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Tag: GBOKO

  • Fidei Poly matriculates 543

    Five hundred and forty-three students have matriculated at the Fidei Polytechnic, Gboko, Benue State.

    It was the institution’s 19th matriculation held at its premises.

    Delivering his speech, the polythenic’s Acting Rector, Mr. Aper, Chris Igbadio, admonished the new students to be more committed to their studies. He warned that any student that flouted the rules and regulations of the institution would be dealt with.

    He said: “As you officially start the next level of your career, I urge you to be focused, and realise the task in front of you that will set you on the path of your profession and personal life. You must remember to be law-abiding at all time and constantly resist all forms of vices such as examination malpractice, cultism, theft, hooliganism, drug abuse, and fighting, that we consider unacceptable here. I encourage you to strive for excellence and never to spend time on social entertainment. Also, your primary aim of coming here is to study, and I urge you that we will make your stay here as pleasant as possible.”

    Benue State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Dennis Tyavyar, who was represented by Mr Utuku Iormough, congratulated the new students and charge them to be serious, steadfast, unrelenting, and give their all.

    “I, therefore, urge you all to be serious, steadfast, hard working, and also give your all to education. Polytechnics are always the best in terms of technology because students who undergo polytechnic education are never stranded in the labour market. They are usually well trained to be independent in terms of innovations, and entrepreneur skills, among others. Also, the ministry appreciate Fidei Polytechnic for good works in academic excellence.”

  • Benue: INEC reschedules election in three LGAs

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rescheduled voting in three local government areas of Benue state.

    Voting was generally peaceful on most parts of the state and the strong contention for power by leaders of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appear to have greatly energized their grassroots support base for a good turnout on Saturday.

    The Resident Electoral Commission in Benue state, Dr. Nentawe Goshwe on Saturday evening explained that there are logical and valid reasons for rescheduling the elections.

    He explained that the governorship and House of Assembly election in Mbalon ward of Gwer East Local government area because of the volume of electoral materials burnt by thugs.

    He also said that elections are being rescheduled in Yandev North ward of Gboko local government and in Tarka local government because  INEC staff were held hostage there.

  • Unity feast in Tiv heartland

    Every year Gboko, the ancestral home of the Tiv in Benue State, hosts the ethnic group and others in an event that features a fish meal, beauty pageantry and peace talks. UJA EMMANUEL reports that the convener, Smith Akoom Takema, is helping to foster peace and unity in a historical town racked with restiveness

    Makurdi may well be the political capital of Benue State, but Gboko is the soul of the Tiv, the largest ethnic group in the state. The revered Tor Tiv, paramount ruler of the Tiv, lives and administers his people in Gboko. The once popular Benue Cement Company (BCC) now owned by business mogul Aliko Dangote, is in Gboko. Also, the BCC Lions Football Club, once in the top flight of Nigerian football, had its home in the heartland of the Tiv.

    The Tiv who are found not just in Benue State but in Taraba State as well as Cameroon, call Gboko home.

    But the town is also troubled by youth restiveness, a challenge which a Tiv, Smith Akooma Takema has been working hard to resolve since 2015. That year, Mr Takena gathered some people together, served them fish and told them there was an urgent need to get something befitting out of their ancestral homeland, not criminality and division, and the bad name it brought to the people.

    That was how the free fishing festival or FFF, as Takema called it, was born. The Tiv, their friends and admirers come together in Gboko every December, savour their delicacy, washed down with drinks, sit back and watch beauty pageants contest for the top prizes. But amid all of that, the message is sent out that the Tiv and their ancestral home need to weld together in peace and forge ahead.

    Ahead of another FFF this Yuletide, the convener Takema, told The Nation:

    “The FFF is an annual social  gathering aimed at promoting peace, love, unity and the spirit of togetherness.”

    Takema said that the yearly event is non-political and has no religious colouration. Nor is it an ethnic or tribal affair. It is an event for everyone who seeks peace and cohesion.

    “We are aiming at uniting the human race,” said Takema.

    He went down memory lane, saying the festival started in 2015 when he gathered a small group of friends and mooted the idea of giving Gboko people something different than restiveness which is common among the youths.

    “The festival is called free fish festival simply because all invited guests are served roasted fish,” Takema said.

    The convener is a fish farmer with a large fish pond. This may account for why he serves up generous fish meals to his annual December gathering.

    Each guest gets a full roasted fish free of charge, and served in the spirit of the famous Tiv hospitality.

    Beside eating free fish at the festival, a lot of side attractions take place on the event day  like musical presentation, cultural activities, oral performance and other forms of entertainment.

    There is also a beauty pageant  to select Miss FFF.

    Smith Takema said this year’s FFF will be the best in terms of organisation.

    The festival served  as a talent hunt for upcoming artists too. The event holds annually on December 29.

    It is the hospitality of the Tiv people, so when next you spend your Christmas in Gboko  visit Free Fish Festival.

