The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Benue state

  • Suswam: let’s ensure harmony

    Suswam: let’s ensure harmony

    Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam yesterday urged the residents to maintain the prevailing peace in the state during the Yuletide season and beyond.

    In a Christmas message in Makurdi, the state capital, Suswam attributed the prevailing peace in the state to “the neighbourly love”, which Christians and followers of other religions have extended to one another.

    He said love should be the foundation of peace, harmony and development in any society, adding that without love there would be no Christmas.

    According to him, it is because God so loved the world that he sent His only son, Jesus Christ, to save humanity from eternal condemnation.

    Suswam urged Christians to be guided by brotherly love as they celebrate Christmas and engage in other activities.

    The governor advised parents, guardians, elders and community leaders, who would be re-uniting with their wards and subjects during the Yuletide, to preach the message love to them.

    He said this would make Benue State and other parts of the country to live in peace.

  • Cholera kills 12 in Benue

    Cholera kills 12 in Benue

    A CHOLERA outbreak in Oturkpo, Benue State has claimed 12 lives and left 80 others hospitalised.

    Most of the victims are women and children.

    The infected are receiving treatment at the Oturpko General Hospital and some private hospitals in the town, according to an investigation by The Nation.

    The cholera outbreak was first reported in wards 1 and 2 of Oturkpo and later spread to Allan Akpa, Otobi Akpa and Ewulo.

    A source at the Otukpo General Hospital, who preferred anonymity, said the outbreak “is becoming excessively prevalent.”

    He added: “There is hardly a day that we do not record new cases of the disease in the hospital and most of the patients who include women and children are usually from the main town.

    “The situation in neighbouring villages is even worse because we hear daily of new cases and deaths in these communities. And the figure keeps rising due mainly to lack of proper Medicare for victims.

    “In the last few days we have recorded about 12 deaths while over 80 persons are receiving treatment in the hospital and if the government does not act fast, we might be faced with a pandemic with its attendant consequences on the health of the people of the town.”

    When contacted, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government, Dr. Innocent Onuh, who is also a medical doctor, said the council had commenced free distribution of necessary drugs to hospitals and patients.

    “Apart from that, we have also intensified publicity around the town, informing the people of the need for them to boil their water before drinking.

    “As for the number of deaths, I cannot specifically tell you now because most of the cases are being recorded in the hinterlands but we are also collaborating with the state government and the state ministry of health to stem the disease. I can assure you that we are on top of the situation right now.”

    A few months ago, Otukpo town was hit by water scarcity after the firm contracted by the Benue state government to rehabilitate the Otobi water works and supply water to Otukpo and its environs at the cost of over N2billion shut down the water plant following the failure of the Federal Government to redeem its financial commitment

  • Benue council relishes clean environment

    Benue council relishes clean environment

    The chairman of Logo Local Government Area in Ugba, Benue State, Hon. Kester Kyenge faced an unusual challenge on assumption of duty: how to rid the council of filth.

    The streets stank, filled with heaps of rubbish. Its secretariat at Ugba town was scandalously dirty, taken over by reptiles and cockroaches, broken glass and whatnot.

    Instead of clearing the glass, some local government staff usually set the bush on fire and killed rats, a situation that led to strange infernos on blocks of offices within the secretariat.

    Ugba town, the local government headquarters, did not fare better either. Its streets were taken over by heaps of refuse while some streets were impassable.

    Ugba Main Market regarded as the biggest yam market in Benue North, was an eyesore as refuse dumps competed for space with traders.

    Hon. Kyenge has changed all that. Immediately he assumed duty as the council chairman, he set up an environmental task force committee   under the leadership Terzungwe Asom with a mandate to keep Ugba clean.

    Terzungwe Asom swept into action and the entire town and secretariat is now wearing a new look.

    As part of efforts to encourage clean environment, the task force has introduced awards for those with clean business and residential premises.

