By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
The Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has emerged Leadership Governor of the Year (2023) for his outstanding performance and leadership qualities demonstrated in the fight against corruption, and for his transformative achievements in the state in just six months.
Alia received the award on Tuesday in Abuja, during the 16th edition of Leadership Annual Conference (2023), organised by Leadership Newspapers, a leading media organisation in Nigeria.
A statement by Sir Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the governor said, “achievements which qualified the governor for the award were recorded in areas such as the Agricultural Sector, infrastructure development, prompt payment of salaries, pension and gratuities and other reforms in the civil service”.
“The unprecedented improvement in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), ease of doing business, and reforms in the health sector, transportation sector, and Security during his short time in office, were indices considered for the governor to be selected for the award”.
Speaking shortly after receiving the award, Governor Alia insisted that the award would spur him to do more for Benue State and to move the nation forward.
According to the governor, Benue can feed the nation, adding that the state under his leadership has already mapped up strategies to intensify efforts in food production to address hunger in the land.
Critical stakeholders and chieftains of the ruling APC in the state, including, Sen. Barnabas Gemade, Maj. Gen. Lawrence Onoja rtd, Sen. Akaagerger, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime, the Acting State Chairman of the APC in Benue, Hon. Benjamin Omakolo and other members of the state working committee of the party, Dan Ashiekaa, Engr. Peter Ashiekaa, All Principal Officers of the administration, Commissioners, and Advisers accompanied the Governor to the award ceremony.
