Now that Gov Ortom needs unanimous praises

Security of lives and property is key, in fact it is the primary constitutional responsibility of every government, be it Federal, State or Local government, security have also been identified as a major driver of sociopolitical and economic prosperity of a state or a nation, going by that, it is right to say that Gov Samuel Ortom deserve all the praise and accolade for his signature legislation, the open grazing prohibition law of the state government which was initiated and signed into law by the executive governor of Benue state on the 22^th of May 2017.

The open grazing prohibition law among other things, is aimed at initiating the idea of ranching which is a global best practice in the business of rearing livestock all over the world, the law also seek to bring an end to the incessant farmer / herdsmen crisis that has become synonymous with some parts of Benue state, it will also enable the state as well as the herdsmen community to ripe the economic and safety benefit of ranching as it will also prevent the dangers of open and indiscriminate grazing in the state.

  

Without playing politics, the open grazing prohibition law of the state government  initiated by Gov Ortom is laudable, is commendable and is monumental, considering the impact it seek to achieve for the overall good of the state, all parties including the opposition, critics of the governor,  Miyetti  Allah cattle breeders association, social media content writers and the entire people of the state ought to applaud and support the executive Governor to succeed in this endeavor, certain groups have re-coin the law as a quit notice to Fulanis’ in the state, which is a far departure from the original idea and such campaign of calumny and attention seeking for selfish gains, to the detriment of the generality of the people should be ignored.

The law if implemented successfully as intended, will bring about lasting peace to farming communities in parts of Agatu, Buruku and Kwande local government as well as other parts of the state that are susceptible to herdsmen and farmer clashes, it is also likely to serve as a workable template for other states in the country who are seeking ways of addressing same crisis situation in their state. 

Herdsmen / farmer crisis has been a major challenge and a security concern in Nigeria, which has taken thousands of lives and destroyed millions worth of property in different parts of the country, it is of no doubt, that Benue state have been at the epic center of this ugly menace and the Federal and the state government have sorted ways to bring lasting solution to the crisis. With great optimism, I posit that the open grazing prohibition law of the state government will help to bring lasting peace and coexistence between the people of Benue state and the herdsmen communities in the state. 

Jacup Ochulayi; writes from Abuja 

Jacupzulu@gmail.com

ENTERTAINMENT: Xhicute set release date for Gaddafi by Xhicute

 Fast raising Benue born music artist, song writer Xhicute formally known as Moses Ochulayi has released the unofficial song cover art and the hash tags #Gaddafi for his much anticipated single Gaddafi, the song is a street banger, co-produce by PIP classic, it is set to be release 1st of September, watch out for the download link.

Xhicute first release his debut single All I need is you in 2014 and a dance hall single Happy day in 2016, both songs enjoyed massive airplay on radio and online download. In 2015 he made appearance on Nigerian Idol Abuja audition, Xhicute is an undergraduate student of Benue state University makurdi. He's asking you to save the date September the 1st for the release of Gaddafi by Xhicute.

Rihanna and her new look and costume is Breaking the Internet

Riri, the American pop star from Barbados and her costume at the Barbados carnival is breaking the Internet and has go everyone talking.

10 Leadership attributes of the Man Hon (Dr) Francis Otta Agbo – The Moving Train

    By: Jacup Ochulayi

       A lot of great qualities come to mind when the name and personality of Hon Dr Francis Otta Agbo is mention, some are just okay with calling him the moving train, others will go further, but the vision and concept behind the name Moving train and the Liberation ideology that he stands for is so large and vast that it can barely be encapsulated in one single expression or write up, a name he earned from act of selflessness.

There are not a lot of young men in their early 40s who have surpassed the hurdle of excelling through a career and profession as task full and professionally demanding as the Media and journalism profession, Hon Francis Otta rose to become news editor at Leadership newspaper, one of Nigeria’s most widely read newspapers, haven also worked for other renowned print media organization including the Sun newspaper, for a man who came from what I call a ‘’non-golden spoon’’ background or upbringing, this is surely hard work, steadfastness and grace.

Dr Francis Otta was at some point Media strategist and currently the senior special assistant (SSA) Media relation to Gov. Henry Seriake Dickson, the countryman Governor of Bayelsa state, he is saddled with the task of media relations, information management and image building, a responsibility he is carrying out effectively, he has also done the same at the federal level under one of Nigeria’s Finest gem, a crusader and Nigerians’ former minister for information and culture (late) Prof Dora Akunyili of unforgettable blessed memory. This article will not be enough to truly eulogise the personality of Dr Francis Otta Agbo as it is really not the target, but it is to highlight some of the rare  leadership attributes he possess that makes him standout.

