News

2027: INEC has no candidate, favours no party –Prof Amupitan

Published

45 minutes ago

August 19, 2026

Preport

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Josiah Amupitan, has assured political parties and Nigerians that the commission will remain neutral in the 2027 elections.

Amupitan gave the assurance on Tuesday at the National Peace Accord ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“INEC has no interest in who wins or loses any election. The commission does not have a candidate, nor does it favour any political platform,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chairman also urged political parties and candidates to focus on issues during the 2027 campaign rather than turning the election into a contest of violence and personal attacks.

“Let the 2027 election campaign be a marketplace of ideas, not a theatre of war,” he said.

Amupitan said Nigerians were more interested in practical solutions to their challenges and urged political actors to present clear and measurable programmes.

“Nigerians do not want insults; they want solutions. They deserve to hear clear, concrete, and measurable manifestos,” he said.

He also assured Nigerians that the commission was building on previous preparations to deliver a credible election in 2027.

Amupitan said INEC’s preparations were progressing, adding that the commission was expanding its logistics to handle the large number of personnel required for the nationwide exercise.

“I am pleased to report that our preparations for the 2027 elections are progressing with absolute precision. We are scaling our operational logistics to manage a massive nationwide ad hoc workforce of 1.4 million personnel across over 176,000 polling units,” he said.

News

Terrorists kill two in Plateau

Published

54 minutes ago

August 19, 2026

Preport

Terrorists on Monday attacked Dyan community in Rim village, and two persons were shot dead. The attack occurred in Riyom council area of Plateau.

A statement on Tuesday by Rwang Tengwong, the spokesperson for Berom Youth Moulders-Association, said the residents were shot at about 7:30 p.m. while at their home.

“The victims, Toma Davou, 27, and Jeremiah Benjamin, 28, were fatally shot at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday while seated in front of their homes,” he said.

He stated that the victims were married and fathers of two children each, leaving behind young widows and four children whose lives have been abruptly thrown into uncertainty.

Terrorists killed 23 people, including women and children, in Bin-Per community in Kombun area of Mangu.

The group said it was disturbed by reports that large numbers of herders came to graze around the Dyan community earlier that day, before the attack occurred later the same day.

“This recurring pattern reinforces concerns that grazing activities are being used as a cover to scout vulnerable communities and facilitate attacks,” he noted.

The group further commended the State Security Service personnel stationed between Dyan and Gako communities for their prompt response, which helped avert further casualties.

He added, “Their intervention demonstrates the importance of maintaining adequate and responsive security personnel within vulnerable communities.

Alfred Alabo, the spokesperson for the police in Plateau, could not be immediately reached for comments.

Two persons were set ablaze by the terrorists during an attack on four communities within the Berom area of the state.

Business

Plateau Strengthens Technical Education, Prepares NITT Centre for September Take-Off

Published

2 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Preport

The Plateau State Government has taken a major step towards expanding access to specialised transport education and practical technical training with the handover of facilities at the Government Science Technical College, Bukuru, to the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria.

The facilities, comprising part of the college’s Mechanical Workshop, five classrooms and a residential quarter, will serve as the NITT Learning Centre and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Conversion Centre, providing students, technicians and professionals with opportunities to acquire practical skills in modern transportation technology, CNG conversion and logistics.

The Plateau State Government was represented at the handover ceremony by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Davou Gyang Jatau, who said the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening technical education, skills development and the adoption of modern transportation technologies.

Jatau said the Mechanical Workshop would provide a practical environment for CNG conversion training, while the classrooms would support theoretical instruction, professional development and capacity-building programmes.

He added that the residential accommodation would improve the welfare of personnel and learners who would be associated with the centre.

The commissioner expressed confidence that NITT would make effective and sustainable use of the facilities to expand educational and technical opportunities for people in Plateau State.

“We are confident that NITT Zaria will make effective and sustainable use of these facilities for the benefit of Plateau State and Nigeria at large.”

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mrs Jummai Shekarau, described the handover as an investment in technical education, innovation and human capital development, rather than simply the provision of infrastructure.

She said the CNG Conversion Centre would provide young people with practical skills that could improve their employability and enable them to take advantage of opportunities emerging in the CNG value chain.

According to her, the centre would also encourage entrepreneurship and job creation while supporting the transition from petrol and diesel to cleaner and more affordable energy alternatives.

The Registrar of NITT, Zaria, Dr Maina Williams Tarfa, commended the Plateau State Government for providing facilities beyond what the institute had initially requested.

Tarfa said the intervention would enable NITT to establish a strong educational presence in Plateau State and bring specialised transport training closer to residents.

He expressed confidence that the centre would commence operations by September, providing training opportunities for local government technicians and other professionals across the state.

He explained that NITT would introduce programmes including Advanced Diploma, Graduate Diploma and Master’s programmes in Transport and Logistics, while deploying its technical experts to deliver quality training and practical services.

Tarfa said the centre would help bridge the gap between theoretical education and practical skills by giving learners direct exposure to modern transport technologies.

Dr Sani Barau, Special Adviser to the Director General/Chief Executive of NITT, said the handover marked the transition from planning to implementation after concerted efforts to secure and prepare the facilities.

Barau stressed the need for a clear and speedy activation plan to ensure that the centre becomes operational as soon as possible.

He said the initiative would involve local technical stakeholders, create investment opportunities and strengthen the skills base required for the development of Plateau State’s transport sector.

The officials subsequently toured the facilities to inspect the progress of rehabilitation works at the institution ahead of the planned commencement of operations in September.

The establishment of the NITT Learning Centre is expected to strengthen technical and vocational education in Plateau State, giving students, technicians and professionals access to practical training and advanced qualifications in transport, logistics and emerging vehicle technologies.