By Hon. Bar. John Tine
Last Saturday 26th November, 2022, the Benue Emancipation Movement (BEM), received a further boost through a bipartisan and resounding approbation, when senior professional colleagues, associates and Friends of Prof Bem Angwe gathered dignitaries at a Fundraising Dinner to support his Campaign and aspiration.
Prof Angwe, a former Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission is the 2023 Gubernatorial Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP) in Benue State.
The colourful occasion which was held at the prestigious A– Class Park & Events Centre in Wuse 11, Abuja, was graced by the top echelon of his party, the NNPP and numerous other distinguished Nigerians from all walks of life, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Captains of industry and business; technocrats, respected Benue citizens, opinion leaders as well as party stalwarts, across political party lines.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Fundraising Dinner, Prof T. Akpe, SAN, who spoke on behalf of the Committee told the August audience that, they were inspired and moved to organise the Dinner because they know Prof Angwe as an unassuming but a man of excellence, who has the midas touch and has distinguished himself in all the leadership positions he has held locally and internationally, urging the audience and the Benue citizens in particular to support and give Prof Angwe the opportunity to also lead the state as he is not only well prepared, but has all it takes to pull the state out of the doldrums in which it has found itself.
The Chairman of the occasion, who is also the Deputy National Chairman South of the NNPP, AVM John Ifemeje Rtd; the National Women leader and Chairlady of the occasion, Dr Maryam Bello; the National Leader and Presidential Candidate of the NNPP, Engr (Dr) Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who was ably represented by the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Alhaji Buba Galadima; the Chairman of the BOT who was also ably represented by the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Major Agbo, and the National Chairman of the NNPP, Prof Rufai Alkali and many others who spoke at the event, paid glowing tributes and extolled the sterling and exemplary leadership qualities of Prof Bem Angwe, who was among other epithets, described as a cerebral Professor of law and an asset to NNPP; the Benue people and to humanity; promising the party’s utmost commitment to ensuring that Prof Angwe becomes the next Governor of Benue State in 2023. Other members of the NWC of NNPP, including the National Secretary, Dipo Olayoku, the National Legal Adviser, Barr Robert Hon were all in attendance.
Highlights of the occasion were the exquisite citation of the rich Profile of the celebrant, and interlude by an Abuja based Tiv Theatre dance Troupe, and Prof Angwe’s presentation of the abridged version of his blueprint for Benue State.
The Human Rights Defender intimated the audience as to how he intended to salvage Benue in all critical sectors of its economy, including agriculture, education, health, food security and securing the land through the creation of wide ranging job opportunities for the teeming youth; the provision of massive infrastructure as well as human and socioeconomic services among other interventions and programmes.
The presentation of Prof Angwe’s Vision for Benue State was well received by the audience amid cheers and intermittent applauses.
The Dinner was a momentous outing of success as individual dignitaries, the party hierarchy as well as groups raised substantial funds to support the Benue Emancipation Project of Prof Bem Angwe, in order to facilitate the realisation of his noble intention to change the leadership narrative in Benue State from 2023.
