TheNewsGuru

Tag: Benue State

  • Gov Alia denies “hunting” new deputy for 2027

    Gov Alia denies “hunting” new deputy for 2027

    Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has declared that there is no vacancy for the deputy governor’s seat in 2027.

    Alia disclosed this during the inauguration of 17 new commissioners at the Government House on Monday in Makurdi.

    He said the current Deputy Governor, Dr Sam Ode, has demonstrated all the commitment and capacity to function in that capacity till the end.

    He explained that his announcement was necessitated by recent media reports that he was searching for a new running mate come 20207.

    Alia said he never contemplated getting a new deputy, maintaining that the incumbent (Ode) was capable of doing the job.

    “There is no vacancy for any Deputy Governor in 2027. I have a Deputy Governor, who understands governance. Who is people oriented. He is always with the people and for the people. He is one who is very cerebral.

    “For anyone thinking otherwise I do not know. My Deputy is very capable. He has all the capacity it takes to perform his functions. He understands what is good for Benue and that is what he is doing exactly.

    “So if anybody who is eating and dreaming deputy, there is no vacancy. I love him, I enjoy working with him. I enjoy a personal relationship with him, so for a those wishing  the negativity, they won’t have their way,” he said

    The governor charged the new commissioners to be disciplined, accountable, transparent and loyal to the Constitution, State and the APC.

    He urged them to always be with their people and educate them on government policies and programmes.

    Alia admitted that the state could sometimes be complicated with issues of insecurity, adding that they (commissioners) must always remain loyal to the Constitution and State in all situations.

    “Maybe yesterday you were sting but by virtue of this inauguration you are no more. Eat in your houses with your gates and doors open to the people.

    “Share with your people. Work for the victory of the APC in 2027.You must be an administrator, disciplinary and a politician at the same time.

    “Be with your people. Your people must feel, see and touch you. If by chance there will be no money to support your people it is still not too late, you can resign,”he said.

    Alia announced that the commissioners would know their portfolios on Wednesday during their first Executive Council Meeting.

    Speaking on behalf of the commissioners, Mr Dennis Iyaghigba pledged their commitment and loyalty to the state and Constitution, adding that they will excel in all given assignments.

    The inaugurated commissioners are: Tiza Imojime, Dr  Ortese, Dr Frederick Ikyaan, Ugwu Odoh, Amande Kwaghgba, Aondowase Kunde, Michael Oglegba, Alumo Orpin and Dennis Iyaghigba.

    Others are: Ogwuche Ejeh, Prof. Yangien Ornguga, Peter Egbodo, James Dwem, Joseph Jir, Mrs Margaret Adamu, Mrs Theresa Ikwue and Benjamin Ashaver.

  • Benue Assembly screens, confirms 7 more commissioner nominees

    Benue Assembly screens, confirms 7 more commissioner nominees

    The Benue State House of Assembly on Tuesday screened seven more commissioner nominees for the state. The screening took place during plenary in Makurdi.

    The nominees were Mr Tiza Imojime, Mr Aondowase Kunde,
    Mr Ameh Odoh, Mr Kwaghgba Amande, Joseph Jir, Dr Yangien Ornguga and James Dwem.

    Recall that Ornguga and Dwem were screened on Wednesday but were not confirmed.

    Ruling, the Speaker, Mr Alfred Berger, put a question to his colleagues as to whether they should be confirmed or not, but they unanimously agreed that all of them should be confirmed.

  • Benue poly expels 2 students

    Benue poly expels 2 students

    Management of Federal Polytechnic, Wannune in Benue has expelled two students for alleged cult activities at the institution.

    Dr Tyover Ashinya, Rector of the institution, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Makurdi, said that the institution had no room for such social vices.

    Ashinya said cultism had gradually become the culture of most tertiary institutions in the country, explaining that as a new institution, the polytechnic would not condone any social vices within the school.

    “Cultism is gradually becoming a culture in most tertiary institutions in Nigeria today. Just yesterday (Monday) we expelled two students from the school over cult related activities.

    “On this faithful day, I was in the office and started hearing loud noises outside; I rushed outside only to see two students beating another student on campus just a few minutes after they came out of the examination hall.

    “Upon investigation, we discovered that they were members of a cult group and we expelled them,” he said.

    Ashinya further disclosed that the school, which was established in 2021, now had 24 departments and eight HND programmes.

    On the dismissal of Dr Doris Iorchi, the deputy rector, Ashinya explained that she failed to present relevant documents to support her placement on the rank of a chief lecturer and subsequent confirmation, adding that she was dismissed by the council for gross misconduct.

  • Gov Alia congratulates new Benue Assembly Speaker

    Gov Alia congratulates new Benue Assembly Speaker

    Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has congratulated the newly-elected Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Alfred Emberga, on his election.

    This is contained in a congratulatory message by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Tersoo Kula, on Monday in Makurdi.

    Emberga, representing Makurdi North State Constituency, was unanimously elected on Sunday as the new speaker by members of the assembly.

