APC Has No Viable Alternative In Nigeria, Prof. Yilwatda Insists, Says Others Thrive In Confusion

April 9, 2026

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has warned Nigerians not to gamble their future on confusion, instability or politically disoriented alternatives other than the ruling APC.
A statement today, April 9, by Abimbola Tooki, his special adviser on media and communications strategy, quoted the National Chairman as stressing that the APC has over time, demonstrated the institutional maturity, national spread, political discipline and administrative capacity required to manage the complex demands of a nation as large, diverse and strategically important as Nigeria.
Professor Yilwatda who reportedly spoke against the background of the social, political and economic management of the country, said that APC is not merely preparing for the next election cycle, but actively working to deepen governance, strengthen democratic culture, improve public trust and build a stronger foundation for national development.
“The All Progressives Congress is not an ad hoc coalition held together by convenience. It is a tested and enduring political machine, built on structure, spread, experience and the capacity to respond to the real needs of Nigerians. We are the only party with the institutional strength and national reach to carry the weight of both the present and the future of this country.”
Professor Yilwatda said that while governance naturally comes with pressures, contestations and difficult decisions, the APC is committed to supporting policies and reforms that would place Nigeria on the path of long-term stability, productivity and prosperity.
According to him, the task before the current administration is not a cosmetic one but a serious nation-building responsibility that requires courage, patience, sacrifice and political steadiness, adding that the APC, as the governing party, fully understands the weight of this historic obligation and will continue to provide the political backbone required to sustain reforms and deliver democratic dividends to Nigerians.
On the internal crises ravaging some opposition parties, Professor Yilwatda said that the situation is a clear and disturbing reflection of their lack of preparedness for national leadership.
He said that any political platform that cannot manage its own internal affairs, reconcile competing tendencies, enforce discipline or build consensus within its ranks, cannot be trusted with the delicate task of governing a complex federation like Nigeria.
He said that the persistent implosions, factional wars, legal battles, ego clashes and ideological emptiness that define many opposition parties today are not just political setbacks, but warning signs of deeper structural weakness and managerial incompetence.
He said that it would be dangerous and politically irresponsible for Nigerians to hand over the future of the country to political actors who have repeatedly shown that they cannot maintain order within their own house.
“A party that cannot govern itself cannot govern Nigeria. If a political platform is constantly trapped in self-inflicted crisis, consumed by internal sabotage, and weakened by poor management, it simply has no business asking Nigerians for the mandate to lead this country.”
The APC National Chairman advised Nigerians to be discerning enough to separate noise from capacity, propaganda from preparation and opportunism from genuine leadership.
He said that while the APC would continue to evolve, reform and strengthen its internal processes, many opposition parties remain trapped in a cycle of instability that makes them unfit for serious democratic competition.
Professor Yilwatda said that a repositioned and confident APC is not afraid of political competition and does not seek victory through the technical disqualification of opponents.
He said that the APC believes in democratic contest, popular legitimacy and the power of persuasion, adding that the party derives greater strength and credibility when it wins elections through the trust and support of the Nigerian people.
According to him, while political parties must comply with the law and electoral regulations, the APC’s preference is always to defeat its opponents at the ballot box and not in backroom arrangements, procedural traps or legal technicalities.
He emphasized that true democratic legitimacy comes from earned victory, not engineered outcomes and that history is kinder to leaders and parties whose mandates are clearly validated by the people.
“Victory is sweeter when it is earned. It is more legitimate when it is freely given by the people. As a party, we believe that the strongest mandate is one secured through persuasion, performance, organization and political engagement.”

Nigeria’s Industrial Future: Group To Host International Confab On Ajaokuta Steel April 16

