Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

February 2, 2015

Benue
Former Benue State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Jo
seph Orkar, who was detained for eighteen months by the then military regime of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, said that the APC presidential candidate sent corrupt politicals to jail to demonstrate his high sense of moral discipline.
Orkar stated this at an APC rallty in Aliade, Benue.
Admitting that they could have have been cases of miscarriage of justice, the few cases did not undermine the intergrity of the process. He said Buhari was working towards establishing probity and accountability in the system by desciplining erring politicians. Orkar, who is the APC Vice Chairman in the state, said he was an ardent supporter of Buhari despite his inmprisonment and called on other Nigerians to support the APC presidential candidate.

Kaduna
Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State has offered to
provide scholarships to nine primary school pupils up to university level based on their exceptional academic performance.The Governor made the announcement during campaign in Jaba local government Area of the state.
He described the presentation made by the pupils as classic, saying it was a testimony that government’s efforts aimed at transforming the education sector was yielding fruits.
“It is better to invest in the education of our children now to secure their future. Parents should invest in the education of their children,” he said. He called on the people of the area to remain united and support the government to deliver more dividends of democracy to them.

Kwara
Traditional rulers in Kwara South Senatorial District on
Thursday, pledged their support for the re-election of Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. The Olupo Ajase-Ipo, Oba Sikiru Sanni; the Oloro of Oro Kingdom, Oba Rafiu Ajiboye; and the Olomu of Omu-Aran, Oba Charles Ibitoye, all separately pledged to support Ahmad’s re-election bid when the APC campaign team visited their respective palaces.
Sanni said the call for the support toward the re-election bid of Governor Ahmed was to give the administration the opportunity to complete its ongoing projects across nooks and crannies of the state. He expressed the desire of the people of the community to support government at all levels toward ensuring the sustenance of the nation’s democratic system.
“We want to assure the government of our continuous support, including the re-election bid of our governor at the poll, he said.

Kano
The Kano State Government said on Thursday, it had spent
N10 million on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were camped in Dawakin Kudu Local Government area of the state.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SARERA), Alhaji Aliyu Bashir, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Kano. According to him, over 3,000 IDPs were assisted with the fund during their stay at the camp. He said the agency also collaborated with the United Nations to get relief materials for the displaced persons who were mostly from Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Taraba. Bashir added that the displaced persons left their various homes and trooped into the state due to insecurity in their areas.

Katsina

Victims of 2011 post-election violence in Funtua, Katsina
State, on Thursday sought for assistance from the state and Federal Government to enable them rebuild their lives.
The chairman of the victims committee in the area, Mr Billy Okbegboro, made the call at a press briefing in Funtua. He explained that the assistance provided by government was only given to landlords, leaving out tenants particularly shop owners whose properties were destroyed. He said that about 233 tenants affected by the violence were left roaming the streets with no means of livelihood, adding that some of them had died of trauma.
Lagos
An Igando Customary Court in Lagos has dissolved a
six-year-old marriage over heavy drinking and adultery.
The President of the court, Mr Rasak Adeyeri, said that all efforts to reconcile Samuel Ajibode, a businessman and his wife Rebecca had proved futile.
He said the court had no option than to dissolve the union for them to go their separate ways.
“Both parties are no longer husband and wife, they are free to go their separate ways,” Adeyeri ruled.
The Petitioner, Samuel Ajibode (53), had filed a suit seeking the dissolution of the marriage over wife’s infidelity and excessive alcoholic consumption.

Nasarawa
The Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi,
Nasarawa State, Dr Joshua Giyan, has appealed to striking health workers nationwide to resume work in the interest of humanity. Giyan made the call in Keffi in an interview with newsmen. He observed that the industrial action by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) had affected the lives of many Nigerians, particularly the poor who have no means to patronise private hospitals. Giyan said the Minister of Health, Dr Khaliru Alhassan, had met with chief medical directors and assured them that the Federal Government was doing its best to implement the white paper submitted to it by the presidential committee. The director commended the federal government for its sustained efforts in funding the health sector, calling for support and understanding from stakeholders.

Ogun
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has prom
ised to continue to commit the resources of the state for the development of the rural areas across the state, if re-elected.
Amosun gave the promise in Coker, a town in Ifo local Government of the state during his re-election campaign tour. He said his administration would focus on the construction of rural roads, electricity supply, and create employment opportunities in rural communities.
“I want to thank you for your support and perseverance in the last three and half years. “It is not that we neglect you; our concentration during the first term was on urban renewal which we intend to attract investors into the state. “You can see that many companies have sprung up in the state and many investors are still interested in doing their businesses in Ogun”, he said.

