Nation
THE STATES
Benue
Chairman, Benue chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Kris Atsaka, has advised newsmen to always strive to balance their reports before filing same.
Atsaka told newsmen in Makurdi last Thursday that journalists must insist on getting both sides of a story so as to be fair to all.
He also cautioned against compromising professional conduct which could drag the name of the profession to disrepute.
“Journalists must strive to be credible; this is very necessary to ensure trust and respect.
“Once society begins to distrust the media, the country will be doomed because there shall be no medium through which people will know the truth,” he said.
Atsaka also advised journalists against using the media to cause disaffection among Nigerians, and particularly wanred against concocting stories “just to satisfy selfish interests.”
Ekiti
A husband, Mr Fatai Badmus on Tuesday approached an Ado-Ekiti Customary Court to seek the dissolution of his 6-year-old marriage to his wife, Sade on allegations of adultery.
Fatai, 35, an Artisan, told the court that his wife was adulterous, does not care for him and the children, and there was no more love between them.
He told the court that whenever the respondent leaves the house for the restaurant where she works as a caterer, she always returns home by midnight.
The husband said the wife had often complained that her boss was the one delaying her because of so many customers patronising the restaurant.
The petitioner said on a particular night, he caught the respondent with a motorcyclist behind a trailer along the street.
The father of two, told the court that his wife had told him she was going out to buy recharge card, and unknown to her, he traced her to the point where her secret lover was waiting for her.
FCT
The Federal Government is working hard to ensure the reopening of Government Girls’ Secondary School (GGSS), Chibok, Borno for normal academic activities in the 2017/2018 session, an official has said.
The Vice-Chairman of the Presidential Committee on North-East Initiative, Mr Tijjani Tumsah, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.
Some 276 female students of GGSS, Chibok, located in Borno South Senatorial District, were abducted by members of Boko Haram on April 14, 2014, and 50 of them escaped from their abductors.
Among the remaining 219, the government negotiated the release of 21 by the sect in 2016, while three others escaped on their own.
Tumsah said all necessary security measures were being taken to avert a recurrence of the April 2014 incident.
Kaduna
The Nigerian Army said on Friday that it would conduct the second quarter Office Management and Document Security Workshop at 1 Division Headquarters from April 17 to April 19, in Kaduna.
Deputy Director, Army Public Relations Officer, 1 Division Kaduna, Col. Kingsley Umoh, announced this in a statement made available to newsmen in Kaduna.
Umoh said the workshop is aimed at sensitising clerks from various army formations on document and information security.
According to him, the workshop will be organised by Army Headquarter Department of Administration with the ‘A’ Team Unique Professionals Limited as facilitators.
“The objective is to refresh NA Clerks with the essential knowledge and skills of document handling and security.
Kogi
The four branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Kogi, on Wednesday appealed to the President of the Court of Appeal to establish a division of the court in Lokoja, the state capital.
The association has already established a special committee to pursue the matter.
Chairman of the committee, which comprises chairmen of Lokoja, Idah, Okene and Kabba branches of NBA, Mr Emmanuel Haruna, emphasised the need for the court during a visit to the Chief Judge of Kogi, Justice Nasir Ajanah, in Lokoja.
Haruna held that establishing a division of the appellate court in Kogi was long overdue, pointing out that more than 50 per cent of appeals handled by the Abuja division of the court were from Kogi.
Kwara
Governor Abudulfatah Ahmed of Kwara said on Sunday that economic situation in the country was the reason local government election was postponed and tenure of the Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) extended.
The governor made this known at the monthly meeting of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ilorin.
According to him, local governments in the state were just getting stabilised in meeting basic requirement of their workers.
“To attempt any election at that level of governance now will mean an additional pressure on their meagre resources of the state,” he added.
Nasarawa
The Nasarawa State Government on Monday said that it would construct more bridges and culverts before the end of 2017 to connect rural communities in the state.
The state Deputy Governor, Mr Silas Agara, disclosed this in Akwanga in Akwanga local government area while receiving a delegation led by Mr Moses Malle from Akun Development Area of the state.
Governor Tanko Al-makura recently released over N700 million to the 13 local governments and 18 development areas in the state to construct bridges and culverts.
Agara described 2017 as a year of transformation, stressing that, “we are going to double the numbers of schools that were renovated in 2017”.
Niger
The Niger State Government said it has concluded arrangements to partner the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) to boost rice and sugarcane farming in the state.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Jonathan Vatsa, made this known on Monday when he visited the institute in Badeggi in the state.
“We have so many things to gain from the institute and we are willing to partner NCRI.
“We want to close the gap between us and the institute so that our farmers can produce the best crops, especially with varieties of seedlings.
“As we go into partnership with them, they will get us improved seeds of rice, soya beans, sugarcane and other cereals, and we will be able to feed the country and even the whole of West Africa.
“We have the human resources, the farmlands and by the time we get the improved seedlings, Niger will be the state to beat.
Osun
Workers in Osun State yesterday, returned to work after observing Friday and Monday as public holidays to celebrate the Easter.
Civil servants working at the State Secretariat in Abere were sighted carrying out their routine duties.
While some were just resuming, others were seen in small groups discussing and exchanging greetings with their colleagues.
Our correspondent also reports some federal establishments in the state were operating normally, with many workers back to their duty posts.
Similarly, all the commercial banks in Osogbo, the state capital, were open for business with customers going into the financial institutions to make various transactions.
Plateau
A 28-year old man, Auwalu Sule, appeared before a Jos High Court on Thursday, over alleged robbery.
Sule, according to the prosecutor, D.D Fomyul, robbed one Mrs Zipporah Mang, of her Toyota Corrolla car at gun point.
The judge, Justice Y.G Dakwak, adjourned the matter till May 31, when the defence counsel, Mr David Adudu prayed the court to adjourn the matter to enable him file a written address.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr Mantu John, holding brief for G.D Fwomyon did not object to the adjournment, but prayed the court to give him three weeks to file his final written address.
The judge, however, adjourned the matter till May 31, to enable both parties file their final written addresses.
Nation
THE LAPSES OF THE MEDIA IN ELECTIONS
Nation
RSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria
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
Nation
Shell, MAN Back Rivers’ Drive for Expanded Gas Supply to Industries
The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.
The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.
He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.
“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.
Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.
He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.
He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.
According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.
Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.
He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.
Chairman of MAN, Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okuku, described gas as indispensable to industrial operations, noting that many manufacturers continue to struggle with the high cost of alternative energy sources.
Similarly, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga, said the transition to natural gas had become increasingly necessary for businesses seeking stable and cost-efficient operations.
“Pipeline natural gas provides a more cost-effective and reliable source of energy for industries,” she stated.
Also speaking, former Chairman of MAN in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs. Emilia Akpan, stressed the need to align energy infrastructure development with investment in human capacity.
She maintained that rebuilding the state’s economy would require not only reliable energy supply but also the development of technical skills needed to support long-term industrial growth.
By Kevin Nengia
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