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2026

A concerned group known as CSO Coalition for the Revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company has scheduled to host an International Conference on Ajaokuta Steel Company, virtually on April 16, from 11:00am.
A statement by the National Coordinator of the Group, Mohammed Bougei Attah, said that the theme of the conference would be: “Ajaokuta Phenomenon in Tinubu’s Era: A Turning Point or Another Missed Opportunity?” …and is coming at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s economic and industrial trajectory.
He said that the conference will seek to interrogate the status, prospects and political will surrounding the revival of the long-abandoned Ajaokuta Steel Complex, widely regarded as the backbone of Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda.
“The conference will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including engineers, academics, labour leaders, international consultants, civil society actors and policy influencers from Nigeria and across the globe—particularly from the United Kingdom, Russia, Canada, Belgium, and The Gambia.
“This broad participation underscores the global significance of Ajaokuta and its potential role in positioning Nigeria as a competitive industrial hub.”
Mohammed Bougei Attah said that the conference would focus on reigniting national discourse on the strategic importance of Ajaokuta Steel Company, assessing the commitment of the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu toward its revival and providing a platform for evidence-based policy recommendations.
He said that it would also aim to strengthen civic advocacy for transparency, accountability and sustainable industrial development and mobilize both domestic and international support for actionable reforms
According to the Mohammed Bougei Attah, the event will feature the following:
Opening remarks by Engr. Abdallah Sani of SOYUNIK Worldwide, select group of Engineers trained under the Nigeria-Russia Partnership, a conference briefing him as the National Coordinator.and goodwill messages from notable stakeholders, including labour representatives, international business leaders, and academia.
The coordinator said that there would be a keynote address by Prof. Banji Oyeyinka, Visiting Fellow at The Open University, Aberdeen, United Kingdom and former staff of the African Development Bank, ADB.
He added that there would also be a high-level panel discussion with experts in engineering, trade, civil society, and human rights as well as interactive sessions for public engagement and contributions and presentation of a Conference Communiqué, outlining key resolutions and advocacy demands
He recalled that for decades, the Ajaokuta Steel Company has symbolized both Nigeria’s industrial ambition and governance challenges.
“As the nation grapples with economic diversification, unemployment, and infrastructure deficits, the question remains whether Ajaokuta will finally be revived or continue as a missed opportunity.
“This conference represents a decisive moment for civil society and stakeholders to demand clarity, commitment, and concrete action from government and partners.
The coordinator said that the CSO Coalition for the Revival of Ajaokuta Steel Company is a non-partisan alliance of civil society organisations committed to advocating for the revitalisation of Ajaokuta Steel Complex as a catalyst for national development, job creation, and economic transformation since 2019.

Ceasefire: Our Hands Still On Trigger, We Will Respond To Slight Mistake With Full Force – Iran

