Testimonies On Hon. Bob Tyough Giant Strides: By Vershima Orkuma Hemen

“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.

Hon. Bob Tyough: A Silent Achiever And His Constituency Projects – By Vershima Orkuma HemenBy Vershima Orkuma Hemen

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:

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

Hon. Bob Tyough’s Quiet Revolution: By Vershima Orkuma HemenBy Vershima Orkuma Hemen

Investment in education is how you separate serious political actors committed to comprehensive, long-term societal change and transformation from those who just want to survive the next election cycle. And that’s because education investments take time to yield results. The impact of a solid primary and secondary school on a child won’t manifest fully until several years after. More so, it cannot necessarily be ‘commissioned’.

It is therefore unsurprising that most actors pay lip service to it and focus on the famed stomach infrastructure. The focus is always on winning the election, thus creating and perpetuating the very real and consequential problem of short-termism, leaving the society in a problematic loop of endless cyclical motion without any real progress.

It takes courageous and visionary leaders to break the loop, balancing the immediate needs, particularly in the area of infrastructure which aids economic growth and raises the standard of living, with necessary investments in intangible societal assets for sustained development and peaceful integration. Hon. Bob Tyough, the member representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives is one of such leaders.

Himself a product of quality education, he is leading a quiet revolution in Kwande/Ushongo, building a generation of well-educated and tech-savvy pupils and youths poised to take full advantage of the digital economy and accelerate development in the area with ingenious innovations.

This was not achieved at the expense of other critical interventions – Hon. Bob Tyough is one of the lawmakers with the most constituency accomplishments that cut across agriculture, power, trade, and primary healthcare. His cutting edge in the area of education, which is globally acknowledged as the centerpiece and most vital tool of extensive and stable growth, is a result of smart thinking and shrewd resource management. He has sought and clinched relevant partnerships and collaborations, opening a world of opportunities to children and youth adults in the corners of Kwande/Ushongo.

Primary schools have been constructed, renovated, and retooled to ensure equitable access to quality learning in tandem with obtainable standards in forward-thinking societies. From Turan to Mbagwaza, Shangev-Ya to Utange, Ikyurav-Ya to Ikyôv, Nanev to Mbagwa, Mbayev, primary school are built and renovated as well as text and exercise books are been distributed. The list is long and exhaustive.

He commissioned an enrolment mobilization exercise and ensured its success by providing conducive learning spaces and other added incentives.

Most remarkably, he has facilitated, built and fully equipped the ICT Centre at St Andrews Secondary School, Adikpo. The ICT Centre will produce an army of Technocrats in the constituency. This 21st-century skills will enable young people to join a lucrative global workforce.

He has opened up Kwande/Ushongo, gave new dreams and skills to the youths, set the children on the path of a safe and secured future, and provided mothers and fathers the means to live with dignity. It is a sweeping and total success only possible with a clear vision.

Let us note the quiet revolution that is going on in Kwande/Ushongo so that in another few years, when Nigeria is placed on the global map by a bright-eyed young inventor from the constituency tucked inside Benue State, we can remember that it was Hon. Bob Tyough’s courage and brilliance that wet the ground and planted the seeds.

APPRECIATION, EGALITARIANISM AND EQUITY: HON. BOB TYOUGH’S EMPOWERMENT SCHEME AS AN EXAMPLE

By Vershima Orkuma Hemen

In a empowerment scheme of other Reps representing the other constituencies in the country, how many Kwande/Ushongo indigenes would you find to be beneficiaries? There would be hardly any.

However, the reverse has been the case with the empowerment scheme of Hon. Bob Tyough for members of his constituency.
It should be stated meanwhile that the empowerment programme, is a personal initiative of the legislator. It is wholly sponsored by him, and from his personal allowances. It is also administered by an independent Board of Administrators. And the selection is devoid of partisanship or politics.

Kwande/Ushongo, as we know, comprises of Two Local Governments out of the Twenty Three local government areas of Benue State. For the recognition of their originality, these are called Kwande (Barakur and Barazole).
It is therefore logical that the Reps that have represented Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, and would most likely do in perpetuity, are Kwande people Hon. Bob Tyough is a product of that tradition.

