By Naseer Uthman-Baba,Minna

Media practitioners in Niger State have been called upon to always ensure that they share accurate information as they are critical stakeholders in maintaining peace in the land.

Gov of state,Umaru Bago

Commissioner for Homeland Security, Muhammad Bello Abdullahi made the call during a pre-summit media chat and round table discussion with Media Practitioners from various media outfits held in Minna.

The Commissioner who described journalists as the most dependable ally in the security architecture of the State said they are expected to play key roles in passing across precise information to the public.

He used the medium to urge journalists to be professional in performing their duties and do not engage in divulging news that will put people on panic mode adding that, the State Government will continue to work closely with journalists and address challenges so as to forge ahead in achieving the objectives of a new Niger.

The Commissioner who gave an overview of the forthcoming Peace and security summit said the theme of the event, ” Collaborative approaches to security and peace building with a view to safe-guarding Niger State”, is aimed at engaging critical stakeholders in the security architecture at Local, State and Federal levels so as to proffer workable solutions to security challenges within the State.

He said, issues and challenges associated with security information management will also be looked into as effective management of information enables swift decision making, proactive actions and enhanced community preparedness.

While answering questions from Journalists on some security issues in the State, the Commissioner re assured them that the State Government is not relenting on its oars in addressing any security threat.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State, Bologi Ibrahim who was represented by the Coordinator Media Affairs to the Governor, Hamza Waziri said Governor Umaru Bago, is tirelessly working to ensure peace, tranquility, progress, and development across the State which he said requires the cooperation of journalists

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists Niger State Chapter, Comrade Abu Nmodu said journalists in the State have always worked in accordance with the ethics of the profession and will continue to tow that path and remain advocates of peace in the Society.

In her remarks, a Director with the Abdulsalami Abubakar Institute of Peace and Sustainable Development Studies,Dr. Diamond Preye described the decision to organize a peace summit by the Niger State Government as apt saying, without peace, there cannot be any meaningful development in any given society hence the need for everyone to be advocates of peace.

By David Owei, Bayelsa

The Executive Chairman of Ughelli North LGA in Delta state, Olorogun Jaro Egbo has debunked cyber bullying , libelous and false news pread by Mr Ovoke Akpobasa and his cohorts, calculated attempts to malign his heard earned rising political reputation.

The chairman, who stated this, after conducting journalists round legacy projects at the council’s secretariat, Ughelli and later addressed a press conference , said” it has become imperative to address the recent wave of false, malicious and unfounded allegations being circulated by Sahara Reporters and other online platforms regarding the purported award of government contracts to skyviaro properties Limited, saying that ” let it be unequivocally stated that Skyviaro properties Development Company Limited is not a registered contractor with the council , has not been awarded any contract , and is not personally owned or operated by him , as he resigned from any involvement with the said company and there has been no breach of due process or statutory guidelines in any contract award under his administration”

He further state that” The deliberate spread of misinformation spread by Mr Ovoke Akpobasa, an Executive Assistant to the governor on Diaspora Affairs, is a calculated attempts to tarnish his reputation and discredit his administration and cast aspersion on the government of His Excellency, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, as such reckless and defamations are not only unbecoming of a public office holder , but also pose a serious threat to public trust and governance.

He therefore called relevant authorities to immediately rein in Mr Ovoke Akpobasa and his collaborators to prevent further embarasement to the government and unnecessary tension among the people and should this orchestrated smear persists, he reserve the rights to pursue legal actions against him and his employer , the Delta state government in his personal capacity”
The visibly angry chairman , avered that , he remained steadfast to his unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability and good governance and confident that a thorough and objective review of this matter will expose the baseless nature of that false allegations, stressing that , he will not be deterred by falsehood and character assassination as his focus remains in delivering effective governance and upholding the principle of integrity and service to the people.
He also used the opportunity to state that he had no personal quarell with the defunct Ughelli North LGA People Democratic Party chairman , Mr Lucky Ofomukoro.
He also refuted rumours making the rounds that he was suspended from Abovwe family in Uduere community in Ughelli North LGA of Delta state, adding that such allegations were completely false and far from reality as the Abovwe family remains unequevically behind him and will not allow misinformation to tarnish his reputation or the integrity of the family.

Our correspondent reported that the chairman who is widely described as silent achiever conducted journalists round some of his unprecedented legacy projects, among which, were construction of ultra modern Storey building secretariat, construction of Area customary court, Ughelli, one major project in each of the seven kingdoms( either a police station or An area customary court), Solar powered electrification of the Chairman’s office and entire secretariat premises,renovation/ furnishing of four unit block buildings and fencing in the D.D.P.A.Housing Estate for operation sweep , procurement of 300 writing desks for primary and secondary schools in Ughelli North LGA,purchase and installation of a 500KVA transformer at Ekrabovwe quarter in Ughelli,renovation of HPM/ S.L.G/ supervisors/legislative building and adjoining offices,constant cleaning of the Ughelli metropolis and it’s environs and regular sanitation and constant payment of claims to staff .