President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after facing backlash for not visiting Benue State following the recent killings that claimed over 150 lives in Yelewata, has announced he will visit the state on Wednesday, June 18, to address the escalating violence.

The emergency visit will cause him to postpone his previously scheduled trip to Kaduna State until Thursday, June 19th.

Tinubu stated that the visit aims to assess the situation firsthand and engage with various stakeholders, including traditional rulers, political and religious leaders, community leaders, and youth groups, to find lasting solutions to the crisis.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, speaking with the community leaders in Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area of the state, commiserated with the people and Governor Hyacinth while condemning the killings, which he described as an act of terrorism.

The IGP reassured the people of Benue that the Nigerian Police Force is committed to restoring peace and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has said that the recent wave of violent attacks in the state is being carried out by armed herders who enter the state without cattle.

Hyacinth also highlighted the genesis of the crisis while speaking with Charles Anyagolu on Arise Prime Time on Monday, stating that the state is being attacked by both herders and terrorists.

Tension flared in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Monday morning after the killings as angry youths drove out a herd of cattle reportedly owned by, Dickson Tarkighir, a member of the House of Representatives for Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency.

A viral video allegedly showing security operatives escorting cattle through the city has sparked widespread outrage amid growing insecurity in the state.

The Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on Youth and Media Mobilisation, Atu Joseph, has suspended his Chief of Staff, and Chief Press Secretary, for participating in protests against the ongoing killings in the state.

In a letter addressed to them, Atu Joseph alleged that they undermined his authority and breached the trust of their positions.

The attack caused an explosion that was heard on air, forcing the news presenter to evacuate and filling the studio with dust and debris.

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called on Nigerians in the diaspora to increase their commitment to national development.

The First Lady made the appeal during a visit from Dr. Philip Ozuah, the President and CEO of Montefiore Medicine in the United States.

Dr. Ozuah visited Nigeria to spearhead a transformative mission to improve and impact lives through his foundation, the Dr. Philip O. Ozuah Foundation, which focuses on education with scholarships for all, food security through a distribution program that has delivered over N1 billion naira in food aid, and healthcare, recently donating $50,000 to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Specialist Hospital in Anambra State.

In 2022, Dr. Ozuah donated $1 million to his alma mater, the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, to build a new hostel.

Despite being the CEO of an $8 billion health system that serves over 8 million patients in the United States, Dr. Ozuah has maintained a successful relationship with the people of his hometown.

Renowned highlife music legend Bright Chimezie, has recently signed a deal with global music giant Sony Music Publishing!

Bright Chimezie, known as the Zigi Master for his creation of the unique Zigima Sound, an infectious rhythm that gained prominence in the 1980s.

Sony Music stated that the deal aims to bring Chimezie’s music to new audiences while preserving and celebrating his artistic legacy.

The collaboration comes weeks after the music legend met with Afrobeats superstar Davido in Lagos.

Davido hosted Chimezie as a gesture of appreciation, having sampled the singer’s 2010 song ‘Because of English’ in his hit song “With You,” featuring Omah Lay.

Davido released the visuals of the song on YouTube on June 16th. Bright Chimezie made a guest appearance in the music video, replicating his famous dance moves flanked by Davido and Omah Lay.

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