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THE STATES

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Adamawa

The Minister of Women Affairs and Youth Development, Hajia Zainab Maina, has called on well-meaning Nigerian women to support government programmes at all levels in order to move the country forward.

Maina made the call in Yola, shortly after she was honoured by Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa with Adamawa State Indigenes Award of Excellence on Sunday night in Yola.

“Nigerian women should do their best to contribute towards the development of this great nation.

“It is our responsibility as mothers, to help Nigeria to be strong among nations in terms of economy and stability.’’

She thanked Nyako for his vision and mission in promoting the state, and in particular, supporting women through women empowerment programmes and skills acquisition centres.

 

Benue

Mr Aondowase Chia, the Benue State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, has advised the outgoing National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Benue to be good ambassadors of their states.

Chia told newsmen in Makurdi  that the NYSC members should also be advocates of peace and order wherever they might be.

He urged the corps members to make maximum use of the vast experience they had gathered during the course of their mandatory service to their fatherland.

The commissioner said that the 2010 batch C passing out ceremony was a low key one because of the security challenges in the country in recent times.

 

FCT

The Federal Government has solicited the cooperation of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) and other Nigerians for successful implementation of the new National Identity Management System rather than politicising the exercise.

Mr Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

The CNPP was reported to have opposed to the project on the ground that the INEC recently conducted a similar exercise before the 2011 general elections in April.

Maku said the CNPP’s opposition showed lack of understanding of the need for the proposed identity system which he said would be helpful in the management and operation of several key national institutions and security services.

 

Gombe

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has condoled with the government and people of Gombe State over the accident that occurred on Thursday in the state which led to loss of lives and property.

During a visit to Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo in Gombe on Sunday night, Yuguda expressed sympathy to the families and friends of the victims of the accident.

“I am here on behalf of myself and the people of Bauchi State to sympathise with the government and people of Gombe State over the accident which occurred whereby a trailer lost control and affected quite a lot of people.

Dankwambo thanked Yuguda and the people of Bauchi State for their concern and prayed God to accept the condolence.

Dankwambo said Gombe and Bauchi were still one and that whatever affected one state affected the other.

 

Katsina

The controversy over the recently-promulgated law banning preaching in Katsina State has been attributed to lack of adequate consultation before its promulgation.

An Islamic scholar, Gambo Tudunwada made this assertion in Katsina on Sunday at the meeting organised by the state branch of the Jama’atul Nasrul Islam (JNI).

 The law was officially dubbed “the Katsina State Religious Education and Preaching Board and for Incidental Matters Law”.

It seeks to regulate religious activities in the state.

Tudunwada said there was no involvement of Islamic scholars from all the Islamic sects in the state.

He said the state government should have invited all the Ulamas to intimate them on its plan to enact such a law.

 

Kebbi

The Kebbi Health System Development Project (HSDP) has donated a hostel and recreational facilities, valued at N50 million to the state school of Nursing.

The project coordinator, Alhaji Umar Zagga, on Monday in Birnin Kebbi handed over the hostel, reading room, volleyball and tennis courts to the Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Shehu Sambawa.

Zagga said the facilities were to enhance academic and social activities in the school, adding that “our efforts at improving health will include provision of health centres in rural areas.’’

He said primary health care centres had been provided by the HSDP in Birnin Kebbi, Bagudo and Gwandu local government areas.

Sambawa, in his address, commended the project for supporting the efforts made to improve health care delivery in the state and promised that the facilities would be used properly.

The head of the school, Mrs Sarah Jubril, said the facilities would be maintained and urged the students to ensure they improved on their dedication to learning and assist in developing the health sector.

 

Lagos

Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) has developed a training programme that would boost entrepreneurial skills and potential, Mrs Helen Jemerigbe, Director, Technical Skill Development Project (NECA), said.

Jemerigbe said during an interactive session with workers in Lagos on Monday that the training would help reduce unemployment.

She said that the training was anchored on entrepreneurship development based on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) “Start and Improve Your Business” (SIYB) modules.

Jemerigbe said that NECA, as the sole custodian of the ILO entrepreneurship modules, had a rich pool of accredited master instructors.

She urged companies to assist in training youths to improve their manpower and to address the vocational and technical skill shortage in such areas as building construction, information technology and telecommunication.

 

Nasarawa

Governor Umaru Almakura of Nasarawa State on Tuesday flagged-off the construction of a 50 kilometre road network in Lafia.

Almakura said at the ceremony that the project was aimed at ensuring easy flow of traffic and reduce accidents caused by the dilapidated roads in the metropolis.

He gave the assurance that the government would not embark on white elephant projects, adding that any project started would be completed within schedule.

The governor pledged to construct 20 kilometres of road in each of the 13 local government areas and the 16 development areas of the state in 2012.

He noted with dismay that the state had since its creation 15 years ago, suffered serious neglect in infrastructure development and pledged to change the situation.

 

Osun

Mr Sunday Akere, the Osun  State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, has said that all students of the state-owned university will benefit from the reduction of tuition fees.

Akere said the clarification became necessary following a rumour that Gov. Rauf Aregbesola had approved the reduction only for the indigenous students of the university.

The commissioner spoke with newsmen in Osogbo recently, explaining that the governor’s gesture was for all students of the university.

He said the reduction would enable all parents in the state to train their children and wards in the university.

 

 

. Plateau

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says that the one million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bauchi camps are from various states and “not from Jos North alone as erroneously reported last week.

“The one million IDPS represented the number displaced people from crises-ridden States of Borno, Kaduna, Yobe, Plateau and Bauchi over the years.

Some registers date back to as far back as 2001,’’ NEMA spokesman Yushau Shuaib, told  newsmen in Jos on Monday.

Shuaib was reacting to criticisms to a statement by NEMA Director-General Sani Sidi, that IDP camps in Bauchi were hosting one million people.

The critics had rejected the figures, with many particularly critical of claims that the IDPs fled from Jos North Local Government Area because of the protracted violence in Jos.

 

Sokoto

Governor Aliyu Wamako of Sokoto State has presented a letter of appointment to the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Muhammadu Sunusi, as the pioneer chancellor of Sokoto State University.

Alhaji Muhammadu Tureta, the Sokoto State Commissioner for Education, who represented the letter on behalf of the governor in Dutse on Monday, said the appointment was in recognition of the emir’s contributions to educational development in the country.

“I believe from my deep conviction that the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Muhammadu Sunusi, will live up to the task and expectations for what he was appointed for,” he said.

The emir thanked the governor for the appointment and solicited prayers from all and sundry.

 

Zamfara

The Police have declared Superintendent Ibrahim Bamuche, the Chief Security Officer to Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State missing.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Tambari Muhammed, told newsmen in Gusau on Tuesday that Bamuche left the state for a course in Jos, Plateau in September and had not been seen.

He said a phone call was placed across to his handset which did not respond before a search team was inaugurated to find his whereabouts.

Muhammed said the search team had confirmed that Bamuche’s car was burnt at a spot in Jos, which necessitated the state command to dispatch another search team, led by some squadron leaders.

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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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