₦airaland Forum

Earlier today, the newly appointed Managing Director of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED Plc), Engr. Abdu Bello Mohammed in less than 24 hours after he took over as the Chief Executive Officer of the power company, has resolved the long-standing impasse between the company and the Benue State Government.

Recall that the Management of the Benue State Revenue Agency, (BIRS) earlier in the year sealed up some offices belonging to JED Plc over a disagreement on tax payment modalities.

Although JED Plc had requested that the Revenue Agency should deduct the said tax from the debt the State Government owed the Company. However, with no agreement reached, the Agency sealed JED Plc offices to date.

Taking over the mantle of leadership on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, Mohammed approached the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and in what seems like a swift reaction, the Governor ordered that JED Plc premises should be unsealed while the negotiation is sustained.

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In a statement issued by the Head, Corporate Communications of the company Dr. Friday Adakole Elijah he noted that Governor Ortom gave the charge in Abuja when the JED Plc boss and his team paid him a courtesy visit at the Benue State Governor's Lodge, Asokoro.

According to the Governor, the decision was to enable the Government to begin a mutual relationship with the new management of the company, stating that the Government would also make concerted efforts to clear outstanding bills owed to the company.

He then directed the Chairperson of the Benue Internal Revenue Service, Mrs Mimi Adzape-Orubibi and the State Accountant General, Mr Agwaza Iorkpiligh, to liaise with the new management of JED Plc to sort out both the taxes owed by the company and outstanding electricity bills owed by the State Government.

Ortom however appealed to JED Plc to upgrade the level of power supply in the State.

"One of the cardinal policies of my administration is to industrialize the State but this has suffered some setbacks due to lack of adequate power supply.

"Some existing companies at the Industrial Layout folded up because they could not afford the rising cost of operating their plants using diesel.

"Benue is an agrarian State with the capacity to turn primary products into finished goods, and ensuring adequate power supply to residences and commercial areas would enhance the economic development", Ortom said.

Responding, the JED Plc boss told the Governor that the company has already paid part of its owed taxes.

He explained that as part of their mandate to boost power supply in the State, the company has awarded a contract for the construction of a 330KVA line across the Benue bridge as well as included construction of more substations in their 2023 budget.

Mohammed assured Ortom that the company is working on boosting the power supply at the Makurdi Industrial Layout to boost socio-economic activities in and around the area.

He was accompanied by the Regional Manager of the Company in Makurdi, Mr Joseph Kwaghgba and other management staff.

Mohammed expressed appreciation to Ortom for the support he has given the company over the years, particularly the donation of land and provision of electricity transformers among other interventions.

Based on the advice of the Governor that the Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc seats with the Chairman of the BIRS and sort out the impasse, Engr Mohammed immediately proceeded to Makurdi where the matter was discussed amicably.

Ado Local Government Executive Chairman, Hon. James Oche has charged the newly sworn in supervisory Councilors and Advisers for Ado Local Government to be committed to helping him achieve the people-oriented vision of his administration.

Mr. Oche gave the charge earlier today in Igumale, the local government headquarters during the swearing in of 5 supervisory Councilors and 3 Advisers for the local Government.

Among those sworn in today were; Samuel Attah from Igumale District, Fred Uduh Ominyi from Ulayi District, Clement Ogbu Unogwu from Ijigban District and Sunday Ogiji Omirigwe from Ukwonyo District as well as Simon Onwe from Agila District.

Inaugurated by the Council Boss as Advisers were MacJohnson Odey, Ochapa Martina and Agbo Okpokwu.

Speaking further Oche said their appointment and inauguration was an act of God and a reflection of the will of the people and admonished them on the need to live up expectations.

Oche urged the newly inaugurated to lead the campaign for the People's Democratic Party in their respective Districts so as to help the party emerge victorious in the fast approaching 2023 general elections.

In separate but similar responses, Clement Ogbu and Agbo Okpokwu for Supervisory Councilors and Advisers respectively, expressed gratitude to the Ado people for the uncommon opportunity and promised on behalf of his colleagues that, they would be supportive of the Chairman's commendable strides to bring good governance at the grassroots.

In attendance where the Local Government Party, chairman of the PDP, Hon. Stephen Aluna, Apa Ward PDP Chairman who doubles as Chairman of Ward Party Chairmen Forum, Hon, Abraham Ochoga, the LG Security Secretary Mr. Samuel Obande , The Leader of the Ado Legislative Arm, Hon. Emmanuel Ajagbo and his Deputy.

Source: https://www.naijavoicenews.com/benue-oche-inaugurates-supervisory-councilors-advisers-for-ado-lga/

According to the organizers, distinguished personalities are set to be honored with the Unprecedented Leadership Award which is a prestigious international recognition and honor that recognizes distinguished personalities worldwide for their track records of unprecedented leadership and excellence in their various fields of endeavors as well as their contributions to the society.

This year’s award is in partnership with Global Africa Leadership Council U.S.A and American International Education Federation Houston U.S.A.

According to the organizers, the award will be held on 25th November 2022 at the Nigeria National Merit Awards House, Maitama Abuja Nigeria, and the nomination is open to the public to nominate outstanding personalities around the world who deserve the award.

As noted in a statement released by the organizing committee on Monday, October 12, 2022, the award committee chairman Prof. Blessing Lawal Ph.D. stated that this year's edition will be more significant noting that the award will encourage the recipients to continue to stir transformational leadership and development of the society, he also encouraged government institutions and prospective development organizations to promote transformational leadership by participating in the forthcoming event.

This, according to him, would ensure the undeterred promotion of transformational leadership across the globe, which cannot be achieved by one organization alone.

However, the award committee chairman called on the public to get involved in the distinguished honor of personalities and institutions that have contributed earnestly to transformational leadership and sustainable development across the world. He also noted that this year's award will recognize organizations, companies and institutions contributing to the development of society and the recipients of the award will be featured in African Transformers Magazine

By Benita Boblyn


It was indeed a remarkable event as distinguished personalities around the World were honored at the Unprecedented Leadership Awards held on Saturday, 27th November 2021 at the Nigeria National Merit Awards House, Maitama Abuja Nigeria.

Those awarded includes the Former Governor of Benue State now Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs Distinguished Senator George Akume ably represented by his special assistant Amb. Dr. Fatima, Amb. Victoria Olatunde Young, Hon. Abiodun Essiet, Dolly Doxin Canada, and Mary Kurek U.S.A among others were honored at the award ceremony,

Speaking at the event, the representative of Sen. George Akume appreciated the organizers for recognizing the minister and stated that the minister is committed to transformational leadership in Nigeria. Chairman, Planning Committee, Amb. Igweshi Augustine said the award is a prestigious international recognition and honor which recognizes distinguished personalities worldwide for their track records of unprecedented leadership prowess and excellence in their various fields of endeavors as well as their contributions to society.

In his words, this award is a landmark initiative of the African Transformer Institute (ATI), Global Socioeconomic and Financial Evolution Network Worldwide with a presence in 90 countries, Center for Peace Advocacy and Sustainable Development, (CEPASD), and the Lead Gate Global to recognize and honor distinguished personalities around the world for their outstanding leadership prowess and their contributions in different field of endeavors, profession and the society at large

Also speaking, Engr. Aminu Wakali, a recipient applauded the organizers of the award for recognizing those who have contributed to leadership development in Nigeria and around the world. He thanked the organizers for bringing distinguished personalities together to celebrate them despite the pandemic. Also, he urges Nigerians to embrace transformational leadership.

Highlights of the event were the presentation of African Transformers Magazine which featured the awards recipients and performances by artists and musicians.

Ahead of the most anticipated African Industrious Women Awards 2022, the program director of the event Amb. Abraham Lawal has revealed to newsmen that all is set for the maiden edition of the most prestigious gathering of African women with the Theme: African Women in Leadership.

The event has been slated to take place at Oriental Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday 23rd October 2022 by 4 pm.

Those to be awarded include; Sherifat Akintunde, Founder, of Ajoke relief foundation, Adesuyi Taiwo Omonike JP, CEO of Honeymum events enterprises, Anteyi Grace Ene, CEO of Most Gorgeous Girl Nigeria/Ageless Agency, Adeleke Abiodun Oyenike, CEO Ibadan Entrepreneurs Network.

Others include Buhari Olabisi Busala Aisha, CEO of Bisbol Realty Homes & Interiors LTD, Dagunduro Adeola, CEO DandT Realtors, Eno Uzoma Ehimere, General Manager (Bargate Homes), CEO (Eno’s Culinary), Kikelomo Idowu. CEO Kyksie Drapes Events & Interiors Ltd, Princess Dr. Mercy Uwakwe, Founder: Mercy Wave Conglomerate & Mercy Wave Foundation, Letisha Mathew, President, Gemma foundation & house of Letisha, Mrs. Opeyemi Gandu, CEO Yb beauty secrets, Ayomikun Adebayo-Oyetoro, CEO Fab realty and tourism Ltd.

Some notable women in Africa such as; Ifeoluwa Durodola Babatunde, founder of Highffyclassic global concepts, Min. Korto Minnie Golowo, CEO of Kwaaqueih Fund Humanitarian & A Nurse, Oguh Assumpta Uchechukwu, CEO Aku Investment, Efya Harmless, CEO of Harmless Foundation, Nwamaka Nnoli, CEO of nwaconcept INT'L Ltd, Mrs. Beulah Marshall, Founder, Centre for teachers Development and training will be recognized also.

Others are Ademayowa Mabel Odukoya, President/founder of mission feed foundation, Prophetess Samyce Blessing Morris, CEO of Samyce Humanitarian Foundation, Olugbuyi Mosunmola Rachael, CEO Richeysfoods, Enuoyibo Daniella Chiamaka, C.E.O of Dee & Ell Africa, Abigail Odey, (Founder Vinahs Glow), Mercy Alexander, (Founder Alexander Mercy Foundation & D'Gallery TV).
Maryam Elisha, CEO Rikaoto by me, Princess Joy Osusu, (Convener Nigeria Achievers Awards / Mr & Most Elegant Girl In Nig), AMB Atinuke Shomade CEO: Atinuke stones trimmings and accessories among other industrious women in Africa will be awarded on the 23rd of October.

The event also seeks to feature other side attractions such as music, comedy among other lively activities.
For more info WhatsApp Number +2347062111207 or Follow Us @most_industrious_women_awards.

By Kingsley Mba

Poverty has been identified as one of the major causes of human trafficking, as families who find it difficult to make ends meet resort to sending their children away to live with others they feel have the means to give the children access to a better life. Ironically, overtimes some of these children end up in wrong hands who either use them for economic exploitations, abuse them sexually, or subject them to torture and other inhuman treatments.

However, the efforts to tackle the menace of human trafficking received another boost with the interventions recently launched by MeCAHT in partnership with ROOST foundation. The partnership has provided women from Ketti community, Kabusa Village in F.C.T Abuja with enlightenment training on human trafficking, human rights, menstrual hygiene as well as financial grants to boost their business.

At an interactive session with some of the women, The Executive Director Roost Foundation, Dame Julie Okah-Donli while commending the women for applying the lessons learnt from the training urged them to also extend the knowledge to other women so as to enable them know the negative implications of allowing their children to be taken away as these children most times get trafficked for economic and sexual exploitations.

Okah-Donli during the session, advised the women to pay close attention to neighbors and relatives who acting under the guise of caring for their female children could be abusing the them sexual, noting that it is wrong for adult males to touch their female children inappropriately, call them into their houses or send them on unclear errands as these are some of the ways sexual predators gain access to vulnerable children.

