By David Owei,Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has implored corporate organisations and private individuals to lend support to the country’s armed forces through contributions and partnerships that would improve their conditions of service.

Senator Diri made the call on Thursday at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The Bayelsa governor, who paid tributes to serving, retired and fallen soldiers for their gallant services in preserving the country’s territorial integrity, said the celebration should serve as a renewed act of solidarity and expression of gratitude to the heroes that made sacrifices to protect and unify Nigeria.

His words: “On this day, and every day, let us ensure we do not forget those whose sacrifices have made peace and safety attainable. We know that behind every medal lies a story of sacrifice. Families who have lost breadwinners; veterans who have had their lives altered in their prime; and many who live with wounds, visible and invisible, that demand our practical compassion as much as our respect.

“The Armed Forces are the bedrock of national security. Without them, the very fabric of our country would be torn apart.

“I am therefore grateful to Mr. President, in his capacity as Commander‑in‑Chief, and to the senior military leadership for their unremitting efforts to improve conditions of service and the welfare of our gallant soldiers.

“Let me take this opportunity to call on corporate organisations and private individuals to lend their support to our armed forces. Through your contributions and judicious partnerships, we can ensure that those who hazard so much for our safety are neither overlooked nor forgotten.”

Senator Diri assured of his administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of the armed forces, which he said was evident in the recent completion and handing over of residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.

The governor urged the army leadership to also collaborate with his administration on agriculture to boost food security and sustainable livelihoods.

“On Tuesday, I flagged off the dry farming season programme in the state. In that spirit, and following the model of the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited (NAFARL), I invite the Armed Forces leadership to partner with the Bayelsa State Government in large‑scale agricultural endeavours that will bolster food security and promote sustainable livelihoods.”

Highpoint of the event was the laying of wreaths at the tomb of the unknown soldier by Senator Diri, Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, the Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, as well as service commanders and a representative of widows of the fallen heroes, Mrs Christina Boroni.

Others who laid wreaths were chairman of the state traditional rulers council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, and the Assistant Commandant General and chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Bayelsa State Council, Chief Baratuaipre Allison-Alanimi.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

The National Judicial Commission (NJC), has given approval for the appointment of four new High Court Judges and Six Khadis in the service of Niger State Judiciary.

The appointment of the senior judicial officers was sequel to the request made by the Chief Judge of Niger State,Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik through the governor Mohammed Umar Bago.

Justice Halima Abdulmalik, had some times during the 2024/2025 legal year appealed to the governor to give the approval for the appointment of more High Court Judges into the service of the state Judiciary.

She told the governor at the event,that shortage of Judges in the High court division of the state Judiciary has affected the speedy dispensation of criminal and civil justice in the state hence the request for the approval for the appointment of more judges.

Findings revealed that thirteen numbers of existing High courts in Niger State are inadequate as three other High courts in Lapai,Kuta, Kutigi, and Rijau are been overseeing without substantive presiding Judges.

At the 110 council meeting of the National Judicial Council,held on Tuesday,13th January 2026,the Chief Justice of Nigeria,Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun gave the approval of 35 Judicial officers with the elevation a Justice of Benin division of Court of appeal Justice Steven Oyewole to the Apex Court.

Also,the CJN gave the approval for the appointment of High Court Judges in Benue,Niger,Plateau, Taraba, and Osun States.

The appointment of the four High Court Judges in Niger State bringing the numbers of High court Judges in Niger to a total of seventeen which are inadequate

Eight applicants were shortlisted for the appointment,however for were appointed while the remaining for were said to be on reserved list.

Among the appointed High Court Judges in Niger State,are Mallam Adamu Abubakar,whose until his appointment was a director in the service of the Niger State Judiciary and also one time Chief Magistrate in the Service of the state Judiciary, Ahmed Jibrin Ndajiwo,a Chief Magistrate in the FCT Judiciary, Sa’adat Gambo a director Multi-door court division of the state Judiciary and Suleiman Buhari Wushishi a principal state counsel in the office of the Attorney General of Niger State.

Those on reserved list,include Hajiya Hauwa Kulu Isah,the Secretary of the Niger State Judicial Service Commission (NSJC), Mallam Murtala Bala Ibrahim,a sitting Chief Magistrate at the Niger State Judiciary headquarters,Barrister Isah Evuti a Chief Principal State counsel in the office of the Attorney General of Niger State and Barrister Abdullahi Babani of the Customary Court headquarters in Abuja.

The newly appointed high court Judges were subjected to vigorous screenings before their appointment even as the CJN requested for petitions from the public to attest to the integrity and otherwise of the applicants.

By Our Correspondent

In a bid to foil the plot to impeach governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu,two more members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have withdrawn their support for the impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy and appealed their colleagues to pursue a peaceful resolution of the political crisis.

The lawmakers are Barile Nwakoh, representing Khana Constituency I, and Emilia Amadi of Obio/Akpor Constituency II.

The decision of the lawmakers came barely 24 hours after two other lawmakers publicly distanced themselves from the impeachment move.

Nwakoh and Amadi acknowledged that the governor and his deputy allegedly breached constitutional provisions, but said their change of position followed interventions by respected leaders and stakeholders within the state.

With their withdrawal, the number of lawmakers who initially signed the impeachment notice but are now calling for dialogue has risen to four out of the 26 original signatories.

The development signals growing cracks within the Assembly as the political impasse continues, with indications that some lawmakers are now seeking alternatives to impeachment.

The Rivers State House of Assembly is expected to reconvene on January 15, 2026, to deliberate further on the matter.

Earlier, Minority Leader Sylvanus Nwankwo, representing Omuma Constituency, and Peter Abbey of Degema Constituency had also withdrawn their support for the impeachment process.

They cited appeals from influential political figures within and outside Rivers State, urging the Assembly to prioritize dialogue and stability over impeachment.

Both lawmakers called on the House to halt the impeachment proceedings and explore other mechanisms to resolve the leadership crisis in the state