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Tag: Benue state

  • N840m found in retired judge’s account, says ICPC

    THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has filed an application before a Federal High Court in Abuja for the interim forfeiture  of N4840 million in a retired female judge’s account.

    The judge under probe is a retired President of the Benue State Customary Court of Appeal, Mrs. Margaret Igbeta.

    She has been accused of opening an account in the name of her housemaid, Theodora Atsu on  the 5th of March, 2008, with an initial deposit of N8 million.

    The account had accumulated N870,321,492.15 between 2008 and 2019.

    But by the time ICPC investigators stepped in, about N840 million was left in the account.

    A statement by the Spokesperson for the anti-graft commission,  Mrs. Rasheedat A. Okoduwa, (mni) said:  “The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has requested a Federal High Court, Abuja, to order the interim forfeiture of N840 million traced to a retired President of the Benue State Customary Court of Appeal, Mrs. Margaret Igbeta.

    “The Commission, in an ex-parte motion filed at the court, said that the order would stop Mrs. Igbeta from accessing the money alleged to have been obtained through fraudulent activities in the course of her official duties.

    Read Also: N209m seized asset: ICPC to prosecute Fed Govt official

    “ICPC noted that the request for the interim forfeiture is pursuant to Section 48 (1), (2) and (3) (a) and (b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and Section 6 (6)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

    “The retired President of the Customary Court of Appeal was accused of operating a proxy fixed deposit account in the name of her maid, one Theodora Atsu, with Ecobank Plc, where she accumulated N870, 321, 492.15 between 2008 and 2019.

    “She was said to have opened the account with her passport and the name of Atsu on the 5th of March, 2008, with an initial deposit of N8 million.

    “She subsequently made several other huge deposits including N123, 745, 925.57 and N5 million, in the months of March and May, 2008.

    “It was also noted by the Commission that the money was far above her legitimate earnings both as a judge and President of the Customary Court of Appeal within the period that the account was operated and would have used to meet the infrastructural needs of the citizens and development of the nation.

    “ICPC therefore prayed the court to grant the order in the interest of the nation.”

     

  • UN partners Benue on IDPs

    The United Nations has reached an agreement with the Benue State government and key stakeholders on the best way to bring succour to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as a result of the herdsmen-farmers crisis in the state.

    This resolution was reached on Monday, August 19, 2019, after a meeting of the development partners and the stakeholders at the Old Banquet Hall, Benue State People’s House, Makurdi, the state capital.

    At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed that partners will provide support to IDPs to undertake crop farming with the provision of seeds and inputs by the UN and alternative housing arrangement by the UN.

    The UN was assured that the Government  of the State in consultation with the relevant Local Government Councils and Key Stakeholders have been made land  available for planting and building in five local governments.

    Dr Magdalyne Dura, Special Adviser to the Governor on Development Cooperation, SDGs and NEPAD revealed that the Local Government Areas include Agatu,  Buruku, Guma, Logo and Kwande.

    Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Kwande Local Government Area Tor Kwande, Chief Ambrose Iyortyer, agreed for the project funded by the United Nations Human Security Trust Fund, to proceed with the implementation and that land will be assigned to support project initiatives.The  Kwande chief and his Makurdi and Guma Local Government Area counterpart Tor Lobi  Chief Moses Anangeende, appealed to the United Nations partners to continue intense talks with the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure that the crisis comes to an end and that IDPs finally return to their ancestral homes.

    The traditional leaders of the participating Local Government Areas appreciated the Governor of Benue State and development partners for their palliative measures but reiterated that a long lasting solution to the Fulani herdsmen attacks must be pursued.

  • Making a living from fish processing

    A graduate of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, is practising what he studied in school: Fish processing, DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    After Uloko Caleb received his degree from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Benue  State, where he studied Fisheries and Aquaculture, he made up his mind that he was not going to work for anybody.

    He said: “I always knew from the start that I wanted my own business. I started seeing reasons that complaining never yield positive results; therefore, with my experiences and the knowledge I obtained from the university, I conceived the idea of going into fish processing and packaging.”

