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MLA Foundation Honours Israel Yabkwa, Ernest Shalom with Transformational Leaders Awards

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By Eric Elezuo

The Mathias Luka Agbu (MLA) Foundation, formerly known as the Luka Agbu Memorial Foundation, has honoured two budding youths with the prestigious Transformational Leadership Award, as a demonstration of its commitment to youth empowerment and leadership development.

The honours were bestowed on the deserving duo during the recently held MLA Transformational Leaders Award 2024; a prestigious recognition of individuals making significant impact in Peace, Education, Youth Empowerment, and Community Development in Taraba State.

Founded in 2008 by Mathias Luka Agbu, the foundation was originally named after his father, Rev. Luka D. Agbu, whose legacy of selfless service continues to inspire generations. Over time, the mission expanded beyond providing educational support to orphans, evolving into a broader initiative that fosters leadership, career growth, and community transformation.

In 2023, the foundation rebranded as MLA Foundation to reflect Mathias’s personal journey and his enduring vision to shape the leaders of tomorrow.

The MLA Transformational Leaders Award was created to recognize outstanding changemakers, both established and emerging, who are driving meaningful progress in their communities. This year’s winners, selected from a pool of exceptional nominees, embody the foundation’s values of leadership, impact, and sustainability.

ERNEST SHALOM

The MLA Transformational Leadership Award was presented to Ernest Shalom, a dedicated youth mentor and social entrepreneur. Over the past six years, Ernest has transformed lives through initiatives such as:

The Motivation Desk (2020): A mentorship partnership with Taraba Business School, impacting over 150 young people.

Youth Making Impact House Meetings: A weekly gathering in Jalingo, where experienced leaders provide career guidance to youths.

Ignite Bootcamp: A youth development programme promoting nation-building and networking opportunities.

Secondary School Outreaches: Academic mentorship and inspirational talks for students across Taraba State.

Agape 360 Humanitarian Project: A social impact initiative supporting orphanages and vulnerable children.Through Youth Making Impact (YMI), Ernest Shalom has demonstrated unwavering dedication to leadership and community development, making him a deserving recipient of the MLA Transformational Leadership Award 2024.

ISRAEL YABKWA

The Emerging Leadership Award was given to Israel Yabkwa, a graduate of Information and Communication Engineering from Covenant University, a young innovator and education advocate whose work is revolutionizing learning.

At just 21 years old, Israel founded Doubleyou Concept Limited, an edtech company pioneering gamified learning through the Doubleyou Quiz App, which has impacted thousands of students.

His contributions to education and youth empowerment also include:

The Technologia Program: A training initiative equipping over 70 youths with digital skills.

Books for Impact: His book, Unmask, which was foreworded by Chief Dele Momodu, and From Isolation to Greatness, have been distributed free to school libraries, inspiring students.

Taraba State Quiz Competition: A major academic contest attracting 500+ participants, gaining national media attention.

Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with MTN Nigeria, Covenant University, and the American University of Nigeria, expanding his impact.

On receiving the award, Israel delivered a powerful speech, emphasizing that “true leadership is about replication, ensuring that impact does not end with one individual but is passed on, refined, and expanded in others.”

Beyond Recognition: The Impact of the MLA Award

The MLA Transformational Leaders Award goes beyond recognizing achievers, it empowers them. With a ₦250,000 grant, awardees can scale their projects and sustain their impact. The initiative also serves as a platform to highlight unsung heroes, inspiring others to engage in nation-building and community service.

According to Mathias Luka Agbu, the Founder of MLA Foundation, the award is a call to action for all:

“True leadership is not about titles or positions but about impact—the ability to inspire, uplift, and create opportunities for others. As we celebrate these leaders, let us all be reminded that change is a collective effort.”

The 2025 edition of the awards is already in the pipeline, with MLA Foundation planning to introduce new mentorship programmes like the Future Leaders Programme (August 2025), Value-Driven Leaders Seminar (Quarterly), and the Emerging Leaders Conference (December 2025).

Through its unwavering commitment to leadership development, the MLA Foundation continues to shape the future of Taraba State and Nigeria at large, one leader at a time.

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Police Probe Four Officers Accused of ‘Misconduct’ in Lagos

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The Nigeria Police Force has launched an investigation into alleged misconduct by officers from the Satellite Town Division, Lagos State, after a viral social media video.

The Force Media Officer, CSP Aliyu Giwa, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

The complainant, Rhapstar, posted the video on X on April 4, alleging incivility by officers on surveillance duty.

