Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, on Thursday, August 21, 2026, swore in seven new commissioners, charging them to prioritize competence, integrity and service delivery over personal or political interests.

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi.

The newly confirmed commissioners are: Hon. Chief Solomon Terver Iorpev; Hon. Mrs. Elizabeth Onma Ogenyi; Hon. Kuma Aii Yenge; Hon. Roy Ashirga Terna; Hon. Angwa Egbe Monday; Hon. Nick Eworo; and Hon. Amo Ankwa.

Addressing the appointees, Governor Alia said their emergence was “not merely an elevation to public office. It is a call to service; a solemn trust; and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the development, stability and prosperity of our dear State.”

He reminded them that the oath of office was a commitment to the people of Benue, not to friends or interest groups.
“The people expect competence. They expect integrity. They expect fairness, accountability and diligence. Above all, they expect a government that listens to them, understands their challenges and works tirelessly to improve their lives,” the Governor said.

Alia urged the new commissioners to work as a cohesive team, stressing that government cannot function when Ministries, Departments and Agencies operate in silos.

“Your ministries may differ in mandate, but our destination is one, whether you are responsible for industries, sports, humanitarian, science, works, information or any other sector, your work must ultimately contribute to the same objective: a stronger, more prosperous, peaceful and sustainable Benue State,” he said.

He charged them to communicate, cooperate and share ideas, warning that “the success of one ministry strengthens the entire government, while the failure of one sector can affect the credibility of our whole administration.”

The Governor acknowledged that the task ahead would be difficult, with competing demands and limited resources. He urged them to remain focused, consult widely, and “always put the public interest first.”

Alia assured them of his administration’s support but stressed that it comes with expectations.
“I expect you to be accessible to the people. Listen to their concerns. Visit your villages and interact with electorates… Our people deserve results, give us results,” he said.

He also called for innovation in governance, urging the use of technology, data and modern management to make public service more efficient.

Governor Alia reminded the commissioners that public office is temporary but legacies endure.
“Be ministers of service, not merely holders of office. Be accessible without compromising authority. Be firm without being arrogant. Be compassionate without compromising standards. Be ambitious for Benue, but humble in your service to her people,” he stated.

He concluded that at the end of their tenure, what should matter is “not the number of meetings you attended or the length of your speeches, but the difference your ministry made in the lives of ordinary Benue people.”

The appointments are part of Governor Alia’s administration’s drive anchored on “renewed hope, responsible governance, development and service to the people.”

–New fake agency: National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office

Another fake agency, National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, has been uncovered according to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu.

The chairman told newsmen that because of the fake agency, President Bola Tinubu on Friday ordered the immediate arrest and suspension of three federal Permanent Secretaries over their alleged involvement in their operation.

The ICPC boss who disclosed this to newsmen after briefing President Tinubu on the latest findings from the commission’s ongoing investigation into fictitious agencies and weaknesses in public sector processes,
named the affected Permanent Secretaries as: M S Danjuma, Engr Nadungu Gagare, and Richard Pheelangwah.

The Commision’s latest discovery is coming barely few weeks after exposing the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

According to Aliyu, the newly uncovered entity, operating as National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, had allegedly secured office accommodation within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) without authorisation from the President.

The discovery, he said, was made during the broader investigation into the PFIPC, which President Tinubu had directed the ICPC to undertake.

The fake agency, according to ICPC boss, was promoted by Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, who allegedly operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, Honourable George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Buchi Nwabueze.

Aliyu disclosed that the commission was engaging relevant officials in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to establish how the purported agency came to operate from government premises and to obtain other vital information required for the investigation.

“I have briefed Mr President comprehensively on these new developments. ICPC will continue with its investigation,” he said.

Following the fresh findings, Aliyu said President Tinubu had directed the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, as well as the immediately suspension of the three named permanent secretaries.
The commission is expected to establish the roles played by the suspended officials and other individuals in the emergence and operation of the purported agency.
Aliyu said the latest discovery underscored the need for tighter controls and greater scrutiny of government institutions and internal administrative processes.

He commended President Tinubu for ordering a wider policy audit of federal agencies and government processes, describing the initiative as a proactive measure to strengthen the governance system.

His said: “President Bola Tinubu must be commended for the proactive step of directing the policy audit of MDAs and internal government processes towards strengthening government governance system.”

The latest development has widened the scope of the ICPC’s investigation into the proliferation of fictitious government entities and alleged exploitation of official structures by individuals seeking to create the impression of government authority.

The commission’s investigation into the PFIPC was initiated after the purported agency came under scrutiny, with the President subsequently directing the ICPC to unravel those behind its operations and determine whether public officials facilitated its activities.

With the discovery of another purported agency operating from government premises, the ICPC probe is now expected to examine broader institutional weaknesses that may have enabled unauthorised entities to gain access to federal government facilities and present themselves as legitimate government bodies.

–Says pilot ranch be taken to Bauchi, Sambisa not Nasarawa State

Barr. Ayiwulu Baba Ayiwulu, a Human Rights Lawyer, and NDC flag bearer for the Nasarawa South senatorial district 2027 polls, has reacted to recent rescue of a kidnapped victim and arrest of 3 suspects by the DSS in Nasarawa State.

He acknowledged the operation but drew attention to what he described as similar criminal camps behind Kadarko and Kwara villages.

“These are the type of camps behind Kadarko and Kwara villages cited in our farms and which have displaced Tiv settlements, to the full knowledge of the traditional rulers of Kwara and Kadarko.

“I kept saying I know these type of places and I had volunteered to lead security agents to raid them, but there has been no positive response. We won’t be tired advocating for our people no matter what it will cost me.”

On the proposed cattle ranch for Nasarawa State, the lawyer said he aligns with those opposing it.

“The pilot scheme should start first in Bauchi, Sambisa and Adamawa axis, but not Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue and Abuja. I think the FG wants to institutionalize land grabbing in favor of herders, which is a private business. Such policies clearly violate the tenets of the Land Use Act in force.”

He added: “I am in support of those resisting the policy, provided the resistance follows the law.”