Greenbarge Reporters

April 8, 2026

Iranian Foreign Affairs minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has warned United States of America and Israel not to play any smart game during the two week ceasefire pact they just entered into because their fighting spirit is still intact.
“Our hands are on the trigger, and at the slightest mistake from the enemy, we will respond with full force.”
In a statement today, April 8, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi assured Iranian citizens that nearly all war objectives have been achieved, saying: “your brave sons have brought the enemy to historic helplessness and lasting defeat.”
He described the current negotiations as a continuation of the battlefield and that all people, elites and political groups must trust and support this process under the supervision of the Leader and the highest levels of the system and avoid divisive statements.
“If the enemy’s surrender on the battlefield turns into a decisive political gain in negotiations, we will celebrate this historic victory together; otherwise, we will continue fighting shoulder-to-shoulder until all demands of the Iranian nation are achieved.”
Read the full text of the statement of Seyyed Abbas Araghchi:
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
It is announced to the noble, great, and heroic people of Iran:
The enemy, in its unjust, illegal, and criminal war against the Iranian nation, has suffered an undeniable, historic, and crushing defeat. Through the blessings of the pure blood of the martyred leader of the Islamic Revolution, Grand Ayatollah Imam Khamenei (peace be upon him), the leadership and guidance of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and Commander-in-Chief, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei (may God protect him), and the bravery of the fighters, Iran has achieved a great victory and forced the United States to accept its 10-point plan.
This plan includes non-aggression, continued Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, acceptance of enrichment, lifting all sanctions, ending UN resolutions, compensation to Iran, and withdrawal of U.S. forces from the region.
We congratulate the Iranian people on this victory, while emphasizing that unity, resilience, and wise leadership remain essential until final outcomes are secured.
Over the past 40 days, Iran and the resistance axis have delivered unforgettable blows to the enemy.
Iran and the resistance have crushed the enemy’s forces, infrastructure, and strategic capabilities, leaving it in a state of collapse and desperation, with no option but submission.
At the beginning of the war, the enemy believed it would quickly dominate Iran and impose instability to force surrender.
They miscalculated Iran’s strength, assuming its missile and drone capabilities would fade and that it could not respond beyond its borders.
They even believed they could dismantle Iran, seize its resources, and plunge the country into chaos.
However, the fighters of Iran and the resistance, despite deep losses, chose to deliver a historic and decisive response, ensuring the enemy would abandon any future aggression.
With unprecedented unity, Iran and the resistance launched one of the heaviest combined wars in history against the United States and the Zionist regime.
They have nearly destroyed the U.S. military presence in the region, inflicted heavy casualties, and delivered devastating strikes across multiple fronts, including inside occupied territories.
Within just 10 days, the enemy realized it could not win this war, and began seeking contact with Iran through various channels to request a ceasefire.
Supreme National Security Council: We now give glad tidings to the great nation of Iran that nearly all war objectives have been achieved, and your brave sons have brought the enemy to historic helplessness and lasting defeat.
The noble people of Iran should know that, thanks to the efforts and historic presence of our sons on the battlefield, the enemy has been begging for over a month to stop Iran’s fierce fire and the resistance. However, the country’s officials, since the beginning, had decided that the war would continue until the enemy was thoroughly humbled and long-term threats to the country were eliminated.
Iran has repeatedly rejected deadlines presented by the U.S. president and continues to emphasize that no such deadlines from the enemy hold any significance.
Iran’s historic decision, supported by the unified will of the nation, is to continue this battle as long as necessary to consolidate the immense achievements and establish new security and political equations in the region based on Iran’s power and sovereignty.
In line with the guidance of Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei (may God protect him) and the Supreme National Security Council, and given Iran and the resistance’s upper hand and the enemy’s inability to enforce threats, negotiations will be held in Islamabad to finalize the details within 15 days.
Iran has presented a 10-point plan to the U.S. via Pakistan, emphasizing key points including:
• Controlled passage of the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian coordination
• Ending the war against all parts of the resistance axis
• Withdrawal of U.S. forces from all bases and positions in the region
• Establishing a safe passage protocol in the Strait of Hormuz guaranteeing Iranian control
• Full compensation to Iran
• Lifting all primary and secondary sanctions and UN Security Council resolutions
• Releasing all frozen Iranian assets abroad
• Adoption of all these points in a binding Security Council resolution.
Approval of this resolution will convert these agreements into binding international law and represent a major diplomatic victory for Iran.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan has informed Iran that the U.S., despite its apparent threats, has accepted these principles as the basis of negotiations and submitted to the will of the Iranian nation.
It has been decided at the highest level that Iran will conduct two weeks of negotiations in Islamabad based solely on these principles. This does not mean the war is over; Iran will only accept the end of the war once these principles are confirmed in detail.
These negotiations, beginning Friday, 21 Farvardin, will proceed with complete distrust of the U.S., and Iran will allocate two weeks, extendable by mutual agreement. During this period, national unity must be maintained, and victory celebrations should continue strongly.
We give glad tidings to the great nation of Iran that nearly all war objectives have been achieved, and your brave sons have brought the enemy to historic helplessness and lasting defeat.
Current negotiations are national and a continuation of the battlefield; all people, elites, and political groups must trust and support this process under the supervision of the Leader and the highest levels of the system and avoid divisive statements.
If the enemy’s surrender on the battlefield turns into a decisive political gain in negotiations, we will celebrate this historic victory together; otherwise, we will continue fighting shoulder-to-shoulder until all demands of the Iranian nation are achieved.
Our hands are on the trigger, and at the slightest mistake from the enemy, we will respond with full force.