1. EXCELLENT CAREER TRACK RECORD
Dr Francis Otta have had an excellent career experience and record of deliverability in public service in a discipline as crucial as the media and journalism profession, he worked with Insider Magazine, TheNews Magazine, The Sun newspaper and Leadership newspaper where he rose to become news editor, he is currently SSA Media relation to Bayelsa state Governor Hon. Seriake Dickson. Formally and informally, Hon Francis Otta has worked with and for notable Nigeria leaders, political office holders and elitist figures.

2. DISCIPLINE
Going by my personal experience and observation I can go on to make the assertion that Dr Francis Otta Agbo is a highly disciplined person and sometimes a hardliner on matters he strongly believe to be true and morally right, and I think such is one quality that defines a good leader. Again, He is SSA Media relation to Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state and was SSA Media and public affairs to former Minister for Information and culture (late) Prof Dora Akunyili, and it  is of no doubt that this two personalities are a true definition of discipline, selfless service to humanity and exemplified leadership.

3. LOYALTY TO A CAUSE OR BELIEVE
Hon Francis Otta showed true sense of loyalty and heed the advice of notable figures and leaders of his party the PDP prior to the 2015 election, to withhold his aspiration to run for the House of Representative seat for Ado, Okpokwu, Ogbadibo in 2015 and work with the incumbent to enjoy a second term, while he gear up for 2019, ordinarily, a typical Nigerian politician will disagree and defect to another party to pursue his aspiration.

4. A STRATEGIC FIGHTER
He is a strategic fighter and a dependable ally, he exemplified this qualities in the example discussed in point no 3,  and other instances in his personal, political and career life.

5. AN EMBEDDED GRASS ROOT ICON
Dr Francis Otta has a wide network of grass root connectivity and bond among the local people, women, youths and elders alike, as he continue to maintain contact with them. His continued selflessness and goodwill to the rural people has put him on a high  pedestal of leadership ranking, which sometimes explain the idea behind the name the moving train.

6. A COOL DEAL MAKER
It is a popular saying that in politics there is ‘’no permanent enemy and no permanent friend’’ as such political actors are expected to make mutually beneficial deals to ensure a healthier and less hostile political environment. Hon Francis Otta is that man who doesn’t come out of a situation hurt or totally a loser, neither dose he let the other party come out hurt, so in the end, there is something for everyone, and is a no victor no vanquish situation.

7. A GOOD INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION MANAGER
Hon Francis Otta worked with former minister for information and culture late Prof Dora Akunyili as senior special assistant on media and public affairs to give Nigeria an all time high positive image, ‘’Nigeria Good People Great Nation’’ was one of her signature reforms and has since become a slogan, her   record of running that office still make her stand out as one of Nigeria’s best information minister.

8. A PATIENT OBSERVER AND LISTENER
He is a good talker with a natural loud voice, you will also agree with me that Hon Francis Otta is a patient observer and listener, he also ask a lot of questions which is typical of a good journalist, and a highly sort out attribute of leadership, if you want to agree with me.

9. CORE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT
Typical of a liberal is a person who believe in the individual right of people and the democratic notion of equity and fairness and the need to carry all and sundry along, which are some of the principles that define Dr Francis Otta and his moving train Ideology.

10. SELF-TRAINED FINANCIAL MANAGER
Hon Francis Otta Agbo has proven a high sense of capability in financial management, a lot of young men within his age bracket, who have tested wealth and juicy opportunities often fall from their high throne of jump-started self-exhortation, slaughtering it on the altar  of flamboyant and exorbitant lifestyle, and the rest remains beer parlour gist of how they spent money in the past, of the truth, they are a handful of young men from Idoma land in that category, but the person of Hon Francis otta, has been able to manage wealth and opportunity so well in an admirable manner and often time reach out to people in need within his knowledge and capacity.

     

