The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Makurdi  Benue State capital has struck out the petition filed by Comrade Daniel Onjeh of the APC against the Victory of Senator David Mark of the PDP in the Benue South Senatorial Election.

The Justice Mosumola Dipeolu led tribunal, in a unanimous judgment that lasted for two and a half hours, held that the petitioner failed to established any case against David Mark.

Justice Dipelou said Onjeh and APC failed woefully to prove allegations of rigging, multiple tumb printing, over stuffing of ballots, allocation of votes, intimidation, harassment and inducement of voters among others.

The tribunal also held that the petitioner failed to substantiate any of his claims which she said was fatal to Onjeh’s case.

The tribunal therefore discountenanced scanty evidence of PW 18 (Expert witness) called by Onjeh because the witness under cross examination accepted that there was error in his data analysis.

Senator Mark is currently the longest serving senator in Nigeria. He was elected in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015. He served as President of the Senate for an uninterrupted 8 years.

http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2015/10/breaking-news-david-marks-victory.html

Former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, congratulates Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 55th independence anniversary.



In a statement released by his Media Office in Abuja on Tuesday, 29 September, the former Vice President says "Nigerians deserve a pat on the back for their success and perseverance in preserving the country since independence despite the stresses and strains of nationhood".

The Turaki Adamawa reminds Nigerians that this year’s celebration is significant because it coincides with a rare change of government when an opposition party took over power through a democratic, free and fair election.

Having succeeded in deepening our democracy by making possible a peaceful transfer of power from one political party to another, says Atiku, the task before the people now is to work for national unity and peace in the land to lay the foundation for nation-building.

The former Vice President identifies nation-building as the greatest challenge facing the country at this present time because Nigerians still need to improve the way they relate to one another, adding that there is the urgent need for the people to begin to see themselves first as Nigerians, rather than one ethnic group or the other.

Stating that the future of the country lies in its ability to achieve unity and peace, the Turaki Adamawa urges all those in leadership positions to show good example to their followers. He opines that unity and peace would be much easier to attain if leaders at all levels allow justice and fair play to govern their actions. He states that when people believe in the fairness of their leaders, they would be ready to do everything within their power to protect their fatherland.

Recalling the challenge posed to the wellbeing of the nation by the prolonged Boko Haram insurgency, the former Vice President is full of praise for the resolve of the nation’s Armed Forces and the successes of the latter in the campaign against terrorism. He calls on Nigerians to continue to support the Armed Forces and its Commander-in-chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, until terrorism and the destruction and violence it brought, becomes a thing of the past.

Atiku Abubakar urges all Nigerians to support the government at all levels noting that as a watershed year in the fight against terrorism, the attention of the nation would now focus on reconstruction and rehabilitation of the areas devastated by the insurgents as well as provision of critical socio-economic infrastructure in other parts of the country for development purposes.

The former Vice President while maintaining that the future of the country is bright in view of anticipated changes in all aspects of the life of the nation, appeals to groups that are aggrieved in one way or the other and espousing separatist sentiments, to drop their agitation and take advantage of the improving political climate in the country, to seek accommodation in the larger united national community that is fast unfolding.

Atiku Media Office
61 Ebitu Ukiwe Street
Jabi
Abuja
Nigeria

http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2015/10/atiku-calls-for-national-unity-nation.html

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The Benue State Government has earmarked funds for the completion of work at the permanent National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, orientation camp in Wannune, Tarka local government area.

Governor Samuel Ortom disclosed this when the NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Johnson Olawumi paid him a courtesy visit at the Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.

He said the state government has discussed with the contractors handling projects at the camp and funds would be set aside for their payment.

Governor Ortom described the NYSC scheme as the uniting force for the country which has contributed immensely to the development of the state particularly in the health, education and community development sectors.

According to him his administration has taken steps to secure lives and property in the state through its amnesty program which he said was yielding positive results stressing that corps members serving in the state would receive special security attention.

