The year 2026 began on a note of renewed hope and political maturity in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State as Chief Moses Nwan, PhD, mni, Executive Private Secretary to Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, launched a peace, unity and development initiative for Pushit and Pukah districts.
The event, tagged Pushit and Pukah Districts Peace and Unity Day, was held at the Mwaghavul College of Health Technology, Pushit, and attracted a large gathering of traditional rulers, political leaders, clergy, civil servants, youth and women groups, cultural troupes and community members from within and outside the two districts.
The initiative was described as a deliberate effort to strengthen unity and cooperation between Pushit and Pukah, districts with shared historical roots. Observers noted that the programme aims to promote inclusive governance, grassroots development and peaceful coexistence, while encouraging collaboration over division in political and social engagement.
Speakers at the event praised Chief Nwan for his consistent advocacy for peace, unity and people-centred leadership, describing his style as selfless, inclusive and guided by integrity and social responsibility.
Since 2003, Chief Nwan has been involved in empowerment and humanitarian initiatives across Pushit, Pukah and neighbouring communities. Community leaders and beneficiaries testified to his support for widows, orphans, students, persons living with disabilities and youths, noting his commitment to unity and community welfare.
Delivering the keynote address, Bishop Professor Maurice Emmanuel Dafi of the Anglican Diocese of Maiduguri and Visiting Professor at Plateau State University, Bokkos, described Chief Nwan as a symbol of unity and accountability. He stressed that peace and unity are essential foundations for sustainable development and urged leaders to prioritise dialogue and humanitarian service.
Chairman of the occasion, Elder Gyemu Tyoden, described the initiative as timely, noting that dialogue and unity remain critical to sustaining peace and stability in Plateau State.
In his address, Chief Nwan, who holds the traditional title of Mishkagham Tong Riyang Pushit and serves as an Ambassador of AMPB United Nations World Peace and Positive Living under ECOSOC, said the initiative reflects his lifelong commitment to positively impacting lives, particularly among vulnerable groups. He emphasised that meaningful development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and unity.
He credited Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang for his moral and political support, describing the governor as a strong advocate of unity and development. Chief Nwan clarified that the initiative is non-partisan and not driven by personal political ambition, but is aimed at supporting the governor’s vision and strengthening grassroots cohesion.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Plateau State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Raymond Dabo, Alhaji Yaro Maireke, and a representative of the state’s Permanent Secretaries, all of whom commended the initiative and called for collective support to ensure its success.
The event featured cultural performances celebrating the shared heritage of Pushit and Pukah, symbolising unity and mutual respect. District heads from both communities applauded Chief Nwan’s role as a unifier and urged residents to embrace the peace and unity agenda.
Held under the theme “In One Accord,” the Pushit and Pukah Peace and Unity Initiative was widely regarded as a non-partisan effort to strengthen social cohesion, improve governance outcomes and position the communities as active contributors to the development of Plateau State.
As the programme concluded, Chairman of the Planning Committee, Dr Zechariah Kuden, called on residents of Pushit, Pukah and the wider Plateau community to sustain the momentum by embracing inclusivity and cooperation, describing the initiative as the beginning of a new era of collective action and hope.
Google has unveiled Gemini Intelligence, a new artificial intelligence initiative designed to transform Android devices into proactive digital assistants capable of completing tasks across apps and services with minimal user input.
The announcement marks Google’s latest move in the intensifying competition among major technology companies seeking to expand AI integration across consumer devices.
Gemini Intelligence introduces what Google describes as “agentic” AI capabilities directly into Android, enabling smartphones to perform actions such as booking appointments, organising shopping lists, navigating applications and completing forms automatically.
The rollout positions Android more directly against Apple’s AI strategy under Apple Intelligence, which the company introduced to bring generative AI capabilities to iPhones, iPads and Mac devices.
Google says Gemini Intelligence combines advanced AI models, Android software and connected hardware to create a more proactive user experience across smartphones, smartwatches, vehicles, laptops and smart glasses.
“It integrates premium hardware and innovative software to help you stay a step ahead by working proactively to get things done throughout your day, all while keeping your data private, and keeping you in control,” Google says.
The company says the new AI capabilities will first launch on Samsung Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10 smartphones later this summer before expanding to additional Android devices later in the year.
