President Bola Tinubu and Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, on his 60th birthday, praising his leadership style, peace-building efforts and developmental strides across the state.
In a tribute issued on Thursday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President described Governor Alia’s rise to political leadership as “faith made manifest,” noting that his years of service as a Catholic priest prepared him for public office.
Tinubu recalled that Alia was ordained a Catholic priest in 1990 by Bishop Athanasius Atule Usuh of the Makurdi Catholic Diocese, adding that his compassion, discipline and dedication to humanity earned him the trust of the people of Benue State.
“Governor Alia’s political journey is simply that of faith made manifest,” the President said.
“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.”
The President also drew parallels between Alia and the late Very Reverend Father Moses Orshio Adasu, who governed Benue State between 1992 and 1993.
Tinubu commended the governor for initiating projects aimed at industrialising the state and improving infrastructure, especially in agriculture and urban development.
According to the President, Benue State has witnessed the establishment of tomato and fruit juice processing plants, beer production facilities, nylon and polythene factories, as well as a large-scale bakery under Alia’s administration.
“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,” Tinubu stated.
He further praised the construction of underpasses in Makurdi and Gboko, noting that the projects had improved traffic flow and urban living conditions in the state.
The President also acknowledged investments made by the Benue government in education and healthcare, including the establishment of a university focused on agriculture, science and technology, alongside upgrades at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
On security and unity, Tinubu lauded the governor’s efforts toward peace-building and political reconciliation in the state.
“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 that Alia’s leadership had shown that religious values could positively influence governance.
“Reverend Alia has demonstrated that when the pulpit comes to power, positive change is possible,” Tinubu declared.
He encouraged the governor to sustain ongoing peace and security efforts, expand social welfare programmes and continue infrastructural development for the benefit of the people.
Tinubu concluded by wishing the Benue governor many more years of good health, strength and continued service to the nation.
“As Reverend Alia celebrates this milestone, I join family, friends, and the people of Benue State in wishing him many more years of good health and strength as he continues to serve the state and the nation,” the President said.
