Ilaje People Call on Ondo Governor for Development of their Area

By: Michael Mike

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa have been called by Ilaje people of the state to brace up and immediately bring development to their area.

The called was made by the Publicity Secretary, Ilaje Parapo Forum, Prince Edward Akingboye in a statement on Thursday.

Akingboye, while stating that the call was not a rebellion, but rather to conscience, said: “There comes a moment in the life of a people when silence is no longer golden, when docility becomes betrayal, and when unchecked sycophancy becomes a dagger in the chest of justice. That moment, for the Ilaje people and the entire coastal belt of Ondo State, is now.

“Today, we, the Ilaje Parapo Forum, rise to speak not with hostility, but with deep-seated concern. The tides of our ocean have become hostile, our land groans under neglect, our children cry for education, and our elders lament a future stolen in plain sight. Yet, in the corridors of Alagbaka, there is music, dance, and political revelry. But who, we ask, will call Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa for us?”

He said: “Let us be clear: Luck may enthrone a leader, but only vision, wisdom, and performance can sustain governance. Governance is not about flamboyant appearances or ceremonial presence; it is about intentional service delivery, planning, and accountability.

“It grieves us to say that our Governor, our own son, is failing to hear the lamentation of his people in Ilaje. Communities like Ayetoro and entire Gbenevaare being swallowed by the sea with chilling indifference. The ocean no longer knocks, it breaks through, uninvited. Livelihoods vanish. Homes crumble. Generations are displaced. Yet, Ilaje, a region whose oil sustains national coffers lacks a single functional hospital, lacks well-equipped schools, lacks shoreline protection. Is this what we deserve?

“Let the world know: this is not abandonment by oversight; it is calculated neglect.

“Even the Ilaje Education Authority office in Igbokoda, rather than being a hub of intellectual coordination, now resembles a pond flooded and forsaken. The so-called Mega School stands in mockery; its roof sheets curled to the sky like palms begging the heavens. How can we explain this to our children?

“And what of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)? Just two weeks ago, the Commission celebrated its 25th anniversary. A parade of pomp and speeches reached the Governor’s table but not a single tangible legacy was acknowledged in Ilaje. Not a road. Not a shoreline defense. Not a hospital. The MD left without reprimand. Mr. Governor clapped. Yet, the people of Ilaje continue to weep.”

He asked: “Who will tell our Governor that strategic governance is not driven by birthday cakes or party jollof rice, but by documented visions, inclusive planning, and measurable outcomes? Who will remind him that the real work of OSOPADEC is not to organize feasts but to champion recovery plans for a people on the brink of environmental and economic extinction?”

He lamented that: “Let it be known: Ilaje is bleeding. Our children are losing access to education. Our youths are migrating in desperation. Our farmlands are now saline fields. And yet, the machinery of the state is mute.”

He said: “We demand from Mr. Governor:
A clear development blueprint for Ilaje land—covering infrastructure, education, health, and climate adaptation; An audit of NDDC and OSOPADEC’s interventions in Ilaje LGA in the past 10 years; Immediate emergency response to the environmental devastation of our coastline; Stakeholder engagement, including town hall meetings in Ilaje, to enable participatory governance.”

He said: “Governor Ayedatiwa, this is your moment to rise. You are the son of the soil. The son of Ilaje. But bloodlines are not enough. Legacy is not inherited—it is built. You stand on the shoulders of ancestors who gave everything for this land. Do not be remembered for standing idle while it sinks.
This is not hate. This is heritage speaking.
This is not a shout of rebellion. It is a cry for responsibility. This is not bitterness. It is burden.

“We speak from the heart of the creeks—and we will not be silent again.”

Ilaje People Call on Ondo Governor for Development of their Area

GiZ, ActionAid Rehabilitate Hundreds of Nigerian Returnees with Vocational Training

By: Michael Mike

German agency, Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) are presently assisting hundreds of deported or returned Nigerians to get rehabilitated back into the system.

Four hundred deportees (returnees) are currently being trained in different vocations in Abuja, Lagos state and Edo state to get them seamlessly back into the society.

Speaking at the onboarding ceremony of the beneficiaries of the vocation skill training programme in Abuja organised by ActionAid Nigeria in partnership with GiZ under the Reconnect Programme, the Country Director of AAN, Andrew Mamedu said: “Today marks more than just the start of a training programme, it marks the beginning of a transformative journey. A journey that will open doors to new opportunities, foster self-reliance, and lay the foundation for a brighter and more secure future.”

