From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

Saddened by the spate of indiscriminate killing of people in Benue State by suspected Fulani Herdsmen, the Cross River State House of Assembly has called on the Federal Government to rise up to the occasion and protect the lives and property of the citizens.The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, condemned the killings in strong terms while talking to journalists in the Assembly Complex in Calabar.

The Speaker lamented that, in recent times several villages in Benue State have been attacked leaving many dead or wounded adding that the recent incident in Yalewata village where over 200 people were massacred was totally condemnable.He opined that the proposed introduction of State Police across the country may bring a lasting solution to the lingering security challenges plaging the country at present as it will enable individual states to provide adequate security for its citizens.”As Speaker of the 10th Assembly, l strongly proposes the establishment of State Police. If the need arises, the 10th Assembly will support it.” He said.Ayambem further sued for the amendment of the Mining Law which, according to him, has contributed to the influx undocumented persons into communities claiming to have licenses from the national. He stressed that these illegal miners often disagree with members of the host communities thereby posing a security threat in those communities.He also called for a comprehensive investigation into the unfortunate incident at Yelewata village while also urging for renewed efforts to end the bloodletting and insecurity across the country.The lawmakers had earlier, during plenary, observed a minute of silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the Benue attacks.

From Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU) has pledged to support initiatives of preventing violence in the university community and the State in general.The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Fatimah Tahir made the pledge during a two-day workshop on “Re-understanding Violence Prevention through A Health Lense” organized by Forward Action for Conservation of Indigenous Species (FACIS) in collaboration with SAZU and other partners.

Tahir, who was represented by Musa Adamu Wunti, commended FACIS for organizing the workshop and bringing it to SAZU. Tahir expressed the university’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote peace and stability in the community, stating that such efforts are essential for the development and progress of the state.She said that the workshop is designed to empower students with knowledge and skills on violence prevention, also a significant step towards promoting peace and stability in the community.She called on students to pay close attention during the workshop and assured them that they would have a sense of belonging in the crusade against violence.The vice Chancellor of the institution, Fatima Tahir expressed her appreciation to FACIS for their efforts and expressed optimism that the workshop would empower students to become part of the crusade against violence, assuring that SAZU is committed to collaborating with FACIS to prevent violence and promote peace in the community.The Senior Technical Advisor of FACIS, Salisu Ibrahim explained that the organization is viewing violence prevention from a health perspective.He said this approach is a product of research and development, and SAZU was chosen for the workshop due to the existence of active student clubs, including the Students Environmental Conservation Club and the Peace Volunteer Club.He further said that the workshop is a significant step towards promoting peace and preventing violence in Bauchi State. SAZU’s commitment to supporting such initiatives is a welcome development, and it is expected that the university’s efforts will contribute to creating a more peaceful and stable society.Salisu Ibrahim said working together with the Bauchi State Sa’adu Zungur University and the Forward Action for Conservation of Indigenous Species (FACIS) can make a positive impact in the community and promote a culture of peace and non-violence.

From Anjorin Adeloye, Ibadan

A South-West Chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party( NNPP) Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo has said that nobody can turn Nigeria to a one party State because according to him, Nigerians are too wise, too sophisticated to belong to only one party.

Ajadi made this known while speaking with Journalists in Ibadan yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on the Ibadan strong and grassroot politician, Alhaji Adebisi Olopoeeyan. He said if President Bola Tinubu refused to change the current narrative to favour the people, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will receive shock during the next election in 2027 from the opposition.”It is not possible to have a one party system in Nigeria. A single person cannot change the country’s party system. We are a multi-party State. I am very sure that by the next election something will happen except President Bola Tinubu change the narrative positively to favour the masses”.Ajadi said he decided to pay a courtesy call on Alhaji Olopoeeyan because he (Olopoeeyan) is his political leader and fatherSpeaking on the visit, Ajadi said Alhaji Olopoeeyan has been calling on him to visit him in Ibadan saying he heed to that call on Tuesday.Speaking on the visit, Ajadi said, “I am surprised today that the whole discussion has been centred on a call on me to shift my politics to Oyo State. I am an Ibadan Indigene. My father is a known figure in Oja Igbo in Ibadan North East Local Government.”Alhaji Olopoeeyan admonished me to come to Ibadan, my home town to practice politics. He said though my Mum is from Ilaro in Ogun State, I should come to my state of origin to practice politics.”You may want to ask how I feel about that. To me it didn’t make any difference, politics is about serving the people and I have an interest in turning the son of nobody to somebody. I love to serve the masses.”Politics is about serving the people. When you have the passion to serve, anywhere you are, you are good to go. We have a lot to do and we keep doing our best for the people.”Also speaking Olopoeeyan, who is a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said that he dragged the former governorship candidate of the party in Ogun State, Ambassador Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, to Oyo State politics so that he can contribute to the development of his father’s land, Ibadan and his state of origin, Oyo. Olopoeeyan said though he has returned to the PDP but will soon officially announce his return to the party in a funfair, adding that he wouldn’t know if his nephew, Ajadi would join his new party.“But I think he has done enough politically and in terms of empowerment for the people on the side of his mother’s origin in Ogun.“I believe he will follow me to wherever I am going. He has been a good sibling, a loyal party man in NNPP. We hardly disagree. I believe he will continue to go where I ask him to go politically.“But he is an accomplished person in his own right; I can’t force my opinion on him. He will make his decision. But I said he has to come to Ibadan to help in building his father’s state too, after contributing to the development of Ogun where his mother hailed from.“We are politicians, and I am not unmindful of the need for him to identify with his roots. He has been involved in many philanthropic activities in Yewaland and Ogun State in general. Let him help Ibadanland too. He is from Oja’gbo in Ibadan. We need him. He will tell me his decision,”.