Jessevich Blog

By Tahav Agerzua Benue State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Mathew Abo, who was abducted at his residence in Zaki-Biam on Sunday, September 24th 2023, regained his freedom early today. Impeccable sources disclosed that his abductors released him in the early hours of today and he has already reunited with his family. The sources which did not state whether the N60 million or any money demanded as ransom was paid or not said the Commissioner returned in good health He spent 10 days in captivity before freedom came his way. His release could be attributed to intensified security operations, spirited negotiations, as well as  prayers by individuals and groups. Staff of the Benue State Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism mounted concerted prayer sessions for the safe release of the Commissioner. Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Alia who condemned the abduction also directed the security agencies to ensure the release of the commissione...

The Board of Trustees(BOT) of Benue State University Alumni Association(BSUAA) has quelled the rivalry and factions in the association . The Chairman of the BOT , Professor Charity Angya solved the jinx in a meeting with members of the association, in the Senate Chamber of Benue State University Makurdi. Two giants - Comrade Terungwa Vihimga and Comrade  Godwin Agbadu,  who had split and administered the Alumni, were deposed today.  While Comrade Terungwa reigned as the Elected , Comrade Agbadu ruled as the Caretaker President. The confusion was too much.  The activities of both factions brought no progress and plunged BSUAA in absolute disrepute. These comrades were always struggling, fighting, and opposing each other. During the meeting, two committees  were set, Transitional Committee and Electoral Committee , with the mandate of ensuring a smooth, free and fair election in December, thi...

By Tahav Agerzua  There are confirmed reports that several gunmen stormed the residence of Matthew Abo , Benue State Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism in Zaki-Biam and abducted him about few hours ago. Eyewitnesses state that the kidnappers came on four motorcycles, ordered everyone in the house including the commissioner's wife and children to lie face down and took him away to an unknown destination on one of the motorcycles. The witnesses said the abductors compelled the commissioner at gun point to sit behind the rider of one of the motorcycles while a gunman sandwitched him. The abduction took place after 8 pm on Sunday, 24th September, 2023. The matter has been reported to the police. Abo was sworn in as a member of the Benue State Executive Council on August 29th, 2023. He hails from Ukum local government area which has been a major flashpoint of criminal activities with rampant killings & kidnappings in recent times. These kidnappers shoul...

This Year's Town Hall meeting and Engagement of Citizens in the Budget Process was at Precious Events Center, Makurdi. Welcome Addresses The Director General Benue State Planning Commission, Dr. Jerome Andohol, told the people that the consultation is a requirement from Nigeria Governor's Forum that seeks to establish trust from the People and know the specific needs of the people, using bottom to top approach. Director of Budget-  Dr. Aondowase Nyam, informed that all Strata of the society were invited for their inputs The consultation and involvement of Citizens to partake in the budget process is such an assuring gesture. Importance of the Consultation  Dr Nyam said, citizens need to know how Government gets and spends taxes and other sourced funds.  The Governor  of Benue State, representated by the Deputy Governor Sam Odeh assured the people that their Collective wisdom, talent, experiences  and Voices wi...

The Stakeholders drawn from Specialists, Researchers, Planners, Donors, Implementors h ave called on the government to sufficiently create a budget line for Nutrition Activities, in a meeting at Metropolitan Hotel Makurdi. 21st September, 2023.   The high profile meeting was organized by  Benue State Planning Commission, in collaboration with United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF). Good things are clearly coming to Benue. In a goodwill message from Chief of UNICEF Field Office Enugu, represented by Nutrition Specialists Ngozi Onuora, acknowledged   the commitment of Benue State Government in sponsoring the event which is a support to the Global Development Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Mrs Onuora  revealed that "13.6% of Benue children do not enjoy 6 months of exclusive breast milk and are underweight, a factor that is inimical to their overall development" and that "malnutrition ...

The Permanent Secretary , Benue State Planning Commission, BSPC, Dr . Aondowase Nyam , has expressed deep appreciation to all Development Partners in Benue, for their unrelenting support in several areas of development and promised to involve them in the 2024 budget process, in his office Wednesday 20th September 2023. The appreciation came when Dr . Nyam , who is also the Director of Budget , hosted a renowned Nutrition Specialist from  UNICEF  Field Office Enugu - Mrs. Ngozi Onora , who is in Benue State for a one day coordination meeting of all Partners , stakeholders and Ministries , Departments and Agencies on the Implementation of Food and Nutrition Program scheduled for 21st September, 2023. Dr. Nyam, decried the lack of political will to harness the abundance of food In the state as well as misplaced priorities that create nutritional problems, charged the UNICEF   Diplomat to create more advocacy for greater awareness in the Nutri...

A 2-day workshop to sensitize Government stakeholders on the Beñue Social Protection Policy, Social Register ends. 15th September 2023 . The workshop which was organized by  BENUE STATE OPERATION COORDINATING UNIT in collaboration with UNICEF and SAVE THE CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL, at Beñue Metropolitan Hotel Makurdi, provided indepth knowledge as far as Social Protection Policy is concerned. Erudite resource persons dissected topics about creation, uses and purpose of Social register. Key government functionaries were in attendance including the Secretary to Beñue State Government, represented by Sam Yina; Commissioner of Humanitarian and Disaster Management - Hon. Aondowase Kunde. The objectives of the workshop were to build common understanding of social protection and intervention with the New government, as well as obtain endorsement for the social protection policy. Sever...

Information Officers spurred to work harder. Tuesday 12th September 2023. Information Officers in the Ministry of Information, Culture and  Tourism have been encouraged to organize themselves and brace up in the task of managing government's image and information effectively, avoid truancy  and be of excellent behavior. The charge came from a combined trio of their Commissioner-   Matthew Abo, Permanent Secretary - Godwin Tighir, and the Director of Press and Public Relations- Orduen Dura, in a meeting held in the conference hall of the ministry. Hon Abo particularly urged the officers to be proactive, productive and committed to duty through team work, as he equally prompted them to open new chapters in their attitude to work.    In the technical session of the meeting, Director Orduen promised the officers that the ministry will organize a refresher training for them and put their welfare top most. On the ot...