Category: News

Prof. Yakubu made the call on Tuesday, April 15, while delivering a lecture on “Democracy and Peaceful Elections in West Africa” to students of International Affairs and Diplomacy and those of Peace and Conflict Studies at the Civil Service University in the Republic of The Gambia, where he was a guest of the University.

Highlighting the indispensable role of young people in the electoral processes, the INEC Chairman noted that elections in Africa cannot succeed without youth participation. “Young people form the backbone of election duty staff,” he said, pointing out that Election Management Bodies (EMBs) lack the manpower to conduct elections without recruiting youths as temporary or ad hoc staff.

Beyond logistics and staffing, he emphasized that youths also make up the largest segment of the voting population. His words: “Before the elections, they are involved in voter registration, one of the most critical stages of the electoral cycle. It is a duty that must be undertaken with sincerity, patriotism, and a sense of responsibility.”

In a passionate appeal, Prof. Yakubu urged the youths to be upright and law-abiding. He said: “If you want peaceful elections, play your part for God and country. Do the right thing. Obey the laws and regulations. That’s how we make every vote count.”

He also drew attention to the role of youths as political party agents, cautioning against misrepresenting facts or feeding political stakeholders with false information which, he warned, could trigger violence and undermine public trust in the process.

Turning to the influence of digital media, Prof. Yakubu warned against the spread of fake news, particularly during election periods. “Don’t be among the fake news merchants. If it’s not verified, don’t share it. As citizen reporters, you have a duty to report elections truthfully and responsibly,” he said.

He concluded by encouraging young people not to lose faith in democracy or withdraw from civic engagement. “This is the system we have chosen. It is ours to nurture, defend, and improve. Every young African must play a role in deepening and strengthening democratic institutions.”

In a statewide broadcast on the recent security incidents in the state, he said, “As your governor, I stand resolved; Plateau shall not be overrun by fear, nor shall we accept this culture of bloodshed as the new normal.

“Let it be known that the Plateau spirit is resilient; we are a people of peace, renowned for our hospitality and unity across religious and ethnic lines.

“Those who seek to tear us apart cannot succeed; Plateau will definitely continue its rise; nothing will stop it.

“To the killers and their sponsors, know this: your evil shall not go unpunished; you may run, but you will not hide.

“Plateau will prevail, Plateau will not fall, Plateau will stand tall, and Plateau will continue to flourish, to the Glory of God.

Mutfwang, who had highlighted some measures taken to forestall further reoccurrence of the attacks, assured the people of the state that he would not ditch his constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and properties in the state.

“Let me reassure you all, my government is alive to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property, and we are rising to the occasion more determined than ever.

“My administration is intensifying efforts to protect our people and enforce the rule of law across all local governments.

“We must protect our communities while upholding the rule of law; we therefore are activating community-based response systems.

“I urge traditional leaders and youth associations to reactivate local vigilante groups and organise night patrols in coordination with the security agencies.

“To restore calm and strengthen vigilance, I hereby announce the following measures, effective Wednesday, April 16th.

“Night grazing of cattle is strictly prohibited. Transportation of cattle by vehicle is banned after 7P.M.

“The use of motorcycles is restricted from 7p.m. to 6 a.m. across the state until further notice,” he stated. (NAN)

The attack started about 5:30pm on Tuesday, according to the lawmaker who represents Otukpo-Akpa Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Kennedy Angbo.

The lawmaker, who hails from Akpa district, in a telephone conversation with Channels Television, said an unconfirmed number of persons have been killed and hundreds have fled the community.

A resident of the Otobi community, Edwin Emma, also told our correspondent in Benue, that many persons were feared killed as he called for help from the government and security forces.

“We are being attacked by herdsmen at Otobi community, my wife and children are fleeing from the community as I speak, please call for help,” the frightened resident said.

Otobi, the community hosting the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Multipurpose Water Dam, has come under attack twice in April as a security guard at the facility was killed days ago.

The police are yet to comment on the development as of press time.

In neighbouring Plateau State, also in the North Central geopolitical zone, over 100 people have been killed in the last two weeks when bloodthirsty marauders unleashed mayhem on communities in the Bokkos and Bassa local government areas of Plateau State. Channels TV

A report by the bureau said the figure was a 1.05 percent increase from the 23.18 percent recorded in February.

This is the first increase of the inflation figure since the NBS rebased the Consumer Price Index (CPI) earlier in the year.