However, Kwande/Ushongo, though originally the exclusive ground of the Kwande people, plays host to almost all the local governments of Benue State and other tribes of the Nigerian nation, of which many have made it their homes, permanently or temporarily.
This number of non-Kwande/Ushongo, including our Tiv kith and kin from Vandeikya, Konshisha, Gboko, Katsina Ala, Ukum, Buruku etc, other Nigerian tribes are; Igbos, Ijew, Ogoja, Hausa/Fulani etc, are very huge and plays a vital part in the socio-political and economic dynamics of Kwande/Ushongo.

Logically speaking, all these people and their Kwande/Ushongo hosts are what make up Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.
I believe it is the recognition of this fact, in alignment with his penchant for egalitarianism and equity that made Hon. Bob Tyough to instruct his Board of Administrators to make their selections reflect the multi-ethnic colouration of Kwande/Ushongo constituents. Thus, we have seen an equitable distribution of the empowerment scheme as the lists indicate.

While critics and opponents of Hon. Bob Tyough may want to dismiss this noble gesture, as how it should ordinarily be, let us be quickly reminded that in Nigeria, the most natural order has been for privileged elected and non-elected public officials to appropriate all benefits of office for the advancement of mostly, if not only people of their ethnic origin. Thus, the Hon. Bob Tyough’s gesture is a remarkable deviation from the norm, and for which he should be highly commended and recommended.

Hon. Bob Tyough’s arrangement of his empowerment scheme shows that he possesses a quintessential understanding and capacity for administering the office of the House of Representatives for a cosmopolitan constituency like Kwande/Ushongo. It also shows an inclination to address the issues of appreciation, reward and motivation.

And by this generous nature, Hon. Bob Tyough sends a message of his understanding, to all and sundry, that the development of Kwande/Ushongo has been that of the collective that reside and do business in the constituency; and that they must equally have the chance to access the benefits of his representation. This is no doubt the best approach to encourage a sense of belonging, which invariably engenders pride in and responsibility to Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.

Therefore, could Kwande /Ushongo have wanted a better representative than Hon. Bob Tyough? An honest verdict would be no. It is no secret that he is considered by indigenes and residents of his constituency as one of the best Rep in the constituency.

Hon. Bob Tyough’s excellent initiative of a personally sponsored empowerment scheme to beneficiaries is founded on appreciation, egalitarianism and equity is but one in a plethora of his profound achievements. His on-going drilling of over one hundred and twenty six (126), motorised boreholes in his constituency is also similarly structured.

Is it not logical then that the working legislator be sent back for a second run of excellent representation especially as he would be a ranking Reps with power to attract more benefits to his constituency?

Like the Legend, Hon. Bob Tyough has been the ONE FOR ALL. Why then should the people not reciprocate by been ALL FOR ONE? Hon. Bob Tyough has really worked hard for Kwande/Ushongo. It is therefore appropriate to reward hard work. And what better way to reward hard work than by giving more work. Here is a proven ready man; should we not send him to continue in his just and excellent ways?

Supporting Dr. Bukola Saraki For President 2023: By Vershima Orkuma Hemen

The Nigerian polity had been mired in the capture of deception and needless crisis. This has badly impacted against urbane politicking and good governance.
There had been impropriety and renegade politics, thus reducing to scantiness the bountiful dividends the people had reaped from the sixteenth years stay of PDP rules.

There is hardly kudos and no substantial gains by the four plaguing years when the Buhari/APC assumed power. They had wasted the goodies and public trust bequeathed to them.
Consequently, Nigerians are the butt of the crisis induced by the ruling APC as they now seek for an enduring solutions to the problems, through another chance to elect a capable president on a new platform, to turn things better.

So therefore, it is imperative that most of the Leaders of the People’s Democratic party (PDP), and the general voters be reinforced in their existing and common understanding that Dr. Bukola Saraki needed to be picked as a candidate, amongst the PDP aspirants and subsequently voted in as president.

The emphasis on Dr. Bukola Saraki as the choice and to win the election, with PDP, is rightly informed by the fact that the shambolic APC ruling party is not well placed to win. While the voters are wary of APC over its present maladministration, the rest opposition parties are not rooted in the polity to be able to deliver a president.

