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THE STATES

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Benue

A Magistrates’ Court in Makurdi, has ordered two
brothers, Mzuaii Uaaku and Terzungwe Uaaku, to be remanded at the Federal Prisons, Makurdi, for alleged conspiracy and armed robbery.
Mzuaii, 35, and Terzungwe, 25, both farmers, hail from Mondo village in Logo Local Government Area of Benue.
The police prosecutor, Cpl. Adama Owoicho, told the court that Oragbai Terna of R.C.M Primary School, Oragbai, reported the case at the Oragbai police station on March 28.
He said that the complainant was at home when his son, Terso Terna, reported to him that he had been attacked.

FCT

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says
it has commenced the construction of a transmission bye-pass to temporarily replace the destroyed 132kV transmission line from Tegina to Kotangora, Niger State.
Mr Dave Ifabiyi, TCN Assistant General Manager (Public Affairs), disclosed this in a statement in Abuja recently.
The statement said the company had mobilised to the site to construct the transmission line which was destroyed by rain on April 18.
It said that four transmission towers were destroyed as a result of the incident at Corner Mariga after Tegina, Niger state, causing power outage in the area.

Gombe

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists
(NAWOJ) has commended Hajiya Adama Dankwambo, wife of Gombe State governor, for empowering more than 7,000 women in the state.
Mrs Ruth Absolon, the Chairperson of the association in the state, made the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Gombe.
She said that the beneficiaries were empowered in the last three years.
“The wife of the governor had empowered more than 7,000 women across the state.
“Honestly, she (Dankwambo) has empowered women, particularly the rural dwellers and less privileged, who were hopeless.”

Jigawa

Poultry farmers in Hadejia, Jigawa State, have la
mented the high prices of chicken feeds in the area.
They also called on the state government to establish a feeds mill to encourage processing and poultry production in the state.
A cross section of the farmers who spoke to our correspondent  in Hadejia, said that the measure was necessary to end scarcity and enhance access to the products.
Mrs Halima Ismail, a poultry farmer, said that high cost of feeds was making poultry farming expensive and less attractive.

Kebbi

The Kebbi State  Government has commenced the
training of 150 Sharia Courts Judges on advanced Sharia Legal System to enhance dispensation of Islamic Justice in the state.
Addressing the participants in Birnin Kebbi, the Chief Registrar, Sharia Court of Appeal, Alhaji Muhammad Sani, said the training would improve Judges’ practical knowledge and enhance their understanding and memory on Sharia legal system.
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Kaduna
Kaduna State Government  said it had paid more     than N100 million to the National Examination Council (NECO) as examination fee for its 15,000 candidates.
The Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Ali, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kaduna, and made available to newsmen.
Ali said the settlement of the fee would alleviate the financial  burden on parents and guardians of the students, encourage access to education and improve the status of education in the state.
He however said only students that obtained at least five credits, including mathematics and English language, would benefit from the programme.

Lagos

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Co-opera
tives in Lagos State, Mr Gbolahan Lawal,  has urged Nigerians to exploit the benefits of coconut.
Lawal gave the advice at Badagry during the grand finale of the annual coconut festival, saying that its benefits were under-exploited in the country.
“Coconut is often referred to as the tree of life and a wonder crop because of its versatility as all the parts can be put to economic and social use.
“Every part of the tree including the stem, branch, fruits has significant use; it has economic, environmental, medicinal and ornamental benefits which has been grossly unexploited in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole”, he said.
Ogun

The police have arraigned two women, Remi
Odeyemi, 27, and Aishat Showunmi, 19, in a Magistrates’ Court in Ota, Ogun, for slapping a policeman.
The accused were arraigned on a two-count charge of assault and conspiracy.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Olumide Awoleke, told the court that on April 7 at about 8.00 p.m. at Igbusi village, Ifo in Ota, the accused persons slapped Cpl. Yemi Odeniyi while on duty.
He said that the assault on Odeniyi was unprovoked, adding that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 356(i) and 516 of the Criminal Code Revised Law of Ogun, 2006.

Osun
Dr Muritala Afolabi of Ladoke Akintola Teaching
Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo, has advised that malaria should be properly diagnosed before treatment.
Afolabi gave the advice in an interview with newsme in Osogbo.
The medical practitioner said “it is wrong to embark on malaria treatment without proper diagnosis.OyoOyo
Oyo

A professor of Chemical Pathology, Ladoke
Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Prof. Taiwo Adewole, has called for a national policy on DNA-based medical diagnosis of diseases in Nigeria.
Adewole made the call in his inaugural lecture in Oshogbo recently.
“DNA in the medical terms is a popular acronym for Deoxyribonucleic Acid, a double-stranded filamentous structure (molecule) found in the nucleus of every cell of higher organisms, including man.
“Every disease is about DNA while DNA is the key to the diagnosis, prognosis (disease outcome) and treatment of diseases, like cancer and malaria,” he said.