“Looking at the movement, the March 2025 Headline inflation rate showed an increase of 1.05% compared to the February 2025 Headline inflation rate. Furthermore, on a month-on-month basis, the Headline inflation rate in March 2025 was 3.90%, which was 1.85% higher than the rate recorded in February 2025 (2.04%).

“This means that in March 2025, the rate of increase in the average price level is higher than the rate of increase in the average price level in February 2025.”

It explained that contributions of items on the divisional level are food and non-alcoholic beverages, 9.28 percent; restaurants and accommodation services, 2.99 percent; transport, 2.47 percent; housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, 1.95 percent, education services 1.44 percent, health 1.40 percent.

It said food inflation rate in March 2025 was 21.79 percent on a year-on-year basis.

“However, on a month-on-month basis, the Food inflation rate in March 2025 was 2.18 percent, up by 0.50 percent compared to February 2025 (1.67 percent),” the NBS added.

It attributed the increase to the rise in the average prices of ginger (fresh), garri (Yellow), broken rice (ofada), honey (natural production), crabs, potatoes, plantain flour, periwinkle (unshelled), pepper (fresh), etc. Daily Trust

The committee is chaired by House Leader, Rep. Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, with Rep. Ali Isa J.C. as Deputy Chairman. Other members include Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, Rep. Idris Ahmed Wase, Rep. Aliyu Muktar Betara, Rep. Sada Soli, Rep. James Abiodun Faleke, Rep. Igariwey Iduma Enwo, Rep. Shehu Saleh Rijau, Rep. Wole Oke, Rep. Akarachi Etinosa Amadi, Rep. Patrick Umoh, Rep. James Barka, Rep. Alex Egbona, Rep. Isa Anka, Rep. Amos Daniel, Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Rep. Onuh Onyeche Blessing, Rep. Fatima Talba, Rep. Chris Nkwonta, and Rep. Ebibake Marie Enenimiete.

Speaking during the inauguration at the National Assembly, Speaker Abbas described the formation of the committee as a crucial step toward maintaining governance and public order in Rivers State following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a six-month State of Emergency on March 18.

“This marks a critical milestone in our constitutional mandate and is a reflection of our dedication to transparent governance and the rule of law,” Abbas said.

The Speaker explained that President Tinubu’s declaration was made under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), in response to what he described as a “grave crisis threatening public order.” He emphasized that the move was driven by patriotism and concern for the safety and well-being of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.

Abbas drew parallels to previous states of emergency in Plateau (2004), Ekiti (2006), and the North-East (2013), stating that the National Assembly had always played a vital role in such interventions by upholding constitutional order.

He also clarified that the caretaker administration led by Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.) is a temporary measure aimed at restoring peace and basic governance functions in Rivers State.

“The Administrator’s role is limited to maintaining law and order until democratic governance is fully restored,” Abbas stated. “He is required to report directly to the National Assembly.”

He urged members of the committee to conduct their oversight responsibilities with integrity, professionalism, and impartiality.

“You must avoid partisanship and ensure that your actions strictly align with the Constitution,” the Speaker warned. “Beyond oversight, you are also expected to support reconciliation and peacebuilding efforts in Rivers State.”

In his response, Committee Chairman Rep. Julius Ihonvbere pledged the team’s full commitment to the task.

“If I am not wrong, this is probably the strongest ad-hoc committee ever set up since 2019,” Ihonvbere said. “With the experience, exposure, and dedication of this team, I assure you on behalf of my colleagues that we will not disappoint the Speaker, the National Assembly, or the Nigerian people.”

He vowed the committee would commence work immediately, operating with transparency, diligence, and an unbiased approach.

The committee is expected to submit periodic reports to the House, monitor the implementation of federal policies in Rivers State, and ensure the caretaker government operates strictly within constitutional limits. Vanguard

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Jos, Jang expressed his condolences to the people of Plateau State and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convene an expanded meeting with community leaders to fully understand the gravity and complexity of the security situation.

“Let’s call a spade a spade,” Jang stated. “These senseless killings have caused pain and suffering for our great State and its people, and we must take immediate action to put an end to this violence.”

He commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his ongoing efforts to address the crisis and praised President Tinubu’s resolve to end the killings. However, Jang criticized a recent presidential directive asking Governor Mutfwang to address the violence as a “communal issue,” noting that this mischaracterization stemmed from “inaccurate briefings.”