    The chairman of the task has also won so many awards for his efforts for clearing Ugba town of the massive refuse dumps which had become not just an eyesore but a health hazard.

    Recently the task force organised an award ceremony at Ugba where prizes were given to those whose environments were clean, ranging from residential to business premises. Winners went home with various prizes, including dust bins and cash, depending on the category.

    The chairman told Newsextra that the award is meant to encourage people to keep their environments clean and will continue until Ugba, head quarters of Logo Local Government Area is clean.

    The council secretariat staff, they expressed their happiness working in a clean environment, without any fears of snake attack.

  • Terry Waya, the unrepentant socialite

    Terry Waya, the unrepentant socialite

    IN his glory days, Benue State-born multimillionaire Terry Waya held sway on the social scene. He achieved public notoriety a few years ago when his 40th birthday party in London drew more than half of Nigeria’s state governors as well as other top public officials. Terry, who was known for throwing one-in-town parties, was a major force at the height of Ibori’s tenure. At a point, his name became synonymous with fun-seeking and partying. Many people will not forget in a hurry his romance with one of the flower girls of high society, Eno Olafisoye. The love birds have a baby boy to show for the romance.

    Before one could say Jack, the popular Abuja big boy and socialite went on self-imposed exile when some of his friends ran into troubled waters with the law.

    He seems to have put all these behind him and begun to take the centre stage again.

  • A lift for clash victims in Benue

    A lift for clash victims in Benue

    Lawmaker donates relief materials

    Good cheer has returned to the faces of victims of a Fulani/Tiv clash in Benue State, thanks to a member of the House of Assembly, Hon Avine Agbom.

    The lawmaker, who represents Makurdi North on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), donated relief materials to the people who were displaced by the crisis.

    He implored the people to take part in the sharing of the materials, including members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) who were victims of the bloody crisis between Fulani herdsmen and Tiv farmers in Makurdi Local Government Area.

    The crisis claimed many lives.

    The relief materials included bags of rice, millet, among other items, including personal effects like clothes and cooking utensils.

    The donor said the effort was meant to cushion the effects of the crisis on the people.

    Hon. Agbom urged the federal and state governments to set up relief camps for internally-displaced persons who are mostly from his constituency.

    He also pleaded for more relief materials for the victims.

    “The displaced persons have no camp,” he said. “They can no longer go back to their houses. I want to appeal to the federal and state governments to provide shelter for them. Some are staying at a camp called Duadu where there are no mosquito nets, adding that the children have been dying every day for the past two years without any kind of support from government.”

    He stated that the relief materials worth millions of naira are specifically for the victims of the crisis in Mbalagh and Ayaka wards which are parts of Agan Ward. He added that the second batch would be spread to other communities.

    Responding, President of Mbalagh Women Association, Mrs. Margaret Bija advised the victims of the crisis to be law-abiding and wait for the outcome of government’s intervention in the crisis.

  • 30 farm trainees graduate in Benue

    Having graduated from a training programme, no fewer than 30 youths in Benue State are well on their way to earning a good living as farmers.

    The intensive exercise lasted one month after which the prospective farmers were given certificates of paricipation.

    They were trained at Zukutiv Farms in Makurdi, the state capital.

    Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Zukutiv Farms, Mr. Myke Gbe, said that the curriculum covered crop production, animal husbandry, flexible and smart management as well as use of social media to boost farming and marketing activities.

    He explained that the training, which was sponsored by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Benue State government, revolved around the concept of SMART farming, an acronym for Small-Holding Management of Accessible and Adaptable Rural Technology.

    Gbe expressed appreciation to the sponsors for their belief in the human spirit and provision of incentives as well as a conducive environment for the programme.

    “Facilitators, participants and even our collaborating institutions deserve to be commended for the success of the event,” he stated.

    Gbe maintained that the Benue farmer is equipped to engage in all forms of farming, which include aqua culture, animal husbandry and crop production.

