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By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr. Amina Mohammed, has called for strengthened peacebuilding efforts, inclusive development, and deeper collaboration between global partners and subnational governments during an official visit to Benue State.

Speaking at the Government House in Makurdi on Friday, Dr. Mohammed described Benue as “a State of enormous importance to Nigeria’s food security, economic vitality and social stability,” while commending the resilience of its people despite mounting challenges.

“I am pleased to be here in Benue and to see first-hand the priorities of the State and the resilience and beauty of its people,” she said.

She began her remarks by extending condolences to families affected by recent violent attacks in parts of the state, including Mbalom in Gwer East Local Government Area, LGA, and Yelewata in Guma LGA.

“Let me begin by extending my heartfelt condolences to the families of those killed and express my solidarity with all affected communities, including those newly displaced,” she stated.

Dr. Mohammed noted that Benue’s challenges reflect broader global pressures, including conflict, climate shocks, and economic strain, warning that such forces were increasingly converging to test the resilience of vulnerable communities.

“In Nigeria and in Benue in particular, these wider pressures are felt in very immediate ways, shaping the context in which communities are pursuing peace, recovery and resilience,” she added.

Despite the challenges, the UN Deputy Chief praised the Benue State Government’s development direction, highlighting the 2026 budget focused on rural development and sustained growth, as well as innovations such as Nigeria’s first fully digital e-Parliament system.

“The direction your hovernment is setting deserves recognition, it sends an important signal of commitment to improving lives and expanding opportunity,” she said.

She emphasized that Benue’s status as Nigeria’s “food basket” places it at the heart of national prosperity, urging sustained investment in agriculture, livelihoods, and value chains.“Benue holds enormous potential, not only in feeding the country, but in generating livelihoods, enterprise and broader prosperity,” she noted.

On insecurity, Dr. Mohammed stressed that military responses alone would not suffice, calling instead for grassroots peacebuilding, justice, and reconciliation.
“What is required is not only a security response, but a broader commitment to peacebuilding that starts at the grassroots, rebuilding trust across communities,” she said, warning that oversimplified narratives could inflame tensions and strain the social fabric.

She also underscored the importance of education, particularly for children affected by conflict and displacement, describing it as essential for long-term peace and recovery.

“A resilient education system is not only a social priority, it is a foundation for long-term peace, inclusion and recovery,” she said, while commending the state’s BRACE-UP initiative aimed at returning out-of-school children to classrooms.

Dr. Mohammed who earlier visited Yelewata community in Guma LGA, expressed solidarity with victims of the violence, particularly women and children.

“My visit here today is one to be in solidarity with those who loss the most in conflict, it is the women and the children,” she said, urging communities to embrace unity and rebuild trust.

“We have to go back to our unity as a Nigerian people who are rich in our diversity, it is not impossible,” she added.
She further stressed the importance of peace for agricultural recovery and national growth, noting that “we need peace if we are trying to go back to our farms, we must not stop farming.”

At the Mega Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Mbayongo, Makurdi-Gbajimba Road, where she also visited, the UN Deputy Chief encouraged children to remain committed to education.

“Education is what no one can take from you and it will transform your lives,” she told them, expressing hope that displaced persons would soon return to their communities.

Dr. Mohammed assured that the United Nations would continue to work closely with Benue State to promote peace, resilience, and sustainable development.
“The United Nations will continue to stand in solidarity with Benue State to support a more peaceful and resilient future for all,” she said.

In his remarks, Governor Hyacinth Alia described Benue as a critical hub for food security in Nigeria and West Africa but lamented the impact of insecurity and displacement, revealing that over 500,000 people were currently internally displaced in the state.

“Benue stands today as a critical intersection of global priorities, food security, climate resilience, and human dignity,” the governor said.

He outlined key achievements of his administration, including the rehabilitation of over 375 public schools, recruitment of 9,700 teachers, improvements in healthcare facilities, and major investments in infrastructure and agriculture.

The Governor also highlighted efforts to support displaced persons, including housing construction, provision of farmlands, and livelihood restoration initiatives. “These are not just interventions; they are pathways from displacement to dignity,” he stated.

Governor Alia called for deeper collaboration with the United Nations in areas such as climate resilience, agro-industrial development, human capital development, and community security.
“What we seek is not charity, but collaboration, not temporary relief, but lasting transformation,” he added.

Also speaking, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Wafaa Saeed described the visit as a demonstration of strong partnership between the United Nations and the Benue State Government.

