Benue must become Nigeria’s agro-industrial powerhouse – Tinubu 

President Bola Tinubu has commended Benue State for sustaining millions of Nigerians through its fertile lands, which have sustained millions of Nigerians, while ingenuity, resilience, and determination of its people have earned Benue a place of honour in every sphere of national life.

The President, who made this known during the grand finale of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the State held at the IBB Square in Makurdi, noted that for five decades, Benue had “fed our nation, strengthened our economy, enriched our diversity, and produced exceptional men and women whose contributions continue to shape the destiny of Nigeria.”

He said, “The State has justified the vision behind its creation, describing Benue as “one of the pillars of our federation”.

President Tinubu, who was represented by Femi Gbajabiamila, his chief of Staff, recalled that the creation of Benue State represented “far more than the establishment of a new administrative entity”, saying it reflected Nigeria’s commitment to justice, inclusion, and balanced development.

The President also paid a glowing tribute to the founding fathers, particularly the late Joseph Sarwuan Tarka, describing him as “one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists and champions of equity, whose tireless advocacy for justice and minority rights helped lay the foundation for the creation of Benue State.

The President also honoured every governor, administrator, legislator, traditional ruler, religious leader, farmer, teacher, entrepreneur, civil servant, and citizen, saying, “Every farmer whose labour feeds our nation every citizen whose daily sacrifices have contributed to the progress of this great State.

President Tinubu said Benue’s contributions are “profound and enduring,” listing Senate Presidents, Speakers, SGF, Ministers, Ambassadors, Service Chiefs, jurists, scholars, captains of industry, artists, and sporting icons. “Whose achievements have brought pride and honour to our nation.”

The President commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his commitment to governance, infrastructure, peace, and opportunities, saying, the Federal Government remains “steadfast in its partnership with Benue State in addressing security challenges, modernising agriculture, improving infrastructure, creating jobs, expanding access to quality healthcare and education.”

Looking ahead, President Tinubu said Benue is “well positioned to become not only Nigeria’s agricultural powerhouse but also a leading centre of agro-industrial innovation, commerce, education, tourism, and investment.” He cited the state’s agricultural resources, youthful population, culture, location, and resilient people.

Speaking directly to young people, the President said: “The next chapter of this state’s history belongs to you. Let your ideas become industries, your talents become enterprises, your education become innovation, even as he urged all Benue sons and daughters to remain united, steadfast in peace, and committed to development.

President Tinubu noted that the story of Benue is “a story of hope” and that “the next fifty years must surpass the achievements of the last fifty.”

Earlier, Governor Alia said Benue’s story, “began many decades earlier through the determined struggle of the ethnic nationalities of the Middle Belt for justice, equity, and political inclusion.”

He credited the late Joseph Sarwuan Tarka for courageous advocacy for minority rights and state creation,” while President Tinubu described Tarka as “one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists and champions of equity.”

Governor Alia recalled that Benue was created on February 3, 1976 by the late General Murtala Mohammed, with Colonel Abdullahi Shelleng as pioneer Military Governor. President Tinubu said the creation reflected “Nigeria’s commitment to justice, inclusion, and balanced development,” and that 50 years later, Benue “has more than justified that vision.”

“We are determined to move Benue beyond being only the Food Basket, our goal is to develop strong value chains and transform Benue from a supplier of raw materials into a leading centre for agro-industrial and mineral-based economic development.

“I envisioned a Benue where every LGA becomes a centre of economic productivity, where every child receives quality education; where every farmer has access to modern technology and agro-industries, where peace and security prevail”, Governor Alia emphasised.