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See Why Gov. Alia Sacked Over 20,000 Newly Employed Benue Workers.

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PDP, Others Condemn Action

Published

3 months ago

June 13, 2023

Oche Onu

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Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State on Monday explained why he sacked newly employed civil servants by his immediate predecessor.

Rev Fr. Alia who gave the explanation during a statewide broadcast to mark this year’s Democracy Day, noted that the wings of democracy which he has benefitted from to serve Benue people cannot be taken for granted. “We see our mandate as an opportunity to right the wrongs, to rekindle hope in the electorate that a better Benue is possible and indeed at hand,” he said.

The governor, who also paid tributes to the icon of democracy, late Moshood Abiola, assured that his administration would not be a government for any particular party, any ethnic group or any religion, stressing that every Benue residents would be always treated fairly, with respect and decorum.He explained, “Again, as we mark Democracy Day in Benue State, we owe you all explanations about the few key decisions we have taken so far.

On the issue of recruitments/appointments, we noted that it was full of irregularities. Specifically; the Civil Service Secretariat through the out-gone administration recruited 2,194 persons. “The State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) employed 3,028 against the approved number of 2,500 only while replacements made were 5,000. Teaching Service Board (TSB) employed 2,500, that is, for Grant-in-Aid Schools, four in number, 120 Teachers. Replacements were 2,484. In the entire exercise, due process was not adopted.

“In addition, the employment was lopsided in favour of few Local Government Areas and did not take the principle of state character into consideration; also, no budgetary provision was made to cater for the recruitments just as there was no advertisement in any media as required by the provisions of the rules guiding the Service on the matter; and no Interviews were conducted to determine suitability or otherwise of candidates. Above all, the Solicitor-General of the State was not involved at any stage of the recruitment process.”

Former Governor of Benue State Dr. Samuel Ortom

The governor further disclosed that the appointment of persons to the post of Permanent Secretaries between January, 2023 to May, 2023 was reversed because the appointments were politically motivated, the due process required was not observed and that their eventual postings were mainly for cover up.

Meanwhile,

Meanwhile, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP said the directive which quashed all appointments, promotions and postings made in the state civil service from May, 2022 to the time of his assuming office, is “condemnable, unlawful, insensitive and callous.”

The State Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom and other State Working Committee members, said the affected civil servants were given lawful appointments into the state civil service having fulfilled all statutory requirements and, until this directive, were entitled to all the rights, privileges and protections guaranteed them under the labour laws of the state.

“We condemn all the misguided, arbitrary and unpopular actions so far taken by Governor Hyacinth Alia and we call on all who mean well for Benue State to do same.

“This arbitrary sack order on Benue civil servants and those issued earlier to heads of Agencies and Parastatals in the state only opens the gateway to possible litigations which will not be in the interest of the administration and the state at large.

“Governor Alia should, therefore, without delay rescind the sack order he has issued to the thousands of civil servants in the state, as to do so will be to save his administration and the state as a whole the ill wind which the action is bound to generate which will surely do no one any good,” the PDP said.

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BREAKING: Gunmen attack Benue Link vehicle again, abduct passengers

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Kidnappers Demand N60 Million as Ransom

Published

4 days ago

September 19, 2023

Oche Onu

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Reports reaching InsideBenue reveals that some gunmen have on Sunday attacked a Benue Link passenger bus, abducting not fewer than 10 passengers.

The incident occured around Olanyega community along Otukpo-Otukpa road in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to the Secretary General of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (Benue Links chapter), Comrade Gabriel Tachia, the fully loaded bus was on its way to Makurdi from Onitsha before it was hijacked on the Benue road.

“Four passengers were released as at yesterday night (Sunday) after the army gave the abductors a hot chase. It was a fully loaded bus (with 15 occupants). The bus was returning from Onitsha to Makurdi,” Tachia told newsmen.

Mr Omale Omale, the Commissioner for Power, Energy and Transport who confirmed the development to newsmen in Makurdi said information are sketchy.

The Makurdi Zonal Centre of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), said among the passengers abducted was a staff of the organisation.

According to the report, the kidnappers demanded N60 million, but reduced the demand to N16 million as ransom before their victims gain freedom.

