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GOC 3 Division Reaffirms Commitment to Peace Ahead of 2025 Farming Season in Plateau
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander of Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General EF Oyinlola, has reaffirmed the commitment of security forces to maintaining peace in Plateau State as preparations for the 2025 farming season intensify.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ engagement in Mangu Local Government Area, General Oyinlola emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring a secure and productive 2025 farming season. Themed “Consolidating on the Security Gains for a Peaceful Farming Season,” the meeting focused on sustaining stability to promote agricultural growth.
General Oyinlola stressed that security is the foundation of progress, warning that disruptions caused by violence affect farming, households, and overall community well-being. “Security remains the bedrock of any society’s progress. We must consolidate on the gains made so far to ensure the forthcoming farming season is incident-free,” he said.
Reflecting on past successes, he noted the reduction in clashes between farmers and herders, which led to a peaceful harvest last year. He urged all stakeholders to embrace dialogue and resist violence, ensuring conflicts do not derail agricultural activities.
The GOC emphasized that security is a shared responsibility, calling on traditional and religious leaders, women, and youth groups to work closely with security agencies. “No single security agency can achieve lasting peace without the cooperation of the people,” he noted.
Representing Governor Caleb Mutfwang, his Special Adviser on Workers Welfare and Corporate Affairs, Rt. Hon. Titus Alams, reinforced the government’s commitment to peace and agricultural development. He highlighted the provision of over 200 tractors to modernize farming in Plateau, urging communities to support the government’s peace initiatives. “Without peace, the development Plateau desires will be difficult to achieve,” he stated.
The Plateau Peacebuilding Agency’s representative, Mr. Kenneth Dawop, stressed the importance of building trust between communities in Mangu through dialogue. He highlighted the role of the Community Peace Architecture Forum (CPAF) in fostering cooperation between farmers and herders.
Key religious and community leaders echoed the call for tolerance and reconciliation:
JNI Chairman’s Representative, Mr. Adamu Abdulsalam – Urged locals and herders to embrace peace and coexistence for a successful farming season.
CAN Chairman, Mr. Daluk Timothy Samson – Called for displaced farmers to return to their lands and encouraged forgiveness and reconciliation.
Mrs. Khadija Mohammed (FOMWAN) – Emphasized the need for understanding between communities, urging leaders to address the root causes of conflict.
Women Leader, Mrs. Nanchin Dalek – Highlighted the impact of violence on women and families, advocating for unity and trust to enable displaced persons to return.
HRH John Putman Hirse, represented by the Sum Pyem – Called for revisiting past agreements and promoting forgiveness to restore Mangu’s reputation as the “food basket of the nation.”
The Executive Chairman of Mangu Local Government Council, in his goodwill message, called for love, tolerance, and collaboration between farmers and herders. “Let us approach this farming season with optimism, unity, and a commitment to peace,” he urged.
As Plateau prepares for the 2025 farming season, the renewed focus on security, cooperation, and reconciliation is expected to foster stability and prosperity in the region.
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to include his name in the final list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election or face legal action.
The demand was contained in a letter written by his lawyers, led by Ahmed Raji, SAN, dated Monday and addressed to INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan.
This comes after Pantami’s name was omitted from the list published by INEC on October 10.
His legal team described the omission as unlawful and unexplained, insisting that their client emerged as the party’s candidate in a fresh governorship primary conducted in compliance with court orders.
In the letter jointly signed by Raji, A.T. Kehinde, Abdul Mohammed, Wale Balogun and Chief Tunde Falola, the lawyers gave INEC until Wednesday, October 14, to publish Pantami’s name alongside those of other candidates.
They said Pantami is a registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Pantami Ward, Gombe State, and participated in the party’s governorship primary held on May 26, 2026, where he emerged as the winner.
According to the lawyers, the PDP forwarded Pantami’s personal details to INEC on August 8, and the commission published his name on August 29 without raising any objection at the time.
The letter explained that the May 26 primary was later challenged in two suits before the Federal High Court in Gombe: Suit Nos. FHC/GM/CS/9/2026 and FHC/GM/CS/10/2026.
It said that although the court nullified the primary over the manner in which it was conducted, it ruled in Pantami’s favour on the issues of party membership and eligibility.
Citing the judgment in Suit No. FHC/GM/CS/9/2026, the lawyers quoted the court as saying: “I therefore find that the Plaintiff has not established that the 3rd Defendant was legally incapable of being recognised by the 1st Defendant as its member.”
On the second suit, they quoted the court as saying: “As to PDP membership, even though the 2nd Defendant’s name does not appear in Exhibit A, that fact alone is not conclusive of his non-membership.”
The legal team said the court affirmed the party’s authority to determine its membership, noting that the PDP tendered a membership card and register bearing Pantami’s name.
They added that in its judgments delivered on September 24, the court ordered the PDP to conduct a fresh governorship primary within 30 days, in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026, the party’s constitution and its guidelines.
According to the lawyers, the court limited its consequential orders to nominations arising from the May 26 primary.
“In compliance with the Court Order, the PDP gave the Commission due notice of the court-ordered primary, and conducted the fresh gubernatorial primary election on Tuesday, the 29th day of September, 2026,” the letter stated.
Gombe 2027: Publish my name within three days – Pantami issues INEC ultimatum
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“He’s Not at the Level We Want, But I Believe in Him” — Simeone Backs Lookman to Rediscover Best Form
Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone has thrown his weight behind Nigerian international Ademola Lookman despite admitting that the Super Eagles forward is yet to reach the performance level expected of him at the Spanish club.
Simeone acknowledged that Lookman has not been performing at the standard either the player or the coaching staff desires, but insisted that his commitment in training and willingness to improve remain encouraging.
“Ademola isn’t at the level he wants or we want, but he works hard every day,” Simeone said.
The Argentine tactician also highlighted Lookman’s attacking qualities, particularly his ability to take on defenders, explaining that losing possession is sometimes an unavoidable part of a player’s efforts to create opportunities.
“He’s a dribbler, and he needs to lose the ball sometimes,” the Atlético manager explained.
Despite his assessment of the Nigerian’s current form, Simeone made it clear that he retains confidence in Lookman’s ability to deliver.
“I believe in him,” he declared.
The comments underline the balance Simeone is seeking between demanding improved performances and allowing the forward the freedom to express himself in attacking situations.
Lookman’s reputation has been built on his pace, movement and ability to unsettle defenders in one-on-one situations, qualities that have made him an important attacking option for both club and country.
However, Simeone’s remarks suggest that the Nigerian still has work to do to consistently meet the demands of his manager’s tactical approach.
Rather than questioning Lookman’s effort, the Atlético coach appears encouraged by his attitude and daily commitment, indicating that the player continues to enjoy the backing of the technical staff.
For Lookman, the challenge will be to translate that hard work into more decisive contributions on matchdays while retaining the attacking boldness that defines his game.
Simeone’s message is clear: Lookman has not yet reached the desired standard, but his manager remains convinced that the Nigerian has the qualities and determination to improve.
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