By Akeem Omobolanle Covenant

Nigeria is once again confronted with a painful moment of national grief following the tragic crash of a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, on Monday, October 5, 2026.

The aircraft, an ATR-42 with tail number NGR 931, was on a routine mission from Benin City to Lagos when communication with air traffic controllers was lost at about 9:13 a.m. The wreckage was later located near the Naval Base in Igbokoda. Preliminary information from the Federal Ministry of Aviation indicated that 25 passengers and seven crew members were on board.

The tragedy has left the Nigerian Armed Forces and the entire nation mourning. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared three days of national mourning, with national flags to be flown at half-mast in honour of the fallen personnel. A thorough investigation has also been ordered to determine the cause of the crash and prevent a recurrence.

A Painful Loss to the Nigerian Military

This is more than an aircraft accident. It is a significant loss to the Nigerian military and to the families whose loved ones served the nation.

Our military personnel make tremendous sacrifices every day. They leave their homes, families and loved ones to protect the territorial integrity, peace and security of Nigeria. The loss of these men and women is therefore a loss to the entire nation.

Beyond the immediate human tragedy, such an incident can affect the morale of the Armed Forces, operational capacity, institutional confidence and the families of serving personnel. The ATR-42 aircraft involved was configured for maritime patrol and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance duties, making its loss significant to Nigeria’s security operations as well.

Our hearts therefore go out to the Nigerian Air Force, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the families and loved ones of the deceased, and every Nigerian affected by this tragedy.

May we never take the sacrifices of our military personnel for granted.

What Government Must Do

While the cause of the crash remains subject to investigation, this tragedy should compel government and the military authorities to take every necessary step to strengthen aviation safety.

Government should:

1. Conduct a transparent and thorough investigation into the accident and make appropriate findings public.

2. Carry out comprehensive safety and technical inspections of military aircraft, particularly aircraft that have been in service for extended periods.

3. Strengthen preventive maintenance and aircraft servicing, ensuring that maintenance schedules are strictly followed and adequately funded.

4. Invest continuously in modern aviation technology, including flight-monitoring systems, communication equipment, navigation systems and emergency-location technology.

5. Strengthen the training and welfare of military aviation personnel, including pilots, engineers, technicians and other crew members.

6. Improve emergency search-and-rescue capabilities so that when an aviation accident occurs, response teams can reach the location as quickly as possible.

7. Learn from every aviation incident. Investigations should not merely establish what went wrong; they should produce practical reforms that prevent another tragedy.

The lives lost cannot be brought back, but lessons from this tragedy can help save lives in the future.

Prayer for our dear country Nigeria

At this difficult moment, we must not allow fear, sorrow or uncertainty to overcome our hope.

We pray that Almighty God will comfort every bereaved family, strengthen the Nigerian Air Force and grant wisdom to all those responsible for the investigation and protection of our nation.

The Bible says:

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.” Isaiah 54:17

We pray that every evil plan against Nigeria shall be frustrated, and that God will expose and destroy every scheme of the enemy against the peace, security and progress of our nation.

As Scripture declares:

“The LORD is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3

May God preserve our soldiers, airmen and airwomen, policemen and women, and all those who put their lives on the line for Nigeria.

May He protect our skies, our land and our waters.

May He strengthen the families who have lost their loved ones and grant them the grace to endure this painful season.

May the Lord heal Nigeria, protect our nation from further tragedy, and give our leaders wisdom to make decisions that preserve the lives of those entrusted with our national security.

To every Nigerian, this is a time to mourn, but it is also a time to pray, unite and remain resilient.

Let us reject unnecessary speculation, misinformation and fear. Let us respect the families of the fallen and allow the relevant authorities to conduct their investigations.

Let us continue to pray for our nation.

May the souls of all those who lost their lives in this tragic incident rest in perfect peace.

May God comfort their families.

May God strengthen the Nigerian Military.

May God protect Nigeria from evil and preserve our nation.

