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FG Approves ₦2bn Support Package for Plateau Attack Victims

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President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday approved ₦2 billion in relief support for victims of the March 29 attack in Angwa Rukuban, Jos, while also urging Plateau State leaders to commit to lasting peace and address the root causes of recurring violence in the state.

This was disclosed in a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, during an interactive meeting with a 32-man delegation from Plateau State, in fulfilment of the President’s earlier promise to engage stakeholders following the violence in Jos North Local Government Area.

At the end of the meeting, Plateau leaders pledged renewed commitment to peace, acknowledging the need to work together to end long-standing conflicts in the state.

At the interactive session, which lasted about three hours, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mohammed Dorro, announced that President Tinubu had approved the ₦2 billion relief package for victims of the Angwa Rukuban attack.

President Tinubu in a meeting with Plateau State leaders led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang. Photo credit: Presidency

According to Onanuga, the President directed stakeholders, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, to return home with open minds and prioritise peacebuilding by reviewing past government White Papers on security crises and implementing workable recommendations.

“As leaders, you must go back home, summon a leadership meeting among yourselves, take the gazette, review the previous recommendations and agree to implement the White Paper,” the President said.

He urged them to identify unresolved issues and present practical solutions for federal consideration.

President Tinubu also called for tolerance among residents, stressing that peace must be prioritised over ethnic, religious, or political divisions.

President Bola Tinubu with Plateau State leaders

 

“Let us first of all accept one resolution – tolerance for every inhabitant… If people are being recruited to provoke anger, conflict and killings, it is you, the leaders, that should first of all examine yourselves,” he said.

He emphasised that Plateau State, known historically for peaceful coexistence, must reclaim that identity through deliberate leadership action.

“No protocols, no hinderances, we are here to speak our minds and find a permanent solution to a recurring conflict and chaos. Everybody here is seeking peace. How do we chart our path to that peace?” he added.

The President also warned against allowing divisive elements to destabilise communities, urging leaders to promote justice, fairness, and inclusion while ensuring all residents feel a sense of belonging.

He further instructed the state government to identify and expose individuals responsible for instigating violence so they can face the law.

In response, Governor Mutfwang thanked the President for his sustained support and commitment to peace in Plateau State.

He noted that the meeting marked the first time all former governors of the state had gathered in one room, describing it as a sign of renewed unity and collective resolve.

“Our coming here today shows that there is a renewed spirit on the plateau; that we want to be together,” the governor said.

He pledged that leaders would build on the momentum to strengthen unity and address poverty by transforming conflict into development opportunities.

“We are determined more than ever to close all our gaps, ensure that we rise above all the divides of religion and ethnicity, and build a state we can all be proud of,” he said.

“Having gathered this momentum, we want to assure you, by God’s grace, that we will build on it to tell a better story in the years to come.”

He also assured the President of the state’s support in national development efforts.

In his remarks, the Gbong Gwon Jos, HRM Da Jacob Gyang Buba, praised President Tinubu for his leadership and peace initiatives in Plateau State.

He called for increased security presence, including troop deployment and CCTV installations, and renewed support for the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their ancestral homes.

He also commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her humanitarian visits and relief support to victims of previous attacks.

Members of the delegation, including youth representatives, stressed the importance of sincerity among leaders in sustaining peace efforts, warning that lasting peace would not be possible without genuine commitment.

The delegation included former governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, serving and former public office holders, and representatives of youth groups, all of whom pledged to support the peace process in Plateau State.

 

 

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Transfer: Real Madrid , Cucurella Reach Verbal Agreement 

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Chelsea reliable defender, Marc Cucurella may join Spanish giant, Real Madrid before the end of the current transfer window.if information from transfer journalist, Fabrizio Romano are anything to go by.

 

Romano In a latest transfer update, said Real Madrid has reached verbal agreement to sign Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.

“Verbal agreement in place between all parties, player too — he’s the left back wanted by Mourinho” the update read.

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Hakimi, Vinicius Barred From Speaking Spanish At World Cup

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FIFA has come under scrutiny after several high-profile players, including Achraf Hakimi and Vinicius Junior, were discouraged from speaking Spanish during media engagements at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

 

The issue first surfaced ahead of Morocco’s Group C clash with Brazil when a Spanish-speaking journalist attempted to question Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi in Spanish.

Despite Hakimi, who grew up in Madrid and speaks the language fluently, indicating he was comfortable answering in Spanish, event officials reportedly insisted that questions be asked in English.

Hakimi attempted to reassure organizers that language would not be a barrier, but officials maintained that no Spanish translator was available for the session. A compromise was eventually reached, with the reporter asking the question in Spanish while Hakimi responded in English.

The controversy intensified during Brazil’s media session when Vinicius Junior was also interrupted while responding to a question in Spanish.

The Real Madrid forward, who is more comfortable speaking Portuguese or Spanish than English, was reportedly asked by organizers to switch languages.

Rather than continue in Spanish, Vinicius opted to answer in Portuguese before turning his attention back to Brazil’s World Cup preparations.

The incidents sparked widespread debate among journalists and fans, many of whom questioned why Spanish—a language spoken by millions across North America—was effectively restricted at a tournament being hosted largely in the United States.

According to Spanish media outlet El País, FIFA only provides Spanish-language translation services at World Cup press conferences involving Spanish-speaking nations such as Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay.

For all other teams, questions and answers are expected to be conducted either in English or the official language of the participating country.

The policy has generated criticism online, with many supporters arguing that multilingual communication should be encouraged at a global event like the World Cup.

The backlash was particularly strong in Vinicius’ case, as the Brazilian forward appeared visibly uncomfortable being asked to communicate in English.

The controversy overshadowed what was otherwise a highly anticipated encounter between Brazil and Morocco, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

With the issue now drawing international attention, FIFA may face increasing calls to review its media language guidelines as the tournament progresses.

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It’s Illegal’…Falana’s Bombshell Indicts Govs, FG.

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Human rights advocate, Femi Falana, has warned federal and state governments against negotiating with and rewarding terrorists.

 

According to Falana, the practice is illegal.

He stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Amnesty International Second Annual General Meeting in Abuja on June 13, 2026.

Falana claimed it is public knowledge officials of the Federal Government and some State Governments have been holding meetings and negotiating with terrorists and bandits, which has led to thousands of ‘repentant’ criminals being forgiven and given cash gifts of undisclosed sums of money.

Asserting that the “satanic Boko Haram sect and similar bodies have been proscribed” under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, Falana insisted that “their members and allies shall be prosecuted and not pampered and forgiven by the Nigerian State.”

Highlighting the legal consequences, he quoted Section 22 of the Act, stating: “A person who knowingly—(a) arranges, manages, assists in arranging or managing, participates in a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, (b) collects, or provides logistics, equipment, information, articles or facilities for a meeting or an activity, which in his knowledge is concerned or connected with an act of terrorism or terrorist group, or (c) attends a meeting, which in his knowledge is to support a proscribed entity or to further the objectives of a proscribed entity, commits an offence, and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of at least 20 years.”

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