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Tag: Benue State

  • Benue lifts suspension on SUBEB recruitment

    Benue lifts suspension on SUBEB recruitment

    The Benue State House of Assembly has lifted the suspension placed on the recruitment exercise of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for the overall interest of the applicants.

    The suspension was lifted after the Ad-Hoc Committee Investigating Controversies Surrounding Recruitment of Primary School Teachers by the board concluded its assignment.

    Chairman of the committee, Mr Cephas Dyako (LP/Konshisha), stated that a law to provide for the compulsory free universal basic education and for purposes connected therewith in 2018, section 7, 1 (b).

    He said that the law allowed the board to recruit, appoint, promote, and discipline teaching and non-teaching staff on grade levels 07 and above.

    He said that a total number of 74,574 candidates applied for the recruitment, while a total number of 48,895 candidates sat for the Computer-Based Test (CBT), and a total number of 7,224 candidates were shortlisted for the oral interview.

    He said that the allocation of cutoff marks to each local government area was on the basis of performance, which was to avoid overdominance of some highly performed local governments over others in the recruitment exercise.

    He further said that based on the needs assessment carried out by the board, no local government got less than 200 candidates shortlisted for the oral interview so far except Makurdi and Ohimini local governments, who got 144 and 126, respectively.

    He added that a total of 2,476 were yet to be shortlisted due to the suspension of the recruitment exercise.

    He disclosed that candidates were not originally shortlisted on the basis of their local government of origin, therefore, not reflecting the state character.

    Mr Blessed Onah (PDP/Oju I) said that as a result of the investigation carried out by the committee, there would be equity in the recruitment exercise.

    The Speaker, Mr Hyacinth Dajo, said that the board should reassess the recruitment process and ensure compliance with extant laws based on fairness, equity, and justice to reflect state character.

    Dajo commended Gov. Hyacinth Alia for approving the recruitment of primary school teachers to bridge the existing gaps in public primary schools.

    He said that the board does ensure that applicants are shortlisted and employed strictly in their local governments of origin, taking note of the financial autonomy granted to local governments.

    He charged all government appointees to desist from actions that undermine the authority of the assembly.

  • Benue Assembly passes bill to rename State university

    Benue Assembly passes bill to rename State university

    The Benue State House of Assembly, presided over by its Speaker, Hyacinth Dajo, has passed the bill to rename the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, after Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu.

    The assembly during plenary on Tuesday also passed a bill for the establishment of the Benue State University of Agriculture, Science, and Technology, Ihugh, Vandeikya Local Government Area.

    The Speaker said that the bills underwent thorough legislative scrutiny and were therefore passed.

    The passage of the bills follows a debate led by a member of the House Standing Committee on Tertiary Education, Mr Douglas Akya, who stood in for the committee chairman, Mr Manger Manger (APC/Tarka).

    Akya said that the proposed law for renaming BSU after the second civilian governor of the state, who was also the founder of the institution, was timely and needed accelerated passage.

    He, therefore, urged the house to consider and pass it speedily.

    Relatedly, Akya appreciated the state executive council for initiating the bill for the establishment of a University of Agriculture, Science, and Technology, saying that the law was a welcome development.

    He explained that when established, it would create employment and provide vast knowledge to Nigerians, not only Benue indigenes.

    “As a professional university, it will help to complement the former University of Agriculture, Makurdi, which has become a conventional university with the name Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM).

    He again urged the house to give it the desired consideration and pass it.

    In his contribution, the Majority Leader, Mr Saater Tiseer, said that the bill to rename BSU after Adasu was to honour him and not to tamper with anything other than the name.

    Tiseer said that if that was done, the founder of the institution would be immortalised.

    The majority leader explained that the new university was to be named the University of Agriculture, Science, and Technology in order to make it peculiar, thereby receiving assistance that other conventional institutions do not have access to.

    He told his colleagues that Gov. Hyacinth Alia had secured a lot of partnerships already that were agriculture tailored.

    Meanwhile, Mr William Ortyom (PDP/Agasha) commended the committee for painstakingly preparing the bills for passage.

    Ortyom said that the only industry that flourished in Benue was education, emphasising that no government tertiary institution had been in a comatose state.

    He urged the governor to establish more of such so as to create employment and reduce unemployment as well as the dependency ratio.

    He, however, said that he was not comfortable with the name, stating that it was too long; it should be shortened to university of technology, and it could even cover courses in non-science-based disciplines.

    The clerk of the house, Mr John Hwande, read the two bills for the third time.

