Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has dismissed calls for a state of emergency in the state, describing them as politically motivated and a desperate attempt to undermine his administration’s progress.

The Governor was reacting to allegations made by the Centre for Judicial Integrity, CJI, which accused his government of attempting to buy off members of the judiciary.

Governor Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, refuted the claims as baseless and unfounded.

He stated that those behind the calls for a state of emergency are disgruntled political elements seeking to destabilize Benue for their selfish interests.

“There is no crisis in Benue State. Governor Hyacinth Alia is fully in charge and committed to good governance,” the statement read.

He urged the people of Benue to disregard the falsehoods being spread by “crisis vendors” and focus on the transformational governance his administration is delivering.

“The call for a “state of emergency” in Benue State is not purely vexatious but also a flagrant display of political opportunism. It is evident that these irritated political operatives are sponsored by unscrupulous factions desperate and eager to capitalize on any situation for their advantage.

“Their motives are clear: to undermine a state that is presently going through effective governance and progress under Governor Alia’s leadership.

“There is no unrest in Benue State. Gov. Hyacinth Alia is fully in charge and control of the state,” he added.

President Bola Tinubu on Monday inaugurated the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) to empower young Nigerians and nurture the next generation of leaders.

Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said the academy would focus on skills development, employment, leadership and civil engagement.

This, according to him will be achieved through world-class training in digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship and the creative industries.

Tinubu said his administration would ensure that the youth were equipped to compete on the global stage

He said initiatives like the Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters would provide financial support, mentorship and resources for young entrepreneurs.

“The establishment of the National Youth Development Bank will ensure access to the capital needed to turn ideas into thriving businesses,” said the President.

According to Tinubu, Nigeria is a peculiar nation with a median age of 17 years, one of the youngest in the world.

“This demographic reality presents both extraordinary opportunity and a pressing challenge. The Nigerian Youth Academy is, therefore, our bold response to this reality.

“Over the next two years, this academy will train and empower millions of young Nigerians. It will equip them with the skills, knowledge and opportunities needed to compete with the rest of the world.

“This is not just an investment in their future, it is an investment in the future of our nation,” Tinubu said.

Earlier, Mr Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, said the academy would complement other transformative government initiatives that empahaised Tinubu’s commitment to young people.

Edun said the ministry of finance was fully committed to supporting programmes like NIYA that created real values, promoted service export and reduced youth unemployment.

“We will continue to work with the ministry of youth development and other partners to ensure that this platform succeeds and be integrated into the national economic strategy,” Edun said.

Also, Mr Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of Youth Development, said the academy would train, connect and empower the youth with skills needed for entrepreneurship.

“This initiative is for every Nigerian youth and is free. NIYA represents the determination of Mr President to help the youth to build their future, create opportunity for themselves and their family,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highpoint of the event was the presentation of N1 million start-up packs for six youths selected from each geopolitical zones. (PM/NAN)

The Ondo State High Court in Ore, on Monday, granted an interlocutory injunction, restraining the Ondo State Government and Sao Agro-Allied Services Ltd. from forceful eviction of farmers in the Oluwa Forest Reserve.

The farmers had approached the court to restrict the state government and the company from evicting them from the forest which they described as source of their livelihood for decades.

Justice Aderemi Adegoroye, who gave the order, also restricted the government and the company from further grading or destroying farmlands within the forest, particularly in areas such as Temidire Adeleye, Itamerin, Ikawo, Ijoba, Ayeleso, Isero, and their sub-camps.

Adegoroye emphasized the necessity of preserving the economic trees: cocoa, kola nut, and palm trees that constituted the farmers’ livelihoods, pending the final determination of the case before it.

This order effectively countered a previous order from a Customary Court in the state that had mandated the farmers’ eviction from the 10,000-hectare reserve in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The judge adjourned the case to May 26, 2025 for further proceedings.

Responding, Mr Tope Temokun, the applicants’ counsel, said that the development reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rights of the farmers amidst conflicting legal directives.