Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has named a five-member board for the Benue State Primary Health Care Board and made 23 replacement appointments across government offices, seeking to reinforce frontline health administration and prevent vacancies from disrupting public services.
Primary healthcare board constituted
The new Benue State Primary Health Care Board, BSPHCB, will be led by Dr Kadev Kenneth Kelvin as Executive Secretary, while Dr Tolough Godfrey has been appointed chairman.
- Hon. Chiangi Anongu will represent Zone A.
- Mr Gabriel Ugber will represent Zone B.
- Dr Obeka Ochim Jo-Lewis will represent Zone C.
The appointments were announced on Monday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula. The board appointments form part of efforts to improve the management of primary healthcare services in the state.
Replacement appointments across government
Governor Alia also approved 23 appointments to take over posts held by officials who had resigned from his administration. The replacements cover advisory roles, liaison offices, agencies and other public institutions.
- Hon. Jonathan Iyoo Igbondo was appointed Special Adviser on Unions and Labour Relations.
- Rt. Hon. Dickson Ocheokwoi Benjamin became Special Adviser on Works, Housing and Urban Development.
- Engr. Iko Benjamin was named Special Adviser on International Investment.
- Michael Nyamtsam Mtseve was appointed Special Adviser on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.
- Akaavah Augustine Liam was named Director General of Social Investment.
- Fabian Luvin became Personal Security Assistant for Protocol and Wardrobe.
- Attah Mark Ochoga was appointed Personal Special Assistant on Digital Economy and Job Creation.
- Hon. Eric Ameh was named Senior Special Assistant on Administration in the Office of the Deputy Governor.
- Agbanyi David Sixtus was appointed Senior Special Assistant for the Rehabilitation Centre in Apir.
- Hon. Linda Ene Dirisu became Coordinator of the Benue State Sexual Assault Referral Centre.
Planning, investment and local government roles filled
Further appointments span planning, investment, agriculture, sanitation, youth mobilisation and local government coordination.
- Dr Abutu Tolbert Tordue was appointed Director of Research at the Benue State Planning Commission.
- John Mimi Ihyembe became Personal Special Assistant on Local Government Area Coordination and Monitoring.
- Linus Madugu was named a member of the Benue Investment and Property Company Board.
- Hon. Unongo Simon was appointed Government Liaison Officer for Guma Local Government Area.
- Hon. Ikyereve Benjamin Aondonenge became Government Liaison Officer for Tarka Local Government Area.
- Igba Terna Dominic was named Personal Assistant in the Office of the Chief of Staff.
- Ayongol Terhemen Abraham was appointed Personal Assistant on Youth and Media Mobilisation.
- Terzungwe Yina became Special Adviser on Sanitation.
- Mrs. Maureen Hembadoon Iortyer was appointed Government Liaison Officer for Makurdi Local Government Area.
- Jacob Tertsea Agede was named Special Adviser on Agriculture.
- Mr Andy Terfa Agbavanger was appointed Secretary of the Benue Independent Electoral Commission.
- Hon. Patience Erube became Personal Special Assistant for Protocol in the Office of the Deputy Governor.
- Dr Apenda Isaac Tersoo was appointed Executive Secretary of the Benue State Scholarship Board.
Immediate implementation and service-delivery focus
All of the appointments take effect immediately. The governor congratulated the appointees and said their selection reflected the administration’s determination to preserve an efficient government structure and ensure that unfilled positions do not weaken public-service delivery.
He instructed the new officials to familiarise themselves with the administration’s vision and to work in accordance with its direction and principles. He also said they must place Benue State’s interests above all other considerations in carrying out their official responsibilities.
The appointments are expected to improve coordination and service provision across the affected government offices and institutions.