  • Benue govt seals Rep member’s park

    Benue govt seals Rep member’s park

    The Benue State Government has sealed City Bay Park, belonging to Rep. Asema Achado (APC/Gwer East/Gwer West), for non-payment of prescribed tax.

    Achado confirmed the sealing of the recreational park to newsmen during a press briefing on Thursday in Makurdi.

    The lawmaker said that the leisure park and event centre was sealed on December 23 by government officials.

    He said that tax was N20,000, but the centre was also charged N219,000 for tax default, adding that his microfinance bank, Benysta Microfinance Bank, was also sealed.

    Achado, however, that the management of the company immediately paid the initial N20,000 and the N219,000, as well as the N20,000 unsealing fee, to the Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) and obtained receipts.

    The Rep member told newsmen that the centre was unsealed after an hour only to be sealed back till date for unknown reasons.

    “On December 23, officials from BIRS and the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, alongside law enforcement agents, forcibly entered and sealed the premises of City Bay Park and Benysta Microfinance Bank.

    “They presented demand notices dated December 12 and 13, 2024, regarding business premises registration fees.

    “Despite City Bay Park’s status as a government property, which arguably exempts it from such fees, the management of the park swiftly paid N20,000 for registration and N219,000 as default charges to avoid conflict.

    “These payments were made on the 23rd of December, 2024, and receipts of these payments were duly issued by BIRS, which copies are available for reference.

    “Shockingly, after an additional N20,000 was demanded and paid to unseal City Bay Park, a more aggressive enforcement team arrived and resealed both premises,” he said.

    He said that the second operation was marked by excessive force and harassment, including the use of tear gas, which caused distress among customers, including children and the elderly.

    According to him, the arbitrary and heavy-handed sealing of the business premises by the state government is executed without authorisation from any competent court of law empowered to issue such an order.

    However, the Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) said the exercise was carried out by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.

    The spokesman of the service, Mr Jacob Suswam, said BIRS was only involved in the process as a revenue-collecting agency.

    “This question should be addressed to the appropriate ministry that carried out the exercise. BIRS only came into the picture as a collecting agency.

    “The demand notice was served by the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment; the assessment was conducted by the ministry, and the enforcement was carried out by the ministry too.” he said

    Efforts to speak with the ministry’s commissioner, Mr Alumo Orpin, proved abortive as he did not answer calls or reply to text messages.

  • BREAKING: Gov Alia declares 2-week holiday in Benue

    BREAKING: Gov Alia declares 2-week holiday in Benue

    Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has declared a two-week holiday for civil servants in the state to celebrate Christmas and New Year.

    Alia made the declaration on Tuesday in Makurdi in his Christmas message to Benue people. The governor said that the holiday commenced on December 24 and ends on January 6, 2025.

    He said the essence of the long holiday was to allow workers to enjoy the season with their loved ones. Alia enjoined them to use the period to engage in farming activities to boost food production and reduce poverty.

    “In the spirit of the Yuletide and in conjunction with the Benue Executive Council, I’m pleased to announce an elongated Christmas and New Year for the state workforce.

    “This decision underscores our commitment to supporting the well-being of our workforce.

    “While you use it to enjoy this festive season with your loved ones, it is also expected that the holiday afford you the time to attend to your various agricultural engagements.”he said

    The governor, however, said all essential service providers would devise a schedule to work during the said period.

    He listed those offering essential services to include financial institutions, energy providers, security agencies, hospitals, telecommunications, fire service, and water board, among others.

    Alia advised the people of the state to continue to imbibe in the spirit of love and peace while remaining committed to a better Benue.

    The governor prayed for a peaceful Christmas and New Year celebration.

  • Gov Alia appoints DG for newly created bureau

    Gov Alia appoints DG for newly created bureau

    Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has approved the appointment of Dr Aondoakaa Asambe as Director General for the newly created Bureau for Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control.

    The appointment was announced in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula in Makurdi on Friday.

    Before his appointment, Asambe was the Principal Special Assistant to Alia on Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Diseases Control.

    The D-G is a member of the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association and a registered veterinary surgeon with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria. He lectured at Federal University, Dutsima, for the past 12 years.

    Asambe holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi (now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi). He also holds a postgraduate degree in Food Animal Medicine from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

    The governor also, in the statement, approved the appointment of Mr Peter Chieshe as Director General of the Benue Agro-Industrial Processing and Economic Transformation Bureau (BNAGRO).

    Chieshe, a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has many years of practical industrial experience and expertise, particularly in the design, building, and operation of rice and cereal processing.