May peace reign in Nigeria.

And may God continue to bless and protect the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Amen.

By Bridget Tikyaa

Political party membership registration is a key step to ensuring a vibrant democracy, because it is the key to having one’s voice heard in shaping party’s direction, participation in primaries and selection of candidates who’ll represent one’s interests, and an opportunity to influence policies and ideology, participate actively in party activities, meetings, and even leadership. A card carrying member of a political party often get access to party funding, training, and other resources, an opportunity to click with like-minded people and potential allies, contribute to shaping the party’s stance on key issues, and build a political career.

For young people, party membership can be a game-changer, because it will connect them with experienced politicians and professionals who can guide them, get involved in youth wings, campaigns, and other party activities and invariably build connections and experience that can lead to roles in government, politics, or public service. It is also a fundamental route to community engagement, understanding issues, and making a difference and name, thus building a political structure and asset.

Since the commencement of the nationwide e-registration of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), millions have registered in less than a week of the exercise.

In Benue State, the state Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia led the line up of millions of old and new supporters of the APC in obtaining his membership card.

At the flag-off of the e-registration on Monday, January 12, 2026, the governor said it is a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening the party’s structure and demonstrating its numerical strength.

The flag-off ceremony took place at the RCM Primary School, Ihugh, the headquarters of Mbadede Council Ward in Vandeikya Local Government Area, where the governor urged all APC members to return to their wards and register, noting that the process was simple, fast, and would take only a few minutes.

To ensure that no party supporter is left out, Governor Alia has directed party officials and elected local officials across the 23 local government areas of the state to mobilize party members to participate in the exercise. The Local Government Areas with the highest number of registered APC members are taking home a surprise package.

The has a clear message to all party supporters. “In 2023, you demonstrated to the entire world that Benue is APC. You demonstrated through the ballots that you love me and Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We have both remained faithful to the promises set out in our policy blueprints. I therefore urge you to come out and use this opportunity to once again demonstrate that you are ready to vote for consolidation. My administration will give priority attention to the most registered areas because this is an APC administration.”

He therefore tasked all council chairmen and party chairmen at the Local Governments in the state to give the registration agents all the needed support and to mobilize the people to participate in the exercise.

For APC Benue’s number 001, “This is the beginning of another level of progression of the All Progressives Congress. It is something that has not happened with any political party in Nigeria.” It is an apt bragging right. Because the e-registration would help the party accurately determine its strength at the ward, local government, and state levels.

Unlike the 2023 voter registration, the APC e-registration is designed to clearly showcase party membership, seriousness, and direction. That’s why the party leadership took time to train the registration personnel before deploying them across the state. “I want the whole Nigeria and the world to know that when we say Benue State is APC, we are ready to demonstrate it by action, backed by facts and reality on the ground.”

The Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, Berger Alfred Emberga, described the flag off as a critical step towards deepening internal democracy within the APC, stressing that a robust, accurate, and verifiable membership database would strengthen governance, enhance party cohesion, and boost grassroots mobilisation.
‎
‎“This e-registration exercise is fundamental to the future of our party. I urge my colleagues in the Benue State House of Assembly, party leaders, and members across the state to participate actively and mobilise their constituents to ensure a successful and credible exercise,” Hon. Emberga said.
‎
‎While urging the people of Benue State to remain steadfast in their support for the Alia administration, the Honourable Speaker also encouraged APC members and supporters to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). He stressed that widespread PVC ownership is essential to enable party members to vote for Governor Alia and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
‎
‎Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the APC e-registration, Hon. James Ornguga, alongside the State Chairman of the party, Chief Dr. Ben Omale emphasised the importance of accurate data capturing. They noted that the exercise would reposition the party for improved organisation, accountability, and electoral success.
‎
‎They applauded Governor Alia for funding and supporting the e-registration exercise, describing the gesture as a clear demonstration of the governor’s commitment to building a strong, inclusive, and data-driven party structure.
‎
‎Orgunga particularly called on local government chairmen, party executives, Stakeholders and political gladiators to give full support to registration agents and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure the smooth and hitch-free conduct of the exercise across all wards of the state.‎

