Benue Tori

‎FULL BIOGRAPHY OF MAJOR GIDEON GWAZA ORKAR (04TH OCTOBER 1952 - 27 JULY 1990)
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‎Gideon Orkar was a Nigerian Army Major, Armoured Corps officer, best known for leading the violent but failed coup of 22 April 1990 against General Ibrahim Babangida
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‎1. Early Life and Family
‎Gideon Orkar was the 9th child of Levi Orkar Chi, a teacher of Tiv heritage, in Apir village, Gwer Local Government Area, now in Makurdi LGA of Benue State.
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‎He was raised in a Protestant Tiv family. He attended primary schools at Apir village and Wadata, Makurdi.
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‎2. Education
‎For secondary education, he attended Boys Secondary School, Gindiri, in present-day Plateau State.
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‎While he was taking his Higher School Certificate (HSC) classes, he responded to an army advertisement and joined the Nigerian Army in 1972 as cadet No. 682.
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‎3. Military Career
‎Orkar started his officer cadet training at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, with the 12th Regular Combatant Course and was commissioned in December 1974 as a Second Lieutenant, posted to the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps School in Ibadan.
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‎His service record included:
‎• Member of the Nigerian peacekeeping contingent in Chad in 1978
‎• Served in Recce in Kaduna, 82 Division in Enugu, and the Armoured School, Bauchi
‎• In 1986, attended Senior Officers Course 9 at the Command and Staff College, Jaji • Commander of Saki 22 Armoured Battalion in Oyo State
‎• His last posting before the coup was as a member of the Directing Staff of the Command and Staff College, Jaji
‎He was regarded as a gunnery expert and a bright, outspoken officer from the Middle Belt.
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‎4. The April 22, 1990 Coup
‎On Sunday, 22 April 1990, around 4:00 am, Major Orkar and a group of junior officers launched what is considered the most audacious coup attempt in Nigerian history.
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‎Orkar and his conspirators seized the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) radio station, various military posts around Lagos and Dodan Barracks, Lagos, then the military headquarters and presidential Villa.
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‎General Babangida was present when Dodan Barracks was attacked but managed to escape through a back route, reportedly with the help of his ADC, Col. U.K. Bello.
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‎At about 7am, Orkar went on air to announce the overthrow of what he called the "dictatorial, corrupt, drug baronish, evil" administration of Babangida.
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‎The most controversial part of his broadcast was political:
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‎He said he was acting on behalf of the patriotic and well-meaning peoples of the Middle Belt and the southern parts of Nigeria. He accused the Babangida regime of marginalization of the Niger Delta and southern Nigeria and of planning to make himself life president.
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‎He then announced the immediate temporary excision of five far-northern states from the Federal Republic of Nigeria: Sokoto (today's Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara), Borno (Borno and Yobe), Katsina, Kano (Kano and Jigawa) and Bauchi (Bauchi and Gombe). He argued this was to free the rest of the country from the dominance of a feudal, aristocratic clique.
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‎The coup was crushed within hours by loyal troops under General Sani Abacha and others. The ethnic and religious tone of the speech alienated many northern officers who might otherwise have been sympathetic to anti-Babangida sentiment, leading to its failure.
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‎5. Trial and Death
‎Orkar and 41 other conspirators were arrested, tried by a Special Military Tribunal, convicted of treason, and sentenced to death.
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‎Major Gideon Orkar and 41 others were executed by firing squad on 27 July 1990. He was 37 years old.
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‎6. Legacy
‎In the Middle Belt and southern Nigeria, particularly among Tiv people and Niger Delta activists, Orkar is remembered as a revolutionary who "saw tomorrow" — an early voice against what he saw as internal colonialism and northern domination of Nigerian politics.
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‎In 2021, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom honoured him by naming a road after him in Makurdi, a move that sparked national debate, with groups like MURIC condemning the honouring of a convicted traitor.
‎Whether you call him a hero or a traitor, you can't deny one thing - this Tiv man from Benue said 35 years ago what many Nigerians are still afraid to say today.
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‎He was 37 years old. He knew he would die if it failed. He still went on FRCN radio and said the Middle Belt and the South had been reduced to slaves.
