By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has approved the appointment of Professor Leonard Karshima Shilgba as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Science and Technology (UAST), Ihugh.

The appointment takes immediate effect, according to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula.Prof. Shilgba, a Professor of Mathematics, succeeds the institution’s pioneer Acting Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Qrisstuberg Msughter Amua, who was recently relieved of his appointment for what the state government described as administrative reasons.

The statement noted that Shilgba previously served as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), having been appointed to the position in 2017 by then-President Muhammadu Buhari. Congratulating the new Acting Vice-Chancellor, Governor Alia urged him to provide stable leadership, strengthen academic excellence and foster unity within the university community.

“This is a position of great responsibility, and we trust you will lead with wisdom, integrity and fairness. I urge you to provide steady leadership, strengthen academic excellence, and promote unity among the staff and students,” the governor said.

Alia also encouraged Prof. Shilgba to prioritise the welfare of staff and students while upholding the values and reputation of the university.

By Aga Samuel Imoter, Jalingo

Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has announced plans to revive state-wide sports festivals and reconstruct the Jolly Nyame Stadium as part of efforts to strengthen sports development and youth empowerment in the state. Kefas made the announcement while receiving a delegation of the Nigerian Tennis Federation (NTF) at the Government House in Jalingo.

The governor said sports festivals would return across Taraba’s 16 local government areas to promote grassroots talent discovery, social cohesion and youth development. He added that the Jolly Nyame Stadium would be upgraded to international standards to enable the state host major sporting events. “Our vision is to restore Taraba as one of Nigeria’s leading sporting states by investing in modern infrastructure and youth development,” the governor said.

Speaking during the visit, NTF Vice President Yusuf Datti commended the governor for supporting sports development, saying the maiden Dr. Agbu Kefas North-East Tennis Championship had helped promote tennis and identify emerging talents in the region.

In a separate engagement, the National Association of Former Local Government Council Chairmen in Nigeria (NALGON Emeritus) conferred the title of Grand Patron on Governor Kefas.

The association’s National President, Shaba Ibrahim, said the honour recognised the governor’s leadership and contributions to national development. Responding, Kefas pledged continued support for initiatives that promote national unity, responsible leadership and people-centred governance.

By Anne Azuka

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has approved a welfare package for Deltans evacuated from South Africa following recent xenophobic attacks, including a ₦2 million grant for each affected family and monthly stipends to support their reintegration.The governor announced the package during a reception for the returnees at the Government House in Asaba.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Johnson Erijo, Oborevwori said each returnee would receive a monthly stipend of ₦200,000, while every affected family would receive ₦300,000 monthly from August 2026 until May 29, 2027.

He also approved free medical screening for the returnees at government-owned health facilities and directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Services to provide trauma counselling and psychosocial support. Oborevwori condemned the xenophobic attacks, describing them as a violation of human dignity, and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for facilitating the safe evacuation of the affected Nigerians.

Earlier, Commissioner for the Bureau for Special Duties, Ejiro Etacherure, said the state government had taken steps to identify, document and support the returnees as part of their reintegration into society. Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Jacob Agbada thanked the governor for the financial assistance, describing the intervention as timely and saying it would help affected families rebuild their lives.