A former Benue State commissioner and elder brother to Major Gideon Orkar, the leader of the 1990 botched military coup, Professor Joseph Orkar, is dead.
Orkar reportedly died on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Mourning Orkar’s demise in a condolence message issued by his media aide, Tersoo Kula, on Tuesday, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, described the deceased as “A great community leader, father and builder of many, adding that his influence as a politician and public servant, extended far beyond his immediate family and professional circle.”
The governor was quoted to have said, “As a former councillor representing the Ugondo/Mbasambo council ward of Gwer Local Government in 1978; a member of the Benue State House of Assembly representing Yonov District Constituency of Makurdi Local Government in 1979.
“And as Commissioner for Works and Transport under the Governor Aper Aku administration, Prof. Orkar’s display of excellence, knowledge, wisdom, guidance, and mentorship has shaped generations, inspiring them to strive for excellence.”
The governor added, “Being the first Professor of ‘Zwa Tiv’ Orkar will always be remembered for some of the finest Tiv literary publications, having authored several books written in the Tiv language.
“He prays to God to console his immediate family, the people of Makurdi Local Government and Benue as a whole, and to equally grant Prof. Orkar eternal rest.”
In his last interview with The PUNCH about four years ago, Orkar narrated how he was detained by General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) following the 1990 coup spearheaded by his younger brother, Major Gideon Orkar.
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