By: Fabian Apechihin

The Benue State Government has commenced the first phase of its International Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment Programme aimed at equipping young people with globally competitive skills.

The programme is currently taking place at the Republican Institute for Vocational Studies (RIPO) in Belarus, where selected participants have begun intensive artisanal and vocational training.

The initiative, introduced under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia, is being implemented in collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, the training programme combines classroom learning with hands-on practical experience, with emphasis on infrastructure development and a wide range of vocational disciplines.

According to the statement, the initiative is designed to equip participants with modern technical and digital skills needed to compete effectively in today’s rapidly evolving global labour market.

“It should be noted that the programme represents a strategic investment in human capital development, with a strong emphasis on certification and industry relevance,” the statement noted.

Governor Alia also revealed plans to expand the initiative to cover the agricultural and automotive sectors, further demonstrating his administration’s commitment to sustainable youth empowerment and international partnerships.

The Benue delegation, led by the Director General of the Bureau for Entrepreneurship and Wealth Creation, Benita Shuluwa, was formally received by officials of the Republican Institute for Vocational Studies (RIPO), with training activities beginning immediately after arrival.

The statement added that both the Benue State Government and RIPO expressed optimism about strengthening their partnership, with ongoing discussions to extend the programme to several Centres of Excellence within the institute.

The initiative is expected to create new opportunities for skills acquisition, innovation, and international exposure for youths across Benue State.

By: Fabian Apechihin

Local government workers in Benue State have commenced an indefinite strike action from Thursday, May 14, 2026, following the failure of the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia to address issues relating to unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and pension remittances.

The strike directive was issued by the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in a notice dated May 13, 2026. The notice was signed by the State President, Joshua Adah Adiniya, and the State Secretary, Comrade Aseneshi Musa Yusuf.

According to the union, the action followed the expiration of an earlier 14-day ultimatum issued to the Benue State Government, as well as an additional seven-working-day reminder notice.

In the statement titled “Notification of Strike Action,” NULGE accused the state government of failing to take advantage of several opportunities to resolve the dispute.

“Unfortunately, the Benue State Government has remained adamant and ignored all the opportunities offered by the union to resolve these disputes and avert the consequences,” the union stated.

The workers are demanding the immediate payment of outstanding March and April 2026 salaries, implementation of pending promotions for local government staff, resolution of issues surrounding BEPCON remittances, reinstatement of disengaged 2011/2012 local government workers, and payment of salary arrears owed to workers across the state.

The union disclosed that its State Executive Council (SEC), during a meeting held on April 21, 2026, resolved to intensify pressure on the government to address the grievances, but noted that no meaningful action had been taken.

“The union has been pushed to the wall and is left with no option,” the statement added, directing all local government workers to embark on a “two-week stay-at-home warning strike effective from Thursday, May 14, 2026.”

NULGE further instructed members across the 23 local government areas of the state to ensure the “full implementation and enforcement” of the directive, describing the action as “a total lockdown of the third tier of government in Benue State until further notice.”

Copies of the notice were also sent to the executive chairmen of the 23 local government councils, divisional police officers, heads of the State Security Service in the councils, and the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The development is expected to disrupt administrative activities and grassroots services across Benue State if the dispute is not resolved urgently.

• Demands Guber Slot For Senator Saliu Mustapha

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The National Secretary of the Ilorin Emirate Political Advisory Council (IEPAC), Lt. Col. Abubakar Edun (rtd), has emphasised that the All Progressives Congress (APC) stands a better chance of retaining Kwara State in 2027 if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Saliu Mustapha are on the ballots as presidential and governorship candidates respectively.

Edun, who stated this on Thursday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, during an interactive session with journalists, particularly noted that President Tinubu has continued to enjoy immeasurable support across the three senatorial districts of the State, adding that his candidacy would positively influence the performance of the APC in the general elections, particularly the National Assembly polls.

“What the President has done for Kwara State in the last three years, there is hardly anyone else that has done same in history for the State,” Edun said.

He cited federal appointments secured by prominent indigenes of the State under the Tinubu administration as evidence of the President’s commitment to Kwara.

Among those mentioned were the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince AbdulLateef Fagbemi (SAN); Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Bayo Ojulari; Director-General of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Biodun Ajiboye; and board member of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun.

Others listed include top echelons in agencies such as the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, the National Health Insurance Scheme, the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria and the National Intelligence Agency.

Edun argued that the APC would campaign from a position of strength if both Tinubu and Mustapha emerge as the party’s presidential and governorship candidates respectively.

“This is why the Ilorin Emirate Political Advisory Council found the two of them worthy of our endorsement. We are unequivocal about it and there is no going back on it despite pressure to do otherwise,” he said.

He added that although the group is not politically aligned to any particular bloc, it would continue to support causes and political interests it considers beneficial to the Ilorin Emirate.

Edun also urged the APC leadership to carefully consider the calibre of candidates it fields in the forthcoming elections, stressing that the quality of leadership presented to voters would be critical to the party’s electoral fortunes in 2027.