TheNewsGuru

Tag: Benue State

  • Six bodies deposited in Benue mortuary burnt by fire

    Six bodies deposited in Benue mortuary burnt by fire

    Six bodies have been reportedly burnt by fire that gutted a mortuary at the Agagbe Community in Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State.

    The fire, according to a report by Gatekeepers News, started in the late hours of Friday, burning to ashes the bodies deposited in the morgue.

    The mortuary was said to belong to St Francis Xavier Parish Agagbe.

    The fire broke out about 5:00 pm on Friday.

    Confirming the report, the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, a Superintendent of Police said that six corpses were burnt.

    She was quoted to have said: “It is true; the DPO is on it; the information we received is that the fire started somewhere and only extended to the morgue. Six corpses were burnt, an investigation is ongoing.”

  • How Deeper Life pastor emerged paramount ruler of Idoma People

    How Deeper Life pastor emerged paramount ruler of Idoma People

    A clergy of Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor John Elaigwu Odogbo on Thursday emerged as the new paramount traditional ruler of Idoma people in Benue State.

    This development was sequel to the recent search embarked on by the Ochi’Idoma IV, Dr Elias Ikoyi Obekpa in October this year and the directive by Governor Samuel Ortom for the selection of a new Ochi’Idoma on December 30, 2021.

    Odogbo was said to have emerged with 19 votes out of total 28 votes cast in a keen contest at Otukpo.

    Among the contestants were federal permanent secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, who scored eight votes, and Andrew Idakwu, who left with only one vote.

    Presenting the new Ochi’Idoma to Ortom at the Government House in Makurdi, supervising Commissioner of Information, Ekpe Ogbu, who is head of the selection team, said the exercise was conducted peacefully with the outcome of Pastor Odogbo as Och’Idoma elect.

    Ogbu explained that out of a total 32 expected members of the selection committee, 28 were present, two have impending court cases and one indisposed health wise.
    He added that five people had indicated interest to contest for the seat, noting that one voluntarily stepped down.

    The commissioner further stated that one among the remaining four contestants was not nominated and left the venue, leaving three finalists.

    Speaking, the Ochi’Idoma elect said he saw the involvement of God in the entire exercise even as he thanked the governor for his leadership.
    The new royal father likened Ortom to the biblical Samuel who became the advocate of Israel who united the people together just as he assured that he would not disappoint the confidence reposed in him by the Idoma people.

    Responding, Governor Samuel Ortom, hailed the Idoma nation for the selection of their new monarch, adding that he had always stood for equity, transparency and justice.

    He said that appointment belongs to God who chooses one and anoints such person to do His will.

    “We will find a convenient day to do the coronation. I want the contribution of the traditional rulers to my administration,” Ortom said.

    The new Ochi’Idoma was born on March 27, 1969 to the family of Elaigwu Ekoja as the fifth child in Obagaji, the headquarters of Agatu Local Government Area of the state.

    He is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1994) with degree in Accounting and currently studying for his doctorate degree.

  • Ortom signs 2022 budget of N155.6bn into law

    Ortom signs 2022 budget of N155.6bn into law

    Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has signed the 2022 budget of N155.6 billion into law.

    Ortom signed the budget on Friday in Makurdi.

    The governor promised to adhere strictly to the provisions of the budget.

    “I will not do anything outside of the provisions of the budget.

    “Even if the state needs additional funds we will recourse to the assembly for virement or supplementary budget,” he said.

    He said that his duty was to implement all the laws passed by the assembly to the latter.

  • If you don’t do well, I will shout – Gov Wike tells new PDP chairman

    If you don’t do well, I will shout – Gov Wike tells new PDP chairman

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has told the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyorchia Ayu that if he fails to do well, he will shout.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Wike made this known on Sunday at a special thanksgiving and reception held in honour of the new National Chairman of the PDP in Makurdi, Benue State.

    Wike noted if the PDP had not changed its national leadership the party would have collapsed, stressing that the change of leadership would be key to the electoral victory of the party in 2023.

    “We believe in you by giving you support to be the Chairman of our party. We do not want to have a situation where we will continue to have the defection of our members in the National Assembly, we do not want further defection of our members from our party.

    “We want you to use your experience as people have said to make sure that even those who have left the party return back because they know that in all sincerity there is no opportunity on the other side.

    “I supported you, I voted for you, because I have the believe that you can turn this PDP to success in 2023. I thank God, today I am one of the happiest persons because a new leadership has emerged I am very very happy.