Harnessing Benue's Economic Potentials

        
       THE WEALTH OF BENUE LIE FALLOW

Written: 07/07/2015

By: Jacup Ochulayi
Somewhere in the southern part of Benue state lie fallow in large commercial quantity tones of limestone, the raw material for producing cement. Ulayi is one of the nine (9) districts in Ado local government of Benue state, the area contribute immensely to the mineral, geographic, agriculture and overall potential of the state. Study shows that all this potentials and economic viability in the area and the state have not been effectively harnessed by successive government and the private investor, even as several unsuccessful attempts have been made toward that direction.
Couple of months ago I read an article on the BBC website titled : D.R Congo; cursed by its natural wealth, it was written by Dan Snow, a British historian and TV presenter , the opening paragraph of that article reads “ Democratic republic of Congo is potentially the most richest country on earth, but colonialism, slavery and corruption have turned it into one of the poorest"  Read here this article stroke me and also opened my eyes to imagine a lot  of things, it  also boosted my sense of pride as an African, a  Nigerian and an idoma son.
Days and weeks came by and I kept wondering in curiosity, I wanted to know how a person or people so rich in natural endowment yet made poor, by what? I asked myself, circumstances or lack of political will? I wondered on, then, I remembered underdevelopment, bad leadership and tribal conflict could be some of the factors.
The situation in the D.R Congo is not far fetch from what obtains in Benue state the acclaimed food basket of the nation, it is not just by name that it was given that slogan, but for its rich agricultural produces and potential, a warmth and hospitable people, strong and determined youth population, all this are just but a few positive attributes to mention about Benue state.
Food produce such as rice, Beans, cassava, orange, sweet potatoes, maize, soya beans, and millet are some of the commonly grown food in different parts of the state, it is amazing the large quantity of food cultivated / harvested in Benue state and transported to other parts of the country year after year, with no tangible economic returns to the state.
Geological evidence also shows large commercial quantity of limestone (cement) in Ulayi and if effectively utilized will generate revenue for the state, create jobs for the teaming youth population and open the area and the state at large to rural and urban development. Timely, is the fact that the federal government of Nigeria recently placed a ban on the importation of cement into the country, in a bid to encourage local production of the commodity, Talking about cement and limestone, it may also interest you to know that in the 90s, revenue from Gboko cement factory amount to a large portion of the state’s internally generated revenue IGR, before poor management made it fall into the hands of private ownership and the rest since remain history.
Reviving and building new agro and cottage industries, as well as supporting existing small and medium enterprises SMEs in the state is expedient and it will just be one good step in the right direction for the APC led government of Dr Samual Ortomin in the state, considering his wealth of experience as Nigeria’s immediate past minister of trade and investment, he and Dr Olusugun Aganga as senior minister at that time, held that position and Nigeria was able to attract over 1 billion dollar worth   of foreign direct investment into the country, the people of Benue state will not be asking for too much if such is replicated in the state.
Taking proactive steps in achieving this and other critical needs of the state will set Benue state on the path of socio economic self-sustainability, it will also provide employment for the teaming youth of the state who are almost at the brink of restiveness, such action will attract domestic and foreign investors, and most importantly, the state will begin to rip the full benefit of its potentials.
The Ulayi cement project has since remained a paper proposal yearning to see the light of day, which successive government and private investors have not been able execute. Opening the project to investors and giving the needed government support to see to its successful completion will just be one of the biggest selling points of this administration when it is counting its achievement in the coming years.

PLAYGROUND SERIES: ADO, THE POLITICAL HIJACK - (OPINION POST)

Written by: Jacup Ochulayi

Again a major political and government activity gets an embarrassing disruption, the formal inauguration of Ado legislative council and election or selection of principal officers of the house, in other for them to commence work on the job they were elected to do, almost a month after the executive under the leadership of Hon Mrs Blessing Unogwu Agbo was sworn-In and has since hit the ground running. Undoubtedly, Ado local government stands at a very high and strategic pedestal in Benue South, and indeed on the entire Benue political landscape, the political culture of the people remains active and participant in classification, which has nearly made politics a career or source of livelihood for a lot of our people. But, "The true essence of politics would have been lost if it is not for the cause of advancing the development of generality of the people in the society " (self-quote).

The disruptive and inconclusiveness that trailed the APC Chairmanship zoning process in Ado local government prior to the council elections in May, before the intervention of the executive Governor of Benue State Samuel Ortom has replicated itself again, now making it a political trend or pattern of politicking or "getting what, when and how" and in this case, it is for the interest of a" microscopic few", like our friend Hon Patrick Obahiagbon once said. This is a clear attempt of political hijacking and cabalism that is brewing around Ado political development and needs to be watch.

This ugly trend, is  of great concern and a cause for worry on the part of political watchers, stakeholders, analysts and true lovers of Ado, and as such, the need to pen down this few words. Politics, especially at the grassroots should not get to a point of violent disruption of peaceful processes, and when a few are not able to get what they want, or perceive that the process may not favour their interest, then they quickly invite stand-by thugs to disrupt the process. If this emerging trend is not watched and squash immediately, it will eventually become the modus operandi of some political actors, and consequently, a destructive menace to the good image of the local government.

The executive Governor of Benue State has a daunting task of catering for the development needs of the entire people of Benue State, and cannot always be settling Ado's unresolved political dispute each time it arises. The executive Chairman Hon Blessing Unogwu Agbo is riding on a robust electoral mandate and she continues to enjoy the true support of the people, ordinarily, one will expect that she is given the needed support and leverage to excel in the task of governing Ado local government, for the general good of the people. All actors should, for the sake of democracy and progressiveness, shelve their sword and work towards uniting the party.

