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Leap Africa has intensified efforts to bridge the leadership gap among African women by equipping young women across the continent with the skills, networks and confidence required to take up leadership roles and drive meaningful change.

The organisation demonstrated the commitment through the fifth cohort of its Leadership Accelerator Programme (LAP) for Young African Women, which culminated in its first-ever physical Boot Camp in Nairobi, Kenya.

The fifth cohort attracted more than 4,500 women from 48 African countries and 12 non-African countries, while over 1,500 participants successfully completed the free online learning phase.

From the participants, 31 outstanding young women from Nigeria, Tanzania, Mozambique, Uganda, Mauritius, Kenya, Zambia, Cameroon, Namibia, Sierra Leone and Malawi were selected for the immersive Boot Camp.

The programme, developed and implemented by LEAP Africa, is designed to deliberately strengthen Africa’s female leadership pipeline by providing young women with the knowledge, competencies, networks and confidence to influence policies, transform institutions and contribute to community development.

Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, said closing the leadership gap among African women required deliberate investment in the next generation of female leaders.

‘The Leadership Accelerator Programme was created to intentionally bridge the leadership gap among African women. We believe that investing in young women today is investing in Africa’s future,’ Ayeni said.

According to her, the programme seeks to develop women capable of leading with courage, competence and integrity while influencing policies, transforming institutions and strengthening communities.

The Nairobi Boot Camp featured keynote sessions, panel discussions, experiential learning, peer collaboration and case study presentations facilitated by accomplished women leaders, industry experts and other distinguished speakers from across Africa.

Participants explored issues including transformational leadership, personal branding and executive presence, financial intelligence, male allyship and the failure advantage.

Director of Programmes and Partnerships at LEAP Africa, Amabelle Nwakanma, said the completion of the fifth cohort demonstrated the importance of creating opportunities and support systems for young African women.

‘Every cohort reminds us that Africa is rich with brilliant women who simply need the right opportunities, networks, and support systems to thrive,’ Nwakanma said.

She added that hosting the first physical Boot Camp in Nairobi underscored the organisation’s commitment to building a pan-African leadership movement that connects and empowers women beyond national boundaries.

A participant described the programme as transformative, noting that it broadened her understanding of leadership and reinforced the importance of service, collaboration and creating opportunities for others.

The participant also highlighted the relationships built among emerging female leaders from different African countries as one of the most valuable outcomes of the programme.

LEAP Africa said it would sustain efforts to strengthen the continent’s leadership pipeline by preparing more young women to address complex challenges, participate in decision-making and contribute to sustainable development.

The organisation’s intervention, therefore, positions investment in young African women not only as a gender-focused initiative but as a deliberate strategy to expand the continent’s pool of capable, confident and purpose-driven leaders.

Newcastle United have agreed a deal worth up to £52 million with Manchester City for midfielder Nico Gonzalez. The move is set to strengthen Newcastle’s midfield options ahead of the new Premier League season.

The agreement is reportedly worth an initial £48 million, with a further £4 million in add-ons. Gonzalez is expected to undergo a medical as Newcastle work towards finalising the transfer.

The 24-year-old Spain international joined Manchester City from Porto in January 2025. However, he has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter since arriving at the Etihad Stadium.

Newcastle have been keen to strengthen their midfield and view Gonzalez as a player capable of adding quality, depth and physicality to the squad. His versatility is also expected to give the club more options in midfield.

The deal will be subject to the completion of Gonzalez’s medical and final formalities. If completed, the transfer could become one of Newcastle’s biggest deals of the summer, with the overall package potentially reaching £52 million.

The Ondo State government has begun distributing 1,000 pregnancy kits to expectant mothers under its ‘Ibi Irorun’ Safe Delivery Initiative.

Launched at the Basic Healthcare Centre in Arakale, Akure, the initiative aims to promote safe childbirth and reduce the financial burden of delivery on pregnant women and their families.

Represented by his Special Adviser on Health, Simidele Odimayo, the governor said the programme was part of his administration’s efforts to improve healthcare delivery.

According to him, the programme would also make medical services more accessible and affordable to residents.

Aiyedatiwa also added that more than 300,000 residents had been enrolled in the state health insurance scheme, while 102 primary healthcare centres had been completed and equipped.

He revealed that 60 other primary healthcare centres were undergoing revitalisation.

The governor said the state was also supporting healthcare workers and had concluded arrangements to provide magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CT scan machines, theatre suites and ophthalmic equipment at the teaching hospital level.

He described the Ibi Irorun initiative as ‘an icing on the cake,’ saying it would complement the government’s existing free healthcare services for pregnant women.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Bosede Osamaye, said the first phase of the initiative would provide 1,000 kits, each containing 13 hospital delivery items approved by the governor.

‘Today, the state has started the distribution of 1,000 pregnancy kits in the first phase, tagged ‘Ibi Irorun Safe Delivery Items’, which contain 13 hospital delivery items as approved by the governor,’ she said.

Osamaye said the initiative would help ease the financial burden on expectant mothers and their families.

She also lauded the governor’s wife, Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, for advocating free healthcare services for pregnant women in the state.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Francis Akanbiemu, said the kits would make childbirth easier for beneficiaries.

According to Akanbiemu, beneficiaries only need to take the kits to their health facilities when they are due for delivery.

‘Everything needed for delivery is there, including wrappers, gloves and other essential items. They do not need to take anything else to the hospital,’ he said.

Akanbiemu said women delivering in government health facilities were not required to pay for delivery services.

He said combining the free delivery services with the maternity kits would further reduce the financial burden on families.

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, branch, has declared indefinite strike over the state government’s failure to implement the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement at the university.

It declared the strike after its congress session on Monday.

A statement signed after the congress by the branch Chairman, Dr. Cyril Onogbosele and Secretary, Dr. William Odion, said there was no response from the university management or Edo State Government after it issued a 14-day ultimatum.

According to the statement, ‘congress decried the failure by the university authority and Edo State Government to meet the demands of the union on the agreement, namely implementation of the 2025 FGN/ASUU Agreement, and payment of the arrears of allowances in the agreement from January 2026 to date.

‘Having failed to implement the agreement within the 14-day ultimatum in addition to unsuccessful efforts by the branch to make the university authority and Edo State Government to implement the agreement, congress directed members to embark on a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike with effect from August 25, 2026 at 12:01 am.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, the strike covers withdrawal of statutory services by members, including teaching/lecturing, conduct and invigilation of all forms of examination (undergraduate, postgraduate, oral, CBE and paper-based examinations); statutory meetings, including Departmental, Faculty, Senate and Committee meetings; and students’ research project and Industrial Training (IT)/Teaching Practice supervision.’

With cement prices hitting N15,000 per bag in some parts of the country, the question on the lips of many Nigerians is what exactly it is that the cement producers are up to? Surely, it must be disappointing that whereas the Federal Government’s restriction of cement importation in the 2002 under a backward integration policy to encourage local production has delivered beyond expectation; our domestic cement producers are yet to shed that old garment of being competition-averse in a meaningful sense.

And this is a country that ought to be counting its manifold blessings in abundant raw materials, with over 2.3 trillion metric tonnes of limestone in reserves. Add to this the proximity of the cement plants to the limestone sites, the unique advantage of economy of scale, particularly with some of the major plants, notably those in Obajana, Okpella, Ewekoro, and Gboko sitting directly atop limestone and clay deposits, with immediate promise of reductions of initial transport overheads.

Again, thanks to the government’s backward integration policy; today, there is ample evidence that the policy has delivered. Presently, the country has a combined installed production capacity of between 60 to 65 million metric tonnes annually.

With total estimated domestic consumption at approximately 25 to 30 million metric tonnes, the country currently boasts of excess production of more than 30 million metric tonnes, leaving ample room for export to service the markets of our ECOWAS neighbours.

The paradox of a country whose cement prices are increasingly out of reach could not be starker.

The above are however hardly a denial of the extant problems that have rendered manufacturing particularly challenging. Top on the list is the high energy costs. Electricity and gas, in particular, are said to make up about 40% to 60% of production costs. The producers also contend daily with logistics and transport issues, particularly at a time of increasingly expensive fuel prices. Then also is the devaluation of the naira which brought with it its own strains on the cost of machinery, spare parts, and production inputs.

The issue is that these problems were there in 2023, 2024, 2025 and so could not reasonably be said to account for the sustained wave of high prices routinely unleashed at every turn by our cartel of cement producers. It is hard to imagine that the advantage conferred by regional concentration, hence proximity to the market, which ordinarily ought to have counted for something, particularly in mitigating the logistical issues somewhat, has thus far, no positive effect on their operations.

Nigerians should no longer be left to watch helplessly as the golden promises of the backward integration policy turn into mirage with cement producers merely rehashing the same familiar cant of logistics and high energy costs.

We therefore welcome the move by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), to take a forensic look into probable price manipulation in the industry. It is what the current situation demands.

Surely, the concerns raised by the FCCPC, far from being academic, are largely shared by a broad section of Nigerians. After all, a market situation in which only the three companies actually account for over 90% of the entire production capacity cannot by any stretch of imagination be deemed as competitive in any meaningful sense. They are more appropriately, oligopolies with Nigerians reduced to being mere price takers; hence the need for intervention by FCCPC to get players to play by established rules.

That the consumer protection body has informed Nigerians that the probe is actually coming in the wake of its extensive industry-wide investigation that suggested possible manipulation of product prices in the Nigerian market is particularly instructive.

We expect the FCCPC to follow the investigation through. After all, there can be no disputing the fact that the current situation is neither healthy for the construction sector nor serve the interests of the larger economy.

In the end, the question of why cement prices are comparatively cheaper in relatively less, raw-materials-endowed countries like Kenya, Tanzania and even Togo than Nigeria is something that the ordinary Nigerian ought to be interested in.

Erstwhile Vice President Yemi Osinbajo(SAN) has emphasised that Nigeria can meet its growing university demand by embracing open and distance learning.

He said doing so would help expand access to higher education.

Osinbajo, at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Distance Learning Institute’s (DLI) 5th International Colloquium in Lagos yesterday, noted that more than 2.2 million young Nigerians seek admission into universities through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) annually.

He pointed out at the colloquium themed ‘Reimagining Open Distance Learning Ecosystem: Technology, Policy and Institutional Priorities” that tertiary institutions in the country have the capacity to admit only about 25 per cent of applicants.

According to the erstwhile vice president, with Nigeria’s population projected to approach 250 million in the next 10 years, the number of annual university applicants could rise to 2.7 million or even exceed three million.

He, therefore, warned that conventional universities would struggle to provide the lecture theatres, laboratories, hospitals, campuses and other physical infrastructure required to accommodate such numbers.

Osinbajo described open and distance learning not as an alternative to conventional university education but as a national necessity for expanding access to higher education.

He added that distance learning could ultimately become the principal means through which Nigeria fulfils its promise of university education to millions of citizens.

The former vice-president noted advancement in technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), could aid universities to combine mass access with personalised learning.

He urged policymakers, universities and other stakeholders to develop practical policies around technology, lecturer training, assessment and the use of AI to prepare the higher education sector for future demands.

Osinbajo envisaged a system where thousands of students could have access to AI tutors capable of explaining difficult concepts, testing students’ understanding, translating learning materials and providing personalised feedback.

He also noted that the changing nature of work would make lifelong learning increasingly important, as professionals in fields such as law, accounting, banking and engineering would need to repeatedly return to education to acquire new skills.

Osinbajo stressed that technology must remain a tool for human development, arguing that its real value lies in its ability to expand human capabilities and create greater opportunities.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria commended UNILAG’s DLI for its pioneering role in distance learning and challenged the institute to help shape the next generation of the sector.

UNILAG Vice Chancellor Folasade Ogunsola described open and distance learning as critical to expanding access to higher education as the nation’s youth population surges.

According to her, the traditional university model is increasingly inadequate for meeting the demand for tertiary education, with the country having about 89 million young people aged between 15 and 30, with an average national age of 19 years.

She said ODL offered opportunities for workers, persons with disabilities and Nigerians living far from university campuses to obtain higher education through flexible learning arrangements.

The vice chancellor said UNILAG no longer indicates distance learning on certificates issued to graduates, reflecting the university’s position that ODL graduates should receive equal recognition with their counterparts from conventional programmes.

Ogunsola said ODL must evolve beyond simply delivering content to creating connected learning environments that promote engagement, personalised education and stronger learning outcomes.

She identified AI as a potentially transformative tool for personalised learning, instant feedback, content development, assessment and early identification of students experiencing academic difficulties.

The Director of DLI, Risikat Dauda, said ODL was becoming increasingly important to expanding access to education, closing skills gaps and preparing Nigerians for a rapidly changing labour market.

Dauda identified inadequate broadband infrastructure, high data costs, digital literacy gaps and concerns about employers’ perception of ODL qualifications as some of the challenges confronting the sector.