Earlier, the Director General, Brig-General Olawumi commented the Governor for establishing a special relationship with the NYSC since the inception of his administration and for upgrading facilities at the camp including the sinking of a borehole.

The Director General also listed the provision of mattresses and beds, boosting of corps members feeding allowances as well as recruitment of the Vigilante to provide security at the camp as support the state government has given the NYSC.

He stated that the hosting of the NYSC Pre-Orientation workshop in the state as a result of the friendly posture of the state government.

Governor Ortom later declared the 2015 Batch B pre-orientation workshop at Hallyday Hotel, in Makurdi.

The theme of the workshop is Enhancing the core values of the scheme in the face of contemporary challenges.

Source: http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2015/09/benue-sets-aside-funds-for-nysc.html

A traditional head in Benue State, Chief Ambrose Iyortyer on Monday led a group of repentant ‘bad boys’ to surrender illegal weapons in their possession to the amnesty committee instituted by Governor Samuel Ortom.



Chief Iyortyer, while handing over the group which comprised mainly of young people from his Ushongo domain to the amnesty officials at the Government House in Makurdi, said they had  pleaded for forgiveness and to be reintegrated into the society.

Speaking during a ceremony to receive the group, which was terrorising the area before now, the governor said the amnesty committee was already working out detailed modalities to rehabilitate and reintegrate those who surrender illegal weapons.

According to him the modalities included a retreat at which terms of rehabilitation and reintegration of the affected persons would be unveiled.

Ortom said he was determined to tackle security issues first so as to provide an enabling environment for investment in the state.

He commended the Ter Ushongo, other traditional rulers and the clergy who accompanied him for providing the platform for the youths to surrender, urging all residents of the state to expose criminals in their midst.

Responding on behalf of those who surrendered the arms, Liambee Adeede, promised never to indulge in crime again just as he thanked the governor for giving them the opportunity to repent.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, retired Colonel Edwin Jando, said the surrendered weapons included assorted automatic and locally made rifles, pistols, grenades, and rounds of live ammunition.

http://www.benuenews.com.ng/2015/09/more-youths-surrender-weapons-in-benue.html

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A Nigerian Air Force plane crashed into a house in the northern city of Kaduna on Saturday, killing all seven people on board, a military spokesman said.

The air force said the Dornier-228 aircraft crashed into a house shortly after taking off from Kaduna Military Airfield around 06:45 (0145 ET). Nobody on the ground was hurt. "The plane was on a daily routine flight to Abuja when it crashed within the premises of the barracks, killing the four crew members and three civilian passengers," said military spokesman Colonel Abdul Usman.


An investigation has been launched to establish the cause of the crash.

(Reporting by Isaac Abrak, additional reporting by Felix Onuah; Writing by Alexis Akwagyiram; editing by John Stonestreet)

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0QY0EX20150829

http://benuestatenews..com/2015/08/military-plane-crashes-in-kaduna.html

Soldiers in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, yesterday, unleashed terror on residents at the North Bank area of the city.



The soldiers, said to belong to the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME), Makurdi, were protesting the alleged killing of one of their colleagues by suspected cultists.

Eyewitnesses said the soldiers, numbering over 30, damaged buildings and vehicles, a development that sent fearful residents scampering indoors, even as traders hastily locked up their shops and fled.


Sources told The Guardian that the soldiers went from street to street looting and harassing women and children, and that some women were sexually assaulted.

Confirming the incident, Deputy Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Matthew Oku, however, denied report that any life was lost in the disturbance.

Oku said that that at about 11:50am, the Police received a distress call that a group of persons were converging on Mainland Hotel, along NASME road.

“Police immediately went to the scene, and on getting there, met a group of people in military uniform. We noticed the soldiers had a problem with inhabitants of the area. The soldiers alleged that the civilians injured one of their personnel.

