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Tag: Benue

  • Benue has enjoyed peace in the last four months, says Alia

    Benue has enjoyed peace in the last four months, says Alia

    Benue State Governor, Rev. (Fr.) Hyacinth Alia, has said with the presence and support of the Armed Forces in the state, it has enjoyed relative peace in the last four months, but more needs to be done to enjoy lasting peace.

    Alia stated this yesterday during the graduation of Course 9/2023 of the Air War College at the Nigerian Airforce Base, Makurdi, the state capital.

    According to the governor, the Armed Forces and their continuous engagement in significant events, would create confidence and hope for the people, enabling them to sleep with their eyes closed.

    He thanked the Federal Government and the Armed Forces for their support to the state, saying although it is a happy day for the graduates, it is more of a happy day for the state, adding that for his administration that  came in a few months ago, the success recorded by the graduates happened under his watch and as such he felt elated.

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    While congratulating the graduates for the milestone, the governor charged them to continue to be good ambassadors in their service, insisting that Benue remains the most hospitable state in the country

    Earlier, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, represented by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, commended the Armed Forces for repositioning itself with a strong focus on human capital development,  aimed at curtailing the threats posed by insurgents and armed bandits in Benue and Nigeria at large.

    He said the War College will enhance critical thinking in the Airforce and will also provide proactiveness in the military decision making processes, calling on the officers to always respect their call to duty.

    He thanked the governor for finding time out of his busy schedules to attend the graduation ceremony, saying Alia has demonstrated his willingness to collaborate with the Armed Forces and as such, they will give him the needed support to ensure that the most desired peace is restored back in Benue.

  • Benue Judiciary to get financial autonomy

    Benue Judiciary to get financial autonomy

    Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has said the Judiciary arm of government in the state will get financial autonomy in line with the Nigerian Constitution  and the Benue State Judiciary Fund Management (Financial Autonomy) Law, 2021.

    Alia stated this during the closing of the 2023/2024 state Judiciary Legal Year celebration, at the City Bay Event Centre, Makurdi, on Saturday.

    According to the governor, autonomy is essential in that it would enable the judges to apply the law without fear or favour.

    Alia, who re-emphasised the determination of his administration to create an enabling investment environment to attract investors to the state, said such a desire could only become possible if the judiciary arm is there to protect investors from legal proceedings.

    He described the Judiciary as a valued partner in his administration’s efforts to reposition Benue, promising to look into the welfare of judges, including those of the lower bench.

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    In the words of the governor, “situations where judges of the lower courts in Benue State travel by public transportation, including commercial motorcycles  popularly known as ‘Okada”, is an enormous risk and poses grave dangers to the lives of the judges and their work.”

    He directed the state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim, to liaise with the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, and work out modalities aimed at improving judges’ welfare.

    While felicitating with the judiciary, the governor charged them to strive towards ensuring speedy and timely dispensation of justice in this new legal year.

    Earlier the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese and Mr. Mnyim, emphasised on the special role the judiciary has played in strengthening the electoral process, stating further that the judiciary will continue to act as a pillar of justice and will continue to sustain democracy in Nigeria and Benue State.

  • Benue governor preaches unity at New Yam festival

    Benue governor preaches unity at New Yam festival

    • Jonathan’s wife joins Igede community

    Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan was the cynosure of all eyes at the weekend when she joined Igede people in celebrating the New Yam festival called Igede Agba in Oju town Benue State.

    ‘Igede Agba’ is a yearly new yam festival celebrated by Igede people of Benue South Senatorial  district.

    The Igede ethnic group used the festival to thank God for bumper harvest before they eat any yam.

    Before this festival, no Igede son or  daughter is expected to eat any new yam.

    Surprisingly , Dame Patience Jonthan turned out at the new yam festival on Friday.

    Many people who attended the festival struggled to catch a glimpse of the former First Lady.

    She was  dressed in Igede traditional attire.

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    Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia, who was  at the festival, called on Benue people to work together and promote peace in their communities.

