17 Take Oath As Commissioners In Benue

By; ARCHIBONG ESUENE, Abuja

In the second lap administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, 17 persons have taken oaths of allegiance as commissioners in a colourful ceremony which took took place at the Old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi.

The 17 commissioners which comprised of two women, came weeks after the Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, dissolved the Benue State Executive Council, since the inception of his administration in 2023.

Former members of the State executive council who were not reappointed include, Governor Alia’s first Chief of Staff, Mr. Paul Biam; Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, Attorney General, Justice and Public Order; Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange, Youth and Sports, Prof. Moses Ogbaji, Agriculture and Natural Resources; Mr. Nick Eworo, Science and Technology; Mr. Omale Omale, Transport and Energy; Mrs. Joyce Luga, Cooperatives and Rural Development, have not returned. .

In a dramatic event as a result of the sudden change in the House of Assembly leadership, two persons—Prof. Yangien Ornguga and Mr. James Dwem, whose nominations were stepped down by the State Assembly, were cleared by the new House leadership and taken the oaths alongside their colleagues.

According to the governor, the commissioners were carefully selected, given their proven understanding of governance, transparency, and discipline, stressing that much was expected from them.

He urged the commissioners to maintain strong links with their local communities and serve as spokespersons of government programmes while upholding confidentiality in state matters.

New Nigerian Newspapers gives the names of the commissioners as, Dr. Ortese Yanmar; Dr. Fredrick Ikyaan; Mr. Michael Oglegba; Mr. Tiza Isaac Imojime; Mr. Alumo Orpin; Mr. Ugwu Odoh; Mr. Kunde Aondowase; Mr. Kwaghgba Amande; Mr. Joseph Ter Jir; Mr. James Dwem; Prof. Ornguga Yangien; Mrs. Theresa Odachi Ikwue, Dr. Benjamin Ashaver, Dr. Adamu Margaret Ijaguwa; Dr. Peter Oboh Egbodo; Dennis Iyaighgba; and Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche.