The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • Yusuf doesn’t need Kwankwaso to secure second term – Information commissioner Waiya

    Yusuf doesn’t need Kwankwaso to secure second term – Information commissioner Waiya

    Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, on Monday hit back at claims that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf needs Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to secure a second term.

    Waiya, in a statement, described such assertions as “analytically weak” and “misleading”, arguing that Kano’s politics is not dependent on a single individual.

    The statement highlights Governor Yusuf’s achievements, including prioritising education, restoring public trust, and implementing institutional reforms.

    It also emphasised that Kano’s electorate values performance, trust, and reliability, citing examples like Governor Ibrahim Shekarau’s rise to power in 2003 without godfather backing.

    The statement also noted that Governor Yusuf’s decision to leave the NNPP was due to internal conflicts and crisis, and he believes he will secure a second term and govern more effectively.

    Waiya said, “A famous Hadith from the advisory of Prophet Muhammad, which he gave to Ibn Abbas (RA), emphasised reliance on Allah (Tawakkul) and divine decree.

    “It states that if the entire creation were to gather to help or harm someone, they could only do so with what Allah has already written.”

  • 2027: Let’s be men of honour north is known for, Yakassi tells Atiku, El-Rufai

    2027: Let’s be men of honour north is known for, Yakassi tells Atiku, El-Rufai

    Dr. Umar Tanko-Yakasai, Director General of the Tinubu Support Group (TSG), has called on northern political leaders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai, to uphold integrity by supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027.

    The advice came on Monday in Abuja after Yakassai received a N200 million dummy cheque from the Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum (NNYLF) to fund the purchase of Tinubu’s nomination and expression of interest forms for the upcoming elections.

    Commending the northern youths for their initiative, Yakassai urged political leaders from the region to emulate their example by prioritising national unity, fairness, and justice over personal ambitions.

    He stressed that the North should allow President Tinubu to complete his full two-term tenure, drawing parallels with the uninterrupted eight-year presidency of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “For us in northern Nigeria, we are men of our word,” Yakassai said. “Northern politicians seeking the presidency in 2027 should not place selfish interests above justice, fairness, and equity. The presidency should remain in southern Nigeria for the full eight-year term, as promised.”

    He added that his advocacy aligns with a consistent ideological stance, recalling his support for justice during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

    Yakassai concluded by emphasising that northern leaders must defend their credibility and moral responsibility, insisting they stand for justice and progress for all Nigerians, including President Tinubu.

    He said, “If Atiku wants to contest, he should, but he is being selfish. If El-Rufai wants to contest, he is selfish. There is no justification to say that the presidency should not remain in southern Nigeria for 8 uninterrupted years.

    “When my region was asking for 8 years, during the Goodluck Jonathan administration, I joined in saying justice must be served. If I were in the front for justice for my people, I should also be in the front for justice to be served for all Nigerians, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “All of us from northern Nigeria, nobody should blackmail us. Nobody should intimidate us. Nobody should attempt to undermine our credibility and moral rights. We are for justice and progress.”

  • Between Trump’s genocide claim and The New York Times’ Onitsha trader narrative

    Between Trump’s genocide claim and The New York Times’ Onitsha trader narrative

    • By Yushau A. Shuaib

    Public debate in Nigeria is increasingly shaped not just by facts but also by emotion, identity, and organised outrage. My recent short Facebook post reacting to The New York Times (NYT) report on an Onitsha-based trader and activist triggered an avalanche of hostile responses — many from individuals identifying as Igbo and largely sympathetic to IPOB and the quest for Biafra.

    What shocked me was not disagreement; that is part of democratic discourse. It was the coordinated pattern of abuse, libellous language, and unrelated propaganda, even after I deleted some of the very offensive posts of online cabals. A closer look revealed what I often call social media warriors from digital pressure groups — mobilised from coordinated platforms, less interested in dialogue than in silencing alternative views.

    Surprisingly, my harmless Facebook post that sparked the anger was a simple paragraph, which reads: “They attacked us for calling out the reckless claim of ‘Christian genocide’ that painted all Muslims as guilty. Now they insist that The New York Times report on the Onitsha trader who urged an American strike on the Sokoto Caliphate is an editorial attack on Igbos. Haba! So they finally get the point.”

