Nation

THE STATES

Published

13 years ago

October 18, 2013

Adamawa

Mr Umar Atiku, Adamawa State Commissioner for
Works said yesterday that the state government had approved a total of N2.6 billion for the reconstruction of Jimeta to Yola highway.
Atiku told newsmen in Yola, that the project would cover two major roads in the state capital.
He said among the roads to be reconstructed included Police round-about to Karewa junction and Army Barracks junction to Yola town.
He said contract in respect of the project, was awarded to PW Nigeria Construction Limited, and would start as soon as the rainy season was over.
He added that the project would be completed in eight months.

Ekiti

Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has inaugurated
the 20-km Ikole-Ijesaisu-Ilumoba road, rehabilitated by his administration.
Fayemi also flagged off the construction of the eight-km Ikole township road and 20-km Ikole-Ara-Isinbode road, linking Ekiti and Ikare in Onda State.
The governor said that his administration was delivering on its electioneering promises in all sectors of the economy, especially in the provision of infrastructure.
Fayemi said that his administration was interested in rehabilitation of roads because this would engender development and improve the socio-economic lives of the people.

Gombe

The police in Gombe State said it recovered two Ak47 riffles
and 360 live ammunition in an uncompleted building during the Eid-el Kabir celebrations in Gombe metropolis.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr Fwaje Atajiri, made the disclosure in an interview with newsmen in Gombe yesterday.
Atajiri said the police also recovered five empty magazines and a motorcycle in the building.
He said the period was hitch-free, but the command got intelligence report about a criminal hide-out in Kondulum Area of Gombe metropolis on Wednesday and raided the area.
The police spokesman said the suspects ran away on sighting the police operatives and left the weapons and ammunition.
He said the police was investigating the incident as well as the owner of the building.

FCT
A Muslim Scholar, Alhaji Mufutaudeen Ajijola-Anabi, has
urged Muslim parents to give proper training to their children.
Ajijola-Anabi, who is also the Chief Imam of the Abuja branch of “Dairat Jafariyat Fitorikat Tijaniyat’’ Islamic Organisation, gave the advice at the Eid-el-kabir praying ground in Abuja.
According to him, Allah has commanded Muslims to always show affection and kindness to their children, stressing that He forbids ill-treatment, abuse and neglect of duties.
The cleric quoted Allah as saying in the Qur’an: “Your Lord has decreed that you shall worship none except Him and show kindness to one another.’’

Kaduna

The transportation of prospective Christian pilgrims from
Kaduna State will commence on October 19, an official said.
Rev. Joseph Yari, the Executive Secretary, Kaduna State Christian Pilgrims Board, told newsmen in Kaduna that most arrangements had been concluded for the transportation.
He said 800 prospective Christian pilgrims were expected to embark on the 2013 pilgrimage to Israel.
Yari said the board would screen the intending pilgrims before they leave, adding that “the pilgrims will hold a national prayer in the Holy Land on October 24.
“The prayer is to intercede for peace, unity and development in Nigeria.’’

Kogi

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State has urged Nigerians to
live in peace and harmony irrespective of their religious affiliation.
The governor made the appeal in Lokoja in his congratulatory message to Muslims as they celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir.
He urged Muslims and Christians not to see themselves as enemies but as brothers and sisters created equally and with the same purpose by only one God.
Wada said the insecurity in some parts of the country could have been avoided if there was peace and love among adherents of the different faiths.

Kwara

The Olugbense ruling house of Offa has petitioned the
Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Justice Aloma Muktar, praying her to reassign the stay-of-execution of judgment suit filed by the deposed Olofa of Offa, Mufutau Gbadamosi.
The petition, which was signed by Mr Saka Keji on behalf of the ruling house, was dated October 8 and made available to newsmen recently.
Keji stated in the petition that the Olugbense family had no confidence in the new panel of the Court of Appeal to which the suit had been assigned.
“We have no confidence that the new panel of justices can do justice to us in the case just as we have our fears and concerns on the motion for stay,” he added.

Lagos

The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi
Ikuforiji, says only God would determine his governorship ambition.
“As a believer, I know that when the time comes, the Almighty God will show the light and make it clear that this is your next direction and your next seat.
”No matter the noise, the plotting of the coup and counter coup, what God has destined to be, no man can stop,” Ikuforiji told newsmen in Epe, during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
He said that he became the speaker by the will of God, and that only God would determine his next political step in 2015.

Nasarawa

Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has
inaugurated five newly acquired fire-fighting trucks to boost the fire-fighting capacity of the state’s fire service.
Al-Makura said that the fire-fighting trucks would boost the operations of the state’s fire service.
He said that the trucks would be deployed to strategic areas that were vulnerable to fire outbreaks, enjoining the firemen to make judicious use of the facilities.
Besides, Al-Makura said that the towing vehicles would be stationed at accident-prone areas, especially the Akwanga-Lafia road.

Ogun

The police yesterday arraigned a driver, Adewale Adesanya,
40, before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun on a two-count charge of manslaughter and reckless driving.
The police prosecutor, Cpl. Rosemary Brown, told the court that the accused committed the offence on September 27 at 2.30 p.m. near Excel Primary School on Ilogbo-Oju-Ore road, Sango Ota.
The prosecutor said the accused drove his Mitsubishi gallant car with Lagos registration number SMK 916 BL recklessly and killed a 47-year-old Sunday Balogun.
Brown said the other victim, Mr Ibrahim Otefila, was still receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the state.
She said the offences contravened sections 17 and 18 of the Road Traffic Act 29 Vol. 21 of the revised laws of Ogun State, 2006.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Osun
Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State has stressed
the need for peace, security and cooperation among Nigerians to move the nation forward.
The governor said this in his Eid-el-Kabir message, signed by Mr Semiu Okanlawon, the Director of Communication in the Governor’s Office.
He urged Muslims to live in peace, while exhibiting tolerance towards adherents of other faiths.
Aregbesola, however, called on the adherents of all religions to protect the sanctity of human life, saying in all the Scriptures, God never commanded or appointed anyone as judge over other human beings.

Oyo

No fewer than 157 graduates of Caleb University, Imota,
Lagos State, would participate at the third convocation ceremony billed for Saturday.
This was contained in a statement issued by the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan.
The vice- chancellor said the convocation ceremony would mark another milestone in the history of the university which took off in 2008.
“As at today, the university has continued to enjoy the National Universities Commission’s full accreditation status, thereby confirming our core objective of ensuring the production of quality graduates who would contribute positively to national growth,’’ he said.
Sokoto

The Sultan of Sokoto State, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has urged
striking workers to call off their strikes and go back to the negotiating table.
Abubakar made the call as part of his Eid el-Kabir message to the Muslim faithful.
“We wish to use this opportunity to call on all those on strike, especially university academic and non-academic staff to call off their strikes so as to reduce the sufferings of the people.
“And they should go back to the negotiating table in order to bring an end to the crisis.
“This is a problem in the development of the country. We urged the government to listen to the complaints of the workers with the intention of solving them”, he said.

Aig Zone 12, Mr Edgar Nanakumo (left), with Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State during his courtesy visit in Bauchi, yesterday Photo: NAN

Nation

Rivers Commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

1 week ago

June 2, 2026

The Tide

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.

Nation

THE LAPSES OF THE MEDIA IN ELECTIONS

Published

2 weeks ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

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.

Nation

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

Published

3 weeks ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

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