The Lumine News

Author: The Lumine News

  • Inyali Peter’s UNICROSS Alumni Presidential Campaign Council Unveiled

    Inyali Peter’s UNICROSS Alumni Presidential Campaign Council Unveiled

     

     

    Inyali Peter presidential campaign council is pleased to announce the following appointments into the campaign organisation for the forthcoming coming University of Cross River State Alumni Association’s election.

    Comrade Dan Obo Jr,  – Chairman

    Comrade Richard Ekpenyong, – DG

    Comrade Victor Ndifon,  – Alternate DG

    Comrade Peter Abutiang, – Secretary

    Directorates:

    i. Government Relations

    1. Comrade Francis Ajah, Chairman
    2. Comrade Aruku Joseph, Alternate Chairman
    3. Comrade Ekeng Inyang
    4. Comrade Alice Etim
    5. Comrade Abang Ogon
    6. Comrade Peter Enyivie
    7. Comrade Paul Akpa

    ii. Planning, Strategy and Implementation

    1. Comrade Nji Egbe Nji, Chairman
    2. Comrade Samuel Abaji
    3. Comrade Stephen Omang
    4. Comrade Fidelis Izama
    5. Comrade Sly Agbor
    6. Comrade Goodnews Udoh
    7. Comrade Omang Idiege, Jr.

    iii. Contact/Mobilisation

    1. Comrade Abang Ogon, Chairman
    2. Comrade Gifted Nelson Alternate Chairman
    3. Comrade Spencer Enyivie
    4. Comrade Ekpo Otu
    5. Comrade Oshaka Oshaka
    6. Comrade Edward Obi
    7. Comrade Illoke Egbe
    8. Comrade Ikem Peter
    9. Comrade Nentui Kasetima
    10 comrade Mgbe-Esse Glory Enene
    11. Comrade Omang Idiege Jr
    12. Comrade Paul Akpa
    13. Comrade Oshie Godwin
    14. Comrade Francis Osang, Secretary

    iv. Finance/Audit

    1. Comrade Ikem Peter, Chairman
    2. Comrade Maxwell Oko
    3. Comrade Nchor Julius
    4. Comrade Ekpo Otu
    5. Comrade Otiko Tony
    6. Comrade Derek Omini
    7. Comrade Nji Egbe Nji
    8. Comrade Richard Ekpenyong
    9. Comrade Rene Abang
    10. Comrade Ugbe Margaret
    11. Comrade Francis Ajah
    12. Comrade Ijoh Emmanuel
    13. Comrade Samuel Abaji
    14. Comrade Nentui Kasetima

    V. “Polycal Relations”

    1. Comrade Ephraim Akamo, Chairman
    2. Comrade Daniel Obo Jr
    3. Comrade Francis Ajah
    4. Comrade Godswill John
    5. Comrade Edim Moses

    Vi. Security

    1. Comrade Maxwell Oko, Chairman
    2. Comrade Christian Kejuo, Alternate Chairman
    3. Comrade Maurice Eniang
    4. Comrade Ijoh Emmanuel
    5. Comrade Samuel Abaji
    6. Comrade Peter Okpokiri
    7. Comrade Samuel Ben
    8. Comrade Roy Inyang
    9. Comrade Ikpi Esoku
    10. Comrade Jerry Oti
    11 Comrade Saviour Otu

    Vii. “Media and Publicity”

    1. Comrade Ofem Jesam – Chairman
    2. Comrade Kingley Agim (Spokesman)
    3. Comrade Jimmy Agbor
    4. Comrade Solomon Ugo
    5. Comrade Alobo Ishmael
    6. Comrade Uhili Mariam
    7. Comrade Fred Ibobo
    8. Comrade Denis Inakefe
    9.Comrade Ofere Timothy.
    10. Comrade Jacob Clifford
    11. Comrade Michael Oyi
    12. Comrade Ghedoni Blessing

    Viii. “Past Union Leaders”

