WORKMAN

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FRANKLY
SPEAKING
Our Mission
Nathaniel
Ikyur
Editor In Chief
The WORKMAN is an online news magazine
designed to provide weekly news updates to
the Benue populace on the activities of the
Governor of the state, Samuel Ortom.
We'll provide accurate news and information on all
of the governor's daily engagements to enable the
people of the state keep tab with their governor
whose mandate he holds in trust. By this, we're
committed to the growth and development of the
state on all fronts. In the discharge of our duties as a
news platform in the ofce of the Principal Special
Assistant on Media to the Governor of Benue State,
we'll be a voice to amplify government policies and
programmes for the benet of the people.
information that will be
useful, not just to our
p r i n c i p a l a n d h i s
administration, but also
valuable to the people of
B e n u e S t a t e w h o s e
mandate the governor
holds.
We'll promote unity among all ethnic nationalities
within the geographical area called Benue in line
with the tenets of the constitution of the federal
republic of Nigeria. We'll promote events, recognize
achievements and present information in a fair and
accurate manner. We'll be a trusted source of
1

MONDAY
MAY 11TH
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BENUE PARTNER OGP, OTHERS
FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE
Barr Rommy Mom, Chairman, Civil Society Steering Committee, Open Government Partnership, OGP making his
remarks during a courtesy call on Gov Samuel Ortom
enue state Governor Samuel
BOrtom says his administration
w i l l p a r t n e r w i t h a l l
deveplomental bodies that could
add value to good governance. The
governor bared his mind Monday
May 11th, 2020 when the Civil
Society Steering Committee of the
Open Government Partnership,
OGP, paid him a courtesy call. The
group was led by Barrister Rommy
Mom.
Governor Ortom while expressing
willingness to embrace the
initiative, recommended that
the policy be institutionalised
to encourage transparency
and accountability, which
would translate to good
governance.
Barr Mom in his remarks
disclosed that Nigeria joined
the organisation in 2016 as
the 70th member state. He
pleaded with the Benue State
government to sign up to the
OGP and develop a sub
national plan thereto. Mom
pointed out that the OGP is an
i n t e r n a t i o n a l m u l t i -
stakeholder global coalition of
r e f o r m e r s d r a w n f r o m
government and the civil
society, working to make
government transparent,
accountable and participatory,
to truly serve and empower
citizens.
GOV ORDERS SECURITY
AT BORDERS TIGHTENED
Efforts to halt the spread of COVID-
19 in Benue state continued with a
review meeting this day. State
Deputy Governor and Chairman,
State Action Committee on COVID-
19 briefed the meeting on successes
and challenges in containing the
pandemic. One of such challenges
he observed, is the high tendency of
community transmissions. He
said it was threatening
because of the rate inux of
persons from highly infested
states into Benue even when
our borders were said to have
been shut. This situation he
pointed out, was dangerous to
the state.
Gov Ortom in his response
directed that security be
tightened at all borders into
t h e s t a t e t o a v o i d a
catastrophic situation in the
state. At the end of the
meeting, churches and
mosques were still asked to
remain shut until further
notice.
3

TUESDAY
MAY 12TH
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EXPOSE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS
IN OUR COMMUNITIES - GOV ORTOM
HRH, Ter Ushongo, Chief Augustine Kuma
Ter Kunav, HRH, Chief Nyiyongo Achiaku
HRH, Tor Kwande, Chief Ambrose Iortyer
The recurring violence across
the state is disturbing to the
state governor. When the
herdsmen are not killing and
destroying Benue communities,
criminal gangs masquerade as
clanish warlords to take up arms
against one another. As at the last
c o u n t , t h e r e a r e s e v e r a l
communities where violence,
killings and wanton destructions
have been carried out by these
gangs apart from herdsmen
invasion.
So on Tuesday May 12th, the
governor invited traditional
leaders, elders and some critical
stakeholders from Buruku,
Ushongo and Vandeikya
local governments for a
security meeting. It was in
response to recent violent
clashes in those areas. In
B u r u k u , t h e r e w e r e
skirmishes between Kusuv
and Ishorov. Some homes
were torched and one person
feared killed. Foodstuffs were
also said to have been
destroyed. Kusuv elders
apologised on behalf of their
youths who carried out the
a c t s a n d p r o m i s e d
compensations.
Caretaker Chairman of Vandeikya LGC, Ibrahim Anor
giving situation report to the governor during the
meeting
Caretaker Chairman of Ushongo LGC,
Hon Bemsen Agugu making his remarks at the
meeting
The crises between Mbagwaza
k i n d r e d i n U s h o n g o l o c a l
g o v e r n m e n t a n d Ts a m b e i n
Vandeikya local government also
held. The Council Chairmen of the
two local governments, traditional
and elders from both kindreds spoke
with one voice. They dispelled
insinuations that the violence that
erupted over a pond of water was
communal crises. They identied cult
and criminal activities by youths
from the affected areas as the cause
of the conict. The traditional and
community leaders from both
k i n d r e d s r e c o m m e n d e d
severe punishment to anyone
found to have a hand in the
crises. They asked that security
agents be brought in to arrest
anyone found culpable and be
prosecuted.
The governor why addressing
journalists at the end of the
meeting, directed a manhunt
for all those suspected to have
actively participated in the
crises to be arrested. He
warned that his administration
will not surrender the state
to criminal gangs to rule.
Gov Ortom decried the
situation where elders have
a b d i c a t e d t h e i r
responsibilities to the
youths, saying this is
unacceptable.
An enlarged follow up
security meeting is slated
for tomorrow, Monday
1 8 t h , 2 0 2 0 t o t a k e
strategic steps in tackling
security challenges in the
state.
4

