₦airaland Forum

The Coalition on Conflict Resolution and Human Rights in Nigeria has released a complete a review of incidents of clashes between herdsmen and farmers in several states of the federation.



There have been reports of incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen across the country particularly in Benue, Taraba, Kogi and other Nigerian states, with about 2,000 Nigerians feared killed.



The Coalition, at a joint media parley in Abuja on Monday, said it has tracked violence related to herdsmen/farmers clashes across Nigeria and is of the opinion that immediate holistic steps need to be taken to address the problem given the attendant loss of life, property, dislocation of communities, and degeneration in the quality of life for survivors.



It also said some governors found wanting in their obligations to their citizens have found the situation as a cash cow to further exploit the people for political and financial benefits rather than taking steps to mitigate the crises.



According to the human rights group, they came to this conclusion after a careful analysis of the situation using surveys, questionnaires and interviews with critical stakeholders as well as victims.



In the report, Barrister Maxwell Gowon, leader of the coalition, said it was observed that the dynamics of these crises were poorly understood by a wider spectrum of stakeholders, which has impacted support for initiatives aimed at solving the problem.



His words, “The Coalition therefore embarked on a review of the clashes with a view to making interventions that will spur rapid resolution of the crisis so that life can again return to normal for the millions of people that have been negatively affected.



“In the course of this review, the Coalition’s researchers visited some selected affected communities in Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Adamawa, Kogi and Nasarawa states. These states were selected using heat maps developed from interactively plotting reported incidents against locations on the map. The selected states, with the exception of Nasarawa, were chosen because they recorded the highest number and most intense level of violence in the 18 months that were assessed.



“Researchers also polled officers of the military and security agencies that have been deployed in the crisis areas. Questionnaires were distributed; interviews were conducted, as well as surveys."



From its findings, the group said the outcome of the review revealed that since its deployment to address the crisis, the military has made commendable efforts at restoring order as it has arrested and neutralized some of the criminal elements unleashing mayhem on affected communities.



The report says, “This is being carried out without any sentiment by the Nigerian military and in a few instances the government forces were not spared by criminal elements. For example, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai at an address on the deployment of troops to crisis areas said "We have deployed officers across Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa states where to ensure peace and stability for the development and betterment of our country."



On the allegation that troops were conniving with armed bandits to kill citizens, the coalition said its findings revealed that only criminal elements and their agents in power out to use the military for personal duties and were rebuffed harbour such conspiracy theories.



According to the coalition, “This is not only worrisome but must be discarded to avoid returning to the military to its old nature where some highly placed citizens could press the trigger from the comfort of their homes.



“The deployment of the military to these troubled zones has helped to restore normalcy to most of the affected communities even though the question of armed militias is yet to be addressed with the needed political will and courage from actors within this locality.

Our investigations also noted that most of these militias had been armed by some highly placed individuals and efforts by the Nigerian Army to mop up these arms from them have not received the needed cooperation.


“The crisis between herdsmen and Farmers in some instances is instigated by persons without stakes on either side of the divide between herders and farmers. Unrelated hostilities between warring communities are also passed off as attacks by armed herdsmen. There was an instance in Benue State at Omusu where a clear case of conflict between Omusus and Okana communities in Okpokwu Local Government Area was reported as "armed herdsmen attack" even when it has nothing to do with an existing conflict between Omusu community and herdsmen."



The group, while commending the Army for extending Exercise Ayem Akpatuma in Taraba state, called for such extension in more states until ethnic warlords and criminal elements are forced to embrace peaceful approaches towards resolving the conflicts.

Search for Miss Super Leader Nigeria begins (APPLY)

All is now set for the third edition of Miss Super Leader Nigeria beauty pageant.

The competition, which is powered by Africa Super Leader Global Limited, is aimed at celebrating the beauty of the Nigerian woman.

The competition, powered by Africa Super Leader Global Limited, is aimed at celebrating the beauty of the Nigerian woman.

Raymond Sunday Ejembi, the brain behind the project, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, said that the contest would go a long way in empowering the Nigeria girl positively, while also uplifting them towards contributing their quota to the socio-economic development and sustainability of Nigeria. He said the event would showcase the beauty of Nigerian land and the virtues of its women.

According to him, “This edition- 2018 will be choreographed in a unique and creative style and will be the 1st of its kind in Nigeria.”

On those eligible to participate in the beauty contest, Ejembi said, “All participants must be between the ages of 18 and 26, and they must be or above 5:7ft tall.

He added said that an individual contestant must not be married, never have been married, and never have had a marriage annulled. Must never have given birth to a child, not be pregnant or be a parent. All Participants must be of good health & moral character.

The organizer said forms are currently on sale for the highly revered pageant while audition would hold across the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, Abuja.

“Interested participant should obtain the form for a token of N3,000 to Zenith Bank’s account, 1014362379 and send her info to 08131240260, 08069336105, 08137001703.”

Winner of the event, he said would smile home with a brand new car, other mouth-watering prizes as well as the chance to represent Nigeria at Miss Super Leader Africa beauty pageant.

The Nigerian House of Representatives, on Wednesday, reintroduced a Bill for an Act to establish Nigerian Peace Corps, which was recently rejected by President Muhammad Buhari.

Spokesman of the House, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, had Wednesday last week, informed National Assembly Correspondents that, the lower chamber was going to review the Peace Corps Bill and others, which were considered as popular Bills but were rejected by the Presidency.
At Wednesday's plenary, the Bills were gazetted and passed first reading by the lawmakers.

Aside the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill, 2018 (HB. 89) which was being sponsored by Hon. Faruk Abdullahi); the House also regazetted the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (HB. 966) and sponsored by Hon. Karimi Steve Sunday and 7 others.

The controversial amendment Bill to the Electoral Act was rejected by the President last week.

But Namdas, while briefing newsmen last week, said the House agreed with the President on two, out of the three reasons given for withholding assent to the Bill.

The House therefore, resolved to regazette the Bill with the intention to remove the two controversial clauses raised by Buhari.

Other Bills which scaled first reading include the Police Procurement Fund Establishment Bill, the Currency Conversion (Freezing Orders) Act (Amendment) Bill, Chartered Institute of Loan and Risk Management of Nigeria Bill and the Chartered Institute of Public Management of Nigeria Bill.

Also passed first reading on Wednesday are, Environmental Health Officers (Registration, etc) Act (Amendment) Bill 2018, Chartered Institute of Exports and Commodity Brokers of Nigeria Bill and the Chartered Institute of Treasury Management (Establishment, etc.) Bill, sponsored Hon. Emmanuel Orker-Jev.

Other Bills that passed first reading also include, Nigerian Institute for Social Work (Establishment, etc) Bill, Federal University, Wukari Establishment Bill, Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief), Intimate Image Protection Bill 2018 and Federal University of Agriculture, Jalingo establishment Bill.

Also included are, Ajaokuta Steel Company Completion Fund Bill, 2018, Public Enterprises (Privatization and Commercialization) Act amendment Bill, Aso Villa Hospital Abuja establishment Bill, Federal University of Agriculture, Igbara Odo, Ekiti establishment Bill, Federal College of Education, Gbongan, as well as Arbitration and Conciliation Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill.

