‘Enenche, Akume, Waya, …’: Some famous people from Benue State

Benue State is a state in north-central Nigeria with a population of approximately 4,253,641 as of the 2006 census.

The state is named after the Benue River, the second largest river in Nigeria after the Niger River. 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 State to the South; and has an international border with Cameroon to the South-East.

The main inhabitants of Benue are the Tiv, Idoma and Igede ethnic groups. The ethnic minorities in Benue include the Etulo, Igbo, Jukun, etc. The capital is Makurdi. Benue is a rich agricultural area; common crops include oranges, mangoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, soybeans, guinea corn, flax, yams, sesame, rice, peanuts and palm trees.

As we delve into the annals of this vibrant region, we uncover a myriad of individuals who have left an indelible mark on various spheres of society. Here’s a glimpse into the lives of 10 distinguished personalities with roots tracing back to Benue State:

Hyacinth Alia

Hyacinth Iormem Alia is a Nigerian Catholic clergyman and politician who has served as the Governor of Benue State since May 29, 2023.

Hyacinth Alia was ordained as a Catholic priest on July 7, 1990 by Bishop Athanasius Atule Usuh of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese. In May 2022, Alia was suspended by Bishop William Avenya of the Catholic Diocese of Gboko due to his declaration as a candidate for the political position of governor.

During Alia’s campaign, it was noted that he was popular among the indigenes of Benue due to his previous reputation as a miracle worker.

Alia served as the Director of Pastoral Services at Catholic Health Services, North Campus Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, United States.

George Akume

George Akume is a Nigerian politician who is the 21st Secretary General to the Federal Government appointed by President Bola Tinubu. He served as Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs during the term of President Muhammadu Buhari (2019-2023).

He served as Senator representing the Benue North-West Senatorial District from 2007 to 2019. He also served as Senate Minority Leader from June 2011 to June 2015. He served as Governor of Benue State from May 1999 to May 2007.

Terry Waya

Terry Waya is a well-known business tycoon and a big investor based in London. He is from Benue but lived in Kaduna State with his family for many years before moving to London.

He is the father of Nigerian Big Brother contestant Kidwaya. He owns several beautiful mansions in the UK.

Samuel Ortom

Samuel Ioraer Ortom is a Nigerian politician, businessman, administrator and philanthropist. He served as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Trade and Investment during the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan. Ortom was elected governor of Benue State in 2015 as a member of the All Progressives Congress but later defected to the People’s Democratic Party. He was re-elected governor on May 29, 2019.

Paul Enenche

Paul Idoko Enenche, founder and senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, is a true indigene of Benue State.

He was born on June 4, 1968 in Benue State to Chief D.E and Titi Enewa Enenche, a descendant of Idoma. He is a doctor, singer, educator, writer and motivational speaker.

His missionary venture is a network of churches with a large number of followers around the world. He is married to Dr. Becky Enenche and has four children.

Innocent Idibia

Innocent Ujah Idibia, better known by his stage name 2Baba, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and producer from Benue State.

He has the biggest influence on the rise of Nigerian pop music in the 21st century, with his hit single “African Queen” from his debut solo album Face2Face being sung by almost everyone on the continent.

He was born on September 18, 1975 in Plateau State but belongs to the Idoma tribe in Benue State. He is married to famous Nigerian film actress Anne Macaulay Idibia and has children.

Steven lawani

Steven Lawani is a former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Nigeria, a former National Vice Chairman of the National Republican Congress (NRC), and was elected Senator of the United Nigeria Congress Party during the Sani Abacha Transition Plan.

He has held many positions in the private and public sectors; in 2004, he was awarded the national honorary title of Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Patrick Abba Moro

Patrick Abba Moro is a Nigerian education administrator, politician and former Federal Minister of Interior. He is currently the Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Governors of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

In 2019, he was elected as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, succeeding David Mark, who served two terms as President of the Senate (the sixth and seventh parliaments) and was one of the longest-serving senators in Nigeria.

David Mark

David Alechenu Bonaventure Mark GCON is a retired Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army and a politician. He served as the 12th president of the Nigerian Senate from 2007 to 2015 and as Senator for Benue South Senatorial District from 1999 to 2019.

He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Prior to becoming a Senator, Mark served as the Military Governor of Niger State from 1984 to 1986 and was also the Minister of Communications. He is the longest serving president of the Nigerian Senate.

Gabriel Suswam

Gabriel Tolwa Suswam is a Nigerian politician and former Governor of Benue State. He served as Senator for the Benue North East Senatorial District in the 9th National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He was elected Governor of Benue State in April 2007 and was re-elected for a second term in 2015.

In celebrating these luminaries, we honor the rich heritage and boundless potential of Benue State, a reservoir of talent and resilience.