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National, News, Plateau

APC Plateau Mourns Passing of National Chairman Yilwatda’s Mother

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State has expressed deep shock over the death of Mama Lydia Yilwatda, mother of its National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda. In a statement signed by the Acting Publicity Secretary of the APC in Plateau State, Shittu Bamaiyi, the Party described her passing as not only a personal loss to the National Chairman but also to the entire APC family in Plateau State and Nigeria at large. The statement noted that Mama Lydia’s death was particularly painful and devastating to her children, as it occurred at a time when her counsel and prayers were most needed. Read Also: Nigeria Mourns the Passing of Elder Statesman Alhaji Isyaku Ibrahim at 88 Describing her as a devoted Christian and respected women leader in the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), the Party said: “The deceased was virtuous, humane, and humble. Together with her late husband, Reverend Toma Yilwatda, she made immeasurable contributions to strengthening the Church in Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, and Plateau States.” The APC added that Mama Lydia left behind an indelible mark through her life of service and the accomplishments of her children. “The consoling record is that the deceased left behind an accomplished legacy, which is manifested in her children,” the statement read. The Party further described her death as a huge loss not only to the Yilwatda family but also to the Church, the Women Fellowship, and Plateau State. While extending its condolences to Professor Yilwatda and his family, the APC prayed for the repose of Mama Lydia’s soul. “While sharing with Professor Yilwatda in this moment of grief, the Party prays God to grant the late Mama’s soul eternal rest,” it stated.

Kaduna, National, News, Plateau

Son of Late Kano Military Administrator, Colonel Wase, Appointed GOC 1 Division

Major General Abubakar Sadik Muhammad Wase has been appointed the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna. In a congratulatory post by Plateau Watch, the platform wrote: “Congratulations to one of our own, Major General ASM Wase, on his appointment as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna.” Read Also: Ganduje’s Statesmanship Beyond Kano Borders Major General Wase is the son of the late Colonel Muhammadu Abdullahi Wase (1948–20 June 1996), a Nigerian military administrator who governed Kano State under General Sani Abacha’s regime from December 1993 to June 1996. Colonel Wase tragically died in a plane crash on June 20, 1996, while on his way to Jos from Kano. At the time of his father’s death, Abubakar Sadik Wase was serving as a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army. His elevation to the prestigious position of GOC 1 Division, nearly three decades later, has been described as a mark of dedication, resilience, and a continuation of his family’s legacy of service to Nigeria.  

National, News, Plateau, Politics

Meet the New APC National Chairman, Yilwatda

Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda has emerged as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), succeeding Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the immediate past governor of Kano State, who resigned from the position citing health concerns. Yilwatda, a former APC governorship candidate in Plateau State, is widely regarded as a technocrat with deep roots in engineering, governance reform, and party politics. Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, he is the son of the late Reverend and Mrs. Toma Yilwatda. He studied Electrical/Electronic Engineering at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, graduating in 1992. He later earned a Master’s degree from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and a PhD in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Read Also: Why Ganduje Still Matters: A Power Bloc Too Strategic to Ignore Yilwatda has also undergone international training in e-governance at the United Nations University in Macau, China. During the 2023 general elections, he served as the Plateau State Coordinator for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign and contested the governorship election under the APC. Although he lost to the PDP, he challenged the outcome in court and later accepted the Supreme Court’s verdict. Within the APC, Yilwatda maintains a strong alliance with former Plateau State Governor and now Senator, Simon Lalong. He was initially tipped for a ministerial appointment and later nominated as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation before emerging as the party’s substantive national chairman. His appointment is viewed by political observers as a strategic move by the party to blend technocratic expertise with political leadership as the APC charts its course under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

Kaduna, National, News, Plateau, Security

Tinubu condemns killing of wedding travelers in Plateau, orders arrest of perpetrators

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has strongly condemned the killing of 12 citizens from Kaduna State in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, describing the act as “heinous, unacceptable, and barbaric.” The victims, who were among 31 passengers traveling in an 18-seater bus owned by Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, were reportedly attacked by a mob while en route from Zaria to Jos for a wedding ceremony. Several others were injured in the incident. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President directed the Nigerian Police Force to collaborate with other security and intelligence agencies to ensure that those responsible for the attack are arrested and brought to justice. Read Also: Tinubu orders security chiefs to hunt down perpetrators of Benue killings He emphasized that the Plateau State Government must take decisive and proactive steps to end the cycle of violence, stating that “the government of Plateau State must work closely with security agents to get to the root of this incident and ensure that it serves as a deterrent to future attacks.” President Tinubu reaffirmed that the right to free movement is a fundamental freedom that must be protected. “We will not tolerate any attempt by individuals or groups to curtail this right through violence and intimidation,” he said. He extended his condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the people and government of Kaduna State.

Plateau, Security

Fresh attacks claim 15 lives in Plateau communities

At least 15 people have been killed in renewed attacks by gunmen in Bokkos and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State, reigniting tensions in the already volatile region. The deadly incidents occurred on Thursday night in two separate communities: Manja in Chakfem Kingdom, Mangu LGA, and Tangur in Bokkos LGA. Residents say the attacks happened at different times, with the Tangur assault reportedly taking place around 9:00 p.m. when most people were already indoors. The Manja attack occurred earlier in the evening. Eyewitnesses told Daily Trust that the assailants stormed the communities and began shooting sporadically while breaking into homes. The gunmen reportedly operated for a considerable time before fleeing the scenes undetected. Read Also: Beyond the Headlines: The Untold Truth behind Nigeria’s Herders-Farmers Clashes Local sources confirmed that eight people were killed in Tangur, Bokkos LGA, while seven were killed in Manja, Mangu LGA. Shohotden Mathias Ibrahim, Director of Culture for the Mwaghavul Development Association and also Director at the IDP (Pilot Science) Camp in Mangu, confirmed the death toll in the Mangu incident. He noted that the community remains on edge following the attack. Efforts to reach community leaders in Bokkos were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report, with several messages still awaiting responses. Read Also: Fixing the Forgotten Crisis: Solutions to Nigeria’s Herders-Farmers Conflict The Plateau State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Alfred Alabo, was also unreachable for comment. Calls and text messages sent to him via SMS and WhatsApp had not been returned by Friday morning. The latest violence comes amid ongoing calls for a lasting solution to the persistent insecurity that has plagued various parts of Plateau State, despite increased security presence in recent months.

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