- Hyacinth Alia appointed Dr Ihu Eunice Ogbenyi as Acting Head of Service following the death of the former officeholder
- The governor charged her to uphold professionalism, discipline, and alignment with his administration’s reform agenda
- Ogbenyi was appointed after years of service in the Benue State civil service, where she held several key administrative positions
The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has approved the appointment of Dr Ihu Eunice Ogbenyi as the Acting Head of Service (HoS) of the state following the death of the former officeholder.
The appointment comes after the passing of Dr Agbogbo Ode, who served as Head of Service from 2023 until 2026.
Dr Ogbenyi, who hails from Oju Local Government Area of Benue State and was born on 12 June 1973, previously served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Survey before her elevation to the new role.
Her career in the Benue State civil service began in 1998 when she was employed by the Teaching Service Board as a Principal Assistant Education Officer (PAEO II). She was later redeployed in 2012 to the Ministry of Education, where she continued her upward professional trajectory.
Over the years, she held several strategic positions, including Deputy Director of Education in the Department of Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS). In that capacity, she supervised the Joint Consultative Committees on Education/National Council on Education (JCCE/NCE) unit and also contributed to the Education Management Information System (EMIS) unit.
Dr Ogbenyi’s academic background reflects a strong foundation in education and mathematics. She obtained her Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) in Mathematics/Physics in 1996 from the College of Education, Oju. She later earned a Bachelor’s degree in 2005, a Master’s degree in 2010, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in 2021, all in Mathematics Education from Fr. Adasu University, Makurdi.
Governor Alia congratulated the new Acting Head of Service and charged her to demonstrate professionalism, discipline, and commitment to effective public service delivery.
“As you assume this critical role, I charge you with the responsibilities, principles, and priorities that will guide your stewardship and ensure continuity, professionalism, and service to the public,” the governor stated.
He further urged her to align all administrative actions with his government’s reform agenda, stressing the importance of integrity, efficiency, and dedication in the discharge of her duties.
The governor also emphasised that the office of the Head of Service must be upheld with dignity and used strictly in the interest of the people of Benue State.
The appointment marks a new phase in the state’s civil service leadership as the government seeks to maintain continuity following the vacancy created by the demise of the former Head of Service.