President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said on Wednesday that he has learned from those who make fun of him all the time.
This was said by the president at a town hall meeting with political leaders in Benue State, where at least 100 people had recently been killed by armed herdsmen.
They will insult me no matter what I do. Since I can’t see everything, I read the publications and take note of their comments,” Tinubu stated.
He said to Hyacinth Alia, the governor of Benue State, “Your political rivals do not want you to be successful. Are you only now becoming aware of that?
He urged regional leaders to cooperate.
“We can’t function without another.
To develop a plan for enduring peace, I will want us to immediately establish a leadership council that will convene in Abuja. And I’m prepared to make an investment in that tranquility,” he declared.
Additionally, the president gave Alia instructions to collaborate with all parties involved and take on the role of a father figure to all residents of the state.
In order to assist in determining a course for peace, he declared the formation of a Committee of Elders, which will comprise the present governor of Nasarawa State and all previous governors of Benue.
In an effort to resolve the ongoing farmer-herder conflict, Tinubu also requested the governor to grant ranching property.
Tinubu urged all Benueans to come together and cooperate in order to achieve enduring peace.
In addition, he urged traditional leaders to work together with the government to bring about peace and stability.
“Be prepared for insults—that is the yoke of leadership,” Tinubu advised Alia. Obtain your lamp. Look for those leaders and work together to solve problems.
Makurdi, June 18, 2025 – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Makurdi, Benue State, this morning in a solidarity visit following the tragic attacks on Yelwata and surrounding communities. The visit, prompted by the escalating violence that has left scores dead and thousands displaced, underscored the federal government’s commitment to addressing the security crisis and fostering national unity.
Upon arrival at the Makurdi Airport, President Tinubu was welcomed by Governor Hyacinth Alia, senior government officials, and traditional rulers. Without delay, the President’s convoy proceeded to the worst-hit areas where destruction from the attacks remains stark. Tinubu personally toured the ruins of burned homes, met with displaced residents in temporary camps, and inspected ongoing relief operations. Offering heartfelt condolences, he assured affected families of immediate federal intervention for medical care, shelter, and enhanced security.
Town Hall Meeting with Stakeholders
In the afternoon, the President held a town hall meeting at the Makurdi Local Government Secretariat. The gathering brought together community leaders, traditional rulers, religious figures, youth representatives, women’s groups, security chiefs, and lawmakers.
During his address, President Tinubu described the Yelwata tragedy as “a wound on the nation’s conscience,” emphasizing that “Benue’s peace is Nigeria’s peace.” He called for calm, cooperation, and unity in confronting the challenges.
Key Announcements:
Security Measures: Deployment of federal-backed mobile police units, aerial surveillance operations, and the establishment of a special local security task force.
Humanitarian Support: Approval of a ₦2 billion emergency fund to aid survivors, rebuild homes, and restore livelihoods.
Peace Efforts: A federally backed peace conference to be hosted in Benue, bringing together all stakeholders for long-term reconciliation.
Stakeholders’ Contributions
Community representatives appealed for urgent relocation of displaced persons to safer areas and stronger collaboration in local security. While they welcomed the federal government’s support, they urged swift implementation and inclusive participation in peacebuilding.
In an interactive session, Tinubu responded to concerns on security strategies, reconstruction timelines, and reconciliation mechanisms. He reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance stance on communal violence and promised close monitoring of all pledged interventions through an inter-agency task force.
A Call for Unity
The President concluded with a passionate plea: “Let this pain bind, not break, our unity. Benue’s strength is Nigeria’s strength, and together we will heal.” He urged leaders at all levels to reject divisive rhetoric and work for enduring peace.
Outlook
President Tinubu’s visit, marked by empathy and decisive pledges, has sparked cautious optimism across Benue communities. While residents expressed relief at the President’s personal engagement, they look forward to concrete action that will translate promises into lasting peace and security.
Senator Orji Kalu, the senator who represents Abia North in the National Assembly and is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatization, has said that he will wait to run for president until President Bola Tinubu has finished his second term.