US, Iran Agree On 2-Week Ceasefire, Israel Supports

Greenbarge Reporters

April 8, 2026

Reports reaching us at Greenbarge Reporters online newspaper in Nigeria indicated that the United States and Iran have agreed to a 2-week ceasefire in a fierced war that has lingered between the US/Israel and Iran for the past five weeks.
This is even as Israel is in support of the ceasefire pact and is being involved in the process, along with Lebanon.
Iran is believed to have agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz during these two weeks, but will continue to collect tolls, confirming de-facto Iranian control over the waterway.
In turn, America has agreed to begin negotiations in Islamabad on Friday, based on Iran’s 10-point plan.
The acceptance of Iran’s 10-point plan, which contains the lifting of sanctions, guarantees of non-aggression, acceptance of nuclear enrichment, formal Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz and other things, is a precondition for the establishment of a permanent ceasefire.
Iran warned that if America does not abide by the 10-point plan of Iran, it is likely the war will continue after two weeks.
Below is a statement by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council that is trending on social media this morning, April 8:
‘The United States has accepted a humiliating defeat and agreed to all of Iran’s demands, including the 10 points:
1. Commitment to non-aggression.
2. Continued Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz.
3. Acceptance of uranium enrichment.
4. Lifting of all primary sanctions.
5. Lifting of all secondary sanctions.
6. Termination of all resolutions of the UN Security Council
7. Termination of all resolutions of the IEAE Board of Governors.
8. Payments of compensation for Iran.
9. Withdrawal of American combat forces from the region.
10. Cessation of war on all theatres, Lebanon, Yemen and Palestine.
Trump has accepted all these 10 points for negotiation.

APC Chairman, Prof. Yilwatda Visits Angwan Rukuba, Gives Out N15 Million Succour To Victims Of Attack

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2026

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda has announced a donation of N15,000,000 to support the victims of the Angwan Rukuba attack as well as other vulnerable patients receiving treatment at the Jos, Plateau State University Teaching Hospital.
The money is intended to ease the immediate burden of medical care and provide some measure of relief to those going through physical pain, emotional trauma and financial hardship as a result of the incident.
Professor Yilwatda announced the cash donation today, April 4, when he visited victims of the recent attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). He was accompanied by his wife, Dr. Martina Yilwatda.

Professor Yilwatda described the attack as barbaric, painful, unacceptable and a direct assault on our common humanity, stressing that the time has come for all stakeholders to move beyond routine condemnation and work deliberately and collectively to prevent any recurrence of such senseless violence.
In a statement by Abimbola Tooki, Special Adviser to the National Chairman of APC on Media and Communications Strategy, Yilwatda said that the pain of the victims and their families is a burden that must be shared by all men and women of conscience.
He said that no society can make meaningful progress where innocent citizens continue to live in fear and uncertainty.
The APC boss said that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to restoring peace, strengthening security operations and ensuring that all parts of the country, including Plateau State, enjoy the safety and stability necessary for development and peaceful coexistence.
Professor Yilwatda assured the victims and their families that the Federal Government is not leaving any stone unturned in its determination to ensure that every Nigerian life is valued, protected, and defended against criminality, violence, and terror.
He emphasized that the tragedy in Angwan Rukuba must serve as a wake-up call to all leaders, communities, security institutions and political actors to rise above division and work in unity to confront the forces of violence threatening the peace of Plateau and other parts of the country.
Professor Yilwatda used the occasion to commiserate with the families of those who lost their lives in the attack, praying for the peaceful repose of the departed and asking God to grant their loved ones the strength and courage to bear the painful and irreparable loss.
He expressed deep appreciation to the management and medical personnel of the Jos University Teaching Hospital for their prompt response, professionalism and commitment in attending to the victims and saving lives under difficult circumstances.
The National Chairman also paid a condolence visit to the Paramount Ruler of Jos North Local Government Area, the Ujah Anaguta, over the attack on residents of Anguwan Rukuba, a community within his domain.
He said that the tragedy in Plateau must not be normalized, politicized or reduced to another passing news cycle, but that it should provoke renewed urgency, coordinated action, stronger intelligence gathering, deeper community engagement and sustained security intervention to ensure that communities across the state are protected from further attacks.
He called on political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, civil society organizations and community stakeholders to close ranks and reject every form of hatred, division, provocation and violence capable of threatening the peace and unity of Plateau State.
Professor Yilwatda maintained that Plateau, with its rich diversity, history and strategic importance, must not be allowed to descend into repeated circles of bloodshed, grief, and instability.
He said that the APC, the Federal Government and all responsible stakeholders are united in the resolve to ensure that there is no repeat of such horrific incidents and that every necessary step will continue to be taken to restore confidence, strengthen peace, and guarantee security for all residents of the state.

