Comr Jackson Ojofu Campaign Forum

As faithful of the church, we must continue to pray for the Pope and all church leaders for the grace of final perseverance, and commit them daily to the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of the church and queen of the apostles.

Happy St. Rita's day

Time for much consultation, advise from a true leader Hon. Terwase BSHOA Representing Makurdi South.

ORTOM LAUNCHES NATIONAL MASS METERING SCHEME

By Comr. Jackson Ojofu
CEO, Jack5 Global

Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom today launched the National Mass Metering Scheme of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company to ensure metering of all customers in the state.

The Governor performed the ceremony in Makurdi when he received the Chairman Board of Directors, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JED, Alhaji Inuwa Babangida and his delegation on a courtesy visit.

He stated that light is the life wire of any organisation and plays a vital role in wealth creation through provision of employment opportunities, stressing that obsolete cables had been the bane of steady electricity supply in some parts of the state.

The Governor urged the management of JED to ensure there is local content in their recruitment to help provide effective security for their facilities, pointing out that his administration would partner the organisation for effective result.

He commended the Makurdi branch manager of the company for his commitment and dedication to duty, even as he appealed for extension of the 33KVA line to Industrial Layout to encourage production.

Alhaji Inuwa Babangida in a remark earlier noted that JED under his leadership is investing over N800 million for investment on the land given to it by the state government and replacement of obsolete cables with galvanized steel towers to boost electricity supply in North Bank and other parts of the state.

He stated that the mass metering scheme which is to be executed in phases has 28,000 metres to be distributed in Benue in the first phase.

The Chairman Board of Directors said JED had budgeted resources to improve electricity supply in Benue and other states under its franchise, adding that the support of the Benue State Government was key to actualisation of the result.

Photo Credit: Shimataver Akile

Ochetoha K'Idoma Youth Wing Appreciates the Benue State Government and Distinguished Sen Abba Patrick Moro for the Transformation Move of the Ochidoma's Palace.

The Ochetoha K'Idoma Youth Wing wish to sincerely appreciate the Benue State Government under the leadership of H E Governor Samuel Ortom and his amiable deputy Engr Benson Abounu for taking the bull by the horn viz a viz giving the Ochidoma's Palace a face lift.

The effort of our own Senator Abba Patrick Moro can not go unnoticed and he played the role of the trigger for this infrastructural revolution that catalyzed the prompt attention of the people's Governor.

We the Idoma youths are over joyed and elated by this development and wish to state our unflinching support at all times towards ensuring the success of this project.

We wish to also appeal that our great sons (lecturers, students and graduates) of creative Arts of the Benue State polytechnic Ugbokolo and indigenous Companies be patronised during the ex*****on of the project so as to impact the economy of the Benue South Senatorial Zone.

God bless the Benue State Government
God bless Sen Abba Patrick Moro
God bless the Idoma Nation

Ochidoma Ko W' Agabaidu!

Obande Gideon
President Elect, Ochetoha K'Idoma Youth Wing (World Wide) aka INF Youth Wing

The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been drawn to numerous publications in both print and electronic media regarding the unfounded fears of mass disconnection of telephone subscribers as a result of the ongoing linkage of SIM Registration Records with the National Identity Number (NIN).
It is therefore necessary for the Commission to issue this clarification in order to allay the fears of subscribers and the general public.

Most of these publications are based on the erroneous assumption that for every network or SIM connection, there is one unique human subscriber.

However, with the advent of social media and App-driven digital environment, network subscription went beyond human subscribers to include machines like PoS, Routers, Wi-Fi devices, electricity meters, CCTV, tracking devices etc.

A recent survey conducted in Nigeria has shown that on average, there are now approximately 4 to 5 SIMs to every human subscriber. This explains the basis of allowing the linkage of up to 7 SIMs to 1 unique NIN in the recently launched Federal Government Portal.

Thus, if there are 43 million Nigerians with NINs, this could account for about 172 million SIMs already linked to NINs. It is very important to emphasize that the current exercise of linking NIN to SIM(s) is for the common good of all Nigerians, as it has far reaching benefits.

Apart from enhancing our general safety, this will help in such vital exercises like National Budgeting, Policy Planning, Social Intervention programs and many more.

The Honourable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy has assured that the Government will continue to review the exercise in the light of experiences to ensure its smooth implementation.

We call on all our media partners, publishers and reporters to always endeavour to seek clarification from the Commission before going to the press, especially on sensitive issues.

