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Benue communal crisis: Journalist losses aunt, raise the alarm over threat to life
Benue communal crisis: Journalist losses aunt, raise the alarm over threat to life
By: Michael Mike
Known as the Food Basket of the Nation, Benue is gradually losing that epic crest to be christened the epicentre of crisis.
In virtually all parts of the state hardly a week pass without the record of one damning crisis or the other that have left the state in a shadow of its old self.
If the crisis is not armed herdsmen induced, it is local bandits instigated or communal bloody fight that leaves in its wake sorrows, tears and blood.
It’s been all tales of woes for a people who usually pride themselves as the food power house of the country where several of the grains, citrus, yam, cassava, rice, tomatoes, pepper, ginger, melon and several other are farmed in commercial qualities and hauled to other parts of the country.
Unfortunately the state is fast losing that panache that makes it stand out among the committee of states in the country owing to the ceaseless attacks and killings.
There is no gainsaying that Benue is currently bleeding and not a few families are being set backwards as a result of the crisis.
Many have continued to lose their sources of livelihood, homes, properties and loved ones in the crisis in parts of the state that have defiled all manner of intervenes to have them nipped in the bud.
From Agatu to Apa, Otukpo to Ogbadibo. From Gwer West to Makurdi and Guma, down to Gwer East LGAs; from Ukum all the way to Kwande LGAs it’s been same sad story of crisis.
The implication is that families have been rendered homeless and denied access to their farmlands. Thousands of these families have found solace in Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps where they are surviving on the goodwill of spirited individuals and organisations.
While majority of these displaced persons were victims of armed herdsmen incursions in several Benue communities many others have not known peace because of bloody crisis between neighbouring sister communities that ordinarily should be in peace with each other.
Of special mention is the Mbarvu and Mbasombo communities in Gwer East LGA of the state where all known measures have been taken by the state government to end the bloody conflict over a parcel of land the warring sister communities have resisted all the peace initiatives to end.
The then Governor of the state, Chief Samuel Ortom had also in May 2020 suspended two traditional rulers of both communities, Chief Peter Ikyum of Ishough and Chief Ager Kuhe of Mbasombo, in oder to compel the warring communities to sheath their sword but they remained adamant.
Even the threat by the present administration in June 2023 to take over the disputed land has not been able to convince the hitherto good neighbours to drop their arms and embrace peace.
Bothered by the level of attacks and killings in the crisis, women of both communities had also defied the heavy downpour, trooped out in their thousands and took over the busy Makurdi-Aliade road at Ikpayonge to protest the crisis, the destruction of properties including farmland and farm produce as well as the loss of innocent lives.
The development left road users and commuters stranded for several hours as long queues of cars and trucks coming from the South to the Northern part of the country and those from the Northern part of the country conveying goods and commuters to the South were left stranded.
The angry protesters who sang solidarity songs as they marched for hundreds of meters to register their anger over the needless bloodbath in their communities lamented the incessant killings and razing of houses in the two warring sister communities.
It took the intervention of the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Aondona Dajoh and his colleagues who were all drenched in rain water, to calm the angry protesters.
The Woman Leader of Mbakough Kindred, Mrs. Veronica Orbunde who addressed the lawmakers said the peaceful demonstration was to draw government’s attention to the use of militia by the fueding parties, who rape innocent women in their farms and also kidnap and kill some of their husbands for no justifiable reasons.
She said, “we are tired of this crisis and we are pleading with the sister communities to end this senseless killings and destruction of properties in our communities.”
Addressing the huge crowd after inspecting the destruction at the Ikpayongo market in one of the attacks, the Speaker who expressed worry at the development appealed to the warring communities to embrace peace and stop the incessant killings and destruction of properties, assuring that the government would deploy more security personnel to the area to protect the lives and properties of the people.
Among the women who lost loved ones, property and farmland as well as farm produce in the crisis is Victoria Ojeme, a journalist of repute who is currently facing grave danger after losing an aunt in the crisis.
Mrs Ojeme who has unfortunately become a target for attack by the rampaging militia prosecuting the bloody crisis hails from Mbarvu, one of the communities at the centre of the crisis.
Nararting her ordeal, Ojeme said “I hail from Gwer East LGA of Benue state, Mbarvu community specifically. I am the third daughter of Pa Atule Humbe and my late mother’s name is Mama Bridget Humbe.
