Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

on

Abuja

Sen. Lawal Shuaibu, the National Secretary of ACN, has urged the Federal Government to train security personnel on counter terrorism.

Shuaibu said in Abuja that enforcing the Anti-terrorism Act also entailed special training for the Nigeria Police and the entire law enforcement agencies.

“Otherwise, they will do the normal police work, which at the end of the day, may not yield what the law intends to address.’’

Shuaibu blamed the recent terrorism in Nigeria on the emerging culture of impunity.

He said a lot of youths were idle and therefore easily manipulated into doing crime.

Adamawa

The Adamawa Universal Basic Education Board (ADSUBEB) has promoted 407 teachers in Mubi South Local Council Area of the state.

The council’s Education Secretary, Alhaji Salihu Umar, announced this in Mubi last Friday.

Umar said that the promotion cut across various cadres of teachers

between Grade Levels 07 and 14.

He said the beneficiaries included primary and post-basic school teachers.

He said that more than 395 teachers were also trained under its teacher development initiative in the last three years.

Bauchi

The Bauchi Local Government Council says it will post health workers to rural areas in its bid to decongest heath centres in urban areas.

The Head of Administration of the council, Alhaji Abubakar Amale, disclosed this last  Friday in Bauchi, shortly after visiting the Bayan-Fada and Doya maternity centres in Bauchi metropolis.

Amale said that the council had noted with dismay that most of the health workers were working in the urban areas, leaving the rural areas without adequate personnel.

“This is detrimental to the health care delivery system we are busy trying to develop.

“We promised our people a first class health care system with health workers within their reach. How can we keep this promise when health care workers resist posting to rural areas,” he asked.

Borno

Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno last Saturday rejected calls for the withdrawal of Military Joint Task Force (JTF) from the state capital, saying it was illogical.

Shettima said in a state broadcast, that the call for the removal of the Soldiers did not provide a reasonable security alternative for the maintenance of law and order.

“With no intention to denigrate nor question the motives of the eminent persons agitating for the withdrawal of soldiers from the state, I regret to note that none has offered a tangible sustainable alternative to fill the security vacuum to be created in the event of the withdrawal of the JTF,’’ he said.

Shettima, however, said that the government would pay compensation to all victims of recent clash between the military and the “Boko Haram” sect in the state.

Ekiti

Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has ordered the immediate re-opening of the state College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti.

Fayemi disbanded the institution’s Students’ Union Government for its alleged role in the unrest that led to closure of the college more than a month ago.

A statement issued by the institution’s Sole Administrator, Prof. Fransisca Aladejana, said the governor had also approved that the students must resume on Monday, July 18.

The statement said normal academic work would start immediately, while students’ union activities had been suspended.

It said students allegedly took the laws into their hands on the day of their procession round the town, disrupting social and economic activities.

Gombe

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Gombe State chapter, says it will ensure the participation of its members in the three days warning strike over the non-payment of the N18,000 National Minimum Wage.

The Chairman of the state congress, Alhaji Ahmed Sakala, gave the assurance at a meeting of the congress in Gombe.

He, therefore, warned senior civil servants against sabotaging the strike scheduled to begin today.

Sakala said any civil servant found in his or her place of work during the strike would have his or herself to blame for whatever actions that would be taken against them.

Jigawa

Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Lawan Abdu, to shun sycophants and focus attention on effective service delivery.

Lamido, who gave the charge in Dutse while swearing-in Abdu, said this was imperative in the drive to ensure effective service delivery to the people and speedy development in the state.

He promised to consolidate on the achievements recorded by his administration in the past four years.

Lamido explained that in his first four years in office, the journey was tough and rough, pointing out that he concentrated mainly on the transformation of the general infrastructures in the state.

Kano

Four ‘concerned citizens’ of Kano State, have asked the State House of Assembly to press for the payment of compensation to victims of Cerebrospinal Meningitis drug test in Kano.

