The sweetest of life patterns is its dynamism. Life changes as time ticks. Ecclesiastes 3:1 succinctly captures it. And the greatest of all lessons imbued in this teaching as captured by the book of Ecclesiastes (The Preacher), is the reminder that man must remain humble because only God holds the keys to fortunes. Destiny can never be denied!
As long as the Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation, BPPC, Makurdi, Benue State lives, it will also continue experiencing these vagaries of life. It is therefore moving towards different circumstances, seasons and times. Common about these constant changes is its leadership. Nobody predicts when, and whose turn it shall be next. It comes by divine providence.The only common denominator about those who lead the organization is the certainty that there is the time to come and the time to go. All at the appropriate times.
A cursory look into the BPPC leadership, just within my short stay in the late Apollos Aper Aku legacy organization gives a simple count of a number of interesting figures that have had opportunities to preside over the affairs of the Corporation.
Just to attempt without deliberately avoiding any are: the late Innocent Uvah, late Tor Orpin, Chief Simon Shango, Dr Ben Ebe, Mr Philips Anza, Mr Ben Agande, Mr Ioravaa Atachin and now Mr Akpera Nase.
Barely 3 years ago, the BPPC, publishers of The Voice Newspaper, was fatefully placed in the hands of Mr Samuel Ioravaa Atachin following the end of season of the reigns of Ben Agande, fished in from Abuja.
And like many who came, Mr Atachin did not imagine the dawn of season for his leadership test. He was serving the corporation, apparently glued to fate in his responsibility as the Assistant General Manager (Operations), when he was called to the top most position in the BPPC.
As the saying goes, every great journey begins with a step, Mr Atachin joined the services of the corporation on October 4, 1992 as a a Features Writer, researching stories and writing articles that brought important issues to the attention of the public. He became the Deputy News Editor, where he edited news stories, rewrote poorly written reports, and assisted with editorials.While as a reporter, he covered important beats such as the Judiciary, Health, Water Resources, Environment, Internal Affairs, and Government House.
Later, he became a Features Editor and eventually the News Editor. In that position, he assigned reporters to different duties, edited their stories, arranged stories for publication, and wrote editorials
His journey began as a member of the National Youth Service Corps at City College, Okigwe in 1990, and after years of teaching Literature and English Language. In 1998, he was a member of the Press Centre and Welfare Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Benue State Council and later served as Secretary of the NUJ, The Voice Chapel, from 2000 to 2003.
He was appointed Acting General Manager of Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation, Makurdi, in June 2023 and held on until 2nd October, 2026. He however officially handed over the reigns of power to Mr Akpera Nase on the 8th of October, 2026
How time flies! Three hundred and sixty five and a quarter days multiplied by three passed just as if it was yesterday. And on the 8th of October, 2026, a new phase of leadership was opened in the BPPC. Mr Akpera Nase, a revered Sports Journalist was called to leadership of the BPPC. Time etched him closer to this call with every step.
The Journey of Akpera Nase began with his birth on 28 July 1971 in Amulum-Kendev, Nigeria. His educational journey began at LGEA Primary School, Kendev. Started the secondary school career at Gajir City High School, Abunde in Ushongo local government area but completed at the Kings Comprehensive College, ( KCC) Mkar
Nase’s passion for history and learning led him to the Benue State University, Makurdi, where he studied History and earned his Bachelor’s degree in 2013. He later pursued a Master’s degree in Military History at the Nigerian Defence Academy Postgraduate School, Kaduna. He is currently a Doctoral student of the Nigerian Defence Academy Postgraduate School, Kaduna.
Alongside his academic journey, Akpera developed strong professional skills. He studied Journalism, Sports Management, Cooperative Studies, and Public Service. These experiences helped prepare him for a career that combined administration, journalism, sports, and public service.
In 1992, he began working with the Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation in Makurdi. Over the years, he served in different capacities, including Police/Judicial Correspondent, Sports Reporter, and Sports Editor as well as Chairman, Benue State Sports Writers Association (SWAN). His dedication and experience eventually led to his appointment as Assistant General Manager, Operations in 2018
The duo, the outgone Ag. GM, Mr Ioravaa Atachin and the newly appointed Ag GM, Mr Akpera Nase may have a similar story to tell of their ascendance to leadership. They are both people of humble beginnings, a system long adopted by God in chosing leaders.
Like the words of Pope Luciano Albino “But today, also, He (God) has used His old system: He picks the little ones from the fields, from the mud, from the flock, and makes them kings; it is His old system”.
Many who know Mr Nase would not doubt his abilities for leadership. They will only doubt themselves that they never forsaw the BPPC leadership coming his way for so many human reasons.
However, God’s ways are never human’s. He drives the fate of every living and His appointed time is the best. We celebrate the Acting General Manager, Akpera Nase. May the will of God be realized in your appointment and may you find it divine enough to seek God’s face for protection and direction.
No matter the challenges, be reminded like Pope Luciano Albino: “I am small, I am a poor man of the field, but if the Lord imposes this burden on me, He will also give me the strength to carry it.”
The best about life is doing good to others. Therefore strive to doing good and God shall help you. The sage and business mogul in Tiv land, the late Chief Denen Tofi once had this as his motto: ” Do well God will help you”.
