Nation

THE STATES

Published

9 years ago

June 12, 2017

FCT
The Federal Government says it will intensify the implementation of the Toxic Waste Dump Watch Programme to control illegal trans-boundary movement and importation of hazardous waste into the country.
The Director-General of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr Lawrence Anukam, said this last Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.
Anukam, said that adequate mechanisms had been put in place to control such illegal movement and import of hazardous waste, including electronic waste (e-waste), in the country.
He said that, NESREA was collaborating with various governments and international organisations to ensure that Nigeria did not become a dumping ground for e-waste shipped in from other countries.

Kaduna
No fewer than eight districts in Jema’a Local Government Area, Kaduna State, last Thursday signed peace deals to end hostilities and ensure permanent peace in their locality.
The agreement followed months of interaction and negotiation spearheaded by Global Peace Foundation (GPF), Nigeria, an NGO.
The districts include Dangoma, Goska, Ambam, Bakin Kogi, Unguwar Fari, Unguwar Baki and Gerti.
After deliberations, the eight districts unanimously agreed to forgive each other and directed all farmers and herdsmen to go about their normal activities.
“They also agreed to form very close collaborations to attain pre-conflict relationship while encouraging all their critical stakeholders resident outside the chiefdom to honour the development.”

Kogi
Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, has urged corps members to support government’s efforts toward ridding Nigeria of corrupt tendencies.
Suleiman made the call last Wednesday, when he visited the 2017 Batch ‘A’ Stream 1 corps members at the Kogi State Orientation Camp, Asaya, Kabba.
Represented by Mr Tijani Ahmed, Director, Legal Unit, NYSC National Directorate, Abuja, the NYSC boss challenged corps members to initiate steps toward cleansing the nation of vices that had affected its growth over the years.
He urged the corps members to appreciate their place as future leaders and imbibe the virtues of patience, self-discipline and hard work.

Lagos
Peeved at her husband’s alcohol abuse and adulterous life, 36-year-old housewife, Queen Stephen, has approached an Igando Customary Court at a Lagos suburb, asking for the dissolution of their 12-year-old marriage.
She told the court that her husband, Francis Stephen, for whom she had four children, impregnated her younger sister in 2016.
“When I gave birth, I invited my sister to come and assist me to take care of the child, but I did not know that my husband had established a love relationship with her.
“She confessed to me that my husband was responsible for her pregnancy when I discovered that she was pregnant,” she said.

Nasarawa
Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC-Nasarawa West) has urged Nigerians to embrace agriculture in order to achieve national food security.
Adamu, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture, made the call last Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
He noted that, agriculture would also help fight poverty, unemployment, and boost the revenue base and socio-economic development of the country.
Adamu, who cited developed countries like China and Japan using their population to enhance agriculture for exports, urged Nigerians to emulate them through taking advantage of the abundant fertile land to boost agriculture.

Ogun
A 19-year-old man, Ahmed Savage, who allegedly stole a generating set, was last Thursday charged before an Ota Senior Magistrates ‘ Court in Ogun State.
Savage, of no fixed address, is facing a charge of stealing.
The prosecutor, Sgt. Chudu Gbesi, told the court that, the accused committed the offence on June 3 at 2.00 a.m. at Ododonileke CDA, Lafenwa, Ota.
Gbesi said that, the accused was caught by residents with a Tiger generator and could not explain how he came about it.
“The generating set was suspected to be stolen item as the accused could not give explanation on how he came about it,” he said.

Ondo
A 32-year-old driver, Bola Akinwalere, was last Thursday docked at an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State over alleged dangerous driving and causing bodily harm to one motorcyclist, Sola Ayegbami.
The prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, told the court that the accused on May 22, around 3.30 p.m., along Okitipupa-Aye road, drove one Toyota Sienna car with registration number BDG 746 QZ dangerously.
He said that, the accused who had no driver’s licence and due to speeding, hit Ayegbami from behind which caused him several degrees of injuries and bodily harm.

Osun
An Ilorin based legal practitioner, Mr Olutimi Folorunsho has identified poverty as the main cause of child labour in the country.
Folorunsho, said this in Ilorin last Thursday in an interview with newsmen. He said that, the high rate of poverty had led to increased rate of child exploitation in the country.
“Without mincing word, poverty is the major cause of child labour in the country and that has ruined the lives of so many Nigerian children,” Folorunsho said.

Plateau
A Jos Upper Area Court sitting in Kasuwan Nama, Jos North LGA, last Thursday sentenced an 18-year-old carpenter, Aslam Awal, to 2 years imprisonment for raping a 9 year-old boy.
The presiding Judge, Mr Yahaya Mohammed, handed down the sentence after the convict pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of unnatural offence and begged the court for leniency.
In his plea, the convict attributed his actions to the devil.
“It was the devil that pushed me to do it, this is the first time and I will not repeat it again, have mercy on me,’’ he pleaded. Mohammed, who did not give the convict an option of fine, said the sentence was meant to serve as deterrent to others who might want to engage in similar acts.

Sokoto
The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency (PWA), has announced a flat rate of N1.52 million as the fare for the 2017 Hajj.
The Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, made this known on Thursday at a meeting with the 23 Local Government Hajj Registration officers and their assistants.
He said that, the fare was approved by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Umar said that, each intending pilgrim would be entitled to 800 dollars Basic Travelling Allowance (BTA).
The Director-General said, “No provision was made for minimum and maximum Hajj fares as was the practice in the past.

Taraba
The Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Mr Abel Diah, has said that, the anti-open grazing executive bill currently before the House would be beneficial to both herdsmen and farmers in the state.
Diah, made the statement last Thursday in Jalingo, at a press conference to mark the end of the second legislative year of the 8th Assembly.
While debunking claims in some quarters that the bill was aimed at witch-hunting some people, the Speaker explained that, it was meant to improve the lives of livestock and herders.
“This is a revolution government is bringing to better the life of grazers, create jobs and harmonious co-existence between farmers and herders.
“It is high time we stopped killings associated with open grazing.

Zamfara
Kaura-Namoda Local Government Council of Zamfara State last Thursday, said it had concluded arrangements to establish a by-law that would prohibit all forms of social vices in the area.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Lawali Abdullahi, made this known at a news conference in Kaura Namoda.
He said the legislation was aimed at reducing crimes and deviant behaviours, particularly among youths in the area.
He added that, “when the law took effect, it would check the spate of prostitution, bar operations, hemp smoking and other vices.
Abdullahi, therefore, advised parents and guardians to cooperate with the council in its effort to free the society of deviant behaviours.

Nation

Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development Denies Political Affiliations

Published

9 hours 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

9 hours 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

10 hours 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.