Power, Domination: USA Remains Poor Student Of History, By Abdulkarim Abdulmalik

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2026

There is a simple truth about power: it can make nations forget. Not just forget others; but forget themselves. The story of the United States of America (USA) is, in many ways, the story of a country that rose to greatness on the strength of ideas – freedom, democracy, opportunity – but has often struggled to live by those same ideals when dealing with the rest of the world.
To understand this tension, let’s go back to the end of World War II. Much of Europe was in ruins. Millions were dead. On the premise of that devastation, the USA stepped forward; not just as a victor, but as a builder. It helped rebuild broken economies, supported new international institutions, and positioned itself as a defender of liberty.
At that moment, America looked less like an empire but more like a hope. But history rarely moves in straight lines.
Following the emergence of the Cold War, fear began to shape decisions. The rise of communism was seen not just as a political threat, but as an existential one. In a desperate effort to stop it, the United States continually abandoned the very democratic principles it claimed to defend. Governments were influenced, elections were undermined, and in some cases, leaders were removed; not because they were tyrants, but because they were seen as ideologically inconvenient for American democracy to tolerate.
To the ordinary people in parts of Latin America, Africa, and Asia, “freedom” as it were, began to feel selective.
Then came Vietnam—a war that still echoes in global memory. For many Americans, it was a painful chapter filled with loss and national introspection. For the Vietnamese, it was something deeper: a devastating conflict that tore through families, villages, and generations.
The tragedy was not just in the scale of destruction, but in the stubborn belief that power alone could dictate outcomes in a land with its own history, identity, and will.
One might think such a lesson would be unforgettable.
Decades later, history seemed to whisper the same warning. Once again, it went largely unheeded.
The 2003 invasion of Iraq was presented as a necessary act to eliminate a looming threat. But when the promised weapons of mass destruction were not found, what remained was a fractured nation, deepened instability, and a region struggling to recover. For many outside the United States, the war reinforced a familiar perception: that American power often acts first and reflects later.
Yet, it would be unfair and inaccurate to paint the United States as simply oppressive. The country is far more complex than that. It is a place where citizens protest wars, where journalists question authority, and where students debate justice and history with passion. During Vietnam and Iraq, millions of Americans themselves raised their voices in dissent. That matters. It shows that within the system, there is a conscience.
Meanwhile, when conscience is ignored by power, it becomes frustration.
History offers several warnings about what happens when powerful nations stop listening. The Roman Empire once stretched across continents, confident in its strength, yet ultimately weakened by internal decay and overexpansion. The British Empire ruled vast territories, only to watch them slip away as people demanded dignity and self-rule.
These were not sudden collapses. They were slow realizations that power without fairness cannot last. Sooner or later, it evaporates.
That not withstanding, there is something unique about how America sees itself. The idea of “exceptionalism.” Different as they perceive it, America see it as being perhaps even immune from the fate of past empires. It runs deep into the country’s political culture.

Exceptionalism is an idea that inspires confidence, but also, at times, blinds.
This is because, history does not grant exemptions.
Today, the world is changing. Countries like China and Russia are asserting themselves more forcefully, challenging the idea that one nation alone can shape global affairs. Power is therefore becoming more distributed, more contested, and more complex.
It is against this backdrop that domination is no longer as effective as cooperation in the fast unfolding World politics.
For many people outside the United States including here in Nigeria, global politics is not an abstract debate. Far from that!
It affects real lives: fuel prices, security concerns, economic opportunities, even social tensions. When powerful countries act without listening, smaller nations often bear the consequences.
That is why the question of whether America learns from history is not just an American issue—it is a global one.
The encouraging reality, however, is that the United States of America still has the ability to change course. Its greatest strength has never been just its military or economy, but its capacity for self-reflection. It has, at different moments in its history, corrected itself—sometimes slowly, sometimes painfully, but meaningfully.
The civil rights movement, the end of unpopular wars, the expansion of democratic rights—these are reminders that learning is possible.
But learning requires humility. It requires asking difficult questions:
Are we listening enough?
Are we acting justly?
Are we repeating what we once criticized in others?
Power, when guided by wisdom, can build. But power without memory and the discipline to learn from past mistakes could easily result to destruction.
The paradox of the United States of America is that it remains both a teacher and a student of democracy. It teaches through its ideals, but it is still learning how to apply them consistently.
That, perhaps, is the real story: not of a villain, but of a nation still struggling to align its strength with its values.
The paradox remains: a nation that Teaches the World about democracy, yet struggles to apply it’s principles consistently beyond it’s borders.
History is watching. The world is watching as the US-Israeli’s imposed war on Iran rages.

