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FG to cultivate 500-hectare farm for Benue IDPs – Minister
The Federal Government has announced plans to cultivate a 500-hectare farm for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Benue.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Poverty Reduction, and Disaster Management, Prof. Nentawe Yilwata, made the disclosure on Friday in Makurdi during the launching of the State Durable Solutions Action Plan for IDPs.
The minister said that the Federal Government, through the National Aggression Land Development Agency (NALDA), would cultivate 10,000 hectares of land for IDPs across the country.
He said out of the total number of hectares, 500 would be cultivated for Benue IDPs.
Yilwatda further said that the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and IDPs would provide seeds and farm inputs to the IDPs for the 500 hectares that would be done.
He explained that a total of 1,000 IDP households would benefit from the scheme with two households per hectare.
“They will be given seeds. They will be given farm inputs. 30 per cent of the farm will be given to the locals, that is, the host community.
“70 per cent will be given to the IDPs to promote social cohesion between the host community and the IDPs,” he said.
On the durable solutions, the minister commended the Benue Government for its resilience, focus, and commitment to the well-being of her displaced population.
Yilwata said that the launching of durable solutions for Benue IDPs was to celebrate progress of a united front, driven by compassion and guided by purpose.
He said that Benue was the first state to launch durable solutions that were majorly agricultural-driven for the displaced persons.
“When I was appointed in November, we launched this durable solution, visited states, and five state governors committed themselves to give us lands, and among them is Benue.
“Between November, when I was appointed, and now, Benue is the only state that has not just fulfilled and matched programme words with action but has demonstrated by even creating the cooperatives of over 200, the highest in any of the IDPs in Nigeria.
“Not just that, they donated land and cleared about 1,000 hectares in six different locations as part of the efforts. That is remarkable for building hope for our people.
“It is not just a programme; it is a lifeline, a foundation upon which vulnerable individuals, particularly widows, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and persons with disabilities, can rebuild their lives.
“Thank you, Gov. Hyacinth Alia, for what you are doing for our people. The IDPs will not only be given farm inputs but also skills and resources to create sustainable livelihoods,” he said. (NAN)
…says security agencies must deal with it
… We are fed up with the state of our Nation
By Abubakar Yunusa
Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, the sultan of Sokoto, has described social media as a “terrorist organisation”.
The sultan spoke on Tuesday at the seventh executive committee meeting of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council in Maiduguri.
The religious leader said Nigerians must not allow misinformation and fabricated stories on social media to worsen the country’s fragile security situation.
“What happened has happened. It can’t come and be through social media. That’s one terrorist organisation…social media. Social media is a terrorist organisation,” he said.
“What they do… somebody will sit in his comfort zone and formulate stories and you will think that it is true. So, social media is a terrorist organisation that we must deal with.
“Security agencies must deal with this terrorist organisation called social media.”
Abubakar said the attacks on Plateau and other parts of the country were “worrisome” and require urgent attention.
“So, we are not happy with what is happening either on the Plateau or other places,” he said.
In a statement on Monday, Amnesty International said the death toll from the recent attack on the Plateau had risen to 54.
According to the rights group, hundreds of people have been displaced since the incident and residents are living in fear of another possible attack.
The Arewa Joint Action Movement (AJAM) has thrown its weight behind the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, led by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, to dissociate from what it described as “opportunistic office seekers” including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.
AJAM stressed that Nigeria’s political terrain must be guided by integrity and purpose, not by a desire for power at all costs.
In a statement by the Coordinator of AJAM, Barnabas Musa, noted that Nigeria’s political terrain must be guided by integrity and purpose, not by a desire for power at all costs.
Musa, described the PDP governors’ position as a “bold and commendable step” toward safeguarding Nigeria’s political integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He criticized the political maneuverings of those he called “transient political actors” within the opposition coalition, accusing them of chasing personal gain rather than national progress.
He said: “The members of the opposition alliance, characterized by their transient political ambitions, have consistently shown themselves to be more concerned with personal gain than with the needs and aspirations of the common man.
“The Arewa Joint Action Movement firmly believes that the political landscape should be navigated with integrity and purpose. Unfortunately, the individuals in this opposition coalition have proven to be nothing more than political opportunists and job seekers, feeding off the goodwill of the populace while offering little more than empty promises and deceptive rhetoric.
“Their dubious political agendas are not rooted in the genuine desire to uplift our communities or address the pressing issues facing our nation, but rather in a quest for power and influence at any cost.
“As we look ahead to the 2027 presidential elections, it is imperative that we remain vigilant against those who seek to destabilize our country for their own gain. The electorate has grown increasingly discerning, and we are confident that they will reject any attempts by these opportunists to manipulate their hopes and aspirations.
“The Nigerian people deserve leaders who prioritize their welfare and work tirelessly to create a brighter future for all citizens, rather than those who exploit their struggles for political leverage.
“We commend Governor Bala Mohammed and the PDP Governors Forum for their principled stance and urge them to continue advocating for policies that enhance the lives of our people.
“The Arewa Joint Action Movement stands ready to support initiatives that promote unity, progress, and genuine democratic values. Together, we can build a Nigeria that reflects the hopes and dreams of its citizens, free from the shackles of political opportunism.”
The group also called on citizens to reject “the politics of deception and self-interest” and unite for a just, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria.
Former CPC leaders, once part of Nigeria’s defunct Congress for Progressive Change, reaffirmed their genuine commitment and unwavering loyalty to the APC.
The meeting was attended by prominent figures, whose declare their support to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), former Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Al-Makura, former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, Hon. Aliyu Adamu Farouk, Osita Okechukwu, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, Yusuf Salihu, Capt. Bala Jubrin, Uche Oferoh, Hon. Ayuba Bulama.
Both Al-Makura and Masari were instrumental in the CPC’s legacy and its subsequent merger into the APC. Their continued presence at the meeting and political involvement are seen as critical to maintaining the ideological balance and structural stability within the party.