By Emmanuel Antswen
Prominent national and traditional leaders have called for greater unity, peaceful coexistence and inclusive governance as Benue State marked its 50th anniversary.
Speaking at the golden jubilee celebration in Makurdi, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, described Benue as a hospitable state and urged Nigerians to remain optimistic about the country’s future.
The revered monarch recalled serving in Benue during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year, describing the people as warm, welcoming and accommodating.
The Ooni said the NYSC scheme, established to promote national unity, enabled young Nigerians to appreciate the country’s diversity through interaction with people from different regions.
He urged citizens to continue believing in Nigeria and to support efforts by political leaders to strengthen national unity and improve security.
“We must believe in our country and in the unity and togetherness of Nigeria. Despite the challenges, Nigeria is making progress, and we will overcome our security difficulties together”.
Also speaking, former Vice President Namadi Sambo congratulated the government and people of Benue on the state’s golden jubilee, describing the anniversary as a celebration of history, resilience and collective progress.
Sambo described Benue as Nigeria’s food basket, blessed with fertile land, rich cultural heritage and hard-working people.
He also commended Gov. Hyacinth Alia’s efforts to revive abandoned projects, citing the ongoing rehabilitation of a long-abandoned Taraku Mills, a flour mill and animal feed factory.
According to him, the fact that no equipment was stolen from the facility during decades of abandonment reflected the honesty and character of the Benue people.
In his remarks, the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, praised the resilience of the Benue people in the face of insecurity and other challenges over the past five decades.
Ayatse commended successive governors for contributing to the state’s development while paying tribute to the late Aper Aku, Benue’s first democratically elected governor, for laying the foundation for the state’s growth.
The traditional ruler urged political leaders to embrace inclusive governance that would give every part of the state a sense of belonging.
He also appealed to politicians to pursue politics of unity rather than division, warning that persistent political conflicts would undermine the state’s development.
“We must raise leaders whose interest is in the people, not leaders whose interest is in themselves. Benue needs politics that unite rather than divide”.
Ayatse pledged the support of the Benue State Council of Traditional Rulers to the political leadership in advancing the state’s development, expressing confidence that Benue would achieve greater progress through unity and cooperation.
