The prestigious Face of Plateau Pageant has officially commenced registration for its 2026 edition, offering young talents across Plateau State an exciting opportunity to step into the spotlight and make an impact. Renowned for promoting beauty with purpose and positive influence, the pageant continues to stand as a platform that celebrates culture, confidence, and intelligence.
Aspiring contestants and partners are invited to join this year’s edition as organizers open the door for registration, participation, sponsorship, and inquiries.
Interested participants can easily register or request further details by contacting the provided WhatsApp line: 08115601779. The same line is open for partnerships, sponsorships, and general enquiries.
With past editions making waves for creativity, empowerment, and social impact, the 2026 Face of Plateau Pageant promises an even more exciting experience. Participants can look forward to mentorship opportunities, brand exposure, community engagement, and the platform to represent Plateau on a bigger stage.
For updates and insights leading up to the grand event, the public is encouraged to stay connected through the pageant’s social media channels at @Face of Plateau.
The political landscape in Rivers State took another turn on Thursday when members of the state’s House of Assembly began impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Oduh.
During plenary presided over by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader, Rivers State House of Assembly, Major Jack, read out the notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Fubara.
Twenty-six members of the Rivers State House of Assembly signed the notice which they alleged was against the Nigerian Constitution.
Amaewhule said the notice will be served to Fubara in the next seven days.
The Deputy Majority Leader of the RSHA, Linda Stewart, also read out the notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Oduh.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed claims that it unjustly denied the Labour Party access codes to upload candidates for the 2026 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday, 21 February 2026.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, INEC was reacting to a protest staged by some Labour Party supporters at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday, 5 January 2026. The protesters alleged that INEC excluded their party’s candidates from the election and demanded the immediate issuance of access codes.
INEC explained that the Labour Party has been embroiled in protracted internal leadership disputes since 2024, which were conclusively addressed by the Supreme Court in Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025 (Usman v. Labour Party) delivered on 4 April 2025. According to the Commission, the Supreme Court ruled that the tenure of the Barrister Julius Abure-led National Executive Committee had expired.
Despite the apex court’s decision, INEC stated that the Abure-led faction went ahead to conduct primaries for the August 16, 2025 bye-elections and the forthcoming FCT Area Council elections. This action, the Commission noted, was contrary to the subsisting legal position.
INEC further recalled that the Abure-led faction had earlier approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/1523/2025, challenging its exclusion from the 2025 bye-elections. The court, in its judgment delivered on 15 August 2025, dismissed the suit and upheld INEC’s position, reaffirming that Barr. Julius Abure was no longer recognised as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.
Following that judgment, the Labour Party instituted multiple suits in different courts seeking orders to compel INEC to issue access codes for the upload of its candidates for the FCT Area Council elections. These include cases at the Nasarawa State High Court, the Federal High Court Abuja, and the FCT High Court, Jabi Division, with some of the matters still pending.
INEC also disclosed that in a separate suit, No. CV/4930/2025, the FCT High Court sitting in Life Camp granted an interim ex parte order on 16 December 2025 directing the Commission to upload the names of Labour Party candidates. However, the court expressly stated that the order would lapse after seven days unless extended. INEC said the order expired on 23 December 2025 and was not renewed, leaving no subsisting court order compelling the Commission to act.
The Commission emphasized that the matter remains sub judice and assured the public that it will continue to respect the judicial process while awaiting the final determination of all pending cases.
INEC reiterated its commitment to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and its regulations and guidelines, stressing that political parties must adhere to democratic principles and the rule of law in the conduct of their internal affairs.
The statement was signed by Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, Director of Voter Education and Publicity, on 7 January 2026.
Technology is shaping the future of work, business, and innovation—and you don’t need to be a programmer to be part of it. In line with our commitment to digital inclusion, we are excited to announce a One-Week Free Digital Literacy & Tech Career Class under our Digital Inclusion Project, designed to help individuals understand technology and confidently choose a suitable tech career path.
Theme:Tech Is More Than Coding Duration: 5 Days (One Week) Fee: FREE Mode: Hybrid (Physical & Online) Time: 10:00 AM daily Venue: Innovation Lab, Plateau State Polytechnic (ICT), Jos Campus
This initiative is open to students, graduates, job seekers, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about technology. No prior coding or technical experience is required—just a willingness to learn and explore the opportunities technology offers.