    His training exposed him to value addition to fish and fishery products. He knew what an entrepreneur needs to prepare various fish products to increase consumer appeal, enhance income and improve livelihood.

    He set out to establish a small fish processing business. He saw a market for it with increasing business opportunities.

    He said: “I chose fish processing to fish production because of inadequate fund to build ponds, install and sink borehole in order to have sufficient water. Therefore, I decided to start small, by going into fish processing with the little capital at my disposal.”

    One thing he learnt was that fish is a highly perishable commodity, which requires proper handling, processing and distribution if it is to be utilised in a cost-effective and efficient way. The other thing is various value added products can be prepared out of fish without much investment. Although the demand for such kind of products is huge, he realised a lot of entrepreneurs don’t venture much into entrepreneurship of value added fishery products, due to lack of skills and marketing opportunities.

    Last year, Caleb  started with the construction of the shade and working area cost; bought a smoking kiln with gas cylinder. He bought some table-size catfish from fish farmers for processing and drying.

    The business he started small is worth over a N1 million. From the profits he made, Caleb installed  fish ponds.Today, he  does fish production alongside fish processing.

    Earlier, he encountered some challenges. He  explained: “The first was my target market. I intend to sell my product at wholesale price for quick returns, but due to competition from other suppliers, who sold at lower rates as a result of their lower standard of processing, I found it difficult to break even. What I decided was to sell at shopping malls, hotels and restaurants.

    Also, raising my own fish before drying was only the best alternative.  Secondly, sizes of fish has various drying periods. Larger fish take longer period to dry than small ones. Mixing them during smoking and drying will not get them done uniformly. With this experience and observations, I have been grading them to size whenever I want to process fish.”

    His  success, in part, is tied to tireless networking. He keeps  learning.

    He derives satifaction from customers’. He is happy with what he has  accomplished so far.

    Caleb is happy he has been able to earn double of what he invested within a short time.

    He added: “Satisfying customer demands will make most business owners proud. I am so proud because I am a beneficiary of double earnings from my business. Meeting up my customers’needs is always achieved. My greatest desire is to be greater than who I am.

    “In 10 years, my business will be making at least N350,000 monthly. Exporting my products, too, to countries where they are needed will also be achieved. In 20 years, my business will have a life of its own; with that, I don’t have to keep monitoring all the time. It will have a standard organisational structure where everything will work in system.”

  • UN partners Benue on IDPs

    The United Nations has reached an agreement with the Benue State government and key stakeholders on the best way to bring succour to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as a result of the herdsmen-farmers crisis in the state.

    This resolution was reached on Monday, August 19, 2019, after a meeting of the development partners and the stakeholders at the Old Banquet Hall, Benue State People’s House, Makurdi, the state capital.

    At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed that partners will provide support to IDPs to undertake crop farming with the provision of seeds and inputs by the UN and alternative housing arrangement by the UN.

    The UN was assured that the Government  of the State in consultation with the relevant Local Government Councils and Key Stakeholders have been made land  available for planting and building in five local governments.

    Dr Magdalyne Dura, Special Adviser to the Governor on Development Cooperation, SDGs and NEPAD revealed that the Local Government Areas include Agatu,  Buruku, Guma, Logo and Kwande.

    Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Kwande Local Government Area Tor Kwande, Chief Ambrose Iyortyer, agreed for the project funded by the United Nations Human Security Trust Fund, to proceed with the implementation and that land will be assigned to support project initiatives.The  Kwande chief and his Makurdi and Guma Local Government Area counterpart Tor Lobi  Chief Moses Anangeende, appealed to the United Nations partners to continue intense talks with the Federal Government of Nigeria to ensure that the crisis comes to an end and that IDPs finally return to their ancestral homes.

    The traditional leaders of the participating Local Government Areas appreciated the Governor of Benue State and development partners for their palliative measures but reiterated that a long lasting solution to the Fulani herdsmen attacks must be pursued.