Even if he wants to run for president, Kalu stated that he cannot challenge the party since it is supreme and has already endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term that ends in 2031.
The senator said his presidential dream is on hold and will be resurrected when Tinubu finishes his second term in office, while speaking to reporters in Igbere, in the Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, on Tuesday.
I’m an APC member, and our party has overwhelmingly supported President Tinubu,” he said. Because I am unable to oppose the party, my goal to become president is currently on hold. The party is supreme. “President Tinubu will enjoy it and we will elect him President.” He is enjoying the party’s dominance. In God’s time, if I still possess the necessary means and energy when President Tinubu leaves office in 2031, who says I can’t run for president? It’s feasible.
If the public thought he was deserving of a second chance, the lawmaker added that he would run for the Abia North senatorial district seat in 2027.
He declared, “I will seek reelection to the Senate in 2027. If I am deemed worthy by our people, I will run. In my six years as a senator, a man has completed more than 187 highways, while I have completed more than 123 elementary schools.
“I work closely with President Tinubu,” Kalu remarked in reference to his success over the past two years. The President has performed admirably in just two years. There will likely be significant improvements in the economy if we can provide him the advantages of completing a further two years and serving another term.
The senator from Abia stated that the party made the correct decision in pushing President Tinubu to do more and that his support for a second term is not as hurried as some have suggested.
We are in the midterm and we need to push the President to do more, therefore the party did the correct thing, he said. The incumbent president is entitled to run again, and we will fully support him.
The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives and Member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Hon. Philip Agbese, has delivered a scathing critique of the Benue State Governor over the worsening security crisis in the state. Speaking passionately on the tragic killings perpetrated by armed herders and the alleged indifference of the state government, Agbese admitted failure on the part of political leaders and demanded urgent action to save Benue people from further carnage.
Agbese did not mince words as he lamented the apparent helplessness of the Benue State government in addressing the persistent massacres, stating, “It is quite unfortunate, and from the look of things, there’s nothing so far to suggest that we are ready to tackle this problem.” He acknowledged the collective failure of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at both the state and federal levels, saying, “Our government has failed.”
According to Agbese, the governor’s ineptitude lies at the heart of Benue’s security woes. He described the governor as ill-prepared for leadership, comparing him to “someone who was just learning how to drive a Beetle car” but was handed “a Marcopolo luxury bus to drive.” This analogy underscored the lawmaker’s belief that the governor’s inexperience has transformed a complex security challenge into a full-blown catastrophe. Agbese accused the governor of dismantling existing safeguards, such as the anti-open grazing law, and instead pursuing actions that have worsened the plight of Benue’s citizens.
The federal lawmaker further alleged that political compromises during the election period contributed to the crisis. He claimed that groups who financed the governor’s campaign may have influenced his decision to relax laws that previously curtailed the activities of violent herders. “Some persons somewhere visited somebody, and a group of people mobilized resources and gave to somebody to contest election to become the governor of the state,” Agbese alleged. As a result, he argued, the governor abandoned the APC Party Manifesto and “relaxed the existing legislation that made it impossible for herders to graze all over the state and cause the kind of havoc we are experiencing today.”
At this point in the unfolding tragedy, it was clear that the impact of the crisis resonated far beyond Benue’s borders. Mr. Chibueze Udume, who followed the conversation narrative of Dr. Hon. Philip Agbese on TVC News Rundown, had tears in his eyes as he was writing this report for TheNigerian News. Deeply moved by the painful realities and the lawmaker’s heartfelt confession, Udume sympathized with the people of Benue, capturing not only the facts but also the human anguish behind the headlines.
The situation, Agbese lamented, has degenerated to the point where even international figures had to intervene before the governor acknowledged the killings. “It took the Pope, it took the United Nations Secretary General to tell us what is going on in Benue State before the governor owned up to the fact that yes, people are being killed,” he said. Agbese condemned the governor’s earlier attempts to downplay the violence as mere “communal clashes” or “skirmishes” and criticized his failure to show empathy towards the suffering citizens.
