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Deputy Governor Martins Babale of Adamawa State (right) inaugurating the UNHCR Relief  Office in Yola recently. with him is the Assistant High Commissioner on  Refugees of UNHCR,Mr Volker Turk.

Deputy Governor Martins Babale of Adamawa State (right) inaugurating the UNHCR Relief Office in Yola recently. with him is the Assistant High Commissioner on Refugees of UNHCR,Mr Volker Turk.

Bauchi
The Director, Leprosy and Tuberculosis Control in Bauchi
state, Dr Yakubu Abdullahi, has advised parents to immunise new born babies with Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccine to prevent Tuberculosis (TB).
Abdullahi gave the advice in an interview with newsmen  in Bauchi.
He said the diagnosis of tuberculosis in under- five children was often difficult due to the specimen collected from them.
He said that children could be diagnosed with the two various types of tuberculosis, which includes exposing the child to infected person and poor ventilation.
Other causes of the disease are overcrowding, malnutrition, immunity status, prolonged use of steroids and Cytotoxic drugs.

Gombe
The Gombe State Police Command has urged residents
of the state to be security conscious and prayerful during and after the Easter celebration.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mohammed Padah, made the call in an interview with newsmen in Gombe on Thursday.
He said that the command had put measures in place to ensure protection of lives and properties of the citizenry.
“There is need for everybody to be security conscious while going about their normal businesses.
“ Adequate security has been put in place in conjunction with other security agencies in the state to ensure peace and security,’’ he said.

Kaduna
Governor Nasiru El-Rufai of Kaduna State has pledged
to offer quality service to the people irrespective of historical, ethnic or religious orientation.
El-Rufai made the pledge in Kafanchan, shortly after the endorsement of a peace declaration by 29 communities in five local government areas of the state.
The Kafanchan Peace Declaration was at the instance of Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD).
“We recognize everyone as a citizen of Kaduna State and in accessing social services, have no regard for his or her historical, ethnic and religious orientation.
“ We as a government are pursuing an investment strategy anchored on our conviction that the private sector is the engine of job creation and growth.

Katsina
The member representing Katsina South Senatorial Zone,
Sen. Abu Ibrahim has commenced skill acquisition training for 1, 775 persons from the zone.
Speaking at Malumfashi Training Centre the scheme focal person, Malam Babanyara Mailikelike, said beneficiaries comprised men and women across all ages from the 11 local governments that made up the zone.
The focal person said that between 150 and 180 beneficiaries were selected from political wards in each of the 11 local government areas.
Mailikelike said beneficiaries were trained on production of soap, perfume and cream, livestock and poultry keeping, food and animal feeds processing as well as interior decoration.

Jigawa
The Jigawa Government has constituted an 11-member
committee to verify construction of township roads and payment of compensation to those whose structures would be affected by the projects.
Malam Isama’I Ibrahim, the Public Relations Officer, Office of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said this on Thursday while speaking with newsmen in Dutse.
Isama’I said that the SSG, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir, who inaugurated the committee, urged members to discharge their duties with the “fear of God’’.
The spokesperson said that aside from identifying the number of structures to be affected and pay compensation, the committee would also verify the authentic persons involved.
According to him, the committee will cost the compensation payments, and if possible, review the compensation rate.
Lagos
A 59-year-old businessman, Mr Joseph Olatunde, has
filed for divorce at an Igando Customary Court in Lagos State over his wife’s alleged shameful act.
Joseph, in his application, is seeking for the dissolution of his marriage to his wife, Kemi Olatunde , whom he said had gained a reputation as a street-fighter.
“My wife, who is a pastor, an evangelist, a church interpreter and women leader, fought with nine persons in a day in our street wearing only a bra and a tight.
“She fought from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., during which residents of the street were begging her to stop but she refused.
“ I also pleaded with her but she cursed and I was ashamed of myself.
“I had to take her pictures with my cell phone when she was fighting in the public with only the brassier covering her body and sent it to her family.” he said.

Nasarawa

A Mararaba Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Nasarawa
State, has ordered the remand of a student, Joseph Olowo, charged with trespass and attempted theft.
Olowo, 24, who resides at Mararaba, is facing a two-count charge of trespassing on private property and attempt to commit offence of stealing.
The judge, Mr Albert Maga, ordered the remand of the defendant following an oral application made by the prosecutor, Cpl. Friday Adaji.
Maga ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody till April 5 when his bail application would be considered.
Adaji had objected to the bail on the grounds that the defendant was not a first time offender and had a pending case of theft to which he was admitted to bail on March 11.
Earlier, the prosecutor had told the court that Ameh Emmanuel of Behind Kapda Market, Mararaba, reported the case at the ‘A’ Division Police Station, Mararaba, on March 18.
Ogun

More than 2,500 residents of Ogun have benefitted from
the free health initiative organised by the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari.
Our correspondent reports that the initiative included checking of Body Mass Index, screening of the eye and blood sugar level as well as distribution of free eye glasses and drugs.
The programme, which was meant to cater for 2,500 persons, saw more than 5,000 in attendance.
Speaking at the flagging off ceremony, Buhari said the programme was to cater for the health of young and old Nigerians.
The wife of the President, who was represented by Dr Abdulrahaman Kamal, said she had also organised similar initiatives targeted at women and children, particularly those hinterlands.
Ondo
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)
says its members will work with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to obey the new safety idea.
Mr Folajimi Akinifesi, the Chairman of NURTW in Ondo state, told newsmen on Thursday in Akure that FRSC officials had briefed them on the safety device.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia, says: “A speed limiter is a governor used to limit the top speed of a vehicle.’’
Akinifesi said: “Our members will comply with the speed limiter because it is a safety precaution to reduce frequent road mishaps.
“Most of the accidents are caused by speeding, reckless driving and careless overtaking.

Osun
The Osun House of Assembly said it was determined to
outlaw street trading and illegal markets in the state.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Najeem Salaam, said this at plenary in Osogbo during the consideration of a bill on street trading and illegal markets.
Salaam said it would become an offence for any person to engage in street trading or to operate an illegal market in the state once the bill was passed into law.
He said the law would ensure a clean environment, adding that this was one of the cardinal aims of the government.
Salaam, who noted that street trading had claimed many lives on the highways, added that the bill, when passed, would check this.
Sokoto

Head of the committee, Malam Lawal Maidoki said in
Sokoto that the gesture was to reduce burden on the poor and enhance their wellbeing.
He said, “the gesture is part of the monthly allocation being given by the state government to assist the less privileged among our society, to ease their suffering and ensure healthy and productive citizens.’’
The chairman explained that part of the money was used for the medication and rehabilitation of some mentally deranged persons.
Zamfara
An Islamic organisation, the Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah
Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), says  it has spent more than N100 million on developing its Islamic Centre in Guzape District, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Sheikh Yusuf Rigachikun, the Deputy Chairman, National Ulama’u Council of JIBWIS, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Gusau.
Rigachikun said the N300 million worth project started last year when the organisation signed the project contract agreement with an indigenous construction company, Coxa Integrated Limited (CIL).
He explained that the centre was aimed at providing a befitting facility for Muslims in the FCT and the country at large for knowledge acquisition and other religious activities.

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Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

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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.

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THE LAPSES OF THE MEDIA IN ELECTIONS

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

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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

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