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GOVERNOR ALIA ENDS BACKWARDNESS IN BENUE STATE

Published

1 year ago

May 29, 2024

Felicia Mammah N.

The Governor of Benue state, Rev. Dr. Hycient Iromen Alia may have proven wrong the saying that; “politics is a dirty game”. Just like the biblical saying that; “many were called but few are chosen”, Governor Alia has through his practical projects proven his sincerity of purpose to his generation and citizens that voted him into power.

Although he did not read political science but he is delivering expectedly through politics. A Man that has failed in political administration is that man without genuine mission, vision and selflessness. In less than 365 days of his tenure, he has re-designed and fixed the 23 dilapidated roads in his state that used to be death trap to his people. In a country where many have assumed that politics is a dirty game due to the failure and greed of political actors, seeing a forthright and dedicated leader seems like seeing an ocean in the desert.

Politics is one of the accredited courses studied in both state and federal universities, but its most preferred to impact political knowledge on people than involve people in practical politics where change can be effected with utmost credibility.
One would ask why parents will accept their children to study political science if the course is not relevant in life. Politics may be said to be a game of numbers with various technicalities to achieve success.

Interestingly, in the contemporary Nigerian setting, despite the risk in the struggle to win majority acceptance, only the courageous and determined hearts wear the crown. Politicians apply different measures to emerge victorious in elections only to make peace later, just like what happened in the Bible where Jacob who stole the blessing of his brother Cain eventually made peace for togetherness in the family. So, why will some politicians turn everlasting enemies because of party differences and anger of relinquishing power?

But for Fr. Alia, most part of his success has been his formidable team of like minds with globalized brains that can transform ideas into reality and actualization.
Benue state is among the minority states that aspire to liberate from mental slavery that has for many years left some of her brightest youth in drunken state and helplessness by past leaders who operated in oblivion of the condition of their subjects.

The governor’s easy access by his subjects, is a strategic device to the calmness in his environment including visible projects that everybody in the state has wished for long. The young priest has not only embarked on Capital Projects but has motivated contractors to complete the contracts awarded to them within the time limits. Some of the completed projects have however, started changing the face of the state as well as attracting investors including the World Bank.
Notwithstanding distractions of killings by misguided illiterate hooligans, Fr. Alia sees the tomorrow of youths in his state knowing that his vision for change, will surely bring back laughter in sorrowful minds.

It is also, worthy to note that in the history of governance in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has involved right thinking youths of substance in his administration. The appearances of these youths in their designated duties give hope for a better tomorrow for themselves. Benue State Governor in line with President Tinubu’s foresight, has formidable youths that wish to be in the Guinness book of success story, hence their penchant to work towards the ambition of their governor.

“Machine” as Fr. Alia is popularly called in his state coronets the energy seen in him that won him the acceptance of his people with the acronym, “YES FATHER”.
The attention of the Benue State governor has concentrated in his challenging projects; thus his reason for not having the interest of relaxing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) except to attend meetings for proper representation of his state. He has no doubt, turned his state to a visiting place of relaxation for the indigenes making the place home away from home. The governor has been occupied with tedious capital projects that other administrations did not consider developmental.

It’s worthy to therefore, note that the Gross Domestic product (GDP) of Benue state is N4. 27 trillion, yet the state governor has been very economical and willing to encourage business oriented investors that are sure of conducive environment that will boast their bilateral business agreements with the state. Among some notable and commendable capital projects that the governor has concluded efficiently are; the construction of North Bank and the International Road that have been fixed. Governor Alia has meanwhile, extended development of infrastructure to bridges in Gboko G.R.A and High Level areas. He has particularly embarked on reviewing both the state expenditure and Income to enable him ex-tray lack of infrastructural development from past administrators.