“It is about partnership, bringing hope and sustainable development to drive change,” she said, reaffirming the UN’s commitment to supporting the state.

The post UN Deputy Chief visits Benue, urges peace, resilience, partnerships appeared first on Vanguard News.

A moment of chaos unfolded in Bayelsa State on Friday after a fight broke out between military personnel, sparking fear and confusion among residents.

In a viral video obtained by DAILY POST, the personnel were seen engaged in a heated altercation, exchanging blows in full public display.

The confrontation quickly drew attention, with residents expressing concern over the situation escalating further.

The incident caused panic in the area, as many feared the clash could spiral out of control and potentially lead to gunfire.

Residents kept their distance, watching while some were trying to separate the duo.

Watch full video

Panic in Bayelsa as military personnel clash with each other [VIDEO]

Stakeholders from Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal constituency have promised to deliver 60 percent of the total votes cast in the entire Abia State to the Abia State Governor Alex Otti in the 2027 general election.

They made the declaration on Friday in Umuahia during a grand civic reception in the honour of the Governor held at the Umuahia Township Stadium Umuahia, Abia State.

Speaking at the event the Commissioner for Budget and Planning and Chairman of the Planning Committee, Hon. Kingsley Anosike, expressed gratitude to the governor for transforming Umuahia from what was once seen as a “glorified village” into one of the fastest-growing state capitals in Nigeria.
He noted that Governor Otti’s leadership has restored dignity to Abians through visible and impactful governance.

Anosike further assured the governor of the unwavering support of the Umuahia–Ikwuano people, pledging their commitment to ensuring his return to Government House in 2027.

Also speaking, the deputy speaker and member representing Umuahia East State Constituency Hon. Augustine Nmeregini commended the governor for fostering synergy between the executive and legislative arms, noting that such collaboration has made governance more effective and responsive to the needs of the people.

Barr Monday Ubani, a senior advocate of Nigeria lauded Gov. Otti for bringing joy and renewed hope to Abians.

He highlighted key infrastructure projects, including the award for the reconstruction of the Umuahia–Ikot Ekpene road, as evidence of the governor’s commitment to development without political excuses.

Ambassador Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, son of Nigeria first military head of state and High Chief Victor Ikeji, the state’s representative at the federal character commission also praised the administration’s achievements, particularly in education and healthcare, noting that the narrative of governance in Abia has significantly improved.

The speakers collectively described Gov. Otti as one of the most impactful governors in Nigeria today, emphasizing that ongoing projects including plans for a 250-room five-star hotel in Umuahia and the completion of key infrastructure will further transform Umuahia to a befitting capital.

In his remarks, Governor Otti reiterated that governance should be rooted in service rather than self-interest.

He assured the people that his administration remains committed to delivering quality projects across all sectors, adding that every project initiated will be completed.

2027: Umuahia/Ikwuano Constituency Assures Otti Of 60% Votes In Abia is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez has recommended the immediate establishment of an European army to bolster the continent’s security posture.

Sánchez made the call on Friday at the European Pulse Forum 2026 in Barcelona, where he advised allied nations to close ranks to deal with the current and emerging realities.

“We (Spain) are ready to move forward with a common European army,” he told the gathering. “Not in ten years or two—as soon as tomorrow.”

Sánchez repeated his condemnation of Israel’s military operation in the Gaza Strip, urging the international community not to allow “a new Gaza in Lebanon.”

The prime minister added that in the face of violations of international law, Europe must act consistently if it wants the support of the rest of the world.

Sánchez earlier condemned this week’s Israeli strikes in Lebanon, which resulted in over 250 casualties and injured more than 1,100, according to Lebanon’s Civil Defence and Health Ministry.

The Spanish leader accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “contempt for life and international law,” and asked the European Union to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel.

On Friday, Netanyahu stated that Spain was engaging in a diplomatic war against Israel and removed the country from the coordination center overseeing the Gaza ceasefire.

Netanyahu said Spain defamed IDF service members, whom he described as “the soldiers of the most moral army in the world,” vowing that Israel will not “remain silent in the face of those who attack us.”

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar scolded Sánchez for criticizing Israel and its army, saying “Spain’s obsessive anti-Israel bias is so egregious that it has lost all capability” to remain in the Gaza peace process.

Sánchez has been vocal since Israel started its military action in Gaza after the Hamas attack in October 2023. Spain also recognizes the state of Palestine, and recently recalled its ambassador to Israel.