The idea behind PLAYGROUND SERIES is not to attack persons or group but rather, to make commentary on political events and development in Ado local government........ NEXT EPISODE COMING SOON.

PHOTO STORY: From Lagos @50 Celebration

Cross section of Women and supporters from Agage as part of Lagos @50 celebration, and also first lady of Lagos state Mrs Bolanle Ambode cutting cake with elders giving cheers in the Epe carnival also marking line of events for the golden jubilee celebration of the state. 

Photo credit: Lagos state Fb page

Royal Prince Philip retires from official duty

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband to Queen Elizabeth II, queen of England has announce he is standing out from official duty. the 95 years old Prince made it known in a letter through the Royal Communication Media adversary. Prince Philip who turns 96 next month say he will still attend already scheduled official engagement till August before formerly stepping aside. the Royal family also indicate that the queen was in support of his decision to retire, and she, the queen will continue her normal official engagement

Content credit: the royal family

BIAFRA: Gov Fayose shows solidarity with Biafra agitation and Nnamdi Kanu's freedom

Ayo Fayose the dogged and fearless Governor of Ekiti State has shown up at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to show solidarity to detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. The Governor who showed up dressed in an igbo red cap outfit, was initially denied entry into the court room where the self acclaim leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, Nnandi kanu's application for bail is been heard, former Minister of Aviation Fani kayode was equally barred from entry into the court room by security operative, it took the intervention of Lawyers present, before they were let into the room. Vanguard has report.

source: Vanguard newspaper 

Alarming Humanitarian Crisis putting 1.4 million Children at risk of death

From the : World Economic Forum Report Conflict and drought in four African countries have left 1.4 million children at imminent risk of starvation, according to the United Nations.

Famine has been formally declared in South Sudan and children in Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

The World Food Programme says 20 million lives are at risk in the next six months.

Image: © UNICEF/UN053461/Modola

In northeast Nigeria, the number of children with severe acute malnutrition is expected to reach 450,000 this year, said the charity UNICEF.

In Somalia, 185,000 children are already on the brink of famine. This figure is expected to rise to 270,000 in the next few months.

The UN estimates 6.2 million people in Somalia, half the population, are in need of humanitarian assistance.

In South Sudan, over 270,000 children are severely malnourished. And in Yemen, where a conflict has been raging for two years, 462,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition – a near 200% increase since 2014.

Man-made problem

The humanitarian crisis is largely man-made, according to UNICEF.

In Nigeria the problem is most acute in conflict-hit areas in the north. An insurgency by the islamist group Boko Haram in this region has triggered the displacement of 2.3 million people since May 2013.

In just one year, the number of displaced children increased by more than 60% to 1.3 million. The fighting has disrupted deliveries to markets, leaving people dangerously short of food.

According to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network, famine likely occurred in some previously inaccessible areas of Borno state and other remote areas beyond humanitarian reach. The network says that famine is likely ongoing, and will continue.

In parts of South Sudan, famine has been declared in parts of Unity State in the northern central part of the country, where 20,000 children live. A formal famine declaration means people have already started dying of hunger.

The area has been mired in civil war since 2013. Economic collapse due to the conflict means people can’t afford to buy food. Prices have risen by up to 800%. Humanitarian organisations are unable to get food into the areas most affected by the conflict.

Jeremy Hopkins, UNICEF Representative in South Sudan said, “more than one million children are currently estimated to be acutely malnourished across South Sudan; over a quarter of a million children are already severely malnourished. If we do not reach these children with urgent aid many of them will die.”

It’s a similar story in Yemen, where war has been raging for two years. Families have lost the economic means with which to buy food.

The U.N. World Food Programme chief economist Arif Husain told Reuters: "there is food in the markets but people have not been paid, especially the urban population, which is about a third of the total population."

Yemen is officially still classed as an "emergency", but famine could be declared within about three months, he said.

Drought a factor

In Somalia, which has suffered decades of conflict, a lack of rainfall has brought about a severe drought. As the map below shows, between October and December 2016 large areas of the Horn of Africa received much less rainfall than in previous years.

Image: FEWS NET

The drought has severely limited crop production and, in Somalia in particular, the impact of a poor harvest is expected to be severe.

As famine and starvation take hold, UNICEF says it is working with others to provide treatment for a total of 620,000 severely malnourished children in Nigeria, South Sudan and Somalia. In Yemen another 320,000 children are in desperate need of UNICEF’s help.

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network says that in order to save lives, continued efforts to resolve conflict and improve humanitarian access are essential.

In addition, given the scale of anticipated need, donors and implementing partners should allocate available financial and human resources to those areas where the most severe food insecurity is likely.

content credit: weforum.org