General News
Benue @50: Time For Renewed Commitment to Good Governance –Akase
By Felix Umande, Makurdi
Former Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State, Hon. Terver Akase, has described Benue’s 50th anniversary as a moment for deep reflection, accountability, good governance, and development that benefits the ordinary people.
In an exclusive interview with Press Icon Newspaper Correspondent, Felix Umande, in Makurdi, Akase highlighted notable achievements in the life of Benue state, including political consciousness, civil service development, and cultural identity, but expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of insecurity, unemployment, and poverty, calling for a coordinated security architecture and aggressive job creation.
In his words, “Benue has recorded notable achievements in areas such as political consciousness, civil service development, and cultural identity. The state might not have done better than all of her contemporaries in the Middle Belt, but I can say that much has been achieved over the decades.”
Responding to the prospects of infrastructural development and its impacts on the State’s economy, Akase said, “A lot of efforts have been made in that direction by successive administrations in the state. We only need to do more. Roads, power, water supply, and market infrastructure are critical to economic growth. Where infrastructure is weak, investment is discouraged. Sustainable infrastructure development should be tied directly to economic productivity, linking farms to markets, industries to power, and communities to opportunities.”
The PDP governorship aspirant in 2023 while reacting to the effects of zoning, emphasized the importance of zoning electoral offices to promote inclusiveness, but stressed that it should not compromise competence and vision. “Yes, zoning will help to promote inclusiveness and a sense of belonging among the diverse peoples of Benue State. I am an advocate of zoning. However, zoning must not become an obstacle to competence and vision. Periodic review is healthy, provided it is guided by fairness, equity, and the collective interest of the state. The ultimate goal should be good governance, not merely geographical rotation.” Akase said.
The former press secretary urged political parties not to completely surrender to godfatherism but promote internal democracy, and focus on credible leadership. “Yes, to a large extent. Godfatherism undermines internal democracy, suppresses credible leadership, and shifts governance focus from the people to a few powerful interests. When leaders emerge through imposition rather than popular mandate, accountability suffers. Political parties must return to being platforms for ideas, not instruments for personal control,” he said.
On regional cooperation to fight insecurity which has been proposed by the 19 northern state governors with Benue inclusive, Akase emphasized the need for clear strategies, transparency, and measurable outcomes. “In principle, regional cooperation against insecurity is commendable. However, I don’t know if the Benue State Governor signed the deal after consultations with the State House of Assembly and the people of the state. Contributions of such nature should be tied to clear strategies, transparency, and measurable outcomes. Benue must not outsource its security responsibilities without strengthening local intelligence and community-based security structures.
Reacting to the challenges of security, unemployment and poverty in the State on whether they are currently addressed, Hon. Akase said, “Frankly, no. While efforts may be ongoing, they are neither comprehensive nor impactful enough. Insecurity remains a major threat to livelihoods, especially farming communities. Unemployment and poverty are symptoms of a deeper structural problem, weak economic planning and poor implementation. What Benue needs is a coordinated security architecture, aggressive job creation through agro-industrialisation, and deliberate poverty-alleviation programmes tied to productivity, not handouts.”
On accusations of corruption, lack of transparency and accountability in the current governance of the state, Akase said, “Allegations of corruption should never be taken lightly. Transparency and accountability are the foundations of public trust. Where there are accusations, government owes the people clear explanations, open records, and independent scrutiny. Governance is not a private enterprise; it is a public trust, and leaders must be willing to subject their actions to public accountability.”
Akase also responded to the state of unity and cohesion in the PDP in Benue State, and her preparedness to engage the 2027 general elections saying that, “Our party in the state has overcome its challenges and bounced back to impressive unity under the leadership of Chief Samuel Ortom. Like any serious political organisation, there are occasional internal disagreements, but they are not insurmountable. What is important is our collective resolve to put the party and the state above personal ambitions. Dialogue, reconciliation, and adherence to party rules remain key to strengthening unity. Our party is committed to rebuilding trust through grassroots engagement, issue-based campaigns, internal democracy, and credible candidates. We intend to reconnect with the people, especially youths and women, articulate clear policy alternatives, and demonstrate that we understand their daily struggles. Elections are won by credibility, not propaganda.
As Benue celebrates its 50th anniversary, Akase urged citizens to remain hopeful, emphasizing that the state’s best days are ahead if they choose leadership that prioritizes the common good.
General News
Tinubu Announces 26 New Appointments, Gisaor Replaces Byuan at Federal Housing Authority
By Felix Umande, Makurdi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved 26 new appointments into 10 Federal Government agencies and commissions, in a major shake-up aimed at strengthening governance and service delivery.
The appointments were announced on Sunday, 20 July, 2026 and take immediate effect.
