Ex-Benue Commissioner Pledges N30m Scholarship, Donates N14m To Clan

A former Benue State commissioner for Lands and Survey, John Tondu, has pledged a N30 million educational support initiative for outstanding Ihyarev indigent students with First Class degrees who are willing to pursue selected science-related courses abroad.

Tondu made the pledge during the Christmas and unity get-together event he organised for the Ihyarev people in Makurdi, Guma and Gwer-West local government areas.

The event was conceived as a non-political, inclusive and peaceful gathering, primarily aimed at celebrating Christmas, fostering unity, and strengthening the eroding social cohesion among the Ihyarev people.

He also made a cash donation of N14 million, 300 bags of 50kg rice, as well as 10 cows, to support the people in the celebration of the Christmas festivities.

In his remarks, Tondu, a former gubernatorial aspirant, stated that the celebration was not politically motivated, declaring that he has no intention or plan to contest any elective position in the 2027 general election.

He emphasised that the purpose of the event was to share the joy of Christmas with his people, promote harmony and unity, and strengthen bonds of affection as a foundation for meaningful and sustainable development.

The Abuja-based business mogul thanked God for His faithfulness in his life and appreciated the people for honouring the invitation to the unity gathering.

In his remarks, a former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, represented by the ex-speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. David Iorhemba, commended the unity initiative and advocated the institutionalisation of Ihyarev Day to sustain unity efforts.

On his part, a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Goddy Ikyerev, lauded Tondu’s leadership qualities and urged him to be ready for future service when called upon, while Hon. Cletus Upaa encouraged the youths to rally around the former commissioner, acknowledging his growth into a respected community leader.

The chairmen of Gwer-west, Guma and Makurdi, Hons Victor Ormin, Maurice Orwaough and Joseph Keffi described the event as a turning point in addressing disunity. They urged youths to take responsibility for community security.

Speaking on behalf of the Ihyarev academic community, Prof. Cletus Tyokyaa emphasised that education is a driver of development and pledged academic support for the unity agenda.

Also speaking, an elder statesman, Justice Bokon Utsaha, while stressing Tondu’s developmental strides for the Ihyarev nation, called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to intensify efforts to end insecurity and return the Ihyarev people and other displaced communities in Benue to their ancestral homes.

He advised youths against viewing politics as conflict and raised serious concerns about volatile security challenges, particularly in the Guma local government.

The Chief Custodians of the Ihyarev nation, Ter Makurdi and Ter Tyoshin, Daniel Ayua Abomtse, expressed full support for the unity initiative.

They particularly noted that, despite the abundance of material and human blessings, disunity had hindered progress and invoked ancestral blessings on Tondu for his uncommon thoughtfulness and efforts to unite the Ihyarev nation at this critical time.