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THE STATES

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Adamawa

The Adamawa-German Medical Centre (AGMC) in Yola says
it has treated about 14,000 patients since inception in 2012.
The Administrator of the centre, Mrs Fadimatu Yakubu, made this known in an interview with newsmen.
Yakubu said the centre had at December 2015 handled 13,284 out-patients and 673 in-patients.
“Within the period under review, this centre which is rendering world class service carried out 220 surgeries, 107 mammography, 309 CT scan and 88 MRI, among others.
“A total of 8,345 patients had undergone various tests from March 2012 to December 2015. Our laboratory is fully equipped to carry out all kinds of medical test,” Yakubu said.

Borno

The Borno State Government, has awarded a N660 million
contract to three indigenous firms for the supply of medical equipment to public hospitals in the state.
The indigenous companies are Trans Sahara International Ltd, Kabiru Muhammad and Co Ltd and Kime International Ltd.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr Haruna Mishelia, signed the contract on behalf of the State government, while representatives of the firms signed on behalf of their companies.
Mishelia said that the contract would include the provision of medical equipment, beds and beddings, as well as additional wards at Maimusari Healthcare Clinic in Maiduguri.
The commissioner said that the contacts were awarded after approval of the state Executive Council.

FCT

National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has
called on government to improve existing response mechanism to ensure rapid response in cases of disease outbreaks in the country.
President of the association, Dr Muhammad Askira,  made the call at a news conference in Abuja on the recent outbreak of Lassa fever.
Askira said the disease had so far claimed 43 lives in 10 states and the FCT Abuja.
He decried the emergency response arrangement set up by the government to tackle outbreak of any epidemic of this nature.

Jigawa

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria
(MACBAN) has urged nomads to desist from grazing their livestock at night as the practice can raise suspicion among members of the community concerned.
The National President of the association, Alhaji Muhammad Kirowa, gave the warning in Dutse while speaking with newsmen.
According to Kirowa, the warning has become necessary in view of the current security challenges the country is facing.
He said that it had become necessary to warn the nomads against grazing at night because they had been accused of committing all sorts of crime during the night.
The president of the association also urged parents to desist from sending their under-aged children out to graze at night.

Kaduna

The Chairman, Southern Kaduna Christian Leader’s Council,
Bishop Joseph Bagobiri, has urged the people of the area to hold on to their faith and trust in God for deliverance.
Bagobiri gave the advice in a sermon delivered at the 15th Annual Southern Kaduna National Prayer Summit held at the Catholic Cathedral, Kafanchan.
The Bishop said that the message was against the backdrop of attacks witnessed in the area between 2012 and 2015 that led to wanton destruction of lives and property.
According to him, the Summit provides the platform and a rallying point for the people of the area to consolidate on the spirit of unity.

Kano

Kano State Government will host the forthcoming
conference on National Council on Agriculture scheduled to hold between February 8 and February 12.
The State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Nasiru Gawuna, made this known in Kano in an interview with newsmen recently.
According to him, the local organising committee has been set up by the government to ensure the success of the event.
He said stakeholders from the 36 states and FCT as well as participants from outside the country are expected to attend the conference.

Katsina

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in
Katsina State has intercepted a lorry loaded with cannabis sativa, psychotropic substances and cough syrups concealed in paint containers.
The NDLEA State Commandant, Hajiya Maryam Sani, who disclosed this to newsmen in Katsina, said that the vehicle was intercepted in Katsina on Friday, following a tip-off.
‘’The suspects placed real paints on top, whereas the others were below to deceive people into believing it was all paints that were being transported.
“When the vehicle was stopped by our men on duty, the some of the occupants of the vehicle took to their heels while two persons were arrested,’’ she said.
The commandant added that the items concealed inside the paint containers included cannabis sativa wrapped with polythene materials, hundreds of bottles of cough syrups, different types of psychotropic substances and other prohibited drugs.

Lagos

Alaguntan Community Development Association (CDA)
in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State has commended Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode for approving the reconstruction of 114 inner roads across the state.
Our correspondent reports that the reconstruction of 114 inner roads, two in each of the 57 council areas, is an initiative of the Ambode administration.
The project, which is being fully funded by the State Government, is slated for completion in six months at a cost of N17.5 billion.
The General Secretary of the Alaguntan CDA, Mr Bada Saubana,  said that the inclusion of Shotunde Street in the community among roads slated for reconstruction was a welcome development.
According to him, the reconstruction of the community roads will open up the areas for more socio- economic activities and improve the welfare of the people.