“There was trouble in the area. People were attacked and injured including policemen who were there. No life was lost. The Police are still investigating the matter to ascertain what really happened. Normalcy has, however, returned as Commissioner of Police, CP Dibal Yakadi and other senior government officials visited the scene,” said Oku.

According to CP Yakadi: “Some people in military uniform attacked locals in the North Bank and destroyed property. But we are on top of the situation now.”

The Police PPRO, who disclosed that no arrests had been made, as at the time of filing this report, urged members of the public not to take the law into their hands, but maintain peace, as the Police would do everything possible to bring the perpetrators to book, no matter how highly placed they are.

President of the North Bank Development Association, Ibrahim Ndabagi, called on appropriate authorities to make the perpetrators pay for their crimes.

Ndabagi said: “They harassed our women, stole our property and beat up young innocent people for no just reason. They were even moving into a commercial bank when youths mobilized and chased them away.”

The ensuing protest by the youths held travellers hostage for over five hours on the Makurdi/Lafia/Abuja expressway, in long queues of vehicles.

Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Terkimbi Kyange, who ran into the protest, described the incident as unfortunate and unacceptable, saying the House would take up the matter and ensure justice is done.

“How can soldiers, meant to protect life and property, carry out such a heinous act? Imagine the level of destruction done and they have forced people, especially women and children, to live in fear,” Kyange said.



SOURCE

Mark Mentors won the championship title after beating defending champions, Kano Pillars 79-66 in the final of the DSTV Premier Basketball League on Friday, August 14.


Captain Stanley Gumut, who led all scorers with 22 points to help Mark Mentors beat Union Bank 68-53 in the semi-final, said only the title is good enough for the team.

Having lost to Pillars last season in the final, Abdul Yayaha was in a happy mode after beating their arch rivals.

Pillars reached the finals after surviving a tough contest against Gombe Bulls in a 67-63 win.


http://benuestatenews..com/2015/08/dstv-basketball-league-mark-mentors.html

Photo Credit: http://benuestatenews..com/2015/08/photos-benue-apc-unite-governor-samuel.html

The West African Examinations Council has released the May/June 2015 Senior School Certificate Examination results, withholding 118,101 candidates’ results out of the 1.5 million students that sat the examination.



WAEC Head of National Office, Mr. Charles Eguridu, announced this in Lagos at a press conference on Monday.

Eguridu added that the states owing WAEC had reduced to 13, saying the candidates in public schools in the 13 states would not have their results until their state governments pay their candidates’ registration fees.

The examination body had raised the alarm that 19 states owed the agency about N4bn, an amount that might cripple the operations of WAEC.

http://www.punchng.com/news/waec-releases-ssce-withholds-118101-candidates-results/

http://benuestatenews..com/2015/08/waec-releases-mayjune-2015-ssce-result.html?m=1

Millions of African fans are expected to tune in for the return of the English Premier League
For football fans in Africa, the UK's English Premier League (EPL) is king, the ultimate championship, their main place of their worship. The global football brand is followed by more than a billion people around the world and 260 million of these are in Africa.

As the 2015-16 season kicks off, bars and cafes from Cape Town to Cairo will be preparing for an influx of fans, getting ready to follow the action on big screens.

But which team is the most popular on the continent?
We may never be able to give a definitive answer, though research carried out by Twitter gives us a fair idea, taking the total number of people in each country who follow official Twitter accounts of Premier League teams, and then breaking those figures down to give percentages for each team:

West Africa: Chelsea
There is no doubt Chelsea is the club of choice in this region.
You cannot talk about the Premier League in West Africa without thinking of Didier Drogba, Solomon Kalou, Samuel Eto'o, Victor Moses, Michael Essien and John Mikel Obi, all West Africans who have played for The Blues.

However, Drogba stands out because of his achievements both on and off the field. Of course, he was a legendary striker for the club, scoring the winning penalty to clinch the Champions League for Chelsea in 2012, and also becoming the first African player to score 100 EPL goals in the same year.
But he is also widely revered in his native Ivory Coast for his peace-building efforts after a conflict broke out in 2010-2011, and has started his own foundation to promote health and education in the country.

