By Katdapba Yunana Gobum
You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great- Zig Ziglar
It is not for nothing that his parents gave him the name 'Nentawe'. Literally translated, it means: Who does God not like? Or simply put: Does God hate anyone?.
If you get the drift and the context, you may appreciate where Prof Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe is coming from.
If it is not taken in isolation, the recognition that God has bestowed upon him over the years is significant in more ways than one.
The trajectory of his academic and political rise are meteoric; more or less a confirmation of the grace that many have alluded to since he was made Benue State Resident Electoral Commissioner in 2017.
The ways of God are often not easily understood; for he lets his grace and favours speak continually in the lives of a person; taking ordinary men from obscurity to limelight.
From an attempt to become the Governor of Plateau State in 2023 to his appointment as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction; nine clear months ago, God's grace cannot be wished away in his life.
His acceptance of the appointment as National Chairman of the ruling party, APC cannot be contrived as personal ambition. It came at the expense of the directive of a higher authority.
Those who know better are quick to point certain politicians who have traversed the Nigerian political landscape to sell their candidature. That was not in the case of Prof Nentawe Yilwatda.
Nine months ago, he had settled down in the office of Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction as Minister. He had ran long before the new assignment "halted" the journey; however, for good though.
Who would have thought that the calculations were in the pipeline to work in his favour; and that catapulted him to become the party's National Chairman.
Pundits have said somethings about him after he was sworn in, and they are right: "He is young, suave, well-educated, and doesn't carry the usual political baggage".
Even more, he "comes with a blend of academic, bureaucratic, and political experience", in the new assignment. Truly, that is the case.
Just when everyone may have thought that he had settled down to managing disasters in Nigeria; on July 24, 2025, he got plugged out in order to take charge of running the affairs of All Progressives Congress.
Two days before the party's 14th National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe's name was hardly heard as a contender.
At that meeting, he was nominated by Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, and Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma and seconded by Dr Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
After a meeting held between the President and the APC governors, his fate was sealed and was presented to members of NEC as well as supporters of the APC.
The background of his wearing the new cap, came in the wake of the resignation of the erstwhile National Chairman, former Kano State Governor, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje on June 27, 2025.
It is indeed inspiring that his choice is in recognition of two things some people may never have thought of: His capacity and competence in driving the APC dream and bringing it to pass.
In his nine months being Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, he comes highly recommended; coming after Chief Solomon Daushep Lar from Plateau State had led the PDP is historical in context and is worth celebrating.
The confidence reposed in one of the sons of Plateau State is indeed a watershed which requires that it should not be taken for granted.
He has been quoted as saying about his appointment: "We are the mechanics, and the party is the vehicle. Together, we will fix it, drive it, and ensure we reach our desired destination. It’s a collective effort, and I believe this party will become the pride of the nation under our leadership.”
The 57 year old academic has had a distinguished career in Electronics and Computer Engineering at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi; where he became its pioneer Director of ICT.
From the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda was, in 2017, appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.
It is on record that while he was at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) he championed a number of reforms on the "Electoral Act, developed voting frameworks for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and People Living with Disabilities (PWDs), and deepened technology in Nigeria’s electoral system".
In November 2021, he resigned his appointment with INEC to pursue a political office as the gubernatorial candidate of Plateau State under the APC in the 2023 general elections.
There are three areas that would count in his favour: He has a massive followership in Plateau. He is an academic, whose field would play a critical role in this age of technology. And as a former Resident Electoral Commissioner, and by far; the fact that he is a Christian; could well pacify other faithful in the party.
The tasks ahead are without count: He will have to bring fresh air in the ranks of the party faithful as well as enable them have sufficient confidence in the affairs of the party; what with other opposition parties breathing on its nake to take power.
The support and goodwill that came on the trail of the new development, are enough to boost his resolve to accept the challenge. It is only proper for him to reciprocate by giving his best.
Even though his first visit to the state was reported to be a personal initiative, the prayers and thoughts of traditional rulers and the clergy are what he needs to travel on this journey.
