Nigeria Times

Chief Ambassador Eka Dickson A’adu, the Chief Executive Officer of Ekason Groups of Companies — a reputable conglomerate with diverse interests spanning commerce, real estate, trade, and community development — and a distinguished community leader of Benue State extraction, has risen with a heart full of gratitude and admiration to celebrate His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, as he marks his 60th birthday — a golden milestone in the life of a man who has become synonymous with transformation, courage, and servant leadership. Chief Amb. Eka, a man who has long held the conviction that a governor who builds roads builds futures and a leader who bridges divides builds a people, found in Governor Alia the living proof of that conviction — a builder and a bridge-maker in the truest and most literal sense of both words.
In a heartfelt tribute made available to this publication, Chief Amb. Eka described Governor Alia as a rare breed of leader — one whose footprints are not found in the pages of press releases alone, but etched permanently in the concrete of roads, the steel of bridges, and the grateful hearts of millions of Benue people who can today travel with dignity, conduct business with ease, and look upon their state capital with well-deserved pride.
When Governor Alia assumed office on the 29th of May, 2023, the streets of Makurdi told a tale of neglect — potholed, waterlogged, and weary. Yet with the single-minded focus of a man on a divine assignment, he wasted no time. He simultaneously flagged off the construction of sixteen township roads within the Makurdi metropolis, a feat that stunned critics into silence and set the tone for what was to become a legacy of unparalleled infrastructure renewal. That number has since grown to over fifty road projects cascading across Benue State like arteries of progress — connecting communities, opening markets, and restoring the dignity of a people who had long navigated the indignity of impossible terrain. As a businessman whose operations span multiple sectors and who travels regularly across the length and breadth of the state, Chief Amb. Eka affirmed with firsthand authority that the roads now being laid in Makurdi, Gboko, and beyond are a testament to a governor who truly means business.
Beyond the roads themselves, Chief Amb. Eka was emphatic that the construction of modern underpasses and overhead bridges in both Makurdi and Gboko represents the boldest expression yet of Governor Alia’s transformative vision. The flyover at the High-Level roundabout in Makurdi and the underpass at Gyado Junction in Gboko were not merely engineering projects — they were declarations. They declared that Benue State had arrived on the map of modern infrastructure, that its cities deserved the same dignity afforded to any other state capital in the federation, and that the era of traffic gridlock strangling commerce and daily life was firmly over. For a state that had languished in infrastructural stagnation for years, these structures stand as enduring monuments to what becomes possible when leadership is purposeful, courageous, and unafraid to dream big. Every morning that motorists ease through those underpasses and over those bridges, they move through a corridor built from a governor’s sacrifice, commitment, and unyielding love for his people.
Chief Amb. Eka equally praised Governor Alia for understanding that great governance does not stop at the gates of the state capital. The Governor’s administration has pursued an ambitious programme to link virtually all Local Government Area headquarters across Benue State to Makurdi through quality, durable roads — roads that do not surrender to the first rains but are built to serve generations yet unborn. Of particular note, and one that Chief Amb. Eka described as touching his heart most deeply, is the ongoing reconstruction of the Oju-Awajir road. This vital corridor, which had for years condemned the people of Oju and surrounding communities to near-isolation, is being transformed into a modern thoroughfare worthy of the industrious people it serves. Its completion, he noted, will not only ease the movement of goods and persons but will unlock the enormous agricultural and economic potential of those communities, weaving them permanently into the fabric of Benue’s development story. “This,” he declared, “is governance with a conscience.”
To understand Governor Alia the builder, Chief Amb. Eka noted, one must first appreciate Governor Alia the man. Born on the 15th of May, 1966, in the quiet hills of Mbangur, Mbadede in Vandeikya Local Government Area, and educated across some of the finest institutions in Nigeria and the United States of America — including a Master’s degree in Religious Education from Fordham University, Bronx, New York, and a Master’s in Biomedical Ethics from Duquesne University, Pennsylvania — Governor Alia is a leader shaped by intellectual rigour, spiritual discipline, and a lifetime of humanitarian service. He did not arrive at Government House as a career politician seeking personal comfort. He arrived as a servant leader carrying the full and solemn weight of a people’s hope. His inaugural declaration — “You were waiting for Hope” — was not political theatre. It was a covenant. And on this, his 60th birthday, that covenant is being honoured visibly and verifiably on every newly tarred road, every standing bridge, and in every community now within reach of Makurdi and of opportunity.
Chief Amb. Eka Dickson A’adu himself is no stranger to the weight of responsibility and the demands of leadership. Hailing from a family with deep roots in the commercial and philanthropic life of Benue State, he has built Ekason Groups of Companies into a reputable institution serving the people of the state and beyond across multiple sectors. His business philosophy has always been anchored on one conviction: when the land prospers, its people prosper, and when its people prosper, enterprise thrives. It is from this vantage point — as a businessman, a community leader, and a proud Benue son — that he stands to celebrate Governor Alia, affirming that the Governor’s developmental strides have not only transformed the state’s infrastructure but have improved the business climate, reduced logistics costs, and opened fresh corridors of opportunity for entrepreneurs, traders, farmers, and small business owners across Benue State.
In his own words, Chief Amb. Eka closed with a solemn, public, and unequivocal pledge:
“Your Excellency, on this milestone birthday, I make this pledge publicly and unequivocally: I stand fully behind you. I pledge my unwavering support — moral, social, and material — for your re-election bid in 2027. Benue State cannot afford to interrupt a journey that has only just found its stride. The roads you are building must be completed. The bridges you have raised must be maintained. The vision you carry must be seen to its fullest fruition. May God Almighty grant you many more years of health, wisdom, and the strength to serve. Happy 60th Birthday, Your Excellency. The Heart of the Nation beats proudly because of you.”
— Chief Amb. Eka Dickson A’adu
Chief Executive Officer, Ekason Groups of Companies
Community Leader & Philanthropist, Benue State

