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CHIEF AMB. EKA DICKSON A’ADU SALUTES GOVERNOR ALIA AT 60
Chief Ambassador Eka Dickson A’adu, the Chief Executive Officer of Ekason Groups of Companies — a reputable conglomerate with diverse interests spanning commerce, real estate, trade, and community development — and a distinguished community leader of Benue State extraction, has risen with a heart full of gratitude and admiration to celebrate His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, as he marks his 60th birthday — a golden milestone in the life of a man who has become synonymous with transformation, courage, and servant leadership. Chief Amb. Eka, a man who has long held the conviction that a governor who builds roads builds futures and a leader who bridges divides builds a people, found in Governor Alia the living proof of that conviction — a builder and a bridge-maker in the truest and most literal sense of both words.
In a heartfelt tribute made available to this publication, Chief Amb. Eka described Governor Alia as a rare breed of leader — one whose footprints are not found in the pages of press releases alone, but etched permanently in the concrete of roads, the steel of bridges, and the grateful hearts of millions of Benue people who can today travel with dignity, conduct business with ease, and look upon their state capital with well-deserved pride.
When Governor Alia assumed office on the 29th of May, 2023, the streets of Makurdi told a tale of neglect — potholed, waterlogged, and weary. Yet with the single-minded focus of a man on a divine assignment, he wasted no time. He simultaneously flagged off the construction of sixteen township roads within the Makurdi metropolis, a feat that stunned critics into silence and set the tone for what was to become a legacy of unparalleled infrastructure renewal. That number has since grown to over fifty road projects cascading across Benue State like arteries of progress — connecting communities, opening markets, and restoring the dignity of a people who had long navigated the indignity of impossible terrain. As a businessman whose operations span multiple sectors and who travels regularly across the length and breadth of the state, Chief Amb. Eka affirmed with firsthand authority that the roads now being laid in Makurdi, Gboko, and beyond are a testament to a governor who truly means business.
Beyond the roads themselves, Chief Amb. Eka was emphatic that the construction of modern underpasses and overhead bridges in both Makurdi and Gboko represents the boldest expression yet of Governor Alia’s transformative vision. The flyover at the High-Level roundabout in Makurdi and the underpass at Gyado Junction in Gboko were not merely engineering projects — they were declarations. They declared that Benue State had arrived on the map of modern infrastructure, that its cities deserved the same dignity afforded to any other state capital in the federation, and that the era of traffic gridlock strangling commerce and daily life was firmly over. For a state that had languished in infrastructural stagnation for years, these structures stand as enduring monuments to what becomes possible when leadership is purposeful, courageous, and unafraid to dream big. Every morning that motorists ease through those underpasses and over those bridges, they move through a corridor built from a governor’s sacrifice, commitment, and unyielding love for his people.
Chief Amb. Eka equally praised Governor Alia for understanding that great governance does not stop at the gates of the state capital. The Governor’s administration has pursued an ambitious programme to link virtually all Local Government Area headquarters across Benue State to Makurdi through quality, durable roads — roads that do not surrender to the first rains but are built to serve generations yet unborn. Of particular note, and one that Chief Amb. Eka described as touching his heart most deeply, is the ongoing reconstruction of the Oju-Awajir road. This vital corridor, which had for years condemned the people of Oju and surrounding communities to near-isolation, is being transformed into a modern thoroughfare worthy of the industrious people it serves. Its completion, he noted, will not only ease the movement of goods and persons but will unlock the enormous agricultural and economic potential of those communities, weaving them permanently into the fabric of Benue’s development story. “This,” he declared, “is governance with a conscience.”
