Lessons from the Akume–Suswam, Akume–Ortom and Akume–Alia Political Trajectories By Prof. Leonard Karshima Shilgba - There are moments in the political life of a people when history ceases to be merely a record of the past and becomes a warning about the future. Benue State appears to be approaching such a moment. Political disagreements are neither abnormal nor unhealthy in a democracy. Indeed, robust debate and competition are the lifeblood of democratic governance. What becomes dangerous, however, is when political rivalry assumes a cyclical character that repeatedly undermines stability, weakens institutions, distracts governments from governance, and ultimately makes ordinary citizens ...

'Fake' Agency DG A video of Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew, the man at the centre of the alleged ₦1.3 billion "ghost agency" scandal, has resurfaced online on Monday as the controversy surrounding the purported government agency continues to intensify. The video, recorded during a press conference held in late June 2026, showed Adeyemi defending his claim to the leadership of the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council while directly challenging the position of the Presidency and the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, led by Femi Gbajabiamila. Adeyemi's Defence: How Can a 'Non-Existent' Agency Appear in the ...

When United States striker Folarin Balogun was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup, the assumption was automatic: he would miss the Round of 16 clash against Belgium. Under normal circumstances, that assumption would have been correct. But this is not a normal circumstance. In a decision that has sparked fury across the football world, FIFA has ruled that Balogun is eligible to face Belgium on Monday night—not by overturning the red card, but by suspending the punishment itself. The Normal Rule: Red Card Equals Suspension The FIFA World Cup Regulations ...

For many Nigerian families, illness brings not just physical suffering but a financial crisis that can push them into poverty. The choice between public and private healthcare is rarely about preference—it is about survival, constrained by harsh economic realities. With over 90% of Nigerians lacking health insurance, out-of-pocket payments dominate the healthcare landscape, consuming 71.9% of current health expenditure . Understanding the cost landscape and available insurance options is essential for navigating Nigeria's complex and unequal healthcare system. The Out-of-Pocket Reality Nigeria's healthcare system is financed through a combination of general taxation, government funding, and individual payments, with the last ...

By LEONARD KARSHIMA SHILGBA - The torrent of social media commentaries following the APC primaries in Benue State has once again exposed a disturbing reality: many citizens are either unfamiliar with the legal framework governing party nominations or are willing to suspend their commitment to the rule of law whenever illegality appears to favour their political preferences. A constitutional democracy cannot survive on rumours. It certainly cannot be sustained by selective obedience to the law. Separating Facts from Rumours Several facts are not in dispute. First, the APC conducted its primary elections for the National Assembly and governorship positions through ...

By JOHN A. ADZER Introduction The growing complexity of security challenges in Nigeria demands innovative and decentralized security solutions. While the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has made significant efforts in maintaining law and order, the increasing incidence of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, communal conflicts, armed robbery, and attacks on tourism destinations has exposed the limitations of a highly centralized policing system. As a Tourism Consultant and stakeholder in national development, I strongly support the creation of State Police as a strategic mechanism to augment the Nigeria Police Force and strengthen grassroots security architecture across the federation. The objective is not to ...