By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Association of South-East Igbo Winds has thrown its weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC), promised aggressive grassroots mobilisation across the 11 electoral wards of Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group made its position known during an engagement with the APC candidate for Karu/Gitata Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Dr.

Abraham Habu Ekpo, on Saturday in Mararaba, where members described him as a credible, dependable and people-oriented politician capable of providing effective representation.

The association said Ekpo’s character, credibility and direct engagement with residents had strengthened its confidence in his candidacy, declaring its readiness to mobilise support for him and other APC candidates across the council.

Speaking during the engagement, Ekpo thanked the group for its support and commitment to the APC, saying his decision to contest on the party’s platform was informed by his belief in its progressive ideals and development-oriented agenda.

“Progress is about propelling growth, bringing development, advancing the cause of humanity and giving it dignity. That is why we are part of the progressives,” he said.

Ekpo said his ambition was driven by a desire to contribute to the development of Karu and promote policies that would place the people at the centre of governance.

“My ambition was driven by a desire to contribute to the development of Karu and promote a government that places people at the centre of its policies,” he said.

The candidate also promised to pursue greater inclusion for residents who have lived, worked and contributed to the economic growth of Karu, irrespective of their states of origin.

According to him, people who make meaningful contributions to the development of a community deserve a sense of belonging and should not be treated as outsiders.

He said inclusion would form a key part of his legislative agenda if elected into the Nasarawa State House of Assembly in 2027.

Ekpo further canvassed support for the APC, arguing that the Nasarawa State Government under the party had recorded achievements in infrastructure, road construction and peace-building across the state.

He cited the ongoing flyover project in Mararaba among projects he said the APC could showcase to voters as evidence of its development agenda.

The APC candidate also stressed the importance of sustaining the relative peace in the state, saying a peaceful environment was necessary for economic growth, investment and meaningful development.

He urged residents of Karu to support the APC and its candidates in the 2027 elections.

Members of the Igbo association expressed confidence in Ekpo, describing him as a politician whose character, credibility and dependability had earned their trust.

They commended him for engaging directly with the members, saying the interaction had further strengthened their resolve to support his political ambition.

The group declared that its commitment would extend beyond verbal support, promising coordinated mobilisation across the 11 electoral wards of Karu.

“In all these 11 wards, we are prepared and ready to follow the APC. We are ready to support you and all other candidates going forward,” the members declared.

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

The Cross River State Callywood Department seeks to partner with the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Cross River State Council, as part of efforts to promote the state’s film industry, through movies and documentaries.

Special Adviser to the Governor of Callywood, Hon.

Eric Anderson, made the disclosure when he led members of his team on a courtesy and familiarisation visit to the NUJ Secretariat weekend in Calabar.

Anderson explained that although Callywood had existed for years and had been led by two Directors General, the administration of Governor Bassey Otu is the first to establish it as a full department, with 15 filmmakers appointed to drive its activities.

He said the department had commenced efforts to build a sustainable film industry in the state, noting that it had trained and certified 212 people in partnership with the Office of the Chairman of the Youth Empowerment Scheme.

According to him, resource persons were drawn from Lagos as well as locally based professionals to equip participants with practical filmmaking skills.

Anderson disclosed that the department was also working towards establishing a Callywood Academy to sustain the training programme and develop a pool of skilled filmmakers and other professionals within the state.

He said Callywood had also initiated partnerships with security agencies and other relevant institutions to facilitate film production and storytelling, particularly stories that reflect Cross River’s history, culture and traditional values.

The Special Adviser said the department was currently in pre-production for its first feature film, titled Crackdown, which focuses on security issues, while another documentary, The Hunters, was also being produced to tell the story of an ageing retired official hunter whose experiences could inspire younger generations.

He stressed that Callywood was not established solely to produce films but would also serve as a platform for showcasing Cross River State to the world.

According to him, the department intends to use films and documentaries to highlight the state’s languages, people, tourist locations, culture and developmental achievements under the Otu administration.

He therefore appealed to the NUJ to partner with the department by helping to amplify its programmes and productions through professional journalism and media platforms.

He further disclosed that the department was exploring different revenue streams to make Callywood financially sustainable.

Anderson said it had developed a book on filmmaking, acting and content creation for senior secondary school students, which was undergoing review by the Ministry of Education.

He explained that upon approval, the books would be supplied to secondary schools across the state as part of the department’s revenue generation strategy.

He also revealed plans to invest in movie productions and collaborate with filmmakers by providing platforms for their works while generating revenue through mutually beneficial partnerships.

Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ, Cross River State Council, Comrade Archibong Bassey, congratulated Anderson on his appointment and expressed the council’s readiness to collaborate with Callywood in projecting Cross River State positively.

Bassey described Anderson as a professional with the requisite experience for the position, noting that both of them had roots in Diamond and had studied Theatre Arts.

She said the media had a critical role to play in promoting the programmes and achievements of the government, but noted that effective publicity required collaboration between government agencies and journalists.

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has tasked residents to report any suspicious movements or individuals in their areas or neighbourhood to security agencies without any delay.

The governor who made the appeal on Sunday in response to reported planned terrorist attacks on places of worship in Osun state called on the members of the public to alert security agencies if they notice an influx of strange faces especially across the border communities.

“We must provide the police and other security agencies with intelligence reports, with noticeable threats, in our communities.

As we are aware of alleged plots to attack our places of worship, we must become extra vigilant. Report anything unusual without any delay.

“I commend the Department of State Service (DSS) for taking proactive measures to counter the threats. I charge other security agencies to review the situation and develop an action plan to strengthen security of lives and properties.

“I will soon convey the State Security Council meeting to assess the situation and the workability of our response plans. As residents of this state, we must collaborate with the security agencies through information sharing.

“We should be wary of people we host in our communities. On this note, I charge our royal fathers to also host their traditional council meetings on this development. We must nip in the bud the evil plans of enemies of public peace.

“Our administration is committed to post-election peace building and we must tighten state security to foil any attempt by terrorists and bandits to disrupt public peace”, Governor Adeleke was quoted as saying in the news release.