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‎My question is: If Orkar was alive today, would he say "I told you so" or would he apologize?
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‎Was his excision of 5 states from Nigeria a mad idea or a painful solution we refused to understand?
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‎Let's talk history honestly. No insults, just truth. What did your parents tell you about that day?
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‎👇 Your honest take?
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‎FULL BIOGRAPHY OF REV. FR. DR. HYACINTH IORMEM ALIA. A.K.A ("ASORTAR U TIV")
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‎Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia is a Nigerian Catholic priest-turned-politician, current Governor of Benue State since 29 May 2023.
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‎1. Early Life & Family
‎• Born: 14 May 1966 in Mbangur, Mbadede, Vandeikya Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria. Some sources list 15 May 1966.
‎• Ethnicity: Tiv, from Vandeikya LGA
‎• Parents: Mr. Thomas Katsina Alia and Mrs. Katsina Alia.
‎• Raised in a predominantly Catholic community, which shaped his early religious vocation.
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‎2. Education
‎Alia has one of the most extensive academic backgrounds among Nigerian governors:
‎• Primary: St. Francis Primary School, Agidi, Mbatiav, Gboko LGA - First School Leaving Certificate
‎• Secondary / Minor Seminary: St. James Minor Seminary, Makurdi, enrolled 1983 where he began his religious journey
‎• Major Seminary: St. Augustine's Major Seminary, Jos:
‎• Diploma in Religious Studies - 1987
‎• B.A. in Sacred Theology - 1990
‎• United States:
‎• Masters in Religious Education (Psychology and Counseling) - Fordham University, Bronx, New York, 1999
‎• Masters in Biomedical Ethics - Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 2004
‎• Doctorate in Biomedical Ethics - same Duquesne University, 2005
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‎3. Priesthood & Professional Career
‎• Ordained a Catholic Priest on 7 July 1990 by Bishop Athanasius Atule Usuh of Makurdi Catholic Diocese
‎Before politics, he built an international career in pastoral care, education, health administration and counseling:
‎• Parish priest at Immaculate Conception Church and Our Lady of the Cenacle Church, both in Queens, New York, with chaplaincy at Jamaica Hospital
‎• Director of Pastoral Services, Catholic Health Service, North Campus, Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
‎• Chaplaincy administrator at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and St. Joseph's Mercy Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
‎• Member of National Association of Catholic Chaplains, Catholic Health Service System Wide Ethics Committee and Broward Ethics Committee
‎In Nigeria, after returning in 2005, he became widely known for his healing ministry. Described as faith healer, exorcist and psychotherapist:
‎"He healed people who were possessed by evil spirits, and he was very effective at it" - seminary colleague
‎His healing Masses drew thousands across Benue and became a major part of his public image. Campaign slogan later became "Heal the Land. Heal Benue."
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‎4. Entry into Politics & Suspension
‎• 2022: Picked up N50m APC governorship form and was cleared to contest.
‎• May 20, 2022: Suspended from public ministry by Bishop William Avenya of Catholic Diocese of Gboko for partisan politics, citing Canon 287 §2 which forbids clerics from active role in political parties. The suspension was to remain until he "ceases from contumacy."
‎• Despite suspension, he won the APC direct primary with 464,391 votes, winning 12 of 23 LGAs
‎He is the second Catholic priest to become governor in Benue and Nigeria, after Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu who was governor from Jan 2, 1992 until the 1993 military coup. He continued to wear clerical collar during campaign but switched to traditional and business suits after inauguration.
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‎5. Governorship
‎• Election: March 18, 2023, declared winner with 473,933 votes defeating PDP candidate Titus Uba who had 223,913 votes
‎• Inauguration: May 29, 2023, as 6th democratically elected governor of Benue under All Progressives Congress (APC)
‎Key policy thrusts and achievements as reported 2023-2025:
‎• Security: Faced 2 million IDPs and farmer-herder crisis. Ordered closure of illegal border checkpoints, retaining only 16 official checkpoints, and promised review of the controversial anti-open grazing law
‎• Infrastructure: Over 390km of roads across 23 LGAs undertaken
‎• Development Planning: Launched 10-year Development Plan and State Nutrition / Social Protection Policy with 2025 budget tagged "Human Capital Development, Food Security and Digital Economy", and later unveiled a 30-year master plan to shield development from political changes
‎• Agriculture: Created Bureau of Agricultural Development and Mechanisation to restore Benue's "Food Basket of the Nation" status
‎• Governance: Implementation of Local Government autonomy, stated it reduced his burden. Reconnected Benue to Federal Government, benefiting from increased FAAC after Tinubu reforms, invested in healthcare - transforming Benue into emerging medical tourism hub
‎• Awarded Accolade Yellow Ball Award for Best Governor in Infrastructure and Economic Development.
