NEWS
Plateau CAN Vows to Resist Attempt to Remove Assembly Speaker

From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The youth wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN), Plateau State chapter, has vowed to resist any attempt to remove the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nuhu Ayuba Abok for speaking and standing with the people of the state.
They said times of politicking and party cowardice has ended since election in 2019, stressing that it is time to close ranks and solidify good governance and the protection of the land irrespective of ethnic, religious or party affiliations.
The Association, led by the State Chairman, Deacon Markus Kanda stated this yesterday during a world press conference held at the CAN Secretariat in Jos.
“We call to the attention of the Plateau State Government the rumours taking turns on perceived impeachment of the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly and intimidation of the Honourable members, by whatever means possible for the measures taken by the House under his leadership in the defence of the interest of Plateau people.
“Plateau Youths shall resist strongly any attempt to disorganize the Plateau House of Assembly. Times of politicking and party cowardice has ended since election in 2019 and now is a crucial time to close all ranks and solidify good governance and the protection of the land irrespective of ethnic, religious or party affiliations,” Kanda stated.
The peace loving people of Plateau State, especially the Youths are unreservedly identifying with their representatives in the Plateau State House of Assembly under the leadership of the Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ayuba Abok and charge the Honourable members with the mandate of continuing to speak with one voice for the peace, well-being, good governance, protection and self-determination of the Plateau people.
They cautioned the legislative Army to be wary of any double standard as Plateau people are watching and shall hold them accountable with every sense of duty, adding that government must be encouraged to grant expression to the well-meaning laws made to safeguard the people and the land dispassionately without fear or favour.
They commended the state government for the efforts made in addressing the recent crisis in the state.
“We have noticed with a glimpse of joy the measures taken by the State Government recently in concert with the clarion call made by the Plateau State House of Assembly, to speak in defence of the Plateau people and this is indeed highly commendable and we do hope to see more of this synergy going forward to rekindle and sustain lost hope by citizens.
“After the unfortunate incidences in Plateau State in recent times, with particular reference to attacks on the Irigwe people in Miango villages in Bassa LGA, some commuters along Rukuba Road and the Anaguta people in Yelwa Zangam both in Jos North LGA (where a total of over 150 lives have been lost), the Plateau legislators called on the Executive at all tiers of government- Federal, State and Local Governments to discharge their functions to ensuring the security of lives and properties of her citizens as well as the defence of the land from marauders and jihadists, who by all means have made frantic efforts to kill on and evict the people from their ancestral lands,” Kanda added.
Environment
First Lady Seeks Lasting Solution to Eradicate Environmental Pollution

The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu has called for a lasting solution to eradicate environmental pollution caused by plastic wastes.
In her message to mark the year 2025 World Environment Day, with the theme ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’, in Abuja on Thursday, the first lady also advised people to curtail the way they consume food and drinks packaged in plastics.
“I join millions of Nigerians and the world in calling for urgent and united action to safeguard our environment.
Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time, affecting our health, our environment, and our future.“In Nigeria, we must rise to this challenge by changing how we consume packaged food items and how we dispose of plastic containers and bags.
“I particularly want to speak to our youths, the leaders of tomorrow, be it in schools or within our neighborhoods, each of you has a role to play in creating a cleaner, healthier and greener Nigeria,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu had recently promised to introduce environmental solutions clubs to schools through her NGO, Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).
“I want to use this opportunity to introduce our students to two programmes that the RHI will be launching soon.
“First is the Environment Club for Secondary School Students and the Environment Society for Students in Tertiary institutions nationwide to help us clean up our environment and grow more trees.
“Second is the “Flow with Confidence” for our girls in rural communities.
“This programme is to provide one year’s supply of disposable sanitary pads to our adolescent girls to support them to remain in school during their menstrual cycle,” She said.
NAN further reports that some of the functions of RHI environmental clubs in schools would include raising environmental awareness; fostering social and life skills; empowering students to take action and promoting sustainable behaviours.
The clubs can also enhance critical thinking and creativity, encourage healthy lifestyles, and strengthen communities.
The club would encourage students to participate in various environmental projects, like tree planting, recycling, and garden projects, gaining practical experience and deeper understanding.(NAN))
Foreign News
Trump Bans Citizens of 12 Countries from Entering U.S.

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation on Wednesday evening banning citizens of 12 countries from entering the United States.The countries affected are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Nationals from these countries will be “fully” restricted from entering the U. S., according to the proclamation. Similarly, the entry of nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela will be partially restricted.The proclamation is effective on June 9, 2025 at 12:01 am EDT (5:01am Nigerian time).Trump said the move was needed to protect the U.S. against “foreign terrorists” and other security threats.“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump said in a video posted on X.The U.S. President said the list could be revised and new countries could be added.He said the countries subject to the most severe restrictions were determined to harbour a “large-scale presence of terrorists”.He alleged others failed to cooperate on visa security and had an inability to verify travellers’ identities, inadequate record-keeping of criminal histories and high rates of visa overstays in the U.S..“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States,” Trump said.Trump’s directive is part of an immigration crackdown that he launched at the start of his second term, pledging to restrict people from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and “anywhere else that threatens our security”.Trump issued an executive order on January 20 requiring intensified security vetting of any foreigners seeking admission to the U.S. to detect national security threats.That order directed several cabinet members to submit a list of countries from which travel should be partly or fully suspended because their “vetting and screening information is so deficient.”During his first term in office, Trump had announced a ban on travellers from seven countries, a policy that generated so much controversies before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.However, former President Joe Biden, who succeeded Trump, repealed the ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.” (NAN)NEWS
Otuaro Lauds King Ateke Tom’s Contribution to Peace in Niger Delta
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro has congratulated the traditional ruler of the Okochiri Kingdom in Rivers State, His Royal Majesty, King Ateke Tom on the occasion of his 61st birthday.Otuaro was among prominent guests that graced the colourful birthday celebration of King Ateke at his palace in Okochiri, Okrika Local Government Area, on Monday.
He described the Rivers monarch as “a respectable leader whose reign has brought about unity, peace, progress and development around his community. ”He stressed that King Ateke, who is also the ‘Sekuro of the Niger Delta’, was a great asset who had contributed immensely to the peace, stability, security and development of the region.Otuaro expressed his utmost regard for the traditional institution and the vital role of traditional rulers in the peace and development of communities in the Niger Delta.He noted that traditional rulers were among the critical stakeholders that the PAP was collaborating with to strengthen the programme’s peace-building process in the region.He reiterated that the programme was in safe hands, and strongly motivated by President Bola Tinubu to bridge the region’s human capital development gap through formal education scholarships and vocational training in aviation, maritime, agriculture, and other relevant trade areas.Otuaro said his policy of inclusivity had ensured the involvement of Niger Delta women in the programme’s initiatives, stressing that there were plans designed for their empowerment and contribution to the region’s socio-economic growth.He emphasized that he was focused on rendering quality service to the people of the region, and not distracted by the shenanigans of his detractors.Otuaro called on all stakeholders of the region to remain steadfast in the effort to sustain the prevailing peace in the region so that socio-economic and developmental activities could thrive around the communities.While expressing appreciation to King Ateke for his unwavering support to the programme, the PAP boss prayed to God to grant him long reign, longevity and good health.