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THE STATES

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Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdul-Kadir has called for value orientation and reorientation for Nigerians.

Abdul-Kadir  who made the call in Abuja said Nigerians below the age of 18 years should go for orientation, while those between the ages of 18 years and 35 years should go for reorientation as they fell within the definition of youth as stipulated in the National Youth Policy.

He said lack of orientation had made people not to obey laws because they did not value the laws.

Abdul-Kadir noted that the impunity with which Nigerians violated the law was not an exclusive preserve of public officials and that the trend had become a general societal problem that could only be addressed by looking inward and telling ourselves the truth.

 

Gombe

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Gombe State chapter, has condemned the killing of nine women on polio immunisation duty in Kano on Friday.

The Chairman of the association, Dr Jauro Degri, while briefing newsmen in Gombe, described the development as unfortunate considering the efforts made by various stakeholders in the country to eradicate the polio disease.

The chairman said that such attacks were capable of undermining the efforts by stakeholders toward the eradication of polio in the country.

Degri called for more measures aimed at protecting health workers and those involved in delivering healthcare services in the country.

He also urged Nigerians to support the National Health Bill, currently at the National Assembly saying, when passed it would go a long way in improving healthcare delivery to Nigerians.

 

Kaduna

Governor  Muktar Yero of Kaduna State has said the government had provided N1 billion to empower youths under the Subsidy Re-investment Programme (SURE-P).

Speaking  in Zaria at the inauguration of new executive members of National Youth Council of Nigeria, Zaria branch, Yero, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Yahaya Aminu, said the amount was meant to enable the youth in the state to get something doing.

The governor said the programme would train the youth on different trades, establish places of work and provide them with take-off grants, and  urged youths to always promote peace in whatever they did to sustain the prevailing peace in the state.

 

Kano

Governor  Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano State has condemned the killing of nine polio workers in Kano.

Kwankwaso, who made the condemnation in a special broadcast, described the attack as shocking.

The governor condoled the state and the families of the victims and prayed for the souls of the deceased, assured the people that “government will not relent in its efforts to treat diseases such as HIV/AIDS, polio and malaria throughout the state’’.

He added that the administration would provide more educational and job opportunities to the teeming youths in the state.

Gunmen attacked some polio immunisation centres in Kano on Friday and in the process, killed nine female workers.

 

Kwara

The wife of Kwara governor, Mrs Omolewa Ahmed, has called on parents and guardians to give more attention to the education of their children and wards to secure their tomorrow.

Ahmed, who made the call in Ilorin in an interview, described education as a veritable tool for building a virile nation, advised parents to give their children home training.

She said that home training was the basic requirement needed “to turn around the future of the child and society for good.’’

“There is need for parents to redouble their efforts in giving quality education and home training to their wards in order to make them useful to themselves and the society at large. “The future of our children lies in how much love and concern we have for them and that behooves on us to discharge our responsibilities as expected,’’ she said.

 

Lagos

The Canadian International Trade Minister, Mr Edward Fast on Saturday called for the strengthening and growth of Canada-Nigeria relations in the area of education.

Fast who  made the remark when he visited the International Learning Network (ILN) in Lekki, Lagos State,  said that he would also hold discussions on other fundamental areas that would benefit both countries.

“I think most of you know that Canada has perhaps the highest quality and level of education in the world”.  “I just want to say to all of you students and to your parents whoever you may be, you will feel at home in Canada and welcomed,” he added.

 

Ogun

The Ogun State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Bimbo Ashiru, says the current suspension on dredging activities in the state continues until operators comply with laid down regulations.

Ashiru stated this in Abeokuta at a meeting with members of the Sand Dredgers Association in the state.

The commissioner insisted that nobody could carry out dredging activities in the state until he had obtained necessary permit and approval from the state government.

Ashiru explained that anyone who intended to dredge in the state must seek and obtain an approval from his ministry.

 

Oyo

Former Minister of Sports, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, has told PDP members in Oyo State to be more committed to building the party.

Adedoja said  in Ibadan that there was nothing more important than for members to do everything possible to make the party stronger.

He said the party had achieved remarkable progress in bringing everybody together in the state.

Speaking on speculations of his governorship aspiration, Adedoja said he was currently concerned with the welfare of members and less concerned about contesting an election.

 

Plateau

No fewer than 5,000 ghost workers are in Plateau civil service, Mr Yakubu Jang, the Special Adviser, Special Duties, to Plateau governor, has said.

Jang, who is chairman of the Biometric Data Capture Committee, authenticating the state’s 21,000 workers, made this known in an interview in Jos.

He said that 11,176 workers had so far been cleared and certified as authentic, adding that only those cleared would be paid the January salaries.

“We have set up an appeal panel to determine their cases. So at the end of the day, we may end up with about 16,000 workers. There is practically nothing about the other 5,000 “employees’’.

 

Sokoto

Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State, Alhaji Shua’bu Gambo, has called on officers and men of the command to be polite while dealing with members of the general public.

Gambo gave the advice in an interview  in Sokoto .Gambo said that officers and men of the command had been taught, practically, on how to demonstrate courtesy while discharging their primary responsibility.

The police boss explained that, plain clothes security personnel had been deployed on foot patrols across the state to gather intelligence reports to boost the security situation in the state.

He also called on the people to avail police with useful information; about people of questionable movement to sustain the peaceful atmosphere the state was known.

 

Yobe

The police in Yobe confirmed the killing of three Korean health workers in Potiskum by unknown persons.

The Commissioner for Police in the state, Alhaji Sanusi Rufai, said in Damaturu that the health workers were killed in the early hours of Sunday.

Rufai said that the workers, three men and one woman were posted to the Potiskum General Hospital.

Sanusi explained that investigations had commenced to unveil those behind the murder of the expatriates.

In its reaction, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in the state condemned the killing of the Korean health workers.

 

Zamfara

A Magistrates’ Court in Gusau, Zamfara, has remanded two men in prison custody over alleged theft of 17 cows.

The accused, Muhammad Muhammad, 30, of Bakinwa village in Wanke near Gusau, and Umar Mareri, 30, of Mareri Area of Gusau, are facing a three-count charge of brigandage, conspiracy and theft.

The prosecutor, Sgt. Daniel Longwan, told the court that the three conspired on October 5, 2012, invaded and stole the herds of cattle belonging to one Yahya Mustapha of Kanwuri area of Gusau.

Longwan said that the accused persons stole the 17 cows, whose value was yet to be ascertained and disappeared, but were arrested by the police two days after the incident.

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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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