    The inciting and provocative reactions to the post underscore a deeper national tension about narrative ownership.

    When U.S. President Donald Trump raised the inflammatory claim of “Christian persecution” and “genocide” in Nigeria, many Nigerians — Muslims and Christians alike — rejected that sweeping characterisation. The Nigerian government rejected it. Distinguished Christian voices such as Bishop Matthew Kukah warned against framing Nigeria’s complex insecurity through a purely religious lens.

    Yet some local actors from particular sections of the country, based on their ethno-religious agitations, amplified Trump’s claim, using it to cast suspicion and aspersion on Nigerian Muslims collectively, as if millions were complicit in terrorism. That dangerous generalisation, strangely, was also applauded in some quarters.

    During that debate, I wrote “Genocide Claim: President Trump, Ribadu’s Team and the Saudi Prince,” arguing that Trump’s claim was politically motivated, selective, and detached from Nigeria’s security realities. That article, too, drew coordinated attacks. The goal appeared clear: intimidate dissent. Unfortunately for the attackers, I can’t be intimidated but laugh at their folly.

    Trump’s foreign policy record — including his warm relations with Saudi Arabia — suggests strategic and financial calculations rather than religious solidarity. Nigeria’s insecurity, while grave, stems from criminality, weak governance, and socio-economic pressures, not a state-driven religious extermination.

    Now the debate has shifted following The New York Times report, which referenced Emeka Umeagbalasi, head of the Onitsha-based NGO Intersociety, whose claims about Christian killings reportedly influenced U.S. political conversations.

    Curiously, rather than engaging with the substance of the report through a reasoned rejoinder, much of the anger on social media was directed at Taiwo Aina, the New York Times photographer credited under one of the images. She became the target of sustained online attacks because of her Yoruba name from many users who identified as Igbo.

    What made their reaction even more troubling was that other journalists involved in the report — Saikoh Jammeh, Dionne Searcey, Ismail Auwal, and David Chidi Eleke — whose names were clearly listed, faced no comparable backlash. The selective outrage, especially against a female photojournalist whose role is largely technical and visual, says more about the emotional climate of the debate than about the report itself.

    Before the NYT report, the BBC Global Disinformation Unit had investigated Intersociety’s figures and found them unverified and inflated. Despite the lack of verifiable data, such claims fed into U.S. conservative political narratives and Trump’s rhetoric. Independent conflict trackers such as ACLED consistently show that violence in Nigeria affects multiple communities, not Christians alone.

    Read Also: Trump, Hitler: eerie leadership parallels

    The BBC report noted that Intersociety’s narratives are shaped by southeastern political grievances and often align with IPOB-linked activism. PRNigeria’s earlier independent analysis similarly observed Intersociety’s shift from governance advocacy to persecution-focused messaging. That BBC investigation — authored by Olaronke Alo, Chiamaka Enendu, and Ijeoma Ndukwe — also attracted fierce backlash.

    The pattern is troubling. When international actors portray Nigeria through a narrow religious-genocide frame, local extremists feel validated. But when global media question the credibility of those claims, it is suddenly labelled ethnic profiling. You cannot condemn collective labelling only when it affects you.

    Even more disturbing is the symbolism emerging online: viral videos of groups dressed in white garments, flanked by U.S. and Israeli flags, calling on Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “rescue” them from Nigeria. Such appeals reflect deep frustration — but also dangerous faith in foreign intervention. History shows external powers act primarily in their own interests.

    Nigeria’s unity debate is valid, and reforms like restructuring and federalism deserve serious discussion. But misinformation, hate narratives, and appeals to foreign powers will not bring justice — they only deepen mistrust.

    We must ask: Who benefits from calling Nigeria a religious genocide zone? Who gains when neighbours become enemies? Who profits when foreign powers exploit our crisis? Our insecurity is real, but it demands facts, responsible leadership, and national cohesion — not propaganda and sickening fake news by enemies of our unity.

  • Kurmin Wali: Victims recall ordeal, commend Uba Sani’s visit

    Kurmin Wali: Victims recall ordeal, commend Uba Sani’s visit

    Governor Uba Sani has been commended for vissting Kurmin Wali village to commiserate with the people over the abduction that occurred last Sunday.

