President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has congratulated the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, praising his leadership style, peace-building efforts, and developmental strides in the state.
In a State House statement released on Thursday, President Tinubu described Governor Alia’s political journey as “faith made manifest,” noting that his years of service as a Catholic priest prepared him for public leadership and endeared him to the people of Benue State.
“Governor Alia’s political journey is simply that of faith made manifest,” the President stated.
Tinubu recalled that Alia was ordained a Catholic priest in 1990 by Bishop Athanasius Atule Usuh of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese and said his “principled character, compassion, and unwavering dedication to God and humanity” contributed to his emergence as governor in 2023.
“It was no surprise that his people, whom he had long served faithfully in the vineyard of the Most High, elected him as their governor in 2023,” Tinubu said.
The President also drew parallels between Governor Alia and the late Very Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu, who governed Benue State between 1992 and 1993.
President Tinubu commended Governor Alia’s administration for what he described as transformative efforts aimed at industrialising the state and expanding critical infrastructure.
“I commend Governor Alia for his transformative efforts to industrialise the state and expand its road network,” the President said.
According to Tinubu, Benue State now hosts tomato and fruit juice processing factories, beer production facilities, nylon and polythene manufacturing plants, as well as a large-scale bakery, all contributing to job creation and agricultural value addition.
“Benue State, famously Nigeria’s food basket, now has tomato and fruit juice, beer, nylon and polythene factories, as well as a large-scale bakery, providing jobs for its people and adding value to its agricultural products,” he added.
The President further applauded the construction of underpasses in Makurdi and Gboko, noting that the projects had improved traffic flow and enhanced urban living conditions.
“The iconic underpasses in Makurdi and Gboko have also eased traffic and improved urban life,” Tinubu noted.
He also highlighted investments in education and healthcare, including the establishment of a university of agriculture, science and technology and improvements at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
President Tinubu praised Governor Alia’s commitment to peace and stability in the state, particularly his efforts toward reconciliation and political unity.
“I also commend the Reverend Father for ensuring peace and stability in Benue, and particularly for his peace-building initiatives and endeavours to foster unity among the people of the state and his political family,” he said.
The President added: “Reverend Alia has demonstrated that when the pulpit comes to power, positive change is possible.”
Tinubu encouraged the Benue governor to sustain ongoing peace-building and security initiatives, expand welfare programmes, and continue infrastructure development across the state.
“I encourage him to sustain and deepen his peace-building and security initiatives, expand welfare programmes, and continue infrastructure development to uplift even more people across Benue State,” the President stated.
President Tinubu concluded by wishing Governor Alia good health, strength, and many more years of service to Benue State and the nation.