SOURCE>>>http://www.idomavoice.com/2018/03/reps-move-against-buhari-re-gazette.html

seun, lalasticlala, mynd44

By Ben Idah

Idoma Youth Assembly, the umbrella body of Idoma youths has given three-week ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen residing in Benue South Senatorial district to leave or have themselves to blame.

A statement signed by the President, Dr. Patriot Ocheya Patrick Ekre, said the body has waited for so long believing that the federal government will take decisive action to put an end to the incessant killings and wanton destruction of lives and property in Idoma land and Benue State as a whole but the reverse remained the case.
The group gave the herdsmen between now and April 15 to relocate from Idoma land.

The statement reads, “We’ve come to realize the sadistic attitude of the government towards the quandary state of our helpless people. The first major attack was launched on a part of Idoma called Agatu, where over 300 persons were massacred by the Fulani’s herdsmen; nothing like mass burial was organized for the dead.

“The river, which was known and used as source of income for the farmers was completely made inaccessible because of the lifeless bodies thrown into it.

“Some were left in an open field for the animals to feed on, some escaped death with various degrees of injuries without any help, crops and property worth millions were destroyed and to this moment hundreds of Agatus are yet to return to their ancestral homes for fear of the Fulanis.”

“Shortly after the massacre, our governor, Samuel Ortom with his counterpart, governor Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State instead of condoling with us for those we lost, regrettably went ahead and ceded a portion of Agatu land to the same Fulani herdsmen, who are killing us and as if that was not enough, the Army was sent to raid the houses of law abiding citizens who are predominantly farmers.

“We’ve carefully observed the role and the body language of both the state and federal governments and it’s quite disheartening to note that they practically failed the electorates of their primary mandate which is to give them protection. It shows how nonchalant and insensitive this government is to the plight of the populace.

“Few days after the Agatu massacre, the IG of Police Solomon Arase, sat in his office in Edet house, Abuja and said to the world that it was only five persons that were killed in Agatu.

“Barely a year plus, similar incident occurred in Benue State another IGP, Ibrahim Idris was ordered by the President to relocate to the state but he defied the order, he went ant camped in a presidential lodge in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

“This has actually made it clear to the world the reason IG Idris sealed the legitimate office of one of us, Ambassador, Dr, Dickson Akor, the Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria over one year even when the court have ordered the IG to unseal the premises in dual injunctions.

“The question here is, is the police boss still maintaining the law and order or defying the same order he ought to preserve?”

“We therefore call for the sack of IGP Ibrahim Idris with immediate effect and anything less than that will invariably put the integrity of Mr. President to further questioning, especially as Benue people wholeheartedly voted for him.

Benue state is one of the states that gave him the overwhelming votes that paved the way for him to enter that office and all we can receive in turn is killing and molestation.

“Consequently, we want to categorically state here that we are highly disappointed at the President Buhari’s visit to Benue State since his visitation was not to proffer solution to the killings, rather it seems we’ve been mocked and its quite unfortunate and amazing to hear from the Mr President who casually stated thus, we quote, ‘I didn’t know the IG of police never followed my orders’.

“For how long can we live in deceit and shift blames? Who is to be blamed, the IG or Mr. President? And now that he’s aware that IGP disobeyed his order what then is the sanction? To our greatest surprise, Mr. President also stated that he told the Benue people many times to live in harmony with the Fulanis! So we are to take all the blames for our killings. We are extremely tired, Yes Nigeria must move forward but we refuse to fold our hands and allow this planned agenda going on in our land.

“Recently a woman stood in the hallowed chamber of the House of Representatives to state and we quote, ‘who knows if God created Fulanis to value the life of their cows more than human lives’ and one may ask if she was elected by the cow or if she is representing animals in that chamber.

“Whatever we the good people of Idoma Nation and Benue state in general take exception to, that evil comparative we condemn in totality and refuse to be replaced by cattle; we have the right to live and as such we can no longer continue in this lamenting state of life and governmental abandonment. We at this point concluded that President is not for the people of Benue state,” the statement declared.

“However, at this juncture, we task the Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom to stop crying like a ‘drowning man’ as he was tagged by the police spokesman, Moshood Jimoh.

He should rise to the occasion and do the needful by strengthening the neighborhood watch; he should take a leeway from people like the governor of Rivers state, Barr. Nyesom Wike, since this is an obvious and deliberate attempt to reduce the Benue people for political reasons.

“Conclusively, we give all Fulanis herdsmen between now and April 15, 2018 to leave of Idoma land since the government is not ready to protect us from their swords and bullets.

“We are no longer asking Fulani herdsmen not to attack us but we are giving them final quit notice. We have publicly sounded our warning,” the group added.

SOURCE: http://www.idomavoice.com/2018/03/breaking-idoma-youths-give-fulani.html

By Ben Idah


Oloche Paul, the 17-year-old boy, who recently invented a dummy motorcycle, car and grinding machine from waste plastic products, on Friday encountered his ‘messenger of destiny’ as he was given scholarship to study anywhere outside the country.


The young inventor was also handed over N600, 000k, courtesy of the Ambassador Dickson Akoh Foundation.

WWW.IDOMAVOICE.COM had in August last year exclusively reported how the SS 3 student of a little-known secondary school in Otada in Otukpo constructed and developed machines in his own ways.


Read story here, in case you missed<>>>http://www.idomavoice.com/2017/08/exclusive-meet-17-year-old-idoma-boy.html



After reading the story, Amb. Dickson Akoh, National Commandant, Peace Corps of Nigeria reached out to this reporter through his foundation on his intention to help make Oloche’s dream come true.


As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, IDOMA VOICE newspaper organized an event in honour of the young inventor on Friday and was graced by Amb. Akoh, Evang. Okloho Adam, lawmaker representing Adoka/Ugboju state assembly and other prominent Idoma natives.


After exhibiting his inventions, Amb. Akoh made a cash donation of five hundred thousand naira to be lodged in an account, which shall serve to raise endowment fund for young Oloche's university education outside the country.


He also gave N50k for his upkeep while Okloho as well donated N50k in support of the boy’s dream. Other participants equally supported the young man’s dream with cash.

Amb. Akoh thanked the management of IDOMA VOICE for discovering the boy, while assuring that he would do everything within his power to send the young Oloche abroad for his tertiary education courtesy of his foundation.

He also called on other well-meaning Nigerians to help make the young man's dream come true.

SOURCE>.>http://www.idomavoice.com/2018/03/exclusive-17-year-old-benue-boy-who.html

Seun
lalasticlala
mynd44

dafeyankee:
I see.

So he left his Benue State and took the building far away from those Fulani people in Benue?

He should have built this Church in his State and God would have protected the building there lol.

FYI, this is Dunamis Orokam. It was dedicated to the glory of God last year. Don't say what you dont know.

Dr. Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre on Saturday, dedicated a gigantic auditorium of the church in Minna, the Niger State capital.