    Victims, who escaped the kidnapping, recounted their ordeal on Friday, but reaffirmed their confidence in the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, for his visit and providing them with medical attention and psychosocial counselling.

    Speaking to newsmen, Mr. Joseph Kurmin Wali recalled that the attackers invaded the community on Sunday morning while residents were gathered for worship.

     The escapee further explained that the assailants ordered worshippers to lie face down before forcing them to a nearby bush, adding that he managed to escape during the ensuing confusion.

    Mr. Joseph, however, commended Governor Uba Sani for personally visiting Kurmin Wali, a community in Kajuru local government, to sympathise with the victims and assess the situation, describing him as a compassionate and people-centred leader.

    He offered prayers for the Governor’s continued leadership and expressed confidence in his commitment to the security and well-being of the people of Kaduna State. 

    Also speaking at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Mr Bernard Bauna, a resident of Kurmin Wali, described Governor Uba Sani as a compassionate leader who went to the remote village to get first-hand information on what happened and to commiserate with the people.

    He recalled that the Governor promised the community a military command, in collaboration with the relevant authorities, a road that would link the community to the highway, and a Primary Healthcare Centre.

    While praying to God to grant the Governor his heart’s desires, Mr Bauna said that the community will support him to stay in office for ten years, if it were possible to do so.

    He also thanked the chairman of Kajuru local government, Mr Dauda Madaki, the member representing Chikun/Kajuru in the House of Representatives, Fidelix Joseph Bagudu, and Hon Usman Danlami Stingo, the representative of Kajuru State constituency, for their support. 

    The Chief Medical Director of Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Prof AbdulKadir Musa Tabari, disclosed that the 11 victims of the attack are in stable condition, adding that they have been distributed to various specialists for further treatment and management.

    The CMD promised that the victims will be given maximum care and attention by health workers, adding that ‘’they will leave the hospital smiling.’’

  • BAVCCA urges Fed govt to end verified payments to local contractors

    BAVCCA urges Fed govt to end verified payments to local contractors

    The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association in Nigeria (BAVCCA) has called on the Federal Government to conclude outstanding verified payments to local contractors.

    On Thursday, the government announced the payment of ₦152 billion to contractors for duly verified projects, following protests that disrupted activities at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja.

    The press conference followed a protest by indigenous contractors on Monday, January 19, at the Ministry of Finance, during which access to the premises was blocked and official activities disrupted.

    Addressing a press conference yesterday, National Secretary of BAVCCA, Tabuko Kennedy, urged contractors to embrace dialogue to ensure the remaining balance is paid.

    The organisation also appealed to the media to report responsibly.

    Kennedy, who spoke on behalf of the group, said the payment was confirmed by the Ministry of Finance, stressing that contract payments follow “multiple verification and approval stages” in line with existing financial regulations.

    Kennedy said: “At the outset, BAVCCA aligns with the official position of the Federal Ministry of Finance, which confirmed today that ₦152 billion was paid yesterday to contractors for duly verified contracts.”

  • Southern Kaduna commends Tinubu, Uba Sani over efforts to tackle insecurity

    Southern Kaduna commends Tinubu, Uba Sani over efforts to tackle insecurity

    The Southern Kaduna People have commended President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for what they described as sustained efforts to mitigate insecurity in the state and across the country.

    The commendation was contained in a press conference addressed on Thursday in Kaduna by the National President of the group, Engr. Tabara Samuel Kato, following recent bandit attacks in parts of the state.

    Kato specifically applauded Governor Uba Sani for visiting the Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area, which was attacked by bandits on January 18, describing the visit as historic and reassuring to the people.

    According to him, Governor Sani is the first sitting governor to visit the community, noting that the governor immediately directed the Commissioner for Works to address the poor state of the access road and promised the provision of a hospital, enhanced security presence and other critical infrastructure.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Makinde meets Tinubu in Villa

    The group also commended President Tinubu and Governor Sani for what it described as their “untiring and concerted efforts” in deploying security mechanisms to protect lives and property since assuming office, while acknowledging that some challenges remain inevitable.

    While expressing appreciation, the Southern Kaduna People urged both the federal and state governments to intensify efforts toward securing the release of kidnapped victims and to carry out a comprehensive crackdown on armed bandits and kidnappers operating in Kaduna State and other parts of the country.

