NEWS
Benue Govt. Orders Warring Communities to Keep off Disputed River
The Benue State Government has ordered two communities in Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of the State to steer clear of the disputed River Antse.
Reports says that Unyande and Kwenev communities have been at war over ownership of the river, a conflict that has claimed many lives for the past 30 years.
The Special Adviser to Gov.
Hyacinth Alia on Security (Internal Affairs), Chief Joseph Har, gave the order in Makurdi, shortly after a meeting with stakeholders from the LGA on Sunday.Har said that the State Government had ordered the two communities to keep off the disputed river, following intelligence report of possible escalation of tensions in the area.
He said the report indicated that the conflict had the potential of escalating into a into full blown communal crisis, adding that the decision was to prevent such occurrence.
He explained that the Iyharev speaking people of Unyande, and the Ngongov tribe of Kwenev, are are fighting over ownership of River Antse.
He said the conflict has claimed many lives in the past three decades.
Har said the meeting which had in attendance, traditional rulers in the area, the council’s chairman and the state assembly Member from the area would be reconvened next Sunday.
“Government has ordered that nobody from Unyande and Kwenev should go close to River Antse until they hear from Government. We will reconvene on Sunday.
“This administration has zero tolerance for communal clashes. So we want to stop it before it begins. If anyone goes ahead to do anything that may lead to the breakdown of law and order, we will go after the person.” Har warned.
Also, His Royal Highness Ter Guma, Chief Dennis Shemberga, the traditional ruler of Guma, commended the Government for its prompt intervention over the lingering crisis, to forestall a full blown communal clash between Iyharev and Ngongov.
Shemberga also explained that the communities were fighting over ownership of the river because of the large quantity of fishes in it, the fertile land around its banks, which is usually used for dry season farming, among other issues.
He disclosed that the two communities had taken the matter to court, but the traditional rulers had withdrawn the cases for out-of-court settlement as brothers who would forever share boundary with each other.
He said the dispute started more than 30 years ago, and had claimed many lives.
Also the Caretaker Chairman, Guma LGA, Mr Simon Unongo, said in spite of the lingering crisis between the two communities over the river, the area was enjoying relative peace.
Unongo said many IDPs from Udei, Tse Torkula, Yongbo, amongst others, had since returned to their farms following the intervention by the state government.
Mr Terwase Uche, Member representing Guma 1 State Constituency, said that the assembly was not considering enacting any legislation over such issues because each community had its peculiarity.
Uche said it was better for the communities to find ways of resolving issues themselves without necessarily exacting laws on them, as they would continue to live together after the crisis.(NAN)
NEWS
FCTA Moves to Curb Medical Tourism
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
Federal capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has pledged to provide the necessary support for the successful completion and operation of the African Medical Center of Excellence, with a view to reversing medical tourism.
The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, made this pledge during a site tour of the state of the art facility, of African Medical Centre for Excellence, billed to be operational in early 2025.
Mahmoud noted that the partnership between the African Export-Import Bank and Kings College Hospital London to establish the 170-bed hospital was a testament to the commitment to advancing clinical care, training, and research in specialty areas such as oncology, cardiovascular services, hematology, diagnostics, and general medical services.
The minister further added; “The potential impact of this initiative in reversing medical tourism and reducing healthcare worker migration is commendable.
“I am encouraged by the prospect of over 1000 workers being employed to support the hospital’s operations.
“Therefore, I am fully committed to ensuring that the Federal Capital Territory Administration provides the necessary support for the successful establishment and operation of the African Medical Center of Excellence.
“We are happy to see, that the 6.5 hectares of land, which was donated by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, as part of the host country agreement, has been developed to accomodate this hospital.”
While conducting the minister round the project, the Chief Executive Officer, African Medical Center of Excellence, Mr. Brian Deaver, commended the FCT Administration for the strategic partnership.
He used the occasion to inform the minister that the management staff of the medical centre are looking forward to further contributions of the Administration to improvement in the management of non communicable diseases in the territory.
Deaver stressed that the potential benefits of the location of this hospital in Abuja is significant, just as he expressed confidence that the partnership would yield positive outcomes for the healthcare sector in the region.