“I have been in shock for the past three years and has also stayed away from my community for several years after receiving so many threats from the neighbouring community that has been at loggerheads with my community.
“They have threatened all the youths for coming back home and for those who thought the threat was just a mere threat, never came back alive.
“So many houses have been razed down, the elderly that could not flee were slughtered by the invading community,
“In one of the attacks they killed my Aunt the only surviving woman in my father’s house. Today my life is also in danger. They feel that some of us are crying out about the spate of attacks and killings in the senseless crisis and I have become a target.
“I appeal to the government to take decisive steps to end the crisis as the loss of innocent lives and destruction of properties is already taking its toll on the farming populace who have all deserted their ancestral homes and farmland and have become Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in their own state.”
Benue communal crisis: Journalist losses aunt, raise the alarm over threat to life
Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution
The Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), on Monday, called for urgent global action to tackle plastic pollution causing environmental crisis.
APWEN, under its “STEM for All” initiative, North-East zone, made the call, while commemorating the 2025 World Environment Day in Gombe.
Speaking virtually, President of APWEN, Engr. Adebisi Osim, said it is imperative to encourage recycling of plastics, as part of measures to reduce pollution.
Osim noted that the amount of plastics manufactured annually for use had made it necessary for urgent actions to be taken, to ensure a cleaner and safer environment.
“Today’s theme, “End Plastic Pollution” is not just a catchy phrase, It is a wake-up call; a global one and we are answering that call, not with panic, but with STEM-driven solutions and people-centered action.
“According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the world produces over 430 million tonnes of plastic annually, and over two-thirds of that becomes waste.
“Alarmingly, less than 10 per cent is recycled, and the rest clogs our drains, litters our streets, chokes our rivers, and poisons marine life.
“Here in Nigeria, the World Bank estimates that Lagos alone generates 13,000 metric tonnes of waste per day, and 15 per cent of that is plastic.
“We see it daily in pure water sachets lining our gutters, single-use bags littering markets, and microplastics infiltrating our food chains,” she said
.
Osim called on stakeholders to invest more in recycling the plastics towards reducing the need for new plastic production, which will in turn lower greenhouse gas emission.
She assured that state chapters are collaborating with young people, to design plastic alternatives, using local materials, and to build waste-sorting systems using simple robotics.
Osim added that the chapters will also explore the conduct of STEM fairs, which are focused on sustainable innovation.
In the same vein, Chairman of the Gombe chapter of APWEN, Engr. Deborah Danladi, urged stakeholders to invest in plastic waste recycling, to save the environment, as well as create jobs and wealth for youths.
Danladi also underscored the need for more action and sensitisation to ensure collective approach to addressing the menace of plastic pollution.
Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution
UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations (UN) agencies in Nigeria have hammered on the need for adequate investment in the development of Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to advance economic growth in the country.
The agencies disclosed this during the commemoration ceremony of the 2025 MSMEs Day on Monday in Abuja.
The event was jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), International Labour Organisation (ILO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
Director, UNIDO Sub-regional Office, Abuja, Mr. Philbert Johnson, who was represented by National Programme Officer at UNIDO, Mr. Reuben Bamidele,, said that MSMEs role in nation building cannot be underestimated, therefore the need for adequate investment to ensure their sustainable growth is of uppermost importance.
Johnson said: “We are gathered together today to discuss proper ways to promote innovation and growth within the MSMEs sector.
“In Nigeria, as we know not less than 40million MSMEs are making huge contribution to the economic growth of the country, by providing employment and serving as means of livelihood for people.
“MSMEs, thereby, contribute to the growth of Gross Domestic Products across sectors of the country’s economy. We gathered to dissect the challenges MSMEs face and also, to work closely together towards achieving sustainable growth.”
The ILO Country Representative, Dr Vanessa Phala, stressed the need for strategic measures to be taken to bolster MSMEs impact on the nation’s economy.
Phala, who was represented by ILO’s National Project Coordinator for the Social Dimension of Ecological Transition, Stephen Agugua, said: “We look at how MSMEs can drive the future of the economy through job creation and employment. When you think of job creation and employment that is where ILO comes in.
“MSMEs are key to the growth of every economic sphere: Through this dialogue platform ILO will know the challenges MSMEs are facing and look at pathways for ensuring sustainable solutions collectively.”