Throughout the program, participants will gain a clear understanding of various tech career options, build the confidence to choose a suitable tech path, and receive a simple learning roadmap to guide their journey. In addition, attendees will gain access to a supportive tech community and mentorship, helping them take practical steps toward a sustainable tech career.
Interested participants are encouraged to register using the link below and share the opportunity within their networks to help us reach more beneficiaries.
The Nigerian Army has announced the commencement of applications for the Direct Short Service Commission (DSSC) Course 29/2026, inviting eligible Nigerians to apply for commission as officers.
According to the announcement, the DSSC is open to both civilians and serving military personnel who meet the required qualifications. Successful applicants will be commissioned into the following corps of the Nigerian Army: the Nigerian Army Engineers, Nigerian Army Signals, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, and the Nigerian Army Education Corps.
The application process is free of charge and will be conducted online. Interested candidates are advised to submit their applications between 7 January and 4 February 2026 through the official Nigerian Army recruitment portal.
For further information or assistance, applicants can contact 08179269294 or 08109959294 between 8:00am and 6:00pm daily, or visit recruitment.army.mil.ng for full details and guidelines.
The Nigerian Army urged prospective applicants to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements before applying and to beware of fraudulent individuals demanding payment, as the application process is entirely free.
Troops of the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army and Operation Enduring Peace have rescued a retired senior military officer, Colonel Ajanaku (rtd), from kidnappers around the Rafiki axis located in Bassa local government area of Plateau.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 3rd Division, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, confirmed the rescue of the retired senior military officer.
He said ” I can confirm that the senior officer was rescued by our troops in the early hours of the evening. He’s currently taken to our medical facility for a medical check-up, “ Colonel Danja said.
Sources in Bassa narrated that the military officer was abducted by gunmen from his residence in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. They explained that the rescued retired officer was kidnapped at about 12:45 a.m. on Monday from his house located opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road.
The sources said troops from relevant sectors promptly responded to the incident and trailed the kidnappers along their escape route through the Wildlife Park, while search and rescue operations were intensified around caves and rocky high grounds suspected to be criminal hideouts.
However, security forces were said to have switched to covert operations, leading to the successful rescue of Col. Ajanaku at about 6 p.m. on the same day at the outskirts of the Rafiki axis in Bassa LGA.
Our correspondent reports that the abductors had, before the rescue operation, contacted the victim’s wife and demanded a ransom of N200 million, while threatening to kill the retired officer if rescue efforts were not halted.
There was widespread jubilation in Garkawa and Keoneom districts as the Executive Chairman of Mikang Local Government Council, Hon. Dr. Benard Soepding Alkali, FCA, continued his administration’s drive for inclusive and people-oriented governance with the successful installation of 150 solar-powered streetlights in each district.
The intervention, implemented under the chairman’s flagship “Light Up Mikang” initiative, reflects his deliberate policy of equitable development and balanced distribution of critical infrastructure across all districts of the local government area.
The project is targeted at improving community security, supporting night-time economic activities, and enhancing the overall outlook of the districts.
Residents and community leaders across both districts commended the chairman for what they described as responsive and visionary leadership, noting that the project demonstrates a practical commitment to grassroots inclusion and sustainable development.
The solar streetlight installation aligns with the chairman’s broader administrative agenda focused on strengthening infrastructure, promoting public safety, and improving the quality of life for residents of Mikang Local Government Area.
It will be recalled that the administration had earlier installed 150 solar streetlights at the council headquarters in Tunkus, bringing the total number of streetlights delivered so far under Dr. Benard’s leadership to 450, further reinforcing his resolve to illuminate Mikang and deepen the dividends of good governance at the grassroots.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has resumed the nationwide continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise, marking the start of the second phase of the process.
The resumption which took effect today, follows the conclusion of the first phase of the CVR that formally ended on December 10, 2025.
INEC had launched the online pre-registration for the exercise on August 18, 2025, before commencing in-person registration at designated centres nationwide on August 25, 2025.
In a statement in December, the commission disclosed that 9,891,801 Nigerians initiated online pre-registration during the first phase of the exercise.
Of this figure, INEC said 2,572,054 registrations were fully completed nationwide as of November 28, 2025, consisting of 1,503,832 online completions and 1,068,222 physical registrations.
The commission said the interval between the two phases was used to carry out statutory activities required by law, including the display of the register of voters for claims and objections.
