The Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Creativity, Terkimbi Ikyange, officially unveiled the signage of the Benue State Sports Marketing and Lottery Board in Makurdi on Monday. During the ceremony, Commissioner Ikyange stated, “Today, we formally unveil the presence, commitment, dedication, and new life of the Sports Marketing and Lottery Board in the state.”
He explained that the Board was established in 2017 after the Benue State House of Assembly passed the enabling law and an Executive Secretary was appointed. However, it remained non-functional until the current administration, under Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, decided to revitalize it by appointing knowledgeable and experienced individuals to manage its activities and generate revenue for the state.
As the Board falls under the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Creativity, Commissioner Ikyange emphasized that their role is not only to inform the public that the Board is operational but also to assure them of their commitment to fulfilling the governor’s mandate.
“We are announcing to everyone that a dedicated force is now in place, responsible for ensuring that all sports marketing, betting, lottery, and related activities are conducted in accordance with the state’s laws.”
The Commissioner further stated, “We are here to formally unveil this signage, signaling that we are serious about this venture, which will work tirelessly for the state’s development.”
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Board, Michael Torhungur Uper, highlighted the potential of the gaming sector, citing Lagos State’s success in generating substantial revenue through this sector.
He expressed confidence that, with the Governor’s support, Benue State could significantly boost its revenue generation. Uper also noted that the scrapping of the National Lottery Board had given states the autonomy to regulate their lottery sectors, and Benue State is poised to capitalize on this opportunity.
