News
Benue IDPS Reclaim Their Ancestral Land after 14 Years of Attacks
Thousands of internally displaced persons in Benue State have started returning to their ancestral homes after more than 14 years of forced exile caused by repeated attacks by armed Fulani herdsmen.
Communities in Gwer West Local Government Area, including Tse Akpiti, Igbafu, Zwatem in Mbakyoudu district, Abiam in Sengev, Gidan Pepa, and New Nigeria, are witnessing a gradual but steady return of their original inhabitants.
Residents told journalists that farming and commercial activities have resumed without fear, with yam, rice, and cassava harvesting currently in full swing across the once-abandoned farmlands.
A resident of Agberagba, Semon Gyundu, said: “We never believed we would step foot here again. The journey back looked impossible, but today we are farming and sleeping in our fathers’ compounds without panic.
”Another returnee from Abiam community, Jimmy Nyor, expressed gratitude to “our son who is complementing government efforts,” adding that normal life has returned and they can only get better with more support.
Leading the resettlement drive is the National President of the Tyoshin Development Association (TDA), Chief Tiza Timothy Tarnongo, who has been mobilizing indigenes and partnering with the state government.
Chief Tarnongo appealed to both the Benue State Government and humanitarian organizations to urgently rebuild destroyed schools, health centers, boreholes, and roads to encourage more displaced families to return permanently.
With sustained collaboration between the state government, community leaders, and aid agencies, there is growing optimism that many more IDPs across Gwer West and other affected local government areas will soon reclaim their ancestral lands without fear of further attacks.
News
NMMA shortlist 972 entries for 2026 awards
NMMA was founded by a former Chairman of Daily Times, the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, who led the organisation for 10 years.
The Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) said that it has shortlisted 972 of 1,112 entries for this year’s awards.
The Chairman of the NMMA Panel of Assessors, Otunba Dele Adetiba, said that the entries for the 34th edition cut across print, radio, and television categories.
Chairman of the NMMA Board of Trustees, Prof. Dayo Duyile, said that the award was established in 1990 to promote professionalism, ethical journalism and excellence among media practitioners.
Duyile, a veteran journalist and academic, said the NMMA was founded by a former Chairman of Daily Times, the late Alhaji Babatunde Jose, who led the organisation for 10 years.
News
Nigerian Law school student dies after falling from hostel rooftop
The deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.
•Faith Alayande
A Nigerian Law School student identified as Faith Alayande, is dead after she fell from the rooftop at Lagos campus.
In a statement on Monday, Aderonke Osho, secretary to the council and director of administration, said that the deceased was a student of the Nigerian Law School, Enugu campus, who was undergoing externship programme at the Lagos campus.
Osho said preliminary findings revealed that the student died from injuries sustained after falling from the rooftop of the campus hostel around 4am on Friday.
The Nigerian Law School is deeply saddened by this tragic development.
“Management is working closely with the appropriate authorities and the family to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, ensure that all necessary procedures are duly followed, and provide further information as appropriate.”
News
Ekwulobia Suspends New Yam Festival for Kidnap Billionaire Son
A source from the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia where Ezeokafor hails from, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, saying there was no need to celebrate while their son remained in captivity.
• Joseph Ezeokafor
Ekwulobia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State has cancelled its New Yam festival celebration billed for September 4, 2026.
Ohibaba.com learned that this is because of the kidnap of billionaire businessman and owner of Jezco Group of Companies, Chief Joseph Ezeokafor.
Ezeokafor was kidnapped in Awka on Tuesday last week when he stepped out of his house without his security details to attend to his spiritual need, where he goes to offer prays.
Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga who confirmed the development said that serious operation is currently ongoing to save the elder statesman.
His kidnap has sent his community into mourning, causing the postponement of the new Yam festival, an annual festival which holds on a static date every year.
A source from the community said the traditional ruler of Ekwulobia where Ezeokafor hails from, His Royal Majesty, Igwe (Engr) Emmanuel Chukwukadibia Onyeneke, officially suspended the Ekwulobia New Yam Festival, saying there was no need to celebrate while their son remained in captivity.
“The Igwe said the community of Ekwulobia cannot celebrate while their son remains in the custody of the kidnappers,” the source said.
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