Aondoakaa Congratulates Benue State LGC Chairmen On Their Victory At The Appeal Court Abuja

...Charges them to Execute the Fr Alia's Blue print of Local Government "workable administrative framework" at the grassroots.

The Special Adviser, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Denen Aondoakaa, heartily congratulates the Twenty Three  Local Government Chairmen and councilors of Benue State on their resounding victory at the Election Appeal Tribunal held in Abuja.

Hon Aondoakaa commends the Benue State Judiciary for its transparency, objectivity, and steadfast commitment to the rule of law. He acknowledges the rigorous scrutiny of petitions by the Tribunal, which has ultimately upheld the will of the people and strengthened the foundations of democracy.

He describes the final judgment in favor of the elected Chairmen as a significant step toward restoring and stabilizing good governance at the grassroots, now free from the distractions of protracted legal battles.

The Special Adviser also extends warm congratulations to the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Reverend Father Dr  Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and the entire All Progressives Congress (APC) family under the leadership of it's chairman, Benjamin Omale for this well deserved victory.

Hon Aondoakaa urges all Local Government Chairmen to remain committed to their responsibilities and to justify the confidence reposed in them by both the people and the judiciary. 

As head of the Bureau, he reaffirms his unwavering support for the councils and pledges to stand by them as they work to deliver on their mandates.

Congratulations to all Chairmen on this well earned triumph.

Signed:

Hon Denen Aondoakaa

Special Adviser, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

2025 Children's Day: Demal School , Ikorodu Hosts Cultural Extravaganza with CIKDAS and ASPIRA NIGERIA

By Goldmark Pentho 

DEMAL Schools , Ikorodu ,Lagos State, Nigeria recently hosted a unique cultural event, tagged  "Culture Meets Youths," in partnership with CIKDAS ( Center for Indigenous Knowledge, Development and Sustainability) and ASPIRA NIGERIA. 

  The event, held as part of the 2025  Children's Day celebrations, aimed to revive cultural values and ideologies among young people.

in his welcome address, Mr. Adebayo Olugbenga the Principal of Demal Schools, who was  represented by Mr. Temitope Olatunji, a staff member of Demal Schools and specialist in Cultural and Civic  Education, emphasised the importance of being an "Omoluabi",  a virtuous individual with good manners and behaviour.  

"A  virtuous person exhibits a high level of moral goodness and integrity in our society " Olatunji enthused .

Students actively participated in sharing stories of their forefathers, traditional foods, music, and other aspects of their cultural heritage.

The Project Director of CIKDAS, Jumoke Owoola, expressed gratitude to Demal School for the opportunity to promote African positive values among youths. She attributed many of Nigeria's problems to the erosion of cultural values and emphasized the need for consistent interactions with youths to instill positive values.

 Jumoke Owoola also praised ASPIRA NIGERIA for promoting cultural values that go beyond rhetoric, demonstrating tangible commitment to empowering young people with essential life skills and values.

" Knowing fully well that our cultural value systems are eroded thus giving rooms for many anomalies in our society today , we believe at CIKDAS that one of the best ways to nip it in the bud is by getting our youths involved and informed very early on in life " Owoola opined .

The event provided a platform for students to engage with cultural matters, assess their knowledge, and develop a deeper understanding of the importance of cultural values. 

ASPIRA NIGERIA efforts in  supporting the event with their products, contributed to its success. Students were engaged in interactive sessions, including questions and answers on cultural matters, which helped to assess their level of knowledge and understanding of the topic of the day .

Through this partnership, Demal School, CIKDAS, and ASPIRA NIGERIA aim to empower young people with positive cultural values, promoting a better future for Nigeria. The event concluded with a renewed commitment to continue promoting cultural education and values among young people, and to work together to build a brighter future for the nation.

The collaboration between Demal School, CIKDAS, and ASPIRA NIGERIA is a testament to the power of partnerships in promoting cultural values and empowering young people. By working together, they can create a lasting impact and help shape the next generation of leaders.

" Yes , collaborations , networking and carrying the youths along with our projects will add positively to the society"

Jumoke Owoola concluded as she basked in the euphoria of a successful outing .

Nwawuba; Pioneering National Assembly Library Trust Fund , NALTF, to Fruition

BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

Until recently, the National Assembly Library Trust Fund (NALTF) existed more as an ancillary department within the legislative arm than as a central component of parliamentary development. However, with its transformation into a hub of legislative heritage and informatics, the institution is now at the heart of preserving Nigeria’s legislative legacy.

The establishment of NALTF addressed the longstanding neglect of the country’s legislative archives, many of which were either scanty or completely non-existent. These gaps in historical records threatened to erase vital chapters of Nigeria’s parliamentary history from the colonial era to the present democratic dispensation.