“The attacks in Plateau State are not merely communal disputes; they are perpetrated by a known group with a specific agenda,” he said, urging the federal government to recognize the true nature of the violence in order to respond appropriately.

Jang emphasized the need for President Tinubu to engage directly with stakeholders through an expanded consultative meeting involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community representatives. “Such a meeting would provide a platform for stakeholders to share their insights and experiences, enabling the President to develop a more informed approach to tackling the problem,” he added.

He also called on the people of Plateau to remain resilient, united, and proactive, encouraging them to defend their communities and demand justice.

“As peace-loving and welcoming citizens, we have endured enough. It is time for us to defend ourselves against these aggressors,” Jang declared.

The former governor concluded by reaffirming his solidarity with the victims and their families and reiterated his commitment to standing with the people of Plateau during these challenging times. Vanguard

Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced this on Monday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during the inauguration of the state’s National Human Capital Development (HCD) Accelerator Project and the ARISE Human Capital Development Strategy.

According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Vice-President also inspected several ongoing ARISE HCD projects, including model primary schools and the ARISE Park, an innovative environmental reclamation initiative.

Shettima expressed confidence that the national ambition could be achieved through the enhancement of workforce capabilities and improved socio-economic outcomes.

He commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for being the first to implement the national HCD blueprint across all Local Government Areas.

“Every policy or programme that intervenes in the lives of our people can only succeed if it is rooted in the grassroots.

“The true wealth of any nation lies in the certainty of its human capital, the education of its children, the health of its citizens, and the productivity of its workforce,” he stated.

Launch of HCD 2.0: A new phase of human capital development 

He highlighted that the Federal Government had launched the second phase of the Human Capital Development Programme (HCD 2.0), which builds on the first phase with a stronger focus on integration and measurable impact.

“At its core, HCD 2.0 is about integration and impact. It is built on the foundation of HCD 1.0 but goes further to incorporate cross-cutting themes.

“What Akwa Ibom State has demonstrated here isn’t just progress; it’s leadership.

“To ensure continuity and sustainability, the Vice-President announced plans to institutionalize a Human Capital Development Fund.

“We are working to institutionalize the HCD Fund to ensure that no matter who occupies these offices tomorrow, the investments we make in people today will endure.

“If we must meet our target of reaching an HCI score of 0.6 and becoming a top-80 nation globally by 2030, we must act with boldness. Implementation must be swift. Data must guide us. Financing must be innovative,” Shettima said

Shettima emphasized the importance of data-driven policy implementation and announced the introduction of an HCD Dashboard to track key indicators in real time.

“We are deploying data not for reports, but for results because behind every number is a story: a child not vaccinated, a mother lost to childbirth, a youth with promise but no pathway.

“These are not mere statistics. They are realities, and we must confront them with urgency and compassion,” he stated.

He praised Akwa Ibom’s progress, highlighting metrics where the state surpassed national averages.

“With an under-five mortality rate of 80, compared to the national average of 110, your state is already showing remarkable progress.

“And with only 3.5% of primary-age children out of school, far below the national average of 25.6%, you are not merely compliant with our national vision; you are ahead of the curve,” he added.

As part of the national strategy, Shettima unveiled Project Fuuku, a clean cookstove initiative that builds on a successful pilot in Nasarawa State.

He highlighted that the project addresses public health, environmental, and gender equity challenges.

“This intervention is more than just a public health measure. It is a gender-sensitive, climate-conscious strategy that saves lives, preserves forests, and uplifts rural women burdened by indoor pollution and fuel scarcity,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom described human capital development as the foundation of sustainable development.

He assured that the state would continue to invest in the initiative and collaborate closely with the national HCD team.

Plans to domesticate HCD programme in Akwa Ibom 

He also revealed plans to send an Executive Bill to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to domesticate the human capital development programme and ensure its implementation at the local government level.

“We are thrilled that our state was selected as the first for the inauguration of this programme. This reinforces the fact that the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu does not play politics with development, and we deeply appreciate this,” the governor added.

Ms. Rukaiya El-Rufai, the National Coordinator for Human Capital Development in Nigeria and Special Adviser to the President on the National Economic Council (NEC), shared that Nigeria currently ranks 168 out of 174 countries on the HCI.

She emphasized the importance of continuity and long-term planning, noting that Human Capital Development improves the health and well-being of the people by ensuring they receive quality education, effective healthcare, and ultimately achieve their full potential. NAN/Nairametrics