By Jabiru Hassan

The Project Coordinator of the Danmodi Eye Care Initiative and Roger Casement Fellow at University College Dublin, Ireland, Dr Hafiz Muktar, has commended Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi, saying his administration deserves further recognition for its development efforts.

Muktar made the remarks in a message to the governor and the Jigawa State Government following the presentation of a Blueprint Newspaper award to Namadi on Tuesday. The award was presented alongside recognitions given to ministers, governors, political leaders and other recipients.Muktar described Namadi as a committed leader whose administration was focused on improving the state’s development prospects.

“I am certain that His Excellency, Governor Umar Namadi, is doing great for our state, and his commitment to transforming Jigawa has been recognised since his election as governor,” he said. He expressed optimism that the governor’s development initiatives would continue to benefit residents and contribute to the state’s progress.

Muktar also commended the administration’s efforts in the healthcare sector, particularly its focus on improving healthcare delivery across Jigawa State. He said sustained investment in healthcare would contribute significantly to improving the wellbeing of residents and strengthening the state’s health system.

By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

The Benue State House of Assembly has unanimously elected Hon. Peter Ipusu Bemdoo, representing Katsina-Ala West State Constituency, as its new Majority Leader. The election took place during Tuesday’s plenary and was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, according to a statement issued by the Speaker’s Chief Press Secretary, Zape Michael Upaa.

Ipusu, who previously served as Chief Whip, is also the Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Tertiary Education. His election, according to the statement, reflects the confidence of lawmakers in his legislative experience.

Congratulating Ipusu, Speaker Emberga urged him to use his experience to strengthen the coordination of legislative activities and promote cooperation, discipline and constructive engagement among members.The Speaker also charged the new Majority Leader to support legislation and policies addressing the needs of Benue residents and contributing to the state’s development.

Emberga stressed the importance of teamwork and urged Ipusu to maintain consultation and collaboration with other lawmakers in carrying out his legislative responsibilities.The Speaker expressed confidence that the new Majority Leader would add value to the Assembly, strengthen its leadership and contribute to its effective discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

From Abel Zwanke, Lafia

The Middle Belt Forum has said it will support a southern presidential candidate in the 2027 election who demonstrates competence and commitment to peace, inclusion, restructuring and the socio-economic development of the region.

A member of the Forum, Akor-Abagi, stated this in an interview, saying the Middle Belt would approach the 2027 election based on concrete policy commitments rather than as a fixed electoral bloc.

He said the Forum’s recent engagement with Adebayo, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), was a consultation and not an endorsement. According to him, the discussion focused on restructuring, state policing and treating insecurity in the Middle Belt as a national security priority.

Akor-Abagi said the Forum would assess candidates based on policies and actions, particularly their plans to address insecurity, protect farmlands, support displaced persons and improve infrastructure.

He identified state and community policing, justice for victims, compensation, protection of ancestral lands, equitable federal appointments and constitutional reforms as key areas of concern.

On power rotation, he said the Forum still believed in fairness and rotation but would prioritise competence and commitment to restructuring in 2027. “Yes, the principle of rotation and fairness still matters to us. But in 2027, the focus is shifting to competence plus commitment to restructuring,” he said. He added that, in his view, the presidency should return to the Middle Belt in 2031.

Akor-Abagi said candidates seeking the region’s support should publish policies with clear budgets and timelines and engage affected communities beyond election periods.