Claims Against Yilwatda False, Misleading and Unfair — Plateau Youths for Positive Change
Says Nentawe’s empowerment programmes are visible for all to see, even to the blind, group insists
The Plateau Youths for Positive Change has described as false, misleading and politically motivated the claim by a group known as the Jos Youth Initiative Forum that no Plateau youth has benefited from the leadership and interventions of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.
In a statement signed by its Coordinator, Kwalnaan Tsenlong, and Secretary, George Dente Goje, the group said the allegations were a deliberate distortion of facts and an attempt to undermine the numerous empowerment programmes and development initiatives championed by Professor Yilwatda over the years.
According to the group, the impact of Yilwatda’s interventions across Plateau State is evident and well known, making it difficult to understand how anyone could claim that youths have not benefited from his leadership.
“The empowerment programmes facilitated by Professor Nentawe Yilwatda are visible for all to see, even to the blind.”
” Thousands of young people, women, farmers and entrepreneurs have benefited directly and indirectly from his interventions,” the statement said.
The group noted that one of the most significant interventions was the Renewed Hope Scale-Up Programme in Jos, where over 1,400 youths and entrepreneurs benefited from grants worth more than N280 million as well as various income-generating tools and equipment.
It stated that beneficiaries received tricycles, sewing machines, welding equipment, carpentry tools, catering kits, phone repair toolkits, POS machines and startup capital to establish and expand their businesses.
According to the statement, the initiative was designed to tackle unemployment, encourage entrepreneurship and equip young people with the resources needed to become self-reliant and economically productive.
The group further noted that women across the state have equally benefited from empowerment programmes targeted at market women, widows, single mothers and other vulnerable groups.
It recalled that hundreds of market women benefited from financial support initiatives aimed at strengthening small businesses, increasing household incomes and improving economic stability among families.
The statement added that many vulnerable women have also received humanitarian assistance and livelihood support through programmes facilitated by Professor Yilwatda and his associates.
The group also highlighted interventions in the agricultural sector, noting that farmers have benefited from tractors, improved seedlings, fertilizers, irrigation support and other inputs aimed at increasing food production and creating employment opportunities.
According to the group, these agricultural programmes have attracted many young people to farming and agribusiness, thereby contributing to economic growth and food security in Plateau State.
The Plateau Youths for Positive Change further commended Professor Yilwatda for his visionary leadership, humility and commitment to grassroots development, describing him as a leader who has consistently invested in people rather than rhetoric.
It stated that beyond material empowerment, Yilwatda has continued to mentor young professionals, support innovation and encourage youth participation in governance, leadership and nation-building.
The group maintained that leadership should be evaluated based on tangible results and measurable impact, not on politically motivated narratives designed to score cheap points.
It therefore urged members of the public to disregard the claims against the APC National Chairman, insisting that the record of his contributions to youth development, women empowerment, agriculture and entrepreneurship speaks for itself.
While acknowledging that more can still be done to address the needs of Plateau youths, the group insisted that it is inaccurate and unfair to claim that no Plateau youth has benefited from Professor Yilwatda’s leadership and interventions.
It called on political actors and stakeholders to focus on constructive engagement and support initiatives that promote unity, development and economic empowerment for the people of Plateau State.