December 25, (THEWILL) – Governor Hyacinth Alia has admonished Benue people to resist being swayed by desperate, selfish and disgruntled politicians, who are only interested in weaponising them to cause divisions, mischief and disharmony in the state.
“Always watch out for their media propaganda, often couched in press conferences, staged video clips, doctored audio files and messages”.
In a Christmas message delivered at Government House Makurdi on Monday, the Governor also called on people to watch out, especially for those who have abdicated their primary legislative responsibilities which they voted to Abuja to perform.
“Be very wary of them at this crucial period as they have sadly failed to jointly sponsor even one newsworthy bill in the last six months, but have rather resorted to poisoning your minds with hate in the bid to divide and conquer”.
He felicitated with the people, particularly fellow Christian brothers and sisters across the State, Nigeria and indeed the world over, on the occasion of this year’s Christmas celebration.
According to him, the anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ allows exuding love for one another and to share gifts and quality time with less privileged, friends and families.
“It is a moment for us to imbibe the timeless values of compassion, tolerance and forgiveness irrespective of ethnic, cultural and historical differences, as exemplified by the birth and life of Jesus Christ”.
Governor Alia noted that he finds this Yuletide very unique, as it is his first as the people’s Governor, saying Seven months ago, he received a formal handover of the baton of leadership as unanimously determined by millions of Benue people at the polls.
He assured of his resolve and that of every member of his team never to let Benue people down; saying it is partly for this reason that he recently handed 100 buses to the State-owned Benue Links transport company, mandating them to ensure that every commuter in Benue enjoys subsidised rates of transportation to their various destinations, especially during this Yuletide and afterwards.
“More so, just last week, I flagged off the distribution of grains and other food items as palliatives across the 276 council wards in the State. The aim is not only to bring succour to the masses given the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy; the move is also geared towards translating RENEWED HOPE into reality in the form of tokens of tangible dividends of democracy to cater for our most immediate needs”.
“Prompt payment of workers’ salaries is another statutory obligation that has come to stay under my watch. Be assured that the best is even yet to come”.
He expressed the belief that the birth of Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace will ignite in us the optimism of hope that we can be better than our current circumstances, and therefore, enjoin all people to strive to be better than they are today, combining our faith with exemplary conduct.
Governor, therefore, calls on all to shun acts that dislocate unity but must learn to live in harmony with all and sundry irrespective of various religious, ethnic and political leaning.
“In this season of hope, I urge you to remember to visit the sick, as well as provide refuge to those who cannot enjoy Christmas at home with their families, or have been sacked from their homes by insurgency or violence, particularly the IDPs”.
The Governor commended all security agencies, the civil society, the youth and all relevant stakeholders across the state, for upping their game during this period, hoping that this patriotic act of theirs would be sustained even after the current celebrations.
He expressed conviction that better days lie ahead of us as a people, as he looks forward to a rancour-free Benue in which goodwill, love, unity and prosperity reign supreme.
About the Author
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
