BENUE TO THE WORLD: March 2018

Saturday 31 March 2018

6 Herdsmen Caught Destroying Farmland In Benue (Photo)

The Nigerian Army has released a statement saying six herdsmen were arrested destroying a farmland in Benue State.

Scores of people have been killed in Benue in 2018 due to violence between herdsmen and farming communities.

Read the Army’s full statement below.

Troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade have arrested 6 herdsmen, caught in the act of farmland destruction in Kwata, Benue State.

Troops while on patrol in the general area of Kwata Sule on 17 March 18 encountered the herdsmen in the act prompting their arrest.

After initial interrogation, the suspects were handed over to the police for further action.

Similarly, troops on patrol in the general area of Chembe, Tse-Gundu, Tse-Iordye and Shaor settlements sighted two herdsmen on a motorcycle along Kwata Shaor river bank.
Herdsmen abandoned their motorcycle and fled.

In search of the general area, one round of 7.62mm special was discovered. Troops continue to dominate the general area with patrols.

Troops kill 4 Boko Haram Insurgents, Neutralise 4 Suicide Bombers

Nigerian Army on Saturday said its troops killed four Boko Haram insurgents at Malumti village in the fringes of Sambisa Forest.

Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Operation Lafiya Dole, made the disclosure in a statement in Maiduguri.

Nwachukwu stated that the insurgents were killed by troops in an ambush while trying to escape ongoing clearance exercise under “Operation Deep Punch II” on March 30.

He said the troops recovered a Toyota Land Cruiser, one AK 47 Rifle , 15 Rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, one magazine and 47 Jerry cans of petrol from the insurgents.

He added that “the insurgents were routed out of the Sambisa Forest by troops under Operation Deep Punch II, rummaging for food and logistics when they met their Waterloo.”

Nwachukwu disclosed that gallant troops deployed at a checkpoint in Muna Garage in the outskirts of Maiduguri also neutralised four suicide bombers on Friday.

He explained that the bombers, comprising a male and three females were killed while attempting to infiltrate Maiduguri metropolis.

He noted that “the insurgents, attempting to infiltrate Maiduguri metropolis through Muna Zawiya area at about 9.30 p.m., were spotted by vigilance troops who fired shots, hitting one of them, thereby triggering simultaneous explosions which killed all of them.

“Regrettably, 18 persons were injured in the incident and have been evacuated for medical attention.”

According to him, troops and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) were conducting cordon and search operation in the area for any other suicide bomber lurking around.

Nwachukwu urged the public to be vigilant and report suspicious persons and activities to security agencies.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF BENUE || @naijahubtv

Historical Background
Benue State as it exists today is a surviving legacy of an administrative entity which was carved out of the protectorate of northern Nigeria at the beginning of the twentieth century. The territory was initially known as Munshi Province until 1918 when the name of its dominant geographical feature, the ‘River Benue’ was adopted.

As an administrative unit, Benue State was first created on February 3, 1976. It was one of the seven states created by the military administration headed by the late General Murtala Mohammed, which increased the number of states in the country from 13 to 19. In 1991 its boundaries were adjusted with the creation of Kogi State. The new Benue State of today has twenty (23) local government areas, which are administered by local government councils.

Location

Benue State lies within the lower river Benue trough in the middle belt region of Nigeria. Its geographic coordinates are longitude 7° 47’ and 10° 0’ East. Latitude 6° 25’ and 8° 8’ North; and shares boundaries with five other states namely: Nassarawa to the north, Taraba to the east, Cross-River to the south, Enugu to the south-west and Kogi to the west. The state also shares a common boundary with the Republic of Cameroun on the south-east. Benue has a population of 4,780,389 (2006 census) and occupies a landmass of 32,518 square kilometers.

State Capital

Makurdi, the state capital was established in the early twenties and gained prominence in 1927 when it became the headquarters of the then Benue Province. Being a river port, it attracted the establishment of trading depots by companies such as UAC and John Holt Limited. Its commercial status was further enhanced when the Railway Bridge was completed and opened in 1932. In 1976, the town became the capital of Benue State and presently serves also as the headquarters of Makurdi Local Government Area.

