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THE STATES

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Adamawa

The Adamawa State Government has reiterated it’s commitment to play a leading role in achieving the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The State Coordinator of MDGs, Alhaji Adamu Garbajo, made this known on Thursday in Yola at the opening ceremony of the MDGs Conditional Cash Transfer training workshop.

Garbajo said that efforts had been made to achieve the objectives of the MDGs in the areas of health, education, water supply, sanitation, agriculture and human development.

 

Ekiti

Five persons, including two women, on Thursday appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court over alleged possession of a human head.

The Police Prosecutor, Cpl. Ebenezer Ewuola, gave the names of the accused as Bakare Itunu (F), Jamiu Aremu, Akeem Abdul, Odekunle Fatai and Kikelomo Bello (F).

Ewuola told the court that the accused committed the offence in March at 53 Iyere St., Erio-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area of the state.

Ewuola said the offence contravened sections 517, 242 and 329 (a) of the Criminal Code Cap. C16, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

 

Jigawa

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa State on Thursday arrested a suspected seller of cannabis and hard drugs (name withheld).

The Commandant of the agency in the state, Alhaji Mohammed Gidado, told newsmen in Dutse, that the suspect was arrested in Gumel Local Government Area of the state around 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday.

He said the arrest followed an intelligence report by men of the command operating in the area, adding that the suspect was found with 655 wraps of cannabis, three sachets of Diazepam (10 mg) and three sachets of Rohyphonol Flunitrazepam (1mg), popularly known as Roti.

 

Kebbi

The Kebbi State Government and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) on Thursday agreed to jointly provide N2 billion loan to support small holder farmers to improve food production.

The Managing Director of the bank, Dr Mohammed Santuraki, made this known at a media briefing after he met with Governor Saidu Dakingari, in Birnin Kebbi.

Santuraki said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the loan would be formally signed soon by the two parties.

 

Kogi

Arrangements have been concluded for the installation of Ndakwo Ameh Oboni as the new Attah Igala on April 27.

Briefing newsmen in Idah on Thursday, the Chairman of the Coronation Planning Central Committee, Dr Ahmadu Ali said that the ceremony would take place at the ancient palace ground at Idah.

Ali, who is also the Ochada Attah Igala said that Gov. Idris Wada would present the  staff of office to the new monarch.

He said that the historic event was unique and important to the Igalas because many of them would be witnessing such an occasion for the first time in 67 years.

 

Kwara

The Kwara State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Issa Kayode, on Thursday charged health officials in the state to adopt the strategy of timely disease surveillance and control to promote a healthy population.

Kayode made the call in Ilorin at a sensitisation meeting on disease surveillance organised for health officials in the 16 local government areas of the state.

He said that the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa had adopted a strategy called “Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR)”.

According to him, the IDSR aims to create functional disease surveillance system in African countries which will generate information for timely action on control of diseases.

 

Lagos

A Federal High Court in  Lagos, on Wednesday fixed April 30 for hearing in the case of 15 Russian sailors charged with illegal importation of arms and ammunition. The case, which was slated for hearing, could not go on due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke. No reason was given for his absence.

The accused include Zhelyazkov Andrey, Captain; Savchenko Sergel, Chichkanov Vasily, Varlygin Igor, Komilov Alexander, Lopatin Alexey and Baranovskly Nikolay.

 

Nasarawa

The Executive Secretary of the Nasarawa State Christian Pilgrim Welfare Board,  Mr Clement Odeh, has urged youths in the state to embrace peace.

Odeh made the call on Wednesday during a reconciliatory meeting of all the ethnic groups in the state initiated by the Board in Lafia

“It is only when people agree to forget the ugly experience of what happened during the communal crisis and have accepted to forge ahead that lasting peace will be achieved. “If there is no peace, no meaningful development would be achieved,’’ he said.

 

Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command said on Thursday that it impounded 35 vehicles across the state within five days for violating the law against using tinted glasses.

The spokesman of the Command, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, said in an interview with newsmen in Abeokuta  that the command would intensify its efforts toward enforcing the order which, according to him, was from the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar.

He said the command was also clamping down on vehicles with fake registration numbers, warning that owners of such vehicles would be classified as criminals.

 

Ondo

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has challenged security operatives in Ondo State to tackle the spate of abduction of innocent persons in the state.

In a statement signed by the Vice President of NUJ  Zone B, Mr Dele Atunbi, in Akure, the union observed with concern that “in the last two weeks, three women had been abducted in the state for ransom with just only one of them out of the crucible”.

“While noting with deep sense of concern the pains and agonies of these women in the fangs of their abductors, the union is alarmed that the security operatives have not been able to unravel any of these incidences.

 

Oyo

The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has adjourned to June 13 hearing on the motion filed by the former governor of Ogun State   Otunba Gbenga Daniel. The court could not sit on Thursday due to the inability of the judges to form a quorum.

The lead counsel to Daniel, Prof. Taiwo Osipitan, said he was not disappointed that the court was unable to sit; “We came here to do our own work, but unfortunately the court is not sitting because two of their Lordships are busy somewhere else on some important assignments. “It happens like that. Sometimes you come and your cases are done; sometimes your cases are not done, but the reason given by the court is a genuine one,” he said.

Daniel was dragged before an Abeokuta High Court by the EFCC on a 38-count charge of alleged financial misappropriation and conversion of state land to personal use.

 

Plateau

The Plateau  State Government has rejected claims that the recent clashes in Wase and Langtang areas were communal strife between two tribal groups.

Commissioner for Information, Abraham Yiljap, said in Jos on Wednesday, after a state security meeting that reviewed the hostilities that had enveloped the southern part of the state in the past four days.

 

Yobe

Yobe State Government on Thursday approved N192.5 million for the procurement of ballot papers and other electoral materials for the June 2013 local government elections in the state.

The State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Goni Fika, stated this while briefing newsmen after the state executive council meeting in Damaturu.

He explained that “the council approval N192.5 million being request from the State Electoral Commission for procurement of ballot papers and other electoral materials for the local government election”.

 

Zamfara

The Coalition of Maternal and New Born Child Health, an NGO, has commended the Zamfara State  Government for making provision for nutrition in the 2013 budget.

The State Coordinator of the coalition, Mallam Ibrahim Tudu, made the commendation on Thursday in an interview with newsmen in Gusau, said “we have succeeded after various struggles and complaints to the government, now the government has provided it under the State Ministry of Health’’.

He said the budget would contribute a lot to solving malnutrition problems in the state, and explained that the coalition, in collaboration with Save the Children International, had also organised various seminars and workshops for members of the coalition and journalists.

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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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