Nation
THE STATES
Bauchi
The newly appointed Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Azare, in Bauchi State, Dr Musa Dambam, has promised to transform the centre to serve the people better.
The CMD, who is the outgoing State Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA) said this in an interview with newsmen in Bauchi.
He described his appointment as the CMD as a challenge and urged staff of the centre not to entertain any fear as his appointment was for the betterment of the centre.
“I don’t look at it as anything but rather a challenge for me to be an agent of change who has come to work with anybody to transform the new place.”
The new CMD enjoined the staffers to give him the necessary support to enable the centre to deliver quality healthcare services.
Jigawa
The Permanent Secretary Jigawa State Executive Council Affairs, Alhaji Aminu Zakari, says unregulated Almajiri system of education constitutes a security risk in the country.
Zakari made this known in an interview with newsmen in Dutse on Thursday.
He said Islamic Religious Knowledge teachers and traditional rulers in the north should support the Federal Government policy of integrating the Almajiri system of education in the formal school system.
He was speaking at the end of a three-day retreat for political office holders and permanent secretaries in the state, which was held at the Manpower Development Institute, Dutse.
Zakari said: “if the Almajiri system of education was integrated with the formal school system, it will be more attractive and interesting. “
He, therefore, enjoined traditional rulers and the local Arabic teachers to put heads together with a view to harmonising the system.
Katsina
Three former governors of Katsina State and three deputies have received multi-million Naira pension packages from the state government, in line with a recent pension law enacted in the state.
The beneficiaries included two former Governors of the old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita and Alhaji Abba Musa Rimi, and the first civilian Governor of the state, Alhaji Sa’idu Barda.
The three Deputy Governors are, Amb. Abdullahi Aminchi, Alhaji Tukur Jikamshi and Alhaji Surajo Damari.
Our correspondent reports that late President Umaru Yar’Adua, who was governor of the state between 1999-2007, was not among the beneficiaries, as his pension would now be paid by the Federal Government.
Governor Ibrahim Shema said while presenting the package to the beneficiaries in Katsina that the gesture was in recognition of their contribution to the development of the state during their tenure.
According to him, it is also in compliance with the provision of the new state’s Pension Law.
“You have contributed immensely to the development of our dear state during your time, we are still benefiting from your advises in achieving peace, unity and stability, as well as in moving the state to greater heights.”
Kogi
The Kogi Government has announced a 50 per cent reduction in rents payable on the three categories of shops at its Lokoja International Market.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Mike Abu, Press Secretary to the state deputy governor in Lokoja.
It said that the reduction was part of government’s efforts to discourage street trading and accommodate more traders in the market.
According to the statement, a small shop, which hitherto attracted N40,000 per annum, is now N20,000, while a medium-sized one now goes for N25,000 against the previous rent of N50,000.
Niger
The Niger State Government is to spend N30 billion on the construction of 8,000 new houses in Minna and Suleja, to reduce the housing deficit in the state.
The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Alhaji Nuhu Musa, told news men in Minna on Thursday at the end of the State Executive Council meeting, that the project would be executed under Public Private Partnership.
He said the project, which would be completed before the end of 2014, involve the construction of 4,500 housing units in Minna and 3, 500 in Suleja.
Musa said the project was not part of the 2, 000 on going housing works started in 2008 in Minna, Bida, and Kontagora, which had reached 90 per cent completion.
He said five developers had been chosen after due diligence was carried out on their past performances and the sources of their finances.
Musa said the government was expected to release to the companies certificates for the land within the next two weeks, while the developers must show physical presence on the sites within six months.
Ondo
The Jegun of Idepe-Okitipupa, Oba Michael Adetoye, has appealed to government to always consider Okitipupa indigenes while employing workers at the Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH).
Speaking to newsmen in Okitipupa on Thursday, Adetoye said Okitipupa indigenes had not really benefited from the employment opportunities at the university.
“A higher institution is a community on its own; wherever one is sited, it attracts so many things into the area. That area will flourish.
“Those are some of the gains of having a university and consideration should be given to the people in the catchments area regarding employment,’’ he said.
He said the people of the area wanted more dividends from the establishment of the university in Okitipupa, adding that many qualified indigenes had approached him for employment.
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Oyo
A 40-year-old suspected ritualist, Femi Akande, who was arraigned over the murder of one Sekinat Emiola, has been remanded in prison by an Ibadan Chief Magistrates’ Court.
Akande and others now at large were accused of killing Emiola on April 19 at Oke Aremo area of Ibadan.