  • Gunmen abduct College Provost in Benue

    Gunmen have abducted the Provost College of Education , Katsina Ala, Tsavwua Gborigyo.

    The provost was said to be travelling on Kwande – Vandeikya road when the gunmen waylaid his car and forcefully took him to an unknown location.

    At press time the management of the college said his abductors were yet to open discussion with the family.

    Katsina Ala is located in Benue north east senatorial zone and had been under armed bandits, who kill and rob with reckless abandon in the last three years.

    Read Also: Ortom seeks unity among Benue indigenes in U.S.

    Despite the heavy presence of men and officers of Operation Whir Stroke (Army troops) at road blocks in the yam town, criminal activities have been unabated.

    Kidnapping, armed robbers and killings have become daily occurrences in Katsina Ala town .

    The Nation gathered that most Igbo traders have relocated to other safe areas for business.

    Police spokesperson Kate Anene confirmed the report and said investigations had commenced into the incident.

  • Flood keep Makurdi residents indoors

    An heavy downpour on Wednesday night has led to massive flooding of houses and shops in Makurdi, Benue state capital on Thursday.

    The rain, which started at about 11 pm lasted till 9:30 am on Thursday.

    Most streets in Makurdi were over taken by flood,keeping residents indoors.

    The popular Wurukum market located on Makurdi – Gboko was totally submerged as traders counted their losses.

    Goods were seen floating on water as all shops submerged.

    At AIG zone 4 Police headquarters in Makurdi, flooded water took over the major road that connect high level with Radio Benue station .

    Read Also: Ortom seeks unity among Benue indigenes in U.S.

    Flooding in Makurdi has become a yearly occurrence, especially during raining season .

    Those who spoke to The Nation said they were fast asleep when they discovered water in their rooms .

    A residents of Idye village in Makurdi, Paul Awe said at about 3 am while sleeping his bed and mattresses became soak with water from the heavy rain.

    A house wife Mrs .Dooyum Ako told The Nation that her three- bedroom apartment was submerged and she had to take her three children to another location for safety .

    Those affected appealed to the state government to open up channels in the state capital to allow access to free passage of water .

  • Food scarcity looms as traders threaten strike over extortion

    Members of Food Stuff Dealers Association of Nigeria have protested multiple quarantine posts mounted on the nation’s highways by officials of Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS).

    They threatened to embark on a nationwide strike, including shutting down of markets and stopping movement of food produce across the country if the posts were not dismantled immediately.

    In a petition addressed to the Inspector General of Police and copied to Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and other security agencies and made available to newsmen in Onitsha, the body asked Nigerians to get ready for food scarcity in the coming months.

    It described the posts situated at Orokam and Katsina Ala both in Benue State as illegal targeted at extorting money from its members.

    The body said the petition signed by President General and Secretary, Chief Christian Afiaonwu and Udoka Ahukanna respectively, followed non response to previous petition addressed to the immediate past Minister of Agriculture Chief Audu Ogbe against the multiple posts on roads in Benue State and extortion of money ranging from N2000 to N7000.

    The petition partly read, “We are aware of the importance Quarantine posts which is primarily to checkmate animal disease and unwholesome food stuff from one location to another.

    Read Also: Food scarcity looms

    “We are also aware of the stipulations of the section 12 and 20 of animal diseases (control) decree 10 of 1988 vis-a-vis the establishment of control posts in Nigeria, and to the best of our knowledge it is mostly located at border areas and not more than one in a state.

    “We recognise the Federal Quarantine Control Posts at Jebba, Lokoja, Makurdi and Gada Biu because we were part of the process where it was agreed that they will be established.

    “But we can no longer bear the burden of paying at three posts in Benue State, hence our decision to once more draw the attention of government through your revered office.”

    Addressing newsmen, President of the Association, Afiaonwu said they had done the needful as responsible law abiding citizens by repeatedly drawing attention of the government to their plight.

    He said, “There may be possible food shortage in the coming months if we go on protest and stop moving food around the country if our demands are not properly addressed.”