The citizens are Alhaji Zubairu Mohammed, Alhaji Auwalu Abdu, Alhaji Balarabe Gabari, and Alhaji Musa Ibrahim.

The trials, popularly called Trojan drug test, were carried out by Pfizer, a pharmaceutical company, in 1996.

In a letter addressed to the speaker of the House, the four also demanded an investigation into the out-of-court settlement agreed between Pfizer and the State Government over the claims of the victims.

Lagos

Mr Nnadozie Uchenna, the Secretary of Alaba International Market Association (Electronics), Lagos, said the market lost about N20 billion following its closure on July 14 and 15.

Uchenna told newsmen in Lagos that the market was closed by the association to forestall a break down of law and order.

He said the closure was necessitated by the arrest of its Chairman, Dr Celestine Ezeani, and Vice Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Onyejelem, by the police on July 13.

According to him, based on past experiences from such illegal arrests of its executives, the association decided to shut the market to prevent hoodlums from using the opportunity to cause chaos.

Lokoja

The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal in Lokoja has struck out Dino Melaye’s petition challenging the election of Tajudeen Yusuf for Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency.

Chairman of the three-member tribunal, Justice Celine Nweke, declared the petition incompetent as it was not signed by the petitioner or his counsel.

Nweke said the Legal Practitioners Act provided that only legal practitioners could sign such documents.

“But this petition was signed by a non-legal practitioner who is not even one of the petitioners.’’

She said that section 3(1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (As Amended) provided that for a petition to be competent, it shall be signed by either the petitioner or his solicitor.

Ondo

Ondo State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr Samuel Adesina, has appealed to labour unions in the state to suspend their indefinite strike to allow the assembly intervene in the dispute.

Adesina made the appeal in Akure at a meeting convened by the leadership of the assembly to intervene in the labour dispute between the workers and the state government over non-payment of N18,000 minimum wage.

The union led by the Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Mr Solomo Adelegan, the state NLC Chairman, Mrs Bosede Daramola and the TUC Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Adewumi, accused the state government of breaching an agreement with labour.

He said the government, in a negotiation with labour during the last strike, agreed to pay N14, 000 salary relativity and that a circular to that effect was released and thereafter withdrawn unilaterally by the government.

Adelegan who said the decision of the state government to directly implement the N18,000 national minimum wage without the payment of the N14,000 salary relativity was not acceptable to the workers.

Osun

Commercial drivers and motorcycle operators have been warned against drinking alcohol, especially the local gin popularly called Ogogoro .

Mrs Oluronke Daniel, the Osun Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), gave the warning in Osogbo last Saturday.

Daniel was reacting to a recent increase in the patronage of the local gin a little sip of which they believe helps to take away chill during the cold weather.

She said that consumption of alcohol of any brand before getting on the wheels on the excuse that it would prevent cold was abnormal and dangerous.

Sokoto

Traditional rulers in the country have been urged to assist security agencies in exposing the people behind the spate of bombings in some parts of the country.

Alhaji Abdullahi Yusuf, the former Chairman of Isa Local Government Council in Sokoto State, made the call in Sokoto on Saturday in an interview with our correspondent.

He said traditional rulers had a great role to play in enhancing security in the country.

“I strongly advocate the full participation of the traditional

institutions in the fight against terrorism which is threatening the peaceful coexistance of our country,’’ he said.

“We must adopt the culture of assisting our security officers with relevant information on happenings around us.”

Yobe

The Yobe government has concluded arrangements to construct a 300-kilometre

road to link seven local government areas in the state.

Alhaji Maisanda Lawan, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, told newsmen in Damaturu last Saturday that the road would spur economic activities and increase revenue for the state.

He said that the road, which would link communities in seven local government areas along the border, would also boost trade among the communities.

Continue Reading

Nation

Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Nation

THE LAPSES OF THE MEDIA IN ELECTIONS

Published

on

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.
Continue Reading

Nation

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

Published

on

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

Continue Reading

Trending