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Governor Muhammadu Jibrillah of Adamawa (left), discussing with the Acting Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (Nan), Mr Jones Afolabi, during a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Government House, Dougirie Inyola recently

Governor Muhammadu Jibrillah of Adamawa (left), discussing with the Acting Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (Nan), Mr Jones Afolabi, during a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Government House, Dougirie Inyola recently

Adamawa
Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla of Adamawa has lauded
the Federal Government for its sustained support in tackling challenges posed by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.
Jibrilla made the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Yola on Thursday.
Jibrilla said Adamawa could not have coped with the IDPs, particularly those being evacuated from neibouring countries that passed through the state transit camps, without the support of Federal Government’s agency like NEMA.
“Federal Government has also started doing something on infrastructure such as schools, police stations and places of worship.”

Borno
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the
Federal Government’s donation of relief materials would facilitate speedy return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their communities.
Buratai said this at the flag-off ceremony of the distribution of relief materials to IDPs in Maiduguri.
He said the gesture was also aimed at improving their standard of living as they resettled in their communities.
He said it was also part of the efforts of both the federal and state governments to quickly ameliorate the suffering of the people.
The Army Chief said that the initiative would also support the military activities in the liberated communities.

FCT
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,
Chief Audu Ogbeh, has enjoined Nigerians, particularly the elites, to engage in agriculture to boost food production.
The minister made this call while speaking at the Sectoral Debate on strategies for diversification of the Nigerian economy organised by the House of Representatives.
Ogbeh said there was need for the country to adhere to the 10 per cent budgetary allocation to agriculture in line with Maputo Declaration.
“If Agriculture is to be restored to its days of glory in Nigeria, ýpeople from all strata of the society including the elite must be involved in line with the Maputo Declaration,’’ the minister said.

Lagos
A landlord, Segun Oye, who allegedly assaulted a fe
male tenant, Uche Elodinmuo, has appeared before a Surulere Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.
The accused, 49, who lives at No. 4, Ayo Davies Close, off Ekololu Street, Lagos, is facing a two-count charge bordering on assault.
The prosecutor, Insp. Gabriel Ekundayo, said the accused committed the offence at the same address at about 8.45 p.m. on April 19.
Ekundayo told the court that the complainant, Elodinmuo, reported the incident at Orile-Iganmu Police Station.
“The accused came and assaulted her in front of her room when she complained about her missing fuel in the compound.
“Other co-tenants have been complaining about missing fuel too, suspecting the gateman may be stealing the fuel to fill the landlord’s generator.”

Kano
The seven Kano State students and their driver who
died along Lagos-Ibadan expressway have been buried in Kano, amid tears.
The funeral prayer was conducted at the Emir’s Palace, Kano, around 9 a.m., and the deceased were buried at the Tarauni Graveyard.
Among those that attended the prayer were: Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, members of the state Executive Council, other top government officials as well as parents and sympathisers.
The funeral prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Kano, Prof. Sani Zahraddeen, who prayed God to grant the souls of the departed eternal rest and Jannatul Firdaus (The highest Paradise).
He also prayed God to give their families the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Kogi
The Kogi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board said
that the Saudi Arabian Government had returned N24 million to it for services not rendered during the 2015 hajj.
The Chairman of the board, Alhaji Sadiq Muhammed Rabiu, who made this known during a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of Ayangba, Alhaji Shuaibu Okolp, said that the money would be shared among the 2015 pilgrims from the state.
He said that by the board’s calculation, each of the participants would receive N27,000.
According to him, the gesture from the Saudi government is a reflection of their entrenched culture of accountability and fairness.
On preparations for the 2016 hajj, Rabiu said that the board had secured accommodation near Kabba, to facilitate the performance of the basic rites while in holy land.

Nasarawa
The women wing of the Christian Association of
Nigeria (CAN), Nasarawa State chapter, has donated food and sanitary items to Maimuna Catha Orphanage Home in Lafia.
The chairperson of the association, Mrs. Lydia Attah, who delivered the items said that the gesture was the association’s modest contribution to demonstrate love, care and concern to the orphans.
“We want to give the orphans a sense of belonging; we want them to feel cared for,” she said.
Attah said that Christian women had an obligation to show love, stressing that assisting the less privileged in the society was in obedience to God’s teachings.
“The donation is part of the association’s commitment to cushioning the hardship being experienced by the orphans due to the death of their parents.

Ogun

The Police in Ogun docked two men: Waheed
Azeez,26, and Emmanuel Abolade,20, before an Ota Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting one Adebesin Tunde by stabbing him with broken bottles.
The accused, whose addresses are unknown, are facing a two-count charge of assault and conspiracy.
The Prosecutor, Sgt Itaita Ebibomino, told the court that the accused and others still at large, committed the offences on April 3 at about 7:30 p.m. at Owode-Ijako Area of Ota.
Ebibomino said that the accused and his accomplices conspired among themselves to assault the complainant by stabbing him with broken bottles.
He said that the offences contravened Sections 355 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Ondo
The Executive Chairman of Ilaje Local Government of
Ondo State, Mr Agunola Omomowo, has advised his councilors to fulfill their electioneering promises.
He said that fulfillment of the promises would justify the confidence reposed in them by the electorate.
Our correspondent reports that the advice was given on Wednesday at the swearing-in ceremony of 12 elected councilors at the LGA in Igbokoda.
Omomowo also called for the co-operation of the executive arm of the local government and urged them to shun unnecessary misunderstanding.
He advised that peace should be the watchword rather than violence.

Oyo
The President of a Mapo Customary Court in Ibadan, Mr
Ademola Odunade, dissolved the three-year-old marriage between one Taiwo Akande and his wife, Shukurat, over persistent uttering of curses by the latter.
Odunade held that the court could only pacify parties to a dispute but could not enforce settlement.
“Since Akande, who is the head of the home has made up his mind to discontinue the union between him and Shukurat, the marriage has therefore ceased to exist,” the judge said.
He, however, awarded custody of the two and a half -year-old child produced by the union to Shukurat for proper care.
“Akande shall also pay a cash sum of N12,000 for Shukurat’s one-year house rent and another N3,000 to pack her belongings,” Odunade added.

Plateau

Workers of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH)
have taken to the streets of Jos to protest what they called the “complete lack of basic facilities in the hospital”.
The workers, under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), moved through most major streets of the city, chanting solidarity songs that urged the Federal Government to sack the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Edward Banwat.
Our correspondent reports that the workers, who have been on strike for more than two months, took to the streets saying the management could not address their grievances.
Mr Mustapha Kabir, an official of the union, alleged that the hospital lacked consumables, drugs and beds, while machines required for basic operation had all broken down.

Sokoto

Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has inaugu
rated the Sokoto branch of Bank of Industry (BOI) and announced that the state has secured a N2 billion loan package.
The governor, who spoke at the inauguration of the branch, said that small and medium entrepreneurs would access the loan.
He said that the state government and the bank would contribute N1 billion each, adding that the programme was aimed at boosting small and medium scale businesses, as well as boost employment.
The governor challenged the beneficiaries to use the loan judiciously to enhance socio-economic development of the state.

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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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