A key component of the strategy centres on cross-application automation.
According to Google, Gemini Intelligence can complete multi-step tasks across different applications without requiring users to manually switch between services.
The company demonstrated functions including booking a fitness class, locating course information inside Gmail and automatically adding textbooks to an online shopping cart.
Google also showcased screen-aware AI functions capable of interacting with images and visual content displayed on devices.
In one example, users could open a grocery list inside a notes application, activate Gemini and instruct it to create a shopping cart containing all listed items for delivery.
The tech company also demonstrated how users could photograph a travel brochure and ask Gemini to search online for similar tour packages.
The announcement reflects a broader shift within the technology industry towards AI systems designed to perform actions rather than simply generate conversational responses.
Google is also extending Gemini Intelligence into the Chrome browser, where the company says users will gain AI-powered research, summarisation and automation tools.
New “Chrome auto browse” functions expected later this year will allow Gemini to assist with tasks such as booking appointments and reserving parking spaces directly through web interfaces.
The company additionally announced upgrades to Autofill with Google using Gemini’s “Personal Intelligence” capabilities.
According to Google, Android devices will be able to use information from connected applications to automatically complete more complex forms.
The company says the feature will remain optional for users.
“Connecting Gemini to Autofill with Google is strictly opt-in, meaning you choose if and when you want to connect to Gemini – and you can always turn this connection on or off in your settings,” Google says.
Google also introduced Rambler, a new AI-powered speech-to-text feature integrated into Gboard.
The feature is designed to convert natural speech into more polished written communication by filtering pauses, repeated words and conversational filler expressions.
According to Google, Rambler can switch between multiple languages within the same message using Gemini’s multilingual AI models.
“Whether you’re blending English with Hindi or any other combination, Rambler understands the context and the nuance, ensuring your message sounds exactly like you only more polished,” Google says.
The company says audio processed through Rambler is handled in real time and is not stored.
Alongside the software announcements, Google unveiled “Create My Widget,” a generative AI feature that allows users to build custom Android widgets using natural language prompts.
The company says Gemini Intelligence will also introduce updated Android interface elements based on its Material 3 Expressive design system aimed at reducing distractions and improving focus.
“Gemini only acts on your command and stops the moment the task is complete. All that’s left for you is the final confirmation,” Google says.
The expanded AI rollout highlights growing competition among technology companies seeking to position artificial intelligence as the next major interface for smartphones and connected devices.
Alongside Google and Apple, companies including Samsung and Microsoft are also increasing investments in AI-powered consumer technologies as the global smartphone industry shifts towards more integrated generative AI experiences.
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The serenity and peace of Kogot village in Vwang-Vom District, Jos South Local Council Area of Plateau State was on Tuesday night shattered, after gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits invaded the community, killing a 78-year-old woman, Ngo Shettu Badung, and her 52-year-old son, Danjuma Badung.
Rwang Tengwong, the National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youths Moulder-Association, BYM, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday, said two other youths, identified as Peter Dung, 22, and Amos Bele Danbwarang, 19, were reportedly ambushed and shot dead before the attackers fled into nearby bushes, while several others sustained injuries in the attack.
Tengwong said the attackers struck at about 11:00 p.m. shortly after the military arrested eight local guards in Vwang at Danwal in Ganawuri Chiefdom.
According to the BYM Secretary, the attackers invaded the community at night when the residents had retired for the night and opened fire on the victims, throwing the area into panic as villagers fled for safety.
“People started running when the gunshots began. Residents were terrified because the attack happened late at night.
“By the time they were done and left the village, four people were confirmed dead, including Ngo Shettu Badung, a 78-year-old, and her 52-year-old son, Danjuma Badung. Two other youths, Peter Dung, 22, and Amos Bele Danbwarang, 19, were also ambushed and killed by the bandits.
“Several other people were injured as they tried to flee into the bushes for safety,” Tengwong said.
Tengwong, who described the attacks as barbaric and inhuman, lamented that they were part of the continued assaults on innocent indigenous communities in the state.
“The BYM hereby calls on security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure justice is served, while urging governments at all levels to take decisive steps to end the persistent killings across Plateau communities,” he added.