  • From ranching to ‘Ruga settlement’

    SIR: The evolution of human progress over time has never been without some initial setbacks, resistance to new ideas, suspicion and even at times people rightly or wrongly rejecting developmental ideas advanced by leaders. The Benue State Prohibition of Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 is an idea that emanated from the people of the state as a tested and globally accepted practice for animal husbandry. This law has since enthroned some measure of peace and stability as against the recent past where cattle were allowed to brazenly encroach into farmlands with the attendant destruction of crops, property and in some cases avoidable loss of lives.

    The recently proposed ‘Ruga Settlement’ system advanced by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture came to the people of the state as a shock. This is understandable against the backdrop of the existing Anti-Open Grazing Law widely hailed by forward thinking people as the panacea to the perennial farmers/herders conflict.

    The proposal to establish Ruga settlements in three Local Government Areas of Tarka, Otukpo and Ukum in Benue should have taken into consideration the Land Use Act embedded in the Nigerian constitution which empowers the governor of a state to administer land within the confines of his state to the benefit of his people and other stakeholders.

    The Anti-Open Grazing Law in Benue has already adequately catered for the interests of farmers and cattle herders. This is because Benue as it is presently administered by Governor Samuel Ortom has made ample provision for all categories of business people, farmers, livestock farmers, traders, professionals and other artisans. However, developmental issues are a journey, not an end; as such Governor Ortom has consistently welcomed any other alternative ideas as solution to the perennial farmers/herdsmen crisis for consideration. But so far, the ranching of livestock remains the best and widely accepted solution which represents a win-win approach for both herders and indigenous farmers.

    For any public policy to be successful, there is need for sustained consultations and engagement with the people and other stakeholders, public enlightenment, environmental impact assessment of the proposed policy, the impact of such policy on the socio-cultural and economic lifestyle of the people amongst others.

    Furthermore, the traditional establishment of a state needs to be properly carried along in any proposed public policy before implementation as they maintain a close relationship with their subjects and understands their needs and challenges. This process was successfully exhausted by the Governor Samuel Ortom-led administration before the signing into law of the Prohibition of Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law 2017. It remains to be seen or objectively analysed by political observers, public affairs commentators, critical stakeholders whether this process has been exhausted before the people woke up to the news of the establishment of Ruga Settlement which some have interpreted as Fulani settlements.

    Every ethnic group in Nigeria deserve a sense of belonging and access to the natural resources God in His wisdom deposited in their ancestral lands. But the exploitation of these natural resources should be done without encroaching or violating the way of life of a people of a given area. The discovery of crude oil in the Niger-Delta region and subsequent drilling of same has not come without some acrimony, distrust, cries of environmental degradation and all that. But thanks to the sustained peace initiatives of concerned interest groups, there is a prevailing peace in the region which should be sustained for the overall benefit of the country and its people.

    So far, ranching of livestock remains the best way forward. This was confirmed in the recent past by the National Economic Council, NEC and Northern Governors’ Forum amongst other interest groups. The case for the revival of cattle routes is no longer practicable as population growth and physical development of infrastructure has made that impossible. The increasing population and development of infrastructure cannot support any form of open grazing of livestock, establishment of grazing reserves or setting up of a cattle colony. Cattle ranching remain the most workable solution.

     

    • Abrahams Kwaghngu, Makurdi, Benue State.

  • Represent Nigeria well, NCPC boss urges pilgrims

    Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) Rev. Tor Uja has charged all intending pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the nation through their conducts and behaviours.

    He charged them to display decorum in all they do while in the Holy Land.

    He gave this charge in Abuja during the official flag off of the 2019 Easter Pilgrimage at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

    Addressing the first batch of the pilgrims from Benue State, Uja charged them to exhibit to the world their moral values and be patriotic citizens.

    He said: “When you go on pilgrimage there people who are assign to attend to you some of them are medical doctors, some of them are nurses and staff of the Commission are there to attend to you in case you need anything and they will guide you appropriately.