The proposed National Cancer Institute, backed by President Bola Tinubu’s approval of about N302.3 billion, will serve as a hub for training and retraining oncology experts across Africa, the Director-General of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), Prof. Usman Malami Aliyu, has said.

Aliyu, in a statement yesterday by NICRAT’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Hassan Zaggi, said the institute would give oncology specialists access to advanced equipment for research and innovation, alongside support for capacity building across the continent. He said it would also promote evidence-based health policymaking, technology-driven cancer care and collaboration between Nigerian institutions and leading global cancer centres.

He described the presidential approval as a ‘game changer,’ noting that the project would be completed within 36 months and would cover the design, construction, furnishing, equipping, supervision and commissioning of the facility.

He said the approval reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and research in the country, adding that it would lay the foundation for a stronger healthcare system capable of responding to the country’s growing cancer burden.

According to him, the approval was significant given longstanding challenges in cancer care, including inadequate diagnostic and treatment infrastructure and limited access to affordable services. He noted that NICRAT, established three years ago, had already raised Nigeria’s profile in global cancer control, and that the new institute would further strengthen the country’s capacity in the sector.

‘This project will no doubt make Nigeria the centre of attraction in terms of sophisticated cancer care and research in Africa and the world at large,’ he said.

Aliyu cited the recent upgrading of cancer centres in Katsina, Benin and Enugu as further evidence of the administration’s commitment to cancer care.

He said the institute would address gaps that had forced many Nigerians to seek specialised treatment abroad. ‘Chief among the benefits is that the project will drastically reduce medical tourism by Nigerians affected by cancer,’ he said, noting that the country loses millions of dollars annually to patients travelling overseas for treatment. He added that the facility could, in turn, position Nigeria as a destination for cancer patients from other African countries, with benefits for the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

He commended the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, for their roles in advancing the project, acknowledging the contributions of the Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom.

Aliyu assured Tinubu that NICRAT would work with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, state governments, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector to ensure the project delivered its intended impact.

‘The management and staff of NICRAT therefore assure Mr President of their commitment to work hard to ensure that this landmark project delivers on the promise of the Renewed Hope Agenda,’ he said.

The 2027 governorship election in Plateau State is already shaping up as a contest defined by realignment, internal party tensions, and the search for a credible alternative to Governor Caleb Mutfwang. His defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the governing party at the centre, has changed the character of the race and created a new political equation across the state.

Before the defection, Mutfwang was an opposition governor elected on the PDP platform. His decision to join the ruling party has now placed him inside the federal power structure and positioned him to seek re-election on the platform of the party he once opposed. The move has been defended as an effort to strengthen Plateau’s relationship with Abuja, attract federal support, and promote political unity. Critics, however, see it as a calculated step designed primarily to protect his second-term ambition.

Whatever the motivation, the defection has made Mutfwang the central figure in Plateau’s 2027 political drama. It has also forced every major party to reassess its strategy, alliances, and campaign message.

A new political equation

Mutfwang’s entry into the APC has strengthened the governor’s political position in several respects. He now has the advantage of incumbency, access to the machinery of the ruling party, and the support of a federal administration with considerable influence over national political structures. The governor can present his defection as a pragmatic decision intended to secure greater cooperation for Plateau, particularly in security, infrastructure, and economic development.

For a state that has faced recurring violence, displacement, and economic disruption, the argument of federal alignment may carry political weight. Mutfwang and his supporters are likely to tell voters that it is more beneficial for Plateau to have its governor working within the governing party than operating from the opposition. The success of that message, however, will depend on whether residents see clear evidence of dividends from the realignment.

The APC has subsequently treated Mutfwang as its leading candidate for 2027. His emergence has prevented the party from producing a separate candidate against a sitting governor and has given the APC a formidable statewide platform. Mutfwang’s reported victory at the party’s governorship primary further reduced the possibility of an internal challenge to his candidacy.

Yet the governor’s position within the APC is not entirely secure. His arrival has unsettled sections of the party that built the APC in Plateau before his defection. Some long-standing members fear that Mutfwang and his former PDP allies could dominate the party structure, influence appointments, and marginalise those who remained loyal during the years when the APC was in opposition.

That tension is now one of the most important variables in the election. Political parties do not win only through formal nominations; they also depend on the commitment of ward leaders, local organisers, former aspirants, and grassroots networks. If the APC’s old and new blocs fail to reach a genuine accommodation, discontented members could weaken mobilisation, withhold support, or quietly assist rival candidates.

