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THE STATES

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Borno
A 16-year-old Internally Displaced Person (IDP) in Maiduguri, Miss Maryam Muhammad  has called for upward review of the quantity of foodstuffs provided to IDPs by the government.
Maryam told newsmen at the IDPs camp in Maiduguri that she could hardly feed herself in the camp, as the food ration was not enough.
She said that the food ration given to them was not enough to meet the needs of members of her household.
“My parents were killed when the insurgents sacked my village in Monguno Local Government Area.
“There are six children in the family; two boys and four girls. Presently, we are taking shelter in the camp.
“The food ration given to us is too small to meet our needs. The food is expected to last for 30 days, but it only serves us for about 20 days,” she said.

FCT
The establishment of Police Public Relations School will strengthen the capacity and capabilities of spokespersons of the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris has said.
Idris made the statement in Abuja at the commencement of five-day training for spokespersons of state and zonal commands and the inauguration of the Police Public Relations School.
He said that when fully operational, the school was expected to train officers in the 12 zonal commands, 36 states commands, among others.
The I-G said that the force was making efforts to change public perception of the police by striving to do away with unethical behaviours.

Jigawa
The Jigawa State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board says it has completed the transportation of the intending pilgrims from the state  to Saudi Arabia.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the board Alhaji Ibrahim Hashimmade the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
He said the last batch of 390 intending pilgrims departed the Dutse International Airport last Tuesday at 12.31 a.m. through Max Air Ltd.
Hashim said with the last transportation, the Airline had transported a total of 1,481 pilgrims from the state to Saudi Arabia in an exercise that began on August 18.
Meanwhile, Governor Muhammad Badaru of the State who bade the intending pilgrims farewell, urged them to shun any act that would contravene the laws of Saudi Arabia, throughout the exercise.

Kaduna
No fewer than 6,205  pilgrims from Kaduna State have been transported to Saudi Arabia for the 2017 Hajj, the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has said.
The board’s spokesman, Yunusa Abdullahi told newsmen last Tuesday in Kaduna that the pilgrims were transported in 17 flights.
He said  that 4,349 males and 1,856 females were transported by the two airlines engaged by the board.
Medview Airline, he said, had so far transported 3, 996 pilgrims in 13 flights, leaving the company with 545 more intending pilgrims to complete the exercise.
Abdullahi also said that Max Air had completed the transportation of all the 2,209 passengers allotted to the company.

Kwara
The wife of the Governor of  Kwara State, Mrs Omolewa Ahmed last Tuesday  said youths,  as change agents  must strive to acquire the necessary skills that would prepare them as  future leaders.
The governor’s wife made the call in Ilorin at the opening of the annual youth camp of  the  South West Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN).
Ahmed, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Ayinke Saka said youths should never allow themselves to be used as agents of destruction.
The governor’s wife, who commended the organisers of the programme, noted that the forum would serve as platform for  moulding and reshaping the minds of youths.

Lagos
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said last Tuesday that lack of scientific Audience Measurement System was responsible for the underdevelopment of the nation’s broadcasting sector.
The minister stated this in Lagos at the third International Summit on Digital Broadcasting in Nigeria organised by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON).
He noted that audience measurement system was key to fostering growth of the broadcasting industry and making Digital Switch Over (DSO) sustainable for all stakeholders.
“We need an objective and scientific audience measurement system that articulates value of the content to consumers, as well as value of the audience to advertisers, particularly in the television sector”, he said.

Niger
The Nigeria Police Force said it had arrested 26 suspects for kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and unlawful possession of prohibited fire arms in Lambata area of Niger State.
The force spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja last Tuesday on the arrest.
He named the suspects as Isa Umar, Nuhu Yahaya, Sanda Saleh, Ali Ali, Okechukwu Atama, Mohammed Aliyu, Haruna Adamu, Adamu Bello, Abubakar Iliyasu, Safiyu Mohammed, among others.
Moshood said that the suspects who operated at different areas were arrested between August 8 and 22 in Niger.
He said that items recovered from them include: Four Ak 47 rifles, cutlasses, cell phones, wrist watches, military camouflage and personal effects of their victims.

Ondo
The Ondo State Government has appealed to the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to end the boundary dispute between Ondo and Ogun States.
The state Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi made the appeal last Tuesday in Akure when the NBC officials who were in the state for ethnographic study on boundary crisis between the two sister states, paid him a courtesy visit.
Ajayi appealed to the officials to do justice to the study while he assured them of adequate security, among other logistics for the smooth conduct of the week-long exercise.
The NBC officials were in the state to conduct ethnographic studies on the four local governments involved in the boundary crisis in Ondo State.
The affected councils are Ondo West, Odigbo, Okitipupa and llaje Local Government Areas.
Ajayi, who assured the officials that the state government was ready for a peaceful conduct of the exercise noted that  Ondo State  is the most peaceful state among the Niger-Delta states .

Oyo
An Oyo State High Court  last Tuesday  granted bail to an Ibadan-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat  and four others accused  of  the murder  of a teenager.
Justice M.I.  Sule granted  each defendant  bail in the sum of  N2 million  with two sureties in like sum.
Sule said one of the sureties must be a civil servant on Grade Level 14 while the other must be a business man.
The case was first heard at an Iyaganku Magistrates’  Court on August  1.
It was, however, transferred to the high court as the magistrates’ court had  no jurisdiction to hear the case. .
Hamzat , 37;  Idowu Ibrahim , 27;  Mohammed Bashir, 31;  Taiwo Olaronke ,23;  and Yusuf  Toheeb Ajisafe, 23, were all arraigned  on a two-count charge of conspiracy and murder.
The Prosecutor, Insp Sunday Fatola,  told the court that the defendants  conspired  among themselves to commit murder.

Plateau
A former  Chairman of the  National Population Commission (NPC),  Chief Sumaila Makama has urged journalists to promote peace and unity in the country through proper reportage.
Makama gave the advice at the inauguration of the new executive of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Plateau State.
According to him, the press as the fourth estate of the realm has much to do  in setting  an agenda that would promote the growth and development of Nigeria.
“As the fourth estate of the realm, I have no doubt that you have all it takes to unite this country through your reportage.
“You can set  an agenda that will promote peace and unity in this country.
“You can use your pen to defend individual freedom and liberty because the pen is mightier than the sword”, Makama said.

Zamfara
The Zamfara State Government has not paid gratuities to its retirees or death benefits to survivors of its late workers in the last 10 years, according to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Chairman of the state chapter of the NLC, Mr Bashir Marafa told newsmen  in Gusau last Tuesday that the state currently owes the retirees N4 billion following its failure to meet the obligations since 2008.
Reports says that the NLC, last Monday, gave the state government a 21-day ultimatum to meet the workers’ demand or risk “an indefinite total strike”.
Marafa wondered why the state government did not deploy the bailout funds and Paris Club refunds to settle the liabilities as directed by the Federal Government.
“Our conclusion is that the monies were either diverted or mismanaged because workers’ annual and promotion increments have not been effected, while pensioners and retirees benefits have remained unsettled” he said.

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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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