Nation

THE STATES

Published

14 years ago

December 28, 2011

Adamawa

The new Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru, has told groups and individuals kicking against the new change in the assembly to sheath their swords and respect the will of God and rule of law that brought the change.

“Leadership belongs to God and He gives it to whoever he wants at the chosen time. Those insisting that the assembly must return to status-quo are challenging the will of God,” Umaru told newsmen in an interview in Yola.

Umaru who described the change that led to his emergence in the PDP-dominated house as the popular wish of the lawmakers who had lost confidence in the former leadership, accused the groups and individuals agitating for the return of the former leadership of trying to blackmail the house by spreading rumours that the change was a plot against the executive.

Bauchi

Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 12, says with the right approach and tools, the police can tackle security challenges in the country.

Abubakar, who made the observation last Wednesday at a news conference in Bauchi, called on men of the force to exhibit professionalism in handling security problems.

Abubakar said the current state of criminality in the country, especially in Zone 12, was of great concern to the government and the force.

He warned his men not to abdicate their responsibilities, adding that any commissioner of police who allowed his command to be attacked “shall bear the consequences of his inaction’’.

FCT

The National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Economic Reconstruction Fund (NERFUND) on a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Speaking during the ceremony in Abuja last week the National President of NASSI, Mr Chuku Wachuku, said that the MoU would give credit to entrepreneurs to rapidly grow the economy through small scale businesses.

According to him, the relationship of NASSI and NERFUND is to transform talk into action, particularly, to create opportunities for the unemployed to set up businesses.

Commenting on the process of registration, Wachuku said that applicants should apply through their local and state governments to enable the body to get their details.

The Managing Director, NERFUND, Mr Baba Gimba, said that the relationship was to empower Nigerians and reduce poverty among the people.

Gombe

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has appointed Hajiya Fatima Shehu-Abubakar, daughter of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, and 18 others as commissioners in the state.

Others are former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Hassan Adamu, and the chairmen of Billiri and Shongom local governments, Messrs. Rabenson Wasa and Samuel Bulus, respectively.

Mrs Aishatu Ahmed, Malam Shehu Hadi, Malam Babagoro Abdulkadir, Alhaji Ahmad Walama, Malam Jalo Bajoga, Malam Hamza Wuro-Bokki and Malam Mijinyawa Labaran also made the list.

Jigawa

Jigawa State has recorded two new cases of polio virus in Gwiwa Local Government Area of the state, bringng the number of cases reported this year to 11

UNICEF Representative in the state, Mrs Jane Nyanzi told a meeting in Dutse ahead of preparations for polio-free torch campaign scheduled for Friday, that other LGAs where cases had been reported are Ringim, Babura, Guri, Roni, Birnikudu, Dutse and Gwiwa.She called on residents to embrace immunisation, noting that non-compliance to the exercise and high number of missed children were the reasons for incessant outbreaks.

Nyanzi said that poor commitment by vaccinators also remained a big challenge to a successful eradication.

She called on all relevant stakeholders to intensify efforts in the fight against polio for its eradication by 2012.

Kaduna

The Kaduna State House of Assembly said last Wednesday that political and ethno-religious crises advsersely affected smooth implementation of the state’s 2011 budget.

The legislators made the declaration while debating the general principles of the 2012 budget presented by Gov. Patrick Yakowa on Dec. 15.

They noted that the spate of violence witnessed in the state posed serious threat to the execution of development projects in 2011.

The lawmakers said the 2012 fiscal policy must be religiously implemented to redeem electoral promises.

In his contribution, Mr Yohanna Jatau (PDP-Jaba) said that peace and harmony were essential for the development of the state, stressing that stability is imperative for faithful implementation of the budget.

Kebbi

Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi has approved the construction of a 12 Km road from Birnin Kebbi to Makera settlement at the cost of N3.4 billion.

The governor announced the approval during an inspection tour of the N270 million Danyeku Bridge in Bunza Local Government Area, a statement said.

The statement, issued by the Press Secretary to the Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Mua’azu, in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, said the road had five bridges covering 345m.

It, however, said the government might revoke the N4.8 billion contract for the construction of the 110km road linking Bunza and 23 other settlements.

Lagos

The West African Examination Council has withheld the results of 39, 066 of the 404,863 candidates that sat for the Nov/Dec. 2011 West African School Certificate Examination (WASC).

Dr Iyi Uwadiae, the Head of National Office of the Council, disclosed this at a news conference in Lagos last Wednesday.

Uwadiae attributed the development to the various reports of alleged examination malpractices that characterised the exercise, pointing out that 179,840 females sat for the examination

He urged candidates who sat for the examination to check the details of their performance with their scratch cards on the council’s website within 24 hours.

Uwadiae expressed optimism that with more attention being given to the education sector by the various states governments, the country would soon witness a positive turnaround in examination results.

He lauded Ebonyi government for providing accommodation for the take- off of the council’s branch office in Abakiliki.

Niger

Traders in Niger State have attributed the low sales of goods for Christmas to the delay in the payment of workers’ salaries in the state.

A survey by our correspondent on Wednesday revealed that most of the traders at the two main markets in Minna had low patronage.

They complained about poor sales as the usual rush associated with sales before Xmas was lacking.

Some traders said that the situation had left them with a lot of unsold goods.

Mr Moses John, a trader in Minna market said he spent thousands of Naira to buy goods specifically for sales during the period.

“The poultry we normally buy chicken from increased its price by 20 per cent and we have to increase our price in the market to enable us make profit as this is festive period.’”

Ondo

Irele local government in Ondo State has pledged continued support for the state chapter of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTAP) .

Mr Oluwatobi Akinbiola, the chairman of the council, made the pledge on Wednesday during the inauguration of Irele chapter last the association.

Akinbiola, who received an award from the chapter, for being the “Best Ondo State Local Government Chairman”, commended its executive members for their contributions to the development of the state’s cultural heritage.

Plateau

Otunba Segun Runsewe, the Director-General of Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, has decried the lack of tourism investment in Plateau as a result of the recurring crises in the state.

Runsewe said at an interactive session with community leaders on Wednesday during the “National Peace Week ‘ in Jos that the state had lost a huge investment in the tourism sector.

He pleaded with the community leaders to put behind them whatever might have transpired in the past.

Sokoto

Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State has approved the payment of more than N172.5 million as bursary for 34 indigenes of the state undergoing various medical programmes in the U.K.

Alhaji Abdulkadir Kalgo, the chairman of the state’s Scholarship Board, disclosed this in Sokoto on Wednesday in a statement signed by Malam Isa Abubakar, the board’s Information Officer.

Nation

THE LAPSES OF THE MEDIA IN ELECTIONS

Published

5 days ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

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.

Nation

RSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

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

Nation

Shell, MAN Back Rivers’ Drive for Expanded Gas Supply to Industries

Published

2 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.

The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.

Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.

According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.

He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.

“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.

Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.

He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.

Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.

Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.

He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.

According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.

Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.

He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.

The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.

Chairman of MAN, Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okuku, described gas as indispensable to industrial operations, noting that many manufacturers continue to struggle with the high cost of alternative energy sources.

Similarly, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga, said the transition to natural gas had become increasingly necessary for businesses seeking stable and cost-efficient operations.

“Pipeline natural gas provides a more cost-effective and reliable source of energy for industries,” she stated.

Also speaking, former Chairman of MAN in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs. Emilia Akpan, stressed the need to align energy infrastructure development with investment in human capacity.

She maintained that rebuilding the state’s economy would require not only reliable energy supply but also the development of technical skills needed to support long-term industrial growth.

By Kevin Nengia