The reported reconciliation between Mutfwang and former Governor Simon Lalong is therefore politically significant. Lalong remains an important figure in Plateau APC politics, and cooperation between both camps could help the party combine the governor’s incumbency with the former governor’s networks. But reconciliation also creates expectations over appointments, party positions, and influence. The governor’s recent denial of reports that he agreed to a 60:40 formula for sharing appointments illustrates the sensitivity surrounding the integration of the competing blocs.

PDP’s crisis of opposition

The PDP enters the contest with a powerful political argument but a weakened organisational position. The party can accuse Mutfwang of abandoning the platform that brought him to office and of betraying the mandate given to him by PDP voters. That charge may appeal to party loyalists and citizens who believe an elected official should remain faithful to the political platform on which they were elected.

The effectiveness of the argument, however, will depend on the PDP’s ability to put its own house in order. The party has been affected by factional disputes, competing claims to legitimacy, and disagreements over its leadership and nomination process. Reports that rival PDP factions produced separate governorship candidates have raised questions about whether the party can present a unified challenge to the APC.

A divided PDP would face serious difficulties. It would struggle to coordinate its campaign, distribute resources, mobilise its local government structures, and persuade undecided voters that it remains prepared to govern. Multiple candidates claiming the same party’s mandate could also confuse supporters and create the impression that the party is more interested in internal control than in defeating the incumbent.

The PDP nevertheless retains important assets. It has a long history in Plateau, a recognisable grassroots presence, and a substantial base of loyal voters. Its prospects would improve considerably if the factions reached an agreement around one candidate and developed a campaign that combined criticism of the defection with a credible plan for security, economic recovery, and inclusive governance.

The wider opposition

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) are also seeking to benefit from public dissatisfaction with the two dominant parties. Their presence means that the 2027 election will not be a simple APC-PDP contest. They may attract voters who are unwilling to support Mutfwang but are equally dissatisfied with the PDP’s internal divisions.

The ADC’s candidate is retired Brigadier-General John Sunday Sura, a former military officer. His background gives him a distinctive profile in a state where security is likely to be one of the most important campaign issues. Sura is expected to emphasise discipline, effective administration, and a stronger response to violence and insecurity. His main difficulty will be transforming his professional reputation into a broad political organisation capable of competing across Plateau’s diverse communities.

Margaret Inusa Yahaya is the SDP’s consensus candidate. Her emergence offers the party an opportunity to present a different political identity, with emphasis on inclusion, social justice, and wider participation. She may appeal particularly to women, younger voters, and citizens seeking an alternative to the established APC-PDP rivalry. However, publicly available information about her political career remains limited, and the SDP will have to overcome the visibility and structural disadvantages that smaller parties face.

The presence of ADC and SDP candidates could make the election more competitive in terms of public debate, but it could also fragment the opposition vote. If voters opposed to Mutfwang divide their support among several candidates, the incumbent could benefit even where dissatisfaction with his government is significant. The smaller parties would therefore need to build alliances, negotiate strategic cooperation, or persuade voters that one of them has the clearest path to victory.

Security as the defining issue

Security will almost certainly be at the centre of the governorship election. Plateau has experienced recurring attacks, communal conflict, displacement, and disruptions to farming and commercial activity. These issues affect not only the survival of communities but also the state’s economic prospects and citizens’ confidence in government.

Mutfwang will campaign on the progress his administration has made and the advantages of cooperation with federal security agencies. His APC membership enables him to argue that the state now has a closer relationship with the national government. The opposition, on the other hand, will focus on communities where attacks remain unresolved and ask whether the defection has actually made residents safer.

The election could therefore become a test of outcomes rather than promises. Voters may be less interested in party declarations than in whether they can return safely to their farms, travel on roads without fear, and rebuild communities affected by violence. Any gap between the governor’s claims and citizens’ lived experiences could become a major vulnerability for the APC.

Performance and the federal connection

Beyond security, Mutfwang’s record in office will be closely examined. Roads, healthcare, education, agriculture, employment, urban renewal, and support for displaced persons are likely to feature prominently in the campaign. As the incumbent, he will have the advantage of visibility and the ability to point to government projects, but he will also bear direct responsibility for the state’s condition.

