By Elijah Oguche, Abuja

Benue state Governor, Hyacinth Alia has said his administration remains undeterred, focused, and deeply committed to the service of the people in the state.

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by Alia’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula in Makurdi.

The governor said that in spite of recent political narratives aimed at causing disruption, he remains steadfast in his resolve to put the people of Benue first.

”This administration has recorded progress in reviving abandoned schools and industries, supporting farmers, improving healthcare services and investing in critical infrastructure.

”We acknowledge the security challenges confronting the state”, he said, describing them as part of broader national issues requiring coordinated efforts.

He said his administration was working closely with the Federal Government, security agencies, community leaders and neighbouring states to strengthen security and restore peace in affected communities.

Alia urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and support lawful security operations by providing credible information to relevant authorities.

The governor said he is as committed to accountability, transparency and service delivery, insisting that political distractions would not derail efforts to improve the lives of Benue people.

Alis also maintained that the administration would continue to prioritise security, job creation, improved healthcare, agricultural development and other initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of residents.

The governor expressed confidence that the people would assess his administration based on its performance and tangible results rather than political rhetoric.

Alake Endorses Adebutu Ahead Ogun 2027 Governorship Bid

The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, have publicly endorsed the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, ahead of the 2027 Ogun governorship election.

The endorsement came when Adebutu and members of his campaign team paid a visit to the Egba Traditional Council to seek the blessings of the royal fathers for his governorship ambition.

Speaking during the meeting, Oba Gbadebo in the company of the Egba Traditional Council, described the Adebutu family as one with a longstanding legacy of generosity and commitment to the development of Egbaland.

He recalled the contributions of the PDP candidate’s father, Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu, narrating how members of an Egba association had struggled to acquire a permanent secretariat in Lagos after identifying a building opposite the City Hall for purchase.

According to him, while members were making financial contributions towards acquiring the property, Chief Adebutu asked them to keep their money and personally paid for the building.

Oba Gbadebo thereafter offered prayers for the PDP candidate and publicly endorsed his governorship ambition before members of the Egba Traditional Council.

“Eventually, we found a building opposite the City Hall in Lagos and negotiated to purchase it. As members began contributing towards the cost, Baba Adebutu stood up and told us to keep the money we had contributed.

“He single-handedly paid for the building. He is the father of Oladipupo Adebutu. This step you have taken, by the grace of God, you will never regret.

“Whoever says there will be no way for you, you will eat their funeral akara.

“Once again, I warmly welcome you, and I pray that you will never regret embarking on this journey,”the monarch said.

In his response, Adebutu appreciated the royal fathers for their endorsement and prayers, assuring them that, if elected in 2027, his administration would strengthen grassroots governance by granting full financial autonomy to local governments.

Adebutu, who was accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolpapo, said financial independence for local government councils would accelerate development at the grassroots and improve service delivery across Ogun State.

The PDP flagbearer also insisted that governments must adopt innovative approaches to infrastructure development instead of relying solely on borrowing.

“You don’t borrow money for infrastructure anymore. I will construct roads that will improve connectivity between Ogun state and Lagos.

“For electricity, we will pursue a strong partnership between the government and the private sector.

“Once we generate adequate electricity, you will see the income of our people increase while the cost of energy comes down,” he said.

Adebutu accused successive administrations of denying local governments the financial independence needed to drive development.

“This is not about political parties. Whether APC or PDP, governors have continued to control local government allocations instead of allowing the councils to function independently.

“That must change because grassroots development begins with empowered local governments,” he said.

He argued that local councils delivered more meaningful development when they had direct access to their allocations and worked closely with traditional institutions.

He further pledged to build an inclusive administration that would prioritise the welfare of the people.

Gombe State Gov, Inuwa Yahaya, on Saturday swore in 23 new commissioners, 13 special advisers, and one permanent secretary, just 10 months to the end of his administration.

Yahaya congratulated the newly inaugurated public officials, urging them to justify their appointments by helping to drive the development and reform agenda of his administration in the state.

The governor said that the expectations from the people were “very high and therefore, there is no time to waste.

Yahaya also tasked the appointees to implement government policies with total precision and deliver good governance directly to the doorsteps of citizens within the remaining period of his government.

According to him, as elections approach, all political appointees must work hard.

He said their achievements in office must serve as potent campaign tools, asserting that his administration spoke through its work and verifiable performance.

“As we steadily approach the twilight of our eight-year tenure in office, we owe it to posterity to leave behind an unshakeable legacy of development, socio-economic transformation, and institutional integrity.

