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Shettima Says Innovation Key to Putting Nigeria in Rightful Position on World Map
Shettima Says Innovation Key to Putting Nigeria in Rightful Position on World Map
By: Michael Mike
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said that innovation is essential to attainment of Nigeria’s dream of becoming one of the top countries in the world, urging Nigerians to bring up innovative ideas and actions to advance the ongoing transformation agenda in the country.
Speaking at the third i-FAIR cohorts graduation ceremony of the nine-month mentorship programme for budding innovators and entrepreneurs on Thursday in Abuja, the Vice President implored Nigerians to support the Israel-Nigeria Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (i-FAIR) initiative to advance the transformation agenda in the country.
Shettima who was represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs in the Office of the Vice-President, Mr Tope Fasua, commendded the graduands for boosting the Nigerian population efforts to achieve the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.
He said: “We live in a kinetically dynamic and digital world, where we are seeing today’s reality and tomorrow’s innovation by power of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, internet and others.
“We commend the Innov8Hub for what it has been doing so far amongst our youth and the innovative at heart.
“We have seen numerous innovative display, many of which have been commercialized and are having impact on Nigeria and beyond.
“We believe this is merely the beginning, I appeal to all and sundry to show maximal support to the idea behind the hub, as it is indeed transformative.
“Our very survival in a fast paced world depends on it.”
The Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria Michael Freeman, on his part, said the programme comprised twelve components spanning health, climate change, and agriculture, and embodies the spirit of innovation and resilience.
“I-FAIR was established by the Israeli embassy in collaboration with the Nigerian government; this initiative epitomizes the collaboration and innovation pivotal to the Israel-Nigeria relationship.
“President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda resonates deeply with the ethos of the i-FAIR programme in championing empowerment, growth, and prosperity for Nigeria.
“This is with a focus on nurturing the talents of our youth, this programme aligns seamlessly with President Tinubu’s vision of propelling Nigeria towards excellence, notably in digital economy where job creation is paramount.”
He attributed success so far achieved to invaluable partnership by the embassy with TetFund, Air Peace and Zell Innov8 and other collaborators, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in shaping the transformative journey.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, represented by Ambassador Bolaji Akinremi, Director, Economic, Trade and Investment at the ministry, traced the success of the programme to the partnership between Israel and Nigeria.
Tuggar said, “This is evidence of innovation. We have no doubt this government and the administration standout as the most innovative government Nigeria ever had.
“It is pertinent to mention that the idea of I-FAIR is predicated on the need to overcome domestic challenges with innovative made in-Nigeria solutions tailored around inspiring Nigeria to become a start-up nation.”
Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, said it was important to prioritise transformation agenda to achieve meaningful growth.
He said:We must prioritise the complete deployment of fibre active network which Nigeria must achieve in the next two-three years and we have backing of the President.
“Also, for AI, every developed country in the world is freaking out about development in AI. For the reality, they do not have the workforce to power it.
“If we do not take advantage of being part of the AI, even if it is just to provide the workforce, we are wasting time.
“In the two to three years, AI will prompt how you think and what you do. AI will prompt development,” he said.
Shettima Says Innovation Key to Putting Nigeria in Rightful Position on World Map
News
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Malumfashi at Kafur, in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, have raided a suspected drug peddlers’ hideout in Kafur Local Government Area of Katsina State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 12:30 p.m. on May 12, 2026, at Huguma village following intelligence on illicit drug activities within the area.
During the raid, troops apprehended one suspect identified as a major supplier of illicit drugs and other substances to terrorists and criminal elements operating within Kafur Local Government Area and surrounding communities.
Items recovered during the operation included 146 grams of suspected cannabis and 16.5 grams of a substance identified as Exol-5.
The suspect and the recovered drugs have since been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Troops, NDLEA Raid Drug Hideout in Katsina, Arrest Suspected Supplier to Terrorists
News
Troops Recover 13 Sheep in Mangu, as Attacked Herdsman go Missing
Troops Recover 13 Sheep in Mangu, as Attacked Herdsman go Missing
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8, Operation Safe Haven (OPEP), have recovered 13 sheep in Sabon Gari village in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State following a suspected attack on a herder who was either killed or just vanished.
Sources said that the troops responded to the incident at about 6:30 p.m. on May 12, 2026, after receiving information that strayed livestock were discovered in the community without the owner.
On arrival at the scene, the troops reportedly found 13 sheep grazing without any herder in sight. The animals were subsequently taken into custody by the troops for further action and documentation.

Security sources said the absence of the herder raised concerns about his possible safety and whereabouts. Sources maintained that the disappearance of the harder raised suspicions that he may have been eliminated by assailants in the community.
Preliminary assessment of the situation has prompted security considerations within the area, as incidents involving farmer–herder misunderstandings and livestock encroachment have continued to be recorded in parts of Plateau State.
Authorities are expected to carry out further inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and to determine the appropriate disposition of the recovered livestock.
