Alia changes gear, sacks cabinet in Benue State

Rising from the12th Executive Council meeting in the year, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia Wednesday dissolved the State Executive Council, relieving all cabinet members of their duties. 

To fill a critical administrative position, the governor appointed Barr. Moses Atagher—a former two-term Attorney General and former acting Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank—as his new Chief of Staff. Atagher’s appointment takes immediate effect.

The development was confirmed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula.

The decision is seen as a strategic move to restructure the administration and accelerate service delivery and development across the state.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Benue State Chapter, has commended the Governor Hyacinth Alia-led state government for the ongoing massive infrastructural development in the state.

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The NUJ gave the commendation on Wednesday in Makurdi in a communique issued after its monthly congress presided over by the Council Chairman, Mr Bemdoo Ugber.

The union said that the physical infrastructure being put on ground would no doubt transform the state.

The council, however, called on the state government to double its efforts and complete the ongoing projects on time.

The journalists particularly called for mobilisation of the contractor handling the Agber-Kighir township road to commence work.

NUJ appealed to the government to improve the working conditions of staff of state-owned establishments, which include Radio Benue, the Voice Newspaper, and Benue Television.

“The congress appreciated the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, for her visit to the state and donating the sum of 1 billion to aid the return of internally displaced persons to their ancestral home.

“Congress further appealed to security agents to double their efforts so as to protect the life and property of people living in the state.

“Congress advised journalists to remain steadfast and professional in their reportage.

“Congress commiserated with one of its own, a publisher with the Pavilion Newspaper, Mr Babs Usigbe, over the demise of his younger brother, Mr Leon Usigbe, who was the bureau chief of the Tribune Newspaper in Abuja and the State House correspondent.

NAN