Plateau Newspaper Owners Declare Solidarity With Yilwatda

Owners of community-based newspapers in Plateau State have declared support for the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, adding that he has transformed politics in Plateau State.

The group said the purported plan to protest against the APC national chairman by individuals was orchestrated by those “whose perceived successes are threatened.”

They added that such actions were counterproductive to the state’s collective development.

The newspaper owners commended the APC national chairman’s leadership style and contributions to governance, empowerment, and development on the Plateau and beyond.

The declaration was made during a press conference in Jos, led by the CEO of The Beacon Newspaper, Mr. Shabul Mazadu.

Mazadu said the media executives decided to publicly align with Yilwatda based on a conviction that his leadership has brought a new direction to Plateau politics, which, according to them, had been plagued by self-centeredness and division.

“As stakeholders, we can no longer remain onlookers. We have chosen to stand with Prof. Yilwatda for the sake of Plateau’s peace, unity, and progress,” Mazadu declared.

The executives noted Yilwatda’s growing reputation as a “Good Ambassador of Plateau” at the national level, noting that his loyalty, integrity, and visible impact have restored President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s confidence in Plateau politicians.

“Yilwatda’s political sagacity, ingenuity, charisma, and benevolence have projected Plateau in a positive light , something vital for our survival and relevance in national politics,” the statement read.

The group also listed several empowerment and humanitarian initiatives spearheaded by Yilwatda in less than a year in office as APC Chairman and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

They said so far over 50 million naira was donation to women traders affected by the Jos Master Plan demolition, with ₦20 million disbursed and ₦30 million used to start a cooperative society.

According to the group ₦100 million empowerment fund for youth in small, medium, and micro enterprises, with an online portal opened for applications, vocational and technical training for over 6,000 youths in automobile mechanics, renewable energy, and agriculture/greenhouse farming, each equipped with starter packs among others.

They further stated that the APC national chairman also initiated medical outreach across the three senatorial zones of Plateau State, providing free treatment for various ailments and saving lives of indigent patients.