My dear people of Benue State,Today marks exactly three years since I took the oath of office as your Executive Governor, with a solemn promise to serve God and humanity, restore hope to our people, and reposition Benue State on the path of peace, growth, and prosperity.
With profound gratitude to Almighty God and deep appreciation to the resilient people of our dear state, I stand before you today humbled by the remarkable journey we have undertaken together. These three years have not been without challenges, but they have equally been defined by courage, sacrifice, determination, and steady progress.
When we assumed office, Benue State was confronted with enormous difficulties ranging from decayed infrastructure, unpaid salaries and pensions, weakened institutions, insecurity, unemployment, and declining public confidence in governance.
The task before us was enormous, but we made a commitment to change the narrative and rebuild our state from the foundations.Today, I can confidently say that together, we have made visible and measurable progress.From the very beginning, we recognised that no meaningful development could take place without peace and security.
Conscious of my constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, this administration has consistently provided logistics, operational support, motivation, and intelligence to security agencies across the state.To strengthen the fight against criminality and terrorism, we procured and handed over 150 Hilux vehicles and other critical logistics support to security operatives.
In addition, we have provided over 600 motorbikes to enable security personnel access difficult terrains often exploited by criminal elements after carrying out attacks on innocent communities.Beyond this, we established the Civil Protection Guards and the joint task force code-named “Anyam Nyor,” to complement the existing Operation Zenda.
These interventions were carefully designed to reinforce the efforts of conventional security agencies in combating crime and restoring peace across the state.At this point, I must sincerely appreciate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering support in the fight against insecurity in Benue State.Today, the impact of these efforts is becoming evident.
Many of our displaced people are gradually returning to their ancestral homes, while the number of persons in the internally displaced camps are gradually reducing as relative peace returns to many parts of the state.While restoring security, we also moved decisively to rebuild governance and restore dignity to public service. Our administration has prioritised workers’ welfare because we understand that a motivated workforce remains the backbone of productivity and efficient service delivery.
And through prudent management of resources and fiscal discipline, salaries are now paid more consistently and promptly. Pensioners, who were once neglected and painfully referred to as “dead people,” are gradually regaining their dignity through sustained payment efforts and reforms within the pension system.
In the area of infrastructure, we undertook deliberate interventions to revive neglected public facilities and critical government assets abandoned for years. Today, our urban renewal initiatives and road construction projects are transforming the landscape of our cities and communities.
So far, we have completed over 50 intra-city roads, while more than 50 others are currently under construction. In the rural areas, no fewer than 370 kilometres of roads have been constructed, with many more at various stages of completion.To improve transportation and ease traffic congestion, we completed two interchanges in Gboko and Makurdi and also attracted the construction of the flyover bridge at Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi.
Work will soon commence on the interchange in Otukpo.Furthermore, we have completed the 4-kilometre drainage canal stretching from Achusa through Idye to Wurukum and down to River Benue. In addition, over 30 modern drainage systems with extensive width and depth have been constructed to effectively contain floodwaters.
These projects have significantly addressed the perennial flooding that previously devastated parts of Makurdi metropolis.Under our “Project Light-Up Makurdi” initiative, major roads and numerous streets within the state capital have been illuminated with solar-powered streetlights.
Beyond beautifying the city, this initiative has improved security and boosted economic activities as businesses now operate for longer hours.In education and healthcare, our administration has made strategic investments aimed at building a healthier and more educated population.We have rehabilitated and constructed over 400 structures, including storey buildings, in primary schools across the state. We also recruited 9,700 teachers to strengthen the educational sector and improve learning outcomes for our children.
Similarly, over 500 personnel have been employed into the health sector to improve healthcare delivery across the state. Infrastructure at the Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, has also been upgraded and modern medical equipment provided, positioning the facility as an emerging medical tourism centre.In line with our vision for educational advancement and innovation, we established the Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology (BSUAST), Ihugh, in Vandeikya Local Government Area.
This institution was not created merely as another degree-awarding university, but as a specialized centre focused on agriculture, science, and technology-driven solutions capable of addressing real-life challenges and contributing practical value to society.
To further encourage technical and technological advancement among our youths, we also expanded the Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University by establishing the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture Campus in Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area.
As a government, we recognise that agriculture remains the soul of Benue’s economy. Consequently, we introduced reforms and partnerships aimed at boosting food production, supporting farmers with annual farm inputs, and attracting investors into agribusiness and agro processing.
Today, we have established a tractor assembling workshop within the Bureau for Agricultural Mechanisation, where over 200 youths have already been trained in tractor assembly and maintenance.In addition, we have attracted a 250 million dollars National Food City Complex located at Ogyoma-Akpa in Otukpo Local Government Area. Construction work is already ongoing, while the government has approved a 12-kilometre access road to the complex.
Upon completion, the project is expected to generate over 15,000 direct jobs and an additional 5,000 specialised employment opportunities.These efforts reflect our unwavering determination to restore Benue’s pride as the true Food Basket of the Nation.Beyond agriculture, our administration has sustained renewed momentum in commerce and industrial development through deliberate policies aimed at reviving the economy and improving the business environment.
We have strengthened revenue generation systems, encouraged private sector participation, and created a more business-friendly atmosphere that supports traders, entrepreneurs, and investors.
In the industrial sector, our government has initiated reforms and partnerships targeted at reviving dormant industries, while also establishing cottage industries that are already generating revenue and creating employment opportunities.
Notably, we have established a multi-billion-naira Food Basket Brewery, producers of Zeva Beer and other beverages, as well as the Fruit Juice Processing Company designed to add value to our abundant citrus produce which previously lacked commercial viability.
These initiatives are laying a solid foundation for industrial growth, job creation, and long-term economic transformation across Benue State.Our commitment to development also extends to water supply and public utilities. We have rehabilitated the Otobi Water Works and resolved long-standing reticulation challenges.
Today, the people of Otobi, Otukpo, and surrounding communities are once again enjoying pipe-borne water after over 40 years of neglect and dysfunction.In line with global realities and the demands of the modern economy, this administration has equally prioritized digital transformation and human capital development.
We have trained over 10,000 youths in digital skills, while the first batch of over 20 youths have been sent abroad, particularly to Belarus, for advanced training opportunities.
Furthermore, we commenced the training of 40,000 state and local government civil servants on e-governance tools and ICT skills. We also launched the Electronic Document Management System (EDM), the Benue Geographic Information Systems (BENGIS) Portal, the Benue State Executive Council Digital Platform, and the Benue Youth Startup and Innovation Support Portal.
These initiatives reflect our belief in a society that is informed, empowered, innovative, and fully prepared to compete in today’s technology-driven world.My dear people, while challenges still remain, one thing is undeniable: Benue is rising again. Hope has returned. Confidence in the government is being restored.
Our streets are becoming livelier, our institutions stronger, and our future brighter.None of these achievements would have been possible without the support, sacrifices, and cooperation of our traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil servants, security agencies, development partners, party faithful, and the good people of Benue State.To all of you, I express my profound gratitude.
As we begin another phase of this journey, I assure you that this administration will not relent. We shall continue to work tirelessly to deliver more dividends of democracy, deepen peace and unity, and build a Benue State that future generations will be proud of.Together, we shall continue to move Benue forward.May God bless Benue State.May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.Thank you all.