His defection may raise expectations rather than reduce them. By joining the party at the centre, Mutfwang has implicitly promised that Plateau can gain more from federal cooperation. If residents do not see visible improvements, opponents may argue that the realignment was a personal political arrangement rather than a development strategy.

The governor must therefore demonstrate that APC membership can produce tangible benefits. Federal projects, improved security coordination, budgetary support, and stronger intervention in conflict-affected areas would reinforce his case. In their absence, the opposition will portray the defection as an act of political survival.

The candidates and their messages

The PDP’s leading candidate, Chief Kefas Ropshik, popularly known as Kefiano, comes from the business and philanthropic community. He is associated with the Kefiano Group and has built a public profile around entrepreneurship, job creation, and humanitarian interventions. His supporters are likely to present him as a private-sector-minded candidate who can bring a new approach to economic development and social support.

Ropshik’s challenge is political rather than merely personal. He must convert his business reputation and philanthropic activities into a statewide electoral machine. He must also overcome the uncertainty created by the PDP’s factional disputes and convince voters that his candidacy represents a united party.

The ADC’s Sura offers a security-centred alternative, while the SDP’s Yahaya provides a platform for voters seeking a female candidate and a departure from the dominant political establishment. Both candidates may enrich the debate, but their influence will depend on their ability to establish credible structures beyond their immediate supporters.

Identity, alliances and voter calculations

Plateau politics has always been shaped by more than party labels. Senatorial interests, local government alliances, ethnic and religious identities, historical loyalties, and elite negotiations will influence the 2027 contest. Candidates will need to build coalitions that cross these divisions and demonstrate that their governments would be inclusive.

Mutfwang’s strategy appears to be one of broad accommodation: retain his PDP-era supporters, absorb APC legacy figures, and use federal alignment to attract additional support. The success of that strategy will depend on whether the coalition is based on genuine cooperation or merely on temporary calculations surrounding the election.

The opposition faces the reverse task. It must unite diverse groups around a common anti-incumbency message without allowing personal ambitions and factional interests to destroy its chances. A single opposition candidate, backed by a coordinated campaign, would present a more serious challenge than several candidates competing separately.

The road to 2027

At this stage, Mutfwang appears to hold the advantage. He has incumbency, the APC platform, the support of the federal governing party, and the opportunity to campaign as a governor who has chosen access and cooperation over confrontation. His main vulnerability lies within his new political home: the possibility that old APC members and new entrants will fail to trust one another.

The PDP remains the most natural vehicle for opposition to the governor, but its internal crisis could prevent it from capitalising on public dissatisfaction. ADC and SDP may attract protest votes and reshape the debate, although vote fragmentation could ultimately assist the incumbent.

The Plateau governorship election will therefore be decided by more than Mutfwang’s defection. It will be a referendum on his performance, the practical value of his relationship with Abuja, the state of security, and the credibility of the opposition. If the APC succeeds in reconciling its factions and demonstrating visible gains, Mutfwang will enter the race with a strong path to re-election. If security problems persist, governance disappoints, and the opposition unites behind a credible candidate, the political realignment that currently favours him could become the foundation of a determined challenge.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, state governors, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin yesterday joined Muslim faithful yesterday felicitated Muslims on Maulid Nabiyy.

They were joined in congratulating the Muslim faithful by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Leadership of the National Assembly, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri; Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang; People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and other political leaders, yesterday joined Muslim faithful to celebrate the occasion

In their separate statements, they urged Nigerians to promote peace, avoid divisive statements across tribal and religious lines, as they mark the birth of commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

In a message on his X handle, Atiku, who is the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for next year’s general election, advised Muslims to uphold national unity, peace and commitment to the common good.

Atiku also called on all Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect on the significance of the celebration and promote peace, unity and prosperity across the country.

He extended warm greetings to Muslims across the country, commending their dedicated service and steadfast commitment to Nigeria’s unity.

‘On this sacred occasion of Eid al-Maulud, I extend warm greetings to all Muslim faithfuls, honouring your dedicated service and steadfast commitment to our nation’s unity,’ Atiku wrote.

Deputy President of the Senate Jibrin urged Muslims to use the occasion to reflect on the exemplary life, teachings and virtues of the Prophet Muhammad, particularly his lessons of compassion, patience, justice, honesty, forgiveness and peaceful coexistence.

