Renowned development advocate and founder of the Maikaya Development Foundation, Dr. Muhammed Musa Maikaya, has intensified consultations with stakeholders across the three geopolitical zones of Nasarawa State as he engages widely on a transformative vision aimed at tackling youth unemployment and repositioning the state for inclusive development.

Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Dr. Maikaya unveiled what he described as an ambitious and data-driven youth employment revolution, promising that “no graduate will return home to roam the streets after NYSC” if he is elected governor.

Dr. Maikaya, who was a leading aspirant in the 2019 APC governorship primaries before stepping down under a consensus arrangement, said his renewed aspiration is driven by his commitment to service, innovation, and inclusive development.

According to him, his newly launched ideology, tagged New Vision, Real Impact for Nasarawa, was inspired by the realities of ordinary citizens across the state. “My inspiration comes from the people,” he said. “I was born in Toto and raised among hardworking men and women who dream of better opportunities. My 25-year international experience has shown me how visionary leadership transforms societies.”

On the state’s development trajectory, he noted that Nasarawa has made measurable progress since its creation in 1996, especially in infrastructure, education, and ICT. However, he stressed that “far more needs to be done to unlock its full potential.”

Unveiling his central agenda, Dr. Maikaya said youth empowerment remains “the heartbeat” of his vision. To achieve this, he announced plans to establish a Nasarawa Directorate of Employment (NDE), which will serve as a central employment and empowerment hub for all youths in the state.

“The Directorate will record, profile, support, and ensure every qualified youth is employed or empowered,” he said. He explained that the agency will operate a Post-NYSC Youth Capture System to digitally register every graduate immediately after service, monitor federal job openings, and push qualified candidates forward for placement in agencies such as Immigration, Customs, NSCDC, Road Safety Corps, and federal ministries.

He added that the Directorate would “partner with the private sector, industries, and financial institutions to create employment linkages” while offering structured training in ICT, agriculture, renewable energy, mechanics, fabrication, fashion, hospitality, film, and creative arts.

Dr. Maikaya further revealed a Two-Year Enterprise Support Programme that will provide start-up capital, tools, mentorship, and monitored business development support to young entrepreneurs across the state.

Describing the proposal as realistic, he stated that funding would come from state budgetary provisions, public–private partnerships, development agencies, federal employment grants, and returns from state-owned enterprises. “With intentional leadership and transparency, resources will align,” he assured.

He argued that his model as sustainable. According to him, “For the first time, Nasarawa will be able to say: ‘We know every graduate, their skills, where they can fit in, and we are responsible for helping them succeed.’”

Addressing the needs of youths without formal education, he maintained that “every youth matters,” promising massive investment in artisanship, technical skills, sports, agriculture, local manufacturing, renewable energy installation, and digital economy skills.

Dr. Maikaya also pledged to continue and improve on the achievements of the current administration, saying, “Governor Abdullahi Sule has done remarkably well in industrialization, solid minerals, ease of doing business, and infrastructure. Leadership is about continuity, improvement, and innovation.”

Highlighting broader economic goals, he said his New Vision agenda rests on key pillars including economic diversification, human capital development, healthcare, infrastructure renewal, empowerment of women and youths, security, institutional reforms, and environmental sustainability.

To the youths of Nasarawa, he delivered a message of hope: “Do not give up. Your dreams matter. With structured empowerment and good governance, Nasarawa youths will no longer roam the streets, they will lead the economy.”

Dr. Maikaya further pledged integrity and impact-driven governance. “I promise integrity, competence, and compassion. A government that listens, delivers, and makes real impact. Together, we will build a Nasarawa that works for all.”

The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association of Nigeria (BAVCCA) has backed the Stance of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, following his warning on the devastating impact of misinformation in the country.

The development was made known in a statement jointly signed by BAVCCA’s National President and Secretary, Ikechukwu Chukwunyere and Tabuko Kennedy on Thursday in Abuja.

Ikechukwu, while quoting IGP Kayode Egbetokun verbatim, “Misinformation has become a silent bomb; it does not destroy buildings; it destroys trust. A single false post can cause chaos faster than a bullet can travel.” – stressed that the Police Chief’s comment is a clarion call to every Nigerian, creator, sharer, or citizen.

He further warned that the spread of falsehoods is not a bloggers-only problem; it is a national security threat that demands collective action.

BAVCCA also disclosed plans to formally submit the Digital Content Practitioners (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2025, to the National Assembly, a bill that seeks mandatory registration of all bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, social media influencers, and online journalists with a National Digital Content Registry.

