By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Council, has disclosed plans to consider the merger of registered online media organizations in the state with a view to forming a federated Chapel.

The State Chairman of the NUJ, Dr. Abu Nmodu, made this known when officials of a private online media outfit, Flash Radio and Television, paid him a courtesy visit at the IBB Press Centre (Pen House), Minna.

Dr. Nmodu outlined the requirements for the formation of a Chapel as stipulated in Article Three of the NUJ Constitution, assuring that once the necessary provisions are met, the Council would not hesitate to inaugurate a federated Chapel for registered online media practitioners.

He further revealed that the Council has already set machinery in motion to identify and verify genuine journalists, explaining that the initiative is aimed at sanitizing the profession and ridding it of quacks.

While commending the promoters of Flash Radio and Television for their initiative, the NUJ Chairman cautioned them to strictly adhere to the ethics of journalism.

He expressed satisfaction with the growing presence of private digital broadcasting organizations in the state, describing the trend as a reflection of global developments in the media industry.

Dr. Nmodu noted that the establishment of Flash Radio and Television would strengthen the Union’s efforts in educating the public on their civic responsibilities, adding that misconceptions about democracy and development often stem from inadequate access to accurate information.

Earlier, the General Manager of Flash Radio and Television, Hadiza Yawa, disclosed that the media outfit has been duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

She explained that the station was founded on the philosophy of promoting socio-cultural values and practices for the overall development of society.

She also appealed for official recognition of Flash Radio and Television as a Chapel, assuring the NUJ leadership of the station’s commitment to upholding the ethical standards of the journalism profession.

By David Owei,Bayelsa
The leadership of the Bayelsa State Educational Trust Fund, EDTF, has solicited partnership with the media in the role of educating, and sensitizing the public on the mandate of the board as well as the publicization of its activities.

The Chairman of EDTF, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki stated this yesterday when he led the Executive Secretary, Prof Ebimieowei Etebu and other members of the newly inaugurated Board on a familiarization visit to the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel, of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Bayelsa State Council.

High Chief Agbiki who is also the Chairman of the Publicity and Sensitization Committee of the Board, said as critical stakeholders, it became imperative upon their inauguration in October last year to introduced the new Board to journalists and couth the cooperation of the media, who he noted has been a partner of the Board since its inception.

He said: “We are here to introduced the new board, which is the third since the inception of the EDTF and thanked the media for your support and solicit continued partnership and cooperation, understanding and cooperation. We have come here to introduced ourselves to you, that the relationship we have built over time should be sustain. When you are a friend of the press you are a friend of the community.”

On his part, the Executive Secretary of EDTF, Prof Ebimieowei Etebu, plead with the media to always project the activities of the Board in a way and manner that will engender unity, development and growth

He said: “We are new but not new to the educational sub sector. I have always had a passion to see how I can develop the youths and younger generation. I took this position over thirty years ago that whatever role I can play to better the lots of our youths in our society, I will do it, because once you have a vibrant youth, that society has a future. When that group of people in the society are educated, that society has a bright future but when that section are derail then we have a time bomb. So that has been my driving force.

“So when I was called upon to be the Executive Secretary of this Board, that is one thing that inspired me. We want to plead with you that has people that has the ears of the public, please I am calling on you to project the activities of the Board in a way and manner that will engender unity, development and growth.”

In his remark , the Chairman of the Federated Correspondents’ Chapel, of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Bayelsa State Council, Tife Owolabi, commended the EDTF for the visit and for holding the media in high esteem and urged them to always make their doors open to journalists to confirm, verify and cross checks facts.

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the sales of registration forms for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) admissions for the 2026/2027 academic session.

JAMB stated this in a post on its X handle on Tuesday night.

“UTME is open to suitably qualified candidates for admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions for the 2026/2027 academic session,” the photo statement signed by its Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, read.

“Registration commences January 2026 and closes March 2026 (exact dates to be announced by JAMB),” the post read, disclosing that the UTME examination is scheduled to hold in April 2026.

“The period of registration for UTME candidates, including those from foreign countries, is from Monday, 26th January, 2026 to Saturday, 28th February, 2026,” the statement read in part.`

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According to JAMB, candidates must have obtained their National Identification Number (NIN) before registration.

The agency said, “Only candidates who will not be less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 are generally eligible to apply/be considered.”

But it clarified that, “Candidates less than 16 years old by 30th September, 2026 will have to undergo an intensive evaluation to determine their eligibility for a waiver. Such must have scored not less than 80% in each of UTME/ALEVEL, PUTME, SSCE, and in the exceptional candidate assessment.”

“The UTME results of the underage candidates will be released only at the conclusion of the complete evaluation process,” JAMB said.

For Direct Entry candidates, the “Sale of 2026 Direct Entry (DE) application documents and E-PIN vending would commence from Monday, 2nd March, 2026, and end by Saturday, 25th April, 2026, and would only be at the Board’s State and Zonal Offices.”

“The 2026 UTME will commence on Thursday, 16th April, 2026 and end on Saturday, 25th April, 2026,” JAMB wrote. “Mock-UTME (optional) shall hold on Saturday, March 28th, 2026.”