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Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making education the cornerstone of sustainable development, declaring that government will continue to invest in measures that guarantee a safe, secure and conducive learning environment capable of restoring the state’s reputation as a centre of academic excellence.

Governor Mutfwang made the declaration through the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Mrs. Kachollom Pyam Gang, while declaring open the 4th Man O’ War Nigeria National Camping Exercise in Jos.

The week-long programme, holding from August 9 to 15, 2026, at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Shere Hills, is themed “Strengthening Community-Based Safe School Framework for a Secure and Resilient Nigeria,” with the sub-theme “Building Safer Schools Through Partnership, Preparedness and Collective Responsibilities.”

Describing the initiative as timely and strategic, the governor disclosed that the Plateau State Government is set to train one thousand security personnel who will be deployed to school communities across the state to strengthen safety and enhance the protection of students, teachers and educational facilities.

He noted that the initiative forms part of the administration’s broader efforts to rebuild confidence in the education sector and create an atmosphere where learning can thrive without fear.

Governor Mutfwang stressed that quality education cannot flourish in an atmosphere of insecurity, adding that his administration remains determined to work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that every child in Plateau State has access to safe and inclusive learning spaces.

He commended Man O’ War Nigeria and the Safe School Initiative for championing practical solutions aimed at addressing security challenges confronting schools across the country.

Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator of the Safe School Initiative Nigeria, Hajia Halima Ibrahim, said the camping exercise was designed to strengthen the resilience of host communities in protecting schools from security threats.

She described Man O’ War Nigeria as a critical implementation partner whose nationwide presence and grassroots structure have positioned it to drive the objectives of the Safe School Initiative across the federation.

In his remarks, the National Commander of Man O’ War Nigeria, Adedamola Gbenga, explained that the exercise is a national capacity-building programme intended to equip coordinators from all the 774 Local Government Areas of the country with the knowledge, skills and practical strategies required to support the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative.

He expressed optimism that participants would return to their various communities better prepared to promote school safety, assuring parents and the public that the training would contribute significantly to creating more secure learning environments ahead of the new academic session.

Also speaking, the Plateau State Safe School Coordinator, Brigadier General G. Shipi (Rtd.), described the collaboration between government agencies and Man O’ War Nigeria as both timely and strategic.

He urged participants to effectively utilise the knowledge acquired during the training to strengthen community-based security structures and foster safer school environments across Nigeria.

The opening ceremony attracted a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including representatives of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services, the Chairman of Jos North Local Government Council, academics, traditional rulers and other partners committed to advancing school safety and improving educational security nationwide.

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As preparations intensify for the forthcoming Osun State Governorship Election, the Nigeria Police Force has urged members of the public to promptly report emergencies, security concerns and other election-related incidents through designated contact lines.

The public can reach the police through the following numbers:

📞 DIG Election: 08139235585
📞 CP Election: 08134277587
📞 Control Room: 08108756818

Members of the public who wish to report cases of police misconduct can contact the Complaint Response Unit on:

📞 08057000001
📞 08057000002
📞 08057000003

The police urged residents to remain vigilant, peaceful and law-abiding, stressing that timely reporting of incidents would help security agencies respond effectively and maintain a safe environment before, during and after the election.

Your voice matters. Report promptly. Stay peaceful. Help keep Osun safe.

Major Candidates in Osun Governorship Election

The 2026 Osun State Governorship Election is shaping up as a closely contested race, with 14 candidates on the ballot. However, the contest has largely centred on three major candidates — Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, and ADC candidate Najeem Salaam.

Ademola Adeleke — Accord Party

Ademola Adeleke is seeking re-election for a second term as governor of Osun State.

Adeleke, who won the 2022 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is now contesting under the Accord Party.

His campaign is anchored on his administration’s record in office, with the governor seeking to retain the state’s top political position for another four years.

Bola Oyebamiji — APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is represented by Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, a former Commissioner for Finance in Osun State and former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

Oyebamiji emerged as the APC candidate and is regarded as one of the strongest challengers to Adeleke.

The APC is banking on its political structure and support base across the state to return the party to power in Osun.

Najeem Salaam — ADC

Najeem Salaam, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is another prominent contender in the election.

Salaam is a former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and has considerable political experience in the state.

His candidacy has also attracted attention as the ADC seeks to strengthen its presence in Osun and across the country ahead of the wider political contests leading to the 2027 general elections.

The Three-Way Contest

With the election approaching, the race is increasingly being viewed as a three-way contest involving Adeleke, Oyebamiji and Salaam, although other candidates are also participating.

The election will therefore test the strength of the incumbent governor’s political machinery, the APC’s efforts to reclaim Osun and the ADC’s growing influence in the state’s political landscape.

With voters across the state expected to decide who will govern Osun for the next four years, security, voter turnout, electoral integrity and the ability of the candidates to mobilise supporters peacefully are expected to be critical factors in determining the outcome.

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The governorship candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) in the Osun State governorship election, Hon. Adebayo Simon Adewale, has withdrawn from the race and declared his support for the incumbent governor and Accord Party candidate, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.

Adewale announced his decision at a press conference on Thursday, August 13, saying he had reached the decision after deep reflection and extensive consultations with party leaders, supporters and other stakeholders.

He described his withdrawal as a “conscious choice to place the interest of Osun State above personal ambition,” urging members of the APM and his supporters across the state to vote for Adeleke in Saturday’s election.

According to him, the decision was motivated by his conviction that Adeleke deserves another term to consolidate the achievements of his administration.

“Having carefully assessed the situation, I believe Governor Ademola Adeleke deserves another term to consolidate the progress his administration has recorded,” Adewale said.

He added that his decision was not influenced by pressure or personal interest, but was based on what he described as the collective interest of Osun State.

Adewale said politics should ultimately be about serving the people, stressing that his decision was aimed at promoting peace, stability, development and the overall wellbeing of the state.

“Accordingly, I hereby declare my full support for the re-election of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, and I call on all my supporters, members of the Allied People’s Movement, and the good people of Osun State to join me in supporting his re-election,” he said.

The APM candidate also directed members of his party and his supporters to back Adeleke at the polls scheduled for Saturday.

He concluded by calling for unity and a focus on the future of Osun State, saying his decision was taken in the belief that it would best serve the people.

“Politics should always serve the people, and today, I have chosen the path that I believe will best advance peace, stability, development, and the collective interest of our state,” he added.

The development comes less than 48 hours before Osun State voters are expected to elect their next governor.