Signed:
Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde,
Director, Public Affairs.
Nigerian Communications Commission
Plot 423, Aguiyi Ironsi Street,
Maitama, Abuja
January 6, 2021

MY TRANSITION HOUR: Goodluck Jonathaan book launch!

The Presidential Election Results

Jonathan said of the 2015 presidential election result: “I knew what was coming the day before I called General Muhammadu Buhari. I had reports on the polls around the country. It was clear the results were not going to favour me. Apparently, there were many instances of irregularities. There were series of problems with card readers, resulting from widespread technical hitches leading to the non-uniform application throughout the country.

“For some inexplicable reason, INEC had been able to achieve near 100% distribution of Permanent Voter Cards in the North, including the North East, which was under siege with the Boko Haram insurgency but failed to record a similar level of distribution in the South which was relatively more peaceful.

“Social media was filled with all manner of stories, pictures and videos. I was settled in my mind that I was not going to be the sitting President pointing out these infractions and accusing the opposition and the very INEC I helped to strengthen.

“The world saw my ordeal at the polling unit in my community in Bayelsa State, where the card reader refused my PVC, even after we tried repeatedly during accreditation. And it was the same with my wife and my mother. It was a moment that exposed the shortcomings of INEC.

“However, I was heading towards peace. Stopping the election on voting day would have been like detonating an atomic bomb. After we managed to vote upon filling the Incident Forms, I left Bayelsa for Abuja to monitor the elections and collation of results all over the country from the 29th to 31st March, 2015.

“The country was tensed. I had to do something. I could no longer wait for the collation of the final results. The pressure on the country was palpable. In Lagos, people were ready to burst loose on the streets and in the North; the stage was set for envisaged violence. One of my party’s agents at the INEC National Collation Centre in Abuja, Elder Godsday Orubebe eventually got into a heated argument with the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega. That further raised the tension in the country. Everyone was expecting the worst. I knew it was time to douse the tension.

Why I conceded defeat

“I was fully informed about the manipulations, intrigues, intimidation and betrayals. The consequences of not conceding were only better imagined. My natural instinct for peace automatically surfaced. I was going to make a decision which reflected my commitment to that ideal. This is the foundation of my essence. In my periodic projections into the future, I did not see how I would be presiding over any kind of chaos. I was prepared to promote the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.

“This is a huge sacrifice, but I hope my readers believe me when I say it turned out to be one of the easiest decisions I ever took while in office. With my mind made up, I knew it was time to inject peace into the tensed polity, especially before INEC completed collation.

“I was in my living room with some ministers, aides and friends. Among them were the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Honourable Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka and Waripamowei Dudafa, my Senior Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs.

“They were recommending sundry alternatives, but I was quiet in the midst of their discussion. I hugged my thoughts, figuring out how to do that which was best for the country. My personal interest was receding rapidly and the interest of Nigeria looming large. I excused myself and left the sitting room. I walked into my study. Even here, my mantra was a strong circle around me, supporting and comforting me. Let the country survive. Let democracy survive. My political ambition is not worth people being ‘soaked in blood’.

“More reports flowed in and I could not wait anymore. The announcement of the final result could take issues out of all our hands. It was time for me to take action and bring peace to the nation. I felt I was destined by God at that point in time to inject the peace serum and douse the palpable tension in the country.

“I reached for the telephone and placed a call through the State House operators at about 4:45 pm. A peace I had never felt since my political sojourn, descended on me. It showed me where I had been in the past 16 years and where I was then. I smiled at the thought of what I was about to do. I waited calmly for the person at the other end of my call to answer.
Buhari: “Hello Your Excellency!”

Me: Your Excellency, how are you?”

Buhari: “I am alright, Your Excellency”

Me: “Congratulations!”

Buhari: “Thank you very much Your Excellency …”

“For several seconds the line was seized by the loudest silence I have ever known. Then we had a brief discussion. I could sense his relief too. He knew what could have been. Here is a man who had contested three times and lost. Maybe my gesture humbled him against his expectations because he thanked me and we talked about the handing over processes.

“Everywhere all over Africa, Asia and other parts of the world, countless deaths have been recorded on the scores of elections and power disputes. I mentioned Cote d’Ivoire earlier, where people died in their thousands during post-election violence. A similar scenario had unfolded in Kenya. African nations are more prone to post-election violence than other parts of the world. Only very few African nations have not experienced post-election violence on a very grand scale or some bitter power tussle fed by tribal or ethnic sentiments.