    Alia expressed optimism that the appointees would bring their wealth of experience to bear on their new assignments.

  • BSU: Benue govt clears 35 months outstanding allowances

    BSU: Benue govt clears 35 months outstanding allowances

    The Benue State Government says it has cleared the outstanding 35 months of earned allowances owed staff at Benue State University (BSU).

    Sir Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday in Makurdi.

    The varsity workers struggled for the allowances and had a history dating back to 2010, when an agreement was reached for commencement of implementation.

    Successive administrations did their best, but the matter lingered with a series of industrial actions.

    According to Kula, the payment of the allowances reflected the governor’s unwavering commitment to fostering quality education and ensuring that educators were adequately remunerated for their inestimable contributions.

    He stated that the earned allowances vary based on the length of employment, recognising the diverse tenures of lecturers.

    “While some have been with the university since the commencement of the contract, others joined the institution after the arrangement was established.

    “We recognise that not every lecturer received the same amount, but the administration is committed to making sure all educators receive their due endowment. Gov. Hyacinth Alia’s vision for quality education in Benue State is steadfast.

    “By prioritising the welfare of our educators, we are enhancing a society where they can focus totally on delivering the best educational experience to our students.

    “This action is among a broader strategy to redefine governance and enhance the educational landscape in our state,” he added.

    He further called on all stakeholders, parents, community leaders, educational bodies, and the public to support the governor’s unwavering energies to redeem and redefine the State.

  • Bill to rename Benue varsity passes second reading

    Bill to rename Benue varsity passes second reading

    The bill to rename the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, after the second civilian governor of the state, Rev. Fr Moses Adasu, on Thursday passed second reading during plenary at the Benue Assembly.

    The Majority Leader, Mr Saater Tiseer (APC/Mbagwa), said that the provisions of the assembly’s Standing Orders XII, Rule 83, limited the second reading to the general merits and principles of a bill and not its details.

    Tiseer said that the bill was aimed at changing the maiden name of the university to Adasu as a mark of honour as the founder of the university.

    “In 1992, the second civilian governor of Benue, the late Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu, successfully established the Benue State University.

    “He swiftly set up a steering committee led by the late Chief Edwin Ogbu, which ensured the take-off of the university in the 1992/1993 academic session.

    “The Benue State University became a reality under the watch of the late Adasu, whose tenure lasted for barely two years before it was truncated by another military intervention.

    “32 years after its establishment, BSU has fulfilled the dream of its founding fathers by providing the Benue child with easy access to university education and employment opportunities as well as highly trained manpower.

    “Relatedly, the bill for a law to establish the Benue University of Agriculture, Science, and Technology, Ihugh, also passed second reading,” he said.

    The majority leader said that the bill was aimed at establishing a professional university in the state as a replacement for the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

    He said that the federal university has been restructured into a conventional university offering courses in both the physical sciences, arts, and the humanities.

    According to him, the proposed university was a timely and transformative initiative.

    Tiseer stated that the university would undertake research in modern agriculture, harness local potentials in technological innovations, and partner with advanced universities in other climes.

    The majority added that it would and equip the youth with entrepreneurial skills needed to drive economic growth and development.

    He said it was in addition to availing the Benue child of more options and access to higher education in the changing world order.

    The Minority Leader, Mr Michael Audu, seconded the two motions and the bills second reading.

    The Clerk of the House, Mr John Hwande, therefore, read the bills for the second time.

    The Speaker, Mr Hyacinth Dajo, in his ruling, referred the bills to the House Standing Committee on Higher Education for further legislative scrutiny.

  • SUBEB chairman ordered to step aside over recruitment investigation

    SUBEB chairman ordered to step aside over recruitment investigation

    The Benue House of Assembly, presided over by its Speaker, Hyacinth Dajo, ordered the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Grace Adagba, to step aside from her official duties forthwith.

    The lawmakers took the decision during Thursday’s plenary to allow the house to investigate the recruitment exercise embarked upon by the board.

    The resolution followed a motion moved by the Chief Whip, Mr Peter Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala West).

    Ipusu said that the house had earlier adopted the resolution directing the chairman of the board to suspend the ongoing recruitment of primary school teachers to allow for investigation into controversies surrounding the exercise, but the directive was ignored.

    The chief whip stressed that a day after the resolution was duly conveyed, the chairman released a statement indicating that new cut-off marks had been allocated to the various local governments based on their performance in the Computer-Based Test (CBT).

    He stated that the board subsequently shortlisted additional names for physical screening.

