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Adamawa
The Igbo community in Adamawa State says agitations for Biafra Republic is unnecessary.
The leader of the community in the state Chief Godwin Onemaka, said this in an interview with newsmen in Yola last Thursday.
Onemaka urged the agitators to consider the consequences of plunging Nigeria into chaos by divisive activities, citing the devastating impact of the civil war.
“Biafra agitation has failed and there is no need to restart it; the agitators should consider the interests of the Igbo in other parts of the country.
“We, the Igbo in Adamawa, kick against the agitations for Biafra and we view it as unnecessary capable of plunging the nation into crisis.

Ekiti
Six middle-aged men were last Thursday brought before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged membership of a secret cult.
They were however, released on N1.2 million bail.
The accused are Adewale Akosile, 30; Jimoh Lukman, 25; Amusa Jamiu, 25; and Timothy Thomas,23.
Others are Sefun Akinola, 26 and Ojo Akinola 20.
Police Prosecutor, Caleb Leranmo, told the court that the accused committed the offence at 10.00 a.m. in Omuo Ekiti.
According to him, the men paraded themselves openly as members of Ashanti secret society, a platform they used in terrorising the community.
The offence contravened Section 4(1) of the Secret Cult (Abolition and Prohibition) Laws of Ekiti State 2006.

FCT
A Federal Capital Territary (FCT) Area Court in Karmo has sentenced a 36 year-old driver, Obum Nwokoro to six months in prison for concealing a crime.
Nwokoro of Dako village in Abuja was convicted after he pleaded guilty to the one-count charge.
The court however gave him an option of N20, 000-fine after he pleaded for leniency.
The judge, Abubakar Sadiq, who gave the judgment last Thursday, said the conviction would serve as a deterrent to others.
The prosecutor, Mr Dalhatu Zannah, had earlier told the court that on September 12, one Olusegun Olusola of Shippers Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, reported the incident at the Utako Police Station.

Kaduna
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has urged the media to support ongoing efforts to contain alarming substance abuse in the North-West.
NAFDAC’s North West Coordinator, Mr Sabo Adamu made the appeal when he paid a courtesy call on the Zonal Manager, Kaduna, Malam Maharazu Ahmed.
“We are concerned about the alarming rate of drug abuse in the zone and will require the support of the media to drastically reduce the menace.
“North-West zone has high rate of drug addiction that even housewives are not left out.
“Our youths are getting more and more into drugs everyday and we must stop it, as it portends great danger to the survival of our society,” he said.

Kano
Kano State Government, says it has uncovered a salary fraud amounting to N12.7 million in two parastatals in the state.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer, office of the state Head of Service, Malam Mustapha Fagge, said the fraud was uncovered in the State Hospital Management Board and Senior Secondary Schools Management Board.
According to the statement, the discovery followed an investigation ordered by the Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Muhammad Na’iya.
“As a result of the investigation, a case of alleged connivance involving some Computer Centre staff and two others on posting from the office of the Auditor-General was discovered”, he said.

Kebbi
Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State has called on stakeholders in the education sector to come up with new solutions to address illiteracy in the country.
Bagudu made the call when he received the stakeholders, led by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu in his office last Thursday.
The stakeholders were in Kebbi State to commemorate the 2017 International Literacy Day.
The day is celebrated every September 8. In Nigeria, the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formation Education said.

Kogi
Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasir Ajanah has advocated cordial working relationship between the Police and the Judiciary to ensure effective prosecution of the fight against crime in the state.
Ajanah who disclosed this when the new Commissioner of Police for Kogi State command, Mr Ali Janga, paid him a courtesy visit last Wednesday in Lokoja described the fight against crime as a herculean task.
He said that the fight required the cooperation of all stakeholders, adding that there was need for the police and Judiciary to collaborate in the fight against crime in the county.
“We have always had a robust relationship and have always cooperated with the police because we know that the fight against crime is a herculean task,” Ajanah said.

Kwara
Offa Local Government Catholic Relief Services (CRS) says it will distribute 64,000 long lasting insecticidal nets to residents of the community.
The CRS, Social Mobilisation Officer, Mrs Jemilat Yusuf told newsmen last Thursday in Ilorin that cards had been distributed to recipients.
Yusuf said that the exercise would commence on September 29, adding that all residents cooperate with the service to ensure a successful outing.
She said the residents should come out en masse for collection of the nets to eradicate malaria and other related diseases in the society.

