Nation
THE STATES
Ondo
The maiden Mare Festival has been won by a 10-year-old boy, Sunday Akinwunmi, in the rocky town of Idare, Ondo State, for climbing 2,000 feed of steep mountain surface with bare hands and feet while professional mountaineers were using ropes and other gadgets.
For this efforts, which the state Governor Olusegun Mimiko, said typified the traits of gallantry and coverage of the average Ondo State youth, the lad was awarded a state-sponsored scholarship upto the university level.
Hundreds of local and international tourists, as well as the local population of Idanre, a town completely surrounded by towering rocky walls, participated in the three-day event.
Packaged as an avenue to make the town a global destination for tourists by the state government in collaboration with mother land Beckons, a tourism consultancy firm, the festival also exhibited the customs and traditions of the people through a carnival of dancing and drumming.
Kaduna
The Guardian correspondent in Kaduna State, Saxne Akhaine has reputedly received a threat to this life via phone number 08132283200.
The text message which was received at exactly 8.46pm, reads: “if you write rubbish again in this Kaduna you will be missing for ever.”
When Akhaine put a call to the phone number someone who referred to himself as driver to Director-General, Media and Publicity to the Kaduna State Governor, Uma Sani, said: “Yes, my oga (boss) is not around now, he left his phone in the car. But I will deliver your message and he will call you back.”
Not satisfied with this response, Akhaine called Sani on his official phone number to protest the text message.
Ekiti
Ekiti State Government has terminated the contract for the reconstruction of River Ele Bridge at Itapaji Ekiti over the failure of the contractor to commence work on the project.
The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Taiwo Olatunbosun, who made this known at the weekend, said the contract was awarded to Messers Kopek Construction Limited since October 2008, adding that the failure of the firm to commence work on the project left the state government with no alternative but to terminate the contract.
He said the Segun Oni-led administration would not deviate from its policy of transparency, accountability and due process towards ensuring that public funds are judiciously spent. He said the contract would soon be re-awarded to another contractor.
The Information Commissioner also disclosed that the government has blacklisted a construction company, Jobitrade Investment Limited, over its handling of the rehabilitation of the Teaching Hospital Theatre building in Ado-Ekiti in 2008.
Makurdi
To tackle the rot in the education sector in Benue State, the stakeholders have advised that all public schools, which were taken over by the State government, be returned to their original owners.
At a press conference during the weekend after the stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House, Makurdi, the Commissioner for Education, Mr Benjamin Ashaver, said that the leaders, realising the rot in the education sector, have resolved that it is in the best interest of the state that the schools be returned to their owners.
He said: “The general consensus at the stakeholders’ meeting is that the schools be returned to their owners. However, the government will continue to grant aid to these schools to build up the education base of the state.”
According to him, the state government will send a bill to the House of Assembly on the resolution of the stakeholders so that a legal framework could be established for the return of the schools to their origional owners in the interest of the state.
Ogun
The Awujale of Ijebu Land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, at the weekend appealed to all residents of Ijebu-Ife who fled the town during the December 5 mayhem to return home as peace had returned to the town.
Oba Adetona assured that adequate security arrangement has been put in place to protect lives and property.
Meanwhile, the chairman of Ijebu-East Local Council, Tunde Oladunjoye, may appear before the judicial panel of enquiries set up to investigate the circumstances that led to the crisis. He had earlier expressed his lack of confidence in the three members.
The Awujale, who spoke through the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, described the incident as not only unfortunate but an embarrassment to the Yoruba race.
Lagos
Petroleum products marketers across the country appear to have finally gone ahead of the Federal Government to commence a full blown deregulation of the downstream sector as price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly called petrol has gone to an all time high of N150.00 a litre, even as some major oil marketers have also started a strategic sale of petrol at black market prices right inside their station.
Black market price appears to have shot astronomically high as investigation reveals that a litre of fuel in the black market now sells for as high as N450.00, with over 75 per cent of the petrol stations on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway shut to travelLers and other road users as they claim not to have any product.
FCT
The Minister of Information and Communication, Professor Dora Akunyeli has said that everything is being done to ensure that Anambra governorship election in February 2010 is hitch free.
The minister who gave the assurance at the News Agency of Nigerian (NAN) forum in Abuja said “we need to come together and vote and let our votes be counted, so that we will be happy at the end for who ever emerges as the peoples choice. Until that happens, Anambra will continue to be in the news negatively.”
She said further, “Once we have a free and credible election, select somebody of our choice, feel very happy about our leader in Anambra State, even kidnapping will go down.