Climate

Based on Koppen’s Scheme of Classification, Benue State lies within the AW Climate and experiences two distinct seasons, the wet/rainy season and the dry/summer season. The rainy season lasts from April to October with annual rainfall in the range of 100-200mm. The dry season begins in November and ends in March. Temperatures fluctuate between 23 – 37 degrees Celsius in the year. The south-eastern part of the state adjoining the Obudu-Cameroun mountain range, however, has a cooler climate similar to that of the Jos Plateau.

People

The state comprised of several ethnic groups: Tiv, Idoma, Igede, Etulo, Abakpa, Jukun, Hausa, Akweya and Nyifon. The Tiv are the dominant ethnic group, occupying 14 local government areas, while the Idoma and Igede occupy the remaining nine local government areas.

Most of the people are farmers while the inhabitants of the riverine areas engage in fishing as their primary or important secondary occupation. The people of the state are famous for their cheerful and hospitable disposition as well as rich cultural heritage.

Traditional Rulers

The Benue State Government accords high respect to traditional rulers in recognition of their role as custodians of culture and as agents of development. Also, their roles in enhancing peace and order at the grassroots level are also recognized. In order to enhance their contribution to the affairs of the state, government has established a three-tier traditional council system made up of Local Government Area Traditional Councils, Area Traditional Councils and the State Council of Chiefs with the Tor Tiv as Chairman.

Mineral Resources

Benue State is blessed with abundant mineral resources. These resources are distributed in the Local Government Areas of the state. Of these mineral resources, only limestone at Tse-Kucha near Gboko and Kaolin at Otukpo are being commercially exploited.

Natural Resources

Benue State is the nations acclaimed food basket because of its rich agricultural produce which include yams, rice, beans, cassava, potatoes, maize, soya beans, sorghum, millet and cocoyam. The state also accounts for over 70% of Nigeria’s soya bean production.

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, engaging over 75% of the state farming population. The State also boasts of one of the longest stretches of river systems in the country with great potential for a viable fishing industry, dry season farming through irrigation and for an inland water highway.

The vegetation of the southern parts of the state is characterized by forests, which yield trees for timber and provide a suitable habitat for rare animals. The state thus possesses potential for the development of viable forest and wildlife reserves.

Culture

Benue State possesses a rich and diverse cultural heritage which finds expression in colourful cloths, exotic masquerades, supplicated music and dances. Traditional dances from Benue State have won acclaim at national and international cultural festivals. The most popular of these dances include Ingyough, Ange, Anchanakupa, Swange and Ogirinya among others.

Source: http://www.benuestate.gov.ng/index.php/aboutus/historicalbackground

Video: No PVC, no communion, Pastor tells church members

The pastor of a church in this video told his congregation that any of his member who has no PVC or voters card will not be allowed to take Holy communion.

He further said that if you do not have a PVC you are an enemy of Nigeria .

Gov. Ortom reacts to Buhari’s planned visit to Benue

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has reacted to the planned visit to the state by President Muhammad Buhari.

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, the Governor said Buhari is the father of the nation and as such can visit any state of the federation anytime he so wished.

Ortom said that Benue was part of Nigeria and the president was free to visit at will.

When asked by reporters if Benue is happy with the visit and their expectations, Terver said, “I don’t have anything to say beyond that.

“The president is the owner of the country and he can visit any part of the country anytime he so wishes.”

The Presidency on Monday, announced that President Buhari would commence visitation to violence-hit states.

Exercise Ayem Akpatuma A Failure - Benue Elders

Less than 48 hours to the end of Exercise Ayem Akpatuma, or Cat Race, in Benue State, the tribal leaders of the state have described the exercise as a monumental failure.

Barring any changes, the 45-day military exercise, which took off on February 15, will end tomorrow.

Appraising the exercise in the state, the tribal leaders through the President General Mdzough U Tiv, Chief Edward Ujege, insisted that the state had been worse off since the launch of the exercise.

His words: “The exercise as far as we are concerned has achieved next to nothing. We have not felt their impact in the state and that is the truth of the matter.

“Perhaps we will give it to them for aiding herdsmen and their cows to mindlessly take over our communities and destroy the food crops and barns of our helpless people.”

