Uncategorized
Plateau Needs Help, Says NCPC Boss Rev Pam
By Ebriku John Friday
The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Rev Dr. Yakubu Pam has said Plateau State needs help to cushion the effect of the prolonged crises that had ravaged the state since 2001.
Rev Pam stated this in a statement signed by his media aide, Mr Ayuba Pam, while delivering a keynote address at the maiden Kamkur Samuel Foundation, KSF, Plateau Peace Conference which held Tuesday 21 September 2021 at the SARAU Event Centre in Jos.
Plateau, he said, has witnessed a lot of crises that has left thousands of Internally Displaced Persons without food, clothings or shelter scattered in different IDPs camps in the state.
The NCPC boss said the events of the recent past where many people were killed in different crises spots between July and August this year took place while he was performing the 2020 pilgrimage in Jordan.
He said many people believed the crisis that broke up in Jos in 2001 would have ended in two to three days but it has prolonged to over 20 years, a situation he said was regretable.
He said for the crises to end all Plateau elites must come together to speak with one voice and shun violent acts that usually ended up in ethnic motivated speeches and sentiments.
“It’s time to come together and speak with one voice. we must end these crises. Anything can happen with anybody and the need for us to come together so that Plateau will bounce back again”. He said!
Speaking on the topic “Peaceful Coexistence” he said there are many crises that exist in the world but “the duration of time for our conflicts has been over 20 years almost compared to that of Afganistan, Israel and Gaza which he said had dragged for a longer time”.
“When the Jos crisis started all had thought it will end in two or there days but regretably it has dragged for too long.
“Over 60 percent of leaders are responsible for the deep problems we have in prolonging the Jos crises. We must avoid sentiments and speak with one voice.
“Leaders must speak for all and not for one side alone. To end the crises, we must learn some lessons from the Kingdom of Jordan.
“Jordan has 10 per cent Christians but they live in complete harmony with their bigger Muslim population. You can’t differentiate who’s a Muslim or Christian even in their government set up.
“We must see humanity in people. We must stop retaliation and encourage our youths to be engaged in meaningful ventures.
He said we can move forward if we all make research into the lingering problems of Jos and how we can handle them like Jordan who has 10% Christians and they’re living peacefully. He said the most important thing is that they’re all Jordanian’s.
He said here in our country we look at each other suspiciously because we don’t trust one another.
According to the NCPC boss, “if we use violence in solving our problems the problems will continue to move on”.
He said the killings and slaugtering of little kids is so disgusting as they are human beings.
According to Rev Pam the road map to achieving peace in Plateau state is we must run away from revenge. He decried the way and manner killings has been assumed as normal where a whole household can be wiped out.
He said we require a lot of work and commitment and the government contribution to help us we live together.
“There’s need to engage everyone and especially our youths. The peace meetings that have been held so far have produced fruits and said most of the crises are created because of merchants of violence.
Said it’s not time to make speeches but to speak to the authorities. Said those in government must stand up to condemn this.violence and promote peaceful living.
He said we need all relevant actors to be engaged in the peace building process by making sure we all live to this ideal in life. we all need to respect these ideals for peaceful existence.
If we need to promote togetherness, we must look at the Youths and how they can coordinate their talents by raising soft loans to support them to fight poverty and engage them in business.
” The youths are the hope and future of Nigeria. The youths and women needs to be spoken of and be encouraged as they are good in businesses.
“We must encourage voices of justice who must speak to end the prolonged crisis. We talk of peace without justice. If we all come together to talk about being fair, justice must be seen to be done”.
He said we need good governance as corruption is fast destroying the country as people can no go into public service without corruption.
He opined, the best way for Plateau to bounce back is to go back to the drawing board and institute dialogue and encourage people to ventilate.
Uncategorized
NDDC At 25: Cross River’s Cynthia Oloko, 19, Emerges Second Place Winner At Miss Niger Delta 2025
...Deputy Governor, APC Chairman, and Senators Celebrate Her with Generous Cash Gifts
Miss Cynthia Iyowogoga Oloko, a 19-year-old from Cross River State, has emerged as the first runner-up (second place) at the Miss Niger Delta 2025 beauty pageant. The event, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was part of the 25th Anniversary celebrations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Cynthia, a final-year student of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, where she studies Human Anatomy, competed alongside nine other contestants representing the nine states of the Niger Delta—Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.
