NEWS
Ortom Inaugurates 15 Commissioners in Benue
From Chris Gaga, Makurdi
Fifteen new Commissioners have taken oath of office as members of the Benue State Executive Council (EXCO).
Swearing – in the cabinet members at the Benue People’s House in Makurdi on Monday, the state Governor, Samuel Ortom warned the new appointees not to divert public funds meant for the execution of public projects into private pockets.
He urged the new Commissioners to comply strictly with the core values of his Administration which he listed as “transparency, accountability and fairness” among others for seamless implementation of the programmes, saying he will not hesitate to drop anyone found wanting.
“I wish to emphasise that all public servants under this Administration should not dare to convert funds meant for the execution of public projects for the people’s welfare and wellbeing into private pockets.
“This is unacceptable and contrary to public fiscal responsibility and we shall not hesitate to use the big stick against such conduct,” the governor noted.
He emphasized that his administration has embarked on aggressive internal revenue generation with a view to meeting campaign promises.
According to him, the situation was why his adminstration is currently re-organizing the machinery of Government in some sectors for effective service delivery.
“Let me stress that every appointee must perform satisfactorily in order to continue to be part of our team.
“You are therefore requested to acquaint yourselves with Administrative Guidelines, Financial Regulations and Office Procedure to enable you discharge your duties effectively,” he added.
He said though the new Commissioners were coming when government was facing some challenges, they must strive to deploy their experience to bear on the collective determination to respond to the challenges and expectations.
“These include the imperative to meet our obligations as Government as well as enhance our capacity to respond effectively even with lean budgetary expenditures,” he added.
The Commissioner include Michael Gusa Esq, Justice; Hon. David Olofu – Finance; Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, Education; Unenge Aondoaver Bernard, Lands and Survey; Chief Dennis Ekpe Ogbu, Housing and Urban Development; M-erga Kachina, Industry, Trade and Investments; Mrs. Laadi Ajene Isegbe, Youth and Sports; Rt. Hon. Ngunan Addingi, Information, Culture and Tourism.
Others are Dr. Ongbabo Elaigwu Sunday, Health; Engr. Alexander Shaapera, Works; Dr. Timothy Aondona Ijir, Agriculture; Engr. Joshua Dondo Ahire, Water Resources; Dr Oyiwona Godwin Emmanuei, Energy, Science and Technology;Mrs Igirgi Nyiazungwe, Women Affairs and Victor Dzungwe Ukaha, Rural Development.
Speaking on behalf of the appointees, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mike Gusa pledged total commitment of members of the EXCO to the success of the Ortom administration.
The Federal Ministry of Education has condemned the incident involving candidates sitting the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) at night using torchlights.The Minister of State for Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, expressed his displeasure in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.
Boriowo quoted the minister as outlining the situation captured in the widely circulated video as “completely unacceptable”, adding that all necessary measures would be taken to prevent a recurrence. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring a conducive environment for learning and assessment.Alausa criticised the poor conditions under which the examination was conducted at Unity Secondary School in Asaba, Delta, under the supervision of the State Ministry of Education.“The ministry’s attention has been drawn to the conduct of an examination in an unsuitable environment, as seen in footage circulating on social media.“This reveals an inappropriate setting for such a critical academic exercise, and it occurred under the oversight of the Delta State Ministry of Education”.The minister stated that the ministry is working in collaboration with the Delta government and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to investigate the matter and ensure appropriate corrective measures are taken.“The outcome of the investigation will be made public as necessary,” he added.Alausa reiterated his commitment to improving educational infrastructure and ensuring that students across the country have access to safe and enabling environments for teaching, learning, and assessment. (NAN)
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has announced a full scholarship for all female indigenes of the state who scored 250 and above in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).The UTME is conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for candidates seeking admission into tertiary institution after their secondary school education.
