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Tiv community in America echoes rejection Middle Belt Forum (MBF), a socio-cultural and political organisation representing minority ethnic nationalities in Nigeria's central region, has rejected any form of compulsory land allocation for cattle ranching in the Middle Belt. The forum also urged the National Assembly members from affected states to summon the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, to explain the policy and its implications to communities in the region. In a statement issued on yesterday by its spokesman, Luka Binniyat, the MBF said it had studied the Federal Government's renewed cattle ranching policy and was opposed to the proposed allocation of land for ranching and what it described as the establishment of permanent settlements for pastoralists. The forum described the policy as a potential land acquisition scheme under the guise of livestock development and said it could generate tension if implemented without the consent of affected communities. It said Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna, Benue, Taraba and the Federal Capital Territory had experienced severe violence and displacement in recent years, arguing that communities in the region remained apprehensive about policies involving the allocation of large tracts of land for cattle ranching. The statement read: "The Middle Belt Forum (MBF), after carefully studying the Federal Government's renewed cattle ranching policy, unequivocally rejects the proposed allocation of Middle Belt lands for ranching and the disguised establishment of settlements for Fulani pastoralists." The forum questioned the rationale for selecting states in the Middle Belt for the pilot programme, while arguing that some northern states had large areas of sparsely populated land. It also expressed concern over changes to the proposed locations for the programme, noting that Kano State, which it said was initially listed among the six proposed locations announced in January 2026, had reportedly been replaced by Nasarawa State. SIMILARLY, the Mutual Union of Tiv in America (MUTA), have rejected the inclusion of Benue State among states that have been selected for the implementation of the National Ranching Policy of the Federal Government. The union said that its members took the decision at an emergency meeting of MUTA, where they resolved to oppose the inclusion of Benue in the pilot programme and also called on the state government, elected representatives, as well as other stakeholders to seek every legal and democratic means to stop the move. The group lamented that despite years of devastating attacks on Benue communities, loss of lives and displacements occasioned by armed herdsmen attacks, a significant number of Benue people who have been uprooted from their ancestral communities continue to live in Internally Displaced Persons' (IDP) camps, under extreme conditions.

In the wake of the insurance industry recapitalization, AXA Mansard has called on insurance journalists to go beyond reporting industry developments and take on a more deliberate role in interpreting and translating complex insurance issues into relatable insights that help Nigerians understand how such developments impact their lives. The call was made by the Head of Marketing, AXA Mansard, Olusesan Ogunyooye, during the inauguration of the newly elected executives of the National Association of Insurance and Pension Editors (NAIPE). Congratulating the new leadership of the association, Ogunyooye commended NAIPE and its members for their longstanding contribution to bridging the information and education gap between the insurance industry and the public through credible, insightful, and consistent reporting. He noted that the association has played a significant role in bringing important industry conversations to the forefront and helping stakeholders remain informed about key developments across the insurance sector. "On behalf of AXA Mansard, I congratulate the newly inaugurated executives of NAIPE and wish them a successful tenure. I must also commend the association and its members for the remarkable work you are doing in connecting our industry with the public and ensuring important information reaches Nigerians," he said. While acknowledging the progress made in industry reporting, Ogunyooye stressed that a significant education gap remains, creating an opportunity for operators and the media to deepen understanding of how insurance can improve lives and protect the wealth of the nation. According to him, the role of the media is becoming increasingly important as the insurance industry undergoes transformative reforms, particularly the ongoing recapitalization exercise. "While you have done an excellent job reporting developments within the insurance industry, there is still a need to bridge the education gap. The public does not only need information; they also need understanding. This is why we believe the media must continue to evolve from reporting industry news to interpreting and translating it in ways that are relatable to everyday Nigerians," he said. He explained that as conversations around recapitalization continue, the media has a unique opportunity to help consumers understand the direct benefits of a stronger and better-capitalized insurance industry. "Recapitalization is not just an industry story. It is a consumer story. Beyond the headlines, we look forward to how you will support our industry by helping Nigerians understand how a stronger insurance industry can enhance consumer confidence, improve insurers' capacity to settle claims, drive innovation, and ultimately provide better protection for individuals, families, and businesses. "The value of this recapitalization will also be in helping people connect industry developments with their daily realities. When people understand how policy reforms and capital strengthening initiatives affect them positively, they are more likely to engage with and trust our industry." Ogunyooye added that accurate interpretation and simplification of industry developments will be critical to improving insurance awareness, strengthening public trust, and driving broader adoption of insurance products across the country. He reaffirmed AXA Mansard's commitment to continue working closely with the media and other industry stakeholders to promote insurance education and support initiatives that enhance financial inclusion and protection for Nigerians. The inauguration ceremony brought together insurance industry leaders, regulators, media professionals, and other stakeholders to celebrate the emergence of NAIPE's new executive team and discuss the role of journalism in advancing the growth and development of the financial services sector.