She also harped on the need to ensure abused children get justice as this would help them handle the trauma better , knowing that Justice is served and the culprit equally get punished. "Some families choose to cover up when their female children are abused, thereby denying the victims justice, some even after knowing their husbands are the abusers shield their husbands and allow the children to suffer the pain and trauma all through their lives."

On the issue of nurturing a child, Dame Okah-Donli said no child shall be made to feel inferior to another, "some of you are in the habit of giving your male children preferential treatment over their female siblings. This is totally wrong as the female child would end up feeling unloved and this could expose her to start seeking love outside." Some of the poorly raised children , she stated later in life become damaged and a threat to their families, reason, you hear stories about children killing their parents.

MeCHAT a media driven faith based organization working to reduce the incidence of human trafficking among vulnerable people in collaboration with ROOST foundation, an organization committed to finding a lasting solution to stem the tide of irregular migration, human trafficking, sexual and gender based violence, stated that this intervention is focusing on people living at the local communities or grassroot level, who are usually the most affected when it comes to human trafficking, and sexual and gender based violence.

Dame Okah-Donli said the programme is an advocacy and empowerment campaign which is targeted at the grassroot people."The advocacy is not only merely talking about human trafficking, human rights and menstrual hygiene but empowering the women to be able to cater to the family needs." She added. According to her the intervention provides financial support to the women to boost their trade and with this, they can provide for their children and would not allow them be taken away by traffickers as a result of poverty.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke during the session, appreciated the organizations for the support, noting that the training was very helpful.

"The training is quite helpful, we learnt some helpful tips to prevent our children from being trafficked and on menstrual hygiene. Before we were using old clothes as pads during menstruation but now we use normal pads and reusable pads," Said Murna Yusuf.

Mrs Yusuf believes if other women also know about all the things they have learnt, it would help to reduce the incidence of human trafficking .

She however called on relevant authorities to come to their their aid, by equiping the only health centre in the community with medical supplies and more staff to be able to address their medical needs. She pointed out that the health centre still lack the capacity to address their medical needs or handle emergencies. "Even some times to get malaria and typhoid medicines from the health centre is a problem," she lamented.

Coalition of Civil societies organization is urging the house of Representatives to give quick concurrence to the bill to establish the commission for the coordination and control of the proliferation of small arms and light Weapons, NATCOM recently passed by the Senate.

A statement from the media office of the coalition says the call became necessary, considering the urgent need to compliment government's efforts in creating gainful employment to the teeming youth population.

The coalition salutes efforts of stakeholders comprising the executive, legislature, civil society organizations, the media and Dr. Baba Mohammed who championed the need in a presentation to the public hearing for the need to establish NATCOM in line with article 24 of the economic Community of west African states, ecowas convention on the proliferation of small arms and light Weapons to which Nigeria is signatory, for recognizing the need to bring proliferation of illegal arms and light Weapons to an end in the country.

By Benita Boblyn

Customers in Gombe State last Thursday commended the Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc just as the company urges unmetered customers to embrace metering under the Meters Asset Providers scheme currently in place.

The commendations and the call were made at ABMAR HALL opposite Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe during a consultative forum organised by the electricity outfit to sensitize customers on the negative effects of vandalism, energy theft, staff assault, and the need for metering amongst other things.

Alhaji Aliyu Abagah of the National Emergency Management Agency and Alhaji Mohammed Umar ( Chechenia), former Director of Administration, Federal Teaching Hospital in addition to many others applauded Jos Electricity Distribution PLC for what they described as excellent services to the people of Gombe State.

According to them, the improvement in service delivery was so visible that they could not hesitate to appreciate the company and urge it to keep it up.

In their statements, "The power supply in this state has greatly improved. We can not thank you enough. Keep it up. We are happy with your service to our people",

Earlier, the Managing Director, Alhaji Mammanlafia Umar who was represented by the Regional Manager, Alhaji Babajada Awaulu thanked the Gombe State Government and the Gombe Emirate Council for their support.

He said that the two institutions have tremendously contributed to the company in terms of fostering a harmonious symbiotic relationship.

The Managing Director urged the unmetered customers in Gombe to embrace the ongoing metering scheme known as MAP saying that the only means to avoid billing disagreement is to be metered.

He disclosed that customers who are metered under the scheme would be amortised - the cost of the meter refunded to the customer within 36 months via energy token.

The Managing Director who decried the high rate of vandalism on the company's installation across its franchise area called on members of the public to endeavour to protect electrical installations in their domains.

According to him, "It is a truism that the installation belongs to the company but you are the direct beneficiaries of the services being rendered by these facilities. When they are vandalised, the benefiting community would be thrown into darkness thereby creating or contributing to the insecurity of the affected areas. You should therefore help in the protection of these facilities".

The Head, Customer Complaint and Relationship Management, Dr Lucky Akpobi, who spoke on the complaint redress mechanism urged customers not to be deterred in laying their complaints to the company stressing that all matters brought to the attention of the company were virtually attended to expeditiously to the satisfaction of the complaints.

By Peter Onu

Benue-born humanitarian, peacemaker, and forensic expert Amb. Oriri Okiti Kenneth has been gazetted into the International Database of Diplomats as Commonwealth Ambassador of Peace to Nigeria.

The event which took place over the week at Merit House, Maitama Abuja was organized by the Advanced Peace and Reconciliation Centre of Nigeria in partnership with Security and Forensic Studies to honor individuals that have been instrumental in the development of peace in the Country.

His recognition was based on his contributions to human capital development in line with MDGs, which earned him the commonwealth's prestigious award of diplomatic attributes.

In a conferment letter signed by the National President of Advanced Peace and Reconciliation Centre of Nigeria (APRCN) Amb. Tar Mngusuur Jessica she noted that Amb. Kenneth Okiti Oriri has been gazetted as Commonwealth Ambassador of Peace and Reconciliation based on his mission of peace and societal transformation for the less privileged therefore enlisting him as a senior citizen of Nigeria to enjoy all privileges and rights.

APRCN is a global network of 1.9million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe in our communities and ourselves.

The reputed Global organization provides a platform for networking for diplomats, government agencies, technocrats, business executives, and entrepreneurs to interact and resolve critical issues affecting humanity, for the overall betterment of the human race society.

Amb. Oriri reacted by extending appreciation to the entire APRCN and other partner organizations for the honor bestowed on him and promises to uphold the virtues that grant him the honor.

In the face of diverse security challenges facing the Country, Amb. Oriri notes that he will be a true Ambassador of peace thereby mediating between warring communities, towns, ethnic groups, and states.

He championed the transition of NATFORCE to NATCOM

Following the recent passage of the Bill to establish the National Commission for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons by the Senate, and awaiting concurrence by the House of Representatives, it is explicitly clear that the National Taskforce on the Prohibition of Illegal Importation-Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons (NATFORCE) has ceased to be .

In a statement, Dr. Baba Mohammed, who championed the need for NATFORCE to transit to a Commission, NATCOM in line with the provision that stipulates that the functions of the body shall be in line with Article 24 of the Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) Convention on the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons to which Nigeria is signatory and which came into force in 2009, hereby, distanced himself from NATFORCE and all of its operations since after Senate passage of the NATCOM bill which has now automatically changed the name NATFORCE to NATCOM.

The statement added that as a law abiding citizen and stickler of due process, NATFORCE remains non-existent to Dr. Mohammed and called on the law to take its course and bring those found wanting to book.

It will be recalled that Dr.Mohammed in his presentation to the Senate committee on national security and intelligence public hearing under the then chairmanship of Dr. Ibrahim Gobir now leader of the Senate whose committee brought the transition from NATFORCE to NATCOM had appealed for the establishment of a National Commission NATCOM, rather than any other name.

Dr. Baba Mohammed appreciates President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the national security adviser major general Babagana Monguno(rtd) and other critical stakeholders for providing an enabling environment for the successes being recorded so far in the collective efforts towards the establishment of a National Commission for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NATCOM).

Source: https://www.naijavoicenews.com/dr-baba-mohammed-distances-self-from-natforce-after-senate-passage-of-the-natcom-bill/

Nigerians, especially believers have been urged to continue to intercede for the nation to come out of her present challenges.

This call was made by the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr. Paul Enenche, at the just-concluded National Healing and Deliverance crusade in Abuja.

The three-day programme with the theme, Divine Visitation, held at the FCT Sport Complex, Abuja, according to the cleric, was organized to seek God’s intervention for the nation Nigeria, especially as the country prepares for the 2023 general elections.

At the well-attended crusade, attendants cried to God for a lasting panacea to the myriad of problems threatening the existence of the entity called Nigeria.

Pastor Enenche decried the level of killings in the nation and how people pretend as if nothing is happening.

He said that it is an error that Nigeria is lacking in the midst of abundant resources.

His words, “In medicine, there is something we call Glycogen storage disease. It is a situation where what the body needs is there but the body is starving. That is the current situation of our nation Nigeria. Starvation in the midst of enormous abundance and resources.”

The cleric also read an emotional letter from a kidnap victim who was held captive by bandits in northern Nigeria for about 18 months.

The letter, which moved many to tears, exposed the horrific and terrible things kidnap victims go in the dens of bandits.


He added, “I am so amazed that most of our people in this country behave as if everything is alright. I encountered a woman recently that was in captivity of terrorists for about one and half years.

“She wrote a letter to me from the terrorists’ camp, but she said there was no means to send the letter (from there), so when she saw me in person, she delivered the letter.

"In the letter, she revealed horrible things kidnap victims go through on a daily basis.
The letter reads in part:
“…We have gone through pain and agony that is unexplainable. Some Christian mothers and sisters have stayed here for about four, three, two and one years and some have stayed for five months.”

“Young ladies are being forced to convert or are given out for marriage. Ladies who refuse to convert are turned to sex slaves and some are being forced into hard labour, while people like uniform personnel, NGO workers and so on are killed brutally. Sometimes,they demand huge ransom for their release.
Young boys are seized from their mothers and seized to join them….”

“As she recounted her story, it is unbelievable that we live in such a country where such a demonic agenda is being perpetrated.”


Pastor Enenche, therefore, declared God’s judgment on killers and their sponsors in Nigeria.
He decried how wasters of lives are arrested and allowed to scotfree without being prosecuted, a development he described as very “sad and terrible.”

“But I have bad news for them, the nation shall be the burial ground for every killer and their sponsors in the land.”

The cleric also called on Nigerians, irrespective of religion or ethnicity, to get their Permanent Voters Card so they can participate in the forthcoming general elections in 2023.

He said gone were the days when people thought votes don’t count. He believes that when people unite with one voice, things will change and good leaders would be enthroned.

The programme featured special intercession for the land.

Government representatives, music ministers and pastors from different denominations were also part of the crusade.

By Oriri Peter

The Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc has appealed to the Management of the Benue State Board of Internal Revenue Service to unseal their premises to enable the company to keep rendering services to members of the public.

The Electricity company appealed yesterday via a press statement by its Head, Corporate Communications, Dr Friday Adakole Elijah following the sealing of its premises in the Makurdi and Gboko areas of the state.

It would be recalled that the state board of internal revenue yesterday sealed off all the operational premises of Jos Disco.

Not knowing where to operate, the management of the electricity outfit disrupted services to forestall what the company described as an avoidable accident.

The statement read inter alia;

"You may have observed that there is currently no power supply in the Makurdi and Gboko areas of Benue State. This is as a result of the sealing of our operational offices in the aforestated areas today. The sealing had affected our command & control centre and other critical operational offices.

