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2027: APC Forum urges North-Central first term govs to sit up, backs Muftwang, Bago
By Israel Admau, Jos
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC, Forum has urged first term governors elected on the platform of the party in the zone to sit up in order to ensure their return for a second term.
The North-Central APC Forum asserted that improved performance by the governors will translate to victory for the party in the forthcoming election.
The APC Forum made the call on Sunday in a statement released by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, after a second quarter stakeholders consultative meeting in Abuja.
First term governors in the North-Central, who are seeking re-election in the 2027 election, include Ahmed Ododo, Kogi, Hyacinth Alia, Benue, Mohammad Bago, Niger and Caleb Muftwang, Plateau.
AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Abdullahi Sule, the governors of Kwara and Nasarawa, respectively, the two other states in the North-Central, are rounding off their second terms in office.
The North-Central APC Forum, while expressing a desire for the APC to retain the control of all the states in the zone after the 2027 elections, said the performance of the first term governors will go a long way in determining their chances of re-election.
It urged the governors to step up in the provision of dividends of democracy as the elections approach.
“We urge the first term governors in the North-Central to sit up in the discharge of their duties as the elections draw closer. Our target as the North-Central APC Forum is that the party will continue to retain control of all the states in the zone.
“As leaders of the party in their respective states, we urge the governors to take the lead towards ensuring that the North-Central remains totally under the control of the APC after the elections. The North-Central was the first geopolitical zone to come under the control of one party, APC, and we as stakeholders are proud of the feat.
“As stakeholders and dedicated party men, we declare our resolve to ensure that the North-Central retains its enviable position as the number one APC zone in the country. To this end, we are calling on the first governors to redouble their efforts in the provision of dividends of democracy to the people. We particularly urge them to pay special attention to security, the economy, agriculture, education, youth and women empowerment, and the general welfare of citizens,” the Forum said.
However, the North-Central APC Forum in the same vein commended the governors of Niger and Plateau states for their achievements in office.
The Forum noted that Bago and Muftwang have recorded notable achievements in various sectors, which it said have improved the living conditions of citizens in the two states. It highlighted improved security, economic advancement especially through investment in modernized agriculture, and empowerment programmes initiated by the governors in their states.
The Forum said Bago and Muftwang have prioritized the welfare of workers and implemented policies which have improved business activities, thereby attracting much needed private investment.
“Following the second quarter 2026 assessment of governance in the North-Central, we believe that the governors of Plateau and Niger states, Mohammed Umaru Bago and Caleb Muftwang, respectively, have recorded commendable achievements in various sectors.
“The Bago administration in Niger State has recorded major infrastructure and industrial projects including the 1,000km statewide road network and flyovers, 500-hectare solar farm and industrial park in Diko/Sabon Wuse, the Minna urban renewal and overhead bridge expansion, and the 500-unit housing estate in Kontagora.
“In Plateau State, the Muftwang administration has executed several landmark infrastructure, as well as agricultural and tourism projects, including the 19.7 km Mangu Bypass, the Plateau Potato Value Chain Project, and the remodeling of hospitality and sports centers like the Hill Station Hotel and Rwang Pam Township Stadium.
“Added to these, the administrations have recorded improvements in security and economic empowerment and several other sectors, which we believe would ensure victory for the APC in the 2027 election. Other first term governors in the zone have also made progress, but we urge all of them to do even more as the elections approach. It is our fervent desire that the North-Central retains its pride of place an the number one APC zone in the country at the end of the 2027 elections,” the Forum added.
The APC Forum expressed confidence that, with the strides recorded by Bago and Muftwang, and the performance of other governors, the pledge to deliver six million votes from the North-Central to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election is on course.
It would be recalled that, in December 2024, the Forum became the first political organization to endorse Tinubu for a second term, pledging six million votes for the President from the North-Central zone.
From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State Police command has confirmed that normalcy has been restored to Abugi and adjoining communities in Lokoja Local government area following the recent reprisal killings in the area.
In a statement by the PRO of the command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said normalcy has been restored to Abugi and adjoining communities
after useful deliberation among stakeholders and community leaders meeting.
The Area Command, Lokoja, in collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders, has commenced engagements aimed at restoring peaceful coexistence and addressing the issues underlying the conflict.
The Command also said a full-scale investigation into the killings had commenced through the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), with efforts underway to identify and apprehend all persons involved in the incident.
It warned that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The police said personnel had remained strategically deployed in the affected communities to prevent further violence and protect lives and property.
The Commissioner of Police urged residents to remain law-abiding and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the police and other security agencies.
It would be recalled that a minor disagreement between a local vigilante group and Fulani residents of Kupa Kingdom in Lokoja Local Government Council Area of Kogi State last week Thursday has led to killing of about seven people in the kingdom.
By Israel Adamu;Jos
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved the allocation of land in the state capital for the establishment of a Digital Fabrication Centre by the Industrial Training Fund, ITF.
This was contained in a statement signed by Thomas Ngor, Director, Press and Public Relations, and made available to journalists in Jos at the weekend.
According to the statement, Mbah disclosed the approval when he received a delegation from the ITF, led by its Director-General, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, on a courtesy visit to the Government House, Enugu.
The governor described the proposed centre as timely and in line with his administration’s vision of transforming Enugu into a leading destination for investment, innovation and technology-driven industrial development.
Mbah said the future of economic prosperity depended on deliberate investments in human capital and emerging technologies, noting that his administration had continued to create an enabling environment for innovation, enterprise and sustainable growth.
He explained that the state government had made technical education compulsory in its basic education system, with emphasis on digital literacy, robotics and mechatronics to prepare young people for the future of work.
