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

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8 years ago

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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.

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Naija Times celebrates 5th anniversary, launches nonprofit arm to promote quality journalism and social impact

Published

2 days ago

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September 16, 2025

By

Naija Times
EHI BRAIMAH, founder of Naija Times

Naija Times, Nigeria’s leading independent online newspaper, proudly celebrates its 5th anniversary.

To mark this milestone, the management is excited to announce the launch of Naija Times Journalism Foundation, its nonprofit arm, reinforcing its commitment to quality journalism and social impact.

Founded on September 15, 2020, by Ehi Braimah, a notable PR expert and media personality in Nigeria, Naija Times has delivered high-quality, unbiased, and informative content to its readers. Akpandem James and Jahman Anikulapo – two senior and highly respected journalists – are Braimah’s co-founding partners of Naija Times.

The newspaper covers politics, business, health, education, culture, and sports, while its regularly published editorials provide sharp insights into Nigeria’s pressing issues. The newly launched website, www.ntm.ng to mark the anniversary, offers a seamless, user-friendly experience, making it easier for readers to navigate the website and access Naija Times’ diverse content.

On its 3rd anniversary two years ago, Naija Times launched the book, ‘For a Better Society,’ a compilation of editorials published from September 2020 to July 2023 in Abuja, further solidifying its role in shaping public discourse.

Naija Times Journalism Foundation, accessible at www.ntjfoundation.org, expands the organisation’s mission by supporting investigative journalism on critical social issues, promoting media literacy to educate the public on evaluating information and combating misinformation, and empowering community development through initiatives that foster social cohesion and economic empowerment.

“We are proud to celebrate five years of delivering credible journalism to our readers,” said Braimah, founder and publisher/editor-in-chief of Naija Times.

“Five years ago, we launched Naija Times with the following goals in mind: build strong institutions, promote transparency and accountability in public spending, uphold the rule of law, and defend the public interest.

“Together with my colleagues, we remain committed to building an egalitarian society that is founded on equity, justice and respect for fundamental human rights. The launch of Naija Times Journalism Foundation represents a bold step forward in our mission to drive social impact and elevate journalism practice in Nigeria.”

Naija Times Journalism Foundation is a knowledge production and journalism innovation hub dedicated to strengthening democratic governance and promoting inclusive development and accountability by empowering a vibrant and free press in Nigeria, Africa and Black Diaspora.

The Foundation’s Programmes Officer is Hart Onoboh, a seasoned programmes and communications professional with over five years’ experience, driving impactful development projects in Nigeria.

Hart has a robust background in strengthening democratic governance, combating misinformation, and facilitating community-based interventions.

Previously a fact-checker and visual communications officer at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), he led initiatives to counter misinformation and promote electoral integrity, training over 25 fact-checkers across four states in Nigeria.

Hart is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Information Management at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and he brings technical expertise, creative communication, and field experience to the Foundation’s advocacy and governance initiatives.

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₦5.7bn Fraud Scandal: EFCC Quizzes Sujimoto CEO, Freezes Accounts, Seizes Passport

Published

1 week ago

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September 9, 2025

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Enugu Accuses Sujimoto CEO of N5.7bn Fraud over smart school -

The Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Sijibomi Ogundele, is under intense interrogation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged diversion of ₦5.7 billion paid by the Enugu State Government for an ₦11 billion contract.

Ogundele, who had earlier been declared wanted, turned himself in to EFCC Abuja headquarters and was grilled for more than 10 hours on Tuesday. His personal and company accounts have been frozen, and his passport seized to restrict his movement.

According to investigators, Ogundele convinced the state to release 50% of the contract sum—₦5.7 billion—after promising speedy delivery. However, state officials allege that work done so far is worth no more than ₦750 million, accusing him of abandoning the project.

The Enugu State Government’s petition triggered EFCC’s probe, which may see Ogundele spend more time in custody as investigations continue.

In a tearful online video, Ogundele denied any wrongdoing, framing the matter as a contractual dispute: “I’m not a thief, I’m not a fugitive. This is between my company and the Enugu State Government. It’s not criminality.”

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Nigeria Digital PR Summit Opens Nominations For 2nd Digital PR Awards

Published

2 weeks ago

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September 2, 2025

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Nigeria Digital PR Summit

…Unveils Selection Panel

The Nigeria Digital PR Summit has officially opened nominations for the second Nigeria Digital PR Awards, a prestigious platform that recognizes excellence, innovation, and impact in digital public relations across Nigeria.

Honourees will take the spotlight at the Nigeria Digital PR Awards Gala; a premium evening celebrating the individuals, organizations, and campaigns that defined digital PR in the past year, marking the 10th Nigeria Digital PR Summit. Adding flair to the night is the Digital PR Fashion Runway; a bold fusion of fashion, technology, and communications that promises an unforgettable experience.

This year, 19 award categories will honour campaigns across four classes including Campaign Excellence Awards, Sector Excellence Awards, Innovation and Technology Awards, and Individual & Professional Excellence Awards.

The Summit also unveiled a three-member Selection Panel responsible for reviewing entries and shortlisting winners.

The panel is chaired by the Founder and CEO, Fernhill Digital Consulting, Datari Ladejo, and includes the former Senior Business Program Manager, MarComms, Africa Development Center (ADC – West), Microsoft, Oluwamuyemi Orimolade; and Founder/Lead Partner, PuzzleCraft PR and Communications, Beatrice Okpara.

Nominations are open to agencies, corporate communication teams, NGOs, startups, and individual practitioners whose work has delivered measurable results and demonstrated creativity in leveraging digital platforms.

Nominations run from September 1 – 8, 2025. Shortlisted nominees will be announced during the Awards Gala on October 16, 2025, at the Conference Centre, Naval Dockyard, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island. For entry guidelines and submission details, visit: https://forms.gle/cM2oFQTnSSqL51EC9.

Founder, Nigeria Digital PR Summit, Segun McMedal, said, “We are excited to launch this year’s call for nominations and to welcome such distinguished professionals to the Selection Panel. This panel reflects the breadth of expertise driving digital communication in Nigeria, and its stewardship will ensure a fair and transparent evaluation process.”

The seven categories in the Campaign Excellence Awards include Best Overall Digital PR Campaign, Best Brand Advocacy Campaign, Best Crisis Communication in Private Organisations, Best Crisis Communication in Government, Best Public Affairs Campaign, Youth Impact Award for Social Change, Outstanding Influencer Collaboration, and Best Use of Content Marketing.

Categories in the Sector Excellence Awards include Excellence in Public Service Digital Campaign, Digital PR Excellence in Telecom Services, Digital PR Excellence in Financial Services, and Sustainability and ESG Communication Excellence.

The Innovation and Technology Awards category include Innovative Use of Technology in PR, Best Digital Engagement with Citizens, Outstanding Digital Customer Experience, and Creative Use of Short-Form Video in PR. The Individual and Professional Excellence Awards include Emerging Digital PR Professional of the Year and Digital PR Professional of the Year.

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