‎His administration states its focus is: security, agriculture, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and reconnecting Benue to the "National Grid" of Nigerian politics.
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‎Alia has said he intends to return to priestly ministry after public service.
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Since he took over ‎no more unpaid salaries. No more forgotten IDPs. The RESET is here!
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‎Are you ready for a New Benue?
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‎Tell us where you are reading from?

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‎FULL BIOGRAPHY OF LATE WANTAREGH PAUL IYORPUU UNONGU, OFR (1935-2022)
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‎Paul Iyorpuu Unongo was a Nigerian nationalist, statesman, teacher, psychologist, philanthropist and one of the fathers of modern Tiv politics.
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‎1. Birth and Family Background
‎Born 26 September 1935 in Turan, Kwande Local Government Area, Northern Nigeria Protectorate (now Benue State). He belonged to the Kwaghngise-Anure-Abera ancestry.
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‎His father, Unongo Kwaghngise Anure Abera, was a teacher for the Tiv Native Authority, and his mother was Lante Kukwa, an Etulo lady from Adi, Buruku LGA. He spent much of his early life under his uncle Jato Aka, a magico-spiritualist, from whom his hometown Jato-Aka derives its name. He was married to Victoria Avarave Unongo and Elizabeth Unongo and had 22+ children.
‎He was popularly called Wantaregh - meaning one who demands equal opportunity for the oppressed - a name he acquired from his advocacy for the downtrodden.
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‎2. Early Education and Banking Career
‎• 1945-1948: Gboko Central School (then Mbayion Clan Elementary School)
‎• 1952-1956: Katsina-Ala Middle School
‎• 1957-1959: Government College, Keffi
‎• Oct 1959-1960: Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Zaria (now Ahmadu Bello University) for Pre-Degree Programme in Pre-Medicine (Advanced Level GCE in Zoology, Physics, Chemistry)
‎In November 1958, he was employed as an Entries Clerk at Barclays Bank, DCO. Through diligence, he rose to Acting sub-Accountant in 1959, a rank usually reserved only for Whites. He resigned the lucrative banking job to pursue higher education.
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‎3. University Education Abroad
‎With encouragement from Douglas Green, the expatriate Chief Social Welfare Officer of Northern Nigeria, he gained admission to Canada:
‎• 1960-1962: University of Calgary - Experimental Psychology
‎• 1962-1968: University of Alberta, Edmonton - B.Sc. 1966, M.Sc. 1968, specializing in Human Experimental Psychopathology
‎• He was awarded a 6-year scholarship by the Northern Regional Government to do a Ph.D in Psychology at the University of London. He started in 1968 but dropped out same year.
‎4. Academic Career
‎In 1968, he became a lecturer in Psychology at the University of Lagos. He was instrumental in establishing and consolidating the Department of Psychology and its degree-awarding programmes, serving from 1968-1972. He was the first Tiv person to teach at a university. He also founded the Community of Tiv Students.
‎5. Role During Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970)
‎During the war, General Yakubu Gowon recruited technocrats. Unongo provided theoretical justification for humane warfare and served as an envoy to the Americas. He attempted to negotiate with Odumegwu Ojukwu through letters.
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‎To counter Biafran propaganda that the war was a northern Muslim war against eastern Christians, Unongo - a northern Christian - and Rev. Father James Akor toured Canada and the US to dispel the narrative, a mission in which they were successful.
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‎While lecturing, he wrote the post-war book "Say It Loud We Are Black and Strong" (1970).
