From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has inaugurated the state’s Economic and Policy Advisory Team, with a charge on members to use their expertise to drive evidence-based governance and sustainable growth.

Members of the team includes; Nick Agule – Team Lead, Carolyn Okoh Folami – Co-Team Lead,  Prof Naomi Onyeje Doki, Dr Andrew Ayabam, Dr Adukwu Emmanuel Ogbole, Patrick Okigbo and Dr Fanen Ade.

Others are; Alex Tarka, Dr Jane Asagh, Basil Jev, Dr Joseph Ogebe, Emmanuel Makeri, Micheal Oglegba, Theresa Nyitse and  Prof Jerome Andohol – Secretary.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony today at the Fr. Alia Hall, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, the governor congratulated the appointees and described their selection as a vote of confidence in their competence and experience.

He stated that the Advisory Team is central to his administration’s effort to strengthen strategic planning and speed up economic progress across the state.

“The constitution of this Advisory Team is our administration’s resolve to strengthen evidence-based governance, deepen strategic planning and speed up sustainable economic growth, ” he explained.

The Governor urged members to justify the confidence placed in them by dedicating their knowledge to the advancement of Benue State.

He further outlined high expectations for the body, which include that; members should offer objective, practical and forward-looking advice to help the government craft policies that create jobs, attract investment, boost internally generated revenue, improve public services and expand opportunities for residents.

He stressed recommendations must be rooted in credible data, rigorous analysis and innovation, and delivered with professionalism, integrity, patriotism, and accountability.

He said, “Let your recommendations be guided by credible data, rigorous analysis, innovation and undivided commitment to the welfare of the people of Benue State”.

While acknowledging the state’s challenges, the governor framed them as opportunities for transformation.

He called for collaborative work with stakeholders and creative solutions to build a more diversified, competitive, and resilient economy.

Alia pledged his administration’s support for the team, promising an enabling environment and careful consideration of its findings.

He pointed out the government’s continuing focus on inclusive growth, fiscal discipline, private-sector development, food security, youth empowerment and sustainable development.

By David Torough, Abuja

The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee investigating the controversial establishment and operations of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has declared the appointment letter presented by the council’s self-acclaimed Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi, as fake, saying its investigation uncovered an extensive network of forged government documents allegedly used to secure official recognition for the council.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, disclosed the findings at the close of the panel’s public hearing in Abuja, stating that evidence from the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), and other government institutions established that the appointment letter and other documents presented by Adeyemi were not authentic.

According to Gagdi, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who appeared before the committee for the second time, confirmed that the purported appointment letter and the Establishment Act presented to her office were fake.

He said forensic analysis by the Nigeria Police also revealed that the signature on the disputed appointment letter did not correspond with authentic signatures from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, noting that the document was not even a forgery in the strict sense because there was no attempt to imitate the genuine signature.

The committee further established that the supposed Establishment Act used to facilitate the creation of the council lacked the statutory features of a valid Act of the National Assembly, including citation numbers, Gazette references and other security features, describing it as a mutilated and fabricated document.

Gagdi also alleged that investigations uncovered the creation of a fictitious Directorate of Administration and Support Services within the State House, an office he said does not exist but was referenced in documents submitted to several government agencies to obtain approvals.

According to the committee, no fewer than 19 fake State House documents were allegedly deployed to process official correspondences and secure recognition for the council.

The panel had earlier directed the Inspector-General of Police to produce Adeyemi after describing the establishment and operation of the council as a serious breach. However, Gagdi explained that the suspect could not appear before the committee because he is currently being held in police custody pursuant to a subsisting court order.

He said the committee would conclude the investigation with closed-door sessions involving the remaining agencies to clarify outstanding issues and ensure all parties are accorded a fair hearing before presenting its preliminary findings to the public next week.

The House had constituted the committee following concerns over the legal status, operational framework and budgetary appearance of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, amid allegations that it was established without lawful authority.

Gagdi reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation aimed at safeguarding the integrity of public institutions and ensuring accountability.

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has nominated the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, Jerry Adams, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.

Sani announced the nomination on Tuesday, describing it as a reaffirmation of his administration’s commitment to inclusion, justice, fairness, equity and equal opportunities for all Kaduna citizens.

He said the choice followed extensive consultations, deep reflection and prayers, stressing that it reflected values that had guided his administration since assuming office on May 29, 2023.

The governor said the nomination went beyond selecting a deputy governorship candidate, adding that it symbolised the determination to strengthen unity and deepen citizens’ sense of belonging.

According to him, Kaduna’s religious, ethnic and cultural diversity remains its greatest strength and should continue to unite, rather than divide the people.

Sani said his administration had spent over three years healing divisions and restoring public confidence through inclusive governance and equitable distribution of development projects.

He said investments in roads, schools, healthcare, water supply, agriculture and social protection had reached all 23 local government areas without discrimination.

The governor added that collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youths and community groups had strengthened peace and promoted shared development.

He said improved security had enabled farmers to return to their fields, businesses to expand and investments to grow across many communities.

Sani described Adams as an accomplished public servant and tax administrator who transformed the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service through innovation, transparency and professionalism.

He said Adams’ leadership strengthened the state’s revenue generation, enabling greater investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and other critical sectors.

The governor also described Adams as a man of integrity, humility and competence, committed to peace, reconciliation and inclusive governance.

He said the nomination underscored his administration’s resolve to prioritise merit, competence and character in public leadership.

Sani urged Kaduna residents to embrace the development through the vision of a united states, rather than the lenses of religion, ethnicity or geography.

He pledged to continue building a peaceful, secure, just and prosperous Kaduna, expressing confidence that the administration would leave a stronger foundation for future generations.