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Dariye report recommends community protection and IDP recovery reforms for Plateau State
via Punch Nigeria10 min read
Former Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, submitted a two-volume peace and security report to Governor Caleb Mutfwang, proposing recommendations for protecting vulnerable communities, recovering displaced persons, and implementing institutional reforms to end violence in the state. This report follows a surge in deadly attacks on rural communities in Plateau during the first half of 2026, which resulted in numerous deaths, thousands displaced, and destroyed farmlands. Governor Mutfwang had previously led a delegation to President Bola Tinubu in April to seek federal intervention. President Tinubu then directed the state to "reignite and reinvigorate the search for lasting peace," leading to the formation of the strategic committee headed by Dariye. The committee's report emphasizes that the peace and security challenges in Plateau State are multifaceted and cannot be attributed to a single factor. It also noted that previous peace initiatives were hindered by inadequate institutional support and inconsistent follow-up. Key recommendations include a comprehensive stabilization and recovery framework that goes beyond military responses to encompass community protection, support for internally displaced persons, reconstruction, livelihood restoration, trauma healing, youth empowerment, women's participation, interfaith collaboration, traditional conflict mediation, and education. Governor Mutfwang described the report as a strategic roadmap for addressing the state's secu
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Mrs. Angela Emuwa, Chairman of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, and Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC, were among 10 women honored at the third Extraordinary Women Advancing Healthcare EWAH Awards in Lagos. Mrs. Emuwa received recognition for her contributions to healthcare development, innovation, and community impact, particularly in deepening access to healthcare in Nigeria. Other awardees included Njide Ndili, President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria; Viviane Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch; and Dr. Amina Mohammed-Baloni, former Kaduna State Commissioner for Health. The EWAH Awards, which originated from the Commonwealth Institute, aim to acknowledge the impact of women in the health sector, provide visibility for their work, and encourage their efforts to strengthen healthcare systems and bridge the gender gap in healthcare leadership. Mrs. Emuwa stated that the award affirmed PUNCH's commitment to advancing healthcare in Nigeria through investigative journalism, focusing on areas such as maternal and child health, immunization, and public health awareness. She emphasized PUNCH's role in influencing policies and holding institutions accountable. Clare Omatseye, Chairman of the Board of Directors, EWAH Award Nigeria, highlighted that the awards seek to inspire transformation and meaningful contributions. Dr. Bisi Bright, Regional Representative for EWAH Awards Africa,
Must ReadOutstanding consumer credit in Nigeria decreased by N780bn in February 2026, reaching N3.03tn from N3.81tn in January. This decline, detailed in the Central Bank of Nigeria's CBN February 2026 Economic Report, is attributed to high borrowing costs impacting household demand for loans, despite improving macroeconomic conditions. The reduction was observed in both personal and retail loans. In contrast, total credit to the broader economy expanded by 0.82 percent to N57.88tn, driven by growth in agriculture, industry, and services sectors. The services sector accounted for 56.78 percent of total credit. Monetary conditions showed signs of easing in February, with a relaxation of the policy rate and cooling inflation, though lending rates remained high. The banking system experienced stronger liquidity, increasing by 23.69 percent to N3.08tn, due to fiscal injections and maturing Nigerian Treasury Bills and Federal Government of Nigeria Bonds. The domestic economy strengthened, with business activity rising to 56.40 in February, indicating faster expansion across various sectors. Inflationary pressures continued to ease, with headline inflation slowing marginally to 15.06 percent in February. However, headline inflation rose to 15.69 percent in April 2026, and food inflation increased to 16.06 percent. The CBN's Monetary Policy Committee MPC retained the benchmark interest rate at 26.5 percent, citing external risks and inflationary pressure. CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso noted a
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