Spain’s Sánchez advocates European army, fears Gaza situation in Lebanon

The United States President, Donald Trump, has said Iran is in a weak negotiating position, claiming the country lacks leverage beyond Hormuz control in the ongoing tensions with the US.

Trump made the remarks in a post on Truth Social, where he criticised Iran’s strategy and accused it of relying on temporary pressure tactics.

“The Iranians don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways.

“The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!” he wrote.

The president also accused Iran of being more effective in media engagement than in military confrontation.

“The Iranians are better at handling the Fake News Media, and ‘Public Relations,’ than they are at fighting,” he added.

His comments come amid heightened tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route through which about one-fifth of the world’s crude supply passes.

The strategic waterway is expected to be a central issue in upcoming peace talks between the United States and Iran scheduled to take place in Pakistan on Saturday.

Although both countries have indicated that the channel would reopen following a two-week truce announced earlier, lingering threats from Tehran have reportedly continued to limit shipping activities in the area.

Iran lacks cards, only alive to negotiate – Trump

The Independent National Electoral Commission has denied that its chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, owns or has ever operated a personal account on X, formerly Twitter.

This followed the circulation of a tweet attributed to him in which he allegedly declared that “victory is sure” for the ruling All Progressives Congress ahead of the 2023 general elections.

THE WHISTLER reports that the post, dated March 18, 2023, was a reaction to a tweet by the APC national youth leader, Dayo Israel, in which Israel claimed to have swung votes for the APC in “Igbo dominated community” in Lagos.

An account bearing Amupitan’s name then commented “Victory is sure” under Israel tweet.

The old post has since garnered thousands of views and sparked reactions from Nigerians who questioned the impartiality of INEC.

But speaking through his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, on Friday, the INEC boss described the allegation as “entirely baseless, a total fabrication, and a figment of the imagination of its purveyors.”

The statement reads, “The INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X.

“He has at no time engaged in partisan commentary, nor has he ever associated himself with any political leaning or activity in his private or public capacity.”

INEC further described the post as “a desperate attempt to impugn the integrity and neutrality of the Chairman at a critical period when the Commission is focused on significant electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming polls.”

The commission said it was “working in close collaboration with relevant security agencies and cyber-intelligence units to track and identify the individuals or groups behind this identity theft and misinformation,” adding that those found responsible would be prosecuted under the Cybercrimes Act.

“Identity theft and the dissemination of deepfake or forged social media interactions are criminal offenses under the Cybercrimes Act,” the statement said.

“Those responsible for this mischief will be tracked and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others who believe the digital space is a safe haven for criminality.”

Oketola urged the public to disregard the post and seek information about the commission only through verified channels.

INEC Chairman Disowns 2023 Tweet Declaring ‘Victory Is Sure’ For APC is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Ex-Benue Local Government chairman, Moses Iorhen Shirsha, and his wife, Mercy Mngusonun Shirsha, have been laid to rest in a joint burial ceremony in Mbator, Mbatsen, Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State.

The burial, which took place amid tears and tributes, drew sympathisers from across the state, as family members, friends, and associates gathered to honour the deceased couple.

The late Shirsha, a former Chairman of Konshisha LGA, also made history as the first Students’ Union President of Benue State University.

His wife, Mercy, served as a Senior Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor during her lifetime.

Sources said the former chairman died just days after the loss of his wife, compounding the grief surrounding the tragedy.

Speakers at the burial described the incident as deeply painful, noting that the couple, who shared their lives together, were also laid side by side in death.

Prayers were offered for the repose of their souls, while condolences poured in for the Shirsha Adeega family over the double loss.

Ex-Benue LG chairman, wife buried same day in Konshisha

Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has made his most direct allegations yet against his former deputy, Aminu Abdussalam, claiming that the resignation which ended their political partnership was linked to a deliberate plot to remove him from office.

Speaking at Government House in Kano while receiving a group of praise singers, Yusuf said the events surrounding Abdussalam’s exit pointed to a calculated attempt to force him out and install the former deputy as governor.

“Whatever pushed him to act in that manner was an effort to depose me and occupy the seat,” Yusuf said. “But God did not permit it.”

The governor also revealed that he had never personally seen or received the resignation letter attributed to Abdussalam, raising fresh questions about how the exit was formally processed.

“Today, the deputy governor who was elected alongside us is no longer part of this government. No one wronged him. In fact, I have not even come across his resignation letter, so why should I be concerned about it?” he said.