The operation which lasted over 30 minutes, according to locals, occurred at 2:30pm on Sunday, leaving motorists plying that section of the highway helpless.

A local chief in the area, who escaped being caught up in the attack, narrated that the spot – Olanyega/Okpudu – where the incident happened on the Otukpo-Ugbokolo-Enugu Expressway had over time become unsafe for commuters.

Recall that similar incident involving two buses of the transport company a fortnight ago around Ajaokuta in Kogi State. 28 people were kidnapped.

Tachia however added that eight of the 10 Lagos-bound passengers abducted in Kogi axis had been released remaining two victims.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident.

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Reactions Trail Nomination of Nollywood Actor-Son as Late Pastor Odukoya’s Successor

Published

5 days ago

September 18, 2023

Oche Onu

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Jimmy Odukoya

Following the nomination of Nollywood actor and son of the late Pastor Odukoya, Jimmy Odukoya as successor of his popular father by the Board of Trustees of Fountain of Life Church on Sunday, a social media influencer, Barr. Jov Tersoo took to his Facebook page to congratulate the new overseer. But his post with different reactions from his readers:

Tersoo writes: Congratulations to Jimmy Odukoya. This is why some people keep referring to Pentecostal churches as family empires. Also a reason why no one want to serve under another person as a pastor. No matter how good and faithful you are, the general overseer’s son is prepared to take the lead when the father is gone. May his reign be great.

Below are some of the reactions:

✍ Idoko Noah Sanni commented “The hair style if not natural dada (dread) and you still remain in the church you need check up,we thank God for orthodox background”

✍ Tertindi Teeter writes: “Thanks be to God Almighty who uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”

✍ Ololade Paul writes:
“With this kind of hair style? This is not how we met Christianity!”

✍ Usha Humphrey writes: “He looks like a superstar”

✍ Walter Ogar writes: “Joel Osteen took over from his father John Osteen, founder of Lakewood Church and has surpassed all expectations. Just listen to God, what is he saying?”

✍ Ishaya Danladi writes: “The founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God followed a path that most overseers dread to take. He made someone not even related to him to take over the helm of affairs before his departure. Most presidents and founders of modern pentecostal churches start their work with the view that it is a family business.”

✍ Aondona Manta write: “Jov, Who was the leader of the Jerusalem council of elders, or if we must put it in today’s parlance, the Chairman of the Board in Jesus’ ministry after his death and resurrection?”

✍ Sammie Adoche writes: “Until you know the circumstances surrounding his nomination it’s wrong to call any church a family business. Jimmy is not someone who will normally want to take up such mantle but if it’s God’s what will he do.”

✍ Ayodele Yemitope writes “I feel that’s subjective… It’s not all churches that get another person that’s not a family member that ends up more Successful and it’s not all churches that has the son or family of the founder take over that becomes a Success. What matters is if God is leading in that direction. Jimmy has been a Pastor in TFL for a while now long before the Dad’s death. But for the Dreads that seems kind off out of place to many. Every other things is okay from man’s point of view from God side that’s for those that have heard in line. The real deal is when the Latter House Surpass the Former”

✍ Dommie Kay writes “Any man that can go sit in the salon, washing, conditioning drying and braiding, as in braiding his hair should be feared, e get why. Even women don’t enjoy the experience, we only enjoy it for the beauty of the outcome.”

Jimmy, a Nollywood actor and musician who featured prominently Netflix’s ‘Woman King’ movie as Oba Ade was announced to the church on Sunday as his father’s successor.

According to a member of the BoT, Pastor Rotimi Okpaise, the late Taiwo Odukoya confided in the board of trustees (BoT) members about the succession plan before his demise.

Okpaise said the BoT unanimously elected Jimmy as the senior pastor and chairperson of the board..

Jimmy will be formally installed on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

The former Senior pastor and founder died on August 7, Odukoya, in the United States of America aged 67.

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AFCON’23: Full List of Qualified Countries

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South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana face the big boys

Published

1 week ago

September 14, 2023

Oche Onu

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24 countries have qualified for prestigious continental Africa Cup of Nations holding in Cote D’Ivoire next year. All 24 countries will justle for the golden cup.

The tournament will feature 12 former AFCON champions with Nigeria, a three-time champion not left out.