“You have less than a year to make your mark. There is absolutely no time for learning or institutional orientation; you need to hit the ground running immediately,” he urged

Yahaya further reminded all the newly sworn-in officials that their appointments were a sacred public trust bestowed on them by the people.

He, however, cautioned that power, authority, and funds belonging to the government must be used solely for the benefit of the people, and not for the benefit of any single individual or group.

The governor also tasked them to carry out their responsibilities with the fear of God Almighty, unwavering dedication, and absolute integrity.

Yahaya warned against abuse of office in any form, stressing that his administration would not condone indiscipline, corruption, or any act capable of tarnishing the hard-earned image of the government.

“You are not merely the ambassadors of our government; you are the ambassadors and servants of the people of Gombe State,” he affirmed.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu yesterday, unveiled a $3.05 billion package of World Bank-supported programmes designed to accelerate poverty reduction, strengthen community resilience and expand investments in healthcare, education and governance across Nigeria.

The five programmes, launched at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, comprise the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus Additional Financing (NG-CARES AF), Solutions for Internally Displaced Persons and Host Communities (SOLID), and the three Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) initiatives—HOPE-GOV, HOPE-PHC and HOPE-EDU.

Speaking through the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, President Tinubu described the interventions as a coordinated national strategy aimed at ensuring that the gains from ongoing economic reforms translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

“Today, we act on the pledge of protecting the vulnerable, empowering communities and building the human capital that will carry Nigeria forward,” the President said.

He noted that the reforms were already yielding positive outcomes, including stronger economic growth, rising investor confidence, improved foreign reserves and moderating inflation, but stressed that the benefits must be felt in every household.

“Real prosperity means no Nigerian is left behind on our journey to a $1 trillion economy by 2030,” he said.

Tinubu explained that NG-CARES would receive an additional $1.25 billion in World Bank financing to support smallholder farmers, small businesses and vulnerable households, while the $300 million SOLID programme would help internally displaced persons and host communities rebuild livelihoods, infrastructure and essential services.

He added that the $1.5 billion HOPE package would strengthen primary healthcare, improve foundational learning in public schools, support teachers and enhance governance at the grassroots.

“These programmes are not separate efforts; they are one coordinated national strategy for poverty reduction, human capital development and community resilience. Livelihoods, healthcare, education, social protection and support for displaced communities reinforce one another where it matters most—at the grassroots,” he said.

The President said the initiatives would be implemented through a ward-centric approach that aligns the efforts of the federal, state and local governments to improve service delivery and development outcomes across the country.

He also disclosed that the Federal Government’s expanded cash transfer programme had already reached 15 million vulnerable households.

Calling for effective implementation, Tinubu urged all stakeholders to uphold transparency, accountability and prudent financial management.

“We are building a Nigeria where extreme poverty is banished, where every child has access to quality education and healthcare, and where every community can withstand adversity and recover faster and stronger,” he said.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said the programmes represented an integrated response to poverty, vulnerability and the cost-of-living crisis.

According to him, NG-CARES will strengthen resilience and institutions, SOLID will restore dignity and opportunities for displaced persons and host communities, while the HOPE initiatives will build the human capital needed for long-term economic prosperity.

“Together, they form an integrated framework for tackling poverty and vulnerability while creating opportunities for sustainable development. They translate the Renewed Hope Agenda into measurable results that directly improve the lives of poor and vulnerable Nigerians,” Bagudu said.

He stressed that the success of the programmes would depend on strong coordination, accountability and collaboration among the federal, state and local governments, implementing agencies and development partners.

Providing further details, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the $570 million HOPE-PHC programme would improve access to quality primary healthcare for about 40 million Nigerians, particularly women, children and adolescents.

He said the intervention would reduce maternal and under-five mortality, strengthen primary healthcare facilities and improve service delivery through performance-based financing.

Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed that the $562 million HOPE-EDU programme would benefit nearly 30 million pupils, support about 500,000 teachers and strengthen over 65,000 public schools nationwide.

The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Matthew Verghis, said the programmes were designed to cushion the impact of the global cost-of-living crisis while strengthening social protection, expanding economic opportunities and improving human capital outcomes.

He noted that Nigeria’s macroeconomic reforms had created additional fiscal space for social investments but said external support remained necessary to accelerate poverty reduction and protect vulnerable populations.

“The programmes demonstrate that Nigeria’s greatest asset is its people, and the World Bank remains committed to supporting reforms that improve education, healthcare, livelihoods and social protection,” he said.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, said the interventions would help vulnerable Nigerians and displaced communities transition from humanitarian relief to resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

Governors under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, members of the National Assembly, development partners and other stakeholders pledged support for the successful implementation of the programmes.