East Africa: Arsenal
The colour of choice for East Africa is red for Arsenal. Much of the Gunners' popularity here can be put down to the "Invincibles", the record-breaking team of the 2003-04 season which won the league without losing a single match, as part of a 49-game unbeaten run.
A strong showing of African players like Nwankwo Kanu, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Lauren made them even more popular. Kanu is surely one of the main reasons for Arsenal's popularity in Nigeria as well.
Surprisingly only one East African has ever played in the Premier League - Kenya and Southampton's Victor Wanyama.

South Africa: Manchester United
It is not a surprise that Manchester United is the most popular club in southern Africa.
They are the most successful team in the history of the EPL, winning 13 titles since the league started in 1992.
They also signed one of South Africa's biggest stars, Quinton Fortune, who played for the Red Devils for seven years.
He is also one of the many ex-players who travel to the region as a brand ambassador every year. South Africa was the first country in Africa to have an official Manchester United Supporters Club.

North Africa: Arsenal
For North Africans Arsenal is the club of choice. The Gunners have solid representation in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.
Active fan clubs in these countries have helped popularise the north London club through activities such as the annual fun run "Be a Gunner. Be a Runner".
But in Egypt, it is Chelsea which rules the roost - thanks to Mohamed Salah's $17m (£11m) move to the English champions in January 2014.


BBC


BSN

Floods in Benue

President Muhammadu Buhari has said Nigerians must stop paying mere lip service to agriculture, as crude oil and gas exports will no longer be sufficient as the country's major revenue earner.



The president gave the charge at an audience with Dr Kanayo Nwanze, the Nigerian born President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday.

"It's time to go back to the land. We must face the reality that the petroleum we had depended on for so long will no longer suffice. We campaigned heavily on agriculture, and we are ready to assist as many want to go into agricultural ventures," he said.

Buhari pledged that his administration would also cut short the long bureaucratic processes that Nigerian farmers had to go through to get any form of assistance from government.

He told the IFAD President that improvement of the productivity of farmers, dry season farming and creative ways to combat the shrinking of the Lake Chad will also receive the attention of his administration.

"There is so much to be done. We will try and articulate a programme and consult organisations like IFAD for advice," he added.

According to the president, foreign exchange will be conserved for machinery and other items needed for production "instead of using it to import things like toothpicks."

Nwanze had earlier congratulated Buhari on his victory at the general elections and assured him that IFAD was ready to give all possible assistance to the Federal Government and Nigerian farmers to boost agricultural production in the country.

Nwanze, who later spoke to State House correspondents, said IFAD had since 1985 been providing loans and grants in the nation’s agricultural sector to boost agricultural production.

"Nigeria has the largest portfolio of IFAD’s investment in Western and Central Africa and the second largest in Africa."
"But the case point here is that this country has all the endowments that it takes not only for it to produce enough food for its population but also to be the bread basket of region."

"And this is where my institution on my behalf, I offered our services and our support in the agenda of rural transformation as a key ingrate in this country’s economic and social development,"he said.

The media reports that IFAD is an international organisation dedicated to addressing issues of agriculture and poverty alleviation.
It was established in 1978, and has been collaborating with Nigeria for over 30 years.

NAN

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has alerted the state governments and communities along Benue River of possible flooding.



This follows information received from Cameroonian authorities to release excess water from Lagdo Dam.

The authorities also warned all those living around the dam and along River Benue in Garoua up to Nigeria to be alert and be ready for evacuation in case of possible flooding.

Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, said the Cameroonian authorities in Garuoa had indicated that between now and November 2015 there would be routine release of water from the Lagdo dam due to excessive amount of water presently contained in the dam.

He called on the frontline state governors, State Emergency Management Agencies, first respondents and relevant authorities to alert the communities at risk prepare safe locations for possible evacuation and adequate preparedness.

