NEWS
Gov Eno Lauds Council Chairman for Championing Rural Devt, Commissions Project

From Christopher Tom, Uyo
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has praised the Chairman of Okobo Local Government Council, Dr. Attah Sylvester for championing rural development in Okobo.
Pastor Umo Eno gave the commendation, at Obufi, Okobo LGA, where he commissioned a good number of projects, including a Civic Centre, Pavillion, and cenotaph constructed by the Council Boss, Dr.
Sylvester Attah.Represented by the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong, particularly commended Dr. Sylvester Attah for spearheading rural development, and successfully interpreting the ARISE Agenda blueprint of the current administration through the projects, adding also that the Council Chairman has delivered the dividend of democracy to the grassroots.
“Mr. Chairman, I must say that I am proud of you, and I believe that everything I say here reflects the thoughts and wishes of the one who has sent me, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno.
This is one Chairman who is very passionate, and what we are seeing here today is evident that he has applied the same passion into developing this local government.
So, I stand here, on behalf of the Governor, to say you have done well.
So today, we are commissioning the civic centre, the remodelled pavilion, office complex, a borehole, and unveil the logo of the local government, because as a people, it’s important to have an identity.
Also, as a messenger, I will take all the prayers to His Excellency, the Governor, including the road that leads to Okobo and Oron, and the Governor has made the commitment to make sure that it will be delivered by the best construction company”, he said.
Speaking shortly before the commissioning, Dr Sylvester Attah said his administration is poised to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Okobo Local Government Area, in line with the ARISE Agenda of Pastor Umo Eno and expressed appreciation to the State Chief Executive for making out time to commission the project.
In attendance were: Her Excellency the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi who was represented by the the Director of Administration, Office of the Deputy Governor, Pastor Sam Umiom, the Member Representing Okobo State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey, Paramount Ruler of the Area, HRM Edidem Ita Edet Okokon, Former Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chief, Barr, Peter Linus Umoh, Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ekpenyong Ntekim, Chairmen of Uruan and Nsit Atai Local Government; Hon. Iniobong Ekpenyong and Rt. Hon. Emem Ibanga respectively, Chapter Chairman of Party, PDP, Mr. Ukpong Edet, Stakeholders, Councilors, Supervisors, Captains of industries, traditional rulers, amongst others.
Agriculture
Tiv Monarchs Give Herders Ten Days Ultimatum To Vacate Tiv Kingdom

By David Torough, Abuja
The Tiv Area Traditional Council during its emergency meeting held yesterday in the palace of the Tor Tiv in Gboko requested the Governor Hyacinth Alia led administration to create an enabling environment to allow herders’ peaceful exit of farmlands in Tiv Kingdom to facilitate resumption of farming activities.
Consequently, the Council directs political and traditional rulers in each local government area of Tiv Kingdom to peacefully engage the herders to ensure their exit from the local government areas to allow farming resumes.
The Council which was chaired by the Tor Tiv himself, HRM Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse CFR equally appealed to all herders in Tiv Kingdom in Benue State to vacate all Tiv lands before the end of May 2025 to allow farmers return and cultivate their farms in order to avoid the looming hunger in Nigeria.
According to a Communique signed by the Secretary of the Council Mr Shinyi Tyozua which deliberated particularly on the security situation in Tiv Kingdom the Council enumerated the communities worst affected to include those in Kwande, Katsina Ala, Logo, Ukum, Guma, Makurdi, Gwer West Gwer East and Buruku Local Government Areas.
The Council lamented that farming activities in the kingdom have ceased due to the occupation of farmlands by herders for grazing and attacks and killings of farmers who fled stressing that if the situation continues it will ultimately result to hunger in Tiv Kingdom and Nigeria as a whole.
NEWS
Karimi Raises the Alarm over Rising Insecurity in Nigeria

