News

Ganduje Tasks Editors To Be Conflict Sensitive

Published

5 years ago

June 2, 2021

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has declared open 2021 Nigerian Guild of Editors Biennial Convention, themed “The Media in COVID-19 Era: Challenges and Opportunities,” with a charge on editors to be conflict sensitive.
Describing the event as an opportunity to look into national development as it relates to media practice, he urges that, “It is very important at this time that we should use the media for the promotion of peace and stability and change the viewpoints that could alter public views and sentiment toward a more peaceful resolution of our multi-faceted current crises.”
Adding that, “If and only if we as a nation are interested in peace and harmony, we must reject hate propaganda machinery. In the main, this is a time Editors should be conflict-sensitive about our nation.”
He observed that, crossing of redlines by some media organisations in recent times has impacted on the nation’s unity, harmony and integration.
Urging that, “Our brave, collective pursuit in uniting this nation, underscores the fact that for as long as we have a common purpose, we will find no obstacle big enough to stop us from marching on. The media and particularly our gatekeepers have a role to play in this regard.”

While urging media to ensure looking into social responsibility aspect of their practice for national development, he maintains that, the call for freedom of the Press, observance of ethical standard must also be seen to be respected.
Ganduje also said that his government took bold steps in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic to a standstill, adding that the development was informed by the priority placed on the health of the people.
According to him such measures includes prevention, curative and palliative in line with the NCDC guidelines adding that if such measures were not quickly put in place, ,the consequences of Covid-19 on the people of the state would have been detrimental.
He said Kano was one of the states that took the Covid-19 pandemic very seriously and tackled it squarely in a manner which earned it commendation from the National Center for Disease Control NCDC.
Ganduje charged the Media to imbibe the theory of Social Responsibility especially in the reportage of issues concerning health.
The governor decried the misuse of press freedom by Journalists in the area of fake news and advised that they reflect on the true state of the nation.
Ganduje who assured the Guild of the safety of the state asked that as the watchdog of society,it is expected to live above board in the conduct of its election.
He told the Editors about his government ‘s numerous projects, and programmes as well as the appointment of members of the Press into key positions in his administration.
Prof Umar Pate, Vice Chancellor Federal University, Kashere, commended Ganduje’s effort in maintaining good working relationship with the media.
He explained in clearer terms that fake news now affects media credibility and development. He therefore called on media practitioners to stick to ethical standard and also follow suit in using technology, as it is obtained presently.
Present at the event were, former governor of Ogun state, Chief Aremu Olusegun Osoba, Senior Special Assistant to the President of Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Prof Umar Pate, former Presidents of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), former and serving Presidents of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), among many other captains of the media industry.
Delivering his address, the President of the Guild, Mustapha Isah brought the challenges of press freedom in the country to the front burner.
Isah wondered if there was indeed press freedom in the country as recent clampdown on media houses recently by the National Broadcasting Commission NBC suggested the contrary.
“ It is rather unfortunate that Nigeria has consistently retrogressed in the Global Press Freedom Index since 2005 To think that this is happening in a democracy makes it more worrisome.
“ Yes, the 1999 Constitutiion gives the media the responsibility to hold the government accountable to the people. That means our duty is to ask pertinent questions about governance on behalf of the people and unearthed what the government is trying to hide.
“ This is what creates the friction between the government and the media.but government’s resort to self- help through arrest of Journalists and clampdown on media houses are not the solution.” he said.
The president spoke on fake news attributing the menace to the advent of the social media.
While he noted that the social media was not completely bad, he said its abuses were important for immediate solution through government and requisite agencies with service providers.
Isah said that practitioners of fake news” are not members of the NGE as members are trained Journalists and responsible gatekeepers”.
On the State of the Nation, the guild president described the prevailing insecurity in the country as frightening saying too many lives have been lost.
He said while it was the responsibility of the government to secure lives, it was incumbent on the guild to liase with security agencies through the provision of credible information on the activities of criminals.
However, a new Executive Committee to pilot the affairs of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) for the next two years has emerged.
This is the outcome of the Guild’s 2021 Convention held at the Tahir Guest Palace Hotel, Kano, last Monday night.
In a keenly contested election, devoid of acrimony and rancour, in which 241 delegates from various parts of the country voted, the incumbent President, Mustapha Isah was returned.
He scored 176 votes to defeat Victoria Ibanga, who got 54 votes; just as Ali Ali emerged Deputy President unopposed.
Samuel Egbala got 132 votes to beat Sheddy Ozoene, who scored 88 votes for the position of vice president, East.
Bolaji Adebiyi emerged as VP West with 151 votes; beating Ken Ogbechie, who garnered 80 votes.
For the position of VP, North, Habibi Nuhu emerged unopposed, just as Iyobosa Uwugianren was elected unopposed as General Secretary.
Assistant National Secretary’s position was clinched by Austeen Elewodalu, who got 126 votes; to beat Rose Moses, who got 86 votes.
Steve Nwosu won the election as Treasurer with 150 votes. Catherine Agbo scored 51 votes while Juliet Chinda Njiowhor scored 26 votes.
Others are Social/Publicity Secretary, with Eze Anaba winning with164 votes; while Chooks Oko got 53 votes.
For the two positions of Standing Committee Member, East, Ngwuoke Ngwuoke and Boma Nwuke we’re returned unopposed.
Fir Standing Committee Member, West, Onuoha Ukeh got 174 votes; Gabriel Akinadewo scored 174 votes; Woke Shogunle got 172 votes; and duly elected while Abimbola Tooki who got 61 votes, lost the election.
For Standing Committee Member, North, Umoru Ibrahim got 202 votes; and Gbenga Adeshina got 113 votes to emerged victorious while Mark Amarere scored 99 votes.
Earlier, the 2021 Biennial Convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) had kicked off in Kano with about 300 delegates.
Malam Sule Yau-Sule, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano.
Yau-Sule disclosed that more than 278 had so far registered as against 250 expected by the committee, adding that more participants were being expected before the end of the day.
“People are happy with the peaceful atmosphere of the state, that is why the turn out is every impressive,” he said.
According to him, the challenges they are facing now is over shooting of expectation and they are able to take care of it.
The LOC chairman described the theme of the convention: “The media in COVID -19 Era: Challenges and Opportunities” as very apt and timely, and urged media practitioners and journalists to make use of the presentation to their advantage.
NAN reports that the NGE convention would last from May 31 to June 2, 2021.
It is the first to be hosted in Kano.