Agbese decried the lack of collaboration between the state and federal governments, blaming the governor’s false narratives for obstructing security interventions. He revealed that despite multiple warnings and calls for help from federal lawmakers, the governor “decorated the situation with languages that are quite unfounded” and fed misleading reports to the presidency. The lawmaker expressed concern that even as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prepares to visit Makurdi to sympathize with the people, efforts are being made to choreograph scripted statements to misrepresent the true state of affairs.
Over 500 lives have reportedly been lost in the wave of attacks by killer herdsmen, and Agbese warned that more lives could be at risk if the current leadership remains in denial. He said, “The man who is supposed to brief the President on the right steps has decided to tow the path of falsehood. I’m surprised at that because he’s from the same party. There’s a roadmap, but the man has abandoned the roadmap.”
In what appeared to be both a confession and a plea, Agbese called on his fellow leaders to acknowledge their failures before God, their constituents, and the nation. “We have failed our people. That is why the situation is there. And if we do not make this truthful confession, we—first, we must go before our creators to say, God, we have failed you. Two, we must admit before our people to say we have failed.”
Agbese called on the governor, as the chief security officer of the state and custodian of its resources, to take primary responsibility for the security collapse. “He should be the first to tell the Benue people that ‘I have failed,’” he emphasized, urging the governor to be honest about the limitations of his administration.
The lawmaker further proposed that the governor should humbly seek the intervention of the President, even if it means stepping aside temporarily to restore peace. Drawing a parallel with the situation in Rivers State, Agbese said, “If I were governor, I would humbly ask Mr. President to intervene directly, even if it means stepping aside temporarily for stability to return.”
He slammed the governor’s inconsistency in attributing the crisis to various sources — foreigners, herdsmen, politicians, and locals — describing it as a deliberate attempt to deflect responsibility and confuse the public. “These stories are just to cover up incompetence,” Agbese said, adding that such narratives have only deepened the confusion surrounding the security situation.
Despite the grim situation, Agbese commended President Tinubu for his proactive stance on Benue’s security, particularly his latest directive for security chiefs to act decisively. He expressed hope that the renewed commitment from the federal government would mark a turning point in the state’s fight against insecurity.
However, he stressed that real change will only come if the state government stops interfering with security operations and aligns itself with genuine solutions. “Let’s allow them [security agencies] to work without interference,” he pleaded.
In a final word of caution, Agbese reminded all political leaders in Benue of their sacred duty to protect lives. He rejected the notion of party loyalty being used to mask the truth or justify inaction. “Before I became a member of the APC, I was human. I will still be human after the party, after the office. I cannot, in the name of party loyalty, decorate the killing of my brothers and sisters in Benue State. This is not the time for party politics — it’s time to resolve this issue.”
Agbese’s speech has resonated with many in Benue who have grown weary of political platitudes amid ongoing bloodshed. His blunt admission of failure and direct challenge to the governor’s leadership may intensify calls for accountability and swift federal action.
As President Tinubu prepares to visit Benue, eyes are now on the state’s leaders to see if they will rise above politics and finally deliver the peace that has eluded the state for far too long.
On the Naval Base Lake Chad, troops from the Maritime Component of Operation Hadin Kai prevented suspected Boko Haram terrorists from attempting to infiltrate early on Wednesday.
The base is said to be in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, specifically at Fish Dam, Baga.
Zagazola Makama spoke with intelligence sources who said the insurgents began the attack at around 1:00 a.m.
In order to clear rivers in the Lake Chad area, the Borno State Government recently purchased swamp boggeys, which they targeted.
The naval personnel and the attackers engaged in a heated gunfight as a result of the attempted sabotage.
A nearby station in Baga quickly sent reinforcement troops to the spot.
“Minor damage was reported despite the base’s resistance to the attack. One of the sources disclosed that some troops were hurt during the conflict, and that an ambulance and two other vehicles were damaged.
The terrorists were forced to flee without obtaining access to the Swamp Boggeys, which were still intact, when the fighting, which apparently lasted more than two hours, ended.
To date, the Air Component Command (ACC) has conducted follow-up aircraft operations along the Lake Chad waterways to locate and eliminate the escaping insurgents.
