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INSECURITY: Akume’s Aide Calls on Alia to Name Alleged Sponsors

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In response to recent comments made by Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia regarding the security situation in the state, Mr. Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has issued a statement.

Alia, who was a guest on Channels Television on Friday, criticized Akume and “his cronies” for remaining silent on the growing insecurity in the state.

Akume served as governor of Benue from 1999 to 2007.

The governor claimed that an interim report from a judicial panel he set up implicated politicians based in Abuja and within the national assembly in the orchestration of attacks in the state.

Although Alia refrained from naming those indicted, he said the report would be made public by Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

In a statement released Saturday, Kuanum countered that Akume has been actively engaged in addressing security concerns in Benue and ensures that such matters are consistently brought to President Bola Tinubu’s attention.

He argued that the governor either misunderstands the workings of government or is attempting to manipulate public opinion by demanding that Akume publicly address the media on the state’s security situation.

Kuanum called on Alia to submit the names of those implicated in the report to both President Tinubu and the federal security council.

“If the Governor of Benue State has expected that the SGF would be seen in the media discussing the efforts he has been making in that regard, then it betrays either a lack of understanding of governmental administrative procedure, or he is deliberately and unfortunately seeking to manipulate public sentiments against the SGF,” the statement reads.

“As a member of the Federal Security Council His Excellency Governor Hyacinth Alia very well understands how the Federal Executive Council functions and how it is through its channels of communication and administrative action, in which the SGF is centrally involved, that several security interventions have been made to Benue State and elsewhere towards tackling insecurity.

“It is also pertinent to remind His Excellency the Governor of Benue State that those he has persistently sought to label as cronies of the SGF in Abuja, particularly those in the National Assembly, have been most vociferous on the floor of the NASS in calling attention to issues of insecurity in Benue State.

Distinguished Senators Titus Zam and Emmanuel Udende as well as members of the House of Representatives from Benue State have been up and doing consistently in keeping the issue of attacks, killings and kidnappings by suspected herdsmen, bandits and terrorists on the front burner of discussion in both chambers of the NASS.

“Those efforts by the Benue lawmakers in the NASS have resulted in a number of motions which have gotten the attention and action of the Federal Executive Council.

“By his official designation, the SGF is permitted more of asymmetrical contributions to the scourge of insecurity in Nigeria, which yields more telling impact, than if he were to be mounting the rostrum to publicly discuss what he does regarding the matter.

“On the allegations by His Excellency the Governor that the report of his Panel of Inquiry indicts certain persons of complicity in fuelling insecurity in a part of Benue State, it is noteworthy that by administrative procedure, such reports are taken through stages of vetting and gazetting into a White Paper before their content may be deemed as a credible and official position of Government.

“But since His Excellency the Governor has chosen, perhaps as a result of how burning the issue is, to let the cat out of the bag before the administrative procedure, we urge him to make good on his word and expose those involved in the crime of aiding and abetting insecurity in his state.

His Excellency the Governor of Benue State must understand that his allegations and preemptive indictment of the persons so fingered now carry the weight of national security concern and must be treated as such.

“He should forward to His Excellency the President and to the Federal Security Council the names of those so indicted and their roles in sponsoring, aiding and abetting insecurity in Benue State as he claimed, and should also bring it publicly to the attention of the whole world who those enemies of Benue State are,” he stated.

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JUST IN: Kidnapped Bayelsa Judge, Umukoro, regains freedom

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After 13 days in captivity, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, a Bayelsa State High Court Judge, who was kidnapped by gunmen, has been released.

The judge was abducted on June 21, 2025, around 7pm by gunmen dressed in combat fatigue in front of a popular eatery at the Ekeki suburb of Yenagoa.

It was gathered that Justice Omukoro was released on Thursday evening and is still with security operatives.

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Masobe Books to Publish Groundbreaking Essay Collection by Dr. Dakuku Peterside on Nigeria

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Masobe Books, a leading publisher of Nigerian literature, today announced the upcoming release of a highly anticipated essay collection by Dr. Dakuku Peterside, a prominent figure in Nigerian public life.

The collection, which is titled: Beneath the Surface: Essays on Nigeria’s Chequered Journey, a powerful new work by renowned columnist and public policy expert, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

Dr. Peterside, known for his contributions to policy, economics, and thought leadership, has compiled a series of essays exploring a range of critical issues facing the nation.

The collection is expected to delve into topics such as governance, economic development, social justice, national unity, security challenges, the future of democracy, and the role of youth.

“We are incredibly excited to be publishing Dr. Peterside’s work,” said [Name and Title of a Masobe Books representative, ideally the publisher].

“His deep understanding of Nigeria, combined with his clear and articulate writing style, makes this collection essential reading for anyone interested in the country’s present and future.”

Masobe Books anticipates that the collection will appeal to a broad audience, including policymakers, academics, students, and the general public.

Slated for publication in October 2025 under the publisher’s Makere imprint, the book promises to spark critical conversations about Nigeria’s past, present, and future.

Further details, including the title of the collection and planned promotional events, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Dr. Dakuku Peterside has a distinguished career, having served as a former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), a former member of the House of Representatives.

He is widely respected for his expertise and contributions to national discourse.

The essay collection offers a panoramic exploration of Nigeria’s complex landscape—its economy, governance, youth energy, leadership challenges, and international standing.

Described as a “360-degree perspective” on the country’s evolving narrative, the book digs deep into the nation’s layered experiences and contradictions.

The book has already received high praise from thought leaders. Renowned Kenyan scholar, Professor P.L.O. Lumumba, hailed it as “a manual that every conscientious person in authority should read.”

Bishop Matthew Kukah called it “a window for future exploration of the options for a new Nigeria,” while Prof. Kyari Mohammed declared it “a must read for policy makers, academics and the general reader.”

Masobe Books has announced plans for formal launch events in Lagos and Abuja to accompany the book’s international and local release.

This marks Dr. Peterside’s third major publication, following Strategic Turnaround and Leading in a Storm.

For inquiries and updates, the public is encouraged to contact Theresa Ominiabohs at Masobe Books or visit www.masobebooks.com.

The publisher can also be followed on Instagram and Twitter via @masobebooksng.

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MTN, Airtel, IHS Towers Rev up FG’s 3MTT programme by N5bn

“This kind of collaboration is what drives our vision of building a future-ready workforce and positioning Nigeria as a net exporter of technical talent,” said Tijani.

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Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, said that MTN Nigeria made a cumulative N3 billion contribution to support the federal government’s 3MTT programme.

3MTT is an acronym for 3 Million Technical Talent, a bold initiative and a critical component of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda which is aimed at developing a local pool of technical talent for the country and the global tech ecosystem.

Tijani also disclosed that previously, the Airtel Africa Foundation had contributed N1 billion to support the same programme, while infrastructure service provider, IHS Tower, has entered an agreement worth another N1 billion with the Ministry to build learning communities across the nation for the 3MTT programme.

“This kind of collaboration is what drives our vision of building a future-ready workforce and positioning Nigeria as a net exporter of technical talent,” said Tijani.

He explained:” The tech talent will be trained in cohorts. The program started with 30, 000 Nigerians, which was one percent of the 3 million target, while another 270,000 were later selected for the second cohort to bring the number to 10 percent.

The 3 Million Tech Talent will be trained in areas of speciality including: Digital Marketing, Project Management Software, Cloud Platforms Navigation, Data Analysis and Visualisation, Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), CRM Management, Accounting Software, Graphics Design and UX/UI Design, among others.

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