    1. Comrade Nchor Julius, Chairman
    2. Comrade Fidelis Izama
    3. Comrade Richard Ekpenyong
    4. Comrade Peter Abutiang
    5. Comrade Victor Ndifon
    6. Comrade Ekong Ika
    7. Comrade Stephen Omang
    8. Comrade Ekpenyong Otu (EFCC)
    9. Comrade Spencer Enyivie
    10. Comrade Christian Kejuo
    11. Comrade Ephraim Akamo
    12. Comrade Sly Agbor
    13. Comrade Sunnyskipo Otu
    14. Comrade James Ikpi
    15. Comrade Daniel Agbor
    16. Comrade Nkari Francis
    17. Comrade Nsidibe Udoudo
    18. Comrade James Odey
    19. Comrade Markpeace Osim
    20. Comrade Oyom Effiong
    21. Comrade Samuel Odey, Alternate Chairman

    x. “Inter-faculty”

    1. Comrade Peter Enyivie, Chairman
    2. Comrade Markpeace Osim
    3. Comrade Ubi Eteng
    4. Comrade Omang Idiege Jr
    5. Comrade Wodah Francis
    6. Comrade Wonah Patrick
    7. Comrade Akwaji
    8. Comrade Eze Benson
    9. Comrade Obaji Caleb
    10 Comrade Nzie Thomas
    11 Comrade Agida Lazarus
    12. Comrade Nicholas Egere
    13. Apostle Abasiodiong Nkanta

    xi. Inter-chapter

    1. Comrade Udeme Obo, Chairman
    2. Comrade Ochi Anthony
    3. Comrade Izama Fidelis
    4. Comrade Mac-Anthony Ilok
    5. Comrade Edward Friday

    Women Affairs

    1. Comrade Marvelous Bam, Chairman
    2. Comrade Ugbe Margaret
    3. Comrade Jesustina Ogar
    4. Comrade Florence Osim
    5. Comrade Alice Etim

    CRUTITES in CRUTECH

    1. Comrade Godswill John, Chairman
    2. Comrade Emmanuel Inyang
    3. Comrade Ekong Ika
    4. Comrade Okiri Emmanuel
    5. Comrade Moses Edim
    6. Comrade Benson Eze
    7. Comrade Velocity Inah

    “Cross River based Alumni”

    1. Comrade Paultu Tawo, Chairman
    2. Comrade Egere Nicholas
    3. Comrade Anthony Igri
    4. Comrade Nicholas Egere
    5. Comrade Paul Akpa

    Diaspora Alumni

    1. Comrade Otiko Tony JP, Chairman
    2. Comrade Ekpo Otu
    3. Comrade Nchor Julius

    Elders Advisory Council
    To be announced.

    All the appointed campaign council members are to bring their wealth of experience to bear in order to actualize the project.

    Congratulations

    Signed:

    Comrade Ofem Jesam (Trinity)
    Chairman, Media/Publicity

  • For No Longer Shall We Be Silenced, Oppressed: Our voices Shall Rise, We Won’t Acquiesce. In The Face Of Adversity, We’ll Stand Tall And Reclaim Our Rights, For One And For All BY FREDALINE IBOBO

    For No Longer Shall We Be Silenced, Oppressed: Our voices Shall Rise, We Won’t Acquiesce. In The Face Of Adversity, We’ll Stand Tall And Reclaim Our Rights, For One And For All BY FREDALINE IBOBO

    In the realm of governance, where power resides,
    A tale unfolds, where shadows hide.
    A nation’s fuel, a lifeline’s thread,
    Now wielded as a weapon, causing dread.

    Our government, entrusted to protect,
    Instead, their actions, we cannot neglect.
    They raise the price, with callous intent,
    To suffocate and strangle, leaving us spent.

    In the corridors of power, they conspire,
    To crush our spirits, fueling our ire.
    With every hike, they tighten the noose,
    Ignoring the cries, the public’s abuse.

