By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has urged Fulani communities across the state to work with government and security agencies by providing useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminal elements within their communities.

The Governor made the call at the second annual Pastoralists Day Celebration organised by the Niger State Ministry of Nomadic and Pastoralists Affairs in collaboration with APC Fulde for Tinubu and Bago 2027.

Represented by his Deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, Governor Bago described the celebration as a welcome development, saying it provides an opportunity to create awareness among pastoral communities and promote peaceful coexistence.

He urged Fulani people to respect other communities and obey the laws of the state, while calling on Nigerians to avoid ethnic profiling, stressing that crime has no religion or ethnic group.

Bago also warned against mob action and jungle justice, saying only a court of competent jurisdiction has the legal authority to sentence an individual to death after due process and convincing evidence.

The Governor commended the Ministry of Nomadic and Pastoralists Affairs for organising the annual event and urged relevant authorities to address the root causes of insecurity in the country.

The National President of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Baba Othman Ngelzarma, said cooperation from communities was critical to ending banditry.

Ngelzarma noted that it would be difficult for government and security agencies to apprehend criminals if people who know their hideouts refused to provide information.

He appealed to Fulani people who had taken up arms to embrace peace and engage government to address any grievances or perceived injustices against them rather than resorting to violence.

The Commissioner for Nomadic and Pastoralists Affairs, Umar Rebe, commended the Bago administration for establishing the ministry to address challenges affecting pastoralists and herders in the state.

He said the ministry had provided a platform for government to engage pastoral communities and seek solutions to issues affecting their livelihoods and peaceful coexistence with other groups.

Also speaking, the National President of Moggal Fulako, Alhaji Sani Juli, who is also the Special Adviser to Governor Bago on Fulani Affairs, described the celebration as timely.

Juli commended Governor Bago for what he described as his support and inclusion of Fulani people in governance, urging other state governors to emulate Niger State in promoting inclusiveness.

In a message to the occasion, the National Commission for Nomadic Education identified lack of access to formal and non-formal education as one of the factors contributing to the vulnerability of some Fulani youths to criminal activities.

The Commission called on Fulani parents to enrol their children in schools and guide them against criminality and other social vices.

In a paper titled, “Armed Banditry and the Changing Social and Traditional Values of the Fulani Communities of Niger State: A Critical Evaluation of Ibn Khaldun’s Philosophy of the Nomadic People,” a lecturer at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Emmanuel Umar Musa, identified ungoverned forests as one of the factors contributing to the persistent insecurity in the state.

Professor Musa urged security agencies, community leaders and other stakeholders to complement government efforts towards ending insecurity.

Other speakers called for the reopening of identified grazing reserves as part of measures to reduce farmer-herder clashes. They also advocated the cultivation of animal feed and weeds to reduce the need for open grazing.

Also speaking, Hassan Shiroro, the Wakilin Fulani of Minna Emirate, expressed appreciation to Governor Bago for recognising and supporting the Fulani community in the state.

Shiroro said Fulani people in Niger State were ready to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago in the 2027 elections.

The annual event featured cultural performances by various Fulani groups, providing an opportunity to showcase their traditions and promote peaceful coexistence.

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‎By Emmanuel Ikpe
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‎The need for youths in Akwa Ibom to embrace Godly conducts and principles in their daily living has been stressed.
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‎Honourable Pastor Monday Iwat gave the indication while speaking with journalists in Uyo after one of his missionary engagement with Pastor Mike Denigan, himself among other men of God.
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‎Emphasizing that God principles embodied blessings that if embrace, it will trigger the needed blessings one need to meet the desire goal and expectations in life.
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‎While wishing numerous Akwa Ibom youths a blessed new month of August 2026, the Uyo born Clergy, Politician and Architect prayed God to bring open doors to believers.
‎”May August bring you peace   open doors, divine  protection, and  testimonies. God’s favor will speak for you this month, Welcome to your month of blessings. Happy new month family and friends”, he added.
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‎Pastor Monday disclosed that embracing God in everyday life is liken to drinking water or watering plants that is need of growth and enable the man and plants to bear abundance fruits and therefore causes expansion.
‎”This growth and expansion will not only be seen in your life but it will also be seen in your businesses, spiritually, financially and materially and this can be achieved when we put God first in our daily living and try to practice the principle of Godly living “, he stated.
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‎Pastor Monday Iwat has learned the ropes and have dedicated himself to work of God in the Ministry of Jesus Christ and have tested the gospel and have proven that that God can do all things and make life meaningful with blessings that knows no bounds and therefore encouraged others to follow suit especially in this perilous times.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has again emphasized the need for people of state to make thanking God a way of life to continually attract and sustain divine glory in their lives and the state in general.

Governor Diri laid the emphasis on Sunday while speaking at the Mid-Year Thanksgiving Service of the Refined People’s Assembly at Opolo in Yenagoa, the state capital.

Represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Akpe, the Bayelsa Chief Executive urged the people to thank God for His unseen mercies as well as answered and unanswered prayers, stressing that Almighty Creator alone knows the best for everyone in all situations.

Governor Diri expressed optimism that as Bayelsans continue to imbibe and practise thanksgiving, God’s glory upon the state will not only expand but also continue to rub off on Nigeria.

Dr Akpe, who performed the dual role of representing the governor as well as speaking as the guest preacher at the service, identified incredible multiplication, divine provisions and punishment for enemies as some of the benefits of thanksgiving.

Quoting copiously from the scriptures including Genesis Chapter 32:10 and Psalm 100:4 and making reference to the biblical Jacob, David, the ten lepers and Jesus Christ, the Deputy Governor enjoined Christians to always reflect on how the grace of God has led them in their life journey.

According to him, appreciating God by faith despite one’s current circumstances can serve as a divine access to sound health and promotion as well as an enabler to do exploits in one’s chosen career.

Governor Diri used the opportunity to appreciate the Christian community in the state, particularly the leadership and members of the Refined People’s Assembly for their prayers, and urged them to sustain their works of faith.

His words: “On behalf of His Excellency, the Governor, I want to thank God, your pastor and all of you for this privilege and for what you are doing for our state in terms of prayers.

“From the scriptures we have shared, I believe that the glory of God will not depart from you and our state. As you thank God, destinies will change for good. You will not be demoted to the realm of shame.

“Rather, you will move from one realm of glory to another. And as you are affected, so Bayelsa will be affected. And as Bayelsa is affected, so Nigeria will also be affected.

“As a child of God, I encourage you to thank God for His unseen mercies so that He will not withdraw it from you. Thank God for even unanswered prayers. And when you thank God, what happens?

“There is divine restoration, incredible multiplication and divine provisions. Secondly, there will be punishment for your enemies because God will arise and take over your battles as we can find in Jeremiah Chapter 30:19-20.”

Highpoint of the service was special thanksgiving by the leadership and members of the Refined People’s Assembly led by its Founder and Senior Pastor, Dr Daddy-Ken Bitere.

The Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa, Mr Irorodamie Komonibo, the Commissioner for Community Development, Hon. Alfred Belemote, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Rev. Godspower Asingba, among other government officials attended the mid-year thanksgiving service.