Ondo
Akure Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State weekend gave scholarship award till university level to a 10-year old boy, Sunday Akinwumu for his skill in climbing over 2,000 feet with his bare hands and feet.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the year’s Mare Festival, the governor said the boy was identified and rewarded as he climbed a 2,000 feet mountain with bare hands and feet while the professionals used ropes and other equipment. He pledged to harness all the potentials of the state to fast track its development.
Dr Mimiko said the festival was about the economic development of the people of the state. According to him, “the idea behind the festival, which featured mountain climbing, was to attract local and foreign tourists to the state.
Plateau
Governor Jonah Tang of Plateau State is banking on the quick recovery of President Umar Yar-Adua or a favourable outcome of the suit challenging the dissolution of the executive of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, by the national working committee, NWC, of the party to regain control of its machinery in the state.
The Tide gathered that following the resolution of the NWC to get the governor to work with the Chief Abu King Shuluwa-led Caretaker Committee it set up for the state, a position Jang is uncomfortable with.
It was learnt that a recent meeting between Jang and members of the NWC held a day to the recent National Executive Committee meeting of the party ended in a deadlock as the governor reportedly vowed not to work with the Caretaker Committee.
Kwara
Chairman, Governors’ Forum in Nigeria, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has lamented the persisting fuel scarcity across the country, attributing the hardship to the uncertainty trailing the proposed deregulation policy of the federal government.
In effect Saraki who is also the Kwara State governor, tasked the government and other stakeholders, particularly labour to come up with the way forward. He said the sooner this is done, the earlier the current fuel crisis would come to an end.
Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin on the state of the nation to mark his 47th birthday, Governor Saraki said: “For now, it is like somebody who is in the middle of the stream, he has departed the shore and did not reach the destination, so during that period, definitely, you will see a lot of challenges.”
Bauchi
About 3,000 applicants turned up in the current senior cadre recruitment into the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, in Bauchi State.
This was disclosed by the State Commandant of NSCDC, Haruna Shehu of the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, venue of the recruitment exercise, saying 615 candidates were short listed in the senior cadre in the state.
Shehu said, of the over 11,000 who put in their application in the junior cadre, 4,840 were shot-listed.
According to him, only those short-listed were eligible to participate in the recruitment exercise, adding that the exercise, in the state was smooth and hitch-free.
He commended security agencies such as the army, FRSC and the state government who assisted to ensure that the exercise was smooth.
Oyo
Fuel scarcity which resurfaced last week in Ibadan has continued unabated as motorists and residents in the city spend endless hours at few filling stations that dispensed the products. Already, some independent marketers in some parts of the city have adjusted their pump price from the official N65 to N70 per litre.
But The Tide investigations revealed that all of them now sell at N100 per litre. Outlets visited by our reporter include Sabo, Mokola, Samgo, Bodija U.I. Ring Road, Elerele Iyagnaku, Total Garden and others.
The major marketers that sold the products at the official pump price of N65 collected extra charges from customers. The money they collected ranges from N200-N500 depending on the litres of fuel brought. When asked why they sold at such exorbitant prices, most of them who cared to answer said they bought above the official pump price at the depot where they lifted the fuel.
The Tide gathered that many filling stations in the city were shut. Though they claimed that they had run out of supply, investigation revealed that they preferred to sell either early in the morning between 6am and 7am or late in the evenings.
The refusal of the filling station to dispense the products has led to emergence of black market operators along Major roads in the city who now sell a four-litre keg for N600 and above. It was learnt that these illegal sellers of the products usually go to the filling stations at mid-night to buy the product.
Already, the scarcity of the product has taken its toll on the vehicular and human movement in the sprawling city.
Few vehicles now ply the roads, while the commercial drivers have capitalised on the scarcity to hike their fares.
Nation
Nile University Hosts ICA Nigeria First National Confab On Global Communication
The Nile University of Nigeria has successfully hosted the maiden National Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA) Nigeria Chapter, drawing scholars, policymakers, and media professionals to examine emerging global communication trends and Africa’s positioning within them.
The two-day conference, themed, “Global Communication Shifts and Implications for Africa,” took place from March 24 to 25, 2026, at Nile University of Nigeria in Abuja. The event marked the first national gathering of the ICA Nigeria Chapter since its inauguration in March 2023, making it a historic milestone for communication scholarship on the continent.
Delivering a welcome address on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of Nile University, Prof. Dilli Dogo, the Head of Mass Communication Department, Dr. Jacob Suemo, described the conference as a “clarion call to reimagine Africa’s place in the global communication landscape,” emphasising the institution’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation.
The conference convened leading international scholars, including ICA President, Prof Thomas Hanitzsch and REACH Committee Chair, Prof Noshir Contractor, alongside other notable academics such as Prof Srivi Ramasubramanian, Dominique Brossard, and Prof. Raka Shome. Representatives from ICA chapters in India, Indonesia, and Kenya also participated, reinforcing the global outlook of the gathering.
