The Benue State Government has redeemed a N500,000 empowerment pledge made by Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia to beneficiaries of the 774 Explode Initiative, a women-focused programme of the All Progressives Congress (APC) aimed at promoting gender inclusion and participation in politics. The pledge was fulfilled on Friday, during a ceremony held at the Old Banquet Hall of the Government House, Makurdi. The governor was represented by his Special Adviser on Women Affairs, Hon. Scholastica Ben Sor. Addressing participants, Ben Sor recalled that the 774 Explode Initiative was introduced to Benue State in June 2024 by the APC National Woman Leader,…
Author: WorldClass News
The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have stated that Nigerians deserve safe, standard-compliant fuel, transparent regulation, and accountable governance, as they called for an immediate, full-scale, and independent investigation into the regulatory activities of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The call followed the resignation of the former Chief Executive of the Authority, Engr. Farouk Ahmed. The groups, comprising the CNPP and more than 75 civil society organisations under the CNCSOs, said the resignation should not bring public scrutiny to an end but should instead trigger a…
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has presented a proposed ₦583.33 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Adamawa State House of Assembly, with lawmakers passing a vote of confidence in his administration. Presenting the budget on Thursday, December 18, 2025, the governor said the proposal, christened “Budget of Sustainable Growth and Economic Renewal,” was designed to consolidate infrastructure development, strengthen social services, deepen economic reforms and sustain peace across the state. Fintiri said the budget was the outcome of extensive consultations with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), members of the legislature and other stakeholders, and was prepared in line with…
Burkina Faso has released a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft and 11 military personnel following diplomatic engagements between both countries. A Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, held talks with Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, over the detention of the aircraft and its crew. The discussions culminated in the immediate release of the personnel and the aircraft. Following the breakthrough, Ambassador Tuggar met with the freed Air Force personnel to confirm their health and well-being. The delegation and the released personnel are currently en route back to Nigeria. Nigeria reaffirmed its…
The Gombe State Government has expanded its electricity market, opening new opportunities for investors in solar power and clean energy as part of efforts to drive sustainable development and economic growth. Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, gave the assurance of a conducive business environment for investors, describing clean energy as a critical driver of job creation, industrial growth and overall development in the state. The governor stated this while delivering a keynote address at a meeting on emerging opportunities in the Gombe State electricity sector, jointly organised by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the Gombe State Government. The event…
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has approved the admission of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger as non-ECOWAS members of the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA). The decision was taken at the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held in Abuja, following applications submitted by the three countries to join the regional anti-money laundering body. ECOWAS said the approval was based on the strong political commitment demonstrated by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger to fully implement the obligations required of GIABA members. This includes addressing identified…
Residents of several communities in Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba State have called for urgent action to abolish harmful cultural practices among the Mumuye ethnic group, describing them as obstacles to social development and the wellbeing of women and girls. The call was made on Monday at the palace of the Chief of Mumuye, Alhaji Ado Adamu Manzan, during activities marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Community representatives used the occasion to draw attention to cultural practices they said have sustained inequality and hindered development in the area. They appealed to the monarch, as the custodian…
The Chief Executive Officer and Publisher of Paradigm News International, Mr. Raymond Nyayiti Enoch, on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Internal Services of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Dr. Habibu Yaya Bappah, at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja. The visit was aimed at congratulating Dr. Bappah on his recent appointment and reaffirming Paradigm News International’s support for his mandate to strengthen institutional integrity, transparency, and citizen-focused service delivery within the ECOWAS region. Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Enoch described the visit as one of goodwill and strategic engagement. He reiterated the media…
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has ordered the establishment of a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the December 8 shooting incident in Lamurde Local Government Area, which claimed the lives of ten women and an 11-year-old girl. The governor announced the decision during a visit to Lamurde and five affected communities in Suwa District, where he assured residents that the panel would conduct an open, fair, and comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure justice for the victims. Governor Fintiri appealed for calm and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to due process and accountability.…
The Benue State Government has donated two high-capacity solar-powered water pumps to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support the implementation of the 86-million-litres-per-day water treatment plant in Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area of the state. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management/Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Sir James Aondoakaa Iorpuu, PhD, inspected the equipment on behalf of the state government ahead of their immediate installation at the project site in Naka. The solar-powered pumps, valued at ₦56.7 million, are expected to significantly boost water abstraction capacity and ensure sustainable and uninterrupted operation of…