Troops Recover 13 Sheep in Mangu, as Attacked Herdsman go Missing
News
“It Is Obvious the Video Is Fake” Gov. Mutfwang Dismisses Viral Plateau Burial Attack Video as Fake, Warns Against Rumour-Mongering
“It Is Obvious the Video Is Fake” Gov. Mutfwang Dismisses Viral Plateau Burial Attack Video as Fake, Warns Against Rumour-Mongering
By Zagazola Makama
Governor Caleb Mutfwang has dismissed the viral video circulated by Plateau- based activist Masara Kim Usman alleging a “jihadist attack” during a burial ceremony in Barkin Ladi, describing the footage as fake and deliberately designed to cause panic.
The governor made the remarks during a recent Security Council meeting while addressing the growing security issues and the spread of unverified security reports and sensational narratives on social media concerning the security situation in Plateau State.
“It is obvious that the video is fake,” Mutfwang said while reacting to the controversial footage that had been widely circulated online and featured in international interviews.
The video had claimed that armed Fulani attackers stormed a burial ground during funeral rites, allegedly opening fire on mourners from surrounding hills with sophisticated weapons.
However, The Nigerian Police Force who provided security at the scene of the burial and other relevant security agencies in the state found no confirmed casualty, injury or medical record linked to the alleged attack.
The governor’s comments came barely two days after he cautioned social media activists, media, bloggers and online champions against spreading rumours and unverified reports capable of inflaming tensions and damaging the image of the state.
“We are not saying that every incident should be swept under the carpet. We keep accurate data of all accounts of incidents,” the governor said.
“We are not saying that there is no attacks but many of you that are in the hurry to put it on social media, you are destroying the state.”
He warned that the reckless dissemination of rumours and unverified information could endanger lives and worsen the fragile security atmosphere in affected communities.
“And sometimes you put on social media what you heard as a rumour. You dont know the lives you put in danger sometimes with what you put on social media. We need to be careful,” he added.
Mutfwang further alleged that there were deliberate efforts by certain actors to portray Plateau negatively before the international community through exaggerated and misleading narratives.
“There is a deliberate plan to demarket Plateau State and to tell the world that Plateau state is not anywhere that anyone should visit,” the governor said.
“But let me reassure Nigerians and the world that Plateau State remain the home of peace and tourism nobody will take that from us.”said the Governor.
According to the activist’s dramatic narration, heavily armed “Fulani jihadists” surrounded a burial ground, opened fire from nearby hills with sophisticated rifles and sniper weapons, and forced terrified mourners to flee while abandoning corpses in shallow graves.
The scene was presented to international audiences as evidence of an ongoing Islamic terrorist extermination campaign against Christians in Plateau State and Nigeria.
Yet after all the cinematic shouting, breathless commentary and social media outrage, one stubborn problem refused to disappear:
Nobody died, nobody was injured, no hospital treated victims, no corpse emerged from the supposed attack, no security report confirmed casualties, no family identified anybody allegedly shot during the incident. Which raises a very uncomfortable question for the propagandists:
What exactly were the “snipers” shooting at?
Because for an alleged coordinated jihadist ambush involving sophisticated weapons against a crowded funeral gathering, the complete absence of casualties is not merely suspicious, it is devastating to the credibility of the entire narrative.
Even more remarkable was the extraordinary professionalism displayed by the supposed victim while “escaping.” Apparently, modern sniper attacks now allow enough time for stable camera angles, American accents and commentary while maintaining uninterrupted narration and carefully managed video framing.
At different points, the narrator claimed he ran two kilometres. Later, it became five kilometres. He was we was in the middle of God knows where when houses were clearly seeing behind him.
Yet somehow throughout the entire footage, there was no exhaustion, no panic, no disorientation, no visible trauma and not even the shaky breathing expected from somebody allegedly escaping death under sustained gunfire. He even took his time to mount his microphone to avoid background noises.
One almost expected background music and movie credits to appear. But perhaps the most embarrassing part of the production was hidden in plain sight inside the video itself.
While viewers were being told that heavily armed jihadists were actively attacking mourners, some women in the background were calmly walking around without panic. Others appeared unconcerned while some youths suddenly being prompted to run during portions of the recording.
Ironically, the only visible armed individuals in sections of the footage were local armed Berom youths. That small detail completely shattered the carefully packaged “helpless civilians under jihadist siege” narrative being exported to foreign audiences.
Governor Mutfwang’s intervention therefore matters because it represents something increasingly rare in today’s toxic information environment: An admission that propaganda itself has become part of Plateau’s security problem.
The Plateau crisis is already painful enough without staged documentaries pretending to be genocide evidence.
If peace is ever to return fully to Plateau, it will require honesty from all sides not scripted panic, selective outrage and propaganda disguised as activism.
Because eventually, reality catches up. And when even the governor says, “It is obvious that the video is fake,” the performance begins to collapse under its own weight.
“It Is Obvious the Video Is Fake” Gov. Mutfwang Dismisses Viral Plateau Burial Attack Video as Fake, Warns Against Rumour-Mongering
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