Nation
THE STATES
Benue
Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State has assured trainees from the state of access to loans to start small scale enterprises.
Suswam gave the assurance in Makurdi at the inauguration of theUultra-Moderne entrepreneurship development centre built to serve states in the North Central zone.
The states include Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa, FCT, Plateau and Kwara States.
Suswam said his administration was committed to youth empowerment, stressing that funds would be available to the youths “as soon as they have completed their training at the centre”.
FCT
Chairman, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa, Mr Sylva Waribugo, has described the figures declared for the council in the 2006 National Population and Housing Census as grossly inaccurate.
Waribugo stated this while testifying before the Census Tribunal last Tuesday in Abuja.
He said that the 130,966 figure declared for the area did not represent the exact inhabitants in the area, adding that some of the communities were omitted during the exercise.
According to him, 300 communities in the council area were not captured by enumerators during the exercise.
Gombe
Farmers in Gombe State have lauded the efforts of the Federal Government in the distribution of subsidised fertiliser with free improved rice seeds to each registered farmer.
Some of the beneficiaries gave the commendation in separate interviews with newsmen in Kwadon area of Yamaltu/Deba local government area.
They said that each farmer had received three bags of fertiliser at N3, 000 each with a free 50-kilogramme bag of improved variety of rice seed.
Malam Hassan Ahmadu, a farmer, said the Federal Government’s gesture had helped them to cushion the effects of last year’s floods.
Jigawa
Some expectant mothers in Kiyawa, headquarters of Kiyawa local government area of Jigawa State, have commended the Partnership for Transforming Health System (PATHS-3) for renovating the maternity clinic in the area.
The PATHS-3 project, supported by the British Department for International Development (DFID), had initiated various programmes to enhance ante-natal care services in rural communities in the state.
Some of the projects executed under the PATHS-3 programme in the clinic include the renovation of the labour room, wards and upgrading of water supply system.
A cross section of the women, who spoke to newsmen in Kiyawa last Tuesday, said the rehabilitation had encouraged them to attend ante-natal clinic.
Katsina
No fewer than 339 workers of local government councils in Katsina State will benefit from in-service training this year, Chairman of the state Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Abdulkarim Abubakar has said.
Abubakar, who announced this in Katsina, while presenting funds to some of the beneficiaries, said government had earmarked N29.7 million for the training.
He said that out of the amount, N14.8 million would be paid to 176 workers under the first phase, while the others would receive their money “in due course”.
He urged the local governments to ensure that only genuine workers benefited from the exercise.
Kogi
Kogi Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi has appealed to the Presidential Committee on Floods to provide more funds to meet the challenges of rehabilitating flood victims in the state.
He said that the funds would also help in the reconstruction of affected infrastructure.
A statement issued last Tuesday in Lokoja, by his Press Secretary, Mr Michael Abu, said the deputy governor made the appeal when he appeared before the committee in Abuja.
He noted that more funds from the Federal Government would enable the state government to meet the challenges posed by the devastation in the state.
Kwara
A man, Tunde Akanbi, last Tuesday, told an Ilorin Area Court that he was often provoked into beating his wife because she had no respect for him.
His 31-year-old wife, Iyabo, had urged the court to dissolve the marriage on the ground that her husband was temperamental.
The complainant told the court that her husband was often angry at the slightest provocation.
“My husband will at times beat me in the midst of our neighbours whenever he is upset,” she said.
Nasarawa
Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has commended the state’s Amirul-Hajj team for the successful conduct of the 2012 pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Makura gave the commendation when he received the report of the 2012 Hajj operation from the Chairman of the team, Ahmed Aboki, in Lafia.
The governor thanked members of the team for serving the state in that capacity despite their tight schedules.
“I acknowledge your worthy contribution and for taking the responsibility with diligence in serving your father land.’’
Ogun
The Ogun State government has advised teachers in public schools to ensure timely compilation of examination marks to enable students collect their results before proceeding on vacation.
The Commissioner for Education, Mr Segun Odubela, gave the advice in Remo while monitoring the on-going second term unified examinations in public secondary schools in the state.
He said the advice became necessary to enable students and parents study the document before schools resumed for the third term.
Odubela added that the academic time-table was fashioned in a way that would give examiners ample opportunity to mark the scripts before the end of each term.
Plateau
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has decried the misuse of mobile phones as a tool for examination malpractice.
The NOA Director in Plateau State, Mr Musa Chantu said this during the agency’s campaign against examination malpractice at Government College, Jos.
“Handset is meant to assist in bridging the hitherto communication gap within the society as the world is striving toward globalisation.
“It is rather unfortunate that most students usually misuse the rationale of having access to this communication gadget.
Oyo
An Ibadan Senior Magistrates’ Court has sentenced one Ayobami Adeoti, 35, to six months imprisonment for stealing a mobile telephone handset.
The Senior Magistrate, Mrs Kehinde Omotosho, who handed down the judgement without option of fine, said that Adeoti should serve his term with hard labour.
Our source said that the accused, who was arraigned on March 6, 2012, had pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Cpl. Sunday Ojeleye, told the court that Adeoti stole a Nokia C2 handset, valued at N8,000 belonging to one Ode Beatrice at City Centre Hotel at Mokola in Ibadan.
Zamfara
The Zamfara Government has introduced the e-payment system to curtail sharp practices in revenue generation, the Chairman, Board of Internal Revenue, Alhaji Mustapha Isa, said.
In a statement in Gusau Isa also said that the government had ordered the immediate stoppage of payments through officials of the Internal Revenue Board.
He said that the measure was in tune with global practice of electronic monitoring transactions.
The chairman also said that the new system would assist the state to improve its internal revenue base to enable it service its development strategies.
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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