The Unending Killings in Benue and Plateau- Worrisome.
The tragic news of yet another round of killings in Benue and Plateau States is both painful and deeply disturbing. The reported murder of at least sixteen innocent Nigerians in the Otukpo-Nobi community of Benue State, alongside the horrific killing of nine members of the same family, a two-month-old baby, in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, once again reminds us that the relentless cycle of bloodshed in parts of our country has persisted for far too long.
For years, families in Benue, Plateau and other communities across Nigeria have lived under the constant shadow of fear, violence and displacement. Mothers have buried their children, children have become orphans overnight, farmers have abandoned their lands, and entire communities have been left devastated. We cannot continue to accept this tragic cycle as though it were normal. It is not.
The primary responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. Every Nigerian life is sacred, and every life lost is one too many. These are not mere statistics; they are fathers, mothers, children, breadwinners and future leaders whose dreams have been violently cut short.
The time has come to move beyond routine condemnations after every attack. Nigerians deserve a security architecture that is proactive rather than reactive, driven by intelligence, rapid response and accountability. Those responsible for these atrocities must be identified, arrested and prosecuted. The culture of impunity must end.
I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and to the governments and people of Benue and Plateau States. I pray that God grants comfort to all who mourn, healing to the injured, and strength to every community struggling to rebuild after these repeated tragedies.
This is not about politics; it is about humanity. We must summon the collective will to secure our nation and restore hope to our people. No country can develop when its citizens live in fear, and no society can prosper when innocent blood continues to flow unchecked.
A New Nigeria is POssible. -PO
China has less than 10% of the figure living in extreme poverty in Africa.
India also demonstrates what is possible. Its diaspora physicians and medical professionals played a significant role in developing a healthcare system that has made India one of the world’s leading destinations for medical tourism. Africa has countless brilliant doctors and healthcare professionals across the diaspora who possess the knowledge and experience to help achieve similar progress. What remains essential is the creation of an enabling environment that will attract them home.
To that end, I called on Diaspora Africans to remain actively engaged in shaping the democratic future of our continent. Their voices matter in advancing free, fair and credible elections across Africa. Elections conducted with integrity are the foundation of legitimate governance. They create the pathway to competent leadership capable of delivering the policies, institutions and opportunities our people deserve.
When we create the enabling environment necessary for sustainable development, we start unlocking Africa's potential.
Let us therefore work together, those at home and those abroad, to build a continent defined not by its challenges, but by its achievements, its unity, peace and its shared prosperity.
A NEW Nigeria is POssible. -PO
Today's Sterling Bank Online National Mathematics Quiz results are out!
Here are the top 20 performers from the elimination stage.
They will be invited to participate in a live quiz tomorrow, where they will compete for the grand prizes.
The winners will be determined tomorrow.
Prizes:
🥇 1st Position: ₦500,000
🥈 2nd Position: ₦300,000
🥉 3rd Position: ₦200,000
Don-Anele Munachimso and Egejurum Onyedikachi were received like kings yesterday in Owerri.
They returned home with two gold medals from the International STEM Olympiad Grand Finale in Rome.
Together, they are the world's best in Mathematics in the Primary and Senior categories. Don-Anele Munachimso is also the world's best in Science (Senior Category).
This is what excellence looks like.
These children are not just champions; they are proof that Nigerian children can stand shoulder to shoulder with the very best in the world when given the opportunity.
They are stars today.
The world will celebrate them even more tomorrow.
This is not the peak.
This is just the beginning of greatness.
The Disheartening Humiliation of Prof. Aghaji
Every day in this country, we find ourselves in a bizarre situation that we find difficult to understand: where we are and how we got to this uncivilised behaviour and rascality. Worse still, when you try to bring these abnormalities to the attention of those concerned, they resort to abuse instead of appreciation.
Just this morning, my attention was drawn to the disrespectful and humiliating circumstances surrounding the apprehension of Professor Martin Aghaji, a distinguished 74-year-old medical expert. This man was not invited, nor was any direct contact made with him. Instead, they invaded his home at Independent Layout, Enugu, in the dead of the night, at 2 a.m., to arrest him in front of his visiting daughter.