According to him, many traditional trades are now increasingly driven by digital technologies, making it imperative to equip young people with relevant technical competencies that would enable them to compete globally.
The governor also disclosed that his administration had built smart schools across the state, equipped with robotics centres, mechatronics laboratories and other modern learning facilities.
He said the establishment of the ITF Digital Fabrication Centre would strengthen the state’s efforts to build a knowledge-based economy, promote innovation and local manufacturing, as well as create employment opportunities for the growing youth population.
Earlier, the ITF Director-General, Ogun, said he was mandated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to upskill Nigerian artisans to international standards following his appointment as head of the Fund.
He said the ITF had repositioned its technical and vocational skills development programmes through initiatives such as the Skill-Up Artisans, SUPA, programme, which is designed to train, certify and license Nigerian artisans to international standards.
Ogun disclosed that the Fund had already established a Digital Fabrication Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, with the capacity to produce more than 400 different products.
He therefore requested the allocation of land in Enugu State for the establishment of a similar centre, saying the initiative would promote industrialisation, reduce dependence on imports and prepare Nigerians for opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The ITF boss also reaffirmed the Fund’s readiness to enter into Public-Private Partnerships, PPPs, to transform Nigeria’s artisanal ecosystem.
He noted that digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics and computer-aided manufacturing, were rapidly transforming the global economy, stressing the need for Nigeria to deliberately invest in upskilling its workforce to remain globally competitive.
The statement added that the ITF delegation later embarked on a guided tour of facilities at one of the smart schools established by the Enugu State Government.
News
APC Chairman Marks 58th Birthday in Taraba, Flags Off Free Medical Outreach, Commissions Six Projects
By Aga Samuel Imoter
Jalingo
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has marked his 58th birthday anniversary in Taraba State with the flag-off of a free medical and surgical outreach expected to benefit more than 10,000 people across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The outreach, which began on August 3, 2026, is being conducted through selected health facilities across the state, with tertiary-level services provided by the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo; Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; and National Orthopaedic Hospital, Jalingo.
The initiative is aimed at expanding access to medical and surgical care for residents, particularly vulnerable persons and families who may be unable to meet the cost of essential healthcare services.
The flag-off ceremony, held at FMC Jalingo, coincided with the commissioning of six major healthcare projects executed under the leadership of the Medical Director, Dr Aisha Shehu Adamu.
The newly commissioned facilities are the Accident and Emergency Complex, Auditorium, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Theatre Complex, High Dependency Unit (HDU) and Kidney Centre.
The event was attended by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas; members of the National Assembly; senior APC officials; Medical Directors and Chief Medical Directors of federal health institutions across the North-East; members of the Taraba State Executive Council and House of Assembly, among other dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, Yilwatda said he chose to mark his birthday through a humanitarian intervention designed to provide practical support to people facing healthcare challenges.
He thanked Governor Kefas for the reception accorded him and commended the management of FMC Jalingo for the transformation recorded at the institution.
The APC chairman also acknowledged the support of the Taraba State Government in extending the medical intervention to communities across the three senatorial districts.
He urged political leaders, public officials, corporate organisations and other well-meaning Nigerians to support initiatives that improve the welfare of vulnerable citizens.
Yilwatda also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the medical outreach and commended Prof. Pate for his efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Governor Kefas commended Yilwatda for choosing Taraba as the venue for his 58th birthday and for using the occasion to provide free medical services to residents.
The governor said the intervention would provide much-needed relief to beneficiaries, particularly people who might otherwise struggle to access medical and surgical care.
He also commended the medical personnel and frontline healthcare workers participating in the outreach for their dedication and commitment to serving residents across the state.
Kefas welcomed the Coordinating Minister and other dignitaries to Taraba, describing their participation as a demonstration of support for initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of citizens.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, congratulated Yilwatda on his 58th birthday and commended the decision to use the occasion to support healthcare delivery.
Pate stressed the importance of interventions that expand access to healthcare and improve the wellbeing of underserved communities.
He also commended Governor Kefas for his efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in Taraba and praised the Medical Director of FMC Jalingo for the transformation recorded at the facility.
The commissioning of the six projects represents a major addition to the healthcare infrastructure of FMC Jalingo.
The facilities are expected to improve the hospital’s capacity to provide emergency, critical, surgical and specialised medical services, including renal care.
The Medical Director, Dr Aisha Shehu Adamu, expressed appreciation to the APC chairman, the Taraba State Government, the Coordinating Minister and other stakeholders for their support.
Adamu said the projects formed part of the institution’s efforts to strengthen service delivery and provide a more conducive environment for patients and healthcare professionals.
She described the decision by Yilwatda to commemorate his birthday through a humanitarian healthcare intervention as worthy of emulation, urging individuals, organisations and other stakeholders to support programmes that improve the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.
As part of the event, Medical Directors and Chief Medical Directors of federal health institutions across the North-East contributed ₦10 million towards the medical outreach.
The donation was made in support of the ongoing provision of free medical and surgical services to beneficiaries across Taraba State.
Earlier, the Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr Bodiya Buma, welcomed the APC chairman, the Coordinating Minister and other dignitaries to the state.
He commended the healthcare workers involved in the programme for their dedication and sacrifices towards ensuring the success of the outreach.
The ceremony also featured a birthday cake-cutting session in honour of Yilwatda and a cultural performance by the Taraba State Council for Arts and Culture.
The medical outreach and commissioning of the projects underscore the growing focus on expanding healthcare access and infrastructure in Taraba State, with FMC Jalingo reaffirming its commitment to improving specialised services and delivering quality, patient-centred healthcare.
The outreach is expected to continue providing medical and surgical interventions to beneficiaries across the state’s three senatorial districts.
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