Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

on

Adamawa
Surgical teams from the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC), have treated 90 people wounded  in the Maiduguri and Madagali bomb blasts.
ICRC Health Coordinator in Nigeria, Dr Hashemi Padshah, made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen in Yola, Adamawa State.
Padshah said that the Red Cross currently has two surgical teams in the country which had so far treated over 1,800 patients in the north-east within the year.
He said that the ICRC was assisting 16 primary health-care centres and nine mobile clinics by providing them with primary healthcare services for internally displaced persons, returnees and other residents in the north-east

Borno
The Victim Support Fund (VSF) says it has donated about
N370 million for the procurement of building materials for reconstruction of eight primary schools destroyed by Boko Haram in Bama.
The Chairman of the fund, retired Gen. T.Y. Danjuma, disclosed this in Bama at the official flagging-off of the Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of 10 public structures in the area.
Represented by Amb. John Gana, he said the VSF was committed to addressing the plight of victims of insurgency and other related violence in the country.
According to him, the VSF expended N250 million for reconstruction of 40 projects in Dikwa Local Government Area of the state in January 2016.

Gombe
The Gombe State Board of Internal Revenue would soon em
bark on a biometry of tax payers in both formal and informal sectors of the state.
The exercise, according to the Chairman of the board, Alhaji Adamu Damji, is to ensure effective tax collection and adequate remittance of the revenue to the state treasury.
Damji told newsmen in Gombe on the sidelines of a training programme for tax collectors from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state that the need for more revenue, informed the state government’s decision to embark on the biometry.
According to him, the state has been making efforts to boost its Internally Generated Revenue and improve its Revenue Data Base.

Kaduna

The Director-General (DG), Nigerian Institute of Transport
Technology (NITT), Zaria, Dr Aminu Musa-Yusuf, says every Nigerian has the right to live and work anywhere in the country.
Musa-Yusuf made the remark when the Niger-Delta APC Youth-Vanguard presented him an award of excellence recently in recognition of his selfless service to Nigeria.
A statement signed by NITT’s Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations and made available to newsmen in Zaria, Kaduna State, quoted the DG as saying: “Nigeria is for all of us, and therefore, every Nigerian has equal right to live and work anywhere in the country.
“That is why the institute religiously adhered to the principles of federal character during the last recruitment exercise”.

Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has appealed to
the federal and Nasarawa State governments, to dualise the Keffi/Akwanga road.
The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, made the call in Lafia, after Mr Ibrahim Bala (APC-Keffi West), moved a motion, under matters of public interest, on the need to expand the Keffi roundabout.
Balarabe-Abdullahi said dualising the road would reduce the rate of accidents and save the lives of the people plying the road.
Earlier, Mr Ibrahim Bala (APC-Keffi West) called on his colleague, to support his motion
Mr Muluku Ibrahim (PDP-Nassarawa Eggon East) seconded the motion.
Niger
Niger State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Re
sources, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi, has urged the media to educate the youth to embrace agriculture.
Abdullahi, who made the appeal in an interview with in Minna, said that agriculture has huge potentials for employment and wealth creation.
According to him, the gesture will support massive production and ensure food security in the country.
He explained that the state government had provided modern farming inputs at subsidised rates to farmers across the state.
Ondo
A 25-year-old travel agent, Adetula Dotun-Ola, was
last Tuesday brought before an Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court over an alleged N1,000,000 fraud.
The Police Prosecutor, Sgt.  Uloh Okokon, told the court that the accused person fraudulently obtained N1,000,000 from one Kehinde Anthony-Bejide, under the pretence of procuring an air ticket for him to Cuba, which he could not procure.
Okokon said that the Adetula falsely presented himself as a travel agent before Kehinde, with intent to defraud him and convert the money to his own use.
He alleged that the accused person committed the offence on July 24, 2016 at Local Government Secretariat Shopping Complex, Akure.