    Emberga’s election followed the resignation of the former Speaker, Mr Aondona Dajoh, on the same day.

    Alia commended the swift process that led to the emergence of the new speaker, adding that it showed the lawmakers’ commitment and ability to uphold democratic values.

    He expressed confidence that under Emberga’s leadership, the assembly would continue to enact laws and policies that would benefit the people of the state.

    The governor urged the legislature to maintain a strong and cordial relationship with the executive and judiciary arms.

    “It is only through collaboration and cooperation that the state can achieve sustainable development and deliver dividends of democracy that will reach every citizen,” he said.

    Alia also appreciated Dajoh for his contributions as the leader of the state legislature over the last two years.

    He assured the newly-elected speaker, and assembly members of his unwavering support and commitment for the overall good of Benue.

  • BREAKING: Benue Assembly elects new Speaker

    BREAKING: Benue Assembly elects new Speaker

    The Benue State House of Assembly has elected Mr Alfred Berger (APC/Makurdi North) as the new Speaker, following the resignation of Mr Hyacinth Dajoh.

    A motion to elect Berger was moved by Mr Douglas Akya (APC/Makurdi South) and it was seconded by Mr Abu Umoru (PDP/Apa).

    The Deputy Speaker, Mrs Lami Danladi, who presided over the emergency plenary, put it to vote and all members present accepted that Berger should be their new speaker.

    In his acceptance speech, Berger eulogised his predecessor, Mr Hyacinth Dajoh, for his contribution to law making in the state, and pledged to carry all members along.

    Dajoh announced his resignation on Sunday in what political observers described as controversial circumstances.

  • Benue bans graduation parties, non-transfer of textbooks

    Benue bans graduation parties, non-transfer of textbooks

    The Benue State Government has announced an immediate ban on kindergarten, nursery and basic school pupils’ graduation parties.

    The state government also placed an immediate ban on non-transferable textbooks in Benue schools.

    Mrs Helen Nambativ, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, made the announcement in a memo addressed to stakeholders, parents and guardians on Thursday in Makurdi.

    Nambativ said that decision would reduce financial burdens on parents and redirect attention to the academic development of children.

    The permanent secretary said that the policy would take effect from the first term of the 2025/26 academic session.

    “The unpopular use of restricted customised education materials such as text/exercise books in Benue schools, making them non-transferrable to subsequent learners, is hereby abolished.

    “All schools are by this notice directed to revert automatically to the traditional practice of senior students/pupils using and passing books down to pupils and students in lower classes.

    “Compulsory and extended lessons after regular school hours cease except where parental rights are sought and granted,” she said.

    Nambativ further announced a meeting on August 26th to engage school proprietors, parents, teachers’ association leaders and concerned education stakeholders on the new development.

  • Benue has highest number of human trafficking – NAPTIP

    Benue has highest number of human trafficking – NAPTIP

    Mrs Binta Bello, Director-General (D-G), National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has said that Benue currently has the highest number of human trafficking cases in Nigeria.

    Bello, who was represented by the Director of Intelligence, Mr Josiah Emerole, made the disclosure on Wednesday in Makurdi at the two-day workshop.

    The D-G said that Edo was topping the list in human trafficking, but recently Benue overtook them on the list.

    “Based on the number of rescued victims and arrested suspects, Benue indigenes are higher in number, both from the state and other states in Nigeria.

    “The insecurity has increased the vulnerability in the state where parents are killed, leaving their children scattered and sold out, while some are being taken to other states to work in quarries while the people that took them there collect the money.

    “We are trying to catch the children young and enlighten them about human trafficking so they can understand the red flag when being approached, which is why we have inaugurated these clubs in 10 schools out of the 50 earmarked for the STEAP project.

    “This workshop is also aimed at teaching the principals the basic tools to understand the dangers of human trafficking and inculcating that knowledge to the students in their various schools and communities,” she said.

    Principal Tilley Gyado of College Makurdi, Dr Emmanuel Zakaa, a participant at the workshop, thanked NAPTIP for such a wonderful initiative.

    Zakaa said the initiative helped his students to know the dangers of human trafficking in their various clubs.

    The principal further said the workshop is an eye-opener for principals in different schools to educate and guide the children not to always be fast in accepting help to get jobs from strangers or relatives.

    It was organised for principals and vanguards under the School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP) in collaboration with NAPTIP and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

  • Benue lawmakers not saboteurs – Speaker

    Benue lawmakers not saboteurs – Speaker

    The Speaker, Benue House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, has said that the lawmakers are not saboteurs but representatives of their people, who desire the success of the executive for the good of the state.

    Dajoh spoke in Makurdi at the inauguration of a new executive/appeal fund for an administrative office for the Association of Emcees (ABE), Benue Chapter.

    The legislators recently resolved not to honour executive arm’s correspondences until the assembly’s demands were met.

    The lawmakers said that the executive had “flagrantly refused to obey the Assembly’s resolutions”, hence declined the screening of the commissioner nominees.