    The state Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Donald Gbugho described Zukutiv Farms as a source of pride to the state, as it has transferred the technology in Songhai Farms, in Port-Novo, Benin Republic, to Benue State.

    Gbugho who was represented by the Director of Administration and Finance in the ministry, Mrs. Cecilia Jebe, said the farm has thrown a challenge to the ministry as well as the entire business community in the state.

    He enjoined the participants to put what they learned into practice, adding that the ministry expected the establishment of more than 20 farms from them.

    Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Chris Abah, represented by Mr. Ngutor Anyam, urged organisers to select only those who were enthusiastic about the training and donated N100,000 towards the training of the next set.

    UNDP focal person, Mr. Sam Agwa, said that the programme has the potential of alleviating poverty, integrating youths as well as being a platform for the deployment of information and communication technology to advance agri-business.

    While calling for the establishment of SMART farms in all the council wards in the state, he urged that the programme be sustained.

    Mrs. Mr. Gloria Atoji, a graduate of Food Science and Technology from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, who stated that she benefited from the training, said it has motivated her to start snail farming on a small-scale and grow from there.

    Another beneficiary, Mercy Atinu who holds a National Diploma in Animal Production said she has received knowledge that will enable her start poultry and later move into integrated farming.

    Mr. Dominic Kwaghngu who also graduated from the programme, said he learnt how to convert waste into wealth and become self sufficient saying he had the intention of starting with quails even as he urged youths to adopt the right attitude which would sustain Benue’s status as the food basket.

  • 70 Catholic Churches burnt in Benue crises – official

    The Catholic Church in Benue says 70 of its Churches have been destroyed in the crises that rocked Benue in the past few months.

    Rev. Felix Apine, Coordinator, Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), an outreach arm of the Church, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi that the destroyed Churches were outreach arms of the Diocese.

    “Thirty Churches, mostly outreach stations in Gwer West Local Government were either burnt or completely destroyed, while the parishioners had fled to other villages for safety.

    “The remaining 40 are in Guma Local Government Area,’’ he said.

    The cleric said that primary and secondary schools belonging to the Diocese in the affected areas had also been destroyed.

    The Secretary to the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Rev. Fr. Moses Mbachie, who also spoke to NAN, confirmed that “more than 70 Churches” had been destroyed and described the situation as “very sad’’.

    The Director, Information and Communication of the Diocese, Rev. Dr Moses Iorapuu, also spoke on the issue and said that the development was indeed saddening.

    “The situation is very bad; in fact, you can go to the affected parishes to physically ascertain the damage yourself,’’ he said.

    Archbishop Yiman Orkwar, Benue Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who also confirmed the destruction of Churches and schools, however, said that CAN was still taking inventory of the total number of Churches destroyed.

    Reacting to the claims, Mr Daniel Ezeala, Public Relations Officer, Benue Police Command said that the command was not aware of such destruction.

    Ezeala told NAN that the command had not been informed of such destruction and alleged that people were just coming up with “all kinds of speculations about things that never happened.”

    NAN reports that the state had been turned into a theatre of various types of crises allegedly between herdsmen and Tiv farmers mostly in the hinterlands.

  • Ex-Benue deputy governor Ajene dies

    A former deputy governor of Benue State, Prince Ogiri Ajene, is dead.

    He died in a London Hospital after a brief illness.

    The deceased was George Akume’s deputy for eight years before he became a Senate Minority Leader in the upper legislative chamber.

    Shortly after the news of his demise filtered into town, many sympathizers trooped into his residence and wept uncontrollably.

    The Special Adviser to Governor Gabriel Suswam on Electoral Matters, Hon. Chia Addingi, described Ajene as a fine gentleman who served the state and his people diligently and will forever be remembered.

    Jacob Ajene, the brother to the deceased, said the former deputy governor’s death had thrown the family into total confusion just as he said a long vacuum has been left in the family of the Ajene, who are known for their simplicity.

