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.
Gubernatorial candidate of Action Democratic Party, ADP, in Oyo State, Mr Kunle Olatunji, has declared that governors elected on the platforms of All Progressives Congress, APC and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, failed the people of the state.
Olatunji made the assertion while speaking on the chances of the ADP ahead of the 2027 general elections in Oyo State.
DAILY POST reports that APC and PDP have ruled the state since the current democratic dispensation in 1999.
Olatunji in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Tuesday in Ibadan, said the ADP will dislodge the hegemony of the two political parties in the state.
He said the administrations produced by the two political parties did not introduce people-oriented projects.
According to him, the people of Oyo State deserve visionary, purposeful and people-oriented leadership which the two political parties failed to produce.
He added that Oyo State needs a capable hand who will restore its status as the true pacesetter.
Olatunji explained that the growing acceptance of ADP across the state is an indication that the people have rejected the two political parties.
“The growing acceptance of ADP across the state reflects the yearning of the people for a credible alternative after years of disappointment under successive administrations of the two dominant political parties.
“The people of Oyo State deserve visionary, purposeful and people-oriented leadership capable of restoring the state’s status as the true Pace Setter in governance, economic prosperity and human capital development.
“Our administration will introduce a total overhaul of the leadership and governance architecture of Oyo State. We shall pursue a development-driven agenda anchored on competence, accountability, empathy and collective responsibility,” he said.
Super Falcons defender Mitchelle Alozie has hailed Nigeria’s fighting spirit after the defending champions secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia, admitting the players had to dig deep to protect their slender advantage after being reduced to 10 women.
Alozie, who was named Woman of the Match following her outstanding display, played a pivotal role as the Super Falcons bounced back from their opening defeat to Malawi to revive their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign.
Speaking after the match, the defender described the contest as one of the toughest the team has faced, praising Zambia for their quality and relentless attacking threat.
“It was a very exhausting game. Zambia have quality players, and they made life very difficult for us, but we stayed together, defended as a team and fought until the final whistle,” Alozie said.
The Super Falcons survived sustained second-half pressure despite playing with 10 players following Tosin Demehin’s first-half dismissal, with Alozie producing a commanding performance at the heart of Nigeria’s defensive effort.
The defender also appealed to supporters to remain patient and continue backing the team despite its mixed start to the tournament.
“We understand why the fans are concerned because it wasn’t the start we wanted, but we ask them to keep supporting us. We’ll continue responding positively to every challenge that comes our way,” she added.
Alozie also dismissed suggestions that criticism on social media has affected the squad, insisting the players have instead used the platforms to strengthen their bond off the pitch.
“Social media isn’t a distraction for us. It’s actually one of the ways we connect, build team chemistry and keep everyone together,” she explained.
Nigeria’s victory over Zambia has put the 10-time African champions back in control of their qualification hopes ahead of their final Group C fixture against Egypt on Wednesday, where a positive result would seal a place in the quarter-finals and keep alive their pursuit of a record-extending 11th WAFCON title.