Killings in Plateau, Benue Could Escalate to Crisis in Violation of Human Rights if not Curtailed

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it is deeply disturbed by the recent escalation of violent attacks and killings in Benue and Plateau States.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr. Tony Ojukwu while lamenting that these incidents have resulted in the tragic loss of lives, displacement of innocent people, and wanton destruction of property, leaving many families and communities in trauma and despair, emphasized that the right to life is a fundamental human right, enshrined in various international and national instruments.

He further expressed concern that these attacks rooted in herders/farmer clashes are degenerating into ethnic, religious, or communal tensions, warning that these, if not checked could exacerbate the situation and lead to further human rights violations.

He noted that the NHRC is worried about the consequences of the ongoing carnage in Plateau and Benue during this rainy season which is the farming season. As we are all aware, Benue is the food basket of the nation. The present insecurity if unchecked means that people can no longer go to the farms this farming season.

He added that: “The ongoing insecurity particularly in the food producing regions of the country all point to the looming famine and food insecurity in the near future. The trillions and billions borrowed from the banks to support Local Agriculture risk being wasted due to persistent insecurity and apparent lack of political will to deal with this menace for the past 10 years and more.”

In light of these development, Ojukwu called on the government at all levels to take immediate and concrete steps to address the escalating security situation in Benue, Plateau and other parts of the country. Under both the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights as well as International Convention on Civil and Political Rights including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

He said: “The Government has the primary duty for the protection of civilian. The deployment of adequate security personnel to affected areas to ensure the protection of lives and property; the Conduct of thorough investigation into the incidents and prosecuting perpetrators of violence to ensure accountability and justice; Provision of support and protection to vulnerable populations, including women, children and the elderly, constitute the primary responsibility of the government.

“Addressing the root causes of conflict and violence, including poverty, inequality, and social exclusion; as well as, promote dialogue and reconciliation among communities to foster peaceful coexistence must be pursued genuinely and intentionally by all relevant stakeholders.”

He also urged security agencies to adhere to international human rights standards and principles in their response to the situation, including the use of proportionate force and respect for human dignity.

He called on all relevant stakeholders, including community leaders, political office holders, civil society organizations, and the media, to work together to promote peace, tolerance, and understanding.

Ojukwu said: “The NHRC recognizes the important role that these stakeholders can play in preventing further violence and promoting human rights” he added. Efforts must be made by all to hold perpetrators to account including a public investigation, restitution, justice and compensation to victims and their families.”

He assured that the Commission will continue to monitor the situation and engage with relevant authorities to ensure that human rights are protected and promoted.

He renewed calls for state and local government, police and adoption of a national policy for the protection of civilians and human harm mitigation during conflicts, as well as ranching to forestall escalation of terrorism, banditry and herder/farmers clashes in the country.

Killings in Plateau, Benue Could Escalate to Crisis in Violation of Human Rights if not Curtailed

What Matters To The Average Nigerian Is Basic Infrastructure, Not Promises

** Vows to deliver sustainable, inclusive infrastructure for the people, seeks deeper public, private sector partnership

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated the determination of his administration to fast-track approvals for viable infrastructural projects in the country, saying what matters to the average Nigerian is the availability of basic infrastructure such as power, roads, health facilities and quality schools.

Accordingly, he called for a more strengthened public-private sector partnership that emphasises innovation, efficiency, commitment and integrity above mere capital and investments.

Speaking on Tuesday when he declared open the 2025 Nigeria Public-Private Partnership Summit held at the State House Conference Centre at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President urged private sector partners to be focused and more committed, noting that Nigeria offers scale, demand, and returns like no other African market.

President Tinubu who was represented at the Summit by Vice President Kashim Shettima said, “But we need more than investment. We need innovation, we need efficiency, and above all, we need integrity. I urge you to look beyond the risks and recognise the immense opportunity to shape a nation that is not just rising, but ready.

“The projects that emerge from this summit must not gather dust on paper or linger in bureaucratic limbo. We will fast-track approvals for viable projects. We will ensure coordination across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to enable swift implementation.

“We do this because we know that what matters to the average Nigerian is not promises, but power in their homes, roads to their farms, access to clean water, modern hospitals, and quality schools. We must build. We must deliver. And we must do it together.”

Observing that a 21st-century economy cannot be built on 20th-century infrastructure, the Nigerian leader pointed out that the “old model of public-only infrastructure funding is no longer sustainable.

“Our national aspirations far exceed what public budgets alone can deliver. That is why we must innovate, and why we must work together. We are not looking for investors to carry burdens. We are offering opportunities to create value. We seek long-term partners who are ready to help us bridge our infrastructure gap with purpose and precision,” he added.

President Tinubu recalled that his administration, on assumption of office two years ago, was quite aware “that a functional relationship between the public and private sectors would be the magic wand of transformation.”

He reaffirmed that the administration is still fully committed to that very public-private partnership that is passionate about delivering sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.

He continued: “We have strengthened the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and enhanced its capacity to regulate, superintend, and de-risk PPP transactions. We are determined to deliver infrastructure that is both sustainable and inclusive.

“Our economic reforms have laid a stable foundation. From the removal of unsustainable subsidies to the liberalisation of the foreign exchange regime and the optimisation of government revenues, we have acted boldly and responsibly.

