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Tag: Benue state

  • Uni Agric, other Areas Submerged as Flood wreck Havoc in Benue State

    Uni Agric, other Areas Submerged as Flood wreck Havoc in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    No fewer than one thousand persons have been reportedly rendered homeless as well as property worth millions of naira destroyed by flood due to heavy down pour in Makurdi the Benue State capital.

    Checks by Day Break indicated that Federal University of Agriculture now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Annex along Otukpo road, Anchaver Agia street as well as Idye community have been flooded.

    It was gathered that the premises of the aforementioned institution has been Submerged with all properties including vehicles. It was a similar situation on the Anchaver Agia street where rain water has covered all the street there by hampering both human and vehicular movement.

    It was learned that the rain which lasted for several hours rendered thousands of people homeless and destroyed valuable items in the city.

    A resident of the area, Mr Teryima Apuu lamented that they have been completely cut off from accessing other parts of the state capital as motorcycles can no longer pass through the Anchaver Agia street.

    “We are appealing to Government to come and work on the Idye flood control channel to stop future occurrence.”

  • 2023: PDP Guber Candidate in Benue State Promises to Harness Agric Potentials to Boost State’s Economy

    2023: PDP Guber Candidate in Benue State Promises to Harness Agric Potentials to Boost State’s Economy

    By Isaac Kertyo Makurdi

    Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic party, PDP, Hon Titus Uba has promised to improve the revenue base of the state and harness agricultural potentials to boost the state’s economy.

    The PDP Flag Bearer who is the Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly made this promise while interacting with members of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Benue State Wing, maintained that he would bring his experience in the private sector as a trained Engineer to bear on the development of the state.

    Hon Uba stated the importance of River Benue to the economy of the state, pledging to make Benue a commercial center of the North Central Region by dragging the river. He further hinted that his administration will tackle cases of flooding in the Makurdi Metropolis.

    The Standard Bearer averred that a government led by him will collaborate with the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other professional bodies to initiate policies and programs that would improve the the standard of education in the state.

    Responding, the state Chairman, Nigeria Union Teachers, Benue State Wing, Mr Levi Akuma applauded the candidate for interacting with the union and promised to work for his victory in the next general elections.

    The Leader of the NUT described the Speaker as a humble personality, stating that he is the only Governorship candidate in the state to recognize the union. He lauded Governor Samuel Ortom over the promotion of Teachers as well as Implementation of the minimum wage for civil servants.

  • University Don, Two Others Assassinated by Gunmen in Benue State

    University Don, Two Others Assassinated by Gunmen in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    A Lecturer with the Federal Unversity of Wukari, Fred Akaayar and three others have been allegedly assassinated at Joortar, Mbterem in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State by yet to be identified gunmen.

    Day Break learnt that the incident occurred about 8:pm while the trio were sitting at a joint close to Federal Quarantine checkpoint when the assailants numbering three came on a motorcycle and shot the them to dead.

    Investigation further revealed that the Motorcyclists who came from Melabu direction operated for a period of five minutes, murdered the victims and left immediately through the same direction.

    The reasons for the gruesome murder at the moment could not be ascertained, however, sources hinted that the community has witnessed criminal activities such as kidnapping among others in the area in recent times.

    It was gathered that two of the victims, Ayange Apever until his death was the chairman, drivers association in Jootar while Mr ShiAondo Kachina was a taxi driver.

    Efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer Benue State, ASP Sewuese Anene to confirm the incident wasn’t successful as she was unreachable.

  • Gunmen Kill Lawmaker, Cousin in Benue State

    Gunmen Kill Lawmaker, Cousin in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    A Legislator representing Orokam Ward Three in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, Mr Paul Ojile and his Cousin have been allegedly beheaded by herdsmen in the area.

    Findings by Day Break indicated that the incident occurred when hunters engaged in searching for a community member who was alleged to have been kidnapped by suspected herders.

    Piqued by the dasterdly act, the angry youths of the area blocked the major high way in the area for several hours, causing traffic rule.

    Confirming the killings, the Chairman, Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Mr Samuel Onuh described the heinous act as unacceptable, explaining that the Victims were among the local hunters who had joined the Vigilant Group and some Police Operatives to rescue the man who was earlier kidnapped by suspected herdsmen.

    The Chairman, Implored the Federal Government to address the security challenge in the area to enable the people go about their normal businesses.

    When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer Benue State Command, ASP Sewuese Anene opined that two of the kidnappers have been apprehended, stressing that the kidnapped were rescued and have since been reunited with their families.

