From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association (FACAN), Benue State chapter, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately intervene and investigate the fraudulent activities of one Pastor Peter China and one Andrew Nambe, who are operating as chairman and secretary of Benue State Forum of Commodity Heads (BSFCH), impersonating the leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria(AFAN) in the State.

The organisation warned that for the interest of the general public, EFCC must immediately act on the petition in order to rescue the vulnerable Benue farmers from this legal body and impersonators.

They alleged that Pastor Peters China has proven to be morally incapacitated by exhibiting falsehood as well as his consistent passion for greed, financial recklessness, use of unregistered Association office and disregard to constituted authority using false pretenses to operate illegalities and financial crime.

In a petition dated August 10, 2026, signed by approved Benue State Coordinator/Chairman, Federation of Agriculture Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), Vitalis Ternongu and addressed to the EFCC Makurdi Zonal Director, the commodity group urged the Commission to carry out a prompt and impartial investigation into allegations of abuse of office, financial misconduct, and possible misappropriation of public funds by Pastor Peters China and Andrew Nambe to the tune of N150 million.

FACAN stated that its petition followed a discovery that the duo initiated membership registration drive using nonexistent legal commodity organisation and hides under All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) which they were not exco to write suspension letters and doing all manner of unlawful transactions that saw huge turnout of enthusiastic Benue farmers where thousands were registered into personal accounts of both.

FACAN stated further that Pastor China and Nambe allegedly operated an unregistered Benue State Commodity Head and went further to create parallel operations with Arc. Kabiru Ibrahim who had been removed long ago from the office, suggesting any affiliation to the Arc. Kabiru Ibrahim can be described as impersonation and criminal bridge according to the constitution of AFAN/ FACAN and Nigeria

“Rather than developing Commodity Associations, both being Chairman and Secretary of Soybeans Commodity, Peters China picked his bosom friend and ally, Mr. Andrew Nambe who both served AFAN impostors and allegedly defrauded innocent farmers and creates hugs financial crimes in the state to the tone of hundred and fifty million naira (N150,000,000.00)”

“China and Nambe have violated all financial management practices in line with constitutional provisions and have insistently breached financial due process despite several warnings. AFAN, which existed since 26years ago during President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, does not allow successive exco to open new accounts or collect money from personal accounts which they have violated according to financial law of the association in line with Nigeria constitution.

“Mr. Peters China and Andrew Nambe have consistently withdrawn illegally, opened a secret AFAN Account against the rule of law where monies withdrawn are done at will.

“Andrew Nambe, Secretary once withdrew money and claimed Four Hundred Thousand (N400,000) out of what he withdrew was stolen from his car without the car being damaged and alleged it was Sankara people within AFAN/FACAN who hated him that are responsible for the theft. Meanwhile, his car that was under mortgage suddenly came back when they had access to AFAN funds”, the petitioner alleged.

Chief Tarnongu therefore appealed to the anti-draft agency to invite China and Nambe to prove the illegality through the accounts statement using BVN links on personal accounts of his phone number: i) (8031309735) as OPay or Moni point. ii.) 0134347643 Union Bank.

The State coordinator further said they account for the sale of the federal government free fertilizers to the tone of 10,000.00 having collected over 7000 bags of NPK 20:10:10 meant for FACAN/AFAN.

“They should account for details of 13 trucks (600 bags of fertilizer each) total of 7800 bags from National Agricultural Development Funds (NADF) and desist from operating any account that is used for AFAN proceeds both personal or corporate

“Also EFCC should invite any financial institution that accepts to open a new account of AFAN knowing too well that any organization that exists for such a long time can only accept a letter of introduction for changes of signatories”, the organisation concluded.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Federal Government has inaugurated the newly constituted Advertising Offences Tribunal as part of efforts to strengthen regulation, promote professionalism and ensure greater integrity in Nigeria’s advertising and marketing communications industry.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Tuesday at the inauguration of the Tribunal in Abuja, describing the development as an important step towards building a more professional and responsible advertising industry.

“Let us build an advertising industry that commands creativity, earns trust, and upholds responsibility,” Idris said.

The Minister said the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) Act No. 23 of 2022 expanded the Council’s regulatory powers and provided for the establishment of the Tribunal to adjudicate offences under the Act and relevant advertising regulations and codes.

He urged the new panel, led by Honourable Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun, to carry out its duties with integrity, independence and fairness.

“Every matter that comes before you should be considered on its merits, without fear or favour, affection or ill will. The Tribunal must be, and must be seen to be, a fair and impartial institution,” he said.

The Minister congratulated the Chairman and members of the Tribunal, assuring them of the Ministry’s continued support for ARCON and efforts to build a globally competitive advertising industry.

The Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr. Olalekan Olumuyiwa Fadolapo, described the inauguration of the Advertising Offences Tribunal as a major step in strengthening regulation and compliance in the advertising industry.

“The Advertising Offences Tribunal is a big opportunity for the Nigerian advertising industry. It is the first of its kind in the world because Nigeria has taken a proactive step not only to legislate on advertising, but also to put structures and frameworks in place,” he said.

The Chairman of the Advertising Offences Tribunal, Honourable Justice Cecilia M. A. Olatoregun, pledged that the new panel would discharge its responsibilities with integrity, fairness and professionalism.

“It is a great honour to be called upon to serve our country, and we take this responsibility very seriously. You have asked us to work with integrity, and that is what we are going to do,” she said.

Members of the Tribunal are Musa Ahmed Attah, SAN; Merga Tyowanan Kachina Esq; Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe, frpa; and Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim, rpa.

In attendance was the Permanent Secretary of Information and National Orientation, Dr Binyerem Ukaire; the Director, Public Communication and National Orientation, Henshaw Ogubike; the Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Suleiman Haruna, PhD; the Special Assistant (Admin) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Dr Sunday Baba, among other dignitaries.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has formally launched applications for journalists in Benue State and six other States to join a two-month project aimed at deepening ethical, solutions-focused coverage of HIV and TB in communities most affected by both diseases.

The aim is to support journalists in those seven states towards producing well researched human- centered, stigma-free stories that can impact HIV testing, treatment uptake and leading to the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STIs), correct use of condoms and public accountability for HIV/TB service delivery.

The “HIV and TB Media Reporting Project: Amplify the Response” will run from September to October 2026 and will support reporters in Abuja FCT, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Kogi, and Nasarawa to produce human-centered stories that drive testing, treatment uptake, and public accountability.

This was disclosed in a statement by Steve Aborisade, Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF Nigeria and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

Aborisade intimated that the applications would close at the close of business on Monday, 31st August 2026 while interested journalists can apply via https://forms.gle/S8U4HLqQCaCc43Cg7 or by sending documents to Procurement.Nigeria@aidshealth.org with the subject line “AHF HIV/TB Reporting Projects.

AHF currently provides free HIV testing, treatment, care, and TB services across seven states; Abuja FCT, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Cross River, Kogi, and Nasarawa.

The decision to support journalists in these areas may have been informed by noticeable gaps that persist in TB reduction, stigma, misinformation, including funding gaps, that has remained major barriers to an AIDS free generation.

Despite significant gains recorded in HIV/AIDS treatment and the stride toward the 95-95-95 targets, there is no gainsaying that global challenges that still exist can be relatively tackled through well researched reports, in order to safeguard the gains already recorded.

It is in light of this that the Media has been identified as a major tool to closing the gaps, by churning out impactful stories that would lead to the reduction and eventually the elimination of some of the identified challenges.

According to AHF, the planned Capacity Training, is expected to orientate newsmen on HIV/TB reporting, data journalism, ethics, and safety, adding that the orientation would be facilitated by National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), National AIDS and STIs Control Programme (NASCP), National Tuberculosis, Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), AHF’s Technical Team and Senior Editors.

Prior to this, selected Journalists are to attend a full day immersive virtual orientation on HIV/TB reporting, data journalism, ethics, and safety.

Consequently, AHF has stated that as part of measures to ensure comprehensive and credible reportage, it would facilitate access to AHF-supported facilities, State AIDS/TB Control programs, SACAs/TB focal persons, PLHIV networks, and TB survivor groups for interviews.

Furthermore, the beneficiaries of the training would be drawn from the aforementioned states.

Additionally, he pointed out that such reports from Journalists in its operational states, would “Increase quality, ethical, and solutions-focused media coverage of HIV and TB in Nigeria.

Some of the objectives of the training he observed would be to mentor Journalists “on HIV/TB science, U=U, TB-HIV co-infection, domestic financing, local ARVs manufacturing, including challenges in the implementation of Nigeria’s Anti-Discrimination Act 2014.

Noting that while the call for the training will open on Monday, 10th August, 2026, AHF said, it will close on the 31st of August, and selected Journalists would be notified on 14th of September, 2026.

AHF, encouraged women journalists, journalists with disabilities, and reporters from community/local language media, to apply for the training, as it intends to place priority on them.

According to the statement, shortlisted journalists will be notified on 14th September 2026, while selection will be based on strength of story pitch 35%, relevance of work samples 15%, journalism experience 15%, gender diversity 15%, and editor support 10%.

For questions, contact Steve Aborisade, Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF Nigeria, at 2 Paul Unongo Street, off Ebitu Ukiwe Street, Jabi, Abuja.

AHF, the world’s largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, provides care to more than 2.9 million people across 50 countries. In January 2025, it received The King Center’s MLK Jr. Social Justice Award.