    But the speaker, represented at the event by Mr Douglas Akya, representing Makurdi South State Constituency, said that their actions were always guided by responsible representation and meant for the good of the state.

    “Whatever decision the assembly takes is not that we are fighting the governor or the executive. What we are doing is to support the governor to succeed and leave lasting legacies.

    “All we do and say is to support him. We are not fighting; we are not saboteurs,” he said.

    The speaker lauded ABE for electing credible officials to lead the association.

    The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Cephas Dyako, who is the Minority Chief Whip of the Assembly, lauded the members of the association for coming under one umbrella to coordinate their activities.

    Dyako promised to support the association to achieve its targets.

    The Wife of the Speaker, Mrs Cynthia Dajoh, commended ABE members for their unity and professionalism.

    Dajoh promised to furnish the ABE secretariat, whenever it was ready for use.

    Chief Solomon Iorpev, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication, who was the guest speaker at the event, spoke on “Building a Successful Brand as an MC”.

    Iorpev listed some tips that make a successful master of ceremony and advised the ABE members to be properly guided by the best standard protocol rules.

    The Speaker of the new ABE executive, Mr  Terver Adom, commended Gov. Hyacinth Alia for gradually changing the narratives of Benue.

    Adom said that the state had witnessed an unprecedented development in the last two years that Alia mounted the saddle.

  • Unknown gunmen abduct serving corps member In Benue

    Unknown gunmen abduct serving corps member In Benue

    A serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Saadu Dauda has been kidnapped by unknown armed men along the Katsina-Ala-Takum road in Benue State.

    According to reports, the incident, which occurred over the weekend, involved a Toyota Carina which was carrying seven passengers when it ran into an armed roadblock mounted by the gunmen at Tsede Village, a boundary community between Katsina-Ala and Takum.

    The attackers reportedly robbed all the occupants in the vehicle with registration number KLD 108 AA travelling from Takum, Taraba State, to Katsina-Ala before whisking away Dauda, whose identity was later confirmed through his NYSC ID card found in his bag.

    Security operatives have begun a coordinated operation to track down the abductors and secure the release of the victim.

    However, the state command of the Nigeria Police Force has yet to release any official statement regarding the development of the time of filing this report.

  • Benue Assembly ‘declares war’ against Gov Alia over SUVs for members

    Benue Assembly ‘declares war’ against Gov Alia over SUVs for members

    The Benue State House of Assembly, presided over by its Speaker, Aondona Dajoh, seems to have drawn a battle line with the State Governor Hyacinth Alia.

    On Friday, the House resolved not to honour any correspondence from the executive arm and declined to screen the commissioner nominees by Governor Alia.

    The lawmakers during plenary in Makurdi said that the action would continue until the Governor complies with their demands and honour resolutions of the House.

    The decision followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the Deputy Minority Leader, Mr Shimapever Jiji (PDP/Logo).

    Recall the Governor had sent a list of eight commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly to be screened in line with the constitution.

    Jiji said the House would not honour or entertain any other correspondence from the executive arm of government unless it issued cars to seven members that had not been given cars since the inception of the Assembly over two years ago.

    The deputy majority stated that house members were by law entitled to cars as contained and stipulated in Order V1, rule 20, sub 2.

    He pointed out that seven of their dear colleagues had been denied official vehicles for over two years since the inauguration of the house.

    Jiji emphasised that the situation had caused untold hardship and operational inconveniences to his colleagues.

    According to him, the 10th assembly remained indivisible and united, stressing that an injury to one was an injury to all.

    He further said that the house was imbued with constitutional oversight powers over the executive arm and its operations in order to ensure checks and balances.

    The deputy majority said that the right oversight was unambiguously stated under Sections 128 and 129 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

    “The Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), demonstrated blatant and total disregard for the house’s authority, prompting a resolution for her immediate suspension for six months.

    “Also, the house resolved and recommended the suspension of certain office holders, including the Executive Secretary, Benue State Sports Lottery and Marketing Board, for alleged diversion and misappropriation of funds to enable the House to carry out its investigation.

    “Chairman, Otukpo Local Government Area, for alleged misappropriation, diversion of funds, and unlawful lock-up of the local government legislative chambers.

    “We are worried that despite these resolutions duly passed and transmitted, the governor has wilfully ignored, neglected, failed and/or refused to act on the same, signalling and amounting to contempt and ridicule to the house,” Jiji said.

    The motion was seconded by Mr Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West), stating that the three arms of government, the executive, judiciary and legislature, were independent but must maintain a symbiotic relationship.

    Dugeri said that since the inception of the assembly, they had not turned down any correspondence from the executive.

    He, however, said that the executive had turned down resolutions made by the house that were germane and for the good of the state.

    “We have not noticed this abnormality anywhere in the country except Benue. We need to interface with the executive to address the ugly trend,” Dugeri said.

    Ruling, the Speaker, Dajoh, said that the governor should immediately issue official vehicles to the affected members.

    Dajoh further said that the governor should give effect to the suspension notices issued to the

    aforementioned appointees and Chairman, Otukpo local government council.