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Benue Governor Alia Moves to Upgrade Agricultural Centre into Higher Institution, Plans Fresh Teacher Recruitment
By Fabian Apechihin
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has announced plans to convert the Agricultural Training Centre in Mbatie, Buruku Local Government Area, into a higher institution. He also disclosed that his administration is preparing to recruit more teachers for primary and secondary schools as part of efforts to expand investment in human capital.
Alia made the disclosures during separate meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders and political stakeholders in Buruku, Gboko and Tarka as part of his ongoing statewide Thank-You tour.
The proposed institution is expected to train agricultural extension workers who will take modern farming techniques, government policies and new technologies directly to farmers, especially in rural communities. The governor directed the Commissioners for Works and Education, Kuma Iyenge and Margaret Adamu, to begin the upgrade process without delay.
He emphasised that improved agricultural extension services would boost farm productivity and help modernise Benue’s largely agrarian economy. Alia urged residents, particularly those in Buruku, to increase their participation in agriculture, noting that the sector can create jobs, raise household incomes and strengthen the state’s economy.
Linking the initiative to broader education and skills development, the governor said the government would continue expanding the state’s human capital base. He revealed that plans are underway to recruit additional teachers for both primary and secondary schools, following the earlier employment of 9,700 primary school teachers. The move aims to address manpower shortages and raise the quality of education across Benue.
Alia also called on residents to prioritise the collective interest of the state over political differences, stressing that development depends on unity and stability. He urged continued cooperation with the Federal Government and commended President Bola Tinubu for his support to Benue.
The remarks came amid community appeals for greater investment in basic infrastructure. At the Buruku meeting, Local Government Chairman Raymond Aondoakura praised the administration’s interventions but requested the establishment of a science secondary school in the area. Traditional rulers, including the Ter Buruku, Moses Hanior; Mue Ter Mbanyam, Tivfa Addingi; and the District Head of Mbakyongu, Nikwagh Toryough, also acknowledged ongoing projects and called for stronger cooperation between the Jechira and Jemgbagh blocs.
The tour further drew political support for Alia ahead of the 2027 elections. Tarka Local Government Chairman Raphael Yenge commended projects in Gboko and Tarka, while APC women and youth leaders pledged their backing. Former Governor Gabriel Suswam urged the people of Jemgbagh to avoid political distractions and support Alia’s re-election. APC State Chairman Benjamin Omale similarly called for stronger party mobilisation ahead of 2027.
The Thank-You tour is being held across Benue’s 11 federal constituencies, bringing the governor face-to-face with traditional rulers, religious leaders, political actors and other community stakeholders.
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed the appreciation of the people of the state to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the commencement of construction work on the Oko Olowo Bridge.
In a statement on Thursday, the Governor said the project underscores the love of the President for the people of the state and his commitment to public welfare.
“Our advocacy on this bridge began since 2019. We again renewed this advocacy as the President settled down in the office in 2023. I recall visiting the Hon. Minister HE David Umahi in 2024 in company of His Excellency Governor of Kogi State Ahmed Usman Ododo, Hon. Mukhtar Shagaya and Hon. Ahmed Yinka Aluko to further press for urgent construction of the bridge as well as Ilorin-Lokoja Road via Omu Aran,” the Governor said in the statement.
“In a visit to the state in October 2025, the Hon. Minister assured us that work will soon begin on the bridge. So what is happening today is a dream come true and promise kept by the President and the Hon. Minister. We are grateful and we see this as an intentional effort to protect lives and property. It is a relief to tens of thousands of our people who live in that axis or travel along that road every other day. We are also confident that the Hon. Minister will graciously expedite action on our other requests, including the Ilorin-Lokoja via Omu Aran, for the good of our people.
“This Oko Olowo project is one of the many other dividends of democracy that our people have enjoyed, and it is another reason that the people of our state will vote massively for the President and all APC candidates in the coming election.
Troops of Sector 8, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have engaged suspected local militia elements in a fierce firefight during a clearance operation at Kogul Village in Muko District, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Our correspondent reports that, the operation, conducted between Sept. 8 and 9, followed reports of arson, destruction of farmlands and the expulsion of residents from the community.
During the operation, the troops established contact with the suspected militias and engaged them in a fierce firefight, forcing the criminals to withdraw into the forest.
A soldier, Pte. Husseini Ibrahim, sustained a gunshot wound to his right leg during the encounter and was evacuated to General Hospital, Mangu, for medical attention.
Troops subsequently exploited the general area in an effort to locate and arrest the fleeing criminals and recover their weapons.
However, no further contact was established before the troops returned to base, while operations to track the fleeing suspects remain ongoing.
Troops of Sector 6, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have neutralised a suspected kidnapper during a gun battle with a group of kidnappers at Angwan Boka in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The troops, who were deployed in the area, engaged the suspected kidnappers at about 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, following a report of their activities in the area.
During the encounter, the troops brought their superior firepower to bear, neutralising one of the kidnappers, while others fled into the surrounding area.
The troops subsequently exploited the area and recovered one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle loaded with six rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
Zagazola Makama reports that troops are currently conducting clearance operations in the area to track down and neutralise other fleeing members of the kidnapping gang.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE to disrupt criminal activities and improve security across Plateau State.
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