Benue State is one of the North Central states in Nigeria with a population of about 4,253,641 in 2006 census. The state was created in 1976 among the 7 states created at that time.The state derives its name from the Benue River which is the second largest river in Nigeria. The name Benue is coined from a Bantoid word " Beer Nor" meaning the waters of Hipopotamus, The state borders Nasarawa State to the North; Taraba State to the East; Kogi State to the West; Enugu State to the South-West; Ebonyi and Cross-Rivers States to the South; and has an international border with Cameroon to the South-East. It is inhabited predominantly by the Tiv, Idoma, Igede and Etulo peoples. Its capital is Makurdi. Benue is a rich agricultural region; popularly grown crops include: oranges, mangoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, soya bean, guinea corn, flax, yams, sesame, rice, groundnuts, and Palm Tree.
Tiv are a Tivoid ethnic group. They constitute approximately 2.4% of Nigeria's total population, and number over 5 million individuals throughout Nigeria and Cameroon. The Tiv language is spoken by about 5 million people in Nigeria with a few speakers in Cameroon. Most of the language's Nigerian speakers are found in Benue, Taraba, Nasarawa and Plateau States. The language is a branch of Benue–Congo and ultimately of the Niger–Congo phylum. In pre-colonial times, the Fulani ethnic group referred to the Tiv as "Munchi", a term not accepted by Tiv people. They depend on agricultural produce for commerce and life.
Makurdi is the capital of Benue State, located in central Nigeria, and part of the Middle Belt region of central Nigeria. The city is situated on the south bank of the Benue River. In 2016, Makurdi and the surrounding areas had an estimated population of 365,000.
Lafia is a town in North Central [Nigeria]. It is the capital city of Nasarawa State and has a population of 330,712 inhabitants according to the 2006 census results. It is the largest town in Nasarawa state.
Lobi Stars Football Club is a Nigerian professional soccer club based in Makurdi, Benue. The club competes in the Nigerian Professional Football League. The Stars' home is the 8,000 seater Aper Aku Stadium. As of 2022, the club has a transfer value of $770.000.
The Diocese of Makurdi is a diocese of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, in the Abuja Province, that is roughly contiguous with Benue State. It is divided in 25 parishes and 4 archdeaconries, Gboko, Katsina-Ala, Makurdi and Zaki-Biam.
Samson Siasia Sports Stadium is a multi-use stadium located in the Yenagoa metropolis, Nigeria. It is currently used mostly for football matches and it is the home stadium of both Ocean Boys FC and the Bayelsa United. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000 people. Before 2009, it was known as the Yenagoa Township Stadium. It was rededicated in 2009 and was named after Samson Siasia. Samson Siasia is a former Nigerian soccer player who has coached a number of teams and recorded a number of successes. The Samson Siasia stadium is the first environmentally friendly astro turf pitch in Africa. The astro turf pitch was built by Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction and Development Ltd.
Lt. Colonel Fidelis Makka was Military Governor of Benue State, Nigeria from 21 July 1988 to 2 January 1992 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
Abdullahi Shelleng was the first Military Governor of Benue State, Nigeria from 3 February 1976 to July 1978 during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo, after Benue State had been split from the old Benue-Plateau State.
Group Captain Adebayo Hamed Lawal was Governor of Benue State, Nigeria from July 1978 to October 1979 during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo.
Aper Aku (1938–1988) was elected governor of Benue State, Nigeria in October 1979 and reelected in October 1983, leaving office after the military coup in December 1983 which General Mohammadu Buhari came to power.
Very Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu became governor of Benue State, Nigeria on 2 January 1992, elected on the Social Democratic Party (SDP) platform. He left office after the military coup in November 1993 in which General Sani Abacha came to power.
Benue State University is a state-owned university in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. In 2006, student enrollment was over 19,000 served by 7 faculties, 23 departments. The university offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs with a catalog of over 58 graduate programs across 9 colleges/faculties. It is accredited by the National Universities Commission. The current Vice-chancellor of Benue State University is Professor Msugh Moses Kembe who took over from Professor Charity Angya on November 5, 2015.
Patrick Abba Moro is a Nigerian educational administrator, politician and former Minister of the Federal Ministry Of Interior. He is currently the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi. In 2019, he was elected into the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria replacing David Mark, a two-term senate president and one of the longest serving Senators in Nigeria.
The Old Bridge, Makurdi is a combined rail and road bridge over the Benue River at Makurdi, Nigeria. The structure was completed in 1932.
Dickson Dominic Tarkighir is a Nigerian politician. He was a member of the 8th National Assembly of the Nigerian House of Representatives, representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency and a member of the ECOWAS parliament.
Benue North-East senatorial District known as zone A within Benue State covers seven local government areas which include Katsina-Ala, Logo, Ukum, Konshisha, Vandeikya, Kwande and Ushhongo. There 84 electoral wards and 1,389 polling units as of 2019 election. The headquarter of Benue North-East Senatorial District is Katsina-ALa. The current representative is Senator Gabriel Suswam.
Kuvyon II is the 27th and incumbent Aku Uka of Kwararafa and 13th since the founding of the Wukari Federation, a Jukun tradition state in Middle Belt, Nigeria. He is also the Chairman, Taraba State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chancellor, Federal University Dutse. He joined his ancestors on October 10, 2021 at the age of 84.
The 1979 Benue State gubernatorial election occurred on July 28, 1979. NPN's Aper Aku won election for a first term to become Benue State's first executive governor leading and, defeating main opposition in the contest.
The 1983 Benue State gubernatorial election occurred in Nigeria on August 13, 1983. The NPN nominee Aper Aku won the election, defeating other candidates.
