Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has approved the appointment of Dr. Ihu Eunice Ogbenyi as Acting State Head of Service, HoS.
The appointment follows the unfortunate death of late Agbogbo Ode who was Head of Service from 2023 – 2026.
The acting HoS, Dr. Ogbenyi who hails from Oju Local Government Area of Benue was born on June 12, 1973. Before her appointment, she was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Survey.
She obtained her Nigeria Certificate in Education, NCE Maths/Physics in 1996 from the College of Education, Oju and further obtained B.Sc. 2005, Masters 2010 and Ph.D 2021 all in Mathematics Education at the Fr. Adasu University, Makurdi.
She was employed into the Benue State Teaching Service Board as Principal Assistant Education Officer, PAEO II in 1998.
Her service was deployed in February 2012 to the Benue State Ministry of Education.
She later served variously as Deputy Director Education, DDE in the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics, DPRS, heading Joint Consultative Committees On Education/National Council on Education, JCCE/NCE unit and assistant Head of Education Management Information System, EMIS unit.
While congratulating the Acting HoS, Alia charged her with the responsibilities, principles, and priorities that will guide her stewardship and ensure continuity, professionalism, and service to the public.
He urged her to ensure that her official actions conform with the vision and principles of this administration to continue with the reforms in the civil service and uphold at all times the sanctity and dignity of your office.
“You must ensure in all your official dealings that the interest of the state comes first,” he added.
The appointment takes immediate effect.
Meanwhile, Governor Alia has sworn into office a new Judge of the Benue State High Court, Justice Christine Ende.
Alia said the appointment was given in recognition of Justice Ende’s distinguished career spanning over three decades in legal practice, judicial administration, human rights advocacy, and public service.
He described the appointment of the new Justice as a significant milestone in the administration of justice in the state.
Her appointment increases the number of judges in the State to 33, while raising the number of female judges to 14, a development he says is a reflection of his administration’s commitment to inclusivity, equal opportunity, and women’s advancement in leadership.
He urged Justice Ende to uphold the Constitution and discharge her duties with integrity, independence, courage, and fairness, emphasising that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man.
The Governor also commended the National Judicial Council, the Judicial Service Commission, and the leadership of the Benue State Judiciary for their roles in the appointment, while assuring continued government support for the judiciary in strengthening justice delivery and the rule of law.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
