The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Makurdi

  • Ortom visits Agatu over herdsmen attacks

    Ortom visits Agatu over herdsmen attacks

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has solicited assistance from the Federal Government, global agencies, organizations, and individuals to rehabilitate destroyed communities in Agatu and other parts of the state.

    He also requested federal government’s support to institute a commission of inquiry to examine the causes of the attacks, document the losses and recommend solutions.

    Governor Ortom made the requests while speaking with journalists in Okokolo, Agatu local government area after the state executive and security councils inspected some communities destroyed by herdsmen during the recent attacks.

    He described the magnitude of destruction as monumental and far beyond the financial capacity of the state to rehabilitate the affected communities.

    The Governor said he had visited some of the places attacked by insurgents in the North East but the magnitude of devastation in Agatu far exceeded those places.

    Governor Ortom requested the Federal government and people of goodwill across the world to assist the Benue State government to enable ravaged communities to recover and get their lives together again.

    According to him, farming and grazing were incompatible hence the imperative to establish ranches as a permanent solution to the incessant clashes between farmers and herders.

    He announced that the state government would construct the road from Obagaji to Agagbe in Gwer West local government area while the road from Oshigbudu to Obagaji would be completed in order to enhance accessibility to the area.

    Governor Ortom stated that with the inspection, the councils would take further steps to secure the area so that the people could return to their homes.

    He addressed the affected communities at Aila, Okoklo and those displaced at Obagaji.

    Those who spoke including Agatu Caretaker chairman, Joseph Ngbede, traditional rulers of Agatu and Apa, Chiefs Godwin Onah and John Antenyi, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leader in the area, John Ngbede, Special Adviser, Alhaji Isah Usman, Assembly member. Alhaji Sale Audu, and former council chairman, Mike Inalegwu commended Governor Ortom for his efforts in restoring peace in the area.

  • Fed Govt reverts varsity to college

    THE Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Prof. Emmanuel Kucha, has said that federal government has reverted the Federal University of Health Sciences approved by immediate past administration in Otukpo, Benue State to a college of medicine at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi (UAM).

    Former president Goodluck Jonathan had approved the University of Sciences in Otukpo along with the upgrade of four Colleges of Education on the eve of his exit.

    Prior to the approval, UAM was earlier granted the license to run the college of medicine with its teaching hospital located in Otukpo.

    But the VC explained that Federal Government had reversed the previous administration’s decision to upgrade it to a university of Health Sciences independent of UAM.

    Kucha however said that the take off of the college has been put on hold pending the availability of funds.

    “As of now we are sourcing for funds to develop the college of medicine”, he said.

    To increase internally-generated revenue to meet the challenges in the institution, the Vice Chancellor said the university has expanded its crop farming of rice, corns, soya beans and other farm produce, and also established table water project which he said has improved the institution’s revenue.

  • FG reverts varsity to college

    FG reverts varsity to college

    The Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Prof Emmanuel Kucha has said that federal government has reverted the Federal University of Health Sciences approved by immediate past administration in Otukpo, Benue State to a college of medicine at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi (UAM).

    Former president Goodluck Jonathan had approved the University of Sciences in Otukpo along with the upgrade of four Colleges of Education on the eve of his exit.

    Prior to the approval, UAM was earlier granted the license to run the college of medicine with its teaching hospital located in Otukpo.

    But the VC explained that Federal Government had reversed the previous administration’s decision to upgrade it to a university of Health Sciences independent of UAM.

    Kucha however said that the take off of the college has been put on hold pending the availability of funds.

    “As of now we are sourcing for funds to develop the college of medicine”, he said.

    To increase internally-generated revenue to meet the challenges in the institution, the Vice Chancellor said the university has expanded its crop farming of rice, corns, soya beans and other farm produce, and also established table water project which he said has improved the institution’s revenue.

  • Akiga launches football academy in Makurdi

    Akiga launches football academy in Makurdi

    A new vista has been opened in the area of football academies in Nigeria with the formal launch of the Felix Akiga Football Academy in Makurdi, Benue State courtesy of former Nigerian basketball international, Chief Felix Akiga.