From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Chairman, Senate Services, Sen. Steve Karimi has expressed concern over the spiraling insecurity in the country, which has threatened and diminishes the “good work” done by the administration of President Bola Tinubu in the last two years.
Karimi in an interview with DAILY ASSET cited the resurgence of killings across the Federation, especially in states like Benue, Plateau, Kogi, banditry in the North-West and the renewed attacks by Boko Haram in the North-East, saying they must be investigated immediately. “This rise in insecurity is all over the country; on all sides, even in the North-East, there is the resurgence of Boko Haram; at some point, everything became calm, but now they are coming back.“Check other parts of the country, there is kidnapping now on the rise again, whether in the South-West, South-South or South-East; it is happening all over the place.“Almost on a daily basis, there is one reported incident of banditry or another in the North-West.“I consider this resurgence an attempt by desperate groups and individuals to discredit the good work this government of President Bola Tinubu has done in the last two years, especially now that talks about 2027 elections have started”, Sen. Karimi said in a statement in Abuja.Karimi, who represents Kogi-West Senatorial District, commended security agencies for the sacrifices they had made so far in service to their fatherland to guarantee the safety of lives and property across the states.However, the lawmaker called on heads of the agencies to confront the new challenge squarely by thoroughly investigating the factors responsible for the “regrettable development” and proffer urgent responses.“This government worked so hard over the last two years to contain the porous security situation it inherited, including the scaling up of the defence and security budget.“At the National Assembly, there has been collaboration to ensure that the targets of the government are met through the existing Legislative-Executive harmony, which is to guarantee safety for all Nigerians.“This was achieved at some point. Unfortunately, there is this sudden resurgence, which is threatening to spoil the President’s records. I suspect sabotage that calls for immediate investigation”, Karimi added.The senator’s intervention came amid plans by the Senate to convene a National Security Summit as an expression of further legislative response to the renewed security challenges.NEWS
FG to Convert JD Gomwalk House to National Job Outsourcing Hub – Tijani

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Hon. Olatunbosun Tijani has disclosed that the federal government is set to convert the famous Joseph Gomwalk House Jos into a national outsourcing job hub in the country.Tijani during his inspection visit in Jos the Plateau State capital said installation of fibre cables and renovation works is expected to be completed in six months to come, adding that the centre is going to provide proper technical training for young people in the North Central region of Nigeria.
In his words, “As you know, we’re an extremely youthful country about 70% of our population is under the age of 30. For us, it’s a priority to ensure that we provide meaningful job opportunities for these young people.”While we’ve done extremely well with our 3 Million Technical Talent program, which focuses on training 3 million young people across the country, it’s also important that we find avenues to help them secure jobs. That’s why we’re in conversation with the governor of Plateau State, it’s one of the states we’re focusing on to see how we can accelerate the introduction of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) jobs here.”Companies all over the world are looking to outsource job opportunities. Historically, they’ve done this with countries like India. But Nigeria actually has an advantage, we speak better English and we’re well-positioned to handle many of these jobs. That’s the direction we’re heading in,” he explainedTijani noted thus, “the goal of today’s visit is to assess the possibility of converting this historic building, the Standard Building, into one of the headquarters for BPO in the country. Our aim is to work with the state government to refurbish the building and then engage with companies that hire young people for BPO work.”Let me be clear, Plateau is not the only state we’re focusing on, we’re implementing this in a number of states. The federal government’s goal is to ensure that our programs reach everyone, everywhere.”Plateau State is unique, it stands out because education here is strong, the people are hardworking, and they speak high-quality English, an essential requirement for BPO jobs. Importantly, the governor is also forward-thinking. He’s been actively engaging with us to make this a reality in Plateau State, and we appreciate that kind of leadership.” He statedThe Minister commended the landmark development recorded in the state within the shortest possible time. “The structures on the Plateau under the Time administration are impressive. The governor is clearly committed to restoring Plateau’s glory, and that’s exactly what we need. This state has so much to contribute to national development.The Commissioner for information and communication Rt. Hon. Joyce Ramnap who accompanied the Minister on the inspection visit noted that the Plateau state government will continue to create an enabling environment for remarkable investment as they work closely with the federal government in the interest of Plateau people and the country at large.