By Bridget Ikyado-Tikyaa

It is not an easy task to mount the pulpit for 34 years ministering to people, counselling and guiding them to the path of the Almighty. This certainly is a task for those God has chosen, and those who steadily and consistently lead the flock in spirituality and service to humanity.

This is the path Governor Hyacinth Alia has chosen, and of which he was ordained a priest 34 years ago, precisely on August 31, 1990.

It was therefore not a problem for the priest, who has shepherd his flock with understanding and grace, to seamlessly stride into politics, carry the people along, get his message of change to resonate with them, and earn the trust of the people of Benue state who elected him Governor on March 24, 2023.

According to Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume,  in a congratulatory letter to Rev. Fr Alia on his priesthood anniversary, the priest has through his sermons, pastoral care and community outreach, touched the lives of many, offering spiritual guidance and support.

The was indeed, a remarkable journey and a testament to his unwavering dedication to the service of God and humanity, a shining example of selflessness, compassion, and devotion, as well as a beacon of hope and inspiration to countless individuals.

As a spiritual leader, Alia brought solace and comfort to the afflicted, and was a balm to troubled souls, offering messages of salvation, and a unique leadership anchored on the power of faith and trust in God.

In over a year of transiting from the pulpit to the soap box and political leadership, Alia has brought an era of peace, prosperity, and progress to Benue State, touching lives, transforming communities, empowering the vulnerable and creating a new economy through investment in ICT skills, agriculture, infrastructure development and peace building.

He has marshalled his experience and expertise as a priest to make the people the centre of his government, leading the state with compassion, empathy, and a strong will to exit Benue from years of bondage and servitude.

As governor, Alia has continued to demonstrate his commitment to serving the masses. His leadership has been characterized by wisdom, justice, and equity, and has been working tirelessly to promote peace, prosperity, and progress in Benue State.

So far, the priestly governor has within a short time, tirelessly worked to address the challenges facing the state. From infrastructure development to education, healthcare, and agriculture, Rev. Fr. Alia has left an indelible mark on the landscape of Benue State. He has also remained steadfast in his commitment to serving God and humanity.

In the last one year, the governor has cut down the cost of governance, and sanitises the state’s payroll, which was hitherto a cesspool of fraud. This also included massive improvements in fiscal responsibility and internally generated revenue, the stimulation of the local economy through investment in agriculture, its derivatives, and supporting the real sector through various intervention schemes.

To generate employment and enhance economic activities, the governor has revamped the state-owned companies, engaged in massive infrastructure development, and has renewed government focus on the educational landscape, and internal security.

Some of the projects being executed by the priestly governor include the 16 new roads in Makurdi, overhead bridges in Makurdi and Gboko, renovation and furnishing of the State secretariat, and the reconstruction and revamping of the state’s teaching hospital.

Alia’s one year in office also witnessed the distribution of subsidised fertiliser and inputs to farmers, consistent payment of salaries, gratuities, and pensions, ongoing construction of over 100 kilometers of roads in various LGAs, and the upgrade of water supply facilities in Makurdi, Oturkpo, and other towns in Benue State.

There’s also an ongoing effort to move Internally Displaced Persons to safer and secure accommodation, while providing stipends to the most vulnerable, and funding for micro businesses.

To enhance smooth administration, the government has fully automated key activities of ministries and agencies, especially the Ministry of Finance, and this has facilitated the successful audit of all government staff, resulting in significant savings in personnel cost.

The government has also injected life into the mining sector, resuscitated the state printing press to generate revenue, and the dormant Taraku Oil Mills, and opened a fashion and ICT hub.

In transportation, the priest injected 100 new buses to the fleet of Benue Links Transport Company and purchased a permanent park in Abuja for the company.

In the health sector, apart from the upgrade of some health facilities, the governor also raised the salaries of doctors and medical workers, and recruited essential personnel.

The government has also embarked on solar light projects across the state to enhance security, and has made it an irrevocable duty of government to pay the WAEC and NECO fees of graduating public secondary school students in the state.

It is worthy to note that, unlike what’s the convention in the past, the Alia government has not borrowed to fund its activities since inception. It is more of adopting the spartan lifestyle of a priest in the governance of Benue, and so far, just like the church, Governor Alia has been building a community that thrives on mutual respect, understanding and shared values. The values of working together to make Benue great.

Bridget Ikyado-Tikyaa writes as Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Media Publicity and Communications Strategy.