Sokoto
Gwabadawa Local Government Council, Sokoto
State, says it spends N6 million on the payment of monthly allowances to 1,200 regular vigilantes it has recruited. The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Aminu Aya, said this in Sokoto during an interview with newsmen recently. Aya said that the council had also engaged 2,436 non-regular vigilantes.
“The local government council is making arrangements to regularise the engagement of the vigilantes who are yet to start receiving the monthly allowances of N5,000 each,” he explained. Aya said that the vigilantes were engaged to complement the efforts of the security agencies in protecting the lives and property of the citizenry in the area. He said the vigilantes were deployed to various towns and villages in the 11 political wards of the local government area.

Zamfara

Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State on
Thursday, said the state government has fulfilled the promises it made to people of Maru local government area in 2011. Yari, who was on campaign tour of the local government said in Maru that the multi-million naira projects executed by the government had transformed the area from what it used to be.
“Now if you compare Maru town before the coming of this administration, you will see that it has improved in terms of town planning and socio-economic development.
“Our administration has fulfilled all the promises it made in 2011 during the last election campaigns; our great party, the APC has good mission for Nigerians,” he said.
The governor listed some of the projects executed in the area to include township roads, expansion and upgrading of Maru General Hospital, completion of Government Secondary School Maru, as well as renovation and construction of new primary schools.

L-R: Govenor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe, his Lagos State counterpart, Babatunde Fashola and his wife, Abimbola at the closing ceremony of a 3-Day Conference by Committee of Wives of Lagos State officials in Lagos.

Nation

Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development Denies Political Affiliations

Published

3 days ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.

The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.

According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors

‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”

It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees

“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”

The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said

It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development

Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.

Nation

NDCCTMA, NDDC MDS Challenge Niger Delta Indigenes on Investment in The Region

Published

3 days ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.

The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt

Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.

He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.

“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.

“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.

Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.

Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.

“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.

The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.

He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.

John Bibor

Nation

Nile University Hosts ICA Nigeria First National Confab On Global Communication

Published

3 days ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The Nile University of Nigeria has successfully hosted the maiden National Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA) Nigeria Chapter, drawing scholars, policymakers, and media professionals to examine emerging global communication trends and Africa’s positioning within them.

The two-day conference, themed, “Global Communication Shifts and Implications for Africa,” took place from March 24 to 25, 2026, at Nile University of Nigeria in Abuja. The event marked the first national gathering of the ICA Nigeria Chapter since its inauguration in March 2023, making it a historic milestone for communication scholarship on the continent.

Delivering a welcome address on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of Nile University, Prof. Dilli Dogo, the Head of Mass Communication Department, Dr. Jacob Suemo, described the conference as a “clarion call to reimagine Africa’s place in the global communication landscape,” emphasising the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation.

The conference convened leading international scholars, including ICA President, Prof Thomas Hanitzsch and REACH Committee Chair, Prof Noshir Contractor, alongside other notable academics such as Prof Srivi Ramasubramanian, Dominique Brossard, and Prof. Raka Shome. Representatives from ICA chapters in India, Indonesia, and Kenya also participated, reinforcing the global outlook of the gathering.

Participants engaged in keynote sessions, panel discussions, and paper presentations addressing critical themes such as artificial intelligence, climate change communication, media systems, governance, and digital transformation. These discussions reflected the broader aim of the conference to interrogate how global communication shifts affect African societies, institutions, and development pathways.

A key highlight of the conference was a strategic panel session titled, “Is Africa Ready for ICA26?” which assessed the continent’s readiness for deeper global engagement ahead of the ICA International Conference scheduled for June 2026.

The event featured over 50 research presentations from scholars across Nigerian institutions, showcasing diverse perspectives on communication research and practice. It also attracted major stakeholders in government and media, including representatives of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the News Agency of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Press Council. Discussions underscored the importance of strategic communication in national development and Africa-driven narratives in global discourse.

A major outcome of the conference was the leadership transition within the ICA Nigeria Chapter. Professor Desmond Okocha emerged as the new Chair, succeeding the founding Chair, Dr. Ekaete George. The transition was described as a step toward consolidating the association’s growth and expanding its influence across Nigeria’s academic and media landscape.

Organised in collaboration with academic institutions including Bingham University, University of Cross River State, Nasarawa State University, and the University of Calabar, the conference also featured participation from the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) as a partner and sponsor.

The ICA Nigeria Chapter noted that the conference provided a vital platform for intellectual exchange, collaboration, and policy dialogue, positioning Nigeria as a key player in global communication research and practice.

The second edition of the ICA Nigeria National Conference is scheduled for March 2027, building on the success of the inaugural event.