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Benue communal crisis: Journalist losses aunt, raise the alarm over threat to life

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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

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Take ownership of NEDC projects, FG urges Gombe communities

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February 9, 2026

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Take ownership of NEDC projects, FG urges Gombe communities

By Osagie Peter

The Federal Government has urged residents of Gombe State to take ownership of all North East Development Commission (NEDC)’s projects in their communities by protecting and ensuring their full utilisation.

The Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, made the call during the inauguration of competed projects as well as inspection of several ongoing ones across Gombe State.

Ahmadu while inaugurating the several projects in different key sectors, ranging from health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, among others, said the projects would improve the wellbeing of the residents.

He said that the Federal Government prioritised improved funding to address critical challenges confronting the North-East, particularly in the area of security, hence expressed satisfactory with how NEDC had used the funds in meeting the needs of the people of the state and region.

He said the government accorded attention to all sectors in the country, in line with the Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to national development.

“I call on the communities where these projects have been executed to take ownership of the projects and keep them in good condition.

“There is need for you all to maintain the structures exactly as they are at the time of inauguration for the benefit of everyone.”

The Minister further stated that the projects, if properly utilised, would strengthen healthcare delivery, expand educational infrastructure, and improve the welfare of citizens in line with the desire of Mr President.

Ahmadu commended President Tinubu and NEDC for its timely intervention and for bringing critical infrastructure and development to the grassroots to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of residents of the state.

He announced additional funding of N2 billion for each of the mega schools in the state.

“I’ve just been informed that in addition to the wonderful work, the Ministry of Regional Development, overseeing the North East Development Commission, has also allocated N2 billion to each of the Mega Schools spread across the state. I think this is very, very commendable,” the Minister said.

On his part, Dr Manassah Jatau, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Ministry of Regional Development and NEDC for providing the projects, noting that they would aid learning and contribute to better health outcomes for residents.

Jatau said that the state government was happy because the NEDC had utilised the plot allocated to them within a short period of time, to complement governance at all levels.

He added that the government was ready to allocate additional plots to the NEDC if needed for any intervention.

The deputy governor assured that whatever had been done would be sustained, while calling on communities where the various projects have been executed to maintain the facilities.

He added that the projects were “excellent”, hence urged the community to take full ownership and maximise the benefits of the projects for the good of humanity.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the NEDC Board, Major General Paul Tarfa (Rtd), expressed satisfaction with the inspected projects, while reiterating the need for beneficiaries to ensure proper maintenance.

Also, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEDC, Mr Mohammed Goni Alkali, appreciated the Gombe State Government for donating the land on which the NEDC office was built and urged strict maintenance to ensure durability and effective service delivery.

Our Correspondent reports that part of the projects inaugurated included a 40-bed capacity maternity Bogo Quarters, Akko Local with delivery room, antenatal and post-natal rooms, theatre, preparation rooms, side rooms and a dispensary, aimed at improving maternal and child healthcare services at the grassroots.

Also inaugurated is the Central Medical Stores equipped with cold rooms, offloading bays, sorting areas and offices to enhance medical supply management and distribution across the state.

At Gombe State University, four newly constructed lecture halls, each with a 150-seat capacity, were inaugurated . The facilities are expected to ease pressure on existing classrooms and improve learning conditions for students.

Rehabilitated Government Secondary School (GSS) Malam Sidi in Kwami LGA, where structures including, 19 blocks of classrooms, an administrative block, a 250-capacity examination hall, student hostels, laboratories, staff quarters, library, dining facilities, perimeter fencing and a gatehouse were rehabilitated.

Other projects inaugurated include a 250-bed student hostel at Government Science Technical College, Kumo; a 40-bed maternity complex in Billiri LGA; mega schools in Kaltungo, Dukku and Dadinkowa/Yolde Deba LGAs; and a 250-bed capacity student hostel at the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Kaltungo.

Also, major projects at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe, were inspected, including the establishment of an MRI housing facility awaiting equipment installation, construction of a 180-bed student hostel, an ENT complex, and a fully equipped trauma centre featuring theatres, consulting rooms, triage and observation areas, burns unit, diagnostic rooms and offices.

Take ownership of NEDC projects, FG urges Gombe communities

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Nigeria, South Korea Deepen Cooperation in Creative Industry with K-pop-Afrobeat Collaborative Album Underway

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4 hours ago

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February 9, 2026

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Nigeria, South Korea Deepen Cooperation in Creative Industry with K-pop-Afrobeat Collaborative Album Underway

By: Michael Mike

A collaboration between Afrobeat and K-pop is underway as Nigeria and South Korea deepens cooperation in the creative economy, using music as a bridge.