Instructively, the choice of Dr. Bukola Saraki as PDP candidate is well-informed and most feasible for several reasons:

Being the chairman of the immediate past 8th National Assembly, that the people still yearn for, because it had performed creditably, it is in good order that he steps into Aso Rock.

Apart from having the relevant vast experience, Dr. Bukola Saraki’s academic qualifications and worthiness in legislation, executive administration. stands him a shoulder higher.

Dr. Bukola Saraki’s leadership is glaring and authentic, the ruling APC caused unwarranted divisions and crisis in Nigeria. Dr. Bukola Saraki, is much more a rallying symbol and the hope for Nigerian unity. He served as the only rallying point for PDP members and Nigerians indeed as the ruling APC unleashed terror on the country.

The choice of Dr. Bukola Saraki would be PDP’s best winning streak, since he is the most popular aspirant who have support base in the various political parties of APC and others, as well as the civil society and individuals, who would give him bulk and widespread votes.

Dr. Bukola Saraki is gentle, easy going and would be a trusted president, as he wouldn’t hunt or maltreat Nigerians the way Gen. Buhari/APC had done. The truth is that if Dr. Bukola Saraki gets the ticket today 90% of people serving in Buhari’s government today will resign to support him because they have worked together before and enjoys great public sympathy.

Dr Bukola Saraki, indeed, is a more stable and approachable personality as he is a reconcilable personality, who readily forgives those who wronged him.

Finally, it is also worthy to note that Dr. Bukola Saraki seems to have the capacity to mobilise financial resources for the election. The man is blessed but does not make noise of his financial worth. As a former legislator and a former governor of Kwara State, many of his colleagues and friends who are governors today or holding key position will surely rally round him.

On Dr Bukola Saraki we stand!

Together we can!!

GROW_NIGERIA2023

Live Once Before You Die

I am sure you might have seen the movie, ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ . If you haven’t, then try and get it. I don’t want to dwell on Benjamin, who happen to be the main actor. For now, let us look at the Captain of the Boat, “New Orleans”. When young Benjamin started working with the Captain, he noticed the lad’s zeal and enthusiasm with which he carried out his duty. Benjamin was always the first to volunteer when the Captain needs an extra hand. Mind you, though Benjamin was young in age, he had the physique of an old man. So the Captain thought he was an old man.

He wanted to know why Benjamin, despite his “old age” was always enthusiastic about the job. So he called him aside, to have a chat with him. He felt perhaps, being on a boat had been the life dream of Benjamin, and seeing it fulfilled must have been the reason for his enthusiasm. Being a Captain, and living his life on the sea, was not what he had wanted in life. He told Benjamin how he wanted to be an Artist.

His voice was laden with sorrowful regret as he narrated how his late father killed his dream of being an Artist.
“This boat business is our family business, and that’s the trade you must inherit”. With those words, the Captain’s fate was sealed by his father.

Most times, parents tend to believe they know better. And as such, compel their children to choose a particular career path. This is the bane of job dissatisfaction, and nonchalant attitude towards ones duty, as commonly experienced in our society today. At the end of the day, the adult life of the child becomes that of regrets.

Every humanbeing, comes to a time in life when he or she would decide what they want to live for. Anything outside that to them brings nothing but regret. They still have this sorrowful feeling somewhere beneath their skin. I understand that some children like Iheanacho might choose a path laden with troubles and untimely death, but if that is what he plan to live for, do you really have the right to stop him?

When Jesus was declaring woes on the teachers of his days, he knew they will come for him. He knew he won’t grow grey hair on the path he had chosen. But it was the life he wanted to live and die for.

Methuselah was recorded to live for over 969 years, aside the longevity, what else is he remembered for? But Speak of Jesus, Mohammed, Paul, Gandhi, Luther King Jr, and a host of others; how long did they live? But their impact and legacy had refused to die.

So before you start telling someone to take this path or that; to live life like this, or like that, ask yourself: “do I know what this person want to live for? Do I know what matters to him”?

