Nation

THE STATES

Published

10 years ago

February 1, 2016

Benue

A 28-year-old student, Japhet Fahonum, has appeared
before a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court, charged with raping a 15-year-old mentally challenged girl.
Fahonum, who resides at Benseer Street, Owner Occupier, Makurdi, is facing a one-count charge of rape.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Terzungwe Kajo told the court that a brother of the victim reported the case at the “E’’ Division Police Station, Makurdi on January 1.
Kajo said that the complainant alleged that the accused lured his sister, who is mentally challenged, out on the night of the fateful day and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

FCT

Some education stakeholders have blamed poor standards
in Nigeria’s basic education system on the absence of quality teachers, poor infrastructure and inadequate funding.
The educationists made the observation in separate interviews with newsmen across the country.
Mr Ishaya Tabat, a lecturer with Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, said that dearth of quality teachers and poor funding remained the major set-backs to efforts at strengthening education at the basic level.
Tabat said that 90 per cent of teachers in primary and junior secondary schools lacked the basic training needed to teach at that level.
Jigawa

Alhaji Ali Alkali, Sole Administrator, Malammadori Local
Government of Jigwa State, has urged members of the state’s taskforce Committee on Revenue to be diligent in their duties.
Alkali told newsmen in Malammadori that it was imperative for the committee to be fair and just in the discharge of its duties.
He said that such commitment to duty would ensure financial probity and boost the council’s revenue base.
The sole administrator commended traders’ associations and cooperative bodies for their support to the committee, adding that the gesture had facilitated smooth operation of the committee.
Kogi

The new Kogi State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, said
that he was ready for action and determined to give the state a new direction.
He also said he would use President Muhammadu Buhari as his model for governance, stressing that his administration would have zero tolerance for corruption.
Bello, in his inaugural address, laden with emotion as he wept while recognising notable personalities in his life, especially his late father, said it would not be business as usual with him at the helms of affairs in the state.

Kaduna
The Senate Committee on Defence, has commenced in
vestigation into the Army/Shiite clash in Zaria, Kaduna State, which occurred on December 12, 2015.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Ahmad Lawal told newsmen in Kaduna shortly after a meeting with Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai, that their interaction with all interested parties would be in secret.
“We have come for a courtesy call and we have had a meeting with the Nigerian Army led by the General Officer Commanding, 1 Division.
“We are also meeting the Director DSS and also the Commissioner of Police, “ he said.

Kano
Alhaji Gambo Danpass, a chieftain of All Progressives
Congress (APC) in Kano State, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to use the money recovered from looted funds to develop the education sector.
Danpass gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Kano on Saturday,saying that there was need for the Federal Government to use the recovered money to promote education particularly in the area of science and technology.
“The Federal Government should channel the money in the education sector especially science and technology; government needs to encourage students to study sciences,” he said.

Lagos
A 27-year-old commercial sex worker, Faith Imojire, who
allegedly assaulted a policeman, has been arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The accused, who gave no fixed address, is facing a charge of assault.
The prosecutor, Cpl. Mike Unah, told the court that the accused committed the offence on January 21 at No. 14 Aromire St., Ikeja, Lagos.
Unah said the accused assaulted one Sgt. Friday Orah by beating him up and attempting to seize his rifle.
He said the policeman was trying to settle a dispute between the accused and a man who refused to pay her after having sex with her.
“In the process of settling the fight, the man escaped and the accused pounced on the policeman, blaming him for allowing the man to escape.

Nasarawa

A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, has dissolved
the three-year-old marriage between Shehu Habeb and his wife, Marufia Afolabi, for lack of understanding.
Habeb, 38, who resides at Mararaba, Nasarawa State, said that his wife no longer respect him, noting that he was tired of the relationship.
“Please I want an end to this marriage because I cannot continue any longer with the constant misunderstanding and lack of respect.
The petitioner said that the marriage was contracted in 2013 and blessed with a male child.
Marufia, 35, denied all the allegations, saying that Habeb was just tired of the marriage and did not love her anymore.
She said that all effort to settle the issue proved abortive, she therefore, urged the court to grant her husbands request.

Oyo

An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has fixed February
16 for hearing in a motion seeking to stop the Olubadan-in-Council from appointing the new Olubadan of Ibadan land.
Justice Muktar Abimbola fixed the date at the resumed hearing of a case filed by Chief Adebayo Oyediji and others against the state government, the Council and other contending lines to Olubadan throne.
Our correspondent reports that Oyediji of Seriki Chieftancy line is claiming that it is the turn of their line to produce the next Olubadan, following the death of Oba Samuel Odunlana.
The plaintiff is challenging the alleged consistent occupation of the throne by the Olubadan chieftaincy line and the Balogun Chieftaincy line.

Ogun

The Public Complaints Commission (PCC) has petitioned
the Chief Judge (CJ) of Ogun State, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade, over alleged unlawful detention of seven persons by Ota Chief Magistrates’ Court, without trial.
The PCC Commissioner for Ogun, Mrs Oluyemisi Dawodu, submitted the petition in Abeokuta when she paid a courtesy call on the Judge.
A copy of the petition made available to newsmen Dawodu said that the suspects, who are between ages 16 and 23, had been in prison custody since July 19, 2014.
She said the suspects had been kept behind bar on the claim that the court was yet to receive an advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) on their alleged crime.
Dawodu said that the perpetual detention of the suspects without trial is an infringement on their fundamental rights.

Plateau
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr
Babatunde Fashola, has advised communities to shun actions inimical to the construction of infrastructure that enhance development.
Fashola made that call while addressing newsmen at the end of an assessment tour of the 132/33KV sub-station in Pankshin, Plateau State.
He said his call became imperative after learning from the state government that the project, since completion, had not been operational due to land dispute involving host communities.
“As you can see here in Pankshin sub-station, the problem we have is that the community is standing in the way of its own development — right of way to give them power.

Zamfara
The High Level Women Advocacy, a group sponsored
by UNICEF, on Thursday said the high level of poverty in Zamfara is limiting access to education by school-aged girls in the state.
The leader of the group, Suwaiba Barau made the assertion in an interview with newsmen in Gusau.
“The major factor limiting the development of girl child education in this state is poverty, because some children have no financial support to further their education to secondary or tertiary schools, some cannot even finish their primary schools.
“Even when government is giving free education some parents cannot take care of their children up to the finishing time.
“Some children are very good, some are brilliant but little financial problem can delay them the chance to move ahead positively in life, which is highly unfortunate,’’ she noted.

Chairman, Army-Shitee Clash Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Justice Mohammed Garba (right), taking oath of office before Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, during the inauguration of the judicial commission of inquiry in Kaduna on Friday.

Nation

Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development Denies Political Affiliations

Published

24 hours ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

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.

Nation

NDCCTMA, NDDC MDS Challenge Niger Delta Indigenes on Investment in The Region

Published

24 hours ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

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

Nation

Nile University Hosts ICA Nigeria First National Confab On Global Communication

Published

1 day ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

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.