More information is being gathered and will be released as events unfold, according to military officials.
Well-known media figure Ifedayo Olarinde, better known by his stage as Daddy Freeze, has claimed that he was threatened with murder years ago for his criticism of Nigerian pastors.
The co-host of The Honest Bunch, Daddy Freeze, clarified in a recent broadcast that his family members were also threatened with death.
He also said that his vocal condemnation of Nigerian pastors gave others the confidence to hold clerics across the country accountable.
“My pastor attempted to make amends with my ex-wife after my divorce, but I told him I wasn’t interested,” he claims. I was so prohibited from assisting at church functions and from occupying the front row. Jesus never chastised the woman who had been married five times and was living with a sixth man she wasn’t married to, which made me feel rejected. My religion is treating me like I committed murder, even though I just had one divorce. As a result, I quit attending church and began reading the Bible in its original languages. I began reading the scriptures more and more closely. Any Nigerian preacher would make sense to you, but you can’t perform that work for a year. It isn’t doable.
“I am the only one who has ever been persecuted by Nigerian pastors and their henchmen. They swore at me. My family members were given death threats against me. It’s been ten years. And the reason why people are standing up to the church now is because of the work I accomplished.
Nigeria is at a very risky moment in its history, according to Nigerian rapper Tobechukwu Melvin Ejiofor, better known by his stage name Illbliss.
The musician voiced concerns about growing insecurity, economic hardship, wanton corruption, and the government’s propaganda apparatus during an interview on a recent episode of the Real Shareholders podcast.
He described the removal of his politically conscious song “Country” from the radio due to its criticism of the administration.
He bemoaned the use of digital propaganda tools by the government to spread lies and stifle dissent.
“I had this record in 2020 called ‘Country,'” he continued. They removed it from the radio. I published other conscious songs like “A Different Kind Of War” and “National Cake” prior to “Country.” However, OAPs frequently claim that they are not allowed to perform such tunes due to the possibility of fines. Occasionally, when you release a record, you receive at least 100 tweets asking, “Why are you always trying to make a mockery of the country?” The nation is not as terrible as it seems. And you can tell that it’s a digital reaction to something, or maybe a manufactured pushback. Because I am aware that propaganda is no longer limited to traditional media. Just to claim that the government is doing well, propagandists can create a podcast. “But this government has created jobs,” you’ll see folks from our generation declare as they sit with their faces proudly displayed. You can tell.
Read Also: Billy Gillis-Harry: Dangote’s New Fuel Model Is Welcome, But Collaboration and Fair Regulation Are Key
“That’s our location. The period in our history where the government is matching our energy is really perilous. We assumed we had social media, but with everything that occurs on these platforms, you start to question whether the government has started to support theories of distraction or if it has become much more sophisticated. Look around us, I mean.
Billy Gillis-Harry, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), has weighed in on the Dangote Petroleum Refinery’s announcement to begin direct distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel nationwide. In an interview session, Gillis-Harry emphasized that while PETROAN welcomes Dangote’s initiative, its success will depend on stakeholder collaboration, transparent practices, and strict adherence to regulation.
Dangote’s plan, which includes free logistics using 4,000 new CNG-powered tankers and investments in daughter booster stations and over 100 CNG trucks, aims to streamline product delivery to marketers, manufacturers, telecom operators, aviation firms, and other large users. While the move has been described as disruptive, Gillis-Harry cautioned against blanket criticism of existing marketers.
“The assumption that marketers thrive on arbitrage or depot manipulation is misleading,” he said. “PETROAN members work hard to deliver products even to Nigeria’s most difficult terrains, tackling financing, logistics, security, and timing challenges daily. Accusations must be backed by verified data, not generalizations.”
Gillis-Harry reiterated PETROAN’s long-standing support for domestic refining. “We championed efforts to rehabilitate our refineries, visited facilities, asked tough technical questions, and encouraged completion of these national assets. Our position has always been patriotic.”
On logistics, he urged government intervention. “It’s unrealistic to expect Dangote alone to solve distribution challenges with trucks. The government should develop rail and waterway infrastructure to ease pressure on our roads. Dangote has done his part with massive investment; now, the government must complement this effort.”