The League of Legal Practitioners of Nigeria (LOLPON) has defended former Minister of Petroleum Resource, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Maduke who is facing prosecution at UK court, saying nothing has been proven against her as the burden of proof has not been discharged. She was a minister during the reign of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

According the speech titled ‘A legal examination of the trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke and the imperative of justice under Nigerian and United Kingdom law’, delivered by LOLPON at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the essential elements of the alleged offences remain unestablished, because the material contradictions have created overwhelming reasonable doubt, adding that justice must be evidence-based, impartial and must not be presumed.

“We call on the United Kingdom judicial authorities to ensure that this matter is determined strictly in accordance with the law, free from bias, conjecture, or external pressure”.

Speaking further, the group said: The League of Legal Practitioners of Nigeria (LOLPON) has undertaken a comprehensive legal review of the ongoing trial of Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, currently before a United Kingdom court.

“Our position is strictly legal, objective, and grounded in established principles of law.

“After a careful and dispassionate review of the facts available in the public domain, we state clearly and unequivocally that nothing has been proven against the Defendant. Allegations remain allegations. In law, they do not translate to guilt until proven beyond reasonable doubt. That threshold, as it stands today, has not been met”.

The group said under the Human Rights Act 1998 and Article 6(2) of the European Convention on Human Rights, every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and that this is not symbolic, binding. It said the Defendant has consistently denied all allegations, and the burden lies entirely on the prosecution, and at this stage, that burden has not been discharged.

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“Failure to establish the elements of bribery under the UK Bribery Act 2010, a conviction requires clear proof of a financial or material advantage, a direct link to improper conduct, a clear intention to influence official decisions.

“However, critical gaps remain alleged bribe payers have denied making any payments, there is no conclusive linkage between alleged benefits and contract awards, no direct evidence of corrupt intent has been established, and this leaves the prosecution’s case legally fragile”, the group alleged.

Speaking further, the group said that both Nigerian and UK law require proof of the act and the intention.

“There is no conclusive evidence that the Defendant demanded, received, or intended to receive bribes in exchange for official actions. Without these, criminal liability cannot arise”.

It said, under Nigerian procurement practices and administrative culture, contract awards are institutional, not personal as so ministers do not act in isolation; stakeholder interactions between contractors and government officials are not unusual within regulated boundaries.

“It is also important to state that in certain operational contexts, contractors often provide logistical support within the framework of ongoing engagements. Such interactions, in themselves, do not automatically constitute criminal conduct under Nigerian law unless tied directly to proven corrupt intent”, the group added.

By Wilfred Sawa

Yawutama Emmanuel Amaza has officially obtained his nomination form under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking a significant step in his political ambition.

Supporters and associates described the development as a sign of growing momentum behind his campaign, with many expressing optimism about his vision and leadership style.

Speaking through his media team, Dr Amaza was praised for his commitment to service, youth inclusion and community development.

“This moment represents hope for ordinary people and a renewed belief in purposeful leadership,” a statement signed by Media Director Ipp Malgwi said.

The event attracted supporters and well-wishers, who offered prayers and encouragement ahead of the political contest.

