A nation without borders is not a nation. The United States has launched a coordinated, interagency effort to combat illegal immigration and strengthen border security.
Nigerian travel content creator @SteveNdukwu witnessed it up close. He joined the U.S. State Department's @ForeignPressCtr International Reporting Tour on "Securing Our Border and Restoring Operational Control," getting rare, behind-the-scenes access to U.S.-Mexico border operations in Arizona and California.
Watch the full documentary here ๐ https://t.co/ge4rxk6A6y
#VisaWiseTravelSmart
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GOVERNOR ALIA CONDEMNS THE KILLING OF MACBAN CHAIRMAN; ORDERS IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION.
Saturday, June 27 2026
Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia expresses deep shock and sadness over the reported killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku and his friend.
He says the heinous act came at a particularly sensitive time when the state is witnessing a significant return to peace and stability across various local government areas.
The Governor views this incident not only as a tragedy to the state but as a direct attempt to undermine the hard-earned peace and the atmosphere of reconciliation that his administration has worked tirelessly to foster.
"It is deeply regrettable that this unfortunate incident occurred shortly after a security meeting".
He emphasizes that the killing of any community leader or peace advocate is a blow to the ongoing dialogue between various stakeholders in the state.
The Governor therefore, issues a clear and firm directive to all relevant security agencies to;
1. Launch a thorough and transparent investigation immediately to uncover the circumstances surrounding the killing.
2. To leave no stone unturned in fishing out the perpetrators of the heinous act and bring them to justice swiftly to serve as a deterrent to others who seek to destabilize the state.
3. Enhanced security measures to ensure that community leaders engaging in security and peace-building efforts are protected.
While he regrets this setback, he urges all members of MACBAN and the general public to remain calm and law-abiding.
"We must not allow those who profit from chaos to succeed in inciting further violence or disrupting the peace we have taken time to build".
He extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of Alhaji Ardo Risku and the entire MACBAN community.
"Our administration remains resolute: Benue is a home for peace, and we will not allow the shadows of the past to eclipse the bright future we are currently building".
Sir Tersoo Kula, mnipr
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
#onlinecommunity #localcommunity #hitmanmedia #RenewedHope #thealiamagic ๐จ๐จ๐จ
Consul General Rick Swart attended @Boeing's Advanced Engineer Training Program in Lagos, where 16 engineers from @flyunitedng andย @flyvaluejetย are receiving advanced instruction on Boeing 737 Next Generation systems.
In his remarks, CG Swart emphasized that the American company's commitment to Nigeria goes beyondย aircraftย sales and extends to building the skilled workforce needed to fly andย maintainย them.
#DidYouKnow in 2024, Boeing and the Nigerian Government signed an MOU toย establishย a sustainable civil aviation ecosystem in Nigeria through training, technical support, and directย assistanceย to airline operators?
#TradeTuesday
English vocabulary word of the year: โsemiquincentennial.โ
Thatโs the official term for a 250th anniversary.
Happy Semiquincentennial! #Freedom250
BENUE STATE BEGINS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH TRAINING PROGRAMME IN BELARUS
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Benue State Government has officially launched the inaugural phase of its International Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment Programme, marking a significant step in its efforts to equip young people with globally relevant skills.
The initiative, championed by Governor Hyacinth Alia, is being implemented in partnership with the National Directorate of Employment.
The programme is currently underway at the Republican Institute for Vocational Studies (RIPO) in Belarus, where selected participants have commenced intensive artisanal training.
The training combines classroom instruction with hands-on practical experience, focusing on infrastructural development and a broad spectrum of vocational disciplines.
The programme is designed to equip participants with modern digital and technical skills, preparing them to compete effectively in an increasingly dynamic global labour market.
It should be noted that the programme represents a strategic investment in human capital development, with a strong emphasis on certification and industry relevance.
Governor Alia has further indicated plans to expand the initiative to include the agricultural and automotive sectors, underscoring his administrationโs commitment to sustainable youth empowerment and international collaboration.
The Benue delegation, led by the Director General of the Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, Benita Shuluwa, was formally received by officials of Republican Institute for Vocational Studies (RIPO), with training activities commencing immediately.
Both the Benue State Government and RIPO have expressed optimism about strengthening their partnership, with discussions already underway to extend the programme across multiple Centres of Excellence within the institute.
The development is expected to open new pathways for skills acquisition, innovation, and global exposure for youths in Benue State.