  • NANS Protest Against Prolong ASUU Strike in Benue State

    NANS Protest Against Prolong ASUU Strike in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Benue State chapter on Monday staged a peaceful protest against the prolong strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities.

    The students barricaded major streets in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, causing traffic jam as they moved round the town to register their grievances.

    The group who carried placards with various inscriptions such as ” Education is a right, not a privilege” among others said they were in the streets to press home their demand for universities to be reopened.

    Chairman of NANS in Benue State, Comr Matthew Faasema who spoke to Day Break in an interview lamented that ” we are here in the streets to register our grievances over the prolong ASUU strike. We resolved during our congress in Sokoto recently to stage a nation wide protest”.

    Comr Faasema who blamed the Federal Government over its failure to Implement the agreement it had entered into with ASUU, maintained that the position of the union is for the best interest of the Nigerian students.

    “This is not the first time, year in year out, ASUU is going on strike. We are making our demands very clear to the Federal Government that this is what we want, we want to go back to the class”.

  • Catholic Church Suspends Priest for Joining 2023 Guber Race

    Catholic Church Suspends Priest for Joining 2023 Guber Race

    The Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Gboko, the Most Reverend William Avenya, has suspended a priest, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, from public ministry for getting involved in partisan politics.

    The priest is a Benue State governorship contender on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    His suspension was contained in a letter to all Priests, Religious and Laity, Catholic Diocese of Gboko, dated May 20, 2023 and signed by the Bishop. It is titled, ‘Suspension of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia from Sacred Ministry.’

    Part of the letter read: “I write to communicate to you the suspension of my priest, Revd. Fr. Hyacinth lormem Alia from public ministry after series of admonitions to him.

    “The Mother Church does not allow her clerics to get involved in partisan politics on their own. You are aware that my son, your brother and your priest has purchased the party forms to contest for the Office of the Governor of Benue State under the All Progressives’ Congress (APC), which is totally against our vocation.

    “Therefore, to respond to the spiritual and pastoral needs of the Church in the Catholic Diocese of Gboko, I have suspended him from the exercise of sacred ministry.

    “This canonical suspension takes effect from the moment it is communicated to him and lasts until he ceases from contumacy.”

    Reacting to the suspension of the priest, the Head of Media and Publicity, Alia 2023 Gubernatorial Organization, Mr. Kula Tersoo, in a statement, described the development as ‘a normal practice of the church’.

  • Gunmen Again Kill Three Farmers in Benue State

    Gunmen Again Kill Three Farmers in Benue State

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    At least three farmers have been allegedly murdered by unknown gunmen in renewed attack on the Mbalagh community in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State.

    The attack is coming on the heels of an attack on a community in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State where farmers were gruesomely killed by suspected herdsmen.

    The attack occurred at 7pm when members of the community were relaxing shortly after closing from work where the assailants opened fire on the victims, killing three of them.The victims were identified as Kwaghbee Ukuma, Udoo Kwaghbee and Tarnande Ukuma.

    Day Break gathered that Udoo Kwaghbee was preparing food for the family while others were sitting outside in front of their houses when the attackers stormed the area.

    Reacting to the incident, the Acting Kindred Head of the area, Chief Nyityo Chia lamented that members of the community have abandoned their farm land following continued attacks.

    Also speaking on the attack, a member of the Benue State House of Assembly, representing Makurdi North, Mr Thomas Kudi expressed disgust over incessant attacks on members of the community.

    He Implored both the Benue State and Federal Governments to provide security in the area to enable the people return back to their farming activities.

    Efforts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer Benue State Police Command, DSP Sewuese Anene as at the time of filing this report proved abortive.

  • Benue: PDP Guber Consensus Collapses as Aspirants Purchase Forms, Commence Campaigns

    Benue: PDP Guber Consensus Collapses as Aspirants Purchase Forms, Commence Campaigns

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Following the collapse of the People’s Democratic party, PDP, Governorship consensus arrangement, some Guber Aspirants have commenced campaigns after purchasing expression of interest and nomination forms ready to participate in the party’s primary slated for May, 2022.

    It could be recalled that, the current Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Titus Uba was recently selected as the party’s consensus Aspirant by leaders of the 14 Tiv speaking Local Government Areas, comprising Benue North East and Benue North West.

    Day Break’s checks indicated that the current Deputy Governor of the state, Engr Benson Abounu has emerged the consensus Aspirant of the PDP from Benue South.

