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.”

–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.”

Citing continued attacks and the killing of Christians in the Middle Belt, a member of the US Congress, Rep. Riley Moore, has insisted that the United States must not remove Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern, CPC, label.

Moore made the position known yesterday in a post on his official X handle, while responding to a statement by the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.

The lawmaker backed the State Department’s call for the Federal Government to protect Christian communities after Plateau attack, saying it was a commitment Abuja made. Moore wrote on his official X handle:

“We absolutely CANNOT remove the CPC designation from Nigeria while radical Islamic terrorists continue this horrific violence against Christians.

“@AsstSecStateAF is right. The Nigerian government must meet its commitments to protect innocent Christian communities.”

Moore was reacting to a post by the US Bureau of African Affairs which condemned the latest attack in Plateau State where over 24 locals were reportedly killed and many missing.

People in the affected Plateau communities had said the attackers stormed the villages late at night and opened fire on residents sleeping in their homes, leaving many families displaced and mourning. Community leaders described the assault as “barbaric and senseless,” and appealed to both the state and federal governments to deploy more security personnel to protect rural communities that they say have been repeatedly targeted.

“The United States is horrified by yet another murderous attack in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, killing dozens of people asleep in their homes in Plateau State.
“This is especially troubling coming on the heels of the recent CPC Working Group meeting. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those missing and killed, and we strongly urge the Nigerian government to meet their commitments to protect Christian communities and to hold perpetrators of violence accountable,” the Bureau said.

The latest comments by Moore and the Bureau signaled renewed pressure from US lawmakers for the Trump’s administration not to reconsider Nigeria’s status amid persistent attacks in Plateau, Benue and other parts of the Middle Belt.

The Nigerian government has repeatedly denied any religious targeting in the conflicts, describing them largely as clashes over land, resources and criminality.

The US designated Nigeria as a CPC in 2020 under the International Religious Freedom Act, a tag given to countries deemed to have engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom.

Nigeria was removed from the list in 2021, but has remained under close monitoring by the US State Department.

The Trump administration returned Nigeria to the list last year and since then the US-Nigeria Joint Working Group meeting referenced by the Bureau has met twice to review progress made since the designation and to determine the effectiveness of actions being taken by Abuja to address concerns raised by Washington.

The CPC designation is reviewed annually by the State Department and is scheduled for review in November.