    He commended the sense of reasoning that brings the Igede people together yearly to interact with one another and also harness ideas for the progress and development of their community, using the festival

    He thanked Dame Jonathan for honouring Benue with her presence.

    Earlier, the House of Representatives Member for Oju/Obi Federal Constituency, Hon. David Ogewu appreciated Governor  Alia for attending the occasion, and promised to work in partnership with the Governor to deliver dividends of democracy to his people.

    Also at the event were  Hon. Salman Idris, Member representing Kabba-Bunu/ Ijumu Federal Constituency in Kogi State as well as prominent Igede sons and daughters both at home and in the Diaspora.

  • Benue set to train youths in digital skills

    Benue set to train youths in digital skills

    The Benue State government is set to commence training of youths and women in digital skills acquisition.

    The training, The Nation learnt, is part of the strategic plans of the Governor of Benue State, Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, to cushion the biting effect of the fuel subsidy removal that has affected young unemployed graduates and the female gender in the state.

    Accordingly, the ICT training programme is part of Governor Alia’s initiative to create employment opportunities for youths and reduce poverty in the state, where the Benue State Government will be collaborating with Troika Tech Digital Communications Ltd, Google, and Microsoft to conduct a comprehensive tech skill development.

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    Speaking with newsmen in Makurdi, the Chief Facilitator of the programme, Engr. Jeffery Terhemba Udende, explained that the training is designed to properly equip the participants with digital skills and international certifications ranging from Digital Marketing and E-commerce, Advanced Data Analytics, Data Science and Analysis, UI/UX (user interface/user experience) programming, front-end, and back-end programming; infographic, and smart videography to mention but a few.

    He said the digital Governor Fr. Hyacinth Alia is committed to delivering on the gains of democracy, especially as it concerns the youth and women, adding that as the entire world is headed towards a technology-driven economy, every Benue youth should be armed with digital skills for the challenges ahead.

  • Benue governorship: PDP’s petition ‘pedestrian’, says Osuman

    Benue governorship: PDP’s petition ‘pedestrian’, says Osuman

    The lead counsel to Benue State Deputy Governor, Samuel Ode, Chief Mike Mamman Osuman (SAN), has dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Titus Uba’s Benue Governorship Election petition at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi as “pedestrian”.

     Chief Osuman told reporters after the parties adopted their final written addresses that “what was before the court was a lousy petition, devoid of probative evidence” and that there was no need “to produce human evidence.”

     Hear him: “What was before the court was a lousy petition, devoid of probative evidence. We have given our response.

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     “And so to that extent, I am confident, with the qualities of the members of this tribunal – the judges – justice will be made and the political leadership in Benue State – that is the governor and the deputy governor – will stay behind and do the work they have been sworn in to do.”

      But PDP said the deputy governor presented a false document to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It also said APC submitted a list of candidates to INEC outside the time allowed by the electoral law. They, therefore, prayed the tribunal to invalidate the return of Fr. Alia, and the deputy.

    They also claimed Ode no credentials.

    Okon, N. S., SAN, T. D. Pepe, SAN, and Eko Ejembo Eko, SAN, are counsel for PDP and Uba (known as petitioner), Ishakka M. Dikko, SAN, with his team is for INEC, Sunday I. Ameh, SAN, Mohammed Mohammed, SAN, are for Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and Matthew Burkaa, SAN with his team is for APC Nigeria (known as first, second, and third respondents).

    Ode is the fourth respondent.

  • ‘Why Benue govt accounts remain frozen’

    ‘Why Benue govt accounts remain frozen’

    Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has said he has not found statements on 57 government accounts domicilled in commercial banks.

    The Nation learnt some people have open cheques on most of the frozen bank accounts running into billions.

    He spoke with media houses in Government House, Makurdi,

    Alia told reporters he sealed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, and bank accounts because fraud was being carried out on them.

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    “If I tell you what is happening on the bank accounts you would want them to be sealed forever.

    It was gathered some ministries and agencies were finazding it difficult to operate because their accounts were sealed.

    Investigation showed in the governor’s handover notes, there were no traces of statements on the 57 government-owned accounts.