    But let us not falter, in the face of despair,
    For in unity, our strength we shall share.
    We’ll rise together, our voices resound,
    Demanding justice, on sacred ground.

    In eloquent prose, we’ll articulate,
    The grievances felt, the burdens we hate.
    With advanced English, we’ll make our stand,
    Exposing their tactics, across the land.

    For words hold power, to ignite the flame,
    To rally the masses, to break the chain.
    We’ll pen our thoughts, with passion and grace,
    Unleashing a storm, they cannot erase.

    So let us rise, with courage and might,
    To fight for justice, in this endless fight.
    Our government’s ploy, we shall dismantle,
    With words as our weapons, we’ll kindle.

    For no longer shall we be silenced, oppressed,
    Our voices shall rise, we won’t acquiesce.
    In the face of adversity, we’ll stand tall,
    And reclaim our rights, for one and for all.
    ©️Bobfred

    Disclaimer: The Opinion expressed here is strictly that of the author, Fredaline Ibobo and does not represent TheLumineNews or its agent.

  • See Central Bank Of Nigeria New Directives On Old Naira Notes

    See Central Bank Of Nigeria New Directives On Old Naira Notes

    By SaharaReporters

    The Central Bank of Nigeria has said there is no deadline for the recognition of old naira notes as legal tender in the country.

    In March, the apex bank under the leadership of its then-Governor, Godwin Emefiele said the old N200, N500, and N1,000 bank notes would remain legal tender till December 31, 2023, as ordered by the Supreme Court.

    This apex court judgement followed the ban placed on the old notes by the CBN ahead of the 2023 general election, which led to naira scarcity and hardship in the country.

    However, a statement on Tuesday by the CBN’s Director of Corporate Communications, Dr Isa AbdulMumin, said the old notes would remain legal tender ad infinitum, meaning without end or limit.

    The statement read, “Please recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria introduced the redesign of N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations in October 2022 and certain deadlines were set for the old design of these denominations to cease as legal tenders.

    “Without prejudice, the Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to inform the general public of its desire to extend the legal tender status deadline of the old design of N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations, ad infinitum. This is in line with international best practices and to forestall a repeat of earlier experiences.

    “Thus, all banknotes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in accordance with Section 20(5) of the CBN Act 2007, will continue to remain legal tender, ad infinitum, even beyond the initial December 31, 2023, deadline. The Central Bank of Nigeria is working with the relevant authorities to vacate the subsisting court ruling on the same subject.”

    The apex bank urged the public to continue to accept all naira notes (old or redesigned) for their transactions, adding that its branches across the country will continue to issue and accept all naira denominations.

  • Loving One Another Indeed… BY AGBA JALINGO 

    Loving One Another Indeed… BY AGBA JALINGO 

     

    ” _In my 65 years of living in this world, I have never seen anyone who was loved because of their money, because of their position or title in any corporation or in politics, or because of their skill. Nobody loves you for that. People may respect you, people may enjoy according to what they get out of it. And most of the time, people are envious. But when we are compassionate, when we have values, when we have learned how to love others, people love us_ .” -His Holiness, Radhanath Swami.

    I cannot agree less with Guru Swami because, when you have money, and I am not necessarily referring to multi-millions only; when you can meet your needs and are still generous with the spare, many people around you will love you. But when people love you because you have money, when that money is not available again, they will stop loving you. Even if the money is available and you cease to dispense it or that favor they get from you, notice that they will stop greeting or visiting you. They may not turn around to hate you. But they will move on to ‘love’ the next person that has money.

    Fame: Many famous people have lapsed into depression, inordinate desires and substance abuse when new stars take their shine as they thin out of the limelight. As the love of fans shift to emerging stars, the exiting stars realize it was the klieg lights that made the stars and it was what was loved, not the stars.

    Position: There is no position that anyone can hold sway forever. Not even a monarchy. That too is only for a lifetime, at most. Many who have left positions of influence are replete with experiences of how even their phones are no longer ringing after they exited their influential offices. The love you currently enjoy in that office is appropriated to the title you carry. It is essentially not for you.