Sidi said the agency had dispatched the alert to the effected state governors and is following up with appropriate advocacy.

The release of excess water from the dam in 2012 contributed to massive flooding of communities along the river. In 2013, the two countries reached an agreement that Cameroon was to give early warning to enable Nigeria put in place proactive measures to prevent destruction of lives and properties.

Benue News

Photo Credit: Benue News

Thats good for the Country



Benue News

A 25-year-old lady at Adekaa market in Gboko, Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, simply identified as Mngu is in police net for selling her one-month-old baby.


Daily Independent reported that she also attempted to sell her elder sister’s two years old son after selling her child in Enugu, which she claimed had died.

Though she is yet to reveal the amount she sold the baby, the bubble burst when she returned home; stole her sister’s son and took it again to Enugu with the intention of selling the child before luck ran out on her as she was nabbed in an attempt to sell the child.


A source close to the family siad “She (Mngu) took her baby before it was named and was away for sometime and only came back later to inform her family that the child had died.”

The source also said: “If she had not been caught in an attempt to sell her sister’s son, we wouldn’t have known that she sold her baby.”

It was further gathered that it was while attempting to sell the sister’s child that she was apprehended by men of the Enugu state command which conveyed her and her sister’s son back to Gboko.

She is being detained in Gboko.

When Daily Independent contacted the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Austin Ezeani, on Monday, he asked for time to confirm the report which he never did.


http://benuestatenews..com/2015/08/woman-detained-by-police-in-benue-for.html

Former Senate President, Senator David Mark has given out N50 million to indigent students as part of the 2014/2015 Senator David Mark Scholarship Foundation (DMSF) Awards.


The awardees included 14,703 students from various universities, polytechnics, colleges of education as well as school of nursing.

Speaking at the flag-off of ceremony in Otukpo, Benue State, Senator Mark called for improved funding for the education sector in the country in order to save the upcoming generation from oppression and manipulation.

Mark who also called on public spirited individuals to avail indigent young Nigerians scholarships to acquire formal education so as to improve themselves.

“Education for all is my passion; my prayer is that we improve the sector through improved funding so that every Nigerian of school age can be educated and saved from manipulation and oppression.

“Likewise, this foundation was set up to avail students in our state financial assistance to aid their education; I urge good-spirited persons to also emulate this by sponsoring at least two students in our communities, it will go a long way to eliminate ignorance in the society,” Mark said.

Also, in a statement signed by Media Assistant to Senator Mark, Mr. Paul Mumeh, the former Senate President said the beneficiaries are classified into five categories including students of tertiary institutions, gifted girl child, orphans and vulnerable children as well as special awards.

Mark restated his passion for education and wished that all citizens have access to quality and functional education..He reiterated that the scholarship now under a foundation would outlive him because “it is a legacy dear to me.”

The former Senate President used the occasion to express appreciation to the Federal Government for approving the new University of Medical Sciences sited in his Otukpo, Benue state country home. To the benefitting students, Mark counselled them to shun all forms of vices such as cultism and examination malpractices saying “you would be our pride and worthy future leaders if you continue to excel in your academics.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of DMSF, Prof. James Alachi said the scholarship scheme which started in 2005 with a token of N5,000 per student has increased to N20,000 per beneficiary in 2015.

This he explained is beside the over 1,000 indigent students on full scholarship.

http://benuestatenews..com/2015/08/david-mark-pay-indigent-student-n50.html

Unknown gunmen who opened fire on a supermarket have left eight dead and many injured in Zaki-Biam, in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident comes just a few weeks after some unknown men shot and killed a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Katsina-Ala, Chief Atoza Ihindan.

Confirming the incident, the Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state command, Austin Ezeani, however said only two persons were killed while three others were wounded and are presently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

Ezeani lamented that the killings have moved from Katsina-Ala to Ukum LGA, even as he warned those with arms to surrender them or face the wrath of the law.

