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Economy

Government Unveils Anthem, Symbols To Promote Benue’s Culture, Heritage

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Government Partners FACAN

Government Unveils Anthem, Symbols To Promote Benue’s Culture, Heritage

Government unveils anthem, symbols to promote Benue’s culture, heritage. Mr Alia commended the committee that undertook the project, saying it did an excellent job.

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has unveiled the state’s official anthem and symbols to promote culture, identity, and heritage.

Performing the grand finale of the ceremony on Saturday in Makurdi, Mr Alia said he would send an Executive Bill to the House of Assembly for its implementation.

The governor noted that the symbols represented the essence of Benue people’s identity as reflected in their values, culture, and history.
According to him, the symbols are important tools for the promotion of the state to attract tourists and investors.

The governor said henceforth, the state would uniquely stand out and be recognised through its anthem and symbols.
He noted that the symbols were not only important for their aesthetic value or their promotional potential, but were also a reminder of the citizens’ responsibility to state and county.

He stated, “They are a reminder of our struggles and our triumphs, and they inspire us to strive for greatness. They are a symbol of our unity and our diversity, and they remind us that we are stronger together than we are apart. I therefore urge you all to embrace the state symbols with pride and enthusiasm.

Let us use them to promote our state’s identity and culture and to inspire others to do the same. Let us wear them on our sleeves, literally and figuratively, and let us show the world what it means to be a true Benue citizen. The symbols are a gift to our state and to our people.”
Mr Alia commended the committee that undertook the project, saying it did an excellent job.

“Your dedication, expertise, and commitment to this project are truly commendable. As your governor, I am honoured to accept the outcome of this process and to express my deepest gratitude to the committee that worked tirelessly to ensure that the symbols truly represent the spirit of Benue State.

I would also like to appreciate everyone who made entries for the state symbols. Your creativity, imagination, and enthusiasm are what made this project a success.

“Whether your entry was selected or not, please know that your contribution is valued and appreciated. You have helped to shape the identity of our state, and for that, we are eternally grateful,” he said.

The governor further assured the people that his administration was determined to face its responsibility of ensuring that the state was taken out of the woods of underdevelopment.

He said his administration was building strong health and educational systems as a matter of urgency beginning with the engagement of 9,700 new teachers.

The governor noted that the government was tackling security challenges head-on, adding that the Internally Displaced Persons would soon be returned to their ancestral homes
Earlier, Chairman of the State Symbols Screening Committee, Justice Augustine Utsaha (retd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to be part of the history making.

Mr Utsaha said the search for common identity and heritage for the state was long overdue, adding that the concept was a noble idea that must be taken seriously.
He said the governor’s commitment to infrastructure development was legendary and his concern for human capital, second to none.

Benue

Benue

 

He noted that the committee had worked tirelessly to select the best symbols for the state through a transparent process.
The chairman expressed hope that the symbols would be a beacon of pride for Benue citizens and reaffirm their commitment to the state’s unity and progress.

“I see the symbol being used to promote culture and education. It will play a big role in promoting peace and unity,” Mr Utsaha said
The Secretary of the committee, Chief Solomon Iorpev, said the committee received a total of 119 entries, which were screened to get the top five.
Mr Iorpev explained that the anthem was birthed from the submissions of the five finalists.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

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