₦airaland Forum

WHO IS ARCHITECT BERNARD YISA?
Architect Bernard Aernyi Yisa recently declared his intention to run for Office of the Executive Governor of Benue State, under the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Popularly called “Architect”, and rightly so; he is a true “son of the soil” from the Tiv tribe, and to whom Benue is dear.

He cradles the dream of transforming Benue State, using innovative techniques and the skills he garnered over the years as a nationally recognised design and construction expert.

Created in 1976, Benue State is composed of different ethnic groups, including Tiv, Idoma, Igede, Igala, Etulo, Bassa-nge and Jukuns. The State has a rich agrarian and solid minerals economy, an indication of its viability and explorable potential to better the lives of its people.

As most Nigerian States were during the 1983 Military coup, Benue State’s growth was largely stifled by Military administration, leaving the bulk of work involved in solving the problems besetting the State in the hands of its Leaders, in the now-democratic regime.

Benue has experienced different administrations, some of which tried to cushion the effects of the coup, by creating structures of economic transformation and explored its agrarian potential to advance the prosperity of the State. However, there are still socio-economic developmental gaps that require urgent attention. Closing these gaps and stimulating the prosperity of Benue State are at the heart of Bernard Yisa’s decision to run for Governor of the State.

An expert who detects, alters, and rebuilds according to specifications, transforming structures into better and sustainable forms, Architect Bernard is adequately equipped with the expertise, experience, strategic and key networks to take on the responsibility of redesigning and reconstructing Benue into a model modern State in Nigeria.

A Philanthropist, Educationist, and seasoned Businessman, Arc. Yisa’s educational journey began at St. John’s Primary School, Gboko, where he received elementary education with a First School Leaving Certificate. He then furthered his education at the Government Secondary School, Jos, Plateau State, between 1973 and 1978; it was here his brilliance and academic excellence were first noticed and rewarded with numerous prizes and awards, before he then obtained the West African School Certificate with distinction (First Division).

Determined to learn and gain academic qualifications required to build a professional career in the Construction and Energy industries, he proceeded to the University of Jos, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, in 1986, and after, a M.Sc. in Architecture. As an outstanding Student, Bernard was retained as a Graduate Assistant in the University of Jos, in the department of Architecture, and received the Vice-Chancellor’s recommendations for excellent supervision of an Award-Winning International Project (2nd Prize) on Energy Conscious Architecture, organized by Commonwealth Schools of Architecture 2nd Inter-School Design competition in 1991. After spending some time in the academic space, teaching, and mentoring Students fortunate to be under his tutelage, Bernard was ready to expand his tentacles by exploring his creativity in model architecture, while creating job opportunities for Nigerians, he therefore, ventured into private practice.

In 1991, Bernard founded E. F. Projects Limited, an architectural firm that specialises in renewable energy projects, giving employment to both trainee and graduate trainers. Bernard has since worked on large-scale national infrastructural projects, including several Hi-tech projects across Nigerian Universities under evolving TET Fund projects, and served on the Task Force for the completion of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, permanent site in 1997. Bernard’s commitment to community service and philanthropy does not end at providing many Nigerian citizens job security, he also demonstrated his passion for quality education by establishing YISA ABUL College, Ashimin, a Commercial Secondary School for Benue people.

Bernard’s knowledge and skills transcend the construction industry; he has participated in several political programmes to witness evolving trends in policymaking and implementation which revealed to him certain inadequacies that require strategic reforms to catch up with modernity. Most of these reforms require core professionalism and technical competences to accomplish, hence his decision to run for a position where he can put his experiences into an impacting use in Benue State.

Bernard plans to realise his dream of an economically resilient modern Benue State, by selecting a team of development experts who will represent critical organs of the State Government.

Together with this team, Bernard aims to find sustainable solutions to security challenges in the State, digitize governance and education; revive lost capital investments; invest in programmes and workshops for young indigent entrepreneurs, create an environment that attracts both local and international investors; recruit housing, energy and transport professionals who will revolutionise housing and transportation in Benue, for effectiveness and ease of living and commuting within and out of the State.