News

Odu Urges Collaboration Among Stakeholders To Improve Health Service Delivery In Rivers

Published

15 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, has called for renewed commitment, transparency, and collaboration among stakeholders in the health sector in the State.

The deputy governor particularly urged synergy between the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) and the Primary Health Care Management Board towards improved healthcare delivery in the State.

?Prof. Odu made this call during the 2026 First Quarter Review Meeting of the Task Force on Primary Health Care at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.

?She stressed the importance of honesty and urged all parties to be truthful and open in addressing challenges within the system.

?According to her, transparency remains critical to identifying and resolving underlying issues affecting healthcare delivery, noting that “if we are not truthful, we will not cure the disease, but merely cover it up.”

The deputy governor recounted a personal experience at a Primary Health Center where a patient, despite being duly registered under the RIVCIPP scheme with completed biometric capture, was still asked to make payment for services.

According to her, intervention by relevant authorities later confirmed the patient’s eligibility, exposing a communication gap between the scheme and healthcare providers.

Odu warned that such incidents could discourage community members from enrolling in the scheme, thereby undermining its objectives.

“When this happens, we are disenfranchising our people. The message that goes back to the community is that even when you register, you are still made to pay,” she stressed.

?While commending the leadership and staff of the Primary Health Care Management Board, Ministry of Health, Development Partners as well as other supporting units, for their efforts, ty deputy governor stressed that performance should not lead to complacency.

She urged stakeholders to continuously strive for improvement, raise standards, and leave lasting positive impacts within the system.

News

You Can Now Print Your Exam Slips, JAMB Tells 2026 UTME Candidates

Published

15 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the opening of examination slip printing for candidates registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

JAMB made the announcement yesterday, urging candidates to visit its website to download their slips ahead of the examination.

“Examination Slip Printing is now available. The slip contains details of the venue, date and time of your examination and gives you access to the examination hall,” the board said.

Candidates are to visit jamb.gov.ng and click on “2026 Slip Printing” to print their slips.

The development comes after JAMB dismissed a viral press release falsely claiming the examination had been postponed.

The board described the notice as “malicious and fake” and urged candidates to disregard it.

The 2026 UTME is scheduled to hold from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026.

The examination follows a mock test conducted on Saturday, March 28, which recorded technical difficulties at some Computer-Based Test centres.

Of the 224,597 candidates who registered for the mock, 152,586 sat for the test across 989 CBT centres nationwide.

JAMB said over 20 centres were delisted for technical inadequacies.

The board also warned candidates against fraudsters on WhatsApp claiming to facilitate score inflation, describing such claims as “false and criminal”, and threatening cancellation of registration or withholding of results for any candidate found involved.

Over two million candidates, according to JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, registered for this year’s UTME.

