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THE STATES

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Adamawa

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Develop
ment on Tuesday, said over 135,000 dry season rice farmers were assisted by Federal Government in Adamawa.
The state Director in the ministry, Dr Walia Hamman, who made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Yola said the development, which was a special programme under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, was aimed at improving local rice production.
He said under the programme, government provided over 1,500 metric tonnes of improved rice varieties which was distributed free to the farmers.

FCT

The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
on Tuesday  arraigned  a Deputy Superintendent with the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Margret Onoja , before an FCT High Court for alleged fraud.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Onoja lied to officers of the ICPC on the number of bank accounts she was operating.
The prosecutor, Mr Paul Bassi, told the court that the accused actions violated Section 25 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The accused was alleged to have concealed the ownership and operation of a Zenith Bank Account with number 6216501714 in her company’s name, Shekina Glory Cooperation Society Ltd.
According to the prosecutor, the accused was a sole signatory to the Zenith Bank account with a N75 million balance and that the accused also concealed the existence of a First Bank account with the balance of N40 million.

Jigawa
The Executive Secretary, Jigawa Rehabilitation Board,
Alhaji Abubakar Raba-Kaya, said on Tuesday, that the Albino Foundation (TAF) would build a skin hospital in the state.
He said that the state government had donated a piece of land for the construction of the proposed hospital which would be sited in Dutse.
The scribe said the hospital would be accessible to albinos and other members of the public and he described the establishment of the hospital as a “great achievement’’.
Raba-Kaya urged albinos and other citizens of the state to patronise the facility to cater for their skin.

Kaduna
The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) on
Tuesday condemned Monday’s college bombing in Kano that killed eight students of the School of Hygiene.
Its President, Malam Yusuf Arrigasiyyu, said in Kano that the attack on the school was “satanic and devilish’’.
He urged the Federal and Kano state governments to set up investigative panel to fish out and prosecute all those behind the blast and also to beef up security across the state and other parts of the country, especially in the North-East to curtail the activities of the insurgents.
Arrigasiyyu said that members of the Boko Haram sect were not Muslims and did not represent Muslims and appealed to parents not to allow the bombings to distract them from sending their children and wards to school.
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Katsina
Manager of  Rural Development Animation Programme
(RUDAP), an NGO, Rev. Sister Regina Onyegbule, has called for more spending on sanitation and literacy campaigns in rural areas.
Onyegbule, who made the call while speaking with newsmen in Funtua, Katsina State, on Tuesday urged governments at all levels, individuals and community groups to redouble efforts on economic empowerment schemes, sanitation and literacy programmes in rural communities.
The manager said this effort was capable of uplifting the living conditions of the citizenry and appealed to the communities to cultivate the habit of clean environment and ensure good hygiene at all times.

Kwara

The new Coordinator of  the NYSC   in Kwara, Mr
Adebayo Amusa,  has called on employers in the state to improve the welfare of corps members.
Amusa made the call on Tuesday in Ilorin when he visited the News Agency of  Nigeria (NAN) office as part of his familiarisation tour of media houses.
The coordinator said the welfare of corps members would be his priority while serving  in the state and enjoined employers to prioritise  corps members’ welfare,  especially issues concerning  their accommodation and allowances, healthcare and security.
Amusa also  appealed to host communities and local government councils to build Corpers’ Lodges for corps members.
“ The NYSC is not a baby of the Federal Government alone, it belongs to states, local government, organisations and host communities,’’ he  said.

Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on
Public Account on Tuesday, urged the Management of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi , to ensure proper audit of the institution’s finances to ensure accountability.
The Committee’s Chairman, Mr Francis Orogu, who gave the advice during the defence of the institution’s finances by its management said that the advice become imperative in order to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of funds in the institution.
Orogu called on the management of the institution to be up and doing in ensuring proper utilisation of funds budgeted for the institution to ensure academic excellence.
In his remarks, the State Auditor-General, Mr Lamus Alhassan, said that the account of the university had not been audited since 2012, adding that it was the responsibility of the university to submit its audited account to his office for record purpose.

Niger

A Minna Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, sentenced a
labourer, Ndagi Mohammed, 31, to three years imprisonment for impregnating a 12-year-old pupil.
Mohammed, who was charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a teenager, was convicted after he had confessed to the offence as charged.
In her ruling, Magistrate Amina Musa, sentenced Mohammed to three years in prison without an option of fine.
The prosecutor, Insp. Alfred Auta, had told the court that one Ahmed Zakariya of Okada Road, Minna, reported the case to the police on June 22.
He said that the complainant on June 20, discovered that his younger sister was pregnant adding that the convict impregnated the girl, who is a primary school pupil, after having sex with her three times in his house.

Osun

A physician at Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital
(LAUTECH), Dr Segun Babatunde, on Tuesday, advocated inter-disciplinary patient management in health-related institutions.
Babatunde, a member of the palliative care unit at the hospital, said this in Osogbo in an interview with newsmen ading that with the development of palliative care in modern medical practice, there was the need for medical trainees to be grounded in inter-disciplinary patient management.
“At many professional workshops, we have come across nurses and physiotherapists alleging doctors of being indisposed to release patients for specialised treatment.
“There are a lot of contemporary developments in the medical world that are in the interest of improved health care delivery, he said.
“However, if entrants into these new departments in the medical world are not well indoctrinated, there may be cases of protecting territories while treating patients and “There are times when a general practitioner is taking care of patients, even those with terminal illnesses.
“A trained palliative giver may however think he is more appropriate to see that such patients are given specialised handling.

Plateau

The Plateau State Government says it will spend N5.5 bil
lion for contracts variation, including new ones this year.
Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Olivia Dazyam, said this at news briefing on the outcome of the state executive council’s meeting in Jos.
She said that the approval for the variation and execution of new projects was given at the council meeting  chaired by Governor Jonah Jang.
The commissioner said that the variation on one of the roads would gulp N1.8 billion due to increase in the scope of work on the construction of Bisichi-Koro-Fan-Mangu Halle road with six new spurs.
Dazyam said that additional works were also considered on the ongoing construction of the new Government House.

Sokoto

The Chairman, Bodinga Local Government Area, Sokoto
state, Alhaji Shehu Badau, said the council had completed the construction of five mosques in the area.
Badau in Bondinga on Tuesday, said that the mosques were built at the cost of N42 million, adding that they were located in Bangi Rafi, Kauran Hanya, Bunazawa, Darhela and Bodinga communities.
He called on the people in the communities to reciprocate the council’s gesture by praying for God’s intervention in the socio-economic and political activities of the area.
The chairman restated his administration’s commitment to providing basic infrastructure that would improve the living condition of the people.

From 2nd left: Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim and fct Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, at the scene of Emab Shopping Mall bomb blast on Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2 in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN

From 2nd left: Vice President Namadi Sambo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim and fct Minister, Sen. Bala Mohammed, at the scene of Emab Shopping Mall bomb blast on Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2 in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN

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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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