The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Uja Emmanuel

  • ‘Herdsmen in guerrilla type of war with farmers’

    ‘Herdsmen in guerrilla type of war with farmers’

    A one-time Federal Permanent Secretary and All Progressive Congress (APC) Chieftain, Chief Mike Okibe Onoja, on Monday condemned the spate of insecurity in Nigeria concerning Herdsmen.

    Chief Onoja disclosed that Fulani herdsmen have actually resorted to guerilla war with Nigeria farmers particularly in Benue state which accounts for wanton killings of farmers and not having them arrested.

    He lamented that it is unfortunate that the Fulani herdsmen are fighting guerilla type of war with communities and farmers across the country that had made it difficult for security agents to arrest and prosecute them.

    Chief Onoja who spoke with our correspondent in Makurdi, shortly after he was conferred with an honorary doctorate degree of Letter by the Benue State University, said the security situation in the country particularly in Benue state, call for urgent and immediate action by the Federal government.

    He said that the security challenges is not peculiar to Benue, adding that it is a national issue, the only thing is that in recent times it concentrated more in southern Kaduna and Benue, and called for the concerted efforts of the federal government to address the issue with utmost seriousness.

    According to him, ”this is not an open confrontation where they can face security agents. Is like a guerilla type of situation where they take you by surprise, attacked you and run away. And in that type of situation, it is difficult to arrest the particular individuals for prosecution, so Federal government must step up surveillance in every nook and crannies of the affected states to beat them’.

    ”It is surprising that none of the herdsmen behind the killings in Benue state and other parts of Nigeria has been persecuted. Is either they are marked, strike and get away uncaught or they are doing it with the backing of some very strong people in Nigeria. But so far, they have been very smart about it. They attacked, killed people, destroyed houses and run away like in a guerilla type of war,” he stated.

    The former Permanent secretary applauded the leadership of the Benue State University Makurdi over finding him worthy of the honour and promised to use his position in the society to influence government or private organisations to bring more development to the University especially in terms of research and infrastructure.

    ”I am now Alumnus of the University, by this honour, I have been given responsibility that would enable me to identify with their yearnings, aspirations and development. It is good to be celebrated and have your people celebrated with you. Therefore I cherish this award so dearly from all my heart because I looked at it as a feat brought to me by the Almighty God as a lucky man,” he said.

    He promised to institute a professorial research into some of the critical areas to enhance teaching and learning in the University.

  • Bishop: My focus is not on churches

    The President of Zam Zuga Foundation Bishop Sam Zuga said his calling is not to plant churches but touch the lives of the less privileged.

    Bishop Sam Zuga, a popular Evangilist from Benue state is known for undertaking free medical outreach across Nigeria.
    His free medical outreach is targeted towards the less privileged in the society.
    Speaking to journalist ahead of his plan free medical outreach in Makurdi, Benue state capital, Bishop Zuga stated that operating a church will be a distraction from his original plan of helping the poor.
     Zuga, who was reported to have turned cold water into a hot one in Ebonyi state described it as a supernatural work of God.
    “It was not a miracle but supernatural act of God to show his power. The water naturally turned into hot as I was ministering to a community in Ebonyi state” said Zuga.
    The wide travelled evangelist said so far he is helping the less privilege in America, Europe, and Africa through his foundation saying he plan to touch the lives of the people through the world and not just Nigeria.
    He said nothing can be more fulfilling like serving humanity and stated that throughout life he has never received help but rather offerred help to thousands across the world

  • Benue can account for bailout fund’- CPS to the Governor

    Against the backdrop of speculations that the Senate might probe into the way the bailout funds were managed in some states, the Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom has said he is unperturbed as he can account for the way every penny of the 28billion Naira that accrued to the State was utilised.

    Governor Ortom spoke through his Chief Press Secretary CPS, Mr Terver Akase in Makurdi, the State capital today. He said his administration welcome the proposed probe and described it as a way of strengthening accountability and prudent management of resources.

    Media reports had said that during its sitting on Monday, the Senate indicated that it is poised to probe Benue and Osun States over the disbursement of the bailout fund.

    “The call by the Senate is apt, it is the responsibility of the legislature to checkmate the executive and we in Benue State have nothing to fear because our government is anchored on transparency, accountability and the fear of God.”

    He said the State government utilised the bailout funds judiciously and transparently, expressing the willingness to account for it anytime.

    “We are happy with the call because it affords us the opportunity to tell the whole world how the bailout fund was transparently utilised by the Governor. The ICPC had investigated the State and did not find anything wrong. As far as we are concerned, there is no known case of any diversion of the bailout funds,” Akase stated.

    The spokesperson said his boss runs an open government with nothing to hide and therefore welcomes any move that will promote fiscal discipline, which said is already a tradition in their state.

  • Benue PDP in disarray, inaugurates new executive

    Benue PDP in disarray, inaugurates new executive

    The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the National level have started manifesting in Benue state where a parallel State Executive Committee of the party was on Tuesday inaugurated.

    Factional National Chairman of the party Senator Ali Modu Sherif was represented at the occasion which was held at the Makurdi residence of former Military Governor of Katsina State Senator Joseph Akaagerger by the Chairman of PDP Elders Forum in the state Chief Abu King Shuluwa.

    King Shuluwa told party faithful that the inauguration of the new state Exco followed the conduct of primaries by the faction beginning from the ward and local government levels saying the Congresses it conducted were in line with the lay down procedure of electing party officials as enshrine in the party’s constitution.

    Those inaugurated were; Hon Dan Ale, State Chairman, Andrew Pila,. Deputy Chairman, Orlalu Sambe, Vice Chairman, Paul Obaike, Vice Chairman, Orshio Kumeh State Secretary , Marce Banka, Ass State Sec and Yusuf Mudi as State Treasurer.
    Others were; Owicho Mike Sunday, State Ass Treasurer, Augustine Ogbu Fin Sec, Pius Nyager PRO 1, Francis Onuh, PRO 2, Joshua Mbakuuv Auditor, Akaa lim, State Youth Leader, Susan Emaikwu, State Woman Leader, Bar Edward Ikyoive, Ass Org Sec, Inalegwu Jacobs, Ass Org Sec, Ogbaji Aduma Ass Org Sec, Bem Nyitor Ass Org Sec, while Douglas Okpenge and Ode Onum are Ex Officios 1 and 2 respectively.

    In his inaugural speech, the new State Chairman of the party, Hon Dan Ale, thanked members for the opportunity given them and promised the reconciliation of aggrieved members as well as work for the growth of the party. Also present was the Deputy National Woman Leader Mrs. Hannatu Ullam.

  • 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.