" The command and control centre manages the switching operations, distribution activities and load allocation, to serve our esteemed customers safely as well as avoid grid system collapse. The offices where work tools and spare parts are warehoused were equally sealed up, making it difficult to carry out some activities aimed at maintaining the power supply.

"The general public may wish to know that allowing our equipment on supply, unmanned shall constitute a great risk with potential accidents to the general public.

" It was on this basis, that the Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc decided to interrupt power in the interest of the public to prevent avoidable accidents and equipment failures until the situation is resolved.

"The Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc is therefore pleading with the Management of Benue Inland Revenue Services to unseal all the premises sealed as we continue to discuss the way forward on the resolution of the indebtedness of each other, in the overall interest of the good people of Benue State and our Company".

Meanwhile, the company disclosed that it has commenced the creation of temporary command and control centres to enable restoration of service where possible for now.

Jos Electricity Distribution Plc while thanking the customers for their understanding and cooperation, also pleads with them to bear with it as the company was working towards the restoration of services to all the nooks and crannies of the state.

By Oriri Peter


The just concluded All Progressive Congress (APC) Governorship Primary election which Rev. Fr. Alia emerged as the party flag bearer for Benue State governorship in the 2023 general election, marks great lessons and historic impotence for the Food Basket of the Nation.

First, for the first time ever in history, the All Progressive Party (APC) heavyweights in Benue State, as well as the two major camps led by Sen. Dr. George Akume and Barr. Emmanuel Jime are united for one goal - which is to redeem and save Benue from the impediment bedeviling our people as a result of bad governance since inception.

Secondly, in realization and acknowledgment of the fact that 2023 is the redemption and restoration of the soul of Benue, Direct Primaries was adopted and the All Progressive Party (APC) Benue family were allowed to elect who should be their party flag bearer. As opposed to the delegates system where money plays the main role with delegates receiving bribes to elect the unpopular, unqualified but rich candidates. It is usually the ‘highest bidder’ who would have had the day. Also, "godfathers" have influence over the process of delegate selection and eventually, the voting pattern.

Fr. Alia emerged as the party flag bearer. Alia came into the process on the wings of popular request from the Benue people, and the people were allowed to choose who to be the party governorship flag bearer through direct Primaries.

It is obvious that, if the Primaries had been conducted via ‘delegates’, the result would have been different. The ‘highest bidder’ would have had the day.


Now the ‘high bidders’ are upset that they were prevented from bidding for the soul of Benue – for indeed, no amount of money is worth the future of the state.

Notably, the Alia experience in Benue is a test case for direct Primaries and has shown that this method de-emphasizes money politics and puts the popularity and suitability of candidates to the test. Good lessons for our country that may very well trigger the revolution we need to bring quality leadership at all levels.

In another development, the race for a partner (deputy) for Alia began. However, we need a person who is energetic, vibrant, academically sound, and visionary like Rev. Fr. Alia to effectively redeem Benue State. Having demonstrated the qualities of a great leader in both personal and professional life, inspiring others to take action and set a cause for the future, Michael Oglegba is the man fit to be the Deputy of Alia, and eventually would bring victory to the All Progressive Party (APC) come 2023 general election.


Michael Oglegba hails from Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State. Born on August 8, 1977. He attended Mount Saint Gabriel, Makurdi, Demonstration School Makurdi, and the University of Jos respectively.

In 2019, He was the preferred candidate for Deputy to Emmanuel Jime, the APC flag bearer, a position that was eventually given to Sam Ode. He however served as Director of Finance for the campaign and has remained a pillar of the party in Benue and Zone C in particular.

Michael Oglegba is an entrepreneur with over 30 years of corporate experience with diverse business interests from technology to agriculture. Techvibes Ltd, a company founded in 2011 is a leading technology company in Nigeria with over 300 hundred employees.
Currently offers scholarships to more than 350 students and operates free schools in Benue South among several other humanitarian services to his people.

Interestingly, he has over 30 years of experience in ICT, Marketing, Sales logistics, fleet management, and operations.
Successfully managed multiple business interests across various industries with over 300 staff. And has won multiple awards from various organizations.

The lustrous Benue born has successfully designed enterprise software solution and currently holds 8 international patents.
Michael Oglegba is equipped intelligently but with a deep sense of humility and total submission to the will of God, Almighty and looks at himself as a servant to his people.

He has been unflinching in his support for Alia and instrumental in his eventual victory. Indeed, with Michael Oglegba as Alia's Deputy, victory for the All Progressive Party (APC) at the polls is secured and Benue will take its rightful place on the map of developing States in the world as the two (Alia and Michael) will bring development to the state.

By Isaac Michael

Speaking in this year's commemoration of the birthday celebration of Dr Paul Enenche, senior pastor of Dunamis international gospel centre (DIGC), A public affairs analyst Don Gucci said, "Today is an iconic day for an iconic personality. It's a great day in history as we celebrate an extraordinarily gifted and perceptive personality.

They say the pen is the strongest memory, but a life of high value to humanity made the day of your birth an easy memory for us. A visionary and inspirational leader with grace and elegance second to none.

Dr Enenche with a magnificent quality of guidance and mentorship which has helped kindle a renewed enthusiasm in our relationship with God and calling.

We are mesmerised by your vintage integrity and wisdom, which is the reason we commit our trust that necessitated the press for a vantage point to hear and learn from you.

Your perspective of life makes us want to live more thoughtful. You are an inspiration for us never to give up on life and destiny.Your guidance, light's the way for so many of us on our journeys of faith.You are a phenomenon filled with a highly contagious joy and aura of happiness.

Always Styled in a powerful colourful dressing with steppings so fresh, radiating confidence which has satisfied cultural touchstones that represent the art of the era with so many copies. You are a gift to mankind.

Thank you for showing us the part to life in Jesus Christ with zeal and fervour.We love you.Happy Birthday, Sir.  May your days be super bright and super special! Wishing you the happiest of birthdays! I wish you the most amazing day, filled with joyful moments! He opined.

By Oriri Peter

Renowned Delta-born Human Rights activist, Amb. Chuks Emmanuel Ozegbe, has been appointed as the International Society of Deplomats, ISD's Special Emissary to Nigeria.

The appointment of Amb. Ozegbe who is the President/Chairman of Global Youth Skills Acquisition and Poverty Eradication Organization (GYSAPEO), was confirmed in a letter signed by the Head of Mission, Professor. Edet B. Ekpenyong.

The letter reads: "I write on behalf of the International Society of Diplomats (ISD) to inform you that the bearer Amb. Chuks E. Ozegbe has been appointed as a special Emissary for ISD in Nigeria and as part of the privileges of his office. He has been assigned a special vehicle plate number, Diplomat Passport and official identity card".

ISD is an international organization, established on the basis to promote and uphold the practice and ethics of International Diplomacy, Peace and Social Justice.

The reputed International organization provides a platform for networking for diplomats, government agencies, technocrats, business executives, and entrepreneurs to interact and resolve critical issues affecting humanity, for the overall betterment of the human race society.

Notably, International Society of Diplomats (ISD), is a global organization having meets all the requirements to be recognized as an international organization enjoys the Article 13 of Universal Declaration Human Rights, for Freedom of Movement and alienable right to reside in member states.

Most often the organization goes into partnership with the government through foreign Affairs Ministry, High Commissions, Embassies, Consulate and host of other bodies to provide a foreign policies, economy, politics, technology, health, gender issues, education and many more.

Amb. Chuks Ozegbe presented his Appointment letter to Dr. Tunji Asaolu, Country Representatives of African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU ECOSSOC) earlier today at the AU's office in Abuja.

Dr. Asaolu charged the ambassador to discharge his duties truthfully, diligently and sincerely.

Amb. Ozegbe reacted by appreciating the honor bestowed on him and thanked the ISD community for considering him as one of their worthy ambassadors.

To end disputation arising from estimated billings, Jos Electricity Distribution Plc Saturday launched what it described as mobile MAP ( Meters Access Providers) in conjunction with Mojec.

Speaking at the launching, the Managing Director, Alhaji Mammanlafia Umar who called on customers desiring meters to take advantage of the current metering programme said that the exercise was concurrently running in Bauchi, Benue and Gombe states.

Alhaji Umar who was represented at the event by the Chief Commercial, Engr Mansir Nakande disclosed that the cost of the meters would be amortised saying that the company was working assiduously towards metering all her customers.


The Managing Director who explained the importance of meters to customers said meters remain the only authentic measurement implements that could be used to determine consumed energy by customers.

According to him, "All our customers without meters are insisting that they are being overcharged. We cannot say with certainty that customers are right or wrong. There are a lot of challenges with estimation".

He further explained that "There are also challenges of liquidity because we needed a lot of money to buy meters which is why the Meter Assets Providers (MAP) was introduced for the customers to buy meters stressing that the company will refund the customers with energy.

"Any month the customer comes to buy a unit, we will refund the customer with the unit. For example, if you buy a unit of 2000 you will be given a unit worth 3000 until the money is fully refunded", he disclosed.

The Managing Director, therefore, allayed customers' fear about the availability of the meters assuring that" "these meters are readily available. We have them and today we are launching the MOJEC brand. We have multiple vendors and we shall continue to launch until all our customers are fully informed and metered ".

The Chief Executive Officer who was optimistic about the success of the programme divulged that "We already got 3-4 customers even before the relaunch started and we are going to install their meters immediately".

He stated further that the idea behind the mobile meters was to ensure expeditious metering of customers within the 24hrs of payment.

"You (customers) will be profiled and the survey will be done immediately so that your meter will be installed without any delay," he said.

By Oriri Peter

Princess Kemi Adewunmi is a Nigerian woman in Politics and a Lagos-based socialite and humanitarian, who has worked hard over the years to be relevant in politics which is dominated by men with little or no chance given to women.

She is a mother of two, and a widow who didn't allow the role of being a mother or the condition of being a widow to deter her or determine her outcome, she has pushed boundaries in no small measure, and today, she stands tall and distinguished in every circle she finds herself.

Princess Kemi is referred to as ‘an institution and a force to reckon with’, She is the National President, ATIKU LOYALISTS, president of Soroptimist International and the Women Initiative for Advocacy, Social Justice and Empowerment( WIASE), Member of ATIKU Entourage, Member Teecom, G32 Contact and Mobilization, G32 Southwest ASO 4 ATIKU, G32 S/W Official and Member/Leader in many other organizations and groups.

The PDP chieftain is from Ekiti State and was one of the Ekiti State Gubernatorial Aspirants in 2022 though didn't emerge the winner in the Party’s Primary Election.

Through her involvement and key roles in humanitarian activities and political engagements, Princess Kemi has been able to distinguish herself and impacted her state and Nigeria positively.

She has constantly motivated and supported women to rise above the norm and take their equal place in most men dominated spheres of life such as Politics, Engineering etc.

In her words, “Men can not dominate us forever in key places, we need all bold and strong women to come out and put their faith and trust in God, then the sky is the limit. The suffering is too much, Enough is Enough. It is time to stand for Justice and not Injustice. Impunity, imposition and injustice must stop . Let integrity and fear of God play out.”

Though she has not held any political office since she joined PDP in 1998, but have done more for humanity than most office holders, this shows that if an opportunity is given to her, truly people would be amazing with the projects and positive impacts she would bring to limelight.

According to her, “I have been in every committee you can think of in PDP and played important roles at the State and National level, I have learnt from the best and not from bullies and political businessmen, that amount to no good.”