Hon. Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, National Deputy Financial Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has congratulated Dr. Jamilu-Isiyaku Gwamna on his emergence as the party’s consensus governorship candidate for Gombe State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued in Abuja, Hon. Kumo described Dr. Gwamna as “a visionary leader, accomplished technocrat, and grassroots mobilizer whose credibility and capacity will strengthen the APC’s position in Gombe.” He noted that the consensus arrangement reflects the party’s commitment to unity and inclusiveness, adding that it is a step toward consolidating APC’s achievements in the state.

Hon. Kumo called on all aspirants who contested for the governorship ticket to rally behind Dr. Gwamna, stressing that collective effort is essential for the APC to secure victory. “Every aspirant remains a vital pillar of our party. By joining hands with Dr. Gwamna, we can ensure APC’s continued dominance and deliver progress for the people of Gombe,” he said.

He further commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for his exemplary leadership, which has brought peace, infrastructural development, and political stability to Gombe State. Hon. Kumo emphasized that the governor’s guidance was instrumental in the smooth adoption of consensus candidates, describing him as “a leader whose vision has transformed Gombe and whose legacy will endure.”

Hon. Kumo also reaffirmed his support for Governor Yahaya’s senatorial aspiration, expressing confidence that his wealth of experience will bring quality representation to the National Assembly. He noted that Yahaya’s senatorial bid complements Dr. Gwamna’s governorship candidacy, creating a formidable team to advance APC’s mission in Gombe.

Concluding his remarks, Hon. Kumo urged party members, stakeholders, and the electorate to remain steadfast in their support for APC candidates, assuring that with unity and determination, the party will deliver victory and sustain progress in Gombe State.

A legal practitioner in Nasarawa State and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barr Tari Trochon has submitted a Formal petition to the National Secretariat of the party demanding proper investigation into the alleged dual membership of Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada.

Senator Wadada has won elections into the Senate in 2023 on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and has emerged the preferred choice of Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nassarawa State for the APC Governorship primaries scheduled for May 21st 2026.

According to the petition signed by Barr Trochon from Nakere ward of Wamba LGA, “we demand immediate investigation into Wadada membership and compel him to produce verifiable evidence of resignation from the SDP which should be verified from the national leadership of the SDP and not forged documents.

“His disqualification from the participation in the primaries if he fails to establish lawful and exclusive membership of the APC among other legal violations of the Constitutional provisions by Wadada participating in the process while holding dual membership of SDP and APC”

The legal Practitioner warned that allowing Wadada participate in the forth coming gubernatorial primaries would amount to institutional endorsement of illegality that will set the grounds for pre-election legal challenges that might lead to disqualification.

” The enormous credibility issues bothering on how his failure to inform the Senate of his alleged defection, nine months after, provides a fertile ground for litigations that may be costly to the APC in Nasarawa State if he is not stopped.

“We are aware that the SDP is set to take Senator Wadada to court over his defection to APC while still maintaining his membership with SDP simultaneously” he said.

The Petitioner added that in view of time constraint, he will be left with no other option than to proceed to court in order to save the APC in Nasarawa State from imminent problems that may cost us electoral misfortunes.

“There is prima facie infraction of section 222 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), section 77 of the Electoral Act 2026, Conventions of the Senate and clear expressions of lack of credibility and character which must be looked into.

“He shouldn’t go into our Direct Primaries, and we’ll ensure the Courts stop him from further participation” he said.

He maintained that the Petition has since been submitted to the APC national Secretariat, signed received and acknowledged.

BY MOHAMMED MUSA

Residents and motorists in Nasarawa State are already feeling the relief that comes with good infrastructure, as the main construction of the Lafia bypass has been completed, slashing travel time through the state capital from 45 minutes to just 15 minutes.

The bypass, a critical section of the Keffi Road Phase II project, was constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company, CHEC, and its completion is quietly transforming local traffic conditions. Although the formal handover is still being prepared, many residents and drivers say the improvement in travel time and road environment is unmistakable.

For years, Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, has groaned under the weight of heavy transit traffic. As a major gateway linking Abuja to Makurdi and the eastern corridor, all long-haul vehicles had no choice but to crawl through the city centre. The result was predictable: congestion, wasted man-hours, higher fuel consumption, and increased safety risks for both residents and commuters.

However the story has changed.
Abdullahi Mohammed , a small shop owner in Lafia and a regular traveler on the route, captures the mood on the street. “It used to take about 45 minutes to pass through the city, especially when heavy trucks were on the road. Traffic jams and delays were common,” he said. “Now, with the completion of the Lafia bypass, it only takes about 15 minutes to get across. These past few days, the roads feel much smoother, and going out is more reassuring.”