    “In international operation it is wiser to call somebody you know than to talk to a stranger because you can be misled and setup.”

    He informed that arrangement was ongoing to establish pilgrims’ Heritage Camp that will bring all pilgrims together under one roof for proper three- day orientation before take- off for effective preparation during the pilgrimage exercise.

    According to him: “Pilgrimage must begin and end at home. We want to have a Christian Pilgrimage camp where we spend two or three days together before you embark on your spiritual trip. This is crucial because it will mark the beginning of pilgrimage”.

    Uja stated that it would help the pilgrims to be more informed and better prepared for the pilgrimage exercise.

    The Executive Secretary further charged the pilgrims to believe in Nigeria and make it a nation of everyone’s dream irrespective of the challenges they are going through.

    He also charged them on nation building and leadership role as the only obligations Nigerians can render to the country.

    He therefore appealed to Benue contingent to disregard those negative rating about the country as the poverty capital of the world and one of the unsafe country in the world.

    The total numbers of 350 pilgrims were airlifted for the first batch for the 2019 Easter Pilgrimage to Israel.

  • Why I want to be Speaker, by Dyegh

    John Dyegh, who holds a doctorate degree in Economic History and represents Gboko/Tarka Constituency, Benue State, in the House of Representatives, and is an aspirant for Speaker. He spoke with reporters in Abuja on his vision for the Lower Chamber and other partisan issues. Excerpts:

    Why are you running for the Speaker of House of Represenatives? How prepared are you for this position?

    I have decided to join the race for Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives because of my abiding and unyielding faith in a united and prosperous Nigeria anchored on the natural principles of equity, justice and harmony.

    My being in the race is also a response to the clarion call by my constituents, colleagues in the House across party lines, party faithful and other stakeholders in the North Central geopolitical zone and Nigeria in general, for me to offer myself for this office. And like I said when I was making my declaration, I am ready to offer my time and talents, and make sacrifices for the good of every Nigerian.

    I believe that I have the requisite experience and competence to lead the 9th House of Representatives, having spent eight years in the Green Chamber. I am mentally, physically and psychologically prepared and it is my conviction that my colleagues who know my abilities and capabilities would like to have a Speaker like me. With a Ph.D in Economic History and a public and political life spanning over two decades, I feel am eminently qualified to preside over the House of the people. Remember, I am coming in for a third term and in the legislature, the longer you stay, the more experienced and efficient you become. So, I am coming into the race with a rich wealth of legislative experience that will benefit Nigerians.

    I believe that I have the wherewithal to team up with other arms of government and take Nigeria to a positive and sustainable next level. I dream of a next level that is devoid of bandits attacks on our innocent citizens; a next level free from kidnappers and armed robbers; a next level of peaceful coexistence between farmers and herdsmen; a next level of improved economic fortunes of this country; a next level of massive jobs for the unemployed and a next level of all that is good for you and me.

    In concrete terms, what exactly are you bringing to the table, should you be elected Speaker?

    We will also ensure enhanced capacity of Legislators and legislative support services through training and retraining to enable the 9th National Assembly pass National Priority Laws in critical sectors such as Security, Employment and Productivity, Power and Agriculture. Thirdly, we will deepen oversight processes of the National Assembly to ensure value for money and project performance by MDAs in compliance with the Appropriations Act. My administration will also instill openness in the financial operations of the National Assembly to guarantee accountability, transparency and responsiveness.

    Most importantly, we intend to initiate legislative measures and laws that will promote and engender national unity, providing equal opportunities to all Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, political, social and religious affiliations; and work with legislators in a multi-partisan manner for the stability of the House and Nigeria at large. We will also work round the clock to create effective collaboration with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), civil society groups and development partners for active participation of all sectors of the Society in the law making and legislative processes. Then, we will sustain and deepen independence of the National Assembly and ensure harmonious interdependent working relationship with the executive arm of government without undermining the principles of Separation of Powers.