The group also vowed to name, shame, and prosecute any creator—inside or outside its fold—who weaponizes lies, set up a fact-checking platform, while pledging full support to law enforcement.

The statement reads in part:

The Bloggers and Vloggers, Content Creators Association of Nigeria (BAVCCA) stands united with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, in sounding the alarm on the devastating impact of misinformation.

This is a clarion call to every Nigerian—creator, sharer, or citizen. The spread of falsehoods is not a bloggers-only problem; it is a national security threat that demands collective action.

LANDMARK LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE
BAVCCA shall be formally submitting the Digital Content Practitioners (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2025 to the National Assembly. The bill seeks:
Mandatory registration of all bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, social media influencers, and online journalists with a National Digital Content Registry.
Annual licensing tied to verifiable identity, ethics training, and compliance with the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023, and NUJ Code of Ethics.

Criminal penalties for unregistered operators who publish content that incites violence, spreads health disinformation,

Universal Pre-Publication Fact-Check Mandate
Every individual or platform publishing content on security, health, religion, or politics must verify with at least two independent, credible sources before posting. BAVCCA launches the #VerifyWith2 public campaign to enforce this standard.

National Misinformation Rapid Response Network (MRRN)
A coalition of fact-checkers, tech platforms, and civil society, led by BAVCCA, will operate a 24/7 hotline (0700-VERIFY-NG) and app for real-time debunking. Any viral false claim will trigger automated community notes on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Prosecution Without Fear or Favor

BAVCCA pledges full support to law enforcement. Under Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, any person—member or non-member—who knowingly spreads false information that endangers public safety will face arrest and prosecution. We shall submit a list of 47 repeat offenders to the Nigeria Police Cybercrime Unit.

Free Annual Ethics & AI Literacy Training
Starting 1 January 2026, BAVCCA will offer nationwide free workshops (physical and virtual) on spotting deepfakes, algorithmic bias, and responsible content creation. Certification will be required for registration under the new bill.

₦50 Million Whistleblower Reward Fund
Open to all Nigerians. Report verified fake news via verify@bavcca.org.ng and earn up to ₦100,000 per confirmed case. Funds are seeded by BAVCCA and corporate partners.

Tech Platform Accountability Pact
BAVCCA has secured commitments from Meta, Google, TikTok, and X to:
Prioritize fact-checked content in Nigerian feeds
Demonetize accounts with 3+ verified misinformation strikes
Share anonymized data on viral falsehoods with the MRRN

A CALL TO EVERY NIGERIAN
Creators: Register now at registry.bavcca.org.ng. Your license is your shield and your duty.

Citizens: Pause. Verify. Report. Use #BAVCCAVerify to tag suspicious posts.
Parents & Teachers: Teach digital literacy—misinformation starts in group chats.
Government & Platforms: Fast-track the Digital Content Bill. The time for voluntary compliance is over.

BAVCCA will name, shame, and prosecute any creator—inside or outside our fold—who weaponizes lies. Truth is not negotiable,” the statement concluded.

Nigerian Coalition of Civil Society Organisations, NCCSO, has faulted the directive of the federal government’s deferment of the 15% import duty on premium motor spirit (PMS) and diesel to the first quarter of 2026 describing it as strategic move to strangulate local refineries and also victory for foreign fuel importers and their local collaborators.

NCCSO expressed this displeasure on Thursday in press statement issued in Abuja by its National Spokesperson, Comrade Mustapha Ahmed, saying the deferment to first quarter of 2026 must be wrong and should be totally discouraged, with no further extensions.

They said the government must resist pressures from international traders and uphold its commitment to energy independence, calling on all relevant agencies to monitor imports to prevent market distortion during the deferment period.

According to the coalition, “The deferment is a temporary win for importers but a setback for Nigeria’s refining future. President Bola Tinubu must remain resolute and protect Nigeria’s local industries from external manipulation”, NCCSO said.

The statement further reads: “The NCCSO expresses deep concern over the Federal Government’s decision to defer the commencement of the 15% ad-valorem import duty on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Diesel to the first quarter of 2026, as contained in the memo approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on November 7, 2025.

“While the decision is presented as an administrative adjustment for “technical alignment,” it is in fact a strategic victory for foreign fuel importers and their local collaborators, whose agenda is to keep Nigeria dependent on imported products and frustrate the growth of local refineries such as Dangote Refinery and other modular plants ready for operation.

“The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), led by Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Ph.D., had earlier proposed the levy to promote local refining, stabilize market prices, and ensure competitive balance — in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda. However, this deferment gives importers time to flood the market with imported fuel, thereby undermining local production and discouraging investment”.