The impact is even more direct for commercial drivers who earn their living on the road. A freight driver who spoke with our correspondent explained that the old route through the city was not just slow but costly. “Previously, vehicles had to pass through the city, which was time-consuming, increased fuel consumption, and posed safety risks,” he noted that, “now with the bypass, we save time and it’s safer. This is very important for those of us in transport because we save on fuel consumption and time spent on the road, which has greatly improved profitability.”

It is worthy of note that, Lafia has long endured heavy transit traffic pressure, with urban roads often congested during peak hours. The city’s status as an administrative and commercial hub means that local traffic already competes for limited road space. The hundreds of trailers and tankers heading to Benue, Cross River, and beyond, through Lafia put a lot of strain on Lafia’s inner roads.
With the completion of the bypass’s main works, transit vehicles will gradually be diverted, easing the burden on city traffic. The benefit goes beyond speed. Improved road conditions will also provide more efficient channels for agricultural product transport and daily goods circulation. Nasarawa is an agrarian state, and farmers along the corridor stand to gain from faster access to markets in Abuja and Makurdi. For residents, it means fresher produce, lower transport costs, and a tangible lift in quality of life.

The bypass is not just another road; it is a strategic intervention that had stalled for years before the current administration revived it. Delivering it required more than engineering skill, it demanded discipline, planning, and resilience.

Despite a complex security environment, the CHEC construction team advanced steadily by strengthening site management and optimizing construction organization. The company ensured the smooth completion of the section in record time, maintaining standards across earthworks, hydraulic structures, stone base, asphaltic concrete, and drainage.
The result is a road that meets specification and already delivers value before formal commissioning. Preparations for handover are now underway, and the bypass’s traffic relief function will gradually take effect. Industry observers note that CHEC’s ability to deliver under pressure reinforces its reputation for quality and timely delivery on federal road projects across Nigeria.
Engr Shuaibu Abdullahi the Principal Engr Federal Ministry of Works Lafia Field Headquarter, Nasarawa State couldn’t have put it better while commending CHEC and the impact of the bypass: “The Lafia bypass road project stands as a transformative and important road corridor for both the community along the road and commuters. By significantly reducing travel time between Lafia and Makurdi, easing traffic congestion within Lafia metropolis, and lowering vehicle maintenance costs, the project enhances mobility, productivity, and overall quality of life. Equally impactful is the lifesaving construction of drainage systems in Mararaba, a deliberate corporate social responsibility effort by the contractor aimed at mitigating the effects of perennial flooding, safeguarding lives, property, and livelihoods. Together, these interventions not only improve access to markets for farm produce but also reinforce a commitment to sustainable development and community well-being.”

In a similar vein, Abdullahi Shehu Kasimu the Village head of Mararaba Akunza gave commendation to CHEC for its Corporate Social Responsibility works to control flooding on the Mararaba axis of the road corridor: “On behalf of the Mararaba Akuza community, we wish to express our sincere appreciation to Messrs CHEC for coming to our aid through the expansion of drainage facilities in Mararaba Akuza. For many years, the community suffered persistent flooding that damaged homes and property, but this intervention has brought much-needed relief.
Today, residents are already experiencing the positive impact of the upgraded drainage system, which has significantly improved water discharge and offers lasting protection against future flooding.
We also extend our gratitude to His Excellency, Engr. A. A. Suleiman, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, for his prompt response to our concerns and support for this intervention”.

Expectation is high in Lafia. “If it can be fully opened soon, it will be good for all of us,” said Aliyu Subair, echoing a view expressed by several residents. For traders, students, civil servants, and transporters, the bypass represents time recovered and costs saved. For the state government, it frees up inner-city roads for local use and reduces maintenance pressure caused by heavy-duty vehicles.

As follow-up works continue, this vital regional corridor is steadily unlocking its value for people’s livelihoods and national development. The bypass does three things at once: it cuts travel time by 66 percent, improves road safety by separating through-traffic from city traffic, and creates an economic artery for Nasarawa and neighboring states.

The completion of the main works is proof that with political will, proper funding, and competent contractors, Nigeria can turn frustration into free flow. CHEC’s delivery of the Lafia bypass to good standard and in record time sets a benchmark for how critical road interventions should be executed.

For Abdullahi Sabo, the shop owner, the change is simple but profound: “Going out is more reassuring.” For Nigeria’s transport economy, it is another step toward an integrated, efficient road network.

The Lafia bypass may have been built quietly, but as an important local transportation milestone, the project has improved the regional road network, eliminated urban congestion, and enhanced traffic safety. Supported by complementary drainage works, it has addressed flooding issues affecting livelihoods, effectively driving commercial and agricultural upgrades along the route, revitalizing the regional economy, and becoming a benchmark project for high-quality infrastructure cooperation between China and Nigeria