TUESDAY
MAY 12TH
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ORTOM INAUGURATES 9-MEMBER
COMMITTEE ON ESTABLISHMENT OF
INFECTIOUS DISEASES CENTRE
Inauguration of the Steering Committee for the
Establishment of a Center for Emerging Infectious and
Tropical Diseases.
L-RNguamo Adi, Prof Linus Saalu, Provost, College of Health
Sciences,BSU; Prof Msugh Kembe, VC BSU, Dr Sunday
Obgbabo, Commissioner for Health and Chairman of the
Committee, Prof Terrumun Swende, Prof Prince Emmanuel
Nwokedi and Nathaniel Ikyur after the inauguration
n taking advantage of the global
Ipandemic on COVID-19 and
strategising ahead, the Benue
s t a t e g o v e r n o r o n t h i s d a y
inaugurated the steering committee
for the Establishment of a Centre for
Emerging Infectious and Tropical
D i s e a s e s , I n t e l l i g e n c e a n d
Management, CEITDIM.
He was represented by the State
commissioner for Health, Dr
Sunday Ongbabo who's also the
chairman of the committee. Other
members of the committee included
the Vice Chancellor, Benue State
University, Prof Moses Kembe;
Provost, College of Health
S c i e n c e s , B e n u e S t a t e
University, Prof Linus Saalu,
Prof Dennis Ityavyar, Prof
Prince Emmanuel Oguejiofor
Nwokedi, Prof Terrumun
Swende, Nathaniel Ikyur,
Te r v e r A k a s e w i t h M r s
N g u e m o A o n d o n a A d i ,
Deputy Registrar/College
Secretary as Secretary of the
committee.
T h e g o v e r n o r s a i d t h e
establishment of this centre is
timely. That it will upscale
government's investments in
the health sector. And
that at the end of the day,
the health sector in
Benue would have been
elevated. The committee
which has two weeks to
submit its report also
t o o k t i m e t o v i s i t
government structures to
be recommended as
permanent campus.
5

WEDNESDAY
MAY 13TH
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COVID-19 SUSPECTS REPATRIATED
TO VARIOUS STATES
Deputy Governor
Engr Benson
Abounu, Chairman,
State Action
Committee On
Covid-19 Led
Other Ofcials To
Team To Send
Youths Numbering
12, Back To Their
States
LET DOWN YOUR ARMS
Benue Speaker begs Kunav people
This is the Speaker of the Benue State House of
Assembly, Hon Titus Uba kneeling down, pleading with
the people of Tsambe not to ght with Mbagwaza
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THURSDAY
MAY 14TH
INAUGURATION OF
THE 7TH GOVERNING
COUNCIL OF BSU
he 7th Governing Council
To f t h e B e n u e S t a t e
University, BSU, Makurdi
was this day inaugurated by the
Benue State Governor Samuel
Ortom. The governor charged the
C o u n c i l t o r e p o s i t i o n t h e
institution to enable it attain
greater heights. He urged the
university council to ensure the
university produces graduates
who would be self-employed. He
acknowledged that even his worst
critics have applauded his
passion for the development of
the institution and tower other
state-owned tertiary institutions.
Gov Ortom inaugurating the 7th Governing Council of Benue State
University Council at the new Banquet Hall, Benue People's House
Picture Credit:
Jimin Geoffrey and Bemgba Iortyom
Chairman and Pro Chancellor, Benue State University, Prof
Zacharys Gundu responding on behalf of other members of the
council
7