IDOMA VOICE observed that the event was climax of his Apostolic Invasion Programme in the state church, located at around Brighter Road, Western Bye-pass, Minna.

He was accompanied by his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Becky Enenche.


The programmed witnessed salvation, all manner of healings as well as deliverance.


See pictures below.

SOURCE>>http://www.idomavoice.com/2018/03/dr-paul-enenche-dedicates-gigantic.html

A pro-Buhari group under the auspice of 'Coalition of Katsina Youths for Buhari (CKYB)' has urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to allow Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and his House of Representatives counterpart, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara to take the glory for the creation and statutory recognition of Peace Corps of Nigeria

In a statement read at a press conference organised by the group in Katsina State Tuesday afternoon, coordinator and leader of the group, Comrade Bishir Umar, said the group's executive members decided to formally react to the trending issue of the proposed Peace Corps of Nigeria Act of Establishment Bill which was rejected by their father, President Muhammadu Buhari in February this year.Mr. Umar said immediately the ugly news broke out, the group delegated a team to Aso Rock Villa in Abuja to meet with Mr. President but the visit was aborted at the Villa by those who call themselves 'cabals' in the presidency, stressing that they are enraged that those who thought are heirs to the presidency disregarded their plea to allow them see Mr. President over the Peace Corps Bill.



Full statement below.


Ladies and gentlemen, members of the press, I welcome you all to this historic press conference organized by this group in honour of our youths. I thank you for the great turnout; it shows our resilient determination to pursue the Nigerian course to better the Nigerian Youths...

We, the Executive members of Coalition of Katsina Youths for Buhari, decided to bring you together today to formally react to the trending issue of the proposed Peace Corps of Nigeria Act of Establishment Bill rejected by our father, President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.

Since the news broke out in February (last month), our delegation to Aso Rock Villa in Abuja to meet with Mr. President was aborted at the Villa by those who call themselves 'cabals' in the presidency despite the bills we incurred in the process. We are enraged that those who thought are heirs to the presidency apparently did not listen to our plea to see our President over the Peace Corps Act of Establishment Bill.

Notwithstanding this unattractive action against this delegation, As grassroots conveners of support for our kind and amiable President, it is disservice if we chose to hide the truth and our feelings from the man we admire, come together -toiling all along- to support and defend against every political heat. He is our father, uncle and brother, and by every standard, we are ready to give him all our supports mindless of what opinion anyone holds against him.


It is fervently true that our dear country needs Peace Corps as a measure to checkmate youths’ restiveness, re-orientate the youths for reflexive nation building and create employment for our unemployed youths. By large, it is considered the only way to ameliorate the level of crimes in the country atleast to a bearable minimum. We have Peace Corps in over 20 developed countries, including the American Peace Corps, Malaysian Peace Corps, Chinese Construction Peace Corps, amongst others. Nigeria, as the giant of Africa, is expected to showcase the remodeling button for other African counties to trail; however, though it is not the doing of President Muhammadu Buhari, but we are far behind other neighboring African nations that have embraced the notch to get their youths along the line through the establishment of Peace Corps.


Let us first, apologize to the Nigerian youths on behalf of our father, President Muhammadu Buhari and at the same time appeal to Mr. President to retrieve his letter to the National Assembly wherein he made public his refusal to assent to the Peace Corps Establishment Bill and assent to the Bill that is acutely reawakening the consciousness of Nigerian youths, considering its importance to the country at this material time -when youths restiveness and unemployment are at alarming rates in the country.

From all indications, we have discovered that the National Assembly led by Senator (Dr.) Bukola Saraki and Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara is ready to trail paths of majority of the Nigerian youths on this development by overriding the President’s veto on the Peace Corps Establishment Bill. We consider whoever advised our President to decline assent to the Bill as a set up against Mr. President who has shown the youths that their place in his heart is large enough to accommodate every idea that benefits them (the Nigerian youths).

If the Peace Corps establishment bill is given this statutory backing by the Saraki led National Assembly, the glory goes to them rather than our own son -"the Bayanjidan Daura", the people's President.

It is on this note that we are appealing to the President, as his people, that among the many laudable achievements that his administration has recorded, appending his signature to the Peace Corps Establishment Bill, which automatically translates into giving the organization the statutory backing of government, is most laudable and will write his name not only on the sand of time among the current youths clamoring for the Peace Corps, but on the heart of many generations yet to come. We say this because we love Nigeria, we love the youths and we love President Muhammadu Buhari as our father and leader.

I pray this request is heeded, and our hope is re-illuminated by our President that at the end we will not regret having casted our votes for him in the 2015 general elections.

Thank you for coming. May God bless you as you return to your respective destinations while looking forward to that great day that our President will sign the Peace Corps Establishment Bill.

It is well

For the umpteenth time, Dr. Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Centre has poured out his heart on the state of affairs in Nigeria.

Dr. Enenche, who has been vocal against bad governance in the nation, said it was lamentable that the rich kept oppressing the poor to get richer while the poor got poorer in a country acclaimed to be the giant of Africa.

Recall that the fiery preacher had recently revealed seven things leaders should do to avert all the problems in Nigeria.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZK0vrrqkKI

According to the outspoken cleric, some political leaders had been in power for years, yet, their communities lack basic social amenities.

Speaking on Sunday during a live service monitored on Dunamis TV at Area 1, Abuja headquarters of his church, Enenche, who spoke on the topic, Wisdom for Finances, said some leaders go about spending money on frivolous things while their subjects suffered in abject poverty.

He queried, “How many rooms can somebody sleep in one night? How many cars can somebody drive at once?

“I heard one time that some people went to a rich man's house to work and when they opened the ceiling only to discover wads of dollars stacked up there which were spoiling. It is said that such money benefited or profited nobody. In fact, some people are so addicted to money, not knowing that addiction leads to destruction.

“There are so many foolish and useless rich men in Africa and Nigeria. I don’t know of any country has more money in foreign accounts than this nation. All languishing away!

“Unemployment like water, communities that parade rich men are dying of no potable drinking water. We have communities of big men where there are no hospitals and no access roads. What a ‘yeyecious’ and useless bigness of life,” he added.

Dr. Enenche during service gave an instance of a popular medical doctor from Anambra State, who had many hospitals around the world and decided to turn his village around.

According to him, the God-fearing medical doctor went to his village, demolished all the idols and changed the name to Umuchuckwu (Children of God’s community).

He said the doctor also erected a 16-storey building diagnostic center for his people, tarred their roads, sent children to school, provided them with basic amenities and he’s still living in a rented apartment.

He quipped, “That is money with meaning. What if we have just one thousand of such persons in Nigeria, this country would have been like America.

“But sad enough, all they do is to fly fromAmerica to India and from India to Dubaiand other foreign countries on medical tourism, empty Nigeria’s treasury just to make other countries rich.

“Put billions of dollars in another country so they can use it to develop themselves and when the greedy rich man dies, that country takes over the money. That is what we know how to do here.

“So sad we have this mentality of not letting others to rise, you have seen instances where a man sees his bother’s name for appointment and knocks it off because he does not want him or anyone else to rise. Beloveth, note this, riches without outreach equals wretchedness,” he added.

