THE Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, has canvassed the need to grant youth access to land to facilitate their participation in agriculture. Speaking at the National Launch of the Youth Agribusiness Land Trust Fund (YALTF) in Abuja on Monday, Bagudu said the initiative is a major enabler of youth involvement in […]
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Stakeholders in Aramoko-Ekiti, Ekiti State, have appealed to the state government to restart the ongoing selection process for the vacant stool of the Alara of Aramoko, following allegations of irregularities and exclusion in the exercise. The stool became vacant due to the demise of Oba Adegoke Olu-Adeyemi, prompting the commencement of a process to select […]
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Release new crop varities, train farmers on capacity building THE Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT) has trained 67 farmers from the Agric Mate Farewell to Poverty Association of Nigeria on rapid multiplication and orchard management of the HORTIPLAN and HORTIBAN series. HORTIPLAN and HORTIBAN are newly […]
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The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has collaborated with the Senator representing Delta Central in the National Assembly, Ede Dafinone, to train 100 youths from the senatorial district in scaffolding and rigging. The programme, which will last for three weeks, will cover training on equipment handling, installation methods, maintenance practices, safety procedures and […]
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Arsenal are ready to finalize a new contract with manager Mikel Arteta, whose current deal expires at the end of next season.
However, nothing is expected to be completed before Arteta returns from holiday.
But it is understood that there was positive progress during initial conversations, amid expectation that it is a case of when, not if, the 44-year-old renews.
According to the BBC Sport, it would be a fresh three-year contract, with a big bump on his current wages.
Arteta currently earns £10m a season and a further £5m for Champions League qualification.
His new contract would make him the highest-paid manager in England following Pep Guardiola’s decision to leave Manchester City.
Guardiola’s deal was worth a minimum £20m a season. Arteta would move far closer to his compatriot’s earning power.
President Vladimir Putin on Monday invited foreigners from countries whose governments are officially eliminating conventional family values.
The premier spoke while honoring parents from nine large families at the Kremlin’s St Catherine Hall on the 2026 International Children’s Day occasion.
Putin said it was unfortunate that some nations were trying to “abolish traditional family values,” urging people coping with such a circumstance to move to Russia.
”We will support those who, after facing such pressure, come to live, work, and raise children in Russia,” the President assured.
He described the preservation of traditional family pillars, protection of childhood, respect for parenting and senior citizens as “highly important things” that unite society.
Putin stressed that Russia strives to make it convenient for families with multiple children by prioritizing their interests while implementing national projects.
The leader promised that the federation will continue to invest in and focus on all spheres which have major significance for parents and for Russian families.
Putin listed high-quality and modern education and healthcare, people-friendly environments in cities and towns, and opportunities for development and self-realisation.
Russia open to people in countries abolishing family values – Putin
The Labour Party (LP) has unveiled former Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Council, Hon. Juliana Obetta, as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 Benue State governorship election.
Obetta was formally presented to party members and supporters on Monday in Makurdi by the LP governorship candidate, Dr. Matthias Byuan, during a well-attended ceremony.
Her nomination marks a historic milestone, making her the first woman to be nominated as a deputy governorship candidate by a political party in Benue State.
Byuan, a former Executive Director (Finance and Accounts) of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), emerged as the Labour Party’s consensus governorship candidate on Saturday following a statewide affirmation exercise in which he secured 231,124 votes from delegates across the state’s 23 local government areas.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Byuan described Obetta’s emergence as a deliberate effort by the party to promote gender inclusion and increase women’s participation in governance.
“This is the first time a woman will emerge as a deputy governorship candidate in Benue State. We are a party that believes women must have a voice in government,” he said.
The governorship candidate expressed confidence that the Labour Party would win the 2027 election and outlined plans to transform the state through industrialisation, free education, improved security and reforms across key sectors.
“When we take over the leadership of Benue State in 2027, we will create jobs by transforming the state from a civil service-driven economy to an industrialised one. We will introduce free education at all levels, tackle insecurity decisively and overhaul all sectors to ensure Benue occupies its rightful place among the leading states in Nigeria,” he said.
Byuan noted that Obetta’s selection followed extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across the state and described her as the most suitable person for the position.
Earlier, the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency and Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, described the party’s recent primaries as peaceful and transparent.
“Our primaries were conducted without rancour, making them the best among all political parties in the state. The Labour Party is ready to take over leadership in Benue, and we call on the people to rally behind us,” Agbese said.
In her acceptance speech, Obetta dedicated her nomination to women across Benue State, describing it as a major step toward gender inclusion in governance.
“This nomination, I accept wholeheartedly, and I want to say to the women of Benue that this nomination is for you,” she said.