In the clip, police officers stopped a vehicle, ordered occupants out, and searched one individual away from the roadside-parked vehicle.

The incident triggered widespread reaction, amid concerns over alleged harassment during a roadside stop-and-search operation.

Speaking on the incident on Saturday, Giwa said the Divisional Police Officer and implicated officers were summoned, adding that an investigation into the incident was ongoing.

Giwa wrote on X: “When (Rhapstar) posted the viral video on 4 April 2026, alleging misconduct by officers from the Satellite Town Division, Lagos, we took the matter seriously and acted immediately.

“The DPO and the officers involved were summoned, statements were obtained, and detailed interviews were conducted.

“Preliminary findings indicate the incident occurred in May 2025. We are working to obtain additional details directly from the victims, as their accounts are central to the investigation.

“This process is not a cover-up; it is a demonstration of accountability.

“The leadership of the Force management team has emphasised that the rule of law is non-negotiable in the discharge of police duties nationwide. No officer is above accountability, and no incident is too old to investigate. The investigation is ongoing. We will provide regular updates.

“To every Nigerian who spoke up, your voice prompted accountability, as it should be.”

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Turaki Faction Kicks As Police Unseal PDP Secretariat

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The Tanimu Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Nigeria Police Force of acting in contempt of court following the unsealing of its National Secretariat in Abuja, describing the development as a partisan move that undermines the rule of law.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, said the police facilitated the takeover of the Wadata Plaza headquarters by individuals he described as “agents of the federal government and APC apologists masquerading as PDP members,” despite a pending appeal on the matter.

The PDP maintained that the judgment by Justice Abdulmalik, which the police purportedly relied upon in unsealing the premises, is already under appeal.

According to the party, the police, being a party to the suit, had been duly served and were fully aware of the appellate process.

It argued that by proceeding to unseal the secretariat, the police had “tampered with the res”, (a legal terminology referring to the subject matter of litigation) thereby risking rendering the eventual judgment of the Court of Appeal nugatory.

“It is most shameful that those entrusted with protecting the law are those disobeying the law,” the statement read.

The party expressed disappointment that the police, under the leadership of the new Inspector General of Police, has continued what it described as a pattern of partisan conduct since the crisis began.

It alleged that officers of the force had consistently acted in support of a faction it labelled as “Wike-backed APC apologists,” thereby deepening internal tensions within the opposition party.

Despite its grievances, the PDP called on its members nationwide to remain calm and law-abiding, urging them to avoid actions that could lead to a breakdown of public order.

“As law-abiding citizens, we admonish our members to continue to maintain peace and not undertake any activity capable of breaching public peace,” the statement added, while pledging to pursue all legal avenues to defend the rights of what it termed “genuine members” of the party.

The party also assured the public that it remained optimistic that the situation would be resolved in favour of democratic principles, warning against what it described as a “state-sponsored persecution and one-party drive.”

Invoking a note of hope, the PDP said the current challenges would ultimately give way to “joy and liberation,” expressing confidence in the restoration of what it called true democratic experience in the country.

The unsealing of the PDP secretariat marks the latest twist in the protracted leadership and legal tussle within the party, which has continued to generate political tension and raise concerns about institutional neutrality in Nigeria’s democratic process.

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Why Tinubu Was Absent at Commissioning of Sanwo-Olu’s Projects in Lagos – Presidency

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The Presidency has come up with reasons behind President Bola Tinubu’s absent at the commissioning of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s projects in Lagos, on Wednesday.

Tinubu was noticeably absent at the scheduled project commissioning in Lagos, sparking public curiosity.

However, Sunday Dare, his Special Adviser on Public Communications and Orientation, has clarified the reason behind the last-minute development.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Dare revealed that the President had to prioritise urgent national security matters over the event.
According to him, although Tinubu is currently in Lagos, he has been deeply engaged in high-level State duties, particularly ongoing security briefings tied to recent developments across the country.

“The president has been busy taking constant briefs and has to prioritise when it comes to state matters, especially security,” Dare stated.

He referenced rising security concerns, including recent unrest linked to incidents in Jos, noting that the President has been closely monitoring the situation and working directly with intelligence agencies.

Dare emphasised that Tinubu remains fully engaged behind the scenes, actively coordinating with security operatives and receiving continuous updates to address emerging threats.

The absence, he stressed, should not be seen as neglect of official duties but rather a reflection of the President’s focus on safeguarding national stability at a critical time.

Tinubu skipped the Lagos commissioning not out of disregard, but to handle pressing security issues demanding immediate presidential attention.

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