    Skill: Regardless of the acclaimed love of your fans for your skill, none will bet on you when you are gone past your prime. Whether you are a talented and skillful footballer, athlete, writer, or artist, people will always lay claims to loving you when your skill is still sending love to their homes and helping to win their bets. They will continue to cherish your exploits till the opposite happens. Once that occurs, their acclaimed love for you will move to the current skillful person, even as they continue to remember your exploits with nostalgia.

    So until we translate from the norm to deploying these leverages, namely; money, fame, position, skill, in the pursuit of empathy and compassion towards one another and the world, genuine love will remain elusive. It is the primary reason why those who possess money, fame, position and fame, always resort to charitable causes. But empathy and compassion cannot be bought. They must emanate from a genuine state of mind. A compulsive desire to empathize with humanity.

    As species, we have survived by being judgmental and suspicious of and preying on other species. We have weaponized money, fame, position and talent as some form of subtle controls. But we must develop the mental capacity to step past this most primal urge to attain love. It is by shutting down that animal instinct and forcing our brain to tow a different pathway, the pathway of kindness and compassion, that we can engender genuine love in return.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is clearly that of the author, Agba Jalingo and does not represent TheLumineNews or its agent.

  • Proper Coordination Of Humanitarian Responses Will Reduce Duplication And Improve Results –  Edu

    Proper Coordination Of Humanitarian Responses Will Reduce Duplication And Improve Results –  Edu

     

    The Federal government has reiterated the need for all development partners, including the United Nations agencies providing humanitarian services in Nigeria to be properly coordinated by the government and to make decisions during planning for 2024 based on the priorities of the Government.

    According to the federal government, the era of duplicating humanitarian services and wasting minimal resources in the country was over. We must stop working in silos and pull together to see how we can effectively use the little resources available to solve humanitarian crises in 2024.

    Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu stated this when she received in the audience, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), led by the Deputy Director Operations and Advocacy Division in West and Central Africa from UN Headquarters New York at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.

    The Minister said the Nigerian government will henceforth take the lead in humanitarian situation reviews using dashboards and implementation of operations in the country to provide a coordinated response and durable solutions to humanitarian challenges in the country.

    Said Edu: “We need to make joint decisions, Government must be in the driver’s seat, we don’t want to be informed and communicated but we must plan together and implement together that way we can hold each other accountable for what goes on in the field.

    “The era of duplication of functions and services in the humanitarian space is over. We need to stop working in a silo but integrate and coordinate among all the different development partners in Nigeria”

    According to the Minister, in the last cabinet retreat, performance targets were set for all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government. We must not fail!

    Dr. Edu disclosed that her Ministry will be organizing quarterly meetings with all the development partners and agencies rendering services in the humanitarian space. This will help with proper planning and coordination of activities on the field.

    She explained that there will be a dashboard where the operations of all development partners will be known and seen as well as their impacts on the humanitarian field measured, with a feedback mechanism following proper monitoring and evaluation of programs.

    The Minister who commended the efforts of the UN agencies in Nigeria on Humanitarian response, pointed out that after the first meeting, which is coming soon, she will go to field assessment operations with all the development partners to enable them to see things for themselves, this she said, was part of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    She again called for immediate deployment of humanitarian services to Benue State, saying the situation there needed urgent attention and immediate action.

    Earlier, the United Nations OCHA Deputy Director Operations and Advocacy Division in West and Central Africa and leader of the delegation, Sofie Gerde Thomie, thanked the Honourable Minister for the work she is doing for Nigerians affected by humanitarian crises.

    Sofie told the Minister that they came to appreciate President Tinubu’s agenda on humanitarian response and Poverty Alleviation and to further ascertain the humanitarian needs in the Bornu, Adamawa, and Yobe(BAY)States in the Northeast.

    “I am here to see the Honourable Minister and to better understand the situation, the latest developments here in Nigeria, and how we work to support the government in addressing humanitarian concerns.