She is an ardent follower of Atiku Abubakar and a key stakeholder in the Atiku campaign, her contributions in the ongoing 2022/2023 campaign can not be overemphasized as she is easily spotted in every state in the ongoing nationwide consultation tour.

Truly, she is relentless and believes that Nigeria will be a better place if her political life is right.

By Oriri Peter

The rising spate of insecurity in the country has been a cause for serious concerns. Many notable Nigerians as well as civil society groups across various divides have expressed worries, that if nothing is done to urgently arrest total descent into anarchy, the Nigeria election slated to take place in 2023 may not hold.

In the same vein, a group known as "Global Youth Skills Acquisition & Poverty Eradication (GYSAPEO)" has called on the citizens to take decisive actions in mitigating the high level of insecurity, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes which have resulted to wanton loss of lives and property. The group also called on the citizens to get actively involved in politics and political activities as that is the only to ensure only credible leaders that have the interest of the people at heart would emerge in 2023.

The chairman, Amb Ozegbe Chuks Emmanuel made this known while addressing newsmen at a press briefing yesterday, May 11, 2022.

Mr Emmanuel however expressed confidence that with the collective efforts of the masses, the country could be redeemed from the looming danger, noting that "the seeming crossroad which the country is currently at, could be turned into a defining moments to build a country the people would be proud of."

"The events of the past few years, have been nothing but noble, seeing our nation enmeshed in mind blowing violence, banditry, kidnapping, senseless killings of fellow citizens by criminal elements and all other forms of criminalities in full scale." Said Mr Emmanuel.

"Just recently, there was the gory, stomach churning and despicable video trending on the internet, of a couple who were soldiers brutally killed by yet to be identified persons while going for a function. Before then, the nation was jolted with yet another shocking incident of the train attack that happened in Kaduna, where a medical doctor lost her life and a couple of others Sustaining varying degrees of injuries. Up till this moment, some of them are yet to regain their freedom from the bandits." Mr Emmanuel lamented.

"Killing in Nigeria has become a daily occurrence, from elements whose postures continue to imperil our collective wellbeing as a nation."

"We cannot continue like this definitely!"

"Election is now around the corner, but it will amount to self deceit, if we do not rein in this reign of terror on our land. "

"As we know, election is very critical in determining who and who should lead us, so our participation and involvement are important, to ensure the process and outcome reflect our collective aspirations."

Mr Emmanuel siad his organization, "Global Youth Skills Acquisition & Poverty Eradication" in order to tackle this menace has planned a two pronged projects to address these two issues - insecurity and citizens participation in politics.

"First is the "You Alert" . This project essentially seeks to promote an understanding among Nigerians that the issue of security should not be left alone in the hands of the government and the security agents. It is our collective business to continuously works towards making the country free, safe and habitable to all."

"Our work is centered on engaging the citizens through town hall meetings, awareness campaigns, social media sensitization posts etc

"The second project, is "My Mandate (M²), 'I NO GO SELL MY VOTE." As the slogan implies, this project aims at educating the citizens on their rights to vote during elections and resist the temptation to sell their votes to corrupt politicians. We also use the opportunity, to let the people know the importance of participating in elections to choose credible leaders with the interest of the people at heart. How this action greatly impact on our collective wellbeing as citizens of Nigeria."

"Through our "My Mandate" project we also enjoin Nigerian youth to shun thuggery, and all manner of violence before, during and after election. They should refuse to allow overzealous politicians who want to cling power at all cost to use them as cannon fodder and instrument of disruptions to orchestrate violence during elections."

"Our resolve is to ensure Nigerians are better enlightened to know how critical their actions can influence political and security outcomes.

"The two are interwoven, elections can only hold in a peaceful atmosphere, therefore, we all should work towards restoring enduring peace in our country and ensure we participate actively and responsibly during elections."

Reacting to the negative implications of selling votes for financial gains, Mr Emmanuel noted that whatever gifts the politicians offered for votes cannot assuage for the huge loss in electing corrupt, and incompetent leaders.

"The peanuts, handouts from persons bent on holding us down as a nation are only but piece of superficialities and vanity which when compared to the gains of being law abiding, and responsible citizens fizzle into insignificance. "

"Imagine collecting peanuts to elect leaders who would take us further backwards, the consequences are dire and we cannot afford that at this critical period.

"We must shun also those who play ethnic cards or religious rhetorics to divide us, let us be united in our common goal to enthrone a more united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria."

By Benita Peter

Governorship Aspirant of Abia State on the Platform of Accord Party, known as Amb. Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, an Ngwa-born, Abia State Humanitarian and the General Overseer of Chapel of Faith Bible Assembly International, located in Onitsha, Anambra state has officially made his intention known to contest the governorship seat today at the Accord Political Party Office in Abuja.

Bishop Nwakpa is widely known for his over 15 years of humanitarian activities which has gone beyond the shores of Abia and Nigeria in general, this was evident in the massive crowd that came to support and pledge their loyalty to the ambassador.

According to the Abia State Women Leader Nyanya/Karu Chapter, Mrs Christiana Nnabugwo, “Amb. Nwankpa is a man who has impacted the lives of many positively, we the Abia Women in Abuja have come out today to give him our full support and we beckon on others both home and abroad to support him because with what we are facing in Abia state, he is the only rescue and solution we can point to, a man that has the masses at heart, and fears God, we can’t ask for a better person.”

She continued, “Dr. Bishop Emeka Nwankpa has a yearly programme that has lasted for 15 years where he distributes wrappers, fertilizers, motorcycles, cars and cash gifts for business start up etc.

Ambassador Nwankpa spoke in Abuja-Federal Capital Territory where he officially declared his intention to run for the Governorship position.

He said, “By God’s grace, my intention to contest is to fulfill God's assignment, God have sent me to rescue Abia because he has heard their cry.

“My mandate is to restore Abia, How can a sane Government owe civil servants 21 months Salaries?

“Currently Abia is the most dirties state in Nigeria, most corrupt, has the worse road network no clean water.

“Let’s not forget that God promised Abraham ‘the promise land’ but it wasn’t easy for him to access it, they fought for it and won, let's put our energy together and fight for our state, I am certain we will win and Abia would become the envy of other states.

In an interview with journalists, Ambassador Nwankpa said he will confront the menace ravaging Abia State, right the wrongs in all sectors and execute tasks instantaneously.

Earlier, while receiving Bishop Emeka Nwankpa, Accord National Legal Adviser, Mgbudem Maxwell O. commended the ambassador and pledged Accord’s utmost support to him, while encouraging him to go about his campaign the right way.

Source: https://www.naijavoicenews.com/2023-bishop-nwankpa-declares-to-contest-abia-governorship-seat-picks-nomination-form/

By Oriri Peter

As encomiums continue to pour in for Ekiti State Governor, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, following his presidential declaration of Wednesday, Air Vice Marshal Joel (rtd) has thrown his weight behind the governor, who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, describing him as "the man for the job".

"Anyone who follows Dr Kayode Fayemi's leadership trajectory can attest to the fact that he will be a President Nigerians would be proud of. His popularity is not in doubt, as has been roundly demonstrated by the large crowd that trooped out today to witness this august event of Dr John Kayode Fayemi's declaration. I believe he is the man for the job," AVM Joel began. 

He added; "The position he occupies as the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum has also brought to the fore his leadership qualities. He has seamlessly steer the ship of the forum for these past four years and has been able to build harmony and relentlessly pushed his colleagues towards ensuring good governance, national unity and peace. Given his antecedents as someone with the capacity, tenacity, inclusiveness and discipline, Dr Fayemi should simply earn the supports from his party, especially President Muhammadu Buhari, who believes in good governance. 

"That Fayemi has the capacity, is not in doubt, as you know, you cannot give what you don't have. When he speaks, he doesn't speak from the angle of frivolity, but from that of deep thoughts and his love for Nigeria. He has been in the trenches, and he would therefore never see democracy derailed, no matter what is at stake. 

"He would enthrone popular political participation so that everyone, irrespective of class would have a say".

In the forefront of marketing Fayemi’s candidacy across is the Nigeria Patriotic Coalition (NPC), which is led by the Convener, Hon. Yemi Akinbode.

The Director of Research and Documentation for the political movement, reiterated members' commitment towards galvanising supports for Fayemi.

NPC executed launches in all the six geopolitical zones, mobilising support prior to Fayemi's official declaration. 

Nwosu said: "Our mandate is to ensure that all the people across the six geopolitical zones are mobilised to key into this vision; the vision of Nigeria with greater possibilities, which we believe can be achieved with Dr Fayemi". 

He believed that Fayemi has the support of majority of Nigerians, who are not in doubt that he has the vision, competence and creativity to take the country to greater heights.

NPC's Director of Finance, Hon. Dr Moji Yaya-Kolade commended the Governor for taking this bold step and for responding to the yearnings of the people.

While also expressing confidence that, if given the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Fayemi would meet the expectations of Nigerians in delivering the dividends of democracy, Yaya-Kolade noted that he has the experience, competence and global network to the dream of Nigerians happen. 

"I am delighted that His Excellency, Dr Fayemi has finally taken this step and I'm confident, that he would do well if elected Nigerians President", she said. 

As the Governor of Ekiti State, Yaya-Kolade said that Fayemi had done creditably well. "The Governor introduced a lot of social intervention programmes not only in Ekiti State but the entire country".

She added that Fayemi provided free healthcare and free education in Ekiti State, and other projects to bring the state at par as a fast developing state comparable with any modern state elsewhere. 

On insecurity, the former Commissioner said Fayemi is a visionary who is also God fearing and has the interest of the people at heart. "And he would do anything to make Nigeria safe for all".

Source: https://www.naijavoicenews.com/fayemi-declares-fayemi-will-be-a-president-nigerians-would-be-proud-of-supporters-assure/

By Oriri Peter

Fast-growing mobility platform in Africa joins the leading global high-impact entrepreneur network Lagos, April 26.

Joy Mabia, Senior Associate, Marketing and Communications officer of Endeavor's Nigeria in a statement issued on Tuesday 26th April has announced today that Adetayo Bamiduro, Chinedu Azodoh, and Guy-Bertrand Njoya co-founders of Metro Africa Xpress (MAX) were selected as Endeavor Entrepreneurs after a panel deliberation.

The selection came after a rigorous multi-step selection process to identify high-impact entrepreneurs who demonstrate the potential to leverage Endeavor’s resources and mentorship to create large-scale wealth and jobs and are committed to reinvesting their time and capital in their local entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Founded in 2015, MAX is building Africa's largest mobility-tech platform. It aims to serve the millions of independent commercial drivers across Africa who every day move people and goods to where they need to be through the use of 2, 3 and 4 wheeler vehicles. The company provides these independent commercial drivers with financing and tech solutions that ensure they are able to work safely, affordably and in a way that minimizes damage to the environment.

It does this by enabling access to a fast-growing fleet of low and zero-emission vehicles, which include its revolutionary M3 Electric Motorcycle, as well as a service bundle that solves their greatest pain points, such as digital wallets, savings products, insurance, maintenance plans and licensing support. MAX's innovative model helps independent commercial drivers to dramatically increase their income to more than 3x the national minimum wage.

With current operations in 5 cities in Nigeria and over 7K drivers on its platform, MAX aims to scale its platform and capture a significant portion of the $250B mobility market in Africa.

According to Tosin Faniro-Dada, Managing Director & CEO of Endeavor Nigeria, “We are proud to welcome Tayo, Chinedu, and Guy into Endeavor’s global network and look forward to working with them.

They join a select group of inspiring founders, leading some of the most innovative companies in the world”.

