Headlines

Independence: Gov. Alia appeals for patience, more time

Published

1 week ago

October 1, 2024

Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has appealed for patience, saying that most government policies take time to yield results and his administration would not fail the people.

Alia made the appeal on Tuesday during a live broadcast in Makurdi to commemorate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day anniversary.

The governor stated that his administration focused on the well-being of every Benue citizen.

He also congratulated the people of the state and all Nigerians for their resilience and for living peacefully together.

“As your governor, I am committed to your welfare and urge each of you, both in Benue and across Nigeria, to continue supporting the policies and programmes of the government.

“These initiatives are designed to improve our collective welfare, though their impact may take time to fully manifest. Progress often requires patience, understanding, and the cooperation of every citizen.

“I call on you to renew your hope in this government, as we are committed to the progress of our state,” he said.

He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that what was due to workers and pensioners in the state was paid on time.

Alia said with the continued support of everyone in the state, his administration was on course to build a Benue that was peaceful and prosperous and served as a model of good governance in Nigeria.

According to him, his administration has aligned this year’s celebration with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where the government has already made strides in areas such as poverty reduction, zero hunger, quality education, and decent work.

“All these efforts aim to empower every citizen of the state, enabling them to become productive and contribute to the development of Benue,” he said.

He also highlighted the massive infrastructural projects in the state that were connecting communities for improved living standards and economic activities.

On the October 5th Local Government Council elections in the state, he urged Benue people to come out and vote for APC candidates for progress, development, and continued good governance under the APC-led government.

“The collective future of our villages depends on the choices we make on that day, as local governments are closest to the people.

“The opposition parties have had their time, and we all know the path they led us down: a path of underdevelopment, massive corruption, stagnation, and setbacks.

“But today, we stand on the threshold of progress, and we must not allow any backward steps. Let us vote for progress, development, and continued good governance under the APC banner,” he said.

Headlines

Police commend Benue people over peaceful LG election

Published

3 days ago

October 7, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

Police commend Benue people over peaceful LG election The Police Command in Benue has commended the people of the state over their peaceful conduct during the just concluded local government election in the state. The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Sewuese Anene, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Makurdi that the election was hitch-free. “The command expresses her highest appreciation to Benue people over their peaceful conduct during the LG polls and urges them to continue in that manner. “No arrest was made during the process because the people conducted themselves in an orderly manner,” she said. Anene said that the command would always strive to ensure that the security of all law-abiding citizens was guaranteed.

Headlines

Jigawa governor warns council chairmen against land grabbing

Published

3 days ago

October 7, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

Jigawa governor warns council chairmen against land grabbing

Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has cautioned the newly elected local council officials against land grabbing. He issued the warning at the inauguration of the chairmen and their deputies, on Monday in Dutse. “Let me make it clear to you that land issue is a sole responsibility of the government, unless the governor authorises you, stay away from land allocation and distribution, else you go to jail,” he said. He also enjoined the new officials to always remain in their respective councils to enable them to serve their people effectively. The governor warned that his administration would not condone council chairmen living outside their duty posts. “You must remain in your LGAs because the era of living in Kano or Dutse, will no longer be tolerated. “You must remain in your duty posts no matter the condition and do your best to serve your people well,” the governor added. Namadi further reminded the chairmen that their assumption of office is based on trust, adding that they would account to God how they governed their people on the day of judgment. “It is important for you to note that effective management of local government will determine the success of our party, the APC at the grassroots, state and national levels. “I urge you to govern with utmost fear of God, take care of the people at the grassroots, govern with tansparency and honesty, as the resources at your disposal belongs to the people,” he said. While wishing the officials successful tenure in office, Namadi advised them to carry everyone along in discharging their duties. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC swept all the 27 chairmen and 282 councillorship seats in the Oct. 5, LG polls in the state. The Accord Party (AP) clintched four councillorship seats, while APGA won one councillorship seat in the election. Dr Muhammad Uba, the Chairman, Birninkudu Local Government Council, who spoke on behalf of others, commended the governor for his support. He pledged to do their best towards promoting government’s policies and programmes for sustainable social and economic development of the state.

Crime

NAPTIP urges stiffer penalties for rape

Published

3 days ago

October 7, 2024

Matthew Eloyi

Hajiya Binta Bello, Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has called for stricter penalties for rape to serve as a deterrent.

Bello made this demand during the close-out event of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law implementation in Cross River on Monday, organised by Stand to End Rape.

Represented by Mr Jacob Oba, Head of Operations, NAPTIP, Cross River Command, Bello emphasised that rape was a heinous crime against humanity.

She advocated for collective efforts to eradicate it through timely reporting, assisting survivors, providing legal services, and awareness campaigns to reduce stigmatisation.

Bello appealed for a united front against rape, reaffirming NAPTIP’s commitment to combating VAPP Act violators, including human traffickers.

On her part, Dr Mercy Kwabe, Co-director of Stand to End Rape Initiative, acknowledged Nigeria’s progress in promoting equal rights through the VAPP Act.

However, she highlighted the need for better public understanding of the law, particularly in local languages.

Kwabe stressed the importance of amending the VAPP Act to incorporate harsher penalties for perpetrators, rather than repealing it.

Similarly, Ms Ann Awa, Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Cross River Chapter, echoed the need for full implementation of the VAPP Act across states.

She suggested fine-tuning contentious sections rather than abolishing the law.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in partnership with agencies like the National Orientation Agencies (NOA), Stand to End Rape Initiative conducted VAPP Act sensitisation in Ikot Awatim community, encouraging residents to report suspected cases.