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‎6. Political Career
‎Early Ideology:
‎As a teenager, Unongo admired Nnamdi Azikiwe and joined the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in 1959 after secondary school. His book Where Do We Go From Here? (1969, Megida Books) was a manifesto calling for Tiv people to move from "primitive lifestyle" to modern, participatory politics. It directly challenged the dominant Tiv leader of the First Republic, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka.
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‎This created the famous Unongo vs Tarka rivalry. Unongo had initially gotten his UNILAG job through Tarka, but his alignment with Benue-Plateau Governor Joseph Gomwalk and his call for creation of more divisions out of Tiv Native Authority split Tiv politics into two groups.
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‎Second Republic (1979-1983):
‎Co-founded the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) with Azikiwe, Solomon Lar, Tunji Otegbeye, Abubakar Rimi, and became its pioneer Secretary-General. He negotiated the famous NPN-NPP Accord with Chuba Okadigbo that allowed President Shehu Shagari's NPN to govern despite having only 36 of 95 Senate seats.
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‎President Shagari appointed him Minister of Mines and Steel Development / Minister of Power and Steel from December 1979 to February 1982. In that role, he pioneered the Ajaokuta Steel Mill and steel rolling mills in Katsina, Jos and Ajaokuta. He resigned on principle after seven months.
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‎He contested for Governor of Benue State in 1979 and 1983 on NPP platform but lost both times to Aper Aku of NPN.
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‎Third Republic:
‎Prominent member of Social Democratic Party (SDP), worked for MKO Abiola's victory in June 12, 1993 election. He helped Moses Adasu become Governor of Benue State in 1992. He was at the 1994 Constitutional Conference where he chaired the States Creation Committee.
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‎Fourth Republic:
‎Co-founded the All Peoples Party (APP) which became ANPP with Muhammadu Buhari, Chuba Okadigbo. Contested for Benue governorship in 1999 and 2003 but lost to George Akume of PDP. The 2003 election was described as one of the most violent in Tiv history, after which he took a back seat in partisan Tiv politics.
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‎In 1975, General Murtala Muhammed selected him as one of the "Fifty Wise Men" to draft a new constitution for Nigeria. General Olusegun Obasanjo honoured him with Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).
‎7. Elder Statesman
‎In 2017, he succeeded Maitama Sule as Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF). Until his death, he was Chairman of the Governing Board of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC).
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‎He was a philanthropist - establishing private schools, hospitals, markets, homes for the physically challenged and destitute through his Paul Unongo Foundation, operating on a philanthropic enterprise model.
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‎His other notable works include: The Case for Nigeria and Our Tiv Heritage: Iniongo I Iyou Mbi Hev.
‎8. Death
‎Wantaregh Paul Unongo died on Tuesday, 29 November 2022 in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, aged 87. President Muhammadu Buhari mourned him as a colossus and elder statesman who lost his life after serving Nigeria with passion.
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‎What did Paul Unongo mean to you? What will you remember him most for? Drop your tribute, your memory, your disagreement let us talk.
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‎Rest well, the Lion of Tiv Land. Rest well, Wantaregh.
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‎FULL BIOGRAPHY OF SAMUEL IORAER ORTOM. AKA NYAMKYUME U NZOROV
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‎Samuel Ioraer Ortom is a Nigerian businessman, philanthropist and politician former Minister of the Federal Republic and former Governor of Benue State (2015-2023).
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‎Early Life & Education
‎• Born: 23 April 1961 in Guma Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria
‎• Started primary school in 1970 at St. John's Primary School, Gboko, then moved to St. Catherine's Primary School, Makurdi in 1974 where he finished in 1976.
‎• Admitted into Idah Secondary Commercial College, Idah, Kogi State in 1976. His father's retirement in 1979 forced him to drop out after two years for financial reasons. He became a professional driver a period he often describes as working as a bus conductor, motor park tout and taxi driver.
‎• He later continued by correspondence and part-time studies:
‎◦ General Certificate of Education (GCE)
‎◦ Diploma in Salesmanship, National Institute of Salesmanship, Manchester
‎◦ Interim Joint Matriculation Board Certificate, 1995Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
‎◦ Diploma in Journalism, 1998 ABU Zaria ◦ Advanced Diploma in Personnel Management, 2001 — Benue State University
‎◦ Master of Public Administration, 2004 — Benue State University
‎◦ Ph.D — Commonwealth University, Belize, through distance learning Business Career
‎Ortom began as a salesman with Gyado Foods Company and rose to Sales Manager.