    Are you aware that the APC has zoned the position to the Southwest and chosen Femi Gbajabiamila as its preferred candidate? Don’t you think your ambition amounts to anti-party activity?

    My loyalty to the party is not in doubt. I am so loyal that I cannot indulge in anti-party activities. I did the party’s bidding in 2015, in spite of the odds against us then. I worked for Gbajabiamila and supported him fully. But this time around, we are giving the party an option. We are giving members of the Green Chamber an option to look at fair play. We are insisting that there must be fair play in Nigeria. We are insisting there must be fair play and justice in the Green Chamber. Democracy is a system of government that confers choices on the people. We have the right to exercise our fundamental human right of choice. I have not condemned the party and I am not fighting the party or anybody in the party. My loyalty to the party is 100 per cent. When I was doing the party’s bidding in 2015, everybody said I should go the other way. I said no, let me do the party’s bidding. I am a party mam. So, if I am giving the party an option today, they should also look at what I did for the party yesterday. My desire is to be part of President Buhari’s next level, which I strongly believe will transform this country for the better. I have absolute respect for the president and I hold all our party leaders in high esteem and would not do anything contrary to that. But, I want to be given the opportunity to also contribute my quota towards strengthening our democracy especially the legislature. I have absolutely nothing against Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; but I am eminently qualified to lead the 9th House. Therefore, exercising my right as a Nigerian; as a member of the APC and as a member of the House of Representatives should not be taken as an affront on the party or its leadership. It is only a process of offering members of the Green Chamber an option to choose from.

    There are insinuations that you have been endorsed by the PDP caucus in the House. How true is this?

    I think this question should be directed to the PDP caucus. I am not a member of the PDP; so I am not privy to what they have decided. However, it is true that the PDP caucus had invited all the contestants and six of us appeared before the caucus, including Gbajabiamila, Bago, Onyejeocha, Olatunbosun, and Nwajuiba. But, since after that engagement, I have not heard anything from the caucus. If you are telling me now that I am the choice of the PDP caucus, it means my candidature has been accepted by all. You must have it at the back of your mind that the PDP members are also members of the House and all honourable members have a vote to cast. So, nobody is inconsequential; every honourable member is important.

    In most of your interviews, you seem to lay claims to the fact that the North Central has not been treated fairly and should be compensated with speaker. But, the outgoing Senate President is from the North Central, including previous occupants of the position. Is that not enough for the zone?

    I believe for a zone that contributed huge votes to the APC to emerge victorious in the presidential election; it will be unfair to take away the Senate President from us and leave us with Deputy Speaker. It is not fair because you said you are taking the Speakers to the Southwest but you have failed to give us convincing reasons why those of us from the north central should not contest. But we are saying the south west already has the office of vice president and the north central has nothing at hand. It will only be fair, if the position of Speaker is given to the Northcentral, having taken away the seat of Senate President to the North East. We do not have problem with that. All we are saying is, if you are taking away number three from us, give us number four and not number six. But I want Nigerians and in fact our party to know that the Northcentral has neither produced Speaker nor the Deputy Speaker since 1999. We are saying that reward in politics is based on what you bring to the table and the Northcentral brought the third highest number of votes in making President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term a reality and enabling the APC to form Federal Government. We are not quarrelling; we are only appealing to the party to take a second look on its zoning arrangement based on the facts we have put before the leaders, perhaps they were not aware of this. But these are the facts on ground.

    Most importantly, I want our party to also take a closer look at the provisions of Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that: “the composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies”. Does the present zoning arrangement conform to this provision?

    How do you intend to resolve the frosty relations between the legislature and the executive?

    Everybody is concerned about the constant misunderstanding between the legislature and executive arm of government. I believe there is no harm in disagreeing to agree; but when it degenerates to a level that the Nigerian people are left to suffer, it does not augur well for us as a nation. We intend to run a responsible House that will be anchored on the principles of separation of powers and check and balances. We will work for Nigerians and Nigeria. Whatever decision we would take will be in the interest of the nation. We will not allow our personal biases or interest to override national interest.