    “Because I know that if we did not do this, this party would have collapsed. I am very happy and most of you who refused to listen at that time you have now realized that that changing leadership is the key for this party to win in 2023.

    “And I thank God that it is on you, and I will continue to make sure that you do the right thing and continue to make sure you are focused in the party, I will continue to make sure nobody distracts you, I will continue to make sure the Governors will give you the necessary support so that you can record achievements and in 2023 you will be happy and attest that God used you to produce a leadership that will make Nigeria better.

    “But if you are not doing well, Mr. Chairman I will shout, I will say Mr. Chairman this is not what we expected from you.”

    On his part, Senator Ayu promised to provide party members level playing field at every level to enable them actualize their aspiration. He said he would work with members of the party adding “I do not see myself as a messiah but a team player.”

    Senator Ayu also, said the party would work vigorously to regain leadership of the National Assembly, enlist more women and youths as well as halt the drift from the PDP to other political parties.

    “For the Presidency, we will be fair to all aspirants. There will be no favored aspirant. We will provide a level playing ground for everyone. The next President will be a product of the PDP.

    “We urge Nigerians not to lose hope because a small collection of people have come together to divide us. We are a productive people who are respected across the world. Do not allow the current leadership to destroy the tenacity of this nation. PDP will be back with good policy, the economy will come back to life and we will start exporting again. As a party, we have done the needful. We will work hard to rebuild our nation and shame the foreign detractors who say Nigeria will break up.”

    Two erstwhile Senate Presidents Senators David Mark and Bukola Saraki extolled the virtues of Senator Ayu describing him as a competent person to lead the party to regain power in 2023 and assured of their support for him to succeed.

    The Governors of Enugu and Delta states also promised to work with the leadership of the party to ensure the victory of the party in the forthcoming general elections.

    Speaking on behalf of Senators, Chairman of the North Central caucus, Senator Philip Aduda who declared support of members for the Senator Ayu leadership prayed God to grant him wisdom to lead the party to victory in 2023.

    On his part, the Minority Leader of the House of Representative, Ndudi Elumelu who listed the failed promises and lies the APC told Nigerians under the change mantra to win the 2015 election said Nigerians were already crying for a return to the PDP era assuring that lawmakers would support the new leadership to succeed.

  • Gov Ortom gets greenlight to borrow N18.225bn

    Gov Ortom gets greenlight to borrow N18.225bn

    Benue House of Assembly on Tuesday approved a request made by Gov. Samuel Ortom to borrow N18.225 billion from the Federal Government.

    Ortom asked for approval to take the loan to cushion the effect of repayment of bailout funds collected in 2015 and 2016.

    He told the House in a letter read by the Speaker, Mr Titus Uba, that the Federal Government had offered a bridging finance facility window for state governments to access such loans.

    He told the House also that the Federal Government provided funding windows (bailout) at the inception of his first term in 2015.

    The bailout, he explained, was to enable states to pull out of the recession occasioned by the crash in crude oil prices.

    Ortom explained further that the Federal Government had begun the deduction of the bailout funds, but suspend the monthly exercise to provide additional liquidity to states because of the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020.

    He told the House that deductions from state allocations in respect of the bailout funds and other interventions had been restored with a resultant funding gap for states.

    He stated that the Federal Government had, therefore, approved for the bridging finance facility to the tune of N656.112 billion for all the states to ameliorate the situation.

    The governor stated also that the amount approved for Benue was N18.225 billion with disbursement in six tranches at the interest rate of nine per cent per annum.

    He said the loan tenor would be 30-years with moratorium of two years and at monthly repayment mode.

    The governor therefore, appealed to the House to approve his request to enable him to continue to deliver dividends of democracy and implement policies and programmes contained in the 2021 budget and beyond.

    The House granted the governor’s request in a unanimous resolution.

  • Gunmen kill seven in Benue community

    Gunmen kill seven in Benue community

    No fewer than seven persons have been confirmed killed by gunmen in an attack at Tor-Togan town on Thursday night.

    Several others were injured in the attack, which occurred around 5:30pm.

    The chairman of Katsina Ala local government area Hon Alfled Atera confirmed the incident.

    Tor Tongo is a farming community on Katsina Ala -Takum federal highway in Benue north east senatorial zone .

    Atera told reporters that those killed were mostly members of Community Volunteer Guards (CVG).

    He said five other persons sustained serious injuries among them, a priest, who was hit while the gunmen shot sporadically into the air before they escaped.

    The gunmen, he alleged, were gang members of a militia leader called Azonto.

