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THE STATES

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Benue

Justice Theresa Igoche of Makurdi High Court in Benue State
has sentenced two students, Vershima Kaachi and Akaazua Akpen, to death by
firing squad for armed robbery.

The convicts were arrested on the eve of Christmas in 2007
for criminal conspiracy and armed robbery, contrary to Sections 5(b) and 1(2)
of the Robbery and Firearms Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990.

In his testimony, the victim of the offence, Jonathan
Usenge, told the court that five armed men came to his house, attacked and
robbed him of some valuable items on that day.

He stated that the robbers collected his Nokia 1600 phone
valued N12,700.00, two torch lights valued N350.00 and a sum of N16,500.

 

Gombe

Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo has urged the 2,555
intending Muslim pilgrims from the state to shun vices and be good ambassadors
of the country while in Saudi Arabia.

Dankwambo made the call in his farewell address to the
pilgrims at the Hajj camp, Lawanti in Akko Local Government Area of the state.

The governor enjoined them to exhibit exemplary character
and cooperate with Hajj officials to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

“As usual, government has subsidised Hajj fares for all
intending pilgrims from the state.

 

Jigawa

A lawmaker, Abdullahi Sarki, says he has set up an
enlightenment committee in Miga Local Government Council of Jigawa State to
sensitise communities on flood disaster.

Sarki (PDP-Miga constituency) told newsmen in Dutse that the
committee was gathering data on weather predictions by the Nigeria Metrological
Agency (NIMET) and would disseminate the information to rural communities.

He said that the exercise was aimed at educating the
communities on the and precautionary measures to be taken to mitigate the
effects of flood disaster.

The legislator added that he had also distributed relief
materials to displaced persons in the affected communities in his constituency.

 

Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government has evacuated 118 Kaduna State
students from Mubi, following the recent killing of some students at the
Federal Polytechnic, Mubi in Adamawa.

The Senior Special Assistant on Students Affairs to Governor
Patrick Yakowa, Mr Bagudu Joseph, said the evacuation followed a Save-Our-Souls
(SOS) message by the students over a 14-hours ultimatum by the school
authorities for students to vacate the campus.

Joseph said the government had employed the services of the
Adamawa Sunshine Transport Company to move the students out of the state.

He said that 82 of the students returned to Kaduna while the
others alighted in Jos, Saminaka and other places where their families resided.

 

Kano

The Kano State Police Command Have Arrested Eight Suspected
Gunmen In Connection With The Killing Of The Two Policemen.

The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, confirmed
the arrest of the suspects to newsmen in Kano, saying that they were in an
uncompleted building at Kofar Dawanau quarters in Dala local government area of
the state.

“The area was condoned off by the security operatives and we
succeeded in arresting eight suspects.

‘’Three AK 47 rifles were recovered from the uncompleted
building where the suspects were arrested.’’

 

Kwara

The Kwara State Government has said it would ensure a
successful hosting of the 26th National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST)
billed for between October 13 and October 20 in Ilorin.

The state’s Commissioner for Social Development, Culture and
Tourism, Mrs Rahmat Adeshina-Abaya, said this in an interview with newsmen.

She said everything was being put in place, especially the
provision of accommodation for more than 7,000 people coming from different
parts of the country.

“ As you know that Kwara is a state of harmony, peaceful and
accommodating, we are hosting NAFEST in which we are ready for about 7,000
people that are coming from different parts of the country.

 

Kogi

The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Mr Yomi AwoniyI, has said
that the state has now come to terms with the reality of the level of damage
done to it by the flood.

This is contained in a statement issued by his Press
Secretary, Mr Michael Abu, in Lokoja.

It stated that Awoniyi made the observation when he made
another round of visit to flooded areas in the state.

He said that the process of rebuilding the washed-away
roads, providing nets, fishing boats among other items to enable the displaced
persons to resettle after the flood remained enormous.

According to him, Ibaji Local Government Area has been
completely cut off from the other parts of the state.