    Kato further praised President Tinubu for ongoing developmental initiatives nationwide, with particular commendation for the recent appointment of retired General Christopher Gwabin Musa as Minister of Defence.

    He noted that Nigerians from different backgrounds are increasingly calling for the consideration of Gen. Musa as a potential presidential running mate to President Tinubu, a move he said the Southern Kaduna People appreciate and support.

    The group reaffirmed its resolve to continue supporting President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in all their efforts, stressing its commitment to peace, security, and development in Southern Kaduna and Nigeria at large.

  • 2026: Zamfara education guzzles billions

    2026: Zamfara education guzzles billions

    Education in Zamfara is one of the leading sectors attracting serious attention from Governor Dauda Lawal administration. For the 2026 fiscal year, the sector is prepared to receive over a hundred billion naira investments from the state government— in areas of infrastructure and capital projects, capacity building of teachers, furniture and instructional facilities acquisition, among others.

    1. Allocation to Administrative Unit
    2. Ministry of Education, Science and Technology — N47.39 billion
    3. Senior Secondary Schools Management Board— N4.38 billion
    4. Teachers Service Board — ₦3.72 billion
    5. Scholarship Board — ₦3.19 billion
    6. Arabic and Islamic Education Board — N1.60 billion
    7. Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata Mafara — N1.13 billion
    8. Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara — N1.07 billion
    9. College of Education, Maru—N886 million
    10. Zamfara College of Arts and Science (ZACAS), Gusau -N741 million
    11. State Universal Basic Education Board —N631 million
    12. Agency for mass education board —N310 million
    13. Agency for nomadic education — N146 million
    14. Quality assurance authority — N124 million
    15. Library Board — N49 million
    16. Rehabilitation and renovation projects
    17. Remodelling of Bafarawa Institute, Shinkafi –N1.5 billion
    18. Rehabilitation of GGSS Tsafe, Science Gusau, Science Bakura, Science Bukkuyum, Agwaragi T/Mafara, GSS B/Magaji, GDSS Yanbuki and GSS Kaura – N1 billion
    19. Rehabilitation of all secondary school structures across the state – N500 million
    20. ZSUBEB: Renovation of primary schools in Rugar Kaya Bela, Sankalawa, Gulubba, and Tofa – N400 million
    21. ZSUBEB: Renovation of Smart Primary School, Gusau – N320 million
    22. Renovation of 3 zonal nomadic primary schools – N150 million
    23. Acquisition of furniture, equipment, and ICT
    24. Purchase of school furniture for senior secondary schools across the state – N1 billion
    25. ZSUBEB: Purchase of furniture for primary and junior secondary schools – N600 million
    26. Procurement of vocational skills materials for 3 entrepreneur schools – N200 million
    27. Procurement of equipment for Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata Mafara, to meet accreditation requirements – N150 million
    28. Purchase of laboratory/workshop equipment for four institutions – N100 million
    29. Supply of V-sat, projectors, cameras, photocopiers, printers, computers, etc to quarters, offices – N100 million
    30. Purchase of 86 numbers of TAP A tablets – N30 million
    31. Education management, quality assurance, and systems
    32. IsDB SmartEd Supported Projects in areas of infrastructure, learning materials and access to quality education – N2 billion
    33. Construction of office buildings for the Education Quality Assurance Agency – N200 million
    34. Upgrading of Education Management Information System (EMIS) – N100 million
    35. Purchase of 3 Nos photocopy machines and projectors – N20 million
    36. Education infrastructure development
    37. Construction of additional structures at Zamfara State University, Talata Mafara – ₦2 billion
    38. ZSUBEB: Establishment of mega primary schools—one in each of the four educational zones in the state – ₦500 million
    39. Construction of additional structures at COE, Maru – N400 million
    40. Construction of additional structures at ZACAS – ₦300 million
    41. Construction of 7km road at Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, Talata Mafara – N200 million
    42. Construction of labs/workshops for senior secondary schools – N200 million
    43. Girl child, inclusive, and social support programmes
    44. Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) – ₦150 million
    45. Matching grant to Early Child Care Development (ECCD), a UNICEF-supported programme – ₦300 million

