From Attah Ede Makurdi

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Amina Mohammed, on Friday condemned the incessant conflicts killings in Nigeria, particularly in Benue State, saying that it continue to cause wider pressures felt in very immediate ways, shaping the context in which communities are pursuing peace, recovery and resilience, progress, priorities and potentials.

Dr Mohammed made the remarks when she visited Yelewata and Mega camp Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) in Mbayongo in Guma LGA of the State.

She particularly expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the recent attacks in Benue State, including in Mbalom, in Gwer East Local Government Area, and in Yelwata, and expressed solidarity with all affected communities, including those newly
displaced.

She lamented that at the moment, there is profound global uncertainty, as conflict, climate shocks, economic pressures and displacement are
converging and placing growing strain on communities around the world.

She noted that the war in Iran is a stark reminder of how quickly conflict can escalate, with consequences that reverberate far beyond any one country or region, stating thay UN welcomes the ceasefire as an important step towards deescalation and diplomacy.

According to her, across the region, these intersecting pressures
are testing resilience, deepening vulnerabilities and reinforcing the importance of inclusive development, strong institutions and social
cohesion.

The former Nigeria Minister for Environment observed that in spite of these challenging times, the direction, Benue State Government is setting deserves recognition, noting that the state 2026 Budget of Rural Development,
Livelihood Support and Sustained Growth sends an important signal of commitment to improving lives, expanding opportunity and anchoring development where it matters most.

Said she, “the human toll of insecurity is profound. Itdisrupts lives, weakens livelihoods, erodes trust and undermines the foundations for peace and development.

“What is required is not only a security
response, but a broader commitment to
peacebuilding that starts at the grassroots—strengthening early warning and early response, rebuilding trust across communities, and creating the conditions for reconciliation to take root”.

Dr. Amina stressed that Benue holds enormous potential as Nigeria’s
food basket, which plays a critical role
not only in feeding the country, but in
generating livelihoods, enterprise and broader prosperity.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General acknowledged the efforts being made to pursue durable solutions for displaced families—including through access to agricultural land and opportunities for self-reliance—reflect the kind of joined-up leadership this moment demands.

“This is how the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG are advanced in practice through integrated action that connects humanitarian response to long-term development, restores agency, reduces dependency and leaves no one behind.

“With sustained leadership, stronger partnerships and continued investment in livelihoods and value chains, Benue is well placed to translate its assets into more inclusive and resilient growth.

“The United Nations stands ready to support these efforts in ways that are practical, coordinated and aligned behind State priorities.Insecurity, reconciliation and peacebuilding.

“Justice and accountability are also essential.Without them, peace remains fragile and reconciliation incomplete.
We must also be mindful of the risks that come when complex crises are reduced to narrow or simplified narratives.

“Oversimplified narratives can inflame tensions, strain the social fabric and make the work of peacebuilding and reconciliation even harder.

“This is why responsible leadership, careful language and a commitment to dialogue and social cohesion are so important at this moment.

“Benue’s launch of the BRACE-UP initiative is an important step in bringing unenrolled children into school and protecting every child’s right to education. In communities affected by conflict and displacement, this imperative becomes even greater.

“Children who have already experienced
disruption and loss must not be left further behind, and continued support will be essential to ensure their safe integration into host schools and their access to learning materials and opportunity, She emphasized.

Speaking on the significance of the visit the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, said, “it is about the partnership between the United Nations team led by the Deputy Secretary General and the state government bringing hope, sustainable development to bring change. So we affirm our commitment to support to the state. And we really acknowledge the leadership of the Governor of the state”.

In his remark, Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, noted that as the food basket of the nation, the state stability is directly linked to the stability of Nigeria’s food systems and, indeed, West Africa’s broader supply chains.

According to him, Benue people also at the frontline of complex challenges; farmer–herder conflicts, climate-induced vulnerabilities, and the realities of over 500,000 internally displaced persons across our communities”.

• From Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa

The National Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders (N-CITRE-INC) has suspended the Ijaw National Congress (INC) elections till further notice.

The N-CITRE, after its meeting in Yenagoa deliberated extensively on all issues that led to the impasse in the INC elections, including petitions received.

