Benue: Alia To Upgrade Oju College Of Education

…Revive Igumale Cement Factory 

The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has announced plans to upgrade the College of Education, Oju, into a more standard institution with a new nomenclature, as part of his administration’s drive to strengthen education and expand opportunities for youths of the state.

Governor Alia announced this on Thursday during his town hall meeting with the people of Oju/Obi Federal Constituency, held at the auditorium of the College of Education, Oju, as part of his statewide thank you tour.

The Governor also assured the people of the constituency that the ongoing construction of the Oju-Awajir road would be completed, promising additional legacy projects to accelerate development and improve the welfare of residents.

He also disclosed plans to revive the Igumale Cement factory in Enone, saying experts had already assessed the facility and that work would soon commence on its rehabilitation.

Alia urged Benue people to embark on extensive farming, saying the government’s investments in agro-industrial projects would create a ready market for farm produce and improve the earnings of farmers.

He cited the Food Basket Brewery, Fruit Juice Company, the revived Taraku Mills and other industrial investments as part of his administration’s efforts to establish a functional agricultural value chain and reduce post-harvest losses.

The governor said the revival and establishment of industries would eliminate the problem of farmers being forced to sell their produce at giveaway prices, assuring them that the emerging agro-industrial sector would provide sustainable markets for their harvests.

On security, Alia reiterated that no piece of Benue land would be ceded to anybody for ranching, insisting that the land belongs to the people and must remain available for farming and other legitimate purposes.

He said the fight against insecurity would continue until lasting peace was restored, while commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of an Army Division in Benue, with headquarters in Makurdi and deployments across strategic locations.

Alia thanked the Igede people for supporting his administration and President Tinubu and urged them to sustain the partnership. He called for the renewal of their mandates in 2027 to enable both governments to consolidate the gains recorded.

The governor first engaged traditional rulers and religious leaders in Oju/Obi before the town hall meeting.

The traditional rulers subsequently conferred on him the chieftaincy title “Ogakwu of Igede Land,” meaning “Strong Man of Igede” in recognition of his leadership and development efforts.

The Executive Chairman of Oju Local Government Council, Hon. Ominyi Jackson Adah, welcomed the governor on behalf of the people and expressed appreciation for his administration’s interventions, assuring him of the people’s continued support.

The Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Creativity, Hon. Nick Oworo, commended Alia’s achievements in security, infrastructure, education, healthcare and human welfare, saying the progress recorded within three years was unprecedented. He pledged the support of Igede people for the governor’s re-election.

The member representing Oju Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly and Chief Whip, Hon. Cyril Ikon, appreciated the governor for the ongoing Oju-Awajir road and other projects, assuring him of the people’s continued support.

At Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, Governor Alia first met with traditional rulers and religious leaders before proceeding to a Town Hall Meeting with political leaders, government officials and other stakeholders.

The Executive Chairman of Ado Local Government Council, Hon. Oche Sunday Oche, welcomed the governor and commended his administration for executing several legacy projects in the area. He also appreciated Alia for appointing many indigenes of the constituency into government.

Deputy Governor Barr. Dr Sam Ode listed some of the administration’s major interventions across Benue South, including road construction and rehabilitation, investments in agriculture and agro-processing, improvements in healthcare and education, infrastructure upgrades and measures to strengthen security.

Barrister Ode said the projects demonstrated the governor’s commitment to balanced development and urged the people to sustain their support.

APC State Chairman, Chief Benjamin Omale, said Governor Alia had gone beyond physical infrastructure to prioritise the welfare of Benue people. He thanked the people for their sustained support for the party and the administration and urged stronger grassroots mobilisation ahead of 2027.

The town hall engagements, attended by political office holders, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders, formed part of the governor’s statewide appreciation and consultation tour, which concludes today with visits to Apa/Agatu and Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituencies.