Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

on

FCT
The Chairman, Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria
(CDGN), South-South and South-East chapters, Mr Sele Sele, has urged film makers nationwide to always choose appropriate costumes for their movies to enhance its quality.
Sele told newsmen in Abuja that selecting the appropriate costumes would go a long way in the marketing of the movies.
He regretted the challenges encountered by creative designers in accessing basic government facilities in their profession.
“For instance, if you want to do an action movie, you require guns and uniforms but when you go to the police station, nobody is ready to assist you.
“If you want to shoot a movie at an airport, getting an airport is difficult. These are the kinds of challenges we encounter.
“That is why you don’t see most movies with such story lines; the major challenge is that we don’t have film shops.

Gombe
Governor  Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has been
elected as the gubernatorial flag bearer of the PDP in the 2015 general Elections.
Our correspondent  reports that Dankwambo was elected through an affirmation poll held at the PDP secretariat on Monday in Gombe.
The governor polled 492 votes out of the 504 delegates, while eight votes were invalid and four delegates were absent.
Announcing the result, the Returning Officer and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba, said the delegates had affirmed Dankwambo as the gubernatorial flag bearer of the party in the 2015 elections.
“Delegates have today given the mandate to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Gombe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo, to contest on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party for a second term.”

Kaduna
Senator  Ahmed Makarfi the senator representing
Kaduna-North Senatorial District, has been returned as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag-bearer in the 2015 senatorial election.
Our correspondent  reports that Makarfi was adopted as sole candidate after his rival, Umar Faruk withdrew from the contest following consensus arrangement made a day prior to the party’s primary in Kaduna state.
Declaring the result, Alhaji Ahmed Tahir, Chairman, PDP electoral committee said: “Makarfi is the only contestant, however, based on PDP requirement, an election must hold to fulfil such requirement.
Having counted all the votes cast; Makarfi got 333 votes indicating that he polled all the votes cast which gives him the opportunity to become the flag-bearer of PDP.

Katsina
A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Repre
sentatives aspirant, Mr Emmanuel Udende, has commended his co-aspirants for stepping down for him to enable him continue with his developmental programmes.
Udende gave this commendation in an interview with journalists in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Benue.
Our correspondent  reports that Udende was presently representing Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum Federal Constituency at the house of representatives.
He further appreciated them for their show of maturity and understanding which had paved way for his emergence as a sole contender for the seat.
He stated that they were not coerced before they withdrew from the race, adding that they withdrew willingly.

Kogi
The Kogi High Court sitting in Koton-Karfe  has nulli
fied the May 4, 2013 Local Government Elections conducted in the state by the State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC).
The judgement was delivered in two hours, eight minutes by Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye.
The court issued a consequential order for the council chairmen in the 21 Local Governments to handover the affairs of the councils to the most senior directors.
Omolaye-Ajileye affirmed the contention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the commission was not properly constituted to conduct the election.
It referred to the suit with the State Government, KOSIEC and seven others as co-defendants.

Kwara
Residents of Okuta in the Baruten Local Government
Area of Kwara  State have on Tuesday cried out for help over the perennial water shortage in the border community.
A cross-section of the people who spoke with newsmen urged governments at all levels to urgently alleviate their plight .
Malam Aliyu Umar, the Gunubero of Okuta, told  newsmen that the waterworks in the community had not been operated in the last three years, to supply it with pipe-borne water.
This, according to the traditional ruler, is due to its network of pipes, which have gone bad.
“Our major problem here is the distribution network, which has gone bad. The pipes have become broken in the last three years and nothing has been done about restoring the network.

Kano
A former governorship candidate of the defunct All
Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in the 2011 elections in Kano State, Alhaji Salihu Takai, has won the PDP governorship primary election in the state.
Takai scored 1, 226 votes to defeat three other contestants, while two others withdrew shortly before the exercise began.
Announcing the results yesterday the Chairman of the Election Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Gusau, said Alhaji Abba Murtala Muhammed, son of late Head of State, Gen. Murtala Muhammed, got 144 votes.
Gusau said Mansur Ahmed got 106 votes, while Alhaji Sani Gwarzo scored 24 votes.
According to him, Dr Hakilu Indabawa and Alhaji Mohammed Abacha withdrew from the contest before the commencement of the election.

Kebbi
The Senator representing Kebbi Central, Alhaji Atiku
Bagudu on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is to contest for the state’s governorship position on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Bagudu, who presented his nomination form at the APC secretariat in the state on Saturday, said that he defected following advice from his associates and supporters.
“I am acting in tandem with advice from supporters, followers and political stakeholders in my constituency,” he said.
The senator said that he was optimistic of clinching the APC governorship ticket in the state but would abide by any decision of the party.
Bagudu, who was accompanied by his supporters to the APC secretariat, appealed to members of the party to give him the opportunity to serve the people.

Nasarawa
Alhaji Yusuf Agabi, winner of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) governorship primary election in Nasarawa State, has called on other aspirants to rally round him, to win the general elections next year.
Agabi made the call in an interview with newsmen in Nasarawa.
He said the victory at the primary was not for him alone but for  all the members of the party, adding that it would take a collective effort to make the objective of reclaiming the state from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 to be actualised.
Agabi promised to tackle the security challenges facing the state, if given the mandate in next year’s general elections.

Ogun
The Police in Ogun State have  arraigned a 27-year-old
man, Abiodun Bamidele, before an Ota Magistrates’ Court, for breaking into a house and stealing goods worth N371,000.
Bamidele, who resides at No.17, Akinola Street, Awela-Ilogbo, is being tried on a three-count charge of stealing, conspiracy and burglary.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Itaita Ebibomini, told the court that the accused and others now at large, committed the offences on November 26, at Plot 8, Block D, John Olawose Layout, Kuta Onigbongbo Atan,in Ota.
He said that the accused and others at large broke into the house of one Mr and Mrs Adeyemi and stole a Laptop valued at N240, 000 and other valuable goods worth N371, 000.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 390(9), 413 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Revised Law of Ogun State, 2006.

Deputy Governor of Jigawa State,  Alhaji Ahmed Mahmoud (left) with the Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Maje, during his sympathy visit to the Emirate over flood disaster recently.

Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Ahmed Mahmoud (left) with the Emir of Hadejia, Alhaji Adamu Maje, during his sympathy visit to the Emirate over flood disaster recently.

Continue Reading

Nation

Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Nation

THE LAPSES OF THE MEDIA IN ELECTIONS

Published

on

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.
Continue Reading

Nation

RSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Trending