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UNVEILING THE BRAND NEW APC CHAIRMAN By Prince Adeyemi Shonibare,
In a bold and progressive move, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as its new National Chairman — a decision that reflects both political foresight and generational transition. This is more than a leadership shuffle. It is the rebranding of a political structure, driven by intellect, character, and strategic recalibration ahead of 2027.
Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nentawe was raised in a disciplined, faith-based home — the son of the late Rev. Toma Yilwatda, a revered Christian cleric. The moral upbringing that shaped his early life would eventually underpin his academic, public, and political journeys.
He holds a B.Eng. in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; a Master’s in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, and a Ph.D. in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. But it wasn’t just classroom brilliance that defined him. Nentawe’s hunger for knowledge took him further — he received high-level training from the United Nations University in Macau (China), AfriNIC in Mauritius, NetTel@Africa in Kenya, and multiple ICT leadership sessions sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation, UNESCO, and UNIDO. He is a registered engineer with COREN, and a member of the IEEE, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), and the Solar Energy Society of Nigeria.
For over 25 years, Prof. Nentawe served the university system with distinction — rising from lecturer to Director of ICT at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. His reforms in digitizing records, e-learning, and systems governance made him the university’s “Most Outstanding Director” in 2012. He didn’t just teach technology — he built it.
But it was his appointment in 2017 as the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Benue State by President Muhammadu Buhari that launched him into the national limelight. As REC, he supervised sensitive elections in Anambra (2017), Osun (2018), Benue and Kogi (2019) — earning a reputation for integrity and forward-thinking. He introduced digital mapping of polling units and designed frameworks that ensured Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) could vote — a legacy now embedded into INEC operations.
In 2022, after voluntarily resigning from INEC, Nentawe joined partisan politics and emerged as the APC gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State. He launched the “#GenerationNext” campaign — a youth-driven vision for development, technology, and security. His ideas were radical for Plateau: digital tax systems, smart policing, energy cooperatives, data-based budgeting, and rural youth empowerment schemes. Though he lost the 2023 governorship election after a prolonged legal battle, his message resonated across age, religious, and ethnic lines. The Supreme Court’s decision may have ended his gubernatorial pursuit, but it amplified his stature as a man of uncommon courage and democratic faith.
In October 2024, President Tinubu appointed him as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, following the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu. Within months, he began reengineering the ministry’s flawed structures with a digital-first approach. He famously told the Senate during his confirmation:
“We cannot continue managing humanitarian crises in Nigeria with sentiments. We must build the ministry on data, accountability, and dignity for every citizen in distress.”
His leadership earned him nationwide acclaim — and now, the ultimate call: to lead the APC.
So why Nentawe? Why now?
Unlike traditional party chairmen who rise through factional muscle and patronage, Prof. Nentawe arrives with no political baggage, no scandal, and no ethnic bias. He represents the future of party politics in Nigeria — intelligent, issue-driven, and people-focused.
This is where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political sagacity shines. In a season where trust in parties is declining and public apathy is growing, Tinubu has selected a chairman not just to manage party congresses or elections, but to rebuild the APC brand from the ground up. It’s a strategic masterstroke — investing in character, not noise.
What do APC members expect from their new chairman?
We expect more than order. We expect restoration.
We expect him to:
Unite the party, not by decree, but by active engagement at ward, local government, and state levels.
Reintroduce the culture of meetings — where members gather to plan, not just clap.
Digitize the party register — ensuring every member is known, counted, and connected.
Institutionalize membership dues — because a party must be funded by its people, not by desperate aspirants.
End the culture of self-funded candidacies — shifting toward a grassroots-funded model where the party carries its candidates.
Raise new leaders like himself — competent, untainted, and ready to govern.
Ensure internal democracy — where primaries are contests of merit, not auctions of money.
The challenge ahead is massive, but Nentawe is cut from rare cloth. His combination of intellect, humility, and resilience gives hope to thousands of young party members who want to see the APC reborn.
As a loyal party member and stakeholder, I say boldly: this is one of the best decisions the APC has made in years. I salute President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for resisting pressure to reward cronies, and instead choosing capacity over calculation, and value over volume.
May God grant Professor Nentawe Yilwatda the wisdom of Solomon, the courage of Moses, and the vision of Joseph. May he succeed in making the APC not just a ruling party — but a renewing force.
The journey to 2027 has already begun. And with leaders like Nentawe at the helm, we walk with faith, not fear.
Prince Adeyemi Shonibare
APC Member
Advocate for Good Governance & Reform
More than ₦3 billion was targeted, but about ₦677 million reached the culprits, with recovery and prosecutions underway, reflecting how banks are responding to more sophisticated fraud risks.
Nigeria’s expanding digital banking sector is facing increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts, as financial institutions adapt to faster transactions and broader online services.
A recent case involving First City Monument Bank (FCMB), linked to fraudulent activity detected in December 2025, has drawn attention to how banks are responding to such incidents, with a focus on limiting exposure, recovering funds and working with law enforcement.
According to findings referenced in proceedings before the Lagos State Special Offences Court, the incident involved unauthorised transactions tied to a digital product. Early reports erroneously suggested more than ₦3 billion was lost. Subsequent clarification shows that over ₦3 billion was targeted, ₦2.4 billion was blocked and recovered, while ₦677 million got into the possession of the culprits. This outcome reflects the bank’s cyber security and monitoring capabilities, as well as improved collaboration among regulated financial institutions and with law enforcement agencies. Several suspects and beneficiaries have been apprehended, while recovery and prosecution efforts are ongoing, led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Proceedings at the Lagos State Special Offences Court have resulted in convictions, including that of a repeat offender, with restitution orders issued. Related matters are also being handled at the Federal High Court in Lagos, where additional suspects are being tried in connection with the scheme. This process is aimed at ensuring that bad actors are identified and permanently blacklisted from the financial system.