The State Coordinator of the APC e-Registration, who is also the State Organizing Secretary of the party, explained that the registration process is straightforward, requiring only voters card and a National Identity Card.
‎
Omale, on the other hand, has nothing but commendation for President Bola Tinubu and the National Chairman of the party for the initiative. He thanked Governor Alia for sponsoring the exercise in the state, urging all APC faithful in Benue to embrace the e-registration, so as to formally confirm their membership.

Already, the e-registration has gathered momentum, recording huge turnout which necessitates the training of additional registration agents. The quick intervention in the 276 wards will address the early challenges linked to manpower and logistics, speed up the ongoing e-registration exercise, and avoid delays that could discourage interested members. The additional agents are to support those already deployed, ensuring wider coverage and smoother registration for prospective members.

The APC State Caretaker Chairman, Chief Benjamin Omale, said the electronic registration is critical to building a credible and verifiable membership register that reflects the true strength of the party while the e-registration coordinator, Hon. James Ornguga, said the supplementary training is a booster session designed to equip the new agents with the technical skills required to handle the digital platform and take the registration exercise closer to the grassroots.

“Our aim is to make the process inclusive and efficient. With more agents at the ward level, people will be able to register without unnecessary delays,” he said.

Bridget Tikyaa is the PSA Media Publicity and Communications Strategy

By Oyekunle Olalekan

That fragile moment when the body relaxes before the journey ends. When the mind moves ahead of the plane, stepping already into tomorrow. Below them, the land unfolded – wet, familiar, waiting. Port Harcourt breathed under the rain, unaware of how many stories were descending toward it.

They were aboard Sosoliso Airline Flight 1145, traveling from Abuja, descending toward Port Harcourt.
A routine journey. A trusted path.

Among them were students. Young voices carrying laughter from Abuja back to the places that shaped them. Schoolbags tucked beneath seats, futures folded carefully inside. The cabin filled with normal sounds. Seatbelts fastened. A familiar announcement.

But they were not alone.

There were parents too, travelling with quiet endurance. Strangers bound together briefly by chance and shared air. Lives intersecting for only a few hours, never knowing how closely their fates had aligned. Each seat held a history. Each name carried someone else’s heart.

The cabin was filled with normalcy. Seatbelts clicked. The familiar announcement was made. Almost there. No one prepares for loss while preparing to land.

Rain followed them in silence. It fell steadily, blurring sky and earth, erasing certainty. The city below dimmed, and in that narrowing space between cloud and ground, time faltered. What happened next came without permission, without mercy.

And then… impact.
And then… absence.

What remained was not only twisted metal, but waiting. Phones that rang into nothing. Families pacing airport floors long after arrival time had passed. Names repeated until they lost their shape.

They were students.
They were parents.
They were individuals whose lives did not deserve to end as headlines.

Twenty years have passed. Twenty years of birthdays uncelebrated. Of classrooms that never felt quite full again. Of parents who learned how to live with a silence that does not heal. Time moved forward, as it always does, but grief did not dissolve; it only changed shape.

A nation mourned not just what was lost, but what was unfinished, the futures that never unfolded, the questions that lingered about responsibility, about safety, about whether this loss could have been prevented.

Grief does not discriminate. It visits the young and the old alike. It settles into uniforms never worn again, into meals cooked for those who will never return.

They were almost home. That is what makes the loss unbearable. Not the distance, but the nearness. Not the journey, but the promise of arrival.

This is more than the story of a crash that happened twenty years ago. It is a reminder that every passenger matters, that safety is a responsibility, not a suggestion, that memory must outlive negligence.

They were almost home.

And now, two decades later, they live in remembrance.

RIP to the 107 lives lost that day.
Gone from sight, but never from memory.