By Titus Atondu, Makurdi
The Executive Chairman of Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State, Hon. Raphael Yenge, has dedicated an Award of Excellence conferred on him by Benue youths to the state Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia.
Yenge received the award in recognition of what the organisers described as his selfless service to humanity during the 2026 International Youth Day celebration held on Wednesday at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Square, Makurdi.
The event was organised by the Benue State Ministry of Youths, Sports and Creativity in collaboration with youths across the state.
Speaking shortly after receiving the award alongside other distinguished awardees, Yenge said the honour would not have been possible without the youth-friendly policies and leadership style of Governor Alia.
He said the governor’s administration had created opportunities for young people to participate meaningfully in governance, noting that his emergence as a local government chairman was itself an indication of the administration’s commitment to youth inclusion.
According to him, “If Governor Hyacinth Alia is not youth-friendly in piloting the affairs of the state, giving me, who is also a youth, the opportunity to serve as a local government chairman, this recognition by Benue youths would not have been possible.”
The Tarka council chairman expressed appreciation to Benue youths for finding him worthy of the recognition, promising to remain a good ambassador of the youths wherever he finds himself.
Yenge also commended the youths for their continued support for what he described as the people-oriented leadership of Governor Alia, saying the administration had restored the state’s fortunes across various sectors.
He urged youths in the state to remain focused and vigilant as the 2027 election approaches, cautioning them against being deceived by individuals he described as enemies of Benue’s progress.
Yenge called on the youths to sustain their support for Governor Alia and work for his re-election to enable him consolidate the gains of his administration.
He said, “Is it Heaven that someone different from our workaholic Governor will be promising us in 2027? Our Governor is providing virtually everything that had not been in the state since its creation, and all we need to do is encourage him by overwhelmingly working for his re-election victory in 2027.”