– Abdulkarim Abdulmalik, Abuja based veteran journalist can be reached on: nowmalik@gmail.com

Lassa Fever Hits Taraba, 50 Die At Federal Medical Centre In Jalingo

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2026

No fewer than 50 patients have been confirmed dead at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, from an outbreak of Lassa fever in Taraba State.
The Head of Clinical Services at the hospital, Dr Suleiman Abubakar Kirim, in an interview with journalists, described the development as the most severe outbreak.
According to him, a total of 226 suspected cases were admitted at the facility, out of which 95 were laboratory-confirmed.
He said that out of the confirmed cases, 50 patients died, while 20 others have been successfully treated and discharged.
Dr. Kirim said that new cases are still being reported and that the current situation represents the highest number of suspected cases and fatalities recorded by the centre in recent years.
He was confident that the rate of infection would decline with the onset of the rainy season, explaining that Lassa fever transmission is typically higher during the dry season.
The hospital management said that recently introduced service packs are aimed at ensuring standardisation, efficiency, safety, and accountability in healthcare delivery.
The management emphasised that, in the context of recurring infectious, disease outbreaks such as Lassa fever, the importance of controlled and structured healthcare systems cannot be overstated.
It noted that the service pack system is not unique to FMC Jalingo but is a standard practice in leading tertiary institutions across Nigeria, including Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, and University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital.
It said that similar systems are also used in advanced health systems in countries such as Ghana, the United States, India, and South Africa.
According to the management, service packs play a critical role in infection prevention and control by ensuring the availability of sterile and properly structured consumables.
“The absence of properly structured and sterile consumables, or reliance on repeatedly handled materials, increases the risk of transmission to healthcare workers and other patients, with potentially severe public health consequences.
“Service packs therefore serve as a frontline safeguard for both patients and medical personnel.”

Religious Harmony: Need For Govt, Others To Strike Strategic Partnership With Interfaith Media Group