The turning point came with the appointment of Rt. Hon. Henry Ndochuckwu Nwawuba as the pioneer Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund in June 2023. His appointment marked a new beginning in the formal and institutional preservation of Nigeria’s legislative heritage spanning over six decades.

Nwawuba, a former lawmaker with a rich resume and vast experience, was widely seen as a “round peg in a round hole.” His vision is clear: to transform the NALTF into a world-class knowledge hub—not just for historical preservation, but also for the generation of new knowledge critical to national development and legislative advancement.

Under his leadership, the agency hit the ground running with qualified staff trained in library sciences, informatics, archiving, and legislative research. The foundation laid under Nwawuba’s leadership has ensured that NALTF is firmly positioned to meet its statutory mandate.

His aspiration is for NALTF to become a catalyst for legislative excellence across Africa, and a vibrant center for learning, research, and policy dialogue. The institution has since embarked on wide-ranging capacity-building initiatives for lawmakers, National Assembly staff, and personnel of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC).

According to Nwawuba, the core services of NALTF include the establishment of a functional e-library, digital archiving of legislative records using cutting-edge technology, policy research and analysis, capacity building, and the publishing of periodic reports and policy briefs.

The National Assembly Library Trust Fund was established by the NALTF Act, 2022, and was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari on February 10, 2023. It officially commenced operations on June 15, 2023, following the Board’s ratification of Hon. Nwawuba’s appointment.

Two years on, the Fund has made impressive strides in delivering on its mandate. It has become a center not only for preserving historical records but also for enhancing knowledge, training, and public engagement on governance and legislation. The administration’s commitment to national development through heritage preservation and informed legislative processes is evident in the agency’s ongoing achievements.

Abubakar Yusuf writes from Abuja.He can be reached via; [email protected]

 

Governor Alia Calls Youth To Purpose, Salutes The Life Of A Respected Traditional Chief

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia , has appealed to young people across the state to take up agriculture and establish cooperative societies, as part of efforts by his administration to support them in achieving commercial-scale farming and improved economic productivity.

The governor made this call on Saturday during his tribute at the funeral of the Late Ter Kyôôr, Chief Thomas Jam Gbinde. He advised youths to steer clear of social vices and instead turn their energy towards agricultural ventures. Governor Alia emphasized that his administration has already distributed tractors to local government areas to support farming activities and disclosed plans to provide farmers with free herbicides and fertilizers to further boost agricultural yields across the state.

Offering his condolences to the Tiv Traditional Council and the bereaved family, the governor encouraged them to seek solace in God, expressing hope that the late Chief Gbinde’s good deeds have earned him eternal peace in the bosom of the Lord.

In their remarks, the President General of Mzough u Tiv, retired Commissioner of Police Iorbee Ihyagh, and Professor Mrs. Hembadoon Ayatse, wife of the Tor Tiv, extended their sympathies to the bereaved family. CP Ihyagh urged the governor to intensify efforts in addressing the security challenges confronting the state so that farmers can safely return to their fields. He also appealed to the political class in Benue to refrain from divisive politics and the politicization of security issues.

Professor Mrs. Ayatse, in her remarks, commended Governor Alia’s ongoing initiatives to curb insecurity and encouraged Tiv women to become members of the "Kasev Tiv Bam Multipurpose Cooperative," which, she noted, is already providing loans to women to support their businesses and livelihoods.

Representing the Tor Tiv and Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, His Royal Majesty Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, the Tor Kwande, Chief Ambrose Iortyer, and the Tor Jechira, Chief Edward Ujege, both praised the life and legacy of the late Ter Kyôôr. They called on the Tiv nation to unite and rise in defense of their ancestral land.

The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, Dr. Barnabas Gemade, alongside retired Brigadier General Atom Kpera, also expressed gratitude to the state government and the multitude of mourners who gathered to honor the memory of Chief Gbinde. They offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the late monarch’s soul.

Kehe Hon ,

Information Officer,

Government House Makurdi.

31/05/2025

Photo credit Lanshima Ephraim

Igbogo Congratulates Gov. Alia On His Two Years Anniversary In Office

... Says his remarkable achievements have made significant impact

By Terfa Naswem

Engr. Japheth Terlumum Igbogo congratulates the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia on his two years anniversary in office.

Noting the fact that his remarkable achievements have made significant impact on the people of Benue State, Igbogo commends Alia for being resolute in repositioning Benue State on the trajectory of people-oriented governance to foster rapid development.

He encourages Gov. Alia to continue to stand firm for the overall interest of the people of Benue State and not a selected few since the people are yearning for more to be achieved due to the enormous infrastructural and socioeconomic deficits the state has been into for decades.

He prays God to grant him the grace, ability and protection he needs achieve to unimaginably for Benue.