“The DEFENCE against the INDEFENSIBLE is always blackmail or silencing those who have the TRUTH” ~ Fr. Solomon Mfa

When you point to the giant strides Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency is making under the stewardship of Hon. Bob Tyough, in spite of raging storms and vicissitudes criticism, some cynical constituents with slanted, jaundiced and merchants view tag you as “Pocho Boy,” in order to silence you. Could Hon. Barr. Frank Utoor from Guma Local Government also be looking for “Pocho” from Hon. Bob Tyough?

Commenting on Fabian Terseer Yaga post, a Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Projects Monitoring and Evaluation, Hon. Utoor testified that: “Bob Tyough has been a General in the field of empowerment since the days of his Professional Cleaning Services to his days as a Board member of FMC Makurdi where he influenced recruitment of hundreds of people from all over the state. This is a familiar terrain for him. This I can attest!”

In a WhatsApp group, the former Vice Chairman of Kwande Local Government and one time House of Representatives aspirant, Engr. Bem Nyior while commenting on an article written by yours sincerely, he stated thus; “Hon. Bob Tyough is silent achiever. I was impressed when he came to show his score to Kwande elders. During the feast of St. Andrew’s at 50 which I attended, I saw the state of the art ICT lab donated by Hon. Bob Tyough. Hon. Bob Tyough mentioned his inputs and interest in the proposed Buruku bridge. This is a project that will impact on the entire Tiv nation if it is implemented. His empowerment projects are encouraging. It will do us good if he can also help Kwande people to tap from the Kashinmbera dam power project. More grease to his elbow.”

One of the beneficiaries of Hon. Bob Tyough empowerment scheme, who is also the women leader of the APC in Ikyôv Ward, Mrs. Anyima Iyo, expressed her profound gratitude to Hon. Bob Tyough. She said; “I appreciates Hon. Bob for the opportunity to broaden my knowledge in agro-farming. As a livestock farmer, I have been taught how to established into large scale farming and place value on the animals waste, as it could be transformed to wealth.”

In another WhatsApp group chat, a house wife from Mbakuha, Mrs. Priscilla Terese Gowin, recounted that; “I personally hailed Hon. Bob Tyough spirit of benevolence and chance given to all the people of Kwande/Ushongo to benefit from the empowerment scheme, not minding which political party they belong.”

Mr. Keshi Thaddeus Terhile of Utange Council Ward, while appreciating Hon. Bob Tyough on the opportunity given to him to benefit from NIRSAL loans. Wrote a letter that read thus: “…In my lowly status, you searched and found me worthy to be part of the Federal Government loan through NIRSAL. I was overwhelmed when I received the credit alerts of N473,000 from NIRSAL Microfinance Bank.”

APC chieftains from Mbagba/Mbakyan Council Ward, Hon. Iorhemen Wanche, while appreciating Hon. Bob Tyough for procuring a drilling ring for his constituency, observed that; “This is commendable. No doubt, we required this, we appreciates it and we will continue to give every moral support that the cooperation requires, the boreholes would help alleviate the water scarcity challenge been faced by the people.”

Another APC chieftains and former councillor, representing Ikyôv Council Ward, the outspoken and fearless Hon. Balogun, speaking with this writer on phone, said: “Quote me; in a long time we have not had a Rep where all the people including members of the opposition parties benefiting massively in the empowerment. Gone were those days when elected representatives would channel their energies in empowering their party men and cronies.”

This shows clearly that the empowerment scheme of Hon. Bob Tyough is well-aligned with the aspirations of the people, and it bellies all the negative noises currently being made by the hocus pocus of his opponents.

Kwande/Ushongo is experiencing a wind of Human Capacity Development blowing across the landscape of the constituency. In the history of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, no man has attracted human capacity development to the area compared to what we are experiencing now.

It’s crystal clear, Hon. Bob Tyough is not holding an executive position, yet he has done more than an executive officeholder. In less than three years of Hon. Bob Tyough’s representative adventure, he has lifted not less than 3000 people from poverty across his constituency.

Hon. Bob Tyough has improved agricultural sector in cultivation and rearing livestocks. He has distributed fertiliser, seedlings, equipments to name but a few.

He has trained and empowered over 1000 people on modern and improved farming techniques. The new philosophy is that agriculture must be seen as a business and not just as a means of livelihood. Surely, these developments are not for any reason the outcome of a “Worse” legislator as is being paddled by the delusinist of his opponents.

The frustration of Hon. Bob Tyough opponents is understandable. They have found that they can not sufficiently question his intimidating report card. Not with the evidence of his achievements across Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency. Therefore, they resorted to blackmailing, names calling and character assassination. This attacks has no validity in fact.

Kwande/Ushongo constituents should not allow themselves to be deceived. There is no doubt that on the basis of merits alone, Hon. Bob Tyough deserved another term in office. Especially, as he will be a ranking Reps with power to attract more benefits to his constituency.

Bob Tyough Shi Aza 2023.

Pressure is a corollary of public office, but first termers share a unique burden.

Adequate preparation can shorten the period required to adapt and make the transition from an ordinary citizen to one entrusted with the fates of thousands of people, but it doesn’t completely eliminate it.

In the time you are making the required adjustments and defining your priorities in light of prevailing and changing reality, you also have to fend off attacks from political opponents.

There is also the understandable (and almost impatient) eagerness to display early signs of competence if only to reassure the people that they made the right decision in handing you their mandate and that you remain committed to your campaign promises.

This pressure causes anxiety and has led many first-termers into making errors that some never quite recover from.

Whether it is wading incautiously into a project and self-destructing on that score or alienating important stakeholders with indiscreet comments and actions in an attempt to defend reputation against attacks, there is no shortage of ways for a new entrant into public office to implode and underwhelm.