  • TUC wants Justice for Elizabeth Ochanya

    …says rape is crime against humanity

     

    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has asked Nigerians not to keep quiet about issues of rape which it described a crime against humanity, insisting that the government must bring to justice the 51 year lecturer of Benue state Polytechnic arrested for serially raping a 13 year old girl along with his son.

    Chairperson of the TUC Women Commission, Comrade Oyinkan Olasanoye said in a statement in Abuja that they will not keep quiet on this matter, adding that justice to Elizabeth on this case is justice to the thousands of women all over the world who have suffered same.

    Read Also:Lecturer remanded for alleged rape, murder

    The statement reads: “We have received with a deep shock the news of the death of Miss Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje, a 13-year-old pupil of Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Gboko, Benue State.

    “We feel more saddened that her death was caused by a health condition called “Vesicovaginal Fistula” and other related diseases that arose from the several sexual abuses a 51-year-old lecturer in the Department of Catering and Hotel Management, Benue State Polytechnic, Mr Andrew Ogbuja, and his son, Victor, a student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Markurdi. The deceased was living with them and for many years they defiled her through her virgina and anus.

    “Truth be told, the incidences of rape have continued because the country is not doing enough to curb it. The act in itself is bad, but worse when minors are the victim. To imagine the mental torture the deceased went through in itself should be a torture to sane minds, especially women.

    “One however wonders how these things happened under the roof of Mrs Ogbuja without her knowledge: we suspect a foul play here!

    “We want to cease this opportunity to condemn the “loud silence” of victims and relatives when a rape has taken place. If rape is a crime of aggression with the sole aim of having sexual intercourse without the consent of the other person then we must not keep quiet.

    “The shame and stigmatization of rape victims have been going on for long and it has not done the womenfolk any good. Statistics of incidences of rape cases available has shown that if the country (especially the lawmakers, security agencies, Trade Unions and Non-Governmental Organisations) do nothing drastic, soon the magnitude will so increase that every home becomes a potential victim.

    “The time for parents to stop taking things for granted is now. From the look of things our children are no longer safe with uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and even people of the same faith. It is Elizabeth Ochanya today, who knows who would be next?
    “On our part as Women in Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), we will not keep quiet or do nothing on this matter. Justice to Elizabeth on this case is justice to the thousands of women all over the world who have suffered same fate.

    “To have carnal knowledge of a little girl through the anus and vagina since she was eight is unimaginable and a crime against humanity, especially the womenfolk. We urged the judiciary and security agents not to sweep this very case under the carpet.”

     

  • Muslim leader visits victims of Gboko fire

    The Leader of Benue Muslim community Alhaiji Garba Baba has visited victims of Gboko main Market inferno, in Makurdi, Benue State.

    Alhaji Baba who was accompanied by other Muslims clerics on the sympathy visited to Gboko traders who were affected by the fire incident called on both the state and federal government to assist the victims to return to business.

    Addressing the traders, the Muslim leader said the fire destroyed goods worth millions at the time the economy was harsh and commended the governor for his prompt to the plight of the traders through donation of N20 million.

  • Fire raze down Gboko market

    Gboko main market located in Gboko town has been razed down by fire .

    The fire according to an eyewitness Tarnongo Uganden started at about 4am on Monday .

    Uganden said the mysterious fire consumed large warehouses with millions of goods , as there is no firefighting station in Gboko town .
    Attempt by youths to subdue the fire proved abortive as they could only managed water fetch from hand dug well.

    Traders who owned shops in the market wept uncontrollably at the sight of their goods being consumed by the inferno without help.

    Chairman of Gboko Local Government council Becky Orpin who confirmed the incident expressed regret and appealed to the traders to remain calm.

    Read Also: Benue: Gov. Ortom lifts Gboko curfew

    The Nation investigation revealed that attempt by previous Gboko local government administration to relocate the overcrowded market to a new site met a brick wall.

    A new market was built in 1993 by Honourable John Uan adminstration, and Honourable Ioryue as council chairman upgraded structures at the Gboko new market yet the traders remained adamant to relocate.

    The current chairman Mrs. Orpin on assumption of office set up a task force to relocate the market to a new site but the issue resulted in litigation.

    Most shops in Gboko main market had attachment which is easily prone to a fire incident.

    At press time fire fighters were yet to arrive Gboko from Makurdi a distance of 30 Km and fire was still billowing in the sky

  • Gunmen abducts businessman in Gboko

    Gunmen  suspected to be kidnappers have abducted  an Ibo trader in Gboko, Benue State on Wednesday .

    The incident occurred about 11 am opposite Zenith Bank PLC, on J.S Tarka way in Gboko.

    The name of the victim is Celestine Agbo  ( aka Yellow) .

    According an eyewitness who pleaded anonymity   said the armed gunmen came in a Toyota corolla  popular known as dog nyash  and shot  into  the air sporadically.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct slain DPO’s wife

    After shooting they went after their target who was among those on que to withdraw cash from ATM.

    The Gun abducted Agbo and drove away towards Gboko-Lessel road.

    When contacted, the two DPOs of Gboko A and B divisions who were  at the scene of the incidence with team of policemen    referred our correspondent to the Police Public Relation ( PPRO) in makurdi .