“We are streamlining bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving transparency in our project pipelines. We have aligned our processes with global best practices and investor expectations.”

Declaring the summit open, the President urged participants to ensure the event is “remembered not for fine speeches, but for bankable projects, signed deals, and enduring progress.”

Earlier, Minister of Interior, Mr Tunji Ojo, commended the ICRC for championing game-changing projects across diverse sectors, noting that with President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in the saddle, Nigeria is taking its rightful place in the comity of nations.

In his remarks, Director General of the ICRC, Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, said the summit is a rallying call for transformation, a platform for strategic convergence, and a bridge between national aspirations and tangible development.

“This summit brings together the finest minds from government, private investors, development partners, and civil society to co-create new frameworks, de-risk bankable projects, and strengthen our institutional alignment toward project delivery. It is a testament to Nigeria’s readiness to lead, not just follow, in the evolving global PPP ecosystem,” he stated.

On her part, Regional Director, Central Africa & Anglophone West Africa, IFC, Dahlia Khalifa, applauded the ongoing reform in Nigeria’s PPP framework, acknowledging IFC’s collaboration with authorities across key sectors to achieve the country’s overall objectives and strengthening the existing relationship between the organisation and Nigeria.

She added that Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated strong commitments to timely and transparent resolution of disputes arising from PPP projects which is evident in the ongoing efforts to restructure the country’s PPP framework.

Also, Vice-President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialisation at the African Development Bank, Solomon Quaynor, said the theme of the summit implies that partnerships are not just optional but are essential.

He said the infrastructure deficits “demand that the government and the private sector work together in commercially viable PPPs,” adding that the bank is working with other partners on the Lagos-Abidjan highway project to boost regional economic integration in West Africa.

“PPPs are complex long-term projects. They need to be designed properly and designed to survive different political administrations because by their very nature, they are long-term,” he stated.

On his part, Director & Global Head, Project Preparation, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Zitto Alfayo, explained that the government’s limited fiscal space has necessitated PPPs, saying the federal government’s bold market reforms have positioned Nigeria to absorb the shocks of the outside world.

“With this clear demonstration of commitment from the Nigerian government, the onus is now on the private sector to drive the adoption of PPP. Since its inception, Afreximbank has disbursed over $50 million in Nigeria, capitalising investment in various sectors including energy, transport and logistics, manufacturing, healthcare and financial services,” he noted.

Also present at the event were the Governor of Cross River State, Sen Bassey Otu; Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Aminu Usman; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hajiya Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari, and Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, among others.

What Matters To The Average Nigerian Is Basic Infrastructure, Not Promises

2025 Budget: NEFGAD Writes President Tinubu, BPP over N6.9 Trillion Projects Without Needs Assessment, Plans Legal Action

By: Michael Mike

The Network for the Actualization of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD), a leading public procurement advocacy group in Nigeria has alleged the insertion of over 11,000 projects without credible needs assessment and fall outside the statutory mandates, valued at N6.9 trillion into the 2025 Appropriation Act by the National Assembly

The organisation in a letter to President Bola Tinubu and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) expressed serious concern over the insertion of over 11,000 projects valued at N6.9 trillion into the 2025 Appropriation Act by the National Assembly, many of which lack a credible needs assessment and fall outside the statutory mandates of the implementing agencies/ procuring entities.

According to the letter, the revelation, originally highlighted by BudgIT, a civic tech organisation promoting transparency in public finance, exposes a worrying trend of budgetary insertions that bypass due process, violate existing procurement laws, and distort national development priorities.

In the letter signed by its country head of office, Mr Akingunola Omoniyi, NEFGAD referenced Section 18 (a–g) of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2007, which mandates all procuring entities to conduct needs assessments and cost evaluations as the most fundamental aspect of public procurement planning by any entity.

The letter read: “Implementing projects without such critical element contravenes the law and undermines principles of fiscal prudence, accountability, and strategic planning’’.

NEFGAD further argued that executing projects outside the establishment mandates of MDAs has equally become a recurring problem that fuels duplication, weakens institutional clarity, and leads to policy incoherence.

The organisation warned that any budgetary allocation or procurement line item not backed by legally required planning frameworks or outside an agency’s constitutional mandate is not only procedurally defective but also a potential drain-pipe for public funds.

The group also pointed out the inherent contradiction of the National Assembly undermining the very law it enacted by inserting constituency projects without following due process or involving the procurement planning committees of the relevant MDAs, as prescribed under Section 20 (1) of the Act.

In light of the above, NEFGAD called on President Tinubu and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to direct all MDAs to immediately desist from implementing any project that falls outside their statutory mandate, or that was inserted into the national budget without mandatory needs assessment.

NEFGAD reaffirmed its commitment to good governance and fiscal responsibility, and warned that it is prepared to initiate legal action to challenge the implementation of any project that contravenes the Public Procurement Act or the constitutional mandates of implementing agencies.

“Public funds must be spent based on real needs—not political convenience. We stand ready to partner with the Tinubu administration to ensure transparency and integrity in Nigeria’s budget implementation,” the statement insisted.

2025 Budget: NEFGAD Writes President Tinubu, BPP over N6.9 Trillion Projects Without Needs Assessment, Plans Legal Action