He revealed further, “I recall when some Americans came to Nigeria some years ago and they said they wanted to see how an African village looks like. It was inBenue State.

“So, I asked one of the pastors whose village was close by to take us there because mine is like an hour ahead.

“We went to the village and saw many huts and the people entered and asked, where is the air conditioner? And we told them, that is the air conditioner there, if you open the small window there, air will come in and condition the room. They asked for toilet and were shocked there was none in the hut.

“See what happened, we stepped into four huts, and we told the people, because we have stepped into these huts, we are breaking them down and building new houses with modern materials.

“We also went to the primary school opposite same place and we decided to rebuild the school.

“When it was commissioned, the deputy governor of the state went with us.

“Amazingly, it was during the commissioning that the village head told us that those huts we entered belonged to some orphans, but we never knew.

“He said the huts belonged to children whose parents had died and they had no money to even change the thatched roof. Rain was beating them during the rainy season inside the same huts.

“They had to labour on farms to fend for themselves. We were not aware of all these before we took our action.

“We didn’t go there with such intention, but we saw the need and God quickened our heart to change their story.
“This is amidst countless other community development projects we have consistently embarked upon over the years.

“I am not here to score any point, God knows, the only reason I said this is because examples communicate principles, illustrations communicate instruction.

“Note this, you are not rich with the amount of money or things you have, you are rich with number of people you have reached.”

The cleric also prayed against killers and their sponsors in the nation, averring that anyone behind the killings in the nation will know no peace.



SOURCE>>>http://dailypost.ng/2018/03/14/many-useless-rich-men-nigeria-paul-enenche-blasts-looters-greedy-leaders-video/

2019: Ogbadibo youths endorse Paul Moses Ogidi for House of Assembly





As preparations heat up ahead of the 2019 general elections, youths in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State have endorsed veteran activist and environmentalist, Moses Paul Ogidi for the state House of Assembly.



The youth group, under the aegis of Ogbadibo Youth Democratic Vanguard, made this resolution rising from its general meeting held in Otukpa, the powerhouse of Ogbadibo LG on Friday.



According to the youth group, it decided to throw its weight behind Ogidi after a rigorous check on other politicians aspiring for the seat.



In a communiqué jointly signed by Abah Raphel, President and Ekoja Gabriel, Gen Secretary at the end of the meeting, the group, which is the umbrella body of youths in Ogbadibo, noted that Ogidi has been in the forefront of development in Ogbadibo, nay Benue South.



It recalled how youthful Ogidi contributed to what led to restoration of normalcy and sanity to Agatu, which was overran by herdsmen some years back.



The group also listed his achievements to include several projects execution, which include youths and women empowerment.



“We are calling on all other political parties to back Ogidi’s candidature. The reasons are obvious, they are for the betterment of Ogbadibo and the entire state, and also to maintain consistency in governance,” he said.



The group argued that it was the turn of Otukpa to produce the next lawmaker after Orokam and Owukpa had produced the last two assembly members in persons of Moses Oduh and Joseph Ojobo, who is the current occupant of the seat.



OYDV claimed that Ai-Oono has been marginalized in the current administration, hence the need for it to produce the next assembly member in Ogbadibo.



The youths pointed out that Ogidi remain the most fit candidate, and proper person to represent the constituency come 2019, arguing that it was high time young and vibrant minds took the centre stage.



According to the communiqué “We, the entire youths of Ogbadibo, which comprises Otukpa, Orokam and Owukpa are here for two reasons, firstly to show our solidarity and unalloyed support for the aspiration of Paul Moses Ogidi for the Benue State House of Assembly, secondly to call on other aspirants from this community to drop their ambition for the interest of equity, brotherly love and fairness.



“Once cannot forget in a hurry how Paul and other ebullient young Idoma men brought peace back to Agatu, which Fulani herdsmen nearly overtook.”



They added that it would embark on house to house campaign to sensitize electorate in the constituency to queue behind Ogidi for the seat.



Ogidi aka MADMO is an exceptional youth leader, prolific songwriter and music producer with a master’s degree in Environmental Resource Planning and presently pursuing a PHD. He is the Creative Chief of M.A.D MO Concept and MAD Foundation whose primary aim is raising livelihood and Making A Difference as the acronym name implies. His passion and purpose is to provoke change at all levels of life using the platforms of leadership, governance, business and the creative arts.



He’s a native of Odokupe Ai-Oono ward 1 in Otukpa, Ogbadibo - Benue State.

Buhari in Benue to commission ultra modern cemetery – PDP Youth Parliament

The Peoples Democratic Party Youth Parliament has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is in Benue State to commission cemetery.

While congraurulating the president and the APC government for the new feat, the youth group warned Benue group to open their eyes.

It tweeted few minutes after the president arrived the state on Monday.

“Congratulations to @APCNigeria and @MBuhari for the opening new ultra modern Muhammadu Buhari cemetery in Benue state. Congrats Mr President i believe after your visit today more people will be killed in Benue. Benue open your eyes now.”


SOURCE>>>>>>http://www.idomavoice.com/2018/03/buhari-in-benue-to-commission-ultra.html

In God we trust

Benue State governor, Sameul Ortom, in the dead of Sunday night sent workers to streets of Makurdi to patch potholes ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the state.

The machines were spotted working along the Gboko-Makurdi last night.

Buhari is already in the state on official visit for the first time since assuming power in 2015.

President Buhari will during the trip pay a courtesy call on the Chairman of the Benue State Council of Chiefs, Tor Tiv the fifth, Professor James Ayatse.

He will later hold a meeting with major stakeholders at the Benue Peoples House in Makurdi, from whence he will proceed to one of the eight displaced persons’ camps in the state.

SOURCE>>>http://www.idomavoice.com/2018/03/ortom-patches-potholes-in-benue-roads.html

The Middle Belt Conscience Guard, a civil society organisation has given updates on the activities of troops of the Nigerian Army in the ongoing operations in some states of the federation.

DAILY POST reports that the Nigerian Army had on February 20 officially flagged off the Operation Cat Race (Ayem Akpatuma) in Benue State.

The group revealed that the exercise, covering Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba and some northern states had succeeded in restoring normalcy to some crisis-ridden areas, despite many challenges.

A statement jointly signed by Prince Raymond Enero, National Convener and Dr. Paul Itodo, Deputy National Convener, noted that since the launch of the operation, sanity had been restored in some areas.

According to the group, which has been monitoring the exercise, it said the military operation aimed at tackling the wave of crime, violence and threats to law and order launched in February 2017, to cover the five state of Benue, Kaduna, Niger, Nasarawa and Taraba, which has since taken off, had commenced on a commendable note.

“Within the period, notable kingpins of criminal gangs operating in the area have been nabbed, useful confessions taken from them while plots to disposes innocent citizens of their earnings and property have been foiled.

“The result is that the area covering almost the entire stretch of the North-central zone which was the precipice owing to lack of security some few months backs have begun to simmer with hope, with an atmosphere of less crime reigning supreme in the entire stretch of the landscape covered by the operation and a sense of belonging restored among the populace.

