Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has described the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume as a national pride.

He personally welcomed Akume, a former governor, to Benue State, for his 70th birthday, saying that he is the father of Benue.

The governor also dispelled rumours of a rift between him and the SGF.

He said: “I want to unambiguously debunk the circulating rumours of discord between the SGF and myself. These speculations exist solely in the imaginative realm of opportunists, instigators of turmoil, and merchants of mischief who thrive on chaos. The said fracas is only a figment of the imagination crafted by those who seek to profit from crisis.

“For pockets of disenchanted members of our party here in the state, we are already in talks to address various areas of discontent. However, while we try to do so, we shall ensure that the will of the masses who voted us into office, prevails. This is because we are determined not to distort the organic relationship between the people and our government.

“I therefore enjoin each and every one of us to dismiss such baseless notions and focus on the shared commitment to truth, unity, and progress that defines our collective journey,” he said.

At a symposium in Makurdi, the state capital, to mark the birthday, the governor described the SGF as a political colossus, a democratic patriarch, and a man whom upon the birthing of the Fourth Republic in Nigeria, laid the foundation for successive leadership in Benue.

He said: “We are gathered here today not merely to acknowledge the passage of time, but to celebrate a leader—the state pillar of our great party; a man who has over the years, risen steadily from being a political creation to a creator in our political landscape.”

Represented by his deputy, Dr. Sam Ode, the governor said Akume’s birthday has become a platform for discussing good governance and national cohesion.

He said Akume’s birthday should always be marked in the State with a colloquium.

Alia thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving Akure a unique opportunity to offer diligent service to the country.

He also thank the President for apointing other notable indigenes of the state into leadership positions to contribute their quota to national development.

He said it is a clear demonstration that Benue is seriously being considered in the scheme of things.

Alia commended Akume for ensuring that since the inception of the Fourth Republic, he has not only developed a whole generation of leaders, but also allowed them to develop ideas.

He described the former governor as a tolerant leader who is ever ready to bow to superior argument.

Alia added: “While some may regard that as foolishness or a weakness, I personally regard it as the greatest virtue of a true democrat who is open-minded and flexible in the marketplace of ideas.

“In Nigeria, only few individuals dedicate their political missions to the advancement of common good. Among these rare individuals stands the Retired Permanent Secretary, a two-term governor of Benue State, a three-term Senator of the Federal Republic, a former Honourable Minister for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and presently the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“For over two decades, Sen. Akume has exemplified, both in rhetoric and action, a steadfast commitment to Social Compassion and Welfare Advocacy.

“This political philosophy, deeply entrenched in the essence of well-being and a profound reverence for human dignity, has served as a guiding principle throughout his tenure in public service, from his days as Permanent Secretary through to date as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“His enduring commitment to these ideals underscores an uncompromising belief in politics that places the welfare and dignity of every individual at the forefront. It is this principled approach that shapes his legacy, marking him as a leader dedicated to the enhancement of our society,” he said.

Alia said that within his short period in office as SGF, Akume has played a pivotal role in the ratification of federal projects/intervention programmes in Benue.

He said: “The approval by Mr President for the establishment of the ‘Renewed Hope Shelter Programme’ pilot scheme in the state, aimed at relocating IDPs back to their various ancestral homes, was partly possible through your instrumentation.

“This is not to mention several other intervention programmes ranging from provision of relief materials to flood victims in the state, to approval of funds for palliatives to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal,” he explained.

Tendering his stewardship, Alia said: “With particular regards to palliatives, may I respectfully inform you that my administration decided to use some of the funds to cushion the effect through the procurement of 100 buses which have already been handed over to the state-owned Benue Links Transport Company, so as to ease the movement of people across the state at the most affordable rates possible. As I speak, Benue commuters are already all smiles, thanks to that transportation palliative. More so, we have flagged off the distribution of grains and food items as additional palliatives, to households across the 276 council wards in the state.”

The governor said politicking is over, stressing that his administration has buckled up and begun work, with a view to bringing forth dividends of democracy to the people, based on the social contract.

He said apart from boosting agricultural activities across the state through the timely provision of fertilizers to farmers at subsidized rates, his administration has begun the construction of 16 strategic roads within Makurdi metropolis, with plans of extending same in due course to other parts of the state.

Furthermore, while ensuring prompt payment of workers’ and pensioners’ emoluments as at when due, we are also currently in talks with a number of companies and private organisations with a view to resuscitating all the moribund industries across the state, as well as building new ones to boost socio-economic growth.

The health sector is also a priorty as we have already engendered several reforms, appointments and rehabilitation/opening of some public health facilities/centres across the state, including the Muhammadu Buhari Mother and Child Hospital, amongst others. As I speak, our attention is being shifted to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, where radical reforms are already underway to deliver on our promise of provision of adequate and affordable healthcare services.

The “Light-up Makurdi” streets light project is ongoing. In addition, our administration in collaboration with Mircosoft, has already sponsored 10,000 youths who are undergoing ICT-related training.

He added that “While we are focused on attracting new investments to the State, our administration is making case to be considered for 13 percent derivative given to states with mineral deposits from the Federation Account. By this, we are optimistic that again, you will use your good office to help drive the initiative.

“In the area of security, collaborations with various security agencies and formations in the state have been epic, all geared towards ensuring lasting peace and tranquility. Various stakeholders as well as the civil society, have also been very cooperative in the business of peace and security.” (The Nation)

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