2019: 10 Aspirants Jostle For Benue PDP Governorship Ticket

As politicians prepare for the 2019 general elections, Prof. David Ker, former Vice Chancellor, Benue State University, Makurdi, and nine others have indicated interest in the Benue governorship seat.

Ker, who is seeking to contest on the platform of the PDP, will slug it out with Dr. Terhemen Tarzoor, the party’s flag bearer in 2015, that lost to Governor Samuel Ortom.

Other aspirants include Mr Felix Atume, Dr. Gabriel Nyitse, Mr David Iorhemba, Dr. Paul Orhii, Mr John Tondu, Dr. Stephen Hwande, Mr Richard Gbawuan and Prof. Tor Iorapuu. The aspirants met with the state working committee of the party on Friday in Makurdi, to formally intimate it of their interest.

At the meeting, the PDP chairman in the state, Mr John Ngbede, assured the aspirants and other PDP members of a free, fair and credible party primaries ahead of the 2019 elections. Ngbede said that the meeting had created a forum for interaction between the party leadership and the aspirants, adding that it would foster unity and engender healthy contest for the party’s ticket.

He promised to hold primary elections that would be accepted by all aspirants, and cautioned against desperate tactics. “The people of Benue are desirous of returning the PDP to power in 2019; we cannot afford to disappoint them,’’ he said. He restated the pledge by the party’s National Chairman, Uche Secondus, that PDP would correct past mistakes, and called on the voters to give the party another chance.

“We have learnt a lot from our past. Impunity and imposition of candidates by party leaders will not be allowed,” he said. The chairman advised the aspirants and their supporters to avoid negative campaigns against one another, pointing out that they were one family determined to save Benue from collapse.

The 10 governorship aspirants pledged their loyalty to the party, and promised to accept the outcome of the party’s primary election. The aspirants, in separate remarks, however, stressed the need for a free, fair and transparent primary election so as to boost mutual confidence, ensure togetherness and engender co-operation.

(NAN)

Herdsmen attack will soon end, Gov. tell Benue people

As Christians celebrated this year’s Easter, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has urged the people of the state to be hopeful that his administration would bring the menace of herdsmen in the state to an end to enable the thousands of internally displaced persons currently in eight camps across the state return home. Ortom He assured the people of the state that his administration would continue to prioritize the security of lives, property and the general welfare of the people of the state. In a statement, the governor through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akas said, “the death and resurrection of Jesus which is the meaning of Easter is a period when Christians should draw closer to God so they can appreciate His abundant grace and mercy upon their lives in the face of adversities.” The Governor urged the people of the state to continue to show love to one another as Christ Jesus taught his followers. He, however, expressed worry over the increasing number of children and other categories of people in IDPs camps and called on other Nigerians as well corporate organisations to assist the state government in managing the humanitarian crisis. He admonished Benue people to pray for the innocent persons who recently lost their lives in Logo, Guma, Okpokwu and other parts of the state following herdsmen attacks and called for continuous trust in God that things would get better. “I am confident that we will overcome current economic and security challenges and our state will move onto the next level of development.”

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/03/herdsmen-attack-will-soon-endgov-ortom-tells-benue-people/

5 reasons why president Buhari will win 2019 election

President Buhari is on the verge of winning the 2019 election. Here are 5 reasons why.

Buhari is still a huge factor in Nigeria's political terrain

President Muhammadu Buhari continues to divide opinions out there. But don't rule him out of the 2019 election battle just yet.

They are those who say he’s failed so woefully, a second term is well beyond his and the APC’s grasp. They are those who beg to differ, telling everyone who cares to listen that Buhari is still the best thing to happen to this country since sliced bread.

For all the hoopla over Buhari’s perceived ‘incompetence’ out there, the man is on the cusp of getting re-elected and here’s why:

1. Registered voters in geopolitical zones

Out of the 73,944,312 registered voters across Nigeria, as of January 2018, the Northwest had a total of 18,505,984 voters while the Southeast had 8,293,093.

The North central had 10,586,965 registered voters, while the North east zone had 9,929,015.

The Southwest had the second highest number of registered voters with 14,626,800.

The South south as a whole had 11,101,093 registered voters.