Crowned with the title “Pride of the Niger Delta”, Cynthia received a cash prize of ₦7.5 million for placing second in the pageant.
In recognition of her achievement and the pride she has brought to Cross River State, several political leaders and dignitaries extended their support. The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Dr Peter Odey, gifted her ₦3 million, the APC State Chairman, Barr. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Esq., JP, contributed ₦1 million, while the state’s two Senators jointly supported her with another ₦3 million—bringing her total cash reward to ₦14.5 million.
According to the organisers, all nine contestants underwent intensive training and were empowered with skills and starter kits to help them become self-reliant and impactful in their communities.
The Miss Niger Delta pageant is designed not just as a beauty contest, but as a platform to empower young women across the region. It aims to nurture leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development among participants. The initiative is rooted in the belief that empowering women is key to building stronger families, communities, and society at large.
Many past participants have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs and community leaders. The programme, sponsored by the NDDC, is part of its commitment to identifying and nurturing young talents in the region.
This year’s overall winner received a brand-new car and ₦10 million, while the second runner-up (third place) received ₦5 million. The remaining six contestants each received ₦1 million as a consolation prize.
Miss Cynthia Oloko was born in 2005 to Engr. and Mrs Cosmas Oloko Ekawu. She attended Trailblazers Academy in Gwarinpa, Abuja. Her hobbies include swimming, running, networking, and travelling. She aspires to build a career in entrepreneurship and politics, with a strong passion for leadership and community development.
Congratulations Miss Cynthia
The Chairman of Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, Hon Dr Fred Okem has dissolved all revenue agencies operating in the Council with effect from 31st December 2024.
Hon Dr Fred Okem, Chairman Yala Local Government Area
This was contained in a release on Monday 6th January 2025 by the Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Unah.
The Chairman also cautioned that anyone who flouts the directive would be handed over to the security agencies for proper action in line with relevant laws.
The local government helmsman is expected to reposition the revenue agencies with the aim of boosting internally generated revenue in the council for adequate measures towards the development of Yala in line with the People First Agenda of the State government.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, Ms. Grace Ike, has been named Nigeria’s Media Personality of the Year 2024. This prestigious recognition was conferred by the Editorial Board of Good Governance Today Nigeria at a grand ceremony held at the National Merit House, Abuja.
NUJ FCT Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike
In addition to the honour, Ms. Ike was inducted into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame—a testament to her exemplary contributions to leadership and professional journalism in Nigeria.
The award acknowledges Ms. Ike’s uncommon leadership qualities and her unwavering commitment to advancing journalism as a tool for national development. Her selfless service to humanity, her state and the nation has made her a beacon of hope and inspiration for many.
Speaking at the event, the organiser and the managing editor of Governance Today , mr Sylvester Abudu Omose commended Ms. Ike’s visionary leadership and her remarkable strides in reshaping the landscape of journalism in Nigeria. Her relentless dedication to using journalism to advocate for transparency, justice, and public enlightenment was described as both inspiring and transformative.
“Ms. Grace Ike’s achievements transcend the ordinary. She has redefined what it means to serve humanity through journalism. Her work exemplifies the power of the media in fostering societal progress and governance,” the board stated.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Ike represented by one of her media aides, mr Ademola Adepoju expressed her gratitude for the recognition and attributed her success to the collective efforts of her team at NUJ FCT Council and the support of stakeholders in the journalism community. She reiterated her commitment to promoting ethical journalism and upholding the values of truth, accountability, and service to humanity.
“This award is not just a recognition of my efforts but a call to do even more. Journalism is the lifeline of democracy, and we must continue to use it to uphold justice and transparency for the betterment of our society,” Ms. Ike remarked.
The event was attended by dignitaries from the media, government and civil society, who lauded Ms. Ike’s achievements and pledged continued support for initiatives that promote good governance and ethical journalism in Nigeria.
As Ms. Grace Ike steps into the Good Governance Today Nigeria Hall of Fame, her legacy as a leader, journalist, and advocate for humanity continues to inspire a new generation of professionals committed to making a difference in their communities and the nation at large.