    Read Also: Zamfara sets up panel for Anka airstrip project

    1. State contribution to the AT RISK CHILDREN PROJECT (ARC-P) – starter packs – ₦300 million
    2. Purchase of inclusive learning materials, eg hearing aids, projectors, screens, etc – N150 million
    3. Learning materials and instructional resources
    4. Supply of instructional materials to primary schools across the state –N1 billion
    5. ZSUBEB and UNICEF (SILSA) project for student entrepreneurship – N1 billion
    6. Purchase of Nos 7,113 subject textbooks for secondary schools in the state – N500 million
    7. Procurement of basic education materials for 14 LGAs – N200 million
    8. Procurement of equipment for science and technical – N200 million
    9. Teacher capacity building, special interventions
    10. Emergency Response Fund on Education – ₦20 billion
    11. Teacher Professional Development Funds – ₦400 million
    12. A 5-day training of 50 food nutrition teachers and 100 food vendors – N40 million
    13. Purchase of 20 numbers of Boxer motorcycles for nomadic education – N30 million
    14. Training of agriculture science teachers on school farms and gardens/orchards –N30 million
    15. Health, nutrition, and welfare in schools
    16. Reactivation of 15 existing schools’ gardens, creation of 15 new ones in four educational zones – ₦150 million
    17. Purchase of kitchen utensils for senior and junior secondary schools – ₦150 million
    18. State government contribution to Primary Pupils National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) – N100 million
  • APC e-registration: Benue flying the broom to success

    APC e-registration: Benue flying the broom to success

    By Bridget Tikyaa

    Political party membership registration is a key step to ensuring a vibrant democracy, because it is the key to having one’s voice heard in shaping party’s direction, participation in primaries and selection of candidates who’ll represent one’s interests, and an opportunity to influence policies and ideology, participate actively in party activities, meetings, and even leadership. A card carrying member of a political party often get access to party funding, training, and other resources, an opportunity to click with like-minded people and potential allies, contribute to shaping the party’s stance on key issues, and build a political career.

    For young people, party membership can be a game-changer, because it will connect them with experienced politicians and professionals who can guide them, get involved in youth wings, campaigns, and other party activities and invariably build connections and experience that can lead to roles in government, politics, or public service. It is also a fundamental route to community engagement, understanding issues, and making a difference and name, thus building a political structure and asset.

    Since the commencement of the nationwide e-registration of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), millions have registered in less than a week of the exercise.

    In Benue State, the state Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia led the line up of millions of old and new supporters of the APC in obtaining his membership card.

    READ ALSO: Tax reform: Lessons for national health financing

    At the flag-off of the e-registration on Monday, January 12, 2026, the governor said it is a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening the party’s structure and demonstrating its numerical strength.

    The flag-off ceremony took place at the RCM Primary School, Ihugh, the headquarters of Mbadede Council Ward in Vandeikya Local Government Area, where the governor urged all APC members to return to their wards and register, noting that the process was simple, fast, and would take only a few minutes.

    To ensure that no party supporter is left out, Governor Alia has directed party officials and elected local officials across the 23 local government areas of the state to mobilize party members to participate in the exercise. The Local Government Areas with the highest number of registered APC members are taking home a surprise package.

    The has a clear message to all party supporters. “In 2023, you demonstrated to the entire world that Benue is APC. You demonstrated through the ballots that you love me and Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We have both remained faithful to the promises set out in our policy blueprints. I therefore urge you to come out and use this opportunity to once again demonstrate that you are ready to vote for consolidation. My administration will give priority attention to the most registered areas because this is an APC administration.”

    He therefore tasked all council chairmen and party chairmen at the Local Governments in the state to give the registration agents all the needed support and to mobilize the people to participate in the exercise.

    For APC Benue’s number 001, “This is the beginning of another level of progression of the All Progressives Congress. It is something that has not happened with any political party in Nigeria.” It is an apt bragging right. Because the e-registration would help the party accurately determine its strength at the ward, local government, and state levels.

    Unlike the 2023 voter registration, the APC e-registration is designed to clearly showcase party membership, seriousness, and direction. That’s why the party leadership took time to train the registration personnel before deploying them across the state. “I want the whole Nigeria and the world to know that when we say Benue State is APC, we are ready to demonstrate it by action, backed by facts and reality on the ground.”

