By Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has demanded for an apology from those discrediting the youths of Benue State and calling them thugs thereby painting the state and its people bad.
The governor made the call in Government House Makurdi on Friday when different youth groups came out in their numbers to welcome him back from an official trip to the United States of America.
Addressing the groups, the governor said it was unfair of anyone to tag the hardworking young people of the state as thugs, insisting that such derogatory terms give the entire state a bad name, saying the administration places relevance on everybody in the state and will take it up to those trying to paint the state and it’s people bad.
Governor Alia said the youths of the state have suffered systemic neglect in the past, now that they have seen hope, must be allowed to rejoice. “I wouldn’t want anyone to pocket them and have them stigmatized. If you don’t understand who a thug is, just shut up. Benue youths are thriving and are quite concerned about what happens here in the state and I will like everybody to honour them and to respect them.”
While thanking the youths for standing firm, and for always supporting his administration, the governor informed them that he was away in the United States of America to look for ways that will enable his administration chart a new course for Benue, especially as the state was disconnected from the International stage, particularly in the last 8 years.
“Benue State was no longer on the International radar, and with the new Sheriff in town, we needed the whole world to know that Benue State is here; Benue State is the real deal and Benue State is the home for development. And with the way we have charted it now, Benue state is going to be a place where a number of states will be coming to enquire about what is happening here so that they take it back to their various states”, the governor enthused.
He said Benue was amongst the 19 Northern states that were invited to USA by the United States Peace Institute in collaboration with establishments here in Nigeria, to rub minds and chart a way forward on the insecurity challenge the Northern states are wrestling with, and to see how peace can return to those states. The meetings were successful and his administration will apply the solutions proffered to see how the security challenge can be curbed.
He urged the people of the state to cooperate with the security agencies, charging the youth not to allow themselves to be used by anybody for their selfish interest and to also shun vices such as cultism, yahoo, kidnapping, as according to him, such have no place in the State.
“If you are a former governor, concentrate on where you are. If you don’t have anything positive to contribute to Benue, shut up. Because you did you part, your terms came and it is over, therefore you must give peace a chance. You must allow this administration to carry out what we promised the people that we were going to carry out.
“It is very imperative to me that if you are in the state, know exactly what you are saying. Criticisms are welcome for me and my administration but check your facts. If you serve your term and it is over, you cannot sit in some corner and destabilize this administration. It is not acceptable,’ the governor stated.
On youth employment, the governor said that already, some establishments such as the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) have started employing, and it will be a continuous process with many other establishments to follow.
On the allegations by Comrade Festus Usifo, the President of Trade Union Congress (TUC) that Benue and several other states have not made the welfare of their workers a priority, the governor urged Usifo to cross check his facts before going public, insisting that his administration has not deviated from it’s commitment with the workers.
He pleaded with filling station owners in the state to make PMS available to buyers, and not to cause artificial scarcity.
In their separate remarks, the groups promised to continue to support the Alia led administration, especially as the governor has started laying a firm foundation to take the state to enviable heights.