  • EFCC arrests popular Facebook slay queen, Sassie Dira

    EFCC arrests popular Facebook slay queen, Sassie Dira

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested popular Facebook slay queen known as Sassie Dira in Benue State for alleged Internet fraud.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Sassie Dira, whose real name is Okiemute Deborah, was arrested along with members of her syndicate.

    She was arrested by the Makurdi zonal office of the EFCC on Saturday May 1 shortly after slaying on Facebook.

    “First day of the month looking absolutely stunning as usual, fake life at its peak but don’t borrow clothing to show off, fully focused for the kingdom and the king’s spec, only those with Royal blood should DM,” Sassie Dira shared on Facebook shortly before she was arrested.

    First day of the month looking absolutely stunning as usual, fake life at its peak but don’t borrow clothing to show…

    Posted by Sassie Dira on Saturday, 1 May 2021

     

    Meanwhile, the anti graft agency has given the names of the members of the syndicate as Gideon Damisa, Sunday James, Friday Ebosele.

    They were rounded up by operatives of the Commission following intelligence report on their alleged criminal activities in and around Makurdi metropolis.

    At the point of arrest, the principal suspect Gideon Damisa was in possession of a Mercedes Benz GLK 350 2010 Model, 1 iPhone, 2 Pro Max, 2 Infinix phone and ATM cards, among others.

    According to the EFCC, they will soon be charged to court.

  • BREAKING: Students kidnapped from federal university in Benue released

    BREAKING: Students kidnapped from federal university in Benue released

    The students kidnapped from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State have been released.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the students were released on Wednesday, and according to the police in the State, the students are hale and hearty.

    Recall that unknown gunmen on Monday invaded the Federal University of Agriculture and kidnapped scores of students.

    The University reported the incident to the police and all relevant security agencies.

    Meanwhile, Director of Information, Protocol and Public Relations (IPPR) of the University, Mrs Rosemary Waku has confirmed the release of the students.

    The University Director of IPPR said two of the kidnapped students were freed from captivity on Tuesday while the others earlier escaped from their abductors.

    “The students of FUAM that were kidnapped have been released. The two students, Israel Farren Kwaghgee and Solomon Salifu came back to campus yesterday (27/4/21),” the IPPR director stated.

    Waku added that the released students were currently undergoing medical attention.

    Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue command, DSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the release of the abducted students in a short message.

    “Kidnapped students of University of Agriculture have been released unhurt. Investigation into the case continues please,” she posited.

    Anene added that no ransom was paid.

    Both authorities did not explain further about the circumstances surrounding the release of the students whom their abductors had earlier allegedly placed a demand of N21 million for their freedom.

    The Benue abduction comes barely a week after about 20 students were abducted from Greenfield University in Kaduna.

    Five of the Greenfield University students have been killed by their abductors. One of them, Dorothy Yohana was buried today.

  • PDP Governors hold closed-door meeting in Makurdi

    PDP Governors hold closed-door meeting in Makurdi

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday held a closed door meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, Benue State.

    Gov. Samuel Ortom had earlier received some of the Governors who were in the State to attend the Party’s Governors’ Forum.

    Among those received at the Makurdi Airport were: Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba).

    Meanwhile, Governors Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom); Godwin Obaseki (Edo); and Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) were being awaited at the time of filling this report.

    The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, and former Governor of Niger, Babangida Aliyu were also received at the Airport by Ortom.

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Gov. Duoye Diri of Bayelsa had arrived on Thursday ahead of the meeting.

    Sen. Gabriel Suswam and other top government officials were also at the Airport with the Governor to receive the visitors.

  • Killers of Benue Catholic priest will be arrested – Ortom

    Killers of Benue Catholic priest will be arrested – Ortom

    Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue has assured that the killers of Rev. Fr. Ferdinand Ngugban would be arrested and prosecuted.

    Ortom made the promise in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Terver Akase on Wednesday in Makurdi.

    Ngugban, the assistant parish priest of St. Paul Catholic Church, Aye-Twar village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, was killed on Tuesday inside the Parish house.

    Ortom who condemned the act, assured that the killers of the priest would be brought to justice.

    “I reassure the people of Katsina-Ala and Sankera that the State Government will not relent until those responsible for the killing and other attacks in the area are brought to justice,” he said.

    The governor described the attack as “mindless and wonders why a harmless priest would become the target of armed men.”

    He reaffirmed the resolve of his administration not to handover the state to criminals and urged Benue people to continue to support security operatives with timely and useful information.

    Ortom sympathised with the bereaved family and prayed that God grants the soul of Ngugban eternal rest.