Seventeen vulnerable residents across five villages in Obosi Ukwalla, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, have received food items and cash support from the Prestigious Otu Odu Obosi Cultural Society.

The gesture sparked excitement among beneficiaries and community members.

The Group, made up of the highest-ranking titled women in Obosi, embarked on the outreach to help relieve the widespread hunger and hardship affecting many families in the country.

Leader of the society, Isimuo Nkechinyere Okeke Ugochukwu, explained that the 2025 empowerment effort was inspired by the rising economic challenges, which have forced many families into severe deprivation.

“We chose to reach out to some destitute persons in our midst because of the extreme hardship in the country. Hunger has pushed many children into street hawking just to support their parents,” she said. “Some of the beneficiaries are stroke patients, bedridden and without support.”

She highlighted the distribution across the villages: three beneficiaries in Mmakwum, two in Uruowulu, four in Ire, two in Ugamuma, and four in Umuota. Each beneficiary received rice, yam, tomatoes, onions, and cash.

Secretary of the group, Mrs. Chinelo Okenwa (Iyom Dinyelugo), revealed that this was the first time the society was embarking on such an empowerment initiative.

She added that next year’s outreach would extend to orphanages, hospitals, and more indigent families.

The spokesperson, Mrs. Adaobi Maduegbuna (Iyom Ugegbediya), noted that beneficiaries were carefully selected from all the villages to ensure that only the most vulnerable received support.

She appealed to well-meaning sons and daughters of Obosi to partner with the group in future projects.

She also disclosed the group’s financial contribution to Obosi’s two security outfits MACOB and the Vigilante Group describing the donation as unprecedented.

Representing the Eze Iweka Palace, Nze Okenwa Shedrach Igwebuike (Ugoeju), commended the group for its compassion and initiative.

He highlighted the revered status of Otu Odu women in Obosi, comparing their traditional roles to those of the Nze na Ozo male title holders.

He described Otu Odu as the highest title for women in Obosi, forming an important part of the town’s traditional governance structure.

In what will come across as a really tragic incident in Adamawa State, at least seven women were reportedly shot de@d by soldiers assigned to escort Brigade Commander Amechi Agwu of the 23 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Yola.

According to SaharaReporters, this was after the troops reportedly opened fire on the group of protesters in Lamurde.

The tragic incident occurred Monday afternoon, at Rigange junction, deepening tensions already inflamed by a violent assault earlier in the day by suspected Chobo-speaking militia, who had launched coordinated attacks on multiple communities in Lamurde Local Government Area.

A respected community leader, struggling to hold back tears, told SaharaReporters that 12 women were shot, with seven dying instantly.

“Five others are battling for their lives at Numan General Hospital,” he said, his voice breaking as he recounted the chaos that followed the shooting.

According to multiple local sources, the women had gathered to protest what they described as the unforgivably late arrival of security forces, who, they said, only reached the affected villages hours after the attackers had finished their rampage and retreated unchallenged.

“The women were angry, frustrated, and tired of burying their own,” another source said. “They were demanding answers. Instead, what they got were bullets.”

SaharaReporters reached out to the spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Apollonia Anele, for comments on the incident.

However, calls to her mobile line were not answered, and a text message sent to him seeking clarification on the shooting had also not received a response at the time of publishing this report.

Efforts to obtain the Army’s official position on the allegations remain ongoing, but as of press time, no reaction had been provided.

The Nigerian Army had not issued an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

I rejoice with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, today on his 63rd birthday.

Distinguished Senator Akpabio is a patriot and a dedicated servant of the people who has been unwavering in his commitment to building a better nation.

I join family, friends, associates, and members of the National Assembly to celebrate him and his decades of exceptional leadership.

As the uncommon governor of Akwa Ibom State, as his people fondly called him, he led a remarkable transformation of the state. He made Akwa Ibom a top competitor in the national economy, providing infrastructure and building one of the most iconic stadia in the country, which remains one of our best today.

From the government house of Akwa Ibom, he was elected into the Senate. As a Minister of the Niger-Delta, Senator Akpabio made the development of the region a priority.

As President of the Senate, he continues to foster executive-legislative harmony, promoting initiatives that deepen national development, peace, and security.

As co-labourers in the service of our nation, I have always admired his strength of character and ability to remain undaunted even in the face of challenges. I salute his unwavering belief in Nigeria and commitment to its progress.

I celebrate this special day with Senator Akpabio and pray to God to grant him many years of good health, strength, and continuous leadership impact.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief
Federal Republic of Nigeria
December 9, 2025