“Those who had expressed some cynicism at the launch of the operation code named ‘Ayem Akpatuma’ or ‘Cat Race ’ is beginning to see beyond the pessimism.

“In Benue, the clash between farmers and herders which almost caused a civil strife due to the frequency of occurrence has now taken a back seat with the arrest of rustlers, militias and other criminal elements spearheading the conflict which was assuming an ethnic cum religious dimension.

“In Kaduna, the banditry in the remote villages which also throws up the hostilities along primordial fault lines has also died down, with communities putting behind them such nasty experiences to brace up for the task of economic development.

“In Nasarawa, since the main arena in the conflict between herders and farmers had been curtailed, the usual spillover occasioned by the movement of affected parties through its borders has also served to out-check the menace.

“While in Niger, the use of its territories to hide spoils from kidnapping had also been drastically reduced.

“It is evident that from the success recorded so far, if the effort is sustained and the State Governors retrace their steps on some discriminatory laws, the crime in the region would not only be drastically reduced but life would return to normal for many of the citizens there.

“Military operations within the civil populace are usually dicey as they are laden with landmines due to the sensitivity and delicate nature of the exercise.

“In Benue, a particular run away Boko Haram kingpin known by his code name of Tishau had been discovered to be the one running the vigilante group in that area. This is unacceptable as it is capable of impugning the good intentions of the authorities that set up the outfit.

“We therefore implore the necessary authorities to arrest Tishau before he inflicts more damages on the people. This must be carried out immediately without any further hesitation to ensure that all Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation is protected from the wicked hands of evil men in the society”, the group said.


SOURCE>>>http://dailypost.ng/2018/03/06/middle-belt-group-gives-update-operation-cat-race-benue-nasarawa-others/

The senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche and his wife, Dr. Mrs. Becky, Monday visited the graveside where over 73 persons gruesomely murdered on New Year day in Guma and Logo LGAs of Benue State were buried.


The Senior Pastor, who was accompanied by former military governor of Kastina and Plateau States, Gen Lawrence Onoja, Barr Adulugba, Barr Felix, Mr Tolu Jinadu and Hon Moses Enenche, also visited the Internally Displaced Persons camp in Daudu where he donated a truck load of relief materials to the IDPs.

Presenting the items to the state government on behalf of the church, Dr. Enenche warned against diversion of the material, saying they must be judiciously used to the glory of God.


Among the items he dnoted were: bags of rice, salt, garri, clothes, noodles, toiletries, dunlop and several other materials.


Receiving the materials on behalf of the state government, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, Commissioner for Education, Science &amp; Technology, who represented the governor at the camp, thanked Dr. Enenche, his wife, Dr. Mrs. Becky and the entire Dunamis family for the kind gesture.


The minister noted that what the church brought was much more than what the Nigerian government donated.


“I must confess that the items you people brought today are more than what the even Nigerian government donated. We can’t thank you people enough for this magnanimity. The state government is not only proud of you, Dr. Paul and you wife, Dr. Mrs. Becky Enenche as citizens, we are happy for what God is using you to do in this nation and beyond,” he said amid excitement and cheers from the IDPs.


Speaking earlier during a brief service held in honour of the acclaimed ‘heroes of the open-grazing law’ at the graveside, the Dunamis Pastor described the decision by governor to give the victims a mass burial as a prophetic action.


The cleric, who was embittered over the continuous massacre of Benue natives by marauding herdsmen, averred that the mass burial of the victims signifies the end of evil in this entity called Nigeria.


Dr. Enenche, who took his text from the book of Romans 12:15 in a message entitled, ‘weep with them that weep and rejoice with them that rejoice’ gave five cogent reasons he decided to lead his team to the burial site.


According to him, “There are five reasons why we are here.

1. First, to commiserate with the state government and the families of the victims with his Excellency, the executive governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom over the massive lost of lives in the state.


The bible made it clear that the loss of life if an irreplaceable loss. That is why we came to stand with the state and to let the state know that God is aware of our mourning. And to also let the state know that the ministry of the Holy Spirit shall comfort our state and make the state to come over this temptation.


2. Second reason we are here is to stand in the gap between the dead and the living, which is the major duty of a priest. We are here to cry out our hearts to God that the blood of Jesus Christ that speaks better thing than the blood of Abel should speak for our state and prevent further deaths in the land.


3. The third reason we are here is to appeal to the justice of God and demand that the God of justice will do justice in our land and nation. We are here to tell God that the blood of those slain shall cry up to heaven so we could see the response of God. We came here to provoke the earth in Benue State and other parts of the country where innocent blood is being shed. The earth will begin to fight the killer and swallow them.


4. Number four, we are here to make prophetic decree and injunction. In the history of the country, there was never a time, where any state or any leader organized a mass burial. To us, this is not just an event but a prophetic action. We came here to enforce the prophetic nature of this action. The implication of what happened is not just a mass burial of innocent victims; we are seeing a mass burial of evil in this nation. We are seeing the mass burial of impunity in this nation. We came to decree to that this is the mass burial of security failure in Nigeria. We came to decree that this is the mass burial of leadership and governmental failure in Nigeria. We came to decree that this is the mass burial of evil, atrocious and jihadist agenda in Nigeria. We came to decree that this is the mass burial of ethnic cleansing in Nigeria. This is the mass burial of pain, every form of segregation, ethnicity and suppression in Nigeria.


5. Fifthly, we came to remind ourselves of the end of all flesh. Bible says it is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment. No matter what happens, once a life is lost, it is time for sober reflection for those who are alive. How prepared will we be to make our maker?


The Dunamis senior pastor, who led the people in a torrential prayer session on behalf of the land, anointed and prayed over the land as a point of contact to the nation were innocent blood is being shed.


Speaking earlier, the state governor, Orom disclosed the plan of the state government to build a mini-chapel in honour of the victims at the burial site.


He vowed to continue to stand and protect his people despite the attacks on him from every corner.

A middled-aged man in Nappe, Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State on Tuesday, reportedly set himself ablaze following the refusal of President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the bill for the establishment of Peace Corps of Nigeria

The victim whose name was given as Gambo Timothy Dogo, was until his demise a voluntary member of the corps.

IDOMA VOICE, gathered that Dogo, a father of two, who hailed from Borno State committed suicide by setting himself ablaze in his one room apartment on hearing that the President has turned down the PCN establishment bill.

An eyewitness told Ehido that Dogo had attempted suicide the last time news broke out that the bill was rejected.

Our source said Dogo gave reason for his action in a text message sent to his colleague simply identified as Ahmed Tuesday afternoon around 3pm before embarking on the suicide mission.

When contacted, Public Relations Officer (PRO) Gombe State command of the Peace Corps said she was not authorized to speak on the incident. In the same vain, the national spokesperson of the organization, Milicent Umoru neither picked nor returned our calls.