Sokoto

A delegate to the ongoing national conference,
Prof. Sambo Wali, says the conference is not only desirable, but timely.
“The conference is a welcome development to all well meaning and patriotic Nigerians who have the interest of the nation at heart,” he said.
Wali, who addressed a news conference in Sokoto, also said that it would allow Nigerians to express themselves freely.
“The conference is a forum to discuss the diverse views and feelings of the citizens about the country which has existed for over a century as a single indivisible entity.

Yobe

A chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC)
in Yobe State, Alhaji Sani Fema, says  the party’s consensual procedure in the ward and local government congresses had produced most popular and acceptable officials.
Fema said this in an interview with newsmen in Damaturu recently .
He said efforts were in place to produce the state executive council of the party by consensus.
“We are all putting heads together under the leadership of the state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, to produce, through collective agreement, officials that will lead the party at the state level”, he said.

L-R: Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of State 11 for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Muhammad and Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja last Wednesday.

L-R: Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of State 11 for Foreign Affairs, Dr Nurudeen Muhammad and Minister of State for Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, at the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja last Wednesday.

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Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

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The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.

Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.

The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.

“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.

Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state

He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.

“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.

While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.

He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process.

Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.

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THE LAPSES OF THE MEDIA IN ELECTIONS

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The media is supposed to be a platform through which people express their thoughts, beliefs, and opinions on issues of public interest. Unfortunately, it has often failed to live up to its role as the fourth estate of the realm.During the 2023 elections, the media recorded several lapses that deserve critical examination in academic and professional spaces. Before discussing these failures in detail, it is important to briefly explain the meaning, role, and duties of the media. In simple terms, the media refers to the main channels of mass communication, including broadcasting, print publishing, and the internet.
It is a collective term for all means through which information reaches the public. The media is often called the fourth tier of government because of the popular saying, “No media, no society.” This is not an exaggeration. Scholars have shown that the media plays an integral role in society, since political, economic, religious, and academic activities all depend on information flow through the media.
The word MEDIA can be broken down to reflect its core functions:  M – Meeting the People  E – Educating the People  D – Discussing with the People  I – Involving the People  A – Accessing the PeopleSpecifically during elections, the media is expected to provide accurate and timely information to the public by reporting and updating citizens on government and electoral activities. This responsibility is central to keeping the electorate informed.The media also strengthens democracy by engaging citizens on critical issues affecting the electoral process. When the media effectively disseminates relevant information, the public can see through the failures of government, hold leaders accountable, and propose solutions that serve the common good.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram play a vital role in democratic societies because they allow mass participation. Unlike radio and television, social media is accessible to anyone with a smartphone and data bundle, making it the most inclusive platform for political discourse. Despite these roles, the media must not abandon its ethics or promote partisan agendas that mislead the public. In many schools of thought, the media is described as closely related to the judiciary.
People often see the media as a place to voice grievances and seek justice.However, it is fair to say that the media has lost ground by failing to fulfill its duties during elections. Below are ten key lapses observed in the February 2023 elections.Lack of coordination among journalists. Many press personnel who covered different polling units were poorly equipped and unprepared. Some lacked functional cameras and modern technology needed to carry out professional reporting.
Partisanship and breach of ethics. Media personnel, who are supposed to remain non-partisan, openly violated professional ethics by taking political sides and favoring certain candidates in their reporting.Commercialization of coverage. Some journalists prioritized money over news. It was disappointing to see professionals from reputable stations engaging in what I call “Oga, find me something syndrome” begging politicians for money in exchange for favorable coverage or interviews.Loss of independence and self-censorship. On election day, some journalists took instructions from politicians on what to report and what to suppress. This compromised the independence of the media and reduced public trust.
Poor post-election reporting. Few media outlets reported what actually happened at the polling units. Incidents of violence, voter intimidation, and irregularities were either underreported or ignored entirely, while praise was lavished on politicians instead of amplifying the voices of the people.Spread of misinformation and unverified claims. In the rush to be first, some media houses published unverified results and rumors from social media without fact-checking. This fueled confusion and tension among the electorate.Inadequate coverage of rural and marginalized areas. Media attention was concentrated in urban centers, leaving rural polling units underreported. The experiences and challenges of rural voters were largely absent from mainstream coverage.
Sensationalism over substance. Some outlets prioritized sensational headlines and conflict-driven stories over factual analysis of policies and candidate manifestos, leaving voters uninformed about real issues. Failure to hold INEC accountable in real time. While INEC faced logistical failures and delays, many media houses were slow to question officials or demand explanations on air, missing opportunities for live accountability.
Neglect of voter education. Beyond reporting results, the media did little to educate voters on procedures, rights, and what to do in case of irregularities. This left many citizens uninformed and vulnerable on election day.These lapses weaken public trust and undermine the credibility of the electoral process. For the media to regain its role as a watchdog of democracy, it must return to the principles of accuracy, impartiality, and public service.
The media must be informed to follow its ethics as the 2027 elections approaches. This is encourage electorates rely on the authenticity and objectivity of media practice.Failure to uphold media standards will further make the country plunge into political apathy, electoral violence and disgust for those in the media practice.
By KRUKRUBO, NYE TAMUNODIKI.
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RSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria

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Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.

The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_

The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.

The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.

Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.

Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.

On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.

In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.

Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.

 

Amadi Akujobi

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