Among the key appointments, Gisaor Vincent Iorja, an economist, legal scholar and academic, has been named Executive Director, Finance of the Federal Housing Authority. He replaces Mathias Terwase Byuan, who resigned to contest the governorship election in Benue State. Gisaor currently serves as Secretary of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, BSIEC.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of the Rural Electrification Agency, REA.
He will head the board alongside Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar and Engineer Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta as members and non-executive directors. The incumbent Director-General of REA, Abba Abubakar Aliyu, and three previously appointed executive directors complete the board.
Major General Junaid Bindawa has been named Chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. President Tinubu also made eight other appointments to the Commission.
Former House of Representatives member from Lagos, Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, was appointed Secretary of the Commission. Commissioners appointed to represent states include Dr. Ogbole Ene Lilian, Benue; Oladele Olatubosun, Oyo; and Yakubu Umar Barde, Kaduna.
Other members of the Commission are Dr. Mai Adamu Yau, Borno; Ginika Florence Tor, Enugu; Engineer Lawrence Okoh, Edo; and Bello Morenike Iyabode, Kogi.
President Tinubu also appointed Dr. Abuh Mohammed as Director-General of the National Population Commission.
Dr. Akinola Odeyemi as Managing Director of the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading, NBET.
Dr. Anthony Inalegwu Godwin as Chairman/CEO of the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission.
Engineer Julius Oloro, a former council chairman, as CEO of the National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation, NCAM, Kwara, replacing
Dr. A.R. Kamal who died in January.
Tosin Johnson Adeyanju, previously Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund, NLTF, has been redeployed as Secretary of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission.
The President also constituted the board of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission with Dr. Abdullahi Maikano Saidu as Chairman. Members include Mohammed Asmau, Mohammed Aliyu Makama, Dr. Suleiman Gidado, Louis O. Ndukwe, Amaechi Ugwele and Olaniyi Idowu Onikola.
Shuni Muhammad Dahiru was named Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education. He replaces Professor Shu’aibu Shehu Aliyu, who was reassigned to the Petroleum Trust Development Fund, PTDF, in April.
According to the Presidency, the appointments are part of ongoing efforts to reposition institutions to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda.
By Nick Ibe, Abuja
DSS is prepared to appeal to achieve death penalty for the two Ansaru terrorist group commanders given life sentences in Abuja were given by Emeka Nwite. The were sentenced on Monday after they pleaded guilty to a 32-count terrorism charge.
The convicts: Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a/Abbas/Mukhtar, described as the self-styled Emir of Ansaru, and Mahmud al-Nigeri (a.k.a Malam Mamuda), his deputy and chief of staff.
The judge handed down the sentence after the convicts changed their plea from not guilty to guilty and, through their lawyer, appealed for leniency.
A senior DSS official, speaking after the judgement, said the agency considers the punishment inadequate given the gravity of the offences.
According to the official, the two men had initially indicated they would plead guilty but later changed their position around the period pupils and teachers were abducted in Oriire LGA of Oyo state by suspected members of the same group.
“For the nearly 60 days the kidnappers held on to the pupils and teachers of Oriire, the Ansaru commanders in our custody changed,” the official said.
“One of the top conditions the abductors gave was the unconditional release of these same Ansaru commanders in exchange for the Oriire kidnap victims.”
The DSS official said the defendants, who had earlier pleaded not guilty, later told the court they were undecided on the plea they intended to enter.
“Justice Nwite even had to hand them an ultimatum to make up their minds on or before Monday’s sitting.
“After the Oriire rescue, they came to court to plead guilty to all the charges.
“Allowing the two terror commanders walk away with life sentences will not serve the cause of justice for the two Oriire teachers beheaded by their abductors.
“The reason the terrorists beheaded the two Oriire teacher’s was to put pressure on government to release these two Ansaru commanders.
“It, therefore, wouldn’t be fair to see two men beheaded and their families are made to live with the losses without adequately bringing the culprits to book.”
By Nick Ibe, Abuja
The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, (Retd) has denied as malicious and an entirely fabricated rumour circulating across various online and social media platforms alleging that he has expressed an intention to step down from his position.
Debunking this as fake news, a statement signed by Leah Katung-Babatunde
SA (Media) to the Honourable Minister of Defence stated unequivocally, and in the strongest possible terms that:
“These rumours are absolute falsehood borne out of complete mischief.
General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd) remains fully focused on his national security mandate, deeply committed to his duties, and completely dedicated to piloting the nation’s defence strategy with results already being seen.
The release further called the public to disregard the fake news. It also strongly called on the media to desist from spreading unverified information falsehood from the internet and social media platforms but to verify from it before going public.
“The general public is hereby urged to completely disregard this fake news. We strongly advise media outlets and internet users to desist from spreading unverified information and seek clarifications from the office.”
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