Meanwhile, the Gombe State Police command is yet to react to this incident at the time of filing this report.

source>>>http://www.idomavoice.com/2018/02/peace-corps-man-sets-self-ablaze-over.html

Watch This Dr. Paul Enenche’s Dance That Everyone Is Taking About


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgAqwYFDl_8

No fewer than 3,500 strong members and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have denounced their membership and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, IDOMA VOICE is reporting.



The mass defection, which was celebrated at the weekend in Otukpa, the headquarters of Ogbadibo Local Government of the state, was not unconnected to the grievances expressed by the people of Benue, over what they described as "federal government's poor handling of the incessant attacks and killings of the people by herdsmen".


Saturday's defection was one of the confirmations of the rumours making rounds that there was a grand plan by the state governor, Samuel Ortom and ppeople of the state to dish the ruling party, to register their grievances to the federal government controlled APC.


Speaking on behalf of the defectors in Otukpa at the weekend, former House of Assembly aspirant under the APC, Hon. Ben Joseph Ebije, said the people had decided to support the PDP in the coming general elections, so as to save lives of innocent farmers, market women and children.


Ebije who is a strong political ally of former deputy Governor of Benue State, Chief Steven Lawani, also accused the APC of "jettisoning internal democracy with reckless impunity".


He said no serious minded person in Benue would drop ballot for the APC come 2019, urging others "who haven't seen the light to quickly queue behind the PDP as better alternative".


Receiving the decampees onbehalf of the state chairman, the PDP Chairman of Ogbadibo chapter, Hon. Vincent Amuche, said more people were already consulting to dump the broom party in Benue.


Amuche said great tsunami would hit the APC in the coming days as the pillar of the party at the state level was set to lead his flock into the umbrella party.


Though it was not established whether Chief Lawani, who crossed to the APC in 2016 after his tenure as deputy Governor would return to his former party soon, but those who spoke to our Correspondent said, the defection of Ebije, a strong associate of his, would cause earthquake in the political dynasty of Lawani.


Others were of the thought that, Ebije and his group may have been acting as an advanced party to the former Deputy Governor as both of them are from the same council ward and family and that it would be matter of days before the "August visitor" would be welcome.

SOURCE>>>http://www.idomavoice.com/2018/02/benue-killings-all-eyes-on-ortom-as.html

The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), on Friday paid condolence visit to former Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro over the death of his wife, Chief Mrs. Veronica Moro.

Leading other national officers of the Corps to the Abuja residence of Moro, the National Commandant of the Corps, Amb (Dr.) Dickson Akoh, said the visit was on behalf of the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Council and the entire Officers and Men of PCN.

Akoh said the news of the demise of late Mrs. Moro was recieved as "a rude shock", owing to the personal relationship he had with the Moros.

He acknowledged Moro's "unparalleled support towards the sustenance of youths in Nigeria" during his stewardship as Minister of Interior.

"Though it may be difficult to fill the vacuum created, it is our utmost believe that the Almighty God, in His infinite mercy and compassion, has already taken charge to protect your entire family against any further misfortune", Akoh said.

Chief Veronica Moro passed on early hours of Monday, 19th February 2018, after a brief illness.

Amongst early callers at the residence of the former Minister in condolence include, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, former President of the Senate, Dr. David Mark, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim and former Military Administrator of Katsina State, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (Rtd.).

Others include, deputy Governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson Abounu, former deputy Governor, Chief Steven Lawani, former deputy Governorship candidate of ACN, Alhaji Usman Abubakar (Young Alhaji), Benue State Chairman of PDP, Sir John Ngbede, Chief Ezekiel Adaji representing Otukpo/Ohimini at the House of Representatives, among others.

By Ameh Comrade Godwin

Residents of Benue South senatorial district, particularly Otukpo, Ogbadibo and Okpokwu LGAs of the state have cried out to the state government over the ongoing scarcity of drinking water in the area.

Due to lack of water, many people in the affected areas have resorted to buying water from vendors as well as fetching from the well, streams and gutters.

Investigation by [url]WWW.DIOMAVOICE.COM[/url] have shown that the situation in worst in Otukpo, the powerhouse of Benue South as resident now fetch drinking water from mud and well.

A resident of the area, Patience told our reporter that, residents of Otukpo town wake up as early as 4am to go in search of drinking water.

Findings also showed that CGC Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling Katsina-Ala and Otobi water works, has suspended operation.

The contractor stopped supplying water following the inability of the state government to fulfill the 2013 contract agreement.

The state government had signed a two-year contract with CGC Nigeria Ltd for the maintenance, operation and training of some staff of the ministry in 2012 at the cost of N1.9 billion.

In Okpokwu, the story is not different as residents of the area struggle to get drinking water on quotidian.

A councilor representing Eke Ward, Engr. Dan Atayi, called on the state government under the leadership of Samuel Ortom to come to their rescue.

He said, “It is sad to know that over 40 years, our people lack portable water supply. They drink from open streams, Rivers and dilapidated boreholes! Some died of water-born diseases such as cholera etc. Ruptured typhoid killed many because of unhealthy intake of Water!

“This is a serious matter and non-political, let no one make it look like one. I am pleading because am handicapped to some extent but do know that politics is and should be for the interest of governance, hence I believe that motorised boreholes be drilled across the villages of Eke and by extension, Okpokwu, for the people to drink clean and healthy Water,” he said.

However, the state government on its official website said it had spent over N600m to fix water in the affected area.

It said, “Upon assumption of duty, His Excellency Samuel Ortom paid visits to Otobi-Otukpo and Katsina-Ala Water Works only to find out that they were not functional due to non-payment of contract obligations by the immediate past administration. The Governor made part payment of about six hundred million naira (N600,000,000.00) and the contractor has since returned to site while the benefitting communities are now enjoying portable water supply.

“The Ortom administration has ensured that the Water Board receives regular supply of water treatment chemicals and diesel to maintain unhindered water supply. Diesel is also given to NASME so as to maintain regular water supply to North Bank communities.

“The Governor has released over 8.2 million to facilitate the maintenance of pipelines in Makurdi so as to improve water supply in these key towns.”

However, residents of the areas wondered where the money that the governor allegedly released went to.

SOURCE>>>http://www.idomavoice.com/2018/02/shame-water-scarcity-hits-idoma.html

A man of honour, respect and impact. He is a man who takes the growth and development of other people as a priority.

He is selfless, he's a mentor, a friend and a father all in one. He knows and sees your weaknesses and flaws but yet smiles and tells you, ‘you can be more.’ Such a man is the true definition of a good man. Such a man is hard to find. Such a man is Prince Edwin Ochai (Mighty Sparrow), founder, Idoma International Carnival.

Words will fail us to convey how grateful and how lucky we are to be found not in the same generation with you, but to have the privilege of knowing and being mentored by you.


You are indeed everything in can possibly ask for.

On this very special occasion of your birthday, may heavens continue to small on you and bless you beyond what you can ever imagine. You have given us your today for the sake of our tomorrow and we are eternally indebted to you. This will be the lowest point you will ever find yourself.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOSS!!!!!!


