Benue State House of Assembly has debunked the stories making the rounds on the social and other medias that, the House demanded one thousand (1,000) slots from State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in the ongoing recruitment of teachers.
In an exclusive interview with The Voice on Saturday, Chairman House Standing Committee on Information, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Elias Audu described the stories on social media as unfounded, malicious and imagination of the originators and called on the people of the State and the general public to disregard it.
According to Hon Audu, the House during Plenary last Thursday, summoned the Chairman, Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Grace Adagba to appear before it on Tuesday, 17th December, 2024 to account for N2,073,779,218.07 being balance of the funds received from the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs between December, 2023 and June, 2024.
Hon. Audu disclosed that the SUBEB Chairman will also, during her appearance explain when and where the House demanded 1000 slots from her in the ongoing teacher’s recruitment.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, House Standing Committee on Education, Hon. Cephas Dyako has denied the involvement of the committee in the alleged demand for one thousand (1000) slots from SUBEB in the ongoing teacher’s recruitment
Hon Dyako in a statement on Saturday with the title “Re: Alleged Demand for 1,000 Recruitment Slots By Benue Assembly” noted that, “my attention has been drawn to reports circulating in the media alleging that the Benue State House of Assembly, through its Committee on Education, demanded 1,000 recruitment slots from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). Specifically, I Rt. Hon. Cephas Dyako, has been mentioned in connection with this unfounded claim.
“I categorically deny any involvement in or approval of such a demand. As a legislator and chairman of the committee on education, I have built a reputation of integrity over the years and will not allow my name to be dragged into issues that compromise the principles of fairness, merit, and accountability which I hold dear”, Hon Dyako stated
He confirmed that it was true that a letter requesting for slots in the ongoing teacher’s recruitment, was issued by the former committee secretary, Igyundu Fidelis Denen but said the letter was not authorized by him or the committee.
“Upon learning of this unauthorized action, I immediately recommended the removal of the committee secretary for breach of protocol.
“Such unilateral actions do not reflect the values of my office or the mandate of the committee. The Secretary was de-seconded to Teaching Service Board and has since been replaced by Nguevese Terfa-Mamadu.
The member representing Konshisha State Constituency maintained that, “These malicious media reports are orchestrated to smear me, the committee and the Assembly over our insistence that the ongoing recruitment process be conducted in a transparent manner. “
Hon. Dyako called on the SUBEB chairman, Dr Grace Adagba, to appear before the Assembly and answer to the numerous allegations of irregularities in the recruitment process and the public outcry over the manner in which the exercise has been handled by her office
“Mrs Adagba should also focus on addressing the allegations of embezzlement of over 2 Billion Naira levelled against her instead of sponsoring media reports to smear the Education Committee and Benue State House of Assembly”
The Chairman, House Committee on Education reiterated the commitment of the Benue State House of Assembly to its oversight responsibilities and will continue to act in the best interests of the people of the state while reaffirming his commitment to upholding integrity, fairness, and the rule of law in all his dealings.