The group, therefore, unanimously agreed to suspend the conduct of the INC elections and directed the electoral committee to stop all forms of electoral duties.

N-CITRE, which is empowered by the INC constitution to resolve all disputes, has also set up a seven-man Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) to investigate all petitions.

The resolutions read in part ‘’ That the elections into the National Executive Council of the Ijaw National Congress (NE-INC), which were rescheduled for Monday, 13th April, 2026, by the National Electoral Committee, Ijaw National Congress(N-ELECO-INC), have been temporarily suspended until N-CITRE directs further after all pending disputes have been settled. N-CITRE-INC, as the appointing authority for N-ELECO-INC, also holds the constitutional power to resolve all disputes within the Congress

‘’ Consequently, N-ELECO-INC has been directed to stop performing any electoral functions until otherwise subsequently directed by N-CITRE.’’

The N-CITRE has directed the DRC to resolve the lingering dispute and probe all petitions, including the petitions against the n-ELECO- INC.

The DRC is headed by HRM, King Bubaraye Dakolo Agada IV, Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, Chairman of Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, and Chairman of N-CITRE.

Other members are HRM, King Dr. Brig-Gen Bright Ateke Fiboinumama (Rtd), Chief Dr. Silas Eneyo (representing Eastern Zone), Dr. Loveth Ige (representing Central Zone), HRM, Pere Luke Kalanama III, HRM, Dr. Ekiomi Oweigbe John (Gbisa I) representing Western Zone, and Zonal Chairman of N-CITRE.

N-CITRE, which reminded all stakeholders of the principle of honesty that guides the Ijaws, therefore appealed for cooperation to achieve peace.

By David Torough, Abuja

At the 2026 Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) National Conference held at the Federal Polytechnic Bida, Professor Jonathan Atsua Ikughur delivered a compelling call for developing countries to embrace the digital economy and strengthen governance systems as essential drivers of inclusive and sustainable growth.

Presenting his lead paper, the statistician from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, reflected on the rapid transformation brought about by technological advancement, contrasting today’s digital ease with a past marked by inefficiencies—long banking queues, unreliable telecommunications, and risky cash-based trade journeys.

According to him, these historical constraints imposed heavy economic and social costs that digital innovation now has the capacity to eliminate.

Ikughur argued that while change is inevitable, developing countries like Nigeria have yet to fully harness the transformative power of digitalization due to weak institutional frameworks and inconsistent development planning.

He emphasized that development must go beyond economic growth to include equitable distribution of resources, improved living standards, and social well-being.

Citing global perspectives, the professor described development as a multidimensional process encompassing economic, social, cultural, and political progress.

He warned that without deliberate policies and long-term planning, countries risk remaining trapped in cycles of poverty, inequality and stagnation.

Highlighting Nigeria’s development indicators, Ikughur painted a sobering picture: high poverty rates, unemployment, population pressure, and weak institutional capacity continue to hinder progress.

He noted that despite abundant natural resources, poor governance, corruption, and lack of economic diversification have limited the country’s growth potential.

The paper identified key characteristics of many developing nations, including weak judicial systems, lack of transparency, inadequate infrastructure, and low investment in human capital and innovation.

These challenges, he said, are compounded by poor policy implementation and overreliance on borrowing.

Ikughur stressed that sustainable development requires a balanced approach that integrates economic growth, environmental protection, and social inclusion.

He pointed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a global framework guiding nations toward poverty reduction, improved health and education, climate action, and inclusive economic participation.

According to him, digital technologies can play a pivotal role in achieving these goals by improving service delivery, enhancing transparency, and fostering innovation.

He however, warned that without good governance, characterized by accountability, strong institutions, and anti-corruption measures, the benefits of digital transformation may not be fully realized.

He urged policymakers, academics and stakeholders to develop clear, data-driven national strategies that align digital innovation with governance reforms.

Such efforts, he said, are crucial for building resilient economies, reducing inequality, and ensuring long-term prosperity in developing countries.

“The task before us,” Ikughur noted, “is to understand the changing world and deliberately harness its opportunities for the collective good.”