Greenbarge Reporters

April 4, 2026

There’s no doubt that Nigeria has long emerged as a nation of diverse faith, ethnicity and culture. In that context therefore, the pursuit of religious harmony has become not just a moral aspiration but a strategic imperative for national security and sustainable development.
Over the years, Nigeria has grappled with recurrent religious tension, misinformation and identity-based conflicts. Such tensions have continually threatened its unity and undermined its socio-economic progress.
These are the factors that have brought about the need for innovative, coordinated and credible platforms that can bridge the divides for the purpose of fostering dialogue.
The Guild of Interfaith Media Practitioners Nigeria (GIMP-Nigeria), which stands as unique intersection of media practice and interfaith engagement, stands as one of such platforms that deserves greater national attention and institutional support.
As a professional body made up of experienced journalists, editors, communication experts and faith-conscious media practitioners, the Guild is strategically positioned to influence public discourse, counter harmful stereotypes and promote narratives that emphasize co-existence, mutual respect and shared national values.
It must be stressed that so far, the great potential of the group has remained barely noticed and therefore underutilized.
It is therefore imperative for government institutions, faith leaders and interfaith non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to deliberately leverage GIMP-Nigeria as a partner in advancing religious harmony and strengthening national security.
It is a fact well known across the world that the role of the media in shaping perceptions is unquatifiable. This is backgrounded in the dictum which says that conflicts are not only fought on the ground but amplified or de-escalated through the media. For example, sensational reporting, biased framing and the spread of unverified information have, at times, exacerbated tensions between religious communities in Nigeria. Conversely, responsible journalism that prioritizes accuracy, balance and sensitivity can serve as a powerful tool for peacebuilding. This is where GIMP-Nigeria’s mandate becomes critical.
By promoting ethical reporting on religious issues and training media practitioners in conflict-sensitive journalism, the Guild can help transform the media landscape from one that sometimes fuels division to one that actively promotes unity.
For the Nigerian government, particularly agencies responsible for information, security and national orientation, partnering with GIMP-Nigeria offers a cost-effective and impactful strategy for peace promotion. Rather than relying solely on top-down communication approaches, the government can benefit from the Guild’s grassroots networks and professional expertise to disseminate messages of tolerance and counter extremist narratives.
Through joint campaigns, public enlightenment programmes and media training workshops, GIMP-Nigeria can serve as a trusted intermediary between the state and the citizenry, thereby enhancing credibility and public trust.
Faith leaders, who wield significant influence over millions of Nigerians also have a critical role to play. The fact can not be controverted that their messages reach only their immediate congregations, but by collaborating with GIMP-Nigeria, they can amplify their voices across wider audiences through structured media engagement.
The Guild can help translate sermons and interfaith dialogues into compelling media content: news features, documentaries, radio programmes and social media campaigns, reaching far audiences beyond the pulpit. This synergy can ensure that messages of peace are not confined to places of worship but become part of the national conversation.
Interfaith NGOs, many of which are already doing commendable work in promoting dialogue and reconciliation can also benefit from the media expertise that GIMP-Nigeria provides. Too often, impactful grassroots initiatives remain under-reported, thereby limiting their reach and replication. By integrating GIMP-Nigeria into their programmes, these organizations can enhance visibility, document success stories and influence policy through strategic communication.
The Guild’s members, trained in both media practice and interfaith sensitivity, are well-equipped to tell stories that inspire hope, challenge prejudice and highlight the dividends of peaceful coexistence.
Beyond collaboration, there is also a need for institutional support. Government agencies and development partners should consider funding capacity-building initiatives led by GIMP-Nigeria, including training programmes on conflict-sensitive reporting, fact-checking and digital literacy.
In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly through social media, equipping media practitioners with the skills to verify information and counter false narratives is essential for national security. GIMP-Nigeria can serve as a hub for such capacity-building efforts, ensuring that journalists and communicators across the country are better prepared to handle sensitive religious issues responsibly.
Moreover, the inclusion of GIMP-Nigeria in national peacebuilding frameworks and security strategies can enhance policy coherence. Too often, media engagement is treated as an afterthought in conflict prevention and response. Recognizing GIMP-Nigeria as a strategic partner can help mainstream communication into peace and security initiatives, ensuring that narratives are aligned with broader national objectives. This approach not only addresses the symptoms of conflict but also tackles its underlying drivers, such as mistrust, misinformation and identity-based polarization.
The private sector and international development partners also have a role to play. Corporate organizations, particularly those operating in conflict-prone areas, have a vested interest in promoting stability. By supporting GIMP-Nigeria’s initiatives as part of their corporate social responsibility, they can contribute to a more peaceful operating environment. Similarly, international donors working on governance, peacebuilding and media development can partner with the Guild to scale up its impact and share best practices across regions.
Ultimately, the quest for religious harmony and national security in Nigeria requires a whole-of-society approach. No single actor, whether government, religious institution, or civil society organization can achieve this goal in isolation. What is needed is a collaborative framework that leverages the strengths of each stakeholder. GIMP-Nigeria offers a ready-made platform for such collaboration, combining professional media expertise with a deep commitment to interfaith understanding.
As Nigeria continues to navigate its complex socio-political landscape, the importance of credible, responsible and peace-oriented communication cannot be overstated. By embracing and empowering GIMP-Nigeria, the nation has an opportunity to harness the power of the media as a force for unity rather than division.
The time to act is now.
Government agencies, faith leaders and interfaith NGOs must move beyond rhetoric and take concrete steps to integrate GIMP-Nigeria into their peacebuilding and security strategies.
In doing so, Nigeria will not only strengthen its internal cohesion but also set an example for other multi-religious societies grappling with similar challenges. Peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice, understanding and mutual respect. Through strategic partnerships with institutions like GIMP-Nigeria, that vision can become a reality.

The writer, Yusuf Ozi-Usman is the Director of Programmes Development, and member of the Governing Board of the Guild of Interfaith Media Practitioners Nigeria (GIMP-Nigeria). He can be reached at oziusman@yahoo.com

APC Chairman, Prof. Yilwatda Advocates Intelligence-Driven Technology To Tackle Rising Criminality

