Benue Assembly Clears Seven Commissioner-Nominees, Confirms Anya Godwin for Service Commission

By Titus Atondu, Makurdi

The Benue State House of Assembly has screened and confirmed seven nominees as commissioners in the state executive council, while also approving the appointment of Mr. Anya Godwin as a member of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission.

The confirmations were made during Wednesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Berger Alfred Emberga, following a letter of nomination forwarded to the Assembly by Governor Hyacinth Alia.

The newly confirmed commissioners are Chief Solomon Terver Iorpev, Mrs. Elizabeth Onma Ogenyi, Hon. Kuma Aii Yenge, Hon. Roy Ashirga Terna, Hon. Angwa Egbe Monday, Rt. Hon. Nick Eworo and Hon. Amo II Albertson Aondonengen Ankwa.

Solomon Terver Iorpev

Iorpev, a seasoned broadcaster, media strategist and public communications expert, has over two decades of experience spanning journalism, strategic communication and public service.

He currently serves as Technical Adviser to Governor Alia on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communication and was the pioneer Director-General of the Benue State Signage and Advertisement Agency.

He previously served as Acting Chief Press Secretary to the governor and held various editorial and production positions at Radio Benue, Radio Nigeria and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

Iorpev holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and a Master’s degree in Mass Communication/Public Relations from Benue State University, Makurdi, and is currently pursuing a PhD.

Elizabeth Onma Ogenyi

Ogenyi, a grassroots politician and administrator from Igumale in Ado Local Government Area, previously served as Chairman of Ado LGA and Supervisory Councillor for Revenue and Finance.

She also served as Chairman/Coordinator of the National Poverty Eradication Programme in the local government and as Senior Special Assistant to the governor with liaison responsibilities.

In 1997, she became a Member-Elect of the Benue State House of Assembly representing Ado Constituency under the then-defunct United Nigeria Congress Party.

She holds an Advanced Diploma in Personnel Management and a Diploma in Purchasing and Supply from Benue State University.

Kuma Aii Yenge

Yenge, a businessman, entrepreneur and industrialist from Buruku LGA, is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director of Max Woody Group, with interests in furniture manufacturing, technology, welding and fabrication.

With over three decades of private-sector experience, he has also been involved in youth skills development and entrepreneurship, with his enterprises reportedly training more than 500 people.

He holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Technology from Norfolk State University, United States, and an MBA from the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

Yenge has served as President of the Benue Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, a member of the Benue State Economic Team and President of the Boys’ Brigade Nigeria, Benue State Council.

Roy Ashirga Terna

Terna, an administrator and grassroots politician from Tarka LGA, began his career as a teacher with the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board before moving into politics and public administration.

He served as an elected councillor in Tarka, Special Assistant to the Governor, Secretary of Tarka Local Government Council and Senior Legislative Aide at the National Assembly.

He later served as Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Strategy, Caretaker Committee Chairman of Tarka LGA and Gubernatorial Liaison Officer for the local government.

Terna holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Benue State University and is currently pursuing a degree in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at the National Open University of Nigeria.

Angwa Egbe Monday

Egbe is a geologist and hydrogeology specialist with professional experience in groundwater development, water and sanitation, environmental services and project monitoring.

He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Geology and Hydrogeology from the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

He has worked as a Project/Field Geologist and consultant on water and sanitation projects, including UNICEF-supported interventions, handling borehole surveys, geophysical investigations, project supervision, monitoring and evaluation.

He also served as Vice Chairman of Oju Local Government Council in 2024 and has participated in grassroots political mobilisation.

Nick Eworo

Eworo is a politician, businessman and community leader from Obi LGA and a prominent figure in Igede affairs.

He holds an MBA from Bayero University, Kano, and began his career in the private sector with Bendel Feeds and Flour Mills, where he rose from Sales Representative to General Manager, Northern Region.

He later ventured into politics and was elected twice to the Benue State House of Assembly, representing Obi State Constituency. During his legislative career, he served as Deputy Majority Leader.

Eworo was appointed Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation during Governor Alia’s first-term administration.

Amo Ankwa II

Ankwa is a politician, administrator and grassroots leader from Logo LGA.

He served as an elected councillor, Supervisory Councillor and Chairman of Logo Local Government Council between 2019 and 2020.

He also served as Special Assistant to the Governor on Administration at the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Urban Development.

He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Benue State University, as well as postgraduate qualifications in government administration and management and law.

Ankwa has also been involved in youth empowerment, cooperative development and grassroots mobilisation.

Anya Godwin

The Assembly separately screened and confirmed Anya Godwin as a member of the Benue State House of Assembly Service Commission.

His confirmation was also approved during the plenary presided over by Speaker Emberga.

The latest approvals are expected to strengthen the administrative structures of both the Benue State Executive and Legislature, with the new commissioners bringing varied experience in governance, politics, business, communications, administration and technical fields to the Alia administration.