    The Chairman of Igbo traders’ association Tofi line, Mr. Nonso Okonkwo confirmed the incidence and said the victim was a member of the association.

    Attempt to speak with the PPRO failed as his GSM number were switch off.

  • UMTE : JAMB assures candidates of hitch-free exams in Benue

    UMTE : JAMB assures candidates of hitch-free exams in Benue

    Mr Oise Ofala, the Benue Coordinator of Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB), has assured candidates writing the Unified Tertiary Examinations (UMTE) in the state of hitch-free examination.

    Ofala tod the Newsmen on Friday in Makurdi that JAMB staff involved in the examination as well as security personnel detailed to monitor the exercise had been assigned to the centres.

    He said the Computer Based Test (CBT) would be conducted in 12 centres spread across the three Senatorial districts of the state.

    The coordinator said that two security personnel had been assigned to each centre and assured that the back-up coverage would accommodate any computer challenge during the examination.

    Read Also: UTME 2018: JAMB vows to fight malpractice, cautions against fraudsters

    “We are 100 per cent ready and prepared for the examination; two security personnel are assigned to every centre. We are not relying on public power supply as we have our generators.

    ” Every centre has the capacity to carry 250 candidates per session and some centres can carry up to three sessions per day,” he said.

    He, however, declined to mention the number of candidates writing the examination in the state.

    ” I do not have that statistics; the whole thing was done before my arrival. As you can see, I just took over as the state coordinator,” he said.

    Newsmen Report that the examination will be conducted in Makurdi, Gboko, Katsina-Ala, Oju and Otukpo.

    NAN

  • Gboko: Of poliitics and bloodshed

    Sir: The recent barbaric killing of seven Fulani men in Gboko Local Government Area of Benue state stands condemned. Hoodlums involved in the attack operating under any guise have committed a felony and must be handed the punishment they deserve according to the full measure of the law if found guilty. The mindless, senseless execution meted on the victims is the degeneration of law and order I have always prayed Nigeria will not cascade into. We have played so much politics of silence or worthless gibberish comments since killings by herders got to an alarming proportion in parts of the country with intense occurrence in some north-central states. Too much politics is breeding “blooditics” from both sides of the divide.

    Looking for who to blame for what happened in Benue is unfortunate and sadly characteristic behavior of how we find ourselves where we are today. The blame antics has trickled down from government to ordinary Nigerians who take pleasure in shifting responsibilities over stance they refused to undertake.

    We must act fast towards bringing lasting solution to this horrible killing monster fast growing bigger than its cage. With the recent declaration by president of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore Socio-cultural Association, Bello Abdullahi Bodejo declaring trouble if President Mohammadu Buhari is not re-elected in 2019, is indeed a big deal in the ugly situation the country has to peal through.

    Minster of Defense Mansur Dan-Ali and the Inspector General of Police in their separate submissions said the decision of some states to enact laws banning open grazing triggered the violence. The chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Plateau State, Nuru Abdullahi, said nobody could deprive Fulani herdsmen of their constitutional right of free movement. We may recall that President Buhari once begged host communities to live in harmony with herders, blaming the frequent clashes on “population” growth. From the descending narratives, there is no definite warning against using violence to secure “lost” cattle routes. It has been a medley of sweet showers of excuses for a violent trend capable of tearing the country asunder, as frustrated Nigerians are beginning to arm themselves to respond to each attack.

    Almost all the proposed solutions to the frequent killing spree are politically based. Sadly, despite the sabre rattling’s over cows, Nigeria is not on the top 20 cow producing countries in the world. With the United States of America leading in beef production, ranching has been their strategy and no violence has been recorded between farmers and cattle owners.

    The seriousness of our foolishness as a nation is reflected each time we seek subterfuge for criminals all because we seek to protect ethnic, religious or corporate interests instead of strengthening our corporate integrity. Even the criminals have realized our mediocre stance and they are basking in it as innocent Nigerians are slain on daily bases. The law of the jungle is setting in, as constitutional authorities begin to take the back seat.

     

    • By Israel A. Ebije,

    ebijeo5@gmail.com

  • PDP members defect to APC in Gboko

    Hundreds of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Mbakpegh ward, Gboko, Benue State, at the weekend defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The defectors, most of who are associates of Secretary to the State Government Prof. Tony Ijohor (SAN), were led by James Terhemba, popularly known as Shehu, a former majority leader of the Gboko Legislative Council; PDP Chairman Verlumun Avar, and Agber Igba. They were received by the APC Chairman Abba Yaro.

    Yaro hailed the consistency and resilience of members of the APC and urged them to continue.

    He assured the new members of equal opportunities, and urged old members to remain firm in their support for Governor Samuel Ortom.

    The defectors cited the people-oriented policies of the Ortom-led administration in security, agriculture, anti-corruption, resolution of the famers/herdsmen crisis as reasons for their decision.

    Prof. Tony hailed the defectors for choosing to join the APC, describing it as a wise decision.

    He called on the people to pray for Ortom’s success, saying he is genuinely committed to transforming the state.