Most past administrators in their myopic state were alleged to have defrauded the state with many bank accounts without bearing in mind that the same bankers that aided their fraud are same bankers that will expose their dirty deals. But the governor in his own wisdom, saw the need to ascertain the appropriateness of utilization, interest charged on the loans collected and possible abuses of the state funds. Significant among the abuse projects is the Parris Club Refunds received by his state but was not properly accounted. Just as the Governor wishes to create avenues for employment; all the sectors are currently undergoing proper sanitization to search out ghost workers that will enhance transparent employment to deserving youths.

Fr. Alia was unanimously, voted into power e-mass by his people who on daily bases, express their confidence on him as well as look forward to their hopes being restored back. Grate regards with credit will always be given to Sen. George Akume who despite resolvable conflict between him and his son Fr. Alia remains supports to his success and that of the state. “Benue state is for Benue indigenes. Everybody in Benue State is a stake holder. The down fall of Governor Alia, is the down fall of all and the success of Governor Alia is the Success of all”.

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PSIN Administrator Commends Yobe Government for Championing Leadership Continuity and Institutional Sustainability

Published

2 hours ago

November 5, 2025

The Gleamer

Cyril Igele

The Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Barrister Imeh Okon, has applauded the Yobe State Government for its strong commitment to leadership continuity and sustainable governance through strategic investment in human capital development.

Barrister Okon gave the commendation at the opening of a Management Retreat for Yobe State Permanent Secretaries, held at the PSIN headquarters in Abuja.

The retreat, themed “Succession Planning, Leadership Continuity, and Institutional Sustainability in the Yobe State Public Service,” convened senior bureaucrats and resource persons to discuss strategies for strengthening leadership and governance within the state’s civil service.

In her remarks, the PSIN Administrator praised Governor Mai Mala Buni for his foresight and partnership in prioritizing public sector training and capacity development. She described the theme of the retreat as both “timely and visionary,” emphasizing that institutions endure only when leadership is continuous, knowledge is shared, and systems—not individuals—drive performance.

“Institutions thrive not merely on structures or policies, but on the deliberate cultivation of capable leaders who can sustain progress across generations,” she said. “By prioritizing leadership continuity and institutional resilience, Yobe State is leading by example.”

Barrister Okon reiterated PSIN’s mandate to build a competent, ethical, and innovative public service capable of delivering tangible results to citizens. She stressed that effective succession planning must be anchored in continuous training, mentorship, and exposure to emerging governance trends.

Citing best practices from Singapore and the United Kingdom, Okon noted that successful public service systems deliberately identify and nurture potential leaders through structured talent pipelines and transparent career development programmes. According to her, Yobe State’s initiative reflects its readiness to sustain excellence in governance.

She also highlighted PSIN’s flagship programmes—SMART-P, which builds administrative and technical capacity; LEAD-P, designed to groom emerging leaders; and the Exit from Service Masterclass, which prepares officers for life after service. Okon urged the Yobe Government to adopt the Exit Masterclass into its human resource framework to ensure a smooth transition for retirees, preserve institutional knowledge, and promote productivity through entrepreneurship and consultancy.

“Succession planning is not an event but a culture that must be institutionalised at every level of public administration,” she added. “When we prepare successors in advance and invest in continuous learning, we guarantee the sustainability of reforms and consistency in governance.”

Declaring the retreat open, the Acting Head of Service of Yobe State, Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu, reaffirmed Governor Buni’s commitment to building a results-driven and high-performing public service.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Public Service, Alhaji Shehu, the Acting Head of Service expressed gratitude to God and lauded PSIN as the “mother institution of public service learning.” He stated that Governor Buni has consistently directed the Office of the Head of Service to promote seamless succession planning and capacity building to enhance efficiency and accountability across government institutions.

“In line with this directive, we have brought the top echelon of the state civil service to PSIN—being the drivers and core implementers of government policies and programmes—to strengthen continuity and sustainability in our reforms,” he said.

He urged participants to fully engage in the retreat, share experiences, and cascade the knowledge gained to officers across ministries, departments, and agencies. The exercise, he explained, forms part of a deliberate strategy to institutionalize effective succession planning within the Yobe State Civil Service, thereby ensuring sustained productivity and improved service delivery to citizens.

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