By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has restated his administration’s willingness to collaborate with security operatives to ensure peace is fully restored to the communities affected by Herdsmen attacks.
The Governor who stated this while delivering Democracy Day’s speech to people of Benue State, further reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) return to their ancestral homes.
He stressed that the present administration under his leadership in collaboration with security agencies and community leaders has achieved relative peace in areas that were once plagued by violence and insecurity.
Gov Alia verbatim: “we have achieved relative peace in areas that were once plagued by violence and insecurity. Our collaboration with security agencies and community leaders have started yielding positive results. But we are not there yet, until 100 percent peace is recorded, and our people return back to their ancestral homes.”
Gov Alia, lauded former President Buhari’s administration for restoring the rightful place of June 12 in our national calendar. He equally applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over continuing to uphold and deepen the democratic ideals that binds Nigerians.
“Democracy thrives only when the people are heard, respected and protected. Here in Benue State our democratic journey has been defined by resilience, sacrifice and an unyielding commitment to justice and fairness. Democracy is not merely a system of government, it’s a living force that draws strength from the voices of the citizens, the courage of our leaders and the blood of martyrs.”
Today, we remember, Chief MKO Abiola, winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. An election that united Nigerians like never before. We salute other heroes, Kudirat Abiola, Gani Fawehinmi, and countless unsung citizens who stood for truth, justice and freedom. We recall with pride the Sons and daughters of Benue who stood tall in the face of tyranny and repression, Rev Fr Moses Adasu, the second Governor of Benue State, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, former President of the Senate among others for shaping the democratic landscape.”
The Governor, pointed out that his administration has impacted positively the lives of Benue citizens through Youth Empowerment Programs, roads construction, renovation of schools, Agricultural Empowerment Programs, upgrading of hospitals, job creation among others.
