By James Ian

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Candidate for Benue State, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, on Thursday, October 2, 2026, received a warm reception from the Benue community in Lagos for a series of events organized in his honour by a group of distinguished Benue professionals and stakeholders under the auspices of the Lagos Support Network for MKA.

The gathering provided a unique opportunity for Benue indigenes resident in Lagos to engage directly with the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice on his vision for the future of Benue State and his plans for addressing the challenges confronting the state.

Welcoming Chief Aondoakaa, the Convener of the Lagos Support Network for MKA, Hon. Paul Ahom Akinde, said members of the Benue community in Lagos were inspired by the PDP candidate’s wealth of experience, proven leadership credentials and commitment to public service. He expressed confidence in Aondoakaa’s capacity to provide purposeful leadership and drive the development of Benue State.

In his response, Chief Aondoakaa thanked the organizers and participants for the honour accorded him and for their huge support. He assured the gathering that he remained committed to the aspirations of the Benue people and would not disappoint them if entrusted with the mandate to serve as governor.

The PDP candidate highlighted key pillars of his development agenda, including the restoration of security, revitalization of agriculture, expansion of rural infrastructure, youth empowerment and economic growth. He also called on Benue indigenes in the diaspora to partner with him in the bid to ascend the leadership of the state, rebuild and reposition it for sustainable progress.

The interactive session witnessed robust contributions from prominent members of the Benue community in Lagos, including the President-General of Mzough U Tiv, Lagos Chapter, Engr. Theophilus Ukaa, PhD; Barr. Audu, SAN; President of Tiv Youths in Lagos, Hon. Joseph Nande; representative of the Idoma community, Barr. Paul Okwori; representative of the Igede community, Mr. Ogbodo J.; and Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Taver Ikuan.

The speakers commended Chief Aondoakaa’s distinguished record of public service and leadership while seeking further insights into his preparedness to address the security, economic and developmental challenges facing Benue State.

Several participants recalled his interventions and support for the advancement of numerous Tiv professionals, including senior customs officers and legal practitioners, during his tenure as Attorney General of the Federation. They expressed confidence that his vast experience, national exposure and network would be invaluable assets in the governance and development of Benue State.

Following the dinner, Chief Aondoakaa paid a courtesy visit to the Grand Patron of Mzough U Tiv, Lagos State Chapter, Chief Engr. Sylvanus Gasarah, at his residence in Ikeja.

The PDP governorship candidate is expected to continue his engagements in Lagos with meetings involving members of the wider Tiv, Idoma and Igede communities, as well as other stakeholders from Benue State resident in the commercial capital.

Chief Aondoakaa is accompanied on the trip by his wife, Mrs. Patience Aondoakaa; Hon. Christopher Afaor; Dr. Terver Akase; Barr. Terna Yaji; Dr. Toryila Akor; and Mr. Ngusha Aondoakaa.

The Publisher of The Eagle Times Nigeria, Sir Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, has pledged that the newspaper will promote accountability, credible journalism and public-interest reporting in its coverage of national affairs.

Chukwunyere made the commitment on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during the official unveiling and launch of The Eagle Times Nigeria.

He said the new media organisation was established not merely to add another newspaper to Nigeria’s media landscape, but to provide a platform committed to serving the public interest.

According to him, the newspaper’s guiding philosophy, “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation,” places a responsibility on the organisation to listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight issues affecting their daily lives and scrutinise those entrusted with public responsibilities.

“To be a voice for the people means that we must listen to Nigerians, tell their stories, highlight their concerns and give visibility to issues that affect their daily lives,” he said.

The publisher added that The Eagle Times would be guided by accuracy, fairness, professionalism, credibility and responsible journalism, stressing that the newspaper would not publish stories merely because they were sensational.

“We will verify. We will investigate. We will seek the other side. We will correct our mistakes when we make them,” he said.

Chukwunyere further stated that the newspaper would endeavour to give individuals and organisations the opportunity to respond whenever allegations were made against them.

“Our commitment is not to any political party, government or individual. Our primary commitment is to journalism, to truth and to the Nigerian public,” he said.