Let ‘s Live life in such a way that our Deaths will never die.

For at the end of it all, we will only be remembered by what we have done, and not how long we have “existed”.
Have a great week ahead

HON. BOB TYOUGH: A Prey Of Political Propaganda (2)

By Vershima Orkuma Hemen

Continue from last Saturday here:
https://ayatutureporters.news.blog/2021/09/18/hon-bob-tyough-a-prey-of-political-propaganda/

I always read with disgust, the deliberately misleading and mudslinging articles in the social media, against the person of Hon. Bob Tyough, arising from his stewardship at the National Assembly. Looking by the vitepurative and blackmailing approach of the authors within and outside Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency. Their intentions by the gross misrepresentation of facts and the outright calumny is to paint Bob Tyough black as to gain political traction for his opponents.

It is not difficult to know the direction from the virulent attacks comes, given the identity of it promoters in the social media. The frustration of Hon. Bob Tyough’s opponents is understandable. They have found that they can not sufficiently question his intimidating report card. Not with the ubiquitous evidence of his achievements across Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency. Therefore, they want to disparage the manner of his achieving success.

With all the sulfurous attacks, those who care to know genuinely would tell you that there is no arguing the assertion that Hon. Bob Tyough, for his unimaginable achievements as the first time Reps, has become an enigma. This is so because until he appeared in the horizon, the people had concluded that the office was more or less for personal aggrandizement.

In addition to his high level of visibility and vibrancy on the floor of the green chamber, more than the ranking Reps members, the ubiquity and quality of his constituency projects, he has changed the perception from negative, where by other Reps members catered only for their party men and cronies, to positive as he engaged on the hoi polloi projects. And the evidence are irresistible.

Special Interventions; With the predatory Fulani heldsmen unremitting attacks on the hapless Benue farmers with some part of his constituency extremely becoming target. Hon. Bob Tyough, intervened and facilitated the distribution of relief materials to the IDPs in the affected areas of Moon, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Again, when there was a communal crisis in Utange Council Ward, which resulted in the losses of lives and properties, Bob Tyough identified with the victims and provided relief materials such as food items, clothes, mattresses, etc.

Rural Electrification; Hon. Bob Tyough has provide and installed a 40kw solar mini-grid in Ichor, the electrification of Wantor Moldem Secondary School to Tse Ikpa and Use-Mbayev has been successfully completed. While work is still on-going in many other council wards.

In the area of Employment; With the high level of unemployment in the country and the lackadaisical attitude shown by the government in creating jobs opportunities for the masses, Bob Tyough has been able to facilitate the employment of over twenty (20) people across his constituency in the Federal Government Agencies and Palastatas. Among the beneficiaries are; Dr. Dogoh Adzua Samuel, Mr. Agor Terhemen, etc.

Foundation has finally been laid for the procurement of drugs and laboratories equipments for primary health clinics across Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.

Given the brief excursion into Hon. Bob Tyough phenomenal achievements as a first time Reps, is it not logical then that the working legislator be sent back for a second run of excellent representation especially as he would be a ranking Reps with power to attract more benefits to his constituency? Hon. Bob Tyough has shown that he does not dwell in distractions that could limit a legislator from performing optimally.

Finally, those that have determined to attack Bob Tyough’s credibility instead of spending mental energy on how they could sell their preferred candidates, should realised that no amount of falsehood against the people’s representative would give their principals any advantage. They should change tactics and perhaps they would succeed to convince a few out of the whole lot who already have the mindset that Bob Tyough opponents are only good for jokes.

HON. BOB TYOUGH: A Prey Of Political Propaganda

By Vershima Orkuma Hemen

Power, they say, belongs to God, and He gives it to whomever He wills. While I subscribe perfectly to that saying as a believer in the sovereignty of God, I am not oblivious of the role played by men and women who have made themselves little gods and resorted to aiding or hindering the ambitions of fellow mortal men. Looking through the lens as a social and political observer, I can say with certainty that the only burden Bob Tyough, carries is that of well-orchestrated political propaganda that has been sustained over the years against his personality.

