Tinubu Celebrates Benue At 50

The Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commemorated with people of the state at home and abroad on attainment of the state's fifty years of existence.

President Tinubu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila on the milestone celebration at IBB Square in Makurdi the state capital stated that Benue has justified the essence for its creation. 

Tinubu described the state as "one of the strongest pillars of Nigeria's development with the fertile land continuously nourishing the nation."

According to him, the Golden Jubilee was more than merely a marking of the time but the "celebration of resilience forged through adversity, unity strengthened by diversity and progress sustained by the industry of its people."

He added that Benue created fifty years ago has adhered to the Nigeria's commitment for justice and inclusion aided by balanced development which enabled her to remarkably contribute to national growth and continuously use its vast agricultural potential, the rich cultural heritage and the enterprising people making life enjoyable for humanity.

The President applauded the founding fathers of the state according to him included the military and civilian past and present leaders, traditional rulers and religious bodies among other stakeholders for steadfastly standing on the need to make the state not only the pride for all Benue indigenes but also majority citizens of Nigeria.

The President reminded how Benue State has produced distinguished leaders and accomplished professionals their impact extended beyond borders, enriched national life and brought honour to the country, Nigeria.

Tinubu applauded Governor Hyacinth Alia for resolving to strengthen good governance in the state rooted in the improved infrastructural provision, promotion of peace and expanding opportunities for people of the state.

President Tinubu described the progress as "essential building blocks for sustainable development" and assured of his government's commitment to synergizing with the administration in the state to tackle the security challenges and modernize the agricultural sector.

Other areas of interest were expansion of infrastructure, creation of jobs, improvement of the access to healthcare and acquisition of quality education.

The President expressed optimisms on development of the state and summarized that the future was bright. He said the state's abundant agricultural resources, youthful population and vibrant cultural heritage positioned Benue to become a leading destination for agro-industrial innovation and hub for commerce as well as the tourism destination enhancing educational and investment opportunities.

President Tinubu advised youth to turn their ideas into industries to enable their talents become enduring entrepreneurial legacies and reminded that the future was not inherited but built by their visionary hands willing to convert today's opportunities into tomorrow's prosperity.

He advised Benue sons and daughters to promote unity and remain committed to the peace, progress and shared purpose for which the state was created. According to him, the next chapter would be written not by circumstance but collective resolve of all Benue people. 

In his address on the event, Governor Hyacinth Alia made publicly his administration's resolve to build the economy based on the strength of the people's productivity than depended on allocations from the Federation Account.

The Governor wants Benue people to support government and that those in the diaspora should return to join hands in rebuilding the state.

He assured of government's commitment to good governance and that since the administration has a solid foundation through policies designed to unlock the vast economic potentials, Alia appealed against anything that could delay support for achieving the desired goals. 

On the other hand, Governor Alia lamented the insecurity added to other challenges that have made life difficult bear. He however praised Benue people for having not surrendered to the enemies of progress;

Acknowledging contributions of those living and not alive whose progressive inputs made the state to continue existing, Alia commended particularly the late retired General Joseph Akaahan with other distinguished military officers and "the invaluable support of traditional rulers, religious leaders and development partners" in the said direction.

He acknowledged late Aper Aku's visionary leadership which laid foundation for the successive administrations to continued building on it. The Governor thanked the former Head of State, the retired General Yakubu Gowon for the historic role he played in the creation of Benue State, championed by late Joseph Sarwuan Tarka who was known as father of Nigeria's minority rights cause leader. "He helped to secure a place for the people to proudly call it their own home today" Alia noted