To understand Governor Alia the builder, Chief Amb. Eka noted, one must first appreciate Governor Alia the man. Born on the 15th of May, 1966, in the quiet hills of Mbangur, Mbadede in Vandeikya Local Government Area, and educated across some of the finest institutions in Nigeria and the United States of America — including a Master’s degree in Religious Education from Fordham University, Bronx, New York, and a Master’s in Biomedical Ethics from Duquesne University, Pennsylvania — Governor Alia is a leader shaped by intellectual rigour, spiritual discipline, and a lifetime of humanitarian service. He did not arrive at Government House as a career politician seeking personal comfort. He arrived as a servant leader carrying the full and solemn weight of a people’s hope. His inaugural declaration — “You were waiting for Hope” — was not political theatre. It was a covenant. And on this, his 60th birthday, that covenant is being honoured visibly and verifiably on every newly tarred road, every standing bridge, and in every community now within reach of Makurdi and of opportunity.
Chief Amb. Eka Dickson A’adu himself is no stranger to the weight of responsibility and the demands of leadership. Hailing from a family with deep roots in the commercial and philanthropic life of Benue State, he has built Ekason Groups of Companies into a reputable institution serving the people of the state and beyond across multiple sectors. His business philosophy has always been anchored on one conviction: when the land prospers, its people prosper, and when its people prosper, enterprise thrives. It is from this vantage point — as a businessman, a community leader, and a proud Benue son — that he stands to celebrate Governor Alia, affirming that the Governor’s developmental strides have not only transformed the state’s infrastructure but have improved the business climate, reduced logistics costs, and opened fresh corridors of opportunity for entrepreneurs, traders, farmers, and small business owners across Benue State.
In his own words, Chief Amb. Eka closed with a solemn, public, and unequivocal pledge:
“Your Excellency, on this milestone birthday, I make this pledge publicly and unequivocally: I stand fully behind you. I pledge my unwavering support — moral, social, and material — for your re-election bid in 2027. Benue State cannot afford to interrupt a journey that has only just found its stride. The roads you are building must be completed. The bridges you have raised must be maintained. The vision you carry must be seen to its fullest fruition. May God Almighty grant you many more years of health, wisdom, and the strength to serve. Happy 60th Birthday, Your Excellency. The Heart of the Nation beats proudly because of you.”
— Chief Amb. Eka Dickson A’adu
Chief Executive Officer, Ekason Groups of Companies
Community Leader & Philanthropist, Benue State
By Emmanuel Kuza
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State, Abuga Ovie, has described the name Ombugadu as a political brand, saying the popularity and wide acceptance of the name have made David Emmanuel Ombugadu a major force in the state’s political landscape.
Ovie, who stated this in an interview on Tuesday, said what started as opposition from some of Ombugadu’s biological brothers and people he described as fathers and uncles who betrayed him for personal political interests had now assumed a wider dimension, with political parties allegedly joining the battle against him.
According to him, the latest development was an attempt to undermine the political value of the Ombugadu name by presenting another person with the same surname, describing it as an indication of how far some political actors were prepared to go to weaken the PDP governorship candidate.
“Ombugadu is a brand, not a title. The people are not fools. They know their own. You cannot simply bring another person bearing the same name and expect the people to forget the political identity that Ombugadu has built over the years,” he said.
He further alleged that a former governor was working to introduce a political associate who had served as Accountant-General of Nasarawa State into the political equation, with the alleged objective of destabilising the PDP and weakening its chances by ensuring that the party fields a less competitive candidate in 2027.
“The plan, as we understand it, is to destabilise the PDP and make sure the party presents a weak candidate, thereby creating an advantage for the former governor’s preferred candidate. But all those efforts have proved abortive because the national leadership of the PDP stood its ground and refused to lose its best bet for the 2027 governorship election,” Ovie said.
The PDP chieftain said the resolve of the national leadership to retain Ombugadu had demonstrated the confidence the party had in his capacity to win the governorship election, despite what he described as attempts by some political actors to frustrate his ambition.
Ovie urged political parties and their leaders to resolve their internal differences instead of concentrating their efforts on Ombugadu, whom he compared to David in the Bible, saying he remained focused despite betrayal and opposition from those close to him.
