Connect with us

Nation

THE STATES

Published

on

Bauchi
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in
charge of Zone 12, Mr Mohammed Gana has urged politicians in Bauchi State to exhibit high sense of responsibility while playing politics.
Addressing representatives of political parties in Bauchi state as part of sensitisation efforts in preparatory to the 2015 general elections, the AIG said that they were expected to make positive contribution for the advancement of Nigeria’s democracy.
Gana, whose zone covers Borno, Bauchi and Yobe states, said a meeting of stakeholders was necessary to discuss ways of ensuring the success of the 2015 general elections.
In his remarks, Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Ladan, also advised the politicians to shun violence in the course of their campaigns.

Borno

The Borno State Commissioner for Animal Resources
and Fishery, Alhaji Umar Kyari, has charged the Leather and Allied Products Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (LAPAN), to work toward development of the state and the country at large.
The commissioner, who gave the charge when members of the association paid him a courtesy call in Maiduguri last Wednesday noted that the state was one of the leading producers of hides and skin and also had the highest record of export of the product in the country.
He expressed the willingness of the ministry to partner with the association and urged it to reciprocate the gesture for the development of the state.
Also speaking, Alhaji Modu Mustapha, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said efforts would be made to keep adequate record of products being exported, with a view to monitoring developments in the sector.

Jigawa

The Birniwa Local Government in Jigawa State has
embarked on the mobilisation of religious and traditional leaders as change agents towards the eradication of polio in the area.
The council chairman, Alhaji Ali Diginsa, announced this recently in Birniwa at a meeting with members of the council’s polio task force committee.
Represented by Alhaji Lawal Ibrahim, Director of Administration in the council, Diginsa said that the council would focus on border communities in the fight against the disease and urged parents to present their children during the exercise to eradicate the disease in the area.
Manager, National Programme on Immunisation (NPI) in charge of Birniwa, Mr Datti Arobade, said the meeting was aimed at addressing some of the problems recorded during previous exercises.

Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government says it has spent more
than N1.2 billion in 2013 on the drilling of 754 bore holes across the state.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr Ado Audu, said in an interview in Kaduna State that the project was part of intervention measures to address water scarcity in various communities.
He said 680 hand pumps were provided across the 34 local government areas of the state at the cost of more than N837.1 million under the government’s constituency projects intervention programme.
Audu said each of the local councils were provided with 20 bore holes, adding that the projects were 82.9 per cent complete.
Kebbi

The Fakai Local Government Council of Kebbi State says
it has constituted a committee to liaise with neighbouring states to the prevent the spread of diseases in the area.
The Chairman of the council, Alhaji Umaru Marafa, told newsmen in Mahuta last Thursday that the committee would collaborate with Niger and Sokoto states on disease control measures.
“The council had sustained joint regular meetings as well as assistance to border communities in the other states with drugs and personnel as part of efforts to prevent the spread of polio and other diseases in our area,” he said.
Marafa said the measures ensured zero record of polio in the area, adding that the provision of a new hospital in the area by the state government had reduced hardship faced by patients, thereby boosting health care delivery as the Primary Health Centres (PHC) and dispensaries were inadequate.
Kwara

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma
Mukthar, has said the late Justice Saidu Kawu had been immortalised through his contributions to the Nigeria law reform.
The CJN revealed this last Thursday, when she paid a condolence visit to the family of late jurist at his Ikokoro family Compound, off Niger Road in IIorin.
Mukthar said that the name of the late jurist would remain indelible in the minds of those in the judiciary described him as a complete gentleman.
The CJN, who described death as inevitable, advised Nigerians to further intensify on good deeds as a way of preparing for death.
The Acting Kwara Grand Khadi, Justice Olohuntoyin Mohammed, offered special prayer for the CJN and for the repose of the soul of the deceased.

Lagos

The Lagos State Chapter of the National Union of Road
Transport Workers (NURTW) has solicited the state government support to eliminate miscreants from the popular Oshodi Motor Park.
The Union Treasurer, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, who made the appeal in Lagos said that miscreants were threatening the peace of the community.
He  said,  “Some boys from nowhere nowadays use to attack and disturb our peace; we have tried to work with a taskforce to stop their nefarious activities.
“These boys are usually many and their menace has constantly resulted in snatching of people’s bags, stopping of vehicles at night and other nefarious activities.
“We want the government to help the union to dislodge these miscreants from this area and stop them from advancing in their operations,” he added.

