By Felix Umande

Governor Hyacinth Alia has constituted a five-member Benue State Primary Health Care Board, BPHCB, and approved 23 appointments to fill positions previously occupied by appointees who resigned from his administration.

The appointments, according to Government House sources, reflect the Governor’s decision to strengthen primary healthcare administration and ensure continuity in government operations.

The five-member Primary Health Care Board has Dr. Kadev Kenneth Kelvin as Executive Secretary and Dr. Tolough Godfrey as Chairman.

Other members of the Board are Hon. Chiangi Anongu, representing Zone A; Mr. Gabriel Ugber, representing Zone B; and Dr. Obeka Ochim Jo-Lewis, representing Zone C.

The 23 replacement appointments are:

1.Hon. Jonathan Iyoo Igbondo – Special Adviser on Unions and Labour Relations.
2.Rt. Hon. Dickson Ocheokwoi Benjamin Ohaa – Special Adviser on Works, Housing and Urban Development.
3.Engr. Iko Benjamin – Special Adviser on International Investment.
4.Micheal Nyamtsam Mtseve – Special Adviser on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.
5.Akaavah Augustine Liam – Director General, Social Investment.
6.Ahil Fabian Luvin – PSA, Protocol and Wardrobe.
7.Attah Mark Ochoga – PSA, Digital Economy and Job Creation.
8.Hon. Eric Ameh – Senior Special Assistant on Administration, Office of the Deputy Governor.
9.Agbanyi David Sixtus – Senior Special Assistant on Rehabilitation Centre, Apir.
10.Hon. Linda Ene Dirisu – Coordinator, Benue State Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
11.Dr. Abutu Tolbert Terdue – Director of Research, Benue Public Service Institute.
12.John Mimi Ihyembe – PSA on Local Government Area Coordination and Monitoring.
13.Linus Madugu – Member, Benue Investment and Property Company Board.
14.Hon. Unongo Simon – Government Liaison Officer, Guma LGA.
15.Hon. Ikyereve Benjamin Aondonenge – Government Liaison Officer, Tarka LGA.
16.Igba Terna Dominic – Personal Assistant, Office of the Chief of Staff.
17.Ayongol Terhemen Abraham – Personal Assistant on Youth and Media Mobilisation.
18.Terzungwe Yina – Special Adviser on Sanitation.
19.Mrs. Maureen Hembadoon Iortyer – Government Liaison Officer, Makurdi LGA.
20.Jacob Tertsea Agede – Special Adviser on Agriculture.
21.Mr. Andy Terfa Agbavanger – Secretary, Benue Independent Electoral Commission.
22.Hon. Patience Erube – Personal Special Assistant, Protocol, Office of the Deputy Governor.
23.Dr. Apenda Isaac Tersoo – Executive Secretary, Benue State Scholarship Board.

All appointments take immediate effect.

While congratulating the new appointees, Governor Alia said: “You must understand that your appointment underscores my administration’s commitment to maintaining an effective government structure and ensuring that vacant positions do not create gaps in the delivery of public services.

“Therefore, you must study the vision of the administration and work strictly in line with the direction and principles of the vision; you must always put the interest of the state first in all your official undertakings.”

The appointments which were announced on Monday are expected to strengthen coordination and service delivery across the affected offices and institutions.

By Michael Lim

Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, has been commended for fully implementing the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU Agreement by the Kaduna State University(KASU) branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU).

In a Friday briefing delivered by Comrade Abubakar Abdullahi and Comrade Silas Amos Bakut, Chairman and Secretary respectively, said the gesture is capable of building trust and healthy labour relation.The Union said Governor Uba Sani’s welfare initiatives represented a significant milestone in the development of the university and are expected to contribute to the overall advancement of the institution.

‘’We consider this development a positive demonstration of the State Government’s recognition of the vital role of academic staff in advancing quality university education and sustainable development,’’ ASUU noted.

It commended Kaduna State Government and the Management of KASU for their commendable and exemplary handling of the earlier industrial action. ASUU disclosed:

‘’For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that, at no point during the strike action, were the union or its members subjected to intimidation, threats or any form of harassment.

‘’Remarkably, our salaries were paid while the strike was still ongoing, and engagements between the union, the Government and University Management remained cordial, constructive and focused on addressing the fundamental issues in dispute.

‘’This approach represents a significant departure from some of the unfortunate experiences of the past and demonstrates a renewed commitment to mutual respect, dialogue and the peaceful resolution of industrial disputes.’

The union also noted that the current administration has made positive progress in addressing ‘’several inherited welfare challenges affecting our members.’’

‘’Specifically, the Government has addressed the 60 percent withheld salary of 2017, paid outstanding Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) allowances for the period 2016-2020 and settled five months of withheld salaries covering May to September 2022,’’ the union disclosed.

The union added that the Governor has ‘’advanced the sum of N300 million towards the settlement of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) arrears for the 2016-2020 academic sessions.

‘’Furthermore, the Governing Council and Management of Kaduna State University are working collaboratively with the union towards resolving outstanding death benefits and promotion arrears dating from 2021.”