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‎He is proprietor and chairman of:
‎Oracle Business Limited; Oracle Oil Mills; Oracle Printing Press; Oracle Farms Limited; Capital Prints Limited and Achieve Engineering Limited.
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‎He also served as National President, Independent Print-Media Publishers Association of Nigeria (IPPAN), and Chairman of the governing council of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON).
‎Political Career
‎His political journey spans over 30 years:
‎• 1991-1993: Elected Chairman, Guma LGA under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
‎• Held several party positions: State Publicity Secretary, National Centre Party of Nigeria (NCPN); State Treasurer, All Peoples Party (APP); State Secretary and Deputy Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); PDP National Auditor.
‎• Director of Operations, PDP gubernatorial campaign in Benue (2007) and Director of Administration and Logistics, Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organization (2011).
‎• 2011-2014: Appointed Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment under President Goodluck Jonathan. From 14 Feb 2014 to 15 Aug 2014 he also served as Supervising Minister, Federal Ministry of Aviation after Stella Oduah's removal. • Resigned as minister in October 2014 to contest governorship.
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‎Governor of Benue State:
‎• 11 April 2015: Won governorship on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating PDP.
‎• Inaugurated 29 May 2015 as the 18th Governor of Benue State.
‎• July 2018: Defected from APC to PDP due to internal party crisis.
‎• 9 March & 23 March 2019: Re-elected on PDP platform with 434,473 votes against APC's Emmanuel Jime (345,155). The Supreme Court affirmed his victory on 21 January 2020.
‎• Tenure ended 29 May 2023, succeeded by Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.
‎His administration was known for the Anti-Open Grazing Law (2017) to address farmer-herder clashes, and for vocal criticism of federal security policy.
‎Philanthropy
‎Through Oracle Business Limited Foundation, he has:
‎• Funded free treatment for hernia and snakebite patients at St. Theresa's Hospital, Makurdi and Rahama Hospital, Gboko Road.
‎• Supported prison inmates welfare and skills acquisition for reintegration, and established Oracle Driving School which trains drivers regularly.
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‎Personal Life
‎Married to Chief Mrs. Eunice Erdoo Ortom (also referred to as Anna Ortom) with children.
‎A devoted Christian, his hobbies include badminton, reading, philanthropy, farming, aerobics and evangelism. He has travelled widely across Africa, Middle East, Americas, Europe and Asia.
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‎"From motor park tout to Governor" , his story is pure grass to grace. Which part of his journey inspired you the most?
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‎FULL BIOGRAPHY OF HRM ,BEGHA U TIV, ORCHIVIRIGH PROF. JAMES ORTESE IOZUA AYATSE
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‎His Royal Majesty, Begha U Tiv, Orchivirigh Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, Tor Tiv V is the Paramount Ruler of the Tiv Nation worldwide, President of the Tiv Area Traditional Council and Chairman, Benue State Council of Chiefs.
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‎He is the 5th Tor Tiv, succeeding Tor Tiv IV, Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkula who died on 22 November 2015.
‎1. Birth and Family
‎Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse was born on 12 May 1956 in Mbakaan, Shangev-Ya, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
‎He is an indigene of Mbakan, Shangev-Ya, Kwande LGA, born to the family of the late Iorzua Ayatse and Mrs. Adeior Iorzua (nee Achaa, Mbarumun, Nanev).
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‎2. Education
‎• Primary: LGEA School, Orbiam, Ikov, Ushongo LGA; LGEA School, Mbagbegba, Shangev-Ya; and St Anne's Primary School, Adikpo where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate.
‎• Secondary: Government Secondary School, Gboko - where he passed out with a WASC Division One certificate.
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‎• University:
‎◦ B.Sc Biochemistry, University of Ibadan - best graduating student in the department
‎◦ M.Sc Biochemistry, University of Calabar - best graduating student
‎◦ Ph.D Biochemistry, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom as a Commonwealth scholar
‎◦ MBA, University of Calabar
‎He became a Professor of Biochemistry in 1993 at age 37, making him the first Tiv man to achieve that rank.
