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Jerry Gana: Our leaders are no longer thinking…”
Jerry Gana: Our leaders are no longer thinking…”
By: Michael Mike
Former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana has come hard on present leadership of the country, stating that: “Our leaders are no longer thinking. No more initiative. No more programmes.”
Gana, who was the Chairman at the 25th Year Anniversary of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and the Commemoration of the 2025 International Peace Day in Abuja on Monday, noted that leadership is very important and should be enlightened and trained, should be about:
“Compassionate leadership. Leadership full of ideas, since one idea can transform your whole country.”
He however lamented that: “But our leaders are no longer thinking. No more initiative. No more programmes.
“Otherwise, a nation like the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a nation full of these kinds of resources in Nigeria, will be having the kind of realities we are facing now.”
He said: “I don’t love going to the market again in Nigeria. Because prices are changing almost every other day. And things are very, very difficult.”
He advised leaders to be fair to all in order not to create disputes in the system that could affect peaceful living.
He said: “Always remember that peace delayed is peace denied. Very, very distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, too often we define peace as merely the silence of guns. But lasting peace is far more profound.
“To my own understanding, peace is justice in action. Peace is leadership with integrity. Peace is equitable distribution and being fair in a nation.
“In fact, at the heart of peace is justice, equity, and fairness. Wherever there is injustice, you wait. There will be conflict.
“Therefore, leaders must avoid injustice. In any society where there is injustice, just wait for it. There will be violent, sometimes, reaction.
“So we encourage leaders around the world to pursue justice, fairness, equity. Peace is also a promotion of human dignity. If you really see the sanctity of life and human dignity, you will not want to generate conflict.”
On his part, the Director General of Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu noted that the theme of this year’s International Day of Peace “Act Now for a Peaceful World” as declared by the United Nations, “calls us to action: to stand for peace, to promote dialogue, and to foster reconciliation. It is a day to reflect on how far we have come in our collective pursuit of harmony and, more importantly, how much further we still have to go.”
He noted that “the world today is a complex tapestry of challenges, from geopolitical tensions to internal strife, from economic inequality to climate-induced conflict, from violent extremism to divisive narratives in social media. In the face of these headwinds, the message of peace is not a quiet whisper; it is a powerful, urgent clarion call. It is a reminder that peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of justice, equity, and dignity for all.”
He said: “For a quarter of a century, IPCR has been at the forefront of this noble cause. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are not just marking time; we are celebrating a journey of resilience, commitment, and impact. Twenty-five years ago, the IPCR was established with a clear mandate: to be the intellectual and practical nerve center for peace and conflict resolution in our nation and Africa. We have grown from a nascent institution into a formidable force for positive change.”
He explained that “our work has spanned the full spectrum of peacebuilding. We have engaged in community-level mediation, facilitated high-level national dialogues, conducted rigorous research to inform policy, and trained a new generation of peacebuilders. We have worked tirelessly with government agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners including the United Nations Institutions to weave a stronger fabric of peace. Our achievements are not just our own; they are the shared success of every community leader, every young person, every public servant, every civil society organization, every international organization, and every corporate organisation who has partnered with us over the years.”
Jerry Gana: Our leaders are no longer thinking…”
Two suspected criminals arrested during patrol in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 1 under Operation Enduring Peace have arrested two suspected criminals during a routine patrol in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau.
Security sources disclosed that the suspects, identified as Azi Ezekiel, 21, and Ajiji Emmanuel, 19, were apprehended at about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday along the road leading to Forbur Village.
The sources said the suspects were intercepted by troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, while conducting a routine patrol in the area.
According to the sources, the two suspects have been handed over to the Keystone Police Station in Forbur for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The arrest forms part of ongoing security operations aimed at combating criminal activities and enhancing safety across Plateau State.
Two suspected criminals arrested during patrol in Plateau
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Plateau community
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 4 of Operation Enduring Peace have arrested a suspected kidnapper during a security operation in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.
Security sources said the suspect, identified as Mohamdu Surajo, 29, was arrested at about 6:45 p.m. on Friday at Sabon Layi Village following sustained security operations in the area.
The sources disclosed that the suspect is currently in military custody and is undergoing preliminary interrogation to aid ongoing investigations.
They added that the arrest is part of continued efforts by security forces to dismantle criminal networks and enhance security across Plateau State.
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Plateau community
Venezuela Solidarity Group Urges U.S. to Lift Sanctions After Deadly Earthquakes
By: Michael Mike
The Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Nigeria (VSCN) has called for the immediate and unconditional lifting of United States sanctions on Venezuela, arguing that the restrictions are hampering humanitarian relief and reconstruction efforts following devastating twin earthquakes that reportedly killed more than 2,000 people and displaced over 50,000 others.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its coordinator, Comrade Dimeji Macaulay, the group expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and the Bolivarian Government, describing the earthquakes as a humanitarian tragedy that has left widespread destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, roads and other critical infrastructure.
The organisation extended condolences to families of the victims and praised what it described as the resilience of the Venezuelan people in confronting the disaster despite years of economic hardship.
According to the VSCN, the U.S. sanctions have weakened Venezuela’s capacity to respond effectively to the emergency by limiting access to financial resources and restricting the importation of medicines, equipment, technology and other essential materials.
The group maintained that maintaining the sanctions during a humanitarian crisis amounts to collective punishment against ordinary citizens and called for their permanent removal to facilitate relief operations and long-term reconstruction.
“There can be no moral or legal justification for maintaining an economic blockade against a country struggling to save lives and rebuild after a devastating natural disaster,” the statement said, adding that every day the sanctions remain in force prolongs the suffering of the Venezuelan people.
The campaign also urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to publicly support the removal of the sanctions, strengthen diplomatic relations with Venezuela and contribute to international humanitarian efforts for victims of the disaster.
It further appealed to the African Union to reject unilateral coercive measures, describing them as violations of international law, while calling on African countries to support Venezuela’s recovery.
The group equally called on the United Nations to intensify humanitarian assistance and ensure that sanctions do not obstruct emergency relief operations or reconstruction programmes.
Beyond governments and international organisations, the VSCN appealed to trade unions, youth organisations, civil society groups and progressive political movements across Africa and the wider international community to demonstrate solidarity with Venezuela by opposing what it described as economic warfare and supporting the country’s right to determine its future without external interference.
Reaffirming its commitment to the Venezuelan cause, the organisation said it would continue campaigning until the sanctions are lifted, insisting that Venezuela’s recovery should not be hindered by external political considerations
Venezuela Solidarity Group Urges U.S. to Lift Sanctions After Deadly Earthquakes
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Berom Militia Linked to NIPSS Attack as Security Sources Say Investigation Supports Earlier Leads
Two suspected criminals arrested during patrol in Plateau
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper in Plateau community
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