Greenbarge Reporters

April 3, 2026

National chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda has advocated the deployment of modern surveillance and intelligence-driven technology, including Artificial Intelligence-powered cameras, drones, advanced tracking systems and real-time intelligence gathering mechanisms, to detect, monitor and neutralize criminal elements in the country before they strike.
He said that the present era of sophisticated criminality demands smarter, faster and more sophisticated security responses and that the protection of lives and property must be driven not only by manpower, but also by technology, intelligence, precision and accountability.
The APC chairman, who along with the Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang, received President Bola Tinubu in Jos, the state capital, condemned the
killings of innocent residents of Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area in the strongest and most unequivocal terms.
Professor Nentawe Yilwatda described the attack as inhuman, cowardly, reprehensible and a direct assault on the peace, unity and soul of Plateau State.
According to him, the continued shedding of innocent blood in Plateau is not only unacceptable but a national tragedy that must no longer be treated with routine outrage and temporary responses.
In a Statement signed by Abimbola Tooki, Special Adviser to the National Chairman on Media and Communications stategy, Yilwatda stressed that the time has come for deliberate, coordinated, and result-oriented efforts by all relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that such dastardly and unconscionable acts never happen again in Plateau State or anywhere else in the country.
Professor Yilwatda called on leaders of communities across Plateau State to become more vigilant, responsive, and proactive in identifying and reporting suspicious movements and security threats within their domains.
He noted that the recurring pattern of killings strongly suggests that many of those behind these heinous acts are not ghosts or invisible invaders, but criminal elements and miscreants living within or around the communities, exploiting local vulnerabilities to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens.
He said that these evil perpetrators must no longer be shielded by silence, fear, complicity, or communal indifference. He insisted that they must be identified, exposed, apprehended, and made to face the full wrath of the law.
The APC National Chairman charged security agencies to urgently rethink and upgrade their security architecture and operational methods in tackling the persistent violence in Plateau State.
He emphasized that the security agencies cannot continue to deploy outdated tactics against increasingly adaptive and ruthless criminal networks and expect a different outcome.
He said that Plateau cannot continue to mourn in cycles, while the enemies of peace roam freely and repeatedly unleash terror on innocent citizens.
Professor Yilwatda also drew attention to the grave economic implications of insecurity in Plateau State, lamenting that the state, which is richly blessed with breathtaking natural landscapes, vibrant tourism assets, and enormous economic potential, has continued to suffer avoidable setbacks due to persistent violence.
He noted that Plateau has long been celebrated as a peaceful and attractive destination with some of Nigeria’s most vibrant tourism centres, cultural attractions, and agricultural potential, but all of these opportunities remain vulnerable and stunted in the face of recurring attacks.
According to him, no economy can thrive where fear reigns, no investment can flourish where blood is spilled, and no society can truly prosper where innocent citizens live under the shadow of insecurity.
He warned that without adequate protection of lives and communities, the social and economic future of the state could be severely paralysed, thereby depriving the people, especially young people, of prosperity, stability, and hope.
Professor Yilwatda therefore called for a whole-of-society approach to ending the violence in Plateau, urging traditional institutions, religious leaders, political actors, youth groups, women’s groups, security operatives, and community stakeholders to work together in honesty and patriotism to restore peace and stability.
During the visit, other leaders from across Plateau State also spoke passionately on the disturbing security situation in the state and the urgent need for decisive and sustained intervention to halt the bloodshed and restore confidence among the people.
As part of the visit, President Tinubu, accompanied by Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, former leaders, and other key stakeholders, paid a visit to the families of the affected victims of the Angwan Rukuba attack. The visit to the bereaved families was a moving moment of compassion and national mourning, as the President shared in their pain and offered words of comfort, reassurance and solidarity in the face of unimaginable loss.

Nurses At General Hospital Kuje Emerge Best Across FCT

Greenbarge Reporters

April 3, 2026

Nurses serving in the General Hospital of Kuje Area Council have emerged the best amongst others across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the health care delivery.
An award insignia from the FCTA Hospitals Management Board Nursing Department tagged it: “award of Efficiency and Responsiveness.”
It said that the award has been conferred on Nurses in Kuje General Hospital “in recognition of their exceptional synergy, responsiveness and unwavery commitment to administrative excellence.”

It added: “with coordinated teamwork, effective and swift action, the (Nursing) unit has consistently upheld the highest standard, setting a benchmark for health care delivery within the federal capital Territory for the 2025.”
The award, dated March 31, 2026 was signed by the Director of Nursing Services in the Board.
There are 14 general hospitals in the six Area Councils of the federal capital city, each with no fewer than 100 serving nurses.
Meanwhile, the winning Kuje Nurses are already patting one another on the back for the feat even as they prayed that the authority would reward them for their dedication to the service of the health care delivery of the FCT Administration, led by Minister Barrister Nyeson Wike.

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