The UNDP Deputy-Director, Ms Varsha Redkar-Palepu, represented the National Programme Specialist and Trade Focal Point at UNDP by Claire Henshaw,, described MSMEs as pivotal to nation building.
She noted that MSMEs form the foundation of inclusive and sustainable development in Nigeria, “MSMEs are vital engines for job creation, innovation and social mobilisation, particularly for women and youths. While operating on margins of formal economic systems, we need to put MSMEs at the centre of our development.
“In Nigeria and across Africa, MSMEs holds the key to transforming economic opportunities to meaningful development and the ambition into tangible outcomes,” Phala said.
On his part, Managing-Director of Prohealth, a private organisation, Dr Chinedu Nnabuihe who spoke on behalf of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), commended the UN agencies for putting the event together.
According to him, the event is dedicated to the invaluable role MSMEs play in advancing innovation, creating jobs, increasing inclusive and sustainable economic growth across the country.
“In Nigeria, MSMEs are the engine of our economy, driving local production, supporting livelihood and contributing significantly to national GDPs. This is amidst challenges posed by economic situation, limited access to finance and infrastructure.
“Nigeria MSMEs have continued to demonstrate resilience, creativity and determination. At NECA we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering an enabling environment in supporting MSMEs development,” Nnabuihe said.
The event attracted stakeholders from Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMEDAN), Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Nigeria Association of of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Others include, National Insurance Commission (NICOM), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).
Highpoint of the event was visit by the stakeholders to the exhibition stand of MSMEs, overview of UNDP engagement with MSMEs, government agencies’ engagement with MSMEs and WIP-intellectual property for MSMEs.
End
NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission
By: Michael Mike
The Commission of the African Union has said the formulation of new action plan on drug control and crime prevention on the African continent would not be complete without inputs from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) because of its central role in law enforcement on the continent.
The AU Commission stated this on Monday during an assessment visit to the NDLEA’s National Headquarters in Abuja by a three-member delegation including the team lead Dr. Olubusayo Akinola, Head of Social Welfare, Drug Control and Crime Prevention; Dr. Abiola Olaleye, Senior Drug Epidemiology and Research Officer; and Prof. Johan Strijdom, Senior Drug Control Consultant.
The visit was to evaluate the African Union Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention (2019-2025).
Akinola said: “We are here to understand the status of implementation of this continental action plan on drug control and crime prevention. We are in the process of re-evaluating and starting another continental action plan that will take us from 2026 to 2030. So, we have identified a few countries to understand how this action plan was actually implemented in the member states. And if there are gaps and the new and current emerging trends that we can include.
“So, we understand very well the work of NDLEA and we believe that the formulation of the new action plan will not be finalized and concluded until we have inputs from NDLEA Nigeria, because you are basically on the forefront when it comes to law enforcement on the entire continent.”
The AU Commission delegation commended the NDLEA for its sustained provision of critical and policy-relevant data, which has significantly informed and shaped the work of the Commission over the years. The visit, according to the delegation, aimed to obtain a comprehensive update on the current status of implementation of national drug control strategies, identify operational and institutional gaps, and explor#####eiiii#ehue#pp7l#######el#e7l77#e7l7#wlAfrican##wle potential areas for technical assistance, particularly in relation to capacity development, forensic science capabilities, canine detection units, and other strategic enablers of drug control efforts.
Welcoming the delegation, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd), emphasized the importance of the mission, stating that he considered it imperative to receive the team personally due to the strategic relevance of their engagement.
He said: “We are particularly pleased that the African Union is giving due weight to the implementation of the continental action plan, not merely as a theoretical exercise, but by undertaking direct field consultations with national counterparts. This grounded, evidence-informed approach will undoubtedly result in a more pragmatic and responsive framework for implementation.”
Marwa highlighted the urgency of addressing the continent’s growing drug challenge, adding that while global projections estimate a 10–11% rise in drug use prevalence, Africa is expected to experience a surge of up to 40%. “This disparity signals a looming crisis that demands coordinated and accelerated action. We deeply appreciate the AU’s leadership in this space and commend your proactive efforts,” he added.
NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission
Women engineers urge intensified action to tackle plastic pollution
UN Agencies Drum Support for Adequate Investment in MSMEs
NDLEA is Central to Africa’s Action Plan on Drug Control, Crime Prevention- AU Commission
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