Ogbadibo at 35: Ogbeh, Doni Roberts, others for posthumous honours

The Ogbadibo People’s Forum (OPF), in collaboration with Idoma Voice Media and Manex TV, has announced that late former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, and former House of Representatives member, Hon. Doni Roberts, will be among prominent personalities honoured posthumously as part of activities marking the 35th anniversary of the creation of Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Other personalities listed for posthumous honours are late Chief Abutu Obekpa, late Dr Edwin Obe and late Hon. Ojogbane Adoyi.

The organisers disclosed this in a statement announcing a series of activities to commemorate the creation of Ogbadibo LGA.

The anniversary programme will begin with public lectures and a symposium in Abuja on Thursday, August 27, 2026, and climax with a grand summit in Ogbadibo on September 12.

According to the Organising Committee, the celebration will provide an opportunity to reflect on Ogbadibo’s 35-year journey while bringing stakeholders together to chart a new course for the development of the area.

Ogbadibo LGA was created on August 27, 1991, by the military administration of former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, as part of efforts to bring governance and development closer to the people.

Former Military Governor of Bauchi State and former General Officer Commanding, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Gen. Chris Abutu Garuba (rtd.), CON, CFR, the Okeno K’Idoma, will serve as Father of the Day.

Former Deputy Governor of Benue State, Chief Stephen Lawani, OFR, Ochagwu K’Idoma, will attend as Distinguished Guest, while Alhaji Usman Abubakar, popularly known as Young Alhaji, will be the lead speaker.

Architect Tony Obekpa, a 2027 governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, will deliver the keynote address.

Executive Director of the North Central Development Commission, Hon. James Uloko, will chair the occasion, while former Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. John Enenche (rtd.), will serve as a resource person.

Royal fathers expected at the event include the Ad’Ogbadibo, HRH Chief Emmanuel Ode; the Och’Otukpa/Olema of Ai-Oodo, HRH Sir Sunday Ekele, KSM, JP; and HRH Chief Joseph Ikwuje, the Third-Class Chief of Orokam/Owukpa.

The Executive Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Council, Hon. Sunday Ajunwa, will serve as Chief Host.

Apart from the posthumous honours, the celebration will feature the conferment of Leadership and Lifetime Achievement Awards on distinguished sons and daughters of Ogbadibo who have contributed to the development of the area and society.

Those listed for lifetime awards include Gen. Chris Abutu Garuba; Chief Stephen Lawani; Hon. Dr Austin Agada; Dr Mathias Oyigeya; Dr Pastor Paul Enenche; Hon. Dr Friday Iwodi; DCC Ojee Puma; Hon. Amb. Comfort Briggs Lokpobiri; Dr Peter Adejo; and H.E. Hon. Matthew Oluje Ochigbo.

The grand finale is scheduled for September 12, 2026, at Samthia Hotel, Agbaha-Otukpa, Ogbadibo LGA.

According to the organisers, the summit will bring together community leaders, clergymen, political stakeholders, traditional rulers, women and youth groups, town union leaders and other stakeholders to celebrate the anniversary and deliberate on the future of Ogbadibo.

Serving and former members of the National and Benue State assemblies from Ogbadibo, current and former government appointees, council chairmen and councillors, political party leaders, members of the media and academia, religious leaders, ward and clan heads, as well as sons, daughters and friends of Ogbadibo, are also expected at the event.

The organisers called on stakeholders and well-wishers to participate in activities marking the milestone anniversary.