    Ipusu said that he was worried that the statement released by SUBEB was not only reactionary but also disparaging of the honour of the assembly and its resolutions.

    Mr Alfred Berger (APC/Makurdi North), who seconded the motion, stated that the chairman lacked the integrity to continue to pilot the affairs of the board.

    Berger added that the law establishing the board gave powers to the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) to recruit teachers, emphasising that the process was decentralised and the department of quality assurance of the board only supervised it.

    Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mr Saater Tiseer pleaded with his colleagues to give the chairman a fair hearing on the matter.

    Tiseer added that the day she was to appear before the house, she was at the assembly by 10 am as requested.

    He advised his colleagues not to make decisions based on prejudice, adding that they should take actions in line with the constitution.

    The counter motion was seconded by Anthony Agom (PDP/Okpokwu), stating that the chairman should be allowed to explain herself.

    The Speaker, Hyacinth Dajo, subsequently asked the Clerk, Mr John Hwande, to divide the house, and the members who voted in favour of the initial motion were 21, while five voted for the counter motion.

    Dajo stated that the chairman should step aside and hand over to the board’s permanent member 1 to allow the house to carry out its investigation.

    The speaker further constituted a seven-man committee to investigate the exercise and report to the house within seven days.

  • Former Special Adviser in trouble over missing N1.78bn

    Former Special Adviser in trouble over missing N1.78bn

    The Benue House of Assembly preisded over by its Speaker, Hyacinth Dajo has summoned the former special adviser to Gov. Hyacinth Alia on the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr Dennis Akura.

    Akura is to appear before during plenary on Tuesday to explain and refund N1.78 billion that was not accounted while he was in the bureau.

    The resolution follows a motion moved by Mr Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West) after a report of the ad-hoc committee that investigated the operations and financial records at the local government level covering the period June 2023 to June 2024 that indicted Akura.

    Dugeri said that the house requested that Akura should refund the sum of N1.782 billion to the coffers of the state government.

    The lawmaker expressed concern that the reactions of Akura on social media denigrated, maligned, and impugned the resolutions and integrity of the house by calling them unprintable names, claiming that he was not given a fair hearing.

    He said that he labelled the house report as not being based on empirical facts and evidence.

    Dugeri added that as representatives of the people and responsible house that believed in fairness, transparency, equity, and justice, he humbly requested that Akura should appear before the lawmakers.

    According to him, the former adviser is to explain to the Benue people why he cannot refund N 1.78 billion funds he short-changed various local governments for security purposes and compromised the security architecture of the state.

    He further stated that all the past local government chairmen who served from June 2023 to June 2024 should equally appear before the house.

    The lawmaker stated that they were to appear alongside the directors of general services and administration, treasurers, and security officers of various local governments at the plenary as well to enable the Benue people to establish the veracity of the report.

    He warned government appointees against disparaging and spewing unnecessary invective on honourable members who were carrying out their constitutional duties for the interest of Benue people.

    They pointed out that in line with the Supreme Court Judgement on Local Government and Financial Autonomy, the house should initiate and accelerate the process of amendment of the Local Government Law.

    According to them, doing so would curtail the powers and excesses of the Bureau of Local Government so as to promote the local government financial autonomy.

  • Native doctor arrested in Benue

    Native doctor arrested in Benue

    The Police Command in Benue has confirmed the arrest of a native doctor, Veror Orduen, and an accomplice driver, Aondoaver Viaga, over the alleged theft of a company truck.

    The Commissioner of Police (CP), Steve Yabnet, made the disclosure in a statement on Saturday in Makurdi. Yabnet said that the Benue State Police Command on Dec. 11 received information that a driver with CHEC Construction Company, Taraku Camp, attached with a truck, was missing.

    The CP further stated that the driver was sent to convey stones from Ohimini to Mase in Gwer-East Local Government Area (LGA) for road construction but diverted the vehicle to an unknown destination.

    “During the investigation, the said driver, one Aondoaver Viaga, and a native doctor, one Veror Orduen, were arrested in possession of the vehicle at Ikyurav in Kwande LGA of Benue.

    “The suspect is unable to give a satisfactory account of why he took the vehicle to the native doctor’s place for four days and switched off his phone.

    “I advise all criminals to desist from perpetuating crime or leave Benue, as I am not ready to accommodate them. I will work tirelessly to ensure that the state is safe during the festive period and beyond,” the statement said.

    CHEC is the construction company handling the dualisation of the Makurdi-Enugu-9th Mile Road.