By Amos Aar
THE Benue State House of Assembly at an emergency sitting on Tuesday announced names of seventeen (17) commissioner-nominees sent to it by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The governor had earlier sent fourteen (14) names to the Assembly on July 27 which were concealed for undisclosed reasons until today’s sitting on August 8.
The speaker, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, announced the three additional names as Hon. Joyce Luga from Gboko LGA, Hon Omale Omale from Apa LGA and Hon. Yanmar Ortese from Guma LGA
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The 14 names earlier sent by the governor, according to the speaker, were Rev. Dr. Frederick Ikyaan – Gwer-West, Hon. Ugwu Odoh – Ogbadibo, Hon. Kwaghba Amande – Katsina-Ala, Matthew Aboh – Ukum, Hon. Tiza – Imojime Buruku, Hon. Aondowase Kunde – Konshisha, Hon. Prof. Moses Ogbaji – Oju, Barr. Martin Shaager – Ushongo, Hon. Michael Oglegba – Otukpo, Hon. Ann Itodo – Okpokwu, Hon. Barr. Fidelis Mnyim – Makurdi, Rt. Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange – Ushongo, Alumo Orpin – Tarka and Rt. Hon. Nick Eworo – Obi.
Only three names did not make the list of commissioner-nominees as earlier published by National Record from a list accessed prior to the announcement by the Assembly.
For instance, in Ushongo LGA, Dr Aondona Mkor was earlier mentioned to have made the list but former speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Terkimbi Ikyange, was eventually announced by the Assembly. In Guma LGA, Dr Philip Tachin was replaced with Hon. Yanmar Ortese while in Makurdi LGA, Hon. Fidelis Mnyim was announced contrary to Godwin Unum that was earlier mentioned.
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A top member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) confided in National Record that the three additional commissioner-nominees were added to allow Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Alia’s godfather, Sen. George Akume, who did not have a share in appointing commissioners and was aggrieved to achieve his aim for peace to reign.
According to the source, the SGF successfully got five slots, from Guma, Gboko, Tarka, Ushongo and Makurdi LGAs.
The speaker, Hon. Dajoh, who announced that the screening of the commissioner-nominees will commence on Thursday, August 10, 2023, urged the nominees to submit their curriculum vitae (CV) latest by 12 noon on Thursday.
In a related development, Governor Alia, through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, announced his approval of seventeen (17) names of Special Advisers and twenty-four (24) names as Senior Special Assistants.
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The 17 Special Advisers include: Arc. Eric Adikwu, Hon. Alex Adingi, Dr. Kaalu Akerkpev, Barr. Terngu Gwanger, Hon. Mercy Nyamkyume, Dr. Aondona Mkor, Chief Hon. Joe Har, Hon. Denis Akura, Hon. Benedict Akombo, Hon. Fidelis Unongo, Hon. Iyoo Gbondo, Prince Ugese Orshi, Hon. Sam Yua, Hon. Mark Ochoga, Hon. Peter Ogilagwu, Hon. Yusuf Suleiman Elaigwu and Scholastica T. Awuhe Ben-Sor
The Special Assistants (SAs) are: Hon. Simeon Yongo, Hon. Julie Obeta, Hon. Jonathan Lahave, Idris Ojigbiri, Hon. Zipporah Adzege, David Sixtus Agbanyi, Mr. Michael Mfater Kaha (El-Stuffy), Hon. Sunday Shizum, Hon. Dennis Umbur, Harris Tersoo, Linda Ene Agada, Dorcas Faerem, Member Achihi Dekera, Chief Isaac Edo Onwu, Akaa Manasseh, Ordue Uyoo, Tertseagh Afere, Apeku Marshall, Richard Dzugweve, Hon. Christiana Sana, Hon. Stone Eje Eyikwaje, Paul Vershima Ishom, Sunday Ekas, Francis S. Emeor
According to the statement, additional names of advisers “shall be announced in due course”.
