Nation

THE STATES

Published

11 years ago

February 27, 2015

Borno

The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji
Zannah Mustapha, has, reiterated the state government’s commitment to empower persons with disabilities so as to keep them away from begging.
Mustapha said this during the distribution of food items to 300 persons with disabilities, organised by Hajiya Nana Shettima SWOT Foundation in Maiduguri.
The Foundation was the pet project of the Borno governor’s wife, Hajiya Nana Shettima.
The deputy governor commended Shettima for the various support she had given to widows, orphans and Tsangaya (Islamic education) pupils in the state.
He said that the state government was determined to ensure that all grievances and problems were carefully looked into to enable the targeted persons to have a sense of belonging.

Ekiti

The Ekiti State Government has warned prop
erty developers in the state to always get necessary government approval before erecting any structure.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Olufunke Falodun, gave the warning at a news conference in Ado Ekiti.
She warned people against indiscriminate erection of structures on water ways, roads and government land.
Falodun said the development had not only distorted development plan but also created avoidable environmental problems, including natural and man-made disasters in parts of the state.
She advised developers to obtain necessary documents and approvals for their properties, adding that the state government would soon embark on verification of building plans.

FCT
The Police have arraigned Sulaiman Daniel, 18,
of Kunchi Kawo, Abuja, in a Grade 1 Area Court, Kado, Abuja for misappropriation of fund.
The prosecutor, Insp. Simon Ibrahim, told the court that Joyce Ekulaman, canteen proprietor, of Utako, Abuja, reported the matter at Utako Police Station, Abuja, on February 11.
He said the accused converted N15,000 paid into his account meant for his employee to his personal use.
“The accused, who served food at the canteen, also stole N40,000 belonging to the employee’’, the prosecutor added.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 309 of the Penal Code.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The judge, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq, granted him bail in the sum of N20,000 and a surety in like sum.

Gombe
Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State
recently swore in chairmen, caretaker committees of the 11 local government areas, six new permanent secretaries and six new special advisers.
Speaking at the ceremony in Gombe, the governor said the appointment of the chairmen became necessary, following the expiration of their tenure after two years in office.
Our Correspondent reports that all the chairmen whose tenure expired were sworn in as chairmen caretaker committees of their respective councils.
“You could not have failed to notice that the set of people being sworn in today as local government caretaker committee chairmen require no introduction.
Kano

The Presidential candidate of All Progressives
Congress (APC), Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has condemned the latest bombings in Yobe and Kano states.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, Malam Garba Shehu, the candidate expressed regrets over the attacks.
He noted that the attack came on the eve of the first anniversary of the Buni Yadi attack, where dozens of innocent students of Federal Government College in the community were murdered in their sleep.
He regretted the frequency with which terrorists were destroying the lives of innocent Nigerians.
“Although we commend the efforts and sacrifices of our counter-terrorism forces, there is the need for greater vigilance and new strategies,’’ Buhari said.

Kaduna
Malam Nuhu Bature, the traditional ruler of the
Bajju people in Zangon Kataf, Kaduna State, has cautioned politicians against unguarded utterances that might lead to crisis in the state.
The Agwam Bajju made the call in his palace at Zangon Kataf when Gov. Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State paid him a courtesy visit as part of his campaign tour of the area.
Bature, who spoke on behalf of two other traditional rulers, the Emirs of Ikulu and that of Kamanta, said peace was the bedrock of any development.
He said those seeking to lead the people should at all times demonstrate responsible attitude to issues affecting their communities.
The traditional chief, therefore, appealed to politicians to “watch the kind of statements they make in the media, so as to ensure peace and harmony in the society.’’
Kogi

The kidnappers of the 87-year-old American
woman missionary , Rev. Phyllis Sortor, have reduced their ransom for her release from N60 million to N30 million, an aide of hers said.
The aide, Mr Jacob Ahiaba, told newsmen at Emi Woro community in Ajaokuta Local Government Area last Wednesday that Sortor informed an aide by telephone on Tuesday that her abductors wanted N60 million ransom.
Ahiaba said Sortor made another call later to say that the kidnappers had reduced their demand to N30 million and asked that efforts be made to get the money to secure her release as soon as possible.
Lagos

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State,
Mr Godwin Eke, said last Wednesday that remedial work was being carried out on Wharf Road in Apapa to reduce the rate of accident.
Eke told newsmen in Lagos that the road was being rehabilitated as part of ongoing emergency repair of roads in Apapa.
“We received reports that trucks have been falling there. We now decided to do something remedial, something temporary to reduce the rate of accident there.
“That is part of our plan for the permanent works on Apapa-Tin Can Road.
“It is included in our quantities; there is no contravention; it is part of the emergency repairs that we are carrying out”.

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Government has directed
commercial banks to recognise only Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), as collateral security for their credit facilities henceforth.
The Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Mr Sonny Agassi, gave this directive during interactive session with the executives of the commercial banks in Lafia on Wednesday.
The commissioner cautioned the banks against granting loans or other facilities to their clients on the strength of Rights of Occupancy (R of O) and other land documents.
He said the C of O was the only registered land document recognised by the laws of the land to serve as collateral security for facilities from the banks.
According to him, accepting R of O instead of C of O will have dire consequences on their businesses after the changes being introduced by the present administration.
Oyo

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo
State branch, has urged politicians to make the fear of God their priority in their political activities.
The state Chairman of the association, Ayo Olabisi, made the plea on Wednesday while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan.
The cleric called on politicians to observe the rules guiding the electoral processes while exhibiting the fear of God.
“We need to let our politicians know that coming into office is not a do or die affair. It is whatever God says that will come to manifestation,” he said.

Swearing-in of six Permanent Secretaries in Gombe Plc, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State (right), congratulating a newly appointed Permaent Secretary, Mr Renos Kabiny, during the swearing-in of the Permanent Secretaries and six Speical Advisers in Gombe State, recently.

Nation

Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development Denies Political Affiliations

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.