Osun

A 40-year-old man, Ikechukwu Muojekwu, has been
sentenced to 13 months imprisonment in Ilesa prison by an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court for burglary.
The Magistrate, Mr Olusola Aluko, ordered that Muojekwu be kept behind bars due to the magnitude of the offence committed or pay an option of N20,000 fine.
The State Counsel, Mrs Olubukola Akintayo, told the court that the convict committed the offence on December 18, 2009 at about 6.30p.m. at No. 17 Aiyetoro area, Osogbo.
She said that the convict conspired with others at large, broke into the shop of one Mrs Fasilat Suraju and carted away some valuable items.
Akintayo said the the offence contravened sections 86 (1), 516, 390(9), and 249 (d) of the criminal code cap 34 vol. 11 laws of Osun, 2003.

Oyo
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC),
in Oyo State, says it is committed to ensuring standard in the operations of private guard companies in the state.
The state Commandant of the corps, Mr John Adewoye, stated this during a stakeholder’s seminar in Ibadan.
He said the NSCDC was mandated to regulate the activities of private guard companies operating across the country hence it became mandatory for the companies to comply with the operational guidelines.
Adewoye disclosed that biometric registration of all private guard companies across the country would soon commence to flush out fake and unregistered companies.

Ogun
The Ogun Commissioner for Commerce and Industry,
Mr Bimbola Ashiru, has urged the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to improve information dissemination to shippers to avoid exportable goods being condemned and confiscated at ports of destination.
Ashiru made the plea in Ota, Ogun, in a message to a one-day Enlightenment/Awareness Seminar with a Theme: “Ports Economic Regulator: A Stimulus to Enhance International Trade’’.
The commissioner was represented by a Director in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr Kayode Ogunti.
The seminar was organised by the South West Zone of the NSC.
Plateau
Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State
has sunk 37 boreholes in 20 communities within the locality in the last one year.
The Management Committee Chairman of the council, Mr Isa Hashidu, disclosed this when the state House of Assembly Standing Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs visited the council.
The House had on December 2 directed the committee to visit and ascertain the levels of development at the 17 local government areas of the state.
The chairman said that the council spent N27 million to execute the project to completion.
Similarly, the Management Committee Chairman for Mikkang Local Government, Mr Vulgab Pabuet, told the committee during its visit that it had constructed 40 lock-up shops.
Sokoto
The Nigerian Army has recovered about 300  cattle
from rustlers in various parts of Zamfara State, Brig.-Gen. Ginikanwa Nwosu, Commander, 1 Brigade, Sokoto, has said.
Nwosu spoke recently in Sokoto, when he addressed newsmen at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Press Centre.
He said:” The recovery was part of the myriad of successes recorded by the military in the fight against cattle rustling, kidnappings and other forms of armed banditry”.
Nwosu announced that the military recently deployed more troops to various parts of Zamfara to reinforce the fight against cattle rustling, kidnappings and armed banditry.
Nwosu pledged to “sustain the current tempo of cordial relations between the military and the journalists, as well as the civilian population”.
The State NUJ Chairman, Isa Shuni, had earlier commended Nwosu for the visit, describing it as the first by any Commander of the brigade.

Taraba
The Taraba State Police Command says it is awaiting
the result of the autopsy conducted on the body of Mr Samuel Awar, a comedian who was found dead by his aides in a hotel in Jalingo on December 8.
The command’s Spokesman, David Mishal, said in Jalingo that the autopsy would determine the cause of Awar’s death.
“ It is normal to conduct an autopsy in situations like this to determine weather the deceased was killed or he died as a result of natural causes,” Mishal said.
He said the two ladies whom the command earlier invited for interrogation in connection with the case, had been released after nothing implicating was found against them.
He made his last public appearance penultimate Wednesday when he went out with his fans to paste posters around Jalingo in preparation for a peace concert scheduled for December 17.

Continue Reading

Nation

Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development Denies Political Affiliations

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Nation

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

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Nation

Nile University Hosts ICA Nigeria First National Confab On Global Communication

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Trending