Artistes and producers from both countries staged a landmark Afrobeats–K-pop collaboration in Abuja with the plan to roll out a musical experiment of fusion of both afrobeat and K-pop.

The live production concert, tagged “K Music Production x Afrobeats,” was hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in Nigeria (KCCN) and brought together Korean vocal coach Seo Yena, music producer and composer Lee Haneung, and Nigerian Afrobeats artiste FirstKlaz for a joint recording and live performance.

The event underscored growing cultural diplomacy between both countries and highlighted the expanding global influence of Afrobeats, which has increasingly shaped contemporary pop sounds across Asia, Europe and North America.

Seo Yena said her journey into Afrobeats began in 2024 when she visited Nigeria as a vocal instructor under a KCCN programme, an experience she described as transformative.

“That was my first real contact with Nigerian music,” she said. “Working with Nigerian singers made me curious about Afrobeats, so I started researching it and thinking about how to connect it authentically with Korean music.”

She explained that the collaboration deliberately blended the relaxed groove and rhythmic flow of Afrobeats with the structured vocal delivery and powerful climaxes typical of K-pop.

“Afrobeats has a calm, flowing feel, while Korean pop focuses on clarity and emotional intensity. The idea was not to overpower one with the other, but to allow both identities to shine,” she said.

Producer Lee Haneung described the partnership as a significant creative challenge and a step toward building a more balanced global music ecosystem.

“Afrobeats is now a major force in world music, and its influence is already present in K-pop,” he said. “But too often it feels like borrowing. I wanted to understand Afrobeats from its source and create something sincere that respects both cultures.”

Nigerian artiste FirstKlaz said he welcomed the collaboration because of his long-standing interest in Korean music, adding that the creative process was seamless.

“I love K-pop, so when I got the invitation, I was excited,” he said. “The studio sessions were full of pure energy. I wrote and sang my parts, and the collaboration felt natural.”

Although a release date has not yet been announced, KCCN confirmed that the collaborative track is being prepared for commercial release and forms part of a broader plan to deepen partnerships between Korean producers and Nigerian artistes.

The Centre said the initiative aligns with efforts by both countries to grow their creative industries, promote cultural exchange and position music as a viable driver of youth employment, innovation and global engagement.

As Afrobeats continues to gain traction worldwide and K-pop expands its global reach, the Abuja collaboration signals a new chapter of cross-continental creativity—one rooted not in imitation, but in mutual respect and shared artistic growth.

Nigeria, South Korea Deepen Cooperation in Creative Industry with K-pop-Afrobeat Collaborative Album Underway

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FG to Enforce Governance Standards as MOFI Introduces Excellence Awards for Public Enterprises

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4 hours ago

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February 9, 2026

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FG to Enforce Governance Standards as MOFI Introduces Excellence Awards for Public Enterprises

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government is set to tighten oversight and raise performance standards across its portfolio of state-owned enterprises with the launch of the MOFI Excellence Awards, a new accountability-driven initiative scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.

The awards, to be introduced by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), are aimed at institutionalising transparency, discipline and measurable performance in Federal Government-owned enterprises, marking a shift from discretionary oversight to structured, benchmarked governance.

MOFI said the initiative is part of broader reforms aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic agenda, which seeks to improve fiscal discipline, unlock value from public assets and reduce the burden of inefficient enterprises on the national treasury.

At the core of the process is the MOFI Corporate Governance Scorecard, launched in April 2025, which now serves as a standardised tool for assessing Boards and management teams against international best practices in transparency, risk management and compliance.

An independent technical panel, inaugurated in December 2025 by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, will conduct the assessments. Portfolio companies will be evaluated using strict criteria, including regulatory compliance, Board effectiveness, financial controls and sectoral impact.

According to MOFI, the awards are not intended as ceremonial recognition but as a mechanism to drive behavioural change across public enterprises by linking governance quality to reputational standing and future oversight.

“The MOFI Excellence Awards represent a structural reset in the way public enterprises are managed,” the Ministry said in a statement. “Transparency is no longer optional, compliance is measurable, and performance outcomes are central to fiscal responsibility.”

Institutions that emerge as top performers will be recognised for demonstrating strong governance culture, operational discipline and accountability, while underperforming entities are expected to face closer scrutiny and corrective interventions.

MOFI said the initiative will also provide policymakers with clearer data on enterprise performance, enabling more informed decisions on restructuring, capital allocation and potential private-sector participation.

Analysts say the move could signal a turning point in public enterprise management, particularly if the scorecard and awards framework is consistently applied and tied to consequences.

Further details on the awards and governance framework are available on MOFI’s official website, www.mofi.com.ng.

FG to Enforce Governance Standards as MOFI Introduces Excellence Awards for Public Enterprises

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