NEWS
Benue Local Govts Enjoying Autonomy Long Before Supreme Court Judgement- CPS
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Chief press secretary to Benue State Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, on Monday, said his principal, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, had ready granted financial autonomy to local governments in Benue State far before the supreme court verdict.
He further stated that Governor Alia saw the need for local government councils autonomy and upon assumption of offiice, he quickly granted the autonomy, adding that, monies meant for the councils are sent directly to their various bank accounts without interference. Kula stated this while reacting to allegations made against the governor by some people on social media, regarding the subvention of the 23 Local Government areas in the state, where the people also called on the Governor to account for N47billion, which they allege are funds meant for the Local Governments in the state.However, the chief press secretary Tersoo Kula in a statement issued and made available to newsmen in Makurdi said, it is on record that Governor Hyacinth Alia has always made known his stand on the issue of Local government autonomy and has severally expressed his support at different fora, and has been variously quoted in the media as a supporter of Local Government autonomy.He maintained that the last Thursday’s Supreme Court pronouncement only came as a backing to Alia’s stance and decision on Local Government autonomy.”As a progressive-minded leader, Governor Alia is very committed to President Tinubu’s intention to ensure the country’s rural transformation, which he believes will be achieved only when the local councils are autonomous. “For instance, in March 2024, while declaring open a Two-Day workshop put together by the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in conjunction with Timarage Nigeria Limited, for chairmen and members of the local government interim Executives in the state, the governor re-echoed the same stand.”These were his exact words: “I am happy to state that my administration has given its full blessings to the autonomy of our Local Governments. Funds due to the Local Governments are promptly released. We are therefore committed to the growth and development of the system and have outlined adequate plans to open up the rural areas to enable rural economies to thrive.”According to him, as a government whose watch word is accountability, there is need to clarify the misinformation for the sake of the unsuspecting members of the public.On the N47b allegations, Sir Kula described it as another attempt to paint the administration black, which is not longer new to this administration. “An attempt of this nature was made in the past. One Mr. Uchenna Mojekwu, had brought a baseless allegation of N20 billion embezzlement by the government through the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He has since withdrawn the petition and tendered a public apology to the person of Hon. Dr. Dennis Akura and the Benue State government. “We assure the Benue people that there is no cause for alarm on the issue of Local Government Autonomy. Your Governor, the Rev. Gentleman, has already done it in Benue State. He will continue to pay salaries and arrears and execute massive projects; equally carrying out humanitarian services as enshrined in his campaign promises and oath of office as the Governor of Benue State.”We equally assured the Federal government under the President Tinubu led administration that Benue is 100 percent in support of the Local Government Autonomy and will continue to abide by its provision”, he stated.The CPS reiterated that Governor, on behalf of the masses of Benue, has always appreciated President Bola Tinubu, for his massive support to the state, and will continue to stand by him.
By David Torough, Abuja
The founders and Senior Pastors of Dunamis International Gospel Centre (DIGC), Dr. Paul and Dr. (Mrs.) Becky Enenche, have successfully trained and empowered 100 individuals in agribusiness as part of their commitment to youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
Dr.
Paul Enenche made the announcement during the church’s Thanksgiving and Testimony Service on Sunday, highlighting the initiative as a strategic effort to promote self-reliance and agricultural productivity.According to the cleric, each beneficiary will be allocated at least one hectare of farmland to commence farming activities upon completion of the training programme.
He further disclosed that the beneficiaries will receive monthly stipends to support them until their agricultural produce is ready for harvest.Dr. Enenche noted that the training and empowerment programme represents a significant investment, with each participant’s training costing approximately ₦500,000.
The beneficiaries, who constitute Batch A of the Entrepreneurship Agribusiness Training Programme, graduated from the C.S.S. Farm and Skills Acquisition Centre located along the Keffi–Abuja Road. The entire programme was fully sponsored by Dr Paul,Dr (Mrs.) Becky Enenche and the church as part of their ongoing efforts to empower individuals with practical skills and sustainable means of livelihood.
The initiative reflects the church’s commitment to transforming lives through both spiritual and socio-economic empowerment.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, has reaffirmed the commission’s neutrality ahead of the 2027 general election, saying INEC has no candidate or political party to favour.
In a post obtained from INEC’s X handle on Sunday, Amupitan stated this during a visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb.
Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, as part of the commission’s stakeholder engagement and preparations for the 2027 elections.The visit formed part of activities surrounding INEC’s planned interactive meeting with staff and readiness assessment at the zonal level.
The INEC chairman was accompanied by National Commissioners, the Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Technical Assistant, Chief of Staff, Special Aides and other senior officials of the commission.
Amupitan described traditional institutions as important stakeholders in the electoral process because of their influence and reach within communities.
He said elections were fundamentally about the social contract between citizens and those entrusted with public office, stressing that public trust was essential to the success of democracy.
According to him, INEC has commenced preparations early because of the size and complexity of conducting elections across Nigeria.
He said the commission had moved away from last-minute preparations and was testing, auditing and strengthening its operational systems well ahead of the 2027 polls.
Amupitan assured the Emir that INEC remained committed to neutrality, fairness and transparency in the conduct of elections.
“We have no candidates, we have no political party, we have no interest other than the sovereign will of the people of Nigeria,” the INEC chairman said.
He added that the commission would continue engaging traditional institutions and other stakeholders as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), Kano State Command, has deployed personnel to Garko Local Government Area to track and contain dogs suspected to be infected with rabies.
The service said the suspected rabid dog had bitten 18 people in Garko and its environs.
The NFSS State Commander, Abdullahi Al’ameen, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the service, Usman Abdullahi-Umar, on Sunday in Kano.
Al’ameen said: “The command received a distress report at about 2 p.m. that a dog suspected to be rabid has attacked residents in Garko town.
“The dog has so far bitten 11 persons in Garko town before moving to neighbouring communities, including Raba, Kadage, Gurjiya and Dausai.
“It has also attacked and bitten seven additional persons in the affected communities.”
The commander further explained that they had received another report that two more dogs had been infected with rabies in the area.
Al’ameen said personnel of NFSS Garko Division, under the leadership of the Divisional Forest Officer, Auwalu Muhammad, had been deployed to the affected areas to track and contain the infected dogs.
He urged residents of Garko and neighbouring communities to remain vigilant and report sightings of stray or suspected rabid dogs to the nearest NFSS office or other security agencies.
The commander also advised residents who might have been bitten by suspected rabid dogs to seek immediate medical attention.
Al’ameen assured residents that the NFSS would continue to monitor the situation and take necessary measures to prevent further attacks.(NAN)
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