    “We’ve had very good exchanges on the current humanitarian situation and the developments, in particular in the northeast of Nigeria, and the concerns across Nigeria about the many challenges that the humanitarian actors are faced with as well in the efforts that are made to reach people who need assistance and of protection.

    “And we’ve had very good discussions around how these challenges can be addressed and how we can work together to be even more effective in what we do in a joined-up manner.

    Speaking specifically on Benue, Sofie said, ” We had a very good exchange also about Benue and what can be done in the area and potential support that could be provided. “We are, of course, looking at what types of support we can immediately provide to beef up government efforts,” She added.

    On his part, the UN OCHA Head of Office in Nigeria, Troud Jensen, explained that the Agency has been providing support to those affected by the humanitarian crisis in Adamawa, Yobe, and Borno states.

    Troud noted that despite investing $50 million in nutrition and social services, the IDPs are still in need of humanitarian support.

    He stated that OCHA was willing to provide $440 million in 2024 to alleviate the suffering of those affected by humanitarian crises in the BAY states.

    “We will provide humanitarian assistance and support the country to mobilize resources, we have plans in the Northeast in areas of nutrition, security, climate change, and provision of shelter.”

    He explained that the agency has mapped out funds to support the Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund with the intervention of extending the support to other parts of Nigeria.

    “This year, we have reached out to 3.4 million people in terms of provision of nutrition, shelter, and water,” he added.

    Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair,
    SA on Media & Publicity to HM MHAPA.
    15/11/2023

  • Sunday Musings: They Are Mendacious… BY AGBA JALINGO

    Sunday Musings: They Are Mendacious… BY AGBA JALINGO

    Sunday Musings: They Are Mendacious…

    Anyone who drives in cutting edge bullet proof automobiles with a bevy of gun wielding security and offers you prayer and totems for God’s protection, is mendacious.

    Timid prayerful folks who hand their security over to the God of another tribe who defend themselves with Iron Dome, F16 Jets, Tanks and Phosphorus bombs, are themselves, very mendacious.

    Anyone who invades you, conquers you, enslaves you, assimilates you, steals your GOLD and takes more than six million of you into slave labor, and pretends to show you the road to an eternal GOLD plated paradise, is mendacious.

    Those who flood your continent with millions of small arms and turn around to fund NGOs and MDAs’ campaigns to mop up the small arms they dumped on you, are mendacious.

    Those who told you God is male and are now working to make the same God gender neutral, never knew God in the first place. They are mendacious!

    Those who told you God created us male and female and are now creating all manner of additional genders, are mendacious.

    Those who condemned your tradition, called it vindictive and taught you to turn the other cheek when you are smacked but are now returning an eye for an eye, are mendacious.

    Those who taught you to discard the iron teeth of chastisement of your gods that preserved your communality, and embrace their papyrus of inanities, which has enlivened us, are mendacious.

    But in contemporary times, mendacity has become a well thought out model and a near best practice. So, even giving a thought to some of what I have adduced here may be viewed as mendacious. The world has incrementally grown to bedding comfort with mendacity and has adorned a garland on the same. The perquisites of stardom now lavishly include the rich garnishing of mendacious recipes with tows of applause. But in the beam of lies, it takes only a ray of illumination to pierce through the veil and vanquish the cast.

    I wish you a happy Sunday and God’s blessings.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are strictly that of the author, Agba Jalingo and  does not represent TheLumineNews or its agent.

  • General Władysław Franciszek Jabłonowski Played Prominent Roles And Contributed To The Development Of European Countries BY CHIEF OBONO OBLA

    General Władysław Franciszek Jabłonowski Played Prominent Roles And Contributed To The Development Of European Countries BY CHIEF OBONO OBLA

    General Władysław Franciszek Jabłonowski: Polish General of African Descent-
    It is known that a lot of people of African ancestry played prominent roles and indeed contributed to the development of European countries in variegated ways.

