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7 Things To Know About New APC National Chairmab, Nentawe Yilwatda
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has emerged today as the national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was reported earlier that Nentawe was the leading choice for the position.
At the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting today, credible insiders revealed that Nentawe has been confirmed as the APC national chairman.
Here are seven things to know about the newly appointed APC national chairman:
1. Yilwatda became a minister after his political mentor and former Plateau governor, Senator Simon Lalong, resigned from the cabinet to return to the Senate following the Court of Appeal’s sacking of the PDP lawmaker earlier declared winner for Plateau South Senatorial District.
2. Before his ministerial appointment, Yilwatda was the APC governorship candidate in Plateau in the 2023 elections, losing to Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the PDP. A loyalist of Lalong, he defeated the former governor’s deputy, Sonni Gwanle Tyoden, and three others to clinch the APC ticket.
3. He also served as the state coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organisation during the 2023 elections.
4. Between July 2017 and December 2021, Yilwatda was the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Benue State—a role he resigned from to contest the APC governorship primary in 2022. Prior to that, he was ICT director at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, for 12 years.
5. Born on 8 August 1968 in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, Yilwatda hails from a family of religious persons—the late Rev and Mrs Toma Yilwatda. He earned a degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering in 1992 from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.
6. He later obtained a master’s degree from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and a PhD in Digital Systems Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
7. He is also a community development expert and lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, with over 29 years’ experience as a consultant for international development partners, and both the public and private sectors.
The Kano State Government has declared Tuesday, September 1, 2026, a work-free day for civil servants across the state to observe Takutaha, the annual religious and traditional procession.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf approved the announcement, which was formally addressed to senior government officials including commissioners, permanent secretaries, and heads of state agencies.
As reported by Daily Trust, the directive was published in Circular No. 7/2026, signed by Abba A. Danguguwa, Permanent Secretary of the Establishment Directorate in the Office of the Head of Civil Service.
Danguguwa issued the statement on behalf of the Head of Service. The circular noted that the holiday falls on the 19th of Rabi’ul Awwal, 1448AH.
What Is Takutaha?
Takutaha is a centuries-old celebration held on the 19th of Rabi’ul Awwal each year. It commemorates the seventh-day naming ceremony following the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and carries deep spiritual and cultural significance for residents of Kano.
Many make their way to Twin Dala and Goron Dutse hills, where they climb to share meals, feast, and enjoy religious performances while overlooking Kano
Kano government’s message to civil servants
In its declaration, the Kano State Government described Takutaha as an occasion of deep communal and spiritual importance. Officials urged civil servants to use the day for prayers and reflection, seeking divine blessings for peace and prosperity in Kano and Nigeria as a whole.
The government also confirmed that essential services will continue to operate normally throughout the holiday.
2 public holidays in August 2026
Recall that Nigeria has two public holidays scheduled for August 2026, covering both religious and cultural observances.
Isese Day falls on Thursday, August 20, and four Southwest states are set to observe it as a work-free day.
Eid ul-Mawlid comes up later in August, with its date depending on moon sighting and authorities’ confirmation.
Ibadan, Oyo state – Alhaji Abdul Waheed Akintola Olajide, who served as Secretary to the Oyo State Government during the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
He was reported to be either 74 or 80 years old, with different accounts giving conflicting figures.
As reported by The Guardian, Olajide’s family confirmed his death in a statement released on Wednesday, August 26, describing him as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and cousin. The family thanked God for his life and called on friends and the public to offer prayers and support as they grieve, according to PM News. He was buried in Ibadan on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in accordance with Islamic burial rites.
Olajide was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was widely regarded as a committed public servant within Oyo State political circles.
Waheed Olajide: Aare Musulumi Pays Tribute
The Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola De-Damak, confirmed Olajide’s sad passing and expressed deep sadness over the death.
Through a statement, the Aare Musulumi called Olajide a devout Muslim, a man of integrity and a dedicated public servant who served Oyo State with dignity and a strong sense of responsibility.
He described the loss as “painful” for the late SSG’s family, the Muslim community and Oyo State as a whole.
Olajide’s death: Media Personality Recalls Personal Bond
Faysol Oluwakemi, who is also a media personality, shared a personal tribute on his Facebook page, recalling the role Olajide played during his own political journey ahead of the 2027 Oyo State House of Assembly election. He wrote:
The news of the passing of Alhaji Waheed Olajide, former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, is deeply painful to me.
“Beyond the fact that we belonged to the same Progressives family and came from the same Ward 3 in Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1, Alhaji Waheed Olajide was a father figure, mentor and political elder to me.”
Oluwakemi recalled that Olajide counselled him during campaign consultations and encouraged him even after he lost his party ticket. He quoted one of the late SSG’s pieces of advice:
“You have all the qualities to represent our constituency. I pray you get the ticket. But promise me that whenever you get the ticket, you will represent Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1 with dignity, transparency and inclusion.”
He closed his tribute with the words: “Rest well, Baba SSG. Your words will continue to guide me.”
The Federal Government has appointed a Professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Emmanuel Olukemi Rotimi, as a member of the Policy Advisory Committee supporting the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill.
Daily Voice reports that Rotimi was selected because of his academic work on the history and development of policing in Nigeria, especially his research into the country’s former decentralised police systems.
According to Nigerian Tribune, the proposed National Policing Bill is being prepared to create a legal framework for the operation of both Federal and State Police Services.
The Presidential Working Group is chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The group has been given seven weeks to prepare a draft of the proposed legislation that can be implemented and submit it to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The Policy Advisory Committee is headed by retired Justice Mohammed Abdullahi Liman.
Its duties include providing policy guidance, giving instructions for the drafting process and reviewing the contents of the proposed Bill before it is finalised.
Rotimi is a professor in the Department of History at Obafemi Awolowo University and has spent many years studying Nigeria’s policing system.
His academic work has focused on how policing developed under colonial and post-colonial administrations and the challenges faced by earlier local police institutions.
His master’s research examined the Native Administration Police Forces in Western Nigeria between 1905 and 1951.
He later conducted doctoral research on Native Administration Police Forces across Nigeria from 1900 to 1970.
He also authored The Police in a Federal State: The Nigerian Experience, published in 2001. The book examined the origin, organization, and development of Native Authority and Local Government police forces before those institutions were eventually abolished
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