 

Lagos

Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), has
urged members of the public in Niger to report criminals to security agencies.

Abubakar made the call in Lapai, Niger, after the Board of
Trustees meeting of foundation endowment fund for the Ibrahim Badamasi
Babangida University.

The former Head of state is the chairman of the board.

The call followed the recent killing of three policemen by
unknown persons in Minna, the Niger State capital.

“It is unfortunate that we have decided to go and start
killing ourselves unnecessarily; all the criminals are among us.

 

Nasarawa

Nasarawa State Government has expressed its commitment to
restore water supply to Keffi Local Government Area and environs.

The Nasarawa State Commissioner of Water Resources and Rural
Development, Mr Samuel Alu, said this in Garaku during an inspection visit to
the site of the ongoing rehabilitation of pipes.

He said that the state government had awarded contract for
the rehabilitation of the pipes to SCC Nigeria Limited and that the company was
given one week to complete the work.

While assuring the people of the government’s commitment to
fulfil its campaign promises, Alu said that the work would be completed within
one week.

 

Ogun

The management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY),
Abeokuta, Ogun State has absolved itself of complicity in the N1.1billion
alleged scam reported in the institution’s branch of Non Academic Staff Union
(NASU).

The institution’s spokesman, Mr Sulaimon Adebiyi, said in a
statement in Abeokuta that no member of the institution’s management was linked
to the alleged scam.

He said three executive members of the school’s branch of
NASU were arrested by EFCC operatives for allegedly mismanaging N1.1billion.

The money, which was secured as loan from a consortium of
banks by the union, was to be given as loans to members.

 

Osun

A 28-year-old man, Suleiman Hasssan, has appeared before an
Osogbo Senior Magistrates’ Court in Osun State, charged with inflicting teeth
bites on two police officers, who were discharging their duties.

The police Prosecutor, Insp. Solomon Oladele, told the court
that the accused on October 4, at about 5 p.m. at Oluode Area of Osogbo
assaulted Sergeant Afolabi Taofeek and Corporal Adetula Samuel, while resisting
arrest.

Oladele said the officers were on assignment to arrest the
accused when he was reported for being in possession of hard drugs, but that he
turned violent and in his bid to resist arrest bit the officers thereby
inflicted injuries on them.

He added that the accused was also found in possession of
weeds, suspected to be Indian hemp when he was finally arrested.

He said the offence committed was contrary to and punishable
under section 356 and 430(1) of the Criminal Code cap 34 Vol. 11 Laws of Osun
2003.

 

Oyo

The Oyo State Government has appealed to the Federal
Government to increase its education intervention fund to accommodate the large
number of pupils in the state.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Moses Adeyemo made the
appeal in Ibadan while receiving the Senate Committee on Education led by Sen.
Uche Chuckwumerije.

“The state appeals for the raising of the education
intervention fund given to us so as to accommodate our large number of
pupils,’’ Adeyemo said.

He said the appeal was necessary for development to thrive,
adding that education was the bedrock of meaningful development in any society.

 

Plateau

Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang has approved the
appointment of Mr Francis Bot as his Chief of Staff.

The Director of Press Affairs to the Governor, Mr James
Manok,  said in a statement in Jos that
Bot’s appointment was with immediate effect.

Our correspondent reports that Bot replaced Mr Gyang Pwajok,
who resigned in September to contest the Plateau North Senate seat.

Pwajok won the election held on Saturday.

Until his appointment, Bot was the state Coordinator,
Millennium Development Goals.

 

Sokoto

The Chairman Of The Nigeria Bar Association (Nba), Sokoto
State Chapter, Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar, Has Called On The Federal Government
to identify the sources of arms importation in the country.

He told newsmen in Sokoto that this would serve as a measure
to checkmate illegal possession of arms as well as put an end to the senseless
killings going on in parts of the country.

“ I strongly suggest that a high powered committee of
seasoned security personnel should be constituted to find out all those
involved in illegal arms importation.”

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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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