“We Are Putting Women at the Forefront of Governance and Development” — WOPPI Founder
The Women for Positive Peace Building Initiative (WOPPI), in partnership with SPRiNG, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and Nextier, has officially launched the Strengthening Women’s Protection and Leadership in Plateau State Project. The launch took place on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the Fox Hotel, Jos, drawing diverse stakeholders across government, civil society, traditional institutions, and development agencies.
In her welcome address, WOPPI Convener and Founder, Mrs. Lantana Bako Abdullahi, emphasized the importance of women’s inclusion in peacebuilding and governance.
“We are here today to launch a project called Strengthening Women’s Participation and Leadership in Plateau State. For us, it is a proud moment to bring home what we have been advocating for — ensuring that issues of women and girls are at the forefront of governance and development, with proper budgeting and inclusion,” she stated.
The initiative targets Mangu, Wase, and Jos South LGAs, aiming to promote the implementation of the Plateau State 3rd Action Plan (SAP) and develop Local Action Plans (LAPs) that institutionalize women’s participation and protection in peace and security processes.
WOPPI staff Dung and Ann explained that the project seeks to strengthen collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Plateau State Gender Commission, local leaders, and community-based organizations, ensuring women’s voices are represented in policy and decision-making.
Highlighting the urgency of the program, Abdullahi added:
“We are women, and we have worked in the peace and security sector for a long time. Now, we want to make sure that women’s voices and priorities are not just recognized but placed at the center of development and peace processes in Plateau State.”
Keynote speaker Mrs. Kyenpia Mafuyai, Head of the Women’s Rights Commission, stressed that women remain underrepresented in political leadership and decision-making, despite being disproportionately affected by conflict.
“Conflict affects women and men differently. Yet, women are often silenced in governance. Strengthening measures that protect and include women in leadership is crucial for sustainable peace,” she noted.
Other speakers, including Dr. Emmanuel Ande, representatives of SPRiNG, Nextier, the Plateau Peace Building Agency, and traditional leaders such as HRH Emir of Wase, commended WOPPI’s initiative, pledging institutional support.
The project, which will run until March 2026, is expected to build stronger platforms for women’s leadership, enhance coordination among Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) stakeholders, and foster community-level engagement for sustainable peace in Plateau State.
Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has once again, issued a stern warning against what he described as harmful grazing practices, cattle rustling, poisoning of livestock, willful destruction of crops, night and underage grazing, or any act capable of threatening peace and security in the state.
Mutfwang, who gave the warning in a statewide broadcast to mark his third year in office on Friday, said his administration had resolved to move against perpetrators of such acts and would no longer condone attacks or acts of violence against any community under any guise, including reprisal attacks from both farmers and herders.
The Governor added that anyone found culpable of violating the law would be dealt with severely to serve as a deterrent to others.
Also dwelling on the recent ban on motorcycle operation within Jos–Bukuru metropolis, Mutfwang said the measure was taken following extensive monitoring of the security situation in the affected areas, and reiterated the firm position of his administration on the enforcement of the ban.
“These measures were introduced in the best interest of public safety, environmental protection, peaceful coexistence, and protection of the rights and dignity of our people,” he said.
He added that his administration however, remains open and willing to listen to all genuine grievances and complaints, assuring that every legitimate concern brought forward through lawful means will receive the attention and consideration it deserves.
Mutfwang noted that due to proactive measures put together by his government, Plateau State was on the rise again.
“Hope is being restored, confidence in governance is gradually returning and the dream of a peaceful, united, secure, and prosperous Plateau is becoming a visible reality.
“Indeed, the Plateau of our dreams is possible, and together, we will continue to build a state that future generations will be proud to inherit,” the Governor said.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Thursday in Brazzaville, Congo, signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) between the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Federal Republic of Nigeria to advance the implementation of the Integrated Aviation Transformation Programme (IATP), a $7 billion initiative designed to modernise Africa’s aviation sector.
This was disclosed in a statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood.
Mr Keyamo participated in a high-level dialogue session with the president and governors of the AfDB, where he presented the opportunities embedded in the programme and Nigeria’s role in driving its implementation.
According to him, the IATP offers a strategic pathway to unlock aviation investment across Africa, with Nigeria positioned as a key beneficiary through ongoing sector reforms and policy alignment.
He also unveiled President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the aviation sector, describing it as a framework that could serve as a model for other African countries seeking to develop their aviation industries.
Mr Keyamo said Nigeria had already taken key preparatory steps to position itself for the successful take-off of the initiative.
“including domesticating the Cape Town Convention, updating its IDERA and reworking its aviation insurance policies to meet global industry standards,” he said.
He noted that these reforms were necessary to build investor confidence and align Nigeria’s aviation framework with international best practices.
The minister also highlighted the newly approved Nigeria Aircraft Leasing Company, saying it would play a critical role in improving access to aircraft financing and expanding airline operations in the country.
He added that the African Development Bank was being engaged to mobilise capital in support of the initiative, given its potential to transform aviation financing across the continent.
The statement added that the President of the AfDB, Sidi Ould Tah, expressed satisfaction with the presentation and pledged the bank’s commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the IATP across Africa, particularly in Nigeria.
Following the dialogue session, Mr Keyamo unveiled the Country Compact for Nigeria’s aviation sector and then signed the Letter of Intent between the AfDB and Nigeria, formally marking a commitment to deepen cooperation in aviation development.