Speaking on the value of joining the Endeavor network, Tosin said, “Our goal is to help Endeavor Entrepreneurs become even more successful, pushing them to dream bigger, scale faster and invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs. We provide radical feedback, unparalleled peer and mentor networks, and curated services to help solve many of the common challenges entrepreneurs face. We look forward to supporting more Endeavor Entrepreneurs in Nigeria.”

Speaking on their selection experience and joining the Endeavor network, Tayo Bamiduro, CEO of Metro Africa Xpress (MAX) said, “We are thrilled to be joining a community of innovators and disruptors who are laying the foundations for a better world for all through the power of entrepreneurship. We are excited for the collaborations that this opportunity will unlock, as we continue to advance MAX’s mission of revolutionizing mobility in Africa”.

Guy-Bertrand Njoya, Adetayo Bamiduro, and Chinedu Azodoh were selected into the Endeavor network by a panel of global business leaders including Nabyl Al-Maskari (Executive Chairman, Al Maskari Holding & Chairman of the Board of Endeavor UAE), Arjuna Costa (Managing Partner, Flourish Ventures), Andreas Stavropoulos (Partner, Threshold), and by Sebastian Gunnigham (Chairman of Santander Consumer Finance and vice-chairman of Openbank).

MAX is the 14th company selected into the global Endeavor network through the regional affiliated office in Nigeria. All three entrepreneurs represent the growing expectation for exceptional entrepreneurs with big ambitions and the ability to execute at scale. They join Gbenga Agboola & Ife Orioke (Flutterwave), Ngozi Dozie & Chijioke Dozie (Carbon), Etop Ikpe (Autochek), Abasi Ene-Obong (54gene), Tayo Oviosu & Jay Alabraba (Paga), Ekechi Nwokah (Migo), Jasper Graf von Hardenberg & Christian Wessels (Daystar Power), Bukky George (HealthPlus), Obi Ozor & Ife Oyedele (Kobo360), Kene Okwuosa & Moses Babatope (FilmHouse Group), Onyekachi Izukanne, Michael Ukpong & Ruke Awaritefe (TradeDepot), Tosin Eniolorunda & Felix Ike (TeamApt), and Adegoke Olubusi, Tito Ovia, and Dimeji S (Helium Health).

About Endeavor

Endeavor is the world’s leading community of high-impact entrepreneurs. Founded in 1997, Endeavor is a global organization with a mission to unlock the transformational power of entrepreneurship by selecting, supporting, and investing in the world’s top founders. Today, Endeavor’s network spans nearly 40 markets and supports more than 2,300 entrepreneurs, whose companies generate combined revenues of over $42 billion US, and have created more than 3.9 million jobs. Endeavor’s unique entrepreneur-first model and network of trust provide a platform for founders to dream big, scale up, and pay it forward to the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Endeavor launched its Nigeria office in 2018 to select and support the best founders of companies at the scale-up and growth stage, who recognise a responsibility to pay it forward and multiply their impact in Nigeria’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. In Nigeria, Endeavor aims to select 4-6 companies a year and today there are 27 Endeavor Entrepreneurs leading 14 companies in their portfolio.

About Metro Africa Xpress (MAX)

MAX is building Africa's largest mobility-tech platform. Every day, millions of independent commercial drivers across Africa move people and goods to where they need to be through the use of motorcycles (also known as okadas, boda-bodas or motos), three-wheelers (kekes or tuk-tuks), cars and mini-buses.

Founded in 2015, MAX provides these independent commercial drivers with financing and tech solutions that ensure they are able to work safely, affordably and in a way that minimizes damage to the environment. MAX does this by enabling access to a fast-growing fleet of low and zero-emission vehicles, which include its revolutionary M3 Electric Motorcycle. In addition, MAX offers drivers a service bundle designed to address their biggest pain points, including digital wallets, savings products, insurance, maintenance plans and licensing support - so they can keep the continent's economy in motion. MAX's innovative model helps independent commercial drivers to dramatically increase their income to more than 3x the national minimum wage.

With current operations in 5 cities in Nigeria and over 7K drivers on its platform with over 8 million trips completed, MAX aims to scale its platform and capture a significant portion of the $258B mobility market on the continent. In the short term, MAX is scaling to 100,000 drivers, across 10 cities and 3 countries by 2023. MAX is proud to enlist the support of a global and credible network of partners, including OEMs such as Yamaha, Bill Gates-sponsored Breakthrough Energy Ventures, global payment infrastructure provider Mastercard, and leading VCs such as Lightrock, Global Ventures, Novastar Ventures, Goodwell Investments, Shell Foundation, and others.

ABOUT THE FOUNDERS

Adetayo Bamiduro

Adetayo is the CEO at MAX. Adetayo studied Computer Science at the University of Ibadan, where he built one of Nigeria’s first mobility platforms. He moved on to build a stellar career as a Software Engineer, Product Manager and Management Consultant at leading companies such as the UAC Group, PricewaterhouseCoopers, NLNG (a Shell subsidiary), Konga.com and Dalberg. Adetayo studied for his MBA at the MIT Sloan School and London Business School from 2013 to 2015. While at MIT, he co-founded MAX alongside Chinedu Azodoh. Adetayo is now focused on building MAX into a Unicorn.

Chinedu Azudoh

Chinedu leads new ventures at MAX. He started his journey as an Engineer studying Electrical & Computer Engineering at The Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago before becoming a Developer in the

Credit Derivatives team at Goldman Sachs. He then joined Barclays Bank in New York as a Mortgage

Technology Analyst, before transitioning into a Cash-Equities Professional. He co-founded MAX alongside

Adetayo Bamiduro while both were attending MIT’s Sloan School of Management.


Guy-Bertrand Njoya

Guy-Bertrand is CFO at MAX. He has close to 20 years of experience across investment banking, financial advisory, M&A, structured finance and strategy consulting. Prior to MAX, he was CFO of Terragon Group, a pan-African data and marketing technology company where he successfully sourced and arranged the company’s first ever round of venture funding and led its expansion into India through the acquisition of an R&D partner. Guy-Bertrand started his career in investment banking, spending time at Societe Generale, Lloyds Bank, Natixis and Standard Chartered, advising clients across Africa, Asia and the Middle East with access to capital and inorganic expansion strategies. He then established an independent advisory firm focused on supporting early stage organisations in their journey to scale and investment readiness. Guy-Bertrand holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Douala. He is currently pursuing an EMBA from London Business School and Columbia Business School.

The 7th cohort of the Politeracy and Governance class at the Electoral College Nigeria has come to an end, but the responsibility regarding nation-building continues. This initiative was pioneered out of a vision to birth Nigeria that citizens desire and deserve.

For the 7th Cohort, the College offered its course tagged 'Politeracy 101' for free virtually and graduated a hundred students on Saturday, 23rd April 2022.

The vision of the Electoral College is to educate 1,000,000 Nigerians about the tenets of governance, politics, the law and constitution, and what is required of leaders in both elected and appointed offices.

The College offers a virtual program comprised of 23 modules, which cover a myriad of topics including The Myths of Politics, The Arms and Tiers of Government, Manifesto and Agenda, and The Challenges of Young people in Politics to mention a few. The facilitators for this course include but are not limited to Anthony Ehilebo, Rinsola Abiola, Amina Miango, Samaila Poloma, Seyi Ayeni, Kevin Akoje, and Dr. Sam Amadi - all seasoned in their fields of expertise with rich and diverse experiences in the political arena.

It is anticipated that these 1 million 'Politerate' citizens will ignite a spark which will be transferred to fellow citizens until we see a new country built on the right principles, mindset, and culture, said the Head of Politeracy at the Electoral College Nigeria, Lisa Wunmi Hassan, at the just concluded graduation ceremony.

In addition, the Executive Director of the Electoral College Nigeria, Kunle Lawal, opined that "We cannot engage a system that we do not understand". He, therefore, urged the new graduands and now associates of the College to embody all that they had imbibed during the course regarding politics, leadership, love for country, and taking responsibility for the nation's growth and development. The associates were also encouraged to participate actively in the inner workings of politics, starting from the ward level in respective localities up by holding leaders accountable, advocating for transparency, volunteering for positions, and supporting positive change-makers.

Here are excerpts from two graduands at the event:


I have found that a lot of platforms are biased, seeking attention for themselves, and through my engagements with Electoral College, Nigeria, I tried to find their loopholes, but all I could see is expediency, responsibility, love, passion, and commitment to the country, which enforced their drive to help educate, enrich and support the information base for better citizens' involvement in governance and politics.

This is different and special, and I hope to hold this experience with me for as long as I live. - Toluwanimi Devine Alison

Electoral College Nigeria is doing a lot in ensuring that Nigeria becomes a better country.

The course has a simplified structure which made me understand politics, governance, and patriotism in a way I never had.

I am proud to say that the College has given me hope and has equipped me with the right knowledge to contribute my quota to achieving a better Nigeria worth fighting for. - Dukas Ritmwa Peace

The College has begun preparations for its 8th Cohort and registration details will be announced shortly.

Sylvanus Ocheme a Public Affairs Analyst has taking his time to x-ray the ugly incident which claim the life of gospel singer Osinachi Nwachukwu.

READ HIS ARTICLE BELOW:

The tragedy of death is the most painful experience to mortal man regardless of culture, tradition or religion. Death throws the living into spirals of emotional reactions ranging from fear, sorrow, mourning, regrets to sober reflections. Sister Osinachi’s death has continued to generate emotional storms, due largely to the controversy of domestic violence surrounding her ill-fated marriage.

The cacophony of voices of condemnation echoing through the length and breadth of our land shows how highly intolerant of domestic violence and abusive marriage our society has become.

This is a positive development. Domestic violence or abusive marriage in all its hues or shades is not just a setback to our civilization at its most fundamental level, but also a threat to life.

However, we are also seeing an element of ill-conceived and misdirected grievances being brazenly displayed alongside well-meaning voices. We have seen those who rather than address the matter where it truly lies, have taken it upon themselves to engage in a campaign of calumny against the church for its doctrinal stance, accusing the pastor of negligence, and thus finding him culpable in the death of Osinachi.

These malicious elements have hijacked this moment of pain and sobriety to stage a festival of hate, misinformation, sensationalism, falsehood and confusion. This moment has also unfortunately provided a solidarity platform for anti-marriage agents, flippant divorcees, and ultra-progressive elements to justify their baseness, recklessness and immorality. Now, before we progress further, let us ask a salient question: what is the basis for the vilification of the church, and the Senior Pastor, Dr Paul Enenche in the death of Osinachi? The stance of Christianity on marriage and divorce is clear. As a pastor, it is expected to preach what the Bible says and not what society says. No well-meaning pastor will stand in the congregation to advocate for divorce. No serious-minded church will make divorce the centre-piece of her doctrines and sermons.