Zulum made the scholarship announcement on Saturday in Maiduguri. He spoke during the inauguration of new executive members of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Maiduguri Chapter, and a scholarship programme facilitated by his wife, Dr. Habiba Babagana Zulum.The governor said the initiative was aimed at promoting girl-child education and encouraging female students.He said it was to encourage them to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as well as technical and vocational education.“In order to encourage girl-child education in the state, I want to announce that all female indigenes who scored 250 and above in JAMB would be sponsored by the Borno State Government to study STEM or technical/vocational education,” Zulum said.The governor directed the acting Chief of Staff, the State Scholarship Board, Ministry of Education and APWEN to identify and screen eligible candidates for the scholarship scheme.He commended his wife for her efforts in supporting education and acknowledged APWEN’s role in promoting the engineering profession among women and girls in Borno.The governor’s wife delivered a paper titled, “The Role of Mentorship in Encouraging Girls to Pursue Engineering Careers in Nigeria”.She emphasised the importance of mentorship in enhancing both personal and professional development among young girls.Dr. Zulum noted that women made up only 14 per cent of Nigeria’s STEM workforce, which should be improved upon.“Mentorship is critical to shaping the minds and future of upcoming generations,” she said.She highlighted its role in building confidence, breaking stereotypes, fostering critical thinking and creating access to opportunities.In her remarks, the outgoing APWEN Chairperson, Kori Shettima, expressed pride in the association’s achievements, particularly in advocacy and mentorship for girls in STEM fields.“I am proud of the progress we have made, the lives we have touched and the young minds we have inspired,” Shettima said.Highlights of the event include the inauguration of the 4th Chairperson of APWEN, Maiduguri Chapter, Engr. Hajju Tijjani Gazali.It also featured the presentation scholarships – N200,000 each to six top-performing female pupils of Wulari Primary School and N300,000 each to six best science students of Federal Government Girls College, Monguno. (NAN)
The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Owerri has elected and inaugurated a new set of executive officers led by Mr Bathram Uzodinma.The National Chairman of the PCRC, Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyi, inaugurated the 15-man executive committee, as part of activities marking the PCRC’s 41st anniversary celebrations held in Imo on Saturday.
Olaniyi charged the Uzodinma-led executives to eschew arrogance, power confrontation and vindictiveness in the discharge of their duties. He also urged the PCRC family in the state to extend their support and cooperation to the new executives. He urged them to keep the flag flying through commitment and dedication to duty, to strengthen the relationship between the police and the public.He, however, hailed the immediate past excos led by Mr Chima Chukwunyere for their exemplary performance which he noted has raised the credibility of the organisation.The Commissioner of Police in the state, Aboki Danjuma, represented by the command’s spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye, commended Mogaji for enhancing the relationship between the police and the public.He said that sustained partnership, trust and collaborations were of crucial importance for the police and the PCRC to move on.He congratulated the new Excos on their emergence and wished them a successful tenure.Also speaking, Uzodinma pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him, promising a robust relationship between the police and the public.Earlier, Chukwunyere said he established a weekly radio programme in Owerri to smoothen the relationship of the police with the public.He added that he also created a stronger public awareness on the dangers of cultism, drug addiction and other vices among students. According to him, police still remain friends with members of the public. Chukwunyere, who is the MD/CEO of Domino Paramount Hotel Owerri, said that between 2008 till date, he had so far offered free hotel accommodation to police officers on transit to the tune of N7.6 million. “ In addition to the radio programmes, the Imo PCRC under my watch regularly visited secondary schools across the state to sensitise students on the dangers of drug abuse and cultism, with our 68th visit last Thursday, to City School, Owerri”, he said. Report says that erstwhile Chairman Chukwunyere joined the association in 1996.NAN also noted that he had served in various leadership positions since 2008, including Southeast Zonal Chairman, culminating in being the Imo chairman in 2025.Chukwunyere has now been elevated to the position of National Consultant, Community Policing of the PCRC, for his role in reviving and revitalising the committee in Imo and the Southeast. (NAN)
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