“I hung up the phone, confident that my decision was right for Nigeria and would probably have a great impact on Africa. This may well be the beginning of a new perspective to power; a perspective which places national interest above personal preference. It should not always be about winning.

“After my conversation with Muhammadu Buhari, which lifted my spirit greatly, I felt better and lighter; it was time to break the news to my Ministers and aides. I wandered back into the living room. These are people I came to know after a period of time. I anticipated what their response would be.

“In my new found calm, I stood before them and told them what I had just done. The elections were over. I had called and congratulated Muhammadu Buhari on his victory. It was time for all of us to move on. Stunned silence greeted the room for some time and after they overcame their shock, they all congratulated me.

“My Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, sought my permission to tweet my phone conversation with Muhammadu Buhari. I obliged and he did. The country was no longer waiting for the declaration of the election results. The nationwide tension automatically dissipated as though a red hot piece of iron had been dipped in a bowl of water.’’

INDEPENDENCE MESSAGE
1st October, 2020, 5:30am

By: Comrade Jackson Ojofu
CEO, Jack5 Global/Political Aspirant (Counselor Market/Clerk Ward)

My fellow Nigerians and supporters.
It is with joy that i convey this message to you. First, today is the beginning of a new month and new beginnings in our various lives and secondly, today is our Independence Anniversary day, the day our founding fathers freed us from the shackles of colonial rule exactly 60 years ago.
The journey of our nationhood has been characterized with various episodes and trials which brought out the resilient Nigerian spirit of perseverance, industry and self belief that 'Naija go better' someday in us.

The vision of our founding fathers of building a truly egalitarian society were love, freedom and justice.
As we all rejoice and celebrate our 60 years of nationhood today, I want us all to reflect back and do a self appraisal on those things we as individuals have been doing which has been holding us back as a nation from achieving the goals and dreams of our founding fathers. Building a nation is a collective effort which requires the collective will and mindset of all to achieve.

Henceforth, we all need to do away with the culture of mediocrity and corruption which has held us backwards from developing our potentials of emerging as a great nation in life.

My fellow Nigerians, it is time for us as a nation to chart a new beginning that will lead us into prosperity and advancement in all spheres of human endeavors having being immensely blessed by God with rich human and natural assets which makes us the envy of all nations.
I see a bright future ahead of us as a nation and I urge you all to remain resolute and committed in the Nigerian project, if we have passed through various challenges together as a nation and yet still remains one indivisible entity, I assure you today confidently that the sky is indeed bright for us as a nation.
Please, accept my congratulations of our 60 years of nationhood.

God Bless Nigeria.
Happy independence and new month.

May God grant my heart desire, and bless me with success in my political career. Comrade Jackson Ojofu C.E.O JACK5 GLOBAL INVESTMENT

Let there be peace in our land

SENATOR SUSWAM speaks

A TIME TO HEAL

At times of uncertainties and crisis, it is incumbent on statesmen to stand out and douse situations especially those that threaten the good order of society. The role of elders at times like this is not to inflame passions or fan the embers of hate but to heal all wounds . We are at such a critical juncture in our existence in Benue State.

The events of September 8 2020 in my senatorial district where repentant criminals who had surrendered after extensive persuasions were singled out and killed extra judicially leaves a sour taste and has opened a gaping wound that requires all efforts to heal.
It is no secret that my senatorial district has been traumatized and the people terrorized by activities of criminal gangs led by MR Terwase Agwaza alias Gana for many years. The consequences of this endless terrorism has been a steady decline of economic and social activities leaving a once prosperous people pauperized. Markets no longer attract traders, schools are closed and farmlands abandoned. Politics in the area has become war with an uncontrolled proliferation of dangerous weapons.

No responsible leader will idly standby and watch his community become a theatre of war and a gangster’s paradise. It is with this solution mindset that traditional rulers, clergy men and elders of the area decided to utilize means of constructive engagement and dialogue to ensure that youths of the area do not become tools for the destruction of that society.

The Benue State Government along with the security agencies have long desired for a return to normalcy, peace , prosperity and security of the area. We have all been in agreement that the continuous existence and activities of gangs is an ill wind that blows no one any good. That is why some leaders were mandated to reach out to these outlaws to persuade them to drop their arms and channel their energies towards the rebuilding of our thoroughly battered community.