Sir Tersoo Kula, mnipr
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
#thealiamagic #gafforohitty #ohittyisworking #BenueRising #hitmanmedia #onlinecommunity #localcommunity #RenewedHope
๐ช๐ช๐ช
The United States Mission in Nigeria yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ilorin Innovation Hub, formalizing our first public-private partnership outside the American Spaces Network.ย This three-year collaboration will expand U.S. presence in Kwara State's emerging tech sector, delivering programming on AI, STEM education, and professional development.
Together, we're showcasing American excellence in innovation and creating opportunities that strengthen ties between the United States and Nigeria.
Call for Registration: Training Instructors Course (TIC)
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organizationโs (ICAO) TRAINAIR Plus Programme, invites interested participants to register for a specialized Training Instructors Course (TIC).
Course Details:
Date: 4th โ 8th May 2026
Location: FAAN Training School, Ikeja, Lagos
Registration Link:
https://t.co/QpcTYxd3VE
To secure your spot, kindly call 08024109197 for more information
Big congratulations to Sandra Onye Idoko (ESQ in view).
We celebrate the extraordinary milestone accomplished by this beautiful daughter of Benue state.
At the just concluded Bar finals, Sandra emerged the best graduating student of her class & also bagged a First Class.
This is a virtue you can find in Benue women.
Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia, has condemned in strong terms the attack on residents of Akpete/Asaba community in Ojantele Ward of Apa Local Government Area by the suspected armed herdsmen.
Governor Alia said he was in deep sorrow over the report that the terrorist ambushed a group of innocent farmers from Ojantelle, Asaba and Akpete who had gone to their cashew farm to harvest seeds.
Read more: https://t.co/2llycHRPwx
By the end of this week, I, along with my team, will be reviewing the first one week of our going cashless at all our payment points at airports across the country in order to eliminate corruption and optimise revenue.
We will surely improve the efficiency of the new system as time progresses by developing new ideas, but this government is determined to end the practice of collecting cash at our gates. Kindly bear with us, please.
Due to the lapse in appropriations, this account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information.
At this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits. We will not update this account until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information. For information on our services and operating status, visit https://t.co/59vMorubPZ.
NIGERIA IMMIGRATION SERVICE ANNOUNCES UPWARD REVIEW OF STANDARD PASSPORT FEES
The Nigeria Immigration Service has announced an upward review of fees for Nigerian Standard Passports, effective 1st September, 2025.
In a statement by the Service' Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, the review applies only to applications made in Nigeria. The new rates are โฆ100,000 for the 32-page passport with 5-year validity and โฆ200,000 for the 64-page passport with 10-year validity.
The statement adds that applications by Nigerians in the diaspora remain unchanged at $150 for the 32-page with 5-year validity and $230 for the 64-page with 10-year validity.
A non-governmental organisation, HerCode Technology Initiative, has called on the Federal Government to implement targeted policies that will improve girl-child participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
https://t.co/7lZOfcmk0x
N10m was allocated to the Solar Powered Borehole at Chief Moses Orngu Kyarem Residence Shangev-Tiev, Konshisha LGA, Benue state in the 2024 FG Budget.
We tracked and report that the borehole has been installed and is now serving the residents.
๐๐๐ง๐ฎ๐ ๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ: ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฎ๐๐ฎ ๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ , ๐ฏ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ฌโ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฌ
Key political figures and traditional rulers gathered at the Benue State Government House banquet hall in Makurdi, the state capital and Yelewata, site of last Fridayโs killings, as President Bola Tinubu is expected today.
Wednesdayโs visit is aimed at meeting with community leaders to address the prolonged communal violence that has claimed over 500 lives in 2025 alone.
Upon his arrival, the President will first proceed to Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, the epicentre of the latest attack that claimed over 100 lives.
Tinubu is scheduled to meet with families of victims, displaced persons and community leaders directly impacted by the violence.
From Yelewata, the President will visit the hospital where several persons injured from the attack are recuperating.
He will proceed to the Benue State Government House Banquet Hall in Makurdi, where he will preside over a town hall meeting with critical stakeholders.
Expected at the meeting are key national and state-level figures, including governors, particularly from the North Central zone, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Dr Umar Ganduje and other personalities from across political, security and traditional institutions.
Other attendees include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, a former Benue State Governor (1999-2007), Governor Samuel Ortom (2015-2023), members of the APC National Working Committee, and federal lawmakers representing the affected communities in Benue.
Traditional rulers from various ethnic groups within Benue are also seated for the meeting alongside the Executive Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
Also present are the Eldersโ Council, members of the Benue State House of Assembly, party executives at the local government level, the Benue State Executive Council and other critical stakeholders from the religious and civil society.
Credit: Stephen Angbulu
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