The stand of God is clear regarding this, even right from the very beginning. However, in exceptional circumstances, especially with apparent threat to life, a resort could be sought towards saving life rather than preserving marriage, as marriage is only for the living, and not for the dead. Dr. Paul Enenche, in almost all his messages, especially during relationship programmes, emphasized on the need to flee abusive marriages just to save life. Beyond preaching, this emphasis is also being made to many in private counseling sessions. Now having emphasized heavily on the need to protect the sanctity of life rather than preserving abusive and life-threatening marriage, Dr Paul Enenche has greatly fulfilled his sacred responsibility to his congregation. Because there are abusive marriages in church does not mean that the pastor supports abuses, or is not telling his congregation the truth. There are thieves who go to church despite the preaching against stealing; there are adulterers and adulteresses who go to church despite the preaching against adultery; there are fornicators who go to church despite the preaching against fornication; there are liars who go to church and still remain liars despite the preaching against lies; there are cheats who are in church and refuse to change despite the preaching against cheating, etc. Now the fact that you can find all these categories of people with diverse vices in church does not mean the pastor is not preaching righteousness. What do you think about Judas Iscariot, a disciple of Jesus who was not just a thief, but went ahead to sell Him? What do you think about the whole world that is filled with imperfect, corrupt, wicked, and evil people, yet it was created by a perfect, incorrupt, merciful, just and righteous God in whom there is no sin? This is the point, you can only do as much as you can in the lives of others; they have the free will to make their choices, and their lives turn out according to the choices they have made and not according to the influence you exert upon them. Dr. Paul Enenche owes the duty of telling his congregation the truth; he can never live their lives for them. He can do as much as he can. He can only counsel as much as he knows and can only intervene in the private affairs of individuals and couples as much as he is allowed by them. He is not an intruder. He is not a dictator. You don’t expect him to force a woman to leave her matrimonial home.

And that is even if he was privy to the fact of abuses in the case of Osinachi.From the family statements and those of others close to her, the deceased, like every respectful woman, was very protective of the image and reputation of her abusive husband. Evidences abound that Dr. Paul Enenche was not privy to her physical abuses. And even if he was, he has his limit, especially in a situation when the abused woman had the tendency to “protect” the husband from ridicule. What about the family, whose life and blood Sister Osinachi was? Why could they not save their own? As a matter of fact, are they not expected to have more physical access to their daughter than the pastor? If they could not pull her out of the marriage, why on earth is the world dragging the pastor for not rescuing her ?

The question you ask is, was she willing to be rescued or pulled out in the first place? If you claim to love the deceased, you are expected to pay your last respect to her by mourning her and not use the occasion of her death to cast aspersions, cause confusion and vilify her pastor who has zero tolerance for abusive marriage and domestic violence. If you claim to fight domestic violence and abusive marriage, direct your arrows appropriately to hit the right target, and not someone who has an avowed stance against abuse of all kinds in marriage. We expect no further attacks on Dr. Paul Enenche, Dr. (Mrs.) Becky Enenche and Dunamis Church, except from those with undercurrent of malice, hate and bitterness stemming from envy and frustration.

And this has nothing to do with the death of Osinachi; it has nothing to do with her interest in their hearts; it has nothing to do with their condemnation of domestic violence; it has nothing to do with their love for the family or advocacy for the womankind; it has everything to do with the desperate quest of envious, hateful and wretched minds to denigrate the object of their envy.

This opinion was compiled by Sylvanus Ocheme, a Public Affairs Analyst.

[b][/b]By Sunny Green Itodo

Sometimes, the most memorable adventures are the ones you never prepared for. And talking about impromptu adventures, here is my own story.

My superior at work called me around 7 pm on Wednesday (April 6, 2022) and asked me to take the first bus to Otukpo, Benue State, the next morning, to cover the official declaration ceremony of a House of Representatives Aspirant for Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Chief Barr. Phillip Agbese, at Igumale, the headquarters of Ado Local Government Area of Benue State.

Initially, I was fidgeting, especially as I never anticipated any journey at that time. But after overpowering the aura of laziness around me, I packed a few clothes and some essentials into a small cross shoulder bag, ready for the next day's journey.

I woke before my alarm on the morning of the D-day. I had set a 5:00 am alarm on my mobile phone but woke up around 4:47 am, 13 minutes before the alarm. I meditated until 5:11 am. Then I went to the bathroom to take my bath.

After bathing, I picked up the small bag to check if everything was intact, especially my phone charger, pen and notebook. You know, the importance of recording and writing materials to a reporter is akin to hoe and cutlass to a farmer.

I left my house around FAAN Staff Quarters, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, before 6:00 am. But spent more than two hours navigating my way to the motor park, switching taxis from Airport to Lugbe, Lugbe to Area 1, Area 1 to Nyanya, Nyanya to Mararaba, and Mararaba to Sharp Corner, where the garage for vehicles plying the Loko-Oweto route is located.

The delay was caused by the morning rush and its accompanying gridlock.

By the time I arrived at the park, the first, second and third buses had already left.

I had no choice but to wait for the fourth bus, a six-seater Sharon vehicle, which took more than an hour to be filled.

We finally kicked off the journey at about 10:17 am. But it was not up to 2 minutes before the driver, a young man in his mid 30s, decided to observe the traditional ritual of ‘branching’ at a gas station. We had to endure a few more minutes of filling the station queue due to the scarcity of the product at the time. After filling his tank, the driver appeared set for the business of the day. Benue here we come! An obvious sound roared from the exhaust pipe.

While the driver ‘wheels’ his way through the ever-busy Keffi-Abuja road, many things kept creeping into my mind.

What would be the outcome of the journey?

I was a bit scared because it was my first time plying the storied Loko-Oweto enroute Benue.

Before now, I had read stories of constant fatal crashes on the road due to its zigzag nature.

There were also stories of kidnappers terrorizing people along the route.

This further compounded my fears.

I have a mission, Igumale is the destination, I soliloquized.

As the journey progressed I returned from my stream of thoughts to enjoy the trip.

Not too long, a co-traveler, who was seated with the driver at the front, waved away the speculations with the back of his palm, saying they are "myths", when a first-timer raised concern about the rumoured notorious nature of the road.

He said that the route has become his favourite for sometime now because it reduces travel time to Benue South and Southeastern Nigeria from Abuja, adding that since he has been plying the route, he has never experienced any of the ugly myths about the road.
The driver also corroborated, saying the road is safe and faster.

I usually travel with my earpiece but on this journey, I did not dare to because I was trying to manage my phone battery conscious of the fact that I was going for a recording duty. So, I was forced to hear every discussion in the vehicle.

As we journey through towns in Nasarawa State; Keffi, Angwa-Magudu, Angwan Daula, the tales of one man continued to dominate discussions in the vehicle.

Passenger after passenger, incessantly and passionately eulogise the name "Okanga" for his benevolence acts.

A middle-aged woman, seated at the back, specifically hailed Okanga for his generosity to widows, orphans and old people whom she said he has been giving succor to, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown.

A young man sitting next to me, mentioned that Okanga has being single-handedly sponsoring a yearly festival, Akatakpa Oroja in Apa-Agila. He said the festival provided monetary benefits across board amongst the participants.

The driver added that although he was not a direct beneficiary of Okanga's benevolence, he can testify of hundreds of youths who have benefited from his entrepreneurship scheme. He said Okanga built an ICT Entrepreneurship Scheme Center in Apa-Agila, focused on entrepreneurship, reorientation and skill development for youths.

A male passenger who said he was from Ijigham in Ado council, said Okanga constructed a bridge in his community. According to him, the bridge has paved the town, adding that it was now motorable.

It was almost midday when we arrived at Nasarawa (a town which Nasarawa is named after).

Nasarawa houses one of the federal polytechnics.

Our car was ‘bathed’ in sunlight. The driver slowed down for passengers buying snacks from racing hawkers. After which we resumed our journey. And the tales continued!

A young, lanky and caramel-skinned lady who said she was a student, said she had benefited from Okanga's scholarship program. She said during Covid-19 lockdown, Okanga introduced a mid semester scholarship for students in higher institutions of learning across the 10 wards of Ado Local Government Area, of which she was one of the beneficiaries.

She added that Okanga also introduced a Rural Women Empowerment Grant, which hundreds of market women from Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo councils have so far benefited from the scheme.

It was now that I was poised to ask who this Okanga was. And the passengers chorused: Phillip Agbese!

"Same Phillip Agbese I am going to cover his declaration ceremony?," I asked out of surprise rather than intention.

Of course, I know Chief Philip Agbese; a UK-trained lawyer, author/publisher, journalist, humanitarian, activist and philanthropist who is aspiring for the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. But I've also learnt that he is fondly called by his chieftaincy title, Okanga Insinabo 1 of Agila kingdom.

Good bye from Nasarawa, welcome to Benue. We arrived on the Loko-Oweto bridge which separates Nasarawa and Benue States at about 1:16 pm. I craned my neck to ogle the sun-pierced Benue river.

From the mouth of the bridge in Oweto, Agatu, it will take roughly an hour to Otukpo.

The Benue portion of the road is asphalted unlike the Nasarawa section which is largely under construction. As you drive through the Nasarawa axis, one could see board inscriptions on woods, ‘slow down, men at work'.

Save from the Nasarawa town, Kana, the other portions of the Nasarawa State axis of the road are dusty, lonely and bumpy. My white handkerchief turned red from cleaning dust and sweat.

We finally arrived Otukpo at about 2:20 pm after swirling through Ogbaulu, Oshigudu, Akpete/Ojantele, Igoro, Ugbokpo, Ofoke, Igah-Okpaya, Ojinebe I and II ,Adoka Icho, Ogodumu, Ugboju Ehaje, Ogobia, Umotile, Okete, Olgewu Icho, Ankpechi then Otukpo.

After alighting from the vehicle, I took a bike to OCB junction to board a vehicle to Ado. I was told it is an hour journey. I couldn't get any vehicle on time, so I decided to go on motorcycle. The motorcyclist, a young man in his 20s, was wearing an 'Okanga 2023' apron. I told him I was going for Chief Phillip Agbese declaration ceremony at Igumale playground. He charged me N3000 but I bargained for N2000. And he said he was only accepting the "tiny amount" because I am going for Okanga's ceremony. And we took off in a "fast and furious" style.

His over spending was because I had told him I needed to catch up with the event that I was far behind schedule. He didn't slow down until we got to a police checking-point at Akpa. One of the officers, being suspicious of my black bag, demanded to search it. He asked who my identity was. And I told him I'm a journalist and that I was going for Okanga's declaration ceremony.

He said, "Oh oh! Sorry, carry on".

He didn't say much, but I fathom that the name "Okanga" can open doors.

We continued on our power-bike style riding, dodging potholes, and overtaking vehicles.

We were finally welcomed to Ado by the river bridge at Utonkon after dancing through Otobi and other Akpa villages.

I began to notice 'Okanga 2023' posters in every town and village we passed.

The song 'Searching' by Innocent Idibia, popularly called 2Face, featuring the legendary Bongos Ikwue, popped up in my head especially the lines, "Dark Idoma girl, she too get mouth...Aip'oklobia dudu umu'Utonkon kworgba, Ebayo nunu l'lgumale ohigguwooo!'', because of the shout out he (2Baba) gave to Utonkon and Igumale in Ado local government.

By the time we got to the venue for the declaration ceremony in Igumale, the local government headquarters, the ceremony had ended and Okanga had left. But I was fortunate to see the sheer volume of attendees trooping out of the playground; all wearing smiles and hymning his (Okanga) praises.

I spoke with some of the elated attendees who expressed their joy in having a leader like Okanga accepting to represent them at the green chambers.

A septuagenarian who simply identified himself as Mr. Otse said, "We are happy with Okanga because he is not a seasonal politician who shows up only when it is time for campaign. He is with us always. He is acclimatized with the challenges of our constituency, and he has been solving them in his own capacity even long before he accepted our call to represent us at the House of Representatives."

On her part, Blessing, a young nursing student said she will vote for Okanga because she loves the calmness on his face.

"I've never voted before. But in 2023 I will vote Chief Philip Agbese, alias Okanga for House of Reps. I share in his passion. I can relate with most of the issues in his manifesto. And also, I think he is gentle, calm and collected. Plus he has done a lot for my people. His wife is also from Igumale," she said.