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom had contended that the party in the state will allow Aspirants vying for Governorship position to test their popularity during PDP primary if consensus arrangement failed.

    The Governor said this at the Government House Makurdi when members of the G9 and G14 who were coordinating and negotiating emergence of a consensus candidate presented report to him recently.

    One of the Aspirants who is stepping up efforts to realize his ambition to govern the state, Dr Paul Ubwa has fully commenced campaigns towards achieving this.

    The Aspirant who is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pleasure Travels Group of Companies while addressing Kwande PDP stakeholders and delegates at Adikpo in Benue State pointed out that the decision to contest for Governorship of the state was borne out of his desire to serve the people and bring true dividends of democracy to them.

    “I have a clear vision for where I aspire the state to be, and Iam trusting God to execute this through mechanized agriculture, infrastructure development, improved healthcare services, improved security, education development, Industrial revolution and sports transformation.”

    Reacting to the consensus arrangement, Dr Ubwa noted that ” following the completion of the zoning process and the process of a consensus, Titus Uba emerged as the consensus candidate and was presented to all Aspirants. The Kunav people initially reacted by requesting for for time to consult among themselves and they returned from their consultations with reservations.”

    Continuing, the Guber Aspirant posited thus: ” Kwande was asked to comment, and speaking on behalf of Kwande, I noted that we accepted the decision of the party and would work with the Government to ensure the party’s victory in 2023. However if the Kunav people where the position was zoned to disagree with the party’s decision, then both the decision of the consensus candidate and zoning should be reversed and returned to Kwande because Kwande has a very ready candidate”.

    Day Break learned that since the PDP consensus arrangement has collapsed, Dr Paul Ubwa and Titus Uba among other Aspirants from Benue Noth Eest are to meet Deputy Governor, Engr Benson Abounu who is the consensus candidate from Benue South at primary.

  • Health Experts Call for Collective Efforts to Eliminate Malaria as World Marks Malaria Day

    Health Experts Call for Collective Efforts to Eliminate Malaria as World Marks Malaria Day

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Health Experts have called for collective efforts to eliminate Malaria as the World marks Malaria day.

    Speaking at the event to mark World Malaria Day in Makurdi, the State Malaria Elimination Program Manager, Mrs Susan Abege noted that the disease still remain a health challenge the world over, which must be tackled by all and sundry.

    According to her the disease affects communities, house holds who need to be empowered to play a key role in the fight against the deadly disease.

    The Program Manager explained that according to the 2018 National Geographic Health Survey, Malaria prevalence rate in Benue State has dropped from 43-13.4 percent, adding that more needed to be done towards eradicating the disease in 2030.

    Mrs Abege identified pregnant women as well as under five years children as most vulnerable to the disease. She admonished expectant mothers to go for regular check to ensure the protection of their unborn babies.

    “People should sleep inside their nets, keep their environments clean. when they have fever they should go to a health facility and get tested because not all fever that are Malaria”, she stated.

    Also speaking, the State Coordinator, World Health Organization, WHO, Dr Terseer Ahemen stressed that there was great improvement in Malaria prevention and control in past years in the state despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

    His words: “In 2020 partners provided 3.4 million mosquito nets to the citizens of Benue State. This year too there will be mass campaign where at least every house hold would get 2 mosquito nets.

    The theme for this year’s Malaria day is ” Harness Innovation to reduce Malaria disease burden and save lives.”

  • SON to Partner LG Councils in Benue State to Eliminate Fake and Substandard Products

    SON to Partner LG Councils in Benue State to Eliminate Fake and Substandard Products

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    In its determination to eliminate fake and substandard products in Benue State, the Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON, is to partner with local government councils across the state.

    Leader of the team, Mr Gabriel Aba during a courtesy visit to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Kenneth Achabo explained that the visit was to seek partnership with the Bureau to ensure that the state is rid of all fake and substandard products.

    According to Mr Aba, the partnership is to also enure certification of Small and Medium- scale Enterprises and to encourage them in rice agricultural value chain for the West African Markets, which is already enjoying patronages across the country.

    Responding, the Special Adviser, Mr Achabo expressed willingness to of the Bureau to partner SON to ensure standardization of the products across the 23 Local Governments.

    The Special Adviser who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the Bureau, Mr Ode Ochele, noted that the Bureau is aware of the mandate of the organization, which is to rid the Nigerian markets, shops and stores of fake and substandard products.

    He contended that the Bureau is prepared to support SON in its campaign on substandard products to ensure that people have value for the products they purchase, stressing that this would boost the economic status of the state.