    At an impressive ceremony held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital recently, the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Benson Abounu commended the initiative by Akiga noting that what it means is that Benue State will remain the home of top football stars.

    “This is a good initiative that is in line with our campaign promises of creating a conducive environment for our youths and getting them off the streets. Education and sports is the key to having an excellent and vibrant youth that can hold their own anywhere in the world. It is in line with our electoral promises that we’re identifying with this dream.

    “To imagine that this project is coming from basketball player is commendable. We’re therefore donating an expanse of land towards making the project a reality knowing that the benefits will be very rewarding.”

    The Director General National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Al-hassan Yakmut in his address, which was read by Idris Gidado, an assistant director in the commission said that given the statutory roll the NSC is charged with in sports development, they cannot but identify with the private sector in the development of sports in the country.

    “The NSC is proud to identify with this project and welcome the private sector participation in the development of sports. It’s important that our athletes fuse sports with education. This academy has set out to hunt and identify talents. It suits our programme of developing sports at the grassroots. We’ll give this our support,” he stated.

    Akiga, the chief executive of Choice Leisure Limited with hotels in Makurdi, Zaria, Abuja, Obudu and Dubai, while shedding light on the project said the academy is to bridge the gap and get players to understand that contracts are not just signed for the sake of it, but must be thoroughly read and understood before putting pen to paper.

    “Many Nigerian athletes don’t understand the contracts they sign and those who manage them only exploit them for their personal gains. Sports have become scientific and must be understood as such. Prominent players like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo don’t just play the way they do; they are calculative in their ball work because they have gone through a structured process,” he stated.

  • Suspected arsonists torch businessman’s home in Makurdi

    Suspected arsonists yesterday set ablaze the family compound of a Makurdi-based businessman, the late Gaadi Amogo.

    The house is located at Gaadi settlement, Km 4, Makurdi-Gboko Road,  Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

    About 22 rooms in the compound were torched by the suspected arsonists.

    The head of Gaadi Amogo family, Hon. Gaadi, told reporters that the family was asleep when the house went up in flames.

    He said the fire spread in a manner that suggested that the house was sprayed with petrol.

    Gaadi said about 22 rooms were razed and property worth millions of naira  destroyed.

    Other family members, who spoke to The Nation, said their belongings were destroyed by the inferno.

    A witness said about 20 arsonists came to avenge the death of a relation, whose wake was slated for yesterday.

    Police spokesman Austine Ezeani confirmed the incident.

    He said one person had been arrested and is helping the police in their investigation.

  • Youths remanded over teenager’s ‘murder’ in Makurdi

    Three youths, who allegedly shot dead a 19-year-old, Mustapha Bala, were remanded yesterday in Makurdi Medium Prisons on the orders of a Makurdi Magistrate’s Court.

    The Magistrate, Mrs Theresa Wergba, directed that the youths be kept behind bars, pending the outcome of investigation into the murder.

    The accused are: Samaila Salisu, 20; Mohammed Abubakar, 20 and Abubakar Idris, 25; all of Wadata Quarters in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

    The trio is facing a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.

    Also, the prosecutor, Insp. Micheal Iorundu, told the court that the case was reported at the ‘A’ Divisional Police headquarters in Makurdi by Salisu Bala of 17, Sokoto Street, Wadata, Makurdi, on April 22.

    According to him, the three accused came to Bala’s house on a motorcycle and attacked his 19-year-old son, Mustapha, who was asleep outside.

    Iorundu said the first accused brought out a gun and shot the victim on the forehead, leading instantly to his death.

    The policeman said the offences contraven Sections 97 and 222 of Penal Code.

    The prosecutor said investigation into the matter was still ongoing.

    He urged the court to adjourn the matter.

    The magistrate adjourned the matter till June 24 for mention.

  • Candidates vandalise JAMB office in Makurdi

    The Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB’s) zonal office in Makurdi was yesterday vandalised by candidates, who demanded a print out of their centre and examination date.

    The candidates converged on the zonal office on Abu King Shuluwa Road, near Makurdi International Market, Makurdi from 7am.