Hon. Bob Tyough, must be the most vilified House Of Representative member in the history of Benue State. He is abused and bad mouthed with ferocious intensity. This really has nothing to do with his records in office. He is by no means the ‘worst’ Reps Kwande/Ushongo has ever seen, as a matter of fact, he is one of the better ones.

Bob Tyough, opponents would have us believe that he is the ‘worst’ Reps, but in less than three years he has been able to sponsored three bills, co-sponsored two bills and sponsored five motions, beating many of the old timers at the green chamber of the National Assembly.

Unlike other Legislators who focused on empowering only their party members with motorcycle and granding machines, Hon. Bob Tyough, embarked on the people oriented projects that will be of benefits to all and sundry irrespective of their political affiliation. The result has been remarkable and overwhelming.

Bob sponsored and pursued the restoration of Mata and Mbagwa State Assembly Constituency which has come to reality.

Women and Youth Empowerment; He facilitated the establishment of a skills acquisition centre in Adikpo, under the aegis of a World Bank project, know as Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS). It is on record that Kwande/Ushongo is the only Federal Constituency in Benue State with whom the World Bank has initiated that project with; and it did not take place until Bob Tyough became Reps Member.

Also, he donated the sum of One Million Naira to Mbagba/Mbakyan Women Multi-purpose Cooperative Society. Members of the co-operative can obtain non interest loans from the fund for their businesses and farming activities.

Bob Tyough, sponsored over three hundred and fifty beneficiaries for NIRSAL loans, Federal Government Artisan Survival Fund and Federal Government Grants. In his letter of appreciation to Hon. Bob Tyough, by Mr. Keshi Thaddeus Terhile of Utange Council Ward, 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 alert of N473,000 from NIRSAL Microfinance Bank.”

In Education; Bob facilitated and fully built the ICT Centre at St. Andrews Secondary School, Adikpo. He also distributed text and exercise books across secondary schools within his constituency as well as the on-going scholarship programme for students within Kwande/Ushongo.

In addition, there is on-going renovation of primary schools and provision of seats, tables and assorted teaching materials to schools across his constituency. At the take-off of the distribution of text and exercise books at St. Andrews Secondary School, Adikpo, the president of the National Association of Kwande Students (NAKS), Comrade Bem Iortim, who is also the media handler of the APC aspirant Hon. Terkimbir Ikyange, remarked that; “Bob Tyough actions are unprecedented in the history of Kwande/Ushongo.”

In Agriculture; Bob supplied farm inputs and agrochemicals to co-operative societies across Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency.

In Health Care; There is on-going renovation of primary health clinics at different council wards in Kwande/Ushongo. Bob Tyough, also paid hospital bills of over 50 patients across his constituency. Some of the beneficiaries are; Mrs. Mamnenge Iorliam Asom, Mrs. Dorcas Umbur, etc. The evidence are overwhelming.

In the area of water; Hon. Bob Tyough, procured one drilling ring for his constituency to ease water scarcity in the area. There is on-going drilling of over one hundred and twenty (120) motorised borehole across twenty six (26) council wards of Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency as well as all the abandoned boreholes were repaired. At the flagging-off of the drilling of over one hundred and twenty motorised boreholes at Koti Apera, the Legal Adviser of the All Progressive Congress (APC), for Mbagba /Mbakyan Ward, Hon. Iorhemen Wanche observed that; “This is commendable. No doubt, we require 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.”

These are by no means the tokens of the ‘worst’ Legislator.

To be continued.

Do We Still Have Elders In Benue?

By Vershima Orkuma Hemen

“Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning!”~Ecclesiastes 10:16

There is a very popular saying in Africa which literary means ‘curse does not kill someone that has grandchildren’.

This saying originates from the fact that someone that had grown old enough to have grandchildren should be an elder. And as it is expected of elders, they should have some level of integrity and self-respect, which should keep them away from evil activities that attract curses and insults.

Being an elder back then makes you a fair and unbiased judge, and also it entrusts the reputation of being truthful on the person. I can recall how it was a taboo to speak up against the opinion of an elder in a way that insinuates that the elder is lying. I still have a vivid picture of an incident that transpired in my secondary school days, at the City Comprehensive Secondary School, Bauchi, when the school driver, an elderly man in his late sixties, gave a doctored report about one of my classmates, and the reaction from our principal when I tried to set the records straight.
“Are you saying baba (as he was fondly called), is lying?” He asked me. Out of courtesy, I could not answer ‘yes or no’, but deep inside me, I knew he was lying!

