News
Shettima to visit Plateau Today Over deadly attacks
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, is set to visit Plateau State, today following a wave of attacks and killings by gunmen in the Bokkos and Bassa communities, which have claimed many lives over the past two weeks.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, disclosed this during a visit by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, to the affected communities in Bassa on Saturday.
“My heart is with you, and I convey also that of Mr President, who is so concerned that he asked us to come here — not just me alone, but also the Minister of Defence.
“Last week, the NSA was here, and on Monday, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will be here to engage the stakeholders of Plateau State because Mr President said these killings must come to an end,” Nentawe stated.
PUNCH Online gathered that, during the visit, the Vice President will convene a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss strategies for enhancing security and promoting peace in the state.
The Defence Minister, who was accompanied by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, and other security chiefs, assured the people of the Federal Government’s commitment to ending the killings.
He emphasised that the government would take decisive action to address the security challenges in the state.
Badaru said, “Mr President is committed to this, and he has directed that we must find the perpetrators of this evil and bring them to justice. The security agencies are investigating the matter seriously. God willing, we will get to the root of it, the perpetrators will be apprehended, and they will face justice.
“The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs has already provided some support, and together we will continue to assist them. He has just announced a planning programme that will address the welfare of widows, and the Federal Government is determined to alleviate the suffering of the victims.”
Meanwhile, the Plateau Youth Council, Northern Zone, has raised concerns over the wave of violent attacks on rural communities in Bassa and Riyom Local Government Areas, which coincide with the start of the wet farming season.
Addressing journalists in Jos, the PYC Northern Zone Coordinator, Comrade Samson Chiroma, described the attacks as “acts of genocide” rather than communal clashes.
He argued that the timing of the attacks — just as the farming season begins — suggests a calculated attempt to prevent the people from cultivating their land and to plunge them into economic hardship.
Chiroma rejected the Federal Government’s classification of the violence as communal clashes, accusing armed Fulani militias of orchestrating the attacks.
He expressed frustration over what he described as the government’s inadequate response and failure to acknowledge the true nature of the crisis.
The youth leader affirmed the Council’s support for Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s recent statewide broadcast, stating that the governor’s message captured the mood and pain of Plateau citizens.
“The governor spoke the minds of Plateau youths. We are ready to use all legal means to seek justice for our people. We will no longer fold our arms and watch our brothers and sisters being slaughtered without provocation.
“Garba said peace will continue to elude Plateau until certain conditions are met. Just days later, our people were attacked. Is that a coincidence?
“If the authorities are serious about ending these killings, they must start by questioning those who make inciting statements. Otherwise, it will appear that some people are above the law,” he stated.
Chiroma called on the Plateau State Government to strengthen Operation Rainbow — a local security outfit — by recruiting more personnel and equipping them with modern tools.
He also urged the government to take decisive action against those making inciting statements, warning that patience is wearing thin in the affected communities.
Chiroma stressed that the people of Plateau State would no longer fold their arms while their loved ones are being killed, and warned that if another attack occurs, the youth should not be blamed for the consequences.
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced a N100 billion annual education support programme aimed at keeping financially vulnerable Nigerian students in school.
Speaking at the launch of the national scholarship scheme in Lagos, yesterday, Dangote said too many brilliant young people were being forced out of classrooms because of poverty.
He described education as the “strongest engine of social mobility” and a critical foundation for national development.
The initiative, funded by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, will run for ten years beginning in 2026, costing over N1 trillion in total.
Dangote said the scheme would support 45,000 scholars each year at inception, expanding to 155,000 beneficiaries annually by its fourth year, and maintaining that level for the rest of the decade.
By 2036, he said, the programme is expected to have reached at least 1,325,000 students.
“We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people, not when the future of our nation depends on their skills, resilience and leadership,” he added.
A major component of the fund is the Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars programme, which will provide annual scholarships for 30,000 undergraduate students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics in public universities and polytechnics.
Each beneficiary will receive tuition support aligned with the fees of their institution and course of study. Dangote said the goal is to expand access to higher education, empower innovation, and give young Nigerians the tools to compete globally.
“STEM drives development. If Nigeria must compete globally, our young minds must have the tools to learn, imagine and innovate,” he said.
