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THE STATES

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Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako being received by some commissioners and special advisers at Yola International Airport, recently. Photo:NAN

Benue

Governor  Gabriel Suswam of Benue State  has urged the Federal Government to intervene in the Fulani/Tiv land skirmishes, to put an end to it.

Suswam  who made the call at the Town Hall Meeting in Makurdi to mark the end of the Good Governance tour in the state  said that the greatest problem besetting the rural farmers in the state was the intermittent land feud they had with some invading herdsmen.

The governor advised the Federal Government to take the issue of the Fulani/Tiv crises more seriously, to enhance the growth of the peasant farmers in the state.

Responding to questions from participants at the meeting, Suswam said Benue was a rural state and his administration was committed to the construction of rural roads.

He dismissed insinuations that teachers in the state were being owed, adding that a staff audit of the teachers had commenced, to avoid payment to ghost teachers.

 

Borno

Governor  Kashim Shettima of Borno State has expressed reservation with the quality of work in some sections of the proposed campus of the state university in Maiduguri.

Shettima made the observation when he paid an unscheduled visit to the campus located at the site of the defunct Borno Informatics Institute on Jos Road, Maiduguri.

He expressed concern about the quality of work at the administrative building and described it as ‘deficient.’

He advised the contractor handling the project to rectify the problem, noting that the supervising engineers from the Ministry of Works was responsible for the defects.

The governor warned that government would henceforth hold site engineers responsible for poorly executed projects.

“The site engineers posted from the Ministry of Works have the right to reject poorly executed projects from the onset.

 

FCT

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOSCF), Alhaji Isah Sali said on Thursday in Abuja that the introduction of Performance Management System (PMS) would enhance the productivity of civil servants.

Sali made the statement at a sensitisation workshop to PMS, organised by the office of the HOCSF for officers on the Directorate Cadre of the service.

Sali said PMS had been recognised as the backbone for transforming the civil service into an institution of excellence and quality service delivery and the vehicle to drive the transformation agenda of the present administration.

The HOSCF was represented on the occasion by Mr Charles Bonat, the Permanent Secretary, Establishment and Records in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

 

Jigawa

Governor  Sule Lamido of Jigawa has said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s planned visit to the state would boost commercial activity in the state.

our correspondent reports that the President, billed to visit Jigawa  State between November 5 and November 6, is expected to lay the foundation stone of the proposed Jigawa State University of Agriculture and Dutse International Airport.

Jonathan is also scheduled to inaugurate other development projects executed by the Lamido-led administration.

Lamido told newsmen, shortly after inspecting some of the projects in Dutse, that the visit will enable the people of the state to meet with the president, adding that the visit would attract  positive developments to the state.

 

Kaduna

The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria has offered legal services to 719 persons in Kaduna State, the coordinator, Mrs Biba Ohwoavwovhua, has said.

Ohwoavwohua stated this on Thursday in Kaduna during the council’s nationwide annual awareness campaign.

She told newsmen that the council had provided legal services to persons who lacked the means to hire lawyers, adding that it was involved in civil and criminal cases, including cases of persons accused of capital offences.

“We assist them in making sure that they are not convicted before being heard. As far as legal aid is concerned, we are there to show concern, represent and to make sure we diligently defend whoever is accused,’’ she said.

Ohwoavwohua identified distance and inadequate funding as some of the challenges facing the organisation, noting that it was always difficult to offer necessary and timely assistance to people outside the state capital such as Kafanchan, Zaria and Birnin Gwari.

 

Kano

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in Kano  State on Wednesday said that no fatal accident was recorded during the Eid-el kabir in the state

The Sector Commander, Shehu Zaki, told newsmen  that the commission’s public enlightenment and the deployment of its officers to the highways contributed to the success recorded.

Zaki, however, said that the commission recorded minor accidents, which did not cause much damage to vehicles and the passengers.

He cautioned motorists to keep the good behaviour, noting that the commission was disturbed at the rate of over-loading and over-speeding on some routes.

 

Kebbi

The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) in Kebbi State will collaborate with faith based organisation to combat environmental degradation in the state.

The state Coordinator of the agency, Dr Kasim Ahmed, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday

Ahmed said that NESREA and Nasirullah Faith Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) would campaign against human activities which contributed to 60 per cent degradation of major cities and towns in the state.

He said the agency decided on the collaboration because NASFAT wide spread in the state and across the nation.

He said that the NASFAT interaction and sessions with Muslim faithful influenced their choice as well as their social and cultural orientation, adding that the two organisations would jointly campaign against unhealthy disposal of waste materials such as cans and polythene bags.

 

Kwaraa

The Kwara State Government treated 8, 979 people with eye disorders between January and July, Dr Afolabi Ezekiel, the Programme Manager of Kwara Eye Care Scheme, said.

Ezekiel told newsmen in Ilorin on Tuesday that the people were treated of eye afflictions, including cataract and glaucoma.

“The state government is committed to the treatment of eye disorders in the state,” it said, and  advised people above 40 years to go for regular eye tests to prevent blindness, stressing that 80 per cent of eye disorders which led to blindness were avoidable and treatable.

The ophthalmologist advised the people against the use of urine and other local medications for the treatment of eye diseases.

 

Lagos

President, Advisory Committee of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), has urged budding talents in the country to show commitment to sport.

Oludotun-Segun told newsmen on Thursday in Lagos that his committee was evolving an arrangement to enable sportsmen and women to develop themselves educationally, just as they built their sports careers.

“Education is very important; it is also good to develop one”s talent, especially when it is discovered at the early stages. The idea is that no one should suffer any serious disadvantage,’’ he said.

According to him, poor educational background has a way of affecting an athlete’s career because such a person would not be able to interact freely with his or her contemporaries.

 

Ogun

Ogun  State Police Command says  it has arrested a 62-year old man for allegedly defiling his 10-year old step-daughter in Abeokuta.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ogun State, Muyiwa Adejobi, told newsmen in Abeokuta that the suspect had earlier evaded arrest.

He said that the suspect committed the alleged offence on October  27 around Ayetoro area of Abeokuta, adding that the combined efforts of police and public-spirited individuals led to the arrest.

The ASP said that the suspect had been taken to the state Criminal Investigation Department of the Anti-Human Trafficking for further interrogations.

The PPRO said that information available to police was that the suspect had always slept with the victim before she finally broke her silence to relatives.

 

Oyo

The Catfish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFAN) has appealed to the Federal Government to protect local fish farmers against dumping of foreign fishes in Nigerian market.

The President of the association, Chief Tayo Akingbolagun made the appeal during the opening of the Oyo State CAFAN 2012 Catfish Fair in Ibadan.

He said that the protection became necessary to enable the farmers attain the target of one million tonnes of fish production in the next five years.

According to him, the target is set under the Federal Government’s Aqua-culture Value Chain Development programme, saying that dumping of foreign fish in Nigeria was one of the greatest challenges facing the local fishing industry.

“Government should address this challenge as stakeholders embark on strategies for effective take off of fisheries development under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda,’’ he said.

 

Plateauu

Information Minister, Labaran Maku has said that Nigeria was not ripe for state police.

Some governors have continued to clamour for state police, using the argument that the step would empower them, as chief executives of their states, to effectively secure their domains.

But Maku, who led the national good governance tour team, currently in Plateau State, to a visit to the Police Staff College, in the outskirts of Jos, said that the nation lacked adequate facilities to handle that.

He said that the nation’s police force was doing well in spite of the enormous challenges, stressing that advocates of state police had never looked at the area of training.

“Training is very key to success, unfortunately those asking for state police have not looked at that area.’’

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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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