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THE STATES

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Benue

The Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Mr David Iorhemba, has called on Muslims in the state to use the period of Ramadan to pray for peace and security of the state.

Iorhemba made the call on Tuesday in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yakubu Imanche, in Makurdi.

He said that there was the need for Muslims to pray for peace because they were in a state of grace in which anything they requested from God would be answered.

The speaker also urged them to sustain the long-existing peaceful and cordial relationship with their Christian counterpart in the state.

Iorhemba enjoined the Muslims to imbibe the teachings and lessons of the period such as self-discipline, kindness and sacrifice so as to attract blessings from God.

 

Gombe

Students of the Gombe State University on Tuesday

staged a peaceful protest against an alleged plan to remove the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Abdullahi Mahdi.

The students gathered at the school’s premises at around 4 p.m., chanting songs in support of Mahdi.

The President of the Gombe State Student Union, Malam Abubakar Kalafi, said that Mahdi had instilled discipline in both staff and students of the institution.

Kalosi said the vice chancellor had created a conducive atmosphere for learning in the university, adding that the peaceful coexistence in the university was a testimony of his leadership qualities.

The students alleged that a prominent member of the University’s Governing Council was spear-heading the planned removal of the vice chancellor.

Mahdi was appointed vice chancellor of the institution about eight years ago.

 

Jigawa

The Jigawa government has awarded N22 million contract for the construction of ultra-modern archive and gallery.

The Director, History and Culture Bureau, Alhaji Dan-Iya Uba, said in Dutse on Tuesday, that  more than N18 million was earmarked for the construction of the archive while N4 million was set aside for the rehabilitation of its theatre.

He said adequate provisions were made in the 2012 budget to facilitate smooth running of the project.

“The archive will serve as library, documentation and research centre to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people of the state. “The renovation of the theatre will also enable the cultural troop and dancers from the state to rehearse and organise plays,” he said.

He added that the state government had concluded arrangement to construct a central gallery to enable all the five emirates present their heritage.

 

Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government on Tuesday further relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state from midnight to 5a.m.

Governor  Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State, who announced this during a meeting with the Committee on Inter-Religious Harmony, said this following improved security situation in the state.

Yakowa said the curfew was reviewed to allow free movement throughout the state, adding that the security operatives would continue with their work.

He commended the people for the sustenance of peace and further urged them to continue to cooperate with the security agents and be law-abiding.

The governor also urged them to use the period of Ramadan to pray for peace and progress in the country.

 

Katsina

Workers of three tertiary institutions in Katsina State

on Monday embarked on an indefinite strike to protest alleged failure of the state government to meet their demands.

The institutions are: Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, Isah Kaita College of Education, Dutsinma and Yusuf Bala Usman College of Legal and General Studies, Daura.

The Joint Consultative Forum (JCF) of the workers unions in a statement issued in Katsina said members of the Academic and the Non academic Staff Unions of the three institutions had joined the industrial action.

The statement was signed by Mallam Tukur Dahiru, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic (ASUP) and five others.

 

Kwara

The Chairman of the Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara, Alhaji Abubakar Sidiq,  has appealed to the Federal Government to rehabilitate the Kaiama-Kishi road.

He said that the road, which links communities in Kwara and Oyo states, would contribute significantly to the economic development of the area.

Sidiq, who made the call in Kaiama in an interview described the present state of the road as deplorable, saying “it is now a death trap”. He said commuters using the road had to contend with potholes and difficult terrain “which usually make plying the road a nightmare”.

 

Lagos

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Rotimi Olowo, said the House would soon pass a bill that would ensure proper and regular maintenance of public infrastructure in the state.

Olowo told newsmen in Ikeja that the House was working on a Facilities and Maintenance Bill that would ensure scheduled maintenance and rehabilitation of roads and other public infrastructure, as and when due.

Olowo, the chairman of House Committee on Works and Infrastructure, said that the bill became necessary to improve the functionality and life span of the facilities.”If we don’t put in place a maintenance schedule, these public infrastructure would collapse in no time,” he said in Lagos.

He advised Lagos residents to desist from throwing refuse into gutters to avoid blocking the drainage system and prevent flooding.

 

Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Government has expressed its determination to promote cassava production in the state to stem hunger and lessen import dependency.

Governor  Umaru Al-Makura said this on Tuesday in Lafia at the inauguration of the Growth Enhancement Scheme for cassava farmers in the state.

Al-Makura, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani-Usman, said that his administration would make the cassava value chain development a priority, to encourage increased productivity among farmers in the state.

He also pledged the government’s commitment to providing farmers with the necessary agricultural input to enhance their productivity.

 

Ondo

The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday asked the state government to tackle the encroachment on land belonging to public schools.

The Assembly gave the directive in Akure during its plenary which followed a motion by Mr Olatunji Dairo of Owo II Constituency.

The Deputy Speaker, Mr Dare Emiola, who presided over the session, directed the House Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development and the Committee on Education to convene a meeting with principals of public schools to stop the practice.

 

Osun

Governor  Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has called on stakeholders in the education sector to embrace the culture of endowment as a means of funding universities.

Fayemi made the call on Monday at the second convocation lecture of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo, entitled: “Repositioning the Nigerian Universities within a Dynamic Global University System; Changes and Prospects.”

The convocation programme, which began with a press conference on Wednesday, is expected to end with the award of degrees today.  Fayemi said universities should also explore scholarly resources, particularly books and journals, to promote scholarship.

He lamented the state of libraries in Nigerian universities, saying the situation had constituted one of the biggest impediments to the flowering of ideas and development of world-class scholarship.

The governor also advised universities to source for foreign partners that would help in facilitating access to online publications, particularly journals for scholars and students.

 

Plateau

The Plateau Government has commiserated with the families and surviving victims of Sunday’s devastating flood in some communities within the Jos metropolis.

The Commissioner for Information, in a press statement on Tuesday in Jos, described the flood as Pastor Abraham Yiljap, “devastating, painful and unfortunate’’.

He recalled with regret that the flood resulted in the death of persons and missing of many others.  “Government is saddened by this unexpected natural phenomenon which has brought grief to the people in its wake, “ he said.

Yiljap said that the Governor Jonah Jang had ordered the State Relief Committee to take steps in providing immediate relief for the surviving victims.

He added that the governor had urged all citizens of the state to pray against any situation that would bring further pain and discomfort on the people.

Our correspondent  recalls that the flood killed 16 persons and left several others missing with houses and other property worth millions of naira destroyed in its trail.

 

Sokoto

The Sokoto State Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu, on Tuesday said that the State Government had spent N50 million to purchase drugs and medical facilities for its General Hospitals.

Aliyu said the measure was part of the State Government’s commitment to provision of qualitative health care services to the people.

He said the state drug revolving scheme would continue to be accorded priority attention to ensure effective health care delivery in the state.

The commissioner said a committee that would ensure equitable distribution of the drugs and medical facilities had been set up.

The commissioner urged the people of the state to always keep their environment clean to prevent outbreak of diseases.

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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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