Similarly, Peter, a young man approaching his 40s, said he will vote for Okanga regardless of the platform of the political party he is contesting.

"In 2023, we'll vote for people, not parties. Okanga is a man of the people. He has empowered thousands of youths, men and women. He has also supported a lot of children through school. He has done what our elected leaders cannot do," he stated.

Dusk was preparing to fall when I finished interviewing the locals. I trekked to the junction to board a vehicle back to Otukpo. The driver, a middle-aged man, charged me N2000, and I pleaded with him to pay N1000. And he said he will accept the thousand naira because I said I was coming from Okanga's declaration ceremony.

As our vehicle zoomed off for Otukpo, it dawned on me that the life of Chief Phillip Agbese, alias Okanga, vividly typifies what the bible said about a good name.

Throughout the constituency, the sound of the name "Okanga", reverberates like the crack melody of the night inserts tearing the stillness of the darkest night. The sound is carried by the waves of his benevolences.

Source: https://www.naijavoicenews.com/my-loko-oweto-road-experience-and-the-tales-of-okanga-sunny-green/

The Dunamis Church international gospel centre(DIGC) has debunked the speculation on social media and some media outfits that the late gospel singer's husband, Peter Nwachukwu is a pastor in the church.

This is coming after the late angelic voice crooner of Ekwueme, Osinachi Nwachukwu who allegedly died due to alleged complications from domestic violence perpetrated by her husband.

But Nigerians, apparently disappointed by the many questionable circumstances surrounding her passage took to their social media handles and some media outfits to raise queries on the role her Church, the popular Dunamis played in at least saving her life.

Pastor Paul Enenche the spiritual head of the church is not spared in this direction as the queries are being heaped on his doorsteps to tell Nigerians what actually transpired.

The commonality in the queries being raised by Nigerians is whether the church is not aware and what did Dr Enenche as the head did in his capacity to alleviate Osinachi’s travails.

According to a source who crave not to be named in print, Mr Peter Nwachukwu is not a Pastor in Dunamis Church, he is not even an elder or leader in any capacity in church.

He said, “Dunamis Church international does not entertain any form of domestic violence no matter how little it is. Our spiritual father Dr Paul Enenche is never aware of what Osinachi was going through in terms of physical abuse. I can vouch for him on that because if he was aware, he would make sure the matter is resolved without any delay. And even at that, the diseased was very protective of her husband’s image and reputation as is typical of any responsible wife.

The passing of Late Osinachi no doubt created a great void in the Body of Christ. We love her but God loves her most' and may her soul rest in perfect peace”, he said.

Similarly, her elder sister, Ms Favour Made, in an interview with journalists on Sunday, explained that her sister did not died from cancer of the throat as reported in some media, she said "my sister died as a result of cluster of blood in the chest from the kicking she allegedly got from her husband, Peter Nwachukwu".
According to her, the husband, Peter Nwachukwu hit her with his leg on the chest.

All these while, he had been beating her but my sister hid all that she was passing through from us and even from the church.

Before now, we told her to come out of the marriage, we told her that they are not divorcing, that it’s just separation. But she felt that God is against divorce.

Source: https://www.naijavoicenews.com/osinachis-husband-peter-nwanchukwu-not-a-dunamis-pastor-source/

By Our Reporter

A social media influencer, Cletus Emoche Agada, has recounted how a sitting senator from Benue State used him to attacked his opponents on social media during the 2019 elections.

From the open letter he wrote to the Senator, it appeared their relationship has gone sour, as he claimed in the letter that the senator was now treating him as an "outsider" because of his "support" for a House of Representatives Member from Benue South, Hon. Francis Ottah Agbo.

He said he had tried to reconcile the senator and the Reps member but the Senator was "playing god".

According to the aggrieved blogger, he had decided to support the Senator's opponent, Hon. Hassan Saleh in the 2023 Senatorial election because the Senator did not "appreciate" him.

Agada also stated in his letter, which he personally shared amongst his friends and colleagues, that the Senator was after his life, due to his current romance with Hon. Saleh, who is also an aspirant for the senatorial seat.

The letter reads: "It pains me to write you in this manner and it is due to your undistinguished behavior at the Enone Caucus meeting of today.

"It was my personal decision to support Rt. Hon Hassan Saleh because you decided to treat me as an outsider in your house due to my support for Hon. Francis Ottah Agbo.
I went the extra mile to reconcile you with Ottah but you were playing god.

"Whatever I'm doing for Hassan Saleh today, I did 10 times more for you which you never appreciated. I know of people who have paid jobs and are comfortable but still earn stipends from your office for doing nothing but you've never considered me for such a privilege, yet, I never complained nor stop supporting you.

"I was your last line of defense from the days of the campaign even when I never earned anything from you and those pseudo accounts on Facebook knows this for a fact. They rejoiced to know I left.

"If what I'm doing for Hassan Saleh today gets into your nose, know that it's nothing compared to what your opponents in Joe Ojobo and Chief Lawani went through in my hand.

"I have a grateful heart and for the least of things you did for me from a clear mind, I appreciated and never brought any pressure on you.

"You owe me nothing and I'm not indebted to you in anyway either.
I've carried out my job with Hassan with the highest level of consciousness in other not to offend you but it seems I can't please you.

"I recall writing to you in 2019 about Hon. James Uloko when it was rumoured that you were doing overtime to replace him with Aida Nath as an adviser nominee. I remember linking you with Manex and Queen Success (Onyeche) which is the beginning of the better relationship you have with them today. I remember coming to inform you about Hon. Ebije when he was using his personal money to construct road to Otto and it brought you closer to him. I remember doing everything possible to convince Patrick Idoko and Peter Enemari that you were better than the person painted by your opponents and when your daughter was getting married and they brought 2 cows to your house that you couldn't even acknowledge or appreciate with an ordinary text message, I kept pressing to unite them with you. Just recently, I remember how I tried to bring Owie Zenith to meet you which never worked and how I straightened the path between you and Sylvanus Itodo.

"If I'm not with you today, I can look back and see the seeds I sowed in your house and they are currently bearing good fruits.

"In January 2019 before the commencement of the campaign, I was the first person that hosted you in Ogbadibo when I brought you to commission the Hotel I leased. I drove from Otukpa to Otukpo everyday and back without collecting a single penny as allowance from the campaign directorate.

"From Joe Ojobo's pre-election case at the High Court, I drove to Makurdi at every sitting to report your side of the story without anyone subsidizing my expenses. It was Solo Onah that usually buy us lunch at Stomach Paradise after every sitting and that's the much I got but I was never weary.
The likes of Hyacinth Ujor can tell how I drove them to Makurdi and back on regular basis.

"When the election were over and the case moved to the tribunal, I never missed any sitting from the day Young Alhaji withdrew his petition.

"Sir, as a senator, it wouldn't have been out of place to consider me for slots when you carry out empowerment programs in the constituency, most especially when there would be nominees from Ogbadibo. I've seen where you've distributed laptops, sewing machines, COVID-19 loans and others. It's only you that knows how you generate your lists as most of us that worked for you have never been considered for any of such things and if others do, I've never benefitted from the least of this things.

"I made many enemies defending you and your interest and you know this. I took on Vincent Okoko Odoh without prompting when he came after you at a time you were out of the country. When he attacked you the second time, I remember you wanted to go fight it out with him in Court, I opposed that and went after him again.
At the burial of John Ngbede's brother at Agatu in 2020, Ene Yusuf had to mediate between me and Che Rex when he arranged for me to be attackef because I was the only person defending Amina when everyone fought with Christie Ekoja or remain silent. Ask Amina, has she ever given me a Kobo in the whole time she has known me?

"I wrote all these to let you know that in my little way, I contributed my quota to your success in the last 3 years.
Time Will fail me to start talking about Adakole Elijah when he and Ada Mark Ogbole were dragging you on social media at the time you constituted the Benue South Security and Economic Summit Group which never saw the light of the day due to the outbreak of COVID 19.

"Let me say that I envy no one and I'm contented with whatever I have even though my young family has stretched me to the limit.

"I don't know what anyone told you about my family which you mentioned today but I'm glad to inform you that I'm from the Anyeberi family in Efugo and apart from the Ipari people, we're the most successful family in Otukpa and you can ask. We've had members of the family with mental challenge due to polar gene but it's now thing of the past.

"Thuggery, criminality and violence is not in my family and when you said "you will get your boys to deal with me" it's because violence runs in your veins.

"If I'm to be killed for what I do, your opponents would have killed me before now because I stood for you even when it was difficult to do so in Ogbadibo.

"I've come to the conclusion that you are one of the best servants Idoma Land ever produced but have failed to improve on your Leadership skills and following you is a road to nowhere.

"It's God that gives power and if it is the will of God for you to return to the Senate, I wish you well but since I gained nothing working for you, I would have lost nothing not working for you.

"I'll continue with what I do in the most professional way and when you send your boys to kill me, may you inherit the earth."

The Senate Committee on industry has commended the Director General of the Industrial Training Fund, Sir, Joe Ari, and the management of the Fund, for the, while urging other empowerment agencies to emulate the Director of the ITF for the unprecedented achievement as the ITF clocks 50 years.

The Senate Committee Chairman on Industry, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, made the commendations in a chat with newsmen on Monday at an interactive session with representatives of agencies under its committee.

Earlier, in the week the Director General, Sir Ari at the Annual Industrial training Fund merit award ceremony held at the multi- purpose complex Gymnasium ITF Headquarters reeled out the achievements and the programmes of the ITF in the year under review and its plans to implement other skills intervention programmes across the 36 States and the FCT in 2022.

Sir Ari, disclosed that as mark of commitment to ensuring that more Nigerians acquire Skills “We have commenced the processes for the implementation of other skills intervention programs in 2022 “

While unveiling the program for the year 2022, Sir Ari, said that “The programs en -marked for implementations are passion 2 profession programme ( P2PP), Construction Skill Empowerment Program, ( CONSEP) , Women Skills Empowerment Programme ( WOSEP) , National Industrial Skills Empowerment Program ( NISEP), Industrial Skills Development Programme ( NISEDP), Agri- Prenureship Skills Empowerment programme ( AGSEP), Special Skills Development Programme ( SSDP), ITF- NECA TSDP and skills Training and empowerment programme for the physically challenged ( STEPP-C)”

Apart from the NISDP that will be implemented in all the state of the federation, including FCT , the rest of the Skills according to the ITF boss, will be shared amongst the states base on the likelihood of the participants to eke out sustainable livelihood , because of the need of the state for such peculiar skills.

While commending the staff and management of ITF for their supports, Sir, Ari said that the “The ITF merit award provide us with the platform to present our score cards, recognize and celebrate staff and other stakeholders, whose individual and collective contributions were invaluable to the achievement of our corporate targets in the preceding year “



Continued, he said that “The year 2021 which was declared as the year of ‘Skills Escalation for Prosperity’ was at once quite challenging and as well very fulfilling year for us as an organization . It was challenging because it tasked our resilience and innate creativity, Nigeria like the rest of the world, was made worse by a myriad of the social economic problems that manifested in the form of unrelenting criminality across the nation, the soaring cost of living, rampant kidnapping and separatists’ agitations among others. As an institution that is reliant on a thriving economy and endless mobility 2021 was therefore an extremely a tough year on many levels”



“Our decision to declare this year, 2021 as year of Skills Escalation for Prosperity” was informed by the urgent need for us as leading human capacity institution in Nigeria to step up our Skills acquisition efforts so that many Nigerians as possible are equip with requisite skills to assist individuals and corporate organizations to overcome the effect of the numerous opportunities that opened to us as a result of the policies of the Federal Government”

Interestingly, despite the challenges alluded to earlier by the Director General, the agency implemented the following skill interventions , namely, the National Industrial Skills Development programme( NISDP) , Women Skills Empowerment Programme( WOSEP), Agri- Prenuership Skills Empowerment Programme( AGSEP), Federal Government Skills Empowerment programme( FEGOSEP) , Special Skills Intervention programme( SSIP), Modular Skills Development Project ( MSDP).