“Ombugadu is like David in the Bible. Even when his brothers forsook him, he remained focused. Today, despite the people who have betrayed him, he remains focused and has a blueprint that can rescue Nasarawa State,” he said.
He said political parties should concentrate on presenting their programmes and convincing voters about how they intend to address the challenges confronting the state rather than expending their energy on attempts to stop Ombugadu.
“Political parties should fix their problems instead of wasting their strength fighting Ombugadu. Let everybody bring their blueprint before the people and explain what they intend to do for Nasarawa State,” he said.
Ovie maintained that the 2027 election should be about ideas, competence and the future of Nasarawa State, rather than attempts to manipulate political structures or undermine individuals perceived to enjoy strong grassroots support.
He urged the people of the state, particularly the Eggon community, to remain politically vigilant and resist what he described as efforts to make them settle for less, insisting that voters would ultimately determine who enjoys their confidence at the polls.
Reduce repeated references to Ombugadu
By Israel Adamu, Jos
Two hundred widows from communities across Langtang North Central State Constituency of Plateau State have benefited from an empowerment outreach organised by Gimbiya Gani Nandir Lar under the Jagoran Talakawa movement.
The outreach, held at Pilgani in Langtang North Local Government Area, was aimed at supporting vulnerable women and drawing attention to the challenges faced by widows, particularly those struggling to provide food, pay school fees and meet other basic needs for their families.
The organiser, Nandir Lar, who is the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Langtang North Central State Constituency, said the gesture was motivated by compassion and concern for vulnerable members of the society.
She stressed that the outreach was not a political programme but an expression of love and support for humanity.
Nandir Lar said: “The plight of widows may not always make headlines, but their struggles are real, painful and deserving of our collective attention.
“This is simply an expression of compassion and love for humanity. It is not a political programme.
“Our constituency is home to people with diverse needs, including mothers, widows and young people who are seeking opportunities to improve their lives.”
Former Provost of the Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Amos Chirfat, commended the initiative, saying it had brought smiles to the faces of vulnerable women in the constituency.
Minority Leader of the Langtang North Legislative Council, Dirya Sheni, also commended Nandir Lar for supporting widows and other vulnerable members of the community.
At the end of the outreach, each of the 200 beneficiaries received a 10-kilogramme bag of corn flour, seasoning and N10,000 cash
By Francis Wilfred
The Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), and the Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN) have expressed commitment to ensure a full compliance with the Anti Money Laundering/Counter Finance on Terrorism/Counter Proliferation Financing, (AML/CFT/CPF) laws within the Nigeria’s real estate sector.
They made the resolve during a stakeholders’ engagement held on Thursday, September 10, 2026
The engagement focused on Mutual Evaluation readiness, risk-based supervision, beneficial ownership transparency, customer due diligence, internal controls and stronger collaboration between SCUML and the real estate sector.
Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE 1 Ibinabo Amachree, speaking on behalf of SCUML highlighted the strategic role of real estate operators in protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system, particularly given the sector’s vulnerability to money laundering and other financial crime risks.
Amachree encouraged REDAN members to move beyond registration to ensure that compliance is embedded in their day-to-day operations. He mentioned the areas to include: understanding institutional risks, knowing customers and beneficial owners, identifying politically exposed persons, conducting appropriate sanctions screening, maintaining effective internal controls and meeting applicable reporting obligations
He, therefore, reaffirmed readiness to working closely with REDAN and other stakeholders to improve compliance, build capacity and promote a stronger culture of accountability across the real estate sector
“The message is clear: effective compliance is not just about meeting regulatory requirements; it is about protecting businesses, strengthening the real estate sector and safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system”, she said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of REDAN, Lagos state, Mr Tony Kolawole pledged readiness to partner with SCUML in ensuring compliance with AML/CFT/CPF in the real estate sector to uphold financial integrity.
The engagement also provided an opportunity for REDAN members to share practical regulatory and operational challenges affecting the sector, reinforcing the importance of continuous dialogue between regulators and industry stakeholders.
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