    A member of the Transition Committee, who pleaded anonymity, said: “We took over from PDP administration and found out Benue State has 57 bank accounts domicilled in commercial banks, but we are also curious that none of them has bank statements.

    It was also learnt some people have open cheques on the frozen accounts, and the administration took some measures to stop fraudulent withdrawals until due diligence is carried out.

    The Nation gathered some staff of the Accountant General’s Office may be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission for questioning to unravel circumstances surrounding why there were no bank statements on the 57 accounts.

    Chief Press Secretary to the governor,  Kulas Tersoo, said the matter is a sensitive one and requires consultations with his principal

    Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are complaining that three months after, funds were yet to be allocated for critical government business.

    On May 29, Alia froze all government bank accounts. 

  • CSOs score Benue low on budget implementation

    A consortium of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) said the 2017 budget was poorly implemented and does not meet the yearning and aspiration of the people, especially women.

    Addressing a press conference in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, to present the 2017 budget project monitoring report to the media and other stakeholders, the CSOs said the budget was poorly implemented, as some projects remained unexecuted, while no work was carried on some but contracts awarded.

    The joint press conference of CSOs consortium was tagged ‘Ensuring Éffective Implementation of Programmes, Policies and Legislation,’ that contribute towards achieving gender equality by 2030.

    Mrs. Victoria Esa, who read the text of the press conference and presented the report on behalf  of the CSOs on monitoring of capital projects from Benue State Government 2017 budget, said the monitoring of projects was carried out  in three (3) local government areas, namely Gwer East,  Ado and Tarka local government areas.

    Esa stated that from the findings, some projects which would have impacted on the rural people were neither abandoned nor executed.

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    She said CSOs carried out projects monitoring in two (2) ministries: Ministry for Rural Development and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Works, Transport and Energy.

    In the report, she stated that out of 40 projects monitored in communities across three local governments areas, 16 projects amounting to 40percent had no evidence of any work done or commenced; 12 projects making 30percent were incomplete and abandoned, while seven projects making 17 percent have been completed and put to use. She also said work was on-going in five projects (13 percent).

    In their recommendation, the CSOs advised that government should involve them at every stage of projects for proper monitoring and execution, and funds should be made available to contractors to return to site and complete the projects as they are people-oriented.

  • Council seeks maximisation of ginger, moringa potential

    THE Raw Materials Research & Development Council (RMRDC) has advocated the full utilisation of locally produced ginger (oleoresin) used as a base product in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sector.

    At a workshop in Lagos on Thursday, with the topic: The utilisation of Locally Produced Ginger Oleoresin by Nigerian Industries, the RMRDC Director-General, Prof. Hussaini Dikko, unveiled a national strategy for Nigeria’s competitiveness in raw materials especially ginger.

    According to him, the country has the largest area in the world under ginger cultivation and ranks third in production after India and China. This, he said, underscores the need for a strategic plan by government to support producers of raw materials in terms of exploitation and development.

    He said: “Nigeria’s ginger is highly valued in the international market for its high oil and oleoresin content. Although ginger is mostly grown in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Oyo, Imo, Abia, and Lagos states, Southern Kaduna is the main producing area, with over 95 per cent of the country’s total production.

    “This position is supported by the Food & Agriculture Organisation Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) which stated that Nigeria produced 349,895 tons of ginger in 2017 with a world share of 11.5 per cent.”

    Represented by the Director, Technology Development Department, Dr. Abimbola Ogunwusi, he  said sadly, the bulk of ginger produced in the country is exported in slit-dried form. The importing countries further process it into industrial products mainly ginger powder, essential oils, oleoresin and re imported by manufacturers at higher cost.

    While underscoring the need for value addition to commodities within the country, he said statistics from Nigeria Customs Service Database in 2017 suggested that Nigeria spent over N182 million to import 524,991 kilogramme of ginger resinoids from January, 2016- February, 2017.

    He pledged the preparedness of the agency to promote, support and expedite industrial development and self-reliance through optimal utilisation of local raw materials as input to the nation’s industries especially ginger, who’s sector as a high employment opportunity.

    “RMRDC is seeking indigenous manufacturer’s buy-in as it promotes the utilisation of locally produced ginger oleoresin by user industries. Your buy-in will go a long way in developing the ginger value chain, reduce the importation of oleoresin into the country, save foreign exchange, and create job, wealth and diversify the economy,” Dikko said.

  • Benue: Igbo traders cry out over kidnapping

    Months after paying ransom abductors still holding victim

    Igbo businessmen and women in Gboko, Benue State, have appealed to security agencies to come to their aid by putting an immediate end to the incessant kidnapping of their members in the town.

    Gboko is the traditional headquarters of the Tiv.

    An Igbo leader in the community, Chief Chukwu Okafor, told The Nation that wealthy Igbo living in the town seem to have become ready targets of kidnappers.

    Okafor claimed that the security agencies have not been helping matters as no suspect has ever been arrested.

    He admitted that ransoms were usually paid to get victims released with the kidnappers allegedly threatening relations of victims that they would be killed if the security agencies were informed.

    He said 13 Igbo have been kidnapped in the community within the last one year.

    He cited the case of a trader, Aniegbu Chukwuka Kenneth, who was kidnapped on his way home on February 4, 2019 and has not been released even after his family paid the ransom demanded by his abductors.

    He said no one knows for sure whether he is still alive or dead.

    He listed those kidnapped over the last one year as:

    Onyeka Okpara kidnapped on November 19, 2018; Ugochukwu Ikegwuonu first kidnapped on February 5, 2015 and for second time on  December 1, 2018;Chief Celestine Agbo (August  28, 2018);

    Lolo Esther Nwoke  (March 18, 2019);Cajethan Anya Ugochukwu  (Oct 8, 2018); Ifeanyi Ikegwuonu  (October 28, 2017); Romanus Mouma  (May 13, 2019); and Oluchukwu Orah  (AKA) Orlando  (May 13, 2019).

    Some of the victims who spoke to The Nation narrated how they were kidnapped and taken into deep forests while ransom was negotiated with their wives and relations.

    Contacted, the spokesman for the State Police   Command Kate Anene, a DSP, said by phone that the crime wave in Gboko was being brought under control with the deployment of more police personnel to the area.

    “A police special squad had been deployed to Gboko to smoke out the hoodlums,” he said.

    She warned against payment of ransom to kidnappers   and advised the public to report cases of kidnapping to the nearest police station for necessary action.

     

  • Benue: Tribunal dismisses Lawani’s application to amend petition

    The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Makurdi on Friday dismissed application by former Deputy Governor of Benue, Mr Stephen Lawani seeking to amend his petition before it.

    Lawani, a Benue South Senatorial District candidate on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) is challenging the return of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Abba Moro as the winner of the election.

    Joined in the matter were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    At the resumption of pre-hearing on Friday, Lawani’s counsel, Mr Sunday Okpare urged the tribunal to grant his client leave to amend his petition.

    The application sought to amend Lawani’s petition, list of documents to be relied on and deemed same as properly filed and served.

    However, counsel to Moro, Mr Kenneth Ikonne opposed the application, arguing that amending the petition would have adverse effect on his reply.

    Ikonne submitted that time allowed for filing of election petition was 21 days and since that time had elapsed, the petitioner could not come before the tribunal to make substantial amendment to his petition to the extent of including new pleadings and reliefs.

    Ikonne, therefore, urged the tribunal to dismiss the application.

    Ruling on the application, Justice C. M. Ken-Eze agreed with the submissions of Ikonne that the petitioner’s proposed amendment would introduce substantial issues to the petition.

    Ken-Eze held that the petitioner’s proposed amendment amounted to substantial departure from the petition, noting that in the original petition, four reliefs were sought while in the proposed amendment, five new reliefs were added.

    “The petitioner’s application is a total departure from the original petition and cannot be accommodated by the tribunal especially as issues have already been joined.

    “The application is incompetent for introducing new things and is contrary to the provision of the Electoral Act and is hereby dismissed,” Ken-Eze said.

    She then adjourned the matter to May 24, for pre-hearing.