    One such personage was Brigadier General Wladyslaw Franciszek Jablonowski (25 October 1769-29 September 1802).

    His origin was shrouded.
    He was the child of Maria Dralise, an English aristocrat and a known African man.

    However, he was adopted by a Polish Nobleman, Konstenty Jablonowski who gave him his family name.
    He attended a military academy and was commissioned as an officer in the Polish Army.

    In 1799 he was made General of the Brigade of the Polish legions.
    He fought in the Napoleonic wars.

    He fought along the French Legionaries in Haiti deployed to fight enslaved Africans who were revolting against French oppression, enslavement, and colonialism.

    General Jabolowski died on 29 September 1809 of dengue fever.
    @ Okoi Obono-Obla

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are clearly that of the author, Chief OBONO OBLA and does not represent TheLumineNews or it’s agent.

     

  • TAF Frowns Discrimination Against PWD, Advocates Inclusion

    TAF Frowns Discrimination Against PWD, Advocates Inclusion

    By Sylvia Akpan, CrossRiverWatch 

    The Albino Foundation (TAF) Africa has carried out a sensitization exercise frowning against discrimination against Persons With Disabilities in public, private sector and in governance in Cross River State.

    In an event held in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, facilitated by Dr. Owoade Philip Adeleke, the Foundation also sued for equal inclusion of PWD in the State.

    He noted that discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, education, and accommodation among others are now criminal offenses; clinging to Disabilities act, 2019, and Disability Rights Law.

    In his presentation, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TAF Jake Epele said the foundation is passionate about Cross River State because of the establishment of a project that speaks with inclusivity in a very important area which the State has done well by embracing the project.

    “We’ve developed the guidelines for inclusive election and we are working with the office of the Secretary to the Government and para adventure, we would also work directly with the Governor. He has shown tremendous interest in what we are doing and at the end of the day, we would push and break the seal for inclusivity using this State as a role model.

    “When it comes to implementation, the government can produce a framework to implement a particular law. It is the critical stakeholders that implement and that’s why we are walking directly with critical stakeholders and robbing minds with them, exposing them to the best practice when it comes to implementation.”

    The State Coordinator, Advocacy for Women With Disability Initiative, Cross River State, Iquo Mkpang, expressed optimism that the government of Governor Bassey Otu will work with people with disability; first by implementing the Disability Bill passed into law by former Governor Ben Ayade.

    The interactive session had questions and answers as well as group work presentations by participants

  • Six Youths Arrested For Booing APC Governor Over Burial Dispute

    Six Youths Arrested For Booing APC Governor Over Burial Dispute

    Culled From Ejesgist

    Angry youths in Ugondu community, Makurdi LGA of Benue State, reportedly attacked the convoy of the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday.

    The protest erupted over plans to bury the proprietor of Vaatia College, Engr Michael Vaatia, within the school premises located in their community.

    The youths from Ugondu community pelted the governor’s convoy with stones, expressing their opposition to the burial within the school premises.

    Six of the protesting youths were subsequently arrested by the police for their actions.
    Governor Alia had visited Vaatia College to assess the preparations for the burial of Engr Vaatia, who recently passed on. The deceased, who was the proprietor of the college, was scheduled to be buried within the school premises on Thursday.

    The angry youths reportedly invaded the school and damaged the grave. They disrupted proceedings as security escorts attempted to prevent them from accessing the school. The governor’s entourage was also reportedly trapped outside.

    Responding to the situation, the police special unit, Operation Zenda, was called in, resulting in the arrest of several of the protesting youths.

    The governor, addressed leaders of the Ugondu community, and cautioned against actions that could create chaos and disunity in the state.

    Governor Alia stated, “I have come to correct some misgivings that happened in the rulership of your son as governor. I sent both the Tiv, Idoma, and other tribes overseas for training without discrimination. I want to believe you, the traditional and community leaders, denying involvement in what has happened. Surely, some youths arrested will make confessions, and if they mention your name, be ready to go and answer.”

