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The Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) and the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO) have signed a peace accord ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The historic signing took place at the National Christian Centre on Friday in Abuja during the 2026 National Christian Youth Security Summit and Thanksgiving Service, held under the theme: “Empowered for Leadership, Service and Nation Building.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the peace accord aimed at fostering religious tolerance, rejecting political violence, and promoting peaceful coexistence ahead of the 2027 elections.

The three-day summit, brought together security officials, government representatives, Church leaders, and youth delegates from across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), five CAN blocs, and six geopolitical zones.

Delivering his welcome address, the National Chairman of YOWICAN, Ven. Evang. Ademola Arowolo, described the peace accord as a “covenant of hope and a declaration of unity” designed to curb electoral violence and interfaith friction from the national level down to the grassroots.

”Today marks a defining moment in the history of youth engagement, faith-based leadership, national security advocacy, and interfaith collaboration in Nigeria.

“This Peace Accord represents more than a document. It is a covenant of hope, a declaration of unity, and a collective commitment by Christian and Muslim youths to work together in promoting peace, justice, dialogue, tolerance, and national development.”

Addressing newsmen during an interview, Arowolo emphasised the sanctity of human life and urged young people to resist political thuggery and vote-buying as the country prepares for the next electoral cycle.

”The key objective of today’s gathering is for the Christian youth of this country to sit down and see that security is very important, because every life whether of a Muslim, a Christian, or any other faith is sacred.

“God Himself does not divide us; it is human beings that divide us in their own mindsets.

“An idle man is the devil’s workshop, but as elections approach, if somebody meets you for any violence, tell them your children should not come. We cannot destroy our own land,” he said.

Corroborating the commitment, the National President of NACOMYO, Sani Sulaiman-Maigoro, stressed that interfaith solidarity remained the most viable tool to defeat security threats and political manipulation.

”First and foremost is for us to accept the reality that we are first Nigerians, and Nigeria is our country. Together we live and prosper, and when we are divided, we all suffer.

“When we work together, we are able to defeat the negative narrative and those few people who choose to be evil and divide us along religious, ethnic, or sectional lines.

“Nigerian Muslim youths are here in solidarity with Christian youths to say we are together towards securing and making Nigeria a better place for all,” he said.

Representing President Bola Tinubu, and First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop Stephen Adegbite, cautioned young people against allowing politicians to use them as instruments of destruction.

”We are meeting at a very crucial time in the history of our great nation a period when we are moving towards another election

“It should be a period that none of you will be used as a sacrificial lamb. We don’t want any politician to use you and waste your life.

“The Muslim and the Christian in Nigeria must work together; we are brothers and sisters, and it is only when you have peace that you can talk of progress.”

The President of CAN, Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, urged Christian youths to rise as nation-builders and moral exemplars.

Okoh, represented by Rev. Simon Dolly-KIF, the Secretary-General of Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly (NOCRELA), urged youths to rise beyond the limitations of yesterday.

“The time has come for Nigerian Christian youths to rise beyond the limitations of yesterday and embrace the responsibility of building the Nigeria we desire to see tomorrow.

“Let no Christian youth become an instrument of violence, hatred, manipulation, or destruction.

“We must refuse to be recruited into anything that destroys the lives and future of our fellow Nigerians. Nigeria is bigger than our ethnicity, denomination, and political differences.”

Highlighting the security perspective, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), noted that peace was essential for youth productivity.

Muse, represented by Mr Musa Likita, Special Adviser on Security and Intelligence to the Minister of Defence, recognised the important role of the youth in national development under a whole-of-society approach.

“The youth are full of energy, creativity, and innovation, so they will thrive better when the environment is peaceful.

“Youths are implored to hold values where they will not allow themselves to be exploited by extremist forces or criminal elements.”

(NAN)

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By Gloria Ikibah

Member representing Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo State, in the House of Representatives, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has expanded his electricity intervention programme to seven communities with the installation of 500KVA transformers and other power infrastructure.