From the Publicity Team of Idoma International Carnival

For the first time after she was accused of turning to a snake through which she swallowed N36m from the vault in the account office of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, in Makurdi, Benue State, 16-year-old Dor, has opened a can of worms to DAILY POST.


Philomena Chieshe, a sales clerk in JAMB office, Makurdi shocked the world penultimate weeks ago after she claimed that her housemaid connived with another JAMB staff, Joan Asen, to “spiritually” swallow N36m from the vault in her office.

In her confessional statement while being interrogated by a team of auditors, she said that Joan Asen and her accomplices confessed that they have been stealing the money “spiritually” through a mysterious snake that always sneaked into the office to swallow the money from the vault.

According to her “It was a mystery to me too. I have been saving the money in the bank, but I found it difficult to account for it. So I started saving it in a vault in the office. But each time I open the vault, I will find nothing. I became worried and surprised how the millions of Naira could be disappearing from the vault.



“I began to interrogate everybody in the house and office, and no one could agree on what might have happened to the money. I continued to press until my housemaid confessed. She said that the money disappeared “spiritually”. She said that a “mysterious snake” sneaked into the house and swallowed the money in the vault.”



However, when DAILY POST reached out to the erstwhile housemaid, who was relieved of her job following the shocking revelation in November 2017, she denied ever confessing to have turned to a snake or swallowing any money.



Dor, a native of Angantiv in Obi LGA of Nasarawa State, recalled that her ‘madam’ truly went to Plateau State for a conference last year but she did not follow her.



According to her, few days after returning home from the crusade, hosted by a popular man of God in Jos, her boss (Philomena) asked her to go that she was relocating to Abuja.



“That was towards the end of 2017. I was at home when they went for the crusade. When madam came back from Jos, she asked me to go that they were relocating to Abuja and she would not go with me.



“I came to her house in 2015 July and I did not at any point steal even her one kobo before I left last year. Maybe she was not referring to me, but I am sure she didn’t have any maid before and after me,” Dor, who now resides in Karu area of Nasarawa said when an insider directed us to her new residence.



When this reporter stormed Philomena’s family house in High Level, Makurdi on Saturday to confirm if it was Dor, who actually turned to a snake, a man we met there said she had since relocated.



“Madam Philo no dey live here again,” he said rudely.



Meanwhile, when DAILY POST reached Fabian O. Okoro, JAMB’s director of Information and Technology, for update Monday morning, he did not reply our text at the time of this report.

SOURCE>>>>http://dailypost.ng/2018/02/19/exclusive-snake-girl-accused-swallowing-n36m-jamb-office-breaks-silence/


Seun, lalasticlala

More

more

By Yemi Itodo

A Media Consultant to the Nigeria Peace Corps, Mr Rogers Ochela, has said that the functions of the Corps were not overlapping that of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) nor the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

In an open letter addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari, Ochela said the insinuations that the Corps’ functions were similar to those of other security agencies were mere fallacies.

The consultant who tabulated the functions of the police, the NSCDC and that of the proposed Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC), urged President Buhari and other well-meaning Nigerians to read through and see the difference in functions.


He insisted that, apart from the differences in function, the current security situation in Nigeria required difference approaches to addressing insecurity.

“Your Excellency Sir, the dynamic nature of insecurity in Nigeria today requires roles differentiation as a panacea to expertise in addressing security challenges.

“It would interest you to know that similar organizations like the Nigerian Peace Corps exists in other parts of the world, such as the American Peace Corps, Canadian Peace Corps, Bangladesh National Cadet Corps, Peace Officers Commission in China, Chinese Labour Corps, Lera Uniform Corps of Malaysia, Malaysian People Volunteer Corps, Production and Construction Corps of China, and many more.

“All these are consciously and deliberately designed to empower and socially preoccupy the youths so that their state of idleness won't be exploited adversely.

“We appeal to Your Excellency to discountenance such malicious misrepresentation of facts and be graciously disposed to assenting to the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill", he said.

Itemising some of the differences in functions, Ochela said that, while the police is tasked with prevention of crime and protection of lives and properties, the NSCDC is expected to assist in maintaining peace while the peace corps is supposed to provide gainful employment for the youth in order to facilitate peace and volunteerism.

He insisted that there was no function of the corps that forms part of the functions of neither the police nor the NSCDC adding that the corps was not intended as an arms carrying body.

See below screen shots of the open letter and tabular comparison of the functions of the three bodies:

The Peace Corps of Nigeria, PCN, has reacted to the report that its bill before President Muhammadu Buhari for assent has been rejected.

Report had it that Buhari refused to append his signature to the NPC Establishment Bill, which was officially sent to him by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sani Omolori, in the last week of December 2017 because there was no need for such an outfit under the Nigerian security architecture.

Reacting to the report, Patriot Millicent Umoru, Corps Public Relations Officer, said the presidency was yet to notify them of the alleged rejection.

She said, “The truth of the matter is that out of about nine Bills that were transmitted to the President together with that of the Nigerian Peace Corps, the President rejected three and returned same to the National Assembly (NASS), stating reasons why he rejected them. And of course, the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill was not part of the rejected ones.

“We are not unaware of the grand conspiracy by some security agencies against the Peace Corps, especially the Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Civil Defence in their adversarial memos to the Presidency to thwart assent to the Bill. This conspiracy, which was also manifested in form of opposition during the Public Hearings conducted by both chambers of the NASS on the Bill, was roundly defeated by superior arguments of over 500 Oral and written Memoranda submitted during the Public Hearings in the NASS.

“The major plank of this conspiracy is that the functions of the Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) Bill overlap that of the Nigerian Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), which is far from the truth. (Nigerians should watch out for our full page advertorial on this issue in The Nation, The Sun, Daily Trust and Tribune Newspapers on Monday, 19th February, 2018). The advertorial clearly articulates the statutory functions of the Police, Civil Defence and that of the Nigerian Peace Corps.

“Moreover, the Spokespersons of both chambers of the NASS, Senator Sabi Abdullahi (Senate) and Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas (House of Representatives) have clarified the issues as far as the law on this matter is concerned.

“For purpose of clarity, Peace Corps of Nigeria was duly incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission under the Companies and Allied Matters Act Cap 1990, Part C as Nigerian Leadership and Marshal Corps, but changed to Peace Corps of Nigeria in 2002 in accordance with the Companies and Allied Matters Act. So, its legality has never been called to question and even if the Bill is not assented to, that will not stop it from functioning as an entity. The Bill is essentially to give statutory backing to the Corps.

“Sadder still is that in spite of several Court judgments pronouncing Peace Corps as a legal entity, including recent verdicts by two different Federal High Courts judges, the antagonists of the Corps have continued to disregard these valid Orders by refusing to unseal the Peace Corps office. So much for the Rule of Law!”

Some students of the Benue State University have explained why they are unable to pay their school fees.

DAILY POST reports that students of the institution frustrated academic activities over management’s refusal to allow them have access to the examination hall over unpaid school fees.

The authority consequently ordered the security to shut down the school till further notice.

However, when DAILY POST reporter approached some of the protesting students for comments, most of them blamed ‘snake’ for their inability to pay their fees.

