Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

February 12, 2014

Adamawa

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in
Adamawa State, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, has donated six buses to the party in the state.
Presenting the buses in Mubi, Abdullahi, who is the Sardauna of Michika in Adamawa State, said the gesture was to strengthen the party in the state.
He urged members of the party to close ranks and empower the party to reclaim its leading position in the state.
Abdullahi, a retired federal civil servant, said the support and goodwill he enjoyed from the people of the zone during his days in service, prompted him to join politics to repay them.

Bauchi

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has congratu
lated the new Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ima Niboro, on his appointment.
This is contained in a statement issued in Bauchi by Mr Ishola Michael, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor.
Yuguda also congratulated the Directors-General of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mr Shola Omole, and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Alhaji Ladan Salihu.
The governor said that the media had played a vital role in shaping the minds, impression and actions of people, and urged the new chief executives to use their positions for the development of the nation.

Borno

The Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha, has Saturday, denied having any rift with Governor Kashim Shettima over the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Mustapha denied the alleged rift, which he said was making the rounds when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Biu, Alhaji Mustapha Aliyu, in his palace.
He said it was not true that he had teamed up with former Borno Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, to take over the control of APC in the state.
The deputy governor said the rumoured disagreement with his boss was the handiwork of mischief makers.

Ekiti
A bricklayer, Mr Adewale Omole has abandoned his
wife in a ‘spiritual home’ after he heard that she was expecting triplets in Ado Ekiti.
Narrating her story, Mrs Abosede Omole, who already had two children, told newsmen that her husband abandoned her and the babies.
She said that her husband started behaving strange after she went for a scan in Lagos where she was told that she was expecting triplets.
Abosede, who gave birth on Friday at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), said “my husband abandoned me even before I gave birth and he has refused to perform his responsibility as father.

Gombe

The Police Command in Gombe State says its officers
killed three armed robbers during a patrol on the Gombe-Dukku road on recently.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the command, DSP Fwaje Atajiri, disclosed this to newsmen in Gombe.
He said the police also recovered four guns, 307 live ammunition and two vehicles from the robbers during a joint operation with police men from Bauchi State.
Atajiri said that the vehicles recovered were one Honda Accord and a Toyota Avalon which were suspected to be stolen from Lagos-Ibadan axis.
“Upon seeing a police vehicle, they opened fire and the police returned fire and the ground battle lasted about 45 minutes on the Gombe-Dukku road on Friday.
“Three of them were killed; we recovered four arms, 307 live ammunition and two vehicles, one Honda Accord and one Toyota Avalon,.
“ The men were believed to have stolen the vehicle from Ibadan-Lagos axis,” he said.
The spokesman said that the police were intensifying efforts to arrest other members of the gang who escaped.

Kaduna

The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna
State has elevated 23 Ph.D holders to the status of professors.
This is contained in a statement issued in Zaria, by the institution’s Head of Information and Public Affairs, Dr Sama’ila Shehu, and made available to newsmen.
According to the statement, besides the professors, the management also approved the elevation of 41 others as readers and principal research fellows of the institution.
“At the 460th regular senate meeting of January 30, the vice-chancellor announced the promotion of 23 professors and 41 readers as approved by the Governing Council of the University.”

Kwara

The Kwara State, college of Education (COED),
Ilorin, last Saturday matriculated 4,000 students for the 2013/2014 academic session. The newly admitted students would study in 30 departments and three schools .
Addressing the students, the Provost of the college, Dr Isiaka Opobiyi ,urged them to use the opportunity to achieve excellence in their educational pursuit.
He warned them against acts such as cultism, drug abuse, examination malpractice, indecent dressing and drunkenness.
Opobiyi also urged the students to face their studies to excel in their academic pursuit.

Lagos

The Grand Matron, Christian Association of Nige
ria (CAN), Alimosho Local Government Area, of Lagos State Mrs Beatrice Egunleti, has urged wealthy Nigerians and philanthropists to support the less privileged in the society.
She made the appeal at the inauguration of her non-governmental organisation, “Project Care”, held at the Bible Baptist Church, Egbeda, Lagos.
Egunleti said she was putting in place a welfare outreach to empower the less privileged and integrate them into the society.
“When we come together, we can arrest the situation by turning around lives that would have been wasted”, she said.

Ondo

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
in Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has expressed satisfaction with the turnout of people for the party’s ongoing membership registration.
Akeredolu, a former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), spoke in Owo shortly after he registered as a member of APC.
The one-time President of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) registered at Ward 5 Unit 6 in Ijebu area of the town.
“The turnout is overwhelming. We have to send for more materials because of the turnout.
“People are already geared for change … Nigerians are ready for change,” he said.

Plateau

Sen. Gyang Pwajok has commended the Special Task
Force (STF) over the arrest of 16 cattle rustlers, saying that the feat will restore peace to troubled Plateau North.
Pwajok (PDP-Plateau North), who made the disclosure when he reacted to the arrest, said that bursting the racket would “certainly reduce future excuses for such attacks’’.
“We expect a huge reduction in such attacks, except if the conflict merchants come up with new excuses,’’ he said.
He added, however, that the STF must go beyond the cattle racket and identify the killer squads behind the killings in Plateau.

Sokoto

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that PDP will work
to lead Nigeria to greatness.
Jonathan was speaking in Sokoto at a grand reception organised for a former governor of the state, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, who defected to PDP with his supporters from APC.
“The PDP is the only party that is stable and it will continue to uphold the tenets of democracy.
“The PDP respects the rule of law at all levels and we respect the constitution,” he said.
Jonathan said PDP was the number one party in Nigeria and would continue to be so.
He further said that the Federal Government under the party would continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

Zamfara

Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State has warned
political parties against the use of thugs in the state, ahead of the 2015 general elections.
Yari gave the warning when he received Alhaji Mamman Sule, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in-charge of Zone 10, at the Government House, Gusau.
The governor said the warning became imperative “as the nation prepares for the 2015 general elections.
“The Zamfara government will not tolerate any thuggery. This warning is particularly for politicians who engage youths in thuggery just to intimidate the opposition.
“We will strongly use the law to stop such people even if they are members of the ruling APC in the state.’’

L-R: Chairman, Senate Committee on Water Resources, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, member of the Committee, Sen. Joshua Lidani, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Aviation, Mr Bayode Boluwaji, Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe and Chief Engineer, SSC Nigeria Limited, Mr Etim Frank, during inspection of Kashimbilla multi-purpose dam in Taraba last Monday.

Nation

THE LAPSES OF THE MEDIA IN ELECTIONS

Published

2 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