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THE STATES

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Adamawa

The State Security Service (SSS) says it has compiled a list of suspected political thugs for close monitoring to ensure a hitch-free 2012 governorship polls in Adamawa.

The Adamawa SSS Director, Mr Alfred Ajayi made this known while addressing officials of political parties in a meeting held on Wednesday in Yola.

Ajayi said the meeting organised by the service, was crucial toward sustaining the peace being enjoyed in the state particularly, as the January governorship election was approaching.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all of you to let us approach the election with the fear of God, remembering that the state we want to develop should not be turned to a theatre of war.

Bauchi

No fewer than 103 households in Misau Local Government Area of Bauchi State resisted the administering of the Polio Plus Vaccines Immunisation during the just concluded exercise in the area.

The Director, Primary Health Care of the council, Garba Abbati, said this on Saturday in Misau in an interview with newsmen

Abbati explained that 90 households had their cases resolved through the intervention of traditional and religious rulers.

He further explained that the remaining households were yet to be resolved, adding that efforts were being intensified by both the council and traditional rulers to resolve the issue.

Borno

A non-governmental organisation (NGO) The Mercy Vincent Foundation, an NGO, has distributed food items and clothes to widows and orphans as part of its efforts to provide succour for vulnerable groups in Borno

The donation of 50 bags of rice and many clothes to 50 widows and 25 orphans was made at the premises of the foundation in Maiduguri on Saturday.

However, three other widows, Hajiya Fatima Musa, Mrs Mary Mark and Mrs Medugu Amos, benefited from scholarship awards for their children by the foundation at the occasion.

Dr Oufuani Vicent, the Managing Director and Founder of the charity home, said that most widows were being confronted with tough and difficult lives after the death of their husbands.

FCT

Senate President David Mark has warned that the neglect of the tourism industry will deny Nigeria considerable revenue.

Mark, represented by Sen. Hassan Barata, made the statement in Abuja on Sunday, while declaring open the “Durbar“ event of AbujaCarnival, 2011, at the Guards Brigade Polo Club.

“Any gathering of this nature quickly reminds us of the strategic importance of culture and tourism as a viable industry,’’ he said.

Mark said the essence of the Durbar was to refresh people’s knowledge of the history, military capabilities and prowess as displayed in different emirates centuries ago.

Gombe

The Snake Bite Treatment and Research Centre, in the state has raised alarm over the increase in cases of snake bite patients seeking medical attention at the centre.

Dr. Habu Ballah, the Officer in Charge, told newsmen in Kaltungo that the increase was due to farming activities during the harvest period and rearing of animals.

According to him, the centre unfortunately has run short of treatment drugs.

He explained that the centre recorded 372 causes and 388 cases in September and October, adding that in 2010, more  than 3,000 patients were treated at the centre.

Jigawa

Jigawa State Government said on Wednesday said that property worth N88 million was lost to fire between January and December 2010.

The Director of the state Fire Service, Alhaji Nasiru Yusuf, announced this in an interview with newmen  in Dutse.

He added that property estimated at N179.3 million was, however, saved during the period.

He said the organisation received 178 distress calls and rescued 137 people from different accidents and calamities.

Kaduna

Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Ballah Nasarawa said on Saturday in Kaduna that 165 persons were arrested since October for alleged involvement in various criminal activities.

The Commissioner told newsmen that crime rate in the state had declined.

The Police boss added that the Force had worked very hard to achieve crime-free Kaduna State.

“ Between October 17, 2011 and November 18, 2011, Operation Yaki Patrol teams carried out series of raids at some identified criminals’ hideouts and black spots within Kaduna city.

Kano

The Police Command in Kano State arrested 21 suspected armed robbers in November.

Ibrahim Idris, the state Commissioner of Police made this known to newsmen in Kano before parading the suspects at the Bompai police command headquarters.

The commissioner disclosed that his men had arrested five other suspects for illegally possessing fire arms including a Chadian named Faisal Mahmud on whom was found a Beretta pistol with one round of live ammunition.

Similarly, the commissioner said that four men, including an 80 year old man and a middle-aged policeman were arrested for defiling a minor who is four years old.

Lagos

Lack of funds and global acquisition of coastal lands have been identified as reasons for  the inability of Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) to establish an international border market.

Badagry West  LCDA is located at the entry point of Benin Republic with two major border markets at Seme and Owode ends.

Mr. Joseph Bamgbose, chairman, Badagry West LCDA, said recently at its Kankon secretariat  that the location of the area as border post would have made an international  Market desirable.

“The twin factors of lack of funds and global acquisition of coastal lands by the Federal Government are hindering  our plans to set up an international market in the LCDA,” he said.

Niger

The Niger Head of Service, Alhaji Ibrahim Matane, has decried the activities of illegal gold miners in Maiwayo village, Katcha Local Government Area of the state.

Matane told newsmen on Saturday in Minna that non-adherence to the mining laws of the state by the miners was of great concern to the government.

“They do not have any prospecting or mining licence from the relevant authorities such as the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development or the regulatory arm in Abuja.”

Matane further said that the miners did not have permit from any authority in the state before undertaking their illegal activities nor did they have any regard for environmental hazards their activities could cause.

Ondo

The Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State has appealed to nursing mothers to take advantage of the state government’s free health programme to reduce infant mortality rate in the area.

The council Chairman, Mr Banji Okunomo, made the appeal in Ilaje while flagging off the Maternal and New-born Child Health Week.

He emphasised the importance of health care delivery, saying it was the major focus of the state government.

Okunomo commended Gov. Olusegun Mimiko for his efforts in ensuring good health care delivery for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under the age of five.

Oyo

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, has discovered a new cassava flour that will save Nigeria N623 billion annually in foreign currency.

Dr Nteranya Sanginga, Director-General of IITA, said this in Ibadan when he visited Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State.

Sanginga said that the suitable cassava flour which the institute discovered, would replace wheat in the production of bread.

The IITA boss expressed the readiness of the Institute to partner with the state in the area of food production and security.

Plateau

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced distribution of relief materials to the internally displaced persons from the Barkin-Ladi crisis in Plateau State.

Most of the 1,000 displaced persons were camped at the Barkin-Ladi Divisional Police Headquarters and also within the town.

No fewer than 10 people were reportedly killed in the violence which broke out in the locality on Sunday, 50 kilometres from Jos.

NEMA Zonal Coordinator, North Central, Mr. Abdulsalami Muhammed, who distributed the items to the victims, said the items were donated by donor agencies and stakeholders, which included the Plateau State Government and the Red Cross Society.

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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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