She lamented the underrepresentation of women in governance despite their significant voting strength.
“Women constitute more than 80 per cent of the voting population in the state, yet after elections they are often sidelined. This is the first time a political party in Benue is giving women this level of recognition. I will be a voice for women and ensure their concerns are heard,” she stated.
Obetta, who served as the first female chairman of Okpokwu Local Government between 2012 and 2014, pledged to work closely with Mrs. Matthias Byuan to advance women’s interests and promote greater inclusion in government.
“We will work together to ensure women have a stronger voice in governance and that the 35 per cent affirmative action women have long advocated for becomes a reality,” she added.
Also speaking, the Labour Party’s Benue South senatorial candidate, Hon. Samuel Onuh, and the state chairman of the party, Mr. William Okefe Ochonu, commended the party’s national leadership, particularly the National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman, for supporting the successful conduct of the primaries and candidate selection process.
They expressed confidence that the emergence of Byuan and Obetta had positioned the Labour Party as a strong contender in the 2027 governorship race and affirmed that Obetta’s nomination enjoyed widespread support during statewide consultations.
2027: Labour Party unveils Juliana Obetta as Benue Deputy Governorship candidate
Two players are set to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer in search of more playing time.
They are Kang-in Lee and Goncalo Ramos.
This was revealed by football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, on Monday night.
Romano, writing on his X account, claimed Atletico Madrid are interested in both forwards.
He tweeted: “Kang-in Lee and Gonçalo Ramos plan to leave Paris Saint-Germain in order to get more game time.
“Atlético Madrid asked for both already months ago, more options expected to follow.
“Chevalier situation also one to watch.”
Only Ramos featured off the bench as PSG beat Arsenal in last Saturday’s Champions League final.
Transfer: Two players to leave PSG after UCL final victory over Arsenal
The Federal Government has inaugurated a one million tree planting campaign at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, as part of efforts to combat climate change, desertification and biodiversity loss. The initiative, a collaboration between the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the NDA and Fifth Chukker, was launched at the NDA Biodiversity Conservation Centre. Representing the […]
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The President-General of the Idoma Association USA, Edwin Ochai, has said that the greatest challenge confronting the Idoma nation is not a lack of education, intelligence or human capacity, but the absence of unity and a collective vision.
Ochai stated this on Saturday during the 2026 Idoma Centenary Plus Lecture held in Otukpo, Benue State.
Reflecting on the presentations and discussions at the event, he said the lecture broadened his understanding of the current realities facing the Idoma people and the path they must take to secure a better future.
According to him, one of the most striking lessons from the centenary lecture was that despite producing numerous professors, military generals, technocrats, public servants and other distinguished professionals, the Idoma nation has not translated its vast human resources into the level of political, economic and social development it deserves.
“The greatest challenge facing us today is not a lack of education, intelligence or human capacity. Rather, it is the absence of unity and a collective vision,” he said.
Ochai noted that the achievements of individual Idoma sons and daughters across various sectors demonstrate that the nation is not lacking in talent, knowledge or leadership potential.
He, however, lamented that personal interests, political divisions and clan loyalties often take precedence over the collective good, thereby limiting the community’s ability to harness its full strength for development.
“The Idoma people continue to excel, but their collective strength remains underutilised. A people united by a shared purpose can achieve far more than even the most brilliant individuals working separately,” he stated.
The Idoma Association USA leader said the centenary celebration should serve not only as a reflection on the achievements of the past century but also as a call to action for greater unity and purposeful leadership.
As the country approaches another election cycle, Ochai urged the Idoma people to rise above sentiments, personal relationships and short-term gains when choosing their leaders.
According to him, voters should focus on candidates with proven competence, integrity, vision and a genuine commitment to advancing the interests of the Idoma nation.
He said the people must critically evaluate every aspirant seeking public office by examining their track record of service, ability to unite the people and commitment to development, education, youth empowerment, security and economic growth.
“The future of our people depends not on who speaks the loudest or spends the most money, but on who possesses the vision, competence, integrity and commitment to advance the interests of the Idoma nation,” he said.
Ochai further stressed the need for leaders who can mobilise professionals, entrepreneurs, traditional institutions, women and youths towards a common developmental agenda.
He described the election season as an opportunity for the Idoma people to make informed decisions that would benefit both the present and future generations.
According to him, the centenary celebration should inspire the Idoma nation to embrace unity, collective purpose and visionary leadership capable of transforming the area into a model of progress, influence and development.
“The time to act is now. The time to unite is now. Now is the time to make a wise choice,” he added.
Benue: Idoma’s greatest challenge is lack of unity, not talent — Ochai