Upgrading existing health infrastructure to extend into hard-to-reach rural areas is also on the Yisa agenda for Benue. On education, the aim is to increase quality and quantity to reduce unemployment and dropout rates in the State. Youth development will be anchored on improved infrastructure, as well as restructuring the sports sector to engage the youths in legitimate activities, and shun social vices in Benue State.

As the campaign for the next Governor of Benue State heats up, Arc. Benard recognises the power of the social media in reaching key sections of the electorate, and will personally handle

IWillRiseAgain:
Dear TIV people, in the spirit of fairness, I think it's time the Idoma or Igede people produce the next Governor of Benue State.

From Akume to Suswam, and then this present Governor, Ortom.

Is there no Igede son that can lead the state? How about the Idoma people?

You may have the political numbers today but soon, it will be difficult to unite all the other tribes in the state whom we wish to rule forever.

The Igede/Idoma should produce the next Governor in the spirit of oneness. You can't be crying about not being considered for a Presidential position, while you hold tight to the governorship of your state like your lives depend on it.

Just my 2 cents though!

Visit S C H O L A R S V I B E . C O M for latest updates on International Scholarships, University Admissions and Work opportunities abroad in Canada, USA and United Kingdom.

You will thank me for it later.

crossfm:
Hehehe.

We Nigerian are mostly hypocrites. How can a Tiv man complain of been marginalized my the Hausa Fulani's but still want to rule Benue state again.

Since 1999,the TIV's have been ruling the state,without any tangible thing to show,but they still want to continue.

Gorge Akume,Suswan and now Aromatic Otorm.

Come to think of it,I think the northerners are not as smart as Nigerians see them,if they are smart,they should be able to rule Nigeria forever.

After all they say democracy is a game of numbers, and the north has such advantage. While the Igbo's and the Yoruba's fight, the Housa Fulani's should consolidate power.

I know so many will quote me,but you know I said nothing but the truth.

newnig:
Terlumun Ikya is the next Governor of Benue State under the APC platform.

IWillRiseAgain:
Dear TIV people, in the spirit of fairness, I think it's time the Idoma or Igede people produce the next Governor of Benue State.

From Akume to Suswam, and then this present Governor, Ortom.

Is there no Igede son that can lead the state? How about the Idoma people?

You may have the political numbers today but soon, it will be difficult to unite all the other tribes in the state whom we wish to rule forever.

The Igede/Idoma should produce the next Governor in the spirit of oneness. You can't be crying about not being considered for a Presidential position, while you hold tight to the governorship of your state like your lives depend on it.

Just my 2 cents though!

Visit S C H O L A R S V I B E . C O M for latest updates on International Scholarships, University Admissions and Work opportunities abroad in Canada, USA and United Kingdom.

You will thank me for it later.

crossfm:
Hehehe.

We Nigerian are mostly hypocrites. How can a Tiv man complain of been marginalized my the Hausa Fulani's but still want to rule Benue state again.

Since 1999,the TIV's have been ruling the state,without any tangible thing to show,but they still want to continue.

Gorge Akume,Suswan and now Aromatic Otorm.

Come to think of it,I think the northerners are not as smart as Nigerians see them,if they are smart,they should be able to rule Nigeria forever.

After all they say democracy is a game of numbers, and the north has such advantage. While the Igbo's and the Yoruba's fight, the Housa Fulani's should consolidate power.

I know so many will quote me,but you know I said nothing but the truth.

BafanaBafana:
It's primitiveness on the part of some Tivs that is the cause. Governorship is actually rotated between two of the 3 senatorial zones in the state, the two occupied by Tivs, while the ones occupied by other tribe is left out. That's why they are hardly relevant outside Benue state. They feel they are kings in the state.
Meanwhile, northerners are smart, that's why they will never think of consolidating power. They know they have to form alliances.

Dzeremosteven:
Dear Nigerians, in the spirit of fairness, I think is time the Igbo people produce the next president.

BafanaBafana:
It's primitiveness on the part of some Tivs that is the cause. Governorship is actually rotated between two of the 3 senatorial zones in the state, the two occupied by Tivs, while the ones occupied by other tribe is left out. That's why they are hardly relevant outside Benue state. They feel they are kings in the state.
Meanwhile, northerners are smart, that's why they will never think of consolidating power. They know they have to form alliances.