Prof. Kamene Okonjo, matriarch of Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family, mother of Obi Ifechukwude Okonjo ll, traditional ruler of Ogwashi Uku community in Delta has passed on.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the matriarch, and mother of the Director- General, World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, died on Friday at the age of 96.

The late Kamene Okonjo was the beloved wife of late Obi (Prof.) Chukwuka Okonjo, the immediate past traditional ruler of Ogwashi-Uku community, with whom she shared 66 years of marriage.

This is contained in a statement by Chief Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, Palace Secretary of the community on behalf of the royal family on Sunday.

According to the statement, the late Okonjo was an extraordinary woman, whose remarkable life was defined by intellectual brilliance, humility, compassion, dignity and an unwavering commitment to the advancement of humanity.

“An internationally recognised and foremost sociologist, Prof. Kamene Okonjo distinguished herself through her outstanding academic accomplishments, intellectual contributions and lifelong advocacy for women’s rights and empowerment.

“She was a woman of exceptional intellect, yet possessed a rare gentleness of spirit, humility and grace that endeared her to everyone privileged to know her.

“Her achievements transcended the boundaries of Ogwashi-Uku and Nigeria, earning her admiration and respect within academic and intellectual circles internationally.”

The statement added that the late Okonjo represented the very finest qualities of scholarship, womanhood, motherhood and service to society.

“Beyond her considerable professional accomplishments, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a cherished pillar of the royal family.

“Her wisdom, kindness, quiet strength and exemplary character will remain an enduring inspiration to generations yet unborn.

“While we mourn her passing, we celebrate a life exceptionally well lived.

“At 96 years, Okonjo left behind an extraordinary legacy of scholarship, service, family values and advocacy for the dignity and advancement of women.

“We take comfort in our Christian faith and the assurance that she is resting peacefully with the Lord, haven completed her earthly journey with grace and distinction,” it said.

The statement said the entire Umu Obi Obahai family extended its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, her beloved children; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dr Njideka Okonjo-Udochi, Onyema Okonjo and Chichi Okonjo.

The family also extended their condolences to their spouses, sons and daughters in law, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and the entire extended Okonjo royal family.

It also enjoined the people of Ogwashi-Uku to join the family in celebrating the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of their remarkable daughter, mother, scholar and matriarch, whose contributions to humanity would never be forgotten. (NAN)

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported two suspected Ebola cases as the number of people being monitored following the country’s confirmed infection rises to 53.

The development has heightened the urgency of efforts to contain the virus and prevent further transmission.

The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this on Sunday, October 25, 2026, during a press briefing in Abuja, where he provided an update on the country’s surveillance and response measures.

“We have established two additional suspected cases and 53 primary contact links. They are primary contacts. We have an isolation centre and a quarantine centre,” Idris said.

However, details surrounding the two suspected cases remained unclear, as other accounts of the briefing indicated that authorities had investigated two cases, including the confirmed infection in Abuja and a suspected case in Rivers State that subsequently tested negative.

The reported suspected cases should therefore not be interpreted as additional confirmed infections without laboratory confirmation.

Providing details of the contact-tracing exercise, Idris said the 53 contacts comprised 44 people linked to the healthcare facility where the confirmed patient received treatment and nine others identified through further investigations.

The additional contacts included three members of the patient’s household, three healthcare workers who attended to her at an earlier medical facility and three personnel involved in collecting samples.

According to the NCDC, the identified contacts had been classified according to their exposure risks and placed under monitoring. None had tested positive for Ebola or developed symptoms as of the briefing.

Idris explained that public health teams would monitor the exposed individuals for 21 days after their last possible exposure, in line with established protocols for detecting and responding promptly to potential infections.

He also disclosed that approximately 12 public and private laboratories were available to conduct Ebola testing in Nigeria as authorities continued to strengthen the country’s diagnostic capacity.

The NCDC director-general urged healthcare facilities nationwide to reinforce screening, patient assessment and infection prevention measures.

He stressed the need to provide healthcare workers with adequate personal protective equipment and ensure the prompt reporting of suspected infections.

Idris further appealed to individuals contacted by public health officials to cooperate with investigators and provide accurate information about their movements, possible exposure and symptoms.

Nigeria confirmed its first Ebola case in the current regional outbreak on October 20, 2026, after a woman with a recent travel history to Uganda tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the virus in Abuja.

According to the World Health Organisation, the woman developed symptoms on October 7 and sought treatment at a private health facility on October 11 before laboratory tests confirmed the infection.

The initial contact-tracing exercise identified 44 people, but the figure subsequently increased to 53 as investigations expanded.

The Federal Government has maintained heightened surveillance while strengthening laboratory testing, isolation arrangements and infection prevention protocols.

Health authorities have urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, cooperate with public health officials and avoid spreading unverified information as investigations and monitoring continue.

The Kogi State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the deaths of two individuals in Ajaokuta Local Government Area amid reports of an alleged murder-suicide involving two police officers.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Afusat Saliu, confirmed the development in an interview with Sunday Punch on Saturday.

According to reports, a police corporal identified as Amos, attached to the Ajaokuta Division, allegedly shot his girlfriend, Grace, who was also a corporal, before turning the weapon on himself.

A source disclosed that Amos reported for night duty as a station guard at about 6 p.m. on Friday but allegedly left his duty post a few hours later.

He was said to have proceeded to Grace’s quarters at about 9 p.m., where he allegedly fired three shots at her, hitting her shoulder, lower abdomen and leg, before shooting himself with his AK-47 rifle.

The source attributed the incident to a lingering crisis in the couple’s relationship.

Reports indicated that the two officers had been dating for several years, but their relationship reportedly deteriorated in recent months amid allegations of infidelity and a breakdown of trust.

Their disagreements allegedly escalated into physical altercations and threats, prompting the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) to detain them at one point and advise them to end the relationship.

“The two junior police officers had been dating for some years now, but a few months ago, they started having trust issues and cheating allegations. There had been physical fights and threats to the extent that they were detained at some point by the DCO, who later advised them to end the love relationship for the sake of peace,” the source said.

The source added that the disagreements persisted despite the DCO’s intervention.

Confirming the incident, Saliu said the command was investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths and would provide further information when the investigation was concluded.

“We are aware of the incident, and the case is currently under investigation; we will update members of the public after the investigation is concluded,” she said.

However, the police spokesperson declined to immediately confirm whether the deceased were members of the command.

“I cannot confirm that to you right now, but we are investigating the circumstances that led to their death,” she stated.

Saliu also declined to categorically describe the incident as a murder-suicide, stressing that the police had yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“I cannot also tell you if the couple committed suicide or not until the investigation is concluded. We will release an official statement once I get a conclusive report on the matter,” she added.

The police are expected to provide further details after completing their investigation.