But one man has proved different with his impressive transition and deft management of affairs.

Even better, in what is not very likely for a debutant, he has acquired local and national reputation as an effective political leader, steadfast with his proclaimed values and exceedingly skilled at attracting development to his constituency.

Hon. Bob Tyough ran for office on a very simple premise: that the people of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency deserved better representation and that with competent leadership, evinced by a serious focus on infrastructure development and the strategic provision of social amenities, families and households can access empowerment opportunities to live a prosperous life where the preservation of their dignity and honor is not only prioritized but made the singular focus of governance.

His promise won the hearts of the people and got them hoping again.

So far, those hopes have not been dashed.

Kwande/Ushongo Federal constituency is freckled all over by projects and interventions made by Hon. BobTyough at various stages of completion.

Let us note that foundation have been finally laid for the construction of two bridges. One at Amile U Kiriki in Uyough and another one linking Mbayev and Ikyôv in Ushongo Local Government.

It is a product of the lawmaker’s conceived development strategy to raise income levels and living standards by using critical infrastructure to connect services and goods to ready markets.

Those two bridges, farmers in those communities and its environs will use the bridge, when completed, to conveniently and speedily transport their produce to markets where demand is high and profitable.

This will solves several problems but chief amongst them is harvest waste.

No longer would farmers lose a significant chunk of their harvest (and consequently expected income) on spills and rots recorded in long and dangerous trips made via inaccessible and longer routes.

This is in addition to the fact that quick arrival to markets empower the farmers to compete favorably with other supplies. They can plan better and make more money.

The trickle-down effect of farmers, many of whom are the breadwinners of their households, earning more income has already been showcased in several local studies and is in fact obvious in other communities presented with the same opportunities.

Rising income levels lead to better dietary choices which impact health and enhances children education performance.

It also vitalizes the general economy as people have more disposable income to purchase more items and participate in other sectors of the economy.

That, in turn, attracts private investors who are naturally drawn to areas with sufficient disposable income.

Not less significant is the tendency of households with decent income to enroll their children in schools, thus safeguarding the future and reducing threats to security and peace.

Here too, Hon. Bob Tyough is making impressive contributions directly.

There are completed and ongoing school projects.

Communities that were unable to power their homes are set for a new dawn.

Hon. Hon. BobTyough’s electrification projects, will power several communities to improving outcomes in trade, education, and health.

In less than three years, Hon. BobTyough delivered more than 60 projects, with a majority of them completed.

Some of the selected products include:

1. Construction of blocks of class rooms, in 9 Council Wards.
2. Renovation of and retooling of Primary Schools in 12 Council Wards.
3. Distribution of text and exercise books across schools in Kwande/Ushongo.
4. Facilitated, built and fully equipped the ICT Centre at St. Andrews Secondary School, Adikpo.
5. Supply of drugs to Primary Health Care centres in Waapera, Mbawegh, Akeryior, Ikyobo, Achia, Boagundu and Sati-Ikyòr.
6. Elelectrification of Wantor Moldem Secondary School to Tse Ikpa.
7. Electrification of Use-Mbayev.
8. Electrification of Ajio to Koti Shangev-Ya.
9. Supply and installation of solar street light in Ichor.
10. Electrification of Branch Udema and Igbor.
11. Facilitated the establishment of a Skills Acquisition centre in Adikpo, under the aegis of a World Bank project.
12. Donated the Sum of One Million Naira each to women Multi-purpose Cooperative Societies across 26 Council Wards of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.
13. Sponsored 500 beneficiaries for NIRSAL loans, Federal Government Artisan Survival Fund, and Federal Government Grants.
14. Facilitated the training and empowerment of 1000 beneficiaries in agribusiness across his constituency.
15. Sponsored and enrolled 30 youths for Innovative and Sustainable Entrepreneurship for Youth in Africa.
16. Facilitated the employment 50 people across his constituency.
17. Supply farm inputs and agrochemicals to cooperative societies across Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.
18. Procurement of one drilling ring for his constituency to ease water scarcity in the area.
19. Rehabilitation of 21 existing boreholes.
20. Drilling of 57 boreholes, while work is ongoing at various palaces. The target is to drill at least 4 boreholes each in 26 Council Wards of Kwande/Ushongo before the end of 2022.

These feats represent an outstanding achievement, particularly in a pandemic and recession years that saw even the most experienced lawmakers struggle to cut a good deal for their constituents.

More than anything, it bears witness to Hon. Bob Tyough’s knack for effective and smart lobbying, creative proposal design, and tireless work.

To improve labor conditions, ensure youth inclusion and the elimination of age bias, Hon. Bob Tyough co-sponsored Bills for an act to amend the Labor Act, 2004 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria to make compulsory a register of employees for employment outside Nigeria to be submitted to the ministry in charge of Nigerian embassies and to discourage against discrimination of applicants on age brackets and for other related matters.

He is also the author of a Bill to amend the Border Communities Development Agency Act 2003. The proposed amendments is to include Benue indigenes on the Board of the Agency.

Sponsored a Bill to establish Chartered Institute of Environment and Safety Management in Nigeria.

Furthermore, he moved the following motions to draw attention and demand action on issues affecting his constituency, Benue State and Nigeria at large:

a. Motion for the restoration of Mata and Mbagwa State Assembly Constituency.
b. Motion to curb Lassa Fever in Benue State.
c. Motion to end Fulani attacks in Benue State.
d. Call to re-in force security along Moon and Mbadura to stem the rise in Fulani attacks.
e. Urgent need to construct River Buruku bridge .

The foregoing makes it glaringly obvious that the people of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency have a star in the lawmaker. His emergence and committed service possess all the makings of a political career poised to blossom and morph into a powerful force.