“ Together, the programme trained over 16000 Nigerians that were empowered with startup packs for them to start up their own” Ari stated.

Sir, Ari, noted that “Similarly, the five ITF skills training Centres spread across the federation trained a total of 3,397 Nigerians in various trades and Crafts”

A breakdown of the figures shows that the Industrial Skills Training Centre ( ISTC) Ikeja, trained 436 Nigerians, Model Skills Training Centre( MSTC), Abuja763, Industrial Skills Training Centre( ISTC), Kano 294, and Centre for Excellent( CFE) Buruku, 1550.



Dr. Ari, said that “ One of the core functions of the Fund is the capacity building for employers of labour for them to be productive and contribute mean fully to the growth and development of the private and public sectors of Nigeria economy”

In this regard to assist employers of labour to recover from the disruptive of the CODVID- 19 pandemic, in the year under review, the fund implemented Three Hundred and Twelve employees (312 ) employees scheduled training programmes, for Three Thousand , Two Hundred and Twelve employees ( 3, 212) and another Eight Hundred and Twenty Eight ( 828) organisations.

It has also trained a total of Seven Thousand Seven Hundred and Seven ( 7,707) Employees from Four Hundred and Sixty ( 460) under its unscheduled training programme.

In addition the agency carried out performance and productivity improvement surveys for 25 Companies and implemented 20 training programme for Five Hundred and Forty One ( 541) employers from the Companies surveyed.

The Managing Director, Jos Electricity Distribution Plc, Alhaji MammanLafia Umar, has called on customers of the company to take advantage of the Meters Access Providers (MAP) programme of the company to be metered.

The Managing Director made the call yesterday at the customer's consultative forum, Otukpo, Benue State.

Alhaji Umar who was represented by the Otukpo Regional Manager, Mr Joseph Kwaghgba, urged customers to embrace the policy to be metered saying that the company desired to meter all her customers.

"You will recall that under the phase zero of the National mass metering programs, over 99,739 customers were metered. At the moment, what we have is MAP and we intend to meter over 25,000 customers in the next 60 days" he disclosed.

The Managing Director, who, therefore, explained the benefits of MAP to customers revealed that Customers would have their premises metered within 10 days after payment confirmation.

He said Estimated bills would be eliminated just as it would lead to Better energy management by customers.

He explained further that metered Customers would only pay for what they consumed adding that Customers would be metered at no cost because the meter cost will be refunded through energy credits amongst other things.

In his presentation, the Head, Metering, Engineer Felix Adamu Shalzin, who extolled the importance of prepaid meters rolled out the MAP Metering Process.

According to him the first thing a customer should do was to "Visit our Customer Care Office to obtain the Application form free of charge or go to our website to fill the form and submit"

He said after submission there would be Site verification by the company's meter technical team for pre-installation survey to ascertain phase-type.

Engr Adamu further explained that the company's team would generate RRR showing meter amount to the customer via SMS/email for payment at any bank of customer's choice.

Thereafter, he explained that the customer " is expected to Get payment receipt from the bank and After payment confirmation, the premises will be metered in 10 days".

In his presentation, the Head of Security of the company, Musa Abdullahi discussed the negative effects of vandalism on the community and the company called for community policing to stem the menace of vandals.

On his part, the Regional network Engineer, Yohanna Gyang who decried molestation of the company's staff by some customers called for a change of attitude.

Also Speaking, the Task Force regional Manager, Gboko, Olaniyi called on customers to always pay for their consumed energy saying, "energy is not free. I am sure you are all aware that electricity subsidy has been removed by the federal government".

"It is the money you are paying that is being used in servicing the value chain. Refusal to pay will affect the entire chain. The money does not belong to JED Plc alone", he divulged.

In his contributions, the Head, Customer Care and Relationship Management, Mr Lucky Akpobi called on customers to always document their complaints saying, " your complaints would be attended to expeditiously".

Abuja, Nigeria, March 19th 2022 – A new public opinion poll has tipped former Benue State Governor and Minister for Special Duties, Senator George Akume as the most suitable candidate to lead the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The national poll was undertaken by DBI Analytics Consulting to ascertain the level of citizens awareness towards ongoing socio-political happenings in the country, part of which includes the forthcoming APC Convention.

Polling MethodologyThe public opinion poll was administered between Monday 14th and Thursday 17th March, 2022. It involved telephone interviews of a random national sample. A total of 1,011 citizens were randomly selected from phone-owning Nigerians aged 18 years and above; and citizens across the 36 states of the country and the FCT were interviewed.

The sample has a ±5% margin of error and confidence interval of 95%, deemed statistically significant.From the poll findings, 51 percent of respondents said they are aware of the forthcoming National Convention of the APC, while 41 percent are unaware and 8 percent simply uninterested to participate in the poll.

In terms of familiarity with the candidates contesting for the party Chairmanship, 53 percent, 52 percent and 50 percent of respondents said they are familiar with Tanko Al-Makura, Abdullahi Adamu and George Akume respectively.

In addition, 45 percent said they are familiar with Senator Sani Musa, while 39 percent affirmed same for Mustapha Salihu. Furthermore, the poll also sought the opinion of citizens regarding which aspirant they believe has the leadership capacity, character and integrity to lead the APC. From the findings, Senator George Akume came tops with 32 percent as the candidate with the leadership capacity, character and integrity to lead the party. This was followed by Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura with 23 percent and Senator Abdullahi Adamu with 17 percent.

Others are Senator Sani Musa with 8 percent and Mustapha Salihu with 6 percent.

DBI Analytics Consulting is a boutique research consulting firm specializing in Public Opinion Polls, Election Surveys, and Perception Studies. Signed

Segun OlajonrinAssociate Director, DBI Analytics Consulting
dbianalytics01@gmail.com

Source: https://www.naijavoicenews.com/apc-national-convention-opinion-poll-tips-akume-as-most-suitable-to-lead-party/

The leadership of the APC support groups has noted with concern the subversive acts of some so called Party members and leaders in the run up to the 2022 APC National convention to date.

We are seriously disturbed by the outcomes of some ill intentioned nocturnal meetings, conspiracy gatherings and court actions instituted against the APC CCECPC under the able leadership of His Excellency Mai Mala Buni including the recent attempts to use the National assembly to assert a move to disenfranchise eligible and experienced public office holders.

In a statement signed by the Convener of the group, Malam Isah Jabbi, he noted that most prominent among these unbecoming acts of sabotage are those been engineered and perpetrated by Former Zamfara state Governor H. E Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari and his co traveller former Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa both of Zamfara State.

We of the APC Youth support groups having analysed the entire situation and the present scenario hereby call on the APC National leadership to urgently take disciplinary actions against all persons working against the intrests of the party for their selfish intrests.

We condemn whole heartedly the acts of contempt exhibited by persons expected to show leadership by purchasing nomination forms for offices that have been allocated out of their zones.

Consequently, we hereby call on the National leadership to immediately dismiss persons such as H.E Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari and Senator Marafa.

Source: https://www.naijavoicenews.com/apc-convention-support-groups-call-for-urgent-disciplinary-action-against-yari-marafa-others/

describes It as the quickest solution to the nation's security challenges.....

The proposed legal framework to establish the National Taskforce on Prohibition of Illegal Importation/Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition, Light Weapons, Chemical Weapons and Pipeline Vandalism (NATFORCE) is attracting more support from stakeholders.


The latest was at a public hearing in Abuja.

This followed the presentation of memoranda at a one day public hearing of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

The Director General of National Taskforce on Prohibition of Illegal, Importation/Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition, Light Weapons, Chemical Weapons and Pipeline Vandalism, Dr. Baba Mohammed backed the establishment of a commission for the prohibition of illegal arms and light weapons describing it as long awaited.

The bill according to him intends to domesticate the provisions of the economic community of West African states convention on small arms and light weapons signed by Nigeria in June 2006 and therefore seen as a legal obligation and the necessary first step to address small arms and light weapons problems within a country.

He cited Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cote’divoire, Guinea as countries who have established the Commission to stop killings, kidnappings, banditry.

The NATFORCE Director General also commended the national assembly for ongoing efforts at establishing the commission to checkmate proliferation of small arms and lIght weapons.

He further described the menace as the major challenge confronting the nation and triggering insecurity, adding that establishing a Commission to coordinate arms mop-up was ideal now.

Declaring the public hearing open earlier, the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan linked challenges associated with small and light weapons to crises in the Sahel.

Lawan, who spoke through Senate Deputy minority leader, Senator Shuaibu Lau stressed that the proliferation of weapons has triggered dangerous act of terrorism and time to act is now.

Also speaking Dr. Yakubu Dadu, head of ECOWAS National office at the ministry of Foreign Affairs, declared support for the bill.

The bill he explained is linked to ECOWAS convention, pointing out that it is only Nigeria that has not established a centre to curb proliferation of small and light weapons in the sub region.

Also contributing, the Director General of Coalition of Nigeria Youth, Ambassador Ade Emmanuel supported the bill, he however emphasised that politics should be avoided during the consideration of the bill.

Chairman of the committee on national security and intelligence Senator Ibrahim Gobir promised fairness of the committee in the discharge of the all important Bill.

Source: https://www.naijavoicenews.com/stakeholders-back-proposed-natforce-bill-to-transit-into-a-commission/

The Lawmaker representing Okpokwu Constituency, Benue State House of Assembly, Honourable Anthony Agom, has reiterated his commitment to the advancement of education through consistent approach towards students enrollment in his constituency. 

Hon Agom, made this known while speaking with Benue State Awareness Group on his Free
JAMB Registration initiative for 2022/2023 academic year.

He noted that, he is concerned about the growth of the younger generations as they are the future of his constituency. Stating that, his
efforts toward supporting students to get to higher institutions in his constituency by introducing the Free JAMB, is to lessen the burden on parents, guidance and some students who cater for their own educational needs.

The Lawmaker said since his assumption of office in 2019, he has put machinery in place for the advancement of education in his constituency. One of such approaches is, his personal support programme that has provided financial assistance to students to settle tuition fees, paid examination fees for final year Senior Secondary School Students to seat for either NECO or WAEC but this year, he decided to distributes for free hundreds of forms for Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) to equally encourage enrollment into higher institution of learning.

He said with the available resources, he has been ensuring to do all within his ability to advance the course of the younger generation especially in the areas of education and economic empowerment. To this end, Hon Agom invites all his constituents to participate in this year maiden Free JAMB Initiative

To be qualified for the Free JAMB, he urged students from Okpokwu Local Government to submit their documents e.g; photocopy of SSCE, Certificate of Origin, passport to Hon. Anthony Agom's Constituency Office, Tudu wada, Okpoga, Okpokwu Local Government Area. The submission has since commenced and it will end on Wednesday, 16th March, 2022. Disbursement of funds follow immediately on Saturday 19th March, 2022.

Source: https://www.naijavoicenews.com/benue-lawmaker-agom-restates-commitment-to-educational-advancement-of-constituents/