Fabian

The newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, formerly Benue State University, Timothy Terseer Alabar, has officially assumed office and outlined his vision to reposition the institution for academic excellence, research advancement, infrastructure development and overall growth.

Speaking at the handover ceremony over the weekend, Prof. Alabar expressed gratitude to Hyacinth Alia for entrusting him with the leadership of the university. He announced that his administration would be anchored on three core pillars — intelligence, hard work and integrity.

According to a statement issued by the university’s Information, Publications and Public Relations Unit, the new Vice-Chancellor said these guiding principles would drive efforts to foster a more conducive environment for teaching, research and community service — the institution’s primary mandate.

Prof. Alabar assured that student welfare would receive priority attention, while staff wellbeing would be strengthened. He also pledged improvements in critical infrastructure to enhance learning, teaching and research activities across the university.

In his remarks, the outgoing Acting Vice-Chancellor, Emmanuel Kenen, thanked the Governing Council, chaired by Paul Chukwuma, for recommending him for the acting role. He also appreciated the governor for approving his appointment.

Reflecting on his tenure, Prof. Kenen commended members of the university community for their cooperation and support, urging them to extend the same goodwill to the new Vice-Chancellor as the institution embarks on a new phase of leadership.

Fabian

There was tension at the National Assembly on Monday after the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was reportedly prevented from participating in an ongoing budget defence session.

According to reports, the dispute arose after the lawmaker discovered that her name was omitted from the attendance register of the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission. Akpoti-Uduaghan, who arrived prepared to take part in the proceedings, raised concerns over what she described as persistent attempts by some colleagues to sideline her legislative activities in the Red Chamber.

Upon noticing the omission, she reportedly sought clarification from the committee clerk but was informed that the clerk was in the office of the Committee Chairman, Titus Zam. She then proceeded to meet the chairman for an explanation.

During their exchange, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that the chairman suggested his actions were based on directives from higher authorities, though no specific details were provided. The senator described the incident as part of a broader pattern of marginalisation.

She emphasized that all senators are constitutionally equal in status and mandate, questioning the procedural and constitutional basis for her exclusion from a committee whose responsibilities directly impact the North Central region.

The situation reportedly escalated when aides attached to the committee chairman confronted her media team. Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that about six aides, including the chairman’s secretary, seized her cinematographer’s phone and engaged in verbal hostility—an action she described as unacceptable.

Reaffirming her commitment to fairness and institutional integrity, the Kogi Central lawmaker insisted that her stance was driven by the mandate entrusted to her by her constituents.

“I will not have any senator here undermine my people,” she said, pledging to continue speaking out against what she views as attempts to infringe on her legislative rights.

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The lawmaker representing Benue South and Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, has warned that he may mobilize his constituents against the re-election bid of Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, citing what he described as the continued marginalization of the Idoma-speaking areas.

Moro accused the governor of neglecting Benue South, particularly in infrastructure development, and failing to adequately address the needs of the district, which he said played a crucial role in the emergence of the current administration.

Speaking on The Conversation, a programme aired on IDOMA Television, the senator alleged that Governor Alia had not visited communities in Benue South affected by attacks from suspected Fulani herdsmen, despite touring other parts of the state facing similar security challenges.

He expressed concern over what he termed the absence of meaningful projects in the district, noting that nearly two years into the administration, no major government initiative had been both initiated and completed in Benue South.

“I think that Governor Alia has been corrupted absolutely by power and has decided to turn his back on the people who assisted him in the beginning to give his government a firm foundation,” Moro said.

The senator insisted that the people of Benue South deserve equitable development and representation, stressing that the governor could not point to any completed project in the area.

“If it continues like this, I will mobilize my people against his re-election. That is straightforward. As a leader, one day you will think about handing over the baton of leadership,” he added.

The remarks signal growing political tension in Benue State as discussions around governance, fairness, and the next electoral cycle intensify.