While commending the Governor and the varsity management for demonstrating the leadership, courage and the political will required to address these longstanding challenges, the union noted that the interventions have brought considerable relief to affected members.

ASUU listed other initiatives by Governor Uba Sani in the last three and half years, to enhance staff welfare such as the 10.2 hectres of land ‘’for the KASU-ASUU Multipurpose Cooperative Society to develop the Academia Housing Estate, a mass housing project designed to benefit our members and other civil servants.

‘’Beyond the land allocation, His Excellency graciously approved a subsidy of 4,000,000,00 for each beneficiary, amounting to approximately 400,000,000.00 for the project.

‘’This intervention has reduced the cost of a housing unit from 40,000,000.00 to 36,000,000.00, thereby making home ownership more accessible to the beneficiaries,’’ ASUU pointed out.

The union appreciated the genuine commitment to dialogue over confrontation and seeking sustainable solutions to their concerns, exhibited by Government and KASU Management. ASUU promised:

‘’We reiterate our commitment to constructive engagement with the State Government, the Governing Council and University Management towards resolving all outstanding welfare issues, strengthening industrial harmony and positioning Kaduna State University among the leading universities in Nigeria and globally.”

ASUU also commended the invaluable contributions, leadership and commitment of the Commissioner of Education and Chairman of the Negotiation Committee, Prof Abubakar Sani Sambo.

The union also praised the ‘’Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Ibrahim Umar; the Chairman of the Sub-Committee, Professor Usman Abubakar; and all other members of the Negotiation Committee for their dedication and concerted efforts towards resolving the issues in dispute.’’

By Nick Ibe

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has vowed to dismantle the culture of celebrating thieves, fraudsters, drug barons and other dubious characters, saying that the state must return to honouring people of integrity and genuine accomplishments.

Otti disclosed this at the 90th birthday celebration of Emeritus Professor Benson Oluikpe in Umuahia, saying his administration was institutionalising the celebration of excellence as a way of inspiring younger generations to pursue worthy achievements. He declared:

“We want to depart from that inherited culture. It’s not our culture. Culture of celebrating thieves. Culture of celebrating 419-ers. Culture of celebrating drug barons. Culture of celebrating bandits. That’s not our culture. That’s not how we grew up.”

He also condemned the practice of honouring people only after their death, when they could no longer enjoy the recognition, saying it was misplaced, arguing that there was no better time to celebrate outstanding achievers than when they were alive.

According to him, doing so would not only acknowledge their contributions but also encourage others, particularly young people, to aspire to excellence.

Otti cited the recent celebration of five Abia schoolchildren who emerged champions at an international competition in Qatar, saying his administration was determined to make excellence, rather than questionable wealth and influence, the basis for public recognition.

The governor also used his personal experience to underscore the importance of accountability, recalling how his father questioned him in 1989 over the source of the N100 he sent home while working at Citibank.

He explained that he had earned the money through extra work and daily allowances, adding that his father insisted on knowing how he legitimately made it. In his words:

“That’s how I was brought up. You needed to give account. But these days, people don’t ask questions. We need to go back to that time when we would ask questions. Ask your children questions. Let them give account.”

Otti maintained that times had not changed as much as people’s values, citing his son’s decision to provide receipts and explanations for money he had saved towards purchasing a house in the United States.

Earlier, Oluikpe, while expressing gratitude for the honour, prayed that God would reciprocate the governor’s gesture.

“You have honoured me; may God honour you,” the nonagenarian said.

The professor, who disclosed that he first met Otti in 2013 when the latter was still a banker, described him as a humble man endowed with wisdom, saying the impression he formed of him at the time influenced his subsequent support for his political ambition.

Recounting how Otti once stood up to return an award to him at a public function, Oluikpe said the gesture revealed a humility that had remained consistent in the governor’s public life.

He also interpreted Otti’s electoral setback in 2015 as a divine postponement, insisting that God’s timing had ultimately vindicated him.

“I do believe that God was telling you, ‘My son, wait. This is not your time. The time will come, and when that time comes, you will make a great impact in your state,’” he said.

Oluikpe, an academic who said he had always measured life by its impact on humanity, urged public office holders to embrace generosity and make their resources beneficial to others.

“A life without impact on humanity is no life. The wealth we acquire without reaching or touching minds is useless,” he declared.

He also cautioned against sycophancy in public life, urging the governor’s supporters to tell him the truth rather than flatter him.

Responding to Oluikpe’s recollection of their first encounter, Otti said the professor’s account reflected his own understanding of the political twists that delayed his emergence as governor in 2015.

He recalled that although he had won the election, he had to pursue his mandate through the courts, eventually reclaiming it at the Court of Appeal on December 31, 2015, before the Supreme Court affirmed it on February 3, 2016.

The governor said the experience reinforced his belief that God’s timing was always the best.

Otti further disclosed plans to celebrate another Abia-born professor and inventor based in the United States in December, describing him as a globally recognised scientist whose invention helps in accurately targeting cancer cells.

He said the recognition of outstanding Abians would remain open to all, irrespective of their political affiliation, religion or place of residence. In his words:

“Once you are from Abia and you are doing well, we will celebrate you.”