    The Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Berger Alfred Emberga,  described the flag off as a critical step towards deepening internal democracy within the APC, stressing that a robust, accurate, and verifiable membership database would strengthen governance, enhance party cohesion, and boost grassroots mobilisation.

    “This e-registration exercise is fundamental to the future of our party. I urge my colleagues in the Benue State House of Assembly, party leaders, and members across the state to participate actively and mobilise their constituents to ensure a successful and credible exercise,” Hon. Emberga said.

    While urging the people of Benue State to remain steadfast in their support for the Alia administration, the Honourable Speaker also encouraged APC members and supporters to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). He stressed that widespread PVC ownership is essential to enable party members to vote for Governor Alia and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

    Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the APC e-registration, Hon. James Ornguga, alongside the State Chairman of the party, Chief Dr. Ben Omale emphasised the importance of accurate data capturing. They noted that the exercise would reposition the party for improved organisation, accountability, and electoral success.

    They applauded Governor Alia for funding and supporting the e-registration exercise, describing the gesture as a clear demonstration of the governor’s commitment to building a strong, inclusive, and data-driven party structure.

    Orgunga particularly called on local government chairmen, party executives, Stakeholders and political gladiators to give full support to registration agents and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure the smooth and hitch-free conduct of the exercise across all wards of the state.

    The State Coordinator of the APC e-Registration, who is also the State Organizing Secretary of the party, explained that the registration process is straightforward, requiring only voters card and a National Identity Card.

    Omale, on the other hand, has nothing but commendation for President Bola Tinubu and the National Chairman of the party for the initiative. He thanked Governor Alia for sponsoring the exercise in the state, urging all APC faithful in Benue to embrace the e-registration, so as to formally confirm their membership.

    Already, the e-registration has gathered momentum, recording huge turnout which necessitates the training of additional registration agents. The quick intervention in the 276 wards will address the early challenges  linked to manpower and logistics, speed up the ongoing e-registration exercise, and avoid delays that could discourage interested members. The additional agents are to support those already deployed, ensuring wider coverage and smoother registration for prospective members.

    The APC State Caretaker Chairman, Chief Benjamin Omale, said the  electronic registration is critical to building a credible and verifiable membership register that reflects the true strength of the party while the e-registration coordinator, Hon. James Ornguga, said the supplementary training is a booster session designed to equip the new agents with the technical skills required to handle the digital platform and take the registration exercise closer to the grassroots.

    “Our aim is to make the process inclusive and efficient. With more agents at the ward level, people will be able to register without unnecessary delays,” he said.

    • Tikyaa PSA Media,Publicity and Communications Strategy

  • Benue Government, World Bank and the new empowerment initiative for women

    Benue Government, World Bank and the new empowerment initiative for women

    By Bridget Tikyaa

    Benue State Government just last week engaged with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and a World Bank team to activate the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU) in the state. This is a World Bank-backed initiative aimed at empowering women economically across Nigeria.

    With a $500 million funding, the project targets over 4 million women in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, focusing on financial inclusion, livelihood support, and social protection.

    Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, who has always prioritised issues of women empowerment since coming into office, has therefore given a nod for the Nigeria for Women Program Scale-Up Project (NFWP-SU) to roll in the state. The governor’s support for women is a deep-rooted initiative anchored on the belief in their capacity to transform society.

    For Benue State, which has approximately 3,329,000 women, about 50.3% of the total population, leveraging the opportunity offered by the NFWP-SU is not only rational but necessary to raise their economic status, given the fact that the programme seeks to increase access to financial services for women, provide training and resources for income-generating activities, and offer support for vulnerable women and communities.

    During the engagement with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare in Makurdi on January 13, 2026, the discussions focused on improving women’s livelihoods, expanding economic opportunities, and promoting inclusive development across selected local government areas in the state.

    READ ALSO; Arewa, this has to stop

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Theresa Odachi Ikwue, described the engagement as timely and strategic, as the the programme aligns with the development agenda of Governor Alia which prioritises human capital development and grassroots economic empowerment.

    The women empowerment programme will kick start in Vandeikya, Okpokwu, and Gwer East Local Government Areas, and according to the the ministry, women aged 18 to 70 years are eligible to benefit, but must have valid National Identification Number (NIN).