    He highlighted the peaceful burials of individuals from different tribes in Makurdi town over the past week and called for calm. The governor assured students of safety during and after the burial, directing the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to ensure peace prevails during the wake-keep and burial scheduled for Thursday.

    As of the time of this report, reconstruction of the damaged grave by the irate Ugondu youths was underway ahead of the interment of the deceased proprietor.

     

  • Humanitarian Response: Gov Alia, Tor Markudi Commend President Tinubu For Fulfilling Promises Made To Benue State

    Humanitarian Response: Gov Alia, Tor Markudi Commend President Tinubu For Fulfilling Promises Made To Benue State

     

    Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fulfilling some of the promises made to the people of the state during his electioneering campaign.

    The Governor spoke during a state dinner organized in honor of the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Dr Betta Edu and her team at the Banquet Hall, Government House Makurdi.

    The Minister was in Benue to perform the ground-breaking ceremony of the Renewed Hope Shelter for poor and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as well as the distribution of food and non-food items to the IDPs in eight local government areas of the state.

    According to Father Alia, President Tinubu has matched words with action by committing to ameliorating the suffering of the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in the state, by addressing humanitarian challenges facing them.

    He said the people of Benue state have started benefiting from the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, saying Benue people will never forget that the President made a promise and fulfilled the promise on record time.

    The Governor commended President Tinubu for appointing Dr Edu as Minister in charge of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, describing her as a perfect match for the job.

    “Honourable Minister, please convey my appreciation on behalf of the government and people of Benue state to Mr President for fulfilling the Promise made to provide permanent homes for IDPs in Benue State and provide for their livelihood.

    “We are happy as a people and we appreciate Mr President for this gesture. I also thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing a quintessentially young and vibrant Minister to take charge of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, she’s doing extremely well and we commend her and her team for a good job.

    On his part, the first Class Traditional Ruler in Benue State, His Royal Highness, Chief Vincent Awure,Tor Markudi III, was full of effusive praises for President Tinubu for giving the people of the state a new lease of life.

    The Monarch who spoke on behalf of Benue royal fathers said that before the coming of President Tinubu, several communities in the state, including Tatyo and Kyo in Markudi North local government area never knew a day would come when life would be brought back to the communities devastated by herders and bandits attacks.

    Recounting the indignities his people have passed through, the Tor Markudi lamented that they have lost many lives and livelihoods, a development that rendered over millions of households homeless, hence their present status as IDPs.

    The Monarch stressed that with life now brought back to the communities by the federal and Benue state governments, is phenomenal and they were willing to donate more land for developmental projects.

    He however pleaded with the government for more security around the riverine communities.

    “On behalf of my kingdom, we appreciate President Tinubu for this gesture and also thank the Honourable Minister, my daughter, Dr Betta Edu for her vision to address humanitarian challenges In Nigeria.

    “I have been watching her and her passion for humanitarian response from a distance; she is simply unmatched”

    Earlier, Dr Edu commended Governor Alia,the traditional rulers and the people of Benue for the warm reception and hospitality given to her and her team during her two-day working visit to the State.

    The Minister assured that her Ministry will collaborate with the state government to provide livelihood for those who have lost their means of survival. While providing transit learning areas for children through the alternate school program

    “We want to be able to provide durable solutions to those who have already been affected by this humanitarian crises.

    “Beyond this, we have already picked some markets within Benue state where we will be carrying out the markets money scheme, this scheme is a soft loan, a zero-interest loan to market women.

    “The market women will be registered right there in the markets and the loans provided for them there to support their businesses. We believe it will help the local economy to thrive.

    “There are several other government interventions including the end hunger program, the Code Nigeria program, the YESSO 2.0 program for young people, several interventions that we would be bringing to Benue State.

    “The essence is to see that we can first pull those who are in poverty out of poverty and prevent those who are at the borderline, just at the edge of it from falling into poverty.

    Rasheed Olanrewaju Zubair
    SA Media & Publicity to HM
    MHAPA