Over time, the decadence in the society is no longer seen only among the younger generations but also displayed by those that were supposed to set the yardstick. With the return to democracy in Nigeria, there has been a steady decline in our morals as every election year takes us lower on the moral scale. Now I fear if there will be any shred of morality left after the next five election years, i.e, in twenty years from now.

The level at which men, old enough to be grandfathers, lie shamelessly and behave in manners youngsters would not behave, is a call for serious concern.

Take the Slurred Benue APC stakeholders Press Release in Abuja and that utter nonsense by Ihyarev APC leaders in Makurdi for example, the shameful display of men, who are leaders and elders in their own right at their various communities, act shamelessly and throw tantrums like children that were poorly trained, speaks so much of the future of morality in the land. It is even more worrisome because their foot soldiers who come on social media to defend these shameful acts are mostly my generation.

This makes it therefore difficult for me to turn a blind eye, as the possibility of their proteges to continue these disgraceful actions, scare the hell out of me, daily.

Going forward, we must learn to tell ourselves the truth. Else we might bring upon us the curse as stated by the preacher when he said; “Woe to thee, O land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning.”
We cannot continue on this path, for the end, therefore, is doom.
We must collectively remind our elders and leaders of what is expected of them.

We can no longer continue to have children as our leaders and elders.

Enough is enough.

Abba Kyari and His Red Flags of Vulgar Exhibitionism

By Farooq A. Kperogi
Twitter: @farooqkperogi

Although there is no art to decipher the cunning of crooked cops, DCP Abba Kyari gave us many red flags to cause us to be suspicious of his policing, but many people ignored it. I, for one, have an abiding suspicion of people who are given to gratuitous self-congratulation and ostentation, who are aggressively self-promotional, and who perpetually have a need to invite the public to witness their good deeds.

I think excessive showiness often betrays an inner emptiness at best and an artful concealment of untoward impulses and deeds at worst. This sentiment is encapsulated in such enduring pieces of folk wisdom as “Empty vessels make the most noise,” “Still waters run deep,” etc.

This isn’t universally true, of course. Some genuinely ethical and kind people may be outwardly flashy and given to offensive displays of self-importance. And some businesses thrive on vulgar outward displays, so people who are in these kinds of businesses can’t help but be showy out of a professional imperative.

But policing is no show business. Governance isn’t, either. Nor is morality. And so on. For the most part, it is my experience that people who are overly exhibitionistic in the performance of morality and of such run-of-the-mill duties as policing and governance are often shady and use exhibitionism to conceal their shadiness.

Although he has been accused of being a brutal SARS operative in Lagos, Abba Kyari clearly has his good sides. I have read many accounts of his kindness to total strangers, of his pan-Nigerian cosmopolitanism, and of his dogged sleuthing that resolved knotty criminal cases. His admirable detective work attracted notice and approbation. But then he got intoxicated by praise and attention, and made it his life’s calling to hanker after the limelight— in a job that should be done in the sedate quietude of the background.

He routinely invites cameras and press people to record him doing his job. One of the absurd extremes of his exhibitionism, for me, was when he invited journalists, videographers, and photographers to show him looking for kidnappers in the bushes. Of course, he apprehended no kidnapper because those crafty monsters of depravity aren’t imbecilic sitting ducks waiting for Abba Kyari to capture them on camera. He just wanted to showboat.

And he got a lot of reputational mileage from this dumb stunt. I didn’t see any groundswell of discursive repudiation against a famed sleuthhound ignoring detective work that is central to the fight against kidnapping and instead staging a fatuous media show.

What is worse, the man who earned a reputation as a ruthless annihilator of criminals started to openly cavort with people that, at the very least, he should be suspicious of. He has been photographed with people whose source of wealth is questionable and whose conspicuous consumption should put them on his investigatory radar.