Speaking on pricing, Gillis-Harry called for strict enforcement of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). “Current pricing models aren’t fully compliant with Section 207 of the PIA, and that’s part of why we see variations. PETROAN is committed to fair pricing that reflects true business costs, ensuring sustainability for operators and affordability for Nigerians.”
He concluded by calling for unity. “Dangote is not the regulator. It’s up to regulators to ensure fair play. PETROAN stands ready to work with all stakeholders to build a fuel distribution system that serves Nigerians today and into the future.”
According to well-known singer Ikechukwu Eric Ahiauzu, better known by his stage name Ric Hassani, the trend of gospel performers transitioning to secular music is driven more by fulfillment than by financial gain.
In an interview with Hip TV, Hassani reportedly stated that he started his musical career in the church but changed after realizing it wasn’t his calling.
“Many singers are made for the world,” he said, adding that many musicians who began their careers in the gospel genre move to the secular music industry because they lack the gift of ministration.
“Gospel is more than just singing,” he remarked. To be able to use music to interpret God’s words is a blessing. A Katty Perry, for instance, could never use music to convey God’s message the way CeCe Winans does. It seems to me that CeCe is fortunate to be able to use music to convey the Holy Spirit. Whitney Houston has a unique kind of blessing. Therefore, I disagree with the notion that everyone ought to attend church. For some of us, the world was meant to be. I have Christian tunes, too. I’m a devout Christian. There is at least one gospel song on each of my CDs. However, I’m not really meant for it. I intended to use a different genre of music to make a different kind of impact on the world. I will not approach it in the same manner as Mercy Chinwo or Frank Edwards. I wouldn’t fit in well if I started playing church music now. I’m not into it.
It’s not financial gain when people switch from gospel to secular music. Everyone wants money, including creatives and those who are fortunate enough to have it. However, being able to do it and living while doing it is the true fulfillment. Even the wealthiest people in the world, the Burnas and the Wizkids… Davido has all the money he could ever need, therefore if it was truly about money, he has no reason to do anything.
So, money isn’t the main factor. Money cannot buy the kind of satisfaction that comes from coming up with an idea, recording it, and making music. It surpasses the satisfaction that money can provide.
The announcement by Dangote Petroleum Refinery to commence distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel nationwide — with free logistics and a fleet of 4,000 new compressed natural gas-powered tankers — represents a bold, disruptive step in Nigeria’s downstream sector. Beyond these tankers, the refinery is also investing in daughter booster stations and over 100 CNG trucks to ensure seamless product delivery across the country. The offering includes credit facilities and direct supply to large users such as manufacturers, telecom operators, aviation firms, and other major consumers.
According to Kelvin Emmanuel, Energy Expert and Co-founder of Dairy Hills, this initiative challenges the traditional supply chain that has long enabled inefficiency in Nigeria. Emmanuel notes that marketers have historically profited from arbitrage, depot price manipulation, and questionable bridging claims — with over ₦100 billion currently outstanding from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). For decades, the fuel distribution system has allowed substandard products and inflated costs to frustrate efforts at achieving stable, fair pricing.
“While some see Dangote’s model as a threat to existing players, it is, in truth, a long-overdue correction,” says Emmanuel. He highlights that the government’s failure to make refineries functional — despite spending billions on turnaround maintenance over the past 25 years — left a vacuum. Now, Dangote’s private-sector solution promises to deliver fair pricing, guarantee nationwide availability, and help control inflation by tackling fuel price disparities that have long plagued the country.
While critics argue that this move could edge out traditional marketers, Emmanuel disagrees. In his view, it forces an industry reset — compelling marketers to deliver real value rather than rely on inefficiencies for profit. He emphasizes the need for the government to support multimodal transport systems — including rail and barges — to complement Dangote’s model, while regulators must ensure fair competition without stifling innovation.
Ultimately, as Emmanuel concludes, this is about providing Nigerians with the energy security they deserve — not about protecting failed systems or entrenched vested interests.
