Ado LG chairman receives encomium over massive performance as group tours 23 Benue LGs for assessment
On the 9th, October, 2024, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia swore-in the twenty three chairmen of the State with a task to use all the resources available to them to develop their various local government areas as a way to complement the transformation agenda of his administration. Sworn-in with his colleagues was Engineer Oche Sunday Oche, the executive chairman of Ado Local Government.
Just a year after his swearing-in as the chairman of Ado Local Government, Engineer Oche Sunday Oche has been able to transform the local government in so many areas of governance.
According to Benue Development Watch, a pressure group which has been going round the twenty three local government areas of the State to assess the performances of all the local government in a press statement sent to journalists, Hon. Oche Sunday Oche has performed excellently well, noting that his exceptional performance merits the allocations he has gotten within one year.
The group which visited Ado local government by its Members of the Board of Trustees led by Barrister Joseph Tsav and Engineer Mrs Doris Agada , Chairman and Vice chairman respectively said that the Ado local government chairman has been able to mark his one year in office with a record of outstanding achievements, transformative policies, and progressive reforms that have positively impacted governance, infrastructure, and the socio-economic wellbeing of the people of the local government.
Engr. Oche officially assumed office on October 9th, 2024, following his swearing-in at the Government House, Makurdi. His assumption of duty at the Council Secretariat in Igumale marked a new era of visionary and people-centered leadership, succeeding Mrs. Gloria Enotse Ogebe, who served as Caretaker Chairman.
Within a year, the Oche-led administration has demonstrated an unyielding commitment to transparency, accountability, and service delivery — translating vision into measurable progress across key sectors.
Listing his achievements while taking members of the Board of Trustees of the Benue Development Watch, BDW, round the local government, Engineer Oche pointed at the enhanced Revenue Generation and Financial Reforms under his administration.
“One of the Chairman’s earliest reforms was the dissolution of the existing Revenue Committee to restructure the Local Government’s internally generated revenue system. Within two months, he inaugurated a new team of Revenue Commissioners drawn from Ado’s five districts — Utonkon, Agila, Igumale, Ulayi, and Ijigban. This initiative has led to a remarkable 320% increase in IGR, the highest in the Council’s history, strengthening the Council’s financial base for grassroots development” a statement from the Chairman’s media office said.
Oche also listed the Recovery of Local Government Assets as a great achievement of his administration, stressing that in his commitment to accountability and prudent asset management, he led a successful recovery of critical Council assets, including a government-owned tractor that had been wrongfully withheld by a contractor. He noted that the tractor was refurbished for agricultural purposes, while another was acquired, bringing the total to two functional tractors currently supporting agribusiness in the Local Government.
The chairman also cited Blocking Revenue Leakages and Combating Illegal Tax Racketeering as another success of his administration, stressing that upon uncovering illegal tax racketeering by a firm known as Forte Harvest Company, he ordered immediate investigation and arrest of the perpetrators.
Engineer Oche further addressed a ten-year non-remittance issue at the Utonkon Primary Healthcare Mortuary, recovering outstanding revenues from 2014 to 2024. “These decisive actions curtailed revenue leakages, restored fiscal integrity, and reinforced public trust in governance” he said in the statement from his media office.
Environmental Restoration of the Council Secretariat is also one of the achievements which Benue Development Watch noted as one of the achievements of the local government chairman.
“The Council Secretariat, once overtaken by overgrown bushes and neglect, has been transformed under Engr. Oche’s directive. Through the re-engagement of the direct labour workforce, regular sanitation exercises have restored the Secretariat’s surroundings into a clean, welcoming environment befitting a government institution” the group said in its assessment note..
The group also lauded the chairman’s Peace and Security Initiatives, saying that its finding has shown that Security and peacebuilding have remained top priorities under the administration of the Chairman, noting that Engr. Oche facilitated several peace dialogues, including a landmark peace parley with Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi of Ebonyi State, leading to the restoration of peace between the Ezza and Effium communities.
“Similar interventions in Ezza-Idelle and Ndeobashi (Ekile District) have ended decades-long hostilities. In recognition of his leadership, Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia (Ph.D.) designated Ado Local Government as the Operational Base of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard (Zone C), codenamed Anyamnyor, comprising nine Local Governments — a testament to Ado’s strategic role in ensuring a safer Benue” the statement said.
On Renovation and Electrification of the Council Secretariat, it was gathered that after 15 years of darkness, electricity has been restored to the Secretariat Complex. The Chairman also undertook extensive renovations, providing modern office furniture, lighting, and fittings — giving the complex a dignified facelift.
On healthcare advancement, as his plan to strengthen healthcare delivery, the Chairman provided solar-powered refrigerators for drug and vaccine storage in Primary Health Centres across the Local Government. He also commissioned a solar installation at Utonkon PHC and donated funds for the electrification of nearby communities.