He said the best way to honour the Prophet was to emulate his noble character and apply his teachings in their daily lives, families, communities and responsibilities as citizens, adding that the challenges confronting the country require collective prayers, patriotism and commitment from all Nigerians.

‘Let us draw inspiration from the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), particularly his emphasis on peace, justice, patience and brotherhood. As we approach the 2027 elections, we must ensure that our political differences do not divide us as a people or undermine the peace of our dear country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ Jibrin said.

Speaker Tajudeen and his Deputy, Benjamin Kalu, said that the Islamic values taught by the Prophet Mohammed should continue to serve as a compass for Muslims in all areas of their life.

They asked them to continue to draw inspiration from these values and demonstrate them in their daily lives by showing love, kindness and understanding to one another.

Speaker Abbas said Muslims are obligated to follow the Prophet’s example and incorporate the Islamic principles he established into their daily lives.

He reminded Muslims of the importance of Prophet Muhammad’s noble birth, the influence of his teachings, and the examples his life set for humanity.

Kalu, on his part, described Eid-el-Maulud as an important occasion for reflection on the exemplary life and teachings of the Prophet, especially his virtues of humility, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

He encouraged Muslims to draw inspiration from these values and demonstrate them in their daily lives by showing love, kindness and understanding to one another.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State implored the Muslims to use the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on the exemplary life and teachings of the Prophet, particularly his virtues of peace, justice, compassion, tolerance and respect for people of different faiths.

ýýThe governor hailed the Jos Annual Maulud Committee of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) for adopting the theme, ‘Emulating the Prophetic Way of Peace, Mutual Respect and Religious Freedom.’

He said the theme aptly captures the values required to strengthen peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding in a diverse society.

ýýHe urged the Muslim faithful to use the occasion to offer prayers for peace, unity and the security of Plateau State, while calling on citizens to reject violence and all forms of hatred that threaten the peaceful coexistence of communities.

His Bayelsa State counterpart, Douye Diri, said the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad was a time for Muslims to practice his teachings on unity, compassion and peace.

His words: ‘As Muslims across the world mark the birth of Prophet Muhammad, it is a time to reflect on his ideals and teachings on love, unity, compassion and peace.I urge adherents of the faith to demonstrate practical love, patriotism and ensure peaceful co-existence with others. The principles of good neighbourliness and being a brother’s keeper are best manifested at a season as this.’

On his part, Wike urged residents of the FCT to use the occasion to promote peace, unity, tolerance and dialogue in their communities.

He said the occasion offered an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the virtues and teachings of the Prophet, adding that the virtues of sacrifice, patience, compassion, tolerance and fellowship remained essential to building peaceful and cohesive communities, particularly in a diverse territory such as the FCT.

The PDP also called on Muslims to continue to pray for the nation’s leaders at all levels as the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and across the world commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the party urged Nigerians to draw from these timeless virtues by promoting unity, tolerance, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

He said that as a nation, Nigerians must continue to strengthen the bonds that unite us and work collectively towards a more just, democratic and prosperous Nigeria

The Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) has directed its state chapters to hold special prayer sessions in honour of late actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.

The directive was contained in a memorandum signed by TAMPAN President Bolaji Amusan, popularly known as Mr Latin, following the actor’s death.

Amusan urged all state chapters to include a special prayer session in their next meetings.

‘Following the recent passing of our beloved colleague, Ogogo, all State Chapters are hereby directed to include a special prayer session in the next State meeting,’ the memorandum read.

He said the prayers should seek God’s forgiveness for members, protection for the living and preservation of members from death, sickness and destruction.

The association also urged members to pray for the forgiveness and peaceful repose of deceased colleagues.

‘All State Governors are kindly requested to ensure compliance. May God protect and preserve us all, forgive our sins, and grant the departed eternal rest. Amen,’ he added.

The Nation reported on Sunday that the veteran actor died after battling stage-four cancer.

His daughter announced the news in a live video.

Hassan was buried on Monday amid tears. Colleagues who attended the funeral included Yinka Quadri, Jide Kosoko, Ireti Osayemi, Femi Adebayo, Fausat Balogun, Faithia Williams, Saidi Balogun, Kolawole Ajeyemi, Abbey Lanre, Bisi Ibidapo, Segun Ogungbe, Jigan Babaoja, Mama No Network, Fali Werepe and several others.

TAMPAN described Hassan as a committed member whose contributions to Yoruba cinema will be remembered.