As an internationally recognised cardiothoracic surgeon, esteemed academic, and elder statesman, Professor Aghaji warrants a considerable degree of respect, both because of his advanced age and his substantial contributions to our nation. More importantly, however, every Nigerian, irrespective of status or profession, deserves to be treated with dignity and in accordance with the rule of law. After the humiliation of breaking into his house and whisking him away from Enugu to Lagos for three days, all he got was, “Sorry, we made a mistake.”
The public outcry concerning the state’s handling of Professor Aghaji’s case highlights a wider conflict between the actions of state security agencies and the imperative to safeguard professional integrity and individual dignity. Such conduct directed at a 74-year-old might not only exacerbate the critical “brain drain” but also severely damage the country’s already precarious healthcare infrastructure.
This incident brings to mind the similar mistreatment of a medical practitioner in Akwa Ibom, which prompted the Nigeria Medical Association to consider a nationwide strike. Fortunately, due to prompt intervention, a formal public apology was issued to the affected doctor.
The practice of treating highly regarded, ethical professionals - and indeed any Nigerian - like common criminals sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the rule of law across all sectors. Therefore, we must conduct ourselves with civility in the discharge of our public duties. A superior and renewed Nigeria is indeed POssible. -PO
¿Se acuerdan cuando en 2014 Messi ganó el Balón de Oro del Mundial habiendo anotado 0 goles y dado apenas 1 asistencia (vs Suiza en octavos) en todos los partidos de KO?
WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!!
Israel Tolulope Adekimi is world's top performer in Cambridge IGCSE Mathematics. He said that IGCSE Math is easier than WAEC Mathematics.
Nigerian children are brilliant. We are slowly replacing Olodo Uprising with Intellectualism.
WELL DONE TOLU, WELL DONE! 🤩💪👏👏
At Sam Mbakwe airport Owerri, a billboard has been put up for our star boy, Egejurum Onyedikachi, to celebrate him as he arrived in Owerri today.
He is 11 years old and the world’s best in the Primary category for Mathematics.
He is so good that he finished the exam and fell asleep.
What a star!
The world calls him CR7.
🇵🇹 Portugal calls him O Melhor.
🇪🇸 Spain calls him El Bicho.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia calls him Al-Don.
🇳🇬 Nigerians call him Ororo.
What do people in your country call Cristiano Ronaldo?
SA to Tinubu: “Tinubu’s gov’t is building 100 houses in every local government for poor Nigerians.”
A random Facebook user replied him in the comment section & said “If you’re telling the truth, may Allah heal & open that your affected eye. If you’re lying, may Allah close the other healthy eye. May he close both your eyes.”
Bro 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
That France squad na big boys’ club.
Big big boys.
Their coach is a World Cup winner as a player and as a coach. He made the UCL final with Monaco in his first coaching job.
Their captain is a World Cup winner, played in the final of the last one. Multiple league titles.
Dembele has won the UCL back-to-back. Ballon d’Or winner.
Olise, Upamecano are Bundesliga champions.
Saliba is a Premier League champion.
Doue has won too many titles for his age. If he wins the World Cup, he may well retire at 21.
Kounde La Liga champion time and again.
The ones who haven't won a lot are the Manu Kones.
Even guys on the bench have tasted glory.
Kante will be smiling knowing he's won everything he can.
You don't need to tell those players the weight of moments. They live it.
Big boys.
We captured this beautiful moment of Chimdiebube Onwubiko arriving in Enugu yesterday to a hero's welcome.
He won a gold medal at the International STEM Olympiad Grand Finale in Rome.
I love seeing education reclaim its rightful place in our society.
This is just the beginning of something great.
Another proud moment for academic excellence! 🔥
Eze Bryan has emerged as the winner of the National Economics Olympiad.
He will proudly represent Nigeria at the International Economics Olympiad in China.
SCHOOL IS NOT SCAM.
Nigerians Can Make It Difficult To Rig If They Come Out And Vote Massively Because If Their Votes Don't Matter, Politicians Won't Want To Buy It — Atedo Peterside https://t.co/ZKJjKuWvxd