The latest phase of the Operation Light Up Ideato initiative covers Ogwume, Dikenafai and Akpulu, where transformers, electricity cables and other essential components are being installed to improve power supply.

The intervention cuts across Ideato North and Ideato South, with the latest installations building on earlier projects in Umuopia, Obodoukwu, Abukwa and Umukegwu.

The completion of the transformer installation in Akpulu, alongside ongoing work in Ogwume and Dikenafai, brings the number of communities reached by the initiative to seven.

According to the lawmaker, “the expansion underscored his “commitment to addressing critical infrastructure needs at the grassroots and ensuring that communities that have long experienced inadequate electricity infrastructure are not left behind.

“Unlike a one-off intervention, Operation Light Up Ideato is being implemented as a continuing community focused programme, with more transformers expected to be supplied and installed in additional communities identified as being in need.”

The programme is aimed at improving electricity infrastructure in communities that have faced inadequate power supply, while supporting economic and social activities at the grassroots.

Speaking on the continued expansion of the initiative, Ugochinyere, who is also Chairman, House Committee on Downstream Petroleum,  reaffirmed his determination to ensure that every community in Ideato requiring electricity infrastructure is eventually covered.

He stressed that the objective was to progressively close the gap in power availability across the federal constituency.

The latest intervention adds to ongoing constituency projects by the lawmaker aimed at addressing basic infrastructure needs across Ideato North and South.

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government has rejected claims that Nigeria or the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) backed the recent failed coup attempt in Niger Republic, describing the reports circulating on social media as false and mischievous.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Sola Enikanolaiye, said Nigeria “did not and will never support any military coup or unconstitutional change of government”, insisting that the country remained committed to democracy and constitutional order.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Enikanolaiye said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had taken note of social media claims suggesting that the failed coup attempt in Niger had the backing of ECOWAS and, by implication, Nigeria.

He said, “The Federal Government of Nigeria categorically rejects these claims as baseless, irresponsible, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and tarnish Nigeria’s image.”

According to the minister, Nigeria remained a peace-loving country and a strong defender of constitutional government in West Africa, the Sahel and across Africa.

“Nigeria will never support illegality or unconstitutional change of government anywhere, no matter who is involved or which country is concerned,” he said.

Enikanolaiye referred to the Ministry’s Press Statement No: MFA/PR/2026/220 of August 30, 2026, saying Nigeria had already made its position on the situation in Niger clear.

He said the Federal Government had expressed deep concern over developments in Niger and called for “a peaceful, inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order” in the neighbouring country.

“Nigeria views with deep concern any unconstitutional change of government,” the minister said.

He stressed that Nigeria’s position was also informed by its close historical, fraternal and cultural ties with Niger.

Enikanolaiye added that the use of force to resolve political disagreements was inconsistent with Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.

“As a sisterly neighbour bound by close historical, fraternal and cultural ties, Nigeria desires only peace, security, democracy and development for Niger, the sub-region and the Sahel.

“As was stated in the Press Statement under reference, any resort to force to settle political differences is contrary to this objective and to Nigeria’s long-standing foreign policy”, he said.

While reaffirming Nigeria’s membership of ECOWAS, the minister dismissed suggestions that the country supported the military takeover.

He urged Nigerians at home and abroad to ignore videos and narratives circulating online

“While Nigeria is a proud and committed member of ECOWAS, it is unfair, mischievous and entirely false to suggest that Nigeria endorses or condones the military coup.

which, he said, were intended to create division.
“We urge the Nigerian public, both at home and abroad, to disregard the videos and narratives being circulated online by individuals seeking to sow discord”, he stated.

The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and the African Union’s position against unconstitutional changes of government.

“Nigeria remains firmly committed to the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and to the African Union’s zero tolerance for unconstitutional changes of government”, Enikanolaiye stressed.

He said Nigeria will continue to work with ECOWAS, the African Union and the international community to defend democratic governance, uphold the rule of law and promote peace and stability in the region.