News

RSU Unveils Five-Year Strategic Dev Plan …Calls For Collective Commitment To Institutional Excellence

Published

16 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

In a decisive step towards redefining its future, the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has formally unveiled its Third Five-Year (2026-2030) Strategic Development Plan.

The development plan is a comprehensive roadmap designed to strengthen the university’s position as a leading institution in Nigeria and beyond.

The unveiling took place during a high-level engagement with the Governing Council, Principal Officers and the university congregation, at the Convocation Arena, recently.

Delivering his remarks at the unveiling ceremony, the Pro-Chancellor of the university and Chairman of Council, Hon. Okey Wali, SAN, charged all members of the university community to align their activities with the strategic direction of the institution, emphasizing that the success of the plan depends on collective commitment.

He noted that the plan is not merely a document, but a working framework that requires discipline, accountability and unity of purpose.

According to the Pro-Chancellor, only through coordinated efforts from all stakeholders can the university fully realize its vision.

“I hereby invite the Visitor to the University, donor agencies, friends and well-wishers, and all stakeholders to support and fund the implementation of this strategic plan. We are confident that this plan will take RSU to greater heights in the comity of higher institutions,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, described the Strategic Development Plan as a document that would enhance the university’s corporate strengths, mitigate current weaknesses, leverage its corporate opportunities and address perceived existential threats.

“This Five-Year Strategic Plan sets out RSU’s goals, strategic objectives, expected outcomes and impact, including intervention strategies,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman of the Strategic Development Planning Committee, Prof. Emeritus Joseph A. Ajienka, noted that the 2026-2030 Strategic Development Plan represents a bold reaffirmation of the university’s founding ideals of excellence, creativity, innovation and inclusivity, aimed at positioning the institution to respond effectively to contemporary challenges in higher education.

Prof. Ajienka, who is also a member of the Governing Council, disclosed that the plan was developed through an extensive and inclusive consultative process, which he said reflects contributions from Faculties, Departments, Satellite Campuses and Administrative Units.

At its core, the plan seeks to advance the university’s vision of becoming a “unique and uncommon” institution that is structurally and philosophically oriented towards solving practical societal problems and ranking among the top ten universities in Nigeria.

The strategic framework identifies six key challenges confronting the university, including funding constraints, infrastructure deficits, limited research collaboration, and service delivery inefficiencies.

A statement by the university’s Acting Director, Corporate Affairs, Victor G. Banigo, further stated that the university has articulated four broad strategic goals supported by eight targeted objectives.

A central priority of the plan, according to him, is the strengthening of governance and administrative systems, alongside deliberate efforts to expand the university’s funding base. Others include enhanced alumni engagement, strategic partnerships and innovative fundraising initiatives aimed at ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

“Equally significant is the commitment to upgrading physical infrastructure across all campuses. Plans are underway to modernize lecture halls and laboratories, expand student accommodation, improve campus security and deploy advanced ICT systems to support teaching, learning and research.

“Recognizing that human capital is the backbone of institutional success, the university has placed strong emphasis on staff development, recruitment and productivity enhancement. Through targeted training programmes, mentorship initiatives and performance management systems, the plan aims to foster a highly skilled and motivated workforce.

“In addition, the university is poised to deepen its focus on research, innovation and entrepreneurship. By reviewing academic curricula, strengthening industry partnerships and establishing innovation incubation centers, Rivers State University seeks to translate research outputs into practical solutions that address societal needs and drive economic growth,” he said.

The PRO disclosed that the implementation of the strategic plan is projected at ?110 billion, reflecting the scale of transformation envisioned.

“While the university is committed to funding a significant portion internally, additional resources will be mobilized through government support, donor agencies, alumni contributions, and public-private partnerships.

“This multi-channel funding strategy aligns with the university’s broader goal of building a resilient and self-sustaining financial model capable of supporting long-term development,” he explained.

To ensure effective implementation, he said, “the plan incorporates a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework, complete with performance and impact indicators. A mid-term review is scheduled within the first two years to assess progress and make necessary adjustments.

“Furthermore, the establishment of a dedicated Strategic Planning Office will provide oversight, coordination and accountability in executing the plan across all units of the university.”

According to the statement, “As the university embarks on this transformative journey, the message from leadership is clear: the Strategic Development Plan is a collective mandate.

“For staff, students, alumni and stakeholders, it represents an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and advancement of the institution. For the university, it is a pathway to consolidating its legacy while embracing innovation and global relevance.

“With a clear vision, defined priorities and a united community, Rivers State University stands poised to translate this strategic blueprint into measurable progress, advancing knowledge, empowering people and shaping the future of higher education in Nigeria.”