By Terdue Atondu, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has pledged to deepen investments in education and accelerate people-oriented development across the state as his administration consolidates its achievements in the last three years.
Governor Alia made the commitment on Tuesday during engagements with stakeholders as part of his ongoing Thank-You Tour across the state.
The governor assured Benue people that his administration would sustain its focus on human capital development, education and critical infrastructure, while prioritising projects with direct impact on the lives of citizens.
He disclosed that following the recruitment of 9,700 primary school teachers, plans were underway to employ additional teachers for both primary and secondary schools to address manpower shortages and improve the quality of education in the state.
According to him, the administration’s achievements so far formed part of a broader development agenda designed to transform the state and improve the welfare of its people.
Alia also called for unity among Benue people, urging them to place the collective interest of the state above political differences in order to promote peace, stability and sustainable development.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support to Benue and called on the people to continue cooperating with the Federal Government to facilitate greater development across the state.
The governor commenced Tuesday’s engagements in Buruku Federal Constituency, where he held separate meetings with traditional rulers, religious leaders, political stakeholders and other groups.
The Executive Chairman of Buruku Local Government Council, Hon. Raymond Zege, received the governor and his entourage and assured him of the people’s continued support, while pledging the council’s backing for his re-election in 2027.
Speaking on behalf of Mbayam, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Alex Adingi, commended the administration’s interventions and appealed for additional development projects in the area.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon. Aii Yenge, who spoke on behalf of the people of Tombo, praised the governor’s achievements and pledged their support for Governor Alia, President Tinubu and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
At Gboko, the governor again met with traditional rulers and religious leaders before proceeding to an interactive session with political leaders and other stakeholders.
The Chairman of Tarka Local Government Council, Hon. Raphael Yenge, who welcomed the governor on behalf of the people, expressed appreciation for projects executed across Gboko and Tarka and assured Alia of massive support.
Yenge acknowledged the support of the Jemgbagh people for the governor and called for renewed commitment to ensure Alia’s victory in the 2027 governorship election.
Elder Atsenda Ishwa, who spoke for Gboko, and Elder Iortyer, representing Tarka, also commended the administration’s achievements and legacy projects, while appealing for further interventions in their respective areas.
The APC State Women Leader, Hon. Mrs Helen Agaigbe, alongside women and youth leaders from Gboko and Tarka, assured the governor of their continued support and mobilisation for his re-election.
APC State Chairman, Hon. Chief Dr Benjamin Omale, thanked the people for their sustained support for the party and the Alia administration, urging them to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, also appealed to the people of Jemgbagh to avoid unnecessary political distractions and support Governor Alia.
Suswam described Alia as their son and stressed the importance of working collectively to ensure the success and re-election of the governor.
The engagements brought together political office holders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth leaders and other stakeholders, further strengthening the administration’s grassroots engagement as the Thank-You Tour continues across Benue State.
