Nation

Civil War Veteran Cautions FG Over Bid To Outlaw Okada

Published

4 years ago

July 29, 2022

Nigeria’s civil war veteran and elder statesman, Alhaji Ahmed Adoke, has cautioned the Federal Government over plans to slam a ban on the use of commercial motorcycles as means of transportation in the country.

Adoke, a human rights activist, yesterday in Abuja, explained that the reason adduced by the Federal Government to justify the planned ban of commercial motorcycles popularly known as ‘Okada’ nationwide is not only ridiculous but an admission of failure that government has no solution to insecurity challenges.

In a statement issued to journalists, Adoke warned the Federal Government not to actualise the planned ban on Okada riders on the ground that the multiple negative effects would be too much for the nation to bear.

He said that the failure of the Federal Government to provide jobs for the teaming university graduates has forced them to opt for the job of commercial motorcycles, adding that any attempts to enforce the ban could spell doom for the nation.

For such a ban to be meaningful and acceptable, the elder statesman insisted that government must first find alternative means of livelihood for the millions of Nigerian youths who have taken to Okada riding to keep their lives together.

Similarly, he canvassed that other visible means of transportation must be provided for the market men and women as well as civil servants to enable them keep up with the realities of the present economic hardships.

Adoke said using insurgency, banditry and terrorism as grounds and reasons to impose a ban on the use of motorcycles as a means of transportation will not be acceptable to Nigerians.

He said that the Federal Government must come out in clear terms to explain to Nigerians how Okada riders should be held responsible for insurgency, banditry and terrorism when the operators are well known in the communities and even operate under government registered associations.

Adoke’s statement read in part “Last Friday, 22nd July, 2022, Nigerian Dailies and other media outfits were awash with the news that the Federal Government of Nigeria was considering banning the use/distribution of Motorcycles, as well as mining activities in the country.

“The news followed the press statement issued by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who briefed the press on the outcome of the National Security Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari during the week.

“The move according to the minister was one of the resolutions reached at the meeting.

“It is the belief of the National Security Council that both decisions, when implemented will help to check the menace of terrorists, Boko Haram and Bandits among others.

“To several Nigerians, the decision to ban the use of motorcycles in the country is not only ridiculous but an open admission that government lacks a solution to the security challenges in the country.

“It is very clear that the use of motorcycles by terrorists, bandits or Boko Haram to the scene of operation falls into the semi-final stage of their operations; meaning that they can be checked at the early stage before execution if the intelligence unit of the nation’s security outfit is effectively utilised.

“Several questions that linger in the minds of Nigerians are; will there be no other means of transportation available to the terrorists?

”Is it not possible that terrorists can even strike at their target without the use of any modern means of transportation?

“Again, weighing the economic implication of the Federal Government’s decision on the ban on motorcycles, there is no denying the fact that across the nation, today, the use of motorcycles for commercial purposes has become a major source of employment and livelihood for needy Nigerians.

“Thus, throwing these people into the unemployment market would pose a bigger security threat to the country.

”Is it not also baffling that the government is in the knowledge of the base or hide-outs of the criminals and yet the government cannot do anything.

“Government or its agents sometimes go into negotiation with the terrorists, meaning that government cannot deny knowledge of where the terrorists are hiding.

“For instance, terrorists behind the Kaduna train attack released some captives on two different occasions after the payment of heavy ransom. Is it not cowardice that Nigerian Security could not locate where the rest captives are kept in the bush for their release?

“Is it not in this country that terrorists or bandits are photographed with their captives, release video threats to the helpless and yet the Federal Government failed to act to rescue her citizens?

“Motorcycle is a veritable means of transport to average Nigerians and below and as government cannot just decide to impose a ban on its use without weighing the consequences, especially on those to be rendered jobless.

“It is incomprehensible to listen to President Muhammadu Buhari that he is eager to leave office, meaning that he is no longer keen or has become helpless in the affairs of Nigeria.

“Then, let President Buhari resign and hand over to his vice. Undoubtedly, Nigerians are tired of the rampant cases of killings by terrorists, bandits and Boko Haram”.

Nation

Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

6 days ago

June 2, 2026

The Tide

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.

Nation

THE LAPSES OF THE MEDIA IN ELECTIONS

Published

1 week ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

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.

Nation

RSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria

Published

3 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

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