Breaking News
Berom Young Warriors BYW, Warn Muslim Group Over Safety Of Rev Dachomo
A group under the banner of Berom Young Warriors, BYW, has issued a stern warning to the Muslim group United Plateau Muslims, UPM, stating that they will be held responsible if anything untoward happens to outspoken clergyman Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo.
UPM had, in a statement on Wednesday, accused Rev. Dachomo of inciting sentiments against Muslims and Fulanis in Plateau State, citing his insistence on an ongoing Christian genocide.
In the statement, jointly signed by the group’s coordinator, Alhaji Jafaar Abbas, and secretary general, Salisu Adamu, UPM claimed that Rev. Dachomo was advancing a narrative designed to demonise Muslims in the state, allegedly to attract grants from international donors and fuel Christian animosity towards Muslims.
“We have watched with keen interest but with restrained consternation the daily demonisation of Muslims, Hausas, and Fulanis by Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, the Barkin Ladi Regional Chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), and we wonder if he is the only pastor in Plateau State.
“Every other day, he comes up with different allegations of Muslims and Fulanis killing Christians in the state just to whip up unnecessary sentiments and hatred for Muslims and the Fulani people. Why he does this, we cannot tell.”
UPM further alleged that Rev. Dachomo deliberately attributes every act of violence in Plateau to Muslims and Fulani militias, while downplaying attacks carried out by Christian militias, particularly from the Berom ethnic group.
“We also want to let him know that we have also documented a series of killings of Muslims carried out by Christian militias across the state and will also present the evidence whenever he does so,” the statement added.
In response, BYW, in a statement on Thursday, accused the Muslim group of spreading falsehoods to justify potential attacks on unsuspecting communities in the state.
The statement, signed by BYW’s Director of Press, Peter Jang, claimed that UPM was executing a script designed by its sponsors to target the clergyman.
“We read with anger the statement by a faceless group which calls itself United Plateau Muslims, where they accused our father in the Lord, Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, of whipping up sentiments against Muslims and Fulanis over the killing of Christians in the state by their people,” BYW said.
“Everyone knows that 95 per cent of attacks in the state, especially in Berom communities, are carried out by Fulani militias, so to accuse our father of whipping up sentiments is taking our silence for granted.
“We know their antics, which are to come up with baseless allegations to set up a model of attack. But we want to tell them that our calmness over the years should not be mistaken for cowardice.
Breaking News
Ogun State Government Announces Pension, Gratuity Backlog Clearance Between 2012 and 2020
The Ogun State Government has announced the clearance of pension and gratuity arrears owed to workers who retired between 2012 and 2020, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of retirees.
The Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, disclosed this on Tuesday during a media parley organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Budget and Planning.
Okubadejo explained that the backlog was linked to the Defined Benefits Scheme, under which retirees receive monthly pension payments, stressing that the present administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has not defaulted on pension obligations since assuming office.
“Since the inception of this administration, we have not missed a single month of pension payment. What we inherited were arrears tied to the Defined Benefits Scheme,” he said.
According to him, annual pension payments rose from ₦6.7 billion in 2019 to ₦20 billion in 2025, with projections showing a possible increase to ₦40 billion by 2029.
He disclosed that the state had so far paid ₦23.3 billion in gratuities covering retirees from 2012 to 2020, alongside ₦32.8 billion in outstanding gratuities for local government retirees inherited by the administration.
Okubadejo added that between 2019 and July 2, 2025, the state disbursed ₦93.26 billion in pensions under the Defined Benefits Scheme and ₦94.78 billion to local government pensioners.
He assured that the remaining backlog would be cleared as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) continues to improve, noting that over 300 workers who retired in July 2025 are currently receiving six-month palliatives pending the completion of their pension documentation.
The commissioner also described the newly approved Additional Pension Benefits (APB) as the first of its kind in Nigeria, adding that amendments to the state’s pension law would be pursued to formally integrate the scheme.
On the state’s fiscal outlook, Okubadejo revealed that the 2026 budget increased from ₦1.054 trillion in 2025 to ₦1.668 trillion, while Ogun’s economy expanded from ₦3.5 trillion in 2019 to ₦18.96 trillion in 2026.
He added that IGR grew from ₦50 billion in 2019 to ₦240 billion in 2025, with projections of ₦512 billion this year.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the 2026 budget reflects strong fiscal reforms, noting an 85 per cent budget execution rate in 2024 and sustained financial stability.
Other commissioners highlighted sectoral achievements, including massive road construction, increased healthcare funding, rail extension plans, education support programmes, and expanded housing projects across the state.
African Democratic Congress, ADC, chieftain, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to focus on the country’s future and vote for a change in leadership.
Obi spoke at a meeting with Hausa/Fulani chiefs in Abuja on Wednesday.
“We have to talk about the future of our country. All of you know what is happening to our country today. That’s why we are campaigning that you vote out this government,” he said.
He described the situation in Nigeria as dire, citing insecurity, hunger and hardship.
“today we have insecurity across Nigeria. We have hunger across Nigeria. We are suffering across Nigeria. The only thing that is working in Nigeria today is bad news. Every morning you wake up is bad news,” Obi stated.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate said a new administration would prioritize social services.
“We’re urging you to vote for a change and bring a new Nigeria, where our children will be in school. Our hospitals will work,” he added.
Obi also questioned government spending priorities, particularly in the health sector.
“today, if you’re sick in Nigeria you’re praying to Almighty God because we’re now in a country where our president spends 360 billion to buy and refit his plane and spends 36 million in capital vote for the Ministry of Health. There’s nothing working,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to use their votes to usher in what he described as a “new Nigeria” focused on improving citizens’ welfare and restoring key public services.
-
Breaking News2 months agoBreaking News: Nigerian Air Force Reportedly Kills 750 Terrorists in Borno State
-
Breaking News3 months agoTerrorists Want ₦2m ‘levy’ in Katsina Community Despite Peaceful Agreement
-
Breaking News4 months agoEx-EFCC Exhibit Keeper Kaduna Zonal Directorate, Allegedly Steals ₦22m
-
News In Diaspora1 month agoNigerian JTF Arrests Woman Supplying Drugs to Boko Haram
-
Business3 weeks agoBREAKING: No Fewer Than 28 Ships to deliver Petrol, other Commodities at Lagos Ports
-
Breaking News3 weeks agoEmergency: Arik Air Flight Landed at Benin Airport
-
Breaking News5 months agoNiger Delta Group hails Tinubu, NUPRC for ₦373bn host community fund and 536 life-changing projects
-
Breaking News3 weeks agoNew Young Players are Coming in Super Eagles – Ibrahim Gusau to Fans