Nation
THE STATES
Adamawa
The Bachama Hunters Association in Adamawa State has appealed to Governor Mohammed Bindow to assist it with vehicles to enhance its security surveillance activities in the state.
Leader of the hunters in Bachama kingdom of Numan Local Government Area of the state, Mr Hassan Mijah, made the appeal last Monday in an interview with nwesmen.
The association is assisting the security agencies in the state in the ongoing operations against Boko-Haram insurgents.
Mijah said that if provided, the vehicles would enable them patrol remote areas where the insurgents carried out frequent attacks.
He said that the hunters would take care of fueling and maintenance of the vehicles.
Benue
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the death of a businessman, Mr Felix Toechukwu after he was shot by unknown gun men.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Moses Yamu, who confirmed the killing to newsmen in Makurdi said Toechukwu was shot by assailants last Saturday evening.
He said the deceased was robbed at gun point in his house at the close of business.
Yamu said that the robbers had trailed him from his shop to his house at Nyiman where they dispossessed him of cash and other valuables.
He said the deceased, however, died last Sunday morning at a private hospital where he was receiving treatment.
FCT
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says the news being circulated via a parody Twitter account and an old NTA news video that President Muhammadu Buhari is travelling or has travelled to the United States is fake.
In a statement issued in Lagos last Sunday, the minister urged Nigerians to disregard the news.
The statement was signed by the Special Adviser to the minister, Mr Segun Adeyemi.
The minister said one of the numerous parody Twitter accounts in his name — “@MohammedLai”, was used to disseminate the fake and ludicrous news that claimed that President Buhari was due to leave Nigeria for the U.S. on Monday “to condole with President Donald Trump over the floods in Houston”.
Gombe
Bank customers in some states of the North-East last Friday lamented over insufficient number of Automated Teller Machines (ATM), poor network and slow dispensing of cash by the machines under pressure.
A cross section of them told newsmen in Bauchi, Gombe, Maiduguri, Dutse and Yola that they encountered difficulties withdrawing cash during periods of festivities.
Apart from the inadequacy of the machines, some of the few available ones were either non-functional or never stocked with enough cash.
They added that most times, poor network also worsened the already precarious situation.
In Bauchi, bank customers experienced difficulties withdrawing money from the machines during the break, due to poor network service.
Kaduna
Veteran actor, Kasimu Yero died in Kaduna last Sunday at the age of 70.
The deceased’s eldest son, Mansur Kasimu Yero, newsmen in Kaduna that his father died at his residence in Magajin Gari, Kaduna, after a protracted illness.
Yero, who was buried at Bachama Road Cemetry in Kaduna, is survived by eight children.
Yero would be fondly remembered for his role as ‘Uncle Gaga’ in the now rested ’80s situational comedy, Cock Crow At Dawn, and as one of the lead characters in Abubakar Imam’s TV series, Magana Jari Ce.
The deceased was one of the early popular northern faces in Nigeria’s entertainment industry and had the flair of interpreting humorous scripts.
Kano
The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command says it has arrested 30 suspected hoodlums in Yankatsari village, Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Ibrahim Idris, disclosed this while parading the suspects before newsmen in Kano on Saturday.
He alleged that the suspects were arrested last Friday (Sallah day) while in possession of dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, swords, knives and clubs following a tip-off.
“The suspects were apprehended by operatives of NSCDC at Yankatsari village carrying dangerous weapons while trying to cause trouble in the area,” he said.
Lagos
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lagos last Monday warned soldiers against acts of indiscipline and interference in civilian affairs.
The GOC, Maj.-Gen. Peter Dauke, gave the warning while addressing the officers at the opening of this year’s 81 Division Officers Combat Proficiency Competition at the 9 Brigade, Lagos.
Dauke was represented by Brig.-Gen. Daniel Adeyemi, Commander, 55 Division Signal.
“Let me use this opportunity to sternly warn that the division has zero tolerance for any act of indiscipline. Troops placed under your command are to discharge their duties professionally.
Nasarawa
Governor Tanko Al-Makaura of Nasarawa State has approved new water projects worth over N84.4million to tackle the scarcity of water in some parts of the state.
Dr Abdulkarim Kana, Nasarawa State Commissioner of Water Resources and Rural Development told newsmen last Sunday in Lafia that the projects would be sited in Nasarawa, Eggon and Obi council areas.
“Governor Tanko Almakura is doing his best in the provision of water and other infrastructural services to various communities in the state.
“The governor has approved new water projects in some local government areas so as to boost water supply in these communities for the benefit of our people”.
Niger
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State has deployed 1, 550 of its personnel to provide security during and after the Eid-El Kabir in the state .
The Corps Commandant in the state, Mr Philip Ayuba disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Minna last Tuesday.
According to him, the officers will take care of the security at the praying grounds in the 25 local government areas of the state.
“ We have already commenced a 24-hour patrol daily in and around the metropolis to pave way for peaceful conduct during Sallah in Niger’’, he said.
Ogun
The Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona has expressed happiness for the grace in participating in this year’s edition of the Ojude-Oba celebration.
Adetona, who showed much vigour at the event, thanked the people for their prayers and support while delivering his speech last Sunday at the festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
The monarch extolled the grandeur of the event which he said had continually put Ijebuland in the limelight of tourism.
“I want to thank the people who have contributed to the success of this programme which has been made possible by their support and benevolence.
“I am happy that the Almighty God in His blessings and grace gave me the strength to witness this day with you all despite the rumours about my health and life.
Plateau
The female hostel in the Jos campus of the Plateau State Polytechnic was last Monday completely burnt down by fire.
The fire, which started around 8.30 a.m. raged on till 11.44 a.m, throwing the entire school into confusion as students and staffers scurried to safety with some bold students making frantic but fruitless efforts to quench the inferno.
However, it is reported that no life was lost in the fire that gutted everything in the hostel.
“Many students had left for lectures when the fire started; no one was around to remove anything from the burning hostel,” Yusuf Ade, a security man, told newsmen.
The fire service personnel arrived the scene around 11.20 when the hostel had been brought down.
Mr Dauda Gyemang, the Rector of the institution, who described the incident as “shocking”, attributed it to a gas explosion which occurred “at about 8.30 a.m.”
Zamfara
Seven persons have died from eating local food known as ‘Fate’ (poisoned leaf porridge) at Shiyar Ajiya in Shinkafi town, Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The State Acting Governor, Prof. Abdullahi Shinkafi confirmed the incident to newsmen last Sunday in Gusau.
He said the seven victims who lost their lives included males and females, while the others affected were receiving medical treatment at the hospital.
Shinkafi said the government had deployed a team of medical experts to the area to investigate the cause of the incident.
“They (experts) have already taken the sample; we are waiting for them to give us the result to enable us take action.
“People close to the deceased said the death was as a result of poisoned leaf porridge which was said to be contaminated by onion seeds.
Nation
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development Denies Political Affiliations
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
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
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.
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