He noted that the newspaper was launching at a time when the media industry was undergoing rapid transformation, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, including websites, television, podcasts and social media.

He said The Eagle Times would therefore operate as a multimedia organisation, combining its newspaper with digital platforms and The Eagle Times TV to reach audiences across different channels.

According to him, the organisation also intends to create opportunities for young journalists, writers, photographers, producers, digital creators and other media professionals to develop their skills and contribute to journalism and national development.

Chukwunyere said the newspaper’s coverage would include politics, governance, business, economy, security, judiciary, education, health, technology, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and international affairs.

He, however, said the organisation intended to distinguish itself not only by the subjects it covered but by the quality and approach of its journalism.

We want to tell stories that matter, we want to investigate issues that require investigation, we want to highlight Nigerians who are making a difference, and we want to give communities that are often ignored an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

The publisher acknowledged the challenges involved in establishing a newspaper, saying the venture required investment, commitment, professional discipline and the courage to pursue an idea.

He expressed appreciation to the management, editorial, reporting, production and digital teams, as well as families, friends, partners and supporters who contributed to the establishment of the organisation.

Chukwunyere also assured readers, viewers and the newspaper’s digital audience that The Eagle Times would strive to earn their trust and remain accountable to the standards it had set for itself.

He said the newspaper’s success would not be measured only by circulation figures, website traffic or social media followers, but also by the confidence Nigerians placed in its journalism.

“Today, we spread our wings. Today, The Eagle Times takes flight,” he said, reaffirming the newspaper’s commitment to its slogan: “The Voice for the People, The Watchdog for the Nation.”

By Leo Zwanke, Lafia

CleanTop Services Ltd, an integrated farm owned by former Nasarawa State governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. David Emmanuel Ombugadu, has flagged off a six-month vocational skills acquisition programme for 200 trainees in Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The flag-off ceremony, held at Sa’abhi International Hotel and Resort, Karu, Nasarawa State on Thursday is being implemented under the IDEAS-TVET Cohort 3 programme of the World Bank and Federal Government of Nigeria.

The programme is being delivered in collaboration with CleanTop Services Ltd, which serves as the Training Service Provider (TSP) for the initiative.

The six-month training is designed to equip the beneficiaries with practical skills in fisheries and aquaculture, while successful participants are expected to obtain a National Skill Qualification (NSQ) recognised and awarded by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

Speaking on the programme, the Training Programme Manager (TPM), Mr Vincent Yoko, said the initiative was aimed at providing beneficiaries with relevant vocational skills that could improve their capacity for self-employment and participation in the aquaculture value chain.

Yoko explained that the training would combine vocational skills acquisition with practical knowledge required to operate and manage fisheries and aquaculture enterprises.

He said the programme was part of efforts to strengthen technical and vocational education and training by giving participants skills that could be applied beyond the classroom.

According to him, the involvement of the World Bank, Federal Government and IDEAS-TVET would provide the beneficiaries with an opportunity to acquire skills and a recognised qualification alongside practical experience.

He urged the 200 trainees to take the training seriously, describing their participation as an opportunity to acquire skills that could serve as a foundation for sustainable livelihoods.

One of the beneficiaries, Joe Amadu Sireh, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to participate in the programme, saying the training would expose beneficiaries to practical knowledge in fisheries and aquaculture.

Sireh said the opportunity was particularly important because of the increasing need for young people and other Nigerians to acquire vocational skills that could translate into productive economic activities.

Another beneficiary, Oziohu Felix, also welcomed the programme, saying the six-month training would provide participants with an opportunity to develop practical competence in a specialised area.

Felix said the participants were looking forward to gaining hands-on experience and making effective use of the skills acquired during the training.

The beneficiaries said the recognition of the training through the National Skill Qualification would further give participants a formal qualification that could support their future career and enterprise development.

The organisers said the six-month training would expose participants to various aspects of Fisheries and Aquaculture, with emphasis on practical vocational competence.

The programme is being implemented under the IDEAS-TVET framework, with CleanTop Services Ltd serving as the Training Service Provider for the cohort.
At the end of the training, participants who meet the requirements are expected to receive the National Skill Qualification, providing them with a formally recognised vocational qualification in the field.