    With this, it has become imperative for families and community leaders to support women in communities, whether mothers, wives, sisters or elderly relatives, to obtain their NIN, in order to fully participate in the programme and access its economic and social benefits.

    Mr. Afolabi Olajide of the Federal Project Coordinating Unit said the Nigeria for Women Project seeks to institutionalise Women’s Affinity Groups to support income generation and community development, while

    Mr. Yusuf Abdullahi, Monitoring and Evaluation Anchor, said Benue State is participating in the second phase of the project, with technical support from Abuja and the recruitment of qualified civil servants from the selected local government areas.

    The Co-Task Team Leader of the NFWP-SU, Mrs. Yetunde Fatogun said the programme is designed to address gender inequality and improve women’s economic participation while adhering to World Bank recruitment and quality standards.

    As the programme gets set to roll, the next phase would involve advocacy visits to the leadership of Vandeikya, Okpokwu, and Gwer East Local Government Areas.

    This is no doubt a big intervention programme that will further deepen the state government’s unwavering commitment to women, especially those struggling to meet their basic needs, those displaced by conflicts, urity_: Conflict and displacement have disrupted economic activities, and women facing barriers to education, healthcare, and economic empowerment

    Governor Alia has initiated several programmes to empower women in Benue State, including the Project 774 Explode, an initiative that provides financial assistance, skills acquisition training, and mentorship to women. Over 5,000 women benefited from the programme across the 23 local government areas of Benue State.

    There is also the No Woman, No Nation, and Alia Cares programmes initiated to uplift 6,000 women from poverty and promote gender equality.

    The government also offers grants and soft loans to women through their cooperative groups to kick-start trade, agriculture, petty businesses, and other ventures.

    The Alia administration also provided skills acquisition training for women in various fields like fashion design, catering, ICT, welding, carpentry, and solar energy installation. The statement government has also facilitated loans from the Bank of Agriculture Grants for over 27,600 women to support their economic empowerment initiatives.

    These initiatives demonstrate Governor Alia’s commitment to empowering women in Benue State. These programs have improved the lives of many women in the state, enabling them to become self-reliant and contribute to the state’s economic growth. The governor’s commitment to empowering women has been praised by various stakeholders, including the National Association of Women Journalists.

    • Tikyaa PSA Media, Publicity and Communications Strategy

  • Ex-Rep Gebi responds to financial allegations

    Ex-Rep Gebi responds to financial allegations

    Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Gebi, has reacted to a recent press release by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the court proceedings before Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie.

    Affirming his respect for the commission’s mandate and the sanctity of the judicial process, Gebi contends that it is necessary to provide essential context to the facts presented in court to ensure the public is not misled.

    In a statement, he said the matter arose from a legitimate “friendly loan” intended for a business venture, which did not yield the expected results within the anticipated time frame. At no point was there an “intent to defraud,” Gebi stressed.

    Emphasising he never denied the debt, the former lawmaker explained that even before the issue was taken to the EFCC, and throughout the duration of the case, he had remained consistent in making payments.

    READ ALSO: Tax reform: Lessons for national health financing

    “As the prosecution witness admitted in court, payments were made in installments, including N20 million, N34 million, and N12 million, demonstrating my unwavering commitment to settling the obligation despite my financial setbacks,” he noted.

    Concerning the cheques mentioned in the testimony, Gebi clarified that they were not to be presented for payment without his prior clearance, as they were intended as a form of security/guarantee while he worked to recoup the business losses.

    “Their presentation to the bank, which subsequently led to them being dishonored, was done without my consent and served only to criminalize a civil delay,” the statement reads.

    Confirming the completion of all outstanding payments, Gebi said he had fulfilled his financial obligations to the complainant, apologized to the loanee, Hajiya Aishatu Dahiru, for the delay, and thanked her for her magnanimity.

    “I remain a law-abiding citizen with the utmost respect for the laws of Nigeria. I have cooperated fully with the legal system for over a decade regarding this matter and will continue to do so until the formal conclusion of the case.

    “While the presentation of these facts in court may seem intended to portray me in a negative light, I take this experience in good faith as a lesson in business and personal responsibility,” Gebi added.