     

  • I told Obasanjo ‘I’m not your cook’ —Audu Ogbeh

    I told Obasanjo ‘I’m not your cook’ —Audu Ogbeh

    The former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh, yesterday said that that his decision to call the bluff of former President Olusegun Obasanjo precipitated their parting of ways and his subsequent removal as party boss.

    Ogbeh, now a stalwart of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), said at a meeting of the Benue State expanded executive council of the party in Makurdi that during the confrontation he told the former president that he was nobody’s boy.

    According to him, “One day, I summed up courage and confronted Obasanjo at a meeting. I told him point blank that Mr. president, I am not your cook but your party chairman, so you talk to me with respect.”

    At the meeting which was held to discuss the merger of ANPP, ACN, APGA and CPC, Ogbeh said he asked Obasanjo to show the party leadership respect and reminded him that when others were building the party he was in prison and should stop kicking people around.

    This, according to Ogbeh, did not go down well with the former President who later masterminded the former chairman’s ouster.

    He assured ACN members that merger of the party with APGA, CPC and ANPP will work and that APC will be ensure party supremacy.

    “Let me also assure you that APC will send PDP out of power in 2015,” he said.

    He lamented the current high level of corruption in the Jonathan administration saying it is the only thriving sector in the country.

    “ When I was chairman of PDP, my son never got involved in oil but two national chairmen after me, their sons pocketed over N400 billion without supplying a tea cup of oil.”

    He added, “Chairman of Pension Task Force Team is going about with 20 policemen yet they are deceiving the people that he has escaped. He may have donated the money to fund the party’s campaign, so he’s untouchable.”

    Also speaking, Senate Minority leader, Senator George Akume, reaffirmed that the merger is on course and advised ACN members to disregard rumours that it will not work.

    He noted that beginning the merger with 11 governors is a no mean achievement.

  • Potable water for Benue communities

    •From left: Chief Wombo, Governor Suswam (in white) Sarah Ochekpe, Speaker Dave Iorhemba and John Ngbede cuts the tape to commissioned Katsina Ala Water Works

    Minister inaugurates treatment plants 

    The long search for potable water in two Benue State communities, Katsina Ala and Anyiin in Northeast senatorial zone of the state, has ended. Also gone is the spate of water-borne diseases which ravaged the communities as their search lasted.
    Two giant water treatment plants took care of all of that, sending residents of the areas into wild jubilation. The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe inaugurated the plants.

    The Minister, who was on a two-day official visit to the state, first launched the Katsina Ala water plant which has a capacity to process and pump 15,000 cubic meters per day.

    The plant, which solves the water needs of not only Katsina Ala town but also those of surrounding communities, has a lifespan of 25 years. It was built by SGC Nig. Ltd, which started and completed it under the Gabriel Suswam administration.

    From Katsina Ala, Mrs Ochekpe, accompanied by the governor, commissioners and other top functionaries of the state government, moved to Anyiin in Logo Local Government Area, Suswam’s country home, a distance of 30km from Katsina Ala.
    At Anyiin, the Minister inaugurated the second plant built by the Waste Management and Environmental Services (WMES), an American company.

    In his brief remarks, the Commissioner for Water and Environment, John Ngbede, said the water projects embarked upon by the Suswam administration reflected the government’s policy to alleviate the suffering of people in the rural areas.

    Ngbede stated that the Ayiin water treatment plant has the capacity to pump 1.5 million.
    He said the state has provided for N500 million in the 2012 budget for water projects, adding that before the end of the year, more water projects would be completed.

    Governor Suswam said he has completed the gigantic Greater Makurdi water projects which were inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan during his last visit to the state.

    Suswam said if he has provided gigantic water projects across the state, a small water project for his community would not be too big to accomplish.

    The Minister said with the water treatment plant, the people of Anyiin have a new lease of life, as they no longer have to suffer from water-borne diseases. She urged the people to guard the facility against vandals.

    A memorable moment was when both the governor and the visiting Minister filled their cups and drank from the taps.