The police prosecutor, Insp. Ade Adebusuyi, said the accused severed the head and wrist of the victim from her body.
The offence, he said, was contrary to Section 316 and punishable under Section 319 of the criminal code Cap 38 Vol II Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria 2000.
Plateau
A member of Plateau House of Assembly, Mr Daniel Dem, has called for the immediate introduction of community policing to stem further violence and bloodshed in the state.
Dem, who represent Riyom State Constituency made the disclosure in an interview with the newsmen in Jos.
He said that the measure had become necessary because the Special Task Force (STF) had not been able to effectively protect the affected communities.
He said after condoling with families of victims of Tuesday’s attack in Riyom that the people must be fully involved in the efforts to safeguard their communities.
“Obviously the STF has not helped much and we must look for other devices toward peace,’’ he said.
The lawmaker expressed regrets that so many attacks were being carried out in spite of the emergency rule in the local government.
Dem urged the Federal government to immediately introduce community policing as members of affected communities were conversant with their terrains.
Our correspondent reports that Mr Emmanuel Ayeni, the Plateau Commissioner of Police, confirmed that five persons were killed and many others injured during the Tuesday attack on Riyom village.
Taraba
The Taraba State Government has approved the implementation of minimum wage for teachers in the state, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Alhaji Aliyu Mafindi has said.
Mafindi told newsmen in Jalingo that the government had also approved the promotion of teachers as well as yearly increaments on their salaries.
“His Excellency, Governor Danbaba Suntai, has graciously promised officials of the NUT that payment of minimum wage will start in April and arrears will be paid in the next three weeks,” he said.
The chairman urged teachers to be dedicated to their duties to justify the increase in their salaries.
He warned that absenteeism would no longer be tolerated, adding that the union would support any disciplinary measure against erring teachers.
With the implementation of the minimum wage for teachers, staff of local government councils are the only category of civil servants in the state that are yet to benefit from the new wage.
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor
The Nile University of Nigeria has successfully hosted the maiden National Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA) Nigeria Chapter, drawing scholars, policymakers, and media professionals to examine emerging global communication trends and Africa’s positioning within them.
The two-day conference, themed, “Global Communication Shifts and Implications for Africa,” took place from March 24 to 25, 2026, at Nile University of Nigeria in Abuja. The event marked the first national gathering of the ICA Nigeria Chapter since its inauguration in March 2023, making it a historic milestone for communication scholarship on the continent.
Delivering a welcome address on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of Nile University, Prof. Dilli Dogo, the Head of Mass Communication Department, Dr. Jacob Suemo, described the conference as a “clarion call to reimagine Africa’s place in the global communication landscape,” emphasising the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation.
The conference convened leading international scholars, including ICA President, Prof Thomas Hanitzsch and REACH Committee Chair, Prof Noshir Contractor, alongside other notable academics such as Prof Srivi Ramasubramanian, Dominique Brossard, and Prof. Raka Shome. Representatives from ICA chapters in India, Indonesia, and Kenya also participated, reinforcing the global outlook of the gathering.
Participants engaged in keynote sessions, panel discussions, and paper presentations addressing critical themes such as artificial intelligence, climate change communication, media systems, governance, and digital transformation. These discussions reflected the broader aim of the conference to interrogate how global communication shifts affect African societies, institutions, and development pathways.
A key highlight of the conference was a strategic panel session titled, “Is Africa Ready for ICA26?” which assessed the continent’s readiness for deeper global engagement ahead of the ICA International Conference scheduled for June 2026.
The event featured over 50 research presentations from scholars across Nigerian institutions, showcasing diverse perspectives on communication research and practice. It also attracted major stakeholders in government and media, including representatives of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the News Agency of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Press Council. Discussions underscored the importance of strategic communication in national development and Africa-driven narratives in global discourse.
A major outcome of the conference was the leadership transition within the ICA Nigeria Chapter. Professor Desmond Okocha emerged as the new Chair, succeeding the founding Chair, Dr. Ekaete George. The transition was described as a step toward consolidating the association’s growth and expanding its influence across Nigeria’s academic and media landscape.
Organised in collaboration with academic institutions including Bingham University, University of Cross River State, Nasarawa State University, and the University of Calabar, the conference also featured participation from the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) as a partner and sponsor.
The ICA Nigeria Chapter noted that the conference provided a vital platform for intellectual exchange, collaboration, and policy dialogue, positioning Nigeria as a key player in global communication research and practice.
The second edition of the ICA Nigeria National Conference is scheduled for March 2027, building on the success of the inaugural event.
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