We were all excited to see the dreaded Gana come out of hiding to the warm embrace of our Traditional Rulers, Clergy and political leaders at a public function at the Akume Atongo Stadium in Katsina Ala. Our joy was multiplied when we saw him along with his militia surrender arms and publicity renounce a life of crime. Our reverred King extracted a pledge from him never to turn his kingdom into a wasteland.

Those present at this forum heaved a great sigh of relief with the thought that finally, a life full of uncertainty has come to and end.

I was totally dumbfounded to learn that while Gana was on his way to Makurdi the state capital to present himself to the State Governor who was waiting, his long convoy that included political leaders, Traditional rulers, clergy men and security agencies was ambushed by allegedly armed soldiers and he isolated and taken away. In the midst of the confusion, pictures began to circulate on social media of the bullet ridden body of Gana with a rifle callously placed on his side.

While I have been consistent in condemning the reign of terror he unleashed on his community, I cannot in good conscience as a lawyer of over three decades and a senior parliamentarian accept cold blooded extra judicial murder of an unarmed person as a solution to our security problems. The lessons of the Boko Haram escalation after a similar murder of its leader are still here with us.

If this method is accepted as a norm in our country, there will be no need for laws and courts. We stand to benefit more by subjecting suspects to due process of the law. Information extracted from a living Gana would have helped security agents get to the root of activities of criminals. By this gestapo style ex*****on, we have missed an opportunity to learn vital lessons about the structure of crime in the area.

Even war criminals captured alive are entitled to certain rights. The claim that Gana was killed in a gunfight needs further explanation because those who accompanied him and who watched him being taken away, including his Local Government Chairman do not believe he was in possession of any arms. An independent judicial commission of inquiry will unravel facts of the matter to serve as lessons for the furure.

It is unfortunate that this event has escalated tensions in the area and that is why I am using this opportunity to plead with all elders and community leaders to rein in their youths and avoid a deterioration of an already bad situation.

This is a time to heal and not war. This is a time to hold each other to our common values as human beings. This is a time to rebuild our fractured society. This is a time to rally together as brothers and say Enough is Enough.

Senator Gabriel Suswam, C.O.N

HIJACKING OF FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION TO WANNUNE THE HEIGHT OF VINDICTIVE POLITICS BY BENUE APC LEADER AKUME

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State is aware that the Federal College of Education earmarked for Benue State has been finally approved by the Federal Ministry of Education to be cited in Wannune, Tarka LGA of the state.

The institution had earlier been earmarked to be cited in Apa LGA, but following a series of manoeuvring lately by Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator George Akume, the project was moved to Wannune, his hometown.

We condemn this development as it represents the height of negative politicking by the Leader of the Benue APC, since his motives for hijacking the project will only serve to deepen a culture of vindictive politics which has come to be the hallmark of APC across Nigeria.

It is instructive that during his first tenure of office, His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom it was who made a formal request to the Federal Government for the College of Education, Katsina-Ala to be upgraded to a Federal College of Education.

Governor Ortom's considerations for making the request were to address the imbalance in the citing of higher educational institutions in the state, as the entire North-East Senatorial District (Zone 'A') in the state has only the College of Education he sought to be upgraded.

It was after the governor parted ways with APC that a top ranking official in the Federal Ministry of Education who hails from Apa LGA did influence the approval for the project to be cited in his locality.

However, PDP is aware that during the recent overtures made to Governor Ortom by APC top brasshats for him to rejoin their party, the bait was dangled before him that the project of the Federal College of Education would be approved and cited where he had requested, if he acceded to their request.

It was after the governor's refusal to rejoin APC that the party's Leader in Benue, being he a cabinet minister, used his clout with his colleague in the Education Ministry to hijack the project to Wannune.

By his action Senator Akume has added another higher institution of learning to the North-West Senatorial District (Zone 'B') where there already exist 5 such institutions, including the Federal University of Agriculture and the Benue State University.

We urge Senator Akume to reach out to the Minister of Education to rescind this decision and take the project of the Federal College of Education to Katsina-Ala as originally requested by Governor Ortom.

The Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs who once held sway as Governor of Benue State for 8 years should emulate the pro-Benue vision of Governor Samuel Ortom who, though from Zone 'B', sees a need to address the imbalance being suffered by Zone 'A' in terms of citing of higher institutions of learning.

Bemgba Iortyom,
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Benue State.
8/9/2020.