Authorities say recovery efforts are continuing as additional funds are traced.
Analysts note that the pace of legal action reflects closer coordination between financial institutions and enforcement agencies in addressing cyber-related financial crime.
The case comes as banks contend with more complex fraud methods, including social engineering and automated exploitation of system processes.
As digital products and platforms expand, so too does the risk associated with cyber-crime and related fraud.
“The scale of digital banking means risks are evolving alongside the systems,” said a Lagos-based financial analyst. “Institutions are now judged by how they manage these events.”
Observers say the sector is moving toward a stronger focus on response and recovery, rather than prevention alone.
This includes improving monitoring capabilities, strengthening transaction controls and enhancing collaboration with regulators and law enforcement. The FCMB case, with limited exposure relative to the amount targeted and ongoing recovery, reflects that shift.
For customers, the primary concern is the safety of their funds. In this case, there has been no indication of losses affecting customer deposits. Maintaining that level of protection remains central to sustaining trust in the financial system.
Nigeria’s financial sector continues to grow, supported by digital innovation and expanding access to banking services.
However, analysts say fraud attempts are likely to persist as systems become more complex and interconnected.
They say institutions will increasingly be judged not only on their ability to prevent incidents, but on how effectively they respond and recover when they occur.
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Ex-APC Deputy Guber flag bearer, Joshua MacIver backs Tinubu, express fears over implosion in Bayelsa APC
….congratulates new State Party Chairman, Warman Ogoriba
APC Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2023 general elections in Bayelsa State, Great Joshua MacIver has declared his total commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu come 2027, declaring that the Tinubu re-election project is non-negotiable.
Great Joshua MacIver, in his statement titled ” BAYELSA APC CONGRESSES: GOING FORWARD, A CALL TO LOOK INWARDS” and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, warned APC leaders in the state to look Inward and take note of certain factors which may hinder or cut short our victory.
According to Great Joshua MacIver, such noticeable pitfalls include the imbalance in the united front being put up by the State Governor,Senator Douye Diri among various political blocs in the state.
In the statement issued at the weekend. Great Joshua MacIver stated that “First, before His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, joined the APC in the state, there were clearly two political blocs that made up the party, with the approximate population ratios of the blocs standing at 95% to 5%.”
“After the entrance of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, ONLY THE SMALLER BLOC IS BEING CARRIED ALONG IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE PARTY, leaving the greater percentage to their fate, and this situation has the potential to build anger and dissatisfaction in our dear party.”
” The consequence of this has been the high level defection we have witnessed in the party recently and we believe more may likely follow, if we do not put our house in order.”
” If we do not pull together as a party, we may witness a situation where we will lose key stakeholders, especially after the State and National Assembly Primaries as well the Gubernatorial Primaries.”
“Finally, while it is very clear that we are the party to beat in the 2027 elections and that our loyalty to Mr. President IS NON-NEGOTIABLE, we must make haste to say that we cannot afford to create situations or loopholes in our unity which will be exploited by other political interests in the state. We cannot afford to under-rate anyone.”
“Our core interest remains the re-election of Mr. President, a project to which we have committed our all. We also pledge our total loyalty to the party as we have no alternative to the APC. However, our concern is that we must, as a party, look inwards and ensure that we do not create loopholes that can impede our common goal.”
Great Joshua MacIver, however congratulated the newly elected State Executives of the APC in Bayelsà State led by Hon. Warman Ogoriba, saying their emergence is welcomed at this critical time in our national history.
At least 23 people were killed in a series of suspected suicide bombings, police in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri said on Tuesday.
https://www.stanbicibtcbank.com/nigeriabank/personal/products-and-services/all-loans/stanbic-ibtc-mreif-home-loans
More than 100 other people were injured in the blasts that took place on Monday evening in the capital of Nigeria’s restive Borno state.
No group has claimed responsibility for the suspected attacks.
The deadly blasts come after a military post was attacked overnight Sunday to Monday, which authorities blamed on suspected Islamist militants.
This sad incident is coming barely two weeks after Primate Elijah Ayodele, the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church specifically warned against attacks in some states. He mentioned these states while calling on security operatives to pay close attention to them.
These were his words:
“Another attack is coming up in these following states where the military must watch carefully and intelligently; Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Borno, Kwara and Kogi state. They want to do a deadly attack, it’s preventable but it depends on how they will handle it. I have told you about the danger coming up.”
@primateayodele
Unfortunately, some of our military agencies don’t believe spiritual intelligence can save the country from so much danger hence, their neglect of this prophetic warning but now, it has been fulfilled with the miliary losing credibility by the day while Primate Ayodele continues to gain momentum.
Likewise, At least 26 passengers and crew sustained varying degrees of injuries on Monday following an accident involving the Kaduna–Abuja train, according to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Opeifa explained that the train departed Rigasa in Kaduna at 7:15 a.m. and was approaching Asham station around 9:16 a.m. when a loud bang was heard after the power car and trailing locomotive collided with one of the passenger coaches.
In July 2025, Primate Ayodele asked nigerians to pray not to see train mishap on the Kaduna-Abuja route.
@primateayodele #nigeriantiktok🇳🇬 #fulfillment #train #abuja #primateayodele
“Let’s pray not to see train mishap in Abuja-Kaduna, Kaduna-Abuja route.”
This has also been fulfilled.
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