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Tiv Youths Slam APC, Tackle Oyegun over ‘utter neglect’ of Tiv nation


Tiv Youths Initiative for Progressive Democracy (TYIPOD) has expressed its displeasure to the National Chairman, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, over the way the party abandoned Tiv nation despite promises made to the people while soliciting for votes.
A letter by the group dated 23rd February, 2018 and signed by the National Coordinator, Comr. Terkuma Jiki, and Secretary General Comr. Luper Damkor Chairman, said that despite the massive support the party enjoy from Tivland, the APC has constantly and continually put the Tiv people of Nigeria in perpetual neglect and held her in utmost contempt.
“The party has completely neglected one of its most benevolent partners in the Nigerian state. Else how would you describe a situation where there is complete disregard for federal character, the dislodgement of prominent Tiv sons and daughters from positions and offices held prior to emergence of the party into power – the likes of the director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Executive secretary of the Human Rights Commission (HRC), the director general of the Nigerian Export and Import Bank (NEXIMBank), etc.
“It is rather difficult to describe as anything other than cruel, Mr. Chairman, the deliberate absence of Tiv representation at federal executive council for the first time under the APC-led federal government and the total absence of federal presence in Benue State in terms of Infrastructural development. For a people who gave their all in support of your party, this symbolises absolute neglect sir, to put it mildly,” the youths said.
It noted: “In all the aforementioned, the Tiv nation has remained steadfast, loyal and
hoping against hope that the APC-led government would have a change heart of heart, turn around and deliver on its campaign promises to us but alas, the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back came inform of the conspiracy of silence that followed the systematic and tactical cleansing of the Tiv nation duly superintended over by the APC led government as was evident in the utterances and in action of the federal government and even the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria himself,” adding: “Till date, Mr President has not deemed it necessary to pay our dear state a condolence visit in the face of a genocide that claimed over a hundred lives, all to our greatest dismay. “Rather, Mr. Chairman, the President acted non-nonchalantly, in fact, biased. “Pitifully too, your party (the APC) at the national level failed to issue an official statement in condemnation of these acts or deem it fit to visit the IDP Camps. Even when a delegation of Benue elders visited the President at the Presidential villa and tried to impress on him the need to visit and identify with the people of Benue state, all the President had to offer was a provocative call for us to accommodate our fellow countrymen, something the Tiv nation has been known for, for millennia prior to the premeditated attacks and planned annihilation of her people,” the youths stated.
The youths pointed out that in the face of these challenges, “we’ve had a number of sympathetic governors from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) visit our state and specifically affected areas, donating over two hundred million naira and items to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), sadly not even one APC governor has thought it wise to identify with a state that happens to share the same political umbrella with them. “Instead, they were personal attacks on the person and office of the executive governor of Benue state, first by Governor Simon Lalong of Plataeu State, then Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State all of whom are governors under the APC platform.
“A police spokesman nailed it on another level by calling our governor, an elected executive governor of a state under the platform of your party ‘a drowning man’, yet your party, Mr Chairman, never deemed it fit to condemn or even call these people to order. It seems therefore with these clearly sanctioned acts that, there is a conspiracy to humiliate not just the person and office of the Executive governor of Benue state but also the entire Benue people.
“Mr Chairman Sir, it will only be right to make reference to other democracies in the African region. We can only hope to move forward as a people if we truly work at upholding the values of a true democracy as was the case recently in South Africa where the African National Congress (ANC) in preserving and protecting its integrity and in line with the wishes of the people, refused to shield former President Jacob Zuma in the face of abysmal failure. This however is not the case with Nigeria, where the APC has opted instead to protect and shield President Muhamadu Buhari for selfish and ghoulish reasons to the detriment of the common man. Of a truth, this has become the greatest undoing of the party.”
“Having said all that has been said, Mr. Chairman Sir, it would be sacrosanct to state that this ‘marriage’ between the APC and the Tiv nation has failed us. The APC has betrayed the trust and commitment bequeathed to her by the Tiv nation. It is in view of this Mr. Chairman that we the Tiv Youths wish to categorically state that we can no longer afford to ride with this failed ‘vehicle’ known as the APC as it has become evident that your political party does not represent our interests. We therefore unequivocally assert our support for our governor in light of his stand against the bastardisation of his people by the ‘powers’ that be and urge him to vacate the sinking ‘ship’ of the All Progressives Congress (APC), because political party(s) don’t decide for us, we decide our leaders and 2019 won’t be different,” the statement declared.
Talking about the earlier perception of the APC by Tiv people, the statement said: “Barely five years ago, change movement was launched called the APC as a realistic succor and replacement for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that had ruled the Nigerian state since the return of democracyin1999.The new party, the APC held a lot of hope and attracted a lot of men and women of good will across the nation, and in all these the Tiv people were not left out. “In the buildup to the 2015 general elections, the APC as a new political party won the heart and the support of Tiv nation. Through some of her most respected leaders like Senator George Akume, the then minority leader in the senate, senator JKN Waku and later Senator Barnabas Gamade, etc, the Tiv nation gave the leadership of Benue state to the APC; the two (2) senatorial seats from the Tiv speaking areas of Benue state and five (5) out of the six (6) Federal House of Representatives seats also in the Tiv speaking areas were won by the APC. Elsewhere in Nasarawa State, particularly the southern senatorial districts where the Tiv people are predominantly in three local governments, namely: Awe, Obi and Keana local government areas, the APC also won the Senatorial seat and the Federal House of Representative seats. The above Mr. Chairman is to elucidate on the massive support from Tiv people which the APC enjoyed, so you could only imagine the level of expectations from this party of which we gave our all to.
“However, like an abusive marriage, the APC has constantly and continually put the Tiv people of Nigeria in perpetual neglect and held her in utmost contempt,” the youths lamented.


Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.


The Guild of Private Broadcast Managers has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Guild’s National President, Ambassador Patrick Uzoyi-Peters, JP MNGRM, the guild described the milestone as a testament to the NUJ’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
“For seven decades, the NUJ has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring that the voice of the people remains strong and unyielding. Your resilience, professionalism, and dedication to ethical journalism have been instrumental in fostering transparency, accountability, and national development”.
Celebrating this historic achievement, the Guild’s President, Uzoyi-Peters recognized the sacrifices and contributions of journalists across the nation who work tirelessly to inform, educate, and empower society.
The Guild reiterated it commitment towards collaborating with the NUJ in promoting responsible journalism and strengthening the media industry for the greater good.
While wishing the NUJ continued success, growth, and greater impact in the years ahead, President Uzoyi-Peters prayed that the anniversary serve as a renewed call to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, and press freedom in our collective pursuit of a more informed and just society.
News
Family Marks one-year Memorial of Late APC Chieftain, Ojougboh with Charity Outreach
By Ikenna Oluka


The family of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, led by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable initiatives aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and service to society.
The memorial activities included the donation of school books and bags to pupils of Erigbe Primary School, in Agbor within the Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education.
The outreach also included extension of financial assistance to patients at Central Hospital, Agbor, and the provision of toiletries, cash, and food items to children at the Salve Regina Children’s Home, Agbor.
The outreach was carried out under the ‘Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’, a family-led initiative established to immortalise him and continue his lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Speaking during the event which took place recently, Mrs. Ojougboh reaffirmed the family’s dedication to sustaining the ideals of the late APC chieftain, describing him as a man who strongly believed in education and giving back to society.
“We are here to celebrate the life of my husband, Late Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on a year ago. In his honour, we decided to give back to society. He was a man who valued education and was always willing to help others. It is only fitting that we continue his legacy through acts of generosity,” she stated.
Honouring his passion for education
The first visit was to Erigbe Primary School, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education. The Foundation distributed school bags, writing materials, and food packs to the pupils. The family encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously and strive to become responsible citizens.
Supporting patients at Central Hospital, Agbor
At Central Hospital, Agbor, Mrs. Ojougboh and her entourage moved through the medical wards, offering financial support to patients to assist with their treatment costs. The hospital staff and beneficiaries responded with prayers and words of gratitude for the kind gesture.
Reaching out to orphaned children
The outreach team also visited Salve Regina Children’s Home in Agbor where they donated cash, food items, and toiletries to the children.


The Matron of the home expressed her deep appreciation to the Ojougboh family, commending their commitment to sustaining the late politician’s legacy of compassion and social impact.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s enduring legacy
Reflecting on her late husband’s contributions to society, Mrs. Ojougboh emphasised that his legacy of generosity and service to humanity would not be forgotten.
“Dr. Cairo was a selfless man who touched many lives. His contributions to the Nigerian political landscape, his mark in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, and the country at large, will always be remembered. He may be gone, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations,” she said.
The Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has pledged to continue supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in his memory, ensuring that his vision for a better society lives on.