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‎3. Academic and Administrative Career
‎Ayatse started his career in 1980 as a graduate assistant at the University of Calabar and progressed steadily to professor.
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‎He has taught Biochemistry, Business Management and Public Administration at:
‎University of Calabar, University of Uyo, Benue State University Makurdi, University of Agriculture Makurdi, University of Abuja and Federal University Dutsin-Ma. He has produced several B.Sc, M.Sc, MBA, MPA and PhD holders in over 35 years of teaching.
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‎He also served as:
‎• External Assessor and External Examiner to many universities
‎• Chairman, National Universities Commission (NUC) Committees on performance indicators and minimum benchmark for science programmes
‎• Chairman of several accreditation panels for science programmes
‎• Chairman or member of several governing boards at international, national and state levels
‎• He was involved on three occasions in formulation of the vision and blueprint for Benue State development Vice Chancellor - Two Federal Universities
‎He is the only Tiv man to have served as Vice Chancellor of two separate Federal Universities:
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‎a) University of Agriculture, Makurdi (now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University) 2001-2006
‎He inherited about 2000 students, massive debts, and frequent violent student demonstrations and staff strikes. He restored peace - earning the reputation as the most peace-loving VC because there was no internal strike or demonstration throughout his tenure, paid all debts, and expanded the university from ∼2000 to ∼7000 students with several new departments and colleges.
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‎b) Pioneer Vice Chancellor, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State 2011-2016
‎Appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan administration. He was the first VC among the nine new Federal Universities at the time to graduate students, mobilize them for NYSC, and conduct a maiden convocation. He laid the foundation for an ICT-driven university, leading Webometrics to rate FUDMA as the 14th Best University in Nigeria in January 2015 and 2016.
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‎He was also a member of the Governing Council of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and later Michael Okpara University, Umudike.
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‎4. Faith and Personal Life
‎A pastor of the Deeper Life Bible Church before his ascension, Ayatse is described as God-fearing, humble and integrity-driven.
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‎He is married to Felicia Hembadoon Ayatse and they are blessed with five children.
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‎5. Emergence as Tor Tiv V
‎After the death of Tor Tiv IV, the throne was contested. On Tuesday, 20 December 2016, the Tiv Supreme Council known as Ijir Tamen met at the Tiv Traditional Council Chambers in Gboko - the traditional headquarters of the Tiv people.
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‎Prof. Ayatse polled 39 votes out of 46 to defeat:
‎• Daniel Saror - 3 votes
‎• Benedict Shinku - 3 votes
‎• Andrew Wombo - 1 vote
‎He was elected on 20 Dec 2016 and crowned on 4 March 2017, when Governor Samuel Ortom presented him with the Staff of Office. President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated him, describing his emergence as an affirmation of his strength of character, integrity and moral authority.
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‎In contrast to his predecessor who swore by the ancestral "Swem", Ayatse swore by the Christian Bible, becoming the second Tor Tiv after Tor Tiv III Akperan Orshi to do so.
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‎His full traditional title is: His Royal Majesty, Begha U Tiv, Orchivirigh, Prof. Ortese Iorzua James Ayatse.
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‎He also serves as Chancellor of Abia State University (ABSU) since 2019.
‎6. Honours
‎• Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) - conferred by President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2022
‎He is recognized as the first Tiv man to rule his subjects as a professor.
‎He traded two Vice Chancellor seats to carry the Swem and the Bible, to unite his people, to restore peace, and to prove that true leadership is service.
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‎A scholar. A pastor. A King. A symbol of integrity in a time when we need it most.
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‎We are proud to call you our Father!
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WELCOME TO BENUE TORRI

Benue Torri is a platform dedicated to celebrating and promoting the rich culture, heritage, and people of Benue State.

We spotlight the best of Benue - our vibrant culture, traditions, prominent sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves in business, politics, entrepreneurship, royalty, entertainment and other industries.

Our mission is simple: To tell the positive Benue story to the world.

Disclaimer: Benue Torri is strictly neutral and non-partisan. We do not support any political party or candidate. We celebrate all Benue indigenes equally, regardless of political affiliation.