“In accordance with Section 19 of the Electoral Act 2022, the display of the register of voters for claims and objections was held from December 15 to 21, 2025, at local government area offices where the CVR exercise was conducted,” INEC said.
The electoral body urged eligible Nigerians to take advantage of the resumption to register, transfer their voting locations, or update their personal details.
INEC also called on eligible voters who registered during the first phase of the exercise to continue to verify their information, report errors, and raise objections to the inclusion of ineligible or deceased persons on the voters’ register.
The commission, however, noted that CVR activities remain suspended in Anambra state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) due to ongoing electoral activities in both locations.
According to INEC, new dates for the resumption of voter registration in Anambra and the FCT will be announced in due course.
Former National Assembly member, Hon. Dachung Musa Bagos, has formally withdrawn his membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a letter dated December 2, 2025, addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman of Vwang Ward in Jos South Local Government Area, Bagos stated that his resignation takes immediate effect.
The former lawmaker, who represented the Jos South–Jos East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2019 until November 2023, said his decision was reached after careful consideration and wide-ranging consultations.
Bagos expressed appreciation to the PDP leadership and members at the ward, local government, state, and national levels for their support and cooperation during his time in the party. He acknowledged that his association with the PDP significantly contributed to his development in public service and political life.
“I am deeply grateful to the party leadership and members for the goodwill and support I enjoyed throughout my stay in the party,” he noted, adding that he holds the PDP and its leadership in high regard.
He wished the party success in its commitment to democracy and good governance and thanked it for the opportunity to serve. Bagos concluded by requesting that the letter be accepted as his official notice of resignation.
As at the time of this report, he has not revealed his next political step or indicated whether he intends to join another political party.
The Executive Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after completing his online registration and receiving his official membership card.
Governor Mutfwang was presented with APC membership card number APC 311101000001 on Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Victoria Gowon Hall, Government House, Rayfield. Expressing gratitude to God, the Governor described his decision to join the APC as divinely guided and taken in the overall interest of Plateau State.
Addressing a jubilant gathering of party supporters, Governor Mutfwang said the move followed intense prayers, wide consultations, and full compliance with the party’s constitutional requirements. He affirmed that he had embraced the APC as a platform to promote peace, unity, and sustainable development across the state.
The Governor paid tribute to his supporters and political associates who stood by him during the arduous journey to his emergence in 2023, describing that election as one of the most challenging in Plateau’s history, marked by stiff political rivalry and prolonged legal battles up to the Supreme Court. He stressed that his victory was possible only by God’s intervention.
While appreciating his former colleagues in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Mutfwang emphasized that his defection was not borne out of hostility but a broader consultation aimed at advancing Plateau’s collective progress.
He called on political actors across party lines to unite for peaceful and credible elections in 2027 and expressed confidence that Plateau State would give massive support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He also reaffirmed his loyalty to the President, acknowledging ongoing efforts to address security and economic challenges nationwide.
Governor Mutfwang pledged to work closely with the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, party stakeholders, and the people of Plateau State to accelerate development. He described the APC as now a “Plateau people’s party,” stressing that the state’s progress must rise above partisan and individual interests.
“We have been divided for too long. The time has come to replace bitterness with peace, hatred with love, and division with unity, so that Plateau may truly be great,” the Governor said.
Presenting the membership card, Plateau APC Chairman, Hon. Rufus Bature, confirmed that Governor Mutfwang met all requirements and now enjoys full rights and privileges as a bona fide party member. This was corroborated by the APC Chairman of Ampang West Ward, Hon. Pius Shehu Dakop, and the Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Ladan Garkawa, who confirmed his resignation from the PDP and registration at ward and local government levels.
The event drew several dignitaries, including the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro; former Governors Chief Joshua Dariye and Senator Simon Lalong; Senator Diket Plang; members of the National Assembly; and thousands of enthusiastic APC supporters.
Senator Simon Lalong described the Governor’s defection as being in Plateau’s best interest and formally declared him leader of the APC in the state. Former Governor Joshua Dariye welcomed the move as a “dream fulfilled,” while the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Daniel Naanlong, called it a historic moment for the state.
Following the ceremony, Governor Mutfwang held a strategic meeting with APC state executives, elders, and stakeholders at the party secretariat and later hosted party leaders to a unity luncheon at the Government House, Rayfield, reaffirming his commitment to peace, inclusiveness, and development.
