barrister Kabiru Turaki, Governor Bala Mohammed (former Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum), and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to sheath their swords, embrace party unity, and realign their loyalty with our National Leader, His Excellency Chief Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, whose role in strengthening and repositioning the PDP is well known,” the group said.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, in charge of Zone 17, Ajani Musibau, has strongly condemned the attack on the Ipele Divisional Police Headquarters in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, describing it as a grave and unacceptable threat to public peace and security.

The AIG made the remarks during an on-the-spot assessment of the damaged police facility on Thursday, alongside the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal.

The inspection team included senior officers of the command, as well as representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other security agencies.

During the visit, the team examined the extent of damage caused by the attack, in which armed assailants reportedly set the police station ablaze, destroying the building and several important exhibits.

No casualty was recorded, as all officers stationed at the division were unharmed.

Speaking after the assessment, AIG Musibau expressed deep concern over the scale of destruction and vowed that the Nigeria Police Force would spare no effort in ensuring that those responsible are identified and prosecuted.

He described the incident as an unforgivable assault on the security architecture of Ondo State, stressing that all lawful and operational measures would be deployed to track down the perpetrators.

The AIG further assured that security has been reinforced in the area, adding that welfare arrangements would be made for affected personnel.

He also disclosed that plans were already underway for the reconstruction of the damaged police station.

In his remarks, Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, commended the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, noting that ongoing reforms and technological innovations under his administration have continued to strengthen policing operations across the state.

CP Lawal also acknowledged the support of Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, for his consistent backing of security agencies in maintaining peace and public safety.

He assured residents that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, have intensified efforts to apprehend those behind the attack.

According to him, additional operational resources, including Tactical Units, Explosive Ordnance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) teams, as well as Police Mobile Force units, have been deployed to the area to restore and sustain security.

The commissioner urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements to security agencies, assuring residents that the situation is under control and that investigations remain ongoing.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has released his prophecies for 2026, projecting economic relief for Nigeria and a possible reversal of the mass migration trend popularly known as “japa.”

Pastor Adeboye delivered the prophecies during the church’s annual crossover service held at Redemption City on New Year’s Eve, offering messages of hope for Nigeria and cautious optimism for the global community.

Speaking on the national outlook, the cleric disclosed the first part of a two-part prophecy, noting that he would pray further on the second part before deciding whether to release it later in the week.

According to him, 2026 would witness a noticeable reduction in hunger across the country, alongside renewed growth in small and medium-scale enterprises.

“This year, there will be a reduction in hunger. Small and medium enterprises will begin to blossom,” Adeboye declared

In a prophecy that has since gained wide attention online, the RCCG leader also predicted a “reverse japa” trend, describing a situation where Nigerians who had migrated abroad would begin to return home.

“He says something that I can only describe as reverse japa. Many who japa will come back home,” he said.

On the global stage, Pastor Adeboye said 2026 would be relatively calmer than the previous year, particularly in terms of global conflict.

“On the international scene, he says the chance of a major war is less this year than last year,” he noted.

However, he cautioned that weather patterns would largely mirror those of 2025, with the possibility of a few major hurricanes occurring during the year.

Overall, the cleric described 2026 as a year of breakthroughs, predicting unprecedented success for individuals who remain steadfast in faith.

Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, has called on members of the public to report and register the names of relatives or loved ones who may be missing following the fire at the Great Nigeria Insurance, GNI, House on Martins Street, Lagos Island.

Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, made the appeal on Thursday, stressing that the step is crucial to address concerns about people reportedly trapped under the collapsed section of the building.

He said, “The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency wishes to reassure the public that search and rescue operations are ongoing.

“Our trained responders, supported by specialized equipment, are working tirelessly to ensure that all affected areas are fully assessed and that no one is left unaccounted for.”

Oke-Osanyintolu urged anyone unable to reach relatives, colleagues, or loved ones believed to have been in or around the building during the fire to visit the LASEMA Complaints Unit at the scene to register their concerns.

Information collected will be verified and used to compile a consolidated list of missing persons to aid rescue and identification efforts.

He added that LASEMA is collaborating closely with other emergency response, health, and security agencies to ensure an orderly and thorough operation, while continuing to provide timely updates to the public.

The Permanent Secretary also urged the public to cooperate fully with emergency responders as they carry out the search and rescue operations.

National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has said that former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi will soon announce the party he would contest through in the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on ‘Prime Time’, a programme on Arise Television monitored by DAILY POST, Tanko said Obi would take that decision by himself.

“A lot of people are waiting for Peter Obi to make a decision on which party he will be contesting through.

“That means he is wanted in Nigeria and even around the world. That is a valuable asset. So, we will let Obi let the cat out of the bag by himself.

“He has made it clear that he is working very closely with a coalition. Obi is a team player, and everyone will be happy with his decision.

“And like when he was on the media space, he made it clear that he has been part of a coalition, and that coalition has produced a political party. So he’s working very close with that coalition. He has been part of it. He has contributed to it.

“So, whenever he wants to make his own pronouncement, it is going to be something that everybody will be glad and be happy about, because he is a team player who believes that Nigeria must be free because we are suffering so much at the expense of people who do not have good intention toward this country.

“So His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi will make his pronouncement very soon,” he said.