BENUE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES NEW CABINET, ASSIGNS PORTFOLIOS

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has announced a new cabinet and officially assigned portfolios to seventeen commissioners, marking a fresh phase in his administration following the recent dissolution of his previous executive council.
The governor disclosed the appointments during a ceremony at the Government House in Makurdi, where he charged the newly sworn-in commissioners to dedicate themselves to service delivery and align with his administration’s vision of restoring good governance and rebuilding the state’s economy.
Among the key appointments, Dr. Paul Ejeh Ogwuche was named Commissioner for Health and Human Services, while Dr. Ortese Yanmar was assigned to Cooperatives and Rural Development. Dr. Fredrick Ikyaan will oversee Lands and Solid Minerals, Hon. Michael Oglegba was appointed Commissioner for Finance, and Hon. Tiza Isaac Imojime will head Youth, Creativity and Innovation.
Others include Hon. Alumo Orpin, who will take charge of Industry, Trade and Investment; Hon. Ugwu Odoh, Commissioner for Water and Environment; Hon. Kunde Aondowase, Humanitarian Affairs; Hon. Kwaghgba Amande, ICT and Digital Economy; and Hon. Joseph Ter Jir, Transport and Energy. The Ministry of Science and Technology will be led by Hon. James Dwem, while Prof. Ornguga Yangien was appointed Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
Additional appointees are Hon. Theresa Ikwue, Women and Social Development; Dr. Benjamin Ashaver, Agriculture and Food Security; Dr. Margaret Adamu Ijaguwa, Education; Dr. Peter Oboh Egbodo, Information, Culture and Tourism; and Hon. Dennis Iyaighgba, Marine and Blue Economy.
Governor Alia described the cabinet reshuffle as a necessary step to reinvigorate governance and ensure more effective implementation of policies. He charged the new commissioners to uphold transparency, accountability, and integrity in the discharge of their duties, warning that non-performance would not be tolerated.
The unveiling of the new cabinet has been welcomed by various political observers in Benue, who believe it reflects a mix of technocrats and politicians aimed at driving the administration’s agenda.