Nasarawa

The Karshi Development Area Council in Nasarawa State
has warned workers against truancy, absenteeism and other sharp practices for improved productivity.
The Director of Personnel Management (DPM) Mr Musa Adamu, of the council, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Karshi.
He advised the workers to buckle up to record optimal productivity in the council and justify the huge investment of government at the grass roots.
“I want to appeal to the staff of the council to be punctual, dedicated, diligent and be more committed to their duty and to contribute their quota to national development.
“I am also calling on the workers to shun non-chalant attitude to work and other sharp practices.
“Doing that, will not only move the council forward, it will also enable the public have trust in the council administration for grassroots development and the country at large,’’ he said.

Niger

The Coordinator of Fadama III project in Niger,  Mr Aliyu
Kutigi, said that the state had acquired farm inputs worth N28.2 million for ten production clusters.
Kutigi made this known in Minna when he presented the report of project implementation to the Team Leader of the World Bank assisted Fadama III Additional Financing Project, Dr Adetunji Oredipe.
According to him, the agricultural inputs are of 30 metric tonnes of improved rice seeds, 2,300 litres of herbicides and 150 metric tonnes of fertilisers to farmers under Fadama project.
“I will like to inform you that the state has gone far in the implementation of Fadama III Additional Financing (AF) as one of core states.
“The state has 970 hectares of rice, comprising 700 hectares in 2015 rainy season and 270 hectares for dry season,’’ Kutigi said.
He said the state government was committed to the Fadama III Additional Financing Project, adding that benefitting communities were also cooperating.
Oredipe commended Niger Government for the success it had so far recorded in the project, but stressed the need to add value to the project.

Plateau

The Plateau State Commissioner for Housing and Urban
Development, Mr Samuel Gahe has urged contractors to step up effort and perform creditably.
Galadima, who gave the assurance wile interacting with contractors executing government projects in the state, said the current administration would also complete projects embarked upon by the previous administration.
The Commissioner said since the contractors had been fully mobilized financially, any excuse for non-performance would not be accepted.
“This government is very determined not to leave any project uncompleted.
“That is why it has given finances to the contractors handling various projects to ensure completion within the time frame”, he said.

Sokoto

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, said that the
government would undertake a verification of all workers on the payroll of the state and local governments.
Tambuwal announced this when he received the National President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE, Mr Ibrahim Khalil, in Sokoto.
The governor was quoted in a statement by his media aide, Imam Imam, as saying that the exercise was “to reposition the civil service.”
“We will carry out full verification to ascertain the number of workers we have at the state and local government levels.”
The governor said that the exercise would also end “the culture of truancy especially at LGAs where workers go to work late and in some instances, they don’t go at all.”
Tambuwal restated his support for full autonomy of local councils and urged NULGE to sustain its campaign to ensure amendment to the relevant sections of the Constitution.”

Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State (right), inspecting the dormitory of the Government Girls Science College in Dakingari on Wednesday.

Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State (right), inspecting the dormitory of the Government Girls Science College in Dakingari on Wednesday.

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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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Shell, MAN Back Rivers’ Drive for Expanded Gas Supply to Industries

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The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.

The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.

Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.

According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.

He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.

“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.

Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.

He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.

Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.

Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.

He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.

According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.

Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.

He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.

The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.

Chairman of MAN, Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okuku, described gas as indispensable to industrial operations, noting that many manufacturers continue to struggle with the high cost of alternative energy sources.

Similarly, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga, said the transition to natural gas had become increasingly necessary for businesses seeking stable and cost-efficient operations.

“Pipeline natural gas provides a more cost-effective and reliable source of energy for industries,” she stated.

Also speaking, former Chairman of MAN in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs. Emilia Akpan, stressed the need to align energy infrastructure development with investment in human capacity.

She maintained that rebuilding the state’s economy would require not only reliable energy supply but also the development of technical skills needed to support long-term industrial growth.

 

By Kevin Nengia

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