Now we know why. FBI’s charge sheet against Ramon “Hushpuppi” Abbas revealed phone chats that Kyari and Abbas exchanged in which Abbas instructed Kyari to arrest Abbas’ rival in internet fraud. It is reasonable to draw the conclusion that the wealthy but dodgy people Kyari frolics with use him as a cudgel against their enemies and rivals.

The FBI’s affidavit implicating Abba Kyari in Hushpuppi’s fraud captures this sentiment. It reads: “Kyari is a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigeria Police Force who is alleged to have arranged for Vincent [Abbas’ rival in crime] to be arrested and jailed at Abbas’ behest, and then sent Abbas photographs of Vincent after his arrest.

“Kyari also allegedly sent Abbas bank account details for an account into which Abbas could deposit payment for Vincent’s arrest and imprisonment.”

In other words, Kyari was probably initially a good cop whose excellent work earned him plaudits from his superiors, plausive publicity from the news media, and veneration from a grateful public. Then he gradually started to seek out the news media, insert himself into public consciousness, and promote opportunistically self-serving narratives about his unparalleled detective machismo with a predetermined motive to profit from it.

He parlayed his popularity and carefully cultivated larger-than-life media image into “big-men-protection” security gigs. He obviously not only protects “big men”; he also torments their less connected rivals and victims for financial gain, as the FBI’s court documents indicate.

But the fact that he flaunts his association with flashy, questionable characters without fear of consequences from his superiors suggests that he is not alone. He obviously has powerful backers in the police establishment who also benefit materially from his ethically stained exploits.

Given how morally rotten the institution of the police is in Nigeria—and the rampant crab mentality in its ranks—the fact that the only “consequence” Kyari has faced for his unconventional, publicity-seeking, show-and-tell policing and open cavorting with suspicious personages is a meteoric climb up the promotional ladder is an indication that the police establishment is in on what he does.

Unfortunately for the police establishment, Kyari’s transgressions have now transcended the bounds of Nigeria and can’t be dismissed with the same blithe impunity with which previous indiscretions were treated. For instance, on October 28, 2020, TheCable reported that a Lagos businessman by the name of Afeez Mojeed accused Abba Kyari of defrauding him of up to 41 million naira.

In a petition to the judicial panel set up by the Lagos State government to address abuses by SARS, Mojeed alleged that Kyari and his SARS team forcefully broke into his home in 2014, accused him of being an internet fraudster, seized 280,000 naira from his wardrobe, another 50,000 from his car, which they took away and never returned, detained him for 14 days, and later charged him to court but never showed up or brought any witness against him, forcing the court to strike out the internet fraud charge against him.

Mojeed also alleged that Kyari forced him to reveal the password to some of his bank cards, sign checks, and electronically transfer money to designated bank accounts, which added up to tens of millions. When Mojeed’s lawyer reached out to Kyari to resolve the matter, the petition alleged, Kyari told the lawyer that Mojeed was an internet fraudster, and that he proposed a deal with the lawyer to help him get another 15 million naira from one of Mojeed’s bank accounts. Kyari allegedly offered the lawyer a 5-million-naira reward as compensation for his cooperation, but the lawyer declined the offer.

Neither the EFCC nor the ICPC even acknowledged, much less acted on, Mojeed’s petition for a redress of what he said was gross injustice against him by Kyari. And Kyari didn’t even find it worth his while to respond to TheCable’s request to hear his own side of the story.

So, clearly, Kyari is habituated to immunity from the consequences of his transgressions and indiscretions. That happens only when you have powerful backers. But it’s different this time around. You don’t mess with the FBI and get away with it.

Court documents quote the FBI to have pointedly said Abba Kyari, “together with others known and unknown to the Grand Jury, knowingly conspired to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343.” This leaves no room for rigmarole. I think the game is over for the “super cop.”

I also think the Nigerian society should take some blame for nurturing personas like Abba Kyari. Our insatiable but often unmet hunger for heroes predisposes us to be susceptible to frauds masquerading as saviors. We can avoid this if we take as a rule of thumb the idea that most people who have a compulsive need to be overly showy and self-congratulatory about a virtue or a deed often have something to hide.