INEC boss Mahmood Yakubu has set out his stall for an interesting 2019 (Guardian)

Look at those numbers again and it begins to hit you—the APC strongholds of Southwest and North, have the highest number of registered voters. The Southeast and South South where anti-Buhari sentiments are pretty strong, are still playing catch-up.

For all our social media rants, when the North votes, it often votes big. Ask Kano.

If the North and Southwest settle for Buhari again, the smart money is on him getting re-elected.

2. There is no opposition

The PDP has become a joke since it lost the center in 2015. The party spent two years trying to put its house in order after Goodluck Jonathan got trounced by Buhari.

My big brother in this business, Simon Kolawole, captured it all in his latest Sunday column:

“PDP, as presently constituted, is still the strongest opposition platform. But its brand image is not sparkling. After overcoming the storm-in-a-tea-cup internal imbroglio which many swore had the hand of APC, the PDP is now perceived as the property of one or two Governors.

PDP Chairman Uche Secondus has simply been blowing hot air (Punch)

“Meanwhile, the SDP has been telling us that Governors and senators will defect to “our fold” in large numbers “next week” but next week never seems to come. There is also the third force as well as the third farce.

“The youth are mobilising and saying they are not too young to run. A lot is going on, but where is the harmonisation? It’s less than 10 months to the nomination of candidates!

“By this time in 2014, APC was already consolidated and ready to do battle. Today, much of opposition’s hope is built on the assumption that people are disappointed with Buhari and will automatically vote against him. Yet we know you don’t defeat an incumbent in Africa through wishful thinking. Anywhere an incumbent has lost, it is usually because the opposition played smarter”.

The opposition hasn’t been playing smart since 2015 and that gives Buhari an edge ahead of 2019.

3. Buhari is still much loved on the streets of the north

I was in Kano the last time Buhari visited that city you can call a swing State. I had to duck to the car so I wouldn’t get caught in a stampede.

Everywhere Buhari has visited in the North has been the same story. Surging crowds chanting ‘sai Baba’ and delving into a frenzy each time the president puts that legendary fist up.

Buhari is worshipped whenever he visits a State in the north (punch)

For all his faults, Buhari remains a huge factor in the politics of the North.

Of course crowds during State visits don’t necessarily translate to votes, but there are a barometer or harbinger of some sort.

Most of the lawmakers and Governors from APC controlled States got voted in just because Buhari raised their hands at campaign rallies.

The president enjoys a feral, cult following in the north and there’s nothing to suggest that has changed.

Besides, the president continues to enjoy instant name recognition out there. No other politician comes close.

4. Defections to APC

The APC currently has 24 States in its kitty. Juxtapose that with the PDP’s 11 and APGA’s 1.

In its prime, the PDP controlled 29 out of 36 states. That was in 2007 when Obasanjo systematically decimated the opposition.

Those were the days when the PDP boasted it was going to rule Nigeria for 60 years.

Buhari isn't losing sleep ahead of 2019 (Brookings)

When the PDP ceded plenty of grounds to the APC in 2015, most of its members began to empty into the APC. The mass defection continues at a frenetic pace today.

Nigerian politicians don’t like to play opposition because their default setting is to align with the party that guarantees them food for their bellies. Nobody wants to die of hunger in the name of opposition.

Don’t be surprised if the APC sweeps more States in 2019 because PDP members are daily emptying into the governing party in droves.

We may just end up with a mono party democracy in 2019 and that would be bad for everyone.

5. Corruption fight perception

The joke on social media after Yusuf Buhari’s power bike accident, revolved around folks on the streets saying something along these lines:

“Buhari is a poor man who can’t afford a car for his son. That is why his son had an Okada accident”.

Now, that may be a stretch, but I have interacted with average Nigerians who tell me that Buhari is running Nigeria badly but at least he is no thief.

Yusuf Buhari gets a royal reception after recovering from bike accident (Aisha Buhari)

The APC’s anti-corruption agenda may be scoffed at on social media but it remains ingrained in many minds on the streets.

Nigerians who actually possess PVCs may just hand Buhari another term because “he is not a thief”. These Nigerians have also been told that the thieves are the ones frustrating Buhari and who want to stop him from getting another term.

So, yes, there you have it. Barring a miracle, it will be sai Baba till 2023 and there will be just enough humble pies to go around.

BENUE TO THE WORLD

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