The Food Basket of the Nation, to the world.

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‎FULL BIOGRAPHY OF PROF. STEVE SHACHIA TORKUMA UGBAH
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Prof. Steve Ugbah is a Benue-born academic, diplomat, politician and Federal Commissioner. He is currently 71 years old as of 2026 - celebrated by Governor Hyacinth Alia as he clocked 71.
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‎He is a native of Benue State, Tiv by tribe, and was the 2011 governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Benue.
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‎Education - Unusually Broad
‎He holds five academic degrees, all from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio:
‎• Ph.D. Communication, 1986 - Specialty Areas: Organizational Communication & Quantitative Research Methods.
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Dissertation: Computer Mediated Communication Systems: The Impact on Organizational Climate and Information Adequacy in Organizational Settings.
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• M.A. International Affairs, 1982 - Specialty: Development Studies & International Economics
‎• M.A. Political Science, 1982 - Specialty: Public Administration
‎• B.S. Microbiology, 1978
‎• B.A. Zoology, 1978
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Academic Career in the US - 40 Years
‎Prof. Ugbah has spent his entire academic career at California State
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University:
‎• 1996 - Present: Full Professor (with Tenure), Department of Marketing & Entrepreneurship, College of Business & Economics, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, California
‎• 1991 - 1995: Associate Professor (with Tenure)
‎• 1986 - 1991: Assistant Professor
‎Other roles:
‎• 2001: Visiting Professor, Academy of National Economy, Institute of Business & Economics, Moscow, Russia
‎• 1996: Visiting Professor, Chiat/Day/Mojo Advertising Firm, San Francisco
‎• 1984-1986: Instructor, School of Interpersonal Communication, Ohio University
‎He teaches Advanced Marketing Research (MBA), Managerial Communication, International Marketing, Business Communications, Negotiation, and Entrepreneurship - Establishing New Enterprises.
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‎He is a prolific scholar with publications from 1985 to 2016 on marketing, organizational communication, entrepreneurship, HIV/AIDS public health, and governance. He has won Best Applied Paper Award, CCI Conference 2016.
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‎Political Career
‎Ugbah has been a professor of marketing and entrepreneurship at CSU East Bay for 20 years, but decided late last year that he would take unpaid leave from the university to run for governor of his home state in Benue, Nigeria.
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‎2011 Governorship:
‎When Steve Shachia Torkuma Ugbah, a professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship at the California State University, East Bay, first made a bid for the governorship of Benue state, few people gave him a chance. He ran under ACN against PDP incumbent Gabriel Suswam. The election was marred by violence - he was arrested in Nigeria following an attack on his entourage on May 13, resulting in the death of one of his senior aides.
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‎He lost and went to court. The case PROF. STEVE TORKUMA UGBA & ANOR v. GABRIEL TORWUA SUSWAN & ORS (2014) became a landmark Supreme Court case on Section 285(6) of the Constitution - that election petitions must be heard within 180 days. The Supreme Court eventually ordered re-trial of his petition.
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‎2015 and after:
‎He later became a chieftain of APC, and was Director-General of the Ortom/Abounu Campaign in 2015. He remains described as a party stalwart and honest individual who has displayed uncommon patriotism.
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‎Diplomatic Career
‎• Nigerian Ambassador to Russia - Served as Nigeria's envoy to Russia during the 2018 World Cup. He was in Moscow marketing Nigeria's cultural potential.
‎• He is fluent in international affairs given his MA background.
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Current Role - 2024 to Present
‎• Federal Commissioner representing Benue State on the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) - Federal appointment confirmed by the Senate. Governor Alia joined family and APC members in celebrating him as Federal Commissioner of RMAFC.
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Personal Style & Legacy
‎He is described by students as "transparently conscientious, overly diligent, unusually focused, and self-motivated." In politics, he is known for his "Ideas rule the world" philosophy - he refused to do billboard wars, insisting campaigns must have political content.
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‎Governor Alia at his 71st birthday noted his "visionary leadership style, network of friends worldwide, and insight into governance, particularly in prioritising people."

"Do you remember the 2011 UGBA vs SUSWAM battle? Where were you then?

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