    They said they came to get their print out to know their centre and examination date.

    A candidate, Miss Mwuese Okoh, said they were asked to wait outside the gate in the scorching sun for almost six hours, and nobody attended to them, adding that the next thing they saw was a  vehicle carrying armed policemen.

    “Immediately the policemen arrived, they fired canisters of tear gas to disperse us. Some even shot into the air,“ she alleged.

    The Nation learnt that the over 300 candidates  blocked the road leading to the JAMB zonal office in Makurdi, made bon fires and smashed the office window. They also vandalised cars parked outside.

    We gathered that over 60 candidates were arrested and taken to the police headquarters for questioning.

    The Coordinator of JAMB zonal office, Mr.  Samulel Omoru, described the incident as unfortunate.

    He said they were awaiting signals from Abuja before they would begin the print out.

  • Three discharged in Makurdi

    Three persons, who were quarantined at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, because they had visited Liberia, have been discharged.

    The Chief Medial Director (CMD) of the hospital , Prof. Orkurga Malu, who confirmed the development, said they were discharged after a test carried out on them showed they were not infected.

    A statement by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations, Comrade Cephas Hough, said the hospital has no other case monitored for the Ebola virus and the persons have been allowed to go and unite with their families.

  • Fire guts HoS office in Makurdi

    Fire guts HoS office in Makurdi

    There was a fire yesterday at the Establishment Department in the office of the Benue State Head of Service.

    A source said the fire started at from the air conditioner. The inferno destroyed all the files in the confidential office, including those of pensioners and other categories of civil servants.

    The source said the Permanent Secretary, Establishment retired a week ago and the office has been locked.

  • Unending controversy over Aper Aku stadium Makurdi

    Unending controversy over Aper Aku stadium Makurdi

    Today is exactly five years ago when Benue State government awarded the contract for the upgrading of Aper Aku stadium play pitch to Monimichelle Sports Facility Development Company.

    The contract was for upgrading from grass to astro turf in line with FIFA standard. The duration of the contract was for one year and the contractor promised to deliver in eight months with availability of funds.

    The stadium was formally handed over to the contractor while Lobi Stars Football Club relocated to Jalingo, in Taraba State, and later Bauchi, in Bauchi State before they returned to Katsina Ala stadium for their home Glo Premier League matches .

    Since five years ago, work on the playing pitch has remained at a snail speed, even though the coconut fiber and other materials are lying waste inside stadium, waiting for installation for a long period.

    The contractor and Benue State government are at logger heads while fans of the Makurdi side are being denied the opportunity of seeing their darling team in action year in and out. The contractor has maintained that unless his balance of money be paid in a dedicated account before he will complete the installation which would take less than one month.

    According to the contractor, he has suffered untold hardship during payment for procured materials that were shipped from abroad and has learnt his lesson.

    His fear is that once he completes the work, it would be difficult for him to collect his balance as the administration is winding up very soon.

    However, Benue State government, from the Ministry of Sports and that of Finance, would not accept such condition. According to an official, who pleaded anonymity told SportingLife that since 90 percent of the contract sums was paid, the contractor must first complete installation before the total balance.

    Nobody is ready to shift position. But those at the receiving ends are Lobi players and their teaming fans.

    Benue State coffers are also being depleted on weekly basis, with cost of playing home matches away from Makurdi. But with election year around the corner, not too long before Aper Aku stadium would be one among the numerous abandoned projects.

    Chairman, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Benue State chapter Uja Emmanuel appealed to both the contractor and Benue State government to set aside their differences and come to a compromise so that the stadium be completed before the commencement of the new League season.

    Uja Emmanuel stated that government should put the interest of the football fans above personally interest and for the overall development of the beautiful game which is king of all sports.

    The SWAN chairman stated that the economic benefit of Lobi stars playing at Aper Aku statdium cannot be over emphasised, with pet traders coming to the stadium to make brisk business during home matches.

    He appealed to Governor Gabriel Suswam to urgently intervened so that the staduim would be completed and Lobi Stars return to Makurdi.