As the harvest season drags on, Tikor Nyiev, 45, from Guma, stares at the entrance of his tent, watching the dust rise. The small plot he planted weeks earlier has already failed, its surface split open by heat, the soil hardened and bare beneath an unforgiving sun. What should have been a period of cautious optimism has turned, once again, into quiet disappointment. Around him, other displaced farmers gather in small grigbaoups, speaking in lowered voices about losses they have come to expect. They recount how they waited for the rains before planting, how the seeds germinated briefly, and how the moisture vanished before the rice could take root. Their frustration is not born of ignorance or neglect. These are farmers who understand their land and their seasons. What they lack is not skill, but certainty. Rain‑fed rice production, which accounts for more than 80 percent of rice cultivated in Nigeria, depends heavily on reliable rainfall rather than controlled irrigation systems, yet in regions like Benue, this reliability has eroded, leaving farmers vulnerable and yields low. The Weight of Unreliable Rain In the camp, the rhythm of farming life has been broken. There are no barns to prepare, no harvest to […]
Lawyers Alert has engaged local government officials in Katsina-Ala and Otukpo Local Government Areas of Benue State to advance citizen participation and strengthen democratic governance at the grassroots. The engagements brought together council officials, civil society actors, and community representatives to deepen conversations on inclusive governance as a foundation for accountable and responsive local administration. Held at the respective local government secretariats, the meetings focused on transparency, accountability, and meaningful public participation in decision-making. Participants stressed that democracy delivers real impact only when citizens are recognised as active partners in governance rather than passive observers. Representatives of Lawyers Alert emphasised that citizen participation is not optional but a constitutional right and a critical mechanism for ensuring effective use of public resources. They noted that when communities are involved in planning, monitoring, and oversight, public projects are better delivered, corruption is reduced, and trust between citizens and government is strengthened. Local government officials acknowledged the growing disconnect between authorities and citizens and affirmed the need for sustained engagement to rebuild confidence in governance processes. They highlighted town hall meetings, regular consultations, and structured feedback channels as practical tools for bridging this gap and strengthening local democracy. In Katsina-Ala LGA, discussions underscored […]
To address this, the minister stated that a committee would be set up to oversee the centre’s development, including the construction of essential infrastructure such as animal pens, isolation units, maternity pens, and staff housing. He also emphasized plans to collaborate with Joseph Sarwua Tarka University, Makurdi, on research initiatives to support the centre’s objectives.
The Bonta-Ukpute conflict in Benue State, rooted in a decades-long land dispute, has intensified, resulting in over 20 deaths, widespread destruction, and mass displacement. Despite numerous efforts for peace, including calls for government intervention and boundary demarcation, residents continue to suffer, facing food insecurity and lack of aid amid government neglect.
On August 23rd, 2023, this reporter submitted a freedom of information request to the office of the commissioner’s Ministry of Cooperatives, Urban and Rural Development in Benue State, to get the details of the contract, but the letter was not responded to.
When the reporter visited the ministry on the 2nd of October, the receptionist at the commissioner’s office noted that the submitted letter was missing.
The failure of the project has posed a difficult livelihood for the residents
After analyzing all available records, the claim stating that GWR has confirmed Benue-born Chef Tartenger Victor as the current holder of the longest cooking marathon for an individual is…
Flooding along the banks of River Benue has brought yearly disasters to the people of Benue State in north-central Nigeria, especially to the residents of Makurdi, Tarka, and Otukpo Local Government Areas of the state.
In July 2023, UDEME, in a bid to get the details of the contractors and the amount released for the project, sent a Freedom of Information (FOI) Letter to the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment in Makurdi. A response was not provided.
In a bid to get the details of the contractor, UDEME sent a Freedom of Information Letter to the Agency in March, requesting the details of the contractor, the exact location of the project, and the total amount of money released in May 2023.