Ondo

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B, has
expressed concern over the spate of industrial actions in the country.
The Vice-president of the zone, Mr Dele Atunbi, in Akure in a statement observed that “the industrial actions are pointers to the fact that the industrial atmosphere is cloudy.
“The havoc that industrial action has wreaked on the county’s economy is enormous, particularly the six-month-old ASUU strike, ASUP strike and the just concluded health workers three-day warning strike. “It is, therefore, necessary for the employers and the employees to deliberately create a conducive atmosphere for industrial harmony to reign in the country through equity, justice and fair play,” it said.

Osun

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives
Alliance (APC) last Saturday in Osogbo pledged to shun thuggery and rigging in the forthcoming 2014 and 2015 elections in Osun.
While the gubernatorial election is scheduled to hold in Osun in 2014, the people of the state will join the rest of Nigerians for the Presidential and National Assembly election in 2015. The Osun gubernatorial election is slated to hold on August 9.
Mr Diran Odeyemi said that the PDP would play its part towards ensuring that the elections were peaceful and devoid of malpractice.
Also speaking, Oyatomi, who is the APC Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, said the party had zero tolerance for thuggery, stressing that Governor Rauf Aregbesola believed in the rule of law and attached premium to the conduct of peaceful and hitch-free elections.

Oyo

A Lecturer and Consultant Obstetrician and
Gynaecologist at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Dr Nike Bello, said breast cancer is the greatest women killer world-wide.
Bello says in an interview in Ibadan  that one out of eight women in Nigeria developed breast cancer monthly, described the disease as a silent killer which should be controlled.
The gynaecologist defined breast cancer as an uncontrolled growth of breast cells stated  that the cells occurred due to mutations or abnormal changes in the genes responsible for regulating the growth of cells and keeping them healthy.
According to her, breast cancer can be treated and managed successfully if detected early and advised women of reproductive age to always examine their breasts immediately after their menses.

Plateau

The Executive Director of Ittijihad Islamic Foundation in
Jos, Alhaji Yusuf Yahaya, has appealed to the Plateau Government to establish almajiri schools in the state.
Yahaya said in Jos last Thursday that establishment of the schools would go a long way in providing basic education to many children.
He said that the foundation decided to establish the schools so that they could contribute their quota in providing education to the children and make them responsible citizens.
Yahaya appealed to corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations and well- meaning Nigerians to support the foundation with learning and teaching equipment.

L-R: Governor  Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Governor  Lamran Yero of Kaduna State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Governor  Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State after the turbaning of Katsina State Governor as Sarkin Fulani Katsina 1. by  the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Usman in Katsina last Saturday.

L-R: Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Governor Lamran Yero of Kaduna State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State after the turbaning of Katsina State Governor as Sarkin Fulani Katsina 1. by the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Usman in Katsina last Saturday.

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

Nation

Shell, MAN Back Rivers’ Drive for Expanded Gas Supply to Industries

Published

on

The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.

The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.

Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.

According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.

He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.

“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.

Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.

He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.

Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.

Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.

He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.

According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.

Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.

He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.

The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.

Chairman of MAN, Rivers and Bayelsa Branch, Elder Vincent Okuku, described gas as indispensable to industrial operations, noting that many manufacturers continue to struggle with the high cost of alternative energy sources.

Similarly, President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr. Chinyere Ngozi Nwoga, said the transition to natural gas had become increasingly necessary for businesses seeking stable and cost-efficient operations.

“Pipeline natural gas provides a more cost-effective and reliable source of energy for industries,” she stated.

Also speaking, former Chairman of MAN in Rivers and Bayelsa States, Mrs. Emilia Akpan, stressed the need to align energy infrastructure development with investment in human capacity.

She maintained that rebuilding the state’s economy would require not only reliable energy supply but also the development of technical skills needed to support long-term industrial growth.

 

By Kevin Nengia

Continue Reading

Trending