In June 2025, he officially flagged off the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) for children, reaffirming his administration’s dedication to child health and preventive care.
On Revitalization of Star Cement Factory, Igumale, the chairman, recognizing the economic potential of the Benue Star Cement Factory, initiated an on-site inspection that prompted swift government response.
Following his report, two Chinese geologists arrived in August 2025 to commence a joint assessment with the Benue State Government, signaling renewed hope for industrial revitalization and job creation in Ado.
On Youth Empowerment and Employment Creation, it was gathered that the Oche-led administration has appointed a significant number of young aides and committee members, ensuring youth participation in governance and building a pool of emerging leaders for future political and civic engagement.
On timely Payment of Salaries, it was discovered that under Engr. Oche’s leadership, Ado Local Government has maintained consistent and prompt salary payments, aligning with Governor Alia’s administration’s policy of fiscal discipline and workers’ welfare.
On Road Construction and Infrastructure Development, the 31.5km Igumale–Agila Road reconstruction, part of Governor Alia’s 126km road network project, has received full support from the Council Chairman, who ensures worker safety and project supervision.
In addition, several road mapping and design proposals — including the Otukpo–Utonkon–Igumale Road and the Utonkon–Okpoga Road — have been submitted to the State Government for approval, promising to improve inter-community connectivity and commerce.
On Stakeholder Engagement and Traditional Relations, Hon. Oche has consistently maintained an open-door policy, engaging directly with community leaders, traditional rulers, and political stakeholders. This inclusive approach has strengthened unity, ensured effective party coordination, and promoted mutual understanding within Ado’s diverse communities.
The chairman however said that as he marks his first anniversary in office, the people of Ado Local Government stand witness to a year defined by integrity, innovation, and impactful leadership, stressing that his administration will continue to champion progress anchored on transparency, security, development, and service to humanity.
The Chairman reaffirmed his resolve to build on these achievements and deepen grassroots development in the years ahead, saying:
“Our mission remains clear — to serve with sincerity, to rebuild with integrity, and to leave Ado better than we met it.”
Meanwhile , in a proactive step to enhance security operations across Ado Local Government Area, the Executive Chairman, Engr. Sunny Oche, has procured a substantial number of flashlights and walkie-talkies to aid security operatives in their engagements.
The newly acquired equipment will be distributed among all security agencies operating within the Local Government including the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other allied security outfits involved in joint operations to safeguard lives and property.
According to Engr. Oche, the initiative became necessary due to the peculiar terrain of Ado, where criminal elements often exploit remote areas to perpetrate their acts, particularly at night. The new devices are expected to strengthen night-time surveillance, improve intelligence sharing, and enhance coordination during rapid response operations.
“With these gadgets, security efforts will now run round the clock, and intelligence gathering will become more effective,” the Chairman stated.
Since assuming office, Engr. Oche has made security a top priority. He has consistently demonstrated commitment to restoring peace and ensuring residents can once again travel freely, both day and night, without fear. Although relative calm has returned to parts of the Local Government, isolated threats remain in the hinterlands and boundary areas, especially incidents of motorcycle theft and abductions.
Recent cases including the disappearance of three Ijigban youths in a border town of Ebonyi State and recurring attacks in Okpirigwe, Ajode, Ulayi, and Agila have heightened concerns and displaced many farmers. This displacement has contributed to reduced agricultural output, food scarcity, and higher costs of farm produce.
The Chairman recalled that on August 15, 2024, twenty medical and dental students from University of Maiduguri and Jos abducted in Otukpo were successfully rescued in Ado’s Utonkon District through coordinated intelligence efforts; a testament to the effectiveness of joint security operations.
Beyond the provision of logistics, Engr. Oche has continued to engage in high-level security collaborations. He has held strategic meetings with stakeholders in Ebonyi State, including Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate), to foster cross-border peace and security cooperation. These engagements have yielded significant progress, such as the peaceful resolution of the 30-year-old crisis in Ndobashi settlement between communities in Ado and Eza Ezekunna.
In recognition of his leadership and commitment to safety, Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia (Ph.D.)has designated Ado Local Government as the operational base of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard (Zone C) code named Anyamnyor, comprising nine Local Government Areas. This strategic role positions Ado as the torchbearer in the collective quest for a safer Benue State.
“Security is a shared responsibility. Our administration will continue to provide the tools and collaboration necessary to keep our people safe,” Engr. Oche emphasized.
With this latest intervention, residents and security stakeholders in Ado Local Government are optimistic that the renewed emphasis on technology, collaboration, and vigilance will further consolidate peace and stability in the area.