The gunmen had stormed the supermarket at about 10am while customers were making purchases, and opened fire on them, killing 8 people in the process.

We also gathered that the incident had sent other persons scampering for safety while other shop-owners immediately closed shop.

An eye witness said: “There is tension in the area. People are scampering for safety. Families have fled for fear of been killed and the development has left social and economic activities in total disarray because at the moment nobody can get anything to buy in Zaki-Biam.”


http://benuestatenews..com/2015/08/shocking-unknown-gunmen-kill-8-in-zaki.html

Introduction:
All applicants seeking admission into University of Agriculture, Makurdi are hereby invited to register on-line for the 2015/16 academic session admission.


The application must be from suitably qualified candidates who have applied to Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and have chosen University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

Eligibility

Only candidates who sat for 2015/2016 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with correct subject combination and have scored a minimum of 180 marks in the examination are eligible to take Post-UTME Screening Test.

Method of Application

a.       Applicants are required to pay a non-refundable fee of N2,000 for Post-UTME and N500 for service charge , bringing the total to N2,500 (Two Thousand Five Hundred Naira) only

b.      Applicant will be given a University of Agriculture, Makurdi POST-UTME Payment Slip from the Bank containing applicant’s JAMB Number as User Name and Payment Pin as Password.

c.       Applicants are expected to register online for the POST-UTME using the Payment Voucher information by filling the POST UTME Registration Form available on the University website www.uam.edu.ng (follow the guidelines on the website).

d.      Applicants are expected to provide correct information about their candidature on the University portal and make a printout of the form filled online from the University portal.

e.       Your computer printout of the online registration from the University website will contain date, time and venue of your Post-UTME screening test which is personal to you.

Payment Options for Fees/Charges

Applicants have three payment options. The options are:

        i.            Internet Banking: Go to the University website and follow the instruction on our website to make your payment on the portal using your bank ATM card.

      ii.            Mobile Banking: Use your ATM card on a mobile device (i.e. internet ready handset, ipad, etc) on the portal www.uam.edu.ng to pay your fees/charges. Follow the instruction at www.uam.edu.ng

    iii.            Bank Branch: Go to any branch (nation-wide) of Zenith Bank Plc, UBA Plc, Union Bank Plc and Skye Bank Plc to pay the fees.

There is a video and text instructions/guidelines on how to make payment using the three options on our website www.uam.edu.ng 


The Screening Exercise Sessions

i.        The screening exercise commences on, 17th August and ends on Thursday 20th August, 2015.  

ii.      Applicants are expected to come along with the following on the Screening Exercise date:

a.       The Printout of the Online Registration Form filled from the University website.

b.      Bank Payment Slip as evidence of payment.

c.       A coloured Printout of original JAMB result slip (the coloured result slip that contains your passport photograph on it)

Applicants should Note:

i.        The Post-UTME screening test is Computer-Based Testing.

ii.      The use of Electronic calculators, GSM phones, CDMA and other electronic devices are not allowed into the screening exercise hall.

iii.    Candidates without the Filled Online Form, coloured printout of the Jamb result with passport photograph and Bank Payment Slip will not be allowed to participate in the screening exercise.

iv.    Bank draft and Cash payment will not be accepted.



Signed

Benue News

A 20 year old father of triplets in Benue State Mr. Terngu Gbaeren is soliciting the support of the general public to extend their hand of support to the upbringing of his new babies.

The Makurdi based Okada rider's desire to become a father turned to another dimension on 2nd June 2015 when his wife Iember not only made him a father of one but three children bringing enormous stress on his little income.

Members of the public wishing to offer assistance are to call the father, Mr. Terngu Gbaeren on 08110254086

It can be recalled that a Lagos father of three had recently abandoned his family for lack of financial capacity to carter for the babies and their mother leading to the prompt intervention of the Lagos State government to save the life of the family.

http://oyiidoma..com/2015/07/benue-father-of-triplets-solicits.html