From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has commended youths of the State for their tremendous support being given to his administration to strive for effective development

He enjoined them to be in the vanguard in transforming and re-sharpening the nation by continuous support for purposeful leadership.

Alia, who gave the commendation at the celebration of the 2026 International Youth Day held at the Ibrahim Badamoshi Babagida (IBB) Square, Makurdi.

He noted that young people are partners in building a virile society in every aspect, stressing that since they possess the capacity to transform the nation, their voice must be heard loudly.

Represented by his Deputy Samuel Ode, he charged the youths to always ask questions, provoke challenges and seek solutions.

The Governor said, the International Youth Day affords them the chance to reflect and celebrate creativity and ingenuity in different areas especially sports.

He maintained that his administration has created sound ambience for the youths, urging them to grab it and prosper

He noted that several youths are found in artisanship, agriculture, sports and other fields, pledging that his government will continue to be youth friendly and provide a good atmosphere as well as enabling an environment for them to strive.

According to him, youths are strategically located in the heart of this administration and government look unto them towards building the society through innovation, farming, among others, with the capacity to create jobs.

Alia however called on Benue youths to grab the opportunities provided by his administration by acquiring the necessary skills, embracing agriculture, technology, and participating actively in politics, as well as rejecting social vices to achieve the Benue of their dreams regardless of background.

The chairman of the occasion and Member of House of Representatives for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Pastor Ojotu Ojema, noted that the youths remain viable partners in development and custodians of the future the state desire, alluding that they must the critical question, “what kind of Benue do we want to inherit and what kind leadership would help us build it?

He lamented that high unemployment remains the greatest monster confronting the youth, adding that insecurity has continued to pose a big threat to our co-existence.

Ojema who is the House Committee Chairman, Inland Waterways called on Benue people especially the youths to rise above political, ethnic, religious and personal differences and champion the fight against insecurity with one voice, one purpose and direction

“Together we can build a safer, more peaceful and more prosperous Benue where every young person can live, work and pursue their dreams without fear”, Ojoma said.

In his address, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mobilization and Illegal Levies, Comrade Terver Gbenda revealed that over 90 percent of appointees and political officers in the Stata are youths.

According to him, over 9,700 youths including 2,000 and another 5,000 were engaged directly and indirectly respectively by the Benue Investment and Property Company Limited BIPC.

Gbenda said 10,000 youths were trained in ICT, 2,000 employed by the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH while 5,000 have so far benefited from the Alia Cares Program.

While appealing to the governor to appoint a youth as substantive commissioner for youth, sports and creativity, urged the youths to avoid been used and dumped and passionately appealed for the appointment of a youth Commissioner for Youth Affairs

Group Managing Director Benue Investment and Property Company Limited, BIPC Dr Raymond Asemakaha frowned at the high rate of graduates from higher institutions in the State intimating that in 2026, over 60,209 young persons graduated who perhaps do not have skills to be engaged in.

Asemakaha said most of them refused to be relevant and as such, we have a wasted generation of youthful population and admonished youths to adopt skills so as to be problem solvers.

New CP, Ajao Saka Adewale, Assume Duty in Bayelsa

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Ajao Saka Adewale has assumed duty in Bayelsà State, promising to fight against cultism, armed robbery, maritime crimes, illegal firearms, drug offences,crime and criminality in the state.

Ajao Saka Adewale takes over from AIG Iyamah Daniel Edebor who has been elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG).

The Police Commissioner, in his maiden address to newsmen in his office, assured the people of Bayelsà State of his commitment to quality service delivery in protecting lives and property, maintaining law and order, and delivering professional, responsive policing.

He said despite the fact that the State is predominantly a riverine terrain and waterways which present unique security challenges, he will adopt strategies to tackle security threats such as cultism, armed robbery, maritime crimes, illegal firearms, drug offences, oil bunkering, pipeline vandalism, and other organised criminality.

He noted that the perception index viz-a-viz the IGP policy direction of giving trust back  to the community will provide us a guide in our operational strategy hence my immediate directive to my Officers and men to decisively tackle pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal refining activities and other acts of economic sabotage.

CP Ajao Saka Adewale also outlined his strategy to be intelligence-driven, proactive, with robust community engagement, effective multi-agency collaboration with zero tolerance for crime and misconduct.

He said the mission of the State Police Command under his leadership will be to: enhance public safety, combat crime proactively, build trust and confidence as well as promote accountability and professionalism.

According to him, “the Police will strengthen intelligence gathering, crime mapping, targeted operations against cultists, kidnappers, armed robbers, pirates, and drug traffickers. We will also dismantle their leadership, funding, and logistics networks.”

“Given the State’s riverine nature, marine and waterways security will be prioritised through patrols, intelligence operations, and collaboration with the Armed Forces and maritime stakeholders.”

“We will also improve inter-agency and inter-state coordination to block criminal movement. Protection of oil and gas infrastructure will be strengthened through partnerships with relevant agencies, operators, and host communities.”

“The Command will enhance high-visibility policing, rapid response, and intelligence-based patrols in crime-prone areas. We will continuously adapt our strategies to emerging threats. Our focus is not only to respond to crime but to prevent and disrupt it before it occurs.”

He said the men and officers of the Bayelsà State Police Command will approach security by strengthening

Intelligence gathering, crime mapping and analysis to identify crime hotspots, emerging threats and criminal networks, while sustaining targeted operations against cultists, armed robbers, pirates, drug traffickers and other violent criminals.

He also added that given the Bayelsa’s peculiar riverine geography, marine and waterways security will receive particular attention through,”

“Increased patrols and intelligence-led operations. The protection of critical national infrastructure, particularly oil and gas facilities, will receive renewed attention through stronger collaboration with relevant government agencies, operators and host communities to prevent vandalism, crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other acts capable of undermining the State’s economy and national security.”

The CP also advocated for inter-agency collaboration, declaring that under his leadership, the police will strengthen operational coordination, intelligence sharing and joint responses with the Armed Forces, sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders, in addressing criminal activities.

On the issue of community policing, Ajao Saka Adewale noted that effective policing cannot be achieved by the Police alone; security is a collective responsibility, “We shall deepen partnerships with traditional institutions, community leaders, youth and women groups, religious organisations, the private sector and the media.”

HFA Director Appreciates President Tinubu for Appointment

By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

The Director of Housing Finance and Account at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Dr. Vincent Iorja Gisaor, has expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for appointing him to the position.

Dr Gisaor stated this while speaking with a DAILY ASSET at his office in Abuja recently.

The Director pledged not to disappoint the President, expressing gratitude for the confidence reposed in him and for finding him worthy of the appointment.

The former Secretary of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) also said that his success in the new position would depend largely on the cooperation of staff of the Authority and the prayers and support of members of the public.

 “I appreciate the Daily Asset Newspaper for the reportage it has always given me and the organisation,” he said.

Dr Gisaor also expressed satisfaction with the developmental efforts of the Benue State Governor, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, and called on the people of the state to support the Governor’s re-election bid.

 “While I drum up support for the President and the Benue State Governor for their re-elections, I also appeal to the people of Benue State, especially the youths, to mobilise for their victory,” he said.