By Isaac Uzaan
The Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia has called on members of the National Assembly from Benue State to join hands with him and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Sen. George Akume to drag development to Benue State.
Governor Alia also called on all members of the Benue State House of Assembly to collaborate with him and the SGF to take Benue State to greater heights.
He made the call Wednesday, December 27, 2023 while delivering a goodwill message at the 70th birthday celebration of Sen. George Akume at Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Governor saluted the courage, resilience, and commitment of Sen. George Akume in serving his country, acknowledging his present exalted position as SGF and the role he is playing in sustaining the current democratic experience in the country.
He extended, on behalf of the people and Government of Benue State, his warm wishes to Sen. Akume and thanked God for his life saying Benue is very proud to have him.
The Governor advised those bent on fomenting trouble to exercise some restraint, saying all that matters at the end of everything is the one Benue they have to develop.
He expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’for trusting a Benue indigene with the exalted position of SGF to monitor and coordinate the implementation of government policies and programs in Nigeria
On his part, the celebrant, Sen. Dr. George Akume thanked God for bringing him that far in life, and called for sustained prayers and support for him and Governor Alia to succeed.
Earlier in the Thanksgiving Mass, the Catholic Bishop of Katsina-ala Diocese, Most Rev. Isaac Dugu underscored the importance of thanksgiving and
admonish Benue sons and daughters and friends to give the SGF all the necessary support to succeed. “You must help him by not dragging him into Benue local politics and beer parlour talks or ruckus”.
The Bishop advised the people of Benue State to compellingly strive daily towards what unites them as a family and as a state than what creates disunity, tension, bad blood, animosity, dissension, and hatred.
Top dignitaries at the event include the wife of the President of Nigeria, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, the National Chairman of APC, Abdullahi Ganduje and other national executives of the party, Governors of Taraba and Ogun States, Agbu Kefas and Dapo Obiodun respectively, Serving Ministers and other members of the National Assembly
Others were former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, The Tor Tiv, HRM Orchivirigh Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, the Och’Idoma HRM Agabaidu Odogbo Obagaji John and other traditional rulers, and members of the Benue State Executive Council, amongst many others.