The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and other stakeholders to promote a resilient, sustainable and competitive telecommunications industry.

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, made the commitment while receiving an NIPR delegation led by its President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, at the Commission’s headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. Maida said the NCC would continue working with professional bodies to promote public awareness, responsible communication and stakeholder engagement on issues affecting the telecommunications sector.

He congratulated the NIPR on securing the hosting rights for the 2026 World Public Relations Forum, describing the achievement as a reflection of strategic communication and effective national representation. He also urged the institute to leverage the forthcoming African Telecoms Union Conference of Plenipotentiaries, scheduled to hold in Nigeria in July 2026, to further project the country’s image internationally.

The NCC chief said the Commission is implementing public awareness campaigns on the protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), efficient data usage, simplified telecom tariffs, and other regulatory initiatives aimed at improving accountability and encouraging competition.

According to Maida, recent reforms have helped restore investor confidence and attract fresh investment into the telecommunications sector. Responding, NIPR President Dr. Ike Neliaku commended the NCC’s commitment to stakeholder engagement and expressed the institute’s readiness to collaborate on initiatives that promote responsible communication, reputation management and public awareness of the Commission’s regulatory programmes.

The Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Communication and Strategy, High Chief Abednego Don Evarada, has urged the Federal Government to integrate community-based policing into Nigeria’s security framework to address insurgency, banditry and other security challenges.

Evarada made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Feast of Barracuda, organised by the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Oxbow Marino Deck, in Yenagoa.

Speaking on the theme, “Security Challenges and National Security: Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Nigerian Security Architecture,” he said Nigeria’s centralised security system faces significant challenges in responding to threats across a large and diverse population.

According to Evarada, stronger coordination between security agencies and local communities would improve intelligence gathering, early threat detection and emergency response. He said community policing models adopted in other countries have demonstrated the value of partnerships between law enforcement agencies and citizens.“Security must transform from a government responsibility into a collective responsibility,” he said.

Earlier, the Steerer of Oxbow Marino Deck, High Chief Douglas Etulankimor Sampson-Eteli, said the Feast of Barracuda is an annual event of the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), founded in 1952 by Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka and others. He said the event combines public lectures, debates, advocacy and humanitarian activities, including the donation of books and medical supplies to schools and orphanages, to promote civic engagement and social development.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has pledged that his administration will not demolish properties for public projects without providing fair and adequate compensation to affected residents.

The governor made the commitment while distributing compensation cheques to 122 households affected by the 15-kilometre Ring Road project corridor from Danbushiya Junction to Danhono II in Millennium City.

Sani said the government deliberately slowed aspects of the road project to allow for a transparent assessment of affected properties and utilities, stressing that development should not come at the expense of citizens’ rights and dignity.

“Development cannot be meaningful if it imposes hardship without compassion or progress without fairness,” the governor said. He described the compensation as an act of justice rather than charity, noting that it is intended to help affected families relocate and rebuild their lives with dignity.

According to Sani, his administration has paid compensation to residents affected by several infrastructure projects across the state, including in Rigasa, Mahuta, Zaria, Audi-Kako, Dogon Bauchi-Kakiyeyi and the Kabala Costain corridor.

He said the government has disbursed more than ₦3 billion in compensation to affected households since the administration took office and pledged to maintain transparent, equitable and timely compensation processes.

The governor reiterated that his administration’s development agenda would continue to be guided by the principles of justice, compassion and integrity, ensuring that infrastructure projects are implemented with due regard for the welfare of affected communities.