Mamedu, who was represented by the Director, Business Development and Innovation, Nkechi Ilochi-Kanny, noted that: “Across Nigeria, migration has become both a lifeline and a risk. Thousands of young people are compelled to leave in search of better opportunities due to unemployment, insecurity, and limited prospects. While some succeed, many face exploitation, trauma, or deportation.

“According to the International Organisation for Migration, over 17,000 Nigerians have voluntarily returned from Libya, Niger, and other transit countries since 2017. These returnees often come home to face stigma, mental health challenges, and limited reintegration opportunities.

“This is where the Reconnect Project comes in to provide practical, meaningful pathways for reintegration rooted in empathy, inclusion, and resilience. Through vocational skills training, psychosocial support, institutional capacity strengthening, and community engagement, the project seeks not only to address immediate needs but to contribute to systemic, long-term solutions to migration-related vulnerabilities.

“At ActionAid, we believe that real development happens when people especially women and young people are equipped with the tools and knowledge to lift themselves and their communities. This programme is a reflection of that belief.”

On her part, the GiZ Project Component Manager, Abuja, Tolulope Olaiya noted that the project is more than a reintegration initiative, but to create an enabling environment where migration becomes a source of shared benefit-for returing migrants, their families, local communities, and the nation as a whole.

She noted that: “Through strategic
collaboration and strong partnerships, we are confident that this project will drive
meaningful, positive change and play an essential role in supporting Nigeria’s overall.”

Olaiya said: “As we launch this crucial phase of the project, we reaffirm our commitment to working colaboratively with al stakeholders to ensure that the vocational training, national efforts to make migration safe, orderly, and beneficial for all.”

She told the beneficiaries: “I encourage you to take full advantage of this opportunity. Ask questions. Practice often. Embrace the process. Most importantly believe in yourselves. Learning a skill is not just about securing a job; it’s about gaining the power to shape your own future.”

The Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants,
and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Hon. Tijani Ahmed said the Reintegration and Empowerment for Connecting and Nurturing Opportunities of Vulnerable Populations and Returning Migrants is not just a programme title; it is a promise of hope, restoration, and sustainable inclusion.

Ahmed, who was represented by a Director in the Commission, Dr. Nsikan Essien noted that the event marks the beginning of a new chapter for the beneficiaries, many of whom have faced displacement, marginalization, and hardship.

He said: “Today, we celebrate not only their
resilience but also their readiness to embrace new opportunities that will equip them with valuable vocational skills for self-
reliance and economic independence.”

He added that: “At NCFRMI, we believe that reintegration is not complete without empowerment. This is why vocational training initiatives like these are central to our mandate to ensure durable solutions for persons of concern-including returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), migrants, and refugees. When we
invest in skills, we invest in futures. And when we invest in people, we invest in peace, progress, and national prosperity.”

He noted that: “The Commission’s support for the Reconnect Project aligns with our strategie vision under the “Project 5×5” Agenda, which emphasizes livelihood support, durable solutions, and
strategic partnerships. We are particularly encouraged by the project’s deliberate focus on vulnerable groups such as returned migrants, persons with disabilities, and women, groups that are often at the intersection of displacement and inequality.
This onboarding ceremony is more than a symbolic occasion; it is a significant step toward inclusive development and conflict-
sensitive reintegration. It shows what is possible when we work together to create pathways to dignity and economic resilience.”

GiZ, ActionAid Rehabilitate Hundreds of Nigerian Returnees with Vocational Trainin

Gov. Mutfwang visits scene of deadly attack in Plateau, assures justice for victims

By: Zagazola Makama

Gov. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State on Wednesday visited Jebbu and Gwon communities in Riyom Local Government Area following the gruesome killing of 15 persons by suspected Fulani militias.

Zagazola Makama report that the attack, which occurred on Tuesday night, also left four others injured.

The governor, accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, members of the State Executive Council, Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, and heads of other security agencies, visited the crime scene to commiserate with the affected families and residents.

While addressing the bereaved families in Jebbu, Mutfwang condemned the killings and described them as inhumane and unacceptable.

He assured the victims that the government would leave no stone unturned in investigating the attack and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

“I urge you all not to take the law into your hands. The government and security agencies are committed to protecting you and ensuring that such acts do not go unpunished,” the governor said.

The governor also visited Gwon community in the same LGA, where he addressed residents on the need for vigilance and proactive security reporting.

“I appeal to you to remain alert and always report any suspicious movement to the Police or relevant security agencies,” he added.

Plateau state has been plagued by farmer and herders crises with both sides carrying attacks and reprisals. Government response seems to be ineffective as its refused to address the root causes of the violence.

Gov. Mutfwang visits scene of deadly attack in Plateau, assures justice for victims