Abdussalam, popularly known as Gwarzo, resigned earlier this year amid mounting pressure from the Kano State House of Assembly, where impeachment proceedings against him had already been set in motion. His resignation abruptly halted the process, but the political fallout has continued to reverberate.

In remarks that hinted at deeper internal tensions, Yusuf also questioned whether unmet political ambitions within the Kwankwasiyya Movement may have driven his former deputy’s actions.

“The deputy governor who left in hopes of getting that ticket — what was his offence? Why wasn’t he given the chance? Isn’t that unfair to him?” the governor asked.

Abdussalam has not publicly responded to the allegations. His silence leaves unanswered what many observers now view as a high-stakes power struggle that came closer to reshaping Kano’s political landscape than previously acknowledged.

How My Deputy Plotted To Seize My Office — Gov Yusuf is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe, has received the chief executive of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola, popularly known as GB, and endorsed the expansion of financial technology solutions as a pathway for economic growth, innovation and youth empowerment across Nigeria’s Southeast.

The monarch who adopted the fintech leader, GB, as a son emphasised that the region’s long-standing culture of commerce and entrepreneurship places it in a strong position to benefit from digital financial innovation.

He noted that the Igbo trading system, which has thrived for generations through resilience and enterprise, can gain even greater momentum when combined with modern technology.

Agboola, whose rise in the global technology sector has been widely followed across Nigeria, was received not merely as a corporate executive but as a symbol of what Nigerian ingenuity can achieve on the international stage.

His journey from local beginnings to building one of Africa’s most recognised fintech companies resonated strongly during the conversation, reinforcing the belief that homegrown innovation can transform local economies.

The discussion placed significant emphasis on collaboration between technology companies and grassroots commercial communities, particularly traders operating in markets across the Southeast.

According to the monarch, bridging traditional commerce with digital platforms would open new opportunities for traders, improve access to financial services and strengthen the region’s competitiveness in an increasingly digital global economy.

Moreover, youth development formed a central theme of the meeting. The Obi highlighted existing community-based programmes aimed at empowering young people and nurturing entrepreneurial skills.

He observed that integrating technology training with such initiatives would allow many young Nigerians to transition from merely seeking jobs to building scalable digital businesses.

Reflecting on the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerians, Achebe remarked that talent and creativity remain among the country’s greatest assets.

Hard work, he noted, continues to define the success stories emerging from communities across the Southeast, where individuals often build thriving ventures despite limited structural support.

Attention also turned to the famous Onitsha Main Market, widely regarded as one of the largest trading hubs in West Africa.

The monarch explained that its traditional buying-and-selling structure demonstrates the commercial instinct of the region’s people.

However, he argued that introducing structured technology education within such markets could unlock new possibilities for traders who increasingly rely on digital payments and online commerce.

He recalled an earlier attempt to establish an information technology training initiative inside the market, which did not eventually materialise.

Nonetheless, he maintained that bringing innovation closer to everyday traders remains essential if the region is to fully harness the advantages of digital transformation.

Furthermore, Achebe underscored the broader importance of education and knowledge development in advancing African economies.

While acknowledging historical influences that elevated formal education, he stressed that the continent must continue investing in skills, learning and technological capacity to remain competitive in the modern world.

Beyond the immediate discussions, the monarch also extended an invitation to Agboola to address students and stakeholders at Ahmadu Bello University, where he serves as Chancellor.

The proposed engagement, expected to take place at a major university event scheduled for January, would provide an opportunity for the fintech leader to share insights with young Nigerians preparing to enter the technology and business sectors.

Achebe assured his guest that he would personally liaise with the institution’s leadership to facilitate the arrangement, describing the university’s management as forward-thinking and receptive to partnerships that inspire innovation.

Meanwhile, this meeting symbolised more than a courtesy visit. It reflected a growing alignment between traditional leadership and modern technology enterprises, an alliance that could help position the Southeast as a vibrant hub for digital commerce, youth entrepreneurship and locally driven innovation.

Obi of Onitsha receives Flutterwave boss GB, endorses fintech in Southeast

The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Bassey Ewah, has met with hoteliers to strengthen security and enhance public safety.

“The Command is committed to partnering with hotel operators to ensure all hospitality facilities are adequately secured,” Ewah said.

Hoteliers commended the initiative and expressed readiness to collaborate with the police.

They highlighted challenges and pledged to work closely with security agencies to ensure safety.

Ewah urged hoteliers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

The meeting aimed to foster collaboration and timely information sharing to prevent crime and address security threats.

Police teams up with hoteliers to boost security in Plateau