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THE STATES

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Bauchi

A cross section of Bauchi residents have advised Governor Isa Yuguda to ensure the completion of all ongoing projects he initiated.

The residents, in separate interviews with newsmen in Bauchi on Monday, advised the governor to appoint credible persons into various positions during his second term.

Alhaji Sufiyanu Maisalati, the Chairman, Justice Party, urged the governor to ensure the monitoring and supervision of ongoing projects.

Maisalati, who is also the Leader of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in the state, urged Yuguda to sanction erring officials and adhere to laid down procedures in project execution.

Also speaking, Alhaji Abubakar Musa, the Secretary-General of the Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation, Bauchi State chapter, advised the governor to select credible people and those with experience as members of his cabinet.

Borno

The Police in Borno State said on Monday that it had received information about an impending attack by some suspected Boko Haram members in the state.

A statement signed by the Police spokesman, Malam Lawal Abdullahi, in Maiduguri said:“We wish to inform the public that we have received an intelligence report on possible attacks.

“Some fundamentalists have decided to launch an attack on the good people of Borno State.

“The group and other social miscreants have decided to team up with some politicians to terrorise the good people of the state, using the leadership of a dangerous sect from neighbouring Yobe State.’’

The statement added that the Police Command had already mapped out strategies to counter the attacks.

“The command has set modalities and mechanisms in motion to track down these miscreants for immediate arrest and prosecution,’’ the statement added.

Ekiti

Medical practitioners in Ekiti are set to begin routine treatment of common ailments in rural communities free of charge.

Dr Abiola Omodan, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors, University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Ado-Ekiti, disclosed this on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti at the maiden edition of the association’s annual lecture titled “Medical Ethics in the Face of Emerging Medical Legal Issues in Nigeria’’.

Omodan said that the initiative was aimed at complementing government’s efforts toward providing adequate healthcare for the people.

He explained that one of the objectives of the association was to promote improved healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

The guest lecturer, Chef Afe Babalola (SAN), called for public private participation in the management of the nation’s health scheme.

FCT

Bilateral ties between Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago are to be strengthened in the area of children and maternal health following talks between the First Ladies of the two nations.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, gave this indication on Monday in Abuja when she received in audience the First Lady of Trinidad and Tobago, Mrs Jean Ramjohn-Richards.

Jonathan said the passion shared by both countries in the area of care for women, children and the indigent would enable them to explore several areas of mutual benefit.

“I believe your coming will afford us an opportunity to explore mutual areas of interest as we both have passion for the welfare of women, children and the less privileged in the society.

Jigawa

Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa has called for concerted efforts between Nigeria and Niger to tackle border security challenges.

Lamido made the call when he received the governor of Danmagaram, Alhaji Umar Isiyaka, and that of Maradi, Alhaji Ahmed Sidi in Niger Republic, who paid him a courtesy visit on Monday in Dutse.

The two governors were in the state to grace his inauguration ceremony for the second term.

Lamido stressed the need for the governors of states that share borders to address the security challenges in  the border towns.

Kaduna

Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State has reiterated his administration’s determination to provide basic amenities to the people as soon as possible.

He made the promise in Kaduna while inspecting the ongoing Malali water project in the metropolis.

Yakowa, who was conducted round the project by its Manager, Malam Kabiru Ahmed, directed the management to furnish his office with details of the project and the level of its performance in water supply to consumers in the metropolis.

He directed the management to supply detailed information of its daily supply coverage and the challenges it faces for immediate attention.

Ahmed had earlier told Yakowa that the water supply was constrained by inadequate power supply, adding that the water works currently supplies only 50 per cent of its installed capacity.

Lagos

An NGO, the International Human Rights Watch has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to take immediate steps to address the issue of violence in some parts of the country.

A statement signed by Mr Eric Guttschuss, the group’s Researcher on Nigeria, stated that the organisation was worried about the many violent happenings in the country.

In the statement, on Monday in Lagos, the group also urged the President to address some human rights problems in the country as well as the “endemic” corruption.

“Post-presidential-election riots and sectarian killings in April left more than 800 people dead in northern Nigeria, while inter-communal, political and sectarian violence have claimed more than 15,700 lives since Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999.

“The ruling elite squandered and siphoned the nation’s tremendous oil revenues, while neglecting basic health and education services for the vast majority of ordinary citizens.

Niger

Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger  State has promised to review the salaries of traditional rulers to boost their morale.

Aliyu gave the assurance in Minna while receiving the Niger State Council of  Traditional Rulers.

According to him, the traditional rulers deserve an enhanced salary package.

Aliyu said the government had set up a committee to look into the demand for the upward review of the salaries for traditional rulers, including the district and village heads.

The governor noted the important role traditional rulers played in governance.

“The people trust the traditional rulers more than politicians. Even if we give directives, the people go for validation by them,” he said.

Aliyu said that government would strengthen the traditional institutions so that the government could benefit from their influence in implementing policies and programmes.

Plateau

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) says it requires at least N70 billion to fix the nation’s roads.

Mr Ifeanyi Nweke, FERMA Maintenance Engineer in Plateau, told newsmen in Jos on Monday that the nation’s roads were in bad state and required urgent attention.

“There is so much work to be done, but the funds are lacking,’’ Nweke said, adding that the N70 billion figure was arrived at after a careful study.

He said that the agency was working hard to ascertain the causes of the failure of the roads so as to minimise the incidence.

“Preliminary findings blame the situation on the quantum of loads that ply the roads on a daily basis. “Our roads are constructed to carry loads not above 42 tonnes, but the failure of our rail system has given us no other option,’’ he said.

Other factors responsible for the sad state of the roads, he said, included the fact that the roads were constructed a long time ago.

Sokoto

Sokoto government has trained more than 30,000 youths in various vocational trades in the past three years, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, the Commissioner for Youths, Social Welfare and Sports has said.

Aliyu disclosed this in Sokoto on Sunday at an occasion to commemorate Governor Aliyu Wamakko’s three years in office.

He said that some of the youths were now gainfully employed, while others, who are now self-reliant, had become employers of labour.

Aliyu said the 30,000 youths were trained in various vocations, including ICT, agriculture and other skills.

In addition, he said the youths were given working tools and take-off grants free on graduation, to assist them in establishing their own businesses.

“The youths should, however, reciprocate this noble gesture by being law abiding and patriotic because without peace, there will be no meaningful socio-economic development,’’ he said.

Zamfara

The Zurmi Emirate Council in Zamfara state has announced the withdrawal of  traditional titles from six eminent members.

A statement by the Secretary of the council, Alhaji Usman Abubakar, listed Col Bala Mande (rtd), a former military Governor of Nassarawa State and one time Minister of Environment, among the personalities affected.

Mande, who contested for the Governorship position under the PDP in 1999 but lost to Ahmad Sani Yarima, was the state coordinator of President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign.

Until the development, Mande held the title of Chiroman Zurmi, a title traditionally reserved for heirs to the throne.

Other prominent personalities affected included Alhaji Aliyu Na-Allah, the Chairman of the state Civil  Service Commission, who held the title of Walin Zurmi and hitherto Baraden Zurmi; Alhaji Isyaku Mohammed,  the immediate past Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

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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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