By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Tinubu has mourned the passing of Ambassador Joy Uche Angela Ogwu, Nigeria’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, who died at the age of 79.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described the late diplomat as a trailblazer who embodied excellence, intellect, and dedication in service to her nation.

Ambassador Ogwu, a renowned scholar and stateswoman, served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from May 2008 to May 2017. During her tenure, she chaired the UN Security Council twice — in July 2010 and October 2011 — earning global respect for her leadership on peace, disarmament, and women’s empowerment.

Before her UN role, she was Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), where she made lasting contributions to Nigeria’s foreign policy and the study of international relations.

President Tinubu lauded her distinguished service, noting that Ambassador Ogwu “rose to the highest level of her vocation through sheer excellence and hard work.”

He extended heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and members of the diplomatic and academic communities, praying for God’s comfort for all who mourn her and for the peaceful repose of her soul.

In a major development that could reshape the security landscape in the North-East, Boko Haram and the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) have reconciled with the Bakoura Doro faction after years of bloody rivalry.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the reconciliation, according to credible intelligence marks a significant shift in the dynamics of the insurgency that has ravaged Borno and neighbouring states for over a decade.

Boko Haram, officially known as Jama’at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da’wa wa al-Jihad (JAS), and ISWAP reportedly reached a truce with the Bakoura Doro group on Thursday, after weeks of internal negotiations aimed at consolidating their fighting strength and realigning their operational commands.

However, ISWAP leaders maintained their position of hostility toward the Abubakar Shekau faction, now under the command of Ali Ngulde, whose loyalists are entrenched in the Mandara Mountains along the Nigeria–Cameroon border.

According to field sources, ISWAP commanders used the meeting to warn their fighters against indiscriminate killings of local residents, citing the incident in Kirawa where innocent civilians were executed in error.

The group reiterated that attacks should only target government-backed militias and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), whom they accused of bearing arms against them.

Despite this rhetoric of restraint, both ISWAP and Boko Haram factions vowed to intensify their campaign of violence, with Boko Haram operatives under Bakoura Doro reportedly planning a renewed wave of kidnappings-for-ransom and bloodletting in vulnerable communities across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.

Security analysts view this reconciliation as a troubling development that could embolden the insurgents to regroup, and coordinate large-scale attacks against both military and civilian targets.

“The reconciliation between ISWAP and Bakoura Doro’s faction effectively closes one of the key internal cracks that previously weakened the insurgency. It allows them to pool resources, fighters, and logistics, which may translate to renewed offensives, particularly in border areas and ungoverned spaces.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian military continues to sustain pressure on terrorist enclaves through coordinated land and air operations, with the goal of preventing the insurgents from re-establishing control over liberated territories.

As the insurgents’ alliance solidifies, analysts caution that Nigeria and its regional partners must strengthen intelligence sharing, border control, and community engagement to mitigate the security risks posed by this new wave of jihadist consolidation.

By: Fabian Apechihin

Governor Hyacinth Alia has appointed Miss Linda Ene Agada as the Special Adviser on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Microfinance, in a move aimed at boosting economic growth and empowering small businesses across Benue State.

Agada, a seasoned entrepreneur and passionate advocate for women’s economic inclusion, brings years of experience in business development, financial management, and entrepreneurship training. Her appointment reflects the Alia administration’s commitment to deepening financial inclusion, supporting local enterprises, and driving sustainable economic growth at the grassroots level.

Renowned for her dedication to youth and women empowerment, Agada has played a key role in numerous capacity-building and business mentorship programs across the North Central region. Her appointment has drawn praise from stakeholders in the MSME sector, who describe her as a visionary with a clear understanding of the challenges confronting small-scale businesses.

In her reaction, Agada expressed appreciation to Governor Alia for the opportunity to serve, pledging to advance the administration’s vision of building an inclusive, self-sustaining economy.

“This appointment is a call to service. I am deeply committed to ensuring that MSMEs in Benue State have access to finance, mentorship, and markets to thrive. We will strengthen microfinance systems and promote entrepreneurship as a key driver of our state’s development,” she said.

The Benue State government is expected to unveil new initiatives under her leadership to support local entrepreneurs, improve access to microcredit, and strengthen partnerships with financial institutions to enhance productivity and create jobs.

Agada’s inclusion in the governor’s team underscores the administration’s ongoing efforts to harness the potential of small and medium enterprises as engines of inclusive growth and social transformation.