The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has appointed new leaders for five agencies and parastatals in the state. Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, announced the appointments in a statement on Thursday.
The Governor named Prof. Daniel Amine as the Director-General of the Benue Geographical Information System (BENGIS), Mrs. Afaityo Rebecca as the General Manager of the Community and Social Development Agency, and Mr. Michael Uper as the Executive Secretary of the Benue State Sports Marketing and Lottery Board. Dr. Erdoo Mongol will serve as the Managing Director/CEO of the Benue State Geo-Mining Company Nigeria Limited, while Surveyor Tsokar Terfa takes on the role of Technical Adviser on Land Matters.
Amine, the new BENGIS head, holds a B.Tech, M.Eng, and PhD in Mechanical Engineering and has over 20 years of experience in technical and engineering graphics. He is currently a lecturer at Joseph Sawuan Tarka University, Makurdi, and has previously worked in sectors like banking and construction. Rebecca, with an MSc and MBA in Management, brings extensive experience in community development. She has served as a Village Extension Officer and Chairperson of the Initiatives for Empowerment of Vulnerable Persons in Society (IEVPS).
Uper, an expert in sports marketing, has worked as a consultant in Niger and Lagos States. Before his appointment, he consulted for the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Creativity in Benue State. Mongol, a seasoned geoscientist with over 14 years of experience, specialises in mining, mineral exploration, regulation, and climate sciences. She is committed to sustainable mineral extraction, environmental protection, and youth empowerment, with a focus on supporting underserved communities.
Terfa, a seasoned land administrator, previously served as the Surveyor General of Benue State from 2021 to 2023. In addition to these appointments, Governor Alia upgraded the solid minerals department, separating it from the Ministry of Lands, Survey, and Solid Minerals to form the Bureau for Solid Minerals. The Governor appointed Mr. Stephen Utah, formerly Principal Special Assistant on Solid Minerals, as Executive Secretary of the new Bureau.
The Governor expressed confidence in the appointees, urging them to use their expertise and skills to advance the state’s development. He stressed the importance of aligning their work with the administration’s vision and mission, prioritising the interests of Benue State in all official engagements.
