Governor Alia’s independence from loans and matters arising

There is a saying that “by their fruit, you shall know them”. This saying

describes the Governor of Benue State, Reverend Fr. Hyacinth Alia, very well as every of his body language exalts nature for assigning him with the responsibility of leading his people to the rightful path. Most importantly, his courage to take decisions that will change lives positively

despite people that will want to oppose him for their selfish interest.

Similarly to the late head of state General Sani Abacha who did not depend on foreign loans, Fr. Alia is determined to do same and still feeds the nation with crops from his soil.

The politics of godfatherism has been playing out in states like Rivers, Edo and Kano but this same scenario was quickly managed by the elders and youths of Benue state, particularly the governor himself who bears the responsibility of what happens in his domain and to his citizens. Fr. Alia’s years of administration in the vineyard of God was rather a preparation for his political administration that will live a positively impactful life on Benue citizens and open people’s eyes to see that they are among the most blessed groups in Nigeria that can feed the nation just like their state logo depicts – “The food basket of the nation”. But some former leaders of Benue state, who are the most poorly educated in mind, with their lustful quest for wealth, cannot be said to have any developmental record of success after eight years of miserable governance. 

What nature has for the citizens of Benue state cannot be easily exhausted by even the generation yet unborn. This is probably why the mantle of leadership fell on Fr. Alia to make a difference among his predecessors. Some past governors had the opportunity of turning the state to a realistic food basket of the nation and open windows for food to be exported to other countries and make other states to be at their mercy. Unfortunately, they wasted the eight years of their tenure to make merry and develop Abuja with personal buildings. They built castles and invested more in Abuja ignoring the fact that their umbilical cords are buried in their roots in Benue state and that their corpses will go back to that dark village and root that was left undeveloped. What a foolish and ignorant slavery of the mind that one would return to his forefathers without a torchlight. These people who refused to emancipate themselves from the slavery of wealth would rather people know and visit their roots at death. These pitiable persons prefer to give their fortunes to indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), mentality that has left the Igbo race stranded in strange lands. 

However, Governor Alia was prepared for leadership through his priestly engagement. Being privileged to see the good and bad in his spiritual service to God enabled him to discern persons that will help him bring his state to an enviable platform. Most importantly, having an authoritative mind of his own makes it impossible for him to be a push around. Also, being involved personally in every project he assigns makes it difficult for contractors and politicians in different forms to divert attention of the intended projects and timeline for their execution. Fr Alia demonstrates practical leadership in his state and his presence in the state most of the time does not allow his commissioners to be extravagant in the cities.

The scripture tells us that for whom God wants to bless, he would. Dependency on diabolical powers to frustrate his efforts will only be destroying his vision for Benue people. And that man who has not read the stories of Pharaoh and Nebukadineza should be pitied for still living in bondage in this jet age. Just as the scripture recognises people’s traditions and religions, so does Fr. Alia  respects every man’s faith and culture cognisance of the fact that all tribes, sex and religion unanimously voted him into power, especially the less privileged masses. He bears in mind that nature  placed him to be among the high and mighty and that “Respect to One is Respect to Another”. Although some incredible persons who fear the unknown trust in chariots and horses but a man under the umbrella of God is sure of his devine defense. The likes of Ahitophel, Hamman, Saul, Jazebel and Pharaoh’s wife went down because of David, Joseph and the prophets, so shall enemies of Alia. 

Very significant among Fr. Alia’s commendable capital projects are the fly over bridges that are almost completed and due to be commissioned before his two years tenure in office in May this year. It is on record that Fr. Alia is the first Benue state governor to dualise the roads for easy movements. His developmental works also speak volume of his laudable performance which makes it impossible for both his opponents and predecessors to nail him politically or with disdainful malice. His travel out of his domain, most times, is as a result of importance and every of his foreign trip attracts dignitaries that see that it is possible when passionate individuals unite to achieve a cause. He bears in mind that partnership exemplifies how synergised efforts can yield positive outcomes not just for state development, but for the society at large.

Alia is a sports loving just like the governors of Enugu, Cross River, Plateau, Edo, and Delta states as well as the FCT minister. He is intensifying efforts to reactivate the Premier League of Benue state which is the Lobi Star. On his assumption of duty, he visited the state secretariats and agencies unannounced  and reassigned portfolios to energetic staff that would not be controlled by too much bureaucracy. Alia has been able to pay all outstanding salaries and has ensured that before the 30th of every month salaries are paid. Governor Alia in his quest to develop the state sports league reassigned chairmen of sports clubs that withheld the salaries and allowances of players and bought vehicles for the clubs and the citizens to ease movement in and around the state. Benue Link Transport is said to have the highest new transport vehicles in Nigeria that serves Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Lobi Star  Mr. Paul Udongo has just been sworn in as one of the state permanent secretaries. Although he is said to be an experienced sports person that is versatile with football politics but with his enormous challenge now as a perm. sec, the citizens appeal to Governor Alia to grant Yatchi who is a board member in the league and former general manager of Baba Nawa Club and having worked with  Mic Idoko in Sunshine Football Club to be considered as the new chairman  of Lobi Stars. 

Noticeable in their Premier League is that the coach of Lobi Star is sourcing players from Ghana and Cameroun to play in their league but suffix it to note, that Nigeria, has one of the best leagues in Africa that attracts the Western world. Charity they say begins at home. Nigeria have energetic boys that can be trained to make both the state and country proud. Notable also, is that no Lobi Stars player is among the selected players that will represent the County in August this year in Kenya for CHAN tournament. Fr. Alia loves sports and is supporting this area with huge finances. Although he may not know the politics in sports but it will be benefiting for those entrusted to manage sports to be sincere and dedicated as expected. Sporting activities are large and need full dedication and time. Lobi Stars with the governor’s efforts still remains backward. Where managers decide to antagonise themselves because of self centeredness, Governor Alia may wish to give more attention to athletics and other track and field events that will also put food on people’s tables. Collaboration with the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Football Federation will help in the development of football and sports in Benue state. The sports journalists have their eagle eyes on football and the need for positive projection of football and other sports in the state should not be undermined.

Many eyes are watching the antecedents of Alia who encourages team work and togetherness. Instead of having eyes on his failures, the focus should be on information that will bring positive changes to the state. While some governors cannot pronounce figures of their budgets and some have been borrowing money from the World Bank  to retire unnecessary expenses, Governor Alia should be commended for being able to manage limited funds from his state to run his administration. His contentment and non-flamboyant life style even though very neat as a person, has enabled him curtail unnecessary expenditures. While some governors use constructions and renovation of their liaison offices to defraud their states, Fr Alia manages funds and sleeps in his liaison house while in Abuja.