Nation

THE STATES

Published

12 years ago

September 26, 2014

Adamawa

Adamawa State Police Command has said it arrested
an unspecified number of suspected Boko Haram members who were residing at the Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Yola, the state capital.
Those arrested are said to be among the insurgents that unleased terror on communities of Michika, Bazza, Madagaili, Gulak and other surrounding villages in the Northern part of the state.
The Police Public Relation Officer for the command, ASP Michael Haa, confirmed the arrest.
He said, “Yes we have people all over, whenever we see suspicious movement, we pick them for questioning.
“As at the moment, I can’t tell you their number, because we are still screening them to establish the reality of their presence there”.

Bauchi

Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State has backed Presi
dent Goodluck Jonathan’s recent declaration of a deadline to finally stem insurgency by the middle of October.
The governor, who spoke in Abuja, described the target as attainable if only all well-meaning Nigerians would support the President in view of the ongoing stepping-up of the anti-insurgency infrastructure to stem increasing threats to the unity and stability of the country.
”If there is anytime our President deserves and direly needs our fervent prayers and unconditional support, it is now. The best all well-meaning Nigerians can do in the present circumstance is to rally round President Jonathan and support him in steering the ship of the Nigerian State successfully at this critical moment”, he said.
He condemned the recent bombing and attacks in Kano and Kaduna, describing them as cruel, callous and barbaric. He prayed that the blood of the innocent victims of the senseless killings would continue to haunt the perpetrators.

Borno

The National Emergency Management Agency
(NEMA) has appealed to journalists to monitor the distribution of relief materials donated to the victims of Boko Haram insurgency in Borno.
In an interview with newsmen in Maiduguri, the Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Alhaji Sani Sidi, noted that more than 50 trucks of such relief materials had been supplied by the Federal Government.
Sidi said that the monitoring would ensure fair distribution of the materials among the displaced persons.
“The task is to ensure that the items go only to those affected, those in need and those that have been displaced and those in camps.
“You will recall that President Goodluck Jonathan set up a presidential committee for the procurement and distribution of relief materials to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

FCT

A governorship aspirants of Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, in Rivers State, Senator Lee Maeba, has promised to reconcile Governor Rotimi Amaechi with former governor Peter Odili and the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, if he became governor of the state.
Senator Maeba also promised to float a N100 billion business support scheme to empower the people in the rural areas to boost their businesses and financial base.
Speaking in an interview in Abuja weekend, Senator Maeba, who was Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum, Upstream, said he would take it as a priority to reconcile politicians from Rivers State for the rapid development of the state.
He also said that himself, Governor Amaechi, Mr. Wike, the Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secundus, among others, were members of the Odili political family.

Kaduna

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Sanga
Local Government Area of Kaduna State has said over 300 natives were killed by terrorists in the communities within the area.
Its chairman, Reverend Fadan Amana, told Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State, in a letter made available to journalists, that they had suffered series of death in the hands of the gunmen.
“We have suffered gruesome massacre as members of the Christian community in Sanga. CAN, Sanga council chapter, wishes to passionately appeal that, as a matter of urgency, you kindly use your good offices to arrest this ugly development, by ending these terrible attacks on our peace-loving and defenceless people.

Kogi

Kogi State Government in collaboration with the United Nation Development Programme, UNDP, has committed N120 million for youth training in the state.
The Focal officer of the UNDP, Lokoja, Mr. Joseph
Osasona stated this at the opening ceremony of the three week first phase of the Youth Entrepreneurship and Youth in Agriculture camp holding at the NYSC orientation camp in Ashaya, Kabba-Bunu Local Government area of the state.
Osasona, who eulogised Governor Idris Wada’s efforts to make Kogi State re-enlisted into the UNDP projects after a long absence from the scheme, said 500 youths would be trained in the first phase in different vocational and artisans skills.
He said; “We appreciate Governor Idris Wada, who painstakingly spearheaded the visit to the Minister for National Planning, Abuja to solicit for the re- enlistment of Kogi State into the UNDP activities.

Lagos
Resident Doctors in Lagos, have petitioned the
State House of Assembly, seeking its intervention over alleged refusal of the state government to pay their August salary.
In a letter through the state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, the resident doctors said they were not finding the alleged refusal of government to pay their August salary funny.
NMA letter which was read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Ganiyu Abiru, called on Governor Babatunde Fashola to pay the doctors’ salary in the interest of industrial peace.
NMA had embarked on a nationwide industrial action which lasted for about two months before it was finally suspended in August.

Ogun

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) has described the purported lone defection of former Governor Gbenga Daniel (OGD) from the Labour Party (LP) to the PDP as “a continuation of the deceit that OGD is known for”.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta yesterday by the State Publicity Secretary, Waliu Oladipupo, the party said, “Much as our hands are widely opened to receive defectors into our party, including OGD, we find his purported solo return as a less than clever attempt to hoodwink our people and deceive the national leaders of our party.
“We have reliable information that the kite being flied that most of his followers have vowed not to return with him to the PDP is part of a grand plot to deceive our leaders and use the resources of the PDP and its government to fund his followers in LP.
“This is a repeat of what happened in 2011 when his body remained in the PDP but his heart and soul were with the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN). He used the resources of the PDP-led government to fund the PPN.

Ondo

Six suspected kidnappers were amongst the 48 sus
pected criminals paraded by the Police in Ondo State yesterday.
The six suspects were said to have requested for N50 million ransom before they were arrested.
Parading the criminals, the state Police Commissioner, Isaac Eke, said in Akure that the kidnappers robbed one Adeniji Ayewamide in Idanre and later kidnapped him.
Eke said the victim was dragged into a Golf Volkswagen car and taken to the leader of the group, Basiru Ijimiga in Odigbo Ore.
Luck ran against the kidnappers on the fourth day when detectives from the state Criminal Investigation Department stormed their hideout.

Oyo

The Federal Government and the United Industrial De
velopment Organisation (UNIDO) will donate 51 units of ozone-friendly machines to Nigeria Association of Refrigerators and Air-conditioning Practitioners.
The Acting Director, Pollution and Environmental Health, Ministry of Environment, Mr Abdul-Kazeem Bayero, said this in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan.
Bayero said 30 units of ozone-friendly low pressure foaming machines had been earlier distributed to the practitioners in Abuja and Ibadan.
He said the machines would enable ice machine manufacturers to meet markets demands in a friendly environment with low cost.

Nation

Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

1 week ago

June 2, 2026

The Tide

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.

Nation

THE LAPSES OF THE MEDIA IN ELECTIONS

Published

2 weeks 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

3 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