Participants engaged in keynote sessions, panel discussions, and paper presentations addressing critical themes such as artificial intelligence, climate change communication, media systems, governance, and digital transformation. These discussions reflected the broader aim of the conference to interrogate how global communication shifts affect African societies, institutions, and development pathways.
A key highlight of the conference was a strategic panel session titled, “Is Africa Ready for ICA26?” which assessed the continent’s readiness for deeper global engagement ahead of the ICA International Conference scheduled for June 2026.
The event featured over 50 research presentations from scholars across Nigerian institutions, showcasing diverse perspectives on communication research and practice. It also attracted major stakeholders in government and media, including representatives of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the News Agency of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Press Council. Discussions underscored the importance of strategic communication in national development and Africa-driven narratives in global discourse.
A major outcome of the conference was the leadership transition within the ICA Nigeria Chapter. Professor Desmond Okocha emerged as the new Chair, succeeding the founding Chair, Dr. Ekaete George. The transition was described as a step toward consolidating the association’s growth and expanding its influence across Nigeria’s academic and media landscape.
Organised in collaboration with academic institutions including Bingham University, University of Cross River State, Nasarawa State University, and the University of Calabar, the conference also featured participation from the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) as a partner and sponsor.
The ICA Nigeria Chapter noted that the conference provided a vital platform for intellectual exchange, collaboration, and policy dialogue, positioning Nigeria as a key player in global communication research and practice.
The second edition of the ICA Nigeria National Conference is scheduled for March 2027, building on the success of the inaugural event.
Nation
Kwara Community Residents Flee Over Persistent Bandits’ Attacks
Residents of Omugo Community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State have deserted their homes due to persistent bandit attacks.
The Tide’s source reports that the once lively community has turned into a ghost town with only a few domestic animals left.
Reports indicate that the recent bandits’ attack on the Omugo ECWA Church via Oro-Ago, led to the abduction of eight worshippers including the wife of the pastor in charge.
Three persons escaped out of the eight abductees with a N1billion ransom placed on the remaining victims in captivity. The community could only gather N1million which was rejected by the bandits.
Last week, the armed bandits invaded Oro-Ago community, killed one vigilante man identified as Baba Ibeji and injured his younger brother known as Ajere.
A Point of Sales, PoS, shop directly opposite the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Divisional office, was broken into by the bandits.
The gunmen also attacked the NSCDC office and sprayed bullets on the facility, though no casualty was recorded.
In earlier attacks on Oro-Ago environs, armed bandits ambushed a convoy between Oro-Ago and Oke-Ayan in Ilere district of Ifelodun Local Government Area and killed two local hunters on escort duty.
On Saturday, there was tension in Oro-Ago following a security alert that armed bandits were regrouping to launch fresh attacks on the community.
All security formations were, however, placed on ‘Red Alert’ to forestall the planned attack.
Nation
Acting Provost Dismisses Alleged Missing Equipment Claims at Rivers Health College
The Acting Provost of the Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Peace Chigozirim Amadi has refuted claims circulating in the media suggesting that laboratory equipment went missing from the college.
In a recent statement, Dr. Amadi described the reports—particularly those attributed to certain publications—as false and misleading. She emphasized that all laboratory equipment at the college remain intact.
“I am here to set the record straight. No laboratory equipment disappeared from my college. Nothing is missing,” Dr. Amadi said, challenging anyone with contrary claims to provide evidence, including the names of the equipment and their supposed locations.
She further noted that the college recently underwent an accreditation exercise, during which significant investments were made in laboratory equipment. According to Dr. Amadi, these items are fully accounted for, and the college maintains a robust security system to protect its assets.
“Everything is intact. Nothing disappeared. The information being circulated is false and should be discarded,” she reiterated.
Beyond addressing the allegations, Dr. Amadi also called on media practitioners to exercise professionalism and verify stories before publication. “I want to plead with journalists to always verify their stories. Junk journalism does not help anyone. No matter the information you receive, it is important to hear the other side before publishing,” she said.
While social media posts have occasionally raised concerns about various issues in the region’s health education sector, including extortion and examination malpractice at related institutions, there is no independent evidence from credible news sources confirming that equipment went missing from Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.
The college, a public tertiary institution based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is accredited to offer a variety of health-related programs, including Nursing, Midwifery, Laboratory Technology, and Environmental Health. It has consistently emphasized integrity, safety, and transparency in its operations.
Dr. Amadi’s statement seeks to reassure the public, students, and stakeholders that the college remains secure, well-managed, and free from the alleged equipment losses, while urging journalists to prioritize accuracy in reporting.
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