A final year student of Business Administration, who simply gave his name as Sure, claimed a snake swallowed his fee.

“There’s no money anywhere, the little one I had was swallowed by snake,” he alleged while displaying a placard with the inscription, ‘snake swallowed our school fees.’

“I don’t want to spill over because this is my final exam. The management has to be considerate because of what the economy is saying. We will pay when the snake vomit the money,” Sure said as other students behind him chorus ‘yes’.

Another EXCO of the students union government, who would not want his name mentioned, said this was the first time students would be stopped from writing exams over unpaid fees.

“It has never happened in the history of this institution. Students would be allowed to write exams but would be allowed for clearance during graduation,” he said.

On his part, a student of the Theater Arts department also claimed a spiritual snaked sneaked into his house and carted away with his money.

“Oga journalist it is mysterious. I was to pay my school fees today but a spiritual snake entered my room and swallowed it. They should juts help me to write this final exam while I search for the snake,” he said amid laughter.

At the time of this report, students have blocked the Makurdi-Gboko road.

http://dailypost.ng/2018/02/16/bsu-protest-benue-students-claim-snake-swallowed-school-fees/

Lalasticlala, seun, mynd44

Traditional rulers in Benue State, as well as youths and women have cried out to President Muhammadu Buhari over the deplorable state of Otukpo-Ugboju-Onyagede-Ankpa federal road.


The road which connects the northern part of the country to the entire south, through Ankpa in Kogi State, was last rehabilitated in 1991, when General Muhammadu Buhari was the Chairman of Petroleum Trust Developennt Fund (PTDF).

Speaking with DAILY POST on Sunday, the first class traditional ruler of Ugboju district in Otukpo local government, Chief Solomon Apochi, said the deplorable state of the road had reached alarming rate, saying the people had waited for too long for the government's interventions.


He said the entire community had been cut off from neighbouring towns and cities as the road had been impassable over the years, which had adversely affected commercial activities of the people who were predominantly commercial farmers.


Also speaking, member representing Adoka/Ugboju constituency at the Benue House of Assembly, Barr. John Adams Okloho, said the sorry state of the road had also caused intending investors to abandon some choice communities along the road.


Okloho stressed that, "it is only Dangote trucks that are seen daily in their large numbers, conveying coals from Onyagede axis to their factory".


The lawmaker regretted that, the Dangote trucks were largely responsible for the current state of the road and wondered why the richest man in Africa did not contemplate fixing the 47 kilometers road, by way of corporate social responsibility.


On his part, the paramount ruler of Onyagede in Ohimini local government, Chief Ogili Adamu, attributed the poor condition of living in the community to the comatose state of the federal road.


"We are the largest producer of cassava flour (Garri) and every market day, over 50 trucks would queue to load Garri to the north, the east and the west, but today is the market day and the turnout is abismally low as farmers can no longer access the market with their goods", he said.


Chief Adamu, therefore, called on President Buhari to come to the aide of the people, adding that, reconstruction of the road would also reduce the spate of crimes and insecurity that are currently plaguing the community.


Those who spoke with our Correspondent also include market women and commercial motorcycle riders, who lamented the present state of the road, describing it as "death trap and den of robbers".


They, however, expressed confidence that President Buhari would hearken to their cries, saying, he did it for them as PTDF chairman and now that he was in charge of the country, he would hopefully come to their aid.


The people said, they collectively resolved to vote Buhari in 2015, stressing that, it was only that constituency that delivered massively for Buhari and his party in the entire Benue South.


Recall that the House of Representatives, through a motion moved by member representing Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency, Hon Ezekiel Adaji, on the 2nd August 2017, had passed a resolution mandating the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing, to include the road in the 2018 budget proposal.


It was also gathered reliably that, the Honourable Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola had given approval for the reconstruction of the 47-kilometre road, following a letter of complaint by a veteran Journalist, Nats Onoja Agbo early last year. Despite that, nothing seems to have been done on the road.

More pix

Organizers of Idoma International Carnival have expressed their profound gratitude to the whole of Idoma nation and indeed people from all walks of life for the success of the 2017 edition of the carnival.

The head-honcho of the organization, Chief Edwin Ochai in a statement attributed the success of the highly-rated event to the collaborative efforts of everyone within and outside the Benue South enclave.

Chief Ochayi, doubles as BoT chairman of the group in a statement issued on Saturday, specially acknowledged the vital roles played by the Idoma National Forum led by its president, Bar Amali Adoya Amali and all the members, the cultural troupes from all the nine Local Governments in Idomaland, the chairman of Otukpo Local Government who doubles as the ALGON Chairman in Zone C of Benue State, members of the board of trustees, Hero Lager Beer and others bodies that contributed to the success of the event.

He called on all Idoma sons and daughters both at home and abroad to come home every
December to join hands and move the Idomaland to greater heights.

His statement reads:

I want to express my profound gratitude to the whole of Idoma nation and indeed people from all walks of life for your various contributions in one way or the other in making the 2017 edition of Idoma International carnival a huge success.

It was a collective and collaborative effort which has shown that the carnival which began in 2013 as a little idea has grown to become a big voice and a rallying point for the whole of Idoma nation especially in the area of cultural renaissance, showcasing and exposing our cultural heritage to the world, youth empowerment, tourism, economic recovery, and indeed a spring board to the much needed peace and unity without which there can be no meaningful development in a dear land.

I also want to use this rare privilege to encourage our sons and daughters at home and in the Diaspora and indeed their friends to come home every December, not just to savour the moment but to join hands to move Idomaland forward.

Even though it is very difficult to mention names of individuals and organizations who made the 2017 Idoma International carnival memorable, I am compelled to single out Idoma National Forum led by its president, Bar Amali Adoya Amali and all the members, the cultural troupes from all the nine Local Governments in Idomaland, the chairman of Otukpo Local Government who doubles as the ALGON Chairman in Zone C of Benue State, members of the board of trustees, Hero lager beer who were our major and number one sponsor and others too numerous to mention for want of time and space.

The journey to more memorable and bigger carnival in 2018 has begun and we invite all well meaning sons, daughters, friends of Idomaland, and organisations to join the train as we are open to new ideas and innovations on how to move our land to the next level of development.
What we have started is not just an event or show but a movement that will translate into tangible benefits .

Once again , on behalf of my team from Port Harcourt, Abuja, Otukpo, Lagos and Makurdi, I say THANK YOU.

About Idoma carnival
The Idoma International Carnival started about five years ago as Agila Carnival. It has since then assumed a sought after status for lovers of culture, tradition , fun, ideas, travels, trends and fashion.

It draws participants and attendees from across Nigeria. It is the first and only star studded get together event that conveniently fuses the usually incompatible pair of beauty and brains.

It has attracted notable Nigerian industries , organisations , corporate entities , grounded arts and social personalities. It is a money generating product, a youth empowerment platform and an innovative entrepreneurship project.

The Idoma International Carnival aims to attract our best in the arts , sports, fashion, academia, economy, agriculture and business to facilitate common grounds for building a self helping community in addition to government often scarcely resourced programmes.