NEWS
Ortom, Ode, Asemakaha Felicitates With Alia on 58th Birthday
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Former Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, the incumbent Deputy Governor, Barr Sam Ode and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr Raymond Asemakaha, Wednesday, extended their felicitations to the State Governor, Rev Fr.
The former governor in a statement signed by his Media Aide,Terver Akase and made available to newsmen in Makurdi, prayed God to grant Governor Alia the wisdom and health to steer the affairs of the state.
He maintained that God would grant Alia the enablement to surmount all challenges fronting his administration and wished him a memorable birthday celebration and many more years ahead.
The statement read in part: “Your Excellency, as you celebrate, I pray that God grants you wisdom, good health and strength to enable you to continue to steer the affairs of our dear state.
“Leadership comes with its numerous challenges, but I have no doubt that with God’s grace and guidance, all problems are surmountable.”
Similarly, the Deputy Governor of the State, Barr. Sam Odeh, on behalf of the State Executive Council (SEC), prayed that Governor Alia’s birthday would be a celebration of his uncommon passion for speedy transformation of the state.
“On behalf of the Benue State Executive Council, I write to warmly felicitate with Your Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Executive Governor of Benue State on the occasion of your 58th birthday anniversary.
“As you mark your years of existence on earth today, we heartily join your family, the good people of Benue State and the entire nation in wishing Your Excellency a very happy birthday.
“May your 58th birthday be a celebration of your positive energy and uncommon passion for speedy transformation of Benue State. As Governor of our dear state, you have, in the last one year, demonstrated pragmatic leadership with selflessness and dedication, by rendering quality service to the good people of Benue.
“Your ability to turn challenges into opportunities is truly admirable. We have every reason to celebrate you today, because your transformation drive has brought the state to national and global prominence with many laudable initiatives and partnerships that are now yielding positive results in various sectors of Benue economy.
“Happy Birthday! Your Excellency, you are truly a special gift to the state and a beacon of inspiration for us all. May your birthday mark the beginning of a new chapter filled with even greater successes and fulfillment.
“We pray that the Almighty God will continue to uphold, keep and strengthen you for His glory and to the benefit of humanity. Congratulations and happy birthday!, Ode stated”.
On his part, the MD/CEO, BIPC, Dr Raymond Asemakaha, on behalf of the management and staff of the company, said the governor had so far demonstrated visionary leadership, tireless efforts, and unwavering commitment to the transformation of Benue State.
Governor Alia’s exemplary governance and dedication to the welfare of the people are truly inspiring, stressing that this milestone birthday marks the beginning of another remarkable year filled with wisdom, good health, and unparalleled success.
NEWS
CBN Unveils Strategy to Boost Remittances
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has activated plans to double foreign-currency remittance flows through formal channels by granting 14 new International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) Approval-in-Principle (AIP).
This was disclosed in Abuja on Wednesday, by the Bank’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs.
She said, “This will spur liquidity in Nigeria’s Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX), augmenting price discovery to enable a market-driven fair value for the naira.
“It will be recalled that the CBN Governor, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, had recently declared: “We’ve set ourselves a target to double remittance flows into Nigeria within a year, a goal I firmly believe is within reach.
“We are wasting no time driving progress to remove any bottlenecks hindering flows through formal channels permanently. We have a determined pathway and a sequenced approach to tackling all challenges ahead, working hand in hand with key stakeholders in the remittance industry,” she stated.
Continuing, Sidi Ali, said that the CBN viewed increasing formal remittance flows—one of the major sources of foreign exchange, accounting for over 6% of GDP—as a means of reducing the historical volatility in Nigeria’s exchange rate caused by external factors, such as fluctuations in foreign investment and oil export proceeds.
The increase in the number of IMTOs is one of the primary actions initiated by the CBN’s remittance task force, overseen by Governor Cardoso as a collaborative unit pulling together specialists to work closely with the private sector and market operators to facilitate the ease of doing business in the remittance ecosystem in Nigeria.
The task force was established as a direct result of an executive learning session with IMTOs during the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings held in Washington DC, United States of America, in April 2024. The task force will meet regularly to implement strategy and monitor the impact of its measures on remittance inflows.