Lagos
A 61-year-old man, Solomon Atuegbu who allegedly drove his vehicle recklessly and killed a 29-year-old pedestrian, John Odufele was last Thursday in Lagos granted a N500,000 bail.
Atuegbu who resides at Mile 2 area of Lagos State is facing a two-count charge of dangerous driving and manslaughter.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
An Apapa Magistrates’ Court which gave the ruling said Atuegbu should provide two sureties as part of the bail condition.
The Senior Magistrate, Mr M.A Etti said the sureties should be gainfully employed and they should also show evidence of two years’ tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

Nasarawa
FCT Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello has urged judges and magistrates in the territory to be diligent in the discharge of their duties.
He gave the charge during an assessment visit to the Medium Security Prison, Keffi Unit, Nasarawa State last Wednesday.
He said judges and magistrates must be diligent to preserve the integrity of the justice system, adding that it must be done to repose public confidence in the system.
He added that he was aware of 27 inmates who had been in prison custody without proper signing of their detention warrant, noting that there should be proper warrant for detention before anybody was detained.
Bello said he had been ordered by the Controller-General (CG) of the Nigeria Prison, Mr Ja’afaru Ahmed to investigate the matter.

Niger
The Child Rights Protection Agency in Niger State last Thursday vowed to uncover  the killers of three children during an attack on Yakpa village, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
The Director-General of the agency, Mrs Mairam Kolo, who visited families of the deceased at Gwada Hospital where one survivor was receiving  treatment, described the killing as “wicked and heartless”.
Our correspondent reports that unidentified gunmen attacked a Fulani community in Yakpa on September 15 and killed three children aged between three and five.
Kolo said that the agency would work with relevant security agencies and volunteers to ensure that the perpetrators were arrested and prosecuted.
She directed the immediate transfer of the survivor to Minna General Hospital for proper medical care, pledging that the agency would settle the medical bill.

Plateau
The Plateau State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) last Thursday promised to support young people to run for various offices in the forthcoming local government polls in the state.
Chairman of the party in the state, Latep Dabang, said this at a three-day town hall meeting with political parties in Jos.
Our correspondent reports  that the forum is organised by the Plateau State Coalition on Electoral Reform and Good Governance (PLASCER).
The meeting was supported by the Community Action for Popular Participation (CAPP), Actionaid Nigeria, UKaid and BBC Media Action.
PLASCER is a coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs), among others.
The meeting had representatives from the PDP, APC, ADP, INEC, CBOs, NOA, among others.

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Nile University Hosts ICA Nigeria First National Confab On Global Communication

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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.

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Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks

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Residents of Omugo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have deserted their homes due to persistent bandit attacks.
The Tide’s source reports that the once lively community has turned into a ghost town with only a few domestic animals left.
Reports indicate that the recent bandits’ attack on the Omugo ECWA Church via Oro-Ago, led to the abduction of eight worshippers including the wife of the pastor in charge.
Three persons escaped out of the eight abductees with a N1billion ransom placed on the remaining victims in captivity. The community could only gather N1million which was rejected by the bandits.
Last week, the armed bandits invaded Oro-Ago community, killed one vigilante man identified as Baba Ibeji and injured his younger brother known as Ajere.
A Point of Sales, PoS, shop directly opposite the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Divisional office, was broken into by the bandits.
The gunmen also attacked the NSCDC office and sprayed bullets on the facility, though no casualty was recorded.
In earlier attacks on Oro-Ago environs, armed bandits ambushed a convoy between Oro-Ago and Oke-Ayan in Ilere district of Ifelodun Local Government Area and killed two local hunters on escort duty.
On Saturday, there was tension in Oro-Ago following a security alert that armed bandits were regrouping to launch fresh attacks on the community.
All security formations were, however, placed on ‘Red Alert’ to forestall the planned attack.

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Acting Provost Dismisses Alleged Missing Equipment Claims at Rivers Health College

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The Acting Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Chigozirim Amadi has refuted claims circulating in the media suggesting that laboratory equipment went missing from the college.

In a recent statement, Dr. Amadi described the reports—particularly those attributed to certain publications—as false and misleading. She emphasized that all laboratory equipment at the college remain intact.

“I am here to set the record straight. No laboratory equipment disappeared from my college. Nothing is missing,” Dr. Amadi said, challenging anyone with contrary claims to provide evidence, including the names of the equipment and their supposed locations.

She further noted that the college recently underwent an accreditation exercise, during which significant investments were made in laboratory equipment. According to Dr. Amadi, these items are fully accounted for, and the college maintains a robust security system to protect its assets.

“Everything is intact. Nothing disappeared. The information being circulated is false and should be discarded,” she reiterated.

Beyond addressing the allegations, Dr. Amadi also called on media practitioners to exercise professionalism and verify stories before publication. “I want to plead with journalists to always verify their stories. Junk journalism does not help anyone. No matter the information you receive, it is important to hear the other side before publishing,” she said.

While social media posts have occasionally raised concerns about various issues in the region’s health education sector, including extortion and examination malpractice at related institutions, there is no independent evidence from credible news sources confirming that equipment went missing from Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.

The college, a public tertiary institution based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is accredited to offer a variety of health-related programs, including Nursing, Midwifery, Laboratory Technology, and Environmental Health. It has consistently emphasized integrity, safety, and transparency in its operations.

Dr. Amadi’s statement seeks to reassure the public, students, and stakeholders that the college remains secure, well-managed, and free from the alleged equipment losses, while urging journalists to prioritize accuracy in reporting.

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